bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Systematic optimisation of ethyl glucuronide extraction conditions from scalp hair by design of experiments and its potential effect on cut‐off values appraisal
Authors: Alladio Eugenio , Biosa Giulia , Seganti Fabrizio , Di Corcia Daniele , Salomone Alberto , Vincenti Marco , Baumgartner Markus R. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe quantitative determination of ethyl glucuronide (EtG) in hair samples is consistently used throughout the world to assess chronic excessive alcohol consumption. For administrative and legal purposes, the analytical results are compared with cut‐off values recognised by regulatory authorities and scientific societies. However, it has been recently recognised that the analytical results depend on the hair sample pretreatment procedures, including the crumbling and extraction conditions. A systematic evaluation of the EtG extraction conditions from pulverised scalp hair was conducted by Design of Experiments (DoE) considering the extraction time, temperature, pH, and solvent composition as potential influencing factors. It was concluded that an overnight extraction at 60°C with pure water at neutral pH represents the most effective conditions to achieve high extraction yields. The absence of differential degradation of the internal standard (isotopically‐labelled EtG) under such conditions was confirmed and the overall analytical method was validated according to SGWTOX and ISO17025 criteria. Twenty real hair samples with different EtG content were analysed with 3 commonly accepted procedures: (a) hair manually cut in snippets and extracted at room temperature; (b) pulverised hair extracted at room temperature; (c) hair treated with the optimised method. Average increments of EtG concentration around 69% (from a to c) and 29% (from b to c) were recorded. In light of these results, the authors urge the scientific community to undertake an inter‐laboratory study with the aim of defining more in detail the optimal hair EtG detection method and verifying the corresponding cut‐off level for legal enforcements.
The combination of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation (Glomus versiforme) and 28‐homobrassinolide spraying intervals improves growth by enhancing photosynthesis, nutrient absorption, and antioxidant system in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) under salinity
Authors: Ahmad Husain , Hayat Sikandar , Ali Muhammad , Liu Tao , Cheng Zhihui 
Published: May 2018

AbstractSalinity is one of the major obstacles in the agriculture industry causing huge losses in productivity. Several strategies such as plant growth regulators with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have been used to decrease the negative effects of salt stress. In our experiment, 28‐homobrassinolide (HBL) with spraying intervals was combined with AMF (Glomus versiforme) in cucumber cultivars Jinyou 1# (salt sensitive) and (Changchun mici, in short, CCMC, salt tolerant) under NaCl (100 mmol/L). Studies have documented that the foliar application of HBL and AMF colonization can enhance tolerance to plants under stress conditions. However, the mechanism of the HBL spraying intervals after 15 and 30 days in combination with AMF in cucumber under salt stress is still unknown. Our results revealed that the HBL spraying interval after 15 days in combination with AMF resulted in improved growth, photosynthesis, and decreased sodium toxicity under NaCl. Moreover, the antioxidant enzymes SOD (superoxide dismutase; EC 1.15.1.1) and POD activity (peroxidase; EC 1.11.1.7) showed a gradual increase after every 10 days, while the CAT (catalase; EC 1.11.1.6) increased after 30 days of salt treatments in both cultivars. This research suggests that the enhanced tolerance to salinity was mainly related to elevated levels of antioxidant enzymes and lower uptake of Na+, which lowers the risk of ion toxicity and decreases cell membrane damage.
Hybrid Electronic Tongue as a Tool for the Monitoring of Wine Fermentation and Storage Process
Authors: Kutyła‐Olesiuk Anna , Wesoły Małgorzata , Wróblewski Wojciech 
Published: May 2018

AbstractHybrid electronic tongue based on potentiometric and voltammetric sensors was applied for the monitoring of wine production process. The sensor array formed by miniaturized ion‐selective electrodes and glassy carbon electrodes provided the analysis of the progress and correctness of wine fermentation and storage process, detection of the presence of disturbing factors and evaluation of the quality of final product. The efficiency of the proposed approach was compared with the monitoring of wine production carried out using standard reference methods. The results indicated that hybrid electronic tongue could be used as simple and reliable analytical tool dedicated to qualitative and quantitative assessment of wine production.
