CREATIVE POTENTIAL OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT - A COMPOSITE INDEX OF POTENTIAL SIENTIFIC CREATIVITY

Both Lisbon Council in March 2000 and the one in Barcelona in 2002 represent major turning points in science and research activities at European level. At that time there was a formal recognition that science, technology and innovation, coupled with a quality education is the key to development and long-term competitiveness of European space. Moreover, the decade 2000-2010 was declared as a dedicated to the investment in these sectors, and 2009 was named Year of Creativity and Innovation at European level. In a study in the EU States and candidate countries, whose results were published in 2010, it was noted however that, despite the special attention given lately to these issues, index fund allocations for research and development budgets national level of 2007 is 0.67% on average in the EU (27 countries), compared with Japan (0.68%), South Korea (0.80%) and especially the United States (1.03 %). The purpose of this paper is to identify those factors that influence a nation\'s potential of scientific creativity and to find a way to compare different countries in terms of such potential. If until now many attempts were made to create an index of national or regional creativity, our goal is to narrow the field of creativity to scientific research and to compare the performance / potential of Romania compared to other European Union countries. Among the basic elements which have a direct impact on the potential for innovative scientific development, one can identify investment, human resources and current performance. Based on the above factors, a composite index of scientific creativity potential was developed, which takes into account the three main elements described above: human capital (human resources in science and technology and researchers), financial capital (investment in research and development) and scientific performance (Hirsch Index). Data for the first two were extracted from the Eurostat database for comparisons to be made between countries, while the third one has been estimated by specialized research teams based on data available on Essential Science Indicators (ESI) of Web of Knowledge. The main limit is the level of accuracy in data provided by each nation, and the extent to which such data were estimated, not final. The main benefit is that of identifying the position one country compared to others, but also to find the main factors that placed that country at one level or another in the overall classifications, thus allowing for the development of action plans particularly focused on those elements.research and development,human reources, creative potential, investment in research and development

Applications of artificial intelligence in musculoskeletal ultrasound: narrative review

Ultrasonography (US) has become a valuable imaging tool for the examination of the musculoskeletal system. It provides important diagnostic information and it can also be very useful in the assessment of disease activity and treatment response. US has gained widespread use in rheumatology practice because it provides real time and dynamic assessment, although it is dependent on the examiner’s experience. The implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques in the process of image recognition and interpretation has the potential to overcome certain limitations related to physician-dependent assessment, such as the variability in image acquisition. Multiple studies in the field of AI have explored how integrated machine learning algorithms could automate specific tissue recognition, diagnosis of joint and muscle pathology, and even grading of synovitis which is essential for monitoring disease activity. AI-based techniques applied in musculoskeletal US imaging focus on automated segmentation, image enhancement, detection and classification. AI-based US imaging can thus improve accuracy, time efficiency and offer a framework for standardization between different examinations. This paper will offer an overview of current research in the field of AI-based ultrasonography of the musculoskeletal system with focus on the applications of machine learning techniques in the examination of joints, muscles and peripheral nerves, which could potentially improve the performance of everyday clinical practice

Highly Skilled Migration. A Romanian Perspective: 2000 - 2009

Highly skilled migration is a subject of strong debates in current times, when there are evident proofs that the quality of human factor is crucial in achieving technical and economic development. Even though brain drain phenomenon and its impact on the economic environment are intensively discussed, insufficient quantitative information regarding highly skilled migration is available at international level, so as to allow a comparative analysis of the real state of facts. Migration in and from Romania is not only a fashionable subject, but a problem that the nation has to face and that will have a strong impact on the country’s long term development. The purpose of this paper is to locate Romania’s position in the international highly skilled migration, as well as to understand the structure of migration having Romania as source and destination country. We have thus calculated an attractiveness index that helps identifying which are the countries with a higher impact on the highly skilled migration flows in relation with Romania

CREATIVE POTENTIAL OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT - A COMPOSITE INDEX OF POTENTIAL SIENTIFIC CREATIVITY

