bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Attenuation constant measurements of clear glass samples at the low terahertz band
Authors: Yilmaz T. , Akan O.B.
Published: November 2020

The technical performance requirements from wireless communication networks are continuously rising. One method to satisfy the demands is increasing the carrier frequency to the millimetre wave or low terahertz band spectrum to utilise wider operation bandwidth. In order to facilitate the studies in this frequency range, the corresponding electromagnetic (EM) wave properties, channel attributes and material characteristics need to be analytically formulated. In line with these, this Letter initially presents the theoretical expressions governing the EM wave transmission across a conducting medium. Then, by using the relative parameter quantities in the proposed attenuation constant ( ) computation technique, the results of the measurements performed between 260 and 350 GHz for the clear window glass samples of different thicknesses are given. This Letter concludes with the evaluation of the outcomes.
Microwave‐assisted synthesis of CuO/MnO2 nanocomposites for supercapacitor application
Authors: Zhang Pengjiao , Li Wei
Published: November 2020

Copper oxide/manganese dioxide (CuO/MnO2) nanocomposites were prepared by a facile microwave‐assisted synthesis method in an ordinary household microwave oven and used for electrochemical supercapacitor. The nanocomposites were characterised by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffraction. Electrochemical results demonstrate that CuO/MnO2 nanocomposites have better capacitance performance than pure CuO material. The CuO/MnO2 nanocomposites have a high specific capacitance of 499.0 F/g at a current density of 0.5 A/g in 6 M KOH electrolyte. In addition, an asymmetric supercapacitor with activated carbon as a negative electrode and CuO/MnO2 nanocomposite as a positive electrode was also successfully prepared. This asymmetric device exhibits a high energy density of 32.07 Wh/kg at a power density of 375.02 W/kg and fairly good cycling stability.
A comparison of methods for finding magnetic nulls in simulations and in situ observations of space plasmas
Authors: Olshevsky V. , Pontin D. I. , Williams B. , Parnell C. E. , Fu H. S. , Liu Y. , Yao S. , Khotyaintsev Y. V.
Published: November 2020

Context.Magnetic nulls are ubiquitous in space plasmas, and are of interest as sites of localised energy dissipation or magnetic reconnection. As such, a number of methods have been proposed for detecting nulls in both simulation data and in situ spacecraft data from Earth’s magnetosphere. The same methods can be applied to detect stagnation points in flow fields.

Aims.In this paper we describe a systematic comparison of different methods for finding magnetic nulls. The Poincaré index method, the first-order Taylor expansion (FOTE) method, and the trilinear method are considered.

Methods.We define a magnetic field containing fourteen magnetic nulls whose positions and types are known to arbitrary precision. Furthermore, we applied the selected techniques in order to find and classify those nulls. Two situations are considered: one in which the magnetic field is discretised on a rectangular grid, and the second in which the magnetic field is discretised along synthetic “spacecraft trajectories” within the domain.

Results.At present, FOTE and trilinear are the most reliable methods for finding nulls in the spacecraft data and in numerical simulations on Cartesian grids, respectively. The Poincaré index method is suitable for simulations on both tetrahedral and hexahedral meshes.

Conclusions.The proposed magnetic field configuration can be used for grading and benchmarking the new and existing tools for finding magnetic nulls and flow stagnation points.
Probiotics in animal farming of the Amur region
Authors: Kukharenko Natalia , Fedorova Anastasia
Published: November 2020

Normal micro flora in the body is created by probiotics, but in modern environmental conditions and bad economic activity in animal farming this group of microorganisms favorable and very necessary for the body is experiencing a constant and huge pressure, so the quantity and quality of each species of these microorganisms is reduced. The aim of this work is to show the effectiveness of the use of certain probiotics in the an imal farming of the Amur region. The research was conducted from 1994 to 2020 in different livestock farms of the Amur region. To assess the condition of animals, there were used generally accepted indicators and the rules of general research. The utmost attention was paid to psychoemotional condition of animals. Body weight indicators were obtained when animals were weighed. As a result, it was found out that the use of probiotics in animal farming of the Amur region showed a positive effect in all cases, but the highest efficiency is provided by “Intestevit “(94.8% of the total number of livestock survived). It is manufactured in the laboratory of the Federal State Budgetary Institution “All-Russian State Center for Quality and Standardization of Medicines for Animals and Feed» and it is based on the collection of samples of probiotics from the nomenclature of microflora characteristic of animals from different regions of the Russian Federation. In groups where animals were treated with probiotic “Intestevit”, the economic effect was higher by 23.4-25.9%.
Origin and exterior features analysis of geese breeds genealogical groups in Russian gene pool herd
Authors: Martsev Anton
Published: November 2020

