bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving the Performance of Soluble Rubber Powder Asphalt Mixture with Eucommia Gum Grafted with Maleic Anhydride
Authors: Yan Si Meng , Guo Nai Sheng , Yan Shi Gang , Jin Xin
Published: July 2020

After the paper uses a unique domestic natural rubber Eucommia to establish a chemical link between the asphalt and the solubility of the powder, analyzed the structure of the double bond vulcanization gutta percha and the solubility of the powder, gutta percha and asphalt amino group of the reaction maleic anhydride, and so gutta appreciate and a chemical link. Analysis then grafted with maleic anhydride mix and low temperature, water stability and mechanical properties, aging resistance. The results found, gutta vulcanized rubber powder can be promoted, but enhance mixing; material properties are not obvious. Maleic anhydride grafted gutta percha is established after the reaction network vulcanized rubber powder and asphalt, so that performance significantly. : Less than 2% when the dosage was added gutta percha grafted SBS modified asphalt to improve its high temperature and aging resistance, without reducing the low-temperature performance, and 1.5% ash graft gutta SBS modified to be most significant .
Effect of Pattern-Less Forming Process on Quality of Sand Mold Surface
Authors: Guo Li Jun , Shan Zhong De , Jiang Er Biao
Published: July 2020

The pattern-less sand mold was used as the research object, surface quality of sand mold was carried out by using surface abrasion tester. In this paper, the influence of sand material such as the types of sand, resin contents and extrusion pressure on the surface quality was studied through the single-factor test. The results showed that: different sand mold had different surface abrasive resistance. The angle coefficient of sand has a great influence on the surface abrasive resistance of the sand mold. With the increase of extrusion force, the surface abrasive resistance of sand mold increased. And as the resin content increased, the surface abrasive resistance of sand mold continued to increase.
Measurement of Complex Permeability of Thick Film Materials in the 0.1 GHz~0.6GHz Band
Authors: Yuan Yu Ling , Liang Di Fei , Li Wei Jia
Published: July 2020

The existing low-frequency magnetic parameter test is mainly based on impedance analysis,Its sample needs to be prepared into a ring,the hard materials are difficult to process into rings for testing. Small piece of material cannot be tested using impedance analysis because it is too small to be cut into a ring for testing. In this paper, the principle of impedance analysis and the basic theory of strip line be used, an empirical formula for the complex permeability of the magnetic bulk thick film material in the 0.1Ghz~0.6GHz frequency band is obtained through design and test by design simulation and physical fixture, it makes the testing of the complex permeability of thick film materials easier due to it avoid damage and ring cutting before testing.
Leaching Kinetics of Gold Involved in the System S2O32--EDTA-Cu2+
Authors: Xiang Peng Zhi , Deng Chao , Yao Huang , Liu Long Jiang , Mogdal S.
Published: July 2020

Thiosulphate gold leaching is an alternative technology to the cyanidation of gold ores. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid is referred to as EDTA.A study on the leaching kinetics of gold involved in the system S2O32--EDTA-Cu2+ for the gold in this paper. The effect of temperature and of the addition of copper has been also analyzed, temperature has a remarkable effect over the overall reaction rate in the range from 293 to 323k, the result shows that the leaching process conforms to the chemical control model. The concentration of [S2O32-] considerably affects the leaching rate obtaining a value of for the order of reaction in the range of concentrations from 0.05 to 0.3 mol/L of S2O32- which obtaining a reaction order of 1.029. Copper addition favored the leaching rate of gold which obtaining a reaction order of 0.441,Thiosulphater addition also favored the leaching rate of gold .kinetics model was established which is 1−(1−x)1/3=4950.8c (S2O32-)1.029c (Cu2+)0.441exp (-9911/8.314T).
Magnetic Properties and Crystal Structure of (Fe,Ni)2( P,Si) Quaternaries of Fe2P-Type
Authors: Ren Tian Yi , Wang Rui Hong , Wang Tian Liang
Published: July 2020

(Fe,Ni)2(P,Si) compounds were synthesized and characterized. Ni substitution in Fe1.95-xNixP0.7Si0.3 is found to favor the formation of Fe2P-type hexagonal structure. The samples appear nearly single phase. Powder oriented in the magnetic field shows a pronounced uniaxial magnetic anisotropy with c axis as the easy axis. Magnetization measurements carried out along and perpendicular to the c crystal axis demonstrate a significant magnetic anisotropy, making these materials potential candidates for permanent magnet applications. We found that (Fe,Ni)2(P,Si) compound has no remanent magnetic field and coercivity, but it has a large magnetocrystalline anisotropy at room temperature. Therefore, doping Fe2P type compounds with a small amount of Ni and Si may be a promising way to create new materials with large magnetocrystalline anisotropy at room temperature, and thus rare-earth free permanent magnet.
Preparation of Ni/ZrO2/SiO2 Catalyst and its Application in Hydrogenation of CO2 to Methane
Authors: Han Zhen Xing , Guo Si Xi , Li Kai Ming , Yao Bing , Song Ming , Li Jing , Zhu Wen You , Zhu Jie , Xu Yan , Du Xi Hua
Published: July 2020

