Cooperative Contributions Research Articles

Self-assembled synthesis of waxberry-like open hollow NiCo2S4 with enhanced capacitance for high-performance hybrid asymmetric supercapacitors

Rational designing microstructure of electrode materials has been regarded as an effective solution for boosting the electrochemical activity. To improve the electrochemical performance of NiCo2S4 for asymmetric supercapacitors (ASCs), a three-dimensional waxberry-like open hollow NiCo2S4 is designed and fabricated via self-assembly by a facile two-step hydrothermal path. The waxberry-like open hollow architecture with rough surface and mesoporous structure can provide abundant edge/surface active sites as well as efficiently shorten the diffusion paths for electrons and ions, thus accelerating the faradaic reactions. By taking advantage of the unique structure and cooperative contributions of nickel and cobalt ions, the waxberry-like open hollow NiCo2S4 delivers a high specific capacitance of 1688 F g−1 (specific capacity of 844 C g−1) at a current density of 1 A g−1 and a capacitance retention of 84.6% after increasing the current density from 1 A g−1 to 20 A g−1. Quantitative analysis of capacitive contribution indicates the fast kinetics of charge storage. Furthermore, the hybrid ASC device assembled with NiCo2S4 and active rice husk carbon as the positive and negative electrodes displays a high energy density of 41.1 Wh kg−1 at power density of 400 W kg−1 under large operating voltage of 1.6 V. These results make the waxberry-like open hollow NiCo2S4 a promising electrode material for high-performance ASCs.

Cooperativismo e acesso aos serviços agrícolas na província do Huambo: O caso de cooperativas apoiadas pela ADRA

The main problem that family farmers in Huambo province face in carrying out agricultural activities is mainly related to access to agricultural services. The present study aimed to analyze the contribution of cooperatives in promoting access to agricultural services. The study was developed in two phases, in the first stage, an exploratory research was carried out on the theme of cooperativism for which several sources of secondary information were consulted. The second phase consisted of a collection of data supported by direct sources of primary information, using the survey method. Two questionnaires were built and applied, one to cooperative leaders and the other to cooperating farmers. The results of the study show that the main services provided by cooperatives are access to monetary credit, agricultural inputs and equipment and training. Overall, farmers are not satisfied with the services provided by the cooperatives.

Sizable Band Gap in Epitaxial Bilayer Graphene Induced by Silicene Intercalation.

Opening a band gap in bilayer graphene (BLG) is of significance for potential applications in graphene-based electronic and photonic devices. Here, we report the generation of a sizable band gap in BLG by intercalating silicene between BLG and Ru substrate. We first grow high-quality Bernal-stacked BLG on Ru(0001) and then intercalate silicene to the interface between the BLG and Ru, which is confirmed by low-energy electron diffraction and scanning tunneling microscopy. Raman spectroscopy shows that the G and 2D peaks of the intercalated BLG are restored to the freestanding-BLG features. Angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy measurements show that a band gap of about 0.2 eV opens in the BLG. Density functional theory calculations indicate that the large-gap opening results from a cooperative contribution of the doping and rippling/strain in the BLG. This work provides insightful understanding on the mechanism of band gap opening in BLG and enhances the potential of graphene-based device development.

Tackling Regional Climate Change Impacts and Food Security Issues: A Critical Analysis across ASEAN, PIF, and SAARC

Climate change and food security issues are multi-faceted and transcend across national boundaries. Therefore, this paper begins with the premise that regional organizations are optimally positioned to address climate change and food security issues while actively engaging global partners to slow down or reverse current trajectories. However, the potential of regional organizations to play a central role in mitigating these vital concerns has not been realized. In this paper, we focus on three regional organizations—the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and set out to investigate the multifaceted obstacles that impede regional organizations’ ability to effectively cope with these problems. We qualitatively review the efficacy of policies and examine the connections between politico-economic processes that affect the development, cooperation, and execution of regional policies. In doing so, we review regional policies using five key criteria: (i) planning, (ii) implementation, (iii) cooperation, (iv) legal obligation and (v) international contribution. Our findings suggest that regional organizations face fundamental problems in the implementation of extensive policies due to the lack of cooperation and legal obligation between member nation-states that stems from fundamental prioritization of national development agendas over regional cooperation.

