bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Environmental Protection in Armed Conflict: Will the “Silent Victim” Have a Voice at Last?
Authors: La Manna Mariangela 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
It is safe to assume that environmental protection is not the core business of the law of armed conflict, a regime specifically designed with a view to regulating the conduct of hostilities. It should not come as a surprise, then, that rules governing environmental matters in wartime – mainly represented by a very small number of provisions established under the First Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions – do not prove equal to the task of safeguarding the environment. Besides only applying to international armed conflicts, such provisions have a very limited temporal scope of application and establish very stringent requirements for their application. Against this background, two significant codification efforts were recently completed under the auspices of the ICRC and the ILC respectively. Even though scarcely innovative in nature, they may nonetheless provide some very helpful interpretative guidance, and contribute to filling the gaps in the existing regime. In addition to the law of armed conflict, international environmental law could further enhance environmental protection during hostilities, either by influencing the interpretation of the former or by applying alongside it. Both possibilities need to be carefully assessed pursuant to formal criteria as well as to more practical concerns, notably by taking into account the actual reality of hostilities and the relations between belligerents.
State Practice and Opinio Juris at the Intersection of Customary International Law and General Principles of Law
Authors: Gervasi Mario 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Starting from a reflection on the legacy of Benedetto Conforti’s scholarship and his construction of general principles of law as a sui generis category of customary international law, this essay discusses the issue of the distinction between general principles and customary rules. It focuses on the recent work of the International Law Commission, and argues that the solutions offered in the Draft Conclusions on General Principles of Law, provisionally adopted in 2023, are far from satisfactory as regards both principles derived from national legal systems and principles formed within the international legal system.
The Law of the Sea and the Relevance of Benedetto Conforti’s Teachings
Authors: Caligiuri Andrea 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
The purpose of this piece is to provide a brief overview of Benedetto Conforti’s work as a scholar of the law of the sea. Through a careful analysis of State practice, he justified the exercise of State power at sea on the basis of a functional approach, whereby the extent of a coastal State’s powers was to be determined in accordance with the protection of specific interests related to a coastal community. When a spatial approach prevailed in the codification of the law of the sea, Conforti, while acknowledging the evolution that had taken place, reiterated the importance of the functional approach to explain the progressive extension of State powers at sea to new areas of interest.
In Pursuit of Greater Accountability for Torture: The Case of Giulio Regeni after Judgment no. 192/2023 of the Italian Constitutional Court
Authors: Parisi Piergiuseppe , Pinto Mattia 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
This article examines the Italian Constitutional Court’s Judgment No. 192/2023 on a question of constitutional legitimacy raised in the course of the criminal trial against four Egyptian nationals for the murder and torture of Italian doctoral researcher Giulio Regeni in Egypt in 2016. By declaring the partial unconstitutionality of the Italian legislation on in absentia proceedings, the Court’s decision allowed the trial to proceed even in the defendants’ absence. The judgment is assessed against a backdrop of institutional inertia in securing justice for Regeni. The article first analyses the significance of the Court’s decision, highlighting its implications for international human rights law and, in particular, the duty to exercise criminal jurisdiction over acts of torture under the UN Convention Against Torture. It then critiques the emphasis placed on criminal accountability, as illustrated by Regeni’s case. It argues that such emphasis, combined with the inadequacy of other State responses, risks diluting the right to truth and accountability in its broader sense.
