Search

In Estate of Kwang Lee, the United States Court of Appeals, Third Circuit (1) affirmed the Tax Court (2) and upheld the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS') denial of an estate's [...]

On October 15, 2021, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued a News Release (1) that updated its process for the issuance of frequently asked questions (FAQs) (2) on "new tax [...]

In Stewart, (1) the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the Tax Court and held that a revenue officer's (RO) contemporaneous case notes in the administrative file, which recorded how [...]

Looking at your Netflix home screen or the 'What's Showing' list for a local theater, it's readily apparent that the visual bar for films, episodic series and video games continues [...]

Tin halide perovskites represent the most suitable alternative to their lead-based counterparts for sustainable photovoltaics. One of the most important drawbacks of this class of materials is the intrinsic tendency of tin (II) to oxidize under certain conditions and as a consequence of aging. Here, we explore plasma processing to gently treat the surface of the tin perovskite films. As shown by chemical, optical, and morphological analyses, this treatment by generating transient active species on the surface of the material impacts its aging, inhibiting the tendency of tin (II) to oxidize. Plasma-treated stored devices show a power conversion efficiency slightly higher and narrower in the distribution than that of the reference devices. The positive impact of this noninvasive technique, which can be easily implemented in large-area manufacturing facilities, increases the potential of lead-free alternative perovskite photovoltaics.

Regulation of neutrophil activation is critical for disease control. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), which are web-like structures composed of DNA and neutrophil-derived proteins, are formed following pro-inflammatory signals; however, if this process is uncontrolled, NETs contribute to disease pathogenesis, exacerbating inflammation and host tissue damage1,2. Here we show that myeloid inhibitory C-type lectin-like (MICL), an inhibitory C-type lectin receptor, directly recognizes DNA in NETs; this interaction is vital to regulate neutrophil activation. Loss or inhibition of MICL functionality leads to uncontrolled NET formation through the ROS–PAD4 pathway and the development of an auto-inflammatory feedback loop. We show that in the context of rheumatoid arthritis, such dysregulation leads to exacerbated pathology in both mouse models and in human patients, where autoantibodies to MICL inhibit key functions of this receptor. Of note, we also detect similarly inhibitory anti-MICL autoantibodies in patients with other diseases linked to aberrant NET formation, including lupus and severe COVID-19. By contrast, dysregulation of NET release is protective during systemic infection with the fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. Together, we show that the recognition of NETs by MICL represents a fundamental autoregulatory pathway that controls neutrophil activity and NET formation.

X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy has been used, in conjunction with extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS), to determine the coordination structure of the Ag+ion in a dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solution. From the EXAFS data analysis, the Ag–O first shell distance in DMSO was found to be 2.31(3) Å, with 4.1(5) oxygen atoms surrounding the Ag+ion, in fair agreement with previous results. This technique did not allow us to determine the geometry of the 4-fold coordination complex and a quantitative analysis of the XANES region was carried out to shed light on this issue. The XANES data analysis confirmed the presence of a four-coordinated complex, unambiguously showing that a regular tetrahedral [Ag(DMSO)4]+complex is formed when silver triflate is dissolved in DMSO solution.

Abstract:The evolution and proliferation of drone technologies have emerged as pivotal factors in the transformation of global geopolitics. While the United States and Israel once dominated the drone market, the industry now witnesses a growing number of contenders, including China, Iran, and Turkey. This article examines the geopolitical implications of Turkey's rising prominence in the drone sector while exploring the subsequent challenges and opportunities it poses to Turkey's relations with Russia, the United States, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). While the long-term strategic implications for global politics remain to be seen, Turkey's drones have enabled it to pursue its regional interests and assert its role as a global drone power, while also exposing it to diplomatic tensions. The paper also discusses the need for a global framework to regulate the drone industry.

