bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Two‐Step Conversion of Metal and Metal Oxide Precursor Films to 2D Transition Metal Dichalcogenides and Heterostructures
Authors: Altvater Michael , Muratore Christopher , Snure Michael , Glavin Nicholas R. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe widely studied class of two‐dimensional (2D) materials known as transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are now well‐poised to be employed in real‐world applications ranging from electronic logic and memory devices to gas and biological sensors. Several scalable thin film synthesis techniques have demonstrated nanoscale control of TMD material thickness, morphology, structure, and chemistry and correlated these properties with high‐performing, application‐specific device metrics. In this review, the particularly versatile two‐step conversion (2SC) method of TMD film synthesis is highlighted. The 2SC technique relies on deposition of a solid metal or metal oxide precursor material, followed by a reaction with a chalcogen vapor at an elevated temperature, converting the precursor film to a crystalline TMD. Herein, the variables at each step of the 2SC process including the impact of the precursor film material and deposition technique, the influence of gas composition and temperature during conversion, as well as other factors controlling high‐quality 2D TMD synthesis are considered. The specific advantages of the 2SC approach including deposition on diverse substrates, low‐temperature processing, orientation control, and heterostructure synthesis, among others, are featured. Finally, emergent opportunities that take advantage of the 2SC approach are discussed to include next‐generation electronics, sensing, and optoelectronic devices, as well as catalysis for energy‐related applications.
Programmable, Self‐Healable, and Photochromic Liquid Crystal Elastomers Based on Dynamic Hindered Urea Bonds for Biomimetic Flowers
Authors: Xu Zhentian , Zhu Yangyang , Ai Yun , Zhou Dan , Wu Feiyan , Li Chunquan , Chen Lie 
Published: May 2024

AbstractRecently, researchers have been exploring the use of dynamic covalent bonds (DCBs) in the construction of exchangeable liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) for biomimetic actuators and devices. However, a significant challenge remains in achieving LCEs with both excellent dynamic properties and superior mechanical strength and stability. In this study, a diacrylate‐functionalized monomer containing dynamic hindered urea bonds (DA‐HUB) is employed to prepare exchangeable LCEs through a self‐catalytic Michael addition reaction. By incorporating DA‐HUB, the LCE system benefits from DCBs and hydrogen bonding, leading to materials with high mechanical strength and a range of dynamic properties such as programmability, self‐healing, and recyclability. Leveraging these characteristics, bilayer LCE actuators with controlled reversible thermal deformation and outstanding dimensional stability are successfully fabricated using a simple welding method. Moreover, a biomimetic triangular plum, inspired by the blooming of flowers, is created to showcase reversible color and shape changes triggered by light and heat. This innovative approach opens new possibilities for the development of biomimetic and smart actuators and devices with multiple functionalities.
Realizing Outstanding Energy Storage Performance in KBT‐Based Lead‐Free Ceramics via Suppressing Space Charge Accumulation
Authors: Li Yexin , Chang Ziliang , Zhang Manlin , Zhu Mankang , Zheng Mupeng , Hou Yudong , Zhou Qiyuan , Chao Xiaolian , Yang Zupei , Qi He , Chen Jun , Liu Zhaobo , Huang Houbing , Ke Xiaoxing , Sui Manlin 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe great potential of K1/2Bi1/2TiO3 (KBT) for dielectric energy storage ceramics is impeded by its low dielectric breakdown strength, thereby limiting its utilization of high polarization. This study develops a novel composition, 0.83KBT‐0.095Na1/2Bi1/2ZrO3‐0.075 Bi0.85Nd0.15FeO3 (KNBNTF) ceramics, demonstrating outstanding energy storage performance under high electric fields up to 425 kV cm−1: a remarkable recoverable energy density of 7.03 J cm−3, and a high efficiency of 86.0%. The analysis reveals that the superior dielectric breakdown resistance arises from effective mitigation of space charge accumulation at the interface, influenced by differential dielectric and conductance behaviors between grains and grain boundaries. Electric impedance spectra confirm the significant suppression of space charge accumulation in KNBNTF, attributable to the co‐introduction of Na1/2Bi1/2ZrO3 and Bi0.85Nd0.15FeO3. Phase‐field simulations reveal the emergence of a trans‐granular breakdown mode in KNBNTF resulting from the mitigated interfacial polarization, impeding breakdown propagation and increasing dielectric breakdown resistance. Furthermore, KNBNTF exhibits a complex local polarization and enhances the relaxor features, facilitating high field‐induced polarization and establishing favorable conditions for exceptional energy storage performance. Therefore, the proposed strategy is a promising design pathway for tailoring dielectric ceramics in energy storage applications.
Enhanced Charge Transfer in Quasi‐2D Perovskite by Formamidinium Cation Gradient Incorporation for Efficient and Stable Solar Cells
Authors: Ren Dongxu , Li Xing , Zhang Zhao , Chen Xianggang , Liu Zhike , Yang Miao , Mo Yaqi , Li Zhuoxin , Chen Jieqiong , Liu Xuepeng , Dai Songyuan , Cai Molang 
Published: May 2024

