bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pharmacology for sleep disturbance in PTSD
Authors: Lipinska Gosia , Baldwin David S. , Thomas Kevin G. F.
Published: February 2016

Symptoms of sleep disturbance, particularly nightmares and insomnia, are a central feature of post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Emerging evidence suggests that specific treatment of PTSD‐related sleep disturbance improves other symptoms of the disorder, which in turn suggests that such disturbance may be fundamental to development and maintenance of the disorder. This mini‐review focuses on pharmacological treatment of sleep disturbance in adult PTSD (specifically, studies testing the efficacy of antidepressants, adrenergic inhibiting agents, antipsychotics and benzodiazepine and non‐benzodiazepine hypnotics). We conclude that only prazosin, an adrenergic inhibiting agent, has had its efficacy established by multiple randomised controlled trials. There is also high‐level evidence supporting use of eszopiclone, as well as risperidone and olanzapine as adjunct therapy. Antidepressants such as sertraline, venlafaxine and mirtazapine, benzodiazepines such as alprazolam and clonazepam and non‐benzodiazepine hypnotics such as zolpidem appear ineffective in treating PTSD‐related sleep disturbance. Most studies that report reduced frequency of nightmares and insomnia also report decreases in overall symptom severity. Such findings suggest that (i) sleep disruption is central to PTSD; (ii) treating sleep disruption may be an effective way to address other symptoms of the disorder and (iii) PTSD symptoms tend to cluster together in predictable ways. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diurnal activity patterns as a sensitive behavioural outcome in fish: effect of short‐term exposure to treated sewage and a sub‐lethal PPCP mixture
Authors: Melvin Steven D. , Buck David R. , Fabbro Larelle D.
Published: February 2016

Sub‐lethal toxicological responses are common occurrences in aquatic animals exposed to sewage wastewater and organic wastewater contaminants. Behavioural alterations are particularly sensitive indicators of sub‐lethal toxicological stress in animals exposed to various pollutants, and often correlate with higher‐level outcomes. Diurnal activity patterns in many fish species are sensitive to changes in natural biotic factors, but few studies have explored how environmental pollutants influence such rhythms. We investigated diurnal activity patterns in the mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki), after exposure to UV‐treated sewage and a mixture of key contaminants identified through chemical analysis and subsequent risk‐based prioritization of the wastewater. Exposure to 50% and 100% wastewater abolished daytime activity levels in male, but not female fish. Chemical analysis identified fluoxetine, diazinon and triclosan above their reported predicted‐no‐effect‐concentrations (PNECs), and fish were thus exposed to a mixture of these compounds at 1, 10 and 100 μg l–1. Behavioural responses were highly consistent between fish exposed to wastewater and the contaminant mixture, indicating that these prioritized contaminants are indeed likely contributing to the observed effects. Effective concentrations of the mixture were considerably lower than those reported as eliciting behavioural effects in previous studies exploring each of these compounds alone. Results warn of the potential for negative higher‐level consequences associated with exposures of fish to common organic wastewater contaminants, as altered diurnal activity patterns could conceivably scale‐up to influence performance including foraging success and predator avoidance. Further research is necessary to increase our understanding of linkages between alterations to diurnal activities and effects at the population level. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prostate cancer diagnosis by optical coherence tomography: First results from a needle based optical platform for tissue sampling
Authors: Muller Berrend G. , de Bruin Daniel M. , Brandt Martin J. , van den Bos Willemien , van Huystee Suzanne , Faber D. J. , Savci Dilaria , Zondervan Patricia J. , de Reijke Theo M. , Laguna‐Pes M. Pilar , van Leeuwen Ton G. , de la Rosette Jean J. M. C. H.
Published: February 2016

The diagnostic accuracy of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) based optical attenuation coefficient analysis is assessed for the detection of prostate cancer.

Needle‐based OCT‐measurements were performed on the prostate specimens. Attenuation coefficients were determined by an earlier described in‐house developed software package.

The mean attenuation coefficients (benign OCT data; malignant OCT data; p‐value Mann‐Whitney U test) were: (3.56 mm–1; 3.85 mm–1; p < 0.0001) for all patients combined. The area under the ROC curve was 0.64. In order to circumvent the effect of histopathology mismatching, we performed a sub‐analysis on only OCT data in which tumor was visible in two subsequent histopathological prostate slices. This analysis could be performed in 3 patients. The mean attenuation coefficients (benign OCT data; malignant OCT data; p‐value Mann‐Whitney U test) were: (3.23 mm–1; 4.11 mm–1; p < 0.0001) for all patients grouped together. The area under the ROC curve was 0.89.

Functional OCT of the prostate has shown to differentiate between cancer and healthy prostate tissue. The optical attenuation coefficient in malignant tissue was significantly higher in malignant tissue compared to benign prostate tissue. Further studies are required to validate these initial results in a larger group of patients with a more tailored histopathology matching protocol.

