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The article analyzes literature data on the development of aortic root abscess in patients with septic endocarditis, which is a frequent cause of this complication and requires immediate surgical treatment. At the same time, on the example of own clinical observation, it is shown that an aortic root abscess can also occur in patients with surgical sepsis as a manifestation of metastasis from an extracardiac septic focus in septicopyemia.

Very frequent natural and man-made disasters as well as current military conflicts are accompanied by injuries complicated by acute blood loss, burns and shock of different degrees of severity. Thermal injuries are one of the world modern medicine most urgent medical and social problems including the same in Ukraine. In response to a burn injury a significant number of pathological processes develop in the body which manifestation involves almost all organs and systems, leading to an expressed homeostasis disturbance and adaptative processes disorder. Thyroid gland is the one of the first which receives the alterative influence in conditions of both threshold and suprathreshold thermal exposure. The purpose of the work is to establish histological and ultrastructural changes in the thyroid gland of experimental animals 30 days after thermal skin injury. Experimental studies were conducted on 90 white male rats. Skin thermal burns were simulated using four copper plates application to previously depilated lateral surfaces of the rats’ body for 10 s. Rats were injected with a 0.9 % saline into the vena cava inferior during the first 7 days of the post-burn period. Thyroid gland pieces were fixed in a 10 % neutral formalin solution, dehydrated in alcohols of increasing concentration and embedded in paraffin blocks. The prepared sections of 5-6 μm thickness were stained with hematoxylin-eosin. In the rats’ thyroid gland the presence of complex changes of a destructive, adaptive-compensatory and regenerative nature was established on the 30th day after a skin burn against the background of 0.9 % NaCl administration. These changes indicate a relative organs hemodynamics normalization together with the structure of various diameters vessels walls which creates the basis for the follicular cells typical structure restoration and new follicles synthesis. The expressed osmiophily and thyrocyte nuclei pyknotization, cytoplasm vacuolization and follicle’s lumen cells desquamation are revealed in the gland parenchyma. These are signs of the organ fibrosis which are supported by connective tissue amount in the stromal component increase. The thyroid gland parenchyma and the vessels surrounding it micro- and ultrastructural changes caused by the thermal altering influence have a time-dependent expression which transforms from predominantly destructive to predominantly restorative throughout the 30-day post-burn period. The authors are sure that the detected morphological changes of the gland have a time-dependent reversibility which is important to consider from both the time-course and the quantitative aspects taking into account the pathogenetically based scheme of pharmacocorrection. The 30th day of the post-burn pathological process manifestation characterizes by a certain imbalance in the compensatory, restorative and synthetic processes manifestation as well as in the destructive and decompensatory processes manifestation which gives reason to hope for the thyroid gland functioning restoration together with organs and systems in case of pathogenetically determined pharmacological treatment administration. Taking into account the thyroid gland morpho-functional changes wave-like dynamics the authors believe that sanogenetic mechanisms activation might occurs which will allow to prescribe the complex pathogenetically determined correction assuming the above-mentioned patho- and sanogenetic mechanisms dynamics.

An algorithm for calculating the circular slit suction developed using stationary discrete vortex rings without selfinduction is given. The change in the size of the vortex zone arising at the entrance to the suction channel depending on the distance to its axis of symmetry is investigated. The developed computer program and the results obtained can be useful for creating energy-efficient circular slot suction systems, including for dust collection when drilling flat surfaces. Ill. 6. Ref. 20.

In this study, the surface chemistry and morphology and the photocatalytic and antibacterial potential of pure and chlorine (Cl)-doped indium sulfide (In2S3) thin films, produced by spray pyrolysis, were analyzed. The root-mean-square roughness seemed not to be affected significantly by the chlorine concentration in three of the doped films (around 12 nm). The roughness seemed not to affect the characteristics of the films analyzed in this study. The samples presented a photocatalytic efficiency higher than 80%, but no correlation with the chlorine concentration was found. The antibacterial potential of the films was assessed against the multidrug-resistant bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa, responsible for serious infections, which are extremely difficult to treat in hospitals. The obtained results evidence an increase in antibacterial activity with the increase in chlorine concentration. These results encourage further studies to support the potential of this material to be used in biomedical applications.

Background: Pulmonary Embolism (PE) is a life-threatening condition with annual incidence ranging from 39 to 115 cases per 100,000 population [1]. Along with many other causes, neoplasia is one of the highest risk factors for pancreatic, lung, gastric, cerebral and haematological cancer [2]. Patients with neoplasia often have venous thromboembolism (VTE) during the course of the disease, but occasionally neoplasia is diagnosed as secondary to VTE. Case Presentation: A 55-year-old man known with high blood pressure and dyslipidaemia is diagnosed with bilateral distal Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT) and treated with a factor Xa inhibitor. Two months later he is admitted for fatigue, dry cough, unwanted weight loss of approximately 5kg for a month and progressive exertion dyspnea. The echocardiographic examination reveals dilated right chambers with thrombus in the Right Ventricle (RV). The suspicion of pulmonary embolism it was confirmed on thoracic contrast CT examination. Large bilateral mediastinal adenopathies and a right lung nodule were also visualised on lung CT scan. The patient was treated with unfractionated heparin, slow-acting nitrate, aspirin, calcium blocker, with the disappearance of the thrombus from the right ventricle. Bronchoscopy showed a lesion near the right main bronchus. The diagnosis of pulmonary adenocarcinoma is confirmed histopathologically on the sample obtained at bronchoscopy and from the mediastinal lymph node obtained at mediastinoscopy. The patient was referred to the oncology service for specialised treatment. Conclusion: VTE under anticoagulant treatment should always raise some suspicions and other causes should be sought. Undiagnosed neoplasms , drug resistance or drug interactions, thrombophilias are some of the causes that should be suspected in case of thrombosis under therapeutic anticoagulant.