Iso Points in Electrochemistry. Classification and Verification by Experiment and Theory
Authors: Skitał Piotr M. , Sanecki Przemysław T. , Saletnik Dorota 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe experimental examples of occurrence of isoalpha points (iap) in electroreduction of Cu2+, Tl+, Zn2+ in the presence of 1,3‐dimethyl‐2‐thiourea have been presented. The theoretical ECE and EE model examples of iap and isopotential point (ipp) as well as mixed iap/ipp isopoints are discussed in the context of their similarities and differences. Novel extended interpretation of ipp points in electrochemistry, based on concentration profiles approach, was also introduced.
Tellurium Film Electrodes Deposited on Carbon and Mesoporous Carbon Screen‐printed Substrates for Anodic Stripping Voltammetric Determination of Copper
Authors: Bobrowski Andrzej , Królicka Agnieszka , Śliwa Julia , Zarębski Jerzy , Economou Anastasios , Kalcher Kurt 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe performance of screen‐printed electrodes modified in situ with tellurium film for the anodic stripping voltammetric (ASV) determination of Cu(II) is reported. It was found that two types of screen‐printed substrates, namely carbon and mesoporous carbon, were optimal for this application. The selected in situ tellurium film modified electrodes were applied for the square wave ASV determination of copper at μg L−1 concentration levels. Well‐defined and reproducible Cu oxidation stripping peaks were produced at a potential more negative than the anodic dissolution of tellurium. The highest sensitivity of Cu determination was achieved in 0.05 M HCl containing 50 μg L−1 Te(IV) after 300 s of accumulation at −0.5 V. Using the optimized procedure, a linear range from 2 to 35 μg L−1 of Cu(II) was obtained with a detection limit of 0.5 μg L−1 Cu(II) (S/N=3) for 300 s of deposition time. Both sensors, carbon TeF‐SPE and mesoporous carbon TeF‐SPE, were successfully applied for the quantification of Cu in a certified reference surface water sample.
Geodiversity decreases shrub mortality and increases ecosystem tolerance to droughts and climate change
Authors: Stavi Ilan , Rachmilevitch Shimon , Hjazin Amgad , Yizhaq Hezi 
Published: May 2018

AbstractMass mortality of shrubs, especially the Noaea mucronata species, has been observed in the semi‐arid Negev of Israel since the early twenty‐first century. This has followed a long‐term drought episode, and suggests a hysteresis‐like effect. However, recent studies have revealed that the mortality has been varied across the region. Therefore, we assessed the depth and stoniness of the soil profile, in homogeneous and heterogeneous hillslopes. Then, we studied the volumetric moisture content during two consecutive growing seasons, in the topsoil of shrubby patches and of inter‐shrub spaces in these hillslopes. The study shows that geodiversity – characterized by shallow soil, a high content of stones in the soil, and a high cover of rock fragment on the surface – reduced shrub mortality. This was attributed to the soil moisture content, which was considerably greater in the heterogeneous hillslopes, than that in the homogeneous hillslopes. It is proposed that the shallow soil halted the growth of herbaceous vegetation in the inter‐shrub spaces of the heterogeneous hillslopes. Therefore, under rainstorms, this hillslope configuration results in considerable generation of overland water flow in the inter‐shrub spaces. The water accumulates in the shrubby patches, allowing them to thrive, even during long‐term dry episodes. In hillslopes with a deep soil layer, no stoniness in the soil profile, and no cover of rock fragments, the herbaceous vegetation is well developed, covering a considerable share of the inter‐shrub spaces. This negates runoff formation and source–sink relations, limiting water availability for the shrubs, and resulting in their mass mortality. Despite no direct pastoral value for livestock, the shrubs play an important role in overall ecosystem functioning. This is due to their capacity to transect hydraulic connectivity, and negate ecosystem collapse. We propose a conceptual model for demonstrating the role played by geodiversity in alleviating drought stress in drylands. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A regime shift in sediment export from a coastal watershed during a record wet winter, California: Implications for landscape response to hydroclimatic extremes
