bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of a Mobile Web Application for Assessment Feedback
Authors: Bikanga Ada Mireilla
Published: November 2021

This paper reports an evaluation of a mobile web application, “MyFeedBack”, that can deliver both feedback and marks on assignments to students from their lecturer. It enables them to use any device anywhere, any time to check on, and receive their feedback. It keeps the feedback private to the individual student. It enables and successfully fosters dialogue about the feedback between the students and the educator. Feedback and marks were already being delivered using the institution’s learning environment/management system “Moodle”. The study used a sequential explanatory mixed-method approach. Two hundred thirty-nine (239) participants were reported on their experiences of receiving feedback and divided among several groups: (a) feedback delivered in “Moodle”, (b) formative feedback in “MyFeedBack”, and (c) summative feedback in “MyFeedBack”. Overall, results showed a statistically significant more positive attitude towards “MyFeedBack” than “Moodle”, with the summative assessment subgroup being more positive than the formative subgroup. There was an unprecedented increase in communication and feedback dialogue between the lecturer and the students. Qualitative results enriched and complemented the findings. The paper provides guidelines for an enabling technology for assessment feedback. These offer insight into the extent to which any of the new apps and functionalities that have become available since this study might likely be favourably viewed by learners and help achieve the desired pedagogical outcomes. These include: (1) accessible using any device, making feedback accessible anywhere, anytime; (2) display feedback first (before the grade/mark); (3) enable personalisation of group feedback by the teacher; (4) provide privacy for each student; (5) facilitate dialogue and communication about the feedback; and (6) include a monitoring feature. Three goals already put forward in the literature—(1) making the feedback feel more personal, (2) getting a quicker turnround by making it easier for the teachers to achieve this, and (3) prompting more dialogue between the educators and students—are advanced by this study which shows how they can be supported by software, and that when they are achieved then users strongly approve them.
Acetosolv pretreatment of wood for biorefinery applications
Authors: Marks Caroline , Viell Jörn
Published: November 2021

The production of biofuels and biochemicals requires a pretreatment to cleave the composite-like structure of lignocellulosic biomass and thus facilitate further conversion. In the case of liquid-based pretreatment, it is important to know which pretreatment liquids allow for an effective conversion of biomass. For the development of effective pretreatment strategies, simple criteria for a fast evaluation of pretreatment results are advantageous. In this study, we use the example of acetosolv pretreatment of beech wood to explore the influence of composition of the employed acetosolv liquids. To this end, we investigate pretreatment phenomena on different scales including macroscopic disintegration, overall mass balances and compositional changes of beech wood. We relate the investigated phenomena with the type and amount of catalyst acid as well as water content of the employed acetosolv liquids. The results show that disintegration increases with both a higher concentration and acidity of the catalyst acid, while excessive disintegration can be balanced by an increased water content up to equimolar ratios of water and acetic acid. Furthermore, an increasing disintegration correlates with an increasing non-recovered fraction up to a maximum of 40 wt%. The non-recovered fraction in turn linearly depends on the amount of removed hemicellulose and lignin. Overall, a low lignin content together with complete disintegration after pretreatment in acetosolv liquids with a high water content allows for increased sugar yields in subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis. Thus, disintegration and non-recovered fraction serve as a simple indicator for a first assessment of pretreatment effectiveness.
Documentary heritage in the Arab region: a regional survey
Authors: Harfouche Anissa
Published: November 2021

In 2018, the UNESCO Office to the Gulf States and Yemen and its partner, Qatar National Library, launched a project aiming at supporting the preservation of documentary heritage in the Arab region. The Arab region is home to a unique and rich documentary heritage subject to risk due to natural decay, conflicts and instability. To support its preservation, this project had for objective to better understand the needs and challenges faced by documentary heritage institutions in the region though a mapping exercise and the dissemination of a survey.

This article outlines the key outcomes of the survey including the situation of documentary heritage at the regional and national level, a brief review of legal frameworks protecting documentary heritage, the main obstacles and threats to documentary heritage preservation and the needs expressed by conservation practitioners in terms of capacity-building, professional development, infrastructure and support in additional areas such as policy and advocacy.
Decision-theoretic inspection planning using imperfect and incomplete data
Authors: Di Francesco Domenic , Chryssanthopoulos Marios , Faber Michael Havbro , Bharadwaj Ujjwal
Published: November 2021

Attempts to formalize inspection and monitoring strategies in industry have struggled to combine evidence from multiple sources (including subject matter expertise) in a mathematically coherent way. The perceived requirement for large amounts of data are often cited as the reason that quantitative risk-based inspection is incompatible with the sparse and imperfect information that is typically available to structural integrity engineers. Current industrial guidance is also limited in its methods of distinguishing quality of inspections, as this is typically based on simplified (qualitative) heuristics. In this paper, Bayesian multi-level (partial pooling) models are proposed as a flexible and transparent method of combining imperfect and incomplete information, to support decision-making regarding the integrity management of in-service structures. This work builds on the established theoretical framework for computing the expected value of information, by allowing for partial pooling between inspection measurements (or groups of measurements). This method is demonstrated for a simulated example of a structure with active corrosion in multiple locations, which acknowledges that the data will be associated with some precision, bias, and reliability. Quantifying the extent to which an inspection of one location can reduce uncertainty in damage models at remote locations has been shown to influence many aspects of the expected value of an inspection. These results are considered in the context of the current challenges in risk based structural integrity management.
A 360-Day Administrative Year in Ancient Israel: Judahite Portable Calendars and the Flood Account
Authors: Ben-Dov Jonathan
Published: November 2021

