SIPS, that stands for Sustainability through Science and Technology, is firmly based on FLOGEN Sustainability Framework which has 3 criteria that must be fulfilled simultaneously to achieve sustainability: Economic Growth, Environmental Protection and Social Development. The framework has three actors that can either help or hinder sustainability: Science and Technology, Governance and Management and Education and Civil Society. These actors can be viewed as 3 pillars of a table. This paper will show that SIPS has science and technology in forefront as an actor to achieve sustainability in each of its criteria but includes also the other 2 pillars since they are equally important as the pillars of a table with three pillars.  All components of Science and Technology (both fundamental and applied) and components of Governance and Management and Education and Civil Society are shown and analyzed as integral part of SIPS content.     

Each of the fifty trillion cells in the adult human body require a continuous supply of O₂. Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) maintain O₂ homeostasis by modulating the expression of thousands of genes in order to match O₂ supply and demand. HIFs are heterodimeric transcription factors that consist of an O₂-regulated subunit (HIF-1a, HIF-2a or HIF-3a) and a constitutively-expressed subunit (HIF-1b). The HIF-a subunits are subject to O₂-dependent modification by prolyl hydroxylase domain proteins (PHD1-3), leading to binding of the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) protein and subsequent ubiquitination and degradation. In mice, homozygosity for a knockout allele at the Hif1a locus leads to embryonic lethality at mid-gestation with defects in cardiogenesis, erythropoiesis, and  vascularization, indicating that HIF-1a is required for development of all three components of the circulatory system. In humans, the von Hippel-Lindau syndrome is an autosomal-dominant tumor predisposition syndrome, in which affected individuals have a loss- of-function mutation in one VHL allele and the other allele is inactivated in the tumor tissue leading to cerebellar and retinal hemangioblastoma and clear cell-type renal cell carcinomas due to dysregulated HIF activity. Belzutifan, a drug that binds to HIF-2a and blocks its dimerization with HIF-1b, is a highly effective treatment for RCC and other tumors in patients with VHL syndrome. Individuals with hereditary erythrocytosis, which is characterized by excess red blood cells, pulmonary hypertension, and thrombosis, were found to have germline homozygosity for a missense mutation in VHL that reduces but does not eliminate its ability to bind to hydroxylated HIF-1 subunits. The residual VHL activity is sufficient to prevent tumor formation but insufficient to regulate HIF activity. In other patients, a mutation in PHD2 or HIF-2a that decreases hydroxylation of the latter by the former have been identified. The prolyl hydroxylases use a-ketoglutarate as a cosubstrate and drugs that compete with a-ketoglutarate for binding to the hydroxylases, such as Daprodustat, increase erythropoietin expression, thereby increasing red blood cell production in patients with anemia due to chronic kidney disease. Thus, HIF inhibitors are useful for treating cancer and HIF stabilizers are approved for the treatment anemia. 

Based on evidence in basic experiments, animal experiments, and clinical research, an antioxidant complex Twendee X® (TwX) is recognized as the most effective at protecting mitochondria without any side effects. TwX has already proved its preventive effects on dementia, chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep apnea, allergies (asthma, atopic dermatitis), systemic scleroderma, acne, diabetes, pancreatitis, cataract, infertility, male sexual functions, ulcerative colitis, cancers, and so on.

We are now approaching diseases which are difficult to treat using conventional antioxidant therapy and pharmaceutical products: (1) Reperfusion syndrome: Massive oxidative stress damage after reperfusion therapy for ischemic heart attack and brain stroke. (2) Mental and brain diseases: depression, epilepsy, schizophrenia. (3) Otorhinolaryngological diseases: vertigo, persistent postural-perceptual dizziness, tinnitus, hearing loss. In all these diseases, symptoms and oxidative stress are fundamentally correlated. Using the antioxidant effects of TwX, we aim to prevent and treat such diseases, as well as to spread the importance of antioxidant therapy.

