bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stability of mephedrone and five of its phase I metabolites in human whole blood
Authors: Czerwinska Joanna , Parkin Mark C. , Dargan Paul I. , George Claire , Kicman Andrew T. , Abbate Vincenzo 
Published: October 2018

AbstractMephedrone is a new psychoactive substance known to be unstable in biological matrices stored at room temperature or refrigerated. While the instability of mephedrone has been investigated before, there is currently no data regarding the stability of mephedrone metabolites. In this study, a liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method for the simultaneous quantification of mephedrone and five of its phase I metabolites (dihydro‐mephedrone, nor‐mephedrone, hydroxytolyl‐mephedrone, 4‐carboxy‐mephedrone and dihydro‐nor‐mephedrone) in human whole blood has been developed and validated. Samples were extracted by a mixed mode solid‐phase extraction and analyzed on a pentafluorophenylpropyl column. The method was successfully validated for selectivity, linearity (0.2–2 to 10–100 ng/mL), limits of detection (50–500 pg/mL) and quantification (200–2000 pg/mL), precision (0.924–8.27%), accuracy (86.6–115%), carryover, recovery (32.5–88.3%), and matrix effects (71.0–108%). Analyte stability in human whole blood preserved with sodium fluoride/potassium oxalate was assessed at +4°C and −20°C after 24 hours, 48 hours, 4 days, and 10 days of storage. Instability was observed in samples stored at +4°C: nor‐mephedrone and 4‐carboxy‐mephedrone lost 40.2 ± 6.7% and 48.1 ± 4.8%, respectively, of their initial concentration at low concentration level and 33.8 ± 4.2% and 44.6 ± 6.5%, respectively, at high concentration level after 10 days. All analytes were more stable at −20°C where the highest loss of 22.6 ± 6.9% was observed for 4‐carboxy‐mephedrone after 10 days. This is the first time stability of mephedrone metabolites in human whole blood has been assessed, indicating −20°C to be the recommended storage condition for all analytes in clinical settings.
Short‐distance barriers affect genetic variability of Rhizophora mangle L. in the Yucatan Peninsula
Authors: Cisneros‐de la Cruz Diana J. , Martínez‐Castillo Jaime , Herrera‐Silveira Jorge , Yáñez‐Espinosa Laura , Ortiz‐García Matilde , Us‐Santamaria Roberth , Andrade José L. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe environmental variability at local scale results in different physiognomic types of mangrove forest. However, this variability has never been considered in studies of mangrove genetic variability. This study analyzed the genetic and morphological variability and structure of Rhizophora mangle at regional and local scales in the Yucatan Peninsula. Thirteen mangrove populations (eight scrub and five tall), located in seven sites, were sampled, and their morphological variability and relationship with the availability of phosphorus and salinity were analyzed. The diversity and genetic structure were estimated at different hierarchical levels with nine microsatellites, also Bayesian inference and Principal Coordinates Analysis were used. We found a great morphological variability of R. mangle that responded to local environmental variability and not to the precipitation gradient of the peninsula. The genetic diversity found in the peninsula was greater than that reported for other populations in Mexico and was grouped into two regions: the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. At a local scale, tall and scrub mangroves had significant genetic differentiation suggesting that ecological barriers promote genetic differentiation within sites. These results need to be considered in future population genetic studies and for mangrove management and conservation.
The influence of perceived warmth and competence on realistic threat and willingness for intergroup contact
Authors: Awale Arya , Chan Christian S. , Ho Gerry T. S. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractUnwillingness for contact with outgroup members is a form of prejudice. In two studies, we tested the proposition that perceived competence has an indirect effect on willingness for intergroup contact through its effect on realistic threat, and that perceived warmth moderates this relationship. In Study 1, Hong Kong students (N = 144) rated the perceived warmth and competence of an outgroup, Mainland Chinese students, as well as the extent to which they perceived the group as presenting a realistic threat, and willingness for contact with them. In Study 2 (N = 205), we attempted to manipulate the warmth (high vs. low) and competence (high vs. low) of an unfamiliar outgroup, and tested the effects on realistic threat and willingness for intergroup contact. In both studies, we found an interaction effect between warmth and competence in the prediction of realistic threat. When the outgroup was perceived as warm, competence was found to have a negative association with realistic threat (Study 1), whereas when the outgroup was perceived as lacking warmth, competence was found to have a positive association with realistic threat (Study 2). In both studies, perceived warmth moderated the indirect effect of perceived competence on willingness for intergroup contact. Implications for the role of warmth and competence stereotypes in threat perception and prejudice are discussed.
A Novel Electrochemical Sensor Based on Silver Nanodendrites and Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for the Determination of Tetrabromobisphenol A in Water
Authors: Xu Wanzhen , Zhang Kun , Wang Ningwei , Liu Tao , Huang Weihong , Liu Tianshu , Lu Yi , Yang Wenming , Li Songjun 
Published: October 2018

