bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Facile synthesis of CdS Quantum dots for QDSSC with high photo current density
Authors: Archana T , Vijayakumar K , Subashini G , Grace A Nirmala , Arivanandhan M , Jayavel R 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Environment-friendly and cost effective green CdS Quantum Dots (QDs) are synthesized using Azadirachta Indica extract as a novel non-toxic stabilizing agent and to excogitate its light harvesting potentiality for QD Sensitized Solar Cells (QDSSCs). The effect of different configuration of green CdS based QDSSCs viz (i) different phase of TiO2 photoanodes (ii) with and without ZnS passivating layer (iii) with Platinum counter electrodes (CE) and (iv) CuS CE have been investigated. Despite tralatitious SILAR CdS based QDSSC showed better efficiency (1.93%) than green CdS based QDSSC (0.77%), the later unveil higher photocurrent density (10.61 mA) possibly due to effective encapsulation of Azadirachta Indica which suppresses the surface defects in green CdS QDs favoring the transport of photo generated carriers. The work facilitate scope for cost effective and environment-friendly green synthesized CdS QDs that significantly modulated photovoltaic properties of QDs based solar cells in an inviolable condition.
Synthesis and electrochemical performance of ropelike LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2 fiber with nano-building blocks
Authors: Zhang Linsen , Zhao Zhenjiang , Li Xiaofeng , Fang Hua , Wang Lixia , Song Yanhua , Jia Xiaodong 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
A ropelike LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2 (NCA) fiber with superior rate capability and cycling stability was successfully synthesized via electrospinning and sintering as a cathode material for Li-ion batteries. The NCA fiber that exhibited excellent electrochemical performance as a cathode for Li-ion batteries was stacked and assembled from numerous nanoparticles. The NCA fiber delivered a high reversible capacity of 206.4 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C, and maintained 75% capacity retention after 100 cycles at 1 C. The high rate capability and outstanding cyclic stability were due to the ropelike fiber structure that shorten the Li+ diffusion path, improved the Li+ diffusion coefficient, and maintained the fiber structure during cycling.
Effect of processing on the properties and morphology of MWCNT-polymer networks
Authors: Watt Morgan R , Gerhardt Rosario A 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine the effect of processing on the electrical properties and microstructure of MWCNTs/PMMA nanocomposites made by compression molding. Three different mixing methods were used: mechanical, solution, and melt mixing of the same starting materials. The composite microstructures were found to be segregated, agglomerated, and randomly distributed respectively. Electrical property measurements indicate that the mechanically mixed composites have the lowest percolation threshold of 0.05 phr (0.028 vol% MWCNT). Melt mixed composites have the highest percolation threshold of 4 phr (2.161 vol% MWCNT) while solution mixed composites have a percolation threshold of 2 phr (1.102 vol% MWCNT). These results indicate that the segregated microstructure allows for the CNTs to form a percolated network through the composite more easily than the other two methods. Fitted equivalent circuits to the measured impedance spectra show that after percolation the CNTs dominate the electrical properties as represented by an increase in the number of inductance circuit elements. Before or at percolation, the presence of PMMA plays a stronger role in the circuit. This article is novel in that this is the first study where direct comparison of the properties and microstructure of composites fabricated utilizing three different mixing methods using the same source materials can be made.
Fabrication of lead-bismuth titanate borosilicate glass ceramics and dielectric characteristics doped with GNPs
Authors: Madheshiya Abhishek , Gautam Chandkiram , Srivastava Kamal K 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Different compositions (x) of lead-bismuth titanate borosilicate (PBTB) glasses have been synthesized using a conventional melt-quenching method in the compound 55[(PbxBi1−x)TiO3]−44[2SiO2.B2O3], (x = 0.0, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 and 1.0) mixed with 1 mol % of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs). XRD analysis exhibited the synthesis of clear PBTB glasses which confirmed the amorphous nature. Synthesized glasses have been converted into glass-ceramics (GCs) using a differential thermal analysis (DTA) results to understand the crystallization mechanism. XRD results described the crystalline behavior of GC samples and distinct phase formation. The surface morphology of the GCs was analyzed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) have been also performed to verify the elemental composition of the GC sample, PBTG0.5735 F (x = 0.5). The variation in relative dielectric constant (ε
