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The notion of “flexicurity†promises to overcome the tensions between the labour market flexibility on the one hand and social security on the other hand, by offering “the best of both worldsâ€. In this review the development of the concept will be set against the background of changed economic circumstances in the last two decades. Flexicurity is seen as a way to preserve the European Social Model while maintaining and improving the competitiveness of the European Union. It is argued that, in the context of globalisation and technological change which place greater demands on business to adapt continuously, high levels of employment security will not depend only on protection of workers’ specific job, but mainly on the means for workers to stay on the job market, manage smooth transitions between jobs and make progress in their careers. At the end of the day, the aim of flexicurity policies should be to ensure the welfare and well-being of our societies and all their members, now and in the future. It can therefore be argued that flexicurity is ultimately about security and sustainability. At the same time, the European ideas and principles on flexicurity first and foremost need to be seen as a framework which may offer inspiration and guidance to Member States to review and improve their labour markets in terms of establishing a sound balance between flexibility and security. Member States can and should come up with their tailor-made policies and regulations that are geared towards their specific history, starting-position and political, institutional and cultural context. As quasi prototypes of flexicurity, policies pursued particularly in Denmark and the Netherlands have been portrayed as having successfully achieved new combinations between (greater) labour market flexibility without compromising social protection. At this point in time, it remains to be seen whether flexicurity will be more than a buzzword which has outlived its temporary political purpose or an enduring component of particularly European approach of combining employment and social policies. The current paper is realized in the doctoral programme entitled “PhD in economics at the standards of European knowledge-DoEsEcâ€, scientific coordinator Prof. PhD. Gabriela Drãgan, institution the Academy of Economic Studies Bucharest, Faculty of International Business and Economics, period of research 2009-2012.

In the past, European integration has concentrated first of all on profound economic integration, creating the Single Market with common rules and regulations throughout the European Union. European integration has been more limited in the labour market and social field, where the national state remains the dominant level of regulation. Although linguistically somewhat strange, “flexicurityâ€, the combination of labour market flexibility and security for employees, has become recently a much praised cornerstone of European labour market policies. Obviously, in an environment with rapid technical progress and frequently changing market conditions, employers need to manage their labour force flexibly. In order to achieve this flexibility without creating an unbearable situation for employees, security is the second pillar of the concept. As such, the concept looks like an innovative European way of consolidating economic and social interests, although some argue that much flexibility is gained while the security aspect is being neglected. Flexicurity forms a part of efforts to experiment with new forms of governance in the social and employment law of the European Union. It is compatible with attempts to introduce policies at supranational level that can influence self-transformation processes at the level of Member States in order to reach overarching economic goals defined by the Lisbon agenda. It is central in the debate over the reform of labour law systems since it is a key, if not the key concept in the 2006 Green Paper on modernising labour law in the European Union. The concept has been successfully adopted in some European countries, notably Denmark and the Netherlands. The experience in these two countries will thus be described in some detail, followed by a review of flexicurity-type policies in other European countries. The current paper is realized in the doctoral programme entitled “PhD in economics at the standards of European knowledge-DoEsEcâ€, scientific coordinator Prof. PhD. Gabriela Drãgan, institution the Academy of Economic Studies Bucharest, Faculty of International Business and Economics, period of research 2009-2012.

A small proportion of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients develop new disease activity soon after starting anti-CD20 therapy. This activity does not recur with further dosing, possibly reflecting deeper depletion of CD20-expressing cells with repeat infusions. We assessed cellular immune profiles and their association with transient disease activity following anti-CD20 initiation as a window into relapsing disease biology. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from independent discovery and validation cohorts of MS patients initiating ocrelizumab were assessed for phenotypic and functional profiles using multiparametric flow cytometry. Pretreatment CD20-expressing T cells, especially CD20dimCD8+ T cells with a highly inflammatory and central nervous system (CNS)-homing phenotype, were significantly inversely correlated with pretreatment MRI gadolinium-lesion counts, and also predictive of early disease activity observed after anti-CD20 initiation. Direct removal of pretreatment proinflammatory CD20dimCD8+ T cells had a greater contribution to treatment-associated changes in the CD8+ T cell pool than was the case for CD4+ T cells. Early disease activity following anti-CD20 initiation was not associated with reconstituting CD20dimCD8+ T cells, which were less proinflammatory compared with pretreatment. Similarly, this disease activity did not correlate with early reconstituting B cells, which were predominantly transitional CD19+CD24highCD38high with a more anti-inflammatory profile. We provide insights into the mode-of-action of anti-CD20 and highlight a potential role for CD20dimCD8+ T cells in MS relapse biology; their strong inverse correlation with both pretreatment and early posttreatment disease activity suggests that CD20-expressing CD8+ T cells leaving the circulation (possibly to the CNS) play a particularly early role in the immune cascades involved in relapse development.

