bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of Al2O3/ZrO2 Nanocomposite and the Study of Its effects on Photocatalytic Degradation of Reactive Blue 222 and Reactive Yellow 145 Dyes
Authors: Yaghoubi Alireza , Ramazani Ali , Taghavi Fardood Saeid 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAl2O3/ZrO2 nanocomposites were synthesized by growth of semiconductor ZrO2 onto Al2O3 nanoparticles by a facile sol‐gel method using tragacanth gum as a natural gel. Ultrasonic technique was applied for the coating of ZrO2 onto Al2O3 during the production process of nanostructures. XRD data confirmed the formation of Al2O3/ZrO2 nanocomposites. The synthesized Al2O3/ZrO2 was evaluated for photocatalytic activity through degradation of Reactive Blue 222(RB222) and Reactive Yellow 145(RY145) dyes in aqueous solution under visible irradiation. Influence of some parameters such as initial dye concentration, catalyst loading and irradiation duration on the degradation of dyes was investigated as well as the optimum conditions were obtained. The results showed that the removal efficiency of a 20 mg/L (50 mL) dye solution reached 91.4 % for RB222 and 94.6 % for RY145 only in 60 min of reaction duration with 0.04 g of Al2O3/ZrO2 as catalyst. The dyes degradation was monitored by using UV‐Vis spectroscopy.
In Situ Green Synthesis of Ni‐Doped CsPbBr3@SiO2 Composites with Superior Stability for Fabrication of White Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Ding Hongwei , Zhu Yizhi , Wang Yihan , Jiang Hui , Wang Xuemei 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAll‐inorganic perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) have drawn enormous attention recently for their excellent optoelectronic properties. However, the poor stability to polar solvents and ultraviolet (UV) light, and the undesirable ions exchange reactions hinder their practical applications tremendously. Moreover, organic solvents and ligands with long chains are indispensable for the preparation of PNCs in most synthetic protocols, which are harmful and expensive. Herein, we have proposed an alternative in situ method to prepare Ni‐doped CsPbBr3 NCs by using nontoxic water or ethanol as solvents, nickel bromide as the bromide source. Moreover, the acid‐base organic ligands system such as oleylamine and oleic acid were substituted by economical ammonium hydroxide and acetic acid. Then the composites of SiO2 and PNCs, namely, SiO2@PNCs and PNCs@MSN@SiO2 (MSN is mesoporous silicon nanoparticles), are prepared in aqueous system efficiently. Especially, PNCs@MSN@SiO2 exhibits excellent luminescent properties and superior stability against water, UV light irradiation and ions exchange reactions. Finally, by using the green‐emitted PNCs@MSN@SiO2, and red‐emitted CsPbBrI2 phosphors, a warm white light‐emitting diodes (WLED) device can be fabricated, which shows potential applications of backlit displays with a wide color gamut of National Television System Committee (NTSC) value of 110 % and ITU‐R Recommendation B.T. 2020 (Rec. 2020) of 87 %. This work may provide a new eco‐friendly strategy to prepare high performance PNCs and their composites.
