Search Results (742)

The integration of blockchain technology into healthcare offers a robust solution to challenges in secure data sharing, privacy protection, and operational efficiency. Effective exchange of sensitive patient information among hospitals, clinics, insurers, and researchers is essential for better outcomes and medical advancements. Traditional centralized systems often suffer from data breaches, inefficiency, and poor interoperability. This paper presents a blockchain-based secure data-sharing framework tailored for healthcare, addressing these limitations. The framework employs a hybrid blockchain model, combining private and public blockchains: the private chain ensures fast transactions and controlled access, while the public chain fosters transparency and trust. Advanced cryptographic methods—such as asymmetric encryption, hashing, and digital signatures—safeguard patient data and maintain integrity throughout the datalifecycle. Smart contracts automate processes like consent management, access control, and auditing, ensuring dynamic permission enforcement without intermediaries. Role-based access control (RBAC) further limits access to authorized entities, enhancing privacy. To tackle interoperability, standardized data formats and protocols enable smooth communication across diverse healthcare systems. Large files, such as medical images, are stored off-chain, with only essential metadata and logs on the blockchain. This approach optimizes performance, scalability, and suitability for large-scale healthcare deployments. Full article

Background: Structurally active phospholipoproteomic formulations that lack pharmacodynamic targets or systemic absorption present unique challenges for validation. Designed for immune compatibility or structural modulation—rather than therapeutic effect—these platforms cannot be evaluated through conventional clinical or molecular frameworks. Methods: This study introduces a standardized, non-invasive ex vivo protocol using real-time kinetic imaging to document biological behavior under neutral conditions. Eight human tumor-derived adherent cell lines were selected for phenotypic stability and imaging compatibility. Phospholipoproteomic preparations were applied under harmonized conditions, and cellular responses were recorded continuously over 48 h. Results: Key parameters included signal continuity, morphological integrity, and inter-batch reproducibility. The system achieved high technical consistency without labeling, endpoint disruption, or destructive assays. Outputs included full kinetic curves and viability signals across multiple cell–fraction pairings. Conclusions: This method provides a regulatorily compatible foundation for functional documentation in non-pharmacodynamic programs where clinical trials are infeasible. It supports early-stage screening, batch comparability, and audit-ready records within SAP, CTD, or real-world evidence (RWE) ecosystems. By decoupling validation from systemic exposure, the protocol enables scalable, technically grounded decision-making for structurally defined immunobiological platforms. Full article

Identifying homologous vulnerabilities across diverse IoT firmware images is critical for large-scale vulnerability auditing and risk assessment. However, existing approaches often rely on coarse-grained components or single-dimensional metrics, lacking the semantic granularity needed to capture cross-firmware vulnerability relationships. To address this gap, we propose FirmVulLinker, a semantic profiling framework that holistically models firmware images across five dimensions: unpacking signature sequences, filesystem semantics, interface exposure, boundary binary symbols, and sensitive parameter call chains. These multi-dimensional profiles enable interpretable similarity analysis without requiring prior vulnerability labels. We construct an evaluation dataset comprising 54 Known Defective Firmware (KDF) images with 74 verified vulnerabilities and assess FirmVulLinker across multiple correlation tasks. Compared to state-of-the-art techniques, FirmVulLinker achieves higher precision with substantially lower false-positive and false-negative rates. Notably, it identifies and reproduces 53 previously undisclosed N-day vulnerabilities in firmware images not listed as affected at the time of public disclosure, effectively extending the known impact scope. Our results demonstrate that FirmVulLinker enables scalable, high-fidelity homologous vulnerability analysis, offering a new perspective on understanding cross-firmware vulnerability patterns in the IoT ecosystem. Full article