Ge co-integration with Si has always attracted a lot of attention. Thanks to its superior electronic properties, Ge can be used as a channel material in p-type Metal Oxide Semiconductor transistors (high hole mobility) or low power devices such as tunnelling field effect transistors (steep sub-threshold swing operation). Furthermore, Ge is a key enabler in numerous optoelectronic devices (light emitters and photo-detectors). The epitaxial growth of Ge on Si is far from being lattice matched, with a 4.2% difference between Si and Ge, making high quality growth difficult, especially for thick layers. Several schemes have been explored in the literature to obtain thick, good crystalline quality Ge layers, such as a low temperature/high temperature approach followed by a cyclic anneal which yielded flat, slightly tensile strained thick Ge layers with threading dislocation densities around 107 cm-2. Other methods based on epitaxial lateral overgrowth, aspect ratio trapping and 3D heteroepitaxy of Ge films on patterned Si substrates have shown promising results thanks to defect blocking against sidewalls or their containment in certain directions. However, some planar defects were still present at the coalescence fronts with those growth methods. Another interesting method is to perform a heteroepitaxy of Ge in nanometer-size Si windows surrounded by SiO2. Lee et al [1] succeeded in obtaining high quality Ge layers using nano-heteroepitaxy but did not go further in the analysis of defects generated with such an approach. In a previous work [2], we were able to obtain smooth, fully strain relaxed Si0.76Ge0.24 layers with heteroepitaxial growth in nanometer-size Si windows surrounded by SiO2. In that case, SiGe epitaxial growth was carried out on a patterned substrate with a regular array of nanometre-size seed pillars, and growth fronts from individual nano-pillars coalesced to form complete 2D layers. However, planar defects such as stacking faults and twins were present in the final layers. In this work, we wanted to test this growth approach for pure Ge and provide an in-depth analysis of any defects generated. An original process flow based on diblock copolymer patterning was thus used to fabricate nanometer-size SiO2 based templates for growth (Figure 1a). The nano-heteroepitaxy of 2D Ge layers on these templates was performed at 90 Torr, using GeH4 as a precursor, and compared to growth on blanket Si. Ge nano-pillar growth was first investigated, with a delayed Ge growth found at 400°C. Nano-pillars obtained after the growth of 35 nm of Ge were not as homogeneous and well-defined as the 20 nm high SiGe nano-pillars in Ref. [3]. Raising the growth temperature to 600°C resulted in a highly selective and uniform process, with homogeneous and well-defined Ge nano-pillars for growth nominally 20 nm thick. The expected nano-pillar coalescence scheme was also observed at this growth temperature [3]. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) imaging of the 20 nm sample grown at 600°C showed facetted Ge nano-pillars, with numerous 90° edge dislocations at the Ge/Si interface as expected given the low critical thickness of Ge on silicon (4 nm, typically) and the 20 nm nano-pillar width (Figure 1b). Ge thick layers were then grown with a low temperature/high temperature strategy on bulk and nano-patterned substrates for a benchmark of the nano-heteroepitaxy approach. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) showed micrometric-size holes at the surface for Ge layers grown on nano-patterned substrates. This might be due to an incomplete coalescence of the thick Ge layers, which were by contrast very smooth on bulk Si (Figure 1c). TEM analysis of a 600 nm thick Ge layer grown on Ge nano-pillars suggested that coalescence resulted in planar defects such as twins and stacking faults starting at the oxide walls, as found for SiGe pillars in previous studies, in addition to edge dislocations at the Ge/Si interface. Despite these morphological differences, similar structural properties (in terms of degree of strain relaxation and Full Width at Half Maximum of the Ge spot along the in-plane direction) were inferred from X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) for layers grown on nano-patterned and bulk substrates (Figure 1d). [1] J. Lee et al., J. Cryst. Growth 301–302, 330 (2007). [2] M. Mastari et al., Nanotechnology 29, 275702 (2018). [3] M. Mastari et al., ECS J. Solid State Sci. Technol. 8, 180 (2019). Figure 1

Acute mesenteric ischemia is a life-threatening disease that can be managed by surgery or endovascular therapy. Endovascular therapy shows great efficacy and good clinical outcomes even in technically demanding interventions, and it can become an alternative to surgery. After the revascularisation of mesenteric arteries, we should take into account the risk of reperfusion injury with systemic inflammatory response syndrome and worse clinical outcomes. We present a case of acute embolic mesenteric ischemia associated with acute left external iliac artery occlusion due to poorly anticoagulated atrial fibrillation, treated by a complex multiple stent-based angioplasty.

Вступ. Обґрунтовано актуальність теми дослідження щодо спектрів випромінювання/поглинання атомів, що не взаємодіють. Будова атома визначається інтенсивністю та частотами спектральних ліній, це відокремлена особливість – обґрунтування використання спектрального аналізу як методу ідентифікації відповідних природних речовин за їхньою хімічною будовою, внутрішнім складом, окремими фізичними характеристиками. Теоретичний опис станів атомів і молекул ґрунтується на застосуванні законів квантової механіки. Метою статті є вивчення головних квантових чисел лінії серії Бальмера із застосуванням відповідної послідовності конкретних дій, розроблених і втілених здобувачами вищої освіти морського спрямування, з установленням структурних зв’язків між змінними та елементами досліджуваної системи на базі системного аналізу, а також підвищення компетентних якостей здобувачів вищої освіти з опрацювання експериментальної частини дослідження в межах освітньої компоненти «Фізика». Результати. Дослідження ґрунтується на певній послідовності дій, розроблених здобувачами вищої освіти, задля накопичення знань, умінь і навичок з освітньої компоненти «Фізика» (розділ «Квантова механіка»). У роботі використано монохроматор-спектроскоп УМ 2 (прилад 2-го покоління). Як наочний приклад показана послідовність дій на основі системного аналізу з отриманням відповідного результату – визначенням за відліком за мікрометричним обладнанням довжин хвиль (відповідного спектру), градуювання монохроматору з подальшим винаходженням значення головних квантових чисел ліній серії Бальмера. Побудовано фрагмент енергетичного спектра атома водню (із застосуванням як досліджуваної речовини водню у спектральній лампі). Висновки. Здобувачами вищої освіти отримано відповідні навички, зокрема з розв’язування складних спеціалізованих завдань і практичних проблем у сфері квантової фізики відповідної компоненти. Сформовано здатність обґрунтовувати власну позицію, відробляти відповідні покрокові інструкції в межах застосування системного аналізу, застосовувати відповідні теорії, концепції у сфері морської інженерії.

Purpose This study aims to explore intersectional gender inequalities that exist in accounting organizations. Design/methodology/approach A review of the literature, covering the period from 1990 to 2020, assesses the intersectionality of professional and social factors that shape inequalities in women’s professional accounting careers. Findings This study presents the complex facets of women’s inequality in gendered accounting organizations. The results reveal that inequity persists in accounting organizations despite organizational changes. The findings highlight the relevance of further research in gendered organizations to capture the intersectionality of gender with other forms of inequality. Practical implications This review informs professional organizations, accountants and company managers about the persistence of gender concerns in the accountancy profession in the last 30 years, despite stated accounting profession commitments to achieve gender equality, as promoted by United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Moreover, some possible solutions are proposed. Originality/value This study focuses on a complex and challenging issue, contributing to the literature by extending classical narrative literature. This study presents a structured view of the various intersections of professional and social characteristics that created inequalities and the suggested solutions.

