bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of neck pain and its associated factors in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol
Authors: Mukhtar Naziru Bashir , Ibrahim Aminu Alhassan , Mohammed Jibril 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionNeck pain is one of the most prevalent musculoskeletal pain conditions with multifactorial impact including pain, disability and reduced quality of life. To the best of our knowledge, no systematic review and meta-analysis is available to provide reliable data on the pooled prevalence of neck pain and its associated factors in Africa. Thus, the objective of this study is to describe a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis on the prevalence of neck pain and its associated factors in Africa.MethodsThis systematic review protocol has been designed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols (PRISMA-P). A systematic search will be conducted among six key electronic databases including PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, African Journals Online, EMBASE, CINAHL and Web of Science, from inception onwards. Population-based cross-sectional studies reporting prevalence of neck pain in the African continent will be included. The primary outcome will be the prevalence of neck pain, whereas the secondary outcomes will be the factors associated with neck pain prevalence. Two independent reviewers will screen the titles/abstracts and relevant full-text articles of potentially relevant studies. Data from eligible studies will be extracted using a customised data extraction form. The risk of bias and methodological quality of the included studies will be assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale and critical appraisal tool, respectively. A narrative synthesis will be used to summarise the prevalence estimates of neck pain and associated factors. However, if feasible, random-effects meta-analysis will be conducted with Revman V.5.4 software. Additionally, subgroup, sensitivity and publication bias analyses will be conducted.DiscussionThis will be the first systematic review and meta-analysis to systematically identify and synthesise available literature on the prevalence of neck pain and its associated factors in Africa. The results of this review may assist health professionals and policymakers to plan and implement evidence-based strategies that will lessen the burden of neck pain.Ethics and disseminationData from previously published studies will be collected and analysed and hence ethical approval will not be sought for this study. The results of this review will be disseminated through publication in a peer-reviewed academic journal and presentation at relevant academic conferences.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42021273585.
Design of quasiperiodic magnetic superlattices and domain walls supporting bound states
Authors: Castillo-Celeita Miguel , Contreras-Astorga Alonso , Fernández C. David J. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractWe study the simplest Lamé magnetic superlattice in graphene, finding its allowed and forbidden energy bands and band-edge states explicitly. Then, we design quasiperiodic magnetic superlattices supporting bound states using Darboux transformations. This technique enables us to add any finite number of bound states, which we exemplify with the most straightforward cases of one and two bound states in the designed spectrum. The topics of magnetic superlattices and domain walls in gapped graphene turn out to be connected by a unitary transformation in the limit of significantly large oscillation periods. We show that the generated quasiperiodic magnetic superlattices are also linked to domain walls, with the bound states keeping their nature in such a limit.
(Invited) Optical Investigation of Single Nanographenes
Authors: Liu Thomas , Medina Lopez Daniel , Osella Silvio , Levy-Falk Hugo , Rondin Loïc , Beljonne David , Campidelli Stephane , Lauret Js 
Published: September 2023

Carbon based light emitters ranging from small organic molecules to carbon nanotubes have been subject of a great attention in the framework of diverse applications such as optoelectronics, bio-imaging, and quantum technologies. In this context, graphene quantum dots (GQD) whose size is between that of small polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon molecules and of carbon nanotubes, have important assets. In particular the complete control of the structure allowed by their synthesis through bottom-up chemistry opens the way to a wide customization of their electronic, optical, and spin properties [1-3].
The full benefit from these opportunities requires addressing GQD’s intrinsic photophysical properties. To do so, single molecule photoluminescence experiment is a powerful tool [4-6]. Nevertheless, until now, GQDs faced a problem of solubility that has complexified both the study of their intrinsic properties and their use for applications. In this presentation, we will report on the study of new structures that show a quasi-perfect solubility. We will show how this breakthrough allows us studying in depth their photophysics. Finally, we will see that the theoretical predictions of the evolution of the electronic properties of the GQDs with their structure are fully confirmed by the experiments.
[1] M. G. Debije, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2004, 126, 4641
[2] X. Yan, X. Cui, and L.-s. Li, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2010 132, 5944
[3] A. Konishi et al, J. Am.
Chem. Soc. 2010, 132, 11021
[4] S. Zhao et al, Nature Communications, 2018, 9, 3470
[5] T. Liu et al, Nanoscale, 14, 3826 – 3833 (2022)
[6] T. Liu et al, Journal of Chemical Physics 156, 104302 (2022)
[7] D. Medina-Lopez et al, in preparation
(Invited) Multiphysics Model of the sSNOM Spectroscopy: Can Near-Field Probes Report the Spectrum of Nanomaterials?
Authors: Rotkin Slava V. 
Published: September 2023

