bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Opportunistic Predation of Wild Turkey Nests by Wild Pigs
Authors: Sanders Heather N. , Hewitt David G. , Perotto‐Baldivieso Humberto L. , Vercauteren Kurt C. , Snow Nathan P.
Published: December 2019

Wild pigs (Sus scrofa; i.e., feral hogs, feral swine) are considered an invasive species in the United States. Where they occur, they damage agricultural crops and wildlife habitat. Wild pigs also depredate native wildlife, particularly ground‐nesting bird species during nesting season. In areas inhabited by wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo), nest destruction caused by wild pigs may affect recruitment. There is debate whether wild pigs actively seek ground‐nesting bird nests or depredate them opportunistically. To address this debate, in 2016 we examined the movements of wild pigs relative to artificial wild turkey nests (i.e., control [no artificial nests], moderate density [12.5–25 nests/km2], and high density [25–50 nests/km2]) throughout the nesting season (i.e., early, peak, and late) in south‐central Texas, USA. We found no evidence that wild pigs learned to seek and depredate wild turkey nests relative to nest density or nesting periods. Despite wild pigs being important nest predators, depredation was not a functional response to a pulsed food resource and can only be associated with overlapping densities of wild pigs and nests. Protecting reproductive success of wild turkeys will require reducing wild pig densities in nesting habitat prior to nesting season. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.
Microstructure and properties of open‐cell Ni–Sn–P alloy foams prepared by electroless plating
Authors: Liu Chenhong , Gan Xueping , Zhou Kechao
Published: December 2019

In this study, open‐cell Ni–Sn–P alloy foams were prepared by electroless plating. The influence of tin content on the surface morphology and properties of Ni–Sn–P alloy foams were investigated. The surface structure of Ni–Sn–P alloy foams became more uniform and compact with the increase of Sn content. The X‐ray diffraction result showed that Ni–Sn–P alloy foams gradually transformed from an amorphous structure into crystallization with the increase of heat‐treatment temperature. The introduction of Sn significantly enhanced the corrosion resistance of Ni–P coatings in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution, the corrosion current density decreased from 5.022 to 0.805 μA/cm2 and the corrosion potential shifted positively from −0.423 to −0.294 V after adding 5.96 wt% Sn to Ni–P coatings. However, the corrosion resistance of Ni–Sn–P foams was deteriorated after heat treatment. Adding Sn to the Ni–P system slightly weakened the compressive strength of Ni–P binary foams. Nevertheless, significant improvement in the antioxidant performance of Ni–Sn–P alloy foams was indicated by the reduction of the mass change rate in that the mass change rate of Ni–P foams obviously reduced from 5.15% to 0.25% after adding 5.96 wt% Sn.
Concrete barriers to quantifier elimination in finite dimensional C*‐algebras
Authors: Eagle Christopher J. , Schmid Todd
Published: December 2019

Work of Eagle, Farah, Goldbring, Kirchberg, and Vignati shows that the only separable C*‐algebras that admit quantifier elimination in continuous logic are , , , and the continuous functions on the Cantor set. We show that, among finite dimensional C*‐algebras, quantifier elimination does hold if the language is expanded to include two new predicate symbols: One for minimal projections, and one for pairs of unitarily conjugate elements. Both of these predicates are definable, but not quantifier‐free definable, in the usual language of C*‐algebras. We also show that adding just the predicate for minimal projections is sufficient in the case of full matrix algebras, but that in general both new predicate symbols are required.
Sequential Motion of 4D Printed Photopolymers with Broad Glass Transition
Authors: Inverardi Nicoletta , Pandini Stefano , Bignotti Fabio , Scalet Giulia , Marconi Stefania , Auricchio Ferdinando
Published: December 2019

The term “4D printing” refers to the development of stimulus‐responsive structures through 3D printing of active smart materials, typically shape memory polymers. A noteworthy aim of this research field is to obtain objects able to display complex shape‐shifting motions, such as sequential transformations over time. In this work, this peculiar response is studied on a commercial photopolymer, printed by stereolithography and featuring, on the basis of its inherent broad glass transition, the so‐called “temperature‐memory effect” (TME). The TME, that is, a response in which the shape memory effect occurs on a region controlled by the deformation temperature, is studied in shape memory cycles where the deformation temperature is systematically varied, so to provide a correlation between deformation and recovery temperatures. This also allows to properly select two temperatures at which deforming a specimen along a multistep history, so as to finally separate each recovery process on the temperature and time scales. This sequential recovery is studied in double folded bars, with arms deformed at different temperatures, and on a properly designed self‐locking clamp. The obtained results are promising for the realization of smart temperature‐responsive structures printed with one single polymer and capable of multiple shape transformations.
The trigonometric orthogonality of phase‐stepping curves in grating‐based x‐ray phase‐contrast imaging: Integral property and its implications for noise optimization
Authors: Wu Chengpeng , Zhang Li , Chen Zhiqiang , Xing Yuxiang , Li Xinbin , Zhu Xiaohua , Arboleda Carolina , Wang Zhentian , Gao Hewei
Published: December 2019

Purpose

Grating‐based x‐ray phase‐contrast imaging (GPCI) is a promising technique for clinical applications as it can provide two newly emerging imaging modalities (differential phase‐contrast and dark‐field contrast) in addition to the conventional absorption contrast. As far, phase‐stepping strategy is the most commonly used approach in GPCI to indirectly acquire differential phase‐contrast and dark‐field contrast. It is known that the obtained phase‐stepping curves (PSCs) have the cosine property and the convolution property, leading to two types of information retrieval approaches in literature: the Fourier component analysis and the multi‐order moment analysis. The purpose of this paper is to derive a new property of PSCs and apply the property to noise optimization for information retrieval.

