Anthropogenic landform modeling using GIS techniques case study: Vrancea region

Anthropogenic landforms are the result of significant changes in the Earth's crust due to technological development of human society, guided by its economic, social and cultural needs. anthropogenic landforms of the studied area was analyzed using GIS techniques at the general scale, conducting the entire study area maps, and detailed modeling of representative samples in detail. Representing the anthropogenic landforms on the digital elevation model can be very important in studying natural hazards, such as hydrological modeling on flood plains, which could influence the direction of the flood wave. The digital elevation model (DEM) made by traditional methods can not represent the anthropogenic landforms, leading sometimes to a misinterpretation of reality on the ground

Chemoradiotherapy-induced increase in Th17 cell frequency in cervical cancer patients is associated with therapy resistance and early relapse

Cervical cancer therapy is still a major clinical challenge, as patients substantially differ in their response to standard treatments, including chemoradiotherapy (CRT). During cervical carcinogenesis, T-helper (Th)-17 cells accumulate in the peripheral blood and tumor tissues of cancer patients and are associated with poor prognosis. In this prospective study, we find increased Th17 frequencies in the blood of patients after chemoradiotherapy and a post-therapeutic ratio of Th17/CD4+ T cells > 8% was associated with early recurrence. Furthermore, Th17 cells promote resistance of cervical cancer cells toward CRT, which was dependent on the AKT signaling pathway. Consistently, patients with high Th17 frequencies in pretherapeutic biopsies exhibit lower response to primary CRT. This work reveals a key role of Th17 cells in CRT resistance and elevated Th17 frequencies in the blood after CRT correspond with early recurrence. Our results may help to explain individual treatment responses of cervical cancer patients and suggest evaluation of Th17 cells as a novel predictive biomarker for chemoradiotherapy responses and as a potential target for immunotherapy in cervical cancer

PRECURSOR WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR HAIL-EVENT FORECASTING IN THE MOLDAVIA

he present work analysed a statistically representative number of severe convective events which caused hail and material damage during 1990-2015. For these episodes heights of 0oC, -6oC, -10oC and -20oC isotherms were analyzed. In the layers between these four isotherms, the formation and growth of hailstones occur. The height of these isotherms in the period preceding hail is essential in weather forecast of this phenomenon. Lifted index values recorded before hail events are also correlated with height isotherms. The altitudinal differences between the height of -6oC and -20oC isotherm and freezing level which represents intervals of initiation and formation of hail are identified. Not at last the values of the meteorological indices used to forecast the potential formation and hail falling in extracarpathian Moldavia are presented in details

Synoptic Conditions Generating Heat Waves and Warm Spells in Romania

Heat waves and warm spells are extreme meteorological events that generate a significant number of casualties in temperate regions, as well as outside of temperate regions. For the purpose of this paper, heat waves and warm spells were identified based on daily maximum temperatures recorded at 27 weather stations located in Romania over a 55-year period (1961–2015). The intensity threshold was the 90th percentile, and the length of an event was of minimum three consecutive days. We analyzed 111 heat wave and warm spell events totaling 423 days. The classification of synoptic conditions was based on daily reanalysis at three geopotential levels and on the online version of a backward trajectories model. The main findings are that there are two major types of genetic conditions. These were identified as: (i) radiative heat waves and warm spells (type A) generated by warming the air mass due to high amounts of radiation which was found dominant in warm season; and (ii) advective heat waves and warm spells (type B) generated mainly by warm air mass advection which prevails in winter and transition seasons. These major types consist of two and three sub-types, respectively. The results could become a useful tool for weather forecasters in order to better predict the occurrence of heat waves and warm spells

Achieving a More Electric Aircraft: a comparative study between the concurrent and traditional engineering

The paper presents a model of concurrent engineering implemented in the life cycle of an electric motor as part of an electric aircraft with major advantages over traditional engineering. The paper also shows the 2D modeling of the electric motor using the FEMM program. The results of 2D modeling will be additionally used to the electromagnetic design of the electric motor. ENOVIA, a PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) software product for project management and engineering processes that integrates other 2D / 3D design software will also be used to implement concurrent engineering

