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Biography [eng]

Aman Russom is a Professor at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm. He received his M. Sc. degree in Chemical Engineer with emphasis on Biotechnology in 2000 and his PhD in 2005 from KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden. Dr Russom then did his postdoc fellowship at Harvard Medical School between 2005-2008. In 2008 he returned back to Sweden, where he is currently heading the division of nanobiotechnology, at Science for Life laboratory KTH. His current research is focused on applying engineering principles and technologies, especially micro-and nanotechnology, to clinical medicine with emphasis on point of care diagnostics. 

Publications (10 of 153) Show all publications
Varela, J. C., Harish, A. V., Maniewski, P., Gibbon, T., Tudoran, O., Heuchel, R., . . . Laurell, F. (2025). Lab-in-a-Fiber detection and capture of cells. Scientific Reports, 15(1), Article ID 9694.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Lab-in-a-Fiber detection and capture of cells
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2025 (English)In: Scientific Reports, E-ISSN 2045-2322, Vol. 15, no 1, article id 9694Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

A lab-in-a-fiber component was fabricated using an optical fiber and a fiber capillary. It was used in a test suspension of fluorescently labeled and unlabeled cells and enabled detection of the labeled cells. Subsequently the labeled cells were selectively collected via suction into the capillary. A novel sampling technique reduced photobleaching of the labeled cells, extending the measurement time. The collected cells remained viable for downstream analysis. This platform’s low fabrication cost, simplicity, compatibility with standard laboratory equipment, and capacity for fully automated cell capture highlights its potential for future applications in minimally invasive sample collection and point-of-care diagnostics. We demonstrate this LiF device to showcase the capability of optical fiber technology in creating low-cost, low-complexity cancer diagnostic devices. Furthermore, the LiF device holds promise for in vivo diagnostics, facilitating cell isolation and analysis.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Springer Nature, 2025
Keywords
Cancer diagnostics, Cell capture, Cell detection, Lab-in-a-Fiber
National Category
Molecular Biology
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-362042 (URN)10.1038/s41598-025-92585-6 (DOI)001449593100013 ()40113943 (PubMedID)2-s2.0-105000517014 (Scopus ID)
Note

QC 20250428

Available from: 2025-04-03 Created: 2025-04-03 Last updated: 2025-05-05Bibliographically approved
Pinto, I. F., Abeille, F., Giehring, S., Akhtar, A. S., Sergeant, D., Chotteau, V. & Russom, A. (2025). PAT-on-a-chip: Miniaturization of analytical assays towards data-driven bioprocess development and optimization. Biosensors & bioelectronics, 286, Article ID 117625.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>PAT-on-a-chip: Miniaturization of analytical assays towards data-driven bioprocess development and optimization
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2025 (English)In: Biosensors & bioelectronics, ISSN 0956-5663, E-ISSN 1873-4235, Vol. 286, article id 117625Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

The advancement of biopharmaceutical manufacturing, particularly continuous processing, has heightened the need for next-generation analytical tools approaching real-time monitoring of critical quality attributes (CQAs) and process parameters (CPPs). Current methods, primarily offline and labor-intensive, fail at delivering analytical information that can be used for process analytical technology (PAT) to control and optimize the manufacturing process, while also lacking the ability of multi-attribute monitoring, thus requiring a large number of samples (or sampling amount) to be collected. This work introduces the concept of PAT-on-a-chip, consisting of an integrated microfluidic platform designed to perform at-line analysis and characterization of cell culture samples in the context of monoclonal antibody (mAb) production. Specifically, a sample preparation-free miniaturized lectin-based assay was developed to measure levels of high mannose glycans and integrated with affinity-based assays to measure mAb titers and key impurities, namely Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) host cell proteins (HCP), within the same chip, resorting to a common colorimetric readout. The microfluidic chips were operated in a customized and integrated instrument comprising miniaturized photodiodes, connected to a graphical user interface for data recording and signal quantification. The PAT-on-a-chip unit allowed to achieve fit-for-purpose analyte quantification, while offering performance comparable to state-of-the-art offline analytical methods (Pearson R > 0.93), namely capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence (CE-LIF) for glycan analysis, well plate immunoassays for CHO HCP and protein A HPLC for mAb titers, thus validating its potential to expand the modern PAT toolbox.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Elsevier BV, 2025
Keywords
Colorimetric detection, Glycosylation, Immunoassays, Microfluidics, Monoclonal antibodies, Photodiodes
National Category
Analytical Chemistry Bioprocess Technology
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-364148 (URN)10.1016/j.bios.2025.117625 (DOI)40435762 (PubMedID)2-s2.0-105005843443 (Scopus ID)
Note

