bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Super‐Strong Hydrogel Composites Reinforced with PBO Nanofibers for Cartilage Replacement
Authors: Oliveira Andreia S. , Silva João C. , Loureiro Mónica V. , Marques Ana C. , Kotov Nicholas A. , Colaço Rogério , Serro Ana P.
Published: November 2022

Cartilage replacement materials exhibiting a set of demanding properties such as high water content, high mechanical stiffness, low friction, and excellent biocompatibility are quite difficult to achieve. Here, poly(p‐phenylene‐2,6‐benzobisoxazole) (PBO) nanofibers are combined with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to form a super‐strong structure with a performance that surpasses the vast majority of previously existing hydrogels. PVA–PBO composites with water contents in the 59–76% range exhibit tensile and compressive moduli reaching 20.3 and 4.5 MPa, respectively, and a coefficient of friction below 0.08. Further, they are biocompatible and support the viability of chondrocytes for 1 week, with significant improvements in cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation compared to PVA. The new composites can be safely sterilized by steam heat or gamma radiation without compromising their integrity and overall performance. In addition, they show potential to be used as local delivery platforms for anti‐inflammatory drugs. These attractive features make PVA–PBO composites highly competitive engineered materials with remarkable potential for use in the design of load‐bearing tissues. Complementary work has also revealed that these composites will be interesting alternatives in other industrial fields where high thermal and mechanical resistance are essential requirements, or which can take advantage of the pH responsiveness functionality.
Corrosion and passivation behavior of 6082‐T6 aluminum alloy in NaCl solution
Authors: Yang Li , Bai Di , Zhang Chi , Yang Shoubing , Wang Dongxu , Liu Chaojie , Ge Tianqi , Huang Genzhe
Published: November 2022

The corrosion and passivation behaviors of 6082‐T6 aluminum alloy in 1.5 wt% NaCl solution with natural aeration were investigated by segmented electrochemical measurement combined with scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, and X‐ray diffractometer. The results showed that the active Mg dissolved from Mg2Si promoted the development of intergranular corrosion (IGC) and that local dissolutions of the matrix around the Si and AlFeMnSi particles are the initial sites for pitting corrosion. The passivation overlying the IGC crack is interacted by the cations in the layer and the ions, resulting in the intergranular cracking of the passive film. The cracks near the secondary phase meet the cracks developing along the grain boundary, resulting in the failure of the passive film in the form of networks.
Improved Bohr inequality for harmonic mappings
Authors: Liu Gang , Ponnusamy Saminathan
Published: November 2022

In order to improve the classical Bohr inequality, we explain some refined versions for a quasi‐subordination family of functions in this paper, one of which is key to build our results. Using these investigations, we establish an improved Bohr inequality with refined Bohr radius under particular conditions for a family of harmonic mappings defined in the unit disk . Along the line of extremal problems concerning the refined Bohr radius, we derive a series of results. Here, the family of harmonic mappings has the form , where , the analytic parthis bounded by 1 and that in and for some .
Profiling of mitochondrial heteroplasmy in single human oocytes by next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Russo Valentina , Ancora Massimo , Gatta Valentina , Orsini Massimiliano , Prencipe Giuseppe , Peserico Alessia , Colosimo Alessia , El Khatib Mohammad , Mauro Annunziata , Di Berardino Chiara , Scialabba Silvia , Tiboni Gian Mario , Marcacci Maurilia , Cammà Cesare , Barboni Barbara
Published: November 2022

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) plays a crucial role in the development of a competent oocyte. Indeed, mtDNA alterations may predispose to chromosome nondisjunction, resulting in infertility due to a reduced vitality and quality of oocytes and embryos. In this methods paper, the multiple displacement amplification approach was applied in combination with next‐generation sequencing (NGS) to amplify and sequence, in single‐end, the entire mtDNA of single human oocytes to directly construct genomic NGS libraries, and subsequently, to highlight and quantify the mutations they presented. The bioinformatic workflow was carried out with a specific ad hoc developed in‐house software. This approach proved to be sensitive and specific, also highlighting the mutations present in heteroplasmy, showing deletion, insertion or substitution mutations in the genes involved in the respiratory chain, even if the found variants were benign or of uncertain meaning. The analysis of mtDNA mutations in the oocyte could provide a better understanding of specific genetic abnormalities and of their possible effect on oocyte developmental competence. This study shows how this approach, based on a massive parallel sequencing of clonally amplified DNA molecules, allows to sequence the entire mitochondrial genome of single oocytes in a short time and with a single analytical run and to verify mtDNA mutations.
Hierarchical hybrid glass fibers modified by hyperbranched polyphosphoramide and graphene oxide sheets to improve flame retardancy and suppress candlewick effect of poly(lactic acid)/glass fibers composites
Authors: Chen Xiaosui , Wang Can , Liu Shuzheng , Zhang Aiqing , Liu Wei , Qian Lijun
Published: November 2022

