Preparation for Post-Quantum era: a survey about blockchain schemes from a post-quantum perspective

Blockchain is a type of Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) that has been included in various types of fields due to its numerous benefits: transparency, efficiency, reduced costs, decentralization, and distributivity realized through public-key cryptography and hash functions. At the same time, the increased progress of quantum computers and quantum-based algorithms threatens the security of the classical cryptographic algorithms, in consequence, it represents a risk for the Blockchain technology itself. This paper briefly presents the most relevant algorithms and procedures that have contributed to the progress of quantum computing and the categories of post-quantum cryptosystems. We also included a description of the current quantum capabilities because their evolution directly influences the necessity of increasing post-quantum research. Further, the paper continues as a guide to understanding the fundamentals of blockchain technology, and the primitives that are currently used to ensure security. We provide an analysis of the most important cryptocurrencies according to their ranking by market capitalization (MC) in the context of quantum threats, and we end up with a review of post-quantum blockchain (PQB) schemes proposals

Nitrogen-doped graphene as metal free basic catalyst for coupling reactions

[EN] N-doped defective graphene [(N)G] obtained by pyrolysis at 900 degrees C of chitosan contains about 3.7% of residual N atoms, distributed as pyridinic, pyrrolic and graphitic N atoms. It has been found that (N)G acts as basic catalyst promoting two classical C-C bond forming nucleophilic additions in organic chemistry, such as the Michael and the Henry additions. Computational calculations at DFT level of models corresponding to the various N atoms leads to the conclusion that N atoms are more stable at the periphery of the graphene sheets and that H adsorption on these sites is a suitable descriptor to correlate with the catalytic activity of the various sites. According to these calculations the most active sites are pyridinic N atoms at zig-zag edges of the sheets. In addition, N as dopant changes the reactivity of the neigh. bour C atoms. Water was found a suitable solvent to achieve high conversions in both reactions. In this solvent the initial distribution of N atoms is affected due to the easy protonation of the N-py to N-pyH sites. As an effect, C edge sites adjacent at N-PyH with an appropriate reactivity towards the alpha-C-H bond breaking are formed. The present results show the general activity of N-doped graphene as base catalysts and illustrate the potential of carbocatalysis to promote reactions of general interest in organic synthesis. (C) 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.This work was supported by UEFISCDI (PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2016-0146. nr. 121/2017 and project number PN-III-P1-1.1-TE-2016-2191. nr. 89/2018). Financial support by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Severo Ochoa and CTQ2015-69653-CO2-R1) and Generalitat Valenciana (Prometeo 2017-083) is gratefully acknowledged. A.P thanks the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation for a Ramon y Cajal research associate contract.Candu, N.; Man, I.; Andrada, S.; Cojocaru, B.; Coman, SM.; Bucur, C.; Primo Arnau, AM.... (2019). Nitrogen-doped graphene as metal free basic catalyst for coupling reactions. Journal of Catalysis. 376:238-247. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcat.2019.07.011S23824737

Graphene Film-Supported Oriented 1.1.1 Gold(0) Versus 2.0.0 Copper(I) Nanoplatelets as Very Efficient Catalysts for Coupling Reactions

