bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationship Between Outdoor Air Pollutant Exposure and Premature Delivery in China- Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Wang Xue , Wang Xin , Gao Chenghua , Xu Xiaoqian , Li Lehui , Liu Yan , Li Zichao , Xia Yuan , Fang Xin
Published: October 2023

Objective: Preterm birth (PTB) is considered as a public health problem and one of the main risk factors related to the global disease burden. The purpose of this study aims to explore the influence of exposure to major air pollutants at different pregnancies on PTB.

Methods: The relationship between air pollutants and PTB in China was collected from cohort studies and case-control studies published before 30 April 2022. Meta-analysis was carried out with STATA 15.0 software.

Results: A total of 2,115 papers were retrieved, of which 18 papers met the inclusion criteria. The comprehensive effect of pollutant exposure and PTB were calculated. PM2.5 during entire pregnancy and O3 exposure during third trimester were positively associated with preterm birth. Every 10 μg/m3 increase in the average concentration of PM2.5 during the whole pregnancy will increase the risk of premature delivery by 4%, and every 10 μg/m3 increase in the average concentration of O3 in the third trimester will increase the risk of premature delivery by 1%.

Conclusion: Exposure to PM2.5 entire prenatal pregnancy and O3 in third trimester is associated with an increased risk of preterm birth occurrence.
Electrohydraulic and Electromechanical Buoyancy Change Device Unified Vertical Motion Model
Authors: Falcão Carneiro João , Pinto João Bravo , Gomes de Almeida Fernando , Cruz Nuno A.
Published: October 2023

Depth control is crucial for underwater vehicles, not only to perform certain tasks that require the vehicle to be still at a given depth but also because most propeller-driven vehicles waste a considerable amount of energy to counteract the passively tuned positive buoyancy. The use of a variable buoyancy system (VBS) can effectively address these items, increasing the energetic efficiency and thus mission length. Achieving accurate depth controllers is, however, a complex task, since experimental controller development in sea or even in test pools is unpractical and the use of simulation requires accurate vertical motion models whose parameters might be difficult to obtain or measure. The development of simple, yet comprehensive, dynamic models for devices incorporating VBS is therefore of upmost importance, as well as developing procedures that allow a simple determination of their parameters. This work contributes to this field by deriving a unified model for the vertical motion of a VBS actuated device, irrespective of the specific technological actuation solution employed, whether it be electromechanical or electrohydraulic. A concise analysis of the open-loop stability of the unified model is presented and a straightforward yet efficient procedure for identifying several of its parameters is introduced. This identification procedure is designed to be convenient and can be carried out in shallow waters, such as test pools, while its results are applicable to the deeper water model as well. To validate the procedure, experimental values obtained from an electromechanical VBS actuated device are used. Closed-loop control of the electromechanical VBS actuated device is conducted through simulation and experimental tests. The results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed unified model and the parameter identification methodology.
Nonlinear Rigid-Elastic Coupled Modeling and Oscillation Mechanism Analysis of Rotor-Body-Slung-Load System
Authors: Tian Yu , Wang Luofeng , Zhou Zhongliang , Chen Renliang
Published: October 2023

In order to reveal the mechanism of Category II rotor-body-slung-load coupled oscillation (RBSLCO) with the frequency range of 2.5~8 Hz, a novel nonlinear rigid-elastic coupled model is presented for the helicopter and slung load system (HSLS) with explicit formulation. The slung load system model is coupled with the current rigid-elastic coupled helicopter model, considering fuselage hook point rigid-elastic coupled movements, cable stretching, and hook point force from the slung load system. The results show that carrying the heaviest load is the vital state for Category II RBSLCO. As slung load mass ratio increases, rotor-fuselage coupling becomes stronger and the oscillation frequency shifts slightly, causing a maximum of 15% reduction in stability margin. In addition, even when the load is lightweight, another form of Category II RBSLCO may appear involving fuselage bending and cable stretching. This Category II RBSLCO behaves like the vertical bouncing but is divided into a high-frequency anti-phase oscillation and a relatively low-frequency in-phase oscillation.
Preliminary Analysis of the Stability and Controllability of a Box-Wing Aircraft Configuration
Authors: Abu Salem Karim , Palaia Giuseppe , Quarta Alessandro A. , Chiarelli Mario R.
Published: October 2023

This paper presents a study on the aeromechanical characteristics of a box-wing aircraft configuration with a focus on stability, controllability, and the impact of aeromechanical constraints on the lifting system conceptual design. In the last decade, the box-wing concept has been the subject of several investigations in the aeronautical scientific community, as it has the potential to improve classic aerodynamic performance, aiming at reducing fuel consumption per unit of payload transported, and thus contributing to a reduction in aviation greenhouse emissions. This study characterises the aeromechanical features of a box-wing aircraft, with a specific focus on the correlations between the aeromechanical constraints and the (main) aircraft design parameters. The proposed approach provides specific insights into the aeromechanical characteristics of the box-wing concept, both in the longitudinal and lateral plane, which are useful to define some overall design criteria generally applicable when dealing with the conceptual design of such an unconventional aircraft configuration.
Relationship between Leaf Area Index and Yield Components in Farmers’ Paddy Fields
Authors: Hashimoto Naoyuki , Saito Yuki , Yamamoto Shuhei , Ishibashi Taro , Ito Ruito , Maki Masayasu , Homma Koki
Published: October 2023

