bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental and kinetic modeling study of the oxidation of cyclopentane and methylcyclopentane at atmospheric pressure
Authors: Dayma G. , Thion S. , Serinyel Z. , Dagaut P.
Published: August 2020

Cyclopentane and methylcyclopentane oxidation was investigated in a jet‐stirred reactor at atmospheric pressure, over temperatures ranging from 900 to 1250 K, for fuel‐lean, stoichiometric, and fuel‐rich mixtures at a constant residence time of 70 ms. The initial mole fraction of both fuels was kept constant at 1000 ppm. The reactants were highly diluted by a flow of nitrogen to ensure thermal homogeneity. Samples of the reacting mixture were analyzed online and off‐line by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatography. A detailed kinetic mechanism consisting of 590 species involved in 3469 reactions was developed, and simulation results were compared to these new experimental data and previously reported ignition delays. Reaction pathways analysis as well as sensitivity analyses were performed to get insights into the differences observed during the oxidation process of cyclopentane and methylcyclopentane.
Introducing the TiDyWAVE field flume: A method to quantify natural ecosystem resilience against future storm waves
Authors: de Smit J. C. , Kleinhans M. G. , Gerkema T. , Timmermans K. R. , Bouma T. J.
Published: August 2020

Coastal ecosystems are increasingly threatened by global change. Insight in their resilience against increased storminess is needed for their application in nature‐based coastal defense schemes. This is often gained from flume experiments. Laboratory flumes provide excellent hydrodynamic control, but are restrictive in that it is extremely difficult to experiment on ecosystems with a naturally developed stability. Field flumes resolve the latter, but are limited to unidirectional currents. This study introduces an easily deployable field flume that mimics the near‐bed water motion of waves: the Tidal Dynamics WAVE flume (the TiDyWAVE). The hydrodynamics of the TiDyWAVE are assessed and compared to natural waves. We also compare it with a more traditional unidirectional flow channel by measuring the erodibility (ucr) of (1) bare sediments of which ucr can be calculated and (2) a seagrass meadow. The TiDyWAVE can generate peak oscillatory currents up to 0.32 m s−1 with a maximum wave period of 3.5 s, corresponding to 0.42 m high waves for a water depth of 3 m. ucr measurements showed that bed shear stress in the TiDyWAVE mimics field waves well. In accordance with theory, the observed ucr on bare sediment is consistently lower for oscillatory flow compared to unidirectional currents. On Thalassia testudinum, ucr under unidirectional currents increases 3.5 times faster with increasing blade area than under oscillatory flow. The difference in hydrodynamic sheltering of the seabed by flexible vegetation under currents vs. waves emphasizes the need for imposing representative hydrodynamics to study hydrodynamic thresholds of coastal ecosystems.
TEMPO‐Contained Polymer Grafted onto Graphene Oxide via Click Chemistry as Cathode Materials for Organic Battery
Authors: Zhu Junfeng , Zhu Ting , Tuo Huan , Yan Mengmeng , Zhang Wanbin , Zhang Guanghua , Yang Xiaowu
Published: August 2020

Poly(2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidin‐1‐oxyl‐4‐yl methacrylate) (PTMA) is a typical organic battery material containing nitrogen and oxygen radicals. The grafting of PTMA onto graphene oxide to obtain composite cathode material poly(2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidin‐1‐oxyl‐4‐yl methacrylate)‐Graphene Oxide (PTMA‐GO) via click chemistry is reported. The method of preparing PTMA‐GO is completed at room temperature, which can retain the oxygen‐containing functional groups on the surface of graphene oxide, and the process is simple and easy to conduct. The composite materials are characterized by infrared, X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetry, and electron paramagnetic resonance. The cathode material is assembled in a button battery to measure its cyclic voltammogram, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and charge and discharge capacity cycles. It is found that the PTMA‐GO electrode is twice as conductive as the PTMA electrode alone. The specific capacity of the PTMA‐GO electrode is nearly 2.3 times higher than that of the PTMA electrode after 300 charge–discharge cycles. This represents an important reference value for the development of organic batteries, especially for the research of nitroxide radical polymer electrode materials.
Yolk–Shell Fe3O4@Void@N‐Carbon Nanostructures Based on One‐Step Deposition of SiO2 and Resorcinol‐3‐Aminophenol‐Formaldehyde (R‐APF) Cocondensed Resin Dual Layers onto Fe3O4 Nanoclusters
Authors: Tian Kesong , Wang Junyan , Guo Wanchun , Li Ruifei , Cao Ling , Xu Zhaopeng , Wang Haiyan
Published: August 2020

