bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Business Ethics: A Japanese View
Authors: Taka Iwao
Published: July 2007

Although “fairness” and “social responsibilities” form part of the business ethics agenda of Japanese corporations, the meaning of these terms must be understood in the context of the distinctive Japanese approach to ethics. In Japan, ethics is inextricably bound up with religious dimension (two normative environments) and social dimension (framework of concentric circles). The normative environments, influenced by Confucianism, Buddhism, and other traditional and modern Japanese religions, emphasize that not only individuals but also groups have their own spirit (numen) which is connected to the ultimate reality. The framework of concentric circles lets moral agents apply different ethical rules to the respective circles. The dynamics of these religious and social dimensions lead to a different view of both individuals and corporations from that dominant in the West.
Sovereign Immunity and the Moral Community
Authors: Mayer Don
Published: July 2007

Government policies and practices can exert significant influence on ethical behavior in a society. Many governments still rely on a long-standing prerogative of sovereigns, the defense of sovereign immunity, to avoid public inquiry about acts that are clearly immoral. However, the basic theory and frequent practice of invoking sovereign immunity cannot be ethically justified. Moreover, such practices model conduct based on power rather than reason, fairness, or justice, and invite both nations and individuals to view politics and business as a power game to be played and won, rather than as a process of building communities that emphasize reciprocity and commitment to moral principles.
Moral Rules As Public Goods
Authors: McClennen Edward F.
Published: July 2007

The kind of commitment to moral rules that characterizes effective interaction between persons in among others places, manufacturing and commercial settings is characteristically treated by economists and game theorists as a public good, the securing of which requires the expenditure of scarce resources on surveillance and enforcement mechanisms. Alternatively put, the view is that, characteristically, rational persons cannot voluntarily guide their choices by rules, but can only be goaded into acting in accordance with such rules by the fear of social and formal sanctions. On this way of thinking, rational individuals are condemned to having to settle for the “second-best” results that are thereby implied. This conclusion rests not only on an appeal to a consequentialist perspective, but also a separability principle. Against this, it is argued that consequentialism itself offers a basis for the rejection of the separability principle, and a defense of the thesis that, for a wide range of realistic cases, being disposed to voluntarily guide one’s choice by rules (on the condition that others can be expected to do so as well) is a necessary condition of engaging in rational interaction.

Most people do not trust most other people, unmonitored, to honor obligations completely. Because of this they use substantial amounts of resources to specify the details of agreements, and to police them. Use of these resources … could be greatly reduced, if transacting parties would agree to honor the spirit of their agreement and simply shake hands. The resource saving to the two parties combined, from substituting this mode of “enforcing” agreements to those currently used, is clear. Why, then, does not this more efficient mode of transacting drive out the more costly methods through the normal competitive process? … The underlying rationale for this … is that it is privately profitable to engage in some degree of “cheating” on agreements, and to use resources to disguise this fact. — M. W. Reder, “The Place of Ethics in the Theory of Production”
What Happens if Work Goes Away?
Authors: Gini Al
Published: July 2007

Jeremy Rifkin argues that as we push further into the Information Age fewer and fewer workers will be needed to produce our goods and services. Rifkin predicts that the era of near workerless factories and virtual corporations looms on the horizon. As one wag commentator put it: “The factory of the future will be staffed by only two living things, a man and a dog. The man’s job will be to feed the dog. The dog’s job will be to keep the man from touching any of the machines!” In a world that is phasing out mass employment, asks Rifkin, how do we find alternate ways for individuals to earn a living, find meaningful and creative outlets for expressions and establish their own sense of self-worth and identity? In other words, in the absence of work, how will we come to define ourselves? What will we do with ourselves? How will we stay sane?
Conscience and its Counterfeits in Organizational Life: A New Interpretation of the Naturalistic Fallacy
Authors: Goodpaster Kenneth E.
Published: July 2007

This paper explains and defends three basic propositions: (1) that our attitudes (particularly American attitudes) toward organizational ethics are conflicted at a fairly deep level; (2) that in response to this conflict in our attitudes, we often default to various counterfeits of conscience (non-moral systems that serve as surrogates for the role of conscience in organizational settings); and (3) that a better response (than relying on counterfeits) would be for leaders to foster a culture of ethical awareness in their organizations. Some practical suggestions are made about fostering such a culture, and a comparison is made between this late-20th-century response to the problem of counterfeits and the classic “naturalistic fallacy” identified in early-20th-century ethics by G. E. Moore.
It’s Time for Empirical Research in Business Ethics
Authors: Hosmer Larue Tone
Published: July 2007

We have a very decent belief structure or general paradigm underlying Business Ethics as a formal field of study. It has an explicit moral base. It can be stated in simple and direct terms. It has been developed over a number of recent years by a group of respected scholars from a variety of academic disciplines. It is, however, subject to multiple interpretations and open to extensive conflicts. We can easily tolerate if not benefit from the differing interpretations. We must—at some point—moderate if not resolve the debilitating conflicts. The argument I wish to make in this paper is that we have reached that point. It is time to resolve the conflicts, and the way to do so is to generate awkward, undeniable facts through basic empirical research. Those facts will then have to be incorporated into acceptable—and eventually accepted—theory.
Lifeboat Ethics in Business
Authors: McMahon Thomas F.
Published: July 2007

Lifeboat ethics is an anomalous concept that has been applied to many different situations, such as overpopulation. In this presentation, Lifeboat Ethics is applied to plant closings (Darlington, Amoco/Neodesha, Chrysler/Kenosha) and downsizing (BP Amoco). The power of the decision maker—not the rights of the employees—determines who will remain, who will be forced overboard, and who will be invited in.
Intensive Care for Everyone’s Least Favorite Oxymoron: Narrative in Business Ethics
Authors: Nash Laura L.
Published: July 2007

It had to happen. After two full decades of intense energy, business ethicists and business practitioners may actually have succeeded in suppressing the feeblest joke of the profession: “Business Ethics. Isn’t that an oxymoron?” Har har har.

