bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
“The very air is a vital essence”: Pneumaticism at the Poles
Authors: Fulford Tim 
Published: September 2020

I discuss the culture of accurate and dispassionate mensuration in an Arctic that was, for the first time, predictably attainable—a technologized Arctic near enough to be reached and subjected to experiment. My purpose is to develop, in the context of the discourse of polar exploration and the British responses to that discourse made by poets and fiction writers, recent arguments about the culture of scientific experiment and the so-called rise of “objectivity” that have been made by historians of science. The effect of these arguments has been to suggest that a mutually reinforcing objectification of experiment narrative and establishment of professional institutions set nineteenth century science apart from natural philosophy as practised by amateur eighteenth-century gentlemen—Erasmus Darwin being a typical gentleman of that kind.Here, I suggest that the extreme regions of the poles not only challenged the authority of accurate observation as a defining virtue of science from within the discourse of science, but also inspired fictional narratives that challenged it—and thus called the new science into question. Thus I reveal the effects, in literary texts and the wider culture as well as in expedition narratives and scientific discourse, when experiments did not produce predictable results, or failed completely to comprehend their subjects. I suggest that because of its simultaneous availability and resistance to investigation, the Arctic became an external representative of the fear and desire buried within scientific objectivity. It has remained fascinating in the European cultural imaginary for this reason, as an Other, embodying fear but also longing for a world that eludes mastery by our technologies of knowledge-production. A consequence of this is that aspects of the Arctic have been used by Europeans to configure alternatives and oppositions to scientific culture as it was practised from the early nineteenth century onwards. Specifically, “The Ancient Mariner” and Frankenstein interrogate the claims of “objective” report and accurate experiment and, in doing so, remodel Erasmus Darwin’s fictionalisation and poeticisation of scientific discourse for a more vexed and hostile literary context than the one in which he wrote
Prosaic Poetry and Pneumatic Craving in Southey’s Curse of Kehama
Authors: Colman Adam 
Published: September 2020

Among those affiliated with Thomas Beddoes’s Pneumatic Institution in Bristol, there were a number who poetically emphasized the hopeful attributes of scientific pursuit. Coleridge did so; Humphry Davy did in his poetry, too; Robert Southey had early on asserted the connection between scientific study and hope. Southey, however, would remark that he had undergone especially volatile responses to nitrous oxide. His sense of adventures through a material world would, in the years following his time spent at the Pneumatic Institution, become conflicted. He would, in particular, register pneumatically inflected hopes in less idealistic terms than Coleridge or Davy. Instead, Southey’s poetry has passages containing descriptions of pneumatic desires in terms of anguished bodily craving. This essay considers how Southey’s Curse of Kehama, published in 1810, locates an especially vexed sense of bodily craving in the kind of thinking about matter and air associated with the Pneumatic Institution. I examine how such physically wrenching desire relates to the form of Southey’s poem, wherein certain poetic rhythms of anticipation—iterations suggesting others still to come—operate within a more prosaic realm of conflicted, irregularly interconnected, material immanence.
Microbiological Analysis and Identification of Pathogenic Microorganisms on Currency Notes (Congolese Francs) in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Authors: Iteku Jeff Bekomo , Likabo Donel Moswala , Pambu Aaron Lelo , Bongo Gédéon Ngiala , Katunda Ruth , Lunguya Octavie Metila , Lumande Joseph Kasali 
Published: September 2020

