bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vapor Transport and Deposition of Cu-Sn-Co-Ag Alloys in Vesicles in Mafic Volcanic Rocks
Authors: Hunter Elizabeth A.O. , Hunter Jacob R. , Zajacz Zoltan , Keith Jeffrey D. , Hann Nichelle L. , Christiansen Eric H. , Dorais Michael J.
Published: January 2020

Metallic sublimates coated by sulfides and chlorides line the vesicle walls of mafic volcanic lava and bombs from Kīlauea, Vesuvius, Etna, and Stromboli. The metallic sublimates were morphologically and compositionally similar among the volcanoes. The highest concentrations of S and Cl occurred on the surface of the sublimates, while internally they had less than 1 wt % S and Cl in most cases, leading us to classify them as alloys. The major components of the alloys were Cu, Sn, Co, and Ag based on electron microprobe analyses and environmental scanning electron microscope element maps. Alloy element maps showed a covariance of Cu-Sn, while Co and Ag concentrations varied independently. Laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry analysis of matrix glass and melt inclusions in bombs from Stromboli showed appreciable amounts of Cu, Co, and Sn. We propose a model for the origin of the metallic grains, which involves syneruptive and posteruptive magma degassing and subsequent cooling of the basalt vesicles. During syneruptive vapor phase exsolution, volatile metals (Cu, Co, and Sn) partition into the vapor along with their ligands, S and Cl. The apparent oxygen fugacity (fO2) in these vapor bubbles is low because of the relative enrichment of the exsolved gas phase in H2 relative to H2O in silicate melts, due to the much higher diffusivity of the former in silicate melts. The high fH2 and low fO2 induces the precipitation of metal alloys from the vapor phase. Subsequently, the reducing environment in the vesicle dissipates as the cooling vapor oxidizes and as H2 diffuses away. Then, metal-rich sulfides (and chlorides) condense onto the outer surfaces of the metal alloy grains either due to a decrease in temperature or an increase in fO2. These alloys provide important insights into the partitioning of metals into a magmatic volatile phase at low pressure and high temperature.
Sustainability Challenges in Professional Football: The Destructive Effects of the Society of the Spectacle
Authors: Pache Gilles
Published: January 2020

For a long time considered as a simple means of entertainment, football (soccer) has now become a main element of the society of the spectacle, with huge economic and financial stakes. A series of competitions are managed to generate significant revenues shared by international institutions (including FIFA), private companies and star players. This paper points out that professional football is engaged in a headlong rush, including the irrational use of non-renewable resources and frantic consumption among fans, especially of licensed merchandise. Dialogue between football stakeholders and the advocates of sustainability has become difficult, as evidenced by the conditions under which the 2022 FIFA World Cup will take place in Qatar, with three major controversies: initial controversies in the choice of host country; environmental controversies about stadium air conditioning; and future controversies regarding the importance of sustainability in the allocation of the next FIFA World Cups.
2019/40 Provisions on minimum salary based on work experience constitute age discrimination, even if they are not relevant (BE)
Authors: Busschaert Gautier
Published: January 2020

2019/40 Provisions on minimum salary based on work experience constitute age discrimination, even if they are not relevant (BE)

Relying on the prohibition of age discrimination stemming from Directive 2000/78, the Labour Tribunal of Leuven refused to apply a Collective Labour Agreement establishing the minimum monthly salary for employees depending on their work experience even if not relevant and the Royal Decree enforcing it. The jurisdiction grounded its decision on the fact that this gave a strong advantage to older employees without objective justification.
2019/51 Stand-by time from home is paid working time (RO)
Authors: Suciu Andreea , Ion Gabriela
Published: January 2020

2019/51 Stand-by time from home is paid working time (RO)

Stand-by time from home represents working time of medical personnel even for the periods when no medical activity was actually performed (no attendance at the hospital was required), the salary rights for such period being determined as a percentage of the hourly rate for the basic salary and the number of hours when stand-by time from home was performed.
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ENVIRONMENT ANALYSIS WITHIN THE PROCESS OF ESTABLISHMENT OF POLISH NAVY MODERNISATION PROGRAMS
Authors: Pac Bohdan
Published: January 2020

The application of environment analysis within the process of establishment of modernization program for naval forces was presented in the paper. The analysis is composed of several activities, which allow determine the influence of environment on naval forces functioning through identifying the environment characteristic like its boisterousness and complexity, more and less likely trends related to the key factors depicting the organisation environment. The result of the analysis make the basis to define some recommendation referring to modernization programs establishment. The application of the analysis is typical for sciences of management and qualities. However, its compatibility of use, makes it very practicable within the national security and defense areas
Sense of generalised self-efficacy and the nutritional behaviour of district-level football referees
Authors: Gacek Maria , Kosiba Grażyna
Published: January 2020

