bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enforcement of the Protection of Personal Information (POPI) Act: Perspective of data management professionals
Authors: Kandeh Agbor T. , Botha Reinhardt A. , Futcher Lynn A. 
Published: October 2018

Background: The urgency to enforce the Protection of Personal Information (POPI) Act is building up within South Africa, triggered by the appointment of the Information Regulator for POPI on 01 December 2016. However, for data management practitioners, the absence of a practical guideline on how to legally process personal information of employees, customers or other juristic persons in line with the POPI Act poses a day-to-day technical challenge, especially for those embarking on a maiden journey to comply with the POPI Act.Objectives: The objective of this article is to explore and analyse the unique perspectives of data management professionals who are vested with the responsibility of driving the successful enforcement of the POPI Act within their respective organisations, with the end goal of formulating a practical guideline for the enforcement of the POPI Act.Method: To achieve the objectives of this research article, semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive, convenience sample of 16 data management professionals within companies in South Africa. A recording of their views was obtained through one-on-one interviews and a group interview.Results: From the semi-structured interviews, group interview and response to the questions, several findings and learnings were elicited. Zooming into these findings showed close similarities in the actions taken by data management professionals operating in a similar industry. Based on these results, a high-level sequence of steps on how to enforce the POPI Act was formulated.Conclusion: Based on the formulated sequence of steps, it is safe to conclude that the actions of data management professionals can be used to create a practical guideline to enforce the POPI Act. However, to standardise these guidelines across the data management function, there is a need to perform testing with a wider spectrum of data management professionals.
Aerosol liquid water content in the moist southern West African monsoon layer and its radiative impact
Authors: Deetz Konrad , Vogel Heike , Haslett Sophie , Knippertz Peter , Coe Hugh , Vogel Bernhard 
Published: October 2018

Abstract. Water uptake can significantly increase the size and therefore alters the
optical properties of aerosols. In this study, the regional-scale model
framework COSMO-ART is applied to southern West Africa (SWA) for a summer
monsoon process study on 2–3 and 6–7 July 2016. The high moisture and
aerosol burden in the monsoon layer makes SWA favorable to quantify
properties that determine the aerosol liquid water content and its impact on
radiative transfer. Given the marked diurnal cycle in SWA, the analysis is
separated into three characteristic phases: (a) the Atlantic inflow
progression phase (15:00–02:00 UTC), when winds from the Gulf of Guinea accelerate
in the less turbulent evening and nighttime boundary layer, (b) the moist
morning phase (03:00–08:00 UTC), when the passage of the Atlantic inflow front
leads to overall cool and moist conditions over land, and (c) the daytime
drying phase (09:00–15:00 UTC), in which the Atlantic inflow front reestablishes
with the inland heating initiated after sunrise. This diurnal cycle also impacts,
via relative humidity, the aerosol liquid water content. We analyzed
the impact of relative humidity and clouds on the aerosol liquid water
content. As shown by other studies, accumulation-mode particles are the
dominant contributor of aerosol liquid water. We find aerosol growth factors
of 2 (4) for submicron (coarse-mode) particles, leading to a substantial
increase in mean aerosol optical depth from 0.2 to 0.7. Considering the
aerosol liquid water content leads to a decrease in shortwave radiation of
about 20 W m−2, while longwave effects appear to be insignificant,
especially during nighttime. The estimated relationships between total column
aerosol liquid water and radiation are -305±39 W g−1 (shortwave
in-cloud), -114±42 W g−1 (shortwave off-cloud) and about
−10 W g−1 (longwave). The results highlight the need to consider the relative
humidity dependency of aerosol optical depth in atmospheric models,
particularly in moist tropical environments where their effect on radiation
can be very large.
Ice crystal number concentration estimates from lidar–radar satellite remote sensing – Part 1: Method and evaluation
Authors: Sourdeval Odran , Gryspeerdt Edward , Krämer Martina , Goren Tom , Delanoë Julien , Afchine Armin , Hemmer Friederike , Quaas Johannes 
Published: October 2018