Aims: The incidence of infectious diseases is still a vital concern in developing countries. Recently, hygienists have focused on the risk of transmitted diseases through currency notes. This study aims at the determination of potential pathogenic microorganisms found on the Congolese Francs currency notes circulating in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Place and Duration of the Study: This study was carried out in Kinshasa city, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo between September 3 and 29, 2019 at the Bacteriology Laboratory of the National Institute for Biomedical Research.
Methods: During this study, 36 currency notes of different denominations have been used for microbiological analysis. Currency notes were collected from vendors of the Central market and currency note dealers at Kintambo Magasin market in Kinshasa. The identification of microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) was performed using gram staining and biochemical analyses. Results: The findings reveal the presence of following microorganisms, namely Bacillus spp, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus spp., Enterobacter spp, Escherichia coli, Serratia spp, Citrobacter spp, Salmonella enteritidis as well as molds on the Congolese currency notes. It should be observed that circulated currency notes in Kinshasa are contaminated by bacteria and fungi. The contamination rate was based on the fact, that money is new, clean or dirty.
Conclusion: Congolese currency notes constitute the potential sources of infectious disease transmission if hygienic conditions are not respected. Molecular studies are required in order to determine the antibiotic resistance gene of these microorganisms. As the population does not know how to store these notes properly, their contamination would eventually become a major public health hazard. Therefore, a need of an awareness of the population in order to apply hygienic rules while handling currency notes. This is for the first time that such a study is being carried out in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Characteristics of Patients With Antiphospholipid Antibody Positivity in the APS ACTION International Clinical Database and Repository
Authors: Sevim Ecem , Zisa Diane , Andrade Danieli , Sciascia Savino , Pengo Vittorio , Tektonidou Maria G. , Ugarte Amaia , Gerosa Maria , Belmont H. Michael , Zamorano Maria Angeles Aguirre , Fortin Paul R. , Ji Lanlan , Efthymiou Maria , Cohen Hannah , Branch D. Ware , de Jesus Guilherme Ramires , Andreoli Laura , Petri Michelle , Rodriguez Esther , Cervera Ricard , Knight Jason S. , Atsumi Tatsuya , Willis Rohan , Roubey Robert , Bertolaccini Maria Laura , Erkan Doruk , Barbhaiya Medha ,   APS ACTION Investigators
Published: September 2020

ObjectiveTo describe the baseline characteristics of patients with positivity for antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) who were enrolled in an international registry, the Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS) Alliance for Clinical Trials and International Networking (APS ACTION) clinical database and repository, overall and by clinical and laboratory subtypes.MethodsThe APS ACTION registry includes adults who persistently had positivity for aPLs. We evaluated baseline sociodemographic and aPL‐related (APS classification criteria and “non‐criteria”) characteristics of patients overall and in subgroups (aPL‐positive without APS, APS overall, thrombotic APS only, obstetric APS only, and both thrombotic APS/obstetric APS). We assessed baseline characteristics of patients tested for the presence of three aPLs (lupus anticoagulant [LAC] test, anticardiolipin antibody [aCL], and anti–β2‐glycoprotein I [anti‐β2GPI]) antibodies by aPL profiles (LAC only, single, double, and triple aPL positivity).ResultsThe 804 aPL‐positive patients assessed in the present study had a mean age of 45 ± 13 years, were 74% female, and 68% White; additionally, 36% had other systemic autoimmune diseases. Of these 804 aPL‐positive patients, 80% were classified as having APS (with 55% having thrombotic APS, 9% obstetric APS, and 15% thrombotic APS/obstetric APS). In the overall cohort, 71% had vascular thrombosis, 50% with a history of pregnancy had obstetric morbidity, and 56% had experienced at least one non‐criteria manifestation. Among those with three aPLs tested (n = 660), 42% were triple aPL–positive. While single–, double–, and triple aPL–positive subgroups had similar frequencies of vascular, obstetric, and non‐criteria events, these events were lowest in the single aPL subgroup, which consisted of aCLs or anti‐β2GPI only.ConclusionOur study demonstrates the heterogeneity of aPL‐related clinical manifestations and laboratory profiles in a multicenter international cohort. Within single aPL positivity, LAC may be a major contributor to clinical events. Future prospective analyses, using standardized core laboratory aPL tests, will help clarify aPL risk profiles and improve risk stratification.
A Flexible and Regenerative Aptameric Graphene–Nafion Biosensor for Cytokine Storm Biomarker Monitoring in Undiluted Biofluids toward Wearable Applications
Authors: Wang Ziran , Hao Zhuang , Wang Xuejun , Huang Cong , Lin Qiao , Zhao Xuezeng , Pan Yunlu 
Published: September 2020

