bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Material biossorvente para remoção de metais potencialmente tóxicos em água de abastecimento
Authors: Castro Beatriz de , Jerônimo Guilherme Junqueira , Gonçalves Julio Cesar de Souza Inácio , Luz Mário Sérgio da , Ferreira Deusmaque Carneiro
Published: June 2021

O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar o potencial do pó da casca de coco verde no processo de biossorção de íons metálicos (Pb2+ e Ni2+) presentes na água de abastecimento público. Empregou-se o método univariado para otimizar o processo de biossorção. As isotermas de Freundlich e Langmuir foram empregadas para avaliara característica física ou química do material. Os resultados mostraram que em pH igual a 4, tempo de 25 minutose granulometria da fibra de 60 mesh ocorreram as maiores remoções, na faixa de 97% para Pb2+ e 95% para Ni2+. Com relação à concentração inicial da biomassa, observou-se que a concentração de 25 g.L-1 do material biossorvente foi suficiente para uma máxima remoção dos íons metálicos em estudo. Com relação às isotermas, foi possível identificar, a partir dos resultados de adsorção, que as espécies metálicas se ajustaram melhor ao modelo de Freundlich, adsorção física. Dessa forma, os resultados apresentados mostram que a fibra da casca de coco apresenta características apropriadas para o processo de biossorção de chumbo e níquel. Esse material biossorvente pode ser utilizado juntamente com os processos clássicos de tratamento de água para remoção de metais potencialmente tóxicos.
Climate justice: a new way of looking at environmental issues
Authors: Trannin Maria Cecilia
Published: June 2021

Climate change is a concerning topic, as it is impossible to deny its damaging effects on the planet. Different policy responses have been offered regarding climate change adaptation, and these have brought forward issues related to climate justice. As this topic is still not very well known in Brazil, this paper aims to raise awareness on climate justice concepts and related issues.  This is a literature review which analyses climate justice theories and their relation with the concept of climate change adaptation in order to offer a new point-of-view on the topic.  This paper has come to the conclusion that the concept of climate change has been created due to the increased importance of climate justice. Its origins lie in climate change activism, which seeks to help the most affected communities.  That was when the fight for sharing the burden of climate change emerged, giving rise to the concepts of mitigation and climate adaptation. Thus, the most affected populations should receive assistance in the form of climate change impact adaptation, financed by the countries which are responsible for most greenhouse effect gas emissions, in name of climate justice.
Determinação de equações de chuvas intensas para a encosta superior do nordeste do Rio Grande do Sul
Authors: Bortolin Taison Anderson , Corso Clauber , Mendes Ludmilson Abritta , Barbosa Alan De Gois , Schneider Vania Elisabete
Published: June 2021

The relationship intensity, duration and frequency is very important for the hydraulic project’s development, mainly in regions where there is no study updated data. This paper objective was to determine the intensity-duration-frequency curves at Rio Grande do Sul hillside, in order to provide tools for hydraulic structures design and hydrological studies in the region. For the return periods 2, 5, 10, 20, 25, 50 and 100 - year precipitation determination was used Gumbel’s and log-normal statistical distributions, using the Rain Relationship Duration Method for 20 rainfall stations. For Gumbel’s distribution data adherence verification, was used the Kolmogorov-Smirnov adhesion tests and Chi-Square adhesion, with, 5% significance level. The general IDF equation coefficients a, b, c and d were obtained through non-linear regression and the adjustment quality was measured by both determination coefficient and standard error. Different intense rainfall curves were obtained with the methodology applied, for the region, each one shows a good parameters adjustment, important tool for extreme precipitations estimating.
Reception of Kant’s Epistemological Ideas in Fyodor Golubinsky’s Metaphysics
Authors: Rozhin David O.
Published: June 2021

Kant’s views on space and time as well as his doctrine of the categories of understanding attracted the attention of thinkers belonging to the Russian spiritual-academic philosophical tradition of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. A prominent representative of these was Fyodor Golubinsky. He was among the first to react to Kant’s “Copernican turn”. He did not merely study the epistemological ideas of Kant but embraced them and modified them in the framework of his own philosophical teaching. To determine why Golubinsky turned to Kant’s ideas, to what extent he shared them and with what he disagreed and why, I propose to reconstruct Kant’s and Golubinsky’s ideas on space and time and to compare their doctrines of the categories of understanding. I come to the conclusion that Golubinsky borrowed some propositions of Kant’s theory of space and time, specifically, the procedure of identifying forms of sensibility — space and time — their a priori character, their being part of sensible intuitions and, finally, their definition as essential properties of sense perception. Golubinsky, unlike Kant, considers space and time to be objective. In his doctrine of the categories of understanding Golubinsky follows Kant in that the foundation of the categories of understanding is the unity of self-consciousness but he attributes the unity of self-consciousness to reason’s idea of the Infinite, whereas Kant sees it in the understanding. With some reservations, it can be said that Golubinsky adopts Kant’s table of categories but changes their order. As for the meaning of the categories, for Golubinsky they are not merely laws of cognising things, but laws of their being. In conclusion, I show that Golubinsky forms his epistemological concept in polemics with Kant, borrowing from him only those propositions which fit his metaphysics or modifying them to that end.
The influence of the coefficient of variation on the process reliability of brick production
Authors: Pakhomova Gennadievna Ekaterina , Dubrakova Ksenia , Aseev Viacheslav
Published: June 2021

