bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Toward an ecotoxicological risk assessment of microplastics: Comparison of available hazard and exposure data in freshwaters
Authors: Adam Véronique , Yang Tong , Nowack Bernd 
Published: November 2018

Abstract

Microplastics have been detected in freshwaters all over the world in almost all samples, and ecotoxicological studies have shown adverse effects of microplastics on organisms. However, no risk assessment of microplastics has been performed specifically in freshwater so far. The aim of the present study was therefore to review all exposure and ecotoxicity data available for microplastics in freshwaters and to perform a preliminary probabilistic risk assessment. The exposure probability distribution was based on 391 concentrations measured in Asia, Europe, and North America. Because exposure data are mainly available in particle number–based metrics but results from hazard studies are mostly mass-based, the hazard results were converted into particle number concentrations. A statistical analysis of the hazard data showed that there was no significant influence of particle shape or type of polymer on the no-observed-effect concentration. The predicted-no-effect concentration (PNEC) was calculated as the fifth percentile of the probabilistic species sensitivity distribution, based on 53 values from 14 freshwater species, to have a mode of 7.4 × 105 particles · m−3 (25th and 75th quantiles of 6.1 × 105 and 1.3 × 106 particles · m−3, respectively). The exposure probability distribution was divided by the PNEC probability distribution to calculate risk characterization ratios (RCRs), with modes of 1.3 × 10−6 in North America, 3.3 × 10−6 in Europe, and 4.6 × 10−3 in Asia. Probability distributions associated with the RCRs showed that ecological risks cannot be entirely excluded in Asia, where 0.4% of the RCR values were above 1. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:436–447. © 2018 SETAC
Abstract
The environmental risk of microplastics was assessed using a probabilistic approach in the freshwaters of Asia, Europe, and North America. Results show that such risks cannot be excluded in Asia.
MHD dissipative fluid past a stretching sheet in the presence of Soret effect with Newtonian convective heat and mass conditions
Authors: Sengupta Sanjib , Shadap Dikes 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThis article deliberates a theoretical study on a two‐dimensional magnetohydrodynamic free convection flow of an electrically conducting, heat generation/absorption fluid flowing past a linearly stretching sheet, placed vertical in a non‐Darcian porous medium with Soret effect. As the magnetic Reynolds number of the flow field considered very small (due to noncomparability of the induced and applied magnetic fields), the influence of the induced magnetic field is thus neglected. Again due to weak applied voltage differences at the lateral ends, the influence of the electric current is also ignored. A homotopy analysis method is developed to solve the similarity transformed equations subject to a set of convective heat and mass boundary conditions. Numerical data simulations are made on various fluid variables by using some practical/selected values of the governed parameters and illustrated through graphs and tables. It is found that the Newtonian heating parameter enhanced the velocity, temperature, and concentrations, while the solutal Newtonian heating parameter accelerates the rate of flow of heat and masses but minimizes the temperature gradient. The local Forchheimer and dissipation parameters are found to raise the temperature and concentrations, while the flow rate accelerates due to dissipation parameter but decelerates in presence of Forchheimer parameter.
Prevention of Injury-Induced Osteoarthritis in Rodent Temporomandibular Joint by Targeting Chondrocyte CaSR
Authors: Zhang Mian , Yang Hongxu , Wan Xianghong , Lu Lei , Zhang Jing , Zhang Hongyun , Ye Tao , Liu Qian , Xie Mianjiao , Liu Xiaodong , Yu Shibin , Guo Shaoxiong , Chang Wenhan , Wang Meiqing 
Published: November 2018

