bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pre‐deposited dynamic membrane adsorber formed of microscale conventional iron oxide‐based adsorbents to remove arsenic from water: application study and mathematical modeling
Authors: Usman Muhammad , Belkasmi Aida Idrissi , Kastoyiannis Ioannis A , Ernst Mathias 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDThis study reports the development of a dynamic membrane (DM) adsorber by pre‐depositing powdered‐sizedfraction of iron oxide‐based adsorptive material on the surface of a microfiltration(MF) membrane. The aim is to use the developed DM adsorber for arsenate (As(V)) remediation from water by a combined mechanism of adsorptive and membrane filtration. The two applied iron oxide‐based adsorptive materials are micro‐sized granular ferric hydroxide and micro‐sized tetravalent manganese feroxyhyte, and are available at affordable price.RESULTSThe results show that As(V) removal efficiency strongly depends on the physicochemical properties of the depositing material such as specific surface area, isoelectric point and particle size of the pre‐depositing material. The experimentally determined As(V) removal rates were mathematically modeled using a homogeneous surface diffusion model, which incorporates the equilibrium parameters and mass transport coefficients of the adsorption process. The simulations showed that the mathematical model could describe the As(V) removal rates accurately over a broad range of operating conditions. The results further showed that the longer filtration times with very low normalized As(V) permeate concentration (C/Cf = 0.1, for example) can be prolonged by operating the DM adsorber at the lowermost membrane water flux of 31 L m−2 h−1 and a large amount of pre‐depositing material on the MF membrane surface (Ma = 14 mg cm−2).CONCLUSIONThe results presented in this study confirm that use of these inexpensive materials (side‐product of granular iron oxide‐based adsorbents) in treating As(V)‐polluted water would enhance the sustainability of the industrial production process of conventional granular adsorbents by utilizing the wastes created during the process of adsorbent production. © 2021 The Authors. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Changes in the medical treatment status of Japanese outpatients during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic
Authors: Takakubo Takeshi , Odagiri Yuko , Machida Masaki , Takamiya Tomoko , Fukushima Noritoshi , Kikuchi Hiroyuki , Amagasa Shiho , Nakamura Itaru , Watanabe Hidehiro , Inoue Shigeru 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has a tremendous influence in general public's behaviors; however, changes in the status of regularly scheduled outpatient visits in Japan during COVID‐19 pandemic are still unknown.MethodsThis cross‐sectional study was conducted in May 2020. Participants were recruited by an Internet‐based survey company. A total of 659 patients (54% male, average age 60 ± 14 years) who had regularly scheduled outpatient visits prior to the onset of COVID‐19 were enrolled. Participants answered four questions (“decrease in medical visit frequency,” “inability to take regular medication,” “deterioration of a chronic disease,” and “utilization of telephone/online medical care”) and stated whether they had a fear of acquiring infection at a medical facility. The associations between answers, fear of infection, and socio‐demographic factors were examined.ResultsAmong the participants, 37.8% had decreased their medical visits, 6.8% were unable to take regular medications, 5.6% experienced a deterioration of chronic disease, and 9.1% utilized telephone/online medical care. Fear of being infected by COVID‐19 at medical facilities was strongly associated with a reduced frequency of medical visits and lack of regular medications even after adjusting for socio‐demographic factors and current medical histories.ConclusionsDuring the first wave of COVID‐19, approximately 40% of participants reduced their frequency of medical visits. It is important to continue implementing thorough infection control measures at facilities and educating the public the importance of keeping chronic diseases in good condition, as well as promoting telephone/online medical care.
A real‐time touch control system design based on field‐programmable gate array via optimizing Bresenham algorithm for electrowetting displays
Authors: Yi Zichuan , Zeng Wenjun , Ma Caiyun , Feng Haoqiang , Yang Jianjun , Liu Liming , Zhang Zhi , Shui Lingling , Zhou Guofu , Zhang Chongfu 
Published: March 2021

AbstractElectrowetting displays (EWDs) have the advantages of fast response speed and extremely low energy consumption. However, the function of real‐time touch control has not been realized in EWDs, and the rendering of hand‐drawn lines by a pixelated display has room for improvement, especially in the diagonal directions. The issue of clearly rendering diagonal lines drawn by touch control is not specific to EWDs, and the solution we offer can be beneficial to other display technologies. In this paper, a real‐time touch control system, which was based on field‐programmable gate array (FPGA) by optimizing Bresenham algorithm, was realized in EWDs. In hardware, Nios II processor was used as a main controller, I2C bus communication mode was used to establish a communication between a touch screen and the main controller, and MXEI1480 and MXEI2240 were used as driving chips to complete the design of EWD driver module. In software, Bresenham algorithm was optimized to add pixel points at diagonal corners for improving the clarity of line rendering. Then, touch coordinates were transmitted to the EWD driver module for displaying lines rendered. Experimental results showed that the lines rendered on the display by the optimized Bresenham algorithm were thicker and clearer.
Evaluation of Effects of Harvest on Alligator Populations in Louisiana
Authors: Joanen Ted , Merchant Mark , Griffith Rebekah , Linscombe Jeb , Guidry Angela 
Published: March 2021

