bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
We won’t play nature to your culture: questões de gênero na obra de Barbara Kruger
Authors:   Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Arruda Lina Alves
Published: June 2023

Apropriando-se de imagens difundidas pelos meios de comunicação de massa dos anos 1930/1950 e justapondo-lhes um texto lacônico, a artista norteamericana Barbara Kruger desloca o conteúdo das imagens para uma esfera crítica e constrói composições que questionam, com uma abordagem não moralista, os valores e funções sociais estabelecidos. O presente trabalho centrar-se-á na análise da obra Untitled (We won’t play nature to your culture, 1983) para discutir alguns domínios e critérios sociais elaborados a partir da idéia de uma suposta diferença relacional (superioridade e inferioridade) dos gêneros e suas repercussões nas estruturas sociais como, por exemplo, a subordinação feminina a um espaço privado e doméstico e sua conseqüente exclusão da cultura. Para tanto, será usado como referência o artigo “Is female to male as nature is to culture?” de Sherry B. Ortner, publicado no mesmo período de produção da obra citada, no qual a autora identifica os fatores de ordem biológica, psíquica e fisiológica que associam a figura feminina à natureza e aproximam o masculino da alta cultura, engendrando uma relação de poder e dominância entre os gêneros, uma vez que se entende a cultura como transcendência da natureza. As obras de B. Kruger discutem a atuação da mídia de massas na criação de uma representação estereotipada da mulher e na reafirmação de sua função doméstica. A escolha deste tema, fruto de uma pesquisa de IC, permitirá a análise de questões relevantes para a arte contemporânea, como a característica pública e engajada das obras, o papel da crítica feminista no campo da arte, além de possibilitar uma comparação com o trabalho de artistas que dialogam com o mesmo tema de forma diversificada, como o coletivo Guerrilla Girls, o qual questiona com veemência a exclusão da mulher da alta cultura e da política e Cindy Sherman, que rebate a identidade feminina construída pela estética da mídia.
Milagres contra a heresia na igreja do convento de Santo Antônio de Recife
Authors:   Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Borges Sílvia Barbosa Guimarães
Published: June 2023

A igreja do convento franciscano de Recife possui, recobrindo as paredes laterais da nave, um conjunto azulejar dedicado a eventos considerados milagrosos da hagiografia de Santo Antônio de Lisboa. Os onze painéis podem ser divididos em três temáticas principais – Santíssima Trindade, presença feminina e milagres contra o pecado e a heresia. Neste texto, serão apresentados três painéis cujas figurações exemplificam a luta contra a heresia. São eles: Milagre da mula, Pregação aos peixes e Purificação do alimento envenenado. Ao analisar cada um dos painéis antonianos busca-se discutir sua relação com as narrativas hagiográficas e, principalmente, a forte influência local na escolha dos temas.
Instalação: efemeridade e memória
Authors:   Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Silva Luciana Bosco e
Published: June 2023

Este trabalho é produto de uma pesquisa teórico e crítica sobre as questões da história e da memória no caminho percorrido pela Instalação, fazendo uma reflexão histórico-crítica sobre o fazer artístico da Instalação, problematizando a questão da efemeridade da obra, de sua mutabilidade. A reflexão aqui apresentada se dá no diálogo entre o objeto de arte e o observador, que no caso da Instalação é agente ativo como complemento vivo da própria obra, onde a fruição do mesmo é essencial para a própria existência da obra em inúmeros casos. Objeto, Instalação, Espaço, Vazio e Tempo.
Arte monetária e suas interpretações
Authors:   Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Carlan Cláudio Umpierre
Published: June 2023

A comunicação inicia-se com a apresentação das questões teóricas sobre o caráter artístico das moedas romanas, como meio de difusão de percepções identitárias. Em seguida, apresenta-se uma análise de parte do corpus de moedas romanas tardias custodiadas no Museu Histórico Nacional.
Os acionistas vienenses: revolucionários ou perversos?
Authors:   Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Silva Priscilla Ramos da
Published: June 2023

A partir do final da década de 1960, os Acionistas Vienenses – grupo formado pelos artistas Otto Mühl, Rudolph Swarzkogler, Gunter Brus e Hermann Nitsch – procuraram transgredir todos os tabus, realizando vídeos, pinturas e performances escatológicas e obscenas. Aparentemente inaceitáveis tanto do ponto de vista moral quanto artístico, tais propostas foram, surpreendentemente, ganhando gradativamente status de vanguarda e adentrando o cânone da História da Arte: como exemplo, podemos citar a participação de Otto Mühl em duas exposições no Museu do Louvre (Posséder et Détruire, 2000 e La Peinture comme Crime, 2002). A vida/obra de Mühl – que, após fundar e chefiar por duas décadas uma comuna hippie, passa 6 anos na prisão acusado de pedofilia – suscita o questionamento: como avaliar a difícil produção do Acionismo Vienense? Deve-se concordar com aqueles que louvam o grupo pelo teor supostamente revolucionário de sua arte, ou com aqueles para quem tais artistas não passam de perversos? Tentando responder a esta questão, a presente comunicação examinará os discursos que a história da arte vem produzindo acerca dos Acionistas Vienenses.
Identidade e representação
Authors:   Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Almeida Angela Prada de
Published: June 2023