In the early days of business ethics, the oxymoron had actual embodiments. “Business” was represented by hard-nosed, thick-skinned managers with no inclination to adopt academia’s language and critiques. “Ethics” was embodied by ivory-towered theoreticians with an undisguised contempt for profit makers. What a joke to think of these two groups as conceptually productive partners.
The Social Function of Business Ethics
Authors: Jeurissen Ronald
Published: July 2007

Business ethics serves the important social function of integrating business and society, by promoting the legitimacy of business operations, through critical reflection. Although the social function of business ethics is implicit in leading business ethics foundation theories, it has never been presented in a systematic way. This article sets out to fill this theoretical lacuna, and to explore the theoretical potentials of a functional approach to business ethics. Key concepts from Parsonian functionalistic sociology are applied to establish the social integrative function of business ethics. This produces a theoretical framework for business ethics that provides strong theoretical arguments against often-heard criticisms of business ethics. Many of these criticisms are ideological in nature, in that they systematically play down the importance of integrative functions in the business-society relationship, on the grounds of unrealistic assumptions about the performance of economic and bureaucratic institutions. However, business ethics itself can also become ideological, if it forgets that the conditions for the application of ethics to business are not always ideal as well.
Systematizing Norms: Toward a Moral Jurisprudence Theory of Business Ethics
Authors: Jackson Kevin
Published: July 2007

This article presentsmoral jurisprudence theoryas a systematic approach to business ethics that analogizes core problems of the field to related problems in law. Adapting theoretical approaches from contemporary philosophy of law, the article develops a decision-making method for business ethics.
Moral Values: Situationally Defined Individual Differences
Authors: Scott Elizabeth D.
Published: July 2007

This article suggests that there are individual differences in how people define important moral values, and that these differences are made manifest in differences in the situations. It identifies five dimensions along which individuals can differ in their understandings of values: 1)value category(where the value lies in the hierarchy), 2)agent(how voluntary the action is and whether it is morally required of the agent), 3)object(how close the self is to the object of the action; whether the action offends God) 4)effect(whether the effect of the action is to harm or help), and 5)intention(whether the intention of the action is to harm or help). It then addresses four important values entailing moral dimensions: respect for life, respect for property, honest communication, and respect for religion. The article suggests that empirical research, classroom teaching, and business practice can be strengthened by considering these dimensions.
Are There Any Environmental Rights?
Authors: Lercher Aaron
Published: July 2007

This paper extends the argument in H.L.A. Hart's ‘Are there any natural rights?’ to argue that there is an environmental moral right against pollution. This right is composed of a right against negligent, reckless or intentional risk imposition, together with the liberty to act in a way that does not negligently, recklessly or intentionally impose risks on others. This right is understood as overrideable or prima facie, and this paper does not claim that this right is the only basis of moral judgment in the cases it considers. The hypothesis that there is a right against pollution does, however, explain some moral reasoning about pollution that otherwise is difficult to explain.
Book Reviews
Authors: Herring Horace , Pearson Chris , Lanz Tobias J. , Oosthoek Jan , Coates Peter
Published: July 2007

John Wills, Conservation Fallout: Nuclear Protest at Diablo Canyon (HORACE HERRING)
Frank Uekoetter, The Green and the Brown: A History of Conservation in Nazi Germany (CHRIS PEARSON)
Edward I. Steinhart, Black Poachers, White Hunters: A Social History of Hunting in Colonial Kenya (TOBIAS J. LANZ)
T.C. Smout, Alan R. MacDonald and Fiona Watson, A History of the Native Woodlands of Scotland, 1500-1920 (JAN OOSTHOEK)
Stephen R. Mark, Preserving the Living Past: John C. MerriamÕs Legacy in the State and National Parks (PETER COATES)
Harold K. Steen (ed.), Jack Ward Thomas: The Journals of a Forest Service Chief (JAN OOSTHOEK)
Risk factors for suicide in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: A population‐based study
Authors: Wang Chao , Chen Haoda , Weng Yuanchi , Deng Xiaxing , Wang Weishen , Shen Baiyong
Published: March 2024

Background

Patients diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) face a notable risk of suicide. However, comprehensive population‐based studies on suicide risk in PDAC patients have been lacking. This study seeks to explore the suicide risk in PDAC patients and identify the specific risk factors associated with suicide‐related mortality.

Methods

A cohort of 101,382 PDAC patients was extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database, spanning from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2017. The study employed the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) to assess the relative risk of suicide in PDAC patients compared to the general US population. The Nelson–Aalen estimator and the Fine and Grey method were utilized to pinpoint the risk factors linked to suicide‐specific mortality.

