bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DUAL SYMMETRY OF CHIRAL MODEL AND GEOMETRICAL CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN CHIRAL FIELD AND SINE-GORDON EQUATION
Authors: WANG PEI  , HOU BO-YUAN  , HOU BO-YU  , GUO HAN-YING  ,   (1)内蒙古大学物理系; (2)四川大学物理系; (3)西北大学物理系; (4)中国科学院理论物理研究所
Published: November 2020

In this paper, we show that the SO(3) chiral field can be regard as the normal Vector field over the pseudo-spherical surface, and thus obtain the correspondence between chiral field and sine-Gordon system, as well as the geometrical interpretation of chiral field. By means of the dual symmetry between chiral field and the pseudo-spherical surface, we are able to connect chiral field with s-G system, and express Backlund transformation, Riccati equation in the gauge invariant representations of the related properties of the same dynamical system in different frames.
METRIC PROPERTIES OF CHAOTIC REGION IN ONE-DIMENSIONAL MAPS
Authors: WANG YOU-QIN  , CHEN SHI-GANG  ,   (1)北京应用物理和计算数学研究所; (2)中国科学院物理研究所
Published: November 2020

In this paper, we use numerical and analytical methods to discuss the following problems. (1) The first is the relation between Hausdorff dimension d and Lyapunov exponent λ. We point out that in the relation N(ε) there is a multi-scaling-region phenomena which shows the structure of the point set at different scale. To analyse this phenomena seriously is significant for calculating d. (2) Acorrding to the relation between the one-dimensional map and the Poincare map of dynamic system, and the discontinuity and multivalue property of d( λ ) of one-dimensional map at λ=0, we conjecture that the relation d(λ) at λ= (0,0,-) of the dynamical system is also discontinuous and multivalued. (3) On the base of relation d(λ), we use λ>0 as a criterion to estimate the measure of chaotic solutions, of logistic model in chaotic region, on the axis of parameter. The result is mc= 0.893±0.022 (The total measure of chaotic region is normalized to unity).
RELATIONS BETWEEN CRYSTALLOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS AND CRYSTAL STRUCTURE AND THE PROPERTIES FOR AMMONIUM BICARBONATE
Authors: ZHANG HAN-QING  ,   中国地质科学院矿床地质研究所
Published: November 2020

The crystal of ammonium bicarbonate belongs to orthorhombic system with symmetry 3L2 3PC. They exist in three forms: prismatic, slaty or particle shape. The crystals appear colorless to white or light grey, transparent to semitransparent. The cleavage parallel to (110) is perfect. Hardness H=1.55. Density D= 1.573 g/cm3. They are biaxial negative crystals, with Ng=c= 1.5540, Nm = b = 1.5355, Np =α=1.4220; 2V=40°56′. γ=v is weak. On the curves of DTA, there is a big and wide endothermic peak (between 50-150℃ ). The curves of TGA showed a continuous weight-loss. On the infrared absorption spectra, there are two strong peaks (3330-3030, 1430-1380), corresponding to the stretching and bending of the ions NH4+. And there are two less strong peaks (2850, 2550), corresponding to the stretching and bending of the anions HCO3-. The unit cell dimensions are α = 7.220(1)?, b=10.672(l)?,c = 8.719(2)?, v = 671.927(3)?3. There are eight moloculs in the unit cell and the space group is Pccn. Dx =1.5215. In the structure, the HCO3- anion groups are connected by hydrogen bonds to form chains parallel to c axes. The NH4+ ione groups constitute tetrahedrons connected by four chains of the HCO3- anions. In the crystal, there are two form of hydrogen bonds, namely O-H…O and N-H…O.The framework exists as huge and complicated network of hydrogen bonds. It is obvious that the physical and chemical properties of the crystal are influenced greatly.
EXPERIMENTAL OBSERVATION OF SUBHARMONIC IN LIQUID NITROGEN AND WATER
Authors: WANG BEN-REN  , MIAO GUO-QING  , WEI RONG-JUE  ,   南京大学声学研究所
Published: November 2020

The phenomenon of subharmonic bifurcation is observed in experiments of sound wave of finite amplitude, which are performed in liquid nitrogen and water, respectively. The power spectrum is obtained.
ON THE NONCONVERGENCE PROBLEM IN COMPUTING THE CAPACITY OF STRANGE ATTRACTORS
Authors: WANG GUANG-RUI  , CHEN SHI-GANG  , HAO BAI-LIN  ,   (1)北京8009信箱; (2)中国科学院物理研究所
Published: November 2020

The convergence of box-counting algorithm for computing the capacity of strange attrac-tors is affected by the discretization procedure, because the period of the difference equations differs from that of the original ODE'S and, in addition, a damping factor appears. Simply decreasing the time-steps in the integration scheme not only costs more computer time, but also may deprive the convergence at all. The nonconvergence problem can be overcome by choosing at first a correct sampling interval. We give numerical evidence for what said above on the example of the periodically forced Brusselator.
RAMAN SPECTRA OF GLASSES IN THE Li2O-(LiCl)2-B2O3-Al2O3 SYSTEM
Authors: HUANG PENG-NIAN  , JIN YI-FEN  , HUANG XI-HUAI  ,   中国科学院上海硅酸盐研究所
Published: November 2020

