bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Facile Access to an Active γ‐NiOOH Electrocatalyst for Durable Water Oxidation Derived From an Intermetallic Nickel Germanide Precursor
Authors: Menezes Prashanth W. , Yao Shenglai , Beltrán‐Suito Rodrigo , Hausmann J. Niklas , Menezes Pramod V. , Driess Matthias
Published: November 2020

Identifying novel classes of precatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER by water oxidation) with enhanced catalytic activity and stability is a key strategy to enable chemical energy conversion. The vast chemical space of intermetallic phases offers plenty of opportunities to discover OER electrocatalysts with improved performance. Herein we report intermetallic nickel germanide (NiGe) acting as a superior activity and durable Ni‐based electro(pre)catalyst for OER. It is produced from a molecular bis(germylene)‐Ni precursor. The ultra‐small NiGe nanocrystals deposited on both nickel foam and fluorinated tin oxide (FTO) electrodes showed lower overpotentials and a durability of over three weeks (505 h) in comparison to the state‐of‐the‐art Ni‐, Co‐, Fe‐, and benchmark NiFe‐based electrocatalysts under identical alkaline OER conditions. In contrast to other Ni‐based intermetallic precatalysts under alkaline OER conditions, an unexpected electroconversion of NiGe into γ‐NiIIIOOH with intercalated OH−/CO32− transpired that served as a highly active structure as shown by various ex situ methods and quasi in situ Raman spectroscopy.
Fe‐O Clusters Anchored on Nodes of Metal–Organic Frameworks for Direct Methane Oxidation
Authors: Zhao Wenshi , Shi Yanan , Jiang Yuheng , Zhang Xiaofei , Long Chang , An Pengfei , Zhu Yanfei , Shao Shengxian , Yan Zhuang , Li Guodong , Tang Zhiyong
Published: November 2020

Direct methane oxidation into value‐added organic oxygenates with high productivity under mild condition remains a great challenge. We show Fe‐O clusters on nodes of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with tunable electronic state for direct methane oxidation into C1 organic oxygenates at 50 °C. The Fe‐O clusters are grafted onto inorganic Zr6 nodes of UiO‐66, while the organic terephthalic acid (H2BDC) ligands of UiO‐66 are partially substituted with monocarboxylic modulators of acetic acid (AA) or trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). Experiments and theoretical calculation disclose that the TFA group coordinated with Zr6 node of UiO‐66 enhances the oxidation state of adjacent Fe‐O cluster due to its electron‐withdrawing ability, promotes the activation of C−H bond of methane, and increases its selective conversion, thus leading to the extraordinarily high C1 oxygenate yield of 4799 μmol gcat−1 h−1 with 97.9 % selectivity, circa 8 times higher than those modulated with AA.
Analogous Mixed Matrix Membranes with Self‐Assembled Interface Pathways
Authors: Dou Haozhen , Xu Mi , Wang Baoyu , Zhang Zhen , Luo Dan , Shi Benbing , Wen Guobin , Mousavi Mahboubeh , Yu Aiping , Bai Zhengyu , Jiang Zhongyi , Chen Zhongwei
Published: November 2020

The implementation of mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) for sub‐angstrom scale gas separations remains a grand challenge. Herein, a series of analogous mixed matrix membrane (AMMMs) were constructed via molecular‐level hybridization by utilizing a reactive ionic liquid (RIL) as the continuous phase and graphene quantum dots (GQD) as nanofiller for sub‐angstrom scale ethylene/ethane (0.416 nm/0.443 nm) separation. With a small number of GQDs (3.5 wt%) embedded in GQD/RIL AMMMs, ethylene permeability soared by 3.1‐fold, and ethylene/ethane selectivity simultaneously boosted by nearly 60 % and reached up to 99.5, which outperformed most previously reported state‐of‐the‐art membranes. Importantly, the interfacial pathway structure was visualized and their self‐assembly mechanism was revealed, where the non‐covalent interactions between RIL and GQDs induced the local arrangement of IL chains to self‐assemble into plenty of compact and superfast interfacial pathways, contributing to the combination of superhigh permeability and selectivity.
Modified Smith predictor‐based all‐proportional‐derivative control for second‐order delay‐dominated integrating processes
Authors: Karan Somak , Dey Chanchal
Published: November 2020

An all‐proportional‐derivative (PD) control‐based modified Smith predictor design is reported here for second‐order delay‐dominated integrating processes. The proposed control structure is realized with two PD controllers along with a first‐order filter towards achieving the desired closed‐loop response. To eliminate the tuning complexity, reported internal model control (IMC) scheme suggests a single tuning parameter λ (i.e. closed‐loop time constant) to tune both the PD controllers along with the filter present in the modified Smith predictor designing. The forward path PD controller parameters are obtained as per the IMC tuning guideline suggested for servo tracking, whereas the feedback path PD controller is realized based on Routh stability analysis with a goal towards improved regulatory responses. The first‐order filter present in the feedback path helps to ensure robust closed‐loop performance. Considerable performance enhancement is observed during set point tracking by the proposed scheme where no overshoot is observed even with smaller rise time. In addition, smooth and reasonably quick load rejection behaviour is also found during a regulatory response. Superiority of the proposed scheme is also substantiated in comparison with others' reported dead‐time compensating techniques in terms of closed‐loop performance indices as well as stability margins.
Eye Movements and Behavioural Responses to Gaze‐Contingent Expressive Faces in Typically Developing Infants and Infant Siblings
Authors: Keemink Jolie R. , Jenner Lauren , Prunty Jonathan E. , Wood Nicky , Kelly David J.
Published: November 2020