Truce or Settlement? The Dispute over Germany’s Immunity from Wartime Reparations claims after Judgment no. 159/2023 of the Italian Constitutional Court
Authors: Rossi Pierfrancesco 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Following Germany’s 2022 ICJ application against Italy over continuing violations of its immunities, the Corte Costituzionale’s Judgment No. 159/2023 upheld legislation curbing enforcement against German assets and redirecting claims by Nazi crimes victims to an Italy-financed Reparations Fund. This paper discusses whether and under what conditions this ruling might lead to a termination of the German-Italian dispute. It shows that, while the Court paid lip service to its own Judgment No. 238/2014, the dispute’s main casus belli, it distanced itself from many controversial aspects of that precedent and greatly reduced its significance. The paper then reflects on the extant problems, arising from the Court’s failure to overrule Judgment No. 238, and on ways to solve them. These problems include: 1) the apparently ongoing violation of Germany’s immunity from adjudicative jurisdiction; and 2) the possibility of constitutional challenges being levied against the Fund for discrimination against excluded claimants. It is suggested that neither problem calls into question the possibility of terminating the dispute. In conclusion, the paper speculates that, while an overruling of Judgment No. 238 is unlikely, the Court’s future case law could, with only some fine-tuning, turn that judgment into a precedent devoid of meaningful effects.
The Agreement Between Italy and Croatia on the Delimitation of their Exclusive Economic Zones
Authors: Borgia Fiammetta 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
This article analyses the 2022 Agreement between the Italian Republic and the Republic of Croatia on the delimitation of their exclusive economic zones. The Agreement marks a significant step forward in international relations and maritime law, reflecting a mutual commitment to resolving maritime boundaries in accordance with international law. The two States have agreed that the delimitation line of the EEZs aligns with the continental shelf boundary between the Parties, as defined by the 1968 Agreement, and the 2005 Technical Correction Agreement. Moreover, since cooperation in the North Adriatic basin, both bilateral and trilateral with Slovenia, remains an important cornerstone for their relationships, they also approved a Joint Declaration on the Adriatic Sea’s Resources. This Declaration has a particular focus on preservation of the marine Adriatic environment to improve connectivity, security and cooperation in the blue economy sectors. This article, after providing the historical and legal context of the international relations between Italy and Croatia in the field of maritime cooperation, seeks to conduct a thorough examination of the 2022 Agreement, with particular reference to the methodology employed for delimitation, as well as the conflict clause and dispute settlement mechanisms introduced. In addition, the article will consider the issue of resources management, as set out in the 2022 Joint Declaration. The analysis is intended to determine the consistency of the Agreement with the law of the sea, whilst also highlighting prospective challenges and assessing Italy’s contribution to formulating strategies for the forthcoming management of the region.
The International Seabed Authority and the Push for Exploitation of Deep Seabed Minerals: Does the Doctrine of Legitimate Expectations Apply?
Authors: Pecoraro Alberto , Lily Hannah , Singh Pradeep 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
The International Seabed Authority (or ISA) is nearing a world-first decision: whether to approve, on behalf of humankind, potentially in the absence of regulations, an application for exploitation rights over deep sea minerals. We assess whether an operator, who invested in exploration activities but whose application to mine was refused by the ISA, may successfully take legal action against the ISA based on their ‘legitimate expectations’ to be granted exploitation rights. We find significant obstacles for such a claim. Firstly, the ISA has with contractors a legal relationship that differs from that between sovereign states and foreign investors. Furthermore, exploration contractors assumed the risk of carrying exploration despite knowing that, due to its complex institutional structures, and need to adapt to evolving international norms and new scientific information, the ISA could ultimately decide to proceed in a different direction. Finally, there are sizeable procedural challenges for any prospective claimant against the ISA relying on ‘legitimate expectations’, both in accessing the relevant forum and in identifying an enforceable remedy.
The Development of Astronomy in the Islamicate Third/Ninth Century
Authors: Americo Maria 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
While the astronomers of Abbasid Baghdad were creating new methods of observation and updating astronomical values, they were also engaged in the translation movement, in which scientific texts from ancient languages like Greek, Persian, and Sanskrit were translated into Arabic. One of the ancient scientists with whose ideas the third/ninth-century astronomers engaged was Claudius Ptolemy, the second-century CE Alexandrian astronomer whose oeuvre comprises our best evidence for Greco-Roman astronomy. This article examines the work of four astronomers working in Baghdad under the Abbasid caliph al-Maʾmūn (r. 198–218/813–833) — Ḥabash al-Ḥāsib (fl. 214–50/829–64), al-Farghānī (d. after 247/861), Thābit b. Qurra (d. 288/901), and a writer we may identify as Qusṭā b. Lūqā (d. ca. 300/913) — and compares their work to that of Ptolemy in terms of their values for the sizes and distances of the heavenly bodies. The article will conclude with some evidence that someone during the Islamicate third/ninth century was undertaking new observations of the planets, based on new values for their sizes and distances.
