bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Amino Acid Addition in Marine Sediment on Electrochemical Performance in Microbial Fuel Cells
Authors: Guo M. , Zai X. R. , Li T. , Zhang H. J. , Zhao Y. G. , Zhao M. G. , Liu S. , Ji H. W. , Fu Y. B. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractAs exogenous substances, L‐methionine, L‐threonine and L‐lysine were added into the marine sediment to construct marine sediments microbial fuel cells (MSMFCs) and the effects on the anodic electrochemical activity were following investigated. The results show that the addition of the amino acid increases anodic electrochemical activity, and the anode in L‐methionine modified sediment presents better performance than others. The specific capacitance of anode in L‐methionine modified sediment (192.00 F cm−2) is 4.0 times bigger than that of anode in unmodified sediment, generating a maximum current density of 2.560 × 10−4 A cm−2. In their Tafel curves, the anodic exchange current density in the L‐methionine modified sediment (2.14 × 10−6 A cm−2) is 93.04 times higher than that of unmodified anode, which suggests that the electrochemical activity of redox, anti‐polarization ability and electron transfer kinetic activity are improved significantly. The MSMFC with L‐methionine modified sediment generates the higher power densities than the blank (143.2 mW m−2 versus 59.2 mW m−2), and its current also increases by 2.8 times. This demonstrates that L‐methionine provides a practical advantage on the anodic electrochemical and battery performance. Therefore, amino acids are good tools to evaluate its power generation of the MSMFCs.
Situating Expertise: Lessons from the HIV/AIDS Epidemic
Authors: Paremoer Lauren 
Published: June 2018

AbstractHow do Scientific Advisory Committees (SACs) frame the relationship between political agency and expertise in their work? What are the political implications of the ways in which SACs legitimate or obscure specific forms of political agency? Using a South African case study, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) activists' participation in clinical trials designed to demonstrate the efficacy of highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) in resource‐poor settings, and the process of translating scientific knowledge about HIV/AIDS into public policy under the leadership of a SAC, the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC), is analyzed. The case study suggests that 1) political agency plays a significant role in generating and disseminating scientific data that allow activists to fulfill their political goals; 2) SACs primarily value political agency as a resource for implementing their prescriptions and legitimating their work; 3) processes of political conscientization, movement building, democratic collective action, and deliberation can contribute to the reliability and validity of the technical knowledge SACs rely on, and under some circumstances, contribute to the political resonance their recommendations have with impacted constituencies; and 4) social theory can serve as a resource for negotiating conflicts between technical experts and activists that cannot be settled by appealing to clinical facts.
A Novel International Partnership for Actionable Evidence on Urban Health in Latin America: LAC‐Urban Health and SALURBAL
Authors: Diez Roux Ana V. , Slesinski S. Claire , Alazraqui Marcio , Caiaffa Waleska Teixeira , Frenz Patricia , Jordán Fuchs Ricardo , Miranda J. Jaime , Rodriguez Daniel A. , Dueñas Olga L. Sarmiento , Siri José , Vergara Alejandra Vives 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThis article describes the origins and characteristics of an interdisciplinary multinational collaboration aimed at promoting and disseminating actionable evidence on the drivers of health in cities in Latin America and the Caribbean: The Network for Urban Health in Latin America and the Caribbean and the Wellcome Trust funded SALURBAL (Salud Urbana en América Latina, or Urban Health in Latin America) Project. Both initiatives have the goals of supporting urban policies that promote health and health equity in cities of the region while at the same time generating generalizable knowledge for urban areas across the globe. The processes, challenges, as well as the lessons learned to date in launching and implementing these collaborations, are described. By leveraging the unique features of the Latin American region (one of the most urbanized areas of the world with some of the most innovative urban policies), the aim is to produce generalizable knowledge about the links between urbanization, health, and environments and to identify effective ways to organize, design, and govern cities to improve health, reduce health inequalities, and maximize environmental sustainability in cities all over the world.
Effects of Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ cations on CO2–brine interfacial tension under offshore storage conditions
Authors: Mutailipu Meiheriayi , Jiang Lanlan , Fu Jin , Wang Zhe , Yu Tianbo , Lu Zilong , Liu Yu 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe laboratory determination of CO2‐brine interfacial tension is very important for estimating the storage capacity of saline aquifers during the CO2 sequestration process. In this paper, we measured CO2 and the brine interfacial tension using the pendant‐drop method at a temperature of 285–300 K and pressure of 3–9 MPa. The brine was composed of Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ cations with different molalities. The experimental results indicate that interfacial tension increased with temperature and salinity but decreased with pressure until it reached a plateau. At the same temperature and pressure, the plateau value increased with increasing brine salinity for all types of brines used in this work. Moreover, the plateau exists whenever the CO2 is liquid. The interfacial tension between CO2 and brine with bivalent cations is larger than that between CO2 and monovalent brines. Finally, we established an empirical equation based on the relationship between interfacial tension and temperature, pressure, and salt molality grounded on experimental data, which allows the evaluation of CO2–brine interfacial tension values with a mean deviation of ±4 mN·m−1. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effectiveness of tax credits for health insurance premium: Evidence from the health insurance tax credit
Authors: Jun Dajung 
Published: June 2018

