Conference Papers Research Articles

Indoor Air Quality: Bibliometric Analysis of the Published Literature Between 2018 and 2023

ABSTRACTThis bibliometric study employs a rigorous approach to scrutinize and visually represent the existing body of literature on indoor air quality (IAQ). Utilizing the Scopus collection database, we conducted an exhaustive exploration of published research literature in the IAQ field. The study involves a thorough visual analysis using Harzing's Publish and Perish and VOSviewer software programs, examining parameters such as citations, publication year, journals, authors, research institutions, countries, and research topics. A total of 1729 pieces of literature related to IAQ research from 2018 to 2023 were retrieved. The dominant formats were articles and conference papers, underscoring their significance in IAQ documentation. Primary subject areas included “Engineering” and “Environmental Science,” highlighting the multidisciplinary nature of IAQ studies. The upward trend in IAQ publications, reaching 330 articles in 2023, emphasizes the growing importance of this field. However, citation impact varied, emphasizing the need to assess research quality alongside quantity. Global distribution identified leading countries, including the United States, China, and the United Kingdom, which were also top contributors in co‐authorship and country‐level analyses. The top journals were “Building and Environment” and “Sustainable Cities and Society,” showcasing varying publication and citation powers. Notable impactful articles in the IAQ domain were led by Agarwal et al. and Van Tran, Park, and Lee. Keyword co‐occurrence analysis identified thematic clusters, with keywords such as “Indoor Air Quality (IAQ),” “Air Quality,” and “Indoor Air Pollution” dominating the literature. Through a comprehensive analysis of published literature, this study provides a visual representation of studies with significant contributions to the IAQ field, offering insights into its development and changes from 2018 to 2023. The findings also guide future IAQ research directions.

Publication Trends of Online Assessment in Physical Education

Covid-19 significantly contributed to increasing use of online assessment in education, including physical education. Teachers still need online assessments in face-to-face learning because they help them improve a practical, objective, and credible assessment process for students' learning performance. This research aimed at tracking the publication trends of OA in PE in four years, 2019-2023, from the Scopus database. The investigation began on October 11, 2023, using the title, abstract, and keywords of "online AND assessment AND in AND physical AND education," and the researchers succeeded in collecting 985 documents (articles = 82.74%, conference papers = 8.83%, reviews = 6.19%, book chapters = 1.32%, and conference reviews = 0.91%). The publication trend metrics were highest in 2021 with 277 articles (28.12%) and began to decline by 0.10% in 2022 (to 28.02%) and 9.04% in 2023 (to 18.98). Over the four years 2019-2023, there were 2698 citations from 277 documents (average citations per document = 9.74). VOSviewer analysis proves that the title words "online assessment" and "physical education" have a small item load, so the visualisation was not visible in the VOS viewer output. Apart from that, the two title words also did not have a connection. This means that this study proved the results of online assessment investigation in physical education still has potential for future research. Future research can explore and project the various needs for developing OA in PE to help teachers organise effective, efficient and credible assessment activities.

A Causal Analysis of Harm

As autonomous systems rapidly become ubiquitous, there is a growing need for a legal and regulatory framework that addresses when and how such a system harms someone. There have been several attempts within the philosophy literature to define harm, but none of them has proven capable of dealing with the many examples that have been presented, leading some to suggest that the notion of harm should be abandoned and “replaced by more well-behaved notions”. As harm is generally something that is caused, most of these definitions have involved causality at some level. Yet surprisingly, none of them makes use of causal models and the definitions of actual causality that they can express. In this paper, which is an expanded version of the conference paper Beckers et al. (Adv Neural Inform Process Syst 35:2365–2376, 2022), we formally define a qualitative notion of harm that uses causal models and is based on a well-known definition of actual causality. The key features of our definition are that it is based on contrastive causation and uses a default utility to which the utility of actual outcomes is compared. We show that our definition is able to handle the examples from the literature, and illustrate its importance for reasoning about situations involving autonomous systems.

