1,886 research outputs found
Proof of Concept: a co-word analysis Proof of Concept: a co-word analysis
No full textThis study describes the conceptual structure of Proof of Concept (PoC) research in the fields of innovation and technology management over the past 33 years (1992-2024). Throughout this period, numerous terms and theoretical perspectives have emerged, leading to a fragmented and dispersed field. Utilizing a co-word analysis based on author keywords from the Scopus database, we selected the most frequent terms to provide a comprehensive overview of current studies. Through cluster analysis, we identify and highlight the key labels used by scholars to investigate PoC, illustrating their arrangement into distinct subgroups. Additionally, we interpret the relationships among terms using multidimensional scaling and employ overlay visualization to anchor the relevance of keywords over time. Our findings reveal the coexistence of several conceptualizations within PoC research, ranging from technological advancements to methodological approaches. This study offers a refined conceptual framework, contributing to both theoretical inquiry and practical applications in organizational contexts
Spa therapy induces clinical improvement and protein changes in patients with chronic back pain
No full textThis study is primarily aimed at assessing serum changes on a large panel of proteins in patients with chronic back pain following spa therapy, as well as evaluating different spa therapy regimens as a preliminary exploratory clinical study. Sixty-six patients with chronic back pain secondary to osteoarthritis were randomly enrolled and treated with daily mud packs and bicarbonate-alkaline mineral water baths, or a thermal hydrotherapy rehabilitation scheme, the combination of the two regimens or usual medication only (control group), for two weeks. Clinical variables were evaluated at baseline, after 2 and 12 weeks. One thousand serum proteins were tested before and after a two-week mud bath therapy. All spa treatment groups showed clinical benefit as determined by improvements in VAS pain, Roland Morris disability questionnaire and neck disability index at both time points. The following serum proteins were found greatly increased (≥2.5 fold) after spa treatment: inhibin beta A subunit (INHBA), activin A receptor type 2B (ACVR2B), angiopoietin-1 (ANGPT1), beta-2-microglobulin (B2M), growth differentiation factor 10 (GDF10), C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 5 (CXCL5), fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), fibroblast growth factor 12 (FGF12), oxidized low density lipoprotein receptor 1 (OLR1), matrix metallopeptidase 13 (MMP13). Three proteins were found greatly decreased (≤0.65 fold): apolipoprotein C-III (Apoc3), interleukin 23 alpha subunit p19 (IL23A) and syndecan-1 (SDC1). Spa therapy was confirmed as beneficial for chronic back pain and proved to induce changes in proteins involved in functions such as gene expression modulation, differentiation, angiogenesis, tissue repair, acute and chronic inflammatory response
Influence of Aging Technologies on the Volatile Profile Composition of Carignano cv Red Wines in Sardinia
No full textWine aroma is the result of the association of numerous volatile and non-volatile compounds belonging to the grapes, the fermentation, and aging process. During aging, wines complete their complex composition, and many aromas emerge. Therefore, aging represents a fundamental step to obtaining high-quality wines. Aromas belong directly to the odorless precursor in grapes or to the aging technology used. Analyses have been performed on wines obtained from the cv Carignano subjected to four aging technologies: stainless-steel tank, plastic vat, concrete vat, and oak barrel. GC/FID and GC/MS analysis allowed the identification of 78 significant compounds belonging to eight different chemical classes. Volatile composition in the various containers was assessed at two levels: chemical classes and individual compounds. At 12 months, plastic vats had the highest increase in the total VOC concentration (p < 0.05), followed by concrete and stainless steel. In contrast, oak barrels showed a decrease, although the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Unsupervised principal component analysis (PCA) demonstrated that the container exerts a more substantial influence at 6 months, while at 12 months, the samples were categorized irrespective of the container. In the loading plot, several esters, acids, lactones, and aldehydes showed negative loadings on PC1 (associated with time), indicating a correlation with the 12-month collection time
Presence of Trihalomethanes in ready-to-eat vegetables disinfected with chlorine