The hydrogenation of CO2 to CH4 can realize the utilization of CO2, which has an important implications to both the energy and environment. As a result of the low catalytic activity of the supported Ni/SiO2 catalyst, the ZrO2 is added to improve its catalytic performance by the impregnation method. The experimental results show that ZrO2 is an effective promoter to enhance the low-temperature catalytic activity of Ni/SiO2 catalyst.
Nutritional and anti-nutritional evaluation of ten genotypes of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) grown in a derived savanna ecology of Nigeria
Authors: Abu Ngozi E. , Chimdi Grace O. , Ojua Eugene O.
Published: July 2020

The selection of pepper genotypes for high yield could be exploited together with high nutritional content and considerable secondary metabolite level. The present study was aimed at evaluating the nutrient and anti-nutrient compositions of ten genotypes of pepper through laboratory assessment. According to the nutrients analyzed, total carotenoid content ranged from 6 - 34 mg / 100 g, β -carotene from 4 – 7 mg / 100 g and ascorbic acid from 83 - 100 mg/ 100g. Most parameters evaluated varied significantly. Moisture content ranged from 84.2% to 77.4%, ash content from 1.5% to 0.8%, protein from 7.5% to 4.6%, fat from 2.7% to 1.8% and fiber from 11.7% to 6.2%. Results also showed that mineral content had the following range: Na with 0.31 – 0.82 mg/ 100 g, K with 24.50 – 40.70 mg/ 100 g, Zn with 21.11 – 26.31 mg/ 100 g, Fe with 0.41 – 0.65 mg/ 100 g and Ca with 5.96 – 121.98 mg/ 100 g. The antinutrients analyzed were also found to be present in varied concentrations across the pepper genotypes. All the genotypes evaluated had values to supply sufficient vitamin A and β– carotene for daily recommendations.
Use of Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Crop and Livestock Production and Implication to Social Ecology: A Case Study of Chimanimani District of Zimbabwe
Authors: Sithole Pindai
Published: July 2020

This study explored the indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) in the Chimanimani District of Zimbabwe and how they are used in crop management and grain storage. Also examined were the effects of IKS use on community food security and integrity of the environment. A qualitative interpretative research design was employed through the use of detailed in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with traditional leaders and community elders. The choice for these groups of people was informed by the general belief that they are often regarded in the community as a reservoir of indigenous knowledge systems. Phenomenological underpinnings anchored the study because it was vital to bring to the fore the various related IKS phenomena and links to food security and environmental management in the community. A socio-ecological lens was used to establish links and interrelations of factors that contribute to food security and environmental management. Major findings include that ashes and leaves from some indigenous trees are used to enrich soil quality, preserve food, and treat livestock. In addition, ashes and leaves are applied as organic pesticides for a variety of crops grown in the district. The study established that these local knowledge systems and practices contribute to low farming costs, high crop yields and good environmental management. The indigenous trees used for this purpose are held in high regard and conserved through the practice and enforcement of socio-spiritual prohibitions like taboos. The study concluded that the body of local knowledge firmly rooted in the Chimanimani people’s culture and traditions is relevant to and consistent with the national and global agenda towards strengthening and sustaining community food security and environmental management. Furthermore, the local knowledge systems found in this study have policy implications for environmental management and climate change strategies as well as knowledge management from a socio-ecological perspective.Keywords: indigenous knowledge management systems, environmental management, food security
Using WhatsApp as a Learning Media in Teaching Reading
Authors: Napratilora Martina , Lisa Hendro , Bangsawan Indra
Published: July 2020

Dalam mendukung keberhasilan proses pembelajaran dan pengajaran, para pendidik tentunya tidak asing lagi dengan penggunaan berbagai media pembelajaran dalam pembelajarannya seperti media audio dan visual atau menggunakan cards, kertas karton, stik, maupun gambar. Saat ini dunia lagi dilanda musibah yang mengakibatkan ssemua lapisan masyarakat harus terkena social distancing. Demikian juga dengan dunia pendidikan. Para siswa tidak diperbolehkan melakukan pendidikan di sekolah demi terhidar dari covid-19 atau menekan penyebaran covid-19. Agar  pendidikan tetap bias dilakukan maka pemerintah menganjurkan para pendidik untuk melaukan pengajaran secara daring menggunakan technology. Technology yang terus berkembang mengakibatkan bermunculannya aplikasi-aplikasi yang bias digunakan dengan smart phone seperti ruang guru, zoom, google meet, whatsapp, facebook dan yang lainnya. Diantara semua aplikasi tersebut whatsapp adalah aplikasi  yang terpopuler dan mudah digunakan. Melalui whatsapp kita bisa mengirim foto, audio, dokumen, video bukan hanya secara individu namun bias juga dilakukan secara group dengan berbagai kemudahan  yang tersedia difitur whatsapp maka sangat layaklah para pendidik dan siswa menggunakan whatsapp sebagai salah satu media pembelajaran apalagi dimasa covid-19 ini.
KOMITMEN MAHASISWA MANAJEMEN PENDIDIKAN KRISTEN DALAM MENYELESAIKAN STUDI
Authors: Pakpahan Betty Arli Sonti
Published: July 2020

