bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
IL-6 and IL-8 secretion by human glioma cells proliferating after Gamma-knife irradiation
Authors: Samoilovich M. P. , Pinevich A. A. , Smirnov I. V. , Vartanyan N. L. , Krutetskaya I. Yu. , Kiseleva L. N. , Makarov V. E. , Kartashev A. V.
Published: June 2023

One of the modern methods of treating patients with primary and recurrent brain tumors is radiosurgical irradiation using Gamma Knife, which allows therapeutic doses to be delivered to tumors not exceeding 2.5 cm in diameter in 1–2 sessions. Tumor cells on the periphery of this tissue volume that receive lower radiation doses can resume proliferation and serve as a source of recurrence. The increase of radiation dose may cause necroses formation and a worsening prognosis. The properties of glioblastoma cells that survive and resume proliferation long after stereotactic irradiation are still poorly known. The aim of the work was to evaluate the expression of IL-6 and IL-8 by glioblastoma A172, R1, T2, and T98G cell lines that resumed proliferation after sublethal Gamma Knife irradiation. Cells were irradiated once at doses ranging from 6 to 16 Gy, and then cultured for 40 days. Cell number was counted weekly; lethal and sublethal irradiation doses for each glioblastoma cell line were determined. In cultures descendant from proliferation of single most resistant cells, the level of IL-6 and IL-8 secretion after 96 hours cultivation (ng/1000 cells) was determined by ELISA. The cells of all four glioblastoma lines secreted IL-6 and IL-8 into culture medium. The highest production of cytokines, never before demonstrated for glioblastomas, was discovered in R1 cells. Glioblastoma T2 also had high interleukin production levels. In contrast to these lines, glioblastoma A172 (highly sensitive to the action of cytostatic drugs and radiation) secreted IL-6 at 30 times lower level than R1 cells. Glioblastoma T98G (highly resistant to the action of cytostatic drugs and radiation) also exhibited low interleukins production level. R1, T2, and T98G glioblastoma cells that resumed proliferation after irradiation had increased secretion of IL-6 and, to a lesser extent, IL-8. The dependence of cytokine production increase on irradiation dose for these cells was not linear. In contrast, A172 cells reduced IL-6 and IL-8 secretion under irradiation. The multidirectional changes in IL-6 and IL-8 production by cells of different glioblastoma lines were long-term and persisted for more than a month. The presented results cast doubt on the possibility to use IL-6 and IL-8 production by glioblastoma cells as potential biomarkers for early diagnosis, therapy monitoring as well as prognostic markers of the disease course.
Lactobacillus johnsonii modulation of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells generated from mice with null mutation of the Muc2 gene
Authors: Blinova E. A. , Goncharova E. P. , Kalmykova G. V. , Akulova N. I. , Litvinova E. A.
Published: June 2023

The gut is inhabited by a trillion bacteria that produce up to 60% of the host’s metabolites. The gut microbiome plays an important role in regulating host immune function. A lot of research concerned the effect of probiotic on the pathologies associated not only with dysbiosis and metabolic disorders, but there is breakthrough in the treatment of inflammation, oncology and neurodegenerative disorders. Animals with mutation of the genes leading to pathology used to assay probiotic effect. To understand direct action of probiotics, cells derived from control mice or cell culture of tumor genesis in vitro studies are used. However, there is little research of the probiotic effect on cells derived from mice with pathology. In this study, we assessed the phenotypes of dendric cells derived from Muc2-/- mice with chronic inflammation and assessed the effect of L. johnsonii on the dendric cells. It is known that the key features of IBD models are thinning of mucin layer and changes in the intestinal microbiome. We compared the efficiency of maturation and activation of dendric cells derived from the bone marrow of Muc2-/- mice and dendric cells obtained from healthy C57BL/6 mice free from specific species pathogens. We evaluated the expression of co-stimulatory molecules, the proliferative index, and the ability to trigger the T regulatory response of dendric cells, which were stimulated with the probiotic L. johnsonii. Markers of dendritic and T cells were assessed by flow cytometry using antibodies to extra- and intracellular proteins. The proliferative activity of splenocytes was assessed using the WST test. It was shown that dendric cells derived from the Muc2-/- had an immature phenotype. Dendric cells of Muc2-/- mice could not effectively stimulate the proliferation of allogeneic and syngeneic T cells. L. johnsonii was able not only to stimulate the maturation of dendric cells derived from Muc2-/- mice, but also to increase the expression of FoxP3 on CD25+ T cell that were co-cultured with DCs. Thus, we believe that this probiotic bacterium can reduce signs of inflammation and reduce pathological processes in animals of an experimental model of IBD in vivo.
Vacinação infantil em infográfico animado: tecnologia para a educação permanente sobre o processo de enfermagem
Authors: Ferreira Fernanda Medrado de Souza , Silva Francislene do Carmo , Natarelli Taison Regis Penariol , Mello Débora Falleiros de , Fonseca Luciana Mara Monti
Published: June 2023

