bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Smart Soft Actuators and Grippers Enabled by Self‐Powered Tribo‐Skins
Authors: Chen Shoue , Pang Yaokun , Yuan Hongyan , Tan Xiaobo , Cao Changyong 
Published: January 2020

AbstractSoft end effectors or grippers capable of grasping objects dexterously and efficiently have attracted increasing attention in a broad range of applications. This article describes a smart soft finger‐like actuator with fast response, accurate control, self‐powered pressure, and bending sensing capability by combing the cable‐driven actuation with soft triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs). The soft actuator, driven by a miniature DC motor, is designed to have multiple segments of elastomer body split with triangular cuts to facilitate the bending actuation and conformal contact with target objects. Two types of TENGs are integrated with the soft actuator: a single‐electrode‐mode TENG to measure the contact pressure and an inner contact–separation‐mode TENG to detect the bending. With micropyramid structures, the tribo‐skin patches possess high sensitivity and good compatibility with the actuator and can actively detect proximity, contact, and pressure via self‐generated electricity. Based on the modular design approach, a gripper with three fingers is fabricated and tested for its grasping, sensing, and self‐powering performance. This gripper is capable of picking up different kinds of objects, providing sensory feedback, and generating electricity, which shows great potential for use in robot–human and robot–environment interaction applications.
Tunable Single‐Molecule White‐Light Emission in Stimuli‐Responsive Hydrogel
Authors: Wang Jie , Tang Fu , Wang Yue , Liu Shuqi , Li Lidong 
Published: January 2020

AbstractWhite‐light emitting materials based on single‐molecules are of great interest owing to the simple fabrication process and good stability of such materials. However, among limited reports on single‐molecule white light‐emitting materials, the majority of systems are based on organic solvents. Here, a single‐molecule white‐light emitting hydrogel is prepared through the combination of a protonation sensitive fluorophore with a temperature sensitive hydrogel. The mechanism of this system is based on adjusting the ratio of protonated and deprotonated fluorophores through the thermally controllable hydrophobic property of the hydrogel internal microstructure. The fluorophore emits intense blue and yellow emission in its protonated and deprotonated states, respectively; hence, the luminescence of the hydrogel changes color as a function of temperature and [H+], achieving a white color under certain conditions. On the basis of these results, a multicolor light‐emitting device (LED) and a white‐light LED are realized by placing the prepared hydrogel on a conductive substrate over a UV LED chip.
A Bilayer Plasmonic Metasurface for Polarization‐Insensitive Bidirectional Perfect Absorption
Authors: Li Zhancheng , Liu Wenwei , Tang Chengchun , Cheng Hua , Li Zhi , Zhang Yuebian , Li Junjie , Chen Shuqi , Tian Jianguo 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe implementation of perfect absorption of optical waves in artificial nanostructures has attracted tremendous attention among the scientific community. Traditional approaches based on metamaterials can only absorb optical waves in one direction while reflecting optical waves in the other direction. Here, a polarization‐insensitive bidirectional perfect absorber that is composed of bilayer gold nano disks embedded into a silicon nitride substrate is demonstrated. The bidirectional perfect absorption in the proposed bilayer metasurface, which is irrelevant to the coherent of optical waves, is attributed to the multiple reflections and interference of optical waves in the bilayer structures. The proposed perfect absorber shall boost its applications in optical anti‐counterfeiting, integrated photodetectors, and solar thermal applications.
Impact of Noncovalent Sulfur–Fluorine Interaction Position on Properties, Structures, and Photovoltaic Performance in Naphthobisthiadiazole‐Based Semiconducting Polymers
Authors: Saito Masahiko , Fukuhara Tomohiro , Kamimura Satoshi , Ichikawa Hiroyuki , Yoshida Hiroyuki , Koganezawa Tomoyuki , Ie Yutaka , Tamai Yasunari , Kim Hyung Do , Ohkita Hideo , Osaka Itaru 
Published: January 2020