Studies with infant siblings of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder have attempted to identify early markers for the disorder and suggest that autistic symptoms emerge between 12 and 24 months of age. Yet, a reliable first‐year marker remains elusive. We propose that in order to establish first‐year manifestations of this inherently social disorder, we need to develop research methods that are sufficiently socially demanding and realistically interactive. Building on Keemink et al. [2019, Developmental Psychology, 55, 1362–1371], we employed a gaze‐contingent eye‐tracking paradigm in which infants could interact with face stimuli. Infants could elicit emotional expressions (happiness, sadness, surprise, fear, disgust, anger) from on‐screen faces by engaging in eye contact. We collected eye‐tracking data and video‐recorded behavioural response data from 122 (64 male, 58 female) typically developing infants and 31 infant siblings (17 male, 14 female) aged 6‐, 9‐ and 12‐months old. All infants demonstrated a significant Expression by AOI interaction (F(10, 1470) = 10.003, P < 0.001, ŋp2 = 0.064). Infants' eye movements were “expression‐specific” with infants distributing their fixations to AOIs differently per expression. Whereas eye movements provide no evidence of deviancies, behavioural response data show significant aberrancies in reciprocity for infant siblings. Infant siblings show reduced social responsiveness at the group level (F(1, 147) = 4.10, P = 0.042, ŋp2 = 0.028) and individual level (Fischer's Exact, P = 0.032). We conclude that the gaze‐contingency paradigm provides a realistically interactive experience capable of detecting deviancies in social responsiveness early, and we discuss our results in relation to subsequent infant sibling development.

Lay Summary

We investigated how infant siblings of children with autism spectrum disorder respond to interactive faces presented on a computer screen. Our study demonstrates that infant siblings are less responsive when interacting with faces on a computer screen (e.g., they smile and imitate less) in comparison to infants without an older sibling with autism. Reduced responsiveness within social interaction could potentially have implications for how parents and carers interact with these infants. Autism Res 2021, 14: 973–983. © 2020 International Society for Autism Research and Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Using Inclusive Language in the Workplace
Authors: Mulki Sapna , Stone‐Sabali Steven
Published: November 2020

Key Takeaways

Research indicates that inclusive teams and gender‐diverse companies are more productive and more likely to outperform their peers.

Understanding inclusive language, not only regarding race and gender but also as it applies to people with disabilities, is key to fostering an employee's sense of feeling included or excluded.

To promote diverse and inclusive work environments, water professionals must use appropriate and respectful language as a way to check personal biases.
A retrospective analysis of bipolar depression treated with transcranial magnetic stimulation
Authors: Goldwaser Eric L. , Daddario Kathy , Aaronson Scott T.
Published: November 2020

Introduction

Treatment options are limited for patients with bipolar depression. Antidepressants added to mood stabilizers even carry risks of precipitating mixed/manic episodes. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) may provide a safe and effective option for these patients.

Methods

Database analysis of the TMS Service at Sheppard Pratt Health System identified patients with bipolar disorder type I (BD1) or II (BD2) in a pure depressive phase at initiation of TMS. Records were reviewed for response and remission rates based on MADRS scores, time to effect, and adverse events, notably treatment‐emergent affective switching. All had failed at least two prior treatments for depression, were currently on at least one mood stabilizer and off antidepressants. Stimulation parameters targeted left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex: 120% motor threshold, 10 pulses per second (pps) × 4s, intertrain interval (ITI) 26s, 75 trains (37.5 min/session) for 3,000 pps total, 5 sessions/week for 30 total treatments, or until remission criteria were met.

Results

A total of 44 patients with BD were identified, representing 15% of the total TMS population. 77% of those who completed a course of TMS met response criteria, and 41% of subjects who completed at least 25 treatments met remission criteria. Subjects with BD1 were more likely to respond, remit, or suffer an adverse event than those with BD2. No patient met clinical criteria for a manic/mixed episode, but four (10%) discontinued due to concerns of activation.

Conclusions

TMS is effective in the bipolar depressed population where episode focused intervention can be specifically offered. Risk of psychomotor agitation must be closely monitored.
Consumer personality factors and iPhone consumption in China
Authors: Sun Gong , Li Jie , Cheng Zhiming , D'Alessandro Steven , Johnson Lester
Published: November 2020

The iPhone is an iconic brand in China. In this article, we examine the impact of various personality factors, namely attention to social comparison information, need for uniqueness and quality consciousness, on purchase intentions for the iPhone among a sample of iPhone owners as well as non‐iPhone owners. We find that intention to purchase an iPhone in China is driven by personality factors of attention to social comparison, the need for uniqueness along with the decision‐style of quality consciousness. Our model shows intent explains iPhone ownership quite well, especially when income is included in the model.
Characterization of New Wire Gauze‐Structured Packing: Experimental Study
Authors: Manh Tran Dinh , Nam Nguyen Dang , Babazadeh Houman , Moradi Rasoul
Published: November 2020