ABSTRACTBiologists with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Louisiana, USA, have managed statewide annual harvest of alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) for 35 years (1981–present). We collected and analyzed harvest data for Louisiana alligators to determine the effects of harvest on the population structure, focusing on the larger size classes (≥274 cm) of this slow‐growing species. Linear regression analyses revealed that body size‐class structure, based on overall average size and the percentage of animals harvested in the larger size classes was relatively stable. Annual aerial alligator nest counts indicated a continual growth of the population, and over time harvested alligators maintained a constant average size. Analyses of population size (based on number of nests and population modeling) indicated that the current annual harvest represents approximately 3% of the population. Linear regression analysis showed that annual hunter success declined only slightly during the study period, and the scheduling of the hunt season after the hatch period and recommended hunting in areas not frequented by breeding females provides economic opportunities for hunters to participate in a sustainable harvest that preserves the larger size classes of alligators in the population. Strict enforcement of existing laws was a key factor responsible for the success of this harvest program. Comparison of alligator population size and number of harvest‐related citations indicated that illegal harvest did not have a negative effect on population size, and linear regression analyses revealed that the rate of increase in citations was lower than the increase in populations over the study period. The results of this harvest program indicated that alligators can be hunted in a sustainable manner if hunting is conducted after the hatch period and occurs in areas that primarily exclude the harvest of adult females, and strict law enforcement curbs illegal activities that negatively affect populations. © 2021 The Authors. The Journal of Wildlife Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of The Wildlife Society.
Stable equivalences of Morita type for Φ‐Beilinson–Green algebras
Authors: Pan Shengyong 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe main focus of this paper is to present a method to construct new stable equivalences of Morita type. Suppose that a B‐A‐bimodule N define a stable equivalence of Morita type between finite dimensional algebras A and B. Then, for any generator X of the A‐module category and any finite admissible set Φ of natural numbers, the Φ‐Beilinson–Green algebras and are stably equivalent of Morita type. In particular, if , we get a known result in literature. As another consequence, we construct an infinite family of derived equivalent algebras of the same dimension and of the same dominant dimension such that they are pairwise not stably equivalent of Morita type. Finally, we develop some techniques for proving that, if there is a graded stable equivalence of Morita type between graded algebras, then we can get a stable equivalence of Morita type between Beilinson–Green algebras associated with graded algebras.
ROMP Synthesis of Side‐Chain Ferrocene‐Containing Polyelectrolyte and Its Redox‐Responsive Hydrogels Showing Dramatically Improved Swelling with β‐Cyclodextrin
Authors: Ling Qiangjun , Zhen Fangchen , Astruc Didier , Gu Haibin 
Published: March 2021

AbstractA new side‐chain ferrocene (Fc)‐containing polyelectrolyte has been synthesized by controlled ring‐opening metathesis polymerization of a water‐soluble Fc‐containing norbornene‐based quaternary ammonium salt, as well as the corresponding covalently cross‐linked polyelectrolyte hydrogel. In order to provide Fc‐containing supramolecular polyelectrolyte hydrogels whose swelling property is largely improved by host−guest interaction, a covalently cross‐linked polyelectrolyte hydrogel is soaked into the β‐CD aqueous solution to form β‐CD@Fc supramolecular polyelectrolyte hydrogel, or alternatively the quaternary ammonium salt supramolecular monomer is first formed, then copolymerized with a crosslinking agent to fabricate the supramolecular hydrogel with better water absorption ability. All the Fc‐containing hydrogels exhibited good redox‐responsiveness with swelling–shrinking behaviors by chemically reversibly adjusting the disassembly/assembly of β‐CD@Fc inclusion complexes. This is the first example of side‐chain Fc‐containing polycationic supramolecular hydrogels possessing swelling–shrinking properties based on the splitting/combining of β‐CD and Fc units, and potential applications are expected as controlled drug delivery and actuators.
A Multiscale Approach for Estimating Permeability and Migration of Large Permeants through Poly(Phenylene Ether)
Authors: Sweere Augustinus J. M. , Patham Bhaskar , Sugur Vijayakumar , Handgraaf Jan‐Willem , Rodgers Patrick 
Published: March 2021

