bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Heterologous expression of genes for bioconversion of Xylose to Xylonic acid in Corynebacterium glutamicum and optimization of the bioprocess
Authors: Sundar Lekshmy , A Susmitha , Rajan Devi , Hannibal Silvin , Sasikumar Keerthi , Wendisch Volker , Nampoothiri K.Madhavan
Published: April 2020

In bacterial system, direct conversion of xylose to xylonic acid is mediated through NAD-dependent xylose dehydrogenase (xylB) and xylonolactonase (xylC) genes. Heterologous expression of these genes from Caulobacter crescentus into recombinant Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC 13032 and C. glutamicum ATCC 31831 (with an innate pentose transporter, araE) resulted in an efficient bioconversion process to produce xylonic acid from xylose. Process parameters including the design of production medium was optimized using a statistical tool, Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Maximum xylonic acid of 56.32 g/L from 60 g/L xylose i.e. about 76.67 % of the maximum theoretical yield was obtained after 120 h fermentation from pure xylose with recombinant C. glutamicum ATCC 31831 containing the plasmid pVWEx1 xylB. Under the same condition, the production with recombinant C. glutamicum ATCC 13032 (with pVWEx1 xylB) was 50.66g/L, i.e. 69 % of the theoretical yield. There was no significant improvement in production with the simultaneous expression of xylB and xylC genes together indicating xylose dehydrogenase activity as one of the rate limiting factor in the bioconversion. Finally, proof of concept experiment in utilizing biomass derived pentose sugar, xylose, for xylonic acid production was also carried out and obtained 42.94 g/L xylonic acid from 60 g/L xylose. These results promise a significant value addition for the future bio refinery programs.
Wheat domestication has dramatically affected the root-associated microbiome
Authors: Kinnunen-Grubb Marta , Sapkota Rumakanta , Vignola Marta , Nunes Ines Marques , Nicolaisen Mogens
Published: April 2020

Background: Plants-microbiome associations are the results of millions of years of co-evolution. Due to the accelerated plant evolution during domestication of crops and aided by cultivation in non-native highly managed soils, plant-microbe links created through co-evolution could have been lost. Therefore, we hypothesize that dramatic effects on the root-associated microbiome occurred during domestication of wheat.Results: To uncover domestication effects we analyzed root associated fungal and bacterial communities in a transect of wheat evolution including modern wheat cultivars, landraces, Triticum aestivum ssp. spelta and ancestors of wheat including T. turgidum ssp. dicoccum , T. monococcum ssp. monococcum and T. monococcum ssp. aegilopoides at three growth phases shortly after emergence of seedlings. We found that numbers of observed microbial taxa were highest in the landraces, which had been domesticated in low-input agricultural systems, and lowest in wheat ancestors that evolved in native soils. The root-associated microbial community of modern cultivars was significantly different from that of landraces and ancestors of wheat. Old wheat accessions enriched Acidobacteria and Actinobacteria , while modern cultivars enriched OTUs from Candidatus Saccharibacteria , Verrucomicrobia and Firmicutes . The fungal pathogens Fusarium , Neoascochyta and Microdochium were enriched in modern cultivars. The composition of root-associated microbial communities of modern wheat cultivars significantly followed patterns predicted by the neutral community assembly model. Our observations allowed us to suggest that a stronger selective pressure drives the root-associated microbiome of ancient wheat accessions than that of modern wheat cultivars.Conclusions: Here we demonstrate that the wheat root-associated microbiome has dramatically changed through a transect of evolution from wheat ancestors over landraces to modern cultivars. Colonization of roots of ancient accessions was slower than in modern cultivars, and the root-associated microbiome of ancient wheat accessions was driven by stronger selective pressure than that of the modern wheat cultivars. We identified several taxa including Acidobacteria and Actinobacteria enriched in old cultivars and fungal wheat pathogens that were enriched in modern cultivars.
H. pylori were related to osteoporosis but only in female: a cross-sectional study
Authors: jingwei wang , Dong Fengxiao , Zhu Licun , Liu Hong
Published: April 2020

Background Recently, more and more studies attach their attention to the extragastrointestinal effects of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) . Osteoporosis is an asymptomatic disease which can eventually lead to fractures, have a significant impact on the life quality of the elderly. Sex as an influential factor plays a crucial rule in the development of osteoporosis. The aim of the study is to investigate the relationship between H. pylori and osteoporosis, and find the potential, influential biomarker in different gender, in Chinese population. Method We conducted a cross-sectional study within the study population older than 50 years old, who have had regularly body examination in Beijing shijitan hospital health examination center in 2018 July to October . Participants for the patient profile, serum sample, H. pylori infection status, comorbidity, medicin e use, lumbar dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry were collected. Multivariate-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using logistic regression among the normal, osteopenia, osteoporosis group with the H. pylori infection and the markers . And then we analyzed the correlation between the gender and the potential serum biomarkers. Results There are significant differences between the H. pylori infection statue with the bone density in the female(P=0.044), but not in the male(P=0.381). And in female. , H. pylori (OR=0.200,95%CI 0.043-0.938, P=0.041) is related to osteoporosis, Body Mass Index (BMI) is close to have statistical significance (OR=7.706,95%CI 0.936-63.497, P=0.058). Furthermore, pepsinogen1 (OR=0.246,95%CI 0.091-0.662 P=0.006), Waist-to-Hip Ratio (OR=7.268 OR=2.291-23.196 P=0.001), triglyceride (OR=0.310,95%CI 0.125-0.768,P=0.011),CA724(OR=1.244,95%CI 1.244-8.671 P=0.016),BMI(OR=0.071,95CI% 0.024-0.207 P≤0.001) have a significant difference within different gender, all excluding age as a confounder, all excluding age as a confounder. Conclusion Low BMI, and H. pylori positivity were risk factors for osteoporosis but only for female not for male.
Crosstalk of gut microbiota and serum/hippocampus metabolites in neurobehavioral impairments induced by oral zinc oxide nanoparticles exposure
Authors: Chen jianjun , Zhang Shanshan , Chen Chang , Jiang Xuejun , Qiu Jingfu , Qiu Yu , Zhang Yujia , Wang Tianxiong , Qin Xia , Zou Zhen , Chen Chengzhi
Published: April 2020