Structured packings are usually employed for increasing the surface contact between vapor and liquid in the absorber and distillation of columns. Experimental investigations are performed to present a high‐capacity new wire gauze‐structured packing, namely, PACK‐1300XY, which is the combination of PACK‐1300X and PACK‐1300Y. The new PACK‐1300XY shows improved efficiency of separation and pressure drop. Comprehensive parametric investigations are carried out to calculate the efficiency of mass transfer and the wet/dry pressure drops under different operating conditions. The new wire gauze‐structured packing reduces wet and dry pressure drops by more than 10 % in comparison to PACK‐1300Y. In addition, PACK‐1300XY decreases the height equivalent to a theoretical plate by more than 5 % compared to PACK‐1300X.
Mechanochemically Triggered Topology Changes in Expanded Porphyrins
Authors: Bettens Tom , Hoffmann Marvin , Alonso Mercedes , Geerlings Paul , Dreuw Andreas , De Proft Frank
Published: November 2020

A hitherto unexplored class of molecules for molecular force probe applications are expanded porphyrins. This work proves that mechanical force is an effective stimulus to trigger the interconversion between Hückel and Möbius topologies in [28]hexaphyrin, making these expanded porphyrins suitable to act as conformational mechanophores operating at mild (sub‐1 nN) force conditions. A straightforward approach based on distance matrices is proposed for the selection of pulling scenarios that promote either the planar Hückel topology or the three lowest lying Möbius topologies. This approach is supported by quantum mechanochemical calculations. Force distribution analyses reveal that [28]hexaphyrin selectively allocates the external mechanical energy to molecular regions that trigger Hückel–Möbius interconversions, explaining why certain pulling scenarios favor the Hückel two‐sided topology and others favor Möbius single‐sided topologies. The meso‐substitution pattern on [28]hexaphyrin determines whether the energy difference between the different topologies can be overcome by mechanical activation.
N,S‐Co‐Doped Porous Carbon Nanofiber Films Derived from Fullerenes (C60) as Efficient Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction and a Zn–Air Battery
Authors: He Zhimin , Wei Peng , Chen Ning , Han Jiantao , Lu Xing
Published: November 2020

The development of highly efficient metal‐free electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) has attracted great attention for the creation of electrochemical energy devices. In this study, one‐dimensional (1 D) fullerene nanofibers prepared from liquid–liquid interfacial precipitation are first fabricated into fullerene‐derived carbon nanofiber films (FCNFs) through a simple filtration procedure. Then, pyrolysis of the FCNFs in the presence of ammonia and sulfur produces N‐ and S‐co‐doped porous carbon nanofiber films (N,S‐PCNFs). As excellent metal‐free electrocatalysts for the ORR, N,S‐PCNFs exhibit remarkable catalytic activity, superior stability, and excellent methanol tolerance in both alkaline and acidic solution. Such a high ORR performance benefits from the robust porous nanofiber network structure with high concentrations of active N‐ and S‐ groups and abundant defects. Notably, upon practical use of N,S‐PCNFs as catalysts in Zn‐air batteries, a high power density and a large operating voltage are achieved, with a performance comparable to that of the commercial Pt/C catalyst. This work presents a facile strategy for the creation of a new class of energy nanomaterials based on fullerenes, demonstrating their practical uses in electrocatalytic ORR processes and Zn‐air batteries.
Organocatalytic Cascade Reactions for the Diversification of Thiopyrano‐Piperidone Fused Rings Utilizing Trienamine Activation
Authors: Mitkari Suhas Balasaheb , Medina‐Ortíz Alberto , Olivares‐Romero José Luis , Vázquez Miguel A. , Peña‐Cabrera Eduardo , Villegas Gómez Clarisa , Cruz Cruz David
Published: November 2020

An aminocatalytic privileged diversity‐oriented synthesis (ApDOS) strategy utilizing trienamine catalysis for the construction of diverse and complex thiopyrans‐piperidone fused rings through a thia‐Diels–Alder/nucleophilic ring‐closing sequence by using dithioamides as activated heterodienophiles is reported. Following this strategy, a super cascade reaction to assemble nine fused rings can be achieved by employing a bis‐dithioamide. Additionally, by linking an indole moiety on the dithioamide, a Pictet–Spengler type reaction can be promoted once the cascade sequence has been achieved, leading to more complex penta‐ hexa‐ and heptacyclic fused ring derivatives in a one‐pot process. This investigation opens new perspectives for the synthesis of a new class of complex and diverse thiopyrans that contribute to populate new relevant regions in the chemical space.
Haptic kinetics: A novel 3D‐model of organic reaction processes for inclusive teaching
Authors: Lindenstruth Philipp , Schween Michael
Published: November 2020