r) and dissipation factor (D) by increasing temperatures was obtained at different frequencies. The GC sample PTG1.0746 F (x = 1.0) showed a maximum value of dielectric constant among all glass ceramic samples.
Electronic and optical behaviour of lanthanum doped CaTiO3 perovskite
Authors: Rizwan Muhammad , Usman Zahid , Shakil Muhammad , Gillani S S A , Azeem S , Jin H B , Cao C B , Mehmood Rana Farhat , Nabi Ghulam , Asghar Muhammad Adnan 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
To improve the efficiency of perovskite based solar cells, doping of heavier elements in Perovskite materials (ABX3) can modulate its electronic and optical properties significantly. Thus it is important to understand the possible microscopic origin of the band gap modification and optical enhancement after heavier element doping using first-principles studies. Here we investigate the effect of La doping, while substituting the Ca atom, on the electronic and optical properties in CaTiO3 perovskite material using generalized gradient approximation within density functional theory. We observe a decrease in lattice constants and bond lengths in LaxCa1−xTiO3, mainly due to re-distribution of electronic charge density between La and Oxygen, as confirmed by charge density contour. We further notice a widening of electronic band gap and an upward shift of Fermi level into the conduction band, thus characterizing LaxCa1−xTiO3 as an n-type material. DOS diagram attributes this shift mainly due to the appearance of La p-DOS and d-DOS and their repulsion with N p-DOS, when La enters into the host lattice at Ca site. Investigation of optical properties upon La Doping in CaTiO3 exhibits further shifting of polarization and refractive index to lower values as compared to its pure counterpart, due to dominating semiconducting behavior and hence one observes a blue shift in absorption and reflection spectrum accordingly. Energy loss function is found to be consistent with absorption and extinction coefficient measured in case of LaxCa1−xTiO3. All these results are found to be consistent with the existing experimental and first-principles studies.
Testing fuel cell catalysts under more realistic reaction conditions: accelerated stress tests in a gas diffusion electrode setup
Authors: Alinejad Shima , Inaba Masanori , Schröder Johanna , Du Jia , Quinson Jonathan , Zana Alessandro , Arenz Matthias 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Gas diffusion electrode (GDE) setups have very recently received increasing attention as a fast and straightforward tool for testing the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity of surface area proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) catalysts under more realistic reaction conditions. In the work presented here, we demonstrate that our recently introduced GDE setup is suitable for benchmarking the stability of PEMFC catalysts as well. Based on the obtained results, it is argued that the GDE setup offers inherent advantages for accelerated degradation tests (ADT) over classical three-electrode setups using liquid electrolytes. Instead of the solid–liquid electrolyte interface in classical electrochemical cells, in the GDE setup a realistic three-phase boundary of (humidified) reactant gas, proton exchange polymer (e.g. Nafion) and the electrocatalyst is formed. Therefore, the GDE setup not only allows accurate potential control but also independent control over the reactant atmosphere, humidity and temperature. In addition, the identical location transmission electron microscopy (IL-TEM) technique can easily be adopted into the setup, enabling a combination of benchmarking with mechanistic studies.
Calibrating from Within: Multipoint Internal Calibration of a Quantitative Mass Spectrometric Assay of Serum Methotrexate
Authors: Hoffman Melissa A , Schmeling Michael , Dahlin Jayme L , Bevins Nicholas J , Cooper Donald P , Jarolim Petr , Fitzgerald Robert L , Hoofnagle Andrew N 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Background
Clinical LC-MS/MS assays traditionally require that samples be run in batches with calibration curves in each batch. This approach is inefficient and presents a barrier to random access analysis. We developed an alternative approach called multipoint internal calibration (MPIC) that eliminated the need for batch-mode analysis.

