Tolerance Limits Research Articles

Mercury-tolerant metalophiles: A bio tool for remediation of mercury (Hg) affected Environs

Due to their low solubility, carcinogenic and mutagenic effects, heavy metals are of critical concern to humans and the environment. Mercury (Hg) is one of the rarest and least concentrated elements in the world, but it is ranked third in terms of toxicity. The present investigation evaluates the response and tolerance limit of bacteria isolated from the saffron soil of the Kashmir Valley to various mercury concentrations (50 ppm to 400 ppm). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was calculated after 24hours by measuring the optical density. Isolated bacteria have been characterized using two efficient methods, i.e. 16S rRNA gene sequence and MALDI-TOF MS. A total of 72 isolates were investigated for the mercury tolerance and among them, only 8 isolates (Staphylococcus equorum, Leclercia adecarboxylata, Staphylococcus warneri, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Serratia plymuthica, Bacillus megaterium, Pseudomonas putida and Bacillus safensis) were found tolerant to mercury with varying MIC. In comparison, Pseudomonas putida has been found to have the maximum resistance (400 ppm) for mercury and S. plymuthica and L. adecarboxylate had the lowest resistance level (200 ppm). The sequestration potential results revealed that P. putida executed the highest sequestration potential (73%) while K. pneumoniae showed the lowest sequestration potential (51.63%). Thus mercury tolerance capacity of these species may be utilised for detoxification and removal of mercury from polluted sites, providing an eco-friendly technique for bioremediation of mercury-affected environments.

Arsenic Stress Mitigation Using a Novel Plant Growth-Promoting Bacterial Strain Bacillus mycoides NR5 in Spinach Plant (Spinacia oleracea L.).

Present study aimed to identify arsenic (As)-resistant bacterial strains that can be used to mitigate arsenic stress. A bacterium Bacillus mycoides NR5 having As tolerance limit of 1100 mg L-1 was isolated from Nag River, Maharashtra, India. It was also equipped with plant growth-promoting (PGP) attributes like phosphate solubilization, siderophores, ammonia, and nitrate reduction, with added antibiotic tolerance. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron micrograph (TEM) suggested biosorption as possible mechanisms of arsenic tolerance. A strong peak in FTIR spectra at 3379.0 corresponding to amine in As-treated NR5 also indicated metal interaction with cell surface protein. Amplification of arsenic reductase gene in NR5 further suggested intracellular transformation of As speciation. Moreover, As tolerance capability of NR5 was shown in spinach plants in which the bacterium effectively mitigated 25 ppm As by producing defense-related proline molecules. Evidence from SEM, TEM, and FTIR, concluded biosorption possibly the primary mechanism of As tolerance in NR5 along with the transformation of arsenic. B. mycoides NR5 with PGP attributes, high As tolerance, and antibiotic resistance mediated enhanced As tolerance in spinach plants advocated that the strain can be a better choice for As bioremediation in contaminated agricultural soil and water.

DEVELOPMENT OF WATER QUALITY MONITORING SYSTEM IN SHRIMP PONDS BASED ON INTERNET OF THINGS (IOT)

This type of research is research and development (R&D) which uses the waterfall development model. The aim of this research is to produce a water quality monitoring system in shrimp ponds based on the Internet of Things (IoT) and to find out the results of testing the development of the system using the ISO 25010 standard. This development involves the application of ESP32, Relay, Toa Siren, DS18b20 Temperature Sensor, pH Sensor Module 4502C, Water Salinity and Turbidity Sensor which allows users to get real-time pond water quality monitoring information via the Telegram application. The test results for the reliability aspect have met the fault tolerance sub-characteristic standards because the percentage of measurement error obtained for the temperature sensor was 0.10%, pH 0.54%, salinity 1.19%, and turbidity 1.00%, still within the permitted tolerance limits. Functionality suitability testing shows that this tool obtains a percentage of 100%, indicating that the system is suitable for use. This tool also meets the portability aspect because it can be used on various devices with different operating systems. Apart from that, the usability evaluation results from user responses are in the very good category with an average of >4.2.

