bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gift-giving as an Epistemic Virtue
Authors: Popova Olga V. ,   Institute of Philosophy, Russian Academy of Sciences
Published: December 2021

The article presents a study of gift-giving practices in the context of the development of modern biomedicine and shows their relationship to the realization of epistemic virtues. In biomedicine, the gain and production of knowledge (the gift of knowledge) is often grounded in bodily gift (sacrifice) and donor practices. The latter are associated with a number of mishaps in the history of biomedicine, reflecting the violation of moral norms in the process of obtaining scientific data and demonstrating the need for a clear differentiation of intellectual and moral virtues. An important factor in the formation of the epistemic norms of modern biomedicine has been the transformation of the values of scientific knowledge from practices of coercion to giving. As a result, the involuntary sacrifice of biomaterials to science was replaced by voluntary practices of somatic giving and informational exchange that determine the process of mutual recognition in science. It is shown that gift-giving in science is closely associated with intellectual virtues, with intellectual generosity characterizing the idea of openness in science and scientists’ intention for production and constant growth of knowledge, and can also be related to the idea of altruistic service to science, involving the exchange of received scientific data and access to free information in the network space. A number of examples of the modern digital gift ethos and the implementation of the principles of openness of knowledge and knowledge exchange in the context of the creation of biomedical expert digital platforms, the formation of social scientific networks – platforms with open access to scientific information, the development of the phenomenon of “garage” science and other “zones of exchange” experience are considered.
Tagore: Global Author Through A Pepperean Lens
Authors: Harold John ,   Society for Indian Philosophy and Religion
Published: December 2021

The global reach of Tagore’s achievement can be freshly understood through a theory of purposive behavior by the American philosopher, Stephen C. Pepper. Pepper proposed dividing human purposes in three categories: conative achievement, and affective. Tagore’s prose fiction can fill out the theory with more complex and problematic examples towards a cross cultural ethics. His novels about the emerging professional class in India reveal the tensions between traditional values of the family and religious observance against individual efforts to fulfil desire, find pleasure, and be productive outside or in home life. The last completed prose fiction of the Bengali master presents a distinct challenge for critics and filmmakers as his longstanding sympathy for the plight of women may cause us to misread the rollickingly satirical "Laboratory" in which a scientist's legacy is fought over by a thoroughly corrupt mother and daughter.
Annotated Translation of Udayana's Aatmatattvaviveka
Authors: Chakrabarti Kisor Kumar ,   Society for Indian Philosophy and Religion
Published: December 2021

One approaching a thing from a distance may perceive it as existent, then as a substance, then as a tree and, finally, as a fig tree. Thus, the same fig tree can be the object of all these different perceptions. This shows, Udayana argues, that difference in cognitive states does not necessarily prove that their objects are different. This argument is in response to the Buddhist claim that since perceptual cognitive states and non-perceptual cognitive states are different, their respective objects are also different; unique particulars (svalakSaNa) that alone are real, are grasped in perception; general features (saamaanyalakSaNa) that are not real are grasped in non-perceptual cognitive states. The Buddhist objects: when the same thing appears to be the object of different cognitive states, only that cognitive state which leads to useful result is reliable. Udayana replies: More than one cognitive state in the above situation may lead to useful result; it is not justified to accept only one of them as reliable and reject the others. The Buddhist objects again: perceptual awareness is direct but non-perceptual awareness is indirect: hence their objects are different. Udayana replies: The same thing may be perceived when there is sensory connection with it and then inferred from an invariably connected sign when there is no sensory connection. Thus, the same thing may be the object of both direct and indirect cognitive states depending on different causal conditions.
Making meaning of empowerment and development in rural Malawi—International individualism meets local communalism
Authors: Adolfsson Johanna Sofia , Moss Sigrun Marie
Published: December 2021

Empowerment is a prominent concept in psychology, and for decades, it has been a key term in global development policy, theory, and practice. However, in line with similar turns toward individualism in psychology, the prevalent understanding of the concept centers on individual capacity to change circumstances, with less focus on empowerment as a context-dependent or communal approach. In this article, adopting decolonial feminist psychology as a lens, we analyze how rural Malawians make meaning of the overarching empowerment and development approach of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working in their villages, and how they perceive the approaches as fitting with local contexts. When development implementers largely ignore Malawi’s communal lifestyle, individualized empowerment initiatives can lead to individual and communal disempowerment and distress. Given psychology’s large influence on other arenas, and psychology’s implication with the individualized gender-development-empowerment nexus, we argue that it is imperative to explore the effects and experiences of this empowerment approach in different contexts. A more context-appropriate understanding of empowerment—as with most other psychological concepts—is needed.
Building an Anti-Corruption Legal Culture
Authors: Syah Kaharuddin , Malik Abdul
Published: December 2021

Background: Corrupt behaviour in Indonesia is increasingly becoming a culture, which is undoubtedly destructive to the economy and moral order of the nation. Corruption has become a chronic disease in the country, which requires serious treatment, especially by the state.

Objective: Building an anti-corruption culture is a genuine and sustained intention; such an effort should be spearheaded y the government. Instilling an understanding that corruption is a despicable act based on religious and social norms which are not ethical. However, corruption’s complexity and its modes or categories have kept on the increase along with the vast power of the state in regulating social life. Various attempts have been made by all the previous governments, but they cannot free the country from the tsunami of corruption.

