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Ebola virus RNA can reside for months or years in semen of survivors of Ebola virus disease and is probably associated with increased risk for cryptic sexual transmission of the virus. A modified protocol resulted in increased detection of Ebola virus RNA in semen and improved disease surveillance.

Sustainability and longevity of existing gas grid exploitation perspective are closely related to two fundamental issues: their ability to adopt to changing gas fuel production and supply landscape in the context of methane-based fuels, mostly, biomethane, and in the context of non-methane-based fuels, mostly, low carbon and green hydrogen. Renewable gases and their ever-growing presence in gas transmission and distribution systems open up a discussion about the necessity to revise and restructure the original – vertically integrated layout of the gas systems, where gas supply is only technically possible from the transmission system towards distribution one, and not vice versa. Development of numerous decentralized biomethane production facilities connected to the gas distribution system causes a necessity to ensure the possibility to pass biomethane surplus of a certain production area into the gas transmission grid, thus avoiding necessity to install biomethane storage capacities locally and granting other regions an opportunity to use said surplus in their gas consumption immediately. The article addresses biomethane production trends and actions taken towards the development of reverse flow gas stations in France – one of biggest biomethane producers in Europe to date, and opportunities and challenges, which this technique might face in smaller and less active renewable gas markets as the one of Latvia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During 2013-2016, Ebola virus (EBOV; family Filoviridae, genus Ebolavirus, species Zaire ebolavirus) caused an unprecedented outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) that began in Guinea and subsequently affected Liberia, Sierra [...]

The future of the European Union's (EU) gas sector and gas distribution systems in particular is under review as a necessity to move away from conventional natural gas is strictly outlined in its strategical energy framework. The main questions of future gas sector layout are largely related to gas decarbonization paths – whether they will include simultaneous transportation, distribution and storage of methane-based and non-methane based renewable gases or not. In general, this question is left for different Member States to decide, because as alternatives to it there are two options – decommissioning of all gas distribution and partially gas transportation and storage systems on the one hand and total replacement of existing gas transportation system with brand new hydrogen transportation and distribution system on the other. The first option leaves only liquified renewable gases (including, hydrogen) that are transported via truck and the second – pipeline transportation and distribution only for hydrogen, limiting methane-based renewable gases to road transportation solutions only. The Latvian gas distribution system is also facing imminent transformation in foreseeable future; thus, at the moment its sustainability priority is the maintenance of the existing system in a safe and secure manner by improving it in accordance with technical necessities and immediate customer requests. The current research shows two sides of gas distribution system priorities in Latvia – its maintenance and development trends prior to fundamental transformations of gaseous fuel transition and general transitional challenges laying ahead. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The existing European Union (EU) natural gas network provides large capacity to integrate renewable (RGs) and low-carbon gases. Today, hydrogen contributes only a few percent to Europe's energy consumption and is almost exclusively produced from fossil fuels and used in the industry. Nevertheless, hydrogen has a significant role to play in emission reduction in hard-to-decarbonize sectors, in particular, as a fuel in transport applications and as a fuel or feedstock in certain industrial processes (steel, refining or chemical industries, the production of "green fertilizers"). Carbon dioxide (CO2) in reaction with hydrogen can also be further processed into synthetic fuels, such as synthetic kerosene in aviation. In addition, hydrogen brings other environmental co-benefits when used as fuel, such as the lack of air pollutant emissions. However, in transitional phase from fossil to RG, namely, renewable or green hydrogen, natural gas/biomethane and hydrogen blends, are needed to gradually replace natural in existing gas transmission and distribution networks. The gas networks are believed to be able to use natural gas/biomethane and hydrogen blends with 5–20 % of hydrogen by volume. Most systems and applications are able to handle it without a need for major infrastructure upgrades or end-use appliance retrofits or replacements. The promotion of hydrogen network such