bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cyclodextrin‐Based Formulations: A Non‐Invasive Platform for Targeted Drug Delivery
Authors: Muankaew Chutimon , Loftsson Thorsteinn 
Published: October 2017

AbstractCyclodextrins (CDs) are recognized as promising pharmaceutical excipients due to their unique ability to form water‐soluble inclusion complexes with various poorly soluble compounds. The numerous investigations on CDs and their use in nanomedicine have received considerable attention in the last three decades, leading to the rapid development of new CD‐containing formulations that significantly facilitate targeted drug delivery and controlled drug release, with consequent improvements in drug bioavailability. This MiniReview highlights the efficacy and recent uses of CDs for non‐invasive drug delivery. Using ophthalmic and nasal drug delivery as examples, an overview of chemical properties, mechanisms of CDs on drug solubilization, stabilization and permeation, along with their toxicological profiles relevant to nasal and ocular administration, are provided and discussed. The recent development and application of CD‐based nanocarrier systems for targeted drug delivery are summarized.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND LABOUR MARKET IMPERFECTION
Authors: Kuo Kuo‐Hsing , Lee Cheng‐Te , Wu Shang‐Fen 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACTThis paper will set up a general equilibrium model with a distorted labour market to explore the effects of an environmental tax and union bargaining power on formal employment and the informal competitive wage. We find that when the government raises the environmental tax, both formal employment and informal competitive wage would fall. In addition, we confirm that a policy of labour market reform would increase both formal employment and the informal competitive wage.
What controls variation in carbon use efficiency among Amazonian tropical forests?
Authors: Doughty Christopher E. , Goldsmith Gregory R. , Raab Nicolas , Girardin Cecile A. J. , Farfan‐Amezquita Filio , Huaraca‐Huasco Walter , Silva‐Espejo Javier E. , Araujo‐Murakami Alejandro , da Costa Antonio C. L. , Rocha Wanderley , Galbraith David , Meir Patrick , Metcalfe Dan B. , Malhi Yadvinder 
Published: October 2017

AbstractWhy do some forests produce biomass more efficiently than others? Variations in Carbon Use Efficiency (CUE: total Net Primary Production (NPP)/ Gross Primary Production (GPP)) may be due to changes in wood residence time (Biomass/NPPwood), temperature, or soil nutrient status. We tested these hypotheses in 14, one ha plots across Amazonian and Andean forests where we measured most key components of net primary production (NPP: wood, fine roots, and leaves) and autotrophic respiration (Ra; wood, rhizosphere, and leaf respiration). We found that lower fertility sites were less efficient at producing biomass and had higher rhizosphere respiration, indicating increased carbon allocation to belowground components. We then compared wood respiration to wood growth and rhizosphere respiration to fine root growth and found that forests with residence times <40 yrs had significantly lower maintenance respiration for both wood and fine roots than forests with residence times >40 yrs. A comparison of rhizosphere respiration to fine root growth showed that rhizosphere growth respiration was significantly greater at low fertility sites. Overall, we found that Amazonian forests produce biomass less efficiently in stands with residence times >40 yrs and in stands with lower fertility, but changes to long‐term mean annual temperatures do not impact CUE.
Eppur Si Muove: ferritin is essential in modulating inflammation
Authors: Sharif K , Vieira Borba V , Zandman-Goddard G , Shoenfeld Y 
Published: October 2017

Summary
Ferritin, which was only discovered in the last century, has stirred a formidable debate. Ferritin has long been appreciated as a non-specific acute-phase reactant. Several years ago, we hypothesized the contributory role of ferritin as a pathogenic molecule rather than being a product of inflammation. The latest emerging evidence provides support to this notion. Such revelation provides a step forward towards the understanding of disease conditions associated with hyperferritinaemia, and hence provide new targets for treatment modalities.
Interactive Large‐Scale Procedural Forest Construction and Visualization Based on Particle Flow Simulation
Authors: Kohek Štefan , Strnad Damjan 
Published: October 2017

