Formation Process Research Articles

Volatility Spillover of Crude Palm Oil (CPO) Commodity between Spot and Futures Market in Indonesia

The development of trade globalization has led to the expansion of market interactions between countries, specifically for Crude Palm Oil (CPO) commodities. This study aims to determine the volatility of CPO prices between the Medan spot market and the futures market consisting of the Jakarta futures market, Malaysia futures market, and the Rotterdam forward market. The daily data on CPO prices in each market from January 2016 to December 2020. The data analysis method uses the GARCH model (1.1). The results showed a volatility transmission from the entire futures market to the Medan spot market. Thus, the CPO commodity futures market influences price volatility and the price formation process in the Medan spot market. Therefore, CPO commodity market players must be alert to the information occurring in the futures market to determine investment strategies.

Study of the n− region formation process in n-on-p HgCdTe devices

The n− region is crucial to the performance of n-on-p HgCdTe devices. However, the underlying mechanisms governing its formation process remain insufficiently elucidated in current literature. In this work, the influence of annealing temperature on the n− region formation process was investigated systematically through experiments and one-dimensional (1D) simulation. The two key parameters, the transport rate of interstitials (TrI) and the diffusion coefficient of vacancies (DV) were determined through the 1D model, and their accuracy was validated by experiments. The determination of TrI and DV allows for more flexible and precise optimization of the n− region in HgCdTe, thereby providing valuable guidance for cost-effective, high performance, and reliable preparation of HgCdTe detectors.

Development of binders based on the СаО–Fe2O3 system

The object of research is the processes of structure formation and modeling of the properties of a specialized binder. The development of new binding materials based on production waste with high early strength indicators could make it possible to speed up construction period and is one of the urgent tasks at present. This study focused on the creation of binders based on the СаО–Fe2O3 system. The developed binder of the СаО–Fe2O3 system has the following composition: limestone – 26 %; red slime – 74 %, which has a dense fine-porous structure and high early strength indicators – 22.5 MPa with a density of 1960 kg/m3. There is also an increase in the average density of samples annealed at a temperature of 1200 ℃ for 60 minutes, ground and mixed with water, in comparison with samples fired at 1100 ℃ for 60 minutes, by 500 kg/m3, due to new formations. The prospect of using modified composite binders with special functional properties has been substantiated. The use of production waste based on the СаО-Fe2O3 system could make it possible to obtain materials with high physical and mechanical properties, which makes them promising for application in various areas of the construction industry. The development of such binders will help reduce the environmental impact of the construction industry, owing to the use of affordable and effective components. This approach will not only contribute to the improvement of the quality of building materials but also help reduce the ecological burden on the environment by using alternative resources and industrial waste. The developed binder could be used for the development of solutions for 3d printing, as well as repair of concrete coatings

The self-assembly mechanism of ovotransferrin fibrils induced by subtilisin A and Ca2+ ions and their application in nutrient delivery and texture optimization for liquid food

The self-assembly behavior of proteins and peptides has been widely studied due to their ability to construct various nanostructures, such as nanotubes and nanofibrils. Understanding the self-assembly mechanism is of great significance for developing functional nanomaterials. Herein, we adopt a novel method to construct ovotransferrin (OVT) fibrils by subtilisin A hydrolysis and Ca2+ ions induced self-assembly with mild reaction conditions. The kinetic process of OVT fibrils formation contains lag, growth, and plateau stage. During the growth stage, OVT peptides self-assemble into precursor structures, which undergo morphological changes of twisted ribbons, helical ribbons, and nanotubes, ultimately closing to form mature fibrils. Ca2+ ions likely coordinate with the carboxyl groups of the OVT peptides, aiding in the self-assembly process. And the secondary conformation is manifested as a β-sheet stacking. The mature OVT fibrils have distinct hollow and left-handed structures. Then OVT fibrils successfully encapsulate zeaxanthin (Zea) and improve its solubility and stability. Besides, OVT fibrils exhibit no in vitro cytotoxicity, and significantly reduce allergenicity to egg allergy patients compared to OVT. OVT fibrils delivery Zea into milk to develop Zea fortified dairy beverage and improve the viscosity of dairy beverage. OVT fibrils show a great potential as nutrient delivery and texture optimization for food application.