The goal of research was studying the influence of the variation coefficient values during statistical tests of building structures on the destruction probability and reliability of brick building structures. The article focuses on comparing the theoretical values of the probability theory problems with their practical application in building structures behavior calculation. The scientific novelty lies in the comparison of the calculated data according to the normal distribution with the practical values of the experiment carried out on brick structures. As a result, a dependence graph dependence of the reliability coefficient k on the brick grade was, taking into account various coefficients of variation.
Surfing: Motions of a Vessel Running in Large Waves
Authors: Letcher John S.
Published: June 2021

Starting from the assumption that certain time and length scales for the vessel and its wave pattern are short compared with the time and length scales of the wave motion, the theory models the vessel as a point mass constrained to move on a surface governed by the hydrodynamic equations of wave motion. Normal and tangential equations of motion are derived, and their solutions investigated, for the general case of an arbitrary two-dimensional wave motion, then specialized to periodic progressive waves. The relevant resistance characteristics of the vessel are identified, and a new type of towing-test series using a single model ballasted to several different displacements is proposed to predict surfing performance. Numerical solutions are presented for the case of sinusoidal progressive waves, using an assumed resistance function and coefficients representing a "Cal-40" class sailing yacht.
The Language Game of Goodness
Authors: Nørreklit Lennart
Published: June 2021

In a performance culture, the individual who manages to be the best, is glorified. The rest become marginalised or even excluded from the community. The right to define what is the best is often in the hands of few, and most often these criteria have roots in a form of emotivism. The criteria are thereby weakly defined, and bendable in favour of those who seem to have taken control. In response to the aim of being the best, Lennart Nørreklit develops a conceptual framework for being good, the language game of goodness. A society based on goodness, and the ethics of being good are inclusive because being good is simultaneously possible for a community of people. The paper contributes with a highly critical discussion of the performance society, and it provides an alternative for organising societies.
Literacia em Saúde
Authors: Peres Frederico , Rodrigues Karla Meneses , Silva Thais Lacerda e
Published: June 2021

Como compreendemos e avaliamos as diversas informações sobre saúde que recebemos? Como podemos usar essas informações para o nosso cuidado e para o cuidado do outro? Em tempos de pandemia, essas são questões ainda mais urgentes diante do excesso de notícias, diagnósticos e assuntos relacionados à saúde que alcançam as pessoas das mais diferentes formas. O livro da coleção Temas em Saúde aborda o conceito de literacia em saúde, que está diretamente associado ao conjunto de habilidades e competências que cada indivíduo possui para buscar compreender, avaliar e dar sentido às informações sobre saúde. Ao longo de quatro capítulos, os autores apresentam a trajetória do conceito e mostram como a literacia em saúde foi se constituindo como elemento estratégico para o pensamento e as práticas relacionados ao campo da saúde em diferentes partes do mundo. O título se estrutura a partir de uma série de debates que podem apoiar os mais diversos profissionais, pesquisadores e interessados no tema.
Nonlinear frictional contact behavior of porous polymer hydrogels for soft robot
Authors: Chen Kang , Shen Yu-Nian ,   Department of Mechanics and Engineering Science, School of Science, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China
Published: June 2021

Focusing on the oblique frictional contact problem of hydrogel for soft robot, a numerical contact model is developed to analyze the nonlinear behaviors including local contact large deformation and friction effect of hydrogel soft material during oblique contact. Based on the constitutive relation of hyperelastic material, the updated free energy function of hydrogel is derived. The contact algorithm is given to compute the contact responses of both collinear contact example and oblique contact example. The applicability of classical Hertz contact theory is discussed. The influence of coefficient of friction on the stress distribution of contact zone and the contact states of contact surface are also investigated. The numerical results show that the material nonlinearity and the geometric nonlinearity (i.e. large deformation) of hydrogel lead to the invalidation of classical Hertz contact theory. For the oblique contact, the internal stress grads of hydrogel will be redistributed as the coefficient of friction increases. Meanwhile, the maximum stress position moves from underside to the contact surface. Two high stress zones occur inside and on the contact surface at the same time, respectively. Besides, when the coefficient of friction is smaller (i.e. μ < 0.05), for the collinear contact all contact points on the contact surface are in critical state from static friction to dynamic friction. But for the oblique contact, some contact points are always in stable static friction state.
Ultra-cold long-range Rydberg-ground molecules
Authors: Bai Su-Ying , Bai Jing-Xu , Han Xiao-Xuan , Jiao Yue-Chun , Zhao Jian-Ming ,   State Key Laboratory of Quantum Optics and Quantum Optics Devices, Institute of Laser Spectroscopy, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China,   Collaborative Innovation Center of Extreme Optics, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China,   Department of Physics, Taiyuan Normal University, Jinzhong 030619, China
Published: June 2021

 Ultra-cold long-range Rydberg-ground molecule consisting of a Rydberg atom and one or more ground-state atoms is formed by low-energy scattering between the Rydberg electron and ground-state atoms located inside the Rydberg electron’s wave function. The low-energy scattering interaction, initially investigated by Fermi and Omont, has been predicted to lead to molecular binding in a novel type of Rydberg molecules, including the trilobite and butterfly molecules. Their unconventional binding mechanism, which is unlike covalent, or ionic, or van der Waals bonds, results in loosely bound molecules with bond lengths on the order of thousands of Bohr radius. This kind of molecule with large size and huge permanent electric dipole moment is a good candidate for realizing the certain strongly correlated many-body gases and for quantum information processing, as well as for dipolar quantum gases and spin systems with long-range interactions. Consequently, these molecules have received considerable attention in recent years.