Results

PDAC patients exhibited a 3.51‐fold higher risk of suicide compared to the general US population. This risk demonstrated an upward trend over the years. Notably, individuals aged 70–74 years faced a significantly elevated risk of suicide (SMR = 5.14, 95% CI: 3.10–8.03). Furthermore, there were distinct peaks in suicide risk at 1–4‐ and 25–28‐month post‐diagnoses (SMR = 15.04 and 2.72, respectively). Factors, such as gender, chemotherapy status, and marital status, emerged as significant independent predictors of suicide‐specific mortality in PDAC patients.

Conclusions

This study highlights a heightened suicide risk among PDAC patients in comparison to the general US population. It underscores the crucial need for continuous monitoring of the psychological well‐being of all PDAC patients. Additionally, considering the elevated risk, the application of antidepressant therapy could be beneficial for those identified as having a higher risk of suicide.
Braiding: How state drug and alcohol treatment funders survive
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: March 2024

There's no way that publicly funded treatment for substance use disorders (SUD) can survive on any one program. This includes the Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services (SUPTRS) Block Grant, which some people — and some states — think covers it all. Far from it, the block grant has remained at just about $2 billion for decades. So it's important from time to time to remind everyone — policymakers, treatment providers and patient advocates — that states and program managers can use braided funding, but often need more information on what sources are available and how they can be used.
Synthesis and Characterization of BaZrS3 Thin Films via Stacked Layer Methodology: A Comparative Study of BaZrS3 on Zirconium Foil and Silicon Carbide Substrates
Authors: Jamshaid Sumbal , Cicconi Maria Rita , Heiss Wolfgang , Webber Kyle G. , Wellmann Peter J.
Published: March 2024

Chalcogenide perovskites are an emerging class of semiconductors particularly interesting for optoelectronic applications due to their high absorption coefficients and direct bandgaps of 1.7–1.9 eV. However, few processing routes have been developed for the synthesis of BaZrS3 thin films. The advances in the fabrication of BaZrS3 thin films using zirconium foil as precursor and substrate is a new strategy, which is compared with the results of BaZrS3 thin films deposited on silicon carbide (SiC) substrate. In this study, a stacked layer methodology, inspired by the fabrication methods used for chalcopyrites and kesterites, is employed. The main objective is to facilitate the conversion of these layers into the desired perovskite structure through annealing. In methodology, we initiated the process by depositing elemental Zr by sputtering on SiC, followed by BaS on top of the Zr through electron beam evaporation and then sulphurized and annealed at high temperature (≈1000–1050 °C) to form BaZrS3 in an inductively heated physical vapour transport setup in the presence of elemental sulphur. In the parallel approach the methodology remains same, with the sole deviation of zirconium foil, which act as both the substrate and the source. The successful synthesis of BaZrS3 is confirmed by X‐Ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy‐dispersive X‐Ray spectroscopy (EDS), while the optical band gap is analyzed by UV‐Vis. The microstructure of the BaZrS3 films shows the polycrystalline structure and surface roughness.
Effect of Y Contents on the Microstructure, Mechanical Properties, and Corrosion Behavior of Biomedical Mg–0.5Zn Alloy
Authors: Jia Bobo , Lyu Shaoyuan , Tian Limin , Chen Minfang
Published: March 2024

The effects of Y contents on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and corrosion resistance of biomedical Mg–0.5Zn alloy are investigated. In the results, it is shown that an increase in Y content leads to a growth in the amount of the second phase and a decrease in the spacing of the secondary dendrite arms. Additionally, the second phase changes from a uniformly dispersed point‐like shape to a semicontinuous reticular distribution. Meanwhile, the addition of Y obviously reduces the dendritic organization and this contributes to the improvement of mechanical properties. The corrosion resistance of the alloys increased first when Y content is 2 wt% at most, and then decreases in Mg–3Y–0.5Zn alloy. The gradual improvement of corrosion resistance in Mg–1Y–0.5Zn and Mg–2Y–0.5Zn is closely related to the formation of the compact corrosion layer including Y element, while the sudden drop corrosion resistance of Mg–3Y–0.5Zn alloy is mainly attributed to the presence of a great deal of semicontinuous long‐period stacked order and its excessive negative potential compared with Mg matrix, which leads to a severe pitting.
Hybrid Hydrogels for Immunoregulation and Proangiogenesis through Mild Heat Stimulation to Accelerate Whole‐Process Diabetic Wound Healing
Authors: Guo Qianru , Yin Tianyu , Huang Wei , Nan Rui , Xiang Tao , Zhou Shaobing
Published: March 2024

Intense and persistent oxidative stress, excessive inflammation, and impaired angiogenesis severely hinder diabetic wound healing. Bioactive hydrogel dressings with immunoregulatory and proangiogenic properties have great promise in treating diabetic wounds. However, the therapeutic effects of dressings always depend on drugs with side effects, expensive cytokines, and cell therapies. Herein, a novel dynamic borate‐bonds crosslinked hybrid multifunctional hydrogel dressings with photothermal properties are developed to regulate the microenvironment of diabetic wound sites and accelerate the whole process of its healing without additional medication. The hydrogel is composed of phenylboronic acid‐modified chitosan and hyaluronic acid (HA) crosslinked by tannic acid (TA) through borate bonds and Prussian blue nanoparticles (PBNPs) with photothermal response characteristics are embedded in the polymer networks. The results indicate hydrogels show inherent broad‐spectrum antioxidative activities through the integrated interaction of borate bonds, TA, and PBNPs. Meanwhile, combined with the regulation of macrophage phenotype by HA, the inflammatory microenvironment of diabetic wounds is transformed. Moreover, the angiogenesis is then enhanced by the mild photothermal effect of PBNPs, followed by promoted epithelialization and collagen deposition. In summary, this hybrid hydrogel system accelerates all stages of wound repair through antioxidative stress, immunomodulation, and proangiogenesis, showing great potential applications in diabetic wound management.
Stable and Highly Active Single Atom Configurations for Photocatalytic H2 Generation
Authors: Wang Yue , Denisov Nikita , Qin Shanshan , Gonçalves Danielle Santos , Kim Hyesung , Sarma Bidyut Bikash , Schmuki Patrik
Published: March 2024

