Lagrange-multiplier regularization of eigenproblem for Jx

We solve the eigenproblem of the angular momentum $$J_x$$ J x by directly dealing with the non-diagonal matrix unlike the conventional approach rotating the trivial eigenstates of $$J_z$$ J z . Characteristic matrix is reduced into a tri-diagonal form following Narducci–Orszag rescaling of the eigenvectors. A systematic reduction formalism with recurrence relations for determinants of any dimension greatly simplifies the computation of tri-diagonal matrices. Thus the secular determinant is intrinsically factorized to find the eigenvalues immediately. The reduction formalism is employed to find the adjugate of the characteristic matrix. Improving the recently introduced Lagrange-multiplier regularization, we identify that every column of that adjugate matrix is indeed the eigenvector. It is remarkable that the approach presented in this work is completely new and unique in that any information of $$J_z$$ J z is not required and only algebraic operations are involved. Collapsing of the large amount of determinant calculation with the recurrence relation has a wide variety of applications to other tri-diagonal matrices appearing in various fields. This new formalism should be pedagogically useful for treating the angular momentum problem that is central to quantum mechanics course.

Assessment of the applicability of methodological guidelines and guidelines for the quantitative determination of greenhouse gas emissions

The article deals with the problem of climate change. The aim of the study is to analyze and improve methodological recommendations for calculating greenhouse gas emissions. The urgency of reducing the volume of greenhouse gas emissions has been substantiated. Statistical data of emissions volumes are analyzed, the reason for the growth of emissions and the main contributors are determined. The main gases that give the greenhouse effect are identified, and their brief characteristics are given. The need to improve the monitoring and reporting system of greenhouse gas emissions at the global level has been substantiated. The goal of a perfect system for accounting and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions is to timely obtain relevant data for the systematic reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The methodological tools for quantifying greenhouse gas emissions, approved by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Russia, are analyzed from the point of view of their applicability by organizations. Measures for their improvement are proposed, based on the international experience of building guidelines for the IPCC greenhouse gas inventory. The results obtained may be of interest to energy companies when developing corporate guidelines for quantifying greenhouse gas emissions.

The value of TPM for Portuguese companies

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assess the impact of a maintenance philosophy, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), on the operational performance of the Portuguese industry, identifying how it enables the systematic reduction of waste in maintenance.Design/methodology/approachA structured questionnaire was constructed and sent to 472 Portuguese enterprises, having obtained a sample constituted of 84 valid answers. With a five-point Likert scale, it was possible to assess the impact of the TPM on five operational performance dimensions, being them: quality, flexibility, productivity, safety and costs.FindingsIt was found that the planned maintenance, together with education and training are the practices with the highest degree of implementation in the Portuguese industry, exceeding 70% for both. The productivity is the dimension with a higher degree of impact from the implementation of TPM and costs the dimension that suffered a lesser impact.Practical implicationsThis paper shows and analyses the current state of TPM implementation in the Portuguese industry and it will be useful for maintenance professionals, researchers and others concerned with maintenance, in order to understand the effects of TPM implementation on the operational performance of the Portuguese industries.Originality/valueThe findings from this paper will be valuable for professionals who desire and are looking forward to implement an effective maintenance approach in the maintenance management system, in order to achieve the excellence in maintenance.

A quantitative comparison of human embryonic and induced stem cell proteomes

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) have great potential to be used as alternatives to embryonic stem cells (hESCs) in regenerative medicine and disease modelling. However, a clear overview of their differences at the protein level is still incomplete. In this study we characterise the proteomes of hiPSC and hESC lines, where we find that they express a similar set of proteins but show consistent quantitative differences that can be masked by the normalisation methods. hiPSCs have a higher protein content, with over 1,500 proteins showing over two-fold increased expression. They also display proteomic differences in their mitochondria, with increased expression of mitochondrial transporters and metabolic proteins as well as mitochondrial translation machinery. The hiPSCs also show higher expression of important amino acid transporters, secreted proteins, and growth factors with potential to affect neighbouring cells, coupled with a systematic reduction in the expression levels of H1 histone variants. We conclude that despite hiPSCs and hESCs being highly similar cell types, they show important differences in protein expression that may be relevant for their use in clinical research.

Downsizing: Causes, Effect, and Strategies, A Conceptual Approach

Downsizing has recently become an increasingly important issue that needs to be addressed toensure fair employment practices. Companiesworldwide have used downsizing to improve organizational competitiveness, profitability, effectiveness, efficiency as well as to reduce the size of their workforce.Downsizing as a strategic managerial tool has become an increasingly common phenomenon in the business world today. Downsizing is a systematic reduction of the workforce through a set of activities by which an organization aims to improve the efficiency and performance of the organization. Human relation theory by Elton Mayo was adopted. The study is conceptual in nature which seeks to examine the factors affecting downsizing, strategies for successful downsizing, consequences of downsizing, and method of downsizing. It was recommended that organisation should ensure that they provide more information to employees regarding the implementation of downsizing in their organisation so as to provide a sense of transparency to employees

