bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
DNA/Protein Binding, Molecular Docking and Cytotoxicity Studies of Piperazinyl‐Moiety‐Based Copper(II) Complexes
Authors: Mistri Soumen , Patra Apu , Santra Manas Kumar , Paul Debasish , Zangrando Ennio , Puschmann Horst , Manna Subal Chandra 
Published: August 2018

AbstractCopper(II) complexes {[Cu(HL)(ClO4)(H2O)](ClO4)⋅3H2O} (1), {[Cu(HL)(m‐phth)]⋅5H2O} (2) and {[Cu(HL)(NCS)]2(ClO4)2⋅2H2O} (3) (HL=2‐{[2‐(1‐piperazinyl)ethylimino]methyl}phenol; m‐phth=1,3‐benzenedicarboxylate] have been synthesized and characterized by structural determination and spectroscopic studies. The mononuclear square pyramidal complex 1 resulted from the reaction of HL with copper perchlorate hexahydrate. Then mononuclear square planar complex 2 and dinuclear thiocyanato bridged complex 3 were obtained by reacting 1 with disodium 1,3‐benzenedicarboxylate (Na2(m‐phth)) and potassium thiocyanate, respectively. The interactions of 1–3 with CT‐DNA / serum albumins were investigated by UV‐visible absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. The intrinsic binding constants of 1, 2 and 3 with CT‐DNA were calculated as 1.44 (±0.13) × 105, 4.86 (±0.11) × 105 and 4.51 (±0.16) × 105 L mol−1, respectively. Study of the interactions of 1–3 with human serum albumin (HSA) / bovine serum albumin (BSA) showed that all the complexes could quench intrinsic fluorescence of HSA and BSA through a static quenching process. Molecular docking technique was utilised to confirm the mode of interaction of complexes with CT‐DNA / serum albumin. Anticancer activities of the complexes have been tested using human breast cancer cell lines MCF7 and MBA‐MB‐231. Among the complexes studied 3 shows the higher cytotoxic activity and growth inhibition of cancer cells via induction of apoptotic cell death.
An Unexpected Synthesis of 2,3,4‐Trisubstituted Quinolines from Imino‐Isatin and Acetylenic Esters Catalyzed by Pyridine as an Organocatalyst
Authors: Afkham Amir Arian , Mokhtari Javad , Haghighi Ali Javaheri , Yavari Issa 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIn this paper we report an unexpected synthesis of the 2,3,4‐trisubstituted quinoline systems. The reaction between imino‐isatin (synthesized from the reaction of isatin and ammonia (2 M in MeOH)) and dialkylacetylenedicarboxylates proceeds in MeOH at room temperature in the presence of pyridine as an organocatalyst. The structures of all new compounds were corroborated spectroscopically (1H‐ and 13C‐NMR, and elemental analysis). A plausible mechanism for this type of reaction is proposed.
How to benefit from weekend physical activities: Moderating roles of psychological recovery experiences and sleep
Authors: Cho Seonghee , Park YoungAh 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThis study examines the short‐term recovery benefits of weekend physical activity on reduced negative affective state (NA) on Monday morning, using a weekly diary method from 70 employees across four weekends (repeated pre‐ and post‐weekend measures). The first hypothesis tests the within‐person relationship between weekend physical activity and post‐weekend NA. The results of multilevel path analysis show that the main effect of weekend physical activity on reduced Monday NA is not significant. In addition, the study tests weekend recovery experiences (i.e., psychological detachment, relaxation, mastery, and control) and sleep hours as possible moderators. The findings support the moderating effects of psychological detachment and sleep hours. Specifically, weekend physical activity is related to lower Monday NA only if workers achieve high psychological detachment from work during the weekend. If not, their weekend physical activity is associated with higher NA. Also, the benefit of weekend physical activity occurs only when workers sleep longer on the weekend nights. The findings suggest that physical activity has important boundary conditions—psychological detachment and sleep duration—that influence its recovery effects on NA. The complex relationship between exercise and recovery is discussed, along with the implications of the findings for future research.
Single‐Site Gold Catalysts on Hierarchical N‐Doped Porous Noble Carbon for Enhanced Electrochemical Reduction of Nitrogen
Authors: Qin Qing , Heil Tobias , Antonietti Markus , Oschatz Martin 
Published: August 2018