Substantiating the reliability conditions for the production process at metallurgical enterprises through the fault-tolerant functioning of the system «extraction of raw materials – technological railroad routes – metallurgical production»

The object of this study is the process of formation of insurance reserves at enterprises in the metallurgical industry. Under conditions of uneven supply of raw materials to metallurgical enterprises due to disruption of the transportation process or other reasons, there is a need to create insurance stocks in order to ensure the continuity of production. At the same time, it is necessary to take into account existing restrictions, such as the limited capacity of railroad sections and the impossibility of organizing parallel movement of trains, etc. The presence of these limitations makes it impossible to use classical methods for solving similar problems, such as linear programming. Therefore, to resolve the task, a simulation model was built, based on the discrete-event principle in the AnyLogic University Researcher environment using Oracle libraries and the Java SE compiler. With the help of the model, the process of rotation of dispatch routes at the railroad yard with multiple suppliers and one consignee was formalized. The optimization criterion was chosen to be the minimum deviations of fluctuations in reserves of iron ore concentrate and coke. Analysis of the simulation results revealed that the optimal size of the fleet of railroad routes on the selected rotation polygon is 30 units; at the same time, their utilization rate will be 65 %. It was also established that fluctuations in raw material stocks have a «natural character», which is confirmed by the normal distribution of the density of stock volumes. Under these conditions, the value of fluctuations in the volumes of the main raw materials will be ±13115 t/day for iron ore concentrate, and ±5298 t/day for coke. Reducing the range of fluctuation of raw materials volumes could make it possible to optimize the costs of creating stocks and streamline the transport work of the enterprise for providing raw materials

Optimization of Polylactide-Co-Glycolide-Rifampicin Nanoparticle Synthesis, In Vitro Study of Mucoadhesion and Drug Release.

Despite the large number of works on the synthesis of polylactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) nanoparticles (NP) loaded with antituberculosis drugs, the data on the influence of various factors on the final characteristics of the complexes are quite contradictory. In the present study, a comprehensive analysis of the effect of multiple factors, including the molecular weight of PLGA, on the size and stability of nanoparticles, as well as the loading efficiency and release of the antituberculosis drug rifampicin (RIF), was carried out. Emulsification was carried out using different surfactants (polyvinyl alcohol, Tween 80 and Pluronic F127), different aqueous-to-organic phase ratios, and different solvents (dichloromethane, dimethyl sulfoxide, ethyl acetate). In this research, the PLGA nanoemulsion formation process was accompanied by ultrasonic dispersion, at different frequencies and durations of homogenization. The use of the central composite design method made it possible to select optimal conditions for the preparation of PLGA-RIF NPs (particle size 223 ± 2 nm, loading efficiency 67 ± 1%, nanoparticles yield 47 ± 2%). The release of rifampicin from PLGA NPs was studied for the first time using the flow cell method and vertical diffusion method on Franz cells at different pH levels, simulating the gastrointestinal tract. For the purpose of the possible inhalation administration of rifampicin immobilized in PLGA NPs, their mucoadhesion to mucin was studied, and a high degree of adhesion of polymeric nanoparticles to the mucosa was shown (more than 40% within 4 h). In the example of strain H37Rv in vitro, the sensitivity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to PLGA-RIF NPs was proven by the complete inhibition of their growth.

OsSNDP4, a Sec14-nodulin Domain Protein, is Required for Pollen Development in Rice