Authors: East Amy E. , Stevens Andrew W. , Ritchie Andrew C. , Barnard Patrick L. , Campbell‐Swarzenski Pamela , Collins Brian D. , Conaway Christopher H. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractSmall, steep watersheds are prolific sediment sources from which sediment flux is highly sensitive to climatic changes. Storm intensity and frequency are widely expected to increase during the 21st century, and so assessing the response of small, steep watersheds to extreme rainfall is essential to understanding landscape response to climate change. During record winter rainfall in 2016–2017, the San Lorenzo River, coastal California, had nine flow peaks representing 2–10‐year flood magnitudes. By the third flood, fluvial suspended sediment showed a regime shift to greater and coarser sediment supply, coincident with numerous landslides in the watershed. Even with no singular catastrophic flood, these flows exported more than half as much sediment as had a 100‐year flood 35 years earlier, substantially enlarging the nearshore delta. Annual sediment load in 2017 was an order of magnitude greater than during an average‐rainfall year, and 500‐fold greater than in a recent drought. These anomalous sediment inputs are critical to the coastal littoral system, delivering enough sediment, sometimes over only a few days, to maintain beaches for several years. Future projections of megadroughts punctuated by major atmospheric‐river storm activity suggest that interannual sediment‐yield variations will become more extreme than today in the western USA, with potential consequences for coastal management, ecosystems, and water‐storage capacity. The occurrence of two years with major sediment export over the past 35 years that were not associated with extremes of the El Niño Southern Oscillation or Pacific Decadal Oscillation suggests caution in interpreting climatic signals from marine sedimentary deposits derived from small, steep, coastal watersheds, to avoid misinterpreting the frequencies of those cycles. Published 2018. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Flame‐retarded polyethylene terephthalate with carbon microspheres/magnesium hydroxide compound flame retardant
Authors: Yang Yaru , Niu Mei , Dai Jinming , Bai Jie , Xue Baoxia , Song Yinghao , Peng Yun 
Published: May 2018

SummaryA novel compound flame retardant (carbon microspheres/magnesium hydroxide, abbreviated as CMSs/MH) was used to improve the fire performance of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). LOI, UL94, and Cone test results showed that CMSs/MH/PET composites obtained the best fire performance at the mass ratio of CMSs to MH, which was 5:5, where the CMSs/MH content was 1.0 wt. % of PET. The Py‐CS‐MS, TGA‐DSC results, and morphology of char residue revealed the flame‐retardant mechanism. CMSs/MH increased the thermal stability of PET by increasing the activation energy at the initial combustion stage. At the second stage of combustion, CMSs/MH increased the chance of recombination of free radicals and slowed the combustion. Additionally, CMSs/MH promoted the cross‐linking of pyrolysis products and further improved the continuity of the char layer. Thus, a dense and continuous char layer of CMSs/MH/PET composites was produced; this char layer reduced the heat release rate and increased the amount of char residue.
Evaluating the Conservation Potential of Tributaries for Native Fishes in the Upper Colorado River Basin
Authors: Laub Brian G , Thiede Gary P , Macfarlane William W , Budy Phaedra 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
We explored the conservation potential of tributaries in the upper Colorado River basin by modeling native fish species richness as a function of river discharge, temperature, barrier-free length, and distance to nearest free-flowing main-stem section. We investigated a historic period prior to large-scale water development and a contemporary period. In the historic period, species richness was log-linearly correlated to variables capturing flow magnitude, particularly mean annual discharge. In the contemporary period, the log-linear relationship between discharge and species richness was still evident but weaker. Tributaries with lower average temperature and separated from free-flowing main-stem sections often had fewer native species compared to tributaries with similar discharge but with warmer temperature and directly connected to free-flowing main stems. Thus, tributaries containing only a small proportion of main-stem discharge, especially those at lower elevations with warmer temperatures and connected to free-flowing main stems, can support a relatively high species richness. Tributaries can help maintain viable populations by providing ecological processes disrupted on large regulated rivers, such as natural flow and temperature regimes, and may present unique conservation opportunities. Efforts to improve fish passage, secure environmental flows, and restore habitat in these tributaries could greatly contribute to conservation of native fish richness throughout the watershed.
