bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Never will I give advice till you please to ask me thrice: Estimating willingness to pay for health insurance using 3 different methods with evidence from Iran
Authors: Moeeni Mayam , Nosratnejad Shirin 
Published: September 2018

SummaryObjectiveThe current study was aimed at providing a monetary assessment of households' preferences for basic and complementary health insurance based on willing to pay for health insurance coverage.MethodThe open‐ended (OE), take‐it‐or‐leave‐it (TIOLI), and double‐bounded dichotomous choice (DBDC) methods of contingent valuation (CV) were compared in calculating the participants' willingness to pay (WTP) for joining health insurance coverage. The data for the current study were taken from 2 equivalent samples of households.ResultsThe (trimmed) mean of monthly WTP per person for basic health insurance coverage elicited by the OE, TIOLI, and DBDC methods was respectively US$ 4.01, US$ 6.2, and US$ 5.5. Moreover, the (trimmed) mean of monthly WTP per person for complementary health insurance elicited by the OE, TIOLI, and DBDC methods was respectively US$ 4.6, US$ 9.8, and US$ 8.ConclusionsThe results indicated a significant value difference in the various CV approaches. The findings suggest that the TIOLI, OE, and DBDC can be used as an upper bounded, a lower bounded, and a median value respectively. The findings also suggest that the choice of different CV approaches is needed to estimate a boundary of WTP for health insurance plans as a more reliable estimate of stated preference of health insurance.
A test of water pouring height and run intermittence effects on single‐ring infiltration rates
Authors: Alagna Vincenzo , Bagarello Vincenzo , Cecere Noemi , Concialdi Paola , Iovino Massimo 
Published: September 2018

AbstractAssessing how the infiltration process depends on the water impact energy improves interpretation of hydrological processes. Impact energies vary with the height of water pouring; that is, the distance between the water delivery point and the soil surface. The effects of the height of water pouring on infiltration in an initially near saturated soil can be tested in the field by two repeated Beerkan infiltration runs separated by a short pause (30 min) and using both low (non‐perturbing) and high (perturbing) heights of water application. The double two‐stage Beerkan run methodology was applied in two soils. The infiltration rate at the end of the perturbing stage of the experiment was 0.2–0.3 (sandy‐loam soil) and 0.15 (loam soil) times that obtained with the initial, nonperturbing stage whereas, without any perturbing effect, infiltration rates at the end of the second run were 0.5 times those at the end of the first run. Therefore, the methodology distinguished between a decrease in infiltration rate due to water redistribution during the pause and that attributable to soil surface perturbation. Maintaining a small depth of water (10 mm) on the infiltration surface was not an alternative to the classical Beerkan run for the non‐perturbing stage of the experiment since two times higher infiltration rates were measured with a greater hydrostatic pressure. In conclusion, the relationship between infiltration into an initially near saturated soil and the energy of the applied water can be determined directly in the field at any time with a simple and parsimonious experiment. This circumstance could improve soil hydraulic characterization for interpreting and simulating hydrological processes.
Hf‐based Metal‐Organic Frameworks in Heterogeneous Catalysis
Authors: García‐García Pilar , Corma Avelino 
Published: September 2018

AbstractAmong the large family of metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs), Hf‐based MOFs are foreseen as promising materials for practical applications due to their exceptional characteristics such as rich structure versatility and outstanding stability. This review discusses catalytic applications of Hf‐MOFs since their development in 2012, and are summarized according to the location of the active site: at the hafnium node, at the linker or as a single‐site chemical entity located at the hafnium node after post‐synthetic functionalization. Special emphasis is made to synthetic preparation methods and catalytic performance.