Lewis‐Strukturformeln sind das grundlegende Werkzeug zur Repräsentation sowie zum Erklären von Reaktionsprozessen in der Organischen Chemie. Für Lernende besitzen sie aufgrund ihrer Komplexität und Abstraktheit jedoch zahlreiche Zugangs‐ und Verständnishürden. Der fehlende Zugang zu Parametern, die den Reaktionsverlauf bestimmen, in den Formeln jedoch nur implizit enthalten sind, kann in Verbindung mit anderen Faktoren zu fehlerhaften Denk‐ und Arbeitsweisen führen und die Entwicklung mechanistischen Problemlösevermögens als Kernkompetenz behindern. Im Beitrag stellen wir ein neuartiges 3D‐Modell vor, mit dem Lernende die Dynamiken von SN‐Reaktionsverläufen modellieren können. Das Prozessmodell repräsentiert die strukturellen Veränderungen als einen dynamisch ablaufenden, von Lernenden steuerbaren und direkt verfolgbaren „Reaktionsfilm“ an einem einzigen Modell. Durch die realisierte spezielle Mechanik und die Eigenschaften der Modellbestandteile erzeugt das Modell bei der Verwendung ein direktes, haptisch erfahrbares Feedback. Diese expliziten Informationen können von Lernenden auf den Reaktionsprozess bezogen und zur Bildung und zum Prüfen von Hypothesen über dessen strukturellen und energetischen Verlauf verwendet werden. Dadurch eröffnet das Prozessmodell eine „Kinetik zum Anfassen“. Durch die vollständige haptische Erfahrbarkeit eignet sich das Modell für inklusive Settings mit blinden, sehbeeinträchtigten und sehenden Lernenden.
Study on field demonstration of high‐sensitivity SF6 leakage detection method for gas insulated switchgear
Authors: Tatemi Masaru , Inami Hisao , Rokunohe Toshiaki , Hirose Makoto
Published: November 2020

SF6 gas is widely used in power equipment such as gas insulated switchgear or gas circuit breaker. However, its global warming potential is 23,500 times higher than that of CO2. In consideration of environmental protection, detection of SF6 gas leakage with high sensitivity is necessary. The authors proposed an algorithm to accurately estimate the average gas temperature from the tank surface temperature for establishing a high‐sensitive SF6 slow leak detection technology. Since the gas temperature depends on the temperature of the conductor, the algorithm was characterized by estimating the gas temperature from the tank surface temperature and the load current. The relationship among the tank surface temperature, the gas temperature, and the current was preliminarily investigated by the use of the thermal fluid analysis and stored in the database. By use of this method, the fluctuation of the converted pressure in the basic examination test was suppressed to 20% as compared with that without considering the current. In addition, database was also created from the machine learning of field test result in substitution. In the field test, it was confirmed that the detection time of 0.5%/year slow leak could be detected in about 8 months by considering the load current.
An impedimetric assay for the identification of abnormal mitochondrial dynamics in living cells
Authors: Galpayage Dona Kalpani N. U. , Du E , Wei Jianning
Published: November 2020

Mitochondrial dynamics (fission and fusion) plays an important role in cell functions. Disruption in mitochondrial dynamics has been associated with diseases such as neurobiological disorders and cardiovascular diseases. Analysis of mitochondrial fission/fusion has been mostly achieved through direct visualization of the fission/fusion events in live‐cell imaging of fluorescently labeled mitochondria. In this study, we demonstrated a label‐free, non‐invasive Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) approach to analyze mitochondrial dynamics in a genetically modified human neuroblastoma SH‐SY5Y cell line with no huntingtin protein expression. Huntingtin protein has been shown to regulate mitochondria dynamics. We performed EIS studies on normal SH‐SY5Y cells and two independent clones of huntingtin‐null cells. The impedance data was used to determine the suspension conductivity and further cytoplasmic conductivity and relate to the abnormal mitochondrial dynamics. For instance, the cytoplasm conductivity value was increased by 11% from huntingtin‐null cells to normal cells. Results of this study demonstrated that EIS is sensitive to characterize the abnormal mitochondrial dynamics that can be difficult to quantify by the conventional microscopic method.
Shake table testing of a rocking podium: Results of a blind prediction contest
Authors: Vassiliou M. F. , Broccardo M. , Cengiz C. , Dietz M. , Dihoru L. , Gunay S. , Mosalam K. M. , Mylonakis G. , Sextos A. , Stojadinovic B.
Published: November 2020

Rocking motion is sensitive to the boundary and initial conditions of a rocking structure, making experiments nonrepeatable. Thus, the claims that numerical rocking motion models are not only inaccurate but that all rocking structures behave unpredictably. Hence, rocking is not used as a seismic design approach. This paper revisits the issue of rocking motion unpredictability. Seismic behavior of structures is inherently stochastic, because the loading is stochastic. Therefore, the question of interest is not whether models can predict the seismic response to a single ground motion, but if the statistical characteristics of the ensemble of responses to a set of ground motions that define the seismic hazard can be predicted. For this purpose, a rocking podium, which is a three‐dimensional structure comprising an aluminum slab supported by four tubular steel columns, was tested on a shake table excited by two sets of 100 consistently generated ground motions. It was found that the cumulative distribution function (CDF) of the experimentally obtained displacements is statistically stable. Next, a blind prediction contest was organized. The contestants were invited to predict the CDFs of the slab lateral displacement. They were able to predict the slab displacement CDF relatively well. Both finite element and discrete element modeling approaches were used, but no clear pattern emerged as it was found that the performance of either approach depends on the input parameters used and the assumptions made. It was also observed that the contestants who did not use Rayleigh damping in their models produced better predictions.
Energy management of islanded microgrid by coordinated application of thermal and electrical energy storage systems
Authors: Bagheri‐Sanjareh Mehrdad , Nazari Mohammad Hassan , Hosseinian Seyed Hossein
Published: November 2020