A Systematic Review of Phase II/III Trials of Hypofractionated versus Conventionally Fractionated Radiation Therapy in Stage III Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients

Introduction: This systematic review evaluated whether curative intent hypofractionated radiation therapy improved survival (primary endpoint) as compared to standard conventionally fractionated radiation therapy for stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Toxicity was also examined as a secondary endpoint. Methods: Electronic bibliographic databases were searched from 1 January 1990 to 31 March 2024. Phase II and phase III trials were included to assess survival (primary outcome) and toxicity (secondary outcome) for newly diagnosed stage III NSCLC patients. Results: Eight phase II trials (n = 349 participants), 3 randomized phase II trials (n = 382 participants), and 5 randomized phase III trials (n = 811 participants), for a total of 1542 participants, were identified. The published trials were heterogeneous, with a wide variety of dose prescriptions. A wide range of survivals (median survival 13.6 months–42.5 months) and toxicities such as grade 3 or higher esophagitis (0–42%) and grade 3 or higher pneumonitis (0–18%) were reported. Conclusions: There is no level 1 evidence to date that suggests that any hypofractionated regimen (dose escalated or not) improves survival as compared to conventionally fractionated radiation. The published phase III trials have been powered for superiority (not equivalence) for the hypofractionated arm. Toxicity with hypofractionated regimens may be similar to conventionally fractionated regimens when normal tissue radiotherapy constraints are kept within tolerance limits. It is unclear how the use of systemic therapy may negatively affect radiation toxicity with hypofractionated radiation therapy.

Quantitative suppression of unsteady powerline noise in transient electromagnetic surveys: Adjustment of base-frequency and optimal choice of stacking-times.

Powerline noise is a severe interference source in urban or mine transient electromagnetic (TEM) surveys. TEM systems generally adopt the synchronous detection scheme to suppress the powerline noise. However, when the powerline frequency fluctuates differing from its nominal value (50/60Hz), the considerable powerline noise residue still remains even after synchronous detection. To overcome this problem, this paper proposes the quantitative suppression method for powerline noise taking into account the instability of powerline frequency. The method is based on the adjustment of base-frequency and optimal choice of stacking-times. We represent mathematically the sufficient condition for powerline noise suppression by synchronous detection. It consists of two equations, one with respect to base-frequency and other with respect to stacking-times. The base-frequency is adjusted according to powerline frequency estimate. We first derive the mathematical relationship between frequency estimation accuracy, residual noise amplitude, and stacking-times. Based on it, we develop an efficient algorithm to determine the optimal stacking-times. The algorithm takes as an input the powerline noise estimates and the noise tolerance limit. The tolerance limit is set to a certain value desired by the user, such as 10, 4, and 1 µV. By adjusting base-frequency and determining optimal stacking-times, the powerline noise residue after synchronous detection is reduced to below the desired tolerance limit. We verify the effectiveness of the proposed method for both simulated and actual noise. Experimental results show that the method achieves quantitative suppression of unsteady powerline noise without any damage of effective signal and prevents the measurement time loss due to excessive stacking.

Characterisation of Fatty Acid Profiles in Tasmanian Atlantic Salmon Muscle, Oocytes and Eggs in Differing Fully Commercial Settings

ABSTRACTTasmanian Atlantic salmon broodstock may be conditioned in flow‐through (FT) systems where water quality fluctuates and temperatures approach their upper limit of thermal tolerance, or in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) where conditions are comparatively cool and stable. The impact of broad conditioning approach on the molecular cargo of salmon eggs has never been explored in dynamic commercial settings. Therefore, this study aimed to characterise the reproductive features of broodstock conditioned using different commercial approaches and determine whether the fatty acid (FA) profiles of muscle, oocytes and eggs varied between groups during vitellogenesis and at stripping. The collective conditioning approach had a marked impact on the somatic and reproductive dynamics of female salmon broodstock, and the eggs produced by each group of fish were fundamentally different in terms of their FA composition. Of particular note is the increased maternal investment of saturated FAs (mg.g−1) and monounsaturated FAs (percent and mg.g−1) by FT‐based eggs, and the higher n3 polyunsaturated FA (percent and mg.g−1), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, percent and mg.g−1), arachidonic acid (ARA, percent), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, percent), n3:n6 ratio and ARA:EPA ratio of RAS‐based eggs. These metrics combined with the apparently higher prevalence of neural development and survival of RAS embryos suggest that RAS eggs were of higher quality. On the other hand, there is evidence to suggest that FT broodstock attempt to prepare their offspring for a (presumably) challenging early life environment by producing larger eggs that are proportionally rich in short‐chain FAs and contain a higher total quantity of FAs per egg.

