bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of N‐Butyldithiocarbamic Acid Content on the Properties of Sb2S3 Sensitized TiO2 Nanorod Arrays and Photovoltaic Performance of the Corresponding Solar Cells
Authors: Ying Chao , Guo Fuling , Cui Xi , Sun Xun , Shi Chengwu
Published: July 2021

In this paper, Sb2S3‐sensitized TiO2 nanorod arrays are successfully prepared by the spin‐coated and then pyrolysis (denoted as spin‐pyrolysis) of Sb2S3 precursor solution in N‐Butyldithiocarbamic acid‐ethanol (Sb‐BDCA complex solution). The influence of precursor solution content with different mole ratios of N‐Butyldithiocarbamic acid to Sb3+ (6, 8 and 10, denoted as BDCA‐6, BDCA‐8 and BDCA‐10, respectively) on the crystalline phase, optical absorption and microstructure of the Sb2S3‐sensitized TiO2 nanorod arrays have been investigated systematically. By adjusting the BDCA to Sb3+ mole ratios, the superior preferred orientation of the (211) plane for Sb2S3 was obtained. The results revealed that the Sb2S3‐sensitized TiO2 nanorod arrays for BDCA‐8 showed the best conductivity and the corresponding solar cell achieved the best PCE of 5.43 % with the open‐circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.53 V, short‐circuit photocurrent density (Jsc) of 17.19 mA cm−2 and fill factor (FF) of 59.21 %. After the Sb2S3 sensitized TiO2 nanorod array was modified by lauric acid, the PCE of the corresponding solar cells increased from 5.43 % to 5.77 %.
Efficient and Direct Selenocyanation of Ketene Dithioacetals Using Malononitrile‐SeO2 Under Transition‐Metal‐Free Conditions
Authors: Rai Vishakha , Sorabad Ganesh S. , Maddani Mahagundappa R.
Published: July 2021

The first selenocyanation of ketene dithioacetals is achieved by using selenium dioxide and malononitrile under mild reaction conditions. The major highlights of this method are an easy set‐up, excellent yields, metal free conditions and the use of odorless and inexpensive selenium reagents. Selenocyanated products are successfully transformed into selenated alkenes and nitrogen containing heterocyclic molecules which would be potential candidates with some desired pharmacological activities.
Synthesis of 2‐Pyrazolines from Hydrazines: Mechanisms Explained
Authors: Vahedpour Teymour , Hamzeh‐Mivehroud Maryam , Hemmati Salar , Dastmalchi Siavoush
Published: July 2021

2‐Pyrazoline core is a very interesting five‐membered heterocycle, which has been explored in recent years due to its vast applications as the core structure of bioactive and industrial agents. Based on literature studies, versatile synthetic approaches have been employed for the preparation of 2‐pyrazolines, among them the reaction between hydrazines and α,β‐unsaturated enones as the most used method. In this review article, different methods for the synthesis of 2‐pyrazolines using hydrazine derivatives were classified and presented. Initially, numerous catalytic methods for the preparation of 2‐pyrazolines from hydrazines and α,β‐unsaturated enones are reviewed and various aspects of these methods discussed including catalyst efficiency, catalyst recovery, green chemistry, cost‐effectiveness, scope of the method, enantioselectivity, and yield. In addition, reactions between hydrazines and other reagents in multicomponent and two‐component reactions, developed recently, are discussed. Finally, some of the important applications of 2‐pyrazolines are summarized.
NBS‐Promoted C−H Amination of Enaminones for the Synthesis of N‐Heterocycle Substituted Enaminones**
Authors: Duan Xiyan , Li Huimin , Li Weinan , Wang Junqi , Liu Ning
Published: July 2021

A NBS‐promoted C−H amination of enaminones has been developed with a variety of N‐heterocycles. This methodology is highly practical as it employs inexpensive and simple NBS promotor under aerobic conditions without the additions of any transition metal catalyst. The transformation proceeds by the initial bromination of enaminones and the subsequent intermolecular substitution with N‐nucleophile to form C−N bond.
The Lightest 2D Nanomaterial: Freestanding Ultrathin Li Nanosheets by In Situ Nanoscale Electrochemistry
Authors: Sun Muhua , Stolte Nore , Wang Jianlin , Wei Jiake , Chen Pan , Xu Zhi , Wang Wenlong , Pan Ding , Bai Xuedong
Published: July 2021

As the lightest solid element and also the simplest metal, lithium (Li) is one of the best representations of quasi‐free electron model in both bulk form and the reduced dimensions. Herein, the controlled growth of 2D ultrathin Li nanosheets is demonstrated by utilizing an in situ electrochemical platform built inside transmission electron microscope (TEM). The as‐grown freestanding 2D Li nanosheets have strong structure‐anisotropy with large lateral dimensions up to several hundreds of nanometers and thickness limited to just a few nanometers. The nanoscale dynamics of nanosheets growth are unraveled by in situ TEM imaging in real‐time. Further density‐functional theory calculations indicate that oxygen molecules play an important role in directing the anisotropic 2D growth of Li nanosheets through controlling the growth kinetics by their facet‐specific capping. The plasmonic optical properties of the as‐grown Li nanosheets are probed by cathodoluminescence spectroscopy equipped within TEM, and a broadband visible emission is observed that contains contributions of both in‐plane and out‐of‐plane plasmon resonance modes.
Cu,Zn Dopants Boost Electron Transfer of Carbon Dots for Antioxidation
Authors: Xue Sheng , Zhang Tingwei , Wang Xiaokai , Zhang Qinhua , Huang Siyang , Zhang Liwei , Zhang Liyu , Zhu Wenjie , Wang Yin , Wu Mingbo , Zhao Qingshan , Li Peifeng , Wu Wenting
Published: July 2021

