bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Electrochemical Performance of Structure‐Dependent LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 in Aqueous Rechargeable Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Li Yajie , Hou Xianhua , Zhou Yu , Han Weiqiang , Liang Chu , Wu Xu , Wang Shaofeng , Ru Qiang 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThis work is focused on the relationship between electrochemical performance and morphology of LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 (NCM) in an aqueous rechargeable lithium battery, and provides a reference for the selection of novel battery materials. In this work, NCM microrods, microspheres, and nanoblocks were successfully synthesized by solvothermal, coprecipitation, and sol–gel methods, respectively. Of the three samples, NCM nanoblocks, which are formed by agglomeration of a large number of nanoparticles, show the best electrochemical performance. During cycling, the NCM nanoblock exhibits an initial discharge capacity of 137.4 mAh g−1 and an impressive capacity of 130.8 mAh g−1 after 20 cycles at a current density of 1C (=160 mA g−1). Even at a high current density of 50C, this NCM nanoblock provides a capacity of 50.1 mAh g−1, which shows the great potential of the nanoblock as a cathode in aqueous rechargeable lithium‐ion batteries.
Expression of aryl hydrocarbon receptor–regulated genes and superoxide dismutase in the Antarctic eelpout Pachycara brachycephalum exposed to benzo[a]pyrene
Authors: Strobel Anneli , Mark Felix C. , Segner Helmut , Burkhardt-Holm Patricia 
Published: January 2018

Abstract

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) pathway mediates many, if not all, responses of fish to dioxin-like compounds. The Southern Ocean is progressively exposed to increasing concentrations of anthropogenic pollutants. Antarctic fish are known to accumulate those pollutants, yet nothing is known about their capability to induce chemical biotransformation via the AhR pathway. The objective of the present study was to investigate whether Antarctic eelpout, Pachycara brachycephalum, respond to anthropogenic pollutants by activation of the AhR and its target gene cytochrome P4501A (CYP1A), and of superoxide dismutase (SOD), which served as a representative for oxidative stress. We exposed P. brachycephalum to 10 and 100 mg benzo[a]pyrene (BaP)/kg body weight for 10 d and measured the expression of AhR, CYP1A, and SOD in liver tissue via quantitative polymerase chain reaction. We identified two distinct AhR isoforms in the liver of P. brachycephalum. Antarctic eelpout responded to both BaP exposures by an up-regulation of AhR and SOD, and by a particularly strong induction of CYP1A expression, which remained high until day 10 of the exposure time. Our data suggest that P. brachycephalum possesses the potential to up-regulate xenobiotic biotransformation pathways, at least at the gene expression level. The time course of the AhR and CYP1A response points to an efficient but slow xenobiotics metabolism. Moreover, BaP exposure could include adverse effects such as oxidative stress. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:1487–1495. © 2018 SETAC
Environmental risk assessment of engineered nano-SiO2, nano iron oxides, nano-CeO2, nano-Al2O3, and quantum dots
Authors: Wang Yan , Nowack Bernd 
Published: January 2018

Abstract

Many research studies have endeavored to investigate the ecotoxicological hazards of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs). However, little is known regarding the actual environmental risks of ENMs, combining both hazard and exposure data. The aim of the present study was to quantify the environmental risks for nano-Al2O3, nano-SiO2, nano iron oxides, nano-CeO2, and quantum dots by comparing the predicted environmental concentrations (PECs) with the predicted-no-effect concentrations (PNECs). The PEC values of these 5 ENMs in freshwaters in 2020 for northern Europe and southeastern Europe were taken from a published dynamic probabilistic material flow analysis model. The PNEC values were calculated using probabilistic species sensitivity distribution (SSD). The order of the PNEC values was quantum dots &lt; nano-CeO2 &lt; nano iron oxides &lt; nano-Al2O3 &lt; nano-SiO2. The risks posed by these 5 ENMs were demonstrated to be in the reverse order: nano-Al2O3 &gt; nano-SiO2 &gt; nano iron oxides &gt; nano-CeO2 &gt; quantum dots. However, all risk characterization values are 4 to 8 orders of magnitude lower than 1, and no risk was therefore predicted for any of the investigated ENMs at the estimated release level in 2020. Compared to static models, the dynamic material flow model allowed us to use PEC values based on a more complex parameterization, considering a dynamic input over time and time-dependent release of ENMs. The probabilistic SSD approach makes it possible to include all available data to estimate hazards of ENMs by considering the whole range of variability between studies and material types. The risk-assessment approach is therefore able to handle the uncertainty and variability associated with the collected data. The results of the present study provide a scientific foundation for risk-based regulatory decisions of the investigated ENMs. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:1387–1395. © 2018 SETAC