Uma das características fundamentais da fotografia parece ser sua natureza indicial, ressaltada por Phillipe Dubois em seu livro: “O Ato fotográfico”. O retrato fotográfico se estruturaria assim, pela contigu!idade entre referente e representação - sua origem como traço indicial, inseparável do sujeito, parece fundar toda uma tradição conceitual da natureza da fotografia. Assim, a fotografia, parece impossível de ser compreendida deslocada de seu sujeito fundante: daquele que emana os raios de luz em direção à superfície fotosensível. Tradicionalmente, segundo a concepção moderna de representação do sujeito, um retrato me revela a identidade daquele que é fotografado. O realismo aqui parece duplo: da mesma forma que o caráter indicial de cada retratado é singular; porque corresponde à individualidade de seus traços, a fotografia se estruturaria como identidade fixada sobre uma superfície bidimensional. Pretendemos neste texto discutir deslocamentos conceituais nesta concepção do retrato fotográfico. Analisaremos o trabalho de Hiroshi Sugimoto, que aponta para uma ausência do retratado. Subversão teórica dos conceitos tradicionais da natureza da fotografia.
Os irmãos Oliveira Ferreira
Authors:   Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Almeida Marcelina das Graças de
Published: June 2023

Este artigo analisa a produção artística realizada nos cemitérios portugueses nascidos no século XIX, dando relevo ao trabalho dos irmãos Oliveira Ferreira.
Correlations Between Clinical and Metabolic Variables and Smoking among Antipsychotic- Naïve First-Episode and Nonadherent Chronic Patients with Psychosis
Authors: Nadalin Sergej , Peitl Vjekoslav , Karlović Dalibor , Huskić Sara , Zatković Lena , Buretić-Tomljanović Alena
Published: June 2023

An interaction between smoking and antipsychotic medications could potentially affect treatment efficacy and promote metabolic side effects. We investigated the contribution of smoking status towards Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) scores and metabolic syndrome- related parameters (plasma lipid and glucose concentrations, and body mass index) among two groups of unmedicated patients with psychosis from the Croatian population: antipsychotic-naïve first-episode patients and nonadherent chronic patients. Previous data are inconsistent regarding the effects of smoking on clinical psychopathology among antipsychotic-naïve or minimally medicated patients with first-episode psychosis, and no studies have examined the potential influence of smoking on clinical psychopathology and metabolic parameters among nonadherent patients with chronic psychosis. Information about smoking status and antipsychotic nonadherence was obtained via auto-anamnestic and hetero-anamnestic information. PANSS data were obtained while patients were in a psychotic state during the illness requiring hospitalization. Plasma total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol (HDL- c), triglyceride, and glucose levels were determined after a 12-hour fasting period. Compared with non-smoking antipsychotic-naïve first-episode individuals, antipsychotic-naïve smokers exhibited significantly lower depression factor scores, and significantly higher triglyceride levels and triglyceride/HDL- c ratio (p < 0.05). Compared with non-smoking nonadherent chronic individuals, nonadherent smokers exhibited significantly lower negative symptoms and negative factor scores, and lower HDL- c levels. Contributions of smoking to clinical and metabolic parameters ranged from ~ 3.4 % to 10 %. Our present results indicated that smoking may be associated with less severe clinical psychopathology, and with increased risk for metabolic abnormalities, among unmedicated patients with first-episode psychosis and chronic psychosis.
Patients’ preferences on breaking bad news: a cross-sectional study from Iran
Authors: Amini Kourosh , Meshkini Sahar , Ramezanibadr Farhad
Published: June 2023

Background: The sensitivity and skill of care providers, especially physicians, while communicating bad news to patients can improve patients' acceptance of treatment and their emotional adjustment. We aimed to determine how to break bad news to cancer patients and consider their preferences in this regard. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study in which 249 patients participated. The Poisson sampling method was used. Data were collected using the Measure of Patient Preferences (MPP) and patient demographic profile forms. Results: Of the 249 participants, 178 (71.5%) were aware of their cancer diagnosis and 201 (80.7%) preferred to be informed of their cancer diagnosis. Patients’ preferences included: “Having his/her doctor take the time to answer all of his/her questions completely”, “Feeling confident about his/her doctor's technical competence and skill”, and “His/her doctor telling him/her the best treatment option”. Conclusion: According to our results, care providers should consider patients' preferences in communicating and delivering bad news. Achieving this goal requires managers to plan for improving the communication skills of healthcare providers.
Exploring Daily Activity Pattern Using Spatio-Temporal Statistics with R for Predicting Trip Production
Authors: Willdan Muhamad , Ramadhan Raihan Iqbal , Kresnanto Nindyo Cahyo , Putri Wika Harisa
Published: June 2023