Estimation of rice yield components is required to optimize cultivation management in fields. The leaf area index (LAI) can be a parameter for this estimation, but it has not been evaluated in farmers’ fields. In this study, we analyzed the relationship between the LAI and yield components using data collected over a five-year period in farmers’ fields for the cultivar Hitomebore. Leaf area dynamics (LAD) were parameterized by fitting a growth function to the time-series data of LAI measured using a canopy analyzer. The contribution of LAD to yield components was analyzed using multiple regression. The LAIs at five points during the growing season (effective integrated temperatures of 200, 400, 600, 800, and 1000 °Cd) were calculated using the growth function and the relationship between them and the yield components were analyzed using linear regression. The results of the multiple regression analysis showed that all function parameters significantly affected the yield components at the 5% probability level, with the greatest contribution from the LAI. The LAI at effective integrated temperatures of 400 to 600 °Cd significantly affected most of the yield components. However, the correlation coefficients between the LAI and yield components were not high (R = 0.18–0.61). The LAIs at almost all periods significantly affected the grain number per panicle and 1000-grain weight at the 5% probability level. These results suggest that the LAI could be used for monitoring trends in yield components, while further research on the development of accurate estimation methods is needed.
Anthropocentrism and Environmental Wellbeing in AI Ethics Standards: A Scoping Review and Discussion
Authors: Rigley Eryn , Chapman Adriane , Evers Christine , McNeill Will
Published: October 2023

As AI deployment has broadened, so too has an awareness for the ethical implications and problems that may ensue from this deployment. In response, groups across multiple domains have issued AI ethics standards that rely on vague, high-level principles to find consensus. One such high-level principle that is common across the AI landscape is ‘human-centredness’, though oftentimes it is applied without due investigation into its merits and limitations and without a clear, common definition. This paper undertakes a scoping review of AI ethics standards to examine the commitment to ‘human-centredness’ and how this commitment interacts with other ethical concerns, namely, concerns for nonhumans animals and environmental wellbeing. We found that human-centred AI ethics standards tend to prioritise humans over nonhumans more so than nonhuman-centred standards. A critical analysis of our findings suggests that a commitment to human-centredness within AI ethics standards accords with the definition of anthropocentrism in moral philosophy: that humans have, at least, more intrinsic moral value than nonhumans. We consider some of the limitations of anthropocentric AI ethics, which include permitting harm to the environment and animals and undermining the stability of ecosystems.
Protective Actions of Cannabidiol on Aging-Related Inflammation, Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis Alterations in Liver and Lung of Long Evans Rats
Authors: Rancan Lisa , Linillos-Pradillo Beatriz , Centeno Julia , Paredes Sergio D. , Vara Elena , Tresguerres Jesús A. F.
Published: October 2023

Background: Aging is characterised by the progressive accumulation of oxidative damage which leads to inflammation and apoptosis in cells. This affects all tissues in the body causing the deterioration of several organs. Previous studies observed that cannabidiol (CBD) could extend lifespan and health span by its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and autophagy properties. However, research on the anti-aging effect of CBD is still in the beginning stages. This study aimed to investigate the role of cannabidiol (CBD) in the prevention of age-related alterations in liver and lung using a murine model. Methods: 15-month-old Long Evans rats were treated with 10 mg/kg b.w./day of CBD for 10 weeks and compared to animals of the same age as old control and 2-month-old animals as young control. Gene and/or protein expressions, by RT-qPCR and Western blotting, respectively, were assessed in terms of molecules related to oxidative stress (GST, GPx, GR and HO-1d), inflammation (NFκB, IL-1β and TNF-α) and apoptosis (BAX, Bcl-2, AIF, and CASP-1). In addition, MDA and MPO levels were measured by colorimetric assay. Results were analysed by ANOVA followed by Tukey–Kramer test, considering statistically significant a p < 0.05. Results: GST, GPx and GR expressions were significantly reduced (p < 0.01) in liver samples from old animals compared to young ones and CBD treatment was able to revert it. A significant increase was observed in old animals compared to young ones in relation to oxidative stress markers (MDA and HO-1d), proinflammatory molecules (NFκB, IL-1β and TNF-α), MPO levels and proapoptotic molecules (BAX, AIF and CASP-1), while no significant alterations were observed in the antiapoptotic molecules (Bcl-2). All these changes were more noticeable in the liver, while the lung seemed to be less affected. In almost all the measured parameters, CBD treatment was able to revert the alterations caused by age restoring the levels to those observed in the group of young animals. Conclusions: Chronic treatment with CBD in 15-month-old rats showed beneficial effects in lung and more significantly in liver by reducing the levels of inflammatory, oxidative and apoptotic mediators, and hence the cell damage associated with these three processes inherent to aging.
PosturAll: A Posture Assessment Software for Children
Authors: Neves Ana Beatriz , Martins Rodrigo , Matela Nuno , Atalaia Tiago
Published: October 2023