[EN] Few-layered graphene-supported 1.1.1 and 2.0.0 oriented Au and Cu2O nanoplatelets were prepared by one-step pyrolysis of the corresponding metal salts embedded in chitosan at 900 degrees C under inert atmosphere. These nanometric films containing oriented nanoplatelets were investigated in a series of reactions as Ullmann-type homocoupling, C-N cross-coupling and Michael addition. The catalysts exhibited turnover numbers (TONs) three to six ord(e)rs of magnitude higher than those of analogous graphene-supported unoriented metal nanoparticles. In addition it has been found that oriented Cu2O and Au nanoplatelets grafted on defective graphene also exhibit activity to promote the Michael addition of compounds with active methylene and methine hydrogens to alpha,beta-conjugated ketone. An exhaustive characterization of these materials using spectroscopic and electron microscopy analyses has been carried out. CO2 thermoprogrammed desorption measurements show that films of these two graphene supported catalysts exhibit some basicity that can explain their activity to promote Michael addition.Financial support by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Severo Ochoa and CTQ2015-69153-CO2-R1) and Generalitat Valenciana (Prometeo 2017-083) is gratefully acknowledged. I.E.-A. and A.P thanks the Spanish Ministry for a postgraduate scholarship and for a Ramon y Cajal research associate contract, respectively.Candu, N.; Simion, A.; Coman, SM.; Primo Arnau, AM.; Esteve-Adell, I.; Parvulescu, VI.; García Gómez, H. (2018). Graphene Film-Supported Oriented 1.1.1 Gold(0) Versus 2.0.0 Copper(I) Nanoplatelets as Very Efficient Catalysts for Coupling Reactions. Topics in Catalysis. 61(14):1449-1457. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11244-018-1043-xS144914576114Tao F (2016) Metal nanoparticles for catalysis: advances and applications. RSC Catalysis Series, CambridgeWildgoose GG, Banks CE, Compton RG (2006) Metal nanoparticles and related materials supported on carbon nanotubes: methods and applications. Small 2:182–193Ding M, Tang Y, Star A (2013) Understanding interfaces in metal–graphitic hybrid nanostructures. J Phys Chem Lett 4:147–160Primo A, Esteve I, Blandez JF, Dhakshinamoorthy A, Alvaro M, Candu N, Coman S, Parvulescu VI, Garcia H (2015) High catalytic activity of oriented 2.0.0 copper(I) oxide grown on graphene film. Nat Commun 6:8561Ravi Kumar MNV (2000) A review of chitin and chitosan applications. React Funct Polym 46:1–27Rinaudo M (2006) Chitin and chitosan: properties and applications. Prog Polym Sci 31:603–632Rinaudo M (2008) Main properties and current applications of some polysaccharides as biomaterials. Polym Int 57:397–430Primo A, Atienzar P, Sanchez E, Delgado JM, Garcia H (2012) From biomass wastes to large-area, high-quality, N-doped graphene: catalyst-free carbonization of chitosan coatings on arbitrary substrates. Chem Commun 48:9254–9256Primo A, Sánchez E, Delgado JM, Garcia H (2014) High-yield production of N-doped graphitic platelets by aqueous exfoliation of pyrolyzed chitosan. Carbon 68:777–783Primo A, Forneli A, Corma A, Garcia H (2012) From biomass wastes to highly efficient CO2 adsorbents graphitisation of chitosan and alginate biopolymers. ChemSusChem 5:2207–2214Li X, Cai W, An J, Kim S, Nah J, Yang D, Piner R, Velamakanni A, Jung I, Tutuc E, Banerjee SK, Colombo L, Ruoff RS (2009) Large-area synthesis of high-quality and uniform graphene films on copper foils. Science 324:1312–1314Takagi D, Kobayashi Y, Hlbirio H, Suzuki S, Homma Y (2008) Mechanism of gold-catalyzed carbon material growth. Nano Lett 8:832–835Reina A, Jia X, Ho J, Nezich D, Son H, Bulovic V, Cresselhaus MS, Kong J (2008) Large area, few-layer graphene films on arbitrary substrates by chemical vapor deposition. Nano Lett 9:30–35Wei D, Liu Y, Zhang H, Huang L, Yu G (2009) Synthesis of N-doped graphene by chemical vapor deposition and its electrical properties. Nano Lett 9:1752–1758Kim KS, Zhao Y, Jang H, Lee SY, Kim JM, Kim KS, Ahn J-H, Choi J-Y, Hong BH (2009) Large-scale pattern growth of graphene films for stretchable transparent electrodes. Nature 457:706–710Gao L, Guest JR, Guisinger NP (2010) Epitaxial graphene on Cu(111). Nano Lett 10:3512–3516Zhao L, Rim KT, Zhou H, He R, Heinz TF, Pinczuk A, Flynn GW, Pasupathy AN (2011) Influence of copper crystal surface on the CVD growth of large area monolayer graphene. Solid State Commun 151:509–513Wood JD, Schmucker SW, Lyons AS, Pop E, Lyding JW (2011) Effects of polycrystalline Cu substrate on graphene growth by chemical vapor deposition. Nano Lett 11:4547–4554Primo A, Esteve-Adell I, Candu N, Coman S, Parvulescu V, Garcia H (2016) One-step pyrolysis preparation of 1.1.1 oriented gold nanoplatelets supported on graphene and six orders of magnitude enhancement of the resulting catalytic activity. Angew Chem-Int Ed 55:607–612Perlmutter P (1992) Conjugate addition reactions in organic synthesis. Pergamon Press, ElmsfordChristoffers J (1998) Transition-metal catalysis of the Michael reaction of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds and acceptor-activated alkenes. Eur J Org Chem 7:1259–1266Comelles J, Moreno-Mañas M, Vallribera A (2005) Michael additions catalysed by transition metals and lanthanide species. A review. Arkivoc 9:207–238Saegusa T, Ito Y, Tomitra S, Kinoshita H (1972) Synthetic reactions by complex catalysts. XXIV. A new catalyst of copper-isocyanide complex for the Michael addition. Bull Chem Soc Jpn 45:496–499Hidehiko K, Masahiro S, Nagata C (1999) Acceleration of Michael addition reaction by microwave irradiation in the presence of metal acetylacetonate catalysts. Nippon Kagaku Kaishi 2:145–148Oh E, Susumu K, Blanco-Canosa JB, Medintz IL, Dawson PE, Mattoussi H (2010) Preparation of stable maleimide-functionalized Au nanoparticles and their use in counting surface ligands. Small 6:1273–1278Ba H, Rodriguez-Fernández J, Stefani FD, Feldman J (2010) Immobilization of gold nanoparticles on living cell membranes upon controlled lipid binding. Nano Lett 10:3006–3012Hartlen KD, Ismaili H, Zhu J, Workentin MS (2012) Michael addition reactions for the modification of gold nanoparticles facilitated by hyperbaric conditions. Langmuir 28:864–87

