bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of Optimized Dry Fractionation Process for Nutritional Enhancement of Different Sunflower Meals
Authors: Vidosavljević Strahinja , Bojanić Nemanja , Dragojlović Danka , Stojkov Viktor , Sedlar Tea , Banjac Vojislav , Fišteš Aleksandar
Published: January 2025

Sunflower meal (SFM), a byproduct of sunflower oil extraction, is a relatively inexpensive protein source with high potential for feed formulations. Dry fractionation methodologies are emerging as ‘green’ and affordable technologies with the potential to additionally enhance the nutritional quality of plant-based raw materials for animal feed, including sunflower meal. Following the optimization of a dry fractionation process in a previous study of the authors, this research aims to validate the defined parameters through the processing of three sunflower meals (SFM1, SFM2, and SFM3) with different characteristics. The dry fractionation process includes two-stage grinding using hammer mill and roll mill and fractionation of sunflower meal by sieving. The process successfully increased the protein content of sunflower meals in the range of 17.5% to 31.2%, reaching levels high enough to be categorized as “high protein” sunflower meals of first quality (42% as is). Exceptionally high fraction yields (76.5–78.9%) were obtained for all three sunflower meals. The lowest energy consumption was recorded for SFM1 (8.44 Wh/kg), while slightly higher values were observed during the processing of SFM2 and SFM3 (9.30 and 9.93 Wh/kg, respectively). Relative amino acid enrichments ranging from 13.35% to 26.64% were achieved, with lysine enrichment ranging from 18.9% to 36% and methionine from 30.6% to 44.1%.
Improving the Selectivity of Metal Oxide Semiconductor Sensors for Mustard Gas Simulant 2-Chloroethyl Ethyl Sulfide by Combining the Laminated Structure and Temperature Dynamic Modulation
Authors: Liu Yadong , Zhao Siyue , You Lijuan , Xu Yong , Si Renjun , Zhang Shunping
Published: January 2025

Insufficient selectivity is a major constraint to the further development of metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) sensors for chemical warfare agents, and this paper proposed an improved scheme combining catalytic layer/gas-sensitive layer laminated structure with temperature dynamic modulation for the Mustard gas (HD) MOS sensor. Mustard gas simulant 2-Chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (2-CEES) was used as the target gas, (Pt + Pd + Rh)@Al2O3 as the catalytic layer material, (Pt + Rh)@WO3 as the gas-sensitive layer material, the (Pt + Pd + Rh)@Al2O3/(Pt + Rh)@WO3 sensor was prepared, and the sensor was tested for 2-CEES and 12 battlefield environment simulation gases under temperature dynamic modulation. The results showed that the sensor only showed obvious characteristic peaks in the resistance response curves to HD under certain conditions (100–400 °C, the highest temperature was held for 1 s and the lowest temperature was held for 2 s), and its peak height reached 6.12, which was far higher than other gases, thus realizing the high selectivity of the MOS sensor to 2-CEES. Meanwhile, the sensor also showed good sensitivity, detection limits, response/recovery times, anti-interference, and stability, which further verified the feasibility of the improved scheme.
Monitoring Sleep and Nightly Recovery with Wrist-Worn Wearables: Links to Training Load and Performance Adaptations
Authors: Nuuttila Olli-Pekka , Schäfer Olstad Daniela , Martinmäki Kaisu , Uusitalo Arja , Kyröläinen Heikki
Published: January 2025