From an early age, people are exposed to risk factors that can lead to musculoskeletal disorders like low back pain, neck pain and scoliosis. Medical screenings at an early age might minimize their incidence. The study intends to improve a software that processes images of patients, using specific anatomical sites to obtain risk indicators for possible musculoskeletal problems. This project was divided into four phases. First, markers and body metrics were selected for the postural assessment. Second, the software’s capacity to detect the markers and run optimization tests was evaluated. Third, data were acquired from a population to validate the results using clinical software. Fourth, the classifiers’ performance with the acquired data was analyzed. Green markers with diameters of 20 mm were used to optimize the software. The postural assessment using different types of cameras was conducted via the blob detection method. In the optimization tests, the angle parameters were the most influenced parameters. The data acquired showed that the postural analysis results were statistically equivalent. For the classifiers, the study population had 16 subjects with no evidence of postural problems, 25 with mild evidence and 16 with moderate-to-severe evidence. In general, using a binary classification with the train/test split validation method provided better results.
Assessing the Shooting Velocity According to the Shooting Technique in Elite Youth Rink Hockey Players
Authors: Arboix-Alió Jordi , Trabal Guillem , Moreno-Galcerán Dani
Published: October 2023

This study aimed to report the shooting velocities and to assess the differences in shot velocity according to the techniques used in elite youth male rink hockey players. Fifteen rink hockey players (age = 18.40 ± 1.44 year; body mass = 73.52 ± 6.02 kg; height = 1.76 ± 0.06 m; BMI = 23.61 ± 2.12; sports experience = 6.44 ± 1.76 years) participated in this cross-sectional study. Shooting velocities were assessed for four techniques: slap shot without approach run, drive shot without approach run, slap shot with approach run, and drive shot with approach run. Shooting velocity measurements were conducted using a radar Stalker ATS systemTM. The results demonstrated that drive shots consistently achieved higher velocities compared to slap shots (F(3,56) = 23.9 p < 0.01, ηp2 = 0.58). Additionally, incorporating an approach run significantly increased shooting velocities for both techniques (p < 0.01). These findings hold significant implications for coaches and players seeking to optimize shooting performance in rink hockey.
Immunotherapy and Targeted Therapies Efficacy in Thymic Epithelial Tumors: A Systematic Review
Authors: Agrafiotis Apostolos C. , Brandão Mariana , Berghmans Thierry , Durieux Valérie , Jungels Christiane
Published: October 2023

Background: Thymic epithelial tumors (TET) are rare neoplasms of the anterior mediastinum. Surgery is the mainstay treatment for resectable TET, whereas systemic treatments are reserved for unresectable and metastatic tumors. The development of new treatments, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) and targeted therapies, with promising results in other types of solid tumors, has led to the investigation of their potential efficacy in TET. The study of tumor microenvironments (TME) is another field of investigation that has gained the interest of researchers. Taking into account the complex structure of the thymus and its function in the development of immunity, researchers have focused on TME elements that could predict ICI efficacy. Materials and Methods: The primary objective of this systematic review was to investigate the efficacy of ICI in TET. Secondary objectives included the toxicity of ICI, the efficacy of targeted therapies in TET, and the evaluation of the elements of TME that may be predictive factors of ICI efficacy. A literature search was conducted in February 2023 using the Ovid Medline and SciVerse Scopus databases. Results: 2944 abstracts were retrieved, of which 31 were retained for the systematic review. Five phase II and one retrospective study assessed ICI efficacy. The overall response rate (ORR) varied from 0% to 34%. Median progression-free survival (PFS) ranged from 3.8 to 8.6 months, being lower in thymic carcinoma (TC) (3.8–4.2 months). Median overall survival (OS) ranged from 14.1 to 35.4 months. Treatment-related adverse events occurred in 6.6% to 27.3% of patients. Sixteen studies assessed targeted therapies. The most active molecule was lenvatinib, with 38% ORR in patients with TC while no activity was detected for imatinib, erlotinib plus bevacizumab, and saracatinib. Ten studies assessed TME elements that could predict ICI efficacy. Four studies focused on the tumor-infiltrating immune cells suggesting improved outcomes in patients with TC and high tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte densities. Another study showed that CD8+, CD20+, and CD204+ tumor-infiltrating immune cells in cancer stroma might be prognostic biomarkers in TC. Another study identified the immune-related long non-coding RNAs as a predictor of response to ICI. Tumor mutational burden was identified as a predictive factor of ICI efficacy in one study. Conclusions: Despite study heterogeneity, this review shows that ICI could be a therapeutic option for selected patients with TET that are not amenable to curative radical treatment after first-line chemotherapy.
MicroRNAs in Myocarditis—Review of the Preclinical In Vivo Trials
Authors: Procyk Grzegorz , Grodzka Olga , Procyk Marcelina , Gąsecka Aleksandra , Głuszek Katarzyna , Wrzosek Małgorzata
Published: October 2023

