bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SUPPORTING THE DIFFUSION OF INNOVATIONS IN SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTREPRENEURS
Authors:   University of Customs and Finance, Horiashchenko Yuliia
Published: May 2021

This article draws a parallel between the diffusion of innovation and the level of profitability of Ukrainian enterprises. The conceptual and categorical analysis of the term “diffusion of innovations” is carried out. The basic principles of innovative solutions are indicated as the basis for information support of innovative activities. These principles include: the natural nature of innovation, analytical solutions, validity, voluntariness, partnership between all participants in the innovation process. It is emphasized that non-observance of these principles makes it impossible to make a voluntary or collective decision and presupposes the adoption of an undesirable innovative decision for enterprises, which, unlike a collective one, is made not by the social system, but by a group of people with influence or power. Shown are regional disparities in terms of profitability (loss ratio) of large, medium and small enterprises in 2015-2019. The difference between the level of profitability of large, medium and small enterprises by region is due to regional imbalances in social, economic, environmental and political and legal development. Separately, a comparison was made of all economic regions for a deeper understanding of the country's innovative potential and cluster analysis in further scientific research. It is emphasized that it is the profitable activity of enterprises that is the first step towards innovation. The calculations showed the level of readiness and ability of citizens to do business in the country. A fuzzy relationship has been established between the profitability of Ukrainian enterprises and their innovative activities. The main problem for small and medium-sized businesses in Ukraine, as well as for businesses in European countries, is the inaccessibility of digital production and distribution solutions. The German experience of diffusion of innovations in small and medium-sized businesses was studied, in particular, the attraction of German small businesses to digitalization. Based on the study of foreign experience, a strategic task for Ukrainian small and medium-sized businesses is outlined.
MAIN FEATURES AND TRENDS OF DEVELOPMENT OF THE SERVICE MARKET
Authors:   Kharkiv State Academy of Culture, Getman Larysa
Published: May 2021

The article discusses approaches to the interpretation of the concept of a service, its specific differences from a physical product and the main features as an object of purchase and sale in the relevant market. Based on the analysis and systematization of existing scientific views, the main features of the service market and the features of the interaction of supply and demand in the service sector are revealed. The practice of functioning of the service market demonstrates the high dynamics of market processes, a pronounced segmentation of demand for services, a high degree of differentiation of services, a high rate of capital turnover and the important role of non-price barriers to entry into the market. The essence and value of the customer's customer loyalty for successful commercial activities and increasing the competitiveness of the manufacturer-supplier of the service has been investigated. Loyalty becomes an indicator of business performance and its ability to innovate. A customer-oriented business philosophy, where a wide range of factors of influence on the formation of customer loyalty is taken into account and used, will allow the company to count on long-term relationships with the consumer and will attract new customers through his positive experience. The possibilities and features of the application of competitive strategies by firms in the field of service activities were analyzed. The main trends in the development of the services market in the current stage, namely the processes of its digitalization, have been investigated. The buyer today is interested not only in price and quality, but also in good service. If a company meets customer service demand through the introduction of chat bots, self- service terminals, mobile applications, etc., then this contributes to the formation of a positive customer experience, which ultimately increases sales. The features and advantages of using information technologies both in business activities and in the implementation of consumer choice have been determined.
ECOLOGICAL PROBLEMS IN A PANDEMIC CONDITION: CURRENT CHALLENGES AND ECONOMIC SOLUTIONS
Authors:   National University of Water and Environmental Engineering, Myronets Maryna , Kulinich Tetiana ,   Lviv Polytechnic National University, Tsipan Yuliia ,   National University of Water and Environmental Engineering
Published: May 2021

The ecological effect of the pandemic has been known since the beginning of our era, when the "Justinian plague" restored the flora and fauna of the planet. However, with the development of scientific and technological progress, the means of combating the epidemic have changed, and accordingly its impact on the environment has been transformed. With this in mind, this paper discusses the environmental problems that arise in the modern corona viral pandemic. It is determined that if earlier tissue masks were used to fight the epidemic, which could be disposed of without any problems, now the current means of protection require much more careful handling. In particular, it is not only necessary to properly dispose of medical care, but also to dispose of it according to special protocols, which in practice is not always performed. In addition, it has been established that in the conditions of a pandemic, the use of disposables, ie plastic bags, rubber gloves, etc., is increasing, which also has a negative impact on the environment after a long period of decay. In addition, the article found that the pandemic is causing a decline in the ranks of the economy, as well as an increase in the use of personal, transport, which also pollutes the environment. It has been studied that the pandemic affects the ecological situation in the Arctic, which determines the climate of the entire planet. At the same time, the article states that the World Health Organization has made a number of recommendations to improve the situation. In addition, a number of measures have been taken to improve the environmental situation in a pandemic. The positive impact of the introduction of global quarantine on the environment, as well as the probable directions of change in the situation after its completion have been studied. In particular, it is noted that in order to improve the long-term ecological environment of the planet, it is necessary not only to take measures to improve the situation, but also to form environmental awareness in people.
SUBJECT INNOVATION IN THE ASPECT OF FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC STRATEGY OF ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT
Authors:   Kryvyi Rih National University, Turylo Anatoliy , Turylo Anatoliy ,   Kryvyi Rih National University, Korolenko Rita ,   Kryvyi Rih National University
Published: May 2021