In this paper, we review the recent theoretical and experimental investigations of ultra-cold long-range Rydberg-ground molecules, including the scattering interaction between the Rydberg electron and ground-state atom and the resulting adiabatic potential curves, experimental observations of photo-associated Rydberg-ground molecules spectra, as well as the measurements of permanent electric dipole moment. Ultra-cold long-range Rydberg-ground molecules are prepared by photoassociation in a high-density cold atom sample. Therefore, the Rydberg electron can bind several ground-state atoms to form a polyatomic Rydberg-ground molecule. The permanent molecular electric-dipole moments are revealed by spectral line broadening in the electric fields. The latest research pointed out that the permanent electric dipole moments of the Cs nDJ -type Rydberg-ground molecules are negative, which is different from the previous reports (the electric dipole moments are positive). The negative sign reflects a deficiency of Rydberg-electron density near the ground-state perturber, which is caused by electronic configuration mixing.
Ultrasonic imaging of wrinkles in carbon-fiber-reinforce-polymer composites
Authors: Zhang Hai-Yan , Song Jia-Xin , Ren Yan , Zhu Qi , Ma Xue-Fen ,   School Institute for Advanced Communication and Data Science, School of Communication and Information Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China,   School of Mechatronic and Automation Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China,   School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai Dianji University, Shanghai 201306, China
Published: June 2021

 Carbon-fiber-reinforced-polymer (CFRP) composites are widely used in aerospace, automobile and other industries because of their excellent performances. However, wrinkles will be formed during the manufacturing and service life process of composites, which is detrimental to the fatigue limit and tensile strength. Due to the fiber waviness, the presence of such defects leads to the acoustic energy difference in different beam directions during ultrasonic nondestructive testing. The directly obtained imaging amplitude cannot characterize the wrinkle properly. In order to solve this problem, the total focusing method (TFM) imaging combing the acoustic beam directivity function correction is presented.

 Firstly, the longitudinal wave signal is excited by an ultrasonic phased array, from which the echo data is collected by full matrix capture (FMC) in both the healthy and defected samples prepared. Then, considering the difference in acoustic energy from different beam directions of each ultrasonic transmitting/receiving array element, a correction TFM is proposed. Finally, the echo signals are post processed while the results are compared with the optical images.

 No wrinkle information can be indicated from the direct TFM imaging. In contrast, the wrinkles and layer-up information can be recovered from the corrected TFM imaging with an improved signal-to-noise ratio and resolution. Furthermore, owing to the directivity function, the near-surface noise can be effectively reduced and the near-surface fibrous layer information is restored. This method paves the way for the accurate, quantitative and rapid characterizing of wrinkles in real CFRP structures.
Expression of autophagy and apoptosis-related factors in the periodontal tissue of experimental diabetic rats: a histomorphometric, microtomographic and immunohistochemical study
Authors: Mei Youmin , Shen Xiang , Wang Xiaoqian , Zhang Min , Li Qiao , Yan Junyi , Xu Jiali , Xu Yan
Published: June 2021

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the expression of autophagy-related factors microtubule-associated protein l light chain 3 (LC3) and the apoptosis-related factors BCL2-associated X protein (Bax) and B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) in the periodontal tissue of experimental diabetic rats. These data were used to explore the potential mechanism in diabetes-induced periodontal tissue lesions.

Methods

A total of 32 Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly assigned into diabetes (group D, n = 16) and control groups (group N, n = 16). The diabetic group was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 1% streptozotocin (STZ, 60 mg/kg) and the control group was injected with citrate buffer (0.1mol/L). Rats were sacrificed after 4 and 8 weeks of feeding and collected as D1, N1 groups and D2, N2 groups, and the maxilla were retained for analysis. The changes in periodontal tissue structure were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The expression and distribution of LC3, Bax and Bcl-2 in the periodontium of the rats was detected by immunohistochemical (SP) staining.

Results

Diabetic rats showed several changes compared to control animals including sparse alveolar bone trabecular structure, loss of the lamina dura and absorption of the local alveolar bone. The positive expression level of LC3 in the gingival epithelial, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone of group D1 was significantly higher than in the N1, N2 and D2 groups (P < 0.05). The level of Bax expression in the group D2 rats was significantly higher than those in the N1, N2 and D1 groups (P < 0.05), while the positive degree of Bcl-2 was significantly lower than those of other groups (P < 0.001). LC3 was negatively correlated with Bax and was irrelevant with Bcl-2; Bcl-2 was not correlated with Bax.

