bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The pH of Smokeless Tobacco Determines Nicotine Buccal Absorption: Results of a Randomized Crossover Trial
Authors: Wilhelm Jess , Mishina Elena , Viray Lauren , Paredes Antonio , Pickworth Wallace B. 
Published: November 2021

Nicotine absorption rate influences tobacco products’ addictiveness. For smokeless tobacco, nicotine buccal absorption is associated with its free‐base form; the pH of smokeless tobacco defines the proportion of free‐base (i.e., unprotonated) vs. protonated nicotine. This was the first study to compare nicotine pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) after the use of commercial smokeless tobacco products that were experimentally manipulated to differ only in pH and percent free‐base nicotine. Moist snuff users (N = 40) completed four crossover visits and used a single 2 g portion of Copenhagen Original Long Cut amended to 4 pH levels: 5.0, 7.7, 8.2, and 8.6 (free‐base nicotine 0.1, 32, 60, and 79%) for 30 minutes. Nicotine PK and PD were assessed for 4 hours post‐use. Nicotine PK substantially depends on its free‐base proportion, with more than 4‐fold increases in mean plasma nicotine maximum concentration and area under the curve over 240 minutes (3.9 to 16.7 ng/mL; 385 to 1810 ng min/mL, respectively, both P < 0.001) from pH 5.0 to 8.6. The autonomic cardiovascular effects of smokeless tobacco use reflected percent free‐base nicotine, with small (albeit significant) systematic increases in heart rate and blood pressure associated with free‐base nicotine. Smokeless tobacco product pH and percent free‐base nicotine play a major role in the rate and extent of nicotine absorption, determining product PD effects and abuse potential. Research and regulation of smokeless tobacco products should consider both total nicotine content and product pH. Further research may address the impact of modifying pH on the addictiveness of smokeless tobacco and associated use behaviors.
Advance of microfluidic constriction channel system of measuring single‐cell cortical tension/specific capacitance of membrane and conductivity of cytoplasm
Authors: Liu Yan , Wang Ke , Sun Xiaohao , Chen Deyong , Wang Junbo , Chen Jian 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThis paper reported a microfluidic platform which realized the characterization of inherent single‐cell biomechanical and bioelectrical parameters simultaneously. Individual cells traveled through a constriction channel with deformation images and impedance variations captured and processed into cortical tension Tc, specific membrane capacitance Csm, and cytoplasmic conductivity σcy based on an equivalent biophysical model. These properties of thousands of individual cells of K562, Jurkat, HL‐60, HL‐60 treated with paraformaldehyde (PA)/cytochalasin D (CD)/concanavalin A (ConA), granulocytes of Donor 1, Donor 2, and Donor 3 were quantified for the first time. Leveraging Tc, Csm, and σcy, (1) high accuracies of classifying wild‐type and processed HL‐60 cells (e.g., 93.5% of PA treated vs. CD treated HL‐60 cells) were realized, revealing the effectiveness of using these three biophysical parameters in cell‐type classification; (2) low accuracies of classifying normal granulocytes from three donors (e.g., 56.4% of Donor 1 vs. 2), indicating comparable parameters for normal granulocytes. In conclusion, this platform can characterize single‐cell Tc, Csm, and σcy concurrently and quantify multiple parameters in single‐cell analysis.
