bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sociodemographic characteristics and stress: The case of housekeeping and front office employees
Authors: Josipović Melita , Tepavčević Jelena , Šimon Viktorija
Published: December 2020

Stress at the workplace has an influence on job performance, employees' health, their job satisfaction and turnover intention. Due to frequent and intensive contact with customers, as well as characteristics of working in the hotel industry, stress can occur as a consequence. Therefore, the main aim of this study is to determine whether there is a difference in the perceived sources of stress among front office and housekeeping employees according to their sociodemographic characteristics (gender, age, education level and marital status). The research included 167 employees from the front office and housekeeping departments. The results show that sociodemographic characteristics of employees do not have an impact on their perceptions of sources of stress at the workplace. In addition, the impact of the working department on the perception is not significant. Due to the size of the sample, the generalization is not possible, but the results obtained in this study can be a guideline for the identification and reduction of the sources of stress in observed hotel departments.
Natural resources for the nature-based tourism development of the Vojvodina Province
Authors: Trišić Igor
Published: December 2020

The area of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina has significant natural potentials for the development of nature-based tourism. The paper analyzes the data found in various articles as well as data obtained hands-on. Selected factors such as location, relief, climate, hydrography, flora and fauna and protected areas of Vojvodina were analyzed. The degree of presence of the mentioned factors for the development of nature-based tourism was determined with selected indicators. The medium and high level of the presence of factors indicates the possibility of developing ecotourism, scientific tourism, hunting, fishing, sports and recreation, bird watching, nautical, trips and other forms of tourism based on natural resources. Quantitative, comparative and data presentation methods were used in the research. The results of research can aid further research of nature-based tourism.
The importance of introducing a direct food distribution manufactured by agricultural production in a single economy
Authors: Arnautović Ivan , Jokić Maja , Laban Bogdan , Popović Dragana , Popović Slobodan , Nastić Sanda
Published: December 2020

The agricultural sector should be organized in such a way that agricultural products that create highways in the form of production and sale of food should be supplied through direct food supply distribution chains. In addition, the food distribution system should target food produced and sold locally, which has gained increasing importance over the last three decades. Thus, agrarian observation enables fierce market competition, high distribution and logistics costs, as well as small individual size of shipments, etc. Using agricultural business modeling and design approaches requires new aspects of innovative logistics and modern information and communication technologies. All this makes it possible to evaluate and evaluate different ways of distributing food. This paper draws attention to the importance of the direct model as a channel of distribution and access in the organization of agriculture as an activity. After that, it is possible to make precise analyzes that can be used to refine the model of business processes with the formation of various ways of food distribution.
Effect of moisture content on the thermal properties of Horse-Eye Bean seeds relevant to its processing
Authors: Ejike Ide , Oluka Ike , Chukwuka Eze
Published: December 2020

The specific heat, thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of the Horse-Eye bean (Mucuna sloanei) were determined as a function of moisture content using the method reported by A.O.A.C (2000). The sample varieties used were the Big Sized and the Small Sized Horse-Eye bean. The specific heat and the thermal conductivity were measured using a Bomb Calorimeter. The thermal diffusivity was calculated from the measured specific heat, thermal conductivity and bulk density of the samples. Within the moisture range of 10.5% to 16.87% (b.b), the specific heat, thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity varied with the moisture content. Results showed that the specific heat, thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity of the Horse-Eye bean seeds ranged from 116.76 to 203.29 kJ/kgK; 21.07 to 32.23 W/moC; and 3.12 x 10-7 to 9.19 x 10-7 m 2 /s, for the Big Sized varieties, and 112.06 to 194.61 kJ/kgK; 19.85 to 24.08 W/moC; and 3.05 x 10-7 to 6.71 x 10-7 m 2 /s, for the Small Sized varieties as the moisture content increases from 10.5% to 16.87%. Regression analysis were also carried out on the thermal properties of the Horse-Eye bean varieties and moisture content, and there was positive relationship between the parameters. There were significant effects of moisture content (p < 0.05) on all the parameters conducted. The findings and the data generated will create an impact in the food processing industries for Horse-Eye bean.
Biowastes as a source of extracting chitin and chitosan for biomedical applications
Authors: Yadav Neha , Yinaganti Aditya , Mairal Ayushi , Tripathi Shefali , Jayaraj Jagannath , Chinnasamy Hariharan , Misra Santosh
Published: December 2020

Biomaterials are designed to interact with biological systems in aid to wound healing, regeneration of tissue, mechanical support, and drug delivery to eventually improve current therapeutic outcomes. The adoption of biomaterials is increasing constantly in health care practices by making it more biocompatible and non-toxic under physiological conditions. These adoptions have been associated with improvements in therapeutic outcomes across the population, however, the dosage of therapeutics needed to successfully treat a disease is generally different for each individual and relies a lot on experiences of consultant doctors. Many times, it leads to human errors in deciding on drug doses, un-fit implants and explants and eventually adverse effects or less positive effects. The personalized medicine and devices bring forth the idea that the medicine should be tailored for a patient based on various characteristics, such as gender, age, genetic makeup, and lifestyle. These personalized medicine approaches include type of drugs, activation methods, nanoassemblies, biomedical devices, etc. Among these approaches, personalized biomedical devices have become popular with the advent of 3D printing technologies, which can make customized implants for each patient with minimum price, limited time, and high accuracy. Personalized biomedicine also involves designing of drug to cater the need of an individual with minimum side effects. In this review an effort has been made to introduce different aspects of customized biomedical agents like therapeutic biomolecules, nanomedicine, implants, and explants. This comprehensive review of literature indicates that use of 3D printing technology in producing drug releasing, biodegradable personalized implants could be better therapeutic solution for a range of medical conditions.
Party struggles in the Kingdom of Serbia from 1884 to 1887
Authors: Pešić Miroslav
Published: December 2020

