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A new type of residence time difference (RTD) fluxgate sensor is proposed. The proposed sensor consists of a soft magnetic glass coated microwire, surrounded by a pickup coil, and an electronic system for excitation signal generation, pickup signal processing and to display the measurement result. The periodical switching of the magnetic core magnetization is performed by applying a sinusoidal electrical current directly through the magnetic material. This is the major difference from the previously proposed RTD fluxgate sensors, which use a coil to obtain the same effect. This article describes in detail the sensor operation and presents the sensor behavior for three representative categories of glass coated microwires (Fe-Si–B, Fe-Si–B-Cu–Nb, and Co-Fe–Si-B) used as sensitive elements.

ABSTRACTSchool climate is crucial for understanding everyday school life. For pupils, breaktime seems to be associated with how they feel about their school climate. To better understand school climate and what social processes pupils address, this study explores pupils’ perspectives on school climate with attention on how they perceive their breaktimes. The study was based on 29 focus group interviews (n = 164) with pupils from two public schools in grades 1–9 (i.e. 7–15 years old). Constructivist grounded theory guided data gathering and analysis. Findings revealed how breaktime was an indicator of how pupils perceived their school climate, but their perceptions were dynamic. We conceptualised breaktime as a social process influenced by three main categories: peer climate, levels of unsafe incidents, and availability of activities. We adopted a social-ecological perspective to conceptualise how pupils’ perceptions of breaktimes varied due to how breaktimes were nested within different social-ecological systems.

A safe and pragmatic guide for labelling and delabelling patients with suspected penicillin allergy is mandatory.

ABSTRACTIntroductionPolymer nanogels are among the most promising nanoplatforms for use in biomedical applications. The substantial interest for these drug carriers is to enhance the transportation of bioactive substances, reduce the side effects, and achieve optimal action on the curative sites by targeting delivery and triggering the release of the drugs in a controlled and continuous mode.Area coveredThe review discusses the opportunities, applications, and challenges of synthetic polypeptide nanogels in biomedicine, with an emphasis on the recent progress in cancer therapy. It is evidenced by the development of polypeptide nanogels for better controlled drug delivery and release, in complex in vivomicroenvironments in biomedical applications.Expert opinionPolypeptide nanogels can be developed by choosing the amino acids from the peptide structure that are suitable for the type of application. Using a stimulus – sensitive peptide nanogel, it is possible to obtain the appropriate transport and release of the drug, as well as to achieve desirable therapeutic effects, including safety, specificity, and efficiency. The final system represents an innovative way for local and sustained drug delivery at a specific site of the body.

This article presents a comprehensive strategic framework aimed at maximizing research and development (R & D) efforts within the Romanian Naval Forces. It outlines the qualitative aspects of the work, including the analysis of challenges and opportunities, the strategic objectives identified, and the partnerships established at national and NATO levels. The research method utilized involves synthesizing existing literature, analyzing defense policies, and examining case studies of multinational cooperation. The results indicate a clear roadmap for enhancing naval capabilities through collaborative R & D initiatives. The usefulness of this framework lies in its potential to address resource constraints, adapt to rapid technological evolution, and foster effective coordination and collaboration. By embracing innovation and strategic partnerships, the Romanian Naval Forces can position themselves for enhanced operational effectiveness and strategic autonomy.

Gold–sulfur interaction has vital importance in nanotechnologies and material chemistry to design functional nanoparticles, self-assembled monolayers, or molecular complexes. In this paper, a mixture of only two basic precursors, such as the chloroauric acid (HAu(III)Cl4) and a thiol molecule (p-fluorothiophenol (p-HSPhF)), are used for the synthesis of gold(I)–thiolate coordination polymers. Under different conditions of synthesis and external stimuli, five different functional materials with different states of [Au(I)(p-SPhF)]ncan be afforded. These gold–thiolate compounds are (i) red emissive, flexible, and crystalline fibers; (ii) composite materials made of these red emissive fibers and gold nanoparticles; (iii) amorphous phase; (iv) transparent glass; and (v) amorphous-to-crystalline phase-change material associated with an ON/OFF switch of luminescence. The different functionalities of these materials highlight the great versatility of the gold(I) thiolate coordination polymers with easy synthesis and diverse shaping that may have great potential as sustainable phosphors, smart textiles, sensors, and phase change memories.

There is currently no standardized duration of drug provocation test (DPT) for confirming/delabeling beta-lactam hypersensitivity reaction (BL-HSR).