Methods

Based on the cosine expression of the flat PSC without the sample and the well‐established convolution relationship between the flat PSC and the sample PSC, we reveal an important integral property of PSCs: the inner product of PSCs and an arbitrary function contains only zero‐order and first‐order components in the Fourier series. Furthermore, we apply the property to the direct multi‐order moment analysis and propose a set of generalized forms including an optimal one in the presence of noise.

Results

To validate the effectiveness of our analysis, we compared the simulated and real experiment results retrieved by the original direct multi‐order moment analysis with the ones retrieved by our proposed noise‐optimal form. A significant improvement of noise performance by our method is observed and the improvement ratio in differential phase‐contrast is consistent with our theoretical calculation (39.2%).

Conclusions

In this paper, we reveal a new integral property of the acquired PSCs with and without samples in GPCI, which can be applied to information retrieval approaches like the direct multi‐order moment analysis. Then we optimize these approaches to improve the noise performance, offering great potentials of dose reduction in practical applications.
Compressed sensing velocity encoded phase contrast imaging: Monitoring skeletal muscle kinematics
Authors: Malis Vadim , Sinha Usha , Sinha Shantanu
Published: December 2019

Purpose

This study implements a compressed sensing (CS) 3‐directional velocity encoded phase contrast (VE‐PC) imaging for studying skeletal muscle kinematics within 40 s.

Methods

Independent variable density random sampling in the phase encoding direction for each temporal frame was implemented for various combinations of CS‐factors and views per segment. CS reconstruction was performed for the combined multicoil, temporal datasets using temporal Fourier transform followed by temporal principal component analysis sparsifying transformations. The method was tested on a flow phantom and in vivo, on velocity and strain rate of the medial gastrocnemius muscle of 11 subjects performing isometric contractions.

Results

For the flow phantom, velocity from 8 undersampled sequences matched very well with the flowmeter values over a range of velocities spanning in vivo muscle velocities. Bland‐Altman plots of the peak strain rate eigenvalues comparing 7 undersampled sequences was in good agreement with the reference (full k‐space) scan. CS‐factor of 4 combined with views per segment of 4 (scan times reduced by 4) yielded images with no visual artifacts allowing and yielded velocities and strain rate maps in the lower leg muscle in 40 s.

Conclusion

This study shows that a reduction in scan time of velocity encoded phase contrast imaging up to a factor of 4 is possible using the proposed CS reconstruction.
Look‐Locker FAIR TrueFISP for arterial spin labelling on mouse at 9.4 T
Authors: Gottschalk Michael
Published: December 2019

Pulsed arterial spin labelling remains a non‐invasive and highly used method for the study of rodent cerebral blood flow (CBF). Flow‐sensitive alternating inversion recovery (FAIR) is one of the most commonly used MR‐sequences for this purpose and exists with many different strategies to record the images. This study investigates Look‐Locker (LL) TrueFISP readout for FAIR as an alternative to the standard EPI readout, which is provided by the manufacturer. The aim was to show the improved image quality using TrueFISP and to verify the reproducibility of the determination of the cerebral blood flow values. The measurement of many inversion points also allowed to investigate the influence of the correct blood relaxation rate on the fit of the CBF data. For the LL‐FAIR TrueFISP an in‐house written method was created. The method was tested on a group of C57BL/6 mice at the field strength of 9.4 T. The results show CBF maps with less distortion than for EPI and the values found are in good agreement with the literature. A comparison of the CBF values found with EPI and LL‐TrueFISP shows very small differences, most being not significant.

In conclusion, the method presented gives equivalent CBF maps in comparison to standard FAIR‐EPI. Both methods have the same measurement time. TrueFISP has the advantage to EPI of producing undistorted images over larger areas of the mouse brain. It is advisable to check the value of the blood relaxation rate by measurement or to estimate it as a fitting parameter.
Asynchronous control of T‐S fuzzy chaotic systems via a unified model using the hidden Markov model subject to strict dissipativity
Authors: Xu Chuancan , Tong Dongbing , Chen Qiaoyu , Zhou Wuneng
Published: December 2019

The asynchronous control for the unified model of chaotic systems with Markovian jumping parameters is considered via the Takagi‐Sugeno (T‐S) fuzzy approach in this paper. According to jumping modes for chaotic systems and modes for the asynchronous controller, a double‐mode process is generated. By introducing the hidden Markov model (HMM), the asynchronization phenomenon is represented between the controller and chaotic systems. By linear matrix inequalities (LMIs), some conditions are received to guarantee the stochastic stability and the strict dissipativity for chaotic systems. Based on the stochastic stability theory and the dissipativity theory, the asynchronous controller is discussed. The proposed method can be applied to the mode‐independent controller and the synchronous controller. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed controller is illustrated by two examples.
Fiber distribution of long fiber reinforced polyamide and effect of fiber orientation on mechanical behavior
Authors: Zhu Hanrui , Gu Yizhuo , Yang Zhongjia , Li Qinghui , Li Min , Wang Shaokai , Zhang Zuoguang
Published: December 2019

