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Boronizing is a thermochemical treatment performed to obtain hard surface layers that improve wear resistance. In this study, the boronizing kinetics of pack boronized 30CrNiMo8 steel is investigated. Boronizing was performed at 830, 880 and 930 °C for 4, 6 and 8 hours in DURBORID® G powder mixture. The boride layers obtained characteristic but less pronounced sawtooth morphology, which is typical for the boronizing of low-alloy steels. The average layer thicknesses were between 32,9 and 122 µm, depending on the boronizing temperature and duration, with the temperature having a greater influence. The kinetics of boride layer growth was investigated using the Arrhenius equation, and the results confirm that the boronizing process follows the parabolic law, i.e. that the kinetics of boride layer growth is governed by the diffusion of boron atoms. The activation energy is estimated to be 173,45 kJ/mol and the frequency factor to be 1,54 × 10–5 m²/s. Based on these results, a mathematical model was established to describe the relationship between the boride layer thickness, temperature and duration of boronizing of 30CrNiMo8 steel. This model is suitable for practical application as it allows a quick and easy estimation of the boride layer thickness based on the boronizing parameters.

Abstract Background Despite recurrent outbreaks of diphtheria in Nigeria, there is a lack of in-depth analysis of hospitalization outcomes. Herein, we describe the sociodemographic, clinical, and laboratory features associated with hospitalization outcomes (defined as death or discharge) during the recent diphtheria outbreak in Nigeria. Methods This prospective observational study included 246 confirmed diphtheria cases managed in a dedicated isolation ward of a health facility in northwestern Nigeria from July 1, 2023, to April 30, 2024. We analyzed clinical and laboratory features, immunization status, and socio-demographics in relation to hospitalization deaths using SPSS version 29. Results The median age (interquartile range) was 7.00 (4–10) years and 49.6% (122) were aged 5–10 years. Common clinical features were fever (95.9%), sore throat (91.9%), painful swallowing (90.7%), pseudomembrane (93.1%), and cervical-submandibular lymphadenopathy (91.5%). Most children were unvaccinated (158; 64.2%), 199 (80.9%) received diphtheria antitoxin, and both were related to outcomes. Mortality rate was 23.5% (58/246). After adjusting for confounders, predictors of hospitalization deaths were neck swelling with an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of 9.80 (95% CI 1.68–56.47), abnormal respiratory findings (AOR, 149.99 [95% CI, 15.60–1442.02] ), hypoxemia (AOR, 37.79 [95% CI, 4.26–331.96] ), and elevated serum creatinine above 1.5 mg/dL (AOR 107.78, 95% CI, 7.94–1462.38). Conclusions Diphtheria is a significant burden in Nigeria, particularly among children. Neck swelling, hypoxemia, abnormal respiratory findings, and impaired renal function were predictive of hospitalization death. Although antitoxin and vaccination were related to outcomes, they did not predict hospitalization death.

Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic in the middle of the spring 2020 semester, many high education institutions were forced to move from face-to-face (FTF) teaching to remote instruction. The purpose of this study is to investigate students' attitudes and perceptions towards their learning of English for academic purposes mandatory courses and their engagement in learning these courses in comparison to FTF learning. The subjects of the research consisted of 712 students from two engineering higher education institutions (one from Romania and one from Israel) and one general higher education institution from Israel. Data were collected using a 5-point Likert-type survey. The results indicated that students had a positive attitude towards the remote learning of English and perceived it as having a positive effect on their learning experience and engagement. The results of the research can help educators in terms of adopting appropriate decisions regarding online teaching as a routine mode of learning (not in the emergency) and to make appropriate modifications and adaptations to the EAP courses. Thus, a better understanding of how this transition impacts students' attitudes toward learning could have important implications for instructional design, curriculum development, and teacher training.

The purpose of this study is to investigate primary school teachers' perceptions regarding the frequency of using educational platforms, digital applications, and videos for teaching science and geography. Data collection was carried out through a questionnaire survey in which 107 primary school teachers voluntarily participated. The analysis included: the frequency with which teachers use videos in science lessons, from various sources; the frequency of students using digital games and videos from various sources; the frequency of teachers creating/editing videos; the frequency of teachers using educational platforms and applications in science lessons; and the frequency of students using digital applications. The results show that primary school teachers use videos in science and geography lessons, most frequently using video clips, and that they rarely create, edit, or adapt videos using digital applications. Primary school teachers consider that students frequently use digital games and quite rarely use digital applications.