AbstractQuasi‐2D perovskites have attracted much attention in perovskite photovoltaics due to their excellent stability. However, their photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) still lags 3D counterparts, particularly with high short‐circuit current (JSC) loss. The quantum confinement effect is pointed out to be the sole reason, which introduces widened bandgap and poor exciton dissociation, and undermines the light capture and charge transport. Here, the gradient incorporation of formamidinium (FA) cations into quasi‐2D perovskite is proposed to address this issue. It is observed that FA prefers to incorporate into the larger n value phases near the film surface compared to the smaller n value phases in the bulk, resulting in a narrow bandgap and gradient structure within the film. Through charge dynamic analysis using in situ light‐dark Kelvin probe force microscopy and transient absorption spectroscopy, it is demonstrated that incorporating 10% FA significantly facilitates efficient charge transfer between low n‐value phases in the bulk and high n‐value nearby film surface, leading to reduced charge accumulation. Ultimately, the device based on (AA)2(MA0.9FA0.1)4Pb5I16, where AA represents n‐amylamine renowned for its exceptional environmental stability as a bulky organic ligand, achieves an impressive power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 18.58% and demonstrates enhanced illumination and thermal stability.
Managing Interfacial Defects and Charge‐Carriers Dynamics by a Cesium‐Doped SnO2 for Air Stable Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Adnan Muhammad , Lee Wonjong , Irshad Zobia , Kim Sunkyu , Yun Siwon , Han Hyeji , Chang Hyo Sik , Lim Jongchul 
Published: May 2024

AbstractA high‐quality nanostructured tin oxide (SnO2) has garnered massive attention as an electron transport layer (ETL) for efficient perovskite solar cells (PSCs). SnO2 is considered the most effective alternative to titanium oxide (TiO2) as ETL because of its low‐temperature processing and promising optical and electrical characteristics. However, some essential modifications are still required to further improve the intrinsic characteristics of SnO2, such as mismatch band alignments, charge extraction, transportation, conductivity, and interfacial recombination losses. Herein, an inorganic‐based cesium (Cs) dopant is used to modify the SnO2 ETL and to investigate the impact of Cs‐dopant in curing interfacial defects, charge‐carrier dynamics, and improving the optoelectronic characteristics of PSCs. The incorporation of Cs contents efficiently improves the perovskite film quality by enhancing the transparency, crystallinity, grain size, and light absorption and reduces the defect states and trap densities, resulting in an improved power conversion efficiency (PCE) of ≈22.1% with Cs:SnO2 ETL, in‐contrast to pristine SnO2‐based PSCs (20.23%). Moreover, the Cs‐modified SnO2‐based PSCs exhibit remarkable environmental stability in a relatively higher relative humidity environment (>65%) and without encapsulation. Therefore, this work suggests that Cs‐doped SnO2 is a highly favorable electron extraction material for preparing highly efficient and air‐stable planar PSCs.
VR23 and Bisdemethoxycurcumin Enhanced Nanofiber Niche with Durable Bidirectional Functions for Promoting Wound Repair and Inhibiting Scar Formation
Authors: Xiang Yu , Fan Beibei , Shang Panpan , Ding Ren , Du Juan , Zhu Tonghe , Zhang Hongmei , Yan Xiaoyu 
Published: May 2024

