Scientific Literature Research Articles

Applications of AI in Design, Manufacturing and Production

Innovation, Adaptation and Improvement are the major thrust for the manufacturing Industries. AI, an emerging technology which is bringing a boon in the market industries. With its increasing features and technology now, it is making its way for manufacturing and product designing. When it comes to AI the base starts with machine learning which has supervised and unsupervised learning in it. Artificial Intelligence models to some extent has a conceptual adaptation of neural networks ,which works similar to that of human brain .AI analyses all the data and draws conclusions for machine and detect all the irregularities and make perfect out of it.AI in relation to CAD is a virtual assistant which gives a broad way into the areas of creativity and ideas which helps in creating multiple variants after recognising the pattern and which in turns helps in making the products in less time. The application of AI which are based upon Machine learning, Internet of things ,block-chain technology, cloud computing and cyber physical system have paved the path for significant improvement in the product designing, quality of product ,improving the manufacturing process and has reduced the time between the development of the new products and its launching while focusing on sustainability. This scientific paper describes how Artificial intelligence is applied in designing of products, interfaces, relation to CAD packages and improving the way of manufacturing which is the need of the hour and demand of society to nurture the satisfaction of customers.

岭南非物质文化遗产在文创产品开发中的创新与设计研究

通过综述我国岭南非物质文化遗产保育与活化的现状，归纳非遗文创产品开发的概念与模式，并论证文创产品开发对岭南非物质文化遗产传播与活化的积极作用。本文将基于当前非遗保育研究文献，探讨非遗文化在文创产品设计中的传承与创新形式，进一步分析其有效渗透途径。同时，通过案例分析，阐释岭南非遗文创产品开发设计中，如何从文化、形式、功能以及无形产品的情感元素中提取设计创意方法。总结岭南非物质文化遗产元素在文创产品开发与创新中的表达形式及创意手法。基于现代消费者对岭南非物质文化遗产保育与传承的认知态度，分析文化创意产品开发与岭南非物质文化遗产保育之间的互利关系；并从主题、产品、工艺及材料载体四个方面，创新性地提出岭南非物质文化遗产文创开发的有效途径及未来发展方向。Heritage (ICH) in the Lingnan region of China, this paper summarizes the concepts and models of ICH-related cultural and creative product development and demonstrates the positive role of such development in promoting and revitalizing Lingnan ICH. Based on existing research literature on ICH conservation, the paper explores the forms of inheritance and innovation of ICH culture in cultural and creative product design and further analyzes effective penetration methods for integrating ICH culture into such designs. Additionally, through case studies, it illustrates creative design methods for extracting cultural, formal, functional, and emotional elements of intangible products from Lingnan ICH in the development and design of cultural and creative products. The paper summarizes the semantic expression forms and creative approaches of Lingnan ICH elements in cultural and creative product development and innovation. Considering modern consumers' perceptions and attitudes toward the conservation and inheritance of Lingnan ICH, the paper analyzes the mutually beneficial relationship between the development of cultural and creative products and the conservation of Lingnan ICH. It innovatively proposes effective approaches and future development directions for ICH-related cultural and creative product development in Lingnan, focusing on four aspects: themes, products, craftsmanship, and material carriers.

Features of implementing business models based on sustainable development

The article examines the features of implementing business models oriented toward the principles of sustainable development. It focuses on the integration of environmental, social, and economic factors into strategic management processes. The objective of the study is to identify methodological approaches, tools, and factors influencing the implementation of sustainable models across various industries and regions. The methodology is based on an analysis of scientific literature and empirical data, which enabled the identification of effective practices and the recognition of gaps in existing approaches. Sources include scientific articles by international authors available in open access, as well as materials found online, allowing for a comprehensive examination of the topic. Among the tools highlighted are digital platforms, monitoring systems, lifecycle assessment methods, and blockchain technologies, all of which enhance the transparency of supply chains. The results indicate that the successful adaptation of sustainable business models depends on the interplay of technological innovations, social responsibility, and local adaptation. Barriers to implementing such models include limited resources, cultural differences, and the absence of universal standards for evaluating their effectiveness. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of an interdisciplinary approach in developing sustainable development strategies, which is particularly relevant for organizations seeking to maintain long-term competitiveness. The study will be of interest to company executives, researchers, and consultants working on sustainable development issues.