The geese breeds not used in industrial poultry farming have become not numerous and exist mainly as closed populations. Therefore, the study and evaluation process of their inherent characteristics is closely related to the problem of breed conservation. Herewith the main objective is not the best genotypes selection, but the reproduction of the existing ones without their inherent qualities loss. The research objective is the analyses of the relationship between the preserved goose breeds and the study of the manifestation regularity of breed marking features in related bird groups. Materials and methods.The research was carried out on the basis of Federal State Budgetary Research Institution (FSBRI) “Verkhnevolzhsky Federal Agricultural Research Center (FARC)” (town of Suzdal). Nowadays the collection of geese in Suzdal is the richest both in Russia and abroad. It amounts 21 breeds of domestic and foreign selection. The research results identified 3 related goose groups and 7 independent breeds. Conclusion. All geese from the preserved gene pool have typical exterior features for each breed. Certain breed markers were stated to be the characteristic for the breeds of different pedigrees. These studies should be used for further breeding work in selecting producers in order to preserve and improve the geese gene pool.
The prognosis of the diabetic retinopathy using computer science and biotechnology
Authors: Vorobyeva Irina
Published: November 2020

The problem of diabetic retinopathy causes loss of the vision. In nowadays, modern equipment is used to diagnose this disease: an optical coherent tomograph and a fundus microperimeter. For even more accurate diagnosis, biomarker levels in the lacrimal fluid and blood serum are being researched. The mathematical model for predicting the developing of the course of the disease is proposed. The mathematical model is based on four mathematical criteria. The first two criteria analyze the data of digital equipment: the thickness of the retina in 9 zones and the photosensitivity of the macula. The third and the fourth mathematical criteria analyze the levels of pathogenetic biomarkers in the lacrimal fluid (vascular endothelial growth factor VEGF-A) and the blood serum (glycated hemoglobin). The program based on the proposed mathematical formulas combines the objective data from the digital equipment and the biomarkers. The program gives the possibility for the automatic prediction of developing the diabetic retinopathy. The prognosis of development of the course of the disease according to the program coincides with a clinical prognosis of a doctor. It was shown that the application of the proposed complex approach gives more opportunities in comparison with separate studies of the biomarkers, morphology and retinal function.
Use and protection of water bodies: corruption cases
Authors: Sivakov D.O. , Sevalnev V.V. , Truntsevsky Y.V.
Published: November 2020

Corruption practicies that occure in the field of water bodies utilisation and protection in Russia increase ecological threats and undermine the system of legal regulation of relations on use and protection of the Water Fund. In the proposed article the authors conduct a critical analysis of the legal regulation for water relations (federal laws, regulatory legal acts, judicial practice) for the purpose of identifying the corruption risks and recorded corruption practicies in order to minimize and eliminate them. Basing on the judicial practice and scientific research results, the authors reveal several “painful points” of water legislation in Russia with respect to corruption risks and activities. The authors propose to fill the gaps in the existing law, which will effectively ensure the prevention and suppression of corruption in the utilization and protection of water bodies. The article applies methods of systemic analysis and modeling, and also uses universal scientific methods of induction and deduction, as well as abstraction. The thematic sections addressed by the study include: corruption risks and practicies at the present stage of the Water Act development; small water bodies and corrupt activities; Underground water objects and corruption risks; Monopoly and corruption risks in the field of water relations as well as Possibilities of public control in connection with corruption risks and practicies in Russia.
UAV application for assessing rainforest structure in Ngoc Linh nature reserve, Vietnam
Authors: Ngo Dung , Nguyen Hoi , Dang Cuong , Kolesnikov Sergey
Published: November 2020

Classifying and evaluating the structure of tropical forest plant biomes based on up-to-date remote sensing data, remains a great challenge due to the species diversity, changes in the stages of seasonal growth. Remote sensing has long been a useful tool for classification and assessment of vegetation. For data from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the ability to receive high-resolution data also partly solves this problem. The development of vegetation based on natural conditions includes: topographic, geomorphology, geologic conditions, climate, human impacts. Based on the red-green-blue colour model (RGB) obtained from UAV, analysis of VARI (visible atmospherically resistant Index) and TGI (triangulation greenness index), combined with the development characteristics of each group and type of biomes on different topography and geologic types, the researchers were able to give some characteristics of some tropical forest vegetation in Ngoc Linh Nature Reserve, Kon Tum province, Vietnam.
Current environmental protection and sustainable development in Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh ideology
Authors: Do Ngoc Hanh
Published: November 2020

In the thesis, the author focuses on analyzing the special features on the environmental protection by Ho Chi Minh in the 2 aspects: awareness and actions. Thence, the great contributions and devotion by the Ex-President Ho Chi Minh to Vietnam’s environmental protection and sustainable development are continuously asserted in the thesis; thus, the special features of “behavior toward the nature” culture, Ho Chi Minh’s scientific thinking, broad-minded, and profound political vision have been proven. This is the scientific foundation for Vietnam to apply to the guideline for sustainable development, especially for economic development in attachment with the environmental protection under the strong impact by the Industry 4.0.
Production of ecological wild meat products in the hunting organizations of the Hokkaido island (Japan) and the Amur region (Russia)
Authors: Senchik Aleksandr , Toushkin Aleksandr , Igota Hiromasa , Toushkina Aliya
Published: November 2020