Background: Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) and acute respiratory failure (ARF) are leading causes of hospitalization and functional decline in Italy, posing a significant burden on the healthcare system. In 2024, new national guidelines mandated the use of Intensive Care Rehabilitation Units (ICRUs) within MDC4 to provide structured post-acute respiratory rehabilitation. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate functional outcomes in patients with AECOPD and ARF treated in a single ICRU, assessing the effectiveness of guideline-based rehabilitation protocols. Methods: A retrospective audit was conducted on patients admitted in 2024 to a dedicated ICRU. Functional outcomes were assessed using the Barthel Index, Six-Minute Walking Test (6MWT), and Rehabilitation Complexity Index (RCI-e13). Correlation analyses were performed to explore relationships between baseline status, rehabilitation progression, and discharge outcomes. Results: Thirty-six patients were included. Significant improvements were observed across all scales from admission to discharge. The Barthel Index showed a strong positive correlation between initial and final scores (r = 0.72), while the 6MWT indicated a similarly robust correlation (r = 0.73). Greater functional gains were noted among patients with lower baseline scores, especially in mobility. The RCI-e13 reflected decreased clinical complexity by discharge, with moderate correlations to baseline severity. Age moderately correlated with length of stay (r = 0.30), but not with outcome scores. Conclusions: The implementation of early, intensive rehabilitation in an ICRU setting—aligned with Italy’s 2024 national guidelines—led to measurable functional improvements in patients with AECOPD and ARF. These findings support the utility of structured outcome monitoring and reinforce the role of ICRUs in optimizing post-acute care pathways within respiratory rehabilitation services. Full article

This study assesses the financial soundness of Sudanese commercial banks during escalating civil conflict by integrating Altman’s Z-score models with scenario-based stress testing. Using audited financial data from 2016 to 2022 (pre-war) and projections through to 2028, the analysis evaluates resilience under low- and high-intensity conflict scenarios. Altman’s Model 3 (for non-industrial firms) and Model 4 (for emerging markets) are applied to capture liquidity, retained earnings, profitability, and leverage dynamics. The findings reveal relative stability between 2017–2020 and in 2022, contrasted by significant vulnerability in 2016 and 2021 due to macroeconomic deterioration, sanctions, and political instability. Liquidity emerged as the most critical driver of Z-score performance, followed by earnings retention and profitability, while leverage showed a context-specific positive effect under Sudan’s Islamic finance framework. Stress testing indicates that even under low-intensity conflict, rising liquidity risk, capital erosion, and credit risk threaten sectoral stability by 2025. High-intensity conflict projections suggest systemic collapse by 2028, characterized by unsustainable liquidity depletion, near-zero capital adequacy, and widespread defaults. The results demonstrate a direct relationship between conflict duration and systemic fragility, affirming the predictive value of Altman’s models when combined with stress testing. Policy implications include the urgent need for enhanced risk-based supervision, Basel II/III implementation, crisis reserves, contingency planning, and coordinated regulatory interventions to safeguard the stability of the banking sector in fragile states. Full article

Substance use during pregnancy is an increasingly important yet under-recognized threat to maternal and child health. This narrative review synthesizes the current evidence available on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical management, and policy landscape of prenatal exposure to alcohol, tobacco, opioids, benzodiazepines, cocaine, cannabis, methamphetamines, and other synthetic drugs. All major psychoactive substances readily cross the placenta and can remain detectable in breast milk, leading to a shared cascade of obstetric complications (hypertensive disorders, placental abruption, pre-term labor), fetal consequences (growth restriction, structural malformations), and neonatal morbidities such as neonatal abstinence syndrome and sudden infant death. Mechanistically, trans-placental diffusion, oxidative stress, inflammatory signaling, and placental vascular dysfunction converge to disrupt critical neuro- and cardiovascular developmental windows. Early identification hinges on the combined use of validated screening questionnaires (4 P’s Plus, CRAFFT, T-ACE, AUDIT-C, TWEAK) and matrix-specific biomarkers (PEth, EtG, FAEE, CDT), while effective treatment requires integrated obstetric, addiction, and mental health services. Medication for opioid use disorders, particularly buprenorphine, alone or with naloxone, confers superior neonatal outcomes compared to methadone and underscores the value of harm-reducing non-punitive care models. Public-health strategies, such as Mexico’s “first 1 000 days” framework, wrap-around clinics, and home-visiting programs, demonstrate the potential of multisectoral interventions, but are hampered by structural inequities and punitive legislation that deter care-seeking. Research gaps persist in polysubstance exposure, culturally tailored therapies, and long-term neurodevelopmental trajectories. Multigenerational, omics-enabled cohorts, and digital longitudinal-care platforms represent promising avenues for closing these gaps and informing truly preventive perinatal health policies. Full article

