bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nickel toxicity in wood frog tadpoles: Bioaccumulation and sublethal effects on body condition, food consumption, activity, and chemosensory function
Authors: Klemish Jaimie L. , Bogart Sarah J. , Luek Andreas , Lannoo Michael J. , Pyle Greg G. 
Published: June 2018

Abstract

Nickel (Ni) concentrations in aquatic ecosystems can be amplified by anthropogenic activities including resource extraction. Compared with fish and invertebrates, knowledge of Ni toxicity in amphibians is limited, especially for northern species. We examined the effect of Ni on wood frog (Lithobates sylvaticus) tadpoles, the species with the widest and most northern distribution of any anuran in North America. Wood frog tadpoles were exposed to a Ni concentration gradient (0.02–5.5 mg/L of Ni at 164 mg/L as CaCO3 water hardness) for 8 d and examined for lethality, Ni bioaccumulation, and several sublethal endpoints including body condition, food consumption, activity, and chemosensory function. Nickel induced a sublethal effect on body condition (8-d 10 and 20% effect concentrations [EC10 and EC20] of 1.07 ± 0.38 and 2.44 ± 0.51 mg/L of Ni ± standard error [SE], respectively) but not on food consumption, activity, or chemosensory function. Nickel accumulation in tadpole tissues was positively related to an increase in aqueous Ni concentration but was not lethal. Both the acute and chronic US Environmental Protection Agency water quality guideline concentrations for Ni (0.71 and 0.08 mg/L at 164 mg/L as CaCO3 water hardness, respectively) were protective against lethal and sublethal effects in wood frog tadpoles. In the present study, wood frog tadpoles were protected by current water quality guidelines for Ni and are likely not as useful as other taxa for environmental effects monitoring for this particular metal. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:2458–2466. © 2018 SETAC
Abstract
The body condition of wood frog tadpoles decreases with an increase in the accumulation of nickel (Ni) in the whole body.
Development of cardiovascular and neurodevelopmental metrics as sublethal endpoints for the Fish embryo toxicity test
Authors: Krzykwa Julie C. , Olivas Alexis , Sellin Jeffries Marlo K. 
Published: June 2018

Abstract

The fathead minnow fish embryo toxicity (FET) test has been proposed as a more humane alternative to current toxicity testing methods as younger organisms are thought to experience less distress during toxicant exposure. However, the FET test protocol does not include endpoints that allow for the prediction of sublethal adverse outcomes, limiting its utility relative to other test types. Researchers have proposed the development of sublethal endpoints for the FET test to increase its utility. The present study 1) developed methods for previously unmeasured sublethal metrics in fathead minnows (i.e., spontaneous contraction frequency and heart rate) and 2) investigated the responsiveness of several sublethal endpoints related to growth (wet wt, length, and growth-related gene expression), neurodevelopment (spontaneous contraction frequency, eye size, and neurodevelopmental gene expression), and cardiovascular function and development (pericardial area, heart rate, and cardiovascular system–related gene expression) as additional FET test metrics using the model toxicant 3,4-dichloroaniline. Of the growth, neurological, and cardiovascular endpoints measured, length, eye size, and pericardial area were found to be more responsive than the other endpoints evaluated. Future studies linking alterations in these endpoints to longer-term adverse impacts are needed to fully evaluate the predictive power of these metrics in chemical and whole-effluent toxicity testing. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:2530–2541. © 2018 SETAC
Fabrication of peppermint essential oil nanoemulsions by spontaneous method: Effect of preparing conditions on droplet size
Authors: Barzegar Hassan , Mehrnia Mohammad Amin , Nasehi Behzad , Alipour Mohammad 
Published: June 2018

