bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Arctic Freshwater Synthesis: Introduction
Authors: Prowse T. , Bring A. , Mård J. , Carmack E.
Published: October 2015

In response to a joint request from the World Climate Research Program's Climate and Cryosphere Project, the International Arctic Science Committee, and the Arctic Council's Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program, an updated scientific assessment has been conducted of the Arctic Freshwater System, entitled the Arctic Freshwater Synthesis (AFS). The major reason for joint request was an increasing concern that changes to the Arctic Freshwater System have produced, and could produce even greater, changes to biogeophysical and socioeconomic systems of special importance to northern residents and also produce extra‐Arctic climatic effects that will have global consequences. Hence, the key objective of the AFS was to produce an updated, comprehensive, and integrated review of the structure and function of the entire Arctic Freshwater System. The AFS was organized around six key thematic areas: atmosphere, oceans, terrestrial hydrology, terrestrial ecology, resources and modeling, and the review of each coauthored by an international group of scientists and published as separate articles in this special section of Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences. This Introduction reviews the motivations for, and foci of, previous studies of the Arctic Freshwater System, discusses criteria used to define the domain of the Arctic Freshwater System, and details key characteristics of the definition adopted for the AFS.
Freshwater and its role in the Arctic Marine System: Sources, disposition, storage, export, and physical and biogeochemical consequences in the Arctic and global oceans
Authors: Carmack E. C. , Yamamoto‐Kawai M. , Haine T. W. N. , Bacon S. , Bluhm B. A. , Lique C. , Melling H. , Polyakov I. V. , Straneo F. , Timmermans M.‐L. , Williams W. J.
Published: October 2015

The Arctic Ocean is a fundamental node in the global hydrological cycle and the ocean's thermohaline circulation. We here assess the system's key functions and processes: (1) the delivery of fresh and low‐salinity waters to the Arctic Ocean by river inflow, net precipitation, distillation during the freeze/thaw cycle, and Pacific Ocean inflows; (2) the disposition (e.g., sources, pathways, and storage) of freshwater components within the Arctic Ocean; and (3) the release and export of freshwater components into the bordering convective domains of the North Atlantic. We then examine physical, chemical, or biological processes which are influenced or constrained by the local quantities and geochemical qualities of freshwater; these include stratification and vertical mixing, ocean heat flux, nutrient supply, primary production, ocean acidification, and biogeochemical cycling. Internal to the Arctic the joint effects of sea ice decline and hydrological cycle intensification have strengthened coupling between the ocean and the atmosphere (e.g., wind and ice drift stresses, solar radiation, and heat and moisture exchange), the bordering drainage basins (e.g., river discharge, sediment transport, and erosion), and terrestrial ecosystems (e.g., Arctic greening, dissolved and particulate carbon loading, and altered phenology of biotic components). External to the Arctic freshwater export acts as both a constraint to and a necessary ingredient for deep convection in the bordering subarctic gyres and thus affects the global thermohaline circulation. Geochemical fingerprints attained within the Arctic Ocean are likewise exported into the neighboring subarctic systems and beyond. Finally, we discuss observed and modeled functions and changes in this system on seasonal, annual, and decadal time scales and discuss mechanisms that link the marine system to atmospheric, terrestrial, and cryospheric systems.
The dual role of soil crusts in desertification
Authors: Assouline S. , Thompson S. E. , Chen L. , Svoray T. , Sela S. , Katul G. G.
Published: October 2015

Vegetation cover in dry regions is a key variable in determining desertification. Soils exposed to rainfall by desertification can form physical crusts that reduce infiltration, exacerbating water stress on the remaining vegetation. Paradoxically, field studies show that crust removal is associated with plant mortality in desert systems, while artificial biological crusts can improve plant regeneration. Here it is shown how physical crusts can act as either drivers of or buffers against desertification depending on their environmental context. The behavior of crusts is first explored using a simplified theory for water movement on a uniform, partly vegetated slope subject to stationary hydrologic conditions. Numerical model runs supplemented with field data from a semiarid Long‐Term Ecological Research site are then applied to represent more realistic environmental conditions. When vegetation cover is significant, crusts can drive desertification, but this process is potentially self‐limiting. For low vegetation cover, crusts mitigate against desertification by providing water subsidy to plant communities through a runoff‐runon mechanism.
Tropical North Atlantic subsurface warming events as a fingerprint for AMOC variability during Marine Isotope Stage 3
Authors: Parker Andrew O. , Schmidt Matthew W. , Chang Ping
Published: October 2015