Garašanin's Progressive Government proposed to the National Assembly, which was held in Niš in May 1884, to adopt amendments to several laws of a political nature after the demise of the Timok rebellion. These were the bills amending the law: on the press, on the associations and choirs, on the municipality, and on the gendarmerie. By adopting these repressive laws, the progressives practically prevented the work of political parties, reinforced police surveillance over the municipalities, and increased the gendarmerie forces further. The lost war with Bulgaria in 1885 marked the beginning of the political breakdown of the Progressives and King Milan, who was close to them, although they repeatedly disagreed with his political actions. However, their departure from the political scene did not begin immediately after the lost war, as many expected, but took another year and a half for the Progressives, and three years for King Milan. On the other hand, the Radicals began to believe in the possibility that the defeat that they experienced during the Timok rebellion could come to a victory, that is, to power. A long-standing march against the Radical Party was halted, as King Milan realized that he could not rule with the constant ignorance of the will of the people. The broad popular masses led by the People's Radical Party should have approached the throne and the dynasty and together with the representatives of the Progressive Party alleviate the difficult situation created by the war against Bulgaria, and later provide the crown prince with a safer ruler. The royal attempt to persuade the Radicals to agree with the Progressives failed, as representatives of the Radical Party at the assembly held in February 1886 in Niš resolutely refused an agreement with the Progressives. In April 1886, they signed an agreement with the Liberals, which contained a joint program of work of both parties. The most important points of this program, which was a reflection of the compromise on both sides, concerned the change of the Constitution in the internal and the improvement of relations with the Russians in foreign policy. In June 1887, a liberal-radical government was formed, the first coalition government in the political history of Serbia.
Iskaz u prvom licu u francuskoj književnosti 17. vijeka - roman, memoarska i epistolarna književnost
Authors: Lukajić Radana
Published: December 2020

U ovom radu bavimo se prisustvom iskaza u prvom licu - bilo da je ono homodijegetičko ili autodijegetičko - u romanesknoj, memoarskoj i epistolarnoj francuskoj književnosti 17. vijeka. U uvodu dajemo osvrt na opštu klimu svijesti koja se, naročito od polovine vijeka, sve više priklanja moralizatorskom duhu koji je pod nemalim uticajem jansenističke misli. Potom slijedi osvrt na pomenute žanrove i na zastupljenost "autobiografskog" iskaza u širem smislu riječi u pojedinim reprezentativnim književnim ostvarenjima tog doba. Ovo je pokušaj da damo jedan panoramski pregled prisustva, položaja i funkcije ja-iskaza u pomenutim žanrovima, kao i njihovu spregu sa etičkim i estetskim kanonima koji postaju sve određeniji u periodu klasicizma. U zaključku navodimo da, i pored vladajućih uzusa u moralnoj i estetskoj sferi, tretirani žanrovi ih na svojevrstan način krše, u korist sve jasnije autorefleksivnosti i autobiografskog iskaza koji će svoj puni zamah dobiti tek u narednom vijeku.
Issues concerning the language standardisation: Theoretical view
Authors: Nikolić Marina
Published: December 2020

Monitoring and evaluating changes in standard languages, especially in Serbian, in the twenty-first century are the focus of this work. In order to determine the situation in the current norm, it is necessary to consider the Serbian language within the context of contemporary European languages. Challenges arising in the process of standardisation of the Serbian language (such as the language democratisation stemming from the democratisation of society, modernisation, rapid establishment of a gender-sensitive language and insisting on its use, social network terms, etc.), but likewise the needs that such a language should cover, are common with those in other European languages. The principal aim is to shed light on changes in the traditional Serbian language generating a parallel norm, which we refer to as ʻneo-standard', and whose formation is predominantly influenced by the media. The second objective is to exactly and thoroughly determine the reasons for the emergence of neo-standard, which, as previous research have shown, are common in all European languages.
Mining in the Principality of Serbia 1859-1873
Authors: Pavlović Kristina , Ilić Žarko
Published: December 2020