Introduction: Nutritional behaviours are determined by numerous environmental and individual factors. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess nutritional behaviours among referees of district football matches depending on sense of generalised self-efficacy. Materials and methods: The study was conducted among a group of 138 men - football referees at a regional level (Małopolska and Podkarpackie Football Association) using the author’s questionnaire on nutritional behaviours and the Generalised Sense of Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES). Results: The surveyed football referees, at the highest percentage, consumed at least 3 meals a day (85.11%) and preferred unsweetened beverages for hydration (81.11%). The frequency of including cereal products during every meal (71.78%), avoiding fast food (70.00%), hydrating properly after training (66.44%), avoiding sweetened carbonated beverages (59.65%), consuming fish at least once a week (58.88%) and limiting sweet and salty snacks (54.98%) was also high. Referees with a high sense of self-efficacy significantly more often preferred unsweetened beverages (p<0.05), correctly replenished fluids during (p<0.05) and after training (p<0.001), consumed fruit (p<0.001), as well as vegetables (p=0.001), cereal products (p<0.001), dairy products (p<0.01) and fish (p<0.01) at the recommended frequency and avoided energy drinks more often (p<0.05) than referees with low self-efficacy. Conclusions: A limited scale of rational nutritional behaviours and their differentiation due to the level of generalised selfefficacy was indicated in the examined group of male football referees at a regional level, with an indication of more favourable nutrition choices among men with a higher sense of self-efficacy.
Crescimento e produtividade de cultivares de tomate cereja utilizando substratos de base ecológica
Authors: Soldateli Francis Junior , Batista Carine Borges , Godoy Filipe , Mello Anderson Chuquel , Soares Franciéle dos Santos , Bergmann Miréli Duarte , Ethur Luciana Zago
Published: January 2020

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of substrates on the growth and yield of Cascade and Samambaia cherry tomato cultivars under protected environment. A completely randomized experimental design with six treatments and four replications was adopted. The treatments consisted of six substrates resulting from the combination of soil (CS), bovinemanure (BM), rice husk (RH) and rice hull ash (RA), in the proportions: S1 -70% SC + 10% BM + 10% RH + 10% RA; S2 -60% SC + 20% BM + 10% RH + 10% RA; S3 -50% SC + 30% BM + 10% RH + 10% RA;S4 -60% SC + 30% BM + 10% RH; S5 -70% SC + 20% BM + 10% RH; and S6 -100% SC. Plant growth, yield and development parameters were evaluated. Cherry tomato growth and yield changed according to the substrate characteristics. The substrate composed by soil was not efficient, presenting the lowest values for all the vegetative and reproductive parameters studied. The substrates made from alternative ecologically based residues are interesting and alternative sources for tomato cultivation aiming at the reuse of the matter and the sustainability of the production system.
Trauma und Transzendenz. Zur Existenzphilosophie Kierkegaards
Authors: Theobald Werner ,   Gnomon Center for the Humanities
Published: January 2020

Sören Kierkegaard gilt als „Vater der Existenzphilosophie“. Durch Schwermut bzw. Melancholie „zuinnerst in die Frage nach sich selber geworfen“ (Wilhelm Weischedel), habe er das Thema der Existenz philosophisch entdeckt. Tatsächlich, dies versucht der vorliegende Artikel zu zeigen, war Kierkegaard traumatisiert. Ein Trauma ist, anders als Schwermut oder Melancholie (modern gesprochen: Depression), keine psychische Erkrankung, sondern eine „gesunde Reaktion auf eine kranke Situation“, die die Verarbeitungsmöglichkeiten des Individuums überfordert. Das Selbst wird dabei gefährdet oder gar zerstört. Der Versuch, „für sich selbst durchsichtig zu werden“ ( Joakim Garff ), auf den Kierkegaards Denken hinauslief, kann entsprechend als philosophische Traumabewältigung gelten – jedoch nicht so, dass dabei ein psychisches Problem, sondern Existenzielles verarbeitet wird. Denn: Im Trauma erfährt man die „Abgründigkeit des Seins“, es führt „direkt in die Tiefenstruktur der Existenz“ (A. Längle). Dass Kierkegaard dabei Halt in der Transzendenz gefunden hat, erweist sich als immanent konsequent.
Current State and Impact of Strategic Planning Activities on Entrepreneurs’ Financial Performance: Case of Serbia
Authors: Stošić Panić Danijela
Published: January 2020

The paper presents research on strategic planning practice of Serbian entrepreneurs. More specifically, it explores main features of the currently implemented strategic planning activity and its impact on financial performance of Serbian entrepreneurs. As female entrepreneurship continues to grow and is becoming more important economic and social issue, the research also takes into account the gender aspect. Building on literature review, hypotheses were developed and then tested on a random sample of 101 respondents. Main results suggest that strategic planning is underdeveloped management activity of Serbian entrepreneurs, primarily in terms of its long-time horizon, formality and use of objective data and analysis. Short-tem, informal and based on personal experience, feelings and intuition is planning of both female and male entrepreneurs without any statistically important difference based on gender. At the same time, as the strategic planning is more developed, the better are the financial performance of Serbian entrepreneurs. Besides contributing to the strategic management and entrepreneurship literature, the paper highlights certain aspects of these fields that should be emphasized in academic courses and training programs.
Protein expression profile changes of lung tissue in patients with pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Wu Min , Wu Yijin , Huang Jinsong , Wu Yueheng , Wu Hongmei , Jiang Benyuan , Zhuang Jian
Published: January 2020

Background

Pulmonary hypertension occurs in approximately 1% of the global population, and the prognosis for such patients may be poor. However, the mechanisms underlying the development of this disease remain unclear. Thus, understanding the development of pulmonary hypertension and finding new therapeutic targets and approaches are important for improved clinical outcomes.

