bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The practice of employee motivation via salary in the private economic sector of the People’s Republic of China
Authors: Chzhan Khaichzhou
Published: July 2020

This article is dedicated to motivation of employees of the private economic sector of China. The author examines the practices of employee stimulation via salary, as well as practice of stimulating productivity through bonus program. It is noted that the system of employee motivation via salary in the private economic sector of PRC does not significantly differ from the practices implemented in the public sector or other market economies. Chinese private companies almost entirely integrated the market tools for stimulation of workforce productivity, patterned after the examples of capitalist countries. The majority of private sector enterprises are characterized with fringe benefits to basic salary, when the size of remuneration directly depends on hitting the individual and collective planned targets. The salary is being regularly indexed depending on conjuncture of the job market, productivity of the company and employees. In addition to the main salary, the base of the salary consists of payment for the volume of completed work, bonuses, various incentives and compensations. Raises for continued employment play the smallest role in size of the salary. A substantial part of the fringe benefits is actually taken by the Chinese companies out of the salary budget for the purpose of minimizing the tax burden for the company.
Effectiveness of tax incentives for innovative activity in the Russian Federation: assessment and calculation
Authors: Korostelkina Irina Alekseevna , Androsova Anastasiya Olegovna
Published: July 2020

The subject of this research is tax incentive that is a part of the process of innovative activity. Taxation is viewed as a tool for advancement of innovations. The experience of foreign countries demonstrates that government support in the form of funding, tax incentives, government subsidized loans, and creation of essential infrastructure play a big role in modernization processes. Expansion of the practice of implementation of tax incentives for stimulating innovations requires a theoretical comprehension of this process. This article examines the coefficient that characterizes economic effectiveness of tax incentives as correlation of separate indexes of innovation activity of recipients and benefits from tax spending. Assessment is conducted on the effectiveness of tax incentives in accordance with the data on innovation activity and tax revenue from different sectors that are leaders in the innovation sphere. The following conclusions were made: tax mechanism of stimulating innovation activity are not very popular and effective; precision of calculation is significantly affected by the current issues with the information base: complete absence of information with respect to stimulus recipients; the results of analysis demonstrate that the rate of increase of decreasing budget revenue surpasses the rate of growth that characterizes innovation activity of the taxpayer that testifies to the insufficient effectiveness of the provided tax incentives, prompting suggestion of new means for stimulation of tax incentives. The author proposes to amend statistical tax report, highlighting the information on the entire range of existing tax incentives. Consideration and control over rationality of tax incentive mechanisms would allow optimizing the list of tax incentives for innovation activity, as well as expand the list of sectors that use such incentives.
Transposase-assisted tagmentation of RNA/DNA hybrid duplexes
Authors: Lu Bo , Dong Liting , Yi Danyang , Zhang Meiling , Zhu Chenxu , Li Xiaoyu , Yi Chengqi
Published: July 2020

Tn5-mediated transposition of double-strand DNA has been widely utilized in various high-throughput sequencing applications. Here, we report that the Tn5 transposase is also capable of direct tagmentation of RNA/DNA hybrids in vitro. As a proof-of-concept application, we utilized this activity to replace the traditional library construction procedure of RNA sequencing, which contains many laborious and time-consuming processes. Results ofTransposase-assistedRNA/DNAhybridsCo-tagmEntation (termed ‘TRACE-seq’) are compared to traditional RNA-seq methods in terms of detected gene number, gene body coverage, gene expression measurement, library complexity, and differential expression analysis. At the meantime, TRACE-seq enables a cost-effective one-tube library construction protocol and hence is more rapid (within 6 hr) and convenient. We expect this tagmentation activity on RNA/DNA hybrids to have broad potentials on RNA biology and chromatin research.
Private–public mappings in human prefrontal cortex
Authors: Bang Dan , Ershadmanesh Sara , Nili Hamed , Fleming Stephen M
Published: July 2020

A core feature of human cognition is an ability to separate private states of mind – what we think or believe – from public actions – what we say or do. This ability is central to successful social interaction – with different social contexts often requiring different mappings between private states and public actions in order to minimise conflict and facilitate communication. Here we investigated how the human brain supports private-public mappings, using an interactive task which required subjects to adapt how they communicated their confidence about a perceptual decision to the social context. Univariate and multivariate analysis of fMRI data revealed that a private-public distinction is reflected in a medial-lateral division of prefrontal cortex – with lateral frontal pole (FPl) supporting the context-dependent mapping from a private sense of confidence to a public report. The concept of private-public mappings provides a promising framework for understanding flexible social behaviour.
Synaptic and intrinsic mechanisms underlying development of cortical direction selectivity
Authors: Roy Arani , Osik Jason J , Meschede-Krasa Benyamin , Alford Wesley T , Leman Daniel P , Van Hooser Stephen D
Published: July 2020

Modifications of synaptic inputs and cell-intrinsic properties both contribute to neuronal plasticity and development. To better understand these mechanisms, we undertook an intracellular analysis of the development of direction selectivity in the ferret visual cortex, which occurs rapidly over a few days after eye opening. We found strong evidence of developmental changes in linear spatiotemporal receptive fields of simple cells, implying alterations in circuit inputs. Further, this receptive field plasticity was accompanied by increases in near-spike-threshold excitability and input-output gain that resulted in dramatically increased spiking responses in the experienced state. Increases in subthreshold membrane responses induced by the receptive field plasticity and the increased input-output spiking gain were both necessary to explain the elevated firing rates in experienced ferrets. These results demonstrate that cortical direction selectivity develops through a combination of plasticity in inputs and in cell-intrinsic properties.
Antagonistic control of DDK binding to licensed replication origins by Mcm2 and Rad53
Authors: Abd Wahab Syafiq , Remus Dirk
Published: July 2020

