Foreign Elements Research Articles

Enhanced dopant incorporation into SnO2 thin films based on dual source spray pyrolysis deposition process

Recently, SnO2 has attracted much attention for optoelectronic applications in infrared (IR) spectral ranges due to its high transparency in the ultraviolet to IR wavelength spectral range and high electrical conductivity. The transition metal-doped SnO2 based on the ultrasonic-assisted spray pyrolysis deposition (SPD) method has been widely used for various optoelectronic applications. However, the SPD process has suffered from inefficient doping of foreign elements due to difficulties in controlling the single precursor source solutions and complicated solution dynamics. To overcome these problems, the co-SPD process supplying the host and dopant solutions separately was suggested for the deposition of the Zn-doped SnO2 thin films. The Zn-doped SnO2 thin films deposited by co-SPD showed insulating electrical properties due to the efficient incorporation of the Zn element as an oxygen vacancy scavenger and acceptor to annihilate the free charge carriers. Also, the Zn-doped SnO2 films showed an IR transmittance of over 80 %, maintained at a temperature of up to 500 ℃. Thus, the co-SPD process can be a promising approach to achieve highly doped oxide films with high IR transmittance even at elevated temperatures.

Applicable law to public procurement contracts

This article constitutes a scientific analysis of the applicable law to public contracts with and without foreign elements. The actuality of the researched topic is manifested in the conclusion and execution of contracts, the problem of choosing the applicable law in case of disputes and identifying the characteristic of the economic agent.

The Application of Laws to Succession Matters Involving Foreign Elements on ROC Estate Tax

The Application of Laws to Succession Matters Involving Foreign Elements on ROC Estate Tax

Epidemiological characterization and findings in homicides due to suffocation with plastic bags in the city of Medellín, Colombia 2008-2021

IntroductionThis study describes the characteristics of the victims of deaths by homicidal suffocation with plastic bags in the period between 2008 and 2021, in autopsies performed at the National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences of the city of Medellin. Materials and methodsA descriptive, retrospective study was carried out, whose information was obtained from the autopsy reports made by forensic doctors of the institution. ResultsOf the 38 772 autopsies performed, 17 703 were homicides, of which 96 (0.54%) were due to the use of plastic bags to produce death. Of the 96 cases analyzed, 92.7% (89) corresponded to men and 7.3% (7) to women. The young male population between the ages of 15 and 27 was the most affected; 74.4% (71) entered as unidentified corpses and in 17.1% (14) the diagnosis of torture was considered within the analysis of the legal medical necropsy.The findings of suffocation in the external examination were facial congestion 67.1% (55), petechiae in the conjunctivae 63.4% (52), petechiae on the face 28.0% (23), lesions in the internal oral mucosa 61.0% (50), and abrasions in the labial commissures 25.6% (21) due to the use of foreign elements in the oral cavity or the application of maneuvers to cause asphyxia. 58.5% (56) presented signs of trauma in other parts of the body that did not explain the cause of death. 36.4% (35) had plastic bags covering the head and adjusted to the neck with some element, 32.3% (31) transparent tape attached to the plastic bag that covered the head, and 31.3% (30) presented a plastic film with the trade name Vinipel MR. 76.8% (73) had their hands and feet tied when the body was found at the scene. ConclusionThis is the first step to obtain information on the characterization of individuals and their macroscopic findings related to homicide deaths due to suffocation with plastic bags, to warn about the actions of organized criminal groups and their practices in the transnational context. However, its analysis requires an adequate exploration of the scene, the results of the investigations carried out by the authority and the performance of an exhaustive necropsy to achieve a diagnosis.

Enabling Electrochemical-Mechanical Robustness of Ultra-High Ni Cathode via Self-Supported Primary-Grain-Alignment Strategy.