One-pot synthesis of La–Fe–O@CN composites as photo-Fenton catalysts for highly efficient removal of organic dyes in wastewater

The improvement of catalytic efficiency of catalyst is a challenging topic especially for solid catalyst that has restrained surface to contact reactants. Herein, we reported an effective way to improve the catalytic efficiency by designing composites catalyst (to induce synergistic effect) and performing the reaction under united technologies (to make cooperative contribution). As a model case, La–Fe–O mixture (abbreviated as LFO) and graphitic carbon nitride (abbreviated as g-CN) composites (LFO@CN-n, where n means the molar ratio of the precursors of LFO to g-CN) were synthesized and used as photo-Fenton catalysts for oxidation removal of dyes in wastewater. Results showed that LFO@CN-16, with g-CN loading of 69%, has the properties of both LFO and g-CN, and exhibits high efficiency for dyes oxidation in the presence of H2O2 and light irradiation, with 98% rhodamine B conversion within 25 min, for example. Mechanistic studies suggested that •OH radicals produced from H2O2 are the reaction intermediates, which participate both in the Fenton- and the photo-catalytic processes. Moreover, the catalyst can be reused for at least 5 cycles with no appreciable loss of activity, and can be applied to various organic dyes containing benzene-like cyclic structures with high efficiency.

PRODUCTION ACTIVITY JEWELLERY ARTELS OF THE UPPER VOLGA REGION DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR

The activity of jewellery and art artels during the War is almost not covered in Soviet historiography because of the specifi cs of this industry. The proposed article analyses the change in the composition of jewellery artels of the Upper Volga region in the period of 1941-1945. The contribution of cooperatives to the supply of clothing to the Red Army is examined. Particular attention is paid to providing civilians with such specifi c goods as jewellery and art products. To study this issue, little-studied archival sources were used; some of them were declassifi ed only recently. In general, the products of jewellery cooperatives of the Upper Volga region during World War II can be divided into several groups: 1. Items that continued the tradition of local art crafts: jewellery and art products (earrings, brooches, cigarette cases, decoration buttons, etc.) 2. Metal haberdashery: metal dishes, metal pads on bags and briefcases, etc. 3. Military products: insignia and buttons for military uniforms, parts for gas masks and parachutes, medical equipment.

Creating a Financial Viability Model among Cooperatives Using Management Practices as Predictors

The contribution of cooperatives in the Philippine economy has been increasingly felt as it generated millions of business volume from various sectors and thousands of direct employment among Filipinos, however, only few continue to exist. This paper used management practices as predictors in creating a financial viability model among cooperatives. This paper clustered the multipurpose cooperatives operating in a Philippine province into large, medium, and small cooperatives based on their asset size and chose the top two as representative cooperatives in each cluster for a total of six out of 42 multipurpose cooperatives. This study assessed the management practices using these dimensions, strategy, execution, culture, structure, talent, leadership, innovation, and strategic linkages and partnerships and measured financial viability using Altman’s Z”-score model. This study also applied regression analysis in creating a prediction model which revealed that only culture, structure, and strategic linkages and partnerships can significantly predict financial viability among cooperatives. The model suggests that cooperative’s financial viability increases when it puts premium on improving its culture and structure. The model even suggests that cooperatives are discouraged in making strategic linkages and partnerships to become financially viable. In other words, this model proposes that closed-type cooperatives seem to be more financially viable than open-type cooperatives.

COOPERATIVE SOCIETY AS AN ENTREPRENEURSHIP VEHICLE FOR ACTUALISING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS: A CASE STUDY OF OSUN STATE

Studies have affirmed that restructuring for sustainable development is a process involving three essential elements; feasible industrial growth to fulfil basic socio-economic needs; ensuring maximum development of human resources and achieving greater socio justice through a more equitable income distribution. Unfortunately, none of these is satisfactorily manifesting in African nations. In Nigeria, unemployment rate is increasing among the youth and young graduates. Globally, cooperatives societies have become well appreciated as a strong vehicle for promoting economic empowerment particularly among the youth and other vulnerable and marginalised groups. This will be a vehicle to eradicate poverty among the youth thereby fulfilling the first Sustainable Development Goal (SDG). This study examined the contributions of cooperatives societies to poverty eradication among members and national development; investigated how cooperative societies can be better positioned to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria; and determined the factors affecting the performance of cooperatives in Nigeria. Two thousand Nine Hundred and seventy-two respondents from all 1,486 cooperative societies in Osun State were sampled. Result showed that cooperative societies have ability for economic significance, employment creation, income generation, poverty reduction, environmental sustainability and institutional capacity building. The paper concluded that cooperative societies, if well harnessed, could be used to make local entrepreneurs have access to finance and thereby eradicating poverty and so fulfil goal one of the sustainable development goals.