Approach: Though the various policies and law enforcement models have been put in place, corruption persists today. The strategy of building an anti-corruption legal culture should be continuously promoted, in securing a corruption-free future for Indonesia.
En robot på operationsstuen
Authors: Møhl Perle
Published: December 2021

PERLE MØHL: En robot på operationsstuen
INTRODUKTION
Authors: Krøijer Stine , Weisdorf Matti
Published: December 2021

Introduktion: Antropologien og de andre arter
LIQUID LEAD-BISMUTH EUTECTIC AS A COOLANT IN GENERATION IV NUCLEAR REACTORS AND IN HIGH TEMPERATURE SOLAR CONCENTRATOR APPLICATIONS: CHARACTERISTICS, CHALLENGES, ISSUES
Authors: Popović Miroslav P. , Bolind Alan M. , Cionea Cristian , Hosemann Peter
Published: December 2021

Heavy liquid metals have found a wide range of application in energy conversion systems, due to their beneficial thermal properties, especially their low melting points and their capability of operating at higher temperatures without boiling. In addition, the neutronic properties of various liquid metals make them attractive for fusion as well as in Generation IV nuclear reactors. Lately, concentrated solar power (CSP) systems have developed an interest in this technology, calling for temperatures up to 800 oC. The main challenge in realizing engineering scale units is to find proper structural materials that can withstand the corrosion and provide mechanical strength at operation conditions. Lead-Bismuth Eutectic (LBE) is one of the main candidate coolants for liquid metal cooled reactors and solar thermal power applications due to its physical properties such as good thermal conduction, low thermal expansion and melting point, non-violent reactivity to water and low neutron absorption. However, the key limiting factor for LBE usage is the fact of its high corrosiveness to steels and other structural materials. In this work, the results of our systematic materials study in liquid LBE and its alternatives are presented. Various potential structural materials were exposed to LBE, Rose’s metal (Pb-Bi-Sn) and Pb-Bi-Zn eutectic, in static corrosion tests. Post corrosion characterization was conducted by micro-structural analysis (SEM/EDS, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy) and preferential corrosion mechanisms were evaluated.
A COMPARASION OF BRACKET DEBONDING FORCES BETWEEN THE TWO ADHESIVES: CON TEC LC AND CON TEC DUO
Authors: Mirjanić Vladan , Mirjanić Đorđe , Čupić Slobodan
Published: December 2021

Fixed technique for applying brackets would be impossible without using adhesives for their fixation to the tooth enamel. However, the use of adhesives entails a number of problems which are a consequence of their imperfection, besides the fact that they have been actually applied for a number of decades already. The paper will analyze the debonding force values for bracket-tooth interface by using Con Tec LC and, Con Tec Duo. For comparative analysis of the strength of bracket-tooth interface, with the application of different types of adhesives, 80 extracted teeth of the frontal region were used (maxillary and mandibular incisors and canines). For the debonding process of applied orthodontics brackets, single-axial Stretch system for examination of tissues was applied to determine the value of the force necessary to separate the bracket from tooth surface, i.e. it was used to test debonding force. The direction of the used force for debonding was under angle of 90 degrees to the vertical axis of the tooth. By comparison of mean values of the strength of interface among the tested groups, it was determined that the highest average value of bond strength was with the group of teeth with which Con Tec Duo was used, a little lower mean value was recorded with the use of Con Tec LC adhesive.
Ciclos de protesto e democracia: uma comparação entre Portugal e Espanha, 2000-2019
Authors: Fernandes Tiago , Araújo Cláudia , Santos Isabel Gorjão , Romanos Eduardo
Published: December 2021

Neste artigo, são descritos e analisados os ciclos de protesto em Portugal e Espanha no início do século XXI. Considerando que a possibilidade de exercer o direito à dissensão na esfera pública constitui não apenas um dos elementos caracterizadores da democracia, mas igualmente um fator do seu fortalecimento, esta análise compara os ciclos de protesto nos dois países da Península Ibérica, atentando à sua magnitude e complexidade organizacional, e aos seus aspetos culturais, em particular os repertórios de ação coletiva. Este estudo permite identificar diferentes tendências do protesto nos dois países, não obstante a Grande Recessão constituir, em ambos os casos, um marco inquestionável em termos da dimensão do protesto. Permite igualmente aferir da constante importância de atores de protesto tradicionais em Portugal, como os sindicatos, associada à existência de uma cultura de protesto mais democrática. Em contrapartida, em Espanha, a arena do protesto é mais variada e inovadora, mas também mais polarizada e conflitual.
Sudden Cardiac Death Caused by Cardiac Small Vessel Vasculitis after COVID-19 Vaccination (BNT162b2 nCov-19): A Case Report
Authors: Park Sohyung , Kim Min Kyoung , Baek Kanghyun
Published: December 2021

This study presents a case of sudden cardiac death due to cardiac small vessel vasculitis after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mRNA vaccination (BNT162b2). The deceased was a 76-year-old woman with diabetes mellitus (DM) and chronic hypertension (HTN), who experienced generalized pain for a month after the first dose of vaccination, and unexpectedly died. Postmortem examination revealed small vessel vasculitis in the heart, lungs and vaccinated site of the left arm. These features were similar to those observed in a previously reported case of a patient with COVID-19 and cardiac endotheliitis and multisystem inflammatory syndrome. In addition, DM and HTN may contribute to vaccine-induced immunologic changes and vascular dysfunction. However, further studies with additional cases are needed.
Soolisustatud rahvuslus Lilli Suburgi (1841–1923) jutustuses “Liina” (1877)
Authors:   Estonian Cultural History Archives, Estonian Literary Museum, Annuk Eve
Published: December 2021