The role of Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) as the driver of Dansgaard‐Oeschger (DO) variability that characterized Marine Isotope Stage 3 (MIS 3) has long been hypothesized. Although there is ample proxy evidence suggesting that DO events were robust features of glacial climate, there is little data supporting a link with AMOC. Recently, modeling studies and subsurface temperature reconstructions have suggested that subsurface warming across the tropical North Atlantic can be used to fingerprint a weakened AMOC during the deglacial because a reduction in the strength of the western boundary current allows warm salinity maximum water of the subtropical gyre to enter the deep tropics. To determine if AMOC variability played a role during the DO cycles of MIS 3, we present new, high‐resolution Mg/Ca and δ18O records spanning 24–52 kyr from the near‐surface dwelling planktonic foraminifera Globigerinoides ruber and the lower thermocline dwelling planktonic foraminifera Globorotalia truncatulinoides in Southern Caribbean core VM12‐107 (11.33°N, 66.63°W, 1079 m depth). Our subsurface Mg/Ca record reveals abrupt increases in Mg/Ca ratios (the largest equal to a 4°C warming) during the interstadial‐stadial transition of most DO events during this period. This change is consistent with reconstructions of subsurface warming events associated with cold events across the deglacial using the same core. Additionally, our data support the conclusion reached by a recently published study from the Florida Straits that AMOC did not undergo significant reductions during Heinrich events 2 and 3. This record presents some of the first high‐resolution marine sediment derived evidence for variable AMOC during MIS 3.
Data assimilation of plasmasphere and upper ionosphere using COSMIC/GPS slant TEC measurements
Authors: Wu M. J. , Guo P. , Xu T. L. , Fu N. F. , Xu X. S. , Jin H. L. , Hu X. G.
Published: October 2015

Increasing total electron content (TEC) measurements from the low Earth orbiting satellites to Global Positioning System satellites flourish the exploration of the ionosphere and plasmasphere for decades. This paper indicates a method that 3‐D Var is applied to assimilate precise orbit determination antenna TEC measurements of Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate (COSMIC) satellites into the background global core plasma model (GCPM). The slant TEC data archived in the COSMIC Data Analysis and Archive Center from 500 km to 20,200 km are used to reconstruct a new electron density model. This model has a temporal resolution of 2 h and spatial resolutions of 2.5° in geomagnetic latitude, 5° in longitude, 50 km in the upper ionosphere, and several hundred kilometers in the plasmasphere. Preliminary results show that the data assimilation modifies the initial GCPM forecast to be better coincident with actual COSMIC measurements in internal quality check. Furthermore, independent validation with upper ionosphere‐retrieved electron density and TEC of global ionosphere maps implies a reasonable improvement in the estimation of plasmaspheric electron density after the assimilation.
Mitigating satellite motion in GPS monitoring of traveling ionospheric disturbances
Authors: Penney R. W. , Jackson‐Booth N. K.
Published: October 2015

We discuss the impact of satellite motion on the use of compact arrays of GPS receivers for estimating the velocity of traveling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs). It is shown that satellite motion has subtle effects upon standard techniques of waveform cross correlation, or time difference of arrival, which can easily lead to spurious TID velocity estimates. We present some improved techniques for cross‐correlating TID waveforms while taking account of the Doppler shifts created by satellite motion. In addition, we discuss some improved techniques for separating TID waveforms from background ionospheric trends, such as diurnal variation, based on high‐order polynomial fitting with well‐defined frequency selectivity. The application of these techniques to a sensor array in the UK is discussed.
Land and atmospheric controls on initiation and intensity of moist convection:CAPEdynamics andLCLcrossings
Authors: Yin Jun , Albertson John D. , Rigby James R. , Porporato Amilcare
Published: October 2015

The local role that land‐atmosphere interactions play in the rainfall process has been often explored by investigating the initiation of moist convection as the top of the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) crosses the lifting condensation level (LCL). However, this LCL crossing alone is not a sufficient indicator of the probability and intensity of subsequent convective precipitation, which is instead better characterized by the added consideration of the so‐called convective available potential energy (CAPE). In this study, both the LCL crossing and CAPE are jointly considered as the primary indicators of the occurrence and intensity of moist convection in order to analyze the land‐atmosphere interactions through a simple soil‐plant system and a zero‐dimensional mixed‐layer model. The approach is explored using the free atmospheric conditions observed at the Central Facility in the Southern Great Plains, where the ABL analysis shows both dry and wet soil can be conducive to early moist convection depending on atmospheric conditions but CAPE always tends to be larger under wetter soil conditions. The combination of the two indicators, LCL crossing and CAPE, further allows us to classify free atmosphere and soil moisture regimes into positive and negative feedback regimes for moist convection.
Real‐time visualization of Haines jumps in sandstone with laboratory‐based microcomputed tomography
Authors: Bultreys Tom , Boone Marijn A. , Boone Matthieu N. , De Schryver Thomas , Masschaele Bert , Van Loo Denis , Van Hoorebeke Luc , Cnudde Veerle
Published: October 2015

In this work, we present a novel laboratory‐based microcomputed tomography (micro‐CT) experiment designed to investigate the pore‐scale drainage behavior of natural sandstone under dynamic conditions. The fluid distribution in a Bentheimer sandstone was visualized every 4 s with a 12 s measurement time, allowing the investigation of single‐pore and few‐pore‐filling events. To our knowledge, this is the first time that such measurements were performed outside of synchrotron facilities, illustrating the growing application potential of laboratory‐based micro‐CT with subminute temporal resolutions for geological research at the pore scale. To illustrate how the workflow can lead to an improved understanding of drainage behavior, the experiment was analyzed using a decomposition of the pore space into individual geometrical pores. Preliminary results from this analysis suggest that the distribution of drainage event sizes follows a power law scaling, as expected from percolation theory.
Pool‐riffle sedimentation and surface texture trends in a gravel bed stream
Authors: Chartrand Shawn M. , Hassan Marwan A. , Radić Valentina
Published: October 2015

