bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bioinspired hierarchical evaporator via cell wall engineering for highly efficient and sustainable solar desalination
Authors: Zhang Haotian , Li Lin , He Nan , Wang Haonan , Wang Bingsen , Dong Tongyu , Jiang Bo , Tang Dawei 
Published: April 2022

AbstractSolar interfacial evaporation holds great potential for desalination. Currently, abundant and renewable biomass appears to be the most sustainable evaporator candidate for addressing environmental and energy challenges. However, the widespread use of biomass‐based evaporators is hampered by the formation and deposition of salt on the evaporation surface. Herein, we present a hierarchical photothermal aerogel inspired by the leaves‐on‐stems architecture in pristine plants. It is formed with microchannels severing as stems and nanospikes as leaves. Microchannels with large pores enable quick brine replenishment, while numerous nanospikes increase the available surface area for vapor generation. In contrast to the macro‐scale salt‐resistant design, which ruins the overall structure of the evaporator, we modified the microchannel structure within the biomass, allowing the biomass evaporator to effectively resist salt while maintaining efficient evaporation performance. The unique hierarchical micro‐nano structure of this photothermal aerogel allows it to achieve a high evaporation rate of 1.78 kg m−2 h−1 under 1 sun and a continuous evaporation time of 100 h without salt deposition in a high‐salinity brine (15 wt%), outperforming most previously reported evaporators derived from biomass. Additionally, the anti‐biofouling capacity of the evaporator is effectively demonstrated for long‐term operation through the development of an enhanced freshwater collection prototype, highlighting the potential for sustainable off‐grid solar desalination.image
Highly basic and active ZnO–x% K2O nanocomposite catalysts for the production of methyl ethyl ketone biofuel
Authors: Halawy Samih A. , Osman Ahmed I. , Rooney David W. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractHerein we demonstrate the preparation and characterization of nanocrystalline ZnO, either pure or promoted with 1–10 wt.% K2O. All catalysts calcined at 400°C were in the nano‐crystallite scale as confirmed by X‐ray powder diffraction analysis in the 22.9–28.0 nm range. According to the CO2‐temperature‐programmed desorption study using thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry techniques, they have a broad spectrum of surface basic sites. Because of the significance of methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) as a next‐generation biofuel candidate with high‐octane, low boiling point, and relatively high vapor pressure. The prepared catalysts were examined during the direct production of MEK via 2‐butanol (2B) dehydrogenation. Among catalysts tested, ZnO promoted with 1% K2O showed a superior catalytic activity towards the conversion of 2B to MEK, that is, 71.7% at a reaction temperature of 275°C. The selectivity for the production of MEK over all catalysts was ≥95% across all catalysts when using N2‐gas as a carrier. The use of airflow in this reaction resulted in a clear loss of selectivity toward MEK production as well as the appearance of undesirable products such as acetone and methanol. All catalytic properties of catalysts, particularly those of moderate strength, were highly correlated with the distribution of surface basic sites. Finally, a reaction mechanism was proposed for the dehydrogenation of 2B, followed by the partial oxidation of MEK.
A narrative review on conformational structure characterization of natural polysaccharides
Authors: Du Bin , Nie Shaoping , Peng Fei , Yang Yuedong , Xu Baojun 
Published: April 2022

AbstractPolysaccharides are structurally varied groups of biological macromolecules which broadly occurrence in nature. The structural features like detailed glycosidic linkages, monosaccharide composition, molecular weight (MW), and chain conformation could impact their functions. This paper attempts to review the current development on conformational characterization of polysaccharides and includes the influence of chain conformations on their biological activities. The chain conformations characterization methods mainly include static and dynamic light scattering, multiple angle laser light scattering (MALLS) detector, high‐performance size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC), viscosity analysis in the base of the theory of dilute polymer solution, circular dichroism (CD), Congo red test, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), atomic force microscopy (AFM), single molecular AFM, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS), single‐molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, HPSEC‐MALLS analysis, as well as HPSEC‐MALLS‐refractive index (RI)‐viscosity detector (VS) system. This would be also helpful for development and application of polysaccharides from different natural sources.