The article deals with the representation of nationalism in Lilli Suburg’s (1841–1923) short story “Liina” (1877). Lilli Suburg was a writer, journalist, pedagogue, and the first Estonian feminist. “Liina” is her most famous literary work, which also belongs among the most important works of early Estonian literature. “Liina” was published in two editions (1877, 1884) and was also translated into Finnish (1892). It is important in the context of Estonian national movement because it is a short story based on the central idea which emphasizes the importance of being Estonian. It became popular among readers and made the author famous. “Liina” is based on Suburg’s German-language diary, and it is an autobiographical short story about an Estonian peasant girl who struggles to remain Estonian. The national ideas represented in “Liina” emphasize the importance of remaining Estonian in an environment where social mobility rather implied Germanization. On the other hand, the national theme in “Liina” represents a gendered viewpoint. Suburg understood the woman as a national subject equal to the man and therefore the carrier of national ideas is a woman – the protagonist called Liina. The article deals with the representation of nationalism and gender in the short story and also with the context of the creation and reception of the work.
PlaneNet: an efficient local feature extraction network
Authors: Lin Bin , Su Houcheng , Li Danyang , Feng Ao , Li Hongxiang , Li Jiao , Jiang Kailin , Jiang Hongbo , Gong Xinyao , Liu Tao
Published: December 2021

Due to memory and computing resources limitations, deploying convolutional neural networks on embedded and mobile devices is challenging. However, the redundant use of the 1 × 1 convolution in traditional light-weight networks, such as MobileNetV1, has increased the computing time. By utilizing the 1 × 1 convolution that plays a vital role in extracting local features more effectively, a new lightweight network, named PlaneNet, is introduced. PlaneNet can improve the accuracy and reduce the numbers of parameters and multiply-accumulate operations (Madds). Our model is evaluated on classification and semantic segmentation tasks. In the classification tasks, the CIFAR-10, Caltech-101, and ImageNet2012 datasets are used. In the semantic segmentation task, PlaneNet is tested on the VOC2012 datasets. The experimental results demonstrate that PlaneNet (74.48%) can obtain higher accuracy than MobileNetV3-Large (73.99%) and GhostNet (72.87%) and achieves state-of-the-art performance with fewer network parameters in both tasks. In addition, compared with the existing models, it has reached the practical application level on mobile devices. The code of PlaneNet on GitHub: https://github.com/LinB203/planenet.
An Implantable Artificial Atherosclerotic Plaque as a Novel Approach for Drug Transport Studies on Drug‐Eluting Stents
Authors: Razzi Francesca , Lovrak Matija , Gruzdyte Dovile , Den Hartog Yvette , Duncker Dirk J. , van Esch Jan H. , van Steijn Volkert , van Beusekom Heleen M. M.
Published: December 2021

Atherosclerotic arteries are commonly treated using drug‐eluting stents (DES). However, it remains unclear whether and how the properties of atherosclerotic plaque affect drug transport in the arterial wall. A limitation of the currently used atherosclerotic animal models to study arterial drug distribution is the unpredictability of plaque size, composition, and location. In the present study, the aim is to create an artificial atherosclerotic plaque—of reproducible and controllable complexity and implantable at specific locations—to enable systematic studies on transport phenomena of drugs in stented atherosclerosis‐mimicking arteries. For this purpose, mixtures of relevant lipids at concentrations mimicking atherosclerotic plaque are incorporated in gelatin/alginate hydrogels. Lipid‐free (control) and lipid‐rich hydrogels (artificial plaque) are created, mounted on DES and successfully implanted in porcine coronary arteries ex‐vivo. Matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI‐MSI) is used to measure local drug distribution in the arterial wall behind the prepared hydrogels, showing that the lipid‐rich hydrogel significantly hampers drug transport as compared to the lipid‐free hydrogel. This observation confirms the importance of studying drug transport phenomena in the presence of lipids and of having an experimental model in which lipids and other plaque constituents can be precisely controlled and systematically studied.
Multifunctional Single‐Component Polypeptide Hydrogels: The Gelation Mechanism, Superior Biocompatibility, High Performance Hemostasis, and Scarless Wound Healing
Authors: Bai Qian , Teng Lin , Zhang Xueliang , Dong Chang‐Ming
Published: December 2021

