Multiple nearest-neighbor exchange model for the frustrated magnetic molecules Mo72Fe30 and Mo72Cr30

Our measurements of the differential susceptibility dM/dH of the frustrated magnetic molecules Mo72Fe30 and Mo72Cr30 reveal a pronounced dependence on magnetic field (H) and temperature (T) in the low H - low T regime, contrary to the predictions of existing models. Excellent agreement with experiment is achieved upon formulating a nearest-neighbor classical Heisenberg model where the 60 nearest-neighbor exchange interactions in each molecule, rather than being identical as has been assumed heretofore, are described by a two-parameter probability distribution of values of the exchange constant. We suggest that the probability distribution provides a convenient phenomenological platform for summarizing the combined effects of multiple microscopic mechanisms that disrupt the idealized picture of a Heisenberg model based on a single value of the nearest-neighbor exchange constant.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figure

Insights into the pathogenesis of nicotine addiction. Could a salivary biosensor be useful in Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)?

Nicotine has gained the attention of the medical community due to its insidious addictive mechanisms which lead to chronic consumption. The multitude of compounds derived from tobacco smoke have local and systemic negative impacts, resulting in a large number of smoking-related pathologies. The present review offers insights into nicotine addiction physiopathology, as well as social and medical implications, with emphasis on its correlation with Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs). Therapeutic strategies and new approaches to nicotine assessment and cessation treatment are discussed, noting that such strategies could take into account the possibility of slow and gradual nicotine release from a device attached to a prosthetic piece, based on salivary nicotine-concentration feedback. This approach could offer real-time and home-based self-therapy monitoring by the physician and the patient for follow-up and improve long-term cessation treatment success- Graphical abstract

Insights into the pathogenesis of nicotine addiction. Could a salivary biosensor be useful in Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)?

Nicotine has gained the attention of the medical community due to its insidious addictive mechanisms which lead to chronic consumption. The multitude of compounds derived from tobacco smoke have local and systemic negative impacts, resulting in a large number of smoking-related pathologies. The present review offers insights into nicotine addiction physiopathology, as well as social and medical implications, with emphasis on its correlation with Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs). Therapeutic strategies and new approaches to nicotine assessment and cessation treatment are discussed, noting that such strategies could take into account the possibility of slow and gradual nicotine release from a device attached to a prosthetic piece, based on salivary nicotine-concentration feedback. This approach could offer real-time and home-based self-therapy monitoring by the physician and the patient for follow-up and improve long-term cessation treatment success- Graphical abstract

Calculating the energy spectra of magnetic molecules: application of real- and spin-space symmetries

The determination of the energy spectra of small spin systems as for instance given by magnetic molecules is a demanding numerical problem. In this work we review numerical approaches to diagonalize the Heisenberg Hamiltonian that employ symmetries; in particular we focus on the spin-rotational symmetry SU(2) in combination with point-group symmetries. With these methods one is able to block-diagonalize the Hamiltonian and thus to treat spin systems of unprecedented size. In addition it provides a spectroscopic labeling by irreducible representations that is helpful when interpreting transitions induced by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) or Inelastic Neutron Scattering (INS). It is our aim to provide the reader with detailed knowledge on how to set up such a diagonalization scheme.Comment: 29 pages, many figure

A prospective survey in European Society of Cardiology member countries of atrial fibrillation management: baseline results of EURO bservational Research Programme Atrial Fibrillation (EORP-AF) Pilot General Registry

Aims: Given the advances in atrial fibrillation (AF) management and the availability of new European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines, there is a need for the systematic collection of contemporary data regarding the management and treatment of AF in ESC member countries. Methods and results: We conducted a registry of consecutive in- and outpatients with AF presenting to cardiologists in nine participating ESC countries. All patients with an ECG-documented diagnosis of AF confirmed in the year prior to enrolment were eligible. We enroled a total of 3119 patients from February 2012 to March 2013, with full data on clinical subtype available for 3049 patients (40.4% female; mean age 68.8 years). Common comorbidities were hypertension, coronary disease, and heart failure. Lone AF was present in only 3.9% (122 patients). Asymptomatic AF was common, particularly among those with permanent AF. Amiodarone was the most common antiarrhythmic agent used (~20%), while beta-blockers and digoxin were the most used rate control drugs. Oral anticoagulants (OACs) were used in 80% overall, most often vitamin K antagonists (71.6%), with novel OACs being used in 8.4%. Other antithrombotics (mostly antiplatelet therapy, especially aspirin) were still used in one-third of the patients, and no antithrombotic treatment in only 4.8%. Oral anticoagulants were used in 56.4% of CHA 2DS2-VASc = 0, with 26.3% having no antithrombotic therapy. A high HAS-BLED score was not used to exclude OAC use, but there was a trend towards more aspirin use in the presence of a high HAS-BLED score. Conclusion: The EURObservational Research Programme Atrial Fibrillation (EORP-AF) Pilot Registry has provided systematic collection of contemporary data regarding the management and treatment of AF by cardiologists in ESC member countries. Oral anticoagulant use has increased, but novel OAC use was still low. Compliance with the treatment guidelines for patients with the lowest and higher stroke risk scores remains suboptimal. © The Author 2013

Development of microspheres for biomedical applications: a review

An overview of microspheres manufactured for use in biomedical applications based on recent literature is presented in this review. Different types of glasses (i.e. silicate, borate, and phosphates), ceramics and polymer-based microspheres (both natural and synthetic) in the form of porous , non-porous and hollow structures that are either already in use or are currently being investigated within the biomedical area are discussed. The advantages of using microspheres in applications such as drug delivery, bone tissue engineering and regeneration, absorption and desorption of substances, kinetic release of the loaded drug components are also presented. This review also reports on the preparation and characterisation methodologies used for the manufacture of these microspheres. Finally, a brief summary of the existing challenges associated with processing these microspheres which requires further research and development are presented

