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Background: Osteoarthritis is a common chronic disease that affects quality of life and increases public health costs. Knee osteoarthritis is a frequent form, marked by joint degeneration, pain, stiffness, and functional restrictions. Factors such as age, genetics, joint injuries, obesity, and vitamin D deficiency can affect knee osteoarthritis progression. While the exact link between vitamin D and osteoarthritis is still being studied, recent research indicates that low vitamin D levels might influence the articular cartilage’s structure and function, potentially accelerating osteoarthritis. This review aims to analyze the last decade of research on vitamin D’s role in osteoarthritis. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses). Relevant studies from the last ten years were included to evaluate the association between vitamin D levels and knee osteoarthritis. The inclusion criteria were studies examining the role of vitamin D in cartilage health and osteoarthritis progression and the potential clinical implications for disease management. Results: This review identified a variety of studies exploring the connection between vitamin D and osteoarthritis, with mixed findings. Conclusions: The relationship between vitamin D and knee osteoarthritis remains inconclusive, highlighting the need for further research. An updated evaluation of the literature is crucial for osteoarthritis management strategies and to potentially include vitamin D supplementation in therapeutic protocols.

Abstract The unfolding of detector effects is a key aspect of comparing experimental data with theoretical predictions. In recent years, different Machine-Learning methods have been developed to provide novel features, e.g. high dimensionality or a probabilistic single-event unfolding based on generative neural networks. Traditionally, many analyses unfold detector effects using transfer-matrix-based algorithms, which are well established in low-dimensional unfolding. They yield an unfolded distribution of the total spectrum, together with its covariance matrix. This paper proposes a method to obtain probabilistic single-event unfolded distributions, together with their uncertainties and correlations, for the transfer-matrix-based unfolding. The algorithm is first validated on a toy model and then applied to pseudo-data for the $$pp\rightarrow Z\gamma \gamma $$ p p → Z γ γ process. In both examples the performance is compared to the Machine-Learning-based single-event unfolding using an iterative approach with conditional invertible neural networks (IcINN).

Abstract The situation of the experimental data used in the dispersive evaluation of the hadronic vacuum polarization contribution to the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon is assessed in view of two recent measurements: $$e^+e^- \rightarrow \pi ^+\pi ^-$$ e + e - → π + π - cross sections in the $$\rho $$ ρ resonance region by CMD-3 and a study of higher-order radiative effects in the initial-state-radiation processes $$e^+e^- \rightarrow \mu ^+\mu ^-\gamma $$ e + e - → μ + μ - γ and $$e^+e^- \rightarrow \pi ^+\pi ^-\gamma $$ e + e - → π + π - γ by BABAR. The impact of the latter study on the KLOE and BESIII cross-section measurements is evaluated and found to be indicative of larger systematic effects than uncertainties assigned. The new situation also warrants a reappraisal of the independent information provided by hadronic $$\tau $$ τ decays, including state-of-the-art isospin-breaking corrections. The findings cast a new light on the longstanding deviation between the muon g – 2 measurement and the Standard Model prediction using the data-driven dispersive approach, and the comparison with lattice QCD calculations.

Abstract When a measurement of a physical quantity is reported, the total uncertainty is usually decomposed into statistical and systematic uncertainties. This decomposition is not only useful for understanding the contributions to the total uncertainty, but is also required to propagate these contributions in subsequent analyses, such as combinations or interpretation fits including results from other measurements or experiments. In profile likelihood fits, widely applied in high-energy physics analyses, contributions of systematic uncertainties are routinely quantified using “impacts,” which are not adequate for such applications. We discuss the difference between impacts and actual uncertainty components, and establish methods to determine the latter in a wide range of statistical models.

Restoring soil fertility and protecting it from pollution are complex scientific tasks of our time that require a set of physical, chemical and biological measures. An important theoretical and applied aspect is the development of new remediation methods to reduce soil degradation processes under the influence of chemical pollution. The publication analyzes the ecological features of the energy crops Miscanthus giganteus L. and Phalaris arundinacea L. as phytoremediation agents of soils contaminated with heavy metals, pesticides, and oil products. The content of toxicants in contaminated soils as a result of energy crops cultivation has significantly decreased, in particular, the content of mobile forms and the mass fraction of heavy metals. The greatest decrease was observed in the content of mobile forms of chromium: in the area contaminated with petroleum products by 0.55 mg/kg when growing reeds and by 1.06 mg/kg when growing miscanthus, and in the area contaminated with pesticides by 3.65 and 5.25 mg/kg, respectively. The gross stibium content decreased in the area contaminated with oil products by 60 mg/kg when growing reeds and by 69.61 mg/kg of soil when growing miscanthus, and by 65.68 and 78.35 mg/kg in the area contaminated with pesticides. The concentration of cadmium in the studied plots where energy crops were grown decreased in the range of 0.131 - 0.193 mg/kg when growing Phalaris arundinacea L. and by 0.187-0.312 mg/kg when growing Miscanthus giganteus L., respectively. The content of organic pollutants was also significantly reduced.

Cutaneous melanoma is a public health problem. Efforts to reduce its incidence have failed, as it continues to increase. In recent years, many risk factors have been identified. Numerous diagnostic systems exist that greatly assist in early clinical diagnosis. The histopathological aspect illustrates the grim nature of these cancers. Currently, pathogenic pathways and the tumor microclimate are key to the development of therapeutic methods. Revolutionary therapies like targeted therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors are starting to replace traditional therapeutic methods. Targeted therapy aims at a specific molecule in the pathogenic chain to block it, stopping cell growth and dissemination. The main function of immune checkpoint inhibitors is to boost cellular immunity in order to combat cancer cells. Unfortunately, these therapies have different rates of effectiveness and side effects, and cannot be applied to all patients. These shortcomings are the basis of increased incidence and mortality rates. This study covers all stages of the evolutionary sequence of melanoma. With all these data in front of us, we see the need for new research efforts directed at therapies that will bring greater benefits in terms of patient survival and prognosis, with fewer adverse effects.