AbstractChronic wounds pose a significant clinical challenge worldwide, which is characterized by impaired tissue regeneration and excessive scar formation due to over‐repair. Most studies have focused on developing wound repair materials that either facilitate the healing process or control hyperplastic scars caused by over‐repair, respectively. However, there are limited reports on wound materials that can both promote wound healing and prevent scar hyperplasia at the same time. In this study, VR23‐loaded dendritic mesoporous bioglass nanoparticles (dMBG) are synthesized and electrospun in poly(ester‐curcumin‐urethane)urea (PECUU) random composite nanofibers (PCVM) through the synergistic effects of physical adsorption, hydrogen bond, and electrospinning. The physicochemical characterization reveals that PCVM presented matched mechanical properties, suitable porosity, and wettability, and enabled sustained and temporal release of VR23 and BDC with the degradation of PCVM. In vitro experiments demonstrated that PCVM can modulate the functions and polarization of macrophages under an inflammatory environment, and possess effective anti‐scarring potential and reliable cytocompatibility. Animal studies further confirmed that PCVM can efficiently promote re‐epithelialization and angiogenesis and reduce excessive inflammation, thereby remarkably accelerating wound healing while preventing potential scarring. These findings suggest that the prepared PCVM holds promise as a bidirectional regulatory dressing for effectively promoting scar‐free healing of chronic wounds.
Time of day does not impact spinal serotonin levels in humans
Authors: Anand Sharath Kumar , Lavadi Raj S. , Johnston Benjamin R. , Chalif Joshua I. , Scanlon James M. , Wang Weiwen , Agarwal Nitin , Hamilton David K. , Fields Daryl P. , Van't Land Clinton W. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractSpinal serotonin enables neuro‐motor recovery (i.e., plasticity) in patients with debilitating paralysis. While there exists time of day fluctuations in serotonin‐dependent spinal plasticity, it is unknown, in humans, whether this is due to dynamic changes in spinal serotonin levels or downstream signaling processes. The primary objective of this study was to determine if time of day variations in spinal serotonin levels exists in humans. To assess this, intrathecal drains were placed in seven adults with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collected at diurnal (05:00 to 07:00) and nocturnal (17:00 to 19:00) intervals. High performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry was used to quantify CSF serotonin levels with comparisons being made using univariate analysis. From the 7 adult patients, 21 distinct CSF samples were collected: 9 during the diurnal interval and 12 during nocturnal. Diurnal CSF samples demonstrated an average serotonin level of 216.6 67.7 nM. Nocturnal CSF samples demonstrated an average serotonin level of 206.7 75.8 nM. There was no significant difference between diurnal and nocturnal CSF serotonin levels (p = .762). Within this small cohort of spine healthy adults, there were no differences in diurnal versus nocturnal spinal serotonin levels. These observations exclude spinal serotonin levels as the etiology for time of day fluctuations in serotonin‐dependent spinal plasticity expression.
Artificial Molecular Systems for Complex Functions Based on DNA Nanotechnology and Cell‐Sized Lipid Vesicles
Authors: Sato Yusuke 
Published: May 2024

