Sci

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming criminal practice by industrialising deception, compressing attack cycles, and corroding evidentiary trust. This narrative review synthesises recent technical and criminological literature with institutional reporting to explain how generative models, predictive analytics, and automation enable convincing synthetic media, highly targeted social engineering, document forgery, identity synthesis, and adaptive evasion. Attention is given to the convergence with organised networks that use AI to coordinate logistics, mimic normal behaviour, and launder proceeds across platforms. Furthermore, a review of the grey literature was carried out to identify applied cases and to show how heterogeneous they are. Defensive efforts are advancing, yet detection remains brittle under laundering, increasing media realism, and adversarial adaptation. Regulatory and policy responses are surveyed across jurisdictions without claiming exhaustiveness; they appear fragmented and often lag operational innovation. The objective is pragmatic: to raise attacker costs and preserve information integrity while safeguarding fundamental rights and forensic reliability. Full article

Escalating climate change and the increasing frequency of weather extremes pose a threat to the resilience of urban environments and human health, highlighting the urgent need for implementing energy-efficient interventions and reducing building cooling loads. This study investigates the passive building envelope retrofit technologies of external shading, electrochromic windows, and thermochromic windows through a multi-criteria evaluation analysis based on energy savings, economic performance, and indoor thermal comfort improvement. Thermochromic windows are discerned by a mean colour transition temperature of 34 °C and operate throughout the entire year, while electrochromic windows are activated only during cooling periods. Both technologies present total solar transmittance indices of 72.6% and 8.4% in the bleached and tinted state, respectively. External shading devices are either static or movable, applied with an inclination angle, and are either standalone interventions or combined with chromogenic glazing. Eight retrofit scenarios are investigated for a single-story, fully electrified residential building in Athens, Greece. The building features south- and east-oriented windows, which is an appropriate case to assess the effectiveness of these passive envelope cooling technologies in regulating solar heat gains. Thermal comfort is assessed using Fanger’s PMV (predicted mean vote) and PPD (Predicted Percentage of Dissatisfied) indices. The combination of electrochromic windows and movable external shading yields the highest annual electricity savings at 22.2% and reduces the PPD by 15.8%. Local static shading, on the other hand, ranks as the optimal retrofit solution in terms of economic performance, with a life-cycle cost of €6378, a 9.3% improvement in thermal comfort, and a corresponding reduction of 626 thermal discomfort hours. While the proposed multi-criteria framework can be applied to other buildings and climates, the quantitative results reported here are linked to the specific case examined: a residential building with south- and east-facing glazing in Athens, Greece, representing Mediterranean climatic conditions. Full article

This study assessed whether frequent attendance of onsite produce events at Federally Qualified Health Centers is associated with increased fruit and vegetable consumption, reduced food insecurity, and enrollment in food assistance. A deeper understanding of these relationships may help program implementers and health practitioners improve healthy food access among low-income patients by screening for food insecurity and offering onsite produce distribution events at clinic sites. Using a cross-sectional observational design, study data originated from an intercept survey of 886 adults who attended free produce events at 14 clinic locations in Los Angeles County during 2021–2023. Multivariable models assessed associations between attendance frequency and the main outcomes: fruit and vegetable consumption, food insecurity, and enrollment in food assistance (i.e., SNAP, WIC). Compared with first-time attendees, frequent attendees had higher odds of meeting the MyPlate recommendations for fruit (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.37, p = 0.012) and vegetable (AOR = 1.47, p = 0.019) consumption. Frequent attendees, compared with first-time attendees, also had marginally lower odds of food insecurity (AOR = 0.73, p = 0.077), with no effect on food assistance enrollment. These findings suggest safety-net health centers can play meaningful, multi-faceted roles in increasing patient access to healthy food by screening for food insecurity and offering onsite free produce distributions at their clinic sites. Full article

