bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High Curvature of Polymer‐Based Miniaturized Flexible Actuator at Very Low Electric Field
Authors: Toinet Simon , Benwadih Mohammed , Szambolics Helga , Minot Sylvain , Revenant Christine , Bordet Marine , Della Schiava Nellie , Le Minh‐Quyen , Cottinet Pierre‐Jean 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe use of high electric fields, as well as pre‐stressing, are the two main obstacles to the widespread use of poly(vinylidene fluoride (PVDF)‐based actuators. In response, a new double‐sided multilayer device has been developed which, coupled with a polarization procedure, enables high bending performance at low voltages. The actuator's symmetry allows zero bending at rest, while the high number of layers enables a strong field to be maintained while reducing the applied voltage. X‐ray and permittivity studies reveal the ultimate links between the microscopic material displacement and the actuator deflection. These results, coupled with the analytical model developed in this work, demonstrate that the optimization of complex multilayer systems requires a detailed understanding of mechanics, design, and microstructure. Experimental, analytical and finite element results confirm that such a double‐sided multilayer actuator is of 50% more efficient than a conventional single‐sided actuator, up to 40 V µm−1. These achievements open up new prospects for PVDF‐based actuators in application of healthcare, such as arterial navigation.
Phosphorus and Silicon Modified Alginate as an Efficient Flame Retardant for Poly(lactic acid)
Authors: Decsov Kata Enikő , Cserni Viktória , Szolnoki Beáta , Krafcsik Olga , Bocz Katalin 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe introduction of biobased carbon sources in intumescent flame retardant formulations is extensively explored, particularly for biopolymers such as poly(lactic acid) (PLA). In this work, the flame retardant efficiency of alginate, a favorable renewable charring agent candidate, is enhanced by chemical modification with a phosphorus‐ and silicon‐containing compound and subsequent coagulation in the presence of Ca2+ ions. The simultaneous presence of P and Si atoms in the reactive compound is shown to be an effective way to avoid thermal stability issues related to the biobased carbohydrate. The newly synthesized PSilAlg additive boosts the flame‐retardant effectiveness of ammonium‐polyphosphate (APP) at low loadings. Adding 5 wt% PSilAlg to 15 wt% APP containing PLA composite increases the limiting oxygen index from 26.0 to 34.0 vol% and decreases the total heat emission during combustion by 46%, accompanied by significantly (by 66%) reduced smoke production. The outstanding flame retardant performance of PSilAlg is attributed to the high amount and thermally stable carbonaceous fire‐protecting layer that forms as a result of the enhanced charring, catalyzed by the high oxidation state P, and the strengthening mechanism of inorganic silicates and calcium salts.
Wong–Zakai approximation for a stochastic 2D Cahn–Hilliard–Navier–Stokes model
Authors: Medjo T. Tachim 
Published: July 2024

AbstractIn this paper, we demonstrate the Wong–Zakai approximation results for two dimensional stochastic Cahn–Hilliard–Navier–Stokes model. The model consists of a Navier–Stokes system coupled with convective Cahn–Hilliard equations. It describes the motion of an incompressible isothermal mixture of two (partially) immiscible fluids under the influence of multiplicative noise. Our main result describes the support of the distribution of solutions. As in [2], both inclusions are proved by means of a general Wong–Zakai type result of convergence in probability for nonlinear stochastic PDEs driven by a Hilbert‐valued Brownian motion and some adapted finite‐dimensional approximation of this process. Note that the coupling between the Navier–Stokes system and the Cahn–Hilliard equations makes the analysis more involved.
