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Label-free detection of cardiac troponin I and complex using surface plasmon resonance for assessing acute myocardial injuries
No full textAccurate diagnosis of myocardial injury is crucial in clinical practice, as it enables prompt treatment, reduces the risk of complications, and improves patient outcomes. Examining cardiac troponin composition offers distinct advantages as it provides valuable insights that help differentiate between ischaemic and non-ischaemic causes of cardiac injury, thereby directly enhancing clinical assay specificity. Current high-sensitivity troponin assays target all circulating forms of either troponin I or T but are unable to distinguish individual forms or specific combinations. This is an issue as troponin is also elevated in non-cardiac conditions, and emerging evidence suggests that the ratio between troponin I and TIC complex isoforms may serve as an indicator for differentiating acute from chronic myocardial injury. Here, we introduce a methodology utilising a label-free Surface Plasmon Resonance biosensor to detect and differentiate between troponin I and complex isoforms. Unlike traditional immunoassay, which requires indirect labelling with secondary antibodies to detect these biomarkers, this method provides a real-time detection of these isoforms, as each antibody interaction with the specific analytes provides a quantitative reading. We demonstrated that this method can detect complexed and free troponin I in varying ratios. This method has the potential to be developed into point-of-care testing and opens avenues for isoform-specific prognostic assays.</p
Insights into the Aeroelastic Stability of a Wing with Distributed Electric Propulsion Systems
No full textThis paper presents a comprehensive aeroelastic stability analysis of a wing featuring a Distributed Electric Propulsion (DEP) system, addressing key challenges in the design and evaluation of next-generation aircraft, such as electric and hybrid-electric vehicles. The study examines a benchmark cantilever wing equipped with thrusting propellers, varying their number and spanwise positioning from one to five while maintaining consistent propeller disk loading and total mass. Two numerical frameworks are employed for aeroelastic assessments. A frequency-domain method is used to generate flutter curves and identify flutter onset, while mid-fidelity simulations based on coupled multibody dynamics and vortex particle methods refine the flutter point while capturing the complex aerodynamic interactions between the propellers and the wing. The analysis focuses on airplane-mode flight conditions, excluding propeller-pylon failures. Across all configurations examined, wing flutter emerged as the primary instability mechanism, regardless of propeller placement. The most stable configuration featured a single propeller positioned at the wingtip, whereas increasing the number of propellers led to a reduction in flutter speed. Aerodynamic interactions further decrease flutter speed, with thrust conditions promoting destabilization compared to windmilling scenarios. Notably, configurations with multiple propellers exhibit greater susceptibility to these effects. Finally, design guidelines are proposed to enhance the stability of standalone propeller-pylon assemblies and wings equipped with DEP systems.</p
Trends in Thoracic Spine Injury rates in Aotearoa – An 11-year (2013-2023) analysis of ACC claims
No full textThis poster presents a nationwide epidemiological analysis of thoracic spine injury (TSI) claims in Aotearoa New Zealand using Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) data from 2013–2023. It describes temporal trends in TSI incidence, examines differences by age, sex, and ethnicity, and characterises patterns across diagnostic categories including fractures, soft-tissue injuries, and pain syndromes. Findings highlight stable overall incidence with increasing fracture rates in older adults and a predominance of soft-tissue injuries in working-age populations, providing population-level insights to inform prevention and health policy.</p
An Empirical Framework for Evaluating and Selecting Cryptocurrency Funds Using DEMATEL-ANP-VIKOR
No full textThe acceleration of financial innovation and pro-crypto regulations in the digital asset space have spurred interest in cryptocurrencies among funds, and institutional and retail investors. Like any risky assets, investment in digital assets offers opportunities in terms of returns and challenges in terms of risk. However, unlike traditional assets, digital assets like cryptocurrencies are highly volatile. Accordingly, applying conventional single-criterion financial metrics for portfolio construction may not be sufficient as the method falls short in capturing the complex, multidimensional risk-return dynamics of innovative financial assets like cryptocurrencies. To address this gap, this study introduces a novel, integrated hybrid Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) framework that provides a structured, transparent, and robust approach to cryptocurrency fund selection. The framework seamlessly integrates three well-established operations research methodologies: the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL), the Analytic Network Process (ANP), and the Vlse