Methods

Lung tissue specimens were collected from six patients with atrial septal defect and pulmonary hypertension (all women, with a mean age of 46.5 ± 4.7 years, and their condition could not be corrected with an internal medical occlusion device) and from nine control patients with lung cancer who underwent lobectomy (six men and three women, with a mean age of 56.7 ± 1.7 years). Isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry analyses were used to detect protein expression levels.

Results

We found 74 significantly upregulated and 88 significantly downregulated differentially expressed proteins between control and pulmonary hypertensive lung tissue specimens. Gene ontology analyses identified the top 20 terms in all three categories, that is, biological process, cellular component, and molecular function. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and protein–protein interaction analyses determined the top 10 signaling pathways and found that the six hub proteins associated with the differentially expressed upregulated proteins (PRKAA1, DHPR, ACTB, desmin, ACTG1, and ITGA1) were all involved in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, and dilated cardiomyopathy.

Conclusion

Our results identified protein expression profile changes in lung tissue derived from patients with pulmonary hypertension, providing potential new biomarkers for clinical diagnosis and prognosis for patients with pulmonary hypertension and offering candidate protein targets for future therapeutic drug development.
Efficacy of Matricaria chamomilla L. in Infantile Colic: A Double Blind, Placebo Controlled Randomized Trial
Authors: Mohamadi Sorme Fatemeh , Tabarra Malihe , Alimadady Hosein , Rahimi Roja , Sepidarkish Mahdi , Karimi Mehrdad
Published: January 2020

Objective: Infantile colic is one of the most common problems in neonatal and early infancy, the prevalence of which has been reported as 10-20%. The present clinical trial was conducted to investigate whether topical use of chamomile oil reduces crying and fussing in breastfed colicky infants.

Methods: A total of 102 breastfed colicky infants were divided into two groups to receive topical chamomile or placebo oil 6 times a day for 7 days. Both groups also received 5 mg of Simethicone syrup 4 times a day. Parents reported on crying and fussing duration, exertion times and side effects using a questionnaire.

Results: 90 babies could complete the trial including 47 patients in chamomile group and 43 patients in the placebo group. Babies in both groups were the same in terms of gestational age, birth weight, birth order, gender, delivery type, crying and fussing on the day before the treatment. At the end of the study, crying and fussing was found to be lower in chamomile group than the placebo group (p <0.001). Also, 39 and 27 patients responded to the treatment in chamomile and placebo groups respectively. The effect of chamomile oil on crying (p<0.01) and fussing (p< 0.001) was significant. No serious adverse event was reported.

Conclusion: Results revealed that chamomile oil reduced symptoms in breastfed colicky infants compared to the infants in the placebo group. This suggests that topical use of chamomile oil may be effective in the treatment of colic.
To know where the bodies are buried: The use of the cognitive interview in an environmental scale spatial memory retrieval task
Authors: Ryan Nathan , Westera Nina , Kebbell Mark , Milne Rebecca , Harrison Mark
Published: January 2020

Missing body homicide cases have gained public interest globally due to some high‐profile cases. In many of these cases, the task of locating the victim's remains relies on the information investigators can gain through the interviewing of willing suspects. To date, investigative interviewing research has largely focused on the retrieval of episodic memory (events) without focusing on spatial memory, a prominent cognitive task required in locating a victim's remains. The current experiment tests the enhanced cognitive interview (ECI) against a free recall strategy in a mock homicide scenario where participants are required to hide and retrieve an object in a natural bushland setting. The results showed that those in the ECI condition produced more coarse‐ and fine‐grained details of landmarks and their actions at and journeying to the deposition site. This demonstrates the value of using the ECI in generating more valuable information to assist in successive search attempts.
An Ion‐Crosslinked Supramolecular Hydrogel for Ultrahigh and Fast Uranium Recovery from Seawater
Authors: Yan Bingjie , Ma Chunxin , Gao Jinxiang , Yuan Yihui , Wang Ning
Published: January 2020

Large‐scale uranium extraction from seawater is a crucial but challenging part of nuclear power generation. In this study, a new ion‐crosslinked supramolecular Zn2+–poly(amidoxime) (PAO) hydrogel that can super‐efficiently adsorb uranium from seawater is explored. By simply mixing two solutions of zinc chloride and PAO, a supramolecular Zn2+–PAO hydrogel is achieved via the interaction between zinc cations and amidoxime anions. In contrast with existing amidoxime‐functionalized hydrogel‐based adsorbents having low PAO contents and fiber‐based adsorbents with weak hydrophilicity, the PAOs can be directly crosslinked using a small quantity of superhydrophilic zinc ion. Thus, a supramolecular hydrogel is formed, having both a high content of well‐dispersed PAOs and good hydrophilicity. Relative to reported adsorbents, this low‐cost hydrogel membrane exhibits outstanding uranium adsorption performance, reaching 1188 mg g-1 of MU/Mdry gel in 32 ppm uranium‐spiked water. More importantly, after immersion in natural seawater for only 4 weeks, the uranium extraction capacity of the Zn2+–PAO hydrogel membrane reaches 9.23 mg g-1 of MU/Mdry gel. This work can provide a general strategy for designing a new type of supramolecular hydrogel, crosslinked by various bivalent/multivalent cation‐crosslinkers and even many other superhydrophilic supramolecular crosslinkers, for the high‐efficient and massive extraction of uranium from seawater.
Interface Engineering of Air‐Stable n‐Doping Fullerene‐Modified TiO2 Electron Transport Layer for Highly Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Wang Bingjie , Yang Jianming , Lu Linyang , Xiao Wei , Wu Haiyan , Xiong Shaobing , Tang Jianxin , Duan Chungang , Bao Qinye
Published: January 2020

