Natural Form Research Articles

On Building Fine-Grained One-Way Functions from Strong Average-Case Hardness

Constructing one-way functions from average-case hardness is a long-standing open problem. A positive result would exclude Pessiland (Impagliazzo ’95) and establish a highly desirable win–win situation: either (symmetric) cryptography exists unconditionally, or all NP problems can be solved efficiently on the average. Motivated by the lack of progress on this seemingly very hard question, we initiate the investigation of weaker yet meaningful candidate win–win results of the following type: either there are fine-grained one-way functions (FGOWF), or non-trivial speedups can be obtained for all NP problems on the average. FGOWFs only require a fixed polynomial gap (as opposed to superpolynomial) between the running time of the function and the running time of an inverter. We obtain three main results: Construction. We show that if there is an NP language having a very strong form of average-case hardness, which we call block finding hardness, then FGOWF exist. We provide heuristic support for this very strong average-case hardness notion by showing that it holds for a random language. Then, we study whether weaker (and more natural) forms of average-case hardness could already suffice to obtain FGOWF and obtain two negative results: Separation I. We provide a strong oracle separation for the implication (∃ exponentially average-case hard NP language ⇒∃ FGOWF). Separation II. We provide a second strong negative result for an even weaker candidate win–win result. Namely, we rule out a relativizing proof for the implication (∃ exponentially average-case NP hard language whose hardness amplifies optimally through parallel repetitions⇒∃ FGOWF). This separation forms the core technical contribution of our work.

La interpretación de la noción marxista de “forma natural” en Bolívar Echeverría: significados, definición y sentido crítico

The article explains the meaning of the notion of “natural form” of use values, formulated by Marx, recovered especially by the Ecuadorian philosopher Bolívar Echeverría. The purpose of the text is to analyze Echeverría’s reinterpretation of the notion of “natural form” of the work process as a structural behavior of human existence, through an analysis of the meanings of the term, its definition and characterization of its main elements. The text is divided into six sections, each of which has the following topics: 1) the description of the texts by Marx and Echeverría on which we base ourselves; 2) the relevance of the notion of “natural form” in Marx’s works; 3) we try a phenomenological approach to the research that Marx carried out from critical materialism to reveal the protosocial substratum that underlies the “value form”; 4) we address the ambiguity of the term “natural” in our topic; 5) we explain the transnatural characteristic of human existence and the foundation of the social fact; 6) we make nine clarifications that are relevant to Echeverrian definition of the “natural form” of the work process; and 7) in the last section we make some critical notes whose objective is to avoid a substantialization of the notion of “natural form”, in addition to distinguishing between the critical function of this notion with respect to the possible readings that associate it with a form in itself of resistance.

Role of immunomodulation in childhood asthma and pediatrics: A case series

The definition of immunomodulation refers to the action undertaken by the medication on autoregulating processes that steer the immunological defense system. Immunomodulation is modulation (regulatory adjustment) of the immune system. It has natural and human-induced forms, and thus the word can refer to the following: · Homeostasis in the immune system, whereby the system self-regulates to adjust immune responses to adaptive rather than maladaptive levels (using regulatory T cells, cell signaling molecules, and so forth) · Immunomodulation as part of immunotherapy, in which immune responses are induced, amplified, attenuated, or prevented according to therapeutic goals

Therapeutic activity of curcumin in natural and nano forms on copper oxide nanoparticles induced renal toxicity, oxidative stress, and DNA damage in rat

Therapeutic activity of curcumin in natural and nano forms on copper oxide nanoparticles induced renal toxicity, oxidative stress, and DNA damage in rat

Ethno-Design of Galicia at the Beginning of the 20th Century

The aim of the research is the factors and backgrounds formation of Galicia ethno-design at the beginning of XX century. The processes, which influenced the area of ethno-design development, have completely been spotlighted in the work. Its formation is being considered as the cultural event interrelated with the historic-economical, geographical, social-cultural changes in the region of the investigated period. Research methods: search-analytical (identification, literature analysis and origin foundation), historical (research of events and phenomena development), chronological (events consideration in the time consistency), logical-synthetic (factors, events and phenomena analysis), generalization and systematization results. Scientific novelty. In the research the backgrounds and features of regional manner-designed heritage formation have been revealed which are rooted in the unique folk art, folk art traditions, grand work of regional rules formation and stylization, ethno-pedagogics principles application in familial art upbringing, formation of private craft and art-industrial schools in the area, and so forth. Conclusions. As the result it has been concluded that the Galicia ethno-design at the beginning of the last century was characterized by the distinctive art and art-industrial traditions which influenced the unique Ukrainian style separation based on the West-European achievements. Different kinds of folk art, craft and homecraft played the important role in those processes. Through the nature forms and reasons stylization they gained their signs and colors semantics inherent of the area. The background of Galicia ethno-design development has become the esthetic tastes formation in family training of children and youth, ethno-pedagogical phenomenon of the regional art dynasties, foundation and performance of educational establishments with the national art-industrial culture of the area. It is highly important to use this experience in the professional training of Ukrainian designers.