Experimentally Validated Numerical Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Slab-Column Connections Subjected to Punching Shear

The paper presents the results of experimental investigations and numerical analyses performed on reinforced concrete flat slabs. Two tests were carried out on two flat slab specimens designed without specific shear reinforcement. The present paper deals only with the experimental behaviour and numerical modelling of such slabs, this representing the initial part of a larger study which aims to evaluate the shear capacity of such deficient slabs resulted from faulty design or execution and to identify viable and efficient strengthening solutions. ATENA finite element software package was used to numerically model the behaviour of the specimens. A very good agreement was achieved between the results of experimental investigations and numerical modelling with deviations of 0.2% in terms of maximum load carrying capacity and of 7% in terms of corresponding displacement. The specimens were able to carry loads of more than 950kN, larger than those evaluated using designated Eurocodes, displaying a safety factor of 2.72

The efficacy of percutaneous nephrolithotomy in elderly patients

Clinica de Urologie, Spitalul Clinic Județean Mureș, România, Universitatea de Medicină, Farmacie, Științe și Tehnologie din Tg. Mureș, Al VII-lea Congres de Urologie, Dializă si Transplant Renal din Republica Moldova cu participare internațională 19-21 iunie 2019Obiectiv: Acest studiu își propune evidențierea eficienței nefrolitotomiei percutanate (NLP) în tratamentul litiazei renale la pacienții vârstnici și evaluarea celor mai frecvente complicații asociate cu acesta intervenție chirurgicala. Material și metodă: Am efectuat un studiu retrospectiv pe o perioadă de 10 luni (Iunie 2016-Aprilie 2017) în care am inclus 200 de pacienți cu litiază renală care au fost internați în Clinica de Urologie Tg Mureș, România și au fost tratați prin NLP. Am efectuat 263 de intervenții chirurgicale și am comparat complicațiile apărute intra și postoperator înte Grupa 1 (pacienți cu vârsta sub 70 ani) și Grupa 2 (pacienți cu vârsta peste 70 ani). Rezultate: Vârsta medie a pacienților a fost de 53,65 ani +/-12,18 DS cu limite între 25 și 81 de ani. 178 de pacienți au avut vârsta sub 70 nai (Grupa 1) și 22 pacienți sub 70 ani (Grupa 2). Calculii au fost localizați la nivelul bazinetului (142), calicele inferior (46) și joncțiune pielo-ureterală (4). Calculii coraliformi s-au evidențiat în 28 de cazuri. Diametrul calculilor a fost mai mare de 2 cm in 76% dintre cazuri, mai mic de 2 cm in 13% dintre cazuri, iar 11% au prezentat litiază multiplă. Complicațiile intraoperatorii au fost: migrarea fragmentelor (22%), sângerare (12%), leziuni ale bazinetului și puncția renală dificilă sau dilatații dificile (6%). Complicațiile postoperatorii au constat în: hematurie (20%), obstrucția ureterului cu fragmente restante (22,5%), hidronefroză (18%), fistulă lombară (13%). Nu s-a evidențiat o corelație semnificativă între apariția complicațiilor intra și postoperatorii și vârsta pacienților (p>0,005). Durata medie de spitalizare a fost de 5,58 zile +/-2,69 DS. Rata de stone free a fost de 77,5%. Concluzii: Nefrolitotomia percutanată este o metodă de tratament eficientă și sigură a litiazei renale, care poate fi practicată atât la tineri cât și la vârstnici. Complicațiile intra și postoperatorii pot să apară la ambele grupe de pacienți, însă vârsta nu reprezintă un factor decisiv în alegerea acestei alternative terapeutice.Objective. The aim of this study is to highlight the importance of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in the treatment of renal stones in elderly patients and to evaluate the most frequent complications associated with this procedure. Material and method. We performed a ten-months (June 2016 - April 2017) retrospective study and we included 200 patients with kidney stones who were admitted to the Urology Clinic, Tirgu Mures, Romania. We performed 263 interventions (NLP) and we compared intra and postoperative complications between Group 1 (including patients under the age of 70 years old) and Group 2 (patients older than 70). Results: The mean age of patients was 53.65 years old (12.18 Standard Deviation - SD) with limits between 25 and 81 years old. 178 patients were younger than 70 years (Group1) and 22 were older than 70 (Group2). The stones were mostly localized in the renal pelvis (142), inferior calyx (46) and ureteropelvic junction (4). 28 cases were staghorn calculi. The diameter of the stone was larger than 2 cm in 76% and less than 2 cm in 13% of the cases and 11% of the patients had multiple lithiasis. Intraoperative complications were: migrating fragments (22%), hemorrhage (12%), lesions of the renal pelvis and difficulties of percutaneous access or dilatation (6%). The postoperative complications were: haematuria (20%), obstruction caused by stone fragments (22.5%), hydronephrosis (18%), fistula (13%). There were no significant correlations between intra and postoperative complications and the age of the patients (p > 0.05). The average length of hospitalization days after PCNL was 5.58 +/- 2.69 days SD. The stone-free rate was: 77.5%. Conclusions: PCNL is a safe and effective method used in the treatment of kidney lithiasis that can be performed to both young and elderly patients. Intra and postoperative complications may occur in both age groups but this is not a decisive factor regarding therapeutic choice, which also applies to patients older than 70 years