Conclusions

The expression of LC3, Bax and Bcl-2 changes in the periodontal tissue of diabetic rats may indicate that autophagy and apoptotic are involved in the process of periodontal tissue damage in diabetic rats. These changes may be one of the mechanisms of periodontal tissue lesions.
Entrepreneurship Education as an Impetus to Entrepreneurial Competence and Entrepreneurial Intentions among Polytechnic Students: A Quantitative Approach
Authors: Adeyemo S. A. , Ogunleye P. O. , Adeyemi M. A. , Kareem T. S.
Published: June 2021

The study examined the extent to which entrepreneurship education influence entrepreneurial competence and entrepreneurial intentions among the students with specific reference to the Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, Nigeria. Purposive random sampling technique was used to select 85 final year students from all the three Departments (Business Administration and Management, Marketing and Purchasing and supply) in the Faculty of Management Studies. The questionnaire was employed to collect data and scales measuring entrepreneurship education, entrepreneurial competence, and entrepreneurial intentions. Mean, chi-square, Pearson Moment correlation and ordinary least square (OLS) method of estimation were used to analyse the data. The result revealed that entrepreneurship education has a significant effect on entrepreneurial competence and entrepreneurial intentions among students. This implies that entrepreneurship education is an antidote to poverty, insecurity, unemployment and hunger that have been the order of the day in Nigeria. Consequently, all stakeholders in the education industry should endeavour to ensure that entrepreneurship education is properly funded and also Federal government should establish an entrepreneurial financial institution that will provide financial assistance and advisory services to graduates and non-graduates that pass through entrepreneurship education and have viable feasibility study and zeal of establishing entrepreneurial ventures.
Effects of Different Maize–Soybean Intercropping Patterns on Yield Attributes, Yield and B: C Ratio
Authors: Dudwal Mahipal , Singh R. P. , Verma B. L. , Choudhary Babulal
Published: June 2021

A field experiment was carried out to study the “Effects of different maize–soybean intercropping patterns on yield attributes, yield and B: C ratio” at the Agricultural Research Farm, Bhagwant University, Ajmer. Treatment consists of Sole maize (60x20 cm), Sole Soyabean (30x10 cm), Maize-Soybean (1:1) (60X20 cm), Maize-Soybean (1:1) (75X20 cm), Maize-Soybean (1:1) (90X20 cm), Maize-Soybean (1:2) (90X20 cm) and Maize-Soybean (2:6) (Paired row 45/180 cm). There were four replicated blocks and plot sizes measuring 7 m x 4.5 m laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Results of the experiment showed that the maize-soybean intercropping patterns had significant effect on maize stover and grain yields. Sole maize recorded significantly higher yield than intercropped maize under varying geometry and row proportion. However, it was at par with maize intercropped with soybean in 1:1 row proportion with 60 x 20 cm .The intercropping patterns affected significantly the PAR intercepted and the leaf area index. The soybean sole crop intercepted significantly more light and leaf area index (LAI) than all other treatments and/or crop. Further,, the yield of sole soybean was significantly superior over other intercropped treatments. The highest benefit cost ratio revealed that higher return per unit money invested for inputs used for raising crops. The highest B: C ratio was recorded with maize + soybean in 2:6 paired row (3.57) intercropping system. The least B: C ratio was recorded in sole soybean (2.45).
Publication Productivity and Bibliometric Profiling of Graduating General Surgery Chief Residents
Authors: Holtestaul Torbjorg , Jones Ian , Colburn Zachary , Nelson Daniel , Vreeland Timothy , Bingham Jason , Yheulon Christopher
Published: June 2021

This cross-sectional study assesses the publication productivity of graduating general surgery residents as well as factors associated with a chief resident’s academic research output.
Proteolysis of γ‐tubulin small complex proteins is mediated by the ubiquitin‐proteasome system
Authors: Yin Can , Lui Edna S. W. , Jiang Taolue , Qi Robert Z.
Published: June 2021

Microtubule nucleation is mainly mediated by the γ‐tubulin ring complex (γTuRC), whose core components are γ‐tubulin and γ‐tubulin complex proteins GCP2–6. A substantial fraction of γ‐tubulin also exists with GCP2 and GCP3 in a tetramer called the γ‐tubulin small complex (γTuSC). To date, the mechanisms underlying the turnover of γ‐tubulin and GCPs have remained unclear. Here, we show that γ‐tubulin, GCP2, and GCP3 are proteolyzed by the ubiquitin‐proteasome system, and we identify cullin 1, cullin 4A, and cullin 4B as the E3 ligases that mediate the ubiquitination and, consequently, the degradation of γ‐tubulin. Notably, we found that γTuSC disassembly promotes the degradation of γ‐tubulin, GCP2, and GCP3, which indicates a role for γTuSCs in the stabilization of its components.
Strengthening seismically vulnerable reinforced concrete flat plate‐column connections by installing wing walls
Authors: Samdani H. M. Golam , Takahashi Susumu , Yoon Rokhyun , Sanada Yasushi
Published: June 2021

