Found 421 results
Open Access
Commentary
20 September 2024Sustainable Design and Integrity Control of Onboard Health Tools for Humans and Their Environmental Urban Biodiversity
Recently, onboard sensing and support devices have been used for the well-being of humans, animals, birds, plants and, more generally, biodiversity. The performance of these tools is closely linked to their electromagnetic environment, mainly artificially created by humans. Therefore, the presence of electromagnetic radiation linked to human activities near such tools constitutes a threat. The intelligent and sustainable manufacturing of these tools, which makes it possible to face such a threat, can be achieved through their design and optimization. This commentary aims to highlight the interaction of artificial electromagnetic radiation with onboard health tools involving living tissues in urban biodiversity (One Health concept) and the intelligent and sustainable construction and protection (Responsible Attitude concept) of these tools. The manuscript presents an overview of onboard devices, possible effects of electromagnetic radiation, durable construction and shielding, and analysis of electromagnetic compatibility integrity control. The main outcome of this contribution regarding sustainably designed onboard devices is that numerical analysis tools of electromagnetic fields could efficiently verify their integrity and the behavior of their necessary smart shields. These different themes are associated with examples of literature.
Open Access
Review
14 September 2024Emerging Technologies in Forensic DNA Analysis
Forensic DNA analysis has fundamentally transformed criminal investigations, providing an unprecedented level of accuracy in identifying suspects, exonerating the innocent, and solving cold cases. This manuscript reviews the emerging technologies that are reshaping the field of forensic DNA analysis, including next-generation sequencing (NGS), rapid DNA analysis, AI-driven forensic workflows, 3D genomics, and mobile DNA platforms. These innovations enhance the speed, precision, and scope of DNA analysis, allowing forensic scientists to process evidence more efficiently, analyze more complex samples, and conduct real-time field-based investigations. While these advancements hold great promise, they also introduce significant challenges, such as ensuring data security, maintaining the integrity of evidence, and navigating the ethical and legal implications of new forensic technologies. Issues related to privacy, consent, and potential bias in DNA databases are becoming increasingly complex as these systems expand. Furthermore, the legal admissibility of cutting-edge technologies like AI-driven DNA analysis and phenotypic prediction must be carefully evaluated to ensure the rigorous standards of forensic evidence in court are met.This review explores the opportunities and challenges associated with these emerging technologies, emphasizing the importance of responsible and ethical use. By examining advances in DNA extraction, spatial DNA analysis, and the integration of AI in forensic workflows, this manuscript provides forensic professionals with a roadmap for navigating the evolving landscape of forensic DNA analysis. The future of forensic DNA analysis lies in balancing technological innovation with the commitment to justice, ensuring that DNA evidence remains a reliable and indispensable tool in pursuing a more equitable legal system.
Open Access
Article
10 September 2024Payment or Incentive: Public Perception on Payment for Ecosystem Services at the Time of Climate Change in Nepal
Understanding community preferences and perceptions of ecosystem services is needed to generate local-level financing through Payment for Ecosystem Services. Local-level financing is crucial for both ecosystem management and also helpful in climate change adaptation actions. This research focuses on community perceptions of payment for ecosystem schemes and their preferences to generate local-level financing. The study was carried out in Dhankuta and Dasarath Chand municipalities, representing Koshi and Sudur Paschim provinces of Nepal. We applied social science research methods using focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and community surveys. The study indicates that community-perceived payment for ecosystem service schemes can be instrumental in generating local financing, and their preference is more towards in-kind or project-based payment mechanisms. While climate change is largely impacting ecosystems and community livelihoods, project-based payment mechanisms could be more effective than cash payments. However, this needs a strong institutional mechanism within the municipal government where such in-kind or project-based support could be mobilized through a multisectoral approach.