Glass fibers (GFs) reinforced polymer composites display high mechanical performance but deteriorated flame retardancy due to the “candlewick effect” caused by fibers. To solve this problem, novel hierarchal hybrid glass fibers (GF@HBPPA@GO) were prepared by multistep coating of 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES), hyperbranched polyphosphoramide (HBPPA) and graphene oxide (GO) in sequence. Several GFs reinforced poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composites were fabricated with the same GFs loading. PLA/GF@HBPPA@GO composite showed the highest limited oxygen index (LOI) value of 25.2% and much decreased peak heat release rate, total heat release and mass loss rate, corresponding to a drop of 23.2%, 16.6%, and 53.8% respectively compared with PLA/GF‐APTES composite. Meanwhile, it maintained similar tensile and impact strength values. The improved flame retardancy was mainly attributed to the good synergistic effect of HBPPA and GO on generating high‐yield char residues encapsulating GFs perfectly in the condensed phase, which effectively reduced the interface energy and increased the surface roughness of GFs to suppress the wetting and spreading of PLA melt toward the flame zone, and consequently weakened the candlewick effect of GFs and achieved better flame retardancy. This provides new ideas for preparing fiber reinforced polymer composites with encouraging mechanical properties and outstanding fire safety simultaneously.
High‐performance flexible temperature sensor from hybrid nanocomposite for continuous human body temperature monitoring
Authors: Phadkule Saket Sanjay , Sarma Shrutidhara
Published: November 2022

Combining high sensitivity with fast response and high resolution remains a critical challenge for flexible temperature sensors. The present study leverages the intrinsically high surface‐to‐volume ratio of nanocomposite fibers as well as the high mechanical properties of nanomaterials for achieving conformable temperature sensors with accurate and fast detection of temperature. To achieve this, nanocomposite films of electrospun polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) with embedded silver (Ag) nanoparticles were layered with multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). The sensor showed a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) with excellent sensitivity of −0.18%/°C and a quick response rate of 11 s. The sensor also exhibited low self‐heating errors for an activation current of 1 mA and excellent anti‐interference ability when tested for bending forces and wet environments. The nanocomposite fiber‐based sensor can be used for real‐time monitoring of human body temperature as confirmed by successful experiments. The present work lays the foundation for integrating the sensor further with a user interface to create a wearable temperature monitoring system for mobile healthcare.
The role of metals in the deposition of long‐lived reactive oxygen and nitrogen species into the plasma‐activated liquids
Authors: Kutasi Kinga , Bencs László , Tóth Zsolt , Milošević Slobodan
Published: November 2022

The work investigates the role of metals on the formation and stability of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) in liquids treated with a surface‐wave microwave discharge. It is demonstrated that the high reduction potential metals can quasi‐neutralize the acidification induced by the plasma treatment, and thus reduce the rate of the products reaction. As a consequence, while in the acidified plasma‐activated water the production vanishes with increase in the treatment time, the addition of metals enhances the production. The RONS concentrations are quasi‐stable for several weeks when pH is higher than 5.5, which can be achieved in a wide range of treatment conditions with the use of Mg powder, and at relatively shorter treatments with the usage of Zn.
Assessment of validity and utility of a bronchopulmonary dysplasia outcome estimator
Authors: Srivatsa Bharath , Srivatsa Krishna R. , Clark Reese H.
Published: November 2022

Objective

To assess the validity and utility of the bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) outcome estimator developed by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD).

Methods

This retrospective study correlated the BPD and mortality outcomes of 23–28‐week prematurely born infants with those predicted by the 2022 NICHD BPD outcome estimator. In addition, evidence‐based recommended postnatal steroid administration using risk predictions by the BPD estimator was compared with actual postnatal steroid use.

Results

Among the 223 infants enrolled in the study, 139 did not develop BPD, 64 babies developed BPD, and 20 babies died. BPD estimator predicted outcomes correctly in 74% of cases who did not develop BPD, 48% of cases with Grade 1 BPD, and 35% of deaths. Only 6% of cases with Grade 2 BPD and none of the babies with Grade 3 BPD were identified correctly. The predicted and actual steroid use for BPD prevention/treatment were 37.2% and 29.6%, respectively (p = 0.18). The BPD estimator had a sensitivity of 72.7%, specificity of 77.7%, positive predictive value of 57.8%, and negative predictive value of 87.1% to predict actual postnatal steroid use.

Conclusions

In this cohort, the 2022 NICHD BPD estimator underestimated probabilities for babies who did not develop BPD, may overestimate probabilities for babies who develop BPD and had low sensitivity to predict mortality. In addition, the application of the BPD estimator may result in an overestimation of postnatal steroid use.
German newborn screening for Cystic fibrosis: Parental perspectives and suggestions for improvements
Authors: Gapp Simon , Garbade Sven F. , Feyh Patrik , Brockow Inken , Nennstiel Uta , Hoffmann Georg F. , Sommerburg Olaf , Gramer Gwendolyn
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Cystic fibrosis (CF) was added to the German newborn bloodspot screening (NBS) panel in 2016. This study assesses parental perceptions of CF‐NBS and confirmatory testing.