In this paper, the structure of glasses in Li2O(LiCl)2B2O3-Al2O3 system, particularly the influence of Al2O3, is investigated by Raman spectra. For Li2O-B2O3 glasses, with increasing Li2O content, triangular BO3 units change into BO4 tetrahedra and borate groups containing more BO4 are formed. When Li2O content is greater than 35 mol% the metaborate groups begin to form. By replacing B2O3 with Al2O3, the Al3+ ions introduced in glasses take the four-coordination, and AlO4 tetrahedra replace BO4 tetrahedra under the condition of existing sufficient Li2O. However, when Al2O3/Li2O ratio is close to or even greater than unity, part of Al3+ ions are no more in the four-coordination. The experiment also indicates that Raman spectra only depends upon the O/B/Al ratio, showing that the LiCI molecules introduced into the glass are dissociated by glass network. These results can be used to interprete the variations of ionic conductivity with composition.
THE DEGENERATE FOUR-WAVE MIXING OF LIGHT WITH ARBITRARY POLARIZATIONS IN ISOTROPIC MEDIUM
Authors: GU SHI-JIE  ,   中国科学院物理研究所
Published: November 2020

The functional relations have been presented between the complex amplitude (including polarization) of reflected wave on the one hand and amplitudes, polarizations of pump and probe waves, the third-order nonlinear susceptibility on the other hand, for degenerate four-wave mixing (DFWM) in isotropic medium, in which the polarizations are linear and/or circular, and the geometry is collinear or non-collinear. In the non-collinear geometry, when the polarizations of pump waves are parallel to each other, one can determine the ratio x1111/x1221 from the angles between polarization directions of probe and reflected waves; when the polarizations of pump are circular polarizations of the same handedness, one can get the ideal complex conjugate wave in this geometry. In the collinear geometry, there are always some non-conjugate component in the reflected wave, and the functional relation between reflection coefficient of amplitude and the thickness of sample can have the form of tangent function, hyperbolic tangent function and linear function; when the polarizations of pump waves are parallel to each other and |x1221|> |x1122|, this geometry is capable of generating self-oscillation; when polarizations of pump are circular ones of different handedness, DFWM acts as an ideal plane-mirror for probe wave with circular polarization, etc. The results can be used to explain some well-known experimental results and provide some theoretical guidance for designing new experiments.
THE SUPERCONDUCTING TRANSITION TEMPERATURE AND COMPOSITION RANG FOR THE FORMATION OF AN AMORPHOUS PHASE IN THE MoxGe1-x, MoxSi1-x FILMS
Authors: MENG RU-LING  , ZHOU PING  , ZHAO ZHONG-XIAN  , GUO SHU-QUAN  , LI LIN  ,   中国科学院物理研究所
Published: November 2020

MoxGe1-x and MoxSi1-x films are prepared by d.c. getter sputtering method onto liquid nitrogen cooled substrate. The compositions forming the amorphous state are found to be Ge>22at% and Si>18at% respectively. The superconducting transition temperature decrease with the increase of Ge, Si content from 6K to 3K in the amorphous state.The crystallization temperature of a-Mo77Ge23 is 780℃ and that of a-Mo78Si22 is 480℃.
FAR INFRARED SPECTRAL STUDY OF THE PHONON STATES OF THE MIXED CRYSTALS CdxHg1-x Te
Authors: SHEN XUE-CHU  , CHU JUN-HAO  ,   中国科学院上海技术物理研究所
Published: November 2020

The far infrared absorption spectra measurements were performed on the CdxHg1-x Te samples with x=0.18 to 0.45 in the wavenumber region of 15-500 cm-1 at the temperatures from 4.5 to 300 K. In addition to the absorption structures of two phonon combination on both sides of the reststrahlen band of the material, a low frequency absorption band has been observed for the first time between 20-50 cm-1 in all the measured samples. By comparison with the phonon spectra of the mixed crystals CdxHg1-x Te which have been estimated by means of the ab initio density functional calculations of planar force constants, we have attributed the low frequency absorption band to the TA band modes induced by the disorder and "doping" effects resulting from by the crystalline mixing in the material.
SOLUTION OF THE EULER'S EQUATION OF HARMONIC MAPS AND ITS APPLICATION TO GENERAL RELATIVITY
Authors: DUAN YI-SHI  ,   兰州大学物理系
Published: November 2020

The solution of Euler's equation in the theory of harmonic mapping and the relationship between them have been studied in general. The Ernst equation and its solution are discussed from this point of view.
MAGNETIC STRUCTURE ANALYSIS OF Y(Mn1-xCox)12 BY NEUTRON DIFFRACTION
Authors: ZENG XIANG-XIN  , ZHOU HUI-MING  , ZHANG BAI-SHEN  , JIN LAN  , YANG JI-LIAN  , YANG YING-CHANG  , HE WEN-WANG  , LIN CHIN  , LUO SHANG  , PEI XIE-DI  ,   (1)北京大学物理系; (2)中国科学院原子能研究所
Published: November 2020