Spatio-temporal data modelling is one of the methods in data analysis that uses space (spatial) and time (temporal) approaches. This study used Spatio-temporal statistical modelling to observe the daily activity patterns of people. Spatio-temporal modelling selected for support activity-based transportation demand. This research identifies community mobility patterns that will provide trip production data for transportation demand prediction. Using Spatio-temporal statistical modelling benefit this study because statistical this model can make model components in a physical system appearing to be random. Even if they are not, the models are helpful as they have accurate and precise predictions. In this study, descriptive analysis was used. Incorporating statistical distributions into the model is a natural way to solve the problem. This research collects daily activity data from 400 respondents recorded every 15 minutes. From this data, a pattern of respondents’ daily activities was formed, which was analyzed using R. Software R also visualizes data on daily activities of the community in Spatio-temporal modelling. This research aims to depict the daily activity patterns to predict trip production. This research found three clusters of trip production patterns with specific groups member and specific patterns between workdays and holidays.
Treatment adherence of diabetes mellitus patients: Is it affected by demographic and patient-related factors? A literature review
Authors: Theofilou Paraskevi
Published: June 2023

The importance of adherence to treatment is very high. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the adherence of patients with diabetes mellitus to their treatment. For this purpose, a systematic review was carried out, where relevant studies were searched in the PubMed and Google Scholar databases with specific keywords, and, subsequently, the most appropriate studies were selected (based on specific inclusion/exclusion criteria) and analyzed. In total, from the literature search, 16 studies were identified. Based on these studies, patients with diabetes mellitus show quite low adherence to insulin therapy. The perceptions about the disease of diabetes, the availability of drugs, the diabetes education provided, perceptions of medication, current patients’ employment, younger age, educational level, nationality, HbA1c levels, abstinence from alcohol, presence of peripheral vascular disease, income, keeping their appointments in primary health care, and the religious beliefs about healing and healing practices are important factors influencing the compliance of patients with diabetes in their treatment. Adherence of patients with diabetes mellitus to treatment is an extremely important issue for them since the lack of it negatively affects not only the health of patients but also their quality of life.
Could a Non-Cellular Molecular Interactome in the Blood Circulation Influence Pathogens’ Infectivity?
Authors: Hardy Eugenio , Sarker Hassan , Fernandez-Patron Carlos
Published: June 2023

We advance the notion that much, like artificial nanoparticles, relatively more complex biological entities with nanometric dimensions such as pathogens (viruses, bacteria and other microorganisms) may also acquire a biomolecular corona, upon entering the blood circulation of an organism. We view this biomolecular corona as a component of a much broader non-cellular blood interactome that can be highly specific to the organism, akin to components of the innate immune response to an invading pathogen. We review published supporting data and generalize these notions from artificial nanoparticles to viruses and bacteria. Characterization of the non-cellular blood interactome of an organism may help explain apparent differences in the susceptibility to pathogens among individuals. The non-cellular blood interactome is a candidate therapeutic target to treat infectious and non-infectious conditions.
Cross-species Transcriptomics Analysis Highlights Conserved Molecular Responses to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
Authors: Beccacece Livia , Costa Filippo , Pascali Jennifer Paola , Giorgi Federico Manuel
Published: June 2023

In the recent decades, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have garnered widespread public attention due to their persistence in the environment and detrimental effects on the health of living organisms, spurring the generation of several transcriptome-centered investigations to understand the biological basis of their mechanism. In this study, we collected 2144 publicly available samples from 7 distinct species to examine the molecular responses to PFAS exposure and to determine if there are conserved responses. Our comparative transcriptional analysis revealed that exposure to PFAS is conserved across different tissues, molecules and species. We identified and reported several genes exhibiting consistent and evolutionarily conserved transcriptional response to PFAS, such as ESR1, HADHA and ID1, as well as several pathways including lipid metabolism, immune response and hormone pathways. This study provides the first evidence that distinct PFAS molecules induce comparable transcriptional changes and affect the same metabolic processes across inter-species borders. Our findings have significant implications for understanding the impact of PFAS exposure on living organisms and the environment. We believe that this study offers a novel perspective on the molecular responses to PFAS exposure and provides a foundation for future research into developing strategies for mitigating the detrimental effects of these substances.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease-Associated Colorectal Cancer: Translational and Transformational Risks from Exogenous Free Hemoglobin Alpha Chain: A By-product of Extravasated Erythrocyte Macrophage Erythrophagocytosis
Authors: Bragg Maya A , Breaux William A , M'Koma Amosy E
Published: June 2023