AbstractWith the push to repeal the Affordable Care Act, there is renewed interest in using tax credits to increase health insurance coverage. Another tax credit‐driven policy, the Health Insurance Tax Credit (HITC), was implemented during 1991–1993. To date, only one paper has analyzed the effectiveness of the HITC on coverage rates. In this paper, I reexamine the effectiveness of the HITC by using the Survey of Income Program Participation and provide the first estimates of its effects on utilization and self‐reported health status. Despite using the different data set, I find a similar result regarding coverage as the previous paper—the effect of the HITC was about 5.8 percentage points. I also find that self‐reported health was significantly improved because of the HITC. I conclude by discussing the implications of these findings on the larger debate regarding current health care reform.
Deep-sea mining: Interdisciplinary research on potential environmental, legal, economic, and societal implications
Authors: Koschinsky Andrea , Heinrich Luise , Boehnke Klaus , Cohrs J Christopher , Markus Till , Shani Maor , Singh Pradeep , Smith Stegen Karen , Werner Welf 
Published: June 2018

Abstract

Deep-sea mining refers to the retrieval of marine mineral resources such as Mn nodules, FeMn crusts, and seafloor massive sulfide deposits, which contain a variety of metals that serve as crucial raw materials for a range of applications, from electronic devices to renewable energy technologies to construction materials. With the intent of decreasing dependence on imports, supporting the economy, and potentially even overcoming the environmental problems related to conventional terrestrial mining, a number of public and private institutions have rediscovered their interest in exploring the prospects of deep-sea mining, which had been deemed economically and technically unfeasible in the early 1980s. To date, many national and international research projects are grappling to understand the economic environmental, social, and legal implications of potential commercial deep-sea mining operations: a challenging endeavor due to the complexity of direct impacts and spillover effects. In this paper, we present a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge in the aforementioned fields as well as a comparison of the impacts associated with conventional terrestrial mining. Furthermore, we identify knowledge gaps that should be urgently addressed to ensure that the world at large benefits from safe, efficient, and environmentally sound mining procedures. We conclude by highlighting the need for interdisciplinary research and international cooperation. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2018;14:672–691. © 2018 SETAC

Key Points
The article presents a review of economic, environmental, societal and legal implications of deep-sea mining (and identifies knowledge gaps). A comparison to terrestrial mining impacts is shown. Deep-sea mining is a complex issue touching upon natural and social science, economics, and law. Transdisciplinary research and cooperation is required to make deep-sea mining sustainable.
Enhancing the effects of exfoliated carbon nanofibers using bone morphogenetic protein in a rat spinal fusion model
Authors: Notani Naoki , Miyazaki Masashi , Toyoda Masahiro , Kanezaki Shozo , Ishihara Toshinobu , Tsumura Hiroshi 
Published: June 2018

