bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Recent Advances in Organic Photovoltaic Materials Based on Thiazole‐Containing Heterocycles
Authors: Ji Mengwei , Dong Chuanqi , Guo Qing , Du Mengzhen , Guo Qiang , Sun Xiangnan , Wang Ergang , Zhou Erjun 
Published: May 2023

AbstractOrganic solar cells (OSCs) have achieved great progress, driven by the rapid development of wide bandgap electron donors and narrow bandgap non‐fullerene acceptors (NFAs). Among a large number of electron‐accepting (A) building blocks, thiazole (Tz) and its derived fused heterocycles have been widely used to construct photovoltaic materials, especially conjugated polymers. Benefiting from the electron deficiency, rigidity, high planarity, and enhanced intra/intermolecular interactions of Tz‐containing heterocycles, some related photovoltaic materials exhibit proper energy levels, optimized molecular aggregation, and active layer morphology, leading to excellent photovoltaic performance. This review focuses on the progress of Tz‐based photovoltaic materials in the field of OSCs. First, the Tz‐based donor and acceptor photovoltaic materials are reviewed. Then, the materials based on promising Tz‐containing heterocycles, mainly including thiazolo[5,4‐d]thiazole (TzTz), benzo[1,2‐d:4,5‐d’]bis(thiazole) (BBTz), and benzo[d]thiazole (BTz) are summarized and discussed. In addition, the new emerging Tz‐fused structures and their application in OSCs are introduced. Finally, perspectives and outlooks for the further development of Tz‐containing heterocycle‐based photovoltaic materials are proposed.
Poly(Vinyl Ketones): New Directions in Photodegradable Polymers
Authors: Pal Digvijayee , Konar Debabrata , Sumerlin Brent S. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractPoly(vinyl ketones) (PVKs) have received considerable attention over the past few decades due to their unique photochemistry and photodegradation properties under ultraviolet (UV) light. Many PVKs rapidly undergo photodegradation under UV light. The side‐chain carbonyl moieties of PVKs permit photolysis through Norrish type I or Norrish type II reaction mechanisms and can also be readily modified by nucleophilic addition reactions. These unique properties lead to this class of polymers serving as versatile scaffolds for generating functional materials. This review captures the evolution of synthetic routes to access well‐defined PVKs, along with their photochemistry and photo‐degradation pathways, and discusses recent and potential applications of these photodegradable materials.
Drop‐off in axonal regeneration along the length of a cross‐face nerve graft: An experimental study in rats
Authors: Janes Lindsay E. , Kelsey Lauren J. , Sasson Daniel C. , Applebaum Sarah , Ledwon Joanna K. , Gosain Arun K. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractIntroductionThe average nerve graft length utilized in cross‐face nerve grafting for reconstruction of facial nerve palsy is 20–22 cm. While the graft length is thought to be one of the greatest determinants of muscle strength, the mechanism through which this happens remains unknown. We studied changes in axonal regeneration along the length of a 2 cm cross‐face nerve graft in a rat model. The hypothesis was that axon count would decrease along the length of the graft.MethodsA 2 cm nerve graft (sciatic nerve) was used as a cross‐face nerve graft in 16 adult female, 210–250 g, Sprague Dawley rats. Thirteen weeks later, 5 mm nerve biopsies were taken at four sites: the facial nerve trunk (control), proximal graft, midpoint of graft (1 cm distal to coaptation) and distal graft (2 cm distal to coaptation). Retrograde nerve labeling with FluoroGold was performed at the biopsied nerve site and the facial motor nucleus was taken 1 week later. Microscopic imaging and manual counting of axons and labeled motor nuclei was performed.ResultsRetrograde‐labeled motor neuron counts were decreased at the midway point of the graft compared to the facial trunk (1517 ± 335 axons, Δ% = 92.5, p = .01) and even further decreased at the distal end of the graft (269 ± 293 axons, Δ% = 175.5, p = .006). Analysis of the nerve biopsies demonstrated no significant differences in myelinated axon count between the nerve trunk and over the length of the nerve graft (range 6207–7179 axons, Δ% = 14.5, p = .07).ConclusionIn a rat model, the number of regenerating motor neurons drops off along the length of the graft and axon count is preserved due to axon sprouting. How this pattern correlates to ultimate muscle strength remains unknown, but this study provides insight into why shorter grafts may afford better outcomes.