The aggregate aftermath of persistent inflammation in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) places them at increased risk for the advancement to colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CACRC). CACRC is preceded by IBD, the highly heterogenous, pharmacologically incurable, pertinacious, reverting/worsening, and immune-mediated inflammatory pathologies of the colon and rectum. The molecular and immunological basis of CACRC is highly correlated with the length/duration and stringency/severity of colon inflammation predisposed by the exogenous/free hemoglobin alpha chain (HbαC) the byproduct of infiltrating immune cells, extravasated erythrocytes, and macrophage erythrophagocytosis. The exogenous free HbαC prompts oxygen-free radical-arbitrated DNA damage (DNAD) through increased cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) exacerbated by decreased tissue antioxidant defenses. Mitigation of Fenton reaction via pharmaceutical therapy would attenuate the ROS, promote apoptosis, DNAD repair, and subsequent prevent the incidence of CACRC. Three pharmaceutical options that attenuate hemoglobin toxicity include haptoglobin, deferoxamine, and flavonoids (vitamins C/E). Haptoglobin’s clearance rare from plasma is inversely correlated with its size; the smaller the size, the faster the clearance. Thus, the administration of Hp1-1 may prove to be beneficial. Furthermore, deferoxamine’s hydrophilic structure limits its ability to cross cell membranes. Thus, it may be beneficial if administered intracellularly to avoid the higher plasma concentrations and longer incubation periods associated with extracellular administration. Finally, the effectiveness of flavonoids and natural herb antioxidants is associated with high reactivity of hydroxyl substituents. Multiple analyses are currently underway to assess the clinical context of CACRC and outline the molecular basis of HbαC-induced ROS pathogenesis by exposing colonocytes and/or colonoids to HbαC. These cells are then treated with haptoglobin, deferoxamine (DFO), and flavonoids in order to separate free HbαC and measure their impact on hydroxyl radical formation therapies. The molecular pathogenesis of sporadic colorectal cancer (SCRC) i.e., “inflammation-dysplasia-carcinoma” progression sequence is well described, but the immunopathogenesis of CACRC herein reviewed is broadly still in prodromal stage/phase to be validated and understood. Therefore this timely review outlines the molecular and immunological basis of disease pathogenesis and the pharmaceutical intervention as a protective measure for CACRC.
Clinical Correlates of Metabolic Syndrome in Men with Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Di Giulio Francesca , Castellini Chiara , Tienforti Daniele , Antolini Federica , Felzani Giorgio , Baroni Marco Giorgio , Barbonetti Arcangelo
Published: June 2023

Background: The diagnosis of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a challenge in people with spinal cord injury (SCI). We aimed at identifying clinical risk factors or early markers of MetS in SCI that would facilitate a timely diagnosis and implementation of preventive/therapeutic strategies.
Methods: 168 patients with chronic (>1 year) SCI underwent clinical and biochemical evaluations. MetS was diagnosed according to modified criteria of the International Diabetes Federation validated in people with SCI.
Results: MetS was diagnosed in 56 of 132 men (42.4%) and 17 of 36 women (47.2%). At univariate regression analyses, putative predictors of MetS were an older age, a higher number of comorbidities, a lower insulin-sensitivity, the presence and intensity of pain, a shorter injury duration, a poorer leisure time physical activity (LTPA) and an incomplete motor injury. At the multiple regression analysis, a significant independent association with MetS only persisted for a poorer LTPA in minutes/week (OR: 0.998, 95%CI: 0.996, 0.999) and more severe pain symptoms as assessed by numeral rating scale (OR: 1.353, 95%CI: 1.085, 1.793).
Conclusions: In patients with SCI, intense pain symptoms and poor LTPA may suggest a high likelihood of MetS, regardless of age, SCI duration, motor disability degree, insu-lin-sensitivity and comorbidities.
Practical Entropy Accumulation for Random Number Generators with Image Sensor-Based Quantum Noise Sources
Authors: Choi Youngrak , Kang Ju-Sung , Yeom Yongjin
Published: June 2023

The efficient generation of high-quality random numbers is essential in the operation of cryptographic modules. The quality of a random number generator is evaluated by the min-entropy of its entropy source. Typical method used to achieve high min-entropy of the output sequence is an entropy accumulation based on a hash function. This is grounded in the famous Leftover Hash Lemma which guarantees a lower bound on the min-entropy of the output sequence. However, the hash function based entropy accumulation has slow speed in general. For a practical perspective we need a new efficient entropy accumulation with the theoretical background for the min-entropy of the output sequence. In this work, we obtain the theoretical bound for the min-entropy of the output random sequence through the very efficient entropy accumulation using only bitwise XOR operations, where the input sequences from the entropy source are independent. Moreover we examine our theoretical results by applying to the quantum random number generator that uses dark noise arising from image sensor pixels as its entropy source.
Kombucha and Water Kefir Grains Microbiomes' Symbiotic Contribution upon Postbiotics Enhancement
Authors: Pihurov Marina , Păcularu-Burada Bogdan , Cotârleț Mihaela , Grigore-Gurgu Leontina , Borda Daniela , Stănciuc Nicoleta , Kluz Maciej , Bahrim Gabriela
Published: June 2023

Wild artisanal cultures, such as SCOBY-based membranes (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeasts) and water kefir grains (WKG), are complex consortia of microorganisms comprising yeasts, lactic and acetic acid bacteria, with a large strains’ diversity and abundance. The fermented products (FPs) obtained by the microbiome’s contribution can be included into functional products due to their metabiotics (pre-, pro-, post-, and paraprobiotics) as a result of the complex and synergistic association as well as due to the metabolic functionality. In this study, both consortia of SCOBY and WKG were involved in the co-fermentation of a new formulated substrate, that was further analysed aiming at increasing of the postbiotic composition of the FPs. Plackett-Burman (PB) and Response Surface Methodology (RSM) techniques were used for the experimental designs to select and optimize the most important parameters that influence the freeze-dried starter cultures of SCOBY and WKG activity as a multiple inoculum. The tea concentration (1-3%), sugar concentration (5-10%), raisins concentration (3-6%), SCOBY lyophilized culture concentration (0.2-0.5%), WKG lyophilized culture concentration (0.2-0.5%), and fermentation time (5-7 days), were considered the independent variables for mathematical analysis and fermentation conditions’ optimization. The pH, total acidity (TA), antioxidant activity (DPPH), and antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Bacillus subtilis MIUG B1, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, and Aspergillus niger MIUG M5 were evaluated as responses. The rich postbiotic bioactive composition of the FP obtained in optimized biotechnological conditions highlighted the usefulness of the artisanal co-cultures, through their symbiotic metabolic interactions for the improvement of bioactive potential.
Relationship of Neural Correlates of Gait Characteristics and Cognitive Dysfunction in Patients With Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Kim Yeo Jin , Park Ingyu , Choi Hui-Chul , Ahn Moo-Eob , Ryu Ohk-Hyun , Jang Daehun , Lee Unjoo , Lee Sang-Kyu
Published: June 2023

