Machine learning for knowledge acquisition and accelerated inverse-design for non-Hermitian systems /

Non-Hermitian systems offer new platforms for unusual physical properties that can be flexibly manipulated by redistribution of the real and imaginary parts of refractive indices, whose presence breaks conventional wave propagation symmetries, leading to asymmetric reflection and symmetric transmission with respect to the wave propagation direction. Here, we use supervised and unsupervised learning techniques for knowledge acquisition in non-Hermitian systems which accelerate the inverse design process. In particular, we construct a deep learning model that relates the transmission and asymmetric reflection in non-conservative settings and propose sub-manifold learning to recognize non-Hermitian features from transmission spectra. The developed deep learning framework determines the feasibility of a desired spectral response for a given structure and uncovers the role of effective gain-loss parameters to tailor the spectral response. These findings offer a route for intelligent inverse design and contribute to the understanding of physical mechanism in general non-Hermitian systems

Postoperative management of hard-to-heal wounds: a review of the literature.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) ‘Half the cases of post-operative hard-to-heal wounds can be avoided’ [1]. Foreign authors A. E. Boniakowski, A. S. Kimball, B. N. Jacobs, et al. (2017) state that ‘Wound monitoring and periodic post-operative wound care performed at periodically planned time are important at all stages of wound healing’ [2].  Objective of the literature review. To analyse scientific articles on risk factors and wound management of hard-to-heal wounds. Methods. The literature review was conducted using the PubMed, ECDC, and Google Scholar search in the electronic MEDLINE database. The search was carried out between September and December 2023. Keyword phrases and their combinations were used for the search. Twenty three articles on the examined topic were included in the literature review. Results of the literature review. The present article discusses the main risk factors for wound infection and preventive measures. After analysing scientific articles, the causes of hard-to-heal wounds have been elucidated, which depend on the nature of the surgery, different pathogenic microorganisms, and the selection of dressings at each stage of wound healing. Conclusions. 1. Favourable conditions must be created for wound healing. Regular assessment of the wound healing process based on clinical indicators is attributed to an important factor. 2. Topical antimicrobial agents are used when wound healing is suspected to be impaired; dressings are selected based on the type of wound healing. 

A 2D-to-3D morphology transitions of gold in organic acid electrolytes: Characterization and application in bioanode design /

The inexpensive, relatively fast and scalable production of nanostructured electrodes may benefit future disposable biosensor technology. In this research, nanoporous gold (NPG) surfaces were successfully fabricated by anodizing the gold in different organic acid, and further used for glucose dehydrogenase (GDH)-based bioanode design. The porosity of NPG layers was manipulated by changing the anodization time, and the dependency of relative electrochemical surface area (rESA) on the bioanode performances was systematically examined. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) studies of NPG formed in oxalic acid (NPGox) and their depth profiles of Au 4f and O 1s evidenced the chemical state of pure metallic gold (Au0), whereas NPG formed in glycolic acid (NPGgly) has appreciable content of gold oxide and hydroxides. The NPGgly/4-ATP/GDH bioanodes exhibited direct electron transfer (DET-type) bioelectrocatalytic activity, while the highest current densities of 0.35 mA cm- 2 and low onset potential of - 0.189 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) were observed. The electrodes showed longterm stability and, up to three weeks, retained 76 % of their initial value. Furthermore, the biofuel cell possessed the maximum power densities of 31.8 μW cm−2 and open-circuit potential (OCP) differences of 0.441 V, thus evidencing that NPGgly layers could be encouraging for developing biosensors and biofuel cells

Emancipatory poetry: the Žemaitė square readings as feminist artivism.

Although contemporary Lithuanian poets and readers often claim to be apolitical, politically charged poetry or literary behavior are not always apparent and can take various forms. The article examines the annual women’s poetry readings in the Žemaitė Square during the Poetry Spring Festival as a political event. Based on Pierre Bourdieu’s literary field theory, the event can be interpreted as a collective response of feminist artivism to the established power structures. The readings provide a space for the exchange of social, symbolic, and cultural capital among the poetesses, enabling them to gain visibility and prominence within the literary field. Furthermore, the political significance of these readings emerges through the experience of emancipatory art, as defined by Jacques Rancière. The ‘distribution of the sensible’ not only establishes poetesses as political subjects but also fosters a sense of potential equality among all agents in the field. The collective experience of art engenders an aesthetic community capable of challenging prevailing power structures and envisioning possibilities that extend beyond societal norms

The consumers perceptions of employer and service brand equity’s: the exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis /

While the traditional components of employer brand equity are applied in the context of an organization’s employees, this study sought to assess a hitherto unexplored context – the extent to which employer brand equity impacts on consumers of an organization’s service brand rather than the target audience. The two research objectives were: 1) to identify the specific dimensions of both employer and perceived service brand equities 2) to assess the relationship between them and consumer behavioral intentions. The study was based on quantitative data of 526 respondents, using both Exploratory (EFA), Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modelling (SEM). The findings confirmed the 3 (employer brand image, reputation, and awareness) and 4 (service brand image, perceived quality, service brand awareness, brand loyalty) factors of employer and service brand equities respectively. The study revealed the employer brand equity significant relationship with service brand equity, but the lack of direct effect on consumers’ behavioral intentions. The research is novel as it assesses the employer brand equity’s impact not only on the service brand’s overall perceived equity, but also on consumers’ behavioral intentions, by examining the impact on two different groups (existing and potential service brand consumers)