On the basis of determining the ordering of Co and Mn atoms in the Y(Mn1-xCox)12 alloys, we went on to carry out the neutron diffraction measurement of these compounds at liquid nitrogen temperture to investigate their magnetic structure. Some magnetic superstructure peaks were observed, which can be indexed as h+k+l=2n+1 based on the YMn12-type unit cell. The experimental data were analysed using various possible magnetic structure models. From the best fit between the calculated and observed intensities, it is concluded that: (A) Y(Mn1-xCox)12 are antiferromagnetic structure of noncollinear type for x = 0, 0.3 and 0.4; The arrangement of partial magnetic moments on 8f and 8j sites change into parallel to each other for x = 0.5, 0.6 and 0.67. Whereas the magnetic moments on 8i sites still remain in antiparallel configuration. Moreover, the ratio of ferromagnetic composition increases with the increase of Co concentration x; All magnetic moments on 8i, 8j and 8f sites are parallel to each other in the basal plane of the tetragonal structure for x = 0.8. The sample exhibits ferromagnetism in such a case. (B) As compared with the YMn12, the substitution of Mn with Co leads to an increase of the mean magnetic moment on 8i, 8j and 8f atoms.
THE RELATIONS BETWEEN VOLTAGE AND MAGNETIC FIELD OF SUPERCONDUCTING WEAKLINK(Ⅱ)
Authors: ZHANG YU-HENG  , WANG JUN  ,   (1)中国科学技术大学物理系; (2)中国科学技术大学物理系,82级研究生
Published: November 2020

In this paper, the superconducting weaklink and the influence of the feed back radiation on its I-V curve is studied, based on the constant source RSJ model. The analytical solution has been obtained and the relationship between the change of the I-V curve and the feedback radiation field intensity from the cavity has been given for the case while the field is very weak. The theoretical results show that the feedback radiation can change the amplitude and shape of V(H), but its period is unchanged.
Artificial synapse based on MoO3 nanosheets prepared by hydrothermal synthesis
Authors: Guo Ke-Xin , Yu Hai-Yang , Han Hong , Wei Huan-Huan , Gong Jiang-Dong , Liu Lu , Huang Qian , Gao Qing-Yun , Xu Wen-Tao ,   Key Laboratory of Photoelectronic Thin Film Devices and Technology of Tianjin, Institute of Photoelectronic Thin Film Devices and Technology of Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
Published: November 2020

Recently, neuromorphic systems capable of parallel information processing have attracted increasing attention. A neuromorphic system is desired to emulate a human brain, which consists of hundreds of billions of neurons connected with even more synapses. Synapses are important connection parts between neurons to transmit information through release and reception of neurotransmitters. A neuromorphic system could replicate brain learning, cognition and computation of a human brain to process huge data with 1016 floating point numbers per second. The high computing efficiency has attracted many researchers to study artificial synapses for application in future artificial intelligence. The synaptic weight could be adjusted by the received information. This provides a basis for the learning and computing capability of artificial synapses.

So far, a number of semiconductor materials have been used in artificial synaptic devices, like some organic materials, e.g. Poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl)(P3HT), [1]Benzothieno[3,2-b][1]benzothiophene, 2,7-dioctyl-(C8-BTBT) etc, some inorganic oxides such as zinc oxide, indium zinc oxide(IZO), indium gallium zinc oxide(IGZO), transition metal oxides, etc, and two-dimensional materials, e.g. graphene, black phosphorus, and organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite materials. Among them, transition metal oxides are attractive due to their unique layered structure and inherent properties, which are important in photohydrolysis, lithium ion batteries, and field-effect transistors. MoO3, as a typical transition-metal oxide, has been used in artificial synaptic devices, with different preparation methods, such as mechanical exfoliation, chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and chemical vapor transportation (CVT), pulse-laser deposition (PLD). Here, we report the preparation of a semiconductor layer of MoO3 nanosheets by hydrothermal method, and the use of a TiO2 nanoparticle seed layer to improve the adhesion of MoO3 nanosheets. This is a cost-effective and controllable process. The high surface-to-volume ratio of the material provides large contact area at the interface to allow easy ion diffusion. The device emulates important synaptic functions, such as excitatory post-synaptic current (EPSC), paired-pulse facilitation (PPF), spike-duration dependent plasticity (SDDP), spike-voltage dependent plasticity (SVDP) and spike-rate dependent plasticity (SRDP). This work could be an important addition to the neuromorphic research field.
Simulation of interaction behavior between dislocation and graphene during nanoindentation of graphene/aluminum matrix nanocomposites
Authors: Han Rui-Qi , Song Hai-Yang , An Min-Rong , Li Wei-Wei , Ma Jia-Li ,   College of Materials Science and Engineering, Xi’an Shiyou University, Xi’an 710065, China
Published: November 2020

