Background: One of the most vulnerable group to cope with the consequences of COVID-19 pandemic are women, particularly pregnant ones. Objective: The aim of this article was to make review of the scientific literature to show clearly that pandemic is not so dangerous neither for mother nor her unborn and newborn children. Results and Discussion: It should be stated that most of the scientific papers on COVID-19 are currently being conducted in a way that would probably be completely unacceptable to serious science in any other circumstances. Taking into account everything we have learned about the SARS-CoV-2 virus so far it comes as a surprise that there has not been a more intense scientific debate on whether the blind lockdown model, implemented by most national governments, was truly an appropriate response to the challenges posed by the pandemic. Conclusion: Deep analysis what science in perinatal medicine did assess and what it recommended to perinatal world it may be followed by principles that the research of the members of the Academy will not be the first to be published, but we certainly aim that the scientific evidence published by Academy is fast, reliable and implementable.

Automatic modulation classification (AMC) is a typical technology for identifying different modulation types, which has been widely applied into various scenarios. Recently, deep learning (DL), one of the most advanced classification algorithms, has been applied into AMC. However, these previously proposed AMC methods are centralized in nature, i.e., all training data must be collected together to train the same neural network. In addition, they are generally based on powerful computing devices and may not be suitable for edge devices. Thus, a distributed learning-based AMC (DistAMC) method is proposed, which relies on the cooperation of multiple edge devices and model averaging (MA) algorithm. When compared with the centralized AMC (CentAMC), there are two advantages of the DistAMC: the higher training efficiency and the lower computing overhead, which are very consistent with the characteristics of edge devices. Simulation results show that there are slight performance gap between the DistAMC and the CentAMC, and they also have similar convergence speed, but the consumed training time per epoch in the former method will be shorter than that on the latter method, if the low latency and the high bandwidth are considered in model transmission process of the DistAMC. Moreover, the DistAMC can combine the computing power of multiple edge devices to reduce the computing overhead of a single edge device in the CentAMC.

Abstract The aim of this paper is to explore the potential link between gross capital formation and CO2 emissions by using the Toda and Yamamoto approach. The annual time-series data were collected for the period 1971-2014. Due to the fact that Kuwait aims to become a major trading hub by 2035, it has made significant efforts to improve the infrastructure. Moreover, Turkey is also making strong efforts to improve the manufacturing sector as well as infrastructure, and represents an important trading hub that links Europe with the Middle East. Thus, Turkey and Kuwait are expected to strengthen their economic ties and expand trade, which was the motivation for comparing the link of interest in these two countries. The study’s findings confirm the bidirectional links between all of the variables of interest not only in the case of Turkey but also in the case of Kuwait, suggesting some important policy implications.

Multimodality of input in incidental L2 vocabulary learning has recently been a topic of interest among language acquisition researchers, yet the results have been somewhat contradictory. This study seeks to compare the impacts of two different multimodalities on incidental L2 vocabulary learning, namely, reading-plus-watching (experimental group I) vs. reading-plus-listening (experimental group II), as compared to the reading only condition, which is included as a control measure. Experimental group I watched and read the transcriptions of four news texts with electronic glosses for the target words, while experimental group II read and listened to the same news texts again with electronic glosses for the same 20 target words. Next, the two experimental groups swapped roles with a new set of four news texts glossed for another group of 20 target words. The control group only read the same eight news texts without glosses. The results suggest that reading-plus-listening can be a more conducive multimodal presentation for incidental vocabulary learning as compared to reading-plus-watching. The results also challenge the validity of some principles of the Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning in incidental L2 vocabulary learning, while providing supporting evidence for some other principles.