Administrators in ancient Judah used schematic 30-day months and a 360-day year alongside other annual frameworks. This year was never practiced as a “calendar” for any cultic or administrative purpose, but rather served as a convenient framework for long-term planning, as well as for literary accounts that were not anchored to a concrete calendar year. Examples for such a usage are attested here from Mesopotamian texts. Material evidence for the 360-day year in Judah comes forth from a series of small perforated bone plaques from various sites in Iron Age Judah. One such item was recently unearthed in the city of David. These objects can reasonably be understood as reflecting a schematic 360-day year, serving as desk calendars for Judahite administrators. Several priestly pentateuchal texts are best understood against this background, such as the dating of some festivals and most notably the dates in the Flood narrative (Gen 7–8). The original dating system is best represented in LXX Gen 7:11, while the reading of MT is a late modification, inserted later, when calendar debates took a central place in the religious discourse. MT is thus a link in a chain of later reworking of this narrative in Second Temple literature. The 360-day year is thus a unique case where material culture dovetails with literary evidence, and may shed light on the material culture of priestly sources. This insight is significant for future studies of biblical time reckoning.
The Anti-Bureaucratic Ghost in China's Bureaucratic Machine
Authors: Ding Iza , Thompson-Brusstar Michael
Published: November 2021

The Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) ideology, rooted in its foundational struggles, explicitly denounces “bureaucratism” (guanliaozhuyi) as an intrinsic ailment of bureaucracy. Yet while the revolutionary Party has blasted bureaucratism, its revolutionary regime has had to find a way to coexist with bureaucracy, which is a requisite for effective governance. An anti-bureaucratic ghost thus dwells in the machinery of China's bureaucratic state. We analyse the CCP's anti-bureaucratism through two steps. First, we perform a historical analysis of the Party's anti-bureaucratic ideology, teasing out its substance and emphasizing its roots in and departures from European Marxism and Leninism. Second, we trace both the continuity and evolution in the Party's anti-bureaucratic rhetoric, taking an interactive approach that combines close reading with computational analysis of the entire corpus of thePeople's Daily(1947–2020). We find striking endurance as well as subtle shifts in the substance of the CCP's anti-bureaucratic ideology. We show that bureaucratism is an umbrella term that expresses the revolutionary Party's anxiety about losing its popular legitimacy. Yet the substance of the Party's concern evolved from commandism and revisionism under Mao, to corruption and formalism during reform. The Party's ongoing critiques of bureaucratism and formalism unfold in parallel fashion with its efforts to standardize, regularize and institutionalize the state.
Predicting CEFR levels in learners of English: The use of microsystem criterial features in a machine learning approach
Authors: Gaillat Thomas , Simpkin Andrew , Ballier Nicolas , Stearns Bernardo , Sousa Annanda , Bouyé Manon , Zarrouk Manel
Published: November 2021

This paper focuses on automatically assessing language proficiency levels according to linguistic complexity in learner English. We implement a supervised learning approach as part of an automatic essay scoring system. The objective is to uncover Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) criterial features in writings by learners of English as a foreign language. Our method relies on the concept of microsystems with features related to learner-specific linguistic systems in which several forms operate paradigmatically. Results on internal data show that different microsystems help classify writings from A1 to C2 levels (82% balanced accuracy). Overall results on external data show that a combination of lexical, syntactic, cohesive and accuracy features yields the most efficient classification across several corpora (59.2% balanced accuracy).
THE TOM DIECK SPLITTING THEOREM IN EQUIVARIANT MOTIVIC HOMOTOPY THEORY
Authors: Gepner David , Heller Jeremiah
Published: November 2021

We establish, in the setting of equivariant motivic homotopy theory for a finite group, a version of tom Dieck’s splitting theorem for the fixed points of a suspension spectrum. Along the way we establish structural results and constructions for equivariant motivic homotopy theory of independent interest. This includes geometric fixed-point functors and the motivic Adams isomorphism.
Sequential Landfall of Tropical Cyclones in the United States: From Historical Records to Climate Projections
Authors: Xi Dazhi , Lin Ning
Published: November 2021

In this study, we examine sequential landfalling tropical cyclones (TCs) along U.S. East and Gulf Coasts. We find that Florida and Louisiana are most prone to sequential landfall risk. The minimal time between sequential landfalling TC has decreased for most regions since 1979, although the trend is not statistically significant given limited data. A climate projection indicates a significant increase in sequential landfalls over the 21st century under the SSP5 8.5 scenario, with the chance of a location experiencing a less‐than‐10‐day break between two TC impacts being doubled for most regions. The increases in sequential landfalls in the historical period and projected future climate are both related to increased landfall frequency, even though the storm season has been slightly expanding and may continue to expand. This study highlights a new type of TC hazard resulting from the temporal compounding of landfalls and urges the improvement of coastal resilience.
Adverse clinical outcomes in people at clinical high-risk for psychosis related to altered interactions between hippocampal activity and glutamatergic function
Authors: Allen Paul , Hird Emily J. , Orlov Natasza , Modinos Gemma , Bossong Matthijs , Antoniades Mathilde , Sampson Carly , Azis Matilda , Howes Oliver , Stone James , Perez Jesus , Broome Matthew , Grace Anthony A. , McGuire Philip
Published: November 2021