AbstractMultiscale‐computational‐chemistry (MSCC) simulations are employed—bridging quantum chemistry, coarse‐grained dissipative particle dynamics (DPD), and molecular dynamics (MD)—to derive solubility and diffusivity of dibutylamine (DBA)—a residual moiety in commercially available poly(phenylene ether) (PPE) resins—in PPE and food simulants. Coarse‐grained DPD simulations are used for computationally inexpensive and faster equilibration of high‐molecular‐weight PPE chains, with a final MD step to estimate mean squared displacement (diffusivity) of DBA in PPE. State‐of‐the‐art algorithms involving quasichemical methods and thermodynamic‐integration in DPD are employed to estimate solubility of DBA in various mediums. Such approaches are not hitherto widely employed for polymers. The constants derived using MSCC approaches, implemented in CULGI, a commercially available tool, are used as inputs for estimating migration of DBA from PPE into food simulants using a commercial migration‐estimation software AKTS‐SML. The migration estimates from AKTS‐SML simulations, using parameters derived from MSCC, as well as those derived from in‐built thermodynamic models (Piringer, Brandsch) are compared with experimentally measured migration.
Molecular design and performance improvement in organic solar cells guided by high‐throughput screening and machine learning
Authors: Feng Jie , Wang Hongshuai , Ji Yujin , Li Youyong 
Published: March 2021

AbstractOver past two decades, organic photovoltaics (OPVs) with unique advantages of low cost and flexibility meet significant development opportunities and the official world record for the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of organic solar cells (OSCs) has reached to 17.3%. Traditionally, efficiency breakthrough need the constant input of intensive labor and time. The artificial intelligence, as a rising interdisciplinary, brings certainly a revolution in research methods. In this review, we introduce a state‐of‐art theoretical methodology of the synergy of high‐throughput screening and machine learning (ML) in accelerating the discovery of high‐efficient OSC materials. We present key details, rules and experience in database construction, selection of molecular features, fast‐screening calculations, models training and their predication capabilities. Meanwhile, three typical ML frameworks are concluded to reveal the structure‐property‐efficiency relationship, suggesting that this theoretical methodology can train powerful models with just molecular configurations and theoretical calculations for molecular design and efficiency improvements.
Effectiveness of bed bath methods for skin integrity, skin cleanliness and comfort enhancement in adults: A systematic review
Authors: Konya Issei , Nishiya Kotone , Yano Rika 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAimTo evaluate the effectiveness of bed bath methods for skin integrity, skin cleanliness and comfort enhancement in adults.DesignA systematic review based on the PRISMA guidelines.MethodsWe searched for quantitative studies published between 2004–2020, using the PubMed, MEDLINE and CINAHL. The remaining 25 studies were appraised by the JBI tool.ResultsOnly four of the included studies were of high quality. Studies of above moderate quality demonstrated that disposable towels were as effective as cotton towels for skin lesions and bacterial removal. Applying a hot towel maintained the skin barrier function and provided warmth; cotton towels were effective for cleaning even with weak pressure, and post‐bed bath moisturizer treatment contributed to skin integrity.ConclusionAlthough various methods have been examined, the available evidence is inadequate for establishing best practices. It is necessary to verify empirical research with rigorous methodology involving elderly inpatients and to develop instruments that measure patients' comfort.
Living with Long term condition Scale: A pilot validation study of a new person centred tool in the UK
Authors: Ambrosio Leire , Hislop‐Lennie Kelly , Barker Hannah , Culliford David , Portillo Mari Carmen 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAimTo cross‐culturally adapt and determine the preliminary psychometric properties of the English version of the LwLTC Scale in people living with long‐term conditions in the UK.DesignCross‐cultural adaptation and cross‐sectional study.MethodsForty‐nine patients with five long‐term conditions were included in the pilot study. Patients completed the English version of the LwLTC Scale and a bespoke questionnaire related to the scale. Feasibility/acceptability, internal consistency and construct validity were analysed.Results59.2% of participants were female, with an average age of 65.9 (SD = 12.30). Cronbach's alpha coefficient ranged between 0.50 and 0.84. Content validity showed that the English version of the LwLTC Scale was useful even negative items were identified.ConclusionThese preliminary psychometric properties are satisfactory and promising. Further psychometric analyses are needed to verify them in a larger and more representative sample size during the main validation study, which is now in process.
Energy‐restricted interventions are effective for the remission of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes: A systematic review of the evidence base
Authors: Jacob Elizabeth , Avery Amanda 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundType 2 diabetes (T2D) is a chronic, progressive disease. Caloric restriction and subsequent weight loss have been associated with both improvements and, in some cases, remission of T2D.AimTo systematically review the safety and effectiveness of calorie‐restricted diets on weight change and the remission of T2D.MethodsElectronic databases were searched. Intervention trials including a calorie restriction, published between 2010 and 2020, evaluating the remission of T2D (HbA1c <6.5% without diabetes medication) were selected. Risk of bias was assessed.ResultsEight trials met inclusion criteria including four randomized controlled and four single‐arm trials. Three controlled trials found greater remission in the calorie‐restricted arm (p < 0.05). A recent diagnosis of diabetes was associated with higher remission rates (75%–80%) with an inverse association between duration of diabetes and rate of remission (r = −0.94). A higher level of remission was observed with greater calorie restriction in non‐new diagnosis studies. Greater weight loss was associated with increasing rates of remission (r = 0.83). No reported adverse events led to withdrawal from trials. There was great heterogeneity in study design.ConclusionRemission rate of T2D achieved through calorie restriction is high and similar to that reported in the bariatric surgery literature. Remission should be the aim at diagnosis and calorie restriction could be used to achieve this. The target weight loss should be >10% body weight in people with obesity. More research is needed into the optimum level of calorie restriction and the support required for long‐term remission. National guidelines should be updated to reflect recent evidence.
Stakeholder priorities determine the impact of an alien tree invasion on ecosystem multifunctionality
Authors: Linders Theo E. W. , Schaffner Urs , Alamirew Tena , Allan Eric , Choge Simon K. , Eschen René , Shiferaw Hailu , Manning Peter 
Published: March 2021

