bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Capacity planning framework for mobile network operator cloud using analytical performance model
Authors: Raei Hassan
Published: June 2017

A mobile network operator cloud (MNOC), solely or with the help of public clouds, provides the computational resources in the form of virtual machines on physical machines (PMs) to handle heavy tasks, which are offloaded by the subscribers. Definitely, cost is a constant source of worry for an MNOC. In fact, although a large number of used PMs of the MNOC and public clouds decreases the penalty cost of request rejection, other associated costs, such as infrastructure, power consumption, cooling, and virtual machine instances of public clouds, are imposed on the MNOC. Therefore, to minimize the overall cost, finding the optimal number of required PMs in all participant clouds, including the MNOC and public clouds, is recognized as an important issue. To deal with this issue, in the present paper, using analytical performance model of a MNOC, a capacity planning framework is proposed. Specifically, this framework solves a cost optimization problem using a simulated annealing algorithm. Numerical results demonstrate the ability of the proposed framework to identify the optimal solution within an acceptable duration of the time.
Optimization of recombinant β‐glucuronidase hydrolysis and quantification of eight urinary cannabinoids and metabolites by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Sempio Cristina , Scheidweiler Karl B. , Barnes Allan J. , Huestis Marilyn A.
Published: June 2017

Prolonged urinary cannabinoid excretion in chronic frequent cannabis users confounds identification of recent cannabis intake that may be important in treatment, workplace, clinical, and forensic testing programs. In addition, differentiation of synthetic Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) intake from cannabis plant products might be an important interpretive issue. THC, 11‐hydroxy‐THC (11‐OH‐THC) and 11‐nor‐9‐carboxy‐THC (THCCOOH) urine concentrations were evaluated during previous controlled cannabis administration studies following tandem alkaline/E. coli β‐glucuronidase hydrolysis. We optimized recombinant β‐glucuronidase enzymatic urinary hydrolysis before simultaneous liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) quantification of THC, 11‐OH‐THC, THCCOOH, cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN), cannabigerol (CBG), tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) and 11‐nor‐9‐carboxy‐THCV (THCVCOOH) in urine. Enzyme amount, incubation time and temperature, buffer molarity and pH were optimized using pooled urine samples collected during a National Institute on Drug Abuse, Institutional Review Board‐approved clinical study. Optimized cannabinoid hydrolysis with recombinant β‐glucuronidase was achieved with 2000 IU enzyme, 2 M pH 6.8 sodium phosphate buffer, and 0.2 mL urine at 37°C for 16 h. The LC–MS/MS quantification method for hydrolyzed urinary cannabinoids was validated per the Scientific Working Group on Toxicology guidelines. Linear ranges were 1–250 μg/L for THC and CBG, 2–250 μg/L for 11‐OH‐THC, CBD, CBN, THCV and THCVCOOH, and 1–500 μg/L for THCCOOH. Inter‐batch analytical bias was 92.4–112.4%, imprecision 4.4–9.3% CV (n = 25), extraction efficiency 44.3–97.1% and matrix effect −29.6 to 1.8% (n = 10). The method was utilized to analyze urine specimens collected during our controlled smoked, vaporized, and edible cannabis administration study to improve interpretation of urine cannabinoid test results.
Relative Selection Strength: Quantifying effect size in habitat‐ and step‐selection inference
Authors: Avgar Tal , Lele Subhash R. , Keim Jonah L. , Boyce Mark S.
Published: June 2017

Habitat‐selection analysis lacks an appropriate measure of the ecological significance of the statistical estimates—a practical interpretation of the magnitude of the selection coefficients. There is a need for a standard approach that allows relating the strength of selection to a change in habitat conditions across space, a quantification of the estimated effect size that can be compared both within and across studies. We offer a solution, based on the epidemiological risk ratio, which we term the relative selection strength (RSS). For a “used‐available” design with an exponential selection function, the RSS provides an appropriate interpretation of the magnitude of the estimated selection coefficients, conditional on all other covariates being fixed. This is similar to the interpretation of the regression coefficients in any multivariable regression analysis. Although technically correct, the conditional interpretation may be inappropriate when attempting to predict habitat use across a given landscape. Hence, we also provide a simple graphical tool that communicates both the conditional and average effect of the change in one covariate. The average‐effect plot answers the question: What is the average change in the space use probability as we change the covariate of interest, while averaging over possible values of other covariates? We illustrate an application of the average‐effect plot for the average effect of distance to road on space use for elk (Cervus elaphus) during the hunting season. We provide a list of potentially useful RSS expressions and discuss the utility of the RSS in the context of common ecological applications.
Flow thresholds for leaf retention in hydrodynamic wakes downstream of obstacles
Authors: de Brouwer J.H.F. , Eekhout J.P.C. , Besse‐Lototskaya A.A. , Hoitink A.J.F. , Ter Braak C.J.F. , Verdonschot P.F.M.
Published: June 2017

