Polyelectrolytes currently play an increasingly important role in antivirus therapy. Antiviral activity towards influenza virus, measles virus, herpes simplex virus type 1, and cytomegalovirus was demonstrated for the 6000 Da polyelectrolyte polyallylamine. A nontoxic polyallylamine concentration of 30 µM at which the compound retains its antiviral effect towards measles and influenza viruses but lacks any toxic effect on human cells was previously determined. It is well known, at the same time, that simultaneous virus exposure to physical environmental factors and chemical substances causes a more significant decrease in virus infectivity. Temperature is among these physical factors since thermal exposure causes virus inactivation. Analysis of virus thermal inactivation parameters is of high practical importance when it comes to the development of vaccines against influenza virus and to the study of how virus particles infectivity decreases on various surfaces. In this view, the study of kinetic and thermodynamical characteristics of influenza virus thermal inactivation in the presence of the antiviral preparation polyallylanime is of particular interest. The paper reports that thermal inactivation of influenza virus in the temperature range of 38-60°C in the presence of polyallylamine follows the first-order reaction kinetics. Thermodynamic parameters of influenza virus thermal inactivation evidence that influenza virus surface proteins are involved in the inactivation process as a result of their interaction with polyallylamine. The obtained results show that polyallylamine may be used to accelerate thermal inactivation of the influenza virus.Cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAP) has been shown to kill bacteria and remove biofilms. Here we report the development of a unique CAP array device consisting of a parallel stack of eight linear-discharge plasma elements that create a ~ 5 cm2 (2.4 cm × 2 cm) treatment area. The CAP device is fabricated from Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic (LTCC) layers to create 24 mm long linear-discharge channels (500 μm gap) with embedded opposing silver metal electrodes. A 20 kHz AC voltage (0.5-5 kV) applied to the electrodes generates an Ar/O2 plasma between the plates, with the gas flow directing the reactive species toward the biological sample (biofilms, etc.) to affect the antimicrobial treatment. External ballast resistors were used to study discharge uniformity in the stacked array elements and internal thick film ballast resistors (≈150 kΩ) were developed to create a fully integrated device. Typical element discharge currents were 1-2.5 mA with the total array current tested at 20 mA to provide optimal device uniformity. The plasma discharge was further shown to produce reactive hydrogen peroxide and exert antimicrobial effects on Pseudomonas biofilms and Salmonella contaminated eggshell samples, with >99% of the bacterial cells killed with less than 60 seconds of plasma exposure.Internationalizing far later than other sectors, healthcare has seen trade and foreign direct investment (FDI) grow in recent years. While part of the service economy, healthcare has unique features that distinguish it from other service sectors and imprint on its globalization and spillover patterns. In this paper, we review the trends in healthcare internationalization, its drivers, and the obstacles standing in the way. We outline the special characteristics of the healthcare sector and how they affect the positive and negative spillovers from trade and FDI for home and host-countries. Implications for international business theory, research, and policy are delineated.The process in which COVID-19 vaccines are developed is sequential and continuously accumulating. On the one hand, comprehensive patent protection is a necessary means to promote research and development. It yields additional returns that pay for the occasionally substantial amounts in R&D expenses. On the other hand, patents can be harmful in a sequential development process as they monopolise knowledge that might become a basis for further research. Economic policy cannot resolve this dilemma, but the various dimensions of a patent system can provide a starting point in mitigating a trade-off.The Coronavirus crisis clearly exposed Germany's deficits in the digitalisation of the economy and society. The cooperation between established SMEs and innovative start-ups offers considerable opportunities for the respective companies and the German economy. New business models can be adopted and innovative products can be jointly developed. In particular, the digitalisation of the 'German Mittelstand' could receive a boost through collaboration with digital start-ups. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/nvp-bgt226.html This could lead to an increase in the demographically induced declining growth potential of the German economy.When it comes to digitalising healthcare, Germany lags way behind other countries. In its 2021 report, the Health System Advisory Council discusses a strategy to overcome this shortcoming, i. e. the digitalisation of the German healthcare system. The idea is to shape digitalisation in a way that healthcare provision is improved with patients' well-being in mind. Therefore, market failures in digital health markets have to be addressed as well as the chances and challenges that come with the usage of large amounts of data. Furthermore, this article highlights the potential of the electronic health record (EHR) and of the digital health app market and discusses requirements for reaching environmental and social sustainability within the context of the digitalisation of health.Even before the COVID-19 crisis, the European Monetary Union (EMU) exhibited an unsatisfactory economic development with low growth and inflation rates below the target rate of the central bank. Macroeconomic coordination among monetary and fiscal policy is necessary to fend off such large crises. Insufficient wage increases that lead to deflation need to be avoided. Last, but not least, a mechanism is needed to stabilise the financial system and quickly deal with non-performing loans. Except in the field of monetary policy, the EMU lacks institutions that support quick and sufficient economic policies. There is the danger that policy mistakes will lead to long-term stagnation in the EMU or possibly even a great recession.