The electrochemical-mechanical degradation of ultrahigh Ni cathode for lithium-ion batteries is a crucial aspect that limits the cycle life and safety of devices. Herein, the study reports a facile strategy involving rational design of primary grain crystallographic orientation within polycrystalline cathode, which well enhanced its electro-mechanical strength and Li+ transfer kinetics. Ex situ and in situ experiments/simulations including cross-sectional particle electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), single-particle micro-compression, thermogravimetric analysis combined with mass spectrometry (TGA-MS), and finite element modeling reveal that, the primary-grain-alignment strategy effectively mitigates the particle pulverization, lattice oxygen release thereby enhances battery cycle life and safety. Besides the preexisting doping and coating methodologies to improve the stability of Ni-rich cathode, the primary-grain-alignment strategy, with no foreign elements or heterophase layers, is unprecedently proposed here. The results shed new light on the study of electrochemical-mechanical strain alleviation for electrode materials.

Arbitrase Online di Masa Pandemi:

In this pandemic situation, the need for online arbitration services is very urgent, especially for the business community. As a country with a majority of the Muslim population, Indonesia has established Basyarnas as an alternative dispute resolution institution based on sharia law. In the era of globalization, business disputes that occur today are not on disputes between citizens or legal entities originating from Indonesia only, but also, include disputes that have a cross-border nature, either because of the differences in the domicile of the parties or because of the choice of foreign law clause. This research will study the role and readiness of Basyarnas in resolving cross-border disputes. Besides that, the implications of the arbitration award issued by Basyarnas will also be studied from disputes that contain foreign elements. These two problems will be studied using a normative legal research method with a statutory and conceptual approach. Through this research, it can be concluded that: first, Basyarnas as a sharia arbitral award in Indonesia should have competence and ability to handle sharia disputes that are cross-border; and second, because of the existence of foreign elements in sharia relationship from both parties, it is necessary to recognize sharia arbitral award in the country where the assets are located.

Математичні моделі температурного поля у елементах електронних пристроїв із чужорідним включенням

Linear and non-linear mathematical models for the determination of the temperature field, and subsequently for the analysis of temperature regimes in isotropic media with semi-transparent foreign inclusions that are also subject to external heat load, have been developed. To solve the nonlinear boundary-value problem, a linearizing function was introduced, using which the original nonlinear heat conduction equation and nonlinear boundary conditions were linearized, and as a result, a partially linearized second-order differential equation with partial derivatives and discontinuous and singular coefficients relative to the linearizing function and partially linearized boundary conditions was obtained. For the final linearization of the partially linearized differential equation and boundary conditions, the approximation of the temperature according to one of the spatial coordinates on the boundary surfaces of the inclusion was performed by piecewise constant functions. To solve the obtained linear boundary value problem, the Hankel integral transformation method was used, as a result of which an analytical solution was obtained, which determines the introduced linearizing function. For the numerical analysis of temperature behavior and heat exchange processes caused by external heat load, software tools have been developed, which are used to create a geometric image of temperature distribution depending on spatial coordinates. The obtained results indicate the correspondence of the developed mathematical models of the analysis of heat exchange processes in heterogeneous media with external heating to a real physical process. The obtained results indicate the correspondence of the developed mathematical models of the analysis of heat exchange processes in heterogeneous media with external heating to a real physical process. The developed models make it possible to analyze environments with foreign elements under external thermal loads regarding their thermal resistance. As a result, it becomes possible to increase it and protect it from overheating, which can cause the destruction of not only individual elements, but also the entire structure.

GMOs or non-GMOs? The CRISPR Conundrum.

