bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Child maltreatment (neglect and abuse) in the 1958 birth cohort: an overview of associations with developmental trajectories and long-term outcomes
Authors: Power Chris , Li Leah , Pinto Pereira Snehal M.
Published: June 2020

Childhood maltreatment types (neglect and psychological, physical or sexual abuse) are associated with many poor outcomes in adulthood. Yet, research mainly focuses on the cumulative adversity burden rather than specificities and commonalities of associations with adult outcomes and intervening pathways. This overview therefore summarises evidence from several research studies using the 1958 British Birth Cohort on specific maltreatment types, child development trajectories, adult intermediaries and outcomes. About one in five participants were identified as neglected or abused in childhood. Neglect was associated with key dimensions of development: slower height growth, delayed maturation, faster BMI gain, and poorer emotional and cognitive development. Associated adulthood outcomes included harmful behaviours (notably smoking), poorer physical health (shorter height, excess BMI, poorer blood lipids and glucose, poor-rated health and physical functioning), worse mental health, lower socio-economic circumstances (e.g. poorer living conditions) and elevated mortality in mid-adulthood. Childhood abuse associations were less widespread and were often only for specific types: most were unrelated to childhood height and cognitive abilities, but all were associated with poorer child emotional development, adult mental health, smoking, blood lipids and self-rated health. Additionally, physical abuse was associated with faster BMI gain, higher adult BMI, blood glucose, inflammation and mortality in mid-adulthood; sexual abuse with faster BMI gain, higher adult BMI, poor physical functioning at 50y and higher mortality in mid-adulthood. Adult health measures associated with child maltreatment are key predictors of serious disease, disability and death. Therefore, child maltreatment associations with these measures represent an important burden for individuals and society.
Measurements of the nonlinear refractive index of AgGaSe2, GaSe, and ZnSe at 10  µm
Authors: Pigeon J. J. , Matteo D. A. , Tochitsky S. Ya. , Ben-Zvi I. , Joshi C.
Published: June 2020

We measure the four-wave mixing efficiency of dual-frequency, 300 ns,
10 µm

C
O

2

laser pulses to determine the
effective nonlinear refractive index of the quadratic nonlinear
crystals GaSe,

A
g
G
a
S
e

2

, and ZnSe relative to GaAs. The
effective nonlinear refractive index of GaSe and

A
g
G
a
S
e

2

does not depend on the phase-matching
conditions for second-harmonic and sum-frequency generation. This
suggests that these measurements are representative of the intrinsic
Kerr index and usable for infrared applications.
Liquid compound refractive X-ray lens
Authors: Last A. , Gutekunst J. , Opolka A. , Krug M. , Schwitzke C. , Koch R. , Mohr J.
Published: June 2020

We introduce the concept of a liquid compound refractive X-ray zoom lens. The lens is generated by pumping a suitable liquid lens material like water, alcohol or heated lithium through a line of nozzles each forming a jet with the cross section of lens elements. The system is housed, so there is a liquid-circulation. This lens can be used in white beam at high brilliance synchrotron sources, as radiation damages are cured by the continuous reformation of the lens. The focal length can be varied by closing nozzles, thus reducing the number of lens elements in the beam.
MEMS-on-fiber ultrasonic sensor with two resonant frequencies for partial discharges detection
Authors: Li Haoyong , Lv Jiaming , Li Delin , Xiong Chaoyu , Zhang Yihong , Yu Yiting
Published: June 2020

A novel fiber optic extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometric (EFPI) ultrasonic sensor with two resonant frequencies for detecting the partial discharges (PDs) in switchgear is demonstrated. The key sensing element consists of two 5-µm-thickness and beam-supported silicon diaphragms, whose natural frequencies are designed differently to enable the sensor to achieve the resonant responses at two different frequencies, thus obtaining a broadened frequency response. The sensing element is fabricated by employing the microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer. The experimental results show that the sensor possesses two resonant frequencies of 31 kHz and 63 kHz, and obviously, shows a highly sensitive frequency response over a broader range compared with the approach composed of a single sensing diaphragm with only one resonant frequency. The noise-limited minimum detectable ultrasonic pressure (MDUP) reaches 251 µPa/Hz1/2@ 31 kHz and 316 µPa/Hz1/2@ 63 kHz, respectively.
Graphene-based dual-mode modulators
Authors: Yue Gongcheng , Xing Zhengkun , Hu Haofeng , Cheng Zhenzhou , Lu Guo-Wei , Liu Tiegen
Published: May 2020

Mode-division multiplexing (MDM) has attracted broad attention as it could effectively boost up transmission capability by utilizing optical modes as a spatial dimension in optical interconnects. In such a technique, different data channels are usually modulated to the respective carriers over different spatial modes by using individual parallel electro-optic modulators. Each modulated channel is then multiplexed to a multi-mode waveguide. However, the method inevitably suffers from a high cost, large device footprint and high insertion loss. Here, we design intensity and phase dual-mode modulators, enabling simultaneous modulations over two channels via a graphene-on-silicon waveguide. Our method is based on the exploration of co-planar interactions between structured graphene nanoribbons (GNs) and spatial modes in a silicon waveguide. Specifically, the zeroth-order transverse electric (TE0) and first-order transverse electric (TE1) modes are modulated separately and simultaneously by applying independent driving electrodes to different GNs in an identical modulator. Our study is expected to open an avenue to develop high-density MDM photonics integrated circuits for tera-scale optical interconnects.
Size-independent low voltage of InGaN micro-light-emitting diodes with epitaxial tunnel junctions using selective area growth by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Li Panpan , Zhang Haojun , Li Hongjian , Iza Mike , Yao Yifan , Wong Matthew S. , Palmquist Nathan , Speck James S. , Nakamura Shuji , DenBaars Steven P.
Published: June 2020