Advancing Freshwater Biodiversity Conservation by Collaborating with Public Aquaria
Authors: Murchie Karen J , Knapp Charles R , McIntyre Peter B 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
Freshwater habitats and biota worldwide are in a conservation crisis, yet scientists and nongovernmental organizations have struggled to effectively engage the public to broaden awareness of needs for protecting aquatic ecosystems. As a result, the spectacular diversity and increasing imperilment of freshwater taxa remain poorly known outside our profession. Declining public trust of scientists creates further challenges as we try to limit losses of freshwater biodiversity. Reversing these trends requires a targeted collaborative effort from a variety of stakeholders that builds public and political support for freshwater science and conservation. Public aquaria can be key partners in this effort by providing a large audience (&gt;150 million visitors annually) for conservation messaging in a trusted arena. Exhibits provide a visual connection to freshwater biota and their habitats, granting access to the underwater world for people who may have no prior exposure to river or lake ecosystems, particularly in urban centers. We identify a host of opportunities for fisheries scientists and aquarium staff to publicize conservation concerns, craft messages that connect with the public, and engage citizen scientists. Successfully fostering appreciation of freshwater biodiversity is requisite to protecting it in the future.
The structural deformation characteristics and the control of gold mineralization of the upper Triassic flysch (Langjiexue Group) in Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Zhao Xiaoyan , Yang Zhusen , Hou Zengqian , Zhang Xiong , Li Yanguang , Pei Yingru , Guan Weiqi 
Published: May 2018

Located in the eastern section of the Indus‐Yarlung Tsangbo Suture Zone, the Triassic Langjiexue Group is also very important for the distribution of the orogenic gold deposits, such as Bangbu and Zhemulang. Two regional profiles (Jiacha profile and Lang County profile) in the Langjiexue Group have been chosen for systematic mapping. Combing with the method of Ar–Ar dating for mica, this paper provides a detailed analysis of the structural movements and stress periods of the Langjiexue Group, and the relationship between them with the orogenic gold deposits distributed within it, and finally, establish the structural control model for orogenic gold deposits in the Langjiexue Group. The structural deformation of the Langjiexue Group can be divided into 4 stages. In the D1 stage, shallow ductile shear played a dominant role with the principal stress of the reaction in a nearly E–W direction. The main stress of D2 stage was in an obviously S–N direction whose foliation of the axial surface was a ubiquitous phyllitic foliation and foliation. The structures of the D3 stage were superimposed on those of the D2 stage with the main stress of S–N direction. In the D4 stage, the principal stress of the structural movements was in a nearly E–W direction. According to the morphology and spatial positions of the profile folds, the main body of the Songre Formation in the southern parts of the tectonic profiles can be restored into a large reverse antiform, whereas the main body of the Tectonic mélange zone in the northern parts can be restored into a continuous large antiform and synform. Judging by the Ar–Ar plateau ages (56.04 ± 0.72 Ma, 47.98 ± 0.46 Ma) of the sericite in the two quartz veins that were arranged along the axial plane cleavage of the folders in D3 stage, the widely distributed quartz veins in the Langjiexue Group were mainly the outcome of fluid action accompanied by the structural deformation that occurred in the main Indo‐Asian collision orogenesis period, which were in consistent with the mineralogenetic epoch of the orogenic gold deposits in this region.
Individualized prediction of trait narcissism from whole‐brain resting‐state functional connectivity
Authors: Feng Chunliang , Yuan Jie , Geng Haiyang , Gu Ruolei , Zhou Hui , Wu Xia , Luo Yuejia 
Published: May 2018

AbstractNarcissism is one of the most fundamental personality traits in which individuals in general population exhibit a large heterogeneity. Despite a surge of interest in examining behavioral characteristics of narcissism in the past decades, the neurobiological substrates underlying narcissism remain poorly understood. Here, we addressed this issue by applying a machine learning approach to decode trait narcissism from whole‐brain resting‐state functional connectivity (RSFC). Resting‐state functional MRI (fMRI) data were acquired for a large sample comprising 155 healthy adults, each of whom was assessed for trait narcissism. Using a linear prediction model, we examined the relationship between whole‐brain RSFC and trait narcissism. We demonstrated that the machine‐learning model was able to decode individual trait narcissism from RSFC across multiple neural systems, including functional connectivity between and within limbic and prefrontal systems as well as their connectivity with other networks. Key nodes that contributed to the prediction model included the amygdala, prefrontal and anterior cingulate regions that have been linked to trait narcissism. These findings remained robust using different validation procedures. Our findings thus demonstrate that RSFC among multiple neural systems predicts trait narcissism at the individual level.
