bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation method of rain–flood resource utilization availability and its application in the Hanjiang River Basin
Authors: Deng Pengxin , Xu Gaohong , Bing Jianping , Xu Changjiang , Jia Jianwei
Published: October 2020

Rain–flood utilization refers to transforming some amount of rain or floodwater into ordinary water resources without decreasing flood control standards or damaging the ecological environment of rivers, which has gained widespread attention as it can alleviate water shortages and gain benefits. This paper put forward the evaluation method of rain–flood utilization availability at the distributed watershed scale. Based on the water node, some indices of rain–flood utilization availability were defined. Then the evaluation method and calculation process were unified. Finally, the status and potential of the rain–flood utilization of Hanjiang River Basin were analyzed. The results indicated that the rain–flood resource in the whole basin is 48.9 billion m3, the outflow is 29.9 billion m3, and the actual utilization is about 19.0 billion m3. The current available rain–flood amount and rain–flood utilization potential are 27.7 billion m3 and 11.0 billion m3, and the rain–flood utilization rate is 49.4%. Limited by regulation ability and the rain–flood resources, current rain–flood utilization has a clear threshold range. The potential utilization objects are mainly for a rainfall process of about two to ten years return period. The application in Hanjiang River Basin offers some practical information for assessing rain–flood utilization scientifically, and the premise for effectively guiding and formulating adaptive countermeasures for water resources management.
Assessment of maize water status using a consumer-grade camera and thermal imagery
Authors: Mousabeygi Fatemeh , Rezaei Yousef , Akhavan Samira
Published: October 2020

The analysis of plant response to water deficits can help us to identify appropriate water-saving and irrigation methods. The goal of this study is to assess the potential of eight indices derived from a modified consumer-grade camera and a thermal camera for monitoring the relative water content (RWC) of maize. The study design was a randomized complete block design with three replications and 16 treatments with four levels of irrigation water percentage based on field capacity (100% Fc, 80% Fc, 60% Fc and 40% Fc), and four levels of nitrogen (without nitrogen, 100 kg N/ha, 200 kg N/ha and 300 kg N/ha) were used. RWC values were used to evaluate the performance of the eight crop water stress indicators. The results showed that the best performance results of the studied vegetation indices were DANS, CTSD and CTCV, respectively. As observed, R2 values were 0.88, 0.76 and 0.67, respectively.
Effect of water compounds on photo-disinfection efficacy of TiO2 NP-embedded cellulose acetate film in natural water
Authors: Xie Jing , Hung Yen-Con
Published: October 2020

Photocatalysis disinfection has great potential for irrigation water disinfection to improve fresh produce safety. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticle (NP)-embedded cellulose acetate (CA) film has shown effectiveness against Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7 in water. The current study evaluated the effect of natural water compounds on the photo-disinfection efficacy of TiO2 NP-embedded CA film. Humic acid, calcium carbonate (CaCO3), and kaolin clay solutions were prepared at four concentrations, respectively. When concentration increased from 0 to 20 ml/L, inactivation of E. coli O157:H7 in humic acid, CaCO3, and kaolin clay solutions decreased from 6 log to 5, 4, and 2 log CFU/ml, respectively after 3 h treatment. Turbidity, UVT-254, water hardness, total suspended solids (TSS), and total organic carbon (TOC) of the solutions were measured. UVT-254 and turbidity had the highest correlation with the inhibition effect of water compounds on photo-disinfection efficacy. A prediction equation was developed with UVT-254 and water hardness as independent variables to predict photo-disinfection efficacy in natural water. E. coli O157:H7 decreased by 1 and 2.5 log CFU/ml in unfiltered and filtered natural creek water samples after treatment. The results from this study showed promise in the use of TiO2 NP-embedded CA film to inactivate pathogens in natural water.
Green synthesis of Ag and Pd nanoparticles for water pollutants treatment
Authors: Joseph Kirubaharan C. , Fang Zhen , Sha Chong , Yong Yang-Chun
Published: October 2020

Silver (Ag) and palladium (Pd) nanoparticles were synthesized via a green synthesis route, which was mediated with the extract of Daucus carota leaves. The morphological, crystalline and structural nature of the synthesized nanoparticles was characterized by UV-Vis spectrophotometer, and TEM, XRD and FT-IR analyses. High antibacterial activities of the prepared Ag and Pd nanoparticles were observed towards different water-borne pathogens of Klebsiella pneumonia, Vibrio cholera and Escherichia coli. The catalytic efficiency of the prepared nanoparticles for the removal of rhodamine 6G (Rh-6G) dye was also evaluated. Nearly 98% of the Rh-6G dye was decolorized by the synthesized Pd nanoparticles within 2 min, and the synthesized Ag nanoparticles took 30 min for 89.4% decolorization. This work provided greener nanocatalysts for pollutant treatment and demonstrated the power of green biosynthesis for metallic nanoparticles.
O índio na Escola do Imperador:
Authors: Spolidoro Marcello Miranda Ferreira , Ferreira Beatriz Mota
Published: October 2020