Last decade has been celebrated with a substantial increase of publications on imaging of nanomaterials with near-field probes. The latter include Tip-Enhanced Raman and/or Photoluminescence Spectroscopy (TERS/TEPL), various near-infrared (NIR) Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) based methods, and several scattering Scanning Near-field optical methods (sSNOM). Using various coherent sources, often tunable in terms of excitation, these methods produce high spatial resolution images – near-field scanning maps, in terms of a pixel size claimed to be limited only by the size of the scanning tip.
By design, TERS/TEPL detects a spectral response at each point of a map, which is, naively speaking, gives us a local probe of optical material properties within a single pixel (at the fixed excitation wavelength). NIR-AFM and sSNOM (leaving aside the FTIR mode) allow to obtain quasi-spectral information by tweaking the excitation. In this case, the collected (elastic) signal is restricted to the wavelength of the excitation.
The essence of the near-field method is in breaking the laws of a plane-wave reflection from the sample, which requires a sub-wavelength separation between the tip and the sample and a strong enough near-field coupling between those. Still, it is routinely assumed that the tip is an “ideal probe” and its role is to “channel” the information about the local optical response to the detector. Up to date, little is known about the spectral response of the tip-sample system from the perspective of quantum physics.
In this work, several aspects of the problem: mechanical motion of the scanning tip, electrodynamics of the excitation/scattered light, and quantum solid state description of the sample
and
the tip – are combined to obtain, within a simple model, a full picture of the near-field detection. The results, though not general and limited by the simplicity of model used for the sake of clarity of derivation, shed the light on the spectral response of a typical near-field microscope and describe effects, earlier called “artifacts”, as natural response for coupled tip-sample elementary excitations. Lastly, an application of the model for an analysis of spectra of nBN heteronanotubes (Y. Feng, et.al, ACS Nano 15, 5600, 2021) will be presented.

Acknowledgement: This work has been partially supported by NSF MRSEC (DMR-2011839).
Fig. 1. (left) Amplitude and phase of the near-field optical signal vs. the optical frequency: S(ω). (right) Same optical amplitude and phase vs. ω and the phase of mechanical motion of an AFM tip.

Figure 1
(Invited) Quantifying Long-Range Exciton Energy Transfer in Carbon Nanotube Polariton Microcavities
Authors: Arnold Michael S. 
Published: September 2023

In Ref. 1 and at the Spring 2022 ECS B03 Symposium on Carbon Nanotubes, we reported on the long-range energy transfer of excitons from (6,5) to (7,5) carbon nanotubes across an insulating barrier in an optical microcavity, mediated by moderate and strong exciton-photon polariton coupling and measured via two-dimensional, white-light spectroscopy. This talk will present on the alternative use of nanotube-C60 photovoltaic devices embedded in microcavities to quantify the efficiency of this long-range energy transfer and the factors that affect it.
[1] Energy cascades in donor-acceptor exciton-polaritons observed by ultrafast two-dimensional white-light spectroscopy, M. Son, Z.T. Armstrong, R.T Allen, A. Dhavamani, M.S. Arnold, M.T. Zanni, Nature Communications 13, 7305 (2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35046-2
(Third Place Poster Award) Synthesis and Characterization of Block Copolymer Dispersants for Semiconducting Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Oliveras Santos Stephanie , Li Songying (Frederick) , Arnold Michael Scott , Gopalan Padma 
Published: September 2023

