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The quality of life in rural housing settlements is at the heart of territorial cohesion concerns across Europe and the United Nations' sustainable development goals. However, the gap between urban and rural developments remains substantial, stressing the need to adopt integrated approaches for rural territories. These approaches should include heritage preservation strategies as a priority. Vernacular constructions integrate rural built heritage and comprise a sustainable response of communities in territories, stressing the pertinence of its rehabilitation. The aim of this paper is to raise awareness of this issue through a scoping review since it lacks general frameworks that may contribute towards perceiving rural territories and their constructions as catalysts of territorial cohesion and sustainable development. As a main goal, we provide insights on sustainable development and its importance in the global and European contexts, as well as the role of building rehabilitation towards its three dimensions—environmental, social, and economic. Additionally, the impact of rural settlements on territorial cohesion and global sustainability is stressed, and vernacular construction is highlighted as a component of rural heritage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unidirectional carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) may exhibit significant mechanical softening in the transverse direction at an elevated temperature. While significant transverse compressive stress exists on CFRP due to the clamping force from anchorage, a CFRP cable may exhibit anchorage failure when suffering an accidental fire disaster. The high-temperature resistance of a CFRP cable anchorage is critical, and clarifying the performance deterioration and failure mechanism of a CFRP cable anchorage system at elevated temperature is fundamental for clarifying its fire resistance. This paper reviews the current research status of the high-temperature resistance of CFRP cable anchorage systems from two aspects, including the high-temperature resistance of the comprising materials and the anchorage system. The reviews on the high-temperature properties of the comprising materials are summarized from two aspects. Firstly, the mechanical performance degradation of bonding epoxy resin at elevated temperatures and the effect of a filler on its mechanical–thermal properties are analyzed. Secondly, the mechanical performances of CFRP composites at elevated temperatures are summarized, with consideration of the stress state of the CFRP cable under the constraint of an anchorage device. The reviews on the high-temperature resistance of the anchorage system also include two aspects. Firstly, the temperature field solution method for the anchorage system is summarized and discussed. Secondly, the current research status of the anchorage performance at elevated temperatures is also summarized and discussed. Based on these reviews, the research shortage of the high-temperature resistance of CFRP cable anchorage systems is summarized, and further research is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the existing building stock, typically characterised by a high degree of irregularity, the effects of earthquakes are strongly dependent on the epicentre–structure direction and the angle of incidence of the seismic motion. However, the scientific community has not yet reached a unanimous consensus on the evaluation of the effects of seismic incidence angles. Therefore, this paper conducts an extensive investigation of the international literature on current methods to consider seismic directionality, systematically reviewing more than 80 publications on this topic. Following a brief overview of the problem and an analysis of the initial developments of the multidirectionality concept of seismic input, a state-of-the-art review is presented based on the considered analysis methods, specifically response spectrum analysis, nonlinear static analysis, and nonlinear response history analysis. Moreover, the adoption of multidirectional seismic input in popular codes and standards is presented and discussed. This study provides the first comprehensive synthesis of research on the seismic incidence angles across diverse building typologies, offering crucial insights for future code revisions and highlighting significant gaps in current analytical methods and standards, thereby setting a new direction for subsequent empirical investigations. Specifically, the extensive state-of-the-art review revealed that, until now, the evaluation of the angle of incidence was primarily conducted on existing reinforced concrete buildings with a limited number of storeys, analysed with nonlinear response history analysis. This underscores the need for future research to extensively investigate the impact of the angle of incidence on other types of construction typologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digitalization is the fundamental aspect of the technological revolution that has introduced organizations to disruptive change. Not only external, but digitalization has also transformed all the internal mechanisms of organizations. The digital transformation of human resource management has been identified as a novel phenomenon. Therefore, during the past three decades, academicians have paid remarkable attention to and investigated the integration of technology with human resource management. Researchers strived to define this phenomenon in various ways and represent it with multiple terms. Interchangeable terms and different definitions have created ambiguity, and as a result, literature still lacks conceptual clarity. To address this gap, this study conducted a state-of-the-art review by following the six – step approach. The objective of this review is to clarify the conceptual ambiguity. This study employed Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar to identify relevant studies. A total of 1,274 articles were reviewed until finally 19 articles were identified as the subject of research. Firstly, this study presents the chronological development of the concept. Secondly, this study has analyzed the definitions of digital human resource management and its related concepts to identify the ambiguity that is misleading the literature in different directions. Through analysis this study explained the misunderstandings among different terms and concepts. The findings of this study have shown that digital HRM is a process of integrating human activities with advanced technology. Lastly, this study suggested an area for future research to further explore this evolving field.

Aortic regurgitation (AR) is an important condition in equine medicine. It is considered a clinically relevant cardiac disease in horses, and the prevalence of the disease changes according to the study population, type of sport, and breed. Aortic regurgitation can be acute or chronic, and the diastolic reversal of blood from the aorta into the left ventricle can be longstanding enough to develop congestive heart failure, exercise intolerance, poor athletic performance, dyspnea, ventricular arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death. The diagnostic methods used in clinical practice are noninvasive pulse pressure measurement, two-dimensional and M-mode echocardiography, and most prominently, color flow, pulse wave, and continuous-wave Doppler echocardiography. Recently, tissue Doppler imaging and two-dimensional speckle tracking have been reported as diagnostic methods for horses with aortic regurgitation. The influence of this disease on athletic performance needs further investigation, mainly because it can have an economic impact on owners of athlete horses, and accurate diagnosis and classification are the cornerstones to understanding the effects of the disease. The diagnosis of aortic regurgitation must be made using a multi-parameter approach, especially if an association between aortic regurgitation and poor athletic performance is suspected. Therefore, this review aimed to integrate and create a compilation of current diagnostic methods for diagnosing and classifying aortic regurgitation in horses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