RESUMO Objetivo: Desenvolver e validar um infográfico animado sobre o processo de enfermagem na vacinação infantil. Método: Estudo metodológico para desenvolvimento e validação de uma tecnologia educacional, do tipo infográfico animado, sobre vacinação infantil. Primeiramente, foram selecionados conteúdos do Ministério da Saúde que deveriam compor o infográfico. Em seguida, foi construído um roteiro e utilizado um storyboard para nortear a produção do infográfico animado. Após finalizada, a tecnologia passou pelo processo de validação de conteúdo e aparência junto a enfermeiros experts na área de estudo. Resultados: Foram elaboradas 69 telas de storyboard e o infográfico apresentou duração de cinco minutos e 52 segundos. Foram selecionados 45 enfermeiros e destes, 21 aceitaram participar do estudo. O infográfico foi avaliado segundo os objetivos, estrutura, apresentação e relevância, resultando em um IVC global de 97%. Conclusão: O infográfico animado produzido foi validado pelos experts e, ao adequar-se às sugestões dos juízes, tornou-se uma ferramenta educativa válida a ser utilizada por estudantes e profissionais de enfermagem.
Estimativa paramétrica de custos de esquadrias para obras prisionais utilizando Simulação de Monte Carlo
Authors: Isaton Camila , Jungles Antônio Edésio , Abreu João Paulo Maciel de , Marchiori Fernanda Fernandes
Published: June 2023

Resumo As prisões juvenis, também conhecidas como centros de atendimento socioeducativo (CAS), são edificações com características únicas, devido às demandas de segurança. Seu custo é composto de itens bastante especiais e muito diferentes dos das obras convencionais de edificação habitacional. Naquelas obras, um dos serviços de maior representatividade de custos é o de esquadrias de segurança. De acordo com a Lei nº 14.133/2021 (a nova lei de licitações), é possível utilizar técnicas expeditas de orçamento para estimar custos em etapas iniciais do projeto. A presente pesquisa teve como objetivo elaborar um modelo de custo para estimativa paramétrica (expedita) de esquadrias de segurança dos CAS. O método consistiu na coleta de dados de custos de CAS, com posterior tratamento por regressão linear e Simulação de Monte Carlo para validação do modelo. A contribuição do presente trabalho consiste em propor um modelo expedito de custo de esquadrias de segurança de CAS com base nos perímetros interno e externo das unidades, em paredes de alvenaria estrutural, edificações em planta retangular e projetadas segundo regramento do Sinase, de forma a contribuir com futuros orçamentos e auditorias de obras prisionais com essa tipologia.
Desenvolvimento de argamassa álcali-ativada baseada em cinzas de caldeira de dendê e queima de madeira
Authors: Coelho Vinícius Almeida , Fiuza Junior Raildo Alves , Silva Francisco Gabriel Santos
Published: June 2023

Resumo Os materiais álcali-ativados são conhecidos por apresentarem rápido desenvolvimento de elevada resistência mecânica, alta estabilidade química e possível reutilização de resíduos durante sua formulação, o que permite reaproveitar recursos e reduzir impactos ambientais. O presente trabalho desenvolveu argamassas álcali-ativadas empregando cinzas de caldeira de dendê e de queima de madeira, beneficiadas por meio de moagem e peneiramento. Avaliaram-se as características físico-químicas dos materiais por meio de ensaios de difração de raios laser, difração e fluorescência de raios x e termogravimetria, e formularam-se aglomerantes variando as relações molares CaO/SiO2e SiO2/Al2O3. Foram avaliadas seis formulações, duas das quais commetacaulim como fonte complementar de Al2O3. Avaliadas as propriedades mecânicas dos aglomerantes, formularam-see avaliaram-se três argamassas com variação do teor volumétrico de agregado em 25% e 50% quanto a trabalhabilidade, resistência mecânica, absorção de água e desenvolvimento de eflorescência. Houve desenvolvimento total de resistência com apenas 2 dias, e resistência à tração média de 3,54 MPa e à compressão de 10,5 MPa. As argamassas apresentaram baixa susceptibilidade ao desenvolvimento de eflorescência e taxa de absorção de 9,6%, o que confirma o potencial de aproveitamento dessas cinzas como material precursor para argamassas.
Estimativa de frentes de carbonatação baseada em análises estatísticas: aplicando modelo europeu em território brasileiro
Authors: Campos Neto Tiago Ferreira , Cascudo Oswaldo , Oliveira Andrielli Morais de
Published: June 2023

Resumo Este artigo tem como objetivo avaliar a aplicabilidade do modelo de predição de frentes de carbonatação preconizado pelo CEB Bulletin 34 (2006) em território brasileiro. Para isso, dados de concretos produzidos em laboratório e expostos à carbonatação natural por 10 anos foram utilizados como balizadores. Tempo de exposição, relação água/ligante, adição mineral e cura foram consideradas variáveis independentes, ao passo que a profundidade e o coeficiente de carbonatação como dependentes. Foram realizadas análises de variância e regressão linear entre os dados reais e os estimados, de maneira a estabelecer critériosque permitiram constatar a aplicabilidade do modelo. Consideraram-se condições ambientais e climáticas da cidade de Goiânia, GO, localizada na zona tropical Brasil Central, com clima quente semiúmido. Como resultado, com base nos coeficientes de correlação e determinação - iguais a 0,83 e 0,68 respectivamente - conclui-se que o modelo precisa ser revisto antes de ser aplicado no Brasil. Mais especificamente, o fator de resistência inversa efetiva à carbonatação natural, que associa a relaçãoágua/ligante e o tipo de adição, deve ser reajustado de maneira que represente os efeitos em ordem de grandeza semelhantes às reais.
Visão sistêmica sobre publicações relacionadas aos modelos de previsão do ataque por sulfatos em matrizes cimentícias
Authors: Brekailo Fernanda , Pereira Eduardo , Medeiros Marcelo H. F.
Published: June 2023

