bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
“It takes a community to save a child”: Child trafficking knowledge of the Portuguese community
Authors: Martinho Gabriela , Gonçalves Mariana , Matos Marlene 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThis study aims to explore the knowledge of the Portuguese community on child trafficking. Through an online inventory, with a sample of 492 community members, with a mean age of 40.53 and mostly female (70.7%), participants were more knowledgeable about forms of exploitation, risk and vulnerability factors, the profile of the victims, and the situation in Portugal about child trafficking. On the contrary, they were less knowledgeable about the dynamics of child trafficking. Having a college education, and contacting with the subject through informal or/and formal sources were predictors of a higher level of knowledge of child trafficking. This study reinforces the importance of the community as a whole in fighting child trafficking. To protect children against child trafficking, public policies should prioritize the role of the community. An empowered community can actively contribute to the prevention, signaling, and (re)integration of victims of child trafficking.
Melatonin effects on sleep quality and outcomes of COVID‐19 patients: An open‐label, randomized, controlled trial
Authors: Mousavi Seyed Abbas , Heydari Keyvan , Mehravaran Hossein , Saeedi Majid , Alizadeh‐Navaei Reza , Hedayatizadeh‐Omran Akbar , Shamshirian Amir 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThis trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of adding melatonin to the treatment protocol of hospitalized coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) patients. This was an open‐label, randomized controlled clinical trial in hospitalized COVID‐19 patients. Patients were randomized into a treatment arm receiving melatonin plus standard care or a control arm receiving standard care alone. The trial's primary endpoint was sleep quality examined by the Leeds Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire (LSEQ). The trial's secondary endpoints were symptoms alleviation by Day 7, intensive care unit admission, 10‐day mortality, white blood cell count, lymphocyte count, C‐reactive protein status, and peripheral capillary oxygen saturation. Ninety‐six patients were recruited and allocated to either the melatonin arm (n = 48) or control arm (n = 48). Baseline characteristics were similar across treatment arms. There was no significant difference in symptoms on Day 7. The mean of the LSEQ scores was significantly higher in the melatonin group (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in laboratory data, except for blood oxygen saturation, which has improved significantly in the melatonin group compared with the control group (95.81% vs. 93.65% respectively, p = 0.003). This clinical trial study showed that the combination of oral melatonin tablets and standard treatment could substantially improve sleep quality and blood oxygen saturation in hospitalized COVID‐19 patients.
An indirect approach for online identification of continuous time‐delay systems
Authors: Sharma Sudeep , Padhy Prabin K. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThis article proposed an online identification technique, also known as a real‐time recursive identification technique for continuous time‐delay systems. The proposed approach is based on online output‐error modeling of unknown continuous time‐delay models, indirectly from discrete time‐delay models. The developed indirect formulation is employed to propose three online identification algorithms using least square, instrument variable, and prediction error minimization techniques. The proposed algorithms utilize auxiliary models and fixed or optimal filtering of input/output data samples to obtain unbiased fixed as well as time‐varying parameter estimates. An estimated error variance‐based stochastic approach is also incorporated to improve the parameter estimates. Extensive simulation experiments are conducted to validate the proposed algorithms' performance. Some useful guidelines are suggested to achieve improved identification accuracy, convergence consistency, and robustness in the presence of the measurement noise and modeling uncertainties. A real practical application for online identification of a heating system is also demonstrated.
Performance of surface winds from atmospheric reanalyses in the Southwestern South Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Pescio Andrés E. , Dragani Walter C. , Martin Paula B. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractSea surface wind (10‐m high) is one of the most important variables for oceanic applications. The zonal and meridional surface wind components from seven global atmospheric reanalyses [National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP)/National Center for Atmospheric Research Reanalysis 1, NCEP/Department of Energy Reanalysis 2, NCEP/climate forecast system reanalysis (CFSR), European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Interim Reanalysis (ERA‐Interim), Japanese 55‐year Reanalysis (JRA‐55), the Modern‐Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Application V2, and the ERA5 Reanalysis] were compared with surface winds retrieved from QuikScat/SeaWinds and Ascat scatterometers, and with surface ground winds measured in eight coastal meteorological stations, at the Southwestern South Atlantic Ocean, between 35° and 55°S and 55° and 70°W, approximately. Bias, root mean squared error and the Pearson linear correlation coefficient for the zonal and meridional wind components were estimated in this study. The effects of the atmospheric stability, the surface currents and the discontinuity between land and sea roughness on the satellite data are discussed in this paper. It was concluded that Modern‐Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Application, Version 2 reanalysis is the product that better fitted with satellite data, and ERA5 follows it in performance. CFSR, ERA‐Interim and JRA‐55 reanalyses also presented very good performances. Surface winds from NR1 and NR2 reanalysis showed the largest differences with satellite data. ERA5 reanalysis was the database that better compared with the coastal observations measured at the meteorological stations. Surface winds measured at meteorological stations are, in general, worse represented by the reanalyses than satellite data. This last could be due to the discontinuity between land and sea roughness, and because the topography is not completely represented by the atmospheric global models.
Future changes in sub‐seasonal variability of Indian winter precipitation
Authors: Thayyil Mandodi Midhuna , Dimri Ashok Priyadarshan 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe winter precipitation over north India is due to the passage of synoptic systems known as Western Disturbances (WDs), which are embedded in large‐scale subtropical westerly jet (SWJ). The winter (December, January, February [DJF]) precipitation is vital to maintaining glaciers, sustenance of rivers, replenishing downstream springs, and agriculture. Any change in winter precipitation has a profound impact on agriculture, socio‐economic status, and water security of the nation. Thus, a close understanding of future changes in winter precipitation is critical to the country. The present study evaluates the future changes in sub‐seasonal variability of winter precipitation over north India using ICHEC‐EC‐EARTH‐SMHI‐RCA4 CORDEX‐SA experiment. Wet bias in precipitation and cold bias in temperature are observed in model. Almost all days in the winter season witnessed a shift towards a warm‐wet climate in a future warming scenario. A large amount of precipitation is observed in February in model as well as observation. A 10‐day interval scale spanning during DJF is considered to evaluate these changes. Future changes in winter precipitation are analysed under RCP4.5 and 8.5 scenarios. The percentage change in winter precipitation shows a maximum increase during the first fortnight of December and the first week of February. Precipitation intensity weakens during January. Two hundred hectopascal wind, 850 hPa wind, and moisture flux influence the increase in precipitation over the region.
Comparative study of the effects of selenium yeast and sodium selenite on selenium content and nutrient quality in broccoli florets (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica)
Authors: Gui Jia‐Ying , Rao Shen , Gou Yuanyuan , Xu Feng , Cheng Shuiyuan 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDApproximately 0.5–1 billion people worldwide face the risk of selenium (Se) deficiency because of the low Se concentration in their diets. Broccoli can accumulate Se and comprises a source of daily Se supplement for humans. Se biofortification is an effective strategy for enhancing Se content in crops. In the present study, the effects of Se yeast and selenite application on the Se content and nutrient quality of broccoli were investigated.RESULTSBroccoli growth was promoted by Se yeast but inhibited by selenite. The total Se content of broccoli florets remarkably increased with increasing exogenous Se fertilizer concentrations. The main Se species in broccoli florets were methyl‐selenocysteine and selenomethionine, and their contents were significantly higher under Se yeast treatments than under selenite treatments. Se(VI) was detected only under selenite treatments. Se yeast and selenite had different influences on soluble sugar, soluble protein, vitamin C and free amino acid contents in broccoli florets. The total phenolic acid and glucosinolate contents were substantially increased by Se yeast and selenite, although the total flavonoid content was reduced by Se yeast. Tests on antioxidant enzyme activities revealed that several antioxidant enzymes (catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase) responded to Se yeast and selenite treatments.CONCLUSIONSe yeast is preferred over selenite for maximizing Se uptake and nutrient accumulation in Se‐rich broccoli cultivation. However, an extremely high Se content in broccoli florets cannot be directly consumed by humans, although they can be processed into Se supplements. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Biopolymer nanoparticles: a strategy to enhance stability, bioavailability, and biological effects of phenolic compounds as functional ingredients
Authors: Nishimoto‐Sauceda Daniela , Romero‐Robles Laura E , Antunes‐Ricardo Marilena 
Published: August 2021

