bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fabrication of novel PNIPAM@GO microspheres loaded with dual drugs featuring on‐demand drug release capability
Authors: Jiang Yulin , Wang Jing , Wang Juehan , Zhuang Yi , Qi Lin , Feng Ganjun , Zhang Li
Published: April 2022

In this research, we successfully prepared a new kind of core‐shell microspheres (PNIPAM@GO) composed of hydrophilic poly (N‐isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAM) nanoparticles as the core and amphiphilic graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets as the shell through hydrogen bonding and self‐assembly in organic solvent. The temperature‐sensitive behavior of the PNIPAM core made its average size decrease from 888.3 nm to 630.3 nm with temperature increasing from 25°C to 50°C. And the GO shell could give PNIPAM@GO microspheres remarkable photothermal effects in water under NIR laser irradiation (808 nm) for 20 min. Further, doxorubicin (DOX) and 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU) were loaded into the core and the shell with loading efficiency of 81% and 11%, respectively. By turning on/off NIR irradiation, the PNIPAM@GO microspheres could respond to the heat generated from GO shell by volume shrinkage, thus on‐demand controlling the drug release. The in vitro biological assessment verified that the samples prepared here were biocompatible. The developed platform shows a potential application in chemo‐photothermal therapy of cancers in the future.
Synthesis of a linear controller for a control system with interval parameters on a base of D‐partition in vertices of a coefficient's polyhedron of characteristic polynomial
Authors: Gayvoronskiy Sergey An , Ezangina Tatiana
Published: April 2022

The article deals with the technique developed for the parametric design of a robust controller which ensures the desired robust quality indicators in the system with interval parameters. This technique is based on the construction of the D‐partition in the space of controller parameters at vertices of the coefficient polyhedron of a characteristic polynomial. Grounds for this are the fact that the interval system has its minimum degree of stability and maximum degree of oscillation at certain vertices of the specified polyhedron. To determine the minimum sets of those vertices, a new technique has been developed. The developed technique is based on inequalities obtained for outlet angles of the edge branches coming out from system poles, which determine the root indices of robust quality. Applying the developed technique for the vertex D‐partition, the design of the PI controller of the stabilization system for a tethered underwater vehicle has been carried out. The results of the design confirm the efficiency of the developed approach.
Electrolyte Measures to Prevent Polysulfide Shuttle in Lithium‐Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Di Donato Graziano , Ates Tugce , Adenusi Henry , Varzi Alberto , Navarra Maria Assunta , Passerini Stefano
Published: April 2022

Lithium‐sulfur (Li−S) batteries are recognized as one of the most promising technologies with the potential to become the next‐generation batteries. However, to ensure Li−S batteries reach commercialization, complex challenges remain, among which the tailoring of an appropriate electrolyte is the most important. This review discusses the role of electrolytes in Li−S batteries, focusing on the main issues and solutions for the shuttle mechanism of polysulfides and the instability of the interface with lithium metal. Herein, we present a background on Li−S chemistry followed by the state‐of‐the‐art electrolytes highlighting the different strategies undertaken with liquid and solid electrolytes.
Fe‐doped MOF‐derived N‐rich porous carbon nanoframe for H2S cataluminescence sensing
Authors: Zhou Qin , Yan Shuguang , Zhang Lichun
Published: April 2022

Metal‐doped porous carbon matrix composites are considered as outstanding H2S cataluminescence sensing materials for their good sulfur tolerance and high cataluminescence activity. In this work, an Fe‐doped MOF‐derived N‐rich porous carbon nanoframe was successfully fabricated using the pyrolysis of Fe‐doped ZIF‐8 in an Ar atmosphere at a temperature of 900°C, and used for H2S cataluminescence sensing. Along with zinc volatilization, the obtained porous carbon nanoframe not only had high specific surface area and abundant voids, but also had well dispersed Fe species doped in the skeleton. Compared with Fe2O3/ZnO composites derived from the same precursor but different pyrolysis terms, this as‐prepared Fe‐doped N‐rich porous carbon presented a three times increase in the cataluminescence intensity towards H2S, attributed to the porous carbon skeleton that is indispensable for dispersing catalytic active sites and providing more absorptive surface and voids. Comparably, this proposed sensor demonstrated high sensitivity and good selectivity, with the detection range of 1.57–19.58 μg·ml−1 and detection limit of 0.13 μg·ml−1 towards H2S. This work may provide a new pathway for preparing catalysts for cataluminescence sensing with better metal distribution, higher specific surface area, and richer pores than ever before.
Development of a transient inline spiking system for evaluating virus clearance in continuous bioprocessing—Proof of concept for virus filtration
Authors: Malakian Anna , Jung Seon Yeop , Afzal Mohammad A. , Carbrello Christina , Giglia Sal , Johnson Matthew , Miller Corinne , Rayfield William , Boenitz Dave , Cetlin David , Zydney Andrew L.
Published: April 2022