Leaves are the major component of terrestrial litter input into aquatic systems. Leaves are distributed by the flow, accumulate in low flow areas, and form patches. In natural streams, stable leaf patches form around complex structures, such as large woody debris. Until now, little is known about flow conditions under which leaf patches persist. This study aims to quantify flow conditions for stable leaf patches and entrainment of leaf patches. We hypothesize that entraining flow processes, such as turbulence, Reynolds stress, or lift forcing (vertical flow velocity), best explain local leaf retention. This study was performed in an unscaled flume experiment, which conditions coincide with conditions found in low‐energetic lowland streams. We positioned a wooden obstacle perpendicular to the flow on the bed of the flume. A leaf patch was positioned downstream from the wooden obstacle. The experiment was performed under 5 flow conditions. We monitored leaf patch cover and near‐bed flow conditions in the area downstream of the wooden obstacle. We showed that near‐bed flow velocities explain leaf retention better than more complex flow velocity derivatives such as turbulence, Reynolds stress, and vertical flow velocity. The entrainment near‐bed flow velocity for leaves ranges from 0.037 to 0.050 m/s. Flow velocities frequently exceed those values, even in low‐energetic lowland streams. Therefore, complex structures, such as woody debris, create flow conditions to support stable leaf patches. Thus, adding instead of removing obstacles may be a key strategy in restoring biodiversity in deteriorated streams.
Toward an improved conceptual understanding of North American tree species distributions
Authors: Copenhaver‐Parry Paige E. , Shuman Bryan N. , Tinker Daniel B.
Published: June 2017

Species distributions have often been assumed to represent climatic limitations, yet recent evidence has challenged these assumptions and emphasized the potential importance of biotic interactions, dispersal limitation, and disturbance. Despite significant investigation into these factors, an integrated understanding of where and when they may be important is lacking. Here, we review evidence for the factors underlying the historical and contemporary distributions of North American tree species and argue that a cohesive conceptual framework must be informed by an understanding of species ecological and evolutionary history. We further demonstrate that available evidence offers little indication of a significant, independent influence of biotic interactions or dispersal limitation on species distributions. Disturbance may provide important constraints on distributions in limited contexts. Overall, historic and contemporary evidence suggests that species distributions are strongly influenced by climate, yet examples of disequilibrium with climate abound. We propose that differences among life stages and the impacts of human land use may contribute to explain these inconsistencies and are deserving of greater research attention.
Epidemiology, pathophysiology and clinical outcomes for heart failure patients with a mid‐range ejection fraction
Authors: Rastogi Ashish , Novak Eric , Platts Anne E. , Mann Douglas L.
Published: June 2017

Aims

Heart failure (HF) patients with a mid‐range ejection fraction (HFmrEF) are not well characterized. Accordingly, we examined the epidemiology, pathophysiology and clinical outcomes of HF patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 40–50%.

Methods and results

We identified 168 patients with an LVEF between 40–50% at enrollment into a HF registry, and determined whether LVEF was improved, worsened, or the same compared to a prior LVEF. Three subgroups of HFmrEF patients were identified: HFmrEF improved (prior LVEF <40%); HFmrEF deteriorated (prior LVEF >50%); HFmrEF unchanged (prior LVEF 40–50%). The majority of patients (73%) were HFmrEF improved, 17% were HFmrEF deteriorated, and 10% were HFmrEF unchanged. The demographics of the HFmrEF cohort were heterogeneous, with more coronary artery disease in the HFmrEF improved group and more hypertension and diastolic dysfunction in the HFmrEF deteriorated group. HFmrEF improved patients had significantly (P<0.001) better clinical outcomes relative to matched patients with HF and reduced ejection fraction, and significantly (P<0.01) improved clinical outcomes relative to HFmrEF deteriorated patients, whereas clinical outcomes of the HFmrEF deteriorated subgroup of patients were not significantly different from matched HF patients with preserved ejection fraction.

Conclusions

Patients with a mid‐range LVEF are heterogeneous. Obtaining historical information with regard to prior LVEF allows one to identify a distinct pathophysiological substrate and clinical course for HFmrEF patients. Viewed together, these results suggest that in the modern era of HF therapeutics, the use of LVEF to categorize the pathophysiology of HF may be misleading, and argue for establishing a new taxonomy for classifying HF patients.
Discrete Di‐ and Tetranuclear Silver Complexes Based on ortho‐Imino‐ or ortho‐Amino‐methylpyridyl‐Appended p‐tert‐Butylcalix[4]arene or p‐tert‐Butylthiacalix[4]arene in 1,3‐Alternate Conformation
Authors: Noamane Mohamed H. , Ferlay Sylvie , Abidi Rym , Kyritsakas Nathalie , Hosseini Mir W.
Published: June 2017

Four new multivalent ligands 5–8 derived from calix[4]arene and thiacalix[4]arene backbones in 1,3‐alternate conformation bearing ortho‐imino‐ and ortho‐amino‐methylpyridine chelating sites have been designed, prepared and characterized. Owing to the imposed 1,3‐alternate conformation of the backbone, ligands 5–8 offer two coordinating pockets composed of two sets of chelates located above and below the mean plane of the macrocyclic framework. Ligands 6–8, independent of the nature of the anion associated with the Ag+ cation (AgX; X = BF4–, PF6–, SbF6–, AsF6–, NO3–), form dinuclear silver complexes in solution and in the solid state. Ligand 7, in the presence of an excess of Ag+, also forms tetranuclear silver complexes 7‐(AgBF4)4 and 7‐(AgNO3)4 in the presence of two different auxiliary ligands (H2O or NO3–) that have been characterized in the solid state. Due to a rather short Ag–Ag distance of about 2.89 Å, the tetranuclear complex 7‐(AgBF4)4 is emissive in the solid state, at 298 K (λexc = 295 nm, λem = 425 nm), which results from argentophilic interactions between the closely positioned silver cations.
Ethanol extraction renders a phenolic compounds‐enriched and highly stable jussara fruit (Euterpe edulis M.) oil
Authors: de O. Silva Laís , N. Castelo‐Branco Vanessa , A. de Carvalho Aline Gabrielle , C. Monteiro Mariana , Perrone Daniel , G. Torres Alexandre
Published: June 2017