The transition to sustainable energy systems requires the development of efficient hydrokinetic technologies to increase the reliability and competitiveness of renewable energy generation. Vertical-axis H-Darrieus turbines can improve their performance through impeller channels or external flow guidance devices that modify the local mass flow distribution around the rotor. This work introduces a systematic geometric optimization framework that quantitatively evaluates the combined effect of key channel design parameters on turbine performance by employing response surface methodology (RSM) to quantify the influence of two geometric parameters of an impeller channel—specifically, the deflection angle ($\beta$) and the channel length (H)—on the turbine power coefficient ($C_p$). This approach allows for the identification of nonlinear interactions between geometric variables, which have not been explicitly addressed in previous research on impeller channels in H-Darrieus turbines. An experimental design with thirteen treatments was implemented, and numerical simulations were performed using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) in ANSYS FLUENT^®. Statistical analysis of the RSM model showed that both $\beta$ and H have significant effects ($p<0.05$) on turbine performance. The model predicted an optimal configuration with $\beta$ equal to 100° and H equal to 0.2 m, corresponding to the maximum Cp achieved. These findings confirm the potential of impulse channels to improve the aerodynamic efficiency of H-Darrieus turbines and establish a quantitative basis for design optimization in hydrokinetic applications. Full article

Integrative frameworks such as ‘One Welfare’ and ‘One Biology’ address the interconnectedness of animal welfare, human wellbeing, and environmental conditions by emphasising systemic interactions and shared biological mechanisms across species. Although grounded in scientific evidence, these approaches risk conceptual anthropomorphisation, whereby human-centred assumptions, emotional narratives, or cultural norms influence interpretations of welfare, sentience, or sustainability. Such projections can undermine scientific objectivity, misrepresent species-specific needs, and weaken the frameworks’ applicability in research, policy, and practice. This paper critically examines how anthropomorphising concepts may arise within this context, distinguishing empirically supported biological continuity from unwarranted human-like attributions. It highlights the importance of precise language, operational definitions, and comparative evidence to safeguard conceptual integrity. While both frameworks are fundamentally non-anthropomorphic, careless language and human-centred assumptions can compromise their scientific rigour and ethical coherence. Avoiding conceptual anthropomorphisation is therefore essential to maximise their value for robust welfare assessment, policy development, and sustainable practice. Full article

The gamma band observed in human electroencephalography (EEG) has been extensively studied. However, recent research has begun distinguishing the potential roles assigned to phase and non-phase modulation within this band. The primary aim of this study is to analyze the potential role of non-phase gamma modulation in a widely used visual task in human subjects. For this purpose, using a 58-channel EEG recording, gamma activity was evaluated during an oddball task. Responses from 21 healthy subjects were recorded at two separate time points, with an average interval of 49.5 ± 48.9 days. Latency, amplitude, and topographic correlation values were calculated to assess the replicability. Furthermore, potential influence of alpha band harmonics on gamma was analyzed. Topographic analyses revealed a strong negative correlation between gamma phase-locked (synchronous) and non-phase-locked (asynchronous) activity, with correlation coefficients of r < −0.9 for both measures. The results observed between the two time points were robust. The harmonic analysis did not show any potential contribution of the alpha band. The separate analysis of phase and non-phase activity has enabled us to identify distinct roles for each. Establishing non-phase activity as a perceptual “anti-binding” mechanism opens new avenues for exploring a previously unaddressed aspect of gamma activity. Full article

The Atlantic blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) has rapidly expanded across the Mediterranean Sea, forming self-sustaining populations in coastal and transitional ecosystems. Its ecological plasticity, high reproductive potential, and tolerance to wide salinity and temperature ranges have enabled a rapid basin-wide colonization, particularly evident in Italian lagoons and estuaries. This invasion has generated substantial ecological alterations, such as predation on bivalves, competition with native decapods, and disruptions of trophic dynamics, as well as significant economic losses for fisheries and aquaculture sectors, especially in northern Adriatic clam-farming areas. Social perceptions vary widely, and management actions remain fragmented, limiting the effectiveness of control and mitigation efforts. This review analyzes the scientific and gray literature published from its first Mediterranean records to 2025, synthesizing evidence on the species’ distribution, ecological impacts, socio-economic consequences, and existing regulatory responses, with a focus on the Mediterranean basin and Italy. Studies on consumers’ and fishers’ perceptions are examined to identify emerging opportunities for sustainable utilization. By integrating ecological and socio-economic dimensions, the review outlines priority knowledge gaps and management needs, providing a science-based framework to support coordinated monitoring, adaptive control strategies, and potential valorization pathways consistent with the EU Green Deal, the Blue Economy, and Circular Bioeconomy principles. Full article