The dynamic capabilities of small and medium‐scale enterprises using mobile apps in Lagos, Nigeria
Authors: Owoseni Adebowale , Twinomurinzi Hossana 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThis paper draws on the framework of dynamic capabilities (DC) to make sense of how small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in Lagos use mobile apps as a means of survival in a developing economy. The framework of DC asserts that organisations could compete favourably despite unpredictable environments; it also suggests that organisations develop DCs independently and differently. The study adopts a qualitative approach to identify the absorptive, adaptive, and innovative capabilities of SMEs in Lagos with a view to make sense of how mobile apps are used to enhance the different capabilities. The findings from 20 SMEs revealed a significant use of social media apps, productivity apps, and mobile banking apps. Further investigations identified 15 DC constructs whose impact on SMEs could be enhanced using appropriated mobile apps. The paper makes recommendations on how SMEs can better satisfice through contextually designed mobile apps that meet the unique needs of the SMEs. The study also contributes to information system and DC framework by identifying mobile apps used by SMEs, revealing the DC constructs of SMEs, and understanding how SMEs use mobile apps to enhance DCs in a developing country economy and African context.
Proinflammatory macrophages impair skeletal muscle differentiation in obesity through secretion of tumor necrosis factor‐α via sustained activation of p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase
Authors: Wang Xueqiang , Zhao Daina , Cui Yajuan , Lu Shemin , Gao Dan , Liu Jiankang 
Published: September 2018

Obesity is associated with skeletal muscle loss and impaired myogenesis. Increased infiltration of proinflammatory macrophages in skeletal muscle is noted in obesity and is associated with muscle insulin resistance. However, whether the infiltrated macrophages can contribute to obesity‐induced muscle loss is unclear. In this study, we investigate macrophage and muscle differentiation markers in the quadriceps (QC), gastrocnemius, tibia anterior, and soleus muscles from obese mice that were fed a high‐fat diet for 16 weeks. Then, we examined the effect and mediator of macrophage‐secreted factors on myoblast differentiation in vitro. We found markedly increased levels of proinflammatory macrophage markers (F4/80 and CD11c) in the QC muscle compared with the other three muscle groups. Consistent with the increased levels of proinflammatory macrophage infiltration, the QC muscle also showed a significant reduction in the expression of muscle differentiation makers MYOD1 and myosin heavy chain. In in vitro studies, treatment of C2C12 myoblasts with Raw 264.7 macrophage‐conditioned medium (CM) significantly promoted cell proliferation and inhibited myoblast differentiation. Neutralization of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF‐α) in Raw 264.7 macrophage CM reversed the reduction of myoblast differentiation. Finally, we found that both macrophage CM and TNF‐α induced sustained activation of p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) in C2C12 myoblasts. Together, our findings suggest that the increased infiltration of proinflammatory macrophages could contribute toward obesity‐induced muscle loss by secreting inflammatory cytokine TNF‐α via the p38 MAPK signaling pathway.
Single and joint effects of Zn and Cu to ATP pool and microbial recovery in continuous growth systems
Authors: Şengör Sema Sevinç , Gikas Petros , Moberly James G 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDFour parallel continuous stirred tank reactors were used to investigate the single and joint exposure of Zn and Cu to Arthrobacter sp. JM018, in terms of the impact on the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) pool and microbial tolerance.RESULTSATP, optical density (OD), and substrate concentration measurements indicated that Cu was more toxic than Zn under all conditions studied. The results showed that although both OD and ATP measurements individually reflected a decrease in microbial growth rate after the addition of metals for the reactors exposed to Cu, specific ATP (i.e. ATP/OD) showed only a temporary reduction followed by a monotonic return to pre‐exposure levels within 100 h. The latter implied tolerance and recovery in the energy status of these cells, after the initial shock due to the exposure to Cu.CONCLUSIONSpecific ATP is an important quantity to be considered as a measure of the activity or energy status of microbial biomass surviving after exposure to toxic metals or other unfavorable conditions. The study provides insights for maintaining metal‐tolerant microbial communities and to explore both quantitatively and experimentally the dynamics of ATP pool and microbial tolerance in metal‐contaminated environments. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Frontline Science: Reprogramming COX-2, 5-LOX, and CYP4A-mediated arachidonic acid metabolism in macrophages by salidroside alleviates gouty arthritis
Authors: Liu Yanzhuo , Tang Honglin , Liu Xiaoxiao , Chen Honglei , Feng Na , Zhang Jing , Wang Chenlong , Qiu Miao , Yang Jing , Zhou Xiaoyang 
Published: September 2018

Abstract
Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), and cytochrome P450 (CYP) 4A-mediated arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism play an essential role in human inflammatory disorders. Blocking COX-2 pathway would shunt AA metabolism to the other pathway, thereby decreasing the efficacy and exacerbating adverse effects. Here we demonstrated that reprogramming COX-2, 5-LOX, and CYP4A-mediated AA metabolism in macrophages by salidroside (Sal) ameliorates monosodium urate (MSU) crystal-induced inflammation. Compared with COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib, Sal (80 mg/kg) presented a superior anti-arthritic profile in MSU crystal-treated rats, accompanied with the decreased expression of COX-2, 5-LOX, and CYP4A and production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), leukotriene B4 (LTB4), and 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE) in the synovial fluid macrophages. Sal decreased representative M1 marker (iNOS and CD86, etc.) expression and M1 cytokine (TNF-α and IL-1β) production, whereas it increased M2 marker (CD206 and Arg-1) expression and M2 cytokine (TGF-β and IL-10) production. The injection of conditioned medium from MSU crystal-treated macrophages into the ankle joint of rats reproduced the gouty inflammation, which was attenuated by Sal. Mechanistically, down-regulation of COX-2, 5-LOX, and CYP4A in the RAW264.7 and NR8383 macrophages by Sal skewed macrophage polarization away from the M1 phenotype, and thereby prevented neutrophil migration and chondrocyte degradation with STAT1 and NF-κB inactivation. Conversely, overexpression of COX-2, 5-LOX, CYP4A or STAT1, or exogenous addition of IL-1β or TNF-α partially abolished these effects. Together, inhibition of COX-2, 5-LOX, and CYP4A in macrophages by Sal ameliorates MSU crystal-induced inflammation through decreasing TNF-α and IL-1β production, and may serve as a novel therapeutic strategy.
Reprogramming COX-2, 5-LOX and CYP4A-mediated AA metabolism by salidroside ameliorates gouty arthritis through inhibition of macrophage M1 polarization via STAT1 and NF-κB signaling.
Pill identification: comparing the identification accuracy and error rates of Internet search engines and standard pill identification applications by entering visual characteristics
Authors: Shenker Bennett S. , Turner John C. , Brandspiegel Heather T. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackgroundProper identification of medications is important for patient safety. Many pill identification applications are available to help identify tablets/capsules but their accuracy varies. Internet search engines could be an alternative for identification.AimThe hypothesis was that Internet search engines would perform as well as or better than pill identification applications in determining the name and dosage of medications.MethodsA set of images of 451 pills was prepared. Visual characteristics were entered into two Internet search engines and three pill identification applications. Head to head comparisons of correct identifications were made using McNemar's test.ResultsNo statistically significant difference was found in correct identifications between Google (93.6%) and Drugs.com (94.0%). Both Google and Drugs.com performed better than Bing (91.4%) at the p < 0.05 level. Drugs.com, Google and Bing all performed better than Pillbox (68.3%) and Epocrates (54.1%) at the p < 0.0001 level.ConclusionInternet search engines perform well in pill identification and better than some dedicated pill identification applications.
Training of provisionally registered pharmacists in Malaysian community pharmacies: perceptions and views of community pharmacists in Sarawak, Malaysia
Authors: Kho Boon Phiaw , Hassali Mohamed Azmi , Lim Ching Jou , Saleem Fahad , Soon Hooi Cheng 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackgroundVarious policies are in place to ensure proper training of provisionally registered pharmacists (PRPs) in Malaysia, in tandem with the nation's need for competent pharmacists. Accreditation as PRP training centres was recently extended to community pharmacies to cater for the increasing number of pharmacy graduates.AimThe aim of this study was to explore and describe the perceptions and views of community pharmacists in Sarawak, Malaysia, regarding the training of PRPs in the community pharmacy setting.MethodSemistructured face‐to‐face interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of community pharmacists working in Sarawak. The interviews were audiorecorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsData saturation was reached after 20 pharmacists had been interviewed. Three key themes were identified: (1) reasons to support PRP training in community pharmacies; (2) barriers to professional training in the community pharmacy setting; and (3) potential solutions to increase the uptake of PRPs in community pharmacies. Community pharmacists in Sarawak train PRPs because of their altruistic nature and/or a business expansion strategy. However, they felt that the current practice environment is not practical for PRP training. Unaffordable salary, physical space constraints, lack of clear guidelines and fear of increased competition were other barriers identified. Potential solutions proposed include expansion of community pharmacists’ roles and having the PRPs’ salary subsidised by the government.ConclusionSuccessfully enlisting community pharmacists to train PRPs is critical to solving the problem of insufficient PRP placements in Malaysia. A more conducive practice environment and better training incentives are vital for success.