About one-fifth of cannabis users, the most commonly used illicit substance, have cannabis use disorder (CUD). Psychiatric disorders and suicide are more common in these patients, and the disability-adjusted life years were reported to be 0.69 million. Pharmacotherapy for CUD is an unmet public health need, as current evidence-based therapies have limited efficacy. After explaining the pathophysiology of CUD, the effects of emerging pharmacological interventions in its treatment obtained from randomized controlled trials were reviewed in light of mechanisms of action. Superiority over control of cannabidiol, gabapentin, galantamine, nabilone plus zolpidem, nabiximols, naltrexone, PF-04457845, quetiapine, varenicline, and topiramate were observed through the cannabinoid, glutamatergic, γ-aminobutyric acidergic, serotonergic, noradrenergic, dopaminergic, opioidergic, and cholinergic systems. All medications were reported to be safe and tolerable. Adding pharmacotherapy to psychotherapy is the optimal treatment for CUD on a case-by-case basis. Drug development to add to psychotherapy is the main path, but time and cost suggest repurposing and repositioning existing drugs. Considering sample size, follow-up, and effect size, further studies using objective tools are necessary. The future of CUD treatment is promising. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil–structure interaction (SSI), which characterizes the dynamic interaction between a structure and its surrounding soil, is of great significance to the seismic assessment of structures. Past research endeavors have undertaken analytical, numerical, and experimental studies to gain a thorough understanding of the influences of SSI on the seismic responses of a wide array of structures, including but not limited to nuclear power plants, frame structures, bridges, and spatial structures. Thereinto, large-span spatial structures generally have much more complex configurations, and the influences of SSI may be more pronounced. To this end, this paper aims to provide a state-of-the-art review of the SSI in the seismic assessment of large-span spatial structures. It begins with the modelling of soil medium, followed by the research progress of SSI in terms of numerical simulations and experiments. Subsequently, the focus shifts towards high-lighting advancements in understanding the seismic responses of large-span spatial structures considering SSI. Finally, some discussions are made on the unresolved problems and the possible topics for future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Hungarian Medical Journal / Orvosi Hetilap is the property of Akademiai Kiado and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are wastewater treatment technologies that stand out for their ability to degrade Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs). The literature has extensively investigated these removal processes for different aqueous matrices. Once technically mature, some of these systems have become accredited to be applied on a large scale, and therefore, their systemic performances in the environmental and cost spheres have also become essential requirements. This study proposed corroborating this trend, analyzing the available literature on the subject to verify how experts in the AOP area investigated this integration during 2015–2023. For this purpose, a sample of publications was treated by applying the Systematic Review (SR) methodology. This resulted in an extract of 83 studies that adopted life-cycle logic to estimate environmental impacts and process costs or evaluated them as complementary to the technical dimension of each treatment technology. This analysis found that both dimensions can be used for selecting or sizing AOPs at the design scale. However, the appropriate choice of the impact categories for the environmental assessment and establishing a methodology for cost analysis can make the approach still more effective. In addition, a staggering number of processes would broaden the reality and applicability of the estimates, and adopting multicriteria analysis methodologies could address essential aspects of decision-making processes during the design of the arrangements. By meeting the original purposes, the study broadened the requirements for designing AOPs and disseminating their use in mitigating the discharge of CECs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elastography is a noninvasive method that utilizes ultrasound imaging to assess the elasticity and stiffness of soft tissue. Peyronie's disease (PD) is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the male penis, causing the formation of fibrous plaques. This alters the penis's elasticity and can lead to changes in its shape. Ultrasound elastography (UE) is an important advancement in the diagnosis of PD. It not only identifies plaques, but it also measures their rigidity, providing crucial information to monitor changes during and after treatment. We conducted a narrative review of the scientific literature to identify articles that discuss the use of elastography in the diagnostic study of PD. The purpose of this study was to describe the "state of the art" in the diagnostic use of ultrasound in combination with elastography to highlight any benefits in the diagnosis of PD. We found 12 relevant articles after searching PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar using the keywords "ultrasound elastography" and "Peyronie's disease", including eight clinical studies, two case reports, and two review articles. The results of our review indicate that UE is a useful technique for identifying Peyronie-related plaques, particularly when they are not detectable using a standard ultrasound or physical examination. It is also helpful in monitoring improvements during and after conservative treatments. More research is required to confirm the effectiveness of ultrasound elastography in diagnosing Peyronie's disease and to determine whether it is better than traditional ultrasound. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Steel-concrete composite walls, valued for their capacity to combine the strengths of steel and concrete, have become a prevalent construction choice. During the past few decades, the performance of steel-concrete composite walls has been studied by means of structural tests, theoretical analysis, and numerical simulation. Different types of steel-concrete composite walls have been proposed by researchers to satisfy miscellaneous structural requirements. Meanwhile, new forms were continually being developed to further improve the mechanical performance. This review paper examines research conducted over the past few years on these versatile structural elements. The paper categorizes steel-concrete composite walls according to the arrangement of steel plates and concrete, along with the configurations of steel plates. It delves into the unique characteristics of each type and analyzes their performance under various loading conditions, including axial, cyclic, shear, fire, dynamic, impact, and joint loads. Additionally, existing design recommendations for these walls are summarized. To conclude, the paper offers insights into potential future developments in steel-concrete composite wall technology.