Background
Some patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) experience gait disturbances. However, there are few reports on the relationship between gait disturbance and cognitive function in patients with MCI. Therefore, we investigated the neural correlates of gait characteristics related to cognitive dysfunction.
Methods
Eighty patients diagnosed with MCI from three dementia centres in Gangwon-do, Korea were recruited for this study. We defined MCI as a Clinical Dementia Rating global score of 0.5 or higher, with a memory domain score of 0.5 or greater. The patients were classified as having either early or late MCI based on their Mini Mental Status Examination z-scores. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the association between the gait characteristics and cognitive impairment. Analyses included variables such as age, sex, years of education, number of comorbidities, body mass index and height.
Results
Gait velocity, step count, step length, heel-to-heel base support, swing and stance phase duration, and support time were associated with cognitive function. A decrease in gray matter volume in the right pericalcarine area was associated with gait characteristics related to cognitive dysfunction. An increase in the curvature of gray matter in the right entorhinal, right lateral orbitofrontal, right cuneus, and right and left pars opercularis areas was also associated with gait characteristics related to cognitive dysfunction.
Conclusion
Since gait impairment is an important factor in determining activities of daily living in patients with mild cognitive impairment, the evaluation of gait and cognitive functions in patients with mild cognitive impairment is important.
Integrating (Nutri-)Metabolomics Into the One Health Tendency – The Key for Personalized Medicine Advancement
Authors: Hotea Ionela , Sirbu Catalin , Plotuna Ana-Maria , Tîrziu Emil , Badea Corina , Berbecea Adina , Dragomirescu Monica , Radulov Isidora
Published: June 2023

Metabolomics is an advanced technology, still under development, with multiple research applications, especially in the field of health. Individual metabolic profiles, the functionality of the body, as well as its interaction with the environment can be established using this technology. The body's response to various external factors, including the food consumed and the nutrients it contains, has increased researchers' interest in nutrimetabolomics. Establishing correlations between diet and the occurrence of various diseases or even the development of personalized nutrition plans, could contribute to advances in precision medicine. The interdependence between humans, animals and the environment are of particular importance today, with the dramatic emergence and spread of zoonotic diseases, food, water and soil contamination, and the degradation of resources and habitats. All these events have led to an increase of risk factors for functional diseases, burdening global health. Thus, this study aimed to highlight the importance of metabolomics, in particular of nutrimetabolomics, as a technical solution for a holistic, collaborative, and precise approach for the advancement of the One Health strategy.
Analysis of Climate Change Based on Machine Learning and Endoreversible Model
Authors: Vázquez-Ramírez Sebastián , Torres-Ruiz Miguel , Quintero Rolando , Chui Kwok Tai , Guzmán Sanchéz-Mejorada Carlos
Published: June 2023

Several sun models suggest the radioactive balance where the concentration of greenhouse gases and the albedo effect are related to the Earth's surface temperature. There is a considerable increment of greenhouse gases due to anthropogenic activities. Climate change correlates with this alteration in the atmosphere and an increase in surface temperature. Efficient forecasting of climate change and its impacts of 1.5°C global warming above pre-industrial levels could be helpful to respond to the threat of c.c. and develop sustainably. Many studies have predicted the temperature change in the coming years. The global community has to create a model that can realize good predictions to ensure the best way to deal with the warming. Thus, we propose a finite-time thermodynamic (FTT) approach in the present work. The FTT can solve problems such as the faint young sun paradox. In addition, we use different machine learning models to evaluate our method and compare the experimental prediction and results.
L-Citrulline Supplementation Does Not Affect Blood Pressure and Arterial Stiffness at Rest and During Isometric Exercise in Older Adults
Authors: Tryfonos Andrea , Christodoulou Filippos , Pamboris George M. , Christodoulides Stephanos , Theodorou Anastasios A.
Published: June 2023