The article considers the problem of evaluation of innovations in the process of enterprise development and formation of its strategy. The role and place of innovations in the global system of effective development of the enterprise and ensuring competitiveness and growth of its market value are shown. The basic positions concerning systematization in approaches to an estimation of innovations in the course of activity of the enterprise are generalized. It is proposed, as an element of the general study of innovative development of the enterprise, to consider and evaluate it from the standpoint of subjectivity and objectivity. The specificity of the study is to distinguish in the management system of innovative development of the enterprise object and subject of management and focus on them. It is proposed to study the innovative activity of the enterprise in the coordinates "subject - object of innovation". Methodological approaches to the assessment of innovative activity of the enterprise are presented. The author's interpretation of the concept of "subjective innovation" is given and its connection and difference with such concepts as "human resource" and "human capital" are shown. Subjective innovation, as an important component of human capital, in its content and importance in the system of competitive development of the enterprise is a key factor of innovation potential and the basis for the formation and implementation of its financial and economic development strategy. A general method of evaluating the concept of "subjective innovation" in the process of enterprise development is proposed. Based on the content of the concept of "subjective innovation", the objective complexity of its exact calculation (at the present stage of development of science) and the possibility of certain tolerances in such calculations in the work it is recommended to evaluate this concept by an expert method. It is determined that the proposed assessment will generally improve and deepen the process of managing the innovative development of the enterprise.
PECULIARITIES OF APPLICATION OF BANK ACCOUNTS IN UKRAINE ACCORDING TO IBAN INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS
Authors:   Lviv Polytechnic National University, Borshchuk Iryna
Published: May 2021

The article examines the current state of settlement operations by Ukrainian banks using international bank account numbers. The peculiarities of the introduction of the international bank account number in the practice of Ukrainian banks and its use for interbank settlements today are analyzed. The structure of current accounts of business entities in the format of the international standard IBAN (International Bank Account Number) is described. IBAN is a standard of the International Organization for Standardization ISO and the European Committee for Banking Standards ECBS, which carries out the coding of bank accounts according to uniform international rules. For Ukraine, IBAN consists of 29 alphanumeric characters: country code, check digit, bank code and account number. Today, 74 countries use the international bank account number IBAN, of which 34 are members of a single European payment network, which completely eliminates the differences between domestic and international payments in euros. Therefore, speaking about the introduction of this practice in the domestic banking market, it should be noted that this innovation will significantly modernize the system of international interbank settlements. The use of the old parameters of current accounts in Ukraine allowed to read information about the client only to Ukrainian banks. According to the results of the study on the introduction of the international bank account standard IBAN in Ukraine, the introduction of international bank account standards improves the procedure for identifying counterparties, in particular by reducing the number of details, which greatly simplifies the procedure for processing settlement documents, including international transfers. The use of this bank account standard also avoids errors in international settlements in the banking sector. The advantages of using international bank account number by Ukrainian banks are substantiated, in particular, it is proved that the introduction of the international standard bank account IBAN will harmonize the Ukrainian payment space with the European one, and will further modernize the NBU electronic payment system.
SUBSTANTIATION OF THE METHODICAL APPROACH TO ASSESSING THE INNOVATIVE DEVELOPMENT OF CONSTRUCTION ENTERPRISES
Authors:   Lviv Polytechnic National University, Kniaz Sviatoslav , Skrynkovskyy Ruslan ,   Lviv University of Business and Law, Mainka Marcel Kurt ,   Lviv University of Business and Law, Rusyn-Hrynyk Roman ,   Lviv Polytechnic National University, Dzvonyk Vasyl ,   Lviv Polytechnic National University
Published: May 2021

The purpose of the article is to improve the methodological support for a comprehensive assessment of the innovative development of enterprises in the construction industry. Based on the results of the study, the strengths and weaknesses of existing approaches were critically analyzed and a methodological approach to assessing the innovative development of construction enterprises was proposed. Clarifications of such concepts (economic categories) as: innovative solution, creative-active workers, creative construction project, innovative building material, innovative engineering structure, innovative technology are presented. Relative indicators are analyzed, with the help of which the level of innovative development of a construction company is determined. The Harrington scale was used to analyze the values of indicators characterizing the level of innovative development of a construction company. It has been established that the current trends that have developed in the construction industry in Ukraine require Ukrainian construction companies to intensively attract and use innovative technologies. It is noted that the prospects for further research in this direction include the definition and substantiation of factors of influence on the effectiveness of the application of the system-functional approach in the management of innovative development of construction enterprises.
EUROPEAN REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CULTURE OF THE LAWYER'S PERSONALITY
Authors:   Sumy State University, Telizhenko Liudmyla , Sira Maria ,   Sumy State University
Published: May 2021