Treatment of Oily Wastewater Using a Hyperbranched Poly (amido amine) Demulsifier with 1,4‐Phenylene Diamine as Central Core
Authors: Zhang Zejun , Shen Liwei , Hu Wenxiang , Mi Yuanzhu , Yuan Huaikui , Kuang Jiazhe , Ye Fan , Jiang Xia , Luo Yue , Liu Wangfu , Xie Fangqin 
Published: August 2020

AbstractIn the present study, a hyperbranched polymer demulsifier (PPDA) was synthesized by an improved “one‐pot” method with 1,4‐phenylene diamine as the central core, and ethylenediamine and methyl acrylate as the chain segments. NMR and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were used to confirm the molecular structure of the demulsifier, and thermogravimetric analysis was carried out to estimate its thermal stability. The effects of some important experimental parameters such as concentration, temperature and settling time on the demulsification performance were systematically studied. The results demonstrated that the light transmittance and oil removal ratio of oily wastewater reached to 47.9 % and 93.62 %, respectively, after demulsification with 20 mg.L−1 PPDA for 30 min at room temperature. With the same concentration and time at 60 °C, the light transmittance and oil removal ratio reached 57.0 % and 96.35 %, respectively. In addition, PPDA showed high salt tolerance over 10000 mg.L−1. The possible demulsification mechanism was examined by comparing the demulsification performance of different demulsifiers in diesel emulsion and oily wastewater, respectively. Furthermore, surface tension, interfacial tension, zeta potential and micrograph measurements provided convincing evidence for the possible demulsification mechanism. The surface tension reduction was 29.86 and 31.75 mN.m−1 at 25 °C and 60 °C, respectively. The corresponding critical micelle concentration was 4.17×10−7 and 5.50×10−7 mol.L−1, respectively. Additionally, the interfacial tension decreased from 15.70 to 6.96 mN.m−1 as the PPDA concentration increased from 20 mol. L−1 to 100 mol. L−1. This showed that PPDA easily absorbed at the interface and rapidly permeate into the interface film and then to broke the oil droplets. This work provides a new hyperbranched polymer demulsifier for the treatment of oily wastewater and is beneficial for understanding the demulsification mechanism.
A thick aerodynamic profile with regions of negative lift slope and possible implications on profiles for wind turbine blades
Authors: Peter Schaffarczyk Alois , Arakawa Chuichi 
Published: August 2020

AbstractIn the high pressure wind tunnel (HochDruckkanal Goettingen [HDG]) of Deutsch–Niederländische Windkanäle—German–Dutch Wind Tunnels (DNW) a 47% thick airfoil‐like symmetrical profile was investigated at a high (3 to 12 million) Reynolds number. As an unusual feature, a negative lift slope dcL/dα < 0 close to zero lift has been re‐observed under specific circumstances. We describe the findings and offer some explanations using two‐dimensional (2D) unsteady, transitional computational fluid dynamics. Possible implications for very thick aerodynamic profiles for use on wind turbine blades are discussed.
Caspian Tern Response to Managed Reductions in Nesting Habitat
Authors: Schniedermeyer Ethan , Roby Daniel D. , Lyons Donald E. , Suzuki Yasuko , Collis Ken 
Published: August 2020

ABSTRACTPredation on smolts by Caspian terns (Hydroprogne caspia) has been identified as a factor limiting the restoration of some populations of anadromous salmonids (Oncorhynchus spp.) from the Columbia River basin that are listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Implementation of a management plan to reduce numbers of Caspian terns nesting at the 2 largest colonies in the Columbia Plateau region of Oregon and Washington, USA, began in 2014 and is ongoing. We investigated the response of Caspian terns during 2014–2016 to reductions in nesting habitat at these 2 colonies. Management prevented terns from nesting at both colonies, and the estimated numbers of nesting pairs in the region declined significantly from a mean of 877 pairs during premanagement to 769 and 675 pairs in 2015 and 2016, respectively. The management objective of reducing numbers of nesting terns in the Columbia Plateau region to ≤200 breeding pairs was not achieved during the first 2 years of full implementation of the plan. Regional nesting success did not decline significantly following the initiation of management, and remained at levels considered sufficient to sustain the regional subpopulation. Despite the species’ capacity for long‐distance breeding dispersal, the majority of displaced terns exhibited stronger than expected philopatry to the Columbia Plateau region. Analysis of resightings of banded terns indicated that most (>80%) terns that nested in the Columbia Plateau region premanagement returned to the region in 2015 and 2016, but the proportion that returned as breeders decreased while the proportion that returned as nonbreeding floaters increased compared with premanagement. The proportion of banded terns that were unobserved also increased during management years, suggesting that more terns became floaters in the Pacific Flyway and went unobserved because they were prospecting and foraging in locations or regions where there was little or no monitoring. The unexpectedly high regional philopatry exhibited by terns during management was likely a reflection of the low availability of suitable alternative nesting habitat outside the region. Most terns that remained in the region displayed considerable flexibility in nest site selection by nesting either at a previously smaller, intermittently successful breeding colony or at a small new colony where nesting activity had not previously been recorded. As long‐lived seabirds, Caspian terns may integrate information regarding nesting success over several years before choosing to change nesting locations, longer than the 2 years of this study, especially if alternate locations are distant or intermittently available, or a history of nesting at multiple locations exists within the region. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.
