An ESG-SDGs alignment and execution model based on the Ocean Strategies transition in emerging markets

This research introduces an ESG – SDG mapping model and its execution process to achieve the maximum of this relationship. The prioritization of the SDGs must be related with the organizational ESG strategy and the commitment to execute it. The proposed model is based on integrating the Blue, Pink and Green oceans for the gradual achievement of the SDGs during the transition from one ocean to the other. This transition connects the ESG-SDG mapping process with the three innovation oceans and their overlapped spaces which are referred in this research as innovation seas. This Pink Ocean and Green Ocean driven ESG framework is targeted primarily to the Emerging Markets where the need to adapt the SDGs is more significant than other regions. The paper indicates the initial limitations in the strategy and application of the proposed model and areas of further research that can improve its development and market adaptation

New horizons in osteoarthritis

Summary Osteoarthritis (OA), also known as degenerative joint disease, is the most frequent chronic musculoskeletal disease and the leading cause of disability in elderly persons. There are currently at least 27 million persons afflicted with OA in the United States, and the annual cost to society in medical care and wage loss is expected to reach nearly $100 billion dollars by 2020, with consequent increased spending on its diagnosis and treatment, side-effect prevention, and loss of productivity. Despite this enormous burden, many aspects of OA are still unknown, with implications not only in terms of diagnosis and assessment but also with regard to therapy. Awareness of this state of affairs has attracted many researchers to this field, making OA one of the most actively studied sectors of rheumatology. Although some clinicians are unaware of recent advances, there is a large body of publications indicating that much has been achieved. Major progress has been made in formulating better definitions of risk factors, in particular in indicating the responsibility of biomechanical and genetic factors, and, with regard to pathogenesis, underlining the role of subchondral bone, cytokines and proteinases. Assessment of OA activity and its progression has been improved with the advent of biomarkers and new imaging procedures, in particular sonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), but also of better clinical instruments, including more reliable patient questionnaires. Information from ongoing studies may improve the to some extent incomplete definition of OA phenotypes. Finally, promising new horizons have been opened up even with regard to the treatment of OA, which is still for the most part unsatisfactory except for surgical replacement therapy. Numerous new substances have been formulated and the findings of trials studying their effects are encouraging, although much has yet to be done

Growth Response and Color Brightening Enhancement of Cupang Fish (Betta sp.) Fed Yellow Pumpkin Extract (Cucurbita moscheta durch)

This study aims to determine the effect of treatment on increasing the brightness of the color of ornamental fish  (Betta Sp) during the feeding period and the growth response of toman fish during treatment. The treatment was pumpkin extract (Cucurbita moschetta Durch) mixed into pellet feed with various combinations. The color in fish is determined by connective tissue in the epidermis, which is the availability of pigments from pellets that can be bound and absorbed by the fish’s body. This research was carried out from August to October 2022 in the Laboratorium of Aquaculture. This study is an experimental method with a completely randomized design (CRD) with each treatment as follows, 10ml/100gr,20ml/100gr, and 30ml/100gr feed for 60 days. The results showed that adding pumpkin extract of 30ml/100gr could increase the color brightness of ornamental fish. Based on the results of the variance test, it showed a significant level of significant effect

Spondyloarthritis: Matrix Metalloproteinasesas Biomarkers of Pathogenesis and Response to Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) Inhibitors

The term spondyloarthritis (SpA) is used to describe a group of multifactorial chronic inflammatory diseases characterized by a predisposing genetic background and clinical manifestations typically involving the sacroiliac joint. The absence of pathognomonic clinical and/or laboratory findings generally results in a delay in diagnosis and, consequently, in treatment. In addition, 20-40% of SpA patients are non-responders to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor therapies. Given these considerations, it is important to identify biomarkers that can facilitate the diagnosis and assessment of disease activity. As inflammation plays a key role in the pathogenesis of SpA, inflammatory mediators have been investigated as potential biomarkers for diagnosing the disease and predicting response to therapy. Some investigators have focused their attention on the role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which are known to be markers of synovial inflammation that is generated in the joint in reaction to inflammatory stimuli. Several studies have been carried out to verify if serum MMPs levels could be useful to diagnose SpA, to assess disease severity, and to predict response to TNF inhibitor therapy. The current review focuses on MMPs' role in SpA pathogenesis, diagnosis and therapeutic implications