Yolk–shell magnetic nanoparticles@nitrogen‐enriched Carbon nanostructures with a magnetic core and a hollow nitrogen‐enriched carbon shell exhibit considerable promise in various applications, such as drug delivery, heterogenous catalysts, removal of metal ions and organic pollutants, and screening of biomolecules, due to their strong magnetic response, unique cavities, and the selective absorption ability of nitrogen‐enriched groups. However, their complicated synthesis always involves possible surface modification, layer‐by‐layer deposition of a sacrificial middle layer and an outer nitrogen‐enriched layer on magnetic nanoparticles, subsequent carbonization, and final removal of the sacrificial middle layer. Herein, yolk–shell Fe3O4@nitrogen‐enriched carbon nanostructures are constructed based on NH4+ ion‐induced one‐step deposition of SiO2 and Resorcinol‐3‐aminophenol‐formaldehyde cocondensed resin (R‐APF) dual layers onto poly acrylic acid‐modified Fe3O4 nanoclusters without any extra surface modification. The N‐Carbon shell thickness of the yolk–shell Fe3O4@Void@N‐Carbon nanostructure can be finely tailored though tailoring the feeding amount of aminophenol and resorcinol to tune the thickness of the outer R‐APF resin shell onto Fe3O4@SiO2 intermediate particles. This NH4+ ion‐induced one‐pot deposition of double layers can effectively promote synthesis efficiency of this kind of yolk–shell nanostructure.
Quality incentive contract design in government procurement of public services under dual asymmetric information
Authors: Zhang Yuting , Xu Lan
Published: August 2020

In the process of government procurement of public services (GPPS), adverse selection and moral hazard caused by dual asymmetric information can damage public interests and negatively affect the quality of public services. To improve the quality of GPPS, in this study, quality incentive contract models under the condition of dual asymmetric information are designed. These models are based on the optimal incentive contract model in principal–agent theory. The results show that under dual asymmetric information conditions, incentive contracts designed for a continuous type of service capability can identify and stimulate the service abilities of social organizations.
External bargaining versus internal manipulation: A theory of managerial delegation
Authors: Wang Xingtang , Wang Leonard F.S.
Published: August 2020

Does the competition mode influence the delegation decisions of the firm owners? By constructing a vertical negotiation game model, we find that under Cournot competition in the downstream market, the downstream firm's owner will not choose delegation, whereas under Bertrand competition, the downstream firm's owner will choose delegation. If the product substitution is relatively large, the adoption of delegation management by the owners of downstream firms under Bertrand competition will bring higher profits. It further shows that compared with the situation of no delegation, delegation management may reverse the social welfare ranking under Bertrand and Cournot competitions.
Deep learning segmentation of general interventional tools in two‐dimensional ultrasound images
Authors: Gillies Derek J. , Rodgers Jessica R. , Gyacskov Igor , Roy Priyanka , Kakani Nirmal , Cool Derek W. , Fenster Aaron
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Many interventional procedures require the precise placement of needles or therapy applicators (tools) to correctly achieve planned targets for optimal diagnosis or treatment of cancer, typically leveraging the temporal resolution of ultrasound (US) to provide real‐time feedback. Identifying tools in two‐dimensional (2D) images can often be time‐consuming with the precise position difficult to distinguish. We have developed and implemented a deep learning method to segment tools in 2D US images in near real‐time for multiple anatomical sites, despite the widely varying appearances across interventional applications.

Methods

A U‐Net architecture with a Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) loss function was used to perform segmentation on input images resized to 256 × 256 pixels. The U‐Net was modified by adding 50% dropouts and the use of transpose convolutions in the decoder section of the network. The proposed approach was trained with 917 images and manual segmentations from prostate/gynecologic brachytherapy, liver ablation, and kidney biopsy/ablation procedures, as well as phantom experiments. Real‐time data augmentation was applied to improve generalizability and doubled the dataset for each epoch. Postprocessing to identify the tool tip and trajectory was performed using two different approaches, comparing the largest island with a linear fit to random sample consensus (RANSAC) fitting.

Results

Comparing predictions from 315 unseen test images to manual segmentations, the overall median [first quartile, third quartile] tip error, angular error, and DSC were 3.5 [1.3, 13.5] mm, 0.8 [0.3, 1.7]°, and 73.3 [56.2, 82.3]%, respectively, following RANSAC postprocessing. The predictions with the lowest median tip and angular errors were observed in the gynecologic images (median tip error: 0.3 mm; median angular error: 0.4°) with the highest errors in the kidney images (median tip error: 10.1 mm; median angular error: 2.9°). The performance on the kidney images was likely due to a reduction in acoustic signal associated with oblique insertions relative to the US probe and the increased number of anatomical interfaces with similar echogenicity. Unprocessed segmentations were performed with a mean time of approximately 50 ms per image.

Conclusions

We have demonstrated that our proposed approach can accurately segment tools in 2D US images from multiple anatomical locations and a variety of clinical interventional procedures in near real‐time, providing the potential to improve image guidance during a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic cancer interventions.
Formulation of reference solutions for compaction process in sedimentary basins
Authors: Lemos Paulo Sérgio B. , Brüch André , Maghous Samir
Published: August 2020