The employment of single atoms (SAs), especially Pt SAs, as co‐catalysts in photocatalytic H2 generation has gained significant attention due to their exceptional efficiency. However, a major challenge in their application is the light‐induced agglomeration of these SAs into less active nanosized particles under photocatalytic conditions. This study addresses the stability and reactivity of Pt SAs on TiO2 surfaces by investigating various post‐deposition annealing treatments in air, Ar, and Ar‐H2 environments at different temperatures. It is described that annealing in an Ar‐H2 atmosphere optimally stabilizes SA configurations, forming stable 2D rafts of assembled SAs ≈0.5–1 nm in diameter. These rafts not only resist light‐induced agglomeration but also exhibit significantly enhanced H2 production efficiency. The findings reveal a promising approach to maintaining the high reactivity of Pt SAs while overcoming the critical challenge of their stability under photocatalytic conditions.
Bipolaronic Motifs Induced Spatially Separated Catalytic Sites for Tunable Syngas Photosynthesis From CO2
Authors: Zhao Chengfeng , Yang Chao , Lv Ximeng , Wang Shengyao , Hu Cejun , Zheng Gengfeng , Han Qing
Published: March 2024

Photocatalytic reduction of CO2 into syngas is a promising way to tackle the energy and environmental challenges; however, it remains a challenge to achieve reaction decoupling of CO2 reduction and water splitting. Therefore, efficient production of syngas with a suitable CO/H2 ratio for Fischer–Tropsch synthesis can hardly be achieved. Herein, bipolaronic motifs including Co(II)‐pyridine N motifs and Co(II)‐imine N motifs are rationally designed into a crystalline imine‐linked 1,10‐phenanthroline‐5,6‐dione‐based covalent organic framework (bp‐Co‐COF) with a triazine core. These featured structures with spatially separated active sites exhibit efficient photocatalytic performance toward CO2‐to‐syngas conversion with a suitable CO/H2 ratio (1:1−1:3). The bipolaronic motifs enable a highly separated electron–hole state, whereby the Co(II)‐pyridine N motifs tend to be the active sites for CO2 activation and accelerate the hydrogenation to form *COOH intermediates; whilst, the Co(II)‐imine N motifs increase surface hydrophilicity for H2 evolution. The photocatalytic reductions of CO2 and H2O thus decouple and proceed via a concerted way on the bipolaronic motifs of bp‐Co‐COF. The optimal bp‐Co‐COF photocatalyst achieves a high syngas evolution rate of 15.8 mmol g−1 h−1 with CO/H2 ratio of 1:2, outperforming previously reported COF‐based photocatalysts.
EZH2 Inhibition Enhances PD‐L1 Protein Stability Through USP22‐Mediated Deubiquitination in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Huang Jiaqi , Yin Qianqian , Wang Yuqing , Zhou Xin , Guo Yunyun , Tang Yuanjun , Cheng Rui , Yu Xiaotong , Zhang Jie , Huang Chen , Huang Zhanya , Zhang Jianlin , Guo Zhengyang , Huo Xiao , Sun Yan , Li Yanfang , Wang Hao , Yang Jianling , Xue Lixiang
Published: March 2024

The regulation of PD‐L1 is the key question, which largely determines the outcome of the immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) based therapy. However, besides the transcription level, the protein stability of PD‐L1 is closely correlated with its function and has drawn increasing attention. In this study, EZH2 inhibition enhances PD‐L1 expression and protein stability, and the deubiquitinase ubiquitin‐specific peptidase 22 (USP22) is identified as a key mediator in this process. EZH2 inhibition transcriptionally upregulates USP22 expression, and upregulated USP22 further stabilizes PD‐L1. Importantly, a combination of EZH2 inhibitors with anti‐PD‐1 immune checkpoint blockade therapy improves the tumor microenvironment, enhances sensitivity to immunotherapy, and exerts synergistic anticancer effects. In addition, knocking down USP22 can potentially enhance the therapeutic efficacy of EZH2 inhibitors on colon cancer. These findings unveil the novel role of EZH2 inhibitors in tumor immune evasion by upregulating PD‐L1, and this drawback can be compensated by combining ICI immunotherapy. Therefore, these findings provide valuable insights into the EZH2‐USP22‐PD‐L1 regulatory axis, shedding light on the optimization of combining both immune checkpoint blockade and EZH2 inhibitor‐based epigenetic therapies to achieve more efficacies and accuracy in cancer treatment.
Bacteria Synergized with PD‐1 Blockade Enhance Positive Feedback Loop of Cancer Cells‐M1 Macrophages‐T Cells in Glioma
Authors: Chen Qi , Zheng Yuyi , Chen Xiaojie , Xing Yuan , Zhang Jiajie , Yan Xinyi , Zhang Qi , Wu Di , Chen Zhong
Published: March 2024