Background. People after stroke benefit from comprehensive secondary prevention programs including cardiac rehabilitation (CR), yet there is little understanding of eligibility for exercise and barriers to use. Objective. The aim of this study was to examine eligibility for CR; enrollment, adherence, and completion; and factors affecting use. Design. This was a prospective study of 116 consecutive people enrolled in a single outpatient stroke rehabilitation (OSR) program located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Methods. Questionnaires were completed by treating physical therapists for consecutive participants receiving OSR and included reasons for CR ineligibility, reasons for declining participation, demographics, and functional level. CR eligibility criteria included the ability to walk [greater than or equal to]100 m (no time restriction) and the ability to exercise at home independently or with assistance. People with or without hemiplegic gait were eligible for adapted or traditional CR, respectively. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine factors associated with use indicators. Results. Of 116 participants receiving OSR, 82 (70.7%) were eligible for CR; 2 became eligible later. Sixty (71.4%) enrolled in CR and 49 (81.7%) completed CR, attending 87.1% (SD = 16.6%) of prescribed sessions. The primary reasons for ineligibility included being nonambulatory or having poor ambulation (52.9%; 18/34 patients) and having severe cognitive deficits and no home exercise support (20.6%; 7/34). Frequently cited reasons for declining CR were moving or travel out of country (17.2%; 5/29 reasons), lack of interest (13.8%; 4/29), transportation issues (10.3%; 3/29), and desiring a break from therapy (10.3%; 3/29). In a multivariate analysis, people who declined CR were more likely to be women, have poorer attendance at OSR, and not diabetic. Compared with traditional CR, stroke-adapted CR resulted in superior attendance (66.1% [SD = 22.9%] vs 87.1% [SD = 16.6%], respectively) and completion (66.7% vs 89.7%, respectively). The primary reasons for dropping out were medical (45%) and moving (27%). Limitations. Generalizability to other programs is limited, and other, unmeasured factors may have affected outcomes. Conclusions. An OSR-CR partnership provided an effective continuum of care, with approximately 75% of eligible people participating and more than 80% completing. However, just over 1 of 4 eligible people declined participation; therefore, strategies should target lack of interest, transportation, women, and people without diabetes. An alternative program model is needed for people who have severe ambulatory or cognitive deficits and no home exercise support., Stroke is highly prevalent globally and a leading cause of adult neurological disability. (1) There is mounting evidence demonstrating the benefits and feasibility of comprehensive secondary prevention programs, particularly those [...]

In Greenwald v. Regency Management, LLC, (1) the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland permitted a Code Sec. 7434(a) claim to proceed where the previous employees of a [...]

ABSTRACT In this study, the suitability of a nano-silica based consolidant for the conservation of a volcanic tuff was evaluated. The consolidant consists of an aqueous suspension of nano-silica particles [...]

Eustachian tube dysfunction combined with otitis media with effusion can raise the risk of speech and language delay. So how do you catch the problem in young children? And when [...]

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, in Taylor v. Commissioner, (1) affirmed the District Court's dismissal of a tax preparer's refund action that sought review of preparer penalties assessed for [...]

•High-risk CRKP are responsible for difficult-to-treat, hospital-acquired infections.•The percentage of NDM-CRKP increased from 0.1% to 22% in Southern Italy in BSI.•A prolonged outbreak of NDM-1-CRKP was identified during the COVID-19 pandemic.•WGS revealed the presence of hypervirulent XDR NDM-1 ST147 KP strains.•Genomic surveillance is crucial to monitor high-risk CRKP in hospital settings.

Reactive organometallic intermediates present a distinct opportunity for the creation of novel carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bonds. Whereas their utility in synthesis is well-established, the thermal sensitivity of these species often imposes the requirement for stringent reaction conditions, including strict control of reaction temperatures, concentrations, and use of additives. Moreover, their strong reactivity can pose challenges in achieving the desired selectivity. Since pioneering works in the 2000s, the advent of flow microreactor technology has revolutionized this field, expanding the possibilities of reactive organometallic intermediates within synthetic chemistry. In this review, we provide an overview of the recent advancements in this dynamic area, focusing on breakthroughs that have emerged within the past four years.

