Ştefan cel Mare University of Suceava

Lightning strike fatalities across Europe from 2001 to 2020 based on reports from the European Severe Weather Database (ESWD) were analyzed. The ESWD records are based on publicly available sources such as local authorities, police and fire departments, newspapers, and news agencies, collected by the European Severe Storms Laboratory (ESSL) and its partners. In total, 1282 individual fatalities during this period were recorded in the ESWD. We report on the spatial distribution of fatalities, the distribution of fatalities per age group and gender, whether the victims were at work or undertaking leisurely activities, and in which kind of location they were struck. Furthermore, we considered the circumstances that led to lightning fatalities that occur indoors. We found that an average of 64 people are killed by lightning strikes every year and that the majority (77.8%) are male. The countries with the highest lightning fatality rate are Bulgaria (0.37 fatalities per million inhabitants per year), Moldova (0.36), and Romania (0.27). The lowest rates are found in Belgium, France, Norway, Portugal, and the United Kingdom (0.01 each). The proportion of fatalities in work activities increases from western to southeastern Europe. When working, people are most typically killed when farming, while during leisure, hiking/walking outdoors is their most common activity. Young people between 10 and 19 years of age have the biggest share of all age decenniums with a peak at the age of 15 (33 fatalities). Unlike male fatalities, that see a maximum fatality rate in the age decade of 10–19, female fatalities reach a maximum between 50 and 59 years of age.

In this study, we have created a 172‐year drought catalogue for Romania (1852–2023) by combining long‐term meteorological records, documentary sources and two drought indices: the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI), respectively. The SPEI analysis highlights increasing dryness, especially in southern and eastern areas, driven by higher potential evapotranspiration and rising air temperatures since the 1990s, whereas SPI shows little change in precipitation‐based droughts. Five major drought‐rich periods emerged—1866–1867, 1918–1920, 1947–1948, 2000–2001 and 2019–2022—with the first and last being the most severe. These events exhibit notable regional differences, largely shaped by the Carpathian Mountains, as stations in the south and east endure longer and more intense droughts. Documentary evidence further contextualises these episodes, revealing their social and economic impacts. The resultant long‐term drought atlas for Romania extends beyond existing data products, enhancing drought risk assessments and informing future adaptation strategies.

Metadata, or ''data about data,'' is essential for organizing, understanding, and managing large-scale omics datasets. It enhances data discovery, integration, and interpretation, enabling reproducibility, reusability, and secondary analysis. However, metadata sharing remains hindered by perceptual and technical barriers, including the lack of uniform standards, privacy concerns, study design limitations, insufficient incentives, inadequate infrastructure, and a shortage of trained personnel. These challenges compromise data reliability and obstruct integrative meta-analyses. Addressing these issues requires standardization, education, stronger roles for journals and funding agencies, and improved incentives and infrastructure. Looking ahead, emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning may offer promising solutions to automate metadata processes, increasing accuracy and scalability. Fostering a collaborative culture of metadata sharing will maximize the value of omics data, accelerating innovation and scientific discovery.

The current increase in large wildfires is a socio-economic and ecological threat, particularly in populated mountain regions. Prescribed burning is a fuel management technique based on the planned application of fire to achieve land management goals; still, little is known about its potential impacts on tree physiology and soil properties in the European Alps, where it has never been applied. In spring 2022, we tested the effects of prescribed burning for fire hazard reduction in a dry conifer forest dominated by Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). We generated an intensity gradient by manipulating surface fuels at the base of selected trees and evaluated prescribed burning effects on branch hydraulic conductivity, wood anatomy and soil physico-chemical properties in the short- and mid-term, up to one year after the treatment, with controls outside the treated area. The results showed that prescribed burning led to an effective surface fuel load reduction, and the plant-soil system was resistant, despite being affected by a considerable lack of rainfall. We conclude that even a high-intensity prescribed burning can be considered sustainable for reducing fire hazard in Scots pine forests of the European Alps, with these findings being extendable to similar forest ecosystems.