The article is devoted to the analysis of the structure and value of the professional culture of the lawyer, taking into account European standards, in particular anthropocentrism, humanism and attitude to person as the highest value in the world. It is noted that it is part of the universal culture, without which it is impossible to form a high moral, comprehensively developed personality. In addition to knowledge of moral norms and values traditionally formed in European society, the lawyer impeccably must have a professional culture presented by many structural elements. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of the psychological and ethical culture of a lawyer as a basis for a given profession. The article proves that the psychological culture of the lawyer is manifested itself in the ability to use psychological knowledge and skills, in the understanding of socio-psychological public phenomena, in the knowledge of the psyche and the nature of the behavior of other people. The lawyer is also obliged to understand how psychological factors can affect his professional actions which are socially important. It is emphasized that a lawyer is necessary to work on self-improvement continuously in order to raise a professional and psychological level of its development. It is shown that the ethical culture of a lawyer involves the awareness of moral rights and responsibilities, the ability to adhere to them in professional activity. The lawyer is inherent in the level of internal conviction and is the basis for making all decisions and actions, especially those not regulated by law. It is concluded that the significance of the professional culture of a lawyer is defined by the specifics of the legal profession, the responsibility of the lawyer for the execution of the functions commissioned to him. The psychological and ethical culture of the lawyer is his professional competence, which allows the lawyer to understand his place among colleagues and in society. It reflects the level of its professional training, experience in the profession, as well as the expectation of society regarding the level of professionalism, responsibility, attitude towards man as the highest value.
PROSPECTS OF ADAPTATION OF UKRAINIAN LEGISLATION ON ADVOCACY TO EUROPEAN STANDARDS
Authors:   Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University, Shandula Oleksandr , Bulykina Tetiana ,   Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University
Published: May 2021

The article examines the current domestic legislation on advocacy and advocacy, establishes the level of its compliance with European and international standards. The Constitution of Ukraine declares the desire of our people to build a democratic, social, legal state. However, achieving this goal is impossible without a qualitative reform of the legal system of the country, which, unfortunately, still retains the echoes of Soviet law. Especially important is creating and functioning of the system of bodies capable of ensuring human rights, freedoms and legitimate interests by providing highly qualified legal assistance. In modern civilized democracies, a necessary factor in the system of legal protection of a person, the rights and freedoms is the advocacy. It represents a specialized institute for this humane mission. Given the European integration sentiments of our state, further reform of the legal profession in Ukraine should take into account the positive world and European experience. Adaptation of the current domestic legislation to the EU legislation, including in the field of advocacy, is one of the priority areas of the state, which determines the relevance of the research topic. Based on the study of the Strategy for the Reform of the Judiciary, Judiciary and Related Legal Institutions for 2015-2020, as the main program document for the reform of the avocacy in Ukraine, steps have been taken to implement it. Further prospects for the development of the bar in Ukraine in accordance with the European integration direction of the country are proposed.
EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS AS AN INSTRUMENT OF PROTECTION OF THE RIGHTS OF MIGRANTS
Authors:   Yaroslav Mudriy National Law University, Sorokina Anastasiia , Demchenko Vasyl ,   Yaroslav Mudriy National Law University, Asiryan Syuzanna ,   Yaroslav Mudriy National Law University
Published: May 2021

The article is devoted to the analysis of the role of the European Court of Human Rights as an instrument of protection of the rights of migrants. Based on the research of its practice the conclusion that the Court is an effective instrument of protection migrants' rights was done. The essential attention was paid to detection of the definition «a migrant». Migrant is a person who moves from one place, region or country to another one, and who has right to apply to the Court. Authors identified three kinds of migrants: official migrants, undocumented migrants and migrants who need help, and a typical list of violated rights of each of them. It was found that a group of official migrants mainly suffers from violations of such rights and freedoms as freedom of thought, conscience and religion (article 9), freedom of express (article 10), right to education (article 2 Protocol No.1) and prohibition of discrimination (article 14). Undocumented migrants are usually subjected to violations of right to liberty and security (article 5), prohibition of torture (article 3), prohibition of collective expulsion of aliens (article 4 Protocol No.4). Freedom of movement (article 2 Protocol No.4), right to liberty and security (article 5) are ones violated the most of migrants who need help. Considered and analyzed certain decisions of the ECtHR, where the Court points to violations of the above-mentioned rights. It was acknowledged that during the functioning of the Court, the practice in such cases has changed, and now is going to be described as stable and sustainable. Significant attention is devoted to the conditions of admissibility which an application to the Court must meet. Especially the authors pay attention on notion of victim as a person who has right to apply to the Court that gave an opportunity to detect the definition, the types of it and cases of granting the «victim» status based upon the practice of the Court
TAX PLANNING: PRACTICAL PROBLEMS OF IMPLEMENTATION
Authors:   Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University, Shulha Tetiana , Khaletska Kateryna ,   Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University
Published: May 2021