QC 20250605

Available from: 2025-06-04 Created: 2025-06-04 Last updated: 2025-06-05Bibliographically approved
Urrutia Iturritza, M., Mlotshwa, P., Gantelius, J., Alfven, T., Loh, E., Karlsson, J., . . . Gaudenzi, G. (2024). An Automated Versatile Diagnostic Workflow for Infectious Disease Detection in Low-Resource Settings. Micromachines, 15(6), Article ID 708.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>An Automated Versatile Diagnostic Workflow for Infectious Disease Detection in Low-Resource Settings
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2024 (English)In: Micromachines, E-ISSN 2072-666X, Vol. 15, no 6, article id 708Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Laboratory automation effectively increases the throughput in sample analysis, reduces human errors in sample processing, as well as simplifies and accelerates the overall logistics. Automating diagnostic testing workflows in peripheral laboratories and also in near-patient settings -like hospitals, clinics and epidemic control checkpoints- is advantageous for the simultaneous processing of multiple samples to provide rapid results to patients, minimize the possibility of contamination or error during sample handling or transport, and increase efficiency. However, most automation platforms are expensive and are not easily adaptable to new protocols. Here, we address the need for a versatile, easy-to-use, rapid and reliable diagnostic testing workflow by combining open-source modular automation (Opentrons) and automation-compatible molecular biology protocols, easily adaptable to a workflow for infectious diseases diagnosis by detection on paper-based diagnostics. We demonstrated the feasibility of automation of the method with a low-cost Neisseria meningitidis diagnostic test that utilizes magnetic beads for pathogen DNA isolation, isothermal amplification, and detection on a paper-based microarray. In summary, we integrated open-source modular automation with adaptable molecular biology protocols, which was also faster and cheaper to perform in an automated than in a manual way. This enables a versatile diagnostic workflow for infectious diseases and we demonstrated this through a low-cost N. meningitidis test on paper-based microarrays.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
MDPI AG, 2024
Keywords
modular automation, open-source, recombinase polymerase amplification, microarray, signal enhancement, infectious diseases
National Category
Biochemistry Molecular Biology
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-350487 (URN)10.3390/mi15060708 (DOI)001256399800001 ()38930678 (PubMedID)2-s2.0-85197193204 (Scopus ID)
Note

QC 20240715

Available from: 2024-07-15 Created: 2024-07-15 Last updated: 2025-02-20Bibliographically approved
Costa, M., Hammarström, B., van der Geer, L., Tanriverdi, S., Jönsson, H. N., Wiklund, M. & Russom, A. (2024). EchoGrid: High-Throughput Acoustic Trapping for Enrichment of Environmental Microplastics. Analytical Chemistry, 96(23), 9493-9502
Open this publication in new window or tab >>EchoGrid: High-Throughput Acoustic Trapping for Enrichment of Environmental Microplastics
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2024 (English)In: Analytical Chemistry, ISSN 0003-2700, E-ISSN 1520-6882, Vol. 96, no 23, p. 9493-9502Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

The health hazards of micro- and nanoplastic contaminants in drinking water has recently emerged as an area of concern to policy makers and industry. Plastic contaminants range in size from micro- (5 mm to 1 μm) to nanoplastics (<1 μm). Microfluidics provides many tools for particle manipulation at the microscale, particularly in diagnostics and biomedicine, but has in general a limited capacity to process large volumes. Drinking water and environmental samples with low-level contamination of microplastics require processing of deciliter to liter sample volumes to achieve statistically relevant particle counts. Here, we introduce the EchoGrid, an acoustofluidics device for high throughput continuous flow particle enrichment into a robust array of particle clusters. The EchoGrid takes advantage of highly efficient particle capture through the integration of a micropatterned transducer for surface displacement-based acoustic trapping in a glass and polymer microchannel. Silica seed particles were used as anchor particles to improve capture performance at low particle concentrations and high flow rates. The device was able to maintain the silica grids at a flow rate of 50 mL/min. In terms of enrichment, the device is able to double the final pellet’s microplastic concentration every 78 s for 23 μm particles and every 51 s for 10 μm particles at a flow rate of 5 mL/min. In conclusion, we demonstrate the usefulness of the EchoGrid by capturing microplastics in challenging conditions, such as large sample volumes with low microparticle concentrations, without sacrificing the potential of integration with downstream analysis for environmental monitoring.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
American Chemical Society (ACS), 2024
National Category
Nano Technology Natural Sciences Environmental Biotechnology
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-356446 (URN)10.1021/acs.analchem.4c00933 (DOI)001231829500001 ()2-s2.0-85194229840 (Scopus ID)
Note