4E-BP2 deamidation significantly alters protein production in the brain and nervous system. It maintains the balance of protein production required for a healthy nervous system. Any imbalance in protein production in the nervous system causes neurodegenerative diseases. Discovering what causes 4E-BP2 deamidation only in neurons will make it possible to control this balance of protein production and develop effective treatments against neurodegenerative diseases such as memory loss, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's.

 Alzheimer’s disease is caused by the absence of 4E-BP2 protein in the brain's neurons. This protein undergoes deamidation spontaneously only in the neurons and, in this way, controls the production of proteins in the neurons. This, in turn, determines whether or not Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease start or progress. The purpose of this work is to discover the neurobiological mechanism that causes the deamidation reaction in the 4E-BP2 protein by performing immunoblotting in the retinal ganglia, the optic nerve, the dorsal root ganglia, the sciatic nerve, and the whole brain, extracted via dissection from 2-month-old, Wild-type male mice. The results showed that deamidation mainly occurs in the axons or axon-enriched regions of the optic nerve, the whole brain, and the sciatic nerve, confirming conclusively that axons are the critical factors behind the neurobiological mechanism of 4E-BP2 protein deamidation. The results confirm that they are also the reason why 4E-BP2 deamidation occurs only in neural tissue.

MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression to control important aspects of development and metabolism such as cell differentiation, apoptosis and lifespan. miR-21, miR-155, let-7 and miR-34 are microRNAs implicated in human cancer. Specifically, human let-7 and miR-34 are poorly expressed or deleted in different cancers such as breast (TNBC) and lymphoma (DLBCL), and over-expression of let-7 or miR-34 in cancer cells inhibits their growth, demonstrating a role for these miRNAs as tumor suppressors in human tissue. let-7 and miR-34 regulate the expression of important oncogenes and immune checkpoint genes implicated in multiple cancers, suggesting a mechanism for their involvement in cancer. We are focused on the role of these genes in regulating proto-oncogene expression during development and cancer, and on using mimics to these miRNAs to suppress tumorigenesis. In contrast, miR-21 and miR-155 are oncomiRs and up-regulated in many cancer types. We are also developing effective strategies to target these miRNAs as a novel anti-cancer approach. Lastly, we are examining the non-coding portions of the genome for mutations and variants that are likely to impact the cancer phenotype. We have successfully resequenced the 3’UTRome and microRNAome from cancer patients, including those with a family history of cancer to identify the next generation of cancer biomarkers and targets.

Over the last half-century, significant progress has been made in the field of medicine and healthcare. Notable achievements include significantly enhanced methods for preventing cardiovascular and other ailments, high-resolution imaging technologies that aid in early disease detection, as well as the development of effective new medications. These advancements are attributed to scientific research and development efforts carried out in academic and industrial settings. This review aims to explore the impact of two types of research – basic and applied investigation – on advancements in medical treatment. Using specific examples, it will demonstrate that major innovations within health-related industries consistently stem from important discoveries in basic biomedical sciences.

Natural resources are being exploited three times as much as they were 50 years ago and 80% of the world's energy is still derived from fossil fuels. It has become inevitable that hundreds of millions of people will have to leave their homes in the coming decades because of  the climate catastrophe The decade in which we find ourselves will be decisive. The time has come to rethink the way we negotiate in order to integrate efficiency and speed into the plurality of exchanges. Collaboration and cooperation will have to be stepped up to an extraordinary level of efficiency in order to create new pathways towards a global climate contract. The creation of an International Unit of environmental Mediation has become an imperative necessity.

The foundations of YILDIRIM Group date back to 1963, when the late Garip Yıldırım established a modest construction materials trading company called Garip Yıldırım and Sons in Samsun, located in the northern region of Türkiye.

The Group has continuously broadened its focus through new subsidiaries since its establishment. By entrepreneurship and constant innovation, it has evolved into an industrially diversified group of companies as well as one of the fastest-growing Turkish industrial groups since 2005.

YILDIRIM Group is a family-owned business, held 100% privately by the YILDIRIM Family. Since 2018, brothers Ali Riza Yıldırım and Robert Yüksel Yıldırım are managing the company's operations, after the losses of founder Garip Yıldırım and brother of the second generation Mehmet Yıldırım in 2017.