The article has investigated scientific achievements of scientists, who studied the issue of "tax planning" in the system of tax management at an enterprise. The basic approaches to definition of essence of tax planning in the system of corporate management of an enterprise are established. The article has given its own definition of "tax planning". It has ascertained that one of the important elements of tax compliance at the enterprise is tax planning and has substantiated the necessity of its introduction. The article also has defined the main objectives of tax planning. The necessity of introduction of planning is connected to its ability to prevent delinquencies in the sphere of taxation, define losses the enterprise may incur in payment of taxes, determine optimal ways of enterprise activity and etc. The article has described the main levels of planning - strategic, current, operational, and identifies tasks at each of them. Types of tax planning and their peculiarities are established and investigated. The conclusion about the relevance and necessity of the use of tax planning system by the enterprise for its successful functioning is made. It has proved the expediency of creation of special structural subdivisions and engagement of separate specialists for realization of tax planning functions at the enterprises. The article has defined practical problems of implementation of tax planning in an enterprise to which the one can refer: absence of legislative regulation, confusion of notions of "tax planning" with notions of "tax evasion" and "tax avoidance", implementation of aggressive tax planning in an enterprise, inexperience of governing bodies of economic entities and/or their neglect of tax planning. Ways of solving these problems that have developed in practice include defining tax planning, its system, principles, methods and techniques at the level of law, and improving its organizational, informational and methodological support in the enterprise.
THE RULE OF LAW AS A FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE OF THE LEGAL SYSTEM: COMPARATIVE LEGAL ASPECT
Authors:   Yaroslav Mudriy National Law University, Dashkovska Olena , Kazarin Bohdan ,   Yaroslav Mudriy National Law University, Zavialov Yehor ,   Yaroslav Mudriy National Law University
Published: May 2021

The article considers the concept of "rule of law", identifies the main features, clarifies the ideological origins of the rule of law. The relationship between the concepts of "rule of law" and "rule of law" is analyzed. Attention is paid to the development of the doctrine of the rule of law in domestic legislation, the main stages of enshrining this principle in the system of national legislation are highlighted. It is noted that at this stage of development of the rule of law there is a problem of its insufficient regulation and definition of this concept in the system of Ukrainian law. The principle of the rule of law in the times of the Soviet Union and in the times of independent Ukraine is considered. It was concluded that many elements of the structure of the legal system were borrowed from the times of Soviet Ukraine. It was also found that the current state of the rule of law in Ukraine largely depends on the level of legal culture of the population, where Soviet stereotypes prevail. A comparison of the application of the rule of law in different types of legal families, namely: Anglo-Saxon, religious and traditional. It is noted that in our time in any legal system of the world one way or another is used and enshrined the fundamental principle of the rule of law. It is emphasized that for the development of our system based on the basic principles of law, it is necessary to further borrow the experience of other countries of different types of legal families. It is established that focusing on more developed Western countries will contribute to the renewal and development of the legal system of Ukraine. It is noted that this principle is one of the general principles of constitutionalism, it is necessary for the state to be considered truly democratic and legal. The conclusion emphasizes that respect for human rights, the prohibition of state arbitrariness, non-discrimination and equality before the law are the main elements of this principle.
How Evidence-Based is Evidence-Biased Medicine
Authors:   Institute for Transdisciplinary Research and Development, Slovenia, R Gorjup , T Makovec ,   University of Ljubljana, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Slovenia
Published: May 2021

No chemical imbalances have been proven to exist in relation to any mental health condition, like serotonin deficiency in synapses in the socalled depressive disorders or dopamine imbalance and dopamine receptors distribution in so-called schizophrenia. No independent objective biological marker or current brain imagining science like fMRI exist to date in support of any psychiatric diagnosis, and finally yet importantly, no biological causes exist for any of the so-called psychiatric disorders. If we avoid Cartesian dualism, the claim that mental disorders are biological is obviously a tautology. Given the facts above, psychiatric diagnostic manuals, such as the DSM and ICD, are school examples of what evidence-based science is not and represent nothing but a failed attempt to build a legal road from Health Care to Hell Care by over-medicalization and by the suffering of human and non-human animals. Furthermore, psychiatric drugs can have long-lasting effects on the brain and the central nervous system, while the withdrawal from them can cause a range of severe physical and psychological effects.
A comprehensive non-targeted analysis study of the prenatal exposome
Authors: Abrahamsson Dimitri , Wang Aolin , Jiang Ting , Wang Miaomiao , Siddharth Aditya , Morello-Frosch Rachel , Park June-Soo , Sirota Marina , Woodruff Tracey J. , Panagopoulos Abrahamsson Dimitri
Published: May 2021