Molecular Interaction Mechanisms Between Lubricant‐Infused Slippery Surfaces and Mussel‐Inspired Polydopamine Adhesive and DOPA Moiety
Authors: Li Sijia , Zhao Ziqian , Wang Jingyi , Xie Lei , Pan Mingfei , Wu Feiyi , Hu Ying , Liu Jifang , Zeng Hongbo 
Published: July 2024

AbstractLubricant‐infused slippery surfaces have recently emerged as promising antifouling coatings, showing potential against proteins, cells, and marine mussels. However, a comprehensive understanding of the molecular binding behaviors and interaction strength of foulants to these surfaces is lacking. In this work, mussel‐inspired chemistry based on catechol‐containing chemicals including 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) and polydopamine (PDA) is employed to investigate the antifouling performance and repellence mechanisms of fluorinated‐based slippery surface, and the correlated interaction mechanisms are probed using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Intermolecular force measurements and deposition experiments between PDA and the surface reveal the ability of lubricant film to inhibit the contact of PDA particles with the substrate. Moreover, the binding mechanisms and bond dissociation energy between a single DOPA moiety and the lubricant‐infused slippery surface are quantitatively investigated employing single‐molecule force spectroscopy based on AFM (SM‐AFM), which reveal that the infused lubricant layer can remarkably influence the dissociation forces and weaken the binding strength between DOPA and underneath per‐fluorinated monolayer surface. This work provides new nanomechanical insights into the fundamental antifouling mechanisms of the lubricant‐infused slippery surfaces against mussel‐derived adhesive chemicals, with important implications for the design of lubricant‐infused materials and other novel antifouling platforms for various bioengineering and engineering applications.
Guarding the lifeline: A game‐theoretical approach to combating emergency supplies counterfeits
Authors: Wang Yue , Liu Ming 
Published: July 2024

AbstractAfter emergency incidents, the issue of emergency supplies counterfeiting persists. Relying solely on government intervention often falls short of preventing fraud related to emergency supplies counterfeiting. Hence, this paper explores a new anti‐counterfeiting approach for emergency supplies, led by the government with legitimate manufacturers' support, and establishes a differential game model based on consumer demand, legitimate manufacturers reputation, and anti‐counterfeiting efforts. Upon exploring the anti‐counterfeiting efforts and benefits for two participants, and systems in three scenarios, we find that system benefits, legitimate manufacturer reputation, and respective gains for both participants are the highest in the collaboration scenario. However, compared with a no‐cost‐sharing scenario, the cost‐sharing scenario achieves a Pareto improvement in both social welfare and legitimate manufacturer benefits, with the government choosing to share a portion of the anti‐counterfeiting cost for legitimate manufacturers only under certain conditions.
Development of a two‐dimensional bipolar electrochemistry technique for high throughput corrosion screening
Authors: Zhou Yiqi , Engelberg Dirk Lars 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBipolar electrochemistry allows testing and analysing the crevice corrosion, pitting corrosion, passivation, general corrosion, and cathodic deposition reactions on one sample after a single experiment. A novel two‐dimensional bipolar electrochemistry setup is designed using two orthogonal feeder electrode arrangements, allowing corrosion screening tests across a far wider potential range with a smooth potential gradient to be assessed. This two‐dimensional bipolar electrochemistry setup was applied here to simultaneously measure for the simultaneous measurement of the nucleation and propagation of pitting and crevice corrosion under a broad range of applied potential on type 420 stainless steel, which has a very short localised corrosion induction time. It reduces the error from corrosion induction to corrosion competition, and all pits and crevice corrosion have no lacy cover. Results show crevice corrosion can gain current density and easier to support its nucleation and propagation at different potential regions more easily than pitting corrosion.