The U.S. federal government strives to be a model employer of people with disabilities. Although it has been successful in recent years in increasing disability hiring, retention of this workforce remains a concern. The researchers of this mixed-methods study sought to understand the perceptions of workplace attributes by employees with disabilities in federal agencies through analysis of the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS) and focus groups. The study results indicate that people with disabilities, in general, have lower perceptions of workplace attributes than their peers without disabilities; however, looking at groups differentiated by disability, military experience, and sex tells a richer story. This article incorporates the voices of agency representatives and employees with disabilities to provide additional context to the survey findings. Based on the results, the authors offer practice and policy recommendations to support improved workplace experiences and retention of employees with disabilities.

Excess aldosterone accelerates chronic kidney disease progression. This phase 2 clinical trial assessed BI 690517, an aldosterone synthase inhibitor, for efficacy, safety, and dose selection.

Fostered by the top power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of lab-scale devices, industrialization of perovskite solar cells is underway. Nevertheless, the intrinsically poor stability of these materials still represents a major concern. Herein, inspired by Nature, the use of β-carotene in perovskite solar cells is proposed to mimic its role as a protective pigment, as occurs in natural photosynthesis. Laser-mediated photostability (LMPS) assessment, Fourier-transform infrared spectra analysis acquired in attenuate total reflectance (ATR-FTIR), spectroscopy ellipsometry (SE), and time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) measurements under stress conditions prove that the inclusion of a thin β-carotene interlayer promotes a high improvement in the photostability of the perovskite films against photooxidation. Importantly, this is accompanied by an improvement of the solar cell PCE that approaches 20% efficiency with no hysteresis, which is among the highest values reported for a mixed halide (I-Br) perovskite with a band gap of 1.74 eV, relevant for coupling with silicon in tandem cells.

Despite existing research on the factors associated with problematic social media use (PSMU), cyberbullying (CB), and cybervictimization (CV) among youth, few studies have explored the relationships between these variables. Rooted in the Maladaptive Coping Theory, this study investigates the complex dynamics of digital behaviors among Italian preadolescents, exploring the interplay between PSMU, moral disengagement, retaliation, and their connections with cyberbullying and cybervictimization. A total of 489 participants (Mage= 11.90, SD = 0.783; 50.3% female) from schools in southern Italy completed an online self-report questionnaire. Descriptive analyses were conducted and correlations between variables were computed. Mediation and moderation analyses were performed using PROCESS in SPSS 27.0. The results of the study indicated that PSMU positively predicted both CB and CV. Moral disengagement (MD) was identified as a mediator in this association, elucidating the role of justifications and cognitive restructuring in facilitating negative online behaviors. Most notably, retaliation emerged as a moderator that amplified the effects of PSMU on cyberbullying and cybervictimization. These findings underscore the pivotal role of PSMU in shaping digital landscapes for preadolescents and highlight the need for tailored interventions. In addition, they highlight MD as a maladaptive coping strategy in the online realm, revealing its instrumental role in perpetuating negative online behaviors. This study’s insights suggest the need for interventions to address the complexity of young people’s online interactions and promote a safer digital environment.

Graphic abstract:

The analysis of stochastic electromagnetic fields is gaining more and more relevance due to the exponential growth of complex high-performance electronic systems. Stochastic electromagnetic fields are characterized by auto and cross-correlation functions which can be obtained from experimental data. Different methods have been proposed for the numerical propagation of correlation information within the near-field region of a stochastic radiator. As a guideline for general geometries, near-field Green's functions combined with the method of moments can be used for the numerical estimation of field correlations in the near-field surrounding a device under test. In the ray-tracing limit, a more insightful propagation method based on the Wigner transformation has been devised, through which it is also possible to estimate the propagation of stochastic fields in the near-field. In this paper we report on the implementation of the proposed guide in the open source Python programming language, accessible through the IEEE Standard Association repository to ensure the dissemination of the standard and encourage the development of new versions.