Hypertension and arterial stiffness are the main factors contributing to cardiovascular disease. L-citrulline, a nitric oxide precursor, has been proposed as a blood pressure-lowering intervention. This study aimed to investigate the impact of L-citrulline on central and peripheral blood pressure, arterial stiffness, and muscle oxygenation at rest and during an isometric knee extension exercise protocol. Twelve older males received 6 g of L-citrulline or a placebo for six days using a double-blind crossover design. Blood hemodynamics parameters (i.e., arterial and brachial systolic and diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, pulse pressure, heart rate), arterial stiffness (i.e., augmented pressure, augmentation index, forward, backward wave pressure and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity) and muscle oxygenation [i.e., oxyhemoglobin (Δ[O2Hb]) and deoxyhemoglobin (Δ[HHb]), total hemoglobin concentration (Δ[tHb]) and tissue saturation index (TSI%)], were measured at baseline, post-supplementation and during isometric exercise. No significant effects of L-citrulline supplementation were observed at rest or during exercise on blood pressure, arterial stiffness, and muscle blood flow. Both central and peripheral blood pressure were increased during the exercise, which is consistent with isometric contractions. The results of the present study question the efficacy of short-term L-citrulline in decreasing blood pressure at rest or attenuating blood pressure increases during isometric exercise.
Effects of Eco-Labels on the Product Evaluation of Meat and Meat Alternatives – A Discrete Choice Experiment
Authors: Kolber Anna , Meixner Oliver
Published: June 2023

Eco-labels are an instrument for enabling informed food choices and supporting a demand-sided change towards a more and urgently needed sustainable food system. Lately, novel eco-labels that depict a product’s environmental life-cycle assessment on a multi-level scale are being tested across Europe’s retailers. This study elicits consumers preferences and willingness to pay (WTP) for a multi-level eco-label. A Discrete Choice Experiment was conducted in Austria. Individual partworth utilities were estimated by means of Hierarchical Bayes. Results show higher WTP for a positive evaluated multi-level label, revealing consumers’ perceived benefits of colorful multi-level labels over binary black-and-white designs. Even a negative evaluated multi-level label showed higher WTP compared to no label, pointing towards limited effectiveness of eco-labels. Respondents’ preferences for eco-labels were independent from their subjective eco-label knowledge, health consciousness, and environmental concern. The attribute “protein source” was most important, and preferences for animal-based protein source (beef) was strongly correlated with consumers’ meat attachment, implying that a shift towards more sustainable protein sources is challenging and sustainability labels have only a small impact on the meat product choice of average consumers.
Stability as Predictor of Mortality in Low-Energy Spinal Fractures: A Retrospective Analysis of 1356 Cases
Authors: Juhász Ádám , Süvegh Dávid , Veres Dániel Sándor , Viola Árpád
Published: June 2023

Osteoporotic spinal fractures represent an increasingly widespread health problem in our aging society. We aimed to investigate the treatment options for low-energy spinal fractures in the el-derly and their impact on mortality, focusing on surgical stabilization using minimally invasive and open techniques. We evaluated 1356 patients over 50 years of age with compression frac-tures sustained due to low energy trauma treated at a single trauma center. We compared the mortality of patients following stable and operated/non-operated unstable compression frac-tures and the eligibility to surgery using the open and minimally invasive approach. The pa-tients received surgical or conservative care according to severity and eligibility to surgery. The mortality hazard ratio of patients who underwent screw fixation was 1.02 (P > .91), of patients who refused surgery was 1.68 (P < .001) and that of patients with anesthesiological contraindica-tion was 1.57 (P = .08), compared to conservatively treated patients with stable fractures. The dif-ference in mortality between open and minimally invasive surgeries was not significant, but the number of patients eligible for surgery with the minimally invasive procedure was significantly higher (OR: 0.25; P < .001). Spinal stability after fractures may be an important predictor of sur-vival in patients with low-impact fractures.
Long-Term Vocational Outcome at 15 Years from Severe Traumatic and Non Traumatic Brain Injury in Pediatric Age
Authors: Strazzer Sandra , Pastore Valentina , Frigerio Susanna , Colombo Katia , Galbiati Sara , Locatelli Federica , Galbiati Susanna
Published: June 2023

. Background: Recent studies suggest that acquired brain injury with impaired consciousness in infancy is related to more severe and persistent effects and may have a cumulative effect on ongoing development. In this work, we aim to describe vocational outcome in a group of patients at 15 years from a severe brain lesion they suffered in developmental age. Methods: This study included a total of 147 patients aged 1.5 to 14 years with acquired brain lesion. Clinical, functional details (“Glasgow Outcome Scale – Extended”, “Functional Independent Measure”, Intelligence Quotient) were collected at the time of their first hospitalization and vocational outcome was determined after 15 years. Results: 94 patients (63.9%) presented with traumatic brain injury, while 53 patients (36.1%) presented with a brain lesion of other origin. Traumatic patients had a higher probability to be partly or fully productive than non-traumatic ones: 75.5% of traumatic subjects were working –taking into account limitations due to the traumatic event, versus 62.3% of non-traumatic ones. A relationship between some clinical variables and the vocational outcome was found. Conclusions: Rehabilitation should adequately emphasize “vocational rehabilitation” because a significant proportion of people experiencing a disorder of consciousness in childhood may show good social integration in adult age.
The Influence of ESG, SRI, Ethical, and Impact Investing Activities on Portfolio and Financial Performance - Bibliometric Analysis/Mapping and Clustering Analysis
Authors: Marzuki Ainulashikin , Basah Mohamad Yazis Ali , Nor Fauzias Mat , Ramli Nur Ainna , Aziz Muhammad Ridhwan Ab
Published: June 2023