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Osteocyte Apoptosis Caused by Hindlimb Unloading is Required to Trigger Osteocyte RANKL Production and Subsequent Resorption of Cortical and Trabecular Bone in Mice Femurs
Authors: Cabahug-Zuckerman Pamela , Frikha-Benayed Dorra , Majeska Robert J , Tuthill Alyssa , Yakar Shoshana , Judex Stefan , Schaffler Mitchell B
Published: February 2016

Osteocyte apoptosis is essential to activate bone remodeling in response to fatigue microdamage and estrogen withdrawal, such that apoptosis inhibition in vivo prevents the onset of osteoclastic resorption. Osteocyte apoptosis has also been spatially linked to bone resorption owing to disuse, but whether apoptosis plays a similar controlling role is unclear. We, therefore, 1) evaluated the spatial and temporal effects of disuse from hindlimb unloading (HLU) on osteocyte apoptosis, receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) expression, bone resorption, and loss in mouse femora, and 2) tested whether osteocyte apoptosis was required to activate osteoclastic activity in cortical and trabecular bone by treating animals subjected to HLU with the pan-caspase apoptosis inhibitor, QVD (quinolyl-valyl-O-methylaspartyl-[-2,6-difluorophenoxy]-methylketone). Immunohistochemistry was used to identify apoptotic and RANKL-producing osteocytes in femoral diaphysis and distal trabecular bone, and µCT was used to determine the extent of trabecular bone loss owing to HLU. In both cortical and trabecular bone, 5 days of HLU increased osteocyte apoptosis significantly (3- and 4-fold, respectively, p < 0.05 versus Ctrl). At day 14, the apoptotic osteocyte number in femoral cortices declined to near control levels but remained elevated in trabeculae (3-fold versus Ctrl, p < 0.05). The number of osteocytes producing RANKL in both bone compartments was also significantly increased at day 5 of HLU (>1.5-fold versus Ctrl, p < 0.05) and further increased by day 14. Increases in osteocyte apoptosis and RANKL production preceded increases in bone resorption at both endocortical and trabecular surfaces. QVD completely inhibited not only the HLU-triggered increases in osteocyte apoptosis but also RANKL production and activation of bone resorption at both sites. Finally, µCT studies revealed that apoptosis inhibition completely prevented the trabecular bone loss caused by HLU. Together these data indicate that osteocyte apoptosis plays a central and controlling role in triggering osteocyte RANKL production and the activation of new resorption leading to bone loss in disuse. © 2016 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Arctigenin Inhibits Adipogenesis by Inducing AMPK Activation and Reduces Weight Gain in High‐Fat Diet‐Induced Obese Mice
Authors: Han Yo‐Han , Kee Ji‐Ye , Park Jinbong , Kim Hye‐Lin , Jeong Mi‐Young , Kim Dae‐Seung , Jeon Yong‐Deok , Jung Yunu , Youn Dong‐Hyun , Kang JongWook , So Hong‐Seob , Park Raekil , Lee Jong‐Hyun , Shin Soyoung , Kim Su‐Jin , Um Jae‐Young , Hong Seung‐Heon
Published: February 2016

Although arctigenin (ARC) has been reported to have some pharmacological effects such as anti‐inflammation, anti‐cancer, and antioxidant, there have been no reports on the anti‐obesity effect of ARC. The aim of this study is to investigate whether ARC has an anti‐obesity effect and mediates the AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway. We investigated the anti‐adipogenic effect of ARC using 3T3‐L1 pre‐adipocytes and human adipose tissue‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs). In high‐fat diet (HFD)‐induced obese mice, whether ARC can inhibit weight gain was investigated. We found that ARC reduced weight gain, fat pad weight, and triglycerides in HFD‐induced obese mice. ARC also inhibited the expression of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and CCAAT/enhancer‐binding protein alpha (C/EBPα) in in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, ARC induced the AMPK activation resulting in down‐modulation of adipogenesis‐related factors including PPARγ, C/EBPα, fatty acid synthase, adipocyte fatty acid‐binding protein, and lipoprotein lipase. This study demonstrates that ARC can reduce key adipogenic factors by activating the AMPK in vitro and in vivo and suggests a therapeutic implication of ARC for obesity treatment. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 2067–2077, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Critical assessment of ionization patterns and applications of ambient desorption/ionization mass spectrometry using FAPA–MS
Authors: Brüggemann Martin , Karu Einar , Hoffmann Thorsten
Published: February 2016

Ambient desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MS) has gained growing interest during the last decade due to its high analytical performance and yet simplicity. Here, one of the recently developed ambient desorption/ionization MS sources, the flowing atmospheric‐pressure afterglow (FAPA) source, was investigated in detail regarding background ions and typical ionization patterns in the positive as well as the negative ion mode for a variety of compound classes, comprising alkanes, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, organic peroxides and alkaloids. A broad range of signals for adducts and losses was found, besides the usually emphasized detection of quasimolecular ions, i.e. [M + H]+ and [M − H]− in the positive and the negative mode, respectively. It was found that FAPA–MS is best suited for polar analytes containing nitrogen and/or oxygen functionalities, e.g. carboxylic acids, with low molecular weights and relatively high vapor pressures. In addition, the source was used in proof‐of‐principle studies, illustrating the capabilities and limitations of the technique: Firstly, traces of cocaine were detected and unambiguously identified on euro banknotes using FAPA ionization in combination with tandem MS, suggesting a correlation between cocaine abundance and age of the banknote. Secondly, FAPA–MS was used for the identification of acidic marker compounds in organic aerosol samples, indicating yet‐undiscovered matrix and sample surface effects of ionization pathways in the afterglow region. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification of off airport interspecific avian hazards to aircraft
Authors: DeVault Travis L. , Blackwell Bradley F. , Seamans Thomas W. , Belant Jerrold L.
Published: February 2016