The categorisation of electricity users is carried out by Distributor System Operators (DSOs) and retailers to create synthetic load profiles. Initially, some macro-categories are defined based on general attributes of the users, such as voltage level and type of users (residential/non-residential). Then, statistical analyses and clustering techniques are applied to create appropriate groups of users and compute the load profiles for each group. This paper considers the DSO point of view and proposes the definition of additional internal categories, determined by using mono-, two- and three-dimensional features based on reference power, energy, and utilisation. The internal categories contain subsets of users with similar characteristics, which are then sent to the subsequent steps of the procedure for computing the load profiles. The internal categories are formed by executing a clustering algorithm on annual data, or adopting a consensus-based procedure that evaluates the results of clustering algorithms executed for each month of the year. The results are presented considering real data obtained during the years 2019 and 2020 for a large set of low-voltage three-phase users. The effects of the severe restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic on some monthly energy data in 2020 are also considered in the analysis.

This article presents a compact AMC structure used as a shielding element for a generic wearable RFID tag at UHF frequencies for on-body applications, with an overall footprint limited to an area of only $0.03~\lambda _{0}^{2}$ ( $41.4\times82.8$ mm). Thanks to the isolation provided by the AMC planar structure, the tag antenna gain and reading range are increased by about one order of magnitude in comparison with the case of a conventional tag attached to the human body. The designed antenna is platform tolerant, with very good robustness and isolation with respect to the human body, exhibiting a high reliability. The AMC structure is implemented on a thin, flexible, and biocompatible high permittivity silicon-doped dielectric substrate, with apertures both in the substrate and in the ground plane to allow skin transpiration. Therefore, the presented device can be effectively used also as an epidermal antenna, allowing the “on-skin” sampling of the most typical health parameters. The presented configuration has been designed using CST Studio Suite. A prototype has been fabricated and fully characterized, and measured results are in very good agreement with simulations.

This article, titled "What's Derailing Your Company's Transformation?" explores the hidden barriers that can impede organizational change efforts. The authors argue that typical responses to this question, such as misaligned incentives or insufficient training, are too shallow. Instead, they suggest that leaders need to act like anthropologists, analyzing organizational habits and value systems to uncover hidden barriers. The article provides examples of how this approach was used with a manufacturing client, including analyzing meeting dynamics and using drawings to reveal subconscious patterns. The authors emphasize the importance of using multiple tools, being data-informed but not overly reliant on data, and involving outsiders to reveal invisible patterns. [Extracted from the article]

Wireless technologies spanning at the higher bands of microwave range (i.e., Ka-band) are gaining increasing importance in everyday life. Most recent wireless power transfer (WPT) applications work in the microwave and millimeter wave (mmW) frequencies, overlapping with the new frequency bands of the fifth-generation (5G) mobile technology. The spread of such novel electromagnetic (EM) sources raised the need to investigate their possible effects on population’s health. Numerical dosimetry is fundamental to assess the exposure of the human body. In the range 24–28 GHz, i.e., the low-band spectrum of the mmW, and bridge between microwaves and mmW, there is poor consensus on the best strategy to model the human body. This article proposes a comparison between the two numerical methodologies typically adopted for this frequency range: the use of multilayer planar slabs and realistic anthropomorphic numerical models. The aim is to highlight the advantages and limits of each method, by comparing EM exposure results obtained on the Virtual Population (ViP) model Duke with several multilayer planar slabs. The differences between the two methods are non-negligible, suggesting the need of further studies and the necessity of improving both modeling approaches, depending on the frequency of work and the investigated application.

ABSTRACT The Neapolitan Yellow Tuff (hereafter NYT) is definitely the building material most used in the historical architecture of Naples (Southern Italy) since Greek times. The high heterogeneity of NYT, [...]

