The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on students' future online education behaviour.

Background: The COVID-19-related pandemic has affected education hugely, particularly in terms of the massive shift towards online teaching and learning. Higher education students and professors have faced new challenges, which might improve future online education behaviour, based on online education experience and learning, and pedagogical strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective/aim: The aim of this paper is to explore the views of Romanian students towards a possible future online education, highlighting their perceptions regarding the efficacy of digital online learning/pedagogical strategies and of the technological infrastructure, using as support theory the Input-Environment-Outcomes (I-E-O) model.

Biologically Synthesized Gold Nanoparticles with Enhanced Antioxidant and Catalytic Properties.

Increasing levels of reactive oxygen species generate oxidative stress in the human body that can lead to various medical conditions. The use of nanomaterials exhibiting antioxidant properties may prevent these effects. The biological synthesis of metallic nanoparticles using plant extracts with antioxidant properties can offer benefits due to their active compounds.

Artificial Intelligence-Driven Prognosis of Respiratory Mechanics: Forecasting Tissue Hysteresivity Using Long Short-Term Memory and Continuous Sensor Data.

Tissue hysteresivity is an important marker for determining the onset and progression of respiratory diseases, calculated from forced oscillation lung function test data. This study aims to reduce the number and duration of required measurements by combining multivariate data from various sensing devices. We propose using the Forced Oscillation Technique (FOT) lung function test in both a low-frequency prototype and the commercial RESMON device, combined with continuous monitoring from the Equivital (EQV) LifeMonitor and processed by artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms.

Understanding Gastric GIST: From Pathophysiology to Personalized Treatment.

Gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) represent a subset of gastrointestinal tumors predominantly found in the stomach. Despite their rarity, these tumors carry significant implications for patient health and management. GISTs are potentially malignant tumors with unpredictable progression.

Label-free electrochemical aptasensor for the detection of HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common liver malignancy and is characterized by increasing incidence and high mortality rates. Current methods for the screening and diagnosis of HCC exhibit inherent limitations, highlighting the ever-growing need for the development of new methods for the early diagnosis of HCC. The aim of this work was to develop a novel electrochemical aptasensor for the detection of HepG2 cells, a type of circulating tumor cells that can be used as biomarkers for the early detection of HCC.

Alien plant species distribution in Romania: a nationwide survey following the implementation of the EU Regulation on Invasive Alien Species.

Background: Biological invasions pose an increasing risk to nature, social security and the economy, being ranked amongst the top five threats to biodiversity. Managing alien and invasive species is a priority for the European Union, as outlined in the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Alien plant species are acknowledged to impact the economy and biodiversity; thus, analysing the distribution of such species provides valuable inputs for the management and decision-making processes.

Electrobiocorrosion by microbes without outer-surface cytochromes.

Anaerobic microbial corrosion of iron-containing metals causes extensive economic damage. Some microbes are capable of direct metal-to-microbe electron transfer (electrobiocorrosion), but the prevalence of electrobiocorrosion among diverse methanogens and acetogens is poorly understood because of a lack of tools for their genetic manipulation. Previous studies have suggested that respiration with 316L  stainless steel as the electron donor is indicative of electrobiocorrosion, because, unlike pure Fe, 316L  stainless steel does not abiotically generate H as an intermediary electron carrier.

Advancing MRI with magnetic nanoparticles: a comprehensive review of translational research and clinical trials.

The nexus of advanced technology and medical therapeutics has ushered in a transformative epoch in contemporary medicine. Within this arena, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) emerges as a paramount tool, intertwining the advancements of technology with the art of healing. MRI's pivotal role is evident in its broad applicability, spanning from neurological diseases, soft-tissue and tumour characterization, to many more applications.

Development, Validation, and Comparison of a Novel Nociception/Anti-Nociception Monitor against Two Commercial Monitors in General Anesthesia.

In this paper, we present the development and the validation of a novel index of nociception/anti-nociception (N/AN) based on skin impedance measurement in time and frequency domain with our prototype AnspecPro device. The primary objective of the study was to compare the Anspec-PRO device with two other commercial devices (Medasense, Medstorm). This comparison was designed to be conducted under the same conditions for the three devices.

Consumer perception towards electronic products from recycled components in the current geopolitical context: A structural equation modelling approach.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine had a negative impact worldwide, causing a severe energy crisis that also affected EU countries, which are now involved in combating the growing energy prices while also speeding up the deployment of renewable energy sources. This armed conflict impacted the electronic components supply chain, causing high prices and disruption for different raw materials, resulting in material shortages for electronic components and affecting electronic product (EP) manufacturing. Since the start of the geopolitical crisis due to the Russo-Ukrainian War, (dis)information has been disseminated via social media, affecting users' cognition, attitudes, and behavioral intentions.

The Impact of Extraversion and Introversion on Millennials Propensity to Recommend Their Preferred Fitness Center.

Millennials of the 21st century tend to have an active daily life and practice more sports, spending more on health and fitness. Therefore, the present paper seeks to investigate the propensity of Millennials to recommend their preferred fitness center, depending on their psychological condition (i.e.

Usage and impact of patient-reported outcomes in epilepsy.