Regulatory compliance of taurine containing food products marketed in India using a validated method: A pilot study

Taurine is an important functional food ingredient found in infant food, nutritional supplements and energy drinks. Concerns about the safety and quality of these products have prompted enhanced regulatory interest and enforcement. This study aimed to investigate regulatory compliance of taurine, in selected food products available in the Indian market. To assess compliance, a liquid chromatography method based on post-column derivatization with ninhydrin for the determination of taurine was validated for selectivity, accuracy, precision, linearity range, limit of detection, recovery and analysis of certified reference material. Excellent sensitivity, reproducibility and selectivity were achieved. The limit of detection and limit of quantification for the method was 0.0014 mg/100 mL and 0.0044 mg/100 mL, respectively. The overall percentage recoveries ranged from 95 % to 98 %. A total of 26 different products were analysed for their taurine content and compared with the label claim. Box-plots revealed wide variation in the taurine content. The determined concentrations of taurine ranged from 21.69 to 36.80 mg/100 g for infant foods with 7 out of the 9 samples analysed in the permitted tolerance limit of 20 % of the stated claim. Taurine content varied from 195.7 to 445.8 mg/100 mL for energy drinks with the percentage difference between obtained and declared values ranging from 4.15 to 11.46. All the 9 dietary supplements analyzed were found to contain taurine (20.48–68.62 mg/100 g), even though it was not listed as an ingredient. Our results confirm the efficacy of the proposed method in ensuring compliance with taurine in food products, underlining its importance for risk assessors and regulators.

Aminothiophenol and 7-diethylamino-4-hydroxycoumarin derived probe for reversible turn off–on–off detection of Cu2+ ions and cysteine

Here, we present a simple disulfide linked probe HTP for rapid detection of Cu2+ ions, which was prepared by a condensation reaction between 7-diethylamino-4-hydroxycoumarin aldehyde and 2-aminothiophenol. The disulfide linked probe HTP was characterized using 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and HRMS spectroscopic analysis and confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The photophysical behavior of HTP in various solvents (non-polar to polar) was studied and HTP displayed aggregation induced emission (AIE) characteristics in CH3CN-water mixtures (0–99 %). Upon binding with Cu2+ ions, emission enhancement occurs along with color changes from weak green to intense yellow emission in CH3CN/Tris-HCl buffer (20 μM, 9:1, 10 mM Tris HCl Buffer, pH = 7.4). Detection limit for Cu2+ ions was found to be 0.97 nM which is lower than the recommended tolerance limit by the WHO and the association constant 0.42 × 108 M−1 was obtained using B-H plot. Furthermore, the stoichiometric ratio 1:1 was confirmed by job’s plot, 1H NMR, mass spectral analysis and DFT calculations were supported the formation of HTP-Cu2+ complex. The reversibility of HTP with Cu2+ ions was achieved by cysteine with detection limit and association constant value of 1.64 µM and 0.15 × 107 M−1 respectively. The reversible sensing nature of HTP with Cu2+/cysteine was further applied for constructing a molecular logic gate (INHIBIT) and practical applications such as paper strips, cotton swabs and real water analysis.

Identification of plankton habitats in the North Sea.