An unusual detection of 2‐amino‐3‐(2‐chlorobenzoyl)‐5‐ethylthiophene and 2‐methylamino‐5‐chlorobenzophenone in illicit yellow etizolam tablets marked “5617” seized in the Republic of Ireland
Authors: Downey Carol , O'Donnell Audrey , McLaughlin Gavin , O'Neill Geraldine , O'Brien John , Kavanagh Pierce V. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBenzodiazepines are a class of compounds used clinically to treat a variety of conditions including anxiety and insomnia. Their potential for abuse has led to a surge in their availability on the illegal drugs market. End users often rely on markings on illicit tablets to identify their contents. However, falsified tablets mimicking genuine pharmaceutical preparations often contain ingredients that differ from what people believe they are taking. The absence of any quality control of the content, purity, or strength of fake tablets can result in adverse effects or even fatal outcomes. In recent years, drug seizures involving illicit round yellow tablets marked “5” on one side and “5617” below a scoreline on the reverse have been submitted to Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) by An Garda Síochána (Irish Police) from throughout the Republic of Ireland. These findings relate to 26 different seizures; the cumulative tablet total seized was in excess of 20,000, and the total number of tablets of this description analyzed at FSI was 141. Irish users assume that the active ingredient present was diazepam. The qualitative analytical results for these tablets are reported. All tablets were found to contain 2‐methylamino‐5‐chlorobenzophenone. In addition, the tablets contained either 2‐amino‐3‐(2‐chlorobenzoyl)‐5‐ethylthiophene or etizolam or both. The constituents were present in varying relative amounts in visually similar tablets. Neither 2‐amino‐5‐chlorobenzophenone nor 2‐amino‐3‐(2‐chlorobenzoyl)‐5‐ethylthiophene had previously been found in tablets analyzed at FSI.
Nutrient variation induced by rodent disturbance in Haloxylon ammodendron as a target transfer strategy
Authors: Zhao Wenqin , Dang Hanli , Zhang Tao , Dong Jianrui , Chen Hongwei , Xiang Wenjie 
Published: November 2021

AbstractNutrients form a link between herbivores and plant. This study explored the physiological and ecological response mechanism of Haloxylon ammodendron population to rodent disturbance in Gurbantunggut Desert from the perspective of nutrient cycle. Through field investigation, we quantified rodent disturbance intensity (DI) to H. ammodendron and analyzed the ecological response mechanism of H. ammodendron population to rodent disturbance from the perspective of plant and soil nutrient cycling and changes. The results indicated that moderate rodent DI (number of effective burrows = 3–6) was the maximum limit that can be tolerated by H. ammodendron; the threshold for optimal H. ammodendron response to rodent disturbance was mild (number of burrows = 1–3). Meanwhile, the rodent disturbance caused significant nutrient enrichment (e.g., organic carbon, available phosphorus, and available potassium) in the deeper soil (at 20–40 and 40–60 cm depth) and significantly reduced the soil total salt content (p < .05). Furthermore, as the DI increased, the branches of H. ammodendron showed significantly increased soluble total sugar, crude fiber, and total nitrogen contents (p < .05) but significantly decreased crude fat and crude protein contents (p < .05); these results are related to the nutritional target transfer strategy evolved by H. ammodendron for long‐term resistance to rodent disturbance. The current study clarified the optimal disturbance model for mutually beneficial H. ammodendron–great gerbil relationship, on the basis of which the ecological response mechanism of H. ammodendron population to rodent disturbance in deserts was illustrated. The current study provides a scientific basis for the protection mechanisms of desert plants to rodent disturbance.
Daphnia magna trade‐off safety from UV radiation for food
Authors: Lee Marcus , Hansson Lars‐Anders 
Published: November 2021

AbstractResearch on diel vertical migration (DVM) is generally conducted at the population level, whereas few studies have focused on how individual animals behaviorally respond to threats when also having access to foraging opportunities. We utilized a 3D tracking platform to record the swimming behavior of Daphnia magna exposed to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) in the presence or absence of a food patch. We analyzed the vertical position of individuals before and during UVR exposure and found that the presence of food reduced the average swimming depth during both sections of the trial. Since UVR is a strong driver of zooplankton behavior, our results highlight that biotic factors, such as food patches, have profound effects on both the amplitude and the frequency of avoidance behavior. In a broader context, the trade‐off between threats and food adds to our understanding of the strength and variance of behavioral responses to threats, including DVM.