Functional Biobased Composite Polymers for Food Packaging Applications
Authors: Cakmak Hulya , Sogut Ece 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBiobased polymers are of great interest due to the release of tension on non-renewable petroleum-based polymers for environmental concerns. However, biobased polymers usually have poor mechanical and barrier properties when used as the main component of coatings and films, but they can be improved by adding nanoscale reinforcing agents (nanoparticles - NPs or fillers), thus forming nanocomposites. The nano-sized components have a larger surface area that favors the filler-matrix interactions and the resulting material yield. For example, natural fibers from renewable plants could be used to improve the mechanical strength of the biobased composites. In addition to the mechanical properties, the optical, thermal and barrier properties are mainly effective on the selection of type or the ratio of biobased components. Biobased nanocomposites are one of the best alternatives to conventional polymer composites due to their low density, transparency, better surface properties and biodegradability, even with low filler contents. In addition, these biomaterials are also incorporated into composite films as nano-sized bio-fillers for the reinforcement or as carriers of some bioactive compounds. Therefore, nanostructures may provide antimicrobial properties, oxygen scavenging ability, enzyme immobilization or act as a temperature or oxygen sensor. The promising result of biobased functional polymer nanocomposites is shelf life extension of foods, and continuous improvements will face the future challenges. This chapter will focus on biobased materials used in nanocomposite polymers with their functional properties for food packaging applications.
Guillain–Barré syndrome spectrum associated with COVID-19: an up-to-date systematic review of 73 cases
Authors: Abu-Rumeileh Samir , Abdelhak Ahmed , Foschi Matteo , Tumani Hayrettin , Otto Markus 
Published: August 2020

AbstractSince coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in January 2020, several pieces of evidence suggested an association between the spectrum of Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Most findings were reported in the form of case reports or case series, whereas a comprehensive overview is still lacking. We conducted a systematic review and searched for all published cases until July 20th 2020. We included 73 patients reported in 52 publications. A broad age range was affected (mean 55, min 11–max 94 years) with male predominance (68.5%). Most patients showed respiratory and/or systemic symptoms, and developed GBS manifestations after COVID-19. However, asymptomatic cases for COVID-19 were also described. The distributions of clinical variants and electrophysiological subtypes resemble those of classic GBS, with a higher prevalence of the classic sensorimotor form and the acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, although rare variants like Miller Fisher syndrome were also reported. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) albuminocytological dissociation was present in around 71% cases, and CSF SARS-CoV-2 RNA was absent in all tested cases. More than 70% of patients showed a good prognosis, mostly after treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin. Patients with less favorable outcome were associated with a significantly older age in accordance with previous findings regarding both classic GBS and COVID-19. COVID-19-associated GBS seems to share most features of classic post-infectious GBS and possibly the same immune-mediated pathogenetic mechanisms. Nevertheless, more extensive epidemiological studies are needed to clarify these issues.
Do Political Attitudes Matter for Epistemic Decisions of Scientists?
Authors: Sikimić Vlasta , Nikitović Tijana , Vasić Miljan , Subotić Vanja 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe epistemic attitudes of scientists, such as epistemic tolerance and authoritarianism, play important roles in the discourse about rivaling theories. Epistemic tolerance stands for the mental attitude of an epistemic agent, e.g., a scientist, who is open to opposing views, while epistemic authoritarianism represents the tendency to uncritically accept views of authorities. Another relevant epistemic factor when it comes to the epistemic decisions of scientists is the skepticism towards the scientific method. However, the question is whether these epistemic attitudes are influenced by their sociopolitical counterparts, such as the researcher’s degree of conservatism. To empirically investigate the interplay between epistemic and sociopolitical attitudes of scientists, we conducted a survey with researchers (N = 655) across different disciplines. We propose scales for measuring epistemic tolerance and epistemic authoritarianism, as well as a scale for detecting the participants' readiness to question the scientific method. Furthermore, we investigate the relationship between epistemic tolerance and epistemic authoritarianism on the one hand, and career stage and sociopolitical views on the other hand. Interestingly, our study found only small correlations between the participants' degree of conservatism and their epistemic attitudes. This suggests that political views, against common argumentation, actually do not play an important role in one’s scientific decisions. Moreover, social scientists scored higher on the epistemic tolerance and lower on the epistemic authoritarianism scale than natural scientists. Finally, the results indicate that natural scientists question the scientific method less than social scientists.
