bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improving the Overall Characteristics of Proton Exchange Membranes via Nanophase Separation Technologies: A Progress Review
Authors: Hu Y. , Li X. , Yan L. , Yue B. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractProton exchange membrane (PEM) is one of the essential materials for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMCF). The improvement of comprehensive characteristics of proton exchange membrane represents one of the most critical challenges for the large scale commercialization of proton exchange membrane fuel cells. In this paper, we review the recent developments of proton exchange membrane via nanophase separation technologies.
The experiences of people with dementia and their carers participating in individual cognitive stimulation therapy
Authors: Leung Phuong , Yates Lauren , Orgeta Vasiliki , Hamidi Fara , Orrell Martin 
Published: February 2017

BackgroundThe carer‐delivered individual cognitive stimulation therapy (iCST) was developed to improve cognition and quality of life of people with dementia. This study aims to explore people with dementia and family carers' concepts of mental stimulation and experiences of participating in the iCST intervention.MethodsA sub‐sample of 23 dyads of people with dementia and their family carers who completed the iCST intervention took part in semi‐structured in‐depth interviews. Data were analysed using framework analysis.ResultsThree main themes emerged, ‘Concepts of mental stimulation’, ‘Experiencing changes in everyday life as a result of participating in iCST’ and ‘Carer adherence to the intervention’ along with 10 sub‐themes. The overall experience of participating in iCST was described as having opportunities to engage in enjoyable mentally stimulating activities, motivation to stay active and bringing people with dementia and their carers ‘together’. Family carers mentioned that finding time to do the sessions and their relatives being reluctant to engage in the activities could hinder their participation in the intervention.ConclusionsPeople with dementia and their family carers found iCST stimulating and enjoyable, but many had difficulty delivering all the sessions as planned. Family carers suggested that providing extra support by involving other people in delivering the intervention may help to improve adherence to the intervention. iCST may be a useful tool to encourage people with dementia and their carers to communicate. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development of cortical motor circuits between childhood and adulthood: A navigated TMS‐HdEEG study
Authors: Määttä Sara , Könönen Mervi , Kallioniemi Elisa , Lakka Timo , Lintu Niina , Lindi Virpi , Ferreri Florinda , Ponzo David , Säisänen Laura 
Published: February 2017

