Search

This paper presents the continuity of my work presented in previous articles regarding my activity as a PhD student at the University of Oradea, Doctoral School of Industrial Engineering. After installing, cleaning, vacuum testing and developing an experimental system for vacuum measurement, we decided that the next best step would be to develop the system with a load-lock further, as the time required for experiments would drastically improve and the need for refurbishing the old positioning mechanism would be eliminated. The paper describes the steps taken, starting with CAD representing the sputtering vacuum chamber for the manufacturer to start their production process, and finalising with automating the whole start/stop and reload sequence for the load-lock with an experimental setup made from readily available equipment in our laboratory, as the initial sequences were manually only and the risk of misusing for non-trained personnel would be high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a method for analysing the differences in solder interfaces between a new and an used printed circuit board (PCB). The study was carried out using the nanoindentation technique, the properties analysed being those of homogeneity, elasticity/rigidity of the solder paste on the contact areas. The analysed areas were selected after a few images obtained with the scanning electron microscope (SEM). The research was carried out in order to find out the possible causes of the defects appearance after a long time of use, it can be very difficult to find out the cause using the nanometre scale.

Stellaria media of the plant family Caryophyllaceae, is a promising herb due to its phytochemical composition and its biological effect, such antioxidant capacity and reduction of obesity.From the point of view of phytochemicals composition, the S. media is composed of phenols such as flavonoids and phenolic acids. The aim of our study was to find a method to encapsulate of S. media extract using alginate matrix beads and to monitor the released efficiency from the matrix in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids. Alginate is a polymer with a three-dimensional network resistant to acid pH but allows the penetration into the network of hydrophilic molecules at alkaline pH. The size, shape and procedure of the extract incorporation into the sodium alginate microcapsules were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and byoptical microscope images. Our results demonstrated that the method development for the encapsulation of S. media extract is a suitable method to obtain gastro-resistant microcapsules and controlled release in the intestine.

The integration of nanomaterials in conventional agricultural practices ensures an increase in efficiency. The use of nano-fertilizers can improve the plant’s state of vegetation with favorable effects on agricultural production. A systematic analysis of information regarding the impact of nanoparticles on plants is necessary to improve our understanding of the effects of metallic nanoparticles and oxides on the structure and functions of the photosynthesis systems of plants. Chlorophyll a, b and carotenoid contents varied depending on different concentrations of applied Se, Fe2O3 and MgO nanoparticles (NPs). In this paper, we have approached the impact of nanoparticles on plants in relation to the type and concentration of studied nanoparticles. In the case of treatment with Se NPs, proline shows statistically significant increase with P

The paper aims to present the result obtained during mechanical characterization of ceramic materials. The characterization of the materials was realized using the G200 nanoindenter with the goal of fully characterizing the mechanical proprieties (hardness, and modulus).

The aim of the present study is to describe and measure the cognitive emotion regulation strategies of inpatient adolescents with clinical depression, aged 13-18, and to analyse these coping strategies in relation to different comorbidities of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)., Methods: There were 112 adolescents with MDD who were admitted to hospital and 78 healthy adolescents included in the study. The Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ) was used to assess nine specific cognitive coping strategies. A cognitive coping style model for depression in adolescents was described by analysing the differences between the two groups. The CERQ scores in MDD participants, grouped by comorbidity, were also assessed., Results: Adolescents with MDD had significantly higher scores for Self-Blame and Catastrophising strategies, and significantly lower scores for Positive Refocusing, Refocusing on Planning, and Positive Reappraisal. Adolescents with MDD and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) traits had significantly higher scores for Rumination, Catastrophising, and Blaming Others than adolescents with MDD and anxiety or with no comorbidity., Conclusions: Clinical depression in adolescents is associated with a cognitive profile that consists of an increased use of maladaptive coping styles and low employment of adaptive strategies. Early identification can contribute to the development of specific, individualised prevention and intervention programmes, while further longitudinal studies are necessary to adequately measure the outcome of these interventions.

