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The physics curriculum at all educational levels can be enriched to include tools for strengthening students' information evaluation skills. The "Report of the Joint APS-AAPT Task Force on Graduate Education in Physics" calls for such training to be part of graduate programs, but training to acquire these lifetime skills can be incorporated in the curriculum even before graduate level.

An enriched syllabus has been experimentally introduced to undergraduate level students enrolled in a geotechnical engineering course. Two research assignments have been integrated in the course, which require students to find information on a geotechnical engineering topic using both print and electronic resources available at the university library and on the Internet. Aiming to foster the development of technical information literacy and communication skills, the students are required to prepare a report based on a specific set of guidelines, followed by oral presentations of the topics researched. Between the two assignments, a lecture on the subject of identifying and using information resources for geotechnical engineering is included in the syllabus. Preliminary results of the study are presented along with directions for designing and implementing an enriched curriculum for geotechnical engineering courses. CE Database keywords: Engineering education; Curricula; Internet; Geotechnical engineering; Undergraduate study.

The aim of this study was to investigate the main volatiles and polyphenolic compounds in hydrosols extracted from three Romanian Lamiaceae plants, sage (Salvia officinalis), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) and lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) by steam distillation. The antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibition capacity of hydrosols were assessed for their further use as biopesticides. The results have shown that sage and rosemary hydrosols presented better antioxidant activity than lavender hydrosol in all free radical scavenging and metal chelating assays. A strong relationship between the antioxidant activity of hydrosols' and their total phenolic and flavonoid content was found based on Pearson correlation coefficients. Sage and rosemary hydrosols exerted higher acetylcholinesterase inhibition than lavender hydrosol, but this activity was moderate correlated to phenolic content and low correlated to flavonoid content. These results suggested that volatiles and other compounds present in hydrosols were also involved in this process. In conclusion, Lamiaceae plant hydrosols could be further tested, as such or mixed, as natural products for the control of pests in eco-agrosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our paper aims to present three cases of committed suicide in SARS-CoV-2 infection during the quarantine period. We investigated if there is a role for the infection itself in triggering the suicidal act or if it is augmented by other risk factors such as fear, psychosocial stress, lifestyle changes, and social isolation. To this goal, we analyzed the clinical, paraclinical, histopathological, toxicological records, mental health conditions, psychological, social, cultural, and economic aspects in detail. One patient committed suicide at home, by hanging, while the other two during hospitalization in the red zone, within the Sibiu County Emergency Clinical Hospital, hanging and falling from a height, respectively. The autopsy was carried out within the restricted area for COVID-19 in Sibiu County Forensic Medicine Service. Patients' medical histories were analyzed based on the available medical reports. Additionally, we interviewed a family member, applying the so-called psychological autopsy method, based on open-ended questions and standardized instruments (questionnaire) to point out the motives and behavioral changes that might explain the committed suicide. With this data, we could fulfill a design to elucidate and outline the reasons for the suicidal act. Our findings showed that the mental state deteriorated progressively, both in preexisting depressive and non-depressive backgrounds. Furthermore, we highlight the COVID-19 psychological impact in the suicidal acts. Further on, we reviewed the risk factors presented in the literature that are associated with mental health problems and behavioral changes such as stress, anxiety, depressions, sleep disorders, impulsivity, loneliness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the properties of sage (Salvia officinalis L.) hydrosols in terms of the antioxidant activity and inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, in order to be used in novel formulas of biopesticides for preventing aphid infestation of crops. Sage hydrosols were obtained as by-products of steam and reflux distillation, respectively, after essential oil extraction from dried aerial parts of the plant. The hydrosols were analyzed for terpenes and polyphenols composition by GC/MS and HPLC. The antioxidant activity of sage hydrosols was evaluated using Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical inhibition assay and cupric reducing antioxidant capacity assay (CUPRAC). Their pesticide potential was assessed using an experimental model in vitro and colorimetric measurement of acetylcholinesterase inhibition kinetics. The results showed that sage hydrosols contained significant amounts of phenolic acids and flavonoids, exhibiting a positive correlation with the antioxidant activity values. At the same time, sage hydrosols were responsible for acetylcholinesterase inhibition in a dosedependent manner. In conclusion, sage hydrosols are natural effective