AbstractMotor functions improve during childhood and adolescence, but little is still known about the development of cortical motor circuits during early life. To elucidate the neurophysiological hallmarks of motor cortex development, we investigated the differences in motor cortical excitability and connectivity between healthy children, adolescents, and adults by means of navigated suprathreshold motor cortex transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) combined with high‐density electroencephalography (EEG). We demonstrated that with development, the excitability of the motor system increases, the TMS‐evoked EEG waveform increases in complexity, the magnitude of induced activation decreases, and signal spreading increases. Furthermore, the phase of the oscillatory response to TMS becomes less consistent with age. These changes parallel an improvement in manual dexterity and may reflect developmental changes in functional connectivity. Hum Brain Mapp 38:2599–2615, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Do Financial Incentives Influence GPs' Decisions to Do After‐hours Work? A Discrete Choice Labour Supply Model
Authors: Broadway Barbara , Kalb Guyonne , Li Jinhu , Scott Anthony 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThis paper analyses doctors' supply of after‐hours care (AHC), and how it is affected by personal and family circumstances as well as the earnings structure. We use detailed survey data from a large sample of Australian General Practitioners (GPs) to estimate a structural, discrete choice model of labour supply and AHC. This allows us to jointly model GPs' decisions on the number of daytime‐weekday working hours and the probability of providing AHC. We simulate GPs' labour supply responses to an increase in hourly earnings, both in a daytime‐weekday setting and for AHC. GPs increase their daytime‐weekday working hours if their hourly earnings in this setting increase, but only to a very small extent. GPs are somewhat more likely to provide AHC if their hourly earnings in that setting increase, but again, the effect is very small and only evident in some subgroups. Moreover, higher earnings in weekday‐daytime practice reduce the probability of providing AHC, particularly for men. Increasing GPs' earnings appears to be at best relatively ineffective in encouraging increased provision of AHC and may even prove harmful if incentives are not well targeted. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Water and nitrogen movement through a semiarid dryland agricultural catchment: Seasonal and decadal trends
Authors: Kelley Christopher J. , Keller C. Kent , Brooks Erin S. , Smith Jeffrey L. , Huyck Orr Cailin , Evans R.D. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractWater and nutrient budgets in dryland agroecosystems are difficult to manage for efficiency and water quality. This is particularly true where complex terrain and soilscapes interact with pronounced hydrologic seasonality. The purpose of this research was to understand water and hydrologic nitrogen (N) export from a hillslope dryland agroecosystem in a semiarid region where most precipitation occurs outside the growing season. We studied 13 years (2001–2013) of records of water and N inputs and outputs from a 12 ha no‐till artificially drained catchment in the semiarid Palouse Basin of eastern Washington State, USA. Fall‐ and winter‐dominated annual precipitation averaged 462 mm. About 350 mm went to evapotranspiration; crops used ~160 mm from stored soil water during the summer dry‐down season. Soil water replenishment after crop senescence, during the fall wet‐up season, delayed the threshold onset of the high‐discharge season until December. Winter‐dominated drainage fluxes averaged 111 mm or 24% of annual precipitation. Nitrate export in drainage averaged 15 kg·N·ha−1·year−1, which was about 10 times the average rate of dissolved organic N export and 15% of the average rate of N application in chemical fertilizer. Fertilizer applications to the catchment were reduced, due to cropping changes, by 1/3 during the last 5 years of the study; however, no corresponding reduction was observed in the nitrate export flux. This lack of change could not be attributed to mineralization of the soil‐organic N legacy of fertilization nor to hydrologic lag of the catchment. Likeliest explanations are (a) despite the reduction, N application continued to exceed crop uptake and accumulation in organic matter; (b) seasonal and interannual variability of catchment connectivity resulted in year‐to‐year field‐scale nitrate storage and carryover. Water and N use efficiencies observed here may be near maximum obtainable for existing crops in this climate. Substantial improvements that would also address multiple environmental issues associated with the N cascade may involve shifts to perennial systems and/or rotations in which N is fixed biologically.
Nitrogen Utilization under Drip Irrigation with Sewage Effluent in the North China Plain
Authors: Guo Lijun , Li Jiusheng , Li Yanfeng , Xu Di 
Published: February 2017

AbstractField experiments were performed on maize (Zea mays L.) to explore the impacts of water quality and nitrogen (N) application rate on soil N balance and nitrate leaching in the North China Plain. N application rates ranging from 0 to 180 kg ha−1 were tested, applying either secondary sewage effluent (SW) or groundwater (GW). Increasing the N application rate from 120 to 180 kg ha−1 did not significantly increase N uptake but substantially enhanced the apparent N loss (ANL) and nitrate leaching. Compared with GW irrigation, SW irrigation increased N uptake by 8% and soil residual N by 9% on average, whereas the ANL increased by 18%, suggesting that the detrimental impacts of SW irrigation may outweigh the benefits. The ANL values were enhanced mostly with increasing N application rates, followed by increasing initial soil N and nitrogen contained in irrigation water (irrigation N). Additionally, the ranking of factors increasing the leaching of nitrate was fertilizer N, deep percolation, irrigation N and initial soil N. Thus, SW irrigation combined with a high N application rate amplified the ANL and nitrate leaching losses. This study recommends N application rates ranging from 116 to 132 kg ha−1 to minimize the N losses when maize is irrigated with SW under drip irrigation in the North China Plain. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Abnormally High and Heterogeneous Bone Matrix Mineralization After Childhood Solid Organ Transplantation: A Complex Pathology of Low Bone Turnover and Local Defects in Mineralization
Authors: Fratzl-Zelman Nadja , Valta Helena , Pereira Renata C , Misof Barbara M , Roschger Paul , Jalanko Hannu , Wesseling-Perry Katherine , Klaushofer Klaus , Mäkitie Outi 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACT

Chronic renal, liver, and heart failure in children associates with multiple skeletal complications. Increased fracture incidence often persists after transplantation and could be related to alterations in bone material properties. In the present cohort study we evaluated bone mineralization density distribution (BMDD) by quantitative backscattered electron imaging (qBEI) in 23 pediatric solid organ allograft recipients with suspected osteoporosis. We measured BMDD in the entire cross-sectional area of transiliac bone biopsies obtained from kidney (n = 9), liver (n = 9), and heart (n = 5) transplant recipients (aged 7.6 to 19.7 years; 6.0 ± 5.6 years posttransplantation, patients with a history of clinical fractures: n = 14). The BMDD findings were compared with age-appropriate references and with a previously presented cohort of children with chronic kidney disease on dialysis (CKD5D, n = 18). Furthermore, we related the BMDD parameters with patients’ clinical and bone histomorphometric outcomes. Compared to healthy children, qBEI results for cancellous and cortical bone in transplant recipients revealed an increase in the most frequently occurring calcium concentration (+2.9%, p = 0.001; +3.5%, p = 0.014), in the portion of fully mineralized bone (fivefold; 10-fold, both p &lt; 0.0001) and in heterogeneity of mineralization (+26,5% and +27.8%, both p &lt; 0.0001), respectively. Moreover, the BMDD parameters were nonsignificantly distinct from CKD5D cohort except that the heterogeneity in mineralization was higher posttransplantation. There was a strong inverse correlation between the average calcium content of the bone matrix and patients’ biochemical ALP levels, histomorphometric indices of bone formation and resorption. The abnormally high bone matrix mineralization in transplant recipients, consistent with serum and histomorphometric outcomes, suggests a history of low bone turnover with accumulation of fully mineralized bone packets. Additionally, the increased heterogeneity of mineralization suggests local alterations in mineralization kinetics, which may be linked to dysfunctional osteocytes that were recently shown to accumulate within the bone matrix during organ failure and concomitant glucocorticoid and immunosuppressive medication. © 2017 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Captopril apparently increase and cisplatin apparently decrease human albumin concentration in artificial urinary solutions
Authors: Kuzioła Rafał , Marczewska Barbara , Marczewski Krzysztof 
Published: February 2017

BackgroundMeasurement of urinary albumin (HSA) is very important in diagnostic of kidney diseases. Much less is known about the possible impact of substances present in urine together with albumin on the results of measurements.MethodsWe investigated the effect of the presence of captopril and cisplatin in the solution on the result of the determination of HSA by native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Protein conformation in the absence and presence of the drugs was examined using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR).ResultsThe presence of captopril apparently increases HSA concentration while cisplatin causes an apparent decrease in the HSA concentration. The presence of both drugs also influence the secondary structure forms of HSA albumin investigated by FTIR.ConclusionBoth drugs tested in the concentration of human use can have an impact on the results of determination of albumin in urine which can influence clinical decision.
Optimizing the analysis of dental enamel microstructure in intact teeth
Authors: Arrieta Zulieth López , Line Sergio Roberto Peres 
Published: February 2017