The development of mining in the Principality of Serbia in the 1860s was determined by the previous years, especially during the reign of Ustavobranitelji when government initiative in Majdanpek came to a halt. In the 1860s, the main points of interest were the mine of Majdanpek, Kučajna, and the mines in the Podgora region. The two former were owned by foreign capital, whilst the latter was being researched by Stevan Đuričić around 1867. The mining in Majdanpek was done by the French-Serbian Society between 1859 and 1866, when the operation was taken over by The Serbian Company for Iron and Copper. Kučajna was being worked on by a German mining expert, Felix Hofman, between 1862 and 1873. During this period, the Mining Law of 1866 was passed, setting the foundation for further improvement of mining operations in the Principality/Kingdom of Serbia. During the 1860s most of the state income concerning mining came from the regal tax which had to be payed in order for one to acquire a permission for ore extraction. Most of the expenses went to financing the mining offices in Majdanpek, the directory of mines in Krupanj, various mining investments, as well as scholarships for students studying abroad. It should be said that the incomes, as well as the expenses, were symbolic when compared to the overall state incomes/expenses, making up less than 0.1% of the state incomes and expenses. This created a situation where the state could not count on any major incomes from mining, with an increase in expenses coming only at the end of the period in question due to greater state financing of mine in the Podrinje region.
Sustaining agri-food systems framed using soil security and education
Authors: Field Damien
Published: December 2020

Soil security is an emerging multidisciplinary concept that provides a framework with the potential to support the sustainability of the agri-food sector while simultaneously supporting the other functions that soil provides. This framework considers the biophysical, economic, and social dimensions that impact this multifunctional system. Particular attention is given to describing the impact of the recent development in assessing the soil’s capacity and how it affects its function, assessed through its capability and condition. Progress in placing value on the functions of soil is explored, and the opportunity to increase connectivity between soil and end users is developed through multidisciplinary educational strategies. The perspectives provided here lead to a set of recommendations that will guide the development of future strategies, the pressing need for a set of measurable indicators, and the development of incentive schemes to secure the soil’s ability to support agrifood systems and its other ecosystem functions.
Seronegative Lupus- A Wolf in Sheep’s Skin
Authors: Nahid Eram , Gupta Saumya , Gautam Deepak , Gambhir Indrajeet Singh
Published: December 2020

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory multisystem autoimmune disease. Most of the SLE cases are seropositive, but rare (5%) seronegative SLE cases can also present with complications. Hepatic involvement SLE is multifactorial like hepatotoxic drugs, steatohepatitis, viral hepatitis and Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH). However, the differentiation between lupus-related hepatitis and AIH remains a challenge to the clinician because of many similar features. It is very difficult to differentiate whether hepatitis is due to autoimmune involvement or purely lupus related on the basis of clinical and biochemical parameters. The patient must fulfill ACR criteria for SLE and International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group (IAIHG) criteria for AIH. Histological diagnosis is considered to be definative in differentiating SLE-related hepatitis and AIH. The cardiac manifestations of SLE are multiple with pericardial disease being the most common. While pericardial effusion is rarely haemodynamically significant, the occurrence of subsequent constrictive pericarditis is even less frequent with only occasional reports in the literature. Authors described a case of a 17-year-old female with Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) negative active SLE (seronegative) with AIH and constrictive pericarditis. The patient responded well to the conservative management initially but later developed drug induced myelosuppression and bilateral pneumonia and succumbed.
Unilateral Nevus of Ota with Palatal and Optic Disc Pigmentation with Coincidental Preauricular Tag- A Case Report
Authors: Nareddy Prasanna , Divya Ambati
Published: December 2020

Nevus of Ota also known as oculodermal melanosis presents as hyperpigmentation of face involving ophthalmic and maxillary branches of trigeminal nerve associated with ocular hyperpigmentation. It is due to confinement of melanocytes in the dermis. Most commonly it is unilateral but sometimes it may have bilateral presentation. Typically, it presents at birth but can also be an acquired condition. Frequently seen in Japanese and rarely in Indian subcontinent. It has more predilection towards females. Less frequently, hyperpigmentation is seen in other sites like oral mucosa, tympanum and nasal mucosa. These patients are at high risk of developing glaucoma and malignancy. The author reported a case of 12-year-old male child with unilateral pigmentation of left side face involving forehead, periorbital and cheek, along with ocular pigmentation. Hyperpigmentation of conjunctiva, iris and angles is present in left eye with intraocular pressure being normal in both eyes. Fundus showing optic disc pigmentation in the left eye with cup disc asymmetry in both eyes. Child has coexistent preauricular tag on the left side.
Utility of Digital Technology in Tackling the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Current Review
Authors: Kulkarni Prashanth , Kodad Shruthi , Mahadevappa Manjappa , Kulkarni Sushanth
Published: December 2020

The Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic has rampaged across the globe, creating a major public health emergency and economic crisis. In this pandemic, digital technology tools such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), big-data analytics, block chain technology, robotics and drone technology are playing a vital role and are increasingly being utilised by many countries for devising major public health strategies. This article discusses the utility of digital technology in combating coronavirus infection and also highlights the current limitations and future prospects of these tools.
Eco‐Friendly Magnetic Nanoscavengers as Emerging Materials for Improving Reclaimed Water Quality
Authors: Santiago Estephany , Pina‐Luis Georgina , Martinez‐Quiroz Marisela , Perez‐Landeros Oscar , Rosas‐González Navor , Valdez‐Salas Benjamin , Oropeza‐Guzman Mercedes T.
Published: December 2020