Background Gut microbiome can be readily influenced by external factors, such as diet, antibiotic, bacterial/viral infection and environmental toxicants. Gut microbiota-mediated effects of engineered nanomaterials as such become the new frontiers in nanotoxicology. Methods An integrated approach combining 16S rRNA gene sequencing and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) metabolomics was used to determine the potential mechanistic pathway by which disturbed gut microbiota induced by ZnONPs might modulate host physiology and neurobehavior. Results Herein, we showed oral exposure to zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs), one typical kinds of nanomaterials used widely in the food industry, could cause the neurobehavioral dysfunctions in mice, manifested by spatial learning and memory deficits and locomotor activity inhibition. Our mechanistic results elucidated that ZnONPs exposure led to a marked disturbance of gut microbial composition but did not alter the microbiome α-diversity indexes. We also provided new evidence that neurobehavioral impairments induced by ZnONPs was closely associated with perturbation in the gut microbiota composition that were both specific to changes of neurobehavior-related genes (such as Bdnf and Dlg4 ) and correlated with serum and hippocampal metabolic disorders. Our data further identified a unique metabolite [DG(15:0/0:0/22:4n6)] that linked the relationships among gut microbiota, metabolites and neurobehavior-related genes. Conclusions ZnONPs exposure not only alters the gut microbiome community but also substantially disturbs its metabolic profiles, and therefore leading to neurobehavioral impairments vi gut-brain axis. These findings will provide a novel view for understanding the ZnONPs neurotoxicity through gut-brain axis and may lead to new potential prevention and treatment strategies.
Prophylactic and therapeutic effects of different doses of vitamin C on high-fat-diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in mice
Authors: Zeng Qingmin , Zhao Lili , Meng Chao , Zhao Xiaotong , Liu Yonggang , Shi Ruifang , Han Xu , Wang Ting , Li Jia
Published: April 2020

Background: Epidemiological studies support the association between inadequate vitamin C (Vc) intake and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the intervention dose of Vc and the mechanisms of its action in NAFLD are unclear. This study aimed to investigate the prophylactic and therapeutic effects of low, medium and high doses of Vc on NAFLD. Methods: C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to prophylactic groups or therapeutic groups. Each group had five subgroups: control subgroup (C), high-fat subgroup (HF), low-dose Vc subgroup (15 mg/kg per day, LVc), medium-dose Vc subgroup (30 mg/kg per day, MVc), and high-dose Vc subgroup (90 mg/kg per day, HVc). In prophylactic groups, mice received high-fat diet (HFD) and simultaneously supplied with different doses Vc for 12 weeks. In therapeutic groups, mice were fed HFD for 6 weeks to form NAFLD model, and then treated with different dose Vc for 12 weeks. Results: Prophylactic LVc and MVc administration reduced the risk of NAFLD development in HFD-fed mice, as evidenced by significantly lowered body weight, perirenal adipose tissue mass, and steatosis, whereas prophylactic HVc administration did not prevent HFD-induced NAFLD development. Furthermore, therapeutic MVc administration significantly ameliorated HFD-induced increase in body weight, perirenal adipose tissue mass and steatosis, whereas therapeutic LVc and HVc administration did not ameliorate NAFLD symptoms. In fact, therapeutic HVc administration significantly increased body weight, perirenal adipose tissue mass and lobular inflammation. Moreover, prophylactic LVc administration was more effective than therapeutic LVc administration as evidenced by significantly lower body weight, perirenal adipose tissue mass, steatosis, ballooned hepatocytes, and lobular inflammation in the prophylactic LVc subgroup. And same trends were observed between prophylactic HVc administration and therapeutic HVc administration. In addition, all Vc-administered mice exhibited low blood glucose, triglycerides, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance values and high adiponectin levels compared to HF mice. Conclusion: MVc was beneficial for HFD-induced NAFLD prophylaxis and therapy. LVc prevented HFD-induced NAFLD development, while HVc for NAFLD management was risky. This study offers valuable insight into the effect of various Vc doses on NAFLD management.
Plant reproductive strategies are not correlated with morphological or genetic diversity in specialized pollination interactions
Authors: Murua Maureen , Espíndola Anahí , Pérez Fernanda
Published: April 2020

