bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using Caesalpinia ferrea (Tul.) Martius extract: physicochemical characterization, antifungal activity and cytotoxicity
Authors: Soares Mônica R. P. S. , Corrêa Rafael O. , Stroppa Pedro Henrique F. , Marques Flávia C. , Andrade Gustavo F. S. , Corrêa Charlane C. , Brandão Marcos Antônio F. , Raposo Nádia R. B. 
Published: March 2018

Background
Green synthesis is an ecological technique for the production of well characterized metallic nanoparticles using plants. This study investigated the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using a Caesalpinia ferrea seed extract as a reducing agent.

Methods
The formation of AgNPs was identified by instrumental analysis, including ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) of the AgNPs, and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of rhodamine-6G (R6G). We studied the physicochemical characterization of AgNPs, evaluated them as an antifungal agent against Candida albicans, Candida kruzei, Candida glabrata and Candida guilliermondii, and estimated their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) values. Lastly, this study evaluated the cytotoxicity of the AgNPs in murine L929 fibroblasts cells using an MTT assay.

Results
The UV–Vis spectroscopy, SERS, SEM and XRD results confirmed the rapid formation of spheroidal 30–50 nm AgNPs. The MIC and MFC values indicated the antifungal potential of AgNPs against most of the fungi studied and high cell viability in murine L929 fibroblasts. In addition, this study demonstrated that C. ferrea seed extracts may be used for the green synthesis of AgNPs at room temperature for the treatment of candidiasis.
Half-lives of PAHs and temporal microbiota changes in commonly used urban landscaping materials
Authors: Roslund Marja I. , Grönroos Mira , Rantalainen Anna-Lea , Jumpponen Ari , Romantschuk Martin , Parajuli Anirudra , Hyöty Heikki , Laitinen Olli , Sinkkonen Aki 
Published: March 2018

Background
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) accumulate in urban soils, and PAH contamination can change soil microbial community composition. Environmental microbiota is associated with human commensal microbiota, immune system and health. Therefore, studies investigating the degradation of PAHs, and the consequences of soil pollution on microbial communities in urban landscaping materials, are crucial.

Methods
Four landscaping materials (organic matter 1, 2, 13 and 56%) were contaminated with PAHs commonly found at urban sites (phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene, chrysene and benzo(b)fluoranthene) in PAH concentrations that reflect urban soils in Finland (2.4 µg g -1 soil dry weight). PAHs were analyzed initially and after 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Half-lives of PAHs were determined based on 12-weeks degradation. Bacterial communities were analyzed at 1 and 12 weeks after contamination using Illumina MiSeq 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding.

Results
Half-lives ranged from 1.5 to 4.4 weeks for PAHs with relatively low molecular weights (phenanthrene, fluoranthene and pyrene) in landscaping materials containing 1–2% organic matter. In contrast, in materials containing 13% and 56% organic matter, the half-lives ranged from 2.5 to 52 weeks. Shorter half-lives of phenanthrene and fluoranthene were thus associated with low organic matter content. The half-life of pyrene was inversely related to the relative abundance of Beta-, Delta- and Gammaproteobacteria, and diversity of Bacteroidetes and Betaprotebacteria. Compounds with higher molecular weights followed compound-specific patterns. Benzo(b)fluoranthene was resistant to degradation and half-life of chrysene was shorter when the relative abundance of Betaproteobacteria was high. Temporal microbiota changes involved increase in the relative abundance of Deltaproteobacteria and decrease in genera Flavobacterium and Rhodanobacter. Exposure to PAHs seems to adjust microbial community composition, particularly within class Beta- and Deltaproteobacteria.