Globalization and free market dynamics have significantly impacted state economies, particularly in the wine industry. These forces have introduced greater diversity in wine products but have also heightened the risk of food fraud, especially in high-value commodities like wine. Due to its market value and the premium placed on quality, wine is frequently subject to adulteration. This issue is often addressed through regulatory trademarks on wine labels, such as Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographic Indication (PGI). In this context, the metabolic profiles (organic acids, carbohydrates, and phenols) and stable isotope signatures (δ13C, δ18O, D/HI, and D/HII) of red and white wines from four agroclimatically similar regions were examined. The study explored how factors such as grape variety, harvest year, and geographical origin affect wine composition, with a particular focus on distinguishing samples from cross-border areas. Multivariate statistical analysis was used to assess the variability in wine composition and to identify distinct groups of samples. Preliminary results revealed that organic acids and volatile compounds were found in lower concentrations than carbohydrates but were significantly higher than phenols, with levels ranging between 1617 mg/L and 6258 mg/L. Carbohydrate content in the wines varied from 8285 mg/L to 14662 mg/L. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) indicated certain separation trends based on the variance in carbohydrates (e.g., fructose, glucose, galactose) and isotopic composition. However, Discriminant Analysis (DA) provided clear distinctions based on harvest year, variety, and geographical origin.

Adult T-cell Leukemia/Lymphoma (ATLL) is a rare but aggressive malignancy associated with the human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1). ATLL is a challenging malignancy characterized by its aggressive nature and poor prognosis. Despite advancements in treatment, relapse rates remain high. Donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) is a promising therapeutic option post-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) to prevent relapse. However, the prophylactic use of DLI in ATLL patients remains underexplored. We report the case of a 45-year-old female diagnosed with ATLL. Following induction chemotherapy and successful HSCT, a modified prophylactic DLI regimen was administered, consisting of gradually increasing doses of donor lymphocytes. The patient demonstrated a favorable response with no significant graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and maintained remission over a 40-month follow-up period, suggesting a potential benefit of this approach. This case highlights the potential efficacy and safety of modified prophylactic DLI in ATLL patients, warranting further investigation. Our findings suggest that modified prophylactic DLI is a viable option for ATLL patients post-HSCT, offering a balance between efficacy and safety. Future research should focus on optimizing DLI protocols and exploring biomarkers for response prediction.

This article starts from the premise that one of the global control strategies of the Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM), namely the Direct Torque Control (DTC) control strategy, is characterized by the fact that the internal flux and torque control loop usually uses ON–OFF controllers with hysteresis, which offer easy implementation and very short response times, but the oscillations introduced by them must be cancelled by the external speed loop controller. Typically, this is a PI speed controller, whose performance is good around global operating points and for relatively small variations in external parameters and disturbances, caused in particular by load torque variation. Exploiting the advantages of the DTC strategy, this article presents a way to improve the performance of the sensorless control system (SCS) of the PMSM using the Proportional Integrator (PI), PI Equilibrium Optimizer Algorithm (EOA), Fractional Order (FO) PI, Tilt Integral Derivative (TID) and FO Lead–Lag under constant flux conditions. Sliding Mode Control (SMC) and FOSMC are proposed under conditions where the flux is variable. The performance indicators of the control system are the usual ones: response time, settling time, overshoot, steady-state error and speed ripple, plus another one given by the fractal dimension (FD) of the PMSM rotor speed signal, and the hypothesis that the FD of the controlled signal is higher when the control system performs better is verified. The article also presents the basic equations of the PMSM, based on which the synthesis of integer and fractional controllers, the synthesis of an observer for estimating the PMSM rotor speed, electromagnetic torque and stator flux are presented. The comparison of the performance for the proposed control systems and the demonstration of the parametric robustness are performed by numerical simulations in Matlab/Simulink using Simscape Electrical and Fractional-Order Modelling and Control (FOMCON). Real-time control based on an embedded system using a TMS320F28379D controller demonstrates the good performance of the PMSM-SCS based on the DTC strategy in a complete Hardware-In-the-Loop (HIL) implementation.