Eukaryotic replication origins are licensed by the loading of the replicative DNA helicase, Mcm2-7, in inactive double hexameric form around DNA. Subsequent origin activation is under control of multiple protein kinases that either promote or inhibit origin activation, which is important for genome maintenance. Using the reconstituted budding yeast DNA replication system, we find that the flexible N-terminal extension (NTE) of Mcm2 promotes the stable recruitment of Dbf4-dependent kinase (DDK) to Mcm2-7 double hexamers, which in turn promotes DDK phosphorylation of Mcm4 and −6 and subsequent origin activation. Conversely, we demonstrate that the checkpoint kinase, Rad53, inhibits DDK binding to Mcm2-7 double hexamers. Unexpectedly, this function is not dependent on Rad53 kinase activity, suggesting steric inhibition of DDK by activated Rad53. These findings identify critical determinants of the origin activation reaction and uncover a novel mechanism for checkpoint-dependent origin inhibition.
Chronic ethanol consumption compromises neutrophil function in acute pulmonary Aspergillus fumigatus infection
Authors: Malacco Nathalia Luisa Sousa de Oliveira , Souza Jessica Amanda Marques , Martins Flavia Rayssa Braga , Rachid Milene Alvarenga , Simplicio Janaina Aparecida , Tirapelli Carlos Renato , Sabino Adriano de Paula , Queiroz-Junior Celso Martins , Goes Grazielle Ribeiro , Vieira Leda Quercia , Souza Danielle Glória , Pinho Vanessa , Teixeira Mauro Martins , Soriani Frederico Marianetti
Published: July 2020

Chronic ethanol consumption is a leading cause of mortality worldwide, with higher risks to develop pulmonary infections, including Aspergillus infections. Mechanisms underlying increased susceptibility to infections are poorly understood. Chronic ethanol consumption induced increased mortality rates, higher Aspergillus fumigatus burden and reduced neutrophil recruitment into the airways. Intravital microscopy showed decrease in leukocyte adhesion and rolling after ethanol consumption. Moreover, downregulated neutrophil activation and increased levels of serum CXCL1 in ethanol-fed mice induced internalization of CXCR2 receptor in circulating neutrophils. Bone marrow-derived neutrophils from ethanol-fed mice showed lower fungal clearance and defective reactive oxygen species production. Taken together, results showed that ethanol affects activation, recruitment, phagocytosis and killing functions of neutrophils, causing susceptibility to pulmonary A. fumigatus infection. This study establishes a new paradigm in innate immune response in chronic ethanol consumers.
Odd-paired is a pioneer-like factor that coordinates with Zelda to control gene expression in embryos
Authors: Koromila Theodora , Gao Fan , Iwasaki Yasuno , He Peng , Pachter Lior , Gergen J Peter , Stathopoulos Angelike
Published: July 2020

Pioneer factors such as Zelda (Zld) help initiate zygotic transcription inDrosophilaearly embryos, but whether other factors support this dynamic process is unclear. Odd-paired (Opa), a zinc-finger transcription factor expressed at cellularization, controls the transition of genes from pair-rule to segmental patterns along the anterior-posterior axis. Finding that Opa also regulates expression through enhancersog_Distalalong the dorso-ventral axis, we hypothesized Opa’s role is more general. Chromatin-immunoprecipitation (ChIP-seq) confirmed its in vivo binding tosog_Distalbut also identified widespread binding throughout the genome, comparable to Zld. Furthermore, chromatin assays (ATAC-seq) demonstrate that Opa, like Zld, influences chromatin accessibility genome-wide at cellularization, suggesting both are pioneer factors with common as well as distinct targets. Lastly, embryos lackingopaexhibit widespread, late patterning defects spanning both axes. Collectively, these data suggest Opa is a general timing factor and likely late-acting pioneer factor that drives a secondary wave of zygotic gene expression.
Sustainable Consumption Behaviour in The Context of Millennials in Indonesia – Can Environmental Concern, Self-efficacy, Guilt and Subjective Knowledge Make a Difference?
Authors: Rizkalla Nosica , Erhan Trihadi Pudiawan
Published: July 2020