Understanding relative hazards of wildlife to aircraft is important for developing effective management programs that can minimize hazards from wildlife strikes. Although interspecific differences in hazard level of birds and mammals on airport properties are described, no studies have quantified hazard level of bird species or identified factors that influence hazard level when birds are struck beyond airport boundaries (e.g., during aircraft climb or approach). We used Federal Aviation Administration National Wildlife Strike Database records from 1990 through 31 May 2014 to identify bird species involved most often in collisions with aircraft beyond airport boundaries in the United States and to quantify the interspecific hazard level of those birds. We also investigated whether body mass, group size (single or multiple birds), region (Flyway), and season influenced the likelihood of aircraft damage and substantial damage when strikes occurred using binary logistic regression analysis. Canada geese (Branta canadensis; n = 327), turkey vultures (Cathartes aura; 217), American robins (Turdus migratorius; 119), and mallards (Anas platyrhynchos; 107) were struck most often by aircraft beyond airport boundaries. Waterbirds (cormorants, ducks, geese, and to a lesser extent, gulls) and raptors (including vultures) were most likely to cause damage or substantial damage to aircraft when strikes occurred. Body mass was an important predictor of hazard level; group size, region, and season had lesser effects on hazard level. Management strategies to reduce bird strikes with aircraft beyond airport properties should be active throughout the year and prioritize waterbirds and raptors. Published 2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Giant ice rings on lakes Baikal and Hovsgol: Inventory, associated water structure and potential formation mechanism
Authors: Kouraev Alexei V. , Zakharova Elena A. , Rémy Frédérique , Kostianoy Andrey G. , Shimaraev Michail N. , Hall Nicholas M. J. , Ya. Suknev Andrey
Published: February 2016

Observations of giant ice rings on Lake Baikal (Russia) have recently sparked scientific and public interest. However, there is still no clear consensus on their origins. Here, we provide an inventory of the ice rings based on satellite imagery and photography for 1974–2014. We have identified 45 rings on Lake Baikal (compared with 13 previously known) and also for the first time four rings for the neighbouring Lake Hovsgol (Mongolia). The results of our hydrographic surveys beneath the ice rings in Lake Baikal in 2012–2014 and in Lake Hovsgol in 2015 show the presence of warm double‐convex lens‐like eddies before and during manifestation of ice rings. We suggest that these eddies are the driving factor for the formation of ice rings in these lakes. We reassess the existing hypotheses of ice ring formation and discuss the potential mechanisms of eddy formation.
Uncertainty principles associated with quaternionic linear canonical transforms
Authors: Kou Kit Ian , Ou Jianyu , Morais Joao
Published: February 2016

In the present paper, we generalize the linear canonical transform (LCT) to quaternion‐valued signals, known as the quaternionic LCT (QLCT). Using the properties of the LCT, we establish an uncertainty principle for the two‐sided QLCT. This uncertainty principle prescribes a lower bound on the product of the effective widths of quaternion‐valued signals in the spatial and frequency domains. It is shown that only a Gaussian quaternionic signal minimizes the uncertainty. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Amifampridine phosphate (Firdapse®) is effective and safe in a phase 3 clinical trial in LEMS
Authors: Oh Shin J , Shcherbakova Natalya , Kostera‐Pruszczyk Anna , Alsharabati Mohammad , Dimachkie Mazen , Blanco Jose Munoz , Brannagan Thomas , Lavrnić Dragana , Shieh Perry B , Vial Christophe , Meisel Andreas , Komoly Samuel , Schoser Benedikt , Sivakumar Kumaraswamy , So Yuen ,   LEMS Study Group
Published: February 2016

Objective

We evaluated the efficacy and safety of amifampridine phosphate (Firdapse®) for symptomatic treatment in Lambert‐Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS).

Methods

Phase 3, randomized, double‐blind, study. Patients were treated initially with amifampridine phosphate for 7–91 days, followed by randomization to continue amifampridine phosphate for 14 days or placebo (7‐day taper, 7‐day placebo). The primary efficacy endpoints were changes from baseline at day 14 in Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis and Subject Global Impression scores.

Results

The coprimary efficacy end points and 1 of the secondary efficacy end points were met, showing a significant benefit of aminfampridine phosphate over placebo at Day 14. All 5 primary, secondary, and tertiary endpoints achieved statistical significance at Day 8. Amifampridine phosphate was well tolerated; the most common adverse events were oral and digital paresthesias, nausea, and headache.