Synchronisation of Fiscal and Monetary Policies in India—Some Issues
Authors: Dholakia Ravindra H. 
Published: November 2024

Fiscal and monetary policies are pursued independently to achieve their respective assigned goals, though broad synchronisation of the two is essential for overall consistency and efficiency. The article discusses three issues in synchronisation of the two policies, where the monetary policy actions follow, and do not precede, the fiscal policy actions. The first issue is regarding the implications of the Union Budget on the monetary policy and is considered with the Union Budget 2023–2024. The second issue is regarding the implications of tax-evaded income and recent trends therein on the credit growth in the economy. The third issue is about the consistency of the definitions of the rural areas followed in the two policies and their impact on the goal of financial inclusion in the country. JEL Codes: E52, E58, E61, E62, E63
Status of Digital Payments in BRICS Countries
Authors: Kaur Prabhjot , Kang Lakhwinder Singh 
Published: November 2024

Rapid technological advancements and FinTech initiatives in the recent past have been facilitating the transformation of financial and payment services across the globe. The present study examines the status of digital payments, digital payment environment and digital financial inclusion among the BRICS countries. The digital payment trends in the BRICS countries for the period 2011–2021 through the access and use indicators of digital payments are compared. There exist significant differences between the BRICS countries and the developed countries for both the access and use indicators of digital payments, which requires the respective governments and central banks of BRICS countries to take necessary steps to achieve the goal of digital financial inclusion. JEL Codes: E42, E58
A secure transaction and smart contract architecture for internet of vehicles
Authors: Lin Hua-Yi 
Published: November 2024

Recently, with the popularity of Internet of vehicles (IoV), there is an increasing market demand for integrating blockchain technology and smart contracts in electric vehicles. By utilizing distributed blockchain and smart contract technology, it provides data integrity preservation, traceability, and prevention of forgery. These features can be effectively used in the automated charging system. As a result, IoV can utilize blockchain and smart contract technologies to facilitate seamless payment for charging fees, tolls, parking fees, online shopping and other associated expenses without the need for intermediaries. However, since blockchain and smart contracts operate in an open internet environment, there is a risk of tampering with transaction records. Therefore, enhancing security becomes a crucial concern. The main aim of this study is to emphasize the growing significance of securing transactions and smart contracts in an open transmission environment to prevent potential damage or alteration. In order to achieve the implementation of secure smart contracts within a resource-constrained IoV, this study investigates various cryptographic mechanisms and realizes the elliptic curve cryptosystem (ECC) is widely recognized for providing strong security with shorter key lengths compared to other public key cryptography methods. This makes it ideal for environments with limited resources. Furthermore, in order to enhance the performance of smart contracts, this study proposes a cloud server architecture for parallel storage of smart contracts to improve access speed. Additionally, we introduce an automated trading framework for smart contracts that operates without human intervention. Finally, this study uses ECC to ensure the secure transmission of transaction data among the vehicle, base station, and cloud server, as well as to provide mutual verification of identities across all entities involved in the operation. As a result, this study proposes a secure architecture for blockchain and smart contracts that can autonomously initiate transactions while ensuring secure transmission and protection in the IoV.