This study emphasizes a new strengthening scheme for seismically vulnerable flat plate‐column connections in existing structures. An experimental investigation on a series of three half‐scaled interior plate‐column connections was conducted to explore the effectiveness of the proposed seismic strengthening method using postinstalled RC wing walls and to analyze the punching shear capacity of the connections. This study focuses on typical existing flat plate structures constructed using low‐strength concrete in Bangladesh. Two of the three specimens had wing walls employed in two principal directions, that is, along the loading direction and orthogonal direction, while another specimen was tested without wing walls and served as a control specimen for comparisons between the cases with and without strengthening. Static cyclic vertical displacements with increasing amplitude were applied to the ends of the slabs to represent interstory drift under seismic action. Both strengthened specimens showed higher resistance to punching shear failure. Thus, the test results experimentally verified that installing RC wing walls is a feasible method to upgrade flat plate‐column connections, including those constructed using low‐strength concrete, to prevent collapse under seismic action.
Association of Osteoarthritis With Increased Risk of Parkinson's Disease: A Population‐Based, Longitudinal Follow‐Up Study
Authors: Feng Shih‐Hao , Chuang Hung‐Jui , Yeh Kuo‐Cheng , Pan Shin‐Liang
Published: June 2021

Objective

To investigate whether patients with osteoarthritis (OA) are at a higher risk of developing Parkinson's disease (PD).

Methods

This retrospective cohort study was conducted using Taiwan's Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2005. We enrolled 33,360 patients who were 50–64 years old and had OA in 2002–2005 to form the OA group. The comparison group consisted of 33,360 age‐ and sex‐matched, randomly sampled subjects without OA. Then, their PD‐free survival curves were generated using the Kaplan‐Meier method. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was employed to estimate the effect of having OA on patients’ subsequent risk of PD.

Results

Of the 2 groups, the OA group had a significantly higher risk of developing PD (adjusted hazard ratio [HRadj] 1.41 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.16–1.70], P = 0.0003). The PD‐free survival rate of the OA group was also significantly lower than that of the comparison group (P = 0.0004). The subgroup analysis showed that patients with knee or hip OA appeared to have a higher magnitude of PD risk (HRadj 1.55 [95% CI 1.14–2.11]) than patients with non–knee and non–hip OA (HRadj 1.42 [95% CI 1.06–1.89]) or with uncategorized OA (HRadj 1.32 [95% CI 1.05–1.64]).

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that OA is linked to an increased risk of developing PD.
Flexible Induction Heater Based on the Polymeric Thin Film for Local Thermotherapy
Authors: Saito Masato , Kanai Eiichi , Fujita Hajime , Aso Tatsuya , Matsutani Noriyuki , Fujie Toshinori
Published: June 2021

Local delivery of physical energy, such as heat, is promising for the treatment of target lesions without the unintended distribution of heat to other normal tissue. However, the heating device must be equipped with an external power source or strong magnetic field to operate the device, and many of them are too large to be placed inside the body. In this regard, wireless, lightweight, flexible electronics can be used for the miniaturization of implantable devices. In this study, a flexible induction heating (IH) device is reported that integrates inkjet‐printed wirings and flexible polymeric thin films, specifically Au nanoink‐based wirings (thickness: 1.5 µm) and a biodegradable poly(D, L‐lactic acid) (PDLLA) thin film (thickness: 5 µm). A unique method of transferring the inkjet‐printed Au nanoink wiring onto the PDLLA thin film realizes the integration of the following technical features in one device: biocompatible packaging, a printed IH system, and body conformability. The resulting thin‐film IH device is successfully placed on a hepatic lobe of a beagle dog, which allows for a local increase in temperature of 7 °C after 1‐min power feeding without tissue inflammation. The thin‐film IH device is expected to provide minimally invasive thermotherapy when combined with endoscopic surgery.
Toward High Performance All‐Solid‐State Lithium Batteries with High‐Voltage Cathode Materials: Design Strategies for Solid Electrolytes, Cathode Interfaces, and Composite Electrodes
Authors: Li Liansheng , Duan Huanhuan , Li Jia , Zhang Lei , Deng Yuanfu , Chen Guohua
Published: June 2021

All‐solid‐state lithium batteries (ASSLBs) with nonflammable solid electrolytes (SEs) deliver greatly enhanced safety characteristics. Furthermore, ASSLBs composed of cathodes with high working voltages, such as LiCoO2, LiNixCoyMnzO2 (x + y + z = 1, NCM), LiNixCoyAlzO2 (x + y + z = 1, NCA), LiMnxFeyPO4 (x + y = 1, LMFP), and LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 (LNMO), and a lithium metal anode can achieve comparable or better performance compared with that of LLBs in terms of energy density. Therefore, high‐voltage ASSLBs have been regarded as the most promising next‐generation batteries. Although significant progress has been achieved in high‐voltage ASSLBs research, their development still faces multiple challenges. To facilitate further effective and target‐oriented research on high‐voltage ASSLBs, a summary of recent research progress is urgently needed. In this review, recent research progress in high‐voltage ASSLBs is summarized from the perspectives of SEs modification, interfacial challenges and their corresponding solutions for cathodes, and high‐voltage composite cathode design for practical applications. Finally, the authors’ perspectives on the state of current ASSLBs research, aiming to propose possible research directions for the future development of high‐voltage ASSLBs.
IR Spectroscopy as a Method for Online Electrolyte State Assessment in RFBs
Authors: Nolte Oliver , Geitner Robert , Hager Martin D. , Schubert Ulrich S.
Published: June 2021

