bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management Practices on Yield and Quality of Sweet Potato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam] cv. Kanjangad
Authors: Shabitha P. B. , Rajeswari R.
Published: August 2021

The investigation was carried out to study the “Effect of integrated nutrient management practices on yield and quality of sweet potato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam] cv. Kanjangad” at Elavuvilai village, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu during Kharif season of 2020. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with nine treatments replicated thrice. Sweet potato vine cuttings of about 15 cm with 4 nodes were used for the study. The treatments comprised of two levels of recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF - 40:80:120 kg NPK ha-1) viz., 50 and 100% along with FYM, poultry manure, gibberellic acid and seaweed extract. The treatments comprised of half dose of nitrogen and full doses of phosphorous and potassium were applied as basal and remaining half dose of nitrogen was applied at 60 days after planting. Organic inputs viz., FYM (25 t, 12.5 t ha-1), poultry manure (5 t, 2.5 t ha-1) as were applied as basal application, gibberellic acid (200 ppm) and seaweed extract (2%) were applied as foliar application at 40, 55 and 70 days after planting were also used. The observations were recorded at 180 days after planting. The results indicated that the maximum values for yield parameters viz., number of tubers plant-1 (3.02 g), tuber length (19.02 cm), tuber girth (15.58 cm), tuber weight (138.36 g), tuber dry weight (66.73 g), tuber yield [plant-1 (417.84 g),  plot-1 (12.18 kg), hectare-1 (30.45 t)], whereas quality parameters such as total soluble solid (9.210 Brix) and starch content (12.24%) of tuber, post harvest soil available nutrient (245.00 N; 21.93 P and 278.00 K kg ha-1), maximum net income (Rs. 5,16,050) and B: C ratio (3.23)  were recorded in the plots which received 50% RDF + FYM 12.5 t ha-1 + Poultry manure 2.5 t ha-1 + Seaweed extract 2% (T9). This was followed by (T6) 50% RDF+ FYM 12.5 t ha-1 + Poultry manure 2.5 t ha-1 + GA3 200 ppm.
Global Dimensional Mathematics
Authors: Denis Olivier
Published: August 2021

Here we build the fundamentals of global dimensional mathematics in order to build the new basis of the new theoretical scientific paradigm.

Research on the foundations of mathematics covering the definition of fundamental mathematical concepts such as point, line, direction, dimension, addition, multiplication, division, zeros, infinities, limits, factorization, integers and prime numbers, were carried out and further still the resolution of the Goldbach conjecture is now effective.

New original fundamental mathematical notions are established building the core of global dimensional mathematics based on the decomposition of integers into an addition of prime numbers terms and on fundamental geometric concepts such as the concept dimension based on the notion of direction and point, as well as research on set theory and work on the notion of limits and infinity.

The termization as a decomposition of integers into an addition of prime number terms by a python program, breaks the unique factorization theorem, the fundamental theorem of arithmetic while the geometric notions developed break Euclidean geometry leading to a new mathematical framework, geometry, topology and metrics leading to a total change of theoretical scientific paradigm.

Global dimensional mathematics forms the basis for the construction of the new scientific paradigm of the 21st century and beyond, opening up a still unknown perspective on the world of science in general.
Analysis of Cargo Airline Services Quality in Cargo Delivery In Nigeria
Authors: Benedict Ayantoyinbo Boye , Emmanuel Gbadegesin Adeolu
Published: August 2021

This study analysed cargo airline services and cargo delivery in Nigeria. The focus was on identifying the disparity between expected and perceived airline service quality on cargo delivery. This study was carried out in Lagos State, Nigeria. Random sampling technique was used to select 239 freight forwarders agents that operate in the Cargo Terminal of Muritatal Muhammed International Airport, Lagos State. SERVQUAL model and t-test were used to analyse the disparity between expectations and perceptions of airline service quality. SERVQUAL model average gap score is -0.126 which implies that customers are not satisfied with cargo airline service quality. Moreover, the findings revealed that there is a negative disparity between customer expectations and perceptions of airline service quality on air cargo delivery with Reliability having the lowest negative t-value of (-34.409), followed by Tangibles with a t-value of (-23.300), Responsiveness has a t-value of (-12.910), Assurance followed with t-value of (-13.572) while Empathy has a t-value of (-10.165). Conclusion is drawn that cargo airline customers' expectations about their service quality are more than they really perceived. Recommendation was made that cargo airline should make an assessment of service quality dimensions (Tangibles, Reliability, Responsiveness, Assurance and Empathy) and provide a means to improve upon them.
Awareness of Family Physician Residents of their Roles in Disaster Health Management: A Cross-Sectional Study in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alamri Fawaz Hassan , Aldahash Faisal Dhahi , Alqahtani Sa’ad
Published: August 2021

Background: Family physicians have a pivotal role in responding to the medical community's needs and have a crucial role in disaster health management. Family physicians have several tasks and duties during and after the disaster, such as event detection, critical information’ collection and distribution, and rehabilitative activities. It is important to identify the level of awareness of the family physicians regarding their role in the management of disasters.

Aim: To assess the awareness of family physician residents of their roles in disaster health management, Saudi Arabia.