AbstractControlling the energetics and backbone order of semiconducting polymers is essential for the performance improvement of polymer‐based solar cells. The use of fluorine as the substituent for the backbone is known to effectively deepen the molecular orbital energy levels and coplanarize the backbone by noncovalent interactions with sulfur of the thiophene ring. In this work, novel semiconducting polymers are designed and synthesized based on difluoronaphthobisthiadiazole (FNTz) as a new family of naphthobisthiadiazole (NTz)–quaterthiophene copolymer systems, which are one of the highest performing polymers in solar cells. The effect of the fluorination position on the energetics and backbone order is systematically studied. It is found that the dependence of the solar cell fill factor on the active layer thickness is very sensitive to the fluorination position. It is thus further investigated and discussed how the structural features of the polymers influence the photovoltaic parameters as well as the diode characteristics and bimolecular recombination. Further, the polymer with fluorine on both the naphthobisthiadiazole and quaterthiophene moieties exhibits a quite high power conversion efficiency of 10.8% in solar cells in combination with a fullerene. It is believed that the results would offer new insights into the development of semiconducting polymers.
Hollow CuS Nanoboxes as Li‐Free Cathode for High‐Rate and Long‐Life Lithium Metal Batteries
Authors: Chen Yawei , Li Jianming , Lei Zhanwu , Huo Yakun , Yang Lanlan , Zeng Suyuan , Ding Honghe , Qin Yi , Jie Yulin , Huang Fanyang , Li Qi , Zhu Junfa , Cao Ruiguo , Zhang Genqiang , Jiao Shuhong , Xu Dongsheng 
Published: January 2020

AbstractTransition metal sulfides hold promising potentials as Li‐free conversion‐type cathode materials for high energy density lithium metal batteries. However, the practical deployment of these materials is hampered by their poor rate capability and short cycling life. In this work, the authors take the advantage of hollow structure of CuS nanoboxes to accommodate the volume expansion and facilitate the ion diffusion during discharge–charge processes. As a result, the hollow CuS nanoboxes achieve excellent rate performance (≈371 mAh g−1 at 20 C) and ultra‐long cycle life (>1000 cycles). The structure and valence evolution of the CuS nanobox cathode are identified by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Furthermore, the lithium storage mechanism is revealed by galvanostatic intermittent titration technique and operando Raman spectroscopy for the initial charge–discharge process and the following reversible processes. These results suggest that the hollow CuS nanobox material is a promising candidate as a low‐cost Li‐free cathode material for high‐rate and long‐life lithium metal batteries.
P2‐K0.75[Ni1/3Mn2/3]O2 Cathode Material for High Power and Long Life Potassium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Jo Jae Hyeon , Choi Ji Ung , Park Yun Ji , Jung Young Hwa , Ahn Docheon , Jeon Tae‐Yeol , Kim Hyungsub , Kim Jongsoon , Myung Seung‐Taek 
Published: January 2020

AbstractRationally designed P2‐K0.75[Ni1/3Mn2/3]O2 is introduced as a novel cathode material for potassium‐ion batteries (KIBs). P2‐K0.75[Ni1/3Mn2/3]O2 cathode material designed through electrochemical ion‐exchange from P2‐Na2/3[Ni1/3Mn2/3]O2 exhibits satisfactory electrode performances; 110 mAh g−1 (20 mA g−1) retaining 86% of capacity for 300 cycles and unexpectedly high reversible capacity of about 91 mAh g−1 (1400 mA g−1) with excellent capacity retention of 83% over 500 cycles. According to theoretical and experimental investigations, the overall potassium storage mechanism of P2‐K0.75[Ni1/3Mn2/3]O2 is revealed to be a single‐phase reaction with small lattice change upon charge and discharge, presenting the Ni4+/2+ redox couple reaction. Such high power capability is possible through the facile K+ migration in the K0.75[Ni1/3Mn2/3]O2 structure with a low activation barrier energy of ≈210 meV. These findings indicate that P2‐K0.75[Ni1/3Mn2/3]O2 is a promising candidate cathode material for high‐rate and long‐life KIBs.
Sequential Blade‐Coated Acceptor and Donor Enables Simultaneous Enhancement of Efficiency, Stability, and Mechanical Properties for Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Wang Yilin , Zhu Qinglian , Naveed Hafiz Bilal , Zhao Heng , Zhou Ke , Ma Wei 
Published: January 2020

