bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multi‐objective optimization of green urea production
Authors: Alfian Mohammad , Purwanto Widodo W. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe availability of natural gas as feedstock for nitrogen fertilizer production continues to decline, while its price increases, encouraging the search for renewable feedstocks for the future green urea industry. Renewable feedstocks include waste biomass, hydrogen from solar PV‐electrolysis, and the combination of these feedstocks with natural gas. The selection of a green production strategy is a critical step in the trade‐off between economic and environmental considerations. The aim of this work was to propose a green urea production strategy using a multi‐objective optimization (MOO) model to minimize production costs and environmental impacts by considering the future cost development of technologies and feedstock price for each technology in the time frame of 2020‐2050. The results show that green urea production can reduce production costs and greenhouse gas emissions, compared to conventional urea production. Biomass gasification technology fulfills the minimum requirements for production cost and CO2 emissions from 2020 to 2035 and combined biomass gasification‐PV electrolysis without battery technology is the optimum process from 2040 to 2050.
Morphodynamic interactions of continental shelf, beach and dunes: the Cabopino dune system in southern Mediterranean Spain
Authors: Malvárez Gonzalo , Navas Fatima , Guisado‐Pintado Emilia , Jackson Derek W.T. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe complex morphodynamic interactions between nearshore, shoreface and dune systems are usually simplified by studying these zones and their associated processes in isolation. However, the established relationships between each of them suggests that an integrated approach is required to examine the genesis, evolution and adaptation of the entire morphodynamic system. The Cabopino dune system in the southern Spanish Mediterranean Sea provides a clear example of a linked morphodynamic system in which a relatively large dune system has been generated and grown through the supply of sediments from an adjacent littoral supply environment. Here, we present a conceptual model of how the nearshore has provided suitable conditions for beach and dune development. We purport that synchronization of sediment activation in the marine and aeolian sections of the system have played a major role in this microtidal setting in which temporal aspects are not only tied to storm action, but to large sedimentary features moving alongshore. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of Perfluoralkyl Substances on a Multigenerational Scale: A Case Study with Chironomus riparius (Diptera, Chironomidae)
Authors: Marziali Laura , Rosignoli Federica , Valsecchi Sara , Polesello Stefano , Stefani Fabrizio 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
A multigenerational test with Chironomus riparius was performed to assess long-term effects on life-traits of exposure to selected perfluoroalkyl compounds: perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS). These persistent contaminants are widespread in aquatic ecosystems at low concentrations, possibly exerting long-term toxicity. Larvae of C. riparius of a native population were exposed for 10 generations to 10 μg/L nominal concentrations of PFOS, PFOA, and PFBS, comparable with the maximum values found in European rivers. All treatments showed reduced growth at most/several generations. No effects on survival, development, and reproduction were found. A final tolerance-induction test was performed exposing the pre-exposed experimental cohorts to 100 µg/L PFOS and 150 µg/L PFOA for a whole life cycle. Factorial analysis of variance revealed no difference between treatments (i.e., PFOS vs PFOA), indicating no induced tolerance. Instead, organisms pre-exposed to PFBS were the most stressed, followed by those pre-exposed to PFOA and PFOS, with earlier emergence and reduced adult weight. The results may be related to general stress and genetic erosion induced by long-term laboratory culture, but also to long-term toxicant exposure. However, no effects at the population level (population growth rate) were proved, and thus a toxicity risk in real ecosystems at the tested concentrations seems unlikely. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;00:1–12. © 2019 SETAC
Abstract
A 10-generation laboratory exposure of Chironomus riparius to perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) at concentrations comparable to maximum values found in European rivers highlighted a slight growth reduction. However, effects at the population level were not proved. PFASs = perfuoroalkyl substances.