AbstractInteractive visualization of large forest scenes is challenging due to the large amount of geometric detail that needs to be generated and stored, particularly in scenarios with a moving observer such as forest walkthroughs or overflights. Here, we present a new method for large‐scale procedural forest generation and visualization at interactive rates. We propose a hybrid approach by combining geometry‐based and volumetric modelling techniques with gradually transitioning level of detail (LOD). Nearer trees are constructed using an extended particle flow algorithm, in which particle trails outline the tree ramification in an inverse direction, i.e. from the leaves towards the roots. Reduced geometric representation of a tree is obtained by subsampling the trails. For distant trees, a new volumetric rendering technique in pixel‐space is introduced, which avoids geometry formation altogether and enables visualization of vast forest areas with millions of unique trees. We demonstrate that a GPU‐based implementation of the proposed method provides interactive frame rates in forest overflight scenarios, where new trees are constructed and their LOD adjusted on the fly.
Molecular phylogeny of Plagiothecium and similar hypnalean mosses, with a revised sectional classification of Plagiothecium
Authors: Wynns Justin T. , Munk Karen Rysbjerg , Lange Conny B. Asmussen 
Published: October 2017

AbstractWe investigated the systematic relationships within the pleurocarpous moss genus Plagiothecium, based on cladistic analyses of sequence data from one nuclear (ITS) and two plastid (trnK‐psbA (matK) and rpl16 intron) DNA regions for 110 specimens of Plagiothecium and similar hypnalean mosses. Plastid and nuclear trees were mostly similar, but differed in the placement of several species of Plagiothecium, and in the relationships among other genera. The phylogenetic hypotheses based on plastid markers were well resolved; in contrast, nuclear data were insufficient to resolve some of the lowest‐level relationships within the genus. In the main Plagiothecium is natural, includes more taxa than are often recognized, and is most closely related to Isopterygiopsis and Herzogiella. Nine sections are recognized within Plagiothecium, four new: Section Pseudo‐Neckera to accommodate P. neckeroideum and its allies, Section Ortholimnobium for P. handelii and P. paleaceum, Section Struckia for P. argentatum and P. enerve, and Section Rectithecium for P. piliferum. The geographical distribution of the sections suggests that Plagiothecium originated in Asia. The derived, mainly autoicous sections Plagiothecium and Leptophyllum may have spread to the Southern Hemisphere through long distance dispersal. Three new species in section Leptophyllum (P. funale, P. pacificum and P. rhizolucidum) and two new taxa in section Pseudo‐Neckera (P. decoratum and P. neckeroideum fo. exile) are described. A limited phylogenetic hypothesis for the superficially similar hypnalean genus Taxiphyllum, which was used as outgroup, is included. A related genus (Longiella) is described, with a single species (L. plagiothecioides). The aquarium species T. barbieri is transferred to Ectropothecium.
Disentangling Effects of Input Frequency and Morphophonological Complexity on Children's Acquisition of Verb Inflection: An Elicited Production Study of Japanese
Authors: Tatsumi Tomoko , Ambridge Ben , Pine Julian M. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThis study aims to disentangle the often‐confounded effects of input frequency and morphophonological complexity in the acquisition of inflection, by focusing on simple and complex verb forms in Japanese. Study 1 tested 28 children aged 3;3–4;3 on stative (complex) and simple past forms, and Study 2 tested 30 children aged 3;5–5;3 on completive (complex) and simple past forms, with both studies using a production priming paradigm. Mixed effects models for children's responses were built to test the prediction that children's verb use is explained by the relative bias in input frequency between the two inflectional forms. Although Study 1 did not show a significant effect of input bias (apparently due to problems with item selection), Study 2, which corrected for this problem, yielded the predicted relationship. These findings suggest that input frequency effects, at the level of different inflectional forms of the same verb stem, hold even after controlling for morphophonological complexity.
Inter‐religious Discourse on Climate Change: Roman Catholic and African Traditional Perspectives
Authors: Byarugaba George William 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe future of our planet poses many challenges for our generation, possibly more than ever before. Overpopulation, rapid industrialization, heightened consumerism, unrestricted technologies, and other human activities are affecting every region of land and water, and causing environmental degradation on an enormous scale. Indeed, not only are we altering the climate and radically undermining life, but we are also triggering a mass extinction of species and putting future generations in a predicament. The Catholic Church values this world and believes that the transcendent creator and an immanent Spirit dwell deep in the created world and that one finds God when one loves the world God has created and redeemed. Any activity that demeans and devalues creatures demeans the creator, as much as reverence for and joy over everything and every person becomes the sign of the love for God. Human sinfulness is doubtless the major cause of the environmental crisis. Consequently, this contribution argues that through the ritual of prayer that weaves humans into the rhythm of natural cycles, the Catholic Church can lead to changing people's hearts and contribute to restoring the environment. The essay also argues that in order to effectively fulfil its role of changing people's mindsets toward the environment, the church must dialogue with African Traditional Religions.
Drawing on African Muslims’ Intangible Assets: Doing Jihad against Climate Change
Authors: Haron Muhammed 
Published: October 2017