Resumo Este trabalho apresenta um levantamento dos modelos de previsão do ataque por sulfatos disponíveis na literatura, com um mapeamento temporal e espacial dessas publicações e análise das principais características de cada modelo. Identificou-se que as pesquisas nesse tema se encontram em crescimento, com maior foco em modelagens numéricas de ataque externo por sulfatos aplicadas ao concreto. Um menor número de trabalhos analisa outras matrizes cimentícias, ataque interno ou modelagens empíricas. Verificou-se que ainda é necessário analisar a aplicação dos modelos disponíveis e desenvolver novos modelos considerando diferentes tipos de sulfato e agregados contaminados, além da presença de adições minerais na matriz cimentícia. Como a maior parte das pesquisas trata de modelos numéricos de ataque externo, uma discussão sobre os principais pontos abordados nesses modelos é apresentada, e uma sugestão para os trabalhos de modelagem futuros é feita, com base em parâmetros que são ou que ainda não são consenso na literatura.
Publicación Multidisciplinaria
Authors:   Clínica Santiago, Quizhpe Sucunuta Albita , Sobarzo Buenaño Paola Herminda ,   Investigador independiente, Jara Orna Luis Medardo ,   Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, Chalco Cando Freddy Javier ,   Hospital Básico Arenillas, El Oro, 07D05, Sáenz Bravo Mercedes Catalina ,   Hospital General Guasmo Sur- Distrito 09D01, Méndez Lliguin Byron Angel ,   Hospital General Guasmo Sur- Distrito 09D01
Published: June 2023

Publicación multidisciplinaria es un texto conjunto de diversas especialidades trae la experiencia de múltiples hospitales de un grupo de salubristas, buscando plasmar en papel un cúmulo de conocimientos brindados de forma sencilla a la comunidad médica.
Recent Decline in Antarctic Sea Ice Cover From 2016 to 2022: Insights From Satellite Observations, Argo Floats, and Model Reanalysis
Authors: Suryawanshi Kshitija , Jena B. , Bajish C. C. , Anilkumar N.
Published: June 2023

Ever since the abrupt drop in Antarctic sea ice extent (SIE) began in spring of 2016, as opposed to its consistent growth (1.95% decade–1 from 1979 to 2015), the SIE in the satellite era has reached record lows in 2017 and 2022. From spring 2016, the satellite-based SIE remained consistently lower than the long-term mean, with the trend dropping to 0.11% decade–1 from 1979 to 2022. The top record lowest SIE years were observed from 2016 to 2022, corresponding to the warmest years dating back to 1979. With this background, the rare features of Antarctic polynyas reoccurred frequently and the west Antarctic Peninsula remained ice-free throughout 2022. Recently, the SIE dropped to a record low in June 2022, July 2022, August 2022, January 2023, and February 2023, which were 13.67%, 9.91%, 6.79%, 39.29%, 39.56% below the long-term mean value, respectively for months described above. We find that the observed decline in SIE during 2016–2022 occurred due to the combined influences from the intensification of atmospheric zonal waves with enhanced poleward transport of warm-moist air and anomalous warming in the Southern Ocean mixed layer (>1°C). Although the sudden sea ice decline in spring of 2016 occurred corresponding to the transitional climate shift from IPO– (Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation, 2000–2014) to IPO+ (2014–2016), the recent decline after 2016 occurred in a dominant IPO– and Southern Annular Mode (SAM+). CMIP6 models showed a consistent decrease in ensemble-mean SIE from 1979 to 2022. The model trend exhibits similarities to the recent declining trend in SIE from satellite observations since 2016, suggesting a possible shift towards a warmer climatic regime.
Nominal plurals in Sign Language of the Netherlands: Accounting for allomorphy and variation
Authors: van Boven Cindy , Hamann Silke , Pfau Roland
Published: June 2023

In both signed and spoken languages, reduplication is a common process in the formation of morphologically complex structures, expressing, e.g., plurality and certain aspectual meanings. A framework in which spoken language reduplication has been formalized frequently is Optimality Theory (OT). While an important attribute of OT-constraints is their universality, to date, the question to what extent such constraints are modality-independent, and thus work for sign language reduplication as well, remains largely unanswered. In the present study, we offer the first OT-formalization of plural reduplication in Sign Language of the Netherlands (NGT). The NGT-data reveal that this language features different plural allomorphs, the choice of which depends on phonological properties of the base noun. However, we also identify variation, e.g., all noun types allow for zero marking.In our formalization, we aim to introduce constraints that are maximally modality-independent, using constraint types that have previously been proposed for spoken language reduplication. Our formalization is the first to take into account base-reduplicant faithfulness for a sign language, and also the first to account for variation in sign language data by employing stochastic OT, whereby some noise is added to the ranking value of each constraint at evaluation time. Evaluating the modality-(in)dependence of our proposed account suggests that the types of constraints we employ as well as the evaluation in the spirit of stochastic OT are not specific to a modality, while the featural implementation is inevitably modality-dependent.
Correction: Production and perception across three Hong Kong Cantonese consonant mergers: Community- and individual-level perspectives
Authors: Cheng Lauretta S. P. , Babel Molly , Yao Yao
Published: June 2023

​​This article details a correction to the article: Cheng, L. S. & Babel, M. & Yao, Y., (2022) “Production and perception across three Hong Kong Cantonese consonant mergers: Community- and individual-level perspectives”, Laboratory Phonology 13(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.16995/labphon.6461
Desmatamento e a importância das áreas de proteção ambiental no Estado de São Paulo
Authors: Gotardi Tamires Regina , Primos Mariana Patty Guilger
Published: June 2023

