The purpose of this study was to explore possible protective effects of vitamin D3 on serum glucose concentration, body weight and histopathology of pancreas and liver. Animals were divided into 3 groups: Control group (n=6), streptozotocin (STZ) group (n=6) and streptozotocin + vitamin D3 (STZ+D3) group (n=6). Rats in the STZ+D3 group starting from the 7th day of experiment were given vitamin D3 for 14 days. Glucose levels and body weight were measured on the 1, 7, 14 and 21st day of experiment. Qualitative histological analysis of pancreas and liver was done using the light microscope with a digital camera. Differences between the groups were tested by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Dunnett's posttest. Differences in repeated measures were tested using paired t-test. On day 14 and 21, blood glucose level in STZ+D3 group was significantly higher compared to the control group of animals but significantly lower than the glucose level registered in STZ group of rats. On day 14 and day 21, body weight in STZ rats was significantly lower compared to weight in STZ+D3 and control groups of rats. Morphological changes, such as shrinkage of islets, vacuolation of both endocrine and exocrine cells, were observed in pancreas of STZ group of animals but were nearly absent in STZ+D3 rats. Similarly, STZ+D3 group of rats showed preserved liver histoarchitecture. Obtained results suggest that vitamin D3 treatment reduces hyperglycemia, exerts beneficial effects on body weight and alleviates histopathological changes in pancreas and liver in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

Cyborg insects are a major part of the vision of future interactions of the living world and technology, including but not limited to the Internet of Living Things (IoLT). They are crawling or flying insects with additional electronic circuitry allowing remote control of their movement and collection of sensory data. In this critical review, we survey the historical development of cyborg insects engineering, from the first backpacks on insects used for communication and sensing, to different methods of control and actuation of insects’ locomotion. We review the suggested applications of cyborg insects ranging from military use to agriculture, pointing out the problematic connotations of swarms and cyborgs in these contexts. We address the applications and the narratives around engineered insects from the perspective of philosophy, economy, law, and politics. We add perspectives on emancipatory potential of cyborg technology and where the future of it could lie.

This paper aims at providing a framework suitable for justification of classical convolution integral and Fourier transform in many cases not covered by the usual definition of integral used for signal theory applications. Generalized functions approach from functional analysis is used, simplifying it to be approachable for engineers while retaining the rigor. The generalized functions approach results in an elegant and applicable definition of integral known before in the mathematical literature which is readily applicable in signal theory, justifying formulae usually seen as dubious and criticised for lack of rigor. The study offers a rigorous, simple and understandable definition of integral for use in analog signal theory, helping the formalization of engineering education by means of rigor. Main advantage of this approach is retaining the classical notation used in signal theory as well as its straightforward justification of key formulae in signal theory resulting from convolution and/or Fourier transform.

In this paper we examine the representations of quantum theory and technology in visual media. Namely, we conduct a thorough content analysis of film scripts in science fiction and fantasy to discover ways quantum physics and computing are portrayed: examples include quantum computer scepticism, quantum as proxy for complexity/intelligence, and quantum theory as a vehicle for mysticism. We proceed with motif analysis in quantum theory and technology illustrations in outlets representative of modern global north economy, news, and science writing. There we extract the dominant symbols of quantum discourse and compare them to quantum technology imaginaries in literature. We recognise the repeated and replicated bias towards quantum technology as fuzzy, non­binary, subjective, mystical, as well as a venue of a new arms/space race.

: Introduction Th e concept of the quality of healthcare services is constantly evolving and transforming depending on the interest in it and the level of involvement of medical sta ff and patients. Aim To assess patient satisfaction with the quality of health services in private practice condition. Methods 105 (n=105) subjects participated in the study, and it was conducted by an anonymous survey of the clinic which o ff ers medical services, tests, and diagnostic procedures in the fi elds of gynecology, internal medicine, surgery, radiology, urology, and neurology. Th e research was conducted among patients who used the health services of a private practice institution from January to September 2022. Th e patient questionnaire consisted of 14 questions. Five questions related to identifying the sociodemographic characteristics of the respondents, and 9 questions were research questions of the Lickert type. For this purpose, the standardized Laschinger HCAHPS ( Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems ) questionnaire on patient satisfaction with the quality of healthcare services was used. Di ff erences in numerical variables were tested by Student’s t-test or analysis of variance (ANOVA). All P values are two-sided (p<0.05). Th e statistical program MedCalc Statistical Software version 18.2.1 was used for statistical analysis. Results Th e research was conducted on 105 patients, 28% of whom were male and 72% female. Most patients were in the age group of 61 to 70 years (30%). Patients are satis fi ed with the quality of healthcare services. Th e highest average score for reception and waiting time (4.9), the lowest score for being informed about upcoming interventions and treatments and professional approach (4.68). Conclusion Patients show a high degree of satisfaction with the general services provided.

The article presents an approach aimed at automatically deriving the initial conceptual database model from a set of business process models. The approach proposes the incremental synthesis of the target model by iteratively composing the partial conceptual database models that are derived from the models contained in the source set. The approach is implemented by the AMADEOS tool, which is the first online web-based tool enabling the automatic derivation of the conceptual database model from a set of business process models. The experimental evaluation proves that the implemented approach enables effective automatic derivation of the initial conceptual database model.

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to provide an overview and analysis of literature dealing with the possibilities for applying augmented reality (AR) in marketing and the impact of AR on marketing in the era of digital transformation of business. Though attractive, this topic is still insufficiently explored. Methodology: The paper uses a bibliometric method - citation and co-citation analysis in the Web of Science and Scopus citation databases. Data analysis was performed using the VOSviewer software tool for information construction, analysis and visualization. Results: The conducted research revealed that there is an increasing trend in the number of research papers dealing with the AR and marketing topics. The specific topics dealt with in the papers are primarily related to the impact of AR on business, creating customer loyalty, sales increase and other marketing activities. Conclusion: AR is a powerful and influential tool the use of which improves communication with customers and, at the same time, sales strategies and processes. AR is based on immersing customers into a new experience, by showing virtual objects in the users’ real-world environment and creating harmony between the digital and the real-world environment so that the boundaries between them disappear. It is manifested as a form of experiential marketing, since it focuses both on a product and a service, and on the entire experience created for customers.