ABSTRACT

Traumatic joint injuries produce osteoarthritic cartilage manifesting accelerated chondrocyte terminal differentiation and matrix degradation via unknown cellular and molecular mechanisms. Here we report the ability of biomechanical stress to increase expression of the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR), a pivotal driver of chondrocyte terminal differentiation, in cultured chondrogenic cells subjected to fluid flow shear stress (FFSS) and in chondrocytes of rodent temporomandibular joint (TMJ) cartilage subjected to unilateral anterior cross-bite (UAC). In cultured ATDC5 cells or TMJ chondrocytes, FFSS induced Ca2+ loading and CaSR localization in endoplasmic reticulum (ER), casually accelerating cell differentiation that could be abrogated by emptying ER Ca2+ stores or CaSR knockdown. Likewise, acute chondrocyte-specific Casr knockout (KO) prevented the UAC-induced acceleration of chondrocyte terminal differentiation and matrix degradation in TMJ cartilage in mice. More importantly, local injections of CaSR antagonist, NPS2143, replicated the effects of Casr KO in preventing the development of osteoarthritic phenotypes in TMJ cartilage of the UAC-treated rats. Our study revealed a novel pathological action of CaSR in development of osteoarthritic cartilage due to aberrant mechanical stimuli and supports a therapeutic potential of calcilytics in preventing osteoarthritis in temporomandibular joints by targeting the CaSR. © 2018 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Regulator of G Protein Signaling Protein 12 (Rgs12) Controls Mouse Osteoblast Differentiation via Calcium Channel/Oscillation and Gαi-ERK Signaling
Authors: Li Ziqing , Liu Tongjun , Gilmore Alyssa , Gómez Néstor Más , Fu Chuanyun , Lim Jormay , Yang Shuting , Mitchell Claire H , Li Yi-ping , Oursler Merry J , Yang Shuying 
Published: November 2018

ABSTRACT

Bone homeostasis intimately relies on the balance between osteoblasts (OBs) and osteoclasts (OCs). Our previous studies have revealed that regulator of G protein signaling protein 12 (Rgs12), the largest protein in the Rgs super family, is essential for osteoclastogenesis from hematopoietic cells and OC precursors. However, how Rgs12 regulates OB differentiation and function is still unknown. To understand that, we generated an OB-targeted Rgs12 conditional knockout (CKO) mice model by crossing Rgs12fl/fl mice with Osterix (Osx)-Cre transgenic mice. We found that Rgs12 was highly expressed in both OB precursor cells (OPCs) and OBs of wild-type (WT) mice, and gradually increased during OB differentiation, whereas Rgs12-CKO mice (OsxCre/+; Rgs12fl/fl) exhibited a dramatic decrease in both trabecular and cortical bone mass, with reduced numbers of OBs and increased apoptotic cell population. Loss of Rgs12 in OPCs in vitro significantly inhibited OB differentiation and the expression of OB marker genes, resulting in suppression of OB maturation and mineralization. Further mechanism study showed that deletion of Rgs12 in OPCs significantly inhibited guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) activity and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) level, and impaired Calcium (Ca2+) oscillations via restraints of major Ca2+ entry sources (extracellular Ca2+ influx and intracellular Ca2+ release from endoplasmic reticulum), partially contributed by the blockage of L-type Ca2+ channel mediated Ca2+ influx. Downstream mediator extracellular signal-related protein kinase (ERK) was found inactive in OBs of OsxCre/+; Rgs12fl/fl mice and in OPCs after Rgs12 deletion, whereas application of pertussis toxin (PTX) or overexpression of Rgs12 could rescue the defective OB differentiation via restoration of ERK phosphorylation. Our findings reveal that Rgs12 is an important regulator during osteogenesis and highlight Rgs12 as a potential therapeutic target for bone disorders. © 2018 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Molecular epidemiology of a primarily MSM acute HIV‐1 cohort in Bangkok, Thailand and connections within networks of transmission in Asia
Authors: Chang David , Sanders‐Buell Eric , Bose Meera , O'Sullivan Anne Marie , Pham Phuc , Kroon Eugene , Colby Donn J , Sirijatuphat Rujipas , Billings Erik , Pinyakorn Suteeraporn , Chomchey Nitiya , Rutvisuttinunt Wiriya , Kijak Gustavo , de Souza Mark , Excler Jean‐Louis , Phanuphak Praphan , Phanuphak Nittaya , O'Connell Robert J , Kim Jerome H , Robb Merlin L , Michael Nelson L , Ananworanich Jintanat , Tovanabutra Sodsai ,   the RV254/SEARCH 010 Study Group
Published: November 2018