AbstractAs a predominant fabrication method of organic solar cells (OSCs), casting of a bulk heterojunction (BHJ) structure presents overwhelming advantages for achieving higher power conversion efficiency (PCE). However, long‐term stability and mechanical strength are significantly crucial to realize large‐area and flexible devices. Here, controlling blend film morphology is considered as an effective way toward co‐optimizing device performance, stability, and mechanical properties. A PCE of 12.27% for a P‐i‐N‐structured OSC processed by sequential blade casting (SBC) is reported. The device not only outperforms the as‐cast BHJ devices (11.01%), but also shows impressive stability and mechanical properties. The authors corroborate such enhancements with improved vertical phase separation and purer phases toward more efficient transport and collection of charges. Moreover, adaptation of SBC strategy here will result in thermodynamically favorable nanostructures toward more stable film morphology, and thus improving the stability and mechanical properties of the devices. Such co‐optimization of OSCs will pave ways toward realizing the highly efficient, large‐area, flexible devices for future endeavors.
Effects of defoliation and row spacing on intermediate wheatgrass I: Grain production
Authors: Hunter Mitchell C. , Sheaffer Craig C. , Culman Steven W. , Jungers Jacob M. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractIncreasing intermediate wheatgrass [Thinopyrum intermedium(Host) Barkworth & D.R. Dewey] grain yield and maintaining yield over the life of a stand will be critical to the economic viability of Kernza (The Land Institute) grain production. Research on perennial grasses has shown that seed yield can be enhanced by (a) mechanically defoliating the stand for hay production and (b) increasing row spacing. We evaluated the interacting effects of row spacing and defoliation across the 4‐yr life of an intermediate wheatgrass (IWG) stand in St. Paul, MN. We measured grain yield, harvest index, lodging, and yield components including grain mass and number of tillers, spikes, and grains. Data was analyzed with linear mixed models and partial least squares path analysis. Overall, grain yield declined substantially over time, from a mean of 880 kg ha−1in 2015 to 276 kg ha−1in 2018. Wider row spacings tended to increase grain yield. Defoliation increased grain yield in the first 2 yr, but may have decreased stand vigor in later years. Neither management practice fundamentally mitigated yield decline. The main cause of yield decline was the reduction in grain number per high‐yielding spike, which dropped by roughly half after the first year. The proportion of spikes that were high yielding also declined over time. Increasing competition among reproductive units likely contributed to yield decline, but there is also evidence that resource allocation to reproduction declined over time. Future research in IWG breeding and management should focus on maintaining high grain number, reducing intra‐stand competition, and increasing resource allocation to reproduction.
Cancer risk among career male and female Florida firefighters: Evidence from the Florida Firefighter Cancer Registry (1981‐2014)
Authors: Lee David J. , Koru‐Sengul Tulay , Hernandez Monique N. , Caban‐Martinez Alberto J. , McClure Laura A. , Mackinnon Jill A. , Kobetz Erin N. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundFirefighters are at increased risk for select cancers. However, many studies are limited by relatively small samples, with virtually no data on the cancer experience of female firefighters. This study examines cancer risk in over 100,000 career Florida firefighters including 5000 + females assessed over a 34‐year period.MethodsFlorida firefighter employment records (n = 109 009) were linked with Florida Cancer Data System registry data (1981‐2014; ~3.3 million records), identifying 3760 male and 168 female‐linked primary cancers. Gender‐specific age and calendar year‐adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals for firefighters vs non‐firefighters were calculated.ResultsMale firefighters were at increased risk of melanoma (aOR = 1.56; 1.39‐1.76), prostate (1.36; 1.27‐1.46), testicular (1.66; 1.34‐2.06), thyroid (2.17; 1.78‐2.66) and late‐stage colon cancer (1.19;1.00‐1.41). Female firefighters showed significantly elevated risk of brain (2.54; 1.19‐5.42) and thyroid (2.42; 1.56‐3.74) cancers and an elevated risk of melanoma that approached statistical significance (1.68; 0.97‐2.90). Among male firefighters there was additional evidence of increased cancer risk younger than the age of 50 vs 50 years and older for thyroid (2.55; 1.96‐3.31 vs 1.69; 1.22‐2.34), prostate (1.88; 1.49‐2.36 vs 1.36; 1.26‐1.47), testicular (1.60; 1.28‐2.01 vs 1.47; 0.73‐2.94), and melanoma (1.87; 1.55‐2.26 vs 1.42; 1.22‐1.66) cancers.ConclusionMale career firefighters in Florida are at increased risk for five cancers with typically stronger associations in those diagnosed younger than the age of 50, while there was evidence for increased thyroid and brain cancer, and possibly melanoma risk in female firefighters. Larger cohorts with adequate female representation, along with the collection of well‐characterized exposure histories, are needed to more precisely examine cancer risk in this occupational group.
Radiographic measurements of the talus and calcaneus in the adult pes planus foot type
Authors: Agoada David , Kramer Patricia Ann 
Published: January 2020