Modelling and thermal simulation of absorber-free quasi-simultaneous laser welding of transparent plastics
Authors: Nguyen Nam-Phong , Behrens Stefan , Brosda Maximilian , Olowinsky Alexander , Gillner Arnold 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe growing demands on the quality of plastic components and the trend towards miniaturisation are posing a great challenge on plastics processing technology. As many complex components can no longer be manufactured in a single step, joining processes such as laser transmission welding are gaining in importance. In classic laser transmission welding, the joining partners have different optical properties. The upper joining partner is transparent in the laser wavelength range, whilst the lower partner is absorbent due to the addition of absorber materials. In medical and biotechnological applications, the addition of absorber materials is often undesirable due to strict biocompatibility requirements. If, on the other hand, radiation sources are used which emit radiation in the area of the natural absorption of the plastic (λ = 1600–2000 nm), untreated transparent plastics can also be welded. In this work, a theoretical model will be presented to calculate the temperature distribution and progression during quasi-simultaneous welding using a thulium fibre laser (λ = 1940 nm). A sensitivity analysis is carried out to investigate the influence of different parameters on the heat affected zone (HAZ). The simulated HAZ is then compared with the HAZ from the experimental work.
Sex Differences in the Classification of Conduct Problems: Implications for Treatment
Authors: Smaragdi Areti , Blackman Andrea , Donato Adam , Walsh Margaret , Augimeri Leena 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Purpose
Conduct problem behaviors are highly heterogeneous symptom clusters, creating many challenges in investigating etiology and planning treatment. The aim of this study was to first identify distinct subgroups of males and females with conduct problems using a data driven approach and, secondly, to investigate whether these subgroups differed in treatment outcome after an evidence-based crime prevention program.

Methods
We used a latent class analysis (LCA) in Mplus` to classify 517 males and 354 females (age 6–11) into classes based on the presence of conduct disorder or oppositional defiance disorder items from the Child Behavior Checklist. All children were then enlisted into the 13-week group core component (children and parent groups) of the program Stop Now And Plan (SNAP®), a cognitive-behavioral, trauma-informed, and gender-specific program that teaches children (and their caregivers) emotion-regulation, self-control, and problem-solving skills.

Results
The LCA revealed four classes for males, which separated into (1) “rule-breaking,” (2) “aggressive,” (3) “mild,” and (4) “severe” conduct problems. While all four groups showed a significant improvement following the SNAP program, they differed in the type and magnitude of their improvements. For females, we observed two classes of conduct problems that were largely distinguishable based on severity of conduct problems. Participants in both female groups significantly improved with treatment, but did not differ in the type or magnitude of improvement.

Conclusion
This study presents novel findings of sex differences in clustering of conduct problems and adds to the discussion of how to target treatment for individuals presenting with a variety of different problem behaviors.
Commercial contract cheating provision through micro-outsourcing web sites
Authors: Lancaster Thomas 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAs the contract cheating market has become more sophisticated and competition has intensified, the contract cheating industry has had to redevelop its approach to gain custom. The industry has developed new models of internal operation and providers are using more sophisticated techniques to reach potential customers. This paper discusses contract cheating industry workflows and introduces terminology to allow complexities of the industry to be more consistently discussed. Examples are provided throughout to indicate the scale and challenge of the contract cheating industry operations.An analysis of contract cheating operations on the micro-outsourcing website Fiverr.com is presented, using comparative data collected in June 2016 and October 2018. The analysis of the data demonstrates how the contract cheating industry is seeing continual change. Specifically, on Fiverr.com, this includes an increase in the number of providers offering essay writing services, particularly those from Kenya and Pakistan. The increase in service availability is accompanied by an associated reduction in essay pricing. The advertised pricing per 1000 words has dropped substantially, from $31.73 USD to $5.73 USD. The accounts used by contract cheating providers are also being replaced at an increased rate.Based on the data, contract cheating providers on Fiverr.com are currently estimated to be taking a minimum of $92,001 USD per year in revenue. This is an example calculated from only one search term on which contract cheating providers advertise on only one micro-outsourcing site used for contract cheating. The actual industry income from micro-outsourcing web sites is likely to be substantially higher.