Stability analysis of patient‐specific 4DCT‐ and 4DCBCT‐based correspondence models
Authors: Büttgen Laura Esther , Werner René , Gauer Tobias 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackgroundSurrogate‐based motion compensation in stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) strongly relies on a constant relationship between an external breathing signal and the internal tumor motion over the course of treatment, that is, a stable patient‐specific correspondence model.PurposeThis study aims to develop methods for analyzing the stability of correspondence models by integrating planning 4DCT and pretreatment 4D cone‐beam computed tomography (4DCBCT) data and assessing the relation to patient‐specific clinical parameters.MethodsFor correspondence modeling, a regression‐based approach is applied, correlating patient‐specific internal motion (vector fields computed by deformable image registration) and external breathing signals (recorded by Varian's RPM and RGSC system). To analyze correspondence model stability, two complementary methods are proposed. (1) Target volume‐based analysis: 4DCBCT‐based correspondence models predict clinical target volumes (GTV and internal target volume [ITV]) within the planning 4DCT, which are evaluated by overlap and distance measures (Dice similarity coefficient [DSC]/average symmetric surface distance [ASSD]). (2) System matrix‐based analysis: 4DCBCT‐based regression models are compared to 4DCT‐based models using mean squared difference (MSD) and principal component analysis of the system matrices. Stability analysis results are correlated with clinical parameters. Both methods are applied to a dataset of 214 pretreatment 4DCBCT scans (Varian TrueBeam) from a cohort of 46 lung tumor patients treated with ITV‐based SBRT (planning 4DCTs acquired with Siemens AS Open and SOMATOM go.OPEN Pro CT scanners).ResultsConsistent results across the two complementary analysis approaches (Spearman correlation coefficient of between system matrix‐based MSD and GTV‐based DSC/ASSD) were observed. Analysis showed that stability was not predominant, with 114/214 fraction‐wise models not surpassing a threshold of for the GTV, and only 14/46 patients demonstrating a in all fractions. Model stability did not degrade over the course of treatment. The mean GTV‐based DSC is (mean ASSD of ) and the respective ITV‐based DSC is (mean ASSD of ). The clinical parameters showed a strong correlation between smaller tumor motion ranges and increased stability.ConclusionsThe proposed methods identify patients with unstable correspondence models prior to each treatment fraction, serving as direct indicators for the necessity of replanning and adaptive treatment approaches to account for internal–external motion variations throughout the course of treatment.
The association between different levels of depression and overactive bladder: A cross‐sectional study of the 2005–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Authors: Li Muwei , Xu Mingming , Zhou Hang , Pan Yang , Liu Xiaoqiang 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackgroundThere is growing evidence of a possible correlation between depression and overactive bladder (OAB). However, few studies have classified depression according to its severity. Whether there is an association between different levels of depression and OAB symptoms remains unclear.MethodsParticipants with complete information about depression, OAB, and covariates in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005–2018 were included in this study. Depression symptoms were assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire‐9. OAB symptoms were evaluated by the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score. Weighted multivariate logistic regression models were applied to analyze the relationship between depression and OAB.ResultsA total of 30 359 participants were included in this study, consisting of 6245 OAB patients and 24 114 non‐OAB participants. The multivariate logistic regression suggested depression independently correlated with OAB (odds ratio [OR] = 2.764, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.429–3.146, p < 0.001). Further, mild (OR = 2.355, 95% CI = 2.111–2.627, p < 0.001), moderate (OR = 3.262, 95% CI = 2.770–3.841, p < 0.001), and moderately severe to severe depression (OR = 3.927, 95% CI = 3.246–4.752, p < 0.001) were all associated with OAB. Additionally, depression was also correlated with urgency urinary incontinence (OR = 2.249, 95% CI = 1.986–2.548, p < 0.001) and nocturia (OR = 2.166, 95% CI = 1.919–2.446, p < 0.001).ConclusionThis study indicated different levels of depression, even mild depression, were independent risk factors for OAB. Given the frequent coexistence and potential interactions between depression and OAB, clinicians should be aware of the importance of assessing both physical and psychological symptoms in these patients. Early diagnosis and holistic treatment may improve the treatment outcomes, particularly for those suffering from both conditions.
Ultra‐low‐field magnetic resonance angiography at 0.05 T: A preliminary study
Authors: Su Shi , Hu Jiahao , Ding Ye , Zhang Junhao , Lau Vick , Zhao Yujiao , Wu Ed X. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractWe aim to explore the feasibility of head and neck time‐of‐flight (TOF) magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) at ultra‐low‐field (ULF). TOF MRA was conducted on a highly simplified 0.05 T MRI scanner with no radiofrequency (RF) and magnetic shielding. A flow‐compensated three‐dimensional (3D) gradient echo (GRE) sequence with a tilt‐optimized nonsaturated excitation RF pulse, and a flow‐compensated multislice two‐dimensional (2D) GRE sequence, were implemented for cerebral artery and vein imaging, respectively. For carotid artery and jugular vein imaging, flow‐compensated 2D GRE sequences were utilized with venous and arterial blood presaturation, respectively. MRA was performed on young healthy subjects. Vessel‐to‐background contrast was experimentally observed with strong blood inflow effect and background tissue suppression. The large primary cerebral arteries and veins, carotid arteries, jugular veins, and artery bifurcations could be identified in both raw GRE images and maximum intensity projections. The primary brain and neck arteries were found to be reproducible among multiple examination sessions. These preliminary experimental results demonstrated the possibility of artery TOF MRA on low‐cost 0.05 T scanners for the first time, despite the extremely low MR signal. We expect to improve the quality of ULF TOF MRA in the near future through sequence development and optimization, ongoing advances in ULF hardware and image formation, and the use of vascular T1 contrast agents.