Bachground: One of the most common evolutionary transitions in angiosperms is the reproductive change from outcrossing to self-fertilization, which has occurred independently in many lineages. This transition has been associated with changes in floral biology, ecology and genetics, with selfing species experiencing reduced floral display and herkogamy, rapid plant growth, and increased inbreeding depression. Here, we aim to test whether self-compatibility was associated with a reduction in floral traits important to the attraction and interaction with pollinators, and a reduction in genetic diversity and inbreeding. Results: Our self-incompatibility tests indicated that 50% of the species studied here are self-incompatible. In relation to floral traits, we found that self-incompatible species do not show a reduction in the size of their floral traits, but rather we found larger corolla, elaiophore area, and herkogamy in self-compatible ones. The microsatellite analysis did not identify any significant decrease in the genetic diversity or increase in inbreeding levels in the self-compatible Calceolaria species. Conclusions: Despite our results go against our expectations, in the case of Calceolaria , their high dependence on only two genera of oil-bees put the species in a vulnerable position, probably facilitating the evolution of mechanisms of reproductive assurance in the absence of pollinators. As a result, the plants maintain their attraction traits while evolving an ability to self. In addition, we also did not detect a significant change in genetic diversity or inbreeding when different reproductive strategies are used. This suggests that selfing could be delayed, facilitating -when possible- the exchange of genes by cross-pollination first, and buffering the negative genetic effects of self-pollination.
First metatarsophalangeal joint range of motion is associated with lower limb kinematics in individuals with first metatarsophalangeal joint osteoarthritis
Authors: Allan Jamie J , McClelland Jodie A , Munteanu Shannon E , Buldt Andrew K , Landorf Karl B , Roddy Edward , Auhl Maria , Menz Hylton
Published: April 2020

Background Osteoarthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint (1st MTP joint OA) is a common and disabling condition that results in pain and limited joint range of motion. There is inconsistent evidence regarding the relationship between clinical measurement of 1st MTP joint maximum dorsiflexion and dynamic function of the joint during level walking. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the association between passive non-weightbearing (NWB) 1st MTP joint maximum dorsiflexion and sagittal plane kinematics in individuals with radiographically confirmed 1st MTP joint OA. Methods Forty-eight individuals with radiographically confirmed 1st MTP joint OA (24 males and 24 females; mean age 57.8 years, standard deviation 10.5) underwent clinical measurement of passive NWB 1st MTP joint maximum dorsiflexion and gait analysis during level walking using a 10-camera infrared Vicon motion analysis system. Sagittal plane kinematics of the 1st MTP, ankle, knee, and hip joints were calculated. Associations between passive NWB 1st MTP joint maximum dorsiflexion and kinematic variables were explored using Pearson’s r correlation coefficients. Results Passive NWB 1st MTP joint maximum dorsiflexion was significantly associated with maximum 1st MTPJ dorsiflexion (r=0.486, p<0.001), ankle joint maximum plantarflexion (r=0.383, p=0.007), and ankle joint excursion (r=0.399, p=0.005) during gait. There were no significant associations between passive NWB 1st MTP joint maximum dorsiflexion and sagittal plane kinematics of the knee or hip joints. Conclusions Passive NWB 1st MTP joint maximum dorsiflexion is associated with sagittal plane kinematics of the 1st MTP and ankle joints during level walking in individuals with 1st MTP joint OA. These findings suggest that clinical measurement of 1st MTP joint maximum dorsiflexion provides useful insights into the dynamic function of the foot and ankle during the propulsive phase of gait in this population.
Research on Blockchain Availability Modeling in P2P Network
Authors: Wang Zan , Fu Yanfang , Zhong Lianjiong , Dai Fei
Published: April 2020

Blockchain establishes reliable trust among parties that do not know each other and achieves credible data sharing and point-to-point value transmission in an epoch-making way. The requirement of the availability of block chain network becomes more and more important due to the dynamic and changeable characteristics of block chain P2P network. Therefore, for the characteristics of block chain P2P network system, this paper constructs a availability model based on Markov stochastic process theory, analyzes the steady-state availability and instantaneous availability of the model, and finally carries out experimental verification through simulation, hoping to provide beneficial inspiration and guidance for future research on block chain network.
Review of 3D Point Cloud Data Segmentation Methods
Authors: Ruan Xiaoyi , Liu Baolong
Published: April 2020

3D point cloud segmentation is one of the key steps in point cloud processing, which is the technology and process of dividing the point cloud data set into several specific regions with unique properties and proposing interesting targets. It has important applications in medical image processing, industrial inspection, cultural relic’s identification and 3D visualization. Despite widespread use, point cloud segmentation still faces many challenges because of uneven sampling density, high redundancy, and lack explicit structure of point cloud data. The main goal of this paper is to analyse the most popular algorithms and methodologies to segment point clouds. To facilitate analysis and summary, according to the principle of segmentation we divide the 3D point cloud segmentation methods into edge-based methods, region-based methods, graph-based methods, model-based methods, and machine learning-based methods. Then analyze and discuss the advantages, disadvantages and application scenarios of these segmentation methods. For some algorithms the results of the segmentation and classification is shown. Finally, we outline the issues that need to be addressed and important future research directions.
Collonization and Oviposition Preference of Six Weevil Species on Various Colors of Storage Container
Authors: Astuti Ludji Pantja , Prabowo Rommy Parcelino , Rizali Akhmad , Mutala'liah Mutala'liah
Published: April 2020