ObjectivesTo investigate the performance and risk associated with the usage of Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (ChatGPT) to answer drug-related questions.MethodsA sample of 50 drug-related questions were consecutively collected and entered in the artificial intelligence software application ChatGPT. Answers were documented and rated in a standardised consensus process by six senior hospital pharmacists in the domains content (correct, incomplete, false), patient management (possible, insufficient, not possible) and risk (no risk, low risk, high risk). As reference, answers were researched in adherence to the German guideline of drug information and stratified in four categories according to the sources used. In addition, the reproducibility of ChatGPT’s answers was analysed by entering three questions at different timepoints repeatedly (day 1, day 2, week 2, week 3).ResultsOverall, only 13 of 50 answers provided correct content and had enough information to initiate management with no risk of patient harm. The majority of answers were either false (38%, n=19) or had partly correct content (36%, n=18) and no references were provided. A high risk of patient harm was likely in 26% (n=13) of the cases and risk was judged low for 28% (n=14) of the cases. In all high-risk cases, actions could have been initiated based on the provided information. The answers of ChatGPT varied over time when entered repeatedly and only three out of 12 answers were identical, showing no reproducibility to low reproducibility.ConclusionIn a real-world sample of 50 drug-related questions, ChatGPT answered the majority of questions wrong or partly wrong. The use of artificial intelligence applications in drug information is not possible as long as barriers like wrong content, missing references and reproducibility remain.

Vor dem Hintergrund einer kritischen Auseinandersetzung mit dem Forschungsstand in der Bildungsmedienforschung untersucht dieser Beitrag Darstellungen des Judentums in Schulbüchern der Sekundarstufe I für den katholischen und evangelischen Religions- sowie den Werte-und-Normen-Unterricht in Niedersachsen. Genauer behandelt der Beitrag die Frage, wie das Verhältnis von Christentum (bzw. einer christlich geprägten, säkularen Kultur) und Judentum in den Schulbüchern konstruiert wird. Er zeigt, wie diese Relation nicht (mehr) dichotom gezeichnet wird, sondern in vielfältiger Weise ‚unscharf‘ bleibt.

ObjectiveWe sought to investigate the role of interleukin (IL)-20 in IBD and experimental colitis.DesignExperimental colitis was induced in mice deficient in components of the IL-20 and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)2 signalling pathways. In vivo imaging, high-resolution mini-endoscopy and histology were used to assess intestinal inflammation. We further used RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq), RNAScope and Gene Ontology analysis, western blot analysis and co-immunoprecipitation, confocal microscopy and intestinal epithelial cell (IEC)-derived three-dimensional organoids to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms. Results were validated using samples from patients with IBD and non-IBD control subjects by a combination of RNA-Seq, organoids and immunostainings.ResultsIn IBD, IL20levels were induced during remission and were significantly higher in antitumour necrosis factor responders versus non-responders. IL-20RA and IL-20RB were present on IECs from patients with IBD and IL-20-induced STAT3 and suppressed interferon (IFN)-STAT2 signalling in these cells. In IBD, experimental dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis and mucosal healing, IECs were the main producers of IL-20. Compared with wildtype controls, Il20−/−, Il20ra−/−and Il20rb−/−mice were more susceptible to experimental DSS-induced colitis. IL-20 deficiency was associated with increased IFN/STAT2 activity in mice and IFN/STAT2-induced necroptotic cell death in IEC-derived organoids could be markedly blocked by IL-20. Moreover, newly generated Stat2ΔIECmice, lacking STAT2 in IECs, were less susceptible to experimental colitis compared with wildtype controls and the administration of IL-20 suppressed colitis activity in wildtype animals.ConclusionIL-20 controls colitis and mucosal healing by interfering with the IFN/STAT2 death signalling pathway in IECs. These results indicate new directions for suppressing gut inflammation by modulating IL-20-controlled STAT2 signals.

Cyanobacteria have a strong potential to compete well under elevated temperatures. Understanding how they acclimate and evolve under climatic stressors can help us accurately predict their response to forecasted future conditions. However, it is unclear whether increased temperature results in microevolution and/or changes in gene expression. This is the first study to investigate how long‐term exposure under increased temperature influences cyanobacterial genomes. Here, we cultivated three strains of Microcystis aeruginosa(M10, M11, and M12) under two temperature conditions, ambient (22°C) and high‐temperature (26°C) for 2 yr and subsequently sequenced the full genomes. The six genomes were then compared to a reference genome and analyzed for single‐nucleotide polymorphisms, from which the mutation rate was calculated to see if temperature influenced the prevalence of gene changes. Furthermore, we investigated how temperature impacted the gene expression of six genes involved in thermal tolerance and heat shock response. We found that M. aeruginosaexposure to high temperatures demonstrated a stronger expressional response with genes associated with heat shock and thermal tolerance due to exposure to elevated temperature. Although the functionality of many genes encoding for the carbon concentrating mechanisms, nutrient metabolism and secondary metabolites were unaffected, temperature could be a possible driver of genetic change due to enhanced mutation rates. Yet, differing patterns in M10 exposed to high temperatures suggests strain specifics components are also a factor. These patterns suggest changes in plasticity, which would allow for M. aeruginosato respond rapidly to changes in temperature and to be resilient to environmental change.

