bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum collected from rats with myocardial infarction increases extracellular matrix accumulation by myofibroblasts isolated from myocardial infarction scar
Authors: Piera Lucyna , Szymański Jacek , Kun Tomasz , Krzymińska Anna , Juszczak Marlena , Drobnik Jacek 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
The effect on extracellular matrix content is believed to be an average of several serum derived compounds acting in opposition. The aim of the study is to determine whether whole serum of rats with myocardial infarction may modify the accumulation of extracellular matrix in cultures of myofibroblasts isolated from the myocardial infarction scar. A second aim is to determine whether the tested serum can also degranulate the mast cells. Serum was collected from rats with sham myocardial infarction, rats with myocardial infarction induced by coronary artery ligation and control animals. The experiments were carried out on myocardial infarction scar myofibroblasts or mast cells from the peritoneal cavity. The cultures were divided into three groups containing eight cultures each: one treated with serum from control rats, from animals after sham operation or from those after myocardial infarction. In all groups, the serum was used at concentrations of 10%, 20% or 30%. The total collagen content (Woesner method) glycosaminoglycan level (Farandale method), cell proliferation (BrdU), histamine secretion from mast cells (spectrofluorymetry), β1 integrin and α-smooth muscle actin expression (flow cytometry) were evaluated. Isolated cells were α-smooth muscle actin positive and identified as myofibroblasts. Serum derived from rats with myocardial infarction increased collagen and glycosaminoglycan content in the cultures and modified myofibroblast proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner. The serum also results in an imbalance between collagen and glycosaminoglycan levels. The content of β1 integrin was not influenced by myocardial infarction serum. The serum of rats with myocardial infarction is involved in regulation of collagen and glycosaminoglycan content in myofibroblast cultures, as well as the modification of their proliferation. These changes were not accompanied with integrin β1 density variations. The serum of the myocardial infarction rats did not influence the mast cell degranulation.
The Functionality of Food in Cormac McCarthy's Desert Imaginary, or Abundance and Scarcity in Blood Meridian or the Evening Redness in the West (1985) and The Road (2006)
Authors: Matiu Ovidiu 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
This article analyzes the concept of food in Cormac McCarthy's dystopian, (post-)apocalyptic fiction, aiming to prove that in the American writer's universe the act of eating is deprived of its social and spiritual dimension, being restricted to its basic functionality similar to that of a meal-replacement product. The analysis draws a parallel between the concept of manna in the Exodus and the types of foodstuffs and their functionality in the novels Blood Meridian or the Evening Redness in the West and The Road, showing that food is one of the constituent ingredients of McCarthy's desert imaginary and is interpreted as a crucial weapon in the fight against death and dehumanization.
Affective Refuge in the Work of Samuel Beckett
Authors: Popa Andrei-Bogdan 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Drawing upon Sara Ahmed's “cultural politics of emotion” and Claire Colebrook's conceptualization of “Cartesian affect,” this article puts forward the notion of affective refuge, a phenomenon which is investigated through an analysis of Samuel Beckett's Watt, Krapp's Last Tape and Ohio Impromptu. First, I highlight the opposing perspectives as well the potential common ground between Ahmed's and Claire Colebrook's theories in order to argue that the thought of affective refuge might actually be defined as the movement away from seeing affect as that which “make[s] us aware of [our] bodily dwelling” (Ahmed 26) and towards recognizing “the Cartesian moment of … never being proximate to one's own body,” as understood by Colebrook in her 2020 essay “Cartesian Affect” (442). I then go on to claim that, in Watt, affective refuge emerges as a reaction to fear, as the protagonist strives to process the surfaces of things and bodies around him via elaborate systems of perception, while in Krapp's Last Tape and Ohio Impromptu, the pain of remorse the characters experience regarding their own grieving practices comes to shatter the remainder of the affective refuge which had unfolded in their relationships to their departed loved ones.
Quercus cerris L.: An Overview
Authors: Najib Rola , Houri Tarek , Khairallah Yara , Khalil Mahmoud 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
The Turkey oak is a frequent tree species in the Mediterranean climate zones of southern Europe and Asia Minor. It has been used in the human diet, for medicinal purposes, firewood and charcoal production. Like all oaks, Turkey oak is suffering from dieback and decline owing to the combination of several detrimental factors, such as insects, diseases and unfavorable environment, leading to their deterioration and sometimes resulting in their early death.
