bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Preharvest Application of Silicon and Saline Water on Postharvest Quality of Beet (Beta vulgaris L.)
Authors: Filho José Sebastião de Melo , Silva Toshik Iarley da , Leal Ygor Henrique , Basilio Ana Gabriela Sousa , Véras Mário Leno Martins , Dias Thiago Jardelino 
Published: March 2019

Beet is one of the vegetables richest in nutrient (bioactive compounds, folic acid and potassium). However, there are few studies on postharvest quality from the crop under irrigation conditions with saline waters, and because of that, the objective of this study was to evaluate effect of saline waters and silicon application in the preharvest on physicochemical quality of the beet. Two experiments were conducted with the objective of evaluating two forms of silicon application: via foliar (experiment 1) and via soil (experiment 2) about its influence in mitigating salt stress. In both experiments was adopted a randomized design with blocks in a 5 x 5 factorial, referring to five levels of electrical conductivity of the irrigation water (ECw): (0.5, 1.3, 3.25, 5.2 and 6.0 dS m-1) five doses of silicon (0.00; 2.64; 9.08; 15.52 and 18.16 mL L-1), they were combined according to the experimental matrix Central composite of Box totaling 10 treatments, with four replicates and three plants per plot. After harvesting, 70 days after transplanting, the following characteristics were evaluated: bulb dry mass, pH, titratable acidity (TA), total soluble solids (TSS), TSS/TA ratio and ash. There was a significant effect for the salinity x silicon (Si) interaction applied via soil to the dry matter mass and titratable acidity. The electrical conductivities of irrigation water (ECw) and Si doses via leaf and soil influenced significantly for analyzed variables, except pH, total soluble solids, TSS/TA ratio, ash and titratable acidity, which were not influenced by ECw and nor by the doses of Si via soil and foliage. Irrigation with water of 6.0 dS m-1 promotes better quality beet tuber. The fertilization on preharvest with silicon via soil or foliage improved postharvest quality of beet.
Impact of Electricity Service on Performance of Microenterprises of Rural Entrepreneurs in Ogun State, Nigeria
Authors: Olanrewaju Emilola Cecilia 
Published: March 2019

The expansion of microenterprises in rural areas is linked with the increase in access and use of electricity services, leading to changes income. However, there is little empirical evidence to underpin the mechanisms that lead from energy supply to profit generation among rural entrepreneurs. To this end, this study analyzed the impact of electricity service on performance of microenterprises of rural entrepreneurs. Primary data were used for this study. Data were collected using questionnaires from a sample of 150 rural entrepreneurs engaged in various microenterprise economic activities from Odeda Local Government Areas of Ogun State in a three-stage sampling procedure. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, logit model and ordinary regression analysis. The result shows that hair dressing and retail shop were the most common form of businesses followed by grain milling, tailoring, welding, relaxation sports centre and cassava processing. In addition, the result reveals that age, years of schooling, nature of business, monthly expenditure on alternative source of power and duration of power outage supported the microenterprise owner decisions to connect to grid electricity service. Also power outage duration and billing method negatively affected firms’ profitability. On other hand durations of power supply and expenditure on alternative power supply significantly has a positive impact on the profitability of microenterprise. The study therefore recommends that government should intensify action in providing rural communities with reliable and affordable electricity services.
Performance Probability Distribution Function for Modelling Solar Radiation in South Southern Nigeria: A Case Study of Yenagoa
Authors: Abiodun Chukwutem Isaac , Anisiji Obiora Emeka 
Published: March 2019

This study has attempted to assess the performance of the most suitable statistical distribution function for modelling solar radiation over Yenagoa, Bayelsa State in Nigeria. The probability distribution functions are tested based on eleven years (2007-2017) solar radiation data obtained from National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Six probability distribution functions are tested to ascertain the most appropriate one based on four different statistical tools and fitting accuracy. The associated parameters of the most appropriate fitted probability distribution function are calculated and the trends in the characteristic of the solar radiation are deduced. The result shows that logistic distribution presents the most suitable probability distribution function for modelling solar radiation over the selected environment with RMSE of 1.500 KWh/m2/day, MAE of 1.260 KWh/m2/day, MAPE of 22.000% and R2 of 0.880.When compared with the other five distribution functions, the same trend could be seen although with different values of RMSE, MAE, MAPE and R2. The estimated distribution location and scale parameters of the model vary with month and season. The overall result will be useful for predicting future solar radiation over the studied environment. It will also be a good reference point for the design of large solar power projects in Yenagoa in particular and south southern Nigerian environments at large.
Electrolyte Chemistry Toward Sulfur‐Rich Interphase for Wide‐Temperature Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Li Jiabao , Yuan Quan , Chen Yuting , Zhang Zhushun , Yin Ying , Wang Tianyi , Wang Chengyin , Mai Wenjie , Li Jinliang 
Published: November 2024

