Phase-change regulation criterion based on size-dependent lattice distortion rate and born theory for VO2 nanomaterials

Vanadium dioxide (VO₂) is a promising thermally induced phase transition material because of the abrupt changes in electrical and optical properties. However, the high phase transition temperature of VO₂ and its unspecified modulation relationship need to be resolved urgently. Herein, we proposed a simple and precise regulation criterion for VO₂ materials based on size-dependent lattice distortion rate and Born theory. The results indicated that the application of a tensile stress changed the elastic properties of the VO₂, which promoted VO₂ phase transition, and regulated the phase transition temperature. Moreover, the specific modulation relationship between the stress and phase transition temperature of VO₂ was confirmed experimentally. These results show that our criterion provides theoretical guidance to regulate VO₂ thermally induced phase transition materials.     

植物种子油脂合成代谢及其关键酶的研究进展

植物种子油脂是脂肪酸和甘油合成的高级脂肪酸甘油酯,主要以三酰甘油的形式储存于种子里。植物脂肪酸和三酰甘油具有重要的生理功能,其生物合成途径复杂:在质体中进行脂肪酸的从头合成,合成的脂肪酸运送到内质网中进行三酰甘油组装,期间还涉及脂肪酸的去饱和。本文综述了植物脂肪酸生物合成、三酰甘油合成与调节过程中的关键酶,并对WRI、LEC、Dof等调控因子对合成过程中关键酶的调控作用进行综述,对植物种子油脂代谢遗传工程应用研究有较大的意义。     

Analysis based on EU Regulation No 517/2014 of new HFC/HFO mixtures as alternatives of high GWP refrigerants in refrigeration and HVAC systems

The EU Regulation No 517/2014 is going to phase-out most of the refrigerants commonly used in refrigeration and air conditioning systems (R134a, R404A and R410A) because of their extended use and their high GWP values. There are very different options to replace them; however, no refrigerant has yet imposed. In this paper we review and analyze the different mixtures proposed by the AHRI as alternative refrigerants to those employed currently. These mixtures are composed by HFC refrigerants: R32, R125, R152a and R134a; and HFO refrigerants: R1234yf and R1234ze(E). It is concluded, from the theoretical analysis, that most of the new HFO/HFC mixtures perform under the HFC analyzed (although some experimental studies show the contrary) and, in most cases, do not meet the GWP restrictions approved by the European normative. Furthermore, some of the mixtures proposed would have problems due to their flammability.     

Assessment of the food control systems in the Sultanate of Oman

National food control systems are vital tools in governing the safety and quality of food intended for human consumption. This study of the Omani system was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the current food controls in place for protecting, in particular, the public health from emerging biological and chemical hazards. In response to this situation, a survey was undertaken within the different food safety authorities in Oman to examine the different elements of the national food control systems in terms of their existing food control management, food legislation, food inspection, food analysis laboratories and information, education and communications. Officials from the different authorities were interviewed and results were captured in prepared questionnaires. Overall examinations of the challenges, strength and weakness of the existing system have been highlighted. The findings of the study indicate significant progress is being made and the creation by the government of a national Centre for Food Safety and Quality is a significant positive step.     

“The innovation governance dilemma: Alternatives to the precautionary principle”

This article reviews the four innovation governance approaches (the precautionary principle, responsible innovation, permissionless innovation, and the innovation principle), including definitions, important attributes, and weaknesses found in each approach, and when utilizing an affinity diagram as a tool of analysis, identifies their distinctive characteristics and common relationships. A discussion section summarizes the paper’s findings and offers insights into where there is common relationships for further possible convergence between two innovation governance approaches – responsible innovation and permissionless innovation – that conceptually share substantially more in common than they contrast with each other. For addressing this challenge, the study recommends the following policy proposals: embrace artificial intelligence/machine learning/data analytics for risk management and regulatory adaptability; consider “soft law”as an option to public regulation; and substitute corporate citizenship for corporate social responsibility.     

Ranking of aircraft maintenance organization based on human factor performance

Aircraft maintenance organisation is a complex socio-technical setup, where human factors influence the quality of aircraft maintenance service. Maintenance service quality is assessed based on the commitment of management and its ability to provide suitable facility, tools, spares and manpower supported with comfortable environment and maintenance procedures. Assessment of the service quality of the aircraft maintenance organisation is a complex process. Airlines, regulators, insurance companies and other agencies need decision support system, to assess the performance of a maintenance organisation. This paper provides criteria and scientific approach for assessing the maintenance organisation; it presents a methodology of applying Analytical Hierarchy Process to prioritise the key functions and to rank the maintenance organisations under study. The study has established that maintenance service quality in airline is directly correlated to its fleet size.     

An architecture for digital hate content reduction with mobile edge computing

Mobile devices with social media applications are the prevalent user equipment to generate and consume digital hate content. The objective of this paper is to propose a mobile edge computing architecture for regulating and reducing hate content at the user's level. In this regard, the profiling of hate content is obtained from the results of multiple studies by quantitative and qualitative analyses. Profiling resulted in different categories of hate content caused by gender, religion, race, and disability. Based on this information, an architectural framework is developed to regulate and reduce hate content at the user's level in the mobile computing environment. The proposed architecture will be a novel idea to reduce hate content generation and its impact.     

能源监管领域违法所得法律内涵和认定方式浅析

能源行业法律法规设置了“没收违法所得”行政处罚方式,但违法所得这一概念还存在很多模糊认识,具体认定方式也需要进一步明确。在不同行政机关对违法所得的法律概念存在较大分歧时,能源监管领域应遵循违法所得固有含义和立法原意,结合能源行业的基本特点,采取利润说观点定义违法所得概念,并以全部收人扣减合理支出方式进行计算。     

Do economic regulatory agencies matter to private-sector involvement in water utilities in developing countries?

This paper suggests that, for developing countries, the creation of economic regulatory agencies, separate from the ministry in charge of water and sanitation, may not be a necessary or sufficient condition to stimulate large scale private involvement (PPPs) in the sector. The odds of an impact are higher for Latin American countries than other regions and for countries with higher income levels. They are also better when inflation is high. At the margin, the odds are unrelated to the contract type, except for greenfield projects, for which they may be contraindicated.     

Greater than the sum: On regulating innovation in electricity distribution networks with externalities

To modernize distribution networks and enable the energy transition, we need to understand the most appropriate regulatory approach. A set of new technologies with positive externalities challenge the traditional regulatory models. We develop a decision model to assess firms' incentives to invest in new technologies under different regulatory schemes that consider externality effects. Results show that regulatory schemes under which companies retain the gains (or losses) of achieving (or not) efficiency targets more effectively promote innovation investments that reduce network costs. However, a case-by-case approach should be preferred for technologies whose benefits go mostly beyond the network activities.