Magnetic nanoparticles are synthesized and modified during a chemical co‐precipitation to produce three different magnetic nanoscavengers: nanomagnetite‐chitosan, nanomagnetite‐nanodiamond and nanomagnetite‐chitosan grafted with a carbamoyl benzoic acid. These magnetic nanoscavengers are characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, and scanning transmission electron microscopy, to prove their correct synthesis. The magnetic nanoscavengers are tested as nano‐adsorbents to improve reclaimed water (RW) quality. Special attention is given to changes in RW properties, explaining them as the interfacial interaction between ionic species and nanoscavengers surface. At the same time, the ability of nanoscavengers to remove alkalinity and hardness in RW is demonstrated at pH 7, 8, and 9.
Integrating canopy sensing and soil nitrogen for improved corn nitrogen management
Authors: Paiao Gabriel Dias , Fernández Fabián G. , Spackman Jared A. , Kaiser Daniel E. , Weisberg Sanford
Published: December 2020

Active canopy sensing may improve corn (Zea mays L.) nitrogen (N) management, but little has been done to evaluate soil N content to improve the utility of sensors. This study investigated the usefulness of integrating canopy sensing tools and soil N content to estimate grain yield and N requirement at various corn development stages. Six to seven N rates at 35–45 kg urea‐N ha–1 increments were pre‐plant applied in 12 sites throughout Minnesota. Canopy‐sensing measurements were obtained at the V4, V8, V12, and R1 stages. Soil (0–30 and 0–60 cm) NH4–N and NO3–N concentrations were measured at the V4, V8, and V12 stages. Adjusting sensor measurements with soil NO3–N (0–30 cm) measured at the V4 stage provided the best trade‐off between gains in prediction accuracy and practicality for soil sampling. At the V4 stage, predictions of N requirement with soil N alone (RMSE = 41.3 kg N ha–1) and soil‐N–adjusted sensor measurements (RMSE ranging from 39.6 to 42.7 kg N ha–1) were similar but better than predictions with unadjusted sensor measurements (RMSE ranging from 61.0 to 72.9 kg N ha–1). Although the utility of canopy sensing without soil‐N adjustments improved at later development stages, the most accurate predictions of N requirement were obtained with soil‐N–adjusted sensor measurements collected at V8 and V12 (RMSE as low as 32.5 kg N ha–1). Our study shows that early‐season canopy sensing (up to V8) coupled with soil N measurements may be a viable alternative to improve in‐season N management.
Exploratory narrative text analysis to characterize tasks associated with injuries among electric utility line workers: EPRI Occupational Health and Safety Database 1995–2013
Authors: Vergara Ximena , Bhatnagar Megha , Fordyce Tiffani
Published: December 2020

Background

Injury prevention is an important goal for electric utility line workers who are among the top 10 U.S. occupational groups sustaining fatal injuries on the job.

Methods

Using narrative text fields, we identified 10 high‐risk tasks among electric utility line workers. We performed a case–control study of task‐injury associations using data from the Electric Power Research Institute Occupational Health and Safety Database (1995–2013).

Results

Drawn from 12,323 line worker injuries, cases were individuals with a major injury (5 or more days lost work) matched to controls, individuals with a minor injury (less than 1 day lost work), on company and year of injury. Conditional logistic regression estimated adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Some tasks associated with higher odds for major injuries among line workers included: climbing up/down ladder/stairs/elevator (OR = 4.3; 95% CI = 2.6, 7.4); climbing down poles and transmission towers (OR = 5.5; 95% CI = 3.6, 8.4); entering/stepping out/approaching utility trucks, bucket, or vaults (OR = 5.8; 95% CI = 4.0, 8.4); and performing repetitive work/overtime (OR = 5.5; 95% CI = 3.2, 9.5).

Conclusions

Knowledge gained can be used to focus efforts and plan efficient preventive measures that reduce injury rates, time lost from work, and costs within the electric power industry.
Competing Perceptual Salience in a Visual Word Recognition Task Differentially Affects Children With and Without Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Venker Courtney E. , Mathée Janine , Neumann Dominik , Edwards Jan , Saffran Jenny , Ellis Weismer Susan
Published: December 2020

Differences in visual attention have long been recognized as a central characteristic of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Regardless of social content, children with ASD show a strong preference for perceptual salience—how interesting (i.e., striking) certain stimuli are, based on their visual properties (e.g., color, geometric patterning). However, we do not know the extent to which attentional allocation preferences for perceptual salience persist when they compete with top‐down, linguistic information. This study examined the impact of competing perceptual salience on visual word recognition in 17 children with ASD (mean age 31 months) and 17 children with typical development (mean age 20 months) matched on receptive language skills. A word recognition task presented two images on a screen, one of which was named (e.g., Find the bowl!). On Neutral trials, both images had high salience (i.e., were colorful and had geometric patterning). On Competing trials, the distracter image had high salience but the target image had low salience, creating competition between bottom‐up (i.e., salience‐driven) and top‐down (i.e., language‐driven) processes. Though both groups of children showed word recognition in an absolute sense, competing perceptual salience significantly decreased attention to the target only in the children with ASD. These findings indicate that perceptual properties of objects can disrupt attention to relevant information in children with ASD, which has implications for supporting their language development. Findings also demonstrate that perceptual salience affects attentional allocation preferences in children with ASD, even in the absence of social stimuli.