AbstractAchieving wide‐temperature operation is a crucial objective for the practical deployment of sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs). However, the development of suitable electrolytes is hindered by significant challenges, including compromised ionic dynamics at low temperatures and interphase instability at high temperatures. Herein, this study proposes a novel interphase enhancement mechanism utilizing a sulfur‐rich strategy, grounded in rational solvent selection. This approach enriches the electrolyte with sulfur‐containing species that exhibit high Na+ affinity and efficient ionic migration at both the cathode and anode sides. Consequently, this strategy significantly enhances interfacial charge transfer and interphase integrity, confirmed by theoretical calculations and electrochemical measurements. The designed electrolyte demonstrates robust performance in half‐cells based on Na3V2(PO4)3 (NVP) across a wide temperature range from −25 to 60 °C. Furthermore, the full‐cell, featuring an NVP cathode paired with a hard carbon anode, exhibits exceptional stability. Specifically, the full cell achieves reversible capacities of 56.1 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles at −25 °C and 74.9 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles at 60 °C, with impressive capacity retentions of 87.7% and 88.2%, respectively. Importantly, the study introduces an advanced interphase optimization strategy that enables the operation of SIBs across wide temperatures, providing practical solutions for future developments in the field.
High‐Performance Narrowband Pure‐Green OLEDs with Gamut Approaching BT.2020 Standard: Deuteration Promotes Device Efficiency and Lifetime Simultaneously
Authors: Liu Jiahui , Yin Xiaojun , Huang Manli , Miao Jingsheng , Li Nengquan , Huang Zhongyan , Yang Chuluo 
Published: November 2024

AbstractIn order to fulfill the demand for ultrahigh definition organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs), pure‐green emitters with Commission Internationale de l’Éclairage (CIE) y‐coordinate over 0.71 are in urgent demand. Meanwhile, the high device efficiency, small efficiency roll‐off, and operational lifetime also remain challenging issues. In this work, a series of narrowband pure‐green fluorescent emitters based on a double‐boron (B) doped polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) framework fused with naphthalene units is reported. The newly designed emitters realize green emission with peaks of 512–521 nm and extremely narrow full‐width at half‐maxima (FWHMs) of 16–17 nm in toluene solution. Utilizing these emitters in a phosphor‐sensitized fluorescence (PSF) system, the resulting OLEDs exhibit pure green emission with peaks in the range of 514–526 nm and very narrow FWHMs of 19–20 nm. Notably, the devices based on the partially deuterated emitter, DBN‐NaPh‐d, not only achieve a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQEmax) as high as 35.2%, small efficiency roll‐off, along with a CIEy of 0.74 but also showcase impressive operational stability with a long lifetime (LT50) of over 3000 h at an initial luminance of 1000 cd m−2. This work represents one of the highest device efficiencies and superior device stability among fluorescence emitter‐based OLEDs.
Enhanced Piezoelectric Properties of Poly(L‐lactide) Nanocomposite Microfiber Scaffolds Due to Polydopamine‐Coating of Barium Titanate Nanoparticles
Authors: Schönlein Richard , Larrañaga Xabier , Panfilo Asier , Li Yu , Larrañaga Aitor , Liu Guoming , Müller Alejandro J. , Aguirresarobe Robert , Ugartemendia Jone M. 
Published: November 2024