Polymeric hydrogels have been increasingly studied for wound sealants, adhesives, hemostats, and dressings, however, multi‐component gelation, adhesion‐causing tissue damage, inefficient hemostasis, and skin scarring in wound healing hamper their advances. So it is urgent to develop multifunctional single‐component polymeric hydrogels with benign tissue detachment, high performance hemostasis, and scarless wound healing attributes. Herein, a dopamine‐modified poly(l‐glutamate) hydrogel at an ultralow concentration of 0.1 wt% is serendipitously constructed by physical treatments, in which a gelation mechanism is disclosed via oxidative catechol‐crosslinking and sequential dicatechol‐carboxyl hydrogen‐bonding interactions. The covalent/H‐bonding co‐crosslinked and highly negative‐charged networks enable the polypeptide hydrogels thermo‐, salt‐, urea‐resistant, self‐healing, injectable, and adhesive yet detachable. In vitro and in vivo assays demonstrate they have superior biocompatibility with ≈0.5% hemolysis and negligible inflammation. The polypeptide/graphene oxide hybrid hydrogel performs fast and efficient hemostasis of 12 s and 1.4% blood loss, surpassing some hydrogels and commercial counterparts. Remarkably, the polypeptide hydrogels achieve scarless and full wound healing and regenerate thick dermis with some embedded hair follicles within 14 days, presenting superior full‐thickness wound healing and skin scar‐preventing capabilities. This work provides a simple and practicable method to construct multifunctional polypeptide hemostatic and healing hydrogels that overcome some above‐mentioned hurdles.
Silicon‐Phosphorus‐Nanosheets‐Integrated 3D‐Printable Hydrogel as a Bioactive and Biodegradable Scaffold for Vascularized Bone Regeneration
Authors: Xu Chao , Chang Yukai , Xu Yan , Wu Ping , Mu Congpu , Nie Anmin , Qu Yanzhen , Duan Deyu , Guo Xiaodong , Liu Zhongyuan , Wang Jianglin , Luo Zhiqiang
Published: December 2021

Natural bone is a highly vascularized tissue that relies on the vasculature for blood and nutrients supply to maintain skeletal integrity. Bioactive nanomaterials with the capability of improving vascularized bone regeneration are highly demanded for bone tissue engineering. In this work, 2D silicon phosphorus (SiP) is explored as a new kind of bioactive and biodegradable nanomaterial with excellent angiogenesis and osteogenesis, and a 3D printed biohybrid hydrogel of GelMA‐PEGDA incorporated with photocrosslinkable SiP‐nanosheet (GelMA‐PEGDA/SiPAC) is developed to apply on bone tissue engineering. Findings show that the GelMA‐PEGDA/SiPAC possessess excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability, and can sustainably release Si and P elements. Compared with the biohybrid hydrogel scaffolds incorporated with black phosphorus nanosheets, the GelMA‐PEGDA/SiPAC can further enhance the osteogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells, and tubular networking of human umbilical vascular endothelial cells. In a rat calvarial bone defect model, the superior angiogenesis and osteogenesis induced by GelMA‐PEGDA/SiPAC have been confirmed in vivo. The current strategy paves a new way to design a multifunctional SiP nanocomposite scaffold on mediating the osteogenesis and angiogenesis in one system, and provides a bioactive and biodegradable alternative nanomaterial for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
Harnessing the Natural Healing Power of Colostrum: Bovine Milk‐Derived Extracellular Vesicles from Colostrum Facilitating the Transition from Inflammation to Tissue Regeneration for Accelerating Cutaneous Wound Healing
Authors: Kim Hyosuk , Kim Da Eun , Han Geonhee , Lim Nu Ri , Kim Eun Hye , Jang Yeongji , Cho Haeun , Jang Hochung , Kim Ki Hun , Kim Sun Hwa , Yang Yoosoo
Published: December 2021

As wound healing is an extremely complicated process, consisting of a cascade of interlocking biological events, successful wound healing requires a multifaceted approach to support appropriate and rapid transitions from the inflammatory to proliferative and remodeling phases. In this regard, here the potential use of bovine milk extracellular vesicles (EVs) to enhance wound healing is investigated. The results show that milk EVs promote fibroblast proliferation, migration, and endothelial tube formation. In particular, milk EVs derived from colostrum (Colos EVs) contain various anti‐inflammatory factors facilitating the transition from inflammation to proliferation phase, as well as factors for tissue remodeling and angiogenesis. In an excisional wound mouse model, Colos EVs promote re‐epithelialization, activate angiogenesis, and enhance extracellular matrix maturation. Interestingly, Colos EVs are further found to be quite resistant to freeze‐drying procedures, maintaining their original characteristics and efficacy for wound repair after lyophilization. These findings on the superior stability and excellent activity of milk Colos EVs indicate that they hold great promise to be developed as anti‐inflammatory therapeutics, especially for the treatment of cutaneous wounds.
Surface Passivation Using 2D Perovskites toward Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Wu Guangbao , Liang Rui , Ge Mingzheng , Sun Guoxing , Zhang Yuan , Xing Guichuan
Published: December 2021

3D perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have shown great promise for use in next‐generation photovoltaic devices. However, some challenges need to be addressed before their commercial production, such as enormous defects formed on the surface, which result in severe SRH recombination, and inadequate material interplay between the composition, leading to thermal‐, moisture‐, and light‐induced degradation. 2D perovskites, in which the organic layer functions as a protective barrier to block the erosion of moisture or ions, have recently emerged and attracted increasing attention because they exhibit significant robustness. Inspired by this, surface passivation by employing 2D perovskites deposited on the top of 3D counterparts has triggered a new wave of research to simultaneously achieve higher efficiency and stability. Herein, we exploited a vast amount of literature to comprehensively summarize the recent progress on 2D/3D heterostructure PSCs using surface passivation. The review begins with an introduction of the crystal structure, followed by the advantages of the combination of 2D and 3D perovskites. Then, the surface passivation strategies, optoelectronic properties, enhanced stability, and photovoltaic performance of 2D/3D PSCs are systematically discussed. Finally, the perspectives of passivation techniques using 2D perovskites to offer insight into further improved photovoltaic performance in the future are proposed.
Scalable Van der Waals Encapsulation by Inorganic Molecular Crystals
Authors: Liu Lixin , Gong Penglai , Liu Kailang , Nie Anmin , Liu Zhongyuan , Yang Sanjun , Xu Yongshan , Liu Teng , Zhao Yinghe , Huang Li , Li Huiqiao , Zhai Tianyou
Published: December 2021