Recent technological advances in mass spectrometry have enabled us to screen biological samples for a very broad spectrum of chemical compounds allowing us to more comprehensively characterize the human exposome in critical periods of development. The goal of this study was three-fold: 1) to analyze 590 matched maternal and cord blood samples (total 295 pairs) using non-targeted analysis (NTA); 2) examine the differences in chemical abundance between maternal and cord blood samples; and 3) examine the associations between exogenous chemicals and endogenous metabolites. We analyzed all samples with high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) using liquid chromatography – quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF/MS), in both positive and negative electrospray ionization modes (ESI+ and ESI-) and in soft ionization (MS) and fragmentation (MS/MS) modes for prioritized features. We confirmed 19 unique compounds with analytical standards, we tentatively identified 73 compounds with MS/MS spectra matching, and we annotated 98 compounds using an annotation algorithm. We observed 103 significant associations in maternal and 128 in cord samples between compounds annotated as endogenous and compounds annotated as exogenous. An example of these relationships was an association between 3 poly and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and endogenous fatty acids in both the maternal and cord samples indicating potential interactions between PFAS and fatty acid regulating proteins.
Insights into the electric double-layer capacitance of two-dimensional electrically conductive metal-organic frameworks
Authors: Gittins Jamie W. , Balhatchet Chloe J. , Chen Yuan , Liu Cheng , Madden David G. , Britto Sylvia , Golomb Matthias , Walsh Aron , Fairen-Jimenez David , Dutton Sian , Forse Alexander C.
Published: May 2021

Two-dimensional electrically conductive metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as promising model electrodes for use in electric double-layer capacitors (EDLCs). However, a number of fundamental questions about the behaviour of this class of materials in EDLCs remain unanswered, including the effect of the identity of the metal node and organic linker molecule on capacitive performance and the limitations of current conductive MOFs in these devices relative to traditional activated carbon electrode materials. Herein, we address both these questions via a detailed study of the capacitive performance of the framework Cu3(HHTP)2 (HHTP = 2,3,6,7,10,11-hexahydroxytriphenylene) with an acetonitrile-based electrolyte, finding a specific capacitance of 110 – 114 F g−1 at current densities of 0.04 – 0.05 A g−1 and a modest rate capability. By, directly comparing its performance with the previously reported analogue, Ni3(HITP)2 (HITP = 2,3,6,7,10,11-hexaiminotriphenylene), we illustrate that capacitive performance is largely independent of the identity of the metal node and organic linker molecule in these nearly isostructural MOFs. Importantly, this result suggests that EDLC performance in general is uniquely defined by the 3D structure of the electrodes and the electrolyte, a significant finding not demonstrated using traditional electrode materials. Finally, we probe the limitations of Cu3(HHTP)2 in EDLCs, finding a limited cell voltage window of 1.3 V and only a modest capacitance retention of 81 % over 30,000 cycles, both significantly lower than state-of-the-art porous carbons. These important insights will aid the design of future conductive MOFs with greater EDLC performances.
Direct Amidation of Esters via Ball Milling
Authors: Nicholson William I. , Barreteau Fabien , Leitch Jamie , Payne Riley , Priestley Ian , Godineau Edouard , Battilocchio Claudio , Browne Duncan
Published: May 2021

The direct mechanochemical amidation of esters – enabled by ball-milling – is herein described. The operationally simple procedure requires inputs of ester, amine, and sub-stoichiometric KOtBu and is applicable to a preparation of a large and diverse library of 78 amide structures with modest to excellent efficiency. Heteroaromatic and heterocyclic components are specifically shown to be amenable to this mechanochemical protocol. This direct synthesis platform has been applied to the synthesis of API’s, agrochemicals, and its ability to deliver gram-scale synthesis of active pharmaceuticals and building blocks is demonstrated, all in the absence of a reaction solvent.
Unlocking the Accessibility of Alkyl Radicals from Boronic Acids through Hydrogen-bond Assisted Organophotoredox Activation
Authors: Ranjan Prabhat , Pillitteri Serena , Coppola Guglielmo , Oliva Monica , Eycken Erik V. Van der , Sharma Upendra K.
Published: May 2021

