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In the near future, commercially accessible quantum computers are anticipated to revolutionize the world as we know it. These advanced machines are predicted to render traditional cryptographic security measures, deeply ingrained in contemporary communication, obsolete. While symmetric cryptography methods like AES can withstand quantum assaults if key sizes are doubled compared to current standards, asymmetric cryptographic techniques, such as RSA, are vulnerable to compromise. Consequently, there is a pressing need to transition towards post-quantum cryptography (PQC) principles in order to safeguard our privacy effectively. A challenge is to include PQC into existing protocols and thus into the existing communication structure. In this work, we report on the first experimental IPsec tunnel secured by the PQC algorithms Falcon, Dilithium, and Kyber. We deploy our IPsec tunnel in two scenarios. The first scenario represents a high-performance data center environment where many machines are interconnected via high-speed networks. We achieve an IPsec tunnel with an AES-256 GCM encrypted east–west throughput of 100 Gbit/s line rate. The second scenario shows an IPsec tunnel between a wireless NVIDIA Jetson and the cloud that achieves a 0.486 Gbit/s AES-256 GCM encrypted north–south throughput. This case represents a mobile device that communicates securely with applications running in the cloud.

The preparation of CO2-containing polymers with improved degradation properties is still very challenging. An elegant method for preparing these polymers is to use CO2-containing monomers in ring-opening polymerizations (ROP) which are particularly gentle and energy-saving methods. However, cyclic carbonates are required for this which are not readily available. This paper therefore aims to present the optimization and comparison of two synthesis methods to obtain cyclic carbonates for ROP. Within this work, cyclic styrene carbonate was synthesized from readily available raw materials by using a Jacobsen catalyst for the reaction of styrene oxide and carbon dioxide or an organocatalyst for the transesterification of methyl carbonate with 1-phenyl-1,2-ethanediol. The latter performed with 100% selectivity to the desired styrene carbonate, which was succesfully tested in ROP, producing an amorphous thermoplastic polymer with a TG of 185 °C.

Abstract Background Seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) consists of the intermittent administration of a 3 day course of anti-malarial medications during the months of highest malaria risk in the Sahel region, where malaria transmission is highly seasonal. SMC is an effective intervention to reduce episodes of uncomplicated and severe malaria in children. However, morbidity cannot be lowered without adherence to medications. The objective of this study was to examine SMC medication adherence and to identify the attitudes and practices of caregivers during the 2020 SMC campaign in the Dosso region. Methods This study was conducted based on data from independent monitoring using random cluster sampling. Adherence levels and the attitudes and practices of caregivers were evaluated using data from caregivers’ self-reports and analysed according to Bernard Vrijens’ taxonomy. Results At the initiation of treatment phase, 99% of children (N = 2296) received their first administration of medication, with 90% of caregivers (N = 1436) knowing that the medications help prevent malaria. However, only 56% of caregivers (N = 1856) reported that treatment initiation took place under direct observation by the distributor. At the implementation of treatment phase, 90% of children (N = 2132) took their medication on the second day and 84% (N = 1068) took it the third day. “Forgetting,” “not having time,” and “the mother’s absence” were the main reasons caregivers gave to explain discontinuation of the 3 day course of medication. Conclusion This simple, low-cost survey demonstrated that coverage of SMC and adherence by caregivers to completing the full 3 day medication course was high. The survey also showed that knowledge, attitudes, and practices of some caregivers regarding adherence to medications during the SMC campaign could be improved. Expanding distributors’ training, developing and providing them with tools for interpersonal communication, and strengthening supervision could lead to even higher adherence.