AbstractPhenolic compounds are abundant in nature and have multiple beneficial effects on human health due to their antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, antithrombotic, antiallergenic, anticancer, and antiatherosclerotic properties. For this reason, phenolics are becoming relevant functional ingredients for several industries, mainly the food industry, derived from food consumer exigencies and regulations. However, the use of their beneficial properties still presents some limitations, such as chemical instability under environmental and processing conditions, which leads to structural changes and compromises their biological activities. They also present poor water solubility and sensitivity to pH changes, decreasing their bioavailability in the organism. The technologies for extraction and stabilization of these compounds have evolved rapidly in the development of different delivery systems to encapsulate sensitive active molecules. Biopolymeric nanoparticles are biodegradable polymer‐based colloidal systems with sizes ranging from 1 to 1000 nm, and different techniques can be carried out to develop them. These systems have emerged as a green and effective alternative to improve stability, bioavailability, and biological effects of phenolic compounds. This comprehensive review aims to present an overview of recent advances in encapsulation processes of phenolic compounds within biopolymer nanoparticles as delivery systems and the impact on their physicochemical properties and biological effects after encapsulation. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
High‐Throughput and Combinatorial Approaches for the Development of Multifunctional Polymers
Authors: Baudis Stefan , Behl Marc 
Published: August 2021