The definition of an ecological niche makes it possible to anticipate the responses of a species to changing environmental conditions. Broad tolerance limits and a paucity of readily observable niches in the pelagic zone make it difficult to anticipate responses of the plankton community related to anthropogenic or environmental changes. Plankton distributions are closely linked to climate change and shape the seascape for higher trophic levels, so monitoring plankton distributions and defining ecological niches will help to understand and predict ecosystem responses. Here we apply a machine learning autoencoder and a density-based clustering algorithm to high-frequency datasets sampled with a ROTV Triaxus in the North Sea. The results indicate that in this highly dynamic environment, local hydrography prevents niche-based separation of plankton species at the sub-mesoscale, despite the availability of different habitats. Plankton patches were associated with naturally occurring frontal systems and anthropogenically induced upwelling-downwelling dipoles in the vicinity of offshore wind farms (OWFs).

Implementation of the Internet of Things in Centrifuge Calibrators

The implementation of Internet of Things (IoT) technology in centrifuge calibrators brings innovation by enhancing accuracy and efficiency in medical device calibration. This research develops an IoT-based centrifuge calibrator capable of storing calibration data digitally and providing real-time access, using the E18-D80NK sensor for rotational motion detection, which is more cost-effective than conventional laser modules. Measurement results demonstrate high accuracy across various RPM settings (1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, and 3000 RPM), with minimal error and stability within acceptable tolerance limits. The key advantage of IoT implementation lies in efficient calibration data management, enabling real-time access and integration with other systems for effective analysis and monitoring of calibration outcomes. Overall, IoT technology in centrifuge calibration not only enhances healthcare service quality with reliable results but also supports efficient and transparent equipment management in medical settings, offering long-term benefits to healthcare facilities and patients.

Effect of Curcumin Intake on Skeletal Muscle Oxygen Saturation Parameters in Older Participants.

Aging is associated with increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reduced bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO). Curcumin has been shown to increase NO bioavailability due to its ability to neutralize ROS, preventing oxidative stress. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of curcumin intake on skeletal muscle oxygen parameters and exercise tolerance in response to exercise in older people. Changes in circulating levels of NO metabolites were also investigated. Older subjects consumed 10 g of turmeric root extract from Curcuma longa L. (containing 95.33% of the total curcuminoids) or placebo in a randomized, double-blind, crossover study. A time of 2 h after ingestion, the participants performed one set of rhythmic handgrip exercise until the limit of tolerance, followed by 5 min of recovery. During exercise and exercise recovery, skeletal muscle oxygen saturation parameters were recorded. During exercise, the amplitude of deoxyhemoglobin was greater after curcumin intake compared to placebo (CUR: 13.11 ± 9.52 vs. PLA: 10.22 ± 8.39 μM, p = 0.030). Furthermore, a faster skeletal muscle oxygen resaturation during exercise recovery was observed after curcumin compared to placebo (CUR: 1.01 ± 0.65 vs. PLA: 0.32 ± 0.20%.s-1, p = 0.004). These results were associated with significant changes in plasma nitrite (CUR: 6.82 ± 11.68 vs. PLA: -4.94 ± 17.28%, p = 0.028). There was no statistical difference in the total hemoglobin, exercise time until fatigue, and plasma nitrate between groups. The present study suggests that curcumin improves muscle oxygenation status at the capillary level in older adults by possibly improving muscle oxygen extraction and/or delivery, with no effect on exercise tolerance.

Ozone stress-induced DNA methylation variations and their transgenerational inheritance in foxtail millet.