Lay Summary

This study found that visually striking objects distract young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) from looking at relevant (but less striking) objects named by an adult. Language‐matched, younger children with typical development were not significantly affected by this visual distraction. Though visual distraction could have cascading negative effects on language development in children with ASD, learning opportunities that build on children's focus of attention are likely to support positive outcomes.
C3‐Formylation of Indoles in Continuous Flow
Authors: Sung Ha Kyoung , Kim Dong Hyun , Kim Joon Seok , Park Chan Pil
Published: December 2020

We have developed a continuous flow C3‐formylation technique for indoles using hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA) and iodine. A mixed solvent system of DMF–H2O (1:1, vol/vol) completely dissolves reagents and prevents clogging of microchannels during fluid flow. The continuous flow technique provides maximized mixing and excellent heat transfer efficiency. Thus, flow chemistry accelerates the rate of C3‐formylation of indoles in the absence of a strong acid, base, or metal catalyst. We show that high yields of C3‐formylated indoles (up to 83%) can be obtained at 150°C when the residence time is as low as 8 min.
Review: High temperature short time treatment of cell culture media and feed solutions to mitigate adventitious viral contamination in the biopharmaceutical industry
Authors: Djemal Leïla , Fournier Clemence , von Hagen Joerg , Kolmar Harald , Deparis Véronique
Published: December 2020

Events of viral contaminations occurring during the production of biopharmaceuticals have been publicly reported by the biopharmaceutical industry. Upstream raw materials were often identified as the potential source of contamination. Viral contamination risk can be mitigated by inactivating or eliminating potential viruses of cell culture media and feed solutions. Different methods can be used alone or in combination on raw materials, cell culture media, or feed solutions such as viral inactivation technologies consisting mainly of high temperature short time, ultraviolet irradiation, and gamma radiation technologies or such as viral removal technology for instance nanofiltration. The aim of this review is to present the principle, the advantages, and the challenges of high temperature short time (HTST) technology. Here, we reviewed effectiveness of HTST treatment and its impact on media (filterability of media, degradation of components), on process performance (cell growth, cell metabolism, productivity), and product quality based on knowledge shared in the literature.
Simulation for senior undergraduate education of robot engineering based on Webots
Authors: Yue Haosong , Miao Jinyu , Zhang Jinqing , Fan Changbo , Xu Dong
Published: December 2020

In this paper, a comprehensive simulation framework is presented for senior undergraduates of robot engineering based on open‐source simulation software, Webots. In our curriculum, a virtual quadruped robot is used to test different theories. First, students should design the physical structure of the robot and select proper drivers according to the requirements on its motion ability. Then, the kinematics and workspace of each leg should be analyzed. To overcome different terrains, terrain recognition, and motion planning methods are presented. Finally, the processes of building a virtual robot and its test environment are introduced. Simulation results demonstrate that it is possible to test different robot techniques in our proposed simulation framework. Teaching practice and feedback from students show their promotion of understanding of robot theories. Their interest in robots are also increased.
Researching online counselling and psychotherapy: The past, the present and the future
Authors: Hanley Terry
Published: December 2020

This paper reflects upon the history of online counselling and psychotherapy research. It provides a reflection upon the growing body of research in this field and discusses the impact of the recent global COVID‐19 pandemic upon it. It specifically argues that the pandemic has been an evolutionary catalyst for developments in online therapy. Therapeutic practices, and attitudes towards them, have changed in ways that will alter the shape and form of therapies in the future. As a consequence, research into online therapeutic work needs to be responsive and adapt to this changing world. Counselling and psychotherapy researchers therefore have to situate themselves in a way that allows them to keep one foot in the present and one foot in the future to stay abreast of technological developments. There may be a reluctance to do so from some areas in the therapeutic profession, but their presence might prove vital in ensuring that ethical sensitivity, which acknowledges and values the complexity of the human experience, remains at the foreground of psychological support.
Late application of hyperbaric oxygen therapy during the rehabilitation of a patient with severe cognitive impairment after a traumatic brain injury
Authors: Skiba Małgorzata , Rękas‐Dudziak Anna , Bekała Artur , Płotek Włodzimierz
Published: December 2020

The hyperbaric therapy resulted in the patient's quick recovery and significantly accelerated the recovery after the brain injury.
Protective Filtration for Microfluidic Nanoparticle Precipitation for Pharmaceutical Applications
Authors: Bolze Holger , Riewe Juliane , Bunjes Heike , Dietzel Andreas , Burg Thomas P.
Published: December 2020

Microfluidic processes are of great interest for the production of nanoparticles with reproducible properties. However, in real systems, it is difficult to completely exclude incidental production of larger particles, which can contaminate the product or clog downstream process modules. A class of microfluidic filters was devised for eliminating particulate contamination in multistage continuous‐flow processes. To achieve high throughput and filtration efficiency, a high‐surface‐area filter with an application‐adapted bonding method was developed. As a model application, the filtration efficiency was analyzed for lipid nanoparticles made by microfluidic antisolvent precipitation and the results were compared with requirements of the European and US guidelines.
General anesthesia is not superior to sedation in clinical outcome and cost‐effectiveness for ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation
Authors: Wang Zhengyan , Jia Lihong , Shi Tieying , Liu Changli
Published: December 2020

Background

The strategy of anesthesia used during ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) remains controversial. This study aimed to compare sedation with general anesthesia (GA) for catheter ablation of AF.