AbstractRecent biomedical applications demand piezoelectric polylactide (PLA)‐based polymers, possessing biodegradable and biocompatible properties for tissue regeneration, implantable force sensors, and energy harvesting devices. However, piezoelectric poly(L‐lactide) (PLLA) possesses weak piezoelectric properties in comparison to non‐biodegradable poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), limiting its application. This contribution presents, for the first time, a nanocomposite strategy to enhance the piezoelectric properties of PLLA, while maintaining cytocompatibility. Biocompatible and piezoelectric barium titanate (BTO) nanoparticles (NPs) are coated by polydopamine (PDA) (cBTO NPs) to improve the quality of the matrix‐filler interface and enhanced the force transmission toward the BTO NPs. Electrospun PLLA/cBTO nanocomposite microfiber scaffolds with 5 wt% of PDA‐coated BTO NPs (cBTO) exhibited an increase in piezoelectric properties of 120% in comparison to pristine PLLA microfiber scaffolds, implying a voltage output increase from 1.4 ± 0.1 to 3.2 ± 0.2 V. Furthermore, the PDA‐coating of BTO (cBTO) NPs itself has an intensifying impact on the piezoelectric properties of PLLA/cBTO nanocomposite compared to non‐coated BTO NPs, increasing the voltage output by 41%. This demonstrates the great potential of PDA‐coating of piezoelectric NPs to enhance the piezoelectric response of PLLA.
The Art of Finding the Optimal Scattering Center(s)
Authors: Kildishev Alexander V. , Achouri Karim , Smirnova Daria 
Published: November 2024

AbstractThe truncated spatial multipolar spectra enable efficient approximate solutions to acoustic, quantum‐mechanical, and electromagnetic problems. In photonics, the efficient multipole description of a general emitter or scatterer with controlled accuracy is complicated by the ambiguity in choosing the multipole expansion center—the multipole terms depend on the position of the expansion center and therefore are not unique. This study solves this fundamental problem by finding the optimal scattering centers for which the spatial multipole spectrum becomes unique. These optimal positions are derived separately for the electric and magnetic multipoles by minimizing the norms of the poloidal quadrupoles, employing the long‐wave approximation (LWA) ansatz. The ultimate positions are verified with idealized discrete emitters and realistic scatterers. The optimal multipoles, including the toroidal terms, are calculated for several distinct scatterers; their utility for fast, low‐cost numerical schemes is discussed. The number of optimal magnetic scattering centers, defined by the multiplicity of the problem, can serve as a new topological metric of a given emitter or scatterer. This finding hints at potential relations between nanoscale optomechanics and topological photonics. Expansion of the work beyond the LWA is possible, with the promise of more general foundational concepts for electrodynamics, acoustics, and quantum mechanics.
Modular Chiral Bithiophene‐2NO Ligands: Synthesis and Application in Asymmetric Palladium(II)‐Catalysed Friedel‐Crafts Alkylation
Authors: Zhu Xian‐Qiao , Li Wu‐Wu , Liu Lin‐Lu , Xu Ke‐Lan , Peng Li‐Jun , Zhang Min , Liu Xiong‐Li , Zhang Wen‐Jing 
Published: November 2024

AbstractThe development of privileged thiophene‐type ligand remains highly desirable, owing to the high coordination ability of sulfur atom to most of the soft metals. Herein, a new class of C2‐symmetric rigid chiral tertiary amine‐derived dioxide ligands with a coordinating bithiophene bridge was developed in a convenient synthetic route with 25–62% overall yields. The bithiophene‐2NO‐palladium(II) catalyst system was generated in situ and found to be highly capable catalyst in the asymmetric Friedel‐Crafts alkylation of indoles. Excellent yields (up to 92%) and high enantioselectivities (up to >99% ee) are obtained for a wide range of substrates under mild conditions. Control experiments and DFT calculations revealed the origins of the enantioselectivity. This represented the first example of chiral thiophene ligands coordinating with soft metal Pd(II) in the asymmetric Friedel‐Crafts alkylation. Experiments revealed that the counteranion is involved in the stereoselectivity‐determining step in this soft palladium(II) catalysis, and the additional NO and thiophene in ligands can act as the second chelation site and thus reduce the amount of free metal ions for suppressing background reaction in the catalytic system.
Phenothiazine‐Modified PTAA Hole Transporting Materials for Flexible Perovskite Solar Cells: A Trade‐Off Between Performance and Sustainability
Authors: de Alencar Daniel Augusto Machado , Koch Giulio , De Rossi Francesca , Generosi Amanda , Ferraro Giuseppe , Bonomo Matteo , Noola Samyuktha , Pellis Giulia , Quagliotto Pierluigi , Paci Barbara , Brunetti Francesca , Barolo Claudia 
Published: November 2024

