Random-phase-shift Fizeau interferometer

A new and potentially cost efficient kind of vibration-tolerant surface measurement interferometer based on the Fizeau-principle is demonstrated. The crucial novelty of this approach is the combination of two optoelectronic sensors: an image sensor with high spatial resolution and an arrangement of photodiodes with high temporal resolution. The photodiodes continuously measure the random-phase-shifts caused by environmental vibrations in three noncollinear points of the test surface. The high spatial resolution sensor takes several "frozen" images of the test surface by using short exposure times. Under the assumption of rigid body movement the continuously measured phase shifts of the three surface points enable the calculation of a virtual plane that is representative for the position and orientation of the whole test surface. For this purpose a new random-phase-shift algorithm had to be developed. The whole system was tested on an optical table without vibration isolation under the influence of random vibrations. The analysis of the root-mean-square (RMS) over ten different measurements shows a measurement repeatability of about 0.004 wave (approximately 2.5 nm for 632.8 nm laser wavelength).     

Synthesis of Mg1−xCoxAl2O4 blue pigments via combustion route

MgAl₂O₄ was successfully used as crystalline host network for the synthesis of cobalt-based blue ceramic pigments. Different compositions of Mg_1?xCo_xAl₂O₄ (x = 0.1–0.3) powders have been prepared by the combustion reaction of corresponding metal nitrates with mixtures of urea and β-alanine. The resultant powders were characterized by means of XRD, TG-DTA, EDAX, SEM, BET surface area, diffuse reflectance spectrometry and CIEL1a1b1 color measurement. For x = 0.2, thermal analysis investigations evidenced that combustion reaction occurs at 276 °C. XRD analysis certified the formation of the designed solid solution, no additional thermal treatment being required. EDAX elemental analysis confirmed the purity of the as-prepared compound. The resulted powders had large surface areas, which varied from 8.7 to 62.6 m²/g. The crystallite size of Mg_1?xCo_xAl₂O₄ powders was less than 15 nm. Experimental results evidenced that as the proportion of Co²⁺ increased, the crystallite size decreased and the specific surface area increased. The diffuse reflectance spectra of the Mg_1?xCo_xAl₂O₄ pigments confirmed the presence of tetrahedrally coordinated Co²⁺. CIEL1a1b1 chromatic coordinates indicated that the bluest color was obtained for x = 0.2.     

Scientometric analysis of relative performance in a key university in Romania

A scientometric analysis of the Babe?-Bolyai University in Romania is provided, highlighting the strong and the weak points with respect to a range of leading international universities and referencing to some extent to nation-wide data from several countries. Taken into account are such items as total number of publications, analyses per subject area or per research field, number of citations, types of publications, Hirsch indexes, and books. Internationally, chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer science, religion, area studies, geology, paleontology, and public administration are identified as the most active areas. Nationally, a number of additional strong points are identified, such as psychology, history, and environmental sciences. The percentage of researchers with reasonably high activity (e.g., at least ~ one publication per year as indexed in major databases) is relatively low (~10 %), and the percentage with reasonably high international competitiveness (based on citation counts, number of publications, books indexed in international libraries) is at only ~2 %. The decisive factor controlling an exponential increase in publications since ~2000–2004 appears to have been a conservatively managed exponential increase of the national GDP and implicitly of the research budgets.     

The Role of Bone Morphogenetic Proteins in Tissue Engineering Particulate Bone Grafts

Bone defects of various causes are important medical and socioeconomical problems because of the impossibility of spontaneous healing, difficult treatment, and long healing period. There are multiple, varied, and relatively complicated ways of solving these problems. Over time, numerous investigations carried out have shown failures arising from the use of autografts and homografts. The disadvantages of these methods prompted a search for other methods of bone reconstruction. Bone substitutes can play an important role in bone reconstructive surgery. In this context, tissue engineering bone grafts has offered an alternative. The aim of our research was to evaluate the feasibility of creating a tissue-engineered bone using mesenchymal stem cells seeded on a scaffold obtained from the red deer deciduous horn. We tried to demonstrate the advantages of using bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP-2) and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) as promoters of the differentiation process. Our study was carried out on animal model, an outbred CD 1 mouse strain. Our research demonstrated that supplementation with growth factors (BMP-2, TGF-β) in osteogenic medium improved and accelerated bony-line differentiation and mineralization process. The same factors accelerated and stabilized the osteoblast differentiation and inhibit different lineage appearance such as myeloid metaplasia.     