Impact factors for immigration to Spain /

Background: Migration processes play an important role in the economic development of a country and form the human resources necessary for developing countries. Therefore, forming a favourable legislative framework for a certain category of migrants affects the attraction of the necessary human resources for the country. Motivation: Generally, the level of immigration has risen over the last 50 years, and around 3.6% of the total population in the world are immigrants. Identifying the influencing factors that motivate people to migrate is very important. This understanding informs well-designed immigration and effective solutions for foreign policy. Aim: To analyse and model the impact of the factors influencing the choice of the destination country, examining what attracts a person to a country or, on the contrary, why a country may not be chosen. Additionally, this paper seeks to forecast the dynamics of immigration in Spain for 2022-2024 under the impact of selected factors for analysis. Methods: To create a regression model using the R-Studio software based on a data set for the 2000-2021 years. The scientific hypothesis is that the following could have an influence on the level of immigration to Spain: inflation, level of employment and education, government spending on social protection, the share of the ICT sector in the GDP of the country, as well as the economic crisis in the USA for 2007, and legal factor such as the presence of open borders for the African population in 2019, a characteristic not shared by other European countries. The last two indicators, proven significant in attracting immigrants, were incorporated into the model as dummy variables. Results and Conclusions: The research proved a non-linear negative impact of a logarithm of spending on social protection expenditure and the third degree of inflation—conversely, a positive impact of the third degree of employment level. Additionally, the forecast of immigration in Spain under the impact of the above factors was discussed. The paper will be of interest to the government since migration is not only important in terms of the country's demographic structure but also has a direct impact on a country’s national economy. It can either strengthen or weaken the country’s economic development, making it significant to policymakers

The impact of chemotherapy and transforming growth factor-β1 in liver regeneration after hepatectomy among colorectal cancer patients /

An ongoing debate surrounds the impact of chemotherapy on post-hepatectomy liver regeneration in patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRLM), with unclear regulatory mechanisms. This study sought to delve into liver regeneration post-resection in CRLM patients, specifically examining the roles of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1). In this longitudinal observational study, 17 patients undergoing major liver resection for CRLM and 17 with benign indications as controls were enrolled. Liver regeneration within 30 postoperative days was assessed via CT, considering clinicopathological characteristics, liver enzymes, liver stiffness by elastography, and the impact of HGF and TGF-β1 on liver regeneration. The results revealed that the control group exhibited significantly higher mean liver regeneration volume (200 ± 180 mL) within 30 days postoperatively compared to the CRLM group (72 ± 154 mL); p = 0.03. Baseline alkaline phosphatase (AP) and TGF-β1 blood levels were notably higher in the CRLM group. Immunohistochemical analysis indicated a higher proportion of CRLM patients with high TGF-β1 expression in liver tissues compared to the control group (p = 0.034). Correlation analysis showed that resected liver volume, baseline plasma HGF, AP, and albumin levels significantly correlated with liver regeneration volume. However, in multivariable analysis, only resected liver volume (β: 0.31; 95% CI: 0.14–0.47, p = 0.01) remained significant. In conclusion, this study highlights compromised liver regeneration in CRLM patients post-chemotherapy. Additionally, these patients exhibited lower serum TGF-β1 levels and reduced TGF-β1 expression in liver tissue, suggesting TGF-β1 involvement in mechanisms hindering liver regeneration capacity following major resection after chemotherapy

Effects of ultrasonic cleansing on oily facial skin: a review of the literature.

Abstract. People of all ages suffer from persistently discoloured facial skin with rashes and acne. Regular skin care, cosmetic products and skin cleansing procedures are important to tackle this problem. One of the potentials, non-traumatic skin cleansing treatments for oily facial skin is ultrasound. Objective. To analyse from a theoretical point of view the problem of oily facial skin and the effects of ultrasonic cleansing on the skin. Methods. A review of research articles using the keywords: oily skin, skin problems, ultrasonic facial cleansing, skin cleansing, and their combinations with the words "and", "or". The search for research articles was conducted in PubMed, Google Scholar, BMJ, Clin Dermatol electronic database. The literature review included 22 open-access and full-length articles on the topic, written in English, from 2016 to 2022. Results of the literature review. This article covers the main problems of oily facial skin, the effects of external and internal factors on the skin, the effects of ultrasonic cleansing on oily facial skin, and the use of preventive measures to maintain a healthy pH balance in oily facial skin. Conclusion. 1. Oily facial skin is caused by hormonal disorders that stimulate the production of sebum, making the skin prone to shine, oiliness, rashes and clogged pores. Exogenous exposure sensitises the skin. Maintaining a healthy skin balance is important for a daily facial skin routine. 2. The ultrasound waves, tailored to the permeability of the facial skin to electrical currents, have a positive effect on oily facial skin, adding active ingredients to the deepest layers of the skin, improving elasticity and hydration, and lowering sebum levels

Logarithm of multivector in real 3D Clifford algebras /

Closed form expressions for a logarithm of general multivector (MV) in basis-free form in real geometric algebras (GAs) Clp,q are presented for all n = p + q = 3. In contrast to logarithm of complex numbers (isomorphic to Cl0,1), 3D logarithmic functions, due to appearance of two double angle arc tangent functions, allow to include two sets of sheets characterized by discrete coefficients. Formulas for generic and special cases of individual blades and their combinations are provided