Soft robots with good deformability and adaptability have important prospects in the bionics and intelligence field. However, current research into soft robots is primarily limited to the study of actuators and ignores the integrated use of functional devices and actuators. To enrich the functions of soft robots and expand their application fields, it is necessary to integrate various functional electronic devices into soft robots to perform diverse functions during dynamic deformation. Therefore, this paper discusses methods and strategies to manufacture optical stimuli-responsive soft actuators and integrate them into functional devices for soft robots. Specifically, laser cutting allows us to fabricate an optically responsive actuator structure, e.g., the curling direction can be controlled by adjusting the direction of the cutting line. Actuators with different bending curvatures, including nonbending, can be obtained by adjusting the cutting depth, cutting width, and the spacing of the cutting line, which makes it easy to obtain a folded structure. Thus, various actuators with complex shape patterns can be obtained. In addition, we demonstrate a fabrication scheme for a worm-like soft robot integrated with functional devices (LEDs are used in this paper). The local nonbending design provides an asymmetric structure that provides driving power and avoids damage to the functional circuit caused by the large deformation during movement. The integration of drive and function provides a new path for the application of soft robots in the intelligence and bionics field. Full article

Introduction: Health technology assessment (HTA) agencies express a clear preference for randomized controlled trials when assessing the comparative efficacy of two or more treatments. However, an indirect treatment comparison (ITC) is often necessary where a direct comparison is unavailable or, in some cases, not possible. Numerous ITC techniques are described in the literature. A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted to identify all the relevant literature on existing ITC techniques, provide a comprehensive description of each technique and evaluate their strengths and limitations from an HTA perspective in order to develop guidance on the most appropriate method to use in different scenarios. Methods: Electronic database searches of Embase and PubMed, as well as grey literature searches, were conducted on 15 November 2021. Eligible articles were peer-reviewed papers that specifically described the methods used for different ITC techniques and were written in English. The review was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Results: A total of 73 articles were included in the SLR, reporting on seven different ITC techniques. All reported techniques were forms of adjusted ITC. Network meta-analysis (NMA) was the most frequently described technique (in 79.5% of the included articles), followed by matching-adjusted indirect comparison (MAIC) (30.1%), network meta-regression (24.7%), the Bucher method (23.3%), simulated treatment comparison (STC) (21.9%), propensity score matching (4.1%) and inverse probability of treatment weighting (4.1%). The appropriate choice of ITC technique is critical and should be based on the feasibility of a connected network, the evidence of heterogeneity between and within studies, the overall number of relevant studies and the availability of individual patient-level data (IPD). MAIC and STC were found to be common techniques in the case of single-arm studies, which are increasingly being conducted in oncology and rare diseases, whilst the Bucher method and NMA provide suitable options where no IPD is available. Conclusion: ITCs can provide alternative evidence where direct comparative evidence may be missing. ITCs are currently considered by HTA agencies on a case-by-case basis; however, their acceptability remains low. Clearer international consensus and guidance on the methods to use for different ITC techniques is needed to improve the quality of ITCs submitted to HTA agencies. ITC techniques continue to evolve quickly, and more efficient techniques may become available in the future. Full article

In this work, a green and practical analytical method based on natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) as extraction agents and nano-liquid chromatography as a separation technique was developed. To demonstrate the applicability of the methodology, alkylphenols and bisphenol A were evaluated as model compounds in olive and sunflower oils as model fatty samples by liquid–liquid microextraction. With this aim, several NADES based on mixtures of choline chloride with glycerol, lactic, ascorbic, and citric acids or glycerol with amino acids were evaluated as potential extraction solvents. In addition, to select the most suitable stationary phase for the separation of this group of contaminants, some stationary phases were tested, including Pinnacle II phenyl, Cogent Bidentate C₁₈™, and XBridge^® C₁₈. The last one provided the best performance with an analysis time of 11 min. To solve the problem of the compatibility of hydrophilic NADES with chromatographic systems without harming the solubility of analytes, different aqueous organic mixtures were tested. Methanol/water mixtures were the most suitable as an injection solvent. Finally, following the White Analytical Chemistry principles, different tools were used to evaluate the greenness, the practicality, and applicability of the method based on the Analytical Eco-Scale, the Analytical GREEnness metric approach, and the Blue Applicability Grade Index. Full article