Effect of atmospheric nonthermal plasma on physicochemical, morphology and functional properties of sunn pest (Eurygaster integriceps)‐damaged wheat flour
Authors: Tavakoli Lahijani Amir , Shahidi Fakhri , Habibian Mahmoud , Koocheki Arash , Shokrollahi Yancheshmeh Behdad 
Published: April 2022

AbstractTo improve the quality of sunn pests (Eurygaster integriceps)‐damaged wheat flour, the effects of nonthermal plasma on physicochemical, rheological, functional, and microstructural properties were investigated. Gas type (air and oxygen), voltage (22 and 25 volts), and time (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 min) were the variables of the experiments conducted using a completely randomized design with three replications. The results show that with increasing voltage and time of plasma treatment, the pH decreased significantly (p ≥ .05), and brightness parameter, yellow–blue parameter, water‐solubility, water absorption, oil absorption, and swelling power increased significantly (p ≥ .05). The duration of plasma treatment, voltage, and change in input gas from air to oxygen did not significantly change the gluten index, particle size, and negative electric charge of flour particles, and the amount of zeta potential of samples. Differential calorimetric analysis showed the first and second peaks of the thermogram in the range 55–99°C and also 114–99°C. Infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) showed hydroxyl group, CH bonds, C=O bonds, as well as the presence of types I and II amide bonds in the structure. Microstructural results indicated that plasma treatment reduced the particle size and increased particle sorting. By Increasing voltage and the duration of plasma treatment, peak viscosity, final viscosity, breakdown viscosity, pasting time and temperature significantly increased and setback viscosity decreased (p ≥ .05), which reduced retrogradation which improved the dough stability during the cooling process.
Latinx Bioethics: Toward a Braver, Broader, and More Just Bioethics
Authors: Suarez Joanne C. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractIn recognizing that overcoming anti‐Blackness and structural racism requires a collective effort, Latinx bioethics has emerged as a space in the larger field of bioethics where Latino scholars, researchers, artists, and other bioethics professionals are contributing to deconstructing anti‐Blackness. With attention to race and ethnocultural perspectives, Latinx bioethics draws from bioethical theories and conceptual frameworks to address ethical and moral issues affecting Latino communities. This essay aims to explain how Latinx bioethics aids in centering the Latinx voice and eradicating anti‐Blackness in bioethics. After introducing the Latinx bioethics framework and mission, the essay explores the overlap between Black bioethics and Latinx bioethics and discusses why this overlap calls for cross‐examination and collaboration in the field. The essay concludes with a summary of recommendations and reflections that bioethics can adopt to begin progressing toward a more inclusive and racially equitable field.
Bioethics Rooted in Justice: Community‐Expert Reflections
Authors: Wallace Gwendolyn 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBased on interviews that the author and her colleagues conducted with three community organizers, activists, and health care workers—James Manigault‐Bryant, Amika Tendaji, and Amber‐Rose Howard—this essay emphasizes the importance of considering how the field of bioethics might be expanded with the integration of abolitionist perspectives and practices. These individuals were selected as interviewees for this special report on reckoning with anti‐Black racism because of their dedication to Black abolitionist theory and practice and to centering the communities most harmed by state violence. A crucial lesson to be drawn from the conversations held with Manigault‐Bryant, Tendaji, and Howard is that, without centering the experiences of Black health activists and community organizers in bioethics’ research, the field is bound to uphold White supremacy, advance colonialism, and neglect entire ways of being in the world.