As estradas de ferro, assim como outros veículos de progresso do país, representam grande parte do desmatamento da vegetação nativa, para a abertura de caminhos e instalação de infraestrutura. Posteriormente com a colaboração de outros fatores, como a agropecuária e o extrativismo, que dizimaram grande parte da vegetação nativa. Com a devastação, foi necessária a implantação de hortos florestais, os quais foram desenvolvidos para produção de eucaliptos e pinus, com finalidade da comercialização madeireira. Após o desuso pela ferrovia, estas áreas serviram como base para a criação das Unidades de Conservação. Perante disso, esse trabalho tem por finalidade elaborar uma análise da história do desmatamento com ênfase no Estado de São Paulo e relação com as Unidades de Conservação, por meio do processo de sua respectiva implantação, extração ilegal da madeira, danos aos ecossistemas, como combatê-lo e a importância das áreas protegidas. Metodologicamente realizaram-se estudos teóricos por meio de pesquisas bibliográficas em sites, artigos científicos, teses, Legislação como intuito de debater sobre o desmatamento e ressaltar a importância da preservação. Como resultado estimasse a disseminação do conhecimento histórico das áreas e a valorizar as unidades de conservação para o bem-estar social.

PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Unidades de Conservação; Desmatamento; Preservação;
Legislação Urbanística e Variações na Ocupação do Solo: Trecho do Bairro de Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro
Authors: Hamada Luciana , Loyola Lucas Vicente , Freitas Wagner Guimarães , Drach Patricia
Published: June 2023

O presente trabalho analisa um trecho urbano do Bairro de Botafogo, localizado na Zona Sul da cidade do Rio de Janeiro, com o objetivo de entender e correlacionar as mudanças na morfologia urbana associadas às alterações na legislação urbanística ao longo do tempo. Foram realizados levantamentos acerca da legislação e de mapas cadastrais pertinentes ao trecho urbano de estudo para interpretação morfológica em períodos distintos, buscando mapear as mudanças nos aspectos de ocupação do solo, dentre eles os gabaritos e afastamentos. O reconhecimento das mudanças ocorridas no trecho urbano, ao longo de 40 anos, possibilitou a percepção da importância de se olhar para a cidade, independente do recorte geográfico, e compreender como determinações e características do passado influenciam o presente e influenciarão o futuro, uma vez que o meio urbano está em constante transformação, com a finalidade de atender as demandas e especificidades de cada geração.

PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Legislação Urbanística. Gabaritos e Afastamento. Densidade Urbana.
O Fenômeno de Ilhas de Calor e o Papel da Arborização Urbana Para Mitigá-lo: Um Estudo em Ituverava, Região Nordeste do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil
Authors: Costa Fabiana Gorricho , Garcia Lucas Henrique do Carmo , Ribeiro Andreza Portella , Oliveira Anderson de
Published: June 2023

O crescimento das cidades e o seu entorno tem, em sua relação com o ambiente natural, causado impactos ambientais que transformam severamente o clima local e influenciam a qualidade de vida das pessoas. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi analisar o fenômeno Ilhas de Calor Urbanas (ICU) na cidade de Ituverava/SP, por meio da análise comparativa em imagens de satélite, dos anos de 2014 e 2021, e indicar o potencial da infraestrutura verde urbana para reduzir os efeitos das ilhas de calor. Espera-se que esta pesquisa forneça informações que possibilitem destacar a obrigatoriedade do fortalecimento das políticas públicas verdes brasileiras no contexto urbano. Pode-se considerar que no município ocorre o fenômeno Ilhas de Calor Urbano, apresentando uma sensação de desconforto térmico, devido às áreas degradadas, solo exposto do entorno da área urbana, ausência de sombreamento de árvores, etc. A avaliação usando as simulações do software I-Tree Canopy também contribuiu para evidenciar os potenciais benefícios da arborização urbana, em relação à qualidade do ar, na qual para mitigar os efeitos do fenômeno e proporcionar conforto térmico em áreas urbanas, é urgente a adoção de medidas para aumentar e distribuir melhor as áreas com vegetação verde, principalmente em volta e no centro da cidade.

PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Sensoriamento remoto, Ilha de calor urbano, Arborização urbana, I-Tree canopy, Ituverava-SP.
Influence of Beneficial Bacterial Inoculation on Nitrogen Concentration and Tomato Seedling Growth Under Glasshouse Conditions
Authors: Akter Amaily , Ali Tan Kee Zuan , Kasim Susilawati Binti , Mohd Amin Adibah Binti , Ab Aziz Zakry Fitri Bin , Md Rahmatullah Noor , Rahman Md Ekhlasur , Sadeq Buraq Musa , Chompa Sayma Serine
Published: June 2023

Many types of soil bacteria through antagonistic activity, thrive in the rhizosphere of plants or surround the tissues of plants and encourage plant development and reduce the nematode population. Bacteria as such are commonly known as Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR). The purpose of this research was to determine Bacillus spp. inoculations impact on tomato seedling development with varying rates of chemical nitrogen-fertilizer. To minimize the recommended quantity of N fertilizer for tomato seedling development, a small pot experiment with selected PGPB was undertaken with varying amount of N fertilizer. Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) labeled as UPMB10 and UPMRB9 (identified as Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus tequilensis, respectively) were utilized as microbial inoculants because they showed a significant improvement in seedling growth and N concentration in tomato plant tissues in a pot culture investigation. These microbial inoculants significantly improved the development of the plants, stem length, root length, leaves number, dry weight of shoots (stem, leaves), dry weight of roots, SPAD value, N concentration in tissues, and soil bacterial population. Bacteria-treated seedlings with 50% N fertilizer significantly increased stem length (69.07%), root length (78.51%), leaves number (68.58%), shoots (92.45%, 90.39%, stem and leaves, respectively), roots (73.33%), SPAD value (50.31%), and N concentration in plant tissues (63.79%) as compared to the uninoculated control. The findings also showed that inoculation of the Bacillus spp. tomato seedlings could save up to 50 percent of the recommended rate of chemical N fertilizer without affecting tomato seedling growth. The findings of this study suggest that the amount of nitrogen fertilizer given during tomato seedling development can be reduced by half, resulting in increased soil health and reduced environmental pollution.
Fe/ZSM-5-Catalyzed-Synthesis of 1,4-Dihydropyridines under Ultrasound Irradiation and Their Antioxidant Activities
Authors: Yayan Dwi Sutarni Yayan Dwi Sutarni , Purwono Bambang , Eko Sri Kunarti Eko Sri Kunarti , Mardjan Muhammad Idham Darussalam
Published: June 2023