The Forests of Naissaare Island in 1297–1698 in relation to the development of the City of Tallinn, Estonia
Authors: Sander Heldur , Meikar Toivo 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
The article explores the development of the North Estonian city of Tallinn and the history of the forests on Naissaar, the greatest of the four offshore islands, in the 13th–17th century. In 1219, the northern part of Estonia was conquered by King of Denmark Waldemar II, who built a new stone citadel on the site of the former Estonian stronghold on the hill of Toompea. Under the sovereign rule of the King of Denmark, North Estonia became the Duchy of Estonia. Subsequently, the citadel developed into the settlement of Toompea, the seat of the governor and state authority, and the surrounding areas into the settlement of Tallinn. In 1248, Tallinn gained Lübeck city rights. King of Denmark Erik VI Menved’s law of 1297 granted the city of Tallinn and Toompea, i.e., the state, joint use of the insular forests. The law came to be interpreted as the beginning of nature conservation in Estonia, as it was the first law regulating forest use and users. Naissaare forest also served as a landmark for sea vessels. As the state did not interfere with the city’s affairs, the latter saw itself as the sole owner of Naissaare Island. Over the next four centuries, Tallinn exploited the Naissaare forests for various purposes. The city managed the forests with relative economy, but not without conflicts, as the provincial government also contended for the use of Naissaare. In 1689, the state asserted its rule over the islands by reduction. The city of Tallinn was forced to terminate the use of Naissaare forests, with the right of forest use reserved to the state.
Housing in the Animal Enclosure Module Spaceflight Hardware Increases Trabecular Bone Mass in Ground-Control Mice
Authors: Lloyd Shane A. , Ferguson Virginia S. , Simske Steven J. , Dunlap Alexander W. , Livingston Eric W. , Bateman Ted A. 
Published: January 2022

ABSTRACT
During spaceflight, mice are housed in specially designed cages called the Animal Enclosure Module (AEM). Utilization of this flight hardware may affect the skeletal properties of housed animals, independent of microgravity considerations. To address this issue, we studied the effect of 13 days of AEM housing versus standard vivarium enclosure on female C57BL/6J mice (n=12/group). The effects of AEM housing were most pronounced in the trabecular compartment. AEM mice had 44% and 144% greater trabecular bone volume fraction and connectivity density, respectively, versus vivarium. A similar response was seen at the proximal humerus. We noted a decrease in proximal tibia osteoclast surface (-65%) and eroded surface (-73%) for AEM versus vivarium, while tibia trabecular mineralizing surface (MS/BS) was nearly three-fold greater. Surprisingly, there was also decreased osteoblast surface, as well as lower osteoid volume, surface, and thickness at this site. The effects of AEM housing on femur cortical bone were modest: there was greater periosteal MS/BS, with no effect at the endocortical surface, and lower femur stiffness. Taken together, we have demonstrated significant effects of AEM housing on ground control mice, particularly in the trabecular bone compartment. These findings suggest that an early increase in bone formation, perhaps due to altered behavior and loading in this unique housing environment, was followed by decreased bone formation and resorption as the animals adapted to their new environment. Characterization of spaceflight animal housing is critical to elucidating the true effects of microgravity on skeletal parameters and for the proper selection of ground-based controls.
Spaceflight Effects and Molecular Responses in the Mouse Eye: Preliminary Observations After Shuttle Mission STS-133
Authors: Zanello Susana B. , Theriot Corey A. , Ponce Claudia Maria Prospero , Chevez-Barrios Patricia 
Published: January 2022

ABSTRACT
Spaceflight exploration presents environmental stressors including microgravity-induced cephalad fluid shift and radiation exposure. Ocular changes leading to visual impairment in astronauts are of occupational health relevance. The effect of this complex environment on ocular morphology and function is poorly understood. Female 10-12 week-old BALB/cJ mice were assigned to a flight (FLT) group flown on shuttle mission STS-133, Animal Enclosure Module ground control group (AEM), or vivarium-housed (VIV) ground controls. Eyes were collected at 1, 5, and 7 days after landing and were fixed for histological sectioning. The contralateral eye was used for gene expression profiling by RT-qPCR. Sections were visualized by hematoxylin/eosin stain and processed for 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), caspase-3, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and β-amyloid double-staining. 8-OHdG and caspase-3 immunoreactivity was increased in the retina in FLT samples at return from flight (R+1) compared to ground controls, and decreased at day 7 (R+7). β-amyloid was seen in the nerve fibers at the post-laminar region of the optic nerve in the flight samples (R+7). Expression of oxidative and cellular stress response genes was upregulated in the retina of FLT samples upon landing, followed by lower levels by R+7. These results suggest that reversible molecular damage occurs in the retina of mice exposed to spaceflight and that protective cellular pathways are induced in the retina and optic nerve in response to these changes.