The objective of this paper is to research fiber distribution and mechanical behavior (tensile, flexural, and Charpy impact properties) of long fiber reinforced thermoplastic (LFT) plates made by injection molding. The plates were made of long glass fiber reinforced polyamide 6,6 granules and injected using two types of molds, including center‐gated and end‐gated injecting modes, to obtain different fiber orientation state. In addition, end‐gated plate was cut along three directions (0°/45°/90°) to main flow path, in order to experimentally investigate the effects of fiber orientation on mechanical properties. It is found that there is skin‐shell‐transition‐core structure across thickness of plate, resulted from different fiber orientation. Furthermore, end‐gated plate has more obvious fiber orientation at shell and core regions than center‐gated plate. The experimental results demonstrate that fiber orientation has significant effects on modulus, strength, toughness, and full‐field strain evolution. Tensile and flexural properties decrease by over 50%, as the cutting angle with respect to flow direction changes from 0° to 90° in end‐gated plate. Moreover, unnotched and notched strength drops by 66% and 33%, respectively, from 0° to 90° off‐axis angle. These results show apparent mechanical anisotropy of LFT. Shell‐core structure also significantly influences strain distribution and fracture morphology.
Understanding utilization patterns of biologics and biosimilars in the United States to support postmarketing studies of safety and effectiveness
Authors: Dutcher Sarah K. , Fazio‐Eynullayeva Elnara , Eworuke Efe , Carruth Amanda , Dee Elizabeth C. , Blum Michael D. , Nguyen Michael D. , Toh Sengwee , Panozzo Catherine A. , Lyons Jennifer G.
Published: December 2019

Purpose

To describe utilization of filgrastim and infliximab, the first two products with biosimilars approved in the United States.

Methods

We identified use of filgrastim (reference, tbo‐filgrastim, and filgrastim‐sndz) and infliximab (reference, infliximab‐dyyb, and infliximab‐abda) in the Sentinel Distributed Database using Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes and National Drug Codes (NDCs) from January 2015 to August 2018. We calculated the proportion of use by code type and assessed uptake over time. We compared baseline patient characteristics and treatment indications. Among patients with >1 exposure episode, we characterized gaps between episodes.

Results

Use was identified primarily via HCPCS codes (filgrastim: 86.4%‐97.7%; infliximab: 87.8%‐100%) although some was identified via NDCs (filgrastim: 2.2%‐13.5%; infliximab: <0.1%‐6.5%). Filgrastim reference product use declined from 89.4% in January 2015 to 30.3% in June 2018, with corresponding increases in filgrastim‐sndz (0% to 49.3%) and tbo‐filgrastim (10.6% to 20.4%). Infliximab biosimilar uptake was low (9.7% in June 2018). We identified 94 846 filgrastim reference product, 27 143 tbo‐filgrastim, and 38 264 filgrastim‐sndz users. For infliximab, we identified 125 412 reference product, 1034 infliximab‐dyyb, 49 infliximab‐abda, and 4855 undetermined biosimilar users. Patients receiving filgrastim products were largely similar, but differences in age, sex, and indication were observed across infliximab product users. The median exposure episode gap ranged from 1 to 3 days for filgrastim and 48 to 50 days for infliximab.

Conclusion

Use of biosimilar filgrastim has increased in the United States, but infliximab biosimilar use remains low. Data on identification of biosimilars in claims data and observed gaps between exposure episodes can be used to support drug safety studies of biosimilars.
The versatility of passivating carrier‐selective silicon thin films for diverse high‐efficiency screen‐printed heterojunction‐based solar cells
Authors: Descoeudres Antoine , Horzel Jörg , Paviet‐Salomon Bertrand , Senaud Laurie‐Lou , Christmann Gabriel , Geissbühler Jonas , Wyss Patrick , Badel Nicolas , Schüttauf Jan‐Willem , Zhao Jun , Allebé Christophe , Faes Antonin , Nicolay Sylvain , Ballif Christophe , Despeisse Matthieu
Published: December 2019

Providing state‐of‐the‐art surface passivation and the required carrier selectivity for both contacts, hydrogenated amorphous silicon thin films are the key components of silicon heterojunction (SHJ) solar cells. After intensive optimization of these layers for standard front and back contacted (FBC) n‐type cells, high surface passivation levels were achieved on cell precursors, demonstrated by minority carrier lifetimes exceeding 18 ms on float‐zone (FZ) and 11 ms on Czochralski (Cz) c‐Si wafers. The application of these very same layers on cheaper and commercially available Cz p‐type wafers resulted in similar passivation quality, with lifetimes above 10 ms as well. Large‐area industrial bifacial FBC SHJ cells processed on wafers taken along the full length of a high‐resistivity Cz p‐type ingot showed efficiencies in the 22.5% to 23% range, significantly higher than previously reported results on such substrates and on par with their n‐type counterparts. Best efficiencies on large‐area monofacial devices (>220 cm2) are 23.6% on Cz p‐type and 24.4% on Cz n‐type, similar to certified results obtained on lab‐scale cells (4 cm2), 23.76% on FZ p‐type and 24.21% on FZ n‐type. Notably, no specific adaptation of the reference n‐type cell process was necessary to achieve these results on p‐type material. Additionally, a 25% certified efficiency has been obtained on medium‐sized (25 cm2) interdigitated back‐contacted SHJ cells, featuring the same passivation layers developed for FBC devices. These results illustrate the versatility of the SHJ technology for various high‐efficiency screen‐printed solar cell configurations and show possible ways to improve its competitiveness on the global photovoltaic market.
PDMS Microwell Stencil Based Multiplexed Single‐Cell Secretion Analysis
Authors: Liu Meimei , Jin Meihua , Li Linmei , Ji Yahui , Zhu Fengjiao , Luo Yong , Liu Tingjiao , Lin Bingcheng , Lu Yao
Published: December 2019