Myocarditis is an inflammatory heart disease with viruses as the most common cause. Regardless of multiple studies that have recently been conducted, the diagnostic options still need to be improved. Although endomyocardial biopsy is known as a diagnostic gold standard, it is invasive and, thus, only sometimes performed. Novel techniques of cardiac magnetic resonance are not readily available. Therapy in viral infections is based mainly on symptomatic treatment, while steroids and intravenous immunoglobulins are used in autoimmune myocarditis. The effectiveness of neither of these methods has been explicitly proven to date. Therefore, novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies are highly needed. MiRNAs are small, non-coding molecules that regulate fundamental cell functions, including differentiation, metabolism, and apoptosis. They present altered levels in different diseases, including myocarditis. Numerous studies investigating the role of miRNAs in myocarditis have already been conducted. In this review, we discussed only the original preclinical in vivo research. We eventually included 30 studies relevant to the discussed area. The altered miRNA levels have been observed, including upregulation and downregulation of different miRNAs in the mice models of myocarditis. Furthermore, the administration of mimics or inhibitors of particular miRNAs was shown to significantly influence inflammation, morphology, and function of the heart and overall survival. Finally, some studies presented prospective advantages in vaccine development.
Are Ischemic Stroke and Alzheimer’s Disease Genetically Consecutive Pathologies?
Authors: Filippenkov Ivan B. , Khrunin Andrey V. , Mozgovoy Ivan V. , Dergunova Lyudmila V. , Limborska Svetlana A.
Published: October 2023

Complex diseases that affect the functioning of the central nervous system pose a major problem for modern society. Among these, ischemic stroke (IS) holds a special place as one of the most common causes of disability and mortality worldwide. Furthermore, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) ranks first among neurodegenerative diseases, drastically reducing brain activity and overall life quality and duration. Recent studies have shown that AD and IS share several common risk and pathogenic factors, such as an overlapping genomic architecture and molecular signature. In this review, we will summarize the genomics and RNA biology studies of IS and AD, discussing the interconnected nature of these pathologies. Additionally, we highlight specific genomic points and RNA molecules that can serve as potential tools in predicting the risks of diseases and developing effective therapies in the future.
Analysis of Leukocyte Subpopulations by Flow Cytometry during Hospitalization Depending on the Severity of COVID-19 Course
Authors: Rutkowska Elżbieta , Kwiecień Iwona , Pietruszka-Wałęka Ewa , Więsik-Szewczyk Ewa , Rzepecki Piotr , Jahnz-Różyk Karina
Published: October 2023

The mechanisms underlying the immune response to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the recovery process have not been fully elucidated. The aim of the study was to analyze leukocyte subpopulations in patients at significant time points (at diagnosis, and 3 and 6 months after infection) selected according to the analysis of changes in the lungs by the CT classification system, considering the severity of the disease. The study groups consisted of severe and non-severe COVID-19 patients. There was a significant decrease in CD8+ T cells, NK and eosinophils, with an increasing percentage of neutrophils during hospitalization. We noticed lower levels of CD4 and CD8 T lymphocytes, eosinophils, basophils, and CD16+ monocytes and elevated neutrophil levels in severe patients relative to non-severe patients. Three months after infection, we observed higher levels of basophils, and after 6 months, higher CD4/CD8 ratios and T cell levels in the severe compared to non-severe group. Non-severe patients showed significant changes in the leukocyte populations studied at time of hospitalization and both within 3 months and 6 months of onset. The CT CSS classification with parameters of the flow cytometry method used for COVID-19 patients determined changes that proved useful in the initial evaluation of patients.
Calculation Theory of Shear Stress Distribution in Box Girder with Corrugated Steel Webs Based on the Energy Method
Authors: Liu Chao , Sun Zizhou
Published: October 2023

In the shear design of corrugated steel web bridges, the shear stress distribution in the web is a more critical issue. In order to solve the calculation problem of shear stress distribution in corrugated steel webs, an energy-based method of calculating shear stress distribution in corrugated steel webs was proposed. This method uses the energy method as the basic principle, and through the basic idea that the external work is equal to the sum of the longitudinal strain energy and the transverse strain energy of the bridge, the proportion of shear force shared by each web is calculated, and the shear force distribution coefficient characterizes the proportion of shear force shared by each web. The method is applied to calculate the shear stress distribution coefficients of a single-box, six-cell corrugated steel web box girder bridge, and a finite element model of the bridge was established. The finite element calculation results were compared with the results of the energy method to analyze the accuracy of the shear force distribution coefficients of each web calculated by the energy method. The analysis results show that the method can analyze the shear force distribution between multiple corrugated steel webs more accurately and provide a basis for the shear design of this type of bridge.
Biogenic Silver and Copper Nanoparticles: Potential Antifungal Agents in Rice and Wheat Crops
Authors: Sanguiñedo Paula , Faccio Ricardo , Abreo Eduardo , Alborés Silvana
Published: October 2023