Background Previous research has shown diminished nasal immune function following nasal saline irrigation (NSI), returning to baseline at 6 hours. The aim of this study was to examine the immune nasal proteome before and after 14 days of nasal irrigation.Methods Seventeen healthy volunteers received either isotonic (IsoSal) or low salt (LowNa) NSI. Nasal secretions were collected before and 30 min after NSI at baseline and again after 14 days. Specimens were analyzed using mass spectrometry to detect proteins of relevance to nasal immune function.Results One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five proteins were identified with significant changes in 71 proteins, of which 23 were identified as part of the innate immune system. Baseline analysis demonstrated an increase of 9 innate proteins after NSI, most after IsoSal. After 14 days, a greater increase in innate peptides was present, with most now in the LowNa group. When NSI solutions were compared, a significant increase in 4 innate proteins, including a 211% in lysozyme, was detected in the LowNa group.Conclusion LowNa NSI demonstrates evidence of improving the innate immune secretions, especially lysozyme, in healthy volunteers.

Canine soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) cause important zoonoses in the tropics, with varying degrees of intensity of infection in humans and dogs. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and associated risk factors for STHs in community dogs residing in Grenada, West Indies. In May 2021, 232 canine fecal samples were examined for zoonotic helminths by microscopy (following flotation), and genomic DNA from a subset of 211 of these samples were subjected to multiplex qPCR for the detection and specific identification of hookworms, Toxocara spp. and Strongyloides. Microscopic examination revealed that 46.5% (108/232, 95% CI 40–52.9), 9% (21/232, 95% CI 5.35–12.7) and 5.2% (12/232, 95% CI 2.3–8) of the samples contained eggs of Ancylostoma spp., Toxocara spp. and Trichuris vulpis , respectively. Multiplex qPCR revealed that, 42.2% (89/211, 95% CI 35.5–48.8) were positive for at least 1 zoonotic parasite. Of these, 40.8% (86/211, 95% CI 34.1–47.3) of samples tested positive for Ancylostoma spp., 36% (76/211, 95% CI 29.5–42.9) were positive for A. caninum, 13.3% (28/211, 95% CI 9–18.6) for A. ceylanicum , 5.7% for T. canis (12/211, 95% CI 2.97–8.81) and 1% (2/211, 95% CI 0–2.26) for Strongyloides spp. (identified as S. stercoralis and S. papillosus by conventional PCR-based Sanger sequencing). Using a multiple logistic regression model, a low body score and free-roaming behaviour were significant predictors of test-positivity for these parasitic nematodes in dogs (P < 0.05). Further studies of zoonotic STHs in humans should help elucidate the public health relevance of these parasites in Grenada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The pozzolanic action played by five natural zeolite-rich materials (three clinoptilolite- and one each mordenite- and analcime-bearing rocks) coming from Turkey, has been examined, evaluating also the influence of [...]

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) (2010) launch of Medicare Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) has become the platform for buyers of health care to hold health care providers accountable for demonstrating high-quality, [...]

A density wave (DW) is a fundamental type of long-range order in quantum matter tied to self-organization into a crystalline structure. The interplay of DW order with superfluidity can lead to complex scenarios that pose a great challenge to theoretical analysis. In the past decades, tunable quantum Fermi gases have served as model systems for exploring the physics of strongly interacting fermions, including most notably magnetic ordering1, pairing and superfluidity2, and the crossover from a Bardeen–Cooper–Schrieffer superfluid to a Bose–Einstein condensate3. Here, we realize a Fermi gas featuring both strong, tunable contact interactions and photon-mediated, spatially structured long-range interactions in a transversely driven high-finesse optical cavity. Above a critical long-range interaction strength, DW order is stabilized in the system, which we identify via its superradiant light-scattering properties. We quantitatively measure the variation of the onset of DW order as the contact interaction is varied across the Bardeen–Cooper–Schrieffer superfluid and Bose–Einstein condensate crossover, in qualitative agreement with a mean-field theory. The atomic DW susceptibility varies over an order of magnitude upon tuning the strength and the sign of the long-range interactions below the self-ordering threshold, demonstrating independent and simultaneous control over the contact and long-range interactions. Therefore, our experimental setup provides a fully tunable and microscopically controllable platform for the experimental study of the interplay of superfluidity and DW order.