Nanoemulsions are gaining interest in a variety of products as a means of integrating easily degradable bioactive compounds, preserving them from oxidation, and increasing their bioavailability. However, preparing stable emulsion compositions with the desired characteristics is a difficult task. The aim of this study was to encapsulate the Tinospora cordifolia aqueous extract (TCAE) into a water in oil (W/O) nanoemulsion and identify its critical process and formulation variables, like oil (27–29.4 mL), the surfactant concentration (0.6–3 mL), and sonication amplitude (40% to 100%), using response surface methodology (RSM). The responses of this formulation were studied with an analysis of the particle size (PS), free fatty acids (FFAs), and encapsulation efficiency (EE). In between, we have studied a fishbone diagram that was used to measure risk and preliminary research. The optimized condition for the formation of a stable nanoemulsion using quality by design was surfactant (2.43 mL), oil concentration (27.61 mL), and sonication amplitude (88.6%), providing a PS of 171.62 nm, FFA content of 0.86 meq/kg oil and viscosity of 0.597 Pa.s for the blank sample compared to the enriched TCAE nanoemulsion with a PS of 243.60 nm, FFA content of 0.27 meq/kg oil and viscosity of 0.22 Pa.s. The EE increases with increasing concentrations of TCAE, from 56.88% to 85.45%. The RSM response demonstrated that both composition variables had a considerable impact on the properties of the W/O nanoemulsion. Furthermore, after the storage time, the enriched TCAE nanoemulsion showed better stability over the blank nanoemulsion, specially the FFAs, and the blank increased from 0.142 to 1.22 meq/kg oil, while TCAE showed 0.266 to 0.82 meq/kg. Full article

Optical Motion Capture Systems (OMCSs) are considered the gold standard for kinematic measurement of human movements. However, in situations such as measuring wrist kinematics during a hairdressing activity, markers can be obscured, resulting in a loss of data. Other measurement methods based on non-optical data can be considered, such as magneto-inertial measurement units (MIMUs). Their accuracy is generally lower than that of an OMCS. In this context, it may be worth considering a hybrid system [MIMU + OMCS] to take advantage of OMCS accuracy while limiting occultation problems. The aim of this work was (1) to propose a methodology for coupling a low-cost MIMU (BNO055) to an OMCS in order to evaluate wrist kinematics, and then (2) to evaluate the accuracy of this hybrid system [MIMU + OMCS] during a simple hairdressing gesture. During hair cutting gestures, the root mean square error compared with the OMCS was 4.53° (1.45°) for flexion/extension, 5.07° (1.30°) for adduction/abduction, and 3.65° (1.19°) for pronation/supination. During combing gestures, they were significantly higher, but remained below 10°. In conclusion, this system allows for maintaining wrist kinematics in case of the loss of hand markers while preserving an acceptable level of precision (<10°) for ergonomic measurement or entertainment purposes. Full article

Admittedly, tourism stakeholders become more aware of the negative impacts of tourism, and it has become increasingly important to brand and position destinations towards sustainability. The main concern is emphasizing economic, social, and environmental awareness and implementation at the destination level regarding planning and development. This paper identifies the importance of sustainable place branding as part of destination social responsibility in the current global context. The main focus is identifying visitors’ responses as part of sustainable destination marketing. The study conducts a systematic literature review by rigorously selecting 26 related articles from the 106 search results for further analysis. The study results highlight the emergence of sustainable place branding concepts in academic literature, especially after the post-pandemic period. The themes identified in the literature analysis revolve around sustainable place branding in creating unique tourism experiences and engagement that resonates with the visitors’ self-perceptions and expectations of a destination. Sustainable place branding positively impacts destination image, trust, value, and loyalty. Moreover, it can create positive visitor outcomes, such as an intention to revisit because of positive word of mouth. The article concludes with suggestions for future research, emphasizing the need to explore further sustainable place branding and its influence on visitors’ responses in the evolving landscape of global tourism. Full article

A rise in the incidence of early rectal cancer consequent to bowel-screening programs around the world and an increase in the incidence in young adults has led to a growing interest in organ-sparing treatment options. The rectum, being the most distal portion of the large intestine, is a fertile ground for local excision techniques performed with endoscopic or surgical techniques. Moreover, the advancement in endoscopic optical evaluation and the better definition of imaging techniques allow for a more precise local staging of early rectal cancer. Although the local treatment of early rectal cancer seems promising, in clinical practice, a significant number of patients who could benefit from local excision techniques undergo total mesorectal excision (TME) as the first approach. All relevant prospective clinical trials were identified through a computer-assisted search of the PubMed, EMBASE, and Medline databases until January 2024. This review is dedicated to endoscopic and surgical local excision in the treatment of early rectal cancer and highlights its possible role in current and future clinical practice, taking into account surgical completion techniques and chemoradiotherapy. Full article

Antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacteria pose a significant global health threat, and bacteria that produce New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM) are particularly concerning due to their resistance to most β-lactam antibiotics, including carbapenems. The emergence and spread of NDM-producing genes in food-producing animals highlight the need for a fast and accurate method for detecting AMR bacteria. We therefore propose a PCR-coupled CRISPR/Cas12a-based fluorescence assay that can detect NDM-producing genes (bla_NDM) in bacteria. Thanks to its designed gRNA, this CRISPR/Cas12a system was able to simultaneously cleave PCR amplicons and ssDNA-FQ reporters, generating fluorescence signals. Our method was found to be highly specific when tested against other foodborne pathogens that do not carry bla_NDM and also demonstrated an excellent capability to distinguish single-nucleotide polymorphism. In the case of bla_NDM-₁ carrying E. coli, the assay performed exceptionally well, with a detection limit of 2.7 × 10⁰ CFU/mL: 100 times better than conventional PCR with gel electrophoresis. Moreover, the developed assay detected AMR bacteria in food samples and exhibited enhanced performance compared to previously published real-time PCR assays. Thus, this novel PCR-coupled CRISPR/Cas12a-based fluorescence assay has considerable potential to improve current approaches to AMR gene detection and thereby contribute to mitigating the global threat of AMR. Full article

This paper considers a multi-product, multi-criteria supply–demand network equilibrium model with capacity constraints and uncertain demands. Strict network equilibrium principles are proposed both in the case of a single criterion and multi-criteria, respectively. Based on a single criterion, it proves that strict network equilibrium flows are equivalent to vector variational inequalities, and the existence of strict network equilibrium flows is derived by virtue of the Fan–Browder fixed point theorem. Based on multi-criteria, the scalarization of strict network equilibrium flows is given by using Gerstewitz’s function without any convexity assumptions. Meanwhile, the necessary and sufficient conditions of strict network equilibrium flows are derived in terms of vector variational inequalities. Finally, an example is given to illustrate the application of the derived theoretical results. Full article

Nuclear power plants have high radiation levels and humans cannot work directly on them. Therefore, it is necessary to establish effective repair work methods. One promising approach is the use of disaster relief robots. However, strong radiation affects circuits and electronic devices. Because typical robots contain electrical circuits and are controlled by radio waves, they are difficult to use in highly radioactive environments. In this study, we propose a non-electrically driven acoustic actuator that does not use electronic circuits and is driven by sound waves. To realize this goal, we have investigated a sound wave drive using a cylindrical container. Full article

An epoxy compound’s polymer structure can be characterized by the glass transition temperature (T_g) which is often seen as the primary morphological characteristic. Determining the T_g after manufacturing thermoset-molded parts is an important objective in material characterization. To characterize quantitatively the dependence of T_g on the degree of cure, the DiBenedetto equation is usually used. Monitoring polymer network formation during molding processes is therefore one of the most challenging tasks in polymer processing and can be achieved using dielectric analysis (DEA). In this study, the morphological properties of an epoxy resin-based molding compounds (EMC) were optimized for the molding process using response surface analysis. Processing parameters such as curing temperature, curing time, and injection rate were investigated according to a DoE strategy and analyzed as the main factors affecting T_g as well as the degree of cure. A new method to measure the T_g at a certain degree of cure was developed based on warpage analysis. The degree of cure was determined inline via dielectric analysis (DEA) and offline using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results were used as the response in the DoE models. The use of the DiBenedetto equation to refine the response characteristics for a wide range of process parameters has significantly improved the quality of response surface models based on the DoE approach. Full article

(1) Background: In aquaculture, chronic stress due to high stocking density impairs animals’ welfare and results in declined fishery production with low protein quality. However, most previous studies evaluated the effects of high stocking density on trout in freshwater rather than seawater. (2) Methods: Juvenile trout were reared for 84 days in circular tanks under three stocking densities, including low density (“LD”, 9.15 kg/m³), moderate density (“MD”, 13.65 kg/m³), and high density (“HD”, 27.31 kg/m³) in seawater. The final densities of LD, MD, and HD were 22.00, 32.05 and 52.24 kg/m³, respectively. Growth performance and lipid metabolism were evaluated. (3) Results: Growth performance and feeding efficiency were significantly reduced due to chronic stress under high density in mariculture. The digestive activity of lipids was promoted in the gut of HD fish, while the concentration of triglycerides was decreased in the blood. Furthermore, decreased acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and fatty acid synthase (FAS), increased hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) concentrations, and activated hepatic β-oxidation processes were observed in trout under HD. Redundancy analysis showed that glycerol and HSL can be used as potential markers to evaluate the growth performance of trout in mariculture. (4) Conclusions: We showed that chronic high stocking density led to negative effects on growth performance, reduced de novo synthesis of fatty acids, and enhanced lipolysis. Full article

