bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Structure evaluation of anode‐supported planar solid oxide fuel cells based on single/double‐sided electrolyte(s) under redox conditions
Authors: Liu Wu , Zheng Jiahong , Wang Yudong , Jiang Congying , Li Dongfeng , Zhong Zheng , Zhai Qijie , Zhou Xiaodong , Guan Wanbing 
Published: November 2019

AbstractStructure evaluation was comparably studied with the traditional thin anode‐supported solid oxide fuel cells based on single‐sided electrolyte (SSE‐SOFCs) and the thick flat‐tube solid oxide fuel cells based on double‐sided electrolytes (DSE‐SOFCs) under redox conditions. Results showed that the structure of DSE‐SOFCs remained unchanged, especially the electrolyte kept un‐cracked during the redox process, whereas SSE‐SOFC was warped and, in some cases, cracked as the thickness of supported anode was less than 1 mm, which indicated that the DSE‐SOFCs exhibited better redox stability than the SSE‐SOFCs.
Root starches enriched with proteins and phenolics from Pachyrhizus ahipa roots as gluten‐free ingredients for baked goods
Authors: Malgor Martina , Viña Sonia Zulma , Dini Cecilia 
Published: November 2019

SummaryAhipa is a gluten‐free starchy root, bearing phenolics and a protein content of ~9% db. Ahipa proteins are hydrosoluble, and thus, they are lost during starch extraction. The aim of this work was to recover ahipa proteins by isoelectric point (pI) precipitation to enrich ahipa and cassava starches. Both enriched starches had protein contents of ~2%, and their ATR‐FTIR spectra revealed bands characteristic of ahipa proteins. Enriched starches also contained phenolics in concentrations of 18–20 µg GAE/g. Enrichment lowered the whiteness index, but it remained higher than 90. Protein enrichment did not modify gelatinisation onset and peak temperatures but reduced the gelatinisation enthalpy of ahipa starch. Enriched starches produced less‐rigid buns than the native ones, with smaller and more homogeneously distributed alveoli in the crumb which resulted darker than the crust. Starch slurries acidified to the pI of ahipa proteins led to novel gluten‐free ingredients by an easy, low‐cost process.
Differential effects of direct factor IIa and factor Xa inhibitors in protein C‐deficient plasma detected using thrombin generation and viscoelastometry assays
Authors: Aungraheeta Riyaad , FitzGibbon Lucy , Reilly‐Stitt Christopher , Mumford Andrew D. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractIntroductionProtein C (PC) deficiency results in dysregulated thrombin generation and increases thrombosis risk.MethodsIn order to investigate the potential effects of anticoagulant drugs in PC deficiency, we evaluated the pharmacodynamic effect of selective direct factor (F) IIa inhibitors (dabigatran and argatroban), selective direct FXa inhibitors (rivaroxaban and apixaban) and an indirect FXa/FIIa inhibitor (enoxaparin) in commercial PC‐deficient plasma using thrombin generation and viscoelastometry assays modified to reflect PC anticoagulant activity.ResultsEndogenous thrombin potential (ETP) and peak thrombin concentration (PTC) were increased in PC‐deficient plasma but this corrected completely with PC concentrate. Inhibition of FIIa and FXa with the selective inhibitors also corrected the increased ETP and PTC but required high drug concentrations. There was sustained low‐level thrombin generation in PC‐deficient plasma with FXa inhibitors but not with FIIa inhibitors. Adding PC concentrate to PC‐deficient plasma anticoagulated with dabigatran had little additional effect on ETP or PTC. In contrast, addition of even small quantities of PC concentrate to PC‐deficient plasma anticoagulated with rivaroxaban further diminished ETP, primarily by abolishing sustained thrombin generation. In the viscoelastometry assay, the coagulation time was shortened and α‐angle increased in PC‐deficient plasma. These abnormalities reversed with both dabigatran and rivaroxaban.ConclusionThe selective direct FXa and FIIa inhibitors at high concentrations both counteracted the abnormal thrombin generation and clot formation observed in PC‐deficient plasma, but with qualitative differences in their effects.
To what extent is social security spending associated with enhanced firm‐level performance? A case study of SMEs in Indonesia
Authors: TORM Nina 
Published: November 2019

