bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Can environmental, social, and governance rating agencies favor business models that promote a more sustainable development?
Authors: Muñoz‐Torres María Jesús , Fernández‐Izquierdo María Ángeles , Rivera‐Lirio Juana M. , Escrig‐Olmedo Elena 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe development of sustainable finance favors the appearance of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) rating agencies as providers of ESG information and tools for measuring the contribution of companies to sustainable development. This paper attempts to show whether assessment methods adopted by eight ESG agencies are consistent with the Integrative ESG Sustainable Value Framework proposed according to the literature and sustainable business models (SBMs) conceptualization. An exploratory research analyzes whether these methods are identifying and/or driving more SBMs that contribute to promote the creation of sustainable value, seeking to generate economic, social, and environmental value. Results indicate that ESG rating agencies identify the short‐term results in the internal organizational perspective mainly in the environmental dimension, whereas social aspects are emphasized from the external organizational perspective. However, ESG rating agencies are not driving a more SBMs that must integrate ESG criteria in a holistic way with a short‐term and long‐term perspective.
Mucinous adenocarcinoma of gallbladder: Subcategorisation on fine‐needle aspiration cytology
Authors: Vallonthaiel Archana George , Yadav Rajni , Jain Deepali , Mathur Sandeep R. , Iyer V. K. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBackgroundMucinous adenocarcinoma (MC) of gallbladder is a rare histological subtype of gallbladder carcinoma (CaGB) which presents at an advanced stage and is associated with a poor prognosis compared to the conventional CaGB. This variant has been described mostly as reports or series, except for a single detailed histological and immunohistochemical analysis. Till date, there are no studies describing the cytomorphology of MC in detail. Hence, we undertook this study to analyse the cytomorphological features of MC.MethodsA retrospective cytomorphological analysis was performed on MC identified out of all CaGB diagnosed on cytology over a period of last 4 years. The architectural and cellular features were recorded in a structured proforma.ResultsThirty‐three cases (33/987, 3.3%) were identified as MC. Extracellular mucin >90% was seen only in 3 cases whereas the remaining 30 had 50%‐90% mucin. The predominant architectural pattern was tight epithelial fragments (14/33). The tumour cells were mostly of intermediate size (31/33) and had moderate amount of cytoplasm (31/33). Majority of the cases showed moderate nuclear pleomorphism (28/33) and nuclear chromatin was fine granular (17/33) or vesicular (14/33). Most of the cases had single and small nucleoli (26/33). Presence of inflammation composed predominantly of polymorphs was noted in 25 cases. Majority of the cases showed no (15/33) or scant necrosis (13/33).ConclusionThe morphological features of MC can very well be demonstrated on cytology. As they are associated with poor prognosis compared to conventional CaGB, cytopathologists should try to document the subtype.
Recent Advances and Perspective on Design and Synthesis of Electrode Materials for Electrochemical Sensing of Heavy Metals
Authors: Hou Huijie , Zeinu Kemal M. , Gao Shun , Liu Bingchuan , Yang Jiakuan , Hu Jingping 
Published: October 2018

The increase in release of toxic heavy metals into natural water attracts much attention due to its devastating effect on ecology and human health. The design and implementation of green electrode materials is pivotal for improving the electrochemical performance of in situ heavy metal monitoring. This work reviews various novel electrode materials and hybrid materials that improve electrochemical detection. Modified green and novel electrode materials offer better performance due to their improved deposition with wide linear and enhanced response under optimized sensing parameters. In particular, recent works related to gold, carbon materials, bismuth, and metal oxide‐based electrodes are reviewed. The environmentally friendly (“green”) characteristics, as well as their versatility and flexibility, are especially emphasized. In addition, synthesis methods and novel designs of electrode integration are highlighted. Most of the substantial achievements as well as breakthroughs in recent years are surveyed, and the challenges and prospective in this field are also identified.
Performance of a light timber‐framed compartment in natural fire subjected to lateral load
Authors: Jessop Daniel , Abu Anthony , Wade Colleen , Spearpoint Michael , Gerlich Hans 
Published: October 2018

