Search Results (1,346)

Slingshots, traditionally viewed as children’s toys, have recently been modified for malicious purposes, including firing steel balls at building windows, causing significant damage. This misuse necessitates the development of methods to estimate impact velocity and launch point based on glass damage patterns at incident scenes. To achieve this, a comprehensive database correlating glass damage shapes with steel ball diameters is essential. This study conducted experiments to investigate the damage patterns of 5 mm thick glass upon impact with 8 mm and 10 mm steel balls. The damage limit velocities for 8 mm and 10 mm steel balls to cause damage to 5 mm glass were approximately 40 m/s and 21 m/s, respectively. Glass damage was categorized into two types: cone cracks and perforated holes. While cone crack patterns were similar for both 8 mm and 10 mm steel balls, perforation patterns exhibited distinct tendencies. Consequently, the impact velocity of each steel ball can be estimated based on the size of the perforated hole. However, determining the steel ball diameter solely from the size of the cone crack and perforated hole remains challenging. Full article

We report the results of a scoping review of the literature investigating associations between positive childhood experiences (PCEs) and selected health outcomes to identify which have the highest level of research activity based on the indexed academic literature. Yielded articles underwent title/abstract (Ti/Ab) and full text screening utilizing inclusion/exclusion criteria. The review was guided by PCE categories from the Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences framework: relationships, environment, engagement, and emotional growth. The initial search yielded 8,919 unduplicated articles, 759 were retained following Ti/Ab review and 220 articles were retained after full text screening describing 795 tested associations across 23 PCE types in ten outcome categories. The outcomes most commonly examined were substance misuse (305 tested associations across 93 studies), suicidal behaviors (195 tested associations across 56 studies), and depression (112 tested associations across 55 studies). Physical health outcomes were less common (14 tested associations across six studies). Of the PCE exposures, relationships represented 415 of tested associations, 236 with environment, and 114 with social engagement. A significant body of research demonstrated associations between PCEs and health outcomes. While further research is needed, available research suggests that public health efforts to promote PCEs may have impact across multiple domains. Full article

Unlike the mandatory information that must be provided on a food supplement label, health claims are voluntary. This study assesses the regulatory compliance of omega-3 fatty acid (ω-3-FA) supplement label claims. Of the 97 supplements, 76 (78.4%) carried verbal claims referring to active substance, of which 68 (89.5%) were claims specific to ω-3-FA. According to the European Union Health Claims Registry, 107 claims listed on 59 supplements were authorized, as opposed to nine unauthorized claims on nine supplements. The degree to which claims aligned with regulatory standards, expressed in terms of scores scaled from 0 to 1, was the highest for supplements intended for pregnant women (1), while, in the case of adults, the mean score was 0.76 ± 0.35, and, in case of children, was 0.85 ± 0.27. Statistical analysis revealed a minor tendency for higher health claim scores to be associated with lower product prices. Furthermore, differences in compliance levels across groups of supplements formed according to the country of origin/sources of ω-3-FA/target populations were explored. The main differences were associated with products from Sweden and Italy/fish oil/supplements for pregnant women. A comparison of the daily intake of ω-3-FA provided by the supplement (based on labeled information) with the intake requirements for supplements with claims referring to ω-3-FA, supported 91 claims, five were unsubstantiated, and 11 were missing required data. Supplements also contained mineral- (19 approved) and vitamin-related claims (73, of which 9 were unauthorized). This study’s findings reveal the extent of misuse of labelled information in markets that require pre-market supplement registration. Importantly, the non-compliance of health claims can significantly undermine consumer trust. Full article

The widespread adoption of autonomous driving technology heavily relies on data acquisition and processing, which, while providing an intelligent experience for users, also raises concerns about data security, personal privacy, and data exploitation. The data security of autonomous driving faces challenges from three aspects: technology, law, and social ethics. Thus, this article adopts interdisciplinary research methods to identify these challenges and provide solutions from diverse disciplinary perspectives. (a) Technologically, issues such as data leakage, storage vulnerabilities, and the risk of re-identifying anonymous data persist; (b) legally, there is an urgent need to clarify the responsible parties and address issues related to outdated data security legislation and legal conflicts arising from cross-border data flows; (c) socially and ethically, the risks of data misuse and the emergence of exploitative contracts have triggered public concerns about data privacy. To address these challenges, this article proposes technical countermeasures such as utilizing diverse Privacy Enhancing Technologies (PETs) to enhance data anonymity, optimizing data encryption techniques, and reinforcing data monitoring and access control management. Legal measures should include establishing a comprehensive data security protection framework, clarifying accountability, and developing standards for the classification and grading of autonomous vehicle data. In the field of social ethics, emphasis is placed on safeguarding the public’s right to know, establishing a transparent system for data use, offering an alternative “data security” solution that allows users to choose between heightened privacy protection and enhanced personalized services, and also advocating ethical data utilization and technological development. By implementing these comprehensive strategies, we aim to establish a secure and barrier-free data protection system for autonomous driving, thereby laying a solid foundation for the widespread adoption of autonomous driving technology. Full article

The Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) framework enhances Large Language Models (LLMs) by retrieving relevant knowledge to broaden their knowledge boundaries and mitigate factual hallucinations stemming from knowledge gaps. However, the RAG Framework faces challenges in effective knowledge retrieval and utilization; invalid or misused knowledge will interfere with LLM generation, reducing reasoning efficiency and answer quality. Existing RAG methods address these issues by decomposing and expanding queries, introducing special knowledge structures, and using reasoning process evaluation and feedback. However, the linear reasoning structures limit complex thought transformations and reasoning based on intricate queries. Additionally, knowledge retrieval and utilization are decoupled from reasoning and answer generation, hindering effective knowledge support during answer generation. To address these limitations, we propose the CRP-RAG framework, which employs reasoning graphs to model complex query reasoning processes more comprehensively and accurately. CRP-RAG guides knowledge retrieval, aggregation, and evaluation through reasoning graphs, dynamically adjusting the reasoning path based on evaluation results and selecting knowledge-sufficiency paths for answer generation. CRP-RAG outperforms the best LLM and RAG baselines by 2.46 in open-domain QA, 7.43 in multi-hop reasoning, and 4.2 in factual verification. Experiments also show the superior factual consistency and robustness of CRP-RAG over existing RAG methods. Extensive analyses confirm its accurate and fact-faithful reasoning and answer generation for complex queries. Full article

The misuse of personalized listening devices (PLDs) resulting in noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) has become a public health concern, especially among youths, including medical students. The occupational use of PLDs that produce high-intensity sounds amplifies the danger of cochlear deterioration and high-frequency NIHL especially when used in noisy environments. This study aims to evaluate the incidence and trends of NIHL among medical students using PLDs. Background/Objectives: The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of high-frequency NIHL among PLD-using medical students. Methods: A semi-structured questionnaire covering details on PLD usage, exposure to noisy environments, and hearing difficulties was used to gather the data required. Conventional pure-tone audiometry with extended high-frequency audiometry was preceded by routine clinical evaluation using tuning fork tests and otoscopic examination for hearing loss assessment and to rule out middle-ear pathology. Hearing impairment was determined and categorized according to the Goodman and Clark classification system (250 Hz to 8000 kHz). SPSS version 21 was used in the analysis of the frequency data collected. Results: Out of 100 participants, using conventional PTA, 33% were found to have hearing loss, with 42.9% of males and 23.5% of females affected. Bilateral hearing loss was seen in 36.4% of the cases. Left-sided hearing loss was found to be more common (28%). The duration of usage of PLD had a significant correlation with hearing loss with a p-value < 0.0001. Hearing thresholds were significantly elevated at 16 kHz and 18 kHz in both the right and left ear. Conclusions: The high prevalence of PLD misuse among medical students is a major risk factor for NIHL. To help combat chronic hearing loss, students need to be educated about safe listening levels that can prevent further damage to the cochlea and auditory system. Full article

The advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, including generative pre-trained transformers (GPTs) and generative models for text, image, audio, and video creation, has revolutionized content generation, creating unprecedented opportunities and critical challenges. This paper systematically examines the characteristics, methodologies, and challenges associated with detecting the synthetic content across multiple modalities, to safeguard digital authenticity and integrity. Key detection approaches reviewed include stylometric analysis, watermarking, pixel prediction techniques, dual-stream networks, machine learning models, blockchain, and hybrid approaches, highlighting their strengths and limitations, as well as their detection accuracy, independent accuracy of 80% for stylometric analysis and up to 92% using multiple modalities in hybrid approaches. The effectiveness of these techniques is explored in diverse contexts, from identifying deepfakes and synthetic media to detecting AI-generated scientific texts. Ethical concerns, such as privacy violations, algorithmic bias, false positives, and overreliance on automated systems, are also critically discussed. Furthermore, the paper addresses legal and regulatory frameworks, including intellectual property challenges and emerging legislation, emphasizing the need for robust governance to mitigate misuse. Real-world examples of detection systems are analyzed to provide practical insights into implementation challenges. Future directions include developing generalizable and adaptive detection models, hybrid approaches, fostering collaboration between stakeholders, and integrating ethical safeguards. By presenting a comprehensive overview of AIGC detection, this paper aims to inform stakeholders, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners on addressing the dual-edged implications of AI-driven content creation. Full article