This paper is devoted to the development of semianalytical solutions for the deformation induced by gravitational compaction in sedimentary basins. Formulated within the framework of coupled plasticity–viscoplasticity at large strains, the modeling dedicates special emphasis to the effects of material densification associated with large irreversible porosity changes on the stiffness and hardening of the sediment material. At material level, the purely mechanical compaction taking place in the upper layers of the basin is handled in the context of finite elastoplasticity, whereas the viscoplastic component of behavior is intended to address creep‐like deformation resulting from chemo‐mechanical that prevails at deeper layers. Semianalytical solutions describing the evolution of mechanical state of the sedimentary basin along both the accretion and postaccretion periods are presented in the simplified oedometric setting. These solutions can be viewed as reference solutions for verification and benchmarks of basin simulators. The proposed approach may reveal suitable for parametric analyses because it requires only standard mathematics‐based software for PDE system resolution. The numerical illustrations provide a quantitative comparison between the derived solutions and finite element predictions from an appropriate basin simulator, thus showing the ability of the approach to accurately capture essential features of basin deformation.
Next generation of microservices for the 5G Service‐Based Architecture
Authors: Moreira João Bourbon , Mamede Henrique , Pereira Vasco , Sousa Bruno
Published: August 2020

The architecture for 5G core includes a Service‐Based Architecture for the diverse network functions (NFs), which relies on HTTP/2 for the SBI and TCP as the underlying transport protocol. The specifications of the HTTP family is moving towards more efficient and secure protocols, which are based on UDP to assure enhanced transport but using TLS to secure the communication channel. The next generation of microservices needs to be more secure, performant and easily manageable, where HTTP/3 and containers orchestration platforms (like Kubernetes) can provide significative contributions towards such goals. Different deployment approaches can be followed for services implemented in compliance to the 5G SBA. This paper contributes with the assessment of deployment models for services in 5G networks, where NFs are implemented following traditional architectures (all the functions in a VM) or as serverless architectures (with functions distributed in containers). The performance of microservices in Kubernetes is also evaluated. The evaluation conducted also considers the employment of different versions of HTTPs to empower the service‐based interfaces of 5G services. Results demonstrate performance benefits of employing HTTP/3, based on QUIC protocol, in scenarios with networks characterised by losses or delay conditions. Despite such gain, deployment in 5G networks needs to carefully consider aspects related with connection tracking mechanisms to support high volumes of requests.
Source Water Protection Is Key to the Partnership for Safe Water and the Farm Bill
Authors: Brewer Todd F. , Carpenter Adam T.
Published: August 2020

There are many ways those in the water sector can contribute to source water protection. One of the most effective options is to build relationships with key stakeholders and weigh in on funding prioritization. Work done now could develop into partnerships, projects, and other ways to help address your needs while helping US farmers.
Small Water Systems Versus COVID‐19
Authors: Medina Kirk
Published: August 2020

My phone rings as I walk out of the grocery store. I nearly miss the call as I scramble to remove my face mask while noticing it's our water treatment plant phone. Immediately I hope the plant is running smoothly and no one is out of water. I respond and ask if everything is OK.
Safety and Affordability Are Vital for Lead Service Line Replacement
Authors: Deshpande Niranjan , McCarthy Cynthia
Published: August 2020

An Ohio water utility made lead service line replacement affordable for its customers and established procedures to keep its field crews safe during replacement projects.
Treatment resistant depression incidence and prevalence using the French nationwide claims database
Authors: Bosco‐Lévy Pauline , Grelaud Angela , Blin Patrick , Astruc Bernard , Falissard Bruno , Llorca Pierre‐Michel , Bernard Marie‐Agnès , Lassalle Régis , Moore Nicholas , Droz‐Perroteau Cécile
Published: August 2020

Purpose

To estimate annual incidence and prevalence of Treatment‐Resistant Depression (TRD) in France.

Methods

We identified all adult patients (≥ 18 years) with a TRD episode between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2014 in the EGB (Échantillon généraliste des bénéficiaires), a permanent random sample of the French nationwide claims database. After a 6‐month washout period without hospitalization for depression or any antidepressants (AD), and after exclusion of psychotic or bipolar affective disorders, Parkinson's disease and dementia, a TRD episode was defined by three successive sequences of different AD over a 3‐month treatment period (6 months for a sensitive analysis), with at least 3 weeks before each sequence change and a Medication Possession Ratio ≥ 80%; or by the dispensing of >two different AD together; or of an AD with a potentiator (lithium, antiepileptic drugs, antipsychotic drugs, thyroid hormones) over the same treatment period. The annual incidence rate was estimated from 2012 to 2014 and the prevalence using a Gamma parametric function based on treatment duration and a 30‐year prediction.

Results

Between 2012 and 2014, 700 patients were identified in EGB with a TRD episode. The mean age was 47.4 years (±15.3); 52.7% were women. Annual incidence and prevalence of TRD were estimated at 5.8 and 25.8 per 10 000 patients, respectively and at 7.8 and 37.6 per 10 000 patients, respectively in the sensitivity analysis.