Methods: This study was cross-sectional; it was performed on Saudi family physician residents in family practice clinics and centers in Saudi Arabia. A self-administrated questionnaire has been sent electronically to the participants to investigate their awareness. IMB SPSS version 22 was used to analyze the collected data.

Results: This study included 400 family physicians; more than one-half 52.75%were in the age of 28-30 years old. There were 61.5% worked previously at hospital emergency services. A few percentages reported receiving training on disaster medicine management in the clinic, 38.5%. 47.75% reported willingness to train on disaster management. There was 71% of physicians had high knowledge regarding their role in disaster management.

Conclusion: There was high awareness among the family physicians regarding their role in the management of disaster with an acceptable attitude toward receiving training.
Social Media Platforms to Combat COVID-19 Pandemic in Ethiopia
Authors: Yemer Destaw Bayable , Desta Minwuyelet Anidualem , Workie Melaku Bayu , Wondim Getachew Degie , Dawud Hiwot Yishak , Kululo Nardos Wonago
Published: August 2021

The aim of this study was to assess social media platforms to combat coronavirus pandemic in Ethiopia for need-based communication to address COVID-19 information and to control infodemic information. A mixed research design was used. Self-administered questionnaires, interviews and document analyses were used to gather relevant data from active social media users and healthcare workers that were selected by a simple random sampling technique. The social media integrated theory model to evaluate social media platforms were used.Ministry of Health and Ethiopian Public Health Institute addressed need-based information for 46.75 million people in SMS in 3-6 days intervals, 22 million virtual societies and 7 million social media platform users. The study revealed that the participants used social media platforms: Facebook (83.1%), telegram (59.3%), YouTube (33.9%), web (13.6%), Twitter (11.9%) actively in a moderate way to grasp and share information related to COVID-19. Ministry of Health and Ethiopian Public Health Institute used as a center of COVID-19 information, and it helps to control the infodemic information that arises with the de-central source of information. They were using the World Health Organization communication protocol and strategies to combat the pandemic. Ministry of Health (MOH) and Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) used social media platforms actively to combat the pandemic. The platforms enabled the public to express their feelings, needs and develop their awareness about COVID-19. The health institutions established the pandemic communication units from the federal to woreda level to disseminate the information and the materials to combat the virus. Yet, the health communication units were politicized.
‘Hub‐and‐spoke’ pilot in Wisconsin would target all SUDs
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: August 2021

Vermont started the hub‐and‐spoke system originally almost 10 years ago (see ADAW, Oct. 29, 2012). It was funded by the federal government's new insurance plan and included the hubs (opioid treatment programs that provided both methadone and buprenorphine for patients who needed more comprehensive care, and patients being started on treatment or assessed for care) and spokes (buprenorphine prescribers). Since then, other states and entities have adopted their own versions of “hub‐and‐spoke,” using that terminology but not the exact model.
Self‐Shaping Soft Electronics Based on Patterned Hydrogel with Stencil‐Printed Liquid Metal
Authors: Hao Xing Peng , Li Chen Yu , Zhang Chuan Wei , Du Miao , Ying Zhimin , Zheng Qiang , Wu Zi Liang
Published: August 2021

Hydrogel‐based soft electronics (HSE) is promising as implantable devices due to the similarity of hydrogel substrates to biologic tissues. Most existing HSE devices are based on conducting hydrogels that usually have weak mechanical properties, low conductivity, and poor patternability. Reported here is an HSE with good mechanical performance, high sensitivity, and versatile functions by stencil printing of liquid metal on a tough hydrogel, facilitating integration of multiple sensing units. Self‐shaping ability is imparted to the HSE by creating gradient structure in the hydrogel substrate. The resultant HSE actively deforms into 3D configurations with zero or nonzero Gaussian curvature to fix on objects or organs with sophisticated geometries and maintains the sensing functions. The versatilities and potential applications of this HSE are demonstrated by monitoring motions of a rice field eel and beatings of a rabbit heart. Such HSE based on morphing substrate should pave the way for implantable electronics with better fixation and interfacial contact with the organs. The concept of morphing hydrogel devices can be extended to other soft electronics with responsive polymer films or elastomers as the substrates.
Smart Responsive Microarray Patches for Transdermal Drug Delivery and Biological Monitoring
Authors: Zhao Li , Zhang Chunyang , Abu‐Ershaid Juhaina M. , Li Mingshan , Li Yaocun , Naser Yara , Dai Xianbing , Abbate Marco T. A. , Donnelly Ryan F.
Published: August 2021

Traditional drug delivery routes possess various disadvantages which make them unsuitable for certain population groups, or indeed unsuitable for drugs with certain physicochemical properties. As a result, a variety of alternative drug delivery routes have been explored in recent decades, including transdermal drug delivery. One of the most promising novel transdermal drug delivery technologies is a microarray patch (MAP), which can bypass the outermost skin barrier and deliver drugs directly into the viable epidermis and dermis. Unlike traditional MAPs which release loaded cargo simultaneously upon insertion into the skin, stimuli responsive MAPs based on biological stimuli are able to precisely release the drug in response to the need for additional doses. Thus, smart MAPs that are only responsive to certain external stimuli are highly desirable, as they provide safer and more efficient drug delivery. In addition to drug delivery, they can also be used for biological monitoring, which further expands their applications.
Plasma‐Assisted Synthesis of Co3O4‐Based Electrocatalysts on Ni Foam Substrates for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Maccato Chiara , Bigiani Lorenzo , Girardi Leonardo , Gasparotto Alberto , Lebedev Oleg I. , Modin Evgeny , Barreca Davide , Rizzi Gian Andrea
Published: August 2021

Electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) plays a key role in sustainable energy conversion and storage, but is severely hampered by the lack of efficient catalysts, whose development remains a critical and challenging issue. Herein, it is reported for the first time that pure and Fe2O3‐containing Co3O4‐based OER electrocatalysts are grown on highly porous Ni foams by plasma enhanced‐chemical vapor deposition and/or radiofrequency sputtering. Thanks to the inherent advantages of cold plasma synthesis routes, Ni foam supports are efficiently infiltrated by Co3O4 nanostructures and eventually nanosized Fe2O3, allowing a fine‐tuning of their mutual content, nano‐organization, and oxygen defectivity. For Co3O4‐Fe2O3 systems, these issues enable current densities up to ≈120 mA cm−2 at 1.79 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode, an overpotential of ≈350 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and a Tafel slope as low as 60 mV dec−1, favorably comparing with literature values for most cobalt‐based OER catalysts reported so far. Such features, accompanied by a good time stability, represent an important goal for eventual practical applications and candidate the proposed fabrication route as a valuable tool for the design of efficient electrocatalysts with precisely engineered properties and based on naturally abundant transition elements.
Preparation of Quasi‐Thermoplastic Phase Change Polymer with Intrinsic Antileakage Performance for Battery Thermal Management
Authors: Dong Xinlong , Zheng Binghe , Zhang Guoqing , Xiao Changren , Yang Xiaoqing
Published: August 2021

Phase change material (PCM) shows great potentials in battery thermal management (BTM) application, but there are significant challenges including PCM leakage, low secondary heat dissipation capability, and poor reprocessability. Herein, a type of phase change polymer (PCP) with intrinsic antileakage, reprocessability and heat dissipation capability is prepared via the copolymerization of octadecyl acrylate (OA) and methyl methacrylate (MMA). The rigid segment of MMA guarantees the shape stability of the PCP while avoiding using the crosslinkers, and thus simultaneously endows the linear PCP with quasi‐thermoplastic property for reprocessing. The chemical‐bonded phase changeable side chains from the OA segments provide a large latent heat of 100.5 J g–1 and fundamentally overcome the leakage problem. Additionally, the obtained PCP demonstrates a higher crystalline temperature favorable for secondary dissipation of the absorbed heat to the environment. Consequently, the obtained PCP demonstrates superior cooling performances in BTM applications. The temperature of the battery module with PCP cooling can be stably controlled below 52.5 °C under a harsh working environment of 3C‐3C charge–discharge at 35 °C for 15 cycles. In contrast, the battery module adopting classical physically blended PCM cooling shows a much higher and gradually increasing maximum temperature during the cycles.
Manipulating Second Harmonic Generation in Higher‐Order Topological Photonic Crystals
Authors: Ma Jun , Guo Kai , Chen Fujia , Zhou Keya , Liu Shutian , Guo Zhongyi
Published: August 2021

Higher‐order topological photonic crystals (TPCs) have attracted much attention in the past several years since they do not obey the conventional bulk‐boundary correspondence in topological insulating phases. This characteristic offers a new dimension with which to trap and manipulate the flow of light. In this work, 2D higher‐order TPCs for engineering optical second harmonic generation (SHG) are designed. In the TPCs, a topological corner‐state is achieved and it is demonstrated that the high localization of photons at the corner‐state can significantly promote optical SHG. In addition, topological edge‐states are obtained by breaking the Dirac degeneracy point near the SHG frequency. They are also topologically protected and immune to bending resistance. Therefore, the enhanced SHG signal from the corner‐state can be manipulated precisely for transmitting through the designed interface with relatively low loss due to the topological‐protection edge waves. This design strategy combines the advantages of corner‐state and edge‐state in higher‐order TPCs, demonstrating potential applications of topological photonic devices, such as optical communication and optical computing technologies.
An Optical Cluster: Near‐Field Optical Sorting and Separation of Plasmonic, Dielectric, and Chiral Nanoparticle
Authors: Das Saikat Chandra , Mahdy Mahdy Rahman Chowdhury , Islam Md Shariful , Jani Rafsan , Bhuiyan Md Shahadat
Published: August 2021

Separating distinct nanoparticles from a cluster by applying simple nonstructured light can be a novel approach for future industrial development. Understanding the type of distinct particles from a three‐particle cluster (i.e., chiral, plasmonic, and dielectric) based on different near‐field optical forces has not been reported so far. In most of the set ups, optical sorting is reported for radius‐based sorting of Mie‐ranged single object. Here, three different optical setups are proposed, illuminated by a linearly polarized plane wave (propagating along angle) in a particle cluster constructed with chiral, plasmonic, and dielectric nanoparticles in an air medium (case 1), half immersed in water (case 2), and fully immersed in water (case 3). All of those have supported the near‐field optical sorting from the cluster of three Rayleigh sized particles. It is observed that the dielectric object experiences counter‐intuitive optical pulling force mainly due to the effect of induced magnetic‐type resonance created on nearby plasmonic object. In contrast, plasmonic objects experience optical pushing force due to the transferred momentum of photon and chiral objects experience lateral force mainly due to the induced magnetic dipole on the chiral object.
Electrochemical and Mass Spectrometric Measurement of Enhanced Intravesicular Catecholamine Content and Exocytotic Frequency at Subanaesthetic Ketamine Doses
Authors: Wang Zhaoying , He Xiulan , Long Le Vo Kim , Ewing Andrew G.
Published: August 2021

