Abstract. The aim of this paper is to analyze, via periodic homogenization techniques, the effective behavior of a non-linear system of coupled reaction-diffusion equations appearing in the modeling of calcium dynamics in living cells under the action of buffering proteins. We obtain, at the macroscale, a calcium bidomain model governing the evolution of the concentration of the calcium ions and of the buffers in the cytoplasm.

Abstract. This article investigates the dynamics of multiple bright soliton pair interactions in the fully PT-symmetric nonlocal Davey-Stewartson I equation. The bright soliton pair solutions are derived by employing the bilinear KP-hierarchy reduction method, and are expressed in terms of determinants. To study the interactions of the multiple soliton pairs, the long-time asymptotic analysis for these soliton solutions is performed by using the analysis of determinants, and the asymptotic expressions of the N individual soliton pair solutions are given as the sum of expressions for the 2N single soliton solutions. The asymptotics shows that the soliton pairs only exhibit elastic collisions and the two solitons in each soliton pair share equal amplitudes.

Abstract. A multi-purpose computing platform for processing (big) data collected from experiments and large research infrastructures is developed. The platform is validated in a case study on monitoring data aquired by the SCADA system of the High Power Laser System at ELI-NP.

Abstract. A survey of recent theoretical and experimental studies on localized structures that form and propagate in a broad class of optical and matter-wave media is presented. The article is structured as a resource paper that overviews a large series of theoretical and experimental results obtained in diverse research areas: linear and nonlinear optical waveforms, nonlinear surface waves, ultrashort few-cycle optical pulses, localized structures in fractional systems, rogue (freak) waves, and matter-wave localized states.

Abstract. The aim of this study is to define the optimum process synthesis of silica (SiO₂) nanoparticles functionalized with silane agents destined for superhydrophobic coating thus to determine the minimum required silane agent needed to obtain proper superhydrophobic properties. Spherical SiO₂ nanoparticles were synthesized by using sol-gel method and functionalized to gain hydrophobic properties with two different silane agents: 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) and 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluoroctyltrichlorosilane (PFOTS). The hydrophobic properties were evaluated by measuring the water drop contact angle and the inclination flowing angle. Results show that, through manufacturing process optimization, the quantity of HMDS could be reduced by 142%, while the quantity of PFOTS could be reduced by 20% compared to the lab scale synthesis method developed by ICPE-CA, without having a negative effect on the hydrophobic properties of the functionalized SiO₂ nanoparticles.

Abstract. Powders of Y₃NbO_7:xDy³⁺ (x = 0.5, 1, 1.5, 3 and 5 mol%) were produced through a solid-state process. X-ray diffraction investigations confirm the fluorite-type structure (space group F_m3̄m) of powders with crystallite size in the range of 19-60 nm. Both the photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra revealed the presence of defects within the material. With different excitation wavelengths, the emission spectra exhibited distinct emission patterns. At each excitation wavelength, the emission was quenched at Dy³⁺ concentration higher than 1 mol%. The decay time measurements of the highest intensity emission revealed a progressive decrease from 0.472 milliseconds for x = 0.5 mol% to 0.246 milliseconds for x = 5 mol%. The CIE chromaticity coordinates investigation revealed that the emission color may be altered by varying the excitation wavelength, ranging from blue (excitation at 333 nm) and near-white (excitation at 353 nm and 390 nm) to orange (excitation at 457 nm). The chromaticity of emission under 353 nm and 390 nm excitation validated the material's suitability as an almost-white phosphor.

Abstract. Peptide lipid membrane interactions are modulated by factors such as peptide hydrophobicity and the electric charge of both the peptide and the membrane surface. We investigated the influence of lipid headgroup charge on the adsorption of Melittin (Mel) on the surface of artificial lipid vesicles in conditions that mimic the interaction with biological cells, such as ionic strength, pH, and peptide concentration. Taking advantage of Mel TRP residue fluorescence, we used several fluorescence techniques (FRET, fluorescence quenching, time-resolved fluorescence) to investigate Mel adsorption on the surface of the DMPC and DMPC with fractions of positively charged lipids (EPC) or negatively charged lipids (DPPG) vesicles. Our results show that the DMPC:DPPG vesicles allow a deeper localization of TRP residues in the lipid membrane, proven by the blue shift of the TRP emission spectrum and the exclusion radius evaluated from FRET. We also showed that even for positively charged surfaces Mel tends to adsorb on the lipid surface. The results were confirmed indirectly by quencher accessibility to TRP. Finally, we discuss the results in correlation to the Mel effects on biological cells.