The research analysed the publications metric of literature regarding the impact of socially responsible investing (SRI) and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) on portfolio and financial performance. The study aimed to determine the latest trends, key themes, authors, and influential journals. Data from the SCOPUS database was used in this study. A total of 1377 research articles from academic journals related to this topic and published from 2013 to 2022, they data was cleaned to remove duplicate, and documents that do not meet the criteria of this study. For this bibliometric analysis, a total of 260 articles were chosen in order to summarise the collective knowledge and emerging patterns in ESG, SRI, ethical, and impact investing, a bibliometric analysis was employed. The thematic map classified the ESG, SRI, and performance relationship themes into four categories of themes: niche themes, motor themes (corporate financial performance, corporate social performance, ESG, ESG factors, sustainability, performance, integrated reporting, gender diversity, and board size), emerging or declining themes (social responsibility, environmental performance, socially responsible investment, ethical investment, and SRI), and basic or transversal themes (financial performance, corporate social performance, ESG performance, environmental, social, and governance). Social responsible investing, engagement, and ESG, implies a position between niche themes and highly developed topic/emerging or decreasing theme, and covid, ROA, while, tobin’s Q, implies a position between highly developed topic/emerging or decreasing theme and basic theme. The findings contribute to the enhanced understanding of ESG, SRI, ethical, and impact investing, which are crucial for an efficient capital market in promoting sustainability and sustainable development. The study offers vital practical implications and future research directions.
Comparative Morphology of the Digestive Tract of Anabantoidei Fishes Inhabiting Asian and African Freshwaters
Authors: Adamek-Urbańska Dobrochna , Kamaszewski Maciej , Wiechetek Wiktoria , Wild Rafał , Boczek Julia , Szczepański Adrian , Śliwiński Jerzy
Published: June 2023

Anabantidae is a large and diverse group of fish cultured both under aquaculture conditions and as hobbyists. These fish share a common structural feature in the form of an additional respiratory organ. Despite the enormous availability of these fish worldwide, little is known to date about their feeding preferences in husbandry and their influence on homeostasis under both industrial and domestic conditions. This study describes, for the first time, the structure of the digestive tracts of two Anabantoidei fishes: African bushfish (Ctenopoma acutirostre) and paradise fish (Macropodus opercularis). The overall structure of the digestive tract and its histological structure were analyzed and compared in both fish species. In conclusion, it was shown that physiological predispositions indicate a predominance of omnivorous fish traits in the M. opercularis, in contrast to the C. acutirostre, which has several morphological traits indicating a greater adaptation to carnivory, particularly ichthyophagy. The results obtained will allow further research to be conducted in the future to optimize the nutrition and feeding of these fish and to develop appropriate dietary recommendations.
Molecular Mechanisms of Pentagalloyl Glucose-Mediated Stabilization of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms
Authors: Simionescu Dan , Tharayil Nishanth , Leonard Elizabeth , Carlyle Wenda , Schwarz Alex , Ning Kelvin , Carsten Christopher , Garcia Juan Carlos Carrillo , Carter Alexander , Owens Collin , Simionescu Agneta
Published: June 2023

Pentagalloyl glucose (PGG) is currently being investigated as a non-surgical treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA); however molecular mechanisms of action of PGG on the AAA matrix components and the intra-luminal thrombus (ILT) still need to be better understood. To assess these interactions, we utilized peptide fingerprinting and molecular docking simulations to predict the binding of PGG to vascular proteins in normal and aneurysmal aorta, including matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), cytokines and fibrin. We performed PGG diffusion studies in pure fibrin gels and human ILT samples. PGG was predicted to bind with high affinity to most vascular proteins, the active sites of MMPs, and several cytokines known to be present in AAA. Finally, despite potential binding to fibrin, PGG was shown to diffuse readily through thrombus at physiologic pressures. In conclusion, PGG can bind to all the normal and aneurysmal aorta protein components with high affinity, potentially protecting the tissue from degradation and exerting anti-inflammatory activities. Diffusion studies showed that thrombus presence in AAA is not a barrier to endovascular treatment. Together, these results provide a deeper understanding of the clinical potential of PGG as a non-surgical treatment of AAA.
Cooling of the nuclear spin system of a nanostructure by oscillating magnetic fields
Authors: Kavokin Kirill
Published: June 2023

We propose a method of cooling nuclear spin systems of solid-state nanostructures by application of a time-dependent magnetic field synchronized with spin fluctuations. Optical spin noise spectroscopy is considered as the method of fluctuation control. Depending on the mutual orientation of the oscillating magnetic field and the probe light beam, cooling might be either provided by dynamic spin polarization in an external static field or result from population transfer between spin levels without build-up of a net magnetic moment (“true cooling”).
Investigation Detection of Antibody+Antigen Complexes by SOI-FET Biosensor
Authors: Generalov Vladimir , Cheremiskina Anastasia , Glukhov Aleksandr , Grabezhova Victoria , Kruchinina Margarita , Safatov Aleksandr
Published: June 2023