Conclusions
In this study, PAH degradation depended on the organic matter content and bacterial community composition of landscaping materials. Contamination seems to alter bacterial community composition in landscaping materials depending on material type. This alteration includes changes in bacterial phyla associated with human health and immune system. This may open new possibilities for managing urban environments by careful selection of landscaping materials, to benefit health and wellbeing.
Rational Design and Synthesis of Low-Temperature Fuel Cell Electrocatalysts
Authors: Tian Na , Lu Bang-An , Yang Xiao-Dong , Huang Rui , Jiang Yan-Xia , Zhou Zhi-You , Sun Shi-Gang 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
Recent progresses in proton exchange membrane fuel cell electrocatalysts are reviewed in this article in terms of cathodic and anodic reactions with a focus on rational design. These designs are based around gaining active sites using model surface studies and include high-index faceted Pt and Pt-alloy nanocrystals for anodic electrooxidation reactions as well as Pt-based alloy/core–shell structures and carbon-based non-precious metal catalysts for cathodic oxygen reduction reactions (ORR). High-index nanocrystals, alloy nanoparticles, and support effects are highlighted for anodic catalysts, and current developments in ORR electrocatalysts with novel structures and different compositions are emphasized for cathodic catalysts. Active site structures, catalytic performances, and stability in fuel cells are also reviewed for carbon-based non-precious metal catalysts. In addition, further developmental perspectives and the current status of advanced fuel cell electrocatalysts are provided.

Graphical Abstract
Time to Detection in Culture Supports Prediction of Low Transmissibility of Tuberculosis and Discontinuation of Isolation for Low-Risk Patients With A Single AFB-Negative and NAAT-Negative Respiratory Specimen
Authors: Khan Saahir , Nakasone Audrey , Ghajar Minoo , Zhowandai Mariam , Prabhu Sunita , Alexander Rick , Low Julie , Peterson Ellena , Thrupp Lauri 
Published: March 2018

For 94 patients with culture-positive pulmonary tuberculosis, time-to-detection (TTD), acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear, and nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) results were reviewed. All 12 patients whose first specimen was negative by AFB smear and NAAT had prolonged TTD, indicating low transmissibility and supporting discontinuing isolation for low-risk patients.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2018;39:619–621
The Impact ofClostridium difficileInfection on Future Outcomes of Solid Organ Transplant Recipients
Authors: Luo Ruihong , Weinberg Janice M. , Barlam Tamar F. 
Published: March 2018