Geosynthetic MSE walls research and practice: past, present, and future (2023 IGS Bathurst Lecture)

The technology of geosynthetic mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls can help solve classical geotechnical earth retaining wall problems. It can also contribute to achieving the new required performance for infrastructures, such as reliance and sustainability. To further develop this technology, it is essential to analyze the history of its progress. This study summarizes the state-of-the-art research on the mechanical and soil interaction properties of geosynthetics, physical modeling and in situ measurements, analytical and numerical modeling, and reliability analyses by reviewing approximately 728 papers published in well-known international journals in this field and some notable conference paper contributions during the period of approximately 50 years from 1972 to 2023. The latest analytical methods, such as risk-based life cycle cost and CO2 emission assessments and damage/failure predictions, are introduced to evaluate the resilience and sustainability performance of geosynthetic MSE walls. Finally, the prospects of a seismic isolation technique with new types of geosynthetics and life cycle management using a long-term sensor for geosynthetic MSE walls are discussed.

What and How Read Our Children: Cross-Cultural Aspect (review of the conference papers)

The article presents the results of the II International Scientific and Practical Conference “What and How Our Children Read: Cross-Cultural Aspect”, which was held at the Russian State Children’s Library on June 1-2, 2023.The goals of the conference were to discuss modern approaches to the study of reading and the reader; to consider current problems in the field of studying children’s reading; to exchange creative forms and methods of introducing preschoolers, schoolchildren and teenagers to reading; to popularize information resources for promoting the value of books and reading; to study the role of family, school and library in introducing children to reading. The author considered the key plenary presentations, a specialized round table as well as the work of two thematic sessions that took place within the conference programme.

A Bibliometric Analysis of Virtual Reality in Higher Education: Research Trends and Productivity

This bibliometric study examines the overall research trends and productivity in virtual reality in higher education based on published articles (2010–2024). Initially, we identified 1,412 studies from the Scopus database using the search string ("virtual reality" AND "higher education" OR "tertiary education"). Finally, we selected 1,128 articles for analysis after filtering by articles, book chapters, review, and conference papers published in English within social science, psychology, multidisciplinary, arts, and humanities subjects. Utilizing Biblioshiny (R Studio) and VOSviewer software, we observed a significant upward trend in publications from 2010 to 2023. Most studies (31.8%) were in Computer Science, and the USA is the dominant contributor, followed by China and international collaborations with other countries. Gregory, S. (n = 14 articles) is the most prolific author, while the Catholic University of Avila is the leading institute (n = 22 articles). The leading source is the “ACM International Conference Proceeding Series” (n = 38 articles). The article “A Systematic Review of Immersive Virtual Reality Applications for Higher Education: Design Elements, Lessons Learned, and Research Agenda” by Radianti et al. (2020) was highly cited (1060). 'Virtual Reality' and 'Higher Education' were the most common co-occurrences among the authors' keywords. The most prominent theme based on the author’s keywords is "Innovative Education Ecosystems in the Digital Age." This study provides valuable insight into the research landscape of VR in HE. The study suggests a comprehensive review and meta-analysis of relevant studies for improved generalization.

The Application of Chat GPT in English Language Evaluation: A Systematic Literature Review

This comprehensive study of the literature investigated the use, advantages, and drawbacks of the Chat GPT in English language instruction. This article was constructed by using a limited search strategy for relevant databases like Google Scholar, Frontiersin, ResearchGate, Journal of Applied Learning and Teaching, and ScienceDirect using the keywords “Chat GPT” and “ELT Assessment.” The search is limited to articles published between 2019 and 2024, written in English, and containing “Chat GPT” and “English Language Assessment,” open-access, peer-reviewed, and relevant conference papers. This review examined 20 academic research papers on the use of the Chat GPT in English Language Teaching (ELT) assessment. The findings highlighted various benefits, including simplified assessment, customisation, near-real-time automation, removal of geographical restrictions, and cost-effectiveness. Nevertheless, ethical issues and restrictions were discussed, such as the responsible use of AI as a tool and the imbalance that AI can create in the integrity of an the assessment. The outcomes of this review could offer an understanding of the Chat GPT in terms of ELT assessment application and some new opportunities for future research and practice. The novelty of this study lies in the thorough literature review conducted by the author, encompassing a diverse array of research studies. The study elucidated various advantages and obstacles encountered by researchers during the assessment process. Furthermore, the researchers underscored the necessity of human validation for current generational artificial intelligence models in practical applications.