Elevated near-surface ozone (O3) concentrations have surpassed the tolerance limits of plants, significantly impacting crop growth and yield. To mitigate ozone pollution, plants must evolve a rapid and effective defense mechanism to alleviate ozone-induced damage. DNA methylation, as one of the most crucial epigenetic modifications, plays a pivotal role in maintaining gene stability, regulating gene expression, and enhancing plant resilience to environmental stressors. However, the epigenetic response of plants to O3 stress, particularly DNA methylation variations and their intergenerational transmission, remains poorly understood. This study aims to explore the epigenetic mechanisms underlying plant responses to ozone stress across generations and to identify potential epigenetic modification sites or genes crucial in response to ozone stress. Using Open Top Chambers (OTCs), we simulated ozone conditions and subjected foxtail millet to continuous ozone stress at 200 nmol mol-1 for two consecutive generations (S0 and S1). Results revealed that under high-concentration ozone stress, foxtail millet leaves exhibited symptoms ranging from yellowing and curling to desiccation, but the damage in the S1 generation was not more severe than that in the S0 generation. Methylation Sensitive Amplified Polymorphism (MSAP) analysis of the two generations indicated that ozone stress-induced methylation variations ranging from 10.82% to 13.59%, with demethylation events ranged from 0.52% to 5.58%, while hypermethylation occurred between 0.35% and 2.76%. Reproductive growth stages were more sensitive to ozone than vegetative stages. Notably, the S1 generation exhibited widespread demethylation variations, primarily at CNG sites, compared to S0 under similar stress conditions. The inheritance pattern between S0 and S1 generations was mainly of the A-A-B-A type. By recovering and sequencing methylation variant bands, we identified six stress-related differential amplification sequences, implicating these variants in various biological processes. These findings underscore the potential significance of DNA methylation variations as a critical mechanism in plants' response to ozone stress, providing theoretical insights and references for a comprehensive understanding of plant adaptation mechanisms to ozone stress and the epigenetic role of DNA methylation in abiotic stress regulation.

Seasonal and between-population variation in heat tolerance and cooling efficiency in a Mediterranean songbird

Discrete populations of widely distributed species may inhabit areas with marked differences in climatic conditions across geographic and seasonal scales, which could result in intraspecific variation in thermal physiology reflecting genetic adaptation, phenotypic plasticity, or both. However, few studies have evaluated inter-population variation in physiological responses to heat. We evaluated within- and inter-population seasonal variation in heat tolerance, cooling efficiency and other key thermoregulatory traits in two Mediterranean populations of Great tit Parus major experiencing contrasting thermal environments: a lowland population subject to hotter summers and a higher annual thermal amplitude than a montane population. Specifically, we measured heat tolerance limits (HTL), body temperature, resting metabolic rate, evaporative water loss, and evaporative cooling efficiency (the ratio between evaporative heat loss to metabolic heat production) within and above the thermoneutral zone during winter and summer. Heat tolerance during summer was greater in lowland than in montane birds; indeed, lowland birds seasonally increased this trait to a significant level, while montane ones did to a lesser extent. Besides, lowland birds showed greater evaporative cooling efficiency during summer (possibly due in part to reductions in total endogenous heat load), while surprisingly montane ones showed the opposite trend. Thus, lowland birds displayed greater seasonal flexibility in HTL, body temperature and resting metabolic rate above thermoneutrality, thus giving some support to the climatic variability hypothesis — that flexibility in thermoregulatory traits should increase with climatic variability. Our results partially support the idea that songbirds’ adaptive thermoregulation in the heat is flexible, highlighting the importance of considering intraspecific variation in thermoregulatory traits when modelling the future distribution and persistence of species under different climate change scenarios.

The liver as a central "hub" of the immune system: pathophysiological implications

The purpose of this review is to describe the immune function of the liver, guiding the reader from the homeostatic tolerogenic status to the aberrant activation demonstrated in chronic liver disease. An extensive description of the pathways behind the inflammatory modulation of the healthy liver will be provided focusing on the complex immune cell network residing within the liver. The limit of tolerance will be presented in the context of organ transplantation, seizing the limits of homeostatic mechanisms that fail in accepting the graft, progressing eventually toward rejection. The triggers and mechanisms behind chronic activation in metabolic liver conditions and viral hepatitis will be discussed. The last session will be dedicated to one of the greatest paradoxes for a tolerogenic organ, developing autoimmunity. Through the description of the three most common autoimmune liver disease, the autoimmune reaction against hepatocytes and biliary epithelial cells will be dissected.