Graphene has been thought to be an ideal reinforcement material for metal matrix composite due to its superior mechanical properties and unique two-dimensional geometry. However, the deformation mechanism of graphene/aluminum matrix composite is still unclear. In this paper, molecular dynamics simulation is used to elucidate the evolution details of the dislocation microstructure and the underlying interaction behavior between dislocation and graphene during nanoindentation of the graphene/aluminum matrix composite with various graphene orientations. To this end, four different cases, i.e. the pure aluminum and the graphene/aluminum matrix composite with the graphene orientation of 90°, 45° and 0° are examined, respectively. Based on the force-indentation depth curve, the interaction behavior between dislocation and graphene and its effect on the plastic zone are analyzed. The results indicate that the graphene can act as an effective dislocation motion barrier, and the elastic deformation of graphene can occur locally along the direction of dislocation slip. Using the visualization technique of dislocation extraction algorithm, the nucleation and propagation of dislocation are investigated. The results show that the differences in interaction behavior between dislocation and graphene with various orientations affect the spreading trend of the plastic zone and the blocking strength of graphene to dislocation. For the composite with the graphene orientations of 45° and 0°, the interaction between graphene and dislocation causes the number of dislocations to increase. Additionally, the plastic zone of the composite with the graphene orientation of 45° is tangent to two symmetrical graphene sheets. For the composite with the graphene orientation of 90°, the interaction between graphene and dislocation shortens the total length of the dislocation line, and the volume shrinkage of plastic zone is most significant after indenter retraction. Here, the hardness is also calculated to quantitatively evaluate the influence of graphene orientation on the mechanical properties of graphene/aluminum matrix composite. The hardness of the composite with the graphene orientation of 45° is highest, which is due to the decrease of the volume of the plastic zone and the increase of dislocation number. The decrease of the hardness of the composite with the graphene orientation of 90° is attributed to the reduction of dislocation number in the plastic zone. However, for the composite with the graphene orientation of 0°, the interaction between graphene and dislocation results in the softening effect, because of a wide range of elastic deformation in the graphene plane. The study can provide a certain theoretical guidance for designing and preparing the high-performance graphene/metal matrix composites.
Zebrafish Posterior Lateral Line primordium migration requires interactions between a superficial sheath of motile cells and the skin
Authors: Dalle Nogare Damian E , Natesh Naveen , Vishwasrao Harshad D , Shroff Hari , Chitnis Ajay B
Published: November 2020

The Zebrafish Posterior Lateral Line primordium migrates in a channel between the skin and somites. Its migration depends on the coordinated movement of its mesenchymal-like leading cells and trailing cells, which form epithelial rosettes, or protoneuromasts. We describe a superficial population of flat primordium cells that wrap around deeper epithelialized cells and extend polarized lamellipodia to migrate apposed to the overlying skin. Polarization of lamellipodia extended by both superficial and deeper protoneuromast-forming cells depends on Fgf signaling. Removal of the overlying skin has similar effects on superficial and deep cells: lamellipodia are lost, blebs appear instead, and collective migration fails. When skinned embryos are embedded in Matrigel, basal and superficial lamellipodia are recovered; however, only the directionality of basal protrusions is recovered, and migration is not rescued. These observations support a key role played by superficial primordium cells and the skin in directed migration of the Posterior Lateral Line primordium.
In-silico analysis of myeloid cells across the animal kingdom reveals neutrophil evolution by colony-stimulating factors
Authors: Pinheiro Damilola , Mawhin Marie-Anne , Prendecki Maria , Woollard Kevin J
Published: November 2020

Neutrophils constitute the largest population of phagocytic granulocytes in the blood of mammals. The development and function of neutrophils and monocytes is primarily governed by the granulocyte colony-stimulating factor receptor family (CSF3R/CSF3) and macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor family (CSF1R/IL34/CSF1) respectively. Using various techniques this study considered how the emergence of receptor:ligand pairings shaped the distribution of blood myeloid cell populations. Comparative gene analysis supported the ancestral pairings of CSF1R/IL34 and CSF3R/CSF3, and the emergence of CSF1 later in lineages after the advent of Jawed/Jawless fish. Further analysis suggested that the emergence of CSF3 lead to reorganisation of granulocyte distribution between amphibian and early reptiles. However, the advent of endothermy likely contributed to the dominance of the neutrophil/heterophil in modern-day mammals and birds. In summary, we show that the emergence of CSF3R/CSF3 was a key factor in the subsequent evolution of the modern-day mammalian neutrophil.
The Arabidopsis V-ATPase is localized to the TGN/EE via a seed plant-specific motif
Authors: Lupanga Upendo , Röhrich Rachel , Askani Jana , Hilmer Stefan , Kiefer Christiane , Krebs Melanie , Kanazawa Takehiko , Ueda Takashi , Schumacher Karin
Published: November 2020

The V-ATPase is a versatile proton-pump found in a range of endomembrane compartments yet the mechanisms governing its differential targeting remain to be determined. In Arabidopsis, VHA-a1 targets the V-ATPase to the TGN/EE whereas VHA-a2 and VHA-a3 are localized to the tonoplast. We report here that the VHA-a1 targeting domain serves as both an ER-exit and as a TGN/EE-retention motif and is conserved among seed plants. In contrast, Marchantia encodes a single VHA-isoform that localizes to the TGN/EE and the tonoplast in Arabidopsis. Analysis of CRISPR/Cas9 generated null alleles revealed that VHA-a1 has an essential function for male gametophyte development but acts redundantly with the tonoplast isoforms during vegetative growth. We propose that in the absence of VHA-a1, VHA-a3 is partially re-routed to the TGN/EE. Our findings contribute to understanding the evolutionary origin of V-ATPase targeting and provide a striking example that differential localization does not preclude functional redundancy.
Autophagy compensates for Lkb1 loss to maintain adult mice homeostasis and survival
Authors: Khayati Khoosheh , Bhatt Vrushank , Hu Zhixian Sherrie , Fahumy Sajid , Luo Xuefei , Guo Jessie Yanxiang
Published: November 2020

