bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Potential‐induced degradation in photovoltaic modules composed of interdigitated back contact solar cells in photovoltaic systems under actual operating conditions
Authors: Ishii Tetsuyuki , Choi Sungwoo , Sato Ritsuko , Chiba Yasuo , Masuda Atsushi 
Published: September 2020

AbstractPolarization‐type potential‐induced degradation (PID‐p) of photovoltaic (PV) modules composed of n‐type interdigitated back contact (IBC) solar cells can decrease the performance of the PV modules under positive potential conditions. The purpose of this study is to observe and describe the reduction and stabilization of the electrical performance of every PV module installed in an operating PV system with the progress of the PID‐p over a time duration of 6 years. The direct current circuit of the investigated PV system is not grounded. Therefore, all the PV strings are under floating potential conditions. The results show that the performance of the n‐type IBC PV modules exhibits a two‐step degradation. In the first step of degradation, the PV performance at positive potential decreases with increasing the PV module potential, whereas the PV modules at negative potential show little performance degradation. The PV performance reduction due to PID‐p is mainly caused by the decreases in both open‐circuit voltage (VOC) and short circuit current (ISC). A PV performance reduction, which principally arises from the decrease in ISC, is observed at every PV module in the PV strings regardless of the PV module potential in the second step of degradation. Therefore, solar cell manufacturers who produce n‐type IBC, as well as those producing passivated emitters and rear totally diffused solar cells, are advised that processes to prevent the PID‐p are required.
Localized hydrogels based on cellulose nanofibers and wood pulp for rapid removal of methylene blue
Authors: Harris Justin T. , McNeil Anne J. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAccess to clean water has become increasingly difficult, motivating the need for materials that can efficiently remove pollutants. Hydrogels have been explored for remediation, but they often require long times to reach high levels of adsorption. To overcome this limitation, we developed a rapid, locally formed hydrogel that adsorbs dye during gelation. These hydrogels are derived from cellulose—a renewable, nontoxic, and biodegradable resource. More specifically, we found that sulfated cellulose nanofibers or sulfated wood pulps, when mixed with a water‐soluble, cationic cellulose derivative, efficiently remove methylene blue (a cationic dye) within seconds. The maximum adsorption capacity was found to be 340 ± 40 mg methylene blue/g cellulose. As such, these localized hydrogels (and structural analogues) may be useful for remediating other pollutants.
Decomposition Pathways of Ammonium Dinitramide (ADN) and its HNO3‐Clusters Elucidated by DFT‐Calculations
Authors: Lang Johannes , Bohn Manfred A. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAmmonium dinitramide (ADN) may serve as a ‘green’ oxidizer for rocket propellants since it provides chlorine free and minimum signature exhaust gases. However, stability issues and an erratic decomposition behaviour limit its non‐questionable general usability. Nitric acid (HNO3) is a decomposition product of ADN and is known to accelerate the decomposition autocatalytically. In this study, we investigate the effect of HNO3 on the initial decomposition steps of ADN via quantum chemical calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) in vacuo as well as in an aqueous solution. We establish and compare the reaction profiles of ADN, its anion DN− and its acid HDN as well as their HNO3‐clusters [NO3H_ADN], [NO3H_DN]− and [NO3H_HDN] towards the products NO2, HNO3 and N2O. All species exhibit various isomers with distinct decomposition pathways. We complement our study by investigating the protonated, cationic species [H_ADN]+, which may form in a low pH regime. The HNO3 clusters reveal modulated energy barriers and in part altered decomposition pathways in comparison to the free DN−, HDN, and ADN species. The altered pathways include the formation of reactive intermediates (such as H2NO3+) as well as the formation of two HNO3 molecules starting from one HNO3 molecule, hinting at accelerated decomposition of ADN due to interaction with HNO3.
Review: Allelochemicals as multi‐kingdom plant defence compounds: towards an integrated approach
Authors: Hickman Darwin T , Rasmussen Amanda , Ritz Karl , Birkett Michael A , Neve Paul 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe capability of synthetic pesticides to manage weeds, insect pests and pathogens in crops has diminished due to evolved resistance. Sustainable management is thus becoming more challenging. Novel solutions are needed and, given the ubiquity of biologically active secondary metabolites in nature, such compounds require further exploration as leads for novel crop protection chemistry. Despite improving understanding of allelochemicals, particularly in terms of their potential for use in weed control, their interactions with multiple biotic kingdoms have to date largely been examined in individual compounds and not as a recurrent phenomenon. Here, multi‐kingdom effects in allelochemicals are introduced by defining effects on various organisms, before exploring current understanding of the inducibility and possible ecological roles of these compounds with regard to the evolutionary arms race and dose–response relationships. Allelochemicals with functional benefits in multiple aspects of plant defence are described. Gathering these isolated areas of science under the unified umbrella of multi‐kingdom allelopathy encourages the development of naturally‐derived chemistries conferring defence to multiple discrete biotic stresses simultaneously, maximizing benefits in weed, insect and pathogen control, while potentially circumventing resistance. © 2020 The Authors.Pest Management Sciencepublished by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Time between events control charts for gamma distribution
Authors: Shah Muhammad Taqi , Azam Muhammad , Aslam Muhammad , Sherazi Uzma 
Published: September 2020