The installation of an energy storage system (ESS) is vital for the Micrgorid (MG) islanded operation to ensure the maintenance of demand–supply balance. Lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) are among the most commonly used ESS technologies for grid‐based applications, which is used in this paper to constantly maintain the demand–supply balance in a residential MG. For this purpose, a novel frequency‐based energy management scheme is proposed. It uses an LIB ESS to handle the primary frequency control and energy management during peak‐load period, while the dispatchable distributed generators like microturbine and fuel cell supply the base load. The air‐conditioning TCLs consume a significant part of the residential load profile, especially during mid‐summer. Unlike TCLs that instantaneously use their generated cooling thermal energy to control indoor temperatures, the thermal energy storage systems (TESSs) can also store the thermal energy and use it later. In this paper, the TESSs are used instead of TCLs to reduce the power consumption of a residential Microgrid (MG) in islanded mode. By doing this, the required LIBESSs capacity is decreased 70% considerably than the case the TCLs are used for controlling the indoor temperatures. Also, replacing the ACs and EHPs with TESSs results in a 63.7% reduction in the total cost of electrical and thermal storage.
Gully prevention and control: Techniques, failures and effectiveness
Authors: Frankl Amaury , Nyssen Jan , Vanmaercke Matthias , Poesen Jean
Published: November 2020

Gully erosion is a major environmental problem, posing significant threats to sustainable development. However, insights on techniques to prevent and control gullying are scattered and incomplete, especially regarding failure rates and effectiveness. This review aims to address these issues and contribute to more successful gully prevention and control strategies by synthesizing the data from earlier studies. Preventing gully formation can be done through land use change, applying soil and water conservation techniques or by targeted measures in concentrated flow zones. The latter include measures that increase topsoil resistance and vegetation barriers. Vegetation barriers made of plant residues have the advantage of being immediately effective in protecting against erosion, but have a short life expectancy as compared to barriers made of living vegetation. Once deeply incised, the development of gullies may be controlled by diverting runoff away from the channel, but this comes at the risk of relocating the problem. Additional measures such as headcut filling, channel reshaping and headcut armouring can also be applied. To control gully channels, multiple studies report on the use of check dams and/or vegetation. Reasons for failures of these techniques depend on runoff and sediment characteristics and cross‐sectional stability and micro‐environment of the gully. In turn, these are controlled by external forcing factors that can be grouped into (i) geomorphology and topography, (ii) climate and (iii) the bio‐physical environment. The impact of gully prevention and control techniques is addressed, especially regarding their effect on headcut retreat and network development, the trapping of sediment by check dams and reduction of catchment sediment yield. Overall, vegetation establishment in gully channels and catchments plays a key role in gully prevention and control. Once stabilized, gullies may turn into rehabilitated sites of lush vegetation or cropland, making the return on investment to prevent and control gullies high. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stock market reactions to different types of oil shocks: Evidence from China
Authors: Wong Jin Boon
Published: November 2020

This study utilizes a novel method of isolating oil‐price shocks into demand and supply driven contributors to analyze their impacts on stock returns in China. Empirical results suggest that oil shocks related to supply limitations generate positive abnormal stock returns for industries that can help alleviate these constraints. Conversely, demand‐driven oil shocks have mixed effects on industries which may relate to the uncertain impact of increasing demand for goods and higher production costs. These results are robust to alternative specifications of country‐specific control factors and provide evidence that different types of oil shocks have distinctive impacts on industries.
Spindle cell neoplasm with EML4‐ALK gene fusion presenting as an intraosseous vertebral mass
Authors: Mantilla Jose G. , Cheung Hoiwan , Ha Alice S. , Hoch Benjamin L. , Liu Yajuan J. , Ricciotti Robert W.
Published: November 2020

In this article, we describe a spindle cell neoplasm harboring an EML4‐ALK gene fusion presenting as an intraosseous vertebral mass with extension into the adjacent soft tissue in a 65‐year‐old man. Histologically, the lesion was characterized by the presence of monotonous, cytologically bland spindle cells with loose myxoedematous stroma and interspersed areas of amianthoid‐like collagen fiber deposition. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated strong diffuse staining for CD34 and S100, with absent immunoreactivity for SOX10. At 1 year of follow‐up after resection, there is no evidence of local recurrence or metastatic disease. This case adds to the clinical and pathologic spectrum of the recently described group of kinase fusion‐positive spindle cell neoplasms and represents the first reported intra‐osseous example. The presence of ALK rearrangement in this lesion represents a potential therapeutic target, if clinically indicated.
Water quality data for Fall Creek, New York, USA: 1972–1995
Authors: Bouldin David R. , O'Leary Niamh
Published: November 2020