Modulation effect of substantia nigra iron deposition and functional connectivity on putamen glucose metabolism in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Zang Zhenxiang , Song Tianbin , Li Jiping , Yan Shaozhen , Nie Binbin , Mei Shanshan , Ma Jie , Yang Yu , Shan Baoci , Zhang Yuqing , Lu Jie 
Published: April 2022

AbstractNeurodegeneration of the substantia nigra affects putamen activity in Parkinson's disease (PD), yet in vivo evidence of how the substantia nigra modulates putamen glucose metabolism in humans is missing. We aimed to investigate how substantia nigra modulates the putamen glucose metabolism using a cross‐sectional design. Resting‐state fMRI, susceptibility‐weighted imaging, and [18F]‐fluorodeoxyglucose‐PET (FDG‐PET) data were acquired. Forty‐two PD patients and 25 healthy controls (HCs) were recruited for simultaneous PET/MRI scanning. The main measurements of the current study were images representing iron deposition (28 PD and 25 HCs), standardized uptake value ratio (SUVr) images representing FDG‐uptake (33 PD and 25 HCs), and resting state functional connectivity maps from resting state fMRI (34 PD and 25 HCs). An interaction term based on the general linear model was used to investigate the joint modulation effect of nigral iron deposition and nigral‐putamen functional connectivity on putamen FDG‐uptake. Compared with HCs, we found increased iron deposition in the substantia nigra (p = .007), increased FDG‐uptake in the putamen (left: PFWE < 0.001; right: PFWE < 0.001), and decreased functional connectivity between the substantia nigra and the anterior putamen (left PFWE < 0.001, right: PFWE = 0.007). We then identified significant interaction effect of nigral iron deposition and nigral‐putamen connectivity on FDG‐uptake in the putamen (p = .004). The current study demonstrated joint modulation effect of the substantia nigra iron deposition and nigral‐putamen functional connectivity on putamen glucose metabolic distribution, thereby revealing in vivo pathological mechanism of nigrostriatal neurodegeneration of PD.
Families' costs form a considerable part of total costs in bronchiolitis care
Authors: Mäntynen Emilia , Palmu Sauli , Heikkilä Paula 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBackground and aimThe burden of bronchiolitis is remarkable due to high morbidity in infants. The aim of this study was to evaluate bronchiolitis‐associated costs for patients' families and the healthcare system.MethodsThis retrospective, descriptive study included 136 infants under 12 months of age treated at Tampere University Hospital, Finland, between October 1, 2018 and March 31, 2020, with bronchiolitis as the main diagnosis. The data consists of patient background and medical information and of estimated costs for the families and for the healthcare system. The data were collected from the hospital's electronic patient files and registries and were analyzed with descriptive statistical analyzes using SPSS v. 26 software.ResultsThe total median costs associated with bronchiolitis from the perspective of families and healthcare were €16,205 per patient if intensive care was needed and €2266 per patient treated only on the ward. The median costs for the families were €461 and €244, respectively, and for the healthcare system, they were €15,644 and €2019.ConclusionThe majority of the total costs for treatment were due to healthcare costs and only 10% of costs were targeted at families. Bronchiolitis‐associated total median costs were 7.2 times higher and the families' costs were 1.9 times higher if intensive care was needed instead of treatment on the ward only.
Treatment satisfaction and response in patients with severe alopecia areata under treatment with diphenylcyclopropenone
Authors: Abedini Robabeh , Abdshah Alireza , Ghandi Narges , Janatalipour Atefe , Torabi Sara , Nasimi Maryam 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBackground and AimsAlopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease of hair follicles. Treatments currently include topical and intralesional corticosteroids and contact immunotherapy; however, the overall prognosis is usually unfavorable. In severe AA, topical immunotherapy with diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP) is preferred. Since its effectiveness is heterogeneous and there are several side effects, we decided to measure the patients' satisfaction using the “Version II of the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication,” which investigates satisfaction with effectiveness, side effects, convenience, and global satisfaction.MethodsWe examined 100 patients under treatment with DPCP for treatment response, asked them to respond to the questionnaire, and calculated their overall scores out of 400. We then investigated the association between the patients' characteristics with their treatment response and satisfaction.ResultsThe overall satisfaction of patients was 257/400. We observed a significant association between patients' satisfaction scores on effectiveness and global satisfaction with their response to treatment (p < 0.001). The patients' satisfaction with the treatment's convenience had a significantly positive association with the age of receiving the diagnosis (p = 0.028). The overall treatment satisfaction was significantly associated with treatment response (276 vs. 213, p = 0.000).ConclusionAlthough there are currently no gold standard treatments for severe AA, DPCP demonstrated a 71% response to treatment, and patients with response were significantly more satisfied with their treatment.