A 3 year field campaign was completed to investigate spatial and temporal variability of sedimentation trends for a single pool‐riffle pair located in the Santa Cruz Mountains, California. Our measurements represent a range of hydrologic conditions over 11 sediment‐mobilizing events. Two different statistical methods were used to explore riffle sedimentation. Cochran's Q and McNemar's nonparametric tests (one method) indicate that riffle sediment surface texture was spatially and temporally varied at the transect level. For McNemar's test, variation was significant at
, with several trends evident, including strong riffle fining triggered by a 20 year flood event. A nonlinear empirical orthogonal function method known as self‐organizing maps (SOMs; the second method) shows that riffle sediment surface texture is well described by two characteristic temporal signals, and one transitional signal at the sampling node level. SOM mapping to each sampling node clearly shows riffle sediment surface texture change was spatially organized over the 11 sediment‐mobilizing events. Observations of pool sediment storage indicate that the pool‐riffle pair exhibited a coupled sedimentation response (i.e., similar texture trends between pool and riffle) following the 20‐year flood. The coupled response was characterized by a trend toward overall sedimentation conditions that were similar to those measured at the beginning of the study. The reported texture trends may be of interest to salmonid habitat studies that examine factors contributing to successful versus unsuccessful fry emergence.
Brain Imaging: Observing Ongoing Neural Activity
Authors: DiGirolamo Gregory J , Gonzalez Gerardo , Zaniewski Zachary Z , DiGirolamo Jordan M
Published: October 2015

The neuroimaging techniques available to observe ongoing brain activity during human cognition include functional magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, event‐related potentials, magnetoencephalography and event‐related optical signalling. Brain activity can be disrupted temporarily via transcranial magnetic stimulation. In addition, brain structures and their connectivity can be seen via magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor imaging. Using these neuroimaging methods, both spatial and temporal precision, and structural and functional connectivity are attainable in describing the underlying neural substrates that comprise human cognition. Significant progress has been made in understanding the physiological basis of human thought with many exciting new frontiers opening up including understanding the genetics of human cognition and the neural basis of consciousness.

Key Concepts

The integration of structural and functional neuroimaging allows for the localisation of neural areas responsible for specific mental operations.

Computed tomography's low image resolution restricts its utility when studying specific neural anatomy.

Magnetic resonance imaging procedures a high‐resolution structural image in a noninvasive manner that is now the standard for structural imaging.

Diffusion tensor imaging utilises diffusion of water molecules across white matter to map structural connectivity of neurological regions.

Functional imaging provides methods of assessing specific brain operations by indirectly measuring the physiological changes that occur during cognition.

Event‐related potentials measure relative changes in electrical activity of groups of neurons through electrodes located on the scalp and provides measures of neural activity with high temporal resolution.

Magnetoencephalography measures small changes in magnetic signals generated when neurons fire and provides a high degree of temporal accuracy, yet is limited to neurons firing in the most superficial brain regions.

Functional data of neural activity during a control condition is often subtracted from functional data of neural activity during an experimental condition to determine activated brain regions.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation is used to interfere with neuronal signalling constrained to the surface of the cortex, to help determine the mental computation at that specific location and to reveal the necessary neural tissue.

The use of diverse measures of neural function continues to transform the capacity to understand the roots of cognitive function.
T
H
9

Cells in Immunity and Disease
Authors: Chang Hua‐Chen , Kaplan Mark H
Published: October 2015

T helper (T
H
) cells differentiated from CD4+ T cells comprise an integral part of the adaptive immune system by providing the ‘help’ for humoral and cellular immune responses. Subsets of T
H
cells are defined based on the production of signature cytokines that regulate subsequent inflammatory immune responses. Among the T
H
subsets, T
H
9 cells are identified by secretion of the signature cytokine IL‐9. Although T
H
9 cells share some functional roles with T
H
2 cells, including promoting allergic inflammation and helminthic parasite immunity, T
H
9 cells can also promote autoimmunity in responses that are generally characterised as dependent on T
H
1 or T
H
17 cells. This article offers a concise summary of some key features of T
H
9 cells and describes how they contribute to immunity and disease.

Key Concepts

T
H
9 cells are differentiated under a cytokine environment containing both IL‐4 and transforming growth factor β (TGFβ), which induce the transcriptional network required for the expression of IL‐9.

The T
H
9 subset is defined by its ability to produce large amounts of the signature cytokine IL‐9.

Transcription factors required for the development of T
H
9 cells include signal transducer and activator of transcription‐6 (STAT6), interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4), B‐cell activating transcription factor‐like (BATF), GATA3, PU.1 and Smads.

T
H
9 cells express high levels of IL‐25 receptor (
Il17rb
), which is a potential surface maker to distinguish T
H
9 cells from other T
H
subsets.

