bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reform of internal control system in electric power enterprises under digital wave
Authors: Bao Geng , Zhang Lingle , Chen Minhua
Published: April 2021

With the advent of the digital era represented by “cloud, big, material, mobile, intelligent” and 5g, many new concepts and technologies have emerged, which brings both opportunities and challenges to the reform of management system of power enterprises. This paper discusses the internal control system of electric power enterprises, which from the perspective of the reform and construction of internal control system under digital conditions.
Does the “Belt & Road” Initiative Promote Total Factor Productivity in Provinces along the Route?
Authors: Jiang Fan , Tan Yiqian
Published: April 2021

This paper empirically investigates the impact of the impact of “Belt & Road” initiative on total factor productivity (TFP) in provinces along the route. The DEA-Malmquist method is used to calculate TFP. Utilizing a quasi-natural experimental design, this paper finds that the “Belt & Road” Initiative has a significant positive effect on TFP in provinces along the route. The influencing mechanism is found to be increased foreign direct investment (FDI). Based on this, the paper suggests that China should further open up. Meanwhile, provinces along the route should improve infrastructure and attract more FDI. The governments should constantly enhance technological innovation.
Theoretical Exploration and Path Construction of Ideological and Political Theories Teaching under the background of New Business Education
Authors: Cao Yonghui , Jiang He
Published: April 2021

In recent years, with the reform of higher education in various aspects, China’s higher education is booming. The innovation of higher education, including ideological and political theories teaching and new business education, puts forward new requirements for China’s universities. Therefore, it is of great theoretical and practical significance to study the theoretical development and construction path of courses for ideological and political education under the background of new business education. Based on this, this paper organically combines the new business education construction with the ideological and political curriculum, so as to provide theoretical support and theoretical thinking for the talent cultivation of the new business education.
Quantitative analysis of influencing factors of single vessel maintenance standard cost
Authors: Haoning Tang , Xin Liang
Published: April 2021

Ship equipment maintenance fee of the single standard funds under the influence of many factors, in order to analyse the ship maintenance fee standard for each single loading factors influence the size of paper from two aspects: the ship itself and using the environment of ship cost, displacement, use fixed number of year, the price level, service environment, the use frequency of six index quantification, the factors which influence on factors affecting the characteristics of the mutual influence and mutual restriction between the measures, using the index of conflict and contrast between the strength of give attention to two or more things CRITIC method for quantitative analysis. The results show that the six influencing factors are in order from large to small: price level, service life, service frequency, service environment, ship cost, displacement.
Research on the Applicability of Financial Management System Based on Computer Erp System
Authors: Liu Zhaohua
Published: April 2021

In the EPR environment, the financial management system has the characteristics of integrity, scientific decision-making, timeliness of information acquisition and comprehensive information service. However, in the actual financial management process, due to the neglect of practical research, the upgrade and promotion of ERP software are hindered. On the whole, the ERP system is single and the rights and responsibilities are not clear. In order to improve the ERP financial management system, in the process of system design, it is necessary to clarify the system design requirements, clarify the system architecture and clarify the system functions. The realization of the whole ERP financial management system, based on the system development environment and database design, must establish the management model according to the enterprise management practice, strengthen the enterprise training, ensure the safety of information management, clarify the responsibilities of various departments and ensure the normal operation of ERP financial management system.
The Application of Japanese Electronic Media in Japanese Learning
Authors: Cui Xiuxia , Honda Hiroyuki , Nagai Yukari
Published: April 2021

With the development of internet technology, language learning had become different from the past. A variety of electronic media are used as a means of learning Japanese. This paper makes a questionnaire survey of Japanese majors in a university in China, and clarifies the students’ application of Japanese electronic media, and analyzes the problems faced by students. This paper makes suggestions on how to use Japanese electronic media correctly to help to learn Japanese. Using learners’ love of Japanese electronic media, stimulating their motivation to learn Japanese, making full use of online resources, encouraging learners to use time outside the classroom to learn scientifically and effectively is our research topic.
WJX.cn Software-based Application of Fit Cases in the Information-based Teaching of Ideological and Political Courses
Authors: Xuhua Liu , Lu Pang , Yanxing Zhang , Chang Liu
Published: April 2021

Case teaching method is a common teaching method in teaching. In recent years, the case teaching method is widely applied in the teaching of ideological and political courses, but in the actual operational process, the case teaching also has a series of problems. This paper aims to illustrate the important role of fit cases in improving the teaching effectiveness of ideological and political courses by sorting out various problems emerging when using cases during the teaching of ideological and political courses. In the end, the paper points out how to use the computer software technology and informationbased teaching method to precisely apply the fit cases into the teaching process of ideological and political courses in the background of information-based teaching, to make case teaching alive really and realize the true effectiveness of case teaching in the teaching of ideological and political courses.
Research on Application Strategy of EPC Mode Based on BIM Technology in Cost Management of Military Readiness Engineering
Authors: Kai Li , Guo-ping Jiang
Published: April 2021

Based on the current status of military combat readiness project cost management, this article analyzes the necessity of introducing EPC mode and BIM technology into military combat readiness project cost management and the problems existing in the application process, and proposes the EPC mode based on BIM technology in the military combat readiness project cost management The operational mechanism conception, confidentiality management, risk management and other response strategies provide reference for the reform of the military combat readiness project cost management model.
Fire Equipment Information Traceability System based on Blockchain
Authors: Bao Xianglong
Published: April 2021