Multiplexed single‐cell protein secretion analysis provides an in‐depth understanding of cellular heterogeneity in intercellular communications mediated by secreted proteins in both fundamental and clinical research. However, it has been challenging to increase the proteomic parameters co‐profiled from every single cell in a facile way. Herein, a simple method to improve the multiplexed proteomic parameters of PDMS microwell based single‐cell secretion analysis platform by sandwiching PDMS stencil in between two antibody‐coated glass slides is introduced. Two different antibody panels can be immobilized easily by static coating, without using sophisticated fluid handling or bulky equipment. 5‐plexed, 3‐fluorescence color single‐cell secretion assay is demonstrated with this platform to investigate human monocytic U937 cells in response to lipopolysaccharide and phorbol myristate acetate stimulation, which identified the existence of functional subsets dictated by different cytokine profiles. The technology introduced here is simple, easy to operate, which holds great potential to become a powerful tool for profiling multiplexed single‐cell cytokine secretion at high throughput to dissect cellular heterogeneity in secretome signatures.
Shedding light on the energetics, regioselectivity, stereoselectivity, and mechanistic aspects of [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction between azomethine imines and 2‐sulfolene through molecular electron density theory
Authors: Babazadeh Sayyed Mohsen , Emamian Saeedreza
Published: December 2019

In the light of Molecular Electron Density Theory (MEDT), [3 + 2] cycloaddition (32CA) reaction between E‐azomethine imine (E‐AI‐2) and 2‐sulfolene (SF‐3) was explored at the M06‐2X/6‐31G(d,p) computational level. Calculated global reactivity indices classify E‐AI‐2 and SF‐3 as, respectively, a strong nucleophile and a moderate electrophile. The generation of cycloadduct CA‐2x, as the sole product, takes place along an irreversible pathway acting as the driving force to proceed such zwitterionic type (zw‐type) 32CA reaction. Analysis of the electrophilic and nucleophilic Parr functions, computed at the reactive sites of reactants, rationalizes the entirely N3‐C4 regioselectivity observed experimentally. Moreover, the exo‐stereoselectivity predominance is explained through non‐covalent interactions (NCIs) analysis over the two competitive exo TS‐2x and endo TS‐2n involved in the energetically more preferred regioselective pathway. An exploration of electron localization function (ELF) of the most relevant points located along the intrinsic reaction coordinate (IRC) profile of TS‐2x elucidates the molecular mechanism of the studied [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction. Indeed, this reaction follows a nonconcerted two‐stage one‐step molecular mechanism providing two different patterns regarding carbon‐carbon (C–C) and carbon‐heteroatom (C–N) single bonds formation.
Cross‐Country Comparison of Internet Censorship: A Literature Review
Authors: Ververis Vasilis , Marguel Sophia , Fabian Benjamin
Published: December 2019

Internet censorship is a widely studied and important field of research with implications for society, politics, and business. However, little focus has been spent on cross‐country comparisons of online content control. This article aims at reducing this research gap by performing a comparative literature review of Internet censorship practices in France, Turkey, and Iran. The historic development and current status of each country is studied, focusing on censorship levels, institutional characteristics, legislative environments, and current challenges. The assessment discloses several similarities and differences across the countries and allows for the identification of five key driving forces for online content control across France, Turkey, and Iran; namely, the ruling system, institutional setup, national identity, technical ability, and political opportunity. These findings will support future research and political debate on the freedom of expression and unrestricted access to content.
A Novel Technique to Investigate the Role of Traps in the Off‐State Performance of AlGaN/GaN High Electron Mobility Transistor on Si Using Substrate Bias
Authors: Remesh Nayana , Kumar Sandeep , Guiney Ivor , Humphreys Colin J. , Raghavan Srinivasan , Muralidharan Rangarajan , Nath Digbijoy N.
Published: December 2019

Leakage mediated by GaN buffer traps is identified and studied using a novel characterization technique. Through back‐gating measurement, the effect of buffer trap states on the lateral leakage is determined by probing mesa‐isolated Ohmic pads. Time‐dependent leakage measurements are carried out to study the extent of the increase in buffer leakage due to the traps. It is observed that the mesa leakage is more prominent at very slow sweep rates and high substrate bias. The temperature‐dependent measurements show that the mesa leakage and the substrate leakage are characterized by thermionic emission from the traps with an activation barrier of 0.34 and 0.2 eV, respectively.
Multiferroic Properties and Magnetoelectric Coupling of Fe‐Doped (Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3‐Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3 Ceramics
Authors: Gong Baolian , Huang Fengzhen , Shao Ye , Lei Lin , Liu Lin , Wang Junjun , Yan Shuo , Lu Xiaomei , Zhu Jinsong
Published: December 2019