AbstractCells are highly functional and complex molecular systems. Artificially creating such systems remains a challenge, which has been extensively studied in various research fields, including synthetic biology and molecular robotics. DNA nanotechnology is a powerful tool for bottom‐up engineering for constructing functional nanostructures or chemical reaction networks which can be utilized as components for artificial molecular systems. Encapsulation of these components into a giant unilamellar vesicle (GUV) composed of a lipid bilayer, the base structure of the cellular membrane, results in a functional cell‐sized structure that partially mimics some cellular functions. This review discusses the studies contributing to the construction of GUV‐based artificial molecular systems based on DNA nanotechnology. Molecular transport and signal transduction through lipid membranes are essential to uptake molecules from the environment and respond to stimuli. Membrane shaping relates to various functions, including motility and signaling. A chemical reaction network is required to autonomously regulate the system‘s functions. This review describes the functions realized using DNA nanostructures and DNA reaction networks. Given the designability and programmability of DNA nanotechnology, it may be possible that the functionality of artificial molecular systems could be comparable to or even surpass that of natural molecular systems.
Geographic disparities in thyroid cancer staging at presentation: Insights from an Australian context
Authors: Yang Zihao M. , Tong Chai W. , Bhimani Nazim , O’Neill Christine J. , Lai Christine S. L. , Serpell Jonathan W. , Glover Anthony R. 
Published: May 2024

SummaryBackgroundThyroid cancer diagnoses have increased over recent decades at a rate much higher than that of any other cancer in Australia. Rural patients are known to have reduced access to healthcare and may have different thyroid cancer presentation rates. This study examined the relationship between thyroid cancer diagnosis and patient rurality.MethodsData from the Australia and New Zealand Thyroid Cancer Registry from 2017 to 2022 were analyzed, stratifying patient postcodes into rurality groups using the Australian Statistical Geography Standard. The American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines were used to stratify risk categories and management to compare treatment adequacy between the groups. Statistical analysis assessed demographic, clinical, and management differences.ResultsAmong 1766 patients, 70.6% were metropolitan (metro) and 29.4% were non‐metropolitan (non‐metro). Non‐metro patients were older at diagnosis (median 56 vs. 50 years, p < 0.001), presented more frequently with T stage greater than 1 (stage 2–4, 41.9% vs. 34.8%, and p = 0.005), AJCC stage greater than 1 (stage 2–4, 18.5% vs. 14.6%, and p = 0.019), and cancers larger than 4 cm (14.3% vs. 9.9%, p = 0.005). No significant differences in treatment adequacy were observed between the groups for ATA low‐risk cancers.ConclusionsNon‐metropolitan patients in the registry present with more advanced thyroid cancer, possibly due to differences in healthcare access. Further research should assess long‐term survival outcomes and influencing factors. Understanding the impact on patient outcomes and addressing healthcare access barriers can optimize thyroid cancer care across geographic regions in Australia.
Measuring water poverty based on SDG 6
Authors: Acosta‐González H. Nicolás , Chafla Pablo 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 refers to ensuring access to water and sanitation for all. This study develops alternatives for calculating a water poverty measure based on SDG 6. We use ENEMDU, which is a quarterly labor market survey that only for March 2019 incorporates a Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) module. An innovative feature of this survey is that it includes information about water quality at the point of use as well as information about quality at the point of collection. Water poverty is assessed based on four dimensions: (i) safety, (ii) sanitation, (iii) hygiene, and (iv) quality. We use three different approaches to calculate our water poverty measures; the first is a deprivation approach, and the other two incorporate different weighting methods. The results indicate that our water poverty measures are highly correlated with each other (above 0.95); moreover, they are correlated with other poverty measures and social and health variables. People in water poverty are mostly racial minorities, have lower educational attainment, and are more likely to belong to the lower quintiles of income distribution This indicates that our water poverty measures are signs of poverty and deprivation in a broader sense.
Brill–Noether Theory of Stable Vector Bundles on Ruled Surfaces
Authors: Costa L. , Macías Tarrío Irene 
Published: May 2024

AbstractLet X be a ruled surface over a nonsingular curve C of genus $$g\ge 0.$$

g
≥
0
.

Let $$M_H:=M_{X,H}(2;c_1,c_2)$$

M
H

:
=

M

X
,
H

(
2
;

c
1

,

c
2

)

be the moduli space of H-stable rank 2 vector bundles E on X with fixed Chern classes $$c_i:=c_i(E)$$

c
i

:
=

c
i

(
E
)

for $$i=1,2.$$

i
=
1
,
2
.

