Support–Activity Relationship in Heterogeneous Catalysis for Biomass Valorization and Fine-Chemicals Production

Heterogeneous catalysts are progressively expanding their field of application, from high-throughput reactions for traditional industrial chemistry with production volumes reaching millions of tons per year, a sector in which they are key players, to more niche applications for the production of fine chemicals. These novel applications require a progressive utilization reduction of fossil feedstocks, in favor of renewable ones. Biomasses are the most accessible source of organic precursors, having as advantage their low cost and even distribution across the globe. Unfortunately, they are intrinsically inhomogeneous in nature and their efficient exploitation requires novel catalysts. In this process, an accurate design of the active phase performing the reaction is important; nevertheless, we are often neglecting the importance of the support in guaranteeing stable performances and improving catalytic activity. This review has the goal of gathering and highlighting the cases in which the supports (either derived or not from biomass wastes) share the worth of performing the catalysis with the active phase, for those reactions involving the synthesis of fine chemicals starting from biomasses as feedstocks.

Tracking the contours and nature of social support in Facebook mutual aid groups during the COVID-19 pandemic

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of mutual aid groups were established on social media and operated as platforms through which people could offer or request social support. Considering the importance of Facebook mutual aid groups during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK but also the lack of empirical papers regarding the trajectories and types of social support rendered available through the groups, our aims in this paper are threefold; first, to examine the trajectory of social support-related activity during the period between March – December 2020; second, to compare offers and requests of support during the peaks of the first and second waves; and third to provide a rich description of the types of social support that were offered or requested through the online mutual aid groups. Our findings suggest that online social support activity declined soon after the peak of the first pandemic wave and, at least in Facebook mutual aid groups, did not reach the levels observed during the first wave. Offers of support during the first wave were higher compared to offers during the second wave, and similar was the case for requests for support. Also, offers for support were higher compared to requests for support during both the first and second wave. Finally, users could use the Facebook mutual aid groups to offer and request various types of practical, emotional, and informational support. Limitations of our study as well as implications are considered.

The FMN “140s Loop” of Cytochrome P450 Reductase Controls Electron Transfer to Cytochrome P450

Cytochrome P450 reductase (CYPOR) provides electrons to all human microsomal cytochrome P450s (cyt P450s). The length and sequence of the “140s” FMN binding loop of CYPOR has been shown to be a key determinant of its redox potential and activity with cyt P450s. Shortening the “140s loop” by deleting glycine-141(ΔGly141) and by engineering a second mutant that mimics flavo-cytochrome P450 BM3 (ΔGly141/Glu142Asn) resulted in mutants that formed an unstable anionic semiquinone. In an attempt to understand the molecular basis of the inability of these mutants to support activity with cyt P450, we expressed, purified, and determined their ability to reduce ferric P450. Our results showed that the ΔGly141 mutant with a very mobile loop only reduced ~7% of cyt P450 with a rate similar to that of the wild type. On the other hand, the more stable loop in the ΔGly141/Glu142Asn mutant allowed for ~55% of the cyt P450 to be reduced ~60% faster than the wild type. Our results reveal that the poor activity of the ΔGly141 mutant is primarily accounted for by its markedly diminished ability to reduce ferric cyt P450. In contrast, the poor activity of the ΔGly141/Glu142Asn mutant is presumably a consequence of the altered structure and mobility of the “140s loop”.

Marketing Plan for Business Startups "Jamu Partnership" in Indonesia

Background – Traditional Indonesian medicine is known as Jamu. Jamu as the legacy of the ancestors of the Indonesian nation has been used for generations by the community as a drink to maintain the health of the body. Jamu lovers are still dominated by baby boomers because of the stigma of bitter jamu that develop in society, especially among millennials. Jamu with a good taste becomes one of the options in the midst of the rise of contemporary drinks that do not necessarily provide health benefits. Socialization of the culture of fondness for jamu by the Government continues to be campaigned through activities of drinking jamu. Government also support activity medical tourism services through jamu café. The lack of jamu cafes that serve delicious product an opportunity for startup who want to do business in the field of jamu. The high unemployment rate, entrepreneurial desire and the growth of jamu market that is presented further strengthen the opportunity to open a jamu partnership business. This big opportunity needs support with strong marketing activities. Method – Using STP and Marketing Mix (NICE and 7P) strategies. Result – This analysis can help business partnership startup companies in the field of jamu as a strategy in marketing. Keywords: Marketing Plan, Startups, Jamu Partnership, Business Opportunity, Indonesia.

A Synthetic Indicator for Sustainability Standards of Water Resources in Agriculture

The aim of this work is to evaluate the sustainability of water management for agriculture in a specific territory through the creation of a synthetic index resulting from the aggregation of multiple indices (environmental, economic, and social). The resulting synthetic index can be used to set sustainability standards and to guide the choices mandated by the Common Agricultural Policy 2023–2027. In this work we intend to show how the Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) method facilitates a complex process such as establishing a degree of sustainability in a certain area and, therefore, provides support to national or regional policies and communities. The integration of MCDA and GIS increases the efficiency of the support activity. A case study is presented evaluating the level of sustainability in the Irrigation and Reclamation Consortium of Piacenza and Emilia Centrale, in the Emilia Romagna region.