In this article we discuss how Linguistic Landscapes (LL) as a pedagogical tool can be applied in the framework of Global Citizenship Education (GCE). We explore the pedagogical use of LL, which are the visible representation of multilingualism and diversity in public spaces, and their role for GCE practices. Research about LL has revealed their potential to support the development of students’ critical awareness of diversity, empathy towards culturally and linguistically diverse others, and agency for Social Linguistic Justice. The article emphasizes the synergistic relationship between GCE and LL. Through a comprehensive state-of-the-art literature review in both fields, in this article we argue for the potential of using LL as a pedagogical tool to promote GCE. Our conclusions underscore the potential of LL as a pedagogical tool that can support students to become critically informed, empathetic, and actively engaged global citizens, thus contributing to a more sustainable world.

Educational learning spaces encompass a spectrum, from traditional classrooms to contemporary online platforms and immersive virtual reality settings, fostering versatile teaching methods like collaboration, project-based, and experiential learning. Our study delves into modern higher education environments, particularly the shift from conventional to innovative spaces. Our focus centers on the benefits and challenges intrinsic to these emerging learning spaces, intending to enlighten educators, policymakers, and researchers. Our exploration commences by revealing the limitations entrenched within traditional learning environments, emphasizing the vital need for inventive solutions to meet evolving educational demands. We further investigate diverse learning scenarios, ranging from hybrid and remote setups to the integration of online platforms and virtual tools. Through this lens we navigate complexities introduced by these novel modalities, including potential reductions in face-to-face interactions and heightened demand for adept instructional and technological support. Lastly, our inquiry underscores the disparities between traditional and contemporary learning spaces, accentuating the potential for innovative settings to elevate higher education quality. Here, we illuminate the anticipated merits of such spaces, notably heightened student engagement, enriched collaboration, and amplified creativity. Concurrently, we explore technology’s pivotal role in shaping learning environments and ultimately influencing pedagogical methodologies. Our future research will explore how Artificial Intelligence can improve higher education.

Unidirectional carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) may exhibit significant mechanical softening in the transverse direction at an elevated temperature. While significant transverse compressive stress exists on CFRP due to the clamping force from anchorage, a CFRP cable may exhibit anchorage failure when suffering an accidental fire disaster. The high-temperature resistance of a CFRP cable anchorage is critical, and clarifying the performance deterioration and failure mechanism of a CFRP cable anchorage system at elevated temperature is fundamental for clarifying its fire resistance. This paper reviews the current research status of the high-temperature resistance of CFRP cable anchorage systems from two aspects, including the high-temperature resistance of the comprising materials and the anchorage system. The reviews on the high-temperature properties of the comprising materials are summarized from two aspects. Firstly, the mechanical performance degradation of bonding epoxy resin at elevated temperatures and the effect of a filler on its mechanical–thermal properties are analyzed. Secondly, the mechanical performances of CFRP composites at elevated temperatures are summarized, with consideration of the stress state of the CFRP cable under the constraint of an anchorage device. The reviews on the high-temperature resistance of the anchorage system also include two aspects. Firstly, the temperature field solution method for the anchorage system is summarized and discussed. Secondly, the current research status of the anchorage performance at elevated temperatures is also summarized and discussed. Based on these reviews, the research shortage of the high-temperature resistance of CFRP cable anchorage systems is summarized, and further research is recommended.

Abstract This article has two central objectives. First, to present a review of anthropological studies on gender and kinship in Aymara communities, focusing on the literature produced in Bolivia, Chile, and Peru. Second, to review the literature on the transnational/transborder mobility of Bolivian Aymara women. We will begin by examining classic concepts of kinship and patriarchy, taking up the feminist critiques of these arguments. Then, we review the work of classic Andeanism on the Aymara worldview, gender studies in these communities, and research on the migration of Bolivian females in South America. We conclude with a review of critiques on the classic conceptions about the symbolic complementarity of the Aymara. We point out future research possibilities in opening an agenda for indigenous women leaders in Bolivia, investigating the use of the Aymara worldview as a national political platform.

Educational learning spaces encompass a spectrum, from traditional classrooms to contemporary online platforms and immersive virtual reality settings, fostering versatile teaching methods like collaboration, project-based, and experiential learning. Our study delves into modern higher education environments, particularly the shift from conventional to innovative spaces. Our focus centers on the benefits and challenges intrinsic to these emerging learning spaces, intending to enlighten educators, policymakers, and researchers. Our exploration commences by revealing the limitations entrenched within traditional learning environments, emphasizing the vital need for inventive solutions to meet evolving educational demands. We further investigate diverse learning scenarios, ranging from hybrid and remote setups to the integration of online platforms and virtual tools. Through this lens we navigate complexities introduced by these novel modalities, including potential reductions in face-to-face interactions and heightened demand for adept instructional and technological support. Lastly, our inquiry underscores the disparities between traditional and contemporary learning spaces, accentuating the potential for innovative settings to elevate higher education quality. Here, we illuminate the anticipated merits of such spaces, notably heightened student engagement, enriched collaboration, and amplified creativity. Concurrently, we explore technology's pivotal role in shaping learning environments and ultimately influencing pedagogical methodologies. Our future research will explore how Artificial Intelligence can improve higher education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundTraditional research approaches do not promote timely implementation of evidence-based innovations (EBIs) to benefit patients. Embedding research within health systems can accelerate EBI implementation by blending rigorous methods with practical considerations in real-world settings. A state-of-the-art (SOTA) conference was convened in February 2019 with five workgroups that addressed five facets of embedded research and its potential to impact healthcare. This article reports on results from the workgroup focused on how embedded research programs can be implemented into heath systems for greatest impact.MethodsBased on a pre-conference survey, participants indicating interest in accelerating implementation were invited to participate in the SOTA workgroup. Workgroup participants (N = 26) developed recommendations using consensus-building methods. Ideas were grouped by thematic clusters and voted on to identify top recommendations. A summary was presented to the full SOTA membership. Following the conference, the workgroup facilitators (LJD, CDH, NR) summarized workgroup findings, member-checked with workgroup members, and were used to develop recommendations.ResultsThe workgroup developed 12 recommendations to optimize impact of embedded researchers within health systems. The group highlighted the tension between "ROI vs. R01" goals-where health systems focus on achieving return on their investments (ROI) while embedded researchers focus on obtaining research funding (R01). Recommendations are targeted to three key stakeholder groups: researchers, funders, and health systems. Consensus for an ideal foundation to support optimal embedded research is one that (1) maximizes learning; (2) aligns goals across all 3 stakeholders; and (3) implements EBIs in a consistent and timely fashion.ConclusionsFour cases illustrate a variety of ways that embedded research can be structured and conducted within systems, by demonstrating key embedded research values to enable collaborations with academic affiliates to generate actionable knowledge and meaningfully accelerate implementation of EBIs to benefit patients.ImplicationsEmbedded research approaches have potential for transforming health systems and impacting patient health. Accelerating embedded research should be a focused priority for funding agencies to maximize a collective return on investment.