Diagnostic accuracy of node-RADS for the detection of lymph node invasion: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

To conduct a meta-analysis assessing the diagnostic performance of the node reporting and data system (Node-RADS) for detecting lymph node (LN) invasion. We performed a systematic literature search of online scientific publication databases from inception up to July 31, 2024. We used the quality assessment of diagnostic accuracy studies-2 (QUADAS-2) to assess the study quality, and heterogeneity was determined by the Q-test and measured with I2 statistics. We employed the hierarchic summary ROC (HSROC) model to estimate the summary sensitivity and specificity. Subgroup analyses were conducted according to the imaging modality and cutoff values. A total of 13 studies involving 1341 participants met the inclusion criteria. Pooled summary estimates of sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve of HSROC were 0.79 (95% CI: 0.66-0.88), 0.86 (95% CI: 0.80-0.90), and 0.90 (95% CI: 0.87-0.92). Subgroup analysis showed that the pooled sensitivity and specificity for CT were 0.74 (95% CI: 0.63-0.83) and 0.84 (95% CI: 0.74-0.91), whereas for MRI were 0.84 (95% CI: 0.59-0.95) and 0.88 (95% CI: 0.81-0.93), respectively. Node-RADS demonstrates the promising potential for the prediction of LN invasion, with high specificity but moderate sensitivity, particularly with optimal cutoff value ≥ 3. Indirect comparisons showed no significant difference between CT and MRI regarding overall diagnostic accuracy. Question Since the Node-RADS has been proposed, a number of studies have assessed its diagnostic performance for evaluating LN invasion. Findings Node-RADS demonstrated high specificity but moderate sensitivity, and cutoff ≥ 3 is the optimal threshold; indirect comparison suggested no significant difference between CT and MRI. Clinical relevance This study synthesized currently available evidence on studies of utilizing Node-RADS for assessing LNI in patients with various cancers, providing valuable insights for radiologists for utilizing this new risk scoring system in clinical practice.

Robert Wartenberg and the Hallervorden Affair, 1953: A Clash Between Medical Ethics and Cold War Politics.

Robert Wartenberg was an emigrant from Nazi Germany and an iconic pioneer in neurology, describing eponyms and helping to found and nurture the American Academy of Neurology. However, in 1953, ironically, he became embroiled in a controversial event regarding the German neuroscientist and Nazi collaborator Julius Hallervorden. Wartenberg attempted to convince the Dutch delegation to attend the International Neurological Congress in Lisbon from which they had withdrawn in response to Hallervorden's inclusion as a speaker. In addition, he rallied neuroscientists worldwide to help convince the Dutch, largely ignoring and burying their concerns about Hallervorden's ethical transgressions. In numerous letters, Wartenberg wanted to both ignore and exonerate Hallervorden of ethical violations in collecting 700 brains from patients murdered in the Nazi euthanasia program. Wartenberg's unexpected defense of Hallervorden, despite not knowing him professionally, purportedly was to reintegrate German neuroscience to the international community and to create Western "unity" against communism. However, Wartenberg's efforts and the lack of international censure against Hallervorden prevented proper attention to the victims' brains that remained in Hallervorden's collection for decades and the use of these brains in scientific publications. Those who stood against Hallervorden have been vindicated by history, but work remains to uncover all brain specimens in German collections. Wartenberg's misguided and shortsighted involvement in this affair serves as a lesson for future generations of neurologists in the consequences of ignoring ethical concerns for expediency and politics.