AbstractA novel and facile electrochemical sensor based on three different modification layers was prepared to detect tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA). They included tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ), silver nanodendrites (AgNDs) and molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs). TCNQ− acts as inducer can be reacted with Ag+ to form Ag‐TCNQ fibers and then constructed the nanodendritic structures. The latter two modification layers were synthesized on electrode by‐ways of electrodeposition and electropolymerization respectively. AgNDs has excellent conductivity and large specific surface area, which has good potential to be used as a bridge between electrode and MIPs. It can considerably improve the sensitivity of the sensor and provide immense deposit sites to pyrrole. MIPs synthesized using electropolymerization can firmly get attach on electrode, thereby, providing polymers with stable imprinted cavities and having the possibility to be reused. Under optimum conditions, the concentration of TBBPA exhibited an excellent linear relationship between 5.0×10−9 and 1.0×10−5 mol L−1, with a limit of dectection of 2.54×10−10 mol L−1 (S/N=3). The reproducibility of the sensor was observed to be 3.42 % and was immune to analogues. Finally the sensor was successfully applied to actual water samples.
A Novel Electrochemical Sensor Based on Printex L6 Carbon Black Carrying CuO/Cu2O Nanoparticles for Propylparaben Determination
Authors: Goulart Lorena A. , Guaraldo Thaís T. , Lanza Marcos R. V. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe paper reports the development of a new sensor based on Printex L6 (CPL6) carbon black modified with copper oxides (CuO/Cu2O) nanoparticles and its application towards the determination of Propylparaben (PP). In fact, it is the first report of its kind in the literature. The sensor was produced through the dispersion of CPL6 in dimethylformamide on glassy carbon electrode surface followed by CuO/Cu2O electrodeposition. The conditions of electrodeposition investigated included time and solution concentration of Cu (II). Morphological, structural and electrochemical characterizations of the sensor were performed. Under optimal conditions, wide linear range (1.0 to 35.0 μmol L−1) was obtained in the detection of PP. The detection limit obtained was 0.46 μmol L−1 (S/N=3). The CuO/Cu2O‐CPL6/GCE sensor was found to be as sensitive as the high performance liquid chromatography in the determination of PP in both cosmetic and river water samples, in addition to being reproducible and stable.
Electroosmotic flow of non‐Newtonian fluids in a constriction microchannel
Authors: Ko Chien‐Hsuan , Li Di , Malekanfard Amirreza , Wang Yao‐Nan , Fu Lung‐Ming , Xuan Xiangchun 
Published: October 2018

AbstractInsulator‐based dielectrophoresis has to date been almost entirely restricted to Newtonian fluids despite the fact that many of the chemical and biological fluids exhibit non‐Newtonian characteristics. We present herein an experimental study of the fluid rheological effects on the electroosmotic flow of four types of polymer solutions, i.e., 2000 ppm xanthan gum (XG), 5% polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), 3000 ppm polyethylene oxide (PEO), and 200 ppm polyacrylamide (PAA) solutions, through a constriction microchannel under DC electric fields of up to 400 V/cm. We find using particle streakline imaging that the fluid elasticity does not change significantly the electroosmotic flow pattern of weakly shear‐thinning PVP and PEO solutions from that of a Newtonian solution. In contrast, the fluid shear‐thinning causes multiple pairs of flow circulations in the weakly elastic XG solution, leading to a central jet with a significantly enhanced speed from before to after the channel constriction. These flow vortices are, however, suppressed in the strongly viscoelastic and shear‐thinning PAA solution.
Developing collapse fragility curves for base‐isolated buildings
Authors: Cardone Donatello , Perrone Giuseppe , Piesco Valentino 
Published: October 2018