In the existing building stock, typically characterised by a high degree of irregularity, the effects of earthquakes are strongly dependent on the epicentre–structure direction and the angle of incidence of the seismic motion. However, the scientific community has not yet reached a unanimous consensus on the evaluation of the effects of seismic incidence angles. Therefore, this paper conducts an extensive investigation of the international literature on current methods to consider seismic directionality, systematically reviewing more than 80 publications on this topic. Following a brief overview of the problem and an analysis of the initial developments of the multidirectionality concept of seismic input, a state-of-the-art review is presented based on the considered analysis methods, specifically response spectrum analysis, nonlinear static analysis, and nonlinear response history analysis. Moreover, the adoption of multidirectional seismic input in popular codes and standards is presented and discussed. This study provides the first comprehensive synthesis of research on the seismic incidence angles across diverse building typologies, offering crucial insights for future code revisions and highlighting significant gaps in current analytical methods and standards, thereby setting a new direction for subsequent empirical investigations. Specifically, the extensive state-of-the-art review revealed that, until now, the evaluation of the angle of incidence was primarily conducted on existing reinforced concrete buildings with a limited number of storeys, analysed with nonlinear response history analysis. This underscores the need for future research to extensively investigate the impact of the angle of incidence on other types of construction typologies.

Soil–structure interaction (SSI), which characterizes the dynamic interaction between a structure and its surrounding soil, is of great significance to the seismic assessment of structures. Past research endeavors have undertaken analytical, numerical, and experimental studies to gain a thorough understanding of the influences of SSI on the seismic responses of a wide array of structures, including but not limited to nuclear power plants, frame structures, bridges, and spatial structures. Thereinto, large-span spatial structures generally have much more complex configurations, and the influences of SSI may be more pronounced. To this end, this paper aims to provide a state-of-the-art review of the SSI in the seismic assessment of large-span spatial structures. It begins with the modelling of soil medium, followed by the research progress of SSI in terms of numerical simulations and experiments. Subsequently, the focus shifts towards high-lighting advancements in understanding the seismic responses of large-span spatial structures considering SSI. Finally, some discussions are made on the unresolved problems and the possible topics for future studies.

Elastography is a noninvasive method that utilizes ultrasound imaging to assess the elasticity and stiffness of soft tissue. Peyronie’s disease (PD) is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the male penis, causing the formation of fibrous plaques. This alters the penis’s elasticity and can lead to changes in its shape. Ultrasound elastography (UE) is an important advancement in the diagnosis of PD. It not only identifies plaques, but it also measures their rigidity, providing crucial information to monitor changes during and after treatment. We conducted a narrative review of the scientific literature to identify articles that discuss the use of elastography in the diagnostic study of PD. The purpose of this study was to describe the “state of the art” in the diagnostic use of ultrasound in combination with elastography to highlight any benefits in the diagnosis of PD. We found 12 relevant articles after searching PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar using the keywords “ultrasound elastography” and “Peyronie’s disease”, including eight clinical studies, two case reports, and two review articles. The results of our review indicate that UE is a useful technique for identifying Peyronie-related plaques, particularly when they are not detectable using a standard ultrasound or physical examination. It is also helpful in monitoring improvements during and after conservative treatments. More research is required to confirm the effectiveness of ultrasound elastography in diagnosing Peyronie’s disease and to determine whether it is better than traditional ultrasound.