Kriterijumsk Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR) algorithm. DEMATEL is utilized to map and analyze the intricate causal interdependencies among a comprehensive set of evaluation criteria, categorizing them into foundational “cause” factors and resultant “effect” factors. This causal structure informs the ANP model, which computes precise criterion weights while accounting for complex feedback and dependency relationships. Subsequently, the VIKOR algorithm is invoked to use these weights to rank cryptocurrency fund alternatives, delivering a compromise between optimizing group utility and minimizing individual regret. To illustrate the application and efficacy of the proposed method, a diverse set of 20 cryptocurrency funds is analyzed. From the analysis, it is shown that foundational criteria, such as “Fee (%)” and “Annualized Standard Deviation,” are the primary causal drivers of financial performance outcomes of funds. This proposed framework supports strategic capital allocation in a rapidly evolving domains of digital finance.</p
High performance polyimides for additive manufacturing: A critical review
No full textHigh performance polymers (HPPs), particularly polyimides (PIs), including both thermosetting and thermoplastic types, exhibit remarkable properties such as exceptional mechanical properties, outstanding thermal stability, and inherent flame retardancy. PIs are lightweight and potentially economical alternatives to metal based materials used in demanding applications, such as aerospace, transportation, and defense. However, processing PIs into the desired complex shapes is a significant challenge owing to their high melting temperature, high melt flow viscosity, and very narrow processing temperature window. Additive manufacturing (AM) techniques present an important avenue for processing such materials and emerged as a revolutionary approach to overcome these limitations, offering unprecedented design flexibility, reduced material waste, and the capability for rapid prototyping and production. Despite these advantages, AM of PIs has received considerably less attention, primarily due to significant processing challenges including material printability, thermal management complexities, and dimensional accuracy challenges that have hindered further advancements in this field. This comprehensive review explores the evolution and current status of polyimides additive manufacturing, providing insights into their chemistry, structural modifications, and detailed structure-property relationships. Various AM techniques including vat photopolymerization, material extrusion, direct ink writing, material jetting along with hybrid and emerging approaches are critically discussed, highlighting recent innovations, key challenges, and strategic solutions to enhance processing capabilities. Furthermore, the review identifies prospective research directions, emphasizing the potential for multifunctional and stimuli-responsive polyimides that could revolutionize next-generation applications. Overall, this review aims to stimulate further advancements in polyimide based additive manufacturing, fostering its broader industrial adoption and facilitating significant developments in high performance polymer technology.</p
Quantifying concrete recarbonation potential: A life cycle approach to carbon uptake
No full textConcrete production is a major source of carbon emissions, but carbonation of concrete throughout its life is also a natural process that results in the sequestration of atmospheric CO₂ into the concrete. To understand the relationship between emission and sequestrations this study quantifies the carbonation potential of recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) across its full lifecycle, encompassing both service life and end-of-life, including stockpiling, recycling, and secondary use. An Empirical CO₂ Uptake Model for Concrete developed by IVL is used to predict carbonation depths in natural and the recycled concrete utilized as aggregate. This model assesses the carbonation uptake relative to both the CO2 generated from cement production and from concrete production in a standard bridge structure. The data shows limited carbonation occurs during the primary service life over 100 years, capturing only up to 2.99 % (5.85 kg CO2/m3) of calcination emission, while secondary applications add up to 2.66 % (5.19 kg CO2/m3). In contrast, the recycling and stockpiling phase achieves a higher rate of carbonation over a 12-month period, ranging from 31 to 65 % (61–128 kg CO₂/m3), depending on stockpile configuration and duration. Shallow, spread-out stockpiles maximize CO₂ absorption by increasing surface exposure and airflow. Dust particles fully carbonate within weeks (31 % of calcination emission), whereas larger particles carbonate progressively over time. Secondary use of RCA in new concrete further enhances its carbon sink potential due to its residual reactivity and increased porosity. Overall, concrete demonstrates substantial carbonation potential, with total CO₂ uptake ranging from 35 % to 68 % of calcination emission.</p
Care-based corporate sociopolitical activism: identifying dark sides and envisioning an ethical framework
