bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hierarchical Ultrathin Mo/MoS2(1−x−y)Px Nanosheets Assembled on P, N Co‐Doped Carbon Nanotubes for Hydrogen Evolution in Both Acidic and Alkaline Electrolytes
Authors: Zhao Xiaojun , Li Yibing , Zhao Chuan , Liu Zhi‐Hong 
Published: November 2020

AbstractSynergistically coupled 1D/2D materials have great potential for energy conversion application due to its high catalytic activity. Herein, an in situ assembly strategy is developed for preparing the P, N co‐doped carbon nanotubes and Mo/MoS2(1−x−y)Px nanosheets composites (Mo/MoS2(1−x−y)Px@PNC) for hydrogen evolution reactions (HER). The PNC guarantees structural stability and fast charge transfer in a long‐range, while Mo/MoS2(1−x−y)Px nanosheets offer a large electrochemically active surface area with embedded metallic Mo in improving its internal conductivity and rich surface/interface properties. Thus, the optimized catalyst (Mo/MoS1.15P0.30@PNC) possesses more surface active sites and exhibits extraordinary HER activities, with a small overpotential of −79 and −131 mV at 10 mA cm−1, and low Tafel slope of 49 and 82 mV dec−1 in 0.5 m H2SO4 and 1.0 m KOH, respectively. Density functional theory calculations confirm that the higher substitution of S atoms by P in MoS2 can form strong Mo 3d‐S 2p‐P 2p hybridizations at Fermi level, resulting in the narrower bandgap and smaller ∆GH* of hydrogen (H*) adsorption, thereby leading to the promoted HER activity.
Acid Hydrolysis‐Induced Nanoconversion of Sweet Potato (Ipomoea Batatas) Starch: Effect on Morphological, Rheological, and Thermal Properties
Authors: Kumari Suman , Yadav Baljeet S. , Yadav Ritika B. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe present study aims to prepare starch nanocrystals (SNCs) from sweet potato tuber starch and study their morphological, crystalline, rheological, and thermal properties. The platelet‐like SNCs are obtained using acid hydrolysis of round or polygonal native sweet potato starch granules. The average hydrodynamic diameter of SNCs is 184 nm as measured using the dynamic light scattering technique. The polydispersity index value based upon molecular weight distribution as determined using gel permeation chromatography increases from 1.386 for native starch (NS) to 2.958 for SNCs, indicating the heterogenous molecular weight distribution of acid hydrolyzed starch. The zero value of the radius of gyration for nanocrystals indicates the formation of anisotropic platelet‐like SNCs. The gelatinization temperature and melting enthalpy significantly increased after the nanoconversion of starch granules; thus, SNC's thermal properties are improved after acid hydrolysis of NS. The SNCs exhibit shear‐thinning behavior (lower viscosity) at high concentrations; the visco‐elastic behavior of SNCs dispersions is frequency‐dependent, with elastic character prevalence over viscous at lower frequencies.
Climate Change Adaptation Strategies Among Cereal Farmers in Kwara State, Nigeria
Authors: Aderinoye-Abdulwahab S. A. , Abdulbaki T. A. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAgriculture is the art and science of food production which spans soil cultivation, crop growing, and livestock rearing. Over the years, it has served as a means of employment and accounts for more than one-third of total gross domestic product. Cereals, which include rice, maize, and sorghum, are the major dietary energy suppliers and they provide significant amounts of protein, minerals (potassium and calcium), and vitamins (vitamin A and C). The growth and good yield of cereal crop can be greatly influenced by elements of weather and climate such as temperature, sunlight, and relative humidity. While climate determines the choice of what plant to cultivate and how to cultivate, it has been undoubtedly identified as one of the fundamental factors that determine both crop cultivation and livestock keeping. The chapter, though theoretical, adopted Kwara State, Nigeria, as the focus due to favorable weather conditions that support grains production. It was observed that the effect of climate change on cereal production includes: drastic reduction in grains production, reduction in farmers’ profit level, increment in cost during production, diversification to nonfarming activities, and discouragement of youth from participating in agricultural activities. Also, the adopted coping strategies employed by farmers in the focus site were early planting, planting of improved variety, irrigation activities, alternates crop rotation, and cultivation of more agricultural areas. The chapter thus concluded that climate change has negative impact on cereals production and recommends that government should provide communal irrigation facilities that will cushion the effect of low rains on farmers’ productivity, while early planting and cultivation of drought-resistant cultivars should be encouraged.
Reflected entropy for an evaporating black hole
Authors: Li Tianyi , Chu Jinwei , Zhou Yang 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
We study reflected entropy as a mixed state correlation measure in black hole evaporation. As a measure for bipartite mixed states, reflected entropy can be computed between black hole and radiation, radiation and radiation, and even black hole and black hole. We compute reflected entropy curves in three different models: 3-side wormhole model, End-of-the-World (EOW) brane model in three dimensions and two-dimensional eternal black hole plus CFT model. For 3-side wormhole model, we find that reflected entropy is dual to island cross section. The reflected entropy between radiation and black hole increases at early time and then decreases to zero, similar to Page curve, but with a later transition time. The reflected entropy between radiation and radiation first increases and then saturates. For the EOW brane model, similar behaviors of reflected entropy are found.We propose a quantum extremal surface for reflected entropy, which we call quantum extremal cross section. In the eternal black hole plus CFT model, we find a generalized formula for reflected entropy with island cross section as its area term by considering the right half as the canonical purification of the left. Interestingly, the reflected entropy curve between the left black hole and the left radiation is nothing but the Page curve. We also find that reflected entropy between the left black hole and the right black hole decreases and goes to zero at late time. The reflected entropy between radiation and radiation increases at early time and saturates at late time.
Development of an LC-MS method for the semiquantitative determination of polyamide 6 contaminations in polyolefin recyclates
Authors: Schweighuber Andrea , Gall Markus , Fischer Jörg , Liu Yi , Braun Hermann , Buchberger Wolfgang 
Published: November 2020