Synthesis, Surface Properties, and Self‐Aggregation Behavior of a Branched N,N‐Dimethylalkylamine Oxide Surfactant
Authors: Fabozzi Antonio , Vitiello Rosa , Russo Krauss Irene , Iuliano Mauro , De Tommaso Gaetano , Amoresano Angela , Pinto Gabriella , Paduano Luigi , Jones Christopher , Di Serio Martino , D'Errico Gerardino 
Published: September 2018

AbstractAmine‐oxide surfactants have emerged as highly stable, nontoxic, and cost‐effective constituents of detergent formulations, specifically as wetting agents and foam boosters. With the aim of enhancing their functional behavior, a new member of this family, N,N‐dimethyl‐2‐propylheptan‐1‐amine oxide, bearing a branched alkyl tail (C10DAO‐branched) was synthesized and purified using a simple and easily scalable strategy starting from 2‐propylheptan‐1‐ol. 2D‐nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry confirm the obtainment of the desired product in high yield and purity. The protonation behavior of the branched surfactant is not affected by alkyl tail branching, as shown by potentiometric titrations. In contrast, surface activity and aggregation behavior of C10DAO‐branched is dramatically different from that of the linear analog N,N‐dimethyldecyl‐1‐amine oxide (C10DAO‐linear), in that it occupies a higher area at the solution interface and aggregates at much higher concentration, forming larger aggregates, as detected using tensiometry and dynamic light scattering (DLS), respectively. Aggregation behavior of C10DAO‐branched is less sensitive to pH variations. Foaming tests show that C10DAO‐branched is a more effective foam booster than its linear analog, in both acidic and basic solutions. The experimental results indicate that the branched surfactant can be used in applications that require enhanced and pH‐independent surface activity and foamability.
Impact of biochar and compost amendment on soil quality, growth and yield of a replanted apple orchard in a 4‐year field study
Authors: Safaei Khorram Mahdi , Zhang Gan , Fatemi Akram , Kiefer Rudolf , Maddah Kamalodin , Baqar Mujtaba , Zakaria Mohamad Pauzi , Li Gang 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDNumerous studies have addressed the positive effects of organic amendments on soil and plant productivity under short‐term field studies. However, to date, few studies have been conducted on the effects of organic amendment on the orchards where high nutrient bioavailability is required. This study deals with the effects of biochar and compost on soil quality, growth and yield of a replanted apple orchard in the northeast of Iran.RESULTSBiochar+compost application resulted in 37% and 300% higher soil total organic carbon and available phosphorus content, respectively, during the first 3 years of experimentation compared to control. Similarly, trunk diameter and shoot number of apple trees increased 23–26% by the end of the first year. Nevertheless, there were no significant changes in fruitfulness, fruit weight or starch pattern index as productivity indices.CONCLUSIONBiochar and compost were beneficial in improving soil quality, mainly by increasing soil nutrient content and decreasing soil bulk density, and in increasing plant growth at early growth stages of apple orchards. However, they failed to enhance overall yield and fruit quality, most likely due to their limited ability to suppress apple replant disease. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Determination of macro, micro and trace elements in citrus fruits by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry (ICP‐OES), ICP–mass spectrometry and direct mercury analyzer
Authors: Hong Young Shin , Choi Ji Yeon , Nho Eun Yeong , Hwang In Min , Khan Naeem , Jamila Nargis , Kim Kyong Su 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDCitrus fruits are widely consumed around the world. Several elements are known to have important physiological functions in living things, whereas others are reported to have toxic effects. This study was aimed to analyze the concentration of macro, micro and trace elements in citrus fruit varieties. Samples were acid digested using a microwave system and analyzed for macro elements by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry (ICP‐OES) and for micro and trace elements by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS). The application of analytical techniques was analyzed by determining method validation parameters including limits of detection and