Abstract. The number concentration of cloud particles is a
key quantity for understanding aerosol–cloud interactions and describing
clouds in climate and numerical weather prediction models. In contrast with
recent advances for liquid clouds, few observational constraints exist
regarding the ice crystal number concentration (Ni). This study
investigates how combined lidar–radar measurements can be used to provide
satellite estimates of Ni, using a methodology that constrains
moments of a parameterized particle size distribution (PSD). The operational
liDAR–raDAR (DARDAR) product serves as an existing base for this method,
which focuses on ice clouds with temperatures Tc<-30 ∘C. Theoretical considerations demonstrate the capability for accurate retrievals
of Ni, apart from a possible bias in the concentration in small
crystals when Tc≳−50 ∘C, due to the assumption of
a monomodal PSD shape in the current method. This is verified via a
comparison of satellite estimates to coincident in situ measurements, which additionally
demonstrates the sufficient sensitivity of lidar–radar observations to
Ni. Following these results, satellite estimates of
Ni are evaluated in the context of a case study and a preliminary
climatological analysis based on 10 years of global data. Despite a lack
of other large-scale references, this evaluation shows a reasonable physical
consistency in Ni spatial distribution patterns. Notably,
increases in Ni are found towards cold temperatures and, more
significantly, in the presence of strong updrafts, such as those related to
convective or orographic uplifts. Further evaluation and improvement of this
method are necessary, although these results already constitute a first encouraging
step towards large-scale observational constraints for Ni. Part 2
of this series uses this new dataset to examine the controls on
Ni.
Assessment of the pollution–health–economics nexus in China
Authors: Xia Yang , Guan Dabo , Meng Jing , Li Yuan , Shan Yuli 
Published: October 2018

Abstract. Serious haze can cause contaminant diseases that trigger productive labour time by raising mortality and morbidity rates in cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Health studies rarely consider macroeconomic impacts of industrial interlinkages while disaster studies seldom involve air pollution and its health consequences. This study adopts a supply-driven input–output model to estimate the economic loss resulted from disease-induced working-time reduction across 30 Chinese provinces in 2012 using the most updated Chinese multiregional input–output table. Results show a total economic loss of CNY 398.23 billion ( ∼ 1 % of China's GDP in 2012), with the majority coming from Eastern China and the Mid-South. The total number of affected labourers amounts to 82.19 million. Cross-regional economic impact analysis indicates that the Mid-South, North China, and Eastern China entail the majority of the regional indirect loss. Indeed, most indirect loss in North China, the Northwest and the Southwest can be attributed to manufacturing and energy in other regions, while loss in Eastern China, the Mid-South and the Northeast largely originate from coal and mining in other regions. At the subindustrial level, most inner-regional loss in North China and the Northwest originate from coal and mining, in Eastern China and Southwest from equipment and energy, and in the Mid-South from metal and non-metal. These findings highlight the potential role of geographical distance in regional interlinkages and regional heterogeneity in inner- and outer-regional loss due to distinctive regional economic structures and dependences between the north and south.
Should healthcare reform be 'color-blind'? Addressing the barriers to improving minority health
Authors: Kiss Lois E. , Ross-Lee Barbara , Weiser Michael A. 
Published: October 2018