Low-GC Actinobacteriotaof the order ‘Ca. Nanopelagicales’ (also known as acI or hgcI clade) are abundant in freshwaters around the globe. Extensive predation pressure by phages has been assumed to be the reason for their high levels of microdiversity. So far, however, only a few metagenome-assembled phages have been proposed to infect them and no phages have been isolated. Taking advantage of recent advances in the cultivation of ‘Ca. Nanopelagicales’ we isolated a novel species of its genus ‘Ca. Planktophila’. Using this isolate as bait, we cultivated the first two phages infecting this abundant bacterial order. Both genomes contained a whiB-like transcription factor and a RNA polymerase sigma-70 factor, which might aid in manipulating their host’s metabolism. Both phages encoded a glycosyltransferase and one an anti-restriction protein, potential means to evade degradation of their DNA by nucleases present in the host genome. The two phage genomes shared only 6% of their genome with their closest relatives, with whom they form a previously uncultured family of actinophages within the Caudoviricetes. Read recruitment analyses against globally distributed metagenomes revealed the endemic distribution of this group of phages infecting ‘Ca. Nanopelagicales’. The recruitment pattern against metagenomes from the isolation site and the modular distribution of shared genes between the two phages indicate high levels of horizontal gene transfer, likely mirroring the microdiversity of their host in the evolutionary arms race between host and phage.

Dysregulation at the intestinal epithelial barrier is a driver of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, the molecular mechanisms of barrier failure are not well understood. Here, we demonstrate dysregulated mitochondrial fusion in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) of patients with IBD and show that impaired fusion is sufficient to drive chronic intestinal inflammation. We found reduced expression of mitochondrial fusion–related genes, such as the dynamin-related guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) optic atrophy 1 (OPA1), and fragmented mitochondrial networks in crypt IECs of patients with IBD. Mice with Opa1deficiency in the gut epithelium (Opa1i∆IEC) spontaneously developed chronic intestinal inflammation with mucosal ulcerations and immune cell infiltration. Intestinal inflammation in Opa1i∆IECmice was driven by microbial translocation and associated with epithelial progenitor cell death and gut barrier dysfunction. Opa1-deficient epithelial cells and human organoids exposed to a pharmacological OPA1 inhibitor showed disruption of the mitochondrial network with mitochondrial fragmentation and changes in mitochondrial size, ultrastructure, and function, resembling changes observed in patient samples. Pharmacological inhibition of the GTPase dynamin-1–like protein in organoids derived from Opa1i∆IECmice partially reverted this phenotype. Together, our data demonstrate a role for epithelial OPA1 in regulating intestinal immune homeostasis and epithelial barrier function. Our data provide a mechanistic explanation for the observed mitochondrial dysfunction in IBD and identify mitochondrial fusion as a potential therapeutic target in this disease.

While bacterial natural products are a valuable source of therapeutics, the molecules produced by most biosynthetic gene clusters remain unknown. Tambjamine YP1, produced by Pseudoalteromonas tunicata, is partially derived from fatty acids siphoned from primary metabolism. A structurally similar tambjamine produced by Streptomyces, BE-18591, had not been linked to a gene cluster. Using enzymes putatively implicated in the construction of these two tambjamines, we used sequence similarity networks and gene knockout experiments to identify the biosynthetic gene cluster responsible for the production of tambjamine BE-18591 in Streptomyces albus. Despite the structural similarities between YP1 and BE-18591, the biosynthesis of the alkylamine tails of these molecules differs significantly, with the S. albusgene cluster putatively encoding a dedicated system for the construction of the fatty acid precursor to BE-18591. These different pathways in Pseudoalteromonasand Streptomycessuggest that evolutionary convergence is operative, with similar selective pressures leading to the emergence of structurally similar tambjamine natural products using different biosynthetic logic.

abstract:Caught between three great Empires, the Romanian Principalities found an opportunity starting in 1770 to draw from the Western written tradition new ways to create and develop an enlightened culture. This openness toward the West manifested itself mainly through secular translations, causing a dramatic shift in the cultural and political life of the Romanian Principalities. Rooted in postcolonial studies and cultural anthropology, this study provides an overview of the translation process and products of historical texts from German into Romanian (1770–1830) using translations as examples of cultural transfer and of the actor–network interaction.

Direct drug provocation test (DPT) without prior skin testing (ST) has been investigated in children suspected of being at risk for beta-lactam (BL) hypersensitivity reaction (HSR). However, no systematic review and meta-analysis has investigated the efficacy and safety of direct DPT for BL-HSR in children.