AbstractWearable sensors that can conveniently detect cytokine levels in human biofluids are essential for assisting hospitals to maximize the benefits of anti‐inflammatory therapies and avoid cytokine storms. Measurement of cytokine levels in biofluids still remains challenging for existing sensors due to high interference from the background. Here, this challenge is overcome through developing a flexible and regenerative aptameric field‐effect transistor biosensor, consisting of a graphene–Nafion composite film, for detecting cytokine storm biomarkers in undiluted human biofluids. The composite film enables the minimization of nonspecific adsorption and empowers the renewability to the biosensor. With these capabilities, the device is capable of consistently and sensitively monitoring cytokines (e.g., IFN‐γ, an inflammatory and cancer biomarker) in undiluted human sweat with a detection range from 0.015 to 250 nm and limit of detection down to 740 fm. The biosensor is also shown to incur no visible mechanical damage and maintain a consistent sensing response throughout the regenerative (up to 80 cycles) and crumpling (up to 100 cycles) tests. Experimental results demonstrate that the biosensor is expected to offer opportunities for developing wearable biosensing systems for distinguishing acute infectious disease patients and monitoring of patients’ health conditions in daily life.
Laser‐Induced Graphene Tapes as Origami and Stick‐On Labels for Photothermal Manipulation via Marangoni Effect
Authors: Wang Wei , Han Bing , Zhang Yang , Li Qi , Zhang Yong‐Lai , Han Dong‐Dong , Sun Hong‐Bo 
Published: September 2020

AbstractDirect light‐to‐work conversion enables remote actuation through a non‐contact manner, among which the photothermal Marangoni effect is significant for developing light‐driven robots because of the diversity of applicable photothermal materials and light sources, as well as the high energy conversion efficiency. However, the lack of nanotechnologies that enable flexible integration of advanced photothermal materials with actuators of complex configurations significantly restricts their practical applications. In this paper, laser‐induced graphene (LIG) tape is reported as stick‐on photothermal labels for developing light‐driven actuators based on the Marangoni effect. With the help of direct laser writing technology, graphene patterns with superior photothermal properties are prepared on the PI tape. The patterned LIG tape can be stuck on any desired objects and generates an asymmetric photothermal field under light irradiation, forming a photothermal Marangoni actuator. Additionally, the PI tape with LIG patterns can be folded into 3D origami actuators that permit photothermal Marangoni actuation including both translation and rotation. The graphene‐based photothermal Marangoni actuators feature biocompatibility, which is confirmed by MDA‐MB‐231 cells proliferation experiments. Owing to the excellent photothermal property of LIG patterns, the as‐produced photothermal actuators can be manipulated by a variety of light sources, holding great promise for developing light‐driven soft robots.
Contact Modulated Ionic Transfer Doping in All‐Solid‐State Organic Electrochemical Transistor for Ultra‐High Sensitive Tactile Perception at Low Operating Voltage
Authors: Chen Shuai , Surendran Abhijith , Wu Xihu , Leong Wei Lin 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIonic‐electronic coupling across the entire volume of conjugated polymer films endows organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) with high transconductance (gm) and low operating voltage. However, OECTs utilize liquid electrolytes, which limit their long‐term operation, reproducibility, and integration while solid electrolytes typically result in inefficient ion transport. Here, a solid polymer electrolyte is shown that can facilitate good electrochemical response in conjugated polymers and yield high OECT performance. This allows for the OECT‐based pressure sensors, modulated through a pressure sensitive ionic doping process. The pressure sensor exhibits the highest sensitivity ever measured (≈10 000 kPa−1) and excellent stability. Flexible sensor arrays achieve static capture of spatial pressure distribution and enable monitoring of dynamic pressure stimuli. The findings here demonstrate that all‐solid‐state OECTs are good candidates for providing rich tactile information, enabling applications for soft robotics, health monitoring, and human‐machine interfaces.
Hierarchical Composite‐Solid‐Electrolyte with High Electrochemical Stability and Interfacial Regulation for Boosting Ultra‐Stable Lithium Batteries
Authors: Sun Jianqi , He Caohua , Yao Xiangming , Song Anqi , Li Yaogang , Zhang Qinghong , Hou Chengyi , Shi Qiuwei , Wang Hongzhi 
Published: September 2020