As one common electron transport material for planar n‐i‐p perovskite solar cell, titanium dioxide (TiO2) compact layer has several challenging issues, such as surface hydroxyl groups, high defect density, and unmatched energy levels, causing severe energy loss and poor stability at contact. To solve these problems, the authors introduce a thin [6,6]‐phenyl‐C61‐butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) interlayer doped with an air stable n‐type dopant, 3‐dimethyl‐2‐phenyl‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐benzoimidazole (DMBI) to modify the TiO2 surface. The state‐of‐the‐art characterizations demonstrate such modification significantly improves charge transfer at MAPbI3/TiO2 interface together with smaller energy level offset, leading to suppressed charge recombination. High‐quality perovskite film with larger crystal grain size grows on the n‐doped PCBM/TiO2 attributed to the better surface affinity. As a result, the average power conversion efficiency of perovskite solar cell exhibits a prominent improvement from 17.46% to 20.14%, with an enhancement in all device photovoltaic parameters. In addition, the stability of the device with n‐doped PCBM/TiO2 is much better than that of the control device with the bare TiO2 due to hydrophobicity nature of PCBM and low defect densities in the perovskite film and at the interface. This work indicates that many further device performance improvements should be conceivable by focusing on the perovskite interface.
Giant Photo‐Induced Current Enhancement in a Core–Shell‐Type Quantum‐Dot Thin Film
Authors: Shimizu Sunao , Matsuki Keiichiro , Miwa Kazumoto , Braga Daniele , Ono Shimpei
Published: January 2020

Photodetectors are key elements in diverse applications such as high‐speed information processing and ultraviolet (UV) ray skin sensors. Low‐dimensional semiconductors, such as quantum dots (QDs) and their hybrid systems, are promising candidates for high‐efficiency and innovative photodetectors, thanks to their unique optoelectronic characteristics and the high tunability of their physical and chemical properties through material design. It is shown that when CdSe/CdS core–shell QDs are employed in field‐effect transistors (FETs), a sensitive photodetection can be obtained by using a solution‐based approach. The transfer characteristics are dramatically changed by UV light irradiation, showing a light‐induced switching between the on/off states of the FET. Surprisingly, the ratio between the photocurrent and the dark current is larger than 105; this is the highest record of gate‐tunable current enhancement obtained using a FET. It is speculated that this remarkable result is related to the fact that the combination of the CdSe core and the CdS shell forms type‐I band alignment, which effectively confines carriers to the core of the nanocrystal under dark conditions. The prominent optoelectronic effect in QD thin‐film FETs indicates the high potential of nanostructured materials towards multi‐functionalization.
Influence of Polymer Aggregation and Liquid Immiscibility on Morphology Tuning by Varying Composition in PffBT4T‐2DT/Nonfullerene Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Hamid Zeinab , Wadsworth Andrew , Rezasoltani Elham , Holliday Sarah , Azzouzi Mohammed , Neophytou Marios , Guilbert Anne A. Y. , Dong Yifan , Little Mark S. , Mukherjee Subhrangsu , Herzing Andrew A. , Bristow Helen , Kline R. Joseph , DeLongchamp Dean M. , Bakulin Artem A. , Durrant James R. , Nelson Jenny , McCulloch Iain
Published: January 2020

The temperature‐dependent aggregation behavior of PffBT4T polymers used in organic solar cells plays a critical role in the formation of a favorable morphology in fullerene‐based devices. However, there is little investigation into the impact of donor/acceptor ratio on morphology tuning, especially for nonfullerene acceptors (NFAs). Herein, the influence of composition on morphology is reported for blends of PffBT4T‐2DT with two NFAs, O‐IDTBR and O‐IDFBR. The monotectic phase behavior inferred from differential scanning calorimetry provides qualitative insight into the interplay between solid–liquid and liquid–liquid demixing. Transient absorption spectroscopy suggests that geminate recombination dominates charge decay and that the decay rate is insensitive to composition, corroborated by negligible changes in open‐circuit voltage. Exciton lifetimes are also insensitive to composition, which is attributed to the signal being dominated by acceptor excitons which are formed and decay in domains of similar size and purity irrespective of composition. A hierarchical morphology is observed, where the composition dependence of size scales and scattering intensity from resonant soft X‐ray scattering (R‐SoXS) is dominated by variations in volume fractions of polymer/polymer‐rich domains. Results suggest an optimal morphology where polymer crystallite size and connectivity are balanced, ensuring a high probability of hole extraction via such domains.
Superior Multifunctional Activity of Nanoporous Carbons with Widely Tunable Porosity: Enhanced Storage Capacities for Carbon‐Dioxide, Hydrogen, Water, and Electric Charge
Authors: Gadipelli Srinivas , Howard Christopher A. , Guo Jian , Skipper Neal T. , Zhang Hong , Shearing Paul R. , Brett Dan J. L.
Published: January 2020

