Sensitivity improvement to active piezoresistive AFM probes using focused ion beam processing

This paper presents a comprehensive modeling and experimental verification of active piezoresistive atomic force microscopy (AFM) cantilevers, which are the technology enabling high-resolution and high-speed surface measurements. The mechanical structure of the cantilevers integrating Wheatstone piezoresistive was modified with the use of focused ion beam (FIB) technology in order to increase the deflection sensitivity with minimal influence on structure stiness and its resonance frequency. The FIB procedure was conducted based on the finite element modeling (FEM) methods. In order to monitor the increase in deflection sensitivity, the active piezoresistive cantilever was deflected using an actuator integrated within, which ensures reliable and precise assessment of the sensor properties. The proposed procedure led to a 2.5 increase in the deflection sensitivity, which was compared with the results of the calibration routine and analytical calculations

COLD ATMOSPHERIC PLASMA TREATMENT MODULATES THE EXPRESSION OF cdk1, tnfα AND tp53 GENES IN HUMAN OSTEOSARCOMA CELLS

Osteosarcoma (OS), a malignancy primarily affecting children and adolescents, is the most frequently encountered malignant, non-hematologic, bone tumor. Despite the gradual improvement of survival rates, the management of this disease remains problematic due to challenges such metastasis development, its heterogeneous characteristics, and resistance to cytostatic drugs. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP), a partially ionized gas operating at near room temperature, which is comprised of free carriers, excited or neutral molecules, and active radicals capable of initiating diverse physical phenomena and chemical reactions represent a new and innovative potential solution in cancer therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the capacity of CAP produced by our custom-build plasma source to induce cytotoxic effects to HOS cells and to analyze post-treatment modulations of cdk1, tnfα and tp53 genes expression. Direct and indirect CAP treatments effectiveness on HOS cells were evaluated by MTT assay and the regulation of interest genes expression were carried out by RT-qPCR analysis. Cell viability analysis revealed a strong cytotoxic effect of direct CAP treatment on HOS cells, while the indirect treatment resulted in a slight decrease of cells viability. Direct CAP treatment modulates the expression of all analyzed genes, both at 2- and 24-hours post-treatment. In conclusion, direct CAP treatment produced by our custom-build plasma source have cytotoxic effects on HOS cells in a dose-dependent manner up to 24 hours post-treatment. Furthermore, direct CAP treatment induces cell cycle arrest of HOS cells, and the CAP-induced cell death is independent of tp53 gene

Сравнителен анализ на аграрната политика на България и Виетнам

This book is a first attempt to make a comprehensive comparative analysis of agricultural policies in Bulgaria and Vietnam. Twenty year experience in reforming the agrarian sectors in both countries gives an extraordinary opportunity to (re)assess agrarian policies, their impacts and perspectives, and rethink advantages and disadvantages of specific models for modernization of agriculture. The analyses comprises the evolution and importance of agriculture in Bulgaria and Vietnam, the pace and progress of land reforms and restructuring of farms, policies of state support and regulations of agriculture, policies associated with trade regime and international trade with agrarian and food products. Finally, an assessment is made on possibilities to improve competitiveness of agriculture in both countries

Сравнителен анализ на аграрната политика на България и Виетнам

This book is a first attempt to make a comprehensive comparative analysis of agricultural policies in Bulgaria and Vietnam. Twenty year experience in reforming the agrarian sectors in both countries gives an extraordinary opportunity to (re)assess agrarian policies, their impacts and perspectives, and rethink advantages and disadvantages of specific models for modernization of agriculture. The analyses comprises the evolution and importance of agriculture in Bulgaria and Vietnam, the pace and progress of land reforms and restructuring of farms, policies of state support and regulations of agriculture, policies associated with trade regime and international trade with agrarian and food products. Finally, an assessment is made on possibilities to improve competitiveness of agriculture in both countries

Loosened hip joint prosthesis-decision options

For the period 2013-2015, 36 patients underwent revision surgery because of secondary developed complications after primary hip joint replacement surgery. 14 of them were male and 23 – female, with average age 73 years.  We examined 4 groups of patients depends on the complications type: - Aseptic loosening in 23 patients, appeared 10 years’ average following primary hip prosthesis surgery. - Septic loosening in 2 patients revealed on second to the tenth month post operatively. In two other patients we observed infected hematoma. - Hip joint prosthesis (luxation) because of trauma or extremely wrong motion we notice in 5 patients. In one of them we revealed acetabular cup malposition. - Periprosthetic fractures with aseptic loosening in 3 patients. All 36 patients had primary cemented hip joint prosthesis. In the first group depends on which prosthesis parts were loosened we did acetabular cup and femoral stem replacement in 15 patients, only acetabular cup replacement in 4 patients and in 3 patients only femoral stem replacement. In 2 patients from second group we replaced the primary prosthesis by total spacer for 8 months followed by revision prosthesis surgery. In 2 haematoma patients we performed debridement, lavage-drainage and long term antibiotic treatment. In 2 patients of third group we replaced the primary head with a longer one and in 3 other patients we replaced the primary acetabular cup by shoulder collar cemented cup. In 2 patients of fourth group we replaced the primary acetabular cup and femoral stem by shoulder collar cemented cup and by revisionary stem delivered by Implant and Zimmer (Revitan). In the third patient we implanted revisionary femoral stem (Implant). 3 years after revisionary hip joint prosthesis surgery we monitor good prosthesis stability and good functional score