With the growth of the population of our planet, the problem of food production is increasing. In this situation, the importance of hunting farms in providing people with environmentally friendly meat products is increasing. During the study period, about 380 elk, 350 red deer, 2800 roe deer, 240 reindeer, 400 musk deer and 125 bears were harvested annually in Amur region. In Japan, game meat products are obtained mainly from sika deer, wild boar and brown bear. Meat products are used in food by hunters, sold to restaurants within the country and exported. As a result of our research, we came to the following conclusions: the game products in Amur region are mainly used by the hunters themselves in their private consumption, and only a small part of them goes for sale in food stores and agricultural markets. Even smaller amounts of wild meat products go to restaurants. Hunting is unpopular in Japan, and young people in general are not ready to engage in it. In our opinion, "wild meat" is an attractive environmentally friendly product for people in Russia and Japan and can undoubtedly serve to attract tourists to places of recreation and into gastronomic tours in Japan and Russia.
Low-waste production of pectin from beet pulp
Authors: Elizaryev Alexey , Kostryukova Natalia , Vdovina Irina , Riianova Evelina , Melnikova Anna , Sadykova Albina
Published: November 2020

The aim of the research work is to develop a method for processing beet pulp – a waste of sugar production. The study proposes a method for extracting pectin from beet pulp with a solution of weak citric acid. Characteristics of beet pulp such as total acidity, pH value, total sugar, carbon, nitrogen, volatile matter, hydrogen, fixed carbon, ash content have been determined. The pectin was extracted. To achieve the highest yield of pectin, the extraction conditions are optimized. The physical and chemical characteristics of the obtained pectin have been determined: the degree of esterification, color parameters, the methoxyl component, water activity, identification of pectin using infrared spectroscopy with Fourier transform. The torrefaction of pectin extraction waste to obtain biofuel was carried out. A feature of the proposed method is its low waste, since the waste of sugar production is used as a raw material, and weak and cheap citric acid is used as an extractant. The obtained pectin (the output of pectin was 21 ... 29%) can be used in the food industry (as a stabilizer, gelling agent, thickener).
The study of forming a roll of pressed hay and the influence of its density on quality parameters
Authors: Terentyev Vyacheslav , Andreev Konstantin , Anikin Nikolay , Novikov Nikolay , Teterin Vladimir , Blagov Dmitry , Mitrofanov Sergey
Published: November 2020

Hay is one of the most valuable types of roughage in the diet of ruminants. During the winter period, animals get about half of the nutrients and digestible protein from hay. Leguminous-cereal hay is rich in protein, minerals, carbohydrates, vitamins. When harvesting hay in rolls, balers with a constant-volume pressure chamber are most often used. The roll forming process consists in continuously winding the flow of plant mass onto the core to a predetermined diameter. The process of roll formation occurs due to the gradual compaction of the roll from the outside, as a result of which rolls with a low density core are formed. Studies have shown that hay compaction from the outside leads to the fact that pressure transfer from the outer layers to the inner layers occurs with some delay (stress relaxation) and the location of stems in this case will have some significant effect on the density of hay inside the roll. Experimental studies have shown that the density of hay inside the roll also varies as for the width of the roll. In the middle part of the roll (in width), the density of hay is 2 to 3 times higher than along its edges, the zone of increased density is 0.7 m, which is 44 % of the width of the roll.
Principles of using modern IT trends in maritime shipping
Authors: Shipunov Ilya , Nyrkov Anatoliy , Korotkov Vitaly , Alimov Oleg , Knysh Tatiana
Published: November 2020

The paper discusses modern technologies from the field of the Internet of Things that can be used to organize and manage navigation of ships, including autonomous ones. The use of these technologies will increase the level of safety and cybersecurity on ships.
Fiscal incentives for personal peasants in the context of ecological development of rural territories of Ukraine
Authors: Tulush Leonid , Radchenko Oksana , Hryshchenko Olena
Published: November 2020

A study based on the example of Ukraine and other countries reveals the need to form a mechanism for financial incentives for high-end households of the rural population, including for the creation of additional environmental benefits in the context of the stable development of rural areas of Ukraine.The general scheme of the financial incentive mechanism, tools for ensuring environmental benefits for sustainable development of rural areas is given. A hypothesis has been put forward about the full participation of private peasant farms as stakeholders in the structure of the agricultural sector by involving them in the taxation system and state support through the application of a fixed amount of tax per 1 ha of farmland (or exemption from it); preferential procedure for the payment of social contributions; stimulation of production through access to credit resources (Credit Guarantee Fund), stimulation of diversification of activities; formation of preferences for capitalization; creation of specialized local markets for the sale of products of the household plots; simplification of access to land resources.The results obtained confirmed the positive impact of fiscal levers of transformation of households on sustainable economic development and environmental benefits of rural areas, which can be considered as the basis for the formation of state policy in terms of developing a strategy for rural development, ensuring food and environmental security in Ukraine.
Modelling the profitability of reverse mortgage loans with life-long annuity payments
Authors: Kuzmina Elena , Ianin Andrei
Published: November 2020