AbstractAfrica's Muslims, like their counterparts on other continents, have been concerned about the negative effects of climate change. During the past few years, religious leaders have been called upon by their states and civil societies to draw upon intangible assets such as supplicating publicly and performing mass prayer meetings to beseech the Almighty to bring rain to their regions. Though the supplications of some were answered, others have been waiting for the Divine's response by keeping their hands raised and their eyes upon the skies. The purpose of this essay is fourfold: first, to identify prayer as a critical intangible asset for religious traditions when they encounter a crisis; second, to broadly discuss the interconnections between religion (in this case, Islam) and climate change; third, to identify guidelines for when and why to perform the “prayer for rain”; and fourth, to describe the responses of African Muslim communities and the strategies of Muslim religious leadership in praying for rain during and beyond times of drought.
Comparison of methods to determine CTOD for SENB specimens in different strain hardening steels
Authors: Khor W.L. , Moore P. , Pisarski H. , Brown C. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractMethods for determining crack tip opening displacement (CTOD) given in national and international standards are compared for steels with a range of strain hardening characteristics.Crack tip opening displacement measurements were made from single‐edge notched bend notches using a silicone rubber casting method. The finite element model produced good agreements with predictions of these CTOD measurements. The versatility of the finite element model enabled CTOD from the original crack tip and the 45° intercept method to be compared. The 45° CTOD generally underestimates the original crack tip CTOD, and is less useful for conditions with stable crack extension.Apart from the high strain hardening material, CTOD calculated using BS 7448‐1, WES 1108 (JWES), and ASTM E1820 was slightly lower than the values determined from silicone measurements and modelling, which is conservative. ASTM E1820 gave the largest underestimation of CTOD, whilst BS 7448‐1 may be unsuitable for higher strain hardening steels, where the standard predicts higher CTOD than measured from the replica. JWES gives the most consistent estimation of CTOD for steels with a wide range of strain hardening values.
A Matrix‐Matched Reference Material for Validating Petroleum Re‐Os Measurements
Authors: Liu Junjie , Selby David 
Published: October 2017