AbstractIntroductionThailand plays a substantial role in global HIV‐1 transmission of CRF01_AE. Worldwide, men who have sex with men (MSM) are at elevated risk for HIV‐1 infection. Hence, understanding HIV‐1 diversity in a primarily Thai MSM cohort with acute infection, and its connections to the broader HIV‐1 transmission network in Asia is crucial for research and development of HIV‐1 vaccines, treatment and cure.MethodsSubtypes and diversity of infecting viruses from individuals sampled from 2009 to 2015 within the RV254/SEARCH 010 cohort were assessed by multiregion hybridization assay (MHAbce), multiregion subtype‐specific PCR assay (MSSPbce) and full‐length single‐genome sequencing (SGS). Phylogenetic analysis was performed by maximum likelihood. Pairwise genetic distances of envelope gp160 sequences obtained from the cohort and from Asia (Los Alamos National Laboratory HIV Database) were calculated to identify potential transmission networks.ResultsMHAbce/MSSPbce results identified 81.6% CRF01_AE infecting strains in RV254. CRF01_AE/B recombinants and subtype B were found at 7.3% and 2.8% respectively. Western subtype B strains outnumbered Thai B′ strains. Phylogenetic analysis revealed one C, one CRF01_AE/CRF02_AG recombinant and one CRF01_AE/B/C recombinant. Asian network analysis identified one hundred and twenty‐three clusters, including five clusters of RV254 participants. None of the RV254 sequences clustered with non‐RV254 sequences. The largest international cluster involved 15 CRF01_AE strains from China and Vietnam. The remaining clusters were mostly intracountry connections, of which 31.7% included Thai nodes and 43.1% included Chinese nodes.ConclusionWhile the majority of strains in Thailand are CRF01_AE and subtype B, emergence of unique recombinant forms (URFs) are found in a moderate fraction of new HIV‐1 infections. Approaches to vaccine design and immunotherapeutics will need to monitor and consider the expanding proportion of recombinants and the increasing genetic diversity in the region. Identified HIV‐1 transmission networks indicate ongoing spread of HIV‐1 among MSM. As HIV‐1 epidemics continue to expand in other Asian countries, transmission network analyses can inform strategies for prevention, intervention, treatment and cure.
Factors contributing to radiation dose for patients and operators during diagnostic cardiac angiography
Authors: Crowhurst James A. , Whitby Mark , Savage Michael , Murdoch Dale , Robinson Brendan , Shaw Elizabeth , Gaikwad Niranjan , Saireddy Ramkrishna , Hay Karen , Walters Darren L. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractIntroductionDiagnostic coronary angiography (CA) uses ionising radiation with relatively high doses, which impact on both patients and staff. This study sought to identify which patient and procedural factors impact patient and operator dose the most during CA.MethodsPatient and procedure related variables impacting on Kerma area product (PKA) and operator dose (OD) were collected for 16 months. Procedures were separated into 10 different procedure categories. PKA was used for patient dose and OD was measured with an instantly downloadable dosimeter (IDD) – downloaded at the end of each procedure. High and low radiation dose was defined by binary variables based on the 75th percentile of the continuous measures. Univariate and multivariate regression were used to identify predictors.ResultsOf 3860 patients included, the IDD was worn for 2591 (61.7%). Obesity (BMI > 30 compared to BMI < 25) was the strongest predictor for both a PKA (odds ratio (OR) = 19.1 (95% CI 13.5–26.9) P < 0.001) and OD (OR = 3.3 (2.4–4.4) P < 0.001) above the 75th percentile. Male gender, biplane imaging, the X‐ray unit used, operator experience and procedure type also predicted a high PKA. Radial access, male gender, biplane imaging and procedure type also predicted a high OD.ConclusionRadiation dose during CA is multifactorial and is dependent on patient and procedure related variables. Many factors impact on both PKA and OD but obesity is the strongest predictor for both patients and operators to receive a high radiation dose.
Accurate and efficient analysis of the upward heat flow in InGaP/GaAs HBTs through an automated FEM‐based tool and Design of Experiments
Authors: d'Alessandro Vincenzo , Catalano Antonio Pio , Codecasa Lorenzo , Zampardi Peter J. , Moser Brian 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThis paper presents an extensive analysis aimed at quantifying the impact of all the key technology parameters on the upward heat flow in state‐of‐the‐art InGaP/GaAs heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs) for various emitter areas and shapes. Extremely accurate thermal simulations are conducted in a relatively short time with a tool relying on a commercial 3‐D finite‐element method (FEM) solver and an in‐house routine for automated geometry construction, optimized mesh generation, sequential solution, and data storing/processing. Design of Experiments is used to define a thermal resistance model as a function of the aforementioned parameters on the basis of a few FEM data.
Genetic inhibition of PKCε attenuates neurodegeneration after global cerebral ischemia in male mice
Authors: Kumar Varun , Weng Yi‐Chinn , Wu Yu‐Chieh , Huang Yu‐Ting , Liu Tung‐Hsia , Kristian Tibor , Liu Yu‐Li , Tsou Hsiao‐Hui , Chou Wen‐Hai 
Published: November 2018