Climate neutrality for the year 2050 is the goal assumed at the level of the EU27+UK. As Romania is no exception, it has assumed the gradual mitigation of pollution generated by the energy sector, and by 2030, according to ‘Fit for 55’, the share of energy from renewable sources must reach 42.5% from total energy consumption. For the rest of the energy produced from traditional sources, natural gas and/or coal, modern technologies will be used to retain the gaseous noxes. Even if they are not greenhouse gases, NO and SO2, generated from fossil fuel combustion, cause negative effects on the environment and biodiversity. The adsorption capacity of different materials, three nanomaterials developed in-house and three commercial adsorbents, both for NO and SO2, was tackled through gas chromatography, elemental analysis, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Fe-BTC has proven to be an excellent material for separation efficiency and adsorption capacity under studied conditions, and is shown to be versatile both in the case of NO (80.00 cm3/g) and SO2 (63.07 cm3/g). All the developed nanomaterials generated superior results in comparison to the commercial adsorbents. The increase in pressure enhanced the performance of the absorption process, while temperature showed an opposite influence, by blocking the active centers on the surface.

Starting from the problem of studying the parametric robustness in the case of the control of a permanent magnet-synchronous motor (PMSM), although robust control systems correspond entirely to this problem, due to the complexity of the algorithms of the robust type, in this article the use of switched systems theory is proposed as a study option, given the fact that these types of systems are suitable both for the study of systems with variable structure and for systems with significant parametric variation under conditions of lower complexity of the control algorithms. The study begins by linearizing a PMSM model at a static operating point and continues with a systematic presentation of the basic elements and concepts concerning the stability of switched systems by applying these concepts to the control system of a PMSM based on the field-oriented control (FOC) strategy, which usually changes the value of its parameters during operation (stator resistance Rs, stator inductances Ld and Lq, but also combined inertia of PMSM rotor and load J). The numerical simulations performed in Simulink validate the fact that, for parametric variations of the PMSM structure, the PMSM control switched systems preserve qualitative performance in terms of its control. A series of Matlab programs are presented based on the YALMIP toolbox to obtain Pi matrices, by solving Lyapunov–Metzler type inequalities, and using dwell time to demonstrate stability, as well as the qualitative study of the performance of PMSM control switched systems by presenting in phase plane and state space analysis of the evolution of state vectors: ω PMSM rotor speed, iq current, and id current.

This study addresses the necessity to monitor the presence of glyphosate (Gly) in waters, highlighting the need for on-site detection of Gly by using electrochemical sensors in environmental and agricultural monitoring programs. Two approaches were employed: (1) modification with graphene decorated with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs-Gr) and dispersed in either dimethylformamide (DMF) or a solution containing Nafion and isopropanol (NAF), and (2) molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) based on polypyrrole (PPy) deposited on gold SPEs (AuSPE). Electrochemical characterization revealed that sensors made of AuNPs-Gr/SPCE exhibited enhanced conductivity, larger active area, and improved charge transfer kinetics compared to unmodified SPEs and SPEs modified with graphene alone. However, the indirect detection mechanism of Gly via complex formation with metallic cations in AuNPs-Gr-based sensors introduces complexities and compromises sensitivity and selectivity. In contrast, MIPPy/AuSPE sensors demonstrated superior performance, offering enhanced reliability and sensitivity for Gly analysis. The MIPPy/AuSPE sensor allowed the detection of Gly concentrations as low as 5 ng/L, with excellent selectivity and reproducibility. Moreover, testing in real surface water samples from the Olt River in Romania showed recovery rates ranging from 90% to 99%, highlighting the effectiveness of the detection method. Future perspectives include expanding the investigation to monitor Gly decomposition in aquatic environments over time, providing insights into the decomposition’s long-term effects on water quality and ecosystem health, and modifying regulatory measures and agricultural practices for mitigating its impact. This research contributes to the development of robust and reliable electrochemical sensors for on-site monitoring of Glyphosate in environmental and agricultural settings.

