Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu

We conducted a multicenter, observational, post-marketing, real-world cohort study in Romania that included all patients with MS (PwMS) who completed at least one cycle of CLD with at least three months of follow-up as of September 2024. Demographic variables and MS clinical characteristics regarding each patient were recorded. No Evidence of Disease Activity (NEDA-3) was assessed at one and two years after CLD initiation. The primary outcome was the proportion and characteristics of PwMS achieving NEDA-3 at 12 and 24 months after CLD initiation and the identification of predictors of failure in achieving NEDA-3. A total of 348 PwMS cases were included, of which CLD was the first DMT option in 129 (37.1%). At one year, 76.74% of the patients with complete available data fulfilled all criteria, achieving NEDA-3 status, with similar proportions between previously DMT-treated PwMS and naïve PwMS. In the univariate analysis, the onset of long-tract involvement, as compared to infratentorial (OR = 6.32, p = 0.01), and the number of Gd-enhancing lesions (OR = 1.12, p = 0.02), were significantly associated with increased odds of not achieving NEDA-3 at one year. In the multivariate model, long tracts (OR = 10.28, p = 0.006), higher baseline EDSS (OR = 1.39, p = 0.01), and longer disease duration (OR = 0.92, p = 0.04) were independent predictors. The initiation of CLD treatment was associated with achieving NEDA-3 at one year in >70% of cases. CLD demonstrated an improvement in MS control, irrespective of the patients' demographics, RMS history, or prior DMT exposure. CLD treatment has a favorable safety profile and a high level of patient adherence.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNP), which have a wide range of applications in technical and biological fields, are produced in hundreds of tons annually and are eventually released into water, air, and soil. In this study, the effects of AgNPs on Phanerochaete chrysosporium, a white-rot fungus that plays a key role in wood waste degradation, were investigated. The AgNP were synthesized at high temperature with gallic acid under different pH conditions: near-neutral pH (~7.5), notation AgNP@GA-1, and alkaline pH (~10.5), notation AgNP@GA-2, focusing on their ability to cope with oxidative stress. The samples were characterized by fine granularity (particle diameter of 12 and 11 nm, respectively), specific plasmonic features (characteristic band at 425 and 408 nm), hydrodynamic diameter of 93 and 133 nm, respectively, and Zeta potential of −34 to −44 mV, which gave them stability over a period of three months. The fungal cultures exposed to AgNP concentrations of 40–100 µL/mL (approximately 4–11 µg/mL) presented superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, which increased by approximately 45% at 40 µL/mL for AgNP@GA-1 after 7 days, whereas AgNP@GA-2 decreased SOD activity by up to 40% at 60 µL/mL. Both AgNP types strongly stimulated catalase (CAT) biosynthesis, with two- to three-fold increased activity on the 7th day at 100 µL/mL. CAT activity remained significantly elevated for AgNP@GA-1 on the 14th day at 60–80 µL/mL, whereas for AgNP@GA-2 it decreased by 40–60% compared with the control. Variations in malondialdehyde content indicated moderate lipid peroxidation, suggesting relatively low cytotoxic effects on fungal cells. Overall, the results demonstrate that P. chrysosporium exhibits adaptive biochemical responses to AgNP-induced oxidative stress while maintaining metabolic functionality, highlighting the potential compatibility of AgNPs with white-rot fungi involved in environmental wood waste biodegradation processes.

Antibiotics are used primarily in human and veterinary medicine to treat various infections. They have also found applications in animal farms and aquaculture as growth promotors, with the aim of increasing food production. Their uncontrolled use can lead to increased bacterial resistance to antibiotics as well as other adverse effects. Unfortunately, these can reach and accumulate in the environment. Thus, their sensitive and selective detection from various matrices, using inexpensive and portable instruments, is becoming an increasing necessity. Electrochemical techniques are a viable alternative in this regard, and carbon paste electrodes (CPEs) present electrochemical and economic characteristics that recommend them as versatile devices for this purpose. Therefore, this paper is a comprehensive synthesis of the information presented in the last 10 years in the literature regarding CPEs developed for the analysis of antibiotics in different samples. Methods for obtaining different modified CPEs and their performances in detecting compounds belonging to different classes of antibiotics were discussed and priorities for future development were suggested. Through this review, researchers interested in the (electro)analysis of antibiotics will gain information about the advantages and limitations of using CPEs and the efforts made in the last decade to improve their performance.