Moving on in my recovery (MOIMR) is a new, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) based group intervention to support recovery from substance use disorder. It was co-developed by, and is co-facilitated with, people in recovery. This study used a grounded theory model to understand the process of change experienced by individuals who completed the group programme. Ten individuals who were abstinent from substances following their participation in MOIMR were interviewed. The model that emerged depicted a chronological series of processes that centred around a core category of gains derived from approaching their emotional vulnerability by leaning in to discomfort (e.g., difficult internal experiences like thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations) whilst pursuing activities that aligned to what mattered to them. Initial key processes indicated that participants experienced a degree of suffering from substance use prior to engagement. Group safety was a key element in fostering connection, normalisation, and cohesion, combined with psychological understanding being significantly derived from those with a lived experience of substance misuse and addiction. Later processes reflecting core ACT mechanisms such as letting go, value-guided action, and acceptance of difficult internal experiences took time to develop; many participants reported completing MOIMR more than once as a means of understanding these components. Limitations, along with implications for clinical practice and future research are discussed. Full article

Agricultural pests present a significant challenge to humanity, often managed through synthetic chemicals that, when misused, can cause irreversible harm to both the environment and human health. This study focuses on endemic plants from the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico, particularly from the state of Campeche, to identify their historical uses and propose an updated list of species with pesticide potential in the region. We systematically reviewed specimens from the Center for Sustainable Development and Wildlife Management (CEDESU) herbarium and local databases. Of the 3084 specimens collected, 2524 (81.84%) were from Campeche. The collection encompasses 106 botanical families, 459 genera, and 747 species. The study identified 201 plant species from 48 taxonomic families that are endemic to the Yucatán Peninsula Biotic Province (YPBP), of which 123 species are exclusive to the Mexican Yucatán Peninsula (MYP), representing 61.19% of the endemic species. Campeche contains 134 species (66.66%), distributed across 96 genera and 43 families. Notably, 46.26% of the species (62 species) belong to the Mexican region, with 8 species (12.90%) exclusive to Campeche. The research revealed that 27.90% of the families and 19.79% of the genera present in the state have been the subject of previous scientific studies regarding their use as pesticides. The most extensively studied families were Euphorbiaceae and Fabaceae. However, there is a notable lack of research on endemic plants from the Yucatán Peninsula, underscoring the need for increased attention to these species. The identified genera and families contain chemical compounds with activity against significant pests, demonstrating substantial potential for the development of natural pesticides. Full article

Background and Objectives: Donor human milk (DHM) from a human milk bank (HMB) is used to feed low-birthweight (LBW) and preterm infants when mothers cannot provide their own breastmilk. The misuse of DHM could interfere with mothers’ breastmilk and weaken breastfeeding efforts. This study aimed to identify factors behind prolonged DHM usage during the first six years of Vietnam’s first HMB. Methods: Data were extracted from the Da Nang HMB’s digital monitoring system. We defined prolonged DHM use as four or more days in the neonatal unit and two or more days in postnatal wards. Results: Over six years, 25,420 infants received DHM, with 45.3% of the infants being female, 54.7% being male, 70.0% being born via cesarean section, and 77.2% being full-term. In the neonatal unit (n = 7001), 38.0% of infants used DHM for ≥4 days. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for prolonged use were 0.14 for infants weighing <1000 g, 0.78 for infants weighing 1000–<1500 g, and 0.67 for infants weighing ≥2000 g (p < 0.01), compared to those weighing 1500–<2000 g. Compared to gestational ages of 32–<34 weeks, the aORs were 0.26 for <28 weeks, 0.71 for 34–<37 weeks, and 0.35 for ≥37 weeks (p < 0.01). In postnatal wards (n = 18,419), 53.1% of infants used DHM for ≥2 days. Compared to term, normal-weight infants, the aORs were 1.25 for LBW–preterm, 1.17 for LBW–term, and 1.21 for normal-weight–preterm infants (p < 0.05). Prolonged DHM use was associated with cesarean births in neonatal units (aOR 2.24, p < 0.01) and postnatal wards (aOR 1.44, p < 0.01). Conclusions: DHM is used briefly to bridge nutritional gaps and transition to mothers’ breastmilk, but LBW, preterm births, and cesarean births are linked to prolonged use. Healthcare providers should support those at risk of prolonged DHM use and prioritize reducing unnecessary cesarean births. Full article