Self-driving car implementation guided by computer vision for detection

This conference paper discusses the influence of computer vision in self-driving car implementation. The automotive industry has experienced a significant transformation by integrating artificial intelligence, such as computer vision. The global market for AI in automotive has grown remarkably since many organizations in the electric vehicle industry have engaged in computer vision due to its benefits. Object detection in computer vision contributes to autonomous driving systems, assisting self-driving vehicles in classification of the road objects accurately. This paper has provided an overview of the importance of computer vision to self-driving cars, such as user experience, reduction in cost and vehicle safety. However, some challenges, such as adverse weather conditions, have also been experienced. A case study analysis has been done to have practical implications of the self-driving car implementation guided by computer vision for detection.

Applications of Fog Computing in Healthcare.

Fog computing is a decentralized computing infrastructure that processes data at or near its source, reducing latency and bandwidth usage. This technology is gaining traction in healthcare due to its potential to enhance real-time data processing and decision-making capabilities in critical medical scenarios. A systematic review of existing literature on fog computing in healthcare was conducted. The review included searches in major databases such as PubMed, IEEE Xplore, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The search terms used were "fog computing in healthcare," "real-time diagnostics and fog computing," "continuous patient monitoring fog computing," "predictive analytics fog computing," "interoperability in fog computing healthcare," "scalability issues fog computing healthcare," and "security challenges fog computing healthcare." Articles published between 2010 and 2023 were considered. Inclusion criteria encompassed peer-reviewed articles, conference papers, and review articles focusing on the applications of fog computing in healthcare. Exclusion criteria were articles not available in English, those not related to healthcare applications, and those lacking empirical data. Data extraction focused on the applications of fog computing in real-time diagnostics, continuous monitoring, predictive analytics, and the identified challenges of interoperability, scalability, and security. Fog computing significantly enhances diagnostic capabilities by facilitating real-time data analysis, crucial for urgent diagnostics such as stroke detection, by processing data closer to its source. It also improves monitoring during surgeries by enabling real-time processing of vital signs and physiological parameters, thereby enhancing patient safety. In chronic disease management, continuous data collection and analysis through wearable devices allow for proactive disease management and timely adjustments to treatment plans. Additionally, fog computing supports telemedicine by enabling real-time communication between remote specialists and patients, thereby improving access to specialist care in underserved regions. Fog computing offers transformative potential in healthcare, improving diagnostic precision, patient monitoring, and personalized treatment. Addressing the challenges of interoperability, scalability, and security will be crucial for fully realizing the benefits of fog computing in healthcare, leading to a more connected and efficient healthcare environment.

Lean Implementation in Indonesian Small and Medium Enterprises: A Systematic Literature Review

Lean implementation focuses on reducing waste and improving efficiency in business operations, a strategy widely embraced in developed countries. However, its adoption among Indonesian SMEs is limited and lacks adequate research. Understanding how lean practices can effectively enhance competitiveness and productivity in this vital sector of the Indonesian economy is crucial. Despite its widespread use in Western countries, there's a noticeable gap in research specifically examining how lean principles are applied within SMEs, especially in developing countries like Indonesia. Furthermore, there's a clear scarcity of studies detailing the current state of lean implementation in Indonesia, particularly within SMEs. This study conducted a systematic literature review (SLR), thoroughly searching peer-reviewed journals and conference papers. We identified 441 articles related to lean practices in Indonesia, with 40 focusing specifically on SMEs. Through this review, we uncovered key themes and trends in lean implementation, offering valuable insights into current practices and highlighting areas for future research. This paper represents one of the first comprehensive SLRs exploring lean practices within Indonesian SMEs. It aims to deepen our understanding of how lean methodologies impact SME operations in Indonesia and provides practical guidance for researchers and practitioners interested in lean implementation. By bridging these research gaps, we hope to contribute to the body of knowledge on lean implementation in Indonesian SMEs, suggesting strategies for effective implementation and paving the way for further study in this important area.

Cellular mechanisms of monozygotic twinning: clues from assisted reproduction.