O artigo busca valorizar a prática pedagógica existente no Colégio Pedro II, instituição pública federal de educação localizado na cidade do Rio de Janeiro. O texto se inicia justificando a importância de descolonizar o currículo, de forma a desestabilizar o paradigma educacional imposto hoje. Em seguida, discute-se o porquê do aumento da comunidade indígena na instituição e como a conquista deste espaço serve de inspiração para a elaboração de práticas pedagógicas libertadoras e contra-hegemônicas.
Da cidade imaginada à cidade escrita:
Authors: Maia Thainá Morais Avelino
Published: October 2020

O livro Constantinopla, do escritor italiano Edmondo De Amicis (1846-1908), aborda a viagem do escritor à capital do Império Otomano em 1874 e se insere em um tema singular no campo literário a partir do século XVIII: os livros de viagem sobre o Oriente. Este artigo tem como proposta analisar o modo como o escritor tentou apreender na sua narrativa de viagem à capital do Império Otomano e as dificuldades que a narrativa apresenta para retratar a cidade. Um desses problemas está no fato de que cidade se organiza, no seu urbanismo e na vida urbana, de modo diferente dos parâmetros europeus modernos; outra dificuldade está no fato de que o narrador não consegue separar a sua descrição das inúmeras leituras fantasiosas sobre o Oriente que autor tinha realizado, antes de chegar à cidade.
O Brasil não é a Europa do holocausto
Authors: Sant'Anna Marcondes Thaís
Published: October 2020

A proposta deste trabalho é estudar o livro K. Relato de uma busca, de Bernardo Kucinski, levando em consideração a construção espacial do Brasil ditatorial pela narrativa. Interessa-nos observar os aspectos do livro que nos remetem ao universo labiríntico de Kafka, em O processo; a caracterização dos espaços marcados pela repressão; e o olhar crítico de estranhamento de um estrangeiro sobre a ditadura militar no Brasil. Para isso, recorreremos à definição de não-lugar desenvolvida por Augé (2009), a fim de pensar de que forma a ficção de Kucinski caracteriza alguns espaços da estrutura repressiva como locais de passagem, que não criam identidade nem relações, mas tensão solitária; locais onde o indivíduo precisa estar sempre provando sua inocência.
Memórias apagadas
Authors: Carvalho de Morais Tatiane , I. R. Simões Daibert Bárbara
Published: October 2020

O século XIX foi um período de busca pela formação de um cânone nacional. No momento em que ocorria a ascensão do romance, surge Maria Firmina dos Reis com narrativas que tratavam da representação do preconceito estrutural e delimitações oriundos da escravidão vigente e da dominação patriarcal. Professora e afrodescendente, Firmina escreveu ao longo do século XIX, estabelecendo a construção de um espaço social que refletia o racismo e o patriarcalismo dominantes, alterando diretamente a constituição do espaço dentro e fora de sua narrativa. Desta forma justifica-se uma análise de partes da obra da autora para entender as complexidades da formação do espaço social e suas características.
A ilha que é meu corpo
Authors: Da Paixão Bresio Sabrina
Published: October 2020

Em seu romance de estreia, Nicole Dennis-Benn retrata o cotidiano de Montego Bay, costa norte da Jamaica, através do olhar de quatro protagonistas. A autora, jamaicana de nascimento, muda-se para os Estados Unidos aos 17 anos para cursar medicina. Mestra em Saúde Pública, deixa sua atuação como pesquisadora na Universidade de Columbia para se dedicar à escrita. Lança em 2016 Here Comes the Sun, traduzido no Brasil como Bem-Vindos ao Paraíso, sendo recebido com atenção e boas críticas da mídia especializada, indicado a diversos prêmios literários, dos quais fatura o Lambda Literary Award.
Drácula e ansiedades do século XIX
Authors: Bodevan Erica
Published: October 2020

Em Drácula (1897), de Bram Stoker, o vampiro seduz suas vítimas de forma que elas sentem que estão sendo corrompidas por vontade própria, acreditando transgredir uma série de regras estabelecidas pela sociedade em que estão inseridas, como valores morais e religiosos. O famoso vampiro tem a capacidade de encarnaransiedades do século XIX, tais como os medos de colonização reversa ou imigração, homossexualidade, sexualidade feminina evidente e desordens psicológicas. Portanto, combater o monstro significa restaurar o que é considerado como a ordem social legítima.
INDÚSTRIA DE CELULOSE NO MUNICÍPIO DE MUCURI – BAHIA: PANORAMA DOS ASPECTOS SOCIOECONÔMICOS E USO DO SOLO
Authors: FIGUEREDO DE MATOS RIVANNA MARIA
Published: October 2020

O município de Mucuri, localizado no Extremo Sul da Bahia, se destaca na silvicultura para a produção de celulose e desde o fim da década de 1980, abriga um complexo agroindustrial que integra o cultivo de eucalipto à unidade industrial, conduzindo um processo de especialização produtiva, modernização no campo e urbanização. Nesse sentido, presente estudo apresenta um panorama das transformações no uso e cobertura do solo e os aspectos socioeconômicos no município de Mucuri – Bahia. É apresentada a situação do território no período anterior e posterior à implantação da agroindústria, utilizando plataformas de geoprocessamento e bases de dados socioeconômicos. O estudo permite verificar o uso e cobertura do solo determinado predominantemente pela indústria de celulose, assim como a forte hegemonia do setor como determinante da estrutura socioeconômica local.
EMPREENDIMENTOS ECONÔMICOS SOLIDÁRIOS COMO ALTERNATIVAS DE DESENVOLVIMENTO: MAPEAMENTO DE AÇÕES PRESENTES NO MÉDIO SERTÃO PARAIBANO
Authors: Ferreira Carvalho Eunice , Lopes Francisca dos Santos , Dos Santos Cícera Roberta Mendes , Nascimento Thays Santana dos Santos , De Morais Lucas Andrade
Published: October 2020