Reducing Various Generation Problems Based on Health Assessment for Mental Health in the Manufacturing Industry -Establishment of Organizational Assessment Management System-

At present, the labor force lowering by the mental health of the employee in the manufacturing site is remarkable, and it is noticed as a factor which causes labor accident, traffic accident, and social problem action. In addition, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare in Japan will emphasize mental health elimination as an occupational health measure, and the government intends to submit a mandate for stress checks by doctors or health technicians within this ordinary Diet. On the other hand, the company is also promoting prevention activities focusing on "organization" by activating people's cooperative behavior from the health support activity corresponding to the analysis of conventional individual features from the viewpoint of occupational health. In this paper, the health assessment "Occupational Stress Survey" identified that the supervisor support in the organization contributes greatly and constructed "Organizational Assessment System" which takes countermeasures from both sides of human resources and occupational health of the organization in the manufacturing industry.

Strategi Pembinaan dan Pendampingan Koperasi Peternak Sapi Perah Dalam Mendukung Keberlangsungan Koperasi Dan Ketahanan Ekonomi Anggota (Studi di KUD Sinar Jaya)

The purpose of this study to examine the use of mentoring and coaching strategies in dairy farmer cooperatives as a means of improving cooperative performance. at this time, cooperatives must survive and maintain the success of their organizations at the highest level because of the high expectations of cooperative stakeholders. Taking place in such a fierce competitive environment requires a more effective and efficient attitude through increasing the capability of the cooperative management staff. Coaching and mentoring can be the key to success for cooperative organizations in maintaining the competitiveness and management power of cooperatives. The research findings show that the problems in cooperative management and accounting have not been achieved as their best. Most of the accounting staff do not understand the accounting process and in the end the financial reports are not sufficient to meet the needs of cooperative users. This research focuses on assisting the accounting process and cooperative management as a support activity for cooperative activities, which will be a source of motivation and an effective performance booster not only for cooperatives but also for management and staff.

Occupants’ satisfaction and perceived productivity in open-plan offices designed to support activity-based working: findings from different industry sectors

Purpose In the rise of offices designed to support activity-based working (ABW), parts of industry have fully transitioned to open-plan environments and then later to unassigned seating, whereas other parts, such as tertiary education, are still in the process of moving away from individual offices. There are a few relevant studies to understand how occupants from industry sectors with different levels of adoption of ABW perceived environments designed to support this way of working. This paper aims to contribute to the knowledge gap by providing insight into workers’ satisfaction and dissatisfaction from open-plan offices designed to support ABW along with the key predictors of perceived productivity. Design/methodology/approach A data set of 2,090 post-occupancy evaluation surveys conducted in five sectors – tertiary education, finance, construction, property/asset management and design/engineering – was analyzed. ANOVA and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were conducted for the survey questionnaires. First, ANOVA tests were conducted for the whole sample with perceived productivity as the dependent variable. A seven-point Likert scale with five theoretical factors was generated with all survey questionnaires. CFA was performed to show the factor loadings. In addition, regression analyses were carried out for each of factor item taken as the independent variable, where perceived productivity was the dependent variable. Key sources of satisfaction and dissatisfaction per sector were analyzed and differences between occupants reporting a negative or positive impact on their productivity were also investigated. Finally, open-ended comments were analyzed to show the key sources of dissatisfaction based on open-ended comments. Findings Workers from construction were the most satisfied, followed by finance and tertiary education. Occupants from all industry sectors consistently rated their workspaces highly on biophilic and interior design. Distraction and privacy received the lowest scores from all sectors. Open-ended comments showed mismatches between spatial and behavioral dimensions of ABW both for satisfaction and perceived productivity. Interior design was the strongest predictor for perceived productivity for all sectors. Findings dispel the notion that ABW implementation may not be suitable for certain industries, as long as the three key pillars of ABW are fully implemented, including design, behavior and technology. Originality/value This paper provides insight into workers’ satisfaction and dissatisfaction from open-plan offices designed to support ABW in different industry sectors along with the key predictors of perceived productivity.

Leveraging Opportunities to Advance the Potential of Technology to Support Independence and Aging in Place

Technology holds great potential to support those aging with and into disability. Research and development efforts in the aging space (aging into disability) have traditionally focused on improving health conditions, whereas those in the disability space (aging with disability) have primarily focused on supporting activity and participation. Bridging these perspectives and approaches adds rich context to guide the development and evaluation of technology interventions. Examples of technology interventions that support activity and participation and thereby improve health outcomes for adults aging with mobility disabilities show the need for bridging. The Telewellness research study used videoconferencing to deliver an evidence-based tai chi intervention to small groups. The Digital Assistant study explored the potential of the Amazon Echo to support controlling the home environment, engaging in physical activity, interacting with others, and managing health. Both projects offer credence to the value of supporting adults aging-in-place with wide range of capabilities and limitations. Part of a symposium sponsored by the Lifelong Disabilities Interest Group.