Color preferences on post-harvest adult pests are useful for monitoring instrument development which based on the colonization and oviposition behavior. The research was aimed to determine the most attractive color with a certain wavelength for the test insects. The research was conducted in laboratory conditions of Plant Pest Laboratory, Department of Plant Pest and Disease, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Brawijaya at 27 ± 2°C, RH 65 ± 5%; and day:light 12:12 hours. Study of color preferences on six species of weevil used free choice test method and set by CRD with four replications using eight colors: white, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and purple. The observed parameters were the number of adults and eggs laid. Results showed that each post-harvest insect had a different preference for various colors in the range of 380–450 nm wavelength. Adults of Sitophilus oryzae, Oryzaephilus surinamensis, O.s Mercator, and Tribolium castaneum were more preferred to feed and lay eggs in blue color (451–495 nm), Lasioderma serricorne was more preferred in indigo color (445–450 nm), and S. zeamais was more preferred in purple color (380–444 nm). The oviposition preference revealed that there was a positive correlation between the number of females and the egg laid.
A Hierarchy of Anyon Models Realised by Twists in Stacked Surface Codes
Authors: Scruby T. R. , Browne D. E.
Published: April 2020

Braiding defects in topological stabiliser codes can be used to fault-tolerantly implement logical operations. Twists are defects corresponding to the end-points of domain walls and are associated with symmetries of the anyon model of the code. We consider twists in multiple copies of the 2d surface code and identify necessary and sufficient conditions for considering these twists as anyons: namely that they must be self-inverse and that all charges which can be localised by the twist must be invariant under its associated symmetry. If both of these conditions are satisfied the twist and its set of localisable anyonic charges reproduce the behaviour of an anyonic model belonging to a hierarchy which generalises the Ising anyons. We show that the braiding of these twists results in either (tensor products of) the S gate or (tensor products of) the CZ gate. We also show that for any number of copies of the 2d surface code the application of H gates within a copy and CNOT gates between copies is sufficient to generate all possible twists.
Shaping Forces
Authors: O’Reilly Dr Daragh , Larsen Dr Gretchen , Kubacki Dr Krzysztof
Published: April 2020

As an ‘industry’, the music business can be analysed in terms of its micro-economic structure, conduct and performance (Anand and Peterson, 2000; Power and Hallencreutz, 2007; Asai, 2008), infrastructure (Burkart and McCourt, 2004) and restructuring process (Hardy, 1999). This kind of approach tends to lead us to focus fairly narrowly on the dominant players in the production side of the industry, such as the ‘big three’ record labels in the commercial music market (Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment and Warner Music Group). However, it does not deal so clearly with non-mainstream and publicly funded music (Hesmondhalgh, 1997; Fonarow, 2006), and therefore blinkers our view of the many and various actors and actions that comprise the music market. In addition to the record labels and the management they provide, other actors include regulators, copyright owners, publishers, policy makers, sponsors, promoters, musicians, media, critics, audiences, social activists and researchers. A multitude of different and important relationships exist between these actors, most of which are not yet well understood in the marketing literature. The purpose of this chapter is to briefly introduce the key shaping forces behind the contemporary music industry. It first outlines the economic system of music activities, and then explores the role of cultural policy in the music business. It concludes with a review of technology as a significant driving force behind the change in the music industry.
Análise das demonstrações contábeis dos clubes brasileiros de futebol: comparação entre a situação econômica e financeira e o aproveitamento nas partidas oficiais de 2015 a 2017
Authors: Da Silva Muniz Luciani , Da Silva Maicon
Published: April 2020

O futebol, além do aspecto social, tem grande papel econômico na sociedade brasileira, uma vez que movimenta altas cifras anualmente. Diante disso, esta pesquisa tem como objetivo geral verificar qual a relação entre a situação econômica e financeira e o aproveitamento nas partidas oficiais dos dez clubes melhores colocados do ranking da CBF de 2018. Para tanto, analisou-se a situação financeira e desportiva dos clubes no período de 2015 a 2017 e, ademais, estabeleceu-se uma correlação de dados Pearson entre aproveitamento e indicadores de desempenho. No geral, apesar de apresentarem grande capacidade de gerar receitas, os clubes demonstraram ineficiência no controle de custos e despesas. Ademais, pela correlação de dados, a maioria dos clubes apresentou dificuldade de buscar melhores aproveitamentos sem comprometer o cenário econômico e financeiro. Portanto, um dos grandes desafios dos dirigentes brasileiros é buscar um melhor desempenho desportivo sem comprometer as finanças da entidade. Nesse contexto, a contabilidade exerce importante papel, uma vez que fornece informações acerca da realidade patrimonial da entidade e, com isso, auxilia na tomada de decisão dos gestores.
DAMPAK INVESTASI, KINERJA EKSPOR, DAN INFLASI DALAM PENYERAPAN TENAGA KERJA INDONESIA: ANALISIS DATA PANEL
Authors: Komariyah Siti , Putriya Halimatus , Sutantio R. Alamsyah
Published: April 2020