To solve the problems of centralization, tampering, incomplete storage, and privacy of fire fighting equipment traceability system, this paper proposes a fire fighting equipment information traceability system based on blockchain. The system is developed on the Fabric blockchain platform of Hyperledger. The system environment is equipped with three organizations: manufacturer, dealer, and consumers, and the query request is initiated with the traceability function of fire fighting equipment in the chaincode. Finally, through the certificate authentication user account can realize the fire fighting equipment information inquiry, and the query response time average value is 19.5 ms. The characteristics of blockchain are difficult to tamper with, timestamp and transaction traceability, which can be well applied to the traceability system of fire fighting equipment, which makes the traceability function of the system more perfect, and consumers can get all traceability information, including production information, logistics information and usage information of fire fighting equipment.
Barrieren der Antragstellung in der Onkologischen Rehabilitation: Eine bundesweite Expertenstudie
Authors: Weis Joachim , Dresch Carolin , Bartsch Hans Helge , Kurlemann Ulrich , Maiwald Phillip , Rademaker Anna Lena , Valentini Jan , Joos Stefanie , Heidt Vitali
Published: April 2021

Ziel der Studie Aus Perspektive verschiedener Expertengruppen, die in der Versorgung onkologisch Erkrankter tätig sind, werden Barrieren bei der Antragstellung zu onkologischen Rehabilitationsmaßnahmen identifiziert. Darauf aufbauend werden Handlungsempfehlungen zur Optimierung abgeleitet. Die Studie wurde von der Deutschen Rentenversicherung Bund (DRV) gefördert.

Methodik Auf Basis einer Interviewstudie (N=61) wurde ein Fragebogeninstrument mit 55 Items zu möglichen Barrieren im Antragstellungsprozess konzipiert und online eingesetzt. Teilnehmer mit mehr als 33% fehlenden Werten wurden von den Analysen ausgeschlossen. Mittelwertanalysen wurden zur Identifikation der bedeutsamsten Relevanz angewendet. Um übergeordnete Dimensionen zu identifizieren, wurde eine exploratorische Faktorenanalyse durchgeführt.

Ergebnisse Insgesamt wurden 606 Experten aus dem onkologischen Bereich in die Auswertung eingeschlossen. Darunter waren 249 Ärzte, 194 Sozialarbeiter, 105 Pflegefachkräfte / Medizinische Fachangestellte, 55 Psychologen / Psychoonkologen und 3 sonstige Berufsgruppen. Die befragten Experten waren im Mittel 51 Jahre alt (SD=10,4) und seit 17 Jahren (SD=9,8) im onkologischen Bereich tätig. Die Barrieren konnten folgenden 7 faktoranalytisch bestimmten Inhaltsbereichen zugeordnet werden: Krankheitsverarbeitung, Antragsverfahren, Rehafähigkeit, Koordination, soziale Verpflichtungen, Patientenwünsche und Stellenwert der Reha. Die Experten gaben an, dass insbesondere der Wunsch des Patienten nach Normalität, die zu starre Frist für die Anschlussrehabilitation (AHB) und das für Patienten mit Migrationshintergrund schlecht verständliche Antragsverfahren einer Antragstellung entgegenstehen kann. Außerdem wurde darauf hingewiesen, dass die Vermittlung von multimorbiden Patienten in die Rehabilitationseinrichtungen schwierig sei.

Schlussfolgerung Aus der Expertenstudie können folgende Handlungsempfehlungen für einen erleichterten Rehabilitationszugang abgeleitet werden: Optimierung der Koordination zwischen verschiedenen Expertengruppen; Einrichtungen und mit den Kostenträgern, Flexibilisierung der AHB-Frist, Vereinfachung der Antragstellung, Bereitstellung von Anträgen / Informationsmaterialien in weiteren Sprachen, Ausrichtung der Reha-Kliniken auf spezifische Patientengruppen.
Thoracic Trauma: Aortic Injuries
Authors: Monga Akhil , Patil Santosh B. , Cherian Mathew , Poyyamoli Santhosh , Mehta Pankaj
Published: April 2021

Thoracic aortic injuries caused by high impact trauma are life-threatening and require emergent diagnosis and management. With improvement in the acute care services, an increasing number of such injuries are being managed such that patients survive to undergo definitive therapies. A high index of clinical suspicion is required to order appropriate imaging. Computed tomography angiography is used to classify the injuries and guide treatment strategy. While low-grade injuries might be managed conservatively, high-grade injuries require urgent surgical or endovascular intervention. Over the past decade, endovascular repair of the thoracic aorta with or without a surgical bypass has become the preferred treatment with reduced mortality and morbidity. Rapid advancements in the stent graft technology have reduced the anatomic barriers to endovascular therapy and increased the confidence of the operators. Detailed planning prior to the procedure, understanding of the anatomy, correct choice of hardware, and adherence to technical protocol are essential for a successful endovascular procedure. These patients are often young and the limited data on the long-term outcome of aortic stent grafts make a case for a robust follow-up protocol.
Splenic Artery Embolization for Patients with High-Grade Splenic Trauma: Indications, Techniques, and Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Habash Majd , Ceballos Darrel , Gunn Andrew J.
Published: April 2021