YILDIRIM's business structure ensures passionate motivation for sustainable growth as well as quick and sound decision-making capabilities. YILDIRIM Group embarked on international trade first time in 1993, importing coal directly from Russia. 15 years later, the company completed its first international acquisition in Sweden in 2008.

Following the breakthrough, YILDIRIM Group has grown to become a global force based in Istanbul and Amsterdam with operations 56 countries on 5 continents, employing more than 25,000 people. Actively growing its business in 9 different industries such as metals and mining, port management, fertilizers and chemicals, energy, shipping and logistics, international trade, energy commodities, construction and real estate, financial investments.

This presentation will offer an in-depth overview of Şişecam, one of the global leaders in the glass industry, showcasing its diverse areas of operation, extensive global footprint, cutting-edge production technologies, and strong commitment to sustainability. Operating across multiple sectors such as flat glass, glassware, glass packaging, glass fiber, and chemicals, Şişecam continuously innovates to meet the evolving demands of the global market. With production facilities in 14 countries and a sales network that spans over 150 markets, Şişecam has established a robust global presence, positioning itself as a key player in the international glass industry. The company's production technologies are state-of-the-art, incorporating advanced processes that not only enhance efficiency but also significantly reduce environmental impact.

A focal point of this presentation will be Şişecam's "Plant of the Future" initiative, a transformative business model which prioritizes low-carbon emission technologies, including the development of electric and hybrid furnaces, alternative combustion technologies, and carbon capture solutions. These efforts, aimed at reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions, not only reinforce Şişecam's commitment to sustainability but also highlight the importance of collective action within the glass industry to address the shared challenge of decarbonization. By encouraging collaboration and developing shared solutions, the "Plant of the Future" demonstrates how such efforts can lead the industry toward lower carbon emissions and a more sustainable operational model.

Recognizing the importance of attracting talent and leveraging technology transfer, the Kosovo Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI) has placed special focus on improving and strengthening the education system across all age groups - an acknowledgement of the vital role of education in driving economic development. Ensuring all-inclusive quality education and promoting equal opportunities for lifelong learning, through interventions in policy, infrastructure, and legal framework is a solid guarantee to sustainability in the long run (SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, Infrastructure). 

Since the beginning of the mandate in 2021, the Kosovo Government has dedicated substantial resources to the wide portfolio of MESTI. Out of five key areas in the Kosovo Education Strategy 2022-2026, three involve harmonization of VET with dynamic developments in technology and the labor market, improving the quality, integrity, and competitiveness of higher education, and digitalizing education. These objectives are in line with European research and innovation agendas, while simultaneously fulfilling the criteria for integrating the young Republic in relevant European and international bodies. 

This presentation lays out the tangible steps taken by the Kosovo Government to enact the above objectives. Government actions cover a wide range of sectors and cross-sectors, including, but not limited to, reinvigorating dual education, revitalizing national science initiatives, supporting entrepreneurship and innovation, promoting digitalization, encouraging media literacy and combatting disinformation, and raising the bar on quality assurance in higher education, and many more. 

Prospective studies of transfusion-associated hepatitis (TAH) at the Clinical Center, NIH sequentially demonstrated the following: 1) inordinately high rates of TAH in heavily transfused open-heart surgery patients, exceeding 30% prior to 1970; 2) demonstration that the high risk was directly related to the donor source wherein paid donors represented a 7-fold higher risk than volunteer donors; 3) the combined implementation of an all-volunteer donor system and introduction of first-generation donor screening for hepatitis B surface antigen resulted in a 70% reduction in TAH; 4) the discovery that most cases of TAH were unrelated to the hepatitis A or B viruses, leading to the designation non-A, non-B hepatitis (NANBH); 5) liver biopsy evidence that NANBH could lead to cirrhosis and liver-related death; 6) proof that the agent of NANBH and the cloned hepatitis C virus (HCV) were identical; 7) demonstration that the introduction of donor screening for antibody to HCV combined with less volumes of transfused blood could virtually eradicate TAH as documented from 1997-2010. Additional studies showed that that the common persistence of HCV was predominantly due the hypervariability of the agent (viral quasispecies) and an inadequate T cell immune response. It also became clear that chronic HCV infection and cirrhosis were associated with, and a major cause of, hepatocellular carcinoma. The introduction of HCV-specific direct acting antivirals in 2014 has revealed that 95%-100% of chronic HCV infection is curable with an 8-12 week course of oral therapy with virtually no significant side effects. We are thus at a point where a test-and-treat strategy could eliminate HCV infection on a global scale. That such is possible has already been demonstrated in Egypt where over 60,000,000 were tested and over 2 million cured after being found HCV-infected.   