Previous studies on the effects of intensified training on sleep quality/quantity have been somewhat contradictory. Moreover, recreational athletes often track various sleep metrics, and those metrics’ actual connections to training adaptations are unknown. This study explored the effects of intensified training on sleep and nightly recovery along with their associations with training adaptations. A total of 24 participants (10 females) performed a 3-week baseline training period (BL), a 2-week overload period (OL), and a 1-week recovery period (REC), which were followed by test days (T1–T3). The endurance performance was assessed with a 3000 m running test. Throughout all of the periods, the nightly recovery information was monitored with a wrist-worn wearable, including sleep quantity and quality, heart rate (HR) and HR variability (HRV), and proprietary parameters combining several parameters and scaling the results individually. In addition, the perceived strain and muscle soreness were evaluated daily. The 3000 m running performance improved from T1 to T2 (−1.2 ± 1.7%, p = 0.006) and from T1 to T3 (−1.7 ± 1.2%, p = 0.002). The perceived strain and muscle soreness increased (p < 0.001) from the final week of the BL to the final week of the OL, but the subjective sleep quality and nightly recovery metrics remained unchanged. The OL average of the proprietary parameter, autonomic nervous system charge (“ANS charge”, combining the HR, HRV, and breathing rate), as well as the change in the sleep HR and HRV from the BL to the OL, were associated (p < 0.05) with a change in the 3000 m running time. In conclusion, the subjective recovery metrics were impaired by intensified training, while the sleep and nightly recovery metrics showed no consistent changes. However, there were substantial interindividual differences in nightly recovery, which were also associated with the training adaptations. Therefore, monitoring nightly recovery can help in recognizing individual responses to training and assist in optimizing training prescriptions.
The Use of Augmented Reality on a Self-Paced Treadmill to Quantify Attention and Footfall Placement Variability in Middle-Aged to Older-Aged Adults with Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Hernandez Manuel E. , Holtzer Roee , Izzetoglu Meltem , Motl Robert W.
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: Footfall placement variability is associated with falls in older adults and neurological diseases. Thus, the study of dual-task gait impairment in middle-aged to older-aged adults with multiple sclerosis (MS) is clinically relevant, particularly in environments that mimic the obstacles experienced in daily ambulation. Methods: A total of 10 middle-aged to older-aged adults with MS (eight female, mean ± SD age = 56 ± 5 years), 12 healthy older adults (HOAs, nine female, age = 63 ± 4 years), and 10 healthy young adults (HYAs, five female, age = 22 ± 3) were asked to perform cued walking (CW) or obstacle walking (OW) tasks without or with a concurrent backward alphabet recitation task (CWT, OWT), or dual tasks. Gait performance and attentional demands were measured using hit rate, stride velocity, footfall placement bias and variance, and prefrontal cortex (PFC) oxygenated hemoglobin HbO levels. Results: A significant dual-task condition-by-cohort interaction was seen in footfall placement bias and variance as indicated by a higher footfall placement bias and variance in dual-task vs. single-task conditions seen in HOAs, in comparison to HYAs and adults with MS. Further, a significant walking condition-by-cohort interaction was seen in the HbO levels as indicated by the higher PFC HbO levels seen in OW vs. CW in adults with MS, compared to adults without MS. Conclusions: The decreased accuracy and increased attention in footfall placement to visual cues on the ground observed in adults with MS and HOAs, relative to HYAs, may provide a marker for gait impairment and fall risk in older adults with MS.
Examining Trauma-Related Shame and Trauma Coping Self-Efficacy as Predictors of PTSD in Women in Jail
Authors: Lynch Shannon M. , Kaplan Stephanie
Published: January 2025

Women in jail experience high rates of exposure to interpersonal violence and PTSD. However, programming to address women’s trauma-related treatment needs in corrections facilities is limited and this population remains underserved. Research identifying treatment targets to reduce PTSD symptoms and to support recovery is needed. Prior research suggests trauma-related shame and coping self-efficacy are associated with PTSD symptoms in the general population. The present study aimed to expand upon the current literature by using structural equation modeling to evaluate the associations among cumulative interpersonal violence exposures, trauma coping self-efficacy (TCSE), trauma-related shame, and current PTSD symptoms in a sample of randomly selected women in jail (n = 150). Over half the sample (55%) reported clinically significant PTSD symptoms. Shame (β = 0.372, p = 0.001) and TCSE (β = −0.375, p < 0 000) significantly predicted PTSD symptoms, explaining 50% of the variance in PTSD. These findings provide preliminary direction for identification and implementation of evidence-based treatments addressing trauma-related shame and TCSE to reduce PTSD symptoms in incarcerated women.
Multimodal Recommendation System Based on Cross Self-Attention Fusion
Authors: Li Peishan , Zhan Weixiao , Gao Lutao , Wang Shuran , Yang Linnan
Published: January 2025

Recent advances in graph neural networks (GNNs) have enhanced multimodal recommendation systems’ ability to process complex user–item interactions. However, current approaches face two key limitations: they rely on static similarity metrics for product relationship graphs and they struggle to effectively fuse information across modalities. We propose MR-CSAF, a novel multimodal recommendation algorithm using cross-self-attention fusion. Building on FREEDOM, our approach introduces an adaptive modality selector that dynamically weights each modality’s contribution to product similarity, enabling more accurate product relationship graphs and optimized modality representations. We employ a cross-self-attention mechanism to facilitate both inter- and intra-modal information transfer, while using graph convolution to incorporate updated features into item and product modal representations. Experimental results on three public datasets demonstrate MR-CSAF outperforms eight baseline methods, validating its effectiveness in providing personalized recommendations, advancing the field of personalized recommendation in complex multimodal environments.
Symptom appraisal and help-seeking before a cancer diagnosis during pregnancy: a qualitative study
Authors: Marcu Afrodita , Ream Emma , Poole Karen , Armes Jo , Gibson Faith , Whitaker Lisa , Harris Jenny
Published: January 2025