Enzyme‐mimicking nanomaterials for antioxidative therapy is a promising star to treat more than 200 diseases or control their progressions through scavenging excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as O2•− and H2O2. However, they can inversely produce stronger ROS (e.g., •OH) under many disease conditions (e.g., low pH for myocardial ischemia). Herein, a biocompatible ‐Cu‐O‐Zn‐ bimetallic covalent doped carbon dots (CuZn‐CDs) processing both catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase activities are reported, mainly because of their abundant electrons and the excellent electron transfer abilities. In addition, Cu dopant helps to balance the positive charge at Zn dopant resulting from low pH, enabling CuZn‐CDs to still process CAT ability rather than peroxidase ability. Benefiting from it, CuZn‐CDs exhibit sufficient in vitro ROS scavenging ability and cardiomyocyte protective effect against ROS‐induced damage. In vivo results further demonstrate that CuZn‐CDs can protect the heart from ischemia‐reperfusion injury. In addition to antioxidative therapy, the rapid renal clearance and low toxicity properties of CuZn‐CDs in animal model reveal high biocompatibility which will facilitate clinical use.
Escaping the voluntary constraints of “tyre‐track” taxonomy
Authors: Bateman Richard M. , DiMichele William A.
Published: July 2021

Although conceptual whole‐plants are occasionally reconstructed, disarticulation means that palaeobotanical taxonomy remains primarily the preserve of fragmented organ‐species, each bearing a Linnaean binomial. Thus, a “natural” taxon that would in any neobotanical classification bear a single valid binomial (any other epithets automatically being deemed synonyms) typically is a chimera, consisting of several binomials that are not only valid but also arguably essential, each representing a different organ of the original plant. The situation is further complicated by the fact that each organ can also carry multiple valid binomials that refer to contrasting preservation states, most commonly either adpression or permineralisation. Thus, a fossil plant is obliged to carry the heavy burden of not one but two or more parallel taxonomies. The two opposing logical approaches to clarifying this complex situation are (1) to coin additional formal names for organ‐species that are found in multiple modes of preservation but at present are named in only one mode, or (2) to attempt to gradually rationalise parallel preservational taxonomies through detailed character comparison, giving priority to whichever preservational mode typically offers a stronger suite of morphological characters and therefore the greater probability of approaching the biological reality necessary for meaningful evolutionary and ecological interpretation. We illustrate our preference for Option 2 using Palaeozoic rhizomorphic lycopsid genera in general and our antagonism to the recently erected permineralisation stem‐genus “Dimicheleodendron” in particular.
Buck‐Boost‐Type MPPT Circuit Suitable for Vehicle‐Mounted Photovoltaic Power Generation
Authors: Kano Fumihisa , Kasai Yuji , Kimura Hideki , Sagawa Kouhei , Haruna Junnosuke , Funato Hirohito
Published: July 2021

This paper presents a buck–boost maximum power point tracking (MPPT) circuit suitable for solar cars. The MPPT controller, which consists of analog elements with a small number of complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor elements, achieved accurate tracking of the maximum power point of photovoltaic power generation and contributed to the power savings and weight reduction. A buck–boost dc–dc converter was adopted as the main power converter of the MPPT circuit to reduce the power‐conversion loss due to the wide voltage change in the battery. The 12 proposed MPPT circuits were installed in a solar car called ‘2019 Tokai Challenger’ at an international convention and were shown to successfully generate sufficient solar power. © 2021 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Pincers with diverse donors and their interconversion: application to Ni(II)
Authors: Cabelof Alyssa C. , Carta Veronica , Chen Chun‐Hsing , Pink Maren , Caulton Kenneth G.
Published: July 2021

A pincer ligand composed of a pyridine with ortho positions substituted by a bulky phosphine arm and a pyrazole arm (PNNH) is installed on nickel(II) to yield the diamagnetic planar complex [(PNNH)NiCl]Cl. The chloride anion can be replaced by BPh4− by a metathesis. The acidic pyrazole proton can be removed with LiN(SiMe3)2 to yield the square planar neutral molecule (PNN−)NiCl. The coordinated chloride can be metathetically replaced by azide to yield diamagnetic (PNN−)Ni(N3). To evaluate changing the phosphine donor for a phosphine sulfide, the corresponding pincer ligand SPNNH was synthesized and installed on NiBr2. The reduced steric bulk from the more distant phosphorous keeps both halides coordinated in the paramagnetic molecular species (SPNNH)NiBr2. Several attempts to dehydrobrominate this species result in synthesis and characterization of two unexpected products. One effort revealed that the electrophilic character of P(V) leaves the phosphorus atom in (SPNNH)NiBr2 vulnerable to nucleophilic attack, resulting in a P/C cleavage product which was characterized.
Epidemiology of firearm injuries in Sweden
Authors: Nyberger Karolina , Caragounis Eva-Corina , Djerf Pauline , Wahlgren Carl-Magnus
Published: July 2021

Background

Gun violence is a global health problem. Population-based research on firearm-related injuries has been relatively limited considering the burden of disease. The aim of this study was to analyze nationwide epidemiological trends of firearm injuries.