The aims of the present study were to investigate the effect of extraction solvent, using either ethanol or petroleum ether, on the chemical profile and chemical stability of jussara oil. Jussara fruit oil presented high contents of antioxidant compounds, including anthocyanins. Extraction solvent significantly affected the chemical composition of the jussara oils, except for fatty acids and carotenoids, from which oleic acid and β‐carotene, respectively, were predominant in both. Ethanol‐extracted jussara oil showed higher contents of tocopherols (α, β, and γ), chlorophylls, and phenolic compounds, especially anthocyanins. Moreover, ethanol‐extracted jussara oil presented higher oxidative stability and total antioxidant capacity than petroleum ether‐extracted jussara oil. Because of its composition, jussara oil might present potential health benefits. Additionally, the use of the low‐toxicity solvent ethanol to extract oil seems to be an important technique to afford jussara oil with improved nutritional properties and oxidative stability.

Practical applications: Value‐added oil was obtained from the jussara fruit (Euterpe edulis), containing, in addition to triacylglycerols, phenolic acids, anthocyanins, tocopherols, β‐carotene, and chlorophyll. Ethanol‐extracted jussara oil was highly stable, due to the high contents of antioxidants. Ethanol extraction proved to be a highly effective mean to obtain value‐added jussara fruit oil.

Ethanol and petroleum ether are used to extract jussara oil. Ethanol‐extracted jussara oil is highly stable, as a consequence of the high contents of tocopherols and phenolic compounds, including anthocyanins.
PdII‐Catalyzed Spiroannulation of Cyclic N‐Sulfonyl Ketimines with Aryl Iodides through C–H Bond Activation
Authors: Reddy K. Nagarjuna , Rao M. V. Krishna , Sridhar B. , Reddy B. V. Subba
Published: June 2017

A new strategy has been developed for the synthesis of spirofluorenyl benzosultams through the annulation of aryl iodides with cyclic N‐sulfonyl ketimines. This method uses a readily available PdII catalyst for the activation of aryl C–H bonds to facilitate the annulation process. Pd is cheaper than other transition metal catalysts commonly used for the C–H activation, such as Ir and Rh. This approach leads to the synthesis of biologically relevant spiro‐benzosultams in a single‐step process.
Regio‐ and Stereoselectivity in 1,3‐Dipolar Cycloadditions: Activation Strain Analyses for Reactions of Hydrazoic Acid with Substituted Alkenes
Authors: Vilhena Felipe S. , Bickelhaupt F. Matthias , Carneiro José W. M.
Published: June 2017

We quantum chemically explore and analyze 1,3‐dipolar cycloadditions of hydrazoic acid and methyl azide with a number of substituted alkenes R‐HC=CH2 (R = CH3, OH, OCH3, NH2, CN, and NO2) by using dispersion‐corrected DFT at wB97X‐D/6‐311++G(d,p). Our purpose is to uncover the physical factors behind the computed trends in reactivity, regioselectivity (1,4 vs. 1,5 addition), and preferred stereochemistry (endo vs. exo). To this end, we use the activation strain model (ASM) and quantitative molecular orbital (MO) theory. One of our main findings is that introducing electron‐donating groups in the dipolarophile, R = CH3, OH, OCH3, or NH2, favors the 1,5‐cycloaddition. On the other hand, the presence of electron‐withdrawing groups, R = CN or NO2, leads to 1,4‐addition. Besides, we find a general preference for endo addition, a result that consolidates the endo rule. Trends in the regiochemistry are dictated by the inverse and regular HOMO–LUMO gap, respectively, between dipole and dipolarophile.
Effect of Temperature Variation on the Performance of Microbial Fuel Cells
Authors: Song Youngil , An Junyeong , Chae Kyu‐Jung
Published: June 2017

The anode of a microbial fuel cell (MFC) was inoculated using recycling activated sludge and incubated at 25 °C (start‐up temperature, denoted as 25 °Cstu) for 2 weeks, and the temperature was then stepwise changed to 35, 25, 45, and 25 °C. A maximum power density of 54 mW m−2 and a current density of 348 mA m−2 were observed at 25 °Cstu. The MFC performances at 35 and 45 °C were much lower compared to 25 °Cstu due to substrate limitations. After operation at 35 (11 days) and 45 °C (9 days), the temperature was switched back to the initial temperature of 25 °C, but the MFC performance did not recover to the initial level for 25 °Cstu. These results confirm that after MFC stabilization at a start‐up temperature, the increase of MFC operating temperature could lead to a failure of the MFC system, indicating that the operating temperature of an MFC system for wastewater treatment should be stable and remain as identical to its start‐up temperature as possible.
Using structure‐from‐motion to create glacier DEMs and orthoimagery from historical terrestrial and oblique aerial imagery
Authors: Mertes Jordan R. , Gulley Jason D. , Benn Douglas I. , Thompson Sarah S. , Nicholson Lindsey I.
Published: June 2017