AbstractPeppermint essential oil is used in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. The fabrication of peppermint nanoemulsion can increase its efficiency at lower concentrations. Spontaneous emulsification is a low‐energy method based on the characteristics of the surfactant. Factors affecting the interfacial properties of organic and aqueous phases at the time of mixing can influence the formation and droplet size of emulsions. In this study, nonionic surfactants of Tween 20, Tween 40, and Tween 80 were used to prepare peppermint microemulsions. After selecting an appropriate surfactant, the effect of stirring speed, organic phase temperature, storage for 90 days, and different surfactant‐to‐oil ratios were evaluated to investigate the emulsifying ability of the surfactant under different conditions and concentrations. The results showed that the best microemulsion was formed using Tween 80 with a droplet size of around 50 nm. Varying the surfactant‐to‐oil ratio from 50 to 225%, we found that a nanoemulsion was formed at all concentrations. Moreover, we found that the speed of mixing of organic and aqueous phases and the temperature of the organic phase affects the droplet size. At higher surfactant‐to‐oil ratios, storing the microemulsion for 90 days decreased its droplet size and increased transparency.
Forecasts for leverage heterogeneous autoregressive models with jumps and other covariates
Authors: Choi Ji‐Eun , Shin Dong Wan 
Published: June 2018

AbstractFor leverage heterogeneous autoregressive (LHAR) models with jumps and other covariates, called LHARX models, multistep forecasts are derived. Some optimal properties of forecasts in terms of conditional volatilities are discussed, which tells us to model conditional volatility for return but not for the LHARX regression error and other covariates. Forecast standard errors are constructed for which we need to model conditional volatilities both for return and for LHAR regression error and other blue covariates. The proposed methods are well illustrated by forecast analysis for the realized volatilities of the US stock price indexes: the S&P 500, the NASDAQ, the DJIA, and the RUSSELL indexes.
Novel Concept for Evaporative Cooling of Fuel Cells: an Experimental Study Based on Neutron Imaging
Authors: Cochet M. , Forner‐Cuenca A. , Manzi V. , Siegwart M. , Scheuble D. , Boillat P. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractPolymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFC), although a promising technology for carbon free production of electricity, are penalized by system complexity, partly due to cooling and humidifying systems. These systems are necessary to avoid the heating up and drying of the membrane, which stop the electrochemical reaction. Here, we present an evaporative cooling concept for PEFC developed at Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI). Unlike other concepts, our approach does not require any additional layer in the cell structure. Water flows through dedicated anode flowfield channels, parallel to the gas channels, and is distributed over the cell area thanks to a modified gas diffusion layer (GDL). A synthesis method developed at Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI) transforms some portions of the GDL into hydrophilic patterns, which wick the water from the supply channels at low capillary pressure. These hydrophilic areas, parallel and equally spaced, define pathways for liquid water separated from the gases, which avoids flooding. A test cell was built to investigate both water transport with the help of neutron radiography and heat transport thanks to integrated heat flux sensors. Here, we will present how the evaporation can be controlled by the mass flow rates, temperatures, pressures of gases, and the geometry of the hydrophilic lines.
Effects of offshore oil exploration and development in the Alaskan Beaufort Sea: A three-decade record for sediment metals
Authors: Trefry John H , Neff Jerry M 
Published: June 2018

Abstract

Impacts from oil exploration, development, and production in the Beaufort Sea, Alaska, USA are assessed using concentrations of metals in sediments collected during 2014 to 2015, combined with a large data set for 1985 to 2006. Concentrations of 7 (1980s) or 17 (1999–2015) metals in 423 surface sediments from 134 stations, plus 563 samples from 30 cores were highly variable, primarily as a function of sediment granulometry with naturally greater metals concentrations in fine-grained, Al-rich sediment. Metals versus Al correlation plots were used to normalize metals concentrations and identify values significantly above background. Barium, Cr, Cu, Hg, and Pb concentrations were above background, but variable, within 250 m of some offshore sites where drilling occurred between 1981 and 2001; these areas totaled &lt;6 km2 of 11 000 km2 in the total lease area. Random and fixed sampling along the coastal Beaufort Sea from 1985 to 2015 yielded 40 positive anomalies for metals in surface sediments (∼0.8% of 5082 data points). About 85% of the anomalies were from developed areas. Half the anomalies were for the 5 metals found enhanced near drilling sites. No metals concentrations, except As, exceeded accepted sediment quality criteria. Interannual shifts in metals values for surface sediments at inner shelf sites were common and linked to storm-induced transitions in granulometry; however, metal-to-Al ratios were uniform during these shifts. Sediment cores generally recorded centuries of background values, except for As, Fe, and Mn. These 3 metals were naturally enriched in sediments from deeper water (&gt;100 m) via diagenetic remobilization at sediment depths of 5 to 15 cm, upward diffusion, and precipitation in surface oxic layers. Minimal evidence for anthropogenic inputs of metals, except near some exploratory drilling sites, is consistent with extraction of most oil from land or barrier islands in the Alaskan Arctic and restricted offshore activity to date. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2019;15:209–223. © 2018 SETAC
Qualitative Approach to Comparative Exposure in Alternatives Assessment
Authors: Greggs William , Burns Thomas , Egeghy Peter , Embry Michelle R , Fantke Peter , Gaborek Bonnie , Heine Lauren , Jolliet Olivier , Lee Carolyn , Muir Derek , Plotzke Kathy , Rinkevich Joseph , Sunger Neha , Tanir Jennifer Y , Whittaker Margaret 
Published: June 2018

