bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Macrophage-like THP-1 cells show effective uptake of silica nanoparticles carrying inactivated diphtheria toxoid for vaccination
Authors: Huang Xinyue , Cavalcante Danielle Paixão , Townley Helen E 
Published: January 2020

AbstractNanoparticles may be used in vaccinology as an antigen delivery and/or an immunostimulant to enhance immunity. Porous silica has been identified as an effective adjuvant for more than a decade, and we have therefore investigated the take up rate by an immortalized macrophage-like cell line of a number of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNPs) with differing diameter and pore size. The MSNPs were synthesized using a sol-gel reaction and post-synthesis removal of the template. The MSNPs showed a clear distribution in take up rate peaking at 217 nm, whereas a comparison with solid spherical nanoparticles showed a similar distribution peaking at 377 nm. The MSNPs were investigated before and after loading with antigen. Diphtheria toxoid was used as a proof-of-concept antigen and showed a peak macrophage internalization of 53.42% for loaded LP3 particles which had a diameter of 217.75 ± 5.44 nm and large 16.5 nm pores. Optimal MSNP sizes appeared to be in the 200–400 nm range, and larger pores showed better antigen loading. The mesoporous silica particles were shown to be generally biocompatible, and cell viability was not altered by the loading of particles with or without antigen.
NMR resonance assignments for the active and inactive conformations of the small G protein RalA
Authors: Shafiq Arooj , Campbell Louise J. , Owen Darerca , Mott Helen R. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe Ral proteins (RalA and RalB) are small G proteins of the Ras family that have been implicated in exocytosis, endocytosis, transcriptional regulation and mitochondrial fission, as well as having a role in tumourigenesis. RalA and RalB are activated downstream of the master regulator, Ras, which causes the nucleotide exchange of GDP for GTP. Here we report the 1H, 15 N and 13C resonance assignments of RalA in its active form bound to the GTP analogue GMPPNP. We also report the backbone assignments of RalA in its inactive, GDP-bound form. The assignments give insight into the switch regions, which change conformation upon nucleotide exchange. These switch regions are invisible in the spectra of the active, GMPPNP bound form but the residues proximal to the switches can be monitored. RalA is also an important drug target due to its over activation in some cancers and these assignments will be extremely useful for NMR-based screening approaches.
Sexual Orientation and Job Satisfaction: Survey-Based Evidence from Sweden
Authors: Aldén Lina , Hammarstedt Mats , Swahnberg Hanna 
Published: January 2020

AbstractWe present results from a unique nationwide survey conducted in Sweden on sexual orientation and job satisfaction. Our results show that gay men are more likely to be very satisfied with their job than heterosexual men, both in general and with different aspects of the job. In contrast, lesbians appear less satisfied with their job in general and with promotion prospects than heterosexual women. Among women, we find no differences in the probability of being very satisfied with the job by sexual orientation. However, the issue of sexual orientation and job satisfaction is complex since gay men, despite that they more often are very satisfied with the job, like lesbians find their job more mentally straining than heterosexuals. We conclude that gay men and lesbians are facing other stressers at work than heterosexuals do. We also conclude that the worker’s own expectations about the job and possibilities to fulfill career plans may be possible driving forces to our results. Previous research has documented discrimination against gay males and lesbians in hiring. Our results underline that measures to prevent discrimination in hiring is not enough to create an equal working life for homosexuals and heterosexuals. Measures within the workplace are also needed.
The costs of icebreaking services: an estimation based on Swedish data
Authors: Lindborg Eva , Andersson Peter 
Published: January 2020

