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The article discusses the essential role of photography as a research tool in the disciplines of history and ethnology, emphasizing its importance in documenting and preserving cultural memory. The article elucidates the historiography of the evolution of photography in Bessarabia, both as an art form and as a technology, which has made it an essential tool for documenting cultural diversity. The article mentions the contributions of earlier researchers who have elucidated the history of photography in Bessarabia and utilized the method of visual documentation in their research. These works opened new research directions, emphasizing the importance of photographic archives in the study of history and culture. It is affirmed that since the inter-war period, photography has been used as an important tool in ethnographic research, contributing to the documentation of traditional culture. Examples include the field expeditions conducted by the Romanian Social Institute, which captured various aspects of everyday life in Bessarabian villages, the research carried out in the Moldovan SSR in 1944-1991, as well as the experience of research from 1991 to the present. The conclusions contain the idea that photography is an essential tool in historical and ethnological research, having the ability to capture visual, emotional and social aspects of everyday life. The article proposes recommendations for increasing the value of visual documentation, including digitization of photographs, organization of exhibitions and collaboration between institutions to promote photography as a tool for research and education, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colorectal cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed forms of cancer, and the therapeutic solutions are frequently aggressive requiring improvements. Essential oils (EOs) are secondary metabolites of aromatic plants with important pharmacological properties that proved to be beneficial in multiple pathologies including cancer. Mentha piperita L. (M_EO) and Rosmarinus officinalis L. (R_EO) essential oils are well-known for their biological effects (antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic in different cancer cells), but their potential as complementary treatment in colorectal cancer is underexplored. The aim of the present study was to investigate the M_EO and R_EO in terms of chemical composition, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic effects in a colorectal cancer cell line—HCT 116. The gas-chromatographic analysis revealed menthone and menthol, and eucalyptol, α-pinene and L-camphor as major compounds in M_EO and R_EO respectively. M_EO exhibited potent antimicrobial activity, moderate antioxidant activity and a low cytotoxic effect in HCT 116 cells. R_EO presented a significant cytotoxicity in colorectal cancer cells and a low antimicrobial effect. The cytotoxic effect on non-cancerous cell line HaCaT was not significant for both essential oils. These results may provide an experimental basis for further research concerning the potential use of M_EO and R_EO for anticancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article elucidates the evolution of the orphanage network in Moldovan SSAR and Moldovan SSR in relation to the socio-economic realities and the social policy of the Soviet state. By analysing the statistical data, we show that the expansion of the orphanage network in the MSSAR (1924-1940) and in the MSSR in 1944-1961 is due to the social policy of reducing the number of homeless and orphaned children suffering from hunger. We conclude that the number of orphanages increased during the famine, and decreased only after mitigating its consequences in the early 1950s. The Soviet state, on the one hand, provoked the humanitarian crisis in the MSSR, and on the other hand, proved to be “humane” by organizing an extensive network of orphanages intended to save children. The difficult situation of children in the post-war years, the starvation, vagrancy, the increased number of orphaned children, etc. was the consequence of the totalitarian politics and of the irresponsibility of local authorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper proposes an inquiry regarding the shaping interests and preferences between EU and Russia in their bilateral relations, focusing on the patterns of convergence and divergence. Even if there were two decades of a constructive approach, the evolutions after the Vilnius Summit in November 2013 and the crisis in Ukraine have triggered different reactions. Within the reformulations of interests, it is clear that the current opposing views among the participating actors indicate the need for a major geopolitical reconfiguration of the "shared neighborhood" as well as the relations between EU and Russia. The patterns of Cold War interactions seems to be valuable but not necessarily in military terms, but in a more diversified and less predictable expression of different sectors, with a great emphasis on the political and economic ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses various reports within the issue on topics including border security in the European Union countries, foreign policy of the European Union, and the 2014 Russian intervention in Ukraine.