Cancer immunotherapy is an attractive strategy because it stimulates immune cells to target malignant cells by regulating the intrinsic activity of the immune system. However, due to lacking many immunologic markers, it remains difficult to treat glioma, a representative “cold” tumor. Herein, to wake the “hot” tumor immunity of glioma, Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) is customized with a coating to create an immunogenic tumor microenvironment and further prove the effect in combination with the immune checkpoint agent anti‐PD‐1, exhibiting elevated therapeutic efficacy. This is accomplished not by enhancing the delivery of PD‐1 blockade to enhance the effect of immunotherapy, but by introducing bacterial photothermal therapy to promote greater involvement of M1 cells in the immune response. After reaching glioma, the bacteria further target glioma cells and M2 phenotype macrophages selectively, enabling precise photothermal conversion for lysing tumor cells and M2 phenotype macrophages, which thereby enhances the positive feedback loop of cancer cells‐M1 macrophages‐T cells. Collectively, the bacteria synergized with PD‐1 blockade strategy may be the key to overcoming the immunosuppressive glioma microenvironment and improving the outcome of immunotherapy toward glioma.
Fatty Acid Oxidation Supports Lymph Node Metastasis of Cervical Cancer via Acetyl‐CoA‐Mediated Stemness
Authors: Yuan Li , Jiang Hongye , Jia Yan , Liao Yuandong , Shao Caixia , Zhou Yijia , Li Jiaying , Liao Yan , Huang Hua , Pan Yuwen , Wen Weijia , Zhao Xueyuan , Chen Linna , Jing Xu , Pan Chaoyun , Wang Wei , Yao Shuzhong , Zhang Chunyu
Published: March 2024

Accumulating evidence indicates that metabolic reprogramming of cancer cells supports the energy and metabolic demands during tumor metastasis. However, the metabolic alterations underlying lymph node metastasis (LNM) of cervical cancer (CCa) have not been well recognized. In the present study, it is found that lymphatic metastatic CCa cells have reduced dependency on glucose and glycolysis but increased fatty acid oxidation (FAO). Inhibition of carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1A (CPT1A) significantly compromises palmitate‐induced cell stemness. Mechanistically, FAO‐derived acetyl‐CoA enhances H3K27 acetylation (H3K27Ac) modification level in the promoter of stemness genes, increasing stemness and nodal metastasis in the lipid‐rich nodal environment. Genetic and pharmacological loss of CPT1A function markedly suppresses the metastatic colonization of CCa cells in tumor‐draining lymph nodes. Together, these findings propose an effective method of cancer therapy by targeting FAO in patients with CCa and lymph node metastasis.
Neutrophil Targeting Platform Reduces Neutrophil Extracellular Traps for Improved Traumatic Brain Injury and Stroke Theranostics
Authors: Mu Qingchun , Yao Kai , Syeda Madiha Zahra , Wan Jinlong , Cheng Qian , You Zhen , Sun Rui , Zhang Yufei , Zhang Huamiao , Lu Yuting , Luo Zhicheng , Li Yang , Liu Fuyao , Liu Huiping , Zou Xinyu , Zhu Yanfen , Peng Kesong , Huang Chunming , Chen Xiaoyuan , Tang Longguang
Published: March 2024

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and stroke are major causes of morbidity and mortality in both developing and developed countries. The complex and heterogeneous pathophysiology of TBI and cerebral ischemia‐reperfusion injury (CIRI), in addition to the blood‐brain barrier (BBB) resistance, is a major barrier to the advancement of diagnostics and therapeutics. Clinical data showed that the severity of TBI and stroke is positively correlated with the number of neutrophils in peripheral blood and brain injury sites. Furthermore, neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) released by neutrophils correlate with worse TBI and stroke outcomes by impairing revascularization and vascular remodeling. Therefore, targeting neutrophils to deliver NETs inhibitors to brain injury sites and reduce the formation of NETs can be an optimal strategy for TBI and stroke therapy. Herein, the study designs and synthesizes a reactive oxygen species (ROS)‐responsive neutrophil‐targeting delivery system loaded with peptidyl arginine deiminase 4 (PAD4) inhibitor, GSK484, to prevent the formation of NETs in brain injury sites, which significantly inhibited neuroinflammation and improved neurological deficits, and improved the survival rate of TBI and CIRI. This strategy may provide a groundwork for the development of targeted theranostics of TBI and stroke.
VLDL and LDL Subfractions Enhance the Risk Stratification of Individuals Who Underwent Epstein–Barr Virus‐Based Screening for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Multicenter Cohort Study
Authors: Zhou Zhenhua , Tang Tingxi , Li Nan , Zheng Qiaocong , Xiao Ting , Tian Yunming , Sun Jianda , Zhang Longshan , Wang Xiaoqing , Wang Yingqiao , Ye Feng , Chen Zekai , Zhang Hanbin , Zheng Xiuting , Cai Zhen , Liu Laiyu , Guan Jian
Published: March 2024