CRISPR-Cas9, the "genetic scissors", is being presaged as a revolutionary technology, having tremendous potential to create designer crops by introducing precise and targeted modifications in the genome to achieve global food security in the face of climate change and increasing population. Traditional genetic engineering relies on random and unpredictable insertion of isolated genes or foreign DNA elements into the plant genome. However, CRISPR-Cas based gene editing does not necessarily involve inserting a foreign DNA element into the plant genome from different species but introducing new traits by precisely altering the existing genes. CRISPR edited crops are touching markets, however, the world community is divided over whether these crops should be considered genetically modified (GM) or non-GM. Classification of CRISPR edited crops, especially transgene free crops as traditional GM crops, will significantly affect their future and public acceptance in some regions. Therefore, the future of the CRISPR edited crops is depending upon their regulation as GM or non-GMs, and their public perception. Here we briefly discuss how CRISPR edited crops are different from traditional genetically modified crops. In addition, we discuss different CRISPR reagents and their delivery tools to produce transgene-free CRISPR edited crops. Moreover, we also summarize the regulatory classification of CRISPR modifications and how different countries are regulating CRISPR edited crops. We summarize that the controversy of CRISPR-edited plants as GM or non-GM will continue until a universal, transparent, and scalable regulatory framework for CRISPR-edited plants will be introduced worldwide, with increased public awareness by involving all stakeholders.

Change in the structure and mechanical properties of Al–Mg–Si alloys caused by the addition of other elements: A comprehensive review

Understanding 6xxx AA (Al–Mg–Si alloys) relies heavily on structural analysis at the atomic level. Because the nanoscale precipitates that form during artificial ageing essentially strengthen the alloys, it is crucial to lessen the negative effects of Natural Ageing (NA) and enhance the age hardening of Al–Mg–Si alloys. Numerous studies have shown that when different elements are added to 6xxx AA, NA is suppressed. This work includes a thorough and numerical description of the various elements that are added to 6xxx AA. This article gives information on the additional elements Li, Cu, Zn, and Ag that will form new phases and occupy a preferred site in 6xxx AA at different weight percentages. However, between metastable phases, 6xxx AA exhibit different element segregation, which improved the mechanical properties like hardness reported in this review work. Additionally, research on the addition of various other elements, such as Ni, Co, Au, and Cd to 6xxx AA is reported in this review paper to summarise the influence of these elements on the evolution of microstructural features and their correlation with mechanical properties. This area has received very little research and may be used in the future to enhance the mechanical properties of 6xxx AA. By encouraging precipitate nucleation, morphology, and mechanical properties through the addition of foreign elements, the results of this review paper reveal a novel pathway for precipitation hardening.

The importance of judicial cooperation in criminal matters in the European Union with a special focus on countering EU threats and crime more effectively

This article’s main aims are to explore, consider and analyse various sources of law to identify the essence and im-portance of the established judicial cooperation system in the European Union (EU) for effective countering of EUthreats and crime. During the research, various sources of European Union Law, case law, constitutional law, etc. wereexplored and considered, by using the analysis method as well as the comparative and synthesis methods. The articlereviews the development of the existing system of judicial cooperation in criminal matters in the EU demonstrating theimportance of the mutual trust involved in the combating of cross-border crime in the EU. Further, it assesses the ef-fectiveness of the existing institute of judicial cooperation in criminal matters in view of combating cross-border crime,in addition to demonstrating the current normative system in the field of judicial cooperation in criminal matters of theEU and its connective side with national criminal justice systems. The main research results highlight the necessity forsupplementing the legal framework of judicial cooperation in criminal matters with a clear definition of the followingterms: cross-border crime and offences with a foreign element, as well as the term foreign element in the context ofjudicial cooperation in criminal matters; the results also shed light on the fact that it is essential to adopt a new legalframework on the transfer of criminal proceedings. Finally, for more effective cooperation among Member States, it isnecessary to approach a common way of the interpretation of the legal acts facilitating correct application and imple-mentation of judicial cooperation in criminal matters instruments in the EU.

