bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of testosterone to epitestosterone ratio to horse urine – a complementary approach to detect the administrations of testosterone and its pro‐drugs in Thoroughbred geldings
Authors: Viljanto Marjaana , Scarth James , Hincks Pamela , Hillyer Lynn , Cawley Adam , Suann Craig , Noble Glenys , Walker Christopher J. , Kicman Andrew T. , Parkin Mark C.
Published: October 2016

Detection of testosterone and/or its pro‐drugs in the gelding is currently regulated by the application of an international threshold for urinary testosterone of 20 ng/mL. The use of steroid ratios may provide a useful supplementary approach to aid in differentiating between the administration of these steroids and unusual physiological conditions that may result in atypically high testosterone concentrations. In the current study, an ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC‐MS/MS) method was developed to quantify testosterone (T) and epitestosterone (E). The method was used to analyze 200 post‐race urine samples from geldings in order to generate the ratios for the reference population. Following statistical analysis of the data, an upper limit of 5 for T:E ratio in geldings is proposed. Samples collected from 15 geldings with atypical urinary testosterone concentrations (>15 ng/mL) but otherwise normal steroid profile, had T:E ratios within those observed for the reference population. The applicability of an upper T:E ratio to detect an administration was demonstrated by the analysis of a selection of incurred samples from testosterone propionate, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and a mixture of DHEA and pregnenolone (Equi‐Bolic®) administrations. These produced testosterone concentrations above the threshold of 20 ng/mL, but also T:E ratios above the proposed limit of 5. In conclusion, consideration of the T:E ratio appears to be a valuable complementary aid to evaluate whether an atypical testosterone concentration could be caused by a natural biological outlier as opposed to the administration of these steroids. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Is Reading Impairment Associated with Enhanced Holistic Processing in Comparative Visual Search?
Authors: Wang Jiahui , Schneps Matthew H. , Antonenko Pavlo D. , Chen Chen , Pomplun Marc
Published: October 2016

This study explores a proposition that individuals with dyslexia develop enhanced peripheral vision to process visual–spatial information holistically. Participants included 18 individuals diagnosed with dyslexia and 18 who were not. The experiment used a comparative visual search design consisting of two blocks of 72 trials. Each trial presented two halves of the display each comprising three kinds of shapes in three colours to be compared side‐by‐side. Participants performed a conjunctive search to ascertain whether the two halves were identical. In the first block, participants were provided no instruction regarding the visual–spatial processing strategy they were to employ. In the second block, participants were instructed to use a holistic processing strategy—to defocus their attention and perform the comparison by examining the whole screen at once. The results did not support the hypothesis associating dyslexia with talents for holistic visual processing. Using holistic processing strategy, both groups scored lower in accuracy and reacted faster, compared to the first block. Impaired readers consistently reacted more slowly and did not exhibit enhanced accuracy. Given the extant evidence of strengths for holistic visual processing in impaired readers, these findings are important because they suggest such strengths may be task dependent. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reading Processes of University Students with Dyslexia – An Examination of the Relationship between Oral Reading and Reading Comprehension
Authors: Pedersen Henriette Folkmann , Fusaroli Riccardo , Lauridsen Lene Louise , Parrila Rauno
Published: October 2016

The purpose of this study was to examine the quality of oral reading and how it relates to reading comprehension in students with dyslexia. A group of Danish university students with dyslexia (n = 16) and a comparison group of students with no history of reading problems (n = 16) were assessed on their oral reading performance when reading a complex text. Along with reading speed, we measured not only the number and quality of reading errors but also the extent and semantic nature of the self‐corrections during reading. The reading comprehension was measured through aided text retellings. The results showed that, as a group, the dyslexics performed poorer on most measures, but there were notable within‐group differences in the reading behaviours and little association between how well university students with dyslexia read aloud and comprehended the text. These findings suggest that many dyslexics in higher education tend to focus their attention on one subcomponent of the reading process, for example, decoding or comprehension, because engaging in both simultaneously may be too demanding for them. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improved management of small pelagic fisheries through seasonal climate prediction
Authors: Tommasi Désirée , Stock Charles A. , Pegion Kathleen , Vecchi Gabriel A. , Methot Richard D. , Alexander Michael A. , Checkley David M.
Published: October 2016

Populations of small pelagic fish are strongly influenced by climate. The inability of managers to anticipate environment‐driven fluctuations in stock productivity or distribution can lead to overfishing and stock collapses, inflexible management regulations inducing shifts in the functional response to human predators, lost opportunities to harvest populations, bankruptcies in the fishing industry, and loss of resilience in the human food supply. Recent advances in dynamical global climate prediction systems allow for sea surface temperature (SST) anomaly predictions at a seasonal scale over many shelf ecosystems. Here we assess the utility of SST predictions at this “fishery relevant” scale to inform management, using Pacific sardine as a case study. The value of SST anomaly predictions to management was quantified under four harvest guidelines (HGs) differing in their level of integration of SST data and predictions. The HG that incorporated stock biomass forecasts informed by skillful SST predictions led to increases in stock biomass and yield, and reductions in the probability of yield and biomass falling below socioeconomic or ecologically acceptable levels. However, to mitigate the risk of collapse in the event of an erroneous forecast, it was important to combine such forecast‐informed harvest controls with additional harvest restrictions at low biomass.
Changing climate mediates sapsucker (Aves:Sphyrapicus) hybrid zone movement
Authors: Billerman Shawn M. , Murphy Melanie A. , Carling Matthew D.
Published: October 2016