Over the last decade there have been key advances in understanding mechanisms, risk, and consequences of both true immunological drug hypersensitivity and unverified drug allergy labels that have changed clinical practice. This has been facilitated by the widespread adoption of electronic health records (EHRs). The vast majority of EHR drug allergy labels are unverified and cause significant morbidity from unnecessary avoidance of optimal drug therapy. There has also been significant movement in our understanding of mechanisms of drug hypersensitivity that, in addition to advancing our understanding of the pathogenesis of immediate and delayed reactions, have guided preventive efforts, diagnostic procedures, and clinical management. More widespread adoption, including scale-up of “allergy” delabeling and appropriate management, specifically for antibiotics, opiates, radiocontrast, chemotherapeutics, biologics, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, will be necessary to improve patient outcomes over the next decade. This will require further engagement and collaboration between primary care health care providers, allergists, and other specialists.

This paper presents the results of an experimental and a theoretical investigation made by simulations on a Renault HR09DET spark ignition engine, four-stroke, 3-cylinders, multipoint fuel injection fuelled successively by gasoline and compressed natural gas and hydrogen. The simulation model, developed with the AVL Boost program was calibrated using the experimental data obtained for a spark ignition engine fuelled with gasoline. The experimental data obtained on an engine test bench were compared with simulation results for gasoline and compressed natural gas fuelling. The simulation model allowed the addition of hydrogen in parallel with the fuelling by natural gas. The results highlight the advantages and disadvantages of operating a spark ignition engine with hydrogen enrichment of natural gas, in terms of regulated emissions as unburned hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxide emissions (NOx). As the amount of hydrogen in the mixture increases, up to 20%–30% volumetric fractions an extend in the combustion limits occurs associated to consistent reductions up to 65% for HC and 55% for CO. A slight decrease by an average of 15% occurs in NOx emissions for stoichiometric mixtures compared with gasoline. Considering the higher-octane number for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and hydrogen, the engine efficiency can be significantly improved by increasing the compression ratio up to the knock limit.

For the continuous reduction of the anthropogenic CO2 large diesel engines require the use of alternative fuels such as oxygenated renewable biofuels. These types of fuels will help in fulfilling future standards of regulated pollutant emissions for industrial, railways or marine applications In this sense, a theoretical investigation has been carried out on a four-stroke large marine diesel engine (nominal power of 2870kW at the rated speed of 1100 rpm). Different mixtures were investigated different mixtures of diesel–ethanol with ethanol volumetric fractions of 5%, 15%, 30%. The same ethanol fractions have been considered while replacing the diesel fuel with biodiesel B20 (20% rapeseed biofuel and 80% diesel fuel in volumetric fractions). The study covers two engine operating conditions characterized by full-load operation at the rated speed of 1100rpm and at mid-speed of 700rpm. It was found that a reasonable compromise can be achieved for an acceptable loss in power of 5% by using the diesel–ethanol15 mixture, which reduces NOx by 9.69%. Using the B20–ethanol05 mixture, will reduces Soot by 19.28% but increases NOx by 21.94% at low speed 700 rpm. At a high engine speed of 1100rpm, for the same both fuels diesel–ethanol15 and B20–ethanol05, Soot increases by 7.84% while NOx decreases by 10.91%, respectively Soot decreases by 17.65% and NOx increases by 37.27%.

Silicones such Sylgard 184 are widely employed in biological applications due to their versatile properties. However, their inherently adhesive surfaces can restrict their application, especially in direct contact with damaged biological tissues, potentially compromising patient comfort. To enhance the surface properties of Sylgard 184 while maintaining its transparency in the visible spectrum, a novel low-temperature method (70 °C) has been developed. This method involves immersing PDMS in a solution of titanium (IV) ethoxide in THF, thus inducing swelling of the silicone's polymer network, followed by the diffusion and condensation of titanium (IV) ethoxide within the polymer matrix. The resulting hybrid material, incorporating amorphous titanium oxide within the silicone network, exhibits significantly increased surface hardness compared to unmodified Sylgard 184, while retaining transparency and improving biological behaviour. The elaborated method holds promising potential for enhancing the performance of silicone-based materials in diverse biomedical applications.

Adoption and user perceptions are dominant on personal health records literature and have led to a better understanding of what individuals' behaviors and perceptions are about the adoption of personal health records. However, these insights are descriptive and are not actionable to allow creating personal health records that will overcome the adoption problems identified by users. This study uses action design research to provide actionable knowledge regarding user perceptions and adoption and their application in the case of the digital allergy card. To achieve this, we conducted interviews with patients and physicians as part of the evaluation of the digital allergy card mock-up and the first prototype. As results, we provided some research proposals regarding the benefits of, levers for, and barriers to adoption of the digital allergy card that can be tested for several other personal health records.