Background: The use of patient-reported outcomes (PRO) in clinical practice is gaining increasing attention. This study aimed to provide a critical assessment of the current state-of-the-art and beliefs about the use of PRO in the management of people with epilepsy across some European countries.

Methods: Structured interviews were conducted with European experts to collect insights about (I) the personal experience with PRO; (II) the value and impact of PRO in the decision-making process at the national level; and (III) the interest for and use of PRO by national health authorities.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Depression and Anxiety among Women in the Last Trimester of Pregnancy: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Pregnancy represents a psychologically and emotionally vulnerable period, and research indicates that pregnant women have a higher prevalence of symptoms of anxiety and depression, debunking the myth that hormonal changes associated with pregnancy protect the mother. In recent years, several researchers have focused on the study of prenatal anxiety/depression-emotional disorders manifested by mood lability and low interest in activities-with a high prevalence. The main objective of this research was to conduct an antenatal screening in a cohort of pregnant women hospitalized for delivery in order to assess the prevalence of anxiety and depression.

The path of universities to sustainability: Students perspectives during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic baffled the traditional educational system and the face-to-face educational process, shifting to the online environment. Almost all university activities were carried out online for a period of time, which put pressure on university strategies, including sustainability. To maintain the international ranking of universities applying a sustainability strategy, the largest and most representative university in Romania continued to implement the principles of sustainability in its activities during the COVID-19 pandemic, thus fostering a positive, strong, and trustworthy image amongst its main group of stakeholders, namely students.

Apelin-17 to diagnose idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension: A biomarker study.

NT-proBNP and GDF-15 are established blood-derived biomarkers for risk assessment in pulmonary hypertension (PH), despite limited sensitivity and specificity. Apelin has a crucial function in endothelial homeostasis, thus it might represent a new biomarker for PH. However, there are numerous circulating apelin isoforms, and their potential role in this setting is unknown.

Biomechanical properties of periodontal tissues in non-periodontitis and periodontitis patients assessed with an intraoral computerized electronic measurement device.

Objective: To identify tooth mobility (TM) by time-dependent tooth displacement using an electronic intra-oral loading device (ILD) in periodontally healthy and periodontally compromised patients.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-eight untreated periodontitis and 20 periodontally healthy patients [25 female and 26 male; ages: 20-81 years], contributing with 68 teeth (periodontitis: n = 28; non-periodontitis: n = 40), participated in the study. TM was measured in vivo by displacing central or lateral incisors to a maximum of 0.

Trends in Minimally Invasive Approaches for Liver Resections-A Systematic Review.

Background: SILS (single incision laparoscopic surgery) and NOTES (natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery) are considered breakthroughs in minimally invasive surgery, the first consisting in the surgeon working via a single entrance site and the second via a natural orifice (e.g., oral cavity).

The Mediation Effects of Social Media Usage and Sharing Fake News about Companies.

Trust in social media information is gaining in importance and relevance for both companies and individuals as nowadays contemporary society is confronted with a wave of fake news about daily life situations, brands, organizations, etc. As it becomes more difficult to accurately assess social media information and to determine its origin or source, as well as to be able to double-check information spread across different Social Networking Sites (SNS), businesses must understand how individuals' perceived control, concentration, and time distortion enhances the social media usage, thus allowing them to correctly assess online information. Therefore, the scope of the paper is to assess, based on a conceptual model, the antecedents of trust in online information about companies by considering users' perceived control, concentration, and time distortion, while browsing social media networks and sharing fake news about companies in SNS.

Investigating Learners' Teaching Format Preferences during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Empirical Investigation on an Emerging Market.

This paper aims to measure learners' preferences for a specific teaching format (online, hybrid, or face-to-face) based on their experience, usage, and interaction with e-learning platforms (Moodle/MS Teams), on their participation in e-learning courses delivered via online streaming platforms (Zoom), on teaching staff skills and teaching-learning abilities, as well as on the advantages and disadvantages of those forms of learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. In implementing the research question, a conceptual model was developed, which was further analyzed by means of structural equations modelling via SmartPLS 3.3.

Oxidative physiology is weakly associated with pigmentation in birds.

The mechanistic link between avian oxidative physiology and plumage coloration has attracted considerable attention in past decades. Hence, multiple proximal hypotheses were proposed to explain how oxidative state might covary with the production of melanin and carotenoid pigments. Some hypotheses underscore that these pigments (or their precursors, e.

One-Year Clinical, Microbiological and Immunological Results of Local Doxycycline or Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy for Recurrent/Persisting Periodontal Pockets: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

We evaluated, in this study, the clinical, microbiological and immunological effects of local drug delivery (LDD) or photodynamic therapy (PDT), adjunctive to subgingival instrumentation (SI) in persistent or recurrent periodontal pockets in patients enrolled in supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) after one year. A total of 105 patients enrolled in SPT with persistent/recurrent pockets were randomly treated with SI +PDT or SI + LDD or SI (control). The number of treated sites with bleeding on probing (n BOP+), probing pocket depths (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), full-mouth plaque and bleeding scores (gingival bleeding index, %bleeding on probing-BOP) was evaluated at baseline and after 12 months.