This study aims to determine university student’s commitment in completing studies in the department Christian education management at IAKN Tarutung. Participants involved were studying at the third semester. Data were collected through a qualitative approach including from interview, documents, and open questionnaires. The results showed; First, students have commitment completing their studies although they were disappointed when they learned that their graduation was not in accordance with their first choice, but due to parents' advice and motivation, the socialization process and learning from lecturers, the motivation of classmates, student involvement in various campus activities, students increasingly love their study programs. Second, there is no significant difference between students who purely choose Christian education management study programs and students who graduate based on second choice and transition from other study programs. The results of this study indicate that intellectual desires and abilities are not the main keys in completing studies but because of hard work, and strong commitment (strong determination).BAHASA INDONESIA ABSTRACT: Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui komitmen mahasiswa Prodi Manajemen Pendidikan Kristen dalam menyelesaikan studi di IAKN Tarutung. Subjek penelitian adalah mahasiswa semester tiga Prodi Manajemen Pendidikan Kristen. Data penelitian diperoleh melalui pendekatan kualitatif  dengan metode wawancara, dokumen dan angket terbuka. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan; pertama, mahasiswa berkomitmen untuk menyelesaikan studinya di IAKN Tarutung walaupun pada awalnya merasa  kecewa ketika mengetahui kelulusannya tidak sesuai dengan pilihan pertamanya,  namun  karena faktor nasehat  dan motivasi orangtua,  proses sosilaisasi dan pembelajaran dari dosen, motivasi teman kuliah, keterlibatan mahasiswa dalam berbagai kegiatan kampus, mahasiswa semakin mencintai prodinya, Kedua, tidak ada perbedaan yang signifikan antara mahasiswa yang murni memilih prodi manajemen pendidikan kristen dengan mahasiswa yang lulus berdasarkan pilihan kedua dan peralihan dari prodi lain. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa keinginan dan kemampuan intelektual tidak menjadi kunci utama dalam menyelesaikan studi tetapi oleh karena kerja keras, dan komitmen  yang kuat (tekat yang kuat).Keywords: Commitment, Students, Completing Studies
Magnetometer in-flight offset accuracy for the BepiColombo spacecraft
Authors: Schmid Daniel , Plaschke Ferdinand , Narita Yasuhito , Heyner Daniel , Mieth Johannes Z. D. , Anderson Brian J. , Volwerk Martin , Matsuoka Ayako , Baumjohann Wolfgang
Published: July 2020

Abstract. Recently the two-spacecraft mission BepiColombo launched to explore the plasma and magnetic field environment of Mercury. Both spacecraft, the Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) and the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO, also referred to as Mio), are equipped with fluxgate magnetometers, which have proven to be well-suited to measure the magnetic field in space with high precision. Nevertheless, accurate magnetic field measurements require proper in-flight calibration. In particular the magnetometer offset, which relates relative fluxgate readings into an absolute value, needs to be determined with high accuracy.
Usually, the offsets are evaluated from observations of Alfvénic fluctuations in the pristine solar wind, if those are available. An alternative offset determination method, which is based on the observation of highly compressional fluctuations instead of incompressible Alfvénic fluctuations, is the so-called mirror mode technique. To evaluate the method performance in the Hermean environment, we analyze four years of MESSENGER (MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEophysics and Ranging) magnetometer data, which are calibrated by the Alfvénic fluctuation method, and compare it with the accuracy and error of the offsets determined by the mirror mode method in different plasma environments around Mercury.
We show that the mirror mode method yields the same offset estimates and thereby confirms its applicability. Furthermore, we evaluate the spacecraft observation time within different regions necessary to obtain reliable offset estimates. Although the lowest percentage of strong compressional fluctuations are observed in the solar wind, this region is most suitable for an accurate offset determination with the mirror mode method. 132 h of solar wind data are sufficient to determine the offset to within 0.5 nT, while thousands of hours are necessary to reach this accuracy in the magnetosheath or within the magnetosphere.
We conclude that in the solar wind the mirror mode method might be a good complementary approach to the Alfvénic fluctuation method to determine the (spin-axis) offset of the Mio magnetometer.
Beyond Little and Big: Circulation, Data, and American Magazine History
Authors: Hefner Brooks E. , Timke Edward
Published: July 2020

Finding reliable and objective circulation figures for magazines has been a challenge for periodical scholars for many years. This essay describes the Circulating American Magazines project, which seeks to remedy this problem by making historical magazine circulation data from the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) publicly accessible. Using case studies ranging across magazine categories like “big” and “little,” this essay demonstrates the scholarly possibilities that detailed ABC data offer and shows how these insights can upend long-standing ideas about American periodical history and radically refine our understanding of U.S. periodical history.
Proceso administrativo de área de Recursos Humanos en la Empresa “Las Limas S. A.” de la ciudad de Estelí en el periodo 2018-2019
Authors: Herrera Leiva Scarleth Dalila , Mantilla Lazo Daysi Mitchelle , Vega Castillo Jennyfer Nohemi , Castillo Herrera Beverly
Published: July 2020

Este artículo presenta un análisis de las etapas del proceso administrativo del área de Recursos Humanos de la Empresa “Las Limas S. A.” ubicada en Estelí, Nicaragua; Con la finalidad de proponer estrategias que mejoren los procesos administrativos de dicha área. La investigación es cualitativa, se aplicaron entrevistas y observación en el área de trabajo. Los principales resultados demuestran que existe falta de comunicación entre los colaboradores del área, mal clima laboral, buen control de las actividades, mediante supervisiones y evaluaciones al desempeño, falta de motivación, técnicas obsoletas de reclutamiento, mala distribución de las actividades por puesto y no implementan capacitaciones al personal. Se proponen estrategias de mejora en clima laboral, capacitaciones, motivación, mejora del flujo de puesto de trabajo, estabilidad laboral, comunicación.
Validación y estimación de incertidumbre de un método analítico para cuantificar hierro total por el método colorimétrico de la fenantrolina en agua potable y natural
Authors: Herrera M. Jonathan
Published: July 2020