High performance InGaN micro-size light-emitting diodes (µLEDs) with epitaxial tunnel junctions (TJs) were successfully demonstrated using selective area growth (SAG) by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). Patterned n + GaN/n-GaN layers with small holes were grown on top of standard InGaN blue LEDs to form TJs using SAG. TJ µLEDs with squared mesa ranging from 10×10 to 100×100 µm2 were fabricated. The forward voltage (Vf) in the reference TJ µLEDs without SAG is very high and decreases linearly from 4.6 to 3.7 V at 20 A/cm2 with reduction in area from 10000 to 100 µm2, which is caused by the lateral out diffusion of hydrogen through sidewall. By contrast, the Vf at 20 A/cm2 in the TJ µLEDs utilizing SAG is significantly reduced to be 3.24 to 3.31 V. Moreover, the Vf in the SAG TJ µLEDs is independent on sizes, suggesting that the hydrogen is effectively removed through the holes on top of the p-GaN surface by SAG. The output power of SAG TJ µLEDs is ∼10% higher than the common µLEDs with indium tin oxide (ITO) contact.
Functional all-optical logic gates for true time-domain signal processing in nonlinear photonic crystal waveguides
Authors: Jandieri Vakhtang , Khomeriki Ramaz , Onoprishvili Tornike , Werner Douglas H. , Berakdar Jamal , Erni Daniel
Published: May 2020

We present a conceptual study on the realization of functional and easily scalable all-optical NOT, AND and NAND logic gates using bandgap solitons in coupled photonic crystal waveguides. The underlying structure consists of a planar air-hole type photonic crystal with a hexagonal lattice of air holes in crystalline silicon (c-Si) as the nonlinear background material. The remaining logical operations can be performed using combinations of these three logic gates. A unique feature of the proposed working scheme is that it operates in the true time-domain, enabling temporal solitons to maintain a stable pulse envelope during each logical operation. Hence, multiple concatenated all-optical logic gates can be easily realized, paving the way to multiple-input all-optical logic gates for ultrafast full-optical digital signal processing. In the suggested setup, there is no need to amplify the output signal after each operation, which can be directly used as a new input signal for another logical operation. The feasibility and efficiency of the proposed logic gates as well as their scalability is demonstrated using our original rigorous theoretical formalism together with full-wave computational electromagnetics.
Kerr-nonlinearity-modulated dressed vortex four-wave mixing from photonic band gap
Authors: Che Junling , Zhao Peilin , Ma Danmeng , Zhang Yanpeng
Published: May 2020

Considering the fact that the orbital angular momentum of light can be transferred through light-matter interactions, we experimentally induced a dressed vortex four-wave mixing (FWM) with the interaction between a vortex probe beam and an inverted Y-type four-level atomic system with a photonic band gap. Further, the Kerr-nonlinearity-modulated propagation behaviors of the probe and the dressed FWM vortices are investigated, including the spatial shift, splitting, and incompleteness of the vortex shape. Strikingly, the propagation behaviors of the vortex beams can be influenced by the interaction between the nonlinear phase and the spiral phase. This study would promote the development of optical computing and information processing science related to the interactions between optical vortices and samples.
On a universal solution to the transport-of-intensity equation
Authors: Zhang Jialin , Chen Qian , Sun Jiasong , Tian Long , Zuo Chao
Published: June 2020

The transport-of-intensity equation (TIE) is one of the most well-known approaches for phase retrieval and quantitative phase imaging. It directly recovers the quantitative phase distribution of an optical field by through-focus intensity measurements in a non-interferometric, deterministic manner. Nevertheless, the accuracy and validity of state-of-the-art TIE solvers depend on restrictive pre-knowledge or assumptions, including appropriate boundary conditions, a well-defined closed region, and quasi-uniform in-focus intensity distribution, which, however, cannot be strictly satisfied simultaneously under practical experimental conditions. In this Letter, we propose a universal solution to TIE with the advantages of high accuracy, convergence guarantee, applicability to arbitrarily shaped regions, and simplified implementation and computation. With the “maximum intensity assumption,” we first simplify TIE as a standard Poisson equation to get an initial guess of the solution. Then the initial solution is further refined iteratively by solving the same Poisson equation, and thus the instability associated with the division by zero/small intensity values and large intensity variations can be effectively bypassed. Simulations and experiments with arbitrary phase, arbitrary aperture shapes, and nonuniform intensity distributions verify the effectiveness and universality of the proposed method.
Three-dimensional imaging with reflection synthetic confocal microscopy
Authors: Rasedujjaman Md , Affannoukoué Kévin , Garcia-Seyda Nicolas , Robert Philippe , Giovannini Hugues , Chaumet Patrick C. , Theodoly Olivier , Valignat Marie-Pierre , Belkebir Kamal , Sentenac Anne , Maire Guillaume
Published: June 2020