Encapsulation is critical for devices to guarantee their stability and reliability. It becomes an even more essential requirement for devices based on 2D materials with atomic thinness and far inferior stability compared to their bulk counterparts. Here a general van der Waals (vdW) encapsulation method for 2D materials using Sb2O3 layer of inorganic molecular crystal fabricated via thermal evaporation deposition is reported. It is demonstrated that such a scalable encapsulation method not only maintains the intrinsic properties of typical air‐susceptible 2D materials due to their vdW interactions but also remarkably improves their environmental stability. Specifically, the encapsulated black phosphorus (BP) exhibits greatly enhanced structural stability of over 80 days and more sustaining‐electrical properties of 19 days, while the bare BP undergoes degradation within hours. Moreover, the encapsulation layer can be facilely removed by sublimation in vacuum without damaging the underlying materials. This scalable encapsulation method shows a promising pathway to effectively enhance the environmental stability of 2D materials, which may further boost their practical application in novel (opto)electronic devices.
Guiding Transition Metal‐Doped Hollow Cerium Tandem Nanozymes with Elaborately Regulated Multi‐Enzymatic Activities for Intensive Chemodynamic Therapy
Authors: Dong Shuming , Dong Yushan , Liu Bin , Liu Jing , Liu Shikai , Zhao Zhiyu , Li Wenting , Tian Boshi , Zhao Ruoxi , He Fei , Gai Shili , Xie Ying , Yang Piaoping , Zhao Yanli
Published: December 2021

Clinical applications of nanozyme‐initiated chemodynamic therapy (NCDT) have been severely limited by the poor catalytic efficiency of nanozymes, insufficient endogenous hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content, and its off‐target consumption. Herein, the authors developed a hollow mesoporous Mn/Zr‐co‐doped CeO2 tandem nanozyme (PHMZCO‐AT) with regulated multi‐enzymatic activities, that is, the enhancement of superoxide dismutase (SOD)‐like and peroxidase (POD)‐like activities and inhibition of catalase (CAT)‐like activity. PHMZCO‐AT as a H2O2 homeostasis disruptor promotes H2O2 evolution and restrains off‐target elimination of H2O2 to achieve intensive NCDT. PHMZCO‐AT with SOD‐like activity catalyzes endogenous superoxide anion (O2•−) into H2O2 in the tumor region. The suppression of CAT activity and depletion of glutathione by PHMZCO‐AT largely weaken the off‐target decomposition of H2O2 to H2O. Elevated H2O2 is then catalyzed by the downstream POD‐like activity of PHMZCO‐AT to generate toxic hydroxyl radicals, further inducing tumor apoptosis and death. T1‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging and X‐ray computed tomography imaging are also achieved using PHMZCO‐AT due to the existence of paramagnetic Mn2+ and the high X‐ray attenuation ability of elemental Zr, permitting in vivo tracking of the therapeutic process. This work presents a typical paradigm to achieve intensive NCDT efficacy by regulating multi‐enzymatic activities of nanozymes to perturb the H2O2 homeostasis.
Photosensitizer Nanodot Eliciting Immunogenicity for Photo‐Immunologic Therapy of Postoperative Methicillin‐Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infection and Secondary Recurrence
Authors: Tang Haozheng , Qu Xinhua , Zhang Wenkai , Chen Xuan , Zhang Shutao , Xu Yang , Yang Hongtao , Wang You , Yang Jianping , Yuan Wei‐en , Yue Bing
Published: December 2021

The treatment of postoperative infection caused by multidrug‐resistant bacteria, such as methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), has become an intractable clinical challenge owing to its low therapeutic efficacy and high risk of recurrence. Apart from imperfect antibacterial therapies, induction of insufficient immunogenicity, required for the successful clearance of a pathogen, may also contribute to the problem. Herein, an ultra‐micro photosensitizer, AgB nanodots, using photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, and Ag+ ion sterilization, are utilized to efficiently clear invading MRSA both in vitro and in vivo. AgB nanodots are also found to upregulate host immunogenicity in a murine model and establish immunological memory by promoting the upregulated expression of danger signals that are commonly induced by stress‐related responses, including sudden temperature spikes or excess reactive oxygen production. These stimulations boost the antibacterial effects of macrophages, dendritic cells, T cells, or even memory B cells, which is usually defined as infection‐related immunogenic cell death. Hence, the proposed AgB nanodot strategy may offer a novel platform for the effective treatment of postoperative infection while providing a systematic immunotherapeutic strategy to combat persistent infections, thereby markedly reducing the incidence of recurrence following recovery from primary infections.
Microfluidic Screening‐Assisted Machine Learning to Investigate Vertical Phase Separation of Small Molecule:Polymer Blend
Authors: Lee Jeong‐Chan , Woo Jun Hee , Lee Ho‐Jun , Lee Minho , Woo Heejin , Baek Seunghyeok , Nam Jaewook , Sim Joo yong , Park Steve
Published: December 2021