Two novel silica-based hybrid materials, M1 and M2, based on silica gel and MCM-41 with a ditopic triazole-pyrazole ligand grafted onto their surfaces, respectively, were successfully synthesized and fully characterized. The adsorption capacity of these organic–inorganic hybrid materials was evaluated for copper(II), cadmium(II), and lead(II) ions. Experimental parameters including solution pH, contact time, temperature, and adsorbate concentration were systematically investigated. The obtained experimental data were analyzed using diverse adsorption isotherms and models to assess and interpret the behavior of the adsorbents. Notably, the newly synthesized materials exhibited exceptional selectivity, ultra-rapid adsorption rates within the first few minutes, and high removal efficiencies of 81.40 and 121.26 mg/g for M1 and M2, respectively, towards Cd(II). Moreover, reusability assessments demonstrated excellent consistency, with only marginal decreases in adsorption capacities of less than 8% observed over five consecutive cycles. Interestingly, the application of M1 and M2 for the extraction of transition metals from real contaminated river water, from Nador city in Morocco, showcased their effectiveness in removing heavy metal ions even at low concentrations, with M2 achieving up to 67% cadmium removal. These findings highlight the potential of both materials as reliable systems for heavy metal removal in practical environmental remediation applications, with material M2 demonstrating superior performance over M1. Graphical abstract

We present a probabilistic approach to climate indices to derive high exposure zones across the European continent, utilizing high-resolution observed data over the last 70 years. 56 distinct climate indices related to drought, global radiation, precipitation, relative humidity, sea level pressure, and temperature are identified, shedding light on the complexity and multifaceted nature of risks encountered by European regions during co-occurrences of the different climatic events. Our findings suggest that precipitation and temperature-based indices are particularly useful in identifying high-risk regions in southern and southeastern Europe, whereas precipitation-based indices are for Northern and Western Europe. Temperature indices and potential evapotranspiration account for most risk exposure to Europe’s dominant land use type. The highest exposure percentage of the population occurs with differences in days above and below the maximum temperature of 17 °C. About 17 climate indices with high-risk magnitudes are present regionally and in specific months, emphasizing diverse risk exposure. Russia, Norway, Iceland, and Sweden experience diverse high-risk co-occurrences, with multiple climate indices related to precipitation and temperature. The findings expand the range of climate indices and demarcate hotspots and risk zones, allowing for more effective climate monitoring and risk mitigation strategies.

Background/Objectives: Glycemic variability (GV) is a novel concept in the assessment of the quality of glycemic control in patients with diabetes, with its importance emphasized in patients with type 1 diabetes. Its adoption in clinical practice emerged with the increased availability of continuous glycemic monitoring systems. The aim of this study is to evaluate the GV in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and to assess its associations with other parameters used to evaluate the glycemic control. Methods: GV indexes and classical glycemic control markers were analyzed for 147 adult patients with T1DM in a multicentric cross-sectional study. Results: Stable glycemia was associated with a higher time in range (TIR) (78% vs. 63%; p < 0.001) and a lower HbA1c (6.8% vs. 7.1%; p = 0.006). The coefficient of variation (CV) was reversely correlated with TIR (Spearman’s r = −0.513; p < 0.001) and positively correlated with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (Spearman’s r = 0.349; p < 0.001), while TIR was reversely correlated with HbA1c (Spearman’s r = −0.637; p < 0.001). The composite GV and metabolic outcome was achieved by 28.6% of the patients. Conclusions: Stable glycemia was associated with a lower HbA1c, average and SD of blood glucose, and a higher TIR. A TIR higher than 70% was associated with a lower HbA1c, and SD and average blood glucose. Only 28.6% of the patients with T1DM achieved the composite GV and metabolic outcome, despite 53.7% of them achieving the HbA1c target, emphasizing thus the role of GV in the assessment of the glycemic control.