For a panel data linear regression model with both individual and time effects, empirical studies select the two-way random-effects (TWRE) estimator if the Hausman test based on the contrast between the two-way fixed-effects (TWFE) estimator and the TWRE estimator is not rejected. Alternatively, they select the TWFE estimator in cases where this Hausman test rejects the null hypothesis. Not all the regressors may be correlated with these individual and time effects. The one-way Hausman-Taylor model has been generalized to the two-way error component model and allow some but not all regressors to be correlated with these individual and time effects. This paper proposes a pretest estimator for this two-way error component panel data regression model based on two Hausman tests. The first Hausman test is based upon the contrast between the TWFE and the TWRE estimators. The second Hausman test is based on the contrast between the two-way Hausman and Taylor (TWHT) estimator and the TWFE estimator. The Monte Carlo results show that this pretest estimator is always second best in MSE performance compared to the efficient estimator, whether the model is random-effects, fixed-effects or Hausman and Taylor. This paper generalizes the one-way pretest estimator to the two-way error component model. Full article

For a wide range of chronic autoimmune and inflammatory diseases in both adults and children, synthetic glucocorticoids (GCs) are one of the most effective treatments. However, besides other adverse effects, GCs inhibit bone mass at multiple levels, and at different ages, especially in puberty. Although extensive studies have investigated the mechanism of GC-induced osteoporosis, their target cell populations still be obscure. Here, our data show that the osteoblast subpopulation among Gli1⁺ metaphyseal mesenchymal progenitors (MMPs) is responsive to GCs as indicated by lineage tracing and single-cell RNA sequencing experiments. Furthermore, the proliferation and differentiation of Gli1⁺ MMPs are both decreased, which may be because GCs impair the oxidative phosphorylation(OXPHOS) and aerobic glycolysis of Gli1⁺ MMPs. Teriparatide, as one of the potential treatments for GCs in bone mass, is sought to increase bone volume by increasing the proliferation and differentiation of Gli1⁺ MMPs in vivo. Notably, our data demonstrate teriparatide ameliorates GC-caused bone defects by targeting Gli1⁺ MMPs. Thus, Gli1⁺ MMPs will be the potential mesenchymal progenitors in response to diverse pharmaceutical administrations in regulating bone formation. Full article

Food commodities and energy bills have experienced rapid undulating movements and hikes globally in recent times. This spurred this study to examine the possibility that the shocks that arise from fluctuations of one market spill over to the other and to determine how time-varying the spillovers were across a time. Data were daily frequency (prices of grains and energy products) from 1 July 2019 to 31 December 2022, as quoted in markets. The choice of the period was to capture the COVID pandemic and the Russian–Ukrainian war as events that could impact volatility. The returns were duly calculated using spreadsheets and subjected to ADF stationarity, co-integration, and the full BEKK-GARCH estimation. The results revealed a prolonged association between returns in the energy markets and food commodity market returns. Both markets were found to have volatility persistence individually, and time-varying bidirectional transmission of volatility across the markets was found. No lagged-effects spillover was found from one market to the other. The findings confirm that shocks that emanate from fluctuations in energy markets are impactful on the volatility of prices in food commodity markets and vice versa, but this impact occurs immediately after the shocks arise or on the same day such variation occurs. Full article

House flies are notoriously difficult to control, owing to their tendency to live in close relationships with humans and their livestock, and their rapid development of resistance to chemical controls. With this in mind, we explored an alternative chemical control, a spatial repellent to deter Musca domestica L. from points we wanted to protect (i.e., a baited trap). Our results demonstrated that the synthetic spatial repellent, transfluthrin, is effective in preventing M. domestica adults from entering protected traps for both a susceptible strain (CAR21) and a field-acquired permethrin-resistant strain (WHF; 24 h LD₅₀ resistance ratio of 150), comprising 22% and 28% of the total number of flies collected, respectively. These results are promising and demonstrate that transfluthrin can be an effective spatial repellent to protect points of interest where needed. Full article

For all-solid-state batteries, the particle size distribution of the solid electrolyte is a critical factor. Small particles are preferred to obtain a high active mass loading of cathode active material and a small porosity in composite cathodes. In this work, the influence of the solid fraction in the wet-chemical synthesis of β-Li₃PS₄ in tetrahydrofuran (THF) is investigated. The solid fraction is varied between 50 and 200 mg/mL, and the obtained samples are evaluated using X-ray diffraction, SEM and electrochemical impedance measurements. The sizes of the resulting particles show a significant dependency on the solid fraction, while a good ionic conductivity is maintained. For the highest concentration, the particle sizes do not exceed 10 µm, but for the lowest concentration, particles up to ~73 µm can be found. The ionic conductivities at room temperature are determined to be 0.63 ± 0.01 × 10⁻⁴ S/cm and 0.78 ± 0.01 × 10⁻⁴ S/cm for the highest and lowest concentrations, respectively. These findings lead to an improvement towards the production of tailored sulfide solid electrolytes. Full article