AbstractRecycling will be of increasing importance in the future, especially for plastic packaging waste mainly consisting of polyolefins. One major problem of recyclates comprises impurities which can have a significant negative impact on future product properties. Polyamide 6 can be found widely as contaminant in recycled polyolefins, leading to a need of quantification methods thereof. In this paper, a method development for the quantitative analysis of polyamide 6 is presented based on analysing ε-caprolactam and related cyclic oligomers as marker compounds in model recyclates of high- and low-density polyethylene and polypropylene compounded with low amounts of polyamide 6. For the method development and tentative identification of the different cyclic compounds, a HPLC-QTOF-MS was used and it was possible to detect six different compounds, ε-caprolactam and the corresponding cyclic di- to hexamer. The quantification was performed with a HPLC-QQQ-MS, equipped with a HILIC column, after sample preparation via microwave-assisted extraction. It could be shown that a good linearity from 0.2 up to 5 wt% polyamide 6 in the different polyolefins can be achieved. The cyclic trimer and tetramer show a low limit of quantification and are therefore well-suited for the quantification, whereas the other cyclic compounds can be then used as qualifiers to avoid false positives. To guarantee the applicability of the method, six real recyclate materials were analysed, whereby in three of them low amounts of polyamide 6 could be detected.
If seizures left speechless: CA-P-S C-A-R-E, a proposal of a new ictal language evaluation protocol
Authors: Ferri Lorenzo , Vignatelli Luca , Alvisi Lara , Fabbri Martina , Boscarato Silvia , Zenesini Corrado , Licchetta Laura , Muccioli Lorenzo , Tinuper Paolo , Bisulli Francesca 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Introduction
We aimed to create standardized protocol for language examination in patients who underwent video-EEG recording and assessed its efficacy in the characterization of ictal language impairment, its ability to differentiate this from impaired awareness, and interobserver reliability in clinical practice.

Methods
From our database of video-EEG recordings, we selected a representative sample of 63 focal seizures with presumed language impairment. A multidisciplinary team of epileptologists, EEG technicians, and speech therapists analyzed the selected videos to highlight the critical issues of ordinary ictal language evaluation. We subsequently followed a multi-step process to develop the protocol and assess its interobserver reliability.