Preclinical rodent models suggest that psychosis involves alterations in the activity and glutamatergic function in the hippocampus, driving dopamine activity through projections to the striatum. The extent to which this model applies to the onset of psychosis in clinical subjects is unclear. We assessed whether interactions between hippocampal glutamatergic function and activity/striatal connectivity are associated with adverse clinical outcomes in people at clinical high-risk (CHR) for psychosis. We measured functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of hippocampal activation/connectivity, and 1H-Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy of hippocampal glutamatergic metabolites in 75 CHR participants and 31 healthy volunteers. At follow-up, 12 CHR participants had transitioned to psychosis and 63 had not. Within the clinical high-risk cohort, at follow-up, 35 and 17 participants had a poor or a good functional outcome, respectively. The onset of psychosis (ppeakFWE = 0.003, t = 4.4, z = 4.19) and a poor functional outcome (ppeakFWE < 0.001, t = 5.52, z = 4.81 and ppeakFWE < 0.001, t = 5.25, z = 4.62) were associated with a negative correlation between the hippocampal activation and hippocampal Glx concentration at baseline. In addition, there was a negative association between hippocampal Glx concentration and hippocampo-striatal connectivity (ppeakFWE = 0.016, t = 3.73, z = 3.39, ppeakFWE = 0.014, t = 3.78, z = 3.42, ppeakFWE = 0.011, t = 4.45, z = 3.91, ppeakFWE = 0.003, t = 4.92, z = 4.23) in the total CHR sample, not seen in healthy volunteers. As predicted by preclinical models, adverse clinical outcomes in people at risk for psychosis are associated with altered interactions between hippocampal activity and glutamatergic function.
Rapid oxygen exchange between hematite and water vapor
Authors: Jakub Zdenek , Meier Matthias , Kraushofer Florian , Balajka Jan , Pavelec Jiri , Schmid Michael , Franchini Cesare , Diebold Ulrike , Parkinson Gareth S.
Published: November 2021

Oxygen exchange at oxide/liquid and oxide/gas interfaces is important in technology and environmental studies, as it is closely linked to both catalytic activity and material degradation. The atomic-scale details are mostly unknown, however, and are often ascribed to poorly defined defects in the crystal lattice. Here we show that even thermodynamically stable, well-ordered surfaces can be surprisingly reactive. Specifically, we show that all the 3-fold coordinated lattice oxygen atoms on a defect-free single-crystalline “r-cut” ($$1\bar{1}02$$
1

1

¯

02
) surface of hematite (α-Fe2O3) are exchanged with oxygen from surrounding water vapor within minutes at temperatures below 70 °C, while the atomic-scale surface structure is unperturbed by the process. A similar behavior is observed after liquid-water exposure, but the experimental data clearly show most of the exchange happens during desorption of the final monolayer, not during immersion. Density functional theory computations show that the exchange can happen during on-surface diffusion, where the cost of the lattice oxygen extraction is compensated by the stability of an HO-HOH-OH complex. Such insights into lattice oxygen stability are highly relevant for many research fields ranging from catalysis and hydrogen production to geochemistry and paleoclimatology.
2-Oxoglutarate derivatives can selectively enhance or inhibit the activity of human oxygenases
Authors: Nakashima Yu , Brewitz Lennart , Tumber Anthony , Salah Eidarus , Schofield Christopher J.
Published: November 2021

2-Oxoglutarate (2OG) oxygenases are validated agrochemical and human drug targets. The potential for modulating their activity with 2OG derivatives has not been explored, possibly due to concerns regarding selectivity. We report proof-of-principle studies demonstrating selective enhancement or inhibition of 2OG oxygenase activity by 2-oxo acids. The human 2OG oxygenases studied, factor inhibiting hypoxia-inducible transcription factor HIF-α (FIH) and aspartate/asparagine-β-hydroxylase (AspH), catalyze C3 hydroxylations of Asp/Asn-residues. Of 35 tested 2OG derivatives, 10 enhance and 17 inhibit FIH activity. Comparison with results for AspH reveals that 2OG derivatives selectively enhance or inhibit FIH or AspH. Comparison of FIH structures complexed with 2OG derivatives to those for AspH provides insight into the basis of the observed selectivity. 2-Oxo acid derivatives have potential as drugs, for use in biomimetic catalysis, and in functional studies. The results suggest that the in vivo activity of 2OG oxygenases may be regulated by natural 2-oxo acids other than 2OG.
Scaffolding protein CcmM directs multiprotein phase separation in β-carboxysome biogenesis
Authors: Zang Kun , Wang Huping , Hartl F. Ulrich , Hayer-Hartl Manajit
Published: November 2021