SummaryA common approach for designing buildings for lateral stability during and post‐fire in New Zealand is to ensure that a fire‐rated structure does not collapse when subjected to a nominal horizontal force. For external walls of residential buildings, which are required to resist a lateral load of 0.5 kPa, it is hypothesised that the adjacent unrated construction could provide sufficient support. A natural fire experiment has been conducted to evaluate the fire performance of a laterally loaded light timber‐framed compartment, with external dimensions of 4.33 m × 3.35 m and a stud height of 2.4 m constructed with a timber truss roof and plasterboard ceiling. During the experiment, the ceiling collapsed at 12 to 13 minutes, and the bottom chord of the roof truss failed in tension after 28 minutes which resulted in the fire‐rated wall losing its lateral stability at 28 minutes. The fire severity experienced in the compartment has been estimated to correspond to an equivalent time of 33‐minute exposure to a standard furnace time‐temperature. It is concluded that there is no need to provide nominal (additional) moment‐resisting fixity at the base of the fire‐rated wall when exposed to the standard fire for no more than 30 minutes.
Positive and negative religious coping as predictors of distress among minority older adults
Authors: O'Brien Brittany , Shrestha Srijana , Stanley Melinda A. , Pargament Kenneth I. , Cummings Jeremy , Kunik Mark E. , Fletcher Terri L. , Cortes Jose , Ramsey David , Amspoker Amber B. 
Published: October 2018

ObjectivesThe study replicated and extended previous findings by investigating relationships between positive and negative religious coping and psychological distress in minority older adults.MethodsOlder adults were evaluated during screening and baseline procedures of a psychotherapy clinical trial for late‐life worry and anxiety. Participants were age 50 years or older and recruited from low‐income and predominantly minority neighborhoods. Participants screening positive for worry (PSWQ‐A ≥ 23) with no significant cognitive impairment (Six‐Item Screener for cognitive impairment ≤2) completed a diagnostic interview and baseline assessments. Positive and negative religious coping were assessed with the positive and negative coping subscales of the Brief Religious Coping scale. Psychological distress was assessed with measures of depression, anxiety, and worry. A set of multiple linear regression models were used to evaluate the relationship between religious coping and each measure of psychological distress.ResultsNegative religious coping was associated with greater anxiety, worry, and depression. Positive and negative religious coping interacted such that positive religious coping buffered the effects of negative religious coping on anxiety and depression. Significant main effects and interactions remained after controlling for age, gender, race, years of education, and study.ConclusionsThe findings of this study are consistent with prior work showing that negative religious coping is associated with greater psychological distress. This study replicates previous findings that positive religious coping may buffer the harmful effects of negative religious coping and extends understandings of the specific psychological impacts that positive and negative religious coping may have on older, minority adults.
Interhemispheric connectivity during lateralized lexical decision
Authors: Chu Ronald K. , Meltzer Jed A. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe well‐established right visual field (RVF‐lh) advantage in word recognition is commonly attributed to the typical left hemisphere dominance in language; words presented to the LVF‐rh are processed less efficiently due to the need for transcallosal transfer from the right to left hemisphere. The exact stage for this hemispheric transfer is currently unsettled. Some studies suggest that transfer occurs at very early stages between primary visual regions, whereas other studies suggest that transfer occurs between the left visual word form area and its right hemisphere homolog. This study explores these conflicting accounts and finds evidence for both. Participants conducted a lateralized lexical decision task with both unilateral and bilateral display conditions. Connectivity analyses were conducted from magnetoencephalography signals that were localized to the left middle occipital gyrus (LMOG), right middle occipital gyrus (RMOG), left visual word form area (LVWFA), and right visual word form area (RVWA). Results from unilateral trials showed asymmetrical interhemispheric connectivity from the RMOG to LMOG and symmetrical interhemispheric connectivity between the LVWFA and RVWFA. Furthermore, bilateral presentations led to reduced interhemispheric connectivity between both homologous region of interest pairs. Together, these results suggest that lateralized word recognition involves multiple stages of interhemispheric interactions and that these interactions are reduced with bilateral displays.
The changing dynamics of rill erosion on sloping farmland during the different growth stages of a maize crop
Authors: Luo Jian , Zheng Zicheng , Li Tingxuan , He Shuqin 
Published: October 2018