Detection of virus in sample is an actual problem in biotechnology, virology, medicine using biosensor. History of problem dates back to middle of last century and is associated with development of an ion-sensitive solid-state device for neurophysiological measurements. Aim of work is theoretical investigation process of detection antibody+antigen (AB+AG) complexes using SOI-FET biosensor. On example of crystal with ten biosensors, estimates of probability detection AB+AG complexes influenza virus are made. In detection process, following four results are possible: – target complex is present in test sample, and it was correctly detected; – target complex is present in sample, but it was not detected; – target complex is absent in sample, but background particles are mistakenly detected as target complex; – target complex is absent in sample, background particles present in sample and are correctly detected as noise.
A Double-Threshold Channel Estimation Method Based on Adaptive Frame Statistics
Authors: Song Canghai , Zhou Xiao , Wang Chengyou , Ye Zhun
Published: June 2023

Channel estimation is an important module to enhance the performance of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems. However, the presence of a large amount of noise in multipath fading time-varying channels significantly affects the channel estimation accuracy and thus the recovery quality of the received signals. Therefore, this paper proposes a double-threshold (DT) channel estimation method based on adaptive frame statistics (AFS). The method first adaptively determines the number of statistical frames based on the temporal correlation of the received signals, and preliminarily detects the channel structure by analyzing the distribution characteristics of multipath sampling points and noise sampling points during adjacent frames. Subsequently, a multi-frame averaging technique is used to expand the distinction between multipath and noise sampling points. Finally, the DT is designed to better recover the channel based on the preliminary detection results. Simulation results show that the proposed adaptive frame statistics-double-threshold (AFS-DT) channel estimation method is effective and has better performance compared with many existing channel estimation methods.
mTOR and Gut Microbiota in Various Disorders：mechanisms and Potential Drugs
Authors: Gao Yuan , Tian Tian
Published: June 2023

The mammalian or mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) integrates multiple intracellular and extra-cellular upstream signals involved in the regulation of anabolic and catabolic processes in cells, and plays a key regulatory role in cell growth and metabolism. Activation of the mTOR signaling pathway has been reported to be associated with a wide range of human diseases. A growing number of in vivo and in vitro studies have demonstrated that the gut microbes and its complex metabolites can regulate host metabolic and immune responses through the mTOR pathway, and result in disorders of host phys-iological functions. In this review, we summarize the regulatory mechanisms of gut microbes and mTOR in different diseases, and discuss the crosstalk between gut microbes and their metabolites and mTOR in the disorders in gastrointestinal tract, liver, heart and other organs. We also discuss the promising appli-cation of multiple potential drugs that can adjust the gut microbiota and mTOR signal pathways. Despite the limited findings between gut microbes and mTOR, elucidating their relationship may provide new clues for the prevention and treatment of various diseases.
Advanced Anterior Eye Segment Imaging for Ichthyosis
Authors: Micińska Anna , Nowińska Anna , Teper Sławomir , Kokot-Lesik Joanna , Wylegala Edward
Published: June 2023

The purpose of this study was to describe ocular surface and anterior eye segment findings in various types of ichthyoses. Methods: This was a single-center prospective observational study. The study group consisted of five patients (P1-P5) aged 13–66 years. Multimodal imaging was performed, including slit-lamp examination, swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT), and in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM). Results: All patients were diagnosed with moderate to severe dry eye disease (DED). Corneas showed a significant pattern of irregularity, with a significant difference between the corneal thickness at the apex (CAT) and corneal thinnest thickness (CTT), ranging from 5 to 375 µm. Three patients were diagnosed with ectasia patterns based on SS-OCT. All patients showed abnormalities in at least one Fourier index parameter for at least one eye at 3 or 6 mm, on keratometric, anterior, or posterior analyses. IVCM examination revealed changes in all corneal layers. Conclusions: By combining the results of multimodal im-aging, we were able to detect preclinical abnormalities, distinguish characteristic changes com-mon to ichthyosis, and reveal the depth and characteristics of corneal abnormalities. Therefore, patients with ichthyosis should be examined for DED and ectatic disorders early in clinical prac-tice.
The Importance of The Tumor Microenvironment
Authors: Baghy Kornélia , Reszegi Andrea , Kovalszky Ilona
Published: June 2023

Similarly to our healthy organs, tumor tissue also generates an ecosystem. This implies that stromal cells acquire an altered phenotype in tandem with tumor cells, thereby promoting tumor survival. Cancer cells are fueled by abnormal blood vessels, allowing them to develop and proliferate. Tumor-associated fibroblasts adapt their cytokine and chemokine production to the needs of tumor cells, alter the peritumoral stroma by generating more collagen, thereby stiffening the matrix, all promoting the epithelial-mesenchymal transition and tumor cell invasion. Chronic inflammation and the mobilization of pro-tumorigenic inflammatory cells further facilitate tumor expansion. All of these events can impede the effective administration of tumor treatment, so the successful inhibition of tumorous matrix remodeling could further enhance the success of tumor treatment. Numerous publications describe efforts to inhibit tumor matrix components, but the true breakthrough has yet to be achieved. If, on the other hand, we assume that tumorous blood vessels and inflammatory cells are residents of the tumorous stroma, then two steps forward have occurred.