AbstractGlobal cerebral ischemia that accompanies cardiac arrest is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Protein Kinase C epsilon (PKCε) is a member of the novel PKC subfamily and plays a vital role in ischemic preconditioning. Pharmacological activation of PKCε before cerebral ischemia confers neuroprotection. The role of endogenous PKCε after cerebral ischemia remains elusive. Here we used male PKCε‐null mice to assess the effects of PKCε deficiency on neurodegeneration after transient global cerebral ischemia (tGCI). We found that the cerebral vasculature, blood flow, and the expression of other PKC isozymes were not altered in the PKCε‐null mice. Spatial learning and memory was impaired after tGCI, but the impairment was attenuated in male PKCε‐null mice as compared to male wild‐type controls. A significant reduction in Fluoro‐Jade C labeling and mitochondrial release of cytochrome C in the hippocampus was found in male PKCε‐null mice after tGCI. Male PKCε‐null mice expressed increased levels of PKCδ in the mitochondria, which may prevent the translocation of PKCδ from the cytosol to the mitochondria after tGCI. Our results demonstrate the neuroprotective effects of PKCε deficiency on neurodegeneration after tGCI, and suggest that reduced mitochondrial translocation of PKCδ may contribute to the neuroprotective action in male PKCε‐null mice.
Raman spectra in LiH2PO4 and KLi(H2PO4)2: Mode assignment
Authors: Dekhili Rawdha , Kauffmann Thomas H. , Aroui Hassen , Fontana Marc D. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractWe report and analyze Raman spectra recorded on crystals of LiH2PO4 (LDP) and KLi(H2PO4)2 (KLDP). We provide a new and complete assignment of Raman lines in both crystals from their behavior as function of temperature. Among internal vibrations, we discern the modes within PO4 tetrahedra, the modes related to LiO bonds, and those due to the OH vibrations. In the wavenumber range between 300 and 600 cm−1, the lines associated with OPO or LiO show different temperature dependencies. The bands of PO4 are red‐shifted with increasing temperature according to thermal dilatation, whereas the positions related to LiO are temperature independent.
A rapid and sensitive reversed phase‐HPLC method for simultaneous determination of ibuprofen and paracetamol in drug samples and their behaviors in simulated gastric conditions
Authors: Borahan Tülay , Unutkan Tuğçe , Şahin Ayşe , Bakırdere Sezgin 
Published: November 2018

AbstractParacetamol is a widely used drug for fever and pain relief. Ibuprofen is a common nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug. In this study, a sensitive and accurate reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography method was developed for the simultaneous determination of ibuprofen and paracetamol. The chromatographic separation was achieved on a Phenomenex C18 (250 mm, 4.6 mm, 5 μm) column. Fifty milli molar phosphate buffer (pH 7.5) and methanol were used as mobile phase in a gradient elution mode. The retention times of paracetamol and ibuprofen were 5.7 and 10.4 min, respectively. The linearity of the developed method was established in the range of 0.25 – 250 mg/L with a correlation coefficient of 0.9998 for both analytes. The limit of detection/quantification values were found to be 0.06/0.19 and 0.08/0.26 mg/L for ibuprofen and paracetamol, respectively. The method was successfully applied in drug samples in the form of tablets and suspensions. The calculated concentrations matched with the claimed values on their prospectuses. The drug samples were studied under simulated gastric conditions to determine the behaviors of the analytes in the human body. The obtained results showed no change in the retention time of the analyte peak shapes throughout the 210 minutes.
Vegetation community composition along disturbance gradients of four typical open‐pit mines in Yunnan Province of southwest China
Authors: Hou Xiao‐yun , Liu Shi‐liang , Cheng Fang‐yan , Zhang Yue‐qiu , Dong Shi‐kui , Su Xu‐kun , Liu Guo‐hua 
Published: November 2018