The spleen is the most commonly injured organ in blunt abdominal trauma. Patients who are hemodynamically unstable due to splenic trauma undergo definitive operative management. Interventional radiology plays an important role in the multidisciplinary management of the hemodynamically stable trauma patient with splenic injury. Hemodynamically stable patients selected for nonoperative management have improved clinical outcomes when splenic artery embolization is utilized. The purpose of this article is to review the indications, technical aspects, and clinical outcomes of splenic artery embolization for patients with high-grade splenic injuries.
Embolization in Trauma: Review of Basic Principles and Techniques
Authors: Lopera Jorge E.
Published: April 2021

Trauma is the leading cause of death in patients younger than 45 years. Over the last decade, there has been a progressive paradigm shift toward a nonoperative management of many blunt and penetrating injuries, placing interventional radiology in the forefront in this critical field. Transcatheter embolization is an established technique that plays a significant role in the modern treatment of traumatic injuries of the extremities, pelvis, and solid organs. The purpose of this article is to review the updated principles and techniques used in transcatheter embolization in trauma.
Does the human microbiome tell us something about race?
Authors: Nieves Delgado Abigail , Baedke Jan
Published: April 2021

This paper critically discusses the increasing trend in human microbiome research to draw on the concept of race. This refers to the attempt to investigate the microbial profile of certain social and ethnic groups as embodied racial traits. Here, race is treated as a necessary category that helps in identifying and solving health challenges, like obesity and type-2 diabetes, in ‘western’ or indigenous populations with particular microbial characteristics. We are skeptical of this new environmentalist trend to racialize human bodies due to two reasons: (i) These race studies repeat outdated historical narratives, which link especially nutrition and race in ways that are prone to stir stereotypical and exclusionary views on indigenous groups. (ii) The concept of biological race used here is taxonomically problematic and conceptually inconsistent. It leads to a view in which human races are constituted by other non-human species. In addition, this approach cannot group biological individuals into human races and decouples races from ancestry. To support this critique, we draw on case studies of microbiome research on indigenous groups in Latin America.
Positive solutions for Kirchhoff equation in exterior domains
Authors: Chen Peng , Liu Xiaochun
Published: April 2021

This work concerns the Kirchhoff equation −(a + b∫Ω|∇u|2dx)Δu + u = |u|p−2u, where a, b > 0, Ω⊆R3 is an exterior domain with a smooth boundary and 4 < p < 6. By establishing a global compactness result, we prove that the equation has at least one positive solution. Our result is an extension of the work by Benci and Cerami [Arch. Ration. Mech. Anal. 99(4), 283–300 (1987)].
Effect of molecular Stokes shift on polariton dynamics
Authors: Hulkko E. , Pikker S. , Tiainen V. , Tichauer R. H. , Groenhof G. , Toppari J. J.
Published: April 2021

When the enhanced electromagnetic field of a confined light mode interacts with photoactive molecules, the system can be driven into the regime of strong coupling, where new hybrid light–matter states, polaritons, are formed. Polaritons, manifested by the Rabi split in the dispersion, have shown potential for controlling the chemistry of the coupled molecules. Here, we show by angle-resolved steady-state experiments accompanied by multi-scale molecular dynamics simulations that the molecular Stokes shift plays a significant role in the relaxation of polaritons formed by organic molecules embedded in a polymer matrix within metallic Fabry–Pérot cavities. Our results suggest that in the case of Rhodamine 6G, a dye with a significant Stokes shift, excitation of the upper polariton leads to a rapid localization of the energy into the fluorescing state of one of the molecules, from where the energy scatters into the lower polariton (radiative pumping), which then emits. In contrast, for excitonic J-aggregates with a negligible Stokes shift, the fluorescing state does not provide an efficient relaxation gateway. Instead, the relaxation is mediated by exchanging energy quanta matching the energy gap between the dark states and lower polariton into vibrational modes (vibrationally assisted scattering). To understand better how the fluorescing state of a molecule that is not strongly coupled to the cavity can transfer its excitation energy to the lower polariton in the radiative pumping mechanism, we performed multi-scale molecular dynamics simulations. The results of these simulations suggest that non-adiabatic couplings between uncoupled molecules and the polaritons are the driving force for this energy transfer process.
Magnetoelectric coupling in self-assembled BiFeO3–CoFe2O4 nanocomposites on (110)-LaAlO3 substrates
Authors: Mo Zhuhua , Tian Guo , Yang Wenda , Ning Shuai , Ross Caroline A. , Gao Xingsen , Liu Junming
Published: April 2021