The article studies the legal issue of women’s political (under)representation in the Croatian Parliament from the independence of the Republic of Croatia to the present day, with a special focus on the ineffectiveness of electoral gender quotas as positive measures to increase the number of women in parliament. Namely, Croatia is the only country in the European Union that introduced electoral gender quotas by law, after which it recorded a serious decrease in the number of women in parliament. The Gender Equality Act in 2008 and Act on the Election of the Members of the Croatian Parliament (amendments 2015) prescribes 40 % quotas for each gender. However, not only did these quotas fail to achieve the expected result, but unexpectedly, the number of women parliamentarians in Croatia even decreased after their introduction. For every modern legal state and democratic society, it is very important to understand how electoral gender quotas work and how they can positively affect the representation of women in political decision-making. Care should be taken in determining what legislative solutions and political activities should be undertaken to increase the number of women in parliaments. The article begins by addressing the definition and terminological challenges associated with basic terms, and then proceeds to offer an overview and analysis of positive legal regulations on electoral gender quotas and equality within the legal system of Croatia. Furthermore, the article provides an analysis of the number of women in the Croatian Parliament across all previous parliamentary elections from the country’s independence to the present day. In conclusion, it proposes a thorough and effective redefinition and redesign of existing solutions for electoral gender quotas, advocating for concrete measures and activities aimed at increasing the number of female parliamentarians in the Croatian Parliament. Although this research topic has predominantly been explored by political scientists in Croatian academia, it is also a legal matter. Given the lack of research in the field of law, this article aims to address this gap in legal science. In addition to employing standard scientific methods common in the scientific field of law, quantitative scientific methods are also used in the study.

Abstract Huppke–Brendel syndrome (HBS) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by SLC33A1 mutations, a gene coding for the acetyl‐CoA transporter‐1 (AT‐1). So far it has been described in nine pediatric and one adult patient. Therapeutic trials with copper histidinate failed to achieve any clinical improvement. Here, we describe the clinical characteristics of two novel patients, one of them diagnosed by gene analysis and his sib postmortally based on clinical characteristics. We demonstrate a therapeutic trial with acetylation therapy, consisting of N‐acetylcysteine and ketogenic diet, in one of them. We provide biochemical data on N‐acetylated amino acids in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma before and after starting this treatment regimen. Our results indicate that ketogenic diet and N‐acetylcysteine do not seem to normalize the concentrations of N‐acetylated amino acids in CSF or plasma. The overall metabolic pattern shows a trend toward lowered levels of N‐acetylated amino acids in CSF and to a lesser extent in plasma. Although there are some assumptions, the function of AT‐1 is still not clear and further studies are needed to better understand mechanisms underlying this complex disorder.

BackgroundAllergen immunotherapy (AIT) is a well-established disease-modifying therapy for allergic rhinitis, yet the fundamental mechanisms underlying its clinical effect remain inadequately understood. Gauging Response in Allergic Rhinitis to Sublingual and Subcutaneous Immunotherapy was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of individuals allergic to timothy grass who received 2 years of placebo (n = 30), subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) (n = 27), or sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) (n = 27) and were then followed for 1 additional year.ObjectiveWe used yearly biospecimens from the Gauging Response in Allergic Rhinitis to Sublingual and Subcutaneous Immunotherapy study to identify molecular mechanisms of response.MethodsWe used longitudinal transcriptomic profiling of nasal brush and PBMC samples after allergen provocation to uncover airway and systemic expression pathways mediating responsiveness to AIT.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01335139, EudraCT Number: 2010-023536-16.ResultsSCIT and SLIT demonstrated similar changes in gene module expression over time. In nasal samples, alterations included downregulation of pathways of mucus hypersecretion, leukocyte migration/activation, and endoplasmic reticulum stress (log2 fold changes -0.133 to -0.640, false discovery rates [FDRs]

Extraction and processing of polyether polyols derived from petrochemicals, commonly used as surfactants during polyurethane foam (PUF) production, contribute to carbon emissions and raises the issue of long-term sustainability given that petrochemicals are non-renewable resources. Here, 5 mg and 4 mg of neem seed oil are employed to form flexible and rigid PUF, classified purposefully based on their divergent usage. To find an environmentally friendly replacement, flexible PUF whose mass, volume, density, compression, tensile strength, cream time, foam rise and rising time are 0.0047 kg m3, 16.52 kg/m3, 8.10%, 39.28 kN/m2, 60s, 10s and 60s is formed by mixing 1.25 kg polyol, 5mg silicon oil and 10g calcium carbonate (CaCO3). Likewise, by mixing 1.2 kg polyol, 4mg silicon oil and 8g CaCO3, a rigid PUF with 0.005kg, m3, 16.2 kg/m3, 8.15%, 40.72 kN/m2, 50s, 15 cm and 58s key, physical and mechanical property as respectively listed under the flexible PUF formulation is produced. Both foams were produced using equal amounts of toluene diisocyanate, water, stannous octoate and methylene chloride, resulting in PUF that can be used in insulation, cushioning and construction support applications based on their characteristic height, density, tensile strength and compressive strength. As the surfactant, neem seed oil's potential in the synthesis of PUF cannot be overemphasized. The study of the kinetics of PUF production is limited and should trigger the adoption of biobased surfactants for industrial applications in the future.