SO4−2/SnO2–catalyzed cyclocondensation for the synthesis of fully functionalized pyridines

AbstractAn efficient and promising synthetic approach to assemble skeletons of multifunctionalized pyridine derivatives in presence of recyclable heterogeneous sulfated tin oxide (STO) catalyst has been evolved. The STO catalyst was used as a promoter for the cyclocondensation process in ethanol at 70°C. Overall performance of this catalyst was attributed to the cooperative contribution of its Lewis and Brønsted‐Lowry acidic sites. Nanosized STO catalyst was synthesized by using sol‐gel process and characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), 1H‐NMR, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). This catalyst tolerates most of the substrates, and protocol shows precious capabilities consist of high yields, operational simplicity, less reaction time, and eco‐friendly conditions. The newly synthesized heterogeneous catalyst was easily separated and reused. All the reactions are carried out for subsequent cycles without significant loss of catalytic activity and with good proficiency.

Proyeksi Perkembangan Perkoperasian 2019

This article aims to determine the development of cooperatives in West Java at present, projections of the development of cooperatives in West Java in 2019 and the contribution of cooperatives to the economy of West Java. The research methods used are explanatory research, data collection conducted by surveys, interviews, observations, and FGD and using a simple regression analysis approach of secondary data sourced from BPS, Kemenkop , Dinas KUKM West Java province. The results of the study show that the condition of cooperatives in terms of quantity in West Java can now be said to deteriorate. Inactive cooperatives are far more than active cooperatives. Whereas in previous years, namely in 2015-2017 active cooperatives dominated more than inactive cooperatives and West Java cooperative contributions to state revenues were still relatively small.

Towards precision oncology in advanced prostate cancer.

Metastatic biopsy programmes combined with advances in genomic sequencing have provided new insights into the molecular landscape of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), identifying actionable targets, and emerging resistance mechanisms. The detection of DNA repair aberrations, such as mutation of BRCA2, could help select patients for poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor or platinum chemotherapy, and mismatch repair gene defects and microsatellite instability have been associated with responses to checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy. Poor prognostic features, such as the presence of RB1 deletion, might help guide future therapeutic strategies. Our understanding of the molecular features of CRPC is now being translated into theclinic in the form of increased molecular testing for use of these agents and for clinical trial eligibility. Genomic testing offers opportunities for improving patient selection for systemic therapies and, ultimately, patient outcomes. However, challenges for precision oncology in advanced prostate cancer still remain, including the contribution of tumour heterogeneity, thetiming and potential cooperation of multiple driver gene aberrations, and diverse resistant mechanisms. Defining the optimal use of molecular biomarkers in the clinic, including tissue-based and liquid biopsies, is a rapidly evolving field.

A game theoretic analysis of dual-channel supply chain with nash bargaining fairness concern

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of fairness concerns of the retailer on the pricing policies of the supply chain partners, their individual profits, and the overall performance of a dual-channel supply chain composed of one manufacturer and one retailer. First, the authors model the dual-channel supply chain under retailer’s fairness concern. Second, the authors derive the optimal pricing policies of the channel members. Third, the authors analyze the effects of retailer’s fairness and bargaining power on the pricing strategies and profit functions of the dual-channel supply chain system.Design/methodology/approachThe authors adopt the manufacturer-led Stackelberg game theoretic framework, where the dominant manufacturer’s pricing decisions are based on the retailer’s pricing decision. The paper considers Nash bargaining solution as the fairness reference point to formulate the utility function of the fair-retailer. The paper uses this approach because it endogenously accounts for the competitive power and cooperative contribution of the channel members when they interact.FindingsThe authors find that the retailer’s fairness concerns are not always beneficial for its better performance. If the retailer is moderately sensitive towards its fairness, it will positively influence its performance. However, if the fairness concern becomes too high then it will negatively impact the retailer’s performance because it results in customers’ migration towards direct online channel for buying the products. In addition, if the retailer’s fairness concerns are mild, the manufacturer’s prices will decrease in retailer’s bargaining power, which is opposite otherwise.Originality/valueThe authors use Nash bargaining solution model as the fairness reference in the context of dual-channel supply chain, which is comparatively a recent approach and has been used independently from dual-channel supply chain system.