OBJECTIVEClostridium difficileinfection (CDI) is common in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients, but few studies have examined long-term outcomes. We studied the impact of CDI after SOT on mortality and transplant organ complication-related hospitalizations (TOH).METHODSSOT recipients ≥18 years of age with at least 1 year of posttransplant data were analyzed using the MarketScan database for 2007–2014. Patients who died within one year of transplant were followed until death. Patients were grouped as early CDI (ie, first occurrence ≤90 days posttransplant), late CDI (ie, first occurrence >90 days posttransplant) and controls (ie, no CDI occurrence during follow-up). The risk of mortality or TOH after CDI was evaluated using Cox and logistic regressions, respectively.RESULTSOverall, 96 patients had early CDI, 97 patients had late CDI, and 5,913 patients were used as controls. The risk for death was significantly higher in the early CDI group than the control group (hazard ratio [HR],1.92; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12–3.29;P=.018); there was no significant difference between the late CDI group and the control group (HR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.38–1.94;P=.717). Both the early CDI group (odds ratio [OR], 2.19; 95% CI, 1.45–3.31;P<.001) and the late CDI group (OR, 4.36; 95% CI, 2.84–6.71;P<.001) had higher risk for TOH than the control group. For those patients who survived >90 days posttransplant, both the early CDI group (n=89) and the late CDI group (n=97) had increased risk for death or TOH during follow-up than the control group (n=5,734).CONCLUSIONThough our study could not prove causality, both early and late CDI occurrence in SOT recipients were associated with worse future outcomes than for SOT recipients without CDI.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol2018;39:563–570
Continent-wide estimates of Antarctic strain rates from Landsat 8-derived velocity grids
Authors: ALLEY KAREN E. , SCAMBOS TED A. , ANDERSON ROBERT S. , RAJARAM HARIHAR , POPE ALLEN , HARAN TERRY M. 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACTStrain rates are fundamental measures of ice flow and are used in a wide variety of glaciological applications including investigations of bed properties, calculations of basal mass balance on ice shelves, and constraints on ice rheological models. However, despite their extensive application, strain rates are calculated using a variety of methods and length scales and the details are often not specified. In this study, we compare the results of nominal and logarithmic strain-rate calculations based on a satellite-derived velocity field of the Antarctic ice sheet generated from Landsat 8 satellite data. Our comparison highlights the differences between the two common approaches in the glaciological literature. We evaluate the errors introduced by each approach and their impacts on the results. We also demonstrate the importance of choosing and specifying a length scale over which strain-rate calculations are made, which can strongly influence other derived quantities such as basal mass balance on ice shelves. Finally, we present strain-rate data products calculated using an approximate viscous length-scale with satellite observations of ice velocity for the Antarctic continent.
Adherence to the Mediterranean diet and risk of lung cancer in the Netherlands Cohort Study
Authors: Schulpen Maya , van den Brandt Piet A. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe evidence on a cancer-protective effect of the Mediterranean diet (MD) is still limited. Therefore, we investigated the association between MD adherence and lung cancer risk. Data were used from 120 852 participants of the Netherlands Cohort Study (NLCS), aged 55–69 years. Dietary habits were assessed at baseline (1986) using a validated FFQ and alternate and modified Mediterranean diet scores (aMED and mMED, respectively), including and excluding alcohol, were calculated. After 20·3 years of follow-up, 2861 lung cancer cases and 3720 subcohort members (case-cohort design) could be included in multivariable Cox regression analyses. High (6–8) v. low (0–3) aMED excluding alcohol was associated with non-significantly reduced lung cancer risks in men and women with hazard ratios of 0·91 (95 % CI 0·72, 1·15) and 0·73 (95 % CI 0·49, 1·09), respectively. aMED-containing models generally fitted better than mMED-containing models. In never smokers, a borderline significant decreasing trend in lung cancer risk was observed with increasing aMED excluding alcohol. Analyses stratified by the histological lung cancer subtypes did not identify subtypes with a particularly strong inverse relation with MD adherence. Generally, the performance of aMED and World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research dietary score variants without alcohol was comparable. In conclusion, MD adherence was non-significantly inversely associated with lung cancer risk in the NLCS. Future studies should focus on differences in associations across the sexes and histological subtypes. Furthermore, exclusion of alcohol from MD scores should be investigated more extensively, primarily with respect to a potential role of the MD in cancer prevention.
CONTRACT FORMATION AND IMPLIED TERMS
Authors: Davies Paul S. 
Published: March 2018

WELLS was struggling to sell some flats. He mentioned this to a neighbour, who put Wells in touch with Devani. Wells and Devani spoke over the telephone. The trial judge found that Devani told Wells that he was an estate agent, and his usual commission was 2% + VAT. Wells agreed to this, but the parties did not expressly agree upon what was to trigger the commission. Devani subsequently introduced a purchaser to Wells who bought the flats. Was there a binding contract between Wells and Devani? Lewison and McCombe L.JJ. answered “No” (Wells v Devani [2016] EWCA Civ 1106, [2017] Q.B. 959). The trial judge and Arden L.J., dissenting in the Court of Appeal, answered “Yes”. The Supreme Court has granted permission to appeal. It is to be hoped that the Justices will clarify the important issues of contract law raised by these simple facts and allow the appeal.
Divine goodness and the efficacy of petitionary prayer
Authors: REIBSAMEN JONATHAN 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIs divine goodness incompatible with efficacious petitionary prayer? Scott Davison has recently argued that prayer cannot make a difference in what God would do since a good God must always do what is best. I examine Davison's presentation of the divine goodness problem for petitionary prayer, and argue that the argument fails. I go on to argue that, since there are certain relational benefits uniquely made available through responding to petitionary prayer, divine goodness leads us to expect that God would at least sometimes respond to petitionary prayer – even prayers for third parties.
The Copernican principle, intelligent extraterrestrials, and arguments from evil
Authors: RUHMKORFF SAMUEL 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe physicist Richard Gott defends the Copernican principle, which claims that when we have no information about our position along a given dimension among a group of observers, we should consider ourselves to be randomly located among those observers in respect to that dimension. First, I apply Copernican reasoning to the distribution of evil in the universe. I then contend that evidence for intelligent extraterrestrial life strengthens four important versions of the argument from evil. I remain neutral regarding whether this result is a reductio of these arguments from evil or the statement of a genuine evidential relationship.
Can fictionalists have faith? It all depends
Authors: HOWARD-SNYDER DANIEL 
Published: March 2018