Multicentre, double-blind, randomised controlled clinical trial comparing intermittent cefoxitin administration versus loading bolus followed by continuous infusion for the prevention of surgical site infection in colorectal surgery: the PROPHYLOXITIN study protocol

IntroductionSurgical site infections (SSIs) are the second leading cause of healthcare-associated infections in Europe with the highest rates being reported in colorectal surgery (ranging from 9% to 30%). Surgical antibiotic...

Unpacking elitism: a comprehensive review of accounting ethics education research (1970–2023)

PurposeThis study aims to examine the literature on accounting ethics education to capture and synthesise the characteristics of scholars dedicated to this area of research.Design/methodology/approachUsing a combination of PRISMA systematic literature review methods and research profiling, the study collects a sample frame consisting of 278 articles published in peer-reviewed academic journals from 1970 to 2023. The articles were analysed to identify key authors of accounting ethics education research, the institutions conducting this research and the journals publishing this research.FindingsThe results indicate that research in accounting ethics education is not dominated by any single institution but is distributed across 225 institutions in 36 countries, with a significant concentration in the United States. Additionally, most articles were published in accounting or business journals, rather than in education-focused journals.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings provide insights into the ranking of researchers in accounting ethics education and establish benchmarks among the institutions involved in this research area. Further studies could explore the implications of these findings on future research directions.Practical implicationsThis study offers valuable information for academics and institutions seeking to understand the landscape of accounting ethics education research and highlights areas for potential collaboration and development.Originality/valueThis paper addresses a gap in the literature by providing a comprehensive synthesis of the existing research on accounting ethics education and the scholarly community surrounding it.

Understanding streamers’ intention to live stream in the context of rural live streaming commerce: a mixed-methods study

PurposeThe emergence of live streaming commerce has injected promising impetus into rural development and attracted many rural streamers. This study aims to explore the influencing factors of rural streamers’ engagement intentions to help promote the sustainable development of rural live streaming commerce.Design/methodology/approachGrounded in the extended valence framework, this research employs a mixed-methods approach encompassing both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. In the qualitative phase, the authors conduct in-depth interviews with 15 rural streamers, employing data coding techniques to uncover underlying factors. Subsequently, in the quantitative phase, the authors analyze survey data from 282 rural streamers, subjecting hypotheses to validation through structural equation modeling.FindingsThe findings derived from the analysis of both interviews and questionnaires reveal that several platform qualities, including platform rural-aiding support, perceived effectiveness of dispute resolution, perceived interactivity and platform reputation, have a positive effect on trust in the platform and validate the extended valence framework in understanding rural streamers’ live streaming intention. In addition, ties with customers have a moderating effect. Specifically, the stronger the ties with customers, the stronger the positive effect of perceived benefits and the weaker the positive effect of trust in the platform on live streaming intention will be.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the rural live streaming commerce literature and trust research from the sellers’ perspective and provides practical implications for policymakers and live streaming platform managers on enhancing rural streamers’ participation.

Global taxation issues in cryptocurrencies – a synthesis of literature and future research agenda

PurposeThe purpose of the current study is to contribute to the existing body of knowledge by understanding the rationale, benefits and consequences of taxing cryptocurrency transactions. This study investigates where taxation and cryptocurrencies meet from an investment standpoint.Design/methodology/approachA comprehensive bibliometric study was conducted to offer a thorough examination of the published literature in the last decade pertaining to the intersection of cryptocurrencies and taxation across nations. This study provides an analysis of citation patterns, prominent authors, publication trends and thematic clusters by applying VOSviewer and R-studio.FindingsThe results indicate a tendency in the existing literature to address the taxes concerns associated with cryptocurrency transactions. The findings demonstrate that cryptocurrency taxation discrepancies across countries create tax evasion, transaction risks and market uncertainties.Practical implicationsThe report provides a theoretical framework for policymakers and financial experts to create a global cryptocurrency tax regime. The study emphasizes the need to incorporate technology start-ups to mitigate public safety and security risks, strengthen financial systems and provide regulators with necessary supervision.Originality/valueThe study provides an extensive on taxation issues such as tax evasion and money laundering in the context of cryptocurrency. There has been no prior effort to explore this research domain so deeply and provide comprehensive details on cryptocurrency.

