bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Encapsulation of Magnetic Nanoparticles and Copaíba Oil in Poly(methyl methacrylate) Nanoparticles via Miniemulsion Polymerization for Biomedical Application
Authors: Cordeiro Arthur P. , Feuser Paulo E. , Araújo Pedro H. H. , Sayer Claudia 
Published: December 2020

AbstractPolymeric nanoparticles (NPs) are used for drug delivery, mainly due to their ability to increase the selectivity and therapeutic efficacy of the encapsulated molecules. Alternative therapeutic compounds like magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and copaiba oil are alternatives for the development of more efficient and less aggressive therapeutic systems. The objective of the present work is to synthesize poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanoparticles containing MNPs and copaiba oil (CO) via miniemulsion polymerization. The nanoparticles presented a mean diameter of ≈98 ± 1 nm with narrow particle size dispersion (0.1) and high colloidal stability with zeta potential below −50 ± −3 mV. The miniemulsion polymerization process allowed to incorporate the MNPs and the copaiba oil into the polymer matrix and the nanoparticles presented a saturation magnetization higher than ≈49 emu/g of MNPs and superparamagnetic properties. The evaluated PMMA‐MNPs‐CO concentrations, up to 200 µg mL−1 of MNPs, did not affect fibroblast cells viability.
Production of Crosslinked Starch Microparticles through Inverse Suspension Polymerization using Statistical Experimental Design
Authors: de Souza e Castro Nathany Lisbôa , Nele Márcio , Pinto José Carlos 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe use of natural polymers has attracted much interest in many different areas, especially in fields where biodegradability and biocompatibility constitute major requirements, as in the pharmaceutical and biomedical areas. For this reason, the present work explores the production of crosslinked starch microparticles in vegetable oil through inverse suspension polymerizations under different experimental conditions, using glucose as a crosslinking agent and manipulating the agitation speed, reaction temperature, starch concentration in the suspended phase, surfactant concentration and crosslinking agent concentration in accordance with a statistical experimental design. Analyzed response variables include morphological aspects, particle size distribution, swelling ratio and solubility in aqueous medium. It is observed that glucose can promote significant modification of the material properties and lead to changes in its solubility in water. Besides, the operation variables exert significant effects on the morphological properties of the obtained powders. For this reason, empirical models are proposed to describe the solubility of the material in water and particle sizes as function of the preparation variables. The results indicate that glucose and starch content are the most influential variables on the solubility of the microparticles in water and that glucose, stirring rate and temperature play the most influential effects on the particle size distributions.
Flexible, High‐Density and Water‐Resistant Polypropylene/Thermoplastic Elastomer/Inorganic Fillers Composites
Authors: Barbosa Rafael , Blanco Guilherme E. O. , Ambrósio José D. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThis work is aimed at preparing composites from polypropylene (PP) and ethylene‐octene copolymer (thermoplastic elastomer ‐ TPE) blends with different fillers (talc, mica, and barium sulfate). Characterizations of ash content, melt flow index, density, flexural and tensile properties, impact resistance, hardness, moisture content, and water absorption are realized. The development of these composites intent to obtain materials with higher density and flexibility than PP, pursuing applications in outdoor, high humidity, or immersion in fluids. Interesting results are obtained, mainly with the use of barium sulfate, which increased the density of PP by 45% with the addition of 12 vol.%. Besides the fillers, the addition of TPE is effective in reducing the stiffness and improving the impact toughness, making possible the filler addition without flexibility losses. In this case, the barium sulfate composites showed flexural modulus close to PP/TPE modulus and impact strength superior to pure PP and PP/TPE blend. The composites moisture content and water absorption also show better results from barium sulfate samples, indicating this filler as a great component to composites that pursues high density, flexibility maintenance, and capable to work in the presence of water.
Evaluation of Printing Parameters on Porosity and Mechanical Properties of 3D Printed PLA/PBAT Blend Parts
Authors: Cardoso Paulo Henrique Machado , Coutinho Rafaella Rabello Teixeira Perdone , Drummond Flávia Rocha , da Conceição Marceli do Nascimento , Thiré Rossana Mara da Silva Moreira 
Published: December 2020