Abstract Quantum Chromodynamics, the theory of quarks and gluons, whose interactions can be described by a local SU(3) gauge symmetry with charges called “color quantum numbers”, is reviewed; the goal of this review is to provide advanced Ph.D. students a comprehensive handbook, helpful for their research. When QCD was “discovered” 50 years ago, the idea that quarks could exist, but not be observed, left most physicists unconvinced. Then, with the discovery of charmonium in 1974 and the explanation of its excited states using the Cornell potential, consisting of the sum of a Coulomb-like attraction and a long range linear confining potential, the theory was suddenly widely accepted. This paradigm shift is now referred to as the November revolution. It had been anticipated by the observation of scaling in deep inelastic scattering, and was followed by the discovery of gluons in three-jet events. The parameters of QCD include the running coupling constant, $$\alpha _s(Q^2)$$ α s ( Q 2 ) , that varies with the energy scale $$Q^2$$ Q 2 characterising the interaction, and six quark masses. QCD cannot be solved analytically, at least not yet, and the large value of $$\alpha _s$$ α s at low momentum transfers limits perturbative calculations to the high-energy region where $$Q^2\gg \varLambda _{{\textrm{QCD}}} ^2\simeq $$ Q 2 ≫ Λ QCD 2 ≃ (250 MeV) $$^2$$ 2 . Lattice QCD (LQCD), numerical calculations on a discretized space-time lattice, is discussed in detail, the dynamics of the QCD vacuum is visualized, and the expected spectra of mesons and baryons are displayed. Progress in lattice calculations of the structure of nucleons and of quantities related to the phase diagram of dense and hot (or cold) hadronic matter are reviewed. Methods and examples of how to calculate hadronic corrections to weak matrix elements on a lattice are outlined. The wide variety of analytical approximations currently in use, and the accuracy of these approximations, are reviewed. These methods range from the Bethe–Salpeter, Dyson–Schwinger coupled relativistic equations, which are formulated in both Minkowski or Euclidean spaces, to expansions of multi-quark states in a set of basis functions using light-front coordinates, to the AdS/QCD method that imbeds 4-dimensional QCD in a 5-dimensional deSitter space, allowing confinement and spontaneous chiral symmetry breaking to be described in a novel way. Models that assume the number of colors is very large, i.e. make use of the large $$N_c$$ N c -limit, give unique insights. Many other techniques that are tailored to specific problems, such as perturbative expansions for high energy scattering or approximate calculations using the operator product expansion are discussed. The very powerful effective field theory techniques that are successful for low energy nuclear systems (chiral effective theory), or for non-relativistic systems involving heavy quarks, or the treatment of gluon exchanges between energetic, collinear partons encountered in jets, are discussed. The spectroscopy of mesons and baryons has played an important historical role in the development of QCD. The famous X,Y,Z states – and the discovery of pentaquarks – have revolutionized hadron spectroscopy; their status and interpretation are reviewed as well as recent progress in the identification of glueballs and hybrids in light-meson spectroscopy. These exotic states add to the spectrum of expected $$q{{\bar{q}}}$$ q q ¯ mesons and qqq baryons. The progress in understanding excitations of light and heavy baryons is discussed. The nucleon as the lightest baryon is discussed extensively, its form factors, its partonic structure and the status of the attempt to determine a three-dimensional picture of the parton distribution. An experimental program to study the phase diagram of QCD at high temperature and density started with fixed target experiments in various laboratories in the second half of the 1980s, and then, in this century, with colliders. QCD thermodynamics at high temperature became accessible to LQCD, and numerical results on chiral and deconfinement transitions and properties of the deconfined and chirally restored form of strongly interacting matter, called the Quark–Gluon Plasma (QGP), have become very precise by now. These results can now be confronted with experimental data that are sensitive to the nature of the phase transition. There is clear evidence that the QGP phase is created. This phase of QCD matter can already be characterized by some properties that indicate, within a temperature range of a few times the pseudocritical temperature, the medium behaves like a near ideal liquid. Experimental observables are presented that demonstrate deconfinement. High and ultrahigh density QCD matter at moderate and low temperatures shows interesting features and new phases that are of astrophysical relevance. They are reviewed here and some of the astrophysical implications are discussed. Perturbative QCD and methods to describe the different aspects of scattering processes are discussed. The primary parton–parton scattering in a collision is calculated in perturbative QCD with increasing complexity. The radiation of soft gluons can spoil the perturbative convergence, this can be cured by resummation techniques, which are also described here. Realistic descriptions of QCD scattering events need to model the cascade of quark and gluon splittings until hadron formation sets in, which is done by parton showers. The full event simulation can be performed with Monte Carlo event generators, which simulate the full chain from the hard interaction to the hadronic final states, including the modelling of non-perturbative components. The contribution of the LEP experiments (and of earlier collider experiments) to the study of jets is reviewed. Correlations between jets and the shape of jets had allowed the collaborations to determine the “color factors” – invariants of the SU(3) color group governing the strength of quark–gluon and gluon–gluon interactions. The calculated jet production rates (using perturbative QCD) are shown to agree precisely with data, for jet energies spanning more than five orders of magnitude. The production of jets recoiling against a vector boson, $$W^\pm $$ W ± or Z, is shown to be well understood. The discovery of the Higgs boson was certainly an important milestone in the development of high-energy physics. The couplings of the Higgs boson to massive vector bosons and fermions that have been measured so far support its interpretation as mass-generating boson as predicted by the Standard Model. The study of the Higgs boson recoiling against hadronic jets (without or with heavy flavors) or against vector bosons is also highlighted. Apart from the description of hard interactions taking place at high energies, the understanding of “soft QCD” is also very important. In this respect, Pomeron – and Odderon – exchange, soft and hard diffraction are discussed. Weak decays of quarks and leptons, the quark mixing matrix and the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon are processes which are governed by weak interactions. However, corrections by strong interactions are important, and these are reviewed. As the measured values are incompatible with (most of) the predictions, the question arises: are these discrepancies first hints for New Physics beyond the Standard Model? This volume concludes with a description of future facilities or important upgrades of existing facilities which improve their luminosity by orders of magnitude. The best is yet to come!

During the last two decades, an increased number of molecules with multiple mechanisms of action have been approved for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with a substantial increase in the costs related to therapy, which has become a concern for payers, regulators, and healthcare professionals. Biosimilars are biologic medical products that are highly structurally similar to their reference products; have no clinically meaningful differences in terms of immunogenicity, safety, or effectiveness; and are available at a lower price. Materials and Methods: This was an observational prospective study conducted in two IBD centres in Bucharest and included 53 patients, 27 male (M) and 26 female (F), diagnosed with IBD according to standard clinical, endoscopic, radiological, and histological criteria, who were non-medically switched at the indication of the National Insurance House to a biosimilar of Adalimumab. Aims: The aim was to determine the rates of clinical remission, adverse effects, and treatment persistence at one year. Results: No significant differences were found in terms of the faecal calprotectin (FC) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels 6 and 12 months after changing from the originator biologic treatment to a biosimilar. Only one patient required a change in their biological treatment following the clinical and biological loss of response. The main adverse effect reported by the patients was pain at the injection site. Of the 53 patients, only 2 reported pain at the injection site, and 1 patient reported experiencing abdominal pain and rectal bleeding immediately after the switch, but no recurrence was observed clinically or endoscopically. Conclusions: This observational study is the first to be carried out in Romania that shows that, after a non-medical switch, biosimilars of Adalimumab are as efficient and safe as the originator Adalimumab in the clinical treatment of patients with IBD.

Coal spontaneous combustion (CSC) is a multifaceted research domain that has been widely explored in the literature, ranging from analytical and numerical modeling to the development of fire suppression materials and methods. A comprehensive review of the literature has revealed several distinct research trajectories, or “roadmaps”, identified through criteria such as the volume of studies addressing each theme, the presence of review papers dedicated to a specific roadmap, and the explicit mention of coal spontaneous combustion in the title or keywords. This classification framework has outlined six primary roadmaps: (1) spread, quantification, and impact; (2) mechanisms, models, factors, and parameters; (3) experimental studies and models; (4) detection, monitoring, and prediction; (5) prevention and control; and (6) applications. While interconnections exist between these roadmaps, and all ultimately converge towards roadmap 5 (prevention and control), each roadmap constitutes a distinct research cluster. The focus of this review is on roadmap 4, specifically addressing the methods and technologies for detection, monitoring, and prediction of CSC events. This review encompasses studies published from 2010 to the present, providing a thorough examination of the various detection techniques employed, with particular emphasis on their limitations and the strategies proposed to overcome these challenges. A critical analysis highlights the key advantages and disadvantages of each category of techniques, offering insights into their practical applications and the potential for future advancements in this field. The present review aims to contribute to the refinement of detection and monitoring methods for CSC, with the goal of enhancing early detection capabilities and improving fire management strategies.

