bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Continuous‐Flow Synthesis of Supported Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Efficient Isoeugenol Conversion into Vanillin
Authors: Marquez‐Medina M. Dolores , Prinsen Pepijn , Li Hangkong , Shih Kaimin , Romero Antonio A. , Luque Rafael 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThis work presents the synthesis of iron oxide nanocatalysts supported on mesoporous Al‐SBA‐15 by using a continuous‐flow setup. The magnetic nanomaterials were tested as catalysts in the oxidative disruption of isoeugenol by using hydrogen peroxide as a green oxidant, featuring high activities (63–88 % conversion) and good selectivities to vanillin (44–68 %). The catalytic systems exhibited good magnetic properties when synthesized under continuous‐flow conditions at temperatures not exceeding 190 °C. The use of microwave irradiation significantly reduced times of reaction drastically but exerted negative effects on catalyst reusability.
Development and validation of an ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography‐high resolution tandem mass spectrometry quantification method for hypoglycin A and methylene cyclopropyl acetic acid carnitine in horse serum in cases of atypical myopathy
Authors: Rudolph Wiebke , Remane Daniela , Wissenbach Dirk K. , Klein Carmen , Barnewitz Dirk , Peters Frank T. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAtypical myopathy (AM) is a fatal disease in horses presumably caused by hypoglycine A (HGA) from ingested maple seeds and its active metabolite methylene cyclopropyl acetic acid (MCPA). The aim of this study was the development and validation of a rapid and simple assay for HGA and MCPA‐carnitine in horse serum and its application to authentic samples. Identification and quantification were carried out by ultra high performance liquid chromatography–high resolution tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC–HRMS/MS) with full‐scan/data‐dependent MS/MS. Chromatographic separation was performed by isocratic elution on a hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) column (100 x 2.1 mm, 1.7 μm). Serum samples (250 μL) were worked up by protein precipitation. The method was validated according to international guidelines with respect to selectivity, linearity, accuracy, precision, matrix effects, and recovery. The calibration range was from 100 to 2000 ng/mL for HGA and from 10 to 1000 ng/mL for MCPA‐carnitine. HGA and MCPA‐carnitine showed acceptable accuracy and precision (bias ‐3.0% to 1.1%; RSD 9.2% to 12.4%). The limit of quantification (LOQ) was defined as the lowest calibrator and well below the lowest published serum concentrations in affected horses. Matrix effects ranged from ‐79% to +20% (RSD 4.2% to 14.4%), recoveries from 17.9% to 21.1% (RSD 2.3% to 10.8 %) for low and high quality control samples, respectively. Applicability was tested in 10 authentic AM cases. In all specimens, relevant amounts of HGA and MCPA‐carnitine were found (570–2000 ng/mL; ~8.5–150 ng/mL, respectively). The developed assay allows reliable identification and quantification of HGA and MCPA‐carnitine in horse serum and will be helpful to further study the association between HGA/MCPA and AM.
Evaluation of markers out of the steroid profile for the screening of testosterone misuse. Part I: Transdermal administration
Authors: Kotronoulas Aristotelis , Gomez‐Gómez Àlex , Fabregat Andreu , Segura Jordi , Yang Sheng , Xing Yanyi , Moutian Wu , Marcos Josep , Joglar Jesús , Ventura Rosa , Pozo Oscar J. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAlthough the introduction by the World Anti‐Doping Agency (WADA) of the steroid module of the athlete biological passport (ABP) marked an important step forward in the screening of testosterone (T) misuse, it still remains one of the most difficult challenges in doping control analysis. The urinary determination of alternative markers has been recently reported as a promising tool for improving the screening of T oral administration. However, their evaluation for other, commonly used, administration routes is still required. The main goal of this study is the evaluation of the potential of 2 groups of metabolites (cysteinyl conjugated and glucuronoconjugated) after transdermal and intramuscular administration of T. Their suitability was evaluated in individuals with both low basal (L‐T/E) and medium basal (M‐T/E) values of T/E. In this Part I, we evaluated the urinary excretion profile of these 2 groups of T metabolites after the administration of 3 doses of T gel to 12 volunteers (6 L‐T/E and 6 M‐T/E) for 3 consecutive days. For this purpose, 9 different concentration ratios (5 cysteinyl conjugated and 4 glucuronoconjugated markers) were studied. Both, the intra‐individual variability and the detection windows (DW) obtained by each ratio were evaluated. Cysteinyl conjugates showed a general low intra‐individual variability and DWs that were shorter than any other tested marker. Despite the relatively large intra‐individual variability, the DWs reached by glucuronoconjugates (2–3 days) were similar to those obtained by markers currently included in the ABP. Overall; this evaluation advises for the introduction of additional glucuronoconjugated markers in the screening of transdermal T administration.