Preeclampsia (PE) is a major complication of pregnancy with both mother and fetal adverse outcomes. Pregnancy is a state of increased oxidative stress that has been reported to be exacerbated when complicated with preeclampsia. However, conflicting data are available in literature regarding the systemic oxidative stress in PE pregnancies. The present pilot study was purported to assess systemic oxidative stress in preeclamptic vs healthy pregnancies. To this aim plasma derived compounds of reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) and the biological antioxidant potential (BAP) were determined in mild and severe preeclamptic pregnancies using the Diacron equipment. Both healthy and preeclamptic pregnancies showed high levels of systemic oxidative stress. Paradoxically, significantly higher values of d-ROMs were found in healthy pregnancies as compared to the PE ones. At variance, in preeclamptic pregnancies, a major increase in the plasma antioxidant capacity occurred. In this pilot study, we report an increase in the systemic antioxidant capacity in preeclamptic pregnancies.

Zirconium is a gray–white strong transition metal, highly resistant to heat and corrosion. Due to these properties, zirconium started to replace hafnium and titanium in the last decade and it is used to make surgical instruments and as a hardening agent in steel alloys. Zirconyl chloride octahydrate is one of the most used compounds as zirconium source for the synthesis of zirconium phosphates and zirconium phosphonates. The synthetic routes include precipitation and sol–gel methods. The obtained zirconium- and phosphorus-containing compounds showed potential for applications in catalysis, in medicine as biomaterials (hard tissues reconstruction, such as in dentistry), as ion-exchange materials, or for proton exchange membrane fuel cells.

For the first time, microalga Dunaliella salinawas successfully applied for synthesis of silver nanoparticles. The process of nanoparticles production was monitored using UV–Vis spectroscopy which exhibited surface plasmon resonance band at 432 nm. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed the presence of spherical silver nanoparticles having diameter in the range of 15–40 nm. Crystalline nature of produced nanoparticles was confirmed by X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed the involvement of functional groups in nanoparticles formation. The changes in the biomass biochemical composition during silver nanoparticles biosynthesis were assessed as well. Formation of silver nanoparticles was accompanied by the decrease in proteins, β-carotene and lipids content in biomass.

Intestinal homeostasis and the maintenance of the intestinal epithelial barrier are essential components of host defense during gastrointestinal SalmonellaTyphimurium infection. Both require a strict regulation of cell death. However, the molecular pathways regulating epithelial cell death have not been completely understood. Here, we elucidated the contribution of central mechanisms of regulated cell death and upstream regulatory components during gastrointestinal infection. Mice lacking Caspase-8 in the intestinal epithelium are highly sensitive towards bacterial induced enteritis and intestinal inflammation, resulting in an enhanced lethality of these mice. This phenotype was associated with an increased STAT1 activation during Salmonellainfection. Cell death, barrier breakdown and systemic infection were abrogated by an additional deletion of STAT1 in Casp8ΔIECmice. In the absence of epithelial STAT1, loss of epithelial cells was abolished which was accompanied by a reduced Caspase-8 activation. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that epithelial STAT1 acts upstream of Caspase-8-dependent as well as -independent cell death and thus might play a major role at the crossroad of several central cell death pathways in the intestinal epithelium. In summary, we uncovered that transcriptional control of STAT1 is an essential host response mechanism that is required for the maintenance of intestinal barrier function and host survival.

The ignition delay is an important parameter which characterizes the initiation of combustion process and consequently its development in Diesel engines. This parameter mainly depends on chemical factors which are related to the fuel structure and its properties and also on physical factors which are related to the engine operating conditions. The need for alternative fuels usage in Diesel engines determined by the depletion of petroleum resources and by the regulations imposed on pollutant emissions have enforced the researches on renewable biofuels. Among these new fuels, biodiesel B7, actually in use, and biodiesel B20, in prospective, have received a particular interest. In this sense, an experimental and theoretical study was performed on a tractor Diesel engine aiming to determine the ignition delay of the rapeseed biodiesel B7 and B20 and to compare them with the ignition delay of pure Diesel fuel for full load and different engine speeds as tested operating conditions. This present study represents an extension of the previously mentioned research having now as objectives: to review what are the methods used for the ignition delay evaluation, to perform a comparison between several commonly Arrhenius type relationships used for the assessment of ignition delay and the ignition delay experimentally determined, and to offer a better understanding of the influences induced by the ignition delay respectively by the fuel reactivity on performance, efficiency and emissions of compression ignited engines operating with different Diesel–biodiesel fuels. The novelty of this work consists in the statistical approach to probability density of ignition delay which leads to better estimation of this crucial parameter and consequently to better control of the combustion process.

In this computational paper we verify a truncated version of the Buzzard–Calegari conjecture on the Newton polygon of the Hecke operator T2for all large enough weights. We first develop a formula for computing p-adic valuations of exponential sums, which we then implement to compute 2-adic valuations of traces of Hecke operators acting on spaces of cusp forms. Finally, we verify that if Newton polygon of the Buzzard–Calegari polynomial has a vertex at n≤15, then it agrees with the Newton polygon of T2up to n.