The development of continuous/connected bioprocesses requires new approaches for viral clearance validation, both for specific unit operations and for the overall process. In this study, we have developed a transient inline spiking system that can be used to evaluate virus clearance at distinct time points during prolonged operation of continuous bioprocesses. The proof of concept for this system was demonstrated by evaluating the viral clearance for a virus filtration step, both with and without a prefilter upstream of the virus filter. The residence time distribution was evaluated using a previously identified noninteracting fluorescent tracer, while viral clearance was evaluated from measurements of the virus titer in samples obtained downstream of the virus filter. The measured log reduction values (LRV) for ϕX174, minute virus of mice, xenotropic murine leukemia virus, and a noninfectious mock virus particle were all within 0.5 log of those obtained using a traditional batch virus challenge for both model and real‐world process streams (LRV between 2.2 and 3.4 for ϕX174 using a single layer of virus filter). The results demonstrate the effectiveness of transient inline spiking to validate the virus clearance capabilities in continuous bioprocessing, an essential element for the adoption of these processes for products made using mammalian cell lines.
Marine biological macromolecules as matrix material for biosensor fabrication
Authors: Bedi Namita , Srivastava Dhaval K. , Srivastava Arti , Mahapatra Supratim , Dkhar Daphika S. , Chandra Pranjal , Srivastava Ashutosh
Published: April 2022

The ocean covers two‐third of our planet and has great biological heterogeneity. Marine organisms like algae, vertebrates, invertebrates, and microbes are known to provide many natural products with biological activities as well as potential sources of biomaterials for therapeutic, biomedical, biosensors, and climate stabilization. Over the years, the field of biosensors has gained huge attention due to their extraordinary ability to provide early disease diagnosis, rapid detection of various molecules and substances along with long‐term monitoring. This review aims to focus on the properties and employment of various biomaterials (carbohydrate polymers, proteins, polyacids, etc.) of marine origins such as alginate, chitin, chitosan, fucoidan, carrageenan, chondroitin sulfate, hyaluronic acid, collagen, marine pigments, marine nanoparticles, hydroxyapatite, biosilica, lectins, and marine whole cell in the design and development of biosensors. Furthermore, this review also covers the source of such marine biomaterials and their promising evolution in the fabrication of biosensors that are potent to be employed in the biomedical, environmental science, and agricultural sciences domains. The use of such fabricated biosensors harnesses the system with excellent specificity, selectivity, biocompatibility, thermal stability, and minimal cost advantages.
Quality of life and mood assessment in conservatively treated cavernous malformation‐related epilepsy
Authors: Rauschenbach Laurèl , Bartsch Pauline , Santos Alejandro N. , Lenkeit Annika , Darkwah Oppong Marvin , Wrede Karsten H. , Jabbarli Ramazan , Chmielewski Witold X. , Schmidt Börge , Quesada Carlos M. , Forsting Michael , Sure Ulrich , Dammann Philipp
Published: April 2022

Background

To estimate the quality of life, anxiety, depression, and illness perception in patients with medically treated cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM) and associated epilepsy.

Methods

Nonsurgically treated patients with CCM‐related epilepsy (CRE) were included. Demographic, radiographic, and clinical features were assessed. All participants received established questionnaires (short‐form 36 health survey, SF‐36; hospital anxiety and depression score, HADS‐A/D; visual analogue scale score, VAS) assessing the functional and psychosocial burden of disease. To some extent, calculated values were compared with reference values from population‐based studies. Test results were related to seizure control.

Results

A total of 37 patients were included. Mean age was 45.8 ± 14.4 years, and 54.1% were female. Diagnosis of CRE was significantly associated with attenuated quality of life and increased level of anxiety, affecting physical and psychosocial dimensions. The assessment of illness perception identified considerable burden. HADS was significantly associated with VAS and SF‐36 component scores. Efficacy of antiepileptic medication had no restoring impact on quality of life, anxiety, depression, or illness perception.

Conclusions

CRE negatively influences quality of life and mood, independent of seizure control due to antiepileptic medication. Screening for functional and psychosocial deficits in clinical practice might be useful for assessing individual burden and allocating surgical or drug treatment.
Functions and clinical significance of mechanical tumor microenvironment: cancer cell sensing, mechanobiology and metastasis
Authors: Zhou Hanying , Wang Meng , Zhang Yixi , Su Qingqing , Xie Zhengxin , Chen Xiangyan , Yan Ran , Li Ping , Li Tingting , Qin Xiang , Yang Hong , Wu Chunhui , You Fengming , Li Shun , Liu Yiyao
Published: April 2022

Dynamic and heterogeneous interaction between tumor cells and the surrounding microenvironment fuels the occurrence, progression, invasion, and metastasis of solid tumors. In this process, the tumor microenvironment (TME) fractures cellular and matrix architecture normality through biochemical and mechanical means, abetting tumorigenesis and treatment resistance. Tumor cells sense and respond to the strength, direction, and duration of mechanical cues in the TME by various mechanotransduction pathways. However, far less understood is the comprehensive perspective of the functions and mechanisms of mechanotransduction. Due to the great therapeutic difficulties brought by the mechanical changes in the TME, emerging studies have focused on targeting the adverse mechanical factors in the TME to attenuate disease rather than conventionally targeting tumor cells themselves, which has been proven to be a potential therapeutic approach. In this review, we discussed the origins and roles of mechanical factors in the TME, cell sensing, mechano‐biological coupling and signal transduction, in vitro construction of the tumor mechanical microenvironment, applications and clinical significance in the TME.
Status and perspectives of hierarchical porous carbon materials in terms of high‐performance lithium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Xiang Yinyu , Lu Liqiang , Kottapalli Ajay Giri Prakash , Pei Yutao
Published: April 2022

Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries, although a promising candidate of next‐generation energy storage devices, are hindered by some bottlenecks in their roadmap toward commercialization. The key challenges include solving the issues such as low utilization of active materials, poor cyclic stability, poor rate performance, and unsatisfactory Coulombic efficiency due to the inherent poor electrical and ionic conductivity of sulfur and its discharged products (e.g., Li2S2 and Li2S), dissolution and migration of polysulfide ions in the electrolyte, unstable solid electrolyte interphase and dendritic growth on anodes, and volume change in both cathodes and anodes. Owing to the high specific surface area, pore volume, low density, good chemical stability, and particularly multimodal pore sizes, hierarchical porous carbon (HPC) materials have received considerable attention for circumventing the above problems in Li–S batteries. Herein, recent progress made in the synthetic methods and deployment of HPC materials for various components including sulfur cathodes, separators and interlayers, and lithium anodes in Li–S batteries is presented and summarized. More importantly, the correlation between the structures (pore volume, specific surface area, degree of pores, and heteroatom‐doping) of HPC and the electrochemical performances of Li–S batteries is elaborated. Finally, a discussion on the challenges and future perspectives associated with HPCs for Li–S batteries is provided.
Cellulose nanofiber‐derived carbon aerogel for advanced room‐temperature sodium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Yang Wu , Yang Wang , Zou Ren , Huang Yongfa , Lai Haihong , Chen Zehong , Peng Xinwen
Published: April 2022

Room‐temperature sodium–sulfur (RT/Na–S) batteries are regarded as promising large‐scale stationary energy storage systems owing to their high energy density and low cost as well as the earth‐abundant reserves of sodium and sulfur. However, the diffusion of polysulfides and sluggish kinetics of conversion reactions are still major challenges for their application. Herein, we developed a powerful and functional separator to inhibit the shuttle effect by coating a lightweight three‐dimensional cellulose nanofiber‐derived carbon aerogel on a glass fiber separator (denoted NSCA@GF). The hierarchical porous structures, favorable electronic conductivity, and three‐dimensional interconnected network of N,S‐codoped carbon aerogel endow a multifunctional separator with strong polysulfide anchoring capability and fast reaction kinetics of polysulfide conversion, which can act as the barrier layer and an expanded current collector to increase sulfur utilization. Moreover, the hetero‐doped N/S sites are believed to strengthen polysulfide anchoring capability via chemisorption and accelerate the redox kinetics of polysulfide conversion, which is confirmed from experimental and theoretical results. As a result, the assembled Na–S coin cells with the NSCA@GF separator showed a high reversible capacity (788.8 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C after 100 cycles) and superior cycling stability (only 0.059% capacity decay per cycle over 1000 cycles at 1 C), thereby demonstrating the significant potential for application in high‐performance RT/Na–S batteries.
Polymersomes: From Macromolecular Self‐Assembly to Particle Assembly†
Authors: Zhang Jiamin , Jiang Jinhui , Lin Sha , Cornel Erik Jan , Li Chang , Du Jianzhong
Published: April 2022

Comprehensive Summary

Polymersomes, or polymer vesicles, have attracted a tremendous amount of interest over the last decade. This led to the development of polymer vesicles that are suitable for various biomedical applications, including blood sugar regulation, cancer theranostics, and antibacterial agents. This review mainly describes the research from our group on macromolecular self‐assembly of polymersomes and emerging particle assembly methods. First, the building blocks and general principles for the design of functional polymersomes are introduced. Thereafter, we present three polymersomes with various membrane structures: polymersomes with inhomogeneous membranes, asymmetrical coronas, and membranes that are fused with the coronas. Furthermore, given that N‐carboxyanhydrides‐induced self‐assembly (NCA‐PISA) is a convenient method for the large‐scale production of biodegradable polymersomes, recent advances in self‐assembly methods based on ring‐opening polymerization of NCA‐PISA are discussed. Finally, the mechanism of particle assembly and recent advances in producing higher‐order polymer vesicles, including tetrapod polymersomes and giant polymer vesicles with a latticelike membrane (GVLM), are discussed.

What is the most favorite and original chemistry developed in your research group?

Ring‐opening polymerization‐induced self‐assembly of N‐carboxyanhydrides (NCA‐PISA), and fusion‐induced particle assembly (FIPA).

How do you get into this specific field? Could you please share some experiences with our readers?

NCA‐PISA was developed to solve the biodegradability problem of nanoparticles by traditional PISA, while FIPA was inspired by nature.

What is the most important personality for scientific research?

The spirit of putting forward scientific problems.

What are your hobbies?

Driving, badminton, jogging, and music.

What are your favorite journals?

J. Am. Chem. Soc. and Macromolecules.

Who influences you mostly in your life?