Methods

Prospective questionnaire‐based survey administered to parents of children with positive CF‐NBS over 40 months after initiation of CF‐NBS in Southwest Germany. Parental perceptions were compared to results from Bavaria and Switzerland.

Results

Questionnaires with 29 standardized questions were sent to 343 families with children born between October 2016 and January 2020. A total of 178 (51.9%) replied. Although required by law, only a minority were informed about CF‐NBS by a physician. The information provided about NBS was sufficient for 78% of parents. Regarding the information about positive CF‐NBS, 52.9% were satisfied but the majority expressed negative emotions (89.5%). While most of these were resolved after confirmatory diagnostics, 17% of parents of children with false‐positive CF‐NBS and 66.7% of children confirmed with CF remained anxious. Waiting time for sweat testing was >3 days in 56.1%, considerably longer than in more centralized screening systems. Parents who waited for a maximum of 3 days were significantly more satisfied. 70.7% of parents were satisfied with the information given during confirmatory diagnostics and 91.4% were satisfied with participating in CF‐NBS.

Conclusions

CF‐NBS stands in high regard with parents. Smooth organization, timely initiation of confirmatory testing, and professional communication are most important to limit parental anxiety. A more centralized system of confirmatory diagnostics appears advantageous in several regards as it reduces time from positive NBS to final diagnosis and increases parental satisfaction.
Retracted: Study on Optimization of Interior Ballistic Performance of Cased Telescoped Ammunition Based on Improved Firefly Algorithm
Authors: He Xin‐Jia , Li Chao
Published: November 2022

Considering that the evolution operators of common optimization algorithms such as genetic algorithm has a poor convergence speed and solution accuracy in the interior ballistic performance optimization of artillery, an improved firefly algorithm is selected for the interior ballistic performance optimization of cased telescoped ammunition (CTA). It is applied to the interior ballistic mathematical model of CTA to carry out single‐objective optimization and multi‐objective optimization respectively. The results show that in the single‐objective optimization, the muzzle velocity obtained by using the improved firefly algorithm is larger than other commonly used optimization algorithms. Under the constraints of maximum chamber pressure and relative burnout point, the muzzle velocity can be increased by about 30 m/s. In the multi‐objective optimization, three sub‐objectives of muzzle velocity, ballistic efficiency and muzzle pressure are considered respectively, and the multi‐objective firefly algorithm is applied to comprehensively optimize the interior ballistic performance of CTA. Then, the results are compared with the commonly used multi‐objective optimization algorithms, such as non‐dominated sorting genetic algorithm version II (NSGA‐II) and non‐dominated sorting genetic algorithm version III (NSGA‐III), the solution results are a series of Pareto optimal solutions. The obtained optimization results improved the interior ballistic performance and launch safety, providing reference for the reasonable matching of charge structure parameters and the selection of optimization algorithm upon the interior ballistic performance optimization of CTA to some extent.
A First‐Principles Investigation of MgGeN2 Under Uniaxial Compression
Authors: Chang Xiangrong , Chen Kai , Hu Chunfeng , Feng Qingguo
Published: November 2022

The structural, electronic, mechanical and optical properties of under uniaxial compression are computationally investigated with density functional theory calculations. When the uniaxial compression is along [010] and [001] directions, there is no phase transition. For uniaxial compression along [100] direction, a phase transition is observed from orthorhombic to Pnma phase at 40 GPa. The resulting Pnma structure is in a vertically stacking graphene‐like structure. Moreover, the electronic structure and mechanical moduli show anisotropic for uniaxial compression in the [100], [010], and [001] directions. The bulk modulus monotonically increases and the shear modulus decreases for uniaxial compression in the [001] direction, while the bulk modulus goes to a maximum followed by a drop, and the shear modulus continuously decreases for uniaxial compression in the [010] and [100] directions. As phase transition occurs, both the bulk and shear moduli dramatically increase. The bandgap basically shows a monotonic increase and then gives a drop after arriving at a maximum. For compression in the [100] direction, the bandgap gives a more rapid increase near critical pressure. In addition, the light absorption decreases upon the uniaxial compressions. Therefore, uniaxial compression can be utilized to modulate the properties of and help to widen its applications.
Excitonic Effects in the Optical Properties of Scandium and Hafnium MXene Semiconductors from First‐Principles Calculations
Authors: Momeni Feili Razieh , Nejatipour Reihan , Dadsetani Mehrdad
Published: November 2022

The present study uses a full‐potential linearized augmented plane wave method and Bethe–Salpeter equation to calculate and interpret the optical properties of Sc2CT2 (T = O, F, and OH) and Hf2CO2 MXene semiconductors, including real and imaginary parts of the dielectric function along with energy loss function. Excitonic structures are observed below calculated bandgaps in these compounds. Sc2CO2 and Sc2CF2 have three excitonic features, whereas Sc2C(OH)2 and Hf2CO2 show two. As compared to other compounds, Sc2CO2 has a larger exciton binding energy. The energy loss functions display spectral features near the bandgap regions due to the excitonic structures in the imaginary part of the dielectric function.
Longevity of colloidal activated carbon for in situ PFAS remediation at AFFF‐contaminated airport sites
Authors: Carey Grant R. , Hakimabadi Seyfollah G. , Singh Mantake , McGregor Rick , Woodfield Claire , Van Geel Paul J. , Pham Anh Le‐Tuan
Published: November 2022