Abstract
The scandalous disparity between the health indicators for minority and nonminority and poor and nonpoor populations is of such long standing that it has lost the power to shock. The authors review the landmark studies of the past year which document discrimination in the healthcare system. They reiterate the most compelling statistics of mortality, birth, the AIDS epidemic, destructive health habits, and poverty. They trace the impact of health care policy on these vulnerable populations and address the myth that malpractice claims are filed more frequently by the poor. They conclude that equality is instrumental to the improvement of the nation's health demographics; the persistence of economic, social, and political discrimination will continue to create barriers even if financial access is assured through a pluralistic approach to healthcare reform. Ultimately, they predict that any healthcare reform that does not address minority issues is doomed to fail if all three areas driving the national "crisis"access, cost, and quality---do not encompass minority-specific healthcare strategies.
Macroscopic features of scurvy in human skeletal remains: A literature synthesis and diagnostic guide
Authors: Snoddy Anne Marie E. , Buckley Hallie R. , Elliott Gail E. , Standen Vivien G. , Arriaza Bernardo T. , Halcrow Siân E. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe past two decades have seen a proliferation in bioarchaeological literature on the identification of scurvy, a disease caused by chronic vitamin C deficiency, in ancient human remains. This condition is one of the few nutritional deficiencies that can result in diagnostic osseous lesions. Scurvy is associated with low dietary diversity and its identification in human skeletal remains can provide important contextual information on subsistence strategy, resource allocation, and human‐environmental interactions in past populations. A large and robust methodological body of work on the paleopathology of scurvy exists. However, the diagnostic criteria for this disease employed by bioarchaeologists have not always been uniform. Here we draw from previous research on the skeletal manifestations of scurvy in adult and juvenile human skeletal remains and propose a weighted diagnostic system for its identification that takes into account the pathophysiology of the disease, soft tissue anatomy, and clinical research. Using a sample of individuals from the prehistoric Atacama Desert in Northern Chile, we also provide a practical example of how diagnostic value might be assigned to skeletal lesions of the disease that have not been previously described in the literature.
Synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation of a nanorod five‐coordinated Sn(IV) complex. Theoretical studies of (CH3)2Sn(O2PPh2)2
Authors: Dorosti Niloufar , Mohammadpour Hadis 
Published: October 2018

A new five‐coordinated diorganotin(IV) complex with formula Sn(CH3)2Cl2L (L = (C6H5)2(O)P(NHC6H11)), with a rod‐shaped nanostructure, was synthesized using a sonochemical method. The nanostructure was characterized using various techniques. The bulk complex was also produced using a reflux method applied to a solution of the reagents. The ligand and bulk form were characterized using1H NMR,13C NMR,31P NMR,119Sn NMR, UV–visible and infrared spectroscopies. By direct calcination of the synthesized complex at 650°C, nanopowders were obtained with spherical‐like structure and diameters of 40–100 nm (for bulk form) and 20–60 nm (for nanometric form). Two different forms of Sn(IV) complex (C1, C2) and the corresponding ligand were evaluated regarding their anticancer activity, as well as their influence on both Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative classes of bacteria. Among the compounds, nanostructured C2was found to be the most active with IC50of 62 ± 0.03 and 92 ± 0.09 μM against A2780 and PC‐3 cell lines. Preliminary antibacterial experiments were carried out using the cup test method, in which nanocomplex C2showed better activity against all the selected bacteria than other compounds. Moreover, single crystals of C3were obtained by the interaction of (CH3)2Cl2Sn with L in ethanol–water solution, where the Sn(IV) ion is six‐coordinated with one‐dimensional polymeric chains. The intermolecular interactions which connected the chains into a two‐dimensional framework were supported by Hirshfeld surface analysis and fingerprint plots.
Evaluation of sustained ciprofloxacin release of biodegradable electrospun gelatin/poly(glycerol sebacate) mat membranes for wound dressing applications
Authors: Ayati Najafabadi Seyed Ahmad , Shirazaki Parisa , Zargar Kharazi Anoushe , Varshosaz Jaleh , Tahriri Mohammadreza , Tayebi Lobat 
Published: October 2018