AbstractObjectiveA distinctive feature of the modern human foot is the presence of a medial longitudinal arch when weight‐bearing. Although the talus and calcaneus play a major role in the structure and function of the human foot, the association between the morphology of these bones and longitudinal arch height has not been fully investigated. A better understanding of this relationship may assist in the interpretation of pedal remains of fossil hominins, where features of the foot and ankle morphology have been described as providing evidence for the presence of a longitudinal arch.MethodsFor this study, weight‐bearing radiographs of 103 patients from an urban US Level 1 trauma center, taken as part of a clinical examination for medical evaluation, were selected. These radiographs were classified as to foot type by arch height as defined using the calcaneal inclination angle. From this group, 68 radiographs were suitable for linear and angular measurements of the talus and 74 of the calcaneus. The relationships between these measurements and arch height were explored using least squared linear regression analysis.ResultsThe results demonstrate that angular measurements of the calcaneus (particularly those that reflect the relationship of the talar articular facets to each other and the tilt of the calcaneocuboid joint to the longitudinal axis of the calcaneus) are predictive of arch height (r2= .29–.44p ≤ .001). All angular measurements of the talus and all examined linear measurements of both the talus and calcaneus were not predictive of arch height.DiscussionThese results suggest that certain angular measurements of the calcaneus are associated with arch height in the modern human foot. While this information is useful in the interpretation of hominin pedal remains, the relationship of the morphology of these bones, as well as other bones of the foot, to arch height is complex, requiring further investigation.
Colonialism and the co‐evolution of ethnic and genetic structure in New Mexico
Authors: Hunley Keith , Edgar Heather , Healy Meghan , Mosley Carmen 
Published: January 2020

AbstractObjectiveSocially constructed ethnic identities are frequently rooted in beliefs about common descent that form when people with disparate cultures, languages, and biology come into contact. This study explores connections between beliefs about common descent, as represented by ethnic nomenclatures, and histories of migration and isolation ascertained from genomic data in New Mexicans of Spanish‐speaking descent (NMS).Materials and MethodsWe interviewed 507 NMS who further identified using one of seven ethnic terms that they associated with beliefs about connections to past ancestors. For groups of individuals who identified using each term, we estimated biogeographic ancestry, fit admixture models to ancestry distributions, and partitioned genetic distance into admixture and drift components.ResultsRegardless of which ethnic term they used, all NMS had appreciable Native American (avg. 27%) and European ancestry (avg.71%). However, individuals who identified using terms associated with beliefs connecting them to colonial‐period Spanish ancestors had significantly higher European ancestry than individuals who identified using terms associated with ancestral connections to post‐colonial‐period migrants from Mexico. Model‐fitting analyses show that this ancestry difference reflects post‐colonial gene flow with non‐NMS European Americans, not colonial‐period gene flow with Spaniards. Drift, not admixture, accounted for most of the genetic distance between NMS who expressed connections to Mexican versus Spanish ancestors, reflecting relative isolation of New Mexico and Mexico through the 19th century.DiscussionPatterns of genomic diversity in NMS are consistent with beliefs about common descent in showing that New Mexico was isolated for generations following initial colonization. They are inconsistent with these beliefs in showing that all NMS have substantial European and Native American ancestry, and in showing that a proportion of European ancestry derives from post‐colonial‐period admixture with non‐NMS European Americans. Our findings provide insights into the construction of ethnic identity in contexts of migration and isolation in New Mexico and, potentially, throughout human prehistory.
Treatment‐related morbidity in patients treated for sinonasal malignancy
Authors: Patel Jena , Chitguppi Chandala , Vimawala Swar , Epps Gregory , Fastenberg Judd , Evans James , Rabinowitz Mindy , Rosen Marc , Nyquist Gurston 
Published: January 2020