Serological tests for Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) antibodies have been widely conducted for the screening of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in endemic areas. Further risk stratification of NPC can be achieved through plasma lipoprotein and metabolic profiles. A total of 297 NPC patients and 149 EBV‐positive participants are enrolled from the NCT03919552 and NCT05682703 cohorts for plasma nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabolomic analysis. Small, dense very low density lipoprotein particles (VLDL‐5) and large, buoyant low density lipoprotein particles (LDL‐1) are found to be closely associated with nasopharyngeal carcinogenesis. Herein, an NMR‐based risk score (NRS), which combines lipoprotein subfractions and metabolic biomarkers relevant to NPC, is developed and well validated within a multicenter cohort. Combining the median cutoff value of the NRS (N50) with that of the serological test for EBV antibodies, the risk stratification model achieves a satisfactory performance in which the area under the curve (AUC) is 0.841 (95% confidence interval: 0.811‐0.871), and the positive predictive value (PPV) reaches 70.08% in the combined cohort. These findings not only suggest that VLDL‐5 and LDL‐1 particles can serve as novel risk factors for NPC but also indicate that the NRS has significant potential in personalized risk prediction for NPC.
Structural Changes in the Carbon Sphere of a Dirhodium Complex Induced by Redox or Deprotonation Reactions
Authors: Schweinzer Clara , Coburger Peter , Grützmacher Hansjörg
Published: March 2024

A carbon‐rich molecule is synthesized, which mainly contains conjugated sp2 and sp hybridized carbon centers. Alkenyl and alkynyl binding sites are arranged such that this compound serves as ligand to a binuclear metal unit with a RhI─RhI bond. Furthermore, CH units are placed in proximity to the metal centers. The dicationic complex [Rh2(bipy)2{Ph2Ptrop(C≡CCy)2}]2+(OTf−)2 allows to study possible responses of the carbon‐framework to redox reactions as well as deprotonation reactions. All products are, whenever possible, characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) methods, NMR and EPR spectroscopy as well as electrochemical methods. It is shown that the carbon skeleton of the ligand framework undergoes C─C bond rearrangement reactions of remarkable diversity. In combination with DFT (density functional theory) studies, these results allow to gain insight into the electronic structure changes caused by metal sites in a carbon‐rich environment, which may be of relevance for the properties of metal particles on carbon support materials when they are exposed to hydrogen, electrons, or protons.
A Machine Learning Frontier for Predicting LCOE of Photovoltaic System Economics
Authors: Bhatti Satyam , Khan Ahsan Raza , Zoha Ahmed , Hussain Sajjad , Ghannam Rami
Published: March 2024

In this research article, the objective is to determine the return on investment (ROI) of photovoltaic (PV) power plants by employing machine learning (ML) techniques. Special focus is done on the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) as a pivotal economic parameter crucial for facilitating economic decision‐making and enabling quantitative comparisons among different energy generation technologies. Traditional methods of calculating LCOE often rely on fixed singular input values, which may fall short in addressing uncertainties associated with assessing the financial feasibility of PV projects. In response, a dynamic model that integrates essential demographic, energy, and policy data, is introduced encompassing factors such as interest rates, inflation rates, and energy yield, which are anticipated to undergo changes over the lifetime of a PV system. This dynamic model provides a more accurate estimation of LCOE. The comparative analysis of ML algorithms indicates that the auto‐regression integration moving average (ARIMA) model exhibits a high accuracy of 93.8% in predicting consumer electricity prices. The validation of the model is highlighted through two case studies in the United States and the Philippines underscores the potential impact on LCOE values. For instance, in California, LCOE values could vary by nearly 30% (5.03 cents kWh−1for singular values vs 7.09 cents kWh−1using our ML model), influencing the perceived risk or economic feasibility of a PV power plant. Additionally, the ML model estimates the ROI for a grid‐connected PV plant in the Philippines at 5.37 years, in contrast to 4.23 years using traditional methods.
Impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on short‐term outcomes after pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer: A retrospective study from the Japanese National Clinical Database, 2018–2021
Authors: Takemura Yusuke , Endo Hideki , Hibi Taizo , Nakano Yutaka , Seishima Ryo , Takeuchi Masashi , Yamamoto Hiroyuki , Maeda Hiromichi , Hanazaki Kazuhiro , Taketomi Akinobu , Kakeji Yoshihiro , Seto Yasuyuki , Ueno Hideki , Mori Masaki , Kitagawa Yuko
Published: March 2024

Aim

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic greatly impacted medical resources such as cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment given to people for various diseases. We surveyed the impacts of the pandemic on the incidence of complications and mortality following pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer in Japan.

Methods

Data on patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer were extracted from the Japanese National Clinical Database (NCD) between 2018 and 2021. The number of the pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer were obtained and then the morbidity and mortality rates were evaluated using a standardized morbidity/mortality ratio (SMR), which is the ratio of the observed number of incidences to the expected number of incidences calculated by the risk calculator previously developed by the NCD.