The nascent quantum computing brings unprecedented threats to the security roots of blockchain technology, potentially compromising cryptographic protocols securing decentralized systems. This review paper discusses the developing quantum threat scenario, focusing on the effect of quantum algorithms on traditional cryptographic systems. We critically examine current blockchain architectures, highlighting their vulnerabilities in a post-quantum future. The paper explores newer quantum-resistant cryptographic and modular architectural techniques to enhance blockchain resilience. This review supports comprehensive comprehension of cutting-edge strategies and research gaps by combining the literature addressing quantum threat modeling and post-quantum cryptography in decentralized systems. Full article

Extracellular vesicles produced by mesenchymal stem cells (MSC-EVs), including exosomes, microvesicles, and apoptotic bodies, are key mediators of intercellular communication and have attracted increasing attention in recent years as potential therapeutic agents for neurological disorders. Predominantly preclinical investigations, including in vitro and animal model studies, demonstrate that MSC-EVs can enhance axonal growth, promote regeneration of nerve fibers and remyelination, and modulate inflammatory processes in injured nervous tissue. These effects have been observed across multiple neurological conditions, including spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, ischemic stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis, though primarily in experimental settings. Owing to their ability to carry biologically active molecules and to cross the blood–brain barrier, MSC-EVs have shown potential as vehicles for targeted delivery of therapeutic molecules to the central nervous system. However, the overwhelming majority of evidence remains preclinical, and clinical translation is limited by the scarcity of completed, rigorously controlled human trials. To advance toward clinical application, further research is required to standardize methods for vesicle isolation, characterization, and delivery, establish optimal dosing regimens, and develop robust quality control standards. A more comprehensive understanding of MSC-EVs signaling mechanisms may facilitate the future development of therapeutic strategies, contingent upon rigorous validation in well-designed clinical studies. Full article

The growing demand for eco-efficient cementitious materials has increased the use of high levels of pozzolanic additions, which, despite their environmental benefits, may adversely affect durability, particularly resistance to carbonation. This study investigates the influence of hydrated lime (HL) on the performance of pozzolanic cementitious mortars, with emphasis on carbonation resistance. HL was incorporated into the mortar composition and into the curing solution. A total of 45 mixtures combining cement, fly ash (FA), metakaolin (MK) and HL were produced with different water-to-binder (W/B) ratios. Workability, compressive strength and resistance to accelerated carbonation were experimentally assessed. The results show that workability is primarily governed by the W/B ratio and decreases at high HL contents. Although FA and MK improve mechanical performance, they increase carbonation susceptibility due to reduced alkaline reserve. For the mixtures investigated, moderate HL incorporation into the mortar composition mitigates carbonation, reducing carbonation depth by up to 30–50% relative to the reference mixture. Curing in lime-saturated water does not provide additional benefits under the conditions investigated when compared with conventional water curing. Full article

This research evaluates the technical and financial feasibility of green hydrogen production in Colombia using Small Hydropower Plants (SHPs), positioning them as a strategic complement to intermittent sources such as solar and wind. To address an underexplored niche in the national hydrogen roadmap, the study applies a Real Options framework, specifically using a binomial tree model, and incorporates the Weibull distribution to estimate risk-adjusted discount rates. This methodological combination allows for the modeling of operational flexibility under uncertainty, particularly through the analysis of an American-style abandonment option. The results indicate that SHPs provide continuous power generation, enhance electrolyzer efficiency, lower the Levelized Cost of Hydrogen (LCOH), and improve cash flow. However, fiscal incentives and high initial capital costs remain limiting factors. The study proposes extending the evaluation horizon to 15 years and implementing mechanisms such as Capital Expenditures (CAPEX) subsidies to improve project viability. Overall, the research contributes to the diversification of Colombia’s energy matrix, encourages regional development, and supports the positioning of green hydrogen as a viable financial asset within the country’s energy transition framework. Full article