El siguiente proyecto consiste en la validación y estimación de la incertidumbre de un método analítico para determinar Hierro Total por el método de la Fenantrolina en muestras de aguas naturales, en el Laboratorio de Aguas Naturales del CIRA - UNAN. Esto con la finalidad de que el laboratorio demuestre que el método analítico proporciona resultados fiables, siguiendo la metodología establecida por el Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater. 22 ed. Washington: APHA. Dentro de este contexto el proyecto fue posible gracias al apoyo financiero de los Fondos propios de Investigación (FPI) de la UNAN-Managua. La evaluación del método se llevó a cabo tomando en cuenta criterios tales como: linealidad, rango de trabajo, límite de detección y cuantificación instrumental y del método, exactitud (Veracidad, repetibilidad), precisión intermedia, y como criterio fuera de la validación, pero de suma importancia, la estimación del sesgo o incertidumbre del método, todo esto, mediante el desarrollo de cálculos estadísticos con el objeto que el laboratorio de aguas naturales cuente con una metodología validada, como elemento necesario para la acreditación de estas variables de calidad de agua natural.
Modelos GARCH em ações financeiras: um estudo de caso
Authors: Thomaz Paulo Siga , Mattos Viviane Leite Dias de , Nakamura Luiz Ricardo , Konrath Andréa Cristina , Nunes Gérson Dos Santos
Published: July 2020

Este artigo tem por objetivo detalhar o protocolo de aplicação e avaliação dos modelos autorregressivos de heteroscedasticidade condicional generalizados (GARCH), com ênfase em especificar adequadamente a distribuição de probabilidade para os resíduos e o critério de avaliação da previsão. Com este intuito, aplicam-se modelos GARCH com distribuição normal e t de Student na modelagem da volatilidade da série de retornos das ações ABEV3. O melhor modelo seguindo a distribuição normal e o melhor seguindo a distribuição t de Student são executados para a previsão, em que os resultados são comparados com a volatilidade realizada, calculada a partir de retornos intradiários, e com os retornos absolutos. Os resultados evidenciam que o modelo GARCH(1,1) seguindo a distribuição t de Student possui a melhor performance, tanto no ajuste como na previsão. Além disso, os modelos possuem resultados significativamente melhores quando avaliados pelo critério da volatilidade realizada.
Avaliação do efeito de variáveis na satisfação de clientes de restaurantes por meio da Modelagem de Equações Estruturais
Authors: Gonçalves Wellington , Freitas Rodrigo Randow de , Tomazini Iuri Mattedi , Alves Tairony Batista
Published: July 2020

O conhecimento das variáveis que afetam a satisfação do cliente exerce ampla influência sobre o sucesso das organizações. No setor de food service não é diferente, sendo necessário às organizações compreenderem o comportamento e efeito de variáveis para essa satisfação, visto que o posicionamento de mercado exige mudanças constantes. Nesse sentido, a partir da literatura, neste trabalho foi realizado um levantamento de variáveis que influenciam na satisfação de clientes de restaurantes, sendo efetivada a avaliação da relevância dessas variáveis por meio da Modelagem de Equações Estruturais. A unidade de pesquisa foi composta por pessoas economicamente ativas que frequentam restaurantes no município de São Mateus (Espírito Santo), servindo de base para verificação da aplicação. Os resultados permitiram visualizar inter-relações significativas entre variáveis, mostrando o efeito da performance e emoção sobre satisfação de clientes. Esses resultados proporcionaram uma importante base de conhecimento para auxiliar tomadas de decisões no setor de food service, contribuindo com empresários, gestores e governantes na criação de políticas para fidelização de clientes. Apesar do esforço para minimizar possíveis falhas no trabalho, existem limitações que podem ser exploradas em pesquisas futuras, como diferenças nas práticas operacionais e de gestão entre indústrias e empresas do setor. Este trabalho avalia o impacto de cinco variáveis identificadas pela revisão de literatura. A utilização de um contexto de serviço é outra limitação deste estudo.
Análisis del comportamiento espacio-temporal intradestino mediante GPS: Una aproximación de los visitantes independientes de crucero en la ciudad de València
Authors: Navarro-Ruiz Sandra , Ivars-Baidal Josep Antoni , Casado-Díaz Ana Belén
Published: July 2020

El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo profundizar en el análisis de los patrones de comportamiento espacio-temporal de los visitantes en destino, una escala de trabajo insuficientemente desarrollada. La investigación aplica un enfoque multimétodo, que combina el uso de GPS con una encuesta, al conocimiento de los patrones espaciales de los cruceristas que visitan la ciudad de Valencia de manera independiente. Los resultados obtenidos evidencian la polarización de los flujos en el centro histórico de la ciudad, dentro de un patrón mayoritario de único nodo, una dinámica que conviene gestionar adecuadamente para prevenir la congestión y poner en valor otros atractivos urbanos. La redistribución de flujos resulta aconsejable pero no es sencilla. Medidas como la redistribución mediante una oferta variada de excursiones plantea dificultades mientras que una mejor adaptación de las líneas de la red de transporte más utilizadas por los cruceristas puede tener efectos más positivos.
Evaluación de procesos de planificación y gestión territorial: un aporte metodológico desde una revisión de enfoques.
Authors: Pinazo-Dallenbach Pablo , Tutistar-Rosero Diana Ximena
Published: July 2020