AbstractIn winter, the sea around Sweden and Finland as well as parts of the waters around Canada, Russia and the USA become ice covered, and ships may require assistance from icebreakers to proceed to their destinations. This paper accordingly analyses the cost structure and estimates the cost of icebreaking operations at sea, including the costs of external effects of the icebreakers’ emissions, and analyses the consequences of different pricing schemes for financing icebreaking services. A regression analysis was carried out based on data from icebreaking services in Sweden over 14 winters from 2001/2002 to 2015/2016. The social marginal cost of an average assistance operation (which may involve more than one ship) is estimated at EUR 6476 and for each assisted ship EUR 5304. The same cost is EUR 907 per running hour for the icebreakers and EUR 1990 per hour a ship is assisted. Each additional nautical mile sailed by an icebreaker costs society EUR 141 and each assisted nautical mile EUR 234. The marginal cost is found not to be related to winter severity. Despite the significant social marginal costs, not including large fixed costs, icebreaking in Sweden and Finland is free of charge. The advantages and disadvantages of four pricing models that can be applied to cover at least parts of the costs to society are discussed. All models could create new distortions, but a price per assisted hour may be worth applying in practice.
New therapeutic strategies in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a focus on promising drugs for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
Authors: Pydyn Natalia , Miękus Katarzyna , Jura Jolanta , Kotlinowski Jerzy 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing worldwide. Globally, it is currently the most common liver disease and is estimated to affect up to 25% of the population. In the first stage, NAFLD is characterized by simple hepatic steatosis (NAFL, nonalcoholic fatty liver) that might progress to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. In this review, we discuss the global burden of NAFLD, together with future perspectives on how this epidemic could be restrained. There is also an urgent need for the development of new medical strategies for NAFLD patients. We aim to present the beneficial effects of life-style modifications that should be advised to both non-obese and obese NAFLD patients. Since there are currently no medications directly used for the treatment of more advanced NAFLD stages, the central part of this review summarizes ongoing and recently completed clinical trials testing promising drugs for NASH resolution. The marketing of new therapeutic agents would greatly increase the odds of reducing the global burden of NAFLD.
“Not Tonight, Honey:” Reasons Couples Do Not Engage in Sex and Their Impact on Satisfaction and Desire
Authors: Mark Kristen P. , Vowels Laura M. , Leistner Christine E. 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Introduction
Sexual activity is an important aspect of most romantic relationships. However, many couples report declines in sexual activity over time and report many reasons for not engaging in sexual activity on a daily basis.

Aim
To investigate the reasons for not engaging in sexual activity in couples over a month and whether these reasons are associated with sexual and relationship satisfaction and sexual desire.

Methods
We collected 30-day daily electronic report data from 174 individuals (87 mixed-sex couples). The responses between men and women were analyzed using chi-squared tests, and we used multilevel modeling to examine the association between the reasons and satisfaction and desire.

Main Outcome Measure
The main outcome measure includes daily sexual satisfaction, relationship satisfaction, and sexual desire. Daily reported reasons for not engaging in sexual activity are categorized into joint reason, self-based reason, partner-based reason, and other reasons.

Results
Men and women were equally likely to endorse joint reasons for not engaging in sexual activity (eg, “It just didn't happen”), whereas women were more likely to endorse self-based reasons (eg “I wasn't in the mood”) and men partner–based reasons (eg “My partner was tired”). The reasons for not engaging in sexual activity were associated with daily sexual and relationship satisfaction and daily sexual desire. Higher baseline sexual desire was associated with a greater likelihood of endorsing partner-related reasons and smaller likelihood of endorsing self-related reasons. Higher baseline sexual satisfaction was associated with a decreased likelihood of reporting partner-based reasons, and higher baseline relationship satisfaction was associated with an increased likelihood of reporting joint reasons. Some of the other associations were significant only for men or women.

Clinical Implications
Results inform couples' therapy and other clinical interventions and highlight the importance of addressing the reasons for not engaging in sexual activity to find ways of mitigating some of these reasons.

Strength & Limitations
The study was the first to date to address reasons for not engaging in sexual activity in a sample of couples in an experience-sampling study. However, our scope was limited to mixed-sex couples who were primarily white and heterosexual, and we only addressed reasons for not engaging in partnered sex (not solitary sex).

Conclusion
The reasons for not engaging in sexual activity seem different for men and women and are associated with sexual and relationship satisfaction and sexual desire, and this link appears to be bidirectional.
Using Carbon Isotopes to Fight the Rise in Fraudulent Whisky
Authors: Cook Gordon T , Dunbar Elaine , Tripney Brian G , Fabel Derek 
Published: January 2020

ABSTRACTA major threat to the Scotch whisky industry is the sale of counterfeit single malt whiskies with purported distillation years in the 19th and early- to mid-20th centuries. However, these are often much more recent spirits, distilled in the latter part of the 20th or first part of the 21st centuries. These sales impinge upon the reputation of auction houses, retailers, brand owners and distillers. The atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons in the 1950s and early 1960s has enabled a precise calibration curve to be created, however, there are several reasons why this may not be appropriate for establishing the year of whisky distillation. We have created a 14C calibration curve derived from known-age, single malt whiskies for the period 1950–2015 that enables whisky distilled during the period from 1955 onwards to have the distillation year determined to within 1–3 years for certain periods. However, because of the shape of the curve, two possible age ranges are often possible. The correct range can often be determined from a further plot of δ13C values against distillation year, which shows a trend of decreasing values through time. Several examples are given of the determination of both genuine and fake products.
THE FLOOR OF THE ARITHMETIC MEAN OF THE CUBE ROOTS OF THE FIRST INTEGERS
Authors: SRIPONPAEW BOONYONG , INTEP SOMKID 
Published: January 2020