Biomedical imaging lacks label-free microscopy techniques able to reconstruct the contour of biological cells in solution, in 3D and with high resolution, as required for the fast diagnosis of numerous diseases. Inspired by computational optical coherence tomography techniques, we present a tomographic diffractive microscope in reflection geometry used as a synthetic confocal microscope, compatible with this goal and validated with the 3D reconstruction of a human effector T lymphocyte.
Optical materials for maximal nanophotonic response [Invited]
Authors: Shim Hyungki , Kuang Zeyu , Miller Owen D.
Published: June 2020

This article reviews the material properties that enable maximum optical response. We highlight theoretical results that enable shape-independent quantification of material “figures of merit,” ranging from classical sum rules to more recent single-frequency scattering bounds. A key delineation at optical frequencies is between polaritonic materials that support highly subwavelength resonances and dielectric materials that can have vanishingly small loss rates. We discuss the key metrics that enable comparisons both within these material classes and between them. We discuss analogous metrics for 2D materials, and point to applications for which rigorous comparison can be made between bulk- and 2D-material approaches. The various results highlight the synergy between materials discovery and theoretical nanophotonic bounds, and point to opportunities in achieving new extremes in light–matter interactions.
Agricultural research, technology and innovation in Africa: Issues and options
Authors: Hall Andy , Dorai Kumuda
Published: May 2020

This article deals with the challenges of harnessing agricultural research, technology and innovation in Africa. In particular, it focuses on the ways in which development assistance could adapt to improve impact. A historical review of evolving research methods illustrates the way in which increasing interest in innovation has reframed the research approach. This form of research practice is increasingly being referred to as research for development. While the contours of this approach are still emerging, this paper outlines key practices and principles and suggests how these could be implemented. This styalized view of future practice is then used to discuss the implications of this for the role of different actors in the research, innovation and development assistance landscape. Concluding observations include the lament that despite the large diversity in the types of projects and research practice, there is little consensus on what works and what does not. This lack of systematic efforts to critically assess the performance of different approaches hampers learning and capacity building and holds back more effective deployment of agricultural science technology and innovation in the continent.
Impact of brand consciousness, perceived quality of products, price sensitivity and product availability on purchase intention towards ‘green’ products
Authors: Walia Sargam Bahl , Kumar Harish , Negi Naveen
Published: May 2020

This study attempts to investigate the factors underlying fluctuations in the purchase intentions of consumers towards selected green products specified herein as fast-moving consumer goods (FMCGs). A survey was conducted covering 500 respondents associated with four retail outlets selling green products and conventional products in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. Factor analysis was first applied to the survey data to reduce the number of variables to be considered in the process of investigation without losing the significance of the explanatory power of variables. This led to the extraction of the maximum common variance from all variables. Simple regression analysis was then carried out to understand the relationship between the dependent variable (purchase intention) and the independent variables (brand consciousness, perceived quality of products, price sensitivity and product availability). The results show that brand consciousness, perceived quality of products, price sensitivity and product availability have significant effects on the purchase intention of consumers towards green products. The relative importance of the factors that affect consumers’ purchase intention has been analysed, and the practical and theoretical implications of the results of the study are also discussed.
Aprendizaje basado en simulación con realidad virtual
Authors: Mariscal Gonzalo , Jiménez Eva , Vivas-Urias María Dolores , Redondo-Duarte Sara , Moreno-Pérez Sonia
Published: June 2020

El uso de realidad virtual (VR) y realidad aumentada (AR) para la mejora del aprendizaje es un tema de actualidad en la Educación Superior.  El objetivo de este trabajo es evaluar el impacto de la simulación con realidad virtual (del inglés, VR-SBL) en el aprendizaje y satisfacción del estudiante. Para ello, se presentan dos casos llevados a cabo en la Universidad Europea de Madrid (UEM): el primero consiste en una experiencia de formación en primeros auxilios ante una emergencia de tráfico mediante el uso de tecnología de realidad virtual inmersiva, donde se ha comparado cómo aprenden los estudiantes con esta nueva metodología respecto a la clase magistral tradicional. El segundo caso consiste en la simulación de accidentes en un laboratorio mediante el uso de tecnología de realidad virtual de escritorio, donde se ha comparado cómo aprenden los estudiantes con esta metodología respecto a una simulación de dichos accidentes en el laboratorio real. En ambos casos se ha utilizado un diseño cuasi-experimental con un grupo experimental y un grupo de control. Además, se ha aplicado un diseño pretest-postest, que consiste en la realización de un test de conocimientos previo a la experiencia (pretest) y un cuestionario de conocimientos posterior a la misma (postest). Para medir la satisfacción con la actividad y la adecuación de las herramientas empleadas se ha utilizado un cuestionario de experiencia de usuario. Como conclusión, la satisfacción de los estudiantes en los dos casos denota una valoración alta. Además, en el primer caso, el grupo experimental que utiliza la realidad virtual inmersiva mejora significativamente el rendimiento académico. En cuanto al segundo caso, no se han encontrado diferencias significativas en cuanto al aprendizaje, por lo tanto, el nivel de aprendizaje en ambos grupos (simulación con realidad virtual y simulación en escenario real) es el mismo.
Barriers to the Adoption of Sustainable Construction
Authors: Chigozie Osuizugbo Innocent , Oyeyipo Opeyemi , Lahanmi Ayodele , Morakinyo Adesoye , Olaniyi Olusola
Published: June 2020