Technical – organizational measures for classifying pyrotechnic articles

Pyrotechnic articles shall be classified by manufacturers according to their type of use, their purpose and their level of risk, including their noise level, and the notified bodies shall confirm the classification as part of the conformity assessment procedures. In accordance with the relevant national legislation, the national authority must take all appropriate measures to ensure that pyrotechnic articles do not endanger the health and safety of persons. If the national market surveillance authority has sufficient reasons to consider that a pyrotechnic article poses a risk to the health, safety of persons or other aspects of the protection of the public interest, it shall carry out an assessment of the pyrotechnic article concerned. INCD INSEMEX Petrosani is an accredited institution, to carry out such technical expertise according to the legislation in force harmonized with the European regulations, having also adequate modern facilities for fulfilling the requirements of the standards in the field. The paper also highlights the results of the modernization of the methodological and practical infrastructure as well as the technical facilities that underlie the substantiation of the new approach in terms of optimizing and increasing the quality of the process

Efficiency of Hyaluronic Acid in Infrabony Defects: A Systematic Review of Human Clinical Trials

Background and objectives: The aim of this systematic review was to assess the electronic literature about the benefits of using hyaluronic acid (HA) in the surgical periodontal treatment of infrabony defects. Materials and methods: This review was conducted under the PRISMA guidelines. The electronic search was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases until February 2022. The inclusion criteria consisted of human clinical trials that reported the use of HA in open-flap debridement (OFD) for infrabony defects. The assessment of risk of bias was performed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Statistical analysis was performed using Review Manager. Results: Overall, three RCTs were found eligible for the statistical analysis. Probing depth (PD) reduction and clinical attachment level (CAL) gain in the HA test group presented WMs of −1.11 mm (95% CI −2.38 to 0.16 mm; p = 0.09) and −1.38 mm (95% CI −2.26 to −0.49 mm; p = 0.002), respectively. However, the heterogeneity of the RCTs was high, and the risk of bias, in general, was low. Conclusions: The use of hyaluronic acid seems to have beneficial effects in periodontal surgery using OFD, in terms of PD and CAL. To draw a clear conclusion, more adapted and well-designed clinical trials are needed to assess the advantage of this product in comparison with other products

Workplace risk management in the context of the covid-19 pandemic

In March 2020, a pandemic was declared internationally, caused by a new coronavirus called COVID-19. With the advent of the COVID-19 virus and the declaration of the pandemic, safety and distancing measures have been instituted, which we cannot say we are used to and which we easily accept, but which are necessary to combat the spread of the virus. We also cannot deny that this pandemic has affected and continues to affect our mental health, triggering a certain state of anxiety and with it the lowering of our immune system, which makes us more vulnerable to disease. Paradoxically, mental health is one of the first things that helps us to resist and survive the crisis, which is why it is important to provide employees with protection to ensure the necessary mental comfort at work. In this context, this paper synthesizes the basic principles and best practices of psychosocial risk assessment, highlighting how hazard identification and risk management strategies should be based on the involvement of all stakeholders in combating anxiety at workplace

Technological and organizational operationalization of the program testing the operation of pyrotechnic entertainment articles of category 4, such as: aerial bombs and roman candles

The purpose of this paper is to describe how fireworks and their components are organized or built. Constructive details will facilitate the implicit or explicit descriptions of the operation and interconnection of several pyrotechnic objects for the purpose of organizing and conducting a firework show. The authors’ approach to describing the organization and functioning of the fireworks runs into a difficulty: the large number and variety of pyrotechnic articles, making it difficult to deal with each product in detail, especially when new products may appear, with different physicochemical and effect characteristics. However, based on our own experience, we have applied a system to generalize certain explanations by category of pyrotechnic objects and by type of effects

Land Use by Parcl, Baltimore City BES ID 384-

Parcel-based land use (LU) and public rights-of-way (PROW), for Baltimore City. Land use (LU) codes were obtained from the 2003 MD Property View A&Tdatabase

The Outcomes of Enamel Matrix Derivative on Periodontal Regeneration under Diabetic Conditions

Background and Objectives: Enamel matrix derivative (EMD) is a biomaterial used for periodontal regenerative therapy due to its properties of stimulating cementum development and bone synthesis. Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects healing and predisposes to infection. The aim of this review was to evaluate the current studies available on the application and results of EMD for periodontal regenerative therapy under diabetic conditions. Materials and Methods: Five databases (PubMed, ResearchGate, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar) were searched for relevant articles, using specific keywords in different combinations. The inclusion criteria were clinical trials, case reports, case studies, and animal studies published in English, where periodontal treatment for bone defects includes EMD, and it is performed under diabetic conditions. Results: Of the 310 articles resulted in search, five studies published between 2012 and 2020 met the inclusion criteria and were selected for the current review. In human studies, the use of EMD in infrabony defects showed favorable results at follow-up. In animal studies, periodontal regeneration was reduced in diabetic rats. Conclusions: EMD might promote bone healing when used under diabetic conditions for the regenerative periodontal therapy. Due to limited number of studies, more data are required to sustain the effects of EMD therapy in diabetic settings