Search

One of the problems of the oil industry is the accumulation of sludge at the bottom of crude oil storage tanks. Oil sludge obtained from crude oil storage tanks is a semi-solid waste. It is actually a complex emulsion made up of numerous petroleum hydrocarbons, water and solid particles or mineral impurities from the rock. Oil sludge is generated during the storage of crude oil production, but also during the transportation, storage, and refining of crude oil. Through its nature - organic and inorganic, dark brown / black in color and semi-fluid physical state - it is a very dangerous waste, as it includes many poisonous substances, such as: polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, xylene, benzene, ethyl benzene, toluene, but also metals heavy. Therefore, oil sludge deposition is a dynamic, long-term, and ever-changing process. The authors, under the auspices of AOȘR and AGIR, present - through this scientific paper - a modern technology used for the successful cleaning of oil sludge from crude oil storage tanks and, obviously, it can be a recommendation for organizations in the oil industry

With this article, we propose to analyse the way in which the implementation of the measures to reduce the budget deficit was decided in Romania. Thus, we are particularly concerned with the provisions of Law no. 296/2023 on some fiscal-budgetary measures to ensure Romania's long-term financial sustainability, a normative act that at first glance positions itself correctly towards its recipients, but on closer reading, has the potential to generate negative effects, at least with regard to economic operators with state capital that can be considered profitable. We will analyse, for example, the bans imposed, in relation to their generality, without taking into account the long-term effects, and here we have in mind the fluctuation and ageing of staff, but also the lack of any means of encouraging production. However, as long as employees are aware that the company has made a profit, if it is not reflected at the salary level (bonuses, meal vouchers), even though this has happened in previous years, they will become dissatisfied, with the direct consequence being a drop in productivity and, implicitly, in the current year's profit. That is why, having analysed the above-mentioned normative act, we have come to the conclusion that it needs to be amended, at least with regard to some measures, especially those related to the granting of bonuses at salary level. We admit that measures to reduce the budget deficit are necessary, but this cannot be achieved by imposing bans that apply to different categories of recipients, without taking into account possible, well-justified exceptions. If the legislation does not change, surely memoranda will be formulated regarding the exemption of the economic operators concerned from the total/partial application, as the case may be, of the provisions of Law no. 296/2023.

Combination therapies in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC), which include the addition of an androgen receptor signaling inhibitor and/or docetaxel to androgen deprivation therapy, have been a game changer in the management of this disease stage. However, these therapies come with their fair share of toxicities and side effects. The goal of this observational study is to report drug-related adverse events (AEs), which are correlated with systemic combination therapies for mHSPC. Determining the optimal treatment option requires large cohorts to estimate the tolerability and AEs of these combination therapies in “real-life” patients with mHSPC, as provided in this study. We use a network of databases that includes population-based registries, electronic health records, and insurance claims, containing the overall target population and subgroups of patients defined by unique certain characteristics, demographics, and comorbidities, to compute the incidence of common AEs associated with systemic therapies in the setting of mHSPC. These data sources are standardised using the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership Common Data Model. We perform the descriptive statistics as well as calculate the AE incidence rate separately for each treatment group, stratified by age groups and index year. The time until the first event is estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method within each age group. In the case of episodic events, the anticipated mean cumulative counts of events are calculated. Our study will allow clinicians to tailor optimal therapies for mHSPC patients, and they will serve as a basis for comparative method studies.

The main objective of the paper is to reveal a few aspects related to combustion quality of a diesel engine fueled in diesel-gas mode with diesel fuel and compressed natural gas. The total amount of heat released per cycle will be higher when the engine is fueled in dual-fuel mode due to higher LHV and because of the gaseous state of CNG. For low and medium loads the total quality of heat released per cycle will increase with 10 % and for higher loads it will reach levels with 25 % higher. The heat release rate of the preformed mixture will double its value for low and medium loads and will reach thresholds up to 3.5 times higher (interval −15; −5°CA); admitting CNG into cylinder will help the preformed mixture to reach stoichiometric values and thus improving the fast combustion phase. Fueling the engine in dual fuel mode with diesel fuel and CNG will have a negative effect on the maximum heat release rate; there will be a 10 % drop in maximum HRR for low loads when the energetic substitution coefficient reaches 36 % and 14 % at high loads when the xc is 26 %. The gaseous state and a higher LHV of CNG will have a good impact on indicated mean effective pressure for all studied regimes when the engine is fueled in DG mode: for low and medium loads 30 % and for high loads 20 % increase will be recorded. Gaseous state of CNG will lead to a higher percentage of preformed mixture and thus the fast combustion phase will extend for longer periods for all studied regimes when the engine is fueled in DG mode (20 % longer for low and medium loads and 30 % for high loads). The diffusive combustion phase will become shorter due to a lower quantity of the main dose when CNG is injected into the intake manifold (10–15 % shorter for low loads and 7 % at high loads).