products recommended for pest management solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy Psychology (EP) comprises a set of innovative and powerful techniques that can be used to enhance treatment progress and outcomes for addiction and co-occurring disorders, particularly posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This article identifies the limitations of the current addiction treatment paradigm and presents a variety of ways in which one dual diagnosis treatment program for women addresses these limitations with the EP approach. Research on EP and its mechanism of action is presented, along with specific examples of how the tools are used at the treatment facility, case studies, client and therapist feedback, treatment guidelines, and outcome data. Data for 123 clients in the program collected over a 3.5-year period include reductions in mental health symptomology during treatment as follows: depression scores from 79% at intake to 16% at last survey, p < .001; anxiety scores from 73% to 8%, p < .001; trauma symptoms from 76% to 30%, p < .001; suicidality from 53% to 11%, p < .001; binge eating from 33% to 11%, p = .01; and compensatory eating disorder behaviors from 41% to 11%, p = .074. The evidence presented indicates that EP can be a very empowering and effective adjunct to treatment for co-occurring disorders, particularly for emotional self-regulation, cognitive restructuring, and trauma processing. The data and clinical results from Avery Lane are consistent with those derived from meta-analyses, clinical trials, and experiences at other treatment centers. This body of literature demonstrates that EP is a powerful, evidence-based approach that sets the standard for effective addiction treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective – In the context of the ongoing discourse about the role of Institutional Repositories (IRs), the objective of the study is to investigate if there is any evidence of a relation between undergraduate student activity in an IR and the impact of faculty research. Methods – The data used for the study is representative of six academic departments of the College of Science and Mathematics (CSM) at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly). Digital Commons@Cal Poly (DC) is the IR supported by the library. Regression analysis was used to investigate the interdependence between faculty research impact (dependent variable) and undergraduate student repository activity (independent variable). For each department, faculty research impact was quantified as a measure of the citation counts for all faculty publications indexed in Web of Science (WoS) between January 2008 and May 2017. Student repository activity was quantified for each department in two ways: (1) total number of student projects deposited in DC since 2008 (Sp) and (2) total number of student project downloads from DC (Sd). The dependent variable was regressed against each of the two elements of student repository activity (Sp and Sd), and the resulting statistics (sample correlation coefficients, coefficients of determination, and linear regression coefficients) were calculated and checked for statistical significance. Results – The statistical analysis showed that both components of student repository activity are positively and significantly correlated with the impact of faculty research quantified by a measure of the citation counts. It was also found that faculty repository activity, although positively correlated with faculty research impact, has no significant effect on the correlation between student repository activity and faculty research impact. Conclusion – The analysis considers two distinct groups of publications: one group of student publications (senior projects) from six academic departments, which are deposited in an open repository (DC), and one group of publications (not necessarily represented in DC) of faculty affiliated with the same six departments and whose citation impact is believed to be affected by the first group. The statistical correlation between student repository activity and faculty research impact can be seen as an indication that an active, open IR centered on collecting, preserving, and making discoverable student research output has a positive impact on faculty’s research impact. More research that includes additional factors and uses a larger data set is necessary to arrive at a definitive conclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This present study demonstrates that the role of the mangers in the productive maintenance is currently becoming more important. This assessment is formulated starting from the daily realities regarding the growth of the proportions of productions and along with these the growth of the volume of equipments which need a better care and maintenance for a proper operation. The productive maintenance has developed and emerged out of this necessity. Therefore, the productive maintenance in the economic theory represents the maintenance of the equipments and fabric at the highest productive level by cooperating with all departments related to production. This aspect points out that the maintenance and repair works of the equipments have to be the main preoccupation of the personnel and especially of the managers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regionalism nowadays is definitely in focus. Establishments of various regional organizations are seen in almost every part of the world. Therefore, this paper aims at focusing on regionalism developed especially at European level. Considering this, one of the purposes is to outline the main characteristics of regionalism, its capacities of tackling with regional issues