To leverage the full potential of the outstanding electronic properties of semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (s-CNTs), it is essential to disperse and sort high purity s-CNTs from a heterogeneous mixture. Due to the inherent insolubility of CNTs, various organic dispersing agents that non-covalently interact with CNTs have been successfully used. These dispersants include small molecule surfactants and aromatic compounds, conjugated polymers, DNA, and polyelectrolytes. Of the macromolecular dispersants, polymers with conjugated backbones are widely studied because they can wrap around or strongly adsorb on CNTs to create very stable dispersions in organic solvents. Most of these conjugated polymers are based on polythiophenes or polyfluorenes, which depending on the structure and composition can sort specific chiralities of s-CNTs with over 99.99% semiconducting purity.
In this work, we explore conjugated polymer-based block copolymers for sorting and dispersing s-CNTs. Non-conjugated block copolymer-based dispersants have been reported by us and others with varying degrees of success in aqueous and organic solvents. Here we present our recent studies on the synthesis of ABA triblock copolymer-based CNT dispersants where B is the conjugated block and A is the non-conjugated block. The synthesis of the ABA triblock can be achieved by separately synthesizing the rod segments and the coil segments, each with reactive chain end functionalities, and then coupling the rod segments with the coil segments via reaction of the chain ends using, for example, a click reaction. Alternatively, the rod segment or the coil segment can be synthesized first and used as a macroinitiator for the polymerization of the other segment. Each of these two methods offers some advantages and disadvantages. A series of these ABA triblocks with fixed B block length and varying A block lengths were synthesized and evaluated for their ability to sort and disperse ArcD and HiPCO CNTs. A second series of ABA triblocks with fixed A block lengths but increasing B block lengths were also synthesized. We will present the challenges associated with the synthesis and purification of these block copolymer dispersants. As the middle-conjugated B block wraps around the CNTs, we anticipate the two peripheral A blocks to interact with the organic solvent toluene to further solubilize the CNTs. Our studies show that the presence of the A blocks significantly increases the sorting efficiency while preserving the chirality selectiveness of the B block. As the length of the B block increases, the sorting yields can be significantly improved as well. We further discuss the role of the dispersity of the B block if any on the dispersion of s-CNTs.
(Invited) Flexible Resistive Random-Access Memories Based on Carbon Nanotubes and Their Application for Reservoir Computing
Authors: Ohno Yutaka 
Published: September 2023

Reservoir computing (RC) is one of the machine learning methods derived from a recurrent neural network (RNN) and has attracted attention because of the small amount of computation required for learning. In recent years, various forms of physical RC using nonlinear physical systems such as memristors, optical amplifiers, and soft octopus robots have been proposed for low power consumption and high-speed processing. [1] The physical reservoir system needs non-linearity, high dimensionality, and short-term memory. It has also been shown that transient response currents due to electrochemical reactions and ion migration in solution have the ability of reservoirs [2]. In this study, we report carbon nanotube (CNT)-based resistive random-access memories (ReRAMs) and their application for reservoir computing.
The network-like CNT film is used as electrodes sandwiching a thin (10 nm) HfO2 oxide film to form CNT/HfO2/CNT ReRAMs. The CNT film was synthesized using the floating-catalyst chemical vapor deposition method. Then, the CNT film was transferred onto a plastic substrate. HfO2 was deposited by the atomic layer deposition method onto CNT film. Finally, another layer of CNT film was transferred to form CNT/HfO2/CNT stack. The ReRAM exhibited clear memory behavior with SET and REST voltages around +6 V and –6 V, respectively. The ReRAM can sustain the current level of each state for more than 1 × 104 s and can be predicted to store them for ten years. The ReRAMs also exhibited stable operation under bending stress with a 0.5 cm bending radius.
We used the ReRAMs as a reservoir for reservoir computing. A time-series prediction task called NARMA10, which was often used as a benchmark of reservoir computing, was performed with a normalized mean square error (NMSE) of 0.38. The chaotic motion of a double pendulum was also successfully demonstrated by using the CNT ReRAM-based reservoir.
[1] G. Tanaka et al., Neural Netw. 115, 100 (2019), [2] S. Kan et al., Adv. Sci. 9, 2104076 (2022)
(Invited) 2D-2D Heterostructures Beyond Van Der Waals
Authors: Perez Emilio M 
Published: September 2023

