Evaluation of the Physical-Chemical Properties in Petroleum Coke

In this paper, commercial petroleum cokes were analyzed, before and after heat treatment in order to evaluate the physical-chemical properties. The content of moisture, volatile matter, sulphur, ash and metals (Fe Ni, Cr) was determined. The results showed that temperature increasing led to the removal of volatile matter and sulphur content; higher separation of sulphur was observed for coke obtained from atmospheric residue and from decanted oil. The ash content indicates the presence of inorganic admixtures in coke. Metal concentrations increased through calcining, due to the weight loss from removal of the volatile matter; the coke samples revealed the higher content of nickel (151 to 279 ppm) which is the most represented metal component in the coking feedstock. Physical-chemical parameters indicate that the analyzed cokes can be used in anode –grade production.Key words: Anode materials; Petroleum coke; Moisture; Sulphur; Volatile matter; Metal

Research on the technical efficiency of anti-erosion works in the Izvoru Berheciului hydro-amelioration system

This paper presents the evolution after 1990 as well as the current state of some measures and anti-erosion works related to the agricultural land within the hydro-improvement system of Izvoru Berheciului. The surface corresponding to the hydroameliorating system Izvoru Berheciului is about 600 km2 and has over 75% sloped fields that occupy the hydrographic basins of Drobotfor and Berheci. The high intensity of the erosion process by water in this area required the execution of several different anti-erosion works in the above-mentioned hydrographic watershed, which considerably slowed the soil degradation, the inundation and the clogging of the depression zones as well as the deterioration of the environment. The best technical efficiency among the management systems was in the forestry works and the anti-erosion hydrotechnical works. The works on slopes for the prevention and control of surface erosion were mostly destroyed by the impact of the application of Law 18. The data obtained highlight the need to revive antierosion activities for the conservation of soil production capacity on slopes and the efficient use of land in the reference are

Technical and economic efficiency of the drip irrigation system at S.C. Triticum S.R.L.

The new global challenges related to climate change, the efficient use of natural resources, sustainability or food security require scientifically based and updated answers in order to create the general framework for ensuring the balance of human-economic activity-nature system. The paper aims to highlight the technical-economic efficiency of the drip irrigation system at S.C. Triticum SRL, an enterprise with agricultural profile from Neamț County, Romania. In order to show the efficiency, the technical description, the analysis of the statistical indicators (based on the data provided by the accounting balances made available), the correlation of the irrigation potential with the yield increase and the identification of the productivity of the drip irrigation system were taken into account. The results of the study indicate a significant increase in yield obtained as a result of using of the system compared to the non-irrigated version (and implicitly an increase in the economic result recorded by the company). The research also identifies a much more efficient use of the amount of water in relation with the increase in production. Drip irrigation systems can be sources of added value in a green economy being elements that can contribute to ensuring the technical-economic performance of agricultural holdings. Even if the initial investment is high, requiring additional efforts on the part of the beneficiary, the calculations highlight the profitability of using such a system and also the results can be extrapolated to other economic units in the agricultural sector with similar characteristics

Nanoparticles in the treatment of chronic lung diseases

Nanoparticles, although considered a topic of modern medicine, actually have an interesting history. Currently, advances in nanomedicine hold great promise as drug carrier systems for sustained release and targeted delivery of diverse therapeutic agents. Nanoparticles can be defined as complex drug carrier systems which incorporate and protect a certain drug or particle. Nanoparticles can be administered via different routes, such as intravenous injection, oral administration, or pulmonary inhalation. Even though the use of nano-carriers via pulmonary inhalation is heavily debated, this system represents an attractive alternative to the intravenous or oral routes, due to the unique anatomical and physiological features of the lungs and the minimal interactions between the targeted site and other organs. Some of the widely used nano-carriers for the treatment of chronic pulmonary diseases, via pulmonary route, are as follows: polymeric nanoparticles, liposomal nano-carriers, solid lipid nanoparticles, and submicron emulsions. Nano-carrier systems provide the advantage of sustained-drug release in the lung tissue resulting in reduced dosing frequency and improved patient compliance. Further studies focusing on understanding the mechanisms of action of nanoparticles and improving their chemical structure are required in order to better understand the potential long-term risk of excipient toxicity and nanoscale carriers