The dynamics of the 21st century – especially with the emergence of new and challenging technologies included in the Industrial Revolution 4.0, as well as in the face of the impactful and worrying climate changes suffered by the planet – demands necessary global discussion, particularly within the scope of the Legislative Powers and other actors of sustainability, regarding the elaboration and application of innovative legal measures that promote the adaptation, modernization and regulation of societies, especially in the necessary equitable, tolerable and viable contemplation of environmental, social and economic perspectives.

This scenario points to the establishment in law, by the Public Authorities, of respective sustainability criteria and their intersections as guides for effective planning and sustainable development, which, moreover, must be transversally considered in the progressive and strategic implementation of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.

In this sense, the municipality of Nova Friburgo, in Brazil, emerges as an example, both for its powerful potential for sustainability and for its ongoing legislative renaissance in this area, especially since the advent of the new Municipal Organic Law (2018) and Complementary Law No. 167/2024, recently approved by the Municipal Legislative Branch and sanctioned by His Excellency Mayor Johnny Maycon Cordeiro Ribeiro, which “Institutes the FLOGEN method as a guiding instrument for the planning and sustainable development of the Municipality of Nova Friburgo, and provides other measures”, published on September 19, 2024, being the first law in the world with this specific scope.

Every year our planet loses 10 billion trees. In this rhythm, there will be none left within 300 years. Not to mention that, these would sequester over 1 billion tons of CO₂ in 20 years. Besides that, one out of four people in the world experience some level of food insecurity. That number can double in two decades. Producing more food is fundamental. As well as planting more trees is. With that in mind, Atlantica Green Tech started a different approach on Reforestation, based on Flogen Sustainability Framework. The idea became reality during SIPS 2022, in Phuket, Thailand. All projects are designed considering the defined criteria that had to be balanced so as to achieve Sustainability, Environment Protection, Social Advancement and Economic Growth, as an objective guideline for all projects. Equally important is the proposal of agents that must act together in order to make it happen: Science and Technology, Education and Civil Society and, finally, Governance and Management.   

This lecture will highlight the critical role of government planning in achieving sustainable development in Rio de Janeiro. By aligning policies, resources, and long-term strategies, the government can create a framework that supports green innovation, economic growth, and environmental resilience. Focusing on integrated planning and cross-sector collaboration, we will explore how well-structured governance is essential for driving sustainable solutions that balance social, economic, and ecological priorities.

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The evolution of the universe has generated more and more complex forms of matter through self-organization, from particles up to living and thinking matter. Mankind has created science to unravel the ways and means by which matter has become organized up to a thinking organism in particular on our planet earth. Self-organization is the process by which steps towards life and thought have emerged. Animate as well as inanimate matter, living organisms as well as materials, are formed of molecules and of the organized entities resulting from the interaction of molecules with each other. Chemistry provides the bridge and unravels the steps from the molecules of inanimate matter and the highly complex molecular architectures and systems which make up living and thinking organisms. Molecular chemistry has developed very powerful methods for constructing ever more complex molecules from atoms. Supramolecular chemistry seeks to understand and control the formation and behaviour of complex molecular assemblies. The field of chemistry is the universe of all possible structures and transformations of molecular matter, of which those actually realized in nature represent just one world among all the worlds that await to be created.  Conceptual considerations on science in general will be presented. 