Studies have shown that adoption of sustainable construction practice would result in a substantial reduction in the greenhouse emissions from the construction industry. Evolving a sustainable development practice is an emergent concern for the construction industry in both developing and developed countries. Sustainable construction is concerned with site planning and design, community, indoor air quality, energy, materials, water, commissioning and marketability for the benefit of mankind. This requires enormous efforts from all the stakeholders in the industry. Sustainable construction efforts in the Nigerian construction industry have been ineffective as a result of a number of barriers that prevent a smooth transition to sustainable construction practice in the country. The aim of this study is to assess the potential barriers that hinder effective adoption of sustainable construction practice in the Nigerian Construction Industry, with a view to exploring how these barriers can be overcome and thereby achieving sustainable construction in the country. A cross-sectional questionnaire was adopted for the survey. Purposive sampling technique was used to elicit 105 copies of questionnaires from various construction professionals based in Lagos state, Nigeria. Data collected were analysed using frequency, percentage, mean, relative importance index and ranking. The results revealed that key barriers to sustainable construction in the Nigerian Construction Industry are poor government support for sustainable construction, lack of relevant laws and regulations to drive sustainable construction, lack of demand for sustainable construction from clients, low level of awareness of sustainable construction and fear of the cost of adopting sustainable construction. Based on the findings from this study, it was recommended that government should assume a greater role in the popularisation and application of sustainable strategy. The barriers identified and the suggestions made to minimize barriers to the adoption of sustainable construction in Nigeria should offer an enabling environment for stakeholders in construction sector to smoothly adopt sustainable construction for the benefit of humanity.   Keywords: adoption, barriers, construction industry, Nigeria, sustainable construction
REDD+: An Analysis of Initiatives in East Africa Amidst Increasing Deforestation
Authors: Bamwesigye Dastan , Doli Azdren , Hlavackova Petra
Published: June 2020

The study reviewed and examined reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) in East Africa. At the helm of Deforestation at its biting implication by the early 2000s, REDD+ was first suggested as a prospective climate change moderation arrangement in 2005 at the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (UNCCC) at the CoP11 in Canada. The basic idea herein was to reduce the increasing loss of forests due to deforestation as well as mitigate climate change as signs were vivid at the time. REDD+ would introduce initiatives to sustain carbon distribution, biodiversity, and stakeholder livelihoods. Developed countries lead in the support of these efforts. Using Literature review and content analysis approaches, the study investigates REDD+ projects in East Africa; Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania. A considerable level of work has been done as per the findings. However, a lot needs to be put in place since East Africa solely depends on wood biomass for household fuel which is a major cause of deforestation and forest degradation.  Keywords: afforestation, alternatives, climate change, deforestation, East Africa, emission control, re-afforestation, REED+, wood fuel
Sustainability of United Nations Recruitment: An Empirical Analysis of Recent Vacancy Advertisements of United Nations Specialized Agencies
Authors: Liu Suyu
Published: June 2020

This paper examines the sustainability of recruitment in the United Nations (UN), the largest global inter-governmental organization working on sustainable development. It investigates the sustainability of UN recruitment on three main dimensions: remuneration and job stability; meritocracy and fairness; cost and efficiency, with the data from recent vacancy advertisements of two UN specialized agencies. The analytical results suggest that being different from the existing knowledge of UN recruitment, the job stability in UN as shown by the data is higher due to the large proportion of staff vacancies and long-term job contracts. The remunerations to UN job incumbents are high, not only because of the widely-known attractive packages which are provided referring to the highest remuneration levels of national civil service, but also due to the subsidies of working in hardship places. Also, it is found that UN specialized agencies have developed detailed competency frameworks for recruitment to ensure the meritocracy. However, due to the essential monitoring procedures, UN recruitment is often lengthy and costly. Therefore, in the dilemma of meritocracy, fairness, and efficiency in recruitment, efficiency is not highly emphasized in UN recruitment practice, in comparison with meritocracy and fairness. Practical recommendations for improving sustainability of UN recruitment are provided, but more evidence and implications are to be provided by future research.