Pollen is encased in a robust wall that shields the male gametophyte from various stresses and aids in pollination. The pollen wall consists of gametophyte-derived intine and sporophyte-derived exine. The exine is mainly composed of sporopollenin, which is biopolymers of aliphatic lipids and phenolics. The process of exine formation has been the subject of extensive research, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. In this study, we identified a rice mutant of the OsSNDP4 gene that is impaired in pollen development. We demonstrated that OsSNDP4, a putative Sec14-nodulin domain protein, exhibits a preference for binding to phosphatidylinositol (3)-phosphate [PI(3)P], a lipid primarily found in endosomal and vacuolar membranes. The OsSNDP4 protein was detected in association with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), vacuolar membranes, and the nucleus. OsSNDP4 expression was detected in all tested organs but was notably higher in anthers during exine development. Loss of OsSNDP4 function led to abnormal vacuole dynamics, inhibition in Ubisch body development, and premature degradation of cellular contents and organelles in the tapetal cells. Microspores from the ossndp4 mutant plant displayed abnormal exine formation, abnormal vacuole enlargement, and ultimately, pollen abortion. RNA-seq assay revealed that genes involved in the biosynthesis of fatty acid and secondary metabolites, the biosynthesis of lipid polymers, and exosome formation were enriched among the down-regulated genes in the mutant anthers, which correlated with the morphological defects observed in the mutant anthers. Base on these findings, we propose that OsSNDP4 regulates pollen development by binding to PI(3)P and influencing the dynamics of membrane systems. The involvement of membrane systems in the regulation of sporopollenin biosynthesis, Ubisch body formation, and exine formation provides a novel mechanism regulating pollen wall development.

High-resolution 3D spatial distribution of complex microbial colonies revealed by mass spectrometry imaging

IntroductionBacterial living states and the distribution of microbial colony signaling molecules are widely studied using mass spectrometry imaging (MSI). However, current approaches often treat 3D colonies as flat 2D disks, inadvertently omitting valuable details. The challenge of achieving 3D MSI in biofilms persists due to the unique properties of microbial samples. ObjectivesThe study aimed to develop a new biofilm sample preparation method that can realize high-resolution 3D MSI of bacterial colonies to reveal the spatial organization of bacterial colonies. MethodsThis article introduces the moisture-assisted cryo-section (MACS) method, enabling embedding-free sectioning parallel to the growth plane. The MACS method secures intact sections by controlling ambient humidity and slice thickness, preventing molecular delocalization. ResultsCombined with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI)-MSI, the MACS method provides high-resolution insights into endogenic and exogenous molecule distributions in Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) biofilms, including isomeric pairs. Moreover, analyzed colonies are revived into 3D models, vividly depicting molecular distribution from inner to outer layers. Additionally, we investigated metabolite spatiotemporal dynamics in multiple colonies, observing changes over time and distinct patterns in single versus merged colonies. These findings shed light on the repel-merge process for multi-colony formation. Furthermore, our study monitored chemical responses inside biofilms after antibiotic treatment, showing increased antibiotic levels in the outer biofilm layer over time while maintaining low levels in the inner region. Moreover, the MACS method demonstrated its universality and applicability to other bacterial strains. ConclusionThese results unveil complex cell activities within biofilm colonies, offering insights into microbe communities. The MACS method is universally applicable to loosely packed microorganism colonies, overcoming the limitations of previously reported MSI methods. It has great potential for studying bacterial-infected cancer tissues and artificial organs, making it a valuable tool in microbiological research.

Should Zeros Count? Modeling the Galaxy–Globular Cluster Scaling Relation with(out) Zero-inflated Count Models

The scaling relation between the size of a galaxy’s globular cluster (GC) population (N GC) and the galaxy’s stellar mass (M *) is usually described with a continuous, linear model, but in reality it is a count relationship that should be modeled as such. For massive galaxies, a negative binomial (NB) model has been shown to describe the data well, but it is unclear how the scaling relation behaves at low galaxy masses where a substantial portion of galaxies have N GC = 0. In this work, we test the utility of Poisson and NB models for describing the low-mass end of the N GC−M * scaling relation. We introduce the use of zero-inflated versions of these models, which allow for larger zero populations (e.g., galaxies without GCs) than would otherwise be predicted. We evaluate our models with a variety of predictive model comparison methods, including predictive intervals, the leave-one-out cross-validation criterion, and posterior predictive comparisons. We find that the NB model is consistent with our data, but the naive Poisson is not. Moreover, we find that zero inflation of the models is not necessary to describe the population of low-mass galaxies that lack GCs, suggesting that a single formation and evolutionary process acts over all galaxy masses. Under the NB model, there does not appear to be anything unique about the lack of GCs in many low-mass galaxies; they are simply the low-mass extension of the larger N GC−M * scaling relation.