The article deals with the economic mechanism of reverse mortgage as a loan product aimed at raising the welfare of senior citizens who own real estate, for organic farming and soil management. The article discusses the financial and historical aspects of the implementation of the reverse mortgage instrument, as well as defines a potential of implementation of this instrument in Russia. Having identified the potential, the authors also mentioned the factors that could prevent Russian banks from adopting this mechanism. The article addresses one specific factor – absence of adequate instruments to predict and evaluate financial performance of reverse mortgage instruments. Consequently, the aim of the current paper is to create a mathematical model of reverse mortgage loan; specifically, current paper focuses on reverse mortgage loan with life-long annuity payments. In order to derive such model, the authors adopted a perspective, according to which loans are perceived as specific products present on an open market. As a result, we have obtained a model that allows lenders to calculate expected gains from reverse mortgage loans with respect to unknown loan span and varying demand, thus diminishing the uncertainty about reverse mortgage properties and making this financial product more attractive and for agricultural planning and economic, agricultural logistics and transport, et al.
In situ alloying of aluminium-based alloys by (multi-)wire-arc additive manufacturing
Authors: Klein Thomas , Birgmann Alois , Schnall Martin
Published: November 2020

Wire-arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) has received considerable attention in the past years due to advantages in terms of deposition rate, design freedom, buy-to-fly ratio and economic factors. This process can generally be conducted using conventional or near-conventional welding equipment to fabricate intricate but relatively large-scale structures. The present contribution explores options to utilize this novel process not only for manufacturing of particular aluminium structures, but to create the actual alloy composition during processing. Thereby, the possibilities of dual-wire techniques based on cold metal transfer (CMT) to create alloys in the welding process in situ is investigated. For this purpose, a modified CMT twin welding system is used with standard wires differing significantly in their alloying content. The characterization of the chemical compositions at different specimen positions suggests good chemical homogeneity after initial process optimization steps. The microstructural homogeneity is analysed by means of optical light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Quantified phase fractions underpin non-equilibrium solidification conditions, when compared to theoretical equilibrium predictions. The assessment of the performed analyses suggests that dual-wire processes are powerful in terms of enhancing achievable depositions rates as well as enabling in situ alloying. This approach might be expandable to multi-wire-based techniques.
Unravelling the characteristics of Al-alloy corrosion at the atomic to nanometre scale by transmission electron microscopy
Authors: Kairy Shravan K. , Birbilis Nick
Published: November 2020

The localised corrosion associated with Mg2Si in the Al-matrix of an Al-Mg-Si alloy was studied in 0.1 M NaCl at pH 6 by quasi in-situ transmission electron microscopy. Herein, physical imaging of corrosion at the atomic to nanometre scale was performed. Phase transformation and subsequent chemical composition variations associated with the localised corrosion of Mg2Si were studied. It was observed that corrosion initiated upon Mg2Si, often preferentially at the interface with the Al-matrix, and propagated until Mg2Si was completely dealloyed by Mg-dissolution, resulting in an amorphous SiO-rich phase remnant. The SiO-rich remnant became electrochemically inert and did not initiate corrosion in the Al-matrix. This study provides a clear understanding on the localised corrosion of Al-alloys associated with Mg2Si. In addition, the methodology followed in this study can also be applied to understand the role of precipitates and second phase particles in the localised corrosion of Al-alloy systems.
A New Approach to Implement High Strength 7075 Aluminum for Automotive Application
Authors: Wu Cedric , Yuan Yudie , Kamat Rajeev
Published: November 2020

Aluminum alloys offer high specific strength than advanced high strength steels, making them preferred candidates for automotive light weighting. Among them, AA7075 aluminum alloy offers significantly higher strength than 5xxx and 6xxx alloys and is considered an attractive candidate by automotive OEMs for structural applications such as door intrusion beams, B pillars etc. There are several challenges in implementing AA7075, such as long artificial aging time to reach peak strength, joining method and corrosion resistance. In this study, an artificial aging practice that significantly reduces aging time was explored and its influence on mechanical properties of AA7075 was investigated in comparison with conventional peak age practice. In addition, this practice offers a potential solution for joining through self-piercing riveting. Moreover, the effect of artificial aging on corrosion, specifically intergranular corrosion (IGC) and stress corrosion cracking (SCC) was evaluated. The results are discussed with in depth analysis and correlation with microstructure.
Low-Pressure Casting of Aluminium AlSi7Mg03 (A356) in Sand and Permanent Molds
Authors: Chiesa Franco , Duchesne Bernard , Marin Gheorghe
Published: November 2020

Aluminium A356 (AlSi7Mg03) is the most common foundry alloy poured in sand and permanent molds or lost-wax shells. Because of its magnesium content, this alloy responds to a precipitation hardening treatment. The strength and ductility combination of the alloy can be varied at will by changing the temper treatment that follows the solutionizing and quenching of the part. By feeding the mold from the bottom, the low-pressure process provides a tranquil filling of the cavity. A perfect control of the liquid metal stream is provided by programming the pressure rise applied on the melt surface. It compares favorably to the more common gravity casting where a turbulent filling is governed by the geometry of the gating system.
Strip casting using a roll caster equipped with a scraper
Authors: Haga Toshio
Published: November 2020