Key Words: United Nations; Recruitment; Sustainability; Meritocracy; Efficiency
Legal Regulation of Waste Management in Ukraine on the Way to European Integration
Authors: Kidalov Serhii , Vitiv Vitaliy , Golovko Liudmyla , Ladychenko Viktor
Published: June 2020

The article is devoted to the research of problems of adaptation of Ukrainian legislation to the norms of EU law. The environmental well-being of the population depends on the legal regulation of waste management and the role of government agencies in controlling these activities. Particular attention in this scholarly work is paid to the overriding objective of learning from the experience of the EU member states by creating a qualitative mechanism and achieving the main result – improvement of national legislation by implementing European standards in the sphere of waste management.  Keywords: EU waste policy, EU law, waste management, municipal waste, adaptation of Ukrainian legislation to EU law
The Phenomenon of Political Power in Ukraine
Authors: Bereziuk Sergiy , Pronko Lyudmila , Samborska Oksana
Published: June 2020

Political power is the integral part of constituent of development and stability of society, that is why her efficiency are one of main tasks of domestic politics. Success of the state depends in the international political arena, first of all, from experience and professionalism of own political management. Studies of scientists from the marked theme full have not fully covered the of problems, it is today necessary to work out the own effective model of politics, that would connect success and experience of international association, Ukrainian history, traditions and customs. Main reason of the crisis phenomena in Ukrainian society see in absence of clear strategy of development and absence of professional competenses of politicians, in relation to state creation. The purpose of the study is to find out the essence of political power and influence on the effectiveness of state-building, substantiation of directions of increasing the effectiveness of political power in Ukraine on the basis of political intelligence.  Keywords: state, politics, development, post-soviet countries, reform, president
The Importance of Pedestrianization in Cities- Assessment of Pedestrianized Streets in Nicosia Walled City
Authors: Uzunoğlu Kozan , Uzunoğlu Semra Sema
Published: June 2020

approach in recent years. One of these cities which is the last divided capital city and one of the most important cultural heritages of the Mediterranean region in  the island of Cyprus is the Nicosia Walled City. Within this study, the existing situation of pedestrianized areas in the Walled City in north Nicosia were examined. In literature review part, the importance of pedestrianization,  reasons and benefits of pedestrianization, examples of pedestrianized areas/streets around the world  are reviewed. The pedestrianized streets/areas in the north Nicosia Walled City were examined on-site, photographed, their current status was revealed and evaluated according to determined criteria. Each street/area was evaluated in terms of functions in the street, mobility, accessibility by car or public transportation, social/community activities, economic development and quality of physical environment. When the old city of Nicosia is analyzed in the context of these criteria, it has been observed that the pedestrianized areas have an increasing social, cultural and economical contribution to the city. In addition to its historical features, the places and activities that attract the people especially young population and tourists, bring life to this region. In terms of environmental aspects, visual incompatibilities were observed even in the streets where pedestrianization studies have been carried out recently. There are also problems about vehicle and pedestrian traffic that affect users. The study was completed by making suggestions at the end of the study. Keywords: pedestrianized streets, pedestrianized squares, Nicosia Walled City, Cyprus
Kinetic Studies on Extraction of Essential Oil from Lemongrass
Leaves (Cymbopogon citratus) by Steam Distillation Industrial Scale
Authors: Dao Tan Phat , Do Hoang Thang , Le Quang Khoi , Gia Phap Nguyen Van , Bach Long Giang , Muoi Nguyen Van , Cang Mai Huyng
Published: May 2020

Study on kinetics and modeling of the essential oil steam distillation are required for the optimization
of the energy requirement, parameters and the process scale-up. In this study, hydrodistillation for
extraction of essential oils from lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) steam distillation was investigated.
The recovery of essential oils was carried out on an industrial scale instrument and with with different
material quantities. The experimental results are determined by the integral method of analysis. The
kinetic parameters were evaluated from experimental data, which were generated at the different weights
of the lemongrass. The extraction rate constant explaining the extraction efficiency achieved from this
study is found to be k2 of 0.0661 min-1 in 710 kg using a second-order kinetic model. The GC/MS results
revealed that 14 components were identified in Cymbopogon citratusoils. The oil is extremely rich in
citral (69.775%), which obtained in 180 min.
Improved Capacity of LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2 Cathode upon
Sn(IV) Doping by Facile Co-Precipitation Method
Authors: Deivamani D. , Perumal P.
Published: May 2020

Nickel rich lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide is one of the prominent cathode materials in the
field of lithium ion battery. The cathode was prepared upon doping with Sn4+ by simple co-precipitation
method to develop its discharge capacity. The structural and morphological studies on the cathode
material were done by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy to confirm any structural
changes upon doping of Sn4+. The higher discharge capacity of 210 mAh g-1 with 89% capacity retention
was achieved even after 100 cycles at C/3 rate for 0.8 mol % Sn4+ doped lithium nickel manganese
cobalt oxide. The structural phase change upon cycling for Sn4+ doped and un-doped cathode was
illustrated by differential plot. The ionic radius and high bond stability of Sn4+ that compares Ni2+
might be the reason to prevent structural collapse during Li+ intercalation and de-intercalation process.
Solar Active Reusable Photocatalyst Magnetite Doped Calcium Aluminate for Acid Yellow 23 Photodegradation
Authors: Padmavathi R. , Natchimuthu V. , Lydia I. Sharmila
Published: May 2020