Conclusion

This study provides the first population‐based estimates for incidence and prevalence of TRD in France.
Effect of steric constraints on the physico‐electrochemical properties of sulfonated polyaromatic copolymers
Authors: Peressin Nicolas , Adamski Michael , Holdcroft Steven
Published: August 2020

The impact of incorporating additional steric restrictions into highly sterically encumbered sulfonated polyaromatic polymers was investigated. Copolymers possessing between 0 and 10% nonlinear ortho or meta biphenyl units in an otherwise linear para biphenyl‐containing sulfo‐phenylated poly(phenylene) were synthesized in yields >80% and evaluated on the basis of their physical and electrochemical properties. When incorporated into sulfonated copolymers in ≤5 mol%, ortho and meta linked biphenyl moieties reduced membrane swelling in water by up to 23 and 19 vol%, respectively, compared to strictly para biphenyl‐linked copolymers. Despite this, copolymers possessing nonlinear, biphenyl‐linked monomers displayed a decrease in proton conductivity and mechanical strength. This study reinforces the importance of considering restricted rotation, backbone flexibility, and chain entanglement in the design of polymers aimed at improving their physical and electrochemical properties. © 2020 Society of Industrial Chemistry
Influence of hydrophilic additives on the signal intensity in electrospray ionization of flavonoid glycosides
Authors: Kageyama (Kaneshima) Ami , Motoyama Akira , Takayama Mitsuo
Published: August 2020

Rationale

The influence of hydrophilic additives glycine, glucose, and glycerol on electrospray ionization (ESI) signal intensity of flavonoid glycosides and a nonreducing disaccharide is examined. The addition of excess glycine to the ESI solution would affect signal intensity more than glucose and glycerol due to its strong hydration capability.

Methods

The ESI signal response upon the addition of excess additives prepared was estimated in both selected ion monitoring and scan mode. All the mass spectrometry data were acquired in negative ion mode, because negative ion mode is recommended for saccharide compounds.

Results

The addition of glycine to the ESI solution of flavonoid glycosides and trehalose enhanced signal intensity, whereas the addition of glucose and glycerol had little effect. The signal intensity of rutin was higher than that of naringin and hesperidin, in accordance with their solubility in ESI solution. Trehalose molecules specifically interacted with glycine molecules to form a 1:1 trehalose–glycine complex, whereas the flavonoid glycosides did not produce such complex ions.

Conclusions

The ESI signal enhancement of the saccharides with the additive glycine can be explained by its strong hydration capability, with the deprotonated carboxylic oxygens of zwitterionic glycine molecules strongly interacting with water hydrogen atoms resulting in strong hydration enthalpy. Consequently, glycine molecules set the analytes free from solvation with water molecules in the ESI droplets.
ABCA3 deficiency from birth to adulthood presenting as paediatric interstitial lung disease
Authors: Cho Jin‐Gun , Thakkar Devesh , Buchanan Peter , Graf Nicole , Wheatley John
Published: August 2020

Paediatric disorders of pulmonary surfactant may occur due to mutations involving surfactant proteins B and C, and ATP‐binding cassette subfamily A member 3 (ABCA3) genes. Recessive frameshift or nonsense ABCA3 mutations are associated with respiratory failure and neonatal death but milder phenotypes of ABCA3 deficiency due to missense, splice site, and insertion/deletions may result in survival beyond infancy. To date, only one case report describes the clinical course from birth to age 21 years and there are less than 10 adult cases. No guidelines exist for medical therapy due to the rarity of this condition. We describe the clinical course of a patient over 39 years and her younger brother who were both diagnosed at birth with an unspecified paediatric interstitial lung disease (ILD) and were eventually diagnosed with ABCA3 mutation in their adulthood. Our report highlights the minimal progression of the ABCA3‐related ILD without long‐term medications, but the development of dyspnoea due to progressive pulmonary hypertension and airflow obstruction.
Polyaniline Nanovesicles for Photoacoustic Imaging‐Guided Photothermal‐Chemo Synergistic Therapy in the Second Near‐Infrared Window
Authors: Zhang Ya , Wang Yingjie , Yang Xueqin , Yang Qinglai , Li Juan , Tan Weihong
Published: August 2020

Photoacoustic imaging‐guided photothermal therapy in the second near‐infrared (NIR‐II) window shows promise for clinical deep‐penetrating tumor phototheranostics. However, ideal photothermal agents in the NIR‐II window are still rare. Here, the emeraldine salt of polyaniline (PANI‐ES), especially synthesized by a one‐pot enzymatic reaction on sodium bis(2‐ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT) vesicle surface (PANI‐ES@AOT, λmax ≈ 1000 nm), exhibits excellent dispersion in physiological environment and remarkable photothermal ability at pH 6.5 (photothermal conversion efficiency of 43.9%). As a consequence of the enhanced permeability and retention effect of tumors and the doping‐induced photothermal effect of PANI‐ES@AOT, this pH‐sensitive NIR‐II photothermal agent allows tumor acidity phototheranostics with minimized pseudosignal readout and subdued normal tissue damage. Moreover, the enhanced fluidity of vesicle membrane triggered by heating is beneficial for drug release and allows precise synergistic therapy for an improved therapeutic effect. This study highlights the potential of template‐oriented (or interface‐confined) enzymatic polymerization reactions for the construction of conjugated polymers with desired biomedical applications.
True Meaning of Pseudocapacitors and Their Performance Metrics: Asymmetric versus Hybrid Supercapacitors
Authors: Chodankar Nilesh R. , Pham Hong Duc , Nanjundan Ashok Kumar , Fernando Joseph F. S. , Jayaramulu Kolleboyina , Golberg Dmitri , Han Young‐Kyu , Dubal Deepak P.
Published: August 2020