La ‘Nueva Planificación Territorial Estratégica’ reaparecida en Europa a finales del siglo XX incorpora de manera intrínseca la necesidad de evaluación de los Planes de Ordenación Territorial. Esta evaluación no puede centrarse únicamente en evaluar el impacto de los planes, sino que debe realizarse también poniendo el foco en los procesos técnicos en los que se producen bienes materiales y la generación de conocimiento. El presente trabajo pretende aportar el marco metodológico para poder desarrollar un instrumento de evaluación de procesos de planificación y gestión de planes de ordenamiento territorial.
 Mediante el uso de una matriz de análisis, se comparan distintos enfoques de evaluación con el objetivo de seleccionar la categoría más conveniente para la evaluación de procesos de planificación territorial. De esta forma, se seleccionan los enfoques más interesantes que posteriormente se caracterizan identificando los autores más representativos, los métodos aplicados, las fases que los componen, los criterios utilizados para evaluar los procesos, sus puntos fuertes y débiles y las preguntas de evaluación.
Los resultados obtenidos reflejan que los enfoques de evaluación de procesos que pertenecen a la familia de los enfoques eclécticos parecen ser los más interesantes para el Ordenamiento Territorial, dado que por su naturaleza combinan las ventajas de los enfoques que utilizan, y adaptan metodologías y filosofías a las necesidades de cada evaluación concreta, optimizando los resultados de evaluación e involucrando de manera activa a los principales stakeholders.
Evolutionary history of a Scottish harbour seal population
Authors: Nikolic Natacha , Thompson Paul , de Bruyn Mark , Macé Matthias , Chevalet Claude
Published: July 2020

Efforts to conserve marine mammals are often constrained by uncertainty over their population history. Here, we examine the evolutionary history of a harbour seal (Phoca vitulina) population in the Moray Firth, northeast Scotland using genetic tools and microsatellite markers to explore population change. Previous fine-scale analysis of UK harbour seal populations revealed three clusters in the UK, with a northeastern cluster that included our Moray Firth study population. Our analysis revealed that the Moray Firth cluster is an independent genetic group, with similar levels of genetic diversity across each of the localities sampled. These samples were used to assess historic abundance and demographic events in the Moray Firth population. Estimates of current genetic diversity and effective population size were low, but the results indicated that this population has remained at broadly similar levels following the population bottleneck that occurred after post-glacial recolonization of the area.
Safety Profile and Toxicity Amelioration Strategies of Common Adverse Effects Associated with Anticancer Medications
Authors: Singaraju Mallik , Palaian Subish , Shankar Pathiyil Ravi , Shrestha Sunil
Published: July 2020

More than half the cancer patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy develop adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Cancer chemotherapeutic agents have a lower risk-benefit ratio than other drug therapy and kill cancerous as well as the normal rapidly dividing cells including bone marrow cells, gastrointestinal epithelium, hair follicles, etc. Their main ADRs are nausea and vomiting, mucositis, constipation, diarrhea, hematological toxicities, cardiac toxicity, alopecia, gonadal toxicity, pulmonary toxicity, neurotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, etc. The severity of the adverse effects may range from mild nausea to life-threatening neutropenia. Administering premedication and antidotes are very vital in these patients. Upon the occurrence of adverse effects, immediate steps should be taken to manage them. Though the ADRs due to anticancer medications are not avoidable, careful monitoring of the patients and modulating the drug schedules/dosages can help in minimizing them. Healthcare professionals should also develop strategies to minimize the occupational hazards associated with these drugs.
Indivior CEO steps down, pleads guilty over Suboxone
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: July 2020

On June 30, the federal Department of Justice announced that Shaun Thaxter, CEO of Indivior, pleaded guilty for misrepresenting Suboxone's safety. Suboxone is buprenorphine combined with naloxone. Briefly, Indivior was trying to promote its new film, saying that its tablets caused a risk of pediatric exposure (see “Reckitt Pulls Suboxone Tablets, Citing Pediatric Exposures,” ADAW, Sept. 12, 2012, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/adaw.20347). It had just discontinued its own tablets and was trying to convert its patients to its patented film, because the tablets were off patent and it wanted to keep market share, crowding out any generics in a scheme commonly known as “evergreening.” Medicaid formularies in Massachusetts and Virginia were sold on the idea, and therefore agreed to approve Suboxone even to patients with children under the age of 6 living in the home. The interstate commerce made this a federal case.
Template‐Free Electrochemical Formation of Silicon Nanotubes from Silica
Authors: Weng Wei , Yang Jiarong , Zhou Jing , Gu Dong , Xiao Wei
Published: July 2020