Fe3O4 doped calcium aluminate nanoparticles were synthesized by co-precipitation method, an effective route to synthesize novel photocatalyst to enhance the photocatalytic decolourization of acid yellow 23 dye. The structural and surface morphologies were investigated using techniques such as SEM and EDAX. In this study, a degradation of acid yellow 23 dye have been carried out in the presence of sunlight. It was observed that the synthesized Fe3O4 doped calcium aluminate photo catalyst was very useful in degrading the dye entirely within a short span of time (90 min). The impact of various operating parameters on acid yellow 23 including the amount of photocatalyst, dye concentration, H2O2 concentration and temperature was thoroughly examined. The kinetic studies explained that the degradation of photocatalytic reaction showed pseudo first-order reaction.
in silico ADMET Screening of Compounds Present in Cyanthillium cinereum (L.) H. Rob.
Authors: Dharani J. , Ravi S.
Published: May 2020

Drug development involves assessment of absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity
(ADMET) increasingly earlier in the discovery process. in silico ADMET studies are expected to
reduce the risk of late-stage attrition of drug development and to optimize screening and testing by
looking at only the promising compounds. To this end, several in silico approaches for predicting
ADMET properties of compounds from their chemical structure have been developed, ranging from
data-based approaches. In this study, ADMET prediction has been done for 20 compounds from the
plant Cyanthillium cinereum extracts. Some of the compounds were predicted to be non-toxic.
Synthesis, Characterization, Photoluminescence Property of Al(III) Schiff Base
Complexes and Their Applications in Forensic Fingerprint and Dye Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Srinivas M. , Sulochana N. , Ramesh G.
Published: May 2020

Aluminium(III)-Schiff base complexes of bis(salicylidene)phenyl-1,2-diamino organic ligand
derivatives were synthesized by condensation reaction with salicylaldehyde, substituted
phenyl-1,2-diamine with aluminum trichloride and characterized by 1H NMR, FTIR, EDS and
ICP-AAS. Photophysical properties like photoluminescence (PL) and IV characteristics were studied
for the dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) performance. The latent forensic finger print developments
have also been demonstrated from the synthesized complexes. Photoluminescence studies revealed
that emission peaks of the complexes in solution state appeared at 418- 572 nm and emitted blue and
pale-yellow light. Latent fingerprint detection study indicated that the powder compounds show a
good adhesion and finger ridge details without back ground staining. Based on these results, these
Al(III) complexes can serve as a suitable non-dopant blue light as well as pale yellow light emitting
compound for flat panel display applications and applied to detect latent fingerprints on variable
substrates.
Influence of Nitridation on Structural and Photoluminescence
Behaviour of CaZrO3:Eu3+ Nanophosphors
Authors: Kumar S.G. Prasanna , Kottam Nagaraju , Krishna R. Hari , Prabha M.N. Chandra , Preetham R. , Behara Santosh , Thomas Tiju
Published: May 2020

Ca1-xZrO3:xEu3+ (x = 0.05) phosphors have been prepared by using the low temperature solution
combustion synthesis. The prepared nano phospors are well characterized by powder X-ray diffraction,
scanning electron microscopy, Fourier infrared spectroscopy and transmission electron spectroscopy.
PXRD results showed orthorhombic phase and SEM images showed porous agglomerated morphology.
Influence of nitridation on structural and photoluminescence properties of the phosphor were
investigated for wide range of nitridation time. The photoluminescence (PL) intensity was found to vary
with nitridation with small shift in the photoluminescence emission peaks. The probable reasons for the
variation of photoluminescence with nitridation are discussed.
Ion-Pair Formation of [CoIII(pn)2(Cl)(L)2+····· I−] by Aqueous-Organic Solvent Medium Enhanced Photoreduction: A Perspective Regression Analysis
Authors: Stephen L. Devaraj , Gunasekaran S.G. , Soundarrajan M.
Published: May 2020

Reduction of CoIII centre in CoIII(pn)2(Cl)(L)2+ with reference to solvent medium and structure of the complex via ion pair charge transfer (IPCT) paves way for the novel reaction mechanism route. In this work, we prepared, characterized and photoinduced the complexes CoIII(pn)2(Cl)(L)2+ (where L = RC6H4NH2, R = m-OMe, p-F and H) in the presence of iodide ion. Quantum yield for 254 nm excitation of CoIII(pn)2(Cl)(L)2+(where L = RC6H4NH2, R = m-OMe, p-F and H) in water-1,4-dioxane mixtures (Diox = 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30% (v/v)) were also derived for all the complexes in presence of added iodide ion, in which CoIII was reduced via [CoIII(pn)2(Cl)(L)2+….. I-] ion-pair formation. The photoinduced state is ion-pair charge transfer transition state and the quantum efficiency is solvent reliant and they are non-reactive. That is, change in ΦCo(II) is dependable with observed increase in xDiox of the mixed solvent medium. Correlation analysis using empirical parameters εr, Y, ET N and DNN provides a model to understand the solvent medium participation and interaction. This work gains an insight into the role of aqueous-organic solvent medium in CoIII(pn)2(Cl)(L)2+ photoreduction, which may be of great significance in developing novel approaches in the field of high performance catalysis
Stability Indicating RP-HPLC Assessment and Stability
Testing of Tazarotene and Halobetasol in Lotion Formulation
Authors: Gupta Tiruveedhi V.L.N. Balaji , Battula Venkateswara Rao , Bonige Kishore Babu
Published: May 2020