PyBibX – a Python library for bibliometric and scientometric analysis powered with artificial intelligence tools

PurposeThis paper presents pyBibX, a Python library devised to conduct comprehensive bibliometric and scientometric analyses on raw data files sourced from Scopus, Web of Science and PubMed, seamlessly integrating state-of-the-art artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities into its core functionality.Design/methodology/approachThe library executes a comprehensive exploratory data analysis (EDA), presenting outcomes via visually appealing graphical illustrations. Network capabilities have been deftly integrated, encompassing citation, collaboration and similarity analysis. Furthermore, the library incorporates AI capabilities, including embedding vectors, topic modeling, text summarization and other general natural language processing tasks, employing models such as sentence-BERT, BerTopic, BERT, chatGPT and PEGASUS.FindingsAs a demonstration, we have analyzed 184 documents associated with “multiple-criteria decision analysis” published between 1984 and 2023. The EDA emphasized a growing fascination with decision-making and fuzzy logic methodologies. Next, network analysis further accentuated the significance of central authors and intra-continental collaboration, identifying Canada and China as crucial collaboration hubs. Finally, AI analysis distinguished two primary topics and chatGPT’s preeminence in text summarization. It also proved to be an indispensable instrument for interpreting results, as our library enables researchers to pose inquiries to chatGPT regarding bibliometric outcomes. Even so, data homogeneity remains a daunting challenge due to database inconsistencies.Originality/valuePyBibX is the first application integrating cutting-edge AI capabilities for analyzing scientific publications, enabling researchers to examine and interpret these outcomes more effectively. pyBibX is freely available at https://bit.ly/442wD5z.

Applicationof Full Factorial Planning to Control Nitrogen in a Water Resource

Objective: The aim of this work is to show the application of Full Factorial Planning to an environmental problem. Theoretical framework: Design of experiments is defined as a set of statistical techniques applied to the planning, conduct, analysis and interpretation of controlled tests, seeking to find (define) the factors that influence the values of a parameter or a group of parameters. Its basic principle makes it possible to vary all the levels of all the discrete or continuous variables (called factors) at once, for each experiment, in a programmed and rational way (Peixoto et al., 2008). Method: Experiments were carried out in an industrial plant in the south of Rio de Janeiro and the data was treated using Full Factorial Design. Final Considerations: It can be concluded that full factorial design is a very viable option for obtaining the optimum values or the optimum range of values to obtain the best possible response variable in a study. In this specific case of the company, it can be concluded that Line 1 and Line 3 are the most responsible for the concentration of nitrogen oxide discharged into the river and, therefore, the n-waste should be pre-treated. Implications of the research: The use of Factorial Planning is multiplying in the scientific literature and is proving to be highly effective in dealing with data where the assumptions of Normality are not confirmed. Originality/value: Despite being well-known statistical tools, Factorial Designs are widely used and can bring innovations to their application, as in the case of the company in question.

A first morphological and electrophysiological characterization of Fañanas cells of the mouse cerebellum.