Results

This study included 22 255 cases. The number of pancreaticoduodenectomies exhibited an increasing trend even during the COVID‐19 pandemic. The mean observed incidence rates of Grade C pancreatic fistula and Clavien–Dindo grade ≥4 complications, and the 30‐day mortality and surgical mortality rates were 0.8%, 1.8%, 0.8% and 0.9%, respectively. The standardized morbidity ratios did not increase during the COVID‐19 pandemic. The standardized mortality ratios remained within the range of variations observed before the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Conclusion

The increasing trend in the number of pancreaticoduodenectomies and favorable short‐term outcomes even in the COVID‐19 pandemic suggest the medical care for pancreatic cancer in Japan functioned well during the pandemic.
Novel Stereo‐Induction Pattern in Pudovik Addition/Phospha‐Brook Rearrangement Towards Chiral Trisubstituted Allenes
Authors: Zheng Jia‐Yan , Wang Fan , Zhang Yan , Zheng Zheng , Wu Jia‐Hong , Ren Xiaoyu , Su Zhishan , Chen Wenchuan , Wang Tianli
Published: March 2024

Despite the significance of chiral allene skeletons in catalysis, organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry et al., there is a scarcity of reports on axially chiral allenyl phosphorus compounds. Here, we disclosed an efficient and straightforward cascade reaction between ethynyl ketones and phosphine oxides, resulting in a broad array of trisubstituted allenes incorporating a phosphorus moiety in high yields with excellent stereoselectivities facilitated by peptide‐mimic phosphonium salt (PPS) catalysis, Additionally, comprehensive series of mechanistic experiments have been conducted to elucidate that this cascade reaction proceeds via an asymmetric Pudovik addition reaction followed by a subsequent phospha‐Brook rearrangement that occurs concomitantly with kinetic resolution, representing a stereospecific rearrangement and protonation process facilitating central‐to‐axial chirality transfer in a cascade manner. We anticipate that our research will pave the way for a promising exploration of novel stereo‐induction pattern in the Pudovik addition/phospha‐Brook rearrangement cascade reaction.
Biosynthesis of Strained Amino Acids by a PLP‐Dependent Enzyme through Cryptic Halogenation
Authors: Sosa Max B. , Leeman Jacob T. , Washington Lorenzo J. , Scheller Henrik V. , Chang Michelle C. Y.
Published: March 2024

Amino acids (AAs) are modular building blocks which nature uses to synthesize both macromolecules, such as proteins, and small molecule natural products, such as alkaloids and non‐ribosomal peptides. While the 20 main proteinogenic AAs display relatively limited side chain diversity, a wide range of non‐canonical amino acids (ncAAs) exist that are not used by the ribosome for protein synthesis, but contain a broad array of structural features and functional groups. In this communication, we report the discovery of the biosynthetic pathway for a new ncAA, pazamine, which contains a cyclopropane ring formed in two steps. In the first step, a chlorine is added onto the C4 position of lysine by a radical halogenase, PazA. The cyclopropane ring is then formed in the next step by a pyridoxal‐5′‐phosphate‐dependent enzyme, PazB, via an SN2‐like attack at C4 to eliminate chloride. Genetic studies of this pathway in the native host, Pseudomonas azotoformans, show that pazamine potentially inhibits ethylene biosynthesis in growing plants based on alterations in the root phenotype of Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings. We further show that PazB can be utilized to make an alternative cyclobutane‐containing AA. These discoveries may lead to advances in biocatalytic production of specialty chemicals and agricultural biotechnology.
Zigzag Hopping Site Embedded Covalent Organic Frameworks Coating for Zn Anode
Authors: Guo Can , Huang Xin , Huang Jianlin , Tian Xi , Chen Yuting , Feng Wenhai , Zhou Jie , Li Qi , Chen Yifa , Li Shun‐Li , Lan Ya‐Qian
Published: March 2024

Precise design and tuning of Zn hopping/transfer sites with deeper understanding of the dendrite‐formation mechanism is vital in artificial anode protective coating for aqueous Zn‐ion batteries (AZIBs). Here, we probe into the role of anode‐coating interfaces by designing a series of anhydride‐based covalent organic frameworks (i.e., PI‐DP‐COF and PI‐DT‐COF) with specifically designed zigzag hopping sites and zincophilic anhydride groups that can serve as desired platforms to investigate the related Zn2+ hopping/transfer behaviours as well as the interfacial interaction. Combining theoretical calculations with experiments, the ABC stacking models of these COFs endow the structures with specific zigzag sites along the 1D channel that can accelerate Zn2+ transfer kinetics, lower surface‐energy, homogenize ion‐distribution or electric‐filed. Attributed to these superiorities, thus‐obtained optimal PI‐DT‐COF cells offer excellent cycling lifespan in both symmetric‐cell (2000 cycles at 60 mA cm−2) and full‐cell (1600 cycles at 2 A g−1), outperforming almost all the reported porous crystalline materials.
Application of plasma‐activated silanized cellulose nanofibers in natural rubber composites
Authors: Huang Yinggang , Xiao Yao , Li Biao , Gong Zheng , Xu Yifan , Xu Zhenchun , Wang Chuansheng , Li Wei
Published: March 2024

Cellulose nanofiber (CNF) is an advanced bio‐nanomaterial. However, the hydroxyl groups on the surface of CNFs are highly polar, leading to its weak interfacial compatibility with natural rubber (NR). Therefore, it is necessary to organically modify CNFs by silanization to improve the interfacial compatibility between CNFs and NR, which can then be used to prepare high‐performance CNF/NR composites. In this study, the effect of plasma‐activated pre‐silanization of CNFs on the vulcanization characteristics, mechanical properties, Payne effect, and dynamic mechanical properties of CNF/NR composites is investigated. The high‐energy impact of the plasma weakens the agglomeration of CNFs and increased the fiber surface roughness, providing a larger contact reaction area for the silanization reaction between the silane coupling agent and CNFs. The results show that the prepared CNF/NR composites have excellent physical and mechanical properties and processing safety. Compared with the unmodified CNF, its DIN wear increases by 4%, tensile strength increases by 23%, reinforcement factor increases by 7%, rolling resistance decreases by 6.3%, and Mooney viscosity decreases by 17.6%. Overall, this study presents a novel approach for the high‐value utilization of CNFs and the preparation of NR composites with exceptional properties, thereby establishing a solid foundation for the application of all‐steel treads.
Ferroptosis and iron mineralization involved in the death and survival of orange‐spotted groupers challenged with Pseudomonas plecoglossicida
Authors: Sun Yujia , Weng Shaoping , Dong Chuanfu , He Jianguo
Published: March 2024