Technical note: Towards more realistic 4DCT(MRI) numerical lung phantoms
Authors: Jenny Timothy , Duetschler Alisha , Giger Alina , Pusterla Orso , Safai Sairos , Weber Damien C. , Lomax Antony J. , Zhang Ye 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBackgroundNumerical 4D phantoms, together with associated ground truth motion, offer a flexible and comprehensive data set for realistic simulations in radiotherapy and radiology in target sites affected by respiratory motion.PurposeWe present an openly available upgrade to previously reported methods for generating realistic 4DCT lung numerical phantoms, which now incorporate respiratory ribcage motion and improved lung density representation throughout the breathing cycle.MethodsDensity information of reference CTs, toget her with motion from multiple breathing cycle 4DMRIs have been combined to generate synthetic 4DCTs (4DCT(MRI)s). Inter‐subject correspondence between the CT and MRI anatomy was first established via deformable image registration (DIR) of binary masks of the lungs and ribcage. Ribcage and lung motions were extracted independently from the 4DMRIs using DIR and applied to the corresponding locations in the CT after post‐processing to preserve sliding organ motion. In addition, based on the Jacobian determinant of the resulting deformation vector fields, lung densities were scaled on a voxel‐wise basis to more accurately represent changes in local lung density. For validating this process, synthetic 4DCTs, referred to as 4DCT(CT)s, were compared to the originating 4DCTs using motion extracted from the latter, and the dosimetric impact of the new features of ribcage motion and density correction were analyzed using pencil beam scanned proton 4D dose calculations.ResultsLung density scaling led to a reduction of maximum mean lung Hounsfield units (HU) differences from 45 to 12 HU when comparing simulated 4DCT(CT)s to their originating 4DCTs. Comparing 4D dose distributions calculated on the enhanced 4DCT(CT)s to those on the original 4DCTs yielded 2%/2 mm gamma pass rates above 97% with an average improvement of 1.4% compared to previously reported phantoms.ConclusionsA previously reported 4DCT(MRI) workflow has been successfully improved and the resulting numerical phantoms exhibit more accurate lung density representations and realistic ribcage motion.
Psychometric testing of the British‐English Long‐Term Conditions Job Strain Scale, Long‐Term Conditions Work Spillover Scale and Work‐Health‐Personal Life Perceptions Scale in four rheumatic and musculoskeletal conditions
Authors: Hammond Alison , Tennant Alan , Ching Angela , Parker Jennifer , Prior Yeliz , Gignac Monique A. M. , Verstappen Suzanne M. M. , O’Brien Rachel 
Published: May 2023

AbstractObjectiveThe aims were to validate linguistically British‐English versions of the Long‐Term Conditions Job Strain Scale (LTCJSS), Long‐Term Conditions Work Spillover Scale (LTCWSS) and Work‐Health‐Personal Life Perceptions Scale (WHPLPS) in rheumatoid arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis, osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia (FM).MethodsThe three scales were forward translated and reviewed by an expert panel prior to cognitive debriefing interviews. Participants completed a postal questionnaire. Construct validity was assessed using Rasch analysis. Concurrent validity included testing between the three scales and work (e.g., Workplace Activity Limitations Scale [WALS]) and condition‐specific health scales. Two weeks later, participants were mailed a second questionnaire to measure test‐retest reliability.ResultsThe questionnaire was completed by 831 employed participants: 68% women, 53.5 (SD 8.9) years of age, with condition duration 7.7 (SD 8.0) years. The LTCJSS, LTCWSS and WHPLPS Parts 1 and 2 satisfied Rasch model requirements, but Part 3 did not. A Rasch transformation scale and Reference Metric equating scales with the WALS were created. Concurrent validity was generally good (rs = 0.41–0.85) for the three scales, except the WHPLPS Part 3. Internal consistency (Person Separation Index values) was consistent with group use in all conditions, and individual use except for the LTCWSS and WHPLSP Parts 1 and 2 in FM. Test‐retest reliability was excellent, with intraclass coefficients (2,1) of 0.80–0.96 for the three scales in the four conditions.DiscussionReliable, valid versions of the British‐English LTCJSS, LTCWSS and WHPLPS Parts 1 and 2 are now available for use in the UK.