AbstractIn this research, gelatin and poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS), which have demonstrated significantly developed wound healing process, were used to fabricate biodegradable and bioabsorbable membranes with controlled release of ciprofloxacin (CIP) as a powerful antibiotic. This was achieved by taking advantage of electrospinning technique to accelerate the wound healing as an extracellular matrix‐liked composite membrane. We attempted to carefully investigate the impact of variable ratio of sebacic acid and glycerol as components of PGS and identified CIP‐loaded cross‐linked membrane (CIP‐M11) as an optimum membrane, although a significant change in structural properties of samples was not observed. The physicochemical properties of drug‐loaded electrospun wound cover were evaluated by several characterization tests. Scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results confirmed that CIP‐embedded gelatin/PGS membrane was successfully synthesized and cross‐linked properly. The CIP‐M11 sample showed a constant and uniform degradation rate with the capacity of durable drug release over the time period. The excellent antibacterial activity of CIP decreased the population of both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria and prevented bacterial infections. The cytocompatibility of membranes was completely proven by culturing L929 fibroblast cells on the prepared membranes. Finally, obtained results exhibit that the membranes should be considered as the promising wound dressing.
Introduction: Thematic Papers Issue on Peripheral Nerve Regeneration and Repair
Authors: Navarro Xavier , Geuna Stefano , Grothe Claudia , Haastert‐Talini Kirsten 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACTInjuries to the peripheral nerves result in loss of motor, sensory and autonomic functions in the denervated segments of the body, thus having strong impact in the quality of life of affected patients. Neurons are able to regenerate their injured axons in the peripheral nerves; however, the endogenous repair mechanisms usually do not allow for a satisfactory functional recovery, especially after severe nerve injuries. The interest on regeneration after peripheral nerve injuries has increased in the recent years due to the numerous advances derived from studies of neurobiology, cell therapy, and tissue engineering. This Thematic Papers Issue brings together a number of papers, authored by researchers in the field, which cover a wide spectrum of topics related to regeneration and repair of peripheral nerve injuries. The Issue proposal originated from the recent 4th International Symposium on Peripheral Nerve Regeneration (ISPNR2017) which was hosted by Xavier Navarro and the European Society for the Study of Peripheral Nerve Repair and Regeneration in Barcelona, Spain. Anat Rec, 301:1614–1617, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Pim‐1 Expression in Rat Retina and its Changes after Optic Nerve Crush
Authors: Zhang Shoumei , Wang Dong , Huang Tingting , Liu Fang , Shuai Li , Xu Jiajun 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACTPim‐1 is a proto‐oncogene which has been discovered to involve in cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival. In this study, we observed the expression of Pim‐1 in neonatal and adult rat retina and the changes in rat retina following optic nerve crush (ONC) in order to explore the relationship between Pim‐1 and the survival of retinal ganglion cells (RGC). We discovered that Pim‐1 was distributed mainly in retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE) and retinal ganglion cell layer (GCL) in normal newborn rats, and it appeared in RPE, cone rod cell layer and GCL in normal adult rats by immunohistochemistry. Our double immunofluorescent staining of Pim‐1 and γ‐synuclein further confirmed that Pim‐1 was localized in 80% of RGC. Moreover, we found that the amount of Pim‐1 mRNA and protein in adult rat retina was transiently increased after ONC and then decreased 2 weeks after ONC, and the expression level was lower than that of neonatal rat retina under all conditions. We also discovered that Pim‐1 expression in GCL detected by immunohistochemistry was upregulated at Day 1 and Day 3 after ONC, but downregulated at Day 14 after ONC when the survival of RGC was decreased and the apoptotic cells in GCL were increased by hematoxylin‐eosin staining, immunohistochemistry, and TUNEL detection. We suggest that the overexpression of Pim‐1 in the RGC is related to the optic nerve repair while the low expression of Pim‐1 in RGC may be associated with apoptosis and weak intrinsic regeneration ability of RGC. Anat Rec, 301:1968–1976, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Pyrazinoates as antiparasitic agents against Trypanosoma cruzi
Authors: Vasconcelos Camilla I. , Varela Marina T. , Torrecilhas Ana C. , Fernandes João P. S. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThis work reports a repurposing study of pyrazinoic acid (1) and methyl (2), ethyl (3) and 2‐chloroethyl (4) ester derivatives with antimycobacterial activity, in assays against Trypanosoma cruzi. The compounds and benznidazole, the standard antitrypanosoma drug, were evaluated in concentrations ranging from 100 to 6.25 μg/mL. The results showed that compounds 2 and 3 (EC50 = 182 and 447 μM) significantly reduced the infection rate of the parasite into the mammalian cells at 100 μg/mL (p < 0.05) in a similar way to benznidazole. In addition, all the compounds also significantly reduced the number of intracellular parasites (compound 1 at 50 μg/mL, and compounds 2–4 at 100 μg/mL, p < 0.05) in comparison to the control. Compounds 1 and 2 were more effective than benznidazole at 50 μg/mL (p < 0.001). Moreover, compounds 1–4 did not show significant cytotoxicity against THP‐1, J774, and HeLa cells (>1000 μM), indicating that they possess considerable selectivity against the parasites. This report represents the first study of such compounds against T. cruzi, indicating the potential of pyrazinoates as antiparasitic agents.
Protic and Aprotic Ionic Liquids in Combination with Hard Carbon for Lithium‐Ion and Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Arnaiz Maria , Huang Peihua , Ajuria Jon , Rojo Teófilo , Goikolea Eider , Balducci Andrea 
Published: October 2018