Increased resolution and availability of remote sensing products, and advancements in small‐scale aerial drone systems, allows observations of glacial changes at unprecedented levels of detail. Software developments, such as structure‐from‐motion (SfM), now allow users an easy and efficient method to generate three‐dimensional (3D) models and orthoimages from aerial or terrestrial datasets. While these advancements show promise for current and future glacier monitoring, many regions still suffer a lack of observations from earlier time periods. We report on the use of SfM to extract spatial information from various historic imagery sources. We focus on three geographic regions, the European Alps, high Arctic Norway and the Nepal Himalayas. We used terrestrial field photographs from 1896, high oblique aerial photographs from 1936 and aerial handheld photographs from 1978 to generate digital elevation models (DEMs) and orthophotos of the Rhone glacier, Brøggerhalvøya and the lower Khumbu glacier, respectively. Our analysis shows that applying SfM to historic imagery can generate high quality models using only ground control points. Limited camera/orientation information was largely reproduced using self‐calibrated model data. Using these data, we calculated mean ground sampling distances across each site which demonstrates the high potential resolution of resulting models. Vertical errors for our models are ±5.4 m, ±5.2 m and ±3.3 m. Differencing shows similar patterns of thinning at lower Rhone (European Alps) and Brøggerhalvøya (Norway) glaciers, which have mean thinning rates of 0.31 m a−1 (1896–2010) to 0.86 m a−1 (1936–2010) respectively. On these clean ice glaciers thinning is highest in the terminus region and decreasing up‐glacier. In contrast to these glaciers, uneven topography, exposed ice‐cliffs and debris cover on the Khumbu glacier create a highly variable spatial distribution of thinning. The mean thinning rate for the Khumbu study area was found to be 0.54 ± 0.9 m a−1 (1978–2015). Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Late Triassic adakite‐like volcanic rocks in Moguqi area in the central Great Xing'an Range, NE China: Implications for partial melting of delaminated thickened crust
Authors: Xu Jiulei , Zheng Changqing , Shi Lu , Xu Xuechun , Han Xiaomeng , Li Juan , Cui Fanghua
Published: June 2017

Adakite‐like volcanic rocks in the Moguqi area of the central Great Xing'an Range of NE China consist of trachyandesites and trachydacites. These rocks yield LA–ICP–MS U–Pb zircon ages of 229.5–232.6 Ma. These adakite‐like rocks are high in Sr (459–1960 ppm) and MgO (1.2–4.3%), low in Y (11.4–23.70 ppm) and Yb (0.88–2.07 ppm), and have high Sr/Y ratios (37.17–146.31) and high Mg# values (0.43–0.58). These characteristics are similar to those of rocks derived from slab melting. However, the existence of Early Triassic stable continental sedimentary rocks of the Laolongtou Formation does not favour this mode of formation. The zircon εHf(t) values of the samples range from +8.09 to +13.29, indicating the primary magmas were generated by partial melting of juvenile crust. Analysis of geophysical data, combined with the previously published history of the Hegenshan–Heihe Suture in this region and the southward subduction of Mongol–Okhotsk oceanic plate, suggests that the Late Triassic adakite‐like volcanic rocks in the Xing'an Massif formed from the partial melting of delaminated thickened crust in an extensional setting. This occurred after orogenesis involving the Xing'an Massif and the Songnen Massif and was influenced by southward subduction of the Mongol–Okhotsk oceanic plate.
Drug discovery for remyelination and treatment of MS
Authors: Cole Katy L. H. , Early Jason J. , Lyons David A.
Published: June 2017

Glia constitute the majority of the cells in our nervous system, yet there are currently no drugs that target glia for the treatment of disease. Given ongoing discoveries of the many roles of glia in numerous diseases of the nervous system, this is likely to change in years to come. Here we focus on the possibility that targeting the oligodendrocyte lineage to promote regeneration of myelin (remyelination) represents a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of the demyelinating disease multiple sclerosis, MS. We discuss how hypothesis driven studies have identified multiple targets and pathways that can be manipulated to promote remyelination in vivo, and how this work has led to the first ever remyelination clinical trials. We also highlight how recent chemical discovery screens have identified a host of small molecule compounds that promote oligodendrocyte differentiation in vitro. Some of these compounds have also been shown to promote myelin regeneration in vivo, with one already being trialled in humans. Promoting oligodendrocyte differentiation and remyelination represents just one potential strategy for the treatment of MS. The pathology of MS is complex, and its complete amelioration may require targeting multiple biological processes in parallel. Therefore, we present an overview of new technologies and models for phenotypic analyses and screening that can be exploited to study complex cell–cell interactions in in vitro and in vivo systems. Such technological platforms will provide insight into fundamental mechanisms and increase capacities for drug–discovery of relevance to glia and currently intractable disorders of the CNS.
Generation of a microglial developmental index in mice and in humans reveals a sex difference in maturation and immune reactivity
Authors: Hanamsagar Richa , Alter Mark D. , Block Carina S. , Sullivan Haley , Bolton Jessica L. , Bilbo Staci D.
Published: June 2017

