Enhancement of smectic C mesophase stability by using branched alkyl chains in the auxiliary ligands of luminescent Pt(II) and Pd(II) complexes.

International audienceA novel series of Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes based on cyclometallated imine ligands and N-benzoylthiourea (BTU) derivatives as auxiliary ligands has been prepared and their liquid crystalline properties as well as photophysical properties have been investigated. The crystal structure of one cyclometallated Pt(II) complex with N-(p-F-phenyl)-N'-benzoylthiourea as a co-ligand has been solved. The liquid crystalline properties have been investigated by a combination of DSC, POM and variable temperature powder X-ray diffraction. These new metallomesogens display either a monotropic SmC phase or both SmA and SmC phases, depending on the number of alkoxy groups attached to the imine ligand, alkyl chain length or the use of branched alkoxy terminal groups. We found that the introduction of branched alkoxy terminal groups lead to lower transition temperatures and stabilization of the SmC phase in both the Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes. While the Pd(II) complexes display no emission, the Pt(II) complexes show good emission properties in solution, in the solid state and as a PMMA film at room temperature, and their investigation is reported

Overview and perspectives of protected natural areas in Romania

Under the global environmental changes, the impacts of human-induced activities on habitats and ecosystems have become increasingly high, thus the role of protected areas in conserving biodiversity becomes critical. As a result, protected areas are exposed to a variety of pressures (e.g. biodiversity loss, habitat fragmentation, deforestation, pollution, overexploitation of natural resources, land use/land cover changes) posing major threats to ecosystems and their services. Currently, protected natural areas in Romania cover 1,798,782 hectares (7.55% of the national territory). An increased surface of protected areas was a priority of Romania’s following the accession to the European Union (2007), thus having to reach a 17% protected surface of the national territory (from 7% as it had previously been before EU accession) by means of other important conservative tools, such as “Natura 2000” European Network. The current study is aiming to provide a general overview on the natural protected areas in Romania, identify and assess the main strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT analysis) and, ultimately propose a strategic vision, for the next twenty years, based on key scenarios in relation to the measures and management guidelines assumed under the EU and national environmental policies. The research was undertaken in the framework of the project entitled: “Natural resources - strategic reserves, what we use and what we leave to future generations” supported by the Romanian Academy

Overview and perspectives of protected natural areas in Romania

Under the global environmental changes, the impacts of human-induced activities on habitats and ecosystems have become increasingly high, thus the role of protected areas in conserving biodiversity becomes critical. As a result, protected areas are exposed to a variety of pressures (e.g. biodiversity loss, habitat fragmentation, deforestation, pollution, overexploitation of natural resources, land use/land cover changes) posing major threats to ecosystems and their services. Currently, protected natural areas in Romania cover 1,798,782 hectares (7.55% of the national territory). An increased surface of protected areas was a priority of Romania’s following the accession to the European Union (2007), thus having to reach a 17% protected surface of the national territory (from 7% as it had previously been before EU accession) by means of other important conservative tools, such as “Natura 2000” European Network. The current study is aiming to provide a general overview on the natural protected areas in Romania, identify and assess the main strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT analysis) and, ultimately propose a strategic vision, for the next twenty years, based on key scenarios in relation to the measures and management guidelines assumed under the EU and national environmental policies. The research was undertaken in the framework of the project entitled: “Natural resources - strategic reserves, what we use and what we leave to future generations” supported by the Romanian Academy

INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT FERTILIZERS ON NPK CONTENT IN SOIL, IN CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE SYSTEM

This paper presents the results obtained from an experiment carried out in conservation agriculture system. Six types of fertilizers, i.e. N, NP, NPK and potassium humate NPK that contain various forms of nitrogen were tested. The experiments placed on cambic phaeozem at SCDA Teleorman were conducted using soybeans as crops, and fertilizers dosages of 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg N/ha. The influence of fertilizers on the nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, content in the soil after the harvest was investigated. Soil samples were collected at a depth of 0-20 cm. The laboratory tests were performed on conditioned soil samples. The experimental data was statistically processed using analysis of variance.It was observed that the use of fertilizers increased of the nitrogen content from the soil from 0.157% for the unfertilized sample to 0.189% for the sample fertilized with NPK 15:15:15 at the application dosage of 100 kg N / ha (21.8%). The phosphorus content increased from 72 ppm P2O5 in the case of the unfertilized sample to 98 ppm P2O5 for the sample fertilized with NP 20: 20: 0 (200 kg / ha dosage)

Multidisciplinary Healthcare Strategies in Pre-Labor Uterine Rupture after Minimal Invasive Procedures

Uterine rupture is a significant maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality factor. It is defined as the complete cleaving of the three uterine layers. The pregnancy distention leads to alteration of the uterine wall fibers, especially in the low resistance points like surgical scars. World Health Organization realized an extensive systematic review to determine the prevalence of uterine rupture. A lower prevalence was seen in developed countries and higher rates for least developed countries. The incidence of uterine rupture in women with caesarean section is estimated to be 1% and without caesarean section is as low as 0.006%. Although the uterine scar is the main feature of uterine rupture, other contributing influences on untoward outcomes must be promptly recognized. The aim of this paper was to assess the frequency of uterine ruptures in a tertiary referral center, to identify risk factors and symptoms for complete and partial uterine rupture before labor, common symptoms of uterine rupture, multidisciplinary approach, and emergency surgical management