Background Estimated incidence of cancer diagnosis during or shortly after pregnancy is 1 in 1,000 women. Pregnancy can impact symptom appraisal and help-seeking for symptoms subsequently diagnosed as cancer. Little is known about the pathway to cancer diagnosis in pregnancy or delays that women can encounter. Aim To explore symptom appraisal, help-seeking decisions, and experience of receiving a cancer diagnosis during pregnancy. Design and setting Semi-structured interviews with women diagnosed with cancer during or shortly after pregnancy in the previous four years, recruited between January and May 2022 via the charity Mummy’s Star. Method Reflexive Thematic Analysis of 20 interviews. Analysis was largely inductive, and the themes generated were mapped onto the intervals of the Model of Pathways to Treatment. Results Symptoms were often interpreted through the lens of pregnancy by both participants and most of the healthcare professionals from whom they sought help. Participants who found breast lumps were likely to suspect cancer and be referred promptly for tests in secondary care. While most participants sought timely help for their symptoms, some subsequently encountered health system delays, partly due to both the vague nature of their symptoms and the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion Health services need to better support women presenting with possible cancer symptoms during pregnancy to ensure timely diagnosis. Recommendations include prioritising symptoms over attributing them solely to pregnancy, ensuring timely referrals to rule out serious conditions, and emphasising clear communication alongside robust safety-netting practices. A full assessment is essential before dismissing symptoms as pregnancy related.
Antidepressants and risk of postural hypotension: a self-controlled case series study
Authors: Bhanu Cini , Walters Kate , Orlu Mine , Davis Daniel , Sofat Reecha , Petersen Irene
Published: January 2025

Background Antidepressants are associated with postural hypotension (PH), but it is not typically recognised as a common adverse effect. PH is linked with serious complications in older adults (e.g. falls, stroke, cognitive decline). Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs) examining antidepressants often exclude older people and do not focus on adverse effects. Aim To examine risk of PH associated with antidepressants in adults aged ≥60 in UK primary care. Design & setting Self-controlled case series using routinely collected primary care data from the IQVIA Medical Research Database (IMRD). Method We obtained data from >41,000 adults aged ≥60 in IMRD between 1 Jan 2000 to 31 Dec 2018. Antidepressant prescriptions were determined using code lists based on British National Formulary classification. Risk of PH was examined during four risk-periods (90-days pre-prescription; day 1-28, 29-56, 57+) compared with periods outside these risk windows. Results Amongst 41,005 people with incident PH in the study period, 8,313 were prescribed a selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI); 8,899 were prescribed a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA); and 4,656 were prescribed an “Other antidepressant”. We observed a consistent increased risk of PH in day 1-28 in all antidepressants, that reduced thereafter. Risk of PH was highest with SSRIs (IRR 4.22, 95% CI: 3.76-4.74), followed by “Other antidepressants” (IRR 2.17 (95% CI: 1.76- 2.68), TCAs (IRR 2.12, 95% CI: 1.79-2.50). Conclusion A striking increased risk of PH was observed with all antidepressants in the first month, particularly SSRIs. Prescribers should be aware of this risk and may consider PH monitoring when initiating antidepressants.
Identifying people at risk of rheumatoid arthritis in primary care: qualitative study
Authors: Anderson Anna M. , Richards Suzanne , Flurey Caroline , Siddle Heidi J
Published: January 2025

Background: Identification of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in primary care is challenging and often delayed. Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibody testing of people presenting to primary care with new-onset musculoskeletal symptoms without synovitis could help address this; those testing positive are at increased risk of developing RA. Aim: To explore how primary care clinicians currently identify and refer patients with suspected RA, and the behaviours required to implement a prediction model for guiding targeted anti-CCP testing for non-specific musculoskeletal symptoms in primary care. Design and Setting: Qualitative descriptive study in primary care in England. Method: Eight GPs and eight Musculoskeletal First Contact Practitioners participated in semi-structured interviews to explore their experiences of identifying/referring patients with suspected RA and their views of a potential implementation package for the anti-CCP prediction model. Data were analysed using framework analysis. Results: Variations in practice were evident across the pathway for identifying/referring patients with suspected RA, including in access to and use of the anti-CCP test. Implementing the anti-CCP prediction model would require clinicians to believe its benefits outweigh its risks, engagement of primary and secondary care teams, and incorporation of the prediction model within an easily accessible and useable clinical decision support system. Participants’ views of implementing the anti-CCP prediction model varied but were mostly positive overall. Conclusion: Implementing a prediction model to guide targeted anti-CCP testing in primary care could be feasible. Further research is required to explore the potential benefits, risks, and costs of a pathway for identifying/managing people at risk of RA.
Self-Presentation of Czech and Slovak Higher Education Institutions in Promotional Videos: The Case of Technical Universities
Authors: Foretová Petra
Published: January 2025

Self-promotional videos have become a key tool for universities to attract prospective students. These videos often blend academic content with symbolism and entertainment, extending beyond traditional informational purposes. Despite their growing importance, little research exists on the institutional images they convey. This study addresses this gap by analyzing self-promotional videos from Czech and Slovak technical universities inspired by the principles of critical multimodal analysis. It examines the visual, auditory, and textual strategies used to represent institutional identity, values, and goals. The findings reveal how universities balance creating unique narratives with adhering to generic marketing conventions. In a competitive academic landscape, understanding these dynamics is vital for institutions seeking to stand out while maintaining authenticity and credibility. This research contributes to the discourse on education marketing by highlighting the role of audiovisual content in shaping public perceptions of universities.
Creativity, Artificial Intelligence and (Dis)Information
Authors: Gálik Slavomír
Published: January 2025