The main goal of this paper is to contribute to a better understanding of the geometry of the moduli space $$M_H$$

M
H

in terms of its Brill–Noether locus $$W_H^k(2;c_1,c_2),$$

W
H
k

(
2
;

c
1

,

c
2

)

,

whose points correspond to stable vector bundles in $$M_H$$

M
H

having at least k independent sections. We deal with the non-emptiness of this Brill–Noether locus, getting in most of the cases sharp bounds for the values of k such that $$W_H^k(2;c_1,c_2)$$

W
H
k

(
2
;

c
1

,

c
2

)

is non-empty.
Evolutionary equations are G-compact
Authors: Burazin Krešimir , Erceg Marko , Waurick Marcus 
Published: May 2024

AbstractWe prove a compactness result related to G-convergence for autonomous evolutionary equations in the sense of Picard. Compared to previous work related to applications, we do not require any boundedness or regularity of the underlying spatial domain; nor do we assume any periodicity or ergodicity assumption on the potentially oscillatory part. In terms of abstract evolutionary equations, we remove any compactness assumptions of the resolvent modulo kernel of the spatial operator. To achieve the results, we introduced a slightly more general class of material laws. As a by-product, we also provide a criterion for G-convergence for time-dependent equations solely in terms of static equations.
Multi-objective branch-and-bound for the design-for-control of water distribution networks with global bounds
Authors: Ulusoy Aly-Joy , Stoianov Ivan 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThis study investigates a design-for-control (DfC) problem formulation for the joint minimization of pressure-induced leakage, maximization of resilience, and minimization of cost in water distribution networks (WDN). The DfC problem, which consists in simultaneously installing new valves and/or pipes and optimizing valve control settings, results in a challenging optimization problem belonging to the class of non-convex multi-objective mixed-integer non-linear programs (MOMINLP). Due to their complex mathematical structure, multi-objective WDN design-for-control problems have previously been solved using general-purpose evolutionary algorithms or local deterministic methods, which do not provide guarantees on the quality of the returned solutions. While branch-and-bound (BB) frameworks have been proposed to approximate the Pareto fronts of MOMINLPs with global bounds, they rely on the availability of attainable solutions which, for WDN design-for-control problems, can be hard to identify. Moreover, in the absence of general-purpose solvers, the performance of multi-objective BB implementations depends, for a given application, on the choice of adequate branching and lower bounding strategies. In this study, we investigate a multi-objective BB algorithm based on tailored branching, lower bounding and additional upper bounding strategies to efficiently approximate the Pareto front of WDN design-for-control problems with bounds of $$\epsilon$$
ϵ
-non-dominance. The proposed algorithm is applied to the optimal DfC of two case study networks and is shown to outperform alternative solution methods.
Lightworks, a scientific research framework for the design of stiffened composite-panel structures using gradient-based optimization
Authors: Dähne Sascha , Werthen Edgar , Zerbst David , Tönjes Lennart , Traub Hendrik , Hühne Christian 
Published: May 2024

AbstractEfficient structural optimization remains integral in advancing lightweight structures, particularly concerning the mitigation of environmental impact in air transportation systems. Varying levels of detail prove useful for different applications and design phases. The lightworks framework presents a modular approach, for the consideration of individual design parameterizations and structural solvers for the numerical optimization of thin-walled structures. The framework provides the combination of lightweight fibre composite design and the incorporation of stiffeners for a gradient-based optimization process. Therefore, an analytical stiffener formulation is implemented in combination with different continuous composite material parameterizations. This approach allows the analysis of local buckling modes, as well as the consideration of load redistribution between stringer and skin. The flexibility achieved in this way allows a tailored configuration of the optimization problem to the required level of complexity. A verification of the framework’s implementation is carried out using established literature results of a simplified unstiffened wing box structure, where a very good agreement is shown. The accessibility of solvers with different fidelity through a generic solver interface is demonstrated. Furthermore, the usage of the implemented continuous composite parameterizations as design variables is compared in terms of computational performance and mass, providing different advantages and disadvantages. Finally, introducing stringer into the wing box use case demonstrates a 38% mass reduction, showcasing the potential of the inline optimization of stiffeners.