Results
A protocol based on seven tests in hierarchical succession was created, summed up in the acronym CA-P-S C-A-R-E (Closed Answers, Pro-speak question, Simple orders, Common object denomination, Audio repetition, Reading, Evoke). Following its preliminary administration for 5 months, we assessed the inter-observer reliability of 16 healthcare professionals in distinguishing between language impairment and impaired awareness among a sample of 10 seizures, finding a substantial agreement (kappa 0.61).

Conclusion
The proposed protocol, made of simple and easy to memorize tests, is an effective tool that evaluates multiple domains beyond language. Its use could help to recognize ictal aphasia effectively and differentiate it from impaired awareness, minimizing inter-examiner variability.
Evaluating card-based protocols in terms of execution time
Authors: Miyahara Daiki , Ueda Itaru , Hayashi Yu-ichi , Mizuki Takaaki , Sone Hideaki 
Published: November 2020

AbstractCard-based cryptography is an attractive and unconventional computation model; it provides secure computing methods using a deck of physical cards. It is noteworthy that a card-based protocol can be easily executed by non-experts such as high school students without the use of any electric device. One of the main goals in this discipline is to develop efficient protocols. The efficiency has been evaluated by the number of required cards, the number of colors, and the average number of protocol trials. Although these evaluation metrics are simple and reasonable, it is difficult to estimate the total number of operations or execution time of protocols based only on these three metrics. Therefore, in this paper, we consider adding other metrics to estimate the execution time of protocols more precisely. Furthermore, we actually evaluate some of the important existing protocols using our new criteria.
Düngung bleibt weiterhin eine ökologische, rechtliche und politische Herausforderung
Authors: Möckel Stefan , Wolf André 
Published: November 2020

ZusammenfassungIn der öffentlichen Debatte ist die landwirtschaftliche Düngung bisher vor allem ein Problem
der Nitrat-Richtlinie sowie der Gewässer und Grundwasserkörper. Dies verkürzt sowohl die
vielfältigen ökologischen Wirkungen als auch die rechtliche Relevanz von Düngung. In Folge
dieser eingeschränkten Betrachtung bleiben auch die neuesten Verschärfungen der Düngeverordnung
hinter dem ökologisch Notwendigen sowie dem völker-, europa- und verfassungsrechtlich Gebotenen
zurück. Ökologisch wie rechtlich sind zwei Hauptaufgaben zu lösen: die Reduzierung der
anthropogenen Gesamtnährstoffemissionen und ein ausreichender Schutz lokaler Ökosysteme vor übermäßigen
Nährstoffeinträgen entsprechend ihrem Erhaltungszustand und ihrer spezifischen Vulnerabilität.
Diese Aufgaben erfordern einen breit aufgestellten Instrumentenmix, der weit über das gegenwärtige
Düngerecht hinausgeht.
Braucht Deutschland ein Kunststoffgesetz? Eine Analyse am Beispiel der Kunststoffverpackungen
Authors: Schwan Björn 
Published: November 2020

ZusammenfassungDie Behandlung von Kunststoffabfällen wird immer wieder diskutiert. Auch die jetzige Novelle
des Kreislaufwirtschaftsgesetzes (KrWG) betrifft diesen Bereich. Bedarf es eines eigenen Kunststoffgesetzes?
Diese Frage wird auf der Basis der bisherigen Regelungen untersucht.
Validating a common tick survey method: cloth-dragging and line transects
Authors: Kjellander Pia L. , Aronsson Malin , Bergvall Ulrika A. , Carrasco Josep L. , Christensson Madeleine , Lindgren Per-Eric , Åkesson Mikael , Kjellander Petter 
Published: November 2020