Creativity is generally understood as the ability to create something new and valuable. Artificial intelligence (AI) can also be creative, but the fundamental difference is that human experience, which is based on emotions, beliefs, etc. However, humans now overwhelmingly work and create in synergy with AI. Using it, they can create new information, but also disinformation. Especially risky is disinformation that is spread in the media, which can increase tensions and conflicts in society. In a normal state, information in the media world should be heterogeneous, and if this healthy level of heterogeneity deviates into a state of homogeneity or extreme heterogeneity, then this should be a “red” light for a creative person. A creative person should not be subject to ossified thinking, various clichés and platitudes, and should rather expose media disinformation behind which there is an intention to manipulate people's thinking. However, creativity alone is not enough, because other cognitive skills, such as analytical thinking, are also needed to detect disinformation. However, creativity remains an important resource in the fight against disinformation.
Media Metamorphosis in the Digital Age: Interaction with Artificial Intelligence and Its Consequences in Journalism
Authors: Tinák Tomáš , Gáliková Tolnaiová Sabína
Published: January 2025

The media ecosystem is undergoing radical changes in the digital age, enabling human or human intelligence to interact with artificial intelligence (AI). In this paper, the authors analyze how AI technologies (machine learning, algorithms) are transforming both media and journalism, or what impact they are having in this field. Against the background of mapping the situation of AI integration in the media ecosystem and in journalism, their aim is to identify, within the current application of its capabilities, both the ambivalence in the very approach to its application (integration, use in practice), and to outline the specific positives and negatives, or the risks that it brings to the field, specifically in an ethical perspective. Finally, in this context, identify the status of AI with respect to the issue of accountability. The authors seek to contribute to the discourse on the sustainable development of the media, or the media ecosystem and journalism in the era of digital technologies, underlining the role and responsibility of the human subject in the application of AI and its associated tools, with respect to the societal expectations of its benefits (in media and journalistic practice).
The Current State of the Bibliographic Pool of Artificial Intelligence in Comparison with Humans
Authors: Kubovics Michal
Published: January 2025

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is one of the fastest growing areas of the marketing world and is having a profound impact on business, technology and people. The current manuscript conducts a thorough examination of bibliographic materials to investigate the breadth and extent of subjects pertaining to artificial intelligence and its association with human competencies, with particular focus on interdisciplinary methodologies. The results indicate that 94,030 records on artificial intelligence were discovered in the Web of Science database, mainly focusing on machine learning, neural networks and their applications in medicine, automation and robotics. In contrast, human research is more decentralised and mainly related to fields such as psychology, education and the arts. Analytical geographical data has shown that countries such as the USA, China and Germany lead in AI and human research. The study elucidates that the amalgamation of artificial intelligence with human capabilities possesses the capacity to produce groundbreaking solutions for prevalent challenges such as climate change, public health crises, and social inequities. It is crucial to conduct thorough interdisciplinary research that considers both technological and ethical aspects in order to accomplish this. Findings serve as a crucial foundation for future studies that can connect advancements in technology with human values and abilities.
Opportunities and Threats of AI in Marketing and Communication in the Czech Republic and Slovakia
Authors: Kusá Alena , Přikrylová Jana , Pátík Ladislav
Published: January 2025

Artificial intelligence is one of the biggest topics of today, affecting all segments of society and the economymarketing and communication included. What does AI bring to the table, and what opportunities does it offer? What does AI take away, and what threats does it pose? Where is the boundary between the human factor and artificial intelligence? What is the relationship between AI and humans? These are frequently asked questions and topics of extensive discussion. In our article, we aim to answer these questions in the context of marketing and communication practices in the Czech and Slovak markets. In the first part, we provide a summary of the most important facts from the current state of AI research in these two segments. The research part of our article is based on an in-depth analysis of the results and key findings from a primary marketing study conducted among professionals working in marketing and communication, both on the client side. This original research was carried out by the Kantar agency in the Czech and Slovak markets. The outcome of our article is the identification of key opportunities and threats that AI brings to the marketing and communication segments, along with development trends for the coming periods.
Bibliographic Analysis: Evaluation of the Ethical Aspects of Neuromarketing Research in Digital Marketing with an Emphasis on Its Important Aspect in the Form of a Code of Ethics
Authors: Štefko Róbert , Bačík Radovan , Loumová Veronika , Tomášová Mária
Published: January 2025

The integration of neuromarketing in digital marketing introduces new insights into consumer behavior by combining neuroscience and marketing principles. However, this approach requires a comprehensive understanding of ethical limitations and the responsible management of consumer data. Attie et al. (2021) state that the ethical issues raised regarding neuromarketing and AI are like the ones raised regarding advertising and marketing in general. The primary ethical challenge lies in direct access to consumers’ cognitive processes, which can intrude on personal privacy and involve the handling of sensitive information. This raises crucial ethical issues, such as privacy protection, potential misuse of data, and the need for transparency within both neuromarketing and digital marketing contexts. This article provides a bibliographic review of empirical studies on these ethical concerns, drawing from impactful scientific journals indexed in the Web of Science (WoS) database. The objective is to propose specific ethical guidelines that can serve as a code of ethics, establishing a framework for ethical conduct in neuromarketing applications within digital marketing.
The Connection Between AI and Usability in the Online Sector, Considering Mutual Interactions within E-Commerce and Central EU Countries
Authors: Tomášová Mária , Herichová Bianka
Published: January 2025

