National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies

Saxony was ruled by two cousins in 1544: John Frederick I (Elector of Saxony) and his cousin Maurice (Duke of Saxony). Both rulers' names appear on each side of the quarter thalers produced in this year. They were enemies involved in religious wars, although they were both Protestants. Two types of quarter thalers from 1544 occur: a pierced random find from Transylvania (Romania) with four shields on the reverse, heavily worn, and another one with three shields on the obverse side, found in the Głogów Hoard (Poland), which is well preserved. Why did they issue two types in the same year? Was it a matter of silver title or other historical factors? Nondestructive investigation methods were used: XRD revealed the phases within the alloy and patina layer; SEM-EDS revealed the morphological aspects and their elemental compositions, which were correlated with XRF results. The results show that both coins have closer silver amounts, from 91 to 96 wt.%. The EDS results were in good agreement with the XRF results. Lead traces indicated a difference between them: the four-shielded coin is lead-free, while the three-shielded coin has a moderate amount of lead, about 0.5 wt.%. The archeological data evidence that the four-shielded coin issued in 1544 is rarer than the three-shielded one because it was issued during specific historical conditions. Black patina is formed by a mixture rich in copper oxides mixed with silver oxides and Ag2S. The presence of silver sulfide in the patina layer confirms that the pierced coin was in prolonged contact with the skin surface. Also, the finest traces of minerals embedded in the patina layer (e.g., quartz, kaolinite, and calcite) suggest that they were embedded in the patina via prolonged exposure to particulate matter. The mineral inclusions in the patina would have been more numerous if they were formed underground. Thus, the pierced four-shielded coin was probably worn as jewelry by nomads, while the three-shielded coin was most likely treasured in a well-preserved hoard.

Abstract Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder, and its diagnosis relies primarily on symptoms that emerge long after irreversible neuronal damage. Early detection through reliable quantification of disease-associated protein biomarkers, particularly amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau species, remains a major unmet clinical need. Conventional immunoassays and imaging methods face significant limitations in sensitivity, cost, and suitability for large-scale decentralized screening, thus prompting interest toward nano-enabled spectroscopic biosensing approaches. This review critically examines nano-enabled spectroscopic approaches developed for the detection of Aβ and tau biomarkers, integrating biological context with technological innovation. We compare colloidal nanoparticle-based assays and solid-state nanostructured platforms, with emphasis on surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and related plasmonic techniques, as well as by the possibility of employing biorecognition strategies. Although many systems achieve ultra-low limits of detection under controlled conditions, we argue that analytical sensitivity alone is insufficient to ensure clinical relevance. Key translational challenges include fabrication reproducibility, batch-to-batch variability, standardization of enhancement metrics, validation in real biological matrices, and the absence of large clinical studies. The increasing incorporation of artificial intelligence for spectral analysis offers opportunities for improved classification, yet introduces concerns regarding dataset size and regulatory validation. By situating nano-spectroscopic biosensing within the biological complexity of early diagnosis of AD biomarkers and the practical constraints of clinical deployment, this review outlines the technological advances achieved to date and the critical steps required for translation: it will depend less on pushing detection limits further and more on achieving reproducibility, manufacturability, cost-effectiveness, and integration into standardized diagnostic workflows. Graphical abstract

The smart city represents a new stage in urban evolution, driven by technological progress, social transformations, and the increasing emphasis placed on sustainability. This metamorphosis generates hub-type architectural models, used not only for data collection and interconnection but also for the management and monitoring of people, resources, and urban services. This discussion addresses how digital urbanism has followed different paths globally by synthesising technological, economic, social, and governance perspectives. Compared with traditional models of urbanisation, new smart cities are built not only for digital interconnection but also to be citizen-centred, environmentally friendly, and resilient to global crises. This article analyses recent scientific literature on the theoretical and practical foundations of technologies that support data-driven decision-making, infrastructure efficiency, and the delivery of inclusive public services. At the same time, major challenges are highlighted, such as the lack of system interoperability, information fragmentation, and the risks associated with excessive surveillance, which can generate social exclusion, as well as financial and political constraints. International examples from Helsinki, Barcelona, Dubai, and Singapore offer both models that have achieved success and critical lessons about the limits of these approaches. This paper is not limited only to the problems faced by smart cities. It also highlights the opportunities they can bring. Finally, based on the conclusions of the analysis carried out and the identified trends, a strategic framework is proposed, oriented towards responsible innovation, collaboration, and sustainability. This approach contributes to informing researchers, decision-makers, urban planners, and the public interested in the transformation of the urban environment.