AbstractRill erosion is a serious concern in the hilly region of China with purple soil, and maize is extensively cultivated in this region. Evaluations of the dynamic mechanisms of rill erosion in sloping farmland areas are particularly important during the maize growing season to determine whether rill erosion can occur. A new ridge tillage (RT) system was designed using local agricultural methods in China. Twelve artificial rainfall experiments were conducted in three 1 × 2 m experimental plots with a slope of 15°, which is a typical slope in the study area. The rainfall intensities were designated as 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mm min−1. The rainfall experiments were performed in the field to determine the characteristics of run‐off and sediment transport related to rill erosion processes during different stages of maize growth and to analyse how hydraulic parameters and the sediment yield of the rill erosion process are related. The results showed that rill flow patterns were mainly classified as subcritical transition flow during all the growth stages of maize. The effects of hydrodynamic parameters on the sediment yield were ordered as follows: Reynolds number > stream power > Froude number > shear stress. The total sediment yield varied by stage as follows: seedling stage > jointing stage > mature stage > tasseling stage. The sediment yield and run‐off rate exhibited a linear relationship that was well described at the hillslope scale. To initiate soil loss in sloping farmland areas with purple soil during the maize growing season, the critical hydrodynamic shear stress and stream power must be at least 46.505 Pa and 1.541 N m−1 s−1, respectively.
Implementing and expanding safe abortion care: An international comparative case study of six countries
Authors: Chavkin Wendy , Stifani Bianca M. , Bridgman‐Packer David , Greenberg Jamie M.S. , Favier Mary 
Published: October 2018

AbstractWe conducted a comparative case study‐based investigation of health sector strategies that were useful in expanding or establishing new abortion services. We selected geographically diverse countries from across the human development index if they had implemented new abortion laws, or changed interpretations of existing laws or policies, within the past 15 years (Colombia, Ethiopia, Ghana, Portugal, South Africa, and Uruguay). Factors facilitating the expansion of services include use of a public health frame, situating abortion as one component of a comprehensive reproductive health package, and including country‐based health and women's rights organizations, medical and other professional societies, and international agencies and nongovernment organizations in the design and rollout of services. Task sharing and the use of techniques that do not require much infrastructure, such as manual vacuum aspiration and medical abortion, are important for rapid establishment of services, especially in low‐resource settings. Political will emerged as the key factor in establishing or expanding access to safe abortion services.
Searching for tryptase in the RBL‐2H3 mast cell model: Preparation for comparative mast cell toxicology studies with zebrafish
Authors: Shim Juyoung K. , Kennedy Rachel H. , Weatherly Lisa M. , Abovian Andrew V. , Hashmi Hina N. , Rajaei Atefeh , Gosse Julie A. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractMast cells comprise a physiologically and toxicologically important cell type that is ubiquitous among species and tissues. Mast cells undergo degranulation, in which characteristic intracellular granules fuse with the plasma membrane and release many bioactive substances, such as enzymes β‐hexosaminidase and tryptase. Activity of mast cells in the toxicology model organism, zebrafish, has been monitored via tryptase release and cleavage of substrate N‐α‐benzoyl‐dl‐Arg‐p‐nitroanilide (BAPNA). An extensively used in vitro mast cell model for studying toxicant mechanisms is the RBL‐2H3 cell line. However, instead of tryptase, granule contents such as β‐hexosaminidase have usually been employed as RBL‐2H3 degranulation markers. To align RBL‐2H3 cell toxicological studies to in vivo mast cell studies using zebrafish, we aimed to develop an RBL‐2H3 tryptase assay. Unexpectedly, we discovered that tryptase release from RBL‐2H3 cells is not detectable, using BAPNA substrate, despite optimized assay that can detect as little as 1 ng tryptase. Additional studies performed with another substrate, tosyl‐Gly‐Pro‐Lys‐pNA, and with an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, revealed a lack of tryptase protein released from stimulated RBL‐2H3 cells. Furthermore, none of the eight rat tryptase genes (Tpsb2, Tpsab1, Tpsg1, Prss34, Gzmk, Gzma, Prss29, Prss41) is expressed in RBL‐2H3 cells, even though all are found in RBL‐2H3 genomic DNA and even though β‐hexosaminidase mRNA is constitutively expressed. Therefore, mast cell researchers should utilize β‐hexosaminidase or another reliable marker for RBL‐2H3 degranulation studies, not tryptase. Comparative toxicity testing in RBL‐2H3 cells in vitro and in zebrafish mast cells in vivo will require use of a degranulation reporter different from tryptase.
Chronic cadmium exposure induced hepatic cellular stress and inflammation in aged female mice
Authors: Zhang Jun , Wang Yan , Fu Lin , Wang Bo , Ji Yan‐Li , Wang Hua , Xu De‐Xiang 
Published: October 2018