Lactoferrin is required for early B cell development in C57BL/6 mice

Lactoferrin (Lf) is widely distributed in mammalian milk, various tissues, and their exocrine fluids and has many physiological functions, such as bacteriostasis, antivirus, and immunoregulation. Here, we provide evidence that lactoferrin is required for early stages of B cell development in mice. Lactoferrin-deficient (Lf−/−) C57BL/6 mice showed systematic reduction in total B cells, which was attributed to the arrest of early B cell development from pre-pro-B to pro-B stage. Although the Lf−/− B cell “seeds” generated greater pro-B cells comparing to wild type (WT) littermates, the Lf−/− mice bone marrow had less stromal cells, and lower CXCL12 expression, produced a less favorable “microenvironment” for early B cell development. The underlying mechanism was mediated through ERK and AKT signalings and an abnormality in the transcription factors related to early differentiation of B cells. The Lf−/− mice also displayed abnormal antibody production in T cell-dependent and T cell-independent immunization experiments. In a pristane-induced lupus model, Lf−/− mice had more serious symptoms than WT mice, whereas lactoferrin treatment alleviated these symptoms. This study demonstrates a novel role of lactoferrin in early B cell development, suggesting a potential benefit for using lactoferrin in B cell-related diseases.

Planktonic foraminiferal and geochemical record across the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary (K-Pg): evidence from the Neo-Tethys, Turkey

<p>The end-Cretaceous mass extinction is a unique event such that it potentially coincides with both the Chicxulub bolide impact and the Deccan volcanism. Among these two drivers, the role of the Deccan volcanism is crucial to decipher if there is a causal relationship between volcanism and environmental stress, and if so, how stressed the environment was during the latest Maastrichtian. To assess the cause-and-effect relationship between Deccan volcanism and climate change and mass extinctions, high-resolution biostratigraphy, quantitative species analysis coupled with geochemical measurements have been performed on complete sections of Mudurnu-Göynük and Haymana basins (Turkey).</p><p>Detailed quantitative study on planktonic foraminifera of the Haymana Basin revealed that planktonic foraminiferal community in the latest Maastrichtian is dominated by ecological generalists with small, simple morphologies (e.g., Heterohelix, Globigerinelloides, Guembelitria). Among them low oxygen tolerant Heterohelix globulosa is the most dominant taxa and their abundance changing with the presence of stress marker Guembelitria cretacea. In all sections, the K/Pg boundary itself is characterized by 2-3 mm thick reddish oxidized layer which corresponds to sudden annihilation of large, ornamented ecological specialists (e.g., Globotruncana, Rugoglobigerina, Racemiguembelina). Right after the boundary, there is an acme of calcareous dinoflagellate cysts (Thoracosphaera) and a surge of Guembelitria cretacea indicate ecosystem collapse in post-K/Pg environment.</p><p>On the other hand, detailed quantitative analysis shows a systematic reduction in the species richness throughout the Plummerita hantkeninoides Zone corresponding to the final 150 kyr of the Cretaceous. Proliferations of the Guembelitria cretacea through late Maastrichtian is known as an indicator of high terrigenous influx; therefore, enhanced food resources. The high sedimentation rates observed in all the studied sections might be linked to increased greenhouse conditions due to Deccan volcanism leading to enhanced weathering. Overall, our multiproxy approach including quantitative biostratigraphy and geochemical analyses highlights the influence of the Deccan volcanism by releasing high amounts of atmospheric CO<sub>2</sub> and SO<sub>2</sub>, leading to the climatic changes and associated biotic stress, which predisposed faunas to eventual extinction at the K/Pg boundary.</p>

Disposal of fly ash in the production of ash-concrete within the coal-watercoal cluster

Technologies for the disposal of industrial waste in the production of building materials are becoming particularly relevant in connection with the global trend of systematic reduction of the negative anthropogenic impact on the environment. Therefore, one of the goals of the pilot project of the innovative coal-watercoal cluster of housing and communal services is the utilization of ash waste from the combustion of coal-water fuel suspension in the production of building materials. The methodology of ash waste disposal consists in the modification of Portland cement with fine fly ash additives in the production of heavy concrete. As a result of the experiments, the authors proposed a recipe for a concrete mixture with ash waste additives. Tests of control samples of concrete and proposed samples of ash concrete with the addition of ash from the combustion of coal-water slurry were carried out. The brand of the proposed ash concrete in terms of compressive strength, corresponding to the design brand, is determined. Thus, we save the consumption of Portland cement as a binder, which is the most expensive component of concrete. At the same time, we dispose of man-made waste as a safe additive in the production of concrete with specified performance characteristics. The result obtained with the utilization of ash waste as an effective and safe aggregate for heavy concrete can be used in the implementation of a pilot project of an innovative coal-watercoal cluster of housing and communal services. Ash concrete with the addition of ash from the combustion of coal-water slurry can be recommended for use in industrial and civil construction.