Online technologies are increasingly utilized on a daily basis, not only by ordinary consumers but also by businesses within the entrepreneurial sector. Artificial intelligence is experiencing significant recognition, offering opportunities for accelerated technological advancement. Simultaneously, it brings about changes that impact the online space as a whole. E-commerce faces continuous transformations, making it essential to recognize that these changes influence consumer behavior, purchasing processes, and the extent to which new technologies are adopted by businesses. The interconnectedness of the online space, technological advancements, and AI is the focus of this study. Specifically, it examines the impact of the digitalization on usability in the business sector of e-commerce, with an emphasis on the utilization of AI within businesses themselves. Furthermore, it indicates that the integration of modern technologies, such as artificial intelligence, is changing the way businesses interact with the digital market and optimize their marketing and business strategies.
Text-To-Speech Technologies in Online Media
Authors: Tomková Šimona
Published: January 2025

Speech-to-text (STT) and text-to-speech (TTS) technologies are transforming communication and accessibility, offering groundbreaking applications in journalism, education, and assistive technologies. STT enables the transcription of spoken language into written text, facilitating efficient workflows and improving accessibility, while TTS converts text to synthetic speech, improving content consumption for visually impaired users and users with reading difficulties. This paper explores the basic functions, applications, and limitations of these technologies with a focus on their integration into journalism. It discusses global examples, such as the BBC and The New York Times, which have successfully implemented these tools, as well as the Slovakian Denník N, which uses neural voice synthesis for audio stories. The analysis highlights significant benefits, including streamlined content creation and personalized user experiences, along with challenges such as transcription inaccuracies and ethical concerns regarding AI-generated content. This paper provides insight into the future potential of STT and
TTS, while also addressing the risks of their wider adoption in the media.
The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Sustainable Development of Small and Mediumsized Enterprises in the Slovak Business Environment
Authors: Zábojník Rastislav
Published: January 2025

This study examines the strategic use of artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool to support the sustainable development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Slovakia. Given the growing importance of AI in the global business environment and the critical role of SMEs in the Slovak economy, the research focuses on identifying both opportunities and threats related to AI implementation in this sector. Through a literature review and a comprehensive analysis of current trends, this study explores the potential benefits of implementing AI in SMEs, such as increased operational efficiency, cost optimization, and improved quality of decision-making processes. Additionally, the main barriers faced by SMEs in implementing AI were identified, including limited financial and human resources, lack of technical expertise, and complications arising from regulatory and ethical issues. The findings of this study suggest that, despite the considerable benefits AI can offer to SMEs, the deployment of these technologies faces multiple challenges. Among the most significant barriers are the lack of availability of qualified personnel, high initial implementation and maintenance costs, and inadequate information on effective AI practices. These factors significantly limit the innovation potential of SMEs. Furthermore, stringent regulatory requirements and ethical dilemmas present additional obstacles to the practical application of AI technologies. This study concludes by recommending that strategic investment in technology infrastructure, employee education and training, and the creation of a supportive regulatory and policy framework are essential to overcoming these barriers. Only through such initiatives can SMEs fully exploit the potential of AI, enhance their competitiveness, and achieve sustainable growth in a dynamic global marketplace.
Artificial (Intelligence) Methods in Monetization of Old Games: Reviving Old Titles for a New Market
Authors: Kysler Adam , Cihlářová Monika
Published: January 2025

In the contemporary era of advanced gaming platforms and digital distribution, artificial intelligence (AI) could play a transformative role in revitalizing older games. This paper explores how AI-driven techniques and artificial methods are reshaping remasters, remakes, ports, and collections, making classic titles relevant for modern audiences while leveraging new monetization models. For instance, advanced character AI and algorithmic improvements can provide richer, more realistic interactions in remakes compared to their original iterations. The study also delves into the intersection of AI and nostalgia marketing, examining older games. We analyze how remasters improve graphics and sound, while remakes often completely rework AI, gameplay and design. These forms also allow old titles to be updated with enhanced features that were not present in the titles at the time of release, e.g. improved character AI. An important part of the research is also exploring how these approaches are perceived by gamers themselves and how they are rated in reviews. The aim of this exploratory study is to define and describe the current ways of monetising old titles.
Ikona ukazująca chwałę Zmartwychwstałego a sytuacja współczesnego człowieka. Michela Quenota refleksja nad sztuką i społeczeństwem
Authors: Staszczyk Karol
Published: January 2025