Detection of commercialized plant products derived from new genomic techniques (NGT) - Practical examples and current perspectives

New genomic techniques (NGT) are increasingly applied in plant research and development in many countries due to their simplicity in introducing genetic modifications that alter specific traits. First NGT products are on the market in several countries where no specific regulatory approval is required. In the European Union (EU), however, all NGT derived products are subject to the existing genetically modified organism (GMO) authorization regulations. This nourishes the discussion on the technical and analytical feasibility of detecting, identifying and differentiating plants produced by targeted mutagenesis from conventional breeding products and spontaneous mutations in routine food/feed and seed/grain testing by enforcement laboratories. The anticipated difficulties are currently based mainly on theoretical considerations, particularly with regard to single nucleotide or very limited sequence changes. Against that background, this brief review examines concrete and practical approaches for the detection and identification of market-relevant NGT plants. Four early commercialized NGT plants have been examined as real examples to verify the feasibility of detection method design and development using routinely applied analytical approaches. In addition, we searched for potential new screening approaches and show, how a common and well conserved genetic element used in CRISPR/Cas9 applications may serve as a potential target, if this foreign DNA element is still integrated in the host genome. The conclusions to be drawn from the considered theoretical approaches and the practical examples are described in the context of key differences to the current GMO testing practice, in particular regarding the difficulty to develop methods specifically identifying NGT applications. Finally, we discuss whether the consideration of such factors could facilitate a resolution of the current dilemma between detection and the ability to identify plant NGT events.

Solution of Disputes in Civil Relations Involving a Foreign Element: Law Enforcement Problems

Solution of Disputes in Civil Relations Involving a Foreign Element: Law Enforcement Problems

Acknowledgment and Enforcement of Foreign Court Rulings, Arbitration Awards, Notarial Acts and Mediation Agreements Involving a Foreign Element: Are an International Treaty and Reciprocity Needed?

Acknowledgment and Enforcement of Foreign Court Rulings, Arbitration Awards, Notarial Acts and Mediation Agreements Involving a Foreign Element: Are an International Treaty and Reciprocity Needed?

Pangenome-level analysis of nucleoid-associated proteins in the Acidithiobacillia class: insights into their functional roles in mobile genetic elements biology.

Mobile genetic elements (MGEs) are relevant agents in bacterial adaptation and evolutionary diversification. Stable appropriation of these DNA elements depends on host factors, among which are the nucleoid-associated proteins (NAPs). NAPs are highly abundant proteins that bind and bend DNA, altering its topology and folding, thus affecting all known cellular DNA processes from replication to expression. Even though NAP coding genes are found in most prokaryotic genomes, their functions in host chromosome biology and xenogeneic silencing are only known for a few NAP families. Less is known about the occurrence, abundance, and roles of MGE-encoded NAPs in foreign elements establishment and mobility. In this study, we used a combination of comparative genomics and phylogenetic strategies to gain insights into the diversity, distribution, and functional roles of NAPs within the class Acidithiobacillia with a special focus on their role in MGE biology. Acidithiobacillia class members are aerobic, chemolithoautotrophic, acidophilic sulfur-oxidizers, encompassing substantial genotypic diversity attributable to MGEs. Our search for NAP protein families (PFs) in more than 90 genomes of the different species that conform the class, revealed the presence of 1,197 proteins pertaining to 12 different NAP families, with differential occurrence and conservation across species. Pangenome-level analysis revealed 6 core NAP PFs that were highly conserved across the class, some of which also existed as variant forms of scattered occurrence, in addition to NAPs of taxa-restricted distribution. Core NAPs identified are reckoned as essential based on the conservation of genomic context and phylogenetic signals. In turn, various highly diversified NAPs pertaining to the flexible gene complement of the class, were found to be encoded in known plasmids or, larger integrated MGEs or, present in genomic loci associated with MGE-hallmark genes, pointing to their role in the stabilization/maintenance of these elements in strains and species with larger genomes. Both core and flexible NAPs identified proved valuable as markers, the former accurately recapitulating the phylogeny of the class, and the later, as seed in the bioinformatic identification of novel episomal and integrated mobile elements.