as European Hydrogen backbone (EHB) is gaining momentum in Europe. To decarbonize the natural gas grids, the threshold of hydrogen in the existing grid systems must be increased, which can be done by means of wider natural gas/biomethane and hydrogen blending and simultaneous transportation in currently operational gas networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen has been widely recognised as a versatile and environmentally-friendly energy carrier, with a broad range of potential applications across various sectors. The abundance of hydrogen in the universe and its high energy content makes it an attractive alternative to conventional fossil fuels. Moreover, the utilization of hydrogen does not produce greenhouse gases or other pollutants that contribute to air pollution and climate change. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in developing and deploying hydrogen technologies for a sustainable energy future. This paper provides an in-depth exploration of the potential of hydrogen as a clean energy source in different sectors, such as transportation, energy storage, power generation, industry, buildings, maritime transport, and aviation. The aim of the paper is to provide an overview of the current state of hydrogen applications in Europe and the Baltic States, including examples of ongoing projects and initiatives, and to assess the advantages and disadvantages of hydrogen technologies in different sectors. The main results of the paper highlight that hydrogen has the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve carbon neutrality targets. However, the deployment of hydrogen technologies also faces various challenges such as high production costs, lack of infrastructure, and safety concerns. The tasks of the paper are to provide an insight into the potential of hydrogen, identify the challenges and limitations, and highlight ongoing research and development efforts in this field. The paper concludes that the widespread adoption of hydrogen technologies is a long-term goal that requires the cooperation of various stakeholders and the development of innovative and cost-effective solutions. Despite the challenges, the current state of hydrogen applications and ongoing projects in Europe and the Baltic States demonstrate that hydrogen has the potential to play a significant role in the transition to a sustainable and low-carbon future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green real estate (GRE) planning and development have become critical to achieving environmental sustainability and urban resilience. This paper explores the importance of incorporating eco-friendly techniques into real estate developments, with a focus on lowering carbon footprints, increasing energy efficiency, and encouraging sustainable land use. Regulatory rules, market demand, and technical breakthroughs are all key drivers of green development. The study emphasises the advantages of green buildings (GB), including better health outcomes, lower costs, and higher property values. By evaluating case studies and current research, this study emphasises the importance of stakeholders implementing sustainable practices to reduce environmental consequences and promote long-term economic growth. The findings call for a coordinated approach between governments, developers, and communities to ensure the success of green real estate programs.

Hydrogen is the most abundant chemical element on the Earth, and it has really a wide variety of applications, starting from use in refining, petrochemical industry, steel manufacturing, and ending with use in energy production and renewable gas (hereinafter – RG) blending for gradual replacement of natural gas in all sectors of the national economy. Being practically emission-free, if produced in sustainable way or from renewable energy sources (hereinafter – RES), hydrogen is regarded as one of the most promising energy sources for decarbonisation of practically the entire segment of industrial and energy production. Growing pressure of the European climate neutrality targets has triggered special interest in production, use, storage and transportation of hydrogen – especially the green one, which can be used in at least four fundamental ways: as a basic material, a fuel, an energy carrier and an energy storage medium. In the context of sector coupling, however, hydrogen facilitates decarbonisation of those industrial processes and economic sectors in which carbon dioxide (hereinafter – CO2) emissions can either not be reduced by electrification or this reduction would be minimal and linked to very high implementation costs. At the same time, development of an extensive hydrogen economy is the key to the achievement of the European climate protection targets, with the European Commission's (hereinafter – EC) Hydrogen Strategy, a framework created in 2020 to develop and promote sustainable hydrogen economy in the European Union (hereinafter – EU), in its centre. Green hydrogen also will take its legitimate place in the gaseous fuel diversification risk management strategy, as this gaseous fuel is not only one of the most perspective