The transition from fossil to renewable energy sources requires adequate storage technologies due to the intermittency of the supplied energy. With respect to this, organic redox‐flow batteries (ORFBs) represent a promising concept for the storage of electricity on a large scale at economically justifiable costs. However, these storage technologies can only be operated reliably if parameters representing the actual condition of the storage medium (i.e., the electrolyte) can be accurately assessed. These so‐called electrolyte state variables are represented by two key figures of merit: state of charge (SOC), a measure of the amount of charge that the electrolyte currently holds; and state of health (SOH), representing the amount of charge that the electrolyte is able to store given its current condition. The herein presented IR‐based approach is able to simultaneously provide reliable, fast, accurate, and precise estimates for both SOC and SOH parameters at any point in time and independent of the current battery status. The method is able to provide a time resolution in the range of minutes, is independent of the electrolyte temperature and can be applied to nearly all organic‐based redox‐active materials and solvents, while potentially being applicable to inorganic RFBs, such as vanadium‐based systems, as well.
Utilization of heat‐mapping tools to match a resident staffing template to emergency department arrival patterns
Authors: Schuh Abigail M. , Nimmer Mark , Drendel Amy L.
Published: June 2021

Objectives

Academic emergency departments (ED) rely on a steady flow of patients to provide residents with good clinical training. Understanding institutional volume patterns allows training directors to create a schedule that maximizes learning opportunities while also adequately staffing the ED. Our primary objective of this study was to utilize heat‐mapping software to optimize resident staffing in an academic ED.

Methods

Heat‐mapping tools within Microsoft Excel were utilized to overlay ED patient arrival patterns on top of the potential patients per hour based on published productivity data for trainees and historical averages for advanced practice providers at our institution. Time frames for under‐ and overstaffing were identified and color‐coded. This analysis informed a revised schedule template and the same heat‐mapping process was used to determine the appropriateness of the revised staffing template.

Results

The heat map for the original schedule template revealed understaffing in the morning and overstaffing the rest of the day. Informed by these findings, schedule adjustments were made. There was no net increase in the number of resident or advanced practice provider coverage hours. Prior to implementation, the ED was understaffed by 5% or more during 18.4% of operating hours. Following changes to the staffing template, only 5.9% of operating hours were understaffed (p < 0.001). Furthermore, significant understaffing (20% or more) decreased from 16.6% to 3.1% (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Novel use of heat‐mapping software has the potential to successfully match ED patient arrival patterns to an optimal resident staffing template. Future directions include incorporation of variable resident productivity to account for fatigue as the shift progresses.
Water in Organic Solvents: Rapid Detection by a Terbium‐based turn‐off Luminescent Sensor
Authors: Kumar Ajay , Sahu Manaranjan , Maitra Uday
Published: June 2021

Reactions carried out both in protic and aprotic water‐miscible solvents can be affected by the presence of water. We have recently discovered that the luminescence intensity of a methanolic solution of Tb(III) containing salicylic acid [Tb−SA] is highly sensitive to the water content. The water‐induced quenching of Tb(III) luminescence was utilized for the accurate measurement of water content in methanol, ethanol, acetonitrile, and tetrahydrofuran in the 0.1%–4% (v/v) range by a simple and rapid method.
Funktionales Kostensplitting bei energetischen Modernisierungen als Beitrag zur nachhaltigen Entwicklung von Mietwohnbeständen
Authors: David Kirsten
Published: June 2021

In einer Ende 2019 veröffentlichten Dissertation wurde mit dem Funktionalen Kostensplitting (kurz: ƒKs) eine Handlungsempfehlung zur sachgerechten und nachvollziehbaren Ermittlung Mieterhöhungen nach energetischen Maßnahmen entwickelt.

Ausgangspunkt war das Dilemma zwischen der enormen Bedeutung energetischer Maßnahmen an Mietwohnbeständen für die klimapolitischen Ziele einerseits und andererseits den widersprüchlichen Beschreibungen ihrer Wirtschaftlichkeit für die beiden Mietervertragsparteien – zwischen Gentrifizierungsinstrument und Warmmietenneutralität.

Die Ergebnisse der Forschungsarbeit schließen nicht nur eine Lücke in der interdisziplinären Wissenslandschaft der Akteure des Mietwohnungsmarktes. Mit der daraus abgeleiteten Handlungsempfehlung des ƒKs wurde zudem erstmals der bautechnische Erfolg energetischer Maßnahmen – die tatsächlichen Verbesserungen der Bauteilfunktionen – an den nach geltendem Recht resultierenden Mieterhöhungsbetrag gekoppelt. Auf diese Weise wird das Zieldreieck der Nachhaltigkeit aus Ökonomie, Ökologie und Sozialem energetischer Maßnahmen austariert.

Die Arbeit wurde vom Wissenschaftlichen Beirat des BUND mit dem BUND‐Forschungsreis für nachhaltige Entwicklung 2020 ausgezeichnet.