A review of state per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) guidelines indicates that four long‐chain PFAS (perfluorooctanesulfonic acid [PFOS] and perfluorooctanoic acid [PFOA] followed by perfluorohexanesulfonic acid [PFHxS] and perfluorononanoic acid [PFNA]) are the most frequently regulated PFAS compounds. Analysis of 17 field‐scale studies of colloidal activated carbon (CAC) injection at PFAS sites indicates that in situ CAC injection has been generally successful for both short‐ and long‐chain PFAS in the short‐term (0.3–6 years), even in the presence of low levels of organic co‐contaminants. Freundlich isotherms were determined under competitive sorption conditions using a groundwater sample from an aqueous film‐forming foam (AFFF)‐impacted site. The median concentrations for these PFAS of interest at 96 AFFF‐impacted sites were used to estimate influent concentrations for a CAC longevity model sensitivity analysis. CAC longevity estimates were shown to be insensitive to a wide range of potential cleanup criteria based on modeled conditions. PFOS had the greatest longevity even though PFOS is present at higher concentrations than the other species because the CAC sorption affinity for PFOS is considerably higher than PFOA and PFHxS. Longevity estimates were directly proportional to the CAC fraction in soil and the Freundlich Kf, and were inversely proportional to the influent concentration and average groundwater velocity.
State‐tracking iterative learning control in frequency domain design for improved intersample behavior
Authors: Ohnishi Wataru , Strijbosch Nard , Oomen Tom
Published: November 2022

Iterative learning control (ILC) yields perfect output‐tracking performance at sampling instances for systems that perform repetitive tasks. The aim of this article is to develop a framework for a state‐tracking ILC that mitigates oscillatory intersample behavior, which is often encountered in output tracking ILC. As a framework for the analysis, the stability of the iterative domain including the robustness filter and the asymptotic signal is formulated. In addition, as a framework for the design, the design method using frequency response data to reduce the modeling effort, the learning filter design based on inversion, and the specific design procedure of the robustness filter are presented. The designed method is successfully applied to a motion system and it is shown that the presented state‐tracking ILC provides better intersample behavior than the standard output‐tracking ILC.
A survey of Japanese people's attitude to and experience of Kampo medicines
Authors: Chuang Cheng‐Yu , Chung Hui‐Yu , Uehara Chika , Taira Masayo , Takeda Osami , Nagashima Yoshiaki , Honda Masayuki , Chen Fu‐Shih , Arai Ichiro
Published: November 2022

Aim

Kampo medicine is traditional Japanese herbal medicine derived from ancient Chinese medicine. In the past, the Japan Kampo Medicines Manufacturers Association conducted surveys and reported on the awareness and experience of Kampo medicines among those participating in Kampo workshops as well as the local community. Here, we investigated the Japanese public's awareness and experience of using Kampo medicines through an online questionnaire. In addition, we analyzed how Kampo medicines are perceived and presented a favorable prospect for Kampo medicines.

Methods

In 2020, we conducted an online survey of registered Japanese members (aged over 25 years) of a research company.

Results

A total of 2060 respondents answered the questionnaire. Of these, 71% had taken Kampo medicines. Among this group, 63.5% obtained Kampo medicines through a doctor's prescription, 46.3% purchased Kampo medicines through pharmacies, drugstores, over the Internet, or by mail order, and only 11.3% had purchased Kampo medicines at Kampo specialty pharmacies. Although many people have taken Kampo medicines, they do not always have an accurate understanding of Kampo medicines as medicines. Especially in the case of Kampo medicines for prescription, people take them passively and do not have a strong awareness of Kampo medicines. In contrast, over‐the‐counter Kampo medicines are widely recognized as drugs.

Conclusion

Medical personnel, manufacturers, and pharmacists need to provide accurate information about Kampo medicines.
Introduction: NATO in Its Seventh Decade—A Reappraisal
Authors: de Leonardis Massimo
Published: November 2022

After the Cold War, the Atlantic Alliance played various roles, which were unthinkable in the first decades of its history. NATO performed crisis management, peacekeeping, humanitarian intervention, fight against international terrorism; all these operations took place out-of-area. Since the Ukrainian crisis in 2014, NATO re-discovered its ancient enemy, Russia, and has re-focused mainly on its traditional task, the defence of the member states’ territory. Adaptation is a constant feature of the Atlantic Alliance’s history and became more imperative and frequent in the post-Cold War. A perusal of the North Atlantic Treaty’s text helps to understand how the Alliance worked in different periods. However, large parts of the public opinion in the member states have no clear idea of the Alliance’s purpose and roles. Hence the necessity of a full and scholarly assessment of NATO’s performance during and particularly after the Cold War.
The Historical Roots of the Atlantic Alliance Between Values and Interests
Authors: de Leonardis Massimo
Published: November 2022