OBTAINING AND TESTING OF FERTILIZERS WITH ORGANIC SUBSTANCES

Due to legislation for environmental protection and the need to obtain products "cleaner" worldwide there is a major trend of development both the research and the production of fertilizers with organic substances with growth stimulating effect for use for intensive and organic agriculture (especially for protection of crops, and prevent and combat nutritional deficiencies).Approaching the concept of fertilizers containing substances of category biostimulators is a difficult task by the fact that describing the concept of biostimulants is far from being completely understood and legislation, research and experimentation are, regarding this category of products used in agriculture, at an early stage of development.This paper presents a range of NPK fertilizers with organic substances represented by protein hydrolysates and extracts from algae, with primary and secondary nutrients and physical and chemical characteristics of fertilizers obtained experimentally. These fertilizers were tested in the national network of testing of fertilizers in order of authorization for use in agriculture. It was observed that the combination of fertilizer is well assimilated by plants, with a synergistic effect of growth and protection against diseases and pests.If the application of these fertilizers were obtained yield increases between 25-30% for the tomato crop and 27 - 32.5% for the apple, as well as changes in photosynthesis process marked by increases of 30-37% of assimilating pigments

Artificial Intelligence as a Substitute for Human Creativity

Creativity has always been perceived as a human trait, even though the exact neural mechanisms remain unknown, it has been the subject of research and debate for a long time. The recent development of AI technologies and increased interest in AI has led to many projects capable of performing tasks that have been previously regarded as impossible without human creativity. Music composition, visual arts, literature, and science represent areas in which these technologies have started to both help and replace the creative human, with the question of whether AI can be creative and capable of creation more realistic than ever. This review aims to provide an extensive perspective over several state-of-the art technologies and applications based on AI which are currently being implemented into areas of interest closely correlated to human creativity, as well as the economic impact the development of such technologies might have on those domains

Kitchen layouts and consumers’ food hygiene practices: Ergonomics versus safety

Our paper emphasizes the importance of the kitchen layout in facilitating consumers' food hygiene practices. A significant correlation was found between the sink placement (inside or outside the kitchen) and hygienic practices during food handling based on a survey performed on consumers from ten European countries, indicating that those who had the sink in the kitchen were more likely to perform proper hygiene practices than those who have not. The self-reported practices were supported by observed practices in 64 households from five European countries. The observational study combined with the examination of kitchen layouts revealed that the kitchen work triangle with its apexes represented by the kitchen sink, cooking stove and refrigerator, which is recommended for ergonomic reasons by architects and designers, did not necessarily support food hygiene practices in kitchens. Cross-contamination events were associated with the sink – countertop distances longer than 1 m. Based on this, a new kitchen triangle with its apexes represented by the kitchen sink, working place (usually countertop) and cooking stove, with the distance between the sink and the working place less than 1 m is proposed to be used as norm in kitchen designs for combining ergonomics with safety. This triangle is proposedly named the food safety triangle and is aimed to mitigate the risks of foodborne illnesses by creating an arrangement that facilitates hygiene practices. This study is the first to highlight the importance of implementing the concept of food safety in the kitchen design based on significant correlations between kitchen equipment placement and consumers’ food safety practices.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

APOLLO 11 Project, Consortium in Advanced Lung Cancer Patients Treated With Innovative Therapies: Integration of Real-World Data and Translational Research

Introduction: Despite several therapeutic efforts, lung cancer remains a highly lethal disease. Novel therapeutic approaches encompass immune-checkpoint inhibitors, targeted therapeutics and antibody-drug conjugates, with different results. Several studies have been aimed at identifying biomarkers able to predict benefit from these therapies and create a prediction model of response, despite this there is a lack of information to help clinicians in the choice of therapy for lung cancer patients with advanced disease. This is primarily due to the complexity of lung cancer biology, where a single or few biomarkers are not sufficient to provide enough predictive capability to explain biologic differences; other reasons include the paucity of data collected by single studies performed in heterogeneous unmatched cohorts and the methodology of analysis. In fact, classical statistical methods are unable to analyze and integrate the magnitude of information from multiple biological and clinical sources (eg, genomics, transcriptomics, and radiomics). Methods and objectives: APOLLO11 is an Italian multicentre, observational study involving patients with a diagnosis of advanced lung cancer (NSCLC and SCLC) treated with innovative therapies. Retrospective and prospective collection of multiomic data, such as tissue- (eg, for genomic, transcriptomic analysis) and blood-based biologic material (eg, ctDNA, PBMC), in addition to clinical and radiological data (eg, for radiomic analysis) will be collected. The overall aim of the project is to build a consortium integrating different datasets and a virtual biobank from participating Italian lung cancer centers. To face with the large amount of data provided, AI and ML techniques will be applied will be applied to manage this large dataset in an effort to build an R-Model, integrating retrospective and prospective population-based data. The ultimate goal is to create a tool able to help physicians and patients to make treatment decisions. Conclusion: APOLLO11 aims to propose a breakthrough approach in lung cancer research, replacing the old, monocentric viewpoint towards a multicomprehensive, multiomic, multicenter model. Multicenter cancer datasets incorporating common virtual biobank and new methodologic approaches including artificial intelligence, machine learning up to deep learning is the road to the future in oncology launched by this project