THE ROLE OF XML IN THE MODELING PROCESS OF A VIRTUAL BUSINESS

The aim of this paper is to describe the XML stack of languages used in the implementation process of a web application. This application is based on a three tier architecture named XRX. In this type of architecture there is no need for data model transformations between the tiers of the architecture like in the classical architecture. So the applications developed according XRX architecture become more flexible, efficient and simple.XML, XPath, XQuery, XSLT, XForms, XRX, UBL

Selective Laser Sintering of PA 2200 for Hip Implant Applications: Finite Element Analysis, Process Optimization, Morphological and Mechanical Characterization

Polyamide 12 (PA 22000) is a well-known material and one of the most biocompatible materials tested and used to manufacture customized medical implants by selective laser sintering technology. To optimize the implants, several research activities were considered, starting with the design and manufacture of test samples made of PA 2200 by selective laser sintering (SLS) technology, with different processing parameters and part orientations. The obtained samples were subjected to compression tests and later to SEM analyses of the fractured zones, in which we determined the microstructural properties of the analyzed samples. Finally, an evaluation of the surface roughness of the material and the possibility of improving the surface roughness of the realized parts using finite element analysis to determine the optimum contact pressure between the component made of PA 2200 by SLS and the component made of TiAl6V4 by SLM was performed

Correction: Răzvan et al. Selective Laser Sintering of PA 2200 for Hip Implant Applications: Finite Element Analysis, Process Optimization, Morphological and Mechanical Characterization. Materials 2021, 14, 4240

The authors wish to make the following correction to their paper [...

Antimicrobial Activity of Cellulose Based Materials

Biomaterials available for a wide range of applications are generally polysaccharides. They may have inherent antimicrobial activity in the case of chitosan. However, in order to have specific functionalities, bioactive compounds must be immobilized or incorporated into the polymer matrix, as in the case of cellulose. We studied materials obtained by functionalizing cellulose with quaternary ammonium salts: dodecyl-trimethyl-ammonium bromide (DDTMABr), tetradecyl-trimethyl-ammonium bromide (TDTMABr), hexadecyl-trimethyl ammonium chloride (HDTMACl), some phosphonium salts: dodecyl-triphenyl phosphonium bromide (DDTPPBr) and tri n-butyl-hexadecyl phosphonium bromide (HDTBPBr) and extractants containing sulphur: 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) and thiourea (THIO). Cel-TDTMABr material, whose alkyl substituent chain conformation was shortest, showed the best antimicrobial activity for which, even at the lowest functionalization ratio, 1:0.012 (w:w), the microbial inhibition rate is 100% for Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans. Among the materials obtained by phosphonium salt functionalization, Cel-DDTPPBr showed a significant bactericidal effect compared to Cel-HDTBPBr. For instance, to the same functionalization ratio = 1:0.1, the inhibition microbial growth rate is maximum in the case of Cel-DDTPPBr for Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans. At the same time, for the Cel-HDTBPBr material, the total bactericidal effect is not reached even at the functionalization ratio 1:0.5. This behavior is based on the hydrophobicity difference between the two extractants, DDTPPBr and HDTBPBr. Cel-MBT material has a maximum antimicrobial effect upon Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans at functionalized ratio = 1:0.5. Cel-THIO material showed a bacteriostatic and fungistatic effect, the inhibition of microbial growth being a maximum of 76% for Staphylococcus aureus at the functionalized ratio = 1:0.5. From this perspective, biomaterials obtained by SIR impregnation of cellulose can be considered a benefit to be used to obtain biomass-derived materials having superior antimicrobial properties versus the non-functional support

Antimicrobial Activities of Chitosan Derivatives

Considering the challenge created by the development of bacterial and fungal strains resistant to multiple therapeutic variants, new molecules and materials with specific properties against these microorganisms can be synthesized, like those synthesized from biopolymers such as chitosan with improved antimicrobial activities. Antimicrobial activities of seven obtained materials were tested on four reference strains belonging to American Type Culture Collection. The best antimicrobial activity was obtained by functionalization by impregnation of chitosan with quaternary ammonium salts, followed by that obtained by functionalization of chitosan with phosphonium. The lowest antibacterial and antifungal effects were expressed by Ch-THIO and Ch-MBT, but new materials obtained with these extractants may be precursors with a significant role in the direct control of active molecules, such as cell growth factors or cell signaling molecules

Symmetry between Structure–Antibacterial Effect of Polymers Functionalized with Phosphonium Salts