Ketenagakerjaan merupakan suatu komponen yang menjadi penggerak dalam pembangunan. Sinergi antara sektor makroekonomi dalam memengaruhi kondisi pasar tenaga kerja sangat penting terlebih ditengah semakin meluasnya integrasi ekonomi gobal yang memberikan efek besar dalam kondisi sosial ekonomi domestik. Keterbukaan ekonomi yang semakin meluas telah memberikan kebebasan pada sektor investasi maupun ekspor yang memiliki keterkaitan besar dengan sektor luar negeri. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis dampak dari FDI, kinerja ekspor dan inflasi dalam penyerapan tenaga kerja dengan data panel untuk seluruh propinsi di Indonesia. Hasil analisisnya menunjukkan bahwa FDI dan kinerja ekspor memberikan dampak positif signifikan terhadap penyerapan tenaga kerja. Sementara inflasi memberikan dampak negatif signifikan terhadap penyerapan tenaga kerja Indonesia. Berdasarkan hasil tersebut, direkomendasikan saran kebijakan baik dari segi fiskal melalui perbaikan infrastruktur dan peraturan pemerintah terkait kemudahan penanaman modal bagi para investor dan optimalisasi peranan infrastruktur. Selain itu, dari sisi moneter tetap diperlukan sinergisitas antara pemerintah dan Bank Indonesia dalam menjaga stabilitas harga sehigga pengendalian harga tetap dapat terjaga dan menjaga permintaan yang nantinya akan berdampak pada kondisi penyerapan tenaga kerja.
LOVING THE PERFECT OTHER
Authors: LAZĂR Gabriel
Published: April 2020

The article brings together a Charles Bronson false western and Jacques Lacan’s theory of the four discourses in order to illustrate the excessive symbolization of the hysteric jouissance, in its manifestation as a quest against satisfaction, a quest for the perfect Other. Employing Freud’s concepts of death drive and repetition compulsion, the hysteric position is further distinguished from both the obsessional subject and non-hysteric woman, which has access to a non-phallic, supplementary jouissance. A thief that stole a widow’s heart is believed dead, and she uses his death to raise their short relation to a perfect, ideal level. When the thief returns, he is rejected, so that she can maintain the absolute, symbolic love for his dead-perfect alter ego.
LES FEMMES DEMONS ET LEURS MASCARADES – QUELQUES SYMPTOMES DU CINEMA JAPONAIS
Authors: CÂMPEAN Flaviu Victor
Published: April 2020

The Demon Women and Their Masquerades – a Few Symptoms of Japanese Cinema. The demon woman is a frequent theme in Japanese cinema, pertaining to more than an imaginary hypostasis of femininity. Jacques Lacan, in his brief and rare references to Japanese Cinema and particularly to Nagisa Oshima’s Realm of the Senses, points out the specific power of feminine eroticism which goes beyond the masquerade. This unanalysible power of japanese women is stated by Lacan within the context of what he calls the sinthome in his analysis of James Joyce’s oeuvre. This paper is a psychoanalytical approach of Kenji Mizoguchi’s Ugetsu Monogatari based on the aforementioned concepts and elaborations. Wakasa, the main feminine character, is thus connected to Lacan’s views on Woman (femme), on the relation between the Phallus and the feminine masquerade and, ultimately, to the Real dimension of the phantom.
CALCULATIONS ON e⁺ - N₂ IONIZATION
Authors: CAMPEANU R. I. , TÓTH I. , NAGY L.
Published: April 2020

Positron impact direct ionization cross sections are calculated for molecular nitrogen using two distorted wave models. The results are compared with the latest experimental and theoretical data available.
Process Management: the Case of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Authors: Mazur-Małek Marta
Published: April 2020

Objective: The objective of the article is to mark the introduction of process changes in relation to the Emergency Travel Document service by The Foreign & Commonwealth Office. The paper analyses the changes and relates them to process and cost management strategies. Thus, it presents how process efficiency may be managed

Methodology: The article is of a theoretical and practical nature. The method used in the theoretical part is a review of literature on process management. The second part includes an analysis of The Foreign & Commonwealth Office’s own documents.

Findings: The use of digitalization greatly facilitates the process for British citizens who are abroad and need to obtain a travel document. This facilitation applies to both customers and FCO employees. Numerous factors influence the processing time reduction, which in turn increases productivity.

Value Added: This article presents an example of the practical use of digitization in the process of issuing the Emergency Travel Document. The value is to show the impact of modern technologies on improving the processes for the organization itself (in the form of optimizing operational costs and increasing efficiency) and for the customers.

Recommendations: The use of digitization can be successfully implemented to streamline organizational processes. It can help in reducing their time and limiting human involvement. Increased productivity lowers the cost of a single unit of the service. The changes allow for a more standardized and repeatable service. The approach can be used to manage processes in any organization; though practical implications outlined in the text can serve as an example for other organizations offering similar services.
On the Access to Transverse Shear Stiffnesses and to Stiffness Quantities for Non-Uniform Warping Torsion in FGM Beam Structures
Authors: Stephan Kugler , Peter Fotiu , Justín Murín
Published: April 2020

The application of first order shear beam theory in the analysis of beam structures made of functionally graded materials requires the access to homogenized stiffness quantities. These quantities depend on the cross-sectional shape and on the spatial variation of constitutive parameters. Some of these stiffness quantities can be evaluated easily by simple integration, however, the access to transverse shear stiffnesses and to stiffness quantities regarding warping torsion is typically cumbersome. In this contribution a novel approach for their evaluation is proposed, which is based on a reference beam problem. Here, we restrict ourselves to double symmetric cross-sections, however, a generalization of the proposed method to the arbitrary case is obvious. Besides that, a novel approach to cover non-uniform warping torsion is included. The proposed method is efficient, since the discretization of the cross-section suffices, and accurate as can be shown in challenging bench mark problems.
Stochastic Loading of a Sitting Human
Authors: Karel Frydrýšek , Daniel Čepica , Tomáš Halo
Published: April 2020