While certainly the Atlantic Alliance was a product of the Cold War, its historical and cultural foundations were much older. This chapter considers both the short-term path which in the early Cold War years brought to the Atlantic Pact and the long-term history of the relations between Europe and the United States, focusing in particular on the Anglo-American special relationship. The chapter also re-examines isolationism, arguing that since its origins the American nation envisaged for itself a future of world domination. After the Second World War, a marriage of convenience took place between the United States and most countries of Western Europe. The Preamble and art. 2 of the Atlantic Treaty of 1949 expressed the aspiration to building something more than a mere military alliance, but as a matter of fact, these provisions were never put into practice. Considering the values, these were never identical and the differences widened after the Cold War. However, from this point of view Europe and North America remain the geopolitical area in the world with the closest interests and affinities.
The Impact of Scalp’s Temperature in the Predicted LMiPD in the Tumor During TTFields Treatment for Glioblastoma Multiforme
Authors: Gentilal Nichal , Naveh Ariel , Marciano Tal , Bomzon Zeev , Telepinsky Yevgeniy , Wasserman Yoram , Miranda Pedro Cavaleiro
Published: November 2022

Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) is a cancer treatment technique used for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). It consists in the application of an electric field (EF) in two perpendicular directions alternately by placing transducer arrays on the patient’s scalp. In-vitro studies showed that the higher the electric field in the tumor, the better are the outcomes of the therapy. Therefore, these arrays are strategically placed in positions that can optimize the EF, based on the results of computational simulations. However, due to the required daily usage of this technique, at least 18 hours per day, the temperature of head tissues increases inevitably. To ensure patient’s safety, the temperature of the scalp is monitored and kept around 39.5 °C by changing the injected current, which consequently changes the EF in the tumor. In this work, we studied the impact that accounting for the temperature of the scalp might have in the choice of which layout should be used during TTFields planning. We used both a simplified and a realistic head model in our studies. We solved Laplace’s equation for the electric potential and Pennes’ equation for the temperature distribution using COMSOL Multiphysics. The electric field in the tumor was evaluated using the local minimum power density (LMiPD) both when the temperature of the scalp was considered in treatment planning and when it was not. We concluded that the values of the LMiPD significantly decrease when the temperature is considered. Furthermore, layouts in which two pairs of different arrays are very close to each other lead to the appearance of a common temperature hotspot, and consequently to the most significant variations in the predicted LMiPD values. In future, TTFields treatment planning studies, considering the temperature of the scalp might be beneficial to improve the predictions of treatment effectiveness.
Experimental Verification of a Computational Real-Time Neuronavigation System for Multichannel Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Authors: Daneshzand Mohammad , Navarro de Lara Lucia I. , Meng Qinglei , Makarov Sergey , Uluç Işıl , Ahveninen Jyrki , Raij Tommi , Nummenmaa Aapo
Published: November 2022

Multichannel Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (mTMS) provides the capability of stimulating multiple cortical areas simultaneously or in rapid succession by electronic shifting of the E-field hotspots. However, in order to target the desired brain region with intended intensity, the intracranial E-field distribution for all coil elements needs to be determined and subsequently combined to electronically synthesize a ‘hot spot’. Here, we assessed the performance of a computational TMS navigation system that was used to track the position of a 2×3-axis TMS coil array with respect to subject’s head and was integrated with a real-time high-resolution E-field calculation engine to predict the activated cortical regions as the array is moved around the subject’s head. For fast evaluation of the E-fields with high-resolution head models, we employed our previously proposed Magnetic Stimulation Profile (MSP) approach. Our preliminary tests demonstrated the capability of this system to precisely calculate and render E-fields with a frame rate of 6 Hz (6 frames/second). Furthermore, we utilized two z-elements from the 3-axis coils to form a figure of eight coil type and utilized it for suprathreshold stimulation of the hand first dorsal interosseous (FDI) muscle on a healthy human. The recorded motor evoked potentials (MEPs) showed clear activation of the FDI muscle comparable to the activation elicited by a commercial TMS coil. The estimated cortical E-field distributions showed a good agreement between the commercial TMS coil and the two z-elements of the 2×3-axis array.
Interplay Between Electrical Conductivity of Tissues and Position of Electrodes in Transcutaneous Spinal Direct Current Stimulation (tsDCS)
Authors: Fernandes Sofia R. , Pereira Mariana , Elbasiouny Sherif M. , Dhaher Yasin Y. , de Carvalho Mamede , Miranda Pedro C.
Published: November 2022

Transcutaneous Spinal Direct Current Stimulation (tsDCS) is a neuromodulatory technique that applies low intensity (2–4 mA) direct currents to the spinal cord through electrodes placed above or near the vertebral column. As in transcranial electric stimulation, tsDCS induces an electric field in the spinal cord that can transiently change the transmembrane potential of spinal neurons or influence synaptic communication. Anatomical features near the electrodes or in the current path can originate local variations of the electric field magnitude and orientation that result in different effects generated at neuronal and synaptic level. Accurate realistic models of the spinal cord and surrounding tissues can provide a deeper understanding on how and why these variations occur.