An introduction to this issue of "Eurolimes: Journal of the Institute for Euroregional Studies," focusing on international security, is presented.

The need for a European police and judicial cooperation system has been a major concern for all European countries involved in the integration project. Since the informal establishment of the TREVI Group it was clear that among the positive effects of integration and free movement of people, different security challenges for internal security of the CEE/EU had to be approached within coherent common policies. The Schengen Agreement and the instruments developed within the former Justice and Home Affairs pillar of the EU, as well as the emergence of specialised agencies (EUROPOL, FRONTEX) indicates that internal security of the Union represents one of the main challenges for the future. Our contribution within the conference will emphasize the importance of the transition from an intergovernmental approach of police and judicial cooperation toward to a trans-national and cross-border approach. The variables proposed for the analysis includes EU legal framework, Schengen aquis, and their effect upon the national legislation in the member states, emphasising the importance of the new instruments for cross-border police and judicial cooperation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper promotes the argument that the European integration is a security project in the light of the initial purpose assumed by the Western European leaders at the end of the Second World War. In spite of different arguments and critics about the success of the integration, it is clear that the EU is a success in terms of providing security for all actors involved in the process of integration. The normative power of the EU makes it a global security player but the main test was completed with the last waves of integration because the EU managed to engage its members and candidate states within the same goal of sharing security within an enlarged Europe. An important aspect of European security is related to the relationship with the neighbourhood, considering the interdependencies and mutual influences that can shape security on both sides of the borders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study was to develop a multidexterous robot capable of generating the required forces and speeds to perform surgical tasks intra-abdominally. Current laparoscopic surgical robots are expensive, bulky, and fundamentally constrained by a small entry incision. A new approach to minimally invasive surgery places the robot completely within the patient. Miniature in vivo robots may allow surgeons to overcome current laparoscopic constraints such as dexterity, orientation, and visualization. Methods: A collaborative research group from the Department of Surgery at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and the College of Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln designed and built a surgical robot prototype capable of performing specific surgical tasks within the peritoneal cavity. Results: The basic robotic design consists of two arms each connected to a central body. Each arm has three degrees of freedom and rotational shoulder and elbow joints. This combination allows a surgeon to grasp, manipulate, cauterize, and perform intracorporeal suturing. The robot's workspace is a hollow hemisphere with an inner radius of 75 mm and an outer radius of 205 mm. Its versatility was demonstrated in four procedures performed in a porcine model: cholecystectomy, partial colectomy, abdominal exploration, and intracorporeal suturing. Conclusions: Miniature in vivo robots have the potential to address the limitations of using articulated instrumentation to perform advanced laparoscopic surgical procedures. Once inserted into the peritoneal cavity, the robot provides a stable platform for visualization with sufficient dexterity and speed to perform surgical tasks from multiple orientations and workspaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper brings into discussion the role and importance of identity and cultural variables in the construction of a European security culture. The main points are related to a conceptual and theoretical framework that can provide the methodology for investigating security perceptions and to understand the limits of preference formation. For exemplification, we use certain data from Eurobaromenter that suggest an increasing common perception that all the fears and expectations are commonly shared by the Europeans and in this terms we can talk about a security culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hypothesis proposed for analysis in this article suggests that the public speech and mass-communication can be used by political elites as a tool to induce and influence the public perception with regard on what is a challenge to security (and perception of security) and to determine certain preferences and behaviors. This approach, developed within the "securitization theory" by the Copenhagen School of International Relations, insist on the importance of understanding securitization as an act of speech. Within the same theoretical framework we can use the model of "desecuritization" as a mechanism to transform something that is perceived as a threat into something that might be seen as an opportunity. From this perspective, we propose an analysis on the Western Balkan Region in relation with the idea of future integration into the European Union, focused on perceptions, preferences, expectations of the public opinion, as well as the public speech used by political elites. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate that the constructivist approaches and especially "de-securitization" can offer the best options to evaluate the readiness of integration of WBS into the EU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the current geopolitical configuration around the Eastern border of the European Union. From this perspectives, there are geopolitical determinations of the political, economic and security dynamics for the states that are considered both in the European Neighbourhood Policy of EU and also in the Near Abroad Policy of Russia. To this end, each power - EU and Russia - conducts policies to influence the regional preferences of the states situated at the eastern border of EU. Our main question is addressed to the capacity of the EU neighbourning states from the East to promote long term agendas in their internal and external politicies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the relationship between Europe and its neighboring countries. It examines the enhanced partnership relations between the European Union (EU) and its neighboring countries. It also mentions different factors that could affect the region's evolution and its interpretation including geography, economy and culture. Moreover, it discusses the interpretation of the region as a space of civilization as well as the geographical delimitation between Europe, the Middle East and Northern Africa.