AbstractHigh‐throughput (HT) development of new multifunctional polymers is accomplished by the combination of different HT tools established in polymer sciences in the last decade. Important advances are robotic/HT synthesis of polymer libraries, the HT characterization of polymers, and the application of spatially resolved polymer library formats, explicitly microarray and gradient libraries. HT polymer synthesis enables the generation of material libraries with combinatorial design motifs. Polymer composition, molecular weight, macromolecular architecture, etc. may be varied in a systematic, fine‐graded manner to obtain libraries with high chemical diversity and sufficient compositional resolution as model systems for the screening of these materials for the functions aimed. HT characterization allows a fast assessment of complementary properties, which are employed to decipher quantitative structure–properties relationships. Moreover, these methods facilitate the HT determination of important surface parameters by spatially resolved characterization methods, including time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Here current methods for the high‐throughput robotic synthesis of multifunctional polymers as well as their characterization are presented and advantages as well as present limitations are discussed.
Flow Dynamics Influence Fish Recruitment in Hydrologically Connected River–Reservoir Landscapes
Authors: Dattilo J. , Brewer S. K. , Shoup D. E. 
Published: August 2021

Abstract
Hydrologic processes are often important determinants of successful recruitment of native fishes. However, water management practices can result in abnormal changes in daily and seasonal hydrology patterns. Rarely has fish recruitment across river–reservoir landscapes been considered in relation to flow management, despite the direct relationship between reservoir water management and the resulting upstream and downstream hydrology. We evaluated the relationships between lotic and lentic hydrology and recruitment of two native broadcast-spawning fishes, Freshwater Drum Aplodinotus grunniens and Gizzard Shad Dorosoma cepedianum. Four seasonal periods for each species were identified that related to the species’ spawning biology, from which we derived our remaining hydrology variables. Annual hydrology variables were also considered in our analysis. We developed regression models in conjunction with a model-selection procedure for each species and habitat type based on the catch-curve residuals from fish populations in hydrologically connected river–reservoir systems in the Ozark Highland and Ouachita Mountain ecoregions, USA. Our results indicated that recruitment of reservoir Freshwater Drum was negatively correlated to annual reservoir retention time. In lotic habitats, Freshwater Drum recruitment was positively correlated with prespawn discharge conditions and negatively correlated with annual flow variability. Similarly, riverine Gizzard Shad recruitment was positively correlated to the frequency of high-flow pulses during the spawning period. Our results indicate that releasing reservoir water to best mimic relatively natural flow patterns may benefit some broadcast-spawning species that occupy both lentic and downstream lotic environments, especially during the spring. This information, combined with future efforts on additional spawning guilds, will provide a foundation for developing holistic river–reservoir water-allocation plans.
Polymer nanolatexes for dyeing of soybean fabric
Authors: da Hora Luiz Felipe , Oliveira do Nascimento José Heriberto , Mendonça Fontes Galvão Felipe , de Souza Nunes Juliana 
Published: August 2021

AbstractIn this study, functionalized polymer nanolatexes based on P(MMA‐co‐BA‐co‐MAA) are synthesized by semicontinuous emulsion polymerization. An evaluation of the effect of reaction parameters such as monomer composition and initiators type on the latex properties is performed. Consideration of these effects allows the synthesis of low surfactant concentration‐high functionalized polymer nanoparticles as small as 29 nm. Then, a functionalized nanolatex is used as a binder in dyeing process of soybean protein fabric (SBF) using the cationic dye, Basic Red 46. Colorimetric tests show that the previous functionalization of soybean fibers with the nanolatex improves the efficiency of dyeing process by up to 13%. In addition, washing and rubbing fastness tests revealed that dyed functionalized fabrics had better performance than the one without nanolatex.
From the Atlantic coast to the lowland forests: Stable isotope analysis of the diet of forager–horticulturists in southern Brazil
Authors: Loponte Daniel , Carbonera Mirian 
Published: August 2021