This paper presents the current scenario of solid waste management aspects and its challenges in India, which will benefit developing and low-income countries. The leading cause of waste generation is the growing population and the new lifestyle due to the increased per capita income. Consequently, the magnitude of solid waste is continuously growing along with its compositional diversity. In earlier days, the wastes were organic and could be disposed of in low-lying areas conveniently without causing any adverse impact on the environment. But today, the organic fraction of waste has steeply declined while the inorganic portion has increased manifold. Moreover, wastes from industries, hospitals, construction sites, households, and many other sources severely affect the environment and public health. Also, the chemicals generated from the improper disposal of these wastes enter the air, soil, and water resources, causing hazardous and toxic effects in countries that could not implement the adopted policy framework strictly. A state-of-the-art review is conducted in this paper to further search other primary and prevalent reasons behind the inability of proper waste management and to find a real solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The decarbonization of the energy industry is one of the key pillars in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere. The energy generation industry is an important driver in the development of nations. Small modular reactors (SMRs) are considered an affordable energy generation technology that can provide clean energy that is comparable to other renewable energy technologies. However, several critical issues are established in the full adoption of and investment in SMRs in developing nations. A state-of-the-art review of the SMRs is proposed, involving key issues on technological, economic, environmental, and socio-political aspects. Methods of aggregating these factors in order to determine a country's suitability to invest in SMRs have been explored, while also determining specific areas needing improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Failures of water distribution networks (WDNs) are rising at an exponential rate, necessitating immediate attention. An effective way to reduce the failure rate is to develop accurate predictive models for the failure probability of water pipes, which are the most critical assets of WDNs. Despite the fact that researchers have invested efforts to develop various predictive models, the extant literature lacks a complete state‐of‐the‐art review. To fill this gap, this study employs a mixed approach (i.e., quantitative and qualitative) by providing (a) a bibliometric analysis of existing scholarly literature, (b) a systematic review of the techniques used in modeling the failure probability of water pipes, including physical, statistical, and machine‐learning (ML)‐based models, and (c) identified gaps and future research directions. The bibliometric analysis shows that ML‐based models are emerging and, hence understudied as compared to the physical and statistical‐based models. Regarding the systematic review, a proper understanding of the development of each model has been provided in addition to their advantages and critiques. Furthermore, failure probability integration methods are discussed. Findings reveal that the social and operation‐related predictors have been understudied, thereby suggesting their further exploration. This study adds to the existing body of knowledge by providing water utilities and academics with a comprehensive understanding of the probability of water pipe failure, which will be useful in the decision‐making process and network management. Plain Language Summary: This study is motivated by the lack of a comprehensive review of existing models in predicting the failure probability of water pipes. In order to fill this gap, this study conducts a bibliometric and systematic review by critically analyzing the physical, statistical, and machine learning‐based models in the literature. A frequency analysis of the factors used in the development of the models was conducted, to determine the most influential factors. This research provides a complete reference for water utilities and academics on the prediction of water pipe failure, which would be useful in the decision‐making process. Key Points: The state‐of‐the‐art of failure modeling of water pipes is demonstratedA conceptual framework for decision‐making process in water utility management is presentedKey future directions for achieving more sustainable water distribution networks are discussed [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An integral part of both undergraduate and postgraduate nursing and midwifery programmes, is the teaching and assessment of clinical psychomotor skills. In order to provide safe care, there is an expectation that technical nursing procedures are performed competently and effectively. Due to limited opportunities to practice clinical skills there is a challenge to advance and implement innovative teaching approaches. Technological advances provide us with alternative options, outside of the traditional teaching approaches, to teach these skills. The aim of this state-of-the-art review was to examine and provide an overview of the current use of educational technologies in nursing and midwifery education in teaching clinical psychomotor skills. A-state-of -the-art literature review was carried out, as this type of evidence synthesis design reveals the current knowledge on a topic and identifies gaps for future research. We used a focused search strategy with the expertise of a research librarian. Data extraction included research designs and educational theories guiding the included studies along with the type of technologies studied. A descriptive summary of each study's findings in relation to the educational outcomes was performed. Sixty studies were sourced which met this reviews' eligibility criteria. Technologies in which most research was carried out included; simulation, video and virtual reality. The most common research design noted included randomized or quasi-experimental studies. The vast majority of studies (n = 47) did not elaborate whether educational theories guided them, while of the remaining thirteen studies, eleven theoretical frameworks were reported. Technology use in nursing and midwifery educational research surrounding psychomotor skills education is present. The educational outcomes reported by the majority of studies on the use of educational technology in teaching and/or assessing clinical psychomotor skills are encouraging. Additionally, the majority of studies noted that students evaluated the technology positively and were satisfied with its use in their education. Future research may include evaluating the technologies in both undergraduate and postgraduate populations. Finally, opportunities exist to expand the evaluation of student learning or assessment of these skills using technologies from the educational environment to the clinical environment. Registration. Not registered. • Teaching and assessing clinical psychomotor skills are an important part of nursing and midwifery programmes. • There is a wide range of educational technologies used in nursing and midwifery education • This review stresses the importance of using educational theory to help guide teaching and research. • A contemporary table of study findings that have used technology in learning is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evolutionary algorithms (EAs) have been widely used to search for optimal strategies for the planning and management of water resources systems, particularly reservoir operation. This study provides a comprehensive diagnostic assessment of state of the art of the non-animal-inspired EA applications to reservoir optimization. This type of EAs does not mimic biologic traits and group strategies of animal (wild) species. A search of pertinent papers was applied to the journal citation reports (JCRs). A bibliometric survey identified 14 pertinent non-animal-inspired EAs, such as the genetic algorithm (GA), simulated annealing (SA), and differential evolution (DE) algorithms, most of which have a number of modified versions. The characteristics of non-animal-inspired EAs and their modified versions were discussed to identify the difference between EAs and how each EA was improved. Additionally, the type of application of non-animal-inspired EAs to different case studies was investigated, and comparisons were made between the performance of the applied EAs in the studied literature. The survey revealed that the GA is the most frequently applied algorithm, followed by the DE algorithm. Non-animal-inspired EAs are superior to the classical methods of reservoir optimization (e.g., the non-linear programming and dynamic programming) due to faster convergence, diverse solution space, and efficient objective function evaluation. Several non-animal-inspired EAs of recent vintage have been shown to outperform the classic GA, which was the first evolutionary algorithm applied to reservoir operation.

