Impact of TiO2-II phase stabilized in anatase matrix by high-pressure torsion on electrocatalytic hydrogen production

Electrocatalysis using renewable energy sources provides a clean technology to produce hydrogen from water. Titanium oxide is considered as a potential electrocatalyst not only for hydrogen production but also for CO2 conversion. In this study, to enhance the cathodic electrocatalytic activity of TiO2, the phase composition on TiO2 surface is modified by inclusion of high-pressure TiO2-II phase using high-pressure torsion (HPT) straining. Detailed spectroscopic studies revealed that the energy band gap is reduced and the valence band energy increased with increasing the TiO2-II fraction. The highest electrocatalytic activity for hydrogen production was achieved on an anatase-rich nanocomposite containing TiO2-II nanograins

Characterization of Bacteria in Ballast Water Using MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry

To evaluate a rapid and cost-effective method for monitoring bacteria in ballast water, several marine bacterial isolates were characterized by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Since International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations are concerned with the unintended transportation of pathogenic bacteria through ballast water, emphasis was placed on detecting species of Vibrio, enterococci and coliforms. Seawater samples collected from the North Sea were incubated in steel ballast tanks and the presence of potentially harmful species of Pseudomonas was also investigated. At the genus-level, the identification of thirty six isolates using MALDI-TOF MS produced similar results to those obtained by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. No pathogenic species were detected either by 16S rRNA gene analysis or by MALDI-TOF MS except for the opportunistically pathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In addition, in house software that calculated the correlation coefficient values (CCV) of the mass spectral raw data and their variation was developed and used to allow the rapid and efficient identification of marine bacteria in ballast water for the first time

Global age-sex-specific mortality, life expectancy, and population estimates in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, 1950–2021, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: a comprehensive demographic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background: Estimates of demographic metrics are crucial to assess levels and trends of population health outcomes. The profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on populations worldwide has underscored the need for timely estimates to understand this unprecedented event within the context of long-term population health trends. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 provides new demographic estimates for 204 countries and territories and 811 additional subnational locations from 1950 to 2021, with a particular emphasis on changes in mortality and life expectancy that occurred during the 2020–21 COVID-19 pandemic period. Methods: 22 223 data sources from vital registration, sample registration, surveys, censuses, and other sources were used to estimate mortality, with a subset of these sources used exclusively to estimate excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 2026 data sources were used for population estimation. Additional sources were used to estimate migration; the effects of the HIV epidemic; and demographic discontinuities due to conflicts, famines, natural disasters, and pandemics, which are used as inputs for estimating mortality and population. Spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression (ST-GPR) was used to generate under-5 mortality rates, which synthesised 30 763 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 1365 surveys and censuses, and 80 other sources. ST-GPR was also used to estimate adult mortality (between ages 15 and 59 years) based on information from 31 642 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 355 surveys and censuses, and 24 other sources. Estimates of child and adult mortality rates were then used to generate life tables with a relational model life table system. For countries with large HIV epidemics, life tables were adjusted using independent estimates of HIV-specific mortality generated via an epidemiological analysis of HIV prevalence surveys, antenatal clinic serosurveillance, and other data sources. Excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 was determined by subtracting observed all-cause mortality (adjusted for late registration and mortality anomalies) from the mortality expected in the absence of the pandemic. Expected mortality was calculated based on historical trends using an ensemble of models. In location-years where all-cause mortality data were unavailable, we estimated excess mortality rates using a regression model with covariates pertaining to the pandemic. Population size was computed using a Bayesian hierarchical cohort component model. Life expectancy was calculated using age-specific mortality rates and standard demographic methods. Uncertainty intervals (UIs) were calculated for every metric using the 25th and 975th ordered values from a 1000-draw posterior distribution. Findings: Global all-cause mortality followed two distinct patterns over the study period: age-standardised mortality rates declined between 1950 and 2019 (a 62·8% [95% UI 60·5–65·1] decline), and increased during the COVID-19 pandemic period (2020–21; 5·1% [0·9–9·6] increase). In contrast with the overall reverse in mortality trends during the pandemic period, child mortality continued to decline, with 4·66 million (3·98–5·50) global deaths in children younger than 5 years in 2021 compared with 5·21 million (4·50–6·01) in 2019. An estimated 131 million (126–137) people died globally from all causes in 2020 and 2021 combined, of which 15·9 million (14·7–17·2) were due to the COVID-19 pandemic (measured by excess mortality, which includes deaths directly due to SARS-CoV-2 infection and those indirectly due to other social, economic, or behavioural changes associated with the pandemic). Excess mortality rates exceeded 150 deaths per 100 000 population during at least one year of the pandemic in 80 countries and territories, whereas 20 nations had a negative excess mortality rate in 2020 or 2021, indicating that all-cause mortality in these countries was lower during the pandemic than expected based on historical trends. Between 1950 and 2021, global life expectancy at birth increased by 22·7 years (20·8–24·8), from 49·0 years (46·7–51·3) to 71·7 years (70·9–72·5). Global life expectancy at birth declined by 1·6 years (1·0–2·2) between 2019 and 2021, reversing historical trends. An increase in life expectancy was only observed in 32 (15·7%) of 204 countries and territories between 2019 and 2021. The global population reached 7·89 billion (7·67–8·13) people in 2021, by which time 56 of 204 countries and territories had peaked and subsequently populations have declined. The largest proportion of population growth between 2020 and 2021 was in sub-Saharan Africa (39·5% [28·4–52·7]) and south Asia (26·3% [9·0–44·7]). From 2000 to 2021, the ratio of the population aged 65 years and older to the population aged younger than 15 years increased in 188 (92·2%) of 204 nations. Interpretation: Global adult mortality rates markedly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, reversing past decreasing trends, while child mortality rates continued to decline, albeit more slowly than in earlier years. Although COVID-19 had a substantial impact on many demographic indicators during the first 2 years of the pandemic, overall global health progress over the 72 years evaluated has been profound, with considerable improvements in mortality and life expectancy. Additionally, we observed a deceleration of global population growth since 2017, despite steady or increasing growth in lower-income countries, combined with a continued global shift of population age structures towards older ages. These demographic changes will likely present future challenges to health systems, economies, and societies. The comprehensive demographic estimates reported here will enable researchers, policy makers, health practitioners, and other key stakeholders to better understand and address the profound changes that have occurred in the global health landscape following the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic, and longer-term trends beyond the pandemic