Hybrid zones, where two divergent taxa meet and interbreed, offer unique opportunities to investigate how climate contributes to reproductive isolation between closely related taxa and how these taxa may respond to climatic changes. Red‐naped (Sphyrapicus nuchalis) and Red‐breasted (Sphyrapicus ruber) sapsuckers (Aves: Picidae) hybridize along a narrow contact zone that stretches from northern California to British Columbia. The hybrid zone between these species has been studied extensively for more than 100 years and represents an excellent system for investigations of the evolution of reproductive isolation. Shifts in the proportions of phenotypes at hybrid localities since 1910 that were inferred using specimens from museum collections were confirmed using species distribution models. We predicted the historical, current, and future distributions of parental and hybrid sapsuckers using Random Forests models to quantify how climate change is affecting hybrid zone movement in the Pacific Northwest. We found observed distribution shifts of parental sapsuckers were likely the result of climate change over the past 100 years, with these shifts predicted to continue for both sapsuckers over the next 80 years. We found Red‐breasted Sapsuckers are predicted to continue to expand, while Red‐naped Sapsuckers are predicted to contract substantially under future climate scenarios. As a result of the predicted changes, the amount of overlap in the distribution of these sapsuckers may decrease. Using hybrid phenotypes, we found the climate niche occupied by the hybrid zone is predicted to disappear under future conditions. The disappearance of this climate niche where the two parental species come into contact and hybridize may lead to a substantial reduction in genetic introgression. Understanding the impacts of global climate change on hybrid zones may help us to better understand how speciation has been shaped by climate in the past, as well as how evolution may respond to climate change in the future.
Sexual maturity and shape development in cranial appendages of extant ruminants
Authors: Calamari Zachary T.
Published: October 2016

Morphological disparity arises through changes in the ontogeny of structures; however, a major challenge of studying the effect of development on shape is the difficulty of collecting time series of data for large numbers of taxa. A proxy for developmental series proposed here is the age at sexual maturity, a developmental milestone potentially tied to the development of structures with documented use in intrasexual competition, such as cranial appendages in Artiodactyla. This study tested the hypothesis that ruminant cranial appendage shape and size correlate with onset of sexual maturity, predicting that late sexual maturity would correlate with larger, more complicated cranial appendages. Published data for cranial appendage shape and size in extant taxa were tested for correlations with sexual maturity using linear mixed‐effect models and phylogenetic generalized least‐squares analyses. Ancestral state reconstructions were used to assess correlated variables for developmental shifts indicative of heterochrony. These tests showed that phylogeny and body mass were the most common predictors of cranial appendage shape and sexual maturity was only significant as an interaction with body mass. Nevertheless, using developmental milestones as proxies for ontogeny may still be valuable in targeting future research to better understand the role of development in the evolution of disparate morphology when correlations exist between the milestone and shape.
Climate change is advancing spring onset across the U.S. national park system
Authors: Monahan William B. , Rosemartin Alyssa , Gerst Katharine L. , Fisichelli Nicholas A. , Ault Toby , Schwartz Mark D. , Gross John E. , Weltzin Jake F.
Published: October 2016

Many U.S. national parks are already at the extreme warm end of their historical temperature distributions. With rapidly warming conditions, park resource management will be enhanced by information on seasonality of climate that supports adjustments in the timing of activities such as treating invasive species, operating visitor facilities, and scheduling climate‐related events (e.g., flower festivals and fall leaf‐viewing). Seasonal changes in vegetation, such as pollen, seed, and fruit production, are important drivers of ecological processes in parks, and phenology has thus been identified as a key indicator for park monitoring. Phenology is also one of the most proximate biological responses to climate change. Here, we use estimates of start of spring based on climatically modeled dates of first leaf and first bloom derived from indicator plant species to evaluate the recent timing of spring onset (past 10–30 yr) in each U.S. natural resource park relative to its historical range of variability across the past 112 yr (1901–2012). Of the 276 high latitude to subtropical parks examined, spring is advancing in approximately three‐quarters of parks (76%), and 53% of parks are experiencing “extreme” early springs that exceed 95% of historical conditions. Our results demonstrate how changes in climate seasonality are important for understanding ecological responses to climate change, and further how spatial variability in effects of climate change necessitates different approaches to management. We discuss how our results inform climate change adaptation challenges and opportunities facing parks, with implications for other protected areas, by exploring consequences for resource management and planning.
A joint model of species interaction dynamics for multistate processes incorporating imperfect detection
Authors: Jones Jay E. , Kroll Andrew J.
Published: October 2016