Abstract

Most alternatives assessments (AAs) published to date are largely hazard-based rankings, thereby ignoring potential differences in human and/or ecosystem exposures; as such, they may not represent a fully informed consideration of the advantages and disadvantages of possible alternatives. Building on the 2014 US National Academy of Sciences recommendations to improve AA decisions by including comparative exposure assessment into AAs, the Health and Environmental Sciences Institute's (HESI) Sustainable Chemical Alternatives Technical Committee, which comprises scientists from academia, industry, government, and nonprofit organizations, developed a qualitative comparative exposure approach. Conducting such a comparison can screen for alternatives that are expected to have a higher or different routes of human or environmental exposure potential, which together with consideration of the hazard assessment, could trigger a higher tiered, more quantitative exposure assessment on the alternatives being considered, minimizing the likelihood of regrettable substitution. This article outlines an approach for including chemical ingredient- and product-related exposure information in a qualitative comparison, including ingredient and product-related parameters. A classification approach was developed for ingredient and product parameters to support comparisons between alternatives as well as a methodology to address exposure parameter relevance and data quality. The ingredient parameters include a range of physicochemical properties that can impact routes and magnitude of exposure, whereas the product parameters include aspects such as product-specific exposure pathways, use information, accessibility, and disposal. Two case studies are used to demonstrate the application of the methodology. Key learnings and future research needs are summarized. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2018;00:000–000. © 2018 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC)
National natural rates of interest and the single monetary policy in the euro area
Authors: Fries Sébastien , Mésonnier Jean‐Stéphane , Mouabbi Sarah , Renne Jean‐Paul 
Published: June 2018

SummaryWe estimate time‐varying national natural real rates of interest (r∗) for the four largest economies of the euro area over 1999–2016. We further derive the associated national real interest rate gaps, which gauge the perceived monetary policy stance in each country. We find that the average r∗ have been lower after 2008. Furthermore, national r∗ were significantly negative in southern countries during the sovereign crisis. As their effective real rates soared, national rate gaps across the euro area diverged. However, a common policy stance has been restored since 2014 as the European Central Bank's unconventional programs gathered pace.
Examining the effectiveness of an intensive, 2‐week treatment program for military personnel and veterans with PTSD: Results of a pilot, open‐label, prospective cohort trial
Authors: Bryan Craig J. , Leifker Feea R. , Rozek David C. , Bryan AnnaBelle O. , Reynolds Mira L. , Oakey D. Nicolas , Roberge Erika 
Published: June 2018