Promoter hypermethylation inactivate tumor suppressor FAM134B and is associated with poor prognosis in colorectal cancer
Authors: Islam Farhadul , Gopalan Vinod , Pillai Suja , Lu Cu‐tai , Kasem Kais , Lam Alfred King‐yin 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe present study aims to examine promoter methylation status of FAM134B in a large cohort of patients with colorectal adenocarcinomas. The clinical significances and correlations of FAM134B promoter methylation with its expression are also analysed. Methylation‐specific high‐resolution melt‐curve analysis followed by sequencing was used to identify FAM134B promoter methylation in colorectal adenomas (N = 32), colorectal adenocarcinomas (N = 164), matched adjacent non‐neoplastic colorectal mucosae (N = 83) and colon cancer cell lines (N = 4). FAM134B expression was studied by real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, and Western blots. FAM134B promoter methylation was more frequent in adenocarcinomas (52%; 85/164) when compared to that of adenomas (28%; 9/32) and non‐neoplastic mucosae (35%; 29/83). Cancer cells exhibited higher methylation when compared to non‐neoplastic cells. FAM134B promoter methylation was inversely correlated with low FAM134B copy number and mRNA/protein expressions, whereas in‐vitro demethylation has restored FAM134B expression in colon cancer cells. FAM134B promoter methylation was associated with high histological grade (P = .025), presence of peri‐neural infiltration (P = .012), lymphovascular invasion (P = .021), lymph node metastasis (P = .0001), distant metastasis (P = .0001) and advanced pathological stages (P = .0001). In addition, FAM134B promoter methylation correlated with cancer recurrence and poor survival rates of patients with colorectal adenocarcinomas. To conclude, FAM134B promoter methylation plays a key role in regulating FAM134B expression in vitro and in vivo, which in turn contributes to the prediction of the biological aggressiveness of colorectal adenocarcinomas. Furthermore, FAM134B methylation might act as a marker in predicting clinical prognosis in patients with colorectal adenocarcinomas.
Developing Evidence to Decision Frameworks and an Interactive Evidence to Decision Tool for Making and Using Decisions and Recommendations in Health Care
Authors: Rosenbaum Sarah E. , Moberg Jenny , Glenton Claire , Schünemann Holger J. , Lewin Simon , Akl Elie , Mustafa Reem A. , Morelli Angela , Vogel Joshua P. , Alonso‐Coello Pablo , Rada Gabriel , Vásquez Juan , Parmelli Elena , Gülmezoglu A. Metin , Flottorp Signe A. , Oxman Andrew D. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractEvidence‐informed health care decisions and recommendations need to be made systematically and transparently. Mediating technology can help manage boundaries between groups making decisions and target audiences, enhancing salience, credibility, and legitimacy for all. This article describes the development of the Evidence to Decision (EtD) framework and an interactive tool to create and use frameworks (iEtD) to support communication in decision making. Methods: Using a human‐centered design approach, we created prototypes employing a broad range of methods to iteratively develop EtD framework content and iEtD tool functionality. Results: We developed tailored EtD frameworks for making evidence‐informed decisions and recommendations about clinical practice interventions, diagnostic and screening tests, coverage, and health system and public health options. The iEtD tool provides functionality for preparing frameworks, using them in group discussions, and publishing output for implementation or adaption. EtD and iEtD are intuitive and useful for producers and users of frameworks, and flexible for use across different types of topics, decisions, and organizations. They bring valued structure to panel discussions and transparency to published output. Conclusion: EtD and iEtD can resolve some of the challenges inherent in multicriteria, multistakeholder decision systems. They are freely available online for all to use at https://ietd.epistemonikos.org/ and https://gradepro.org.
Estimating active layer thickness and volumetric water content from ground penetrating radar measurements in Barrow, Alaska
Authors: Jafarov E. E. , Parsekian A. D. , Schaefer K. , Liu L. , Chen A. C. , Panda S. K. , Zhang T. 
Published: January 2018

Ground penetrating radar (GPR) has emerged as an effective tool for estimating active layer thickness (ALT) and volumetric water content (VWC) within the active layer. In August 2013, we conducted a series of GPR and probing surveys using a 500 MHz antenna and metallic probe around Barrow, Alaska. We collected about 15 km of GPR data and 1.5 km of probing data. Here, we describe the GPR data processing workflow from raw GPR data to the estimated ALT and VWC. We include the corresponding uncertainties for each measured and estimated parameter. The estimated average GPR‐derived ALT was 41 cm, with a standard deviation of 9 cm. The average probed ALT was 40 cm, with a standard deviation of 12 cm. The average GPR‐derived VWC was 0.65, with a standard deviation of 0.14.