AbstractOpen‐pit mining causes severe land degradation in Yunnan Province, Southwest China. Vegetation restoration on the degraded land with open‐pit mining is challenging due to great physical and chemical condition changes of the post‐mined landscape. In this study, we compared the vegetation community composition and environmental factors along three disturbance gradients (mining area, restoration area, and control area) in four typical open‐pit mine types (phosphate, zinc, tin, and iron sites). Nonmetric multidimensional scaling analysis revealed that there are significant differences in the vegetation communities along three gradients for these mine sites. Quality species were selected by indicator species analysis for vegetation restoration as follows: Chloris virgata Sw. and Artemisia princeps Pamp at the phosphate site; Coriaria nepalensis Wall., Artemisia princeps Pamp, and Picris hieracioides L. at the zinc site; Artemisia princeps Pamp at the tin site; and Panicum brevifolium L. at the iron site. Canonical Correspondence Analysis ordination and Monte Carlo permutation tests were further used to determine the effects of environmental factors on vegetation diversity. The results showed that Cd, As, Zn, Pb, TC, and altitude all had significant effects on vegetation diversity (P < 0.05). Additionally, we found that the integrated effects of these variables on vegetation were greater in the mining area than in the other two gradients based on the model with the lowest Akaike Information Criterion. These results suggest that any plans for vegetation restoration in open‐pit mining areas should take disturbance intensity, mine types, and critical environmental variables into account.
Tangential headwinds when integrating industry‐funded clinical trials into a US health care delivery system
Authors: Vulcano David 
Published: November 2018

AbstractAlthough there are regulatory obligations put forth by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that directly govern clinical trials and other investigational therapies, such activity does not occur in a vacuum. There are other regulations and administrative policies that are tangential to the operations of clinical trials in a health system that can have a direct or indirect effect. Regulations such as HHS's Common Rule and Right To Try have been rapidly evolving over the past couple of years. Also rapidly evolving in this timeframe are the federal government's administrative branch policies involving incentives and disincentives for electronic health records as well as how quality is measured electronically. All of this is occurring as the entire health care delivery sector is trying to reinvent itself with both existing and new unexpected players. Thus, while those interested in conducting industry‐funded clinical trials in their health system generally know to keep up with FDA, they must also be diligent to see how the greater system is forced to evolve to assure that they remain successful form a regulatory and operational standpoint.
Study on the thickness of lubricating film of M50‐Ag self‐lubricating composites
Authors: Deng Xiaobin , Shi Xiaoliang , Liu Xiyao , Liu Yubin , Xue Bing 
Published: November 2018

AbstractDry tribological tests of M50 matrix composites containing 0, 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 wt% Ag are undertaken at 0.2 m/second 15 N from 25°C to 450°C against Si3N4 ceramic balls. The results indicate that the tribological performance is strongly dependent on the content of solid lubricant Ag. M50 matrix composites containing 5.0 wt% Ag exhibits the great tribological performance with the low friction coefficients of 0.23 to 0.43 and less wear rates of 1.89 to 3.52 × 10−6 mm3 N−1 m−1 from 25°C to 450°C, which is attributed to the formation of thick lubricating film on the worn surface. Furthermore, the migration model of solid lubricant Ag in M50 matrix composites is established to predict the thickness of formed lubricating film.
Well‐posedness of fractional integro‐differential equations in vector‐valued functional spaces
Authors: Bu Shangquan , Cai Gang 
Published: November 2018

AbstractWe study the well‐posedness of the fractional differential equations with infinite delay
urn:x-wiley:0025584X:media:mana201800104:mana201800104-math-0001on Lebesgue–Bochner spaces and Besov spaces , where A and B are closed linear operators on a Banach space X satisfying , and . Under suitable assumptions on the kernels a and b, we completely characterize the well‐posedness of in the above vector‐valued function spaces on by using known operator‐valued Fourier multiplier theorems. We also give concrete examples where our abstract results may be applied.
A Neural Network QSPR Model for Accurate Prediction of Flash Point of Pure Hydrocarbons
Authors: Mirshahvalad H. , Ghasemiasl R. , Raoufi Nahid , Malekzadeh dirin M. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe present study introduces a QSPR model to predict the flash point of pure organic compounds from diverse chemical families. We used the Maximum‐Relevance Minimum‐Redundancy (MRMR) as an efficient descriptor selection algorithm to select 20 the most effective out of 1926 calculated descriptors. The selected descriptors and their combination with the normal boiling point data were used as model inputs and their correlation with FP was mapped using feedforward artificial neural networks. Studying various models, the best result was obtained by a neural network with 2 neurons in the hidden layer for which a combination of the selected descriptors and normal boiling point data were used as model inputs. Evaluating the performance of this model for a dataset of 727 compounds resulted in average absolute relative errors of of 1.36 %, 1.34 %, 1.44 % and 1.42 % and average absolute deviations of 4.48, 4.41, 4.75 and 4.66 K for the overall, training, validation, and test datasets, respectively.