This study presents two matrix‐matched reference materials developed for petroleum Re‐Os measurements. We present the Re and Os mass fractions and 187Re/188Os and 187Os/188Os values (ratio of the number of atoms of the isotopes) for repeatedly measured aliquots (ca. 120–150 mg test portions) of the NIST Research Material 8505 (RM 8505) crude oil, and its asphaltene and maltene fractions, and ~ 90 g of homogeneous asphaltene powder isolated from this oil. Measurements were performed using the Carius tube‐isotope dilution negative‐thermal ionisation mass spectrometry methodology. The RM 8505 crude oil contains 1.98 ± 0.07 ng g−1 Re and 25.0 ± 1.1 pg g−1 Os, with Re‐Os isotope amount ratios of 452 ± 6 for 187Re/188Os and 1.51 ± 0.01 for 187Os/188Os (n = 20, 95% conf.). The homogeneous asphaltene sample contains 16.52 ± 0.10 ng g−1 Re and 166.0 ± 0.9 pg g−1 total Os, and possesses isotope amount ratios of 574 ± 3 for 187Re/188Os and 1.64 ± 0.01 for 187Os/188Os (n = 24, 95% conf.). The intermediate precision of these data makes the RM 8505 whole oil and the (~ 90 g) homogenised asphaltene appropriate petroleum matrix‐matched reference materials for Re‐Os measurements. The asphaltene fraction of the oil is the main carrier of Re and Os of the RM 8505 whole oil, and caution is suggested in using asphaltene and maltene fractions of a single oil for Re‐Os geochronology.
Asylum for Sale: A Market between States that is Feasible and Desirable
Authors: Himmelreich Johannes 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe asylum system faces problems on two fronts. States undermine it with populist politics, and migrants use it to satisfy their migration preferences. To address these problems, asylum services should be commodified. States should be able to pay other states to provide determination and protection‐elsewhere. In this article, I aim to identify a way of implementing this idea that is both feasible and desirable. First, I sketch a policy proposal for a commodification of asylum services. Then, I argue that this policy proposal is not only compatible with the right to asylum, but also supported by moral considerations. Despite some undesirable moral features, a market in asylum facilitates the provision of asylum to those who need it.
Prevalence and predictive factors of left atrial tachycardia occurring after second‐generation cryoballoon ablation of atrial fibrillation
Authors: Hermida Alexis , Kubala Maciej , Traullé Sarah , Buiciuc Otilia , Quenum Serge , Hermida Jean‐Sylvain 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIntroductionAssess the prevalence and predictors of left atrial tachycardia (LAT) after cryoballoon ablation of pulmonary veins.Methods and resultsPatients who underwent catheter ablation of pulmonary veins with a second‐generation cryoballoon for symptomatic paroxysmal (151 of 270, 56%) or persistent (119 of 270, 44%) atrial fibrillation were entered in a single‐center prospective registry. Patients who experienced postcryoballoon LAT (pcryo‐LAT) were selected on the basis of 12‐lead ECG characteristics. Left atrial origin was confirmed during conventional EP study and electroanatomical activation mapping, and patients were treated by RF catheter ablation.Pcryo‐LAT was observed in 15 (5.6%) of 270 patients and was attributed to a reentrant mechanism in 11 patients (73%). The other four cases of pcryo‐LAT were due to focal atrial tachycardia associated with reconnection of one pulmonary vein. In comparison with patients who remained in sinus rhythm, LA area (HR = 1.09; CI 1.01, 1.2; P = 0.02), LVEF (HR = 0.94; CI 0.90, 0.97; P < 0.001), and LVEF <50% (HR = 8.5; CI 3.1, 23.6; P < 0.001) were predictors of pcryo‐LAT. After multivariate Cox analysis, only left ventricular ejection fraction < 50% remained predictive of pcryo‐LAT, (HR = 7.8, CI 2.3 26.7, P = 0.002). With a mean survival of 23 months, 73% of patients who experienced pcryo‐LAT were in sinus rhythm versus 78% of patients without pcryo‐LAT (log rank P = 0.85).ConclusionThe prevalence of pcryo‐LAT in patients with atrial fibrillation is low. Left ventricular ejection fraction < 50% is associated with an increased risk of pcryo‐LAT. When treated by RF catheter ablation, the presence of pcryo‐LAT is not a predictive factor of subsequent recurrence of atrial fibrillation during follow‐up.
Melatonin prevents endothelial cell pyroptosis via regulation of long noncoding RNA MEG3/miR‐223/NLRP3 axis
Authors: Zhang Yong , Liu Xin , Bai Xue , Lin Yuan , Li Zhange , Fu Jiangbo , Li Mingqi , Zhao Tong , Yang Huan , Xu Ranchen , Li Jiamin , Ju Jin , Cai Benzhi , Xu Chaoqian , Yang Baofeng 
Published: October 2017