At the beginning of 1900, Romanian-Bulgarian relations were very tense, being fuelled by both the incidents at the Southern border and the attacks that took place on the Romanian territory, thus, on the agenda of the Romanian politicians, the problem of the Aromanians from the Balkan Peninsula and Macedonia, the province coveted by Bulgarians, Greeks and Serbs, where comitagii gangs, the antarti and the cetnic fought both for the liberation of the countrymen from Ottoman rule and with the Turkish troops. In this context, assassination came to be used as a weapon against opponents, being present in Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia and Greece. At the end of the 19th century, Romanian society was suddenly awakened to reality, facing the consequences of the barbaric manner in which one of these revolutionary secret committees acted, whose anarchist subcommittee was established in Bucharest – nowadays we frequently use the phrase terrorist cell for something similar. Thus, it received the mission to commit several bombings on the Romanian territory, as well as the assassination of King Carol I and Romanian dignitaries, while, at the Southern border, the Romanian border guards reported daily incidents at the common border whose purpose was to destabilize and maintain a tense state on the conventional demarcation line between Romania and Bulgaria.

Incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) remained relatively stable over the last decade and the adjusted risks for it and mortality are similar across different continents and regions. Also, the mortality of septic-AKI can reach 70% in critically-ill patients. These sole facts can give rise to a question: is there something we do not understand yet?Currently, there are no specific therapies for septic AKI and the treatment aims only to maintain the mean arterial pressure over 65 mmHg by ensuring a good fluid resuscitation and by using vasopressors, along with antibiotics. On the other hand, there is an increased concern about the different hemodynamic changes in septic AKI versus other forms and the link between the gut microbiome and the severity of septic AKI. Fortunately, progress has been made in the form of administration of pre- and probiotics, short chain fatty acids (SCFA), especially acetate, and also broad-spectrum antibiotics or selective decontaminants of the digestive tract in a successful attempt to modulate the microbial flora and to decrease both the severity of AKI and mortality.In conclusion, septic-AKI is a severe form of kidney injury, with particular hemodynamic changes and with a strong link between the kidney and the gut microbiome. By modulating the immune response we could not only treat but also prevent severe forms. The most difficult part is to categorize patients and to better understand the key mechanisms of inflammation and cellular adaptation to the injury, as these mechanisms can serve in the future as target therapies. Resumen: La incidencia de la lesión renal aguda (LRA) se ha mantenido relativamente estable a lo largo de la última década, con unos riesgos ajustados de padecer y morir a consecuencia de esta enfermedad similares en los distintos continentes y regiones. La mortalidad asociada a la LRA secundaria a sepsis puede llegar a 70% en los pacientes que se encuentran en estado crítico. Estos hechos, por sí mismos, deben llevarnos a plantearnos la siguiente pregunta: ¿se nos escapa algo que aún no comprendemos?Actualmente no se dispone de terapias específicas para la LRA secundaria a sepsis y el tratamiento se centra únicamente en mantener la presión arterial media por encima de los 65 mmHg mediante una rehidratación adecuada, vasopresores y antibióticos. Asimismo, cada vez existe mayor interés por las diferentes alteraciones hemodinámicas que se producen en comparación con otras formas de la enfermedad, así como por la relación existente entre el microbioma intestinal y la gravedad. Afortunadamente, se ha avanzado notablemente en la forma en la que se administran los prebióticos y los probióticos, los ácidos grasos de cadena corta (AGCC), especialmente el acetato, los antibióticos de amplio espectro o los detoxificantes selectivos del tracto digestivo, en un intento exitoso de modular la flora microbiana y disminuir tanto la gravedad de la LRA como su mortalidad.En conclusión, la LRA secundaria a sepsis es una forma grave de lesión renal que provoca unos cambios hemodinámicos específicos y en la que se observa una estrecha relación entre la función renal y el microbioma intestinal. La modulación de la respuesta inmunitaria no solo permitiría tratar esta enfermedad, sino también prevenir las formas graves de la misma. La parte más difícil de este enfoque radica en clasificar correctamente a los pacientes y comprender mejor los mecanismos clave de la inflamación y la adaptación celular a la lesión, ya que estos pueden convertirse en futuras dianas terapéuticas.

Background and Objectives: Although considerable research has been devoted to examining the distinctions between fresh and frozen embryo transfer regarding obstetric outcomes and rates of pregnancy success, there is still a scarcity of thorough analyses that specifically examine neonatal outcomes. The objective of our study was to provide an in-depth analysis of neonatal outcomes that occur after the transfer of fresh and frozen embryos (ET vs. FET) in IVF/ICSI cycles. Materials and Methods: Multiple databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Wiley, Scopus, Ovid and Science Direct) were searched from January 1980 to February 2024. Two reviewers conducted the article identification and data extraction, meeting inclusion and exclusion criteria. The methodological quality was evaluated using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS) or the revised Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. The meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4. Results: Twenty studies, including 171,481 participants in total, were subjected to qualitative and quantitative analyses. A significant increase in preterm birth rates was noted with fresh embryo transfer compared to FET in the overall IVF/ICSI population (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.18–1.35, p < 0.00001), as well as greater odds of a low birth weight (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.27–1.48, p < 0.00001) and small-for-gestational-age infants in this group (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.63–2.00, p < 0.00001). In contrast, frozen embryo transfer can result in macrosomic (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.54–0.65, p < 0.00001) or large-for-gestational-age infants (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.60–0.69, p < 0.00001). No significant difference was observed regarding congenital malformations or neonatal death rates. Conclusions: This systematic review confirmed that singleton babies conceived by frozen embryo transfer are at lower risk of preterm delivery, low birthweight and being small for gestational age than their counterparts conceived by fresh embryo transfer. The data support embryo cryopreservation but suggest that elective freezing should be limited to cases with a proven indication or within the framework of a clinical study.