Carboxysomes in cyanobacteria enclose the enzymes Rubisco and carbonic anhydrase to optimize photosynthetic carbon fixation. Understanding carboxysome assembly has implications in agricultural biotechnology. Here we analyzed the role of the scaffolding protein CcmM of the β-cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 in sequestrating the hexadecameric Rubisco and the tetrameric carbonic anhydrase, CcaA. We find that the trimeric CcmM, consisting of γCAL oligomerization domains and linked small subunit-like (SSUL) modules, plays a central role in mediation of pre-carboxysome condensate formation through multivalent, cooperative interactions. The γCAL domains interact with the C-terminal tails of the CcaA subunits and additionally mediate a head-to-head association of CcmM trimers. Interestingly, SSUL modules, besides their known function in recruiting Rubisco, also participate in intermolecular interactions with the γCAL domains, providing further valency for network formation. Our findings reveal the mechanism by which CcmM functions as a central organizer of the pre-carboxysome multiprotein matrix, concentrating the core components Rubisco and CcaA before β-carboxysome shell formation.
Slow acoustic surface modes through the use of hidden geometry
Authors: Shelley S. R. , Beadle J. G. , Hibbins A. P. , Sambles J. R.
Published: November 2021

The acoustic surface modes supported by a partly covered periodic meander groove structure formed in an assumed perfectly rigid plate are investigated. This allows one to create a slower acoustic surface wave than can be achieved with the same uncovered meander structure. By changing the size of the uncovered section the phase and group speeds can be tuned. When the uncovered section of the meander structure is centred along the grooves then the distance along the grooves between neighbouring holes is the same on both sides of the structure so no band gap is observed at the first Brillouin zone boundary due to glide symmetry. This then gives quite linear dispersion. As the uncovered section’s position is moved away from the centre of the meander structure a band gap opens at the Brillouin zone boundary.
Co-precipitation based on layered double hydroxides and anionic surfactants for preconcentration of six benzoylurea insecticides in soft drinks before simultaneous analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Santaladchaiyakit Yanawath , Sila-am Wisansaya , Sribunrueng Suwanida , Gissawong Netsirin , Srijaranai Supalax
Published: November 2021

Anionic surfactant-enhanced extraction-based dissolvable LDHs were developed for the preconcentration of six benzoylurea insecticides and their analysis by HPLC.
Sustainable glycerol terpolycarbonates as temporary bioadhesives
Authors: Petersen Anjeza , Chu Ngoc-Quynh , Fitzgerald Danielle M. , McCaslin Ethan Z. , Blessing William A. , Colby Aaron H. , Colson Yolonda L. , Grinstaff Mark W.
Published: November 2021

Pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs) based on glycerol terpolycarbonates show promise for use in biomedical applications.
Electronically tuneable orthometalated RuII–NHC complexes as efficient catalysts for C–C and C–N bond formations via borrowing hydrogen strategy
Authors: Illam Praseetha Mathoor , Rit Arnab
Published: November 2021

A series of simple and electronically tuneable cyclometalated RuII–NHC complexes have been explored as efficient catalysts for various C–C/N bond forming reactions via a BH methodology.
Multifunctionality exploration of NiCo2O4–rGO nanocomposites: photochemical water oxidation, methanol electro-oxidation and asymmetric supercapacitor applications
Authors: Gajraj V. , Kumar A. , Ekta D. , Kaushik Rahul , Amilan Jose D. , Ghosh Amirta , Mariappan C. R.
Published: November 2021

NiCo2O4–rGO composites exhibit great performances towards photochemical water splitting, methanol oxidation and supercapacitor applications. Hence these composites proposed as good candidates for next-generation energy storage and conversion.
Ce-Doped Ni–S nanosheets on Ni foam supported NiMoO4 micropillars: fast electrodeposition, improved electrocatalytic activity and ultralong durability for the oxygen evolution reaction in various electrolytes
Authors: Wang Fangfang , Liu Zihao , Zhang Kuanjian , Zha Qingqing , Ni Yonghong
Published: November 2021

A CeNiS@NiMoO4/nickel foam integral electrode with superior electrocatalytic activity for the OER was successfully constructed at room temperature.
A comparison of acyl-moieties for noncovalent functionalization of PLGA and PEG-PLGA nanoparticles with a cell-penetrating peptide
Authors: Paulino da Silva Filho Omar , Ali Muhanad , Nabbefeld Rike , Primavessy Daniel , Bovee-Geurts Petra H. , Grimm Silko , Kirchner Andreas , Wiesmüller Karl-Heinz , Schneider Marc , Walboomers X. Frank , Brock Roland
Published: November 2021

Noncovalent functionalization with acylated cell-penetrating peptides achieves an efficient cellular uptake of PLGA and PEG-PLGA nanoparticles.
Construction of stable bio-Pd catalysts for environmental pollutant remediation
Authors: Chen Huimei , Zhou Ziniu , Chen Wei , Xiang Ziwei , Nie Haiyan , Yu Weiguo
Published: November 2021

Stable bio-supported Pd/yeast/rGO catalysts were prepared by covering with a tiny amount (<0.1 wt%) of GO based on a non-enzyme reduction method.
Sulfhydryl functionalized carbon quantum dots as a turn-off fluorescent probe for sensitive detection of Hg2+
Authors: Yao Wei , Hua Yingchen , Yan Zhihong , Wu Chunxian , Zhou Feiyan , Liu Yi
Published: November 2021

Schematic presentation of the synthesis of HS-CQDs and the application as a “turn-off” fluorescent probe for Hg2+ detection.
One-pot analysis of enantiomeric excess of free amino acids by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Nakakoji Takashi , Sato Hirofumi , Ono Daisuke , Miyake Hiroyuki , Mieda Eiko , Shinoda Satoshi , Tsukube Hiroshi , Kawasaki Hideya , Arakawa Ryuichi , Shizuma Motohiro
Published: November 2021

