bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Microwave‐Assisted Solvothermal One‐Pot Synthesis of RuO2 Nanoparticles: First Insights of Its Activity Towards Oxygen and Chlorine Evolution Reactions
Authors: Palma‐Goyes Ricardo E. , Vazquez‐Arenas Jorge , Romero‐Ibarra Issis C. , Ostos Carlos 
Published: December 2018

AbstractA microwave‐assisted solvothermal method is proposed as a rapid and low‐cost fabrication procedure of RuO2 nanoparticles using citric acid as stabilizing agent in ethylene glycol, and H2O2 as oxidizing agent at 180 °C. Structural and morphological characterizations of the powder are investigated using X‐Ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). XRD analysis shows that there is a synergic effect to obtain RuO2 nanoparticles when 6% v/v H2O2 is added followed by a calcination of the powder, due to reactive oxygen intermediates (1O2, HO−2, HO•2, •OH) generated in the first stage. TEM and SEM images of as‐synthesized material exhibit an uniform particle distribution (PSD) of RuO2 nanoparticles with averaged diameter of ca. 38 nm, and its indexing indicates the RuO2 stoichiometry with high degree of crystallinity. The preliminary electrocatalytic performance of RuO2 nanoparticles coated on Ti is investigated using voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), towards the oxygen (OER) and chlorine evolution reaction (CER) in 1 mol L−1 H2SO4 and 0.1 mol L−1 NaCl, respectively. Cyclic voltammograms of RuO2 display typical behaviors for OER and CER at 1.25 and 1.1 V vs Ag/AgCl, respectively. A Tafel slope of 44 mV dec−1 corrected for ohmic drop was obtained in sulfate media which confirmed the OER mechanism in the absence of chlorides; while this parameter is around 25 mV dec−1 in NaCl (CER), strongly depending on the chloride concentration and the extent of OER input. In NaCl media, the energy barriers represented by the charge transfer resistances for CER are overcome at more positive potentials than for OER, and a greater activity of the O2 evolution is observed as the potential became more positive.
Paracrine Factors Released by Osteoblasts Provide Strong Platelet Engraftment Properties
Authors: Abu-Khader Ahmad , Law Kyle W. , Jahan Suria , Manesia Javed K. , Pasha Roya , Hovey Owen , Pineault Nicolas 
Published: December 2018

Abstract
Ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic stem cell (HSCs) and progenitors may one day overcome the slow platelet engraftment kinetics associated with umbilical cord blood transplantation. Serum-free medium conditioned with osteoblasts (i.e., osteoblast-conditioned medium [OCM]) derived from mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) was previously shown to increase cell growth and raise the levels of human platelets in mice transplanted with OCM-expanded progenitors. Herein, we characterized the cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for these osteoblast-derived properties. Limiting dilution transplantation assays revealed that osteoblasts secrete soluble factors that synergize with exogenously added cytokines to promote the production of progenitors with short-term platelet engraftment activities, and to a lesser extent with long-term platelet engraftment activities. OCM also modulated the expression repertoire of cell-surface receptors implicated in the trafficking of HSC and progenitors to the bone marrow. Furthermore, OCM contains growth factors with prosurvival and proliferation activities that synergized with stem cell factor. Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-2 was found to be present at higher levels in OCM than in control medium conditioned with MSC. Inhibition of the IGF-1 receptor, which conveys IGF-2′ intracellular signaling, largely abolished the growth-promoting activity of OCM on immature CD34+ subsets and progenitors in OCM cultures. Finally, IGF-1R effects appear to be mediated in part by the coactivator β-catenin. In summary, these results provide new insights into the paracrine regulatory activities of osteoblasts on HSC, and how these can be used to modulate the engraftment properties of human HSC and progenitors expanded in culture. Stem Cells 2019;37:345–356