This study aims to evaluate and compare the environmental impact of producing numerous polymer-modified asphalt concrete mixture types for road structures at the laboratory scale measured by air quality monitoring devices in a designed isolated area. Several mixture combinations were examined in this study, namely between the production of the standard hot mix at 160oC (case 1) and polymer-modified warm mix asphalt with 5% and 6% polymer dosages at 130oC (case 2 and case 3), as well as the production of hot mix asphalt using polymer modification by wet mix - known as polymer modified binder/PMB at 180oC (case 4) and dry mix methods using 5% and 6% polymer dosages at 160oC (case 5 and case 6), with each case represented by five samples fabrication. Case 4 yields the highest carbon dioxide, the volatile organic compound (VOC), formaldehyde (HCHO), and particulate matter (PM10 and PM1) by a total of 8195ppm, 10.12ppm, 6.5ppm, 1643 µg/m3, and 838 µg/m3, respectively, except PM2.5, where the outcome of case 3 is 1.2% higher than case 4. Meanwhile, the lowest emissions are recorded for case 2 and case 5, with the ratio to case 4 ranging from 43.5% to 96.5%. The heating phase generally gives the highest contribution to the total result, with the proportion ranging from 43.5% for carbon dioxide to above 90% for particulate matter. To sum up, producing hot mix asphalt with PMB and the mixer blending stage generates the highest emission.

In the near future, commercially accessible quantum computers are anticipated to revolutionize the world as we know it. These advanced machines are predicted to render traditional cryptographic security measures, deeply ingrained in contemporary communication, obsolete. While symmetric cryptography methods like AES can withstand quantum assaults if key sizes are doubled compared to current standards, asymmetric cryptographic techniques, such as RSA, are vulnerable to compromise. Consequently, there is a pressing need to transition towards post-quantum cryptography (PQC) principles in order to safeguard our privacy effectively. A challenge is to include PQC into existing protocols and thus into the existing communication structure. In this work, we report on the first experimental IPsec tunnel secured by the PQC algorithms Falcon, Dilithium, and Kyber. We deploy our IPsec tunnel in two scenarios. The first scenario represents a high-performance data center environment where many machines are interconnected via high-speed networks. We achieve an IPsec tunnel with an AES-256 GCM encrypted east–west throughput of 100 Gbit/s line rate. The second scenario shows an IPsec tunnel between a wireless NVIDIA Jetson and the cloud that achieves a 0.486 Gbit/s AES-256 GCM encrypted north–south throughput. This case represents a mobile device that communicates securely with applications running in the cloud. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have been the leading cause of global deaths over the years. In Indonesia, coronary heart disease (CHD) is the most common CVDs, responsible for 29% of all deaths in 2017. East Nusa Tenggara is one of the provinces in Indonesia with the highest prevalence of CHD, which corresponded with growing cases of acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Therefore, we develop a registry to obtain patients' profiles as a basis for strategy development in ACS management. Methods: A retrospectively observational study was conducted on all patients who presented with ACS between January 2019 and September 2020 at a general hospital in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara. Data collected include demography, patient awareness and transfer history, risk factors, physical findings, diagnosis, workup, treatment, and mortality. Results: A total of 282 patients with ACS (STEMI, 41,2%; NSTEACS, 58,8%) were included in this study. Most patients were male with a mean age of 58,2 ± 12,2 years and normal BMI (32.6%). Nearly 50% of all ACS patients have one or more comorbidities, followed by relatively low adherence to therapy. Half of the patients were referred, but only 16,9% of patients arrived at the first medical facility less than 1 hour after onset. Patients with NTSEACS had more risk factors than patients with STEMI. The median LOS was five days (range, 1-17 days) with 2,8% in-hospital death. The presence of patient and system delay might contribute to the low number of STEMI patients who received reperfusion therapy. Conclusions: This research serves as the primary data for the improvement of acute coronary syndrome management in Kupang and East Nusa Tenggara.

The preparation of CO2-containing polymers with improved degradation properties is still very challenging. An elegant method for preparing these polymers is to use CO2-containing monomers in ring-opening polymerizations (ROP) which are particularly gentle and energy-saving methods. However, cyclic carbonates are required for this which are not readily available. This paper therefore aims to present the optimization and comparison of two synthesis methods to obtain cyclic carbonates for ROP. Within this work, cyclic styrene carbonate was synthesized from readily available raw materials by using a Jacobsen catalyst for the reaction of styrene oxide and carbon dioxide or an organocatalyst for the transesterification of methyl carbonate with 1-phenyl-1,2-ethanediol. The latter performed with 100% selectivity to the desired styrene carbonate, which was succesfully tested in ROP, producing an amorphous thermoplastic polymer with a TG of 185 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]