Improving birth certificate data accuracy in Alabama
Authors: Gentle Samuel J. , Moore Matthew , Blackmon Rosemary , Brugh Brenda , Todd Allison , Wingate Martha , Mazzoni Sara 
Published: April 2022

AbstractObjectiveAccurate vital statistics data are critical for monitoring population health and strategizing public health interventions. Previous analyses of statewide birth data have identified several factors that may reduce birth certificate accuracy including systematic errors and limited data review by clinicians. The aim of this initiative was to increase the proportion of hospitals in Alabama reporting accurate birth certificate data from 67% to 87% within 1 year.MethodsThe Alabama Perinatal Quality Collaborative led this statewide collaborative effort. Process measures included monthly monitoring of 11 variables across 5–10 patient birth certificates per month per hospital. Accuracy determination, defined as ≥95% accuracy of the variables analyzed, was performed by health care specialists at each hospital by comparing birth certificate variables from vital statistics with data obtained from original hospital source materials. Three months of retrospective, baseline accuracy data were collected before project initiation from which actionable drivers and change ideas were identified at individual hospitals. Data were analyzed using statistical process control measures.ResultsThirty‐one hospitals entered data throughout the course of the initiative, accounting for 850 chart analyses and 9350 variable assessments. The least accurately reported variables included birth weight, maternal hypertension, and antenatal corticosteroid exposure. At baseline, 67% of hospitals reported birth certificate accuracy rates ≥ 95%, which increased to 90% of hospitals within 2 months and was sustained for the remainder of the initiative.ConclusionStatewide, multidisciplinary quality improvement efforts increased birth certificate accuracy vital to public health surveillance.
Sleep monitoring challenges in patients with neurocognitive disorders: A cross‐sectional analysis of missing data from activity trackers
Authors: Ahuja Manan , Siddhpuria Shailee , Reppas‐Rindlisbacher Christina , Wong Eric , Gormley Jessica , Lee Justin , Patterson Christopher 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBackground and AimsActivity monitors, such as Fitbits®, are being used increasingly for research purposes and data have been validated in healthy community‐dwelling older adults. Given the lack of research in older adults with neurocognitive disorders, we investigated the consistency of sleep data recorded from a wrist‐worn activity monitor in this population.MethodsFitbit® activity monitors were worn by hospitalized older adults as part of a parent study investigating sleep and step count in patients recovering from hip fracture surgery in a tertiary care academic hospital in Hamilton, Canada between March 2018 and June 2019. In this secondary analysis, we compared the proportion of missing sleep data between participants with and without a neurocognitive disorder and used a multivariable model to assess the association between neurocognitive disorder and missing sleep data.ResultsOf 67 participants included in the analysis, 22 had a neurocognitive disorder (median age: 86.5 years). Sleep data were missing for 47% of the neurocognitive disorder group and 23% of the non‐neurocognitive disorder group. The presence of a neurocognitive disorder was associated with an increased likelihood of missing sleep data using the Fitbit® activity monitors (adjusted odds ratio: 3.41; 95% confidence interval: 1.06–11.73, p = 0.04).ConclusionThe inconsistent nature of sleep data tracking in hospitalized older adults with neurocognitive disorders highlights the challenges of using interventions in patient populations who are often excluded from validation studies. As opportunities expand for activity monitoring in persons with neurocognitive disorders, novel technologies not previously studied in this group should be used with caution.