Effects of Underwater Arm-Cranking Exercise on Cardiac Autonomic Nervous Activity
Authors: Ono Kumiko , Kuniyoshi H. , Tanigaki Y. 
Published: January 2022

ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to clarify the beneficial effect of an underwater environment on heart rate (HR) and cardiac autonomic nervous activity (HF) during arm-cranking exercise. Ten healthy young men participated in this study. The arm-cranking exercise (40% peakV̇O2) was performed for 10 minutes under two conditions: in water and in air. After the exercise, a recovery phase for 30 seconds followed. Changes in HR, V̇O2, and HF did not differ between the conditions. The time constant of the heart rate decay for the first 30 seconds after exercise in the water was less than in air. The results suggest that cardiac parasympathetic nervous activity influences earlier recovery of HR after exercise in water. The results of our study suggest underwater exercise may be applied to wider areas of health management for individuals returning from space travel or sedentary patients in simulated microgravity environments.
Development in Altered Gravity Influences Height in Dictyostelium
Authors: Benjaminson Morris A. , Gilchriest James A. , Lehrer Stanley 
Published: January 2022

ABSTRACT
We investigated the effects of altered gravity on the life cycle of Dictyostelium discoideum after and during life-long exposure to one of three altered gravity (g) environments: (1) substrate inverted, parallel to and facing the surface of the Earth; (2) hyper-g; (3) reduced-g. To this end, we measured the height of the final stage of the life cycle, the mature spore-bearing sorocarp. Typically, the sorocarp stands erect and perpendicular to the substrate. In the case of each altered g environment, the control cultures were produced and treated identically to the experimental cultures except for the conditions of their exposure to altered g. Inverted cultures developing and growing in the same direction as the gravity vector had a mean height of 1.84 mm. Their counterpart control cultures had a mean height of 1.64 mm being therefore statistically significantly shorter. Cultures chronically exposed to a hyper (10) g environment produced sorocarps with a mean height of 1.13 mm. These were statistically significantly shorter than their 1 g controls whose mean height was 2.06 mm. Clinorotated (simulated reduced g) sorocarp heights (mean equal to 2.12 mm) were statistically significantly taller compared to their 1 g controls (mean equal to 1.79 mm). The significance level for all the statistical analyses is p < 0.05. Therefore, measurements of the mature stage after life-long exposure to simulated altered gravity show that the final height of the sorocarp is ultimately determined, at least partially, by the gravity environment in which development occurs.
Albumin and Proximal Tubular Cells in Progressive Renal Disease
Authors: Stoian Marilena 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
The presence of albuminuria has long been recognized as an adverse prognostic feature in patients with renal disease. Those patients with appreciable albuminuria are much more likely to develop tubulointerstitial scarring and fibrosis and progress to end-stage renal failure. For many years it was thought that excess albuminuria was simply a marker of a more severe renal disease which was more likely to progress as a result of this severity rather than as a result of the albuminuria itself. This conviction was strengthened by the general assumption that albumin was a benign or inert molecule serving primarily to exert oncotic pressure and act as a carrier within the circulation.
More recently this view has been challenged with the accumulation of evidence suggesting that albumin is able to influence the function of cells with which it makes contact in the manner of a signaling molecule.
Stage 4 COPD, Chronic Pulmonary Heart Disease and COVID 19 Infection
Authors: Alina Popa Nicoleta 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic disease of the respiratory airways due to partially reversible obstruction of the airflow caused by an abnormal inflammatory response to toxic substances, most often cigarette smoke. COVID-19 is a mild to severe respiratory disease caused by a coronavirus from the genus Betacoronavirus. Chronic cor pulmonale is a severe complication of COPD. Stroke is common in the course of COVID disease,with a major impact on the patient.
Doctoral Students as Future Teachers at Universities: Factors Related to Professional Identity
Authors: Kovalcikiene Kristina , Buksnyte-Marmiene Loreta 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Doctoral students’ professional identity in higher education institutions is a relevant field of research in the context of education for sustainable development. Higher education institutions face the following challenge: it is very important for the Doctoral students to develop the skills of the researcher during their studies; however, the competencies of the teacher are crucial in order to become part of the higher education institution. Thus, sustainable development of teacher’s professional identity of Doctoral students plays a meaningful role in retaining gifted young scientists at higher education institutions. The article analyzes the psychological, social and academic environmental factors that are important for identification of the teacher’s professional role during Doctoral studies. The sample of the study consisted of 494 Doctoral students from 22 higher education institutions in Lithuania. The study was conducted using Teachers’ Professional Role Identity Scale, Big Five Inventory, Social Support Questionnaire and two scales compiled to measure academic environmental factors. The results revealed that Doctoral students’ external thinking style, personality traits of extraversion and conscientiousness, perceived support of family and friends, material conditions for internships and conferences and other academic environment factors are significant for Doctoral students’ identification with the teacher’s professional role. These results have practical application for Doctoral students’ satisfaction with studies, productivity and career management. This is important for the seeking sustainable development goals of higher education.