Pottery is a complex archaeological material that is found ubiquitously in various spatial—temporal frameworks from all over the world; therefore, it is of great importance to archaeological research. The current paper aims to present and discuss the results obtained on a batch of Neolithic (ca. 6000–5000 BC) and Chalcolithic (ca. 5000–3900 BC) pottery sherds from Southern Romania through X-ray Computed Tomography, a non-destructive methodology that allows for the 3D reconstruction and precise measurement of inclusions and voids present within ceramic artefacts. Images from several potsherds were subsequently exported and analyzed by means of dedicated software (ImageJ 1.54p and GIMP) to extract quantitative information on the observed features. Grain size and morphometric analyses were performed on the particles, while the contour variability of the examined inclusions was characterized through the application of shape descriptors. Voids were analyzed in order to reveal specific orientation patterns through the examination of the aspect ratio of the holes and of the Rayleigh z test values. These analyses evidenced the general reliance of moderately and poorly sorted clays for ceramic production, accompanied by a gradual transition from organic to grog tempering, while conservative traditions remained prevalent in primary pottery-forming processes.

This study proposes an investigation into the nonlinear vibration of a simply supported, flexible, uniform microbeam associated with its curvature considering the mechanical impact, the electromagnetic actuation, the nonlinear Winkler–Pasternak foundation, and the longitudinal magnetic field. The governing differential equations and the boundary conditions are modeled within the framework of a Euler–Bernoulli beam considering an element of the length of the beam at rest and using the second-order approximation of the deflected beam and the Galerkin–Bubnov procedure. In this work, we present a novel characterization of the microbeam and a novel method to solve the nonlinear vibration of the microactuator. The resulting equation of this complex problem is studied using the Optimal Homotopy Asymptotic Method, employing some auxiliary functions derived from the terms that appear in the equation of motion. An explicit closed-form analytical solution is proposed, proving that our procedure is a powerful tool for solving a nonlinear problem without the presence of small or large parameters. The presence of some convergence-control parameters assures the rapid convergence of the solutions. These parameters are evaluated using some rigorous mathematical procedures. The present approach is very accurate and easy to implement, even for complicated nonlinear problems. The local stability near the primary resonance is studied.

Betulinic acid is a lupane-type pentacyclic triterpene mostly found in birch bark and thoroughly explored for its wide range of pharmacological activities. Despite its impressive biological potential, its low bioavailability has challenged many researchers to develop different formulations for achieving better in vitro and in vivo effects. We previously reported the synthesis of fatty acid esters of betulinic acid using butyric, stearic, and palmitic acids (But-BA, St-BA, and Pal-BA) and included them in surfaced-modified liposomes (But-BA-Lip, St-BA-Lip, Pal-BA-Lip). In the current study, we evaluated the cytotoxic effects of both fatty acid esters and their respective liposomal formulations against MCF-7, HT-29, and NCI-H460 cell line. The cytotoxic assessment of BA derivatives revealed that both the fatty esters and their liposomal formulations acted as cytotoxic agents in a dose- and time-dependent manner. But-BA-Lip exerted stronger cytotoxic effects than the parent compound, BA and its liposomal formulation, and even stronger effects than 5-FU against HT-29 cells (IC50 of 30.57 μM) and NCI-H460 cells (IC50 of 30.74 μM). BA’s fatty esters and their respective liposomal formulations facilitated apoptosis in cancer cells by inducing nuclear morphological changes and increasing caspase-3/-7 activity. The HET-CAM assay proved that none of the tested compounds induced any irritative effect, suggesting that they can be used safely for local applications.

Skin malignant melanoma (MM) is one of the most frequent and aggressive neoplasia worldwide. Its associated high mortality rates are mostly due to its metastases, while diagnosis and treatment of MM in its early stages is of favorable prognostic. Even skin superficial MMs at incipient local stages can already present with lymph node invasion and distant metastases. Therefore, knowledge of the controllable risk factors and pathogenic mechanisms of MM development, spreading, and metastatic pattern, as well as early diagnosis, are essential to decrease the high mortality rates associated with cutaneous malignant melanoma. Genetic factors are incriminated, although lifetime-acquired genetic mutations appear to be even more frequently involved in the development of MM. Skin melanocytes divide only twice per year and have time to accumulate genetic mutations as a consequence of environmental aggressive factors, such as UV exposure. In the search for more promising therapies, matrix metalloproteinases have become of significant interest, such as MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9, and MMP-13, which have been linked to more aggressive forms of cancer and earlier metastases. Therefore, the development of specific synthetic inhibitors of MMP secretion or activity could represent a more promising and effective approach to the personalized treatment of MM patients.

The article presents results of the research and mathematical modelling of the rainfall erosivity factors. Erosion, whether water, wind or resulting from soil cultivation includes three processes – soil descaling, movement and sedimentation. Spatial characteristics of precipitation during two researched periods are similar having certain quantitative peculiar features. A common feature is maximum precipitation in the southwest and to a lesser extent in the eastern part of the region. Minimum precipitation is typical for the western part of the region. Peculiar feature of the second period of research is increase in contrasting effect of precipitation regime, when minimum values of precipitation decrease and maximum ones increase. Enhancement of contrasting effect of precipitation in space or time may cause increased intensity of erosion processes to the extent where the intensity of precipitation increases due to such contrasting effect. Thus, doubtless interest lies in the research of greater spatial or time contrasting effect of precipitation regime to activate water erosion. Thus, spatial peculiarities of distribution of precipitation within territory under study and time patterns correlate, but have their own special features. Clearly, total amount of precipitation as well as time distribution as a marker of correlation of intensification factor of erosion processes and defence mechanisms of vegetative cover are dominant for total losses of soil due to erosion. Coincidence of time of intense precipitation in summer and the availability of vegetative cover reduces erosion. Nevertheless, continuance of intense precipitation when harvesting is started may cause intensification of water erosion of soil. Use of spatial variables and regression equations for spatial data calibration helped to estimate the spatial variation of precipitation on the territory under study. Comparison of two periods of research showed that in 2010–2016 significant reduction of rainfall erosivity factor has taken place in comparison with the previous period 9.6–65.4 MJ mm ha–1 h–1per year. In Turiyskyi and Kovelskyi district changes in rainfall erosivity factor were minimal (9.6 and 16.7 MJ mm ha–1 h–1per year respectively). Conversely, in Ivanytskyi and Gorokhivskyi districts changes were the most significant – 58.1 and 65.4 MJ mm ha–1 h–1per year respectively.