A small library of 1,4-dihydropyridines have been synthesized from ethyl acetoacetate, ammonium acetate and various aldehydes via Hantzsch multicomponent reaction in the presence of Fe/ZSM-5 catalyst under ultrasound irradiation for 90 min. 1,4-Dihydropyridine derivatives were obtained in 64-86% yields and the heterogeneous Fe/ZSM-5 catalyst can be employed for four reaction cycles without losing the catalytic activity. All products were evaluated for their antioxidant activities using the DPPH method and compound 4g was found to be an effective antioxidant agent with DPPH activity of 83.5%.
Synthesis, Characterisation and Binding Evaluation of New 6-Amidinoindole Compound as the Potential Heme Binder
Authors: Abdul Kadir Jilani Noraisyah , Natsuhisa Oka , Kaori Ando , Hasbullah Siti Aishah
Published: June 2023

In this study, the new compound 6-amidinoindole 3 were synthesized by hydrogenating the amidoxime unit in a high yield. The compound was characterized by FTIR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and ESI-MS. The binding of the compound towards heme was evaluated using absorption spectroscopy. The studies found that the association constant (log K) is 3.90. The binding strength indicated the ligand's possibility to interact significantly with heme and acted as a binder to the malaria parasite. In silico hemozoin docking was performed to gain insight into the mode of action. The docked score is -8.3 kcal/mol, indicated the possible inhibition of hemozoin. This study could serve as the basis for the future development of malaria sensors and antiplasmodial activity.
To exploud, be destroyed or unexpectedly resist: An interview with curator Adrien Sina
Authors: Sina Adrien , Sydorenko Eugenia ,   Edinburgh Napier University (Edinburgh,United Kingdom)
Published: June 2023

Adrien Sina is a French arts curator, architect, dance and performance art historian. In his cross-disciplinary exhibition Feminine Futures: Ukraine, part of the series War | Oppression | Dystopia Mr Sina aims to provide a platform for Ukrainian dancers to speak out about the war with Russia. He achieves this by showcasing never-before-seen short films in which artists strive to create dialogue between their own bodies and architectural pieces, which results in the emotional reflection on the bloody present, anticipation of future devastating tragedies but also the highest expression of love and togetherness. The project is a living and growing body of works, with Adrien Sina working to expand the network of choreographers and filmmakers who direct their creative efforts towards similar goals. This results in brand new works being born from new collaborations, the nonconformity which fulfils the goal of the curator, as the constant search for new talents, whose work is yet to be discovered due to the hardships of being a woman or, in this case, a Ukrainian, in history is opposed to canon and hegemony of classical art. In this conversation, Adrien Sina discusses performance arts as a compelling tool for the representation of war, his choice to prioritise conceptual core of the exhibition over limiting it to a single art form or discipline, as well as the meaning of body and history in his exhibition. Additionally, the curator talks about War Crime Memorial, an installation presented at Venice Biennale next to the Russian pavilion as a poignant protest against the aggression of the invader-country. A companion piece to Feminine Futures: Ukraine, War Crime Memorial, similarly to its accompanying work, creates tension between architecture and female voice but does so in the form of a temporary scripture. Eugenia Sydorenko conducted and recorded a conversation with Adrien Sina in 2023, having attended the presentation and screening of Feminine Futures: Ukraine in Summerhall, Edinburgh.
Trugare, or one case from the history of the forgery-making
Authors:   Louvre Museum, Apenko Olga
Published: June 2023

The paper is a part of the author’s larger research on the history of restoration of Limoges painted enamels in the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century in Paris. It treats about a well-documented case of a French restorer and merchant Simon-Emérique Pierrat, accused in 1858 for selling false Limoges enamels to the members of the Rothschild family. The transcript of this process sheds light on methods and approaches used by some XIXth century forgers in the field of applied arts. Due to the high rank of his deceived clients, Pierra’s case was widely known by his contemporaries, and the restorer himself was considered as a faker par excellence. To succeed in his business, Pierrat, used to acquire enamels produced by his contemporaries and resell them to collectors. To make them look ancient, the restorer used to add some dirt and fire it on the object, so that it looks like the dirt of the time. He also used sophisticated narrative methods to add more credibility to his merchandise. However, sometimes objects talked for themselves. That is why, the presence of decorative elements imitating antique vases discovered during the Herculaneum excavations on a Renaissance enamel allowed an expert to expose a fake at the Rothschild collection and thus put an end to Pierrat’s fraudulent business. The method of his trucage (fr. Process or set of processes used, in the field of decorative arts and fine arts, to make fakes, counterfeits of antiques - Larousse) was largely discussed and denounced, but was also, though rarely, seen as a natural result of collectors’ blind chase over authentic Limoges enamels at the time. As the question of false objects and “honest” imitations rises for museum curators all over the world, such testimonies could be seen as a valuable piste to follow for a better understanding of the XIXth century applied art market context and its actors.
Restrictive Voting Technique for Faces Spoofing Attack
Authors: Omara Mahmoud , Fayez Mahmoud , Khalid Heba , Ghoniemy Said
Published: June 2023

