Simulation of the Single Point Incremental Forming of Polyamide and Polyethylene Sheets

The present paper aims the theoretical study, using the finite element method, on the single point incremental forming process of two polymeric materials: polyamide 6.6 and high-density polyethylene. The experimental researches used for the determination of the true stress - true strain curves for two materials are presented, which are necessary for their introduction into the simulation. The explicit analysis is carried out with the Ls-Dyna program and the results of the analysis were focused on the major strain, minor strain, thickness reduction, forces on the process and total energy consumed in the process

ABAH BIOFLUX Animal Biology & Animal Husbandry International Journal of the Bioflux Society Feeding ecology of black scorpionfish (Scorpaena porcus Linnaeus, 1758) from the Romanian Black Sea (Agigea -Eforie Nord area)

Abstract. The present study investigates the variations in the feeding ecology of the black scorpionfish (Scorpaena porcus). The index of relative importance indicated opportunistic feeding on macrobenthic fauna. The fish fed mainly on bivalves, fishes, amphipods and isopods. There were differences in diet composition during the years, seasons and sexes. Scorpaena porcus exhibited a generalistic feeding strategy with a relative broad niche width. Key words: black scorpionfish, feeding ecology, benthos, Black Sea. Résumé. Le régime alimentaire d

Exploring the Antioxidant and Bioinsecticidal Activity of Spontaneous Flora Vegetal Extracts for Plant Protection and Prevention of Soil Contamination

The purpose of this article was to evaluate the application of different plant extracts with bioinsecticidal action and antioxidant activity for plants and soil protection, by substitution of the application of synthetically formulated pesticides with eco-friendly compounds. In this framework, this research focused on the utilization of plant extracts from the spontaneous flora of Moldova (Romania) as bioinsecticides for the control of field pests of the species Leptinotarsa decemlineata and their antioxidant activity. Plant extracts of oregano (Origanum vulgare), yarrow (Achillea millefolium), wormwood (Artemisia absinthium), and cowslip (Primula veris) were assessed for their antioxidant activity by the microplate spectrophotometric-based method (for polyphenols and flavonoids content and for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenger activity) and were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy spectra. To evaluate the bioinsecticidal properties of the plant extracts, the mortality (%) and neuroleptic manifestations appearing in the middle of the monitoring period for larvae and adults of the Leptinotarsa decemlineata species were identified. Mortality (%) was statistically analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the resulting experimental results were compared with the LSD-Fisher’s test (p Origanum vulgare at 100% concentration, while the maximum effect was recorded after 48 h for Origanum vulgare at 60% and 100% concentrations

Small and medium enterprises shooting for the stars: what matters, besides size, in outer space economy?

The popular mindset and widespread narrative, at least until not so long ago, was that in outer space affairs the fiefdom belongs, politically and economically, to governments and big businesses. An array of alliances between few states and their privileged partners from the corporate world constituted the highly exclusivist space ecosystem. Little room was supposed to be available to non-full-fledged spacefaring nations and enterprises originated from them, a configuration furthermore jammed by the fact that international agreements – i.e., the “Outer Space Treaty” (1967) an the “Moon Treaty” (1979) – seem to be rather dismissive of extensive exploitation of celestial bodies, adding to the already prohibitive costs of such endeavours if legitimized. Devoted mainly to scientific exploration paired with exploitation only of planetary proximities – viz., the large satellite population orbiting the Earth, with their support and serviced industries, all estimated at half a trillion dollars –, the space economy, in its high-tech dimension, steadily democratized itself, becoming more competitive, and collaborative too, opening up to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), many coming from emerging spacefaring nations. The literature covering SMEs contribution to the development of the space economy is on track of consolidation, as the process itself is unfolding, with data covering only the most powerful space players (e.g., US, EU). Valuable insights are added starting from the common wisdom that institutions (channelling economic information and incentives) are the main drivers in space development, rather than business size, even more in a competitive- collaborative global economy. A case study is dedicated to the Romanian experience (that of a relatively new and little player in European/global space affairs). A conclusion is that in an economy of unbounded creativity and borderless capital, visionary enterprises, big or small, fit even into the space industry value chains, if a pro-market, pro-business climate is secured