A Critical Reflection on Adaptation of Teaching Practices

The purpose of this paper is to provide a description of how critical reflection can be used to update and revise teaching practices in response to evolving student needs and challenges in higher education. The authors identify the types of challenges that faculty and graduate students face in the current educational environment. Generational differences between faculty and students, the impact of increased student stress levels, and advances in technology will continue to shape how we instruct graduate students. We identified a number of evidence-based practices which were reported to be useful in reducing stress and anxiety in students while still maintaining academic rigor. We found critical reflection to be beneficial in shifting instructional paradigms. Critical reflections are crucial at the individual level, but there is merit in performing them at the departmental and organizational level as well to promote systemic change

Measuring dielectric properties at the nanoscale using Electrostatic Force Microscopy

Several electrostatic force microscopy (EFM) - based methods have been recently developed to study the nanoscale dielectric properties of thin insulating layers. Some methods allow measuring quantitatively the static dielectric permittivity whereas some others provide qualitative information about the temperature-frequency dependence of dielectric properties. In this chapter, all these methods are described and illustrated by experiments on pure and nanostructured polymer films. A section is dedicated to EFM probe - sample models and especially to the Equivalent Charge Method (ECM)

The psoriatic great toe or the psoriatic onycho-pachydermo-periostitis of great toe (OP3gt)

The onycho-pachydermo-periostitis of the great toe is a characteristic feature of psoriatic arthritis first described by Fournie in 1980. In the affected patients, the great toe involvement is characterised by a relevant osteo-periostitis of the distal phalanx, a thickening of the distal soft tissues associated with a psoriatic onychopathy. In most cases, the distal interphalangeal joint is spared. Radiographic and scintigraphic osteo-periostitis of distal phalanx of the great toe are frequent, being found in about 44% of patients with psoriatic arthritis. However, clinical manifestations, with inflammatory inflammation of the great toe, are rare

Dielectric properties of thin insulating layers measured by Electrostatic Force Microscopy

In order to measure the dielectric permittivity of thin insulting layers, we developed a method based on electrostatic force microscopy (EFM) experiments coupled with numerical simulations. This method allows to characterize the dielectric properties of materials without any restrictions of film thickness, tip radius and tip-sample distance. The EFM experiments consist in the detection of the electric force gradient by means of a double pass method. The numerical simulations, based on the equivalent charge method (ECM), model the electric force gradient between an EFM tip and a sample, and thus, determine from the EFM experiments the relative dielectric permittivity by an inverse approach. This method was validated on a thin SiO2 sample and was used to characterize the dielectric permittivity of ultrathin poly(vinyl acetate) and polystyrene films at two temperatures

The role of semantic transparency and metaphorical elaboration through pictures for learning idioms in a second language

Idioms, as multi-word units that contain literal and figurative meanings, are inherently complex and thus unsurprisingly difficult to acquire for second language learners. Though experimental studies on idioms have been carried out with pedagogically minded foci, none have examined the differential effects picture type has on correct interpretation of meaning or meaning recall. Because idioms have both literal and figurative senses, they can be pictorially expressed via either or both of their dual meanings. However, no one has yet tested whether figurative elements in pictures will aid or confuse second language learners when presented alongside idioms. Thus, the primary aim of this thesis is to experimentally test how different kinds of pictures affect the way in which second language learners interpret and recall the figurative meaning of metaphorical idioms. Furthermore, the role of semantic transparency and how it impacts the effectiveness of the picture type is examined. The overarching finding suggests that metaphorically imbued pictures overall facilitate the learning of idioms. However, highly contextualized pictures have the potential to mislead learners in specific and often unpredictable ways. In addition to the pedagogical implications uncovered, this thesis also addresses the nature of semantic transparency and teacher attitudes on idioms