Abstract Accurate determination of the extent and grade of adult-type diffuse gliomas is critical to patient management. In clinical practice, contrast-enhancing areas of diffuse gliomas in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences are usually used to target biopsy, surgery, and radiation therapy, but there can be discrepancies between these areas and the actual tumor extent. Here we show that adding 18F-fluoro-ethyl-tyrosine positron emission tomography (FET-PET) to MRI sequences accurately locates the most malignant areas of contrast-enhancing gliomas, potentially impacting subsequent management and outcomes. We present a prospective analysis of over 300 serial biopsy specimens from 23 patients with contrast-enhancing adult-type diffuse gliomas using a hybrid PET-MRI scanner to compare T2-weighted and contrast-enhancing MRI images with FET-PET. In all cases, we observe and confirm high FET uptake in early PET acquisitions (5–15 min after 18F-FET administration) outside areas of contrast enhancement on MRI, indicative of high-grade glioma. In 30% cases, inclusion of FET-positive sites changes the biopsy result to a higher tumor grade.

Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are cell-released vesicles ranging from 30-150nm in size. They have garnered increasing attention because of their potential for both the diagnosis and treatment of disease. The diversity of sEVs derives from their biological composition and cargo content. Currently, the isolation of sEV subpopulations is primarily based on bio-physical and affinity-based approaches. Since a standardized definition for sEV subpopulations is yet to be fully established, it is important to further investigate the correlation between the biomolecular composition of sEVs and their physical properties. In this study, we employed a platform combining single-vesicle surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and machine learning to examine individual sEVs isolated by size-exclusion chromatography (SEC). The biomolecular composition of each vesicle examined was reflected by its corresponding SERS spectral features (biomolecular "fingerprints"), with their roots in the composition of their collective Raman-active bonds. Origins of the SERS spectral features were validated through a comparative analysis between SERS and mass spectrometry (MS). SERS fingerprinting of individual vesicles was effective in overcoming the challenges posed by EV population averaging, allowing for the possibility of analyzing the variations in biomolecular composition between the vesicles of similar and/or different sizes. Using this approach, we uncovered that each of the size-based fractions of sEVs contained particles with predominantly similar SERS spectral features. Indeed, more than 84% of the vesicles residing within a particular group were clearly distinguishable from that of the other EV sub-populations, despite some spectral variations within each sub-population. Our results suggest the possibility that size-based EV fractionation methods produce samples where similarly eluted sEVs are correlated with their respective biochemical contents, as reflected by their SERS spectra. Our findings therefore highlight the possibility that the biogenesis and respective biological functionalities of the various sEV fractions may be inherently different.

Surfacing weld represents the deposition of a filler material on the surfaces or edges of a base metal. The objective of the process is to improve the mechanical characteristics of metallic structures that are subjected to cyclic loads. Heat transfer occurs at the interface between the welded beads and the base metal. Thus, the structural performances of the final product are limited. In this regard, the evaluation of the temperature distribution by means of simulation tools can provide essential information to the designers of such structures. The present paper proposes a new approach for the estimation of the thermal gradients that occur during the welding process. In the first stage, a black box system is developed with the support of experimental data. A simulation approach that is based on the Finite Element Method is proposed for the transient analysis of the heat transfer. The conductance and capacitance of the model are defined based on the parameters of the “Black box” system.

This study delineates a methodology for the preparation of new composites based on a photocurable urethane-acrylate resin, which has been modified with (3-thiopropyl)polysilsesquioxane (SSQ-SH). The organosilicon compound combines fully enclosed cage structures and incompletely condensed silanols (a mixture of random structures) obtained through the hydrolytic condensation of (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane. This process involves a thiol-ene “click” reaction between SSQ-SH and a commercially available resin (Ebecryl 1271®) in the presence of the photoinitiator DMPA, resulting in composites with significantly changed thermal properties. Various tests were conducted, including thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transmittance infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), differential scanning calorimetry (Photo-DSC), and photoreological measurement mechanical property, and water contact angle (WCA) tests. The modification of resin with SSQ-SH increased the temperature of 1% and 5% mass loss compared to the reference (for 50 wt% SSQ-SH, T5% was 310.8 °C, an increase of 20.4 °C). A composition containing 50 wt% of SSQ-SH crosslinked faster than the reference resin, a phenomenon confirmed by photorheological tests. This research highlights the potential of new composite materials in coating applications across diverse industries. The modification of resin with SSQ-SH not only enhances thermal properties but also introduces a host of functional improvements, thereby elevating the performance of the resulting coatings.

Nephrotic edema stands out as one of the most common complications of nephrotic syndrome. The effective management of hypervolemia is paramount in addressing this condition. Initially, “the underfill hypothesis” suggested that proteinuria and hypoalbuminemia led to fluid extravasation into the interstitial space, causing the intravascular hypovolemia and activation of neurohormonal compensatory mechanisms, which increased the retention of salt and water. Consequently, the recommended management involved diuretics and human-albumin infusion. However, recent findings from human and animal studies have unveiled a kidney-limited sodium-reabsorption mechanism, attributed to the presence of various serine proteases in the tubular lumen-activating ENaC channels, thereby causing sodium reabsorption. There is currently no standardized guideline for diuretic therapy. In clinical practice, loop diuretics continue to be the preferred initial choice. It is noteworthy that patients often exhibit diuretic resistance due to various factors such as high-sodium diets, poor drug compliance, changes in pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics, kidney dysfunction, decreased renal flow, nephron remodeling and proteasuria. Considering these challenges, combining diuretics may be a rational approach to overcoming diuretic resistance. Despite the limited data available on diuretic treatment in nephrotic syndrome complicated by hypervolemia, ENaC blockers emerge as a potential add-on treatment for nephrotic edema.

This paper discusses the historical beginnings and the current state of knowledge of the synthesis of organosilicon compounds and chlorine derivatives of silicon. The key importance of these compounds for modern industry, including the semiconductor industry (photovoltaic cells, microprocessors, memory chips and many other electronic elements) is highlighted. Significant environmental threats related to the production of these compounds and the research challenges aimed at their elimination are discussed. The complexity of the catalytic mechanism of direct reaction of silicon with CH3Cl and alcohols is presented in an accessible way. In the last part of the work, the directions of the development of direct synthesis technology in line with the principles of green chemistry are indicated.

Electron mobility and drain current in a strained-Si MOSFET have been calculated and compared with the mobility and drain current obtained for the relaxed material. In the first step, our mobility model has been calibrated to the “universal mobility” according to the available experimental data for unstrained Si MOSFETS. Then, employing the mobility parameters derived in the calibration process, electron mobility and the drain current have been calculated for strained-Si MOSFETs.

In this study, organosilicon compounds were used as modifiers of filaments constituting building materials for 3D printing technology. Polymethylhydrosiloxane underwent a hydrosilylation reaction with styrene, octadecene, and vinyltrimethoxysilane to produce new di- or tri-functional derivatives with varying ratios of olefins. These compounds were then mixed with silica and incorporated into the ABS matrix using standard processing methods. The resulting systems exhibited changes in their physicochemical and mechanical characteristics. Several of the obtained composites (e.g., modified with VT:6STYR) had an increase in the contact angle of over 20° resulting in a hydrophobic surface. The addition of modifiers also prevented a decrease in rheological parameters regardless of the amount of filler added. In addition, comprehensive tests of the thermal decomposition of the obtained composites were performed and an attempt was made to precisely characterize the decomposition of ABS using FT-IR and optical microscopy, which allowed us to determine the impact of individual groups on the thermal stability of the system.