Stimulated emission from CsPbBr3 quantum dot nanoglass

We report on a high-temperature vapor drop-casting technique used to fabricate a chemically stable nanomaterial‒CsPbBr3 quantum dot nanoglass that exhibits stable photoluminescence and stimulated emission properties. Such nanomaterial is comprised of two material domains: nano-fractured glassy-phase matrix and embedded CsPbBr3 quantum dots. The nanoglass is compatible with various pump sources to attain a low-threshold stimulated emission via either linear or nonlinear pump schemes. We demonstrate that the pump threshold could be remarkably reduced when the pump wavelength shifts from the peak position of the photoluminescence excitation spectrum to the photoluminescence peak. In addition, the lowest pump threshold achieved in the two-photon pump regime is comparable to that ever-reported lowest value using colloidal CsPbBr3 quantum dots. Cooperative contributions from local disorders on both of the pump beam and the emitted light are proposed to account for the observed stimulated emission properties.

B-Vitamin Sharing Promotes Stability of Gut Microbial Communities.

Cross-feeding on intermediary and end-point metabolites plays an important role in the dynamic interactions of host-associated microbial communities. While gut microbiota possess inherent resilience to perturbation, variations in the intake of certain nutrients may lead to changes in the community composition with potential consequences on host physiology. Syntrophic relationships and mutualism at the level of major carbon and energy sources have been documented, however, relatively little is known about metabolic interactions involving micronutrients, such as B-vitamins, biosynthetic precursors of essential cofactors in the mammalian host and numerous members of the gut microbiota alike. In silico genomic reconstruction and prediction of community-wide metabolic phenotypes for eight major B-vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, and B12), suggests that a significant fraction of microbial gut communities (>20% by abundance) are represented by auxotrophic species whose viability is strictly dependent on acquiring one or more B-vitamins from diet and/or prototrophic microbes via committed salvage pathways. Here, we report the stability of gut microbiota using humanized gnotobiotic mice and in vitro anaerobic fecal culture in the context of extreme variations of dietary B-vitamin supply as revealed by phylotype-to-phenotype prediction from 16S rRNA profiling and metabolomic measurements. The observed nearly unaltered relative abundance of auxotrophic species in gut communities in the face of diet or media lacking B-vitamins or containing them in great excess (∼30-fold above normal) points to a strong contribution of metabolic cooperation (B-vitamin exchange and sharing) to the stability of gut bacterial populations.

Imperial cooperative experiments and global market capitalism,c.1900–c.1960

AbstractConcentrating on the connection between the cooperative movements in colonial India and Ghana, the article has two aims. First, it counters the diffusionist story portraying the cooperative institution as indigenous to Europe, from where it was exported to the rest of the world. Second, it draws attention to the contribution and overall importance of cooperatives in the global market economy. Pursuing these two aims, and following a review of the existing literature, the article discusses the development of the cooperative movement in British India between 1900 and 1950. It then turns to the global establishment of the Indian experience as a role model for other colonial regions, notably West Africa. The article then considers the practical implementation of cooperatives in the Gold Coast and Ashanti (both now in Ghana) around 1930, and their development until 1955. Finally, based on the two main cases, as well as on the Cooperative Wholesale Society in Britain, it explores the economic function of cooperatives beyond national particularities, and tentatively analyses the relation of the institution to the broader forces of capitalism.

Bibliometrics analysis on international scientific and technological cooperation of traditional Chinese medicine based on SCI-E

Objective To analyze the characteristics of SCI papers published in international cooperation of Chinese medicine and to understand the current research situation in this field. Methods Using the scientific citation index extension (SCI-E) database in Web of Science was used as the data source, and this paper retrieves retrieved related papers and highly cited papers on the international cooperation of traditional Chinese medicine during the year 1990-2017, and analyses from the years, cooperative countries and regions, periodicals, fund support, authors' institutions and research content by using the method of Bibliometrics and co co-word clustering. Results The total number of the articles for analyzing was 10 984, and the number of highly cited article was 114, which showed the number of article increased gradually. There are were 145 countries and regions in cooperation. The first three countries are were the United States, Japan and the United Kingdom. A total of 25 core periodicals are were determined. The fund funding rate wais 74.5%. The fund financed institutions with the largest number of cooperative contributions are were both the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the National Institutes of health in the United States. The hot top-subject of cooperative research haswas pharmacology and pharmacology. The breast cancer, ovarian cancer, colorectal cancer and inflammation, such as acupuncture treatment for pain, polycystic ovary syndrome, and depression. Conclusions The international cooperation of traditional Chinese medicine has gone through the embryonic stage, and now it is at the stage of development. Key words: International cooperation; Research institutes (TCMP); Scientific research; Bibliometrics