The study introduces the 2LIO test as a novel diagnostic tool for assessing carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) severity by combining distal motor latency (DML) differences and the amplitude ratio (AR) of interosseous and lumbrical muscles. This retrospective cohort study included 264 patients grouped by CTS severity, highlighting the demographic and clinical features of each group. The mean age varied slightly across groups, with a notable female predominance. The 2LIO test demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy, with sensitivity and specificity of 93.3% and 97.7%, respectively, surpassing traditional methods like distal latency (AUC 0.600). Notably, the AR parameter achieved an exceptional area under the curve (AUC) of 0.971, signifying its robust sensitivity and specificity as a marker for CTS progression. AR showed the strongest predictive value for severe CTS progression (Exp(B) = 189.586), while occupational stress and age were significant risk factors for disease worsening. Negative correlations between moderate and severe CTS groups suggest timely intervention during moderate impairment can delay progression. Logistic regression validated the 2LIO test as a sensitive and cost-effective alternative to nerve conduction studies and imaging. While limitations, such as a modest sample size, are acknowledged, the 2LIO test offers promise in guiding earlier interventions and optimizing care. Further studies with larger cohorts and consideration of comorbidities are recommended to generalize findings and enhance clinical applications.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a pregnancy-specific condition that can cause serious complications for both the mother and the fetus. Preventing these complications requires optimum glycemic control. Skin autofluorescence (SAF) is a non-invasive and innovative method that evaluates the levels of advanced glycation end products, markers of hyperglycemia, that could aid in the optimum management of GDM-complicated pregnancies. This systematic review aims to assess SAF’s potential utility in the prediction of short-term and long-term outcomes in GDM. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology, with the protocol identifier CRD42024559012, we used “(skin autofluorescence OR SAF) AND (gestational diabetes mellitus OR GDM)” as a search criterion on the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. After a rigorous selection process, we included five articles, which evaluated SAF values and GDM, SAF and pregnancies complicated by diabetes mellitus, and SAF and macrosomia. GDM diagnosis varies due to the different approaches among the major guidelines, leading to variations in interpretation and diagnostic thresholds. Across studies, this variability contributes to inconsistent SAF values. As a standardized and objective marker, SAF could provide a uniform criterion, improving GDM management. Further research is needed to validate its clinical utility.

After the winemaking process, the residues formed are called wine lees, which represent a mixture of autolyzed yeasts deposited at the bottom of wine-storage tanks. Approximately 2.96 million tons of yeast result from the vinification of 49.4 million tons of grapes. The increased costs of removing these by-products from the wine industry, which is no longer required in the production process, offer us the opportunity to capitalize on various bioactive compounds through the circular economy concept and circular process. Wine lees resulting from the large-scale production of wine represent a raw material for the valorization of phenolic compounds, proteins, and polysaccharides, as well as pigments or organic compounds. The substantial nutrient resources available from wine lees are described extensively in this manuscript and range from vitamins, amino acids, and fatty acids to food supplements, edible packaging, or food products such as bakery products. This review article explores the emerging horizons of winery waste utilization, unveiling the abundance of bioactive compounds and their manifold applications across the industrial realm.

Integrating stimuli-responsive molecular switches into organic electronic devices opens interesting perspectives to achieve unprecedented functionalities. However, significant challenges arise in maintaining device functionalities and ensuring synergy with the molecular properties. Here, we described three different ways of incorporating thin films of the molecular spin crossover (SCO) complex [Fe(HB(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)3)2] into an organic field-effect transistor (OFET) device. The fabrication of high-quality films was enabled by the use of vacuum thermal evaporation, which permitted the deposition of the SCO compound either on the surface of the organic semiconductor or at the semiconductor/dielectric interface. In device configurations where the SCO layer was not in contact with the conduction channel, changes in the drain-source current were observed near the spin crossover temperature, suggesting a potential synergistic effect. These results provide valuable guidance for the design and integration of bistable-material-based functional devices.

The by-products of the oil cold pressing of flaxseed are deemed to be safe, edible products. They have been shown to possess high nutritional value (compared with the seeds, they are richer in proteins and minerals) and adequate functional parameters (i.e., a high water-holding capacity and emulsion stability). In oilcakes, we found a portion of oil that was richer in unsaturated fatty acids (87.90%) than flax seeds (57.40%). Mg predominates in flax seeds, while Ce is predominant in flaxseed oilcake. Regarding essential amino acids, the seeds (76.71%) were found to be richer than the oilcake (70.46%). The use of methanol, low extraction temperatures, s high ultrasonic amplitude, and longer times resulted in the highest antioxidant capacity and phenolic content for flaxseed oilcake. Our analyses showed that oilcakes can be utilized as a functional ingredient or for the extraction of bioactive compounds, which can be incorporated into food products due to their nutritional, social, and economic benefits.