future energy sources, but also one of the most volatile and demanding sources. In the process of gaseous fuel diversification in the EU and worldwide, new logistical chains and supply – demand networks of green hydrogen will emerge. Therefore, adequate addressing of potential challenges of this new regional and global production, delivery and consumption framework will be of utmost importance for secure, safe and predictable functioning of future energy systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Latvia, heat supply is provided in three different ways: using district heating (hereinafter – DH), local heating and individual heating systems. Heat energy consumption consists of heat energy consumption for heating, hot water and heat energy technological processes. The structure of DH consumers has not changed in recent years and the largest consumers of heat are households – 70 % of the total energy consumption. The district heating system accounts for approximately 29 % of the total consumption. There is also the so-called tertiary sector, which is made of municipal and state buildings with a minor total heat consumption of about 1 %. It should be noted that 65–70 % of energy is used for heating needs, and 30–35% for hot water preparation. In Latvia, heat of DH consumers is produced both in boiler houses (hereinafter – BHs) and cogeneration plants (hereinafter – CHPs). The latter also produce electricity. Over the past 10 years, the distribution of heat produced in BHs and CHPs has changed significantly. The heat supply of the Latvian energy sector is a system consisting of three main elements – heat source, transmission and distribution networks, and end consumer. Low efficiency of heat supply system elements creates risks to security of heat supply, resource sustainability and competitiveness. Increasing energy efficiency in the system as a whole, or in individual elements of the system, will promote the enhancement of the heat supply sector, while promoting economic growth as well. The research attempts to evaluate the energy efficiency of DH systems in the so-called left bank (hereinafter – LB) DH area (located on the left bank of the Daugava River in Riga). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural gas is relatively clean energy source, which emits less greenhouse gases (hereinafter – GHG), compared to other fossil fuels, such as hard and brown coal, and therefore it may be the most feasible resource to ensure smooth energy transition towards Europe's climate neutrality by 2050. Traditional natural gas can be easily transported and used in liquefied (hereinafter – LNG) or compressed form. As for biomethane, in future it also can be used in liquefied (hereinafter – bioLNG) and compressed form, as well as transported by means of the current natural gas infrastructure. It can also significantly enhance regional and national energy security and independence, which has been challenging for the European Union (hereinafter – EU) over at least several decades. Issue on energy independence, security of supply, alternative natural gas sources has been in a hotspot of the Baltic energy policy makers as well. Now, considering Russia's invasion in Ukraine, since late February 2022, a problem of the EU natural gas dependency on the Russian Federation has escalated again and with force never before experienced. The European natural gas prices also hit records, as the natural gas prices in the Netherlands Title Transfer Facility reached 345 euros per megawatt-hour (hereinafter – EUR/MWh) in March 2022. Therefore, LNG import terminal is the only viable option to reduce national dependency of the so-called pipe gas which in some cases, due to the insufficient interconnections, may be delivered from very limited number of sources. The European policy makers and relevant institutions are currently working towards radical EU natural gas supply diversification, where LNG deliveries coming from outside of Russia will certainly take a central stage. In case of Latvia, the potential benefits of the LNG terminal development in Skulte were evaluated in order to reduce energy independence of the Russian natural gas deliveries in the Baltic region and to introduce new ways and sources of the natural gas flows to the Baltics. LNG terminal in Skulte could ensure significant capital investment cost reduction comparing to other projects proposed for Latvia in different periods, due to already existing natural gas transmission infrastructure and the relative closeness to the Incukalns underground gas storage (hereinafter – UGS). Various aspects, such as technical, political and economic ones, were analysed to assure that Skulte LNG terminal would be a real asset not only to customers of Latvia, but also to those of the whole Baltic region, where in future it would be possible to use biomethane for efficient utilisation of existing and developing natural gas infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering the changes of gas transmission system (hereinafter – GTS) brought about by diversification of gas suppliers, new interconnections with European GTS and implementation