Cardiotoxicity and myocardial infarction‐associated DNA damage induced by thiamethoxam in vitro and in vivo: Protective role of Trigonella foenum‐graecum seed‐derived polysaccharide
Authors: Feki Amal , Ben Saad Hajer , Bkhairia Intidhar , Ktari Naourez , Naifar Manel , Boudawara Ons , Droguet Mickaël , Magné Christian , Nasri Moncef , Ben Amara Ibtissem 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThe risk of pesticides on the human health and environment has drawn increasing attention. Today, new tools are developed to reduce pesticide adverse effects. This study aimed to evaluate the toxicity induced by, thiamethoxam (TMX), and the cytoprotective effect of a novel polysaccharide, named fenugreek seed water polysaccharide (FWEP) in vitro using H9c2 cardiomyoblastes and in vivo using Wistar rat model. Animals were assigned into four groups per eight rats each: group 1 served as a control group, group 2 received TMX, group 3, and group 4 received both FWEP and TMX tested at two doses (100 and 200 mg/kg, respectively). Regarding the in vitro study, our results demonstrated that TMX induced a decrease in H9c2 cell viability up to 70% with the highest concentration. In vivo, TMX injection induced marked heart damage noted by a significant increase in plasma lactate dehydrogenase, creatine phosphokinase, troponin‐T, aspartate amino transferase activities, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. Concomitant alterations in cardiac antioxidant defense system revealed depletion in the levels of glutathione and non‐protein thiol and an increase in the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. Similarly, a significant increase in heart lipid, malondialdehyde, advanced oxidation protein product and in protein carbonyls levels was also noted. In addition, heart tissues histo‐architecture displayed major presence of apoptosis and necrosis as confirmed by DNA degradation. However, supplementation with FWEP alleviated heart oxidative damage and genotoxicity. In this manner, ABTS radical‐scavenging activity, linoleic acid oxidation tests and heart genomic and DNA nicking assay had proved FWEP strong antioxidant potential. In conclusion, FWEP provided significant protection against TMX‐induced heart injury, and could be a useful and efficient agent against cardiotoxicity and atherosclerosis.
Phytol ameliorated benzo(a)pyrene induced lung carcinogenesis in Swiss albino mice via inhibition of oxidative stress and apoptosis
Authors: Sakthivel Ravi , Sheeja Malar Dicson , Archunan Govindaraju , Pandima Devi Kasi 
Published: December 2018

AbstractIn the present study, the modulatory effect of phytol against benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P] induced lung carcinogenesis was investigated in Swiss albino mice. During the experimental period, phytol treatment showed no adverse toxic effect and mortality to the experimental animals. Lung tumor was observed in B(a)P treated group and also in animals post‐treated with low concentration (50 mg/kg) of phytol. No neoplastic changes were observed in the lung tissue of the animals treated with the maximum dose of phytol (100 mg/kg). An elevated level of antioxidant enzymes combined with macromolecular damage (lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl content) was observed upon B(a)P treatment whereas, phytol restored the level of antioxidant enzymes which were comparable to the vehicle control group. Moreover, administration of B(a)P induced apoptosis, as observed by the highest expression of Bax, caspase‐3, and caspase‐9 proteins in lung tissue of B(a)P alone treated animals. However, phytol treatment reduced the expression of Bax, caspase‐3, and caspase‐9 protein and maintained the constant expression of anti‐apoptotic protein Bcl‐2. These observations positively reveal that phytol regulates the antioxidant enzymes and thereby protects the cells against B(a)P induced carcinogenesis without showing any adverse toxic effect to the animals.
