KPMG (United Kingdom)

Abstract As the energy market moves from virgin plant oils to waste oils such as used cooking oil (UCO) the sustainability profile of biodiesel derived from fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) is increased. As more crops can enter the food chain instead of being consumed for fuel a waste product is simultaneously recycled into a fuel. The benefits are obvious, however the challenges for corrosion control are significant. As oil is exposed to heat and water during the cooking process tryglycerides are hydrolysed to form free fatty acids, and water is absorbed by the oil itself. These two factors increase the corrosion risk and risk to organic protective coatings, the consequences of which this paper will explore with a view to reducing the risk for operators that comes with the uncertainty of handling waste materials.

Abstract As a natural telluric current interference, tidal interference severely compromises the corrosion protection effectiveness of coastal oil and gas pipelines, posing a serious threat to their safe operation. To study the regularity of tidal interference on coastal pipelines, the monitoring data of pipe-to-soil potentials (PSP) from 3 pipelines in the coastal region of Shandong and Liaoning, China were analyzed systematically. The fluctuation characteristics of PSP under tidal interference and tidal interference frequency were obtained by spectrum analysis and waveform comparison techniques. The results show that the tidal interference is a localized phenomenon whose intensity progressively decays from the coastal towards the inland of the pipeline. The range of tidal interference exceeds 30 kilometers, causing the ON potential to shift positively to +3.28V and the instant-OFF potential to shift positively to -0.4V. The intensity of tidal interference between different pipelines is obviously different, but the variation trend of the ON potential and instant-OFF potential is basically consistent with the tidal fluctuation curve. Additionally, tidal interference has a typical feature of "double peaks and double valleys" and 12-hour interference period. The established pattern of PSP fluctuations in coastal pipelines under tidal interference provides a critical foundation for corrosion protection strategies in coastal regions.

Aufbauend auf den Erfahrungen aus nunmehr 40 Jahren mit Cochlea-Implantaten (CI) haben sich auch die Indikationskriterien für eine CI-Versorgung immer weiter von einer Gehörlosigkeit in Richtung hochgradiger Schwerhörigkeiten verschoben. Damit stellen CIs für das betroffene Klientel [zum vollständigen Text gelangen Sie über die oben angegebene URL]

Quantifying debris-flow damage requires an estimation of the pre-event topography. However, acquisition of pre-event topographic data is often limited by the spatiotemporal uncertainty of such events. To address the limitation, this study proposes a topography estimation method based on geometric continuity and compares its performance with those of a Gaussian mixture model (GMM)-based approach and ordinary kriging. Using a pre-event LiDAR digital elevation model (DEM) as a reference, the proposed model yielded the lowest global mean absolute error of approximately 0.943 m across the entire extent of the debris-flow. Statistical errors (MAE and RMSE) were evaluated, and shape similarity was assessed using dynamic time warping (DTW) for 30 randomly extracted cross sections. The proposed model achieved the lowest average MAE of 0.544 m, RMSE of 0.685 m, and DTW distance of 5.078 m. Although the GMM-based model and kriging showed locally superior accuracy in some sections, the proposed model exhibited a higher estimation capability at the global scale. This implies that topography estimation accuracy is not determined solely by the algorithmic characteristics of a single model, and that model performance may vary depending on geomorphic conditions. Nevertheless, the proposed model provides a structurally stable estimation of the debris-flow-impacted topography and has potential applicability to similar disaster-induced landforms.

Introduction: Air pollution is the causative factor for considerable morbidity and premature death worldwide. This review critiques the WHO's Air Pollution Harm Reduction Strategy in Dhaka, Bangladesh, through the lens of the HBM by analysing its effectiveness and ethical implications. Materials and Methods: This critical review synthesises findings from WHO publications, peer-reviewed journals, and public health data on Dhaka's air quality management. The approach involves thematic analysis of health promotion strategies and behavioural change interventions. Discussion: The findings highlight that while the WHO strategy is successful in raising awareness and providing a policy direction, it continues to be hampered by economic barriers, weak enforcement, and absence of local engagement. HBM explains personal motivation toward cleaner practices but falls short on systemic inequities and gendered exposures. Conclusion: A multi-sectoral policy enforcement, equity-focused planning, and culturally sensitive communication are some of the basic tenets for structuring Dhaka's air pollution strategy toward sustainable impact. Strengthening community ownership and data-driven governance bridges the gap between global frameworks and local realities. Medicine Today 2026, Vol.38 (1): 137-141