Our research aims at studying how electrode placement interacts with electrical conductivities of the tissues located in the current path. Using a realistic human model of the spinal cord and surrounding tissues, we estimated the electric field induced by tsDCS, considering different combinations of electrode positions and electrical conductivity of relevant tissues. Our study started from a homogeneous conductivity paradigm up to a full heterogeneous model. The results show that electrode placement influences the electric field orientation, while the conductivities of vertebral bone and CSF can lead to local electric field hotspots in spinal segments located in the current path. Understanding the interplay between these two effects can provide a solid framework to target specific spinal circuits in terms of magnitude and field orientation towards a more personalized approach.
Before the Peace Process: Historical Roots of a Dysfunctional Relationship
Authors: Ricarte Joana
Published: November 2022

This chapter offers a contextual analysis of the historical roots of what came to be a dysfunctional relationship between the Israeli and Palestinian national identities. It focuses on the first attempts developed toward peacemaking following the establishment of the Zionist Movement in Palestine in light of dehumanization and peace-less reconciliation. This chapter argues that the first attempts to accommodate opposing interests of both Palestinian and Zionist elites during the British Mandate, what can be considered the embryo of the peace process, have introduced a self-perpetuating dynamic of defining the ‘self’ as opposed to the ‘other’ that has marked greatly the process of both Israeli and Palestinian identity building. This chapter concludes that the first approaches to deal with what was still a young dispute between political elites were not only defining features for the subsequent periods, but also had deep implications in the very course of events.
The UN Approach to the ‘Question of Palestine’ During the Cold War
Authors: Ricarte Joana
Published: November 2022

This chapter explores the first phase of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and its impact on identities in conflict by analyzing the period that starts with the Partition Plan and lasts during the Cold War, until the First Intifada (1947 to 1987). The Cold War period is considered a phase of its own as it marks an important moment in terms of the formulas for solving this conflict—the two-states solution—and the definition of actors that were deemed relevant for such solution. The argument developed is that the reinforcement of dehumanization processes in this period is connected with a defensive reaction of the two competing identities to developments in the international level related with the peace process, that was mainly restricted to elite-driven negotiations toward reaching an agreement regarding the governments and boundaries of the now partitioned territories.
Evaluating the Reasons Behind the Inefficient Implementation of ERDF Devoted to R&I in SMEs
Authors: Henriques Carla , Viseu Clara
Published: November 2022

This work is mainly aimed at evaluating the reasons behind the inefficient execution of Operational Programs (OPs) aimed at promoting research and innovation (R&I), especially in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). To achieve this goal, we employed a three-stage slack-based measure (SBM) data envelopment analysis (DEA) model combined with Stochastic Frontier analysis (SFA), which includes a multiplicity of achievement metrics and environmental factors, to evaluate 53 OPs from 19 countries. Our findings suggest that more developed regions (proxied by a higher Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita) do not make an efficient application of European Regional Development Funds (ERDF) aimed at fostering R&I in SMEs. Also, a greater proportion of the population with a university degree does not imply an appropriate use of ERDF devoted to R&I in SMEs. Lifelong learning is positively linked with the performance of the outcomes “Researchers Working in Improved Infrastructures” and “Enterprises Supported”. Research and development (R&D) expenditures in the public sector contribute favorably to the needed improvements in “Researchers Working in Improved Infrastructures” but have the reverse effect on the number of “Enterprises Supported” and “Enterprises Working with Research Institutions”. Furthermore, because R&D expenditures in the business sector have a positive impact on the necessary development of “Enterprises Working with Research Institutions”, these results appear to demonstrate that public R&D has a weaker influence on SME innovation than private R&D. Finally, innovative SMEs collaborating with other sources of knowledge show a positive effect on both the number of “Enterprises” and “Enterprises Working with Research Institutions” supported.
EU Operational Programmes Reporting: From Basics to Practices
Authors: Amaro Ana , Henriques Carla , Viseu Clara
Published: November 2022

We examine the main existing challenges that currently arise in the assessment of European Union (EU) funds devoted to three thematic objectives (TOs): Research and Innovation (R&I); Low-carbon economy (LCE); and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). In this regard, a literature review on the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) initiatives is performed, with a special focus on the Portuguese (PT) case, also addressing their assessment and reporting practices. Data systematization is coupled with the European Commission (EC)’s main guidelines and with the guidance recommendations brought by Management authorities (MA) for the 2014–2020 period. A bibliometric analysis is conducted to further understand the current research interest in the evaluation of EU funds, and the type of assessment methods and reporting practices employed. Most of the approaches rely on cost–benefit analysis and place less attention on data availability, variable selection, and monitoring/assessment options. The selection and application of the framework indicators, either related to their financial execution or achievement, are assumed as critical factors concerning the monitoring, reporting, and assessment processes. Our findings emphasize the need for harmonization and simplification of the reporting techniques, also highlighting the sparse data availability and some reporting conflicts.
Technology Serving Justice
Authors: Lopes Ana Paula
Published: November 2022