We describe the magnetic domain structures and magnetoelectric coupling in self-assembled BiFeO3–CoFe2O4 (BFO–CFO) nanocomposite thin films grown on (110)-LaAlO3 substrates, consisting of CFO slab-shaped crystals (nanofins) embedded in a BFO matrix. The nanofins exhibit magnetic single-domain states with in-plane magnetization along their length due to shape and magnetoelastic anisotropies. The piezoresponse of the BFO matrix is affected by applying an in-plane hard axis magnetic field, indicating magnetoelectric coupling within the multiferroic composite. Conversely, an applied electric field leads to the magnetic reversal of a fraction of the nanofins as the strain transferred from the BFO alters the magnetic anisotropy, enabling switching driven by magnetostatic interactions.
Measurement of E × B drift of impurities in the C-2W inner divertor using spatial heterodyne spectroscopy
Authors: Sheftman D. , Signorelli M. , Gupta D. ,   TAE Team
Published: April 2021

Edge control in the C-2W field-reversed configuration experiment is crucial for the stability and energy confinement of the core plasma. Such edge control is achieved by electrical biasing on the end-on electrode plates. The radial electric field generated by the electrode biasing can be measured by E × B induced drift of impurity ions. Spatial heterodyne spectroscopy (SHS) is a promising method of high light throughput spectroscopy. Doppler shifted spectra of O4+ ion emission lines have been measured using a novel, in-house built SHS system. The electric field in the jet plasma inside the inner divertor of C-2W was estimated using the temporal profile of the rotational velocity of the oxygen ions. SHS system details, obtained measurements, and the methods of improving the system performance will be discussed.
Understanding curvature effects on the magnetization reversal of patterned permalloy Archimedean spirals
Authors: Brajuskovic V. , Phatak C.
Published: April 2021

Geometric curvature in magnetic systems can induce several unique magnetic interactions, the most notable of which are the curvature induced magnetic anisotropy and the curvature introduced Dzyaloshinski–Moria (DM) like interaction. Of the two, the DM-like interaction is particularly interesting as it provides a unique way to control domain wall motion, which is particularly relevant to the field of spintronics. In this work, we study the effect of geometric curvature on magnetization reversal in Permalloy strips patterned into Archimedean spirals with varying widths. We simulated the magnetization reversal of Permalloy strips for several widths ranging from microscale to nanoscale to determine a lengthscale at which the curvature effects are strong. Simulations showed that in the microscale spirals, magnetization reversal primarily occurs through the appearance of magnetization ripple in which domains with reversed magnetization nucleate. On the other hand, the nanoscale spirals showed that reversal primarily proceeded through the motion of domain walls into the arms of the spiral. Our experimental in situ Lorentz transmission electron microscopy data of the microscale spirals, however, showed that magnetization reversal occurred with both mechanisms. At the nanoscale, the effect of local variation of curvature leads to hysteresis loops with stepped behavior. This behavior is characteristic of the curvature induced DM-like interaction affecting domain wall motion in the arms of the nanoscale spirals.
Accurate semiempirical potential energy curves for the
a
3Σ+-state of NaCs, KCs, and RbCs
Authors: Schwarzer Michael , Toennies J. Peter
Published: April 2021

A five parameter semiempirical Tang–Toennies type model is used to describe the potential curves of the a3Σ+-state of the heteronuclear polar molecules NaCs, KCs, and RbCs. These molecules are of current interest in experiments at ultra-cold conditions to explore the effects of the strong dipole–dipole forces on the collective many-body quantum behavior. New quantum phenomena are also anticipated in systems consisting of atomic species with different fermion/boson statistics. The model parameters are obtained by simultaneously fitting all five of the parameters to the extensive LIF-Fourier transform spectroscopy published by Tiemann and collaborators [e.g., Docenko et al. J. Phys. B: At., Mol. Opt. Phys. 39, S929–S943 (2006)], who also report best fit potential curves. Although the new potentials are in good agreement with the earlier potentials, they have the advantage that they are continuous over the entire range of internuclear distances and have the correct long-range behavior. The scattering lengths for all isotope combinations show good agreement with dedicated experiments where available. The new potentials are also in excellent agreement with combining rules based on the potentials of the homonuclear systems.
Analytical energy gradient for the second-order Møller–Plesset perturbation theory coupled with the reference interaction site model self-consistent field explicitly including spatial electron density distribution
Authors: Negishi Naoki , Yokogawa Daisuke
Published: April 2021

Solvatochromic shifts of the activation free energies are important aspects to consider for reaction control. To predict the energies, the stationary points in a solution must be accurately determined along the reaction pathway. In this study, the second-order Møller–Plesset perturbation (MP2) theory combined with the reference interaction site model was applied using our fitting approach, and the MP2 analytical energy gradient was determined. The coupled-cluster energy and thermal correction were calculated using the MP2 optimized geometry with solvent effect, and the activation free energies of the Diels–Alder reaction between cyclopentadiene and methyl vinyl ketone are within an error of 2 kcal/mol compared with the experimental data.
Three-dimensional wake transition behind an elliptic cylinder near a moving wall
Authors: Zhu Jianxun , Jiang Fengjian , Holmedal Lars Erik
Published: April 2021