Solution‐based thin‐film processing is a widely utilized technique for the fabrication of various devices. In particular, the tunability of the ink composition and coating condition allows precise control of thin‐film properties and device performance. Despite the advantage of having such tunability, the sheer number of possible combinations of experimental parameters render it infeasible to efficiently optimize device performance and analyze the correlation between experimental parameters and device performance. In this work, a microfluidic screening‐embedded thin‐film processing technique is developed, through which thin‐films of varying ratios of small molecule semiconductor:polymer blend are simultaneously generated and screened in a time‐ and resource‐efficient manner. Moreover, utilizing the thin‐films of varying combinations of experimental parameters, machine learning models are trained to predict the transistor performance. Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) algorithms tuned by Bayesian optimization shows the best predictive accuracy amongst the trained models, which enables narrowing down of the combinations of experimental parameters and investigation of the degree of vertical phase separation under the predicted parameter space. The technique can serve as a guideline for elucidating the underlying complex parameter‐property‐performance correlations in solution‐based thin‐film processing, thereby accelerating the optimization of various thin‐film devices in the future.
Oriented 2D Perovskite Wafers for Anisotropic X‐ray Detection through a Fast Tableting Strategy
Authors: Li Mingbian , Li Huayang , Li Weijun , Li Bao , Lu Tong , Feng Xiaopeng , Guo Chunjie , Zhang Huimao , Wei Haotong , Yang Bai
Published: December 2021

2D perovskite single crystals have emerged as excellent optoelectronic materials owing to their unique anisotropic properties. However, growing large 2D perovskite single crystals remains challenging and time‐consuming. Here, a new composition of lead‐free 2D perovskite—4‐fluorophenethylammonium bismuth iodide [(F‐PEA)3BiI6] is reported. An oriented bulk 2D wafer with a large area of 1.33 cm2 is obtained by tableting disordered 2D perovskite powders, resulting in anisotropic resistivities of 5 × 1010 and 2 × 1011 Ω cm in the lateral and vertical directions, respectively. Trivalent Bi3+ ions are employed to achieve a stronger ionic bonding energy with I‐ ions, which intrinsically suppress the ion‐migration effect. Thus, the oriented wafer presents good capabilities in both charge collection and ion‐migration suppression under a large applied bias along the out‐of‐plane direction, making it suitable for low‐dosage X‐ray detection. The large‐area wafer shows a sensitive response to hard X‐rays operated at a tube voltage of 120 kVp with the lowest detectable dose rate of 30 nGy s‐1. Thus, the fast tableting process is a facile and effective strategy to synthesize large‐area, oriented 2D wafers, showing excellent X‐ray detection performance and operational stability that are comparable to those of 2D perovskite single crystals.
A Biocompatible Vibration‐Actuated Omni‐Droplets Rectifier with Large Volume Range Fabricated by Femtosecond Laser
Authors: Zhang Yiyuan , Li Jing , Xiang Le , Wang Jinxing , Wu Tao , Jiao Yunlong , Jiang Shaojun , Li Chuanzong , Fan Shengying , Zhang Juan , Wu Hao , Zhang Yuxuan , Bian Yucheng , Zhao Kun , Peng Yubin , Zhu Wulin , Li Jiawen , Hu Yanlei , Wu Dong , Chu Jiaru , Wang Zuankai
Published: December 2021

High‐performance droplet transport is crucial for diverse applications including biomedical detection, chemical micro‐reaction, and droplet microfluidics. Despite extensive progress, traditional passive and active strategies are restricted to limited liquid types, small droplet volume ranges, and poor biocompatibilities. Moreover, more challenges occur for biological fluids due to large viscosity and low surface tension. Here, a vibration‐actuated omni‐droplets rectifier (VAODR) consisting of slippery ratchet arrays fabricated by femtosecond laser and vibration platforms is reported. Through the relative competition between the asymmetric adhesive resistance originating from the lubricant meniscus on the VAODR and the periodic inertial driving force originating from isotropic vibration, the fast (up to ≈60 mm s−1), programmable, and robust transport of droplets is achieved for a large volume range (0.05–2000 µL, Vmax/Vmin ≈ 40 000) and in various transport modes including transport of liquid slugs in tubes, programmable and sequential transport, and bidirectional transport. This VAODR is general to a high diversity of biological and medical fluids, and thus can be used for biomedical detection including ABO blood‐group tests and anticancer drugs screening. These strategies provide a complementary and promising platform for maneuvering omni‐droplets that are fundamental to biomedical applications and other high‐throughput omni‐droplet operation fields.
Analysis of biomonitoring data to assess employer compliance with OSHA's permissible exposure limits for air contaminants
Authors: Tustin Aaron W. , Cannon Dawn L.
Published: December 2021

Background

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulates exposures to hazardous chemicals in workplace air. When contemporaneous exposure measurements are unavailable, retrospective analysis of biomarkers could provide valuable information about workers’ exposures.

Methods

Single‐compartment pharmacokinetic (PK) models were created to relate the concentration of a chemical in the air to the concentration of the chemical or its metabolite in workers’ blood or urine. OSHA utilized the PK models in investigations of three fatal incidents in which workers were exposed to nickel carbonyl, methyl bromide, or styrene. To obtain the minimum plausible estimate of each exposure, OSHA used conservative assumptions about parameters such as workers’ inhalation rates, baseline levels of biomarker, and chemicals’ volumes of distribution.