Diante as muitas transformações do sistema capitalista produtivo, ocasionados pela crescente demanda do consumo, tem-se que a Economia Solidária vem se confirmando nas últimas décadas como importante caminho para mudança econômica e social pelo mundo. Nisso, o presente estudo voltou-se a mapear os empreendimentos econômicos solidários existentes, de modo particular na região do médio Sertão paraibano brasileiro, analisar os benefícios destes para as comunidades locais e para o seu desenvolvimento, bem como identificar os incentivos da gestão pública municipal/estadual voltados ao fomento desses EES. Para tanto, adotou-se a pesquisa qualitativa descritiva, documental e de estudo de campo, onde foram analisados dados da região do Sertão e observados empreendimentos localizados nessa área. O resultado demonstrou que, a região apresenta uma diversidade de atividades econômicas solidárias, espalhadas pelas várias cidades que a compõem, sendo que estes empreendimentos se configuram como importante fonte de renda e inclusão social, e que falta o apoio dos gestores públicos para ajudar a solucionar os desafios impostos a esses empreendedores. Conclui-se, portanto, que a Economia Solidária juntamente com seus empreendimentos solidários e empreendedores envolvidos, embora esteja tendo maior visibilidade na atualidade, e se confirmando como caminho para o desenvolvimento local, ainda necessita de incentivos de políticas públicas, para que de fato se constitua como meio viável de produção, e contribuía de modo ainda mais expressivo para a construção de uma sociedade justa e solidária.
VULNERABILIDADE À CONTAMINAÇÃO DE AQUÍFERO EM ÁREA URBANA – AQUÍFERO GUARATIBA, RJ
Authors: Carvalho Glaucio Silva de , Francisco Cristiane Nunes
Published: October 2020

O método DRASTIC é um método amplamente aplicado para avaliar a vulnerabilidade intrínseca de um aquífero com base nos parâmetros: profundidade, recarga, tipo de aquífero, topografia, impacto da zona vadosa, solo e condutividade hidráulica. Porém estudos indicam que esses parâmetros são insuficientes para caracterizar aquíferos inserido em área urbana, assim, o método DRASTICA foi desenvolvido com a adição do parâmetro de impacto antropogênico. Este trabalho apresenta o estudo da vulnerabilidade do aquífero Guaratiba na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, com base no DRASTIC e sua adaptação DRASTICA com a utilização de amostras de concentração de nitrato nos poços indicando a qualidade da água subterrânea. O mapa de vulnerabilidade DRASTIC mostrou três classes, com predominância das classes baixa e média enquanto 0,8% da área de estudo apresentaram alto índice de vulnerabilidades. O mapa DRASTICA mostra a predominância da influência das atividades antrópicas, uma vez que a classe de alta vulnerabilidade possui 5% da área de estudo. No DRASTICA, observa-se a presença de alta vulnerabilidade nas maiores concentrações de nitrato e, além disso, as amostras com a menor concentração de nitrato estão ausentes nessa classe. Portanto, conclui-se que, para estudos de vulnerabilidade do aquífero em áreas urbanas, é indicado o método DRASTICA.
Methodology of Making-Up the Rating of Highly-Technological Industrial Enterprises Based on Finance Accounting
Authors: Akulenko N. B.
Published: October 2020

The article studies forms of complex analysis of enterprise work. Special attention was paid to using tools of rating assessment for express diagnostic of their functioning. The author investigated goals of comparative analysis of business entities, reviewed the current methods of enterprise rating and identified their features and spheres, where ratings’ spread was the biggest. On this basis the lines of rating assessment of highly-technological enterprises were found with due regard to their specific features. The author’s methodology of enterprise rating plotting was put forward and results of its approval illustrated by automobile industry enterprises, as the industry of medium technological level were provided. For each line in rating assessment a system of indicators was designed based on the information shown in finance accounting, which can raise objectivity of comparative analysis results and allows us to use it for the mass appraisal of enterprises. This methodology of enterprise rating assessment is based, first of all on innovation component of enterprise work, which corresponds to the key strategic goals of manufacturing industry development that implies an increase in innovation activity and development of export potential of industrial enterprises. The trends of using this methodology to build the system of monitoring the highlytechnological sector functioning were identified.
Prospects of Introducing the System of Personnel Support at Enterprises of the Gas and Oil Complex in the Russian Federation
Authors: Alpeeva E. A. , Stotskiy E. V.
Published: October 2020