Surgical Resection for Recurrent Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Bartsch Fabian , Paschold Markus , Baumgart Janine , Hoppe‐Lotichius Maria , Heinrich Stefan , Lang Hauke 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBackgroundAlthough after R0 resection of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) recurrence is frequent, most guidelines do not address strategies for this. The aim of this study was to analyze the outcome of repeated resection and to determine criteria when repeated resection is reasonable.MethodsBetween 2008 and 2016, we consecutively collected all cases of ICC (n = 176) in a prospective database and further analyzed them with a focus on tumor recurrence, its surgical treatment, overall survival and recurrence‐free survival.ResultsOverall, a total of 22 explorations were performed for recurrent ICC in 17 patients. Resection rate was 18 repeated resections in 13 patients. Three patients underwent repeated resection twice and one patient three times. Recurrence was solitary in 7 patients and multifocal in 11 re‐resected cases. Median overall survival (OS) of patients who underwent repeated resection was 65.2 months (interquartile range 37–126.5) with a 5‐year OS rate of 62%, calculated from primary resection. Patients who underwent repeated resections had a significant better OS compared to those receiving chemotherapy, transarterial chemoembolization, selective internal radiotherapy, radiofrequency ablation or best supportive care (p < 0.001).ConclusionRepeated resection of recurrent ICC is reasonable and associated with an improved survival. Re‐exploration should be considered as long as resection is technically possible.
Motivated reasoning when assessing the effects of refugee intake
Authors: LIND THÉRÈSE , ERLANDSSON ARVID , VÄSTFJÄLL DANIEL , TINGHÖG GUSTAV 
Published: December 2018

AbstractDo differences in worldview ideology hinder people from objectively interpreting the effect of immigration? In an experiment with Swedish adults (n= 1015), we investigate whether people display motivated reasoning when interpreting numerical information about the effects of refugee intake on crime rate. Our results show clear evidence of motivated reasoning along the lines of worldview ideology (i.e., whether people identify themselves primarily as nationally oriented or globally oriented). In scenarios where refugee intake was associated with higher crime rate, nationally oriented people were 18 percentage points more likely to make the correct assessment compared to globally oriented people. Likewise, in scenarios where refugee intake was associated with lower crime rate, nationally oriented people were 20 percentage points less likely to make the correct assessment compared to globally oriented people. Individuals with higher numeric ability were less likely to engage in motivated reasoning, suggesting that motivated reasoning more commonly is driven by feelings and emotional cues rather than deliberate analytical processes.
EPISTEMIC INTERNALISM AND TESTIMONIAL JUSTIFICATION
Authors: Egeland Jonathan 
Published: December 2018

ABSTRACTAccording to epistemic internalists, facts about justification supervene upon one's internal reasons for believing certain propositions. Epistemic externalists, on the other hand, deny this. More specifically, externalists think that the supervenience base of justification isn't exhausted by one's internal reasons for believing certain propositions. In the last decade, the internalism–externalism debate has made its mark on the epistemology of testimony. The proponent of internalism about the epistemology of testimony claims that a hearer's testimonial justification for believing that p supervenes upon his internal reasons for thinking that the speaker's testimony that p is true. Recently, however, several objections have been raised against this view. In this paper, I present an argument providing intuitive support for internalism about the epistemology of testimony. Moreover, I also defend the argument against three recent objections offered by Stephen Wright in a couple of recent papers. The upshot of my discussion is that external conditions do make an epistemic difference when it comes to our testimonial beliefs, but that they cannot make any difference with respect to their justificatory status – i.e., they are justificationally irrelevant.