AbstractCan fictionalists have faith? It all depends on how we disambiguate ‘fictionalists’ and on what faith is. I consider the matter in light of my own theory. After clarifying its central terms, I distinguish two fictionalists – atheistic and agnostic – and I argue that, even though no atheistic fictionalist can have faith on my theory, agnostic fictionalists arguably can. After rejecting Finlay Malcolm's reasons for thinking this is a problem, I use his paradigmatic agnostic fictionalist as a foil to explore a variety of ways in which to describe agnostic fictionalists, none of whom pose a problem for my theory.
‘It makes your life worthwhile. It gives you a purpose in living’: mobility experiences among active older adults with low income
Authors: FRANKE THEA , SIMS-GOULD JOANIE , CHAUDHURY HABIB , WINTERS MEGHAN , MCKAY HEATHER 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACTThe World Health Organization claims that mobility is vital to healthy ageing and is the best guarantee of older adults being able to cope and remain in their homes and communities. Mobility enables older adults to maintain their physical health, independence and participation in society. In general, mobility is examined objectively, from a quantitative perspective where mobility is measured as physical movement (e.g.physical activity) and/or travel behaviour (e.g.trips, modes and distances). The predominant focus on the functional aspects of mobility tends to overlook the subjective (e.g.perceptions, attitudes and motivations) and temporal dimensions of older adults’ mobility experiences. Using a constructivist grounded theory methodology, we conducted 24 in-depth interviews with six highly active community-dwelling older adults with low income, aged 65 or over, over a period of four years. Our analysis identified the following themes: maintaining a sense of self, being resourceful, openness to engagement, engaging in superficial contact, experiencing social capital, accessing transportation, leaving the immediate neighbourhood and facing affordability. Findings illustrate that intrapersonal factors, in addition to environmental (built, social and cultural) and temporal-level factors, play a crucial role in mobility. In the future, this gained knowledge can be incorporated into approaches to study the multiple interrelated factors and their interrelations that influence older adults’ mobility.
Resiliency dynamics of norm clusters: Norm contestation and international cooperation
Authors: Lantis Jeffrey S. , Wunderlich Carmen 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThis study examines the effects of contestation on individual norms that are embedded in larger norm clusters. We define norm clusters as collections of aligned, but distinct norms or principles at the center of a regime. Norm clusters include multiple norms that can be insulated from contestatory challenges by degrees of cohesion, institutionalisation, and legalisation. While some constructivists argue that the most important dynamic to study is ‘robustness’ of individual norms, we contend that ‘resiliency’ of norm clusters offers a richer assessment of prospects for international cooperation and long-term impact on state behaviours. Thus, this study distinguishes conceptually between different structural layers that can generate various effects in conjunction with norm contestation. We add a third, or intervening layer of explanation with norm clusters, between the intersection of norms (lowest layer) and normative structures (broadest layer). To explore this argument, comparative case studies examine the resiliency of two prohibitionary norms – the nuclear disarmament norm within the non-proliferation regime and the norm banning assassination of foreign adversaries, which is not embedded in a regime structure. While the robustness of individual norms may be challenged, our results suggest a role for resilient structures in promoting overall longevity of norm clusters.
Psychometric Properties of the Inventory of Attitudes Toward Seeking Mental Health Services (Chinese Version)
Authors: Tieu Yvonne , Konnert Candace , Quigley Leanne 
Published: March 2018