Conclusions

This study provides Class I evidence of efficacy of amifampridine phosphate as a symptomatic treatment for LEMS. Muscle Nerve 53: 717–725, 2016
Photoluminescent and electroluminescent couplings in monolithic tandem solar cells
Authors: Lan Dongchen , Green Martin A.
Published: February 2016

As solar cell efficiency improves, so does the cell's radiative efficiency. In high‐performance tandem stacks, each individual cell emits significant luminescence during operation, making radiative coupling between these cells an important factor to consider in cell design, measurement and performance prediction. Past modelling includes the electroluminescent coupling component only, although photoluminescent coupling is likely to be important for cells operating near or below their maximum power point voltage or when junction defect recombination is dominant. In this work, we first propose an extension of earlier models to allow this non‐negligible coupling component to be included, which is validated by measurement of the closely related external emission. Then, we establish an equivalent circuit and uniquely use intuitive circuit concepts to conduct a comprehensive analysis clarifying the roles of parasitic circuit elements and external loads in the complex radiative interactions between cells. The circuit analysis also reveals some undiscovered issues to be addressed in eliminating coupling effects from measured cell spectral responses. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mental disorder diagnoses of offspring affected by parental cancer before early adulthood: the 1987 Finnish Birth Cohort study
Authors: Niemelä Mika , Paananen Reija , Hakko Helinä , Merikukka Marko , Gissler Mika , Räsänen Sami
Published: February 2016

Objective

The purpose of this study is to investigate psychiatric diagnoses given to children affected by parental cancer in psychiatric and somatic specialized health care settings.

Methods

The 1987 Finnish Birth Cohort data (n = 59 476) were followed up through national registers from birth of cohort members up to the end of 2008. The health‐related data of cohort members and their parents were obtained from the Care Register of Health Care provided by the National Institute of Health and Wellbeing.

Results

By the age of 21 years 7711 of the cohort members had used specialized psychiatric outpatient care and, of them, 549 (7.1%) were affected by parental cancer. Of affected offspring a mental disorder diagnosis was made in 424 (77.2%), while 125 (22.8%) children had not been given any specific mental disorder diagnosis. In females the likelihood for a mental disorder diagnosis assessed in outpatient care was significantly increased by up to 1.2 fold in cases of parental cancer. In males with a father having cancer, psychological development disorders were significantly increased whether assessed in outpatient (OR 1.5) or inpatient (OR1.9) settings.

Conclusions

The prevalence of psychiatric diagnoses in children with parental cancer does not seem to differ from those of children with parents without cancer. However, evidence was found that children affected by parental cancer are at increased risk for some specific psychiatric disorders. Quarter of affected offspring who were referred to specialized psychiatric outpatient care only received diagnoses related to use of health care services or crises or received no psychiatric diagnosis at all. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Graphene Nanosheets Suppress the Growth of Sb Nanoparticles in an Sb/C Nanocomposite to Achieve Fast Na Storage
Authors: Lü Hong‐Yan , Wan Fang , Jiang Li‐Hua , Wang Guang , Wu Xing‐Long
Published: February 2016

Presently, graphene incorporation is one of the most effective strategies to develop superior electrode materials for sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs). Herein, it is excitingly found that an incorporated graphene nanosheet in the preparation processes can not only completely protect all the Sb nanoparticles in an Sb/C composite from being inactivated, but also suppresses their growth to undesirable micrometer size. While there are still many exposed Sb particulates on the surface of pristine Sb/C microplates, the graphene‐incorporated Sb/C/G nanocomposite consists of uniform Sb nanoparticles of 20–50 nm, all of which have been protected by and wrapped in the mixed carbon network. When used as anode materials for SIBs, the Sb/C/G nanocomposite exhibits the best Na‐storage properties in terms of the highest reversible capacity (650 mA h g−1 at 0.025 A g−1), fastest Na‐storage ability (290 mA h g−1 at a high current density of 8 A g−1), and optimal cycling performance (no capacity decay after 200 cycles), in comparison to pristine Sb/C and pure Sb. It is further revealed that the much enhanced performance should originate from the improvement of Na‐storage kinetics and increase of electronic conductivity via comparing the electrochemical impedance spectra, and cyclic voltammetry profiles, as well as the polarization variation along with current densities.
CASP11 statistics and the prediction center evaluation system
Authors: Kryshtafovych Andriy , Monastyrskyy Bohdan , Fidelis Krzysztof
Published: February 2016

We outline the role of the Protein Structure Prediction Center (predictioncenter.org) in conducting the CASP11 and CASP ROLL experiments, discuss the experiment statistics, and provide an overview of the present CASP infrastructure. The biggest changes compared to the previous CASPs are the implementation of the evaluation system incorporating practically all evaluation measures, statistical tests, and visualization tools historically used by the CASP assessors, the expansion of the infrastructure to incorporate new categories of contact‐assisted and multimeric predictions, and the redesign of the assessors' web‐workspace enabling assessments based on multiple measures for different group categories and target sets. Proteins 2016; 84(Suppl 1):15–19. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
p‐d charge transfer excitons in Zn1‐xNixO under inner shell excitation
Authors: Churmanov V. N. , Sokolov V. I. , Gruzdev N. B. , Ivanov V. Yu. , Pustovarov V. A.
Published: February 2016