The aboveground and belowground growth characteristics of juvenile conifers in the southwestern United States
Authors: Pirtel N. L. , Hubbard R. M. , Bradford J. B. , Kolb T. E. , Litvak M. E. , Abella S. R. , Porter S. L. , Petrie M. D. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractJuvenile tree survival will play an important role in the persistence of coniferous forests and woodlands in the southwestern United States (SWUS). Vulnerability to climatic and environmental stress declines as trees grow, such that larger, more deeply rooted juveniles are less likely to experience mortality. It is unclear how juvenile conifers partition the aboveground and belowground components of early growth, if growth differs between species and ecosystem types, and what environmental factors influence juvenile carbon allocation above‐ or belowground. We developed a novel data set for four juvenile conifer groups (junipers, piñon pines, ponderosa pines, firs; 1121 juveniles sampled, 221 destructively) in three height classes (<150 mm, 150–300 mm, and 300+ mm), across 25 SWUS sites. We compared growth characteristics across groups and height classes and related differences to climatic and environmental factors. As tree height increased from <150 mm to 300+ mm, belowground growth increased, root:shoot ratio declined, and specific leaf area declined for all conifers except firs. Maximum rooting depth was shallower than previous estimates (<˜400 mm). Lower elevation juveniles were frequently located in sheltered microsites that provided high shading, whereas mid‐ and higher elevation juveniles were frequently unsheltered. Across all forest and woodland sites, herbaceous cover was positively correlated with aboveground growth. At study locations comprised of multiple sites, differences in aboveground growth were best explained by ecosystem type (piñon pine‐juniper woodland, ponderosa pine forest, mixed‐conifer forest) and local environmental variation. Our results indicate generally more belowground early growth and more aboveground later growth, but specific allocation patterns varied among ecosystem (greater proportional shoot growth at lower and mid‐elevations compared with higher elevations). Juvenile conifers had similar magnitudes of proportional growth across conifer groups, displaying limited capacity to acclimate growth to differences in climate that control ecosystem type. If juvenile conifers also do not acclimate physiologically to their environment, our findings suggest that local environmental variation will play a primary role in regulating forest and woodland persistence and modify the effects of climate change in the SWUS.
Driving governance beyond ecological modernization: REDD+ and the Amazon Fund
Authors: Bidone Francisco 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThis investigation focuses on the design and formulation of the Brazilian Amazon Fund—perhaps the boldest REDD+ oriented initiative to date. Study draws its hypothesis from the understanding that the Amazon Fund operated until recently based on a nuanced integration of two current trends in environmental governance: (i) institutionalization of ecological modernization theories and (ii) establishment of multilevel, multi‐stakeholder governance. To visualize such integration, this work deploys discourse analysis and text‐mining techniques to the Amazon Fund's policy documents. Overall findings suggest the ecological modernization agenda is predominant within the Amazon Fund. The following discussion articulates with environmental studies' critical scholarship to debate the dominance of ecological modernism as it is claimed to inherently narrow the scope of perspectives, knowledge, and values integrated into sustainability policies. Whereas the opposite should occur, considering multi‐stakeholder environmental governance mechanisms propose to incorporate a plurality of legitimate perspectives and knowledge basis. In these terms, innovative approaches that envision “win‐win” solutions for environmental policy may eventually rest in endorsing alternative framings about nature and society that move away from the constrained paradigms of efficiency within ecological modernization theories and discourse. The relevance of this work lays in the debate that acknowledges the importance of driving environmental governance mechanisms in tropical developing countries to new viable alternatives. In broader terms, the importance of this debate emerges in the proposal of changes that move government, business, and civil society away from usual policies (and interests) underpinning policies for land use and the forest sector.
Integrating sex and gender in studies of cardiac resynchronization therapy: a systematic review
Authors: Dewidar Omar , Podinic Irina , Barbeau Victoria , Patel Dilan , Antequera Alba , Birnie David , Welch Vivian , Wells George A. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractAimsTo examine the prevalence, temporal changes, and impact of the National Institute of Health (NIH) Sex as a Biological Variable (SABV) policy on sex and gender reporting and analysis in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) cohort studies.Methods and resultsWe searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science for cohort studies reporting the effectiveness and safety of CRT in heart failure patients from January 2000 to June 2020, with no language restrictions. Segmented regression analysis was used for policy analysis. We included 253 studies. Fourteen per cent considered sex in the study design. Outcome data disaggregated by sex were only reported in 17% of the studies. Of the studies with statistical models (n = 173), 57% were adjusted for sex. Sixty‐eight per cent of those reported an effect size for sex on the outcome. Sex‐stratified analyses were conducted in 13% of the studies. Temporal analysis shows an increase in sex reporting in background, statistical models, study design, and discussion. Besides statistical models, NIH SABV policy analysis showed no significant change in the reporting of sex in study sections. Gender was not reported or analysed in any study.ConclusionsThere is a need to improve the study design, analysis, and completeness of reporting of sex in CRT cohort studies. Inadequate sex integration in study design and analysis may potentially hinder progress in understanding sex disparities in CRT. Deficiencies in the integration of sex in studies could be overcome by implementing guidance that already exists.