Im vorliegenden Aufsatz werden Grundlagen und Arbeitsweise des ƒKs sowie erste Ergebnisse einer noch andauernden qualitativen Evaluation vorgestellt.
Automatic Migration Path Exploration for Multivalent Battery Cathodes using Geometrical Descriptors
Authors: Bölle Felix T. , Bhowmik Arghya , Vegge Tejs , Maria García Lastra Juan , Castelli Ivano E.
Published: June 2021

Stable and fast ionic conductors for magnesium cathode materials have the prospect of enabling high energy density batteries beyond current Lithium‐ion technologies. So far, only a few candidate materials have been identified leading to data only being scarcely available to the community. Here, we present a systematic study, in the framework of Density Functional Theory, including the estimation of the migration barrier for 16 materials through employing Nudged Elastic Band (NEB) calculations. By introducing a path finder algorithm based on the idea of Voronoi tessellations, we show that an estimate of the transition state configuration can be extracted automatically prior to running NEB‐calculations. Using geometrical descriptors in combination with a principal component analysis it is possible to further sub‐group the migration paths. This approach also extends to materials which are not part of the study, making it a viable approach to more efficiently explore crystal structures with distinguishable migration characteristics.
Exploring the toxic effects and mechanism of methoxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers (MeO‐PBDEs) on thyroxine‐binding globulin (TBG): Synergy between spectroscopic and computations
Authors: Huang Muwei , Huang Xiaomei , Zuo Yanqiu , Yi Zhongsheng , Liu Hongyan
Published: June 2021

The interaction mechanism between thyroxine‐binding globulin (TBG) and three methoxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers (MeO‐PBDEs) was analyzed by steady‐state fluorescence, ultraviolet‐visible (UV‐visible) spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD), molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation methods. The results of the molecular docking technique revealed that 2′‐MeO‐BDE‐3, 5‐MeO‐BDE‐47, and 3‐MeO‐BDE‐100 combined with TBG at the active site. The steady‐state fluorescence spectra displayed that MeO‐PBDEs quenched the endogenous fluorescence of TBG through static quenching mechanism, and complex formation between MeO‐PBDEs and TBG was further indicated by UV‐vis spectroscopy. The thermodynamic quantities showed that the binding process is spontaneous, and the major forces responsible for the binding are hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions, which are consistent with the results of molecular docking to a certain extent. The results of CD confirmed that the secondary structure of TBG was changed after combining with MeO‐PBDEs. The dynamic simulation results illustrated that the protein structure is more compact and changes in the secondary structure of TBG after binding to MeO‐PBDEs. Additionally, we also utilized the molecular mechanics/Poisson–Boltzmann surface area (MM‐PBSA) method to analyze the binding free energy of TBG and MeO‐PBDEs. The results suggest that van der Waals force plays an essential role in the combination.
Entrepreneurial versus cooperative social capital: The impact on operational performance
Authors: Bonner Aisling , Onofrei George , Humphreys Paul , Margey Michael , Cadden Trevor
Published: June 2021

Research has extensively focused on how firms can become more competitive, by discovering new knowledge domains while exploiting current ones. Prior research has shown the positive impact of social capital on performance; however, there have been no empirical studies that distinguished between the architectures of social capital and how they impact the operational performance dimensions. Building upon the knowledge‐based theory, we propose a model to examine the effects of the two architectures of social capital (entrepreneurial and cooperative) on individual dimensions of operational performance (quality, delivery, flexibility and cost). The hypotheses are tested using structural equation modelling and data collected from 182 companies in Ireland. The results show that the cooperative social capital archetype supports the operational performance dimensions, while the entrepreneurial social capital archetype only impacts the cost dimension. The findings extend the current understanding about the complex relationships among the architectures of social capital and provide guidance for managers on how to leverage their investments in social capital to enhance specific operational performance dimensions.
Prefiltration enhances performance of sterile filtration for glycoconjugate vaccines
Authors: Du Zhuoshi , Motevalian Seyed Pouria , Carillo‐Conde Brenda , Reilly Kelvin , Zydney Andrew L.
Published: June 2021

Recent studies have reported very low capacity during sterile filtration of glycoconjugate vaccines due to rapid fouling of the sterile filter. The objective of this study was to explore the potential for significantly increasing the capacity of the sterile filter through the use of an appropriate prefilter. Data were obtained using prefilters with different pore size and chemistry, with the sterile filtration performed at constant filtrate flux using 0.22 μm nominal pore size Durapore® polyvinylidene difluoride membranes. Prefiltration through 5 μm pore size Durapore® or Nylon prefilters nearly eliminated the fouling of the sterile filter, leading to more than a 100‐fold reduction in the rate of pressure increase for the sterile filter. This dramatic improvement in sterile filter performance was due to the removal of large components (greater than 1 μm in size) as confirmed by dynamic light scattering. These results demonstrate the potential of using large pore size prefilters to significantly enhance the performance of the sterile filtration process for the production of important glycoconjugate vaccines.
Effect of iron addition on mAb productivity and oxidative stress in Chinese hamster ovary culture
Authors: Graham Ryan J. , Mohammad Adil , Liang George , Fu Qiang , Kuang Bingyu , Polanco Ashli , Lee Yong Suk , Marcus R. Kenneth , Yoon Seongkyu
Published: June 2021