quantification, linearity, precision, spiking experiments and analyzing certified reference material (NIST CRM‐1570a), Spinach leaves.RESULTSThe elemental levels of citrus fruits were found largely to be dependent upon the type of analyzed samples. Among nutritionally important elements, citrus fruits were good sources of potassium (95.13–270.4 mg kg−1), calcium (10.57–75.29 mg kg−1), zinc (466.5–1611 µg kg−1) and manganese (35.35–1902 µg kg−1). The concentrations of toxic elements (Pb, Cd, As, Al, Hg) were very low.CONCLUSIONIn general, the concentrations of analyzed elements were within the critical levels specified by the Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization and Food and Nutrition Board USA. Linear discriminant analysis successfully separated the samples into clear groups with 93.9% correct classification. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Simple, selective, and identifiable analysis of aromatic monoamines with a surrogate on sulfuric acid impregnated filters by derivatization with an acid chloride reagent and HPLC with fluorescence detection
Authors: Inoue Naoko 
Published: September 2018

AbstractA simple and selective derivatization and detection method for o‐toluidine, o‐anisidine, and 2,4‐dimethylaniline was developed using a sulfuric acid impregnated filter, 4‐(N‐chloroformylmethyl‐N‐methylamino)‐7‐nitro‐2,1,3‐benzoxadiazole, and a surrogate (o‐ethylaniline), which allowed simple, rapid, selective, and identifiable analysis by high‐performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. These amines were successfully derivatized in a pH 5 buffer solution containing acetonitrile at 35°C for 10 min (linear in the range 0–400 ng/mL, n = 5, aromatic amines: r > 0.9980, aromatic amines with surrogate correction: r > 0.9997, aromatic amines in the presence of phenol and aliphatic amines with surrogate correction: r > 0.9996). The retention times of these derivatized aromatic amines were <17 min using isocratic elution. No derivatives corresponding to phenol or the aliphatic amines (i.e., cyclohexylamine and hexylamine) were detected in the reaction solution. This method can therefore be considered applicable for the analysis of samples from occupational environments, as samples were successfully extracted, derivatized, and measured by high‐performance liquid chromatography following spiking of a sulfuric acid impregnated filter with aromatic amines, phenols, and aliphatic amines. Indeed, only the aromatic amines were quantitatively detected without pretreatment, with no other spiked compounds being detected.
Headwater gas exchange quantified from O2 mass balances at the reach scale
Authors: Rovelli L. , Attard K. M. , Heppell C. M. , Binley A. , Trimmer M. , Glud R. N. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractHeadwater streams are important in the carbon cycle and there is a need to better parametrize and quantify exchange of carbon‐relevant gases. Thus, we characterized variability in the gas exchange coefficient (k2) and dissolved oxygen (O2) gas transfer velocity (k) in two lowland headwaters of the River Avon (UK). The traditional one‐station open‐water method was complemented by in situ quantification of riverine sources and sinks of O2 (i.e., groundwater inflow, photosynthesis, and respiration in both the water column and benthic compartment) enabling direct hourly estimates of k2 at the reach–scale (~ 150 m) without relying on the nighttime regression method. Obtained k2 values ranged from 0.001 h−1 to 0.600 h−1. Average daytime k2 were a factor two higher than values at night, likely due to diel changes in water temperature and wind. Temperature contributed up to 46% of the variability in k on an hourly scale, but clustering temperature incrementally strengthened the statistical relationship. Our analysis suggested that k variability is aligned with dominant temperature trends rather than with short‐term changes. Similarly, wind correlation with k increased when clustering wind speeds in increments correspondent with dominant variations (1 m s−1). Time scale is thus an important consideration when resolving physical drivers of gas exchange. Mean estimates of k600 from recent parametrizations proposed for upscaling, when applied to the settings of this study, were found to be in agreement with our independent O2 budget assessment (within < 10%), adding further support to the validity of upscaling efforts aiming at quantifying large‐scale riverine gas emissions.