The 33 086 ha mixed land use Fall Creek watershed in upstate New York is part of the Great Lakes drainage system. Results from more than 3500 water samples are available in a data set that compiles flow data and measurements of various water quality analytes collected between 1972 and 1995 in all seasons and under all flow regimes in Fall Creek and its tributaries. Data is freely accessible at https://ecommons.cornell.edu/handle/1813/8148 and includes measurements of suspended solids, pH, alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, chloride, nitrate nitrogen (NO3‐N), sulphate sulphur (SO4‐S), phosphorus (P) fractions molybdate reactive P (MRP) and total dissolved P (TDP), percent P in sediment, and ammonium nitrogen (NH4‐N). Methods, sub‐watershed areas, and coordinates for sampling sites are also included. The work represented in this data set has made important scientific contributions to understanding of hydrological and biogeochemical processes that influence loading in mixed use watersheds and that have an impact on algal productivity in receiving water bodies. In addition, the work has been foundational for important regulatory and management decisions in the region.
Raman characterization of terrestrial analogs from the AMADEE‐18 astronaut simulated mission using the ExoMars RLS simulator: Implications for Mars
Authors: Lalla Emmanuel Alexis , Konstantinidis Menelaos , Lopez‐Reyes Guillermo , Daly Michael G. , Veneranda Marco , Manrique José A. , Groemer Gernot , Vago Jorge L. , Rull Fernando
Published: November 2020

Between February 1 and February 28, 2018, the Austrian Space Forum, in cooperation with research teams from 25 nations, conducted the AMADEE‐18 mission—a human‐robotic Mars expedition simulation in the Dhofar region in the Sultanate of Oman. As a part of the AMADEE‐18 simulated Mars human exploration mission, the Remote Science Support team investigated the Dhofar area (Oman) to qualify it as a potential Mars analog site. The motivation of this research was to study and register selected samples collected by the analog astronauts during the AMADEE‐18 mission with the European Space Agency (ESA) ExoMars Raman Laser Spectrometer (RLS) simulator, compare the results with standard laboratory measurements, and establish the implication of the results to the future ESA ExoMars mission. The Raman measurements identified minerals such as carbonates (calcite and dolomite), feldspar and plagioclase (albite, anorthite, orthoclase, and sanidine), Fe‐oxides (goethite, hematite, and magnetite), and Ti‐oxide (anatase), each relevant to planetary exploration. As we have presented here, Raman spectroscopy is a powerful tool for detecting the presence of organic molecules, particularly by analyzing the principal vibration of CC and CH bonds. It has also been shown that portable Raman spectroscopy is a relevant tool for in situ field studies such as those conducted during extra‐vehicular activities (EVA) in simulated missions like the AMADEE‐18 and the future AMADEE‐2020 campaign.
M‐Phase Phosphoprotein 9 upregulation associates with poor prognosis and activates mTOR signaling in gastric cancer
Authors: Xu Ling‐Ling , Shang Yu , Qu Xiao‐Na , He Hong‐Mei
Published: November 2020

The function of M‐Phase Phosphoprotein 9 (MPHOSPH9) has not been investigated in gastric cancer yet. In the present study, the public cancer databases Oncomine and TCGA were analyzed, and MPHOSPH9 was found upregulated in gastric cancer tumor tissues. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was also carried out to further confirm the results, and IHC analysis showed MPHOSPH9 was elevated in tumor tissues compared with the paracancerous tissues. QRT‐PCR analysis also revealed that MPHOSPH9 mRNA was upregulated in gastric cancer cell lines. In addition, Kaplan–Meier estimates showed gastric cancer patients with high MPHOSPH9 level predicted a poor prognosis. Then, Western blot and CCK‐8 assay showed overexpressed MPHOSPH9 enhanced gastric cancer cell proliferation, but MPHOSPH9 knockdown suppressed gastric cancer cell proliferation. Additionally, Western blot showed that MPHOSPH9 regulated the activation of mTOR, and overexpressed MPHOSPH9 reduced the inhibitory effects of mTOR inhibitors on cell survival in gastric cancer cells. Taken together, our results suggested that MPHOSPH9 .could be an oncogene in gastric cancer by regulating mTOR signaling.
Effect of solution heat treatment and hot extrusion on in vitro corrosion behavior of Mg−2Y−1Zn−0.4Zr−0.3Sr alloys as a potential biodegradable material
Authors: Huang T. , Yang L. , Xu C. , Zhang J. , Song Zhenlun , Xu C. , Zhang Q. , Li F. , Jia Q. , Kuan J. , Zhang Z. , Wu X. , Wang Z.
Published: November 2020

In this work, the influence of solution heat treatment and hot extrusion on the microstructure and corrosion behavior of as‐cast Mg−2Y−1Zn−0.4Zr−0.3Sr alloys are systematically investigated via X‐ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscope coupled with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, electrochemical testing, and mass loss testing. The as‐cast alloy comprises α‐Mg matrix and Mn3Y2Zn3 (W‐phase). Solution heat treatment and hot extrusion exert a conspicuous influence on the corrosion behavior of Mg−2Y−1Zn−0.4Zr−0.3Sr alloys through microstructure transformation. Both methods can remarkably improve corrosion resistance, and the as‐extruded alloys exhibit an optimal corrosion resistance of 0.0432 mg ⋅ cm−2 ⋅ h−1 via mass loss testing. The three alloys exhibit a similar corrosion mechanism, which is based on galvanic corrosion. In the later stage of corrosion, a three‐tier corrosion layer structure is formed. In combination with an array of analytical methods, the corrosion mechanisms of the three alloys are described in detail.
Cavitation erosion behavior of nitinol coating sealed by epoxy resin
Authors: Shi Z.P. , Wang Z.B. , Qiao Y.X.
Published: November 2020