Immune responses mediated by T
H
9 cells contribute to the protective immunity against intestinal parasite infection and to antitumour immunity; they are also involved in allergic, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
Synthesis and Evaluation of Ionic Liquid–Mediated Molecularly Imprinted Polymer for Highly Selective Recognition of Dibutyl Phthalate from Liquor Samples
Authors: Zhang Xiaoming , Yang Wenming , Wang Ningwei , Ni Xiaoni , Wang Huajie , Gu Zhaoyang , Wu Xiangyang , Xu Wanzhen
Published: October 2015

New ionic liquid‐mediated molecularly imprinted polymers (ILMIPs) for phthalate esters were developed in this study by the situ thermal polymerization method using methacrylic acid as a functional monomer and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) as a template. The polymer was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry. Batch static binding adsorption experiments were carried out to analyze its adsorption performance. The selectivity and adsorption of molecularly imprinted polymers were improved by the ionic liquids 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate as an excellent auxiliary porogen and solvent. The adsorption process conformed to pseudo–first‐order model by kinetics analysis and Sips model by isotherm analysis. Using the prepared ILMIPs as a solid‐phase extraction (SPE) sorbent, which indicated that ILMIPs–SPE had a higher enrichment efficiency and a better selectivity for DBP, and the average recoveries of DBP at four spiked levels were in a range of 96.4–101.3% (n = 5) with relative standard deviation (RSD) ≤6.9%.
Pitheciid research comes of age: Past puzzles, current progress, and future priorities
Authors: Barnett Adrian A. , Boyle Sarah A. , Thompson Cynthia L.
Published: October 2015

For a long time, members of the Pitheciidae were among the least studied of all Neotropical primates. But times have changed. Here, we trace the trajectory of this change and show how the articles in this special edition illustrate new knowledge and developments in our understanding of pitheciid ecology, behavior, and conservation. We propose new directions and priorities for future research, especially to ensure the effective conservation of pitheciids, and demonstrate how studies of this family are now the focus of hypothesis‐driven research that not only allows the details of this family's biology to be explored, but will allow its biology to be compared with other primate lineages. Am. J. Primatol. 78:487–492, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Long‐term home range use in white‐handed gibbons (Hylobates lar) in Khao Yai National Park, Thailand
Authors: Bartlett Thad Q. , Light Lydia E.O. , Brockelman Warren Y.
Published: October 2015

Ranging behavior is an important element of how nonhuman primates obtain sufficient resources to ensure biological maintenance and reproductive success. As most primates live in permanent social groups, group members must balance the benefits of group living with the costs of intragroup competition for resources. One way to mitigate the cost of intragroup feeding competition is to increase foraging‐related travel, thereby increasing the number of patches visited. As a result we might expect home range size to increase as a function of group size. On the other hand, for perennially territorial species, ranging behavior may be constrained by the ranging requirements of territorial defense or by the location of neighboring territories, which would result in long‐term stability in the size and location of a group's home range. In this study, we examined changes in range‐use characteristics in one well‐habituated group of white‐handed gibbons (Hylobates lar) during three study periods over a 10‐year span. Group size changed from five members, two adults, two juveniles, and one infant, in 1994, to two adults in 2002, and to three adults and one sub‐adult in 2004. Despite inter‐annual changes in core area use we found that home range location was highly stable across years. Nevertheless, home range size was larger and daily path length significantly longer in 2002 relative to 1994 when a dependent infant was present in the group. The percentage of time adults spent resting was also significantly greater in 1994 when the infant was present. These findings highlight the importance of considering group composition, in addition to group size, when evaluating the determinants of ranging behavior. We also consider the influence of individual and shared knowledge on home range stability. Am. J. Primatol. 78:192–203, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Internal Kinematics of the Volume‐Reduced Tongue: A Longitudinal Microsonometric Study
Authors: Chen Jie , Shcherbatyy Volodymyr , Liu Zi‐Jun
Published: October 2015

This study examined tongue internal kinematics during feeding over time after its volume reduction. Six ultrasonic crystals were implanted into the tongue to record distance changes in anterior width (AW), bilateral lengths (LENG), posterior thicknesses (THICK), and posterior dorsal (PDW) and ventral (PVW) widths in five sibling pairs of Yucatan minipigs (N = 10). In each pair, one received tongue volume reduction surgery (reduction), and the other had the identical incisions without tissue removal (sham). Functional deformation of the tongue from preimplanted ultrasonic crystals was recorded during natural feeding 1 day before, 7–8, 13–15, and 28–30 days after the surgery. The results revealed that feeding behavior and tongue functional deformation were unchanged over time in the sham pigs. However, at Days 7–8, more frequent and longer ingestion episodes were seen in the reduction as compared with the sham. Moreover, deformational changes in AW and LENG decreased, whereas those in THICK, PDW, and PVW increased significantly (P < 0.001). At Days 13–15, the reduced deformational changes in LENG (P < 0.01) slightly restored, and the increased deformation in THICK (P > 0.05), PDW (P < 0.01), and PVW (P < 0.05) diminished. At Days 28–30, the restoration of AW and LENG continued (P < 0.01‐0.05), but previously enhanced deformations in THICK, PDW, and PVW were no longer significantly different from the baseline (P > 0.05). These results suggest that the tongue volume reduction has significant and persistent impacts on feeding behaviors and tongue internal kinematics, and the restoring capacity of internal kinematics in the anterior tongue is limited and incomplete over time. Anat Rec, 299:132–140, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A semi‐supervised Support Vector Machine model for predicting the language outcomes following cochlear implantation based on pre‐implant brain fMRI imaging
Authors: Tan Lirong , Holland Scott K. , Deshpande Aniruddha K. , Chen Ye , Choo Daniel I. , Lu Long J.
Published: October 2015