AbstractElectrocatalytic reduction of nitrogen (N2) at ambient conditions is an alternative strategy to produce ammonia (NH3) to complement the commonly applied Haber–Bosch process. However, the achievement of high Faradaic efficiencies and high NH3 yield is still challenging. Here, Au single sites stabilized on N‐doped porous and highly oxidizing (“noble”) carbon catalysts showing excellent performance in N2 electroreduction are reported. At a potential of −0.2 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode, a stable NH3 yield of 2.32 µg h−1 cm−2 is produced at a Faradaic efficiency of 12.3%. Besides, there is no notable fluctuation of Faradaic efficiency and NH3 yield in six‐cycle test, which indicates good stability. This work opens up new insights to improve N2 fixation performance by introducing catalytically active single sites into noble carbon materials for N2 electroreduction.
A compositional analysis by energy dispersive X‐ray fluorescence of Iberian copper‐alloy votive figurines from southern Spain (fourth–third centuries BC)
Authors: Roldán García Clodoaldo , Vives‐Ferrándiz Sánchez Jaime 
Published: August 2018

Studies of Iberian votive figurines have extended our knowledge of Iberian culture and have provided valuable information both on technological aspects of the metal processing and on social and religious patterns inside these communities. In this study, we present an energy dispersive X‐ray fluorescence analysis of the copper alloys of a selection of 32 Iberian votive figurines and two fibulae (fourth–third centuries BC) in the collection of the Museum of Prehistory in Valencia. The collection comprises 98 bronze objects from the Iberian sanctuaries of Collado de los Jardines (Santa Elena) and Altos del Sotillo (Castellar), in Jaén, Spain. The results reveal a diversity of Cu–Sn–Pb alloys among the votive figurines, including copper, leaded copper (Pb > 2 wt.%, Sn <2 wt.%), binary bronzes (Sn >2 wt.%, Pb <2 wt.%), and ternary bronzes (Sn >2 wt.%, Pb >2 wt.%). The analyses of the bronze alloys are compared with those of other regional votive collections dating from the same period.
Kaizen and Standardization
Authors: Kikuchi Tsuyoshi , Suzuki Momoko 
Published: August 2018

AbstractKaizen, a method and concept developed in Japan, evolved and was modified as Six-Sigma, the Lean Production System and so on as “Western-style Kaizen” to be applicable to Western corporate culture. Western-style Kaizen has become an international standard (ISO 13053-1&2/ISO 18404). The application of Kaizen differs country to country depending on their industrial climate and corporate culture. This chapter first analyzes the similarities and differences between the Japanese-style Kaizen with Western-style Kaizen. Second, it discusses the impact of ISO on African companies and a more suitable and appropriate method of Kaizen for African SMEs. Third, it outlines a research study conducted by JICA on “Standardizing Kaizen Approaches in Africa,” a sub-project of the Africa Kaizen Initiative that JICA and NEPAD launched in April 2017.
Kaizen as Policy Instrument: The Case of Ethiopia
Authors: Mekonen Getahun Tadesse 
Published: August 2018

AbstractKaizen was introduced to Ethiopia in 2009 with JICA’s technical assistance. The success of the first pilot project (2009–2011) confirmed the transferability and effectiveness of Kaizen. Ethiopia’s government established the Ethiopia Kaizen Institute (EKI) in 2011 to disseminate Kaizen throughout the country. The budget of the institute is covered by the government while JICA extended capacity-development projects until 2020. So far 107 Kaizen consultants have been trained and deployed in different sectors. EKI has developed strategies, a roadmap, and TIISO Model to effectively transfer Kaizen philosophy from 2012 to 2015, and Kaizen is incorporated in the national development plan. From (2015) to (2020), around 473 organizations were contacted, 68,954 persons trained, 9658 KPTs (QCCs) established, and US$105 million achieved as a result of quality and productivity improvements.
Metabolites of the alkyl pyrrolidone solvents NMP and NEP in
24-h urine samples of the German Environmental Specimen Bank from 1991 to
2014
Authors: Ulrich Nadin , Bury Daniel , Koch Holger M. , Rüther Maria , Weber Till , Käfferlein Heiko-Udo , Weiss Tobias , Brüning Thomas , Kolossa-Gehring Marike 
Published: August 2018

Abstract

Purpose
The aim of this study was to get a first overview of the exposure to
the solvents and reproductive toxicants N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) and N-ethyl-2-pyrrolidone (NEP) in Germany. NMP and NEP metabolite
concentrations were determined in 540 24-h urine samples of the German
Environmental Specimen Bank collected from 1991 to 2014. With these data we were
able to investigate NMP/NEP exposures over time and to evaluate associated
risks.