An Al-Mg strip without center segregation could be cast using a single-roll caster equipped with a scraper at speed of 40 m/min. The scraper was useful for flattening a free solidified surface and for cooling the solidification layer by pushing the solidification layer to the roll. Clad strips consisting of 1) an Al-Mn base strip and an Al-Mg overlay strip and 2) an Al base strip and an Al-Sn-Cu overlay strip could be cast using an unequal-diameter twin-roll caster equipped with a scraper at speeds of 30 m/min and 15 m/min, respectively. The base strip and overlay strip were strongly bonded at the interface between the base strip and the overlay strip. The elements of the overlay strip did not diffuse into the base strip. The scraper played two roles in the casting of the clad strip: prevention of the mixture of two kinds of molten metal and making the surface of the base strip a semisolid of high solid fraction.
Investigation on electrical conductivity and hardness of 6xxx aluminum conductor alloys with different Si levels
Authors: Nikzad Khangholi Siamak , Javidani Mousa , Maltais Alexandre , Chen X.-Grant
Published: November 2020

The impact of Si levels on electrical conductivity (EC) and hardness in Al-Mg-Si 6xxx aluminum conductor alloys was studied at different aging times. Three experimental alloys with the Si levels of 0.4, 0.66, 0.89 wt.% containing a constant Mg content of 0.65 wt.%, designated as Si4, Si6, and Si9, were selected. It is found that the average peak hardness of Si4, Si6, and Si9 alloys were 114, 127 and 140 HV, respectively. The Si9 alloy with the highest Si level exhibited the highest peak hardness, which was consistent with the number density of strengthening precipitates. However, the EC of all studied alloys at peak aging was lower than the minimum required one (52.5 %IACS). The higher Si level in the alloy, the longer aging time required to enhance EC. The Si4, Si6, and Si9 alloys reached the minimum required EC after 3, 5 and 34 h aging time, of which the corresponding hardness was 103, 119 and 111 HV, respectively. Consequently, the Si6 alloy represented a better trade-off between EC and hardness among three studied alloys. The quantitative analyses of precipitates at peak aging and overaging states were carried out by a transmission electron microscope (TEM) investigation.
Mechanical and Spectroscopic Characterization of Solute Elements in Aluminum
Authors: Ii Seiichiro , Hara Toru
Published: November 2020

We characterized the distribution of minor elements such as Si and Fe in Al utilizing a nanoindentation and electron microscopy with an energy dispersed X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) system. Nanoindentation can detect the dislocation nucleation known as “pop-in” event, the critical load (Pc) depends on the solute amount of Fe. However, that in Si-doped Al is rarely changed up to 1.0 at% of Si. That independent Pc in Al-Si is caused by the inhomogeneity of the Si, which is the grain boundary segregation, in Al. The grain boundary segregation of Si was clearly detected by using a newly developed microcalorimeter type EDS system, even at the 0.1 at% Si.
Ebola, des premiers vaccins disponibles
Authors: Martin Baptiste , Volchkov Viktor , Reynard Olivier
Published: November 2020

Ces dernières années, le virus Ebola a été responsable d’épidémies de grande ampleur. Les efforts de recherche ont permis la mise au point et l’évaluation sur le terrain de plusieurs candidats vaccins. À l’heure actuelle, deux sont déjà homologués et utilisés dans la lutte contre le virus en République démocratique du Congo. Cette revue se propose de faire le point sur les différents candidats vaccins, les essais cliniques qui ont été menés et les premiers résultats de terrain.
Synthesis of Azocane- and Oxocane-Annulated Furans by a [2+2] Photocycloaddition–Ring-Opening Cascade
Authors: Bach Thorsten , Li Xinyao , Jandl Christian
Published: November 2020

The title compounds were synthesized from readily available quinolone and coumarin derivatives by a cascade reaction (12 examples, 90–98% yield). The cascade comprised a [2+2] photocycloaddition which occurred upon sensitized irradiation at λ = 420 nm (or direct UV irradiation at λ = 366 nm) and a subsequent acid-catalyzed ring-opening reaction. A variety of substituents are compatible with the conditions and a 3-alkyl group in the coumarin (or quinolone) is crucial to achieve a high chemoselectivity. Key to the success of the ring opening is the formation of a 4,5,5a-trihydrocyclobuta-2H-furan containing a strained bridgehead double bond which stems from the allenyl group tethered to the 4-position of the starting materials.
Editorial: Ganz im Zeichen der Pandemie
Authors: Doelfs Guntram
Published: November 2020

Auch die Medica bleibt in diesem Jahr nicht von den Auswirkungen der aktuellen Corona-Krise verschont.
Krankenhauszukunftsgesetz (KHZG): Gezielte Förderung des notwendigen Wissentransfers
Authors: Debatin Jörg , Oesterhoff Ecky
Published: November 2020

Vier Monate von der Ankündigung bis zur Verabschiedung: Das KHZG ist ein Turbo-Gesetz und tritt an, die Digitalisierung der Kliniken voranzutreiben. Es sollen keine Löcher gestopft werden; gefördert wird, was nachweislich zur Patientensicherheit und intersektoralen Kommunikation beiträgt.
Umkämpfter Markt: Das knallharte Geschäft mit der Luftrettung
Authors: Reisinger Kathrin
Published: November 2020