The realization of a high side power switch for driving a motor with a load current of 200 A in a hostile environment is presented. For such high currents currently electromechanical devices are used which have reliability and wear problems when working in environments with high temperature and humidity. The proposed solution was developed by connecting in parallel five commercial switches mounted on an FR4 support. An accurate thermal design, aided by finite element analysis, made it possible to avoid the use of an external heat sink, thus minimizing the weight and cost of the assembled circuit. Experimental tests under actual operating conditions have demonstrated the reliability of the proposed solution.

The Convention on Biological Diversity and the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-Sharing provide an international legal framework that aims to prevent misappropriation of the genetic resources of a country and ensure the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their use. The legislation was negotiated at the behest of lower-income, biodiverse countries to ensure that benefits derived from research and development of genetic resources from within their jurisdictions were equitably returned and could thereby incentivize conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. Despite good intentions, however, rapid adoption of access and benefit-sharing measures at the national level, often without participatory strategic planning, has hampered noncommercial, international collaborative genetic research with counterproductive consequences for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use. We outline how current implementation of the Convention of Biological Diversity and the Nagoya Protocol affect noncommercial research, such as that conducted in many disciplines in biology, including mammalogy. We use a case study from Brazil, an early adopter, to illustrate some current challenges and highlight downstream consequences for emerging pathogen research and public health. Most emerging pathogens colonize or jump to humans from nonhuman mammals, but noncommercial research in zoonotic diseases is complicated by potential commercial applications. Last, we identify proactive ways for the mammalogical community to engage with the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Nagoya Protocol, through sharing of nonmonetary benefits and working with local natural history collections. Leveraging international scientific societies to collectively communicate the needs of biodiversity science to policy makers will be critical to ensuring that appropriate accommodations are negotiated for noncommercial research.

•71% of patients given initial systemic treatment for cGVHD were alive at 1 year without recurrent malignancy or new systemic treatment.•Failure-free survival rates in this study compare favorably with those in other studies.•Results of this study could serve as a benchmark for outcomes in other resource-constrained locations and for the design of interventional clinical trials.

Recent studies have outlined the emerging role of 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT in the diagnostic algorithm of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). We report a unique intra-patient comparison of bilateral primary ccRCC imaged with 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT. Although both tumors resulted 68Ga-PSMA-11 avid, we found a remarkable discrepancy in uptake intensity between the high grade and the low grade ccRCC. This case confirms previous evidence reporting that SUVmax on 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT could be used to discriminate aggressive high grade from more indolent low grade ccRCC, due to their different endothelial expression of PSMA.

The pandemic poses additional educational challenges for children with mild hearing loss, who already may not receive adequate interventions. How can we help them access needed support? Mild hearing loss [...]

The media and entertainment (M&E) industry is one driven by innovation and creative problem solving, traits that are essential in difficult times, especially during a global pandemic. When it became [...]

AbstractRATIONALE: Individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exhibit reduced physical activity (PA) and increased sedentary behavior (SB), both of which are independent predictors of mortality. Wearable technology providing vibration movement prompts may be effective in decreasing SB. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and perceptions of a vibration based FitBit™ SB change strategy in individuals with COPD.METHODSIndividuals with stable COPD wore a FitBit™ with movement prompts enabled and disabled for one week each (order randomized). Feasibility and perceptions of the wearable device were assessed in each condition. A validated activity monitor (ActivPAL4™) was used to measure PA and SB.MAIN RESULTS: Of the 28 participants connected with, 19 (68%) expressed interest. A total of 18 of the 19 (95%) interested were eligible to participate, and 15 of 28 (54%) enrolled. All 15 participants completed the study with no dropouts. Nine (64%) participants identified the device as affordable. Perceptions toward the devices were generally positive or agreeable and were unaffected by the device condition (with or without prompts; P > 0.05). Responses to additional open-ended questions revealed that participants thought the device was helpful for breaking up sitting time, the timing of vibration reminders was perceived as confusing by some, and accessibility of the devices and individual preferences are important considerations.CONCLUSIONSThe wearable device SB reduction strategy was feasible and participants had positive perceptions toward using it. Individualization and accessibility of device are important considerations.