AbstractModern and emerging techniques of technology have brought a revolution in quality inspection of products. When events in highly efficient production processes occur rarely, it requires to inspect and monitor the time between occurrence of these events (TBE). The exponential and gamma distributions are commonly used models for time between events (TBE) data. In this article, a new monitoring scheme has been established for TBE data based on exponential and gamma distributions. In a previous research, transformation‐based control charts have been developed for TBE. The proposed study is aimed to use the exact probability distribution of charting statistic rather than applying transformations to data and this has remained still unaddressed. Average run length (ARL) and percentage decrease in ARL (ΔARL) have been calculated using Monte Carlo simulations and the proposed monitoring method has been compared with existing techniques applied to transformed data. The proposed scheme provides a simpler design structure and better performance on different sample sizes in identifying annoying process variations. Further, the technique has been applied to simulated and real‐life data sets of time between manufacturing plant accidents to highlight the worth and particle applicability of the proposed work.
Hydrogen‐Intercalated Graphene on SiC as Platform for Hybrid Superconductor Devices
Authors: Paschke Fabian , Birk Tobias , Forti Stiven , Starke Ulrich , Fonin Mikhail 
Published: September 2020

AbstractNanodevices based on hybrid graphene–superconductor structures have recently attracted much attention owing to both fundamental and application aspects. However, atomic‐level investigations of proximity‐induced superconductivity in graphene, especially on technologically relevant substrates remain rare. Here, the atomic‐scale study of electronic properties and the superconducting proximity effect in hydrogen‐intercalated single‐layer graphene on SiC decorated with epitaxial lead (Pb) islands is reported. The graphene layer is thoroughly characterized by means of Landau level spectroscopy which confirms its quasi‐free‐standing nature. Scanning tunneling spectroscopy performed at 1.8 K on the graphene layer in the vicinity of Pb islands shows a reduced superconducting gap of meV, which points to a graphene/superconductor junction of moderate transparency. The variations of the proximity‐induced superconducting gap on graphene are measured as function of spatial position as well as of magnetic field strength. Spatially resolved measurements yield a coherence length of about 175 nm in the graphene monolayer. The study provides a foundation for realization of graphene–superconductor heterostructures on large‐scale SiC(0001) wafers suitable for future technological applications.
Homogeneous output‐feedback control with disturbance‐observer for a class of nonlinear systems
Authors: Sanchez Tonametl , Moreno Jaime A. 
Published: September 2020

SummaryIn this article, we propose a finite‐time output‐feedback control scheme for a class of nonlinear systems. The dynamic part of the controller consists of an extended order observer, which is based on the higher order sliding‐mode exact differentiator. With such an observer, the states of the system are exactly estimated in finite‐time; moreover, the additional state in the observer estimates exactly and in finite‐time Lipschitz disturbances in the system. Such an estimation is used by the static part of the controller to compensate the disturbances. The static part of the controller can be chosen from a class of homogeneous controllers. The whole control scheme allows to recover in finite‐time several useful properties of homogeneous systems despite the additional and uncertain nonlinear terms. The effect of the noise in the measurement is also studied.
Sustainability of a navigation channel in the Nile River: A case study in Egypt
Authors: Helal Esam , Elsersawy Hossam , Hamed Enas , Abdelhaleem Fahmy Salah 
Published: September 2020