of an open electricity market and then an open gas market, a steady-state GTS modelling tool has been developed for future implementation in the risk and resilience analysis and potentially operational planning for different GTS or other purposes. The developed method combines the linearized hydraulic conductivity approach with a technique, derived from a linear electrical circuit analysis and an additional pressure change term for modelling of active non-pipeline elements of GTS. This method also takes into consideration operational limits of compressors and pressure regulators and changes in compressibility factor and gas viscosity based on the gas composition, temperature and pressure. The paper includes part of the results obtained from a validation case study performed for the presented method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A common natural gas market in the Baltic region, which is in operation since 1 January 2020, means a single entry–exit tariff system for the natural gas transmission among Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and a common Latvian–Estonian balancing zone. Finland joined the market with a separate balancing zone, certain rules, contracts, invoices and billing, with a decision for full integration to be taken not earlier than in 2022. Lithuania is not currently the common market participant, because it is not ready to join it with such revenue splitting conditions as Finland, Estonia and Latvia. But still common entry–exit tariff zone countries are actively working to find a viable solution for market expansion. Lithuania and other neighbouring Member States of the European Union (hereinafter – the EU), first and foremost, Poland, are welcome to join. The creation of an integrated regional natural gas market in the Baltics in the long term will stimulate the interest of traders in the region, strengthen security of supply and improve market liquidity. Increased market competition, predictable prices in the long term, transparent tariffs, digital communication and customer-oriented business strategies are just a small part of benefits that will inevitably develop with time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural gas is an essential element of the Latvian and the Baltic energy portfolio, so its supply disruption can seriously affect the national economy and energy security of our country. The article focuses on a basic case study of the natural gas supply to one of the Latvian municipalities, when the energy crisis is announced. It also marks potential vulnerabilities factors that may cause the natural gas supply shortages or disruption periods of different length for a wide spectrum of the Latvian natural gas consumers – starting with households and finishing with large industrial consumers and energy producers. A legal framework analysis along with an emergency natural gas supply review has been proposed as well, taking into account the actual distribution of the natural gas consumption among the urban energy users, which can be compared with references included into the Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 312 "Procedures for the Supply of Energy Users and Sale of Heating Fuel during Declared Energy Crisis and in Case of Endangerment to the State" (hereinafter – Regulation 312). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite various benefits that the natural gas mobility can provide, CNG (hereinafter – compressed natural gas) and LNG (hereinafter – liquified natural gas) filling infrastructure both in Latvia and the Baltic States as a whole is still at the stage of active development. As a result, the natural gas fuelled vehicle fleet comprises less than 1 % of all registered road vehicles in the Baltics, but, with regards to transport and climate policies of the European Union (hereinafter – the EU), it has a significant potential for further growth. In order to estimate the perspectives of mobility of natural gas, including bioCNG and liquified biomethane (hereinafter – LBM), CNG has been chosen and analysed as a possible alternative fuel in Latvia with its environmental and economic benefits and payback distance for CNG vehicles compared to petrol and diesel cars. The review of various types of CNG filling stations is also presented, along with information on operating tax rates and currently registered vehicles divided by types of fuel in Latvia. It was established that with the Latvian fuel price reference of the late 2020, exploitation of CNG-powered vehicle was by 24 % cheaper per kilometre in comparison with diesel and by 66 % cheaper in comparison with petrol vehicles. CNG vehicles have smaller operational taxes, since they are based on carbon dioxide (hereinafter – CO) emissions, which are lower for CNG-powered vehicles. Calculation results also indicate that CNG vehicle payback time may fall within the warrant period, if at least 57650 kilometres as an alternative to a petrol vehicle or 71 531 kilometres as an alternative to a diesel vehicle are driven by it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the early 2010s, only 23 countries had access to the liquefied