ADDICTION, WITHDRAWAL, AND AGGRESSIVENESS IN ADOLESCENCE

            In a tolerant and evasive environment, when the psychological conflict between aspirations and possibilities occurs, naïve, uneducated, and disoriented adolescents often wind up in deviant entourages, surrounded by dubious individuals who promise them the end of “suffering” and the gain of a state of gratification and satisfaction with the help of drug use.   Subsequent to these well-intentioned contacts, “white death” drug dealers become violent, demanding very high prices for the “fixes” of this habit. It is the beginning of the en

Gold nanorods as molecular contrast agents in photoacoustic imaging: the promises and the caveats\ud

Rod-shaped gold nanoparticles exhibit intense and narrow absorption peaks for light in the far-red and near-infrared wavelength regions, owing to the excitation of longitudinal plasmons. Light absorption is followed predominantly by non radiative de-excitation, and the released heat and subsequent temperature rise cause strong photoacoustic (optoacoustic) signals to be produced. This feature combined with the relative inertness of gold, and its favorable surface chemistry, which permits affinity biomolecule coupling, has seen gold nanorods (AuNR) attracting much attention as contrast agents and molecular probes for photoacoustic imaging. In this article we provide an short overview of the current status of the use of AuNR in molecular imaging using photoacoustics. We further examine the state of the art in various chemical, physical and biochemical phenomena that have implications for the future photoacoustic applications of these particles. We cover the route through fine-tuning of AuNR synthetic procedures, toxicity reduction by appropriate coatings, in vitro cellular interactions of AuNRs, attachment of targeting antibodies, in vivo fate of the particles and the effects of certain light interactions with the AuN

The 'nanobig rods' class of gold nanorods: optimized dimensions for improved in vivo therapeutic and imaging efficacy

Currently, gold nanorods can be synthesized in a wide range of sizes. However, for intended biological applications gold nanorods with approximate dimensions 50 nm x 15 nm are used. We investigate by computer simulation the effect of particle dimensions on the optical and thermal properties in the context of the specific applications of photoacoustic imaging. In addition we discuss the influence of particle size in overcoming the following biophysical barriers when administrated in vivo: extravasation, avoidance of uptake by organs of the reticuloendothelial system, penetration through the interstitium, binding capability and uptake by the target cells. Although more complex biological influences can be introduced in future analysis, the present work illustrates that larger gold nanorods, designated by us as "nanobig rods", may perform relatively better at meeting the requirements for successful in vivo applications compared to their smaller counterparts which are conventionally used

Characteristics and tendencies in the steel industry, globally and regionally

The objective of this paper is to highlight the current state of the steel industry at the global and regional level, in terms of its level of important indicators, such as: production capacity, production volume, level of consumption, exports and imports. The data used are systemized on time intervals, resulting in that the steel industry remains an attractive sector for investors in terms of large profits generated, but extremely sensitive to economic fluctuations and measures taken by the authorities. In this regard, the disparities and trends of the analyzed periods at global and regional level highlight the different ways of managing the situation in the steel sector, overcapacity representing a highly controversial element nowadays

ELECTROCOAGULATION IN WASTEWATER TREATMENT

Within the past decades,water scarcity is one of the greatest challenges faced by humans, sothe treatment and reuse of wastewater generated daily from household, sanitary and industrial activities iswidely practiced and encouraged.Electrocoagulation has emerged as an effectivetechnology for the treatment ofdifferent categories of wastewater. The electrode materials should non-toxic to human health and environment and these usually involve aluminium or iron, but new materials are also used.The efficiency of electrocoagulation depends on current density, gap between anodes and cathodes, electrodes arrangement, composition and shape, initial pollutant concentration, composition and pH of the solution, electrolysis time.This paper aims to reviewthe mechanisms involved in wastewater electrocoagulationand the results of electrocoagulation applied in the treatment of wastewater from different sources

ARTIFICIAL COMPACTION GIVEN BY PENETRATION RESISTANCE IN SOILS WITH DIFFERENTUSE

Heavy agricultural machinery is major cause of one of the processes of soil degradation, compaction, which became a problem of significant proportions, especially on soils with high moisture. Excessive traffic affects soil quality and crop production, and also causes environmental problems.The paper presents the results of research conducted to determine soil compaction on three experimental fields: plot of energy willow, plot of clover and cherry orchard, while different moisture contents represent subfactor. Maximum penetration resistances were recorded at 45 cm depth, where the soil is severely compacted: 3194.5 kPa on the soil cultivated with energy willow, 2984kPa in the orchard, respectively 3069kPa on the plot of clover