This research presents an innovative Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) platform designed to provide holistic assistance and foster autonomy for visually impaired individuals within the university environment. Its main novelty is real-time sensory augmentation and spatial awareness, integrating ultrasonic, LiDAR, and RFID sensors for robust 360° obstacle detection, environmental perception, and precise indoor localization. A novel, optimized Dijkstra algorithm calculates optimal routes; speech and intent recognition enable intuitive voice control. The wearable smart glasses are complemented by a platform providing essential educational functionalities, including lesson reminders, timetables, and emergency assistance. Based on gamified principles of exploration and challenge, the platform includes immersive technology settings, intelligent image recognition, auditory conversion, haptic feedback, and rapid contextual awareness, delivering a sophisticated, effective navigational experience. Exhaustive technical evaluation reveals that a more autonomous and fulfilling university experience is made possible by notable improvements in navigation performance, object detection accuracy, and technical capabilities for social interaction features, according to a thorough technical audit. Full article

Wildlife rescue centres face considerable challenges in promoting animal welfare and enhancing the care and housing conditions of animals under professional supervision. These challenges are further compounded by the diversity of species admitted, each with distinct specific needs. In Colombia and other Latin American countries, primates are among the most frequently rescued and behaviourally complex mammalian taxa, requiring particular attention. In response, this study aimed to assess the content validity of proposed animal welfare indicators for Cebus albifrons through a Delphi consultation process and to develop two species-specific assessment protocols: a daily-use tool for keepers and a comprehensive protocol for professional audits. A panel of 23 experts in primate care and rehabilitation participated in two consultation rounds to evaluate and prioritise the indicators based on their content validity, perceived reliability, and practicality. Indicators were classified as either animal-based (direct measures) or resource- and management-based (indirect measures). After each round, experts received summarised feedback to refine their responses and facilitate consensus building. Of the 39 initially proposed indicators, 28 were validated for inclusion in the extended protocol and 10 selected for the daily-use checklist. Among these, 20 indicators in the extended protocol and 6 in the daily protocol were resource- or management-based—such as adequate food provision, physical enrichment, and habitat dimensions—highlighting their practical applicability and relevance in identifying welfare issues and risk factors. Although these indirect indicators were more numerous, the top-ranked indicators in both protocols were animal-based, including signs of pain, affiliative behaviours, and abnormal repetitive behaviours. These are essential for accurately reflecting the animals’ welfare state and are therefore critical components of welfare assessment in captive non-human primates. This study demonstrates that welfare assessment tools can be effectively tailored to the specific needs of wildlife rescue centres, providing a robust foundation for enhancing welfare practices. These protocols not only offer practical approaches for assessing welfare but also underscore the importance of embedding animal welfare as a priority alongside conservation efforts. Future research should aim to refine these tools further, assess their implementation, and evaluate inter- and intra-observer reliability to ensure consistency across different settings. Full article

The Sharia Supervisory Board (SSB) and the Audit Committee (AC) are crucial components of Good Corporate Governance (GCG) in Islamic banks. This study investigates the moderating role of SSB conflicts of interest arising from cross-membership in various Islamic Financial Institutions (IFIs) and AC members’ independence in the relationship between GCG and Islamic bank performance in Indonesia. Using a sample of ten full-fledged Islamic banks from 2014 to 2023, a Moderated Regression Analysis (MRA) was employed to test three hypotheses. The key findings indicate a significant positive relationship between GCG and Islamic bank financial performance. However, no significant moderating effects of SSB conflicts of interest on the GCG–performance relationship were found. Conversely, a significant positive moderating effect of AC independence was identified. These results have important implications for practitioners, regulators, and stakeholders of the Islamic banking industry. Islamic banks should prioritize the establishment of independent audit committees to strengthen their governance framework. While SSB cross-membership may not necessarily harm performance, banks should implement appropriate oversight mechanisms to manage potential conflicts of interest. The Indonesian Financial Services Authority (OJK) and similar regulatory bodies should continue to emphasize the importance of audit committee independence in their governance guidelines. Full article