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to investigate factors that can predict collective efficacy in student work groups year 5 and 8 at compulsory school and to see if there are gender and year differences for efficacy beliefs and aspects of interdependence. A total of 283 completed questionnaires were analysed. Hierarchical multiple regression was used to predict collective efficacy and 2 × 2 ANOVA was used to analyse gender and year differences and interactions for following five factors: collective efficacy, self-efficacy, negative interdependence, positive interdependence and importance of good assessment and marks. The result showed that independent of gender, year and school, self-efficacy, positive and negative interdependence predicted collective efficacy in connection with group work assessment. The result also showed that there were better conditions for cooperation in year 5 compared to year 8. Additionally, it was significantly more important for girls than boys to achieve good assessment and marks.

ABSTRACTIntroduction: The development of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) agents for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has completely transformed the management of this disease. The advantages of using DAA therapies include high efficacy (sustained virological response (SVR) rate >95%) with minimal side effects, good tolerability, easy drug administration (once daily oral dosing), and short duration of treatment (8–12 weeks). This transformative nature of DAA therapy underpins the goal of the World Health Organization to eliminate HCV infection as a public health threat by 2030.Areas covered: This review seeks to address the current status of DAA therapies, including recent developments, current limitations, and future challenges.Expert opinion: The current DAA regimens, with their high effectiveness and safety profiles, have changed patient perception of HCV infection from a disease that requires complex evaluation and long-term monitoring to a disease that can be cured after one visit to the general practitioner. Despite the remarkably high success rate of DAAs, few patients (4–5%) fail to obtain SVR even after treatment. Five years ahead, the landscape of HCV treatment will undoubtedly continue to evolve, and more pan-genotypic treatment options will be available to all patients.

The growth of Arthrospira platensisand physiological changes in biomass under the effects of six rare earth elements Dy, Sm, Tb, La, Nd and Yb were evaluated. Elements were tested by three concentrations of 10, 20 and 30 mg/L. According to neutron activation analysis data A. platensis'saccumulation capacity toward studied elements changes in the following order of La > Dy > Nd > Sm > Yb > Tb. The results show that Dy and La ions stimulate biomass growth and Yb ions inhibit it, while Sm, Tb and Nd ions do not affect biomass accumulation. The contents of proteins and chlorophyll aare not affected by the presence of rare earth elements in the cultivation medium. Studied elements affect to different extents carbohydrates, phycobilins, β-carotene, lipids and MDA contents in spirulina biomass. Changes in the antioxidant activity under applied metal loads reveal a moderate stress in exposed A. platensis.Cyanobacterium A. platensiscan be successfully used for bioremediation of natural water contaminated with REEs as well as REEs recovery from low polluted industrial effluents.

The development of porous films with an accessible high specific surface area is important for designing new adsorbents, sensors, or catalyst supports. Here, we describe a simple method to prepare a silica foam coating using a calcium chloride-assisted evaporation-induced emulsification method. An alcoholic silica sol containing calcium chloride and a poly(ethylene oxide)-based polymer is deposited on a substrate by dipping. The evaporation of the alcohol induces a phase separation between the silica-rich phase and the calcium-rich one. The size of the droplets increases via a coalescence process until the gelation of the sol, which determines the final pore size between 100 nm and 3 μm. Thermal analysis and monitoring of droplet evaporation confirm that the departure of the solvent is delayed by the presence of calcium chloride in the sol. The influence of the nature of the polymer on the porosity is discussed. The use of a block copolymer such as the Pluronic F-127, which strongly stabilizes the emulsion, allows to reach a low pore size (400 nm), while on the contrary, we propose to use a short poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) such as PEG-400, which weakly stabilizes it, leading to larger pores (2–3 μm). Furthermore, we show that the addition of a zirconium salt (ZrOCl2·8H2O) to the silica sol accelerates the condensation step of the silica and leads to the decrease in the pore size.

Starting from 1999 a new geodetic reference system MOLDREF99 based on the ITRF97 and ETRS89 was established in Republic of Moldova. The realization of MOLDREF99 is the national GNSS Network with density about 1 point per 15 sq. km. However, this density is insufficient for large spectrum of applications (landslide and floods monitoring, environmental research, geohazard prediction, etc.). In 2011 national positioning service MOLDPOS was put on function with 10 permanent GNSS stations to provide real time positioning services. In order to improve the accuracy of digital terrain models along the Prut River the local quasigeoid model is necessary to develop taking in consideration GNSS/Levelling differences and gravity data. This article is focused on improvement of geodetic infrastructure of the Ungheni district in order to ensure precise and homogenous geodetic data interpretation along the Prut River for flood risk assessment and development of flood risk management plans.