The dynamics of species interactions are critical to understanding community ecology. Although species co‐occurrence models have long been available, recent methodological advances support extensions to incorporate temporal population dynamics with variation in the observation process. Contemporary dynamic co‐occurrence models often focus on simple presence/absence despite evidence that the influence of interactions may extend beyond species presence to behaviors influencing fitness such as mating success or recruitment. Here, we propose a joint model of species interaction dynamics that extends to multistate processes for each species, while limiting the attendant combinatorial expansion in the number of parameters. In our model, one or more states of a subordinate species are assumed to depend on the state of a dominant species, but a reciprocal dependency does not exist. This model results in a more concise representation of dominant‐subordinate species interactions compared with other approaches, which should aid in model setup, fitting, and interpretation. The basic framework we outline can be fit in either Bayesian or maximum‐likelihood modes of inference, can include interaction lag effects, and deals efficiently with cases where data are missing for one species but not the other. We evaluate interactions between the northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) and barred owl (Strix varia)—the latter species is considered to be dominant—using long‐term empirical data collected in Oregon, USA. Our results suggest state‐specific interactions between the two species where barred owls are associated with declines in spotted owl pairings, but not necessarily occupancy.
Assessing impacts to primary productivity at the park edge in Murchison Falls Conservation Area, Uganda
Authors: Fuda Rebecca K. , Ryan Sadie J. , Cohen Jonathan B. , Hartter Joel , Frair Jacqueline L.
Published: October 2016

Human activities around parks can alter vegetation patterns within them, resulting in edge effects that degrade their ability to sustain ecological processes and support biodiversity. We quantified vegetation patterns and edge effects over a large geographic extent in Murchison Falls Conservation Area, Uganda, using freely available remotely sensed data. Over a 13‐yr period, we quantified seasonal patterns in productivity using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), comparing the park exterior, a boundary zone ≤10 km from the border inside the park, and the park interior. To identify the extent of edge effects, we further fit mixed models by vegetation type within 1‐km bands within the boundary zone. Productivity was higher in the park interior than exterior in both wet and dry seasons, and in the wet season, it was also lower in the boundary zone than the interior. NDVI variability differed between seasons; it declined from exterior to interior in the wet season, but was highest in the boundary zone and similar between interior and exterior during the dry season. Within the boundary zone, edge effects varied by land cover type and extended 4–6 km into MFCA. Abrupt differences in vegetation patterns between the park and adjacent unprotected areas indicated a “hard edge” in this system. While hard edges are readily apparent, the subtle changes in productivity that extend into and degrade park systems are harder to detect. We demonstrated a low‐cost and novel approach to detect such effects using readily available satellite imagery, which indicated human influence affecting 29–40% of the park. As human populations grow, parks will become further isolated, and measuring and managing edge effects may be crucial to achieving conservation objectives.
Post‐settlement ecological changes in the forests of the Great Lakes National Parks
Authors: Paulson Alison K. , Sanders Suzanne , Kirschbaum Jessica , Waller Donald M.
Published: October 2016

National parks of the United States seek to preserve the natural and cultural heritage of the United States, yet parks in the eastern and Midwestern United States were established after periods of human settlement and disturbance. In the Great Lakes region, fire and windfall originally dominated as disturbance agents, driving dynamics in prairies, savannas, and in many forested ecosystems. However, fire suppression over the last century has radically lengthened fire return intervals. Additionally, widespread logging, slash burning, mining, and agricultural settlement successively shifted the dominant forms of land use, greatly altering these forests. From 2008 to 2014, the National Park Service's Great Lakes Inventory and Monitoring Program surveyed vegetation in nine Great Lakes National Parks. We compared these surveys with data derived from the mid‐ to late‐1800s Public Land Survey (PLS) to assess shifts in forest composition. Community composition has changed dramatically since the mid‐19th century. Preferred timber species (e.g.,Pinus strobusandTsuga canadensis) and fire‐adapted species (e.g., Quercus macrocarpaandPinus banksiana) have declined across the region, while aspen (Populusspp.) and/or maple (Acerspp.) have consistently increased. Ordinations reveal both these general trends and substantial divergence in composition within particular parks since thePLS. Past logging practices and mesification following fire suppression account for most general trends across the region, while local differences in edaphic conditions, ungulate herbivory, and disturbance regimes account for many park‐to‐park differences. Understanding how these factors, alone and in combination, have affected forests in these parks provides both a picture of regional forest dynamics and tools that improve our ability to manage these parks. Continuing to monitor forest vegetation in these parks will allow us to test our understanding of forest dynamics and to use these parks as the “land laboratories” that Leopold envisioned.
Seasonal changes in the assembly mechanisms structuring tropical fish communities
Authors: Fitzgerald Daniel B. , Winemiller Kirk O. , Sabaj Pérez Mark H. , Sousa Leandro M.
Published: October 2016