SummarySeismic isolation technique is increasingly used both for the design of new buildings and for the seismic retrofit of existing buildings. Nevertheless, so far, little attention has been paid on the collapse capacity of these structures, mainly because it requires refined nonlinear models and careful consideration of different sources of uncertainties.To fill this gap, a set of collapse fragility functions for existing reinforced concrete‐frame buildings, designed for gravity loads only and then retrofitted with different isolation systems (including rubber‐based and friction‐based isolation systems), are derived in this study. For completeness, buildings with low and high seismic resistance are also considered.Collapse fragility functions are derived through incremental dynamic analysis, considering different collapse conditions both for isolation system and superstructure. For each case study building, mean and dispersion values are obtained considering both aleatory and epistemic uncertainties, due to record‐to record and model variability, respectively. Finally, some comments on the possible use of the results of this study for practical applications are made.
Evolution of the northern Turkana Depression (East African Rift System, Kenya) during the Cenozoic rifting: New insights from the Ekitale Basin (28‐25.5 Ma)
Authors: Ragon Théa , Nutz Alexis , Schuster Mathieu , Ghienne Jean‐Francois , Ruffet Gilles , Rubino Jean‐Loup 
Published: October 2018

Two sedimentary basins are identified in the Turkana Depression (East African Rift System, Kenya). One of them, the Ekitale Basin, is presented in detail. Located on the western rift shoulder of the northern Turkana Depression, the preserved portion of the Ekitale Basin is 3–5‐km wide and bordered by N40°–50° normal faults. These normal faults were inherited from the reactivation of pre‐existing basement structures. The Ekitale Basin is filled by the ~75‐m‐thick Topernawi Formation. The lower portion of the formation provides evidence that the basin was occupied by a lake, bordered by alluvial fans, and into which river‐derived turbiditic complexes were deposited. The upper portion is comprised of pyroclastic deposits, originating from volcanic activity, and interbedded with fluvial deposits emplaced during periods of volcanic quiescence. The Ekitale Basin opened just after 28 Ma and was abandoned prior to 25 Ma, placing it after the deposition of the Oligocene Traps (ca. 33.9–27 Ma) and prior to the rift climax (after 14 Ma). This syn‐rift basin largely impacts our understanding of the Cenozoic rift evolution in the Turkana Depression. It helps to identify, for the first time, the first pulse of extension of the Cenozoic rifting, revealing a two‐step rifting scenario for the northern Turkana Depression. The Ekitale Basin, and analogous syn‐rift basins, is believed to have developed from the reactivation of pre‐existing structures during a period of extension marked by low differential stress and a low amount of extension.
LateCarboniferous–earlyPermian arc magmatism in the south‐westernAlxaTectonicBelt (NW China):Constraints on the latePalaeozoic subduction history of thePalaeo‐AsianOcean
Authors: Song Dongfang , Xiao Wenjiao , Collins Alan , Glorie Stijn , Han Chunming 
Published: October 2018