Study of the mechanism of manufacture of (alginate) based on the change of chemical and biological properties of polystyrene

Our current research includes the manufacture of alginate material used in the field of dentistry (it is a powder material that is used after converting it into an emulsion and then solid as a mold that works to locate defective teeth in order to repair them, whether they are fixed or mobile). This is done by altering some of the chemical and biological properties of polystyrene, which is an elastic plastic (a synthetic aromatic hydrocarbon polymer derived from a monomer known as styrene). We used polystyrene, zinc oxide, calcium sulfate, gypsum, wax printing compound, and tri-sodium phosphate, there percentage are:(35%, 30% , 17%, 10%, 5%, and 3%) respectively. Alginate can be manufactured as powder, or foam as a flexible paste. Since polystyrene can be transparent in its natural form in many cases, it can be colored in different colors with polar specifications, and it can be used in many industrial and medical fields. Alginate is used in protective packaging for food, industrial and pharmaceutical products. Alginates are among the most commonly used materials in dental clinics, and they are used every day to make molds for dentures.

Hydrolysis of poly(ester urethane): In-depth mechanistic pathways through FTIR 2D-COS spectroscopy

The hydrolysis of thermoplastic poly(ester urethane) (PEU) is convoluted by its block copolymer phase structure and competing hydrolytic sensitivities of multiple functional groups. The exact pathways for water ingress, water interaction with the material and ultimately the kinetics and order of functional group hydrolysis remain to be refined. Additional diagnostics are needed to enable deeper insight and deconvolution of material changes. In combination with GPC results, a promising analytical technique – two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2D-COS) – has been reviewed and applied to analyze FTIR spectra of hydrolyzed PEUs aged under various conditions, such as exposure time, temperature, and relative humidity. 2D-COS allows the complex role of water with distinct intermediate steps to be established, plus it emphasizes the initial stages of PEU hydrolysis at more susceptible functional groups. As a complication for the raw material, ATR IR detected some talc on the surface of commercial PEU beads and pressed sheets thereof, which can interfere with water ingress and thereby retards PEU hydrolysis, particularly in its natural form or moderate aging at lower temperatures (e.g., below the melting point of PEU). As aging temperature increases above the melting temperature, even traces of water trapped inside the PEU are sufficient to initiate the hydrolysis, which then progresses strongly with increasing temperatures. Feedback from 2D-COS analysis confirms that PEU hydrolysis starts at esters in the soft-segments before those in the urethane linkage become susceptible. Only when the molecular weight of PEU is below a critical molar mass (Mc) will the hydrolysis occur in parallel in the hard-segments since protective morphological phase structures are then absent. The current observations demonstrate unexpected behavior that may result from 'unknown' additives in polymer degradation, the temporal and group-specific hydrolysis of PEU as a function of locally available water molecules, the order of reactivity of susceptible functional groups, and the importance of changes in molecular weight coupled with the phase structure of the polymer.

Improving the bioactivity of water-soluble alfalfa saponins using biotransformation.

Medicago sativa L. is gaining attention as a sustainable plant-based food protein. Alfalfa saponins (ASs) typically exist in a glycosylated form in nature, which has poor cell membrane permeability, while the deglycosylated saponins may show better bioactivity. The AS was deglycosylated by β-glucosidase from Aspergillus niger, and the chemical structures and biological activities, including in vivo assays, of AS and deglycosylated AS (DAS) were determined. The results showed that the half maximal inhibitory concentration for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl inhibition of DAS was 29.5µg/mL, demonstrating a significantly higher reducing capacity compared to AS (p<0.05). The DAS induced 33.8% antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and enhanced the proliferation of human airway epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) at a concentration of 125µg/mL. In vivo experiments on C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat diet demonstrated that high-level DAS treatment produced significantly greater hypolipidemic effects compared to AS (p<0.05). Thus, the AS can be deglycosylated, which leads to an improvement in biological activity, particularly since the DAS exhibits significantly enhanced hypolipidemic activity. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Alfalfa saponins were deglycosylated by β-glucosidase from Aspergillus niger, which contributed to increased bioactivity, particularly its hypolipidemic activity.