In the past years there are an increasing number of attitudes and events that suggest a chronic need for a better communication between European Union and its citizens. One of the main issues concerns the perception, among citizens, of a lack of legitimacy and transparency of EU and its institutions. In order to identify and analyze some of the causes, we suggest that an important variable that should be considered is the communication strategy of the EU. In this article we explore some interpretations of legitimacy that can be associated to the perception of EU's institutions among the European citizens and the main points expressed by the European Commission with regard on the Communication Strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five billion people worldwide lack access to safe, timely, and affordable surgical and anesthesia care. This deficit is greatest in low- and middle-income countries, especially for specialty surgical services including neurosurgery, due to insufficient personnel, resources, and infrastructure. The southeastern European nation of the Republic of Moldova is one such middle-income country. Discussions with key individuals involved in neurosurgical care in Moldova were conducted to characterize the history and current state of neurosurgery in Moldova. Via a process of chain referral sampling, all practicing neurosurgeons in Moldova were invited to participate in the execution and authorship of this project. Developing from origins in the Soviet Union, neurosurgery became part of the national health system in the 1940s, with the creation of the first neurosurgery department in 1999. Eleven hospitals, including eight public and 3 private, offer neurosurgical services, with 239 beds and 5330 cases performed in 2023. Most attending neurosurgeons and residents are male, but this is changing as women comprise over one-third of residents in training. There is one neurosurgery residency program and a 2-year fellowship in endovascular neurosurgery in Moldova, with further fellowship training received outside of the country. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are available at most centers. This article provides the first-ever description of the history and current state of neurosurgery in Moldova and presents key recommendations to guide the international neurosurgery community in developing neurosurgical care in countries with an unmet need. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reviews the periodical "Western Balkans Security Observer".

The article reviews the periodical "Western Balkans Security Observer".

The article reviews the periodical "Romanian Review on Political Geography," Year XI, No. 1, 2009.

The article reviews the periodical "Journal of East European and Asian Studies (JEEAS)," vol. 1

The article reviews the periodical "Journal of the Institute for Euroregional Studies."

Information about several presentations at the conference, entitled "Dimensions of the European security" on the security studies at the University of Oradea for 2010-2011 school year. Presidential adviser on security Iulian Fota presented an argument about international system reforms and the security issues that occurred within the transformations. Retired General Mihaiu Mărgărit presented a standpoint of the intelligence sector reform.