The widespread utilization of antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) boosts the growth rate of food animals and enhances human living standards. Nevertheless, it is accompanied by escalating antibiotic resistance. Consequently, there is an urgent demand to develop novel alternatives to growth promoters. The objective of this study was to develop a non-antibiotic growth promoter (NAGP) for augmenting the growth rate of food animals. The growth-promoting effect of plant-derived NAGPs was assessed in mice and broiler chickens, and its growth-promoting mechanism was initially investigated. The results reveal that a combination of hawthorn (also known as shanzha) and astragalus (also known as huangqi) extracts (SQ) enhanced the growth rate of mice both in vivo and in vitro, attributed to their significant capacity to promote muscle growth and improve immunity (p < 0.05). The composite super energy extract M (CSEE-M), further optimized on the basis of SQ, significantly improved growth performance and feed conversion ratio, and elevated the activity of intestinal digestive enzymes (p < 0.05) in both mice and broilers and reshaped the gut microbiota of broilers. The addition of 0.5% CSEE-M to broiler drinking water significantly increased muscle content and improved carcass quality (p < 0.05). In conclusion, both SQ and CSEE-M hold great promise as NAGPs and serve as effective substitutes to AGPs. This research not only furnishes new solutions for the misuse of antibiotics but presents a fresh perspective for the development of growth promoters. Full article

Frequent user data breaches and misuse incidents highlight the flaws in current identity management systems. This study proposes a blockchain-based, peer-supervised self-sovereign identity (SSI) generation and privacy protection technology. Our approach creates unique digital identities on the blockchain, enabling secure cross-domain recognition and data sharing and satisfying the essential users’ requirements for SSI. Compared to existing SSI solutions, our approach has the practical advantages of less implementation cost, ease of users’ understanding and agreement, and better possibility of being soon adopted by current society and legal systems. The key innovative technical features include (1) using a zero-knowledge proof technology to ensure data remain “usable but invisible”, mitigating data breach risks; (2) introducing a peer review mechanism among service providers to prevent excessive data requests and misuse; and (3) implementing a comprehensive multi-party supervision system to audit all involved parties and prevent misconduct. Full article

The prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in meat and meat products is a significant public health challenge, largely driven by the excessive and inappropriate use of antimicrobials in animal husbandry. In Poland, a key meat producer in Europe, antibiotic-resistant pathogens such as Campylobacter spp., Staphylococcus spp., Enterococcus spp., Listeria monocytogenes, and Enterobacterales have been detected in meat, posing serious risks to consumers. This review examines the use of antimicrobial agents in meat production and the resulting antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in microorganisms isolated from meat products in Poland. The mechanisms of AMR, genetic factors, and prevalence in Poland are presented. It highlights key factors contributing to AMR, such as antibiotic misuse in livestock farming, and discusses the legal regulations governing veterinary drug residues in food. This review emphasizes the importance of monitoring and enforcement to safeguard public health and calls for further research on AMR in the meat industry. Antimicrobial resistance in meat and meat products in Poland is a huge challenge, requiring stricter antibiotic controls in animal husbandry and improved surveillance systems. Additionally, the impact of husbandry practices on the environment and food requires further research. Future efforts should focus on nationwide monitoring, alternative strategies to reduce antibiotic use, and stronger enforcement to combat antimicrobial resistance and protect public health. Full article

Background/Objectives: As long-term prescription opioid use is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, timely dose reduction of prescription opioids should be considered. However, most research has been conducted on patients using heroin. Given the differences between prescription and illicit opioid use, the aim of this review was to provide an overview of pharmacological strategies to reduce prescription opioid use or improve clinical outcomes for people who experience long-term prescription opioid use, including those with opioid use disorder. Methods: We conducted a systematic database search of PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library. Outcomes included dose reduction, treatment dropout, pain, addiction, and outcomes relating to quality of life (depression, functioning, quality of life). Results: We identified thirteen studies (eight randomized controlled trials and five observational studies). Pharmacological strategies were categorized into two categories: (1) deprescribing (tapering) opioids or (2) opioid agonist treatment (OAT) with long-acting opioids. Tapering strategies decreased opioid dosage and had mixed effects on pain and addiction. OAT with buprenorphine or methadone led to improvements in pain relief and quality of life, with a slight (non-significant) preference for methadone in terms of treatment retention (RR = 1.10 [CI: 0.89–1.37]) but not for other outcomes. Most studies had high dropout rates and a serious risk of bias. Conclusions: Tapering reduced prescription opioid doses had mixed effects on pain. OAT improved clinical outcomes without dose reduction. Based on our review findings, there is no clear preference for either tapering or OAT. Tapering may be considered first as it reduces dependency, tolerance, and side effects, but is associated with adverse events and not always feasible. OAT can be a suitable alternative. Non-pharmacological interventions may facilitate tapering. Further research is needed to identify novel pharmacological strategies to facilitate opioid tapering. Registration: PROSPERO 2022 CRD42022323468. Full article