The paper presents results of the study of two narrow luminescence lines I1 and I2 at the energies of 3.339 and 3.393 eV respectively in solid state solutions Zn1‐xNixO. The luminescence spectroscopy with a sub‐nanosecond time resolution upon selective photoexcitation in the energy range of the inner shell Zn M‐edge absorption was used to promote the earlier proposed mechanism of the I1 and I2 lines origin. Photoluminescence spectra of solid state solutions Zn1‐xNixO at fast and slow time windows under soft X‐ray excitation are discussed. The doublet of I1 and I2 lines is believed to arise due to the radiative annihilation of p‐d excitons. Different possible mechanisms of emergence of two narrow luminescence lines I1 and I2 in solid state solutions Zn1‐xNixO are considered. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
RT ZnSe‐based lasers and laser arrays pumped by low‐energy electron beam
Authors: Zverev M. M. , Sorokin S. V. , Gamov N. A. , Zhdanova E. V. , Studionov V. B. , Sedova I. V. , Gronin S. V. , Ivanov S. V.
Published: February 2016

The properties of an electron‐beam‐pumped ZnSe‐based laser array consisting of 6 one‐dimensional arrays, each comprising 10 single laser elements, have been studied. The peak output power up to 80‐100 W at room temperature in “true” green (λ = 547 nm) spectral range has been demonstrated by using for pumping electrons with the accelerating energy as low as 5.6 keV. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Growth and characterization of ZnCdSe/ZnCdMgSe two‐color quantum well infrared photodetectors
Authors: Chen Guopeng , Kaya Yasin , Ravikumar Arvind Pawan , Tamargo Maria C. , Gmachl Claire F. , Shen Aidong
Published: February 2016

The authors report, for the first time, the new two‐color quantum well infrared photodetectors (QWIPs) from a non‐III‐V semiconductor material system. The samples were grown on InP substrate by molecular beam epitaxy. X‐ray diffraction and photoluminescence measurements showed high structural and optical quality of the samples. Two intersubband (ISB) absorption peaks in two different wavelength regions are observed in Fourier transform infrared measurements. The two‐color photodetectors can be turned on separately or simultaneously in the two spectral regions. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Electron spin flip Raman spectroscopy of the diluted magnetic semiconductor Zn1‐xMnxSe below the metal‐insulator transition
Authors: Knapp A. G. , Petznick S. , Jansson F. , Wiemer M. , Hetterich M. , Gebhard F. , Baranovskii S. D. , Klar P. J. , Geurts J.
Published: February 2016

In n‐doped (Zn,Mn)Se, the (s,d) exchange influences the ground state level of the donor‐bound electrons in an external B‐field, depending on their local Mn environment. Due to the statistical Mn arrangement, this should induce a broadening of the donor energy distribution, inducing a magneto‐resistance in transport, and also a broadening of the energy distribution of donor‐bound excitons (D0,X). We have investigated this broadening for Zn0.94Mn0.06Se:Cl (n= 4.5×1017 cm‐3) by electronic spin flip Raman spectroscopy (ESFRS) on the donor electrons. Utilizing the resonant enhancement of the ESFRS intensity upon resonance of the laser light with (D0,X), we actually observe a significant broadening of the ESFRS resonance profiles with increasing B‐field, up to 11.5 meV (FWHM) for B = 5 T. Furthermore we detect a second resonance profile contribution, whose FWHM shows a much weaker B‐field dependence. We assign this contribution to a resonance mediated by the free‐exciton (X0). Our Raman results agree very well with magneto‐transport results at the same sample. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Covalent adducts of melphalan with free amino acids and a model peptide studied by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Dewaele Debbie , Sobott Frank , Lemière Filip
Published: February 2016

Rationale

Melphalan is a frequently used chemotherapeutical agent for the treatment of myeloma, breast cancer, ovarian cancer and sarcoma of soft tissue. A good knowledge of the reactivity of the drug toward the different amino acids, e.g. covalent adduct formation, is crucial for the understanding of its activity and side effects during cancer treatment.

Methods

The reactivity of melphalan and sites of adduct formation were studied by in vitro incubation of melphalan with free amino acids and glutathione as a model peptide. The formed covalent adducts were investigated using ultra‐performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC/MS/MS) using a triple‐quadrupole instrument. Accurate mass measurements for the confirmation of characteristic product ions were performed on a quadrupole time‐of‐flight (QTOF) mass spectrometer.

Results

The incubation of melphalan with different classes of amino acids resulted in the formation of adducts on the amino and carboxyl termini, as well as adduct formation in the reactive side chains of Cys, Met, Tyr, His, Lys, Asp and Glu. All these melphalan adducts could be identified by their characteristic collision‐induced dissociation (CID) product ion patterns.