Intestinal homeostasis and the maintenance of the intestinal epithelial barrier are essential components of host defense during gastrointestinal SalmonellaTyphimurium infection. Both require a strict regulation of cell death. However, the molecular pathways regulating epithelial cell death have not been completely understood. Here, we elucidated the contribution of central mechanisms of regulated cell death and upstream regulatory components during gastrointestinal infection. Mice lacking Caspase-8 in the intestinal epithelium are highly sensitive towards bacterial induced enteritis and intestinal inflammation, resulting in an enhanced lethality of these mice. This phenotype was associated with an increased STAT1 activation during Salmonellainfection. Cell death, barrier breakdown and systemic infection were abrogated by an additional deletion of STAT1 in Casp8ΔIECmice. In the absence of epithelial STAT1, loss of epithelial cells was abolished which was accompanied by a reduced Caspase-8 activation. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that epithelial STAT1 acts upstream of Caspase-8-dependent as well as -independent cell death and thus might play a major role at the crossroad of several central cell death pathways in the intestinal epithelium. In summary, we uncovered that transcriptional control of STAT1 is an essential host response mechanism that is required for the maintenance of intestinal barrier function and host survival.

Maleoyl-chitosan/poly(aspartic acid) nanogels were developed and characterized in order to assess its suitability for biomedical applications. Thus, the physicochemical properties were investigated and correlated with the composition of the new structures. Dynamic light scattering measurements, correlated with transmission electron microscopy images, demonstrated that nanogels size distribution was narrow with average diameter between 186 and 246 nm, and presented positive zeta potential values. The sensitivity of nanogels at pH and temperature was also evaluated. Nanogels loaded with amoxicillin showed a controlled release profile dependent on nanogel content. The formulations loaded with amoxicillin had antibacterial properties, and the cytotoxicity tests indicated good in vivobiocompatibility. In conclusion, the new synthesized polyelectrolyte nanogels, which can provide a stable environment for the encapsulated drugs, can be used as a multifunctional platform for administration of antimicrobial agents from the spectrum of antibiotics that have a very poor biodistribution.

Acoustic liquid handlers deliver small volumes (nL-µL) of multiple fluid types with accuracy and dynamic viscosity profiling. They are widely used in the pharmaceutical industry with applications extending from high-throughput screening in compound management to gene expression sequencing, genomic and epigenetic assays, and cell-based assays. The capability of the Echo to transfer small volumes of multiple types of fluids could benefit bioanalysis assays by minimization of sample volume and by simplifying dilution procedures by direct dilution. In this study, we evaluated the Labcyte Echo 525 liquid handler for its ability to deliver small volumes of sample preparations in biological matrix (plasma and serum) and to assess the feasibility of integration of the Echo with three types of bioanalytical assay platforms: microplate enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Gyrolab immunoassay, and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. The results demonstrated acceptable consistency of dispensed plasma samples from multiple lots and species by the Echo. Equivalent assay performance demonstrated between the Echo and manual liquid procedures indicated great potential for the integration of the Echo with the bioanalytical assay, which allows the successful implementation of microsampling strategies in drug discovery and development.

Introduction: Most of the forecast methods for hospital beds estimate a total number of beds per region, based on demographic and utilization indicators, without allocation on specialty wards.

The internal combustion engines performance can be increase. The residual gases can be recovered through turbo charging systems because is an important reserve of exhaust gas energy, which can be capitalized. The turbo charging solution is one of the most popular technical solutions for increasing the energy performance of internal combustion engines. The solutions proposed for the theoretical and experimental research is the hybrid turbocharger. The hybrid turbocharger has a double function: to compress the fresh air and to generate electric energy for the vehicle. The compressed fresh air is compress by the rotor wheel of the compressor. The generator which produces the electrical energy is linearly coupled to the rotor on the compressor shaft outside zone. The electrical energy can be used for consumption of the military vehicles or can be stored in to the battery of the vehicle. The military vehicle must have a internal combustion engine or a hybrid engine equipped with a hybrid turbocharger. The article aim is to present the results of the hybrid turbocharger. The simulation was realised with the AMESim Software developed by Siemens. To simulate the exhaust gas energy was used a CIMAT test bed which can provides high pressure air.

During the mid‐1920s Bucharest became home to the Vilna Troupe, an ensemble formed in Vilnius in 1915 and famed for its groundbreaking Yiddish‐language productions that toured all over the world. Its collaborations with the Romanian artist M. H. Maxy are the subject of this essay, which demonstrates the experimental nature of several productions that took place in Bucharest during this period. New research material from sources on both sides of the Atlantic makes it possible to reconstruct the outputs of this richly innovative partnership to a much greater extent than before, demonstrating that the vitality of avant‐garde theatre in Bucharest has been heretofore underestimated by scholars, its existence obscured by the ephemerality of the performative and by its unwieldy transnational trajectory. An earlier version of this essay won the Graduate Student Essay Prize offered in 2018 by the Society for Romanian Studies.

