Changes of carbon-isotope ratios in soil organic matter relative to parent vegetation and site specificity

Investigating the correlation between biodiversity and ecosystem function in natural environments using carbon-isotope composition (δ13C) allows distinguishing the nutrient cycling pattern and anthropogenic effects incorporation in plants and soil processes. The mechanisms behind the isotopic composition of soil organic matter (SOM) and parent vegetation in relation to the context of site-specificity was approached in this work. Formation of SOM can be affected by the presence of a high concentration of heavy metals in soils. Still, no systematic studies were performed in most of the industrial sites to support this hypothesis.  In order to explore this incomplete understood influence, investigation of carbon isotope signatures (d13C) variations in soil organic matter were performed in two industrial areas from Romania (Copșa Mică industrial platform and Baia Sprie mining zone). The current study, also, investigated the C:N ratio variation, as well as the influence of N speciation regarding d13C values of SOM. The decrease in C:N ratio indicated an increasing effect of the microbial products on SOM matter at increasing depth, for both regions, while an increase of the denitrification processes with depth was found for both areas. For the most appropriate depth (20-40 cm), the soil from Baia Sprie region was more enriched in 13C comparing with the soil from Copsa Mica region, and this higher isotope fractionation of SOM might be due to a higher carbon content, respectively a higher nitrogen content of Baia Sprie soil. It was concluded that the SOM of the surface soil in the two investigated regions has an 13C isotopic composition similar to the plant remains from which it was formed, offering an integrated value of plant material, time and the local origin and providing useful markers of tree isotopic composition

Atrial functional tricuspid regurgitation: a novel and underappreciated clinical entity

Abstract Functional or secondary tricuspid regurgitation (FTR) is a progressive disease with a significant negative impact on patient morbidity and mortality. Recently, atrial fibrillation (AF) has been recognized as a cause of FTR (with/without coexisting functional mitral regurgitation) by promoting right atrial (RA) remodeling and secondary tricuspid valve (TV) annulus dilation, even in the absence of right ventricular (RV) dilation or dysfunction. This distinct form of FTR has been called "atriogenic" or "atrial". Recent evidence suggests that the RA is an important player in FTR pathophysiology not only for patients with AF, but also for those in sinus rhythm. Preliminary reports on atrial FTR show that cardioversion with documented maintenance of sinus rhythm promotes TV annulus and RA reverse remodeling and may significantly reduce FTR severity at follow-up. Large-scale studies on the prognostic benefits of rhythm vs rate-control strategy in atrial FTR patients are needed to substantiate specific guidelines indications for this subset of patients

Growth of titanium dioxide thin layers by low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) and chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) for photocatalytic uses

We present preliminary results of a work aiming the growth of titanium dioxide thin layers by Low-Pressure Chemical Vapour Deposition (LPCVD) and by Chemical Vapour Infiltration (CVI). These TiO2 coatings are grown on glass plates (LPCVD) and on porous substrates made of micro-fibres (13 - 17 μm in diameter) of fused silica (CVI). The precursor used as organometallic source was Ti(OiPr)4. As-grown films were morphologically, optically and structurally characterized, and then submitted to photocatalytic tests using aqueous orange G solutions. The films grown on glass plates show a columnar growth mode. These films exhibit a good crystallinity and are constituted of anatase orientated (211) and (101) depending of their position in the reactor. The films grown on fused silica micro-fibres show a good surface coverage and exhibit a micro-porous structure due to the high surface curvature of the substrates. The photocatalytic activity was investigated for two TiO2 films with different thicknesses (70 and 200 nm) grown on porous samples

Online Education in the COVID-19 Pandemic—Premise for Economic Competitiveness Growth?

In today’s context, marked by globalization and a growing recognition of interdependencies, there is a permanent change in the world’s economic big picture. In this ever-changing environment, competitiveness is the key factor when it comes to passing the test of requirements on all levels. Obviously, competitiveness, in turn, is conditioned by several elements, one of which being the quality of the workforce. The current situation, strongly influenced by the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, imposes new rules of conduct, and organizations must be inventive if they wish to survive in this period. As a basic pillar of competitiveness, education cannot and should not lag behind, as the transfer of knowledge must continue with or without COVID-19. The questions arise: Can online education train the younger generations and provide them with the skills they need in order to adapt to the labor market? Will 2020 be a reference year for a paradigm shift in education? In order to answer these questions, the present paper includes an extensive survey conducted in Romania among two samples of respondents, one made of 173 university professors and the other consisting of 732 students. The results presented in the paper indicate a high level of adaptation to the new teaching methods, among professors (84.4%) as well as among students (58.7%), with a high number of professors (51.4%) considering that online education can become an important factor in the development of society and in the enhancement of economic competitiveness (60.7%)

Isotopic fingerprint of the middle Olt River basin, Romania

<div><p>One of the most important tributaries of the Danube River in Romania, the Olt River, was characterized in its middle catchment in terms of the isotopic composition using continuous flow–isotope ratio mass spectrometry (CF–IRMS). Throughout a period of 10 months, from November 2010 to August 2011, water samples from the Olt River and its more important tributaries were collected in order to investigate the seasonal and spatial isotope patterns of the basin waters. The results revealed a significant difference between the Olt River and its tributaries, by the fact that the Olt River waters show smaller seasonal variations in the stable isotopic composition and are more depleted in ¹⁸O and ²H. The waters present an overall enrichment in heavy isotopes during the warm seasons.</p></div