natural gas (hereinafter – LNG). Import terminals, despite attractive short-term economics, took long time to build, and rigid supply contracts made truly global use of LNG rather complicated. Concerns about geo-political risks also stunted demand growth from existing supply sources, even when new LNG export routes and sources became available. Current natural gas market is very different, both in terms of market participants and accessibility and diversity of services. In 2019, the number of LNG importing countries reached 43. Rising competition among suppliers and increasing liquidity of markets themselves created favourable conditions to diversify contract duration, size, and flexibility. In addition, development of floating storage and regasification unit (hereinafter – FSRU) technology provided LNG suppliers with a quick response option to sudden demand fluctuations in regional and local natural gas markets [1]. Moreover, LNG is one of the major options not only for bringing the natural gas to regions where its pipeline supply infrastructure is historically absent, limited or underdeveloped, but also for diversification of the natural gas supply routes and sources in regions with sufficient state of pipeline delivery possibilities. And it concerns smaller natural gas markets, like the Baltic States and Finland as well. Accordingly, prospects for use of LNG there in both mid and long-term perspective must be carefully evaluated, especially in regards to emerging bunkering business in the Baltic Sea aquatory and energy transition in Finland, replacing coal base-load generation with other, more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A necessity to reduce greenhouse gas (hereinafter – GHG) emissions and energy import dependency, while coping with increasing energy demand, affordability issues and many other factors, causes the European Union (hereinafter – EU) energy policy makers to identify development trends that would help harmonize future energy market and technological changes with ever growing pressure of universal data processing digitalisation. In order to stimulate data processing digitalisation in energy, the European Commission has proclaimed a support to the development of all kind of the smart energy systems, where simultaneous use of the natural gas and renewable gases (hereinafter – RG) will play one of the major sustainability ensuring roles. Firstly, it will help achieve designated energy efficiency goals and, secondly, enable cost saving synergetic solutions at the early stages of the energy supply chain decarbonisation. Synergy of the natural gas and RG emphasises the need for a modern, smart and sustainable energy infrastructure to allow developing more flexible back-up and balancing power capacity, storage solutions and innovative demand-response mechanisms. This paper addresses some trends in development of the smart gas distribution (hereinafter – SGD) as part of the smart energy systems both in the EU and Latvia, with a particular focus on smart energy concepts, smart gas metering and grid modernisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The successful implementation of smart metering in the European Union (hereinafter – EU) depends on criteria that are mostly determined by the Member States themselves. These criteria cover the regulatory framework and legislation necessary for the establishment and functioning of the smart metering system, the fulfilment of technical and commercial conditions, as well as the security of data collection, archiving and use. The introduction of the smart metering in different Member States has started at different times. In Latvia, its reference point was 2004, when the goal was set to maximise the use of telemetry in the natural gas metering. Currently, in the Latvian natural gas distribution system about 85 % of all consumption data are automatically processed. One of the most important components of the smart natural gas metering is natural gas commercial metering devices (hereinafter – smart meters). They differ in both the principle and type of operation. Depending on the technology used, the metering range changes, and thus the accuracy of the measurements. The article addresses some issues of further successful implementation of smart metering in the Latvian natural gas sector, as well as the measurement accuracy for smart natural gas meters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomethane is one of the most promising renewable gases (hereafter – RG) – a flexible and easily storable fuel, and, when used along with the natural gas in any mixing proportion, no adjustments on equipment designed to use natural gas are required. In regions where natural gas grids already exist, there is a system suitable for distribution of the biomethane as well. Moreover, improving energy efficiency and sustainability of the gas infrastructure, it can be used as total substitute for natural gas. Since it has the same chemical properties as natural gas, with methane content level greater than 96 %, biomethane is suitable both for heat and electricity generation, and the use in transport. Biomethane