Methods
The new approach used 4 variants of 13C-labeled methotrexate (0.026–10.3 µM) as an internal calibration curve within each sample. One site carried out a comprehensive validation, which included an evaluation of interferences and matrix effects, lower limit of quantification (LLOQ), and 20-day precision. Three sites evaluated assay precision and linearity. MPIC was also compared with traditional LC-MS/MS and an immunoassay.

Results
Recovery of spiked analyte was 93%–102%. The LLOQ was validated to be 0.017 µM. Total variability, determined in a 20-day experiment, was 11.5%CV. In a 5-day variability study performed at each site, total imprecision was 3.4 to 16.8%CV. Linearity was validated throughout the calibrator range (r2 &gt; 0.995, slopes = 0.996–1.01). In comparing 40 samples run in each laboratory, the median interlaboratory imprecision was 6.55%CV. MPIC quantification was comparable to both traditional LC-MS/MS and immunoassay (r2 = 0.96–0.98, slopes = 1.04–1.06). Bland-Altman analysis of all comparisons showed biases rarely exceeding 20% when MTX concentrations were &gt;0.4 µM.

Conclusion
The MPIC method for serum methotrexate quantification was validated in a multisite proof-of-concept study and represents a big step toward random-access LC-MS/MS analysis, which could change the paradigm of mass spectrometry in the clinical laboratory.
Tricuspid valve repair in children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome: impact of timing and mechanism on outcome
Authors: Ono Masamichi , Mayr Benedikt , Burri Melchior , Piber Nicole , Röhlig Christoph , Strbad Martina , Cleuziou Julie , Hager Alfred , Hörer Jürgen , Lange Rüdiger 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Our aim was to evaluate the results of tricuspid valve repair (TVr) in patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome during staged reconstruction, focussing on the timing of the repair and the mechanisms of tricuspid regurgitation (TR).

METHODS
Records of 44 children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome who underwent a total of 62 tricuspid valve (TV) procedures during staged reconstruction were retrospectively analysed.

RESULTS
TVr was performed before stage II in 4 (9%) patients, at stage II in 23 (52%) patients, between stages II and III in 3 (7%) patients and at stage III in 14 (32%) patients. The median age at the first TV procedure was 5 months. At surgery, TR emanated commonly from the anteroseptal commissure in 21 (48%) patients. Anterior leaflet prolapse was observed most frequently (n = 23; 52%), followed by septal leaflet restriction (n = 22; 50%), dilated annulus (n = 21; 48%) and cleft anterior leaflet (n = 9; 21%). Surgical techniques included commissuroplasty in 27 (61.4%) patients, leaflet adaptation in 20 (44%) patients, partial annuloplasty in 11 (25%) patients, chordal reconstruction in 10 (23%) patients and cleft closure in 10 (23%) patients. Among all 44 patients, 27 (61%) patients had preoperative grade III TR and 17 (39%) patients had grade IV; postoperatively, there were no patients with grade IV, 25 patients with grade III (57%), 10 patients with grade II (23%) and 6 patients with grade I (14%). Fifteen patients required redo TV surgeries. Reoperation-free survival was 52% at 5 years. Lower weight at initial TVr predicted mortality [hazard ratio (HR) 0.7, P = 0.044] and reoperation (HR 0.8, P = 0.015). TVr before stage II was a risk for both reoperation (HR 5.5, P = 0.042) and TV replacement (HR 36.9, P = 0.013). Among morphological factors, septal leaflet restriction was a risk for reoperation (HR 4.7, P = 0.017) and anterior (HR 4.7, P = 0.037) and posterior (HR 7.3, P = 0.015) leaflet chordal anomaly for TV replacement.

CONCLUSIONS
Anterior leaflet prolapse and septal leaflet restriction are the main mechanisms of TR in hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Early-onset TR before stage II predicts worse outcome. Refinements to repair techniques in early infancy, especially for septal leaflet restrictions and chordal anomalies, are mandatory to improve outcomes.
Recent geomagnetic variations and the force balance in Earth’s core
Authors: Aubert Julien 
Published: January 2020