Development of biocide coated polymers and their antimicrobial efficacy
Authors: Watson Rowan , Maxwell Maria , Dunn Sophie , Brooks Alexander , Jiang Long , Hill Harriet J. , Williams Georgia , Kotowska Anna , Nikoi Naa Dei , Stamataki Zania , Banzhaf Manuel , Scurr David , Bryant Jack Alfred , de Cogan Felicity 
Published: May 2023

AbstractMicrobial contamination of plastic surfaces is a significant source of hospital‐acquired infections. To produce antimicrobial surfaces, chlorhexidine was attached to nitrided acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The uniformity of chlorhexidine distribution on the plastic surfaces was revealed by time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF‐SIMS) imaging. Its antimicrobial efficacy was established against model pathogenic Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria, fungi, and viruses. The stability of the bonded chlorhexidine was evaluated via a leaching test. The surfaces rapidly killed microbes: no viable colonies of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, or Candida albicans were recoverable after 45 minutes. It was effective against SARS‐COV‐2, with no viable virions found after 30 minutes. Additionally, the surfaces were as effective in killing chlorhexidine‐resistant strains of bacteria as they were in killing naïve strains. The surface was stable; after 2 weeks of leaching, no detectable chlorhexidine was found in the leachate. We believe that the technology is widely applicable to prevent the spread of fomite infection.
Direct jet coaxial electrospinning of axon‐mimicking fibers for diffusion tensor imaging
Authors: Hu Chunyan , Grech‐Sollars Matthew , Statton Ben , Li Zhanxiong , Gao Fei , Williams Gareth R. , Parker Geoff J. M. , Zhou Feng‐Lei 
Published: May 2023

AbstractHollow polymer microfibers with variable microstructural and hydrophilic properties were proposed as building elements to create axon‐mimicking phantoms for validation of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). The axon‐mimicking microfibers were fabricated in a mm‐thick 3D anisotropic fiber strip, by direct jet coaxial electrospinning of PCL/polysiloxane‐based surfactant (PSi) mixture as shell and polyethylene oxide (PEO) as core. Hydrophilic PCL‐PSi fiber strips were first obtained by carefully selecting appropriate solvents for the core and appropriate fiber collector rotating and transverse speeds. The porous cross‐section and anisotropic orientation of axon‐mimicking fibers were then quantitatively evaluated using two ImageJ plugins—nearest distance (ND) and directionality based on their scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. Third, axon‐mimicking phantom was constructed from PCL‐PSi fiber strips with variable porous‐section and fiber orientation and tested on a 3T clinical MR scanner. The relationship between DTI measurements (mean diffusivity [MD] and fractional anisotropy [FA]) of phantom samples and their pore size and fiber orientation was investigated. Two key microstructural parameters of axon‐mimicking phantoms including normalized pore distance and dispersion of fiber orientation could well interpret the variations in DTI measurements. Two PCL‐PSi phantom samples made from different regions of the same fiber strips were found to have similar MD and FA values, indicating that the direct jet coaxial electrospun fiber strips had consistent microstructure. More importantly, the MD and FA values of the developed axon‐mimicking phantoms were mostly in the biologically relevant range.
Introduction to data‐driven systems for plastics and composites manufacturing
Authors: Farahani Saeed , Pilla Srikanth , Zhang Yun , Tucci Fausto 
Published: May 2023

AbstractApplications of high‐performance plastics and composites have widely been expanded to various industries due to their superior properties, such as high strength‐to‐weight ratio, chemical resistance, and thermal/electrical insulation. However, the numerous possible combinations of polymers and reinforcements/fillers, the variability of these materials, and their complex manufacturing processes pose challenges in terms of efficiently developing new plastics and composites, accurately modeling their properties, and effectively monitoring and controlling their manufacturing processes. Integrating data‐driven techniques, such as machine learning, artificial intelligence, and big data analytics, is a promising pathway to overcome these challenges as it is demonstrated by the state‐of‐the‐art research works presented in this special issue. This article provides background to the readers and introduces the range of topics covered by the articles in this special issue.