Lipomatous tumors are the most frequent soft tissue neoplasms. Sometimes their differential diagnosis is difficult to perform only by microscopic analysis. This study aims to create a histopathological scoring system and highlight the impact of intratumoral microvascular density. This study was conducted over 10 years. We analyzed the main pathogenic pathways (MDM2 and CDK4), as well as the tumor microvascularization (CD31 and CD34) by immunohistochemical tests. We also analyzed the status of the MDM2 gene by CISH. These data, together with the clinical and histopathological information, were statistically analyzed by appropriate tests. We identified 112 eligible cases, with most of the patients being in their sixth decade of life, with a slight predominance of the female sex. We found important associations like tumor location linked to nuclear pleomorphism severity and microvascularization density correlated with atypia severity. Also, we observed that a maximum diameter of a tumor of at least 69 mm is associated with the presence of tumor necrosis. The score designed in this study shows an increased sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of lipomas (100%, respectively, 97%), atypical lipomatous tumors (93.8%, respectively, 82.3%), and liposarcomas (100%, respectively, 90.5%). This present study enhances the present data by bringing to attention the histopathological score with a role in differential diagnosis, as well as in the prediction of immunohistochemical and genetic tests. Also, we highlighted the importance of microvascular density, especially in the diagnosis of liposarcomas.

Background: The main aim of this study was to compare conventional radiograph and computer tomograph (CT)-scan measurements of femoral offset. The second aim was the compare the pre- and postoperative values of femoral offsets as well as the variations created by total hip arthroplasty (THA) replacements using the same protocol of analysis for a patient operated on both hips by the same surgeon using a modified lateral approach. Methods: The CT protocol involves 1mm slices from top of the iliac crest to the isthmus of the femur, 2mm slices from top to the bottom of femoral condyles and top and bottom of the ankle joint. The CT protocol involves 1mm slices from top of the iliac crest to the isth-mus of the femur, 2mm slices from top to the bottom of femoral condyles and top and bot-tom of the ankle joint. The implant came with an operative plan to guide the neck osteotomy site, and with its own bone compacting or bone removing rasp according to the intramedullary cortical or cancellous bony architecture indicated by the 3D-CTplan. Results: In addition to a clinical review and oxford hip scoring, the patient had postoperative radiographs and were reviewed regularly at 6 weeks and 6 months. Conclusions: We concluded that this 3D-CT guided custom design femoral stem produces reliable proximal ‘fit and fill’ and primary stability with restoration of limb length discrepancy with complex proximal femoral deformity without the need of a corrective osteotomy.

Background: Autoimmune bullous diseases (ABDs) are a rare but significant group of dermatoses that pose great challenges to the treating dermatologist. ABDs are characterized by the presence of tissue-bound and circulating autoantibodies directed against disease-specific target antigens of the skin. Most epidemiological studies have focused on a single ABD. More than that, there are few data about the incidence and prevalence of autoimmune blistering diseases in Romania. Methods: In this study, between 2015 and 2019, we retrospectively investigated a total of 225 patients with autoimmune bullous diseases from the northeastern region of Romania. The diagnosis was based on the clinical and histo- and immunohistological findings. Results: Pemphigus was the most frequently encountered ABD, with an incidence of 8.16/1,000,000 inhabitants, representing 58.7% (132 cases), followed by 24% cases of bullous pemphigoid (54 cases), 15.4% of patients were diagnosed with dermatitis herpetiformis (37 cases), and 0.9% other subepidermal autoimmune bullous dermatoses. The average age of onset of pemphigus vulgaris was 59.4 years, the majority of patients being male, while the average age of patients diagnosed with bullous pemphigoid was 73.8 years, the majority being female. Conclusions: Pemphigus vulgaris is the most frequently encountered ABDs in the northeast of Romania, with a higher incidence than in Western European countries, and this may be due to specific peculiarities of the geographical area, as well as to a genetic susceptibility of the population in this region.

The proposed hierarchical secondary voltage control is a spatially distributed control system using communication networks which are disturbed by both a time delays and packet data dropouts. A state feedback integral control is adopted to eliminate the effect of non-zero disturbance and provide exact tracking of the references of the pilot points and alignment of the reactive powers of the generators that participate in the control. The system is modeled as a discrete-time switched system, and the control gains are synthesized by solving LMIs for a stability condition based on a state-dependent Lyapunov function. For that, the cone complementarity linearization (CCL) algorithm is used. The effectiveness of the proposed control strategy in preventing time delays and packet losses is simulated, considering the model of a realistic electric power grid under typical operational conditions using MATLAB.

Our purpose was to introduce a case on point of a menopausal woman who suffered a domestic fall with consecutive persistent back pain and reduced mobility, and delayed the presentation amid late COVID-19 pandemic. On admission, she was confirmed with osteoporosis according to DXA (lowest T-score of -5.5) and started zoledronate. She refused further orthopedic intervention and remained on non-invasive long term rehabilitation plan while surveillance of anti-osteoporotic medication was offered to her. Fragility vertebral fractures represent increasingly common issues that require prompt intervention to overall a better prognosis. Late presentation and a first diagnosis of 10 vertebral fractures is a part of real life medicine with consequences amid potential lack of compliance to medication and adherence to a rehabilitation plan with short term and long term effects. Transition to post-pandemic reality still represents a concurrent pitfall to delayed hospitalization.

Background: The aim of the study was to determine the contribution of 3-dimensional computer tomography (3D-CT) in the diagnosis of the articular fractures compared with X-rays and computer tomography (CT), and to establish if 3D-CT can confirm or modify the preoperative plans. Methods: We have conducted a retrospective study between 2020 - 2022, 46 patients with articular fractures. We have asked 5 independent surgeons to make comparative analyses of the information required for a correct diagnosis and preoperative planning, obtained from X-ray, CT and 3D-CT. Each time, the surgeon was requested to categorize the fracture using specific classification systems and articulate their recommended treatment approach. Results: The study showed us the importance of 3D-CT to achieve a correct diagnosis for the articular fractures by ana-lyzing the discrepancies between X-ray, CT and 3D-CT, with direct influence upon the presurgical plan. In 37% of the cases, fracture lines were not apparent on X-rays but were visible on CT scans. However, in more than 27% of these instances, specific bone injuries, like central articular depression or unique split-comminution patterns, were not evident on standard CT scans but could be identified using 3D-CT scans. Conclusions: To establish the correct diagnosis and the proper therapeutical plan for the articular fractures, it is necessary to make a complete ra-diological evaluation, which consists of X-ray, CT and 3D-CT.

Fire detection is a critical safety issue due to the major and irreversible consequences of fire, from economic prejudices to loss of life. It is therefore of utmost importance to design reliable, automated systems that can issue early alarms. The objective of this review is to present the state of the art in the area of fire detection, prevention and propagation modeling with machine learning algorithms. In order to understand how an artificial intelligence application penetrates an area of fire detection, a quantitative scientometric analysis was first performed. A literature search process was conducted on the SCOPUS database using terms and Boolean expressions related to fire detection techniques and machine learning areas. A number of 2332 documents were returned upon the bibliometric analysis. Fourteen datasets used in the training of deep learning models were examined, discussing critically the quality parameters, such as the dataset volume, class imbalance, and sample diversity. A separate discussion was dedicated to identifying issues that require further research in order to provide further insights, and faster and more accurate models.. The literature survey identified the main issues the current research should address: class imbalance in datasets, misclassification, and datasets currently used in model training. Recent advances in deep learning models such as transfer learning and (vision) transformers were discussed.