This paper presents an in-depth analysis of a Quantum-inspired Multi-objective Optimization Algorithm (QMOA) applied to a unique problem: maximizing trading profits while minimizing energy costs. Previous investigations have explored the profitability of Bitcoin, yet our research delves into its relationship with energy costs. Regarding the trade-offs, the Pareto analysis reveals that trading profit and energy cost do not strongly inversely correlate. The range of outcomes shows a relatively uniform trading profit (from 1.302,85 to 1.310,22$), but a broader variation in energy costs (from 1.141,66 to 5.657,94$). While the trading profit remains stable, there is a wide array of options for minimizing energy cost, which is influenced by various constraints and market conditions. Solutions tend to cluster more in areas of higher energy costs. However, the variability in energy costs offers Bitcoin miners choices, allowing them to tailor strategies, whether that involves prioritizing energy efficiency, profit maximization or striking a balance.

Cancer survivorship was recently identified as a prostate cancer (PCa) research priority by PIONEER, a European network of excellence for big data in PCa. Despite being a research priority, cancer survivorship lacks a clear and agreed definition, and there is a distinct paucity of patient-reported outcome (PRO) data available on the subject. Data collection on cancer survivorship depends on the availability and implementation of (validated) routinely collected patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). There have been recent advances in the availability of such PROMs. For instance, the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Group (EORTC QLG) is developing survivorship questionnaires. This provides an excellent first step in improving the data available on cancer survivorship. However, we propose that an agreed, standardised definition of (prostate) cancer survivorship must first be established. Only then can real-world data on survivorship be collected to strengthen our knowledge base. With more men than ever surviving PCa, this type of research is imperative to ensure that the quality of life of these men is considered as much as their quantity of life. Patient summary: As there are more prostate cancer survivors than ever before, research into cancer survivorship is crucial. We highlight the importance of such research and provide recommendations on how to carry it out. The first step should be establishing agreement on a standardised definition of survivorship. From this, patient-reported outcome measures can then be used to collect important survivorship data.

Wolcott-Rallison syndrome is a rare cause of permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus caused by mutations in the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha kinase 3 gene (EIF2AK3). Individuals affected by this disorder have severe hyperglycemia, pancreatic failure, and bone abnormalities and are prone to severe and life-threatening episodes of liver failure. This report illustrates the case of a 2-month-old infant with extreme hyperglycemia and severe diabetic ketoacidosis. Acute management was focused on correcting severe acidosis. Further management aimed to obtain stable blood glucose levels, balancing the patient’s need for comfort and lack of distress with the clinicians’ need for adequate information regarding the patient’s glycemic control. Genetic testing of the patient and his parents confirmed the diagnosis. The follow-up for 18 months after diagnosis is detailed, illustrating both the therapeutic success of subcutaneous insulin therapy and the ongoing complications that patients with Wolcott-Rallison syndrome are subject to.

This research aims to identify the prevalence of failure for Birmingham Hip Prosthesis (BHR) in total hip arthroplasty and to analyze its reasons from biomaterials and biofunctional perspectives. We present our current analysis and tests on a series of different BHR-retrieved prostheses after premature failure. Relevant clinical data, such as X-ray investigations and intraoperative images for clinical case studies, were analyzed to better understand all factors involved in BHR prosthesis failure. A detailed analysis of the failures highlighted uneven cement distribution, overloading in certain areas, and void formation in the material. A closer investigation using microscopical techniques revealed the presence of a crack originating from the gap between the cement mantle and human bone. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy analyses were conducted as part of the investigation to examine bone cement morphology in detail and better understand the interactions at the interfaces between implant, cement, and bone. In conclusion, this research emphasizes the importance of surgical technique planning and the cementation procedure in the success rate of BHR prostheses. It also underscores the need to carefully evaluate patient characteristics and bone quality to minimize the risk of BHR prosthesis failure. The cementation procedure seems to be essential for the long-term functionality of the BHR prosthesis.

Background/Objectives: Central nervous system (CNS) involvement is a complication of COVID-19, adding to disease burden. The aim of this study is to identify the risk factors independently associated with CNS involvement in a cohort of patients hospitalized with severe forms of COVID-19 and the risk factors associated with all causes of in-hospital mortality and assess the impact of CNS involvement on in-hospital mortality of the severe COVID-19 patients. Methods: We performed a retrospective observational cohort study including adult patients with severe or critical forms of COVID-19 with and without new-onset CNS manifestations between March 2020 and December 2022. Results: We included 162 patients, 50 of which presented with CNS involvement. Independent risk factors for CNS involvement were female sex (p = 0.04, OR 3.67, 95%CI 1.05–12.85), diabetes mellitus (p = 0.008, OR 5.08, 95%CI 1.519–17.04)), lymphocyte count (0.04, OR 0.23, 95%CI 0.05–0.97), platelets count (p = 0.001, OR 0.98, 95%CI 0.98–0.99) CRP value (p = 0.04, OR 1.007, 95%CI 1.000–1.015), and CK value (p = 0.004, OR 1.003, 95%CI 1.001–1.005). Obesity was a protective factor (p < 0.001, OR 0.57, 95%CI 0.016–0.20). New-onset CNS manifestations (p = 0.002, OR 14.48, 95%CI 2.58–81.23) were independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality. In-hospital mortality was higher in the new-onset CNS involvement group compared to patients without neurological involvement, 44% versus 7.1% (p < 0.001). Conclusions: CNS involvement in severe COVID-19 patients contributes to all causes of in-hospital mortality. There are several risk factors associated with new-onset CNS manifestations and preventing and controlling them could have an important impact on patients’ outcome.