RÉSUMÉLa recherche sur les profils de sous-utilisation des services de santé mentale chez les immigrants chinois plus âgés est en partie limitée par l’absence d’outils de mesures traduits et possédant une bonne fiabilité psychométrique pour évaluer les attitudes liées à la recherche d’aide. Dans cette étude, 200 immigrants sino-canadiens ont été interviewés avec une version traduite du IASMHS. Les mesures collectées comprennent l’utilisation de soins de santé mentale au cours des 12 derniers mois et décrivent les intentions de recherche d’aide. Des analyses factorielles confirmatoires n’ont pas répliqué la structure originale à trois facteurs, donc l’analyse factorielle exploratoire a été utilisée pour créer une version chinoise à 20 items, le C-IASMHS. Cette version a présenté une consistance interne acceptable et était positivement corrélée avec les intentions de recherche d’aide. La sous-échelle sur la propension à la recherche d’aide a présenté les plus fortes propriétés psychométriques, tandis que la sous-échelle sur l’ouverture psychologique a affiché de faibles résultats dans l’analyse factorielle et une consistance interne insatisfaisante. De plus amples recherches sur l’équivalence conceptuelle du construit de l’ouverture psychologique chez les adultes chinois plus âgés sont nécessaires.
Human Rights-Based Approaches to World Heritage Conservation in Bagan, Myanmar: Conceptual, Political, and Practical Considerations
Authors: Kraak Anne-Laura 
Published: March 2018

Abstract:This article considers the role of recently adopted human rights-based policies in the context of preparations for the world heritage nomination of Bagan in Myanmar. Several conceptual, political, and practical factors influence the way in which such policies can be implemented. Conceptually, conflicting interpretations of the meaning of certain categories of human rights—most notably, cultural, development, and land rights—create ambiguity about who has rights to what. Politically, multilateral and bilateral negotiations between states parties inform whether and how human rights-based policies are enforced. On a practical level, implementation of such policies may be challenged by the low legal and administrative capacity of the state of Myanmar. Taking account of these factors, it is argued that human rights-based approaches can provide certain valuable insights but remain subject to serious limitations.
Approaching Human Rights at the World Heritage Committee: Capturing Situated Conversations, Complexity, and Dynamism in Global Heritage Processes
Authors: Larsen Peter Bille , Buckley Kristal 
Published: March 2018

Abstract:Social scientists are increasingly approaching the World Heritage Committee itself as an entry-point to understanding global heritage processes and phenomena. This article explores the subject of human rights in the operations of the World Heritage Committee—the decision-making body established by the 1972 UNESCO World Heritage Convention. It seeks to address the epistemological and methodological implications of approaching the World Heritage Committee as a point of departure for understanding global heritage and rights dynamics. It builds on an “event ethnography” undertaken by the authors to understand how rights discourse appeared in multiple contexts during the Thirty-Ninth World Heritage Committee session held in Bonn, Germany, in June 2015.In this article, we discuss the methodological and ontological implications of studying rights discourses in the context of World Heritage events and processes. We have a particular interest in the interplay of formal and informal dynamics, revealing the entangled and multi-sited processes that shape and are shaped by the annual event. While much of the debate and analysis in heritage studies is understandably concerned with formal decision-making processes and position-taking, this work demonstrates the significance of a range of informal dynamics in appreciating future possibilities.
Agricultural Protectionism on the Neoliberal Agenda? The Approach of the Director of the Swiss Business Federation to Agriculture
Authors: FRANC ANDREA 
Published: March 2018

Abstract:Neoliberals are known to oppose agricultural protectionism. In Switzerland, however, a member of the neoliberal Mont Pelerin Society was responsible for pushing forward the highly protectionist agricultural policy of the postwar years. Drawing on newly available archival sources, this article illustrates the endeavours of the director of the Swiss Business Federation Gerhard Winterberger (1922–93) in favour of agricultural protectionism. Winterberger, in his public talks or in his correspondence with Friedrich August von Hayek, selectively used neoliberal theory to justify his commitment to agriculture.