Three-dimensional flow past an elliptic cylinder with an aspect ratio of 0.5 near a moving bottom wall is investigated numerically for gap ratios of G/D=0.1,0.2,0.3, and 0.4 (where G denotes the gap between the cylinder bottom and the moving wall, and D is the major-axis length of the cylinder) with Reynolds numbers (Re) ranging from 100 to 200 (based on a constant inlet velocity and the major-axis length of the cylinder); the transition between two- and three-dimensional flow regimes is described in detail. For G/D=0.4, the flow is first two-dimensional with a Kármán vortex street followed by a two-layered wake, then it evolves into a three-dimensional flow regime with near-wake and far-wake elliptic instabilities of vortex pairs; for Re≥180, the near-wake elliptic instability disappears (i.e., the near wake becomes two-dimensional) while the far-wake elliptic instability persists. For G/D=0.3, the flow is first two-dimensional without the development of the two-layered wake, then it evolves into a three-dimensional flow regime with streamwise vorticity pairs propagating periodically in the spanwise direction; this propagation becomes irregular for Re≥160. For G/D=0.2, the flow is first two-dimensional as for G/D=0.3, then it becomes three-dimensional, exhibiting a behavior of modified mode C instability; for Re≥140, this flow exhibits a chaotic behavior. For G/D=0.1, the flow is first three-dimensional and steady without vortex shedding, and then develops into an unsteady flow with a dominating upper shear layer in the near-wake and a chaotic wake structure farther downstream.
Interferon regulatory factor 4 controls effector functions of CD8
+
memory T cells
Authors: Harberts Aenne , Schmidt Constantin , Schmid Joanna , Reimers Daniel , Koch-Nolte Friedrich , Mittrücker Hans-Willi , Raczkowski Friederike
Published: April 2021

Significance

The transcription factor IRF4 controls activation and differentiation of CD8
+
T cells; however, its role in memory T cells is unclear. Here, we use a mouse model that allows removal of IRF4 from CD8
+
T cells after their activation. We show that IRF4 is differentially required for long-term survival of CD8
+
memory T cell subsets. In particular, maintenance of tissue-resident memory T cells appears to depend on IRF4. Upon reactivation, IRF4-deficient CD8
+
memory T cells are strongly impaired in their proliferation and cytokine response. Thus, IRF4 is essential for the function CD8
+
memory T cells.
Killed whole-genome reduced-bacteria surface-expressed coronavirus fusion peptide vaccines protect against disease in a porcine model
Authors: Maeda Denicar Lina Nascimento Fabris , Tian Debin , Yu Hanna , Dar Nakul , Rajasekaran Vignesh , Meng Sarah , Mahsoub Hassan M. , Sooryanarain Harini , Wang Bo , Heffron C. Lynn , Hassebroek Anna , LeRoith Tanya , Meng Xiang-Jin , Zeichner Steven L.
Published: April 2021

Significance

We report a vaccine platform to express vaccine antigens on the surface of genome-reduced bacteria to enhance vaccine immunogenicity. We demonstrate the utility of this vaccine platform by expressing the highly conserved fusion peptide (FP) of SARS-CoV-2 and porcine epidemic diarrhea virus on the surface of
Escherichia coli
to produce killed whole-cell bacterial vaccines. The vaccine primes a potent anamnestic response, potentiates interferon-γ responses, and provides significant protection in pigs against disease following virus challenge. The FP could be a target for a broadly protective coronavirus vaccine since a betacoronavirus SARS-CoV-2 FP vaccine provided cross-protection against alphacoronavirus porcine epidemic diarrhea virus. When using a vaccine-appropriate bacteria vector, this inexpensive vaccine platform offers the potential for use in developing countries.
Electrical and thermal performances of epoxy-based micro–nano hybrid composites at different electric fields and temperatures
Authors: Dai Chao , Chen Xiangrong , Wang Qilong , Awais Muhammad , Zhu Guangyu , Shi Yiwen , Paramane Ashish , Tanaka Yasuhiro
Published: April 2021

This paper investigates the electrical and thermal properties of pure epoxy resin (EP) and its micro–nano hybrid composites (20 wt% micro-AlN fillers with 1 wt% and 3 wt% nano-Al2O3 fillers; 50% micro-AlN with 3% nano-Al2O3 fillers) for power electronic packaging applications. Electrical properties such as space charge distribution, electrical conductivity and surface potential decay are measured. The thermal performance of the fabricated samples is estimated using thermal analysis devices. The hybrid composite consisting of 20 wt% micro-AlN and 1 wt% nano-Al2O3 fillers exhibits the least space charge accumulation, higher thermal conductivity and better thermal stability. However, the excessive addition adversely affects space charge and electrical conductivity properties. The micro–nano hybrid composites significantly exhibit higher electrical conductivity than pure EP. The microfiller addition from 20 wt% to 50 wt% significantly improves the thermal conductivity of the EP. The reduced space charge injection and accumulation in the hybrid micro–nano composites are attributed to the enhancement of the injection barrier and reduction of the charge carrier traps in these materials. A theoretical mechanism of the charge dynamics inside the samples under different test conditions is proposed to support the experimental results.
Using a safe and effective fixative to improve the immunofluorescence staining of bacteria
Authors: Sun Jian , Mao Yuantian , Cui Lanyu , Cao Yongqiang , Li Zhao , Ling Min , Xu Xiaoping , He Shengbin
Published: April 2021