Optimizing Computation: A Biomimicry Design Spiral Approach to Algorithm Development

The increasing focus on biomimicry in the built environment shows that designers are becoming more conscious of the opportunities that nature presents for enhancing human and systemic functions. The field of advanced material technology has extensively used biomimicry. Nevertheless, there has been little in-depth discussion of its possibilities in environmentally conscious building practices. Numerous branches of the social and natural sciences have had an impact on the field of architecture; at the present time, biological principles are finding their way into design processes. From the earliest days of bio-architectural movements to the most recent ones, bioinspiration has shaped architectural practices towards a wide range of new methods. Nevertheless, the line between architectural bioinspiration that just mimics natural forms and the genuine comprehension of biological principles—the bedrock of sustainable development—is blurry when it comes to biomimicry. One of the biggest obstacles is the lack of cross-disciplinary cooperation between architects and biologists, which is exacerbated by the vast knowledge gap that exists between the creative process of building design and the scientific disciplines that pertain to biology. All sorts of spiral pathways, their properties, and how to use them to build and enhance other optimisation methods are described in great detail.

Optimization of Vacuum Freeze-Drying Process and Quality Evaluation of Stropharia rugosoannulata

Stropharia rugosoannulata is a valuable medicinal and food fungus with high nutritive value. Freeze-drying addresses the storage and transportation challenges of fresh Stropharia rugosoannulata, expanding its market while preserving its flavor and quality more effectively than other drying methods. This study optimizes the vacuum freeze-drying process for Stropharia rugosoannulata using an orthogonal experiment method. The process parameters were optimized to determine their effects on the quality of the vacuum freeze-dried product, including pre-freezing temperature, pre-freezing time, and freeze-drying time. The optimal conditions were identified as a pre-freezing time of 60 h, a pre-freezing temperature of −80 °C, and a freeze-drying time of 72 h. The optimal product exhibited a bright color close to its natural state, with minimal browning and its natural white color maintained post-drying. During the drying process, the internal structure of the raw materials remained intact. After drying, the finished product retained its natural form, making it suitable for sale on the market. The soluble protein content of the vacuum freeze-dried Stropharia rugosoannulata reached 68 mg/g. Optimizing the freeze-drying process can better preserve the tissue structure and bioactive substances of Stropharia rugosoannulata, providing a reference for high-quality food processing and showing potential for sustainable development.

Comparative histological assessment of the effect of retinol palmitate preparations on aging skin

Background: Most often, the natural form of vitamin A (retinol palmitate) is used to prevent skin aging. There are two topical drugs on the Russian market that contain a high concentration of retinоl palmitate. This is the ointment "Videstim", which contains 0.5% retinol palmitate and ointment "RadevitАctive", which in addition to 1% retinol palmitate also includes cholecalciferol (0.005%) and tocopherol acetate (0.5%). The specific effects of these drugs on the structure of aging skin have not yet been fully studied. Aims: Comparative histological assessment of the effects of "Videstim" ointment and "RadevitАctive" ointmenton the epidermis and dermis of woman aged 40-55 years old. Materials and methods: The clinical study included 18 women aged 40 to 55 years old. Group I included 6 women who used "Videstim" ointment 2 times a day on the skin of the face. Group II consisted of 6 women who used "RadevitАctive" ointment 2 times a day on the skin of the face. Group III consisted of 6 women and was an intact comparison group. The observation period is 90 days. Patients underwent a punch biopsy with with histological examination of the skin before and after 90 days of using of the aforementioned drugs. Results: According to the results of the study, it was revealed that "Videstim" and "RadevitАctive" ointments they have a stimulating effect on the proliferation of keratinocytes of the epidermis, which manifested itself in an in increasing the number of rows of cells of the prickly layer. In addition, under the action of these drugs, the synthetic activity of keratinocytes of the granular layer increases, which contributes to the proper formation of the stratum corneum of the epidermis.. The use of ointments leads to a significant increase in the thickness of both the granular and prickly layers of the epidermis and the dermis. Conclusions: Ointments with a high concentration of retinol palmitate improve the structure of aging skin.

Resting in the forest in times of pandemonium for the betterment of life, or bushcraft in the Polish National Forests

Motives: In the context of the global health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a need to develop new, safe forms of recreation and nature education.Aims: The Polish State Forests are introducing the concept of bushcraft, which has gained popularity among those willing to develop such skills. Sociological research and analysis of forest resources have helped to develop regulations for this form of recreation and a map of places where it can be practiced. The availability of information on the website of the General Directorate of State Forests is an important consideration, as it can facilitate the process of organizing recreation for participants and foresters.Results: The pilot program “Stay overnight in the forest” has been a success, attracting interest without negatively affecting forests and ecosystems. In the face of current and future pandemic challenges, such an innovative form of recreation may attract nature enthusiasts.