AbstractFused deposition modeling (FDM) is a rapidly growing additive manufacturing technology due to its ability to manufacture complex‐shaped parts in a simple process. FDM parts present inherent porosity due to the fabrication process. The mechanical performance of the built part depends on controlling several printing parameters of the specimen and the quantity of voids. PLA/PBAT [polylactic acid/poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate)] blend is a biodegradable polyester with bio‐based content that is used as a potential replacement for conventional petroleum‐based polymers. PBAT reduces the stiffness and improves the tear strength of PLA. There is a lack of research on PLA/PBAT 3D printed parts, especially the relationship between flexural mechanical properties and porosity of PLA/PBAT parts. The aim of this work is to investigate the effect of layer thickness (LT), deposition speed (DS), and printing direction (PD) on porosity and flexural properties of PLA/PBAT blend parts. Experimental design method is used to identify the set of parameters, which gives optimized results. Specimens fabricated with lower printing parameter values allowed obtaining parts with less porosity and consequently improved bending properties.
Use of soleus musculocutaneous perforator‐based propeller flap for lower extremity wound coverage after osteocutaneous fibula free flap harvest
Authors: Kaleem Arshad , Patel Neel , Schubert Enrique , Tursun Ramzey 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundOsteocutaneous fibula free flap (OCFFF) donor sites are often covered with skin grafts, with an additional donor site, more postoperative care, and increased cost. The authors examine posterior tibial artery (PTA) based pedicled propeller flaps (PPF) as an alternative for OCFFF donor site coverage.Patients and methodsRetrospective review of 16 consecutive patients from 30 to 79 years old, who underwent OCFFF reconstruction of head and neck defects (11 mandibular, 5 maxillary), with the closure of donor site with PPF based on a perforator from PTA. Mean donor site defect measured 12.9 × 5.1 cm, PPF was an elliptical design, and rotated 180 degrees in a propeller fashion, to cover donor site defect. Visual analog scale (VAS) was used to assess esthetic results, functional outcomes assessed using mobility and range of motion (ROM), and secondary complications including infections, hematomas, and seromas were recorded. Follow‐up period was noted in months postoperatively. Other information collected included underlying head and neck pathology.ResultsAverage dimension of PPF measured 13.9 × 4.1 cm. Successful closure of donor site defects in 14 of 16 patients, with two flaps having partial necrosis, one requiring a secondary skin graft. Follow‐up was 6 to 10 months, esthetic results with mean VAS 8.8 of 10, full ROM, and mobility noted. No secondary complications were observed. The most common pathology noted was squamous cell carcinoma (6 of 16 patients).ConclusionPPFs based on the soleus branch of the PTA represent an excellent alternative to skin grafts for the closure of OCFFF donor site defects.
Interlaboratory comparison of angular‐dependent photovoltaic device measurements: Results and impact on energy rating
Authors: Riedel‐Lyngskær Nicholas , Santamaría Lancia Adrián A. , Plag Fabian , Kröger Ingo , Vogt Malte R. , Schinke Carsten , Davidsen Rasmus S. , Amdemeskel Mekbib , Jansen Mark J. , Manshanden Petra , Slooff Lenneke H. , Carr Anna J. , Bliss Martin , Betts Tom , Mayo Mikel E. , Jauregui Iñigo P. , Balenzategui Jose L. , Roldan Ruben , Bellenda Giovanni , Caccivio Mauro , Kräling Ulli , Neuberger Frank , Zirzow Daniel , Crimmins Jim , Robinson Charles , King Bruce , Teasdale Wesley , Kedir Cherif , Watts John , Desharnais Ryan , Poulsen Peter B. , Jakobsen Michael L. , dos Reis Benatto Gisele A. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThis paper presents the results from an extensive interlaboratory comparison of angular‐dependent measurements on encapsulated photovoltaic (PV) cells. Twelve international laboratories measure the incident angle modifier of two unique PV devices. The absolute measurement agreement is ±2.0% to the weighted mean for angles of incidence (AOI) ≤ 65°, but from 70° to 85°, the range of measurement deviations increases rapidly from 2.5% to 23%. The proficiency of the measurements is analysed using the expanded uncertainties published by seven of the laboratories, and it is found that most of the angular‐dependent measurements are reproducible for AOI ≤ 80°. However, at 85°, one laboratory's measurement do not agree to the weighted mean within the stated uncertainty, and measurement uncertainty as high as 16% is needed for the laboratories without uncertainty to be comparable. The poor agreement obtained at 85° indicates that the PV community should place minimal reliance on angular‐dependent measurements made at this extreme angle until improvements can be demonstrated. The cloud‐based Daidalos ray tracing model is used to simulate the angular‐dependent losses of the mono‐Si device, and it is found that the simulation agrees to the median measurement within 0.6% for AOI ≤ 70° and within 1.4% for AOI ≤ 80°. Finally, the impact that the angular‐dependent measurement deviations have on climate specific energy rating (CSER) is evaluated for the six climates described in the IEC 61853‐4 standard. When one outlier measurement is excluded, the angular‐dependent measurements reported in this work cause a 1.0%–1.8% range in CSER and a 1.0%–1.5% range in annual energy yield, depending on the climate.
Metabolic profiling reveals local and systemic responses of kiwifruit to Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae
Authors: Li Yawei , Wang Xiaojie , Zeng Yunliu , Liu Pu 
Published: December 2020

AbstractPseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa), a bacterial pathogen, causes bacterial canker disease in kiwifruit. To elucidate the local and systemic influences of Psa infection on kiwifruit, comprehensive analyses were conducted by combining metabolomic and physiological approach under Psa‐infected treatment and mock‐inoculated control in leaves, stems, and bleeding saps. Our results show that Psa infection stimulated kiwifruit metabolic reprogramming. Levels of many sugars, fumarate, and malic acid were decreased in Psa‐infected leaves and stems, accompanied by the increased level of amino acids (AAs), which implies the anaplerotic reaction to replenish the TCA cycle generating energy and intermediates for defense‐related metabolic pathways, such as phenylpropanoid metabolism. The inconsistent results were observed in bleeding saps, which may be attributed to the induced phloem transport of carbon (C) out of leaves and such a transport benefits bacterium movement. Arg, Gln, and pyroglutamic acid systematically were accumulated in long‐distance leaves, which probably confers to systemic acquired resistance (SAR) and Psa inoculation accelerated the nitrogen (N) cycling in kiwifruit. Moreover, Psa infection specifically affected the content of phenolic compounds and lignin. Phenolic compounds were negatively and lignin was positively related to kiwifruit Psa resistance, respectively. Our results first reveal that Psa enhances infection by manipulating C/N metabolism and sweet immunity, and that host lignin synthesis is a major physical barrier for restricting bacterial infection. This study provides an insight into the complex remodeling of plant metabolic response to Psa stress.
E‐Bayesian estimation of reliability characteristics of two‐parameter bathtub‐shaped lifetime distribution with application
Authors: Algarni Ali , Almarashi Abdullah M. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThis article presents the expected Bayesian (E‐Bayesian) estimation of the scale parameter, reliability and failure rate functions of two‐parameter bathtub‐shaped lifetime distribution under type‐II censoring data with. Squared error loss function and gamma distribution as a conjugate prior distribution for the unknown parameter are used to obtain the E‐Bayesian estimators. Also, three different prior distributions for the hyperparameters for the E‐Bayesian estimators are considered. Some properties of the E‐Bayesian estimators are studied. Using minimum mean square error criteria, a simulation study is conducted to compare the performance of the E‐Bayesian estimators and the corresponding Bayes and maximum likelihood estimators. A real data set is analysed to show the applicability of the different proposed estimators. The numerical results show that the E‐Bayesian estimators perform better than the classical and Bayesian estimators.
Multiconstellation global navigation satellite systems signal analysis over the Asia‐Pacific region
Authors: Ansari Kutubuddin , Bae Tae‐Suk , Seok Hong‐Woo , Kim Min‐Seo 
Published: December 2020