Enhanced microwave absorption and mechanical performance of polyvinylidene fluoride thin films embedded with novel activated carbon and manganese ferrite
Authors: Amudhu L. B. Thamil , Samsingh R. Vimal , Florence S. Esther , Thangarasu Vinoth 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThin composite films hold great promise for microwave devices for microwave absorption. This work mainly focuses on the investigation of the microwave absorption and mechanical studies of a composite thin film of activated carbon and manganese ferrite as conductive fillers within a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) matrix. The production of activated carbon was successfully accomplished using a pyrolysis technique. Composite films consisting of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and activated carbon‐manganese ferrite were fabricated using a solution blending method. The composite films maintained a consistent concentration of activated carbon at 5 wt%. The characterization of the materials was conducted using scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction. The composite consists of 3 wt% of MnFe2O4 and 5 wt% Activated carbon/PVDF showed exceptional absorption properties and achieved a minimum reflection loss of around −38 dB at a frequency of 8–12 GHz at a thickness of 2 mm. Significantly, the composite film exhibited a greater tensile strength than the PVDF film. The results of our study highlighted the enhanced microwave absorption and economical manufacturing technique for producing composite films. These films exhibit promising microwave‐absorbing properties in stealth applications.Highlights
A facile strategy to fabricate thin film PVDF composites was proposed.
Novel activated carbon was synthesized to enhance the conductivity.
Achieved reflection loss of around −38 dB at a frequency of 8–12 GHz.
Synergistic effects of fillers enhanced dielectric and magnetic losses.
Exhibited efficient mechanical performance and microwave absorption.
Tribological behavior of poly(ether ether ketone)/synthetic Eucommia rubber composites
Authors: Pei Qianyao , Pei Xianqiang , Yu Zihui , Wang Yan , Zhang Zhancheng , Wang Qihua , Wang Tingmei 
Published: July 2024

AbstractOur previous study (Polymer Composites 2023, 44: 1252–1263) revealed the positive role of rubber in modifying the tribological properties of polymer composites. This concept was applied here by incorporating synthetic Eucommia rubber (TPI) to 3D printed polyether ether ketone (PEEK) skeletons with different infill densities. The formation of TPI/PEEK composite improved the friction and wear of PEEK matrix with some reduction in mechanical performance. The composite with 70% infill density is recommended in terms of its overall performance. Based on the morphological and chemical analysis, the composite's wear mechanism was discussed. The findings of this present study could pave a new route to modify friction‐reduction and anti‐wear performance of PEEK.Highlights
Novel composites were successfully prepared from thermodynamically incompatible synthetic Eucommia rubber (TPI) and polyether ether ketone (PEEK).
The tribological properties of TPI/PEEK composites were studied in association with the infill density of PEEK.
The TPI rubber helped improve the friction and wear properties of PEEK thanks to its role in enhancing the formation of transfer films on the counter steel surface.