AbstractIn most mammalian species enamel prisms are regularly arranged in layers of alternating directions forming an angle of approximately 90°. These successive layers of prisms are known as Hunter–Schreger bands (HSBs). The analysis of HSBs may provide valuable information regarding the species life history, taxon and personal identification, with evident applicability in physical anthropology and forensics. Obtaining good quality digital images of HSBs in intact specimens is not always a feasible task. The major problems are the low contrast of images; the reflection of incident light, which may create areas of intense shine in digital images; and the abrupt decrease in the degree of illumination that occurs after light crosses the vertical cracks, frequently present in enamel. We show here that the area of intense shine can be minimized by a polarizing filter coupled to the camera objective, and the filling of enamel cracks with corn oil can reduce refraction of light in enamel cracks. These procedures can significantly increase the quality and the area of HSBs that can be recorded in intact teeth.
An Evo‐Devo Perspective on Multicellular Development of Myxobacteria
Authors: Arias Del Angel Juan A. , Escalante Ana E. , Martínez‐Castilla León Patricio , Benítez Mariana 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACTThe transition to multicellularity, recognized as one the major transitions in evolution, has occurred independently several times. While multicellular development has been extensively studied in zygotic organisms including plant and animal groups, just a few aggregative multicellular organisms have been employed as model organisms for the study of multicellularity. Studying different evolutionary origins and modes of multicellularity enables comparative analyses that can help identifying lineage‐specific aspects of multicellular evolution and generic factors and mechanisms involved in the transition to multicellularity. Among aggregative multicellular organisms, myxobacteria are a valuable system to explore the particularities that aggregation confers to the evolution of multicellularity and mechanisms shared with clonal organisms. Moreover, myxobacteria species develop fruiting bodies displaying a range of morphological diversity. In this review, we aim to synthesize diverse lines of evidence regarding myxobacteria development and discuss them in the context of Evo‐Devo concepts and approaches. First, we briefly describe the developmental processes in myxobacteria, present an updated comparative analysis of the genes involved in their developmental processes and discuss these and other lines of evidence in terms of co‐option and developmental system drift, two concepts key to Evo‐Devo studies. Next, as has been suggested from Evo‐Devo approaches, we discuss how broad comparative studies and integration of diverse genetic, physicochemical, and environmental factors into experimental and theoretical models can further our understanding of myxobacterial development, phenotypic variation, and evolution.
Fast determination of codeine, orphenadrine, promethazine, scopolamine, tramadol, and paracetamol in pharmaceutical formulations by capillary electrophoresis
Authors: Cunha Rafael R. , Ribeiro Michelle M. A. C. , Muñoz Rodrigo A. A. , Richter Eduardo M. 
Published: February 2017

Paracetamol is an active ingredient commonly found in pharmaceutical formulations in combination with one of the following compounds: codeine, orphenadrine, promethazine, scopolamine, and tramadol. In this work, we propose a unique analytical method for determination of these active ingredients in pharmaceutical samples. The method is based on capillary electrophoresis with capacitively coupled contactless conductivity detection. The separation was achieved on a fused silica capillary (50 cm total length, 40 cm effective length, and 50 μm id) using an optimized background electrolyte composed of 20 mmol/L β‐alanine/4 mmol/L sodium chloride/4 μmol/L sodium hydroxide (pH 9.6). Each sample can be analyzed in a single run (≤2 min) and the limits of detection were 2.5, 0.62, 0.63, 2.5, 15, and 1.6 μmol/L for scopolamine, tramadol, orphenadrine, promethazine, codeine, and paracetamol, respectively. Recovery values for spiked samples were between 94 and 104%.
Indirect ultraviolet detection of alkaline earth metal ions using an imidazolium ionic liquid as an ultraviolet absorption reagent in ion chromatography
Authors: Liu Yong‐qiang , Yu Hong 
Published: February 2017

A convenient and versatile method was developed for the separation and detection of alkaline earth metal ions by ion chromatography with indirect UV detection. The chromatographic separation of Mg2+, Ca2+, and Sr2+ was performed on a carboxylic acid base cation exchange column using imidazolium ionic liquid/acid as the mobile phase, in which the imidazolium ionic liquid acted as an UV‐absorption reagent. The effects of imidazolium ionic liquids, detection wavelength, acids in the mobile phase, and column temperature on the retention of Mg2+, Ca2+, and Sr2+ were investigated. The main factors influencing the separation and detection were the background UV absorption reagent and the concentration of hydrogen ion in ion chromatography with indirect UV detection. The successful separation and detection of Mg2+, Ca2+, and Sr2+ within 14 min were achieved using the selected chromatographic conditions, and the detection limits (S/N = 3) were 0.06, 0.12, and 0.23 mg/L, respectively. A new separation and detection method of alkaline earth metal ions by ion chromatography with indirect UV detection was developed, and the application range of ionic liquids was expanded.
Temporal Variation of Hydro‐Physical Properties of Paddy Clay Soil under Different Rice‐Based Cropping Systems
Authors: Linh Tran Ba , Ghyselinck Titus , Khanh Tran Huynh , Van Dung Tran , Guong Vo Thi , Van Khoa Le , Cornelis Wim 
Published: February 2017