Metal nanoparticles are widely studied due to their various applications, such as their potential use in the control of phytopathogens and the promotion of plant growth, with a significant impact on agriculture. Various microbial metabolites are used to reduce and stabilize metals and metal oxides to the nanoscale. In the present work, the biological synthesis of silver and copper oxide nanoparticles using Trichoderma harzianum TA2 is reported. The nanoparticles were purified and characterized with complementary methodologies to obtain information on the size, distribution, morphology, surface charge, and functional groups of the nanoparticles. The in vitro antifungal activity of the nanoparticles against pathogens of rice and wheat, as well as their effect on seed germination, were evaluated. In general, the nanoparticles showed a spherical shape, an average size of 17–26 nm, and low polydispersity. Furthermore, they showed antifungal activity at low concentrations against Sclerotium oryzae (0.140 ηM), Rhizoctonia oryzae-sativae (0.140 ηM), Fusarium graminearum (0.034 ηM), and Pyricularia oryzae (0.034 ηM). The germination of seeds treated with nanoparticles was not negatively affected. This is the first report of biogenic silver and copper oxide nanoparticles from a single strain of T.harzianum with antifungal activity against four phytopathogens of interest in Uruguay. Furthermore, the synthesis of the biogenic nanoparticles was faster and more efficient than previous reports using other fungi. In conclusion, this work reveals that biogenic metallic nanoparticles from T. harzianum TA2 can be considered as candidates for the control of phytopathogens affecting important crops.
Flexible Bending Sensors Fabricated with Interdigitated Electrode Structures Cross-Linked by Transition Metal Doped ZnO Nanorods
Authors: Muhammad Waqar , Kim Sam-Dong
Published: October 2023

Bending strain sensors based on one-dimensional ZnO nanorod (NR) arrays cross-linked with interdigitated electrodes were fabricated on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates. ZnO NRs were grown using the hydrothermal method through the dopings with different transition metals, such as Co, Ni, or Co-plus-Ni, on PET substrates, and their microstructural morphology and crystalline properties were examined by a variety of surface analysis methods. Ultraviolet photoresponse and normalized resistance change were measured according to the bending strains to concave and convex directions, and the highest gauge factors of 175 and 83 were achieved in the convex and concave directions, respectively, at a bending strain of 1.75%, when Co-plus-Ni was doped to the NRs.
Screen Time and Its Health Consequences in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Priftis Nikos , Panagiotakos Demosthenes
Published: October 2023

Nowadays, children and adolescents are exposed to digital media (DM) from an early age. Therefore, specific guidelines have been published by the World Health Organization, whose aim is to limit daily screen time (ST) viewing. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, a rise in DM use, and consequently ST viewing, was observed. More and more aspects of modern life are thought to be affected by excessive ST viewing. Accordingly, the aim of this review is to document the health effects of excessive ST viewing on children and adolescents. A narrative review was performed in searchable databases. In total, 43 original articles were considered. Excessive ST viewing was correlated with increased risk for obesity and other cardiometabolic risk factors, mental health, unhealthy dietary habits and eating disorders, and problems in development and child–parent relationships. Sleep, physical activity, eyesight, headaches, and the musculoskeletal system were negatively affected as well. However, the effect of ST was weighted by the type of media used and the way types of media were used. Other confounding factors were reported. There is evidence to suggest a negative correlation between excessive ST and youth health exists. Nevertheless, more research is needed if this correlation is to be established.
Strong Association between Inotrope Administration and Intraventricular Hemorrhage, Gestational Age, and the Use of Fentanyl in Very Low Gestational Age Infants: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Stathopoulou Theodora , Agakidou Eleni , Paschaloudis Christos , Kontou Angeliki , Chatzioannidis Ilias , Sarafidis Kosmas
Published: October 2023

This was a single center, retrospective cohort study designed to evaluate the association between the administration of inotropes to hypotensive very low gestational age infants (VLGAI) and prenatal and neonatal risk factors. Inpatient medical records were reviewed to identify neonates treated with inotropes (treated group) and a control group for comparison. Two hundred and twenty two (222) VLGAI (less than 32 weeks’ gestation) were included in the final analysis and were stratified based on timing of treatment with 83 infants (37.4%) and 139 infants (62.6%) in the treated and control groups, respectively. A total of 56/83 (67%) received inotropes for arterial hypotension during the first 3 days (early treatment subgroup) and 27/83 (32.5%) after 3 days of life (late-treated subgroup). Fentanyl, severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), and gestational age (GA) were the risk factors most significantly associated with the need for inotrope use both during the first 3 days of life and the whole NICU stay, before and after adjustment for confounders. In conclusion, fentanyl, severe IVH, and GA are the risk factors most strongly associated with the need for inotrope treatment in VLGAI. Measures to modify these risk factors may decrease the need for cardiovascular medications and improve outcomes.
World-Renowned “Swiss” Pediatricians, Their Syndromes, and Matching Imaging Findings: A Historical Perspective
Authors: Huisman Laura M. , Huisman Thierry A. G. M.
Published: October 2023