A mass spectrometric method for the simultaneous analysis of the enantiomeric excess of free amino acids, without chromatographic separation, was demonstrated using a quasi-racemic mixture of deuterium-labelled and unlabelled chiral Cu(ii) complexes.
Conversion of N-acyl amidines to amidoximes: a convenient synthetic approach to molnupiravir (EIDD-2801) from ribose
Authors: Ahmed Ajaz , Ahmed Qazi Naveed , Mukherjee Debaraj
Published: November 2021

A method for the preparation of molnupiravir (EIDD-2801) via regioselective conversion of an N-acyl-nucleoside intermediate, generated through stereoselective glycosylation of protected ribose and N4-acetyl cytosine, to an amidoxime.
Copper-mediated construction of benzothieno[3,2-b]benzofurans by intramolecular dehydrogenative C–O coupling reaction
Authors: Ai Liankun , Ajibola Ibrahim Yusuf , Li Baolin
Published: November 2021

The construction of benzothieno[3,2-b]benzofurans via novel dehydrogenative C–H/O–H coupling reaction has been developed with excellent yields. Furthermore, three-to-six fused ring thienofuran compounds could be constructed.
Ligand-field transition-induced C–S bond formation from nickelacycles
Authors: Shin Jeongcheol , Lee Jiseon , Suh Jong-Min , Park Kiyoung
Published: November 2021

d–d excitations can accelerate C–S reductive eliminations of nickelacycles via intersystem crossing to a repulsive 3(C-to-Ni charge transfer) state inducing Ni–C bond homolysis. This homolytic photoreactivity is common for organonickel(ii) complexes.
Assembly of platinum nanoparticles and single-atom bismuth for selective oxidation of glycerol
Authors: Huang Ning , Zhang Zihao , Lu Yubing , Tian Jinshu , Jiang Dong , Yue Chenguang , Zhang Pingbo , Jiang Pingping , Leng Yan
Published: November 2021

An assembly of platinum nanoparticles and N-stabilized single-atom bismuth shows unexpected high activity and selectivity for selective oxidation of glycerol to dihydroxyacetone.
Analysis of renewable energy sources and a heat storage tank application in a district heating substation
Authors: Chłosta Kamil , Zima Wiesław
Published: November 2021

The study verifies the potential application of renewable energy sources in a district heating substation. Different operating configurations of heat sources have been analysed, including solar collectors, PV panels and air source heat pump. Concepts of regulating the water parameters in a substation have been analysed. Moreover, the potential impact of a heat storage tank application has been calculated using a genetic algorithm to find optimal operating conditions in a district heating substation. The analysis is based on measured yearly data.
Review of series-parallel models for calculating the thermal conductivity of soils
Authors: Drzyzga Agnieszka
Published: November 2021

The paper presents mixed models collected from the literature for calculating the thermal conductivity of the soil. They are created on the basis of combining the serial and parallel model. The thermal conductivity of the soil is the basic thermal parameter of the soil. Knowledge of it is necessary, among other things, for the proper design of underground infrastructure. The combination of models will help you to choose the method of calculating the thermal conductivity of the soil that gives the most accurate results and has the lowest error.
Analysing the efficiency of thermopressor application in the charge air cooling system of combustion engine
Authors: Konovalov Dmytro , Radchenko Roman , Kobalava Halina , Zubarev Anatolii , Sviridov Vyacheslav , Kornienko Victoria
Published: November 2021

As the analysis of the research results has shown, the use of a thermopressor makes it possible to increase the fuel and energy efficiency of a ship power plant in a wide range of the operation parameters. It can be achieved by cooling the charge air before the engine inlet receiver and by reducing the compression work of the turbocharger. A scheme with the thermopressor application in the cooling system of a low-speed main engine and in the system for utilizing the exhaust gases heat in a heat recovery boiler of one and two pressures was proposed. The use of thermopressors led to a decrease in the compressor power consumption, and therefore in the turbine required power. Therefore, it was appropriate to pass (bypass) the excess amount of gas past the turbine. Accordingly, the thermal potential of exhaust gases was increased. As a result, the temperature of gases at the inlet to the heat recovery boiler was increased by 10-15 °C, and gases heat was increased by 10-15% respectively. The obtained additional steam is advisable to use for driving the utilization turbine generator, thereby reducing the load on the ship's power plant, with a corresponding decrease in fuel consumption of diesel generators by 2-4%.
Integrated turbine-generators for hydropower plant – a review
Authors: Liszka Damian , Borkowski Dariusz , Grądziel Sławomir
Published: November 2021

The paper provide a comprehensive review on water turbine integrated with electrical generator. The integration consists in combining the generator with the turbine in one device without the use of a gearbox. The practical implementations of these solutions date back to the 1980s and are more and more common. Such a solution gives a wide possibility of integration and reduction of costs of the hydro unit, however, due to certain technological problems, it is not widely available. This article classifies the different types of integration and analyses it from a technical and economic point of view. Practical implementations and operational problems were also shown.
Technology of mercury removal from exhaust from coal fired boilers
Authors: Łuszkiewicz Dariusz , Jędrusik Maria , Świerczok Arkadiusz
Published: November 2021