THE CULTURE OF ASIMINA TRILOBA (L.) DUNAL SEEDLINGS WITH A VIEW TOWARD THEIR DEVELOPMENT AS PLANTING MATERIAL

Asimina triloba (L.) Dunal, an exotic North American temperate-climate species, is little known or appreciated in Europe, especially in Romania. This work, with its goal of remodeling green spaces in Baia Mare by introducing the decorative species Asimina triloba (L.) Dunal, proposes to test seedlings of the species in forced cultivation for producing vigorous dendrological material in a reduced time frame. Thus, in the course of experiments that took place from January to May 2014, the ecological valences of Asimina triloba were measured. The pedoclimatic conditions experienced were favorable to the growth and development of the plant in question

Exploring Marketing Insights for Healthcare: Trends and Perspectives Based on Literature Investigation

The study aims to provide a series of information that will contribute to the understanding of the concept of healthcare marketing and other associated concepts from the perspective of how research in the field has evolved. We aim to quantify the scientific interest in the field of healthcare marketing and to extract aspects that will contribute to a better understanding of the trends that characterize the specific vision of this topic. The research involves a bibliometric analysis, and the conduct of the study is based on the investigation of the academic literature from the Scopus and PubMed databases based on the PRISMA methodology. The study investigates 1077 papers published between 2000 and 2022. According to our study, the most productive countries in the field of healthcare marketing academic publications are the United States, the United Kingdom, and India. As research themes, the study revealed that customer/patient satisfaction, medical tourism, social marketing, and hospital-related marketing topics are highlighted based on cluster analysis of authors keywords. We also discuss the significant lack of research to clarify the use of the concepts such as patient/client/customer in healthcare marketing and to understand the role of prevention services as essential in sustainable healthcare

Taurine and Its Derivatives: Analysis of the Inhibitory Effect on Platelet Function and Their Antithrombotic Potential

Taurine is a semi-essential, the most abundant free amino acid in the human body, with a six times higher concentration in platelets than any other amino acid. It is highly beneficial for the organism, has many therapeutic actions, and is currently approved for heart failure treatment in Japan. Taurine has been repeatedly reported to elicit an inhibitory action on platelet activation and aggregation, sustained by in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro animal and human studies. Taurine showed effectiveness in several pathologies involving thrombotic diathesis, such as diabetes, traumatic brain injury, acute ischemic stroke, and others. As human prospective studies on thrombosis outcome are very difficult to carry out, there is an obvious need to validate existing findings, and bring new compelling data about the mechanisms underlying taurine and derivatives antiplatelet action and their antithrombotic potential. Chloramine derivatives of taurine proved a higher stability and pronounced selectivity for platelet receptors, raising the assumption that they could represent future potential antithrombotic agents. Considering that taurine and its analogues display permissible side effects, along with the need of finding new, alternative antithrombotic drugs with minimal side effects and long-term action, the potential clinical relevance of this fascinating nutrient and its derivatives requires further consideration

Intradiploic epidermoid cysts - a series of three cases and our experience with literature data

Intracranial epidermoid cysts are rare, representing almost 1% of all primary tumors and when are located in the diploe result from entrapped ectodermal embryonic remnants. Because of frequent complications, imaging studies are mandatory for highlighting erosions of both outer and inner table of the calvaria and treatment preparation. We enlisted three female patients within our study, comparing imaging with histopathology aspects. Even though the bone destruction was evident, no atypia or malignant signs were highlighted in serial sections. The interesting fact that we present is that our patients are all females, opposed to what is written in literature. Although the positive diagnosis can be made by imaging, histopathological examination of these cysts is mandatory for identifying malignant behavior