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Cortisol is a key element in acute stress including a severe infection. However, in coronavirus-associated disease, 20% of subjects experience hypocortisolemia due to direct or immune damage of pituitary and adrenal glands. One extreme form of adrenal insufficiency is found in 2∕3 of cases with viral and post-viral adrenal infarction (AI) (with∕without adrenal hemorrhage) that is mostly associated with a severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection; it requires prompt glucocorticoid intervention. Some reports are incidental findings at computed tomography (CT)∕magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans for non-adrenal complications like pulmonary spreading and others are seen on post-mortem analysis. This is a review of PubMed-accessible, English papers focusing on AI in addition to the infection, between March 1, 2020 and November 1, 2021. Exclusion criteria were acute adrenal insufficiency without the histopathological (HP) and∕or imaging report of adrenal enlargement, necrosis, etc., respective adrenal failure due to pituitary causes, or non-COVID-19-related adrenal events. We identified a total of 84 patients (different levels of statistical evidence), as follows: a retrospective study on 51 individuals, two post-mortem studies comprising nine, respectively 12 patients, a case series of five subjects, seven single-case reports. HP aspects include necrosis associated with ischemia, cortical lipid degeneration (+/- focal adrenalitis), and infarcts at the level of adrenal cortex, blood clot into vessels, acute fibrinoid necrosis in arterioles and capsules, as well as subendothelial vacuolization. Collateral potential contributors to adrenal damage are thrombotic events, coagulation anomalies, antiphospholipid syndrome, endothelial dysfunction, severe COVID-19 infection with multiorgan failure, etc. Clinical picture is variable from acute primary adrenal insufficiency to asymptomatic or mild evolution, even a retrospective diagnostic; it may be a part of long COVID-19 syndrome; glucocorticoid therapy for non-adrenal considerations might mask cortisol deficient status due to AI∕hemorrhage. Despite its rarity, the COVID-19-associated AI/hemorrhage represents a challenging new chapter, a condition that is essential to be recognized due to its gravity since prompt intervention with glucocorticoid replacement is lifesaving.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is beyond doubt a common, disabling, and costly condition. MDD associates hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis alterations. We sought to investigate two candidate variants which could have a role in the genetic susceptibility for stress or corticoid-induced MDD: glucocorticoid receptor (GR) - nuclear receptor subfamily 3 group C member 1 (NR3C1) rs41423247 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor rs6265 BDNF:c.442GA Val66Met. We enrolled 82 Romanian subjects, 1:2 male to female ratio, 53.54±8.98 years old, diagnosed with an episode of major depression at the Clinical Neuropsychiatry Hospital in Craiova, Romania, and 286 healthy controls, 34.28±16.34 years old. All subjects were genotyped using specific ThermoFisher Scientific assays on a ViiA™ 7 real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system. The impact of certain genetic variants may be ethnic-specific. In our Romanian cohort, rs41423247 NR3C1:c.1184+646CG has a minor allele frequency of 29.2%, and rs6265 BDNF:c.442GA of 22.2%. Neither reached significance in our study, under any of the association models - dominant, recessive, or allelic. Interpretation of our negative findings requires caution: literature provides arguably more evidence for the association between the analyzed polymorphisms; our study has sample size challenges, from which refined phenotyping limitations derive.

The main objective of this paper is to analyze the degree of professionalism of the organizational communication in the services providing units in Romania. We also aimed to review the impact that the lack of involvement in the professionalization of organizational communication has on the activity of these entities. The paper represents a quantitative research, by using an online questionnaire distributed to the personnel from the units that provide support services in Romania, both at the level of the executive and management functions. This questionnaire was answered by 291 employees the reply being given in the crowdsourcing system, representing a percentage of 19.4 of the total staff in the field of support services. Once it was established the representativeness of the sample, the research started with the main idea according to which, at the time of our study, in the services providing units in Romania, there were not shown any concerns for the development and promotion of the ethics and professionalism of organizational communication. Moreover, as we have demonstrated, the issue regarding organizational communication based on scientific grounds was only a theoretical goal. The answers obtained to the twenty questions of the questionnaire allowed us to notice and analyze some specific aspects of organizational communication at the level of the services providing units in Romania. For maximum accuracy of the results, our analysis was based on three derived working hypotheses. The methodology for testing these three working hypotheses was based on the multiple correspondence analysis, through the IBM SPSS 20 application, and on the method of comparison of the average scores, this being underlined by using also the ANOVA technique, for nuancing the results. The econometric testing of the hypotheses has led to their validation and allowed the formulation of appropriate conclusions regarding the professionalism of organizational communication and efficiency of the activity of the services providing units in Romania.