Nanoporous carbons (NPCs) with engineered specific pore sizes and sufficiently high porosities (both specific surface area and pore volume) are necessary for storing energy in the form of electric charges and molecules. Herein, NPCs, derived from biomass pine‐cones, coffee‐grounds, graphene‐oxide and metal‐organic frameworks, with systematically increased pore width (<1.0 nm to a few nm), micropore volume (0.2–0.9 cm3 g−1) and specific surface area (800–2800 m2 g−1) are presented. Superior CO2, H2, and H2O uptakes of 35.0 wt% (≈7.9 mmol g−1 at 273 K), 3.0 wt% (at 77 K) and 85.0 wt% (at 298 K), respectively at 1 bar, are achieved. At controlled microporosity, supercapacitors deliver impressive performance with a capacity of 320 and 230 F g−1 at 500 mA g−1, in aqueous and organic electrolytes, respectively. Excellent areal capacitance and energy density (>50 Wh kg−1 at high power density, 1000 W kg−1) are achieved to form the highest reported values among the range of carbons in the literature. The noteworthy energy storage performance of the NPCs for all five cases (CO2, H2, H2O, and capacitance in aqueous and organic electrolytes) is highlighted by direct comparison to numerous existing porous solids. A further analysis on the specific pore type governed physisorption capacities is presented.
Advanced Electrode Materials Comprising of Structure‐Engineered Quantum Dots for High‐Performance Asymmetric Micro‐Supercapacitors
Authors: Liu Wenwen , Zhang Maiwen , Li Matthew , Li Brenda , Zhang Wenyao , Li Gaoran , Xiao Meiling , Zhu Jianbing , Yu Aiping , Chen Zhongwei
Published: January 2020

Micro‐supercapacitors (MSCs) as a new class of energy storage devices have attracted great attention due to their unique merits. However, the narrow operating voltage, slow frequency response, and relatively low energy density of MSCs are still insufficient. Therefore, an effective strategy to improve their electrochemical performance by innovating upon the design from various aspects remains a huge challenge. Here, surface and structural engineering by downsizing to quantum dot scale, doping heteroatoms, creating more structural defects, and introducing rich functional groups to two dimensional (2D) materials is employed to tailor their physicochemical properties. The resulting nitrogen‐doped graphene quantum dots (N‐GQDs) and molybdenum disulfide quantum dots (MoS2‐QDs) show outstanding electrochemical performance as negative and positive electrode materials, respectively. Importantly, the obtained N‐GQDs//MoS2‐QDs asymmetric MSCs device exhibits a large operating voltage up to 1.5 V (far exceeding that of most reported MSCs), an ultrafast frequency response (with a short time constant of 0.087 ms), a high energy density of 0.55 mWh cm−3, and long‐term cycling stability. This work not only provides a novel concept for the design of MSCs with enhanced performance but also may have broad application in other energy storage and conversion devices based on QDs materials.
Effect of nitrogen fertilizer, heading date, and pollination speed on the seed production of fifth‐generation rice
Authors: Huang Yifeng , Wu Pingfan , Zeng Hao , Du Longgang , Wang Meixing , Guo Shaoying , Xie Qingjun
Published: January 2020

Production of hybrid seed is a crucial limiting factor for the commercial development of hybrid rice. Studies have shown that the seed production of japonica‐type or indica‐type hybrid rice is affected by many factors, Japonica‐type or indica‐type hybrid rice are considered as third‐generation rice. However, little is known about japonica‐indica hybrid rice, which is a fifth‐generation (5G) rice. We evaluated the effects of multiple cultivation approaches to improve seed production of 5G rice. Our results showed that application of 300 kg ha–1 resulted in the optimal seed setting ratio when compared with higher N rates. In addition, we found that the heading date of the two elite sterile lines accelerated under late sowing, which facilitated establishment of hybridization between the parent lines. Moreover, our results demonstrated that proper heading date is a crucial factor for seed setting of the test male sterile lines, Zhe 04A and Chunjiang 16A. We also found that the faster pollination speed, the more seeds of 5G rice were obtained. We propose that the combination of applications would significantly reduce the cost and increase the efficiency of producing 5G rice seed.
Mesoporous Co‐Al oxide nanosheets as highly efficient catalysts for CO oxidation
Authors: Zhang Jian , Wang Liang , Wu Zhiyi , Wang Hai , Zhang Bingsen , Xiao Feng‐Shou
Published: January 2020

We report mesoporous Co‐Al oxide nanosheets (CoxAl‐Ns, where x denotes the Co/Al ratio in the samples) prepared by calcination of CoAl‐hydrotalcite and subsequent alkaline treatment. X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements show that the prepared Co‐Al oxide nanosheets (CoxAl‐Ns) are very thin (10–15 nm) and exhibit high mesoporosity (3–5 nm). Catalytic CO oxidation tests reveal that the CoxAl‐Ns exhibit excellent catalytic performances at relatively low temperatures: for example, the Co2.5Al‐Ns catalyst could achieve 99% CO conversion at −98°C. Kinetic studies and experimental investigations indicate that the high activity of the Co2.5Al‐Ns sample is strongly related to the abundance of active sites associated with the large Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area. The Co2.5Al‐Ns catalyst also achieves full conversion of CO in tests performed with a gas mixture simulating automobile exhaust gas at 200°C. After loading the Co2.5Al‐Ns on a porous ceramic substrate, the obtained Co2.5Al‐Ns/PC shows high activity and stability in CO oxidation process. These features are potentially important for future industrial applications of these catalysts.
Deactivation of hydrodesulfurization catalysts during reactor startup
Authors: Ho Teh C.
Published: January 2020

