State University of Malang

Nanocellulose has emerged as a versatile, bio-based, and eco-friendly material due to its high transparency, excellent mechanical properties, and biodegradability, positioning it as a promising alternative for sustainable packaging. In this study, we present a mild, acid-free extraction method to obtain high-crystallinity nanocellulose from underutilized Walikukun fiber (WF) using sequential alkali treatment, bleaching, and mechanical sonication. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirm the effective removal of lignin and hemicellulose, resulting in a crystallinity index of up to 91.61% and the formation of densely packed cellulose fibrils. Thermogravimetric analysis reveals enhanced thermal stability, partly attributed to oxidation and structural modifications induced by sonication. Overall, WF-derived nanocellulose demonstrates potential as a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based polymers, offering improved barrier properties, thermal stability, and optical clarity for eco-friendly packaging. This work highlights the environmental benefits of using renewable natural fibers, thereby contributing to circular economy objectives and reducing dependence on nonrenewable resources.

Peptic ulcer disease remains clinically important despite effective Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication and acid-suppressive therapy. Gastric injury reflects an imbalance between aggressive factors, including acid-pepsin activity, H. pylori, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), ethanol, oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and microvascular disturbance and protective mechanisms such as mucus-bicarbonate secretion, prostaglandin signaling, nitric oxide-regulated blood flow, epithelial restitution, and endogenous antioxidant defenses. Bixa orellana L. (annatto or achiote) is a tropical medicinal plant whose seed arils are rich in the apocarotenoids bixin and norbixin, whereas its leaves contain variable phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, alkaloids, and other constituents depending on geography, maturity, and extraction method. This critical narrative review uses a structured search and qualitative evidence-appraisal framework to evaluate extract-specific phytochemistry, direct gastric evidence, indirectly relevant gastrointestinal and vascular evidence, mechanistic plausibility, safety, quality control, and translational readiness. The available literature supports B. orellana as a biologically plausible preclinical mucosal-protective candidate, particularly for prevention of acute chemical injury; however, it does not establish clinical efficacy or chronic ulcer-healing activity. Confidence is limited by the small number of direct gastric studies, incomplete chemical characterization, inconsistent separation of leaf and seed evidence, limited dose-response testing, narrow model selection, and insufficient mechanistic and histological endpoints. Future studies should use authenticated plant material, voucher specimens, chromatographic fingerprints, quantitative markers, complementary prevention and healing models, acute and repeated-dose toxicology, mucus and prostaglandin measurements, oxidative and inflammatory biomarkers, and blinded histological scoring before human investigation is justified.

Procrastination—the habitual postponement of intended tasks despite anticipating negative consequences—is increasingly understood as a neurocognitive syndrome rooted in affective, motivational, and executive dysregulation. This systematic literature review synthesizes findings from 23 neuroimaging studies involving a total of 6,087 participants, predominantly university students aged 16–26 years, to examine the structural, functional, and psychological underpinnings of academic procrastination. Using voxel-based morphometry (VBM), resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC), and task-based fMRI, these studies consistently implicate reduced gray matter volume in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, insula, and precuneus, alongside disrupted connectivity within the Cognitive Control Network and Default Mode Network. Psychological mediators such as low self-control, high reward sensitivity, rumination, and boredom proneness were found to bridge neural alterations and procrastinatory behavior. Temporal activation patterns further indicate that procrastination is not a static trait but a dynamic process influenced by real-time fluctuations in attention, motivation, and emotional engagement. Key limitations include the cross-sectional design of all included studies, reliance on self-report measures, and limited demographic diversity, primarily East Asian student samples. These findings support reconceptualizing procrastination as a multidimensional neurocognitive phenomenon and highlight the potential for targeted interventions—such as cognitive training, mindfulness, and non-invasive brain stimulation—that address its core neural mechanisms to improve academic performance, mental health, and productivity.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Campuses have the position to encourage the practice of sustainability among students. Earlier studies regarding campus sustainability primarily concentrated on waste management policies, waste generation, and waste utilization. However, studies on green campus initiatives and students' pro-environmental practices in plastic waste management are still relatively rare. Investigating plastic waste management practices has become an important study to conduct as a basis for policymaking and providing appropriate recommendations. The study aimed to explore how students manage plastic waste by reviewing their strategies for segregation, reduction, reuse, recycling, and disposal, all within the context of the waste management hierarchy. METHODS: A survey approach was implemented, characterized by a descriptive-quantitative framework, involving the distribution of closed questionnaires to a total of 1,038 students selected via proportionate stratified random sampling, following the guidelines of the Isaac and Michael formula. The collected data were analyzed using the Weighted Mean technique to assign scores to answer choices based on predetermined weights corresponding to the Likert scale to indicate the level of constructs of student practices in plastic waste management. FINDINGS: The findings demonstrate that students have plastic waste management practices classified as "good" across the three green campuses. The study indicates that students at the three green campuses are generally more involved in reuse practices (68.17 percent), reduction (67.92 percent), segregation (64.17 percent), and disposal (62.83 percent). Nevertheless, they exhibit a lack of effectiveness in recycling practices (56.67 percent), which suggests a requirement for increased attention. This study emphasizes the need for educational efforts focused on recycling practices, with implementation aligned with the sustainable development goals. CONCLUSION: Through plastic waste management practices, students can be empowered to contribute as agents of change in solving environmental problems. This analysis reveals that the approach of managing plastic waste via reduction and reuse is more readily embraced by students, given that it is easier to implement both psychologically and structurally in a green campus environment. Developing students' skills, participation, and recycling practices through the curriculum and various programs integrated with environmental education can provide long-term experiences to achieve sustainable green campuses.

Soft robotic grippers are increasingly prominent in surgical robotics, offering a compliant and adaptable alternative to rigid instruments for manipulating biological tissue with reduced force concentration, thereby enhancing safety in minimally invasive surgery (MIS). This systematic review assesses the development and implementation of these technologies in medical contexts, focusing on actuation methods, sensor integration, artificial intelligence (AI)-based control, and clinical outcomes. The analysis highlights adaptive performance, particularly in tasks requiring precision grasping, retraction, or manipulation of dynamic tissue. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2020) guidelines, this review includes 24 peer-reviewed articles published between 2013 and 2025. Key findings reveal widespread adoption of pneumatic, tendon-driven, and hybrid actuators with embedded tactile sensors for force feedback. The application of advanced materials such as silicone elastomers, hydrogels, and shape-memory alloys has enhanced compliance and biocompatibility. Moreover, integrating deep learning and reinforcement learning algorithms has improved autonomous control and decision-making capabilities across variable surgical environments. The review identifies ongoing challenges, including standardizing sterilization protocols, achieving consistent real-time feedback, and integrating soft systems with established surgical platforms, such as the da Vinci robot. Soft robotic grippers have demonstrated reduced tissue trauma, improved ergonomic adaptability, and accelerated post-operative recovery in simulation and experimental studies. Emerging applications include remote surgery, AI-assisted suturing, and advanced tissue manipulation enabled by hybrid gripper designs. Soft robotic grippers represent a significant advancement in surgical safety, precision, and automation, supporting the development of intelligent medical instruments. This development is currently being explored in surgical applications, highlighting its current state of advancement and implementation.