We will describe the covalent grafting of 2H-MoS2 flakes on graphene monolayers embedded in field-effect transistors.[1] A bifunctional molecule was used that features a maleimide and a diazonium functional group, known to connect to sulfide- and carbon-based materials, respectively. MoS2 flakes were first exfoliated, functionalized by reaction with the maleimide moieties, then anchored to graphene through the diazonium groups. This approach enabled the simultaneous functionalization of several devices. The electronic properties of the resulting heterostructure are shown to be dominated by the MoS2–graphene molecular interface.
We will also discuss the journey that has led to these results, including the development of a “click” chemistry reaction for transition metal-dichalcogenides,[2-4] and insights into the covalent patterning of graphene.[5-8]
References:
[1] M. Vázquez Sulleiro, A. Develioglu, R. Quirós-Ovies, L. Martín-Pérez, N. Martín Sabanés, M. L. Gonzalez-Juarez, I. J. Gómez, M. Vera-Hidalgo, V. Sebastián, J. Santamaría, E. Burzurí, E. M. Pérez, “Fabrication of devices featuring covalently linked MoS2–graphene heterostructures.” Nat. Chem. 2022, 14, 695-700.
[2] M. Vera-Hidalgo, E. Giovanelli, C. Navio, E. M. Pérez, “Mild Covalent Functionalization of Transition Metal Dichalcogenides with Maleimides: a “click” reaction for 2H-MoS2 and WS2”, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2019, 141, 3767-3771.
[3] R. Quirós-Ovies, M. Vázquez Sulleiro, M. Vera-Hidalgo, J. Prieto, I. J. Gómez, V. Sebastián, J. Santamaría, E. M. Pérez, “Controlled Covalent Functionalization of 2 H-MoS2 with Molecular or Polymeric Adlayers” Chem. Eur. J. 2020, 26, 6629-6634.
[4] M. Vázquez Sulleiro, R. Quirós-Ovies, M. Vera-Hidalgo, I. J. Gómez, V. Sebastián, J. Santamaría, E. M. Pérez, “Covalent cross-linking of 2H-MoS2 nanosheets”, Chem. Eur. J. 2021, 27, 2993.
[5] J J Navarro, S Leret, F Calleja, D Stradi, A Black, R Bernardo-Gavito, M Garnica, D Granados, A L Vazquez de Parga, E M Pérez, and R Miranda, “Organic covalent patterning of nanostructured graphene with selectivity at the atomic level”, Nano Lett. 2016, 16, 355-361.
[6] J. J. Navarro, F. Calleja, R. Miranda, E. M. Pérez, A. L. Vázquez de Parga, “High yielding and extremely site-selective covalent functionalization of graphene”, Chem. Commun. 2017, 53, 10418-10421.
[7] A. Naranjo, N. Martín Sabanés, M. Vázquez Sulleiro, E. M. Pérez “Microemulsions for the Covalent Patterning of Graphene.” Chem. Commun. 2022, 58, 7813-7816.

Figure 1
(Invited) Carbon Nano-Onions: Potassium Intercalation and Reductive Covalent Functionalization
Authors: Abellán Gonzalo , Pérez-Ojeda Rodríguez Maria Eugenia 
Published: September 2023

Functionalization of carbon nanomaterials is a promising approach to controllably engineer the band gap structure, create novel architectures, and manipulate the interfacial characteristics of graphene and carbon nanotubes, increasing their processability.[1,2]

Herein we report the synthesis of covalently functionalized carbon nano-onions (CNOs) via a reductive approach using unprecedented alkali-metal CNO intercalation compounds. For the first time, an in situ Raman study of the controlled intercalation process with potassium has been carried out revealing a Fano resonance in highly doped CNOs. The intercalation was further confirmed by electron energy loss spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Moreover, the experimental results have been rationalized with DFT calculations. Covalently functionalized CNO derivatives were synthesized by using phenyl iodide and n-hexyl iodide as electrophiles in model nucleophilic substitution reactions. The functionalized CNOs were exhaustively characterized by statistical Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis coupled with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, dynamic light scattering, UV–vis, and ATR-FTIR spectroscopies. This work provides important insights into the understanding of the basic principles of reductive CNOs functionalization and will pave the way for the use of CNOs in a wide range of potential applications, such as energy storage, photovoltaics, or molecular electronics.[3]

[1] Abellán, G.; Schirowski, M.; Edelthalhammer, K. F.; Fickert, M.; Werbach, K.; Peterlik, H.; Hauke, F.; Hirsch, A. J. Am. Chem. Soc.
2017, 139, 5175.
[2] Schirowski, M.; Abellán, G.; Nuin, E.; Pampel, J.; Dolle, C.; Wedler, V.; Fellinger, T. P.; Spiecker, E.; Hauke, F.; Hirsch, A. J. Am. Chem. Soc.
2018, 140, 3352.
[3] M. E. Pérez-Ojeda, E. Castro, C. Kröckel, M. A. Lucherelli, U. Ludacka, J. Kotakoski, K. Werbach, H. Peterlik, M. Melle-Franco, J. C. Chacón-Torres, F. Hauke, L. Echegoyen, A. Hirsch, G. Abellán, J. Am. Chem. Soc.
2021, 143, 18997.