Solving Economic Security Issues in the Coordinate System of Modern Risks and Threats
Authors: Kharlamova Ganna , Stavytskyy Andriy , Fedorenko Iryna 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
In today's globalized world, the challenge of the state economic security ensuring is particularly relevant as a priority for the national interests protection from various threats. The analyses of the experience of the European Union and other countries revealed that national economic security ensuring plays a crucial role In securing for the state its geostrategic significance and potential. The article provides a critical analysis of modern threats and risks to economic security from the geostrategic perspective. The paper develops the methodology of the economic security index calculating based on a unified comparison of parameters of economic and social development of all countries, which allowed to move away from signaling approaches and eliminated subjectivity in assessments and following policy recommendations. In contrast to existing methods, the authors’ approach uses geopolitical factors. This tactic allowed taking into account the directions of change in the world and identifying external threats and risks to state economic security. The analysis and comparison of the index of economic security of European countries based on the offered concept are carried out. The countries are clustered based on the economic security index.
Why Generation Z is Redefining the HRM Processes
Authors: Prund Cristina 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Factors such as globalization and demographic changes have led to major challenges in the processes of human resource management. Based on the literature review, we found that these factors affected the purpose of the HRM processes, leading, at the same time, to a stronger strategic management and to new HRM practices. A major challenge facing companies today is based on generational diversity, which means that more and more generations have joined the labor market and a lot of companies. The interest of researchers and practitioners for this topic has increased considerably because they try to find ways to better understand the characteristics of each generation, which enters the labor market with new needs, values and motivations. The overall purpose of the paper is to identify which are some of the most important characteristics of each generation and also to analyze the impact that the new generation which entered the labour market in the last years or will enter it in the foreseeable future, Generation Z, has on the HRM processes. The methodology used in the study consisted in analyzing secondary data, which arose from international databases and journals, using the methods of analysis, comparison, classification and synthesis. Also, in order to provide an overview of the researched topic, a series of studies, surveys, interviews conducted by specialized companies were reviewed. Through the conducted research we want to show that each new generation that enters the labour market brings certain changes. Also, we want to analyze why it is important that the HRM processes be elaborated and implemented, while taking into account some ways of optimizing and adapting them to the challenges created by the most indispensable resource of a company, the human resource.
Rise and Fall of Human Research and the Improvement of Talent Development in Digital Economy
Authors: Sánchez-Bayón Antonio , Trincado Aznar Estrella 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
This is a critical paper (based in knowledge review & constructivist proposal), under the global economics & cross-cultural management approach, as a comparative research to have an overview of the complex issue, with a bootstrapping method of analysis and some singular cases to illustrate. It offers a balance of the labour relations development into the welfare state economy and the current fall in post-globalization and digital economy. There is a diagnoses of the transition in progress (with the 4th industrial revolution in digital era), from the human resources departments for replicate-workers in traditional bureaucratic corporations, to the emergence of the talent development areas for creative-collaborators in agile business organizations. Also, there are complementary explanations about the transitional context from the gig economy to wellbeing economics (the new stage of digital economy and new challenges for the collaborators).
The Impact of Feminine Management on Banks Financial Performance: Evidence from Selected Countries from Europe
Authors: Tiliuţă Bogdan Andrei , Diaconu Ioana Raluca , Oanea Dumitru Cristian 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
The main purpose of this paper is to fill the gaps in the literature regarding the main determinants of banking system performance. Thus, we studied the banking systems of some EU member states by analyzing the links and influences of women's involvement in the top management team (TMT) on economic performance. We studied the impact of gender diversity (especially the variation of women's involvement in top management) on financial key performance indicators (KPIs) for 134 selected banks from 8 countries, a total of 1060 firm-years, based on data obtained from Bureau van Dijk (BvD) Orbis and World Bank Database. We estimated for each country a regression model, using PLS (panel least squares) empirical setup, based on unbalanced panel data for period 2009-2019. We've determined statistically significant links between the presence of women in the top management team and and the banks' financial KPI (ROA, ROE and NPL). However, we found clues that there is a level of femininity at which there’s an inflection point in terms of the influence on defined KPIs. The empirical results contribute on the literature regarding gender segregation and economic performance of banks, concluding that a more gender-balanced TMT can generate superior banking outcomes.