Abstract Microalgae biotechnology can strengthen circular economy concepts in the wastewater treatment sector. This study investigated the Norwegian microalgae strains of Tetradesmus wisconsinensis, Lobochlamys segnis, and Klebsormidium flaccidum for their efficiency in nutrient removal. Their biomass productivity and compositions were evaluated for bioenergy and bi-products development. In the laboratory batch experiment with synthetic municipal wastewater, all strains accomplished total removal of nitrogen and phosphorus. L. segnis removed all NH4+ and PO43− (initial concentration of 28 and 15 mg/L, respectively) earliest among others. T. wisconsinensis biomass was superior in total carbohydrates content (40%) and fatty acid profile that imply biorefinery potential. The fatty acid (TFA) content was the highest in L. segnis (193 ± 12 mg/g dry cells), while K. flaccidum accumulated fatty acids that consisted largely of polyunsaturated fatty acids (82% of TFA). The highest protein level was measured in K. flaccidum (53%). Observed variations in biomass components can be used for a strategic production of targeted compound in resource recovery scenarios for biofuel generation. Graphical Abstract

Purpose The COVID-19 pandemic has brought tremendous changes in society. Universities were among the few organisations with some previous knowledge of online education, being able to rapidly adapt by transferring already known best practices to the new context. As teaching moved to online, students encountered less sustainable implementation by their universities. This allowed the development of previously planned sustainable strategies so that when face-to-face teaching resumed, universities could be even more sustainable. This paper aims to explore loyalty to the sustainable university during the later COVID-19 pandemic based on the university’s efforts to manage a green campus. Design/methodology/approach To investigate loyalty towards the sustainable university during the later COVID-19 pandemic, a conceptual model is proposed. This research is grounded in an empirical investigation using a quantitative online survey implemented with online interviews, the relations between all latent constructs being analysed with SmartPLS. Findings The results show that university sustainability reflects student loyalty, outlining the image developed under the influence of green campus management. The results show that universities must intensify their efforts to support the sustainable agenda and create a sustainable academic brand, inducing student loyalty. The findings may attract the attention of other universities wishing to gain knowledge about the factors that students consider important in generating their loyalty. Research limitations/implications As this research was carried out in the later COVID-19 pandemic context from 2021, the students already had experience of online teaching, so their assessment of the sustainability strategies implemented could be quite different from their perceptions in the first months of the pandemic. This research provides a comprehensive insight into the overall strategy that a sustainable university might apply in a crisis context. Social implications Research has shown that green campus management has a positive impact on the sustainability of a university’s image, on how students perceive the university at which they study and on the university’s efforts to ensure efficient campus management. These factors contribute to the development of a strong and sustainable image of the university within the community. Originality/value The originality of this paper lies in the research questions designed to conceptualise and operationalise the generation of students' loyalty towards their university by encouraging and implementing sustainable strategies on campus. This paper highlights a structural model that combines strategic practices to determine students' loyalty towards a sustainable university during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The crisis situations that have affected the oil and gas market have had a significant impact on the companies’ performance from this sector and especially on their customers. In these circumstances, many companies faced increasing difficulties and in some cases, in order to survive, they had to restructure their business or even leave the market. Considering this context, this kind of situations are also manifesting in Romania where we can identify companies facing the erosion of their competitive position, with economic, financial and capital consequences, while other companies still managed to react positively to the crisis generated by the energy sector through innovation and internationalization. This article analyses the sustainability of the operational activity of oil and gas extraction companies from Romania, based on financial and economic data and information, having the aim of investigating the way in which the performance of different markets has influenced the economic and financial results and consequently, the implications of this influence for the structure of the activity and on the financial-economic sustainability. The research methodology is specific to a quantitative research, based on a sample of financial and economic data reported by all 29 oil and gas extraction companies from Romania over the period of 2008–2022. The data collected from the financial reports formed the basis for the calculation of the financial indicators and ratios considered relevant in forecasting the economic and financial sustainability of these companies. The results obtained are materialised in the development of a model whose aim is to assess the financial and economic sustainability, its independent variables being grouped into performance, activity and risk indicators. The usefulness of the results obtained is relevant both for the companies concerned and for their customers and suppliers who will show a visible dependence on energy costs, but also for investors and financiers directly interested in performance and sustainability information, on the basis of which they will determine the value of their own economic benefits.

Thunderstorms bring severe weather conditions such as damaging winds, a large hail and heavy precipitation. The squall phenomenon reported at the meteorological station is characterized by a strong variation of wind: its speed increases suddenly for a short period of time, sometimes of the order of minutes, just as quickly accompanied by a change of direction, in most cases. The squall precedes or accompanies Cumulonimbus clouds and it is part of the entire range of sudden variations of meteorological elements that can be observed during the passage of a strong thunderstorm. At synoptic and mesoscale this strong thunderstorm are parts of squall lines. Squall line is a quasi-linear convective system that often occur along a cold front or in the warm sector of a midlatitude cyclone, usually about a few kilometers in advance of the cold front. This study focuses on a 5-year period between 2018 and 2022 to quantify the spatial and temporal characteristics of squalls, as well as the type of thunderstorm associated with them. We used a set of 100 meteorological observations recorded at the following stations: Galati, Focşani, Tecuci, Barlad, Vaslui, Negresti, Iasi, Cotnari, Botosani, Darabani, Suceava, Piatra Neamt, Bacau and Targu Ocna. These meteorological stations are part of Moldova meteorological network. Radar data from the Barnova meteorological radar were used for the purpose of identifying different types of convective organization, in special squall lines and bow echoes. Keywords: thunderstorm, squall

Raw sodium bentonite (Bent) without preliminary treatments is incorporated as a filler in a silicone matrix, from 5 to 100 parts per hundred (pph), by weight, by simple mixing in solution. The mixtures are processed as films and stabilized by condensation crosslinking at room temperature. Besides being environmentally safe and non-toxic, bentonite is 30 times cheaper than polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), so the cost price of composites can be reduced by over 40%. Studies on the effects of bentonite addition as filler on the properties of composites reveal that thermal stability is not significantly affected, while an increase in the amount of inorganic residue with an increase of Bent content is recorded. More importantly, the mechanical and dielectric properties are significantly influenced by the Bent content in the PDMS matrix. The Young's modulus increases, while the elongation decreases, indicating a stiffening of the material and a decrease in its elasticity as the Bent load increases. Most notably, the dielectric permittivity increases up to more than five times at 103 Hz by adding 100 pph Bent, while the dielectric losses remain acceptable, especially at high frequencies for all composites. Furthermore, the study of composite films through Piezoresponse Force Microscopy and piezoelectric testing system reveals an outstanding piezoelectric-like response for composites with a high Bent content. The wideangle X-ray diffraction indicates an increase of the crystalline fraction - the main factor that influences the apparent piezoelectric coefficient - with increasing the Bent load