Research Question: This paper assesses the effect of environmental concern, self-efficacy, subjective knowledge and guilt on sustainable consumption behaviour. Motivation: This study focuses on predicting and explaining sustainable consumption behaviour by proposing a model comprised of environmental concern, self-efficacy, consumer guilt and subjective knowledge as  predictors. Environmental concern is an important element in VBN theory proposed by Stern (1999). Meanwhile, self-efficacy is part of SCT theory by Bandura (1997); as for subjective knowledge, it is deemed to be a better predictor of environmental behaviour (Kollmuss & Agyeman, 2002). Guilt is included in this model as it is an important emotion that can affect sustainable consumption behaviour, especially in the context of collectivist culture country like Indonesia (Lee et al., 2012). All these factors have been proven to be able to influence sustainable consumer behaviour. However, there are still a few studies that explore these factors altogether simultaneously, especially in the context of a developing country. Thus, this study tries to examine sustainable consumption behaviour by incorporating these factors altogether. Idea: The main idea of this study is to empirically assess the influence of proposed independent variables, namely environmental concern, self-efficacy, subjective knowledge and guilt on sustainable consumption behaviour. This study also tries to assess whether there is a significant difference of sustainable consumption behaviour among demographic groups such as gender, education and age. Data: The model is tested by conducting a survey using a self-administered questionnaire on 200 respondents. The respondents are younger millennials aged between 17-27. The questionnaire consists of questions about demographic profile and about the research instruments. Tools: This study uses descriptive research design and purposive sampling to collect the data. Research hypotheses were tested by multiple regression analysis. Findings: The result of this study shows that environmental concern, self-efficacy and environmental knowledge have an influence on sustainable consumption behaviour, where environmental knowledge contributes the most in predicting the aforementioned behaviour. Meanwhile, this study also finds that consumer guilt has no impact upon this behaviour. Contributions: This study gives additional insight and understanding of sustainable consumption behaviour in the context of millennials in a developing country. The findings of this study can be used by the government to formulate environmental policies as well as for businesses to formulate strategies to promote their environmentally-friendly products.
Human Capital and SME Performance: Mediating Effect of Entrepreneurial Leadership
Authors: Simić Marijana , Slavković Marko , Stojanović Aleksić Vesna
Published: July 2020

Research Question: The paper investigates the relationships between human capital and SME performance, introducing into the analysis the mediating effect of entrepreneurial leadership in the specific context of a transitional economy. Motivation: The research of the mediating effect of entrepreneurial leadership contributes to a better understanding of the relationships between human capital and SME performance. As there is a small number of studies that have examined the role of entrepreneurial leadership in SMEs, the need for investigation is obvious. In addition, empirical evidence of the impact of human capital on SME performance is limited. Idea: Since leadership is considered to be a key determent of organisation growth, it is relevant to identify the relevance of entrepreneur’s leadership style and characteristics, as well as its role in the relationship between human capital components and success of SMEs in Serbia. Data: The study included 110 employees in Serbian small and medium-sized enterprises with up to 50 employees. A questionnaire was used to measure the employees’ attitude towards human capital, entrepreneurial leadership, and organizational performance, as well as socio-demographic variables. Tools: The data were prepared and analysed using statistical software IBM SPSS 24.0. Statistical data processing methods used in this paper are descriptive statistics, reliability analysis and regression analysis. Findings: The results of the analysis indicate that human capital has an indirect impact on organisational performance through the mediating effect of entrepreneurial leadership. Contribution: The results can be used in making future decisions, measures and standards related to human resource management in the context of transitional economies, as well as to help entrepreneurs to lead their employees effectively and ‚‚‚‚survive in today’s turbulent business environment.
Operations Research Problems and Data Envelopment Analysis in Agricultural Land Processing – A Review
Authors: Andrić Gušavac Bisera , Savić Gordana
Published: July 2020

Research Question: This paper aims at specifying the contribution of operations research (OR) methods and techniques to agricultural land processing. Motivation: Agricultural production is performed on an agricultural land, which has to be exploited in the best possible way, given the increasing human population and the limited availability of the land. Considering the importance of this issue, a large number of research studies dealing with problems in agriculture can be found in the literature, and many of these problems are solved by OR methods and techniques. However, to our knowledge, there are no review papers that deal with this specific area, so the main motivation is to provide a detailed review of selected OR methods application in the agricultural land processing area. Idea: The core idea behind this research is to perceive a real impact of OR methods and techniques implementation in the agricultural land processing. The research is based on detailed literature review for the period 2014-2019 and performed statistics involving publication by year, publication by journal and statistics involving keywords in articles. Data: The review was conducted using online repositories of the papers published in SCI and SCIe journals with impact factors in the period from 2014-2019. Tools: Analyzed papers are divided into three groups according to the OR method applied: linear optimization problems, DEA method and other OR methods (non linear, multicriteria, mixed integer programming, dynamic programming). Papers within the groups are analyzed according to the type of problems solved. Statistical analyses of all collected data were used to get a good insight into the applications of operations research problems and data envelopment analysis in agricultural land processing. Findings: The number of published papers in this specific area has a growing trend over the observed years (with some minor decrease in 2016 and 2019 in comparison with the previous year). All of the articles are related to specific application of the given methods to solving problems in the agricultural land processing, and this is the reason for many different keywords appearing in the articles. Some very important keywords such as “operations research” or “OR” does not appear in any article as a keyword. Inclusion of such common keywords may result in a faster search in repositories of all articles. Contribution: The primary contribution of this paper is a detailed review of application of linear optimization, data envelopment analysis and other OR methods in agricultural land processing in the period 2014-2019.
Book Review “The Righteous Mind-Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion” by Jonathan Haidt
Authors: Chung Ung-il
Published: July 2020

Book Review of “The Righteous Mind-Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion”

Written by Jonathan Haidt (2012). New York: Pantheon Books. eISBN: 978-0-307-90703-5.
Disentangling biological variability and taphonomy: shape analysis of the limb long bones of the sauropodomorph dinosaur Plateosaurus
Authors: Lefebvre Rémi , Allain Ronan , Houssaye Alexandra , Cornette Raphaël
Published: July 2020