We live in complex times, in a world where the difference between rich and poor people is enormous. The distance between the two social categories increases from year to year, especially when in a certain year, events appear that can be included in the category of natural disasters and that have a very big impact on the security and well-being of the population. The study we propose considers two elements: an analysis of poor people, who do not have a stable shelter and who suffer greatly from it, but also a product we are working on and which could have a positive impact, both on them, as well as on the environment. The study we propose is based on data provided by EUROSTAT and the National Institute of Statistics (NSI), in order to determine the number and distribution of people who do not have a house or have a disused building in which they live. Based on the values ​​obtained in the period 2000-2019 we can determine, equally, the dynamics of declining population security (lack of housing or improper housing), as well as the positive impact on the environment, if this product will be implemented nationally. Attention must be focused on how to make the future product, brick. This attention is necessary because we use, in the construction of future bricks, raw material that may contain various bacteria that can, in turn, endanger the lives of the population, if the construction process is not checked at any time and if certain are not used. substances intended to destroy bacteria before the actual composition of the product and its assembly. On the one hand, the realization of this product will offer an extra chance in the fight against poverty by ensuring an optimal living environment. Building a house for people in the social category of poor people is a chance for them to start a new life. Every individual needs the security of a place to consider at home. On the other hand, the realization of this product has certain benefits for the environment. Based on the principle of the circular economy, the waste that currently pollutes most surfaces in Romania can be transformed into bricks and used to build houses or sell them to our neighbors. In this way, the quantities of waste stored in landfills can be reduced by up to 60-70%. At the end of the analysis and description of the product, we formulated certain courses of action in order to streamline the selective collection and increase the number of bricks, as well as certain courses of action that may be the basis of a future regional development strategy. Keywords: Social Security, Circular economy, Ecology, Regional development

Depression is a significant contributor to the overall burden of disease on a global scale. Thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) have been shown to play a critical role in the development and normal function of the brain. It has been suggested that dysregulation of thyroid function could be associated with depression, especially hypothyroidism, but not all studies support this hypothesis. We enrolled a cohort of 96 subjects with major depressive disorder and tested TSH and FT4 levels for 80 of them in order to assess the status of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis (HPT). We found 7 cases (8.75% of the tested) of subclinical hyperthyroidism and 1 case (1.25%) of overt hyperthyroidism. While we did not find supporting evidence for association between TSH and FT4 levels and depression, our findings question whether screening depressive patients for HPT axis anomalies could be clinically relevant, if anything, in a regional context.

The importance of cardiovascular/cardiometabolic risk is a special one, because it may influence atherogenesis and its clinical consequences: ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral artery disease, but also diabetes mellitus (DM). To evaluate the cardiometabolic risk associated with visceral obesity, a useful indicator for the clinical practice was searched. The visceral adiposity index (VAI) could become an easy-to-use tool to evaluate the cardiometabolic risk in everyday practice. VAI indicates the function of visceral adipose tissue and its growth is independently correlated with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk. The medical world tried to identify an easy way to assess cardiovascular risk, so the visceral adiposity index was introduced, whose formula includes a number of cardiovascular risk factors.

The crime scene investigation represents the procedural and criminalistic tactical activity whose object is the immediate perception of the place where the crime was committed; searching, discovering, revealing, fixing, picking up and examining traces and other means of evidence; specifying their position and status; determining the path taken by the offender (iter criminis), with the purpose of establishing the nature and the circumstances of the commission of the act, as well as the data necessary to identify the perpetrator. The crime scene investigation is the most important place for the criminal investigation, being, most of the times, the starting point of the forensic investigation. It is the richest in traces or data regarding the fact and its perpetrator, so how the entire investigation, search and collection of the traces or material evidence is carried out, as well as the determination of the results of the investigations, will depend on the discovery of the crime and the identification of the perpetrator. KEYWORDS: circumstances, crime, investigation, perpetrator, traces

Flexible risers are used in the offshore oil industry for exporting hydrocarbons from subsea equipment to floating production and storage vessels. The latest research in unbonded flexible pipes aims to reduce weight by replacing metal components with composite materials. This would result in lighter and stiffer flexible risers, which would be well suited for ultra deep water applications. This paper develops a new finite element model used for evaluating the efficiency of anchoring flat unidirectional fiber reinforced tendons in a mechanical grip. It consists two flat grips with the fiber reinforced tendon in between. The grips are pressed against the composite and the pullout force is ensured through friction. The novelty of the paper is represented by the detailed investigation of the influence between the coefficient of friction and the pullout force. By comparing numerical and experimentally obtained results, it is possible to show the importance of friction decay in the grip. Improper contact between the grips and composite is also taken into account and leads to good agreement between numerical and experimental results. This study shows how to avoid over-estimating the efficiency of such grip by using dry friction in finite element models.