Delivering durable asphalt concrete within a reasonable cost is one of the great ambitions of pavement material engineers. This state-of-the-art review article documents the efforts spent in the past two decades to ensure the durability and performance of asphalt mixtures in mix design and production. A perspective with the attempt to integrate laboratory mix design, plant production quality assurance, and field place acceptance is applied in the review. The development of the performance specification and performance mix design is summarized. The paper categorizes performance specification into index-based performance specification and predictive performance specification that include performance-related specification and performance-based specification. The approaches to developing index-based performance mix design/balanced mix design and predictive performance mix design are also compared in the review. The challenges and solutions in incorporating performance tests in asphalt productions are documented and discussed. The challenges include selecting performance testing methods, determining index threshold limits, estimating and incorporating testing variability and uncertainty, determining sampling position and testing frequency, and so forth. The paper also provides suggested areas of future research and implementation activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Ciência & Saúde Coletiva is the property of Associacao Brasileira de Pos-Graduacao em Saude Coletiva and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Natural Image Captioning (NIC) is an interdisciplinary research area that lies within the intersection of Computer Vision (CV) and Natural Language Processing (NLP). Several works have been presented on the subject, ranging from the early template-based approaches to the more recent deep learning-based methods. This paper conducts a survey in the area of NIC, especially focusing on its applications for Medical Image Captioning (MIC) and Diagnostic Captioning (DC) in the field of radiology. A review of the state-of-the-art is conducted summarizing key research works in NIC and DC to provide a wide overview on the subject. These works include existing NIC and MIC models, datasets, evaluation metrics, and previous reviews in the specialized literature. The revised work is thoroughly analyzed and discussed, highlighting the limitations of existing approaches and their potential implications in real clinical practice. Similarly, future potential research lines are outlined on the basis of the detected limitations. • Natural Image Captioning is an interdisciplinary area between Computer Vision and NLP. • Medical Image Captioning (MIC) describes the application of NIC to the medical field. • This paper presents a survey summarizing the essential and relevant works of NIC and MIC. • Moreover, this survey focuses specifically on the applications of MIC for radiology. • This survey addresses the existing limitations and applications in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites (CFRP) cable has advantages of lightweight, high strength, and excellent durability, providing a new materials for cables and bringing out potential breakthrough in spanning capacity of structures. At present, CFRP cable has already been applied in some engineering bridges. The fire resistance performance of CFRP cable is critical for ensuring structure safety when suffering accidental fire disaster, and clarifying mechanical performance deterioration and failure mechanism of CFRP cable at elevated temperature is fundamental for research of its fire resistance. This paper summarizes current research progress on high-temperature properties of CFRP cable from two levels, including epoxy resin matrix and CFRP composites. Firstly, at resin matrix level, mechanical properties of epoxy resin and its degradation at elevated temperatures are reviewed and analysed, and potential ways to improve high-temperature performance of epoxy resin are suggested. Secondly, at CFRP composites level, high-temperature properties test methods and mechanical performance of CFRP composites in longitudinal direction and transverse direction at elevated temperatures are summarized and discussed. In addition, research shortage of high-temperature properties of CFRP cable is summarized, and corresponding further research is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this narrative review, we discuss the relevant issues of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) in critically ill patients. For many conditions, the optimal indication, device type, frequency, duration, type of replacement fluid and criteria for stopping TPE are uncertain. TPE is a potentially lifesaving but also invasive procedure with risk of adverse events and complications and requires close monitoring by experienced teams. In the intensive care unit (ICU), the indications for TPE can be divided into (1) absolute, well-established, and evidence-based, for which TPE is recognized as first-line therapy, (2) relative, for which TPE is a recognized second-line treatment (alone or combined) and (3) rescue therapy, where TPE is used with a limited or theoretical evidence base. New indications are emerging and ongoing knowledge gaps, notably regarding the use of TPE during critical illness, support the establishment of a TPE registry dedicated to intensive care medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Necrotizing periodontal disease (NPD) is a microbial infectious inflammatory disease of the gingiva and/or periodontium that is characterized by a rapid onset of inflammation, pain, and “punched out” cratered interdental papillae. Although NPD is not very common, diagnosis is mostly based on its unique clinical presentation. Some predisposing factors for developing NPD include poor oral hygiene, smoking, malnutrition, immunosuppression (such as in HIV infection, uncontrolled diabetes, and cancer), and stress. This report presents the case of a 22-year-old Caucasian woman, who was a heavy smoker but with otherwise showed no systemic disease and who suffered from severe inflammation of the gingiva, ulceration, and necrosis of the interdental papillae, and pseudomembrane formation. The patient had been hospitalized for a seizure episode and was diagnosed with malnutrition-induced seizure. NPD was diagnosed and the patient was treated successfully with nonsurgical scaling and root planing and behavioral modifications including smoking cessation and balanced nutrition intake. Disease remission was achieved after treatment. In addition, this case report reviews the effect of nutrients on the health of the periodontium.

In this paper, we review the developments of 1H-MR spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) methods designed to investigate prostate cancer, covering key aspects such as specific hardware, dedicated pulse sequences for data acquisition and data processing and quantification techniques. Emphasis is given to recent advancements in MRSI methodologies, as well as future developments, which can lead to overcome difficulties associated with commonly employed MRSI approaches applied in clinical routine. This includes the replacement of standard PRESS sequences for volume selection, which we identified as inadequate for clinical applications, by sLASER sequences and implementation of 1H MRSI without water signal suppression. These may enable a new evaluation of the complementary role and significance of MRSI in prostate cancer management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The decarbonization of the energy industry is one of the key pillars in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere. The energy generation industry is an important driver in the development of nations. Small modular reactors (SMRs) are considered an affordable energy generation technology that can provide clean energy that is comparable to other renewable energy technologies. However, several critical issues are established in the full adoption of and investment in SMRs in developing nations. A state-of-the-art review of the SMRs is proposed, involving key issues on technological, economic, environmental, and socio-political aspects. Methods of aggregating these factors in order to determine a country’s suitability to invest in SMRs have been explored, while also determining specific areas needing improvement.