ABSTRACTExfoliated carbon nanofibers (ExCNFs) are expected to serve as excellent scaffolds for promoting and guiding bone‐tissue regeneration. We aimed to enhance the effects of ExCNFs using bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and examined their feasibility and safety in clinical applications using a rat spinal fusion model. Group I (n = 15) animals were implanted with the control carrier; Group II (n = 16) animals were implanted with carrier containing 1 μg ExCNFs; Group III (n = 16) animals were implanted with carrier containing 1 μg recombinant human (rh) BMP‐2; and Group IV (n = 17) animals were implanted with carrier containing 1 μg rhBMP‐2 and 1 μg ExCNFs. The rats were euthanized after 4 or 8 weeks and their spines were explanted and assessed by manual palpation, radiographs, and high‐resolution microcomputerized tomography (micro‐CT); the spines were also subjected to histological analysis. The fusion rates in Group IV (25.0%: 4‐week, 45.5%: 8‐week) were considerably higher than in Groups I (0%: 4‐week, 0%: 8‐week), II (0%: 4‐week, 15.0%: 8‐week), and III (16.7%: 4‐week, 30.0%: 8‐week). These results demonstrated the enhancement of ExCNF bone fusion effects by BMP in a rat spinal fusion model. Our results suggest that the enhancement of ExCNFs effects by BMP makes this combination a possible attractive therapy for spinal fusion surgeries. © 2018 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:2892–2900, 2018.
Unequal density dependence between survival and recruitment affects harvesting effectivness
Authors: Kapota Dror , Saltz David 
Published: June 2018

ABSTRACTRecruitment and adult‐mortality may respond differently to increased population density. Such unequal density dependence (UDD) is evident for large mammals showing density dependence mainly in recruitment (reproduction rate or juvenile survival), whereas adult survival is high and varies little with density. Mechanistically, UDD is likely influenced by an unequal allocation of resources toward reproduction versus survival. Unequal density dependence is expected to affect compensation abilities, and hence may have serious implications with regard to population harvesting. We modeled UDD by linking population size to reproduction and survival through per capita resource availability and consumption. We integrated UDD into 2 population models (continuous vs. periodic recruitment) and investigated how it affected the compensatory dynamics of populations. For a population with continuous recruitment, our model predicted that although UDD stabilizes the population dynamics, it makes populations more vulnerable to harvesting as a consequence of lower compensatory ability, regardless of whether more resources are allocated to reproduction or to survival. For populations with periodic recruitment, on the other hand, an asymmetric effect of UDD is predicted. Strong density dependence in recruitment relative to adult survival yields a strong compensatory response, whereas equal or stronger density dependence in adult survival relative to recruitment yields weaker compensatory responses. Stronger density dependence in recruitment also causes the periodic fluctuations in population size to be amplified rather than dampened under harvesting. These results are robust to alternative model formulations (e.g., Ricker and Beverton‐Holt equations). Using an empirical example for coyotes (Canis latrans), wild boars (Sus scrofa), and white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), we demonstrated the implications of our results for harvest management of medium‐size mammalian species that are periodic breeders and exhibit density‐dependent recruitment. Accounting for UDD in the population model of coyotes and wild boars, which are characterized by large litters, predicts compensation that is stronger than the response obtained without UDD. For white‐tailed deer, which are characterized by substantially smaller litters, accounting for UDD does not change the outcome. Harvest‐based control attempts of medium‐size mammals may hence be much less effective than predicted when the population models used to estimate them ignore UDD, suggesting the necessity of integrating UDD into these models. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.
Curcumin ameliorates cisplatin‐induced cystopathy via activating NRF2 pathway
Authors: Shao Yun Peng , Zhou Qiao , Li Yun Peng , Zhang Si Cong , Xu He Wei , Wu Shuo , Shen Bai Xin , Ding Liu Cheng , Xue Jun , Chen Zheng Sen , Wei Zhong Qing 
Published: June 2018