The fabrication of flexible and large‐size inverted metamorphic five‐junction solar cells
Authors: Wang Xia , Sun Qiangjian , Long Junhua , Chen Zhitao , Wu Xiaoxu , Li Xuefei , Yu Menglu , Luo Xiaolong , Song Minghui , Lu Shulong 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe inverted metamorphic AlGaInP/AlGaAs/GaAs/InGaAs/InGaAs five‐junction solar cells with the bandgap energies of 2.0/1.67/1.42/1.18/0.83 eV were grown by metal–organic chemical vapor deposition on GaAs substrates. The mismatch stress between the two bottom (In0.17Ga0.83As and In0.46Ga0.54As) cells and GaAs substrate was nearly fully relaxed owing to the growth of AlInGaAs compositionally step‐graded buffers. By employing the low‐temperature epilayer transfer technology with only one‐time temporary bonding, the flexible five‐junction solar cells with the size of 12 cm2 were successfully fabricated. The conversion efficiency was 35.1% with the open‐circuit voltage of 4.73 V under AM1.5G spectrum. The excellent performance of the large‐size five‐junction solar cells is attributed to the low amount of mismatch dislocations in the material as well as the simple fabrication process of the flexible device.
Environmentally safe preservation and stabilization of natural rubber latex in an acidic environment
Authors: Rodríguez Urbina J. C. , Osswald T. A. , Estela Garcia J. E. , Román A. J. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractNatural rubber is an indispensable raw material that supplies about half of the world's rubber consumption. The latex that is extracted from the trees is composed of polyisoprene rubber, proteins, sugars, amino acids, lipids, and minerals. When the liquid latex emanates from the trees, it comes into contact with bacteria that cause it to decompose and coagulate. To hinder the decomposition and destabilization process, ammonia and other environmental and health hazard chemicals are added to the latex. The addition of these chemicals affects the health of plantation and rubber industry workers and results in residues that are contaminated with these chemicals, which require that processing facility effluents undergo costly treatment processes. Here, we present two novel liquid latex preservation and stabilization methods in an acid medium free of ammonia or other dangerous chemicals. The first method uses dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid to both stabilise and preserve the liquid latex, and the second uses ethoxylated tridecyl alcohol to stabilise and hydrofluoric acid to preserve the colloidal suspension. Both formulations result in rubber with superior mechanical properties, that is safe for the rubber plantation and industry workers, and with residues that no longer adversely affect the environment.
The attractive host volatiles can enhance oviposition of Anoplophora glabripennis on a non‐host tree
Authors: Bingjun Yang , Cao Dandan , Su Zhi , Wei Jianrong 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBackgroundThe Asian longhorned beetle (ALB), Anoplophora glabripennis, is a serious wood borer of hardwood trees. Populus deltoides ‘Shalinyang’ (PdS) is attractive to ALB adults for oviposition but highly resistant to their offspring. Investigation of the chemicals regulating ALB oviposition is scarce in previous studies until now. To determine which chemicals emitted by PdS were attractive and induced oviposition behavior by ALB on non‐host poplar tree species, we first: collected and identified the bio‐active volatiles produced by PdS using coupled gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and coupled gas chromatography–electroantennographic detector (GC–EAD); then evaluated which chemicals were attractive in a Y‐tube olfactometer bioassay; and finally screened key compounds affecting ALB oviposition using a ‘chemical‐stimulated oviposition on non‐host tree’ bioassay.Results(E)‐2‐Hexenal, hexyl acetate, (Z)‐3‐hexenol acetate, 1‐hexanol, (Z)‐3‐hexenol, β‐caryophyllene, and salicylaldehyde emitted from PdS were attractive to ALB. When (E)‐2‐hexenal, 1‐hexanol, (Z)‐3‐hexenol acetate, and (Z)‐3‐hexenol were applied to the non‐host tree Populus tomentosa, oviposition by ALB females was significantly increased. Furthermore, the mean number of oviposition pits increased as the (Z)‐3‐hexenol concentrations increased. Further tests on synergy between pairs of chemicals showed that (Z)‐3‐hexenol stimulated production of the most oviposition pits, but that the percentage of effective oviposition pits (those containing an egg and larva and not empty) decreased.Conclusion(Z)‐3‐Hexenol is the main chemical component inducing ALB oviposition. These results increase understanding about the oviposition behavior of ALB and could help improve management strategies that regulate ALB behavior by planting mixed‐species forests resistant to ALB. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
The effects of foreign bank presence on financial development in Africa: The role of institutional quality
Authors: Iddrisu Khadijah , Abor Joshua Yindenaba , Banyen Kannyiri T. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractDespite the momentous rise in concentration and market share of foreign banks in overall bank assets in Africa, rigorous empirical work(s) examining their effect on financial sector development in Africa is hard to find. In view of this, the study seeks to investigate the moderating role of institutions/governance on the foreign bank presence‐financial development nexus. Employing the two‐step system generalized method of moment for a panel dataset of 28 economies in Africa over the period, 2000–2018, the results show that foreign bank presence has a positive effect on financial development. Also, the study finds evidence that foreign banks in host countries increase financial development in the presence of quality institutions. The study recommends improvement in institutional quality, which will help foreign banks to promote financial development.