Results

OSHA analyzed a worker's urinary nickel concentration and concluded that his 8‐h time‐weighted average exposure to nickel carbonyl was at least 0.06 mg/m3. Analysis of a worker's postexposure, premortem blood bromide level revealed that his exposure to methyl bromide was at least 181 mg/m3. Post‐mortem blood styrene measurements suggested that a third worker's exposure to styrene was at least 625 mg/m3. These exposures exceeded OSHA's permissible exposure limits of 0.007 mg/m3 for nickel carbonyl, 80 mg/m3 for methyl bromide, and 426 mg/m3 for styrene. OSHA successfully cited the three employers for violations of chemical exposure limits.

Conclusions

Analysis of biomarkers via PK modeling enables retrospective evaluations of workers’ acute exposures to hazardous chemicals. These techniques are useful to occupational regulators who assess employer compliance with mandatory exposure limits.
Reliability and validity of expert assessments of hand‐wrist physical exposures
Authors: Mikkelsen Sigurd , Petersen Rolf , Lund Christina Bach , Petersen Jonathan Aavang , Thomsen Jane Frølund
Published: December 2021

Background

General population job‐exposure matrices (JEMs) based on expert assessments of physical exposures may be valuable tools for studying occupation‐related musculoskeletal disorders. Wrist‐hand JEMs are few and the reliability and validity of expert assessments of wrist‐hand exposures is uncertain.

Methods

We examined intra‐ and inter‐rater reliability of ratings of five experts of hand‐wrist repetition, deviation, force, vibration, and computer work in 33 jobs selected to represent a large exposure variation. The validity of ratings of hand‐wrist repetition was examined by comparison with electro‐goniometer measurements of wrist angular velocity and mean power frequency (MPF), and the validity of hand‐wrist deviation by comparison with goniometer measurements of range of motion (ROM).

Results

Intra‐rater test–retest and inter‐rater Spearman correlation coefficients controlling for rater effects, varied between 0.70 and 0.87. Corresponding kappa statistics of overall agreement showed similar high values, except for wrist deviation (kappa = 0.50). Regression analyses showed strong positive associations between expert assessments of repetition and goniometer measurements of wrist angular velocity (R2 = 0.56, p < 0.0001) and MPF (R2 = 0.37, p < 0.0003), while expert ratings of wrist deviation showed a weak statistically nonsignificant association with goniometer measurements of ROM (R2 = 0.032, p = 0.34).

Conclusion

The reliability of expert assessments of wrist‐hand physical exposures was high. Compared to goniometer measurements, the validity of assessments of wrist‐hand repetition was also high, but it was low for assessments of wrist‐hand deviation. The results are encouraging for establishing a hand‐wrist JEM, but the results for wrist deviation emphasize that expert assessments should be validated against objective measurements.
Movement patterns of a Critically Endangered elasmobranch (Dipturus intermedius) in a Marine Protected Area
Authors: Lavender Edward , Aleynik Dmitry , Dodd Jane , Illian Janine , James Mark , Wright Peter J. , Smout Sophie , Thorburn James
Published: December 2021

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are widely used in marine management, but for mobile species understanding the spatio‐temporal scale of management measures that is required to deliver conservation benefits depends on a detailed knowledge of species’ movements that is often lacking. This is especially the case for species of skate (Rajidae) for which relatively few movement studies have been conducted.

In Scotland, the Loch Sunart to the Sound of Jura MPA covering 741 km2 has been designated for the conservation of the Critically Endangered flapper skate (Dipturus intermedius), but fine‐scale movements within this area remain poorly understood.

A passive acoustic telemetry study which coupled acoustic tagging of 42 individuals and a static array of 58 receivers was conducted from March 2016 to June 2017. Using acoustic detection time series, angler capture–recapture data and depth time series from archival tags, fine‐scale movements of individuals were investigated.

Overall, 33 of the 42 tagged individuals were detected. Residency, site fidelity and transiency were documented. Residency around receivers, lasting from 3 to more than 12 months, was documented in 16 acoustically detected individuals (48%) and all life‐history categories, but was most noticeable among females. Acoustic detections were associated with depth, salinity and season, but there was no evidence that individuals formed close‐knit groups in the areas in which they were detected.

Taken together with historical occurrence records of flapper skate, the prevalence and scale of residency documented here suggest that the MPA is sufficiently large to benefit a notable percentage (38 [24–52]%) of skate found in the study area over monthly and seasonal timescales. This result strengthens the case for the use of MPAs to support the conservation of flapper skate and other skate species that display similar movement patterns in areas of high local abundance.
Effects of nonnutritional sugars on lipid and carbohydrate content, physiological uptake, and excretion in Drosophila suzukii
Authors: Price Briana E. , Yoon June‐Sun , Choi Man‐Yeon , Lee Jana C.
Published: December 2021