Performance of non‐invasive myocardial work to predict the first hospitalization for de novo heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Paolisso Pasquale , Gallinoro Emanuele , Mileva Niya , Moya Ana , Fabbricatore Davide , Esposito Giuseppe , De Colle Cristina , Beles Monika , Spapen Jerrold , Heggermont Ward , Collet Carlos , Van Camp Guy , Vanderheyden Marc , Barbato Emanuele , Bartunek Jozef , Penicka Martin 
Published: November 2021

AbstractAimsNon‐invasive myocardial work (MW) is a validated index of left ventricular (LV) systolic performance, incorporating afterload and myocardial metabolism. The role of MW in predicting the first hospitalization for de novo heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is still unknown. We aim to investigate the diagnostic performance of MW to predict the first de novo HFpEF hospitalization in ambulatory individuals with preserved LV ejection fraction.Methods and resultsTwenty‐nine patients with transthoracic echocardiography performed at least 6 months before the first HFpEF hospitalization were compared with 29 matched controls. MW was derived as the area of pressure–strain loop using speckle‐tracking and brachial artery blood pressure. Global work index, global constructive work, global wasted work (GWW), and global work efficiency (GWE) were collected. First HFpEF hospitalization and its combination with cardiovascular death [major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE)] and all‐cause of death [major adverse events (MAE)] were assessed. At baseline, future HFpEF patients showed lower global work index, global constructive work, GWE, and higher GWW than controls (all P < 0.05). At admission vs. baseline, GWE significantly decreased, and GWW increased in the HFpEF group (P < 0.05), whereas no significant difference was observed in the controls over time. GWW, with a cut‐off of 170 mmHg%, showed the largest area under the curve (AUC) to predict first HFpEF hospitalization [AUC = 0.80, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.69–0.91, P < 0.001], MACE (AUC = 0.80, 95% CI 0.66–0.90, P < 0.001), and MAE (AUC = 0.79, 95% CI 0.62–0.88, P = 0.001). GWW > 170 mmHg% was associated with a 4‐fold increase of MACE (HR = 4.5, 95% CI 1.59–13.12, P = 0.005) and a 3‐fold higher risk of MAE (HR = 2.9, 95% CI 1.24–6.6, P = 0.014).ConclusionsIn ambulatory patients with preserved LV ejection fraction and risk factors, GWW showed high accuracy to predict the first HFpEF hospitalization and its combination with mortality. The GWW routine assessment may be clinically helpful in patients with dyspnoea.
Neuropsychological and clinical findings of Cognitive Remediation Therapy feasibility randomised controlled trial in young people with anorexia nervosa
Authors: Giombini Lucia , Nesbitt Sophie , Kusosa Rutendo , Fabian Cleo , Sharia Teo , Easter Abigail , Tchanturia Kate 
Published: November 2021

AbstractObjectiveRandomised controlled trial (RCT) in adults with anorexia nervosa (AN) showed that Cognitive Remediation Therapy (CRT) enhances cognitive flexibility, abstract thinking and quality‐of‐life. Despite inconsistent findings, CRT has the potential as an adjunct treatment for young people (YP) with AN. A feasibility RCT was conducted in an inpatient setting. The study will also consider the effect of CRT in YP with AN and autistic symptoms.MethodsParticipants were randomly allocated to the Immediate or Delayed condition to receive individual CRT sessions, in addition to standard treatment. A repeated measures design was conducted.ResultsEighty participants were recruited. The neuropsychological measures were feasible for evaluating individual CRT in YP. Significant improvements in set‐shifting and central coherence were found, with no main effect between immediate and delayed condition. Significant interactions were found between the condition, and autism spectrum condition (ASC) and No‐ASC subgroup, with significant positive impact of CRT on set‐shifting in the No‐ASC subgroup. There was some evidence that for the No‐ASC subgroup, CRT was more effective if delivered at the start of the treatment; and for the ASC subgroup, that CRT was more effective if delivered at the later stage of treatment.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that the overall positive effect of CRT in set‐shifting and central coherence alongside standard treatment. They also indicate the importance of screening for the presence of ASC which could require tailored CRT.