Trace metals play a critical role in the development of culture media used for the production of therapeutic proteins. Iron has been shown to enhance the productivity of monoclonal antibodies during Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell culture. However, the redox activity and pro‐oxidant behavior of iron may also contribute toward the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this work, we aim to clarify the influence of trace iron by examining the relationship between iron supplementation to culture media, mAb productivity and glycosylation, and oxidative stress interplay within the cell. Specifically, we assessed the impacts of iron supplementation on (a) mAb production and glycosylation; (b) mitochondria‐generated free hydroxyl radicals (ROS); (c) the cells ability to store energy during oxidative phosphorylation; and (d) mitochondrial iron concentration. Upon the increase of iron at inoculation, CHO cells maintained a capacity to rebound from iron‐induced viability lapses during exponential growth phase and improved mAb productivity and increased mAb galactosylation. Fluorescent labeling of the mitochondrial hydroxyl radical showed enhanced environments of oxidative stress upon iron supplementation. Additional labeling of active mitochondria indicated that, despite the enhanced production of ROS in the mitochondria, mitochondrial membrane potential was minimally impacted. By replicating iron treatments during seed train passaging, the CHO cells were observed to adapt to the shock of iron supplementation prior to inoculation. Results from these experiments demonstrate that CHO cells have the capacity to adapt to enhanced environments of oxidative stress and improve mAb productivity and mAb galactosylation with minimal perturbations to cell culture.
Randomized study of remote telehealth genetic services versus usual care in oncology practices without genetic counselors
Authors: Cacioppo Cara N. , Egleston Brian L. , Fetzer Dominique , Burke Sands Colleen , Raza Syeda A. , Reddy Malleda Neeraja , McCarty Wood Elisabeth , Rittenburg India , Childs Julianne , Cho David , Hosford Martha , Khair Tina , Khatri Jamil , Komarnicky Lydia , Poretta Trina , Rahman Fahd , Shah Satish , Patrick‐Miller Linda J. , Domchek Susan M. , Bradbury Angela R.
Published: June 2021

Purpose

To examine the benefit of telehealth over current delivery options in oncology practices without genetic counselors.

Methods

Participants meeting cancer genetic testing guidelines were recruited to this multi‐center, randomized trial comparing uptake of genetic services with remote services (telephone or videoconference) to usual care in six predominantly community practices without genetic counselors. The primary outcome was the composite uptake of genetic counseling or testing. Secondary outcomes compare telephone versus videoconference services.

Results

147 participants enrolled and 119 were randomized. Eighty percent of participants in the telehealth arm had genetic services as compared to 16% in the usual care arm (OR 30.52, p < 0.001). Five genetic mutation carriers (6.7%) were identified in the telehealth arm, compared to none in the usual care arm. In secondary analyses, factors associated with uptake were lower anxiety (6.77 vs. 8.07, p = 0.04) and lower depression (3.38 vs. 5.06, p = 0.04) among those who had genetic services. There were no significant differences in change in cognitive or affective outcomes immediately post‐counseling and at 6 and 12 months between telephone and videoconference arms.

Conclusion

Telehealth increases uptake of genetic counseling and testing at oncology practices without genetic counselors and could significantly improve identification of genetic carriers and cancer prevention outcomes.
Regional and racial disparity in proximal gastric cancer survival outcomes 1996–2016: Results from SEER and China National Cancer Center database
Authors: Zhao Lulu , Niu Penghui , Zhao Dongbing , Chen Yingtai
Published: June 2021

Background

Given the growing incidence and aggressive biological behavior of proximal gastric cancer (PGC) as reported, it is important to understand which regional or racial populations are at poor prognosis so that interventions can be treated appropriately. We sought to explore regional treatment differences as well as racial genes influence survival outcomes in China and the US patients with PGC.

Methods

PGC patients defined as tumors with the epicenter located in cardia (C16.0) or fundus (C16.1) from 1996 to 2016 were identified from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) in the United States as well as data from a high‐volume National Cancer Center Database in China. Overall survival (OS) curves were plotted for different regional or racial groups, respectively, using the Kaplan‐Meier method and compared statistically using the log‐rank test. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) analysis was performed using TCGA database.

Results

Finally, the cohort consistent of 40973 PGC patients who enrolled in SEER database (n = 36305) or China National Cancer Center (n = 4668), and divided into 4 racial groups: Chinese (n = 5179), Black (n = 2429), White (n = 31185), and Others (n = 2096). After controlling for confounding variables, racial factors were independently associated with poor survival included Black ethnicity (HR = 1.376, 95% CI: 1.066–1.7760, p = 0.014) and White ethnicity (HR = 1.262, 95% CI: 1.005–1.583, p = 0.045) when compared to Chinese ethnicity in total PGC patients. Even in the same region for only US group, Chinese PGC patients also showed better prognosis.

Conclusions

In conclusion, we demonstrated the different survival outcomes of PGC patients in different regions or races from two high‐volume database SEER and China National Cancer Center database. These survival differences are likely influenced by a number of factors (e.g., access to screening, quality of gastrectomy, neo/adjuvant therapy, and biological genes itself). More importantly, a better understanding of these disparities could lead to interventions that may help to abolish these disparities.