SUMMARY
The nature of the force balance that governs the geodynamo is debated. Recent theoretical analyses and numerical simulations support a quasigeotrophic (QG), magneto-Archimedes-Coriolis (MAC) balance in Earth’s core, where the Coriolis and pressure forces equilibrate at leading order in amplitude, and where the buoyancy, Lorentz and ageostrophic Coriolis forces equilibrate at the next order. In contrast, earlier theoretical expectations have favoured a magnetostrophic regime where the Lorentz force would reach leading order at the system scale. The dominant driver (buoyant or magnetic) for the general circulation in Earth’s core is equally debated. In this study, these questions are explored in the light of the high-quality geomagnetic data recently acquired by satellites and at magnetic ground observatories. The analysis involves inverse geodynamo modelling, a method that uses multivariate statistics extracted from a numerical geodynamo model to infer the state of Earth’s core from a geomagnetic field model interpretation of the main field and secular variation data. To test the QG-MAC dynamic hypothesis against the data, the framework is extended in order to explicitly prescribe this force balance into the inverse problem solved at the core surface. The resulting inverse solutions achieve a quantitatively adequate fit to the data while ensuring deviations from the QG-MAC balance (which amount to an inertial driving of the flow) lower than each of the leading forces. The general circulation imaged within the core over the past two decades confirms the existence of a planetary-scale, eccentric, axially columnar gyre that comprises an intense, equatorially symmetric jet at high latitudes in the Pacific hemisphere. The dominant driver of this circulation is shown to be of buoyant nature, through a thermal wind balance with a longitudinally hemispheric buoyancy anomaly distribution. Geomagnetic forecasts initiated with the inverted core states are systematically more accurate against the true interannual geomagnetic field evolution when enforcing the QG-MAC constraint. This force balance is therefore consistent with the geomagnetic data at the large scales of Earth’s core that can be imaged by the method.
Institutional Training Opportunities for PhD Students in Laboratory Medicine: An Unmet Career Development Need?
Authors: Colby Jennifer M , Wheeler Ferrin C , Petrie Kimberly A , Gould Kathleen L , Schmitz Jonathan E 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
In the United States, the credentialing of PhD-scientists as medical directors of clinical laboratories is driven by formal postdoctoral training programs. Prior to acceptance in one these accredited fellowships, however, a trainee’s exposure to the field can be far less standardized, with significant ramifications for their awareness and competitiveness. In the current article, we describe our recent experiences in developing local, institution-based immersion opportunities for PhD experiences in the subdisciplines of laboratory medicine (clinical microbiology, clinical chemistry, and molecular genetics/genomics). It is our hope that this article—and a corresponding online survey—can prompt reflection and discussion on the status of early career training opportunities in these key clinical areas.
Pillars not Principles: The Status of Humanity and Military Necessity in the Law of Armed Conflict
Authors: Winter Elliot 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Humanity and military necessity are often said to be ‘principles’ of the law of armed conflict (LOAC). However, for Dworkin, a concept must satisfy certain criteria in order to earn the status of a principle. First, principles carry different weightings to each other so that one may triumph in the event of a clash. Secondly, principles are capable of superseding positive rules so that coherence in the regime over which they preside is maintained. This article contends that neither criterion is satisfied by humanity or military necessity. Consequently, it argues that these concepts are not truly principles and that, instead, they are better viewed as ‘pillars’ of the LOAC.
Racial Disparities in Cancer Presentation and Outcomes: The Contribution of Overdiagnosis
Authors: Marcadis Andrea R , Davies Louise , Marti Jennifer L , Morris Luc G T 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundRacial disparities in cancer have been attributed to population differences in access to care. Differences in cancer overdiagnosis rates are another, less commonly considered cause of disparities. Here, we examine the contribution of overdiagnosis to observed racial disparities in papillary thyroid cancer and estrogen/progesterone receptor positive (ER/PR+) breast cancer.MethodsWe used Surveillance, Epidemiology, End-Results (SEER) 13 for analysis of white and black non-Hispanic persons with papillary thyroid cancer or ER/PR+ breast cancer (1992–2014). Analyses were performed using SeerStat (v8.3.5, March 2018). All statistical tests were two-sided.ResultsWhite persons had higher incidence of papillary thyroid cancer than black persons (14.3 vs 7.7 cases per 100 000 age-adjusted population) and ER/PR+ breast cancer (94.8 vs 70.9 cases per 100 000 age-adjusted population) (P &lt; .001). In papillary thyroid cancer, the entire incidence difference was from more frequent diagnosis of 2-cm or less (10.0 vs 4.9 cases per 100 000 population) and localized or regional (13.8 vs 7.4 cases per 100 000 population) cancers in white persons (P &lt; .001), without corresponding excess of metastatic disease, cancers greater than 4 cm, or incidence-based mortality in black persons. In women with ER/PR+ breast cancer, 95% of the incidence difference was from more 2-cm or less (61.2 vs 38.1 cases per 100 000 population) or 2.1- to 5-cm (25.4 vs 23.4 cases per 100 000 population), localized (65.1 vs 43.0 cases per 100 000 population) cancers diagnosed in white women (P &lt; .001), with slightly higher incidence of tumors greater than 5 cm (10.1 vs 9.3 cases per 100 000 population, P &lt; .001) and incidence-based mortality (8.1 vs 7.2 cases per 100 000 population, P &lt; .001) among black women. Overall, 20–30 additional small or localized ER/PR+ breast cancers were diagnosed in white compared with black women for every large or advanced tumor avoided by early detection. Overdiagnosis was estimated 1.3–2.5 times (papillary thyroid cancer) and 1.7–5.7 times (ER/PR+ breast cancer) higher in white compared with black populations.ConclusionsDifferences in low-risk cancer identification among populations lead to overestimation of racial disparities. Estimates of overdiagnosed cases should be considered to improve care and eliminate disparities while minimizing harms of overdiagnosis.
Losing the Right to Stay: Revocation of Refugee Permits in Norway
Authors: Brekke Jan-Paul , Birkvad Simon Roland , Erdal Marta Bivand 
Published: January 2020