Face anti-spoofing has become widely used due to the increasing use of biometric authentication systems that rely on facial recognition. It is a critical issue in biometric authentication systems that aim to prevent unauthorized access. In this paper, we propose a modified version of majority voting that ensembles the votes of six classifiers for multiple video chunks to improve the accuracy of face anti-spoofing. Our approach involves sampling sub-videos of 2 seconds each with a one-second overlap and classifying each sub-video using multiple classifiers. We then ensemble the classifications for each sub-video across all classifiers to decide the complete video classification. We focus on the False Acceptance Rate (FAR) metric to highlight the importance of preventing unauthorized access. We evaluated our method using the Replay Attack dataset and achieved a zero FAR. We also reported the Half Total Error Rate (HTER) and Equal Error Rate (EER) and gained a better result than most state-of-the-art methods. Our experimental results show that our proposed method significantly reduces the FAR, which is crucial for real-world face anti-spoofing applications.
TOTAL FACTOR PRODUCTIVITY CHANGE OF LONG-TERM CARE SYSTEM IN SELECTED OECD COUNTRIES
Authors:   University of Split, Faculty of Economics, Business and Tourism, Kordić Lana , Višić Josipa
Published: June 2023

The population is ageing, which has many social and economic implications, and one of them is an increase in demand for institutional long-term care for the elderly. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to analyse the change and to detect whether there are differences between twelve selected OECD countries in the period 2014-2019 in regard to the values of total factor productivity of long-term care system for the population aged 65 and over these countries. The Malmquist – DEA performance measure, under the assumption of the variable returns to scale (BCC model) and by using the input-oriented model, has been used to obtain the patterns of productivity change. The number of long-term workers and the number of beds in residential long-term care facilities are selected as input variables, while the number of long-term care recipients has been used as an output variable. According to obtained results, the total factor productivity in selected OECD countries increased by 1.023% in the analysed period. The increase is mainly a consequence of a 1.018% increase in technical efficiency, which emphasises an increase in managerial relative efficiency. Results obtained for Turkey indicate the highest productivity increase, accompanied by both a rise in technical efficiency and in technological change. Additionally, an increase in technical change that reflects a catch-up effect and a modest increase in technological change, indicating a lack of innovation altogether, resulted in an average productivity increase of 1.02% over the analysed period.
KNOWLEDGE AND INNOVATION AS A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE OF REPUBLIC OF CROATIA
Authors:   University North, Croatia, Rončević Ante , Ostojić Petra
Published: June 2023

Knowledge and investment in innovation is becoming the main criteria of competitiveness. The purpose of this paper is to examine concepts of knowledge, innovation and competitiveness. To prove the stated, comparative analysis was conducted on Eurostat data on EU public expenditure on education. Further analysis involved the data of employed and unemployed persons depending on the completed educational program in Croatia. Furthermore, a benchmarking of countries' innovation performance was carried out based on the Global Innovation Index, the Bloomberg Innovation Index and the European Innovation Scoreboard. The aim was to determine the most competitive economies compared to Croatia. The third analysis included innovation performance of Croatian companies. The contribution of the paper is visible in the analysis of the theoretical determination of knowledge and its development completed with the list of future jobs. The importance of the paper is reflected in the necessity of creating strategies corresponding to the future.
CHARACTERISTICS OF INFORMAL VENTURE CAPITAL IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC: QUANTITATIVE APPROACH
Authors:   CHARACTERISTICS OF INFORMAL VENTURE CAPITAL IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC: QUANTITATIVE APPROACH, Vejmělková Lada
Published: June 2023

In this paper, the demographic and investment profiles of business angels operating in the Czech Republic are evaluated based on a sample of 78 angel investors. This is the first attempt to use data on investor activities from the Pitchbook database, which has become increasingly popular in academic research. Beyond the framework of descriptive statistical analysis, a multidimensional statistical investigation using cluster analysis was conducted. The results show that there are two groups of angel investors in the Czech Republic. The first group is represented by investors who predominantly have a large active portfolio, as well as the number of total completed investments. On the other hand, the second cluster is made up of investors who conduct a smaller number of investments and are also in the position of the founder of a start-up. Not surprisingly, there are two main locations of angel investors in the Czech Republic, Brno and Prague. Both categories of typical investors are united by some demographic characteristics; for example, the market is dominated by middle-aged men with a completed Master’s degree in Economics who invest in start-ups in the field of information and communication technologies. The main contribution of the paper consists in evaluating the demographic and investment profiles of angel investors operating in the Czech business environment. The results of the research have implications for upcoming research, the informal venture capital industry, and public policy beyond the Czech business environment, while developing tools for fostering an angel ecosystem. In today’s globalized world, the boundaries of angel investors are often blurred. Just as start-ups have ambitions to expand internationally, informal venture capitalists are increasingly making cross-border deals. From the perspective of both investee firms and policy makers, it is thus important to know the profiles of not only domestic but also foreign business angels, e.g. with regard to the setting of public support for foreign capital inflows.
MANAGERIAL PERCEPTIONS OF EXPORT BARRIERS: INSIGHTS FROM THE SURVEY WITH ICT COMPANIES IN KOSOVO
Authors:   Kosovo Investment and Enterprise Support Agency (KIESA), Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade, Kosovo, Dedaj Zef , Krasniqi Besnik A.
Published: June 2023