IntroductionSARS-CoV-2 infection can affect any organ, including both the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS). The aim of this study was to explore the outcome and risk factors associated with the involvement of either CNS or PNS in a cohort of hospitalized COVID-19 patients.MethodsWe performed a retrospective observational cohort study of hospitalized adult patients with COVID-19, between May 2020 and December 2022, presenting with new onset neurological disabilities any time after admission.ResultsWe included 115 patients, 72 with CNS manifestations and 43 with PNS involvement. The CNS manifestations were COVID-19-associated encephalopathy, headache, neurovascular events, and seizures in 80.5, 43, 31.9, and 11.1% of patients, respectively. The neurovascular events were ischemic stroke in 17 (23.6%) patients, hemorrhagic stroke in 6 (8.3%) patients, venous thrombosis in 1 (1.4%) patient, and subarachnoid hemorrhage in 1 (1.4%) patient. Cranial nerve involvement was the most frequent PNS manifestation in 34 (79%) cases, followed by mononeuritis in 5 (11.6%) patients and polyneuropathy in 4 (9.3%) patients. The affected cranial nerves were the vestibulocochlear nerve in 26 (60.5%) patients, the olfactory nerve in 24 (55.8%) patients, the oculomotor nerves in 5 (11.6%) patients, and the facial nerve in 1 (2.3%) patient. Two patients (9.3%) presented with polyneuritis cranialis. Older age (HR = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.003–1.037, p = 0.01), COVID severity (HR = 2.53, 95% CI: 1.42–4.5, p = 0.002), ischemic cardiac disease (HR = 2.42, 95% CI: 1.05–5.6, p = 0.03), and increased D-dimers (HR = 1.00, 95% CI: 1.00–1.00, p = 0.02) were independently associated with the development of CNS manifestations. The factors associated with in-hospital mortality were age (HR = 1.059, 95% CI: 1.024–1.096, p = 0.001), C-reactive protein (HR = 1.006, 95% CI: 1.00–1.011, p = 0.03), CNS involvement (HR = 9.155, 95% CI: 1.185–70.74, p = 0.03), and leucocyte number (HR = 1.053, 95% CI: 1.026–1.081, p

In 1923, the Dobrogean Revolutionary Internal Organization – V.D.R.O. was created by reorganizing the revolutionary section of „Dobrogea” Society. Amid intervention by the Bulgarian authorities informed that the leaders of this group, influenced by the Bulgarian communists, were planning to start a revolt in the autumn of 1925, the Dobrogean Internal Revolutionary Organization – V.D.R.O split, creating a new organization called the Dobrogean Revolutionary Organization – D.R.O. – under communist coordination. From this moment, internally, a strong rivalry began between these terrorist organizations, V.D.R.O and D.R.O. Therefore, between 1925 and 1932, the irredentist activity of Bulgarian counties was reflected in numerous border incidents, investigated by joint military commissions, exchanges of fire between Romanian and Bulgarian border guards, mainly caused by fraudulent crossings of Bulgarian counties, who robbed the Romanian peasants of the villages near the Romanian-Bulgarian border and killed the Romanian border guards who surprised them as they tried to cross the border. In order to stop these events and their investigation in a good collaboration by both parties, in 1932, a protocol agreed by the Government of Romania and Bulgaria was concluded and signed, known as Protocol no. 5, which sought to implement a simple procedure and methodology adapted to a concrete situation in the joint investigation of border incidents.

With the Union with Bessarabia, the Romanian government took over a territorial administration influenced by the tsarist regime and then by the events that took place after the Bolshevik revolution in 1917. If the central administration of the country was carried out through the Country Council (legislative power) and the Council of Ministers (executive power) at the county, commune or village level, the local administration was represented by numerous commissions and committees. The Alexandru Marghiloman government was the first to start the process of implementing the romanian administration’s principles.

Leptomeningeal spread with carcinomatous meningitis is a severe complication of glioblastoma, with a poor prognosis. Diagnosis is challenging, as the sensitivity of classic diagnostic investigations remains low for detecting cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tumor spread and exclusion of infectious causes is mandatory, especially if unusual clinical findings are present.

In this paper, we aim to showcase the general context, characteristics of NoSQL, data management using NoSQL database and an exemplification in MongoDB. Moreover, organization and management of large volumes of data (Big Data), the trend in the field of advanced database systems and business intelligence will be depicted in this research. The large volumes of data in various fields of activity require adequate management in order to gain a competitive advantage or to achieve the quality of decisions. Various fields generate large volumes of data, such as: consumerism and home devices, smart infrastructure, security and surveillance, healthcare system, transportation, retail and industrial sectors, others.