For the Polish power industry, the basic fuel is hard coal and lignite, which contains significant amounts of mercury. Current emission standards in the European Union (IED directive and in the near future BAT conclusions) create conditions for investment in flue gas cleaning installations for coal-fired power plants. During the combustion of coal, mainly metallic mercury (Hg0) is produced, which is difficult to remove from the flue gas in dedusting installations (electrostatic precipitators and fabric filters) and wet flue gas desulphurization plants. In these installations, oxidized mercury (Hg2+) and ash bound mercury (Hg(p)) are removed. In order to reduce the mercury concentration in flue gases, the DEMERTEC technology was created, which is based on the oxidation of metallic mercury to an oxidized form and its removal from flue gas in an existing flue gas de-dusting or de-sulphurization installations. The article presents the results of field tests of the DEMERTEC technology for flue gas from hard coal and lignite. This technology was tested on a ~ 400 MWe unit fed with lignite and on an FGD absorber in which flue gas was purified from two units with a capacity of 195 and 220 MWe fed with hard coal. In both cases, mercury emissions were reduced below the levels required by the BAT conclusions.
Conditions of hazardous waste management in Poland in the context of circular economy
Authors: Pyssa Justyna
Published: November 2021

Along with the increase of disproportions between the rapidly growing demand for raw and essential materials and limited possibilities of obtaining them, the economy of raw and essential materials becomes the main problem of contemporary and future social and economic politics. One of the important areas of reducing this disproportion is the limitation of intensity of waste generation during production and more consistent management of accumulated waste and waste generated on a daily basis. At the same time it is a major problem of obtaining secondary raw materials and the environment protection. The selection of technology of hazardous waste disposal should take place according to the principle of circular economy. It means that the rational waste management, taking into account both ecological and economic factors, enforces the demand for maximizing the utilization of waste in all possible applications while limiting its negative impact on the environment at the same time. In the article legal acts regulating the management of hazardous waste have been analyzed. Economic and ecological criteria of the selection of technology of disposal of hazardous waste have been analyzed.
Revalorisation of the Szewalski’s concept of the law of varying the last-stage blade retraction in a gas-steam turbine
Authors: Ziółkowski Paweł , Głuch Stanisław , Kowalczyk Tomasz , Badur Janusz
Published: November 2021

The article presents the implementations of the free vortex law to the blade of the last stage of a gas-steam turbine. First, a thermodynamic analysis was carried out, determining the parameters at the inlet, then the number of stages of the high and low-pressure part of the turbine was constructed, together with the kinematics and velocity vectors for subsequent stages of the axial turbine. The last step of article was to take into account the law of variation of the peripheral component of the velocity of the medium working with the radius of the turbine in a discrete way and to make a 3D drawing of the resulting geometry. When creating the spatial model, the atlas of profiles of reaction turbine stages was used.
An improved negative zero vibration anti-swing control strategy for grab ship unloader based on elastic wire rope model
Authors: Cao Xiaohua , Meng Chao , Zhou Yong , Zhu Meng
Published: November 2021

A dynamic model of swing system of bridge-type ship unloader is established by considering the elastic factor of wire rope in this paper. Based on this model, an improved Negative Zero Vibration (NZV) shaper with optimal control parameters of variable rope length system is proposed to restrain the swing of grab. Then the control effects, influence of elasticity factor and parameter sensitivities are analyzed based on numerical simulation. The results show that the proposed control strategy can reduce the working cycle time of the grab ship unloader about 11% when considering the elastic factor of the wire rope, and the grab's maximum residual swing angle decreases by 67% when discharging at full load, and decreases by 79% when taking the cargos at empty load. This implies that the improved NZV control method provides better swing angle control performance and shorter operation time compared with the Zero Vibration (ZV) and Zero Vibration and Derivative (ZVD) methods. Moreover, elastic rope model can improve the swing angle control effect of grab based on the proposed control strategy compared with rigid rope model. The parameter sensitivity analysis displays that the grab's maximum residual swing angle by using the improved NZV method is sensitive to the change of the grab's center of gravity, and this angle is more sensitive to the wire rope diameter deviation compared with the elastic modulus deviation.
Betriebliche Gesundheitsförderung in Deutschland für
alle? Ergebnisse der BIBB-/BAuA-Erwerbstätigenbefragung
2018
Authors: Hollederer Alfons
Published: November 2021

Ziel der Studie Die Sekundäranalyse zielt darauf, die Verbreitung
und Inanspruchnahme der Betrieblichen Gesundheitsförderung (BGF) in
Deutschland zu untersuchen.

Methodik Datenbasis ist die
BIBB-/BAuA-Erwerbstätigenbefragung 2018. Sie ist eine
randomisierte repräsentative CATI-Erhebung von 20.012
Erwerbstätigen ab 15 Jahren in Deutschland. Es werden Anteilswerte
zwischen verschiedenen Gruppen verglichen und eine binäre logistische
Regressionsanalyse durchgeführt.