Metal sulfide catalysts for ultra‐deep hydrodesulfurization of diesel generally lose a fraction of their catalytically active sites during reactor startup. The underlying mechanisms are discussed. A laboratory diagnostic tool consisting of three probe molecules is developed for testing metal sulfide catalysts' start‐of‐run (SOR) activity maintenance. It is found that a significant fraction of the active sites on a commercial supported catalyst are deactivated permanently, but this is not the case with a bulk metal sulfide catalyst. The SOR deactivation of the bulk catalyst is completely reversible, while that of the supported catalyst is partially reversible. The diagnostic tool may provide a basis for developing a high‐throughput approach for evaluating and enhancing catalyst SOR stability, thereby increasing plant productivity.
Model‐predictive safety optimal actions to detect and handle process operation hazards
Authors: Soroush Masoud , Masooleh Leila Samandari , Seider Warren D. , Oktem Ulku , Arbogast Jeffrey E.
Published: January 2020

In 2016, we introduced the concept of model‐predictive safety (MPS; Ahooyi et al, AIChE J. 2016; 62:2024‐2042). MPS is a proposed innovation in functional safety systems to methodically account for process nonlinearities and variable interactions to enable predictive, prescriptive actions, while existing functional safety systems generally react when individual process variables exceed thresholds. MPS systematically utilizes a dynamic process model to detect imminent and potential future operation hazards in real time and to take optimal preventive and mitigative actions proactively. This work expands the concept of MPS and formulates two min–max optimization problems, offline solutions of which are the optimal proactive preventive and mitigating actions that MPS takes online, in response to predicted process operation hazards. A nested particle‐swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is proposed to solve the min–max optimization problems. The application and performance of the min–max optimization formulations, the PSO algorithm, and MPS, applied to two chemical process examples, are shown through numerical simulations.
A needle trap device packed with MIL‐100(Fe) metal organic frameworks for efficient headspace sampling and analysis of urinary BTEXs
Authors: Saedi Negar , Bahrami Abdulrahman , Ghorbani Shahna Farshid , Habibi Mohraz Majid , Farhadian Maryam , Alizadeh Saber
Published: January 2020

The aim of this study was to develop a new method for the determination of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene isomers (BTEXs) in urine samples. In this method, MIL‐100(Fe)@Fe3O4@SiO2 metal–organic framework was synthesized, characterized and packed inside a needle trap device (NTD) as a sorbent for headspace extraction of unmetabolized BTEXs from urine samples followed by gas chromatography (GC) analysis. The GC device was equipped with a flame ionization detector (FID). The results showed that the optimal extraction time, extraction temperature and salt content were 60 min, 30°C and 5%, respectively. Also, the optimal desorption time and temperature were determined to be 1 min and 250°C, respectively. The limits of detection and quantification of the analytes of interest were in the ranges 0.0001–0.0005 and 0.0003–0.0014 μg ml−1, respectively. The intra‐ and inter‐day repeatability were <7.6%. The accuracy of the measurements in urine samples was in the range 7.1–11.4%. The results also demonstrated that the proposed NTD offered various advantages such as having high sensitivity and being inexpensive, reusable, user friendly, environmentally friendly and compatible for use with the GC device. Therefore, it can be efficiently used as a MIL–NTD for the extraction and analysis of unmetabolized BTEXs from urine samples.
Where do these cadavers come from?
Authors: Jayakumar Nithish , Athar Sajjad , Ashwood Neil
Published: January 2020

Cadaveric surgical courses are highly useful in developing operative skills, however, the provenance of the cadavers themselves remains opaque. Trade in cadaveric parts is an important source of material for courses, and this has spawned the unique service of body brokerage. Body brokers, however, operate in an unregulated market and obtain bodies by exploiting family members' altruistic instincts and financial concerns. Unethical and illegal sale of body parts has been well‐documented, while the use of cadavers for uses other than that consented by donors is also a key concern. Undoubtedly, cadaveric surgical courses would have used bodies sourced from brokers, and questions remain about the moral and ethical implications of this. We discuss this issue using an ethical and historical context as well as offering solutions to ensure the ethical sourcing of cadavers for surgical training.
Flammability and combustion hazard of preserved human tissues
Authors: Noël Geoffroy P. JC.
Published: January 2020

Preservation techniques have evolved over the years to respond to the need of longer dissection periods, with formaldehyde being widely used for this purpose. In recent years, efforts have been focusing on reducing the health hazards of this fixative and the rigidity of the tissues embalmed with it. With every embalming technique that they are either developing or resurrecting from various protocols, institutions need to assess the fire and health hazards of all the chemicals being used. Compliance with the storage and handling safeguards listed in the Material Safety Data Sheet of each chemical, needs to be accompanied by infrastructure changes. To reduce the health hazards of formaldehyde, institutions are taking appropriate countermeasures directed at the source itself, by using substitutes or injecting formaldehyde chelating agents, and are adopting high performance air extraction systems to protect the users. However, little is known about the flammability risk of embalmed human bodies. During a recent visit to McGill University morgue by architects and safety inspectors to expand it, we were asked about the flammability risk of the embalmed specimens, so we carried out a flashpoint test to evaluate the flammability potential of specimens embalmed with each of our three embalming techniques: formaldehyde‐based, Thiel, and phenol‐based. With the phenol‐based embalming showing the most risks, attention should be drawn to all institutions who are experimenting with various embalming techniques to evaluate the flammability potential of their embalmed specimens.
Effects of chronic low‐dose aspirin treatment on tumor prevention in three mouse models of intestinal tumorigenesis
Authors: Rohwer Nadine , Kühl Anja A. , Ostermann Annika I. , Hartung Nicole Marie , Schebb Nils Helge , Zopf Dieter , McDonald Fiona M. , Weylandt Karsten‐H.
Published: January 2020