AbstractInland waterways are an environmentally friendly and efficient mode of transport. At locations along the Nile River, Egypt, navigation is hindered requiring expensive, resource‐intensive corrective. An increasing number of navigational bottlenecks have occurred between 1982 and 2015 because of changing river channel morphologies. This study provides a suitable method for evaluating navigation conditions within a reach of the Nile River. A 2D morphological model combined with a geographic information system application was created to assess the navigability of a reach of the Nile River, and different maintenance strategies were evaluated. Different scenarios of varying water levels, dredging operations, flow discharge fluctuations, and river channel morphological changes were considered. Results reveal that dredging operations, alone, cannot be adopted as a permanent solution for navigation bottlenecks, with the riverbed returning to its original state within 10 years. An important output of the method is the generation of reach scale hydro‐morphodynamic maps that show the main morphological features, navigation bottlenecks, and navigation conditions. These maps aid in the development of strategic navigability plans and in evaluating long‐term improvement measures. The method presented is applicability to large river systems worldwide.
Bringing the Science of Reading to Preservice Elementary Teachers: Tools That Bridge Research and Practice
Authors: Hindman Annemarie H. , Morrison Frederick J. , Connor Carol McDonald , Connor Joseph A. 
Published: September 2020

ABSTRACTTeacher preparation institutions have been critiqued for insufficient emphasis on the science of reading. The authors argue that although improving early reading success and teacher preparation are both critical issues, today’s “science of reading” discourse does not fully capture the complexity of teaching students to read. First, the authors describe the lattice model of reading development, which holds that a collection of text‐based, linguistic, and regulatory processes require interleaved, individualized focus in reading instruction; this is a tall order for early/elementary teachers to deliver. Second, the authors discuss evidence from the broader science of learning that preservice elementary‐grade teachers likely need multiple, highly focused, classroom‐based opportunities for deliberate practice and feedback to be ready to teach reading. Yet, because most are trained as content generalists over just two or three years, such systematic practice in reading may not be available. Thus, it is not simply that new teachers are unaware of effective reading instructional techniques; the more fundamental issue is that these techniques are extremely complex to implement well and that teacher candidates likely need substantial scaffolding to use them. Finally, the authors explore one promising solution: embedding preservice training with focused, targeted interventions around reading instruction that have supported experienced teachers. As examples, the Assessment‐to Instruction and Story Talk programs offer teachers precise, practical guidance, bridging the research on reading and real‐world classroom practice. The authors conclude with design principles that help infuse “science of learning” principles into preservice reading education.
Broadening the Lens on the Science of Reading: A Multifaceted Perspective on the Role of Academic Language in Text Understanding
Authors: Phillips Galloway Emily , McClain Janna Brown , Uccelli Paola 
Published: September 2020