A novel liquid chromatographic method was established and validated for the quantification of
tazarotene and halobetasol in the presence of degradation products obtained during stress conditions.
The liquid chromatographic method was based on isocratic elution on Knauer Eurospher II C18 (5 μm
particle size, 250 mm × 4.5 mm) column using a mobile phase consisting of methanol, acetonitrile
and 0.5 mM perchloric acid (40:45:15 v/v/v) mixture at flow rate of 0.9 mL/min. Quantization of
tazarotene and halobetasol was done with UV detection at 234 nm. The method validity was assessed
in agreement with the recommendations of the International Conference on Harmonization. Linearity,
accuracy and precision were satisfactory over the concentration ranges of 2.25-13.5 and 0.5-3.0 μg/mL
for tazarotene and halobetasol, respectively. Detection limit values of 0.006 μg/mL and 0.01 μg/mL
were found for halobetsol and tazarotene, respectively, while the quantization limit values of 0.02
μg/mL and 0.033 μg/mL were found for halobetsol and tazarotene, respectively. The developed method
is appropriate for routine analysis and quality control of tazarotene and halobetasol combination in
lotion dosage form.
Do Nontechnical Skills Affect Legal Outcomes After Endoscopic Perforations?
Authors: Hernandez Lyndon V. , Klyve Dominic , Feld Lauren , Nalini Guda , Feld Andrew
Published: June 2020

INTRODUCTION:

Health systems often emphasize technical skills to reduce iatrogenic injuries. Nontechnical skills such as clinical and communication skills are mostly overlooked or not readily retrievable from medical records. Our aim was to estimate the association of technical and nontechnical skills of endoscopists with indemnity payments to patients after endoscopic perforations.

METHODS:

This is an observational registry-based study of closed claims against gastroenterologists involved in endoscopic perforations.

RESULTS:

We analyzed 175 closed claims related to perforations, all of which involved allegations of improper performance of the endoscopic procedure. Inadequate communication (n = 71, 41%) and clinical judgment (n = 60, 34%) on the part of the endoscopists were observed. Inadequate communication and clinical judgment were associated with over 3-fold odds of indemnity payment (odds ratio [OR] 3.31; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.46–7.48, and OR 3.18; 95% CI, 1.44–7.01, respectively). However, if there were no communication breakdown or clinical judgment issues and the only allegation was poor technical skill, the odds of indemnity payments were less than half of those cases (OR 0.43; 95% CI 0.15–0.80). There was no evidence of a statistically significant interaction among age, procedure type, trainee involvement, clinical severity, need for surgery, and procedure-related death.

DISCUSSION:

We observed that inadequate communication and clinical judgment were associated with indemnity payment, independent of the severity of clinical outcomes. On the other hand, cases wherein there was an allegation of poor technical skills alone, without communication breakdown or clinical judgment issues, were associated with favorable legal outcomes for the defendant. (See the Visual Abstract at http://links.lww.com/AJG/B568.)
Der Hamburger Weg eines dialogischen Religionsunterrichts für alle. Partizipation aller?
Authors: Knauth Thorsten , Weiße Wolfram
Published: June 2020

The Hamburg way of a dialogical religious education for all, in which students with different religious and secular or non-religious positions take part, is presented in its emergence and development. The dynamic for such a singular approach in Germany, which has been in evidence since the mid-1990s, is characterised by innovative cooperation between religious communities, specialist institutes, the university, the Association of Religious Teachers and the school authorities. This approach was underpinned conceptually, consolidated by empirical social science research, concretized in curricula and supported in Hamburg's society and politics. For about 6 years now, work has been underway on further developing the curriculum, with advantages standing alongside problems.
Dedal i Ikar - dwa humanistyczne ideały moralne
Authors: Ważbiński Zygmunt
Published: June 2020

For humanists of the 15th and 16th centuries the literary motive of Daedalus and Icarus became a basis for discussions about the attitude of a man towards both other men and the world. The elitarian, “philosophical” character of this motive is emphasized by its scarcity in plastic arts of that period and, on the other hand, by its great popularity in the moral and emblematic literature. Here was the Renaissance somewhat a heir of the mediaeval Ovide moralisé.
Normy i oceny moralne a dyrektywy i metody socjotechniki
Authors: Goćkowski Janusz
Published: June 2020

As a specific type of operational behaviour intended to furnish solutions of social problems social engineering functions in virtue of certain moral norms and evaluations. The directives and methods of social engineering are conceived and applied in accordance with a moral point of view held by the social engineer. This moral point of view, with its characteristic values, goals, norms and evaluations, influences the selection of the ways and means that he makes to realize his project. The social engineer is both a specialist who designs and applies certain norms, and a moralist who identifies, explains and justifies the motives and objectives underlying them. The directives of the adherent to a moral system and those of the engineer with a certain professional specialization constitute independent variables in his mind.
Wykłady z etyki
Authors: Twardowski Kazimierz
Published: June 2020