PROBLEMS OF REVITALIZATION OF FACILITIES OF THE SUBJECT-SPATIAL ENVIRONMENT AND MODERN BUILDING IN THE HISTORICAL PART OF SMALL TOWNS

The revitalization of objects of the subject-spatial environment and the construction of modern buildings in the historical environment of settlements is a complex task that causes numerous discussions. This process is often accompanied by sharp accusations, in which the main argument sounds quite convincing: new buildings and structures disturb the authentic atmosphere of the old buildings.
 Cities that are on the list of historical ones, according to the Law of Ukraine «On the Protection of Cultural Heritage», require a special approach to their preservation and spatial development. The legislation regulates the construction of such cities in the historical environment through the so-called historical areas, historical and architectural reserves, the allocation of protected areas, complex protection zones, and development regulation zones.
 The introduction of security restrictions contributes to the preservation of the historical architectural and urban structure of such cities, but at the same time restrains new construction and restoration and reconstruction of abandoned buildings and structures. Thus, due to these restrictions, after many years of disinterested attitude of developers and lenders to architectural monuments, their condition has greatly deteriorated. Many buildings need not just cosmetic repairs, but serious restoration work. Revitalization projects of objects in the historical part of cities must be carried out on the basis of security documentation, which clearly regulates the approaches and principles of building reproduction. Such projects should also be implemented on the basis of an integrated approach to the reproduction of buildings, which will make it possible to ensure the maximum preservation of their valuable historical environment and compliance with monument protection requirements.
 Since the planning structure and construction of old quarters were created in accordance with the requirements of previous socio-economic eras, they are practically not amenable to adaptation to new functions. Therefore, today the task is to carry out their reconstruction with the maximum preservation of historically valuable buildings and at the same time harmoniously fit new structural elements into their subject-spatial environment. Here, it is important to ensure that when a new building is introduced into the historical environment, the modern architectural form becomes part of the formed architectural ensemble, and does not look like a foreign element. It is necessary to treat the historically valuable buildings with great responsibility, which must be preserved and maintained in good condition in every possible way, at the same time not to refuse the construction of new buildings in the historical environment, which should correspond in appearance and technology to the present, and not mechanically copy the historical past, devaluing it.

Lexical Errors in Third Language Acquisition: A Comparative Analysis of Writing Performance in Rabat-Sale and Souss-Massa Regions of Morocco

The comparative study explores the phenomenon of lexical cross-linguistic influence on high school students' writing performance within two distinct regions of Morocco: Rabat-Sale and Souss-Massa. Using James Taxonomy as a framework, written narratives produced by 200 students from both regions were analyzed focusing on their lexical choices and the occurrence of lexical errors. Distinct patterns of lexical errors, including Calque, Prefix, Over-inclusion, Borrowing, and Omission errors, were identified in students' narratives. The results revealed notable differences in lexical errors between the Souss-Massa and Rabat-Sale regions. Souss-Massa students exhibited higher frequencies of Calque (25), Prefix (20), Over-inclusion (35), and Omission (28), indicating a stronger influence from other linguistic sources and potential issues with precision and clarity in their writing. In contrast, Rabat-Sale students showed a higher frequency of Borrowing (28), suggesting a greater tendency to incorporate foreign language elements into their writing. These results have implications for tailored language education and curriculum development in Morocco and emphasize the importance of considering regional linguistic nuances.

Misoriented high-entropy iridium ruthenium oxide for acidic water splitting.

Designing an efficient catalyst for acidic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is of critical importance in manipulating proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer (PEMWE) for hydrogen production. Here, we report a fast, nonequilibrium strategy to synthesize quinary high-entropy ruthenium iridium-based oxide (M-RuIrFeCoNiO2) with abundant grain boundaries (GB), which exhibits a low overpotential of 189 millivolts at 10 milliamperes per square centimeter for OER in 0.5 M H2SO4. Microstructural analyses, density functional calculations, and isotope-labeled differential electrochemical mass spectroscopy measurements collectively reveal that the integration of foreign metal elements and GB is responsible for the enhancement of activity and stability of RuO2 toward OER. A PEMWE using M-RuIrFeCoNiO2 catalyst can steadily operate at a large current density of 1 ampere per square centimeter for over 500 hours. This work demonstrates a pathway to design high-performance OER electrocatalysts by integrating the advantages of various components and GB, which breaks the limits of thermodynamic solubility for different metal elements.