ABSTRACTMerging evidence from psychological models of reading comprehension, ethnographic research on language and literacy, and textual linguistics lines of research, the authors take the position that psychological models of reading comprehension often overlook written language comprehension and production as context‐embedded, sociocultural processes. Using the example of academic language comprehension by middle grade learners, the authors present a series of studies that have informed the science of reading by making visible a precise set of high‐utility academic language skills that support informational text comprehension during middle childhood (ages 9–14). Studies have suggested that these skills develop gradually throughout adolescence and significantly contribute to reading comprehension. Drawing on this research with the goal of informing the science of reading, the authors suggest that academic language comprehension involves for the reader (a) familiarity with a set of academic language forms commonly found in school texts, (b) experience with the sociocultural practices of understanding and using the academic language of text within a particular sociocultural community, and (c) aligning with or resisting the reader identities implied by the language of a text. The authors suggest that innovative research and pedagogical approaches are needed to broaden the conceptualization of language and reading comprehension relations from purely cognitive into one that embraces the reader’s interaction with a text as a sociocultural phenomenon.
Complexation Modulated Iron Redox Systems for Waste Water Treatment: A Natural Attenuation Model
Authors: Bashir Shabnum , Banday Shazia M. , Mustafa Mohd , Rizvi Masood A. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractNatural attenuation mimics nature's own cleansing mechanism and offers an effective solution for contaminant treatment under prevalent environmental conditions without generating secondary toxins. Despite obvious advantages, these processes are restricted by a narrow range of reduction potential available within natural water systems. Complexation reaction offers to modulate the redox potential range of transition metals allowing detoxification of persistent contaminants. Consequently, present work describes complexation modulated redox potential of iron systems with environmentally available ligands for degradation of contaminants (textile dyes, antibiotics and toxic metal ions) for a possible application in water treatment under natural attenuation concept. The observed spectrophotometric results are indicative of a significant ligand effect on degradation kinetics of studied contaminants by iron(II) complexes. The kinetic efficacies of iron(II) complexes for contaminant degradation were in the order: aqua<acetate<oxalate<NTA (nitrilotriacetate)<IDA (iminodiacetate)<EDTA (ethylenediamine tetraacetate). This observed reactivity order of iron(II)complexes corroborates well with their oxidation propensity under the given ligand field (E°=+0.131 to+0.771 V in case of EDTA and aqua ligand respectively). The influence of reaction conditions, nature of contaminant and identification of electroactive species was investigated by using spectro‐electrochemical experiments with selected systems. Two plausible mechanisms of contaminant degradation were proposed:(i)direct reduction of contaminants by iron(II) complexes(ii) and indirect degradation through reaction between iron(II) complexes and dissolved oxygen to produce reactive oxygen species. This modular study besides being an insight in environmental redox processes is also aimed for the impetus towards natural attenuation based treatments for degradation of contaminants, especially under aerobic conditions that are rich in both iron(II) and organic matter.
Design, Synthesis and Pharmacokinetic Study of Deuterated Ticagrelor Derivatives
Authors: Chen Jing , Wang Siyu , Zhang Jianjun , Ying Huazhou , Zheng Hao , Dong Xiaowu , Che Jinxin , Chen Xin , Cheng Gang 
Published: September 2020

AbstractTicagrelor is the first reversible P2Y12 receptor antagonist that inhibits ADP‐induced platelet aggregation. In several areas of biomedical research, the deuterium strategy has been employed to slow down the rate of drug metabolism and improve the pharmacokinetic properties of drugs. In the present study, several deuterated analogs of ticagrelor, as well as their prodrugs, were designed and synthesized in order to improve the metabolic stability of ticagrelor. Further in vitro and in vivo pharmacokinetic experiments using the deuterated derivates 24 and 25 demonstrated that the metabolic stability of deuterated compounds was improved compared to that of the parent compound. In addition, the half‐life of the deuterated valine ester prodrug 31 (t1/2 =2.54±0.32 h) was significantly lengthened, reaching a value of approximately 40 % longer than that of ticagrelor (t1/2=1.77±0.14 h).
Efficient Inhibition of Re‐blocking During the Deblocking of Blocked Isocyanates
Authors: Aso Fumihiro , Masuda Kohei 
Published: September 2020