Fe‐doped (Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3‐Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3 (BCZT) ceramics are prepared by a conventional solid‐state reaction method, and their structure, multiferroic, and coupling properties are investigated. Ferromagnetism and magnetoelectric coupling are successfully realized by Fe3+ doping. Meanwhile, Fe3+ doping in BCZT results in a gradual transition from typical ferroelectrics to relaxor ferroelectrics or even quantum paraelectrics. In consequence, obvious magnetodielectric (MD) effect is observed only among the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) temperature range. For (Ba1.7Ca0.3)(Zr0.2Ti1.7Fe0.1)O6 ceramics, the coexistence of ferroelectricity and ferromagnetism along with a large MD effect is obtained below 200 K. Herein, the results highlight the role of MPB on the magnetoelectric coupling of ferroelectrics with a percolating of magnetic ions.
Metalorganic Chemical Vapor Deposition Heteroepitaxial β‐Ga2O3 and Black Phosphorus Pn Heterojunction for Solar‐Blind Ultraviolet and Infrared Dual‐Band Photodetector
Authors: He Tao , Li Chang , Zhang Xiaodong , Ma Yongjian , Cao Xu , Shi Xinyao , Sun Chi , Li Junshuai , Song Liang , Zeng Chunhong , Zhang Kai , Zhang Xinping , Zhang Baoshun
Published: December 2019

Recently, β‐Ga2O3 and black phosphorus (BP) have attracted enormous attention as the solar‐blind ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) photosensitive materials for next‐generation optoelectronic devices, respectively, due to their special bandgap and electrical characteristics. Many β‐Ga2O3‐based UV photodetectors and BP‐based IR photodetectors have been investigated separately, but there is no report on the heterojunction and photoelectric devices formed by these two excellent materials. Herein, metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) heteroepitaxial β‐Ga2O3 and BP pn heterojunction for solar‐blind UV and IR dual‐band photodetector is proposed and demonstrated for the first time. The device demonstrates a remarkable photoresponse under UV and IR irradiations with a responsivity of 88.5 and 1.24 mA W−1, respectively, clear pn heterojunction characteristics, as well as an excellent photoswitch periodicity. Moreover, under different irradiation conditions, the photoelectric properties of β‐Ga2O3/BP pn heterojunction, including their photogeneration and photoresponse, are investigated in detail. These results signify that β‐Ga2O3/BP pn heterojunction may find potential applications in future UV/IR dual‐band detection systems.
Testing treatment‐by‐period interaction in four‐period crossover trials
Authors: Li Bo , Zhou Zaiying , Zhang Li , Yang Ying
Published: December 2019

Statistical analyses of crossover clinical trials have mainly focused on assessing the treatment effect, carryover effect, and period effect. When a treatment‐by‐period interaction is plausible, it is important to test such interaction first before making inferences on differences among individual treatments. Considerably less attention has been paid to the treatment‐by‐period interaction, which has historically been aliased with the carryover effect in two‐period or three‐period designs. In this article, from the data of a newly developed four‐period crossover design, we propose a statistical method to compare the effects of two active drugs with respect to two response variables. We study estimation and hypothesis testing considering the treatment‐by‐period interaction. Constrained least squares is used to estimate the treatment effect, period effect, and treatment‐by‐period interaction. For hypothesis testing, we extend a general multivariate method for analyzing the crossover design with multiple responses. Results from simulation studies have shown that this method performs very well. We also illustrate how to apply our method to the real data problem.
The influence of driving force on intramolecular electron transfer: A theoretical study of subphthalocyanine‐AzaBODIPY‐C60 supramolecular triad
Authors: Chen Wenlan , Chen Zhiqian , Zheng Shaohui
Published: December 2019

The driving force of electron transfer is one of important factors for initializing inter‐ and intramolecular charge separation. In this work, the main goal is to understand how driving force determines electron transfer pathway in subphthalocyanine‐AzaBODIPY‐C60 supramolecular triad. Experimental observations have suggested that there are only two intramolecular charge transfer states (subPC+‐AzaBODIPY−‐C60 and subPC+‐AzaBODIPY‐C60−) after photon absorption, where subPC is the donor. Through the calculations by using tuned long range corrected density functionals with polarizable continuum model, we find two more new intramolecular charge transfer states: subPC−‐AzaBODIPY+‐C60 and subPC‐AzaBODIPY+‐C60−, where AzaBODIPY is the donor. We compare the HOMO/LUMO energy of subPC, AzaBODIPY, and C60 monomers to their corresponding orbital energy in the triad. The results indicate that the driving force (HOMO/LUMO energy offsets) is not enough for electron transfer from AzaBODIPY to subPC or C60, which can explain why subPC−‐AzaBODIPY+‐C60 and subPC‐AzaBODIPY+‐C60− intramolecular charge transfer states cannot be observed in the experiment. In addition, this work may provide a simple and practical method to find the intramolecular charge transport pathway of a supramolecule.
Design and implementation of a new cable‐driven robot for MRI‐guided breast biopsy
Authors: Liu Wenxuan , Yang Zhiyong , Jiang Shan , Feng Di , Zhang Daguang
Published: December 2019

Background

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancer diagnosed among US women. Early and accurate diagnosis using breast biopsy techniques is essential in detecting cancer.