Introduction

We developed a machine learning model to predict whether or not a cochlear implant (CI) candidate will develop effective language skills within 2 years after the CI surgery by using the pre‐implant brain fMRI data from the candidate.

Methods

The language performance was measured 2 years after the CI surgery by the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals‐Preschool, Second Edition (CELF‐P2). Based on the CELF‐P2 scores, the CI recipients were designated as either effective or ineffective CI users. For feature extraction from the fMRI data, we constructed contrast maps using the general linear model, and then utilized the Bag‐of‐Words (BoW) approach that we previously published to convert the contrast maps into feature vectors. We trained both supervised models and semi‐supervised models to classify CI users as effective or ineffective.

Results

Compared with the conventional feature extraction approach, which used each single voxel as a feature, our BoW approach gave rise to much better performance for the classification of effective versus ineffective CI users. The semi‐supervised model with the feature set extracted by the BoW approach from the contrast of speech versus silence achieved a leave‐one‐out cross‐validation AUC as high as 0.97. Recursive feature elimination unexpectedly revealed that two features were sufficient to provide highly accurate classification of effective versus ineffective CI users based on our current dataset.

Conclusion

We have validated the hypothesis that pre‐implant cortical activation patterns revealed by fMRI during infancy correlate with language performance 2 years after cochlear implantation. The two brain regions highlighted by our classifier are potential biomarkers for the prediction of CI outcomes. Our study also demonstrated the superiority of the semi‐supervised model over the supervised model. It is always worthwhile to try a semi‐supervised model when unlabeled data are available.
Wavefront sensing using a graphical user interface
Authors: Ferrando Vicente , Remón Laura , Pons Amparo , Furlan Walter D. , Monsoriu Juan A.
Published: October 2015

We present an open wavefront sensor setup assisted with MATLAB programming to be used to teach the operating principle of Shack–Hartmann aberrometry. A new Graphical User Interface (GUI) has also been developed to determine the wavefront parameters from experimental measurements and the associated aberrations, which is a fundamental issue in Optical Engineering. From a didactical point of view, the proposed method allows students to interpret the results in a visual and heuristic way. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 24:255–262, 2016; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/cae; DOI 10.1002/cae.21703
Address processes, procedures for international student‐athletes
Authors: Mooradian Jody
Published: October 2015

College athletics has seen the number of international student‐athletes almost double in the last 10 years. In fact, participation rates for international student‐athletes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association grew from almost 6,000 in the 1999–2000 academic year to 9,500 in 2013–2014.
Ensure compliance with sports law while dealing with agents
Authors: Mooradian Jody
Published: October 2015

The media spotlight has frequently zeroed in on inappropriate interactions between agents and student‐athletes. Such interactions impact individual student‐athletes' eligibility and place the entire school and team in jeopardy of receiving sanctions and penalties from the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
Gain insight into legal implications of Northwestern case
Authors: O'Brien Timothy
Published: October 2015

College athletics departments should pay close attention to the legal implications of cases that involve the hotly debated, highly controversial topic of the employment status of college student‐athletes.
Take steps to improve image of college athletics
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: October 2015

Much of what the public hears about college sports via social media and other media outlets focuses on the business and athletic achievements, such as scores, ratings or rankings, or bad news, such as concussions, lawsuits, or misconduct involving particular student‐athletes or coaches.
Follow proven strategies for wearing multiple hats
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: October 2015

Those who work in a smaller athletics department regularly find themselves faced with a seemingly insurmountable amount of widely varied tasks needing their immediate attention.
Reduce risk, liability by bringing coaches' sports camps under school's umbrella
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: October 2015

Your school and athletics department face significant liability when your coaches run sports camps on your campus.
Integration of Bioorthogonal Probes and Q‐FRET for the Detection of Histone Acetyltransferase Activity
Authors: Han Zhen , Luan Yepeng , Zheng Yujun George
Published: October 2015

Histone acetyltransferases (HATs) are key players in the epigenetic regulation of gene function. The recent discovery of diverse HAT substrates implies a broad spectrum of cellular functions of HATs. Many pathological processes are also intimately associated with the dysregulation of HAT levels and activities. However, detecting the enzymatic activity of HATs has been challenging, and this has significantly impeded drug discovery. To advance the field, we developed a convenient one‐pot, mix‐and‐read strategy that is capable of directly detecting the acylated histone product through a fluorescent readout. The strategy integrates three technological platforms—bioorthogonal HAT substrate labeling, alkyne–azide click chemistry, and quenching FRET—into one system for effective probing of HAT enzyme activity.
Coupling of Independent Electrochemical Reactions and Fluorescence at Closed Bipolar Interdigitated Electrode Arrays
Authors: Xu Wei , Ma Chaoxiong , Bohn Paul W.
Published: October 2015

Electrochemical reactions occurring at the opposite ends of bipolar electrodes (BPEs) are necessarily coupled, enabling electron transfer events at one end to be read out optically, for example, by coupling to fluorogenic reactions at the other end. To explore the potential of this technique for studying multiple redox events, arrays of parallel BPE interdigitated electrode arrays (IDEAs) were fabricated and integrated with separate analytical and reporter microfluidic channels, respectively, in a closed BPE configuration. The apparatus was initially evaluated employing Fe(CN)63/4− in the analytical channel coupled to weakly emissive resazurin and strongly emissive resorufin as the fluorogenic redox reporter pair. The device was then used to investigate a proton‐coupled electron transfer reaction, hydroquinone (QH2) oxidation, in structures with an integrated pH modulation electrode (PME). A pH‐sensitive dye, fluorescein, was co‐introduced into the analytical channel to monitor PME modulation of solution pH, and its coupling to QH2 oxidation, thereby permitting changes in solution pH, and consequently QH2 oxidation rate, to be monitored directly in the analytical channel and compared to the fluorescence in the reporter channel. In addition, diffusion of OH− generated at the PME produced a spatial pH profile that was visualized via fluorescein emission, and, because the oxidation of QH2 at each BPE is strongly dependent on the local pH, via the coupled fluorogenic reaction at the opposite pole of the corresponding BPE digit in the reporter channel. Thus, BPE IDEAs support the coupling of independent redox reactions and the use of fluorescence imaging to explore a diverse set of spatially varying electrochemical phenomena realized in a variety of electrochemical geometries.
Operation resistance: A snapshot of falsified antibiotics and biopharmaceutical injectables in Europe
Authors: Venhuis Bastiaan J. , Keizers Peter H. J. , Klausmann Rüdiger , Hegger Ingrid
Published: October 2015

Operation Pangea is an annual international week of action combating pharmaceutical crime. In this study, called Operation Resistance, we asked the national agencies in Europe to search for falsified antibiotics and biopharmaceutical injectables (peptides and proteins) amongst the medicines seized in Pangea 7 (2014). Reports were received from Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, Spain, the United Kingdom, Norway, and Switzerland. The countries reported seizing about 21,000 dose units (e.g. tablets, capsules) of falsified antibiotics in total. Most of the antibiotics were unlicensed medicines with common antibiotic drugs. In this study week, very few falsified biopharmaceutical injectables were reported. Laboratories reported human growth hormone, sermorelin, melanotan II, and no active ingredients. The average shipment size seemed too large for personal use indicating that a substantial part was intended for resale. This study provides a snapshot of the falsified antibiotics and biopharmaceuticals that enter European countries. How much is actually reaching users during Pangea week ‐ in on other weeks ‐ remains unknown. The shipment sizes indicate falsified antibiotics and biopharmaceuticals are imported for both personal use and resale. The use of antibiotics from unreliable sources is a health risk, contributes to antimicrobial resistance, and may obscure a source of infection from health agencies. The falsified biopharmaceuticals are a health risk because they lack all labelling and may contain unlicensed drugs for injection. It seems important to raise awareness among health‐care professionals that falsified medicines in Europe are not restricted to erectile dysfunction drugs. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cannabis: a self‐medication drug for weight management? The never ending story
Authors: Bersani Francesco Saverio , Santacroce Rita , Coviello Marialuce , Imperatori Claudio , Francesconi Marta , Vicinanza Roberto , Minichino Amedeo , Corazza Ornella
Published: October 2015

In a society highly focused on physical appearance, people are increasingly using the so‐called performance and image‐enhancing drugs (PIEDs) or life‐style drugs as an easy way to control weight. Preliminary data from online sources (e.g. websites, drug forums, e‐newsletters) suggest an increased use of cannabis amongst the general population as a PIED due to its putative weight‐loss properties. The use of cannabis and/or cannabis‐related products to lose weight may represent a new substance‐use trend that should be carefully monitored and adequately investigated, especially in light of the well‐known adverse psychiatric and somatic effects of cannabis, its possible interaction with other medications/drugs and the unknown and potentially dangerous composition of synthetic cannabimimetics preparations.
Numerical modeling of wave interactions with coastal structures by a constrained interpolation profile/immersed boundary method
Authors: Zhao Xizeng , Gao Yangyang , Cao Feifeng , Wang Xinggang
Published: October 2015