We present acreg, a new command that implements the arbitrary clustering correction of standard errors proposed in Colella et al. (2019, IZA discussion paper 12584). Arbitrary here refers to the way observational units are correlated with each other: we impose no restrictions so that our approach can be used with a wide range of data. The command accommodates both cross-sectional and panel databases and allows the estimation of ordinary least-squares and two-stage least-squares coefficients, correcting standard errors in three environments: in a spatial setting using units’ coordinates or distance between units, in a network setting starting from the adjacency matrix, and in a multiway clustering framework taking multiple clustering variables as input. Distance and time cutoffs can be specified by the user, and linear decays in time and space are also optional.

Several major initiatives have been undertaken worldwide towards the development and commercialisation of maritime autonomous surface ships (MASSs). This study aims at capturing the current understanding and perspectives of the maritime industry stakeholders pertinent to the challenges and requirements for the design and operation of MASSs. A methodological approach consisting of five steps is followed. A questionnaire is developed and employed to conduct two surveys among the identified maritime industry stakeholders. Subsequently, the acquired response results are analysed, whereas statistical metrics are calculated and comparatively assessed using the box plot method, to provide evidence for identifying the perspectives and gaps from the considered stakeholders’ groups. Recommendations are provided for addressing these gaps, whereas further initiatives required in the maritime industry are also highlighted. This study contributes to the better understanding on the perspectives of the maritime industry stakeholders, whereas the results can support the prioritisation of future initiatives towards addressing existing barriers and overcome misconceptions for the next-generation autonomous shipping.

Basic motor competencies (BMC) belong to the key learning goals of Physical Education (PE) in primary school curricula in Europe. These competencies are necessary to participate in sports inside and outside of school. Children should therefore achieve age-adequate BMC in PE and any need for educational motor support should be identified at an early stage. Studies in German-speaking countries showed that various endogenous and exogenous factors are related to children’s BMC, but international studies are missing. In the present cross-sectional study, the two BMC areas object movement(OM) and self-movement(SM) as well as the associations with endogenous (age, sex, body mass index) and exogenous (participation in extracurricular sports) factors were investigated in 1721 8‑ to 10-year-old primary school children from nine European countries. Over 25% of the children showed need for educational motor support in OM and over 20% in SM. BMC levels differed significantly between the country-specific subsamples. In all subsamples, boys showed better performances in OM, while girls scored better in SM. Older children performed better in OM and SM than younger children. Higher body mass index predicted lower BMC scores in both competence areas. Participation in ball sports was positively associated with OM and SM, and individual sports participation was a significant predictor of SM. As exogenous and endogenous variables consistently predicted BMC in all subsamples, there must be other reasons for variation in BMC levels. Future studies should address country- and school-specific characteristics like content and amount of PE.

Objectives(1) To develop reference values for health-related fitness in European children and adolescents aged 6–18 years that are the foundation for the web-based, open-access and multilanguage fitness platform (FitBack); (2) to provide comparisons across European countries.MethodsThis study builds on a previous large fitness reference study in European youth by (1) widening the age demographic, (2) identifying the most recent and representative country-level data and (3) including national data from existing fitness surveillance and monitoring systems. We used the Assessing Levels of PHysical Activity and fitness at population level (ALPHA) test battery as it comprises tests with the highest test–retest reliability, criterion/construct validity and health-related predictive validity: the 20 m shuttle run (cardiorespiratory fitness); handgrip strength and standing long jump (muscular strength); and body height, body mass, body mass index and waist circumference (anthropometry). Percentile values were obtained using the generalised additive models for location, scale and shape method.ResultsA total of 7 966 693 test results from 34 countries (106 datasets) were used to develop sex-specific and age-specific percentile values. In addition, country-level rankings based on mean percentiles are provided for each fitness test, as well as an overall fitness ranking. Finally, an interactive fitness platform, including individual and group reporting and European fitness maps, is provided and freely available online (www.fitbackeurope.eu).ConclusionThis study discusses the major implications of fitness assessment in youth from health, educational and sport perspectives, and how the FitBack reference values and interactive web-based platform contribute to it. Fitness testing can be conducted in school and/or sport settings, and the interpreted results be integrated in the healthcare systems across Europe.