Ergebnisse 47% der Erwerbstätigen berichten, dass in ihrem
Betrieb in den letzten 2 Jahren Maßnahmen der BGF durchgeführt
wurden. 25% der Erwerbstätigen haben an einem Angebot zur BGF in
den letzten 2 Jahren teilgenommen. Mit der Betriebsgröße nehmen
die Anteile der Erwerbstätigen, die ein BGF-Angebot im Betrieb
bestätigen, stark zu, aber die Inanspruchnahmequoten sinken. Die
Erwerbstätigen in Betrieben mit Betriebs-/Personalrat geben
überproportional häufig eine Durchführung der BGF an.
Erwerbstätige mit niedrigem sozio-ökonomischen Status bekunden
dagegen in relativ geringem Ausmaß BGF-Angebote. BGF wird besonders
wenig in Betrieben von Erwerbstätigen ohne Berufsabschluss, in einem
befristeten Arbeitsverhältnis, mit Entlassungsgefahr und
Leiharbeitnehmern umgesetzt. Binäre logistische Regressionsanalysen
zielen darauf, Prädiktoren des BGF-Angebots zu identifizieren. Im
Vergleich zu den Kleinbetrieben ist bei den Erwerbstätigen in mittleren
Unternehmen die Wahrscheinlichkeit für ein BGF-Angebot in ihrem Betrieb
mehr als doppelt (OR=2,17) und in Großunternehmen mehr als
fünffach erhöht (OR=5,64). Im Öffentlichen
Dienst stehen die Chancen von Erwerbstätigen auf BGF im Betrieb
wesentlich besser als in Industrie, Handwerk, Handel oder weiteren Bereichen.
Erwerbstätige mit ausländischer Staatsangehörigkeit
haben im Vergleich zu deutschen Erwerbstätigen eine signifikant
geringere Chance, dass in ihrem Betrieb BGF angeboten wird (OR=0,78).
Ein sehr guter oder ausgezeichneter Gesundheitszustand geht mit einer etwas
gesteigerten OR von 1,15 für BGF im Betrieb einher. In Betrieben, in
denen die Erwerbstätigen mit der Arbeit insgesamt sehr zufrieden sind,
ist die Wahrscheinlichkeit eines BGF-Angebots deutlich erhöht
(OR=1,70).

Schlussfolgerung Die Studie zeigt große Disparitäten in
der BGF auf. Es braucht zielgruppenspezifische Handlungsstrategien in der BGF,
um sowohl Kleinbetriebe als auch innerhalb von Betrieben die
Erwerbstätigen mit niedrigem sozio-ökonomischen Status besser zu
erreichen.
Drug and Chemical Poisoning Patterns in Makkah Region, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alnasser Sulaiman Mohammed
Published: November 2021

This research reveals that drugs and chemicals poisoning have been reported to have severe and fetal side effects on health provided by doctors in statistics and periodical records. This work aimed to explore the interaction among drug and chemical poisoning patterns concerning risk factors, especially gender, age, exposure circumstances, and outcomes in the Makkah region. A retrospective analysis was of clinical drug and chemical poisoning cases (2014–2015). The data were retrieved from the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Ministry of Health, Makkah, Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Arabia Ministry of Health received 1216 reports of drug and chemical poisoning during 2014–2015 in Makkah. This study has found that, the most affected gender was that of males (65%). The most affected age category with drug poisoning was over 15 years old (67%), but under 5 years for chemical poisoning (60%). The majority of drug poisoning cases are unknown drugs (42%), which accidental poisoning was a minority compared with other drug causes (27%). Chemical poisoning accidents were the majority causes of the recorded cases (63%). We reported healthy recovered without complications for most patients from drug and chemical poisoning (85–95%). Antidotes were administered in only (5%) of cases, and fatalities were reported (0.5% of cases). We have shown a flagrant increase in the number of people poisoned by drugs and chemical agents during 2015. Increases poisoning cases involved both genders and all studied age categories, especially males over 15 years up to 25 (drugs) and < 5 years (chemicals). Most cases were accidental (chemicals) and reported healthy recovery for most patients.
A Possible Type IV Hypersensitivity Reaction to Older Antiepileptic Drugs During and
After Recovery from COVID-19 Infection
Authors: Khosravi Mohsen
Published: November 2021

To the Editor

Nearly two years after the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic,
healthcare workers face new and unexpected complications. Although accelerating the
vaccination process in recent months has reduced the incidence and mortality of the
COVID-19 infection, the general population (particularly vulnerable groups) remains
at risk of new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)
variants. Over the last two months, Iran has encountered the fifth wave of the
COVID-19 pandemic, i. e., the B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant of the SARS-CoV-2,
with faster infectiousness and higher severity and mortality among hospitalized
patients 1. Although fever, cough, and
expectoration are the most common clinical features of COVID-19, recent studies have
indicated an increasing number of skin manifestation reports in the disease.
Besides, there is growing evidence that underlying SARS-CoV-2 infection may increase
the risk of adverse drug reactions 2.
However, the enduring concern in our medical centers in recent days is a raised
incidence of Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) in recovered COVID-19 patients following
monotherapy with older antiepileptic drugs (0.004 vs. 0.0008% –
i. e., 5 times higher than the pre-COVID-19 period) 3. It is worth noting that these patients did
not have any history of SJS/toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) or additional
etiopathogenic factors, including infections, genetic factors (particularly
HLA-B*1502 allele), and malignancy. Furthermore, for many years before
developing the COVID-19 and recovering from it, they had been treated with the above
drugs without showing any cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions. These observational
findings raise two important questions: (i) Could a history of the COVID-19
infection be a potential risk factor for type IV hypersensitivity reactions to older
antiepileptic drugs? (ii) If so, what are its mechanisms of action?
The Current State of Coronary Revascularization: Percutaneous Coronary Intervention versus Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery
Authors: Brown Matthew A. , Klusewitz Seth , Elefteriades John , Prescher Lindsey
Published: November 2021