The dopaminergic system has been suggested to serve as a functional target for ketamine, especially with its addictive and antidepressant effects. In this work, intracellular vesicle impact electrochemical cytometry and single cell amperometry were applied to a model cell line to show that the intravesicular contents and number of exocytotic events increased and the fraction of release decreased after treatment by subanesthetic ketamine (1 μM for 15 min). In addition, time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry was used to show that cellular lipids change following acute ketamine administration relative to control cells with an increased proportion of low‐curvature lipids and a decreased proportion of high‐curvature lipids. We propose that ketamine modulates dopaminergic function with a dose‐dependent pharmacologic action by dominantly interacting with different proteins and changing lipid composition. It might be helpful to better understand the relationship of the dopaminergic system and drug abuse, as well as anesthetic and antidepressant effects.
Assembly of CuO nanorods onto poly(glycidylmethacrylate)@polyaniline core–shell microspheres: Photocatalytic degradation of paracetamol
Authors: Aminzadeh Hossein , Shahabi Nejad Mohaddeseh , Mohammadzadeh Iman , Sheibani Hassan
Published: August 2021

In recent years, the continuous and uncontrollable presence of drug contaminants and their destructive effects on the environment has been raised as an environmental problem. A large proportion of drug contaminants are related to sedatives. Paracetamol is one of the most widely used sedatives in the world. In this study, the photocatalytic degradation of paracetamol under visible light in the presence of poly(glycidylmethacrylate)@polyaniline/CuO nanocomposite as a photocatalyst was investigated. This prepared nanocomposite was characterized by different techniques such as Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The effect of various parameters such as the amount of photocatalyst, irradiation time, temperature, and pH of the solution was studied on drug degradation. The degradation of paracetamol (PA) was assessed by adding a number of radical scavengers to the solution. More than 99% of paracetamol (10 mg L−1) was degraded under operating conditions in 90 min.
Fabrication of MWCNTS‐functionalized SA pervaporation composite membranes to enhance esterification
Authors: Shi Jiayun , Wang Taishan , Han Jie , Liang Yao , Tong Yujia , Li Weixing
Published: August 2021

A novel SA‐f‐MWCNTs/PAN composite membrane, sodium alginate‐ functionalized multi‐walled carbon nanotubes/polyacrylonitrile, was prepared to enhance the esterification conversion rate with a pervaporation membrane reactor. The SA‐f‐MWCNTs/PAN membrane was investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscope. The hydrophilicity, mechanical properties, and separation performance of the composite membrane have been significantly improved. The flux of the composite membrane was 4374 g·m−2·h−1, and the separation factor was 1249 (the water content in the feed was 10 wt%, at 75°C). The composite membrane the trade‐off effect between flux and separation factor. The acid conversion rate of SA‐f‐MWCNTs/PAN membrane was up to 98.3% in 5 h at 75°C, which was a great increase of 18.3% compared with the equilibrium conversion rate of the batch reactor. In addition, SA‐f‐MWCNTs/PAN membrane exhibited good swelling resistance and reusability. The conversion rate of acetic acid was stable above 95.0% after 8 repetitive tests.
Verkehrsdatengestützte Ermittlung von objektspezifischen Lastmodellen für Bestandsbrücken
Authors: Freundt Ursula , Böning Sebastian , Pelke Eberhard
Published: August 2021

Für eine Einschätzung der Notwendigkeit, der Effizienz und auch der Priorisierung von Instandsetzungs‐ und Ertüchtigungsmaßnahmen für Brückenbauwerke sind objektspezifische Kenntnisse von Bauwerksbeanspruchungen und Bauwerkszuständen unerlässlich. Aus der Identifizierung von Verkehrsbelegungen (Quantität und Qualität) und der Analyse der Bauwerksreaktionen werden Aussagen zur aktuellen Tragfähigkeit von Bestandsbauwerken abgeleitet. Eine erforderliche Datengrundlage bilden die für das konkrete Bauwerk ermittelten Verkehrsdaten des realen Verkehrs.
Multiphase and Multicomponent Nickel‐Iron Oxide Heterostructure as an Efficient Separator Modification Layer for Advanced Lithium Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Liu Qing , Han Xiaotong , Dou Qingyun , Xiong Peixun , Kang Yingbo , Kang Seok‐Won , Kim Bo‐Kyong , Park Ho Seok
Published: August 2021