Was 1970 mit einem einzigen Hubschrauber begann, ist heute ein ganzer Wirtschaftszweig und als „Luftrettungs-Markt“ hart umkämpft. Insgesamt gibt es in Deutschland über 70 Luftrettungsstationen mit rund 97 Hubschraubern, die inzwischen wichtiger Teil des öffentlich-rechtlichen Rettungsdienstsystems sind.
COVID-19 impact and survival strategy in business tourism market: the example of the UAE MICE industry
Authors: Aburumman Asad A.
Published: November 2020

Today the industry of meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions, commonly known under the name of MICE, contributes to economic diversification and actively stimulates the rational use of cultural-historical and natural recreational resources. As of 2019, the total contribution of the tourism sector to the GDP of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) equalled 11.5 per cent. More than 2.3 million visitors cited business as their main purpose of travel to Dubai in 2019, marking a two per cent increase compared to 2018. Thus, the UAE MICE industry was among the global leaders before the COVID-19 pandemic occurred. As a result of severe quarantine measures, the majority of destinations all over the world introduced COVID-19-related travel restrictions that were valid until May 2020. In the UAE, like in any other country, the coronavirus pandemic affected every industry, and especially the MICE one. Even though the consequences of COVID-19 have been multiply analysed by many UAE researchers, its global and local impact on the MICE industry, as well as the strategies for MICE companies’ survival, are described insufficiently. This study aimed to investigate the COVID-19 impact on both the global and the UAE MICE markets and identify a competitive survival strategy for tourism companies on the example of those operating in the UAE. The research revealed that under the conditions of harsh travel restrictions and closed borders, the UAE MICE industry is faced with a sharp reduction of demand. Emirati Airlines, hotels, and other tourism-related businesses have experienced significant material losses. In particular, the drop in scheduled departure flights comprised 82%. The multiplicative analysis performed in the course of the study identified the 5P marketing strategy and an outsourcing method as an optimal solution for MICE companies’ survival and recovery. The study results can be used by MICE businesses or researchers using specific company and market data for developing strategies aimed at overcoming COVID-related crisis and increasing the competitiveness of MICE companies in particular and the market as a whole.
‘Kill Venice’: a systems thinking conceptualisation of urban life, economy, and resilience in tourist cities
Authors: Cristiano Silvio , Gonella Francesco
Published: November 2020

Mass tourism has been creating increasing complaints and resistances in many tourist cities worldwide. The global Covid-19 health emergency has further affected the complex relationship between the activities of city dwellers and those of the tourist flows. Be the visitors present or abruptly absent, the effects of tourism on housing, labour, and the urban economy as a whole can threaten the very survival of a tourist destination. The ultimate goals of tourist-based transformations are not clear, nor their relationship with the resilience of destinations. A systemic perspective is here offered on tourism in cities, with a focus on the city that likely exhibits the highest level of tourist attraction with respect to its vulnerability, that is, Venice, Italy. Various aspects of its sustainability and resilience, along with the involved interconnection and dependency links, are taken into consideration. Currently proposed alternative scenarios are presented, and their weaknesses commented. Some implications are also addressed for sustainable and resilient transformations. The comprehension of the dynamics that drive a tourist city system, together with the study of its systemic leverage points, appear to be mandatory for effective urban policies and planning.
Design and characteristics of a cavity-enhanced Fourier-transform spectrometer based on a supercontinuum source
Authors: Libert A. , Urbain X. , Fabre B. , Daman M. , Lauzin C.
Published: November 2020

We report the in-house fabrication of a high-resolution Fourier-transform spectrometer (FTS) for the spectroscopy of molecules in the gas phase at resolutions down to 0.002 cm−1 working in the spectral range from 5880 cm−1 (1.7 μm) to 15 380 cm−1 (650 nm). The FTS employs a supercontinuum as a broadband light source and a He:Ne laser with a homemade frequency-stabilization scheme as the spatial reference for the sampling of the interferogram on a constant optical path difference (OPD) grid. The sampling of the two lasers is performed at constant time intervals, and the resampling process is performed at the software level. The resampling of the interferogram on a constant OPD grid relies on cubic approximations of the He:Ne interference pattern to determine its zero-crossings. The use of an invariant in the sampling process allows us to perform on-the-fly data treatment. Both the hardware aspect and the data processing are described with, in each case, an original approach. We also report the successful coupling of the FTS with a high finesse optical cavity with effective mirror reflectivities of 99.76%, allowing us to reach sensitivities down to 6.5 × 10−8 cm−1 with a root-mean-square accuracy of 0.0017 cm−1 on the position of the Doppler-broadened transitions with a mean transition width of 0.046 cm−1 for spectra recorded at a spectral resolution of 0.015 cm−1. The sensitivity of the instrument per spectral element, once normalized, represents the best sensitivity reported in the literature for Fourier-transform incoherent broadband cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy with a supercontinuum light source.
Room-temperature reduction at SrRuO3–metal interface in hydrogenous atmosphere detected by interface-sensitive resistance measurement
Authors: Kambara Hiroshi , Tanaka Hiroyuki , Oishi Satoru , Tenya Kenichi , Tsujii Hiroyuki
Published: November 2020