My family and my Ph.D. and postdoctoral supervisors.
Cytological features of endolymphatic sac tumors: Case studies with review of literature
Authors: Cheng Lin , Mir Fatima , Reddy Swathi B. , Yan Lei , Gattuso Paolo
Published: April 2022

Endolymphatic sac tumors are extremely rare, locally aggressive neoplasms that arise from the endolymphatic sac or duct, primarily in the intraosseous portion. These neoplasms show diverse histomorphological architectures and despite a bland cytologic appearance, can locally recur. Although the clinicopathological and radiological features of this entity are well characterized, the literature on cytological features is extremely sparse. Herein, we describe the cytological features of the endolymphatic sac tumors and discuss the relevant differential diagnoses.
Quercetin regulates vascular endothelium function in chronic renal failure via modulation of Eph/Cav‐1 signaling
Authors: Chen Jing , Zhang Huaming , Yang Yanbo , Chen Bo
Published: April 2022

Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is frequently believed to be the best vascular access for chronic renal failure (CRF) patients. Vascular endothelial cell dysfunction has been implicated in AVF maturation. Quercetin (Quer) is a natural polyphenolic compound widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. We aimed to uncover the impacts of Quer on vascular endothelial cells in a CRF rat model and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and serum from rat with CRF. Blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels were tested in CRF rat model after administration of Quer. H&E staining was used to estimate endothelial damage. Nitric oxide (NO), endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), EPH receptor B4 (EphB4), EphrinB2, and p‐caveolin‐1 (p‐Cav‐1) levels in the serum were examined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Western blot was employed to analyze the expressions of eNOS, phosphorylated (p)‐eNOS, EphB4, and Cav‐1 in arterial tissues and HUVECs. Cell counting kit‐8 was applied for assessing cell proliferation. TUNEL (terminal‐deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated nick end labeling) assay was employed to estimate cell apoptosis. Results showed that Quer ameliorated renal function impairment and endothelial injury in vivo. Meanwhile, Quer boosted the proliferation and suppressed the apoptosis of HUVECs stimulated by LPS and serum from rat with CRF. Additionally, Quer elevated NO and eNOS levels, upregulated p‐eNOS expression but downregulated EphB4, EphrinB2, and p‐Cav‐1 expressions. Moreover, EphB4 inhibitor had the similar effect as Quer treatment in HUVECs stimulated by LPS and serum from rat with CRF. Collectively, Quer might effectively regulate vascular function to prevent AVF failure in CRF via modulation of Eph/Cav‐1 signaling.
Enantioselective Fluorescent Recognition of β‐Amino Alcohols by Stereoselective Cyclization
Authors: Tian Jun , Yu Shanshan , Guo Hongyu , Zhu Maoshuai , Lu Kai , Jiang Yixuan , Yang Jiaqiao , Yu Xiaoqi , Pu Lin
Published: April 2022

2,2’‐Diformyl‐1,1’‐binaphthyl is found to exhibit highly enantioselective fluorescence enhancement in the presence of various β‐amino alcohols and base. It provides a new method to determine the enantiomeric composition of those substrates and has potential for high throughput analysis. Based on detailed spectroscopic analyses, it is proposed that a stereoselective cyclization of a β‐amino alcohol with the probe should occur to form a rigid macrocyclic intermediate, contributing to the greatly enhanced fluorescence.
Electrochemical Tau Protein Immunosensor Based on MnS/GO/PANI and Magnetite‐incorporated Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: Yola Bahar Bankoğlu , Karaman Ceren , Özcan Nermin , Atar Necip , Polat İlknur , Yola Mehmet Lütfi
Published: April 2022

Herein, electrochemical tau protein immunosensor based on manganese sulfide nanoparticles/graphene oxide/polyaniline (MnS/GO/PANI) and magnetite‐incorporated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs@Fe3O4) was constructed. After the modification of the glassy carbon electrode (GCE) with MnS/GO/PANI, the immobilization and conjugation of anti‐Tau capture antibody and antigen Tau protein were successfully completed on MnS/GO/PANI/GCE, respectively. Then, the conjugation of anti‐Tau secondary antibody was carried out to AuNPs@Fe3O4 as signal amplification via amino‐gold affinity and the eventual immunosensor was accomplished by the distinctive interactions of electrode platform and signal amplification. Final immunosensor demonstrated the quantification limit (LOQ) of 1.0×10−13 M and the detection limit (LOD) of 1.0×10−14 M.
Numerical investigation of centrifugal compressor stability enhancement using vaned diffuser endwall contouring technology
Authors: Cui Qin , Qin Guoliang , Jia Cheng , Wang Yi , Lei Jian
Published: April 2022