Lithium sulfur batteries (LSBs) have been seen as of considerable potential candidate for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) to satisfy high energy density demand. However, the application of LSBs until now has been stubbornly dragged by the “shuttle effect” of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) due to dissolution of LiPSs in electrolyte and reaction with the lithium anode, incurring a severe capacity decay. Herein, the straightforward separator modification method that multiphase and multicomponent nickel‐iron oxide heterostructure grown on oxidized carbon nanotube (NiFe2O4−NiO/OCNT) composites directly coated on the polypropylene (PP) separator, has been implemented, which effectively inhibits the migration of LiPSs, enhances the electron and lithium‐ion transfer, and promotes the redox kinetics by virtue of the heterostructure interfaces between NiFe2O4, NiO, and OCNT. In conclusion, the synthesized NiFe2O4−NiO/OCNT/PP separator delivers good rate capacities and high stability up to 1000 cycles at 2 C with a low‐capacity decay rate of approximately 0.065 % per cycle.
Families with Parental Mental Health Problems: A Systematic Narrative Review of Family‐Focused Practice
Authors: Lagdon Susan , Grant Anne , Davidson Gavin , Devaney John , Donaghy Mary , Duffy Joe , Galway Karen , McCartan Claire
Published: August 2021

The mental health problems of parents can negatively affect their whole family. The organisational and wider context may also influence the outcomes for all involved. The aims of this systematic review were: to develop a working definition of family‐focused practice (FFP); identify the types of outcomes that are measured with a focus on service user experiences; and explore how well interventions in the included studies fit with previously established components of FFP. A comprehensive literature search of 16 databases was conducted for peer‐reviewed, primary research studies related to FFP published between 1998 and 2016. In total, 3731 articles were identified and screened by four reviewers. Of those, 40 articles met all of the inclusion criteria. The review focused on family outcomes and, consistent with previous reviews, there was a reasonable degree of consistency about the core components of FFP. An additional component, identified by this review, which was part of some interventions, was work to improve access to and engagement with community supports and services. The review concludes that there is a need for: an agreed definition of FFP; clearer links to relevant theories; a more consistent approach to measuring outcomes, including economic perspectives; and an increased strategic promotion of whole family approaches.

Key Practitioner Messages

There is an immediate need for an agreed definition of family‐focused practice.

Relevant theory could further clarify the theories of change and anticipated outcomes.

There is consistency across studies about the key components of family‐focused practice.

This review suggests the inclusion of an additional component, which is practice that improves access to and engagement with community supports and services.

Economic evaluations of family‐focused practice are needed.

‘There is an immediate need for an agreed definition of family‐focused practice’
Supported Vanadium Catalysts for Selective Sulfur‐Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Propane
Authors: Arinaga Allison M. , Alayoglu Selim , Zheng Ding , Marks Tobin J.
Published: August 2021

The catalytic oxidative dehydrogenation of propane (ODHP) is a challenging reaction due to facile competing overoxidation to COx. The gaseous disulfur molecule, S2, is isoelectronic with O2 and has been shown to act as an alternative, “soft oxidant” for the analogous process (SODHP) over bulk metal sulfide catalysts. However, these bulk catalysts suffer from low surface areas and ill‐defined active sites – issues that might be addressed with a supported catalyst. Here we investigate supported V/Al2O3 materials for SODHP. We show that these catalysts are highly selective for propylene, far surpassing the yields of the prior bulk systems. Isolated sulfided vanadium species are found to be more active and selective than crystalline vanadium sulfide. Additionally, we compare the S2 and O2 oxidants over sulfided and calcined V/Al2O3 materials, respectively, and find that the propylene selectivity is enhanced using S2 as the oxidant. These results suggest that sulfur is a promising soft oxidant that can be used to achieve high propylene selectivities over supported metal sulfides.
Improvement of Biomass Gasification/Combustion Characteristics by Microwave Pretreatment of Biomass Pellets
Authors: Barmina Inesa , Goldsteins Linards , Valdmanis Raimonds , Zake Maija
Published: August 2021

A wider use of the regional bioenergy resources for the development of environmentally friendly energy production providing microwave pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass pellets (wood, straw, and peat) of different origin at a frequency of 2.45 GHz is promoted. A hypothesis is proposed and tested that microwave pretreatment of biomass pellets and blending of such pretreated pellets with raw pellets can be applied to enhance the thermochemical conversion of lignocellulosic biomass blends from different origin. The test results confirm that increased reactivity and heating value of pretreated biomass pellets enhances heat energy production and limits the formation of green house gases (GHG) emissions, thus advancing a more efficient usage of agricultural and forestry waste for energy production.
Intensification of the Separation of Isothermal Ternary Gas Mixtures Containing Carbon Dioxide
Authors: Kossov Vladimir , Fedorenko Olga , Asembaeva Mansiya , Mukamedenkyzy Venera , Moldabekova Maira
Published: August 2021

The possibility of intensifying the separation of isothermal ternary gas mixtures containing carbon dioxide was studied experimentally. It was shown that the preferential transfer of carbon dioxide requires the system to be initially diffusively unstable, and the interdiffusion coefficients of mixing components can either differ significantly from each other or be close in value. A linear analysis of the stability of isothermal ternary gas mixtures containing carbon dioxide for a flat vertical channel and a cylindrical channel of finite height was performed. Comparison of the results of the numerical study with experimental data showed qualitative coherency.
Heating rate with regard to temperature release of UHPC under cyclic compressive loading
Authors: Deutscher Melchior , Scheerer Silke
Published: August 2021