Greenhouse gas emissions (G.H.G.) from vehicles are the main source of pollution. In this transition period from fossil fuels to the use of synthetic fuels, the diversification of alternative fuels used to fuel internal combustion engines is seen as one of the best alternatives for reducing G.H.G. In Europe, conforming to the stringent emission reduction targets for 2030, as well as trying to fulfil the regulations of the new Euro VII standard will force engine manufacturers to adopt alternative fuel solutions with a low environmental impact. However, fossil fuels will continue to be used but alternative fuels will substantially decrease our dependence on petroleum-derived fuels. Modern simulation software tools make it easy to produce a fairly accurate analysis of how an internal combustion engine works without the need for prototyping. Packages such as Ricardo WAVE or AVL Boost, are relatively cheap and represent accessible tools for developing, designing, and testing modern internal combustion engines. AVL Boost is a widely used engine simulation tool a 1D (one-dimensional) simulation software that allows engineers and researchers to model, simulate, and optimize various internal combustion engines, including spark ignition (SI) engines, diesel engines, and hybrid powertrains. The software also offers a high degree of flexibility in terms of alternative fuel blends. This paper evaluates the influences of using alcohol-based biofuels on performance metrics and pollutant emissions, such as brake power, brake thermal efficiency, and emissions, such as CO, CO2, and NOx in a spark ignition engine. The effects of varying alcohol fractions in the gasoline-alcohol blends on engine performance and emissions are analysed and explained. In this study, several types of ethanol in gasoline blends were simulated (E25, E50, E85). The one-dimensional model of the tested engine was developed based on the design dimensions of the 1.2L TCe H5FT engine produced by Renault. In the context of maintaining constant engine power output, the findings from the simulation results indicate that the utilization of alcohol-based blends with a high volumetric percentage of alcohol (ranging from 70-90%) can result in a substantial increase in fuel consumption, particularly in the case of methanol blends. Consequently, this phenomenon is associated with an elevated emission of carbon dioxide (CO2). However, it should be noted that despite this drawback, there is evidence of an inclination towards reduced emissions of other pollutants due to the enhanced combustion processes facilitated by the higher ratio of oxygenated compounds and a lower peak temperature. Methanol, one of the two alcohols investigated in this study, is not recommended for usage in fuel blends for several reasons. Firstly, the consumption rate of methanol is higher compared to ethanol, which can result in increased fuel usage. Secondly, methanol poses health risks due to its toxicity at certain levels, posing potential hazards in handling and utilization. Moreover, high concentrations of methanol are not easily miscible with gasoline without the addition of co-solvents, further limiting its feasibility as a viable fuel component.

Porous concrete, entitled also as permeable or pervious concrete, is a type of concrete that has interconnected voids that allow water and also air to go across it. It is widely used in the construction of pavements, parking lots, and sidewalks, among other applications, because of its ability to reduce stormwater drainage, better quality of the water, and decrease urban heat island effects. The addition of fibers to porous concrete has been the subject of numerous studies in recent years, with researchers examining the effects of diversified types and amounts of fibers on the material’s properties. Fiber reinforcement can enhance the strength, durability, and ductility of porous concrete, making it more suitable for use in structural applications. Polymer fibers, in particular, have shown promise in improving the properties of porous concrete. They can increase the material’s resistance to cracking, improve its flexural strength, and enhance its heat-absorbing property. However, the characteristics of polymer-reinforced porous concrete are not yet fully understood, and more research is needed to determine the optimal types and amounts of fibers for specific applications. Despite the potential benefits of fiber-reinforced porous concrete, there are also some challenges associated with its use. The addition of fibers can increase the material’s cost and complexity of production, and it may also affect its permeability and drainage capacity.

Even though diesel-powered passenger cars and light-duty vehicles may not be sold in the European Union by 2035, possibly in most other countries will be. Truck diesel engines will remain in use after 2035 because electric trucks are not a viable alternative for goods transportation. This involves continuing research and development on diesel engines to reduce their pollutant emissions. Alternative (renewable) fuels with combustion improvers can diminish emissions at the source. Nanoparticle-based additives can enhance the efficiency and emissions of diesel engines through their intense catalytic activity and by improving the fuel injection process. However, their effect on the injection process has not been well tested and published in the dedicated literature. The use of nanoparticles mixed in small fractions with original diesel fuel influences the physicochemical properties of the fuel as well as the formation of fuel jets inside the combustion chamber. This research focuses on the opportunity of using different diesel fuel blends mixed with combustion improver additives such as MWCNT and CeO2nanoparticles. In this sense, a simulation investigation was conducted using the AVL BOOST Hydsim software. The physicochemical properties of fuels were used to assess the macroscopic characteristics of the fuel spray, such as penetration, spray cone angle, and Sauter mean diameter. When increasing the nanoparticle dosage, the penetration and spray cone angle values are decreasing, while the Sauter mean diameter values are increasing. This tendency is present for both nanoparticle types considered.

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More time available to bid for Carom Onesti The Romanian privatisation agency, AVAS, has again pushed back its deadline for offers for the synthetic rubber manufacturer Carom Onesti until 9 [...]

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