Monozygotic (MZ) twins are believed to arise from the fission of a single fertilized embryo at different stages. Monochorionic MZ twins, who share one chorion, originate from the splitting of the inner cell mass (ICM) within a single blastocyst. In the classic model for dichorionic MZ twins, the embryo splits before compaction, developing into two blastocysts. However, there are a growing number of ART cases where a single blastocyst transfer results in dichorionic MZ twins, indicating that embryo splitting may occur even after blastocyst formation. For monochorionic MZ twins, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the cellular mechanisms involved in ICM splitting, drawing from both ART cases and animal experiments. In addition, we critically re-examine the classic early splitting model for dichorionic MZ twins. We explore cellular mechanisms leading to two separated blastocysts in ART, potentially causing dichorionic MZ twins. Relevant studies including research articles, reviews, and conference papers were searched in the PubMed database. Cases of MZ twins from IVF clinics were found by using combinations of terms including 'monozygotic twins' with 'IVF case report', 'ART', 'single embryo transfer', or 'dichorionic'. The papers retrieved were categorized based on the implicated mechanisms or as those with unexplained mechanisms. Animal experiments relating to MZ twins were found using 'mouse embryo monozygotic twins', 'mouse 8-shaped hatching', 'zebrafish janus mutant', and 'nine-banded armadillo embryo', along with literature collected through day-to-day reading. The search was limited to articles in English, with no restrictions on publication date or species. For monochorionic MZ twins, ART cases and mouse experiments demonstrate evidence that a looser ICM in blastocysts has an increased chance of ICM separation. Physical forces facilitated by blastocoel formation or 8-shaped hatching are exerted on the ICM, resulting in monochorionic MZ twins. For dichorionic MZ twins, the classic model resembles artificial cloning of mouse embryos in vitro, requiring strictly controlled splitting forces, re-joining prevention, and proper aggregation, which allows the formation of two separate human blastocysts under physiological circumstances. In contrast, ART procedures involving the transfer of a single blastocysts after atypical hatching or vitrified-warmed cycles might lead to blastocyst separation. Differences in morphology, molecular mechanisms, and timing across various animal model systems for MZ twinning can impede this research field. As discussed in future directions, recent developments of innovative in vitro models of human embryos may offer promising avenues for providing fundamental novel insights into the cellular mechanisms of MZ twinning during human embryogenesis. Twin pregnancies pose high risks to both the fetuses and the mother. While single embryo transfer is commonly employed to prevent dizygotic twin pregnancies in ART, it cannot prevent the occurrence of MZ twins. Drawing from our understanding of the cellular mechanisms underlying monochorionic and dichorionic MZ twinning, along with insights into the genetic mechanisms, could enable improved prediction, prevention, and even intervention strategies during ART procedures. N/A.

What is known about cardiovascular diseases among seafarers: A systematic scoping review and quality assessment.

Seafarers are at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), potentially due to a stressful working environment and behavioral risk factors. To develop better prevention strategies, it is important to elucidate the extent of this risk. Therefore, we conducted a systematic literature review on CVD in seafarers. We conducted systematic searches in five databases. All studies investigating CVDs among occupational seafarers, published in articles or conference papers, were eligible for inclusion. The identified records were screened and reviewed by two independent researchers, who also evaluated the methodological quality of the included studies. Three thousand nine hundred and seventeen records qualified for screening, and 55 were eligible for inclusion. Most of the studies were observational, including cohort, frequency, incidence or prevalence studies, and review of case records. Around half were assessed at risk of biased findings. Participants in the studies were primarily from North America or the European continent and work onboard transportation vessels. Many studies investigated CVDs as a cause of death, focusing on conditions such as CVD, ischemic heart disease, and myocardial infarction. Frequency of CVD conditions varied but indicate that seafarers face a greater risk compared to the reference populations or control groups. Environmental factors were mainly investigated as risk factors. Our results indicate a higher risk of CVDs among seafarers compared to reference or control groups. However, due to the variable quality of the evidence, well-designed studies are needed to establish the causes of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in seafarers and to investigate behavioral aspects of cardiovascular risk.