Fañanas cells (FCs) are cerebellar glia of unknown function. First described more than a century ago, they have been almost absent from the scientific literature ever since. Here, we combined whole-cell, patch clamp recordings, near-UV laser photolysis, dye-loading and confocal imaging for a first characterization of FCs in terms of their morphology, electrophysiology and glutamate-evoked currents. We identified FCs of the molecular layer in cerebellar slices by their stubby process and small cell bodies. Despite their more compact shape compared to Bergmann glia (BGs), FCs showed similar membrane resistances and basal currents, suggesting that these passive currents are partly a result of electrical coupling between neighbouring glia. Dye filling and pharmacological experiments confirmed both homo- and heterotypic gap-junction coupling among FCs and BGs. Parallel-fibre stimulation evoked TTX-sensitive slow inward currents in FCs that were partially blocked by NBQX but not APV. Occasionally, we observed superimposed fast (milliseconds) current transients. Near-UV flash photolysis of MNI-caged glutamate revealed rapid desensitization of these AMPA-receptor mediated currents, which fully recovered only for stimulation intervals >500ms. We mapped the highest current densities in proximal processes. We conclude that FCs respond with fast AMPA currents to local glutamate release and they integrate ambient glutamate rises to a slow inward current. Interestingly, we found FCs to prevail throughout adulthood at stable but different densities among cerebellar lobules, with the highest cell densities in lobules I-II and X. Our results strongly suggest that FCs are not just displaced BGs, and that they may have lobule-specific functions - both locally and at the circuit level, yet to be uncovered. KEY POINTS: Using whole-cell recordings and near-UV laser photolyisis of caged glutamate, we provide a first characterization of cells of Fañanas (FCs) in mouse cerebellar slices. FCs are present from postnatal day 5 onward throughout adulthood and have a lobule- dependent density. Parallel-fibre stimulation generates biphasic, predominantly AMPA-mediated currents in FCs. Currents induced in FCs by parallel fibre stimulation are not NMDA receptor-dependent and are enhanced upon glutamate-transporter block with TBOA. Local near-UV glutamate uncaging indicates that FCs can detect fast glutamatergic inputs on the millisecond-time scale. FCs functionally integrate into the glial syncytium.

Substitutes for Industrial Trans Fats in Packaged Foods: A Scoping Review.

The World Health Organization recommended the global elimination of industrial trans fats by 2023, leading to a decrease in their use in packaged foods. Nevertheless, a gap remains in the scientific literature regarding the ingredients adopted as substitutes by the food industry. This study aimed to map evidence on substitutes for industrial trans fats in packaged foods, discussing their possible designation in the ingredients lists. For this, a scoping review was conducted according to recommendations from the Joanna Briggs Institute. Systematic searches were performed in 6 databases using terms related to industrial trans fats, identification of possible substitutes, and trans fats exemption. The search retrieved 5072 articles. Of these, 233 (152 original articles and 81 review studies) were included in the scoping review. A total of 87 different raw materials were cited as trans fats substitutes in the selected studies, with palm stearin being the most frequent. The processing methods were categorized in 8 groups, with interesterification being the most cited (46% of studies). Food items belonging to 15 food groups were found to contain trans fats substitutes, mainly margarine, shortenings, and spreads. From the collected data, it was estimated that there are at least 690 distinct terms for referring to industrial trans fats substitutes in the ingredients list. Despite the extensive body of research on the subject, the Codex Alimentarius guidelines and some national labeling regulations do not address the reporting of such materials in the ingredients lists. Furthermore, there is limited understanding of the short- and long-term effects of novel technological ingredients on human health. The disclosure of industrial processes to modify oils and fats, as well as the raw materials used, is suggested to be made mandatory in the ingredients list, aiming to safeguard consumers' right to information and enhance monitoring efforts.

Prevalence, comorbidities, and disease-related complications of rheumatoid arthritis in Colombia: a national cross-sectional study based on administrative claims data