The increasing incidence of West Nile virus (WNV) in the Euro-Mediterranean area warrants the implementation of effective surveillance programs in animals. A crucial step in the fight against the disease is the evaluation of the capacity of the veterinary labs to accurately detect the infection in animal populations. In this context, the animal virology network of the MediLabSecure project organized an external quality assessment (EQA) to evaluate the WNV molecular and serological diagnostic capacities of beneficiary veterinary labs. Laboratories from 17 Mediterranean and Black Sea countries participated. The results of the triplex real time RT-PCR for simultaneous detection and differentiation of WNV lineage 1 (L1), lineage 2 (L2) and Usutu virus (USUV) were highly satisfactory, especially for L1 and L2, with detection rates of 97.9% and 100%, respectively. For USUV, 75% of the labs reported correct results. More limitations were observed for the generic detection of flaviviruses using conventional reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), since only 46.1% reported correct results in the whole panel. As regards the serological panel, the results were excellent for the generic detection of WNV antibodies. More variability was observed for the specific detection of IgM antibodies with a higher percentage of incorrect results mainly in samples with low titers. This EQA provides a good overview of the WNV (and USUV) diagnostic performance of the involved veterinary labs and demonstrates that the implemented training program was successful in upgrading their diagnostic capacities.

OBJECTIVE Orthodontic anomalies with impaired facial aesthetics and disturbed oral functions have a major effect on emotional and social development. It is necessary to determine the degree of acceptance of treatment. This study includes an evaluation of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) according to the Aesthetic Component (AC) of dental health in schoolchildren. METHODS The research included 300 schoolchildren (150 girls, 150 boys) with an age range from 12 to 15 years. An evaluation of the need for orthodontic treatment according to the AC consisted of a ten-grade scale illustrated with a sequence of ten intraoral photographs showing different degrees of acceptability of dental appearance. Results were expressed as absolute and relative frequencies. The Chi-square test (in the absence of the expected frequencies of Fisher's Exact test) was used for testing the significance of differences. Cohen's kappa statistic measure was used for measuring the agreement between the children and dentists. RESULTS There is a significant substantial agreement between children and dentists in assessing the need for orthodontic treatment. Differences in assessment of the degree of orthodontic anomalies by the doctor of dental medicine with respect to boys and girls, are negligible, and statistical analysis did not show any significant difference. Analysis of the need for orthodontic treatment with respect to the age of the children showed a significant difference. CONCLUSION The need for orthodontic treatment is more pronounced in older children, and there is no difference between boys and girl.

Abstract Background: The world tourism industry is subject to big changes. A number of tourists traveling steadily grows, resulting in turnover and income. The destinations, that tourists are attracted, to are numerous, and there are also newcomers who arrive to a certain destination for the first time. Nowadays, even some very distant places are on the travellers’ bucket lists. What is more, tourists are looking for authenticity, in terms of which the concept of ethno village proves to be such an example. Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate how this kind of tourism is regulated in Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The emphasis will be on the study of specific ethno villages. Methods: Regarding the article, desk analysis will be done. The data were gathered from the world web, from the World Tourism Organisation’s data and from the data gathered from Slovenian and Bosnian national statistical office as well. The Excel was used for the analyses. Two examples of an ethno village are also described. Results: The ethno village as a part of rural tourism offers great opportunities for new work posts but capacities should be used to a greater extent and the problem of seasonality should also be overcome. All the key aims of rural development must be defined by the following strategy: the development of sustainable and efficient agricultural sector, the living standard of the population who lives from agriculture, creation of social and economic conditions in the rural regions; all of it within the National strategy of the rural development. Conclusions: Tourism industry is being developing as a part of modern touristic migration. There are more and more visitors coming overseas or coming from more remote places. They stay for a short period of time and they have different expectations as before.

Abstract. Experimental demonstration of a quantum random number generator based on one single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) detector, a T  /    (  T  −  t  )   pulse-shaped laser, and an field-programmable gate array (FPGA) acquisition module is presented. An integrated laser driver drives an external laser diode at 670 nm wavelength, whereas the SPAD with a photon detection probability of 18.5% is integrated together with an active quenching-resetting circuit. The SPAD detector generates counts for the interarrival time (IAT) measurement system implemented in an FPGA, where the change of the IATs between consecutive pulses is used to derive a random bit stream. It is shown how the application of a pulse-shaped laser driver can increase the performance of the system as compared to the continuous-wave operation of the laser diode to achieve the maximum generation rate of 5 Mbps while using a single SPAD. The generated numbers pass all randomness tests of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Dieharder, and ENT test (pseudorandom number sequence test) suits.