Figure 1
(Invited) Recent Advances in Subphthalocyanines
Authors: Gomez-Gomez Marta , Lopez-Serrano Elisa , Labella Jorge , Lavarda Giulia , Hernandez-Lopez Leyre , Azizi Kobra , Bottari Giovanni , Ince Mine , Lobo Checa Jorge , Guldi Dirk Michael , Torres Tomas 
Published: September 2023

Subphthalocyanines (SubPcs) [1] are well-known cone-shaped chromophores consisting of three 1,3-diiminoisoindole units assembled around a boron atom. As a result of their 14 pi-electron aromatic core and their tetrahedral geometry, SubPcs exhibit outstanding physical and optoelectronic properties (e.g., strong dipole moment, excellent light absorption in the 550-650 nm, rich redox features, and excellent charge transport capabilities), that have been skilfully used in variety of applied fields, such as molecular photovoltaics, among others. SubPcs were used by us as non-fullerene acceptors in bulk heterojunctions (BHJ) solar cells. On the other hand as part of our systematic investigation in the preparation and study of novel SubPc-based D–A systems, we have used 1,1,4,4-tetracyanobuta-1,3-diene (TCBD) as partner for SubPcs. Moreover, in the case of unsymmetrically substituted SubPcs (i.e., prepared by cyclotrimerization of a phthalonitrile with no C2v symmetry), they present inherent chirality and the corresponding couple of enantiomers can be isolated [2]. Columnar aggregates based on chiral SubPcs have been also prepared, giving rise to ferroelectric self-assembled molecular materials showing both rectifying and switchable conductivity. These chromophores have been incorporated in multicomponent systems showing a panchromatic response and allowing the tuning and controlling intramolecular FÖRSTER Resonance Energy Transfer for Singlet Fission.
[1] G. Lavarda, J. Labella, M. V. Martinez-Diaz, M. S. Rodriguez Morgade, A. Osuka, T. Torres, “Recent advances in subphthalocyanines and related subporphyrinoids” Chem. Soc. Rev. 2022, 51, 9482-9619.
[2] J. Labella, G. Lavarda, L. Hernández-López, F.Aguilar-Galindo, S.Díaz-Tendero, J. Lobo-Checa, T. Torres “Preparation, Supramolecular Organization, and On-Surface Reactivity of Enantiopure Subphthalocyanines: From Bulk to 2D-Polymerization” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2022, 144, 16579-16587.
(Invited) Tether-Directed Regioselective Synthesis of Bispyrazolinofullerenes
Authors: Caballero Ruben , de la Cruz Pilar , Langa Fernando 
Published: September 2023

The problematic regioselective synthesis of fullerene bisadducts was finely solved by Diederich with the introduction of the tether-directed functionalization.[1] Since then, many other examples have been described, most of them using double Bingel addition or Diels-Alder cycloaddition reactions. Surprisingly, although 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions are the most popular procedure for functionalization of C60, the use of this reaction for regioselective synthesis of fullerene bisadducts.
Here we present our results of selective synthesis of trans-3 or e-bispirazolinofullerenes using bisnitrilimine tethered by di-tertbutylsilylbis(trifluoromethanesulfonate) group [3][4]. Further rupture of the silyl ester group allows the preparation of new derivatives for selected applications.
[1] L.Isaacs, R.F.Haldimann,F.Diederich,Angew.Chem.Int.Ed.Engl.1994,33,2339.
[2] F. Diederich, R. Kessinger. Acc. Chem. Res. 1999, 32, 537.
[3] V. Cuesta, M. Urbani, P. de la Cruz, L. Welte, J.F. Nierengarten, F. Langa, Chem. Comm. 2016, 52, 13205
[4] R. Caballero, M. Barrejón, J. Cerdá, J. Aragó, S. Seetharaman, P. de la Cruz, E. Ortí, F. D’Souza, F. Langa. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2021, 143, 11199.

Figure 1