Performance and Communication Cost of Hardware Accelerators for Hashing in Post-Quantum Cryptography

SPHINCS+ is a signature scheme included in the first NIST post-quantum standard, that bases its security on the underlying hash primitive. As most of the runtime of SPHINCS+ is caused by the evaluation of several hash- and pseudo-random functions, offloading this computation to dedicated hardware accelerators is a natural step. In this work, we evaluate different architectures for hardware acceleration of such a hash primitive with respect to its use-case and evaluate them in the context of SPHINCS+. We attach hardware accelerators for different hash primitives (SHAKE128 and Ascon-Xof for both, full and round-reduced versions) to CPU interfaces having different transfer speeds. We show, that for most use-cases, data transfer determines the overall performance if accelerators are equipped with FIFOs and that reducing the number of rounds in the permutation does not necessarily lead to significant performance improvements when using hardware acceleration. This work extends on a conference paper accepted at COSADE’24, first published in [19], and written by the same authors, where different architectures for hardware accelerators of hash functions are benchmarked and evaluated for SPHINCS+ as a case study. In this paper, we provide results for additional parameter sets for SPHINCS+ and improve the performance of one of the accelerators by adding an additional RISC-V instruction for faster absorption. We then extend the performance benchmark by including the algorithms CRYSTALS-Kyber, CRYSTALS-Dilithium and Falcon. Finally we provide a power/energy comparison for the accelerators.

Volumetric Flow Field Measurements Around A Stepped Cylinder With An Object-Aware Lagrangian Particle Tracking Approach

Instantaneous, three-dimensional flow field measurements around cylindrical objects can pose special problems for the experimental set-up due to the complex camera set-up required to image the complete measurement domain. Recently, a novel Object-aware Shake-the-Box (OA-STB) has been proposed to integrate object information in the particle triangulation step for Lagrangian particle tracking (LPT) methods. Within this conference paper, a validation experiment of this novel OA-STB implementation is presented with the motivation of providing data analysis details and to serve as a guideline for future measurements of a similar scope. The reconstruction quality of the object aware particle triangulation is analyzed with respect to the estimated measurement uncertainties. Further, a single exemplary trajectory is considered in order to investigate, whether nonphysical discontinuities occur, when a particle crosses differently imaged regions.

Uses and Implications of Marijuana from the Perspective of Islamic Law

Objectives: The study aims to determine whether all uses of Marijuana are considered haram (prohibited) or if there are any exceptions. Methodology: It employed a qualitative methodology and rigorously examined relevant materials from a jurisprudential perspective, including textual and contextual aspects. Data for this study were sourced from various materials, including books, journal articles, reports, conference papers, and websites. Findings: The research highlights the differences between hemp and Cannabis sativa, both types of marijuana plants, distinguished by their varying levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Hemp contains less than 0.3% THC, while Marijuana can have THC levels up to 28%. Marijuana is primarily used for recreational purposes, whereas hemp has numerous industrial applications such as textiles, rope, paint, clothing, shoes, paper, bioplastics, insulation, lotions, and more. Ultimately, the ruling on marijuana use varies between forbidden (haram) and permissible (halal), depending on the intent behind its use. This is consistent with the Islamic legal principle that the determining factors influence the law. Originality: The study's findings will assist policymakers in effectively managing hemp, creating job opportunities, and significantly increasing tax revenue while implementing measures to prevent and control its use. The scientific value of this research lies in analyzing marijuana consumption from the perspective of the Sharia, which aligns with the higher objectives of Islamic law: preserving the mind and wealth.

Efficacy of relational agents for loneliness across age groups: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundLoneliness is a serious public health concern. Although previous interventions have had some success in mitigating loneliness, the field is in search of novel, more effective, and more scalable solutions. Here, we focus on “relational agents”, a form of software agents that are increasingly powered by artificial intelligence and large language models (LLMs). We report on a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the impact of relational agents on loneliness across age groups.MethodsIn this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched 11 databases including Ovid MEDLINE and Embase from inception to Sep 16, 2022. We included randomised controlled trials and non-randomised studies of interventions published in English across all age groups. These loneliness interventions, typically attempt to improve social skills, social support, social interaction, and maladaptive cognitions. Peer-reviewed journal articles, books, book chapters, Master’s and PhD theses, or conference papers were eligible for inclusion. Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias via the RoB 2 and ROBINS-I tools. We calculated pooled estimates of Hedge’s g in a random-effects meta-analysis and conducted sensitivity and sub-group analyses. We evaluated publication bias via funnel plots, Egger’s test, and a trim-and-fill algorithm.FindingsOur search identified 3,935 records of which 14 met eligibility criteria and were included in our meta-analysis. Included studies comprised 286 participants with individual study sample sizes ranging from 4 to 42 participants (x̄ = 20.43, s = 11.58, x̃ = 20). We used a Bonferroni correction with αBonferroni = 0.05 / 4 = 0.0125 and applied Knapp-Hartung adjustments. Relational agents reduced loneliness significantly at an adjusted αBonferroni (g = -0.552; 95% Knapp-Hartung CI, -0.877 to -0.226; P = 0.003), which corresponds to a moderate reduction in loneliness.ConclusionOur results are currently the most comprehensive of their kind and provide promising evidence for the efficacy of relational agents. Relational agents are a promising technology that can alleviate loneliness in a scalable way and that can be a meaningful complement to other approaches. The advent of LLMs should boost their efficacy, and further research is needed to explore the optimal design and use of relational agents. Future research could also address shortcomings of current results, such as small sample sizes and high risk of bias. Particularly young audiences have been overlooked in past research.