Sauropodomorph dinosaurs constitute a well-studied clade of dinosaurs, notably because of the acquisition of gigantism within this group. The genus Plateosaurus is one of the best-known sauropodomorphs, with numerous remains from various localities. Its tumultuous taxonomic history suggests the relevance of addressing its intrageneric shape variability, mixed with taphonomic modifications of the original bone shape. Here we investigate quantitatively the morphological variation of Plateosaurus occurring at the genus level by studying the shape variation of a sample of limb long bones. By means of 3D geometric morphometrics, the analysis of the uncorrelated variation permits separation of the variation estimated as obviously taphonomically influenced from the more biologically plausible variation. Beyond the dominant taphonomic signal, our approach permits interpretation of the most biologically plausible features, even on anatomical parts influenced by taphonomic deformations. Those features are thus found on a quantitative basis from the variation of samples containing fossil specimens, by taking the impact of taphonomy into account, which is paramount in order to avoid making biologically ambiguous interpretations.
Plastid genomics ofNicotiana(Solanaceae): insights into molecular evolution, positive selection and the origin of the maternal genome of Aztec tobacco (Nicotiana rustica)
Authors: Mehmood Furrukh , Abdullah  , Ubaid Zartasha , Shahzadi Iram , Ahmed Ibrar , Waheed Mohammad Tahir , Poczai Peter , Mirza Bushra
Published: July 2020

Species of the genusNicotiana(Solanaceae), commonly referred to as tobacco plants, are often cultivated as non-food crops and garden ornamentals. In addition to the worldwide production of tobacco leaves, they are also used as evolutionary model systems due to their complex development history tangled by polyploidy and hybridization. Here, we assembled the plastid genomes of five tobacco species:N. knightiana, N. rustica, N. paniculata, N. obtusifoliaandN. glauca. De novo assembled tobacco plastid genomes had the typical quadripartite structure, consisting of a pair of inverted repeat (IR) regions (25,323–25,369 bp each) separated by a large single-copy (LSC) region (86,510–86,716 bp) and a small single-copy (SSC) region (18,441–18,555 bp). Comparative analyses ofNicotianaplastid genomes with currently available Solanaceae genome sequences showed similar GC and gene content, codon usage, simple sequence and oligonucleotide repeats, RNA editing sites, and substitutions. We identified 20 highly polymorphic regions, mostly belonging to intergenic spacer regions (IGS), which could be suitable for the development of robust and cost-effective markers for inferring the phylogeny of the genusNicotianaand family Solanaceae. Our comparative plastid genome analysis revealed that the maternal parent of the tetraploidN. rusticawas the common ancestor ofN. paniculataandN. knightiana, and the later species is more closely related toN. rustica. Relaxed molecular clock analyses estimated the speciation event betweenN. rusticaandN. knightianaappeared 0.56 Ma (HPD 0.65–0.46). Biogeographical analysis supported a south-to-north range expansion and diversification forN. rusticaand related species, whereN. undulataandN. paniculataevolved in North/Central Peru, whileN. rusticadeveloped in Southern Peru and separated fromN. knightiana,which adapted to the Southern coastal climatic regimes. We further inspected selective pressure on protein-coding genes among tobacco species to determine if this adaptation process affected the evolution of plastid genes. These analyses indicate that four genes involved in different plastid functions, including DNA replication (rpoA) and photosynthesis (atpB,ndhD andndhF), came under positive selective pressure as a result of specific environmental conditions. Genetic mutations in these genes might have contributed to better survival and superior adaptations during the evolutionary history of tobacco species.
English language learning and learner empowerment: a mixed-method study of pre-service English teachers’ narratives on language, power and identity
Authors:   Universidad de Sevilla (España), López Gándara Yiyi
Published: July 2020

It is widely acknowledged that the expansion of English has had a democratising effect: knowledge is now accessible to a larger number of people worldwide. However, it is also contended that the uncritical and unreflective teaching of English is contributing to reproducing power structures, accentuating inequalities among speakers. This article presents the results of a study carried out with 86 final-year students in the Degree of Primary Education (English) at the University of Seville. Working within the framework of critical research, and combining both quantitative and qualitative methods, this study analyses learners’ perceptions on communicative competence, on the factors that bear upon successful communication, and their capacity to identify and understand power relations in communicative interactions. Results show that communicative competence does not necessarily entail learner empowerment; learners are too worried about linguistic aspects and accuracy when they speak English; they aspire to a model—the native speaker—that they can never reach; and they are not aware of power inequalities, their origin and how they transpire in communicative situations. This analysis points to the need to include a critical component in English language teaching to equip learners to identify and tackle power asymmetries in communicative interactions.
PERCEPTIONS AND ATTITUDES OF THE STUDENTS OF YUAN ZE UNIVERSITY ABOUT THE USE OF BIOGAS PRODUCED BY HUMAN WASTE
Authors: François Mathurin
Published: July 2020

 

ABSTRACT

Energy demand is increasing following the expansion of the world population. Approximately 1.1 billion people worldwide do not have access to electricity, mostly living in developing countries. This article aimed to evaluate the perception of the students of Yuan Ze University about the use of biogas produced from human waste. A sample of 110 students from different faculties of the university was randomly chosen to be interviewed on this subject through a questionnaire with both closed and opened questions. The analysis of the data was processed with the R software in order to calculate the p-value of the questions and socio-demographic data, with the significant level set at 0.05. This work found that 54.5% of the students have already heard that human waste can be used to produce biogas, while 89.1% of the respondents thought this alternative is possible. When asked whether they would use this gas, the percentage dropped to 55.5%. Most of the students stated that they would use only biogas produced with their own excreta (52.0%). The main barriers presented by the respondents for not using this gas were health risk (40.0%), bad smell (26.4%), and fear (10.9%). This work found that the use of human waste in the production of biogas was regarded as a viable alternative by the students of Yuan Ze University, with health risk being the major concern.

