Electroactive properties of a new azulene thioxo-imidazolidin-4-one ligand for modified electrodes

The electrochemical characterization of a new synthesized azulene compound (Z)-5-((5-isopropyl-3,8-dimethylazulen-1-yl)methylene)-2-thioxoimidazolidin-4-one (L) using cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry and rotating disk electrode is presented. Chemically modified electrodes were obtained by successive scanning or by controlled potential electrolysis using different electrode potentials or charges. The new modified electrodes were tested in solutions containing different concentrations of the following heavy metals: cadmium, lead, mercury and copper. A good analytical response was obtained for Pb2+

DFT calculations and electrochemical studies on azulene ligands for heavy metal ions detection using chemically modified electrodes

A computational study on three related derivatives of 5-[(azulen-1-yl)methylene]-2-thioxoimidazolidin-4-one was conducted using density functional theory by calculating a series of molecular descriptors and properties of their optimized geometries (electrostatic and local ionization potentials, molecular frontier orbitals, etc.). Thermodynamic properties (zero-point energy, enthalpy, constant volume heat capacity, entropy and Gibbs energy) for these derivatives have been calculated and related to ligands electrochemical behavior. Reduction and oxidation potentials have been correlated to their calculated energy levels for LUMO and HOMO orbitals. Chemically modified electrodes based on these derivatives have been tested in view of heavy metal ions recognition, and their detection limits have been correlated to the calculated values of electron affinity

PREVENTION MEASURES OF ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS GENERATED BY UNCONTROLLED STORAGE OF WASTES – A REVIEW

The issue regarding the negative impact on the human health and environment, as a result of waste storage by using improper methods remains of great actuality, especially with the increasing trend of the generated wastes quantity. The present paper aims to present the most efficient methods that can be used to reduce and prevent environmental risks caused by uncontrolled storage of agricultural waste. Will be treated theoretical aspects related to the actual state of waste management in the E.U. but also in Romania, methods of treating organic waste, as well as prevention measures of environmental risks

PREVENTION MEASURES OF ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS GENERATED BY UNCONTROLLED STORAGE OF WASTES – A REVIEW

The issue regarding the negative impact on the human health and environment, as a result of waste storage by using improper methods remains of great actuality, especially with the increasing trend of the generated wastes quantity. The present paper aims to present the most efficient methods that can be used to reduce and prevent environmental risks caused by uncontrolled storage of agricultural waste. Will be treated theoretical aspects related to the actual state of waste management in the E.U. but also in Romania, methods of treating organic waste, as well as prevention measures of environmental risks

In Vitro Hypoxic Preconditioning of Bone Marrow Stromal Cells Triggers ERK-Mediated Signaling and Growth of L363 Myeloma Cells Celulele stromale ale măduvei hematopoietice precondiţionate la hipoxie in vitro induc proliferarea celulelor mielomatoase L363

Abstract Multiple myeloma (MM

DFT calculations and electrochemical studies on azulene ligands for heavy metal ions detection using chemically modified electrodes

A computational study on three related derivatives of 5-[(azulen-1-yl)methylene]-2-thioxoimidazolidin-4-one was conducted using density functional theory by calculating a series of molecular descriptors and properties of their optimized geometries (electrostatic and local ionization potentials, molecular frontier orbitals, etc.). Thermodynamic properties (zero-point energy, enthalpy, constant volume heat capacity, entropy and Gibbs energy) for these derivatives have been calculated and related to ligands electrochemical behavior. Reduction and oxidation potentials have been correlated to their calculated energy levels for LUMO and HOMO orbitals. Chemically modified electrodes based on these derivatives have been tested in view of heavy metal ions recognition, and their detection limits have been correlated to the calculated values of electron affinity

Generating bovine embryos through ICSI

Through ICSI, competition between sperms and also sperm-oocyte interaction are avoided thus ICSI proving reliable when sperm is not suitable for IVF. In bovine, the limiting step is represented by low rate of sperm head decondensation subsequent ICSI. Intracytoplasmatic sperm injection allows avoiding many critical moments that may occur during normal or in vitro fertilization. Oocytes were obtained from ovaries from slaughtered cows. These were transported in 0.9% NaCl solution in isothermal bags at a temperature of 25-30 ° C. The ovaries were brought from the slaughterhouse within 2 hours. Harvesting of the oocytes was made through the aspiration method. After maturation, oocytes were fertilized using sperm that was prepared using Percoll method and then treated with TritonX. The volume of the TritonX solution that accompanies the sperma and which remains in the oocyte is extremely important given that by its action, TritonX removes the acrosome, thus releasing a rich enzyme content and facilitating the dehydration of the male pronucleus. Even though the number of 2 nucleus, 2 cells or 4 cells oocytes is inferior to the data found in the literature, compared to the results achieved last year in the assisted reproduction laboratory within CLC-HC Timisoara, it marks significant progress. At the 2 cells stage, there were several oocytes from group 1 (24.39% vs. 12.5%), while at the 4 cells stage there were 14.63% oocytes from group 1 and 25% group 2. The use of TritonX solution for sperm treatment as well as shortening the duration of ICSI execution allowed us to get encouraging results. The results obtained are inferior to those presented in the literature but are far superior to those we obtained last year when the ICSI technique was assembled. Achieving the two- and four-cell embryonic stages justifies us thinking that we are mastering the ICSI technique