Silicon, with its elaborate microstructure, plays important roles in energy materials. In operando engineering of microstructure during extraction is an ideal protocol to develop advanced Si‐based materials. A template‐free electrochemical preparation of silicon nanotubes (Si‐NT) is herein achieved by co‐electrolysis of SiO2 and AgCl in molten NaCl–CaCl2 at 850 °C. The in situ electrodeposited Ag facilitates the generation of a liquid Ag–Si intermediate, triggering a liquid–solid mechanism to direct the growth of Si‐NT. An automatic separation of Ag from Si then occurs in the following cooling process, resulting in Ag deposits on the Ni current collector and recycling of Ag. Such a facile and smart preparation of Si‐NT from affordable silica guarantees an enhanced current efficiency of 74%, a decreased energy consumption of 12.1 kW h kgSi−1, and enhanced lithium‐storage capability of the electrolytic Si‐NT. An in situ coating of Ag over the Si‐NT can also be fulfilled by simply introducing soluble AgCl in the melts. The present study provides a template‐free preparation and an in situ surface modification of Si‐NT.
Yield and quality of three potato cultivars under series of nitrogen rates
Authors: Zaeen Ahmed A. , K. Sharma Lakesh , Jasim Ahmed , Bali Sukhwinder , Buzza Aaron , Alyokhin Andrei
Published: July 2020

Undesirable growth of potato (Solanum tuberosumL.) crop under an excessive N fertilizer application is the main obstacle presently. This research was conducted to investigate the response of different potato cultivars; Russet Burbank, Shepody, and Superior, and its qualitative characteristics under a series of N rates. Six rates of N fertilization (0–280 kg ha−1) were applied on 11 sites in a randomized complete block design, with four replications. Sites with ≥30 g kg−1of soil organic matter (OM) produced total tuber yield, marketable yield, and tuber weight per plant 39.5, 45.2, and 54.9%, respectively, higher than sites with ≤30 g kg−1of OM. Tubers specific gravity increased by 0.18% in the sites with ≥30 g kg−1of OM. The total tuber yield for the three cultivars was maximized at 168 kg N ha−1. Marketable specific gravity, starch, and dry matter content were achieved by applying 168 and 112 kg N ha−1at ≤30 and ≥30 g kg−1of OM sites, respectively. Russet Burbank produced a higher yield than Shepody and Superior cultivars significantly, but there was no significant difference among them regarding specific gravity. Excessive N application (>168 kg ha−1) decreased potato tuber production and quality.
Phenotypic and physiological responses to salt exposure in Sorghum reveal diversity among domesticated landraces
Authors: Henderson Ashley N. , Crim Philip M. , Cumming Jonathan R. , Hawkins Jennifer S.
Published: July 2020

Premise

Soil salinity negatively impacts plant function, development, and yield. To overcome this impediment to agricultural productivity, variation in morphological and physiological response to salinity among genotypes of important crops should be explored. Sorghum bicolor is a staple crop that has adapted to a variety of environmental conditions and contains a significant amount of standing genetic diversity, making it an exemplary species to study variation in salinity tolerance.

Methods

Twenty‐one diverse Sorghum accessions were treated with nonsaline water or 75 mM sodium chloride. Salinity tolerance was assessed via changes in biomass between control and salt‐treated individuals. Accessions were first rank‐ordered for salinity tolerance, and then individuals spanning a wide range of responses were analyzed for foliar proline and ion accumulation. Tolerance rankings were then overlaid on a neighbor‐joining tree.

Results

We found that, while proline is often a good indicator of osmotic adjustment and is historically associated with increased salt tolerance in many species, proline accumulation in sorghum reflects a stress response injury rather than acclimation. When combining ion profiles with stress tolerance indices, the variation observed in tolerance was not a sole result of Na+ accumulation, but rather reflected accession‐specific mechanisms.

Conclusions

We identified significant variation in salinity tolerance among Sorghum accessions that may be a result of the domestication history of Sorghum. When we compared our results with known phylogenetic relationships within sorghum, the most parsimonious explanation for our findings is that salinity tolerance was acquired early during domestication and subsequently lost in accessions growing in areas varying in soil salinity.
Symmetrical and Non‐symmetrical Pd (II) Pincer Complexes Bearing Mesoionic N‐heterocyclic Thiones: Synthesis, Characterizations and Catalytic Properties
Authors: Yan Xuechao , Zhang Bo , Zhang Xin , Wang Haiying , Duan Yu‐Ai , Guo Shuai
Published: July 2020

In contrast to well‐established symmetrical pincer complexes, non‐symmetrical metal pincers with the loss of C2v symmetry are much less studied. In this work, mesoionic NHTs (NHTs = N‐heterocyclic thiones), which can be viewed as the sulfur adducts of mesoionic carbenes, are incorporated into pincer complexes for the first time. Two symmetrical and non‐symmetrical phenylene‐bridged bis (NHT) compounds 3a/3b were synthesized as proligands via a “cycloaddition‐alkylation‐thionation” reaction sequence. In a case to access bis (NHT) compound 3c, N‐dealkylation reactions occurred. The carbene NMR signals of NHTs are only partially correlated to the π‐accepting abilities of carbenes, which is different from Bertrand's carbene‐phosphinidene system. The structural analysis of 3a/3b indicates that they possess C‐S partial double bonds. 3a and 3b served as the precursors to access two aryl anion‐linked [SCS/S′] pincer complexes 6a/6b. An external base proved to be essential for this cyclopalladation process. The catalytic properties of 6a/6b in the cycloisomerizations of alkynoic acids have been examined. Finally, non‐symmetrical complex 6a shows superior catalytic performance in such transformations contrasting to its symmetrical counterpart 6b.
COVID‐19 pandemic and impact on cancer clinical trials: An academic medical center perspective
Authors: Marcum Michelle , Kurtzweil Nicky , Vollmer Christine , Schmid Lisa , Vollmer Ashley , Kastl Alison , Acker Kelly , Gulati Shuchi , Grover Punita , Herzog Thomas J. , Ahmad Syed A. , Sohal Davendra , Wise‐Draper Trisha M.
Published: July 2020