No full textAlthough corporate sociopolitical activism (CSA) has gained traction in research and practice, little is known about its potential dark sides − especially from the consumer’s perspective. We address this gap by examining how CSA can burden or harm consumers, beyond typical economic risks to firms. We identify and categorise six dark sides into two overarching themes: (1) emotional and cognitive burden (individual level) and (2) public division and harm (societal level). These underscore the ethical complexities of CSA and the need for a revised, more responsible approach. Inspired by emerging CSA practices that prioritise empathy and connectedness over neoliberal logics, we introduce an ‘ethics of care’ to the CSA literature as an alternative moral guideline. A care-based CSA approach is proposed, including an audit tool and strategic solutions to manage negative consequences. This reimagines CSA as a form of moral responsibility that emphasises relationships, interdependence and responsiveness in ethical deliberations.</p
Development of a New Shoe Sizing System for Adult Males to Overcome Fitting Inconsistencies Between Foot and Shoe Size
No full textIll-fitting footwear can lead to the development of various foot deformities. This study aimed to determine the bilateral differences between the left and right feet, investigate the fitting inconsistencies between foot and shoe sizes, and propose an ergonomic shoe-sizing system for adult males for proper shoe fitting. This study collected anthropometric foot data of adult males from different regions of Bangladesh aged 21 to 60 using a 3D foot scanner. The bilateral difference between feet was determined using paired t-tests, and the foot and shoe size inconsistency was analyzed using one sample t-tests. Finally, all collected foot parameters were used to develop a shoe-sizing system through regression analysis, and the system was validated using goodness-of-fit evaluation. The study revealed bilateral differences in six out of nine-foot parameters, where most participants had a bilateral difference of 1–2 mm between the feet. Moreover, significant differences between foot and shoe measurements were identified for almost all nine parameters. The goodness of fit of the proposed models was evaluated by calculating the mean absolute error (0.14 mm to 1.38 mm) and root mean square error (0.16 mm to 1.69 mm) for all the foot parameters, and these minimal errors validated the proposed sizing system. The proposed shoe-sizing system for adult males may be applied in the footwear industry to design a shoe last and manufacture shoes to improve shoe fitting for the wearer. Moreover, shoes developed based on anthropometric foot measurements may protect the foot from different types of foot abnormalities due to ill-fitting footwear.</p
Enhancing Flood Risk Governance in Australia: Challenges, Opportunities, and International Insights
No full textThe substantial damage to homes and infrastructure in Australia rekindles the push for improved governance frameworks and adaptive policy measures. Coordinating efforts across federal, state, and local governments has proven challenging due to policy fragmentation, delayed responses, overlapping roles, and disparities in resource allocation. This study examines the strengths and weaknesses of Australia’s flood risk management (FRM) policies through a qualitative document analysis approach, comparing governance structures with international best practices from countries such as Japan, the Netherlands, and the United States. The findings highlight Australia’s strengths in collaborative governance, targeted funding mechanisms, and advanced technical resources such as flood mapping and real-time monitoring systems. However, key weaknesses include governance fragmentation, inconsistent policy implementation, and insufficient support for rural and regional councils. The study proposes a more integrated and adaptive governance framework incorporating cross-jurisdictional coordination, enhanced stakeholder engagement, and sustainable investment strategies. The results contribute to policy discussions on flood risk governance by offering recommendations for strengthening institutional resilience and improving disaster preparedness. By addressing governance inefficiencies and adopting international best practices, Australia can develop a more cohesive and adaptive FRM system to mitigate future flood risks.</p
Understanding collective change attitudes: A diversity and faultline perspective
No full textAlthough implementing organizational change involves attitudinal support from both individuals and groups, researchers typically examine individual change attitudes as key drivers of change success. In this paper, we focus on collective change attitudes – defined as a group's overall evaluation of a proposed organizational change – to challenge and extend this developing construct. To do so, we adopt a diversity and faultline perspective to identify four distinct patterns of collective change attitudes: convergent, minority belief, fragmented, and bimodal patterns. We offer a theoretical model that explains the influence of group faultlines and change event characteristics on the emergence of the four patterns of collective change attitudes and their temporal trajectories over time. In addition, we theorize the influence of collective change attitudes on change implementation effectiveness. Our work offers implications for research and practice in organizational change and human resource management.</p