This paper introduces a distributed sensitivity-conditioning approach for bilevel optimization in networked microgrids. The proposed method enhances the coordination between subsystems by embedding sensitivity-based predictive terms into the dynamic updates, thereby improving convergence stability without requiring strict time-scale separation. Unlike conventional singular perturbation techniques, the sensitivity-conditioning formulation enables faster and more robust convergence of the distributed dynamics under heterogeneous subsystem speeds. The approach is applied to a networked microgrid scenario where local agents perform decentralized optimization considering both internal generation and energy exchange with neighboring microgrids. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm achieves efficient coordination, reduces convergence time, and maintains stability under diverse operating conditions. The results highlight the method’s potential as a scalable and computationally efficient alternative for real-time distributed energy management and bilevel control in power network applications. Full article

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that impair functioning across multiple situations. Despite extensive research on its clinical presentation, neurobiological substrates, genetic contributions, and environmental risk factors, ADHD remains a heterogeneous disorder with complex comorbidities. This narrative review synthesizes historical and contemporary transdiagnostic perspectives on the development of ADHD, describing models that emphasize shared etiological mechanisms and overlapping symptom dimensions across disorders. Full article

Bio-epoxy composites were fabricated by casting a resin–hardener–filler mixture into 3D-printed molds, using different sea-originated secondary raw materials: mussel shell powder (MSP) (63–83 μm) and Posidonia oceanica short fibers (POF) (1–2 mm). Monofiller composites were prepared with 5 or 10 wt.% MSP, or 5 or 10 wt.% POF. Hybrid formulations were also produced, containing both MSP and POF in two combinations, where the total amount of filler again summed up at 10 wt.%. A subset of the samples was conditioned by immersion in a 35 ‰ NaCl solution reproducing seawater composition until saturation was reached. Characterization was carried out on unconditioned and conditioned samples by Shore D hardness and Charpy impact tests while performing three-point flexural loading only on unconditioned ones. Fracture morphology was also investigated. Adding MSP slightly enhanced resin hardness, whereas impact absorption exhibited, to a variable extent, a two-phase behavior, reproducing crack initiation and propagation. The MSP6-POF4 hybrid configuration provided the greatest improvement in absorbed energy (25–30% higher), which was retained after conditioning. The introduction of fillers, first separately, then in combination, resulted in a reduction in flexural strength to a similar extent for all unconditioned configurations. Finally, composite panels containing 10 wt.% MSP, 10 wt.% POF, and a 6MSP–4POF hybrid formulation, intended for prospective boat deck applications, were fabricated and compared with neat bio-epoxy, showing satisfactory consolidation. Density and post-molding dimensional shrinkage were measured on the panels. Full article

This study presents an integrated assessment model for evaluating motor skills in trainee generalist primary school teachers. The model integrates objective performance measures with self-reported qualitative observations, aiming to promote body awareness and highlight the quality of movement. A total of 547 university students, divided into two cohorts (2023/24 and 2024/25), completed a battery of standardized field tests and recorded both quantitative results (e.g., times, repetitions) and qualitative reflections on their execution. The findings show that the 2024/25 cohort performed better in balance and muscular endurance, while showing slower times in agility and sprint tests. Qualitative data revealed more fluid execution, a wider range of motor strategies, and greater self-reflection, suggesting a more mature motor profile. These differences are not solely attributable to individual factors; they may also reflect the evolving structure of the training program, the instructional approach, and the learning environment. The integration of objective and subjective data enabled the construction of multidimensional motor profiles, capturing not only outcomes but also processes. This model supports the development of reflective and adaptive motor competence and offers promising applications in teacher training and health promotion, contributing to a more inclusive and effective approach to physical education in primary schools. Full article