Evidence suggests many neurological disorders emerge when normal neurodevelopmental trajectories are disrupted, i.e., when circuits or cells do not reach their fully mature state. Microglia play a critical role in normal neurodevelopment and are hypothesized to contribute to brain disease. We used whole transcriptome profiling with Next Generation sequencing of purified developing microglia to identify a microglial developmental gene expression program involving thousands of genes whose expression levels change monotonically (up or down) across development. Importantly, the gene expression program was delayed in males relative to females and exposure of adult male mice to LPS, a potent immune activator, accelerated microglial development in males. Next, a microglial developmental index (MDI) generated from gene expression patterns obtained from purified mouse microglia, was applied to human brain transcriptome datasets to test the hypothesis that variability in microglial development is associated with human diseases such as Alzheimer's and autism where microglia have been suggested to play a role. MDI was significantly increased in both Alzheimer's Disease and in autism, suggesting that accelerated microglial development may contribute to neuropathology. In conclusion, we identified a microglia‐specific gene expression program in mice that was used to create a microglia developmental index, which was applied to human datasets containing heterogeneous cell types to reveal differences between healthy and diseased brain samples, and between males and females. This powerful tool has wide ranging applicability to examine microglial development within the context of disease and in response to other variables such as stress and pharmacological treatments.
Iron‐sulfur glutaredoxin 2 protects oligodendrocytes against damage induced by nitric oxide release from activated microglia
Authors: Lepka Klaudia , Volbracht Katrin , Bill Eckhard , Schneider Reiner , Rios Natalia , Hildebrandt Thomas , Ingwersen Jens , Prozorovski Timur , Lillig Christopher Horst , van Horssen Jack , Steinman Lawrence , Hartung Hans‐Peter , Radi Rafael , Holmgren Arne , Aktas Orhan , Berndt Carsten
Published: June 2017

Demyelinated brain lesions, a hallmark of autoimmune neuroinflammatory diseases like multiple sclerosis, result from oligodendroglial cell damage. Activated microglia are considered a major source of nitric oxide and subsequent peroxynitrite‐mediated damage of myelin. Here, we provide biochemical and biophysical evidence that the oxidoreductase glutaredoxin 2 inhibits peroxynitrite formation by transforming nitric oxide into dinitrosyl‐diglutathionyl‐iron‐complexes. Glutaredoxin 2 levels influence both survival rates of primary oligodendrocyte progenitor cells and preservation of myelin structure in cerebellar organotypic slice cultures challenged with activated microglia or nitric oxide donors. Of note, glutaredoxin 2‐mediated protection is not linked to its enzymatic activity as oxidoreductase, but to the disassembly of its uniquely coordinated iron‐sulfur cluster using glutathione as non‐protein ligand. The protective effect of glutaredoxin 2 is connected to decreased protein carbonylation and nitration. In line, brain lesions of mice suffering from experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, an animal model of multiple sclerosis, show decreased glutaredoxin 2 expression and increased nitrotyrosine formation indicating that this type of protection is missing in the inflamed central nervous system. Our findings link inorganic biochemistry to neuroinflammation and identify glutaredoxin 2 as a protective factor against neuroinflammation‐mediated myelin damage. Thus, improved availability of glutathione‐coordinated iron‐sulfur clusters emerges as a potential therapeutic approach in inflammatory demyelination.
A market on both “sides” of the law: The use of the hidden web for the sale of new psychoactive substances
Authors: Wadsworth Elle , Drummond Colin , Kimergård Andreas , Deluca Paolo
Published: June 2017

Objective

The hidden Web is used for the anonymous sale of drugs, and with the UK Psychoactive Substances Act, 2016, implemented on May 26th 2016; it could increase as a platform for obtaining new psychoactive substances (NPS).

This study aims to describe the NPS market on the visible and hidden Web preban, and assess whether the hidden Web is a likely place for the sale of NPS postban.

Methods

Data collection of 113 online shops took place in October 2015. Data collection of 22 cryptomarkets took place every 2 months from October 2015 to 2016 as part of the CASSANDRA project.

Results

All online shops with a UK domain location sold NPS that were uncontrolled by the UK Misuse of Drugs Act, 1971, and closed after the ban. Of the cryptomarkets analysed, the total number of vendors selling NPS, number of substances, and listings advertised, all increased over the year. The majority of the NPS advertised on the hidden Web were phenethylamines and cathinones, yet the majority of uncontrolled NPS were synthetic cannabinoids.

Conclusions

Vendors selling and availability of NPS increased over the 12 months of data collection. Potential displacement from the visible Web to hidden Web should be taken into consideration.
NEEDS AND CHALLENGES OF HOME VISITORS CONDUCTING PERINATAL DEPRESSION SCREENING
Authors: Doering Jennifer J. , Maletta Kristyn , Laszewski Audrey , Wichman Christina L. , Hammel Jennifer
Published: June 2017

This article describes the needs and challenges faced by home visitors, supervisors, and clients when conducting perinatal depression screening. Home visitors (n = 11), supervisors (n = 5), and clients (n = 9) representing rural and urban practice settings in Wisconsin were recruited into three separate focus groups. Themes were identified from the transcribed audio‐recorded interviews using content analysis. Results indicate that a trusting relationship was leveraged to facilitate depression screening and referral. Home visitors personalized care to a client's context and to protect confidentiality. Home‐visiting practice demanded flexibility and negotiation in decision‐making with clients and families. Coordinating access to mental health evaluation in areas of limited access was a common challenge. Participants reported a need for further training on safety management. With adequate training and support, home visitors are well‐positioned to promote access to mental health services in vulnerable families to support infant mental health.
Effect of Various Ratios of Co‐Cultured ATDC5 Cells and Chondrocytes on the Expression of Cartilaginous Phenotype in Microcavitary Alginate Hydrogel
Authors: Yao Yongchang , Huang Yuyang , Qian Dongyang , Zhang Shujiang , Chen Yi , Bai Bo
Published: June 2017