Digital Leadership in the Era of Industry 4.0: A Comprehensive Literature Review

The advent of Industry 4.0 has revolutionized the landscape of leadership, emphasizing the critical role of digital leadership in navigating technological advancements and organizational transformations. This comprehensive literature review explores the evolving concept of digital leadership within the context of Industry 4.0, aiming to synthesize current research findings, identify emerging trends, and highlight best practices. Through a systematic analysis of peer-reviewed articles, books, and conference papers from the last decade, this study examines the key attributes, strategies, and impacts of digital leadership on organizational performance and innovation. The review reveals that effective digital leaders exhibit a combination of technological proficiency, visionary thinking, and adaptive management skills. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of fostering a digital culture, promoting continuous learning, and leveraging data-driven decision-making to drive organizational success. By providing a holistic understanding of digital leadership, this study offers valuable insights for academics and practitioners seeking to enhance leadership effectiveness in the digital age. The findings underscore the necessity for organizations to invest in leadership development programs that align with the demands of Industry 4.0, ensuring leaders are equipped to lead in a rapidly changing technological environment.

Potentials of Cannabis as versatile additive in consumer, industrial and medicinal products and green synthesis of nanoparticles: A systematic review

Abstract The rapidly growing human population has upsurged the need for natural resources, endangering the environment and widening the gaps between availability and needs. The objective of this review was to compile the reported data on Cannabis- based food, beverage, cosmetics, textiles, composites and medicinal products with an emphasis on the regulatory framework and guidelines on Cannabis use, Cannabis- based green synthesis of NPs, and multiple ways of incorporating Cannabis with emphasis on critical factors to be considered while using Cannabis as an additive. We searched the data across scientific databases such as Google Scholar, SciELO, Medline, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, and some conference papers, books, dissertations and government reports. Almost 20 different Cannabis -based food and beverage products with enriched nutrition and 11 cosmetic products have been developed and reported with improved quality. The utilization of Cannabis for the development of textiles, composites and different kinds of medicines like Dronabinol (Marinol®), Nabilone, Sativex® or Nabiximols®, Cannapain® and Cannabis variety based preparations/products (on CBD and THC content basis) including Bedrocan, Bedica, Bedrolite, Bediol and Bedrobinol are available for human use. Various Cannabis NPs, including gold (AuNPs), silver (AgNPs), and selenium (SeNPs), are green synthesized with significant antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial potentials. Because of the endless need for re-invention and the speedy evolution of the market, industries have found a state-of-the-art opportunity to develop various products and nanoparticles (NPs) using Cannabis as a versatile constituent, however, the efficacy of edible products depends upon the level of psychoactive THC present in Cannabis . Overall, the data provided here on Cannabis -based consumers, industrial and medicinal products, green synthesis of Cannabis NPs, and multiple ways of Cannabis incorporation in products considering possible challenges could add significant contributions to the global Cannabis research.