Methods
NMP metabolites 5-hydroxy-N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (5-HNMP) and 2-hydroxy-N-methylsuccinimide (2-HMSI) and NEP metabolites
5-hydroxy-N-ethyl-2-pyrrolidone (5-HNEP)
and 2-hydroxy-N-ethylsuccinimide (2-HESI)
were determined by stable isotope dilution analysis using solid phase extraction
followed by derivatization (silylation) and GC–EI–MS/MS.

Results
We were able to quantify 5-HNMP and 2-HMSI in 98.0 and 99.6% and
5-HNEP and 2-HESI in 34.8 and 75.7% of the samples. Metabolite concentrations
were rather steady over the timeframe investigated, even for NEP which has been
introduced as an NMP substitute only in the last decade. Calculated median daily
intakes in 2014 were 2.7 µg/kg bw/day for NMP and 1.1 µg/kg bw/day for NEP. For
the combined risk assessment of NMP and NEP exposure, the hazard index based on
the human biomonitoring assessment I values (HBM I values) was less than
0.1.

Conclusions
Based on the investigated subpopulation of the German population,
individual and combined NMP and NEP exposures were within acceptable ranges in
the investigated timeframe. Sources of NEP exposure in the 90s and 00s remain
elusive.
The Experiment Analysis of Bonding Performance between Near Surface Mounted CFRP Strip and Concrete at Different Curing Temperatures
Authors: Zhu Zewen , Zhu Eryu , Chen Zhuo 
Published: August 2018

Abstract
To investigate the bonding performance of near-surface mounted (NSM) carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) technique under different curing temperatures, a total of five test specimens strengthened with NSM CFRP strip were tested by direct pull-out methods. The strain of CFRP strip, interfacial bonding shear stress, ultimate load and failure mode were analyzed through the test. The experiment results showed that the ultimate load and bonding shear stress of the specimens increased gradually when curing temperature was lower than the glass transition temperature (T
g) of the bond material. Afterward, they gradually decreased with the increase in temperature. The bonding shear stress was gradually transmitted from the loading end to the free end. The failure modes were changed from CFRP strip–adhesive interface bonding failure to CFRP strips fracture failure with the temperature rising. In this paper, the bonding performance experiment results of NSM CFRP strip could provide a reference for the rapid strengthening of monorail traffic track beams.
Vascular risk factors and the relationships between cognitive impairment and hypoperfusion in late-onset Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Takahashi Michio , Oda Yasunori , Sato Koichi , Shirayama Yukihiko 
Published: August 2018

AbstractObjectiveOur recent single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) study of patients with late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (AD) revealed that regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was reduced in the frontal, temporal, and limbic lobes, and to a lesser degree in the parietal and occipital lobes. Moreover, these patients’ scores on the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog) were significantly correlated with rCBF in some gyri of the frontal, parietal, and limbic lobes. Our present study aimed to understand how vascular factors and metabolic disease influenced the relationship between rCBF and ADAS-cog scores.MethodsWe divided late-onset AD patients into two groups according to their Hachinski Ischemic Score (HIS), low vascular risk patients had values of ≤4 (n=25) and high vascular risk patients had scores ≥5 (n=15). We examined rCBF using brain perfusion SPECT data.ResultsThe degrees and patterns of reduced rCBF were largely similar between late-onset AD patients in both groups, regardless of HIS values. Cognitive function was significantly associated with rCBF among late-onset AD patients with low vascular risk (HIS≤4), but not among those with high vascular risk (HIS≥5). Furthermore, metabolic diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus, disrupted the relationships between hypoperfusion and cognitive impairments in late-onset AD patients.ConclusionFactors other than hypoperfusion, such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus, could be involved in the cognitive dysfunction of late-onset AD patients with high vascular risk.
Imperious Temptations: Democratic Legitimacy and Indigenous Consent in Canada
Authors: Rollo Toby 
Published: August 2018