This study aims to evaluate the abdominal aortic atherosclerotic plaque index (API)’s predictive role in patients with pre-operatively or post-operatively developed chronic kidney disease (CKD) treated with robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). One hundred and eighty-three patients (134 with no pre- and post-operative CKD (no CKD) and 49 with persistent or post-operative CKD development (post-op CKD)) who underwent RAPN between January 2019 and January 2022 were deemed eligible for the analysis. The API was calculated using dedicated software by assessing the ratio between the CT scan atherosclerotic plaque volume and the abdominal aortic volume. The ROC regression model demonstrated the influence of API on CKD development, with an increasing effect according to its value (coefficient 0.13; 95% CI 0.04–0.23; p = 0.006). The Model 1 multivariable analysis of the predictors of post-op CKD found that the following are independently associated with post-op CKD: Charlson Comorbidity Index (OR 1.31; p = 0.01), last follow-up (FU) Δ%eGFR (OR 0.95; p < 0.01), and API ≥ 10 (OR 25.4; p = 0.01). Model 2 showed API ≥ 10 as the only factor associated with CKD development (OR 25.2; p = 0.04). The median follow-up was 22 months. Our results demonstrate API to be a strong predictor of post-operative CKD, allowing the surgeon to tailor the best treatment for each patient, especially in those who might be at higher risk of CKD.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition, with genetic, epigenetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors contributing to its onset and recurrence. Severe psoriasis has a great impact on quality of life, which is similar to that of insulin-dependent diabetes, depression, and ischemic heart disease, but with a lower mortality. There is an overlap between the rising incidences of autoimmune diseases and obesity. In recent years, research has shown that there is an association between psoriasis and obesity. Psoriasis is linked to obesity in a two-way manner, as each can precipitate the development of the other. Several adipose tissue-secreted adipokines were shown to be elevated in obese psoriasis patients, exhibiting similar mechanisms of action to those underlying the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Excess body weight can influence not only the treatment response in psoriasis, but also the adverse events, leading to decreased patient compliance. Specific human microbiome patterns have been identified for obesity and psoriasis and could represent a future therapeutic target in selected individuals.

Cellular asymmetry is an important element of efficiency in the compartmentalization of intracellular chemical reactions that ensure efficient tissue function. Improving the current 3D printing methods by using cellular asymmetry is essential in producing complex tissues and organs such as the liver. The use of cell spots containing at least two cells and basement membrane-like bio support materials allows cells to be tethered at two points on the basement membrane and with another cell in order to maintain cell asymmetry. Our model is a new type of 3D bioprinter that uses oriented multicellular complexes with cellular asymmetry. This novel approach is necessary to replace the sequential and slow processes of organogenesis with rapid methods of growth and 3D organ printing. The use of the extracellular matrix in the process of bioprinting with cells allows one to preserve the cellular asymmetry in the 3D printing process and thus preserve the compartmentalization of biological processes and metabolic efficiency.

Postraumatic rehabilitation represent a dynamic field, with specific protocols and technics. Our prospective study targets the tibial pilon fractures admitted in our clinic, to which a new treatment protocol was applied, consisting of two surgical steps, assesing in the end the results achieved at the discharge of the patient and later follow up. The study group consist of 196 patients (198 fractures), in the period 2019-2022. The average evaluation time was of 16 months. The most frequently applied osteosynthesis principle was staged osteosynthesis which consisted of first stage fibula plate osteosynthesis and external fixator tibia pilon, followed by minimally invasive or limited approach locked plate tibia pilon fixation. (64.14%) Olerud and Molander clinical score at more than one year after the last surgical intervention highlights good results: excellent results in the amount of 37% to 15% in the first lot, good results 52% to 29%, moderate success 7% to 39% and poor 4% to 17%. Two stage surgery protocol with external fixation in emergency and minimally invasive internal fixation with locked plate performed after the dissappearance of the local edema, as the second surgical step, allows anatomically correct articular reconstruction without skin complications, with decrease of arthitic late complications.

Serotonin is well known to be involved in the mediation of cognitive processes, but also in the regulation of multiple distinct physiological processes, such as pain. It is also involved in the modulation of nociception of the endogenous analgesic system. Among the monoamine neurotransmitters, serotonin plays an important role in signaling chronic pain, hence the importance of its monitoring in lumbar pain due to degenerative pathology, one of the common cause of this kind of pain. The aim of our study is to evaluate the impact of peloidotherapy on the variation of serum serotonin levels in patients with degenerative low back pain. In our study, conducted in Balneal and Rehabilitation Sanatorium of Techirghiol, we evaluated 130 patients who performed balneal and physical treatments for a period of 2 weeks. The patients were divided into 3 groups: 51 patients were enrolled into the hot mud baths group (HMB), 48 in the cold mud baths (CMB) group and 31 in the control group (CG). Each patient performed physiotherapy treatments which includes electrotherapy, massage and kinetotherapy, patients from HMB group had also hot mud therapy and patients from CMB group had cold mud therapy. Serum serotonin was dosed at admission and at discharge, for each patient, and was determined using ELISA method with kits from Demeditec Diagnostics GmbH for human serotonin. All the data from the study were statistically analized using the SPSS 22.0 program, values were interpreted as mean value and standard deviation, and we used ANOVA and t tests. The statistically significant value considered was p

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome(CTS) is a compressive mononeuropathy affecting approximately 3-6% of the adult population, having a strong physical, psychological, and economic impact on the patient. The high intensity electromagnetic field applied with Super Inductive System (SIS) therapy has effects on pain relief, myorelaxation or miostimulation. The objective of this study is to assess the clinical outcome of patients with CTS after SIS therapy. Material and method: An observational prospective study was conducted between 2021-2022 on a cohort of 56 patients admitted to the Balneal and Rehabilitation Techirghiol Sanatorium for 2 weeks, with specific symptoms of CTS. The patients underwent treatment for two weeks at the sanatorium, receiving three SIS therapy sessions per week with the BTL-6000 device, and also other daily physical therapies. Results: There was a statistically significant difference in the proportion of patients who experienced pain and paresthesia before treatment and the proportion of patients who experienced the same symptoms after treatment p

The main purpose of the study was to identify the level of improvement in cognitive flexi-bility manifested by choice and cognition reaction times in relation to manual and podal skills as a result of the implementation of a program of therapeutic exergame exercises, for a time interval of 6 weeks at the level of students. 511 students participated in the cross-sectional study, of which 279 male (54.6%) and 232 female (45.4%), divided into two groups: the experimental group 266 (521%) subjects and the control group 245 (48%) sub-jects. The implementation of the experimental program comprising of 8 physical thera-peutic exergames took place for 6 weeks, in one session per week, within the physical edu-cation lessons, only for the male and female experimental groups. In the initial and final testing session, 2 standardized tests were applied: TMT part A, B and 2 tests adapted for this study: Square Test and 25 Squares Test. The progress registered by the male and fe-male experimental groups was statistically significant. In all tests, the experimental groups showed higher progress compared to the control groups. Depending on the gender differences, it was found that the male experimental and control groups made better pro-gress compared to the female groups in the following tests: TMT part A, Square Test, 25 Squares Tests. The implementation of a physical therapeutic exergame program deter-mined the improvement of cognitive flexibility man-ifested by choice and cognitive reac-tion times in conditions of manual and podal motor skills, demonstrating the effective-ness of exergame technologies adapted and implemented for prophy-lactic purposes