AbstractCloth-dragging is the most widely-used method for collecting and counting ticks, but there are few studies of its reliability. By using cloth-dragging, we applied a replicated line transects survey method, in two areas in Sweden with differentIxodes ricinustick-densities (low at Grimsö and high at Bogesund) to evaluate developmental stage specific repeatability, agreement and precision in estimates of tick abundance. ‘Repeatability’ was expressed as the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC), ‘agreement’ with the Total Deviation Index (TDI) and ‘precision’ by the coefficient of variation (CV) for a given dragging distance. Repeatability (ICC) and agreement (TDI) were higher for the most abundant instar (nymphs) and in the area of higher abundance. At Bogesund tick counts were higher than at Grimsö and so also repeatability, withfairtosubstantialICC estimates between 0.22 and 0.75, and TDI ranged between 1 and 44.5 counts of difference (thushightomoderateagreement). At Grimsö, ICC waspoortomoderateand ranged between 0 and 0.59, whereas TDI remained low with estimates lower or equal to 1 count (thushighagreement). Despite a 100-fold lower abundance at Grimsö, the same level of precision for nymphs could be achieved with a 70% increase of dragging effort. We conclude that the cloth-dragging technique is useful for surveying ticks’ and primarily to estimate abundance of the nymphal stage, whereas it rarely will be recommended for larvae and adults.
Microbial fuel cell biosensor for the determination of biochemical oxygen demand of wastewater samples containing readily and slowly biodegradable organics
Authors: Tardy Gábor Márk , Lóránt Bálint , Gyalai-Korpos Miklós , Bakos Vince , Simpson David , Goryanin Igor 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Objectives
Single-chamber air cathode microbial fuel cells (MFCs) were applied as biosensors for biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) measurement of real wastewaters with considerable suspended and/or slowly biodegradable organic content.

Results
The measurement method consists of batch sample injection, continuous measurement of cell voltage and calculation of total charge (Q) gained during the biodegradation of organic content. Diverse samples were analyzed: acetate and peptone samples containing only soluble readily biodegradable substrates; corn starch and milk samples with suspended and colloidal organics; real domestic and brewery wastewaters. Linear regression fitted to the Q vs. BOD5 measurement points of the real wastewaters provided high (> 0.985) R2 values. Time requirement of the measurement varied from 1 to 4 days, depending on the composition of the sample.

Conclusions
Relative error of BOD measured in the MFCs comparing with BOD5 was less than 10%, thus the method might be a good basis for the development of on-site automatic BOD sensors for real wastewater samples.
Ascophyllum nodosum extract improves leaf thermoregulation by reducing stomatal sensitivity to VPD in Vitis vinifera L.
Authors: Tombesi Sergio , Frioni Tommaso , Sabbatini Paolo , Poni Stefano , Palliotti Alberto 
Published: November 2020

AbstractClimate change scenarios and the need of sustainable tools to reduce global warming impact on agriculture have led to the formulation of a large number of natural products or biostimulants that should increase plant resilience to abiotic stress. Ascophyllum nodosum (AN) extract is one of the most studied biostimulants to increase tolerance to drought stress, but the physiological mechanism underlying its action is still poorly understood. The aim of the present work was to determine AN extract impact on grapevine gas exchange under well-watered and water stress conditions and to examine its mode of action under stress (light and temperature). AN caused a slight increase in stomatal conductance that resulted in an increase of water plant conductivity to atmosphere. Increased transpiration induced by AN improved leaf thermoregulation, facilitating vine recovery after a stress period. AN increased transpiration through a reduction of stomatal sensitivity to VPD. AN action on stomata regulation indicated that this biostimulant could be a new potential tool to limit leaf damage during events of extreme temperature, even when they are not combined with water stress conditions.
Topology of Coronal Magnetic Fields: Extending the Magnetic Skeleton Using Null-like Points
Authors: Lee Daniel T. , Brown Daniel S. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractMany phenomena in the Sun’s atmosphere are magnetic in nature and study of the atmospheric magnetic field plays an important part in understanding these phenomena. Tools to study solar magnetic fields include magnetic topology and features such as magnetic null points, separatrix surfaces, and separators. The theory of these has most robustly been developed under magnetic charge topology, where the sources of the magnetic field are taken to be discrete, but observed magnetic fields are continuously distributed, and reconstructions and numerical simulations typically use continuously distributed magnetic boundary conditions. This article investigates the pitfalls in using continuous-source descriptions, particularly when null points on the$z=0$z=0plane are obscured by the continuous flux distribution through, e.g., the overlap of non-point sources. The idea of null-like points on the boundary is introduced where the parallel requirement on the field$B_{\parallel }=0$B∥=0is retained but the requirement on the perpendicular component is relaxed, i.e.$B_{\perp }\ne 0$B⊥≠0. These allow the definition of separatrix-like surfaces which are shown (through use of a squashing factor) to be a class of quasi-separatrix layer, and separator-like lines which retain the x-line structure of separators. Examples are given that demonstrate that the use of null-like points can reinstate topological features that are eliminated in the transition from discrete to continuous sources, and that their inclusion in more involved cases can enhance understanding of the magnetic structure and even change the resulting conclusions. While the examples in this article use the potential approximation, the definition of null-like points is more general and may be employed in other cases such as force-free field extrapolations and MHD simulations.
Common Factors in Fraction-Free Matrix Decompositions
Authors: Middeke Johannes , Jeffrey David J. , Koutschan Christoph 
Published: November 2020