In actual context, when the terms of biomass and bioenergy are extensively used, it becomes clear that the comparative study of some biopolymers, such as cellulose and chitosan, can offer a large usage range, based on the scientific progress obtained in the biomaterials field. Starting from the structural similarity of these two polymers, we synthesized composite materials by grafting on their surface biocide substances (phosphonium salts). After testing the biocidal effect, we can conclude that the antibacterial effect depends on the ratio of support to phosphonium salt, influenced by the interaction between the cationic component of the biocides and by the anionic component of the bacterial cellular membrane. It was also observed that for the materials obtained by cellulose functionalization with tri-n-butyl-hexadecyl phosphonium bromide, the bacterial effect on E. coli strain was much better when chitosan was used as the support material

Symmetry between Structure–Antibacterial Effect of Polymers Functionalized with Phosphonium Salts

In actual context, when the terms of biomass and bioenergy are extensively used, it becomes clear that the comparative study of some biopolymers, such as cellulose and chitosan, can offer a large usage range, based on the scientific progress obtained in the biomaterials field. Starting from the structural similarity of these two polymers, we synthesized composite materials by grafting on their surface biocide substances (phosphonium salts). After testing the biocidal effect, we can conclude that the antibacterial effect depends on the ratio of support to phosphonium salt, influenced by the interaction between the cationic component of the biocides and by the anionic component of the bacterial cellular membrane. It was also observed that for the materials obtained by cellulose functionalization with tri-n-butyl-hexadecyl phosphonium bromide, the bacterial effect on E. coli strain was much better when chitosan was used as the support material

Cast Iron Parts Obtained in Ceramic Molds Produced by Binder Jetting 3D Printing—Morphological and Mechanical Characterization

Mechanical behavior and characteristics of two different types of materials: cast iron with lamellar graphite EN-GJL-250 and cast iron with spheroidal graphite EN-GJS-400-15 which were cast in ceramic molds using gravitational casting method has considered in this research. The ceramic molds were obtained by 3D printing method. First, a finite element analysis was developed to determine Tresca and von Mises stresses and the deformations of the ceramic molds under an applied pressure of 25 MPa. Samples were produced by gravitational casting using two types of cast iron materials. Mechanical tests were made using samples produced from these two types of materials and microstructure analysis evaluation of fractured zones was realized by scanning electron microscopy. Obtained results were finally used for designing, developing, and producing of one ‘hydraulic block’ of a railway installation by the Benninger Guss company of Switzerland

