542 research outputs found
Environmental ethics: values in and duties to the natural world (summarized with commentary by Panagiotis Perros)
No full textSummarized with commentary in Greek by Panagiotis Perros.Environmental ethics stands on a frontier, as radically theoretical as it is applied. Alone, it asks whether there can be nonhuman objects of duty. Animals, plants, endangered species, ecosystems, and even Earth are progressively unfamiliar as objects of duty, and puzzles arise both for theory and practice. Answers to such questions are as urgent as any humans face, and intimately related to the four principal issues on the world agenda: peace, population, development, and environment
Modern Approaches in Cardiovascular Disease Therapeutics: From Molecular Genetics to Tissue Engineering
No full textCardiovascular disease (CVD) currently represents one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Each year, more than 17.9 million people die due to CVD manifestations. To reverse these manifestations, the transplantation of secondary vessels or the use of synthetic vascular grafts represents the gold standard procedure. However, significant adverse reactions have been described in the literature regarding the use of these type of grafts. In this regard, modern therapeutic strategies focused on CVD therapeutics must be proposed and evaluated. As alternative therapies, advanced tissue engineering approaches, including decellularization procedures and the 3D additive bio-printing methods, are currently being investigated. In this Special Issue of Bioengineering, we aimed to highlight modern approaches regarding CVD. This Special Issue, entitled “Modern Approaches in Cardiovascular Disease Therapeutics: From Molecular Genetics to Tissue Engineering”, includes 5 articles. These articles are related to the efficient production of small-diameter vascular grafts, vascular graft development with 3D printing approaches, and in vitro models for the improved assessment of atherosclerosis mechanisms. The Guest Editors of this Special Issue wish to express their gratitude to all contributors for their unique and outstanding articles. Additionally, special credit is given to all reviewers for their comprehensive analysis and overall effort in improving the quality of the published articles
Design and Fabrication of Artificial Stem Cell Microenvironments
No full textMajor key features of stem cells’ functions are self-renewal and their capacity for differentiation, allowing for maintain a proper stem cell reservoir as well as producing lineage-committed cells [...
R-CAUSTIC: Rippling CAUSTICs underwater Image dataset
No full text<p><strong>Description</strong></p><p>Rippling caustics seem to be the main factor degrading the underwater RGB image quality and affecting the image- based 3D reconstruction process in very shallow waters. These effects are adversely affecting image matching algorithms by throwing off most of them, leading to less accurate matches and causing issues in the Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) based navigation of the Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV) and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV) on shallow waters. Also, they are the main cause for dissimilarities in the generated textures and orthoimages. In order to fill the gap in the literature regading underwater rippling caustics imagery with real ground truth and reference images, the first real-world underwater caustics benchmark dataset which contains 1465 underwater images is presented. Together with the RGB imagery, the corresponding generated ground truth images are delivered for facilitating the training and testing of machine learning and deep learning methods for image classification. R-CAUSTIC dataset also provides the necessary data to evaluate, at least to some extent, the performance of 3D reconstruction approaches. Data were acquired using a GoPro Hero 4 Black action camera with image dimensions of 4000 x 3000 pixels, focal length of 2.77mm and pixel size of 1.55μm and a tripod. Action cameras are widely used for underwater image acquisition. The dataset was captured in near-shore underwater sites at depths varying from 0.5 to 2m. No artificial light sources were used. Due to the wind, the turbulent surface of the water created dynamic rippling caustics on the seabed. In total 1465 RGB images were collected, separated in 7 different datasets; five of them containing stereo images, one of them tri-stereo images and one consists of multi-stereo imagery acquired in 7 different camera poses.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Publication</strong></p><p>The paper is availbale in Open Access here: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10172291</p><p><strong>If you use this dataset please cite it as R-CAUSTIC</strong> [Reference].<br>[Reference]: <strong>P. Agrafiotis, K. Karantzalos and A. Georgopoulos, "Seafloor-Invariant Caustics Removal From Underwater Imagery," in </strong><i><strong>IEEE Journal of Oceanic Engineering</strong></i><strong>, vol. 48, no. 4, pp. 1300-1321, Oct. 2023, doi: 10.1109/JOE.2023.3277168.</strong></p><p>BibTeX:</p><p>@ARTICLE{10172291,
