Heterometallic perovskite-type metal-organic framework with an ammonium cation: structure, phonons, and optical response of [NH4]Na0.5CrxAl0.5-x(HCOO)3 (x = 0, 0.025 and 0.5).

We report the synthesis, crystal structure, vibrational and luminescence properties of two heterometallic perovskite-type metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) containing the ammonium cation (NH4+, Am+): [NH4][Na0.5Cr0.5(HCOO)3] (AmNaCr) and [NH4][Na0.5Al0.475Cr0.025(HCOO)3] (AmNaAlCr) in comparison to the previously reported [NH4][Na0.5Al0.5(HCOO)3] (AmNaAl). The room-temperature crystal structure of AmNaCr and AmNaAlCr was determined to be R3[combining macron]. The hydrogen bonding (HB) energy calculated using density functional theory (DFT) agrees well with experimental data, and confirms the existence of almost identical H-bonding in AmNaCr and AmNaAl, with three short hydrogen bonds and a longer trifurcated H-bond. Temperature-dependent Raman measurements supported by differential scanning calorimetry show that AmNaCr does not undergo any structural phase transitions in the 80-400 K temperature range. The high-pressure Raman spectra of AmNaCr show the onset of two structural instabilities near 0.5 and 1.5 GPa. The first instability involves weak distortion of the framework, while the second leads to irreversible amorphization of the sample. High-pressure DFT simulations show that the unit cell of the AmNaCr compound contracts along the c axis, which leads to a shortening of the trifurcated H-bond. The optical properties show that both studied crystals exhibit Cr3+-based emission characteristic of intermediate ligand field strength

Magnetic field-induced electric quadrupole moment in the ground state of the relativistic hydrogen-like atom: Application of the Sturmian expansion of the generalized Dirac-Coulomb Green function

We consider a Dirac one-electron atom placed in a weak, static, uniform magnetic field. We show that, to the first order in the strength $B$ of the perturbing field, the only electric multipole moment induced by the field in the ground state of the atom is the quadrupole one. Using the Sturmian expansion of the generalized Dirac-Coulomb Green function [R. Szmytkowski, J. Phys. B 30 (1997) 825; erratum 30 (1997) 2747], we derive a closed-form expression for the induced electric quadrupole moment. The result contains the generalized hypergeometric function $_{3}F_{2}$ of the unit argument. Earlier calculations by other authors, based on the non-relativistic model of the atom, predicted in the low-field region the quadratic dependence of the induced electric quadrupole moment on $B$.Comment: LaTeX2e, 9 page

A State of Review on Instigating Resources and Technological Sustainable Approaches in Green Construction

Green building is a way to reduce the impact of the building stock on the environment, society, and economy. Despite the significance of a systematic review for the upcoming project, few studies have been conducted. Studies within the eco-friendly construction scope have been boosted in the past few decades. The present review study intends to critically analyse the available literature on green buildings by identifying the prevalent research approaches and themes. Among these recurring issues are the definition and scope of green buildings, the quantification of green buildings' advantages over conventional ones, and several green building production strategies. The study concludes that the available research focuses mainly on the environmental side of green buildings. In contrast, other crucial points of green building sustainability, such as social impacts, are often neglected. Future research objectives include the effects of climate on the effectiveness of green building assessment methods; verification of the actual performance of green buildings; specific demographic requirements; and future-proofing.O

Exploring the Role of Relational Practices in Water Governance Using a Game-Based Approach

The growing complexity and interdependence of water management processes requires the involvement of multiple stakeholders in water governance. Multi-party collaboration is increasingly vital at both the strategy development and implementation levels. Multi-party collaboration involves a process of joint decision-making among key stakeholders in a problem domain directed towards the future of that domain. However, the common goal is not present from the beginning; rather, the common goal emerges during the process of collaboration. Unfortunately, when the conflicting interests of different actors are at stake, the large majority of environmental multi-party efforts often do not reliably deliver sustainable improvements to policy and/or practice. One of the reasons for this, which has been long established by many case studies, is that social learning with a focus on relational practices is missing. The purpose of this paper is to present the design and initial results of a pilot study that utilized a game-based approach to explore the effects of relational practices on the effectiveness of water governance. This paper verifies the methods used by addressing the following question: are game mechanisms, protocols for facilitation and observation, the recording of decisions and results, and participant surveys adequate to reliably test hypotheses about behavioral decisions related to water governance? We used the “Lords of the Valley” (LOV) game, which focuses on the local-level management of a hypothetical river valley involving many stakeholders. We used an observation protocol to collect data on the quality of relational practices and compared this data with the quantitative outcomes achieved by participants in the game. In this pilot study, we ran the game three times with different groups of participants, and here we provide the outcomes within the context of verifying and improving the methods

Glycosylation of mucins present in gastric juice: the effect of helicobacter pylori eradication treatment

It is suggested that gastric mucins, and in particular some specific glycan structures that can act as carbohydrate receptors, are involved in the interactions with Helicobacter pylori adhesins. The main aim of our study was to evaluate glycosylation pattern of glycoproteins of gastric juice before and at the end of eradication therapy. Gastric juices were taken from 13 clinical patients and subjected to analysis. Pooled fractions of the void volume obtained after gel filtration were subjected to ELISA tests. To assess the relative amounts of carbohydrate structures, lectins and monoclonal antibodies were used. Changes in the level of MUC 1 and MUC 5AC mucins and of carbohydrate structures, which are suggested to be receptors for Helicobacter pylori adhesins, were observed by the end of the eradication treatment. Our results support the idea about the involvement of MUC 5AC and MUC 1 with some specific sugar structures in the mechanism of Helicobacter pylori infection