AbstractCanadian courts and governments increasingly invoke principles of mutual consent and nation-to-nation negotiation as central to the goal of addressing colonial injustices in a democratic society. However, Canada continues to interpret its obligations according to the Crown's fiduciary obligation to merely consult and accommodate Aboriginal peoples on infringement of their rights. In this article, I argue that there are conceptual resources available within existing Canadian law and politics for reconstructing a democratic consensual resolution to the problem of Indigenous exclusion and dispossession. I demonstrate that meeting the basic threshold of mutual consent would first require Canadian institutions to abjure the imperious temptation to impose parochial standards of free, prior and informed consent. Second, the Crown would refuse to ensnare Indigenous communities in unconscionable bargains, agreements that they would not otherwise view as reasonable, fair or equitable. And finally, Canada would accept rights of jurisdiction over land rooted in vital relations of health and well-being, as well as a corollary right of refusal or veto over decisions deemed by affected parties to be unwanted.
Judicial Discretion as Political Choice: The Supreme Court of Canada's Costs Awarding Power
Authors: Richez Emmanuelle , Crandall Erin 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThis article analyzes an important discretionary power of the Supreme Court of Canada, the ability to award costs. With the use of an original data set, we explore trends in costs awarding in public interest litigation at the Supreme Court from 1970 to 2012. Our findings suggest that, over time, the Court has tended to favour nongovernment parties over government parties where the former are less likely to pay costs when they lose and more likely to receive costs when they win. In these cases, costs orders were more likely to benefit public interest litigants, such as nongovernmental organizations, than individual litigants and businesses. Together, these findings suggest a sensitivity to access to justice concerns when making costs orders, though some may argue that this sensitivity by the Court does not extend far enough.
Grothendieck–Plücker Images of Hilbert Schemes are Degenerate
Authors: Hyeon Donghoon , Park Hyungju 
Published: August 2018

AbstractWe study the decompositions of Hilbert schemes induced by the Schubert cell decomposition of the Grassmannian variety and show that Hilbert schemes admit a stratification into locally closed subschemes along which the generic initial ideals remain the same. We give two applications. First, we give completely geometric proofs of the existence of the generic initial ideals and of their Borel fixed properties. Second, we prove that when a Hilbert scheme of non-constant Hilbert polynomial is embedded by the Grothendieck–Plücker embedding of a high enough degree, it must be degenerate.
A GENERALIZATION OF THE RAMANUJAN–NAGELL EQUATION
Authors: YAMADA TOMOHIRO 
Published: August 2018