No full textTrihalomethanes (THMs) - CHCl3, CHCl2Br, CHClBr2 and CHBr3 - are drinking water disinfection by-products (DBPs). These compounds can also be absorbed by different types of foods, including ready-to-eat (RTE) fresh vegetables. The potential absorption of THMs during washing of RTE vegetables could pose a potential risk to consumers' health. The concentration of THMs in the water used in the manufacturing process of these products shall not exceed the limit of 100 or 80 μgL(-1) according to European Union (EU) and United States legislation, respectively. By contrast, there is little information about the presence of such compounds in the final product. This study evaluated the concentration of THMs in different types of RTE vegetables (carrots, iceberg lettuce, lettuce, mixed salad, parsley, parsley and garlic, rocket salad, valerian) after washing with chlorinated water. In the 115 samples analysed, the average value of total THMs was equal to 76.7 ng g(-1). Chloroform was the THM present in the largest percentage in all the RTE vegetables. These results show that the process of washing RTE vegetables should be optimised in order to reduce the risk for consumers associated with the presence of DBPs
COMPARISON OF BIOELECTRICAL IMPEDANCE ANALYSIS AND SKINFOLDS TO DETERMINE BODY FAT IN RECREATIONAL ATHLETES
No full textBody composition changes affect energy cost of running during 12 months of specific diet and training in amateur athletes
No full textConsidering the relation between body weight composition and energy cost of running, we tested the hypothesis that by modifying body composition by means of a combined protocol of specific diet and training, the energy cost of motion (Cr) may be reduced. Forty-five healthy and normal-weight subjects were divided into 3 groups that performed a different treatment: the first group attended a dietary protocol (D), the second group participated in a running program (R), and the third group followed both the dietary and running protocols (R&D). Each subject underwent 3 anthropometric and exercise evaluation tests during 1 year (at entry (T0), month 6 (T6), and month 12 (T12)) to assess body composition and Cr adjustments. The mean fat mass (FM) values were reduced in R&D from 12.0 ± 4.0 to 10.4 ± 3.0 kg (p < 0.05 T0 vs. T12) and in the D group from 14.2 ± 5.8 to 11.6 ± 4.7 kg (p < 0.05 T0 vs. T12). Conversely, the mean fat free mass values increased in R&D (from 56.3 ± 8.8 to 58.3 ± 9.8 kg, p < 0.05 T0 vs. T12) and in the D group (from 50.6 ± 13.2 to 52.9 ± 13.6 kg, p < 0.05 T0 vs. T12). The mean Cr values of the 2 groups were significantly modified throughout the 1-year protocol (1.48 ± 0.16 and 1.40 ± 0.15 kcal·kg(-b)·km(-1) in the R&D group at T0 and T12, respectively; 1.83 ± 0.17 and 1.76 ± 0.23 kcal·kg(-b)·km(-1) in D group at T0 to T12, respectively). The R&D and D groups that underwent the diet protocol had a positive change in body composition during the year (FM/fat free mass ratio decline), which determined a Cr reduction
Expression analysis of HLA-E and NKG2A and NKG2C receptors points at a role for natural killer function in ankylosing spondylitis
No full textBackground. Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a complex chronic inflammatory disease strongly associated with the majority of HLA-B27 alleles. HLA-E are non-classical MHC class I molecules that specifically interact with the natural killer receptors NKG2A (inhibitory) and NKG2C (activating), and have been recently proposed to be involved in AS pathogenesis. Objectives: To analyze the expression of HLA-E and the CD94/NKG2 pair of receptors in HLA-B27 positive AS patients and healthy controls (HC) bearing the AS-associated, B*2705 and the non-AS-associated, B*2709 allele. Methods: The level of surface expression of HLA-E molecules on CD14 positive peripheral blood mononuclear cell was evaluated in 21 HLA-B*2705 patients with AS, 12 HLA-B*2705 HC, 12 HLA-B*2709 HC and 6 HLA-B27 negative HC, using the monoclonal antibody MEM-E/08 by quantitative cytofluorimetric analysis. The percentage and density of expression of HLA-E ligands NKG2A and NKG2C were also measured on CD3-CD56+ NK cells. Results. HLA-E expression in CD14 positive cells was significantly higher in AS patients (587.0 IQR 424-830) compared to B*2705 HC (389 IQR 251.3-440.5, p=0.0007), B*2709 HC (294.5 IQR 209.5-422, p=0.0004) and HLA-B27 negative HC (380 IQR 197.3-515.0, p=0.01). A higher number of NK cells expressing NKG2A compared to NKG2C was found in all cohort analysed as well as a higher cell surface density. Conclusion: The higher surface level of HLA-E molecules in AS patients compared to HC, concurrently with a prevalent expression of NKG2A, suggests that the crosstalk between these two molecules might play a role in AS pathogenesis accounting for the previously reported association between HLA-E and AS
CESAREAN SECTION: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE
No full textCaesarean section is a surgical procedure of ancient origins: it was performed to extract the baby after the woman had died. Today, cesarean section is necessary when vaginal birth is not possible or poses the mother or the child at high risk. In the last thirty years, this procedure has been increasingly used, particularly in Western countries, with values ranging from 14% in the Scandinavian countries to 30-35% in the USA and approximately 38% of deliveries in Italy. The increase in delivery by caesarean section is due to several factors: the progress of anesthetic techniques and surgical procedures, advanced maternal age of first delivery (32 years in the third millennium), growing medical litigation and the consequent use of defensive medicine [1-3]. Furthermore, other causes include the organization of hospitals, with the Healthcare system paying higher refunds for caesarean sections compared to natural deliveries, and the right of women to avoid pain and give birth “on request” by caesarean section. In this study we analyzed the characteristics of all patients who underwent caesarean section at the Maternal University Hospital in Sassari in 2014. This hospital is a third-level of high specialization, attracting pregnant patients from central and northern areas of Sardinia. Mothers who had a caesarean section were older and had on average a higher education level (over 78% had a high school degree, a bachelor’s or master’s degree) compared to women who gave birth by vaginal delivery. Moreover, they often lived in towns of Central and Northern Sardinia referring to hospitals without a neonatal intensive care unit, and they were then admitted to our Clinic for severe diseases of prematurity needing a fast and safe delivery, namely caesarean section. In the future, particularly in industrialized countries, it will be possible to contain the prevalence of cesarean section within the current percentage (38%), but it will probably not be reduced. In fact, several factors related to global social and cultural changes will be likely to play a role, such as a very low birth rate (around 1 child per couple), an average older age of first pregnancy (related to high levels of education and career), and a greater degree of self-determination in choosing the mode of delivery compared to the past. In the present circumstances, caesarean section should not be demonized, as with its low anesthetic and surgical risk it guarantees a safe childbirth for both mother and child.
REFERENCES
[1] Capobianco G, Balata A, Mannazzu MC, Oggiano R, Pinna Nossai L, Cherchi PL, Dessole S. Perimortem cesarean delivery 30 minutes after a laboring patient jumped from a fourth-floor window: baby survives and is normal at age 4 years. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2008;198(1):e15-6.
[2] Capobianco G, Angioni S, Dessole M, Cherchi PL. Cesarean section: to be or not to be, is this the question? Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2013;288(2):
461-2.
[3] Dessole S, Cosmi E, Balata A, Uras L, Caserta D, Capobianco G, Ambrosini G. Accidental fetal lacerations during cesarean delivery: experience in an Italian level III university hospital. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2004;191(5):1673-7
Spatial distribution patterns and population structure of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus (Echinodermata: Echinoidea), in the coastal fishery of western Sardinia: a geostatistical analysis.
No full textThe identification of appropriate spatial distribution patterns for the observation, analysis and management of stocks with a persistent spatial structure, such as sea urchins, is a key issue in fish ecology and fisheries research. This paper describes the development and application of a geostatistical approach for determining the spatial distribution and resilience of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus population in a fishing ground of western Sardinia (Western Mediterranean). A framework, combining field data collection, experimental modelling and mapping, was used to identify the best-fit semivariogram, taking pre-fishing and the post-fishing times into consideration. Variographic analyses indicate autocorrelation of density at small distances, while the isotropic Gaussian and spherical models are suitable for describing the spatial structure of sea urchin populations. The point kriging technique highlights a generally patchy population distribution that tends to disappear during the fishing season. Kriging maps are also useful for calculating predictable stock abundances, and thus mortality rates, by class diameters within six months of fishing. We conclude that the framework proposed is adequate for biomass estimation and assessment of sea urchin resource. This can therefore be regarded as a useful tool to encourage a science-based management of this fisher
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