Hönan eller ägget? Orsakssamband mellan utveckling av banksektorn och ekonomisk tillväxt? : Studie av de nordiska ländernas banksektorer och ekonomiska tillväxt

Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to study the causal relationship between bank sector development and economic growth in four Nordic countries (Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Norway). Method: Our thesis is based on a quantitative method. The study consists of a compilation and analysis of key financial indicators that represent economic growth and bank sector development. A Granger causality test has been conducted on the time series in order to measure the causal link between economic growth and bank sector development. Theoretical framework: The study is based on the theory of endogenous growth and the causal relationship between bank sector development and economic growth also known as the demand following and supply leading hypothesis.  Results: The results of the four countries are ambiguous. Except for Denmark, that follows the supply leading hypothesis, the remaining countries do not show a unanimous result

Proteomic-based biotyping reveals hidden diversity within a microalgae culture collection: An example using Dunaliella

Accurate and defendable taxonomic identification of microalgae strains is vital for culture collections, industry and academia; particularly when addressing issues of intellectual property. We demonstrate the remarkable effectiveness of Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionisation Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) biotyping to deliver rapid and accurate strain separation, even in situations where standard molecular tools prove ineffective. Highly distinctive MALDI spectra were obtained for thirty two biotechnologically interesting Dunaliella strains plus strains of Arthrospira, Chlorella, Isochrysis, Tetraselmis and a range of culturable co-occurring bacteria. Spectra were directly compared with genomic DNA sequences (internal transcribed spacer, ITS). Within individual Dunaliella isolates MALDI discriminated between strains with identical ITS sequences, thereby emphasising and enhancing knowledge of the diversity within microalgae culture collections. Further, MALDI spectra did not vary with culture age or growth stage during the course of the experiment; therefore MALDI presents stable and accurate strain-specific signature spectra. Bacterial contamination did not affect MALDI’s discriminating power. Biotyping by MALDI-TOF-MS will prove effective in situations wherein precise strain identification is vital, for example in cases involving intellectual property disputes and in monitoring and safeguarding biosecurity. MALDI should be accepted as a biotyping tool to complement and enhance standard molecular taxonomy for microalgae

Development of a comprehensive organizational success model for the employees of the Ministry of Sports and Youth

Background and Aim: In a complex and dynamic organizational environment, organizational success has become the key to success as well as the growth and development of sports organizations. Therefore, the research was conducted with the aim of developing a comprehensive model of success and organizational among the employees of the Ministry of Sports and Youth of the country. Methods:  The research method was mixed qualitative and quantitative. Qualitative part information was collected using Delphi technique and interviews from 15 experts in the form of snowball and quantitative part was also collected based on the determination of the sampling volume of structural equations from 240 people in a multi-stage cluster. The measuring tool of the research in the qualitative part included a semi-structured interview and in the quantitative part a questionnaire with 111 questions taken from the interview. The reliability of the questionnaire was 0.778 based on Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the organizational success seeking questionnaire. In order to analyze the data, open, axial and selective coding was used in the qualitative part by MAXQDA software and in the quantitative part, it was analyzed using structural equation modeling with PLS and SPSS software. Results:  The results of factor analysis identified and confirmed 12 dimensions of education, infrastructure, internal organization, strategic problems, foresight, improvement, control, work ethic, performance and productivity, work skills and organizational drivers. The findings indicated that the data of this research had a good fit with the factor structure and the theoretical foundation of the research in the developed models and indicated that the questions were aligned with the theoretical structures of the research. Conclusion:   Paying attention to factors affecting organizational success can provide the presence and dynamic performance of sports and sports organizations in various field