The tectonic setting of the Alxa Tectonic Belt (ATB) during the late Palaeozoic is highly controversial. The nature and tectonic origin of the late Palaeozoic magmatism in the ATB are key to resolving the current controversy. This paper provides field, petrographic, geochemical, and zircon U‐Pb‐Hf isotopic data for the late Palaeozoic granitoids and volcanic rocks from the south‐western ATB. The granitoids display a wide range of SiO2contents from diorite, granodiorite, to granites, with widely distributed hydrous minerals such as hornblende and biotite. They are calc‐alkaline to high‐potassium calc‐alkaline, metaluminous with an enrichment of light rare earth elements and large‐ion lithophile elements (LILE), and a depletion of high‐field‐strength elements (HFSE). The presence of mafic‐intermediate enclaves in the plutons suggests the role of crust–mantle interaction in generating the granitoids. The volcanic rocks show “block‐in‐matrix” structures in the field. They are dacite‐porphyry and rhyolite and show calc‐alkaline characteristics with an enrichment of LILE and a depletion of HFSE. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry zircon U‐Pb dating shows that the granitoids and enclaves crystallized during ~317–287 Ma and the dacite porphyry formed at ~295 Ma. Hf‐in‐zircon isotopic compositions reveal predominately positive εHf(t) values and Neoproterozoic TDMCages for the magmatic rocks, indicating mixing between mantle‐derived magma and Precambrian basement during their genesis. The diagnostic field, geochemical data, and isotopic data imply these rocks were generated in a subduction‐related active continental margin setting. The presence of A2‐type granite indicates an extensional environment resulted from slab rollback in a retreating accretionary context can best interpret the large‐scale late Carboniferous–early Permian magmatism in the ATB. Our new data, combined with published data, imply that a large active continental margin existed in the Beishan, Alxa, and the northern margin of the North China Craton, due to the south‐dipping subduction of the Palaeo‐Asian Ocean (PAO) in the late Palaeozoic. Therefore, our data suggest that the PAO did not close until after the early Permian.
Application of theBayesian approach to sediment fingerprinting and source attribution
Authors: Davies Joe , Olley Jon , Hawker Darryl , McBroom James 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe identification of the sources of sediment is a key part of the management of waterways. This is typically achieved through the well‐established technique known as sediment source fingerprinting that uses tracers and statistical mixing models. Until recently, the approach for solving these mixing models has been dominated by frequentist methods. This review focuses on the growing interest in Bayesian methods for sediment fingerprinting and presents them as an alternative or complementary addition to the frequentist methods. Bayesian methods emphasize flexibility, for example, in the choice of probability distributions for tracers, inclusion of parameter probability terms, the choice of how to characterize tracer proportion, and the choice of fully or empirical Bayesian techniques. The Bayesian approach flexibly combines previous known and current information, to produce results that aim to accurately reflect the real‐world environment. Under the Bayesian paradigm, all model parameters are treated as random variables, and this allows all sources of variation to be explicitly communicated and modelled. Although there are considerable advantages to using a Bayesian approach for sediment tracing, there are some possible problems the practitioner should be aware of. These include computational issues and potential difficulties in choosing probability distributions to realistically represent model parameters. Though there are choices as to what Bayesian approach to implement (i.e., fully or empirical Bayesian), a fully Bayesian approach has been found to best retain fidelity to the Bayesian paradigm of treating all parameters as random variables. It has been recognized that the field of sediment source fingerprinting would greatly benefit from the development of a model that incorporates the tracer selection process into the modelling framework allowing for an all‐in‐one approach, and the flexibility of a Bayesian approach makes this development possible.
Impact of reproductive evolutionary mismatch on women's health and the need for action and research
Authors: Fathalla Mahmoud F. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractEfforts by the health and scientific community have focused on providing women with the means to control and regulate their fertility. We paid less attention to the reality of women achieving their reproductive revolution while burdened with a reproductive system that evolved to fit the life of our ancestor hunter–gatherers, where women were destined to spend most of their reproductive years pregnant or breastfeeding. This state of evolutionary mismatch impacts on women's health as the reproductive system continues incessantly to work, producing a monthly ovum and exposing the reproductive organs to cyclic hormonal stimulation without the benefit of pregnancy and breastfeeding. Women have to cope with a life of menstrual cycles, decreased fecundity owing to reproductive ageing, and a higher risk of reproductive cancers, in addition to uterine fibroids, and endometriosis. The burden will increase in low‐resource countries as more women are adopting the new model of reproductive behavior, and resources to cope with the impact are limited. The reproductive revolution is benefiting not only women, but also their societies and the world at large. The health profession and the scientific community have an obligation to support women to cope with the impact of reproductive evolutionary mismatch.
Probing vibrational coupling via a grid‐based quantum approach—an efficient strategy for accurate calculations of localized normal modes in solid‐state systems
Authors: Kuenzer Ulrich , Klotz Martin , Hofer Thomas S. 
Published: October 2018