SummaryWe studied five multiconstellation systems (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, and QZSS) signals by selecting 10 MGEX network stations over the Asia‐Pacific region. A comparative analysis with the number of satellite visibilities (NSVs), signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR), multipath combination (MPC), and precise point positioning (PPP) including the phase and code residuals (PCRs) of different constellations is carefully investigated to measure the individual performances. The SNR data were extracted on a map representing the elevation angle via wavelet analysis. The analysis indicated that the correlation coefficient of elevation angle with the SNR varies for different satellite orbits, although the number of wavelets corresponded to the visible frequency of satellites. We examined the MPC by using the power spectrum and verified the frequency component of the multipath signature. The results show that the BeiDou and QZSS constellations signals were significantly more affected compared with the GPS and GLONASS signals and less affected compared to the Galileo signal. We plotted PCR from different satellites systems relative to time and elevation angles. It was observed that the QZSS residuals exhibited the largest values, and the Galileo and BeiDou residual values were slightly smaller values compared with the GPS and GLONASS residuals.
Titanium Nanopillar Arrays Functioning as Electron Transporting Layers for Efficient, Anti‐Aging Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Zhao Jie , Sun Peng , Wu Zhongwei , Li Jun , Wang Xiaohan , Xiao Ting , Yang Lin , Zheng Zijian , Huang Zhifeng 
Published: December 2020

AbstractElectron transporting layers (ETLs), required to be optically transparent in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) having regular structures, possess a determinant effect on electron extraction and collection. Metal oxides (e.g., TiO2) have overwhelmingly served as ETLs, but usually have low electron mobility (μe < 10−2 cm2 V−1 s−1) not favorable for photovoltaic conversion. Here, metal oxides are replaced with metals (e.g., Ti with μe ≈ 294 cm2 V−1 s−1) that are sculptured via glancing angle deposition to be a close‐packed nanopillar array (NaPA), which vertically protrudes on a transparent electrode to obtain sufficient optical transmission for light harvesting in perovskite. Ti NaPAs, whose rough surfaces are passivated with 5 nm thick TiO2 (i.e., Ti NaPAs@TiO2) to suppress exciton recombination, lead to the champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 18.89% that is superior to that of MAPbI3 PSCs without Ti NaPAs@TiO2 or containing TiO2 NaPAs@TiO2, owing to high surface wettability, high μe, and relatively low work function of Ti. Furthermore, Ti NaPAs@TiO2 effectively prevents the decomposition of MAPbI3 to achieve long‐term shelf stability whereby 50‐day aging only causes 15% PCE degradation. This work paves the way toward widening the material spectrum, from semiconductors to metals, to generate a diverse range of ETLs for producing efficient optoelectronic devices with long‐term shelf stability.
Full‐cost recovery = debt recovery: How infrastructure financing models lead to overcapacity, debt, and disconnection
Authors: Furlong Kathryn M. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractSince the 1970s, the international community has pushed a commercial model for water supply based on utility autonomy and full‐cost recovery. This was supposed to deftly solve the persistent problems of poor service coverage and quality, insufficient revenue, and indebtedness. These problems were attributed to poor governance, considered inherent to government management and almost universal to utilities in low‐income cities, especially in the global South. A good dose of business‐like discipline would get these utilities on track. Things are never so simple. Instead, the international debt‐financing system was at the root of many problems that commercialization was supposed to solve, driving both the acquisition of new debt and a focus on large infrastructure projects that further increased debt burdens while failing to meet the needs of the urban poor. The real goal of commercialization was debt collection: to ensure that international lenders and international investors under financialization–are paid. This has led to unaffordable tariffs and consumer debt for utility services. Escaping this “debt trap” requires a new philosophy of infrastructure financing, one that democratizes decision‐making, focuses on smaller projects of social and environmental value, and considers “use value” rather than simple exchange‐value in assessments of what it means for an investment to be productive.This article is categorized under:
Human Water > Human Water
Developing a Configuration System for a Simulation Game in the Domain of Urban $$\text {CO}_{2}$$ Emissions Reduction
Authors: Zurmühle Sarah , Gonalves João S. V. , Wäger Patrick , Gerber Andreas , Hilty Lorenz M. 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
In order to help decision-makers find ways to reduce