Long-Term Prospects of the International Wine Trade
Authors: Bargain Olivier , Cardebat Jean-Marie , Chiappini Raphael , Laffitte Corentin 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThis article discusses key comparative advantages of wine-producing nations and suggest prospective views on their evolution. Our methodology is twofold. First, we study comparative advantages in 16 countries using Porter's diamond. Then, we report results from a survey in which wine economists are asked to assess the future trade performance of these countries. Results are relatively consistent across methods regarding the future “heavy weights” like China, but also New Zealand and Chile, countries show the greatest potential to succeed in the future global wine trade. It is also expected that Georgia, the United Kingdom, and Australia play an important role, although to a lesser extent. Our findings indicate that comparative advantages in wine trade are neither uniform nor static; especially, terroir is no longer sufficient. The diamond approach contradicts experts from two countries in particular, France and Argentina, suggesting that experts put great emphasis on demand and market structures as key trade determinants for the future. (JEL Classifications: F14, Q17)
Thermal effects on IgM-milk fat globule-mediated agglutination
Authors: Hansen Steffen F. , Larsen Lotte B. , Wiking Lars 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThe process of agglutination causes firm cream layers in bovine milk, and a functioning agglutination mechanism is paramount to the quality of non-homogenized milks. The phenomenon is not well-described, but it is believed to occur due to interactions between immunoglobulins (Ig) and milk fat globules. For the first time, this paper demonstrates how the process of agglutination can be visualized using confocal laser scanning microscopy, rhodamine red and a fluoresceinisothiocynat-conjugated immunoglobulin M antibody. The method was used to illustrate the effect on agglutination of storage temperature and pasteurization temperature. Storage at 5 °C resulted in clearly visible agglutination which, however, was markedly reduced at 15 °C. Increasing storage temperature to 20 or 37 °C cancelled any detectable interaction between IgM and milk fat globules, whereby the occurrence of cold agglutination was documented. Increasing 20 s pasteurization temperatures from 69 °C to 71 °C and further to 73 °C lead to progressively higher inactivation of IgM and, hence, reduction of agglutination. Furthermore, 2-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that changes in storage temperature caused a redistribution of Ig-related proteins in milk fat globule membrane isolates. Poly-immunoglobulin G receptor was present in milk fat globule preparations stored at cold (4 °C) conditions, but absent at storage at higher temperature (25 °C). The findings provide valuable knowledge to dairy producers of non-homogenized milk in deciding the right pasteurization temperature to retain the crucial agglutination mechanism.
The dynamics of individual whey protein concentrations in cows’ mammary secretions during the colostral and early lactation periods
Authors: Raimondo Raquel F.S. , Ferrão Juliana S.P. , Miyashiro Samantha I. , Ferreira Priscila T. , Saut João Paulo E. , Birgel Daniela B. , Birgel Junior Eduardo H. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThe bovine whey consists of more than 200 different types of proteins, of which β-lactoglobulin, α-lactalbumin, serum albumin, immunoglobulins and lactoferrin predominate. However, their concentrations are not stable due to the existence of protein dynamics during a transition from colostrum secretion to mature milk. To evaluate the dynamics of whey proteins of Jersey cows during a colostral phase and first month of lactation and an influence of the number of lactations, 268 milk samples from 135 Jersey cows were selected through a clinical evaluation. Whey was obtained by rennet coagulation of the mammary secretion. The concentration of total proteins was determined by the biuret method and their fractions were identified by 12% dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (12% SDS-PAGE). Maximum concentrations of all protein fractions were observed in the first 12 h of lactation, reducing over the course of the study. Modification of the protein predominance was also observed. The transition from colostrum secretion to milk occurred between 24 and 72 h postpartum. There was an influence of the number of lactations on the dynamics of whey proteins, indicating that multiparous cows had better immunological and nutritional quality when compared to primiparous cows.
Appropriate selection indices for functional traits in dairy cattle breeding schemes
Authors: Chegini Arash , Ghavi Hossein-Zadeh Navid , Hosseini Moghaddam Seyed Hossein , Shadparvar Abdol Ahad 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThe objective of this study was to establish different single or multiple trait selection indices to calculate genetic and economic gains by combining some production, reproduction and udder health traits in a population similar to the overall practical situation in Iran, with and without imposing restrictions on genetic change for some traits. The SelAction software was used to perform the analyses based on selection index theory through a deterministic model. Results indicated that among established indices, the index that showed the highest genetic gain for milk yield did not maximize the total genetic and economic gains. Rather, the index that included all production, reproduction and udder health traits yielded the highest genetic and economic gains. When we placed restriction on the selection indices, the economic gain decreased and the amount of reduction depended on the heritability and the correlation of restricted trait(s) with other traits. Generally, regarding the economic genetic gain per generation, the indices based on records of 200 offspring were 4.819% more efficient than those that used information of 100 offspring.