AbstractPrevious studies have revealed that acute cadmium (Cd) exposure led to inflammation in different organs through an oxidative stress mechanism. However, whether chronic Cd exposure induces inflammation in liver and the mechanistic link between inflammation and cell stress remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the effects of chronic Cd exposure on hepatic cellular stress and inflammatory responses. Female CD1 mice were administrated with CdCl2 (10 and 100 mg/L) in drinking water for 57 weeks. Our results showed that the mRNA levels of Inos and the protein content of HO‐1, markers of oxidative stress, were markedly increased in Cd‐treated mice. In addition, the protein level of GRP78, the chaperone of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, was significantly increased in Cd‐treated mice. The expression of the proteins CHOP and peIF2α, two proteins downstream of ER stress, was also upregulated in the Cd‐100 mg/L and Cd‐10 mg/L group, respectively. Moreover, there were increased inflammatory cells existing in liver after Cd administration. Besides, there was a significant elevation in the mRNA level of Mip‐2, Il‐10 and Il‐12 in the Cd‐100 mg/L group. The mRNA level of Tgf‐β was also upregulated in Cd‐treated mice. Moreover, we also found that the number of Ki67‐positive hepatic cells was increased in the Cd‐10 mg/L group. Hence, our results indicated that chronic Cd exposure induced oxidative stress, ER stress, inflammatory responses and proliferation in the liver of aged female mice.
Fabrication, microstructure, and properties of a biodegradable Mg‐Zn‐Ca clip
Authors: Bai Hao , He Xianghui , Ding Pengfei , liu Debao , Chen Minfang 
Published: October 2018

AbstractAn Mg‐Zn‐Ca alloy biodegradable clip was fabricated by combining hot extrusion and blanking processing. Microstructure evolution was investigated by optical microscopy and electron backscattering diffraction and the occlusion properties of Mg‐Zn‐Ca alloy clip were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. It was found that the as‐extruded Mg‐Zn‐Ca alloy exhibited a typical fiber microstructure. After blanking, the basal texture intensity increased because of the work hardening effect. Subsequent annealing treatment of the blanking clip can significantly weaken the texture while improving the ductility of the Mg‐Zn‐Ca alloy. It was found that Mg‐Zn‐Ca clips can maintain closure performance for 2 weeks in in vitro immersion tests while in vivo tests indicated that the Mg‐3Zn‐0.2Ca alloy clips fabricated by this preparation processing successfully occluded the blood vessels. These results suggest that the developed Mg‐3Zn‐0.2Ca alloy clip is a suitable candidate for biodegradable soft tissue fixation devices such as surgical clips. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 1741–1749, 2019.
Systematic review and meta‐analysis on non‐opioid analgesics in palliative medicine
Authors: Schüchen Robert H. , Mücke Martin , Marinova Milka , Kravchenko Dmitrij , Häuser Winfried , Radbruch Lukas , Conrad Rupert 
Published: October 2018