Reversed self-steepening in Si3N4-organic hybrid slot waveguides with engineered nonlinearity

Abstract Dispersion of nonlinearity greatly influences both temporal and spectral evolutions for ultrashort pulses, although difficult to be tailored in a wide spectral range. Here, we show the hardly observable reversed self-steepening in an on-chip Si3N4-organic hybrid slot waveguide with sophisticated dispersion and an increased nonlinear coefficient with wavelength. An octave-spanning supercontinuum with significant red-shift spectral broadening and a rectangle-shaped pulse waveform with a sharp rising edge of 13 fs can be generated. We study the robustness of reversed self-steepening under different operating conditions and reveal its nonlinear dynamics. This deepens the understanding on the dispersion of nonlinearity and helps develop novel nonlinearity-engineered devices for on-chip optical shock formation, pulse shaping, and signal processing in the future.

Enhancement of ceramic tool behaviour with textured grooves during machining of Inconel® 718

Inconel® 718, known for its excellent mechanical properties in extreme conditions, presents machining challenges due to its low machinability. The chip formation process, influenced by its high ductility and low thermal conductivity, leads to material adhesion and high cutting forces. Ceramic tools have been proposed to mitigate these inconveniences. Textured cutting tools have emerged as a promising solution, aiming to optimise tool-chip contact and, with it, the tribological conditions and the cutting forces. This study investigates the influence of textured grooves on ceramic tools when turning Inconel® 718. Two groove inclinations, 0° and − 25° relative to the cutting edge, were tested. Texturing was performed using a laser station. Experimental results showed improved tool wear characteristics with textured tools, indicating favourable chip extraction and reduced material adhesion. Cutting forces were notably lower with textured tools compared to the reference tool, attributed to reduced notch wear and altered chip flow. Chip morphology analysis revealed differences in chip shape and thermal stability between the reference and textured tools. In conclusion, textured tools, particularly those with − 25° inclined grooves, demonstrated enhanced performance in machining Inconel® 718.

Contradictory rationales behind national education export: tracing the policy formation processes of EDU-Port Japan

ABSTRACT National education export strategies are on the rise. Many countries of the Global North brand and export their educational models, with Finland and Singapore doing so on the back of their success in international large-scale education assessments. This article investigates the policy formation processes of EDU-Port Japan, a nationally coordinated education export strategy launched in 2016. Touted as multi-ministerial and public–private partnerships, EDU-Port aims to globally promote and export ‘Japanese-style education’. The article elucidates how EDU-port emerged as a tentative assemblage of contingent political, economic and geopolitical conditions faced by the Japanese state at a specific historical juncture. By illuminating tensions and contradictions within EDU-Port, reflective of the conflicting interests among the diverse policy actors, the article challenges the assumed linearity and coherence of national education export strategies, uncovering complexities often overlooked in current scholarship on national education export.

Synthesis of Oxaazaisowurtzitane Derivatives Via Condensation of p‐Toluenesulfonamide With Glyoxal

ABSTRACTThis work presents the study results on the acid‐catalyzed cascade condensation of p‐toluenesulfonamide with glyoxal in H2SO4 in order to synthesize aza‐ and oxaazaisowurtzitanes—a platform for promising high‐energy‐density compounds—and explore their formation processes. The effects of the ratio of starting reactants, acidity, reaction medium concentration, and temperature on this process were studied in detail. Five novel compounds were derived, including four oxaazaisowurtzitanes comprising one to three aza groups, and one condensation intermediate. The most favorable conditions for the formation of the resultant caged compounds were established and some new regularities of the process were revealed. For instance, the reaction medium concentration was discovered for the first time to influence the generation process of oxaazaisowurtzitanes via direct condensation. The limiting stage of the cage formation process of oxaazaisowurtzitanes was identified. The formation rate of the oxaazaisowurtzitanes was shown to be dependent on their structure. The factor dramatically reducing the yield of the oxaazaisowurtzitanes at elevated synthesis temperature was also revealed.