 

PERCEPÇÕES E ATITUDES DOS ESTUDANTES DA UNIVERSIDADE YUAN ZE EM RELAÇÃO DO USO DO BIOGÁS PRODUZIDO PELA EXCRETA HUMANA

RESUMO

A medida que a população mundial aumenta, com ela cresce a demanda de energia. Cerca de 1,1 bilhão de pessoas no mundo não houveram acesso a eletricidade. A maioria deles vive em países em desenvolvimento. Este artigo teve como objetivo avaliar a percepção dos estudantes da Universidade Yuan Ze sobre o uso de biogás proveniente de excreta humana. Um total de 110 estudantes de diferentes faculdades foi escolhido aleatoriamente para ser entrevistado sobre esse assunto, por meio da utilização de questionário com perguntas fechadas e abertas. A análise dos dados foram processadas no software R para calcular o valor-p, a fim de determinar o nível significativo estabelecido em 0,05 para as perguntas e as características sociodemográficas. Constatou-se que 54,5% dos estudantes já ouviram falar que a excreta humana pode ser usada para produzir biogás, 89,1% dos entrevistados pensaram que essa alternativa é possível. Quando perguntados se usariam esse gás, o percentual caiu para 55,5%. A maioria dos estudantes afirmou que usaria apenas biogás produzido com suas próprias excretas (52,0%). As principais barreiras apresentadas pelos entrevistados para não usar esse gás foram risco à saúde (40,0%), mau cheiro (26,4%) e medo (10,9%).
 Conclui-se que o uso de excremento humano na produção de biogás foi visto como uma alternativa viável pelos estudantes da Universidade Yuan Ze, mas o risco  à saúde foi a maior preocupação deles.
ANÁLISE COMPARATIVA DAS ALTERNATIVAS PARA TRATAMENTO DE ESGOTOS DE RESIDÊNCIAS UNIFAMILIARES
Authors: Relvas Pereira Anne , De Souza Marco Antonio Almeida
Published: July 2020

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi analisar a aplicabilidade dos processos para tratamento de esgotos de residências unifamiliares no Brasil e as condições em que estes seriam recomendados. Foi desenvolvida uma metodologia baseada nos métodos multiobjetivo ELECTRE-III e TOPSIS. Avaliaram-se os seguintes processos: (1) Tanque séptico; (2) Tanque séptico e filtro anaeróbio; (3) Tanque séptico e Wetland; (4) UASB e biofiltro aerado submerso (BAS); (5) Reator UASB e lodo ativado convencional; e (6) Tanque séptico e Reator Biológico de Membrana (MBR). Esses processos foram avaliados em três cenários: (1) lençol freático baixo, solo com alta permeabilidade e risco epidemiológico e ambiental pequeno; (2) lençol freático alto e/ou solo com infiltração baixa e risco epidemiológico e ambiental grande; e (3) reúso direto não-potável da água. Concluiu-se que, para o Cenário 1, a melhor alternativa é Tanque Séptico seguido ou não por filtro anaeróbio. Para o Cenário 2, é mais adequado empregar Tanque Séptico seguido por filtro anaeróbio ou por Wetland. No Cenário 3, Tanque Séptico seguido por MBR e desinfecção é o ideal, mas a alternativa ótima deveria ser Tanque Séptico seguido por BAS e desinfecção, caso relaxassem-se alguns padrões de reúso de água.

 

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES FOR TREATMENT OF SEWAGE FROM SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCES

ABSTRACT

The objective of this research was to analyse the applicability of processes for treating sewage from single-family dwellings in Brazil and the conditions under which they would be recommended. A methodology was developed based on the multi-objective ELECTRE-III and TOPSIS methods. The following processes were evaluated: (1) Septic tank; (2) Septic tank and anaerobic filter; (3) Septic tank and Wetland; (4) UASB and submerged aerated biofilter (BAS); (5) UASB reactor and conventional activated sludge; and (6) Septic tank and Biological Membrane Reactor (MBR). These processes were evaluated in three scenarios: (1) low water table, soil with high permeability, and small epidemiological and environmental risk; (2) high water table and / or soil with low infiltration, and great epidemiological and environmental risk; and (3) direct non-potable water reuse. The conclusion was that for Scenario 1 the best alternative is Septic Tank followed or not by an anaerobic filter. For Scenario 2, it is more appropriate to use a septic tank followed by an anaerobic filter or by Wetland. In Scenario 3, Septic Tank followed by MBR and disinfection is ideal, but the optimal alternative should be Septic Tank followed by BAS and disinfection, if some water reuse standards were relaxed.
A Novel Synthetic, Xeno‐Free Biomimetic Surface for Serum‐Free Expansion of Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
Authors: Thamm Kristina , Möbus Kristin , Towers Russell , Segeletz Sandra , Wetzel Richard , Bornhäuser Martin , Zhang Yixin , Wobus Manja
Published: July 2020