The Genetic Architecture of Vascular Anomalies: Current Data and Future Therapeutic Perspectives Correlated with Molecular Mechanisms

Vascular anomalies (VAs) are morphogenesis defects of the vascular system (arteries, capillaries, veins, lymphatic vessels) singularly or in complex combinations, sometimes with a severe impact on the quality of life. The progress made in recent years with the identification of the key molecular pathways (PI3K/AKT/mTOR and RAS/BRAF/MAPK/ERK) and the gene mutations that lead to the appearance of VAs has allowed the deciphering of their complex genetic architecture. Understanding these mechanisms is critical both for the correct definition of the phenotype and classification of VAs, as well as for the initiation of an optimal therapy and the development of new targeted therapies. The purpose of this review is to present in synthesis the current data related to the genetic factors involved in the etiology of VAs, as well as the possible directions for future research. We analyzed the data from the literature related to VAs, using databases (Google Scholar, PubMed, MEDLINE, OMIM, MedGen, Orphanet) and ClinicalTrials.gov. The obtained results revealed that the phenotypic variability of VAs is correlated with genetic heterogeneity. The identification of new genetic factors and the molecular mechanisms in which they intervene, will allow the development of modern therapies that act targeted as a personalized therapy. We emphasize the importance of the geneticist in the diagnosis and treatment of VAs, as part of a multidisciplinary team involved in the management of VAs.     

Struktur und Reaktivität heterosubstituierter Nitrile. 24 Kinetik und Mechanismus der Reaktion von o-Phenylendiamin mit Arylcyanaten

Structure and Reactivity of Heterosubstituted Nitriles. 24. Kinetics and Mechanism of the Reaction of o-Phenylen diamine with Aryl Cyanates The second and third order rate constants for the reaction of o-phenylene diamine with aryl cyanates to 2-amino benzimidazole phenylester imide in water/dioxane have been determined by i.r. measurements. The reaction proceeds through a bimolecular and a trimolecular mechanism simultaneously. In the slow step of the bimolecular process an electrophilic attack of the aryl cyanate on o-phenylene diamine takes place in a seven membered cyclic transition state. The slow step of the trimolecular mechanism consists of a nucleophilic attack of the diamine on a phenole aryl cyanate associate by a six membered cyclic transition state. The final products of both reactions are formed by successive fast reactions.     

Explicit model predictive control through robust optimization

A strategy that calculates an explicit state feedback policy to regulate constrained uncertain discrete-time uncertain linear systems is presented. We consider uncertain processes, affected by box-bounded multiplicative uncertainty as well as bounded additive uncertainty with linear state and inputs constraints. The proposed method includes (i) the calculation of a terminal set constraint and (ii) the robust reformulation of state constraints in the prediction horizon. These features allow the derivation of the desired policy by solving a single multiparametric quadratic programming problem that guarantees feasible operation in the presence of uncertainty. Additionally, we employ variable and constraint elimination approaches to enhance the computational performance of the strategy. We demonstrate the steps and benefits of these developments with a numerical example and a chemical engineering case study.     

Hybrid Androgen Receptor Inhibitors Outperform Enzalutamide and EPI-001 in in vitro Models of Prostate Cancer Drug Resistance

Androgen receptor targeted therapies for prostate cancer have serious limitations in advanced stages of the disease. While resistance to the FDA-approved enzalutamide is extensively documented, novel therapies based on epichlorohydrin scaffolds (EPI) are currently in clinical trials, but display suboptimal pharmacokinetics. Herein, we report the synthesis and biological characterisation of a novel class of compounds designed through covalently linking enzalutamide and EPI-001 through various triazole based linkers. The compounds display an 18 to 53 fold improvement in the cell killing potency towards C4-2b prostate cancer (PCa) cells compared to the gold standards of therapy, enzalutamide and EPI-001. The most promising compounds were proven to exhibit their toxicity exclusively through androgen receptor (AR) mediated pathways. This work sets the basis for the first class of hybrid AR inhibitors which successfully combine two drug moieties – EPI-001 and enzalutamide – into the same molecule.     

Non-van der Waals 2D Materials for Electrochemical Energy Storage

The development of advanced electrode materials for the next generation of electrochemical energy storage (EES) solutions has attracted profound research attention as a key enabling technology toward decarbonization and electrification of transportation. Since the discovery of graphene's remarkable properties, 2D nanomaterials, derivatives, and heterostructures thereof, have emerged as some of the most promising electrode components in batteries and supercapacitors owing to their unique and tunable physical, chemical, and electronic properties, commonly not observed in their 3D counterparts. This review particularly focuses on recent advances in EES technologies related to 2D crystals originating from non-layered 3D solids (non-van der Waals; nvdW) and their hallmark features pertaining to this field of application. Emphasis is given to the methods and challenges in top-down and bottom-up strategies toward nvdW 2D sheets and their influence on the materials’ features, such as charge transport properties, functionalization, or adsorption dynamics. The exciting advances in nvdW 2D-based electrode materials of different compositions and mechanisms of operation in EES are discussed. Finally, the opportunities and challenges of nvdW 2D systems are highlighted not only in electrochemical energy storage but also in other applications, including spintronics, magnetism, and catalysis.