Materials and Techniques of Selected Mural Paintings on the “Gothic Road” around 1400 (Slovakia)

Mural cycles in the churches of Plešivec, Čhyžné, and Štitnik from around 1400 were studied from the material and technical point of view. Stylistically, they show a mixture of Northern and Southern European stylistic currents, which were characteristic for the time around 1400 in East Central Europe. After a precise study in situ, an analysis of extracted samples was conducted by OM, SEM-EDX, and XRD. The plasters used for these murals were all made of lime and sand with different impurities; importantly, they different among each other in terms of their quality and stability. The pigments that were used in these murals were natural and organic: lime white, yellow and red earths, malachite, and azurite were identified, and some pigment degradations were also pointed out. The principal technique is a fresco, but all murals were finished a secco in different proportions, using an organic binder. Painting procedures and modelling were also studied, revealing a strong difference among all three cycles. The painting technique does not always correspond to the style.

Wspólnotowość (w) edukacji. Problem demokratycznego współistnienia

What I associate with the title of this article is the potential of discussions on education, which is also confirmed by attempts to combine themes selected from within it with those concerning community. I propose a precise study, which includes many pointers, and also doubts, concerning the role of edu- cation itself, mainly in the implementation of social cohesion and activities for fostering the integration of those involved in it. A specific feature of these reflections on the need to achieve community, and to confirm it in and through education, is the encouragement to engage in issues related to social (dis) integration, which is intentionally filled with aspects directly related to democracy itself.

Review of a controversial treatment method in the fight against COVID-19 with the example of Algeria

Background As of April 23, 2021, more than 145 million cases and almost 3.07 million related deaths were noted because of the coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic. Considering the low rate vaccination, the alternative that divided opinions for a long time is an old medicine called hydroxychloroquine. Main body The aim of this review was to synthesize the different highlights of the most important studies published since the beginning of the epidemic crisis. After a precise study of the available bibliography dealing with this subject and the addition of an adapted example, which is the current situation of Algeria, the results showed the effectiveness of the Algerian method as well as the impact that this treatment had. Conclusion We concluded that in brief, given the inexistence of a better solution, we ultimately recommend that patients with severe COVID-19 to be treated for the moment with Hydroxychloroquine combined with Azithromycin in view of its effectiveness, while waiting for another solution.

Non-destructive State Detection and Spectroscopy of Single Molecules

We review our recent experimental results on the non-destructive quantum-state detection and spectroscopy of single trapped molecules. At the heart of our scheme, a single atomic ion is used to probe the state of a single molecular ion without destroying the molecule or even perturbing its quantum state. This method opens up perspectives for new research directions in precision spectroscopy, for the development of new frequency standards, for tests of fundamental physical concepts and for the precise study of chemical reactions and molecular collisions with full control over the molecular quantum state.

Estimation of sodium and potassium intakes assessed by two 24-hour urine collections in a city of Indonesia

Intakes of excess sodium [Na] and insufficient potassium [K] are two major contributors of heart diseases and stroke development. However, no precise study has existed on Na and K intakes among Indonesian adults. This study aimed to estimate the Na and K intakes using two consecutive 24-h urine collections. Participants were community-dwelling adults aged between 20 and 96 years, randomly selected from a pool of resident registration numbers. Of the 506 participants, 479 (240 men and 239 women) completed urine collections. The mean Na excretion was 102.8 and 100.6 mmol/d, while the mean K excretion was 25.0 and 23.4 mmol/d for men and women, respectively. Na and K excretions were higher in participants with a higher body mass index (BMI). A higher K excretion was associated only with younger age. More than 80% of the participants consumed more than 5 g/d of salt (the upper limit recommended by the Indonesian government). Whereas none of them consumed more than 3,510 mg/d of K (the lower limit). The high Na and low K intakes, especially high Na among participants with high BMI, should be considered when the intervention programs are future planned in this country.

Dynamic analysis of earth dam using numerical method – a case study: Doyraj earth dam

The precise study of the response of earth dams to earthquakes is one of the most complex issues in the field of soil structures. In this research, dynamic analysis of earth dam structures (a case study: Doyraj dam in the west of Iran) have been performed using 2D Finite Difference Method (2D F.D.M.). The aim of this study is to investigate accelerations, lateral (horizontal) and vertical displacements (i.e. settlements) due to earthquake occurrence. The results of dynamic analysis indicate that the performance of the dam is satisfactory for each one of the seismic scenarios considered in this investigation. The maximum settlements at the dam crest is considerably smaller than that of the dam freeboard, with maximum value of 540 mm, which is comparable to recommendation of the Department of Safety of Dams (DSOD). Depth of sliding surfaces is better shown in the Finn model, and the settlements based on the Finn model is about 2.5 times higher than that of Mohr model. In contrast to what is commonly accepted about earthquake acceleration (the increase in earthquake acceleration from the base to the top of the dam), it cannot generalize to all cases, and it can be limited to very strong dams or can be related to poor earthquakes.

Some comments on enzyme kinetics studies

Molecular and kinetic characterizations of the enzymes that lead to the identification of the biochemical reactions constitute an important area of biochemistry. In kinetic studies, kinetic constants and reaction mechanisms are investigated. These studies may lead to novel drug design. Correct results require a precise study and sufficient knowledge. Here, I try to point out some aspects of the enzyme kinetics studies I noted when I had been assigned as a reviewer for several journals. I hope these suggestions may be helpful to the researchers in their future work.