Bovine and swine parthenots generating through electrical stimultion of the oocytes

Electrical stimulation is an alternative to chemical activation to induce 2+ influx, responsible for the formation of pores in the cellular membrane. In order to activate the oocytes, electrical stimulation (E.S.) was performed on 30 oocytes derived from gilts (L1), sows (L2), heifers (L3) and cows (L4). We considered that the stage of development of four cells is eloquent for certifying the ES's division triggering and the results we are considering only refer to these parthenots. Following application of ES, oocyte activation occurred as follows: 6.6% at L1, 16.6% at L2, 20% at L3 and 46.6% at L4. It is obvious the higher maturation rate of oocytes from adult females as compared to young females (16.6% in sows versus 6.6% in gilts and 46.6% in cows versus 20% in heifers). The method of electrical stimulation of oocytes in the fusion chamber used in this paper is effective for activating the division in both bovine and swine oocytes. Activation of oocyte division following electrical stimulation is clearly superior when using oocytes from adult females. The electrical stimulation method used generated the upper division activation in cattle compared with the results obtained using swine oocytes

Rheological Approaches of Wheat Flour Dough Enriched with Germinated Soybean and Lentil

Germination is a convenient technique that could be used to enhance the nutritional profile of legumes. Furthermore, consumers’ increasing demand for diversification of bakery products represents an opportunity to use such germinated flours in wheat-based products. Thus, this study aimed to underline the effects of soybean germinated flour (SGF) and lentil germinated flour (LGF) on the rheological behavior of dough during different processing stages and to optimize the addition level. For this purpose, flour falling number, dough properties during mixing, extension, fermentation, and dynamic rheological characteristics were evaluated. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used for the optimization of SGF and LGF addition levels in wheat flour, optimal and control samples microstructures being also investigated through epifluorescence light microscopy (EFLM). The results revealed that increased SGF and LGF addition levels led to curve configuration ratio, visco-elastic moduli, and maximum gelatinization temperature rises, while the falling number, water absorption, dough extensibility, and baking strength decreased. The interaction between SGF and LGF significantly influenced (p 2 volume production, the volume of the gas retained in the dough at the end of the test, visco-elastic moduli and maximum gelatinization temperatures were higher compared to the control. These results underlined the effects of SGF and LGF on wheat dough rheological properties and could be helpful for novel bakery products development

The mental health needs of healthcare workers:When evidence does not guide policy. A comparative assessment of selected European countries

Background: The healthcare workforce (HCWF) globally is facing high stress levels and deteriorating mental health due to workplace, labour market and policy deficiencies that further exacerbate the existing crisis. However, comprehensive and effective action is missing. Aims: We adopt a health system and governance perspective to address the mental health needs of healthcare workers (HCWs), considering the nature of interventions and the levels and actors involved in governance. The aim is to move the debate forward by identifying governance gaps hampering the implementation of health workforce policies and exploring strategies to effectively increase mental health support. Material and Methods: A qualitative comparative methodology is applied based on a case study design utilising a multi-level intersectoral governance matrix. We conducted a rapid assessment of HCWF developments in the European context (Germany, Portugal, Romania, Switzerland and the United Kingdom), drawing on secondary sources and country experts. Results and Discussion: Awareness of mental health threats among HCWs increased, but policy discourse is driven by service delivery and labour market demands. The attention to HCWs' needs is stronger on the international level and weakest at national/regional levels. Although organisations and professions demonstrate varying degrees of activity, their efforts are scattered and lack sustainability. Similar challenges were identified across healthcare systems, including limited action, disconnected actors, missing coordination, and a lack of attention to governance gaps and system weaknesses. Conclusion: Adopting a health system approach is important but not sufficient. Successful mental health policy implementation needs multi-level governance and coherent coordination mechanisms.</p