AbstractWe shall show that, for any positive integerD&gt; 0 and any primesp1,p2, the diophantine equationx2+D= 2sp1kp2lhas at most 63 integer solutions (x,k,l,s) withx,k,l≥ 0 ands∈ {0, 2}.
Effect of management and age of ploughed out grass–clover on forage maize yield and residual soil nitrogen
Authors: Cougnon M. , Van Den Berge K. , D'Hose T. , Clement L. , Reheul D. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractForage maize (Zea mays L.) is often grown year after year on the same land on many intensive dairy farms in north-west Europe. This results in agronomical problems such as weed resistance and decline of soil quality, which may be solved by ley-arable farming. In the current study, forage maize was grown at different nitrogen (N) fertilization levels for 3 years on permanent arable land and on temporary arable land after ploughing out different types of grass–clover swards. Swards differed in management (grazing or cutting) and age (temporary or permanent). Maize yield and soil residual mineral N content were measured after the maize harvest. There was no effect on maize yield of the management of ploughed-out grass–clover swards but a clear effect of the age of grass–clover swards. The N fertilizer replacement value (NFRV) of all ploughed grass–clover swards was >170 kg N/ha in the first year after ploughing. In the third year after ploughing, NFRV of the permanent sward still exceeded 200 kg N/ha, whereas that of the temporary swards decreased to 30 kg N/ha on average. Soil residual nitrate (NO3−) remained below the local, legal threshold of 90 kg NO3− N/ha except for the ploughed-out permanent sward in the third year after ploughing (166 kg NO3− N/ha). The current study highlights the potential of forage maize – ley rotations in saving fertilizer N. This is beneficial both for the environment and for the profitability of dairy production in north-western Europe.
Bare Neutron Counter and Neutron Monitor Response to Cosmic Rays During a 1995 Latitude Survey
Authors: Nuntiyakul W. , Sáiz A. , Ruffolo D. , Mangeard P.‐S. , Evenson P. , Bieber J. W. , Clem J. , Pyle R. , Duldig M. L. , Humble J. E. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractNeutron monitors of standard design (IGY or NM64) are employed worldwide to study variations in the flux of galactic cosmic rays and solar energetic particles in the GeV range. The design minimizes detector response to neutrons below ∼10 MeV produced by cosmic ray interactions in the ambient medium. Increasingly, however, such neutrons are of interest as a means of obtaining spectral information on cosmic rays, for studies of soil moisture, and for nuclear threat detection. Bare neutron counters, a type of lead‐free neutron monitor, can detect such neutrons, but comparatively little work has been done to characterize the dependence of their count rate on cutoff rigidity. We analyze data from three bare neutron counters operated on a ship together with a three‐tube NM64 monitor from November 1995 to March 1996 over a wide range of magnetic latitude, that is, a latitude survey. The bare counter design used foamed‐in‐place polyurethane insulation to keep the temperature uniform and to some extent moderate high‐energy neutrons. When the ship was near land, the bare/NM64 count rate ratio was dramatically higher. Considering only data from open sea, the bare and NM64 pressure coefficients are not significantly different. We determine the response function of these bare counters, which is weighted to Galactic cosmic rays of lower energy than the NM64. This measurement of the response function may improve determination of the spectral index of solar energetic particles and Galactic cosmic rays from a comparison of bare and NM64 count rates.
Spatiotemporal Variation of the Quality, Origin, and Age of Particulate Organic Matter Transported by the Yangtze River (Changjiang)
Authors: Wu Ying , Eglinton Timothy I. , Zhang Jing , Montlucon Daniel B. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractInformation on the age dynamics of particulate organic matter (POM) in large river systems is currently sparse and represents an important knowledge gap in our understanding of the global carbon cycle. Here we examine variations in organic geochemical characteristics of suspended sediments from the Changjiang (Yangtze River) system collected between 1997 and 2010. Higher particulate organic carbon content (POC%) values were observed in the middle reach, especially after 2003, and are attributed to the increase of in situ (aquatic) primary production associated with decreased total suspended matter concentrations. Corresponding Δ14C values from depth profiles taken in 2009 and 2010 indicate spatial and temporal variations in POC sources within the basin. Two isotopic mass balance approaches were explored to quantitatively apportion different sources of Changjiang POM. Results indicate that contributions of biomass and pre‐aged soil organic matter are dominant, regardless of hydrological conditions, with soil‐derived organic carbon comprising 17–56% of POC based on a Monte Carlo three‐end‐member mixing model. In contrast, binary mixing model calculations suggest that up to 80% of POC (2009 samples only) derived from biospheric sources. The emplacement of the Three Gorges Dam and resulting trapping of sediment from the upper reach of the watershed resulted in a modification of POM 14C ages in the reservoir. With the resulting decline in sediment load and increase in the proportion of modern POC in the lower reach, these changes in POM flux and composition of the Changjiang have significant implications for downstream carbon cycle processes.
The Effect of Atmospheric Acid Processing on the Global Deposition of Bioavailable Phosphorus From Dust
Authors: Herbert R. J. , Krom M. D. , Carslaw K. S. , Stockdale A. , Mortimer R. J. G. , Benning L. G. , Pringle K. , Browse J. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe role of dust as a source of bioavailable phosphorus (Bio‐P) is quantified using a new parameterization for apatite dissolution in combination with global soil data maps and a global aerosol transport model. Mineral dust provides 31.2 Gg‐P/year of Bio‐P to the oceans, with 14.3 Gg‐P/year from labile P present in the dust, and an additional 16.9 Gg‐P/year from acid dissolution of apatite in the atmosphere, representing an increase of 120%. The North Atlantic, northwest Pacific, and Mediterranean Sea are identified as important sites of Bio‐P deposition from mineral dust. The acid dissolution process increases the fraction of total‐P that is bioavailable from ~10% globally from the labile pool to 18% in the Atlantic Ocean, 42% in the Pacific Ocean, and 20% in the Indian Ocean, with an ocean global mean value of 22%. Strong seasonal variations, especially in the North Pacific, northwest Atlantic, and Indian Ocean, are driven by large‐scale meteorology and pollution sources from industrial and biomass‐burning regions. Globally constant values of total‐P content and bioavailable fraction used previously do not capture the simulated variability. We find particular sensitivity to the representation of particle‐to‐particle variability of apatite, which supplies Bio‐P through acid‐dissolution, and calcium carbonate, which helps to buffer the dissolution process. A modest 10% external mixing results in an increase of Bio‐P deposition by 18%. The total Bio‐P calculated here (31.2 Gg‐P/year) represents a minimum compared to previous estimates due to the relatively low total‐P in the global soil map used.