Understanding the performance of polymer dielectrics at different temperatures is becoming increasingly important due to the rapid development of electric cars, electromagnetic devices, and new energy production solutions. Cyclic olefin copolymers (COCs) are an attractive material due to their low water absorption, good electrical insulation, long-term stability of surface treatments, and resistance to a wide range of acids and solvents. This work focused on the dielectric and electrical properties of cyclic olefin copolymer (COC)/Al2O3 composites over a wide range of temperature and frequency domains, from room temperature to cryogenic temperatures (around 125 K). Permittivity, electrical conductivity, and electrical modulus are given consideration. A composite of up to 50% Al2O3 mixed with COC was prepared via a conventional melt-blending method. The final samples were formed in sheets and processed using injection and extrusion moldings. It was found that formulations with Al2O3 concentrations ranging from 10 to 50% resulted in higher electrical conductivity while maintaining the viscosity of the composite at a level acceptable for polymer-processing machinery. Our data show that COC/alumina composites present substantial potential as materials for high-frequency applications, even at the regime of cryogenic temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Until reaching climate neutrality by attaining the EU 2050 level, the current levels of CO2 must be mitigated through the research and development of resilient technologies. This research explored potential approaches to lower CO2 emissions resulting from combustion fossil fuels in power plant furnaces. Different nanomaterials (MOFs versus silica nanoparticles) were used in this context to compare their effectiveness to mitigate GHG emissions. Porous materials known as metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are frequently employed in sustainable CO2 management for selective adsorption and separation. Understanding the underlying mechanism is difficult due to their textural characteristics, the presence of functional groups and the variation in technological parameters (temperature and pressure) during CO2-selective adsorption. A silica-based nanomaterial was also employed in comparison. To systematically map CO2 adsorption as a function of the textural and compositional features of the nanomaterials and the process parameters set to a column-reactor system (CRS), 160 data points were collected for the current investigation. Different scenarios, as a function of P (bar) or as a function of T (K), were designed based on assumptions, 1 and 5 vs. 1–10 (bar) and 313.15 and 373.15 vs. 313.15–423.15 (K), where the regression analyses through Pearson coefficients of 0.92–0.95, coefficients of determination of 0.87–0.90 and p-values < 0.05, on predictive and on-site laboratory data, confirmed the performances of the CRS.

The reduction in GHG emissions has become one of the most important objectives in Europe. One of these clean technologies in the quest for large-scale decarbonisation is the blending of hydrogen and natural gas (H2NG). The significance of this article lies in conducting a technical–economic analysis that relies on simulating annual consumption patterns. This study focuses on the utilization of H2NG at different proportions within a distribution network in Bucharest, Romania’s largest city. The paper is a fallow up of another paper and presents a case study for the injection through all four entry points in the city of different percentages of hydrogen and the dynamic of the mix through the gas distribution network. The study found that the variation in H2 in the network is high and depends on the entry point levels and consumption. An economic analysis was conducted on seasonal real consumption, which confirmed the investment’s profitability.