The nitinol coating against cavitation erosion was prepared by air plasma spraying and sealed with epoxy resin successfully. After the coating sealed with epoxy resin, the pores and cracks of the coating were filled with the epoxy resin and then the cohesiveness between the lamellae was improved, the hardness increased from 3.68 GPa to 7.49 GPa, the energy recovery ratio (superelasticity) was improved from 41.9 % to 49.0 % and the toughness was enhanced from 0.011 GPa to 0.045 GPa. During the cavitation erosion test, the epoxy resin reduced the cavitation resources and absorbed the impact energy from the micro‐jet or shock waves. Meanwhile, the high hardness and superelasticity can help the coating to resist cavitation erosion and the high toughness can delay the expansion of cracks during the cavitation erosion test. As a result, after cavitation erosion for 300 min the cumulative mass loss of the coating sealed by epoxy resin was 1/5 times as much as that of the nitinol coating without sealing. Therefore, the cavitation erosion resistance of the nitinol coating can be improved by sealed with epoxy resin.
Technical Note: ROdiomiX: A validated software for radiomics analysis of medical images in radiation oncology
Authors: Bagher‐Ebadian Hassan , Chetty Indrin J.
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This study introduces an in‐house‐designed software platform (ROdiomiX) for the radiomics analysis of medical images in radiation oncology. ROdiomiX is a MATLAB‐based framework for the computation of radiomic features and feature aggregation techniques in compliance with the Image‐Biomarker‐Standardization‐Initiative (IBSI) guidelines, which includes preprocessing protocols and quantitative benchmark results for analysis of computational phantom images.

Methods and Materials

The ROdiomiX software system consists of a series of computation cores implemented on the basis of the guidelines proposed by the IBSI. It is capable of quantitative computation of the following 11 different feature categories: Local‐Intensity, Intensity‐Histogram, Intensity‐Based‐Statistical, Intensity‐Volume‐Histogram, Gray‐Level‐Co‐occurrence, Gray‐Level‐Run‐Length, Gray‐Level‐Size‐Zone, Gray‐Level‐Distance‐Zone, Neighborhood‐Grey‐Tone‐Difference, Neighboring‐Grey‐Level‐Dependence, and Morphological feature. ROdiomiX was validated against benchmark values for the IBSI 3D digital phantom, as well as one designed in‐house (HFH). The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for estimating the degree of absolute agreement between ROdiomiX computation and benchmark values for different features at the 95% confidence level (CL) was used for comparison.

Results

Among the 11 feature categories with 149 total features including 10 different feature aggregation methods (following the IBSI guidelines), the percent difference between absolute feature values computed by the ROdiomiX software and benchmark values reported for IBSI and HFH digital phantoms were 0.14% + 0.43% and 0.11% + 0.27%, respectively. The ICC values were >0.997 for all ten feature categories for both the IBSI and HFH digital phantoms.

Conclusion

The authors successfully developed a platform for computation of quantitative radiomic features. The image preprocessing and computational software cores were designed following the procedures specified by the IBSI. Benchmarking testing was in excellent agreement against the IBSI‐ and HFH‐designed computational phantoms.
An efficient approach to optimization of semi‐stable routing in multicommodity flow networks
Authors: Tomaszewski Artur , Pióro Michał , Sanvito Davide , Filippini Ilario , Capone Antonio
Published: November 2020

Ideally, the network should be dynamically reconfigured as traffic evolves. Yet, even within the software defined network paradigm, network reconfigurations cannot be too frequent due to a number of reasons related to route consistency, forwarding rules instantiation, individual flows dynamics, traffic monitoring overhead, and so on. In this paper, we focus on the fundamental issue of deciding whether, when, and how to reconfigure the network while traffic evolves. We consider a problem of optimizing semi‐stable routing in the capacitated multicommodity flow network when one may use at most a given maximum number of routing configurations (called routing clusters) and when each routing configuration must be used for at least a given minimum amount of time. We propose an efficient solution approach based on routing cluster generation that provides a tight lower bound on the minimum of a selected objective function (like maximum link delay or a sum of link delays) and suboptimal solutions very close to the calculated bound. The approach scales well with the size of the network.
Finite difference/collocation method to solve multi term variable‐order fractional reaction–advection–diffusion equation in heterogeneous medium
Authors: Dwivedi Kushal Dhar , Rajeev   , Das S. , Gomez‐Aguilar José Francisco
Published: November 2020