Hypothesis

The presence of AF is associated with an increased risk of stroke and heart failure and decreased quality of life and survival.

Methods

We carried out a retrospective single‐centered study with 351 patients undergoing the first ablation procedure for AF under sedation or GA. The main outcome was freedom from recurrence of AF at 1 year. The total time of staying at the ablation laboratory and procedure cost were also calculated.

Results

Freedom from atrial arrhythmia and ablation time did not differ between AF patients under sedation and GA (77.9% vs 79.9% and 42.27 ± 9.84 minutes vs 41.51 ± 9.27 minutes, respectively), while the total procedure time and cost were lower in patients who underwent sedation than GA (171.39 ± 45.09 minutes vs 202.92 ± 43.85 and 8.00 ± 7.02 CNY vs 8.79 ± 11.63 CNY, respectively).

Conclusion

GA is not superior to sedation, in terms of ablation time and freedom from atrial arrhythmia at 1 year, whereas patients with GA had more anesthesia time and procedure cost than sedation.
Popularity and correlation aware data replication strategy based on half‐life concept and clustering in cloud system
Authors: Chellouf Maawya , Hamrouni Tarek
Published: December 2020

In the new millennium, a myriad of large‐scale applications (e.g., social networks, ecommerce, internet of things, and scientific experiments) often generate large volumes of data. Given their volumes, their heterogeneous and distributed nature, the management of such data constitutes a challenge for distributed systems, particularly cloud computing. In this regard, data replication is a well‐known and effective data management technique that consists in creating multiple copies of the same data in different storage resources. In this article, we propose a popularity and correlation based data replication strategy, called PCDR. The main idea of our strategy is to replicate a set of the most popular correlated file groups based on files access history analysis. In this respect, the popularity of the files in each group is determined while taking into consideration temporal locality. Moreover, a clustering technique is used to find groups of correlated files. Using the CloudSim simulator, extensive experimentations show that our proposed strategy outperforms other strategies for several evaluation metrics.
Model Studies on the Formation of the Solid Electrolyte Interphase: Reaction of Li with Ultrathin Adsorbed Ionic‐Liquid Films and Co3O4(111) Thin Films
Authors: Forster‐Tonigold Katrin , Kim Jihyun , Bansmann Joachim , Groß Axel , Buchner Florian
Published: December 2020

In this work we aim towards the molecular understanding of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation at the electrode electrolyte interface (EEI). Herein, we investigated the interaction between the battery‐relevant ionic liquid (IL) 1‐butyl‐1‐methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (BMP‐TFSI), Li and a Co3O4(111) thin film model anode grown on Ir(100) as a model study of the SEI formation in Li‐ion batteries (LIBs). We employed mostly X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) in combination with dispersion‐corrected density functional theory calculations (DFT‐D3). If the surface is pre‐covered by BMP‐TFSI species (model electrolyte), post‐deposition of Li (Li+ ion shuttle) reveals thermodynamically favorable TFSI decomposition products such as LiCN, Li2NSO2CF3, LiF, Li2S, Li2O2, Li2O, but also kinetic products like Li2NCH3C4H9 or LiNCH3C4H9 of BMP. Simultaneously, Li adsorption and/or lithiation of Co3O4(111) to LinCo3O4 takes place due to insertion via step edges or defects; a partial transformation to CoO cannot be excluded. Formation of Co0 could not be observed in the experiment indicating that surface reaction products and inserted/adsorbed Li at the step edges may inhibit or slow down further Li diffusion into the bulk. This study provides detailed insights of the SEI formation at the EEI, which might be crucial for the improvement of future batteries.
Heteroepitaxial Growth of 1T MoS2 Nanosheets on SnO2 with Synergetic Improvement on Photocatalytic Activity
Authors: Shan Songting , Zhu Shuaishuai , Pan Zhigang , Lu Yinong , Liu Yunfei , Tao Yaqiu
Published: December 2020

Molybdenum disulfide has promising applications from electronics to catalysis. Facile controlled synthesis of desired MoS2 phase and improving optical and electrical properties of MoS2 are under intensive investigation. The significant enhancement in photocatalytic activity is found in the heteroepitaxial structure of 1T MoS2 and SnO2 constructed using convenient hydrothermal method compared to 1T MoS2. High‐resolution transmission electronic microscopy demonstrates epitaxial growth of 1T MoS2 nanosheets on SnO2 nanoparticle based on an epitaxial relationship of zone axis MoS2[100]//SnO2[] and MoS2[100]//SnO2[] and plane MoS2(011)//SnO2(011) in both cases. Serving as substrate for growth of desired 1T MoS2 phase, smaller grain‐sized SnO2 is in favor of more effective epitaxial growth of 1T MoS2. The epitaxial structure formed between 1T MoS2 and SnO2 of 3–5 nm ensures stable electron transfer and thus a much‐improved photocatalytic activity. Direct evidence of epitaxial construction of desired 1T MoS2 nanosheets on SnO2 nanoparticles is provided, which accounts for the synergetic improvement on photocatalytic activity of MoS2–SnO2 composite photocatalysts.
Exploiting the Degradation Mechanism of NCM523 || Graphite Lithium‐Ion Full Cells Operated at High Voltage
Authors: Klein Sven , Bärmann Peer , Beuse Thomas , Borzutzki Kristina , Frerichs Joop E. , Kasnatscheew Johannes , Winter Martin , Placke Tobias
Published: December 2020