Methods

This is a retrospective nationwide epidemiological study including all patients with firearm injuries from the Swedish Trauma Registry (SweTrau) during the period 2011 and 2019. Registry data were merged with data from the Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention and the Swedish Police Authority.

Results

There were 1010 patients admitted with firearm injuries, 96.6% men and 3.4% women, median age 26.0 years [IQR 22.0–36.3]. The overall number of firearm injuries increased on a yearly basis (P < 0.001). The most common anatomical injury location was lower extremity (29.7%) followed by upper extremity (13.8%), abdomen (13.8%), and chest (12.5%). The head was the most severely injured body region with a median abbreviated injury scale (AIS) of 5 [IQR 3.2–5]. Vascular injuries were mainly located to the lower extremity (42%; 74/175). Majority of patients (51.3%) had more than one anatomic injury location. The median hospital length of stay was 3 days [IQR 2–8]. 154 patients (15.2%) died within 24 h of admission. The 30-day and 90-day mortality was 16.7% (169/1010) and 17.5% (177/1010), respectively. There was an association between 24-h mortality and emergency department systolic blood pressure < 90 mmHg [OR 30.3, 95% CI 16.1–56.9] as well as the following injuries with AIS ≥ 3; head [OR 11.8, 95% CI 7.5–18.5], chest [OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.3–4.1], and upper extremity [OR 3.6, CI 1.3–10.1].

Conclusions

This nationwide study shows an annual increase of firearm-related injuries and fatalities. Firearm injuries affect people of all ages but more frequently young males in major cities. One in six patients succumbed from their injuries within 30 days with most deaths occurring within 24 h of hospital admission. Given the impact of firearm-related injuries on society additional research on a national level is critical.
Plant sexual reproduction: perhaps the current plant two-sex model should be replaced with three- and four-sex models?
Authors: Meissner Scott T.
Published: July 2021

The two-sex model makes the assumption that there are only two sexual reproductive states: male and female. However, in land plants (embryophytes) the application of this model to the alternation of generations life cycle requires the subtle redefinition of several common terms related to sexual reproduction, which seems to obscure aspects of one or the other plant generation: For instance, the homosporous sporophytic plant is treated as being asexual, and the gametophytes of angiosperms treated like mere gametes. In contrast, the proposal is made that the sporophytes of homosporous plants are indeed sexual reproductive organisms, as are the gametophytes of heterosporous plants. This view requires the expansion of the number of sexual reproductive states we accept for these plant species; therefore, a three-sex model for homosporous plants and a four-sex model for heterosporous plants are described and then contrasted with the current two-sex model. These new models allow the use of sexual reproductive terms in a manner largely similar to that seen in animals, and may better accommodate the plant alternation of generations life cycle than does the current plant two-sex model. These new models may also help stimulate new lines of research, and examples of how they might alter our view of events in the flower, and may lead to new questions about sexual determination and differentiation, are presented. Thus it is suggested that land plant species have more than merely two sexual reproductive states and that recognition of this may promote our study and understanding of them.
Nutz- und Bedienbarkeit einer App zur Überwindung von Sprachbarrieren im Rettungsdienst
Authors: Müller Frank , Hummers Eva , Schulze Jennifer , Noack Eva Maria
Published: July 2021

Hintergrund

Im Rettungsdienst können, im Gegensatz zum stationären Setting, adäquate Dolmetscher häufig nicht ohne Weiteres hinzugezogen werden. Gleichzeitig erfordern Notfallsituationen aber eine rasche Anamnese und ein Assessment als Basis für jedes therapeutische Handeln.

Material und Methoden

Eine Smartphone-App, die auf 18 Sprachen eine basale Kommunikation mittels 600 fest eingesprochener unterschiedlicher Phrasen auf 20 Sprachen ermöglicht, wurde über 6 Monate in vier Rettungswachen pilotiert. Abschließend wurde die Nutzbarkeit der App durch das gesamte Rettungsdienstpersonal in einer Fragebogenstudie unter Verwendung des System Usability Scores und des AttrakDiff-Fragebogens bewertet.

Ergebnisse

Die Rücklaufquote betrug 48,5 % und n = 48 Fragebögen wurden ausgewertet. Das Durchschnittsalter der Befragten betrug 36 Jahre und fast zwei Drittel waren männlichen Geschlechts. Der System Usability Score zeigte im Median 67,5 Punkte, was eine grenzwertig gute Nutzbarkeit zeigte. Im AttrakDiff-Fragebogen zeigte sich die pragmatische Qualität mit durchschnittlich 0,69 (SD 0,86), die hedonische Qualität mit 0,59 (SD 0,58) und die Attraktivität (ATT) mit 0,64 Punkten (SD 0,83). Die Durchschnittswerte zeigen zufriedenstellende Werte jeweils oberhalb der neutral markierenden Grenze von 0. Auffällig zeigte sich, dass in wesentlichen Bewertungskriterien diejenigen Rettungsdienstkräfte, die angaben, die App bereits aktiv im Einsatz mit Patienten genutzt zu haben, die App signifikant besser einschätzten.