AbstractAtherosclerosis (AS) is an inflammatory disease linked to endothelial dysfunction. Melatonin is reported to possess substantial anti‐inflammatory properties, which has proven to be effective in AS. Emerging literature suggests that pyroptosis plays a critical role during AS progression. However, whether pyroptosis contributes to endothelial dysfunction and the underlying molecular mechanisms remained unexploited. This study was designed to investigate the antipyroptotic effects of melatonin in atherosclerotic endothelium and to elucidate the potential mechanisms. In this study, high‐fat diet (HFD)‐treated ApoE−/− mice were used as an atherosclerotic animal model. We found intragastric administration of melatonin for 12 weeks markedly reduced the atherosclerotic plaque in aorta. Meanwhile, melatonin also attenuated the expression of pyroptosis‐related genes, including NLRP3, ASC, cleaved caspase1, NF‐κB/GSDMD, GSDMD N‐termini, IL‐1β, and IL‐18 in aortic endothelium of melatonin‐treated animals. Consistent antipyroptotic effects were also observed in ox‐LDL‐treated human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs). We found that lncRNA MEG3 enhanced pyroptosis in HAECs. Moreover, MEG3 acted as an endogenous sponge by sequence complementarity to suppress the function of miR‐223 and to increase NLRP3 expression and enhance endothelial cell pyroptosis. Furthermore, knockdown of miR‐223 blocked the antipyroptotic actions of melatonin in ox‐LDL‐treated HAECs. Together, our results suggest that melatonin prevents endothelial cell pyroptosis via MEG3/miR‐223/NLRP3 axis in atherosclerosis, and therefore, melatonin replacement might be considered a new strategy for protecting endothelium against pyroptosis, thereby for the treatment of atherosclerosis associated with pyroptosis.
Murmur intensity in adult dogs with pulmonic and subaortic stenosis reflects disease severity
Authors: Caivano D. , Dickson D. , Martin M. , Rishniw M. 
Published: October 2017

ObjectivesThe aims of this study were to determine whether murmur intensity in adult dogs with pulmonic stenosis or subaortic stenosis reflects echocardiographic disease severity and to determine whether a six‐level murmur grading scheme provides clinical advantages over a four‐level scheme.Materials and MethodsIn this retrospective multi‐investigator study on adult dogs with pulmonic stenosis or subaortic stenosis, murmur intensity was compared to echocardiographically determined pressure gradient across the affected valve. Disease severity, based on pressure gradients, was assessed between sequential murmur grades to identify redundancy in classification. A simplified four‐level murmur intensity classification scheme (‘soft’, ‘moderate’, ‘loud’, ‘palpable’) was evaluated.ResultsIn total, 284 dogs (153 with pulmonic stenosis, 131 with subaortic stenosis) were included; 55 dogs had soft, 59 had moderate, 72 had loud and 98 had palpable murmurs. 95 dogs had mild stenosis, 46 had moderate stenosis, and 143 had severe stenosis. No dogs with soft murmurs of either pulmonic or subaortic stenosis had transvalvular pressure gradients greater than 50 mmHg. Dogs with loud or palpable murmurs mostly, but not always, had severe stenosis. Stenosis severity increased with increasing murmur intensity. The traditional six‐level murmur grading scheme provided no additional clinical information than the four‐level descriptive murmur grading scheme.Clinical SignificanceA simplified descriptive four‐level murmur grading scheme differentiated stenosis severity without loss of clinical information, compared to the traditional six‐level scheme. Soft murmurs in dogs with pulmonic or subaortic stenosis are strongly indicative of mild lesions. Loud or palpable murmurs are strongly suggestive of severe stenosis.
Shortening of an existing generic online health‐related quality of life instrument for dogs
Authors: Reid J. , Wiseman‐Orr L. , Scott M. 
Published: October 2017

ObjectiveDevelopment, initial validation and reliability testing of a shortened version of a web‐based questionnaire instrument to measure generic health‐related quality of life in companion dogs, to facilitate smartphone and online use.Materials and MethodsThe original 46 items were reduced using expert judgment and factor analysis. Items were removed on the basis of item loadings and communalities on factors identified through factor analysis of responses from owners of healthy and unwell dogs, intrafactor item correlations, readability of items in the UK, USA and Australia and ability of individual items to discriminate between healthy and unwell dogs. Validity was assessed through factor analysis and a field trial using a “known groups” approach. Test–retest reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients.ResultsThe new instrument comprises 22 items, each of which was rated by dog owners using a 7‐point Likert scale. Factor analysis revealed a structure with four health‐related quality of life domains (energetic/enthusiastic, happy/content, active/comfortable, and calm/relaxed) accounting for 72% of the variability in the data compared with 64% for the original instrument. The field test involving 153 healthy and unwell dogs demonstrated good discriminative properties and high intraclass correlation coefficients.Clinical SignificanceThe 22‐item shortened form is superior to the original instrument and can be accessed via a mobile phone app. This is likely to increase the acceptability to dog owners as a routine wellness measure in health care packages and as a therapeutic monitoring tool.