Invited for this month′s cover is the group of Tobias Placke and Martin Winter at the MEET Battery Research Center (University of Münster). The image shows the failure mechanism of high‐voltage operated NCM523 || graphite lithium‐ion cells, that is, the dissolution of transition metals (Mn, Co, Ni) from the NCM523 cathode and subsequent deposition at the graphite anode, resulting in formation of Li metal dendrites. The Full Paper itself is available at 10.1002/cssc.202002113.
Low‐voltage and high‐speed stand‐alone multiple‐input complex gates for error correction coding applications
Authors: Rafiee Maliheh , Ghaznavi‐Ghoushchi Mohammad‐Bagher
Published: December 2020

This paper presents two low‐voltage high‐speed shallow‐depth current mode logic (CML) topologies. The number of stacked transistors of these proposed structures decreases between VDD to GND. Reduce stacks in proposed gates enhance the circuit to operate at lower supply voltages. Therefore, the proposed logic causes to use of a stand‐alone multiple‐input gate instead of a low‐input gate. The use of decomposing multiple‐input gate for some input series causes error in the output of the circuit. In advanced technologies with size scaling down, the reliability and correctness of data in memories are essential issues. Error correction codes (ECCs) are used for protecting memories against faults. Reducing power consumption with preserving speed is vital in the design of ECCs. The units of ECCs are composed of multiple‐input gates; hence, using a low‐voltage high‐performance structure is required. The essential properties of the proposed logic are low‐voltage and high‐speed operation modes. It also gains in delay improvement of the proposed structure and multiple‐tailed current mode logic (MTCML) than source‐coupled logic (SCL) about 27% and 21% in the low‐voltage design. The final power delay product (PDP) of proposed logic and MTCML is improved by about 14% and 11% than SCL.
Neuregulin‐4 contributes to the establishment of cutaneous sensory innervation
Authors: Howard Laura , Wyatt Sean , Davies Alun M.
Published: December 2020

Recent work has shown that neuregulin‐4 (NRG4) is a physiological regulator of the growth of sympathetic axons and CNS dendrites in the developing nervous system. Here, we have investigated whether NRG4 plays a role in sensory axon growth and the establishment of cutaneous sensory innervation. Imaging early nerve fibers in the well‐characterized cutaneous trigeminal territory, the brachial plexus, and thorax revealed very marked and highly significant decreases in nerve fiber length and branching density in Nrg4−/− embryos compared with Nrg4+/+ littermates. NRG4 promoted neurotrophin‐independent sensory axon growth from correspondingly early trigeminal ganglion and DRG neurons in culture but not from enteroceptive nodose ganglion neurons. High levels of Nrg4 mRNA were detected in cutaneous tissues but not in sensory ganglia. Our findings suggest that NRG4 is an important target‐derived factor that participates in the establishment of early cutaneous sensory innervation.
American lobster postlarvae alter gene regulation in response to ocean warming and acidification
Authors: Niemisto Maura , Fields David M. , Clark K. Fraser , Waller Jesica D. , Greenwood Spencer J. , Wahle Richard A.
Published: December 2020

Anthropogenic carbon emissions released into the atmosphere is driving rapid, concurrent increases in temperature and acidity across the world's oceans. Disentangling the interactive effects of warming and acidification on vulnerable life stages is important to our understanding of responses of marine species to climate change. This study evaluates the interactive effects of these stressors on the acute response of gene expression of postlarval American lobster (Homarus americanus), a species whose geographic range is warming and acidifying faster than most of the world's oceans. In the context of our experiment, we found two especially noteworthy results: First, although physiological end points have consistently been shown to be more responsive to warming in similar experimental designs, our study found gene regulation to be considerably more responsive to elevated pCO2. Furthermore, the combined effect of both stressors on gene regulation was significantly greater than either stressor alone. Using a full factorial experimental design, lobsters were raised in control and elevated pCO2 concentrations (400 ppm and 1,200 ppm) and temperatures (16°C and 19°C). A transcriptome was assembled from an identified 414,517 unique transcripts. Overall, 1,108 transcripts were differentially expressed across treatments, several of which were related to stress response and shell formation. When temperature alone was elevated (19°C), larvae downregulated genes related to cuticle development; when pCO2 alone was elevated (1,200 ppm), larvae upregulated chitinase as well as genes related to stress response and immune function. The joint effects of end‐century stressors (19°C, 1,200 ppm) resulted in the upregulation of those same genes, as well as cellulase, the downregulation of calcified cuticle proteins, and a greater upregulation of genes related to immune response and function. These results indicate that changes in gene expression in larval lobster provide a mechanism to respond to stressors resulting from a rapidly changing environment.
Molybdenum (VI) Complexes Containing Pyridylimine Ligands: Effect of the Imine Nitrogen Substituent in the Epoxidation Reaction
Authors: Martínez‐Martínez Daniel , Santiago M. León , Toscano Rubén A. , Amézquita‐Valencia Manuel
Published: December 2020