The heating of high‐performance concrete during high‐frequency cyclic loading strongly influences the fatigue strength and has a negative influence on them. This is particularly noticeable in fatigue tests for the standardization of high‐performance concretes. In order to understand the causes and to be able to consider the strength change, effects of different parameters have to be investigated. Both the loading speed and the applied fatigue stress have a strong influence on the speed of heating up. However, from measurements during fatigue tests result curves that show not only the temperature generation but also the temperature release, making it difficult to assess the individual aspects. For this reason, a purely measurement‐based method is being developed with which the cooling can be calculated continuously over the temperature curve and thus the pure heating can be determined. This enables a better understanding of the experiments carried out so far. In this paper, the previous test results are presented, and the evaluation method is explained and applied. This partially corrects the previous understanding of the parameters. The new findings from the evaluation method on the frequency influence are verified and confirmed with three additional tests with thermal insulation.
Chemical Recycling of Mixed Plastic Wastes by Pyrolysis – Pilot Scale Investigations
Authors: Zeller Michael , Netsch Niklas , Richter Frank , Leibold Hans , Stapf Dieter
Published: August 2021

Chemical recycling of plastic wastes can be a useful complement to mechanical recycling to achieve the required plastics recycling rates and to establish a circular economy that is climate neutral and resource‐efficient. Different mixed plastic wastes that are subject to future recycling efforts are studied under uniform conditions of intermediate pyrolysis characterized by a medium heating rate and pyrolysis temperature. Product distributions and selected product properties are determined, and process mass and energy balances are derived. Product yields and compositions are highly dependent on the waste pyrolyzed. The results show that pyrolysis is a suitable process to recover chemical feedstock from various complex mixed plastic wastes.
Tandem Functionalization‐Carboxylation Reactions of π‐Systems with CO2
Authors: Bertuzzi Giulio , Cerveri Alessandro , Lombardi Lorenzo , Bandini Marco
Published: August 2021

The tandem catalytic functionalization/carboxylation of double as well as triple carbon‐carbon bonds with CO2 represent an emerging research area in synthetic organic methodology. In particular, the combination of mild reaction conditions, stoichiometric acceptor/donorless conditions (visible light photoredox catalysis) and chiral catalysts contributed to a rapid development of this intriguing research area capable of creating chemical diversity/ complexity from readily available unsaturated hydrocarbons and CO2 as a C1‐buinding block. The most recent developments in the field have been collected in the present review article and organized, based on the different sets of π‐systems/intermediates/reactive partners employed (i.e., nickelalactones, organo‐halides) as well as synthetic strategies (i.e., visible‐light photo redox catalysis).
Cyclic and Linear Thiopeptides from Soil‐DerivedStreptomyces sp. CPCC 203702 with Antiviral and Antibacterial Activities
Authors: Zhang Dewu , Wang Yujia , Hu Xinxin , Wang Xiaoyu , Li Linzi , Gu Guowei , Zhang Bingyuan , Cen Shan , You Xuefu , Yu Liyan
Published: August 2021

Main observation and conclusion

A new cyclic thiopeptide, berninamycin F (3), three new linear thiopeptides, berninamycins G—I (4—6), and two known berninamycin derivatives, berninamycins C and D (1 and 2) were isolated from Streptomyces sp. CPCC 203702. Their structures were elucidated through HRESIMS and one‐ and two‐dimensional NMR data, and the absolute configurations were assigned using Marfey's method. Compounds 4—6 are the first examples of linear berninamycin analogs. Notably, compound 4 is the first example of linear thiopeptide with a 1‐(oxazol‐2‐yl)ethan‐1‐one group, compound 6 is the first linear thiopeptide derivative with methylated oxoacetate moiety. Compounds 1—6 exhibited excellent anti‐Zika virus activities with IC50 values in the range of 4.4—10.5 μmol/L, which were superior to that of the positive control ribavirin (IC50 = 49.2 μmol/L). Compounds 1 and 3 showed strong anti‐influenza A virus activities with the IC50 values of 15.6 and 3.2 μmol/L, respectively. Compound 1 exhibited good antibacterial activities against methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin‐resistant Enterococcus spp. pathogens.
Vertical Distribution and Contamination of Soil Mercury in Karst Catchment, Southwest China: Land‐Use Type Influence
Authors: Qu Rui , Han Guilin , Liu Man , Zhang Qian
Published: August 2021

The policy‐driven “Grain for Green Programme” (GGP) has resulted in large‐scale land conversion from agricultural land to natural land in the karst area. One research surrounding the GGP is focused on evaluating its ecological implications for total mercury (THg) enrichment in Yinjiang County, Guizhou Province, Southwest China. Results show that 1) THg content in agricultural land (201.85 ± 57.23 µg kg−1) is lower compared to the forest (1048.62 ± 306.19 µg kg−1) and shrub (2582.60 ± 614.76 µg kg−1). 2) The THg content shows a good correlation with Fe (agricultural land:R= 0.75,p< 0.01; shrub:R= 0.88,p< 0.01), pH (shrub:R= 0.87,p< 0.01), and sand proportion (forest:R= −0.65,p< 0.01), rather than soil organic carbon (SOC). In the shrub, the increased pH and iron (Fe) content correspond to THg content between 1804 and 3743 µg kg−1; below the depth of 80 cm of the forest soil, the increased sand proportion correlates to THg content between 1223 and 748 µg kg−1. 3) The risk index of the THg exceeds 320 in the soil and imposes a very high ecological risk to this area.
Linking environmental management and employees' organizational identification: The mediating role of environmental attitude
Authors: Jaich Hans
Published: August 2021