BackgroundTo date, there has been limited exploration, particularly on a national scale, of the prevalence patterns of comorbidities and complications associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Colombia. We aimed to analyze the prevalence patterns of comorbidities and disease-related complications of RA patients enrolled in Colombia’s contributory healthcare regime.MethodsWe performed a nationwide observational descriptive cross-sectional study using administrative claims data. We used a set of sensitive and specific electronic algorithms (i.e., a set of rules) applied to linked data based on ICD-10 codes and unique medication use codes. We compared all those algorithms with several sources, including governmental agencies and scientific literature, to identify all the known adults treated for RA.ResultsA total of 123,080 RA cases for 2018 were identified, corresponding to a point prevalence of 0.86 (95% CI 0.86–0.87) per 100. Compared to a non-RA reference population, hypertension (68.2 vs. 20.0%), osteoarthritis (43.6 vs. 6.1%), and osteoporosis (18.6 vs. 1.1%) provided larger standardized mean differences. Lupus (30.04; 95%CI 29.3–30.8), multiple sclerosis (7.18; 95%CI 6.6–7.8), and osteoporosis (5.57; 95%CI 5.5–5.6) provided higher age- and sex-adjusted prevalence ratios. Disease-related complications were found in 62.2% of cases.ConclusionsWe describe the first comprehensive assessment of the prevalence patterns of disease-related complications and comorbidities that define the RA burden of disease within a multimorbidity profile. Also, our study provides a narrower and more reliable point prevalence estimate for RA in Colombia.

UNDERSTANDING FEAR OF MISSING OUT PHENOMENA AND SOCIAL MEDIA USING BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS (2013-2023)

The main purpose of this study is to examine the current status, trend, and direction of research on FOMO behavior on social media with respect to various disciplines. Additionally, this study also aims to identify the variables that in-fluence FOMO behavior (antecedent variables) and the variables that FOMO influences (consequent variables) within the scope of the research examined in this study. In line with the objectives of the study, the scientific literature was identified by bibliometric analysis to specify the main topics, authors, sources, most cited articles, and countries in the literature. The articles published between 2013 and 2023 and indexed in the main collections of the Web of Sci-ence (WoS) were analyzed. In order to reveal the general situation in the literature, a total of 271 studies on the topic were analyzed. In addition, the first 25 most cited articles in this collection were analyzed in detail by field of research, keywords, aim, antecedent variables, consequent variables, and results. As a result of the bibliometric analysis, the concept of FOMO has been studied more in the field of psychology. Subsequently, it was observed that this topic was frequently examined within the framework of business and marketing-oriented studies. It is evident that the studies within the collection in the field of marketing evaluate social comparison orientation, social media engagement, social media usage, and the behavior of sharing fake news.

Ethics Committees' Practices in Healthcare, Banking and Research: Key Requirements for Their Functionality.

To meet concerns about ethical and unethical behavior in their work environments and workplaces, organizations began establishing ethics programs that contain ethics committees (ECs). There is now a tradition and diverse use of ECs for ethical decision-making in many different organizational settings. In addition, ECs have been subject to many publications in books and articles in the scientific literature. Yet, until now no comparative analysis has been published that brings together ECs' practices in different sectors. This article aims to bridge this knowledge gap and illustrate which main requirements for ECs' practices need to be addressed to help ECs meet their anticipated functions. To do so, this paper lays out a study based on an exploratory, qualitative design using focus groups and individual expert interviews that compare ECs' practices in the healthcare, banking, and scientific research sectors (as far as dual use of research is concerned). Based on the results of this study we were able to make a distinction between two main categories: moral authority and trustworthiness. We were also able to identify three sub-categories: legitimation, mode, and outreach. Based on the exploratory analysis in this study, we conclude that there are the following three distinct main requirements for the functionality of ECs: (1) a dialog between EC members and other stakeholders, (2) an approach that considers various possible modes (reactive, screening, moderating, and preventive) to enhance the quality of ECs' decision-making processes and (3) an outreach to all relevant EC stakeholders for the further validation of the main requirements found for ECs functionality.