Background: Chronic wounds are a significant health problem with devastating consequences for patients’ physical, social, and mental health, increasing healthcare systems’ costs. Their prolonged healing times, economic burden, diminished quality of life, increased infection risk, and impact on patients’ mobility and functionality make them a major concern for healthcare professionals. Purpose: This review offers a multi-perspective analysis of the medical literature focusing on chronic wound management. Methods used: We evaluated 48 articles from the last 21 years registered in the MEDLINE and Global Health databases. The articles included in our study had a minimum of 20 citations, patients > 18 years old, and focused on chronic, complex, and hard-to-heal wounds. Extracted data were summarized into a narrative synthesis using the same health-related quality of life instrument. Results: We evaluated the efficacy of existing wound care therapies from classical methods to modern concepts, and wound care products to regenerative medicine that uses a patient’s pluripotent stem cells and growth factors. Regenerative medicine and stem cell therapies, biologic dressings and scaffolds, negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT), electrical stimulation, topical growth factors and cytokines, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), advanced wound dressings, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital wound management are all part of the new arsenal of wound healing. Conclusion: Periodic medical evaluation and proper use of modern wound care therapies, including the use of plasma-derived products [such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF)] combined with proper systemic support (adequate protein levels, blood sugar, vitamins involved in tissue regeneration, etc.) are the key to a faster wound healing, and, with the help of AI, can reach the fastest healing rate possible.

In this paper, a new type of borasilsesquioxanes was synthesized through a condensation process, and its reactivity in catalytic hydrosilylation reactions with silanes, siloxanes, and silsesquioxanes was investigated. The obtained compounds were mostly obtained in >90% yield. They were fully characterized using spectroscopic (1H, 13C, 29Si NMR) and spectrometric (MALDI-TOF-MS) methods. The next stage of the research involved studying the thermogravimetric properties of the borasilsesquioxanes. By analyzing the different stages of decomposition using spectroscopic techniques (NMR, ATR-FTIR, Raman) and microscopic imaging, it was found that the structure of the borasilsesquioxanes changed during the pyrolysis process and polymer compounds were formed.

There is enough evidence to support weight loss in order to improve urinary incontinence. Nevertheless, weight loss and maintaining a lower weight are not easy to achieve in the general population. Our study aims to evaluate whether bariatric surgery has a positive effect on the symptoms of urinary incontinence in female patients. We performed a prospective study on obese female patients before and after bariatric surgery, over a period of 9 years. Patients with a BMI ≥ 33 kg/m2 were included if they described involuntary loss of urine and no previous surgery for urinary incontinence was performed. The patients underwent laparoscopic surgery, either gastric sleeve, bypass or banding, performed by four surgeons in our hospital. The type of incontinence was not assessed at the initial visit carried out by the surgeon. All patients who declared being incontinent were referred to the urologist where they received the ICIQ—UI-SF questionnaire before their bariatric surgery and during follow -up visits. The sum of points obtained at questions 3, 4 and 5 was used to evaluate the severity of incontinence, as well as the impact on the quality of life. Our evaluation collected data on age, time since onset of symptoms, pad usage, number and type of deliveries, concomitant conditions and medications. The type of incontinence was assessed by the urologist before bariatric surgery as urge, stress or mixed incontinence. At follow-up visits, the patients were also asked to fill out a 10-point VAS questionnaire evaluating their perception on the evolution of incontinence symptoms. Data were analyzed using t-test statistical analysis. Our objective defined changes in incontinence as cure, improved, no change and worse. We included 54 women from whom initial data and at least 18 months of follow-up were available. We observed that about 50% of all women undergoing bariatric surgery have some degree of urinary incontinence. The ICIQ score improved from 13.31 ± 5.18 before surgery to 8.30 ± 4.49 points after surgery (p < 0.0001). Before surgery, 38 patients (70%) described severe incontinence compared to only 20 patients (37%) after surgery. A total of 16 women (31%) reported complete cure of urinary incontinence after bariatric surgery. Data from the VAS questionnaire show improvement in 46 cases (85%). Pad usage improved from 7.04 ± 2.79 to 3.42 ± 2.77 (p < 0.001) per day. The number of patients using more than one pad per day decreased from 35 (65%) to 9 (17%). The type of incontinence did not seem to be relevant, but our sample size was too small to lead to statistically significant results. There was no impact on the outcome of incontinence of number/type of delivery, age or BMI. Our data show that bariatric surgery is able to cure urinary incontinence in one of three obese women. A significant improvement was obtained in more than two-thirds of the patients, regardless of the type of incontinence. For an obese female with urinary incontinence, treatment for obesity should prevail and incontinence should be treated only if symptoms remain.

The concept of Virtual Power Plant (VPP) has arisen over a decade ago from the relatively low competitiveness of the back then emerging non-dispatchable RES. A set of smaller generators imitates the behavior of large synchronous generators. So far, static aspects such as generation or slow dynamics have been of interest, as it is the case for the zonal secondary frequency control scheme in Spain, which can be viewed as a VPP. However, considering dynamic aspects is of high importance, especially to further increase the current penetration level of Renewable Energy Sources (RES). Indeed, one should deal with the full participation of RES in grid ancillary services. This means not only to get some positive impact on grid voltage and frequency dynamics but to bring concepts which allow integrating RES to existing secondary regulation schemes on the same level as classic synchronous generators. For that, we propose here a new concept called Dynamic VPP (DVPP) which fully integrates the dynamic aspects at all levels: locally (for each RES generator), globally (for grid ancillary services and interaction with other close-by elements of the grid) and economically (for internal optimal dispatch and participation in electricity markets). A DVPP is a set of dispatchable and non-dispatchable RES along with a set of common control and operation procedures. The latter procedures include the choice of dispatchable and non-dispatchable RES constituting the DVPP, the control of DVPP generators for local objectives and participation of the DVPP as a single unit in ancillary services (especially in case of loss of natural resources - e.g., wind, sun - on a part of the DVPP), the limitation of the risk of adversely interaction with close-by elements and the feasibility in both current power systems scenarios and future ones with large share of RES. This new DVPP framework and approaches developed for its implementation allows ensuring optimal operation of a mixed portfolio of dispatchable and non-dispatchable RES generators for planning, participation to the markets and real-time control. For the control, all time-scale dynamics are considered to improve RES management (internal re-dispatch inside the DVPP to take advantage of dispatchable/non-dispatchable nature of each RES and to optimally manage the lack of natural resources in some regions of the DVPP) and their participation to grid ancillary services. Concrete structures of DVPP as well as ways to address the other control and economical aspects will be shown. This new DVPP concept is now under development in the H2020 POSYTYF project (https://posytyf-h2020.eu/).