Innovation acts as a tool of providing relevance of goods being put out and at the same time as a way of gaining competitive advantages by the company, when it penetrates new markets. Technological progress would be impossible without competition in the field of innovation goods manufacturing. To ensure sustainable development of the company it is necessary to use innovation technologies not only in the sphere of manufacturing but also in management. The article deals with assessing the efficiency of introducing personnel outplacement at the oil and gas enterprise. The authors studied in detail HR policy of the ‘Surgutneftegas’ company and evaluated its efficiency leaning on the correlation between the rate of labour productivity growth and wages. The company had to cut the number of its employees due to decline in oil prices. It led to economic losses connected with direct and indirect costs of personnel firing. In order to avoid such expenses it was offered to use outplacement, which can act as a suitable tool for reducing staff at the mentioned enterprise. The application of these recommendations could improve the reputation of the company as a just employer and raise profit thanks to cutting costs of personnel firing.
Groundwater quality assessment for drinking and irrigation purpose using GIS, Piper diagram, and water quality index
Authors:   National Research and Development Institute for Industrial Ecology, Vasilache Nicoleta , Vasile Gabriela Geanina , Diacu Elena ,   University Politehnica of Bucharest, Romania, Modrogan Cristina , Paun Iuliana Claudia ,   National Research and Development Institute for Industrial Ecology, Pirvu Florinela
Published: October 2020

The chemical behavior of groundwater is one of the most dynamic areas of environmental research. In the present study, groundwater sampling from different locations in the central and south-eastern parts of Romania was performed to assess groundwater chemistry and to compare water types using distribution maps. Groundwater chemistry has been evaluated and natural processes are identified as control factors for hydrochemistry. The Piper diagram was created to compare the results of water types. Chemical analysis of groundwater was used to calculate the values of the water quality index. Romanian drinking water Law EPA 458-2002 and WHO standards were taken into account when calculating the WQI. The SAR index was used to evaluate groundwater samples, taken from in the study area, and used for irrigation purposes. The classification of water types based on water quality (WQI) values for each groundwater sample shows that 80% of the analyzed samples can be used as drinking water resources, the rest of 20% being intended for irrigation.
Comparative testing of Ag/Au/Pt graphene electromodified electrodes in electrochemical detection of tetracycline-emerging pollutant
Authors:   National Research and Development Institute for Industrial Ecology, Negrea Sorina Claudia , Diaconu Lidia Ani , Nicorescu Valeria , Neidoni Dorian , Baciu Ana Maria ,   Politehnica University of Timisoara, Romania, Licurici Claudia ,   ”Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iasi, Romania, Manea Florica ,   Politehnica University of Timisoara, Romania
Published: October 2020

This study aimed to obtain new electrochemically modified electrodes with graphene and Au, Pt, Ag particles considering graphite (GP) and glassy carbon (GC) substrate by applying the chronoamperometry technique to develop the detection protocol of tetracycline (TC) considered as an emerging pollutant in water, using cyclic voltammetry (CV) technique. The graphite-based substrate used for Ag/ Au/ Pt electrodeposition led to the electrode compositions on which TC oxidation process was not diffusion-controlled and as consequence, TC detection failed. TC detection protocols were developed for all Ag/Au /Pt electrodeposited GC and GCGP electrodes. Better limits of TC detection was achieved for Ag electrodeposited on GC-GP at the cathodic potential of 0.460 V/SCE.
Municipal solid waste (MSW) - competitive raw materials for combustible materials obtaining
Authors:   National Research and Development Institute for Industrial Ecology, Serbanescu Agnes , Barbu Mona , Cristea Ionut , Kim Lidia , Catrina Gina Alina , Cernica Georgiana , Nicolescu Ileana
Published: October 2020

Waste-to-energy projects can be classified as a complementary technology for energy recovery from nonrecyclable municipal waste fractions and should therefore not compete with measures to reduce, reuse, and recycle materials. The article presents the characterization of some treated municipal solid wastes as competitive raw materials for combustible materials obtaining. Samples with lignocellulosic and polymeric composition were analyzed, namely 3 samples of SRFs (solid recovered fuels) used as secondary raw material in cement plants, SRF1, SRF2, SRF3; a sample of RDF, consisting of household waste; a sample of fluff (a homogeneous mixture of non-hazardous waste - selected, mechanically treated and dried) used as a secondary raw material in cement plants; 4 samples of municipal solid waste, fractions smaller than 100 mm, after a bio-drying process, with composition: paper and cardboard (70-80%), wood (6-15%), plastic (6-10%), glass and metal (3-14%), MBU1, MBU2, MBU3, MBU4. The waste samples were characterized in terms of technical and elementary characteristics and the ash (obtained by the sample incineration) behavior in the combustion process. The mineral matter was investigated by the X-ray fluorescence analytical technique using the Rigaku CG X-ray Spectrofluorimeter. The analysis of the indices used for the slagging and deposit formation risks evaluation shows that the analyzed samples present an obvious risk of melt formation and deposits, due to a high content of base oxides and silicon oxide.
Dithienopyrrole-based Organic Electroactive Materials and Their Photovoltaic Aspects
Authors: Rybakiewicz Renata , Skórka Łukasz , Gańczarczyk Roman
Published: October 2020