The emerging and development of green chemistry has once again drawn the researchers’ attention to eliminating the use and generation of hazardous materials. Here we report the use of a safe and effective fixative, chlorine dioxide (ClO2), instead of traditional hazardous fixatives for the cross-linking of cellular proteins to improve immunofluorescence staining of bacteria. The concentration of ClO2 needed for 100% fixation is 50 μg ml−1, which is much lower than that of traditional fixatives (1000–10000 μg ml−1). The ClO2 mediated cross-linking can preserve the integrity of bacterial cells and prevent cell loss through lysis. Meanwhile, lysozyme can permeabilize the bacterial cells, allowing the labelled antibodies to diffuse to their intracellular target molecules. By using E. coli O157:H7/RP4 as a gram-negative bacteria model, immunofluorescence staining assays for both intracellular protein and surface polysaccharide were carried out to investigate the effect of ClO2 fixation on the staining. The results demonstrated that ClO2 fixation could prevent the target antigens from cracking off the bacteria without damage on the interaction between the antibodies and antigens (either for polysaccharide or protein). As a safe and effective fixative, ClO2 has potential practical applications in immunofluorescence staining and fluorescence in situ hybridization for single bacteria/cell analysis.
Secondary ignition of carbon-based bridge coating triggered by low voltage
Authors: Dangjuan Li , Wenbin Zhang , Siyu Li , Kexuan Wang , Changxu Hao , Junhong Su , Wu Shenjiang
Published: April 2021

With the goal of reducing ignition voltage, a new type of carbon-based bridge coating (CBBC) was prepared, and its ignition performance was investigated. The size of the bridge area with the lowest ignition voltage was determined, and a secondary ignition phenomenon that occurred during the experiment was analyzed. Self-made conductive carbon paste was printed on the Al2O3substrate by a screen printing process, and the ignition bridge was shaped using laser etching technology. Both ends of the CBBC were coated with conductive silver paste and lead on their electrodes. A stabilized DC power supply was used for the ignition experiment. The ignition performance of the CBBCs under different bridge sizes was measured, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) characterization and analysis were performed on the surface of the ignition bridge area before and after the experiment. The CBBCs with a bridge area size of 300 × 300μm could be ignited at or under 24 V, and only part of the CBBCs could be triggered when the bridge area size was 500 × 500μm. Further, the ignition voltage may have been influenced by the poor uniformity of the coating thickness. Overall, the results demonstrate the following: (1) The CBBCs prepared in this experiment could be fully ignited at a voltage of 24 V, (2) a bridge size of 300 × 300μm could ensure stable ignition with low voltage, and (3) the tip discharge caused by the first fuse of the CBBCs was the root cause of the secondary ignition.
Comparative study on two different methods for fabrication of sustained release boscalid based on mesoporous silica
Authors: Li Wenjing , Xu Xuewan , Pan Hua , Wu Litao , Bai Shiyang , Sun Jihong , Zhang Fang
Published: April 2021

In this study, boscalid silica nanosphere nanoparticles (Bos@SNS/t Nps) and boscalid bimodal mesoporous silicas material nanoparticles (Bos@BMMs Nps) were prepared using two different methods. A comparative study on characteristics and properties of two nanospheres were conducted. Both nanoparticles had spherical shapes with average diameters of 719.3 ± 6.3 nm (Bos@BMMs) Nps and 981.3 ± 4.8 nm (Bos@SNS/t) Nps. The structures of nanoparticles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, dynamic light scattering laser particle-size analysis, and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, indicating that Nps had a well-defined core–shell construction for efficient loading of Bos. The loading rates of Bos@BMMs and Bos@SNS/t Nps were 25.2 ± 2.3% and 27.3 ± 3.6%, respectively. The nanoparticles had obvious pH sensitivity, and the release of Bos in pH 9.0 was higher than those in pH 7.0 and pH 4.0. No significant difference in the release behavior of nanocomposites was found, and the release models were fitted with the Weibull equation. Finally, the bioactivity of the Bos-loaded nanocomposite was measured against Rhizoctonia solani, which showed that the fungicidal efficacy of Bos@SNS/t was slightly better than that of Bos@BMMs.
Obesity-related genetic determinants of stroke
Authors: Gago-Dominguez Manuela , Sobrino Tomás , Torres-Español María , Calaza Manuel , Rodríguez-Castro Emilio , Campos Francisco , Redondo Carmen M , Castillo José , Carracedo Ángel
Published: April 2021

