https://repository.utm.md/handle/5014/25336 2026-04-07T22:21:03Z 2026-04-07T22:21:03Z VASEASHTA, Ashok https://repository.utm.md/handle/5014/35644 2026-03-08T09:46:38Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Existential risks with dual-use technologies across nano, cyber, and CBRN domains VASEASHTA, Ashok In today’s exponentially expanding technology landscape, dual-use technology has emerged as a crucial frontier with profound implications for the future of innovation, national security, and economic growth. Inherently, all technologies tend to be susceptible to misuse, however, dual-use technology refers basically to innovations that have both civilian, as well as military applications. Epistemologically, dual-use research can be anticipated to provide knowledge, products, or technologies, yet could be misapplied to pose a serious threat to public health, agriculture, plants, animals, and the environment—according to the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity. At the height of the Cold War, dual-use research concerns emerged due to uncertainties associated with the proliferation risks of nuclear materials. More recently, concerns pivoted towards biological sciences due to the possibility of developing destructive weapons against humans, animals, and plants, especially with advances in nanomaterials. The focus has now shifted to emerging technologies viz. nanotechnology, cognitive sciences, information technology, artificial intelligence, data analytics, and machine learning, where ongoing research and development has significantly advanced human social and economic well-being, nevertheless, at the cost of generating potential for these technologies to be harnessed for nefarious purposes. In addition, a few other technologies, such as unmanned aerial vehicles and additive manufacturing, quantum computing, and neurotechnology have emerged and offer tremendous advantages for the common good, but also present pernicious and destructive uses. With human intention being an unquantifiable measure, the exponential emergence of technologies presents an existential and cascading dual-use paradigm, and it is quite complex to extricate technological benefits from their perceived, actual, or hybrid risks. Hence, the new technologies must be carefully examined, especially regarding their potential dual-use nature. The objective of this article is to canvass the groundwork for an overview of new and emergent technologies and posit ways to isolate benefits from risks associated with dual-use technologies proliferation, including the development of standards and an ethics framework. Acces full text: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-2316-7_1

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z CAPCANARI, Tatiana COVALIOV, Eugenia STABNIKOV, Viktor https://repository.utm.md/handle/5014/35643 2026-03-08T09:41:32Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Edible wild carob as a source of nutrients in food production CAPCANARI, Tatiana; COVALIOV, Eugenia; STABNIKOV, Viktor A tropical fruit of the pea family Fabaceae, carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) attracts attention for its high nutritional and biological value. Fruits of the carob tree are rich in natural sugars, especially sucrose, fructose, and glucose. In addition, its glycemic index is low, and it does not include caffeine in the composition. Numerous studies have proved that carob has antiatherogenic, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antifungal, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory effects. Carob having high antioxidant capacity may serve as an effective compound in the production of foods recommended to people suffering from various chronic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Carob fruits can be considered a functional ingredient and may be used as a source of biologically active compounds to produce functional foods for particular nutritional requirements. Due to various phenolic compounds that are similar to those found in cocoa, this fruit is a potential replacer of cocoa in several cocoa- and chocolate-based products. The chapter provides a detailed review of the data available in the literature on the chemical composition of carob fruits, and also describes the technologies for using this plant material in the preparation of various food products. Acces full text: https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003486794-8

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z VASEASHTA, Ashok KLAVINS, Maris STABNIKOVA, Olena https://repository.utm.md/handle/5014/35642 2026-03-08T09:37:01Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Micro and nanoplastics in aquatic environment VASEASHTA, Ashok; KLAVINS, Maris; STABNIKOVA, Olena Over the past century and a half, advancements in polymer science—encompassing both natural and synthetic materials—have led to the development of strong, lightweight, and highly flexible polymers. Their remarkable diversity and versatility make them indispensable in modern life. However, the escalating accumulation of fragmented plastic waste in the environment has become a pressing global concern. Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs), which tend to accumulate at the air-water interface, pose potential safety and security risks by serving as carriers for viruses. Currently, there is limited research on the effects of MNP consumption in both human and non-human models. This book provides a comprehensive examination of the challenges associated with MNPs, their environmental monitoring, and management strategies aimed at risk assessment and mitigation. It explores emerging techniques for identifying, collecting, and mitigating MNP contamination in aquatic ecosystems. Additionally, it delves into the toxicokinetics, fate, and transport of MNPs, including recent findings on their movement within the human body. A notable development in this field is the application of metamaterials for detecting and degrading organic pollutants and microplastics through photocatalysis. From a policy perspective, refining international standards—encompassing product labeling, responsible usage, and strategies for recycling, upcycling, and sustainable disposal—remains imperative for mitigating the long-term impact of MNP pollution. Acces full text: https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003389460

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z STABNIKOVA, Olena STABNIKOV, Viktor MARYNIN, Andrii KLAVINS, Maris VASEASHTA, Ashok https://repository.utm.md/handle/5014/35641 2026-03-08T09:33:09Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Microplastic pollution mitigation from fresh and marine water bodies STABNIKOVA, Olena; STABNIKOV, Viktor; MARYNIN, Andrii; KLAVINS, Maris; VASEASHTA, Ashok Microplastics constitute a widespread and ever-increasing pollutant in global water systems. Notably, the estimated amount of microplastics in the ocean is much less than the estimated input. The natural processes that make microplastics disappear from the water environment and ways to mitigate the extent of microplastics entering into water systems with treated wastewater are discussed. This chapter describes in detail microplastic contamination mitigation methods from fresh and marine water bodies. Acces full text: https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003389460-2

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