The COVID‐19 pandemic changed health‐care operations around the world and has interrupted standard clinical practices as well as created clinical research challenges for cancer patients. Cancer patients are uniquely susceptible to COVID‐19 infection and have some of the worst outcomes. Importantly, cancer therapeutics could potentially render cancer patients more susceptible to demise from COVID‐19 yet the poor survival outcome of many cancer diagnoses outweighs this risk. In addition, the pandemic has resulted in risks to health‐care workers and research staff driving important change in clinical research operations and procedures. Remote telephone and video visits, remote monitoring, electronic capture of signatures and data, and limiting sample collections have allowed the leadership in our institution to ensure the safety of our staff and patients while continuing critical clinical research operations. Here we discuss some of these unique challenges and our response to change that was necessary to continue cancer clinical research; and, the impacts the pandemic has caused including increases in efficiency for our cancer research office.
Tap into resourcefulness, resiliency to lead in a crisis
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: July 2020

The most important lesson Anita Barker gleaned from leading her athletics department through the changes and challenges brought on by the COVID‐19 crisis actually presented itself as a reinforcement of what she already knew. “College athletics teaches us invaluable life skills: the ability to respond quickly to adversity, the need to be prepared, resourcefulness, and resiliency. These qualities have never been more important than during this crisis,” said Barker, Director of Athletics at California State University, Chico, and a recipient of the 2018–19 Under Armour AD of the Year Awards for Division II.
One‐year outcomes of supersaturated oxygen therapy in acute anterior myocardial infarction: The IC‐HOT study
Authors: Chen Shmuel , David Shukri W. , Khan Zubair A. , Metzger D. Christopher , Wasserman Hal S. , Lotfi Amir S. , Hanson Ivan D. , Dixon Simon R. , LaLonde Thomas A. , Généreux Philippe , Ozan M. Ozgu , Maehara Akiko , Stone Gregg W.
Published: July 2020

Background

Supersaturated oxygen (SSO2) has recently been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for administration after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) in patients with anterior ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) based on its demonstration of infarct size reduction in the IC‐HOT study.

Objectives

To describe the 1‐year clinical outcomes of intracoronary SSO2 treatment after pPCI in patients with anterior STEMI.

Methods

IC‐HOT was a prospective, open‐label, single‐arm study in which 100 patients without cardiogenic shock undergoing successful pPCI of an occluded left anterior descending coronary artery were treated with a 60‐min SSO2 infusion. One‐year clinical outcomes were compared with a propensity‐matched control group of similar patients with anterior STEMI enrolled in the INFUSE‐AMI trial.

Results

Baseline and postprocedural characteristics were similar in the two groups except for pre‐PCI thrombolysis in myocardial infarction 3 flow, which was less prevalent in patients treated with SSO2 (9.6% vs. 22.9%, p = .02). Treatment with SSO2 was associated with a lower 1‐year rate of the composite endpoint of all‐cause death or new‐onset heart failure (HF) or hospitalization for HF (0.0% vs. 12.3%, p = .001). All‐cause mortality, driven by cardiovascular mortality, and new‐onset HF or HF hospitalization were each individually lower in SSO2‐treated patients. There were no significant differences between groups in the 1‐year rates of reinfarction or clinically driven target vessel revascularization.

Conclusions

Infusion of SSO2 following pPCI in patients with anterior STEMI was associated with improved 1‐year clinical outcomes including lower rates of death and new‐onset HF or HF hospitalizations.
Impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic on pediatric oncology care in the Middle East, North Africa, and West Asia region: A report from the Pediatric Oncology East and Mediterranean (POEM) group
Authors: Saab Raya , Obeid Anas , Gachi Fatiha , Boudiaf Houda , Sargsyan Lilit , Al‐Saad Khulood , Javakhadze Tamar , Mehrvar Azim , Abbas Sawsan Sati , Abed Al‐Agele Yasir Saadoon , Al‐Haddad Salma , Al Ani Mouroge Hashim , Al‐Sweedan Suleiman , Al Kofide Amani , Jastaniah Wasil , Khalifa Nisreen , Bechara Elie , Baassiri Malek , Noun Peter , El‐Houdzi Jamila , Khattab Mohammed , Sagar Sharma Krishna , Wali Yasser , Mushtaq Naureen , Batool Aliya , Faizan Mahwish , Raza Muhammad Rafie , Najajreh Mohammad , Mohammed Abdallah Mohammed Awad , Sousan Ghada , Ghanem Khaled M. , Kocak Ulker , Kutluk Tezer , Demir Hacı Ahmet , Hodeish Hamoud , Muwakkit Samar , Belgaumi Asim , Al‐Rawas Abdul‐Hakim , Jeha Sima
Published: July 2020

Background

Childhood cancer is a highly curable disease when timely diagnosis and appropriate therapy are provided. A negative impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic on access to care for children with cancer is likely but has not been evaluated.