AbstractSolid‐state electrolytes have drawn enormous attention to reviving lithium batteries but have also been barricaded in lower ionic conductivity at room temperature, awkward interfacial contact, and severe polarization. Herein, a sort of hierarchical composite solid electrolyte combined with a “polymer‐in‐separator” matrix and “garnet‐at‐interface” layer is prepared via a facile process. The commercial polyvinylidene fluoride‐based separator is applied as a host for the polymer‐based ionic conductor, which concurrently inhibits over‐polarization of polymer matrix and elevates high‐voltage compatibility versus cathode. Attached on the side, the compact garnet (Li6.4La3Zr1.4Ta0.6O12) layer is glued to physically inhibit the overgrowth of lithium dendrite and regulate the interfacial electrochemistry. At 25 °C, the electrolyte exhibits a high ionic conductivity of 2.73 × 10−4 S cm−1 and a decent electrochemical window of 4.77 V. Benefiting from this elaborate electrolyte, the symmetrical Li||Li battery achieves steady lithium plating/stripping more than 4800 h at 0.5 mA cm−2 without dendrites and short‐circuit. The solid‐state batteries deliver preferable capacity output with outstanding cycling stability (95.2% capacity retained after 500 cycles, 79.0% after 1000 cycles at 1 C) at ambient temperature. This hierarchical structure design of electrolyte may reveal great potentials for future development in fields of solid‐state metal batteries.
Construction of Enzyme Nanoreactors to Enable Tumor Microenvironment Modulation and Enhanced Cancer Treatment
Authors: Liu Xiaowen , Hao Yu , Popovtzer Rachela , Feng Liangzhu , Liu Zhuang 
Published: September 2020

AbstractEnzymes play pivotal roles in regulating and maintaining the normal functions of all living systems, and some of them are extensively employed for diagnosis and treatment of diverse diseases. More recently, several kinds of enzymes with unique catalytic activities have been found to be promising options to directly suppress tumor growth and/or augment the therapeutic efficacy of other treatments by modulating the hostile tumor microenvironment (TME), which is reported to negatively impair the therapeutic efficacy of different cancer treatments. In this review, first a summary is presented on the chemical approaches utilized for the construction of distinct enzyme nanoreactors with well‐retained catalytic performance and reduced immunogenicity. Then, the utilization of such enzyme nanoreactors in attenuating tumor hypoxia, modulating extracellular matrix, and amplifying tumor oxidative stress is discussed in depth. Afterward, some perspectives are presented on the future development of such enzyme nanoreactors in TME modulation and enhanced cancer treatment.
Broad‐Spectral‐Range Sustainability and Controllable Excitation of Hyperbolic Phonon Polaritons in α‐MoO3
Authors: Dong Weikang , Qi Ruishi , Liu Tiansheng , Li Yi , Li Ning , Hua Ze , Gao Zirui , Zhang Shuyuan , Liu Kaihui , Guo Jiandong , Gao Peng 
Published: September 2020

AbstractHyperbolic phonon polaritons (HPhPs) in orthorhombic‐phase molybdenum trioxide (α‐MoO3) show in‐plane hyperbolicity, great wavelength compression, and ultralong lifetime, therefore holding great potential in nanophotonic applications. However, its polaritonic response in the far‐infrared (FIR) range remains unexplored due to challenges in experimental characterization. Here, monochromated electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) in a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) is used to probe HPhPs in α‐MoO3 in both mid‐infrared (MIR) and FIR frequencies and correlate their behaviors with microstructures and orientations. It is found that low structural symmetry leads to various phonon modes and multiple Reststrahlen bands (RBs) over a broad spectral range (over 70 meV) and in different directions (55–63 meV and 119–125 meV along the b‐axis, 68–106 meV along the c‐axis, and 101–121 meV along the a‐axis). These HPhPs can be selectively excited by controlling the direction of swift electrons. These findings provide new opportunities in nanophotonic and optoelectronic applications, such as directed light propagation, hyperlenses, and heat transfer.
Coordination‐Driven Assembly of Metal–Organic Framework Coating for Catalytically Active Superhydrophobic Surface
Authors: Yi Bo , Wong Yan‐Lung , Hou Changshun , Zhang Jianqiang , Xu Zhengtao , Yao Xi 
Published: September 2020