Diskussion

Vor dem Hintergrund, dass es sich bei der untersuchten App um ein komplexes Arbeitswerkzeug handelt, werden die Nutzbarkeit und Attraktivität als insgesamt gut eingeschätzt, wobei in der Nutzung erfahrene Rettungskräfte diese noch positiver einschätzten. Dies könnte auf eine Art Schwellenangst hindeuten, einer bereits durch Sprach- und kulturelle Barrieren geprägten Rettungssituation mit einer ebenfalls recht komplexen Intervention zu begegnen.
Black’s model in a negative interest rate environment, with application to OTC derivatives
Authors: Bramante Riccardo , Dallago Gimmi , Facchinetti Silvia
Published: July 2021

The most common application of Black’s formula is interest rate derivatives pricing. Black’s model, a variant of Black-Scholes option pricing model, was first introduced by Fischer Black in 1976. In recent market conditions, where global interest rates are at very low levels and in some markets are currently zero or negative, Black model—in its canonical form—fails to price interest rate options since positive interest rates are assumed in its formula. In this paper we propose a heuristic method that, without explicit assumptions about the forward rate generating process, extends the cumulative standard normal distribution domain to negative interest rates and allows Black’s model to work in the conventional way. Furthermore, we provide the derivations of the so called five Greek letters that enable finance professionals to evaluate the sensitivity of an option to various parameters. Along with the description of the methodology, we present an extensive simulation study and a comparison with the Normal model which is widely used in the negative environment option pricing problems.
Network pharmacology of triptolide in cancer cells: implications for transcription factor binding
Authors: Seo Ean-Jeong , Dawood Mona , Hult Annika K. , Olsson Martin L. , Efferth Thomas
Published: July 2021

Background Triptolide is an active natural product, which inhibits cell proliferation, induces cell apoptosis, suppresses tumor metastasis and improves the effect of other therapeutic treatments in several cancer cell lines by affecting multiple molecules and signaling pathways, such as caspases, heat-shock proteins, DNA damage and NF-ĸB. Purpose We investigated the effect of triptolide towards NF-ĸB and GATA1. Methods We used cell viability assay, compare and cluster analyses of microarray-based mRNA transcriptome-wide expression data, gene promoter binding motif analysis, molecular docking, Ingenuity pathway analysis, NF-ĸB reporter cell assay, and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) of GATA1. Results Triptolide inhibited the growth of drug-sensitive (CCRF-CEM, U87.MG) and drug-resistant cell lines (CEM/ADR5000, U87.MGΔEGFR). Hierarchical cluster analysis showed six major clusters in dendrogram. The sensitive and resistant cell lines were statistically significant (p = 0.65 × 10–2) distributed. The binding motifs of NF-κB (Rel) and of GATA1 proteins were significantly enriched in regions of 25 kb upstream promoter of all genes. IPA showed the networks, biological functions, and canonical pathways influencing the activity of triptolide towards tumor cells. Interestingly, upstream analysis for the 40 genes identified by compare analysis revealed ZFPM1 (friend of GATA protein 1) as top transcription regulator. However, we did not observe any effect of triptolide to the binding of GATA1 in vitro. We confirmed that triptolide inhibited NF-κB activity, and it strongly bound to the pharmacophores of IκB kinase β and NF-κB in silico. Conclusion Triptolide showed promising inhibitory effect toward NF-κB, making it a potential candidate for targeting NF-κB.
Reviewing the Literature on Professional Development for Higher Education Tutors in the Work-From-Home Era: Is it Time to Reconsider the Integration of Social Media?
Authors: Acuyo Alejandro
Published: July 2021

Set in the context of higher education, this paper focuses on professional development-related challenges faced by teachers and specifically how these difficulties have been exacerbated by the recent Work-From-Home policy. The study investigates how the integration of social media into educators’ professional development plans can support tutors in this new status quo and prepare them for similar situations in the future. A systematic review of literature, based on a methodological instrument called PRISMA, identified 28 relevant articles for detailed analysis from an initial pool of 65. This revealed that social media-enabled professional development should be promoted across universities. The benefits include social media’s potential to provide tutors with a bespoke experience, that is specific to their evolving needs. Also notable, is social media’s potential to clear physical and temporal hurdles, resulting in a significantly more extensive professional learning network. This leads to faculty who are likely to reap the benefits of networked learning, by using social media as the infrastructure through which to establish a higher volume of more geographically dispersed connections to like-minded individuals. Institutions will need to tackle hurdles, namely faculty resistance to using this novel platform, as well as the anxiety of participating in open online spaces. This should be addressed by pacing the integration of social media-enabled professional development and by blending it with the more established practice of face-to-face workshops. This hybrid model will provide time and support for sceptical teachers to make the transition towards the integration of social media into their PD.
Proteomic Profile of Sperm in Infertile Males Reveals Changes in Metabolic Pathways
Authors: Liang Jiaying , Zheng Yichun , Zeng Weihong , Chen Liuqing , Yang Shaofen , Du Peng , Wang Yujiang , Yu Xingsu , Zhang Xiqian
Published: July 2021