AbstractHole Transport Materials (HTMs) are one of the key elements in Perovskite Solar Cells (PSCs) and specifically polymeric HTMs have recently emerged as one of the most viable options to couple excellent performance and good stability. However, most are processed only in aromatic solvents (e.g., toluene or chlorobenzene), thus negatively impacting the overall sustainability of the device. In this contribution, four novel polymers are synthesized specifically designed to be processable in less harsh, non‐aromatic, and non‐chlorinated solvent (i.e., Tetrahydrofuran – THF): the conventional PTAA scaffold is modified by the insertion of a phenothiazine (PTZ) and by the modulation of the methyl moieties on the peripheral benzene. Alternatively, a benzothiadiazole moiety is also added. The polymers are then implemented in flexible PSCs (F‐PSCs) that have recently attracted increased attention due to their high power‐to‐weight ratio. The THF‐processed P1 (a PTZ‐PTAA copolymer with one methyl group substituted) reaches an overall efficiency of 9.10%, outperforming THF‐processed PTAA (PCE = 8.25%) and approaching the one of toluene‐processed reference (PCE = 9.30%). Furthermore, P1 shows better stability under light soaking conditions. To rationalize these results, different characterizations are presented, including optoelectronic techniques, thermal and surface analyses, and GWAXS measurements.
Direct‐Print 3D Electrodes for Large‐Scale, High‐Density, and Customizable Neural Interfaces
Authors: Wang Pingyu , Wu Eric G. , Uluşan Hasan , Zhao Eric Tianjiao , Phillips A.J. , Kling Alexandra , Hays Madeline Rose , Vasireddy Praful Krishna , Madugula Sasidhar , Vilkhu Ramandeep , Hierlemann Andreas , Hong Guosong , Chichilnisky E.J. , Melosh Nicholas A. 
Published: November 2024

AbstractSilicon‐based microelectronics can scalably record and modulate neural activity at high spatiotemporal resolution, but their planar form factor poses challenges in targeting 3D neural structures. A method for fabricating tissue‐penetrating 3D microelectrodes directly onto planar microelectronics using high‐resolution 3D printing via 2‐photon polymerization and scalable microfabrication technologies are presented. This approach enables customizable electrode shape, height, and positioning for precise targeting of neuron populations distributed in 3D. The effectiveness of this approach is demonstrated in tackling the critical challenge of interfacing with the retina—specifically, selectively targeting retinal ganglion cell (RGC) somas while avoiding the axon bundle layer. 6,600‐microelectrode, 35 µm pitch, tissue‐penetrating arrays are fabricated to obtain high‐fidelity, high‐resolution, and large‐scale retinal recording that reveals little axonal interference, a capability previously undemonstrated. Confocal microscopy further confirms the precise placement of the microelectrodes. This technology can be a versatile solution for interfacing silicon microelectronics with neural structures at a large scale and cellular resolution.
3D Printed Multi‐Cavity Soft Actuator with Integrated Motion and Sensing Functionalities via Bio‐Inspired Interweaving Foldable Endomysium
Authors: Fang Zhonggui , Tang Shaowu , Su Yinyin , Liu Xiaohuang , Liu Sicong , Yi Juan , Wang Zheng , Dai Jian S. 
Published: November 2024

AbstractThe human muscle bundle generates versatile movements with synchronous neurosensory, enabling human to undertake complex tasks, which inspires researches into functional integration of motions and sensing in actuators for robots. Although soft actuators have developed diverse motion capabilities utilizing the inherent compliance, the simultaneous‐sensing approaches typically involve adding sensing components or embedding certain‐signal‐field substrates, resulting in structural complexity and discrepant deformations between the actuation parts with high‐dimensional motions and the sensing parts with heterogeneous stiffnesses. Inspired by the muscle‐bundle multifiber mechanism, a multicavity functional integration (McFI) approach is proposed for soft pneumatic actuators to simultaneously realize multidimensional motions and sensing by separating and coordinating active and passive cavities. A bio‐inspired interweaving foldable endomysium (BIFE) is introduced to construct and reinforce the multicavity chamber with optimized purposive foldability, enabling 3D printing single‐material fabrication. Performing elongation, contraction, and bidirectional bending, the McFI actuator senses its spatial position, orientation, and axial force, based on the kinematic and sensing models built on multi‐cavity pressures. Two McFI‐actuator‐driven robots are built: a soft crawling robot with path reconstruction and a narrow‐maneuverable soft gripper with object exteroception, validating the practicality in stand‐alone use of the actuator and the potential for intelligent soft robotic innovation of the McFI approach.
A Multifunctional Cobalt‐Containing Implant for Treating Biofilm Infections and Promoting Osteointegration in Infected Bone Defects Through Macrophage‐Mediated Immunomodulation
Authors: Yan Nongyang , Zhou Hao , Jin Penghe , Li Tengfei , Liu Qi , Ning Hao , Ma Zhixin , Feng Linfei , Jin Tao , Deng Youwen , Wu Zhengwei 
Published: November 2024