Stability analysis of Lure systems under aperiodic sampled‐data control
Authors: Titton Mathias Giordani , Gomes da Silva João Manoel , Valmorbida Giorgio , Jungers Marc 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThis article deals with the stability analysis of Lure type systems through aperiodic sampled‐data control laws, where the nonlinearity is assumed to be both sector and slope restricted. The proposed method is based on the use of a new class of looped‐functionals, which depends on the nonlinearity and its slope, and on a generalized Lure type function, that is quadratic on both the states and the nonlinearity and has a Lure‐Postnikov integral term. On this basis, conditions in the form of linear matrix inequalities to certify global or regional asymptotic stability of the closed‐loop system are obtained. These conditions are then used in optimization problems for computing the maximum intersampling interval or the maximum sector bounds for which the stability of the sampled‐data closed‐loop system is guaranteed. Numerical examples to illustrate the results are provided.
Obstacle avoidance tracking control with antiswing and tracking errors constraint for underactuated automated lifting robots with load hoisting/lowering
Authors: Tan Zhiwen , Zhang Ke , Shi Huaitao , Chen Lu , Li Guowei 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe existing automated lifting robot technology focuses merely on motion control and ignores the surrounding environment. In practice, obstacles inevitably exist in the movement path of the automated lifting robot, which affects construction safety. Furthermore, due to the underactuated characteristics of the automated lifting robot, the load can be difficult to control when it swings violently, which undoubtedly poses huge challenges to obstacle avoidance trajectory planning and controller design. In this paper, an obstacle avoidance trajectory and its tracking controller with antiswing and tracking errors constraint are proposed. To ensure accurate load positioning and effective obstacle avoidance, the proposed control method introduces a four‐segment polynomial trajectory interpolation curve to construct an obstacle avoidance trajectory based on analyzing the geometric relationship between variables. To improve the transient coupling control performance of the system, combined with the passive analysis of the automated lifting robot system, this method constructs a potential function that limits the tracking error and a coupling signal that enhances the coupling relationship between the system variables. Barbalat's lemma and Lyapunov techniques are used to analyze the stability of the system. Simulation and experimental results show that the proposed control method can significantly suppress or even eliminate load oscillation, accurately locate the load, avoid obstacles, improve the safety and efficiency of the working automated lifting robot, and have strong robustness to changes in system parameters and the addition of external disturbances.
Prevalence and Treatment Patterns of Adult Atopic Dermatitis in the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink
Authors: Kleyn C. Elise , McKenzie Robert , Meeks Alexandra , Gittens Beatrice , von Arx Lill-Brith 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
The prevalence of active atopic dermatitis (AD) in adults in the UK according to disease severity shows variability. This study evaluated disease prevalence and treatment patterns among the adult UK population with AD. Data were obtained from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) database. Adults with active AD were identified by an AD-related prescription or general practitioner visit within the same calendar year. Prevalence was defined as the number of patients with active AD on 1 January of each year as a percentage of the number of adults in the CPRD population on that date. Moderate-to-severe disease was classified as either referral to a specialist or prescription(s) for topical calcineurin inhibitors, phototherapy, or systemic treatment. Patient characteristics and treatment and referral patterns were analysed for patients with active AD in 2019. The overall prevalence of AD was stable at 2.4% per year during the period 2015–2019. In 2019, mean patient age (± standard deviation) was 52.6 ± 21.0 years, 58.2% of patients were female and mean disease duration was 9.4 ± 5.9 years. The most prescribed treatment was topical corticosteroids, in 78.5% of patients. 36.7% of patients with moderate-to-severe AD were prescribed systemic agents and 59.8% (vs. 32.3% of patients with mild AD) were referred to any secondary care or specialist treatment. The prevalence of active AD in the adult UK population was stable over the 5-year period (2015–2019) and was comparable to estimates from similar studies based on UK primary healthcare records.