Using interface-sensitive resistance measurement techniques, we detected the reducing reaction precursor at the interface between the metallic oxide SrRuO3 and the electrodes under a hydrogenous atmosphere at room temperature. The interface resistance between this polycrystalline oxide and the electrodes (metallic pads or wires) clearly increased with the hydrogen present even at room temperature. In contrast, for bulk SrRuO3, no increase in resistance was found. The rate of increase of the interface resistance depends on the electrode material, for example, that of SrRuO3–Ag is larger than that of SrRuO3–Cu, and the rate is related to the propensity for bulk oxide to reduce; Ag2O is easier to reduce than CuO. The origin of the increase in interface resistance is posited to be the partial deficiency of oxygen in SrRuO3. Our experiments suggest that the reduction at the interface of SrRuO3 occurs at relatively low temperatures (room temperature) compared with the bulk reducing temperature of ≈200°C previously reported. In addition, electrode materials control the reducing reaction at the interface.
Remote neurostimulation with physical fields at cellular level enabled by nanomaterials: Toward medical applications
Authors: Xu Zixing , Xu Jinhua , Yang Wenjuan , Lin Huoyue , Ruan Gang
Published: November 2020

Most neurological diseases have no cure today; innovations in neurotechnology are in urgent need. Nanomaterial-based remote neurostimulation with physical fields (NNSPs) is an emerging class of neurotechnologies that has generated tremendous interest in recent years. This perspective focuses on the clinical translation of this new class of neurotechnologies, an issue that so far has not received enough attention. We outline the major barriers in their clinical translation. We highlight our recent efforts to tackle these translational barriers, with a focus on the biological delivery problem. In particular, for the first time, we have shown that it is feasible to use noninvasive brain delivery to generate significant physiological responses in living animals by NNSP. However, much more work is needed to overcome the translational barriers.
Highly reliable measurement of ultrashort laser pulses
Authors: Trebino R. , Jafari R. , Akturk S. A. , Bowlan P. , Guang Z. , Zhu P. , Escoto E. , Steinmeyer G.
Published: November 2020

The past 30 years have seen spectacular progress in the development of techniques for measuring the complete temporal field, and even the complete spatiotemporal field, of ultrashort laser pulses. The challenge has been to measure a pulse without the use of a shorter event or an independent known reference pulse, neither of which is typically available. We begin with autocorrelation, the first such “self-referenced” pulse-measurement method ever proposed, which measures only a rough pulse length, and we describe its limitations. One such limitation is the presence of a somewhat unintuitive “coherent artifact,” which occurs for complicated pulses and also when averaging over a train of pulses whose shapes vary from pulse to pulse. We then describe the most important modern techniques capable of measuring the complete temporal intensity and phase of even complicated ultrashort pulses, as well as their ability (or inability) to measure such unstable pulse trains. A pulse reliably measured with such a device can then be used as a reference pulse in conjunction with another technique, such as spectral interferometry or holography, to measure pulses otherwise unmeasurable by a self-referenced technique. Examples include techniques for measuring low-intensity pulse(s) and for measuring the complete spatiotemporal intensity and phase of arbitrary pulse(s). This Tutorial is limited to well-established, proven methods, but other methods whose description proves instructive will be discussed.
Route to hyperbolic hyperchaos in a nonautonomous time-delay system
Authors: Kuptsov Pavel V. , Kuznetsov Sergey P.
Published: November 2020

We consider a self-oscillator whose excitation parameter is varied. The frequency of the variation is much smaller than the natural frequency of the oscillator so that oscillations in the system are periodically excited and decayed. Also, a time delay is added such that when the oscillations start to grow at a new excitation stage, they are influenced via the delay line by the oscillations at the penultimate excitation stage. Due to nonlinearity, the seeding from the past arrives with a doubled phase so that the oscillation phase changes from stage to stage according to the chaotic Bernoulli-type map. As a result, the system operates as two coupled hyperbolic chaotic subsystems. Varying the relation between the delay time and the excitation period, we found a coupling strength between these subsystems as well as intensity of the phase doubling mechanism responsible for the hyperbolicity. Due to this, a transition from non-hyperbolic to hyperbolic hyperchaos occurs. The following steps of the transition scenario are revealed and analyzed: (a) an intermittency as an alternation of long staying near a fixed point at the origin and short chaotic bursts; (b) chaotic oscillations with frequent visits to the fixed point; (c) plain hyperchaos without hyperbolicity after termination visiting the fixed point; and (d) transformation of hyperchaos to the hyperbolic form.
Influence of current injection scheme on electrical impedance tomography for monitoring of the respiratory function of obese subjects
Authors: Zhang Tingting , Jang Geuk Young , Kim Young Eun , Oh Tong In , Wi Hun , Woo Eung Je
Published: November 2020

Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) has been proposed as a noninvasive radiation-free functional imaging modality for bedside monitoring of lung ventilation. Due to the intrinsic low sensitivity of measured boundary voltages with respect to internal conductivity changes, EIT image reconstructions are more challenging for the regions that are located deeper from the attached surface electrodes. Considering the worldwide prevalence of obesity, it is highly desirable for an EIT system to produce high-quality images from obese as well as lean subjects. In EIT, the internal current density distribution and the sensitivity of a boundary voltage to a change of internal conductivity vary with respect to the current injection scheme. We quantified the range of measured boundary voltages subject to a chosen current injection scheme and investigated the influence of various obesity levels on the number of distinguishable boundary voltages given a fixed amount of system noise. We found that the 0-skip current injection scheme, where neighboring electrode pairs are used for current injections, could be most favorable to improve spatial resolution but produces the smallest number of distinguishable boundary voltages. To obtain an enough number of distinguishable boundary voltages from an obese subject, the gap between current injection electrodes should be increased depending on the circumference of a chosen imaging plane. We suggested a guideline for current injection schemes in EIT to produce images with better quality from obese as well as lean subjects.
Optoelectronic properties of ultrathin ALD silicon nitride and its potential as a hole-selective nanolayer for high efficiency solar cells
Authors: Khorani Edris , McNab Shona , Scheul Tudor E. , Rahman Tasmiat , Bonilla Ruy S. , Boden Stuart A. , Wilshaw Peter R.
Published: November 2020

Fully exploiting the power conversion efficiency limit of silicon solar cells requires the use of passivating contacts that minimize electrical losses at metal/silicon interfaces. An efficient hole-selective passivating contact remains one of the key challenges for this technology to be deployed industrially and to pave the way for adoption in tandem configurations. Here, we report the first account of silicon nitride (SiNx) nanolayers with electronic properties suitable for effective hole-selective contacts. We use x-ray photoemission methods to investigate ultra-thin SiNx grown via atomic layer deposition, and we find that the band alignment determined at the SiNx/Si interface favors hole transport. A band offset ratio, ΔEC/ΔEV, of 1.62 ± 0.24 is found at the SiNx/Si interface for the as-grown films. This equates to a 500-fold increase in tunneling selectivity for holes over electrons, for a film thickness of 3 nm. However, the thickness of such films increases by 2 Å–5 Å within 48 h in cleanroom conditions, which leads to a reduction in hole-selectivity. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy depth profiling has shown this film growth to be linked to oxidation, and furthermore, it alters the ΔEC/ΔEV ratio to 1.22 ± 0.18. The SiNx/Si interface band alignment makes SiNx nanolayers a promising architecture to achieve widely sought hole-selective passivating contacts for high efficiency silicon solar cells.
Polarized infrared reflectivity of Cu2CdSnS4 single crystals
Authors: Bodnar I. V. , Victorov I. A. , Karosa A. G. , Arushanov E. K. , Levcenko S.
Published: November 2020

A polarization-dependent infrared reflectivity study on oriented single crystals in the range of 100–500 cm−1 was performed to investigate the optical phonon modes in the stannite Cu2CdSnS4 semiconductor. Based on the symmetry analysis and multi-oscillator model calculation, we determine the parameters of B2 and E polar modes. The values of high frequency ε∞ and static ε0 dielectric constant are 7.69 and 10.01 for Eǁc and 6.53 and 8.81 for E⊥c polarization directions.
Shear-induced lift force on spheres in a viscous linear shear flow at finite volume fractions
Authors: Akiki G. , Balachandar S.
Published: November 2020

Several studies have shown a significant increase in drag on a distribution of solid spherical particles within a fluid with increasing particle volume fraction. As a result, many empirical drag laws accounting for the dependence on the Reynolds number and volume fraction can be found in the literature. This study investigates the possibility of a similar effect of the particle volume fraction on the mean hydrodynamic lift force on randomly distributed spherical particles in a linear shear flow. Particle-resolved direct numerical simulations are performed to evaluate the mean lift force, and the results are compared with the case of an isolated particle in a linear shear flow for the same Reynolds number and shear rate. The mean lift force acting on the particles appears to remain nearly the same as that on an isolated particle. However, due to the influence of neighboring particles, there is a substantial force variation in transverse directions on each individual particle, whose magnitude is comparable to the mean drag force. The distribution of drag force in a linear shear flow is shown to be nearly the same as in a uniform flow at the same volume fraction and Reynolds number. A simple stochastic model based on a Gaussian distribution is presented for the lift force variation, and its performance is compared to the prediction of the deterministic pairwise interaction extended point-particle model.
Optimal filtering of overlapped pulses in microcalorimeter data
Authors: Wulf Dallas , Jaeckel Felix , McCammon Dan , Chervenak James A , Eckart Megan E
Published: November 2020

In this study, we present a general algorithm for processing microcalorimeter data with special applicability to data with high photon count rates. Conventional optimal filtering, which has become ubiquitous in microcalorimeter data processing, suffers from its inability to recover overlapped pulses without sacrificing spectral resolution. The technique presented here was developed to address this particular shortcoming and does so without imposing any assumptions beyond those made by the conventional technique. We demonstrate the performance of the algorithm with a dataset that approximately satisfies these assumptions and which is representative of a wide range of microcalorimeter applications. We also apply the technique to a highly non-linear dataset, examining the impact on performance in the limit that these assumptions break down.