AbstractObjectiveThis study aimed to examine the effectiveness of cognitive processing therapy (CPT) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) when administered on a daily basis during a 2‐week period of time.MethodIn an open‐label, prospective cohort pilot trial, 20 U.S. military personnel and veterans diagnosed with PTSD or subthreshold PTSD participated in 12 daily sessions of CPT. Primary outcomes included Clinician Administered PTSD Scale for DSM‐5 and PTSD Checklist for DSM‐5 scores. Secondary outcomes included Patient Health Questionnaire‐8 and Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSSI) scores. Interviews and self‐report scales were completed at pretreatment, posttreatment, and 6 months after the treatment.ResultsRelative to baseline, PTSD symptom severity and rates of PTSD diagnosis were significantly reduced at posttreatment and 6‐month follow‐up. Depression symptom severity did not significantly improve, but suicide ideation significantly decreased at 6‐month follow‐up.ConclusionsDaily administration of CPT is associated with significant reductions in PTSD and suicide ideation.
The association between program credibility, expectancy, and acceptability with baseline pathology and outcome for a body acceptance prevention program
Authors: Stinson Emma J. , Perez Marisol , Ohrt Tara K. , Von Schell Anna , Bruening Amanda B. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractObjectiveThe current study sought to investigate whether credibility, expectancy, and acceptability of the Body Project is impacted by level of disordered eating pathology and whether perceived credibility, expectancy, and acceptability impacts treatment outcomes.MethodsThe sample included 170 undergraduate women from a large public university. Participants completed self‐report questionnaires on perceived credibility, expectancy, treatment acceptability, and disordered eating measures. A random subset of 51 participants provided 3‐month follow‐up measurements.ResultsAnalyses revealed that post‐prevention credibility, expectancy, and treatment acceptability scores were negatively associated with baseline thin‐ideal internalization, baseline weight, and shape concerns, and positively associated with baseline body satisfaction and the baseline restraint subscale of the EDEQ. Perceived credibility, expectancy, and treatment acceptability were not associated with session attendance or 3‐month follow‐up disordered eating scores.DiscussionThe Body Project is effective at reducing disordered eating regardless of whether participants liked the program or not.
Electrochemical impedence spectroscopy enabled CA125 detection; toward early ovarian cancer diagnosis using graphene biosensors
Authors: Gazze Andrea , Ademefun Richard , Conlan Robert Steven , Teixeira Sofia Rodrigues 
Published: June 2018

AbstractWith current diagnostic methods detection of stage 1 or 2 ovarian cancer using CA125 is possible in only 75% of cases. The ability to detect CA125 at lower concentrations could significantly improve such early stage diagnosis. Here, the use of screen‐printed graphene biosensors as a label‐free detection platform for CA125 was evaluated. The sensor was fabricated through deposition of a polyaniline layer via electropolymerisation on to a graphene screen‐printed electrode. The sensor surface was functionalised with anti‐CA125 antibody via covalent cross linking to polyaniline. The fabrication process was characterised through cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The limit of detection achieved was 0.923 ng/μL across a dynamic range of 0.92 pg/μL–15.20 ng/μL and represents the most sensitive CA125 detection reported to date. With sensitivity limits at this level, it will now be possible to conduct clinical trials using serum samples collected from early stage ovarian cancer patients and at risk individuals.
Investigating gender and ethnicity differences in proximal humeral morphology using a statistical shape model
Authors: Sintini Irene , Burton William S. , Sade Paul , Chavarria Jason M. , Laz Peter J. 
Published: June 2018

ABSTRACTMorphological variability in the shoulder influences the joint biomechanics and is an important consideration in arthroplasty and implant design. The objectives of this study were to quantify cortical and cancellous proximal humeral morphology and to assess whether shape variation was influenced by gender and ethnicity, with the overarching goal of informing implant design and treatment. A statistical shape model of the proximal humeral cortical and cancellous regions was developed for a training set of 84 subjects of both genders and different ethnicities. Cortical and cancellous bone geometries were reconstructed from CT scans, meshed with triangular elements, and registered to a template. Principal component analysis was applied to quantify modes of variation. Anatomical measurements were computed on the registered geometries to assess correlation with modes of variation. Parallel analysis identified six significant modes of variation, which accounted for 93% of variation in the training set and described scaling (Mode 1), inclination of the head (Modes 2 and 5), and shape of the greater tuberosity and neck region (Modes 3, 4, and 6). Size differences as described by Mode 1 were statistically significant for gender and ethnicity, where female and Asian subjects were smaller than male and Caucasian subjects, respectively; however, differences in other modes were not significant. Cortical thickness of the shaft after normalization by outer diameter was significantly larger for Asian subjects compared to Caucasian subjects. The statistical shape model quantified cortical and cancellous humeral morphology considering gender and ethnicity, providing descriptive data to support surgical planning, and implant design. © 2018 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:3043–3052, 2018.
Laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy for gastric neoplasms
Authors: Kukar Moshim , Gabriel Emmanuel , Ben‐David Kfir , Hochwald Steven N. 
Published: June 2018