Caracterización epidemiológica y hallazgos en homicidios por sofocación con bolsas de plástico en la ciudad de Medellín, Colombia 2008-2021

IntroductionThis study describes the characteristics of the victims of deaths by homicidal suffocation with plastic bags in the period between 2008 and 2021, in autopsies performed at the National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences of the city of Medellín. Materials and methodsA descriptive, retrospective study was carried out, whose information was obtained from the autopsy reports made by forensic doctors of the institution. ResultsOf the 38,772 autopsies performed, 17,703 were homicides, of which 96 (0.54%) were due to the use of plastic bags to produce death. Of the 96 cases analyzed, 92.7% (89) corresponded to men and 7.3% (7) to women. The young male population between the ages of 15 and 27 was the most affected; 74.4% (71) entered as unidentified corpses and in 17.1% (14) the diagnosis of torture was considered within the analysis of the legal medical necropsy.The findings of suffocation in the external examination were facial congestion 67.1% (55), petechiae in the conjunctivae 63.4% (52), petechiae on the face 28.0% (23), lesions in the internal oral mucosa 61.0% (50), and abrasions in the labial commissures 25.6% (21) due to the use of foreign elements in the oral cavity or application of asphyctic maneuvers. 58.5% (56) presented signs of trauma in other parts of the body that did not explain the cause of death. 36.4% (35) had plastic bags covering the head and adjusted to the neck with some element, 32.3% (31) transparent tape attached to the plastic bag that covered the head and 31.3% (30) presented a plastic film with the trade name Vinipel MR. 76.8% (73) had their hands and feet tied when the body was found at the scene. ConclusionThis is the first step to obtain information on the characterization of individuals and their macroscopic findings related to homicide deaths due to suffocation with plastic bags, to warn about the actions of organized criminal groups and their practices in the transnational context. However, its analysis requires an adequate exploration of the scene, the results of the investigations carried out by the authority and the performance of an exhaustive necropsy to achieve a diagnosis.

Named Entities in Modernist Literary Texts

This paper is a follow-up and elaboration of the paper published in the JTDH 2022 Conference Proceedings on manual semantic annotation of named entities based on a proposed set of annotations for a corpus of modernist literary texts. We first briefly describe the corpus and introduce the annotation scheme, then focus on the results of additional analyses, and conclude with further challenges and issues we identified with respect to established NER systems and practices of related projects. Overall, we identify several categories of proper names, foreign language elements, and bibliographic citations, but focus here on the challenges of annotating names of literary characters and place names, and provide examples of the results of preliminary analyses of these entities in the corpus.

From ‘take-ism’ to pursuit of newness and originality: design professionals and models of creativity in contemporary China

ABSTRACT Chinese innovative workers are often discussed in terms of their exploitation and empowerment within the current intellectual property systems, but little attention is given to their creative processes. Meanwhile, design practitioners are viewed solely as an innovation resource in the field of design thinking. Based on interviews with Chinese interior designers and secondary data, this article provides an analysis that situates their practices and experiences within the intersection of these fields, emphasising practitioners’ accounts of creativity and production of innovative, cultural, and aesthetic forms. Drawing on theories of practice, genre, and post-Bourdieuian analysis of cultural production, this article argues that the valorisation of creativity needs to be understood in relation to the practices in which they engage, within particular contexts of history, organisation, and genre cultures that provide opportunities for the transformation of genre boundaries. Operating within a milieu that saw copying as part of creative process, the practitioners had no agreement on how the work should be understood within the rubric of creativity. Despite this, they aimed for slight differentiation in design, appropriating and rediscovering multi-cultural forms to resist ‘take-ism’ – the imitative culture of copying of foreign decorative elements and styles, while establishing themselves in the commercial world.