The unprecedented increase in microbial resistance rates to all current drugs raises an acute need for the design of more effective antimicrobial strategies. Moreover, the importance of oxidative stress due to chronic inflammation in infections with resistant bacteria represents a key factor for the development of new antibacterial agents with potential antioxidant effects. Thus, the purpose of this study was to bioevaluate new O-aryl-carbamoyl-oxymino-fluorene derivatives for their potential use against infectious diseases. With this aim, their antimicrobial effect was evaluated using quantitative assays (minimum inhibitory/bactericidal/biofilms inhibitory concentrations) (MIC/MBC/MBIC), the obtained values being 0.156-10/0.312-10/0.009-1.25 mg/mL), while some of the involved mechanisms (i.e., membrane depolarization) were investigated by flow cytometry. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by studying the scavenger capacity of DPPH and ABTS•+ radicals and the toxicity was tested in vitro on three cell lines and in vivo on the crustacean Artemia franciscana Kellog. The four compounds derived from 9 H -fluoren-9-one oxime proved to exhibit promising antimicrobial features and particularly, a significant antibiofilm activity. The presence of chlorine induced an electron-withdrawing effect, favoring the anti- Staphylococcus aureus and that of the methyl group exhibited a +I effect of enhancing the anti- Candida albicans activity. The IC50 values calculated in the two toxicity assays revealed similar values and the potential of these compounds to inhibit the proliferation of tumoral cells. Taken together, all these data demonstrate the potential of the tested compounds to be further used for the development of novel antimicrobial and anticancer agents.

The aim of the current paper is the development of phytosynthesized silver nanoparticles mediated by Raphanus sativus L. extracts obtained through two extraction methods (temperature and microwave) and to test their potential application for controlling apple crops pathogens. The phytosynthesized materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. All the materials were evaluated in terms of antioxidant and in vitro antimicrobial activity (against bacteria, molds, and yeast: Escherichia coli ATCC 8738, Staphylococcus aureus ATTC 25923, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027, Salmonella typhimurium ATCC 14028, Candida albicans ATCC 10231, Venturia inaequalis , Podosphaera leucotricha , Fusarium oxysporum ATCC 48112, Penicillium hirsutum ATCC 52323, and Aspergillus niger ATCC 15475). Considering the results obtained in the in vitro assays, formulations based on nanoparticles phytosynthesized using Raphanus sativus L. waste extracts (RS1N) were evaluated as potential antifungal agents for horticultural crops protection, against Venturia inaequalis and Podosphaera leucotricha through in vivo assays. For the DPPH assay, the inhibition (%) varied between 37.06% (for RS1N at 0.8 mg/mL concentration) and 83.72% (for RS1N at 7.2 mg/mL concentration) compared to 19.97% (for RS2N at 0.8 mg/mL) and only 28.91% (for RS2N at 7.2 mg/mL). Similar results were obtained for RS3N (85.42% inhibition at 7.2 mg/mL) compared with RS4N (21.76% inhibition at 7.2 mg/mL). Regarding the ABTS assay, the highest scavenger activity values were recorded for samples RS1N (91.43% at 1.6 mg/mL) and RS3N (96.62% at 1.6 mg/mL).

We aimed to investigate the cytotoxic activity of indigenous Rosemary and Oregano freeze-dried extracts upon MG-63 osteosarcoma human cell line. We have determined the influence of analyzed dry extracts on cell morphology, cell survival and cell proliferation. The evaluation of dry extracts effect upon cell proliferation and viability was assessed by means of 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) method. For cytotoxicity evaluation, Live & Dead and lactate dehydrogenase assays have been used. To further investigate the potential anticancer effect, we have studied the influence of dry extracts upon cells, by means of caspase-3∕7 assay and proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression. Cells were incubated with extracts in the following concentration range (100-700 μg∕mL) for 24 hours. According to our results, both dry extracts have shown cytotoxic effects by means of all used methods. Bone osteosarcoma cells viability significantly decreased with increasing concentration of analyzed extracts (beyond 300 μg∕mL for Rosemary dry extract and only at 700 μg∕mL for Oregano dry extract). According to our results, apoptosis is one of the main mechanisms involved in the cytotoxic properties of analyzed extracts. Moreover, Rosemary extract has also shown decreased expression of PCNA, when compared to control (untreated cells). Both extracts were standardized in phenolic compounds (being a rich source of flavones and phenolcarboxylic acids), so we assume that these are the main constituents involved in the cytotoxic effect. Still, further preclinical studies are needed to confirm the antitumor properties and to go deeply in the molecular mechanisms involved.