Human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs) have enormous potential for the treatment of various inflammatory and degenerative diseases. Their manufacturing for cell‐based therapies requires extensive ex vivo expansion and optimal growth conditions. To support cell adhesion, spreading, and growth in serum‐free culture conditions, the applied plasticware needs to be functionalized with essential biochemical cues. By employing a recently developed screening tool, a chemically defined functional matrix composed of dextran sulfate and a bone‐related extracellular matrix peptide is identified, which supports long‐term culture of bone marrow‐derived hMSCs in serum‐free culture conditions. Cells grown under these conditions display rapid proliferation and high viability while maintaining their differentiation and immunomodulatory capacity, characteristic cell morphology, expression of hMSC‐specific surface antigens as well as important markers of stemness and differentiation potential. The chemically defined, serum‐free culture environment enables reliable and reproducible expansion of hMSCs important for cell based‐therapies, drug screening, and disease modeling.
Boron Nitride Nanotube–Reinforced Titanium Composite with Controlled Interfacial Reactions by Spark Plasma Sintering
Authors: Bustillos Jenniffer , Lu Xialong , Nautiyal Pranjal , Zhang Cheng , Boesl Benjamin , Agarwal Arvind
Published: July 2020

Herein, boron nitride nanotube (BNNT)–reinforced Ti alloy composites with 1 wt% BNNT (3 vol%) are successfully fabricated by spark plasma sintering (SPS). This study addresses two challenges affecting the performance of BNNT–metal matrix composites: i) the dispersion of high‐surface‐energy BNNTs by an ultrasonic‐assisted technique and ii) the control of reactions at the metal/nanotube interface. High‐energy ultrasonic vibrations were effective in the dispersion of entangled BNNTs, and sintering at low (750 °C and 555 MPa) and high (950 °C and 60 MPa) temperature regimes resulted in relative densities of 97% and 99%. Reducing sintering temperatures by up to 35% compared to those used in conventional sintering is effective in minimizing brittle interfacial products. Also, the composites sintered at high‐temperatures/low‐pressure benefit from the rapid densification (10 min) achieved in the SPS process limiting the extent of reactions (TiB2, TiB). Compressive properties show composites sintered at low and high temperatures exhibit increases of 46% and 50% in yield strength, respectively, as compared to the Ti alloy. Strain hardening exponents of 0.8 and 0.5 characterize the capabilities of the composites to arrest plasticity in the presence of BNNTs, reaction phases, and twin boundaries pinning dislocations. This study unravels the potential of a low‐temperature/high‐pressure processing window for Ti‐BNNT composites.
Flat Yarn Fabric Substrates for Screen‐Printed Conductive Textiles
Authors: Lee Jung Hun , Dzagbletey Philip A. , Jang MyoungJin , Chung Jae-Young , So Ju-Hee
Published: July 2020

Herein, flat yarn‐based polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fabrics as substrates for screen printing conductive inks are described. The effect of the screen‐printing parameters, such as the screen mesh size (70 or 120 pixels in.−1) and the number of printing cycles, is investigated. The uniformity of the screen‐printed layers and their electrical properties are directly related to the yarn shape, substrate roughness, and printing conditions. Minimum average sheet resistance of 16 ± 3 mΩ sq−1 is achieved on the flat yarn PET fabrics, and there is little change in the electrical performance after 1000 bending cycles. To demonstrate the impact of yarn shape on an E‐textile application, wearable antennas are fabricated using the screen‐printed PET fabrics. The antennas are designed to operate at 2.4 GHz, which is a widely used unlicensed frequency for public wireless local area network services, Bluetooth, and radio frequency identification (RFID) services. The effects of the uniformity and conductivity of the printed layers on the antenna performance are analyzed. In open‐area field tests, the textile antennas show better performance than commercial antennas. The results of this study will help improve the understanding of how the ink/substrate interface affects the screen‐printing process and to advance the manufacturing technology for conductive patterns.
Multimode Hydraulically Amplified Electrostatic Actuators for Wearable Haptics
Authors: Leroy Edouard , Hinchet Ronan , Shea Herbert
Published: July 2020

The sense of touch is underused in today’s virtual reality systems due to lack of wearable, soft, mm‐scale transducers to generate dynamic mechanical stimulus on the skin. Extremely thin actuators combining both high force and large displacement are a long‐standing challenge in soft actuators. Sub‐mm thick flexible hydraulically amplified electrostatic actuators are reported here, capable of both out‐of‐plane and in‐plane motion, providing normal and shear forces to the user’s fingertip, hand, or arm. Each actuator consists of a fluid‐filled cavity whose shell is made of a metalized polyester boundary and a central elastomer region. When a voltage is applied to the annular electrodes, the fluid is rapidly forced into the stretchable region, forming a raised bump. A 6 mm × 6 mm × 0.8 mm actuator weighs 90 mg, and generates forces of over 300 mN, out‐of‐plane displacements of 500 µm (over 60% strain), and lateral motion of 760 µm. Response time is below 5 ms, for a specific power of 100 W kg−1. In user tests, human subjects distinguished normal and different 2‐axis shear forces with over 80% accuracy. A flexible 5 × 5 array is demonstrated, integrated in a haptic sleeve.
Surface‐Carbonized Bamboos with Multilevel Functional Biostructures Deliver High Photothermal Water Evaporation Performance
Authors: Liu Jie , Yao Jiahao , Yuan Yang , Liu Qinglei , Zhang Wang , Zhang Xiaohui , Gu Jiajun
Published: July 2020