Communication is the essence of interpersonal relations. The outcomes of all the activities we carry out depend on how we communicate, and in spite of the fact that it is essential that we prove our communication skills, we are poorer and poorer at doing so. Our study aims at revealing whether and to what extent young graduates of Romanian universities are aware of the importance of acquiring, practising and improving their communication skills, the more so that such abilities are decisive when it comes to achieving success in one’s career. Our study was conducted between 2-13 May, 2019 on the basis of an online questionnaire. The research methodology used in order to achieve the objectives formulated in the study consists in quantitative research, by means of a survey supported via an online questionnaire. The analysis of the data collected by means of the questionnaire was done using techniques such as: frequency of occurence of the answers to the questions addressed to the participants in the study, multiple response analysis and, where appropriate, in order to enhance the interpretation of the results, the calculation of the interquartiles applied to the questions quoted on a 10 point Likert-type scale. The 195 answers received were validated, analysed and processed econometrically using the SPSS for Windows and ANOVA applications. On the one hand, We have noticed that universities do not ensure minimum training to the future graduates with respect to the acquisition and development of communication and negotiation skills. For this matter we intend to extend the study in the near future, to see if this is the result of a lack of concern/interest on the part of the universities and/or on the part of future graduates. At the same time, we have found that the future university graduates are not stimulated to become aware of the importance of developing their communication and negotiation skills or to actively participate in various forms of scientific interaction such as national or international scientific sessions, round tables, meetings with outstanding representatives of the business environment, etc. Obviously, we are aware of the limitations of our study. Thus, we consider that its addressability was rather restricted. The group of respondents included very young graduates of economic higher education institutions. On the other hand, the respondents were not previously selected, so that there is the risk that the points of view expressed would be based not only on experience, but on intuition. Extending the respondent base (both in terms of age/expertise and field of activity) is also and important point for future action. Finally, we have formulated several proposals meant to contribute, in our opinion, to giving more importance to the training and development of business communication and negotiation abilities as a prerequisite of career success. Keywords: career success, graduates, communication abilities, interpersonal relations

The goal of this series of conferences is to reunite researchers and academics in a creative environment, to propose ways of thinking by nurturing the engagement of the global intellectual elite into conversations meant to tackle the new challenges faced by the mankind. It is a conversation which attempts to go beyond the existing paradigms of thinking.

Conventional steel coiled tubing cannot reach along the entire length of very long horizontal oil wells. A lighter and more buoyant coiled tube is made possible using composite materials. The high stiffness to weight ratio of fiber reinforced polymers, coupled with a lower coefficient of friction, has the potential of greatly extending the reach in horizontal oil wells. This study shows how to design composite coiled tubing and gives a comprehensive discussion about the most influential parameters. Several solutions, using glass-fiber and carbon are considered. Finite element models are used to calculate the buckling loads and the corresponding interlaminar stresses. The very positive results obtained during this study show that composite coiled tubing systems are vastly superior to their steel counterparts, and that in the future, these will become the new industry standard.

The modified tilted sandwich debond (TSD) test method is used to examine face/core debond fracture toughness of sandwich specimens with glass/polyester face sheets and PVC H45 and H100 foam cores over a large range of mode-mixities. The modification was achieved by reinforcing the loaded face sheet with a steel bar, and fracture testing of the test specimens was conducted over a range of tilt angles. The fracture toughness exhibited mode-mixity phase angle dependence, especially for mode II dominated loadings; although, the fracture toughness remained quite constant for mode I dominated crack loadings. The fracture process was inspected visually during and after testing. For specimens with H45 core the crack propagated in the core. For specimens with an H100 core, the crack propagated between the resin-rich layer and the face sheet.

Flexible risers are used in the oil industry to transport liquids and gas from the seafloor to extraction and production equipment at the sea surface. Ongoing research aims at using composite materials instead of steel, in order to reduce weight and increase stiffness. Ensuring an optimal load transfer between the composite and metal components is very important. This paper presents an improved method for anchoring a flat fiber-reinforced tendon using a double grip system with self-locking grips. The novelty is the combination of new experimental results and finite element (FE) analysis to develop a superior dry friction grip. Experimental results are carried using a dedicated test setup, through which the test parameters can be accurately controlled. The efficiency of the grip system during pullout is superior to results obtained with flat grips. Numerical results offer an in-depth understanding of the influence between friction, geometrical parameters, and performance, making it possible to optimize the design. Results show that this grip system offers immediate technical applications, in a variety of conditions.

The purpose of this study was to anchor basalt-reinforced polymers in an aluminum grip using dry friction. Dry friction clamping is considered the optimal solution for post-mounting of load-bearing terminations on composite structures. A new test method is presented for characterizing the frictional load transfer behavior of the grip. To carry out the study, a custom-built test rig was used to examine the relation between pullout force and clamping force. The anchoring method was found to be successful. The paper presents details on the custom-built test rig, along with the use of digital image correlation for displacement monitoring. Pullout results and validation tests are presented. In the discussion, the results and the importance of the grips surface finish with regard to pullout force are discussed. The discussion was backed by investigations on wear patterns using SEM.