Effect of the staggered impeller on reducing unsteady pressure pulsations of a centrifugal pump
Authors: Jiang Junxian , Zhang Ning , Liu Xiaokai , Gao Bo , Cao Puyu 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe emitted noise and vibration induced by the unsteady flow of the centrifugal pump are always focused during its running, which is also associated with the high amplitude pressure pulsations. How to reduce pressure pulsations remains a crucial problem for the researcher considering low noise design of the centrifugal pump. In the current research, a special staggered impeller is proposed to reduce intense pressure pulsations of a centrifugal pump with ns = 69 based on alleviating rotor‐stator interaction. The numerical simulation method is conducted to illustrate the influence of staggered impeller on the pump performance and pressure pulsations, and three typical flow rates (0.8ФN–1.2ФN) are simulated. Results show that the staggered impeller will lead to the pump head increasing, and at the design working condition, the increment reaches about 3% compared with the original impeller. Meanwhile, the pump efficiency is little affected by the staggered impeller, which is almost identical with the original impeller. From comparison of pressure spectra at 20 monitoring points around the impeller outlet, it is validated that the staggered impeller contributes significantly to decreasing pressure pulsations at the concerned working conditions. At the blade passing frequency, the averaged reduction of 20 points reaches 89% by using the staggered impeller at 1.0ФN. The reduction reaches to 90%, 80% at 0.8ФN, 1.2ФN, respectively. Caused by the rib within the staggered impeller, the internal flow field in the blade channel will be affected. Finally, it is concluded that the proposed staggered impeller surely has a significant effect on alleviating intense pressure pulsation of the model pump and does not obviously alter the global performance of the pump, which is very promising during the low noise pump design considering its feasibility for manufacturing.
Estimating impacts of wildfire and climate variability on streamflow in Victoria, Australia
Authors: Guo Yuhan , Zhang Lu , Zhang Yongqiang , Wang Zhonggen , Zheng Hong Xing 
Published: November 2021

AbstractWildfires are common in Australia and can cause vegetation loss and affect hydrological processes such as interception, evapotranspiration, soil water storage and streamflow. This study investigates wildfire impacts on catchment mean annual streamflow for 14 Australian catchments that have been severely impacted by the 2009 Victoria wildfire, the second‐worst wildfire disaster in Australia. A statistical approach based on sensitivity coefficients was used for quantifying the climate variability impacts on streamflow and the time trend analysis method was used to estimate the annual streamflow changes due to wildfire respectively. Our results show that wildfire has caused a noticeable increase in mean annual streamflow in the catchments with a burnt area above 70% for an immediate post‐wildfire period (2009–2015) and the wildfire impact on streamflow is evidently larger than the climate change impact in the majority of burnt catchments. Furthermore, the wildfire impact on mean annual streamflow strongly increases with the burnt percentage area, indicated by R2 = 0.73 between the two. The results also illustrate that catchments with high burnt percentage areas can have more potential to gain increased streamflow due to wildfires compared with that due to climate variability and can have significant streamflow change after wildfires above the 70% threshold of burnt area. These results provide evidence for evaluating large‐scale wildfire impact on streamflow at small to medium‐sized catchments, and guidance for process‐based hydrological models for simulating wildfire impacts on hydrological processes for the immediate period after the wildfire.