Open Access
Review
10 September 2024A Review of the Current Landscape of Anti-Fibrotic Medicines
Fibrosis is defined as the excessive accumulation and disorganized deposition of extracellular matrix components, affecting any organ in the human body. Fibrotic diseases of the vital organs such as lung, heart, kidney and liver can be chronic, progressive, irreversible and fatal. Although fibrotic diseases account for 45% of the mortality in the Western world, the available treatment options are limited in numbers, efficacy and safety. There is certainly a lack of progress in developing novel anti-fibrotics even though the market size for fibrotic diseases is estimated to be ~$30B and several pharmaceutical companies have active R&D programmes in this field. We reviewed the current efforts in developing novel anti-fibrotic medicines focusing on lung, heart, kidney, liver and skin fibrosis. Our analysis revealed an estimated 83% attrition rate from Phase 2 to Phase 3 trials across the five fibrotic diseases. The possible reasons for the slow pace and high attrition rates in developing new anti-fibrotics are discussed and potential solutions are proposed.
Open Access
Perspective
09 September 2024Social, Ecological and Economic Synergies of Forests for Sustainability Contradict Projects Involving Large-Scale Deforestation for Energy Production
Good projects and solutions aiming at sustainable development must repair the damage done in past decades by being explicitly designed and monitored to achieve synergetic benefits for the environment and society. We identify environmental, social and economic aspects of sustainability in which enlightened forest management can increase the fulfillment of human and ecological needs and hence the quality of life of present and future generations. Projects aiming at energy production and profits at the cost of biodiversity, nature protection, and human health and well-being are therefore questionable and increasingly socially and politically unacceptable—especially where the viability of alternative options with better social and ecological footprints can be easily demonstrated. This is also true for renewable energy projects. The perspective presented here demonstrates how ostensibly renewable energy projects in natural areas, such as large-scale wind and solar power plants in traditional forests, which are planned, for example, in Germany, may be detrimental to ecological and social sustainability. Forests cut down for such projects are “non-renewable” within reasonable time-scales left to stabilize our climate and ecosystems. Such projects also impair the credibility of the proclaimed role model character and sustainability leadership of Global North countries, which can lead to negative implications for the protection of forests in tropical countries.
Open Access
Review
06 September 2024Principles in Identification of Human Remains through Forensic Odontology
Human identification is the core component of Forensic Odontology. The process of identification of unknown remains generally starts with the reconstruction of the skeletal biological profile, which provides a general description of the individual that is used to narrow down the candidates for the identity. Once one or more candidates are given for the identity, forensic odontologists conduct the comparison between the antemortem and postmortem records. The postmortem vs. the antemortem data comparison implies the evaluation of the consistencies and inconsistencies found in the data sets. This comparison is highly affected by the quality and completeness of the antemortem records, as well as the condition of the remains. The principles of the odontological comparison are based on the differences in the dental and maxillofacial structures due to human variation, development and pathology, and the alteration caused by dental treatment, which can be visually and radiographically observed. Restorative treatment, osseointegrated dental implants, fixed orthodontic and prosthetic appliances, along with dental and maxillofacial anatomy are the most informative features for the postmortem vs. antemortem comparison. The process of comparison consists of an objective identification of the consistencies and discrepancies. However, their interpretation and the final conclusion relies on the forensic odontologist knowledge and proficiency. Computer software packages such as WinID, DVI System International and UVIS can assist in the comparisons, connecting the postmortem and antemortem information and creating a ranking of possible matches. Moreover, deep machine learning models are being explored automate the comparison process. However, all comparison procedures still require the expert’s final assessment.
Open Access
Article
03 September 2024The Economic Impact of High-Speed Rail on Rural and Inner Urban Areas Economy: The Case Study of HSR Naples-Bari in South of Italy
High-speed rail (HSR) has revolutionized global transportation by providing fast, reliable, and efficient city-to-city travel. While its urban benefits are well-documented, the potential advantages for rural development are often overlooked. The high-speed rail project on the Naples-Bari route in Southern Italy aims to connect the urban centers of Naples in Campania and Bari in Apulia, traversing inland and rural areas. Initiated in 2016 and planned for completion in 2028, this project is anticipated to deliver numerous benefits. The purpose of this research is to examine the largely overlooked high-speed rail (HSR) in Southern Italy from an economic and territorial perspective and to determine whether it can sustainably promote rural development in the areas along the railway line. This study examines whether the HSR line will enhance economic activities, strengthen industries, and improve spatial accessibility in rural areas. Using a 2020 dataset covering 25 municipalities along the railway line, including those with stations and construction sites projected to open by 2024, three regression models were employed to estimate potential improvements in income and employment. The findings indicate mixed results: access time to airports improves, decreasing by 7%, while access to ports does not see similar benefits. Income shows a positive correlation with HSR, increasing with population growth around stations, suggesting a trend towards urban agglomeration. However, the study underscores that HSR is not universally beneficial for rural economies and that supportive development networks are crucial. Policies should adopt short-term strategies to strengthen future HSR projects and prepare for the anticipated surge in mass tourism to rural areas.