The Influence of Weather Conditions and Local Climate on Particulate Matter (PM10) Concentration in Metropolitan Area of Iasi, Romania

The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of the weather conditions and local climate on the temporal and spatial variability of particulate matters (PM 10) in Iași city which is facing major pollution problems in the recent years. Daily data from 4 monitoring stations of Environmental Protection Agency-Iași–for main weather parameters and particulate matters – and the temperature from an inner temperature and relative humidity observation network inside the city were used for a three year study (2013-2015). Linear correlation, composite analysis and multiple regression are the main statistical methods applied in the analysis. In brief, the most important meteorological parameters enhancing air pollution in Iași seem to be represented by thermal inversions developing in the region strongly related to local climate conditions. The Pearson correlation coefficient (stronger than -0.40) between PM10 and thermal gradient, the difference in the PM10 concentration exceeding 20 μg/m3 between strong thermal inversions and unstable conditions and the leading role of thermal gradients in multiple regression are the main indicators of the great role of thermal inversion in generating and sustaining pollution conditions in this area. The maximum concentrations of PM10 occur in May and March, gathering more than 30% of the days for the entire year. Complementary studies were taken into account in order to analyse the aerosol optical properties retrieved from Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET-NASA)

Influence of androgen levels on conception probability in patients undergoing fertility treatment: a retrospective cohort study

PurposePrimary and secondary sterility have become an issue of increasing importance due to demographic and social changes in society. Data regarding the association between female androgen levels and the probability of successful conception after fertility treatment are sparse and contradictive. This study was designed to assess this clinical question.MethodsIn this retrospective single-center cohort study concentrations of androgens androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosteronsulfat (DHEAS) and testosterone (ng/ml) were investigated in the serum of patients presenting for sterility at the department of reproductive medicine of Saarland University hospital Homburg between January 2015 and December 2017. Androgen levels were correlated with reproductive outcomes. Statistical analysis was performed with the aid of SPSS version 24. Significance for conception rates in dependence of androgen concentration was assessed using Kruskal-Wallis test (significance was estimated with p<0.05).ResultsThe laboratory values of a total of 301 patients were examined (64% primary, 36% secondary sterility). Median age at first visit at the fertility department was 32.7years (range 20-47years). 64 pregnancies were observed during the study period (conception rate 21.3%). 23 out of 301 patients (7.6%) suffered from hypoandrogenaemia, 248 (82.4%) had normal androgen levels and 30 (10%) showed hyperandrogenaemia (p=0.25). Regarding patients in whom fertility treatment was successful 3 (4.7%) showed hypoandrogenaemia, 54 (84.4%) were normoandrogenaemic and 7 (10.9%) had hyperandrogenaemia (p=0.40 Kruskal-Wallis test).ConclusionsWe found no association between female androgen levels and sterility and reproductive outcomes

Additives Imparting Antimicrobial Properties to Acrylic Bone Cements

PMMA bone cements are mainly used to fix implanted prostheses and are introduced as a fluid mixture, which hardens over time. The problem of infected prosthesis could be solved due to the development of some new antibacterial bone cements. In this paper, we show the results obtained to develop four different modified PMMA bone cements by using antimicrobial additives, such as gentamicin, peppermint oil incorporated in hydroxyapatite, and silver nanoparticles incorporated in a ceramic glass matrix (2 and 4%). The structure and morphology of the modified bone cements were investigated by SEM and EDS. We perform experimental measurements on wettability, hydration degree, and degradation degree after immersion in simulated body fluid. The cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT assay using the human MG-63 cell line. Antimicrobial properties were checked against standard strains Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans. The addition of antimicrobial agents did not significantly affect the hydration and degradation degree. In terms of biocompatibility assessed by the MTT test, all experimental PMMA bone cements are biocompatible. The performance of bone cements with peppermint essential oil and silver nanoparticles against these two pathogens suggests that these antibacterial additives look promising to be used in clinical practice against bacterial infection