is injected into the natural gas networks of many Member States of the European Union (hereafter – the EU) on a regular basis for more than a decade, with the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Sweden and France being among pioneers in this field. In most early cases, permission to inject biomethane into the natural gas grids came as part of a policy to decarbonize the road transport sector and was granted on a case-by-case basis. The intention to legally frame and standardise the EU's biomethane injection into the natural gas networks came much later and was fulfilled in the second half of the present decade. This paper addresses the biomethane injection into the natural gas grids in some EU countries, highlights a few crucial aspects in this process, including but not limited to trends in standardisation and legal framework, injection conditions and pressure levels, as well as centralised biogas feedstock collection points and the biomethane injection facilities. In a wider context, the paper deals with the role of biomethane in the EU energy transition and further use of the existing natural gas networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Union (hereafter – the EU) takes a strong position in the global fight against climate changes by setting ambitious targets on reduction of greenhouse gas (hereafter – GHG) emissions. A binding target is to reduce those emissions by at least 40 % below 1990 levels till 2030, which would help make Europe the first climate neutral continent by the mid-21st century. Consequently, the expected 2050 emission reduction target for the EU is 80 %–90 % below 1990 levels. The EU's new economy decarbonisation framework – The European Green Deal – outlines and summarises Europe's ambition to become a world's first climate neutral continent by 2050. This supposedly can be achieved by turning climate and environmental challenges into opportunities across all policy areas and making the energy transition just and inclusive for all. The transport, and particularly road transport, is one of the most significant fossil fuel dependent segments of national economies across the EU. Oil dependency of all segments of the transport sector makes it the single biggest source of GHG emissions in the united Europe as well. Road transport is responsible for about 73 % of total transport GHG emissions, as Europe's more than 308.3 million road vehicles are over 90 % reliant on conventional types of oil-based fuels (diesel, gasoline etc.). However, there is a wide range of low-emission alternative fuels for all kinds of transport that can reduce overall oil dependence of the EU's transport sector and significantly lower GHG in road transport. Among these alternatives a tandem of the natural gas and biomethane could be named as one of the most promising for short and mid-term transport decarbonisation solutions both in the EU and Latvia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, problems related to the operation and exploitation of safe gas distribution networks are deepening in Latvia and Eastern Europe, as the number of outworn underground gas pipelines is steadily increasing. It should be noted that there is a rather wide choice of technology and materials for gas distribution pipeline reconstruction, while at the same time there is no universal method that equally meets all possible work requirements. Therefore, it is an urgent task to understand the operational algorithm, while choosing optimal reconstruction option, classifying and determining the criteria affecting the choice, and determining the scope of each reconstruction method. For this reason, it is necessary to develop a scientifically based methodology for selecting the optimal method for the reconstruction of outworn gas distribution pipelines. Therefore, there are the following tasks that need to be accomplished: to carry out a complex analysis of reconstruction methods and factors determining the choice of an optimal gas distribution pipeline reconstruction method as well as perform the analysis of current state and development of gas supply network; to develop an algorithm for selecting an optimal gas distribution pipeline reconstruction method based on a multi-criteria approach; to develop a mathematical model for the selection of an optimal reconstruction method and scientifically based complex evaluation procedures taking into account technical and economic criteria; to analyse the interaction of the polyethylene gas pipeline with the steel frame during the post-reconstruction process using U-shaped pipe; to develop recommendations for the optimisation of gas distribution network reconstruction programmes. As a result of these tasks, a scientifically justified methodology for the selection of an optimal method for the reconstruction of the gas distribution pipes has been developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tünde Mezei,1 Imre Bőde,1 Péter Tenke,1 Valéria Jósa,2 Keresztély Merkel,3 Zsuzsanna Szilasi,4 Attila Tordai,5 Domokos Máthé,6 Zsolt Baranyai7 1Department of Urology, Jahn Ferenc South-Pest Hospital, Budapest, Hungary; 2Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Jahn Ferenc South-Pest Hospital, Budapest, Hungary; 3Department of Surgery, Szent Imre Hospital, Budapest, Hungary; 4Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, HDF Medical Centre, Budapest, Hungary; 5Institute of Pathophysiology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; 6Department of Biophysics and Radiation Biology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; 7Semmelweis University, Department of Transplantation and Surgery, Budapest, HungaryCorrespondence: Tünde Mezei, Jahn Ferenc South-Pest Hospital, Department of Urology, Budapest, Hungary, Köves str 1, Budapest, 1204, Hungary, Tel +3620/2013038, Email stiffnesskft@gmail.comPurpose: A number of studies have confirmed that elevated platelet count accompanying various solid tumours is associated with worse survival. However, only meagre data are available on the relationship between thrombocytosis and survival in prostate cancer.Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis on clinical-pathological data accumulated from 316 patients during on average 51 months of follow-up after laparoscopic prostatectomy performed for prostate cancer. We analyzed the relationship between platelet count, risk factors, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and cancer stage with use the Tumor, Node, Metastase system (TNM), as well as surgical margin, and prognosis.Results: Thrombocytosis occurred in only one out of the 316 patients. The multivariate Cox proportional hazard model showed that preoperative PSA, risk group, preoperative haemoglobin level, and surgical margin status were significant, independent predictors of biochemical progression-free survival. By contrast, age at diagnosis and thrombocytosis had no such predictive value.Conclusion: We could not demonstrate an association between elevated platelet count and worse survival in our study population of patients with prostate cancer.Keywords: prostate cancer, thrombocytosis, prognosis, pathomechanism, solid tumor

Copyright of Latvian Journal of Physics & Technical Sciences is the property of Sciendo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Latvian Journal of Physics & Technical Sciences is the property of Sciendo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Competing Interests: Disclosure The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Background: Recent analyses have shown that in health services research in Germany, healthcare organisations are often considered primarily as a study setting, without fully taking their complex organisational nature into account, neither theoretically nor methodologically. Therefore, an initiative was launched to analyse the state of Organisational Health Services Research (OHSR) in Germany and to develop a strategic framework and road map to guide future efforts in the field. This paper summarizes positions that have been jointly developed by consulting experts from the interdisciplinary and international scientific community., Methods: In July 2023, a scoping workshop over the course of three days was held with 32 (inter)national experts from different research fields centred around OHSR topics using interactive workshop methods. Participants discussed their perspectives on OHSR, analysed current challenges in OHSR in Germany and developed key positions for the field's development., Results: The seven agreed-upon key positions addressed conceptual and strategic aspects. There was consensus that the field required the development of a research agenda that can guide future efforts. On a conceptual level, the need to address challenges in terms of interdisciplinarity, terminology, organisation(s) as research subjects, international comparative research and utilisation of organisational theory was recognized. On a strategic level, requirements with regard to teaching, promotion of interdisciplinary and international collaboration, suitable funding opportunities and participatory research were identified., Conclusions: This position paper seeks to serve as a framework to support further development of OHSR in Germany and as a guide for researchers and funding organisations on how to move OHSR forward. Some of the challenges discussed for German OHSR are equally present in other countries. Thus, this position paper can be used to initiate fruitful discussions in other countries., Competing Interests: LA ist Vorstandsmitglied der DGMS und des DNVF. Sie ist Mitglied des Editorial Boards des Journal of Health Care Services and Implementation. JB erhält Fördermittel für mehrere OVF-Projekte in Australien und Europa. ME ist Vorsitzender der Society for Studies in Organizing Healthcare (SHOC). Die Arbeit des Instituts für Arbeitsmedizin, Sozialmedizin und Versorgungsforschung, Universitätsklinikum Tübingen, wird durch einen zweckungebundenen Zuschuss des Arbeitgeberverbands der Metall- und Elektroindustrie Baden-Württemberg (Südwestmetall) unterstützt. Die übrigen Autor*innen erklären, dass keine Interessenkonflikte bestehen., (The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial-License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).)