Thermal stress during incubation in an arctic breeding seabird

Arctic breeding seabirds have experienced dramatic population declines in recent decades. The population of Arctic skuas (Stercorarius parasiticus) nesting on the Faroe Islands, North Atlantic, breed near the southern extent of their breeding range and are experiencing some of the largest declines. This is thought to be caused in part by increased warming due to climate change and thus, it is becoming critical to investigate the proximate and ultimate effects of the thermal environment on parental physiology, behaviour and breeding success. Behavioural observations at an Arctic skua long-term monitoring colony were undertaken during the 2016 breeding season to determine the frequencies of thermoregulatory panting, and interrupted incubation events. Incubating Arctic skuas showed thermoregulatory behaviour at air temperatures (Ta) of 9 °C, which suggested that they may be operating near their upper thermal tolerance limit. Arctic skuas spent significantly more time panting as Ta increases, wind speed decreases and sun exposure increases. This relationship was apparent even within the narrow ranges of Ta (7.5–15 °C) and wind speed (0-5 ms−1) recorded. Incubation effort was not continuous with birds leaving the nest for up to 100% of the observation block. While we found no relationship between interrupted incubation and environmental conditions, panting was only observed in birds that were simultaneously incubating eggs. These results highlight the constraints on birds during the incubation phase of breeding, and indicate a potential maladaptive behaviour of maintaining incubation despite the increased cost of thermoregulation under warming temperatures in this species. However, the relationship between thermal stress, nest absence and demographic parameters remains unclear, highlighting the importance of longitudinal and/or high-resolution studies that focus on Arctic specialists and the interrelationships between environmental factors, nest absence rates and productivity.

The effects of low vs. high rating of perceived exertion clamp exercise on performance, neuromuscular, and muscle oxygen saturation responses in females.

This study examined the time course of changes in force, relative to critical force (CF), electromyographic amplitude (EMG AMP), neuromuscular efficiency (NE), and muscle oxygen saturation (SmO2), as well as time to task failure (TTF) and performance fatigability (PF) during isometric handgrip holds to failure (HTF) anchored to the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) at 3 and 7. Ten females completed pre-test maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVICs), submaximal HTF at four percentages of MVIC, an HTF at RPE = 3 and 7, and post-test MVICs. Analyses included paired samples t-tests, repeated measures ANOVAs and planned comparisons. TTF was not different between RPE 3 (540.4 ± 262.1s) and 7 (592.2 ± 299.6s), but PF for RPE 7 (42.1 ± 19.1%) was greater than RPE 3 (33.5 ± 15.4%) (p < 0.05). There were RPE-dependent decreases in force, EMG AMP, and NE across three discernable phases during the HTF (p < 0.01), but there were no significant changes in SmO2 across time. Although there were overall similar patterns across time for force, neuromuscular, and muscle metabolic responses between the RPE holds, the greater PF at RPE 7 than RPE 3 may be explained by the longer sustained time above CF at RPE 7, resulting in greater accumulation of intramuscular metabolites and afferent feedback. Throughout each trial, it is possible that force was adjusted to avoid the sensory tolerance limit, and the task was ended when force could no longer be reduced to maintain the assigned RPE, resulting in a similar TTF for RPE 7 and RPE 3.

Evaluation of rational drug use in primary healthcare centres of Probolinggo District, Indonesia

Background: The Indonesian government has been working on optimising drug use in primary healthcare centres (puskesmas) of the Probolinggo District Health Office (dinkes). Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the rationality of drug use (RDU) using indicators set by the Indonesian Ministry of Health. Method: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted using data from 33 Puskesmas in Probolinggo Dinkes during the year 2022. Data on patients diagnosed with Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) non-pneumonia (n = 36,378), non-specific diarrhoea (n = 4,291), and myalgia injection cases (n = 9,641) were collected. Result: The study's findings showed that the percentage of antibiotics for ARI was 17.11%, meeting the standard. Of the 33 Puskesmas, 67% met the standard, while 33% did not. Meanwhile, the antibiotic used for non-specific diarrhoea was 9.58%, exceeding the tolerance limit, with 55% of Puskesmas meeting the standard and 45% not. The percentage for injectable drugs in myalgia cases was 0.43%, in line with the standard, with 82% of Puskesmas meeting the standard and 18% not. Conclusion: The study found that antibiotic usage for ARI and injections for myalgia met the standards, but for non-specific diarrhoea cases did not.