Effectiveness of acupuncture treatment in post-stroke depression and anxiety disorders: a prospective, randomized, controlled, single-blind study
Authors: Kalaoğlu Eser , Kesiktaş Fatma Nur , Bucak Ömer Faruk , Atasoy Mücahit , Günderci Azad 
Published: November 2024

Objective: Our aim was to examine the effectiveness of acupuncture in post-stroke depression/anxiety disorders and to determine whether it reduces the need for anxiolytic and sedative drug use. Methods: This study included 54 stroke patients with depression and/or anxiety disorder. Patients were randomly assigned to the acupuncture treatment group (n = 27) or the control group (n = 27). A conventional rehabilitation program was applied to all patients and acupuncture was performed twice a week for 4 weeks. Patients were evaluated blindly by a psychiatrist at baseline (week 0), week 4 and week 8, using the Hamilton depression rating scale (HAM-D) and Hamilton anxiety rating scale (HAM-A), and drug doses were adjusted when necessary. The HAM-D and HAM-A scores at week 4 were pre-specified as the two primary outcome measures. Results: Within each group, there was a significant decrease in the mean scores of HAM-D and HAM-A at weeks 4 and 8. No between-group differences in HAM-A or HAM-D scores were seen at 4 weeks but there was a significant decrease in HAM-D scores in favor of the acupuncture group at week 8 (p < 0.025). At week 4, the number of cases whose selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) dose was increased was found to be significantly higher in the control group. Conclusion: While the study was negative with respect to its primary outcomes, the findings with respect to certain secondary outcomes suggests further research is warranted to determine if acupuncture treatment is an effective/safe treatment to alleviate post-stroke depression/anxiety. Trial registration number: NCT04283591 (ClinicalTrials.gov).
Protective Effect of 1,8-Cineole (Eucalyptol) on Respiratory System: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis from Animal Studies
Authors: Liu Jie , Liu Xingde , Xiong Xiaoman , Zheng Yuhua , Rao Rui , Li Wen 
Published: November 2024

Background 1,8-Cineole is used in traditional folk medicine to treat various diseases. This study evaluates the protective effects of 1,8-cineole on the respiratory system by investigating its impact on inflammatory factors in animal studies. Materials and Methods We conducted searches in PubMed, Medline, Embase, Cochrane, and the Web of Science databases until December 2023. This study utilized Get Data Graph Digitizer 2.26, EndNote, and RevMan 5.4. The random effects model and standard mean difference (SMD) were applied for data analysis. Results The results showed tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) (SMD: −8.19, 95% CI: −11.30 to −5.08, p < 0.00001), interleukin (IL)-6 (SMD: −7.38, 95% CI: −10.61 to −4.15, p < 0.00001), IL-1β (SMD: −19.18, 95% CI: −32.57 to −5.79, p = 0.005), NF-κB (SMD: −6.26, 95% CI: −7.88 to −4.65, p < 0.00001), neutrophils (SMD: −8.16, 95% CI: −11.65 to −4.67, p < 0.00001), and macrophages (SMD: −5.06, 95% CI: −8.06 to −2.05, p = 0.001). Conclusion The study suggests that 1,8-cineole significantly inhibits the expression of inflammatory factors, indicating its potential for further study and development.
Adult Diagnosis of ADHD in Women: A Mixed Methods Investigation
Authors: Babinski Dara E. , Libsack Erin J. 
Published: November 2024

Objective: The goal of this study was to examine the experiences of women diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood. Methods: Benefits and costs associated with obtaining the diagnosis were examined in two focus groups conducted virtually. Factors hindering and facilitating the identification, assessment, and subsequent treatment of ADHD were also explored. Focus groups were conducted virtually and together included 14 women ( Mage = 39.43, SD = 6.37) who were diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood. Results: The majority of women described numerous benefits of receiving a diagnosis of ADHD, including validation/self-compassion, adaptive coping, and social support. Negative aspects of the diagnosis, including difficulties accessing care, the burden of care, limitations to existing evidence-based treatments, and stigma were also identified by some women. Furthermore, women described variable diagnostic experiences, with many indicating that they had not recognized their own symptoms of ADHD, as well as diagnostic complexity and other factors that masked identification of ADHD. Women described a range of diagnostic assessment procedures, as well as considerable self-advocacy to convince their providers to consider the diagnosis of ADHD. Conclusion: These lived experiences of women diagnosed with ADHD provide critical insight into improving clinical care for ADHD in women. Recommendations to increase accurate and timely identification of ADHD in women and advance efforts toward effective and equitable care are discussed.