Both Lisbon Council in March 2000 and the one in Barcelona in 2002 represent major turning points in science and research activities at European level. At that time there was a formal recognition that science, technology and innovation, coupled with a quality education is the key to development and long-term competitiveness of European space. Moreover, the decade 2000-2010 was declared as a dedicated to the investment in these sectors, and 2009 was named Year of Creativity and Innovation at European level. In a study in the EU States and candidate countries, whose results were published in 2010, it was noted however that, despite the special attention given lately to these issues, index fund allocations for research and development budgets national level of 2007 is 0.67% on average in the EU (27 countries), compared with Japan (0.68%), South Korea (0.80%) and especially the United States (1.03 %). The purpose of this paper is to identify those factors that influence a nation's potential of scientific creativity and to find a way to compare different countries in terms of such potential. If until now many attempts were made to create an index of national or regional creativity, our goal is to narrow the field of creativity to scientific research and to compare the performance / potential of Romania compared to other European Union countries. Among the basic elements which have a direct impact on the potential for innovative scientific development, one can identify investment, human resources and current performance. Based on the above factors, a composite index of scientific creativity potential was developed, which takes into account the three main elements described above: human capital (human resources in science and technology and researchers), financial capital (investment in research and development) and scientific performance (Hirsch Index). Data for the first two were extracted from the Eurostat database for comparisons to be made between countries, while the third one has been estimated by specialized research teams based on data available on Essential Science Indicators (ESI) of Web of Knowledge. The main limit is the level of accuracy in data provided by each nation, and the extent to which such data were estimated, not final. The main benefit is that of identifying the position one country compared to others, but also to find the main factors that placed that country at one level or another in the overall classifications, thus allowing for the development of action plans particularly focused on those elements

Influence of Carbon Nanowalls Interlayer on Copper Deposition

This research deals with the deposition of copper on a steel substrate. Two different methods were investigated: electrochemical and magnetron sputtering. The deposition parameters were optimized to obtain a coating layer with uniform granular structure and good adhesion to the substrate. As a novelty, carbon nanowalls (CNW) were used as reinforcement in copper coatings on the steel surface. The morphology of the coatings, adhesion and Vickers microhardness were performed to emphasize the CNW influence on the coating properties. Open circuit potential and Tafel analysis were used for electrochemical characterization. These kinds of CNW-copper composite with improved hardness and adhesion and surface electrical resistance around 1 Ω·cm could have miscellaneous applications in different domains such as aerospace, electronics, automotive and power-generation

3D Biomimetic Magnetic Structures for Static Magnetic Field Stimulation of Osteogenesis

We designed, fabricated and optimized 3D biomimetic magnetic structures that stimulate the osteogenesis in static magnetic fields. The structures were fabricated by direct laser writing via two-photon polymerization of IP-L780 photopolymer and were based on ellipsoidal, hexagonal units organized in a multilayered architecture. The magnetic activity of the structures was assured by coating with a thin layer of collagen-chitosan-hydroxyapatite-magnetic nanoparticles composite. In vitro experiments using MG-63 osteoblast-like cells for 3D structures with gradients of pore size helped us to find an optimum pore size between 20–40 µm. Starting from optimized 3D structures, we evaluated both qualitatively and quantitatively the effects of static magnetic fields of up to 250 mT on cell proliferation and differentiation, by ALP (alkaline phosphatase) production, Alizarin Red and osteocalcin secretion measurements. We demonstrated that the synergic effect of 3D structure optimization and static magnetic stimulation enhances the bone regeneration by a factor greater than 2 as compared with the same structure in the absence of a magnetic field

Nitrites Detection with Sensors Processed via Matrix-Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation

This work is focused on the application of a laser-based technique, i.e., matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) for the development of electrochemical sensors aimed at the detection of nitrites in water. Commercial carbon-based screen-printed electrodes were modified by MAPLE via the application of a newly developed composite coating with different concentrations of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), chitosan, and iron (II) phthalocyanine (C32H16FeN8). The performance of the newly fabricated composite coatings was evaluated both by investigating the morphology and surface chemistry of the coating, and by determining the electro-catalytic oxidation properties of nitrite with bare and modified commercial carbon-based screen-printed electrode. It was found that the combined effect of CNTs with chitosan and C32H16FeN8 significantly improves the electrochemical response towards the oxidation of nitrite. In addition, the MAPLE modified screen-printed electrodes have a limit of detection of 0.12 µM, which make them extremely useful for the detection of nitrite traces

Electrospinning Fabrication and Cytocompatibility Investigation of Nanodiamond Particles-Gelatin Fibrous Tubular Scaffolds for Nerve Regeneration

This paper reports the electrospinning fabrication of flexible nanostructured tubular scaffolds, based on fish gelatin (FG) and nanodiamond nanoparticles (NDs), and their cytocompatibility with murine neural stem cells. The effects of both nanofiller and protein concentration on the scaffold morphology, aqueous affinity, size modification at rehydration, and degradation are assessed. Our findings indicate that nanostructuring with low amounts of NDs may modify the fiber properties, including a certain regional parallel orientation of fiber segments. NE-4C cells form dense clusters that strongly adhere to the surface of FG50-based scaffolds, while also increasing FG concentration and adding NDs favor cellular infiltration into the flexible fibrous FG70_NDs nanocomposite. This research illustrates the potential of nanostructured NDs-FG fibers as scaffolds for nerve repair and regeneration. We also emphasize the importance of further understanding the effect of the nanofiller-protein interphase on the microstructure and properties of electrospun fibers and on cell-interactivity

Electrospinning Fabrication and Cytocompatibility Investigation of Nanodiamond Particles-Gelatin Fibrous Tubular Scaffolds for Nerve Regeneration

This paper reports the electrospinning fabrication of flexible nanostructured tubular scaffolds, based on fish gelatin (FG) and nanodiamond nanoparticles (NDs), and their cytocompatibility with murine neural stem cells. The effects of both nanofiller and protein concentration on the scaffold morphology, aqueous affinity, size modification at rehydration, and degradation are assessed. Our findings indicate that nanostructuring with low amounts of NDs may modify the fiber properties, including a certain regional parallel orientation of fiber segments. NE-4C cells form dense clusters that strongly adhere to the surface of FG50-based scaffolds, while also increasing FG concentration and adding NDs favor cellular infiltration into the flexible fibrous FG70_NDs nanocomposite. This research illustrates the potential of nanostructured NDs-FG fibers as scaffolds for nerve repair and regeneration. We also emphasize the importance of further understanding the effect of the nanofiller-protein interphase on the microstructure and properties of electrospun fibers and on cell-interactivity

The Influence of Socio-Demographic Factors, Lifestyle and Psychiatric Indicators on Adherence to Treatment of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background and Objectives: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a severe autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation of the joints accompanied by the progressive deformation and destruction of cartilage and joint bones. This study aims to gain insight into the outcomes related to adherence in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Predicting the medication adherence in RA patients is a key point to improve the treatment outcome. Materials and Methods: A number of 119 Romanian patients with RA were included and divided into two groups: first group included 79 patients treated with conventional therapy and second group included 40 patients treated with biologic therapy. A CQR-9 (compliance questionnaire rheumatology with nine items) and PDSQ (psychiatric diagnostic screening questionnaire) were performed to assess correlations between medication adherence, patient sociodemographic variables, 11 psychiatric scales (major depressive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, psychosis, agoraphobia, social phobia, drug abuse/dependence, generalized anxiety disorder, somatization disorder, hypochondriasis) and lifestyle (bulimia, alcohol intake). Results: Whilst modelling factors associated with adherence, it was found that women and patients with higher education are more adherent. From the psychiatric indicators, only major depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder were found to be positively correlated with therapeutic adherence. None of the assessed lifestyle factors influenced the adherence of RA patients. Conclusion: The knowledge of factors that impact on treatment adherence can be useful for clinicians to guide patient-centred care