and its implications when is brought to stand face to face with regionalization. In order to understand better the features of regionalism network we resorted to its approaches on the Bihor County. Different raising questions - To which degree can we talk about regionalism in this case? What type of regionalism? How it is developing and what are its outcomes? - are undoubtedly challenging and deserve a special attention. The appealing to the case of Bihor County accounts on the region's peculiarity as a "micro-Europe", greatly allowing us to point out regionalism's implications from political, economic, social and cultural point of views. Additionally, since the 'new' regionalism is foreshadowing we endeavor to notice if there takes place a nascent of this in a relatively malleable region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The South Caucasus is the region situated at European Union’s periphery that shelters challenging frozen conflicts. As a bridge between Europe and Asia, the region becomes relevant to EU’s economic and security interests. The Georgian-Abkhaz ethnic conflict is a test-case for the EU’s tackling methods especially those that endeavour to overextendits matrix of cooperation and conditionality over its external borders. EU assumes a degree of responsibility for its neighbourhood through the European Neighbourhood Policy’s instruments, offering incentives to both parties of the conflict that are making a difference in the domestic and external dynamic of it. The European institutions perform now political tasks that address the vicinity’s complex situation balancing between democratic incentives and the commitments required. There are no EU membership perspectives hitherto for the neighbours but there is a great share in the EU’s market and an exclusive opportunity to take part in European programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Asthma is based on adjusting the balance of Th1/Th2 in the direction of augmented production of Th2 cytokines. The interest in the therapeutic potential of probiotics in the case of allergic diseases is revealed from the fact that they enhance the intestinal permeability and reduce the level of inflammatory cytokines. According to the latest research, altered production of Th2 cytokines, by the induction of Th1 responses can occur both in prophylaxis and also in the treatment of allergic diseases. Materials and methods: Patients included in the study were given a combination of probiotics, daily for four weeks. Biological evaluation of patients who received immunomodulator treatment with probiotics included the determination of blood eosinophilia, by determining the peripheral blood picture and the total immunoglobulin E. In order to evaluate the allergic inflammation, plasma levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and Interferon gamma (IFNγ) were determined in serum. Laboratory measurements were made at the inclusion in the study and were repeated after four weeks of treatment. Results: Despite short-term consumption, probiotics was able to reduce the IL-4 levels in association with an increased production of IFNγ. Correlation between decreased peripheral eosinophil and that of total IgE was direct, statistically significant; correlation between the value changes of IFNγ and IL-4 was indirect. Conclusions: Our results confirm that probiotics might have a beneficial effect against allergic diseases by modulating the TH1/TH2 response. Clinical trial assessment is required to elucidate whether this modulation might be useful in the prevention and treatment of allergic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: The airway inflammation defining asthma is regulated by a network of interacting cytokines. The functional role of each individual cytokine in the immunopathogenesis of the disease remains controversial. Allergic diseases are based on to Th2 immune responses, which are characterized by high levels of proinflammatory interleukin (IL) IL-4, and a defective interferon-gamma (IFNγ) production, the principal Th1 effector cytokine. Materials and methods: I studied serum markers of allergic inflammation in 136 pediatric patients with wheezing and especially asthma (IL-4, IFNγ, serum eosinophils and total IgE), using commercially available ELISA kits. Results: I found an imbalance between serum levels of pro and antiinflamatory cytokines: higher levels of IL-4, in contrast with a lower production of IFNγ. Conclusions: The findings are relevant; the serum level of IL-4 may be elevated in contrast with decreased level of IFNγ in asthma. Determination of serum levels of IL-4 and IFNγ and correlations between them may be helpful for understanding the immunological mechanism in asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The by-product resulting from the production of the sea-buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) juice may be a functional food ingredient, being a valuable source of bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, flavonoids, minerals, and fatty acids. For checking this hypothesis, two extracts were obtained by two different methods using 50% ethyl alcohol solvent, namely through maceration–recirculation (E-SBM) and through ultrasound extraction (E-SBUS), followed by concentration. Next, sea-buckthorn waste (SB sample), extracts (E-SBM and E-SBUS samples) and the residues obtained from the extractions (R-SBM and R-SBUS samples) were characterized for the total polyphenols, flavonoid content, antioxidant capacity, mineral contents, and fatty acids profile. The results show that polyphenols and flavonoids were extracted better by the ultrasound process than the other methods. Additionally, the antioxidant