Abstract. This paper evaluates the differences between two types of normalization of 3D intracavitary brachytherapy (3D-BT) treatment plans for malignant cervical lesions. Immediately after the end of the treatment, intracavitary irradiation was continued, three fractions with 7.5 Gy per session, using High Dose Rate (HDR) brachytherapy and 3D imaging. Tree plans were made, one for the 3 cm diameter vaginal applicator and two for the vaginal applications where 2.6 cm diameter intracavitary applicators were used. Treatment plans were made using the dedicated software Eclipse-BrachyVision version 10.0.42, manufacturer Varian Medical Systems. Dose Calculation Model-Linear source and step size 0.50 cm. The normalization was done in the first phase at the surface of the applicator, at the prescription line. The next normalization was by volume. We present the results of the two normalizations. The data obtained from the 2 normalization methods was entered into an Excel spreadsheet. We took into account the dose prescribed for EBRT, the number of fractions, the dose/fr, the dose prescribed for 3D-BT and the dose absorbed by the OAR in 2 cm. We also took into account the isodose obtained for 90%, 100% and 150% of the volume of interest. In the first optimization, the absorbed dose was between 7.45-8 Gy. We also tracked BED and EQD2 in the spreadsheet. Results: In the second optimization, on the target volume, we obtained for the plan with a cylinder with a diameter of 3 cm (⌀ = 3 cm), 90% of the IR volume the dose of 7.5 Gy. For ⌀ = 2.6 cm, of the IR volume with a dose of 7.5 Gy and for the last plane also with ⌀ = 2.6 cm, of the IR2 volume with a dose of 7.5 Gy. Calculated data for EQD2 in the three planes with normalization to the line on the applicator surface resulted in higher doses for OARs compared to EQD2 data from volume optimization. The volume of interest according to EQD2 calculations in the first optimization had 77.8 Gy and in the second optimization it had 78.4 Gy. After volume optimization, we achieved 78.4 Gy for all three brachytherapy fractions and the 25 EBRT fractions, the rectum totaling a dose of 67.1 Gy and the bladder 77.5 Gy. With the volume-optimized plans, we obtained a coverage between V90% = D100%.

Abstract. Silybum marianum is an annual herb with a wide range of therapeutic values due to its high nutritional content. The compositional analysis of different parts of this plant, such as seeds and leaves, was performed using calibration-free laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy. The optical emission spectra from laser-generated plasma of seeds and leaves revealed the elemental profile, including Mg, Na, Ca, K, Si, Al, Zn, Rb, Sr, Fe, Ti, Ba, C, O, H, and N. The study was focused on improving LIBS based quantitative analysis by reducing self-absorption using two approaches. In the first approach, a theoretical model based on the internal reference line method and the relation between experimental and theoretical broadening was established to reduce self-absorption in the measured spectral line at atmospheric pressure. In the second approach, the self-absorption was evaluated at reduced pressure, which shows considerably reduced for most of the spectral lines at 10 mbar pressure. Thereafter, the theoretical model was applied at reduced pressure to further correct the line intensities. Finally, the self-absorption corrected line intensities were used for the compositional analysis of the plant using one-line CF-LIBS. The analytical results obtained with both approaches show that the results of the theoretical model at a reduced pressure are in close agreement with the ICP-MS results.

Abstract. A ten times smaller version of CPC Global Unified Gauge-Based Daily Precipitation Dataset (1979-2021) is released and described in this paper. Its usability is tested and proved, firstly, by illustrating that the transition to the derived smaller dataset is a case of Pearson correlation transitivity starting with the scale of global yearly data and, secondly, by using the original correlation performance criterion that the original dataset satisfies relative to the set of global actual measurements on the record. Subsequently, the daily, weekly, and monthly data cases are considered and discussed. The dataset is (re)structured for parallel processing in Matlab and R from the level of global daily data. Considering the above arguments and its reduced size, the derived dataset is appropriate to be used with Matlab and R as a replacement for the original dataset, especially for the case when much faster exploratory master-slave parallel and distributed Matlab and/or R tasks will run over locally distributed data on the slaves.

Abstract. The article examines the 5.4 magnitude earthquake that occurred on June 25, 2021 in the vicinity of Yayladere (Turkey). The analysis of the geomagnetic measurements carried out revealed a set of deterministic processes that preceded this event and are interpreted as its precursors. An estimate is made of the average time between the interval of existence of such phenomena and the moment of the earthquake under consideration. As a result, close values of the corresponding averaged time intervals were obtained for the statistics of all three components of the geomagnetic field considered in the article. The proposed technique can be used to predict seismic processes in various regions of the world in a near real-time mode.

Abstract. This paper presents a comparative analysis, in which we evaluate the parameters of SLA and FDM printing technologies, for the production of radioactive standard sources in the SARPAGAN geometry, frequently encountered in radionuclide metrology. Aspects such as material compatibility, dimensional accuracy, radiation stability and the influence of 3D printing technology on the reliability of the final product will be addressed. Furthermore, the results obtained by gamma-ray spectrometry on a sample of ^99mTc, using the standard SARPAGAN geometry, in comparison with the two 3D printed SARPAGAN geometries (SLA and FDM), were analyzed to evaluate how both the material and the technique printing of the geometry influences the results.

Abstract. The study on efflorescence in salts collected from Curtea de Arges cathedral's exterior wall during restorations aimed to characterize compounds and lithic material using SEM-EDX, XRD, Raman, FTIR. Radiocarbon measurements using AMS method and FTIR results demonstrate decarbonation/recarbonation at the compound-lithic interface but further research is required.

Abstract. The helical waveguide array is a well accepted model for fabricating the photonic topological insulator, since it introduces a gauge field to break the equivalent time-reversal symmetry of the system. However, there is a threshold, from both physical and mathematical point of view, for acquiring the corresponding band structure, especially for the beginners and even grown-up researchers. As far as we know, a tutorial on how to solve this problem is still absent from the scientific literature. To break the technique fence and provide a friendly documentation, we sort out this tutorial in detail based on our almost ten-year work experience in this area. Utilizing the tight-binding method with the nearest-neighbor coupling considered, we provide two methods to numerically calculate the band structure: the Floquet operator method and the Fourier expansion method. The main formulae and key codes are displayed. We believe this tutorial is a useful introduction in topological photonics and may be a shortcut for scientists who would like to venture into research areas related with topological physical objects.