Background: Manual objective assessment of skill and errors in minimally invasive surgery have been validated with correlation to surgical expertise and patient outcomes. However, assessment and error annotation can be subjective and are time-consuming processes, often precluding their use. Recent years have seen the development of artificial intelligence models to work towards automating the process to allow reduction of errors and truly objective assessment.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study aims to investigate the impact of monetary policy on firms' carbon emissions. The primary focus is on the effect of increasing interest rates on the carbon footprint of companies, both prior to and following the implementation of the Paris Agreement in 2015. The results show that there is a positive relationship between interest rates and carbon emissions indicating that in the face of increasing interest rates, companies are more likely to choose short-term financial stability above long-term sustainability objectives.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAntimicrob Agents Chemother
September 2024
, the causative agent of anthrax, is among the most likely bacterial pathogens to be used in a biological attack. Inhalation anthrax is a serious, life-threatening form of infection, and the mortality from acute inhaled anthrax can approach 100% if not treated early and aggressively. Food and Drug Administration-approved antibiotics indicated for post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) or treatment of anthrax are limited.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWe examine the impact of climate risk on discouraged borrowers among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the eurozone, using a unique European Central Bank dataset focusing on the demand side of credit markets. We argue that two opposing channels may exist in this relationship: Either climate risk has a negative effect stemming from increased demand for sustainable or climate-resilient projects that enhance creditworthiness, or climate risk has a positive effect arising from heightened climate uncertainty and risk aversion, leading to credit self-rationing among SMEs. Our findings reveal that heightened climate risk prompts SMEs to self-ration credit, leading to higher probabilities of discouraged borrowers.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study explores the application of the epoxidation process of poly-β-myrcene, a constituent of the natural resin from Chios Mastic trees (Pistacia Lentiscus L.), as an educational instrument for teaching Green Chemistry and Engineering to students at various academic levels. The study provides a comprehensive presentation of foundational knowledge essential for interpreting the subsequent experimental data.
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