Background and Objectives: Elevated blood sugar poses an increasingly significant challenge to healthcare systems worldwide. We aimed to assess the efficacy of the SGLT-2i class in achieving metabolic control in patients with T2DM within a real-world standard-of-care regimen. Material and Methods: A prospective analysis was conducted over 6 months including individuals receiving care in an outpatient department, with baseline assessments and follow-ups at 3 and 6 months. Results: A total of 280 patients were assessed, with a mean age of 63.69 ± 9.16, 53.9% of which were males, with a mean DM duration of 9.06 ± 5.64 years, and a DM duration varying from 6 months to 24 years. Discussion: Real-world evidence bridges the gap between guidelines and practice. It emphasizes the need to overcome clinical inertia in order to optimize patient outcomes and contributes to the body of evidence supporting the efficacy of fixed-dose SGLT-2i combinations in managing T2DM and associated comorbidities. Conclusions: We demonstrate the significant clinical and therapeutic impact of SGLT-2i in T2DM patients in a real-world setting. This class of medication not only positively influences glycemic and weight control but also reduces CV risk factors and visceral adiposity.

Cold-adapted species with fragmented distributions are often threatened by environmental change, particularly towards the southern limits of their ranges. Thus, a good knowledge of surviving populations of such taxa represents a fundamental aspect for efficient management and conservation. Here we provide the first reports of Boloria eunomia in Romania, based on the discovery of two populations in the north of the country (Eastern Carpathians). This glacial relict is an ecological specialist mainly associated with bogs, fens or wet hay meadows and is regarded as threatened in several regions of southern and central Europe. We used DNA barcodes to analyse the Romanian populations in a broader context provided by the availability of DNA sequences in public repositories. The Romanian populations are peripheral to the main European distribution of B. eunomia and each possesses a single, different, COI haplotype, one of which is apparently endemic, suggesting lack of recent contacts. They belong to the meadow ecotype of B. eunomia, which utilizes Bistorta officinalis as larval host plant. One of the sites seems particularly favourable for the species due to its relatively large area and abundance of larval host plant. Additional butterfly species of Community interest were observed in one or both locations, with the notable mention of Lycaena helle, a known ecological companion of B. eunomia, reported in Romania from very few localities. Implications for insect conservation: The discovery and (genetic) analysis of local peripheral populations belonging to threatened ecological specialists are essential for more efficient conservation measures and for a better understanding of the resilience of such species to environmental change.

The Glucose Management Indicator (GMI) is a biomarker of glycemic control which estimates hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) based on the average glycemia recorded by continuous glucose monitoring sensors (CGMS). The GMI provides an immediate overview of the patient’s glycemic control, but it might be biased by the patient’s sensor wear adherence or by the sensor’s reading errors. This study aims to evaluate the GMI’s performance in the assessment of glycemic control and to identify the factors leading to erroneous estimates. In this study, 147 patients with type 1 diabetes, users of CGMS, were enrolled. Their GMI was extracted from the sensor’s report and HbA1c measured at certified laboratories. The median GMI value overestimated the HbA1c by 0.1 percentage points (p = 0.007). The measurements had good reliability, demonstrated by a Cronbach’s alpha index of 0.74, an inter-item correlation coefficient of 0.683 and an inter-item covariance between HbA1c and GMI of 0.813. The HbA1c and the difference between GMI and HbA1c were reversely associated (Spearman’s r = −0.707; p < 0.001). The GMI is a reliable tool in evaluating glycemic control in patients with diabetes. It tends to underestimate the HbA1c in patients with high HbA1c values, while it tends to overestimate the HbA1c in patients with low HbA1c.

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the complex interaction between heavy metals (HMs) and the gut microbiota, adopting a bidirectional approach that explores both the influence of HMs on the gut microbiota populations and the potential role of probiotics in modulating these changes. By examining these interconnected aspects, the study aims to offer a deeper understanding of how HMs disrupt microbial balance and how probiotic interventions may mitigate or reverse these effects, promoting detoxification processes and overall gut health. In addition, the review highlights innovative tools, such as biosensors, for the rapid, precise, and non-invasive detection of HMs in urine. These advanced technologies enable the real-time monitoring of the effectiveness of probiotic-based interventions, offering critical insights into their role in promoting the elimination of HMs from the body and improving detoxification.