The species of the genus Euphrasia present important medicinal potential according to their traditional uses. However, few studies aim to sustain this fact by scientific evidence. The present study aimed to explore the phytochemical profile and investigate the antioxidant, antimicrobial and antiproliferative potential of E. officinalis subsp. pratensis Fr. (EO) and E. stricta J.P.Wolff ex J.F.Lehm (ES). The tested samples consisted of ethanolic extracts. The identification and quantification of phenolic compounds were performed using spectrophotometric and LC–MS/MS methods. The antioxidant capacity was evaluated using the DPPH, FRAP and xanthine oxidase methods. Antimicrobial properties were screened using disk diffusion, broth microdilution and anti-biofilm assays, while antiproliferative potential was assessed on a colorectal adenocarcinoma human cancer cell line (DLD-1). The LC–MS/MS analysis showed chlorogenic acid and rutin as the dominant constituents in the tested extracts. The antioxidant activity assays showed important capacity for both samples; in vitro antimicrobial and anti-biofilm properties were exhibited, especially against Gram-positive bacteria, and an important inhibitory potential was observed on the proliferation of the DLD-1 cell line. The findings in the present study contribute to the recommendation of EO and ES for the prevention and treatment of oxidative stress-related pathologies, cancer and microbial infections.

Myxofibrosarcoma (MFS), an aggressive soft tissue sarcoma, is one of the undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcomas; it has a low incidence, affecting people in the sixth to eighth decades of life. It usually involves the extremities and is painless with a slow-growing pattern. Based on the case of a 52-year-old female patient who presented with a painful, massive, rapid-growing, ulcerated tumor of the anterior surface of the left thigh, we performed a literature review regarding the current standard of care for patients with MFS. Computed tomography examination, followed by magnetic resonance imaging and surgical biopsy with histopathological examination, confirmed the diagnosis and the presence of lung and inguinal lymph node metastases. Due to the rapid-growing pattern and the local aggressiveness, our tumor board team recommended emergency excisional surgery, with subsequent reconstructive procedures followed by referral to an oncological center. This review emphasizes the importance of proper and rapid diagnosis, followed by multidisciplinary management, for MFS cases with atypical presentation and distal metastases to improve overall outcomes.

Diabetes mellitus is a complex, multifactorial, progressive condition with a variety of approved therapeutic options. The purpose of this study was to offer an overview of the authorized antidiabetic medicines (excluding insulin) compared with marketed products in seven European countries. Data were obtained from primary sources, including the websites of national authorities and directly from specialists in the countries of interest. The range of marketed medicines compared with the authorized group was assessed in terms of active pharmaceutical ingredients (>60% in Bulgaria, France, Serbia), brand names (>70% in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Romania, Serbia, Spain), pharmaceutical forms (>60% in all countries), strengths (>60% in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Romania, Serbia, Spain), marketing authorization holder (≥50% in all countries) and the status of medicine. Spain was found to have the highest number of products based on most of these attributes. Over 90% of authorized medicines had a pharmacy price in Serbia. Regarding the newer class of GLP-1 receptor agonists, a retail price for all approved substances was available in Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, and Spain. Only one brand name with one concentration was found available for some agents, being susceptible to drug shortages: glibenclamide (Romania, Serbia, Spain), glipizide (the Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, Spain), glisentide (Spain), acarbose (the Czech Republic), sitagliptin (Bulgaria, Poland), vildagliptin (the Czech Republic, Poland) and saxagliptin (the Czech Republic, France, Romania, Serbia). An overview of the national and international therapeutic options may allow competent authorities and health professionals to take rapid measures in case of supply problems or health crises.

To make wind power more competitive, it is necessary to reduce turbine downtime and reduce costs associated with wind turbine operation and maintenance (O&M). Incorporating machine learning in the development of condition-based predictive maintenance methodologies for wind turbines can enhance their efficiency and reliability. This paper presents a monitoring method that utilizes Density Based Support Vector Machines (DBSVM) and the evolutionary Fourier spectra of vibrations. This method allows for the smart monitoring of the function evolution of the turbine. A complex optimal function (FO) for 5-degree order has been developed that will be the boundary function of the DBSVM to be timely determined from the Fourier spectrum through the magnitude–frequency and place of the failure occurring in the wind turbine drivetrains. The trend of the failure was constructed with the maximal values of the optimal frequency function for both yesthe cases of the upwind and downwind parts of the gearbox.

The current context of the electricity markets is marked by the lingering effects of COVID-19 and the conflict in Ukraine that have a significant influence on the European wholesale electricity markets. Both Day-Ahead Market (DAM) and balancing market have been heavily impacted by fluctuating prices. This trend started in October 2021 when the lockdowns were removed and the high request for commodities led to a higher inflation. Then in 2022, the conflict in Ukraine accentuated this evolution and even higher prices were recorded for electricity, gas, oil and other resources. In this paper, we analyze a set of fundamental variables and provide an electricity price forecast on DAM using a multiple regression model. The exogenous variables considered in this paper are the following: power system data (total consumption, total generation and its breakdown: renewables (RES) and Non-RES), economic data (inflation, interest rate), certificate price for CO2 emissions (EU-ETS), level of Danube River and other resources prices (oil, gas). Interesting insights can be extracted from a data set that consists of merged time series collected from January 2019 until August 2022. The results are measured using Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE).