Methods

In this paper, we present a new cable‐driven robot for MRI‐guided breast biopsy. A compact three degree‐of‐freedom (DOF) semi‐automated robot driven by ultrasonic motors is designed with non‐magnetic materials. Next, a novel insertion trajectory planning algorithm based on the breast holder that we created is proposed and designed, which can help radiologists locate the lesion and calculate the insertion trajectory. To improve the accuracy of insertion, kinematic analysis and accuracy compensation methods are introduced.

Results

An experimental study based on image recognition and positioning is performed to validate the performance of the new robot. The results show that the mean position accuracy is 0.7 ± 0.04 mm.

Conclusions

Application of the new robot can improve breast biopsy accuracy and reduce surgery time.
Novel Biomass‐Derived Adsorbents Grafted Sodium Titanium Silicate with High Adsorption Capacity for Rb+ and Cs+ in the Brine
Authors: Ding Dong , Li Kexin , Fang Dezhen , Ye Xiushen , Hu Yaoqiang , Tan Xiaoli , Liu Haining , Wu Zhijian
Published: December 2019

Two biomass‐derived adsorbents (BCA@STS, CBCA@STS) modified with sodium titanium silicate (STS) were synthesized through a hydrothermal deposition method and tested to adsorb Rb+ and Cs+ from aqueous solution and brine. The BET characterization results showed that the adsorbents had mesoporous structures and excellent adsorption capacity for Rb+ and Cs+ with the maximum adsorption amounts as high as 2.07 mmol g−1 and 1.47 mmol g−1, respectively. XRD and XPS analyses of the adsorbents before and after adsorption revealed that the high adsorption capacity is attributed to the Na+ located in the adsorbents and ion exchange between Na+ and Rb+ or Cs+ is the key mechanism. The chemical composition of functional substance is the mixture of (HNa)O⋅SiO2⋅2TiO2⋅2H2O and Na2Ti3O7. The adsorption amounts increase with increasing of pH, and decrease with the increase of NaCl concentration due to the competitive adsorption between H+/Na+ and Rb+/Cs+. The adsorption kinetics of both these two adsorbents were well fitted to the pseudo‐second order kinetic model indicating that the chemisorption was dominant throughout the adsorption process. Apart from the excellent adsorption properties of Rb+ and Cs+ from aqueous solution, both BCA@STS and CBCA@STS can be used for the adsorption of Rb+ and Cs+ from the brine, and the maximum adsorption rate is up to almost 100%, showing promising application for extracting of Rb+ and Cs+.
Enhanced Ciprofloxacin Photodegradation of Visible‐Light‐Driven Z‐Scheme g‐C3N4/Bi2WO6 Nanocomposites and Interface Effect
Authors: Mao Jianan , Hong Bo , Wei Junqi , Xu Jingcai , Han Yanbing , Jin Hongxiao , Jin Dingfeng , Peng Xiaoling , Li Jing , Yang Yanting , Gong Jie , Ge Hongliang , Wang Xinqing
Published: December 2019

Photocatalytic g‐C3N4/Bi2WO6 nanocomposites were synthesized by solvothermal method and grind‐calcination method, and then the phases, microstructure, components and photodegradation to ciprofloxacin (CIP) were studied in detail. The surface area of g‐C3N4/Bi2WO6 nanocomposites decreases with the increasing g‐C3N4 content. Bi2WO6 nanoparticles prepared with solvothermal method present the smaller grain size and the higher effective interface with the similar components. The photocatalytic activity of g‐C3N4/Bi2WO6 nanocomposites is higher than those of pristine g‐C3N4 nanosheets and Bi2WO6 nanoparticles, which the optimized CIP removal percent reaches about 98% in 120 min under visible light irradiation. The Z‐scheme g‐C3N4/Bi2WO6 heterojunctions facilitate the effective separation and accumulation of photogenerated electrons at conduction band of g‐C3N4 and holes at valence band of Bi2WO6, resulting in hydroxyl and superoxide radicals for the redox of CIP. S‐CN‐40presents the highest CIP removal percent due to the effective heterogeneous interface and C–CN‐20 possesses the good application prospects in practice for the simple preparation process.
Dynamic proteome profiling of human pluripotent stem cell-derived pancreatic progenitors
Authors: Loo Larry Sai Weng , Vethe Heidrun , Soetedjo Andreas Alvin Purnomo , Paulo Joao A. , Jasmen Joanita , Jackson Nicholas , Bjørlykke Yngvild , Valdez Ivan A. , Vaudel Marc , Barsnes Harald , Gygi Steven P. , Ræder Helge , Teo Adrian Kee Keong , Kulkarni Rohit N.
Published: December 2019

A comprehensive characterization of the molecular processes controlling cell fate decisions is essential to derive stable progenitors and terminally differentiated cells that are functional from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). Here, we report the use of quantitative proteomics to describe early proteome adaptations during hPSC differentiation toward pancreatic progenitors. We report that the use of unbiased quantitative proteomics allows the simultaneous profiling of numerous proteins at multiple time points, and is a valuable tool to guide the discovery of signaling events and molecular signatures underlying cellular differentiation. We also monitored the activity level of pathways whose roles are pivotal in the early pancreas differentiation, including the Hippo signaling pathway. The quantitative proteomics data set provides insights into the dynamics of the global proteome during the transition of hPSCs from a pluripotent state toward pancreatic differentiation.
Comparative study of ZnCl2‐activated and steam‐activated carbons used in the anode of microbial fuel cells
Authors: Nguyen Dang‐Trang , Taguchi Kozo
Published: December 2019