Despite their prevalence in organic synthesis, the application of boronic acids (BAs) as alkyl radical precursors in visible-light assisted photocatalyzed reactions has been limited by their high oxidation potential. This study demonstrates the remarkable ability of amide solvents viz. DMA (N,N-dimethylacetamide) to participate in hydrogen-bonding interactions with BAs, thus enabling the modulation of their oxidation potential towards the generation of alkyl radicals. The developed protocol is simple, robust and demonstrates broad applicability for alkylation, allylation and elimination reactions in batch and continuous flow. The application towards dehydroalanine allows the synthesis of unnatural amino acids. Furthermore, the chemo-selective generation of radical species from BAs, in the presence of boronic ester-containing molecules, is now feasible, endorsing plausible boron-selective (bio-) orthogonal modifications.
Influence of Reduced Na Vacancy Concentrations in the Sodium Superionic Conductors Na11+xSn2P1−xMxS12 (M = Sn, Ge)
Authors: Kraft Marvin , Gronych Lara , Famprikis Theodosios , Zeier Wolfgang
Published: May 2021

Exploration of sulfidic sodium solid electrolytes and their design contributes to advances in solid state sodium batteries. Such design is guided by a better understanding of fast sodium transport, for instance in the herein studied Na11Sn2PS12-type materials. By using Rietveld refinements against synchrotron X-ray diffraction and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, the influence of aliovalent substitution onto the structure and transport in Na11+xSn2P1−xMxS12 with M = Ge and Sn is investigated. Whereas Sn induces stronger structural changes than Ge, the found influence on the sodium sublattice and the ionic transport properties are comparable. Overall, a reduced in-grain activation energy of Na+ transport can be found with the reducing Na+ vacancy concentration. This work explores previously unreported phases in the Na11Sn2PS12 structure type that, based on their determined properties reveal Na+ vacancy concentrations to be an important factor guiding further understanding within Na11Sn2PS12-type materials.
Mitigating the Non-Specific Amplification in RCA: Assessment of the Role of Ligation and Exonuclease Digestion in Circular DNA Preparation
Authors: Nair Vandana Kuttappan , Sharma Chandrika , Sengupta Mrittika , Ghosh Souradyuti
Published: May 2021

Layman Summary: Rolling circle amplification (RCA) is a popular and extensively used bioanalytical tool. Like any nucleic acid amplifications, non-specific amplification may occur in it and risk generating false positive readouts. The work described in the manuscript investigates non-specific amplification in RCA as a function of ligation and exonuclease digestion assays during the synthesis of circular DNA. In particular, it investigates and compares the role of three different ligation techniques, namely splint-padlock ligation, cohesive end (sticky end ligation), and self-annealing ligation. In addition, it also probes the role of single exonuclease vs dual exonuclease digestions. We employed real time fluorescence to quantify the effect of these factors. Finally, our work hypothesizes the possible origins of non-specific amplification in RCA.
Cross Sphere Electrode Reaction: the Case of Hydroxyl Desorption during the Oxygen Reduction Reaction on Pt(111) in Alkaline Media
Authors: Li Yuke , Liu Zhi-Feng
Published: May 2021

Hydroxide ion is a common electrolyte when electrode reactions take place in alkaline media. In the case of oxygen reduction reaction on Pt(111), we demonstrate by ab initio molecular dynamics calculations, that the desorption of hydroxyl (OH*) from the electrode surface to form a solvated OH− is a cross sphere process, with the reactant OH* in the inner sphere and the product OH− directly generated in the aqueous outer sphere. Such a mechanism is distinct from the typical inner sphere and outer sphere reactions. It is dictated by the strong hydrogen bonding interactions between a hydroxide ion and water molecules and facilitated by proton transfer through solvation layers. It should play a significant role whenever OH* desorption, or its reverse, OH− adsorption, is involved in an electrochemical reaction
DoE Optimization Empowers the Automated Preparation of Enantiomerically Pure [18F]Talazoparib and its In Vivo Evaluation as a PARP Radiotracer.
Authors: Bowden Gregory D. , Stotz Sophie , Kinzler Johannes , Geibel Christian , Laemmerhofer Michael , Pichler Bernd J. , Maurer Andreas
Published: May 2021

PARP inhibitors are proven chemotherapeutics and serve as lead structures for the development of PARP-targeted in vivo imaging probes. Given the clinical potential of PARP imaging for the detection and stratification of various cancers, the development of novel PARP imaging probes with improved pharmacologi-cal profiles over established PARP imaging agents is warranted. Here, we present a novel 18F-labeled PARP radiotracer based on the clinically superior PARP inhibitor talazoparib. An automated radiosynthesis of [18F]talazoparib (RCY: 13 ± 3.4 %; n = 4; molar radioactivity 52 – 176 GBq/μmol) was achieved using a “Design of Experiments” (DoE) optimized copper-mediated radiofluorination reaction. The chiral product was isolated from the reaction mixture using 2D reversed-phase/chiral radio-HPLC (>99% ee). (8S, 9R)-[18F]Talazoparib demonstrated PARP binding in HCC1937 cells in vitro and showed an excellent tumor-to-blood ratio in xeno-graft-bearing mice (10.2 ± 1.5). Despite expected uptake into muscle, bone, and abdominal tissue, a favorable pharmacological profile in terms of excretion, blood half-life, and target engagement was observed in the pilot in vivo study. This synthesis of [18F]talazoparib exemplifies how a DoE based tracer development pipeline can enable the radiosyntheses of clinically relevant but synthetically challenging radiolabeled compounds of high interest to the imaging community.
Ethical Dilemmas in Resistance Art Workshops with Youth
Authors: Georas Chloé S. , Bailey Jane , Steeves Valerie
Published: May 2021