High level of sperm competition may increase transfer of accessory gland products carried by the love dart of land snails
Authors: Lodi Monica , Staikou Alexandra , Janssen Ruben , Koene Joris M. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractPostcopulatory adaptations that increase reproductive success compared to rivals, like the transfer of accessory gland products that promote paternity, are common when sperm competition occurs among males. In land snails, the dart shooting behavior and its adaptive significance, in promoting individual fitness through enhanced paternity of the successful dart shooter, have been considered such an adaptation. The fitness result gained is mediated by the transfer of mucus components on the love dart capable of altering the physiology of the receiver's reproductive tract. In this context, dart shooting and mucus transfer could be considered as processes targeted by sexual selection. While the effect of dart mucus is beneficial for the dart user, so far it has remained unknown whether its transport is greater when snails experience a higher level of sperm competition. Here, we report results of a study on inter‐ and intraspecific variations of dart and mucus gland morphometry, considered to be traits reflecting the ability of snails to adjust the production and transfer of mucus under varying sperm competition scenarios. We investigated four populations with different densities from four dart‐bearing species, Arianta arbustorum, Cepaea nemoralis, Cornu aspersum, and Helix lucorum. The results indicate that different adaptations of these traits occur among the studied species that all seem to achieve the same goal of transferring more mucus when sperm competition is higher. For example, the presence of longer and more branched mucous glands or an increase in dart surface most likely reflect increased mucus production and enhanced ability of mucus transport, respectively. Interestingly, the species for which the use of the dart is reported to be facultative, A. arbustorum, did not show any variation among the examined traits. To conclude, sexual selection in the form of sperm competition intensity seems to be an important selective force for these simultaneously hermaphroditic dart‐bearing snails, driving differences in sexual traits.
Variation in range size and dispersal capabilities of microbial taxa
Authors: Choudoir Mallory J. , Barberán Albert , Menninger Holly L. , Dunn Rob R. , Fierer Noah 
Published: November 2017

AbstractGeographic range size can span orders of magnitude for plant and animal species, with the study of why range sizes vary having preoccupied biogeographers for decades. In contrast, there have been few comparable studies of how range size varies across microbial taxa and what traits may be associated with this variation. We determined the range sizes of 74,134 bacterial and archaeal taxa found in settled dust collected from 1,065 locations across the United States. We found that most microorganisms have small ranges and few have large ranges, a pattern similar to the range size distributions commonly observed for macrobes. However, contrary to expectations, those microbial taxa that were locally abundant did not necessarily have larger range sizes. The observed differences in microbial range sizes were generally predictable from taxonomic identity, phenotypic traits, genomic attributes, and habitat preferences, findings that provide insight into the factors shaping patterns of microbial biogeography.