A series of pyridylimine ligands with variations of the substituent at the imine nitrogen were synthesized and coordinated to the [MoCl2O2] core. The novel molecular structures of the complexes were fully characterized by 1H and 13C NMR, FT‐IR, ESI, EA, and X‐ray crystallography, and their catalytic activity was studied for the epoxidation of alkenes using tert‐butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as the oxidant. The new complexes showed excellent catalytic activity and fine selectivity in the epoxidation reaction compared with similar homogeneous molybdenum complexes. The results demonstrated that there is a significant change in the catalytic performance, depending on the alkyl arm on the structure of the pyridilimine ligand. The catalytic results indicated that complex [MoCl2O2(L)] (L: N‐(2‐Pyridinylmethylene)‐1‐tert‐butylimine) C5 is the best catalytic precursor in the epoxidation of cyclohexene (TON: 92920 and TOF: 30974 h−1).
Systematic Study of the Stereoelectronic Properties of Trifluoromethylated Triarylphosphines and the Correlation of their Behaviour as Ligands in the Rh‐Catalysed Hydroformylation
Authors: Herrera Daniel , Peral Daniel , Cordón Mercedes , Bayón J. Carles
Published: December 2020

The stereoelectronic properties of a series of trifluoromethylated aromatic phosphines have been studied using different approaches. The σ‐donating capability has been evaluated by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy of the selenide derivatives and the protonated form of the different trifluoromethylated phosphines. The coupling constants between phosphorous and selenium (1JSeP) and phosphorous and hydrogen (1JHP) can be predicted by empirical equations and correlate the basicity of the phosphines with the number and relative position of trifluoromethyl groups. In contrast, the π‐acceptor character of the ligands has been evaluated by measuring the frequency of the CO vibration in the infrared (IR) spectra of the corresponding Vaska type iridium complexes ([IrCl(CO)(PAr3)2], PAr3=triarylphosphine). Moreover, the correlation between the electronic properties and the performance of these phosphines as ligands in the rhodium‐catalysed hydroformylation of 1‐octene has been established. Phosphines with the lowest basicity, that are those with the highest number of trifluoromethyl groups, gave rise to more active catalytic systems.
Novel Ru(II)/Os(II)‐Exchange Homo‐ and Heterometallic Polypyridyl Complexes with Effective Energy Transfer
Authors: Liu Zi Ning , He Chi Xian , Yin Hong Ju , Yu Shi Wen , Xu Jian Bin , Dong Jian Wei , Liu Yan , Xia Shu Biao , Cheng Fei Xiang
Published: December 2020

Two novel homometallic Ru−Ru and heterometallic Ru−Os dimers and trimers, [MII(bpy)2(4‐tpy‐4′‐methyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine)MII(tpy)]4+ and [MII(bpy)2](4‐tpy‐4′‐tpy‐2,2′‐bipyridine)(MII(tpy))2]6+, have been first prepared and characterized. Electrochemical properties of the metal‐based reversible oxidation and ligand‐based reduction are measured. Spectroscopic analysis of these complexes exhibits for every Ru‐ or Os‐based subunit an individual intense absorption spectrum extended over the entire UV and visible region. The heteronuclear complexes [RuII(bpy)2(4‐tpy‐4′‐methyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine)OsII(tpy)]4+, [RuII(bpy)2](4‐tpy‐4′‐tpy‐2,2′‐bipyridine)(OsII(tpy))2]6+, and [OsII(bpy)2](4‐tpy‐4′‐tpy‐2,2′‐bipyridine)(RuII(tpy))2]6+ display a weak emission spectrum in the near‐infrared region (NIR). The luminescence of the polynuclear assemblies is quantitatively quenched, by intramolecular energy transfer to the lower‐lying metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer (3MLCT) and metal‐centered (3MC) state of the Os(II)‐based center or Ru(II)‐terpyridine moiety at room temperature.
Thermodynamic Analysis of a Peak Shaving Power Station based on the Liquid Air Energy Storage System with the Utilization of Liquefied Natural Gas in the Liquefied Natural Gas Terminal
Authors: Guo Luna , Ji Wei , An Baolin , Hu Jianying , Gao Zhaozhao , Fan Xiaoyu , Wang Junjie
Published: December 2020

The integrated system of regasification of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquid air energy storage (LAES) has advantages of improving the LAES system efficiency and energy grade matching utilization of the LNG cold energy. But the influence of the cold energy storage efficiency on the combined system is ambiguous and the decoupling mechanism between the energy storage and release processes with the addition of the LNG cold energy was seldom investigated. Thus, a hybrid LAES system using LNG is proposed. The thermodynamic model is established to analyze the system performance. The influence of key parameters on the system and the removal of the coupling effect are originally analyzed. The results show that the electricity storage efficiency () and exergy efficiency () of the typical operational condition can reach 107.3% and 49.4%, respectively. With the cold energy storage efficiency varying from 0% to 100%, the and increase by 18.0% and 4.4% averagely. Furthermore, to investigate the influence mechanism of introducing LNG to the LAES system, the performance of four different systems is compared. With the decoupling between the energy storage and release processes, the is improved obviously and the can be maintained at a high level.