QC 20241118

Available from: 2024-11-15 Created: 2024-11-15 Last updated: 2025-02-05Bibliographically approved
Costa, M., van der Geer, L., Joaquim, M., Hammarström, B., Tanriverdi, S., Jönsson, H., . . . Russom, A. (2024). EchoTilt: An Acoustofluidic Method for the Capture and Enrichment of Nanoplastics Directed Toward Drinking Water Monitoring. Micromachines, 15(12), Article ID 1487.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>EchoTilt: An Acoustofluidic Method for the Capture and Enrichment of Nanoplastics Directed Toward Drinking Water Monitoring
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2024 (English)In: Micromachines, E-ISSN 2072-666X, Vol. 15, no 12, article id 1487Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Micro- and nanoplastics have become increasingly relevant as contaminants to be monitored due to their potential health effects and environmental impact. Nanoplastics, in particular, have been shown to be difficult to detect in drinking water, requiring new capture technologies. In this work, we applied the acoustofluidic seed particle method to capture nanoplastics in an optimized, tilted grid of silica clusters even at the high flow rate of 5 mL/min. Moreover, we achieved, using this technique, the enrichment of nanoparticles ranging from 500 nm to 25 nm as a first in the field. We employed fluorescence to observe the enrichment profiles according to size, using a washing buffer flow at 0.5 mL/min, highlighting the size-dependent nature of the silica seed particle release of various sizes of nanoparticles. These results highlight the versatility of acoustic trapping for a wide range of nanoplastic particles and allow further study into the complex dynamics of the seed particle method at these size ranges. Moreover, with reproducible size-dependent washing curves, we provide a new window into the rate of nanoplastic escape in high-capacity acoustic traps, relevant to both environmental and biomedical applications.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
MDPI AG, 2024
Keywords
acoustic trap, acoustofluidics, microfluidic-based separation, microplastics, nanoplastics, seed particle method, silica-enhanced seed particle method
National Category
Environmental Sciences Atom and Molecular Physics and Optics Polymer Technologies
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-358284 (URN)10.3390/mi15121487 (DOI)001384608700001 ()2-s2.0-85213267425 (Scopus ID)
Note

QC 20250114

Available from: 2025-01-08 Created: 2025-01-08 Last updated: 2025-02-05Bibliographically approved
Tanriverdi, S., Cruz, J., Habibi, S., Amini, K., Costa, M., Lundell, F., . . . Russom, A. (2024). Elasto-inertial focusing and particle migration in high aspect ratio microchannels for high-throughput separation. Microsystems and Nanoengineering, 10(1), Article ID 87.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Elasto-inertial focusing and particle migration in high aspect ratio microchannels for high-throughput separation
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2024 (English)In: Microsystems and Nanoengineering, E-ISSN 2055-7434, Vol. 10, no 1, article id 87Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

The combination of flow elasticity and inertia has emerged as a viable tool for focusing and manipulating particles using microfluidics. Although there is considerable interest in the field of elasto-inertial microfluidics owing to its potential applications, research on particle focusing has been mostly limited to low Reynolds numbers (Re<1), and particle migration toward equilibrium positions has not been extensively examined. In this work, we thoroughly studied particle focusing on the dynamic range of flow rates and particle migration using straight microchannels with a single inlet high aspect ratio. We initially explored several parameters that had an impact on particle focusing, such as the particle size, channel dimensions, concentration of viscoelastic fluid, and flow rate. Our experimental work covered a wide range of dimensionless numbers (0.05 < Reynolds number < 85, 1.5 < Weissenberg number < 3800, 5 < Elasticity number < 470) using 3, 5, 7, and 10 µm particles. Our results showed that the particle size played a dominant role, and by tuning the parameters, particle focusing could be achieved at Reynolds numbers ranging from 0.2 (1 µL/min) to 85 (250 µL/min). Furthermore, we numerically and experimentally studied particle migration and reported differential particle migration for high-resolution separations of 5 µm, 7 µm and 10 µm particles in a sheathless flow at a throughput of 150 µL/min. Our work elucidates the complex particle transport in elasto-inertial flows and has great potential for the development of high-throughput and high-resolution particle separation for biomedical and environmental applications. (Figure presented.)