AbstractTreating bone infections and ensuring bone recovery is one of the major global problems facing modern orthopedics. Prolonged antibiotic use may increase the risk of antimicrobial resistance, and inflammation caused by biofilms can obstruct tissue healing, making bone infection treatment even more challenging. The optimal treatment strategy combines immune response modification to promote osteogenesis with effective bacterial infection removal that does not require long‐term antibiotic use. A one‐step plasma immersion ion implantation approach is used to create titanium alloy implants incorporating cobalt. According to experimental findings, cobalt‐containing titanium implants exhibit improved antibacterial activity by efficiently disrupting biofilm formations and reducing Methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus adherence by over 80%. Additionally, the implants exhibit superior anti‐inflammatory and osseointegration properties. RNA sequencing analysis reveals the potential mechanism of Co2+ in regulating the polarization of macrophages toward the anti‐inflammatory M2 phenotype, which is crucial for creating an immune environment conducive to bone healing. Concurrently, these implants promote osteogenic differentiation while suppressing osteoclast activity, further supporting bone repair. Overall, without exogenous recombinant proteins or antibiotics, the implants effectively eradicate infections and expedite bone repair, offering a novel therapeutic strategy for complex skeletal diseases with clinical promise.
Multi‐Mechanism Collaborative Bionic Fixation Technique Between a Wide Range of Solid Interfaces
Authors: Fu Shixun , Sun Jun , Hu Zhiyong , Zhao Yongjin , Yao Tianchang , Wang Xipeng , Ji Yuanming , Deng Kai , Ji Keju 
Published: November 2024

AbstractFor rough surfaces, stable, fast, and repeatable fixation has wide applicability in transportation, fire protection, and other fields. Different rough surfaces present technical challenges for achieving convenient and reliable fixation. Based on the highly adhesive attachment structures of typical organisms, a multi‐mechanism (negative pressure adsorption, mechanical locking, and chemical bonding) cooperative bionic fixation device is proposed. The device is equipped with a suction disc with gradient guide channels, a microneedles friction‐enhancing unit, and fast‐curable UV glue. These components work together to complete the fixation. The detachment work (max. 5.7 and 5.5 J) and pull‐off force (max. 377 and 175 N) are evaluated on sandpaper of different roughness under vertical and horizontal pulling respectively. By analyzing the detachment process and experimental curves, the cooperative principle of the multi‐mechanism is identified. In addition, the microneedles with soft backing at the bionic fixation device bottom improve its adaptability to rough surfaces. The gradient guide channels of the suction disc create Laplace pressure to speed up the UV glue flow and shorten fixation time. Furthermore, its applicability is demonstrated by combining it with monitoring equipment and an adult to attach to rough surfaces.
Using the Transversal Admittance to Understand Organic Electrochemical Transistors
Authors: Bisquert Juan , Keene Scott T. 
Published: November 2024

AbstractThe transient behavior of organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) is complex due to mixed ionic‐electronic properties that play a central role in bioelectronics and neuromorphic applications. Some works applied impedance spectroscopy in OECTs for understanding transport properties and the frequency‐dependent response of devices. The transversal admittance (drain current vs gate voltage) is used for sensing applications. However, a general theory of the transversal admittance, until now, has been incomplete. The derive a model that combines electronic motion along the channel and vertical ion diffusion by insertion from the electrolyte, depending on several features as the chemical capacitance, the diffusion coefficient of ions, and the electronic mobility. Based on transport and charge conservation equations, it is shown that the vertical impedance produces a standard result of diffusion in intercalation systems, while the transversal impedance contains the electronic parameters of hole accumulation and transport along the channel. The spectral shapes of drain and gate currents and the complex admittance spectra are established by reference to equivalent circuit models for the vertical and transversal impedances, that describe well the measurements of a PEDOT:PSS OECT. New insights are provided to the determination of mobility by the ratio between drain and gate currents.