Fractional order models are more complicated to solve in comparison to the integer‐order model. When it comes to variable order models the complexity of the model even further increases. In the present article, the authors developed an efficient method with the help of Fibonacci collocation and finite difference method to solve the multi‐term variable‐order fractional reaction–advection–diffusion model in the heterogeneous medium. The authors used the discussed method to solve a multi‐term variable‐order fractional diffusion model having an exact solution and compared the numerical results obtained from the discussed and previously solved methods to show that the proposed method works better than the previously solving method. After validation of the accuracy of the method, the authors have used it to solve the considered model. The effects on the diffusion process due to changes in various parameters of the model in the heterogeneous medium are shown graphically.
Results from a prospective study of individuals' symptoms and patient activation after hepatitis C treatment
Authors: Dieckmann Nathan F. , Rosenkranz Susan J. , Golden Sara E. , Stoyles Sydnee , Taylor‐Young Patricia , Hansen Lissi
Published: November 2020

The treatment of the hepatitis C virus has been revolutionized by the discovery of direct‐acting antiviral medications, which offer more effective treatment with fewer potential side effects. Few studies have examined changes in patient‐reported outcomes in individuals undergoing treatment for the hepatitis C virus in the immediate time period after the first treatment (within 1 month). This study is one of the first to use quantitative and qualitative methods to investigate changes in quality of life, patient activation, and symptom burden in adults undergoing treatment for hepatitis C virus with direct‐acting antiviral medications. Seventy‐three patients were followed in a prospective, longitudinal mixed‐methods design. Changes pre and posttreatment in quality of life, patient activation, and symptom burden were very small in magnitude when looking across the entire sample. However, patients with lower self‐reported health at baseline reported improved physical and psychological functioning 1‐month posttreatment. Patients with higher self‐reported health at baseline reported decreased general health posttreatment, although these effects were small. Qualitative results suggested that most patients found symptoms to be manageable despite experiencing both psychological and physical symptoms during treatment. We also found that 25% of patients had low levels of patient activation and may lack the basic knowledge and confidence to be an active participant in their health care. These findings suggest that patients may benefit from tailored information based on current health status about what to expect during and immediately after beginning direct‐acting antiviral medication treatment.
USA–China trade war: Economic impact on Indonesia
Authors: Iqbal Muhammad , Elianda Yunita , Akbar Ali , Nurhadiyanti
Published: November 2020

The trade war between the US and China is one of the big problems that have a propagating effect on other countries. Even though the tension is currently on the decline, the impact on the slowdown in the global economy is expected to continue until 2020. The effect of falling commodity prices that underpin Indonesia's economy is that the Indonesian economy only grows at around 5%. The World Bank estimates that the global slowdown will suppress Indonesia's economic growth next year until 2020. Pressures on the stability of the Rupiah exchange rate continued to occur, especially at the beginning of 2019 and the end of the first semester of 2019. In the second quarter of 2019, fluctuations and depreciation pressures on the Rupiah were recorded quite high. During 2019 Indonesia's trade performance slowed compared to the previous year. Contractions occur in both oil and gas and non‐oil and gas commodities. The weak performance of Indonesia's trade balance is influenced by several factors, including falling demand from Indonesia's central export trading partner countries and also contracting commodity prices on global markets. Another impact of the US–China trade war is the pressure of the Indonesian economy and the decline in primary commodity prices affect investment and import performance. This growth is still relatively good, although slowing compared to the previous quarter.
Remittances and financial development in Africa
Authors: Adekunle Ibrahim Ayoade , Tella Sheriffdeen Adewale , Subair Kolawole , Adegboyega Soliu Bidemi
Published: November 2020

Despite the magnitude of remittances as an alternative source of investment financing in Africa, the financial sector in Africa has significantly remained underdeveloped and unstable. Finding a solution to Africa's financial deregulation problems has proved tenacious partly because of inadequate literature that explain the nature of Africa capital and financial markets which has shown to be unorganised, spatially fragmented, highly segmented and invariably externally dependent. We examine the structural linkages between remittances and financial sector development in Africa. Panel data on indices of remittances was regressed on indices of financial sector development in fifty‐three (53) African countries from 1986 through 2017 using the Pooled Mean Group estimation procedure. We accounted for cross‐sectional dependence inherent in ordinary panel estimation and found a basis for the strict orthogonal relationship among the variables. Findings revealed a positive long‐run relationship between remittances and financial development with a significant (positive) short‐run relationship. It is suggested that, while attracting migrants' transfers which can have significant short‐run poverty‐alleviating advantages, in the long run, it might be more beneficial for African governments to foster financial sector development using alternative financial development strategies.
On the different effects of teacher–student rapport on urban and rural students' math learning in China: An empirical study
Authors: Zhou Da , Liu Jinqing , Liu Jian
Published: November 2020

This study investigated the different effects of teacher–student rapport on urban and rural students' math learning via mathematics self‐efficacy and mathematics anxiety in China. The participants were 8145 urban and rural fourth graders (mean age = 10 years old) in a central city of China. The findings indicated that (a) compared with rural students, urban students reported significantly higher mean scores for teacher–student rapport, mathematics self‐efficacy, and mathematical academic outcome, and significantly lower mean scores for mathematics anxiety; (b) students perceived teacher–student rapport in urban and rural schools had a substantial effect on students' mathematical academic outcome through increasing students' mathematics self‐efficacy and alleviating students' mathematics anxiety; and (c) teacher–student rapport in rural schools majorly increased their students' mathematical academic outcome via boosting rural students' mathematics self‐efficacy rather than reducing their mathematical anxiety, which is significantly different from that for urban students. Implications and future directions are elaborated.