This paper investigates a ceramic material based on ferrite-doped zirconia intended for use as a solar absorber in systems designed for the conversion of solar energy into thermal energy. The experimental study details the synthesis procedure of the ferrite-doped zirconia ceramic and its structural, morphological, optical, and magnetic characterization using X-Ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV-Vis spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and optical band gap energy determination. XRD analysis confirms the presence of the crystalline ferrite phase, which is responsible for the enhanced solar absorption properties. UV-Vis investigations reveal intense absorption bands across the ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared regions, indicating high solar radiation absorptivity. These properties recommend the investigated ceramic as a promising solar receiver material for solar thermal power plants comparable to conventional materials such as carbides and nitrides.

Phase change materials (PCMs) have emerged as an innovative solution in thermal energy storage and thermal management systems (TMS) owing to their outstanding latent heat of fusion during the phase change process. This study is especially addressed to the battery TMS based on Organic PCMs for fast charging/discharging applications of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). These fast processes generate excessive heat during operation, degrade battery performance, decrease energy efficiency, and reduce the lifespan and safety of batteries. Organic PCMs exhibit desirable properties, including high latent heat capacity, good thermal characteristics, low cost, and ease of integration. The major challenge for the successful application of organic PCM comprises its low thermal conductivity, which impacts the heat storage and release rates. PCM-based Paraffin Wax (PW) has been designed by including expanded graphite (EG) as a high thermal conductivity additive in high latent heat of paraffin wax. Experiments focused on the effects of heating methods (microwaves/S-type EG composition and conventional electric oven/S′-type EG composition) of expandable graphite on the thermophysical properties of different PW/EG composites. The crystal and chemical structure of the study samples were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy. The battery module created with PW/EG composites were ample examined using charging/discharging experiments at five different C-rates. The effect of current rates on battery surface temperature is investigated in two cases: with PCM cooling and with air cooling. A 20.43% decrease in battery temperature is found at 5C rate with PCM cooling and a maximum reduction in battery charging time of 43.77%.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are a significant class of environmental hazards in the atmosphere, posing substantial risks to human health and to various components of forest ecosystems. This research focused on assessing contamination levels and sources of 14 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and on potential toxicity associated with seven low-molecular-weight (Σ7 LMW) and eight high-molecular-weight (Σ8 HMW) polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Here, leaves of several tree species (the native Quercus robur L., Fagus sylvatica L., Pinus sylvestris L., and Taxus baccata L.; the introduced Chamaecyparis lawsoniana (A. Murray bis) Parl.), litter and soil samples (10‒15 and 30‒40-cm depths) were analyzed in the formerly mining center of Baia Sprie, NW Romania. The content of Ʃ7 LMW PAHs decreased from litter to deeper soils (287, 9.07 ng g−1), also for Ʃ8 HMW PAHs (447.53, 13.11 ng g−1), and had an opposite pattern for Ʃ14 PCBs (61.76, 92.67 ng g−1). In C. lawsoniana and Q. robur, the Ʃ15 PAHs and Ʃ14 PCBs contents were the highest, demonstrating their ability to accumulate organic pollutants. Based on the source diagnostic ratio analysis and statistical analyses, the origins of PAHs are attributed to a combination of petrogenic and pyrogenic combustion in mining and residential activities. The toxic equivalency factor shows that Ʃ8 HMW induces a moderate to high risk (10.45 ng g−1) in Q. robur leaves, primarily due to the significant contribution of carcinogenic BaA, BbF, and BaP, whereas the risk is even higher in litter with levels of 71.55 ng g−1. Q. robur leaves are recommended as suitable bioindicators in the assessment of ecosystem health. We underscore the necessity for future monitoring and engagement to implement more stringent regulatory measures of POPs, strategies for air pollution reduction, and sustainable practices aimed at risk mitigation.

gC 3 N 4 decorated with ZnO:Mn rods produced by recycled anodic paste of spent alkaline batteries was used as visible-light photocatalyst.

This work presents a general one-pot methodology for N-arylation of isatin functionalities employing aryl(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)iodonium salts. The developed Cu-catalysed protocol works under mild conditions and is operationally straightforward. This synthetic approach demonstrates broad substrate scope, tolerating a wide range of electronically and sterically diverse aryl groups, thereby enabling access to a variety of N-arylated isatin products. Furthermore, two examples of post-synthetic modification highlight the utilization of the synthetic scaffolds.