(1) Background: Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly aggressive tumor, associated with high rates of early distant recurrence and short survival times, and treatment may require surgery, and thus anesthesia. The effects of anesthetic drugs on cancer progression are under scrutiny, but published data are controversial, and the involved mechanisms unclear. Anesthetic agents have been shown to modulate several molecular cascades, including PI3K/AKT/mTOR. AKT isoforms are frequently amplified in various malignant tumors and associated with malignant cell survival, proliferation and invasion. Their activation is often observed in human cancers and is associated with decreased survival rate. Certain anesthetics are known to affect hypoxia cell signaling mechanisms by upregulating hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs). (2) Methods: MCF-10A and MDA-MB 231 cells were cultivated and CellTiter-Blue® Cell Viability assay, 2D and 3D matrigel assay, immunofluorescence assays and gene expressions assay were performed after exposure to different sevoflurane concentrations. (3) Results: Sevoflurane exposure of TNBC cells results in morphological and behavioral changes. Sevoflurane differently influences the AKT isoforms expression in a time-dependent manner, with an important early AKT3 upregulation. The most significant effects occur at 72 h after 2 mM sevoflurane treatment and consist in increased viability, proliferation and aggressiveness and increased vimentin and HIF expression. (4) Conclusions: Sevoflurane exposure during surgery may contribute to cancer recurrence via AKT3 induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and by all three AKT isoforms enhanced cancer cell survival and proliferation.

Вступ. Бурхливий розвиток світового транспорту завдає непоправної шкоди довкіллю всього людства земної кулі. Морський і річковий транспорт робить свій внесок у питанні карбонізації до 18% від загального обсягу шкідливих викидів в атмосферу. Мета. Основна мета науково-дослідної роботи авторів статті підпорядкована зниженню шкідливих викидів в атмосферу суден морського та річкового транспорту. Використана методика розкриття мети заснована на аналітичній і практичній дослідницькій роботі. Результати. У статті проведено аналітику кращих світових технологій щодо зниження шкідливих викидів у випускних газах в атмосферу суднових дизелів, проведено аналіз науково-дослідної роботи Дунайського інституту Національного університету «Одеська морська академія» та НВФ «Еко-Авто-Титан», Україна. Протягом останніх 6 років на суднах Українського дунайського пароплавства проведено випробування паливних каталізаторів різних модифікацій, продукції НВФ «Еко-Авто-Титан», Україна з контролем Українського аудитора «Науково-дослідного інституту «Охорони навколишнього середовища та економії палива», м. Київ. Отриманий матеріал досліджень на суднах пароплавства дав позитивні результати й показав зниження оксиду азоту NOx на 38%, оксиду вуглецю СОх до 50%, діоксиду вуглецю 7%, викиди сажі за показаннями димомеру знизилися на 55%, економія палива становила до 10%. Сам паливний каталізатор касетного типу є досить складною конструкцією. У металеву оболонку паливного каталізатора вмонтовано хімічні реагенти різних оксидів металів, що реструктурують дизельне паливо на молекулярному рівні. Каталізатор установлюється на гнучких звʼязках перед насосом високого тиску, ресурс каталізатора 500 т палива до заміни в ньому хімічних реагентів. Відпускна ціна каталізатора залежить від потужності двигуна, на який він планується до встановлення та знаходиться в діапазоні від 400 у.о. (автомобільний транспорт), 10 000 у.о. (суднові двигуни потужністю до 3 тис. кВт). Розглянуто технології використання у двигунах внутрішнього згоряння автомобільного, залізничного, річкового й морського транспорту палива рослинного походження. Наведено аналіз можливого використання газового палива на суднах річкового флоту Українського дунайського пароплавства. Більш детально розглянуто питання виробництва водню з використанням останніх інноваційних технологій, розроблених у створенні ядерних реакторів останнього покоління, які успішно інтегровані у виробничі хімічні модулі, що дають змогу отримувати гідроплазму в перегрітій водяній парі до 8000 С з отриманням водню й кисню. Собівартість одного літра водню із застосуванням цієї технології не перевищує 1,6 у.о., що дає повний пріоритет виробництва водню в промислових обсягах. Незважаючи на успіх виробництва водню за новою технологією, авторами статті розкрито серйозні недоліки при спалюванні водню в теплових машинах (двигунах внутрішнього згоряння, газових турбінах і котлах). Основний недолік спалювання водню – це наявність закису азоту N20 у випускних газах теплових машин, який є парниковим газом із високим ступенем згубного впливу на довкілля. Висновки. Отриманий дослідницький матеріал спільної роботи Дунайського інституту НУ «ОМА» із НВФ «Еко-Авто-Титан», Україна отримав своє схвалення на внутрішніх водних шляхах Європи. Паливні каталізатори почали купувати Індія, Туреччина, Казахстан. У статті зроблено конкретні пропозиції щодо локалізації закису азоту при згорянні водню. Узагальнено досвід використання авангардних технологій щодо використання ядерних інтегрованих сольових реакторів для отримання промислового водню.

Additive manufacturing, also known as 3D-printing, has been successfully employed to create novel bioactive scaffolds incorporating carbon dots for bioimaging purposes. Fused filament fabrication technique (FFF) was used to print a hybrid poly-lactic acid (PLA)-based filament bearing bioactive material, suited for hydroxyapatite (HAp) development, as well as carbon dots which by virtue of their strong luminescence could support an optical characterization of the composite, thus, its regenerative stages. This technique using FFF biodegradable PLA can be used to create the exact custom-made scaffold depending on the user needs (i.e. shape of a bone fracture), whereas the bioactive material (bioglass® 45S5) assists bone regeneration by HAp development. On the other hand, biocompatible red emissive boron-doped carbon dots could allow for monitoring of the procedure. Scaffolds were tested for their in vitro bioactivity by soaking in simulated body fluid (SBF) solution. In addition, in vitro cytotoxicity testing confirmed the low toxicity of the composite materials used for creating the scaffolds. Degradation of the PLA scaffold initiated immediately providing space for bone regeneration. HAp development was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy - energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) and infrared spectroscopy (IR). Ultraviolet visible and photoluminescence spectroscopies were used to evaluate the properties of the carbon dots as well as composite materials. Results indicate that this is a promising technique for confronting asymmetric or irregular-shaped bone fractures with simultaneous monitoring of the healing process through bioimaging.