Simple advecting structures and the edge of chaos in subcritical tokamak plasmas
Authors: McMillan Ben F. , Pringle Chris C. T. , Teaca Bogdan 
Published: December 2018

In tokamak plasmas, sheared flows perpendicular to the driving temperature gradients can strongly stabilise linear modes. While the system is linearly stable, regimes with persistent nonlinear turbulence may develop, i.e. the system is subcritical. A perturbation with small but finite amplitude may be sufficient to push the plasma into a regime where nonlinear effects are dominant and thus allow sustained turbulence. The minimum threshold for nonlinear instability to be triggered provides a criterion for assessing whether a tokamak is likely to stay in the quiescent (laminar) regime. At the critical amplitude, instead of transitioning to the turbulent regime or decaying to a laminar state, the trajectory will map out the edge of chaos. Surprisingly, a quasi-travelling-wave solution is found as an attractor on this edge manifold. This simple advecting solution is qualitatively similar to, but simpler than, the avalanche-like bursts seen in earlier turbulent simulations and provides an insight into how turbulence is sustained in subcritical plasma systems. For large flow shearing rate, the system is only convectively unstable, and given a localised initial perturbation, will eventually return to a laminar state at a fixed spatial location.
A meta-analysis of neuropsychological, social cognitive, and olfactory functioning in the behavioral and language variants of frontotemporal dementia
Authors: Kamath Vidyulata , Chaney Grace-Anna S. , DeRight Jonathan , Onyike Chiadi U. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBackgroundThough meta-analyses of neuropsychological and social cognitive deficits in behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) have been conducted, no study has comprehensively characterized and compared the neuropsychological, social cognitive, and olfactory profiles in the behavioral and language variants of FTD.MethodsOur search yielded 470 publications meeting inclusion criteria representing 11 782 FTD patients and 19 451 controls. For each domain, we calculated Hedges’ g effect sizes, which represent the mean difference between the patient and control group divided by the pooled standard deviation. The heterogeneity of these effects was assessed with Cochran's Q-statistic using a random-effects model. Meta-regressions were employed to analyze the influence of demographic and disease characteristics.ResultsThough semantic variant primary progressive aphasia patients showed the greatest impairment across all task types, the three groups showed similar cognitive effect sizes once contributions from the language subdomain were excluded from analysis. Contrary to expectation, the magnitude of deficits in executive functioning, social cognition and olfaction were comparable between the three subgroups. Among indices, a metric of executive errors distinguished the behavioral variant of FTD from the language phenotypes.ConclusionsThese data indicate that social cognitive and traditional executive functioning measures may not capture differences between FTD syndromes. These results have important implications for the interpretation of neuropsychological assessments, particularly when applied to the differential diagnosis of FTD. It is hoped that these findings will guide clinical and research assessments and spur new studies focused on improving the measurement of FTD syndromes.
Receipt of emotional support among rural South African adults
Authors: Jennings Elyse A. , Mkhwanazi Nolwazi , Berkman Lisa 
Published: December 2018

AbstractAs the world undergoes rapid ageing, informal support from friends and relatives is becoming especially important among older adults in middle- and low-income countries, where formalised social protections may be limited. We use new data from a cohort of adults aged 40 and older in rural South Africa to explore how receipt of emotional support differs by gender and marital status. Our findings suggest that women are more likely to get emotional support than men and have more sources of support. Moreover, women are more likely to get emotional support from relatives, whereas men are more likely to get support from friends. In regard to marital status, married people are more likely to get emotional support and have more sources of support than people who are not married. However, separated/divorced and widowed people are more likely to get emotional support from relatives and have more sources of non-spousal support than married people. These findings point towards gaps in informal systems of support, and the particular importance of considering men and unmarried (especially never-married) people when designing policies to offer social protections to older populations.