Unveiling the Intricacies of Microbial Pigments as Sustainable Alternatives to Synthetic Colorants: Recent Trends and Advancements

Bio-pigments are the colored primary and secondary metabolites released by microbes under stress conditions and are crucial for adaptation. Bio-pigments are being widely accepted for industrial utilization due to their natural form, organic source, and biodegradability. Also, the ease of cultivation, scalability and cost-effectiveness in terms of pigment extraction is bringing bio-pigments into the limelight. Chemical dyes are carcinogenic and pose a serious threat to human lives, which is another issue that environmentalists must address. However, bacterial pigments are safe to employ; therefore, the food, pharmaceutical, textile, and cosmetics sectors may all benefit from their applications. The therapeutic nature of bacterial pigments is revealed because of their antimicrobial, anticancer, cytotoxic, and remarkable antioxidant properties. Bio-pigments also have multifaceted properties and thus can be an attractive source for the next generation to live a sustainable life. The present review discusses the importance of bacterial pigments over synthetic dyes and their therapeutic and industrial potential. Extensive literature has been reviewed on the biomedical application of bacterial pigments, and further opportunities and future challenges have been discussed.

SENSORY-FOCUSED FOOTWEAR DESIGN: MERGING ART AND WELL-BEING FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM

The application of art in footwear design presents a unique opportunity to enhance the well-being of children and adults with autism by incorporating controlled sensory stimuli. This approach integrates natural elements—like trees, flowers, and serene colors—into shoes, creating a calming sensory experience. Colors such as blue, green, and lilac are strategically chosen for their soothing effects, fostering emotional stability and reducing stress. Research indicates that these hues promote relaxation, with blue associated with tranquility, green symbolizing nature, and lilac evoking spirituality. The texture of the footwear plays a crucial role as well, incorporating raised patterns inspired by natural forms to provide subtle, relaxing tactile stimulation. This allows for pleasant sensory interaction, particularly for individuals sensitive to excessive stimuli. Comfort is further enhanced by the inclusion of soft, non-slip insoles that distribute weight evenly and ensure safety, especially in environments where slips may occur. Recent studies reinforce the importance of creating environments that promote calm and comfort, highlighting innovative solutions that improve quality of life for individuals with sensory challenges. The design of therapeutic gardens and the development of responsive smart clothing illustrate a growing recognition of the benefits of integrating art and nature into everyday experiences. Overall, this focus on empathetic and inclusive design reflects a societal shift toward understanding and addressing the unique needs of those with autism. By prioritizing sensory-friendly features in everyday products, the integration of art into footwear not only enhances aesthetic value but also contributes significantly to emotional and physical well-being, creating a more inclusive world.

Iconic Buildings of Le Corbusier. Chapel of Notre-Dame Du Haut in Ronchamp

This article is devoted to the Chapel of Notre Dame du Haut, the first iconic building designed by Charles-Edouard Jeanneret-Gris (Le Corbusier) within the bionic traditions of modernism. When creating it, the architect expressed his desire to create a space conducive to silence, prayer, peace and inner joy.The study analyzes the key architectural and design concepts embedded by Jeanneret-Gris in the situational plan, planning scheme, facade solutions, architectural details and interior of this unique building. Special attention was paid to bionic elements inspired by natural forms and processes, which became a distinctive feature of Le Corbusier's modernist architecture.The analysis made it possible to identify the relationship between architectural solutions and the philosophical views of Jeanneret-Gris, as well as to assess their influence on the formation of the modernist paradigm in cult architecture. The results of the study contribute to a deeper understanding of Le Corbusier's contribution to the development of modern architecture and his desire to create a harmonious and functionally saturated space.

Tafoni and laboratory‐based experiments of historical contingent phenomenon

AbstractControlled experiments on natural forms involve a traditional view of explanation that prioritizes control, manipulation and replication over more nuanced understanding of the phenomena under investigation. This is an issue if the phenomenon, like tafoni, is historically contingent. In particular, the entanglement of the environment is explicitly severed in controlled experiments. The failure to adequately reproduce the ordered forms associated with tafoni in laboratory experiments suggests that simulation and field case studies could provide a more informative route to understanding tafoni. This will, however, require a more systematic recognition of how such research enables researchers to understand the initial conditions of weathering and modes of development to tafoni observed.