The goal of this manuscript is to present and summarize several rare pediatric syndromes (Zellweger syndrome, Kartagener syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, Schinzel-Giedion syndrome, Fanconi anemia, Joubert-Boltshauser syndrome, Poretti-Boltshauser syndrome, and Langer-Giedion syndrome) who have been named after luminary “Swiss” physicians (pediatricians, pediatric neurologists, or pediatric radiologists) who recognized, studied, and published these syndromes. In this manuscript, a brief historical summary of the physicians is combined with the key clinical symptoms at presentation and the typical imaging findings. This manuscript is not aiming to give a complete comprehensive summary of the syndromes, nor does it ignore the valuable contributions of many “Swiss” scientists who are not included here, but focuses on several rare syndromes that benefit from imaging data.
Child Rights during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Learning from Child Health-and-Rights Professionals across the World
Authors: Jörgensen Eva , Wood Laura , Lynch Margaret A. , Spencer Nicholas , Gunnlaugsson Geir
Published: October 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic underscores the importance of a child rights-based approach to policymaking and crisis management. Anchored in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the 3P framework—provision, protection, and participation—forms the foundation for health professionals advocating for children’s rights. Expanding it with two additional domains—preparation and power—into a 5P framework has the potential to enhance child rights-based policies in times of crisis and future pandemics. The study aimed to (1) gather perspectives from child health-and-rights specialists on how children’s rights were highlighted during the early phase of the pandemic in their respective settings; and (2) evaluate the usefulness of the 5P framework in assessing children’s visibility and rights. A qualitative survey was distributed among child health-and-rights professionals; a total of 68 responses were analysed in Atlas.ti 9 from a multi-disciplinary group of policymakers and front-line professionals in eight world regions. As framed by the 5Ps, children’s rights were generally not safeguarded in the initial pandemic response and negatively impacted children’s health and wellbeing. Further, children lacked meaningful opportunities to raise their concerns to policymakers. The 5P framework holds the potential to shape an ethical child rights-based decision-making framework for future crises, both nationally and globally.
Digital Gold or Digital Security? Unravelling the Legal Fabric of Decentralised Digital Assets
Authors: Watters Casey
Published: October 2023

This paper offers an in-depth exploration into the intricate world of decentralized digital assets (DDAs), shedding light on their categorization as currencies, commodities, or securities. Building on foundational cases such as SEC v. Howey, the analysis delves into the current controversies surrounding assets like XRP and LBC, exploring the nuances in their classification. By highlighting the challenges of defining categories of DDAs within traditional legal frameworks, this study emphasizes the need for a simple taxonomy that encapsulates the dynamism of digital currencies while permitting flexibility. A proposed framework aims to simplify the categorization process while respecting recent jurisprudence, ensuring regulatory clarity for developers and users of DDAs.
Internet of Things for Crop Farming: A Review of Technologies and Applications
Authors: Ndjuluwa Leokadia N. P. , Adebisi John A. , Dayoub Moammar
Published: October 2023

Climate change, soil erosion, and degradation among others affect the growth and production of crops. Soil is suffering from intensive farming and unsustainable soil disturbance, leading to severe soil degradation. The Internet of Things (IoT) allows the monitoring of crucial environmental parameters such as soil nutrients, moisture, humidity, and temperature. A pre-understanding of these parameters allows agriculturists to use the optimum quantity of water and fertilizer for different types of soil. Soil fertility can be detected by using NPK sensors. The Internet of Things (IoT) brought a new face to the crop farming approach where conventional methods are automated and/or remotely controlled to improve crop farming. In this paper, a survey on IoT technologies for crop farming including sensors, communication, and network protocols in crop farming activities is considered. Additionally, applications of IoT technologies in soil management and monitoring, growth and yield estimation, and quality control mechanisms are presented.
Enhancing Network Availability: An Optimization Approach
Authors: Al Mtawa Yaser
Published: October 2023

High availability is vital for network operators to ensure reliable services. Network faults can disrupt functionality and require quick recovery. Multipath networking enhances availability through load balancing and optimal link utilization. However, equal-cost multipath (ECMP) routing has limitations in effectively using multipaths, decreasing network availability. This paper proposes a three-phase disjoint-path framework that improves availability by directing traffic flows through separate paths. The framework provides effective load balancing and meets various service requirements. It includes the Optimization phase for identifying optimal multipath solutions, the Path Separation phase for dividing the multipath into working and backup sets, and the Quality Assessment phase for evaluating the robustness of both sets using topological metrics and micro-based characteristics. The simulations demonstrate the proposed framework’s validation and effectiveness in enhancing network availability.
Superconducting and Mechanical Properties of the Tl0.8Hg0.2Ba2Ca2Cu3O9−δ Superconductor Phase Substituted by Lanthanum and Samarium Fluorides
Authors: Khattar Rola F. , Anas Mohammed , Awad Ramadan , Habanjar Khulud
Published: October 2023