The aim of this paper is the biomechanical evaluation of the interaction between load forces to which a sitting man and the seat are exposed. All loads, which consider actual anthropometry histograms of human population (i.e. segmentation of human weight, height, centroids, gravity and shape of seat) are determined using the direct Monte Carlo Method. All inputs are based on the theory of probability (i.e. random/probabilistic inputs and outputs with respect their variabilities). A simple plane model (i.e. probabilistic normal forces and bending moments) shows a sufficient stochastic/probabilistic evaluation connected with biomechanics, ergonomics, medical engineering (implants, rehabilitation, traumatology, orthopaedics, surgery etc.) or industrial design.
Economic and taxable capacity of the Republic of Dagestan's informal economy
Authors: Akhmeduev A.Sh.
Published: April 2020

Subject. This article discusses the issues related to the tax capacity of the shadow sector of regional economy.
Objectives. The article aims to identify hidden sources of income and justify replenishment of the consolidated budget of the region at their expense.
Methods. For the study, I used the methods of comparative statistical analysis, and expert estimation.
Results. The article presents the results of comparison of shadow component levels in the economy of some countries, Russia, subjects of the North Caucasian Federal District, and the Republic of Dagestan. According to independent experts, the economic potential of the Republic's shadow sector is forty percent of GRP, and in some sectors and areas, it comes up to two thirds of GRP.
Conclusions. It is necessary to develop a long-term Republican State program and implement a number of fundamental legal, organizational, economic, social, institutional and educational measures aimed at eliminating the shadow economy in the Republic.
Child in court: intersection of justice spacesand participation rights exercise
Authors: Castro Helga Cláudia
Published: April 2020

In the Portuguese judicial system, the justice spaces were designed by adults and structured for adults, and they embrace both relational dimension and power exercise –privacy is publicized, competencies are monitored, and weaknesses are scrutinized. Research, implemented thru a multiple case study, aimed to assessment children’s participation rights exercise in those same spaces. It is confirmed that childhood and children’s conceptualizations have repercussions on praxis, since there is an image that associates them with lack of capacity, mirrored in and by their minority. Therefore, perpetuating children and childhood's exclusion moments, witnessing prejudice reproduction and an endemic culture of non-participation. Thus, child's contemporaneity must be valued, both for its presence in the breadth of human life and for the valid, and valuable contribution it makes to the composition of its living worlds.
Three Distinct Torsion Profiles of Electronic Transmission Through Linear Carbon Wires
Authors: Garner Marc Hamilton , Bro-Jørgensen William , Solomon Gemma C.
Published: April 2020

The one-dimensional carbon allotrope carbyne, a linear chain of sp-hybridized carbon atoms, is predicted to exist in a polyynic and a cumulenic structure. While molecular forms of carbyne have been extensively characterized, the structural nature is hard to determine for many linear carbon wires that are made in-situ during pulling experiments. Here, we show that cumulenes and polyynes have distinctively different low-bias conductance profiles under axial torsion. We analyze the change of the electronic structure, Landauer transmission, and ballistic current density of the three types of closed-shell molecular carbynes as a function of the torsion angle. Both polyynic, odd-carbon cumulenic, and even-carbon cumulenic carbon wires exhibit helical frontier molecular orbitals when the end-groups are not in a co-planar configuration. This helical conjugation effect gives rise to strong ring current patterns around the linear wires. Only the transmission of even-carbon polyynic wires follows the well-known cosine-squared law with axial torsion that is also seen in biphenyl-type systems. Notably, the transmission of even-carbon cumulenic carbon wires rises with axial torsion from co-planar towards perpendicular orientation of the end-groups. The three distinct transmission profiles of polyynes, odd-carbon cumulenes, and even-carbon cumulenes may allow for experimental identification of the structural nature of linear carbon wires. Their different electron transport properties under axial torsion furthermore underline that, in the molecular limit of carbyne, three different subclasses of linear carbon wires exist.
Anion Charge and Lattice Volume Maps for Searching Lithium Superionic Conductors
Authors: Xu Zhenming , Zhu Hong
Published: April 2020