In face-to-face interactions, people are constantly providing information through their body movements (Kendon in Body language communication: An international handbook on multimodality in human interaction, pp. 7–27, 2013). Berlin/Boston: De Gruyter Mouton.), in which gestures are included. These kinetic movements transmit two-thirds of what we communicate (Aghayeva in Khazar J Human Soc Sc 53–62, 2011), and ignoring them means disregarding the complexity of the human communication system (Jones and LeBaron in J Commun 52:499–521, 2002). When communicating, humans create signs, and “these signs are made with very many different means (…). They are the expression of the interest of socially formed individuals who, with these signs, realize (…) their meanings” (Kress in Multimodality: A social semiotic approach to contemporary communication. Routledge, p. 10 [2010]). And the way people understand what others mean to transmit can deeply vary. These different interpretations may originate from each person’s experience, prejudice, values, and expectations in life. Therefore, the probability of misunderstanding is vast. In the specific context of a forensic interaction, problems of communication misunderstandings can have serious consequences in a suspect’s or in a defendant’s life. Globally, body movements are not thoroughly considered when it comes to understanding what a suspect or a defendant really wants to declare. However, on some occasions, the correct interpretation of a kinetic movement could contribute to a fairer judicial decision. Through a consistent micro-analysis of interactions, it is possible to create meaning from body movements. The micro-analysis developed by the author showed that body movements can transmit information that had not been verbally uttered. That information has shown to be of great importance in the context of judicial process analysis.
Are ERDF Devoted to Boosting ICT in SMEs Inefficient? Insights Through Different DEA Models
Authors: Henriques Carla , Viseu Clara
Published: November 2022

We evaluated the execution of operational programs (OPs) targeted at increasing the adoption of information and communication technologies (ICT) in small and midsize enterprises (SMEs). As a result, we employed two different data envelopment analysis (DEA) models to evaluate 51 OPs from 16 countries, contemplating data provided to the European Union (EU). All in all, we observed that almost 20% of the OPs (10) achieved efficient procedural outcomes, with the slack-based method (SBM) and with the weighted Russel Directional Distance model (WRDDM), respectively. Two of the OPs most frequently viewed as benchmarks were in Spain (the country that uses “vouchers” simplifying processes), remaining robustly efficient for data perturbations of 5% and 10%. The ‘number of operations supported’ is the metric that necessitates more consideration according to both models. Overall, these findings show the robustness of results with both methods, highlighting a higher discriminatory power of the second method, particularly for inefficient OPs. Finally, the unsuccessful findings attained might be linked to bureaucratic procedures and SMEs’ incapacity to deal with the complicated processes involved in obtaining and implementing European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) proposals. As a result, it is critical to provide the extra help that reduces managerial requirements while also meeting the demands of SMEs.
Python Implementation of the Value-Based DEA Method
Authors: Trigo António , Gouveia Maria , Henriques Carla
Published: November 2022

This paper is aimed at presenting the Python implementation of the Value-Based Data Envelopment Analysis (VBDEA) method, which was designed to evaluate the efficiency of decision-making units (DMUs). This methodological framework explores the links between data envelopment analysis (DEA) and multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) and proposes a new perspective on the use of the additive DEA model using concepts from the multi-attribute value theory (MAVT). One of the major strengths of VBDEA over typical DEA methodologies is that it offers information on the main reasons behind DMUs’ (in)efficiency. Additionally, this approach allows straightforwardly ranking of efficient and inefficient DMUs, since it relies on a super-efficiency model. Because of the use of value functions, besides allowing the incorporation of the decision-maker (DM)’s preferences, this methodology easily handles negative or null data. In this context, we illustrate the Python implementation of the method by reproducing the main results obtained by (Gouveia et al., Or Spectrum 38:743–767, 2016), when these authors evaluated the performance of 12 health units in a Portuguese region incorporating management preferences given by real DMs.
Are ERDF Efficient in Strengthening the Switch to a Low-Carbon Economy? Some Insights with Value-Based Data Envelopment Analysis
Authors: Gouveia Maria , Henriques Carla , Amaro Ana
Published: November 2022

We assessed the execution of European Regional Development Funds (ERDF) allocated to promote a Low-carbon economy (LCE) in 23 EU Member States (MS). Each MS is evaluated using the Value-Based Data Envelopment Analysis (VBDEA) method. In the first stage, the efficient MS were identified, and the major reasons that might affect the efficient performance of the ERDF. From the results obtained, 43% of the MS were deemed efficient in the application of ERDF committed to fostering an LCE, and these results were mostly justified by their financial spending rate. At the second stage of the analysis, the changes that needed to be done by inefficient MS to “try and replicate” their efficient counterparts were computed. Furthermore, from the robustness assessment conducted it was possible to show that with thresholds of δ = 5% and δ = 10%, 22% of the MS managed to attain a robust efficiency. While Spain is the leading country in terms of robustness efficiency, Romania (robustly inefficient for δ = 5%), Hungary, and the Czech Republic (the worst in the ranking of inefficient MS) could not apply these funds properly. Given this information, the EU should continue to push policies that secure financial opportunities from engaging in LCE, particularly for MS with limited financial capacities, while still supplying them with improved funding mechanisms and technical expertise.
Firm Competitiveness, Specialisation, and Employment Growth: Territorial Level Relationships
Authors: Fantechi Federico , Fratesi Ugo
Published: November 2022

