Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major threat to global health. Understanding the emergence, evolution, and transmission of individual antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) is essential to develop sustainable strategies combatting this threat. Here, we use metagenomic sequencing to analyse ARGs in 757 sewage samples from 243 cities in 101 countries, collected from 2016 to 2019. We find regional patterns in resistomes, and these differ between subsets corresponding to drug classes and are partly driven by taxonomic variation. The genetic environments of 49 common ARGs are highly diverse, with most common ARGs carried by multiple distinct genomic contexts globally and sometimes on plasmids. Analysis of flanking sequence revealed ARG-specific patterns of dispersal limitation and global transmission. Our data furthermore suggest certain geographies are more prone to transmission events and should receive additional attention.

Background Healthcare workers (HCWs) have suffered considerable morbidity and mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic. Few studies have evaluated Coronavac vaccine effectiveness (VE), particularly in eastern Europe, where the vaccine has been widely used. Methods We conducted a prospective cohort study among HCWs in seven hospitals in Baku, Azerbaijan between May 17 to December 1, 2021, to evaluate primary series (two-dose) CoronaVac VE against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. Participants completed weekly symptom questionnaires, provided nasal swabs for SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR testing when symptomatic, and provided serology samples at enrolment that were tested for anti-spike and anti-nucleocapsid antibodies. We estimated VE as (1 – hazard ratio)*100 using a Cox proportional hazards model with vaccination status as a time-varying covariate. Results We enrolled 1582 HCWs. At enrolment, 1040 (66%) had received two doses of CoronaVac; 421 (27%) were unvaccinated. During the study period, 72 PCR-positive SARS-CoV-2 infections occurred; 36/39 (92%) sequenced samples were classified as delta variant. The adjusted primary series VE against COVID-19 illness was 29% (95% CI:-51%;67%). For the delta-predominant period, adjusted primary series VE was 19% (95% CI:-81%;64%). For the entire analysis period, adjusted primary series VE was 39% (95% CI:-40%;73%) for HCW vaccinated within 14–149 days, and 19% (95%CI:-81;63) for those vaccinated ≥150 days. Conclusions During a delta-predominant period in Azerbaijan, point estimates suggest that primary series CoronaVac protected nearly 1 in 3 HCWs against COVID-19, but this finding was not statistically significant. Our findings underscore the need to consider booster doses in individuals who have received primary series CoronaVac.

Friction stir welding (FSW) is an important research direction within ISIM Timisoara. Also within ISIM Timisoara, in addition to the classic FSW welding, processes and methods derived from FSW were also approached. Those processes and methods include friction stir processing (FSP), coatings with functional layers by friction, conventional friction riveting and friction riveting with hybrid effect, hybrid welding methods: TIG assisted friction stir welding FSW-TIG and ultrasonic assisted friction stir welding FSW-US. Recent research were focused on a new method of applying the FSW process, namely friction stir welding in inert gas environment (FSW-IG). Results obtained by ISIM in the field of FSW-IG welding are presented: data / information on solutions for applying inert gas in the welding area, as well as experimental results obtained for FSW-IG welding of DD13 steel, Cu99 copper and AZ31B magnesium alloy respectively. The solutions for providing shielding gas in the welding area were analyzed, verified and validated by experiment. The experimental welding programs generated the necessary data for the development of the FSW-IG welding technologies for the approached materials. By applying FSW-IG welding there was an improvement in the aspect of the welded joints and for some of mechanical characteristics (as the case may be) compared to the application of classic FSW welding. The use of shielding gas also had beneficial effects on the service life of FSW tools.

Experiments have been performed for the butt welding of 160 mm x 90 mm x 2 mm sheets of EN AW 5754 aluminium alloy, where the friction stir welding (FSW) has been used.Referring to the parent metal, the chemical composition and the form of wrought products of the aluminium alloy EN AW 5754 is presented, according to the standard EN 573-1:2005, respectively EN 573-3:2013. The mechanical properties of EN AW-5754 (Al Mg3) sheets are presented, according to EN 485-2:2016. The experiments have been conducted on the own equipment for friction stir welding, type FSW-4kW-10kN, to execute 8 (eight) FSW test pieces, according to EN ISO 25239-4. A quenched FSW tool, own-made of C 45 grade steel, EN 10083, has been used. The parameters of the FSW tests are shown. As main parameters, the rotational speed of the FSW tool was in the range n = 800 – 1200 rev/min, respectively the travel speed was in the range v = 50 – 200 mm/min. The run of the joining experiments is described and the joining test pieces are presented in figures. The ultimate tensile strength of the parent metal (σmin,pm) is based on the specified minimum tensile strength of the ”O” condition of the parent material, respectively this value is also required for the weld, that is σmin,w = 190 MPa. The specimens T1.0, T1.1, T2.1, T2.2, T3.1, T3.2, T4.1, T4.2, T5.1, T5.2 și T6.1 are adequate and accepted by this tensile test. The specimens T1.2, T6.2, T7.1, T72. and T8.1 can be accepted, if higher properties are achieved with a full postweld treatment. Another possibility is a lower extent of the minimum tensile strength of the weld that shall be in accordance with another design specification, for example σmin,w = 145 MPa. By the correlation of the FSW parameters with the results of the tensile test, the ranges for the main parameters with adequate values of the ultimate tensile strength are established: n = 800 – 1000 rev/min and v = 50 – 100 mm/min. By the conclusions, the main aspects of the execution of the FSW test pieces, as well as the results of the tensile tests are selected. The involved industrial areas of the applications are: electro-technique, electronics, manufacturing, shipbuilding and automotive industries. The FSW process is ecological, because it neither uses, nor produces hazardous substances. The references consist of 12 titles.

For the examination of noxious emissions, cladding tests were performed according to EN ISO 6847. The filler materials were 1.2 mm diameter wire-electrodes, made of tin bronze, aluminium bronze, austenitic stainless steel, duplex stainless steel and nickel alloy.The low-energy metal transfer welding process, named CMT (cold metal transfer) was examined, on the welding source type Trans Puls Synergic 2700 CMT, of 270 A, produced by the company Fronius, Austria. For sampling welding smoke particles, an Apex type pump was used. For measuring the concentration of gases emitted by welding, a Triple Plus type multi-gas detector was applied.The particulate emission rate is 0.500 mg / m3 in the breathing zone, according to ISO 10882-1. For comparison, the measured emission rate is from 0.877 to 2.513 mg / m3 in the welding zone, according to ISO 15011-1. The concentration of the emitted gases is in the ranges: 0.14 to 0.16% CO2; 0.1-0.2 ppm NO2; 0-15 ppm H2; 0-5 ppm CO. These concentration levels are below the exposure limits (8 hours per day, five days a week): 5% CO2; 1.0 ppm NO2; 30 ppm CO. In conclusion, the emissions from the CMT welding process are without health risk for the welder.