4H-dithieno[3,2-b:2',3'-d]pyrrole has recently become a useful building block in the
synthesis of donor-acceptor molecules with practical application in various organic technologies.
The DTP molecule itself consists of a pyrrole ring with two fused thiophenes providing
an alternative for the related dithieno[3,2-b:2′,3′-d]thiophene. Most notably, the significance of
DTP-based low- and high-molecular weight species has increased in recent years since, upon
proper processing, they allow to improve the performance of many fields of organic electronics.
This review is a trial of a brief report on recent advances in modern DTP chemistry with
examples of their applications, mostly in the area of organic photovoltaics. The scope of this
manuscript was to present the structure-property relationships that had been found together
with the development of DTP-based materials.
Synthesis and Evaluation of 1-hydroxybenzotriazole Derivatives: Dual Inhibitors of Carbonic Anhydrase II and Sodium Hydrogen Exchanger I
Authors: Singh Dhandeep , Singh Nirmal
Published: October 2020

Ischemia reperfusion injury is responsible for impaired graft functioning in organ transplants,
cerebral dysfunction, ischemic heart diseases, systemic inflammatory response syndrome,
gastrointestinal dysfunction, and multiple organ dysfunction syndromes. Intracellular pH is critical
for cell survival in ischemia reperfusion injury. Sodium hydrogen exchanger I and carbonic anhydrase
II are critical in the regulation of intracellular pH. Inhibition of sodium hydrogen exchanger I
and carbonic anhydrase II during reperfusion is found to ameliorate ischemia reperfusion injury
separately. An attempt is made to synthesize dual inhibitors of sodium hydrogen exchanger and
carbonic anhydrase to have better potential drug molecule in ischemia reperfusion injury treatment.
The hydroxybenzotriazole is considered as a central pharmacophore for this dual activity and 12
derivatives are synthesized. All derivatives are tested for sodium hydrogen exchanger I and carbonic
anhydrase II inhibitory activity. The tosylate derivative (12) is found to be the most potent
derivative with IC50 158.7± 8.4 μM for carbonic anhydrase II and 31.07 ± 1.06 μM for sodium
hydrogen exchanger I. Although the potency is less than standard drugs but this is the first report
of dual inhibitor of carbonic anhydrase II and sodium hydrogen exchanger.
Exploring the Various Aspects of Brain-Derived Neurotropic Factor (BDNF) in Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Sharma Eshita , Behl Tapan , Mehta Vineet , Kumar Arun , Setia Dhruv , Uddin Md. Sahab , Zengin Gokhan , Arora Sandeep
Published: October 2020

Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) serves as a modulator for neurotransmitters
by participating in neuronal plasticity, essential for their growth and neuronal survival. It also
shows a wide range of expression patterns in the systemic and peripheral tissues; thereby, its biological
actions are not just limited to the CNS but may a vital role in peripheral disorders, such as Diabetes
Mellitus (DM). Platelets serve as one of the major sources of BDNF, which regulates energy
homeostasis and glucose metabolism by participating in the expression of specific pro-survival
genes. It also prevents β cell exhaustion, thus may prove to be a key factor for the management of
DM. The current article reviews the intricate role of BDNF in Type 2 DM (T2DM) by involving
platelet reactivity and its association with these selected inflammatory platelet activator mediators.
Besides, certain adipocytokines, such as adiponectin and leptin, are also involved in the
metabolism of glucose during diabetes, which has been clearly proven by recent experimental
studies and thus relating BDNF with adipocytokines. It is also involved in the modulation of secretion
of various neurotransmitters, peptides and hormones like gherin, leptin and insulin, suggesting
its association with T2DM. Thus, based on various evidence, BDNF can be categorised as a potential
biomarker in predicting the development of T2DM and may have a distinctive role in the management
of this disorder.
Construction and control of gel active matter aiming at autonomous pulsation by sunlight
Authors: Narita Takayuki
Published: October 2020

The modern world is built on motors, which are operated by electricity and fossil fuels. These have been extremely successful at creating cheap and efficient machines capable of fulfilling all kinds of functions. However, they are vulnerable in extreme situations. They need constant
supplies of energy that also needs to be transported to their location. This can be extremely expensive, hazardous or even impossible in remote places and during natural disasters. At the same time, the motors themselves are made from multiple mechanical parts that may not endure well in these
environments and under those circumstances. Therefore, there is a need for a novel device that can generate power to run useful basic functions such as pumping water. Such a device would need to have few, if any, mechanical parts and should be able to use the energy sources available in-situ.
Associate Professor Takayuki Narita of the Department of Chemistry and Applied Chemistry at Saga University, Japan is working to develop such a device. His work is focussed on harnessing the unusual properties of gels that can respond to light energy inputs.
Research underway in the Minakuchi Lab – new fiber features to control crack propagation in composite materials
Authors: Minakuchi Shu
Published: October 2020

Composite materials are materials that are made by combining one or two materials. Composite materials have been used by humans for thousands of years but as technological developments increase, more and more examples of composite materials have been created which has led to a staggering
number of innovations in a wide range of different fields. One major example of this is the aerospace industry which relies on materials that are strong but light. It is essential that an aircraft is strong enough to resist the enormous stresses that are placed on it by its mechanisms and
the environment in which it operates, but light enough to be propelled thousands of miles into the sky. Some of the most abundant composite materials used in the aerospace industry are carbon fibre reinforced plastics (CFRP) which are the focus of Dr Shu Minakuchi's research team at the Minakuchi
Laboratory within the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, The University of Tokyo. Minakuchi's team is working on advanced composite materials represented by CFRPs, with a view to overcoming some of the problems associated with cracks from stresses and their propagation.
EPSRC-JSPS Core-to-Core Program "International Network on Polyoxometalate Science for Advanced Functional Energy Materials"
Authors: Sadakane Masahiro , Errington R. John
Published: October 2020