APPLICATION OF NANOSENSOR BASED SCREEN PRINTED ELECTRODE FOR ANALYSIS OF ARTIFICIAL SWEETENER FOR PHARMACISTS AND ANALYST IN PONTIANAK

The development of nanotechnology in the world is very rapid, and the applications of nanotechnology can be felt in various fields in everyday life. For instance, to control food, nanotechnology plays a role in creating early detection tools for food additives, which are known to be dangerous if consumed by humans in excess, such as the presence of colorants that are not permitted or food additives that exceed tolerance limits. Nanosensors based on screen print electrodes (SPE) are devices that can be used for detection with various notable properties such as fast, sensitive and portable. Seeing the importance of developing and down streaming nanotechnology to society, education regarding the role of nanotechnology needs to be carried out. In this activity, nanotechnology applied in the manufacture of nanosensor devices was introduced, especially to analysts at the drug and food control center and the health service. Apart from that, through this activity, sustainable collaboration can be established between the community service team who are researchers in the field of nanosensors and users in the field who are drug and food regulatory bodies, to develop nanosensor technology according to needs in the field. This activity will be carried out in Pontianak, West Kalimantan, specifically aimed at pharmacists and analysts in the drug and food control center, health service, and industry and trade service (Disperindag). This activity will include education about nanotechnology applications in various fields as well as a demonstration on the use of SPE-based naosensor devices. From this event, in future the analyst may do the analysis in field without waiting long time analysis in laboratory. From this community service activities, scientific articles and publications can be produced in print/electronic media, as well as videos of community service activities, in accordance with the main performance indicators determined nationally.

Comparison of Photon Dose Distribution in Breast Cancer Using 3DCRT and Half Beam Techniques

Radiotherapy planning can be done with 3D Conformal Radiotherapy (3DCRT) and Half Beam. The success of radiotherapy planning is considered by comparing the isodose curve, Dose Volume Histogram (DVH), Organs At Risk (OAR), Homogeneity Index (HI), and Conformity Index (CI) obtained by the 3DCRT and Half Beam techniques. This study used data from 5 patients at the Radiotherapy Installation at A.W. Hospital. Sjahranie Samarinda with radiation planning of 5000 cGy (25×2 Gy) for breast cancer. The two radiation plans used gantry angles of 310˚ and 120˚. The calculated dose distribution value can be seen through the 90%, 95% PTV dose, and OAR absorbed dose. PTV doses of 90% and 95% in the 3DCRT technique covered the target well. The radiation dose values of the 3DCRT technique at PTV 90% were around 4860 cGy – 4930 cGy and PTV 95% were around 4750 cGy – 4840 cGy. Meanwhile, the Half Beam technique could not cover the target well. It was because the radiation dose values received by the Half Beam technique at 90% PTV were around 780 cGy – 4860 cGy and 95% PTV were around 2210 cGy – 5020 cGy. The OAR absorbed doses values for the 3DCRT and Half Beam techniques were still within the safe limits of tolerance according to QUANTEC. Meanwhile, the HI and CI values in the 3DCRT technique were closer to the rules of ICRU Report 83 of 2010 compared to the Half Beam technique. Therefore, from the values that have been obtained, the success rate of the radiotherapy planning process after measurements is shown in the 3DCRT technique. It has the value of more efficient dose calculations and can be used as a reference in optimizing dose distribution to patients.

Optimized Selective Assembly using Hungarian Algorithm

Assembly of discrete parts guided by hardware design specification constitutes the final phase in product manufacturing. In the course of mass production of components, mating parts with geometric or dimensional deviation from their intended design can be made acceptable by the identification of suitable pairs after analysing design fit and tolerance limits. By transforming this application-specific problem into a unified mathematical model, an optimal solution can be achieved that minimizes the rejection of non-conforming fabricated parts. Regardless of the type and range of a design fit, the problem can be mapped into a matrix using a ranking function defined by the user. The ranking function is modifiable as per the user requirements and may vary based on the selection criteria for an assembly. Based on the type of ranking function used, the tabulated matrix is solved using the Hungarian minimization/maximization algorithm, which is a powerful combinatorial optimization algorithm that solves the classical assignment problem in mathematics. This approach ensures maximum number of suiting pairs as well as nominal suiting of parts with each other resulting in high-quality products and maximum utilization of fabricated resources.