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy of fiber tracts in children with traumatic brain injury: A combined MRS – Diffusion MRI study
Authors: Dennis Emily L. , Babikian Talin , Alger Jeffry , Rashid Faisal , Villalon‐Reina Julio E. , Jin Yan , Olsen Alexander , Mink Richard , Babbitt Christopher , Johnson Jeffrey , Giza Christopher C. , Thompson Paul M. , Asarnow Robert F. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractTraumatic brain injury can cause extensive damage to the white matter (WM) of the brain. These disruptions can be especially damaging in children, whose brains are still maturing. Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) is the most commonly used method to assess WM organization, but it has limited resolution to differentiate causes of WM disruption. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) yields spectra showing the levels of neurometabolites that can indicate neuronal/axonal health, inflammation, membrane proliferation/turnover, and other cellular processes that are on‐going post‐injury. Previous analyses on this dataset revealed a significant division within the msTBI patient group, based on interhemispheric transfer time (IHTT); one subgroup of patients (TBI‐normal) showed evidence of recovery over time, while the other showed continuing degeneration (TBI‐slow). We combined dMRI with MRS to better understand WM disruptions in children with moderate‐severe traumatic brain injury (msTBI). Tracts with poorer WM organization, as shown by lower FA and higher MD and RD, also showed lower N‐acetylaspartate (NAA), a marker of neuronal and axonal health and myelination. We did not find lower NAA in tracts with normal WM organization. Choline, a marker of inflammation, membrane turnover, or gliosis, did not show such associations. We further show that multi‐modal imaging can improve outcome prediction over a single modality, as well as over earlier cognitive function measures. Our results suggest that demyelination plays an important role in WM disruption post‐injury in a subgroup of msTBI children and indicate the utility of multi‐modal imaging.
Romosozumab FRAME Study: A Post Hoc Analysis of the Role of Regional Background Fracture Risk on Nonvertebral Fracture Outcome
Authors: Cosman Felicia , Crittenden Daria B , Ferrari Serge , Lewiecki E Michael , Jaller-Raad Juan , Zerbini Cristiano , Milmont Cassandra E , Meisner Paul D , Libanati Cesar , Grauer Andreas 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACT

In the pivotal Fracture Study in Postmenopausal Women with Osteoporosis (FRAME; NCT01575834), 1 year of the bone-forming agent romosozumab significantly reduced new vertebral and clinical fracture risk versus placebo. Nonvertebral fracture risk was not significantly reduced in the overall population, influenced by a low placebo-group fracture rate, observed particularly in the highest-enrolling region of Latin America. In year 1 of FRAME, postmenopausal women with a T-score of –2.5 to –3.5 at the total hip or femoral neck were randomized to subcutaneous romosozumab 210 mg or placebo once monthly for 12 months. Of 7180 randomized women, 43% were from Latin America, largely Colombia and Brazil. Prespecified analyses assessed fracture risk reductions by geographic regions. A significant treatment-by-geographic region interaction for the clinical (p = 0.029) and nonvertebral fracture (p = 0.042) endpoints led to further characterization of the Latin American population and comparison with the remaining study population, grouped post hoc as rest-of-world. Nonvertebral fracture efficacy in the overall population was also assessed by baseline fracture risk using the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX). Romosozumab significantly and consistently reduced new vertebral fracture risk in Latin America (70% reduction; p = 0.014) and rest-of-world (74% reduction; p &lt; 0.001). For nonvertebral fracture, risk reductions were observed in rest-of-world (42% reduction; p = 0.012), with no treatment effect observed in Latin America, where background nonvertebral fracture risk was low (1.2% in the placebo group). Consistent with this finding, in the overall population, greater reductions in nonvertebral fracture risk were observed among women with higher FRAX scores. These findings suggest that fracture risk assessment should consider regional factors in addition to classical risk factors, such as bone mineral density. In women at high risk for fracture, romosozumab reduced nonvertebral fracture risk within 1 year. © 2018 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.