Immune and Inflammatory Pathways in Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH). An update

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), also known as fatty liver disease (FLD), is a major public health problem. It is considered to be the hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome. Chronic inflammation of the liver is an essential key in the progression from simple hepatic steatosis to steatohepatitis, the evolutionary stage of fatty liver disease. Moreover, the innate immune system plays a crucial role in the progression of hepatic inflammation. For this reason, it is of utmost importance to elucidate the connections between immune mechanisms, Toll-like receptor cytokine signalling, in order to find new effective treatments. Further studies are necessary to test theories presented in this paper. The elucidation of mechanisms underlying the progression of hepatic steatosis towards steatohepatitis is essential for the development of useful diagnosis and treatment for medical practice

Irrigation regime for bean beans in the conditions of the Romanian Plain

Unlike other crops, beans have moderate moisture requirements, but are very sensitive to moisture deficiency during flowering and grain formation. It has been established that in the short interval between these phenophases the sensitivity is maximum both in case of excess moisture and moisture deficit. Research has shown that the lack of water during flowering and fruiting greatly reduces production by shortening the duration of these phases of vegetation, by reducing pollen fertility, reducing pods and grain weight. The sensitivity of beans to the deficiency of vapor saturation in the atmosphere during flowering also has negative effects on the harvest. In order to determine to what extent the years of experimentation approach or deviate from the climatic conditions typical of the experimental field, monthly aridity indices were used for the series of years in which the experiments were performed at the studied farms, compared to indices of aridity from a longer period. The highest yields were obtained when the soil moisture at the beginning of flowering was at the field capacity for water and was maintained at the mentioned ceilings until the full formation of the grains. This paper summarizes the results of research on the influence of irrigation on production obtained in 2018-2021, at four farms located in the North Baragan Plain in Braila County

The evaluation of liver fibrosis regression in chronic hepatitis C patients after the treatment with direct-acting antiviral agents – A review of the literature

The second-generation of direct-acting antiviral agents are the current treatment for chronic viral hepatitis C infection. To evaluate the regression of liver fibrosis in patients receiving this therapy, liver biopsy remains the most accurate method, but the invasiveness of this procedure is its major drawback. Different non-invasive tests have been used to study changes in the stage of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic viral hepatitis treated with the second-generation of direct-acting antiviral agents: liver stiffness measurements (with transient elastography or acoustic radiation force impulse elastography) or different scores that use serum markers to calculate a fibrosis score. We prepared a literature review of the available data regarding the long-term evolution of liver fibrosis after the treatment with direct-acting antiviral agents for chronic viral hepatitis C

Immune and Inflammatory Pathways in Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH). An update

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), also known as fatty liver disease (FLD), is a major public health problem. It is considered to be the hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome. Chronic inflammation of the liver is an essential key in the progression from simple hepatic steatosis to steatohepatitis, the evolutionary stage of fatty liver disease. Moreover, the innate immune system plays a crucial role in the progression of hepatic inflammation. For this reason, it is of utmost importance to elucidate the connections between immune mechanisms, Toll-like receptor cytokine signalling, in order to find new effective treatments. Further studies are necessary to test theories presented in this paper. The elucidation of mechanisms underlying the progression of hepatic steatosis towards steatohepatitis is essential for the development of useful diagnosis and treatment for medical practice

Biochemical and echocardiographic markers for the early detection of cardiotoxicity under monoclonal antibodies therapy

The progress made over the past years in the field of cancer therapy has led to a significant decrease in cancer mortality, but these therapies have many adverse effects, cardiovascular effects being among the most frequent ones. For increasing lifelong expectancy of surviving cancer patients, cardiac monitoring represents an important task. Current studies and practice recommend echocardiography using strain analysis for monitoring the cardio toxic effects of cancer therapy. The potential of combining imaging techniques with biomarkers for the early detection and diagnosis seems a promising path for future research