Artificial intelligence (AI) is playing an increasingly important role in driving sustainable change across coastal and marine environments. Artificial intelligence offers strong support for environmental decision-making by helping to process complex data, anticipate outcomes, and fine-tune day-to-day operations. In busy coastal zones such as the Mediterranean where tourism and boating place significant strain on marine ecosystems, AI can be an effective means for marinas to reduce their ecological impact without sacrificing economic viability. This research examines the contribution of artificial intelligence toward the development of environmental sustainability in marina management. It investigates how AI can potentially reconcile economic imperatives with ecological conservation, especially in high-traffic coastal areas. Through a focus on the impact of social and technological context, this study emphasizes the way in which local conditions constrain the design, deployment, and reach of AI systems. The marinas of Ibiza and Monaco are used as a comparative backdrop to depict these dynamics. In Monaco, efforts like the SEA Index^® and predictive maintenance for superyachts contributed to a 28% drop in CO₂ emissions between 2020 and 2025. In contrast, Ibiza focused on circular economy practices, reaching an 85% landfill diversion rate using solar power, AI-assisted waste systems, and targeted biodiversity conservation initiatives. This research organizes AI tools into three main categories: supervised learning, anomaly detection, and rule-based systems. Their effectiveness is assessed using statistical techniques, including t-test results contextualized with Cohen’s d to convey practical effect sizes. Regression R² values are interpreted in light of real-world policy relevance, such as thresholds for energy audits or emissions certification. In addition to measuring technical outcomes, this study considers the ethical concerns, the role of local communities, and comparisons to global best practices. The findings highlight how artificial intelligence can meaningfully contribute to environmental conservation while also supporting sustainable economic development in maritime contexts. However, the analysis also reveals ongoing difficulties, particularly in areas such as ethical oversight, regulatory coherence, and the practical replication of successful initiatives across diverse regions. In response, this study outlines several practical steps forward: promoting AI-as-a-Service models to lower adoption barriers, piloting regulatory sandboxes within the EU to test innovative solutions safely, improving access to open-source platforms, and working toward common standards for the stewardship of marine environmental data. Full article

Hybrid ventilation is indicated as one of the effective methods of maintaining thermal comfort and indoor air quality and reducing energy consumption in buildings. It assumes the capacity to switch between natural and mechanical ventilation, allowing the most efficient use of the outdoor air potential. This article aims to quantify the impact of changing ventilation system, from natural to hybrid, on indoor air parameters and air change rates in a bedroom of a single-family house. The distinct aspects of this study include longitudinal measurement over three years, natural ventilation substituted by hybrid ventilation halfway into the monitoring period, and unaltered building and user characteristics. The analysis is based on measurements of temperature, relative humidity, CO2 concentration, and window opening for three seven-month measurement periods from September 1 to March 31. The measurements are complemented by in-depth user feedback and an audit of the building structure and installed HVAC systems. A clear correlation was observed between the values of relative humidity and carbon dioxide concentration and the type of ventilation strategy. A significant influence of residents’ behavior on the achieved indoor air parameters was observed. Full article