The objective of the present study was to investigate the differences in the proteomic profiles of sperm from infertile males with severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia requiring intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and normal control sperm from fertile males. Isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation labeling and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry was performed for identifying proteins in the sperm of infertile and fertile males. Differentially expressed proteins were analyzed via the Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databases through the Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery, and protein–protein networks were produced using the Search Tool for Retrieval of Interacting Genes. Immunofluorescence and western blotting verified the differential expression of Y-box-binding protein 1(YBX1), adenylate kinase 1 (AK1), and aconitase 2, mitochondrial (ACO2) proteins. Altogether, 3444 proteins were identified in the sperm of infertile and fertile males, and 938 were differentially expressed between the two groups. Pairwise comparisons revealed that 226 and 712 proteins were significantly upregulated and downregulated in infertile males, respectively. These proteins were significantly enriched in metabolic pathways as per KEGG enrichment analysis. YBX1 expression was upregulated in the sperm heads of patients requiring ICSI treatment, whereas AK1 and ACO2, which are critical enzymes involved in energy metabolism, were downregulated in the sperm tails of the same patients. This result indicates that metabolism may have a crucial role in maintaining normal sperm function. Overall, our results provide insights that will further help in investigating the pathogenic mechanisms of infertility and possible therapeutic strategies.
The importance of Mie resonances in ultra-black dragonfish skin pigment particles
Authors: Lohia Ishaan , Ahearn Samuel , Franjieh Joseph , Di Vece Marcel
Published: July 2021

The ultra-black skin of the deep-sea dragonfish consists of small pigment particles which together provide optimal light absorption to prevent detection from bioluminescent predators or prey. The mechanism of light absorption in these pigment particles resembles the nanophotonic approaches to increase solar cell efficiency via Mie scattering and resonances. In this work, the Mie resonance responses of dragonfish pigment particles were investigated with finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations to elucidate the exact mechanism responsible for the ultra-black skin of the dragonfish. Ellipsoidal pigment particles were found to have superior light absorption over spherical pigment particles. The pigment particles were also shown to exhibit forward scattering, demonstrating an important feature for repeated light absorption in pigment-containing skin layers. Although this work contributes to a deeper understanding of the ultra-back skin of the dragonfish, the nanophotonic mechanisms proposed here are likely more general, and could be applied to photovoltaic light management designs and immunometric detection based on light extinction.
Renegotiations and Renewals of Public Contracts
Authors: Beuve Jean , Saussier Stéphane
Published: July 2021

This paper examines the impact of renegotiations on contract renewals. Using an original dataset of procurement contracts in the French car park sector, we show that there exists an optimal level of renegotiations that positively affects the probability of renewing a contract with the same partner. This result holds only when public authorities have discretionary power during the awarding procedure. Such findings suggest that what is usually interpreted as a sign of weakness – frequent renegotiations – might well be good news that indicates that the contracting parties can make contracts adaptable over time.
Wittgenstein, deflationism and moral entities
Authors: Fairhurst Jordi
Published: July 2021

This paper discusses the meta-ethical implications of Wittgenstein’s later moral philosophy. According to Lovibond and Brandhorst, Wittgenstein provided a novel conception of moral facts, properties and objects by adopting deflationism. Lovibond argues that Wittgenstein’s seamless conception of language together with his non-foundational epistemology and non-transcendent understanding of rationality involves a change of perspective towards a plausible and non-mystificatory moral realism. Meanwhile, Brandhorst argues that Wittgenstein’s provides a deflationist conception of moral truths from which we obtain a deflationist conception of moral facts. This paper argues, on the contrary, that the attribution of deflationism does not do justice to Wittgenstein’s later work. It is concluded, therefore, that the appeal to deflationism does not afford or substantiate the exegetical claims made by Lovibond and Brandhorst.
Investigation of the long-term stability of various tinctures belonging to the lamiaceae family by HPLC and spectrophotometry method
Authors: Sik Beatrix , Hanczné Lakatos Erika , Kapcsándi Viktória , Székelyhidi Rita , Ajtony Zsolt
Published: July 2021

The aim of the current study was to analyze the stability of rosmarinic acid in ethanolic tinctures of lemon balm (Melissa officinalisL.), oregano (Origanum vulgareL.), peppermint (Mentha x piperita), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalisL.), sage (Salvia officinalisL.), and thyme (Thymus vulgarisL.). High-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (HPLC–DAD) was employed to monitor the concentration of the marker compound over a six month period. Furthermore, the tinctures were also evaluated for caffeic acid, total phenolic content, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity. We observed that the concentration of rosmarinic acid in tincture stored in closed amber glasses at ambient temperature decreased significantly during 6-month storage. Furthermore, our study squarely confirms the fact that a part of rosmarinic acid is converted to caffeic acid. The tested tinctures can be listed in the following order according to the greatest stability of the marker compound: rosemary > peppermint > oregano > lemon balm > thyme > sage. The results of the study indicated a linear relationship between DPPH values and total phenolic (R2 = 0.92) or rosmarinic acid (R2 = 0.85) contents.
Multi-fractal characteristics of pore structure for coal during the refined upgrading degassing temperatures
Authors: Wang Jianjun , Liu Lingli , Cui Zehong , Wang Hongjun , Li Teng , Duan Lijiang , Cheng Youyou , Su Penghui , Li Ming , Wei Xiaoyi
Published: July 2021