Climate conditions clearly influence the concentration of important substances in grapes, generating chemical reactions that will determine the final wine aromas. Three different regions were chosen to cover the most important viticultural areas from Romania. The aim of this study was to highlight, for the first time, the volatile profile for two Romanian white wines, Feteasca regala and Feteasca alba, from three different vineyards (Silagiu, Aiud, and Sarica Niculițel). The results showed that wine’s aromatic profile was directly proportional with the area of origin for the grapes, directly correlated to the climate. The obtained values for alcohols, esters, aldehydes, and terpenoid compounds were also related to the oenoclimatic aptitude index, a significant accumulation of aroma compounds being observed mainly for the Feteasca regala wine. A total of 17 superior alcohols were evidenced within the two types of wines, among them, 2-phenyl ethanol being distinguished by its higher level in all samples, varying from 7692 up to 11,783 µg/L. Together with some aromatic esters, it offers one of the most pleasant aromas, resembling rose flavour. Of all the acids found in wines, the succinic acid has the most intense flavour, tasting somehow bitter and salty, imprinting to wine a certain “juiciness” and “vinosity”. Diethyl succinate was one of the main esters in all six samples, with concentrations from 777 up to 1200 µg/L. Also, two terpenoid compounds and two aldehydes were found in all samples. The data obtained from PCA evaluation suggested that there is a significant variance among wine varieties. Nevertheless, hierarchical clustering was applied to explain the relationship between the six samples of wines, the smallest clusters that included Silagiu and Aiud winegrowing regions suggesting an increased similarity of the compositional profile.

Nowadays, an increased concern regarding using natural products for their health benefits can be observed. The aim of this study was to assess and compare several phenolic compounds found in 15- to 60-year-old Douglas fir, silver fir, larch, pine, and spruce needle and bark extracts and to evaluate their antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Spectrophotometric assays were used to determine the total polyphenol content and the antioxidant activity that was assessed by using the DPPH• radical scavenging assay (RSA), the ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP), and the ABTS•+ radical cation scavenging assay (ABTS). The phytochemical content was determined by using high-performance liquid chromatography, and the antimicrobial activity was determined by assessing the minimal inhibition concentration (MIC). The results of the study show a total polyphenol content of 62.45–109.80 mg GAE/g d.w. and an antioxidant activity of 91.18–99.32% for RSA, 29.16–35.74 µmol TE/g d.w. for FRAP, and 38.23–53.57 µmol TE/g d.w. for ABTS. The greatest quantity of phenolic compound for most of the extracts was for (+)-catechin, and it had values between 165.79 and 5343.27 µg/g d.w. for these samples. The antimicrobial inhibition for all the extracts was the strongest for Staphylococcus aureus (MIC 62.5–125 µg/mL). The extracts analyzed could be used for their bioactive potential after further investigations.

The increase in demand, and thus the need to lower its price, has kept C-based fuels as the main source. In this context, the use of oil and gas has led to increased climate change, resulting in greenhouse gases. The high percentage of eissions, over 40%, is due to the production of electricity, heat, or/and energy transport. This is the main reason for global warming and the extreme and increasingly common climate change occurrences, with all of nature being affected. Due to this reason, in more and more countries, there is an increased interest in renewable energies from sustainable sources, with a particular emphasis on decarbonisation. One of the energies analysed for decarbonisation that will play a role in future energy systems is hydrogen. The development of hydrogen–natural gas mixtures is a major challenge in the field of energy and fuel technology. This article aims to highlight the major challenges associated with researching hydrogen–natural gas blends. Meeting this challenge requires a comprehensive research and development effort, including exploring appropriate blending techniques, optimising performance, addressing infrastructure requirements, and considering regulatory considerations. Overcoming this challenge will enable the full potential of hydrogen–natural gas blends to be realised as a clean and sustainable energy source. This will contribute to the global transition to a greener and more sustainable future. Several international, European, and Romanian studies, projects, and legislative problems are being analysed. The mix between H2 and natural gas decreases fugitive emissions. In contrast, using hydrogen increases the risk of fire more than using natural gas because hydrogen is a light gas that easily escapes and ignites at almost any concentration in the air.