Zacharias [‘Proof of a conjecture of Merca on an average of square roots’, College Math. J.49 (2018), 342–345] proved Merca’s conjecture that the arithmetic means $(1/n)\sum _{k=1}^{n}\sqrt{k}$ of the square roots of the first $n$ integers have the same floor values as a simple approximating sequence. We prove a similar result for the arithmetic means $(1/n)\sum _{k=1}^{n}\sqrt[3]{k}$ of the cube roots of the first $n$ integers.
Disentangling trait, occasion-specific, and accumulated situational effects of psychological distress in adulthood: evidence from the 1958 and 1970 British birth cohorts
Authors: Scarpato B. S. , Swardfager W. , Eid M. , Ploubidis G.B. , Cogo-Moreira H. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe trajectories of psychological distress differ between individuals, but these differences can be difficult to understand because the measures contain both consistent and situational features; however, in longitudinal studies these sources of information can be disentangled. In addition to occasion-specific features, interindividual differences can be decomposed into two sources of information: trait and carry-over effects between neighboring occasions that are not related to the trait (i.e. accumulated situational effects).MethodsTo disentangle these three sources of variance throughout adulthood, the consistency (trait and accumulated situational effects) and occasion specificity of nine indicators of psychological distress from the Malaise Inventory were examined in two birth cohorts, the 1958 National Child Development Study (NCDS58), and the 1970 British Cohort Study (BCS70).ResultsThe scale was administered at ages 23, 33, 42, and 50 in NCDS58 (n= 7147), and at ages 26, 30, 34, and 42 in BCS70 (n= 6859). For each psychological symptom, more variance was consistent than occasion-specific. The majority of the consistency was due to trait variance as opposed to accumulated situational effects, indicating that an individual predisposed to be distressed at the beginning of the study remained more likely to be distressed over the whole period. Symptoms of rage were notably more consistent among males than females in both cohorts (78.1% and 81.3% variance explained by trait in NCDS58 and BCS70, respectively), and among females in the NCDS58 (69%).ConclusionsSymptoms of psychological distress exhibited high stability throughout adulthood, especially among men, due mostly to interindividual trait differences.
The War on Waste: using urban history to inspire behavioural change
Authors: Irving Henry 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThis article reflects on the role that urban history can play in contemporary efforts to reduce waste. It is focused on a public history project that uses the history of waste management in World War II as a critical vantage point from which to consider current debates over reduction, reuse and recycling. Placing this project within a broader discussion of public history in the United Kingdom, the article argues that urban history is well placed to encourage a critical understanding of the present.
Anaemia, iron deficiency, iron-deficiency anaemia and their associations with obesity among schoolchildren in Guangzhou, China
Authors: Zheng Hao , Long Weiqing , Tan Weiqing , Yang Chen , Cao Muqing , Zhu Yanna 
Published: January 2020

AbstractObjective:The association of Fe metabolism with obesity in children remains unclear. The present study aimed to assess the status of Fe metabolism parameters, the prevalence of anaemia, Fe deficiency (ID) and Fe-deficiency anaemia (IDA), and the associations of these variables with obesity in Chinese schoolchildren.Design:A cross-sectional study conducted in 5295 schoolchildren aged 7–11 years in Guangzhou, China, 2014–2015. Full data of anthropometric and Fe metabolic parameters were collected to assess obesity, anaemia, ID and IDA. Logistic regression models were established to determine the possible associations of anaemia, ID and IDA with obesity. Two-tailed P values of <0·05 was considered statistically significant.Setting:Guangzhou City, China.Participants:Schoolchildren aged 7–11 years (n 5295).Results:In this sample, mean Hb concentration was 128·1 g/l and the prevalence of anaemia, ID and IDA was 6·6, 6·2 and 0·6 %, respectively. Of the participants, 14·0 % were overweight and 8·8 % were obese. Importantly, obesity was associated with lower anaemia risk (adjusted OR = 0·553; 95 % CI 0·316, 0·968) but higher ID risk (adjusted OR = 1·808; 95 % CI 1·146, 2·853) after adjustment for confounders. No significant relationship was found between obesity and IDA.Conclusions:Our results confirmed that anaemia and ID remain public health concerns among schoolchildren in Guangzhou, while IDA is remarkably less prevalent. Furthermore, obesity was associated with lower anaemia risk, but higher ID risk. More efforts should be made to prevent the onset of ID and obesity in the same individual, thus improving the health and fitness of children.
Does climate change adaptation lead to increased productivity of rice production? Lessons from Ebonyi State, Nigeria
Authors: Onyeneke Robert Ugochukwu 
Published: January 2020