The anode electrode plays a vital role in the performance of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) because it has the function of collecting electrons generated by microorganisms living in the anode chamber. In this letter, activated carbon papers fabricated based on ZnCl2‐activated carbon (ZAC) or steam‐activated carbon (SAC) were used as the anodic materials. Escherichia coli was used as an electrogenic bacterium in a two‐chamber MFC. This study compared the performance of ZAC and SAC in the anode. X concentrations (X = 10, 20, and 40 wt%) of ZAC or SAC in the anodes were investigated. The ZAC‐based anode outperformed the SAC‐based anode in terms of MFC‐generated power density. © 2019 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Simulation of the propagation of lightning electromagnetic pulses in the Earth–ionosphere waveguide using the fdtd method in the 2‐D spherical coordinate system
Authors: Yamamoto Junya , Baba Yoshihiro , Tran Thang Huu , Rakov Vladimir A.
Published: December 2019

The finite‐difference time domain (FDTD) method in the two‐dimensional (2‐D) spherical coordinate system was used to compute waveforms of vertical electric field on the ground surface at distances of 280, 450 and 958 km produced by negative lightning return strokes. The use of the FDTD method in the 2‐D spherical coordinate system allowed us to represent the Earth's curvature. Note that the flat‐ground approximation is inadequate beyond a distance of 300 km or so. The lightning source was represented by the modified transmission‐line model with linear current decay with height (MTLL model). The conductivity of the atmosphere was assumed to increase exponentially with height. Skywaves (reflections from the ionosphere) were identified in computed waveforms and used for the estimation of apparent ionospheric reflection height. It was found that our model better reproduces the electric field waveforms measured at distances of up to about 1000 km by Qin et al. (2017) than the flat‐ground model. © 2019 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
From comfort zone to challenge: Toward a dynamic model of English Language teacher advocacy in secondary education
Authors: Shapiro Shawna , Ehtesham‐Cating Miriam
Published: December 2019

A growing body of educational research in TESOL has looked at the many roles that English language teachers serve within their institutions, including the prominent role of nurturer/caretaker (e.g., de Guerrero & Villamil, 2000; Farrell, 2011; Fritzen, 2011). Yet very little research has considered how the role of the EL teacher changes—or should change—over a student’s educational trajectory. In this essay, we draw on conversations with secondary students and teachers to highlight the importance of a multifaceted, dynamic conception of EL teacher roles, particularly regarding their advocacy work with and for students. We emphasize three themes that are central to this conception of advocacy: aspiration, collaboration, and transparency. We conclude by discussing how this conception of advocacy asethical care(Hos, 2014) plays out during intake, advising, curriculum development, and other pedagogical decision making.
Identity exploration and development in TESOL teacher education: A three‐dimensional space narrative inquiry perspective
Authors: Nguyen Xuan Nhat Chi Mai , Dao Phung
Published: December 2019

This study explores the professional identity development of five nonnative‐English‐speaking teacher learners from different backgrounds who were studying for a master’s degree in applied linguistics/TESOL at an Australian university, following the three‐dimensional space narrative inquiry framework (Clandinin & Connelly, 2000). The study aims to address how identity work could be utilized in teacher education to enrich teacher learners’ learning experience and prepare them for better developing their teacher selves. Participants attended two 1‐hour storytelling sessions aimed to elicit various aspects of their experience within the teacher education program such as native/nonnative issues, transition in time and space and changes in expectations, and the learning environment. Their stories, structured and analyzed following the three‐dimensional space narrative inquiry framework (interaction, continuity, and situation) revealed their growth, satisfaction, and tensions resulting from becoming part of the community of practice in the Australian teacher education program. This research highlights the role of conducting identity exploration interventions within the context of teacher education in assisting TESOL teachers to construct and reconstruct their professional identity. It also suggests classroom activities based on the three‐dimensional space narrative inquiry framework to make identity work a crucial part of teacher development within teacher education courses.
Exploring professional identities of nonnative‐English‐speaking teachers in the United States: A narrative case study
Authors: Fan Feifei , de Jong Ester J.
Published: December 2019

This article explores the experiences of a Chinese language teacher in the United States and how she constructed and negotiated her professional identities during and after her teacher preparation in a U.S.‐based English as a second language (ESL) teacher preparation program. Using narrative inquiry to understand the participant’s experience and perspectives of her professional identities as both an ESL teacher candidate and a Chinese language teacher in the United States, the study identified two key transitional periods: moving from China to the United States and transitioning from a student into a professional career. Findings underscore the dynamic nature of language teacher identities as individuals find themselves in different English language teaching contexts. The study also shows how professional identities are constructed in discourse and shaped by native speaker ideologies in the English language teaching field. In addition, the study reveals the dearth of critical reflection of Asian ethnic English language teachers on raciolinguistic ideologies obscuring their raciolinguistic identities and the crucial role that school climate plays in shaping teacher identities. The study calls for teacher candidates to have opportunities for critical reflection on their language teacher identities and critical analysis of curriculum and experiences in language teacher preparation programs.
The ghost of nativespeakerism: The case of teacher classroom introductions in transnational contexts
Authors: Zacharias Nugrahenny T.
Published: December 2019