The development of pseudocapacitive materials for energy‐oriented applications has stimulated considerable interest in recent years due to their high energy‐storing capacity with high power outputs. Nevertheless, the utilization of nanosized active materials in batteries leads to fast redox kinetics due to the improved surface area and short diffusion pathways, which shifts their electrochemical signatures from battery‐like to the pseudocapacitive‐like behavior. As a result, it becomes challenging to distinguish “pseudocapacitive” and “battery” materials. Such misconceptions have further impacted on the final device configurations. This Review is an earnest effort to clarify the confusion between the battery and pseudocapacitive materials by providing their true meanings and correct performance metrics. A method to distinguish battery‐type and pseudocapacitive materials using the electrochemical signatures and quantitative kinetics analysis is outlined. Taking solid‐state supercapacitors (SSCs, only polymer gel electrolytes) as an example, the distinction between asymmetric and hybrid supercapacitors is discussed. The state‐of‐the‐art progress in the engineering of active materials is summarized, which will guide for the development of real‐pseudocapacitive energy storage systems.
Controlling the Speed of Light‐Activated Colloids with a Constant, Uniform Magnetic Field
Authors: Landry Brad , Girgis Victoria , Gibbs John G.
Published: August 2020

It is demonstrated how the strength of activation for photocatalytic, self‐propelled colloids can be enhanced with a constant, uniform magnetic field. When exposed to ultraviolet light and hydrogen peroxide, the titanium dioxide‐based colloids become actively propelled. Due to the iron oxide core, a uniform field oriented perpendicular to the surface where motion takes place causes the asymmetrically shaped particles to rotate, which consequently leads to an increase in activity. The field‐dependent dynamics of self‐propulsion is quantified, and a qualitative description of how this effect arises is proposed. Since the application of the field is easily reversible, modulating the field on‐and‐off serves as a de facto “switch” that controls particle behavior.
Using software metrics for predicting vulnerable classes and methods in Java projects: A machine learning approach
Authors: Sultana Kazi Zakia , Anu Vaibhav , Chong Tai‐Yin
Published: August 2020

[Context]A software vulnerability becomes harmful for software when an attacker successfully exploits the insecure code and reveals the vulnerability. A single vulnerability in code can put the entire software at risk. Therefore, maintaining software security throughout the software life cycle is an important and at the same time challenging task for development teams. This can also leave the door open for vulnerable code being evolved during successive releases. In recent years, researchers have used software metrics‐based vulnerability prediction approaches to detect vulnerable code early and ensure secure code releases. Software metrics have been employed to predict vulnerability specifically in C/C++ and Java‐based systems. However, the prediction performance of metrics at different granularity levels (class level or method level) has not been analyzed. In this paper, we focused on metrics that are specific to lower granularity levels (Java classes and methods). Based on statistical analysis, we first identified a set of class‐level metrics and a set of method‐level metrics and then employed them as features in machine learning techniques to predict vulnerable classes and methods, respectively. This paper describes a comparative study on how our selected metrics perform at different granularity levels. Such a comparative study can help the developers in choosing the appropriate metrics (at the desired level of granularity). [Objective] The goal of this research is to propose a set of metrics at two lower granularity levels and provide evidence for their usefulness during vulnerability prediction (which will help in maintaining secure code and ensure secure software evolution). [Method] For four Java‐based open source systems (including two releases of Apache Tomcat), we designed and conducted experiments based on statistical tests to propose a set of software metrics that can be used for predicting vulnerable code components (i.e., vulnerable classes and methods). Next, we used our identified metrics as features to train supervised machine learning algorithms to classify Java code as vulnerable or non‐vulnerable. [Result] Our study has successfully identified a set of class‐level metrics and a second set of method‐level metrics that can be useful from a vulnerability prediction standpoint. We achieved recall higher than 70% and precision higher than 75% in vulnerability prediction using our identified class‐level metrics as features of machine learning. Furthermore, method‐level metrics showed recall higher than 65% and precision higher than 80%.
Heterogeneous Wettability Surfaces: Principle, Construction, and Applications
Authors: Li Huizeng , Li An , Zhao Zhipeng , Li Mingzhu , Song Yanlin
Published: August 2020

A functional substrate with heterogeneous wettability elaborately integrates the water loving and repellent properties onto an individual surface. Compared with homogeneous surfaces, nonuniformity in wettability endows a heterogeneous surface with a more remarkable capability for manipulation of the solid–liquid–gas interactions, which contributes to the progress and innovation in various applications, such as device fabrication, biological screening, and sample analysis. Recently, the development in microfabrication techniques has greatly promoted the versatility and diversity in the design and fabrication of substrates with high‐precision and high‐resolution heterogeneous wettability. In this review, the general principle of liquid manipulation using heterogeneous wettability surfaces is discussed. Then, the construction methodology of substrates with heterogeneous wettability surfaces is outlined in the order of chemical modification and physical engineering. Typical applications focused on optic/electronic device fabrication and biosensing/detection are summarized. Finally, current challenges and research prospects to enhance the practicality and universality of heterogeneous wettability substrates are also proposed.
Effect of coarse‐aggregate shape on strength of hydraulic concrete
Authors: Huang Yaoying , Ding Yu , Xie Tong , Fei Dawei
Published: August 2020