Development and decline of the ancient harbor of Neapolis
Authors: Di Donato Valentino , Ruello Maria R. , Liuzza Viviana , Carsana Vittoria , Giampaola Daniela , Di Vito Mauro A. , Morhange Christophe , Cinque Aldo , Russo Ermolli Elda 
Published: January 2018

AbstractArchaeological excavations, undertaken since 2004 for the construction of the new Naples subway, have unearthed the harbor basin of the Greco–Roman town of Parthenope–Neapolis, furnishing scientists with the opportunity to recover abundant archaeological remains and a thick succession of diverse infill sediments. The latter underwent sedimentological, paleontological, and volcanological analyses. Compositional data analysis, applied to all three data sets, highlighted three main paleoenvironmental changes in the harbor basin from the Augustan Age up to the 6th century A.D. The beginning of harbor activity is recorded during the 3rd century B.C. when sedimentation was interrupted by intensive dredging of the sea‐bottom. The impact of the A.D. 79 Vesuvius eruption, recorded for the first time in the Neapolitan territory, led to a reduction in Posidonia meadows and to an ensuing phase of more restricted water circulation and pollution. At the beginning of the 5th century A.D., an open lagoon environment was established, attesting to coastal progradation. The final closure of this part of the bay occurred at the end of the 5th to the beginning of the 6th century A.D., due to increased alluvial input linked to both natural and anthropogenic causes.
A qualitative study of the role of playgroups in building community capacity
Authors: Keam Georgia , Cook Kay , Sinclair Sarah , McShane Ian 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIssue addressedGiven that approximately half of all Australian families with children aged 2‐3 years participate in playgroups, these settings may provide an important venue for social support and community capacity building. The aim of this study is to assess the benefits that parents and the wider community derive from such participation.MethodsWe examined community capacity building opportunities through qualitative interviews conducted with a self‐selected sample of 33 playgroup participants. All participants were the child's biological mother, and many had been involved in the playgroup committee of management, including 11 participants who were currently, or had previously been, a playgroup coordinator.ResultsWe found that playgroups act as key sites for building community capacity through developing community connections, skill building and creating leadership pathways. We found that playgroup committee participation was often women's first foray into community volunteering, and often translated into future community leadership, such as kindergarten committees of management and primary school councils.ConclusionsCommunity playgroups play a key role in building the capacity of communities and provide a vehicle for the development of new volunteers.So what?Local governments, schools and other community organisations that rely on volunteer committees would benefit from providing support to community playgroups to foster future community leaders.
Australia's National Partnership Agreement on Preventive Health: Critical reflections from States and Territories
Authors: Wutzke Sonia , Morrice Emily , Benton Murray , Milat Andrew , Russell Lesley , Wilson Andrew 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIssue addressedAustralian efforts to tackle the burden from chronic diseases through prevention have included numerous strategies, committees, policies and programs. This research reflects on this changing landscape, with focus on the most recent, and most significant, investment and subsequent disinvestment in preventive health, the National Partnership Agreement on Preventive Health (NPAPH). The purpose is to better understand the place of the NPAPH in Australia's prevention landscape, explore views from senior health department personnel on the NPAPH and identify lessons for the future.MethodsIndividual and small group semi‐structured interviews were undertaken with 19 senior public health managers and program implementation staff from State and Territory health departments across Australia. A grounded theory approach was used to generate themes relevant to the research.ResultsParticipants reflected positively on the NPAPH, mostly that it established a strong platform for the national roll out of programs supporting healthy lifestyles, it created core infrastructure that elevated the rigour and sophistication of prevention activities and it was achieving or on the way to achieving its desired outputs. However, despite promising potential, governance arrangements over chronic disease prevention were not clearer either throughout or post the NPAPH. While partnerships between State and Territory governments, as well as with other sectors, were seen as a strength of the NPAPH, many viewed the role of the Commonwealth in the NPAPH as limited to funding.ConclusionLonger term investment in, and leadership for, chronic disease prevention is necessary. The NPAPH built on positive reforms at the time, creating opportunities for implementing programs at scale, building workforce capacity and improving evaluations. Early termination of the NPAPH meant potential return on investment was unrealised, new partnerships could not always be sustained and the prevention workforce was again under threat. Furthermore, responsibility for prevention, which was never clear, became even more opaque.So what?The NPAPH, as a national initiative for achieving improvements to the prevention of chronic disease, was a welcome investment. Disinvestment in the NPAPH, as well as other promising reforms of the time, led to a loss of credibility in outcomes focussed funding collaborations as well as missed opportunities for the future health and wellbeing of the Australian population. Australia needs a recommitment at all levels of government to investment and action in prevention and a restoration of funding in prevention commensurate with the size of the health burden.
Systemic risk and the optimal seniority structure of banking liabilities
Authors: Bougheas Spiros , Kirman Alan 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe paper argues that systemic risk must be taken into account when designing optimal bankruptcy procedures in general, and priority rules in particular. Allowing for endogenous formation of links in the interbank market, we show that the optimal policy depends on the distribution of shocks and the severity of fire sales.