Liver kinase B1 (LKB1), also known as serine/threonine kinase 11 (STK11) is the major energy sensor for cells to respond to metabolic stress. Autophagy degrades and recycles proteins, macromolecules, and organelles for cells to survive starvation. To assess the role and cross-talk between autophagy and Lkb1 in normal tissue homeostasis, we generated genetically engineered mouse models where we can conditionally delete Stk11 and autophagy essential gene, Atg7, respectively or simultaneously, throughout the adult mice. We found that Lkb1 was essential for the survival of adult mice, and autophagy activation could temporarily compensate for the acute loss of Lkb1 and extend mouse life span. We further found that acute deletion of Lkb1 in adult mice led to impaired intestinal barrier function, hypoglycemia, and abnormal serum metabolism, which was partly rescued by the Lkb1 loss-induced autophagy upregulation via inhibiting p53 induction. Taken together, we demonstrated that autophagy and Lkb1 work synergistically to maintain adult mouse homeostasis and survival.
Structural and mechanistic basis of the EMC-dependent biogenesis of distinct transmembrane clients
Authors: Miller-Vedam Lakshmi E , Bräuning Bastian , Popova Katerina D , Schirle Oakdale Nicole T , Bonnar Jessica L , Prabu Jesuraj R , Boydston Elizabeth A , Sevillano Natalia , Shurtleff Matthew J , Stroud Robert M , Craik Charles S , Schulman Brenda A , Frost Adam , Weissman Jonathan S
Published: November 2020

Membrane protein biogenesis in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is complex and failure-prone. The ER membrane protein complex (EMC), comprising eight conserved subunits, has emerged as a central player in this process. Yet, we have limited understanding of how EMC enables insertion and integrity of diverse clients, from tail-anchored to polytopic transmembrane proteins. Here, yeast and human EMC cryo-EM structures reveal conserved intricate assemblies and human-specific features associated with pathologies. Structure-based functional studies distinguish between two separable EMC activities, as an insertase regulating tail-anchored protein levels and a broader role in polytopic membrane protein biogenesis. These depend on mechanistically coupled yet spatially distinct regions including two lipid-accessible membrane cavities which confer client-specific regulation, and a non-insertase EMC function mediated by the EMC lumenal domain. Our studies illuminate the structural and mechanistic basis of EMC’s multifunctionality and point to its role in differentially regulating the biogenesis of distinct client protein classes.
A morphological and molecular study ofHydrodynastes gigas(Serpentes, Dipsadidae), a widespread species from South America
Authors: Carvalho Priscila S. , Zaher Hussam , da Silva Jr Nelson J. , Santana Diego J.
Published: November 2020

Background

Studies with integrative approaches (based on different lines of evidence) are fundamental for understanding the diversity of organisms. Different data sources can improve the understanding of the taxonomy and evolution of snakes. We used this integrative approach to verify the taxonomic status ofHydrodynastes gigas(Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854), given its wide distribution throughout South America, including the validity of the recently describedHydrodynastes melanogigasFranco, Fernandes & Bentim, 2007.

Methods

We performed a phylogenetic analysis of Bayesian Inference with mtDNA 16S and Cytb, and nuDNA Cmos and NT3 concatenated (1,902 bp). In addition, we performed traditional morphometric analyses, meristic, hemipenis morphology and coloration pattern ofH.gigasandH.melanogigas.

Results

According to molecular and morphological characters,H. gigasis widely distributed throughout South America. We found no evidence to support thatH. gigasandH. melanogigasspecies are distinct lineages, therefore,H. melanogigasis a junior synonym ofH. gigas. Thus, the melanic pattern ofH. melanogigasis the result of a polymorphism ofH. gigas. Melanic populations ofH. gigascan be found in the Tocantins-Araguaia basin.
Time Series Modelling of Academic Employee Commitment of a Sub-Saharan African University
Authors: Asemota Olukemi Olufunmilola , Asemota Godwin Norense Osarumwense
Published: November 2020

The study objective is to see how human resource management (HRM) could rely on small data evidence-based analytics to gauge employee commitment in a sub-Saharan African University. A 7-point Likert scale questionnaire on academic employee commitment in Kenya Public Universities was designed, validated and pilot tested. Out of around 60 questionnaires administered, only 31 responses were obtained before the Corona Virus (COVID-19) pandemic lockdowns in Kenya. The responses were subjected to the Modeler analyses using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS version 21) to generate twelve optimal ARIMA (0,0,0) models for further statistical analyses. Results indicate 46.7% of employees want to spend the rest of their career in the organisation, over 61.2% of employees felt alienated and 34.9% were not emotionally attached. Around 59.3%, 64.0% and almost all employees tested on different metrics have difficulty leaving the organisation now. Although 28.9% of employees could leave abruptly, 64.6% of employees felt acculturated and 29.7% would remain at all costs. Overall, add-on effects of willingness to stay and bear with the organisation, emotional attachment, alienation, moral obligation, beneficial to remain, discouragement levels, organisational culture and being sold out to organisation could influence employee commitment levels. Thus, contributing to the HRM field, especially because the twelve-layered cascade of a series-parallel network made up of ladder and lattice structures of shared human and material resources management was used to deduce the Jackson’s theorem. Future research shall consider larger sample sizes to enable us to confirm or refute the conclusions derived in this study.
Service Quality, Mediation Effect of Customer Satisfaction, Customer Loyalty, and Moderating Role of Interpersonal Relationship: Case of Four-Star Hotels in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Authors: Nikou Seyedhossein , Khiabani Mohsen Malekalketab
Published: November 2020