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The illicit fentanyl epidemic in the US impacts all three dimensions of sustainability: social, economic, and environmental.  Increases in CDC-reported deaths due to fentanyl poisoning from ~3,000 in 2013, up to ~73,000 in 2023 caught the US by surprise.  This increase and the large number of deaths prompts many people to speak up, including those lobbying the US Congress. 

Simultaneously, reported US Border Patrol seizures have increased so that in 2023, over 24,000 pounds of illicit fentanyl were seized.  Considering that 2 mg will kill a person, that amount is more than sufficient to kill every person in the US 18 times.

These statistics impact the US in each of the three dimensions of sustainability. These will be discussed. 

SIPS, that stands for Sustainability through Science and Technology, is firmly based on FLOGEN Sustainability Framework which has 3 criteria that must be fulfilled simultaneously to achieve sustainability: Economic Growth, Environmental Protection and Social Development. The framework has three actors that can either help or hinder sustainability: Science and Technology, Governance and Management and Education and Civil Society. These actors can be viewed as 3 pillars of a table. This paper will show that SIPS has science and technology in forefront as an actor to achieve sustainability in each of its criteria but includes also the other 2 pillars since they are equally important as the pillars of a table with three pillars.  All components of Science and Technology (both fundamental and applied) and components of Governance and Management and Education and Civil Society are shown and analyzed as integral part of SIPS content.         

In this Q&A session, the speaker will be glad to address any questions, general or scientific. His published research has included the following topics: Unimolecular Reactions (RRKM Theory), Electron Transfer Theory, Extension to other Transfers, including Enzyme Catalysis, On-Water Catalysis for Organic Reactions in Emulsions, Biological Motors involving Interconversion of Chemical and Mechanical Energy,  Semiclassical Theory relating Quantum and Classical Mechanics, Mass-Independent Isotope Effect for Ozone in the Stratosphere and Mass-Independent Isotope Effect in Earliest Solids in the Solar System.

 Some references are given in his webpage: http://cce.caltech.edu/people/rudolph-a-rudy-marcus.

Ageing is driven by the inexorable and stochastic accumulation of damage in biomolecules vital for proper cellular function. Although this process is fundamentally haphazard and uncontrollable, senescent decline and ageing is broadly influenced by genetic and extrinsic factors. Numerous gene mutations and treatments have been shown to extend the lifespan of diverse organisms ranging from the unicellular yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae to primates. It is becoming increasingly apparent that most such interventions ultimately interface with cellular stress response mechanisms, suggesting that longevity is intimately related to the ability of the organism to effectively cope with both intrinsic and extrinsic stress. Key determinants of this capacity are the molecular mechanisms that link ageing to main stress response pathways. How each pathway contributes to modulate the ageing process is not fully elucidated. Mitochondrial impairment is a major hallmark of several age-related neurodegenerative pathologies, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Accumulation of damaged mitochondria has been observed in post-mortem brains of Alzheimer’s disease patients. Mitophagy is a selective type of autophagy mediating elimination of damaged mitochondria, and the major degradation pathway, by which cells regulate mitochondrial number in response to their metabolic state. Little is known about the role of mitophagy in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. We find that neuronal mitophagy is impaired in animal models of Alzheimer’s disease. Indeed, mitophagy stimulation restores learning and memory capacity, in these animals. Moreover, age-dependent decline of mitophagy both inhibits removal of dysfunctional or superfluous mitochondria and impairs mitochondrial biogenesis resulting in progressive mitochondrial accretion and, consequently, deterioration of cell function. Our observations indicate that defective removal of damaged mitochondria is a pivotal event in neurodegeneration. These findings highlight mitophagy as a potential target for the development of innovative, effective therapeutic interventions towards battling human neurodegenerative disorders.

Think of data like a hidden treasure.  Unlike digging up dirt to find a treasure, you have to learn how to dig up your treasure hidden away in the data.  It really is not that hard when you break it down.  Most scientific methods apply to data science that apply to physical science.