Habitus of Interreligious Harmony in a Central Java Village

The diversity present in Nalen is a blessing, as it fosters cohesion in social, cultural, and religious ties, in contrast to the various conflicts that often arise from such differences. This cohesion resulted from the formation of a habitus of peace. This study aimed to answer the question of how the habitus of peace is cultivated in Nalen, a small village in Central Java. Data were systematically collected through in-depth interviews with prominent figures and community members in Nalen, complemented by observations. The subsequent analysis of the data employed Bourdieu’s theoretical framework, which delves into the intricacies of habitus development within the Nalen community. This analysis scrutinizes various forms of capital, with a particular emphasis on social and cultural capital, substantively contributing to the fortification of the habitus. This study finds that the habitus of interreligious harmony can manifest organically, devoid of external coercion, showcasing the community’s robust autonomy in the formative process. Additionally, the objective and subjective structures of society, alongside historical factors, emerge as foundational elements that influence the trajectory of habitus formation. Ultimately, habitus is cultivated within the collective consciousness of the community and is sustained by the diverse capital resources at their disposal.

Being, becoming, and belonging: reconceptualizing professional identity formation in medicine.

Over the last decade, there has been a drive to emphasize professional identity formation in medical education. This shift has had important and positive implications for the education of physicians. However, the increasing recognition of longstanding structural inequalities within society and the profession has highlighted how conceptualizations of professional identity formation have also had unintended harmful consequences. These include experiences of identity threat and exclusion, and the promotion of norms and values that over-emphasize the preferences of culturally dominant groups. In this paper, the authors put forth a reconceptualization of the process of professional identity formation in medicine through the elaboration of 3 schematic representations. Evolutions in the understandings of professional identity formation, as described in this paper, include re-defining socialization as an active process involving critical engagement with professional norms, emphasizing the role of agency, and recognizing the importance of belonging or exclusion on one's sense of professional self. The authors have framed their analysis as an evidence-informed educational guide with the aim of supporting the development of identities which embrace diverse ways of being, becoming, and belonging within the profession, while simultaneously upholding the standards required for the profession to meet its obligations to patients and society.

Oriented Synthesis of Glycine from CO2, N2, and H2O via a Cascade Process

Air contains carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen elements that are essential for the constitution of amino acids. Converting the air into amino acids, powered with renewable electricity, provides a green and sustainable alternative to petrochemical‐based methods that produce waste and pollution. Here, taking glycine as an example, we demonstrated the complete production chain for electrorefining amino acids directly from CO2, N2, and H2O. Such a prospective scheme was composed of three modules, linked by a spontaneous C‐N bond formation process. The high‐purity bridging intermediates, separated from the stepwise synthesis, boosted both the carbon selectivity from CO2 to glycine of 91.7% and nitrogen selectivity from N2 to glycine of 98.7%. Under the optimum condition, we obtained glycine with a partial current density of 160.8 mA cm‐2. The high‐purity solid glycine product was acquired with a separation efficiency of 98.4%. This work unveils a green and sustainable method for the abiotic creation of amino acids from the air components.

Reshaping port-city relationships through underground logistics system: A mixed qualitative approach

Against the backdrop of explosive growth in freight demand, the negative impacts of the traditional road-system-based port-city logistics mode on urban transportation, environment and safety have become prominent livelihood issues, as well as significant economic and social problems. Port-city underground logistics system (PC-ULS) has been widely recognized as an innovative way to ensure the sustainable development of port cities. However, the influence mechanism of PC-ULS on the port-city relationships is still unclear. Thus, this paper attempts to explore the PC-ULS-based port-city relationships formation process and the main influencing factors using a mixed qualitative approach. The social, economic and environmental impacts of PC-ULS on the development of port cities were systematically analyzed using the Shanghe Port ULS and Shanghai Port ULS as the case studies. The results show that the impacts generated by PC-ULS are positive and widely distributed across the economic sphere, port-city traffic, logistics governance, urban equity, stakeholders, ports, and urban spaces, as well as ecological sustainability. Furthermore, the urban planning, technology compatibility and engineering risk related factors have a strong impact on the PC-ULS implementation. A set of incentive policies has been designed to promote the effectiveness of PC-ULS. The findings provide a unique perspective on underground space development and utilization to address port-city conflicts, as well as a reasonable implementation pathway for PC-ULS application.

