Selective ion-permeable membranes by insertion of biopores into polymersomes

In nature there are various specific reactions for which highly selective detection or support is required to preserve their bio-specificity or/and functionality. In this respect, mimics of cell membranes and bio-compartments are essential for developing tailored applications in therapeutic diagnostics. Being inspired by nature, we present here biomimetic nanocompartments with ion-selective membrane permeability engineered by insertion of ionomycin into polymersomes with sizes less than 250 nm. As a marker to assess the proper insertion and functionality of ionomycin inside the synthetic membrane, we used a Ca2+-sensitive dye encapsulated inside the polymersome cavity prior to inserting the biopore. The calcium sensitive dye, ionomycin, and Ca2+ did not influence the architecture and the size of polymersomes. Successful ionomycin functionality inside the synthetic membrane with a thickness of 10.7 nm was established by a combination of fluorescence spectroscopy and stopped-flow spectroscopy. Polymersomes equipped with ion selective membranes are ideal candidates for the development of medical applications, such as cellular ion nanosensors or nanoreactors in which ion exchange is required to support in situ reactions

Scientometric approach of productivity in scholarly economics and business

Some scientometric studies attempt to explain the factors affecting a country’s scientific output, which is usually measured by proxy variables such as the number of articles and citations in internationally-renowned journals. This paper highlights the main drivers for scientific output in economics and business, namely, financing of education and research, population size, the number of scholarly journals and English as the official language. We use multiple OLS regressions and data provided by Web of Knowledge and the World Bank covering 56 nations. The study also highlights the relationship between scientific output and the efficiency in using the research funding. The rankings of sample countries show that there is a learning process at national level, the output being doubled by efficiency

Environmental friendly flocculants for drinking water treatment

Coagulation-flocculation is an important step for the treatment of drinking water obtained from surface water sources. Various types of flocculants are available in the drinking water treatment market but only some of them are friendly for the environment due to their specific structure, which includes natural compounds. Starch-based flocculants are included in this category and some types of them were tested in our research work, in similar conditions with ordinary polyelectrolytes, in order to prove their efficiencies for turbidity and organic load (COD-Mn) removal. Five types of flocculants based on starch and acrylamide were tested during the classic treatment flow coagulation-flocculation-settling with aluminum sulfate as coagulant (1-10 mg Al/L) and 0.5-10 mL/L flocculant dose (0.2% active substance). Better removal efficiencies of turbidity and organic load (COD-Mn) in case of flocculants based on starch and acrylamide copolymers: over 99% for turbidity and ~90% for COD-Mn in case of 300-400 NTU initial surface water turbidity were registered

Competitive Intelligence and Neuro-Technologies: The New Strategic Tools to Boost The Digital Economy

Purpose – This paper aims to bridge the conceptual gap between the competitive intelligence domain and the current digital transformation and adaptation to the new values, norms, requests and expectations of Industry 4.0. Starting with the theoretical and chronological background attributed to the current developments, the following pages proceed to developing the argument that the Competitive Intelligence domain has become an imperative for the whole process of decision-making involved in Industry 4.0, applied to all businesses, disregard their status, domain, or turnover. Design/methodology/approach – Adopting a multidisciplinary perspective, the paper uses both a theoretical and practical approach to the main concepts involved: Competitive Intelligence, neuro-technologies, Industry 4.0. While defining those central concepts and presenting the chronological evolution of the economic domain, it also provides examples of key tools and their application in the current Digital Era. Findings – The current times are marked by a process of transition from digital transformation to digitization in almost all global businesses. The transition to digitalization affects the entire organizational ecosystem by integrating with digital solutions the value chain of global business. While the paper limits itself to setting the stage for future research, it still provides a valid range of theoretical knowledge and pragmatic applicability of the discussed concepts in the context of the current developing global reality. Originality/value – Beyond the theoretical and chronological analysis, a valuable content of this paper is the discussion of innovative tools within the domain of competitive intelligence and neuro-technologies to enhance the adaptability to rapidly changing conditions, the agility in decision-making and the flexibility to redesign the existing strategies based on pertinent analysis of a great influx of informatio

INFLUENCE OF COLCHICINE TREATMENTS ON THE MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERS OF THE OKRA SEEDLINGS

The effect of the treatments with colchicine determines the doubling of the number of chromosomes, but can also induce mutations being often used in breeding works to induce variability. Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench (syn. Hibiscus esculentus L.) is an economically important vegetable plant grown in tropical, sub-tropical and temperate areas with a warmer climate for multiple nutritional and medicinal properties. In the present paper, 0.1% colchicine treatments were performed on the okra seeds. Five variants with different exposure times were experimented and observations were made after seven days on the length and thickness of the roots and the hypocotyl. The treatment with colchicine induced the modification of the morphological characters, resulting in seedlings with short and thickened roots and hypocotyls. The maximum effect was recorded in variant no. 5 with 2 hours exposure

Investigating the nexus between fuel ethanol and CO2 emissions. A panel smooth transition regression approach

In this paper, we fill the gap in the literature by identifying a negative relationship between fuel ethanol consumption and CO2 emissions, building on a sample of 17 European countries covering seven years, from 2010 to 2016. Based on a Panel Smooth Transition Regression approach we show that countries with high levels of income inequality have difficulties in avoiding environmental degradation by promoting policies and regulations for more intense use of biofuels. Furthermore, we bring strong empirical evidence suggesting that biofuels could be an alternative in the future to reducing CO2 emissions. In our opinion, this non-linear analysis could provide the scientific basis for authorities, especially the European Commission to promote environmental policies to a specific country with different levels of carbon emissions rather than to the entire group

AS FRONTEIRAS INTERNACIONAIS DAS CIÊNCIAS SOCIAIS: ITINERÁRIOS DE UM INTELECTUAL COLETIVO

Entrevista com Afrânio Raul Garcia Jr. realizada por Mihai Dinu Gheorghiu

Herrschaft (nicht) beherrschen : zentrale Begriffe und area studies : eine Einleitung

akzeptierte Manuskriptversio

Fixing the Central Parity and the Evolution of the Currency within the Exchange Rate Mechanism II in the Countries that Joined the Euro Zone

The present paper presents the models used by the countries that joined the Euro zone after 2000, in fixing the central parity and the evolution of the local currency towards Euro, when participating in Exchange Rate Mechanism II (ERM II). It synthesizes the main theories for determining the equilibrium exchange rate. It also presents the modality of putting them into practice in the countries that had already become members of the Euro zone. The better we know the other countries’ experience in the respect of the joining process to the Euro zone, the better will Romania be able to prepare itself for adopting the unique European currency. Thus, we will be synthesize the main approaches within literature and also in the economic policy deciders’ practice concerning the estimation of the equilibrium exchange rate and implicitly, of the central parity. The paper presents the modality of fixing the central parity and the experience of participating in ERM II for a number of member states that joined the Euro zone after 2000: Greece, Slovakia, Slovenia, Malta, Cyprus and Estonia. For these states we also analyze the evolution of the currency towards Euro while participating in ERM II. Starting from these examples, we explain the advantages and the disadvantages in fixing the central parity over/at/under the value of the exchange rate on the market at the moment of joining ERM II and we underline the problems that might occur in the case of choosing a central parity that is not compatible with the equilibrium value of the exchange rate