This article presents the Apollonea.com project, which aims to make the solutions to Apollonius’ problems accessible to students and teachers through modern technology. The web platform contains more than 150 interactive constructions created by students using GeoGebra, allowing for dynamic manipulation and visualization of solutions to various variants of Apollonius’ problems. The project combines classical geometric problems with an interdisciplinary approach, teamwork, and the use of modern technology. The article describes the process of developing the Apollonea.com website, the use of GeoGebra in the project, the structure and functions of the website, and its educational benefits in enhancing students’ geometric skills. The project demonstrates how traditional mathematics education can be connected with modern ICT tools. Subject Classification: 97U50, 97G40, 51M04, 68U05

ABSTRACT With net zero CO 2 emissions as the benchmark for mitigating the worst impacts of climate change by mid‐century, businesses are urged to deploy robust reduction measures. However, in light of increasing emissions globally, the effectiveness of current corporate decarbonization strategies remains unclear. To identify underlying drivers of and potential solutions to this problem, this study explores the aspects that accelerate or limit the effectiveness of corporate decarbonization strategies. Through a qualitative approach based on semi‐structured expert interviews, we assessed and synthesized advantages, disadvantages, synergies and trade‐offs associated with various mitigation options. The results yield four dimensions for enhanced decarbonization effectiveness: redefining perceived impact boundaries, closing the mitigation readiness gap, integrating climate and corporate strategies and leveraging the value creation mechanisms emanating from climate action. These insights shed light on the dynamics of effective decarbonization and on how corporations may approach the design, implementation and evaluation of related strategies.

The rapid escalation of cyber threats in both frequency and sophistication has outpaced the capacity of traditional Digital Forensics and Incident Response (DFIR) practices. Conventional manual investigation methods such as log examination, evidence extraction, and threat correlation are often too time-consuming and labor-intensive to meet the demands of real-time incident management. Consequently, organizations are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence (AI) and automation to enhance the speed, accuracy, and scalability of DFIR operations. This paper explores how AI-driven models and automation frameworks can transform digital forensics and incident response, enabling faster detection, investigation, and containment of cyberattacks. It examines the integration of machine learning, natural language processing (NLP), and robotic process automation (RPA) into DFIR workflows to automate evidence collection, pattern recognition, and anomaly detection. Moreover, the study discusses how AI-enabled SOAR (Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response) platforms streamline the decision-making process by automatically correlating multi-source data and executing predefined containment actions.The paper also highlights practical applications across enterprise and national defense contexts, showcasing how predictive forensics and adaptive response mechanisms reduce investigation time and operational fatigue. Despite these advancements, several challenges persist, including AI model bias, data imbalance, interpretability issues, and legal admissibility of AI-generated evidence. To address these concerns, the study emphasizes the need for explainable AI frameworks, standardized forensic data models, and cross-disciplinary training for DFIR professionals. Ultimately, AI and automation do not aim to replace human expertise but to augment it enhancing investigative precision, improving incident readiness, and fostering a new generation of intelligent, resilient cyber defense systems.

Abstract Within the intricate network of oncogenic pathways that orchestrate the insidious growth and spread of cancer, the Notch signaling pathway is well known for its multiple roles in regulating cell differentiation, influencing metastasis, cancer stem cells, angiogenesis, and immune evasion. This pathway can suppress tumors by promoting differentiation and inhibiting proliferation or, conversely, stimulate tumorigenesis by inhibiting apoptosis and maintaining stem cell properties. While current research proposes monoclonal antibodies as possible tools to regulate the Notch pathway, natural products offer a complementary approach, potentially providing a more nuanced and adaptable means of modulating this complex signaling cascade. With their long‐standing history of serving as a mainstay in developing successful cancer chemotherapeutic agents, natural products possess immense potential against cancer. The objective of this article is to examine the potential of natural products as therapeutic agents that modulate the Notch pathway in cancer, specifically focusing on its sophisticated role in both promoting and suppressing tumorigenesis in preclinical and clinical settings while comprehensively covering the state‐of‐the‐art research concerning Notch signaling in cancer. The article stands out by analyzing the preclinical and clinical scope of natural products targeting Notch signaling in cancer, especially mentioning the limitations in pharmacological and biopharmaceutical performance and highlighting the novelty of nanotechnology tools to overcome such limitations. It also highlights new aspects in the study of the Notch pathway.