In this work an approach to investigate the properties of strongly localized vibrational modes of functional groups in bulk material and on solid‐state surfaces is presented. The associated normal mode vectors are approximated solely on the basis of structural information and obtained via diagonalization of a reduced Hessian. The grid‐based Numerov procedure in one and two dimensions is then applied to an adequate scan of the respective potential surface yielding the associated vibrational wave functions and energy eigenvalues. This not only provides a detailed description of anharmonic effects but also an accurate inclusion of the coupling between the investigated vibrational states on a quantum mechanical level. All results obtained for the constructed normal modes are benchmarked against their analytical counterparts obtained from the diagonalization of the total Hessian of the entire system. Three increasingly complex systems treated at quantum chemical level of theory have been considered, namely the symmetric and asymmetric stretch vibrations of an isolated water molecule, hydroxyl groups bound to the surface of GeO2 (001),
α‐quartz(001) and Rutil (001) as well as crystalline Li2NH serving as an example for a bulk material. While the data obtained for the individual systems verify the applicability of the proposed methodology, comparison to experimental data demonstrates the accuracy of this methodology despite the restriction to limit this methodology to a few selected vibrational modes.The possibility to investigate vibrational phenomena of localized normal modes without the requirement of executing costly harmonic frequency calculations of the entire system enables the application of this method to cases in which the determination of normal modes is prohibitively expensive or not available for a particular level of theory. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
YAP regulates periodontal ligament cell differentiation into myofibroblast interacted with RhoA/ROCK pathway
Authors: He Yao , Xu Hui , Xiang Zichao , Yu Hongyou , Xu Li , Guo Yongwen , Tian Ye , Shu Rui , Yang Xianrui , Xue Chaoran , Zhao Mengyuan , He Yiruo , Han Xianglong , Bai Ding 
Published: October 2018

AbstractDuring orthodontic tooth movement (OTM), periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs) receive the mechanical stimuli and transform it into myofibroblasts (Mfbs). Indeed, previous studies have demonstrated that mechanical stimuli can promote the expression of Mfb marker α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA) in PDLCs. Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF‐β1), as the target gene of yes‐associated protein (YAP), has been proven to be involved in this process. Here, we sought to assess the role of YAP in Mfbs differentiation from PDLCs. The time‐course expression of YAP and α‐SMA was manifested in OTM model in vivo as well as under tensional stimuli in vitro. Inhibition of RhoA/Rho‐associated kinase (ROCK) pathway using Y27632 significantly reduced tension‐induced Mfb differentiation and YAP expression. Moreover, overexpression of YAP with lentiviral transfection in PDLCs rescued the repression effect of Mfb differentiation induced by Y27632. These data together suggest a crucial role of YAP in regulating tension‐induced Mfb differentiation from PDLC interacted with RhoA/ROCK pathway.
The role of sphingosine 1 phosphate in coronary artery disease and ischemia reperfusion injury
Authors: Mihanfar Aynaz , Nejabati Hamid Reza , Fattahi Amir , Latifi Zeinab , Pezeshkian Masoud , Afrasiabi Abbas , Safaie Naser , Jodati Ahmad Reza , Nouri Mohammad 
Published: October 2018

AbstractCoronary artery disease (CAD) is a common cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Atherosclerotic plaques, as a hallmark of CAD, cause chronic narrowing of coronary arteries over time and could also result in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The standard treatments for ameliorating AMI are reperfusion strategies, which paradoxically result in ischemic reperfusion (I/R) injury. Sphingosine 1 phosphate (S1P), as a potent lysophospholipid, plays an important role in various organs, including immune and cardiovascular systems. In addition, high‐density lipoprotein, as a negative predictor of atherosclerosis and CAD, is a major carrier of S1P in blood circulation. S1P mediates its effects through binding to specific G protein‐coupled receptors, and its signaling contributes to a variety of responses, including cardiac inflammation, dysfunction, and I/R injury protection. In this review, we will focus on the role of S1P in CAD and I/R injury as a potential therapeutic target.