This article aims to address the differences that exist throughout the country with regard to the power to enforce a claim belonging to a public institution but financed entirely from its own revenues. Moreover, the claim in question belongs strictly to the budget of the institution and is therefore not a claim which first goes to the state budget and then is redirected to the budget of the institution. This raises the practical question of whether the traditional bailiff is competent to enforce the claim in question on behalf of the institution, or whether there is an obligation to have recourse to tax executors, taking into account, in particular, the purpose of the claim, its course and the fact that it is not a tax claim in the true sense of the word.

The support received by the Bulgarian komitadjis from the civil and military authorities in the attacks, robberies, and murders they committed on the southern border of Romania confirmed the suspicion of the authorities in Bucharest that their actions against border guards and Romanian citizens had political connotations and could not be characterized as acts of banditry. Although significant efforts were made by the Romanian government to halt them, both at the diplomatic and military levels, the decision-making factors in Bulgaria during the period investigated in this article did not take any measures to prevent the occurrence of these border incidents.

Air quality monitoring has become an increasingly important subject and is one of the most important concerns of governments worldwide. Monitoring is especially important in industrial and urban areas. Due to the many forms of pollution generated mainly by fuel consumption, means of transport, coal-fired electricity generation, etc., air quality is negatively affected. As the current trend is an increase in air pollution, it is necessary to install equipment to measure air quality both in areas with a high risk of pollution and in areas where pollution is low. These types of equipment must communicate in real-time their measured values, which then can be accessed to be able to make analyzes and predictions regarding air quality in a certain geographical area, areas with a high industrialization level, or in areas with a growing population. This paper aims to investigate the application of big data and machine learning techniques to make predictions on air quality using, as a source of data, data recorded in the period 2018-2021 from measurement probes throughout Romania for PM10, NO2, O3, and SO2. The results of this paper's analysis show that time-series models outperform traditional models. Moreover, ANN models are successful only in classifying pollutants' AQI levels and not their actual values.

Objectives. This study emerged as a result of interactions with advertising professionals. Thus, it was found that the contemporary crises, especially the one generated by the COVID-19 pandemic – have brought some radical changes in the economic and creative environment of the advertising industry in Romania. Material and methods. This study is based on several dialogues that can be considered interviews focused on the structural changes observed behind the scenes of the advertising industry by the professionals met and who are actual witnesses of the negative and positive transformations that this industry has undergone in recent times. Results. The pandemic was not only a health and economic crisis, but also an identity crisis, in which advertisers and companies had to not only build brand communication, but reposition their own identity as well. While old jobs were lost, new ones were created. And while off-line channels were lost, new channels emerged, such as Bolt and Glovo delivery. Furthermore, cultural events, such as theatre plays and concerts, stepped beyond the traditional stage and became part of the streaming platforms, thus being relaunched with the help of digital strategy and marketing. Conclusions. The transformations impact not only advertising agencies, but clients as well. The off-line communication “ban” has not only forced the communication to be moved into the digital realm, but also rushed agencies and companies to create new departments and specializations, in order to cope with these digital requirements. The conclusions that can be drawn from the study can become useful to both professional advertisers and local teachers trying to train future communicators with professionalism.