AbstractAlthough the relationship between social protection and enterprise performance is much debated in the literature, evidence is particularly limited in the case of small and medium‐sized enterprises in developing economies. Using census data from 2010 to 2014, this article examines how the provision of social security influenced business performance in Indonesia. The author finds that increased social security spending of 10 per cent is associated with a per‐worker revenue gain of up to 2 per cent. Moreover, profits are not found to decrease with increased social protection coverage, suggesting that increasing worker benefits may be a worthwhile business investment.
Genistein‐3′‐sodium sulphonate protects against lipopolysaccharide‐induced lung vascular endothelial cell apoptosis and acute lung injury via BCL‐2 signalling
Authors: Yi Lei , Chang Mengling , Zhao Quanming , Zhou Zengding , Huang Xiaoqin , Guo Feng , Huan Jingning 
Published: November 2019

AbstractUnder septic conditions, Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced apoptosis of lung vascular endothelial cells (ECs) triggers and aggravates acute lung injury (ALI), which so far has no effective therapeutic options. Genistein‐3′‐sodium sulphonate (GSS) is a derivative of native soy isoflavone, which has neuro‐protective effects through its anti‐apoptotic property. However, whether GSS protects against sepsis‐induced lung vascular endothelial cell apoptosis and ALI has not been determined. In this study, we found that LPS‐induced Myd88/NF‐κB/BCL‐2 signalling pathway activation and subsequent EC apoptosis were effectively down‐regulated by GSS in vitro. Furthermore, GSS not only reversed the sepsis‐induced BCL‐2 changes in expression in mouse lungs but also blocked sepsis‐associated lung vascular barrier disruption and ALI in vivo. Taken together, our results demonstrated that GSS might be a promising candidate for sepsis‐induced ALI via its regulating effects on Myd88/NF‐κB/BCL‐2 signalling in lung ECs.
Chromosomal inheritance of parental rDNAs distribution pattern detected by FISH in diploid F1 hybrid progeny of Cobitis (Teleostei, Cobitidae) species has non‐Mendelian character
Authors: Grabowska Anna I. , Boroń Alicja , Kirtiklis Lech , Spóz Aneta , Juchno Dorota , Kotusz Jan 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThis study was conducted to describe the major and the minor rDNA chromosome distribution in the spined loach Cobitis taenia (2n = 48) and the Danubian loach Cobitis elongatoides (2n = 50), and their laboratory‐produced diploid reciprocal F1 hybrid progeny. It was tested by fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) whether the number of 28s and 5s rDNA sites in the karyotypes of diploid hybrids corresponds to the expectations resulting from Mendelian ratio and if nucleolar organiser regions (NOR)were inherited from both parents or nucleolar dominance can be observed in the induced F1 hybrid progeny. Ten (females) or twelve (males) 28s rDNA loci were located in nine uniarm chromosomes of C. taenia. Two of such loci terminally bounded on one acrocentric chromosome were unique and indicated as specific for this species. Large 5s rDNA clusters were located on two acrocentric chromosomes. In C. elongatoides of both sexes, six NOR sites in terminal regions on six meta‐submetacentric chromosomes and two 5s rDNA sites on large submetacentrics were detected. The F1 hybrid progeny (2n = 49) was characterised by the intermediate karyotype with the sites of ribosome synthesis on chromosomes inherited from both parents without showing nucleolar dominance. 5s rDNA sites were detected on large submetacentric and two acrocentric chromosomes. The observed number of both 28s and 5s rDNAs signals in F1 diploid Cobitis hybrids was disproportionally inherited from the two parental species, showing inconsistency with the Mendelian ratios. The presented rDNA patterns indicate some marker chromosomes that allow the species of the parental male and female to be recognised in hybrid progeny. The 5s rDNA was found to be a particularly effective diagnostic marker of C. elongatoides to partially discern genomic composition of diploid Cobitis hybrids and presumably allopolyploids resulting from their backcrossing with one of the parental species. Thus, the current study provides insight into the extent of rDNA heredity in Cobitis chromosomes and their cytotaxonomic character.
Epidemiology of hepatitis C virus infection in a country with universal access to direct‐acting antiviral agents: Data for designing a cost‐effective elimination policy in Spain
Authors: Crespo Javier , Cuadrado Antonio , Perelló Christie , Cabezas Joaquin , Llerena Susana , Llorca Javier , Cedillo Sergio , Llop Elba , Escudero María Desamparados , Hernández Conde Marta , Puchades Laura , Redondo Carlos , Fortea José I. , Gil de Miguel Angel , Serra Miguel A. , Lazarus Jeffrey V. , Calleja José Luis 
Published: November 2019