The present study introduced a direct co‐culture of mouse ATDC5 cells and primary porcine chondrocytes into a microcavitary hydrogel, which possessed advantages in promoting the growth of chondrocytes and retaining the phenotype. These two types of cells were encapsulated with gelatin microspheres in alginate hydrogels in either of the three ratios (3:1, 1:1, or 1:3 of ATDC5 cells to chondrocytes) and cultured in chondrogenic medium for 28 days. Simultaneously, the single encapsulation of ATDC5 cells or chondrocytes was set as a control. Cell Counting Kit‐8 (CCK‐8), real‐time PCR, and immunohistochemistry staining were used to evaluate the effect of various ratios of co‐cultured ATDC5 cells and chondrocytes on the expression of the cartilaginous phenotype. The CCK‐8 data indicated that the ratio of 3:1 group had an outstanding ability of cell growth. The other results demonstrated that higher the ATDC5 ratios and longer the culture duration, greater the expression of cartilage‐specific genes (including type II collagen and aggrecan) and more the synthesized cartilaginous extracellular matrix. Also, the Western blot analysis suggested that p44/42 MAP Kinase was involved in cell proliferation. However, due to the direct co‐culture of the two cell types, the underlying mechanism necessitates further investigation. Overall, the co‐culture system in microcavitary hydrogel improved the effect of chondrogenesis and exhibited promising strategy for cartilage tissue engineering therapies. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 3607–3615, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hydrogen Peroxide Stimulates Exosomal Cathepsin B Regulation of the Receptor for Advanced Glycation End‐Products (RAGE)
Authors: Downs Charles A. , Dang Viet D. , Johnson Nicholle M. , Denslow Nancy D. , Alli Abdel A.
Published: June 2017

Exosomes are nano‐sized vesicles that are secreted into the extracellular environment. These vesicles contain various biological effector molecules that can regulate intracellular signaling pathways in recipient cells. The aim of this study was to examine a correlation between exosomal cathepsin B activity and the receptor for advanced glycation end‐products (RAGE). Type 1 alveolar epithelial (R3/1) cells were treated with or without hydrogen peroxide and exosomes isolated from the cell conditioned media were characterized by NanoSight analysis. Lipidomic and proteomic analysis showed exosomes released from R3/1 cells exposed to oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide or vehicle differ in their lipid and protein content, respectively. Cathepsin B activity was detected in exosomes isolated from hydrogen peroxide treated cells. The mRNA and protein expression of RAGE increased in cultured R3/1 cells treated with exosomes containing active cathepsin B while depletion of exosomal cathepsin B attenuated RAGE mRNA and protein expression. These results suggest exosomal cathepsin B regulates RAGE in type 1 alveolar cells under conditions of oxidative stress. J. Cell. Biochem. 119: 599–606, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Role of Serum High Mobility Group Box 1 and Interleukin‐6 Levels in Acute Pancreatitis: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Li Nuo , Wang Bao‐Ming , Cai Shuang , Liu Peng‐Liang
Published: June 2017

The purpose of this meta‐analysis was to comprehensively investigate the correlation between high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) in relation to acute pancreatitis. A highly regulated exploration of various electronic databases, supplemented by manual searching methods, was performed in an attempt to identify pertinent articles of a useful nature. Subsequently, high‐quality cohort studies that were deemed to comply with the arduous inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected for our meta‐analysis. The extensive data analyses reported in our meta‐analysis were conducted in connection with the Comprehensive Meta‐analysis 2.0 (CMA 2.0). A total of 395 studies (135 Chinese studies and 260 English studies) were initially retrieved. 27 of those studies were selected for our meta‐analysis, comprising of 896 cases of mild acute pancreatitis (MAP), 700 cases of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) as well as 312 healthy controls. Pooled data suggested that serum HMGB1 and IL‐6 levels of SAP and MAP patients were higher than in healthy controls. Moreover, serum HMGB1 and IL‐6 levels of SAP patients exhibited significantly higher levels than in that of MAP patients. Based on the rigorous investigation of our meta‐analysis, it was concluded that serum HMGB1 and IL‐6 levels might be used as effective indicators for pancreatic lesions as well as the degree of inflammatory response, owing ultimately to the observations and data analyses, suggesting that serum HMGB1 and IL‐6 levels share a close correlation with the severity of pancreatitis. J. Cell. Biochem. 119: 616–624, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Poly r(C) binding protein 1‐mediated regulation of microRNA expression underlies post‐sevoflurane amelioration of acute lung injury in rats
Authors: Zhao Xiaohong , Wang Xiaoxia , Wang Fei , Gao Chengjie , Wang Jian
Published: June 2017

Acute lung injury (ALI) presents a pervasive health burden due to the high morbidity and mortality associated with it. Volatile anesthetics like sevoflurane has been previously shown to have organ‐protective effect, both in the context of normal physiological function in liver, and during LPS‐induced ALI. Sevoflurane was shown to exert lung protective effect during LPS‐induced ALI by modulating expression level of microRNAs (miRNAs), specifically miR‐155. The objective of the current study was to define the underlying mechanism by which sevoflurane alters miRNA expression levels. Lung injury caused by LPS and its amelioration post sevoflurane administration was first confirmed. Expression levels of different miRNA and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) encoding inflammatory cytokines were measured in a rat model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced ALI, which were subsequently treated with either sevoflurane or vehicle control. Host of miRNAs and messenger RNAs encoding pro‐inflammatory cytokines are overexpressed during LPS‐induced ALI, which are reversed following sevoflurane administration. Mass spectrometry analysis revealed that the RNA‐binding protein, poly r(C) binding protein 1 (PCBP1) expression is induced in ALI and is repressed following sevoflurane treatment. RNA immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that PCBP1 expression dictates the altered miRNA expression and sevoflurane altered miRNA expression by suppressing PCBP1 expression. Our study thus elucidates a unique mechanism of lung protective effect of sevoflurane mediated by suppression of expression of a RNA‐binding protein that potentiates expression of pro‐inflammatory miRNAs.
An Exploratory Study in Healthy Male Subjects of the Mechanism of Mirabegron‐Induced Cardiovascular Effects
Authors: van Gelderen Marcel , Stölzel Matthias , Meijer John , Kerbusch Virginie , Collins Christiane , Korstanje Cees
Published: June 2017