One of the most complex dilemmas that European legal systems (and beyond) must address is whether states can be justified in infringing upon constitutionally or legally protected citizen rights and how ethical such an approach is in the effort to combat climate change. Can the goal of stopping and combating climate change serve as a strong enough argument to justify any state action? Obviously, the answer cannot simply be "yes" or "no." Climate change mitigation policies not only lead to an increase in quality of life but also involve coercive measures that may even affect fundamental rights. Constitutionally protected rights such as the right to a healthy environment, which is both a right and an obligation, can therefore be brought into discussion. It is crucial to determine where the right ends and when the obligation begins. Another aspect of this discussion concerns the protection of property rights and the extent to which they can be restricted in order to serve the general interest of environmental restoration, protection, and improved quality of life. As environmental issues continue to escalate, state intervention will also increase accordingly. But how far? And for how long? Perhaps until, in the pursuit of collective well-being, humanity succeeds in halting this decline.

Background: Patients with metabolic syndrome represent a particularly vulnerable population for alcohol-related liver disease progression. However, real-world longitudinal data evaluating the impact of alcohol abstinence on liver fibrosis dynamics in this group remain limited. Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study including hospitalized adults with metabolic syndrome and chronic alcohol consumption. Clinical, laboratory, and non-invasive fibrosis markers-fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4), aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), and transient elastography-were assessed at baseline and after 6 and 12 months of individual follow-up. Patients were classified according to alcohol consumption status during follow-up. Longitudinal and comparative analyses were performed. Results: At baseline, patients were classified as having alcoholic steatosis (56.3%), alcoholic steatohepatitis (25.0%), or alcoholic cirrhosis (18.7%). During follow-up, 72.9% of patients achieved sustained alcohol abstinence. Abstinent patients demonstrated significant improvements in liver stiffness, FIB-4, and APRI scores at 12 months (all p < 0.001), while non-abstinent patients showed progressive worsening of fibrosis markers. Gamma-glutamyl transferase levels were independently associated with fibrosis severity at baseline. Conclusions: This prospective real-world study suggests that alcohol abstinence is associated with favorable longitudinal changes in non-invasive liver fibrosis markers in patients with metabolic syndrome. Given the non-invasive nature of the diagnostic approach and the relatively small sample size, these findings should be considered hypothesis-generating. Further studies with larger cohorts are warranted to better elucidate the interaction between metabolic risk factors, alcohol consumption, and liver disease progression.

Hydropower refurbishment is increasingly recognized as a key strategy for maintaining renewable electricity generation and minimizing the environmental and social impacts of developing new infrastructure. With much of the global hydropower fleet approaching or exceeding its original design life, refurbishment decisions must strike complex trade-offs between technical performance, environmental impacts, economic viability, and social acceptability. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the scientific and policy literature on sustainable hydropower refurbishment, with a particular focus on the integration of life cycle assessment (LCA) and multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) from a circular economy perspective. The study systematically reviews the latest results in the fields of environmental LCA, life cycle costing (LCC), social LCA (S-LCA), and integrated life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA), highlighting their application in the refurbishment and modernization of hydropower plants. The results show that construction-related impacts, particularly those associated with concrete and steel, dominate the environmental load over the life cycle, making refurbishment and component recycling highly effective strategies for reducing embodied emissions. The integration of LCA and MCDA allows for the transparent prioritization of refurbishment alternatives by explicitly considering stakeholder preferences and trade-offs between environmental, economic, social, and technical criteria. Overall, the results support the use of integrated, multi-criteria life cycle frameworks as reliable decision-making tools for managing sustainable hydropower refurbishment and long-term energy system resilience.