The low-temperature nitrogen adsorption measurement is commonly used to describe the pore structure of porous medium, while the role of degassing temperature in the low-temperature nitrogen adsorption measurement does not attract enough attention, various degassing temperatures may lead to the different pore structure characterization for the same coal. In this study, the low-rank coal collected from Binchang mining area, southwest of Ordos Basin was launched the low-temperature nitrogen adsorption measurement under seven various degassing temperatures (120 °C, 150 °C, 180 °C, 210 °C, 240 °C, 270 °C and 300 °C), respectively, the dynamic change of the pore structure under refined upgrading degassing temperatures are studied, and it was also quantitative evaluated with the multi-fractal theory. The results show that the pore specific surface area and pore volume decrease linearly with the increased degassing temperatures, ranges from 12.53 to 2.16 m2/g and 0.01539 to 0.00535 cm3/g, respectively. While the average pore aperture features the contrary characteristics (various from 4.9151 to 9.9159 nm), indicating the pore structure has been changed during the refined upgrading degassing temperatures. With the upgrading degassing temperatures, the sizes of hysteresis loop decrease, and the connectivity of pore structure enhanced. The multi-fractal dimension and multi-fractal spectrum could better present the partial abnormal of pore structure during the refined upgrading degassing temperatures, and the quality index, Dq spectrum, D−10–D10 and multi-fractal spectrum could describe the homogeneity and connectivity of the pores finely. The degassing temperatures of 150 °C, 180 °C and 270 °C are selected as three knee points, which can reflect the partial abnormal of the pore structure during the refined upgrading degassing temperatures. Under the lower degassing temperature (< 150 °C), the homogeneity and connectivity of the pore feature a certain increase, following that it presents stable when the degassing temperatures various from 150 to 180 °C. The homogeneity and connectivity of the pore would further enhanced until the degassing temperature reaches to 270 °C. Because of the melting of the pore when the degassing temperature exceeds 270 °C, the complexity of pore structure increased. In this study, we advise the degassing temperature for low-temperature nitrogen adsorption measurement of low-rank coal should not exceed 120 °C.
Hybrid Model Based on ReliefF Algorithm and K-Nearest Neighbor for Erythemato-Squamous Diseases Forecasting
Authors: Alotaibi Abdullah S.
Published: July 2021

Machine learning (ML) techniques have been used to solve real-world problems for decades. In the field of medical sciences, these approaches have been found to be useful in the diagnosis and prognosis of a variety of medical disorders. However, when dealing with voluminous, inconsistent, and higher-dimensional data, conventional ML approaches have failed to deliver the expected results. Researchers have suggested hybrid solutions to resolve these problems, which have been found to be more effective than conventional methods because these systems integrate their merits while reducing their drawbacks. In the current research article, hybrid model has been presented by coupling feature optimization with prediction approach. The proposed hybrid model has two stages: the first involves implementing the ReliefF Algorithm for optimum feature selection in erythemato-squamous diseases, and the second involves implementing k-nearest neighbor (KNN) for prediction of those selected optimum features. The experimentation was carried out on bench mark dataset for erythemato-squamous diseases. The presented hybrid model was also assessed with conventional KNN approach based on various metrics such as classification accuracy, kappa coefficient, recall, precision, and f-score.
Reclaiming John Steinbeck
Authors: Jones Gavin
Published: July 2021

John Steinbeck is a towering figure in twentieth-century American literature; yet he remains one of our least understood writers. This major reevaluation of Steinbeck by Gavin Jones uncovers a timely thinker who confronted the fate of humanity as a species facing climate change, environmental crisis, and a growing divide between the powerful and the marginalized. Driven by insatiable curiosity, Steinbeck's work crossed a variety of borders – between the United States and the Global South, between human and nonhuman lifeforms, between science and the arts, and between literature and film – to explore the transformations in consciousness necessary for our survival on a precarious planet. Always seeking new forms to express his ecological and social vision of human interconnectedness and vulnerability, Steinbeck is a writer of urgent concern for the twenty-first century, even as he was haunted by the legacies of racism and injustice in the American West.
Reassessing a Late Byzantine masterpiece: the Deesis mosaic in the Hagia Sophia of Constantinople
Authors: Vapheiades Konstantinos M.
Published: July 2021

After the recapture of Constantinople (1261) artistic production in Byzantium experienced a recovery. In the capital of Byzantium itself this period is marked by the mosaic panel of the Deesis in the Hagia Sophia. This work constitutes a ‘one-off’ in Byzantine art. This fact poses a series of questions concerning the dating, the creator and the patron of the mosaic, as well as the reasons for its creation, given that no source makes any reference to these matters. The present study attempts to re-examine these issues.
The Rebellious 1960s via the Prosperous 1990s: Youth, Modernity and Consumption in Antonis Kokkinos’Τέλος εποχής(End of an Era) (1994)
Authors: Zestanakis Panagiotis
Published: July 2021