Interfacial solar steam generation (ISSG) has attracted global attention as an important approach for water purification and desalination. The related photothermal materials based on 3D biostructures are promising due to their abundance and easy accessibility. Here, it is shown that surface‐carbonized bamboo (SC‐bamboo) as a photothermal material exhibits outstanding ISSG performance due to its multilevel functional biostructures. On a microscopic scale, the bamboo's air‐filled parenchyma cells promote thermal insulation while its vascular bundles ensure rapid water transport. On a macroscopic scale, a unique concave structure at the bamboo nodes concentrates water and heat in a confined region and the air‐filled hollow chambers in bamboo internodes also ensure thermal insulation. These multilevel functional structures of SC‐bamboo result in a solar‐thermal conversion efficiency up to 93.63% ± 1.57% under 1 kW m−2 irradiation, surpassing most biomass‐derived materials ever reported. Considering bamboo's low cost and convenience, this work sheds light on the design and fabrication of readily accessible, multilevel functional structure for efficient photothermal‐conversion devices.
Tracking the Consolidation of U.S. Agriculture
Authors: MacDonald James M.
Published: July 2020

I assess farm sector consolidation in the United States from the 1980s through the most recent (2017) Census of Agriculture. Consolidation has been large, widespread across crop and livestock commodities, and persistent over time. Research on this topic benefits from access to farm‐level datasets, which provide more comprehensive insights into consolidation and alter what we thought we knew about farm consolidation in earlier studies using aggregated data. I close with a reflection on the applications and challenges that I have found in using firm‐, plant‐, and transactions‐level microdata through my career.
Viral elimination is essential for improving surgical outcomes of hepatitis C virus‐related hepatocellular carcinoma: Multicenter retrospective analysis
Authors: Nakajima Masao , Kobayashi Shogo , Wada Hiroshi , Tomokuni Akira , Takahashi Hidenori , Noda Takehiro , Matsui Hiroto , Matsukuma Satoshi , Kanekiyo Shinsuke , Shindo Yoshitaro , Tokumitsu Yukio , Nakagami Yuki , Suzuki Nobuaki , Takeda Shigeru , Tanabe Masahiro , Ito Katsuyoshi , Hoshii Yoshinobu , Eguchi Hidetoshi , Nagano Hiroaki
Published: July 2020

Aim

The impact of sustained virologic response (SVR) on surgical outcomes for patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of SVR on long‐term surgical outcomes after hepatectomy.

Methods

This multicenter study included 504 patients who underwent curative resection for HCV‐related HCC. Patients with a history of HCC treatment, HBV infection, poor liver function, and tumor with major vascular invasion were excluded. Long‐term surgical outcomes (overall survival [OS] and recurrence‐free survival [RFS]) among patients who achieved SVR before hepatectomy (Pre‐SVR group: 58 patients), after hepatectomy (Post‐SVR group: 54 patients), and without SVR (Non‐SVR group: 186 patients) were compared after adjusting for 13 confounding factors. Using the surgically resected specimens, comparison of the pathological changes in liver fibrosis between the first and second hepatectomy were analyzed.

Results

Patients with SVR were younger, had better liver function, and less liver fibrosis compared to patients without SVR. Propensity score‐matched OS and RFS were significantly better in Pre‐SVR group than Non‐SVR group (P = .029 and P = .009, respectively). Inverse probability‐weighted OS and RFS were also significantly better in the Post‐SVR group (P = .001 and P = .021, respectively) than in the Non‐SVR group. Histopathological evaluation revealed that only the patients with SVR had regression of liver fibrosis (P < .05).

Conclusion

Achievement of SVR before or after hepatectomy is essential for improving long‐term surgical outcomes in patients with HCV‐related HCC.
Work safety culture of Latinx child farmworkers in North Carolina
Authors: Arcury Thomas A. , Quandt Sara A. , Arnold Taylor J. , Chen Haiying , Sandberg Joanne C. , Kearney Gregory D. , Daniel Stephanie S.
Published: July 2020

Background

Little research has addressed the safety environment of child farmworkers. This analysis examines the work safety culture experienced by Latinx child farmworkers in North Carolina.

Methods

Survey interviews were conducted in 2017 with 202 Latinx children aged 10 to 17 years employed on North Carolina farms. Analysis included measures of the behavioral, situational, and psychological elements of work safety culture.

Results

The work culture on North Carolina farms employing Latinx child farmworkers places limited value on safety. Behaviorally, many did not wear appropriate work clothing (eg, 47.5% wore gloves, 37.1% wore boots). Situationally, few received safety training for tools (40.6%), machinery (24.3%), or pesticides (26.0%); about one‐third (33.7%) had worked piece‐rate; and many did not have field sanitation services available (eg, 37.1% had water for washing, 19.8% had soap). Safety attitudes were mixed, and work safety climate was low, with 21.8% stating that their supervisor was only interested in doing the job fast and cheaply. Greater safety training, field sanitation services, and work safety climate were associated with working in western North Carolina, migrant workers, limited English fluency, and working in tomatoes. Wearing appropriate work clothing, not working piece‐rate, fewer unsafe work attitudes were associated with working in eastern North Carolina, seasonal worker, speaking English, and working in tobacco.

Conclusions

This study makes it apparent that efforts are needed to improve safety culture wherever child farmworkers are employed. Current policy is not providing a safe environment for children working on farms in the United States.
Association of spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea with transverse venous sinus stenosis: a retrospective matched case‐control study
Authors: Bedarida Vincent , Labeyrie Marc‐Antoine , Eliezer Michael , Saint‐Maurice Jean‐Pierre , Jourdaine Clément , Gargalas Sergios , Herman Philippe , Houdart Emmanuel , Verillaud Benjamin
Published: July 2020

Background

A significant proportion of spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (sCSF) leaks are associated with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). The aim of this study was to assess the association between sCSF rhinorrhea and transverse venous sinus stenosis (VSS), a feature commonly observed in IIH with a proposed role in its pathophysiology.