Background/Objective: Regular exercise during pregnancy is beneficial, but athletes often exceed the recommended 150 min of moderate-intensity activity, incorporate high-intensity exercises. The upper limit for exercise intensity and duration on fetal and maternal safety remains uncertain. A concern is a maternal core body temperature of >39.0 °C, potentially increase the risk of heat-related fetal malformations and complications during pregnancy. Blood flow redirection for thermoregulation could compromise fetal cardiovascular function, increasing the risk of miscarriage and preterm labor. This study evaluated whether pregnant women (gestational weeks 25–35) were at risk of exceeding a core body temperature of 39.0 °C during high-intensity running. We also investigated effects on skin temperature, fluid loss, and thermal sensation, comparing pregnant athletes to non-pregnant controls. Methods: In this comparative cross-sectional study, 30 elite and recreational athletes (pregnant n = 15) completed up to five high-intensity treadmill-intervals. Core and skin temperature were continuously measured. Body weight was utilized to calculate the amount of fluid loss. Results: Highest core body temperature were 38.76 °C and 39.56 °C in one pregnant and non-pregnant participant, respectively. Pregnant participants had lower core body temperatures (mean difference −0.47 °C, p ≤ 0.001) initially and a smaller increase (0.10 °C, p ≤ 0.003) during later intervals compared with the non-pregnant controls. Pregnant participants also showed a greater increase in skin temperature (4.08 ± 0.72 °C vs. 3.25 ± 0.86 °C, p = 0.008) and fluid loss (0.81 ± 0.19 L vs. 0.50 ± 0.12 L, p˂0.001). Conclusion: Physiological changes in pregnancy may enhance thermoregulation, indicating that high-intensity interval runs are unlikely to pose a risk of exceeding a core body temperature of 39 °C for pregnant athletes.

The present study contributes to the morphogenesis of the Miresii Cave, located in Cheia Mare of Dâmbovița in the area of the Bran—Dragoslavele Corridor, an important tourist axis in Romania. The main aim of the research is the proposal to the Scientific Council of Piatra Craiului National Park to bring to the attention of the national decision-making commissions that the cave be declared a natural monument. The inventory of this speleological geomorphosite suggested its inclusion in a thematic geotouristic circuit integrated into national and EU-protected natural areas. The novelty of the present research lies in the fact that the cave has never been studied before, being difficult to access. This cave, spatially found in the strict protection zone of the national park, is not included in its management plan. When being integrated into other nature protection areas, it is necessary to exclude any form of recreational tourism so that the cave can be exploited as a geotouristic resource strictly for research and educational purposes. The morphogenetic analysis of the cave, based on the information synthesized from geomorphological and geological literature, allowed us to decipher the morphological individualization of Miresii Cave in the local and regional geocronomorphological context, in accordance with the chronological separation of the karstification phenomenon manifested first in phreatic and later in vadose karst. The diversified typology of speleothems has been rendered according to the geomorphologic generating processes. The identification of the Rhinolophus ferrumequinum chiropteran colony and observations of its biotope highlighted the ecological significance of the cave. The inventory of the individuals of the colony led to the conclusion that the cave harbors one of the first two largest bat communities of this species in the national park and the adjacent depressional corridor. The present study may allow the documentation of the photographs and description of the geomorphosite integrated into the proposed thematic circuit to be included on billboards and in promotional brochures. Thus, it could also be useful for the decision-making authorities of Rucar and Podu Dâmboviței villages, which are interested in making decisions related to the promotion of geotourism, especially due to the existence of numerous geological and geomorphological tourist resources in the administrative territories.

Endophthalmitis incidence and clinical characteristics was reported to change during Covid-19 pandemic, due to multiple influencing factors, such as prolonged lockdown periods, persistent immune suppression following Sars-Cov-2 infection, and mask wearing. We conducted a retrospective eight-year study, during January 2016 and December 2023, that aims to investigates the differences in terms of etiology, clinical characteristics and outcomes in cases with acute endophthalmitis, admitted before (2016-2019) and during Covid-19 pandemic (2020-2023). The two study subgroups were homogenous in term of age, gender distribution, associated comorbidities, and addressability. During Covid-19 pandemic there were significant delays in presentation (p=0.02), more cases of endogenous endophthalmitis (p=0.025), and patients presented a more intense systemic inflammatory reaction (p