In 2017 and 2018 [Name of research project] organized two transnational youth resistance art workshops. These workshops addressed online social justice issues and placed emphasis on pushing back against technology-facilitated violence and surveillance in networked spaces. Our engagement with these workshops raised three dilemmas associated with these sorts of resistive social justice art projects. This article explores these dilemmas, which include how to enable the production of digital art in a manner that is attentive to intersectional issues of digital literacy and access; artistic appropriations of sexually explicit, discriminatory or hateful speech and their relation to cultural appropriation; and defamation, privacy, copyright and trademark considerations relating to artistic appropriations. In addressing these dilemmas, examples of regulatory frameworks shaping resistance opportunities and social justice initiatives are highlighted, along with suggestions for addressing these dilemmas for those who may wish to facilitate or engage in youth resistance art workshops in future.
Research on the Optimization of Teaching System of International Economy and Trade
Authors: Shuo Tian , Lianggui Zhang , Haiwei Zhang
Published: May 2021

Taking the construction of new liberal arts as a background, this paper proposes that the international economy and trade major should optimize the teaching system and personnel training mechanism by adding the new cross-border e-commerce direction. This paper highlights the development path of high-quality international economy and trade professional training, and further ensures the first-class talent training and first-class professional construction specialty.
Reform of Paleontology Experiment Teaching for Geology Majors
Authors: Jianpeng Chu
Published: May 2021

Due to the development of science and technology and the transformation of society’s demand for talents of geology majors, many changes have taken place in the arrangement of teaching hours and teaching content of paleontology experiment teaching. The paleontology experiment teaching of geology majors has problems such as unreasonable experiment design, no independent experiment arrangement, single teaching method, absence of experiment contents, etc. the article believes that the reform should be made in the following aspects: setting up independent experiment teaching arrangement, improvement of experiment teaching design, continuing to improve the laboratory hardware and software construction, reform of teaching methods.
A Research on the Application of Case Teaching Method in Curriculum-Based Ideological and Political Education in College English Course under the Concept of OBE
Authors: Hongmei Chen
Published: May 2021

Since the idea of “Curriculum-Based Ideological and Political Education” was formally proposed in 2016, it has rapidly become a research hotspot in education reform. Although a large number of relevant studies have focused on the effective paths to curriculum-based ideological and political education in specific courses, there are few studies on how to integrate ideological and political education contents into particular courses under specific educational concepts and by particular teaching methods. Thus, this paper will explore how to improve the teaching effectiveness of curriculum-based ideological and political education in College English course with the OBE concept as the driving force and the case teaching method as the means. Finally, a few thoughts on the application of case teaching method in College English course are offered.
Formation of silver nanoparticles on lignin and two of its precursors
Authors: Dahle Sebastian , Wegewitz Lienhard , Viöl Wolfgang , Maus-Friedrichs Wolfgang
Published: May 2021

Metastable Induced Electron Spectroscopy, Ultraviolet Photoelectron Spectroscopy (He I and He II), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, and Atomic Force Microscopy were employed to study the interaction of silver with lignin as well as with two of its natural precursors, coniferyl alcohol and sinapyl alcohol. For all three of them, no chemical interaction between the adsorbed silver and the organic substrate was found before contact with air. Nevertheless, silver nanoparticles were found in all three cases after contact with air. Thus, a process of silver nanoparticle formation during the decomposition of the organic molecules is suggested, similar to the previously found catalytic decomposition of cinnamyl alcohol by water in the presence of silver atoms.
Infodemia: noticias falsas y tendencias de mortalidad por COVID-19 en seis países de América Latina
Authors: Nieves-Cuervo Giselly Mayerly , Manrique-Hernández Edgar F. , Robledo-Colonia Angelo Fernando , Grillo Elvia Karina Ardila
Published: May 2021

Objetivo. Describir el comportamiento de la diseminación de noticias falsas en el contexto de la mortalidad por COVID-19 y el manejo de la infodemia en seis países latinoamericanos.

Métodos. Estudio ecológico descriptivo que explora el porcentaje de la población con incapacidad para reconocer las noticias falsas, el porcentaje de confianza en el contenido de las redes sociales y el porcentaje de su uso como única fuente de noticias en Argentina, Brasil, Chile, Colombia, México y Perú hasta el 29 de noviembre del 2020. Se calculó el índice de penetración de Internet en cada país, la tasa de penetración de Facebook y la tasa de mortalidad por la COVID-19. La información sobre las medidas implementadas se obtuvo mediante búsquedas bibliográficas y en portales gubernamentales y de noticias de los países seleccionados, según las cinco áreas de acción propuestas por la Organización Mundial de la Salud: identificación de la evidencia, trasmisión de la ciencia y el conocimiento, acciones amplificadas, cuantificación del impacto, y coordinación y gobernanza.