In order to expand the donor pool and accessibility of the transplant procedure, it was necessary to introduce haplo-identical stem cell transplants in the Fundeni Clinical Institute from 2015. Even if the Romanian population is an ethnically compact white population, many of the patients referred for bone marrow transplant lack a suitable donor. Hematopoietic stem cell transplant from a haplo-identical donor is an alternative option for those patients without an HLA (Human Leucocyte Antigen)-matched donor (sibling or matched unrelated). This procedure was used also as a salvage option for those who experienced engraftment failure or the rejection of the first stem cell graft. In this case series, we present three such cases, with a haplo-transplant used as a salvage protocol (after an engraftment failure or rejection of the first transplanted cells). The patients we present were diagnosed with AML (acute myeloid leukemia) with MDS (myelodysplastic syndrome), MDS—RAEB 2 (myelodysplastic syndrome—refractory anemia with excess blasts 2), and SAA (severe aplastic anemia). In two of the three cases, the engraftment failure may have been due to the conditioning Fludarabine/Busulfan/Cyclophosphamide (Flu/Bu/CFA) used, combined with marrow grafts. In all three cases, the second transplant was of haplo-identical peripheral blood stem cells using Melphalan/Fludarabine (Mel/Flu) conditioning, the cells engrafted properly and the patients experienced complete chimerism, and two of them are alive with an excellent quality of life.

This paper summarizes a robust controller based on the fact that, in the operation of a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM), a number of disturbance factors naturally occur, among which both changes in internal parameters (e.g., stator resistance Rs and combined inertia of rotor and load J) and changes in load torque TL can be mentioned. In this way, the performance of the control system can be maintained over a relatively wide range of variation in the types of parameters mentioned above. It also presents the synthesis of robust control, the implementation in MATLAB/Simulink, and an improved version using a reinforcement learning twin-delayed deep deterministic policy gradient (RL-TD3) agent, working in tandem with the robust controller to achieve superior performance of the PMSM sensored control system. The comparison of the proposed control systems, in the case of sensored control versus the classical field oriented control (FOC) structure, based on classical PI-type controllers, is made both in terms of the usual response time and error speed ripple, but also in terms of the fractal dimension (DF) of the rotor speed signal, by verifying the hypothesis that the use of a more efficient control system results in a higher DF of the controlled variable. Starting from a basic structure of an ESO-type observer which, by its structure, allows the estimation of both the PMSM rotor speed and a term incorporating the disturbances on the system (from which, in this case, an estimate of the PMSM load torque can be extracted), four variants of observers are proposed, obtained by combining the use of a multiple neural network (NN) load torque observer and an RL-TD3 agent. The numerical simulations performed in MATLAB/Simulink validate the superior performance obtained by using properly trained RL-TD3 agents, both in the case of sensored and sensorless control.