AbstractAccurate HCV prevalence estimates are necessary for guiding elimination policies. Our aim was to determine the HCV prevalence and assess the cost‐effectiveness of a screen‐and‐treat strategy in the Spanish population. A population‐based, cross‐sectional study (PREVHEP‐ETHON Cohort, Epidemiological sTudy of Hepatic infectiONs; NCT02749864) was performed from July 2015‐April 2017. Participants from three Spanish regions were selected using two‐stage conglomerate sampling, and stratified by age, with randomized subject selection. Anthropometric and demographic data were collected, and blood samples were taken to detect anti‐HCV antibodies/quantify HCV RNA. The cost‐effectiveness of the screening strategies and treatment were analysed using a Markov model. Among 12 246 participants aged 20‐74 (58.4% females), the overall anti‐HCV prevalence was 1.2% (95% CI 1.0‐1.4), whereas the detectable HCV‐RNA prevalence was 0.3% (0.2‐0.4). Infection rates were highest in subjects aged 50‐74 years [anti‐HCV 1.6% (1.3‐1.9), HCV RNA 0.4% (0.3‐0.6]. Among the 147 anti‐HCV + subjects, 38 (25.9%) had active infections while 109 (74.1%) had been cleared of infection; 44 (40.4%) had cleared after antiviral treatment, whereas 65 (59.6%) had cleared spontaneously. Overall, 59.8% of the anti‐HCV + participants were aware of their serological status. Considering a cost of treatment of €7000/patient, implementing screening programmes is cost‐effective across all age cohorts, particularly in patients aged 50‐54 (negative incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio which indicates a cost‐saving strategy). The current HCV burden is lower than previously estimated, with approximately 25% of anti‐HCV + individuals having an active infection. A strategy of screening and treatment at current treatment prices in Spain is cost‐effective across all age cohorts.
Smartphone Use and Academic Performance: Correlation or Causal Relationship?
Authors: Baert Stijn , Vujić Sunčica , Amez Simon , Claeskens Matteo , Daman Thomas , Maeckelberghe Arno , Omey Eddy , De Marez Lieven 
Published: November 2019