Shape is an important physical property of aggregates. However, the large amount of work required to measure with precision the size of coarse aggregate and the lack of relevant tests obscure how the shape of the coarse aggregate affects the strength of concrete. In this work, granite coarse aggregate was first divided into flaky stone and massive stone by manual screening. Next, the coarse aggregate was selected at random for size and volume measurements to obtain and analyze the aggregate shape parameters such as sphericity and flatness. Based on the selected aggregate, three aggregate combinations were designed according to the content of flaky stone. Finally, we measured the compressive strength and splitting tensile strength of hydraulic concrete (7, 28, and 60 days) with water‐binder ratios of 0.33, 0.41, and 0.5. The results show that the three aggregates clearly differ in shape, and the measured compressive strengths and splitting tensile strengths of the concrete with water‐binder ratios of 0.41 and 0.5 are similar. However, the compressive strength of the concrete with water‐binder ratio of 0.33 is significantly correlated with the three selected aggregate combinations.
Seismic performance assessment of steel frames with shape‐memory alloy wire‐based dampers
Authors: Falahian Afsaneh , Asadi Payam , Riahi Hossein Tajmir , Haghy Mahsa
Published: August 2020

Steel braces reduce the interstory drifts of steel structures under earthquake excitations; however, severe earthquakes could still cause some notable residual drifts in the structures. The reduction of these residual drifts decreases post‐earthquake retrofitting costs. This study investigates the seismic performance of steel frames equipped with a proposed self‐centering damper, using shape‐memory alloy (SMA) wires. For this purpose, incremental dynamic analyses are carried out on the steel frames of 3, 7, and 12 stories with self‐centering dampers of different capacities. The results of cyclic tests validate damper numerical modeling. The results indicate that the proposed damper limits the residual drifts. Also, fragility curves illustrate that the damper reduces the exceedance probabilities of limit states associated with residual story drift. The comparison among three design cases demonstrates that the most appropriate capacity for SMA dampers happens when it obtains the average capacity value required for equality between damper stiffness and strength and braces stiffness and strength, respectively. This particular design will eventually lead to the most efficient scenario in cases of performance and cost.
Petrochemical wastewater and produced water: Treatment technology and resource recovery
Authors: Wei Xinchao , Kazemi Mohammad , Zhang Shicheng , Wolfe Frederick A.
Published: August 2020

Petrochemical wastewater and produced water from oil and gas operations typically contain an array of organic and inorganic contaminants. The complexity of the wastewater, stringent environmental regulations, and the need for sustainable solutions have driven many research efforts in studying and developing advanced technology or combined treatment processes. On the other hand, the wastewater itself can be resources for water, energy, and other valuable product if appropriate technology is developed to recover them in a cost‐effective fashion. The research advances in wastewater treatment and resource recovery technology are reviewed and summarized. For petrochemical wastewater, progresses were made in advanced oxidation, biological processes, and recovery of energy and water from wastewater. For produced water, many efforts were focused on membrane processes, combined systems, and biological treatment.

Practitioner points

Significant progress continued to be made on petrochemical wastewater and produced water treatment.

Recent technological advances in various treatment processes were summarized.

Technologies focusing on resource recovery (e.g., water or energy) were presented.
Minding morality: ethical artificial societies for public policy modeling
Authors: Diallo Saikou Y. , Shults F. LeRon , Wildman Wesley J.
Published: August 2020

Public policies are designed to have an impact on particular societies, yet policy-oriented computer models and simulations often focus more on articulating the policies to be applied than on realistically rendering the cultural dynamics of the target society. This approach can lead to policy assessments that ignore crucial social contextual factors. For example, by leaving out distinctive moral and normative dimensions of cultural contexts in artificial societies, estimations of downstream policy effectiveness fail to account for dynamics that are fundamental in human life and central to many public policy challenges. In this paper, we supply evidence that incorporating morally salient dimensions of a culture is critically important for producing relevant and accurate evaluations of social policy when using multi-agent artificial intelligence models and simulations.
Coexpression of CMTM6 and PD-L1 as a predictor of poor prognosis in macrotrabecular-massive hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Liu Li-Li , Zhang Shi-Wen , Chao Xue , Wang Chun-Hua , Yang Xia , Zhang Xin-Ke , Wen Yan-lin , Yun Jing-Ping , Luo Rong-Zhen
Published: August 2020

The “macrotrabecular-massive” (MTM) pattern of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been suggested to represent a distinct HCC subtype and is associated with specific molecular features. Since the immune microenvironment is heterogenous in HCC, it is important to evaluate the immune microenvironment of this novel variant. CMTM6, a key regulator of PD-L1, is an important immunocheckpoint inhibitor. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic effect of CMTM6/PD-L1 coexpression and its relationship with inflammatory cells in HCC. We analyzed 619 HCC patients and tumors were classified into MTM and non-MTM HCC subtypes. The expression levels of CMTM6 and PD-L1 in tumor and inflammatory cells were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The density of inflammatory cells in the cancer cell nest was calculated. Tumoral PD-L1 expression and inflammatory cell density were higher in the MTM type than in the non-MTM type. CMTM6-high expression was significantly associated with shorter OS and DFS than CMTM6-low expression in the whole HCC patient population and the MTM HCC patient population. Moreover, MTM HCC patients with CMTM6/PD-L1 coexpression experienced a higher risk of HCC progression and death. In addition, CMTM6/PD-L1 coexpression was shown to be related to a high density of inflammatory cells. Notably, a new immune classification, based on CMTM6/PD-L1 coexpression and inflammatory cells, successfully stratified OS and DFS in MTM HCC. CMTM6/PD-L1 coexpression has an adverse effect on the prognosis of HCC patients, especially MTM HCC patients. Our study provides evidence for the combination of immune status assessment with anti-CMTM6 and anti-PD-L1 therapy in MTM HCC patients.
Presence of purpura is related to active inflammation in association with IL-5 in eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis
Authors: Kataoka Hiroshi , Tomita Tomoko , Kondo Makoto , Mukai Masaya
Published: August 2020