A Fuzzy Multi-Objective Multi-Period Common Weight Network DEA Model to Measure the Environmental Efficiency of Iran's Oil Refineries

In this paper, a methodology is proposed to measure the efficiency of national energy sector in IRAN. The technical and environmental performance of the oil refineries in IRAN as a major producer of energy and fuel are evaluated based on data from years 2010 to 2013. In this study, a fuzzy multi-objective multi-period common weight network data envelopment analysis approach is proposed and customized to evaluate the performance of oil refineries. A certain scenario, called food-production in which a refinery is assumed as a decision making unit (DMU) consuming inputs to produce outputs, is considered to evaluate the technical and environmental performance in presence of undesirable outputs. The main contribution of this study are summarized as: (1) Proposing a multiobjective common weight DEA model in order to determine the weights of inputs and outputs in a single run; (2) Calculating the long term efficiency scores during a multiple-periods of planning incorporating dynamic nature of inputs and outputs; (3) Handling a compromise solution using fuzzy mathematical programming to address multi-objective mathematical programming; (4) Proposing a linear mathematical programming to achieve the global optimum solutions; (5) Enhancing the discrimination power of the DEA models; (6) Reducing the computational time of modeling and solution procedure; (7) incorporating effective criteria in the modeling procedure. The analysis of case study presents the efficacy and applicability of proposed method in comparison with existing classic models

Chemistry-specific surface adsorption of the barnacle settlement-inducing protein complex

Gregarious settlement in barnacle larvae (cyprids) is induced by a contact pheromone, the settlement-inducing protein complex (SIPC). The SIPC has been identified both in the cuticle of adult barnacles and in the temporary adhesive secretion (footprint) of cyprids. Besides acting as a settlement inducer, the presence of the SIPC in footprints points to its additional involvement in the adhesion process. SIPC adsorption behaviour was therefore investigated on a series of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) by surface plasmon resonance at the pH of seawater (8.3). Fibrinogen and alpha(2)-macroglobulin (A2M) (blood complement protease inhibitors with which the SIPC shares 29% sequence homology) were used in the adsorption experiments as positive and negative standards, respectively. The mass uptake of the SIPC was comparable to that of fibrinogen, with adsorption observed even on the protein-resistant oligo(ethylene glycol) surface. Notably, on the positively charged SAM the SIPC showed a kinetic overshoot, indicating a metastable configuration causing the amount of adsorbed protein to temporarily exceed its equilibrium value. A2M adsorption was low or negligible on all SAMs tested, except for the positively charged surface, indicating that A2M adsorption is mainly driven by electrostatics. Evaluation of SIPC non-specific adsorption kinetics revealed that it adsorbed irreversibly and non-cooperatively on all surfaces tested.Funding Agencies|European Community [237997]; Office of Naval Research [N00014-08-1-1240]; COST Action [TD0906]</p

Carbohydrate-degrading bacteria closely associated with Tetraselmis indica: influence on algal growth

In the present study, we examined the interactions between the algal species Tetraselmis indica and strains of bacteria with which it is closely associated. Three bacterial strains were isolated and sequence analysis of the 16S rDNA indicated that the organisms belong to the genera Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter and Ruegeria. Morphologies of the bacterial strains were studied using epifluorescence microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Reassociation experiments were conducted with axenic cultures inoculated with the 3 bacterial strains in concentrations comparable to natural conditions, and the effect of each bacterial population on the growth of T. indica was determined. T. indica exhibited differential growth with the various bacterial cultures, and in particular Acinetobacter sp. was observed to promote growth of the algae. These experiments revealed that microbes associated with the alga differentially influence algal growth dynamics. Bacterial presence on the cast-off cell wall products of the alga suggested the likely utilisation of algal cell wall by bacteria. The bacterial strains were tested for carbohydrate metabolism using various sugars and screened for carbohydrase activity. Bacterial strains were found to produce carbohydrases for degradation of polysaccharides generally present in the cell wall of Tetraselmis (glucans, galactans, galactomannans and pectins), whereas no such utilisation was observed for other wall substrates (such as cellulose, arabinoxylan, rhamnogalacturonan). Pseudomonas sp. and Acinetobacter sp. showed carbohydrase activity with glucans, galactans, galactomannans and pectin, whereas Ruegeria sp. showed much less carbohydrase activity and only with pectin. The carbohydrate utilisation studies using artificial substrates suggested the potential utilisation of cast-off algal cell wall products