Despite growing interest in trait‐based approaches to community assembly, little attention has been given to seasonal variation in trait distribution patterns. Mobile animals can rapidly mediate influences of environmental factors and species interactions through dispersal, suggesting that the relative importance of different assembly mechanisms can vary over short time scales. This study analyzes seasonal changes in functional trait distributions of tropical fishes in the Xingu River, a major tributary of the Amazon with large predictable temporal variation in hydrologic conditions and species density. Comparison of observed functional diversity revealed that species within wet‐season assemblages were more functionally similar than those in dry‐season assemblages. Further, species within wet‐season assemblages were more similar than random expectations based on null model predictions. Higher functional richness within dry season communities is consistent with increased niche complementarity during the period when fish densities are highest and biotic interactions should be stronger; however, null model tests suggest that stochastic factors or a combination of assembly mechanisms influence dry‐season assemblages. These results demonstrate that the relative influence of community assembly mechanisms can vary seasonally in response to changing abiotic conditions, and suggest that studies attempting to infer a single dominant mechanism from functional patterns may overlook important aspects of the assembly process. During the prolonged flood pulse of the wet season, expanded habitat and lower densities of aquatic organisms likely reduce the influence of competition and predation. This temporal shift in the influence of different assembly mechanisms, rather than any single mechanism, may play a large role in maintaining the structure and diversity of tropical rivers and perhaps other dynamic and biodiverse systems.
Reverse plasticity: TGF‐β and IL‐6 induce Th1‐to‐Th17‐cell transdifferentiation in the gut
Authors: Geginat Jens , Paroni Moira , Kastirr Ilko , Larghi Paola , Pagani Massimiliano , Abrignani Sergio
Published: October 2016

Th17 cells are a heterogeneous population of pro‐inflammatory T cells that have been shown to mediate immune responses against intestinal bacteria. Th17 cells are highly plastic and can transdifferentiate to Th1/17 cells or unconventional Th1 cells, which are highly pathogenic in animal models of immune‐mediated diseases such as inflammatory bowel diseases. A recent European Journal of Immunology article by Liu et al. (Eur. J. Immunol. 2015. 45:1010–1018) showed, surprisingly, that Th1 cells have a similar plasticity, and could transdifferentiate to Th17 cells. Thus, IFN‐γ‐producing Th1 effector cells specific for an intestinal microbial antigen were shown to acquire IL‐17‐producing capacities in the gut in a mouse model of colitis, and in response to TGF‐β and IL‐6 in vitro. TGF‐β induced Runx1, and together with IL‐6 was shown to render the ROR‐γt and IL‐17 promoters in Th1 cells accessible for Runx1 binding. In this commentary, we discuss how this unexpected plasticity of Th1 cells challenges our view on the generation of Th1/17 cells with the capacity to co‐produce IL‐17 and IFN‐γ, and consider possible implications of this Th1‐to‐Th17‐cell conversion for therapies of inflammatory bowel diseases and protective immune responses against intracellular pathogens.
Functionalised Biferrocene Systems towards Molecular Electronics
Authors: Wilson Lucy E. , Hassenrück Christopher , Winter Rainer F. , White Andrew J. P. , Albrecht Tim , Long Nicholas J.
Published: October 2016

Biferrocene systems offer a motif that incorporates multiple redox‐active centres, enabling redox control, high levels of stability and near perfect conductance levels, and thus is an ideal participant within future molecular electronic systems. However, the incorporation of biferrocene can be restricted by current synthetic routes. Herein, we discuss a new method for the synthesis and incorporation of biferrocenyl motifs within extended conjugated systems. We have synthesised a family of compounds featuring biferrocenyl–ethynyl units with various pendant heteroaromatic linkages. The new compounds are probed with use of cyclic voltammetry, UV/Vis/near‐infrared (NIR) spectroelectrochemistry and X‐ray crystallography to gain further understanding of their structural and electronic properties.
In1–xGaxBO3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) – Solvothermal Synthesis, Morphology, and Performance in Photocatalytic Water Reduction
Authors: Yang Yao , Song Kai , Yue Mufei , Li Liangju , Cong Rihong , Gao Wenliang , Yang Tao
Published: October 2016

Partial solid solutions of In1–xGaxBO3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) were synthesized by the solvothermal method, and they were characterized by powder X‐ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy, and N2 adsorption–desorption, in order to identify the phase purity and micromorphology. Nanocrystallites of InBO3 exhibit a particular anisotropic growth along the [110] direction, forming spindlelike morphology (with a diameter of ca. 20 nm and a length of ca. 200 nm). These nanocrystallites further aggregate into microspheres. With Ga3+ substitution, the anisotropic growth was depressed; the nanocrystallites thus exhibited a typical rodlike morphology. Metal borates are well‐known optical materials; however, their photocatalytic properties have been rarely studied. Here, post‐annealing under O2 flow at 350 °C improved the photocatalytic H2 evolution rate of InBO3 from 18.2(6) to 29.5(8) µmol h–1 g–1. A loading of Pt, RuOx, or NiOx as cocatalyst resulted in further enhancement of the H2 evolution rate, with an optimal value of 56.1(5) µmol h–1 g–1 under UV light.
Palladium‐Catalyzed Intramolecular C–H Amination in Water
Authors: Yang Lizheng , Li Hao , Zhang Haifei , Lu Hongjian
Published: October 2016