METHODS

A 34‐item survey focusing on barriers to pediatric oncology management during the COVID‐19 pandemic was distributed to heads of pediatric oncology units within the Pediatric Oncology East and Mediterranean (POEM) collaborative group, from the Middle East, North Africa, and West Asia. Responses were collected on April 11 through 22, 2020. Corresponding rates of proven COVID‐19 cases and deaths were retrieved from the World Health Organization database.

Results

In total, 34 centers from 19 countries participated. Almost all centers applied guidelines to optimize resource utilization and safety, including delaying off‐treatment visits, rotating and reducing staff, and implementing social distancing, hand hygiene measures, and personal protective equipment use. Essential treatments, including chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy, were delayed in 29% to 44% of centers, and 24% of centers restricted acceptance of new patients. Clinical care delivery was reported as negatively affected in 28% of centers. Greater than 70% of centers reported shortages in blood products, and 47% to 62% reported interruptions in surgery and radiation as well as medication shortages. However, bed availability was affected in <30% of centers, reflecting the low rates of COVID‐19 hospitalizations in the corresponding countries at the time of the survey.

Conclusions

Mechanisms to approach childhood cancer treatment delivery during crises need to be re‐evaluated, because treatment interruptions and delays are expected to affect patient outcomes in this otherwise largely curable disease.
Environmental Governance of China's Belt and Road Initiative
Authors: Coenen Johanna , Bager Simon , Meyfroidt Patrick , Newig Jens , Challies Edward
Published: July 2020

China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), launched in 2013, is rapidly subsuming much of China's political and economic involvement abroad. As a far‐reaching infrastructure development and investment strategy, officially involving more than 130 countries, the expansion of the BRI raises important questions about its environmental impacts and its implications for environmental governance. This article examines how China is actively and rapidly developing an institutional architecture for its envisioned “green BRI,” considering the key actors, policies, and initiatives involved in the environmental governance of the BRI. We find that the current institutional architecture of the “green BRI” relies on voluntary corporate self‐governance and a multitude of international and transnational sustainability initiatives. The effectiveness of the environmental governance of the BRI not only hinges on China's priorities and commitments, but also on the political willingness and capacity of BRI partner countries to maintain, implement, and enforce stringent environmental laws and regulations. We conclude by outlining several environmental governance challenges and an agenda for future research.
Multimarker approach including CRP, sST2 and GDF‐15 for prognostic stratification in stable heart failure
Authors: Kuster Nils , Huet Fabien , Dupuy Anne‐Marie , Akodad Mariama , Battistella Pascal , Agullo Audrey , Leclercq Florence , Kalmanovich Eran , Meilhac Alexandra , Aguilhon Sylvain , Cristol Jean‐Paul , Roubille Francois
Published: July 2020

Aims

Inflammation and cardiac remodelling are common and synergistic pathways in heart failure (HF). Emerging biomarkers such as soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2) and growth differentiation factor‐15 (GDF‐15), which are linked to inflammation and fibrosis process, have been proposed as prognosis factors. However, their potential additive values remain poorly investigated.

Methods and results

Here, we aimed at evaluating inflammatory and remodelling biomarkers to predict both short‐term and long‐term mortality in a population with chronic HF in comparison with other classical clinical or biological markers (i.e. N terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide, hs‐cTnT, C‐reactive protein) alone or using meta‐analysis global group in chronic HF risk score in a cohort of 182 patients followed during 80 months (interquartile range: 12.3–90.0). Proportional hazard assumption does not hold for sST2 and C‐reactive protein, and follow‐up was split into short term (less than 1 year), midterm (between 1 and 5 years), and long term (after 5 years). In univariate analysis, C‐reactive protein and sST2 were predictive of short‐term mortality but not of middle term and long term whereas GDF‐15 was predictive of short and mid‐term but not of long‐term mortality. In a multivariate model after adjustment for meta‐analysis global group in chronic HF score including the three markers, only sST2 was predictive of short‐term mortality (P = 0.0225), and only GDF‐15 was predictive of middle term mortality (P = 0.0375). None of the markers was predictive of long‐term mortality.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that both sST2 and GDF‐15 significantly improve the prognosis evaluation of HF patients and suggest that the value of GDF‐15 is more sustained overtime and could predict middle term events.
Examining the Writing Processes in Scenario‐Based Assessment Using Regression Trees
Authors: Cao Yi , Chen Jianshen , Zhang Mo , Li Chen
Published: July 2020

Scenario‐based writing assessment has two salient characteristics by design: a lead‐in/essay scaffolding structure and a unified scenario/topic throughout. In this study, we examine whether the scenario‐based assessment design would impact students' essay scores compared to its alternative conditions, which intentionally broke the scaffolding effect and/or topic effect. Furthermore, with the availability of rich keystroke log data, we used tree‐based methods to investigate which writing process features had greater influence in predicting students' essay scores under different assessment conditions. The results revealed significantly lower essay scores when the unified topic effect was removed and no significant essay score change when neither scaffolding nor topic effects existed compared to the original scenario‐based assessment condition. The findings also suggested that different assessment conditions call on different configurations of writing process features. The rate of typo correction in the writing process was consistently among the highest ranking features that predicted the essay scores well, regardless of the presence of scaffolding and/or topic effects. The broken topic effect might affect the extent of word finding and retrieval as well as editing across multiple words by the students during writing. Topics for future study and limitations are also discussed.