Conclusions

The present study demonstrates the reactivity of melphalan towards the functional groups of amino acids. The different alkylation site products show distinctive fragmentation patterns, which enable a fast identification of the different melphalan adducts. This study is a first important step towards a better understanding of the adduct formation in more complex molecules, e.g. peptides and proteins. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cross‐validation and peeling strategies for survival bump hunting using recursive peeling methods
Authors: Dazard Jean‐Eudes , Choe Michael , LeBlanc Michael , Rao J. Sunil
Published: February 2016

We introduce a framework to build a survival/risk bump hunting model with a censored time‐to‐event response. Our survival bump hunting (SBH) method is based on a recursive peeling procedure that uses a specific survival peeling criterion derived from non‐/semi‐parametric statistics such as the hazard ratio, the log‐rank test or the Nelson–Aalen estimator. To optimize the tuning parameter of the model and validate it, we introduce an objective function based on survival‐ or prediction‐error statistics, such as the log‐rank test and the concordance error rate. We also describe two alternative cross‐validation techniques adapted for the joint task of decision‐rule making by recursive peeling and survival estimation. Numerical analyses show the importance of replicated cross‐validation and the differences between criteria and techniques in both low‐ and high‐dimensional settings. Although several non‐parametric survival models exist, none address the problem of directly identifying local extrema. We show how SBH efficiently estimates extreme survival/risk subgroups, unlike other models. This provides an insight into the behavior of commonly used models and suggests alternatives to be adopted in practice. Finally, our SBH framework was applied to a clinical dataset. In it, we identified subsets of patients characterized by clinical and demographic covariates with a distinct extreme survival outcome for which tailored medical interventions could be made. An R package Patient Rule Induction Method in Survival, Regression and Classification settings (PRIMsrc) is available on Comprehensive R Archive Network (CRAN) and GitHub.
The role of corporate oil and energy debt in creating the neoliberal era
Authors: Smith‐Nonini Sandy
Published: February 2016

This article examines the relationship between the United States's rapid loss of energy sovereignty in the 1970s and the rise of speculative finance and neoliberal ideology that reshaped global trade relationships. Prevailing academic analysis of the neoliberal economy understates the tight relationship between the U.S. corporate state's influence over oil markets and persistent U.S. global hegemony since the 1973 energy crisis. During the Keynesian era, U.S. power was backed by actual geopolitical control over oil production, but after the 1970s, the influence of the so‐called Washington Consensus enforcing neoliberal policies derived in large part from leverage over international “energy debt” that propped up the U.S. dollar, allowing continued capital accumulation by banks and corporations via financial speculation, while disguising global energy risk. The article thus examines the roles of major U.S. oil companies in shaping neoliberal policies from which they benefited, the relationship of militarism to oil company profit, and the essential role of speculative debt financing in permitting otherwise uneconomic production of fossil fuels with low “energy return on investment” in the new era of climate change and resource limits.
Women, nature, and development in sites of Ecuador's petroleum circuit
Authors: Cielo Cristina , Coba Lisset , Vallejo Ivette
Published: February 2016

This article argues that the contradictory character of Ecuador's current development project is made evident through a focus on energy resource management from a feminist ecological perspective. The hydrocarbon exploitation fundamental to these projects transforms women's roles in social reproduction and production, their relationship with nature, and their dependence on state‐institutionalized energy regimes. We examine changes in women's territorially based work of care at sites in Ecuador's petroleum circuit. An ethnographic focus on the transformation of women's daily lives at sites of petroleum exploration, exploitation, and processing in Ecuador reveals an often overlooked dimension of the socioenvironmental conflicts produced by the intensification of national economic insertion into the global energy market. This article thus examines the intersection of state development policies and the gendered construction of subjects of development. The exploitation of natural resources transforms the meanings and values of nature and development, of women's work of care, and of the participation of these in different energy regimes.
Offshore wind power development in Maine: A rational choice perspective
Authors: Acheson James M. , Acheson Ann W.
Published: February 2016

In this article, we explore the social, cultural, and political factors promoting and impeding development of offshore wind power in Maine, using the perspective of rational choice theory. Offshore floating wind platforms involve a new technology still in the experimental stage. Developing offshore wind power will require having very large scale organizations to build and finance wind farms capable of generating and transmitting electricity at competitive rates. But many obstacles can impede developing offshore wind power, including technical and financial problems and the level of support from the public and politicians. Our survey of the attitudes of three subgroups of Maine coastal people revealed substantial differences of opinion. Those in favor want to curb greenhouse gases and reduce dependence on foreign oil. Others are opposed because they fear negative effects (e.g., aesthetics; noise; reduced fishing area; mortality of animals, birds, or fish). From the perspective of rational choice theory, offshore wind power poses a collective action dilemma. Despite the need to develop renewable energy sources in a world facing climate change and shortages of cheap energy, development of offshore wind power in Maine will not succeed unless this dilemma is overcome. This does not appear likely to happen in the foreseeable future.
Electric activism: Analysis, alliances, and interventions
Authors: Wood Davida
Published: February 2016