Palladium(II) catalysis was found to be effective for intramolecular C–H amination in water. With 2‐azidobiphenyls as substrates, the reaction efficiently provided various carbazoles with N2 as the sole byproduct. The reaction showed high functional‐group tolerance and could be used in the synthesis of several natural carbazole alkaloids. The catalytic process was promoted by water, and the reaction was inefficient in the organic solvents that were investigated.
Low‐Pressure Radical 11C‐Aminocarbonylation of Alkyl Iodides through Thermal Initiation
Authors: Chow Shiao Y. , Odell Luke R. , Eriksson Jonas
Published: October 2016

A radical 11C‐aminocarbonylation protocol characterized by excellent substrate compatibility was developed to transform alkyl iodides into 11C‐labelled amides, including the 11β‐HSD1 inhibitor [carbonyl‐11C]adamantan‐1‐yl(piperidin‐1‐yl)methanone. This protocol serves as a complementary extension of palladium‐mediated 11C‐aminocarbonylation, which is limited to the preparation of 11C‐labelled compounds lacking beta‐hydrogen atoms. The use of AIBN as a radical initiator and a low‐pressure xenon–[11C]CO delivery unit represents a simple and convenient alternative to previous radical 11C‐carbonylation methodologies burdened with the need for a proprietary high pressure reactor connected to a light source.
Clinical practice guidelines for the noninvasive management of low back pain: A systematic review by the Ontario Protocol for Traffic Injury Management (OPTIMa) Collaboration
Authors: Wong J.J. , Côté P. , Sutton D.A. , Randhawa K. , Yu H. , Varatharajan S. , Goldgrub R. , Nordin M. , Gross D.P. , Shearer H.M. , Carroll L.J. , Stern P.J. , Ameis A. , Southerst D. , Mior S. , Stupar M. , Varatharajan T. , Taylor‐Vaisey A.
Published: October 2016

We conducted a systematic review of guidelines on the management of low back pain (LBP) to assess their methodological quality and guide care. We synthesized guidelines on the management of LBP published from 2005 to 2014 following best evidence synthesis principles. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane, DARE, National Health Services Economic Evaluation Database, Health Technology Assessment Database, Index to Chiropractic Literature and grey literature. Independent reviewers critically appraised eligible guidelines using AGREE II criteria. We screened 2504 citations; 13 guidelines were eligible for critical appraisal, and 10 had a low risk of bias. According to high‐quality guidelines: (1) all patients with acute or chronic LBP should receive education, reassurance and instruction on self‐management options; (2) patients with acute LBP should be encouraged to return to activity and may benefit from paracetamol, nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or spinal manipulation; (3) the management of chronic LBP may include exercise, paracetamol or NSAIDs, manual therapy, acupuncture, and multimodal rehabilitation (combined physical and psychological treatment); and (4) patients with lumbar disc herniation with radiculopathy may benefit from spinal manipulation. Ten guidelines were of high methodological quality, but updating and some methodological improvements are needed. Overall, most guidelines target nonspecific LBP and recommend education, staying active/exercise, manual therapy, and paracetamol or NSAIDs as first‐line treatments. The recommendation to use paracetamol for acute LBP is challenged by recent evidence and needs to be revisited.

Significance

Most high‐quality guidelines recommend education, staying active/exercise, manual therapy and paracetamol/NSAIDs as first‐line treatments for LBP. Recommendation of paracetamol for acute LBP is challenged by recent evidence and needs updating.
Preferred frequencies and waveforms for spinal cord stimulation in patients with complex regional pain syndrome: A multicentre, double‐blind, randomized and placebo‐controlled crossover trial
Authors: Kriek N. , Groeneweg J.G. , Stronks D.L. , de Ridder D. , Huygen F.J.P.M.
Published: October 2016

Background

Conventional tonic spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an effective treatment for patients with therapy‐resistant complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Although the therapeutic effect of SCS can diminish over time due to tolerance, pain control can be regained by changing the pulse width and the amplitude and/or by increasing the stimulation frequency. This multicentre, double‐blind, randomized and placebo‐controlled crossover trial was conducted to investigate whether more effective pain reduction is achieved with different frequencies (trial registration, current controlled trials, ISRCTN 36655259).

Methods

The investigated settings are as follows: standard 40, 500, 1200 Hz, burst and placebo stimulation. All five were programmed in random order during the 10‐week crossover period (2 weeks/setting). The primary outcome parameters were scores on the visual analogue scale (VAS), McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) and the Global Perceived Effect (GPE); at the end of the crossover period, patients decided which SCS setting they preferred. A linear mixed models analysis was performed in 29 patients who completed the crossover trial.

Results

Significant pain reduction and GPE satisfaction was achieved with four SCS settings compared with placebo stimulation, and these four settings did not differ significantly from each other. Standard stimulation was preferred by 48% of the patients, while 52% preferred non‐standard stimulation. Other than pain reduction, factors such as user‐friendliness, comfort and recharging time may have influenced the patient's final decision for the preferred stimulation setting.

Conclusions

Apparently, for various reasons, patients have a preference for different SCS setting. Therefore, future neuromodulation should aim to implement customized individual patient care by incorporating all stimulation options in one device.

Significance

This study demonstrates that standard frequency SCS is an effective therapy for patients with CRPS. However, it also demonstrates that patients can often gain better pain reduction with non‐standard frequencies of SCS. Furthermore, it shows that the preferred stimulation setting is not solely driven by the amount of pain reduction, but is also influenced by which stimulation setting feels most comfortable and provides the best user‐friendliness. Therefore, we strive to maximize the therapeutic effects of SCS in as many patients as possible. This can be achieved with customized individual patient care by incorporating the various frequencies and waveforms into one single device.
Modification of Carbon Paste Electrode Based on Molecularly Imprinted Polymer for Electrochemical Determination of Diazinon in Biological and Environmental Samples
Authors: Khadem Monireh , Faridbod Farnoush , Norouzi Parviz , Rahimi Foroushani Abbas , Ganjali Mohammad Reza , Shahtaheri Seyed Jamaleddin , Yarahmadi Rasoul
Published: October 2016

The wide use of pesticides can lead to environmental and human adverse effects. Diazinon, as an organophosphorous pesticide, is used in agriculture because of its low cost and high efficiency on insects. Due to the increasing application of pesticides, accurate analytical methods are necessary. The aim of this work was modification of carbon paste electrode composition and applying it as a sensor for determination of diazinon in biological and environmental samples. Multi‐walls carbon nanotubes and a molecularly imprinted polymer were used as modifiers in the sensor composition. A molecularly imprinted polymer and a non‐imprinted polymer were synthesized for applying in the electrode. After optimization of electrode composition, it was used to determine the analyte concentration. Instrumental parameters affecting the square wave voltammetric response were adjusted to obtain the highest current intensity. The modified electrode with MIP showed very high recognition ability compared to the electrode containing NIP. The obtained linear range was 5×10−10 to 1×10−6 mol L−1. The detection limit of the sensor was 1.3×10−10 mol L−1 and the relative standard deviation for analysis of target molecule by the proposed sensor was 2.87 %. This sensor was used to determine the diazinon in real samples (human urine, tap, and river water samples) without special sample preparation before analysis. The optimization of electrode composition containing mentioned modifiers improved its response considerably.
Dual Biosensor for Simultaneous Monitoring of Lactate and Glucose Based on Thin‐layer Flow Cell Screen‐printed Electrode
Authors: Kanso Hussein , Begoña González García María , Ma Su , Ludwig Roland , Fanjul Bolado Pablo , Hernández Santos David
Published: October 2016

A simple and robust monitoring system for lactate and glucose detection is presented. The system is based on a suitable integrated screen‐printed electrode in thin layer flow cell design (TLFCL) to perform flow injection analysis. The TLFCL is consisted of a two working and one counter electrodes made of carbon and a silver pseudoreference electrode. Both working electrodes (WE) are first modified by graphene nanomaterials. Glucose sensor based on cellobiose dehydrogenase from the ascomycete Corynascus thermophilus (CtCDH) and lactate sensor based on lactate oxidase (LOx) are made on the first and second WE respectively. Both enzymes are entrapped in a photocrosslinkable poly(vinyl alcohol) bearing styrylpyridinium groups (PVA‐SbQ). The electrocatalytic signal of both sensors did not show any cross‐talking, whereas the linear quantification ranges of both glucose and lactate sensors are large enough for wine monitoring.
Electrocatalysis of Chemical Warfare Agent Sulfur Mustard in Room Temperature Ionic Liquid
Authors: Singh Virendra V. , Sharma Pushpendra K. , Sikarwar Bhavna , Ganesan Kumaran , Boopathi Mannan , Singh Beer
Published: October 2016

Room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) have the potential for being ideal alternatives for organic solvents in chemical warfare agent (CWA) electrochemical reactions. In this paper, electrocatalysis of CWA sulfur mustard (SM) was achieved by exploring the potential advantage of RTIL methyltrioctylammonium bis (trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide and further this methodology was used for the detection of CWA. The hydrophobicity of this RTIL offers the opportunity to use this methodology in field condition without environmental humidity effect. The diffusion coefficient calculated for SM in RTIL was 0.196×10−9 cm2/s. The electrochemical parameters deduced from cyclic voltammetry such as electron transfer coefficient (α), electron transfer number (n) and heterogenous rate constant were estimated 0.11, 2 and 4.41 s−1, respectively. The electrocatalytic activity of the RTIL toward the electrochemical reduction and oxidation of CWA is evidenced, showing the potential of this novel approach for the oxidation of other toxic CWAs. The new RTIL based strategy provides an opportunity to develop field deployable detection of CWA and could provide a new paradigm shift in CWA detection approach, addressing the escalating threat of CWA.
Characterization and evaluation of poplar and pine wood in twin biotrickling filters treating a mixture of NH3, H2S, butyric acid, and ethylmercaptan
Authors: Hernández Jerónimo , Dorado Antonio David , Lafuente Javier , Gamisans Xavier , Prado Óscar Jesús , Gabriel David
Published: October 2016