The nonnutritive sugar, erythritol, has the potential to be a human‐safe management tool for the small fruits and cherry pest, Drosophila suzukii, or spotted‐wing drosophila. Feeding on erythritol decreases fly survival and oviposition by starving and creating an osmotic imbalance in the body. Recently, we demonstrated that erythritol combined with another nonnutritive sugar, sucralose, was fed upon more than erythritol alone and hastens D. suzukii mortality. This suggests that sucralose is a suitable nonnutritive phagostimulant alternative to sucrose. Although promising, the nutritional and physiological impacts of sucralose on D. suzukii are unknown. In this study, we investigated whether sucralose is metabolized or excreted by D. suzukii when fed various erythritol, sucrose, and sucralose formulations. We found that sucralose cannot be metabolized or converted into any nutritional substitutes or storage carbohydrates in D. suzukii. Instead, sucralose molecules were largely accumulated in the hemolymph and slowly excreted from the body, creating a significant osmotic imbalance in D. suzukii. To excrete unused sugars, flies will use their own body fluids to restore homeostasis, resulting in losing a substantial amount of body weight and becoming desiccated in the process. In summary, ingesting sucralose leads to starvation and hyperosmotic pressure in the body, causing a decrease in fitness. With confirmation of sucralose being non‐metabolizable and phagostimulative to D. suzukii, the erythritol+sucralose formulation is a promising insecticide for growers to use.
The neurocognitive profiles of justice involved people with foetal alcohol spectrum disorder: A systematic review
Authors: Khalifa Najat , Magee Taylor , Shirazi Shayan , Salman Shamir , Yang Cheng‐Chang , Mela Mansfield
Published: December 2021

Foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is highly prevalent in criminal justice settings. Despite increased awareness of the neurocognitive deficits among justice‐involved individuals with FASD, no systematic evaluation of the literature in the field has been conducted to date. We aimed to conduct a systematic review of the literature on the neurocognitive profiles of justice‐involved individuals with FASD, by searching five key electronic databases, dissertations database, and Google scholar, up to January 2021. The findings indicate that when contrasted with comparison groups, justice‐involved individuals with FASD display significant impairment in a greater number of neurocognitive domains including intellectual capacity, executive function, language, academic achievements, motor skills, and adaptive living skills. The relatively small number of the studies included in the review, along with the confounding effects of comorbidities among study participants, precludes drawing firm conclusions about the true extent and implications of neurocognitive deficits in this population. To advance the field further, there is an urgent need to conduct robust studies involving larger samples of justice‐involved individuals with FASD and suitable comparison groups. Advancing knowledge in the field can have important implications for understanding of the antecedents of offending behaviour in this population, and informing strategies for early identification and intervention.
Exploring secondary teachers' perspectives on implementing competency‐based education
Authors: Rogers Audrey P.
Published: December 2021

Background

Competency‐based education (CBE) has been implemented to varying degrees in the last several decades. New Hampshire has led the way in policy changes to promote its adoption. However, there has been a tension between the goals of the initiative and how teachers’ beliefs inform implementation.

Aims

The purpose of this study was to take an in‐depth examination of NH middle and high school teachers’ beliefs around CBE and its impact on their classroom practices and students.

Methods

This study utilized a sequential explanatory mixed methods approach through survey data and follow‐up interviews and observations in three NH districts. The Concerns‐Based Adoption Model (CBAM) conceptual framework served as a lens to analyze data.

Results

The three districts revealed varying levels of implementation mitigated in part by teachers’ beliefs. Participants in the district with more advanced CBE implementation described the largest perceived impact of transformed pedagogical practices and an ability to persist with or without administrative support. Some participants noted an increase in students’ access to the curriculum and a decrease in students’ anxiety and feelings of being judged.

Discussion

Findings suggested that contextual factors informed participants’ beliefs and subsequent practices. Districts with administrative support revealed more widespread impact on teachers and students. Structural supports promoting implementation also supported teachers’ integration of CBE principles.

Conclusion

District leaders need to attend to teachers’ beliefs to offer differentiated professional development and build on CBE elements already in place. Further study in how CBE principles may reduce student anxiety is timely and needed.
METTL3 is a key regulator of milk synthesis in mammary epithelial cells
Authors: Wang Lulu , Qi Hao , Li Dong , Liu Lijie , Chen Dongying , Gao Xuejun
Published: December 2021

The enzyme m6A methyltransferase‐like 3 (METTL3) catalyzes N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) modification in eukaryotic messenger RNAs (mRNAs). However, the physiological function and molecular mechanism of METTL3 in mammalian cells have not been fully understood. Here we showed that METTL3 was highly expressed in mouse mammary gland of the lactation period. METTL3 was located in the nucleus of bovine mammary epithelial cells (MECs), and methionine (Met) and β‐estrodial (E2) upregulated METTL3 protein level. METTL3 knockdown decreased milk protein and fat synthesis, whereas its overexpression had the opposite effects. METTL3 overexpression stimulated mRNA expression and protein phosphorylation of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) and mRNA and protein expression of sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 (SREBP1), whereas METTL3 knockdown blocked the stimulatory effects of Met and E2 on these processes. Furthermore, METTL3 overexpression led to increased mRNA m6A methylation of mTOR and SREBP1, whereas METTL3 knockdown suppressed the stimulatory effects of Met and E2 on these processes. The interaction between METTL3 and glycyl‐tRNA synthetase (GlyRS) was confirmed by Co‐immunoprecipitation and fluorescence resonance energy transfer approaches, and colocalization observation further showed that Met and E2 treatment increased this interaction. GlyRS knockdown abolished METTL3 protein levels upregulated by Met and E2, and METTL3 knockdown markedly decreased the effects of GlyRS overexpression on mTOR expression and phosphorylation and SREBP1 expression. In summary, we demonstrate that METTL3 is a key positive regulator of Met and E2‐stimulated and GlyRS‐mediated mTOR and SREBP1 signaling pathways and milk protein and fat synthesis in mammary epithelial cells.