The fundamental research question in the present study is whether perceived environmental management practices relate to employees' organizational identification. Specifically, it is hypothesized that this relationship is mediated by employees' environmental attitudes. The corresponding research model adopts a multi‐theoretical approach that combines two different theoretical lenses. Goal‐framing theory is introduced to predict whether perceived environmental management practices affect employees' environmental attitudes, while green‐person‐organization fit is applied to explain the relationship between employees' environmental attitudes and organizational identification. The research model was tested using a cross‐sectional research design with data from 206 employees from tourist service companies in Germany. The results, which largely support the research model, shed light on a thus far unexplored mechanism that mediates individual reactions to organizational practices and contrasts the more established proposition that employees first identify with their organization before they develop attitudes that are in accordance with corresponding ingroup norms. Implications for both research and practice are discussed.
The prodigiosin change on the surface of Serratia marcescens detected by flow cytometry
Authors: Rong Guangjian , Zhang Youhong , Chen Yan , Chen Jie , Jiang Nan , Merchuk Jose C.
Published: August 2021

The potential of flow cytometry for the study of changes in prodigiosin on the cell surface of Serratia marcescens is of academic and practical interest. This is because S. marcescens can produce prodigiosin, a secondary metabolite, with potential use as a cancer‐cell inhibitor. In this study, three groups of bacterial cultures with different carbon sources were compared, and the effect of the addition of cAMP to the sucrose‐based culture was studied. Both cellular morphology and DNA content were detected by flow cytometry, rendering a broad description of the bacterial behavior. It is the first use of flow cytometry to investigate the dynamics of prodigiosin on the surface of S. marcescens during growth in different media. The fluorescence intensity is related to the DNA content, the forward‐scattered light is related to cell volume, and the side‐scattered light is related to the surface morphology, especially the surface prodigiosin. These may contribute to the potential development of a bacterial metabolic monitoring strategy using both DNA content analysis and bacterial morphology based on flow cytometry technique.
EETSP: Energy‐efficient two‐stage routing protocol for wireless sensor network‐assisted Internet of Things
Authors: Dwivedi Anshu Kumar , Mehra Pawan Singh , Pal Om , Doja Mohammad Najmud , Alam Bashir
Published: August 2021

Wireless sensor network (WSN) is a key technology that can support Industrial Revolution 4.0. The sensor nodes (SNs) are the important component of WSN. Recharge or repair of batteries of SNs is impossible, and thus, energy is the most valuable resource of WSN. Over the years, many methods have been proposed to conserve the precious energy resource of WSN. The most important concern in WSN is how much of the energy of the SNs can be saved, which can contribute to the better network life of WSN. WSN‐assisted IoT output is reduced when a wide region of the network is deployed. Energy‐efficient routing is one of the ways to reduce power consumption in WSNs. Therefore, a novel energy‐efficient two‐stage routing protocol (EETSP) has been proposed to reduce the energy used in WSN and extend the stability period as well as the network lifetime of WSN. Through this protocol, the number of packets communicated to the base station (BS) is significantly improved, and the cluster heads (CHs) and secondary cluster heads (SCHs) reduce the energy utilization in the network. SCH works as a backup CH. EETSP consists of two stages. The selection of CH and SCH is made in the primary stage, based on the input parameters. Intercluster routing and intracluster routing are performed in the second stage. The improvements of EETSP are examined against LEACH and Z‐SEP, and obtained results indicate that the EETSP is better in terms of stability period, throughput and network lifetime.
Cloning, expression, and characteristic analysis of the novel β‐galactosidase from silkworm, Bombyx mori
Authors: Yi Yongzhu , Li Jialei , Zong Zhipeng , Liu Xingjian , Song Haozhi , Wang Haining , Zhang Zhifang , Zhang Huan , Li Yinü
Published: August 2021