The importance and prominent role of service quality in service industries are inevitable. Previous scholars have investigated relationships among service quality, customer satisfaction, and customer loyalty with fundamental theories in this research era, as proposed in marketing and psychological behavior.  Ergo, their consistencies have been supported by theoretical justification. This research paper aims to determine the effect of service quality on customer loyalty directly and through the mediating role of customer satisfaction and the moderating role of interpersonal relationships in the four-star hotels located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This research's developed model consists of four latent variables: service quality, customer satisfaction, interpersonal relationship, and customer loyalty. A quantitative approach through the distribution of 550 questionnaires with a response rate of 69.81 percent was taken. Collected data were processed via IBMSPSSAMOS software. Firstly, reliability and factor analysis in order to ensure normality of the collected data, adequacy of sample size were run. Secondly, utilizing structural equation modeling (SEM) via analysis of moment structure (AMOS) program. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with a two-step strategy was run to hypotheses testing. Thirdly, hierarchical regression analyses were conducted for testing the moderating role of interpersonal relationships. Findings supported the notion that service quality has a positive and direct impact on customer satisfaction and loyalty. Customer satisfaction mediates the relationship between service quality and customer loyalty. Finally, interpersonal relationship moderates the relationship between service quality and customer satisfaction positively. Consequently, the interpersonal relationship moderates the relationship between customer satisfaction and customer loyalty positively. This research's originality and value are for academics, practitioners, and managers in service industries, especially hospitality industries and exclusively managers in the four-star hotels in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Tax and Pandemic; Curbing Carbon Burden of India’s Blue Sky
Authors: Mishra Siba Prasad
Published: November 2020

Out line: Carbon dioxide is one of major signatures of Anthropocene. Energy sector contribute maximum to CO2 emission. Reaching 1.4billion population, India must strides to provide affordable, riskless, secure, uninterrupted and cleaner energy with energy security prioritized. The CO2 emission in India was 2201.865 MT CO2 e in 2019 matched to 2172.19 MT CO2e in the previous year. The apocalyptic pandemic of COVID19 have shut down the cities and forced people to migrate to native places as a result the carbon dioxide level has reduced in the sky.

Methodology: After carbon tax implementation from 2010 and post Paris Agreement surge in Carbon tax in India’s climate from 2015 there was slow decline of CO2 level in the ever rising global grey sky. The carbon tax had raised faster rate but its effect was slow. Lockdowns, closures and confinement during the pandemic COVID-19 from March 2020 in India is the real-life experience explaining the additive control of carbon level of polluted air along with the burden of carbon tax globally including India.

Discussion: The socio-economic impact of shutdowns of all industrial units, power generation and transport sectors along with immediate migration of all workers to their native place have dropped carbon level in air and initialized the concept of blue sky thinking. The present apocalyptic complex pandemic without vaccine has forced the government machinery to be utilized for life, neglecting livelihood. Presently after 4 stages of lock downs, the uplift of restrictions in 5th stage is allowed for lively hood and socio-economic sustenance.

Conclusion: As post pandemic measures under economic bankruptcy, the Indian government should initiate strategic plans to restore the socio-economic normalcy and relax the heavy carbon tax on Indians as the carbon level is reduced as a major impact of COVID-19 during 2020.
Evaluation of the Antibacterial Activity of Gongronema latifolium and Costus afer Leaf Extracts on E. coli (ATCC 29455) and S. aureus (ATCC 25923)
Authors: Akani N. P. , Nwachukwu C. , Hakam I. O.
Published: November 2020

Man’s use of medicinal plants in treating illnesses is as old as human existence and many plants have been used for this purpose because of their phytochemical constituents that prove many times to be antimicrobial. The antibacterial activity of the leaf extract of Gongronema latifolium and Costus afer on Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 25923) was investigated using standard microbiological procedures of sub-culturing, identity confirmation, water and ethanol extraction of leaves and sensitivity testing via agar well diffusion method. Results revealed that S. aureus and E. coli were both inhibited by the aqueous extract of C. afer with zone diameter of 16 mm and 15 mm respectively as well as the ethanolic extract of C. afer with diameter of 18mm and 15 mm respectively. However, aqueous and ethanolic extracts of G. latifolium proved ineffective against the strains of E. coli and S. aureus used in this study. Results of minimum inhibitory concentration revealed MIC of the aqueous extract of C. afer on E. coli and S. aureus to be 50 mgml-1 and 25 mgml-1 respectively while that of the ethanolic extracts of C. afer was 12.5 mgml-1 and 6.25 mgml-1 for E. coli and S. aureus respectively. Comparatively E. coli showed high sensitivity to Ciprofloxacin, Gentamycin and Septrin with zones of inhibition of 37, 32 and 24 respectively and resistant to Ampicillin, Erythromycin and Tetracycline with zones of inhibition of 6, 0 and 0 respectively. S. aureus on the other hand proved sensitive to Ciprofloxacin, Erythromycin, Gentamycin and Tetracycline with zones of inhibition of 35, 28, 29 and 34 respectively and resistant to Ampicillin and Septrin with zones of inhibition of o respectively. This study has revealed that some positive effect can be achieved against S. aureus and E. coli infections using C. afer at good concentrations. Better results could also be achieved using ethanol as extracting medium with instead of water as is common practice.
A Comparative Analysis of the Microbial Load of Two Drying Methods for the Preservation of Clam (Tegillarca granosa)
Authors: Nwosu Onyinyechi Rosemary , Obire Omokaro , Ogbonna D. N. , Wemedo S. A.
Published: November 2020