Sensitivity of the Marine Calanoid Copepod Pseudodiaptomus pelagicus to Copper, Phenanthrene, and Ammonia
Authors: Kennedy Alan J. , Biber Thomas W. , May Lauren R. , Lotufo Guilherme R. , Farrar J. Daniel , Bednar Anthony J. 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
There are limited acute toxicity test methods for native North American marine species that are considered zooplankton for their entire life cycle. Examples of standardized marine zooplankton methods include mussel, bivalve, and echinoderm development tests that use a relatively short-lived planktonic larval stage, chronic life-cycle toxicity tests using epibenthic copepods, and a 24-h Acartia tonsa copepod test method. The objectives of the present study were to: 1) develop and evaluate a novel, 48-h acute toxicity test method using the marine North American copepod Pseudodiaptomus pelagicus that is planktonic for its entire life cycle, and 2) determine the sensitivity of P. pelagicus relative to commonly tested marine toxicity test species. The average (±1 standard deviation) median lethal concentrations (LC50s) for copper (Cu), phenanthrene, and un-ionized ammonia were 32 ± 15 µg/L, 161 ± 51 µg/L, and 1.08 ± 0.30 mg NH3/L, respectively. These results placed P. pelagicus on the more sensitive end of Cu and phenanthrene species sensitivity distributions. The copepod was less sensitive to un-ionized ammonia than commonly tested marine species. This finding suggests that the acute P. pelagicus test method will allow a focus on assessing the impacts of persistent contaminants of concern with less confounding impact from naturally occurring ammonia released to the water from sources such as suspended sediments. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:1221–1230. Published 2019 Wiley Periodicals Inc. on behalf of SETAC. This article is a US government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.
Diffusive Gradients in Thin Films Can Predict the Toxicity of Metal Mixtures to Two Microalgae: Validation for Environmental Monitoring in Antarctic Marine Conditions
Authors: Koppel Darren J. , Adams Merrin S. , King Catherine K. , Jolley Dianne F. 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
Anthropogenic contamination in the Antarctic near-shore marine environment is a challenge for environmental managers because of its isolation, high costs associated with monitoring and remediation activities, and the current lack of Antarctic-specific ecotoxicological data. The present study investigated the application of diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) with a Chelex-100 binding resin for metal contaminant assessment in Antarctic marine conditions. Diffusion coefficients for cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn), determined at 1 °C, ranged between 2.1 and 2.6×10–6 cm2/s and were up to 32% lower than those derived by theoretical calculations. Competition of metals on the DGT binding resin was observed at subsaturation concentrations, reducing the effective capacity for metal uptake by approximately 60%. The lability of the dissolved (0.45 µm filterable) Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn metal fraction to DGT was generally &gt;90% and unaffected by the presence of the Antarctic marine microalga Phaeocystis antarctica. Both DGT and dissolved metal concentrations gave equivalent mixture toxicity predictions in independent action and concentration addition models to P. antarctica and Cryothecomonas armigera; that is, predictions using DGT-labile concentrations also showed antagonism to P. antarctica, which agrees with previously determined mixture interactivity. The benefits of DGT over traditional sampling techniques (i.e., discrete water sampling) include lower method detection limits (MDLs), in situ assessment, and time-averaged concentrations which capture pulses of contamination typical of the Antarctic near-shore marine environment. The present study provides MDLs and recommended minimum deployment times to guide field deployments in Antarctica. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:1323–1333. © 2019 SETAC
Abstract
Diffusive gradients in thin films–measured metal concentrations are used to predict the toxicity of metal mixtures to two Antarctic marine microalgae. DGT = diffusive gradients in thin films.
A novel project‐and‐forward relay‐assisted mixed RF‐FSO system design and its performance evaluation
Authors: Khanna Himanshu , Aggarwal Mona , Ahuja Swaran 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe outage and error performance of a radio frequency (RF)‐free space optical (FSO) asymmetric two‐hop link using project‐and‐forward relaying protocol is evaluated in this paper. We suggest a multiple‐input–multiple‐output (MIMO)‐RF channel with multiple source and relay antennas for simultaneous transmission over the RF link followed by an FSO channel that supports point‐to‐point transmission over a single FSO link. Furthermore, the source to relay RF link is modeled by Nakagami‐m fading distribution to represent different channel fading conditions often encountered in various applications, while the FSO channel is affected by atmospheric turbulence characterized by Gamma‐Gamma fading, path loss, and misalignment errors. The performance of the system is investigated considering the impact of these parameters. We derive the mathematical expressions that are obtained in closed form for the probability density function and cumulative distribution function of the instantaneous signal‐to‐noise ratio for the Nakagami‐m faded MIMO‐RF link in terms of Meijer's G‐function. Using the aforementioned statistical results, we derive a novel closed‐form expression for the outage probability of the system. We also evaluate the average‐bit‐error‐rate performance for different coherent and noncoherent modulation schemes, and obtain novel mathematical results in closed form for the same.