Abstract3‐Silylpropanols bearing allyl or aryl groups on the silicon atom were found to act as isocyanate blocking agents that can allow to deblock with efficient inhibition of re‐blocking. As a result of the inhibition, the isocyanates blocked by 3‐silylpropanols showed an exceptional lower deblocking temperature than by a conventional aliphatic alcohol. The inhibition is based upon the decomposition reaction of 3‐silylpropanols to a 5‐membered cyclic silane and propylene or arene, where β‐silyl cation intermediates may play a key role. The new blocked isocyanates can tolerate water, whereas previously well‐known low‐temperature‐deblockable agents, such as methylethyl ketone oxime (MEKO), are not generally compatible with water.
Childhood co‐exposure of cold stress and PM2.5 aggravates the susceptibility and severity of asthma in adulthood of mice
Authors: Zhou Ji , Xu Jianming , Geng Fuhai , Peng Li , Ye Xiaofang , Yang Dandan , Zhao Jinzhuo , Sun Qinghua 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBoth cold stress and ambient fine particle particulate matter (PM2.5) has been reported to aggravate and induce respiratory problems like asthma, but the mechanism involved in that has not been fully understood. Therefore, the present study is to explore the mechanism involved in the increased susceptibility and severity of asthma caused by cold stress and PM2.5 exposure. Urban PM2.5 of Shanghai was concentrated to simulate a PM2.5‐polluted environment with an average concentration of 400 μg/m3, where 1‐month young C57BL/6J mice were exposed for 2 months under cold stress (2°C). Co‐exposure of cold stress and PM2.5 in childhood of mice led to significant infiltration of inflammatory cells in the peribronchial region or airspaces and the thickening or fibrosis of alveolar septum, increased OVA‐specific IgE in serum and total cells, eosinophil cells, and the levels of inflammatory cytokines including IL‐4, IL‐8, IL‐1β, IL‐5, IL‐13, and IFN‐γ in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of asthma mice. Moreover, mice in co‐exposure group presented a significantly high cough feature, reduced catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and elevated malonaldehyde (MDA) elevated in BALF; increased ratio of Th2/Th1 and the markable inhibition of Th17 differentiation toward Treg cells in the adulthood of asthma mice. Cold stress and PM2.5 co‐exposure in childhood may promote the deterioration of asthma symptoms in adulthood of mice by increasing inflammatory cytokines, ROS formation, Th2/Th1 imbalance, and suppressing the differentiation of Th17 toward Treg cells, which will help to provide experimental references when making some therapeutic strategies in allergic diseases through focusing on some natural solutions.
Natural history of levator ani muscle avulsion 4 years following childbirth
Authors: van Gruting I. M. A. , van Delft K. W. M. , Sultan A. H. , Thakar R. 
Published: September 2020

ABSTRACTObjectivesThe primary aim was to evaluate prospectively the natural history of levator ani muscle (LAM) avulsion 4 years following first delivery and its correlation with signs and symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD). The secondary aim was to investigate the effect of a second vaginal delivery on the incidence of LAM avulsion and PFD.MethodsThis was a prospective longitudinal study of nulliparous women recruited antenatally, who were assessed at 36 weeks' gestation and 3 months, 1 year and 4 years postpartum for signs and symptoms of PFD and presence of LAM avulsion. Pelvic floor muscle strength was assessed by digital palpation, and pelvic organ prolapse (POP) was assessed using the POP quantification (POP‐Q) system. Validated questionnaires were used to evaluate urinary, bowel and sexual function and symptoms of POP. Transperineal ultrasound was performed to assess LAM integrity and hiatal biometry. Differences in signs and symptoms of PFD over time were evaluated using a linear mixed model, separately in women who had had one delivery and in those who had two or more deliveries during the study period.ResultsOf 269 women recruited, 147 (55%) attended the 4‐year follow‐up and were examined at a mean interval of 3.8 ± 0.4 years after their first delivery. Of these, 74 (50%) had a subsequent delivery. The prevalence of LAM avulsion 4 years after a first vaginal delivery was 13%, with no difference between women who had one and those who had two or more vaginal deliveries. Women with an intact LAM and one or more deliveries showed no change in signs and symptoms of PFD at 4 years compared with the previous assessments. Of women with one vaginal delivery who were diagnosed with LAM avulsion 3 months or 1 year postpartum, those in whom the LAM avulsion was no longer evident at 4 years (42%) showed worsening of POP‐Q measurements, whereas those with persistent LAM avulsion (58%) showed significant worsening in pelvic floor muscle strength and hiatal area on ultrasound. After a second vaginal delivery, no new avulsions were diagnosed, however, previous LAM avulsion became more extensive in 44% of women and hiatal area increased in women with persistent LAM avulsion.ConclusionsThe first vaginal delivery carries the greatest risk for LAM avulsion, with impact on signs of PFD 4 years later. A second vaginal delivery could result in deterioration of LAM avulsion, but no new avulsions were found. © 2020 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology