bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identifying a network of priority areas for conservation in the Arctic seas: Practical lessons from Russia
Authors: Solovyev Boris , Spiridonov Vassily , Onufrenya Irina , Belikov Stanislav , Chernova Natalia , Dobrynin Dmitry , Gavrilo Maria , Glazov Dmitry , Krasnov Yuri , Mukharamova Svetlana , Pantyulin Anatoly , Platonov Nikita , Saveliev Anatoly , Stishov Mikhail , Tertitski Grigory
Published: September 2017

The natural environment of the Arctic is changing rapidly owing to climate change. At the same time in many countries including Russia the region is attracting growing attention of decision‐makers and business communities. In light of the above it is necessary to protect the biodiversity of the regional marine ecosystems in the most effective way possible, namely by establishing a network of marine protected areas.

Identifying conservation priority areas is a key step towards this goal. To achieve it, a study based on a systematic conservation planning approach was conducted. An expanded group of experts used the MARXAN algorithm to produce initial results, then discussed and refined them to select 47 conservation priority areas in the Russian Arctic seas.

The resulting network covers nearly 25% of the Russian Arctic seas, which guarantees proportional representation of their biodiversity as well as achieving connectivity, sustainability and naturalness. This was largely made possible by the selected methodology, based on the MARXAN decision support tool supplemented by extensive post‐analysis that helped fill any gaps inevitable in the formal approach.

Although available data were sparse, and of varying quality and a single regionalization scheme could not be used (as is often the case for such areas), the selected approach has proven successful for such a large area that covers both the coastal zone and parts of the High Seas. Such an approach could be used further to identify marine protected areas throughout the Arctic Ocean.
A world of difference ‐ opportunities for applying the 1972 World Heritage Convention to the High Seas
Authors: Laffoley Dan , Freestone David
Published: September 2017

The 1972 World Heritage Convention has not to date been applied to marine areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ), i.e. to high seas and deep sea bed sites.

Examples are given of high seas and deep seabed sites that appear to meet the criteria of Outstanding Universal Value for inscription.

The ongoing negotiations at the United Nations for a new International Legally Binding Instrument (ILBI) on the conservation and sustainable exploitation of biodiversity in ABNJ are highlighted as a significant complementary initiative.

Three feasible modalities are suggested by which the Parties to the 1972 Convention might be able to allow inscription of sites in ABNJ and establish appropriate management regimes: incremental and pragmatic agreement to minor changes in the way that they apply the treaty or formally announcing a change in the way that they intend to apply a treaty among themselves in the future; agreeing to an Amendment outside the terms of the 1972 Agreement; or developing an optional protocol to the 1972 Convention could be developed through an international negotiation among States Parties, binding only on those States that choose to ratify any resulting protocol.

The merits of these different options are explored. Under any scenario, a system will also need to be elaborated for the protection of World Heritage sites in areas beyond national jurisdiction. This will be an important undertaking which will require collaboration between UNESCO and the relevant competent international organizations and their States Parties.
Benefits of extracurricular participation in dissection in a prosection‐based medical anatomy program
Authors: Whelan Alexander , Leddy John J. , Ramnanan Christopher J.
Published: September 2017

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the extracurricular cadaveric dissection program available to medical students at an institution with a modern (time‐compressed, student‐centered, and prosection‐based) approach to medical anatomy education. Quantitative (Likert‐style questions) and qualitative data (thematic analysis of open‐ended commentary) were collated from a survey of three medical student cohorts who had completed preclerkship. Perceived benefits of dissection included the hands‐on learning style and the development of anatomy expertise, while the main barrier that limited participation was the time‐intensive nature of dissection. Despite perceived benefits, students preferred that dissection remain optional. Analysis of assessments for the MD2016 cohort revealed that dissection participation was associated with enhanced performance on anatomy items in each systems‐based unit examination, with the largest benefits observed on discriminating items that assessed knowledge application. In conclusion, this study revealed that there are academic and perceived benefits of extracurricular participation in dissection. While millennial medical students recognized these benefits, these students also indicated strong preference for having flexibility and choice in their anatomy education, including the choice to participate in cadaveric dissection. Anat Sci Educ 11: 294–302. © 2017 American Association of Anatomists.
Redox luminescence switch based on Mn2+‐doped NaYF4:Yb,Er upconversion nanorods
Authors: Zhang Liping , Zhang Jianguo , Chen Hongqi , Wang Lun
Published: September 2017

An redox luminescence switch was developed for the sensing of glutathione (GSH), l‐cysteine (Cys) or l‐ascorbic acid (AA) based on redox reaction. The Mn2+‐doped NaYF4:Yb,Er upconversion nanorods (UCNRs) with an emission peak located in the red region were synthesized. The luminescence intensity of the UCNRs could be quenched due to the Mn2+ could be oxidized to MnO2 by KMnO4. Subsequently, when the AA, GSH or Cys was added into the MnO2 modified upconversion nanosystem, which could reduced MnO2 to Mn2+ and the luminescence intensity was recovered. The concentration ranges of the nanosystem are 0.500–3.375 mM (R2 = 0.99) for AA, 0.6250–11.88 mM (R2 = 0.99) for GSH and 0.6250–9.375 mM (R2 = 0.99) for Cys, respectively.
A Diversity‐Oriented Library of Fluorophore‐Modified Receptors Constructed from a Chemical Library of Synthetic Fluorophores
Authors: Nakano Shun , Tamura Tomoki , Das Raj Kumar , Nakata Eiji , Chang Young‐Tae , Morii Takashi
Published: September 2017

The practical application of biosensors can be determined by evaluating the sensing ability of fluorophore‐modified derivatives of a receptor with appropriate recognition characteristics for target molecules. One of the key determinants for successfully obtaining a useful biosensor is wide variation in the fluorophores attached to a given receptor. Thus, using a larger fluorophore‐modified receptor library provides a higher probability of obtaining a practically useful biosensor. However, no effective method has yet been developed for constructing such a diverse library of fluorophore‐modified receptors. Herein, we report a method for constructing fluorophore‐modified receptors by using a chemical library of synthetic fluorophores with a thiol‐reactive group. This library was converted into a library of fluorophore‐modified adenosine‐binding ribonucleopeptide (RNP) receptors by introducing the fluorophores to the Rev peptide of the RNP complex by alkylation of the thiol group. This method enabled the construction of 263 fluorophore‐modified ATP‐binding RNP receptors and allowed the selection of suitable receptor‐based fluorescent sensors that target ATP.
Induction of autophagy by an oleanolic acid derivative, SZC017, promotes ROS‐dependent apoptosis through Akt and JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway in human lung cancer cells
Authors: Song Yanlin , Kong Lingqi , Sun Bin , Gao Lei , Chu Peng , Ahsan Anil , Qaed Eskandar , Lin Yuan , Peng Jinyong , Ma Xiaodong , Zhang Jianbin , Wang Shisheng , Tang Zeyao
Published: September 2017

The signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway is a common feature in many solid tumors including non‐small cell lung cancer, whereas current therapies usually fail to treat this disease in majority of cases. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the cytotoxic effect and the underlying mechanisms of SZC017, an oleanolic acid derivative, on human lung cancer cells. Cell viability was significantly decreased in SZC017‐treated lung cancer cells. Mechanistically, SZC017 reduced A549 cell viability by activating both apoptosis and autophagy pathways. SZC017 was able to inhibit the phosphorylation of Akt, JAK2, and STAT3 in A549 cells, resulting in the inactivation of Akt and JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathways. In addition, SZC017 could induce ROS generation and Ca2+ release. Pretreatment with N‐Acetyl L‐Cysteine, a ROS scavenger, could fully reverse SZC017‐induced ROS and increase the expression of Akt, p‐STAT3, and procaspase‐3, while decrease the ratio of LC3‐II/I and the expression of Beclin‐1. In summary, our study provides pharmacological evidence that SZC017 exhibits potential use in the treatment of lung cancer.
Versatile Method for the Site‐Specific Modification of DNA with Boron Clusters: Anti‐Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Antisense Oligonucleotide Case
Authors: Ebenryter‐Olbińska Katarzyna , Kaniowski Damian , Sobczak Milena , Wojtczak Błażej A. , Janczak Sławomir , Wielgus Ewelina , Nawrot Barbara , Leśnikowski Zbigniew J.
Published: September 2017

A general and convenient approach for the incorporation of different types of boron clusters into specific locations of the DNA‐oligonucleotide chain based on the automated phosphoramidite method of oligonucleotide synthesis and post‐synthetic “click chemistry” modification has been developed. Pronounced effects of boron‐cluster modification on the physico‐ and biochemical properties of the antisense oligonucleotides were observed. The silencing activity of antisense oligonucleotides bearing a single boron cluster modification in the middle of the oligonucleotide chain was substantially higher than that of unmodified oligonucleotides. This finding may be of importance for the design of therapeutic nucleic acids with improved properties. The proposed synthetic methodology broadens the availability of nucleic acid–boron cluster conjugates and opens up new avenues for their potential practical use.
Carbon‐Rich Monolayers on ITO as Highly Sensitive Platforms for Detecting Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Water: The Case of Pyrene
Authors: Muñoz Jose , Crivillers Núria , Mas‐Torrent Marta
Published: September 2017

The determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water at low levels is a current challenge given their great impact on the health and safety of the public. Here, a novel pyrene‐based self‐assembled monolayer (SAM) platform is exploited as an electrochemical sensing recognition device. Interestingly, the formation of π–π sandwich complexes between PAHs and the recognition element switches the surface electron transfer capability. The unique supramolecular interaction between identical aromatic molecules provides a highly sensitive and selective sensor for pyrene in the order of part per trillion. Accordingly, and using pyrene as a proof‐of‐concept, this work presents the basis for an “at‐point‐of‐use” impedimetric sensor focused on a highly sensitive carbon‐rich SAM for PAHs determination in water at ultra‐trace levels.
Functional Hyper‐Crosslinkers
Authors: Zhou Ning , Cao Zeyuan , Xu Bing
Published: September 2017

Crosslinking is an essential architecture for polymers to improve mechanical and thermal properties and to form three‐dimensional (3D) structures. Although conventional synthetic crosslinkers usually only serve as bridges between different polymeric chains, biological crosslinkers are multifunctional. Recently, crosslinkers with active functionality after polymerization are promising a new dimension of molecular design for generating smart materials as they may exhibit dramatic changes in structures and properties in response to external stimuli. This concept article introduces several different designs of hyper‐crosslinkers (i.e., multifunctional crosslinkers that provide three or more sites for generating networks) and their applications in tailoring stimuli‐responsive and self‐healing soft materials. Particularly, the polymeric materials that contain functional hyper‐crosslinkers are exhibiting anti‐intuitive redox or thermal‐pH responses. The goal of this article is to illustrate the concept that functional hyper‐crosslinkers not only improve the physical and chemical performance of the polymers, but more importantly, may introduce new architectures and functionalities for soft materials.
WNK Signaling Inhibitors as Potential Antihypertensive Drugs
Authors: AlAmri Mubarak A. , Kadri Hachemi , Dhiani Binar A. , Mahmood Shumail , Elzwawi Abdulrahman , Mehellou Youcef
Published: September 2017

Since the discovery of WNK mutations that cause an inherited form of hypertension in humans, there has been increasing interest in targeting WNK signaling as a novel strategy for modulating blood pressure. This notion is now supported by numerous mouse models with impaired WNK signaling that exhibit reduced blood pressure. Biochemical analyses of the various protein components that make up this signaling pathway have identified a number of plausible molecular targets that are amenable to targeting by small molecules. To date, a selection of small‐molecule WNK signaling inhibitors have been identified and have shown promise in suppressing the activity of WNK signaling in cells and in animals. In this Minireview, we briefly discuss the WNK signaling pathway and provide an overview of the various druggable targets within this cascade, as well as the different WNK signaling inhibitors discovered to date.
Muscle mass at the time of diagnosis of nonmetastatic colon cancer and early discontinuation of chemotherapy, delays, and dose reductions on adjuvant FOLFOX: The C‐SCANS study
Authors: Cespedes Feliciano Elizabeth M. , Lee Valerie S. , Prado Carla M. , Meyerhardt Jeffrey A. , Alexeeff Stacey , Kroenke Candyce H. , Xiao Jingjie , Castillo Adrienne L. , Caan Bette J.
Published: September 2017

BACKGROUND

For many chemotherapy regimens dosed based on body surface area (BSA), patients experience dose reductions or delays or discontinue treatment, thereby reducing survival. Consideration of body composition may be useful in individualizing chemotherapy dosing, but to the authors' knowledge few studies to date have examined the association of body composition with chemotherapy tolerance in patients with colon cancer.

METHODS

The authors identified patients with nonmetastatic colon cancer who were diagnosed from 2006 through 2011 at Kaiser Permanente and who received leucovorin calcium/calcium folinate, 5‐fluorouracil, and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) as initial adjuvant chemotherapy (533 patients). Patients' muscle mass was quantified using clinically acquired computed tomography scans. The authors quantified chemotherapy doses, treatment dates, and related toxicities using the electronic medical record. In logistic regression models adjusting for age, sex, and American Joint Committee on Cancer stage of disease, the authors examined associations of muscle tertiles with early treatment discontinuation (<6 cycles), treatment delay (>3 days off schedule for ≥3 times), and/or dose reduction (relative dose intensity ≤ 0.70, based on planned treatment).

RESULTS

The average age of the patients at the time of diagnosis was 58.7 years; BSA was 1.9 m2 and body mass index was 28.7 kg/m2. Compared with the highest sex‐specific tertile of muscle mass, patients in the lowest tertile were more likely to experience toxicities and had twice the risk of adverse outcomes while receiving FOLFOX; for early discontinuation, the odds ratio (OR) was 2.34 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.04‐5.24; P for trend = .03), whereas the ORs were 2.24 (95% CI, 1.37‐3.66; P for trend = .002) for treatment delay and 2.28 (95% CI, 1.19‐4.36; P for trend = .01) for dose reduction.

CONCLUSIONS

Lower muscle mass is associated with greater toxicity and poor chemotherapy adherence among patients receiving FOLFOX. Many chemotherapy drugs are dosed based on BSA, but treatment may be better individualized if muscle mass is considered. Cancer 2017;123:4868‐77. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Improvement in sexual function after ovarian cancer: Effects of sexual therapy and rehabilitation after treatment for ovarian cancer
Authors: Bober Sharon L. , Recklitis Christopher J. , Michaud Alexis L. , Wright Alexi A.
Published: September 2017

BACKGROUND

Sexual dysfunction is a distressing long‐term effect after gynecological cancer and affects the majority of survivors for years after the completion of therapy. Despite its prevalence, treatment‐related sexual dysfunction is underrecognized and undertreated for survivors. Thus, the aim of this study was to develop and test a brief psychoeducational intervention for managing sexual dysfunction for women who have undergone treatment for ovarian cancer (OC).

METHODS

Forty‐six OC survivors with documented, treatment‐related sexual dysfunction received a single half‐day group intervention that included sexual health education and rehabilitation training, relaxation and cognitive behavioral therapy skills to address sexual symptoms, and a single tailored booster telephone call 4 weeks after the group. Assessment measures were completed at the baseline (baseline 1), after an 8‐week no‐treatment run‐in period (baseline 2), and then again 2 and 6 months after the intervention. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) was used to assess sexual functioning, and the Brief Symptom Inventory 18 (BSI‐18) was used to capture psychological distress.

RESULTS

Between baseline 1 and baseline 2, there were no significant changes in the study measures, and this indicated no natural improvement during the run‐in period. In contrast, the total FSFI scores improved significantly from baseline 1 to the 2‐ (n = 45; P < .0005) and 6‐month time points (n = 42; P < .05). The BSI‐18 scores were also significantly improved at the 2‐ (P < .005) and 6‐month time points (P < .01) in comparison with baseline 1.

CONCLUSIONS

This brief behavioral intervention led to significant improvements in overall sexual functioning and psychological distress that were maintained at the 6‐month follow‐up. The results demonstrate the feasibility of this brief, low‐intensity behavioral intervention and support the development of a larger randomized controlled trial. Cancer 2018;124:176‐82. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Trends in major upper abdominal surgery for cancer in octogenarians: Has there been a change in patient selection?
Authors: Neuwirth Madalyn G. , Bierema Christine , Sinnamon Andrew J. , Fraker Douglas L. , Kelz Rachel R. , Roses Robert E. , Karakousis Giorgos C.
Published: September 2017

BACKGROUND

Although there is a general perception that, as the older population grows in number, more are undergoing surgery, there are few data on trends in major resections for cancer and short‐term outcomes in this group.

METHODS

The Nationwide Inpatient Sample was (NIS) used to estimate the national trends of major upper abdominal resections (esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas) for cancer in octogenarians (aged ≥80 years) from 2001 to 2011. Resection rates performed per year were incidence‐adjusted within this age group for each cancer type as determined by the NIS database. Joinpoint regression was used to calculate average annual percentage changes (AAPC) when evaluating trends over time.

RESULTS

During the study period, octogenarians underwent an estimated 30,356 upper abdominal organ resections for cancer in the United States, representing 3.8% of all cancer admissions among octogenarians. Resection rates in octogenarians increased significantly over time (AAPC, 2.54; P < .001) secondary to increasing trends in pancreatic (AAPC, 11.52; P < .001) and hepatic (AAPC, 6.67; P < .001) resections. Elixhauser comorbidity index scores increased from a mean of 3.61 to 4.20 (AAPC, 1.31; P < .001), whereas inpatient mortality during this time decreased from 13.6% to 8.2% (AAPC, 5.58; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Overall rates of major upper abdominal cancer resections in octogenarians are increasing over time, driven by increases in liver and pancreatic resections. These increases were observed despite a less favorable patient morbidity profile over time. These patterns may suggest shifting selection criteria for octogenarians undergoing major abdominal surgery over time in the context of diminishing postoperative mortality. Cancer 2018;124:125‐35. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Investigation on the Interface Modification of TiO2 Surfaces by Functional Co‐Adsorbents for High‐Efficiency Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Chandiran Aravind Kumar , Zakeeruddin Shaik M. , Humphry‐Baker Robin , Nazeeruddin Mohammad Khaja , Grätzel Michael , Sauvage Frédéric
Published: September 2017

The influence of interface modification of sensitized TiO2 surfaces by co‐adsorbents on photovoltaic performance is detailed. We investigated different functional groups of co‐adsorbents, such as carboxylic (4‐guanidino butyric acid, chenodeoxycholic acid), phosphinic (dineohexyl phosphinic acid), and phosphonic (dodecyl phosphonic acid), to better highlight their influence on the device performance and accurately classify them into de‐aggregating agents or agents with both de‐aggregating and co‐adsorbing properties. By optimizing the type of co‐adsorbent and its concentration in the dye solution, we reached an efficiency of 11.0 % using 4‐guanidino butyric acid or dineohexyl phosphinic acid, compared to 10.6 % when the benchmark chenodeoxycholic acid was used. The presence of co‐adsorbents on the TiO2 surface was studied using ATR‐FTIR spectroscopy. The role of these co‐adsorbents on the band edge shift versus the recombination resistance is discussed.
Hydrogen Bond versus Halogen Bond in Cation–Cation Complexes: Effect of the Solvent
Authors: Chalanchi Saber Mohammadi , Alkorta Ibon , Elguero Jose , Quiñonero David
Published: September 2017

Competition between hydrogen‐ (HB) and halogen‐bonded (XB) 4‐ammoniumpyridine and halogenammonium (NHnF3−nX+;n=0–3; X=F, Cl, Br, and I) cation–cation complexes are explored by means of DFT calculations. HB and XB minima structures are found for all systems in the gas phase. As the number of fluorine atoms increases, the HB complexes are more favored than those of XB. Proton transfer is generally observed in complexes with two, three, or four halogen atoms. The XB complexes evolve from traditional halogen bonds, to halogen‐shared complexes, and to ionic complexes as the number of fluorine atoms increases. The dissociation transition states and their corresponding barriers are also characterized; the barriers increase as the number of fluorine atoms increases. The results if solvent effects are considered indicate that, even in an apolar solvent, such asn‐hexane, most of the complexes have favorable binding energies. Atoms‐in‐molecules theory is used to analyze the complexes, and results in good correlations between electron density and total electron energy density (Η) values with the intermolecular bond length. According to theΗvalues obtained, the covalency of these interactions starts to manifest at distances around 72–74 % the sum of the van der Waals radii of the interacting atoms.
Anatase TiO2 as a Cheap and Sustainable Buffering Filler for Silicon Nanoparticles in Lithium‐Ion Battery Anodes
Authors: Maroni Fabio , Carbonari Gilberto , Croce Fausto , Tossici Roberto , Nobili Francesco
Published: September 2017

The design of effective supporting matrices to efficiently cycle Si nanoparticles is often difficult to achieve and requires complex preparation strategies. In this work, we present a simple synthesis of low‐cost and environmentally benign aAnatase TiO2 nanoparticles as buffering filler for Si nanoparticles (Si@TiO2). The average anatase TiO2 crystallite size was approximately 5 nm. A complete structural, morphological, and electrochemical characterization was performed. Electrochemical test results show very good specific capacity values of up to 1000 mAh g−1 and cycling at several specific currents, ranging from 500 to 2000 mA g−1, demonstrating a very good tolerance to high cycling rates. Postmortem morphological analysis shows very good electrode integrity after 100 cycles at 500 mA g−1 specific current.
Space‐time block coded spatial modulation with labeling diversity
Authors: Govindasamy Kyle , Xu HongJun , Pillay Narushan
Published: September 2017

Space‐time block coded spatial modulation (STBC‐SM) exploits the advantages of both spatial modulation and the Alamouti space‐time block code. Meanwhile, space‐time labeling diversity has demonstrated an improved bit error rate (BER) performance in comparison to the latter. Hence, in this paper, we extend the application of labeling diversity to STBC‐SM, which is termed STBC‐SM‐LD. Under identical channel assumptions, STBC‐SM‐LD exhibits superior BER performance compared to STBC‐SM. For example, with 4 × 4, 64‐quadrature amplitude modulation (64‐QAM), STBC‐SM‐LD has a BER performance gain of approximately 2.6 dB over STBC‐SM. Moreover, an asymptotic bound is presented to quantify the average BER performance of M‐ary QAM STBC‐SM‐LD over independent and identically distributed Rayleigh frequency‐flat fading channels. Monte Carlo simulations for STBC‐SM‐LD agree well with the analytical framework. In addition to the above, low‐complexity (LC) near‐maximum‐likelihood detectors for space‐time labeling diversity and STBC‐SM‐LD are presented. Complexity analysis of the proposed LC detectors shows a substantial reduction in computational complexity compared to their ML detector counterparts. For example, the proposed detector for STBC‐SM‐LD achieves a 91.9% drop in computational complexity for a 4 × 4, 64‐QAM system. The simulations further validate the near‐maximum‐likelihood performance of the LC detectors.
A new algorithm for cluster head selection in LEACH protocol for wireless sensor networks
Authors: Al‐Baz Ahmed , El‐Sayed Ayman
Published: September 2017

In wireless sensor network, a large number of sensor nodes are distributed to cover a certain area. Sensor node is little in size with restricted processing power, memory, and limited battery life. Because of restricted battery power, wireless sensor network needs to broaden the system lifetime by reducing the energy consumption. A clustering‐based protocols adapt the use of energy by giving a balance to all nodes to become a cluster head. In this paper, we concentrate on a recent hierarchical routing protocols, which are depending on LEACH protocol to enhance its performance and increase the lifetime of wireless sensor network. So our enhanced protocol called Node Ranked–LEACH is proposed. Our proposed protocol improves the total network lifetime based on node rank algorithm. Node rank algorithm depends on both path cost and number of links between nodes to select the cluster head of each cluster. This enhancement reflects the real weight of specific node to success and can be represented as a cluster head. The proposed algorithm overcomes the random process selection, which leads to unexpected fail for some cluster heads in other LEACH versions, and it gives a good performance in the network lifetime and energy consumption comparing with previous version of LEACH protocols.
Roadside drug testing: An evaluation of the Alere DDS®2 mobile test system
Authors: Rohrig Timothy P. , Moore Christine M. , Stephens Kimberly , Cooper Kelsey , Coulter Cynthia , Baird Tyson , Garnier Margaux , Miller Samuel , Tuyay James , Osawa Kei , Chou Joshua , Nuss Carson , Collier Jeff , Wittman Karen Cudlin
Published: September 2017

The number of drivers using drugs has increased over the last few years, and is likely to continue its upward trend. Testing drivers for alcohol use is routine and standardized, but the same is not true for the identification of driving under the influence of drugs (DUID). The Drug Evaluation and Classification Program (DECP) was developed to train police officers to recognize the signs and symptoms of recent drug use and remains an invaluable program; however, there are insufficient numbers of these highly trained drug recognition experts (DREs) available to attend every potential drug involved traffic incident. While blood and urine samples are used to test for drugs in a driver, both have disadvantages, particularly as they pertain to the length of time required after a traffic stop to sample collection. Therefore, the development of oral fluid testing devices which can be operated at the roadside and have the potential to assist officers in the identification of drug use is a major advancement in DUID cases. This project evaluated the performance of one instrumental oral fluid roadside testing device (Alere DDS®2) compared to DRE opinion, oral fluid laboratory‐based analysis, and routine blood testing. The results showed that there was a good correlation with DRE observations and the device performance was >80% in all drug categories compared to laboratory‐based analytical testing, both in oral fluid and blood, with few exceptions. The instrument can be considered a useful tool to assist law enforcement in identifying a drugged driver. Because the device does not test for all potentially impairing drugs, the opinion of the police officer regarding the condition of the driver should still be considered the most important aspect for arrest and further action.
Birds on the move in the face of climate change: High species turnover in northern Europe
Authors: Virkkala Raimo , Lehikoinen Aleksi
Published: September 2017

Species richness is predicted to increase in the northern latitudes in the warming climate due to ranges of many southern species expanding northwards. We studied changes in the composition of the whole avifauna and in bird species richness in a period of already warming climate in Finland (in northern Europe) covering 1,100 km in south–north gradient across the boreal zone (over 300,000 km2). We compared bird species richness and species‐specific changes (for all 235 bird species that occur in Finland) in range size (number of squares occupied) and range shifts (measured as median of area of occupancy) based on bird atlas studies between 1974–1989 and 2006–2010. In addition, we tested how the habitat preference and migration strategy of species explain species‐specific variation in the change of the range size. The study was carried out in 10 km squares with similar research intensity in both time periods. The species richness did not change significantly between the two time periods. The composition of the bird fauna, however, changed considerably with 37.0% of species showing an increase and 34.9% a decrease in the numbers of occupied squares, that is, about equal number of species gained and lost their range. Altogether 95.7% of all species (225/235) showed changes either in the numbers of occupied squares or they experienced a range shift (or both). The range size of archipelago birds increased and long‐distance migrants declined significantly. Range loss observed in long‐distance migrants is in line with the observed population declines of long‐distance migrants in the whole Europe. The results show that there is an ongoing considerable species turnover due to climate change and due to land use and other direct human influence. High bird species turnover observed in northern Europe may also affect the functional diversity of species communities.
Determinants of native and non‐native plant community structure on an oceanic island
Authors: Paudel Shishir , Benavides Juan C. , MacDonald Beau , Longcore Travis , Wilson Gail W. T. , Loss Scott R.
Published: September 2017

Understanding the relative importance of environmental and anthropogenic factors in driving plant community structure, including relative dominance of native and non‐native species, helps predict community responses to biological invasions. To assess factors influencing plant communities on San Clemente Island, USA, we conducted an islandwide vegetation survey in which we measured plant species richness and percent cover of native and non‐native plants, as well as physical environmental variables, soil chemical properties, abundance of soil microbial functional groups (e.g., arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi [AMF]), and a human disturbance variable (distance to road). We found that total plant species richness decreased with increasing non‐native plant cover, soil pH, and AMF abundance. Native plant cover increased with increasing distance to a major paved road and decreased with increasing soil moisture and pH. Non‐native plant cover decreased with increasing distance to a major paved road and increased with increasing soil moisture, AMF abundance, and from southwest to northeast, a geographic/climatic gradient that represents increasing moisture. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling ordination further illustrated that trends in plant community composition were correlated with elevation, distance to a major paved road, and soil moisture, organic matter, and ammonium. These results suggest complex effects of physical environmental, soil chemical, and human‐related factors on plant community structure on an oceanic island, and moreover, that different factors affect cover of native and non‐native plants. Notably, our observation of apparent moisture limitation of non‐native plants suggests that, in some contexts, drought conditions can limit plant invasions and may even represent an opportunity for efficient control or eradication of invasive plants. The apparent negative effect of non‐native plants on native plant cover and overall plant species richness represents a conservation concern for native biodiversity on oceanic islands and suggests the potential for community reassembly as invasive species increasingly dominate due to anthropogenic disturbances.
Drivers of synchrony of acorn production in the valley oak (Quercus lobata) at two spatial scales
Authors: Koenig Walter D. , Knops Johannes M. H. , Pesendorfer Mario B. , Zaya David N. , Ashley Mary V.
Published: September 2017

We investigated spatial synchrony of acorn production by valley oaks (Quercus lobata) among individual trees at the within‐population, local level and at the among‐population, statewide level spanning the geographic range of the species. At the local level, the main drivers of spatial synchrony were water availability and flowering phenology of individual trees, while proximity, temperature differences between trees, and genetic similarity failed to explain a significant proportion of variance in spatial synchrony. At the statewide level, annual rainfall was the primary driver, while proximity was significant by itself but not when controlling for rainfall; genetic similarity was again not significant. These results support the hypothesis that environmental factors, the Moran effect, are key drivers of spatial synchrony in acorn production at both small and large geographic scales. The specific environmental factors differed depending on the geographic scale, but were in both cases related to water availability. In addition, flowering phenology, potentially affecting either density‐independent pollination failure (the pollination Moran effect) or density‐dependent pollination efficiency (pollen coupling), plays a key role in driving spatial synchrony at the local geographic scale.
Brønsted and Lewis Base Behavior of Sodium Amidotrihydridoborate (NaNH2BH3)
Authors: Chen Xi‐Meng , Li Huizhen , Yang Qiu‐Yu , Wang Rui‐Rui , Hamilton Ewan J. M. , Zhang Jie , Chen Xuenian
Published: September 2017

The reactivity of sodium amidoborane (NaNH2BH3) as a Brønsted and Lewis base was studied systematically. The [NH2BH3]– anion can act as a proton acceptor or a hydride donor in different types of reactions. In reactions with very weak Brønsted acids such as cyclopentadiene, ammonia, and pyrazole, the [NH2BH3]– anion acts as a proton acceptor through the lone pair on N. The reactions of [NH2BH3]– with stronger Brønsted acids are complicated. In the reaction with ammonium chloride or acetic acid, [NH2BH3]– accepts a proton, reforming NH3BH3. However, in the reaction with HCl or methanol, N–B bond cleavage occurs. [NH2BH3]– can also donate hydride in some reactions. The possible mechanisms of these reactions are discussed.
Reinvestigation of Dilacunary 19‐Tungsto‐2‐arsenate(III) [AsIII2W19O67(H2O)]14– Including 183W NMR Study in Solution
Authors: Wang Kai‐Yao , Bassil Bassem S. , Carey Akina M. , Mougharbel Ali S. , Kortz Ulrich
Published: September 2017

We have reinvestigated the dilacunary 19‐tungsto‐2‐arsenate(III) [AsIII2W19O67(H2O)]14– (1), resulting in the mixed potassium–sodium salt K8Na6[AsIII2W19O67(H2O)]·28H2O (KNa‐1), which was structurally characterized in the solid state by single‐crystal XRD, IR, TGA, and elemental analysis, as well as in aqueous solution by 183W NMR spectroscopy for the first time.
Intramolecular Keto Lactam Condensation: A Convenient and Straightforward Approach to Bicyclic Vinylogous Lactams
Authors: Huang Pei‐Qiang , Fan Ting
Published: September 2017

Although the aldol condensation is a well‐known reaction, the aza‐type aldol condensation, namely, the intramolecular condensation of common keto lactams leading to bicyclic vinylogous lactams, is a highly demanding transformation, with potential applications in both organic synthesis and medicinal chemistry. The known methods for this type of cyclization require several steps. In this paper, we disclose a straightforward approach that consists of the in‐situ formation of silyl enol ethers with tert‐butyldimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate (TBDMSOTf), lactam activation with triflic anhydride (Tf2O), and a tandem cyclocondensation reaction. The reaction can be run in a one‐pot manner or in a two‐step fashion, both under mild conditions. The yields for the one‐pot version were 52–80 %. In some cases, the two‐step version gave higher overall yields (44–85 %) than the one‐pot version.
Pencil graphite electrodes for improved electrochemical detection of oleuropein by the combination of Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents and graphene oxide
Authors: Gomez Federico J. V. , Spisso Adrian , Fernanda Silva María
Published: September 2017

A novel methodology is presented for the enhanced electrochemical detection of oleuropein in complex plant matrices by Graphene Oxide Pencil Grahite Electrode (GOPGE) in combination with a buffer modified with a Natural Deep Eutectic Solvent, containing 10% (v/v) of Lactic acid, Glucose and H2O (LGH). The electrochemical behavior of oleuropein in the modified‐working buffer was examined using differential pulse voltammetry. The combination of both modifications, NADES modified buffer and nanomaterial modified electrode, LGH‐GOPGE, resulted on a signal enhancement of 5.3 times higher than the bare electrode with unmodified buffer. A calibration curve of oleuropein was performed between 0.10 to 37 μM and a good linearity was obtained with a correlation coefficient of 0.989. Detection and quantification limits of the method were obtained as 30 and 102 nM, respectively. In addition, precision studies indicated that the voltammetric method was sufficiently repeatable, %RSD 0.01 and 3.16 (n = 5) for potential and intensity, respectively. Finally, the proposed electrochemical sensor was successfully applied to the determination of oleuropein in an olive leaf extract prepared by ultrasound‐assisted extraction. The results obtained with the proposed electrochemical sensor were compared with Capillary Zone Electrophoresis analysis with satisfactory results.
Technoeconomic Analysis of a Hybrid Biomass Thermochemical and Electrochemical Conversion System
Authors: Dang Qi , Wright Mark Mba , Li Wenzhen
Published: September 2017

This study explores an integrated biomass conversion system based on a common fast pyrolysis step and two subsequent bio‐oil upgrading pathways. The two options are bio‐oil thermochemical upgrading to drop‐in transportation biofuels through hydrotreating and hydrocracking, and bio‐oil electrochemical conversion for electrical power generation using a direct bio‐oil fuel cell method. The technoeconomic performances of biomass‐to‐biofuels and biomass‐to‐electricity pathways are first examined individually, and then integrated for the analysis of a hybrid biomass conversion system. A biomass facility of 2000 tonnes per day is investigated as a baseline. The minimum fuel‐selling price (MFSP) is estimated to be $ 2.48 per gallon, with biomass feedstock and other operating costs as major contributors. A very high minimum electricity‐selling price (MESP) of $ 5.36 per kWh is projected based on the current laboratory‐scale fuel cell configuration. Sensitivity analysis reveals that the effective reactant content in bio‐oil, the degree of oxidation, and the fuel cell system efficiency play key roles in the MESP. The estimate can be reduced to $ 0.96 per kWh if target values of the three parameters are met. The results of the hybrid system suggest that the MESP can be reduced substantially from $ 0.96 to $ 0 per kWh when the hybrid system increases the bio‐oil fraction for biofuel production from 0 to 75.8 %, given a biofuel MFSP of $ 3 per gallon.
Integrating visual damage simulation, virtual inspection, and collapse capacity to evaluate post‐earthquake structural safety of buildings
Authors: Burton Henry V. , Deierlein Gregory G.
Published: September 2017

A methodology is introduced to assess the post‐earthquake structural safety of damaged buildings using a quantitative relationship between observable structural component damage and the change in collapse vulnerability. The proposed framework integrates component‐level damage simulation, virtual inspection, and structural collapse performance assessment. Engineering demand parameters from nonlinear response history analyses are used in conjunction with component‐level damage simulation to generate multiple realizations of damage to key structural elements. Triggering damage state ratios, which describe the fraction of components within a damage state that results in an unsafe placard assignment, are explicitly linked to the increased collapse vulnerability of the damaged building. A case study is presented in which the framework is applied to a 4‐story reinforced concrete frame building with masonry infills. The results show that when subjected to maximum considered earthquake level ground motions, the probability of experiencing enough structural damage to trigger an unsafe placard, leading to building closure, is more than 2 orders of magnitude higher than the risk of collapse.
Computational simulation of slab vibration and horizontal‐vertical coupling in a full‐scale test bed subjected to 3D shaking at E‐Defense
Authors: Guzman Pujols Jean C. , Ryan Keri L.
Published: September 2017

This paper focuses on slab vibration and a horizontal‐vertical coupling effect observed in a full‐scale 5‐story moment frame test bed building in 2 configurations: isolated with a hybrid combination of lead‐rubber bearings and cross‐linear (rolling) bearings, and fixed at the base. Median peak slab vibrations were amplified—relative to the peak vertical shake table accelerations—by factors ranging from 2 at the second floor to 7 at the roof, and horizontal floor accelerations were significantly amplified during 3D (combined horizontal and vertical) motions compared with 2D (horizontal only) motions of comparable input intensity. The experimentally observed slab accelerations and the horizontal‐vertical coupling effect were simulated through a 3D model of the specimen using standard software and modeling assumptions. The floor system was modeled with frame elements for beams/girders and shell elements for floor slabs; the insertion point method with end joint offsets was used to represent the floor system composite behavior, and floor mass was finely distributed through element discretization. The coupling behavior was partially attributed to the asymmetry of the building that was intensified by asymmetrically configured supplemental mass at the roof. Horizontal‐vertical coupled modes were identified through modal analysis and verified with evaluation of floor spectral peaks.
Recent increase of river–floodplain suspended sediment exchange in a reach of the lower Amazon River
Authors: Rudorff Conrado M. , Dunne Thomas , Melack John M.
Published: September 2017

We analyzed variation of channel–floodplain suspended sediment exchange along a 140 km reach of the lower Amazon River for two decades (1995–2014). Daily sediment fluxes were determined by combining measured and estimated surface sediment concentrations with river–floodplain water exchanges computed with a two‐dimensional hydraulic model. The average annual inflow to the floodplain was 4088 ± 2017 Gg yr−1 and the outflow was 2251 ± 471 Gg yr−1, respectively. Prediction of average sediment accretion rate was twice the estimate from a previous study of this same reach and more than an order of magnitude lower than an estimate from an earlier regional scale study. The amount of water routed through the floodplain, which is sensitive to levee topography and increases exponentially with river discharge, was the main factor controlling the variation in total annual sediment inflow. Besides floodplain routing, the total annual sediment export depended on the increase in sediment concentration in lakes during floodplain drainage. The recent increasing amplitude of the Amazon River annual flood over two decades has caused a substantial shift in water and sediment river–floodplain exchanges. In the second decade (2005–2014), as the frequency of extreme floods increased, annual sediment inflow increased by 81% and net storage increased by 317% in relation to the previous decade (1995–2004). Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The paleoenvironmental significance of spatial distributions of grain size in groundwater‐recharged lakes: A case study in the hinterland of the Badain Jaran Desert, northwest China
Authors: Li Zhuolun , Wei Zhiqiao , Dong Shipei , Chen Qiujie
Published: September 2017

For lakes in desert hinterlands that are not recharged by river runoff, sediment input solely comes from wind transport. While the processes of sediment transport and deposition in these lakes differ significantly from those with river discharge, the spatial distribution of sediment grain size in these groundwater‐recharged lakes remains largely unknown. Moreover, whether the grain size distribution in these lake sediments can be used as a proxy in the study of past climatic change and environmental evolution studies is unclear. In this study, five lakes with a range of surface areas that had no runoff recharge were selected from the hinterland of the Badain Jaran Desert of north‐western China, and a total of 108 samples of lake surface sediments were collected to examine the spatial distribution of grain size. Moreover, an end‐member‐modeling algorithm was used to calculate end members from all grain size measurements. Our results showed that both the median and mean grain sizes in the lake sediments decreased from the nearshore to the offshore, deep‐water zone. However, the lowest median and mean grain sizes were not found in the center of the lakes, in contrast to lakes recharged by surface runoff. The median grain size of sediment in the lake center was negatively correlated with lake level, and thus could help reveal lake evolution at low resolutions. Moreover, EM1 and EM2 were interpreted as wind transported sediment, and sediment perturbed by lake waves after wind transport, respectively. The modal grain size of EM1 varied slightly between lakes, while changes in the modal grain size of EM2 were related to lake area. Given the positive relationship found between EM2 content and lake level, changes in the EM2 content (%) can serve as a rough indicator of lake level fluctuations at low temporal resolutions. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.