This article explores the movieΤέλος εποχής (End of an Era)by Antonis Kokkinos (1994), a key film in the regeneration of Greek cinema in the mid-late 1990s. The film constitutes a form of public history construing and problematizing relations between the images and the historical past, exploring the dictatorship (1967–74) through the consumer-oriented values of the 1990s. By scrutinizing historical (dis)continuities (similarities, differences, and transformations in consumer politics and sexuality in particular) between the dictatorship and the 1990s, the article argues that, focusing on 1960s youth,End of an Eraunderplayed the dictatorship's authoritarianism and (re)defined politics through the availability (or not) of consumer choices, expressing the relaxed ideological climate of the 1990s.
Evolutionary and taphonomic implications of a new species ofAmphoracrinusfrom the early Viséan of Kentucky
Authors: Ausich William I. , Koenig Steven C. , Goldstein Alan , Monreal Gretel
Published: July 2021

The youngest species ofAmphoracrinus,A. tenaxnew species, is described from the Muldraugh Member of the Borden Formation (early Viséan) of north-central Kentucky. With this new occurrence, both the oldest and youngest named species ofAmphoracrinusare from North America. Numerous Tournaisian and Viséan crinoid faunas are documented in the United States, but only four are known to containAmphoracrinus. Morphological analysis indicates thatA. tenaxis more closely aligned with species from China than with species from Western Europe or other species from North America, whereAmphoracrinuswas most diverse and abundant, which has implications for understanding paleogeographic dispersal. The holotype ofA. tenaxwas partially disarticulated on the seafloor before burial, and final burial occurred early during disarticulation. The relative state of disarticulation from pinnules to columnals suggests that plates bound only with ligaments disarticulated as a function of surface area of ligaments binding an articulation.

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Ottoman Ego-Documents: State of the Art
Authors: Karahasanoğlu Selim
Published: July 2021

Research into ego-documents has being going on around the world for several decades, especially in continental Europe. The Dutch historian Jacques Presser, the inventor of the term, used “ego-document” to refer to materials such as diaries, memoirs, autobiographies, and personal letters. The term was first used in the English language by Peter Burke. Some groups of historians, such as the one in Berlin under the leadership of Claudia Ulbrich, prefer to use the term “self-narrative” instead. Kaspar von Greyerz, leader of the Basel team and a leading critic, considers the term “ego-document” an unfortunate one on account of its connotation of Sigmund Freud's concept of ego. He claims that early modern material does not reflect the inner psychological state of the writer but rather the formal, outward facade. Artificial periodization prevents us from understanding the nature and intellectual heritage of the human being. The question is, “What changed with the transition from premodern to modern when suddenly characters started to see themselves as historical figures worth talking about?”
TAIL DEPENDENCE OF OLS
Authors: Oorschot Jochem , Zhou Chen
Published: July 2021

This paper shows that if the errors in a multiple regression model are heavy-tailed, the ordinary least squares (OLS) estimators for the regression coefficients are tail-dependent. The tail dependence arises, because the OLS estimators are stochastic linear combinations of heavy-tailed random variables. Moreover, tail dependence also exists between the fitted sum of squares (FSS) and the residual sum of squares (RSS), because they are stochastic quadratic combinations of heavy-tailed random variables.
Height–diameter allometry in African monodominant forest close to mixed forest
Authors: Loubota Panzou Grace Jopaul , Bocko Yannick Enock , Mavoungou Alain Yves , Loumeto Jean-Joël
Published: July 2021

African monodominant forests are frequently formed byGilbertiodendron dewevrei(De Wild.) J. Leonard and commonly found close to mixed forests. However, previous studies have ignored differences between these two forest types in height–diameter allometry, which is extremely important for aboveground biomass (AGB) estimates. This study aims to evaluate the performance of height–diameter models and their effects on height attributes and AGB estimations in African monodominant and mixed forests. Four 1-ha plots divided in 16 subplots (0.25 ha) were installed in each forest type in northern Republic of Congo. We measured diameter of all trees ≥ 10 cm diameter for each subplot and we measured the height of 264 trees over a large range of 7–64 m in two forest types. There was a significant difference in height–diameter allometry between two forest types and trees were taller and had greater AGB in monodominant forests than in mixed forests. Two height–diameter models from the literature generated the lowest error values when predicting tree height and AGB in mixed forests, whereas no model derived from the literature was appropriate for monodominant forests. The variation in height–diameter allometry between monodominant and mixed forests influences AGB estimates that have practical implications for carbon monitoring.
Team's seasonal win probabilities
Authors: Ross Sheldon M.
Published: July 2021

We consider a competition involving$r$teams, where each individual game involves two teams, and where each game between teams$i$and$j$is won by$i$with probability$P_{i,j} = 1 - P_{j,i}$. We suppose that$i$and$j$are scheduled to play$n(i,j)$games and say that the team that wins the most games is the winner of the competition. We show that the conditional probability that$i$is the winner, given that$i$wins$k$games, is increasing in$k$. We bound the tail probability of the number of wins of the winning team. We consider the special case where$P_{i,j} = {v_i}/{(v_i + v_j)}$, and obtain structural results on the probability that team$i$is the winner. We give efficient simulation approaches for computing the probability that team$i$is the winner, and the conditional probability given the number of wins of$i$.
Decision-making methodology in environmentally-conditioned ship operations based on ETD–ETA windows of opportunity
Authors: Fabbri Tommaso , Vicen-Bueno Raul
Published: July 2021