Biotrickling filters for waste gas treatment are often packed with expensive, inert packing materials. In this work, poplar and pine wood chips were evaluated as low‐cost packing materials in two biotrickling filters for the simultaneous treatment of a mixture of organic and inorganic volatile compounds. Bioreactors were operated at gas contact times of 22–34 s. Inlet loading rates of 3.5 ± 1.0 gN‐NH3 m−3h−1 and 6.5 ± 1.1 gS‐H2S m−3h−1 were supplied, while ethylmercaptan and butyric acid were fed at loads of 3.6 ± 1.2 and 6.0 ± 2.1 g m−3h−1, respectively. A thorough characterization of both packing materials revealed some differences in the physical–chemical properties, mainly in their water retentivity and buffer capacity. Despite of such differences, both bioreactors performed similarly. Bioreactors were able to achieve complete removal of NH3 and butyric acid, while H2S and EM removal efficiencies over 90% and 70%, respectively, were found. N‐species analyses in the leachate proved high nitrification rates in both biotrickling filters. Control of pH was essential for maintaining nitrification activity. Other oxidation processes were hardly affected by pH changes. Both woods showed potentially attractive as packing materials for biofiltration. Thus, availability and durability of woods are decisive factors to tip the balance. The work compares the performance of two biotrickling filters packed with two types of wood chips commonly used in biofilters. No previous works have directly compared the performance of two types of woods in biotrickling filters for the treatment of a range of organic and inorganic odorants because biotrickling filters are commonly packed with inert packing materials. Results indicated that the two types of woods tested behaved similarly and, more interestingly, showed equivalent treatment capacities than that of inert packing materials in the removal of a range of typical pollutants in odorant waste gases. Research is of particular interest for improving biofiltration knowledge. In addition, this research has large practical implications in the cost‐benefit of full‐scale biotrickling filtration systems because inorganic packing materials commonly used in biotrickling filters are much more expensive than organic packing materials. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 36: 171–179, 2017
Adsorption coupled photocatalytic degradation of dichlorvos using LaNiMnO6 perovskite nanoparticles supported on polypropylene filter cloth and carboxymethyl cellulose microspheres
Authors: K Sahithya , Das Devlina , Das Nilanjana
Published: October 2016

Increasing pesticide application and improper wastewater disposal methods contaminate water resources and severely affect the ecology as well as environment. The present study is focused on the adsorption coupled photocatalytic degradation of dichlorvos using UV light in presence of LaNiMnO6 perovskite nanoparticles (Prv) supported on polypropylene filter cloth (PPPrv) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMCPrv) microspheres. The synthesized LaNiMnO6 perovskite nanoparticles were characterized by XRD, FT‐IR, SEM and EDX. The adsorption percentage of DCV followed the order: CMCPrv (62.7%) > PPPrv (46.1%) > Prv (32.6%). Equilibrium studies suggested the heterogenous mode of adsorption. Pseudo‐first order exhibited the good linearity indicating the involvement of physical forces. Thermodynamics showed an endothermic and spontaneous nature of adsorption. The influences of various photocatalytic parameters viz., pH, irradiation time, initial DCV concentration, Prv loading and catalyst dosage on DCV degradation were investigated. Ex situ studies conducted for 8 h of sunlight exposure showed complete degradation of DCV present in industrial wastewater which was confirmed by GC‐MS analysis. The advantage of CMCPrv as supported catalyst is the easy separation and reuse for four cycles. The present work is the first report that signifies the potential efficacy of CMCPrv to serve as an effective remedial agent for DCV removal from contaminated water. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 36: 180–191, 2017
Acid and enzymatic hydrolysis mediated bioethanol production from biomass of a noxious weed‐Parthenium hysterophorus L
Authors: Gupta Gaurav , Gour Vinod Singh , Sharma Paras , Kothari S L.
Published: October 2016

Parthenium hysterophorus, is a perennial herb, found throughout the world and considered as weed. It causes reduced productivity of soil and health hazards to cattle as well as human. But, easily available biomass of this weed offers a cost effective source, which can be used in lignocellulosic biofuel production. Biofuel is in great demand because as a renewable source of energy it can partly fulfill the growing demand of fuel in the era of global industrializations. In the present study, experiments have been designed and carried out to explore the potential of Parthenium hysterophorus as a source of biomass to produce bioethanol. Cellulose and hemicellulose of leaf and stem biomass of P. hysterophorus are converted to sugars using acid and enzymatic hydrolysis. These sugars are then subjected to fermentation using Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The results indicate that enzymatic hydrolysis of plant material is better as compared to acid hydrolysis. The maximum production of 219.67μL/mL ethanol is found in enzymatically hydrolyzed mixture of leaves and stem (1:1 w/w). In acid hydrolyzed material, the maximum yield of ethanol is found in leaf biomass (157.57 μL/mL). Therefore, utilization of enzymatic hydrolysis of P. hysterophorus derived plant materials would be an eco‐friendly approach for bioethanol production. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 36: 294–296, 2017
Removing sun glint from optical remote sensing images of shallow rivers
Authors: Overstreet Brandon T. , Legleiter Carl J.
Published: October 2016