AbstractIn this study, we analyze the diet of forager–horticulturalist societies of southeast South America through different isotopic markers (δ13Ccollagen, δ13Capatite, and δ15N). The economy of these populations was based on hunting, fishing, gathering, and, to a greater or lesser extent, horticulture, showing a different emphasis on each one of these options. The samples analyzed here were recovered from different environments, including the Atlantic coast, the highlands of the Brazilian plateau, and the lowland forests of the upper valleys of the Uruguay and Paraná rivers, within a general east–west sampling transect. Most of the samples correspond to individuals recovered from the Guarani and Itararé‐Taquara archeological units. We have also included a smaller sample of foragers clustered in the so‐called Vieira Tradition, perhaps with some food production, and two individuals buried in shell mounds (“sambaquis”) of the south Brazilian Atlantic coast (“Coastal Tradition”), whose economy was strongly based on marine resources and wild plants. The results indicate that, regardless of the archeological unit in question, the individuals recovered from the seashore settlements show a diet based mostly on marine protein, with a minor contribution of other resources, except in a Guarani sample, where a significant intake of maize is observed. The individuals recovered in the highlands of the Brazilian plateau (“Itararé‐Taquara”) present the highest incidence of plant consumption of the entire sample analyzed, within a C3 monoisotopic pattern, probably strongly influenced by the consumption of the araucaria pine nut, and no isotopic signals related to maize intake. Guarani samples recovered from sites located in tropical forests in the interior of the continent show an unquestionable and systematic impact of maize on the diet, in addition to an important consumption of C3 animal proteins. The individuals assigned to the so‐called Vieira Tradition show a diet based on C3 protein and both C3 and C4 lipids and carbohydrates. The latter could be related to a small consumption of maize. These results demonstrate the multidirectionality of subsistence strategies in southeastern South America during the late Holocene.
Fused filament fabrication process window for good interlayer bonding: Application to highly filled polymers in metallic powder*
Authors: Thézé Alexis , Guinault Alain , Régnier Gilles , Richard Sébastien , Macquaire Bruno 
Published: August 2021

AbstractExtending the fused filament fabrication process to highly filled thermoplastics in metallic powder used in metal injection molding is a promising method to produce small series. However, the lack of adhesion between deposited filaments can cause ruptures during the fabrication or debinding process. We designed a simple device to measure the shear strength required to tear off a filament deposited on a substrate. This device makes it possible to quickly determine the processing window for a good welding of filaments. We developed a 2D thermal simulation using the finite difference method while integrating the enthalpy of fusion and crystallization kinetics of the material. We then fitted it to the thermal measurements at depths of 0.45 and 0.75 mm under the substrate surface using small‐diameter thermocouples. Simulation results highlight the key role of the thermal contact resistance between the filament and the substrate in the evolution of the interface temperature. This provides essential information to explain the process window that can be determined experimentally. The characteristic time of macromolecule diffusion was determined by rheological measurements and was found to be too small to play a role in filament bonding for the simulated cooling rates for the studied material. The methodology introduced in this work was used to improve highly filled polymers interlayer adhesion, but it can be used to improve other filled or unfilled polymers.
Performance analysis outcome of a 19‐MWp commercial solar photovoltaic plant with fixed‐tilt, adjustable‐tilt, and solar tracking configurations
Authors: Chandel Rahul , Chandel Shyam Singh 
Published: August 2021

AbstractPhotovoltaic (PV) plants are generally installed at optimum tilt angle for a location or using sun tracking for enhancing energy generation potential. The objective of the present study is to assess the practicability of these techniques for large commercial plants along with determining expected uncertainty in simulated energy yield estimation. In this study, performance analysis of a 19‐MWp (17‐MWac) PV plant is carried out which is installed in India with fixed‐tilt (FT), seasonal adjustable‐tilt (AT), and horizontal single‐axis solar tracking (HSAT) configurations. This study is the first‐time comparative power enhancement analysis of these three different configurations under real outdoor conditions for a single large scale power plant at one location. The operation and maintenance issues of these configurations are also analyzed. A reliability analysis of linear actuator of the industrial solar tracking system is carried out as the actuator is a critical part of the solar tracking system of the power plant. Major results of the study are annual performance ratio 79% (FT), capacity factors = 19% (FT), 20% (AT), and 22% (HSAT) respectively, final yields (Yf) = 4.58 h/day (FT), 4.85 h/day (AT), and 5.28 h/day (HSAT). The energy yield simulations are done on two widely used PV design software: PVSyst and PVSOL and results are analyzed in detail. The accuracy of predicted data is validated and found to be within acceptable limits of uncertainty. The results of this study are compared with previous studies.
Neuromorphic bioelectronics based on semiconducting polymers
Authors: Lee HaeRang , Won Yousang , Oh Joon Hak 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe recent development of neuromorphic devices with low power consumption and rapid response has been driven primarily by the growing demand for brain‐inspired computing in human‐like machines and human‐machine interfaces. Remarkable progress has been made in developing neuromorphic bioelectronics that combine neuromorphic devices with electronic sensors. In this review, we provide an overview of semiconducting polymer‐based neuromorphic devices and their applications in neuromorphic bioelectronics. We focus on recent advances in semiconducting polymer‐based three‐terminal artificial synapses that mimic neural communication behaviors. Various types of semiconducting polymers and synaptic platforms have been investigated, allowing significant improvement in their performance and expansion of their functionality. Proper selection of materials and device structures can help artificial sensory synapses to react to various external stimuli and to further modulate electrical signals. Advances in semiconducting polymer‐based neuromorphic bioelectronics will accelerate the commercialization of human–machine interfacial systems, including intelligent prosthetics and implantable diagnostic devices.