Background and Objectives: Although considerable research has been devoted to examining the distinctions between fresh and frozen embryo transfer regarding obstetric outcomes and rates of pregnancy success, there is still a scarcity of thorough analyses that specifically examine neonatal outcomes. The objective of our study was to provide an in-depth analysis of neonatal outcomes that occur after the transfer of fresh and frozen embryos (ET vs. FET) in IVF/ICSI cycles. Materials and Methods: Multiple databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Wiley, Scopus, Ovid and Science Direct) were searched from January 1980 to February 2024. Two reviewers conducted the article identification and data extraction, meeting inclusion and exclusion criteria. The methodological quality was evaluated using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS) or the revised Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. The meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4. Results: Twenty studies, including 171,481 participants in total, were subjected to qualitative and quantitative analyses. A significant increase in preterm birth rates was noted with fresh embryo transfer compared to FET in the overall IVF/ICSI population (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.18–1.35, p < 0.00001), as well as greater odds of a low birth weight (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.27–1.48, p < 0.00001) and small-for-gestational-age infants in this group (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.63–2.00, p < 0.00001). In contrast, frozen embryo transfer can result in macrosomic (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.54–0.65, p < 0.00001) or large-for-gestational-age infants (OR 0.64, 95% CI 0.60–0.69, p < 0.00001). No significant difference was observed regarding congenital malformations or neonatal death rates. Conclusions: This systematic review confirmed that singleton babies conceived by frozen embryo transfer are at lower risk of preterm delivery, low birthweight and being small for gestational age than their counterparts conceived by fresh embryo transfer. The data support embryo cryopreservation but suggest that elective freezing should be limited to cases with a proven indication or within the framework of a clinical study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to combined therapeutical emissions, a high linear energy transfer Auger-electrons with the longer ranged β− particles, 64Cu-based radiopharmaceuticals raise particular theragnostic interest in cancer, by joined therapeutic and real-time PET imaging properties. The in vitro study aimed to investigate the biological and molecular background of 64CuCl2 therapy by analyzing the damages and stress responses inflicted in various human normal and tumor cell lines. Colon (HT29 and HCT116) and prostate carcinoma (DU145) cell lines, as well as human normal BJ fibroblasts, were treated up to 72 h with 2–40 MBq/mL 64CuCl2. Radioisotope uptake and retention were assessed, and cell viability/death, DNA damage, oxidative stress, and the expression of 84 stress genes were investigated at various time points after [64Cu]CuCl2 addition. All the investigated cells incorporated 64Cu ions similarly, independent of their tumoral or normal status, but their fate after exposure to [64Cu]CuCl2 was cell-dependent. The most striking cytotoxic effects of the radioisotope were registered in colon carcinoma HCT116 cells, for which a substantial decrease in the number of metabolically active cells, and an increased DNA damage and oxidative stress were registered. The stress gene expression study highlighted the activation of both death and repair mechanisms in these cells, related to extrinsic apoptosis, necrosis/necroptosis or autophagy, and cell cycle arrest, nucleotide excision repair, antioxidant, and hypoxic responses, respectively. The in vitro study indicated that 40 MBq/mL [64Cu]CuCl2 delivers a therapeutic effect in human colon carcinoma, but its use is limited by harmful, yet lower effects on normal fibroblasts. The exposure of tumor cells to 20 MBq/mL [64Cu]CuCl2, might be used for a softer approach aiming for a lower radiotoxicity in normal fibroblasts as compared to tumor cells. This radioactive concentration was able to induce a persistent decrease in the number of metabolically active cells, accompanied by DNA damage and oxidative stress, associated with significant changes in stress gene expression in HCT116 colon cancer cells.

On the verge of a theranostic approach to personalised medicine, copper-64 is one of the emerging radioisotopes in nuclear medicine due to its exploitable nuclear and biochemical characteristics. The increased demand for copper-64 for preclinical and clinical studies has prompted the development of production routes. This research aims to compare the (p,n) reaction on nickel-64 solid versus liquid targets and evaluate the effectiveness of [64Cu]CuCl2 solutions prepared by the two routes. As new treatments for neurotensin receptor-overexpressing tumours have developed, copper-64 was used to radiolabel Neurotensin (8-13) and Neuromedin N. High-quality [64Cu]CuCl2 solutions were prepared using ACSI TR-19 and IBA Cyclone Kiube cyclotrons. The radiochemical purity after post-irradiation processing reached 99% (LT) and 99.99% (ST), respectively. The irradiation of a solid target with 11.8 MeV protons and 150 μAh led to 704 ± 84 MBq/μA (17.6 ± 2.1 GBq/batch at EOB). At the end of the purification process (1 h, 90.90% activity yield), the solution for peptide radiolabelling had a radioactive concentration of 1340.4 ± 70.1 MBq/mL (n.d.c.). The irradiation of a liquid target with 16.9 MeV protons and 230 μAh resulted in 3.7 ± 0.2 GBq/batch at EOB, which corresponds to an experimental production yield of 6.89 GBq.cm3/(g.µA)sat. Benefiting from a shorter purification process (40 min), the activity yielded 90.87%, while the radioactive concentration of the radiolabelling solution was lower (492 MBq/mL, n.d.c.). The [64Cu]CuCl2 solutions were successfully used for the radiolabelling of DOTA-NT(8-13) and DOTA-NN neuropeptides, resulting in a high RCP (>99%) and high molar activity (27.2 and 26.4 GBq/μmol for LT route compared to 45 and 52 GBq/μmol for ST route, respectively). The strong interaction between the [64Cu]Cu-DOTA-NT(8-13) and the colon cancerous cell lines HT29 and HCT116 proved that the specificity for NTR had not been altered, as shown by the uptake and retention data.

Nutraceuticals represent an emerging and dynamic scientific field due to their important potential in integrated healthcare through nutritional and medicinal approaches that interact and complement each other mutually. In an attempt to find new sources for such preparations, the present research focuses on the species Craterellus cornucopioides (L.) Pers. (Cantharellaceae), also known as the black trumpet. This wild mushroom species is renowned for its culinary excellence and unique taste and is used especially in a dehydrated state. However, beyond its gastronomic value, recent scientific investigations have revealed its potential as a source of bioactive compounds with pharmaceutical and therapeutic significance. Our study aimed, therefore, to review the current data regarding the morphology, chemical profile, and medicinal potential of the black trumpet mushroom, highlighting its unique attributes. By conducting a comprehensive literature analysis, this paper contributes to the broader understanding of this remarkable fungal species as a potential functional food and its promising applications in the field of therapeutics.