Coumarin Derivatives: Pioneering New Frontiers in Biological Applications

Abstract: Coumarins are a vital class of compounds recognized for their significant therapeutic potential, both in their natural forms and as synthetic derivatives. Characterized by a benzene ring fused to an α-pyranose ring, coumarins have garnered considerable attention from the scientific community due to their diverse pharmacological activities. This review article highlights the importance of coumarin hybrids, showcasing their enhanced biological properties and reactivity compared to traditional coumarin structures. We explore the pharmacological profiles of various coumarin derivatives, including their anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-tuberculosis activities, among others. The review examines how the incorporation of different functional groups on the coumarin scaffold can modulate its effectiveness against various diseases, particularly cancer. Furthermore, we discuss promising results from coumarin-based hybrids, such as coumarinpyridine, coumarin-uracil, and coumarin-quinoline derivatives, demonstrating their efficacy against a range of pathogens. This comprehensive overview serves as a valuable resource for researchers interested in the potential of coumarin derivatives in therapeutic applications.

Advancing Children’s Participation Rights in Healthcare Through Play

Abstract Within the vulnerable clinical context, children’s participation rights are easily compromised in relation to their protection and service provision. Unfortunately, failure to engage children in medical conversations can make this stressful context even more acute. In response to this problem, this Article presents the legal, philosophical and evidence-based arguments for incorporating play as a child-friendly intervention to engage young patients in meaningful participation in clinical settings. Play as the natural language of children can make them receive and assimilate medical information without fear. Play is also a well-recognised mechanism of child agency and their most natural form of participation, and as such can become a springboard for engaging and empowering children in healthcare.

A closed-form solution for thermally induced affine deformation in unbounded domains with a temporally accelerated anomalous thermal conductivity

Abstract One of the successful mathematical tools in the 21st century is the distributed-order fractional derivative, particularly, the bi-fractional diffusion equation of natural form (Chechkin, Gorenflo, and Sokolov, Phys. Rev. E 2002) and the bi-fractional diffusion equation of the modified form (Sokolov, Chechkin, and Klafter, Acta Phys. Pol. B 2004). The present study adopts the bi-fractional diffusion heat equation of the modified form that uses two Riemann-Liouville time-fractional derivatives with different fractional orders and the Riesz space-fractional derivative, and bears the property of variable thermal conductivity with temporal acceleration; i.e., the material thermal conduction transits from a low value at the small values of time ($t\to 0$) to a larger value at the long-time domain ($t\to \infty$). The corresponding fractional thermoelasticity theory, that uses the bi-fractional diffusion heat equation of the modified form, is exclusively considered in this work. For a quasi-static unbounded Hookean domain, exact solutions for the temperature, hydrostatic stress, and the displacement fields are derived in both short-time and long-time domains, in terms of the Fox \textit{H}-function. The exact solutions for the linearized problem are derived using the inversion of problem variables from the Laplace-Fourier space. Adding a zero initial condition on the normal stress of the unbounded space transforms the conventional Cauchy problem to a mixed initial-boundary value problem in order to derive a generalized form of the displacement. Additionally, thermal energy is not conserved in the presence of space fractality. The effect of such an accelerating transition in the thermal conduction on the displacement component is focused on, and it is found that the displacement inherits a similar transition behavior.

CNN-Based Models for Emotion and Sentiment Analysis Using Speech Data

The study aims to present an in-depth Sentiment Analysis (SA) grounded by the presence of emotions in the speech signals. Nowadays, all kinds of web-based applications ranging from social media platforms and video-sharing sites to e-commerce applications provide support for Human–Computer Interfaces (HCIs). These media applications allow users to share their experiences in all forms such as text, audio, video, GIF, and so on. The most natural and fundamental form of expressing oneself is through speech. Speech-Based Sentiment Analysis (SBSA) is the task of gaining insights into speech signals. It aims to classify the statement as neutral, negative, or positive. On the other hand, Speech Emotion Recognition (SER) categorizes speech signals into the following emotions: disgust, fear, sadness, anger, happiness, and neutral. It is necessary to recognize the sentiments along with the profoundness of the emotions in the speech signals. To cater to the above idea, a methodology is proposed defining a text-oriented SA model using the combination of CNN and Bi-LSTM techniques along with an embedding layer, applied to the text obtained from speech signals; achieving an accuracy of 84.49%. Also, the proposed methodology suggests an Emotion Analysis (EA) model based on the CNN technique highlighting the type of emotion present in the speech signal with an accuracy measure of 95.12%. The presented architecture can also be applied to different other domains like product review systems, video recommendation systems, education, health, security, and so on.