Interatrial block (IAB) is an electrocardiographic pattern describing the conduction delay between the right and left atria. IAB is classified into 3 degrees of block that correspond to decreasing conduction in the region of Bachmann's bundle. Although initially considered benign in nature, specific subsets of IAB have been associated with atrial arrhythmias, elevated thromboembolic stroke risk, cognitive impairment, and mortality. As the pathophysiologic relationships between IAB and stroke are reinforced, investigation has now turned to the potential benefit of early detection, atrial imaging, cardiovascular risk factor modification, antiarrhythmic pharmacotherapy, and stroke prevention with oral anticoagulation. This review provides a contemporary overview of the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of IAB, with a focus on future directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The state-of-the-art review assesses the graduate research outputs in education produced by graduate teacher education students in selected public and private schools in the National Capital Region during the School Year 2007-2016 based on national research priorities of National Higher Education Research Agenda-II. To provide a means of evaluating existing programs and to validate the result of the state of the art review of graduate education outputs- – an expert validation was made among the Research and Development Directors from three (3) institutions involved in the review. Methods are identifying, classifying, and examining the content of data and how it responds according to research priorities set by National Higher Education Research Agenda-II. The rising importance of research innovation in the country has underpinned HEIs in restructuring and prioritization. There is a need for closer monitoring the graduate teacher education researches to areas relevance for the improvement.

Myocardial bridging (MB) is a congenital coronary anomaly in which a segment of the epicardial coronary artery traverses through the myocardium for a portion of its length. The muscle overlying the artery is termed a myocardial bridge, and the intramyocardial segment is referred to as a tunneled artery. MB can occur in any coronary artery, although is most commonly seen in the left anterior descending artery. Although traditionally considered benign in nature, increasing attention is being given to specific subsets of MB associated with ischemic symptomatology. The advent of contemporary functional and anatomic imaging modalities, both invasive and noninvasive, have dramatically improved our understanding of dynamic pathophysiology associated with MBs. This review provides a contemporary overview of epidemiology, pathobiology, diagnosis, functional assessment, and management of MBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The health and social benefits of volunteering behaviours by older adults are well acknowledged. However, few review articles have been concerned with the correlates/dimensions of older adults' volunteerism. Some focused only on the North American context or reviewed studies only up to 2008. This study reviewed the recent global literature in the past decade about the correlates of older adults' volunteerism. We carried out a literature search in PsycINFO, Social Services Abstracts, Sociological Abstracts and Google Scholar to identify empirical journal publications about the correlates of older adults' (age 60+) volunteerism from 2008 to 2019. Among 112 initially eligible papers, 41 were selected. Findings were synthesised using the framework of the Socioecological Model. Existing studies mainly have used quantitative methodologies and were conducted within the context of a single Western country. Motivations included higher education, morale and mentality, previous experiences, social network, community cohesion and organisational management. Major barriers were health and financial constraints. Few studies focused on macro-level correlates. Irrelevant and confounding correlates were also discussed. We suggest practitioners recruit and retain older volunteers by identifying their needs and optimising management within the organisation. Policy makers should create a supportive environment and increase resource accessibility. Future research could conduct cross-cultural comparisons, use diverse methodologies and embrace more correlates, especially at the macro-level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Switched reluctance motor (SRM) is gaining more interest in the last decades due to its simple and robust structure. SRMs are classified into conventional SRMs (CSRMs) and mutually coupled SRMs (MCSRMs). CSRMs are based on single-phase excitation and torque is generated by the variation of self-inductance with rotor position. MCSRMs are based on multi-phase excitation and torque is produced by the rate of change of both self- and mutual inductances. MCSRM has the advantages of using the standard voltage source inverter at balanced current operation, when the sum of the phase currents is zero, while CSRM requires an asymmetrical converter. This paper presents the state-of-the-art review of MCSRMs, including operating concept, winding, and pole configurations, control methods by using different current waveforms, performance comparison of MCSRM configurations, modeling methods, and future work for improving MCSRM performance.

Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an early-onset disorder with a prevalence of 1% among children and reported disability-adjusted life years of 4.31 million. Irritability is a challenging behavior associated with ASD, for which medication development has lagged. More specifically, pharmacotherapy effectiveness may be limited against high adverse effects (considering side effect profiles and patient medication sensitivity); thus, the possible benefits of pharmacological interventions must be balanced against potential adverse events in each patient., Areas Covered: After reviewing the neuropathophysiology of ASD-associated irritability, the benefits and tolerability of emerging medications in its treatment based on randomized controlled trials were detailed in light of mechanisms and targets of action., Expert Opinion: Succeeding risperidone and aripiprazole, monotherapy with memantine may be beneficial. In addition, N-acetylcysteine, galantamine, sulforaphane, celecoxib, palmitoylethanolamide, pentoxifylline, simvastatin, minocycline, amantadine, pregnenolone, prednisolone, riluzole, propentofylline, pioglitazone, and topiramate, all adjunct to risperidone, and clonidine and methylphenidate outperformed placebo. These effects were through glutamatergic, γ-aminobutyric acidergic, inflammatory, oxidative, cholinergic, dopaminergic, and serotonergic systems. All medications were reported to be safe and tolerable. Considering sample size, follow-up, and effect size, further studies are necessary. Along with drug development, repositioning and combining existing drugs supported by the mechanism of action is recommended.