The article presents the way of understanding the icon by Michel Quenot, taking into account his philosophical as well as theological reflections. The text is based on the book The Resurrection and the Icon. The author conducts extremely extensive reflections, in which he analyses the issue of delimiting the boundary between philosophy and theology and the role and significance of contemporary art. By outlining the situation of man today on the basis of contrast, he distinguishes the concept of sacred art. According to him, the icon occupies a special place among other works. It becomes a place of penetration of divinity into the world. This is possible thanks to the saving intervention of Jesus Christ – therefore the theme oscillating around the resurrection becomes another point of reflection. The whole reflection is summed up by showing the message of icons to the world. The aim of this article is to extract and show icons in an individual and social context.
Ochrona granicy polsko-białoruskiej w obliczu wojny hybrydowej
Authors: Elak Leszek , Oskierko Marcin , Żurawski Sławomir
Published: January 2025

The aim of the article is to assess the effectiveness of actions taken on the Polish-Belarusian border in response to hybrid threats and to examine the role of the “Shield East” operation in ensuring border security. The main research problem was: Are the applied protective and defensive measures sufficiently effective adequate to the new hybrid threats? In accordance with the research problem posed, a research hypothesis was formulated, which assumes that Operation :Shield East” and other measures used to strengthen border protection are effective in countering hybrid threats, but there are areas for further action and improvement. The main conclusion of the above analysis is that the situation on the Polish-Belarusian border has revealed the need for further development and improvement of crisis management mechanisms, both at the local and national level. Further research and analysis are needed to effectively counter future hybrid threats. The study used methods of analysis of the literature on the subject, including scientific studies on hybrid warfare, defense strategies and migration. In addition, legal acts, government documents and reports were analyzed.
Samobójstwa na terenie województwa warmińsko-mazurskiego w latach 2019–2022 – sprawozdanie z badań
Authors: Sobiecki Marcin
Published: January 2025

Artykuł przedstawia problematykę samobójstw na terenie województwa warmińsko-mazurskiego jako poważne zagrożenie dla bezpieczeństwa społecznego. Przedstawiono różne rodzaje samobójstw oraz czynniki ryzyka z nimi związane. W artykule opisano także metody prewencji i interwencji mające na celu zapobieganie samobójstwom. Analizowane są wyniki badań przeprowadzonych przez Komendę Wojewódzką Policji w Olsztynie w latach 2019-2022 oraz społeczny odbiór problematyki samobójstw na tym terenie oparty na badaniach ankietowych. Celem artykułu jest analiza trendów samobójczych w województwie warmińsko-mazurskim, zrozumienie ich wpływu na bezpieczeństwo społeczne oraz identyfikacja czynników ryzyka i ochronnych związanych z tym zjawiskiem. Pytania badawcze: Zostały zrealizowane za pomocą ankiety, która pozwoliła na zebranie bezpośrednich opinii i sugestii mieszkańców województwa dotyczących skuteczności oraz potrzeb w zakresie działań profilaktycznych. Metodologia: Przedstawia kontekst badawczy oraz ramy przeprowadzonych badań, w tym problematykę, cel, hipotezy robocze, metody i narzędzia badawcze. Opisuje lokalizację i organizację badań, co pomaga zrozumieć tło danych, oraz wskazuje ograniczenia wpływające na interpretację wyników. Wnioski: Szczegółowo odnoszą się do postawionych hipotez, analizując je w świetle uzyskanych w trakcie badań danych. Zawierają omówienie trudności badawczych oraz sugerują przyszłe kierunki badań.
Recenzja monografii Ryana Hassa, Stronger: Adapting America’s ChinaStrategy in an Age of Competitive Interdependence, New Haven-London 2021
Authors: Bojko Izabela
Published: January 2025

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SENĖJIMO IR TELOMERŲ ILGIO TYRIMŲ AKTUALIJOS IR NAUJAUSIOS TENDENCIJOS: BIBLIOMETRINĖ ANALIZĖ
Authors: Jurkūnaitė Laura , Ginevičienė Valentina
Published: January 2025