To improve the stable operating range of centrifugal compressor stage, endwall contouring technology is introduced on the hub‐side wall of the vaned diffuser for NASA CC3 centrifugal compressor as a promising technique to redistribute the flow field near the endwall in this paper. The main contents of this paper are listed as follows. First, a specific parameterized endwall contouring guideline is developed based on sinusoidal function and Bézier curve, and three factors are considered, namely, peak height, peak radial position, and frequency coefficient. Then, centrifugal compressor stages with baseline diffuser and contoured endwall diffusers are numerically investigated to reveal the influence of endwall contouring on the stable operating range. Results show that endwall contouring is an effective method to achieve stability enhancement with no evident reduction in stage performance on the design point. CEW13‐12 has the most successful combination of endwall contouring parameters, and stall margin is increased by up to 40% for CEW13‐12. Finally, the influence mechanism of endwall contouring on the stable operating range is discussed. At the near stall condition, the contouring endwall forces the fluid within the semi vaneless space to deflect toward the suction side to increase the momentum of low‐energy fluid in the suction surface boundary layer and reduce the adverse pressure gradient on the suction side, which delay the development of flow separation on the vane leading edge near the shroud side to suppress the onset of rotating stall. At the near choke condition, the contouring endwall has more potential to increase the throat area, resulting in a decrease of throat blockage to improve choke margin. The results show that the endwall contouring technology is a reliable method to achieve stability enhancement of centrifugal compressor stage.
Early‐Middle Triassic high Sr/Y granites in the northern margin of the North China Craton: Petrogenesis and tectonic implications
Authors: Gao Shuang , Ling Hong‐Fei , Chen Wei‐Feng , Ren Quan
Published: April 2022

Radiometric dating results and geochemical and isotopic data obtained in this study for two granitic plutons in the northern margin of the North China Craton (NNCC) provide important information on the tectonic environment of the North China Craton (NCC) in the Early to Middle Triassic. The two plutons, Wanlongchang and Baiyanaobao, were dated being formed at 247 Ma (our previous study) and 237 Ma (this study), respectively. These two granites are characterized by low initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.7055–0.7073), εNd(t) values (−9.9 to −15.0), and zircon εHf(t) values (−8.7 to −27.0), suggesting their magmas originated from ancient lower crust. Both granites display high Sr/Y ratios (most >30) and (La/Yb)N (most >30), but low Cr (8.31–40.9 ppm), Ni (3.59–13.8 ppm), MgO (0.12–1.17%) contents, and low Mg# values (26–39), which suggests that the melts that formed the two granites were derived from thickened lower crust. When elemental concentration data and compiled Sr/Y ratios in the previous works are evaluated, it is revealed that many Early‐Middle Triassic felsic rocks in this region have high Sr/Y ratios characters. Combining tectono‐magmatic investigations, we further proposed that the Early‐Middle Triassic crustal thickening may have resulted from the collision between the NCC and the South Mongolia Terranes after the final closure of the Palaeo‐Asian Ocean.
Is Trust Enough? Anti‐Black Racism and the Perception of Black Vaccine “Hesitancy”
Authors: Wilson Yolonda
Published: April 2022

In this article, I offer a preliminary exploration of the heavy lifting that the word “trust” is doing in questions about Black distrust of medicine and what, if anything, comes from it. I also offer an account of why questions like, “Why don't Black people trust vaccines?” are not only the wrong questions to ask but also insulting, and I go on to provide a Black feminist analysis of racial injustice in medicine—an analysis that does not center a notion of trust. I begin by arguing that implicit in these questions is a pathologizing of Black people—the idea that there is something wrong with Black people rather than something wrong with the conditions within which Black people exist. The sense that there is something wrong with Black people both further disadvantages them and ignores the role that health care institutions have played and continue to play in fostering a climate of distrust. I show that even attempts to explain distrust fail to adequately capture the harms committed against Black people, even if such efforts gesture at institutional responsibility. I sketch out what is important about trust but also briefly discuss why trust may not be the answer to the problems that Black people face in health care encounters.
Now You Are Part of the Solution: Bioethicists' Contribution in Addressing Racialized Health Inequity
Authors: Kerr Jelani
Published: April 2022

Neoliberalism (an economic approach emphasizing tax abatement, market deregulation, and social safety net reduction) promotes inequality and unfavorable health outcomes. These outcomes are exacerbated among racial and ethnic minorities, as this policy approach is often coupled with various forms of institutional racism. The combination of these factors translates into concerning population health disparities in the United States. More egalitarian policies could disproportionately affect the socially marginalized and help rectify these challenges. Given the social and cultural capital bioethicists have in the fields of medicine, public health, and policy, this group is uniquely positioned to help remediate racial and ethnic inequity. Moreover, the unique skill sets bioethicists employ (conflict resolution, mediation, negotiation, facilitating public engagement, policy analysis) can be useful to improving the health of the populous. Thus, bioethicists can play a key role in addressing the most concerning health challenges and inequities today.
Speaking Volumes: The Encyclopedia of Bioethics and Racism
Authors: Galarneau Charlene , Smith Patrick T.
Published: April 2022

This essay takes as its starting point the claim that addressing anti‐Black racism is essential to the work of bioethics in the United States. The essay examines whether and how racism has been addressed in the field's central reference work, the Encyclopedia of Bioethics, throughout its four editions—in 1978, 1995, 2004, and 2014. With consideration of each edition's stated purpose and editorial framing, we find that the subject of racism is obscured by the Encyclopedia's inattention to African American approaches to bioethics, to racism as a bioethics issue, and specifically, to racism as a matter of justice. This essay suggests questions for guiding reflection necessary for giving racism its due in the field of bioethics.
Toward Critical Bioethics Studies: Black Feminist Insights for a Field “Reckoning” with Anti‐Black Racism
Authors: Overstreet Nicole M.
Published: April 2022