β‐Galactosidase is a critical exoglycosidase involved in the hydrolysis of lactose, the modification and degradation of glycoprotein in vivo. In this study, the β‐galactosidase gene of silkworm (BmGal), whose cDNA comprises 11 exons and contains an intact ORF of 1,821 bp, was cloned. The protein sequence of BmGal showed high similarity with other known insect β‐galactosidases. No activity of the BmGal expressed in Escherichia coli or Pichia pastoris was detected while it was successfully expressed with high enzyme activity in baculovirus expression system in silkworm, and the electrophoresis result revealed that the BmGal showed activity in oligomer mode. Enzyme activity assay showed that its optimum pH was 8.4 and its optimum temperature was 40 °C. What is more, we found that iron ions can stimulate the activity of the enzyme while cobalt, nickel, or lead ions can inhibit its activity significantly. Besides, the temporal–spatial transcription pattern of the BmGal mRNA level was analyzed, which showed that BmGal was transcribed at the highest level in the fifth larval instar but relatively low level in the pupal and adult stage, and the highest transcriptional level of BmGal was found in testis among all the tissues concerned.
Opportunities to reduce pollination deficits and address production shortfalls in an important insect‐pollinated crop
Authors: Garratt Michael P. D. , de Groot G. Arjen , Albrecht Matthias , Bosch Jordi , Breeze Tom D. , Fountain Michelle T. , Klein Alexandra M. , McKerchar Megan , Park Mia , Paxton Robert J. , Potts Simon G. , Pufal Gesine , Rader Romina , Senapathi Deepa , Andersson Georg K. S. , Bernauer Olivia M. , Blitzer Eleanor J. , Boreux Virginie , Campbell Alistair J. , Carvell Claire , Földesi Rita , García Daniel , Garibaldi Lucas A. , Hambäck Peter A. , Kirkitadze Giorgi , Kovács‐Hostyánszki Anikó , Martins Kyle T. , Miñarro Marcos , O’Connor Rory , Radzeviciute Rita , Roquer‐Beni Laura , Samnegård Ulrika , Scott Lorraine , Vereecken Nicolas J. , Wäckers Felix , Webber Sean M. , Japoshvili George , Zhusupbaeva Aigul
Published: August 2021

Pollinators face multiple pressures and there is evidence of populations in decline. As demand for insect‐pollinated crops increases, crop production is threatened by shortfalls in pollination services. Understanding the extent of current yield deficits due to pollination and identifying opportunities to protect or improve crop yield and quality through pollination management is therefore of international importance. To explore the extent of “pollination deficits,” where maximum yield is not being achieved due to insufficient pollination, we used an extensive dataset on a globally important crop, apples. We quantified how these deficits vary between orchards and countries and we compared “pollinator dependence” across different apple varieties. We found evidence of pollination deficits and, in some cases, risks of overpollination were even apparent for which fruit quality could be reduced by too much pollination. In almost all regions studied we found some orchards performing significantly better than others in terms of avoiding a pollination deficit and crop yield shortfalls due to suboptimal pollination. This represents an opportunity to improve production through better pollinator and crop management. Our findings also demonstrated that pollinator dependence varies considerably between apple varieties in terms of fruit number and fruit quality. We propose that assessments of pollination service and deficits in crops can be used to quantify supply and demand for pollinators and help to target local management to address deficits although crop variety has a strong influence on the role of pollinators.
Evaluating online and tangible interfaces for engaging stakeholders in forecasting and control of biological invasions
Authors: Gaydos Devon A. , Jones Chris M. , Jones Shannon K. , Millar Garrett C. , Petras Vaclav , Petrasova Anna , Mitasova Helena , Meentemeyer Ross K.
Published: August 2021

Ecological forecasts will be best suited to inform intervention strategies if they are accessible to a diversity of decision‐makers. Researchers are developing intuitive forecasting interfaces to guide stakeholders through the development of intervention strategies and visualization of results. Yet, few studies to date have evaluated how user interface design facilitates the coordinated, cross‐boundary management required for controlling biological invasions. We used a participatory approach to develop complementary tangible and online interfaces for collaboratively forecasting biological invasions and devising control strategies. A diverse group of stakeholders evaluated both systems in the real‐world context of controlling sudden oak death, an emerging forest disease killing millions of trees in California and Oregon. Our findings suggest that while both interfaces encouraged adaptive experimentation, tangible interfaces are particularly well suited to support collaborative decision‐making. Reflecting on the strengths of both systems, we suggest workbench‐style interfaces that support simultaneous interactions and dynamic geospatial visualizations.
How index selection, compression, and recording schedule impact the description of ecological soundscapes
Authors: Heath Becky E. , Sethi Sarab S. , Orme C. David L. , Ewers Robert M. , Picinali Lorenzo
Published: August 2021

Acoustic indices derived from environmental soundscape recordings are being used to monitor ecosystem health and vocal animal biodiversity. Soundscape data can quickly become very expensive and difficult to manage, so data compression or temporal down‐sampling are sometimes employed to reduce data storage and transmission costs. These parameters vary widely between experiments, with the consequences of this variation remaining mostly unknown.

We analyse field recordings from North‐Eastern Borneo across a gradient of historical land use. We quantify the impact of experimental parameters (MP3 compression, recording length and temporal subsetting) on soundscape descriptors (Analytical Indices and a convolutional neural net derived AudioSet Fingerprint). Both descriptor types were tested for their robustness to parameter alteration and their usability in a soundscape classification task.

We find that compression and recording length both drive considerable variation in calculated index values. However, we find that the effects of this variation and temporal subsetting on the performance of classification models is minor: performance is much more strongly determined by acoustic index choice, with Audioset fingerprinting offering substantially greater (12%–16%) levels of classifier accuracy, precision and recall.

We advise using the AudioSet Fingerprint in soundscape analysis, finding superior and consistent performance even on small pools of data. If data storage is a bottleneck to a study, we recommend Variable Bit Rate encoded compression (quality = 0) to reduce file size to 23% file size without affecting most Analytical Index values. The AudioSet Fingerprint can be compressed further to a Constant Bit Rate encoding of 64 kb/s (8% file size) without any detectable effect. These recommendations allow the efficient use of restricted data storage whilst permitting comparability of results between different studies.