This study investigates the managerial perceptions of export barriers of Kosovo ICT companies and provides some policy proposals. For this purpose, the study uses a survey of owners or managers of the ICT companies in Kosovo. The data collected through an online questionnaire survey using a Qualtrics platform were analysed. The survey results reveal four significant export barriers: external institutional barriers, such as visa requirement for Kosovo to visit companies in EU and access to international markets, financing issues for scaling up and growth and human resources barriers, and difficulties in having comprehensive information about the target markets and finding the right partner. Findings from the factor analysis clustered barriers to export into four groups: (1) formal and informal institutions; (2) market information and networking; (3) skills, technical capacities, and quality standards; and (4) International branding, visa requirement and lack of government support. The findings will help boost the growth potential ICT sector, address their needs, and raise policy awareness of the importance of the ICT sector for generating employment and economic growth. The study provides critical practical implications and policy recommendations for government, business associations and ICT companies.
INNOVATIONS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR: STRENGTHENING THE RESILIENCE OF LOCAL AND REGIONAL UNITS IN CROATIA TO THE CRISIS
Authors:   Euro ekspertiza j. d. o. o., Zagreb, Đokić Irena , Rašić Ivana , Slijepčević Sunčana
Published: June 2023

Pandemija bolesti COVID-19 izazvala je ekonomske šokove te je potaknula rasprave o tome kako poboljšati otpornost lokalnih i regionalnih jedinica na krize. Inovacije javnog sektora predstavljaju izazov, ali donose koristi, posebno za vrijeme društveno-gospodarskih kriza. Rad istražuje provedbu inovacija u javnom sektoru na lokalnoj i regionalnoj razini. Dok se većina dosadašnjih istraživanja bavi istraživanjem uloge privatnog sektora u provedbi inovacija u javnom sektoru, u ovom je radu cilj istražiti sposobnost lokalnih i regionalnih jedinica za provedbu inovacija i prepreke za provedbu inovativnih aktivnosti iz perspektive lokalnih dionika. Istražuje se postoji li heterogenost između jedinica lokalne i regionalne samouprave te lokalnih razvojnih agencija i lokalnih akcijskih grupa u razini inovacija i, ako postoje, s kojim se preprekama lokalni dionici susreću pri uvođenju ili provedbi inovacija. Također, istražuje se i utjecaj identificiranih prepreka na proces uvođenja inovacija. Rezultati ukazuju na tri glavna čimbenika koji narušavaju proces uvođenja inovacija u javnom sektoru. To su prepreke vezane za kompetencije, birokratske prepreke i poteškoće u financiranju. Pri tome su kao najznačajnije prepreke procesa uvođenja inovacija u hrvatskom javnom sektoru identificirane financijske poteškoće te prepreke vezane za kompetencije.
FEAR OR PASSION? PREDICTORS OF TRAVEL BEHAVIOR AND FOREIGN TRAVEL INTENTIONS IN PANDEMIC CONDITIONS
Authors:   Sveučilište VERN’, Miljković Krečar Irena , Kolega Maja
Published: June 2023

Posljednje dvije godine pandemija koronavirusa nametnula je brojne prepreke uobičajenim načinima turističkih putovanja. Jenjavanjem pandemije uklonjen je dio objektivnih restrikcija, no u mnogih je pojedinaca i dalje prisutan strah, u literaturi poznat pod nazivima poput „pandemijska/COVID putna anksioznost/strah/fobija“. U ovom je radu temeljno istraživačko pitanje ispitati prediktore pandemijske putne anksioznosti, njezine veze s ponašanjem domaćih turista tijekom pandemije i s namjerama budućih turističkih putovanja. Kao polazišni konceptualni model korištena je Teorija planiranog ponašanja. Metodom analize traga testiran je osnovni i nekoliko alternativnih modela, na uzorku od 1102 hrvatskih turista. Rezultati su pokazali značajne glavne efekte, pri čemu su varijable modela objasnile 23 % putnog ponašanja tijekom pandemije, te 20 % namjera inozemnih putovanja. Kako je pandemija COVID-19 još uvijek aktualna, a u međuvremenu su se pojavile i nove globalne ugroze (poput rata i ekonomske krize), istraživanje putne anksioznosti ostaje relevantna tema istraživačima i praktičarima na području turizma.
Research on a DS-class X-ray film digitisation device and an image enhancement algorithm with 12-bit RAW data
Authors: Lv Zhigang , Li Liangliang , Wang Peng , Wang Hongxi , Li Xiaoyan
Published: June 2023

Automatic evaluation of the X-ray films of welds is an important area of study in the field of non-destructive testing (NDT). A digitising device for the X-ray film is the key to realising automatic evaluation and its image quality directly determines the quality of the automatic evaluation
system. At present, the imaging quality of most mature digitising systems on the market cannot meet the DS-class requirements of international standard EN 14096. In order to solve the problems of low visual contrast, detailed information that is difficult to distinguish and low visual resolution
in existing digitising systems, a high-quality embedded X-ray film digitising device, processing films with adjustable width, is developed in this paper. The device uses a 12-bit camera and has the characteristics of small size, simple operation and easy maintenance. In order to improve the
imaging quality, an optical visual enhancement model is constructed for the generated 12-bit RAW data, which can improve the display of the data. The MTF20% values of the device in the horizontal and vertical directions are 7.544 and 7.460, respectively, and the optical density range is 0.5-4.5
D, the comprehensive index of which can reach DS class. The device has been initially applied by non-destructive testing companies.
Malezya'nın Dini Yapısı Üzerine Fenomenolojik Bir Saha Araştırması - Kuala Lumpur Örneği
Authors: ÇİFTÇİ Halit Ahmet
Published: June 2023