Relationship between heart failure, concurrent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and beta‐blocker use: a Danish nationwide cohort study
Authors: Sessa Maurizio , Mascolo Annamaria , Mortensen Rikke Nørmark , Andersen Mikkel Porsborg , Rosano Giuseppe Massimo Claudio , Capuano Annalisa , Rossi Francesco , Gislason Gunnar , Enghusen‐Poulsen Henrik , Torp‐Pedersen Christian 
Published: November 2017

AimsTo compare the hazard of all‐cause, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart failure (HF) hospitalization in carvedilol vs. metoprolol/bisoprolol/nebivolol users with COPD and concurrent HF from 2009 to 2012, and to evaluate the use and persistence in treatment of these β‐blockers, their impact on the risk of COPD‐related hospitalization, and the factors important for their selection.Methods and resultsCox and logistic regression were used for both unadjusted and adjusted analyses. Carvedilol users had a higher hazard of being hospitalized for HF compared with metoprolol/bisoprolol/nebivolol users in both the unadjusted [hazard ratio (HR) 1.74; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.65–1.83] and adjusted (HR 1.61; 95% CI 1.52–1.70) analyses. No significant differences were found for all‐cause and COPD hospitalization between the two groups. Carvedilol users had a significant lower restricted mean persistence time than metoprolol/bisoprolol/nebivolol users. Patients exposed to carvedilol had an odds ratio (OR) of 1.38 (95% CI 1.23–1.56) for being hospitalized due to COPD within 60 days after redeeming the first carvedilol prescription, which was similar to that observed in metoprolol/bisoprolol/nebivolol users (OR 1.37; 95% CI 1.27–1.48). Patients with concurrent chronic kidney disease had a higher probability of receiving carvedilol (OR 1.16; 95% CI 1.04–1.29).ConclusionCarvedilol prescription carried an increased hazard of HF hospitalization and lower restricted mean persistence time among patients with COPD and concurrent HF. Additionally, we found a widespread phenomenon of carvedilol prescription at variance with the European Society of Cardiology guidelines and potential for improving the proportion of patients treated with β‐blockers.
Systolic blood pressure and cardiovascular outcomes in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: an analysis of the TOPCAT trial
Authors: Selvaraj Senthil , Claggett Brian , Shah Sanjiv J. , Anand Inder , Rouleau Jean L. , Desai Akshay S. , Lewis Eldrin F. , Pitt Bertram , Sweitzer Nancy K. , Pfeffer Marc A. , Solomon Scott D. 
Published: November 2017

AimsRecent guidelines have advocated for stricter systolic blood pressure (SBP) control in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), though data regarding the optimal SBP in HFpEF are sparse.Methods and resultsWe analysed participants from the Americas from the Treatment of Preserved Cardiac Function Heart Failure with an Aldosterone Antagonist (TOPCAT) study with available baseline and 8‐week visit SBP data (n = 1645). We related baseline SBP to several efficacy and safety outcomes. To determine whether blood pressure lowering was responsible for the potential beneficial effects of spironolactone observed in the Americas, we assessed the randomized treatment adjusting for baseline and change in 8‐week SBP. The average age was 71.7 ± 9.7 years, 50% were women, and 79% were White. Patients in the lowest baseline SBP quartile were less often female, more often White, had lower body mass index, lower baseline diastolic blood pressure and pulse pressure, and more often had atrial fibrillation. After multivariable adjustment, there was no relationship observed between baseline SBP quartiles and any outcome. Spironolactone reduced SBP by 4.4 ± 0.6 mmHg compared with placebo (and consistently across baseline SBP quartiles). There was minimal change in the treatment effect for all outcomes after adjusting for baseline SBP and 8‐week change in SBP.ConclusionNo relationship was observed between baseline SBP quartiles and outcomes in TOPCAT. The anti‐hypertensive effects of spironolactone did not account for the potential benefit in cardiovascular outcomes in the Americas.