Globalization and free market dynamics have significantly impacted state economies, particularly in the wine industry. These forces have introduced greater diversity in wine products but have also heightened the risk of food fraud, especially in high-value commodities like wine. Due to its market value and the premium placed on quality, wine is frequently subject to adulteration. This issue is often addressed through regulatory trademarks on wine labels, such as Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographic Indication (PGI). In this context, the metabolic profiles (organic acids, carbohydrates, and phenols) and stable isotope signatures (δ13C, δ18O, D/HI, and D/HII) of red and white wines from four agroclimatically similar regions were examined. The study explored how factors such as grape variety, harvest year, and geographical origin affect wine composition, with a particular focus on distinguishing samples from cross-border areas. Multivariate statistical analysis was used to assess the variability in wine composition and to identify distinct groups of samples. Preliminary results revealed that organic acids and volatile compounds were found in lower concentrations than carbohydrates but were significantly higher than phenols, with levels ranging between 1617 mg/L and 6258 mg/L. Carbohydrate content in the wines varied from 8285 mg/L to 14662 mg/L. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) indicated certain separation trends based on the variance in carbohydrates (e.g., fructose, glucose, galactose) and isotopic composition. However, Discriminant Analysis (DA) provided clear distinctions based on harvest year, variety, and geographical origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This article starts from the premise that one of the global control strategies of the Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM), namely the Direct Torque Control (DTC) control strategy, is characterized by the fact that the internal flux and torque control loop usually uses ON–OFF controllers with hysteresis, which offer easy implementation and very short response times, but the oscillations introduced by them must be cancelled by the external speed loop controller. Typically, this is a PI speed controller, whose performance is good around global operating points and for relatively small variations in external parameters and disturbances, caused in particular by load torque variation. Exploiting the advantages of the DTC strategy, this article presents a way to improve the performance of the sensorless control system (SCS) of the PMSM using the Proportional Integrator (PI), PI Equilibrium Optimizer Algorithm (EOA), Fractional Order (FO) PI, Tilt Integral Derivative (TID) and FO Lead–Lag under constant flux conditions. Sliding Mode Control (SMC) and FOSMC are proposed under conditions where the flux is variable. The performance indicators of the control system are the usual ones: response time, settling time, overshoot, steady-state error and speed ripple, plus another one given by the fractal dimension (FD) of the PMSM rotor speed signal, and the hypothesis that the FD of the controlled signal is higher when the control system performs better is verified. The article also presents the basic equations of the PMSM, based on which the synthesis of integer and fractional controllers, the synthesis of an observer for estimating the PMSM rotor speed, electromagnetic torque and stator flux are presented. The comparison of the performance for the proposed control systems and the demonstration of the parametric robustness are performed by numerical simulations in Matlab/Simulink using Simscape Electrical and Fractional-Order Modelling and Control (FOMCON). Real-time control based on an embedded system using a TMS320F28379D controller demonstrates the good performance of the PMSM-SCS based on the DTC strategy in a complete Hardware-In-the-Loop (HIL) implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a severe complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) resulting from histocompatibility differences between donor and host cells leading to inflammation, tissue damage, and compromised patient outcome. Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is considered as a second-line treatment administered to patients with GVHD who do not respond to corticosteroid treatment or who experience a relapse after an initial response and are therefore classified as steroid refractory (SR). The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical response rates in both pediatric and adult patients with acute (a) or chronic (c) GVHD and to assess the effectiveness of ECP using the real-world data from a single center. Methods: We performed a retrospective study on 30 patients, including 11 pediatric and 19 adult patients who were treated with ECP as a second-, third-, or fourth-line therapy for (a) and (c) GVHD, alongside corticosteroids and other immunomodulatory medications. The median time from aGVHD onset to ECP was 11.5 days (range: 3 days–9 months), while for cGVHD, the median time was 90 days (range: 2 days–9 months). Results: The overall response rate (ORR) in the aGVHD patient population was 60% with a median of 9 procedures (range: 2–20). For cGVHD patients, the ORR was 70% after a median of 23.5 ECP procedures (range: 8–43). Most patients had skin involvement, with ECP achieving an ORR of 81.8% in aGVHD and 77.7% in cGVHD cases. Conclusions: ECP is a beneficial therapy for patients with (a) and (c) GVHD who have not responded to corticosteroids and other forms of immunosuppressive therapy. Specifically, ECP demonstrated efficacy in improving skin and oral symptoms and permitted reductions in or the elimination of their corticosteroid usage. The study found that extending the duration of ECP treatment was associated with better outcomes, and no detectable complications were observed over a 38-week period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adult T-cell Leukemia/Lymphoma (ATLL) is a rare but aggressive malignancy associated with the human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1). ATLL is a challenging malignancy characterized by its aggressive nature and poor prognosis. Despite advancements in treatment, relapse rates remain high. Donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) is a promising therapeutic option post-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) to prevent relapse. However, the prophylactic use of DLI in ATLL patients remains underexplored. We report the case of a 45-year-old female diagnosed with ATLL. Following induction chemotherapy and successful HSCT, a modified prophylactic DLI regimen was administered, consisting of gradually increasing doses of donor lymphocytes. The patient demonstrated a favorable response with no significant graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and maintained remission over a 40-month follow-up period, suggesting a potential benefit of this approach. This case highlights the potential efficacy and safety of modified prophylactic DLI in ATLL patients, warranting further investigation. Our findings suggest that modified prophylactic DLI is a viable option for ATLL patients post-HSCT, offering a balance between efficacy and safety. Future research should focus on optimizing DLI protocols and exploring biomarkers for response prediction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]