Abstract

While the ecological impact of environmental change drivers, such as alien plant invasions, is relatively well described, quantitative social‐ecological studies detailing how these changes impact multiple ecosystem services, and subsequently stakeholders, are lacking.

We used a social‐ecological approach to assess how Prosopis juliflora (Prosopis henceforth), an invasive tree, affects the provision of multiple ecosystem services to different stakeholder groups in a degraded East African dryland. We combined plot‐based ecological data on the impacts of the tree on indicators of ecosystem service supply with questionnaire survey data describing ecosystem service priorities from eight different stakeholder groups. These data were then used to quantify how tree invasion impacted individual ecosystem services, and the overall supply of services, relative to the priorities of each stakeholder group, using an ecosystem service multifunctionality metric.

In the study area, we found that Prosopis significantly increased the supply of shade, wood production and honey production, but reduced the supply of water availability, tourism potential and biodiversity protection.

Priorities for specific services differed between stakeholder groups. Although most groups assigned a high priority to provisioning services, such as water and crop production, it was either provisioning or cultural services which were a primary source of income, that were deemed most important.

Combining supply and priority data showed that most stakeholder groups saw a net decrease in ecosystem service multifunctionality with increasing Prosopis invasion, or no significant change overall. Increasing Prosopis cover increased multifunctionality for only two stakeholder groups, charcoal producers and NGOs involved in regional development.

Our research highlights the need to account for stakeholder priorities in studies of how global change impacts ecosystem multifunctionality. We found that there are conflicting patterns of ecosystem service priority between different stakeholder groups, resulting in large variation in how different groups were impacted by the invasive tree. Our approach also highlights possible synergies and conflicts when managing this tree invasion. More broadly, we recommend that future studies of ecosystem multifunctionality explicitly consider differing stakeholder priorities, as these strongly influence the perceived impact of environmental and land management change.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
One‐step preparation of carbon fiber‐ZrO2 hybrid and its enhancement on the wear‐resistant properties of polyimide
Authors: Dong Zhe , Chen Beibei , Zhang Mengjie , Li Jiaye , Wang Shuang 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe carbon fiber‐ZrO2 (CF‐ZrO2) hybrid was prepared through one‐step hydrothermal method, which well realized the synergistic enhancement of CF and ZrO2 nanoparticles on the wear‐resistant performance of polyimide (PI) composites. Results showed that the ZrO2 nanoparticles were tetragonal and monoclinic mixed phase. The average particle size was about 10 nm. And they were in‐situ synthesized on the surface of CF, which endowed CF with much rougher surface and further improved the interfacial adhesion of PI composite. Moreover, the CF‐ZrO2 hybrid reinforced PI composite possessed higher shore hardness and thermal stability than those of PI or its composite reinforce with single CF because of CF with good compressive strength and ZrO2 with outstanding thermal property. In addition, the anti‐wear properties of the PI were greatly improved by filling CF‐ZrO2 hybrid, which was mainly because CF as the main bearing phase of the friction surface of the composites could bear most of the stresses onto the worn surface and protect the polymer matrix from severe wear in the sliding process. Meanwhile, the ZrO2 nanoparticles presented at the interface of CF and PI could not only carry the applied load, but also enhance the interfacial combination of CF with PI to form a good stress transfer and prevent the failure of CF, finally improving tribological properties of composites. Besides, the PI/CF‐ZrO2 kept reasonable friction and wear performance under high loads and rotating speeds.