AbstractNon‐opioid analgesics are widely used for pain relief in palliative medicine. However, there is a lack of evidence‐based recommendations addressing the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of non‐opioids in this field. A comprehensive systematic review and meta‐analysis on current evidence can provide a basis for sound recommendations in clinical practice. A database search for controlled trials on the use of non‐opioids in adult palliative patients was performed in Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and EMBASE from inception to 18 February 2018. Endpoints were pain intensity, opioid‐sparing effects, safety, and quality of life. Studies with similar patients, interventions, and outcomes were included in the meta‐analyses. Our systematic search was able to only identify studies dealing with cancer pain. Of 5991 retrieved studies, 43 could be included (n = 2925 patients). There was no convincing evidence for satisfactory pain relief by acetaminophen alone or in combination with strong opioids. We found substantial evidence of moderate quality for a satisfactory pain relief in cancer by non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), flupirtine, and dipyrone compared with placebo or other analgesics. There was no evidence for a superiority of one specific non‐opioid. There was moderate quality of evidence for a similar pain reduction by NSAIDs in the usual dosage range compared with up to 15 mg of morphine or opioids of equianalgesic potency. The combination of NSAID and step III opioids showed a beneficial effect, without a decreased tolerability. There is scarce evidence concerning the combination of NSAIDs with weak opioids. There are no randomized‐controlled studies on the use of non‐opioids in a wide range of end‐stage diseases except for cancer. Non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, flupirtine, and dipyrone can be recommended for the treatment of cancer pain either alone or in combination with strong opioids. The use of acetaminophen in the palliative setting cannot be recommended. Studies are not available for long‐term use. There is a lack of evidence regarding pain treatment by non‐opioids in specific cancer entities.
Heparan sulfate as a regulator of inflammation and immunity
Authors: Collins Laura E , Troeberg Linda 
Published: October 2018

Abstract
Heparan sulfate is found on the surface of most cell types, as well as in basement membranes and extracellular matrices. Its strong anionic properties and highly variable structure enable this glycosaminoglycan to provide binding sites for numerous protein ligands, including many soluble mediators of the immune system, and may promote or inhibit their activity. The formation of ligand binding sites on heparan sulfate (HS) occurs in a tissue- and context-specific fashion through the action of several families of enzymes, most of which have multiple isoforms with subtly different specificities. Changes in the expression levels of these biosynthetic enzymes occur in response to inflammatory stimuli, resulting in structurally different HS and acquisition or loss of binding sites for immune mediators. In this review, we discuss the multiple roles for HS in regulating immune responses, and the evidence for inflammation-associated changes to HS structure.
Review of the established and emerging roles of heparan sulfate as an immune regulator through binding inflammatory ligands in the microenvironment and on cell surfaces.
Arsenic phytotoxicity and accumulation in rice seedlings grown in arsenic‐contaminated soils as influenced by the characteristics of organic matter amendments and soils
Authors: Syu Chien-Hui , Wu Pei-Rung , Lee Chia-Hsing , Juang Kai-Wei , Lee Dar-Yuan 
Published: October 2018

AbstractOrganic matter (OM) application into soils is a common agricultural practice. Previous studies have shown that in arsenic (As)‐contaminated paddy soils, OM has the potential to alter the behavior of As and affects the growth and As accumulation of rice plants. In this study, pot experiments were conducted to investigate the differences in the amounts of As released into soil solutions, its toxicity, and accumulation in rice seedlings caused by application of three different OM amendments [soybean meal (SB), sugarcane dreg compost (SC), and cattle‐dung compost (CD)]. These OM amendments were each applied to three As‐contaminated soils, Guandu (Gd), Pinchen (Pc), and Chengchung (Cf), which have different characteristics. The results indicate that after addition of two easily decomposable OMs (SB and SC), the As toxicity and concentrations increased in rice plants, especially in As‐spiked Cf soils which had low As retention capacity. This was the result of elevated As concentration in soil solutions due to a decrease in soil redox potential and competition between dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and As for sorption sites, as well as the formation of As–DOC complexes. However, there were no significant effects on plant growth and As accumulation in rice seedlings after treatments with CD (not easily decomposable OM). Another important finding was that the amount of iron plaque on the surface of rice roots increased with OM amendments in the Gd soils rich in iron oxides and hydroxides, thus reducing the As uptake by rice plants. These results suggest that the characteristics of OM and soils should be considered when OM amendments are applied to As‐contaminated soils.