Although early detection and treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC) have improved, it remains a significant health‐care problem with high morbidity and mortality. Data indicate that long‐term intake of low‐dose aspirin reduces the risk of CRC; however, the mechanisms underlying this chemopreventive effect are still unclear. Different mouse models for inflammation‐associated, sporadic, and hereditary CRC were applied to assess the efficacy and mechanism of low‐dose aspirin on tumor prevention. An initial dosing study performed in healthy mice indicates that aspirin at a dose of 25 mg/kg/d has a similar pharmacodynamic effect as low‐dose aspirin treatment in human subjects (100 mg/d). Chronic low‐dose aspirin treatment suppresses colitis‐associated and to a lesser extent spontaneous tumorigenesis in mice. Aspirin's antitumor effect is most pronounced in a preventive approach when aspirin administration starts before the tumor‐initiating genotoxic event and continues for the duration of the experiment. These effects are not associated with alterations in cell proliferation, apoptosis, or activation of signaling pathways involved in CRC. Aspirin‐induced reduction in tumor burden is accompanied by inhibition of thromboxane B2 formation, indicating reduced platelet activation. Aspirin treatment also results in decreased colonic prostaglandin E2 formation and tumor angiogenesis. With respect to colitis‐triggered tumorigenesis, aspirin administration is associated with a reduction in inflammatory activity in the colon, as indicated by decreased levels of pro‐inflammatory mediators, and tumor‐associated iNOS‐positive macrophages. Our results suggest that low‐dose aspirin represents an effective antitumor agent in the context of colon tumorigenesis primarily due to its well‐established cyclooxygenase inhibition effects.
Economics of alternative dosing strategies for pembrolizumab and nivolumab at a single academic cancer center
Authors: Hall Evan , Zhang Jenny , Kim Eun Jeong , Hwang Grace , Chu Gilbert , Bhatia Shailender , Reddy Sunil
Published: January 2020

Background

The FDA initially approved pembrolizumab and nivolumab for doses based on patient weight, but subsequently amended approval to fixed doses. We estimated savings from novel dosing strategies based on real‐world patient data from a single cancer center.

Methods

We analyzed all outpatient doses of pembrolizumab and nivolumab administered at three infusion centers affiliated with our academic hospital between July 1, 2018 and Oct 31, 2018. We estimated savings from several dosing strategies with and without vial sharing between patients.

Results

A total of 1029 doses of pembrolizumab or nivolumab were administered for multiple cancer types. For 77% of doses, the weight‐based dose was less than the fixed dose. “Dose‐minimization” (DM), defined as the lesser of weight‐based and fixed dose decreased nivolumab spending by 9% without affecting pembrolizumab spending. DM plus vial sharing decreased pembrolizumab spending by 19% without affecting nivolumab. The differences in savings were due to availability of multiple vial sizes for nivolumab but not pembrolizumab. DM plus vial sharing for both drugs would have saved $1.5 million USD over the 4‐month study period.

Conclusion

New dosing strategies for pembrolizumab and nivolumab can generate large savings without anticipated decrease in efficacy. Barriers include FDA dosing labels, hospital policies against vial sharing, and inaccessibility of smaller vial sizes, which are currently available in other worldwide markets.
Learning about Enzyme Stability against Organic Cosolvents from Structural Insights by Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Sproß Jens , Yamashita Yasunobu , Gröger Harald
Published: January 2020

Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) coupled with mass spectrometry (MS) enables the investigation of protein folding in solution. Herein, a proof‐of‐concept for obtaining structural information about the folding of a protein in dependency of the amount of an organic cosolvent in the aqueous medium by means of this IMS‐MS method is presented. By analyzing the protein with native nano‐electrospray ionization IMS‐MS, the impact of acetonitrile as a representative organic cosolvent and/or pH values on the folding of an enzyme was successfully evaluated in a fast and straightforward fashion, as exemplified for an ene reductase from Gluconobacter oxydans. The IMS‐MS results are in agreement with findings from the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)‐based spectrophotometric enzyme activity tests under analogous conditions, and thus, also rationalizing these “wet” analytical data. For this ene reductase, a higher tolerance against CH3CN in the presence of a buffer was observed by both analytical methods. The results suggest that this IMS‐MS methodology could be a useful complementary tool to existing methods in process optimization and fine‐tuning of solvent conditions for biotransformations.
Development of Minimal Diguanosinyl Motif toward RNA G‐Quadruplex‐Like Structures in Solution
Authors: Pal Chandan , Chakraborty Tushar Kanti
Published: January 2020