Aggregate production planning (APP) is concerned with determining the optimum production and workforce levels for each period over the medium term planning horizon. It aims to set overall production levels for each product family to meet fluctuating demand in the near future. APP is one of the most critical areas of production planning systems. After the state-of-the-art summaries in 1992 by Nam and Logendran [ Nam, S. J., & Logendran, R. (1992). Aggregate production planning—a survey of models and methodologies. European Journal of Operational Research, 61(3), 255-272. ], which specifically summarized the various existing techniques from 1950 to 1990 into a framework depending on their abilities to either produce an exact optimal or near-optimal solution, there has not been any systematic survey in the literature. This paper reviews the literature on APP models to meet two main purposes. First, a systematic structure for classifying APP models is proposed. Second, the existing gaps in the literature are demonstrated in order to extract future directions of this research area. This paper covers a variety of APP models’ characteristics including modeling structures, important issues, and solving approaches, in contrast to other literature reviews in this field which focused on methodologies in APP models. Finally some directions for future research in this research area are suggested.

Abstract The number and variety of eHealth services for adults and older adults who use hearing aids (HAs) are growing rapidly. This area holds promise to increase cost-efficiency, enable better access to care, and improve patient outcomes and satisfaction. Despite the increasing interest in this field, an up-to-date picture of recent research in the area of eHealth for adults with HAs is lacking. In this state-of-the-art review we assessed the literature from the past decade about eHealth use in the HA adult patient journey. Systematic searches were conducted in CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. A total of 34 peer-reviewed empirical records were identified from the searches and from the reference lists of searched records. Records were characterized based on: eHealth platform (i.e.: offline, Internet-based, or mobile-based), service [i.e.: education and information, screening and assessment, hearing rehabilitation, or general (tele-audiology)], and phase of the patient journey (i.e.: pre-fitting, fitting, or post-fitting). The review highlighted a growing interest in the field, as revealed by an increasing trend over the search period, from 2 records in 2009–2010 up to 17 records in 2015–2016. Internet-based platforms were the most frequently used (present in more than half of the included records), with a stable trend in the period. About one-third of the records introduced services over offline platforms, whereas mobile-based platforms were used only in 6 out of 34 records, suggesting that the clinical uptake of mobile services is still limited compared to more mature offline and Internet-based platforms. Most of the eHealth services observed were related to the areas of education and information (42.5%) and hearing rehabilitation (40.4%), whereas 10.7% were related to screening and assessment, and 6.4% to general tele-audiology services. Many services covered different phases of the patient journey, especially the fitting and post-fitting phases. Overall, this review showed that the field of eHealth in the context of HA rehabilitation in adults has grown in the recent past. Research is still needed to increase the uptake and efficacy of eHealth in clinical practice, especially in terms of technology developments, technical and clinical validation, and optimization of strategies for service delivery.

After several decades of debate on the so-called protest vote, the extant literature in this field is still far from consistent in conceptualization and analytical perspectives. Yet, at a time of increasing democratic stress, it becomes crucial for political studies to take stock of current research on this topic and assess its general state of health. In the light of this, aim of the present contribution is to piece together the puzzle of analytical perspectives from which scholars and pundits have approached the matter over the years. First, this article will do so at a conceptual level, disentangling different conceptualizations of protest voting. In parallel, it will do so at the technical and empirical level, categorizing both operationalization strategies and findings into alternative strands of research. As a last step, it will summarize the still open issues, organizing them within a unified platform and identifying possible lines of development for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Curriculum mapping is the process of designing a multidimensional model of an educational programme for a complete, more transparent and better-integrated learning experience. Many universities worldwide are building or expanding their technical infrastructure to manage their curricula. Our aim was to deliver a synopsis of current practices and describe the focus of research interest in implementing curriculum mapping tools for medical education. As part of the Building Curriculum Infrastructure in Medical Education (BCIME) project, we conducted a state-of-the-art narrative review of the literature. A systematised search of the PubMed/MEDLINE database for the years 2013–2019 resulted in 352 abstracts, from which 23 full-text papers were included in the final review. From these, we extracted guidance on 12 key characteristics of curriculum mapping tools. The collected experiences formed four thematic categories: visualisations, text descriptions and analysis, the outcome-based approach and adaptability in curriculum mapping. As result of the review, we summarised topics regarding ways of: implementating new competency-based catalogues (like NKLM) in curriculum mapping software (e. g., using dynamic checklists), methods of streamlining the authoring process (e. g., by automatic detection and alignment of action verbs in learning objectives descriptions) and graphical forms of presenting curriculum data (e. g., network visualisations using automatic clustering of related parts of a curriculum based on similarities between textual descriptions). We expect further developments in text-mining methods and visual/learning analytics in curriculum mapping. The collected data informed the design of a new curriculum management system called EduPortfolio, which is currently being implemented by the BCIME project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Empirical basis of this research includes 103 papers published from 2015 through 2019 in such established scholarly journals as Media Education, Political Linguistics, Political Studies, Herald of Moscow University. Series 10: Journalism, Media Scope, Political Expertise, and Media Linguistics. Articles sampled were then conveniently divided into two groups: a so-called "media literacy" group consists of 45 papers explicitly dedicated to various aspects of media education and related topics; "indirect" group is comprised of 58 articles dealing with the issues that are not directly connected to media education or media literacy but touch on adjacent notions and processes. Special attention is paid to the following features: - specifics of the articles' authors corps (including their scholarly background, academic degree holders rate, and places of residence); - content blocks, keywords, and scholarly classifiers of the articles; - geographical focus and key age objects of the articles; - structural elements and types of the articles; - the most popular research methods and definitions of media literacy used by the authors; - the most often quoted papers and authors. Two centers of media education research (i.e. Taganrog and Moscow) are distinguished. The most challenging and potentially high in demand aspects of media literacy scholarships are outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]