Pseudomonas plecoglossicida (P. plecoglossicida) is a pathogen in aquaculture that causes considerable economic loss. According to artificial infection experiments, the fish were classified into control group, moribund group, and survival group. Compared to the control group, both the moribund group and the survival group of fish had fewer red blood cells (RBCs) and lower oxygen saturation (SaO2). Furthermore, the fish in the survival group has more RBCs and SaO2 compared to the moribund group. The concentrations of total iron, ferrous iron, ferric iron, and mineralized iron in the fish spleen of the moribund and survival groups were lower compared to those of the control group. Additionally, the concentrations of these iron components in the fish spleen of the survival group were higher than those of the moribund group. The results demonstrated that iron mineralization is involved in the survival of fish challenged with P. plecoglossicida. Compared to the control and survival groups, the fish spleen had several distinguishing features in the moribund group, including less reduced glutathione (GSH), higher mitochondrial complex V activity, more lipid peroxidation, and reactive oxygen species, as well as reduced glutathione peroxidase 4 (gpx4) expression. Moreover, there were intact cell membranes, a normal nucleus size, no chromatin concentration, and disappearance of cristae in the mitochondria of the spleens of the moribund group. The characteristics of spleen cells in the moribund group were consistent with ferroptosis, suggesting that ferroptosis was involved in the death of fish challenged with P. plecoglossicida.
Dissecting human anatomy learning process through anatomical education with augmented reality: AEducAR 2.0, an updated interdisciplinary study
Authors: Neri Irene , Cercenelli Laura , Marcuccio Massimo , Lodi Simone , Koufi Foteini‐Dionysia , Fazio Antonietta , Marvi Maria Vittoria , Marcelli Emanuela , Billi Anna Maria , Ruggeri Alessandra , Tarsitano Achille , Manzoli Lucia , Badiali Giovanni , Ratti Stefano
Published: March 2024

Anatomical education is pivotal for medical students, and innovative technologies like augmented reality (AR) are transforming the field. This study aimed to enhance the interactive features of the AEducAR prototype, an AR tool developed by the University of Bologna, and explore its impact on human anatomy learning process in 130 second‐year medical students at the International School of Medicine and Surgery of the University of Bologna. An interdisciplinary team of anatomists, maxillofacial surgeons, biomedical engineers, and educational scientists collaborated to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the study's objectives. Students used the updated version of AEducAR, named AEducAR 2.0, to study three anatomical topics, specifically the orbit zone, facial bones, and mimic muscles. AEducAR 2.0 offered two learning activities: one explorative and one interactive. Following each activity, students took a test to assess learning outcomes. Students also completed an anonymous questionnaire to provide background information and offer their perceptions of the activity. Additionally, 10 students participated in interviews for further insights. The results demonstrated that AEducAR 2.0 effectively facilitated learning and students' engagement. Students totalized high scores in both quizzes and declared to have appreciated the interactive features that were implemented. Moreover, interviews shed light on the interesting topic of blended learning. In particular, the present study suggests that incorporating AR into medical education alongside traditional methods might prove advantageous for students' academic and future professional endeavors. In this light, this study contributes to the growing research emphasizing the potential role of AR in shaping the future of medical education.
Impact of perinatal exposure counseling on patient reported emotional outcomes and decisional empowerment
Authors: Müller Réka , Lake Madison , Krstić Nevena , Običan Sarah G. , Cragun Deborah
Published: March 2024

Background

Exposures during pregnancy are common and most pregnant patients utilize at least one medication during pregnancy. The lack of reliable information on medication safety during pregnancy available to providers and patients is a stressor and obstacle to decision‐making about medication use in pregnancy. Previous studies showed that exposures in pregnancy are associated with guilt, worry, and decisional conflict. Although prior research has evaluated changes in patient knowledge after teratogen counseling, studies have not examined emotional outcomes or patients' decisional empowerment. This quasi‐experimental study measured changes in patients' feelings of guilt, anxiety, and decisional empowerment after receiving exposure counseling from trained teratogen information specialists.

Methods

We administered pre‐ and post‐counseling surveys to patients referred to a perinatal exposure clinic in Tampa, Florida. Validated scales were used to measure anxiety and guilt, and the ‘SURE’ measure was used to assess decisional empowerment. Paired samples t‐tests evaluated changes in anxiety and guilt and a McNemar test assessed for changes in empowered decision making.

Results

Among the 34 participants who completed both surveys, anxiety, and guilt scores decreased significantly (p < .001). While only 21% felt informed and empowered to make a decision related to their exposure(s) before counseling, this increased to 85% (p < .001) on the post‐survey.

Conclusion

Comprehensive counseling with a trained teratogen information specialist improves patient emotional outcomes as well as feelings of empowerment to make an informed decision regarding medication use in pregnancy. This study highlights that patient‐centered teratogen counseling goes beyond simple changes in patient knowledge.