As obesity, circulating lipids and other vascular/metabolic factors influence the risk of stroke, we examined if genetic variants associated with these conditions are related to risk of stroke using a case−control study in Galicia, Spain. A selection of 200 single-nucleotide polymorphisms previously found to be related to obesity, body mass index, circulating lipids, type 2 diabetes, heart failure, obesity-related cancer and cerebral infarction were genotyped in 465 patients diagnosed with stroke and 480 population-based controls. An unsupervised Lasso regression procedure was carried out for single-nucleotide polymorphism selection based on their potential effect on stroke according to obesity. Selected genotypes were further analysed through multivariate logistic regression to study their association with risk of stroke. Using unsupervised selection procedures, nine single-nucleotide polymorphisms were found to be related to risk of stroke overall and after stratification by obesity. From these, rs10761731, rs2479409 and rs6511720 in obese subjects [odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 0.61 (0.39–0.95) (P = 0.027); 0.54 (0.35–0.84) (P = 0.006) and 0.42 (0.22–0.80) (P = 0.0075), respectively], and rs865686 in non-obese subjects [odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 0.67 (0.48–0.94) (P = 0.019)], were independently associated with risk of stroke after multivariate logistic regression procedures. The associations between the three single-nucleotide polymorphisms found to be associated with stroke risk in obese subjects were more pronounced among females; for rs10761731, odds ratios among obese males and females were 1.07 (0.58–1.97) (P = 0.84), and 0.31 (0.14–0.69) (P = 0.0018), respectively; for rs2479409, odd ratios were 0.66 (0.34–1.27) (P = 0.21), and 0.49 (0.24–0.99) (P = 0.04), for obese males and females, respectively; the stroke-rs6511720 association was also slightly more pronounced among obese females, odds ratios were 0.33 (0.13–0.87) (P = 0.022), and 0.28 (0.09–0.85) (P = 0.02) for obese males and females, respectively. The rs865686−stroke association was more pronounced among non-obese males [odds ratios = 0.61 (0.39–0.96) (P = 0.029) and 0.72 (0.42–1.22) (P = 0.21), for non-obese males and females, respectively]. A combined genetic score of variants rs10761731, rs2479409 and rs6511720 was highly predictive of stroke risk among obese subjects (P = 2.04 × 10−5), particularly among females (P = 4.28 × 10−6). In summary, single-nucleotide polymorphisms rs1076173, rs2479409 and rs6511720 were found to independently increase the risk of stroke in obese subjects after adjustment for established risk factors. A combined score with the three genomic variants was an independent predictor of risk of stroke among obese subjects in our population.
Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure predicts in-hospital outcomes in takotsubo syndrome
Authors: Del Buono Marco Giuseppe , Montone Rocco Antonio , Meucci Maria Chiara , La Vecchia Giulia , Camilli Massimiliano , Giraldi Luca , Pedicino Daniela , Trani Carlo , Sanna Tommaso , Galiuto Leonarda , Niccoli Giampaolo , Crea Filippo
Published: April 2021

Aims

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is associated to serious adverse in-hospital complications. We evaluated the role of invasively assessed left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) for predicting in-hospital complications in TTS patients compared to the most widely used echocardiographic parameters of ventricular function.

Methods and Results 

We prospectively enrolled 130 patients (mean age 71.2 ± 11.3 years, 114 [87.7%] female) with TTS. Invasive measurement of LVEDP was performed at the time of cardiac catheterization. The rate of in-hospital complications (composite of acute heart failure, life-threatening arrhythmias and all-cause death) was examined. In-hospital complications occurred in 37 (28.5%) patients. Patients who experienced in-hospital complications had a higher prevalence of neurological trigger and lower prevalence of emotional trigger, higher LVEDP and mean E/e′ ratio and lower LV ejection fraction (LVEF) values compared to those who did not experience in-hospital complications. At multivariate logistic regression, higher LVEDP [odds ratio (OR) 1.12, 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.05–1.20], P < 0.001] and lower LVEF (OR 0.95, 95% CI [0.91–0.99], P = 0.011) remained independently predictors of in-hospital complications, while emotional trigger was associated to a lower risk (OR 0.24, 95% CI [0.06–0.96], P = 0.044). The area under the curve (AUC) for LEVDP in the prediction of in-hospital events was 0.776 (95% CI [0.69–0.86], P <0.001, with a sensitivity and specificity of 95% and 58% using a LVEDP cut-off value of 22.5 mmHg). The AUC was significantly higher for LVEDP than for E/e′ ratio (P = 0.037).

Conclusions 

LVEDP measured at the time of catheterization may help in identifying TTS patients at higher risk of cardiovascular deterioration with relevant therapeutic implications.
‘My Gunners will burn your houses, my soldiers will pillage them’: what French people were singing about when they sang about Napoleon
Authors: Hopkin David
Published: April 2021

Fifty years after his death, almost the only song that French people still sung about Napoleon retold his conquest of the city of Mantua in 1797. ‘Le bombardement de Mantoue’ is an example of a popular European folk genre, the siege song. Siege songs use the metaphor of a violent wooer and a reluctant maiden to narrate the capture of cities. They circulated, in print and orally, from the mid seventeenth to the mid nineteenth centuries, updated for all conflicts by the substitution of the name of the besieger and the city. While often factually inaccurate, such songs are evidence of historical consciousness, and they could be used to express an identification with a national or political cause. They also anchored an early modern concept of war in popular culture, in which victory was measured in territory acquired, and in which a rampaging soldiery was pitted against a civilian and female population. Sieges envisaged as a violent courtship relocated military events into the language of interpersonal relationships, and thus they became relevant in many day-to-day contexts. Siege songs are akin to pastourelles, the most popular of all song genres, but whereas in the pastourelle a knight or lord pursues a shepherdess, in ‘Le bombardement de Mantoue’ socially superior women are violated by lower class men. This fantasy of social, as well as sexual, conquest helps explain the continuing popularity of this song.
European integration: Quo vadis? A critical commentary on the PSPP judgment of the German Federal Constitutional Court of May 5, 2020
Authors: Basedow Jürgen , Dietze Jan , Griller Stefan , Kellerbauer Manuel , Klamert Marcus , Malferrari Luigi , Scharf Tibor , Schnichels Dominik , Thym Daniel , Tomkin Jonathan
Published: April 2021