AbstractHere, a superhydrophobic and catalytically active metal–organic framework (MOF) coating is reported by coordination‐driven assembly of MOF nanoparticles and a catechol‐functionalized polysiloxane polymer. This MOF coating can be fabricated by casting MOF‐polymer precursor onto diverse substrates with varied coating techniques, for example, spray coating, bar coating, and dip coating. The catechol‐functionalized polymer can not only coordinate to the open metal sites on MOF surface which enables the surface functionalization and assembly of MOF nanoparticles, but also allow non‐covalent interactions with casting substrates—thus improving the substrate adhesion of the MOF coating. With the well‐preserved porosity and surface hydrophobicity, the MOF coating demonstrates superhydrophobicity as well as improved catalytic activity toward the Knoevenagel condensation at room temperature. Such coordination‐driven assembly approach can be extended to a range of MOF systems for preparing highly functional composite materials toward various applications.
Origin of Underwater Oil‐Repellence in Polyelectrolyte Brush Surfaces
Authors: Daniel Dan , Goh Shermin Simin , Truong Tran Ngoc Bao , Koh Xue Qi , Tomczak Nikodem 
Published: September 2020

AbstractWhen submerged under water, polyelectrolyte brush surfaces become highly oil‐repellent. This is due to the ability of the charged moieties on the polymer backbone to retain strong hydration shells. Despite their technological relevance, there is no rational design principle for optimizing the oil‐repellent performance of hydrophilic polyelectrolyte brushes. Using droplet probe atomic force microscopy, the interaction forces between an oil droplet and different polyelectrolyte brushes are measured. It is shown that surfaces are most repellent when there are repulsive electric double‐layer forces that can stabilize a continuous water film beneath the oil droplet. Once a stable hydration layer forms, the oil‐repellent performance is not affected by the polymer brush characteristics, such as its thickness and swelling ratio.
Recent Advances in Clinical Translation of Intra‐Articular Osteoarthritis Drug Delivery Systems
Authors: DeJulius Carlisle R. , Gulati Shubham , Hasty Karen A. , Crofford Leslie J. , Duvall Craig L. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractOsteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease of the joints and a leading cause of physical disability in adults. Intra‐articular (IA) therapy is a popular treatment strategy for localized, single‐joint OA; however, small‐molecule drugs such as corticosteroids do not provide prolonged relief. One possible reason for their lack of efficacy is high clearance rates from the joint through constant lymphatic drainage of the synovial tissues and synovial fluid and also by their exchange via the synovial vasculature. Advanced drug delivery strategies for extended release of therapeutic agents in the joint space is a promising approach to improve outcomes for OA patients. Broadly, the basic principle behind this strategy is to encapsulate therapeutic agents in a polymeric drug delivery system (DDS) for diffusion‐ and/or degradation‐controlled release, whereby degradation can occur by hydrolysis or tied to relevant microenvironmental cues such as pH, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and protease activity. In this review, the development of clinically tested IA therapies for OA and recent systems which have been investigated preclinically are highlighted. DDS strategies including hydrogels, liposomes, polymeric microparticles (MPs) and nanoparticles (NPs), drug conjugates, and combination systems are introduced and evaluated for clinical translational potential.
Clinical Translation of Self‐Assembled Cancer Nanomedicines
Authors: Mi Peng , Miyata Kanjiro , Kataoka Kazunori , Cabral Horacio 
Published: September 2020

AbstractNanomedicines are emerging as effective approaches for developing new strategies against cancer. Nanomedicines can be designed for selectively delivering probes and anticancer agents to tumors for achieving improved diagnostic or therapeutic efficacy, while relieving potential side effects. In particular, the number of formulations based on self‐assembled nanostructures under clinical evaluation is increasing due to their unique advantages for elegant and facile preparation, working at the biointerface and spatiotemporally controlling the function of drugs. Here, the current status of clinically used self‐assembled nanomedicines is presented, and recent advances of candidates in clinical trials are reviewed. In addition, the challenges and future prospects of nanomedicines in the clinic are discussed.