Among the non‐canonical structures of B‐DNA, the G‐quadruplex is of particular interest because of its well‐defined conformation, high stability, and versatility. Herein we report our studies on the development of an amide‐linked minimal diguanosinyl motif that forms a G‐quadruplex‐like structure in solution in the presence of potassium cations; various linear guanosine amino acid dimers were synthesized with linkers of different chain lengths to investigate the optimum flexibility required to form such structures.
Sulfinyl‐Mediated Stereoselective Functionalization of Acyclic Conjugated Dienes
Authors: Colomer Ignacio , Ureña Mercedes , Viso Alma , Fernández de la Pradilla Roberto
Published: January 2020

The chemo‐ and stereocontrolled functionalization of conjugated sulfinyl dienes in a cascade process that involves a conjugate addition, diastereoselective protonation and a [2,3]‐sigmatropic rearrangement is reported. Enantioenriched 1,4‐diol and 1,4‐aminoalcohol derivatives are obtained in a very straightforward manner. Further functionalization of these structures, including highly stereoselective epoxidation, dihydroxylation and the stereodivergent synthesis of several polyols in a controlled fashion is described.
Goodness‐of‐fit for regime‐switching copula models with application to option pricing
Authors: Nasri Bouchra R. , Rémillard Bruno N. , Thioub Mamadou Y.
Published: January 2020

Abstract

We consider several time series, and for each of them, we fit an appropriate dynamic parametric model. This produces serially independent error terms for each time series. The dependence between these error terms is then modelled by a regime‐switching copula. The EM algorithm is used for estimating the parameters and a sequential goodness‐of‐fit procedure based on Cramér–von Mises statistics is proposed to select the appropriate number of regimes. Numerical experiments are performed to assess the validity of the proposed methodology. As an example of application, we evaluate a European put‐on‐max option on the returns of two assets. To facilitate the use of our methodology, we have built a R package HMMcopula available on CRAN.The Canadian Journal of Statistics48: 79–96; 2020 © 2020 Statistical Society of Canada
Corporate social responsibility and financial statement comparability: Evidence from China
Authors: Wang Fangjun , Zhang Zhichao , Xu Luying
Published: January 2020

This study examines the association between corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance and financial statement comparability. We use a sample of 7,462 firm‐year observations from firms listed on China's stock exchanges from 2007 to 2016 and find that to some extent, firms with more positive CSR performance exhibit higher financial statement comparability, supporting the notion that managers have ethical concerns for stakeholder engagement. By contrast, firms with inferior adverse CSR performance exhibit significantly much lower financial statement comparability. Results are robust to alternative variable measurements and tests for endogeneity. Findings also suggest that CSR performance can be indicative of managerial opportunistic behaviours and the compliance incentive to follow accounting standards.
Solvent‐ and Catalyst‐Free Carbon Dioxide Capture and Reduction to Formate with Borohydride Ionic Liquid
Authors: Lombardo Loris , Yang Heena , Zhao Kun , Dyson Paul J. , Züttel Andreas
Published: January 2020

The metal‐ and solvent‐free capture and reduction of large amounts of CO2 to formate under ambient conditions is achieved by combining a pyrrolidinium‐based ionic liquid with a borohydride anion. This material demonstrates one of the highest CO2 capacities at room temperature and 1 bar with up to 1 g
 g−1IL. CO2 gas reacts with the BH4− anion to give triformatoborohydride, [HB(OCHO)3]−. The reaction occurs without loss in capacity at low CO2 concentration (6 vol % diluted with N2). The thermodynamics and kinetics of the reaction were monitored by using a magnetic suspended balance. In addition, more than 1 mol
 mol−1
is captured and reduced if air is used as a CO2 source. The product can be then treated with HCl to give formic acid and the corresponding ionic liquid chloride, which can be recycled. This ionic liquid borohydride demonstrates great potential as a CO2 absorber and reducer to produce alternative fuels.
A High‐Performance Primary Nanosheet Heterojunction Cathode Composed of Na0.44MnO2 Tunnels and Layered Na2Mn3O7 for Na‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Zheng Peng , Su Jiaxin , Wang Yibing , Zhou Wei , Song Jiajia , Su Qinmei , Reeves‐McLaren Nik , Guo Shouwu
Published: January 2020

Owing to its large capacity and high average potential, the structure and reversible O‐redox compensation mechanism of Na2Mn3O7 have recently been analyzed. However, capacity fade and low coulombic efficiency over multiple cycles have also been found to be a problem, which result from oxygen evolution at high charge voltages. Herein, a Na0.44MnO2⋅Na2Mn3O7 heterojunction of primary nanosheets was prepared by a sol‐gel‐assisted high‐temperature sintering method. In the nanodomain regions, the close contact of Na0.44MnO2 not only supplies multidimensional channels to improve the rate performance of the composite, but also plays the role of pillars for enhancing the cycling stability and coulombic efficiency; this is accomplished by suppressing oxygen evolution, which is confirmed by high‐resolution (HR)TEM, cyclic voltammetry, and charge/discharge curves. As the cathode of a Na‐ion battery, at 200 mA g−1 after 100 cycles, the Na0.44MnO2⋅Na2Mn3O7 heterojunction retains an 88 % capacity and the coulombic efficiency approaches 100 % during the cycles. At 1000 mA g−1, the Na0.44MnO2⋅Na2Mn3O7 heterojunction has a discharge capacity of 72 mAh g−1. In addition, the average potential is as high as 2.7 V in the range 1.5–4.6 V. The above good performances indicate that heterojunctions are an effective strategy for addressing oxygen evolution by disturbing the long‐range order distribution of manganese vacancies in the Mn‐O layer.