Gender inequalities are reflected in differential vulnerability, and exposure to the hazards posed by climate change and addressing them is key to increase the adaptive capacities of societies. We provide trajectories of the Gender Inequality Index (GII) alongside the Shared-Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs), a scenario framework widely used in climate science. Here we find that rapid improvements in gender inequality are possible under a sustainable development scenario already in the near-term. The share of girls growing up in countries with the highest gender inequality could be reduced to about 24% in 2030 compared to about 70% today. Largely overcoming gender inequality as assessed in the GII would be within reach by mid-century. Under less optimistic scenarios, gender inequality may persist throughout the 21st century. Our results highlight the importance of incorporating gender in scenarios assessing future climate impacts and underscore the relevance of addressing gender inequalities in policies aiming to foster climate resilient development. Gender inequality increases vulnerability to climate change impacts and reduces societies’ adaptive capacity. Here the authors show how gender inequality may evolve in the future in five scenarios of socioeconomic development and highlight the importance of incorporating gender inequality in climate change research and policy.

Lipid multilayer gratings are promising optical biosensor elements that are capable of transducing analyte binding events into changes in an optical signal. Unlike solid state transducers, reagents related to molecular recognition and signal amplification can be incorporated into the lipid grating ink volume prior to fabrication. Here we describe a strategy for functionalizing lipid multilayer gratings with a DNA aptamer for the protein thrombin that allows label-free analyte detection. A double cholesterol-tagged, double-stranded DNA linker was used to attach the aptamer to the lipid gratings. This approach was found to be sufficient for binding fluorescently labeled thrombin to lipid multilayers with micrometer-scale thickness. In order to achieve label-free detection with the sub-100 nm-thick lipid multilayer grating lines, the binding affinity was improved by varying the lipid composition. A colorimetric image analysis of the light diffracted from the gratings using a color camera was then used to identify the grating nanostructures that lead to an optimal signal. Lipid composition and multilayer thickness were found to be critical parameters for the signal transduction from the aptamer functionalized lipid multilayer gratings.

We present a detailed computational study of the UV/Vis spectra of four relevant flavonoids in aqueous solution, namely luteolin, kaempferol, quercetin, and myricetin. The absorption spectra are simulated by exploiting a fully polarizable quantum mechanical (QM)/molecular mechanics (MM) model, based on the fluctuating charge (FQ) force field. Such a model is coupled with configurational sampling obtained by performing classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The calculated QM/FQ spectra are compared with the experiments. We show that an accurate reproduction of the UV/Vis spectra of the selected flavonoids can be obtained by appropriately taking into account the role of configurational sampling, polarization, and hydrogen bonding interactions.

There is a significant demand for fast and accurate electromagnetic (EM) imaging of stroke in emergency situations. This article presents a method for encoding the raw S-parameters from the Cartesian matrix to polar grid coordinates with weighting coefficients based on the receiver antenna spatial sensitivity. The polar sensitivity encoding (PSE) scheme is based on the fact that the receiver sensitivity generally has an encoding effect and, in this case, it is applied during the transformation of S-matrices to polar grid, which is geometrically congruent with the shape of the head. The PSE scheme alleviates the need for highly accurate and intricate forward and inverse EM field solvers and mitigates the introduction of numerical errors in addition to the unavoidable experimental uncertainties. The simulation and experimental results demonstrate that the PSE method is robust to head shifts up to about 5 mm and accurate in localizing strokes in less than a second.

Dysphagia management, from screening procedures to diagnostic methods and therapeutic approaches, is about to change dramatically. This change is prompted not solely by great discoveries in medicine or physiology, but by advances in electronics and data science and close collaboration and cross-pollination between these two disciplines. In this editorial, we will provide a brief overview of the role of artificial intelligence in dysphagia management.