ObjectivesThe present work evaluated preventive effect of curcumin on cisplatin‐induced bladder cystopathy.MethodsFifteen female rats were divided into (i) Control group administered with physiological saline solution for 5 days; (ii) Cis‐P group injected with cisplatin (6 mg/kg); and (iii) Cis‐Cur group given cisplatin (6 mg/kg) with curcumin for 5 consecutive days. The function of bladder was measured by means of urodynamic analysis. Furthermore, hematoxylin‐eosin staining and Masson trichrome staining were performed for morphological analysis. The cell apoptosis was evaluated through terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP‐biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay and flow cytometry. The expression of nerve growth factor (NGF), NF‐E2‐related factor 2, and hemeoxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) levels were measured through Western blotting.ResultsUrodynamic assay and histopathological manifestations revealed that curcumin ameliorated the bladder dysfunction induced by cisplatin. The level of cisplatin‐induced apoptosis in the bladder decreased following curcumin treatment. Also, the increased protein expression of NGF indicated that the curcumin could offer neuroprotection for bladder against cisplatin. Curcumin also activated NRF2, and elevated the expression of HO‐1, but curcumin could not rescue cisplatin‐induced apoptosis in the cell lines with knockdown of NRF2.ConclusionsTaken together, the results of this paper showed that curcumin could ameliorate cisplatin‐induced cystopathy and inhibit the apoptosis of bladder cell in cisplatin‐treated rats. This may be attributed to curcumin's broad biological functions, particularly antioxidant effect, and to its ability to activate the NRF2 protein.
Hydrolytic degradation of poly(l‐lactic acid)/poly(methyl methacrylate) blends
Authors: Boudaoud Naila , Benali Samira , Mincheva Rosica , Satha Hamid , Raquez Jean‐Marie , Dubois Philippe 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe hydrolytic degradation of poly(l‐lactic acid)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PLLA/PMMA) blends was carried out by the immersion of thin films in buffer solutions (pH = 7.24) in a shaking water bath at 60 °C for 38 days. The PLA/PMMA blends (0/100; 30/70; 50/50; 70/30; 100/0) were obtained by melt blending using a Brabender internal mixer and shaped into thin films of about 150 µm in thickness. Considering that PMMA does not undergo hydrolytic degradation, that of PLLA was followed via evolution of PLA molecular weight (recorded by size exclusion chromatography), thermal parameters (differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)) and morphology of the films (scanning transmission electron microscopy). The results reveal a completely different degradation pathway of the blends depending on the polymethacrylate/polyester weight ratio. DSC data suggest that, during hydrolysis at higher PMMA content, the polyester amorphous chains, more sensitive to water, are degraded before being able to crystallize, while at higher PLLA content, the crystallization is favoured leading to a sample more resistant to hydrolysis. In other words, and quite unexpectedly, increasing the content of water‐sensitive PLLA in the PLLA/PMMA blends does not mean de facto faster hydrolytic degradation of the resulting materials. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
An Insight into Powdery Mildew–Infected, Susceptible, Resistant, and Immune Sunflower Genotypes
Authors: Kallamadi Prathap Reddy , Dandu Kamakshi , Kirti Pulugurtha Bharadwaja , Rao Chintalagiri Mohan , Thakur Suman S , Mulpuri Sujatha 
Published: June 2018

AbstractPowdery mildew (PM, caused by Golovinomyces orontii) is one of the major diseases on sunflower that causes severe yield losses in the tropics. Sources of resistance to PM are reported in an exotic accession and some wild Helianthus species. The present study aims at quantitative proteomic analysis of susceptible, resistant, and immune genotypes of sunflower in response to PM infection at 3, 7, 10 days post infection. The majority of differentially expressed proteins in the resistant genotype belonged to oxidative stress (catalase, ATP‐sulfurylase, and formate dehydrogenase), defense (HSP‐70, heat shock transcription factors), and photosynthesis (LHCB3). In case of immune genotype, 50% of proteins are related to photosynthesis, which play a key role in plant immunity, whereas a few similar proteins are also expressed in the susceptible genotype, but in their reduced abundance besides being inadequate in timing of expression probably leading to its susceptibility to PM. KEGG enrichment analysis shows that carbon metabolism (6‐phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, pyruvate dehydrogenase, glutamine synthetase), photosynthesis, and plant–pathogen protein pathways are key pathways governing the resistance. The transcriptional expression of eight of nine differentially expressed proteins are in agreement with the expression of proteins at the corresponding time. The present study provides information on the key proteins that are upregulated in resistant and immune genotypes which restrict the disease progression and constitutes the first quantitative proteomic data of sunflower‐PM infection process.
Anisotropic charge transport properties of chrysene derivatives as organic semiconductor: A computational study
Authors: Khatua Rudranarayan , Sahoo Smruti Ranjan , Sharma Sagar , Thangavel R. , Sahu Sridhar 
Published: June 2018