Sun glint is the specular reflection of light from the water surface, which often causes unusually bright pixel values that can dominate fluvial remote sensing imagery and obscure the water‐leaving radiance signal of interest for mapping bathymetry, bottom type, or water column optical characteristics. Although sun glint is ubiquitous in fluvial remote sensing imagery, river‐specific methods for removing sun glint are not yet available. We show that existing sun glint‐removal methods developed for multispectral images of marine shallow water environments over‐correct shallow portions of fluvial remote sensing imagery resulting in regions of unreliable data along channel margins. We build on existing marine glint‐removal methods to develop a river‐specific technique that removes sun glint from shallow areas of the channel without over‐correction by accounting for non‐negligible water‐leaving near‐infrared radiance. This new sun glint‐removal method can improve the accuracy of spectrally‐based depth retrieval in cases where sun glint dominates the at‐sensor radiance. For an example image of the gravel‐bed Snake River, Wyoming, USA, observed‐versus‐predicted R2 values for depth retrieval improved from 0.66 to 0.76 following sun glint removal. The methodology presented here is straightforward to implement and could be incorporated into image processing workflows for multispectral images that include a near‐infrared band. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ingestion of Bt rice pollen does not reduce the survival or hypopharyngeal gland development of Apis mellifera adults
Authors: Wang Yuanyuan , Dai Pingli , Chen Xiuping , Romeis Jörg , Shi Jianrong , Peng Yufa , Li Yunhe
Published: October 2016

Because of its ecological and economic importance, the honey bee Apis mellifera is commonly used to assess the environmental risk of insect-resistant, genetically modified plants. In the present study, feeding-exposure experiments were used to determine whether pollen from transgenic rice harms A. mellifera worker bees. In 1 experiment, the survival and mean acinus diameter of hypopharyngeal glands of adult bees were similar when bees were fed on pollen from Bt rice lines or from a non-Bt rice line, but bee survival was significantly reduced when they received pollen that was mixed with potassium arsenate as a positive control. In a second experiment, bee survival and hypopharyngeal gland development were not reduced when adult bees were fed on non-Bt pollen and a sucrose solution supplemented with Cry2A at 400 µg/g, Cry1C at 50 µg/g, or bovine serum albumin (BSA) at 400 µg/g, but bee survival and hypopharyngeal gland development were reduced when the diet was supplemented with soybean trypsin inhibitor as a positive control. In both experiments, the uptake of Cry proteins by adult bees was confirmed. Overall, the results indicate that the planting of Bt rice lines expressing Cry2A or Cry1C protein poses a negligible risk to A. mellifera worker bees. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:1243–1248. © 2016 SETAC
Modelling and influencing human behaviour in fire
Authors: Gwynne S. M. V. , Kuligowski E. D. , Kinsey M. J. , Hulse L. M.
Published: October 2016

The purpose of this article is to present a conceptual model of human behaviour in fire and its impact on egress modelling, life safety analyses and evacuation procedures. This model is based on a theoretical framework of individual decision‐making and response to emergencies. From this foundation, the conceptual model is populated with behavioural statements or mini‐theories distilled from articles and authoritative reports describing emergency incidents, observations from within the field of evacuation analysis and studies of human behaviour in fire and other emergencies. The conceptual model is intended to guide the egress tool developer, user and practitioner to better account for human behaviour in their respective roles. It is contended that a more credible representation of the evacuee response, that incorporates the behavioural statements described, provides both theoretical and practical advantages. Copyright © 2016 Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada. Fire and Materials © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Application of central differencing and low‐dissipation weights in a weighted compact nonlinear scheme
Authors: Kamiya Tomohiro , Asahara Makoto , Nonomura Taku
Published: October 2016

This paper proposes WCNS‐CU‐Z, a weighted compact nonlinear scheme, that incorporates adapted central difference and low‐dissipative weights together with concepts of the adaptive central‐upwind sixth‐order weighted essentially non‐oscillatory scheme (WENO‐CU) and WENO‐Z schemes. The newly developed WCNS‐CU‐Z is a high‐resolution scheme, because interpolation of this scheme employs a central stencil constructed by upwind and downwind stencils. The smoothness indicator of the downwind stencil is calculated using the entire central stencil, and the downwind stencil is stopped around the discontinuity for stability. Moreover, interpolation of the sixth‐order WCNS‐CU‐Z exhibits sufficient accuracy in the smooth region through use of low‐dissipative weights. The sixth‐order WCNS‐CU‐Zs are implemented with a robust linear difference formulation (R‐WCNS‐CU6‐Z), and the resolution and robustness of this scheme were evaluated. These evaluations showed that R‐WCNS‐CU6‐Z is capable of achieving a higher resolution than the seventh‐order classical robust weighted compact nonlinear scheme and can provide a crisp result in terms of discontinuity. Among the schemes tested, R‐WCNS‐CU6‐Z has been shown to be robust, and variable interpolation type R‐WCNS‐CU6‐Z (R‐WCNS‐CU6‐Z‐V) provides a stable computation by modifying the first‐order interpolation when negative density or negative pressure arises after nonlinear interpolation. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.