In scientific ethics which is equivalent to the theory of human action analysed in terms of the value of goodness, researches tend to follow different directions depending on how its principal problems are solved. Thus, as regards the scope of procedure of ethical research, we can distinguish between individual and social ethics. The question about the source of morality (what is the origin of the difference between good and evil acts) is the point of departure of heteronomic (authoritative) and autonomous ethics. Different answers to the question about the ethical emotionalism or intellectualism, with ethical rigorism as one of its variants. The answers to the problems involved in the ethical criterion, as far as its concerned, lead either to teleological (eudeamonism or perfectionism) or ateleological or nomical ethics. If it is thought necessary to justify some ethical criterion, the justifications tend either in the direction of ethical criterion is answered either in terms of absolutist or relativists ethics. Metascientific analyses of the cognitive status of ethics in turn provide the points for debates between those advocating the scientific nature of moral axiology and normative ethics and the followers of descriptive ethics.
O postępowaniu pod wpływem sumienia
Authors: Rutkowski Mirosław
Published: June 2020

W artykule próbuję dowieść, że sumienia nie można uważać za ostateczne i wiarygodne źródło naszych przekonań o tym co powinniśmy czynić, a także, że nikt nie może wiedzieć czy oraz kiedy postępuje pod wpływem sumienia.
Natural Promises
Authors: Eylon Yuval
Published: June 2020

The possibility of promising requires a determined obligation that distinguishes breaking a promise from merely failing to keep it, thus enabling both parties to know what the promise entails. In addition, a recognizable commitment must bind the promiser and justify the promisee’s reliance. It is widely accepted that fulfilling these functions requires a rule of promises – either a convention or a moral principle. The paper criticizes this common view and presents an alternative.
I introduce the concept ‘quamise’. Quamises are particular expressions of intentions to act, made within personal relationships which involve normative requirements. Given these requirements, quamising determines an obligation and justifies reliance sans rule. I argue that promises within relationships are in fact quamises.
Consequently, a unified account of promises is available only if quamises can be made to strangers, without implicitly appealing to a rule. I show that an attempt to quamise can, under appropriate conditions, create the relationship needed for quamising. The conditions that enable quamising to strangers include the social emotion of shame, which provides the accountability to strangers required for reliance, as well as various salient precedents and practices the parties can designate in order to determine an obligation. Thus, a rule of promises is unnecessary. According to this view, the moral nature of promises resembles that of personal commitments: fidelity to promises is a virtue in the sense that friendship is.
Medical Doctors in Torture Program. The Need for Virtue Ethics in Medical Conscience Formation
Authors: Alichniewicz Anna , Michałowska Monika
Published: June 2020

In December 2014, Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) released their analysis of the summary of the Committee Report of the Central Intelligence Agency’s Detention and Interrogation Program. PHR focused on the involvement of health care professionals in the CIA torture program, concluding that the health professionals’ commissions and omissions violated the prescriptions of many fundamental bioethical documents, including international declarations of bioethics and medical research ethics. The medical doctors’ involvement evokes some thoughts concerning bioethical education. It seems that instead of developing virtues through practicing morally good habits, the experience of clinical training undermines the moral ideals that medical students identified themselves with at the commencement of their medical education. The hostile response they sometimes get from their mentors when trying to question morally troubling situations may shape the habit of ‘turning a blind eye’ to unethical behaviour, since the students do not want to jeopardize their grades and future medical career. Maybe it was the development of this habit and the failure to develop the habit of moral courage instead  that prevented the medical doctors participating in torture programs from defending moral ideals of their profession more effectively.
Czy istnieje charakter moralny? Dyskusja z Johna Dorisa sytuacjonistyczną krytyką etyki cnót
Authors: Szutta Natasza
Published: June 2020

Etyka cnót jest jedną z najważniejszych obecnie koncepcji etycznych. Postuluje konieczność pracy nad moralnym charakterem, utrwalaniem jego właściwych cech i dyspozycji (cnót etycznych). Taki postulat zakłada, że głównym determinantem działania jest charakter jego sprawcy. Tymczasem liczne eksperymenty przeprowadzone na gruncie psychologii społecznej dowodzą, że o sposobie ludzkiego działania decydują zmienne sytuacyjne, a nie dyspozycjonalne. John Doris w swojej książce pt. Luck of Character poddaje radykalnej krytyce psychologię moralności, na której ufundowana została etyka cnót: kwestionuje istnienie charakteru moralnego i globalnie rozumianych jego cech, a w konsekwencji także edukację moralnego charakteru. Mój artykuł jest próbą odpowiedzi na krytykę Dorisa.
O pojęciu kategerii etycznych
Authors: Dżafarli Tejmuraz
Published: June 2020

Traditional ethical categories such as good, evil, conscience, honour, dignity, happiness, or more recently: responsibility, humanism, collectivism, patriotism, internationalism, etc., systematically reflect the tendencies for the development of moral relations in society. The system of categories of Marxists ethics is not to be closed or rendered one-dimensional, on the contrary, it should expand. It should be built upon the following principles: 1) it should define the basic form of ethical knowledge and relate it dialectically to all types of categories describing various levels and functions of morality; 2) it should approach the particular moral phenomena exposing all links between the basic categories and others; 3) it should determine crucial points in the development of moral relations in certain historical conditions; 4) it should generalize from moral experience of a society to use its findings for an improvement of the system of ethical categories.