The effects of anion charge and lattice volume (lithium-anion bond length) on lithium ion migration have been investigated by utilizing the density functional theory calculations combined with the anion framework models, e.g. fcc, hcp and bcc. It is found that the anion charge and lattice volume have great impacts on the activation energy barrier (Ea) of lithium ion migration, which is validated by some reported sulfides. For the tetrahedrally occupied lithium, the less negative anion charge is, the lower the lithium ion migration barrier is likely to be. While for the octahedrally occupied lithium, the more negative anion charge is, the lower the lithium ion migration barrier is. The large lattice volume (lithium-anion bond length) can lower Ea to a certain extent. Lithium ion direct migrations along the direct Tet-Tet pathway in the bcc- or hcp-type anion framework are less sensitive to anion charge and lattice volume than other pathways. Most importantly, based on the full understandings of anion framework model, new design rules for developing alkali-metal superionic conductors were proposed. Getting the desired electronegativity difference between the anion element and non-mobile cation element by selecting the most suitable non-mobile cation element without changing the crystal structure framework can eventually achieve low Ea for alkali-metal ion migration. For the desired alkali-metal superionic conductors with tetrahedrally occupied alkali-metal ions, the fine non-mobile cation element should give preferences to those elements located at the right top of the periodic table of elements with large electronegativities. For the alkali-metal superionic conductors with octahedrally occupied alkali-metal ions, the fine non-mobile cation element should give preferences to the elements located at the left bottom of the periodic table with small electronegativities.
Kinetic Versus Thermodynamic Metalation Enables Synthesis of Isostructural Homo- and Heterometallic Trinuclear Clusters
Authors: Hyun Sung-Min , Upadhyay Apoorva , Das Anuvab , Burns Corey , Sung Siyoung , Beaty Jeremy , Bhuvanesh Nattamai , Nippe Michael , Powers David
Published: April 2020

Temperature-dependent metalation of the new hexadentate ligand (tris(5-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)methane; H3TPM) enables the selective synthesis of both mononuclear (i.e. Na(THF)4[Fe(TPM)], kinetic product) and trinuclear (i.e. Fe3(TPM)2, thermodynamic product) complexes. Exposure of Na(THF)4[Fe(TPM)] to FeCl2 or ZnCl2 triggers cluster expansion to generate homo- or heterometallic trinuclear complexes, respectively. The developed approach enables systematic variation of ion content in isostructural metal clusters via programmed assembly.
Photo-Electrochemical Properties of CuO–TiO2 Heterojunctions for Glucose Sensing
Authors: Tobaldi David Maria , Espro Claudia , leonardi salvarore gianluca , Lajaunie Luc , Seabra Maria Paula , Calvino José , Marini Silvia , Labrincha Joao Antonio , neri giovanni
Published: April 2020

Electrochemical sensors for monitoring biochemical substances are attracting considerable attention. These devices are usually based on enzymes that are sensitive and very specific. Still, the activity of those enzymes is lost with changes in temperature or pH. Non-enzymatic electrochemical sensors – fabricated via the modification of the electrode surface with metal oxide nanoparticles – are a judicious answer. In this study, we investigated the photo-electrochemical properties of CuO–TiO2 heterojunctions for glucose sensing in alkaline media. A combination of high-resolution (scanning) transmission electron microscopy, spatially resolved electron energy-loss spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray powder diffraction, was used to study in detail the microstructures of the prepared specimens. These results highlighted the strong intertwining between the TiO2 nanoparticles and the Cu-based nanoparticles, which present a metallic core with a CuO rich surface. In addition, we showed that CuO, joint to TiO2, has smaller size compared to pure CuO, which entails larger surface area available for the glucose electro-oxidation, which consequently enhanced the electrochemical features. The influence of Cu loading over the sensing performance of TiO2 was examined in detail carrying out electrochemical sensing tests under dark, laboratory and halogen lamp irradiation. Results demonstrated that, under halogen lamp irradiation, modified CuO–TiO2 electrodes showed a higher specific response signal than that of pure CuO. Those increased photo-electrochemical properties in CuO–TiO2 heterojunctions are likely due to a synergistic effect between the microstructural characteristics and effective separation of photo-generated exciton created at the heterojunction interface. Results of this study offer applicable guidelines for designing photo-electrochemical screen-printed electrodes based on nano-sized CuO on titania for an efficient detection of glucose.
PolypharmDB, a Deep Learning-Based Resource, Quickly Identifies Repurposed Drug Candidates for COVID-19
Authors: Redka Dar'ya S. , MacKinnon Stephen S. , Landon Melissa , Windemuth Andreas , Kurji Naheed , Shahani Vijay
Published: April 2020

There is an immediate need to discover treatments for COVID-19, the pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Standard small molecule drug discovery workflows that start with library screens are an impractical path forward given the timelines to discover, develop, and test clinically. To accelerate the time to patient testing, here we explored the therapeutic potential of small molecule drugs that have been tested to some degree in a clinical environment, including approved medications, as possible therapeutic interventions for COVID-19. Motivating our process is a concept termed polypharmacology, i.e. off-target interactions that may hold therapeutic potential. In this work, we used Ligand Design, our deep learning drug design platform, to interrogate the polypharmacological profiles of an internal collection of small molecule drugs with federal approval or going through clinical trials, with the goal of identifying molecules predicted to modulate targets relevant for COVID-19 treatment. Resulting from our efforts is PolypharmDB, a resource of drugs and their predicted binding of protein targets across the human proteome. Mining PolypharmDB yielded molecules predicted to interact with human and viral drug targets for COVID-19, including host proteins linked to viral entry and proliferation and key viral proteins associated with the virus life-cycle. Further, we assembled a collection of prioritized approved drugs for two specific host-targets, TMPRSS2 and cathepsin B, whose joint inhibition was recently shown to block SARS-CoV-2 virus entry into host cells. Overall, we demonstrate that our approach facilitates rapid response, identifying 30 prioritized candidates for testing for their possible use as anti-COVID drugs. Using the PolypharmDB resource, it is possible to identify repurposed drug candidates for newly discovered targets within a single work day. We are making a complete list of the molecules we identified available at no cost to partners with the ability to test them for efficacy, in vitro and/or clinically.
[(MeCN)Ni(CF3)3]1– and [Ni(CF3)4]2– : Foundations Towards the Development of Trifluoromethylations at Unsupported Nickel
Authors: Shreiber Scott T. , DiMucci Ida M. , Khrizanforov Mikhail , Titus Charles J. , Nordlund Dennis , Dudkina Yulia B. , Cramer Roger E. , Budnikova Yulia , Lancaster Kyle M. , Vicic David
Published: April 2020