Tegillarca granosa (clam) was preserved by different drying methods. The molluscan shellfish sample was smoked dried and oven dried to predict the most effective method of drying based on the microbiological quality, proximate composition and sensory evaluation of the shellfish sample. Total viable bacterial counts of Tegillarca granosa ranged from 2.45±1.94 - 0.19±.28 x106 cfu/g, Vibrio counts ranged from 3.88±3.32 - 0.00±0.00´104 cfu/g, Pseudomonas count ranged from 3.65±3.25 - 0.00±0.00´103 cfu/g. Salmonella ranged from 3.46±2.70 – 0.00±0.00´105 cfu/g. Shigella ranged from 3.68±2.70 – 0.00±0.00 ´ 105 cfu/g, Staphylococcus counts ranged from 3.67±2.81 – 1.19±2.13 ´ 104 cfu/g. Coliform counts ranged from 5.74±2.63 - 0.00±0.00´105 cfu/g,. Fungal counts ranged from 4.13±2.75 - 0.03±0.07´104 cfu/g. The bacteria isolated were Bacillus, Enterobacter, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, Salmonella, Shigella, Staphylococcus and Vbrio. The fungi isolated were Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium sp and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Results obtained showed that clam contains unacceptable counts of bacteria and fungi, higher than the specified standard limits of 1.0´105 cfu/g for bacteria 1.0´102 cfu/g for coliform. Proximate composition showed that smoked dried clam is nutritionally richer than oven dried clam. Protein content, carbohydrate content, fat content and moisture content were higher in smoked dried clam than oven dried clam while crude fiber and ash content were higher in oven dried clam. Sensory evaluation to determine the degree of liking showed that the smoke-dried clam was more preferred than the oven dried clam. The result of the microbial analysis revealed that fresh clam had higher microbial load than smoked dried and oven dried clam. Preservation by drying was effective in reducing the microbial load from the shellfish samples. The smoked drying method was more effective in reducing the microbial load of the shellfish samples than the oven dried samples.
Molecular Modeling and Docking Studies of Some Benzodiazole Derivatives on the Protein of Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Sony A. S. , Suresh Xavier
Published: November 2020

In this work, molecular modeling and docking studies of antimicrobial heterocyclic compounds were carried out using Auto Dock. Docking studies were carried out for Benzodiazole derivatives to study their affinity to Cell wall anchored (CWA) protein of Staphylococcus aureus. The docking studies of the compounds showed binding energies ranging from -7 to -5 kcal/mol against clumping factor A (ClfA), a CWA protein of Staphylococcus aureus, [PDB file:1N67]. Molecular modeling and docking studies of Benzodiazole derivatives show that the main action of the compounds is inhibition of cell wall adhesion.
Comparing Household Environmental Health Indicators between Oil-bearing and Non-oil-bearing Communities in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria
Authors: Maduka Omosivie , Emmanuel Benson C. Ephraim-
Published: November 2020

Background: Household environmental health indicators have contributed to the quality of life of the populace in regions of the world where they have been made available. This study compared the indicators of household environmental health between oil-bearing and non-oil-bearing communities located in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.

Methods: An analytical, cross-sectional household survey was carried out among 601 households in six oil-bearing and non-oil-bearing selected communities located within the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Multistage sampling was employed, and an interviewer-administered questionnaire used to elicit data on the household environmental health indicators in the communities. The scores across the six indicator domains were summed and categorized into acceptable and unacceptable status.  Results: Water sources in both oil-bearing 230 (76.4%) and non-oil-bearing communities 177 (59.0%) were sanitary. Sanitary sewage 250 (83.1%) and sullage disposal 210 (69.8%) was practiced by most households in oil-bearing areas. The minority of respondents in both oil-bearing 26 (8.6%) and non-oil-bearing 41 (13.7%) communities practiced sanitary refuse disposal. Households in oil-bearing communities had twelve times greater odds of having a satisfactory environmental health status compared to households in non-oil-bearing communities (Adjusted O.R: 11.70, 95% C.I: 7.75-17.65).

Conclusion: Households in oil-bearing communities fared better in all household environmental health indicators. There is a need to address the economic and social determinants of health among households in the Niger Delta to improve household environmental health indicators.
Bioengineered Gastrointestinal Tissues with Fibroblast‐Induced Shapes
Authors: Zhou Linna , Ruiz‐Puig Carlos , Jacobs Brittany‐Amber , Han Xiaoyue , Lisle Richard , Bayley Hagan , Lu Xin
Published: November 2020

Bioengineered gastrointestinal (GI) tracts have potential applications in regenerative medicine and disease modeling. Methods for engineering tubular GI tracts containing natural extracellular matrix (ECM) are currently limited. Here, the fabrication of collagen tubes with designed shapes by using lipid bilayer supported droplet networks is reported. Droplets containing cells and collagen are arrayed in lipid‐containing oil to form droplet networks, which undergo thermal gelation to provide continuous collagen tubes. A variety of tubular GI tissues are fabricated. For example, human intestinal organoids embedded in the collagen tubes migrate to the luminal surfaces and fuse to form a continuous epithelial layer, mimicking aspects of intestinal tissue structure. Fibroblasts embedded in the collagen induce a cell density dependent contraction of the tubes. Complex tubular structures are produced by patterning droplets containing different densities of fibroblasts. The fibroblast‐containing collagen tubes are seeded with various epithelial cells at their luminal surfaces to form gastric and colonic tissues, which comprise monolayers or multilayers of epithelial cells and fibroblast‐containing subepithelial layers. The engineered gastric tissues are susceptible to infection withHelicobacter pylori. The versatile technique allows the construction of tubular GI tracts containing ECM and layered structures, with broad potential applications in disease research and regenerative medicine.
Vanadium Dopants: A Boon or a Bane for Molybdenum Dichalcogenides‐Based Electrocatalysis Applications
Authors: Chia Hui Ling , Mayorga‐Martinez Carmen C. , Sofer Zdeněk , Lazar Petr , Webster Richard D. , Pumera Martin
Published: November 2020