Epidemiological Analysis of Psoriasis in China from 2020 to 2022
Authors: Yuan Feng , Cao Lu , Lu Lingyi , Wang Sihan , Jiang Fan , Lin Bingjiang 
Published: November 2024

Background: Psoriasis is a persistent inflammatory skin condition driven by an immune response and influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. The high likelihood of disease recurrence has been a major concern for many patients, while the concurrent presence of other conditions has significantly impacted their quality of life. Objective: To improve early detection of and treatment for patients by studying the epidemiological characteristics of patients with psoriasis in China. Methods: The Psoriasis Real-World Big Data Collection Platform was initiated by the National Skin and Immune Diseases Clinical Medical Research Center (Beijing First Hospital of Peking University) in August 2020. During the period from August 2020 to June 2022, a total of 1012 hospitals across the nation participated in data entry. This article presents an epidemiological feature analysis based on the real case questionnaire survey form collected over the past 2 years. Results: The prevalence of psoriasis is highest among young and middle-aged men, affecting largely the skin area. Factors such as smoking, obesity, and family history are likely to influence disease onset. In this study’s data, the limbs and trunk were the most common sites for psoriasis onset, with cardiovascular disease being the most prevalent comorbidity. Topical corticosteroid creams are frequently used in treatment by Chinese patients, along with a notable proportion opting for oral Chinese medicine for systemic treatment. Secukinumab is the primary choice when utilizing biological agents. Conclusion: The actual data of patients with psoriasis from 2020 to 2022 offer crucial insights into the disease progression among the Chinese psoriasis population in recent years. Through an analysis of patient characteristics and treatment modalities, it furnishes valuable guidance for the prevention, early detection, and management of psoriasis.
The role of carotenoids from red mamey fruit (Pouteria sapota) against amyloid-β monomers in Alzheimer's disease: Computational analysis and ADMET prediction
Authors: Orjuela Adrián L , Pecchio Marisín , Cruz-Mora Jessica , Emani Lakshmi Sowmya , Carreira Maria B , Larionov Oleg V , Hegde Muralidhar L , Rao K S Jagannatha , Alí-Torres Jorge , Lakey-Beitia Johant 
Published: November 2024

Background Carotenoids, potent antioxidants in fruits and vegetables, have recently garnered attention for their potential therapeutic effects against neurodegenerative diseases. This study focuses on the interaction and anti-aggregation properties of conventional and unconventional carotenoids found in red mamey fruit, a nutraceutical fruit that is a rich source of these compounds. Objective To assess computational the interaction between of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide with a set of carotenoids and three carotenoids previously explored in experimental assays as well as to assess ADMET prediction of carotenoids selected by computational analysis results. Methods We analyzed the interaction between these carotenoids and Aβ peptides using molecular docking, a key factor in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. Selected carotenoids were compared with the reference compounds cryptocapsin (1), zeaxanthin (2), lutein (3), and cryptocapsin-5,6-epoxide (24), which previously demonstrated significant anti-aggregation activity against Aβ. Using SwissADME and ADMET Predictor® software to determine the pharmaceutical analysis prediction. Results Computational analysis identified (5R,8R)-sapotexanthin-5,8-epoxide (19) and (5S,8S)-cryptocapsin-5,8-epoxide (26) as the most promising candidates due to their strong binding affinity and potential anti-aggregation properties against Aβ. The pharmaceutical analysis identified compounds (5S,8S)-cryptocapsin-5,8-epoxide (26) and (5R,8R)-cryptocapsin-5,8-epoxide (28) as the most promising compounds. Our findings suggest that specific modifications in the carotenoid structure, particularly modifications in the type of epoxidation and stereochemistry, can significantly influence the biological activity of carotenoids and biopharmaceutical performance. Conclusions These results provide valuable insights for future in vitro studies of most potential carotenoids (19 and 26) and the development of potential therapeutic agents for AD.