In this essay, I draw on the ethical theory of state consequentialism to advance the argument that understanding the ethics that the United States practices, rather than focusing on what it preaches, offers a more dynamic path for informing and transforming a field seeking to reckon with anti‐Black racism. With a specific focus on justice, I show how state consequentialism provides a potential starting point for understanding how the nation prioritizes its own social, political, and economic interests to the detriment of the very principles that are at the heart of bioethics.
Colonial Geographies, Black Geographies, and Bioethics
Authors: Mccurdy Jennifer
Published: April 2022

Structural anti‐Black racism exists within the fields of bioethics and medicine. The colonial structures underlying bioethics render the geographies and subjectivities of Black scholars and patients “ungeographic,” hidden by dominant White geographies. In this essay, I aim to illuminate more clearly the anti‐Black racist structures embedded in bioethics and medicine by engaging with Katherine McKittrick's work Demonic Grounds: Black Women and the Cartographies of Struggle. Specifically, I apply McKittrick's concepts of Black geographies to the physical spaces of health care (which could be the hospital, intensive care ward, or birthing room) and the discursive space of bioethics journals and texts. Finally, recommendations are made for bioethics to build the capacity to hold a multiplicity of geographies simultaneously.
The sexual brain, genes, and cognition: A machine‐predicted brain sex score explains individual differences in cognitive intelligence and genetic influence in young children
Authors: Kim Kakyeong , Joo Yoonjung Yoonie , Ahn Gun , Wang Hee‐Hwan , Moon Seo‐Yoon , Kim Hyeonjin , Ahn Woo‐Young , Cha Jiook
Published: April 2022

Sex impacts the development of the brain and cognition differently across individuals. However, the literature on brain sex dimorphism in humans is mixed. We aim to investigate the biological underpinnings of the individual variability of sexual dimorphism in the brain and its impact on cognitive performance. To this end, we tested whether the individual difference in brain sex would be linked to that in cognitive performance that is influenced by genetic factors in prepubertal children (N = 9,658, ages 9–10 years old; the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study). To capture the interindividual variability of the brain, we estimated the probability of being male or female based on the brain morphometry and connectivity features using machine learning (herein called a brain sex score). The models accurately classified the biological sex with a test ROC–AUC of 93.32%. As a result, a greater brain sex score correlated significantly with greater intelligence (pfdr < .001,  = .011–.034; adjusted for covariates) and higher cognitive genome‐wide polygenic scores (GPSs) (pfdr < .001,  < .005). Structural equation models revealed that the GPS‐intelligence association was significantly modulated by the brain sex score, such that a brain with a higher maleness score (or a lower femaleness score) mediated a positive GPS effect on intelligence (indirect effects = .006–.009; p = .002–.022; sex‐stratified analysis). The finding of the sex modulatory effect on the gene–brain–cognition relationship presents a likely biological pathway to the individual and sex differences in the brain and cognitive performance in preadolescence.
Efficacy of calcipotriol plus betamethasone dipropionate foam on psoriatic skin lesions beyond human eyes: An observational study
Authors: Anna Campanati , Andrea Marani , Melania Giannoni , Monia Orciani , Francesco Fabiani , Rachele Napolitano , Marco Arnesano , Primo Tomasini Enrico , Annamaria Offidani
Published: April 2022

Background and Aims

Calcipotriol plus betamethasone dipropionate foam has been developed as a new topical therapeutic option for psoriasis, whose effect has been documented mainly on clinical basis.

Methods

We decided to evaluate its efficacy on 11 patients, not only at the clinical level (by using Psoriasis Area Severity Index [PASI], Dermatology Life Quality Index [DLQI], and Psoriasis Global Assessment [PGA] clinimetric indexes) but especially from a subclinical viewpoint (by using videocapillaroscopy and thermography).

Results

After 4 weeks of treatment with calcipotriol plus betamethasone dipropionate foam, there was a marked reduction in all three clinimetric indixes PASI, PGA, and DLQI (DLQI mean value decreased from 13.45 ± 3.59 to 6.82 ± 3.31 (p = 0.001), PASI from 7.909 ± 2.857 to 4.582 ± 2.422 (p = 0.001), PGA from 1.8 ± 0.6 to 0.7 ± 0.4 (p = 0.002). From thermographic survey, a significant reduction of mean value of ΔT (temperature difference [°C] between center of the lesions and their periphery [healthy skin]), from 0.28 ± 0.99 to −0.42 ± 0.39 (p = 0.058), was observed. An exceptional reduction of capillaries of psoriatic plaques was detected through videocapillaroscopy (capillary density decreased from 27.91 ± 6.70 capillaries/mm2 to 4.54 ± 2.77 capillaries/mm2 (p = 0.001), with an 83.73% reduction).

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate both clinical and subclinical efficacy of calcipotriol plus betamethasone dipropionate foam on psoriatic skin lesions. The subclinical improvement detected, not only demonstrates that the therapeutic effect of foam is truly due to a decrease in inflammation, but, being earlier and more effectively detectable than clinical benefit, suggests future applications of thermography and videocapillaroscopy in evaluating the in vivo effect of therapies for psoriasis, and, in general, the course of the disease “beyond human eyes.”
The role of social networks in diabetes self‐care: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Moulaei Khadijeh , Dinari Zahra , Dinari Fatemeh , Jahani Yunes , Bahaadinbeigy Kambiz
Published: April 2022

Background

Patient involvement with diabetes self‐care is critical to reducing complications, morbidity, and mortality. Social media, as one of the most important forms of digital health, has always been available for diabetes self‐care, although the role of these media in supporting patient self‐care is unclear.