The role of multiplex network structure in cooperation through generalized reciprocity

Recent studies suggest that the emergence of cooperative behavior can be explained by generalized reciprocity, a behavioral mechanism based on the principle of “help anyone if helped by someone”. In complex systems, the cooperative dynamics is largely determined by the network structure which dictates the interactions among neighboring individuals. These interactions often exhibit multidimensional features, either as relationships of different types or temporal dynamics, both of which may be modeled as a “multiplex” network. Against this background, here we advance the research on cooperation models inspired by generalized reciprocity by considering a multidimensional networked society. Our results reveal that a multiplex network structure may enhance the role of generalized reciprocity in promoting cooperation, whereby some of the network dimensions act as a latent support for the others. As a result, generalized reciprocity forces the cooperative contributions of the individuals to concentrate in the dimension which is most favorable for the existence of cooperation.

Grid Frequency Support From V2G Aggregators and HVdc Links in Presence of Nonsynchronous Units

Massive penetration of nonsynchronous units with power electronics devices in the future grid could diminish the rotational inertia of a power system and inevitably jeopardize the frequency stability. Several adaptations are made accordingly in the power system to provide a short-term inertial support. In this paper, synchronous power concept is used for inertia emulation (IE) in high voltage direct current (HVdc) transmission links for frequency control. However, the energy reserves capacity such as direct current (dc) link capacitances or distributed generations for IE are limited and therefore required additional energy storage. This paper considered mobile electric vehicles (EVs) network as an energy storage and their charging/discharging is done by balance state-of-charge (SOC) holder technique taking into consideration future driving demand of EV owners using battery SOC controller. Cooperative contributions from HVdc links and EVs during perturbation exceptionally damp the oscillation and peak deviation in grid frequency as well as in tie-line power. To validate the efficacy of proposed framework, numerous time domain simulation results are presented.

Development models of the cooperative sector in the agro-industrial complex of North American and European countries

The research focuses on the characteristic features of the modern development in the cooperative sector in the agro-industrial complex of North American and European countries, taking into account the existing differences in legislation, national traditions, local differences, and the importance of the cooperative movement to search for effective responses to the new challenges of globalization of the economic space. The purpose of the work is to identify the most significant achievements and features inherent in the cooperative sector in the agro-industrial complex of the USA, Canada, France, and Spain. The paper presents quantitative data characterizing the level of development of cooperation in individual countries and the legislative framework for the functioning of agricultural cooperatives. The areas of activity of the largest cooperatives and measures for state support of the development of the cooperative movement in the USA, Canada, France, and Spain are considered. As a result, conclusions were formulated reflecting the significance of the contribution of cooperatives to the economic and financial stability of countries in the context of globalization, to the creation of jobs and increasing the innovative potential of business.

On the relevance of electrostatic interactions for the structural relaxation of ionic liquids: A molecular dynamics simulation study.

We perform molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the structural (α) relaxation of models of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([Bmim][PF6]) room temperature ionic liquids. To determine the relevance of electrostatic interactions for the dynamical properties, we systematically scale the partial charges of the ions. Observing the structural relaxation of these charge-scaled ionic liquids from high temperature far above the melting point to low temperatures in the viscous regime, we find that the α-relaxation times τq strongly depend on the strength of the electrostatic interactions. The glassy slowdown τq(T) of all systems is successfully described by splitting the apparent activation energies E(T) into a temperature-independent contribution E∞, which characterizes the α relaxation of the high-temperature liquid, and a temperature-dependent contribution Ec(T), which describes the growing cooperativity and increases exponentially upon cooling. For all used partial charges, we find a common relation between the activation energy E∞ and the glass transition temperature Tg, indicating a close link between simple-liquid and viscous-liquid dynamics. To ascertain the origin of the increase of the cooperative contribution Ec(T), we characterize the evolution of space-time characteristics of dynamical heterogeneities upon cooling. It turns out that the length and time scales of spatially heterogeneous dynamics are the same for all studied charge-scaled ionic liquids when plotted as function of τq. Moreover, we find a common relation between Ec and the size of transient clusters of highly mobile ions.