Abstract Background Rabbits are herbivores with a distinctive digestive strategy that differs significantly from other caecal fermenters (e.g., horses, guinea pigs) and ruminants. In view of this, the current study aimed to highlight distinctive histological and morphometric features of the caecal mucosa in adult rabbits that accentuate its major role in digestion. The caecal and jejunal samples were harvested from five 1-year-old domestic rabbits and processed by regular paraffin-embedding histological technique followed by Goldner’s trichrome staining. A comprehensive morphological and morphometrical analysis of the jejunal mucosa vs. caecal mucosa was performed. Results Microscopically, as in the case of the jejunal mucosa, the caecal mucosa presents long and often branched finger-like villi covered by a simple columnar epithelium mostly made of enterocytes with a prominent microvillous brush border. Besides, the caecal villi include a lacteal along with the villous muscle. Statistically, except for villus length, all the parameters assessed in the caecal mucosa, including villus width, villus count, thickness of the brush border and enterocyte/goblet cells ratio, revealed a high grade of similarities with the jejunal villi. Conclusions According to the obtained results, the caecal mucosa in adult domestic rabbits includes unique features, namely caecal villi, structures infrequently presented in the large intestine of other adult mammals. Those structures once more emphasize the major role of the caecum not only in fermentation but also subliminally in local absorption. To our knowledge, this is the first reliable microanatomical and morphometric report of caecal villi in adult domestic rabbits.

Introduction: Getting sick with cancer is a traumatic event for the affected person and can result with various psychological difficulties, and invasive methods of treatment further deepen them. The previously experienced psychological trauma of a close person can influence the response of a person who is currently experiencing trauma, because the far-reaching power of posttraumatic consequences extends through a natural biological barrier far into the next generation (the so called "transgenerational impact of traumatization").Objective: To assess the impact of transgenerational transmission on the development of PTSD in women with breast cancer.Methods: The sample consisted of 120 women treated at the Oncology Department of University Hospital Center Osijek, included in liaison psychiatric treatment. A detailed clinical examination with a psychiatric interview was used with the application of DSM-IV diagnostic criteria, a specially structured non-standardized questionnaire for the assessment of etiological factors and the Los Angeles Symptom Checklist of PTSD symptoms (LASC) for determining PTSD.Results: No statistical significance was obtained between the presence of a family member with cancer and the average total score on the LASC in women with newly diagnosed breast cancer.Conclusion: Although there was no correlation between the existence of a family member suffering from cancer and the development of PTSD in the test subjects, during psychotherapy procedures we observed the existence of symptoms that did not meet the criteria for establishing a diagnosis of PTSD, but could interfere with the development of various psychological responses. By including cancer patients in psychotherapy procedures, we can prevent the development of more severe psychological responses in the second generation, which due to the genetic influence in the inheritance of the disease, will develop cancer, and the psychological disorder associated with it, and achieve a far reaching effect on strengthening adaptation mechanisms.

Boala Castleman (BC) este o afecțiune foarte rară, care poate apărea la orice vârstă și care afectează 16:100000 pacienți/ani. BC se caracterizează prin simptome inflamatorii sistemice, limfadenopatie generalizată, proliferarea limfocitelor policlonale și disfuncții multiple ale sistemelor de organe, fiind adesea asociată cu tulburări autoimune, care pot precede, identificate concomitent sau urma diagnosticul. Lucrarea prezintă criteriile majore și minore în baza cărora se stabilește diagnosticul, precum și importanța lucrului interdisciplinar în identificarea și realizarea diagnosticului diferențial al bolii Castleman.

In the introduction , we are making historical backgroundof the concept of the sustainable tourism. We explained also what requires the implementation of sustainaible tourism principles and also the aims of sustainable tourism. The article presents the main ideas of sustainable tourism – new form of tourism promoted by authorities, environmental and social institutions and international organizations. It implies taking into account economic, environmental, and socio-cultural aspect by planning and management of tourism. The article presents the main international events concerning this topic and also highlights negative effects of tourism that can be prevented by applying the principles of sustainable development.

This case report presents a complex case of a 65-year-old female with a history of hypertension and a family history of polycystic kidney disease and Fabry disease presented with acute pancreatitis and subsequent renal insufficiency. Despite initial corticosteroid therapy for immuno-allergic nephropathy, the patient’s condition deteriorated with the development of a skin rash, uremic syndrome, and neurological symptoms. A renal biopsy revealed cellular crescents and cytoplasmic vacuolization in podocytes and tubular cells. Genetic testing confirmed a GLA gene mutation, consistent with Fabry disease. While undergoing treatment with cyclophosphamide, the patient experienced severe allergic reactions, ultimately leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome and fatal outcome. Despite the Fabry disease variant being primarily associated with cardiac involvement, renal involvement was evident. This case highlights the rarity of this co-occurrence, the diagnostic challenges, the importance of genetic factors in autoimmune kidney diseases, and the impact of drug allergies on patient management.