BackgroundSinonasal malignancies are a rare, heterogeneous group of tumors that often present at an advanced stage and require multimodal therapy. The presence of high‐grade toxicity and sinonasal complications after treatment can negatively impact quality of life. In this study we aim to describe posttreatment morbidity in patients with sinonasal malignancy.MethodsA retrospective analysis of all patients treated for sinonasal malignancy was conducted from 2005 to 2018 at a tertiary referral institution. A total of 129 patients met the inclusion criteria. Primary outcomes were treatment details, pathology, posttreatment complications, and radiation toxicity. Fisher's exact test, chi‐square test, and Student t test were used for statistical analysis.ResultsMean age was 58.4 (median, 61; range, 19‐94) years. After diagnosis, 24 patients had surgery alone, 46 had surgery with radiation alone, 47 had surgery with chemoradiation, and 14 received definitive chemoradiation. Overall, 10.4% (n = 12) of patients had postoperative complications, and 21.0% (n = 22) had high‐grade (grade 3‐5) radiation toxicity. After radiation, 20% (n = 21) of patients had chronic sinusitis requiring functional endoscopic sinus surgery and 20% (n = 21) had symptomatic nasal obstruction requiring operative debridement.ConclusionSinonasal complications, including nasal obstruction and chronic sinusitis, occur frequently after definitive treatment of sinonasal malignancy and should be addressed when considering quality of life in survivors. These complications occur more frequently in patients who undergo chemoradiation as opposed to surgery alone.
Use of mucosal eosinophil count as a guide in the management of chronic rhinosinusitis
Authors: Sharbel Daniel , Li Mingsi , Unsal Aykut A. , Tadros Sandra Y. , Lee Jason , Biddinger Paul , Holmes Thomas , Kountakis Stilianos E. 
Published: January 2020

BackgroundChronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a local inflammatory process driven by eosinophils. Mucosal eosinophil count (MEC) has previously been demonstrated to be a reliable indicator of disease severity. We aim to evaluate use of MEC in guiding medical management of CRS after functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS).MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed patients with CRS who underwent FESS from 2004 to 2017. Tissue MEC per high‐power field (HPF) was determined by pathologic examination. MECs were compared by polyp status, postoperative medication requirements, and revision surgery. Patients received normal saline (NS) nasal irrigations with additional treatment as needed for disease control: 1‐drug therapy (1‐DT) intranasal steroid spray (ISS), 2‐drug therapy (2‐DT) ISS plus budesonide nasal irrigations (BNI) or leukotriene receptor antagonist (LRA), or 3‐drug therapy (3‐DT) ISS plus BNI and LRA. Correlations between MEC and 22‐item Sino‐Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT‐22), preoperative computed tomography (CT), and nasal endoscopy scores were evaluated.ResultsA total of 156 patients were included. Fifty‐seven were managed with 1‐DT, 35 with 2‐DT, and 62 with 3‐DT. Across all patients, mean postoperative 6‐month and 1‐year SNOT‐22 (18.1 ± 17.0, 18.1 ± 20.2, respectively) and nasal endoscopy (3.6 ± 3.8, 3.6 ± 4.1, respectively) scores were significantly lower than preoperative scores (37.4 ± 22.8, 6.5 ± 4, respectively). With increasing MEC, odds of requiring 2‐DT (odds ratio [OR] = 1.1, p = 0.0002), 3‐DT (OR = 1.12, p < 0.0001), and revision surgery (OR = 1.11, p < 0.0001) were significantly increased. Preoperative endoscopy (ρ = 0.44, p < 0.0001) and CT scores (ρ = 0.51, p < 0.0001) and postoperative 6‐month (ρ = 0.55, p < 0.0001) and 1‐year (ρ = 0.4, p < 0.0001) endoscopy scores demonstrated good correlation with MEC.ConclusionMEC correlates with objective clinical disease severity and may guide aggressiveness of management for the individual patient.
Continuous flow synthesis of zeolite FAU in an oscillatory baffled reactor
Authors: Ramirez Mendoza Heidy , Valdez Lancinha Pereira Mafalda , Van Gerven Tom , Lutz Cécile 
Published: January 2020

AbstractIn this work, we report, for the first time, the continuous flow synthesis of zeolite NaX successfully accomplished in a pilot‐scale (up to 100 L/h) continuous oscillatory baffled reactor (COBR). The continuous synthesis was achieved by combining the seed‐assisted method, in‐line mixing of reactants at high temperature and COBR. The use of a COBR not only allowed the same residence time as the batch system, but also a controlled temperature profile, thanks to the plug flow behavior and effective heat transfer. A stable continuous operation was maintained during 5 hours owing to an effective mixing, preventing any hydrodynamic failure caused by the sedimentation of zeolite crystals. The results showed that zeolite NaX was obtained after 99 minutes and crystals between 0.6 and 0.7 μm were observed by scanning electron microscopy. The effect of frequency and amplitude on crystal properties was assessed. Sampling at three points along the COBR allowed the study of steady states of the zeolite concentration in temporal and spatial domains.