This article presents the development and testing of a novel electronic device for wireless motion capture (W-MoCap), a technology that allows the reconstruction of movements of objects and body parts with many potential applications in various contexts. The device integrates UHF radio frequency identification (RFID) technology with sensors for low-power backscattering communication. It consists of a battery-assisted passive (BAP) UHF RFID chip, an inertial measurement unit (IMU), an ultralow power microcontroller, and a custom-designed edge-fed body-tolerant antenna operating at 866 MHz. The proper matching between the RFID chip and antenna is ensured through a well-designed L-match unbalanced network, and the separation of RF and dc signals is achieved with a meandered microstrip quarter-wavelength transformer, choke inductor, and decoupling capacitor. The designed and realized RFID W-MoCap sensor tag has been thoroughly evaluated in terms of current consumption, front-end sensitivity, and sensing accuracy. Finally, five prototypes have been applied to specific segments of a human subject and successfully tested in a practical scenario for real-time reconstruction of human movements.

Mobile CrowdSensing (MCS) is a computational paradigm designed to gather sensing data by using personal devices of MCS platform users. However, being the mobility of devices tightly correlated with mobility of their owners, the locations from which data are collected might be limited to specific sub-regions. We extend the data coverage capability of a traditional MCS platform by exploiting unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) as mobile sensors gathering data from low covered locations. We present a probabilistic model designed to measure the coverage of a location. The model analyses the user’s trajectories and the detouring capability of users towards locations of interest. Our model provides a coverage probability for each of the target locations, so that to identify low-covered locations. In turn, these locations are used as targets for the StationPositioningalgorithms which optimizes the deployment of kUAV stations. We analyze the performance of StationPositioningby comparing the ratio of the covered locations against Random, DBSCAN and KMeans deployment algorithm. We explore the performance by varying the time period, the deployment regions and the existence of areas where it is not possible to deploy any station. Our experimental results show that StationPositioningis able to optimize the selected target location for a number of UAV stations with a maximum covered ratio up to 60%.

Assessing vehicle safety is a challenging, yet fundamental task. In the early phase of development, car manufacturers need to ensure the compliance with strict safety requirements. An interesting task to automate these early-stage operations is to harness information from already developed products. Established designs are largely accessible, with abundant data; novel designs' data are scarce. While established and novel designs are (by definition) different, it is expected nonetheless that there is a degree of correlation between them. Thus, the established design could be regarded as a low-fidelity (LF) model of the novel design, in the sense that it may provide an approximation of the behavior of the novel design. In turn, the novel design could be regarded as a high-fidelity (HF) model, as it represents the true product being designed. This bifidelity character of the problem stands at the basis of this paper. This work explores the application of control variates (CV) to a crashworthiness analysis scenario. Control variates is a variance reduction technique that exploits the low-fidelity information to improve the accuracy of the response statistics of the high-fidelity model. Such an approach could be most useful for industrial applications. Therefore, we apply control variates to a crash box example and compare its performance to its plain Monte Carlo (MC) counterpart. The results of this paper show the benefits of this bifidelity approach, resulting in control variates being a powerful technique to extract valuable information from limited data sets. Indeed, control variates can serve as an innovative solution to support car manufacturers in the early phase of vehicle development and thus improve the performance in crashworthiness scenarios.