Selection of solvent for extraction of antioxidant components from Cynanchum auriculatum, Cynanchum bungei, and Cynanchum wilfordii roots
Authors: Wu Cheng‐Dong , Zhang Ming , He Ming‐Tao , Gu Min‐Feng , Lin Mei , Zhang Gen 
Published: February 2019

AbstractIn east Asia, “Baishouwu” has been used as an herbal drug and functional dietary supplement for hundreds of years. Actually, “Baishouwu” is the common name of the roots of Cynanchum auriculatum, Cynanchum bungei, and Cynanchum wilfordii. In the present study, roots of these three specie were extracted and then fractionated using petroleum ether (PE), dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate (EA), and water. DPPH scavenging experiments revealed high antioxidant activity of DCM and EA fractions of C. bungei and the EA fraction of C. wilfordii. Treatments with these three fractions significantly reduced malondialdehyde content in heat‐stressed Daphnia magna, validating in vivo antioxidant activity. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometer (GC‐MS) analyses demonstrated that the chemical components of fractions extracted from C. bungei, C. bungei, and C. wilfordii were different. Further determination of total phenol and total flavonoids contents showed that DCM and EA fractions of C. bungei and EA fraction of C. wilfordii had much higher contents of total phenol and total flavonoids, which might be the reason to explain their strong antioxidant activity. Overall, the present study suggested that these three plants have different chemical components and biological activities. They could not be used as the same drug.
Zircon U–Pb geochronology and geochemistry of the intrusions from the Sadaigoumen Mo deposit in the northern margin of the North China Craton: Implications for mineralization process and tectonic evolution
Authors: Wang Chengyang , Sun Zhenjun , Liu Guanghu , Yu Jiajia , Liu Jie 
Published: February 2019

The Sadaigoumen Mo deposit is a typical porphyry‐type deposit which is located in the northern margin of the North China Craton (NCC), China. Mineralization of the deposit mainly occurs as finely disseminated within the host granites. To get a better understanding of the ore‐forming process of the deposit and the genetic link between mineralization and host igneous rocks, we report LA‐ICP‐MS zircon U–Pb and whole‐rock major and trace elements data from the magmatic rocks which are exposed in the mining area. LA‐ICP‐MS U–Pb analyses yield weighed mean ages of 239.5 ± 0.58 Ma for alkali‐feldspar granites and 1872.8 ± 5.1 Ma for porphyritic granodiorite. The porphyritic granodiorite, which was previously considered to be part of the Hongqiyingzi Group, is redefined as Palaeoproterozoic highly fractionated I‐type granites: (1) They have high contents of SiO2 (69.57–72.21 wt.%) and Al2O3 (13.24–13.90 wt.%) and high Na2O + K2O (up to 7.1 wt.%) and FeOT/MgO values (6.7 to 7.7), and (2) significant depletion of Eu, Sr, Ba, P, and Ti elements; (3) compared with typical A‐type granites, they have lower Ga (around 20.5 ppm) and 10000 × Ga/Al values (around 2.8); the Triassic alkali‐feldspar granite samples also show highly fractionated I‐type geochemical signatures with high Na2O + K2O (8.40–8.50 wt.%), FeO*/MgO (12.67–13.49), and Ga/Al (2.58–2.81) ratios. The higher ∑REE values (>199.69 ppm) and depletions of Nb, Ta, and Ba make it different from typical A‐type granites. By comparative analysis of geochemical data, we believed that the ca. 1872.8 Ma porphyritic granodiorite formed in a tectonic environment resembling that of magmatic arc granites and the ca. 239.5 Ma alkali‐feldspar granite formed in syn‐collisional settings which is related to closure of Palaeo‐Asian Ocean. Our new data, combined with previous studies, allow us to speculate that the Triassic alkali‐feldspar granite is directly related to the Mo mineralization in this area.