New records and noteworthy data of plants, algae and fungi in SE Europe and adjacent regions, 4

This paper presents new records and noteworthy data on the following taxa in SE Europe and adjacent regions: diatom alga Stauroneis neofossilis, parasitic fungus Anthracoidea arenariae, horsetail Equisetum hyemale, liverwort Harpanthus flotovianus, mosses Fissidens exilis and Rhizomnium punctatum, monocots Epipactis helleborine subsp. orbicularis, Himantoglossum calcaratum subsp. rumelicum and Schoenus nigricans and dicots Calluna vulgaris, Mahonia aquifolium and Willemetia stipitata subsp. albanica

Novi i značajni podaci o biljkama, algama i gljivama iz JI Evrope i susednih regiona, 10

This paper presents new records and noteworthy data on the following taxa in SE Europe and adjacent regions: red algae Lemanea rigida and Paralemanea torulosa, mycorrhizal fungi Amanita simulans and Terfezia pseudoleptoderma, parasitic fungus Microbotryum vinosum, saprotrophic fungus Sarcoscypha jurana, stonewort Chara tenuispina, mosses Brachytheciastrum collinum and Meesia longiseta, monocots Dactylorhiza romana and Neotinea maculata and dicots Adenophora liliifolia, Ambrosia artemisiifolia and Tanacetum corymbosum subsp. cinereum are given within SE Europe and adjacent regions.U radu su prikazani novi i značajni podaci sa područja JI Evrope i susednih regiona o sledećim taksonima: crvenim algama Lemanea rigida i Paralemanea torulosa, mikorizalnim gljivama Amanita simulans i Terfezia pseudoleptoderma, parazitskoj gljivi Microbotryum vinosum, saprofitnoj gljivi Sarcoscypha jurana, pršljenčici Chara tenuispina, mahovinama Brachytheciastrum collinum i Meesia longiseta, monokotilama Dactylorhiza romana i Neotinea maculata i dikotilama Adenophora liliifolia, Ambrosia artemisiifolia i Tanacetum corymbosum subsp. cinereum

In COVID-19 Health Messaging, Loss Framing Increases Anxiety with Little-to-No Concomitant Benefits: Experimental Evidence from 84 Countries

The COVID-19 pandemic (and its aftermath) highlights a critical need to communicate health information effectively to the global public. Given that subtle differences in information framing can have meaningful effects on behavior, behavioral science research highlights a pressing question: Is it more effective to frame COVID-19 health messages in terms of potential losses (e.g., "If you do not practice these steps, you can endanger yourself and others") or potential gains (e.g., "If you practice these steps, you can protect yourself and others")? Collecting data in 48 languages from 15,929 participants in 84 countries, we experimentally tested the effects of message framing on COVID-19-related judgments, intentions, and feelings. Loss- (vs. gain-) framed messages increased self-reported anxiety among participants cross-nationally with little-to-no impact on policy attitudes, behavioral intentions, or information seeking relevant to pandemic risks. These results were consistent across 84 countries, three variations of the message framing wording, and 560 data processing and analytic choices. Thus, results provide an empirical answer to a global communication question and highlight the emotional toll of loss-framed messages. Critically, this work demonstrates the importance of considering unintended affective consequences when evaluating nudge-style interventions

A global experiment on motivating social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic

Finding communication strategies that effectively motivate social distancing continues to be a global public health priority during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-country, preregistered experiment (n = 25,718 from 89 countries) tested hypotheses concerning generalizable positive and negative outcomes of social distancing messages that promoted personal agency and reflective choices (i.e., an autonomy-supportive message) or were restrictive and shaming (i.e., a controlling message) compared with no message at all. Results partially supported experimental hypotheses in that the controlling message increased controlled motivation (a poorly internalized form of motivation relying on shame, guilt, and fear of social consequences) relative to no message. On the other hand, the autonomy-supportive message lowered feelings of defiance compared with the controlling message, but the controlling message did not differ from receiving no message at all. Unexpectedly, messages did not influence autonomous motivation (a highly internalized form of motivation relying on one’s core values) or behavioral intentions. Results supported hypothesized associations between people’s existing autonomous and controlled motivations and self-reported behavioral intentions to engage in social distancing. Controlled motivation was associated with more defiance and less long-term behavioral intention to engage in social distancing, whereas autonomous motivation was associated with less defiance and more short- and long-term intentions to social distance. Overall, this work highlights the potential harm of using shaming and pressuring language in public health communication, with implications for the current and future global health challenges