Background and Objectives: Post-traumatic lower limb injuries are frequently associated with gait impairment, reduced functional independence, and delayed recovery due to weight-bearing restrictions. Dynamic body weight support (DBWS) refers to rehabilitation technologies that provide real-time, adaptive unloading of body weight during functional tasks such as walking, enabling safer and more effective gait training. Although these robotic systems have been extensively investigated in neurological pathologies, there is a lack of evidence regarding their use in post-traumatic lower limb injuries. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of robotic systems incorporating DBWS in the rehabilitation of post-traumatic lower limb pathologies. Materials and Methods: This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, and the protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420261294273). Seven major databases (PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Cochrane, Web of Science, Springer, and Wiley) were searched from inception to October 2025. Studies that were considered included patients with recent post-traumatic pathologies in the lower limbs. The methodological quality and risk of bias of the included studies were evaluated using the PEDro scale and the RoB 2 tool. Results: Seven studies involving 265 participants with recent post-traumatic lower limb injuries were included. The rehabilitation systems reviewed enabled early, intensive gait and balance training by reducing lower limb loading and facilitating safe performance of functional walking tasks. However, substantial heterogeneity in intervention protocols and outcome measures limited direct comparisons across studies. Conclusions: The findings of this systematic review suggest that DBWS interventions may enhance gait and balance recovery in individuals with post-traumatic lower limb injuries. Despite the small number of participants included, the available evidence indicates that these technologies can facilitate functional improvements during the early stages of rehabilitation and may represent a valuable adjunct to conventional therapeutic approaches. Nevertheless, further well-designed studies with larger sample sizes, standardized intervention protocols, and long-term follow-up are required to establish optimal clinical implementation strategies and to confirm the durability of treatment effects.

Abstract In this paper, we study an asymptotic expansion for a general family of Bernstein–Durrmeyer type operators $$L_n^{j,i}$$ L n j , i , $$i,j\in {\mathbb {N}}_0$$ i , j ∈ N 0 . For $$i=j=1$$ i = j = 1 , these operators reduce to the genuine Bernstein–Durrmeyer operators, while for $$i=j=0$$ i = j = 0 they coincide with the classical Bernstein–Durrmeyer operators. We derive an explicit asymptotic expansion for $$L_n^{j,i}$$ L n j , i under suitable smoothness conditions on the approximated function.

This study investigates the often overlooked reintegration challenges of short-term ex-prisoners in India who served brief sentences for non-violent offenses such as substance use and minor theft. Despite their limited incarceration, participants reported enduring post-release disruptions in family relationships, employment, and social identity. Using qualitative interviews with 17 ex-prisoners (10 men and 7 women) in Assam and Delhi, thematic analysis revealed four major barriers: stigma, emotional isolation, financial instability, and strained familial ties. Gender differences were evident, with men emphasizing external judgment and paternal disappointment, while women described emotional withdrawal, psychological confinement, and reluctance to seek support. These findings demonstrate that even short periods of incarceration can have lasting social and psychological consequences, yet this population remains largely neglected by policy and rehabilitation programs. The absence of targeted services heightens vulnerability to recidivism and prolonged marginalization. The study discuss the urgent need for culturally sensitive interventions such as counseling, vocational training, and community-based support networks to address stigma, rebuild trust, and promote successful reintegration. By focusing on this under-researched group, the study contributes to rethinking correctional practices in India and advancing more humane and inclusive reintegration policies.

Drawing on digital agency theory, expectancy-value frameworks, and self-regulated learning perspectives, this study proposes and tests a moderated mediation model explaining students' intentions to use AI. Using data from 673 university students, we examined whether sense of positive agency (SOPA) predicts intention to use AI indirectly through perceived value and perceived benefits of AI, and whether these pathways are conditionally shaped by sense of negative agency (SONA). Conditional process analysis (PROCESS Model 59) showed that SOPA had no direct effect on intention to use AI (b = 0.013, p = 0.882). Instead, its influence was fully indirect and conditional. SOPA predicted perceived value and perceived benefits of AI only at moderate to high levels of SONA, with significant SOPA × SONA interactions for both mediators (p = 0.040). Perceived value strongly predicted intention to use AI (b = 0.385, p < 0.001), and this relationship was amplified at higher levels of negative agency (b = 0.138, p = 0.002). In contrast, the effect of perceived benefits on intention weakened as SONA increased (b = -0.125, p = 0.005), becoming non-significant at higher levels of negative agency (Johnson-Neyman point ≈ 2.99). The final model explained 50.4% of the variance in intention to use AI. Overall, the findings indicate a conditional appraisal mechanism: as negative agency increases, perceived value becomes a stronger predictor of intention, whereas the motivational contribution of perceived benefits weakens and becomes non-significant beyond the Johnson-Neyman threshold. These results support an agency-aware account of AI adoption focused on how cognitive appraisals relate to intention under different perceived agency orientations, without implying ethical reasoning or moral deliberation processes not measured in this study.