First trimester glycosylated hemoglobin as a predictor of gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Arbib Nissim , Shmueli Anat , Salman Lina , Krispin Eyal , Toledano Yoel , Hadar Eran 
Published: February 2019

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the potential role of glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1C) as an early biomarker for gestational diabetes.MethodsIn a retrospective analysis, healthy women who went on to give birth to a singleton newborn in a tertiary medical center in Petach Tikva, Israel, underwent measurement of HbA1C in the first trimester (up to 12 weeks of pregnancy) between August 1, 2007, and December 31, 2014. Women with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, HbA1C ≥6.5%, and/or fasting plasma glucose ≥126 mg/dL were excluded, as were women whose glucose levels had already been tested before 24 weeks of pregnancy. Data were extracted from a maternal and neonatal database. The primary outcome measure was the association between first trimester HbA1C and adverse pregnancy outcome, primarily, gestational diabetes.ResultsThe cohort included 142 women. HbA1C concentration was linearly and inversely correlated to length of gestation (r=−0.317, P<0.001). Higher HbA1C was associated with gestational diabetes. An HbA1C concentration of ≥5.45% predicted gestational diabetes with 83.3% sensitivity, 69% specificity, and gave positive and negative predictive values of 53% and 90.8%, respectively.ConclusionEarly pregnancy HbA1C could serve as a predictor of gestational diabetes. Ideally, HbA1C should be considered in multi‐parameter prediction models to enhance accuracy.
Peptide‐modified bone repair materials: Factors influencing osteogenic activity
Authors: Liao Jie , Wu Shuai , Li Kun , Fan Yubo , Dunne Nicholas , Li Xiaoming 
Published: February 2019

AbstractMany factors have been demonstrated as having an influencing effect on the osteogenic activity of the peptide‐modified bone repair materials. However, most of studies only focus on one or two aspects that result in an incomplete direction for materials preparation, characterization, and performance evaluation. In this review, we reported several factors through summarizing previous research studies, which are mainly centered on three aspects: (1) the characteristics of peptide immobilized on the surface of matrix (e.g., type and length of sequence, structure, and density); (2) the combination mode between peptide and matrix (including covalent binding in selective or nonselective immobilization, and noncovalent binding through simple absorption or mixing with the matrix, and other factors in covalent binding); and (3) the properties of the matrix (including surface structure and morphology, dimension, mechanical properties, hydrophobic–hydrophilic balance, adsorbing proteins on materials), and the other possible influencing factors such as binding to other peptides. In addition, attentions were paid to the introduction and the discussion of newest studies and the analysis of mechanism. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2019.
Gastrodin attenuates neuroinflammation in DOI‐induce Tourette syndrome in rats
Authors: Long Hongyan , Wang Chunyan , Ruan Jie , Zhang Mengjiao , Huang Yaruo 
Published: February 2019

AbstractObjectiveTourette syndrome (TS) is a chronic neuropsychiatric disorder. Its clinical manifestations are involuntary and recurrent muscle twitch, resulting in motor twitch and occurrence twitch. Traditional Chinese medicine has obvious advantages in treating TS. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects and mechanism of gastrodin on 1‐(2,5‐dimethoxy‐4‐iodophenyl)‐2‐aminopropane (DOI)‐induced TS in rats.MethodsTS model was induced by DOI. Behaviors in TS rats were detected. The striatum, serum inflammatory factors interleukin‐6, interleukin‐1β, and tumor necrosis factor‐a were detected by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Western blot technique was used to detect the expressions of TLR/NF‐κB and TLR/MAPK signaling pathways in the striatum.ResultsGastrodin can significantly improve behavioral changes of TS rats induced by DOI, reduce inflammatory factors in serum and striatum in TS rats, and inhibit activation of TLR/NF‐κB and TLR/MAPK signaling in striatum in TS rats.ConclusionGastrodin can significantly relieve the TS induced by DOI in rats. Its mechanism is related to the inhibition of striatal TLR/NF‐κB and TLR/MAPK signaling activation.