Influence of Polymorphism on the Solid Fat Content Determined by FID Deconvolution
Authors: Declerck Arnout , Nelis Veronique , Rimaux Tom , Dewettinck Koen , Van der Meeren Paul 
Published: November 2017

One of the most important quality parameters of a fat, is its solid fat content (SFC). The standard method to determine the SFC is pNMR using a f‐factor. This factor is determined with three standards. However, this contribution shows that SFC standards are not required when using deconvolution methods. At first, data acquisition is optimized. These experiments revealed that the deconvolution method worked better, if more sample is present in the detection zone of the NMR, due to a higher signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR). Regarding deconvolution, a bi‐Gaussian model and a model combining a Gaussian and Abragamian function are compared. Both models are able to fit the free induction decay (FID) data. Furthermore, the corresponding SFC values are comparable with the SFC values of the f‐factor method when analyzing SFC standards or fats which are preprocessed using the AOCS tempering protocol. Upon evaluating the influence of the polymorphic states of cocoa butter, it became clear that the f‐factor standards resemble fats containing α‐polymorphs. As a further consequence, the f‐factor method fails when β‐polymorphs are present to a large extent. Overall this study shows that the deconvolution method is superior to the f‐factor method since it does not require any standards and is less affected by the polymorphic state.Practical Applications: This work shows that the solid fat content (SFC) of a fat can be calculated without the use of calibration standards. If deconvolution would replace the standard used pNMR method, it could potentially reduce the preparation time for the measurements, because no calibration is necessary. Next to this, it also lowers the cost of SFC determination, because no standards should be bought. Deconvolution also gives insight in the behavior of the different components present in the sample, for example, T2‐values. There above, research toward deconvolution of pNMR signals is necessary as it could potentially also determine the presence of different fat crystal polymorphs present in samples.One of the most important quality parameters of a fat, is its solid fat content (SFC). The standard method to determine the SFC is pNMR using a f‐factor. However, this contribution shows that SFC standards are not requires when using deconvolution methods. At first, data acquisition is optimized. These experiments revealed that the deconvolution method worked better, if more sample is present in the detection zone of the NMR, due to a higher signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR). Regarding deconvolution, a bi‐Gaussian model and a model combining a Gaussian and Abragamian function are compared. Both models are able to fit the free induction decay (FID) data.
Current evidence of cannabinoid‐based analgesia obtained in preclinical and human experimental settings
Authors: Lötsch J. , Weyer‐Menkhoff I. , Tegeder I. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractCannabinoids have a long record of recreational and medical use and become increasingly approved for pain therapy. This development is based on preclinical and human experimental research summarized in this review. Cannabinoid CB1 receptors are widely expressed throughout the nociceptive system. Their activation by endogenous or exogenous cannabinoids modulates the release of neurotransmitters. This is reflected in antinociceptive effects of cannabinoids in preclinical models of inflammatory, cancer and neuropathic pain, and by nociceptive hypersensitivity of cannabinoid receptor‐deficient mice. Cannabis‐based medications available for humans mainly comprise Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD) and nabilone. During the last 10 years, six controlled studies assessing analgesic effects of cannabinoid‐based drugs in human experimental settings were reported. An effect on nociceptive processing could be translated to the human setting in functional magnetic resonance imaging studies that pointed at a reduced connectivity within the pain matrix of the brain. However, cannabinoid‐based drugs heterogeneously influenced the perception of experimentally induced pain including a reduction in only the affective but not the sensory perception of pain, only moderate analgesic effects, or occasional hyperalgesic effects. This extends to the clinical setting. While controlled studies showed a lack of robust analgesic effects, cannabis was nearly always associated with analgesia in open‐label or retrospective reports, possibly indicating an effect on well‐being or mood, rather than on sensory pain. Thus, while preclinical evidence supports cannabinoid‐based analgesics, human evidence presently provides only reluctant support for a broad clinical use of cannabinoid‐based medications in pain therapy.SignificanceCannabinoids consistently produced antinociceptive effects in preclinical models, whereas they heterogeneously influenced the perception of experimentally induced pain in humans and did not provide robust clinical analgesia, which jeopardizes the translation of preclinical research on cannabinoid‐mediated antinociception into the human setting.