Although the field of TESOL has attempted to move beyond the essentialistic and simplified identity category of native and nonnative labels, the ideological domination of nativespeakerism continues to be one of the most deeply embedded discourses that many nonnative English speaker teachers (NNESTs) have drawn on when teaching outside their home countries. This article describes the effects of nativespeakerism on teacher classroom introductions (TCIs) of one NNEST who recently crossed borders from Indonesia to the United States, which I refer to as a transnational English teacher or a TET. I employ an autoethnography approach alongside Bakhtin’s (1984) conceptualization of the other to describe hidden narrative voices (Mizzi, 2010) in the process of constructing a viable professional identity in a transnational context. Ellis and Adams (2014) stated that “the stories of a particular life can provide a useful way of knowing about general human experience” (p. 255). The “particular life” experience I would like to explore through this article is my classroom introductions in two different contexts, Indonesia and the United States, mediated by three different student populations: Indonesian, international, and native English speaker (NES) students. My intention in bringing such a seemingly simple act as a teacher introduction into existing conversation on native/non‐native‐ness is to put forward an idea that for many TETs, the negotiation of NNEST identities starts even before they step into the classroom and this functions as “a form of argument” (Maclure, 1993, p. 12) to project the most viable teacher identity.
Shared identities through translanguaging practices in the multilingual mariachi classroom
Authors: Kayi‐Aydar Hayriye , Green‐Eneix Curtis
Published: December 2019

Literature regarding translanguaging pedagogy has grown in recent years, with several studies examining its use within the classroom as well as potential ways it can shape learner identity constructions (e.g., Sayer, 2013). Drawing on translanguaging and translanguaging pedagogy (e.g., Canagarajah, 2011; Creese & Blackledge, 2010) and the literature on teacher identities, this study uses qualitative data collected through in‐depth interviews with a music teacher who self‐identifies as Hispanic1and bilingual, observations of his classroom teaching, and descriptive field notes in order to elucidate the links between translanguaging and identity constructions in a U.S. high school classroom. Analyzing how the music instructor used translingual practices to teach Mariachi, we found he constructed shared sociocultural identities for himself and his students in a fluid languaged space. We conclude with implications for classroom practice as well as suggestions for research that may more fully capture the complex experience and identity work of linguistically, ethnically, and racially diverse teachers in multilingual K‐12 classrooms.
Mutations in the nucleotide‐binding domain of putative sterol importers Aus1 and Pdr11 selectively affect utilization of exogenous sterol species in yeast
Authors: Papay Marek , Klein Cornelia , Hapala Ivan , Petriskova Livia , Kuchler Karl , Valachovic Martin
Published: December 2019

Sterol uptake in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is mediated by two plasma membrane ATP‐binding cassette transporters, Aus1 and Pdr11. Their expression is regulated by oxygen and is triggered by anaerobic growth conditions. Under these conditions, internal ergosterol synthesis is arrested and utilization of exogenous sterol is vital for yeast cells. Here, we demonstrate that Aus1 is the major importer of non–yeast sterols, mammalian cholesterol, and plant sterols under anaerobic conditions. In contrast, uptake of yeast native sterol, ergosterol, is relatively low. This uptake could not be enhanced by overexpression of either of the transporters. Interestingly, overexpression of the minor importer Pdr11 resulted in a substantial import of non–yeast sterols. We show that mutation of the conserved residue in one of the ABC characteristic motifs—the H‐loop in Aus1 and Pdr11—lowered their ATPase activity. The residual activity was sufficient to import exogenous sterols and to preserve cell viability. Importantly, the reduction of sterol import was dramatic for mammalian cholesterol and plant sterols, whereas import of yeast ergosterol was decreased only slightly indicating substrate selectivity of the sterol utilization process.
A note on couette flow of nematic crystals according to the Ericksen–Leslie theory
Authors: Rickert Wilhelm , Vilchevskaya Elena N. , Müller Wolfgang H.
Published: December 2019

In order to model the flow of nematic crystals, the theoretical framework according to Ericksen and Leslie is applied. The essentials of the theory are compiled and then specialized to Couette flow. The profiles for linear velocity and orientation angle will be computed and, in particular, we shall also study the rise in temperature due to viscous dissipation, which is frequently ignored by mechanicians. Analytical and numerical solutions for the fields are derived for different boundary conditions and will subsequently be discussed.
Current Status of Nonoperative Management of Liver Injuries
Authors: Maull Kimball I.
Published: December 2019

The successful use of nonoperative management of liver injuries requires a hemodynamically stable patient and early access to computed tomography (CT). Extensive intraperitoneal blood and extravasation of contrast on CT predict potential clinical failures. The CT appearance of the liver injury has poor correlation with clinical outcome. Angiographic embolization complements nonoperative management in the stable patient with an ongoing blood requirement. The follow‐up CT scan is not required provided the hematocrit and the patient's clinical status remain stable. Common errors in nonoperative management include attributing evidence of blood loss to nonhepatic sources and continuing transfusions in anticipation that the bleeding will stop without intervention.