The International Network on Polyoxometalate Science for Advanced Functional Energy Materials project is an EPSRC-JSPS Core-to-Core funded collaboration between Hiroshima University in Japan and Newcastle University in the UK, and the project also involves universities, academic institutions
and industries in France, Germany and China. The main focus of the network is polyoxometalate (POM) science, from fundamental aspects to applications in energy materials. POMs are moleculer metal oxide clusters that boast a wide range of attractive properties, including impressive electronic
versatility and structural variety. Network collaborations are seeking to exploit these properties in alternative catalytic processes and new technologies for energy conversion or storage.
Development of Lubricating EA Gel Oil of Marine Engine for VGP
Authors: Murakami Tomohiro
Published: October 2020

In 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill – the largest marine oil spill in the history of the petroleum history – occurred. The cause of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill was an explosion on the oil drilling well. There are other causes of major oil spills, including leakages
from sunken vessels. As a result, there is increasing attention on environmental protections. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has, in recent years, put more stringent measures in place in an attempt to curb the potential for oil spillages. One of their key focuses has been on
accidental spills during the operation of marine vessels, which culminated in its Vessel General Permit (VGP). In 2013, the EPA ruled that the VGP mandated the use of environmentally friendly lubricants, where all ship operators entering the US had to use eco-friendly lubricants in all of
the equipment that came into contact with seawater. Tomohiro Murakami is a Japanese researcher who has focused the majority of his studies on the development of novel gels and lubricants that have attractive properties. Based at the Yuge National College of Maritime Technology in Japan, he
and his team has been working on overcoming the challenges associated with creating eco-friendly lubricants for use in marine vessels.
Температурное падение эффективности мощных синих InGaN/GaN-светодиодов
Authors: Шмидт Н.М. , Шабунина Е.И. , Черняков А.Е. , Иванов А.Е. , Тальнишних Н.А. , Закгейм А.Л.
Published: October 2020

The thermal droop of external quantum efficiency (EQE) at maximum in blue InGaN/GaN LEDs at j < 10 A/cm2 is caused by increasing losses related to non-radiative recombination due to carrier tunneling with the assistance of phonons and traps, enhancing by a temperature growth up to 400 K. When a p-n junction opens at j > 40 A/cm2, the EQE droop under direct current and at pulse mode is due to the losses associated with non-equilibrium filling of the states related to lateral alloy non-uniformities in quantum wells situated outside of the depletion region by delocalized carriers as well as the losses due to the interactions between delocalized carriers and extended defects.
Addressing Care Continuity and Quality Challenges in the Management of Hypertension: Case Study of the Private Health Care Sector in Kenya
Authors: Walcott-Bryant Aisha , Ogallo William , Remy Sekou L , Tryon Katherine , Shena Winnie , Bosker-Kibacha Marloes
Published: October 2020

Background

Hypertension is a major risk factor of cardiovascular disease and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. In Kenya, the rise of hypertension strains an already stretched health care system that has traditionally focused on the management of infectious diseases. Health care provision in this country remains fragmented, and little is known about the role of health information technology in care coordination. Furthermore, there is a dearth of literature on the experiences, challenges, and solutions for improving the management of hypertension and other noncommunicable diseases in the Kenyan private health care sector.

Objective

The aim of this study is to assess stakeholders’ perspectives on the challenges associated with the management of hypertension in the Kenyan private health care sector and to derive recommendations for the design and functionality of a digital health solution for addressing the care continuity and quality challenges in the management of hypertension.

Methods

We conducted a qualitative case study. We collected data using in-depth interviews with 18 care providers and 8 business leads, and direct observations at 18 private health care institutions in Nairobi, Kenya. We analyzed the data thematically to identify the key challenges and recommendations for technology-enabled solutions to support the management of hypertension in the Kenyan private health sector. We subsequently used the generated insights to derive and describe the design and range of functions of a digital health wallet platform for enabling care quality and continuity.

Results

The management of hypertension in the Kenyan private health care sector is characterized by challenges such as high cost of care, limited health care literacy, lack of self-management support, ineffective referral systems, inadequate care provider training, and inadequate regulation. Care providers lack the tools needed to understand their patients’ care histories and effectively coordinate efforts to deliver high-quality hypertension care. The proposed digital health platform was designed to support hypertension care coordination and continuity through clinical workflow orchestration, decision support, and patient-mediated data sharing with privacy preservation, auditability, and trust enabled by blockchain technology.