A high‐order difference method based multiphase model is proposed to simulate nonlinear interactions between water wave and submerged coastal structures. The model is based on the Navier–Stokes equations using a constrained interpolation profile (CIP) method for the flow solver, and employs an immersed boundary method (IBM) for the treatment of wave–structure interactions. A more accurate interface capturing scheme, the volume of fluid/weighed line interface calculation (VOF/WLIC) scheme, is adopted as the interface capturing method. A series of computations are performed to verify the application of the model for simulations of fluid interaction with various structures. These problems include flow over a fixed cylinder, water entry of a circular cylinder and solitary waves passing various submerged coastal structures. Computations are compared with the available analytical, experimental and other numerical results and good agreement is obtained. The results of this study demonstrate the accuracy and applications of the proposed model to simulate the nonlinear flow phenomena and capture the complex free surface flow. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Q2Q1 integrated finite element method with the semi‐implicit consistent CSF for solving incompressible two‐phase flows with surface tension effect
Authors: Choi Sanghun , Cho Myung Hwan , Choi Hyoung Gwon , Yoo Jung Yul
Published: October 2015

An integrated finite element method (FEM) is proposed to simulate incompressible two‐phase flows with surface tension effects, and three different surface tension models are applied to the FEM to investigate spurious currents and temporal stability. A Q2Q1 element is adopted to solve the continuity and Navier–Stokes equations and a Q2‐iso‐Q1 to solve the level set equation. The integrated FEM solves pressure and velocity simultaneously in a strongly coupled manner; the level set function is reinitialized by adopting a direct approach using interfacial geometry information instead of solving a conventional hyperbolic‐type equation. In addition, a consistent continuum surface force (consistent CSF) model is utilized by employing the same basis function for both surface tension and pressure variables to damp out spurious currents and to estimate the accurate pressure distribution. The model is further represented as a semi‐implicit manner to improve temporal stability with an increased time step. In order to verify the accuracy and robustness of the code, the present method is applied to a few benchmark problems of the static bubble and rising bubble with large density and viscosity ratios. The Q2Q1‐integrated FEM coupled with the semi‐implicit consistent CSF demonstrates the significantly reduced spurious currents and improved temporal stability. The numerical results are in good qualitative and quantitative agreements with those of the existing studies. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Studies of Substituents Impact on the Photophysical Properties of 8‐Hydroxyquinoline Derivatives
Authors: Gao Li‐Bin , Kang Wu‐Kui , Yan Shi‐Hai , Yang Chun‐Peng
Published: October 2015

Five new 8‐hydroxyquinoline derivatives L1–L5 were synthesized and characterized by different techniques, such as Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), electrospray ionization mass spectra, elemental analysis, ultraviolet–visible, and photoluminescence spectra. The structure of (E)‐2‐{2‐[5‐(phenylethynyl) thiophen‐2‐yl]ethenyl}quinolin‐8‐ol (L3) was confirmed by X‐ray crystallography. In this structure, intermolecular hydrogen bonds were found between OH hydrogen donors of one monomer and the oxygen atom of the next one. Photophysical studies show that different substitutes affect the absorption wavelength and emission color.
Cancer incidence and mortality attributable to alcohol consumption
Authors: Praud Delphine , Rota Matteo , Rehm Jürgen , Shield Kevin , Zatoński Witold , Hashibe Mia , La Vecchia Carlo , Boffetta Paolo
Published: October 2015

Alcohol consumption is a major cause of disease and death. In a previous study, we reported that in 2002, 3.6% of all cases of cancer and a similar proportion of cancer deaths were attributable to the consumption of alcohol. We aimed to update these figures to 2012 using global estimates of cancer cases and cancer deaths, data on the prevalence of drinkers from the World Health Organization (WHO) global survey on alcohol and health, and relative risks for alcohol‐related neoplasms from a recent meta‐analysis. Over the 10‐year period considered, the total number of alcohol‐attributable cancer cases increased to approximately 770,000 worldwide (5.5% of the total number of cancer cases)—540,000 men (7.2%) and 230,000 women (3.5%). Corresponding figures for cancer deaths attributable to alcohol consumption increased to approximately 480,000 (5.8% of the total number of cancer deaths) in both sexes combined—360,000 (7.8%) men and 120,000 (3.3%) women. These proportions were particularly high in the WHO Western Pacific region, the WHO European region and the WHO South‐East Asia region. A high burden of cancer mortality and morbidity is attributable to alcohol, and public health measures should be adopted in order to limit excessive alcohol consumption.
Combining a NHS ester and glutaraldehyde improves crosslinking prior to MALDI MS analysis of intact protein complexes
Authors: Boeri Erba Elisabetta , Klein Pierre Andre , Signor Luca
Published: October 2015

Protein complexes play pivotal roles in cellular life. Nevertheless, their characterization remains a substantial challenge. Mass spectrometry (MS) is an emerging tool to study protein assemblies, and electrospray ionization (ESI) is often used because it preserves non‐covalent interactions. Matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) represents an important alternative to ESI because it is more tolerant to salts and detergents (e.g. necessary in the case of membrane complex analyses). Prior to MALDI‐MS, the subunits should be crosslinked (XLed). Moreover, crosslinking (XLing) is useful when constraint distances are determined to obtain low‐resolution structural information.