In its judgment of May 5, 2020, the Second Senate of the German Constitutional Court qualified for the first time a judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU)—C-493/17 Weiss—as “arbitrary from an objective perspective” and declared the underlying European Central Bank (ECB) decisions regarding the Public Sector Purchase Programme (PSPP) to be ultra vires. It requested the German Government and the German Parliament to take steps against the PSPP in its current form and to ensure that the ECB conducts a proportionality assessment of its PSPP. The judgment also prohibits the German Central Bank from participating, after a grace period of three months, in the implementation and execution of the ECB decisions at issue, unless the ECB assesses and substantiates that the measures provided for in its decisions satisfy the principle of proportionality. The present article, which was written by academics, lawyers, and civil servants from five countries, casts a critical eye on the judgment of the German Constitutional Court. It identifies significant shortcomings from both a German constitutional and a European Union perspective.
HIV Disclosure—Professional Body Guidelines, the Law and the Boundaries of Medical Advice
Authors: Ryan Samantha , Phillips Matt
Published: April 2021

This article examines the current BHIVA/BASHH guidelines on the disclosure of HIV+ status in the context of sexual activity. It assesses whether the guidance provided on how to avoid criminal prosecution accurately reflects the prevailing position in law. Given that aspects of the guidance related to non-disclosure of HIV infection in the context of low or negligible risk are as yet untested in UK law, it is argued that there is some uncertainty as to whether the professional body guidelines and the law can be reconciled with each other. The article also considers whether the BHIVA/BASHH guidelines stray beyond the boundaries of medical advice as normally understood (focused on the protection of health and the prevention of onward transmission), by posing both as legal advice on how to avoid prosecution and offering what could be viewed as a moral judgement as to when disclosure is required. While a bio-medical assessment of risk naturally shapes clinical guidelines and may also inform views as to appropriate sexual behaviour and risk-taking, it is unclear whether scientific assessment of risk should be the sole guide when it comes to determining the nature of any disclosure obligation or the medical advice to be given on this matter.
Evolution of the chemical enrichment and the mass–metallicity relation in CALIFA galaxies
Authors: Camps-Fariña A , Sanchez S F , Lacerda E A D , Carigi L , García-Benito R , Mast D , Galbany L
Published: April 2021

We apply fossil record techniques to the CALIFA sample to study how galaxies in the Local Universe have evolved in terms of their chemical content. We show how the stellar metallicity and the mass–metallicity relation (MZR) evolve through time for the galaxies in our sample and how this evolution varies when we divide them based on their mass, morphology, and star-forming status. We also check the impact of measuring the metallicity at the centre or the outskirts. We find the expected results that the most massive galaxies were enriched more quickly, and that the MZR was steeper at higher redshifts. However, once we separate the galaxies into morphology bins this behaviour is less clear, which suggests that morphology is a primary factor in determining how quickly a galaxy becomes enriched, but with mass determining the final enrichment. We also find that star-forming galaxies (SFGs) appear to be asymptotic in their chemical evolution; that is, the metallicity of SFGs of any mass is very similar at recent times unlike several Gyr ago.
Not Just One, Not Just Now
Authors: Rahaim Matthew
Published: April 2021

This essay offers a vision of voice as relational and temporal, in contrast to figurations of voice as “one” (as a soliloquy that directly expresses a sovereign individual subjectivity) and “now” (as immediately present, in contrast to the spatial distance and temporal delay of writing or reflection). This abstract construal of pristine subjective oneness and atemporal objective presence underlies both Husserlian semiotics and the Derridean critique of the “metaphysics of presence” long associated with the voice. In practice, however, most vocal action (public singing and speaking, chatting and harmonizing with others, vocal uproar, protest, negotiation) is undertaken in relation to others and unfolds over time. Politically, the irrelational individual-expressivist figuration provides the metaphysical scaffolding for groupist-expressivist figurations of voice, in which homogenous collectivities are understood to speak in unison, cut off from interlocutors, response, or counterpoint—cut off, that is, from actual sociality. What political and ethical possibilities might open up by turning from irrelational soliloquy to relational colloquy, among others, in time?
Human Resource Management within a Trade Union Context
Authors: Ryan Lorraine , Lavelle Jonathan
Published: April 2021

The purpose of this chapter is to profile trade unions and their activities across a range of countries to illustrate the importance of context. In particular, the chapter focuses on providing contextual information on levels of trade union density (both at the national level and within organizations), levels of trade union engagement (trade union recognition), levels of influence that trade unions have within the workplace, and levels of collective bargaining. The chapter draws on a wide range of sources, including sources that report national-level statistics on trade union density and collective bargaining coverage (the ICTWSS); organizational-level data on trade union engagement and influence (the Cranet surveys); and individual-level data reporting on the influence of trade unions in the workplace (European Social Survey). The data predominantly reveal a picture of diversity across countries in relation to trade union activity and collective bargaining, although declining levels of trade union density and collective bargaining coverage are common to many countries. By drawing on a wide range of sources and countries, the chapter reveals the need for a much deeper analysis of trade unions within national contexts and a much “thicker approach” to comparative analysis.