The broadening of the European and world space in the last years of the 21st century encourages direct contacts between state structures and social groups, provides a stimulus for cultural exchanges, scientific cooperation, and participation in international researching projects. Professional communication leads to the intensive development of society, which leads to globalization and expansion and becomes the reality of today. The formation of readiness for professional activity begins with motivation, namely: setting a goal, based on needs and goals or with a person’s awareness of the tasks. The development of a plan, models, schemes of further action is the nex means and methods of activity, compares the progress of the work performed and the obtained intermediate results with certain goals, makes adjustments. Modern pedagogical sources present various approaches to learning a foreign language, which is considered as a means of developing professional competence. At the same time, there is a lack of systematic pedagogical research on the conceptual foundations of mastering professional English using online education technologies. The implementation of online education as a tool and means for teaching and learning English (in our study “Professional English for future maritime transport specialists”) can be successful under different psychological and pedagogical conditions. We offer our own model of psychological and pedagogical conditions for the effective use of online technologies when implementing remote and mixed forms in the educational and extracurricular work of a higher educational institution. For this purpose, we summarized the experience of the Department of Foreign Languages of the State University of Infrastructure and Technologies from 2018 to 2022. Thismodelincludesthemainpsychologicalandpedagogical theories, which are the basis for the implementation of online education. The psychological processes involved in this type of educational technology are defined. The main contribution of our research is the identification of psychological barriers to effective adaptation to distance education using information technologies. We have offered practical recommendations to foreign language teachers who use this technology in educational and extracurricular processes.

Microalgae biotechnology can strengthen circular economy concepts in the wastewater treatment sector. This study demonstrated the potential of the Norwegian microalgae strains of Tetradesmus wisconsinensis, Lobochlamys segnis, and Klebsormidium flaccidum for wastewater nutrient removal and valuable biomass generation. In the laboratory batch-experiment with synthetic municipal wastewater, all strains accomplished total removal of nitrogen and phosphorus. L. segnis removed all NH4+ and PO43- (initial concentration of 28 and 15 mg L–1, respectively) earliest among others (within 4 days) and the harvested biomass had the highest total fatty acid (TFA) content (193 ± 12 mg g-1 dry cells). T. wisconsinensis biomass on the other hand was superior in total carbohydrates content (40%) while K. flaccidum produced a protein-rich (53%) cells and accumulated fatty acids that consisted largely of polyunsaturated fatty acids (82% of TFA). Observed variations in biomass components can be used for a strategic production of targeted compound in resource recovery scenarios for the studied strains.

Tiron O. I., Vastyanov R. S. PEROXIDE MECHANISMS INVOLVEMENT INTO PATHOGENESIS OF THYROID GLAND DYSFUNCTION IN BURN DISEASE = ЗАЛУЧЕННЯ ПЕРОКСИДНИХ МЕХАНІЗМІВ ДО ПАТОГЕНЕЗУ ДИСФУНКЦІЇ ЩИТОПОДІБНОЇ ЗАЛОЗИ ПРИ ОПІКОВІЙ ХВОРОБІ \\ Актуальні проблеми транспортної медицини / Actual problems of transport medicine / 2023;1-2(71-72):203-217. ISSN 1818-9385 DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7617890 http://aptm.org.ua УДК 616.441:599.323.4-008.64:615.459 +616-001.17 DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7617890 PEROXIDE MECHANISMS INVOLVEMENT INTO PATHOGENESIS OF THYROID GLAND DYSFUNCTION IN BURN DISEASE Tiron O. I., Vastyanov R. S. Odessa National Medical University, chekina.o@ukr.net Thermal lesions are one of the most urgent medical and social problems of modern medicine in the world including Ukraine. A number of pathological processes develop in the body in response to a burn injury during which almost all organs and systems are involved contributing to a pronounced disruption of homeostasis, adaptative mechanisms, etc. Other organs and systems dysfunction, i.e., the blood, cardiovascular, respiratory, etc., involved in the pathological process mediation in response to burn influence (including the thyroid gland). The aim of the study is to investigate the severity of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant protection processes in the blood and vital organs of animals in the thermal skin burn dynamics. The authors studied changes in the lipid peroxidation intermediate products concentration and the activity of antioxidant enzymes in the post-burn period dynamics. Deep disturbances in functional system “lipid peroxidation - antioxidant protection” activity with its breakdown in the direction of lipid peroxidation products accumulation and antioxidant enzymes activity associated inhibition were demonstrated. The revealed peroxide shifts during hyperthermic exposure were registered in the blood, in rats erythrocytes as well as in the thyroid and pancreatic gland tissues, liver and kidneys. The authors came to the conclusion about the leading pathogenetic role of lipid peroxidation processes activation and the antioxidant enzymes activity inhibition in hyperthermic effect on the animal body mediating and blood cells damage together with thyroid gland and pancreas, liver and kidneys involving in the pathogenetic mechanisms. Emphasis is placed on the possibility of thermal skin burns and thyroid function restoration complex pathogenetical correction scheme developing according to the detailed mechanisms of cell membrane damage during hyperthermic exposure. Key words: thyroid gland, thermal burn, post-burn period, lipid peroxidation antioxidant protection, pathogenetic mechanisms ЗАЛУЧЕННЯ ПЕРОКСИДНИХ МЕХАНІЗМІВ ДО ПАТОГЕНЕЗУ ДИСФУНКЦІЇ ЩИТОПОДІБНОЇ ЗАЛОЗИ ПРИ ОПІКОВІЙ ХВОРОБІ Тірон О. І., Вастьянов Р. С. Одеський національний медичний університет, chekina.o@ukr.net Термічні ураження є однією з найактуальніших медико-соціальних проблем сучасної медицини у світі, в тому числі, в Україні. У відповідь на опікову травму в організмі розвивається низка патологічних процесів, до маніфестації яких залучені практично всі органи і системи, приводячи до вираженого порушення гомеостазу, зриву адаптаційних процесів, тощо. При структурно-функціональних змінах органів ураженого та/або опеченого організму, в тому числі й щитоподібної залози, до опосередкування патологічного процесу залучаються дисфункції інших органів та систем, зокрема, системи крові, серцево-судинної, дихальної та ін. Метою дослідження є вивчення вираженості процесів ліпопероксидації та антиоксидантного захисту в крові та життєво важливих органах тварин в динаміці відтвореної термічної травми шкіри. Автори вивчили зміни концентрації проміжних продуктів ліпопероксидації та активності антиоксидантних ферментів в динаміці післяопікового періоду. Було продемонстровано глибинні порушення активності функціональної системи «перекисне окислення ліпідів – антиоксидантний захист» з її поломкою у бік гіперактивації накопичення продуктів ліпопероксидації та спряженим пригніченням активності антиоксидантних ферментів. Виявлені пероксидні зрушення за умов гіпертермічного впливу зареєстровані в крові, в еритроцитах щурів, а також в тканинах щитоподібної та підшлункової залози, печінки та нирок. Автори дійшли висновку про провідну патогенетичну роль активації процесів перекисного окислення ліпідів та пригнічення активності антиоксидантних ферментів в опосередкуванні гіпертермічного впливу на організм тварин та залучення до патогенетичних механізмів ураження клітин крові, щитоподібної та підшлункової залози, печінки та нирок. Акцент робиться можливості розробки схеми комплексної патогенетично обгрунтованої корекції термічного опіку шкіри та відновлення функції щитоподібної залози на підставі з’ясування детальних механізмів ураження клітинних мембран при гіпертермічному впливі. Ключові слова: щитоподібна залоза, термічний опік, післяопіковий період, перекисне окислення ліпідів, антиоксидантний захист, патогенетичні механізми &nbsp