To explore the role of β1‐adrenoceptors (ARs) in the heart rate response to the selective β3‐adrenoceptor agonist mirabegron, 12 young male volunteers received single oral doses of the nonselective β1/2‐AR antagonist propranolol (160 mg), the selective β1‐AR antagonist bisoprolol (10 mg), or placebo on days 1 and 5 of each period in a 3‐period crossover study. On day 5, dosing was followed by a supratherapeutic dose of mirabegron (200 mg). Vital signs, impedance cardiography, and plasma renin activity were collected. Mirabegron increased heart rate and systolic blood pressure and reduced stroke volume, whereas cardiac output and diastolic blood pressure were unaffected. Mirabegron‐induced changes were attenuated by propranolol and bisoprolol. The data indicate that mirabegron has a positive chronotropic effect at supratherapeutic concentrations, which is at least partly mediated by stimulation of β1‐AR.
Technetium‐99m radiochemistry for pharmaceutical applications
Authors: Papagiannopoulou Dionysia
Published: June 2017

Technetium‐99m (99mTc) is a widely used radionuclide, and the development of 99mTc imaging agents continues to be in demand. This overview discusses basic principles of 99mTc radiopharmaceutical preparation and design and focuses on the 99mTc radiochemistry relevant to its pharmaceutical applications. The 99mTc complexes are described based on the most typical examples in each category, keeping up with the state‐of‐the‐art in the field. In addition, the main current strategies to develop targeted 99mTc radiopharmaceuticals are summarized.
Observed changes in maximum and minimum temperatures in Xinjiang autonomous region, China
Authors: Tao Hui , Fischer Thomas , Su Buda , Mao Weiyi , Jiang Tong , Fraedrich Klaus
Published: June 2017

Changes in maximum and minimum temperature (Tmax and Tmin) are analysed to assess the regional extent of global warming in Xinjiang autonomous region, China, for the period of 1961–2015. Two nonlinear, non‐stationary signal‐processing methods – the Bernaola‐Galván algorithm and the ensemble empirical mode decomposition method – are applied on daily time series of observations from 53 meteorological stations. Statistically significant abrupt change points are identified in 1996 in both annual Tmax and Tmin time series averaged for the whole province, while another one is identified in 1976 in the annual Tmin time series only. At local scale, most stations experience one abrupt change point in annual Tmax in the 1990s, but two or three change points in annual Tmin, mainly in the 1980s and 1990s. After the abrupt change points, the frequency and probability density of Tmax in summer and Tmin in winter are skewed towards the hotter part of the probability distribution. It is found that the hot temperature extremes in summer occur concurrently with El Niño events. Further results suggest that anomalies in geopotential height at 500 hPa can be associated with the hottest and coldest months. The key regions of the anomalies are over the east of the Ural Mountains and the North Atlantic, while the geopotential height anomalies over Greenland and the east of the Ural Mountains are closely related to the hot and cold spells.
Quantifying air temperature evolution in the permafrost region from 1901 to 2014
Authors: Guo Donglin , Li Duo , Hua Wei
Published: June 2017

Permafrost is sensitive to climate change. In recent decades, a growing body of research has focused mainly on the study of permafrost thaw, but leaving the climate change in the permafrost region that has not been adequately assessed, which is of first importance for the research on permafrost thaw. Using gridded observations from the Climatic Research Unit (CRU), in conjunction with the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts Reanalysis Interim (ERA‐Interim) and Japanese 55‐year Reanalysis (JRA‐55) data, this study investigates characteristics of air temperature evolution in the region of permafrost throughout the 20th century. Results show that yearly air temperatures in the permafrost region of the Northern Hemisphere experienced a statistically significant warming, with trends of 0.13 °C decade−1 for 1901–2014 and 0.40 °C decade−1 for 1979–2014. Winter air temperatures showed the greatest increase during 1901–2014, while autumn air temperatures increased the most during 1979–2014. In addition, increases in air temperature in high‐latitude permafrost sub‐region are greater than those in high‐elevation permafrost sub‐region, and air temperatures in the permafrost sub‐region of Mongolia have the largest trend from 1901 to 2014, followed by those in Russia, Alaska, Canada, and China. Air temperatures in the permafrost region increased 1.7 times more than temperatures globally from 1901 to 2014, and underwent an increase at a rate of 0.32 °C decade−1 during the period 1998–2014, when the global warming hiatus occurred with a trend of 0.06 °C decade−1. This implies that permafrost thaw may have continued during the global warming hiatus period. The close agreement between CRU data and ERA‐Interim and JRA‐55 reanalysis data indicates good reliability of air temperature evolution characteristics. These results provide information relevant to climate change in the permafrost region, and are useful for researching and understanding historical permafrost change.
Cosmogenic 10Be surface exposure dating and glacier reconstruction for the Last Glacial Maximum in the Quemuqu Valley, western Nyainqentanglha Mountains, south Tibet
Authors: Dong Guocheng , Xu Xiangke , Zhou Weijian , Fu Yunchong , Zhang Li , Li Ming
Published: June 2017