Unveiling Hate Speech Dynamics: An Examination of Discourse Targeting the Spanish Meteorological Agency (AEMET)

This article examines hate speech directed at AEMET, the Spanish meteorological state agency, on the social media platform X. We analysed nearly half a million messages posted between 31 December 2021 and 19 April 2023, using hate speech detection algorithms, text mining techniques, and qualitative analysis to identify patterns and themes in the discourse. Our research reveals a troubling reality, with around 25% of the messages collected displaying some degree of hostility towards AEMET, its staff, and its scientific work. A considerable amount of hate speech was expressed through derogatory comments and insults aimed at meteorologists, which is indicative of a wider trend of anti‐intellectualism and scepticism of scientific expertise. Furthermore, the spread of conspiracy theories, particularly those related to geoengineering and chemtrails, highlights the spread of misinformation within online communities. This study emphasises the importance of acknowledging and addressing the spread of hate speech in meteorology and scientific communication. By emphasising the negative effects of such language on public perception and trust in scientific institutions, this article advocates for collaborative efforts to promote a culture of informed dialogue and evidence‐based discourse. The results highlight the importance of combating hate speech and misinformation to protect the integrity and credibility of scientific institutions such as AEMET.

In Praise of Computation

Abstract A great deal of work in behavioral science emphasizes that statistical predictions often outperform clinical predictions. Formulas tend to do better than people do, and algorithms tend to outperform human beings, including experts. One reason is that algorithms do not show inconsistency or “noise”; another reason is that they are often free from cognitive biases. These points have broad implications for risk assessment in domains that include health, safety, and the environment. Still, there is evidence that many people distrust algorithms and would prefer a human decisionmaker. We offer a set of preliminary findings about how a tested population chooses between a human being and an algorithm. In a simple choice between the two across diverse settings, people are about equally divided in their preference. We also find that that a significant number of people are willing to shift in favor of algorithms when they learn something about them, but also that a significant number of people are unmoved by the relevant information. These findings have implications for current findings about “algorithm aversion” and “algorithm appreciation.”

Assessment of Road Vehicle Accident Approaches—A Review

Given the complexity of the crashes and the increasing interest in public policies related to the reduction in both accidents and fatalities from road crashes, the proposed review of the specialty literature may serve as a starting point for individuals interested in developing studies related to road vehicle accidents, reconstruction methodologies, assessment of vehicles crashworthiness, as well as evaluation of occupants’ behavior in different collision scenarios. Therefore, the present paper aims to offer a comprehensive overview of the specialty literature approaches in terms of road vehicle accidents through an analysis of the reconstruction methods used in the cases of vehicle-to-vehicle or vehicle-to-object crashes, as well as ways in which the crashworthiness of road vehicles is assessed by specialized organizations or individual experts. The addressed topics were summarized from a range of European and global strategies in the field of transportation, reports, testing protocols, as well as scientific research papers published in international databases. The main purpose of the present paper is to serve as a foundational resource for researchers and practitioners seeking to contextualize their work within a global framework.

SQUARE-IT: a proposed approach to square the identified research problem in the literature with the objectives, the appropriate clinical research question, and the research hypothesis

The purpose of this article is to design and introduce the SQUARE-IT approach to help scientists and clinicians in research to align important research problems with the objectives, the appropriate clinical research questions to be answered, and the research hypotheses to be investigated in medical and therapeutic specialties. Research ideas can be generated primarily through simple methods such as brainstorming and mind mapping. However, transforming ideas into a valid research question is not as easy as it may seem, as the mere presence of an idea does not guarantee that the researcher has already uncovered existing knowledge on a particular topic or identified the actual research problem. Therefore, the SQUARE-IT items are developed, described, and critically discussed with reference to the scientific literature. They ask whether the identified research problem is ‘Specific’, ‘Quantifiable’, ‘Usable’, ‘Accurate’, ‘Restricted’, ‘Eligible’, ‘Investigable’, and ‘Timely’. Before formulating the focused clinical question, SQUARE-IT can be used as a preparatory step to enable researchers to organize the relevant information that has been explored to date and to assess whether additional information is needed, thereby identifying current research gaps. In addition, it should facilitate the effectiveness and efficiency of evidence-based practice to ensure high quality patient care. Using SQUARE-IT as a framework, further elaboration of the approach and addition of other aspects are warranted to advance the discussion and improve methods of evidence-based practice in medical and therapeutic specialties for quality improvement of patient care.