Background: This study aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness of using a multifunctional miniature in vivo robotic platform to perform a single-incision colectomy. Standard laparoscopic techniques require multiple ports. A miniature robotic platform to be inserted completely into the peritoneal cavity through a single incision has been designed and built. The robot can be quickly repositioned, thus enabling multiquadrant access to the abdominal cavity. Methods: The miniature in vivo robotic platform used in this study consists of a multifunctional robot and a remote surgeon interface. The robot is composed of two arms with shoulder and elbow joints. Each forearm is equipped with specialized interchangeable end effectors (i.e., graspers and monopolar electrocautery). Results: Five robotic colectomies were performed in a porcine model. For each procedure, the robot was completely inserted into the peritoneal cavity, and the surgeon manipulated the user interface to control the robot to perform the colectomy. The robot mobilized the colon from its lateral retroperitoneal attachments and assisted in the placement of a standard stapler to transect the sigmoid colon. This objective was completed for all five colectomies without any complications. Conclusions: The adoption of both laparoscopic and single-incision colectomies currently is constrained by the inadequacies of existing instruments. The described multifunctional robot provides a platform that overcomes existing limitations by operating completely within one incision in the peritoneal cavity and by improving visualization and dexterity. By repositioning the small robot to the area of the colon to be mobilized, the ability of the surgeon to perform complex surgical tasks is improved. Furthermore, the success of the robot in performing a completely in vivo colectomy suggests the feasibility of using this robotic platform to perform other complex surgeries through a single incision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study was to retrospectively compare the outcomes of laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection (APR) and open APR. Methods: A multicenter, retrospective analysis was performed. The University HealthSystem Consortium database was accessed and searched for International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, codes between October 2008 and January 2010. Discharge data were collected on patients undergoing laparoscopic APR and open APR. Results: Six hundred sixty-seven patients underwent laparoscopic APR, and 2,443 underwent open APR. When lower risk patient groups with minor or moderate severity of illness were compared, laparoscopic APR showed lower morbidity, reduced length of stay, reduced cost, and reduced incidence of intensive care unit admission. Comparative analysis showed no significant difference in mortality rate or 30-day readmission. When higher risk patients were compared, there were significantly reduced costs and reduced incidence of intensive care unit cases in the laparoscopic group. Conclusions: Patients undergoing laparoscopic APR had overall superior perioperative outcomes compared with those undergoing open APR. Laparoscopic APR demonstrates excellent perioperative outcomes in appropriately selected patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The present study was purported to assess the activities: (i) antibacterial and synergistic against three types of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria that are susceptible to drug resistance and (ii) cytotoxic and synergistic on colorectal adenocarcinoma cells, of thyme essential oil (TEo) in combination with tetracycline (Tcyc). Chemical composition of thyme essential oil was evaluated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method, antioxidant capacity by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) assay, antibacterial and synergistic properties were determined by disk diffusion method and cytotoxic activity by quantifying viable cells by using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Thyme essential oil has an elevated antioxidant activity, antibacterial potential against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, especially on S. aureus and K. pneumoniae at the highest concentration tested (50µL/mL), also having a synergistic effect when combined with tetracycline (50µL/mL TEo with 10µg/mL Tcyc). Essential oil-treated cells showed a dosedependent reduction in colorectal adenocarcinoma cell viability, while combination with tetracycline leads to a significantly attenuated decrease in viability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malocclusion is a global health problem, mainly affecting children and adolescents. For this reason, orthodontic treatment must be, on the one hand, safe, non-toxic, and effective and, on the other hand, it must have the best possible esthetic profile. Thus, the use of orthodontic appliances is addressed to all age groups, including young children, for a long period of time, which is why their safety profile is a matter of real interest. For this reason, the purpose of the present study was to evaluate the safety and biocompatibility of an acrylic removable orthodontic appliance made of polymethylmethacrylate and stainless steel alloy made by our team of researchers. To verify the biocompatibility of the medical device, it was immersed in artificial saliva with three different pHs (3, 7, and 10) for a period of ten days. Subsequently, the three types of saliva were tested on human keratinocytes (HaCaT cell line) in terms of viability and modification of cell morphology. Finally, the use of 3D reconstructed human epidermis verified the cytotoxic and irritating potential of the medical device, thus providing relevant information regarding its biocompatibility. The results revealed that by maintaining the orthodontic device in the saliva there is no release of substances with a toxic effect on the human keratinocytes and on the 3D reconstructed human epidermis. There were also no significant changes in cell morphology. In conclusion, it is suggested that the acrylic removable appliance has a safety profile recommended for in vivo use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]