This paper presents a methodology to support the decision-making process during the planning of ship operations. The methodology is designed with the aim of identifying and providing the operator with the best Estimated Time of Departure (ETD)–Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) window of opportunity to execute the journey/operation between two predefined locations. To achieve this purpose, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) stability criteria are exploited in the process to formulate an operational safety criterion based on fuzzy reasoning as a function of the METeorological and OCeanographic (METOC) and sailing conditions. This allows for the analysis of the set of Pareto routes computed by a weather routing systems relying on a multi-objective set-up. The proposed methodology is tested in an operational scenario in the Mediterranean Sea.
AIDS-related deaths in Turkey between 2009 and 2018
Authors: Teker Ayse Gulsen
Published: July 2021

The prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is increasing day by day in the region, including Turkey. The study aimed to examine AIDS-related deaths in Turkey between 2009 and 2018 according to the national death registration system records. In this descriptive study, data on AIDS-related deaths were obtained from the Turkish Statistical Institute. The data consist of the cause of death codes, year of death, age and gender. Findings were presented using numbers and percentages. Seven hundred twenty-one AIDS-related deaths were reported in Turkey between 2009 and 2018. AIDS-related deaths in Turkey increased more than twice at the end of 10 years. The male/female death ratio is 4.5. Deaths under the age of 15 were 4.2% in total; however, they were increased to 10.2% in 2018. AIDS-related deaths are decreasing in the world but increasing in Turkey. The data from the Ministry of Health do not match the data of the national death registration system. Establishing a strong and accurate HIV/AIDS reporting system and identifying the causes and risk groups of this increase in AIDS-related deaths are critical.
Polarity in a four-level tone language: tone features in Tenyidie
Authors: Meyase Savio M.
Published: July 2021

This paper reports a new kind of tone polarity, where the phenomenon is seen in a language with four level tones, Tenyidie (also known as Angami). I show that the polarity is in the features of the tones, i.e. at a subtonal level. The data also provide evidence that tones themselves can be broken down into smaller features. Furthermore, I demonstrate that the polarity pattern observed in the language is an epiphenomenon, a reflex of the Obligatory Contour Principle, not a phonological process in its own right. I show this with the help of a new type of tonal representation. Theoretical discussions of tone polarity have so far been almost entirely restricted to African tone systems, and to languages with just two tones. This paper brings into the discussion a Tibeto-Burman language with four tones.
Within-person changes in basal cortisol and caregiving modulate executive attention across infancy
Authors: Brandes-Aitken Annie , Braren Stephen , Vogel Sarah C. , Perry Rosemarie E. , Brito Natalie H. , Blair Clancy
Published: July 2021

One pathway by which environments of socioeconomic risk are thought to affect cognitive development is through stress physiology. The biological systems underpinning stress and attention undergo a sensitive period of development during infancy. Psychobiological theory emphasizes a dynamic pattern of context-dependent development, however, research has yet to examine how basal cortisol and attention dynamically covary across infancy in ecologically valid contexts. Thus, to address these gaps, we leveraged longitudinal, multilevel analytic methods to disentangle between- from within-person associations of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis activity and executive attention behaviors across infancy. We use data from a large longitudinal sample (N = 1,292) of infants in predominantly low-income, nonurban communities at 7-, 15-, and 24-months of age. Using multilevel models, we investigated longitudinal associations of infant attention and basal cortisol levels and examined caregiving behaviors as moderators of this relationship. Results indicated a negative between- and within-person association between attention and cortisol across infancy and a within-person moderation by caregiver responsiveness. In other words, on the within-person level, higher levels of cortisol were concomitantly associated with lower infant attention across the first 2 years of life. However, variation in the caregiver's level of responsiveness either buffered or sensitized the executive attention system to the negative effects of physiological stress.
How to design co-programs
Authors: GIBBONS JEREMY
Published: July 2021

The observation that program structure follows data structure is a key lesson in introductory programming: good hints for possible program designs can be found by considering the structure of the data concerned. In particular, this lesson is a core message of the influential textbook “How to Design Programs” by Felleisen, Findler, Flatt, and Krishnamurthi. However, that book discusses using only the structure of input data for guiding program design, typically leading towards structurally recursive programs. We argue that novice programmers should also be taught to consider the structure of output data, leading them also towards structurally corecursive programs.
PhD Abstracts
Authors: HUTTON GRAHAM
Published: July 2021

Many students complete PhDs in functional programming each year. As a service to the community, twice per year the Journal of Functional Programming publishes the abstracts from PhD dissertations completed during the previous year.

The abstracts are made freely available on the JFP website, i.e. not behind any paywall. They do not require any transfer of copyright, merely a license from the author. A dissertation is eligible for inclusion if parts of it have or could have appeared in JFP, that is, if it is in the general area of functional programming. The abstracts are not reviewed.