Electricity has been the unspoken bedrock of modern life. Decisions about how power is produced, transmitted, and delivered have been entrusted to technical experts and have been relatively unquestioned. In turn, the electricity sector has historically been an opaque one, impervious to public scrutiny. Yet liberalization of the sector, global and local environmental impacts, and new energy technologies are spurring a growing clamor to peel back the layers of technocracy and to prise open a space for new voices and actors. This article explores the ways in which the governance of the electricity sector is changing and being changed by a new politics of energy production and consumption. The article focuses on long‐term electricity planning to understand how critical independent experts and nonexperts have formed alliances that challenge entrenched decision‐making processes and assumptions. It presents case studies from South Africa and Thailand that document the struggle between reluctant departments of energy and nongovernmental initiatives demanding access to the processes underpinning the production of knowledge about electricity sector needs. The analysis places these cases within the shifts under way in energy sectors around the world, away from centralized command‐and‐control systems to those that are decentralized with multiple points of energy generation. It explores the implications for how governance is conceived, with special attention to the implications for both policy and activist agendas. What forms of interaction between experts and citizens can we conceive, and how can they be supported?
TiO2Nanorod Array Constructed Nanotopography for Regulation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Fate and the Realization of Location‐Committed Stem Cell Differentiation
Authors: Qiu Jichuan , Li Jianhua , Wang Shu , Ma Baojin , Zhang Shan , Guo Weibo , Zhang Xiaodi , Tang Wei , Sang Yuanhua , Liu Hong
Published: February 2016

As a physical cue for controlling the fate of stem cells, surface nanotopography has attracted much attention to improve the integration between implants and local host tissues and cells. A biocompatible surface TiO2nanorod array is proposed to regulate the fate of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). TiO2substrates with different surface nanotopographies: a TiO2nanorod array and a polished TiO2ceramic are built by hydrothermal and sintering processes, respectively. The assessment of morphology, viability, gene expression, and protein characterization of the MSCs cultured on the different TiO2substrates proves that a TiO2nanorod array promotes the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs, while a TiO2ceramic with a smooth surface suppresses it. Periodically assembled TiO2nanorod array stripes on the smooth TiO2ceramic are constructed by a combination of microfabrication and a chemical synthesis process, which realizes the location‐committed osteogenic differentiation of MSCs. A route to control the differentiation of MSCs by a nanostructured surface, which can also control the location and direction of MSCs on the surface of biomaterials with micro‐nano scale surface engineering, is demonstrated.
An improvement to Eurocode 2 and fib Model Code 2010 methods for calculating crack width in RC structures
Authors: Debernardi Pier Giorgio , Taliano Maurizio
Published: February 2016

The analysis of the mechanical behaviour of a reinforced concrete tie subjected to a monotonic loading in the stabilized cracking stage is performed here by way of a theoretical general model that considers the effect of the so‐called Goto cracks (secondary cracks). It is shown, in particular, that the average bond stress along the transmission length depends not only on the concrete strength as assumed by the fib Model Code for Concrete Structures 2010, but also on reinforcement ratio and bar diameter. In this regard, tabulated theoretical values of the average bond stress are proposed as a function of the aforementioned parameters. Moreover, the secondary cracks reduce the effect of tension stiffening on the relative mean strain. On the basis of the main results obtained with the general model, some improvements are suggested for the calculation methods proposed by fib Model Code 2010 and Eurocode 2 concerning the average value of the bond stress and taking into account the influence of the secondary cracks on the mean deformation. An improved calculation method is therefore performed. Finally, the theoretical results of crack spacing and crack width obtained with the general and improved methods are compared with experimental data obtained from extensive research on RC ties.
Recommendations for snag retention in southwestern mixed‐conifer and ponderosa pine forests: History and current status
Authors: Ganey Joseph L.
Published: February 2016

Snags provide habitat for numerous species of wildlife. Several authors have provided recommendations for snag retention in southwestern mixed‐conifer and ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) forests. Most recommendations were presented in terms of minimum snag density and/or size. I summarized the history of recommendations for snag retention in these forest types, and used data from a current study of snag populations (conducted within Coconino and Kaibab National Forests, north‐central AZ, USA, 1997 through 2012) to assess congruence between existing snag populations and various recommendations. Most recommendations were based on studies of cavity‐nesting birds; therefore, this analysis emphasized characteristics of snags containing excavated nest cavities. Proportions of plots that met minimum management targets varied among recommendations, ranging from 34% to 100% in mixed‐conifer forest and from 7% to 95% in ponderosa pine forest. Failure to meet density targets often was caused by a shortage of snags that met minimum size criteria rather than by a shortage of snags. Many snags containing excavated nest cavities did not meet the minimum size criteria in some recommendations. It may be possible to reduce those minimum size criteria while still providing substrates for cavity‐nesting birds. Studies explicitly linking snag size and density to demography of cavity‐nesting birds are badly needed, however, as are studies documenting ecologically sustainable snag densities. Until such data are available, managers should continue to emphasize snag recruitment and retention, with the focus on larger snags, and to ensure that snags are well‐distributed, but not uniformly distributed, across the landscape. © 2016 The Wildlife Society.
Simulated effects of releasing pen‐raised deer into the wild to alter population‐level antler size
Authors: Demarais Stephen , Strickland Bronson K. , Webb Stephen L. , Smith Trent , Mcdonald Chris
Published: February 2016