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Springer Nature, 2024
National Category
Fluid Mechanics
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-349942 (URN)10.1038/s41378-024-00724-2 (DOI)001253168300001 ()2-s2.0-85196750513 (Scopus ID)
Note

QC 20240705

Available from: 2024-07-03 Created: 2024-07-03 Last updated: 2025-02-09Bibliographically approved
Cruceriu, D., Balacescu, L., Baldasici, O., Gaal, O. I., Balacescu, O., Russom, A., . . . Tudoran, O. (2024). Gene expression-phenotype association study reveals the dual role of TNF-α/TNFR1 signaling axis in confined breast cancer cell migration. Life Sciences, 354, Article ID 122982.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Gene expression-phenotype association study reveals the dual role of TNF-α/TNFR1 signaling axis in confined breast cancer cell migration
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2024 (English)In: Life Sciences, ISSN 0024-3205, E-ISSN 1879-0631, Vol. 354, article id 122982Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Aims: While enhanced tumor cell migration is a key process in the tumor dissemination, mechanistic insights into causal relationships between tumor cells and mechanical confinement are still limited. Here we combine the use of microfluidic platforms to characterize confined cell migration with genomic tools to systematically unravel the global signaling landscape associated with the migratory phenotype of breast cancer (BC) cells. Meterials and methods: The spontaneous migration capacity of seven BC cell lines was evaluated in 3D microfluidic devices and their migration capacity was correlated with publicly available molecular signatures. The role of identified signaling pathways on regulating BC migration capacity was determined by receptor stimulation through ligand binding or inhibition through siRNA silencing. Downstream effects on cell migration were evaluated in microfluidic devices, while the molecular changes were monitored by RT-qPCR. Key findings: Expression of 715 genes was correlated with BC cells migratory phenotype, revealing TNF-α as one of the top upstream regulators. Signal transduction experiments revealed that TNF-α stimulates the confined migration of triple negative, mesenchymal-like BC cells that are also characterized by high TNFR1 expression, but inhibits the migration of epithelial-like cells with low TNFR1 expression. TNFR1 was strongly associated with the migration capacity and triple-negative, mesenchymal phenotype. Downstream of TNF/TNFR1 signaling, transcriptional regulation of NFKB seems to be important in driving cell migration in confined spaces. Significance: TNF-α/TNFR1 signaling axis reveals as a key player in driving BC cells confined migration, emerging as a promising therapeutic strategy in targeting dissemination and metastasis of triple negative, mesenchymal BC cells.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Elsevier BV, 2024
Keywords
Breast cancer, Confined migration, Microfluidics, TNF-α, TNFR1
National Category
Cell and Molecular Biology
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-352342 (URN)10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122982 (DOI)001297704200001 ()39151886 (PubMedID)2-s2.0-85201415255 (Scopus ID)
Note

QC 20240906

Available from: 2024-08-28 Created: 2024-08-28 Last updated: 2024-09-12Bibliographically approved
Pinto, I. F., Chotteau, V. & Russom, A. (2024). Microfluidic Cartridge for Bead-Based Affinity Assays. Methods in Molecular Biology, 2804, 127-138
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Microfluidic Cartridge for Bead-Based Affinity Assays
2024 (English)In: Methods in Molecular Biology, ISSN 1064-3745, E-ISSN 1940-6029, Vol. 2804, p. 127-138Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Within the vast field of medical biotechnology, the biopharmaceutical industry is particularly fast-growing and highly competitive, so reducing time and costs associated to process optimization becomes instrumental to ensure speed to market and, consequently, profitability. The manufacturing of biopharmaceutical products, namely, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), relies mostly on mammalian cell culture processes, which are highly dynamic and, consequently, difficult to optimize. In this context, there is currently an unmet need of analytical methods that can be integrated at-line in a bioreactor, for systematic monitoring and quantification of key metabolites and proteins. Microfluidic-based assays have been extensively and successfully applied in the field of molecular diagnostics; however, this technology remains largely unexplored for Process Analytical Technology (PAT), despite holding great potential for the at-line measurement of different analytes in bioreactor processes, combining low reagent/molecule consumption with assay sensitivity and rapid turnaround times.Here, the fabrication and handling of a microfluidic cartridge for protein quantification using bead-based affinity assays is described. The device allows geometrical multiplexed immunodetection of specific protein analytes directly from bioreactor samples within 2.5 h and minimal hands-on time. As a proof-of-concept, quantification of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) host cell proteins (HCP) as key impurities, IgG as product of interest, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) as cell viability marker was demonstrated with limits of detection (LoD) in the low ng/mL range. Negligible matrix interference and no cross-reactivity between the different immunoassays on chip were found. The results highlight the potential of the miniaturized analytical method for PAT at reduced cost and complexity in comparison with sophisticated instruments that are currently the state-of-the-art in this context.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Springer Nature, 2024
Keywords
Biopharmaceuticals, Colorimetry, Immunoassays, Microfluidics, Monoclonal antibodies, Multiplexing, Process analytical technology
National Category
Analytical Chemistry
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-347115 (URN)10.1007/978-1-0716-3850-7_8 (DOI)38753145 (PubMedID)2-s2.0-85193361511 (Scopus ID)
Note