AbstractWe consider LU and QR matrix decompositions using exact computations. We show that fraction-free Gauß–Bareiss reduction leads to triangular matrices having a non-trivial number of common row factors. We identify two types of common factors: systematic and statistical. Systematic factors depend on the reduction process, independent of the data, while statistical factors depend on the specific data. We relate the existence of row factors in the LU decomposition to factors appearing in the Smith–Jacobson normal form of the matrix. For statistical factors, we identify some of the mechanisms that create them and give estimates of the frequency of their occurrence. Similar observations apply to the common factors in a fraction-free QR decomposition. Our conclusions are tested experimentally.
Urban Spatial Structure in Barcelona (1902–2011): Immigration, Spatial Segregation and New Centrality Governance
Authors: Garcia-López Miquel-Àngel , Nicolini Rosella , Roig Sabaté José Luis 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThis paper investigates the impact of the city’s urban spatial structure in shaping population density distribution over time. This research question is relevant in Barcelona because urban population grew at a sustained pace in various decades due to intense immigration inflows. When the urban spatial structure fails to behave as the backbone of population density distribution, population distribution can suffer from polarization problems. We conduct our empirical study using an urban monocentric framework, tracking the different spatial distribution patterns of the overall population and a few selected urban communities in light of the degree of attractiveness of the central business district (CBD). To this end, we construct an original database by each district in Barcelona from 1902 to 2011 and perform an econometric analysis. Our results reveal that the urban spatial structure continued to be a crucial determinant over time for shaping the overall population distribution in Barcelona and in almost all selected communities. However, its importance fluctuated over time, bottoming out in the 1950s–1960s, and whose resurgence was mostly driven by the political initiative to create a new centrality in the urban periphery. This policy reinforced the attractiveness of the CBD, resulting in the de-facto avoidance of urban polarization.
Immune-related gene data-based molecular subtyping related to the prognosis of breast cancer patients
Authors: Mu Guoyu , Ji Hong , He Hui , Wang Hongjiang 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Background
Breast cancer (BC), which is the most common malignant tumor in females, is associated with increasing morbidity and mortality. Effective treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, endocrinotherapy and molecular-targeted therapy. With the development of molecular biology, immunology and pharmacogenomics, an increasing amount of evidence has shown that the infiltration of immune cells into the tumor microenvironment, coupled with the immune phenotype of tumor cells, will significantly affect tumor development and malignancy. Consequently, immunotherapy has become a promising treatment for BC prevention and as a modality that can influence patient prognosis.

Methods
In this study, samples collected from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and ImmPort databases were analyzed to investigate specific immune-related genes that affect the prognosis of BC patients. In all, 64 immune-related genes related to prognosis were screened, and the 17 most representative genes were finally selected to establish the prognostic prediction model of BC (the RiskScore model) using the Lasso and StepAIC methods. By establishing a training set and a test set, the efficiency, accuracy and stability of the model in predicting and classifying the prognosis of patients were evaluated. Finally, the 17 immune-related genes were functionally annotated, and GO and KEGG signal pathway enrichment analyses were performed.

Results
We found that these 17 genes were enriched in numerous BC- and immune microenvironment-related pathways. The relationship between the RiskScore and the clinical characteristics of the sample and signaling pathways was also analyzed.

Conclusions
Our findings indicate that the prognostic prediction model based on the expression profiles of 17 immune-related genes has demonstrated high predictive accuracy and stability in identifying immune features, which can guide clinicians in the diagnosis and prognostic prediction of BC patients with different immunophenotypes.