Thyroid cancer diagnosis primarily relies on imaging techniques and cytological analyses. In cases where the diagnosis is uncertain, the quantification of molecular markers has been incorporated after cytological examination. This approach helps physicians to make surgical decisions, estimate cancer aggressiveness, and monitor the response to treatments. Despite the availability of commercial molecular tests, their widespread use has been hindered in our experience due to cost constraints and variability between them. Thus, numerous groups are currently evaluating new molecular markers that ultimately will lead to improved diagnostic certainty, as well as better classification of prognosis and recurrence. In this review, we start reviewing the current preoperative testing methodologies, followed by a comprehensive review of emerging molecular markers. We focus on micro RNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and mitochondrial (mt) signatures, including mtDNA genes and circulating cell-free mtDNA. We envision that a robust set of molecular markers will complement the national and international clinical guides for proper assessment of the disease.

This essay examines how artificial intelligence (AI) technologies may shape international norms. Following a brief discussion of the ways in which AI technologies pose new governance questions, we reflect on the extent to which norm research in the discipline of International Relations (IR) is equipped to understand how AI technologies shape normative substance. Norm research has typically focused on the impact and failure of norms, offering increasingly diversified models of norm contestation, for instance. But present research has two shortcomings: a near-exclusive focus on modes and contexts of norm emergence and constitution that happen in the public space; and a focus on the workings of a pre-set normativity (ideas of oughtness and justice) that stands in an unclear relationship with normality (ideas of the standard, the average) emerging from practices. Responding to this, we put forward a research programme on AI and practical normativity/normality based on two pillars: first, we argue that operational practices of designing and using AI technologies typically performed outside of the public eye make norms; and second, we emphasise the interplay of normality and normativity as analytically influential in this process. With this, we also reflect on how increasingly relying on AI technologies across diverse policy domains has an under-examined effect on the exercise of human agency. This is important because the normality shaped by AI technologies can lead to forms of non-human generated normativity that risks replacing conventional models about how norms matter in AI-affected policy domains. We close with sketching three future research streams. We conclude that AI technologies are a major, yet still under-researched, challenge for understanding and studying norms. We should therefore reflect on new theoretical perspectives leading to insights that are also relevant for the struggle about top-down forms of AI regulation., Competing Interests: No competing interests were disclosed., (Copyright: © 2024 Bode I and Huelss H.)

The United Nations Security Council passed its first resolution on children in armed conflict in 1999, making it one of the oldest examples of Security Council engagement with a thematic mandate and leading to the creation of a dedicated working group in 2005. Existing theoretical accounts of the Security Council cannot account for the developing substance of the children and armed conflict agenda as they are macro-oriented and focus exclusively on states. I argue that Security Council decision-making on thematic mandates is a productive process whose outcomes are created by and through practices of actors across the three United Nations: member states (the first United Nations), United Nations officials (the second United Nations) and non-governmental organizations (the third United Nations). In presenting a practice-based, micro-oriented analysis of the children and armed conflict agenda, the article aims to deliver on the empirical promise of practice theories in International Relations. I make two contributions to practice-based understandings: first, I argue that actors across the three United Nations engage in reflective practices of a strategic or tactical nature to manage, arrange or create space in Security Council decision-making. Portraying practices as reflective rather than as only based on tacit knowledge highlights how actors may creatively adapt their practices to social situations. Second, I argue that particular individuals from the three United Nations are more likely to become recognized as competent performers of practices because of their personality, understood as plural socialization experiences. This adds varied individual agency to practice theories that, despite their micro-level interests, have focused on how agency is relationally constituted.

Plasminogen activation is a key event in the fibrinolytic system that results in the dissolution of blood clots, and also promotes cell migration and tissue remodelling. The recent structure determinations of microplasmin in complex with the bacterial plasminogen activators staphylokinase and streptokinase have provided novel insights into the molecular mechanisms of plasminogen activation and cofactor function. These bacterial proteins are cofactor molecules that contribute to exosite formation and enhance the substrate presentation to the enzyme. At the same time, they modulate the specificity of plasmin towards substrates and inhibitors, making a 'specificity switch' possible.