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a relatively rare necrotizing vasculitis that causes asthma, nasal involvement, peripheral nerve disturbance, renal disorder, and cutaneous lesions like purpura and is characterized by eosinophil infiltration into the damaged tissue. Purpura is the most common cutaneous lesion, but it remains unknown whether this skin lesion is associated with disease activity of EGPA and laboratory data including interleukin (IL)-5, a target cytokine of this disease. We conducted a search of our hospital electronic records for cases of EGPA from the last 10 years. Symptoms related to EGPA (fever, asthma, nasal and cutaneous manifestations, neuropathy), the Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS), and laboratory parameters, such as eosinophil count, urinalysis, antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA), CRP, IgE and IL-5, before and during treatment were compared among the eligible cases. A total of 28 EGPA patients (21 females and 7 males) were selected. Almost all developed peripheral neuropathy. Fever occurred in 25%, nasal symptoms in 38.1% and purpura in 44%. Glomerulonephritis developed in 7.7%. One patient had cardiac involvement (3.6%). The laboratory data showed a marked increase in peripheral eosinophil count, CRP, serum IgE and serum IL-5. ANCA was positive in 15.4%. In the univariate analysis, presence of purpura was associated with increased CRP and IL-5, and high BVAS score. Multivariate analysis revealed a robust relationship between purpura and CRP. Our findings showed that presence of purpura was associated with increased CRP and IL-5, and high disease activity in EGPA.
Chitin of Araneae origin: structural features and biomimetic applications: a review
Authors: Machałowski Tomasz , Amemiya Chris , Jesionowski Teofil
Published: August 2020

Large scale isolation of chitin traditionally has been carried out from fungal biomass as well as from seafood processing wastes, e.g., from shrimp, crab and lobster exoskeletons. Despite the relative abundance and ready availability of these materials, isolation of chitin requires great deal of chemical reagents and is time consuming. Obtained in this way chitin is produced in the form of powders, whiskers, and flakes. In this review, we have focused on the moulting cuticles of spiders as an alternative source of naturally occurring chitin. The comparatively high chitin content in the moults allows for rapid preparation of structures that maintain their original shape and integrity, such as the chitinous tubes from leg exoskeletons. Based on our latest scientific analyses regarding spider chitin, we highlight here its advantages and its biomimetic applications in tissue engineering, catalysis and environmental science.
Two-Coloring Triples such that in Each Color Class Every Element is Missed at Least Once
Authors: Keszegh Balázs
Published: August 2020

We give a characterization of finite sets of triples of elements (e.g., positive integers) that can be colored with two colors such that for every element i in each color class there exists a triple which does not contain i. We give a linear (in the number of triples) time algorithm to decide if such a coloring exists and find one if it does. We also consider generalizations of this result and an application to a matching problem, which motivated this study. Finally, we show how these results translate to results about colorings of hypergraphs in which the degree of every vertex is k less than the number of hyperedges.
Babylonian astronomy: a new understanding of column Φ
Authors: Brack-Bernsen Lis
Published: August 2020

The most discussed and mysterious column within the Babylonian astronomy is column Φ. It is closely connected to the lunar velocity and to the duration of the Saros. This paper presents new ideas for the development and interpretation of column Φ. It combines the excellent Goal-Year method (for the prediction of Lunar Six time intervals) with old ideas and practices from the “schematic astronomy”. Inspired by the old “TU11” rule for prediction of times of lunar eclipses, it proposes that column Φ, in a similar way, used the sum of the Lunar Four to predict times of lunar eclipses as well as the duration of one, 6, and 12 months by means of what usually is called “R–S” schemes. It also explains fully the structure and development of such schemes, a fact that strongly supports the new interpretation of column Φ.
Enhancement of oxidation of dimethyl ether through application of zirconia matrix for immobilization of noble metal catalytic nanoparticles
Authors: Rutkowska Iwona A. , Sek Jakub P. , Zelenay Piotr , Kulesza Pawel J.
Published: August 2020