BackgroundFor cancers of the distal gastroesophageal junction or the proximal stomach, proximal gastrectomy can be performed. It is associated with several perioperative benefits compared with total gastrectomy. The use of laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy (LPG) has become an increasingly popular approach for select tumors.MethodsWe describe our method of LPG, including the preoperative work‐up, illustrated depictions of the key steps of the surgery, and our postoperative pathway.ResultsA total of 6 patients underwent LPG between July, 2013 to June, 2017. Five patients had early‐stage adenocarcinoma, and 1 patient had a gastrointestinal stromal tumor. The median age of the cohort was 70, and each patient had significant comorbidities. Conversion to open was required for 1 patient. All patients had negative final margins and an adequate lymph node dissection (median number of nodes examined was 15, range 12‐22). The median postoperative length of stay was 7 days (range 4‐7). Two patients developed anastomotic strictures requiring intervention, and 1 patient experienced significant reflux. At a median follow‐up of 11 months, there was 1 recurrence. Three patients were alive without evidence of disease, and 2 patients died from other causes.ConclusionsFor carefully selected patients, LPG is a safe and reasonable alternative to total gastrectomy, which is associated with similar oncologic outcomes and low morbidity.
The importance of indocyanine green near‐infrared fluorescence angiography in perfusion assessment in vascularized omentum lymphatic transplant
Authors: Coriddi Michelle , Kenworthy Elizabeth , Weinstein Andrew , Mehrara Babak J. , Dayan Joseph H. 
Published: June 2018

Background and ObjectiveVascularized omentum lymphatic transplant (VOLT) for treatment of lymphedema has become popular because of no risk of iatrogenic lymphedema and abundant lymphatic tissue. However, perfusion to the omentum can be difficult to assess clinically. The purpose of this study was to clarify the incidence and degree of ischemia in the omentum.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted to review indocyanine green perfusion findings on patients undergoing VOLT. Patients were placed into 4 categories based on the percentage surface area of omentum that was ischemic: normal, less than 25%, between 25% and 50%, and greater than 50% ischemic. Spearman correlation was performed to determine whether an association exists between prior abdominal surgery and the presence of ischemia.ResultsTwenty‐six patients underwent VOLT for treatment of extremity lymphedema. Twelve (46.2%) patients had normal perfusion, 8 patients (30.8%) had less than 25% ischemia, and 6 patients (23.1%) had 25% to 50% ischemia. Prior abdominal surgery was not significantly associated with the presence of ischemia.ConclusionsNormal flap perfusion is a requisite for successful VOLT harvest. However, over half the patients had some degree of abnormal perfusion irrespective of prior abdominal surgery. Indocyanine green angiography is an important tool in ensuring a healthy lymphatic reconstruction.
Spin Momentum–Locked Surface States in Metamaterials without Topological Transition
Authors: Peng Liang , Chen Yuntian , Yang Yihao , Wang Zhiyu , Yu Faxin , Wang Gaofeng , Shen Nian‐Hai , Zhang Baile , Soukoulis Costas M. , Chen Hongsheng 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe photonic analogy of the quantum spin Hall Effect, that is, a photonic topological insulator (PTI), is of great relevance to science and technology in optics based on the promise of scattering‐free surface states. The challenges in realizing such scattering‐free surface states in PTIs and other types of symmetry‐protected topological phases are the result of the exact symmetry needed for creating a pair of time reversal pseudo‐spin states or special boundary conditions, wherein the exact symmetry imposes strict requirements on materials or boundary conditions. Here, it is experimentally demonstrated that scattering‐free edge states can be created with neither the aforementioned exact symmetry requirements for materials nor the topological transitions. This system is constructed by simply placing together regular homogeneous metamaterials, which are characterized by highly different bianisotropies. Of the particular surface states, backward reflection would be deeply suppressed, provided that the related evanescent tail into the bulk regions vanishes shortly and that the pseudo‐spin is not flipped by the scatterers. This work gives an example of constructing scattering‐free surface states in classical systems without strict symmetry protections and may potentially stimulate various novel applications in the future.