Methods

In this single‐center, retrospective, matched case‐control study, venous and pituitary imaging data of consecutive patients undergoing endoscopic surgery for sCSF rhinorrhea over the last 10 years were retrospectively reviewed. Measurement of the height of the pituitary gland was used to assess empty sella and VSS was quantified as the ratio between the minimal area of the transverse sinus and the cross‐sectional area of the sigmoid sinus. VSS was considered significant when it was ≥50% and bilateral. Cases were compared with 1:1 age‐ and sex‐adjusted controls explored for causes other than IIH, intracranial mass effect, or venous thrombosis.

Results

Twenty‐nine patients were included (median age 56 years, females 69%, body mass index [BMI] 33.8 kg/m2). Cases had a significantly lower height of the pituitary gland than controls (2.5 mm vs 6.6 mm, p < 0.001). Bilateral VSS was found in 23 of 29 cases (79%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 65% to 94%) vs 3 of 29 controls (10%; 95% CI, 0% to 21%), with p < 0.001.

Conclusion

In this retrospective study, sCSF leaks were strongly associated with VSS. This novel finding provides a rationale for further investigation of the role of VSS in the onset of sCSF leaks and of the potential interest in venous stenting after the surgical repair of leaks.
DMSO‐Enabled Selective Radical O−H Activation of 1,3(4)‐Diols
Authors: Zhu Yuchao , Zhang Ziyao , Jin Rui , Liu Jianzhong , Liu Guoquan , Han Bing , Jiao Ning
Published: July 2020

Control of selectivity is one of the central topics in organic chemistry. Although unprecedented alkoxyl‐radical‐induced transformations have drawn a lot of attention, compared to selective C−H activation, selective radical O−H activation remains less explored. Herein, we report a novel selective radical O−H activation strategy of diols by combining spatial effects with proton‐coupled electron transfer (PCET). It was found that DMSO is an essential reagent that enables the regioselective transformation of diols. Mechanistic studies indicated the existence of the alkoxyl radical and the selective interaction between DMSO and hydroxyl groups. Moreover, the distal C−C cleavage was realized by this selective alkoxyl‐radical‐initiation protocol.
Kooperative NHC‐ und Photoredox‐Katalyse zur Synthese β‐trifluormethylierter Alkylarylketone
Authors: Meng Qing‐Yuan , Döben Nadine , Studer Armido
Published: July 2020

Trotz des großen Potentials der Radikalchemie in der organischen Synthese, sind N‐heterozyklische Carben (NHC)‐katalysierte Reaktionen, die radikalische Intermediate durchlaufen, kaum erforscht. In dieser Veröffentlichung wird eine Dreikomponentenkupplung von Aroylfluoriden, Styrolen und dem Langlois‐Reagenz (CF3SO2Na) beschrieben. Kooperative Photoredox/NHC‐Katalyse führt in mäßigen bis hohen Ausbeuten zu β‐trifluormethylierten Alkylarylketonen mit guter funktioneller Gruppentoleranz. Die Alkenacyltrifluormethylierung läuft über Kreuzkupplung von Ketyl‐ mit benzylischen Radikalen ab. Die Ketylradikale werden dabei über SET‐Reduktion von in situ erzeugten Acylazoliumionen gebildet und die benzylischen Radikale resultieren aus einer CF3‐Radikaladdition an das Alken.
Stabilisierung planarer Cyclopenten‐4‐yl‐Kationen durch Hyperkonjugation und π‐Delokalisierung
Authors: Nees Samuel , Kupfer Thomas , Hofmann Alexander , Braunschweig Holger
Published: July 2020

Theoretischen Untersuchungen zufolge stellt das planare Cyclopenten‐4‐yl‐Kation das energetisch ungünstigste C5H7+‐Isomer dar und ist am ehesten als klassisches Carbokation zu beschreiben, wobei dessen Existenz experimentell bislang noch nicht nachgewiesen werden konnte. Durch Umsetzung sterisch überfrachteter Alane vom Typ CpRAlBr2 mit AlBr3 ist uns nun die Isolierung zweier stabiler Derivate des Cyclopenten‐4‐yl‐Kations gelungen. Untersuchungen zu deren (elektronischer) Struktur (XRD, QM) offenbarten planare Geometrien und starke Hyperkonjugationswechselwirkungen zwischen den C‐Al‐σ‐Bindungen und dem unbesetzten p‐Orbital der kationischen sp2‐Kohlenstoffzentren. Die Analyse der Molekülorbitale (MOs), der Anisotropie der induzierten Stromdichte (ACID) sowie verschiedener Aromatizitätsdeskriptoren deuten hierbei auf ein hohes Maß an Delokalisierung und π‐Aromatizität in diesen Systemen hin, was einer klassischen Beschreibung grundlegend widerspricht. Unsere Cyclopenten‐4‐yl‐Kationen gehören somit zu den wenigen Beispielen aromatischer Carbocyclen, in denen eine Delokalisierung der π‐Elektronen über gesättigte sp3‐Kohlenstoffatome hinweg beobachtet wird.