The concept of competitiveness is today a central element for regional development, European cohesion policies and smart specialisation strategies. Despite being born for firm-level analyses, competitiveness is indeed commonly used at the territorial level, mainly at the regional or urban scale, normally measured with different composite structural indicators. However, since territorial competitiveness is unevenly distributed in space, territorial units smaller than a full NUTS-2 region might be differently competitive and hence suited to implement differentiated cohesion policies and smart specialisation strategies. To test the hypothesis that these firm-level indicators can characterize the intraregional differences in aggregate performance, the paper sets up a meta-analysis framework between these indicators and structural indicators (employment growth and specialisation index) measured at the NUTS-3 level. For the meta-analysis at this novel intraregional level, the paper exploits the Lombardy region as a case study. Lombardy is well suited for the aims of this paper, being a large and competitive European region, whose territory—as well as its labor market—is highly differentiated, from peripheral and mountainous areas to many medium and small cities, second-tier large cities and a large metropolitan area—the city of Milan. All these territories are characterized by different economic and social vocations, but all share the same regional administration. The results of the meta-analysis show that firm-level indicators correlate with the aggregate performance of regions and that the structural measures selected can characterize different territories in different conditions. Hence, the competitiveness of firms seems to translate into aggregate territorial performance at small spatial scales. This implies that territorial specificities are also relevant inside regions and should be considered in designing regional policy interventions, such as those of the Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3).
Smart and Sustainable Scheduling of Charging Events for Electric Buses
Authors: Jarvis Padraigh , Climent Laura , Arbelaez Alejandro
Published: November 2022

The Irish transportation sector currently accounts for more than 30% of the energy related CO2 emissions of the country. Therefore, in order to reach the sustainable goals, the Irish government is working on multiple incentives to promote Electric Vehicles (EV) and infrastructure to decarbonize the sector, e.g., free domestic charging points, tool reductions, and the implementation of electric Buses (eBuses) in the medium to long term. In particular, eBuses operate with rechargeable batteries with a capacity to store approximately 300 kWh (and up to 600 kWh), equivalent to around 29.9 L of diesel, while reaching approx. 200 km. In order to ensure a proper transition from regular diesel buses to eBuses, charging times must be coordinated to ensure each bus has adequate energy to complete their operational route. In this work, we present a framework for an efficient management of renewable energies to charge a fleet of eBuses without perturbing the quality of service. Our framework starts by building a deep learning model for wind power forecasting to predict clean energy time windows, i.e., periods of time when the production of clean energy exceeds the demand of the country. Then, the optimization phase schedules charging events to reduce the use of non-clean energy to recharge eBuses while passengers are embarking or disembarking. The proposed framework is capable of overcoming the unstable and chaotic nature of wind power generation to operate the fleet without perturbing the quality of service. As expected, the size of the batteries does have a positive impact on the percentage of clean energy required to operate large fleets of eBuses. Methods developed in this paper help to mitigate potentially inaccuracies derived the prediction models. Our extensive empirical validation with real instances from Ireland suggests that our solutions can significantly reduce non-clean energy consumed on large datasets.
Correction to: Paths to the Emerging State in Asia and Africa
Authors: Otsuka Keijiro , Sugihara Kaoru
Published: November 2022

Correction to:K. Otsuka and K. Sugihara (eds.), Paths to the Emerging State in Asia and Africa,Emerging-Economy State and International Policy Studies,https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-3131-2
SSOs’ Role in Facilitating IP Policy Measures
Authors: Bharadwaj Ashish , Devaiah Vishwas H. , Gupta Indranath
Published: November 2022

Generally speaking, standards are adopted to reduce transaction costs for several implementers and increase interoperability among devices and platforms. Standards make our lives as consumers easier. For instance, a Wi-Fi-enabled smartphone device will connect to a Wi-Fi connection regardless of the jurisdiction. It has happened because Wi-Fi is a standard, which has been unanimously adopted by all stakeholders. There are technical standards adopted through several standard setting organizations, and there are standards adopted through market demand, which have evolved with time. Standard setting organizations (SSOs) play a crucial role in operationalizing a standard. The stages through which a standard is operationalized are often fraught with uncertainty, and a lot depends on the internal structure of an SSO. The most significant contributor to the entire process is the IPR policies adopted by each of these SSOs. This chapter provides a glimpse of these IPR policies of SSOs in three different jurisdictions, i.e., Europe, the United States, and India. These policies show their diverse nature and often lead to complex end-results.