The interactions of protein-calcium oxalate in crystallization process

Understanding the pathogenic crystallization of calcium oxalate (CaOx), a major constituent of kidney stones, is crucial in developing effective treatment strategies. In this work, the interactions between lysozyme and CaOx during crystallization have been investigated. Further investigations into the crystal morphology, size, quantity, and nucleation time of the lysozyme have been designed. The results reveal that CaCl2 could act as an effective precipitant for lysozyme crystallization. The formation process and structure of the distinctive composite CaOx-lysozyme crystal has been investigated. The addition of lysozyme promoted the formation of individual CaOx crystals by preventing the crystal aggregation in the solution. The presence of lysozyme induced a transformation in the CaOx crystals from calcium oxalate monohydrate to calcium oxalate dihydrate. These findings contribute to a better understanding of protein-CaOx interactions and their implications in kidney stone pathogenesis.

Biodegradation of organosulfur with extra carbon source: Insights into biofilm formation and bacterial metabolic processes

Organosulfur compounds are prevalent in wastewater, presenting challenges for biodegradation, particularly in low-carbon environments. Supplementing additional carbon sources not only provides essential nutrients for microbial growth but also serves as regulators, influencing adaptive changes in biofilm and enhancing the survival of microorganisms in organosulfur-induced stress bioreactors. This study aims to elucidate the biodegradation of organosulfur under varying carbon source levels, placing specific emphasis on functional bacteria and metabolic processes. It has been observed that higher levels of carbon supplementation led to significantly improved total sulfur (TS) removal efficiencies, exceeding 83 %, and achieve a high organosulfur CH3SH removal efficiency of ~100 %. However, in the reactor with no external carbon source added, the oxidation end-product SO42− accumulated significantly, surpassing 120 mEq/m2-day. Furthermore, the TB-EPS concentration consistently increasedwith the ascending glucose concentration. The analysis of bacterial community reveals the enrichment of functional bacteria involved in sulfur metabolism and biofilm formation (e.g. Ferruginibacter, Rhodopeudomonas, Gordonia, and Thiobacillus). Correspondingly, the gene expressions related to the pathway of organosulfur to SO42− were notably enhanced (e.g. MTO increased by 27.7 %). In contrast, extra carbon source facilitated the transfer of organosulfur into amino acids in sulfur metabolism and promoted assimilation. These metabolic insights, coupled with kinetic transformation results, further validate distinct sulfur pathways under different carbon source conditions. The intricate interplay between bacteria growth regulation, pollutant biodegradation, and microbial metabolites underscores a complex network relationship that significantly contributes to efficient operation of bioreactors.

Lupeol-3-carbamate Derivatives: Synthesis and Biological Evaluation as Potential Antitumor Agents.

In the following study, a series of new lupeol-3-carbamate derivatives were synthesized, and the structures of all the newly derived compounds were characterized. The new compounds were screened to determine their anti-proliferative activity against human lung cancer cell line A549, human liver cancer cell line HepG2, and human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. Most of the compounds were found to show better anti-proliferative activity in vitro than lupeol. Among them, obvious anti-proliferation activity (IC50 = 5.39~9.43 μM) was exhibited by compound 3i against all three tumor cell lines. In addition, a salt reaction was performed on compound 3k (IC50 = 13.98 μM) and it was observed that the anti-proliferative activity and water solubility of compound 3k·CH3I (IC50 = 3.13 μM), were significantly enhanced subsequent to the salt formation process. The preliminary mechanistic studies demonstrated that apoptosis in HepG2 cells was induced by compound 3k·CH3I through the inhibition of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. In conclusion, a series of new lupeol-3-carbamate derivatives were synthesized via the structural modification of the C-3 site of lupeol, thus laying a theoretical foundation for the design of this new anticancer drug.