A multi‐modal, multi‐atlas‐based approach for Alzheimer detection via machine learning
Authors: Asim Yousra , Raza Basit , Malik Ahmad Kamran , Rathore Saima , Hussain Lal , Iftikhar Mohammad Aksam 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe use of biomarkers for early detection of Alzheimer's disease (AD) improves the accuracy of imaging‐based prediction of AD and its prodromal stage that is mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Brain parcellation‐based computer‐aided methods for detecting AD and MCI segregate the brain in different anatomical regions and use their features to predict AD and MCI. Brain parcellation generally is carried out based on existing anatomical atlas templates, which vary in the boundaries and number of anatomical regions. This works considers dividing the brain based on different atlases and combining the features extracted from these anatomical parcellations for a more holistic and robust representation. We collected data from the ADNI database and divided brains based on two well‐known atlases: LONI Probabilistic Brain Atlas (LPBA40) and Automated Anatomical Labeling (AAL). We used baselines images of structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG‐PET) to calculate average gray‐matter density and average relative cerebral metabolic rate for glucose in each region. Later, we classified AD, MCI and cognitively normal (CN) subjects using the individual features extracted from each atlas template and the combined features of both atlases. We reduced the dimensionality of individual and combined features using principal component analysis, and used support vector machines for classification. We also ranked features mostly involved in classification to determine the importance of brain regions for accurately classifying the subjects. Results demonstrated that features calculated from multiple atlases lead to improved performance compared to those extracted from one atlas only.
Key Factors in Handling Conflicts in the Isahaya Bay Land Reclamation Project, Japan: A Case Study Focusing on Social Aspects
Authors: Ota Shinsuke 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe Isahaya Bay land reclamation project is one of the most controversial public works in Japan. The dike closure in 1997 became a target of the mass media as a symbol of ecological destruction. The bad seaweed crop in 2000 triggered fishermen's protests which led to short‐term opening of the dike gates. The author became involved in a series of events as a responsible government official in the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) in Japan. This paper illustrates how the Ministry coped with a difficult situation and brings out basic approaches and practical measures for better coordination as a result of these experiences, focusing on the social aspects. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Water Management in Thailand
Authors: Apipattanavis Somkiat , Ketpratoom Sitha , Kladkempetch Pradab 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe government of Thailand is now promoting the Thailand 4.0 model to escape its middle‐income level trap. The model uses an innovative ‘value‐based economy’ for climbing up to the high‐income level. The three main elements of this are: (i) a knowledge‐based economy; (ii) an inclusive society with equitable access; (iii) sustainable development. At present, Thailand consumes 90.4% of its fresh water for agricultural activities, while upper‐middle‐ and high‐income countries consume only 67.8 and 40.8% respectively. Therefore, Thailand is now developing strategic plans for proper water management for the next 20 years. The plans take the following concerns into consideration: (i) the principle of a water basin integrated framework and sustainable water management; (ii) government policies and the national economic and social development plan; (iii) the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals. The strategies are still under discussion and not yet finalized at this moment. However, the plans will certainly hold significant weight in government project funding in the next 20 years. All of the water‐related projects will be carried out with the plans as a guideline. Meanwhile, each project will maintain the concepts of culture, tradition, geography and demography to obtain the highest compatibility with Thai society. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assessment of the Groundwater Salinity Used for Irrigation and Risks of Soil Degradation in Souss‐Massa, Morocco
Authors: El Oumlouki Kaoutar , Moussadek Rachid , Douaik Ahmed , Iaaich Hamza , Dakak Houria , Chati Mohamed Taoufiq , Ghanimi Ahmed , El Midaoui Azzedine , El Amrani Mahacine , Zouahri Abdelmjid 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIn the Issen irrigated perimeter of the Souss‐Massa Plain, Morocco, under a semi‐arid climate, the use of irrigation is inevitable for most crops. Therefore, groundwater is increasingly being used. Hydrochemical and statistical studies were conducted; they were carried out on the major and secondary elements of water (EC, Ca2+, pH, Mg2+, Na+, K+, Cl‐, SO42‐, HCO3‐, CO32‐, SAR and turbidity). The sampling period lasted over 2 years (2013 and 2014) spread over 3 seasons. The 36 wells that were analysed were spread across the studied plain. The values recorded during the sampling period showed that 11% of the analysed wells are highly saline in which EC > 3 dS m−1. Chemical analysis revealed a wide variety of chemical composition; samples are divided between two facies: sulphated magnesium calcium bicarbonate and sodium chloride. Then, statistical analyses of the studied parameters showed great variability and the results of analysis allowed maps of salinity and the SAR risk of irrigation water to be drawn. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.