Based on service-dominant logic and service quality theory, this study explores the influence mechanism of customer participation on value co-creation of service-oriented enterprises. Employing a quantitative approach, the study utilized a questionnaire survey administered to 400 participants, examining the mediating and moderating effects of platform service quality and digital technology. The research results indicate that all three dimensions of customer participation have a significant positive impact on the value co-creation of service-oriented enterprises. Customer participation can also have a significant positive impact on the value co-creation of service-oriented enterprises through the mediating variable of platform service quality. Digital technology plays a significant positive moderating role between customer participation and platform service quality, as well as between platform service quality and value co-creation of service-oriented enterprises. Full article

With the implementation of China’s innovation-driven high-quality economic development strategy, green and innovation are already the key factors of economic development. Therefore, developing green industry and improving regional green innovation have attracted wide attention and are of great significance to the sustainable development of China’s economy. Therefore, starting from China’s provincial panel from 2012 to 2021, this paper first uses the super-efficiency relaxation data envelopment analysis model (Super-SBM) to estimate green innovation efficiency (GI) and then uses the location entropy to measure the regional agglomeration level of the new energy industry (agg). Then, the generalized estimation of moments (GMM) model is used to explore the impact of agg on GI and verify the regulatory mechanism of green finance (GF). The results are as follows: (1) agg presents a distribution of “the highest in the eastern region, followed by the central region, and the lowest in the western region”, (2) agg can facilitate the improvement of GI, and in accordance with the threshold model, moderate GF will further amplify this effect. Therefore, the state and government should further promote the green finance policy, guide new energy enterprises to gather and contribute to the sustainable development of China’s economy. Full article

Mobile devices have the potential to transform education and society. Promoting mobile learning and enhancing teachers’ digital and entrepreneurial skills are essential in achieving this goal. This study analyses the conditions under which the use of mobile technology can support teachers in the design, implementation, and evaluation of teaching and learning processes. Data were collected using a quantitative method based on a self-assessment instrument (Cronbach’s alpha = 1.0046). A total of 327 educators filled out the survey, which included 67 items scored on a Likert scale. The self-assessment tool provided participants with feedback on their mobile device use for educational purposes and suggestions for improvement. The results indicate that the median score of the teachers was 7, which is regarded as satisfactory, with a gender gap of 3.5 points. In addition, three out of seven improvement dimensions were identified: technology learning spaces (54.74%), assessment (57.65%), and design activities (59.26%). In conclusion, the study enabled us to stratify and analyse teachers’ pedagogical perceptions of mobile learning and the significance of inference in certain training areas. Full article

This article explores the link between spirituality/religiosity and mental health from a clinical and neuroscience perspective, taking into account the advancements in neuroimaging. Specifically, it examines how spirituality influences the treatment of mental illness, emphasizing the importance of neuronal networks in cognitive and emotional processes, with a focus on the default mode network (DMN) of the brain. The discussion explores the role of spirituality/religiosity in managing mental disorders and how alterations in the DMN may provide insight into the impact of spirituality/religiosity on mental health. By also discussing spiritual and non-spiritual meditation, as well as spiritual experiences facilitated by the use of psychedelics in psychiatry and the associated brain networks, we aim to elaborate on the importance and limitations of spirituality within psychiatry. Full article

The Rashba effect appears in the semiconductors with an inversion–asymmetric structure and strong spin-orbit coupling, which splits the spin-degenerated band into two sub-bands with opposite spin states. The Rashba effect can not only be used to regulate carrier relaxations, thereby improving the performance of photoelectric devices, but also used to expand the applications of semiconductors in spintronics. In this mini-review, recent research progress on the Rashba effect of two-dimensional (2D) organic–inorganic hybrid perovskites is summarized. The origin and magnitude of Rashba spin splitting, layer-dependent Rashba band splitting of 2D perovskites, the Rashba effect in 2D perovskite quantum dots, a 2D/3D perovskite composite, and 2D-perovskites-based van der Waals heterostructures are discussed. Moreover, applications of the 2D Rashba effect in circularly polarized light detection are reviewed. Finally, future research to modulate the Rashba strength in 2D perovskites is prospected, which is conceived to promote the optoelectronic and spintronic applications of 2D perovskites. Full article