Abstract Recent years have seen a steep rise in the number of skin cancer detection applications. While modern advances in deep learning made possible reaching new heights in terms of classification accuracy, no publicly available skin cancer detection software provide confidence estimates for these predictions. We present DUNEScan (Deep Uncertainty Estimation for Skin Cancer), a web server that performs an intuitive in-depth analysis of uncertainty in commonly used skin cancer classification models based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs). DUNEScan allows users to upload a skin lesion image, and quickly compares the mean and the variance estimates provided by a number of new and traditional CNN models. Moreover, our web server uses the Grad-CAM and UMAP algorithms to visualize the classification manifold for the user’s input, hence providing crucial information about its closeness to skin lesion images from the popular ISIC database. DUNEScan is freely available at: https://www.dunescan.org .

Health professionals in primary care teams need to know how to effectively encourage patients to change health behaviors to achieve treatment goals. Understanding the behavioral patterns and psychological underpinnings of making changes can help healthcare professionals deliver interventions with a higher success rate. The aim of the study was to assess the importance of behavior patterns in shaping patients' health attitudes and behaviors. There are three types of theoretical models that explain how health behaviors are initiated and changed: motivational, post-intentional, and multistage models. Motivation models describe the role of individual cognitive variables in the process of creating the intention to change behavior. Changing habits in the context of health promotion takes place by influencing the perception of patients. This can be achieved using the TRA (Theory of Reasoned Action), TBP (Theory of Planned Behavior) and HBM (Health Belief Model) models by convincing the public about susceptibility to a given disease, disseminating knowledge about effective methods of prevention and generating persuasion, support, admiration or recognition in society after positive behaviors such as smoking cessation or regular physical activity. Post-intentional models indicate factors that increase the chance of translating motivation into action. They commit the individual to a certain action when certain environmental circumstances are met, thus helping to translate the intention of the goal into action. Multi-stage models describe health behaviors as involving several separate stages. These theories are based on the assumption that people at different stages will behave differently, so the types of interventions and information needed to change behavior will vary depending on the stage they are at. Helping patients set realistic goals, such as moving to the next stage, can facilitate the change process. Effective behavioral interventions must be based on changing the approach of medical staff to the interpersonal process with the patient. This approach should be patient-centred and collaborative. Medical staff should assess the importance that the patient attaches to his health and the treatment process, and thus also the willingness and motivation to comply with the recommendations. Merely providing information will not guarantee a change in their behavior. Healthcare professionals should use active listening techniques (using open-ended questions, explanations, reflective and summarizing statements), should encourage patients to express concerns, and should be able to weigh the pros and cons of different treatment approaches.

Introduction. Agenesis of the corpus callosum is the most important change in white matter in the human brain. Absence of this structure can cause delayed motor development, mental retardation, seizures, language, or comprehension difficulties, with the progressive onset of autism, schizophrenia, and attention deficit disorders. Objectives. Advances in prenatal imaging techniques have led to a significant increase in the detection rate of agenesis of corpus callosum or associate anomalies – cranial and extracranial. Through this, we can advise parents earlier and check over time the development of affected children. Materials and methods. We studied 23 cases of agenesis of corpus callosum, from which 15 of the women with this fetal diagnosis chose to give birth to 15 live newborns with this pathology, and we started to do follow up on the neurodevelopmental outcome of this children. Results. The outcome of neurological development for people with corpus callosum abnormalities is highly variable and there is often an overlap in neuropsychological performance between patients with complete agenesis and those with partial agenesis of corpus callosum. The 15 children evaluated showed a diverse evolution from normal to severe, with neuro-psychological regression found and proven over time. Conclusions. Given the unexpected shift from normal neurological, motor and cognitive functions to borderline and even severe ones, prenatal counseling regarding the prognosis of this disease is difficult.

The topic of the paper is the application of dual approach in formulation and resolution of goods distribution tasks problems. The gap in previous goods distribution research is the absence of the methodologies and goods transportation calculation methods for manufacturing companies with not too large amount of goods distribution whereby goods distribution is not the core activity. The goal of this paper is to find a solution for transportation in such companies. In such cases it is not rational to procure a specific software for the improvement of goods transportation but rather apply the calculation presented in this paper. The aim of this paper from mathematical aspect is to show the convenience of switching from the basic geometric interpretation of linear programming applied on transportation tasks to dual approach for the companies with too many costs limitations per transport task but not enough available transportation means. Recent research studies that use dual approach in linear programming are generally not applied to transportation tasks although such approach is very convenient. The goal of the paper is also to resolve transportation tasks by both primal and dual approach in order to prove the correctness of the method.

The aim of this research was to highlight the impact of using different types of fuels on particulate emissions and also on the operation on particulate filters on diesel engines. For all the results obtained from the experimental tests, comparative studies were performed to find the optimal fuel mixture that can be used in order to obtain the optimal performance of the particle filter, without affecting the engine performance. Following the initial tests performed without DPF, the case with the highest smoke emission value (2000 1/min) was identified. For this case, continuous measurement tests were then performed. For this reason, a more detailed analysis was made only for this case.

In this paper, the main objective of using numerical simulation was to highlight and analyse details that are very difficult to highlight through experimental tests. The development of the simulation model was also done for predictive purposes. In other words, after validation of the model, it can be used to estimate the filter load in other conditions than the experimental ones, respectively to evaluate how the particulate filter affects the operation of the internal combustion engine. In order to achieve the desired result, the creation of the model was done in two stages, the first stage was the creation of a model containing all the components of the engine, except the particle filter in order to identify the parameters of the combustion process and pollutant emissions - model validated on the basis of the indicated pressure curves, and the second stage was to complete the initial model with a particle filter and validate it from the point of view of the pressure drop, respectively of the engine performance, the aim was to obtain a trend, respectively values similar to the experimental ones.

The automotive industry is responsible for a big part of the pollutant emissions, and the measures that are being taken to reduce these emissions are extremely important. Compared to 1990 emissions of nitrogen oxides from internal combustion engines decreased approximately by 39%, and for PM 2.5 by 37%. Even so, emissions concerns have increased in recent years, so the EU has taken a series of measures to continuously reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide related to transport sector. It is well known that the replacement, even partial, of fossil fuels with alternative fuels has a significant contribution to the decarbonisation of trans-European transport, which reduces the environmental impact of this sector. With a share of around 4.7% of all fuels used in EU transport, biofuels are the main type of alternative fuel. In addition, if produced sustainably, biofuels help reduce emissions of carbon monoxide and solid particles, but at certain operating intervals, the engine can produce more NOx emissions, which is why diesel engines must be equipped with additional NOx emission treatment systems.

The steering system plays a crucial role in the stability of the automobile, especially in the safety of the passengers and pedestrians. The aim of this work is to design a rack and pinion steering system that could equip a passenger car. In this process, many parameters are considered for the correct and effective directional response behavior of the vehicle. 2D models were sketched to validate the kinematic algorithm calculus used to optimize and refine the dimensions of the components of the steering system. After a satisfactory Ackermann percentage was achieved, steering system is designed and analysed in one of the most used CAD and CAE software in automotive, CATIA.