The ability to develop large antlers in penned deer (Odocoileus sp.) has increased interest in releasing pen‐raised deer to increase antler size of wild populations. We used a model based on population genetic theory with random removal as the form of population control and either 10% emigration and 10% immigration to represent a free‐ranging population (Free Range) or with no egress or ingress to represent a fenced property (Fenced). We compared results with a livestock model with no egress or ingress and selective removal of smaller antlered males as the form of population control (Best Case). We modeled release of fawns with an antler distribution averaging 200 gross Boone and Crockett (B&C) score at 5 rates (1%, 5%, 10%, 25%, and 50% replacement of existing population of 2,000) and report the change from a population average of 127.5. The impact of releasing pen‐raised deer into native populations was minimal below 25% replacement rate. Replacing 5% of a free‐ranging population with 100 pen‐raised deer increased B&C score by 0.8, whereas replacing 25% with 500 pen‐raised deer increased score by 12. Releasing pen‐raised deer into a fenced property was 50% more effective; a 25% replacement increased score by 18. The Best Case Model increased score by 33 at 25% replacement. The cost for each unit increase in score was US$115,000 in a free‐ranging population, US$75,000 in a fenced population, and US$33,000 in the best case. Our results suggest that altering genetic composition of white‐tailed deer populations is not feasible for free‐ranging populations and very costly within fenced populations. © 2016 The Authors. Wildlife Society Bulletin published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of The Wildlife Society.
ASb2(SO4)2(PO4) (A = H3O+, K, Rb): Layered Structure Containing Ordered Sulfate and Phosphate Anions
Authors: Zhao Xiao , Mei Dajiang , Xu Jingli , Wu Yuandong
Published: February 2016

Three compounds ASb2(SO4)2(PO4) (A = H3O+, K, Rb) were obtained from the reactions of Sb2O3, A2CO3 (A = Li, Rb) or K2SO4 and NH4H2PO4 in H2SO4 (98 %) at 220–250 °C. Their structures were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. All compounds crystallize in the triclinic space group P$\bar{1}$ (no.2) and are isostructural. The crystal structures consist of two‐dimensional 2∞[Sb2(SO4)2(PO4)]– anionic layers and alkali cations, which are located between anionic layers. The anionic layers are composed of [SbO4] ψ‐trigonal bipyramids, [SbO5] ψ octahedra, [SO4] tetrahedra, and [PO4] tetrahedra. All compounds are characterized by solid state UV/Vis/NIR diffuse reflectance spectra, FT‐IR spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy.
Des os et des cendres pour « faire » un défunt. Exemples rèmes et atrébates
Authors: Le Goff I.
Published: February 2016

La notion de chaîne opératoire est maintenant un outil d'analyse employé pour déchiffrer les pratiques funéraires, considérées comme un système technique. L'apport méthodologique est manifeste dans le domaine de la crémation car l'usage du feu conduit à la prise de contrôle de l'évolution naturelle du cadavre, multipliant les gestes techniques élaborés pour transformer le mort en défunt.

Nous nous attacherons à l'une des étapes de ce processus technique ; celle de l'élaboration des dépôts destinés à l'ensevelissement telle qu'elle est perçue chez les Rèmes et les Atrébates, au cours du 1er ou au début du IIe siècle ap. J.-C. Elle aboutit à la formation d'entités distinctes. A côté de l'ossuaire qui figure le défunt dans la sépulture, d'autres dépôts sont élaborés à partir du combustible carbonisé du bûcher. Ceux-ci peuvent se rencontrer dans la tombe ou dans le bûcher. Outre celles du défunt, le système funéraire rème et atrébate gère-t-il d'autres transformations matérielles ?
BDNF Val66Met and clinical response to antipsychotic drugs: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Cargnin S. , Massarotti A. , Terrazzino S.
Published: February 2016

Background

The polymorphic brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene has been postulated to be involved in inter-individual variability response to antipsychotic drugs.

Purpose

To perform a qualitative and quantitative synthesis of studies evaluating the influence of BDNF genetic variation on clinical response to antipsychotics.

Methods

The review protocol was published in the PROSPERO database (Reg. no CRD42015024614). A comprehensive search was performed through PubMed, Web of Knowledge and Cochrane databases up to July 2015. The methodological quality of identified studies was assessed using the MINORS criteria. Publication bias was estimated and potential sources of heterogeneity were investigated via meta-regression, subgroup and sensitivity analyses.

Results

Nine studies including a total of 2461 antipsychotic-treated patients fulfilled inclusion criteria for meta-analysis of BDNF Val66Met. Using the random-effects model, the pooled results showed no significant association with antipsychotic response for the dominant (Met carriers vs Val/Val, OR: 0.93, 95% CI: 0.72–1.19, P = 0.55), codominant (Met/Met vs Val/Val, OR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.59–1.15, P = 0.25), recessive (Met/Met vs Val carriers, OR: 0.81, 95% CI 0.60–1.10, P = 0.18) or the allelic contrast (Met vs Val, OR: 0.92, 95% CI 0.76–1.10, P = 0.34). Visual inspection of funnel plots and further evaluation with Egger's test did not suggest evidence of publication bias. Despite lack of significant heterogeneity in most comparisons, no evidence of association also emerged in the subgroup and sensitivity analyses conducted.

Conclusion

The present meta-analysis excludes a clinically relevant effect of BDNF Val66Met on antipsychotic drug response per se. Nevertheless, further investigation is still needed to clarify in well-designed, large sample-based studies, the impact of BDNF haplotypes containing the Val66Met polymorphism.