The Interplay Between Coagulation and Inflammation Pathways in COVID-19-Associated Respiratory Failure: A Narrative Review
Authors: Bhattacharyya Rajat , Iyer Prasad , Phua Ghee Chee , Lee Jan Hau 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has caused an unprecedented worldwide socio-economic and health impact. There is increasing evidence that a combination of inflammation and hypercoagulable state are the main mechanisms of respiratory failure in these patients. This narrative review aims to summarize currently available evidence on the complex interplay of immune dysregulation, hypercoagulability, and thrombosis in the pathogenesis of respiratory failure in COVID-19 disease. In addition, we will describe the experience of anticoagulation and anti-inflammatory strategies that have been tested. Profound suppression of the adaptive and hyperactivity of innate immune systems with macrophage activation appears to be a prominent feature in this infection. Immune dysregulation together with endotheliitis and severe hypercoagulability results in thromboinflammation and microvascular thrombosis in the pulmonary vasculature leading to severe respiratory distress. Currently, some guidelines recommend the use of prophylactic low molecular weight heparin in all hospitalized patients, with intermediate dose prophylaxis in those needing intensive care, and the use of therapeutic anticoagulation in patients with proven or suspected thrombosis. Strong recommendations cannot be made until this approach is validated by trial results. To target the inflammatory cascade, low-dose dexamethasone appears to be helpful in moderate to severe cases and trials with anti-interleukin agents (e.g., tocilizumab, anakinra, siltuximab) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are showing early promising results. Potential newer agents (e.g., Janus kinase inhibitor such as ruxolitinib, baricitinib, fedratinib) are likely to be investigated in clinical trials. Unfortunately, current trials are mostly examining these agents in isolation and there may be a significant delay before evidence-based practice can be implemented. It is plausible that a combination of anti-viral drugs together with anti-inflammatory and anti-coagulation medicines will be the most successful strategy in managing severely affected patients with COVID-19.
A Net Energy Analysis of the Global Agriculture, Aquaculture, Fishing and Forestry System
Authors: Marshall Zeke , Brockway Paul E. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe global agriculture, aquaculture, fishing and forestry (AAFF) energy system is subject to three unsustainable trends: (1) the approaching biophysical limits of AAFF; (2) the role of AAFF as a driver of environmental degradation; and (3) the long-term declining energy efficiency of AAFF due to growing dependence on fossil fuels. In response, we conduct a net energy analysis for the period 1971–2017 and review existing studies to investigate the global AAFF energy system and its vulnerability to the three unsustainable trends from an energetic perspective. We estimate the global AAFF system represents 27.9% of societies energy supply in 2017, with food energy representing 20.8% of societies total energy supply. We find that the net energy-return-on-investment (net EROI) of global AAFF increased from 2.87:1 in 1971 to 4.05:1 in 2017. We suggest that rising net EROI values are being fuelled in part by ‘depleting natures accumulated energy stocks’. We also find that the net energy balance of AAFF increased by 130% in this period, with at the same time a decrease in both the proportion of rural residents and also the proportion of the total population working in AAFF—which decreased from 19.8 to 10.3%. However, this comes at the cost of growing fossil fuel dependency which increased from 43.6 to 62.2%. Given the increasing probability of near-term fossil fuel scarcity, the growing impacts of climate change and environmental degradation, and the approaching biophysical limits of global AAFF, ‘Odum’s hoax’ is likely soon to be revealed.