Effects of exercise on bone density and physical performance in postmenopausal women: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Hsu Hsin‐Hui , Chiu Ching‐Ya , Chen Wei‐Chen , Yang Yea‐Ru , Wang Ray‐Yau 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackgroundPostmenopausal bone loss and decreased physical performance are commonly presented issues. This study aimed through systematic review and meta‐analysis to examine the benefits of adding exercise to medicine/supplements in postmenopausal women.MethodsA systematic search was conducted of four electronic databases for articles published from inception to December 2023. Clinical controlled trials comparing the effect of additional exercise and medicine/supplements alone in postmenopausal women were included. The outcomes studied were bone mineral density (BMD) and physical performance. The quality of evidence was evaluated by the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE).ResultsNineteen articles with 1249 participants were included in this study for systematic review and meta‐analysis. The results showed that additional exercise was not associated with significantly improved BMD at the lumbar spine and hip joint compared with medicine/supplements only. However, results of subgroup analysis of exercise types showed a significant improvement in lumbar spine BMD by combining multiple types of exercise training (SMD = 0.37; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.01–0.72; p = .04). Furthermore, additional exercise significantly improved lower extremity muscle strength (Standard Mean Difference [SMD] = 1.77; 95% CI = 0.56–2.98; p = .004), Berg's Balance Scale (SMD = 0.72; 95% CI = 0.12–1.32; p = .02), Timed Up and Go (SMD = −1.07; 95% CI = −1.35–−0.78; p < .001), fear of falling (SMD = 1.32; 95% CI = 0.89–1.75; p < .001), and the quality of life (SMD = 1.39; 95% CI = 0.74–2.05; p < .001). The quality level of the evidence was between low to very low.ConclusionsThe significant value of the exercise was demonstrated through enhancing physical performance and quality of life. Moreover, combining various exercise training programs has shown a positive effect on BMD at the lumbar spine. Therefore, for postmenopausal women, combining exercise with medicine/supplements is recommended to further improve physical function and specific areas of BMD. (PROSPERO: CRD42023390633).
Design, synthesis and biological activity evaluation of eco‐friendly rosin‐based fungicides for sustainable crop protection
Authors: Xu Renle , Kong Yue , Lou Yuhang , Wu Jiaying , Gao Yanqing , Shang Shibin , Song Zhanqian , Song Jie , Li Jian 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBACKGROUNDUtilizing fungicides to protect crops from diseases is an effective method, and novel eco‐friendly plant‐derived fungicides with high efficiency and low toxicity are urgent requirements for sustainable crop protection.RESULTTwo series of rosin‐based fungicides (totally 35) were designed and synthesized. In vitro fungicidal activity revealed that Compound 6a (Co. 6a) effectively inhibited the growth of Valsa mali [median effective concentration (EC50) = 0.627 μg mL−1], and in vivo fungicidal activity suggested a significant protective efficacy of Co. 6a in protecting both apple branches (35.12% to 75.20%) and apples (75.86% to 90.82%). Quantum chemical calculations (via density functional theory) results indicated that the primary active site of Co. 6a lies in its amide structure. Mycelial morphology and physiology were investigated to elucidate the mode‐of‐action of Co. 6a, and suggested that Co. 6a produced significant cell membrane damage, accelerated electrolyte leakage, decreased succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) protein activity, and impaired physiological and biochemical functions, culminating in mycelial mortality. Molecular docking analysis revealed a robust binding energy (ΔE = −7.29 kcal mol−1) between Co. 6a and SDH. Subsequently, biosafety evaluations confirmed the environmentally‐friendly nature of Co. 6a via the zebrafish model, yet toxicological results indicated that Co. 6a at median lethal concentration [LC50(96)] damaged the gills, liver and intestines of zebrafish.CONCLUSIONThe above research offers a theoretical foundation for exploiting eco‐friendly rosin‐based fungicidal candidates in sustainable crop protection. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Robust adaptive optimal trajectory tracking control for underactuated AUVs with position and velocity constraints in three‐dimensional space
Authors: Gong Huibin , Er Meng Joo , Liu Yi 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe safety and optimality of underactuated autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) during operations are essential factors to consider. In this context, a three‐dimensional robust adaptive optimal trajectory tracking control method under position and velocity constraints, unknown dynamics, and environmental disturbances is proposed. The main features of the method are: (1) The outputs of an underactuated AUV system are redefined to handle the underactuation problem. (2) The system with position and velocity constraints is transformed into an unconstrained system by a nonlinear state‐dependent transformation. (3) A critic‐identifier architecture is constructed using adaptive dynamic programming and neural networks in a backstepping framework. Specifically, critic networks and weight update laws without requiring initial stability control are designed to solve Hamilton‐Jacobi‐Bellman equations in kinematic and dynamic subsystems, and optimal virtual and actual control laws are obtained. (4) A neural network identifier is developed to estimate unknown dynamics. Disturbances are overcome by improving the cost function and solving for optimal control of the nominal dynamic subsystem. By stability analysis, tracking errors in the AUV closed‐loop system can converge to an arbitrarily small compact set of the origin, and the other signals are uniformly ultimately bounded. Simulation comparisons demonstrate the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed method.