AbstractClimate change negatively impacts rice productivity in different parts of Africa. As a matter of necessity, farmers must respond to changing the climate by choosing adaptation strategies that increase their productivities. Incidentally, studies that documented the impact of climate change adaptation actions of farmers on rice productivity are few. This study therefore analyzed the impact of climate change adaptation decisions of farmers on the profitability of rice production using cross-sectional data gathered from 240 rice farmers selected from Ebonyi State, an important rice-producing State in Nigeria, Africa's most populous country. Using descriptive statistics, multivariate probit regression, instrumental variable regression and endogenous treatment effect model, the study revealed that the common adaptation actions of rice farmers involved adoption of minimum tillage, bond and drainage, fertilizer, crop diversification, livelihood diversification, improved rice varieties, pesticide, nursery, and adjusting planting and harvesting dates. The study found several significant interactions between the choice of climate change adaptation actions and socio-economic, farm, institutional and location characteristics of rice farmers. The result further revealed that multiple adaptation decisions of farmers significantly increased returns to scale and profit of rice production. The study concludes that adaptation decisions are effective in increasing the profitability and returns to scale of rice production in the area and other regions with similar geographical, meteorological and socio-economic contexts.
The Role of Women's Movements in the Implementation of Gender-Based Violence Laws
Authors: Anyidoho Nana Akua , Crawford Gordon , Medie Peace A. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe question of whether social movements can catalyze change has preoccupied researchers but an understanding ofhowsuch change can be created is equally important. Specifically, there has been little investigation of how women's movements engage in the process ofimplementationof women's rights laws. We use a case study of Ghana's Domestic Violence Coalition to examine the challenges that movements face in the policy implementation process. The Domestic Violence Coalition, a collective of women's rights organizations, was instrumental to the passage of Ghana's Domestic Violence Act in 2007. Our study investigates the coalition's subsequent attempts to influence the act's implementation. Drawing from the social movement literature, we apply an analytical framework consisting of three internal factors (strategies, movement infrastructure, and framing) and two external factors (political context and support of allies) that have mediated the coalition's impact on implementation. We find that changes in movement infrastructure are most significant in explaining the coalition's relative ineffectiveness, as these changes adversely affect its ability to employ effective strategies and take advantage of a conducive political context and the presence of allies. This article advances the literature on rights advocacy by women's movements by analyzing the challenge of translating success in policy adoption to implementation and explaining why women's movements may have less impact on implementation processes.
Update on Osaka University Twin Registry: An Overview of Multidisciplinary Research Resources and Biobank at Osaka University Center for Twin Research
Authors: Honda Chika , Watanabe Mikio , Tomizawa Rie ,   Osaka Twin Research Group, Sakai Norio 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe Osaka University Twin Registry was originally established as a registry of older twins but was subsequently expanded to include twins of all ages. The Center for Twin Research at Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine has been managing this registry, as well as collecting research information and bioresources from twin participants. Based on the resources, multidisciplinary research projects have been conducted in collaboration with researchers from institutions both inside and outside Japan. One of the main aims of the center is to collect research information as well as biological resources from registered twins, and to establish a biobank and databases of these data and bioresources. Although data availability may vary, the following data have been collected: physical data (e.g., height, body weight, blood pressure, theoretical visceral fat, pulse wave velocity and bone density); epidemiological data (e.g., medical history, lifestyle, quality of life, mood status, cognitive function and nutritional status); electrocardiography, ultrasonography (carotid artery and thyroid); dentistry, dermatological assessment; positron emission tomography; magnetoencephalographam; brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); and functional MRI. In addition to these in-person survey data, microbiome data have been collected from some participants. As for bioresources, peripheral blood is obtained from the participants for isolation of serum and extraction of DNA and RNA, then stored in deep freezers for further analyses. A variety of research projects are in progress and more are on the way both in Japan and internationally using these data.
Air/Sea Transfer of Highly Soluble Gases Over Coastal Waters
Authors: Porter J. G. , de Bruyn W. J. , Miller S. D. , Saltzman E. S. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe deposition of soluble trace gases to the sea surface is not well studied due to a lack of flux measurements over the ocean. Here we report simultaneous air/sea eddy covariance flux measurements of water vapor, sulfur dioxide (SO2), and momentum from a coastal North Atlantic pier. Gas transfer velocities were on average about 20% lower for SO2 than for H2O. This difference is attributed to the difference in molecular diffusivity between the two molecules (DSO2/DH2O = 0.5), in reasonable agreement with bulk parameterizations in air/sea gas models. This study demonstrates that it is possible to observe the effect of molecular diffusivity on air‐side resistance to gas transfer. The slope of observed relationship between gas transfer velocity and friction velocity is slightly smaller than predicted by gas transfer models, possibly due to wind/wave interactions that are unaccounted for in current models.