AbstractIn this work we report the use of the aprotic ionic liquid 1‐butyl‐1‐methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (Pyr14TFSI) and the protic ionic liquid 1‐butylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (PyrH4TFSI) in combination with olive pits derived hard carbon electrodes in view of the realization of advanced Li‐ion and Na‐ion batteries. We show that in the case of Li‐based systems both classes of ionic liquids can be successfully utilized at room‐temperature to build high performance and stable hard carbon‐based systems. In the case of Na‐ion chemistry, Pyr14TFSI appears very promising while the use of PyrH4TFSI is not applicable due to the lack of electrochemical stability below 1 V vs. Na/Na+.
Protective effects of omega‐3 fatty acids against Alzheimer's disease in rat brain endothelial cells
Authors: Wang Lijun , Fan Hongguang , He Jingchun , Wang Lifang , Tian Zelong , Wang Chaoran 
Published: October 2018

AbstractObjectivesOmega‐3 fatty acids are well‐known unsaturated fatty acids that are essential for growth and development in animals. They primarily participate in the development of intelligence, the nervous system, and vision, and the metabolism of neurotransmitters. Omega‐3 fatty acids have been widely studied in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Omega‐3 fatty acids are known to have neuroprotective effects due to their antioxidant capacity. Rotenone has been shown to induce neurotoxicity in vitro.MethodsWe investigated the protective effects of omega‐3 fatty acids against AD in rat brain microvascular endothelial cells (RBMVECs) in vitro. Lipid peroxidation, reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione peroxidase (Gpx), reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase levels were evaluated in RBMVECs. Flow cytometry was performed to assess apoptosis.ResultsLipid peroxidation and ROS were reduced in RBMVECs following incubation with omega‐3 fatty acids. Catalase, Gpx, and SOD were increased in RBMVECs following incubation with omega‐3 fatty acids. Flow cytometry showed that incubation with omega‐3 fatty acids reduced the amount of apoptotic RBMVECs.ConclusionOur results suggest that omega‐3 fatty acids show potential as a therapeutic agent against AD.
Total saponins from the leaves of Panax notoginseng inhibit depression on mouse chronic unpredictable mild stress model by regulating circRNA expression
Authors: Zhang Hualin , Chen Ziming , Zhong Zhiyong , Gong Weifan , Li Jun 
Published: October 2018

AbstractObjectivesTotal saponins from the leaves of Panax notoginseng saponins (SLPN) could inhibit development of depression, but the underlying mechanisms remains unclear. This study aimed to address the roles of circular RNAs in depression inhibition by SLPN.MethodsThe mouse chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model was established, which were confirmed by mouse weight, forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST). Effects of SLPN on depression were evaluated in CUMS through these same assays. Circular RNA profiles in mouse ventral medial prefrontal cortex (VMPC) and hippocampus of CUMS mice were determined by high‐through sequencing, followed by confirmation via qRT‐PCR. Overexpression of mmu_circ_0001223 was done by transfection of PC12 cell through lentiviral system. Protein abundances of cAMP response element binding protein 1(CREB1) and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were evaluated by western blotting.ResultsMouse body weight, immobility time in FST and immobility time in TST of CUMS mice were significantly recovered by SLPN treatment. A large number of circular RNAs were differentially expressed in the ventral medial prefrontal cortex (VMPC) and hippocampus tissues of CUMS mice. Among them, mmu_circ_0001223 expression was greatly decreased in CUMS mice, but significantly elevated by SLPN treatment. The protein levels of CREB1 and BDNF were also remarkably promoted in CUMS mice by treatment of SLPN. Overexpression of mmu_circ_0001223 enhanced CREB1 and BDNF protein levels in PC12 cells.ConclusionSLPN regulate the expression of large number circular RNAs in CUMS mice, which might be important mediators of SLPN's anti‐depression effects.