AbstractWe used density functional theory to calculate the angular resolution anisotropic charge mobility of the substituted chrysene molecules, viz, 4,10‐diphenoxychrysene (DPC), 4,10‐bis(phenylsulfanyl)chrysene (BPSC), and ethyl 8,9,12‐trimethoxychrysene‐6‐carboxylate (ETCC). The highest occupied molecular orbital–lowest unoccupied molecular orbital gap for DPC, BPSC, and ETCC was calculated to be 3.92, 3.83, and 3.81 eV, respectively, which inferred the compounds to be wide‐band‐gap semiconductors indicating that the compounds should have high stability in atmospheric conditions. The fact is also supported by electronic band‐structure calculation. In addition, higher electron affinity of studied compounds as compared with the bare chrysene molecule imparts enhancement of n‐type character in the compounds. The maximum hole (
) and electron mobilities (
) for DPC compound were found to be 0.739 cm2V−1s−1 and 0.319 cm2V−1s−1, respectively, at Φ = 0°. On the other hand, in the case of BPSC crystal, comparatively larger anisotropic electron mobility (0.709 cm2V−1s−1 at Φ = 0° and Φ = 179.90°) than the hole mobility (0.208 cm2V−1s−1 at Φ = 127.19° and Φ = 307.10°) was noted. Similarly, in ETCC, the parallel dimers were found to contribute maximum
and
of 0.052 and 0.102 cm2V−1s−1, respectively, at Φ = 0°. The substitution of ‐SPh in BPSC and ‐OCH3 and ‐CO2CH2CH3 in ETCC have relatively more impact on band reduction than ‐OPh in DPC, thus facilitating electron transport in BPSC and ETCC.
Work‐specific cognitive symptoms and the role of work characteristics, fatigue, and depressive symptoms in cancer patients during 18 months post return to work
Authors: Dorland H.F. , Abma F.I. , Roelen C.A.M. , Stewart R.E. , Amick B.C. , Bültmann U. , Ranchor A.V. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractObjectiveCancer patients can experience work‐specific cognitive symptoms post return to work. The study aims to (1) describe the course of work‐specific cognitive symptoms in the first 18 months post return to work and (2) examine the associations of work characteristics, fatigue and depressive symptoms with work‐specific cognitive symptoms over time.MethodsThis study used data from the 18‐month longitudinal “Work Life after Cancer” cohort. The Cognitive Symptom Checklist‐Work Dutch Version (CSC‐W DV) was used to measure work‐specific cognitive symptoms. Linear mixed models were performed to examine the course of work‐specific cognitive symptoms during 18‐month follow‐up; linear regression analyses with generalized estimating equations were used to examine associations over time.ResultsWorking cancer patients examined with different cancer types were included (n = 378). Work‐specific cognitive symptoms were stable over 18 months. At baseline, cancer patients reported more working memory symptoms (M = 32.0; CI, 30.0‐34.0) compared with executive function symptoms (M = 19.3; CI, 17.6‐20.9). Cancer patients holding a job with both manual and nonmanual tasks reported less work‐specific cognitive symptoms (unstandardized regression coefficient b = −4.80; CI, −7.76 to −1.83) over time, compared with cancer patients with a nonmanual job. Over time, higher depressive symptoms were related to experiencing more overall work‐specific cognitive symptoms (b = 1.27; CI, 1.00‐1.55) and a higher fatigue score was related to more working memory symptoms (b = 0.13; CI, 0.04‐0.23).ConclusionsJob type should be considered when looking at work‐specific cognitive symptoms over time in working cancer patients. To reduce work‐specific cognitive symptoms, interventions targeted at fatigue and depressive symptoms might be promising.