Malezya, Güneydoğu Asya’da çok kültürlü yapısıyla adeta bir dinler bahçesi görünümünde olan bir ülkedir. Ülkede en çok müntesibi bulunan İslam başta olmak üzere Budizm, Hıristiyanlık, Hinduizm, Taoizm, Sihizm gibi dinler belirli bölgelerde yoğunlaşan mabetleri ve cemaatleri ile varlıklarını sürdürmektedirler. Kuala Lumpur’un özellikle Brickfields bölgesi, birbirlerine çok yakın bir şekilde inşa edilmiş durumda olan birer adet mandir, vihara, Metodist kilisesi ve cami gibi farklı inanç gruplarının mabetlerine ev sahipliği yapmaktadır. Bunların dışında, bünyesinde Budizm ve geleneksel Çin dininden unsurlar da barındıran bir Taoist mabedi, ülkedeki az sayıda Taoist nüfusuna hizmet vermektedir. Ülkede az sayıda bulunan Sih toplumu da ibadet ve sosyal faaliyetlerini Kuala Lumpur’daki Guru Nanak Darbar Tatt Khalsa gurudvarasında gerçekleştirmektedir. Bu çalışmada Malezya’nın dini yapısı ve inanç grupları mabetler ve ibadetler ekseninde ortaya koyularak bahsi geçen inanç gruplarının mabetlerinde ve ibadetlerinde karşılaşılan unsurlar din fenomenolojisinin metodları kullanılarak ve gerektiğinde ilgili inancın kutsal metinlerine de atıf yapılarak irdelenecektir. Çalışma, Malezya’nın çok kültürlü yapısını en iyi yansıtan şehir olması nedeniyle başkent Kuala Lumpur ile sınırlandırılmıştır.
New and Emerging Trabecular Meshwork Bypass Stents
Authors: Shalaby Wesam Shamseldin ,   Wills Eye Hospital, Glaucoma Research Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA, Moster Marlene R ,   Tanta Medical School, Tanta University, Tanta, Gharbia, Egypt
Published: June 2023

Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery procedures are newly developed surgical modalities for the management of glaucoma. Their target is to lower intraocular pressure with minimal eye trauma and fewer complications. The first-generation iStent® (Glaukos Corp, Laguna Hills, CA, USA) is the first minimally invasive glaucoma surgery device to be approved for the treatment of open-angle glaucoma. It allows aqueous humour to be drained directly from the anterior chamber to Schlemm’s canal, bypassing the trabecular meshwork, which is believed to be the main site of outflow resistance. The second-generation iStent inject® (Glaukos Corp, Laguna Hills, CA, USA) is a smaller implant that allows simultaneous implantation of two stents, which could theoretically result in lower intraocular pressure. The Hydrus® Microstent (Alcon, Geneva, Switzerland) is another trabecular implant that dilates and scaffolds Schlemm’s canal. This articles reviews publications about all trabecular meshwork bypass stents, comparing them in terms of their efficacy and safety.
Current and Emerging Therapies for Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy
Authors: Davila-Siliezar Pamela ,   Department of Ophthalmology, Blanton Eye Institute, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA, Laylani Noor ,   Department of Ophthalmology, Blanton Eye Institute, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA, Douglas Konstantinos AA ,   First Department of Ophthalmology, Gennimatas General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Athens, Greece, Milea Dan ,   Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA,   Singapore Eye Research Institute and Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore,   Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark, Lee Andrew G ,   Department of Ophthalmology, Blanton Eye Institute, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA,   Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, School of Medicine, Galveston, TX, USA,   Departments of Ophthalmology, Neurology, and Neurosurgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA,   University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA,   Texas A and M College of Medicine, Bryan, TX, USA
Published: June 2023

Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is the most common primary mitochondrial DNA disorder, presenting typically as a sequential, painless, subacute, optic neuropathy in young males. Despite the very limited therapeutic options in LHON, recent developments involving novel pharmacological agents and emerging gene therapy interventions have shown promising results for improved visual outcomes. A synthetic analogue of coenzyme Q (idebenone) is the most common medical treatment in LHON. In a multicentre, double-blind randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial (Rescue of Hereditary Optic Disease Outpatient Study [RHODOS]), a dose of 900 mg/day of idebenone for 24 weeks was found to be well tolerated and safe. In a follow-up study (RHODOS-OFU), the visual acuity of 70% of patients enrolled in RHODOS was reassessed 30 months after discontinuation of idebenone. Results from this study suggested that visual acuity continued to improve even after discontinuation of the drug. Gene therapy has recently emerged as a potential treatment for LHON. RESCUE and REVERSE were two phase III clinical trials of viral-mediated gene therapy using lenadogene nolparvovec intravitreal injections in patients with early-stage LHON. Results in these trials have shown long-term safety and bilateral visual acuity improvement after unilateral intravitreal injections at 96 weeks, and sustained visual improvement after 3 years of treatment. The most recent phase III clinical trial in LHON (REFLECT) has shown significant improvement of vision after bilateral intravitreal injections of lenadogene nolparvovec compared with unilateral injections. These promising results suggest that, in the near future, LHON might become the first mitochondrial disorder to benefit from gene therapy.