Antimony nanomaterials are becoming increasingly important in advanced functional applications, including catalysis, sensing, optoelectronics, and energy systems, motivating the development of reliable synthetic routes capable of producing high-purity Sb at the nanoscale. This study establishes a direct Zn-mediated reduction pathway for converting SbCl₃ into elemental Sb using acetone, ethanol, and methanol as reaction media. SbCl₃ was first dissolved in each solvent, followed by controlled addition of Zn powder under mild heating (60 °C), magnetic stirring, and ultrasonic agitation. Acetone proved the most effective medium, achieving ~94% of the theoretical Sb yield, while suppressing the formation of the SbOCl intermediate observed in alcoholic solvents. Structural and compositional analyses using XRD and SEM/EDS confirmed the formation of a pure phase, nanocrystalline Sb with mean crystallite sizes of ~25 nm in acetone, ~27 nm in ethanol, and ~21 nm in methanol. TGA/DTA measurements from room temperature up to 800 °C revealed oxidative conversion to off-white antimony oxide under O₂ atmosphere and the formation of molten Sb droplets under N₂ atmosphere, consistent with the expected thermal transitions of high-purity Sb. Overall, the findings demonstrate that Zn-driven reduction of SbCl₃ in high-purity organic media provides an efficient and scalable approach for producing Sb nano-powders with solvent-dependent yields and nanoscale structural characteristics. Full article

Carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites modified with alumina (Al₂O₃) and silicon carbide (SiC) nanoparticles were developed to produce hybrid nanocomposites with improved mechanical and thermal characteristics. This study investigates the hot drilling behavior of unidirectional CFRP and hybrid nanocomposites by examining the effects of spindle speed, feed rate, drill diameter, and drill geometry (step, core, and twist). Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were used to identify the most influential parameters governing drilling-induced damage. ANOVA results revealed that drill geometry was the most dominant factor, contributing more than 89% to delamination, burr formation, and surface roughness, followed by drill diameter with over 7% contribution. For temperature rise, drill geometry accounted for more than 50% of the total variation, while drill diameter contributed over 17%. Among the tools evaluated, the step drill produced the minimum drilling-induced damage, followed by the twist drill. In terms of material performance, the Al₂O₃-reinforced hybrid nanocomposite exhibited superior drilling behavior compared to the SiC-reinforced and neat CFRP laminates. Overall, the results demonstrate that drilling-induced damage under hot drilling conditions can be effectively minimized through appropriate selection of tool geometry and process parameters, confirming the suitability of hot drilling for machining aerospace-grade CFRP hybrid nanocomposites. Full article

The transition to green hydrogen is critical for achieving sustainable energy systems and climate goals. This study presents MODERHydrogen-H₂, a comprehensive framework for assessing solar- and wind-based green hydrogen production, fossil fuel substitution, and greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction. The method integrates Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to optimize renewable energy resource allocation while adhering to sustainability criteria. Applied to four solar sites (2000 MW) in Colombia’s Magdalena–Cauca Basin and three wind projects (1700 MW) in the Caribbean Basin, the model estimates an annual production of 211,074 tons of green hydrogen by 2030. This output could displace 37,221 terajoules of fossil fuels, contributing 2.5% to the national energy matrix and reducing CO₂ emissions by 10.09 million tons. MODERHydrogen-H₂ demonstrates scalability and adaptability, offering a decision-support tool for global energy transition strategies. Its implementation supports affordable, reliable, and low-carbon energy systems, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets. The model offers a single platform from which to simulate renewable energy potential in a sustainable manner within a given geographical area, develop scenarios for modifying the energy matrix of a country or region, simulate rational and efficient water supply and demand for energy uses, including aspects of climate change, calculate green hydrogen production in a sustainable manner, and finally calculate greenhouse gas emissions. Full article

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly shifting from experimental pilots to mainstream clinical infrastructure, redefining how evidence, accountability, and ethics intersect in healthcare. This narrative review integrates insights from peer-reviewed studies and policy frameworks to examine seven cross-cutting aspects: bias and fairness, explainability, safety and quality, privacy and data protection, accountability and liability, human oversight, and procurement and deployment. Findings reveal persistent inequities driven by dataset bias and opaque design; the need for explainability tools that are validated, task-specific, and usable by clinicians; and the centrality of post-market surveillance for sustaining patient safety. Privacy-preserving methods such as federated learning and differential privacy show promise but demand rigorous validation and regulatory coherence. Emerging liability models advocate shared enterprise responsibility, while governance-by-design—embedding transparency, auditability, and equity across the AI lifecycle—appears most effective in balancing innovation with public trust. Ethical, legal, and technical safeguards must evolve together to ensure that AI augments, rather than replaces, clinical judgment and institutional accountability. Full article