The question of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) versus coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery remains among the most important questions in the treatment of coronary artery disease. The leading North American and European societies largely agree on the current guidelines for the revascularization of unprotected left-main disease (ULMD) and multivessel disease (MVD) which are largely supported by the outcomes of several large randomized trials including SYNTAX, PRECOMBAT, NOBLE, and EXCEL. While these trials are of the highest quality, currently available, they suffer several limitations, including the use of bare metal and/or first-generation drug-eluting stents in early trials and lack of updated surgical outcomes data. The objective of this review is to briefly discuss these key early trials, as well as explore contemporary studies, to provide insight on the current state of coronary revascularization. Evidence suggests that in ULMD and MVD, there are similar mortality rates for CABG and PCI but PCI is associated with fewer “early” strokes, whereas CABG is associated with fewer “late” strokes, myocardial infarctions, and lower need for repeat revascularization. Additionally, studies suggest that CABG remains superior to PCI in patients with intermediate/high SYNTAX scores and in MVD with concomitant proximal left anterior descending (pLAD) artery stenosis. Despite the preceding research and its basis for our current guidelines, there remains significant variation in care that has yet to be quantified. Emerging studies evaluating second-generation drug-eluting stents, specific lesion anatomy, and minimally invasive and hybrid approaches to CABG may lend itself to more individualized patient care.
Haus der Zukunft am ukb: Simulation und Wirklichkeit
Authors: Kohrs Jens
Published: November 2021

Im Berliner Bezirk Marzahn hat das BG Klinikum Unfallkrankenhaus Berlin ein Haus der Zukunft gebaut. Während der Maximalversorger im Erdgeschoss sein Zentrum für Notfalltraining eingerichtet hat, geht es im ersten Stock um allerlei Technik, die selbstbestimmtes Leben daheim möglich macht. Was in der Kombination zunächst verwundern mag, soll sich gleich mehrfach auszahlen.
Droplet motion on flexible superhydrophobic porous sponge surface
Authors: Zhao Feng , Li Tianyi , Wang Lei
Published: November 2021

Droplet capture and release are very significant for droplet manipulation on a superhydrophobic surface. Once the aqueous droplets impact the stiff superhydrophobic surface, they easily detach from the surface and generate chaotic motion without much energy loss. Thus, it is difficult to catch and manipulate the droplets falling on these kinds of surfaces. In this study, a droplet was captured after impacting the superhydrophobic porous sponge. Most of the kinetic energy of a falling droplet is transferred into the elastic potential energy of a sponge. The absorbed energy in the deformation process and the elastic modulus of sponge were adjusted by the porosity of the sponge. With the decrease in density, the elastic modulus of the sponge decreases, and the energy loss increases. During the droplet impacting process, the sponge with smaller elastic modulus can obtain much more energy from the droplet, which makes it easy to drag and capture the droplet. This new design also has other potential applications, such as water collection and fog harvest.
Orchard floor management effect on soil free-living nematode communities
Authors: Eshel Gil , Unc Adrian , Egozi Roey , Shakartchy Efrat , Doniger Tirza , Steinberger Yosef
Published: November 2021

Context Although both plant cover and mulch are considered for erosion control in arid and semi-arid regions, they have divergent impacts on soil ecology. Aim We examined the effects of orchard floor management practices on the density and diversity of soil free-living nematode communities and relevant soil abiotic properties. Methods Soils were sampled in winter in a citrus orchard in the Sharon region of Israel from plots that for 6 years had been under (1) annual native species; or (2) Avena sativa and Vicia villosa, planted between tree rows; or (3) woodchip mulching along tree rows. There were two control sites: (4) bare soil between tree rows and (5) bare soil along the tree rows (both common practice). Key results Nematode communities and their trophic diversity were significantly impacted by floor management. Significant increases in soil moisture under plant cover, and higher organic matter and water-holding capacity for all covered orchard floors could be related to nematode changes. Shifts in nematode feeding group structure suggest a shift in the type and availability of soil carbon pools. Conclusions There was a strong association between orchard floor management and soil free-living nematode communities, indicating a shift in the soil food-web structure and functionality. Bare soil harboured fewer nematodes, but more complex communities dominated by persisters, while seeded plant cover had a greater nematode abundance dominated by coloniser communities, indicating increased availability of resources. Implications Results reveal the importance of integrating biological information in performance index determinations for improving soil management decisions, suggesting these relationships as sensitive bio-indicators of soil health.
High-power laser beam welding for thick section steels – new perspectives using electromagnetic systems
Authors: Rethmeier Michael , Gumenyuk Andrey , Bachmann Marcel
Published: November 2021

In recent years, it was shown that the introduction of additional oscillating and permanent magnetic fields to laser beam and laser-arc hybrid welding can bring several beneficial effects. Examples are a contactless weld pool support for metals of high thickness suffering from severe drop-out when being welded conventionally or an enhanced stirring to improve the mixing of added filler material in the depth of the weld pool to guarantee homogeneous resulting mechanical properties of the weld. The latest research results show the applicability to various metal types over a wide range of thicknesses and welding conditions. The observations made were demonstrated in numerous experimental studies and a deep understanding of the interaction of the underlying physical mechanisms was extracted from numerical calculations.