Aims

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of social networks in diabetes self‐care. In this study, the most important social networks used to receive self‐care services, diabetes self‐care behaviors, diabetes self‐care educations and benefits of using various services provided through social networks were identified.

Methods

The present study is a cross‐sectional study that was conducted through an electronic researcher‐made questionnaire in 2021. Two hundred and eighteen patients were selected to participate in the study from centers of diabetes of Fasa city, south of Iran. Sampling was performed by convenience sampling and in accordance with inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and analytical tests.

Results

In the data analysis section on Diabetes self‐care behaviors, there was no significant relationship between gender (p = 0.292), age (p = 0.49), type of diabetes (p = 0.909) and duration of diabetes (p = 0.076) with the use of self‐care services provided through social networks. There was a significant relationship between education level and the use of self‐care services provided through social networks (p = 0.01). “Recognizing diabetes and its complications,” “observing personal hygiene,” and “the impact of physical activity on diabetes control” were the most important educations. “Increasing patient knowledge and understanding about diabetes and its complications,” “reducing the consumption of high‐calorie foods and sugars,” and “observing personal and public health” were the most important social network's benefits, respectively.

Conclusions

Various self‐care educations and services provided through social networks can increase the in‐depth knowledge of diabetic patients about self‐care techniques and their effective role in controlling and managing diabetes and performing more self‐care processes.
Bendamustine and pneumocystis pneumonia: A systematic review
Authors: Hakamifard Atousa , Mardani Masoud , Nasiri Mohammad Javad , Gholipur‐Shahraki Tahereh
Published: April 2022

Background

Bendamustine, a bifunctional mechlorethamine alkylating agent, is used in the treatment of patients with hematologic malignancies. Myelosuppression and cytotoxic effect arises quite often after bendamustine treatment. To date, there have been no recommendations for routine chemoprophylaxis for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) in patients under treatment with this agent. The present systematic review aimed to evaluate the existing data on bendamustine effects on pneumocystis pneumonia.

Method

English papers were systematically reviewed using Web of Science, Embase, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Cochrane library. There was no time constraint for the paper search. The used keywords included “Pneumonia, Pneumocystis”or “Pneumocystis Pneumonia”or “Pneumocystis jirovecii” and “Bendamustine hydrochloride or Bendamustine. “Through our search, 113 papers were found, 26 of which were chosen following a review of the titles and abstracts; ultimately, 10 were included in the research.

Result

A total of 10 studies (out of 113 studies) were retrieved. The papers were classified into seven case reports, two clinical trials, and one retrospective analysis study. The case reports included 14 patients diagnosed with PCP after bendamustine administration between 2003 and 2019. The patients' mean age was with a range of 66.8. Non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (including diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma) (n = 9, 60%), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (n = 4, 26.6%), and breast cancer (n = 2, 13.4%) were the most prevalent types of malignancy. Bendamustine, along with rituximab, were the most commonly prescribed chemotherapy regimens during the treatments. Finally, the mortality rate among the patients whose results were reported (n = 9) was 44.44% (n = 4).

Conclusion

The present review described PCP infection in patients with malignancies after the treatment with bendamustine, a chemotherapeutic agent associated with lymphopenia. Further research is required to determine the PCP risk in patients with bendamustine treatment and identify individuals who may benefit from prophylaxis.
Synthetic money: Addressing the budget‐constraint issue
Authors: Kunkler Michael
Published: April 2022

A synthetic currency attempts to mimic a target currency with an optimal portfolio of other currencies, without having a position in the target currency. The original construction methodology of a synthetic currency imposed a budget constraint such that the portfolio weights sum to a non‐zero value, say. However, a synthetic currency is a portfolio of invariant currency indexes, rather than a portfolio of currency positions. In this article, we show that invariant currency indexes are tradable multilateral exchange rates. Consequently, the sum‐to‐x budget constraint unintentionally creates a non‐zero position in the target currency. We address this budget‐constraint issue by replacing the sum‐to‐x budget constraint with a sum‐to‐zero budget constraint, which correctly enforces a zero position in the target currency. Once the budget‐constraint issue is addressed, investors are faced with the fact that synthetic money is unable to mimic significant currency‐specific movements in target currencies.
Assessing the experience of dental students with an asynchronous online course about racism, cultural competence
Authors: Crawford Beverley A. , Hillier Amy
Published: April 2022

Purpose

University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine and the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice (SP2) designed an asynchronous online course about racism and cultural competence to address student concerns about harmful interactions with peers across race/ethnicity. The Penn Experience Course establishes common language and concepts to facilitate difficult conversations about racism in the classroom and clinical spaces.

Methods

The course included six modules addressing the history of racism in the Philadelphia area and at the University of Pennsylvania: implicit bias and microaggressions; racism and other forms of oppression; gender identity and sexuality; construction of whiteness and white supremacy ideology; cultural humility, disparities, and equity; and access in healthcare. Students completed pre‐ and post‐course surveys about their likelihood of engaging with the neighborhood surrounding Penn, confidence discussing the topics covered, and general experience with the course.