In this study, the potential of coconut dregs residue (CDR) as a low-cost biosorbent for the removal of cadmium (II) from aqueous solutions was investigated. The removal efficiency of Cd (II) by CDR was tested through batch adsorption experiments under different conditions including contact time, initial pH, initial Cd (II) concentration, adsorbent dose, and temperature. The optimal pH for removal was found to be 7.0 where an 87.6% removal was achieved with a metal concentration of 25 ppm, a 0.5 g/100.00 cm3 adsorbent dosage, and a 250–500 µm particle size within 120 minutes at 303 K. The Freundlich isotherm model was employed to explain the adsorption process, while the pseudo-second-order model proved to be the best-fit kinetic model. Results showed that the Gibbs free energy change in Cd (II) adsorption was −5.4 kJ mol−1 indicating a spontaneous process. The raw CDR exhibited an adsorption capacity of 4.31 mg/g. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis revealed the presence of tubular voids which contributed to the adsorption process. Additionally, activated carbon prepared from CDR showed a higher removal efficiency of 95.6% for Cd (II) as compared to the raw CDR biosorbent.

The analogs of 6-Amino uracil are essential components due to their biological activities. The uracil is used as an important component for the synthesis of heterocyclic compounds like pyrrolo-, pyrido-, pyrimidine-pyrimido scaffolds. Herein, the application of this compound is reviewed as a precursor in the synthesis of many heterocyclic cores from 2016 to 2020.

Research background: Consumers’ interest in environmental responsibility, sustainable consumption, and the circular economy is significantly increasing in all aspects of their lives. Clothing and fashion are clearly among these aspects. The fashion industry is one of the most resource-intensive and environmentally polluting industries. Circularity has been offered as a solution to this issue; however, the change must be in the attitudes of all concerned (Musova et al., 2021b). Businesses must react to this requirement for sustainable fashion, which is the reason that new circular concepts have been raised. Different generations prefer different models of circularity. Purpose of the article: The purpose of the current study is to detect the existence of dependency between generation and the fashion industry’s circular models, and to identify consumers’ specific preferences. Methods: The original consumer survey was undertaken by the authors in 2021, and involved 513 Slovak and 974 Czech consumers, who responded on their preferences in the circular economy. Pearson’s chi-square test of independence was used to confirm the dependence between consumers’ generation and the circular concept. The significant medium dependence of the nominal variables was confirmed by Pearson’s contingency coefficient, C, and Cramer's V. The relationships between the generation categories of Central European consumers and the categories of the new circular models in the fashion industry were established through correspondence analysis. Findings & Value added: The findings of the study suggest that Baby boomers single out capsule wardrobes, Generation X prefers patchwork and slow fashion, while Millennials prioritise GOTS and SWAP. Finally, Generation Z favours leasing jeans, upcycling, and renting clothes.

Chlorophyll-a is the pigment whose concentration is an important indicator for the development of microalgae biomass. This study aims at evaluating the concentration of chlorophylls in the biomass of granular activated algae, using acetone and 90% ethanol for the extraction procedures applied. Concentrations of chlorophyll a, b and c were determined by applying three calculation types: methods proposed by Jeffrey and Humphrey for the extracts in acetone, Ritchie method for ethanolic extracts, and monochromatic method with acidification for ethanolic extracts. Experimental findings show that the solvent 90% ethanol is more efficient than acetone for extracting chlorophyll from biomass of granular activated algae. Also, by comparing results obtained by the two methods proposed for ethanolic extracts, it was found that the values obtained through the acidification method are influenced by the volume of hydrochloric acid added to the organic chlorophylls extract.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are about 11 million burns in the world each year, of which 180,000 are fatal. One of the systemic consequences of burn injuries is the so-called burn-associated hypermetabolism, the clinical picture of which includes immunological dysfunction, loss of bone mineral density, endocrine disorders, including thyroid dysfunction. The aim of the study was to establish histological and ultrastructural changes of the thyroid gland of experimental animals 14 days after the simulated thermal trauma of the skin on the background of using first 7 days 0.9 % NaCl solution. At the optical and ultrastructural levels of the study 14 days after thermal skin burn on the background of 0.9 % NaCl solution in the thyroid gland of experimental animals found: follicles – mostly large, overstretched (epithelium flat, with desquamation); cytoplasm of thyrocytes is poor in organelles, part of mitochondria with damaged cristae and enlightened matrix, available electron-dense lysosomes, apical surface smoothed; there is swelling of the capsule and trabeculae, leukocyte infiltration; components of the arterial and venous bed are dilated, there is a deformation of the lumen of blood vessels; hemocapillaries are dilated with numerous erythrocytes and perivascular edema. The detected changes cause a violation of the secretory cycle of thyrocytes, transendothelial metabolism and lead to an imbalance in the production and excretion of thyroid hormones.

Visual skills play a controversial role in the literacy process. The predictive part of RAN on fluency is known, especially in transparent spelling. In this research, we wanted to explore the influence of visual abilities on literacy for primary school students; for this purpose, we evaluated 209 students. We tested both the Reading and decoding efficiency, rapid naming, and visual abilities. The interaction of rapid naming (RAN) and visual ability (VA) significantly determined fluency. This association is discussed concerning other findings that have demonstrated the visuospatial abilities influence literacy.

Diblock copolymers of polyhistidine are known for their self-assembly into micelles and their pH-dependent disassembly due to the amphiphilic character of the copolymer and the unsaturated imidazole groups that undergo a hydrophobic-to-hydrophilic transition in an acidic pH. This property has been largely utilized for the design of drug delivery systems that target a tumor environment possessing a slightly lower extracellular pH (6.8–7.2). The main purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility of designed poly(ethylene glycol)-polyhistidine sequences synthesized using solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS), to self-assemble into micelles, to assess the ability of the corresponding micelles to be loaded with doxorubicin (DOX), and to investigate the drug release profile at pH values similar to a malignant extracellular environment. The designed and assembled free and DOX-loaded micelles were characterized from a physico-chemical point of view, their cytotoxicity was evaluated on a human breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231), while the cellular areas where micelles disassembled and released DOX were assessed using immunofluorescence. We concluded that the utilization of SPPS for the synthesis of the polyhistidine diblock copolymers yielded sequences that behaved similarly to the copolymeric sequences synthesized using ring-opening polymerization, while the advantages of SPPS may offer facile tuning of the histidine site or the attachment of a large variety of functional molecules.