ASPECTE CITOLOGICE ALE SCREENINGULUI CANCERULUI DE COL UTERIN

INTRODUCTION: Romania ranks first in Europe in terms of cervical cancer mortality (10.77%), over 6 times more than the average of European Union countries. Of all cancers in women, occupies 4th place in terms of mortality rate after breast, colorectal and lung cancer. Cervical cancer is caused by persistent and common infections of the female genital tract by human papilloma virus (HPV).  Currently there is no treatment for HPV, reducing the incidence of cervical cancer can be achieved through organized screening programs and anti-HPV vaccination of female patients at young age. European Union Council recommends early detection of cervical cancer through programs organized for the population, providing quality services at all levels. THE AIM of the study was the identification of determinants for squamous intraepithelial lesions and assess the importance of classical cytology in detecting cervical cancer at an early stage. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We selected a group of 405 patients with positive Babeş-Papanicolaou test results from the total number of women tested during 2015 by the screening program organized at the Emergency County Hospital in Tg-Mureș. We performed a retrospective study on the previously mentioned group of women, demographic, obstetric and medical history data were collected from FS1 screening forms belonging to the Centre Region Management Technical Assistance Unit of the active screening program for early cervical cancer. The study group included women aged 25-64, asymptomatic and without known disease in the genital area. RESULTS: The accessibility of women to Babeş-Pap testing has become more visible since the implementation of organized screening program. The accessibility of women to Babeş-Pap testing has become more visible since the implementation of organized screening program. In the studied group, 52.25% of  the women had regular menstrual cycle and 32.5% of them were at menopause. Batch analysis of the studied group of patients showed that in case of 47.75% of the women the presence of lesions at macroscopic examination of the cervix has been identified. In 12% of the patients the presence of leucorrhea was noted and bleeding of the cervix has been described in 2% of the women. Only 0.75% of the women included in the study benefited from hormonal treatment and a percentage of 1.25% were pregnant at the time of the Babeş-Pap test. Analysis of the group of women from the point of view of microbiological examination showed infection with Gardnerella vaginalis in 44% and Trichomonas co-infection in 42%. Of patients selected by interpreting the results using the Bethesda cytology method, the majority (42.25%) were classified in the cytodiagnostic ASCUS class, and a percentage of 26.75 were included in the ASC-H class. Management of intraepiteliale lesions presented in 5 cases showed investigations applying differentiated therapies and the importance of  follow-up screening. CONCLUSIONS: Implementing screening of cervical cancer remains a challenge as it involves complex coordination of medical services. Urban women benefit from easier access to specialized medical services, but still a large percentage of women included in the Regional Units’ screening underwent Pap test for the first time in life.Our study identified a small percentage of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, but for these women case management is essential for investigation and early treatment to stop the development of dysplasia. The major benefit of screening for cervical cancer is especially identifying these cases of high-grade dysplasia, treatment applied in time decreasing the incidence of cervical cancer   Keywords: cervix, screening, cytology, dysplasiaINTRODUCERE: România se situează pe primul loc din Europa în ceea ce priveşte mortalitatea cauzată de cancerul de col uterin, de peste 6 ori mai mult decât media ţărilor din Uniunea Europeană. Din totalul cancerelor la sexul feminin, cancerul de col ocupă locul 4 în ceea ce priveşte rata de mortalitate, după cancerul de sân, colorectal şi cel pulmonar. Cancerul de col uterin este cauzat de infecţiile persistente şi comune ale tractului genital uterin cu virusul papilloma uman (HPV-human papilloma virus). La momentul actual nu există tratament împotriva HPV, reducerea incidenţei cancerului de col uterin se poate realiza prin programe organizate de screening şi prin vaccinarea sexului feminin anti-HPV la vârste tinere. SCOPUL STUDIULUI a fost identificarea factorilor determinanţi ai leziunilor scuamoase intraepiteliale şi evaluarea importanţei citologiei clasice în detecţia precoce a cancerului de col uterin. MATERIAL ŞI METODĂ: A fost efectuat un studiu retrospectiv asupra unui lot de 405 paciente cu rezultate pozitive ale testului Babeş-Papanicolaou, selectate din cazuistica Reţelei de Screening organizate în cadrul Spitalului Clinic Judeţean de Urgenţă Tg-Mureş, din numărul total de femei testate în cursul anului 2015. Datele demografice, antecedentele obstetricale şi medicale le-am cules din formularele de screening FS1. Lotul studiat a inclus femei cu vârsta între 25-64 de ani, asimptomatice şi fără afecţiuni cunoscute în sfera genitală. REZULTATE: Accesibilitatea femeilor la testarea Babeş-Papanicolaou a devenit mai vizibilă odată cu implementarea programului de screening organizat. Din lotul total studiat, 52,25% de femei au avut ciclul regulat, iar 32,5 % erau la menopauză. Analiza lotului de paciente a evidenţiat că la examenul macroscopic al colului s-a identificat  prezenţa leziunilor evidente la un procent 47,75 % de femei. La 12% dintre femei s-a notat prezenţa leucoreei, iar sângerări ale colului uterin s-au descris doar la 2% dintre femei. Doar 0,75 % din femeile incluse în studiu beneficiau de tratament hormonal, iar 1,25 % erau însărcinate la momentul efectuării testului Babeş-Papanicolaou. Analiza lotului studiat din punct de vedere al examenului microbiologic a evidenţiat un procent de 44 % a infecţiei cu Gardnerella vaginalis şi 42% coinfecţii cu Trichomonas.Prin interpretarea rezultatelor citologice, prin metoda Bethesda 2001, majoritatea pacientelor (42,25 %) s-au încadrat în clasa citodiagnostică ASCUS şi un procent de 26,75  au avut ASC-H. Managementul leziunilor intraepiteliale prezente la 5 cazuri a demonstrat aplicarea diferenţiată a investigaţiilor şi a terapiilor şi importanţa follow-up-ului în screening. CONCLUZII: Studiile efectuate pe loturi de femei care au participat la programele de screening organizat au demonstrat că testarea Papanicolaou previne cancerul cervical. Studiul nostru a identificat un procent mic al leziunilor scuamoase intraepiteliale de grad înalt, dar pentru aceste femei este esenţial managementul cazului pentru investigaţii şi tratament precoce de stopare a evoluţiei displaziilor. Beneficiul major al screeningului cancerului de col uterin este identificarea tocmai a acestor displazii de grad înalt, tratamentul aplicat la timp cu scăderea incidenţei cancerului de col uterin.   Cuvinte-cheie: col uterin, screening, citologie, displazie