Ectopic pregnancies are a frequently encountered cause of first-trimester metrorrhagia. They occur when an embryo is implanted and grows outside the normal uterine space. Uncommonly, the embryo can be implanted in the intramural portion of the uterine tube, a condition referred to as interstitial localization. This specific type of ectopic pregnancy may have an unpredictable course, potentially leading to severe uterine rupture and catastrophic bleeding if not promptly diagnosed and managed. We present a rare case of a multiparous 36-year-old female patient who underwent pelvic ultrasonography in the emergency department for intense pelvic pain associated with hypotension and moderate anemia. A history of right salpingectomy for a ruptured tubal ectopic pregnancy 10 years previously was noted. High beta-HCG levels were also detected. A pelvic ultrasound allowed us to suspect a ruptured ectopic interstitial pregnancy at 8 weeks of amenorrhea. An association with hemoperitoneum was suspected, and an emergency laparoscopy was performed. The condition was confirmed intraoperatively, and the patient underwent a right corneal wedge resection with suture of the uterine myometrium. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on the fourth day postoperatively. Interstitial ectopic pregnancy is a rare yet extremely perilous situation. Timely ultrasound-based diagnosis is crucial as it can enable conservative management with Methotrexate. Delayed diagnosis can lead to uterine rupture with consecutive surgery based on a transection of the pregnancy and cornual uterine resection.

Considering that Sorbus aucuparia fruits have been underutilized despite their tremendous potential, this study aimed to correlate the in vitro antioxidant, antibacterial and cell-protective abilities of fruit extracts derived from Sorbus aucuparia Romanian cultivars with their phytochemical composition. Therefore, following the preparation of ethanolic and carotenoid extracts, phytochemical screening was performed using UV–Vis and HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS methods. The antioxidant activity was analyzed using DPPH and FRAP tests. As the results revealed high contents of bioactive compounds (polyphenols 1.11 mg GAE/g DM, flavonoids 430.06 µg QE/g DM and carotenoids 95.68 µg/g DM) and an important antiradical action (DPPH 24.51 mg/mL and FRAP 0.016 µM TE/mL), we chose to further examine the fruits’ biological properties. The antibacterial capacity was assessed employing agar well diffusion and broth microdilution techniques, with fruits displaying an intense activity against MSSA, MRSA and Enterococcus faecalis, but also E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The cell-protective activity was analyzed on gentamicin-stressed renal cells, through MTT and Annexin V-FITC assays. Importantly, a significant increase in viability was registered on stressed cells following extract administration in low doses; nevertheless, viability was noticed to decline when exposed to elevated concentrations, potentially due to the cumulative actions of the extract and gentamicin. These findings offer novel light on the antibacterial activity of Sorbus aucuparia Romanian cultivars, as well as their cell-protective ability in renal cell injury.

Environment Action Programmes (EAP's) are the most important documents defining the environmental policies within the European Union. Their implementation, over the previous 50 years, represented a significant advance in raising eco-friendly awareness and suggesting solutions for environmental problems in the European Union. In this paper, we used Institutional Grammar Tool and network analysis to identify the evolution of EU EAP's by investigating the most recent two programmes (7th Environment Action Programme and 8th Environment Action Programme), particularly in priority objectives, institutional statements, enforcement perspectives, and projected participation of stakeholders. We found that the EU's 8th Environment Action Programme (2021–2030) is further streamlined and target oriented as compared to 7th Environment Action Programme. Furthermore, institutional statements included in the 8th EAP will be implemented predominantly at the levels of European Union and European Commission. On the contrary, in the 7th EAP, the number of institutions, frameworks, and stakeholders is higher and often regional and local (e.g., European Union, Environment Action Programme, European Environment Agency, European Commission, European Parliament, Convention on Biological Diversity, regional authorities, local authorities). The close links of the 8th EAP targets with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the European Green Deal represent an important step towards a greater applicability of environmental policies in the European Union. Our study reveals that comparative analysis of legal documents using Institutional Grammar Tool and network analysis can assist policymakers in assessing the drafting of legal environmental documents and obtain indispensable information about the changes to improve environmental policies.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE), essentially deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, urinary tract infection, and renal failure are the main unplanned hospital events with negative long-term impact on burn patients’ rehabilitation. Due to the hypercoagulable state induced by severe critical burns, either in the acute or recovery phase and the intimal vascular damage, the risk of VTE is increased, with an incidence varying from 0.4% to almost 60%. Other risk factors for VTE in burn patients are prolonged immobilization, long and multiple surgical interventions, central venous catheterization, wound infection and sepsis, extensive burns, and red blood cell transfusion. To avoid underdiagnosing VTE, in face of increased incidence of asymptomatic venous thromboembolism, high risk-patients should be routinely screened using Doppler ultrasound. Patients’ weight and burn size, as well as the high incidence of heparin resistance in the first weeks after injury, should be considered when establishing the optimal dose for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis, targeting an anti-Xa level of 0.2-0.5 IU/mL.

Two concepts, the “territorial system” and the “ecosystem”, describe similar realities from different standpoints. For both systems, one of the key features is diversity, called geodiversity in the first case, and eco- or biodiversity in the second. The paper analyzes their definitions and proposes a clarification: overlapping with geodiversity, eco-diversity includes biodiversity. In this interpretation, urbanization processes determine the loss of biodiversity, but increased geodiversity, reflected by the consumption of resources appreciated as primary eco-energies.