RETRACTED: Silencing of HAS2‐AS1 mediates PI3K/AKT signaling pathway to inhibit cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in glioma
Authors: Zhao Zhenyi , Liang Tiansong , Feng Shijun 
Published: February 2019

AbstractHyaluronan synthase 2 (HAS2)‐AS1 (natural antisense transcript of HAS2) functions as oncogenic long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) in oral squamous cell carcinoma, breast cancer, and osteosarcoma. The role of HAS2‐AS1 in glioma remains unknown. In our research, HAS2‐AS1 expression was elevated in glioma tissues compared with normal brain tissues. Moreover, high levels of HAS2‐AS1 expression was observed in patients with glioma with high WHO grade (III‐IV) or large tumor size ( > 4 cm). The survival analysis from The Cancer Genome Atlas showed glioma cases with high HAS2‐AS1 expression that had shorter disease‐free survival time and overall survival time than those with low HAS2‐AS1 expression. In vitro studies suggested that knocking down HAS2‐AS1 expression inhibited glioma cell viability, migration, and invasion through phosphoinositide 3‐kinase/protein kinase B signaling pathway. In conclusion, HAS2‐AS1 may be considered as a predictor for clinical outcome and a potential therapeutic target in glioma.
Mitochondria in gastric epithelial cells are the key targets for NSAIDs‐induced injury and NGF cytoprotection
Authors: Ahluwalia Amrita , Jones Michael K. , Hoa Neil , Tarnawski Andrzej S. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractGastric epithelial cells are important components of mucosal protection and targets of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)‐induced injury. Diclofenac (DFN) is one of the most widely used NSAIDs; however, even its short‐term use can induce gastric erosions and ulcers. Nerve growth factor (NGF) has been reported to act not only on neuronal cells but also on endothelial cells; however, its action on gastric epithelial cells is unknown. This study was aimed to determine, whether NGF can protect gastric epithelial cells against DFN‐induced injury, and to determine the underlying molecular mechanisms with a focus on mitochondria, survivin, and insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1). Cultured normal rat gastric mucosal epithelial cells 1 (RGM1) were treated with phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS; control), NGF (100 ng/mL) and/or DFN (0.25‐1.00 mM) for 4 hours. We examined: (1) cell injury by confocal microscopy; (2) cell death/survival using Calcein AM live cell tracking dye; (3) mitochondrial structure and membrane potential function using MitoTracker in live cells; and (4) expression of NGF, its receptor ‐ tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA), survivin and IGF‐1 by immunostaining. DFN treatment of RGM1 cells for 4 hours caused extensive cell injury, mitochondrial disintegration, reduced cell viability (from 94 ± 3% in controls to 14 ± 4% in 0.5 mM DFN‐treated cells; P < 0.001), and expression of survivin and IGF‐1. NGF treatment significantly increased survivin and IGF‐1 expression by 41% and 75%, respectively versus PBS controls. Pretreatment with NGF before DFN treatment reduced mitochondrial damage and cell death by 73% and 82%, respectively versus treatment with DFN alone (all P < 0.001). This study also showed the presence of high‐affinity TrkA receptors in the plasma membrane and mitochondria of RGM1 cells indicating novel actions of NGF.
RNASEL 1623A>C variant is associated with the risk of prostate cancer in African descendants
Authors: Wang Jian , Yuan Wei , Yue Chuang , Dai Feng , Gao Shenglin , Mi Yuanyuan , Bai Yu , Zhang Lifeng , Zuo Li , Wu Xingyu , Zhang Wei 
Published: February 2019

AbstractAssociation between ribonuclease L (RNASEL) gene 1623A>C polymorphism and prostate cancer (PCa) susceptibility has been assessed in large quantities of studies but with controversial conclusions. We undertook a pooled analysis containing 7397 PCa cases and 6088 control subjects to assess the correlation between RNASEL 1623A>C polymorphism and PCa risk. Moreover, we used enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay to test the serum RNASEL expression among patients enrolled in our centers and in‐silico tools were also utilized. The overall results of our analysis indicated a positive relationship between 1623A>C variant and PCa risk (allelic contrast, odds ratio [OR] = 1.07; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02‐1.12; Pheterogeneity = 0.575; CC vs AA, OR = 1.14; 95% CI = 1.03‐1.26; Pheterogeneity = 0.217; CC + CA vs AA, OR = 1.10; 95% CI = 1.01‐1.19; Pheterogeneity = 0.303; and CC vs CA + AA, OR = 1.08; 95% CI = 1.00‐1.17; Pheterogeneity = 0.298). In ethnicity subgroup analysis, similar results were especially indicated in African descendants. In addition, serum RNASEL levels in PCa cases with CC + CA genotypes were higher than those with AA genotypes. Our present study showed evidence that RNASEL 1623A>C polymorphism is related to PCa risk, especially in African descendants.