author={Agrafiotis, Panagiotis and Karantzalos, Konstantinos and Georgopoulos, Andreas},
journal={IEEE Journal of Oceanic Engineering},
title={Seafloor-Invariant Caustics Removal From Underwater Imagery},
year={2023},
volume={48},
number={4},
pages={1300-1321},
doi={10.1109/JOE.2023.3277168}}</p><p> </p>
R-CAUSTIC: Rippling CAUSTICs underwater Image dataset
No full text<p> </p>
<h3><strong>Version 2 available! Please make sure to download the latest version of the dataset! <br></strong></h3>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Description</strong></p>
<p>Rippling caustics seem to be the main factor degrading the underwater RGB image quality and affecting the image- based 3D reconstruction process in very shallow waters. These effects are adversely affecting image matching algorithms by throwing off most of them, leading to less accurate matches and causing issues in the Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) based navigation of the Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV) and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV) on shallow waters. Also, they are the main cause for dissimilarities in the generated textures and orthoimages. In order to fill the gap in the literature regading underwater rippling caustics imagery with real ground truth and reference images, the first real-world underwater caustics benchmark dataset which contains 1465 underwater images is presented. Together with the RGB imagery, the corresponding generated ground truth images are delivered for facilitating the training and testing of machine learning and deep learning methods for image classification. R-CAUSTIC dataset also provides the necessary data to evaluate, at least to some extent, the performance of 3D reconstruction approaches. Data were acquired using a GoPro Hero 4 Black action camera with image dimensions of 4000 x 3000 pixels, focal length of 2.77mm and pixel size of 1.55μm and a tripod. Action cameras are widely used for underwater image acquisition. The dataset was captured in near-shore underwater sites at depths varying from 0.5 to 2m. No artificial light sources were used. Due to the wind, the turbulent surface of the water created dynamic rippling caustics on the seabed. In total 1465 RGB images were collected, separated in 7 different datasets; five of them containing stereo images, one of them tri-stereo images and one consists of multi-stereo imagery acquired in 7 different camera poses.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Publication</strong></p>
<p>The paper is availbale in Open Access here: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10172291</p>
<p><strong>If you use this dataset please cite it as R-CAUSTIC</strong> [Reference].<br>[Reference]: <strong>P. Agrafiotis, K. Karantzalos and A. Georgopoulos, "Seafloor-Invariant Caustics Removal From Underwater Imagery," in </strong><em><strong>IEEE Journal of Oceanic Engineering</strong></em><strong>, vol. 48, no. 4, pp. 1300-1321, Oct. 2023, doi: 10.1109/JOE.2023.3277168.</strong></p>
<p>BibTeX:</p>
<p>@ARTICLE{10172291, author={Agrafiotis, Panagiotis and Karantzalos, Konstantinos and Georgopoulos, Andreas}, journal={IEEE Journal of Oceanic Engineering}, title={Seafloor-Invariant Caustics Removal From Underwater Imagery}, year={2023}, volume={48}, number={4}, pages={1300-1321}, doi={10.1109/JOE.2023.3277168}}</p>
<p> </p>
Does genetic diversity on corporate boards lead to improved environmental performance?
No full textElsevier
Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money
Volume 84, April 2023, 101756
Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money
Does genetic diversity on corporate boards lead to improved environmental performance?
Author links open overlay panelRenatas Kizys a, Emmanuel C. Mamatzakis b, Panagiotis Tzouvanas c
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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intfin.2023.101756
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Highlights
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We examine the effect of boards’ genetic diversity (GENETICD) on corporate ESG performance.
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ESG performance and disclosures are higher in more genetically diverse firms.
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The positive GENETICD effect on ESG performance is driven by the environmental pillar.
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Corporate carbon performance significantly improves with increases in GENETICD.