Here we report a novel XLing approach to study protein complexes with MALDI‐MS. We investigated two tetramers (i.e. alcohol dehydrogenase and aldolase) larger than 140 kDa at two pH values (7.2 and 8.0). We tested two different crosslinkers (XLers) (i.e. BS3 and glutaraldehyde), used separately or in combination. We utilized gentle agitation and ultracentrifugation. Our data shows that the pH influenced the XLing when using a single XLer. Combining two XLers was demonstrated to be more efficient than using a reagent alone. In particular, the combination determined a higher degree of XLing and lower mass shift. This could suggest a ranking in target amino acid availability. First residues at specific distances are linked by BS3, then glutaraldehyde binds residues that are still available at larger distances. Ultracentrifugation and gentle agitation both provide similar degrees of XLing, but the former method determined a lower mass increment resulting from redundant XLing. To conclude, we present an efficient dual XLing approach for determining mass and stoichiometry of protein assemblies. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Investigation of the depth‐profiling capabilities of the Storing Matter technique
Authors: Kasel B. , Wirtz T.
Published: October 2015

The so‐called Storing Matter technique allows the matrix effect observed in secondary ion mass spectrometry to be successfully circumvented. We therefore investigate in this work the depth‐profiling capabilities of the Storing Matter technique with a goal of developing protocols for quantitative depth profiles. The effect of the steps involved in the Storing Matter process on the main parameters such as the depth resolution and the dynamic range is studied experimentally and by simulations. A semi‐automated process consisting of the sputter‐deposition process on a rotating collector in the Storing Matter instrument followed by a complete analysis of the collector by secondary ion mass spectrometry is defined. This protocol is applied to depth profile a B implant in Si and a Sn/Zn multilayered sample, and the results are compared with those obtained with conventional secondary ion mass spectrometry. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Low resolution and high resolution MS for studies on the metabolism and toxicological detection of the new psychoactive substance methoxypiperamide (MeOP)
Authors: Meyer Markus R. , Holderbaum Anna , Kavanagh Pierce , Maurer Hans H.
Published: October 2015

In 2013, the new psychoactive substance methoxypiperamide (MeOP) was first reported to the European Monitoring Centre for Drug and Drug Addiction. Its structural similarity to already controlled piperazine designer drugs might have contributed to the decision to offer MeOP for online purchase. The aims of this work were to identify the phase I/II metabolites of MeOP in rat urine and the human cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoenzymes responsible for the initial metabolic steps. Finally, the detectability of MeOP in rat urine by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) and liquid chromatography coupled with multistage mass spectrometry (LC‐MSn) standard urine screening approaches (SUSAs) was evaluated. After sample preparation by cleavage of conjugates followed by extraction for elucidating phase I metabolites, the analytes were separated and identified by GC‐MS as well as liquid chromatography‐high resolution‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐HR‐MS/MS). For detection of phase II metabolites, the analytes were separated and identified after urine precipitation followed by LC‐HR‐MS/MS. The following metabolic steps could be postulated: hydrolysis of the amide, N‐oxide formation, N‐ and/or O‐demethylation, oxidation of the piperazine ring to the corresponding keto‐piperazine, piperazine ring opening followed by oxidation of a methylene group to the corresponding imide, and hydroxylation of the phenyl group. Furthermore, N‐acetylation, glucuronidation and sulfation were observed. Using human CYPs, CYP1A2, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and/or CYP3A4 were found to catalyze N‐oxide formation and N‐, O‐demethylation and/or oxidation. Mostly MeOP and N‐oxide‐MeOP but to a minor degree also other metabolites could be detected in the GC‐MS and LC‐MSn SUSAs. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Induction based fluidics (IBF) for droplet‐based mass spectrometric analysis of oligonucleotides
Authors: Ross Robert L. , Sauter Andrew D. , Limbach Patrick A.
Published: October 2015

Here, we report the utility of induction‐based fluidics (IBF) for the introduction of oligonucleotides to a mass spectrometer via charged droplets. The device produces nanoliter‐sized droplets, which are field transported with minimal concerns related to source plugging or sampling loss. The IBF source enabled detection of oligonucleotides at the nanomolar concentration level. Importantly, analysis of individual droplets revealed that oligonucleotide mixtures could be detected with ion abundance ratios that closely match the initial concentration ratios within the sample. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A mass spectrometric method for rapidly assaying the chiral selectivities of the copper(I) complexes of C2‐symmetric ligands
Authors: Davis Mark C. , Gronert Scott
Published: October 2015

A gas‐phase method for rapidly assaying the enantioselectivity of metal‐centered catalysts is presented. It relies on gas‐phase equilibrium measurements in a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer. A group of well‐established C2‐symmetric bis‐oxazoline copper(I) complexes was used to identify chiral probe reagents that are capable of profiling the quality of the asymmetric environment provided by the metal complex. The chiral probes were then applied to a wide variety of copper(I) bis‐di‐imine complexes. Complexes based on a BINAM backbone exhibited selectivities that were comparable to the bis‐oxazolines. Taking advantage of the mass selectivity capabilities of the ion trap mass spectrometer, the method was also applied to an un‐purified mix of copper(I) complexes derived from a combinatorial synthesis of bis‐di‐imine ligands. This approach holds promise as a rapid screening tool for potential chiral catalysts. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.