The nickel anions [(MeCN)Ni(CF3)3]1– and [Ni(CF3)4]2– were prepared by formal addition of three and four equivalents of [AgCF3] to [(dme)NiBr2] in the presence of supporting [PPh4] counter-ion. Detailed insights into the electronic properties of these new compounds were obtained through the use of density functional theory (DFT) calculations, spectroscopy-oriented configuration interaction (SORCI) calculations, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. The data collectively show that trifluoromethyl complexes of nickel, even in the most common oxidation state of nickel(II), are highly covalent systems whereby a hole is distributed on the trifluoromethyl ligands and surprisingly rendering the metal to a physically more reduced state. In the cases of [(MeCN)Ni(CF3)3]1– and [Ni(CF3)4]2–, these complexes are better described as physically d9 metal complexes. [(MeCN)Ni(CF3)3]1– is electrophilic and reacts with other nucleophiles like phenoxide to yield the unsupported [(PhO)Ni(CF3)3]2– salt, revealing the broader potential of [(MeCN)Ni(CF3)3]1– in the development of ligandless trifluoromethylations at nickel. Proof-in-principle experiments show that reaction of [(MeCN)Ni(CF3)3]1– with an aryl iodonium salt yields trifluoromethylated arene, presumably via a high valent, unsupported, and formally organonickel(IV) intermediate. Evidence for the feasibility of such intermediates is provided with the structurally characterized [Ni(CF3)4(SO4)][PPh4]2, which was derived through the two electron oxidation of [Ni(CF3)4]2–.
Catalyst Deactivation Processes During 1-Hexene Polymerization
Authors: Joshi Anuj , Zijlstra Harmen S. , Collins Scott , McIndoe J Scott
Published: April 2020

The catalyst [Cp2Zr(μ-Me)2AlMe2]+[B(C6F5)4]− (1) has been studied by electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) in order to better understand the complexities of catalyst deactivation in the polymerisation of 1-hexene. Using offline, online and flow-based methods, we observe that zirconium π-allyl species are unstable in solution and previously unobserved dimethylalane complexes are more stable. The dimethylalane complexes are resistant to further 1-hexene additions and their formation represent a new pathway for catalyst deactivation.
Potencialidades e riscos climáticos para o cultivo da batata-doce (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) na Mesorregião Norte Central Do Paraná, Brasil
Authors: Martelócio Alan Carlos , Caldana Nathan Felipe da Silva , Caramori Paulo Henrique
Published: April 2020

Apesar dos recentes avanços tecnológicos e científicos, o clima é ainda a variável mais importante na produtividade agrícola. Estudos que mostrem os riscos e as vulnerabilidades de uma cultura ao clima de uma localidade são importantes para o zoneamento agroclimático. A batata-doce se destaca pela sua rusticidade e pela necessidade de temperaturas elevadas para seu pleno desenvolvimento. O objetivo do trabalho foi analisar o risco agroclimático para a cultura da batata-doce na Mesorregião Norte Central do Paraná (MRNCP). Para isso foram utilizados dados meteorológicos de 44 estações com recorte temporal de 1976-2018. A análise do risco climático foi pautada nas exigências climáticas da espécie, sendo estas, precipitação, temperatura média anual e do mês mais frio e risco de geada. Foram aplicadas técnicas estatísticas e de geoprocessamento para garantir uma plena cobertura regional de informações e contribuir para a tomada de decisão na agricultura da região. Identificou-se aptidão climática para todas as variáveis climáticas analisadas para o plantio nas áreas central e norte da região, enquanto nas porções sul e parte da leste, baixas temperaturas e o risco de geada restringiram a aptidão.  Potentials and climatic risk for the cultivation of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) in the Central North Mesoregion Of Paraná, Brazil A B S T R A C TDespite recent technological and scientific advances, climate is still the most important variable in agricultural productivity. Studies that show the risks and vulnerabilities of a crop to the climate of a locality are important for agroclimatic zoning. The sweet potato stands out for its rusticity and the need for high temperature for its full development. The objective of this work was to analyze the agroclimatic risk for sweet potato crop in the Central Northern Mesoregion of Paraná (MRNCP), Brazil. For this we used meteorological data from 44 stations from 1976 to 2018. The climate risk analysis was based on the climatic requirements of the species, such as rainfall, annual and coldest month average temperature, and risk of frost. Statistical and geoprocessing techniques were applied to ensure full regional coverage of information and to contribute to decision-making in the region's agriculture. Climate suitability was identified for all climate variables analyzed for planting in the central and northern areas of the region, while in the southern and eastern parts, low temperatures and the risk of frost restricted the suitability.Key words: Agroclimatology. Climate aptitude. Variability, Temperature. Zoning.