PurposeThe purpose of the research is to shed light on how the mandatory regulation on nonfinancial information has changed European state-owned enterprises' (SOEs) disclosure levels. In addition, the present research aims to demonstrate, under the lens of legitimacy theory, how Hofstede's cultural dimensions shape social expectations that may have suffered changes after the introduction of a mandatory regulation on nonfinancial reporting.Design/methodology/approachThe paper adopts a mixed approach. First, it employees the content analysis to investigate the disclosure level on 22 of the 24 European SOEs. Second, the authors demonstrate how cultural dimensions take a different role when a change in regulation is introduced using the qualitative comparative analysis (QCA).FindingsThe results reveal a slight increase in disclosure from the year before introducing the directive. Additionally, the results demonstrate how none of Hofstede's cultural dimensions is responsible for high disclosure levels. Although, the sufficiency analysis outlines several combinations of different cultural dimensions that lead to high disclosure levels. In particular, results demonstrate how the core dimensions leading to the outcome changed once the European Union Directive (EUD) has entered into force.Research limitations/implicationsDespite the contributions, the present study is not free of limitations. As the investigated sample is limited to a small number of SOEs, the content analysis adopts a dichotomous approach. The analysis is conducted on integrated reporting, and the fuzzy set QCA results cannot be used for generalization but refer only to the investigated sample. Consequently, further studies should investigate a broader sample of SOEs and organizations that adopt other nonfinancial reporting frameworks. Additionally, a qualitative approach to the reports' analysis is recommended.Practical implicationsIt demonstrates how the EUD on nonfinancial information has impacted the disclosure levels of European SOEs. It adopts a fresh methodology rarely used in accounting. It demonstrates how cultural conditions influence social expectations that determine corporations to disclose more information after the introduction of a regulatory framework.Originality/valueThe paper's theoretical contribution refers to its focus on the public sector, and it adopts a methodology rarely used by accounting scholars.

Culex pipiens sensu lato has been documented as West Nile virus (WNV) vector in southeastern Romania. Bucharest, the densely populated capital city of Romania, and the surrounding Ilfov county are WNV hotspots. In this area, the morphologically indistinguishable biotypes of Cx. pipiens, namely pipiens and molestus, are usually differentiated by their behavioral and physiological traits. Their involvement in WNV transmission, as suggested by entomological investigations, was not previously documented for each biotype. We used a Real-Time PCR assay based on CQ11 microsatellite to identify the Cx. pipiens biotypes and their hybrids collected in various habitats in the Bucharest metropolitan area. A sympatric distribution of both biotypes was observed, with a preference of green areas for pipiens, and human settings and animal farmlands for molestus. In the latter habitats, pipiens and molestus were found in mixed aboveground populations. A low number of hybrids was found suggesting existence of reproductive isolation. In subway tunnels molestus was dominant with a higher number of hybrids recorded than aboveground. Blood-engorged mosquitoes were identified to biotype and the blood meal source identified by DNA barcoding. Overall, Cx. pipiens s.l. fed mainly on birds, commonly on house sparrows, collared doves, and blackbirds, which are potential WNV-amplifying hosts. The preference for avian hosts was expressed strongest by pipiens biotype, while molestus was substantially less specific, feeding on avian and mammal hosts with similar frequency, with humans representing 20% of the hosts. Hybrids had a host choice closer to that of molestus. These findings highlight the role of pipiens biotype as enzootic/epizootic vector, and specifically show molestus as the bridge vector for WNV. The pipiens and molestus biotypes show important differences in habitat preferences, including oviposition; these findings demonstrate that targeted mosquito control to limit WNV transmission may be possible.

Background:Pulmonary Embolism (PE) is a life-threatening condition with annual incidence ranging from 39 to 115 cases per 100,000 population [1]. Along with many other causes, neoplasia is one of the highest risk factors for pancreatic, lung, gastric, cerebral and haematological cancer [2]. Patients with neoplasia often have venous thromboembolism (VTE) during the course of the disease, but occasionally neoplasia is diagnosed as secondary to VTE. Case Presentation:A 55-year-old man known with high blood pressure and dyslipidaemia is diagnosed with bilateral distal Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT) and treated with a factor Xa inhibitor. Two months later he is admitted for fatigue, dry cough, unwanted weight loss of approximately 5kg for a month and progressive exertion dyspnea. The echocardiographic examination reveals dilated right chambers with thrombus in the Right Ventricle (RV). The suspicion of pulmonary embolism it was confirmed on thoracic contrast CT examination. Large bilateral mediastinal adenopathies and a right lung nodule were also visualised on lung CT scan. The patient was treated with unfractionated heparin, slow-acting nitrate, aspirin, calcium blocker, with the disappearance of the thrombus from the right ventricle. Bronchoscopy showed a lesion near the right main bronchus. The diagnosis of pulmonary adenocarcinoma is confirmed histopathologically on the sample obtained at bronchoscopy and from the mediastinal lymph node obtained at mediastinoscopy. The patient was referred to the oncology service for specialised treatment. Conclusion:VTE under anticoagulant treatment should always raise some suspicions and other causes should be sought. Undiagnosed neoplasms , drug resistance or drug interactions, thrombophilias are some of the causes that should be suspected in case of thrombosis under therapeutic anticoagulant.

West Nile virus (WNV) is the most widely spread arbovirus in the world. Early detection of this virus in mosquito populations is essential for implementing rapid vector control measures to prevent outbreaks. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (real-time RT-PCR) is a powerful tool for the detection of WNV in mosquito pools, but it is a time- and resource-consuming assay. We used a Rapid Analyte Measurement Platform (RAMP) assay in a vector surveillance program for rapid detection of WNV in mosquitoes collected in Bucharest city, Romania, in 2021. The positive mosquito pools were tested for confirmation with real-time RT-PCR. Three out of the 24 RAMP assay positive pools were not confirmed by real-time RT-PCR. We consider that RAMP assay can be used as a fast and reliable method for the screening of WNV presence in mosquito pools, but we recommend that samples with values ranging from 30 to 100 RAMP units should fall in a grey zone and should be considered for real-time RT-PCR confirmation.

Purpose This paper aims to explore the emerging phenomenon of integrated reporting (IR) in the context of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and proposes a longitudinal analysis of the level of IR disclosure (IRD) provided by a sample of European SOEs for the period 2013–2017, in accordance with IR framework requirements. The study also proposes an analysis of the possible explanatory factors driving the level of IRD. Specific attention is devoted to examine the influence exerted by the public ownership on the level of IRD provided by SOEs. Design/methodology/approach The IRs published by a balanced sample of 18 European SOEs between 2013 and 2017 were examined through a manual content analysis. Several analyzes were performed to assess the relationship between the level of IRD provided by SOEs and some possible determinants. Findings Results show an increasing level of disclosure during the observed period, confirming the relevance of IR as a tool for transparency and accountability within the context of SOEs. Statistical analyzes show that government ownership, external assurance, investor protection and global reporting initiative guidelines adoption positively affect the level of IRD, while SOE size exerts a negative influence. Originality/value As this paper examines a context which has been under-investigated, it presents fresh knowledge about the evolution of IR adoption by European SOEs. Furthermore, this paper identifies some of the explanatory factors that drive the preparation of IR, thus providing international integrated reporting council, policymakers and standard-setters with the relevant information for inclusion in specific guidelines for IR by SOEs.

Left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) is a heterogeneous entity with uncertain prognosis. This study sought to develop and validate a prediction model of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and to identify LVNC cases without events during long-term follow-up. This is a retrospective longitudinal multicenter cohort study of consecutive patients fulfilling LVNC criteria by echocardiography or cardiovascular magnetic resonance. MACE were defined as heart failure (HF), ventricular arrhythmias (VAs), systemic embolisms, or all-cause mortality. A total of 585 patients were included (45 ± 20 years of age, 57% male). LV ejection fraction (LVEF) was 48% ± 17%, and 18% presented late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). After a median follow-up of 5.1 years, MACE occurred in 223 (38%) patients: HF in 110 (19%), VAs in 87 (15%), systemic embolisms in 18 (3%), and 34 (6%) died. LVEF was the main variable independently associated with MACE (P < 0.05). LGE was associated with HF and VAs in patients with LVEF >35% (P < 0.05). A prediction model of MACE was developed using Cox regression, composed by age, sex, electrocardiography, cardiovascular risk factors, LVEF, and family aggregation. C-index was 0.72 (95% confidence interval: 0.67-0.75) in the derivation cohort and 0.72 (95% confidence interval: 0.71-0.73) in an external validation cohort. Patients with no electrocardiogram abnormalities, LVEF ≥50%, no LGE, and negative family screening presented no MACE at follow-up. LVNC is associated with an increased risk of heart failure and ventricular arrhythmias. LVEF is the variable most strongly associated with MACE; however, LGE confers additional risk in patients without severe systolic dysfunction. A risk prediction model is developed and validated to guide management. The project was partially funded by a grant from the Catalan Society of Cardiology (Barcelona, Spain). Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca (Murcia, Spain) was supported by a grant from the Foundation Marató TV3 (218/C/2015) (Barcelona, Spain). Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe (Valencia, Spain) was partially supported by Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (“Unión Europea, Una forma de hacer Europa”) (Madrid, Spain) and the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (La Fe Biobank PT17/0015/ 0043) (Madrid, Spain). Dr Guala was supported by funding from the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (IJC2018-037349-I) (Madrid, Spain). Dr La Mura was supported by a research grant from the Cardiopath PhD program (Naples, Italy). Prof de la Pompa was supported by grants PID2019-104776RB-I00 and CB16/11/00399 (CIBER CV) from the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities. Dr Bayes-Genis was supported by grants from CIBER Cardiovascular (CB16/11/00403 and 16/11/00420) (Madrid, Spain) and AdvanceCat 2014-2020 (Barcelona, Spain); and has received advisory board and lecture fees from Novartis, Boehringer Ingelheim, Vifor, Roche Diagnostics, and Critical Diagnostics. Dr Pontone has received speaker honorarium and/or institutional research grants from GE Healthcare, Bracco, Boehringer Ingelheim, and HeartFlow. All other authors have reported that they have no relationships relevant to the contents of this paper to disclose. Sí

The paper presents a set of comparative tests to evaluate the inhibitory effect of crystal violet on the respiration rate of microorganisms in conventional activated sludge and aerobic granular sludge. The tests were performed in similar conditions with the only variable of the type of sludge tested. The results emphasized that the aerobic granular sludge is less susceptible to the toxicity induced by crystal violet. The concentration of crystal violet that inhibits by 50% (CE50) the respiration rate of sludge microorganisms was determined to be, for the specific test conditions, 22.39 mg/L for the conventional activated sludge and 33.88 mg/L for the aerobic granular sludge. The paper also assesses the biodegradability potential of crystal violet from aqueous solution, in the presence of sodium acetate as co-substrate in a lab-scale sequential biological reactor with aerobic granular sludge. The experiments showed that most of the crystal violet is being initially absorbed in the matrix of the granules during the first minutes and subsequently is being removed with efficiencies above 95% within a treatment cycle of 8 hours.

The purpose of this research is to analyze whether State-Owned Financial institutions are giving more attention, in their integrated report, to stakeholders, that among the most important find the civil society, than Privately-Owned Financial institutions. An in-depth content analysis of the analyzed financial institutions’ Integrated Reports has been carried out, through the employment of MAXQDA, whit the extent to answer research questions proposed. Evidences outlined a higher stakeholder engagement by State-Owned Enterprises. Further research are required for a better understanding of Stakeholder engagement of SOEs.

Nanostructured organic templates originating from self-assembled block copolymers (BCPs) can be converted into inorganic nanostructures by sequential infiltration synthesis (SIS). This capability is particularly relevant within the framework of advanced lithographic applications because of the exploitation of the BCP-based nanostructures as hard masks. In this work, Al

Cryptocurrencies are virtual currencies supported by decentralized systems, created through mining, their value being supported by the laws of supply and demand. No central authority regulates their use, as transactions take place directly, without the involvement of a third-party. Cryptocurrencies are an extremely debated topic around the world, and their use is spreading everyday. However, they are still relatively little understood by a lot of people, being surrounded by many unfounded prejudices and myths. This study explores cryptocurrencies and their main implications for accounting and auditing. We aim to address the major issues related to cryptocurrencies that arise in both the academic and the practical field. We conducted an analysis of scientific articles, as well as studies and reports of practitioners published online, to identify a taxonomy of emerging topics. The study finds that the most discussed topics are the classification and the accounting of cryptocurrencies, the related risks, the applicable regulatory framework, as well as their use in illegal activities. Based on these topics, useful information is provided for accountants and auditors on the approach to cryptocurrencies.