Results

Four hundred forty‐nine students completed post‐course surveys, 220 of which could be linked to precourse survey responses. Overwhelmingly, students reported a positive experience with the course, an increase in their likelihood to engage with the Penn neighborhood, and increased confidence in discussing course topics with peers. Many students suggested incorporating synchronous discussion, while a smaller group expressed resentment about the focus on whiteness, white fragility, and anti‐Black racism. Several students of color expressed concern that the course centered the learning needs of white students.

Conclusion

Asynchronous online content offers an effective and efficient way of teaching dental students about the basics of cultural competence. Educators should anticipate resistance from some white students and the distinct learning needs of students of color.
Effects of different earthworm ecotypes on soil nutrients distribution under straw return management in a maize agroecosystem
Authors: Li Yanpei , Wang Jiao , Wen Shuhai , Shao Ming'an
Published: April 2022

Earthworms are among the most common soil macrofauna taxa in cropland areas in the Loess Plateau and exert a large influence on soil nutrient cycling. The impacts of earthworms are related to the way different earthworm ecotypes process the soil. However, there are relatively few studies on the differing impacts of earthworm ecotypes on soil nutrient dynamics. Here we carried out a field plot experiment to explore the characteristics of soil nutrients, microbial populations, and enzyme activity subjected to two ecological groups (epigeic and epi‐anecic) in a maize system under two typical straw return managements (straw mulching and incorporation). Epigeic (EP), epi‐anecic (EN), and the combined presence of epigeic and epi‐anecic earthworms (EM) increased soil nutrients, microbial populations, and enzyme activity and improved maize growth. Under the straw incorporation mode, the promotion effect of earthworm treatment shows: EM > EN > EP. Compared with CK, EM significantly increased the nutrient content of all soil layers, and the activities of invertase, urease, phosphatase, and catalase increased by 8.6%–38.5%, 5.8%–33.7%, 13.7%–32.4%, and 8.1%–36.2%, respectively. The abundance of soil bacteria, actinomycetes, and fungi increased by 21.8%–37.7%, 11.7%–43.6%, and 46.2%–58.1%, respectively. Under straw mulching conditions, EP significantly increased the nutrient content, enzyme activity, and microbial content in the 0–10‐cm soil layer. The results showed clear effects of the earthworm ecotype on soil fertility under different straw application methods. These findings are helpful for revealing the role of different earthworm ecotypes in the nutrient cycling processes of dryland farmland ecosystems.
Participating in the sharing economy: The role of individual characteristics
Authors: Bäro Anne , Toepler Felix , Meynhardt Timo , Velamuri Vivek K.
Published: April 2022

The sharing economy is attracting increasing research attention. However, scholarly knowledge lacks understanding about the individuals who are the key players in this emerging phenomenon. This study uses an explorative approach to investigate the individual‐level characteristics of sharing economy users and providers. We analyze a sample of 1170 respondents and reveal that socio‐demographics (gender, age, and education), personality traits (Extraversion, Neuroticism, and Conscientiousness), and attitudes (interdependent self, materialism, sharing economy support, and perceived public value contributions) are significantly associated with people's activities in the sharing economy. Our results shed new lights into the academic debate about individual drivers of the sharing economy.
A broadband single‐fed circularly polarized patch filtenna with high suppression level
Authors: Jin Huayan , Nie Shanshan , Wang Wenlei , Chin Kuo‐Sheng , Peng Liang , Luo Guo Q.
Published: April 2022

In this manuscript, a single‐fed circularly polarized patch antenna is presented, which features a large bandwidth and a high out‐of‐band suppression level, simultaneously. By loading a stacked patch and etching U‐shaped slots on the driven and stacked patches respectively, a high out‐of‐band suppression level can be obtained without any extra filtering circuits. Furtherly, to widen the bandwidth of the filtering CP patch, two T‐shaped slots and a stepped via‐line‐via feeding structure are introduced. Finally, for demonstration, a prototype was fabricated and measured. The measurements indicated a large impedance bandwidth of 35.7%, an axial‐ratio bandwidth of 10.8%, a peak gain of 8.5 dBic, and a high out‐of‐band suppression level of up to 28.5 dB in stopbands.
Monomer Transport in Emulsion Polymerization III Terpolymerization and Starved‐Feed Polymerization
Authors: Schork F. Joseph
Published: April 2022

A simple mathematical model of the transport of monomer from the monomer droplets to the polymerizing polymer particles during batch emulsion homopolymerization has been developed and published previously. A Damkohler number for monomer transport in emulsion polymerization is proposed as the ratio of the maximum rate of polymerization divided by the maximum rate of monomer transport out of the monomer droplets. This Damkohler number is calculated from literature values for a number of common monomers. Following standard practice for the use of such a Damkohler number in other reaction‐with‐transport systems, monomers with a Damkohler number above 0.1 are considered to be transport limited. In a third paper the analysis is extended to batch binary copolymerization. Here the analysis is extended to the more industrially relevant cases of batch terpolymerization, starved‐feed copolymerization, and the combination of the two (starved‐feed terpolymerization).