This study investigated the impact of samarium and lanthanum fluorides (SmF3 and LaF3) on the physical and mechanical properties of Tl0.8Hg0.2Ba2Ca2−xRxCu3O9−δ−yFy superconducting phases (specifically the (Tl, Hg)-1223 phase), where R = Sm and La, with 0.00 ≤  x  ≤ 0.10. The superconducting samples were synthesized using the solid-state reaction method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) verified the formation of the (Tl, Hg)-1223 phase without altering its tetragonal structure. Scanning electron micrographs (SEM) reveal the improvement of the grain size and inter-grain connectivity as Sm and La contents increased up to x=0.025. The electrical properties of (Tl, Hg)-1223 were studied using I-V and electrical resistivity measurements. Improved superconducting transition temperature (Tc) and transport critical current density (Jc) were observed up to x=0.025, beyond which they decreased substantially. Vickers microhardness (Hv) measurements were performed at room temperature to investigate their mechanical performance with various applied loads (0.49–9.80 N) and times (10–90 s). For both substitutions, the mechanical properties were enhanced up to an optimal value at x=0.025. All samples exhibited normal indentation size effect (ISE) behavior. The proportional sample resistance (PSR) model best explained Hv values among five theoretical models. Dislocation creep was the primary creep mechanism in the samples, according to indentation creep studies.
UAV-Aided Wireless Energy Transfer for Sustaining Internet of Everything in 6G
Authors: Che Yueling , Zhao Zeyu , Luo Sheng , Wu Kaishun , Duan Lingjie , Leung Victor C. M.
Published: October 2023

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are a promising technology used to provide on-demand wireless energy transfer (WET) and sustain various low-power ground devices (GDs) for the Internet of Everything (IoE) in sixth generation (6G) wireless networks. However, an individual UAV has limited battery energy, which may confine the required wide-range mobility in a complex IoE scenario. Furthermore, the heterogeneous GDs in IoE applications have distinct non-linear energy harvesting (EH) properties and diversified energy and/or communication demands, which poses new requirements on the WET and trajectory design of UAVs. In this article, to reflect the non-linear EH properties of GDs, we propose the UAV’s effective-WET zone (E-zone) above each GD, where a GD is assured to harvest non-zero energy from the UAV only when the UAV transmits into the E-zone. We then introduce the free space optics (FSO) powered UAV with enhanced mobility, and propose its adaptive WET for the GDs with non-linear EH. Considering the time urgency of the different energy demands of the GDs, we propose a new metric called the energy latency time, which is the time duration that a GD can wait before becoming fully charged. By proposing the energy-demand aware UAV trajectory, we further present a novel hierarchical WET scheme to meet the GDs’ diversified energy latency time. Moreover, to efficiently sustain IoE communications, the multi-UAV enabled WET is employed by unleashing their cooperative diversity gain and the joint design with the wireless information transfer (WIT). The numerical results show that our proposed multi-UAV cooperative WET scheme under the energy-aware trajectory design achieves the shortest task completion time as compared to the state-of-the-art benchmarks. Finally, the new directions for future research are also provided.
Adaptive Proportional Integral Derivative Nonsingular Dual Terminal Sliding Mode Control for Robotic Manipulators
Authors: Le Hiep Dai , Nestorović Tamara
Published: October 2023

This article aims to develop a new Adaptive Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) Nonsingular Dual Terminal Sliding Mode Control, designed for tracking the position of robot manipulators under disturbances and uncertainties. Compared with existing PID Nonsingular Fast Terminal Sliding Mode (PIDNFTSM) controllers, this work effectively avoids singularity problems in control while significantly enhancing the convergence speed of errors. An adaptive reaching law is proposed to estimate the bound information of the first derivative of lumped disturbance by regulating itself based on sliding variables. The overall system stability is proven by using the Lyapunov approach. Subsequent simulation results verify the effectiveness of the proposed controller regarding tracking error reduction, energy efficiency enhancements, and singularity avoidance.
The Impact of Green Finance on the Sustainability Performance of the Banking Sector in Palestine: The Moderating Role of Female Presence
Authors: Abuatwan Nariman
Published: October 2023

This paper investigates the influence of “green finance” on the sustainability performance of banking institutions with a specific focus on the context of Palestine. A structured questionnaire was administered to gather data from a representative sample of 104 credit managers employed within Palestinian banking, utilizing descriptive statistics, structural equation modeling, and multiple regression analysis. This study examines the intricate interplay of the social, economic, and environmental facets of green financing and their impact on sustainability performance. Moreover, the study explores the potential moderating effect of female representation within financial institutions. The findings suggest that gender diversity and exclusivity significantly contribute to reinforcing the favorable association between green finance and sustainability performance. Integrating green finance into the strategic frameworks of financial institutions can yield environmental benefits and enhance both long-term and short-term sustainability performance, particularly in emerging economies such as Palestine. Ultimately, this study offers valuable insights into the evolution of green finance and its consequential effects on the sustainability performance of financial institutions in emerging countries.
Government Checks and Balances, Policy Credibility, and Foreign Direct Investment: A Cross-National Investigation
Authors: Touchton Michael
Published: October 2023