activity of the E-SBUS sample was 91% higher (expressed in Trolox equivalents) and approximately 45% higher (expressed in Fe2+ equivalents) than that of the E-SBM sample. Regarding the extraction of minerals, it was found that both concentrated extracts had almost 25% of the RDI value of K and Mg, and also that the content of Zn, Mn, and Fe is significant. Additionally, it was found that the residues (R-SBM and R-SBUS) contain important quantities of Zn, Cu, Mn, Ca, and Fe. The general conclusion is that using the ultrasound extraction method, followed by a process of concentrating the extract, a superior recovery of sea-buckthorn by-product resulting from the juice extraction can be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The management o f diagnosis in allergy requires a good history and E, allergy examination, along the allergy tests, like the specific IgE measurement, an important support in demonstrating both the existence and severity o f the allergy. The main objective o f this paper was the study o f the relevant factors that develop asthma prevailing in Sibiu, and specific IgE evaluation, an in vitro test with high sensitivity. Materials and methods: The present prospective study was conducted among patients with allergic condition. A detailed general examination was completed by testing specific serum IgE levels using a mixed panel o f 36 allergens CLIA technology. Results: Through the food allergens, specific IgE was most frequently found against, cow 's milk, egg white, and nuts, and among the aero allergens against dust mite, grass mix, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, and Aspergillus fumigatus. Conclusions: Identification o f the allergens and the allergies triggers are important in prevention and treatment o f allergic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several experimental results have lead to the theory that the pathogenesis of allergic diseases is determined by an imbalance between Th1/Th2 immune responses. It has been founded a Th2 immune response in most of the allergic diseases, which are defined by high levels of interleukin 4 (IL-4). Most of the studies have shown that decreasing Th2 cells cytokines by growing Th1 responses may be a positive switch against Th2 diseases like asthma and allergy. There are some results that confirm that probiotics might have a beneficial effect against allergic diseases by reducing TH2 cytokine production. Consequently, probiotics could restore the host capacity to limit the response against aeroallergens and the development of allergy. The results are very promising, and there is some experimental evidence from animals and humans to suggest their effectiveness. Basic science studies on each probiotic strain that includes their effects on the immune system followed by systematic evaluation of the effects of the most promising strains in specific allergic diseases are required before we can draw any definite conclusions regarding their effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role ofprobiotics in the prevention and treatment of allergic diseases is controversial. The administration ofprobiotics has been shown to stimulate the immune response, the lack of which has been involved in the development of atopic disorders. There are reports that recommend the supplementation of probiotics to foods for the prevention and treatment of allergic diseases. Most studies reported clinical benefits in allergic rhinitis and eczema. Although, the clinical benefits of probiotic therapy depend on many factors: type of bacterium, dosing regimen, method of administration and other underlying host factors. Despite the promising evidence, the role of probiotics in allergic diseases should be further investigated as the current knowledge of the characteristics that are necessary for their functionality in the gut is not complete. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role ofprobiotics in the prevention and treatment of allergic diseases is controversial. The administration ofprobiotics has been shown to stimulate the immune response, the lack of which has been involved in the development of atopic disorders. There are reports that recommend the supplementation of probiotics to foods for the prevention and treatment of allergic diseases. Most studies reported clinical benefits in allergic rhinitis and eczema. Although, the clinical benefits of probiotic therapy depend on many factors: type of bacterium, dosing regimen, method of administration and other underlying host factors. Despite the promising evidence, the role of probiotics in allergic diseases should be further investigated as the current knowledge of the characteristics that are necessary for their functionality in the gut is not complete. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Daily medical practice triggers reflexes in the use of drugs which must nevertheless always be adapted to new knowledge. Physician assistants and residents in the clinical ward of Internal Medicine of Sion Hospital summarize six recently published clinical treatments to which primary care physicians or in hospital-based internal medicine have to pay a particular attention. Quinolones are widely used but associated with QT interval widening, morphine delays and attenuate ticagrelor action in patients with myocardial infarction, evolocumab, a monoclonal antibody impact in reducing lipids and cardiovascular events, impact of statins on influenza vaccine effectiveness, vitamin D treatment for the prevention of functional decline, high dose dexamethasone for the treatment of immune thrombocytopenia., Competing Interests: Les auteurs n’ont déclaré aucun conflit d’intérêts en relation avec cet article.