AbstractFollowing the record number of asylum seekers to Europe in 2015, Norway intensified its practice of revoking migrants’ residence permits and citizenships, which primarily affected refugees and their families, and reflects a broader international trend of increased use of temporary protection. This article explores the effects of revocation on individuals, their families and wider communities by analysing how revocation is experienced and its consequences for integration processes. Drawing on the concepts of deregulariation, temporality and integration, our analysis builds on interviews with migrants from Somalia and Afghanistan living in Norway. We find severe consequences for individuals affected by revocation processes and discuss spillover effects, most notably what we refer to as disintegration. Our conclusions point to the need for futher analytical scrutiny of both the consequences of intensified revocation practices and their purported effectiveness as a measure to regulate immigration.
Intersphincteric epidermoid inclusion cyst: report of a rare case
Authors: Ashcroft James , Mahler-Araujo Betania , Davies Richard J 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Epidermoid inclusion cysts of the perineal region are a rare entity, which require appropriate diagnosis and management. Here we describe the unusual case of a large protruding epidermoid inclusion cyst originating from the intersphincteric anal plane, which was mobilized and excised successfully. Essential investigations to ensure accurate diagnosis in addition to surgical technique to reduce recurrence and patient morbidity are described in this case report.
The unreasonable effectiveness of Nonstandard Analysis
Authors: Sanders Sam 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
As suggested by the title, the aim of this paper is to uncover the vast computational content of classical Nonstandard Analysis. To this end, we formulate a template ${\mathfrak{C}\mathfrak{I}}$ which converts a theorem of ‘pure’ Nonstandard Analysis, i.e. formulated solely with the nonstandard definitions (of continuity, integration, differentiability, convergence, compactness, etc.), into the associated effective theorem. The latter constitutes a theorem of computable mathematics no longer involving Nonstandard Analysis. To establish the huge scope of ${\mathfrak{C}\mathfrak{I}}$, we apply this template to representative theorems from the Big Five categories from Reverse Mathematics. The latter foundational program provides a classification of the majority of theorems from ‘ordinary’, i.e. non-set theoretical, mathematics into the aforementioned five categories. The Reverse Mathematics zoo gathers exceptions to this classification, and is studied in [ 74, 77] using ${\mathfrak{C}\mathfrak{I}}$. Hence, the template ${\mathfrak{C}\mathfrak{I}}$ is seen to apply to essentially all of ordinary mathematics, thanks to the Big Five classification (and associated zoo) from Reverse Mathematics. Finally, we establish that certain ‘highly constructive’ theorems, called Herbrandizations, also imply the original theorem of Nonstandard Analysis from which they were obtained via ${\mathfrak{C}\mathfrak{I}}$.
Lensing efficiency for gravitational wave mergers
Authors: Contigiani O 
Published: January 2020

ABSTRACT
We gain insight into the effects of gravitational lensing on the estimated distribution of merging binaries observed through gravitational waves. We quantify the efficiency of magnification for gravitational wave events in the geometric optics limit, and we compare it to the electromagnetic case by making minimal assumptions about the distribution of intrinsic properties for the source population. We show that lensing effects leave a recognizable signature on the observed rates, and that they can be prominent only in the presence of an extremely steep mass function (or redshift evolution) and mainly at low inferred redshifts. We conclude that gravitational magnification does not represent a significant systematic for gravitational wave merger studies in the LIGO–Virgo era.