Frenemies within: An Endocarditis Case in Behçet’s Disease

A 57-year female patient diagnosed with Behçet’s disease, on azathioprine, was noticed to have at a routine examination antinuclear and antiphospholipid antibodies. An overlapping lupus-like syndrome was diagnosed; hydroxychloroquine and aspirin were added. Three years later, the patient presented with dyspnea and sweating, with no fever. A cardiac bruit was noted; a giant vegetation was detected by echocardiography. Laboratory revealed severe thrombocytopenia, antiphospholipid antibodies and low complement. Blood cultures were positive for Abiotrophia defectiva serology and also revealed a chronic Coxiella burnetii infection. Antibiotic therapy, low-dose anticoagulation and control of the underlying disease mildly improved the platelet count, which fully recovered only after cardiac valve replacement. However, the Behçet’s disease, initially quiescent, flared after the therapy of infections. We discuss potential links between Behçet’s disease and the occurrence of antinuclear and antiphospholipid antibodies and Coxiella endocarditis in this setting. We also highlight the differences between the endocarditis in Behçet’s disease, antiphospholipid syndrome, Coxiella burnetii and Abiotrophia defectiva infection, respectively. Intracellular infections may modify the presentation of autoimmune diseases. Confounding clinical features of Coxiella persistent infection and non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis in Behçet’s disease warrant further insight

A Tree Ring Proxy Evaluation of Declining Causes in Pinus sylvestris L. and Pinus nigra J.F. Arnold in Northeastern Romania

Drought-induced dieback has been extensively studied in various forests habitats. We used a retrospective tree ring width (TRW), basal area increment (BAI), oxygen isotope ratios in tree ring cellulose (&delta;18OTR) and carbon isotope ratios in tree ring cellulose (&delta;13CTR) to assess causes in declining Pinus sylvestris L. and Pinus nigra J.F. Arnold. The climate data analysis indicates a significant increased trend occurred after 1980 in minimum, mean and maximum temperature and a reduced amount of precipitation compared to the 1920&ndash;1980-time scale. According to the Palmer Drought Severity Index, we found two extreme drought years (1946 and 2000) and three years with severe drought (1990, 2003 and 2012). One-way ANOVA indicated no significant difference between P. nigra and P sylvestris tree ring width, basal area increment, but a considerable difference between &delta;13CTR and &delta;18OTR. Basal area increment evaluated the climate-growth relationship most accurately, comparing to &delta;18OTR and &delta;13CTR, which explained the influences of environmental factors in tree rings formation. The &delta;13CTR was mainly negatively correlated with high temperatures from April-August current growing seasons. The negative correlation between &delta;13CTR and NDVI indices (June, August) shows a decreased carbon uptake induced by drought from summer to early autumn. The low &delta;18OTR signal was associated with a complex of factors, including the strong influence of heavy precipitation occurring in the growing season and a weak reaction of declined trees to resources. Species-specific responses to drought in 1990, 2003 and 2012 indicated P. sylvestris as more sensitive to drought whit higher demand for water supply in the optimal compared with P. nigra. Weak and unstable correlations in time with increasing/decreasing values in drought periods were obtained more accurately using &delta;18OTR compared to &delta;13CTR. The species-specific resilience response to drought years showed a weak resilience and resistance in P. sylvestris occurred more evident after the 2012 event compared to less sensitive P. nigra trees. Decision-makers can use presented results to reinforce specific management plans capable of protecting and changing local compositions where is the case with species more resistant to drouth

Amino Acid Profile of Fruits as Potential Fingerprints of Varietal Origin

This study aims to assess the capability of the 1H-NMR profiling of fruits from different genera in combination with multivariate data analysis to provide feasible information for fruit juices&rsquo; authenticity in terms of botanical origin. Nine fruit varieties from four genera were selected for the experimental plan. The juice obtained from the fruits was characterized using the 1H-NMR technique, selecting the obtained amino acid profile of fruits as a potential specific fingerprint. Due to the complex information provided by the NMR spectra, a chemometric approach of the data was further applied to enable the differentiation of the fruit samples, highlighting thus its suitability as a discrimination tool for the varietal origin. The advantage of this analytical approach is given by the relatively simple working procedure, which consists of an easy, fast, and accessible preparation stage while providing complex information on fruit composition

¹H-NMR Profiling and Carbon Isotope Discrimination as Tools for the Comparative Assessment of Walnut (<i>Juglans regia</i> L.) Cultivars with Various Geographical and Genetic Origins—A Preliminary Study

The aim of the study was to investigate the differences between walnut genotypes of various geographical and genetic origins grown under the same or different environmental conditions. The biological material analyzed consisted in walnut kernels of 34 cultivars, nine advanced selections, and six hybrids harvested in 2015 and 2016, summing up to a total of 64 samples. The walnuts, walnut oil, and residue were characterized in respect to their chemical (proximate composition&#8212;fat, protein, nutritional value, fatty acids profile by 1H-NMR) and carbon-13 isotopic composition. The data was used to statistically discriminate the cultivars according to composition, geographical area of origin, and year of harvest, comparing the Romanian cultivars, selections, and hybrids with the internationally available ones