Šiuo metu pasaulio mokslininkai vis daugiau dėmesio skiria tyrimams, kurie leidžia suprasti ląstelinius ir mo­lekulinius senėjimo proceso mechanizmus. Neseniai buvo nustatyta, kad telomerų trumpėjimas yra vienas iš senėjimo požymių, tačiau telomerų ilgio sąsaja su se­nėjimu ir susijusiomis ligomis nėra gerai ištirta. Šio ty­rimo tikslas buvo taikant bibliometrinę analizę, nustatyti šiuolaikinių mokslinių tyrimų tendencijas, aktualijas bei apibendrinti duomenis apie telomerų ilgio pokyčius ir jų sąsają su senėjimo procesu. Darbo metu buvo atlikta moksliniųpublikacijų, gautų PubMed duomenų bazėje, kiekybinėir kokybinėanalizė, taikant bibliometrinės ana­lizės priemonę VOSviewer (1.6.19 versija), kuri teikia galimybę interaktyviai atvaizduoti klasterius ir analizuoti ir detaliai nagrinėti atskiras mokslinių duomenų sritis. Tyrimo metu buvo taikomi standartiniai vertinimo pa­rametrai – reikšminių žodžiųpasikartojimo skaičius bei bendras ryšio stiprumas (angl. total link strength, TLS). Rezultatai parodė, kad per pastaruosius du dešimtmečius (2014–2024 m. gegužės mėn.) iš viso buvo paskelbta 5 741 mokslinė publikacija, siejama su telomerų ilgiu ir se­nėjimu. Šią temą aprašė 30 610 autorių iš 22 254 mokslo institucijų. JAV buvo produktyviausia šalis. Raktinių žo­džių analizės vizualizavimas, remiantis atskirų elementų TLS, suformavo reikšminių žodžių tinklą ir sudarė du pagrindinius klasterius: I − apjungė tyrimų kryptis, skir­tas geresniam molekulinių-ląstelinių procesų supratimui senėjimo metu, įskaitant išsamias žinias apie telomerų funkciją (pvz., ,,telomeros“ TLS=1083, ,,telomerų ho­meostazė“ TLS=529, ,,ląstelių senėjimas“ TLS=337, ,,oksidacinis stresas“ TLS=280), taip pat parodė sąsają su genetiniais ir epigenetiniais tyrimais ir jų rezultatais; II klasteris apjungė epidemiologinius tyrimus ir duo­menis, padedančius tinkamai suprasti senėjimo ir (ar) su senėjimu susijusių ligų pasireiškimo procesus (pvz., ,,senėjimo veiksniai“ TLS=129, ,,psichologinis stresas“ TLS=99, ,,biožymenys“ TLS=249, ,,ilgaamžiškumas“ TLS=192). Šis darbas rodo, kad telomerų ilgis vyresnio amžiaus žmonių grupėse yra tyrimų tema, kuri per pasta­rąjį dešimtmetį įgijo didelę reikšmę, o mokslinės produk­cijos plėtra buvo labai pažangi. Šiuo metu telomerų ilgio ir senėjimo proceso tyrimai sudaryti iš keleto skirtingų mokslinių studijų sričių, kurių pagrindinės kryptys yra molekuliniai-ląsteliniai, epidemiologiniai ir genetiniai-epigenetiniai tyrimai.
Exponential Decline of 28.9% in Utilization of Interventional Pain Management Techniques Among Medicare Beneficiaries From 2019 to 2022: Updated Analysis on the Ongoing Effects of COVID-19, Economic Decline, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and Medical Poli
Authors: Manchikanti Laxmaiah
Published: January 2025

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have highlighted the escalating costs associated with managing low back and neck pain, as well as other musculoskeletal disorders. In the past, there was a notable increase in the use of interventional techniques to address these disorders. However, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted various chronic pain treatment approaches, including interventional procedures and opioid use, following a broader trend of reduced healthcare services. Consequently, there was an 18.7% decline in the use of interventional techniques per 100,000 Medicare beneficiaries between 2019 and 2020, a stark contrast to the previous growth patterns, despite some initial declines observed starting in 2017.

OBJECTIVES: This analysis aims to provide an updated evaluation of the utilization of interventional techniques for chronic pain management in the U.S. Medicare population.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study examining utilization patterns and factors affecting interventional techniques for chronic pain management in the FFS Medicare population in the United States from 2000 to 2022.

METHODS: Data for this analysis was obtained from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) master database, specifically the physician/supplier procedure summary, spanning the years 2000 to 2022.

RESULTS: This retrospective cohort study found that the rate of interventional pain management services per 100,000 Medicare beneficiaries showed a cumulative decline between 2019 and 2022 of 28.9%, with an annual decrease of 10.7%. This contrasts sharply with the 2010-2019 period, which saw a small annual decline of 0.4%. Particularly significant was the sharp reduction of 18.7% from 2019 to 2020, coinciding with the pandemic. From 2020 to 2021, the decline slowed to 1.1%, before accelerating again with an 11.5% drop between 2021 and 2022.

LIMITATIONS: Data were available only through 2022 and were limited to the FFS Medicare population; utilization patterns for Medicare Advantage Plans, which accounted for nearly 50% of Medicare enrollment in 2022, were not included. Additionally, this analysis shares the inherent limitations of all retrospective reviews based on claims data.

CONCLUSION: This retrospective analysis demonstrates a significant reduction in the use of interventional pain management techniques from 2019 to 2022. Contributing factors to this decline likely include the lasting effects of COVID-19, economic challenges, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and evolving local coverage determination policies.

KEY WORDS: Interventional pain management, chronic spinal pain, interventional techniques, epidural injections, adhesiolysis, facet joint interventions, sacroiliac joint injections, disc procedures, other types of nerve blocks, economic decline, Affordable Care Act (ACA)
Research Status of Different Adjuvants on Nerve Block’s Effect
Authors: Chen Guizhen
Published: January 2025

BACKGROUND: Acute postoperative pain is one of the most common challenges faced by patients who undergo surgery. Multimodal analgesia has been recommended in recent years to effectively control this condition. Nerve blocks are an important part of multimodal analgesia; a single peripheral nerve block is widely used in clinical practice. To prolong the analgesic duration of a single nerve block, adjuvants with different mechanisms, dosages, or administration routes are added to local anesthetics; however, it is not clear which adjuvant or combination is better.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to provide a comprehensive review of the current utilization of diverse adjuvants in single peripheral nerve block analgesia and to recommend optimal adjuvants for single peripheral nerve blocks based on current literature.