Conclusions

The Kenyan private health care sector faces key challenges that require significant policy, organizational, and infrastructural changes to ensure care quality and continuity in the management of hypertension. Digital health data interoperability solutions are needed to improve hypertension care coordination in the sector. Additional studies should investigate how patients can control the sharing of their data while ensuring that care providers have a holistic view of the patient during any encounter.
Rationale and Design of the Women’s Health And Daily Experiences Project: Protocol for an Ecological Momentary Assessment Study to Identify Real-Time Predictors of Midlife Women’s Physical Activity
Authors: Arigo Danielle , Brown Megan M , Pasko Kristen , Ainsworth Matthew Cole , Travers Laura , Gupta Adarsh , Downs Danielle Symons , Smyth Joshua M
Published: October 2020

Background

Midlife women are at an elevated risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and associated mortality. Those who have additional risk conditions such as obesity or hypertension report specific barriers to engaging in cardioprotective behaviors such as physical activity (PA). Considerable effort has been devoted to understanding PA determinants and designing interventions for midlife women, although with suboptimal success, as increasing PA could meaningfully attenuate CVD risk. An updated approach to understanding PA among midlife women could improve upon existing resources by focusing on novel psychosocial influences on PA in this population (ie, body satisfaction, social interactions, social comparisons, mood state) and within-person relations between these influences and PA in the natural environment.

Objective

The overarching goal of Project WHADE (Women’s Health And Daily Experiences) is to use an ecological momentary assessment (EMA) approach to capture ecologically valid relations between midlife women’s psychosocial experiences and PA as they engage in their normal daily activities. The primary aim of the study is to identify within-person psychosocial predictors of variability in PA (ie, experiences associated with higher vs lower PA for a given individual).

Methods

Midlife women (aged 40-60 years) with one or more additional risk markers for CVD (eg, hypertension) will be recruited from primary care clinics and the general community (target n=100). Eligible women will complete an initial survey and a face-to-face baseline session before engaging in a 10-day EMA protocol. Psychosocial experiences will be assessed using a brief self-report via a smartphone 5 times per day, and PA will be assessed throughout waking hours using a research-grade monitor. Participants will return for a brief exit interview at the end of 10 days. Multilevel models that address the nested structure of EMA data will be used to evaluate the study aims.

Results

Recruitment and enrollment are ongoing, and a total of 75 women have completed the protocol to date. Data collection is expected to be completed in Fall 2020.

Conclusions

Project WHADE is designed to identify naturally occurring psychosocial experiences that predict short-term variability in midlife women’s PA. As such, the results of this study should advance the current understanding of PA among midlife women by providing further insight into within-person psychosocial influences on PA in this group. In the future, this information could help inform the design of interventions for this population.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/19044
Exploring the Effects of a Brief Biofeedback Breathing Session Delivered Through the BioBase App in Facilitating Employee Stress Recovery: Randomized Experimental Study
Authors: Chelidoni Olga , Plans David , Ponzo Sonia , Morelli Davide , Cropley Mark
Published: October 2020

Background

Recovery from stress is a predictive factor for cardiovascular health, and heart rate variability (HRV) is suggested to be an index of how well people physiologically recover from stress. Biofeedback and mindfulness interventions that include guided breathing have been shown to be effective in increasing HRV and facilitating stress recovery.

Objective

This study aims to assess the effectiveness of a brief app-based breathing intervention (BioBase) in enhancing physiological recovery among employees who were induced to cognitive and emotional stress.

Methods

In total, we recruited 75 full-time employees. Interbeat (RR) intervals were recorded continuously for 5 min at baseline and during cognitive and emotional stress induction. The session ended with a 5-min recovery period during which participants were randomly allocated into 3 conditions: app-based breathing (BioBase), mindfulness body scan, or control. Subjective tension was assessed at the end of each period.

Results

Subjective tension significantly increased following stress induction. HRV significantly decreased following the stress period. In the recovery phase, the root mean square of successive RR interval differences (P=.002), the percentage of successive RR intervals that differed by >50 ms (P=.008), and high frequency (P=.01) were significantly higher in the BioBase breathing condition than in the mindfulness body scan and the control groups.

Conclusions

Biofeedback breathing interventions digitally delivered through a commercially available app can be effective in facilitating stress recovery among employees. These findings contribute to the mobile health literature on the beneficial effects of brief app-based breathing interventions on employees’ cardiovascular health.
Determining if Telehealth Can Reduce Health System Costs: Scoping Review (Preprint)
Authors: Snoswell Centaine L , Taylor Monica L , Comans Tracy A , Smith Anthony C , Gray Leonard C , Caffery Liam J
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND

Telehealth represents an opportunity for Australia to harness the power of technology to redesign the way health care is delivered. The potential benefits of telehealth include increased accessibility to care, productivity gains for health providers and patients through reduced travel, potential for cost savings, and an opportunity to develop culturally appropriate services that are more sensitive to the needs of special populations. The uptake of telehealth has been hindered at times by clinician reluctance and policies that preclude metropolitan populations from accessing telehealth services.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to investigate if telehealth reduces health system costs compared with traditional service models and to identify the scenarios in which cost savings can be realized.

METHODS

A scoping review was undertaken to meet the study aims. Initially, literature searches were conducted using broad terms for telehealth and economics to identify economic evaluation literature in telehealth. The investigators then conducted an expert focus group to identify domains where telehealth could reduce health system costs, followed by targeted literature searches for corresponding evidence.