Resultados. Chile y Argentina fueron los países con los mayores índices de penetración de Internet (92,4% y 92,0%, respectivamente) y también están entre los que mayor uso hacen de las redes sociales como único medio para la obtención de noticias (32,0% y 28,0%, respectivamente); Brasil y Colombia mostraron un comportamiento intermedio en ambos indicadores. México tiene el uso más alto de redes sociales, mientras Perú y Colombia presentaron los mayores valores del índice de incapacidad para reconocer noticias falsas.

Conclusiones. Se observó que en los países con menor uso de las redes sociales como único medio para la obtención de la información y menor confianza en el contenido de redes sociales, las tasas de mortalidad fueron también menores.
The glacial history of Rocky Top cirque, southeast Fiordland, New Zealand
Authors:   , Moore Emily
Published: May 2021

Understanding natural climate variability is a fundamental goal of paleoclimate science. Temperate mountain glaciers are sensitive to climate variability, changing volume, and thus thickness and length, in response to changes in temperature and precipitation. Glaciers deposit moraines at their margins, which if well-preserved may provide evidence of glacier length fluctuations following glacial retreat. Therefore mountain glaciers can be used as proxies to investigate past climatic changes, offering the potential to reconstruct the timing and magnitude of natural climate variability and paleoclimate for the former glacier extent(s).

This study applies methods of detailed geomorphological mapping and cosmogenic 10Be surface exposure dating to establish a high-precision moraine chronology and examine the timing and magnitude of glacier length changes at Rocky Top cirque. A quantitative reconstruction of paleoclimate for the identified former glacier extents was produced using an equilibrium-line altitude (ELA) reconstruction method and application of a temperature lapse rate. Findings show a clear pattern of glacial retreat at the end of the Last Glacial Maximum, with exposure ages from moraine boulders successfully constraining the timing of five distinct periods of glacier readvance or standstills. The most recent glacial event at Rocky Top cirque occurred between 17342 ± 172 yrs BP and during this period the ELA was depressed by 611 m. The second innermost moraine produced an indistinguishable age of 17196 ± 220 yrs BP and had an ELA depression of 616 m, indicating rapid glacial retreat. Progressively older moraines produced surface exposure ages of 18709 ± 237 and 19629 ± 308 yrs BP, with ELA depressions of 618 and 626 m respectively. The oldest moraine of 34608 ± 8437 yrs BP had insufficient geomorphic constraint to produce an ELA. Paleoclimate reconstruction results suggest that a best estimate of paleotemperature at the time of moraine formation (~19-17 ka) was between 3.2 ± 0.8 to 3.3 ± 0.8°C cooler than present-day.

Net retreat of the former glacier is consistent with other similar moraine chronologies from the Southern Alps, which supports the regional trend and suggests that glaciers in the Southern Alps responded to common climatic forcings between ~19-17 ka.
Planning Befriends Women: A Look of a Gender Responsive City in the Colombian
Authors: Lozano-Torres Yancili
Published: May 2021

Gender is considered the most universal form of inequality. Therefore, a just and sustainable development cannot, and should not, be conceived without gender equality (GE), as recognized by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Several Latin American countries are making substantial progress in terms of critical aspects of GE. For Colombia, the path towards gender equality starts from nationwide mandatory laws to be implemented at the local level. In this study, it is used data collected for a Convergent Parallel Mixed Method to conduct a comprehensive assessment of efforts towards GE in Colombian municipalities. Data collected are employed from the municipal development plans (PDMs), cities’ websites, and archival material. In this paper, I mainly present the results of the qualitative phase that uses a Qualitative Content Analysis (QCA). Results indicatethat efforts towards GE in Colombian municipalities are portrayed through programs and initiatives to address the internationally recognized women’s agenda.
SOME PRODUCTIVITY INDICATORS OF THE SHAKHRINAU-REGAR BREED TYPE OF HISSAR SHEEP
Authors:   Russian Timiryazev State Agrarian University, KHAITOV A.YA.
Published: May 2021

Тhis article contains the results of the change of body weight body measurements, meat and wool productivity created breed type and their comparative features with Farharskim factory type Cissar breed sheep, as well as their clinical,morphological and biochemical indices of blood.
TSIGAY SHEEP BREED AND ITS SUNNY TYPE
Authors:   Russian Timiryazev State Agrarian University, MILCHEVSKY V.D.
Published: May 2021

A brief history and characteristics of the old type of tsigay sheep and the newly created highly productive type of tsigay sheep, called sunny, are given.