Background: guarana and green tea are known as compounds that may improve cognitive performance due to their high content of caffeine and other neurostimulants, such as theobromine in the case of guarana and ECGC (apigalocatechin-3-galate) in that of green tea. Methods: this study investigates the effects of Paullinia cupana (guarana) and Camellia sinensis consumption on students’ intellectual performance. The study group consisted of 33 students, mostly women, from various faculties. During the studied period, they consumed 2 g guarana per day for ten days and 1.5 g green tea per day for ten days. The students completed three cognitive tests before and after administration of the products, measuring reaction speed, memory, and attention. They also completed questionnaires regarding health status, product information, product quality, purchase intention, consumer confidence in the product, and perception of effects and preferences. Results and discussion: the results showed that both guarana and green tea fostered significant improvements in cognitive performance. However, more people felt the effect of guarana than the effect of green tea. The study found a strong correlation between cognitive effects and guarana administration, including improvements in energy and retention of information. For green tea, a calming effect and state of well-being were the most relevant responses. Conclusions: the findings suggest that guarana and green tea may constitute a useful strategy for improving academic performance. However, further research is needed to determine optimal doses, frequency of consumption, and potential long-term effects on cognitive function.

Rural tourism and agritourism are essential drivers of sustainable economic development in mountain regions, generating income opportunities while preserving cultural and natural heritage. The North-West region of Romania has significant potential in this sector. Yet, tourism development is unevenly distributed, and the integration of local economic activities remains limited, an imbalance that reduces the overall impact of tourism on regional sustainability and economic resilience. To assess viable strategies for agritourism development, the study applies the TOPSIS method, evaluating four key criteria: infrastructure accessibility, diversity of tourism experiences, service quality, and long-term economic sustainability. A survey was conducted with 102 respondents, and the collected data were analyzed using the TOPSIS framework to determine the most effective development approaches. The findings indicated that the ecotourism trails represent the most favorable strategy (Ci = 0.678), followed by promoting local products within tourism (Ci = 0.602) and expanding rural guesthouses (Ci = 0.467). In contrast, integrated tourism packages and tourist information centers ranked lower, suggesting that infrastructure investment and the strategic use of local resources should be prioritized. These insights provide practical recommendations for policymakers, investors, and local stakeholders, emphasizing the need for targeted support in ecotourism and rural economic initiatives. Furthermore, the study contributes to academic research by offering a structured, replicable approach to evaluating rural tourism development. By highlighting sustainable investment directions, the findings support efforts to enhance Romania’s rural tourism competitiveness while fostering economic growth in mountain regions.

The COVID-19 (C-19) pandemic has highlighted the significance of understanding the long-term effects of this disease on the quality of life of those infected. Long COVID-19 (L-C19) presents as persistent symptoms that continue beyond the main illness period, usually lasting weeks to years. One of the lesser-known but significant aspects of L-C19 is its impact on neuropsychiatric manifestations, which can have a profound effect on an individual’s quality of life. Research shows that L-C19 creates neuropsychiatric issues such as mental fog, emotional problems, and brain disease symptoms, along with sleep changes, extreme fatigue, severe head pain, tremors with seizures, and pain in nerves. People with cognitive problems plus fatigue and mood disorders experience great difficulty handling everyday activities, personal hygiene, and social interactions. Neuropsychiatric symptoms make people withdraw from social activity and hurt relationships, thus causing feelings of loneliness. The unpredictable state of L-C19 generates heavy psychological pressure through emotional suffering, including depression and anxiety. Neuropsychiatric changes such as cognitive impairment, fatigue, and mood swings make it hard for people to work or study effectively, which decreases their output at school or work and lowers their job contentment. The purpose of this narrative review is to summarize the clinical data present in the literature regarding the neuropsychiatric manifestations of L-C19, to identify current methods of diagnosis and treatment that lead to correct management of the condition, and to highlight the impact of these manifestations on patients’ quality of life.