$$\text {CO}_{2}$$

CO
2

emissions of Swiss cities, a simulation game is being developed within the “Post-fossil cities” project. During the game, participants take on different roles in which they together explore pathways to a future, post-fossil city. An important requirement to the software system of the game was to be easily configurable in order to keep the game adaptive to different target groups of players. We describe a User Interface Management System (UIMS) that has been designed and implemented to realise the flexibility demanded from the game designers’ side. The system allows game facilitators to configure the game and decide what kinds of visualisations are used during game sessions. The paper describes how the configuration system was conceptualised, implemented and integrated into the overall system architecture of the simulation game.
Phonetische Variabilität
Authors: Belz Malte 
Published: December 2020

ZusammenfassungIn diesem Kapitel beschreibe ich den Forschungsstand zur auditiven und akustischen Variabilität von Füllpartikeln. In Abschnitt 2.1 fasse ich die Variabilität in der auditiven Wahrnehmung und ihre qualitative, orthographische und symbolphonetische Repräsentationsbreite zusammen. Hieraus motiviere ich die eingehendere Betrachtung der phonetischen Realisierung.
An $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 1 Lagrangian for the rank 1 E6 superconformal theory
Authors: Zafrir Gabi 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
We propose that a certain 4d$$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1 SU(4) gauge theory flows in the IR to the rank 1 $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 strongly coupled SCFT with E6 global symmetry and 25 free chiral fields. This proposal is tested by comparing various RG invariant quantities, notably, anomalies and the superconformal index. We discuss the generalization to $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1 SU(2n + 2) gauge theory models flowing in the IR to the R(2,2n+1) family of strongly coupled SCFTs plus free fields.
Horndeski genesis: consistency of classical theory
Authors: Ageeva Yulia , Petrov Pavel , Rubakov Valery 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Genesis within the Horndeski theory is one of possible scenarios for the start of the Universe. In this model, the absence of instabilities is obtained at the expense of the property that coefficients, serving as effective Planck masses, vanish in the asymptotics t → −∞, which signalizes the danger of strong coupling and inconsistency of the classical treatment. We investigate this problem in a specific model and extend the analysis of cubic action for perturbations (arXiv:2003.01202) to arbitrary order. Our study is based on power counting and dimensional analysis of the higher order terms. We derive the latter, find characteristic strong coupling energy scales and obtain the conditions for the validity of the classical description. Curiously, we find that the strongest condition is the same as that obtained in already examined cubic case.
Acceleration of metal drops in a laser beam
Authors: Da Silva Adrien , Volpp Joerg , Frostevarg Jan , Kaplan Alexander F. H. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractDifferent processes require the detachment of metal drops from a solid material using a laser beam as the heat source, for instance laser drop generation or cyclam. These techniques imply that the drops enter the laser beam, which might affect their trajectory. Also, many laser processes such as laser welding or additive manufacturing generate spatters that can be accelerated by the laser beam during flight and create defects on the material. This fundamental study aims at investigating the effects of a continuous power laser beam on the acceleration of intentionally detached drops and unintentionally detached spatters. Two materials were studied: 316L steel and AlSi5 aluminium alloy. High-speed imaging was used to measure the position of the drops and calculate their acceleration to compare it to theoretical models. Accelerations up to 11.2 g could be measured. The contributions of the vapor pressure, the recoil pressure, and the radiation pressure were investigated. The recoil pressure was found to be the main driving effect but other phenomena counteract this acceleration and reduce it by an order of magnitude of one to two. In addition, two different vaporization regimes were observed, resulting respectively in a vapor plume and in a vapor halo around the drop.