QC 20240605

Available from: 2024-06-03 Created: 2024-06-03 Last updated: 2024-06-05Bibliographically approved
Reu, P., Gaudenzi, G., Nanjebe, D., Svedberg, G., Nyehangane, D., Urrutia Iturritza, M., . . . Russom, A. (2024). Multiplex detection of meningitis pathogens by a vertical flow paper microarray and signal enhancement suitable for low-resource settings: Proof of concept. Talanta Open, 10, Article ID 100357.
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Multiplex detection of meningitis pathogens by a vertical flow paper microarray and signal enhancement suitable for low-resource settings: Proof of concept
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2024 (English)In: Talanta Open, E-ISSN 2666-8319, Vol. 10, article id 100357Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Objectives: Meningitis is a medical emergency, and it is crucial to diagnose it accurately and promptly in order to manage patients effectively. It would, therefore, be essential to introduce and have fast, accurate, and user-friendly methods to determine the cause of these infections. This study aimed to demonstrate a potentially cost-effective new approach for detecting meningitis using a paper-based vertical flow microarray, which could be useful in settings with limited resources. Methods: We describe a multiplex paper microarray for detecting Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Salmonella spp. by the passive vertical flow of PCR-amplified clinical samples. A multibiotinylated amplicon was obtained as a product of PCR in the presence of both a biotinylated primer and biotin-11-dUTP. An enhancement step based on an enzyme-free gold enhancement protocol was also used to facilitate visual detection. Results: This study showed that the vertical flow microarray (previously evaluated for one pathogen) can discriminately detect the amplification results down to the 102 copies of DNA limit for four meningitis pathogens in a multiplexed set-up. The study further demonstrated the ability of this device and setup to detect three of the four pathogens from clinical biosamples. Discussion: This study demonstrated the capacity of a vertical flow microarray device to detect amplification products for four prevalent meningitis pathogens in a multiplex format. The vertical flow microarray demonstrated consistent visualization of the expected gene amplification results; however, indicating limitations in the pre- and amplification steps. This study highlights the potential of this multiplexing method for diagnosing meningitis and other syndromic diseases caused by various pathogens, especially in resource-limited areas.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Elsevier BV, 2024
Keywords
Global health, Low-resource settings, Multiplex paper microarray, Paediatrics, Passive vertical flow, Point-of-care, Signal enhancement
National Category
Medical and Health Sciences
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-353912 (URN)10.1016/j.talo.2024.100357 (DOI)001318148500001 ()2-s2.0-85204042669 (Scopus ID)
Note

QC 20241009

Available from: 2024-09-25 Created: 2024-09-25 Last updated: 2025-03-13Bibliographically approved
Harish, A. V., Varela, J. C., Maniewski, P., Heuchel, R., Löhr, M., Margulis, W., . . . Laurell, F. (2024). Optical Fiber Based Cell Picking Module for Identification and Isolation of Single Cells or Clusters. In: 2024 Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics, CLEO 2024: . Paper presented at 2024 Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics, CLEO 2024, Charlotte, United States of America, May 7-10, 2024. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Optical Fiber Based Cell Picking Module for Identification and Isolation of Single Cells or Clusters
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2024 (English)In: 2024 Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics, CLEO 2024, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) , 2024Conference paper, Published paper (Refereed)
Abstract [en]

We present an optical fiber-based selective cell picking module capable of picking up and transferring single cells or clusters. Our Lab-in-a-fiber (LIF) module detects labelled cancer cells (MCF-7) and picks them up for further analysis.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), 2024
Keywords
Biological cells, Cancer, Electro-optical waveguides, Fiber lasers, Lasers and electrooptics
National Category
Atom and Molecular Physics and Optics
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-357702 (URN)2-s2.0-85210480691 (Scopus ID)
Conference
2024 Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics, CLEO 2024, Charlotte, United States of America, May 7-10, 2024
Note

Part of ISBN 9781957171395

QC 20241213

Available from: 2024-12-12 Created: 2024-12-12 Last updated: 2024-12-13Bibliographically approved
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Identifiers
ORCID iD: ORCID iD iconorcid.org/0000-0002-0242-358X

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