Open Access
Review
02 September 2024A Review on the Application of Nanomaterials to Boost the Service Performances of Carbon-Containing Refractories
To meet the high-quality requirements for clean steel production and fully exploit the performance advantages of carbon-containing refractories, nanomaterial has been introduced into the matrix to develop advanced carbon-containing refractories. Nanomaterials, as critical additives, play a crucial role in developing novel refractories. The service performances of carbon-containing refractories are affected not only by their physical and chemical properties but also by their microstructure. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the latest research on oxide-carbon composite refractories containing nanomaterials, categorized by their composition: nanocarbons, nano oxides, and nano non-oxides. Incorporating nanomaterials can enhance the service performances of the refractories, optimizing phase composition and microstructure. Furthermore, future research directions in nanomaterial technology for carbon-containing refractories are discussed.
Open Access
Article
02 September 2024Risk Factors for Adverse Outcomes Following Surgical Repair of Simple Coarctation in Early Infancy: A Ten-Year Single Center Review
Coarctation of the aorta is a frequently diagnosed congenital heart defect and often requires surgical repair in early infancy. Infants born with this condition remain at risk for post-operative morbidity and reintervention within the first year of life. A single-center, retrospective chart review was performed. The protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB-21-156, 14 August 2021). A 10-year review from January 2010 to December 2020 identified all children diagnosed with coarctation of the aorta or arch hypoplasia; without any associated major congenital cardiac pathology (i.e., simple coarctation). Reintervention-free-survival at one year for all infants who underwent surgical repair was assessed. Patient characteristics for those who did and did not experience significant adverse event (SAE) in the postoperative period were obtained and compared. A total of 105 patients diagnosed with isolated coarctation of the aorta or arch hypoplasia and who underwent surgical repair were identified. Of these, 11 patients (10%) experienced a SAE (i.e., vocal cord palsy, diaphragm palsy, chylothorax, stroke/neurological complication, need for reintubation or tracheostomy, necrotizing enterocolitis, major bleeding or thrombotic vascular complication, or reintervention) in the post-operative period. Patients who experienced a SAE were more likely to have a prenatal diagnosis of coarctation of the aorta (p = 0.03), a known genetic anomaly (p = 0.0001), or had undergone a median sternotomy approach/complex arch repair (i.e., requiring patching of the aorta) (p = 0.0001). Genetic anomaly (mainly Turner syndrome) was the only independent predictor of SAE in multivariate analysis (OR = 6.7) Follow up data at one year was available for 79 patients, with only 6 patients requiring reintervention before 1 year of age. Overall, infants who undergo surgical repair of simple coarctation of aorta have an excellent chance of reintervention-free-survival at one year post intervention. Those with a known genetic anomaly or requiring median sternotomy approach appear to have a higher risk for a SAE in the postoperative period.
Open Access
Article
02 September 2024Multi-Robot Cooperative Target Search Based on Distributed Reinforcement Learning Method in 3D Dynamic Environments
This paper proposes a distributed reinforcement learning method for multi-robot cooperative target search based on policy gradient in 3D dynamic environments. The objective is to find all hostile drones which are considered as targets with the minimal search time while avoiding obstacles. First, the motion model for unmanned aerial vehicles and obstacles in a dynamic 3D environments is presented. Then, a reward function is designed based on environmental feedback and obstacle avoidance. A loss function and its gradient are designed based on the expected cumulative reward and its differentiation. Next, the expected cumulative reward is optimized by a reinforcement learning algorithm that makes the loss function update in the direction of the gradient. When the variance of the expected cumulative reward is lower than a specified threshold, the unmanned aerial vehicle obtains the optimal search policy. Finally, simulation results demonstrate that the proposed method effectively enables unmanned aerial vehicles to identify all targets in the dynamic 3D airspace while avoiding obstacles.