In this lecture I will attempt to demonstrate the similarities between these two fields of science by examining a well-known piece of data graphed to demonstrate a major universal world-wide problem for which all of you are concerned.  Using this data as an example, I will attempt to show that the same methods and logic for a physical science experiment apply when examining data, and that when those methods are applied the results can be most illuminating and relevant.

Data Science focuses on mathematics and statistical relationships to help reveal the secrets in the data after developing a controlled environment by the filtering out of “bad data” (i.e., data collected that is not related due to lack of control or other intrinsic reasons) and make accurate analysis as raw data can prove deceptive not by design, but by the methods of collection, processing and interpretation.

Paraguay is emerging as a potential player in mining for critical minerals, particularly uranium. This presentation examines Paraguay's unique position as an emerging uranium mining jurisdiction in the context of its geopolitically strategic factors.

We explore the country's business environment, including its stable political climate, transparent mining laws, and attractive tax policies. Paraguay's strategic location in South America, extensive waterways, third-largest fluvial fleet globally, and membership in the MERCOSUR trade bloc make it an ideal hub for mining operations and easy shipping to major markets. We highlight Paraguay's strong economic performance from 2004 to 2024, outpacing its South American peers in growth while maintaining smaller fiscal deficits and lower international debt

This presentation provides an overview of Paraguay's geological foundations and past exploration history.  We analyze Paraguay's uranium exploration history, including a significant Anschutz Corporation campaign from 1976-1983, and examine the current project geology, uranium deposit models, and ongoing exploration activities. The study also provides a comparative analysis with selected global uranium deposits.

The presentation addresses the projected global demand for uranium, which currently exceeds supply forecasts, and the geopolitical factors that underpin supply challenges for nuclear fuel. 

Paraguay stands at a critical juncture, poised to capitalize on its mineral wealth while balancing economic development with environmental stewardship. Paraguay has the potential become a significant player in the global supply chain for uranium and battery materials, potentially transforming its economy and contributing to the world's clean energy transition.

Today’s materials are predominantly defined by their properties which are independent of time and environment. In many cases, such stability is useful, as it makes the behaviour of devices based on such materials robust and predictable. But what if we had a free hand to design any materials we want, with any properties we want – what kind of materials from our dreams we would design?

One of the dreams are materials which have some characteristics of biological systems: those with self-healing capabilities, with memory functions, those which can evolve differently depending on external conditions. I will be discussing the methodologies to design such artificial living systems and the areas of their applications.

Keeping a vegetable garden in an area surrounded by wildlife – a personal perspective of sustainability Humans, from the perspective of animals, are the intruders.  Deer, bears, foxes, rabbits, moles, groundhogs, wild turkeys still roam on the four acres of my land in the Berkshires.  No sign will stop them; nothing but a fence.  Homebuilt fences do not survive the onslaught of winters; commercial ones are almost as expensive as a subscription to farm goods for the rest of our lives -- as much as we can guess.  
Let us widen the perspective and think about plants. Again we are the intruders with our monocultures of grass, with our arbitrary definition of weeds.  The late E.O. Wilson wrote a book entitled Half-Earth:  It’s too late to save our planet in its entirety, let’s at least preserve half of it. Biodiversity is something precious to be saved.  Can we do this on a small scale?  Of our four acres, we actually use one and keep the other three wild.
This and other aspects of local sustainability will be the subject of my – wild-- ruminations.

COVID-19 pandemic showed that besides important medical aspects at play, the bioethics at the interface between state-of-the-art technology and the sick human patient is equally important. Some of the ethical issues related to the pandemic are analysed in this presentation. They are: (1) treatment priorities, (2) neglected subjects such diseases, climate changes etc…(3) vaccination and its related skepticism and disinformation as well as its availability and affordability, (4) infodemic (misinformation and disinformation) and (5) inequality, discrimination and racism. The proper conclusions are drawn for each aspect of the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, messenger RNA became familiar to everyone. This lecture begins by exploring the three essential molecules of life - DNA, RNA, and proteins. It then delves into the history of these molecules over the past 80 years, highlighting how knowledge about them was acquired and ultimately led to the development of our current vaccines. The lecture also draws important conclusions from each case.