The functionality of health facility governing committees and their associated factors in selected primary health facilities implementing direct health facility financing in Tanzania: A mixed‐method study
Authors: Kesale Anosisye Mwandulusya , Mahonge Christopher Paul , Muhanga Mikidadi 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBackgroundIn Lower and Middle‐Income Countries (LMICs), decentralization has dominated the agenda for reforming the organization of service delivery (LMICs). The fiscal decentralization challenge is a hard one for decentralization. As they strive to make decisions and use health facility funding, primary healthcare facilities encounter the obstacles of fiscal decentralization. LMICs are currently implementing fiscal decentralization reforms to empower health facilities and their Health Facility Governing Committees (HFGCs) to improve service delivery. Given the scarcity of systematic evidence on the impact of fiscal decentralization, this study examined the functionality of HFGCs and their associated factors in primary healthcare facilities in Tanzania that were implementing fiscal decentralization through Direct Health Facility Financing (DHFF).MethodsTo collect both qualitative and quantitative data, a cross‐sectional approach was used. The research was carried out in 32 primary healthcare facilities in Tanzania that were implementing the DHFF. A multistage sample approach was utilized to pick 280 respondents, using both probability and nonprobability sampling procedures. A structured questionnaire, in‐depth interviews, and focus group discussions were used to gather data. The functionality of HFGCs was determined using descriptive analysis, and associated factors for the functioning of HFGCs were determined using binary logistic regression. Thematic analysis was used to do qualitative research.ResultHFGC functionality under DHFF has been found to be good by 78.57%. Specifically, HFGCs have been found to have good functionality in mobilizing communities to join Community Health Funds 87.14%, participating in the procurement process 85%, discussing community health challenges 81.43% and planning and budgeting 80%. The functionality of HFGCs has been found to be associated with the planning and budgeting aspects p value of 0.0011, procurement aspects p value 0.0331, availability of information reports p value 0.0007 and Contesting for HFGC position p value 0.0187.ConclusionThe study found that fiscal decentralization via DHFF increases the functionality of HFGCs significantly. As a result, the report proposes that more effort be placed into making financial resources available to health facilities.
A fast approximate extension of the interacting quantum atoms energy decomposition to excited states
Authors: Jara‐Cortés Jesús , Matta Chérif F. , Hernández‐Trujillo Jesús 
Published: April 2022

AbstractAn approach is developed for the fast calculation of the interacting quantum atoms energy decomposition (IQA) from the information contained in the first order reduced density matrix only. The proposed methodology utilizes an approximate exchange‐correlation density from Density Matrix Functional Theory without the need to evaluate the correlation‐exchange contribution directly. Instead, weight factors are estimated to decompose the exactVxcinto atomic and pairwise contributions. In this way, the sum of the IQA contributions recovers the energy obtained from the electronic structure calculation. This method can, hence, be applied to obtain atomic contributions in excited states on the same footing as in their ground states using any method that delivers the reduced first‐order density matrix. In this way, one can locate chromophores from first principles quantum chemical calculations. Test calculations on the ground and excited states of a set of small molecules indicate that the scaled atomic contributions reproduce vertical electronic transition energies calculated exactly. This approach may be useful to extend the applicability of the IQA approach in the study of large photochemical systems especially when the calculations of the second order reduced density matrices is prohibitive or not possible.
Computational study of ground‐state properties of μ2‐bridged group 14 porphyrinic sandwich complexes
Authors: Kohn Julia , Bursch Markus , Hansen Andreas , Grimme Stefan 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe structural properties of μ2‐bridged porphyrinic double‐decker complexes are investigated and the influence of various ligands, metals, substituents, and bridging atoms on the dominant structural motif is elucidated. A variety of quantum chemical methods including semiempirical (SQM) methods and density functional theory (DFT) is assessed for the calculation of ecliptic and staggered conformational energies. Local coupled cluster (DLPNO‐CCSD(T1)) data are generated for reference. The r2SCAN‐3c composite scheme as well as the B2PLYP‐D4/def2‐QZVPP approach are identified as reliable methods. Energy decomposition analyses (EDA) and localized molecular orbital analyses (LMO) are used to investigate the bonding situation and the nature of the inter‐ligand interaction energy underlining the crucial role of attractive London dispersion interactions. Targeted modification of the bridging atom, e.g., by replacing O2− by S2− is shown to drastically change the major structural features of the investigated complexes. Further, the influence of different substituents of varying size at the phthalocyanine ligand regarding the dominant conformation is described.