P-338 Redefining elective co-parenting: a systematic assessment of concepts and definitions found in the literature and a recommendation for new terminology

Abstract Study question What concepts and concept definitions (including normative meanings) are found in the literature for forms of ‘elective co-parenting’ and which can be recommended? Summary answer Current terminology lacks comprehensiveness and often contains additional (hidden) meanings, thereby jeopardizing its usability for research on contemporary family formation. We suggest a new nomenclature. What is known already There is an increase in the variation of family forms, types of parenthood roles and methods for family formation. One such way of family building has most recently been referred to as “elective co-parenting”. Not to be confused with parenting after separation, elective co-parenting typically alludes to the intentional undertaking of a shared parental project by persons who are primarily in a reproductive (and not a ‘romantic’) relationship with each other. However, many other terms and somewhat diverging concept definitions have been put forward. It seems that a fundamental conceptual framework has not yet been established. Study design, size, duration We will adhere to a tailored set of guidelines for conceptual engineering organized in five stages: (i) Identify potential attributes by collecting a representative set of definitions, (ii) Organize the potential attributes by theme and identify any necessary & sufficient or shared ones, (iii) Develop a preliminary definition of the concept, (iv) Determine what functions our concepts should serve going forward, (v) Refine the conceptual definition and improve or replace the concept. Participants/materials, setting, methods A scoping review was performed by implementing a wide-ranging search string in ProQuest. We used the following selection criteria: the article is (a) a peer-reviewed journal article, book chapter, conference paper, or report, (b) published in the last ten years, (c) written in English, that (d) proposes an explicit concept definition (also including normative meanings). Papers cited in the retrieved publications were also included if they satisfied (a), (b), (c) and (d). Main results and the role of chance After screening the available literature for academic articles that contained one or several explicit definition(s) of ‘elective co-parenting’, and that met the other selection criteria; (a), (b) and (c), key attributes mentioned in these definitions were organized in themes, i.e. necessary and/or sufficient conditions; e.g. (a) ‘Pre-conception temporality’, (b) ‘Collaborative nature’, etc. Data analysis is currently ongoing. Our aim is to put forward a new and comprehensive concept definition. In this, we will provide more clarity by making explicit all the necessary conditions (and not merely one or two as is the case in many current definitions). Furthermore, prompted by ethical considerations (e.g. ‘elective’ puts notable emphasis on free choice), we will also propose a new term for the concept of ‘elective co-parenting’; one that is more neutral and therefore more appropriate to describe the particular family building practice. The study will be completed in the forthcoming months. Limitations, reasons for caution The main challenge of this study was the construction of a suitable search strategy to find papers on a topic for which a wide range of (often contested) concepts and terminology was used. For this, several, but certainly not all (e.g. empirical research), possible strategies and data sources were explored. Wider implications of the findings This study highlights the importance of establishing clear concepts and concept definitions in the pursuit of high quality research. Providing a more appropriate concept and concept definition for what is now known as “elective co-parenting” renders further inquiry into the topic more intellectually and ethically sound. Trial registration number N/A

Cost-effectiveness and benefits of perinatal health interventions in high-income settings: A protocol for a systematic review of economic evaluations.

Despite ongoing efforts, perinatal morbidity and mortality persist across all settings, imposing a dual burden of clinical and economic strain. Besides, the fragmented nature of economic evidence on perinatal health interventions hinders the formulation of effective health policies. Our review aims to comprehensively and critically assess the economic evidence for such interventions in high-income countries, where the balance of health outcomes and fiscal prudence is paramount. We will conduct a comprehensive search for studies using databases including EconLit (EBSCO), Cost Effectiveness Analysis (CEA) Registry, Medline (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), CINAHL Ultimate (EBSCO), Global Health (Ovid), and PubMed. Furthermore, we will broaden our search to include Google Scholar and conduct snowballing from the final articles included. The search terms will encompass economic evaluation, perinatal health interventions, morbidity and mortality, and high-income countries. We will include full economic evaluations focusing on cost-effectiveness, cost-benefit, cost-utility, and cost-minimisation analyses. We will exclude partial economic evaluations, reports, qualitative studies, conference papers, editorials, and systematic reviews. Date restrictions will limit the review to studies published after 2010 and those in English during the study selection process. We will use the modified Drummond checklist to evaluate the quality of each included study. Our findings will adhere to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) 2020 statement. A summary will include estimated costs, effectiveness, benefits, and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). We also plan to conduct a subgroup analysis. To aid comparability, we will standardise all costs to the United States Dollar, adjusting them to their 2022 value using country-specific consumer price index and purchasing power parity. This systematic review will not involve human participants and requires no ethical approval. We will publish the results in a peer-reviewed journal. We registered our record on PROSPERO (registration #: CRD42023432232).