RESULTS

The cost analyses reviewed provided evidence that telehealth reduced costs when health system–funded travel was prevented and when telehealth mitigated the need for expensive procedural or specialist follow-up by providing competent care in a more efficient way. The expert focus group identified 4 areas of potential savings from telehealth: productivity gains, reductions in secondary care, alternate funding models, and telementoring. Telehealth demonstrated great potential for productivity gains arising from health system redesign; however, under the Australian activity-based funding, it is unlikely that these gains will result in cost savings. Secondary care use mitigation is an area of promise for telehealth; however, many studies have not demonstrated overall cost savings due to the cost of administering and monitoring telehealth systems. Alternate funding models from telehealth systems have the potential to save the health system money in situations where the consumers pay out of pocket to receive services. Telementoring has had minimal economic evaluation; however, in the long term it is likely to result in inadvertent cost savings through the upskilling of generalist and allied health clinicians.

CONCLUSIONS

Health services considering implementing telehealth should be motivated by benefits other than cost reduction. The available evidence has indicated that although telehealth provides overwhelmingly positive patient benefits and increases productivity for many services, current evidence suggests that it does not routinely reduce the cost of care delivery for the health system.
Efficacy of Cladribine Tablets as a Treatment for People With Multiple Sclerosis: Protocol for the CLOBAS Study (Cladribine, a Multicenter, Long-term Efficacy and Biomarker Australian Study) (Preprint)
Authors: Maltby Vicki E , Lea Rodney A , Monif Mastura , Fabis-Pedrini Marzena J , Buzzard Katherine , Kalincik Tomas , Kermode Allan G , Taylor Bruce , Hodgkinson Suzanne , McCombe Pamela , Butzkueven Helmut , Barnett Michael , Lechner-Scott Jeannette
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND

Cladribine tablets (marketed as Mavenclad) are a new oral therapy, which has recently been listed on the pharmaceutical benefits scheme in Australia for the treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS). The current dosing schedule is for 2 courses given a year apart, which has been shown to be effective for treatment of MS for up to 4 years in 75% of patients (based on annualized relapse rate). However, the reinitiation of therapy after year 4 has not been studied.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of cladribine tablets over a 6-year period, according to no evidence of disease activity 3.

METHODS

This will be a multicenter, 6-year, phase IV, low interventional, observational study that incorporates clinical, hematological, biochemical, epigenetic, radiological and cognitive biomarkers of disease. Participants considered for treatment with cladribine as part of their routine clinical care will be consented to take part in the study. They will be monitored at regular intervals during the initial course of medication administration in years 1 and 2. After year 3, patients will have the option of redosing, if clinically indicated, or to switch to another disease-modifying therapy. Throughout the duration of the study, we will assess blood-based biomarkers including lymphocyte subsets, serum neurofilament light chain, DNA methylation, and RNA analysis as well as magnetic resonance imaging findings (brain volume and/or lesion load) and cognitive performance.

RESULTS

This study has been approved by the Hunter New England Local Health District Human Research Ethics Committee. Recruitment began in March of 2019 and was completed by June 2021.

CONCLUSIONS

This will be the first long-term efficacy trial of cladribine, which offers reinitiation of therapy in the 3rd year, based on disease activity, after the initial 2 courses. We expect that this study will indicate whether any of the assessed biomarkers can be used to predict treatment efficacy or the need for future reinitiation of cladribine in people with MS.

CLINICALTRIAL

This study is registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12619000257167) with Universal Trial Number (U1111-1228-2165).

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT

DERR1-10.2196/24969
Public Awareness of Preventive Measures against COVID-19: A Google Trends Analysis (Preprint)
Authors: Mok Alex , Mui Oliver Oi Yat , Tang Kwan Pui , NG Chi-Fai , Wong Sunny Hei , Wong Martin Chi-Sang , Teoh Jeremy Yuen-Chun
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND

The 2019 coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has led to increase in global awareness of related public health preventive measures. The public awareness can be reflected by online searching trends of major search engines, namely Google Trends.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to interpret online searches of COVID-19 related public health preventive measures and to identify possible correlations between early search trends and progression of the pandemic.

METHODS

Search data from five queries “Mask”, “Hand Washing”, “Social Distancing”, “Hand Sanitizer”, and “Disinfectant” were extracted from Google Trends (GT) in the form of Relative Search Volumes (RSV). Global incidence data of COVID-19 was obtained from January 1st to June 30th 2020. Subsequently, the data were analyzed and illustrated in forms of a global temporal RSV trend diagram, a geographical RSV distribution chart, scatter graphs comparing regional RSV with average daily cases; and heat-maps comparing temporal trend of RSV with average daily cases.

RESULTS

Global temporal trend revealed multiple surges in RSV, which were temporally associated with certain COVID news events. Geographical distribution showed differences of query interests among regions. Although scatter graphs failed to illustrate strong correlations between regional RSV and average daily cases, the heat-maps were able to demonstrate patterns of early RSV peaks in countries with lower average daily cases, for queries “Mask”, “Hand Sanitizer”, and “Disinfectant”, upon incorporating with the temporal element into analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Early public awareness of multiple preventive measures was observed in countries with lower daily average cases. Public health authorities may look into early public awareness as an effective measure for future disease control.