Against the backdrop of economic globalization and the increasing adoption of ESG principles, the phenomenon of Chinese private firms’ actual controllers obtaining foreign residency rights has garnered societal attention. Among the emerging issues, “whether and how actual controllers’ foreign residency rights influence corporate greenwashing behavior” has become a critical theoretical and practical concern. This study examines Chinese privately listed A-share companies in heavily polluting industries from 2010 to 2021, employing text analysis to identify symbolic and substantive environmental behaviors through the lens of environmental information disclosure, thereby constructing a comprehensive greenwashing measurement index system. The findings reveal a significant positive correlation between actual controllers’ foreign residency rights and corporate greenwashing, with this effect demonstrating long-term persistence. Heterogeneity analysis indicates that this relationship is more pronounced in companies where actual controllers exercise direct control compared to those with indirect control. Further tests demonstrate that enhanced internal control quality, increased media scrutiny, and stringent audit supervision can effectively mitigate the greenwashing-promoting effect of actual controllers’ foreign residency rights. The conclusions not only extend the theoretical framework of how executive characteristics influence corporate decision-making but also provide a reference governmental departments can use to improve the environmental regulatory policies of affiliates of holders of overseas residency rights. Full article

The growing use of mobile health (mHealth) technologies adds complexity and risk to the healthcare environment. This paper presents a multi-layered cybersecurity assessment of an in-house mHealth platform (PHGL-COVID), comprising a Docker-based server infrastructure, a Samsung Galaxy A55 smartphone, and a Galaxy Watch 7 wearable. The objective was to identify vulnerabilities across the server, mobile, and wearable components by emulating real-world attacks and conducting systematic penetration tests on each layer. Tools and methods specifically tailored to each technology were applied, revealing exploitable configurations, insecure Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communications, and exposure of Personal Health Records (PHRs). Key findings included incomplete container isolation, BLE metadata leakage, and persistent abuse of Android privacy permissions. This work delivers both a set of actionable recommendations for developers and system architects to strengthen the security of mHealth platforms, and a reproducible audit methodology that has been validated in a real-world deployment, effectively bridging the gap between theoretical threat models and practical cybersecurity practices in healthcare systems. Full article

The rising demand for energy resources and industrial goods presents significant challenges to sustainable development. Sunflower oil, commonly utilized in the food sector, biofuels, and various industrial applications, is notably affected by this demand. In Bulgaria, it serves as a primary source of vegetable fats, ranking second to butter in daily consumption. The aim of this study is to evaluate and propose methods to improve energy and resource efficiency in sunflower oil production in Bulgaria. The analysis is based on data from an energy audit conducted in 2023 at an industrial sunflower oil production facility. Reconstruction and modernization initiatives, which included the installation of high-performance, energy-efficient equipment, led to a 34% increase in energy efficiency. The findings highlight the importance of adjusting the technological parameters such as temperature, pressure, grinding level, and pressing time to reduce energy use and operational costs. Additionally, resource efficiency is improved through more effective raw material utilization and waste reduction. These strategies not only enhance the economic and environmental performance of sunflower oil production but also support sustainable development and competitiveness within the industry. The improvement reduces hexane use by approximately 2%, resulting in energy savings of 12–15 kWh/t of processed seeds and a reduction in CO₂ emissions by 3–4 kg/t, thereby improving the environmental profile of sunflower oil production. Full article

A reliable geothermal risk assessment methodology is key to any business decision. To be effective, it must be based on widely accepted principles, be easy to apply, be auditable, and produce consistent results. In this paper, we review the key characteristics of a geothermal project and propose a novel approach derived from risk and uncertainty definitions used in the hydrocarbon industry. According to the proposed methodology, the probability of success is assessed by estimating three different components. The first is the geological probability of success, which is the likelihood that the geological model on which the geothermal project is based is correct and that the key fundamental geological elements are present. The second, the temperature threshold, is defined as the probability that the fluid is above a certain reference value. Such a reference value is the one used to design the development. Such a component, therefore, depends on the end use of the geothermal resource. The third component is the commercial probability of success and estimates the chance of a project being commercially viable using the Reverse Enthalpy Methodology. Geothermal projects do not have a single parameter that represents their monetary value. Therefore, in order to estimate it, it is necessary to make an initial assumption that can be revisited later in an iterative manner. The proposed methodology works with either the capital expenditure of the geothermal facility (power plant or direct thermal use) or the drilling cost as the initial assumption. Varying the other parameter, it estimates the probability of having a net present value (NPV) higher than zero. Full article