Effects of a psychosocial intervention programme combined with exercise in community‐dwelling older adults with chronic pain: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Hirase T. , Kataoka H. , Nakano J. , Inokuchi S. , Sakamoto J. , Okita M. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBackgroundAlthough researchers have recommended exercise training and psychosocial intervention to manage chronic pain, an effective intervention for Japanese community‐dwelling older adults with chronic pain has not been established. This randomized controlled trial examined whether exercise training combined with psychosocial intervention more effectively improves pain, psychological status and physical activity than does exercise training alone in this population.MethodsWe randomized 128 older adults with chronic pain to either an intervention group (n = 64) involving exercise training combined with psychosocial intervention, or a control group (n = 64) involving only exercise training. Exercise training comprised weekly 60‐min sessions for 12 weeks. Psychosocial intervention involved changing participants' focus on pain using self‐management education and cognitive behavioural therapy, and participants recorded their daily pain intensity and step counts. Pain intensity, psychological status and physical activity were assessed before and 12 weeks after the intervention.ResultsA time‐by‐group interaction emerged for psychological status (p = 0.003) and physical activity (p < 0.001), both favouring the intervention group. The intervention group also showed greater improvement in pain intensity at 12 weeks than did the control group (p = 0.007).ConclusionsExercise training combined with psychosocial intervention improves key outcome indicators more effectively than does exercise training alone in older adults with chronic pain.SignificanceAlthough research has shown that combined exercise and psychosocial intervention is optimal for managing chronic pain, our study is the first, to the best of our knowledge, to test a specific intervention of this type in community‐dwelling older adults with chronic pain in Japan.
Constructing and contesting threat: Representations of white British Muslims across British national and Muslim newspapers
Authors: Amer Amena , Howarth Caroline 
Published: November 2017

AbstractWhite British Muslims pose a challenge to racialised representations of British Muslims as non‐white, foreign and Other. By drawing on tools from Critical Discourse Analysis to develop Social Representations Theory on a micro‐analytic level, and making connections with other relevant social psychological theories on intergroup relations, this article examines the constructions of white British Muslims as a threat in six national and two Muslim British newspapers. It looks at how discourses are used to create, perpetuate and challenge the ‘hegemonisation’ of social representations in majority and minority press. The findings show that white British Muslims are portrayed as a threat not just despite of, but because of, their position as part of the ‘white British’ ingroup. Consequently, the threat they pose often leads to their Muslimness being emphasised. This was, at times, contested, however, either through direct challenges, or by making the threat ambivalent by drawing on their whiteness.
On the sum of ordered random variables and its applications to physical‐layer security of communication over η‐μ fading channels with generalized selection combining
Authors: Peppas Kostas P. , Alexandropoulos George C. , Mathiopoulos P. Takis , Yang Jing 
Published: November 2017

AbstractOrder statistics have attracted the interest of the research community since they find numerous applications in several areas of communications and signal processing fields. This paper introduces an approximate yet accurate approach to determine the statistics of the sum of ordered independent but not necessarily identically distributed η‐μ random variables, which is an accurate model in a generic non–line‐of‐sight propagation environment. The proposed method is used to assess the secrecy performance of wiretap η‐μ fading channels employing generalized selection combining (GSC) diversity. We consider the case of GSC(L,2L), where L branches with the largest instantaneous signal‐to‐noise‐ratio (SNR) values, from a total of 2L available branches, are selected. By introducing a novel modified cascade combining receiver structure whose output SNR statistics closely approximate that of GSC(L,2L), a simple and accurate closed‐form approximation for the moment generating function of the GSC(L,2L) output SNR is derived. This expression is further employed to evaluate the secrecy outage probability and the secrecy capacity of a wiretap channel consisting of a single‐antenna transmitter, a multiantenna receiver, and a multiantenna eavesdropper. Using the proposed analytical approach, various numerical performance evaluation results accompanied with complementary Monte Carlo simulations are further presented. These results have shown that the proposed approach is accurate over the entire range of SNR values, thus enabling a low‐complexity computation of important performance metrics.