SUMMARYAfter a decade of correlational research, this study attempts to measure the causal impact of (general) smartphone use on educational performance. To this end, we merge survey data on general smartphone use, exogenous predictors of this use, and other drivers of academic success with the exam scores of first‐year students at two Belgian universities. The resulting data are analysed with instrumental variable estimation techniques. A one‐standard‐deviation increase in daily smartphone use yields a decrease in average exam scores of about one point (out of 20). When relying on ordinary least squares estimations, the magnitude of this effect is substantially underestimated. The negative association between smartphone use and exam results is more outspoken for students (i) with highly educated fathers, (ii) with divorced parents and (iii) who are in good health. Policy‐makers should at least invest in information and awareness campaigns of teachers and parents to highlight this trade‐off between smartphone use and academic performance.
Increased cancer rates in patients with chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Nyberg Anders H. , Sadikova Ekaterina , Cheetham Craig , Chiang Kevin M. , Shi Jiaxiao X. , Caparosa Susan , Younossi Zobair M. , Nyberg Lisa M. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractAimsAs previous reports show an association of chronic hepatitis C (HCV) with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and non‐liver cancers, we examine the association of HCV with liver cancer and non‐liver cancers.MethodsRetrospective cross‐sectional study at Kaiser Permanente Southern California (KPSC) evaluating HCV and non‐HCV patients from 1 January 2008 to 12 December 2012. Cancer diagnoses were obtained from the KPSC‐SEER‐affiliated registry. Logistic regression analyses were used for rate ratios and time‐to‐event analyses were performed using Cox proportional hazards models, adjusted for age, gender, race, smoking and cirrhosis. Cancer rate ratios were stratified by tobacco, alcohol abuse, diabetes and body mass index (BMI).ResultsThe initial population and final population of multivariable analysis were N = 5 332 903 and N = 2 080 335 respectively. Cancer burden (all sites) was significantly higher in HCV than in non‐HCV patients and HCV patients had a high rate of liver cancer. When liver cancer was excluded, cancer rates remained significantly increased in HCV. Unadjusted cancer rates were significantly higher in HCV compared to non‐HCV for oesophageal, stomach, colorectal, pancreas, myeloma, non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma, head/neck, lung, renal and prostate cancer. After stratification for alcohol abuse, tobacco, diabetes and BMI, increased cancer rates remained significant for all cancer sites, liver cancer and non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma. Multivariable analyses demonstrated a strong correlation between cirrhosis and cancer. Tobacco use and diabetes were also associated with cancer. In the absence of cirrhosis, HCV, tobacco use and diabetes significantly increased the cancer risk. Mediation analyses showed that cirrhosis was responsible for a large proportion on the effect of HCV on cancer risk.ConclusionThis study supports the concept of HCV as a systemic illness and treating HCV regardless of disease severity and prior to progression to cirrhosis.
European society of neurogastroenterology and motility guidelines on functional constipation in adults
Authors: Serra Jordi , Pohl Daniel , Azpiroz Fernando , Chiarioni Giuseppe , Ducrotté Philippe , Gourcerol Guillaume , Hungin A. Pali S. , Layer Peter , Mendive Juan‐Manuel , Pfeifer Johann , Rogler Gerhard , Scott S. Mark , Simrén Magnus , Whorwell Peter ,   The Functional Constipation Guidelines Working Group
Published: November 2019

AbstractIntroductionChronic constipation is a common disorder with a reported prevalence ranging from 3% to 27% in the general population. Several management strategies, including diagnostic tests, empiric treatments, and specific treatments, have been developed. Our aim was to develop European guidelines for the clinical management of constipation.DesignAfter a thorough review of the literature by experts in relevant fields, including gastroenterologists, surgeons, general practitioners, radiologists, and experts in gastrointestinal motility testing from various European countries, a Delphi consensus process was used to produce statements and practical algorithms for the management of chronic constipation.Key ResultsSeventy‐three final statements were agreed upon after the Delphi process. The level of evidence for most statements was low or very low. A high level of evidence was agreed only for anorectal manometry as a comprehensive evaluation of anorectal function and for treatment with osmotic laxatives, especially polyethylene glycol, the prokinetic drug prucalopride, secretagogues, such as linaclotide and lubiprostone and PAMORAs for the treatment of opioid‐induced constipation. However, the level of agreement between the authors was good for most statements (80% or more of the authors). The greatest disagreement was related to the surgical management of constipation.Conclusions and InferencesEuropean guidelines on chronic constipation, with recommendations and algorithms, were developed by experts. Despite the high level of agreement between the different experts, the level of scientific evidence for most recommendations was low, highlighting the need for future research to increase the evidence and improve treatment outcomes in these patients.
Improving Tibial Component Coronal Alignment During Total Knee Arthroplasty with the Use of a Double‐Check Technique
Authors: Ma De‐si , Wang Zhi‐wei , Wen Liang , Ren Shi‐xiang , Lin Yuan , Zhang Bo 
Published: November 2019

ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy of the restoration of tibial component coronal alignment with a double‐check technique and the conventional surgical technique during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in knee osteoarthritis patients, and to investigate the distribution of the medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) after TKA.MethodsA retrospective review was performed of 151 patients (179 knees) with knee osteoarthritis undergoing primary TKA in Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University from February 2013 to January 2015 to evaluate the differences in MPTA in patients undergoing the conventional TKA and those undergoing a modified TKA with a double‐check technique after the surgery. All patients were evaluated by MPTA, range of motion (ROM), Knee Society Clinical Rating System (KSS) clinical scores, and KSS functional scores. An MPTA deviation of 3° or greater was considered malalignment.ResultsA total of 130 TKA procedures in 119 patients were included in the study: 64 knees treated with conventional TKA and 66 knees treated with the double‐check technique TKA. The mean postoperative MPTA was 88.6° ± 2.2° in the conventional TKA group and 89.1° ± 1.5° in the double‐check TKA group. The mean postoperative MPTA between the two groups was not significantly different. In the conventional TKA group, 79.7% (51 knees) had a postoperative MPTA deviation within 3° and 20.3% (13 knees) had a MPTA deviation greater than 3°. In the double‐check TKA group, 93.9% (62 knees) had a postoperative MPTA deviation within 3°and 6.1% (4 knees) had a MPTA deviation greater than 3°. The postoperative MPTA deviation within 3° showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups. In the double‐check TKA group, a 21.2% (14 knees) tibial malalignment was detected after the first check and a 9.1% (6 knees) tibial malalignment was detected after the second check. The mean postoperative ROM was 118.1° ± 9.2° in the conventional TKA group and 115.7° ± 10.1° in the double‐check TKA group. The mean postoperative KSS clinical score was 89.3 ± 3.5 in the conventional TKA group and 89.0 ± 3.7 in the double‐check TKA group. The mean postoperative KSS functional score was 84.8 ± 10.0 in the conventional TKA group and 84.9 ± 9.0 in the double‐check TKA group. The mean postoperative ROM, KSS clinical scores, and KSS functional scores between the two groups were not statistically significantly different.ConclusionMalalignment of the tibial component can occur after conventional TKA, and the double‐check technique is an effective method to improve tibial component coronal alignment.
Distributing global health resources: Contemporary issues in political philosophy
Authors: Hassoun Nicole , Herlitz Anders 
Published: November 2019

AbstractHow should states and international organizations allocate global health resources? This paper examines proposals for distributing these resources in the literature. First, we look at the literature on the metrics for measuring what matters and consider how they might be modified to avoid some common objections—e.g., that these measures discriminate against the disabled or fail to give due weight to helping the young (or old) or those in present (or future) generations. Second, we canvas existing approaches to evaluating allocations of health‐related resources utilizing such measures and advance a new way of doing so. We suggest that it is important to provide substantive arguments for directly evaluating alternative allocations, but there is also room for deliberation about fair procedures for selecting allocation criteria and securing just outcomes.
Ruling under a shadow of moral hierarchy: Regulatory intermediaries in the governance of prostitution
Authors: Euchner Eva‐Maria 
Published: November 2019

AbstractA key to understanding regulation through private intermediaries is how third‐party actors are selected and controlled. This paper examines the question in prostitution policy, a value‐loaded policy field that stimulates regulators to carefully select private intermediaries to avoid regulatory capture. By means of a novel data set on prostitution policy in 25 OECD countries (1960–2010) as well as with a comparative case study on two German states, the paper discovers that the responsibilization of private intermediaries is a slowly diffusing phenomenon, accompanied by strong public oversight. Moreover, the selection of private regulatory intermediaries is an ideology‐driven process in which the congruence in (moral) goals is key for the establishment of any relationship, while regulatory capacities are secondary. Thus, private intermediaries generally rule under a “shadow of moral hierarchy” in prostitution policy. This emphasis on shared moral goals enriches the young research on regulatory intermediaries with a largely disregarded selection criterion, which is able to reduce the risk of regulatory capture by private actors in delicate regulatory areas.
People, Pipelines, and Probabilities: Clarifying Significance and Uncertainty in Environmental Impact Assessments
Authors: Gregory Robin , Satterfield Theresa , Boyd David R. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractDeterminations of significance play a pivotal role in environmental impact assessments because they point decision makers to the predicted effects of an action most deserving of attention and further study. Impact predictions are always subject to uncertainty because they rely on estimates of future consequences. Yet uncertainty is often neglected or treated in a perfunctory manner as part of the characterization, evaluation, and communication of anticipated consequences and their significance. Proposals to construct fossil fuel pipelines in North America provide a highly visible example; casual treatment of how uncertainty affects significance determinations has resulted in poorly informed stakeholders, frustrated industry proponents, and inconsistent choices on the part of public decision makers. Using environmental assessments for recent pipeline proposals as examples, we highlight five ways in which uncertainty is often neglected when determining impact significance and suggest that a mix of known methods, new guidelines, and appropriate oversight could greatly improve current practices.