Placing constraints on elected officials is thought to bind their hands and render government policies credible. In turn, credible policies attract investment because investors can extend their policy and regulatory time horizons. Yet, a scholarship on LMICs suggests that too many constraints on policymakers may preclude necessary reforms, which repels capital. I motivate the study with an example from Liberia. Then, I evaluate political constraints and FDI for 182 countries between 1996 and 2022 and demonstrate that the rule of law conditions relationships between constraints on governments and FDI; in places with high rule of law, constraining government attracts FDI. In contrast, high constraints push investment away in contexts where the rule of law is lower. The logic is that constraining government makes credible high-income governments’ previous commitments to property rights and contract enforcement. However, the very same constraints on government may prevent LMICs from making credible commitments in the first place. Constraining government thus prevents desirable reforms under many circumstances, which I illustrate by returning to the Liberia example in the discussion. Ultimately, this study raises questions about universal benefits emerging from policy credibility and extends our understanding of political institutions, credible commitment, and FDI.
Inflation Differentials of Euro Countries and Their Determinants
Authors: Panagiotis Liargovas , Argyrios Arvanitis
Published: October 2023

The purpose of this paper is to examine the inflation differentials and their determinants in the first twelve euro countries that formed the eurozone. We focus on only these countries to capture the effects through the last 22 years from 1999 to 2020, without taking into consideration the changes in dynamics that were caused due to the integration of more countries since 2007. The dynamic panel data results, estimated with the system Generalised Method of Moments estimation method, show that it is mostly structural and cyclical factors that drive inflation differentials among these euro countries and that there are no significant indications that other convergence processes have taken place during this time span to explain increase in certain countries’ inflation. We conclude by mentioning the potential role that inflation differentials could play in the European Central Bank’s decision-making process.
Assessing the Relationship between Prosocial Behavior and Well-Being: Basic Psychological Need as the Mediator
Authors: Li Linwei , Khan Aqeel , Rameli Mohd Rustam Mohd
Published: October 2023

Previous research has established a positive link between prosocial behavior (PB) and psychological well-being. However, limited studies have explored the relationship between PB and well-being (WB), particularly among vocational students. Furthermore, the underlying mechanisms, including mediating factors, remain understudied in this context. This study aimed to investigate the association between PB and WB among vocational students while examining the mediating role of basic psychological needs. A sample of 221 vocational students (mean age = 19.68 years, SD = 1.57) completed anonymous questionnaires assessing PB, basic psychological needs, and WB. The results revealed a positive correlation between PB and WB in vocational students (r = 0.22, p < 0.01), with basic psychological needs partially mediating this relationship (β = 0.14, t = 10.85, p < 0.001, 95% CI = (0.18, 0.23)). These findings enhance our understanding of the association between PB and vocational students’ WB, shed light on the mechanisms involved, and offer insights into promoting the well-being of vocational students.
An Experimental Investigation on the Heat Transfer Characteristics of Pulsating Heat Pipe with Adaptive Structured Channels
Authors: Yu Jiangchuan , Hong Sihui , Koudai Sasaki , Dang Chaobin , Wang Shuangfeng
Published: October 2023

In recent years, the development of electronic chips has focused on achieving high integration and lightweight designs. As a result, pulsating heat pipes (PHPs) have gained widespread use as passive cooling devices due to their exceptional heat transfer capacity. Nevertheless, the erratic pulsations observed in slug flow across multiple channels constitute a significant challenge, hindering the advancement of start-up and heat dissipation capabilities in traditional PHP systems. In this paper, we introduce a flat plate pulsating heat pipe (PHP) featuring adaptive structured channels, denoted as ASCPHP. The aim is to enhance the thermal performance of PHP systems. These adaptive structured channels are specifically engineered to dynamically accommodate volume changes during phase transitions, resulting in the formation of a predictable and controllable two-phase flow. This innovation is pivotal in achieving a breakthrough in the thermal performance of PHPs. We experimentally verified the heat transfer performance of the ASCPHP across a range of heating loads from 10 to 75 W and various orientations spanning 0 to 90 degrees, while maintaining a constant filling ratio (FR) of 40%. In comparison to traditional PHP systems, the ASCPHP design, as proposed in this study, offers the advantage of achieving a lower evaporation temperature and a more uniform temperature distribution across the PHP surface. The thermal resistances are reduced by a maximum of 37.5% when FR is 40%. The experimental results for start-up characteristics, conducted at a heating power of 70 W, demonstrate that the ASCPHP exhibits the quickest start-up response and the lowest start-up temperature among the tested configurations. Furthermore, thanks to the guiding influence of adaptive structured channels on two-phase flow, liquid replenishment in the ASCPHP exhibits minimal dependence on gravity. This means that the ASCPHP can initiate the start-up process promptly, even when placed horizontally.