We study the effects of boards’ genetic diversity on corporate environmental performance. Using a multidimensional information set for 3690 US firms during the period from 2005 to 2019, and three different measures of genetic diversity, we find that, pursuant to the diversity theory, which posits that diversity improves the quality of management decisions and business ethics, genetic diversity leads to improved environmental performance. We also find that genetic diversity improves carbon and governance performance, and ESG disclosure. Particularly, a one percentage point increase in boards’ genetic diversity will increase the carbon performance, measured by the inverse of the carbon emissions to total assets ratio, and environmental performance by 3.54% and 5.57%, respectively. Our results remain robust to different model specifications, while also controlling for endogeneity. In terms of policy implications, results suggest that the key to tackling climate challenges is to promote boards’ genetic diversity
COVID-19 Molecular Pathophysiology: Acetylation of Repurposing Drugs
No full textSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) induces immune-mediated type 1 interferon (IFN-1) production, the pathophysiology of which involves sterile alpha motif and histidine-aspartate domain-containing protein 1 (SAMHD1) tetramerization and the cytosolic DNA sensor cyclic-GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)–stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling pathway. As a result, type I interferonopathies are exacerbated. Aspirin inhibits cGAS-mediated signaling through cGAS acetylation. Acetylation contributes to cGAS activity control and activates IFN-1 production and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling via STING. Aspirin and dapsone inhibit the activation of both IFN-1 and NF-κB by targeting cGAS. We define these as anticatalytic mechanisms. It is necessary to alleviate the pathologic course and take the lag time of the odds of achieving viral clearance by day 7 to coordinate innate or adaptive immune cell reactions
Dataset in support of the Southampton doctoral thesis 'The boatbuilding tradition of the Aegean during the Late Neolithic – Early Bronze Age periods. Typological classification, digital reconstruction and seakeeping assessment'
No full textDataset in support of the Southampton doctoral thesis 'The boatbuilding tradition of the Aegean during the Late Neolithic – Early Bronze Age periods. Typological classification, digital reconstruction and seakeeping assessment' Appendix D - Resistance data and Appendix C - Stability data.
This dataset is focused on two appendices:
Appendix D - Resistance data. D.1 Resistance data produced by the author via MAXSURF Resistance for this thesis.
Appendix C - Stability data
C1. Stability data – STIX and ISO criteria, produced by the author via MAXSURF Stability software for his thesis
This research was funded by Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute (SMMI), Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship, Greek Archaeological Committee UK (GACUK)
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Exploring the Immunomodulatory Properties of Stem Cells in Combating COVID-19: Can We Expect More?
No full textSince the first appearance of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in December 2019, the disease has displayed a remarkable interindividual variability in the global population, resulting in different mortality and morbidity rates. Still, an effective cure against SARS-CoV-2 has not been developed, and therefore, alternative therapeutic protocols must also be evaluated. Considering that stem cells, especially Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs), are characterized by both regenerative and immunomodulatory properties and that their safety and tolerability have been investigated previously, these cells could potentially be applied against coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). In addition, an individual’s genetic background is further related to disease pathogenesis, especially rare Inborn Errors of Immunity (IEIs), autoantibodies against Interferon type I, and the presence of different Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) alleles, which are actively associated with protection or susceptibility in relation to SARS-CoV-2. Herein, the use of MSCs as a potential stem cell therapy will require a deep understanding of their immunomodulatory properties associated with their HLA alleles. In such a way, HLA-restricted MSC lines can be developed and applied precisely, offering more solutions to clinicians in attenuating the mortality of SARS-CoV-2
Stem Cell and Biologic Scaffold Engineering
No full textTissue engineering and regenerative medicine is a rapidly evolving research field which effectively combines stem cells and biologic scaffolds in order to replace damaged tissues. Biologic scaffolds can be produced through the removal of resident cellular populations using several tissue engineering approaches, such as the decellularization method. Indeed, the decellularization method aims to develop a cell-free biologic scaffold while keeping the extracellular matrix (ECM) intact. Furthermore, biologic scaffolds have been investigated for their in vitro potential for whole organ development. Currently, clinical products composed of decellularized matrices, such as pericardium, urinary bladder, small intestine, heart valves, nerve conduits, trachea, and vessels, are being evaluated for use in human clinical trials. Tissue engineering strategies require the interaction of biologic scaffolds with cellular populations. Among them, stem cells are characterized by unlimited cell division, self-renewal, and differentiation potential, distinguishing themselves as a frontline source for the repopulation of decellularized matrices and scaffolds. Under this scheme, stem cells can be isolated from patients, expanded under good manufacturing practices (GMPs), used for the repopulation of biologic scaffolds and, finally, returned to the patient. The interaction between scaffolds and stem cells is thought to be crucial for their infiltration, adhesion, and differentiation into specific cell types. In addition, biomedical devices such as bioreactors contribute to the uniform repopulation of scaffolds. Until now, remarkable efforts have been made by the scientific society in order to establish the proper repopulation conditions of decellularized matrices and scaffolds. However, parameters such as stem cell number, in vitro cultivation conditions, and specific growth media composition need further evaluation. The ultimate goal is the development of “artificial” tissues similar to native ones, which is achieved by properly combining stem cells and biologic scaffolds and thus bringing them one step closer to personalized medicine. The original research articles and comprehensive reviews in this Special Issue deal with the use of stem cells and biologic scaffolds that utilize state-of-the-art tissue engineering and regenerative medicine approaches
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