The nature and timing of glaciations enable inferences to be made about glacial climates. However, the paucity of reliable glacial chronologies impedes a full understanding of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) climate in the western Nyainqentanglha Mountains, south Tibet. In this study, we investigated the LGM glacial history in the Quemuqu Valley, western Nyainqentanglha, using 10Be surface exposure dating. We used a physically based glacier model to reconstruct the LGM glacial surfaces, and estimated the LGM equilibrium‐line‐altitude (ELA) using integrated methods. Combined with previously published 10Be exposure ages from the western Nyainqentanglha, ten 10Be exposure ages imply a relatively restricted glacial extent in the LGM but extensive growth in the early last glacial. The modeled LGM glaciers had ice areas of ∼36.3 km2, 3.21 km3 in volume and 89 m m in average thickness in the Quemuqu Valley. The reconstructed LGM ELAs have values of 5463–5583 m asl, with a depression of ∼244–364 m. By combining the reconstructed ELAs with an equation deduced from glacier mass balance, we concluded that the temperature dropped by ∼2.6–4.6 °C in the LGM relative to the present, with 30–70% lower precipitation than the present. Global cooling induced the LGM glacial advance in the western Nyainqentanglha despite decreased precipitation.
Highly fluorinated polymers with sulfonate, sulfamide and N,N‐diethylamino groups for the capillary electromigration separation of proteins and steroid hormones
Authors: Daria Dzema , Liudmila Kartsova , Gennady Emelianov
Published: June 2017

Highly fluorinated polymers are promising materials in separation methods due to their combination of high chemical and thermally stability, hydro‐ and oleophobicity, and weak intermolecular forces. However, application of these polymers in chromatography is limited because of their low solubility in aqueous‐organic solvents. In our research, the highly fluorinated water soluble polymers with –SO3−N(Et)4+, –SO2NH2, and –N(Et)2 terminal groups were synthesized and applied as additives to the background electrolyte for the separation of steroid hormones and proteins by capillary electromigration methods. It is shown that highly fluorinated polymers can be used both as pseudo‐stationary phases in electrokinetic chromatography for high separation efficiency (N ∼ 200 × 103) and selectivity (α ∼ 1.1) of uncharged analytes (e.g., steroid hormones), and as dynamic modifiers of fused silica capillary walls. The highest separation efficiency (N ∼ 1 × 106) and selectivity (α ∼ 1.3) of steroid hormones was achieved by combination of sodium dodecyl sulfate and fluoropolymer with sulfonate groups in background electrolyte with pH 2. Dynamic wall coatings based on fluoropolymer with –SO2NH2 (which are easier and faster to create and wash off) exhibit significantly higher separation efficiency and selectivity compared to capillary electrochromatography on capillary columns based on polymethacrylate polymers.
Declining survival of black brant from subarctic and arctic breeding areas
Authors: Leach Alan G. , Ward David H. , Sedinger James S. , Lindberg Mark S. , Boyd W. Sean , Hupp Jerry W. , Ritchie Robert J.
Published: June 2017

Since the mid 1990s, the number of black brant (Branta bernicla nigricans; brant) nests on the Yukon‐Kuskokwim Delta (YKD), Alaska, USA, the historically predominant breeding area of brant, has declined steadily. This has caused researchers and managers to question if arctic breeding populations can compensate for the reduction in brant nests on the YKD. An important component of the assessment of brant population dynamics is having current estimates of first‐year and adult survival. We banded brant at 4 locations in Arctic Alaska and western Canada, and at 1 location in the subarctic, the Tutakoke River (TR) colony on the YKD, 1990–2015. We used joint live and dead mark‐recapture models to estimate first‐year and adult (≥1 yr old) survival of brant. We also used band recovery rates from a Brownie model to assess temporal trends in band recovery rates of adult brant. First‐year survival of brant hatched at TR declined from approximately 0.60 to <0.20 and, although first‐year survival generally was higher for goslings marked in the Arctic, their survival declined from approximately 0.70 in the early 1990s to ≤0.45 in the 2010s. Annual survival of adult females decreased from an average of 0.881 (95% CI = 0.877–0.885) to 0.822 (95% CI = 0.815–0.829) at TR and from 0.851 (95% CI = 0.843–0.860) to 0.821 (95% CI = 0.805–0.836) in the Arctic, from 1990 to 2014. Band recovery rates of adults generally were <1.25% until the last several years of study, when they reached ≤3.5%. Although the current harvest rates may be partially additive to natural mortality, we do not believe that harvest is the main influence on the declines in survival. The general decline in survival rates of brant breeding across a large geographic area may be influenced by a reduction in the quality of migration and wintering ground habitats. We suggest an analysis of seasonal survival of brant to test the hypothesis that declining habitat quality on wintering or spring migration areas is reducing survival. Our results suggest that the number of breeding pairs at TR will continue to decline and also brings into question the ability of arctic breeding populations to grow at a rate necessary to offset the declines on the YKD. Researchers should continue to closely monitor survival and harvest rates of brant, and assess methods currently used to monitor their abundance. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.