The ever‐rising concerns with regards to energy shortages and climate change have made the search for clean and renewable energy sources a pressing priority for the sustainable development of societies. Although, conventional precious metal‐based catalysts such as platinum, iridium, and ruthenium are able to efficiently catalyze the conversion of chemical to electrical energy, they are often very costly, scarce, and suffer from poor stability, hence impeding their widespread applications. The limitations of the current state‐of art catalysts have propelled tremendous efforts in search for alternative catalysts. Notably, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have spurred much enthusiasm because of their natural abundance, low cost, and remarkable catalytic activity. Numerous studies have recounted that doping can tune the properties of TMDs and that vanadium dopants reportedly improve the electrical properties of Group 6 TMDs. Herein, the authors aspire to investigate the effects of doping varying amounts of vanadium on molybdenum dichalcogenides on their electrocatalytic activities toward hydrogen evolution reaction, oxygen evolution reaction, and oxygen reduction reaction. Despite previous studies bespeaking promising effects, the results here demonstrate both improvements and worsening of electrocatalytic performances from varying the stoichiometry of vanadium dopants in molybdenum dichalcogenides, depending on the type of materials and intended electrochemical applications.
Flexible Adipose‐Vascular Tissue Assembly Using Combinational 3D Printing for Volume‐Stable Soft Tissue Reconstruction
Authors: Cho Won‐Woo , Kim Byoung Soo , Ahn Minjun , Ryu Yeon Hee , Ha Dong‐Heon , Kong Jeong Sik , Rhie Jong‐Won , Cho Dong‐Woo
Published: November 2020

A new concept, assembling cell‐laden tissue modules, is for the first time proposed for soft tissue engineering. Adipose‐vascular tissue modules composed of a synthetic polymer‐based substructure and customized bioinks using planar 3D cell printing are engineered. Such tissue modules are systematically assembled into a synthetic polymer‐based module holder fabricated with rotational 3D printing, resulting in the development of a flexible and volumetric tissue assembly. Whereas most of the previous studies about the construction of adipose tissue are limited to hypoxia, poor vascularization, rapid resorption, and mismatch in mechanical properties, it is aimed to realize the construction of nonhypoxic, flexible, and volume‐stable tissue assembly in this study. The significance of engineered tissue assembly is proven through various in vitro and in vivo evaluations. In particular, stable volume and remarkable neovascularization/adipogenesis are observed in the implanted assembly over four weeks. Interestingly, the size of newly formed lipid droplets and the remodeled morphology in the assembly are comparable to those in native adipose tissue. As far as it is known, this work is a first report suggesting a cell printing‐based tissue assembly for functional reconstruction of soft tissue.
Mechanically Compliant Thermal Interfaces Using Biporous Copper‐Polydimethylsiloxane Interpenetrating Phase Composite
Authors: Lin Cheng‐Hui , Izard Anna Guell , Valdevit Lorenzo , Won Yoonjin
Published: November 2020

Thermal interface materials are essential for thermal management in electronics packaging by providing a low resistance thermal pathway between heat sources and heat sinks. Nanostructured materials can be potential candidates for the next‐generation interface materials by coupling their high thermal conductivity and mechanical compliance, suppressing failure even after large numbers of thermal cycles. This work investigates the thermal and mechanical characteristics of a new type of thermal interface materials, consisting of metal/elastomer interpenetrating phase composites. The 3D, highly porous copper scaffolds are fabricated via a fast and simple in situ bubble‐templated electrodeposition process without the presence of solid templates; subsequently, the void fraction of the composite is filled by elastomer infiltration. The presence of elastomer matrix demonstrates limited impact on the thermal conductivity of the composite while it contributes substantially to the mechanical properties, providing the structural flexibility required. Thermal resistance values of 1.2–4.0 cm2 K W–1 are measured upon multiple thermal cycles, confirming the mechanical stability of the composite, without showing any noticeable degradation.
High‐Performance Tubular Electricity Generators Operated by Magnetically Driving Movement of Droplet
Authors: Yao Yao , Lv Tian , Chen Zilin , Li Huili , Li Ning , Yang Yunlong , Qian Guiju , Wang Xue , Cao Shaokui , Chen Tao
Published: November 2020

Electricity generators by driving movement of liquid droplet or flow on the surface of nanocarbon materials represent an emerging means to harvest energy from nature and environment, which have widely potential applications in the fields of sensors, biomedicine, energy conversion, and so on. Herein, a tubular electricity generator with magnetic droplet encapsulated in a continuous graphene tube is developed. The droplet in tubular electricity generators can be easily driven by magnetic force, during which a potential difference ranging from 196 to 419 mV can be realized by tuning the salt species in the droplet. The value of the generated potential difference is among the highest range, compared with other electricity generators reported previously. In addition, in‐series connecting effect could be achieved with multi‐droplet encapsulated in one single electricity generator, resulting in multifold output voltage of device with one droplet. The work provides a powerful strategy to build electricity generator with high output voltage and easy manipulation, and the tubular devices are promising to be used for biomedical and/or wearable electronics.