Electrocatalytic activity of Pt and bimetallic PtRu nanoparticles (both Vulcan supported and unsupported) toward electrooxidation of dimethyl ether (DME), a potential small organic molecule fuel, in an acid medium (0.5 mol dm−3 H2SO4) has been significantly enhanced by dispersing them over a thin film of zirconia (ZrO2). The enhancement effects concern increases of the DME electrocatalytic current densities recorded under both cyclic voltammetric and chronoamperometric conditions. Similar effects have been observed for the oxidation of methanol. Regarding the dissimilar DME electrooxidation mechanisms at Pt and PtRu catalytic centers, the activating capabilities of zirconia seem to originate from the high population of reactive –OH groups favoring mobility of protons and the capability of inducing the oxidative removal of poisoning (CO-type) intermediates both at platinum and ruthenium catalytic sites. In the presence of the zirconia matrix, the onset potential for the oxidation of DME (particularly at PtRu) is shifted more than 50 mV toward less positive potentials. Mutual metal-support interactions are also postulated.
Animal-Mediated Ecosystem Process Rates in Forests and Grasslands are Affected by Climatic Conditions and Land-Use Intensity
Authors: Ambarlı Didem , Simons Nadja K. , Wehner Katja , Kämper Wiebke , Gossner Martin M. , Nauss Thomas , Neff Felix , Seibold Sebastian , Weisser Wolfgang , Blüthgen Nico
Published: August 2020

Decomposition, vegetation regeneration, and biological control are essential ecosystem functions, and animals are involved in the underlying processes, such as dung removal, seed removal, herbivory, and predation. Despite evidence for declines of animal diversity and abundance due to climate change and land-use intensification, we poorly understand how animal-mediated processes respond to these global change drivers. We experimentally measured rates of four ecosystem processes in 134 grassland and 149 forest plots in Germany and tested their response to climatic conditions and land-use intensity, that is, grazing, mowing, and fertilization in grasslands and the proportion of harvested wood, non-natural trees, and deadwood origin in forests. For both climate and land use, we distinguished between short-term effects during the survey period and medium-term effects during the preceding years. Forests had significantly higher process rates than grasslands. In grasslands, the climatic effects on the process rates were similar or stronger than land-use effects, except for predation; land-use intensity negatively affected several process rates. In forests, the land-use effects were more pronounced than the climatic effects on all processes except for predation. The proportion of non-natural trees had the greatest impact on the process rates in forests. The proportion of harvested wood had negative effects, whereas the proportion of anthropogenic deadwood had positive effects on some processes. The effects of climatic conditions and land-use intensity on process rates mirror climatic and habitat effects on animal abundance, activity, and resource quality. Our study demonstrates that land-use changes and interventions affecting climatic conditions will have substantial impacts on animal-mediated ecosystem processes.
Reducing nutrient availability and enhancing biotic resistance limits settlement and growth of the invasive Australian swamp stonecrop (Crassula helmsii)
Authors: van der Loop Janneke M. M. , Tjampens Janne , Vogels Joost J. , van Kleef Hein H. , Lamers Leon P. M. , Leuven Rob S. E. W.
Published: August 2020

The invasive Australian swamp stonecrop,Crassula helmsii, is a perennial amphibious herb originating from Australia and New Zealand. In freshwater wetlands of North-western Europe, this alien plant species is invasive due to its efficient colonization of empty niches. The establishment of denseC. helmsiigrowth is threatening native biodiversity and functioning of freshwater ecosystems, especially oligotrophic wetlands with high disturbance and nutrient enrichments. As the effects of these potential drivers of ecosystem degradation are generally difficult to determine in the field, we tested the competitive strength ofC. helmsiiin a greenhouse experiment with two native competitor species of the same habitat type,Pilularia globuliferaandLittorella uniflora. Sods dominated by either of the native species, as well as bare soils, were collected from the field and manually infested with propagules ofC. helmsii. Settlement and growth ofC. helmsiiwas assessed after five weeks. In addition, the effect of nutrient enrichment by water bird feces on competition was studied by adding waterfowl droppings.C. helmsiiwas able to settle successfully in all treatments, butP. globuliferaandL. unifloradominance reduced settlement success and growth ofC. helmsii. On vegetated sods, the addition of waterfowl droppings had a low effect on the performance ofC. helmsii, however, this treatment significantly increased biomass production on bare soils with low nutrient availability. We conclude that both absence of native competitors and eutrophication, including guanotrophication by waterfowl, explain the establishment success and invasiveness ofC. helmsii.Given the fact that eradication ofC. helmsiiis very challenging, our results imply that management should focus on a combination of increasing local species densities and abating eutrophication. This will strongly limit the window of opportunity for invasion ofC. helmsiiand enhance resistance by native plant communities.
Quantum circuit for the fast Fourier transform
Authors: Asaka Ryo , Sakai Kazumitsu , Yahagi Ryoko
Published: August 2020

We propose an implementation of the algorithm for the fast Fourier transform (FFT) as a quantum circuit consisting of a combination of some quantum gates. In our implementation, a data sequence is expressed by a tensor product of vector spaces. Namely, our FFT is defined as a transformation of the tensor product of quantum states. It is essentially different from the so-called quantum Fourier transform (QFT) defined to be a linear transformation of the amplitudes for the superposition of quantum states. The quantum circuit for the FFT consists of several circuits for elementary arithmetic operations such as a quantum adder, subtractor and shift operations, which are implemented as effectively as possible. Namely, our circuit does not generate any garbage bits. The advantages of our method compared to the QFT are its high versatility, and data storage efficiency in terms, for instance, of the quantum image processing.