AbstractSpatial variability of hydro‐physical properties has long been observed, whereas temporal variation is much less documented and considered in studies and applications, particularly of paddy clay soils under different cropping systems. The objective of this study was therefore to assess the seasonal‐ and inter‐seasonal variation of selected hydro‐physical properties of a paddy clay soil under different rice‐based cropping systems with contrasting tillage. In a long‐term experiment, plots were arranged in a randomized complete block design with four treatments and four replications: (i) rice–rice–rice; (ii) rice–maize–rice; (iii) rice–mung bean–rice; and (iv) rice–mung bean–maize. Soil samples were collected at three depths (0–10, 10–20 and 20–30 cm) at three times during two cropping seasons, i.e., 15 days after soil preparation (DASP), 45 DASP and 90 DASP during the winter–spring and spring–summer seasons. Results show that temporal variability of soil bulk density, macro‐porosity (MacP) and matrix‐porosity within both seasons and between seasons was limited for cropping systems with upland crop rotations, whereas within season variation was significant for rice monoculture system. Observed variation in bulk density, matrix‐porosity and MacP was mainly associated with cropping system and soil depth. Field saturated hydraulic conductivity of topsoil showed great temporal variability, both seasonal and inter‐seasonal, in correspondence with MacP (r = 0·58). These results highlight the need of depth differentiated soil sampling and time consideration when evaluating management practices on soil physical properties and modeling the hydrological behavior of paddy soil. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Human influence and biotic homogenization drive the distribution ofEscherichia colivirulence genes in natural habitats
Authors: Cabal Adriana , Vicente Joaquin , Alvarez Julio , Barasona Jose Angel , Boadella Mariana , Dominguez Lucas , Gortazar Christian 
Published: February 2017

AbstractCattle are the main reservoirs for Shiga‐toxin‐producingEscherichia coli(STEC), the only known zoonotic intestinalE. colipathotype. However, there are other intestinal pathotypes that can cause disease in humans, whose presence has been seldom investigated. Thus, our aim was to identify the effects of anthropic pressure and of wild and domestic ungulate abundance on the distribution and diversity of the main humanE. colipathotypes and nine of their representative virulence genes (VGs). We used a quantitative real‐timePCR(qPCR) for the direct detection and quantification of the genus‐specific geneuidA, nineE. coliVGs (stx1,sxt2,eae,ehxA,aggR,est,elt,bfpA,invA), as well as four genes related to O157:H7 (rfbO157,fliCH7) and O104:H4 (wzxO104,fliCH4) serotypes in animals (feces from deer, cattle, and wild boar) and water samples collected in three areas of Doñana National Park (DNP), Spain. Eight of the nine VGs were detected, beinginvA,eae, andstx2 followed bystx1,aggR, andehxA the most abundant ones. In quantitative terms (gene copies per mg of sample),stx1 andstx2 gave the highest values. Significant differences were seen regarding VGs in the three animal species in the three sampled areas. The serotype‐related genes were found in all but one sample types. In general, VGs were more diverse and abundant in the northern part of the Park, where the surface waters are more contaminated by human waste and farms. In the current study, we demonstrated that human influence is more relevant than host species in shaping theE. coliVGs spatial pattern and diversity in DNP. In addition, wildlife could be potential reservoirs for other pathotypes different from STEC, however further isolation steps would be needed to completely characterize thoseE. coli.