STUDY DESIGN: A narrative review.

METHODS: PubMed was searched using the terms “postoperative analgesia,” “nerve block,” “adjuvant,” “epinephrine,” “clonidine,” “dexmedetomidine,” “dexamethasone,” “buprenorphine,” “morphine,” “magnesium sulfate,” and “ketamine.” The mechanisms of action of different adjuvants were investigated and clinical trials of different adjuvants for postoperative analgesia were determined and reviewed.

RESULTS: According to current literature, there are 4 main types of adjuvants added to local anesthetics to prolong analgesic effects: adrenergic receptor agonists, anti-inflammatory agents, opioids, and N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor antagonists. As a single adjuvant, adrenergic agonists, dexmedetomidine, and anti-inflammatory agents are more effective than opioids and NMDA receptor antagonists. When added to local anesthetics, intravenous dexamethasone (10 mg) had an effect similar to that of perineural dexamethasone (8 mg). However, considering the side effects of perineural dexamethasone, intravenous injection of dexamethasone is preferable.
Magnesium sulfate is a suitable NMDA receptor antagonist for peripheral nerve blocks. The combination of adjuvants with different mechanisms can further prolong local anesthetic duration.
When more than one adjuvant was used, the combination of dexmedetomidine and dexamethasone was determined to be excellent.

LIMITATIONS: Additional compatibility tests with different adjuvants are required to completely determine the curative effect and optimal dosage parameters.

CONCLUSION: Adjuvants with diverse mechanisms of action can variably extend the duration of local anesthetic effects. When utilizing adjuvants in conjunction with local anesthetics, perineural dexmedetomidine (1 mu-g/kg) or intravenous dexamethasone (10 mg) may be preferable, considering their efficacy and side effects. Current research suggests that the combination of perineural dexmedetomidine (1 mu-g/kg) and intravenous dexamethasone (10 mg) is more effective than either dexmedetomidine or dexamethasone alone.

KEY WORDS: Adjuvant, local anesthetic, nerve block, postoperative analgesia, duration of action, pain management, dexmedetomidine, analgesia
Percutaneous Endoscopic Resection of Lumbar Discal Cyst
Authors: Zhang Guangquan
Published: January 2025

BACKGROUND: Discal cysts, an uncommon condition, can replicate the characteristic signs typically linked to a herniated lumbar disc, encompassing discomfort in the lumbar region and neuralgia that extends along the nerve paths, thereby complicating the process of distinguishing the discal cyst from other conditions. Consensus on the treatment of this disease remains elusive, and the best treatment for it is still a matter of controversy. In numerous past reports, this disease has been treated through either open or microscopic surgical approaches.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to assess the therapeutic efficacy and safety of a minimally invasive endoscopic surgery technique in the treatment of lumbar discal cysts.

STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective observational analysis.

SETTING: This research was initiated with a group of patients selected from the Spinal Surgery Unit at the Henan Provincial People’s Hospital.

METHODS: From March 2017 to May 2021, a minimally invasive endoscopic procedure was executed on a cohort of 7 male patients (average age: 30.86 ± 5.24 years), each diagnosed with discal cysts, within our spinal surgery division. The efficacy of the treatment was gauged by pre- and postoperative assessments that used the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Furthermore, the ultimate clinical efficacy of the procedure was appraised in accordance with the revised Macnab criteria.

RESULTS: The patients reported a prompt and significant relief of symptoms after the surgical removal of the lumbar disc lesions, with no cases of recurrence noted during the follow-up period. A significant drop was observed in the VAS score for lower limb pain, declining from a preoperative mean of 6.86 ± 1.35 to 1.57 ± 0.53 at the final evaluation (P < 0.05). In tandem with this finding, a marked decrease in the ODI score was noted, with a reduction from 69.14 ± 10.76 before surgery to 10.29 ± 5.59 at the concluding review (P < 0.05). The postoperative VAS and ODI scores collectively pointed toward substantial improvements in patients’ conditions. When assessed according to the revised Macnab criteria, the outcomes were distributed as follows: 4 patients (57.1%) achieved excellent results, 2 (28.6%) had very good results, and one (14.3%) had a fair result, totaling 6 patients (85.7%) with satisfactory outcomes. No severe complications or recurrences were identified during the postoperative monitoring phase.

LIMITATIONS: This observational retrospective study was based on a convenience sampling that involved a limited number of patients.

CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous endoscopic resection emerged as a micro-invasive and secure surgical approach for the management of lumbar discal cysts.

KEY WORDS: Lumbar discal cyst, percutaneous endoscopic resection, minimally invasive