bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
New psychoactive substances: Purchasing and supply patterns in Australia
Authors: Sutherland Rachel , Bruno Raimondo , Peacock Amy , Dietze Paul , Breen Courtney , Burns Lucinda , Barratt Monica J. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the purchasing and supply patterns of new psychoactive substance (NPS) consumers in Australia.MethodData were obtained from a self‐selected sample of 296 past‐year NPS consumers, with comparisons made across dimethyltryptamine (n = 104), 2C‐x (n = 59), NBOMe (n = 27), and synthetic cannabinoid (n = 22) users.ResultsMost consumers (58%) nominated a friend as their main NPS source, and almost half (46%) reported that they had supplied NPS to others in the past year (predominantly “social supply”). However, when comparisons were made across NPS, NBOMe users were more likely to nominate a dealer (30%) or online marketplace (22%) as their main source and to report: supplying NPS to others (63%); supplying to strangers (29%) and acquaintances (24%); and supplying NPS for cash profit (29%).Similarly, NPS consumers who nominated online markets as their main NPS source (9%; n = 26) were more likely to have supplied NPS to others (risk ratio [RR] 1.57); supplied to strangers (RR 6.05) and acquaintances (RR 12.11); sold NPS for cash profit (RR 4.36); and to have exchanged NPS for something else (RR 3.27) than those who reported alternative primary sources.ConclusionNBOMe consumers and those who nominated online markets as their main NPS source reported greater engagement with for‐profit supply; it is unclear if these individuals have “drifted” into dealing or if they were already engaged in such activities.
Novel psychoactive substance consumption is more represented in bipolar disorder than in psychotic disorders: A multicenter‐observational study
Authors: Acciavatti Tiziano , Lupi Matteo , Santacroce Rita , Aguglia Andrea , Attademo Luigi , Bandini Laura , Ciambrone Paola , Lisi Giulia , Migliarese Giovanni , Pinna Federica , Quattrone Diego , Ribolsi Michele , Signorelli Maria Salvina , Calò Salvatore , Schifano Fabrizio , di Giannantonio Massimo , Martinotti Giovanni 
Published: May 2017

AbstractObjectiveComorbidities between psychiatric diseases and use of traditional substances of abuse are common. Nevertheless, there are few data regarding the use of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) among psychiatric patients. Aim of this multicentre survey is to investigate the consumption of a number of psychoactive substances in a young psychiatric sample.MethodsBetween December 2013 and September 2015, a questionnaire was administered in 10 Italian psychiatric care facilities to a sample of 671 patients, aged 18–26 (mean age 22.24; SD 2.87).ResultsAbout 8.2% of the sample declared to have used NPS at least once, and 2.2% had consumed NPS in the previous 3 months. The three psychiatric diagnoses most frequently associated with NPS use were bipolar disorder (23.1%), personality disorders (11.8%), and schizophrenia and related disorders (11.6%). In univariate regression analysis, bipolar disorder was positively associated with NPS consumption, an association that did not reach statistical significance in the multivariate analysis.ConclusionsThe use of NPS in a young psychiatric population appears to be frequent, and probably still underestimated. Bipolar disorder shows an association with NPS use. Careful and constant monitoring and an accurate evaluation of possible clinical effects related to NPS use are necessary.
CANFIS based glioma brain tumor classification and retrieval system for tumor diagnosis
Authors: Sivakumar P. , Ganeshkumar P. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBrain tumor classification and retrieval system plays an important role in medical field. In this paper, an efficient Glioma Brain Tumor detection and its retrieval system is proposed. The proposed methodology consists of two modules as classification and retrieval. The classification modules are designed using preprocessing, feature extraction and tumor detection techniques using Co‐Active Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Inference System (CANFIS) classifier. The image enhancement can be achieved using Heuristic histogram equalization technique as preprocessing and further texture features as Local Ternary Pattern (LTP) features and Grey Level Co‐occurrence Matrix (GLCM) features are extracted from the enhanced image. These features are used to classify the brain image into normal and abnormal using CANFIS classifier. The tumor region in abnormal brain image is segmented using normalized graph cut segmentation algorithm. The retrieval module is used to retrieve the similar segmented tumor regions from the dataset for diagnosing the tumor region using Euclidean algorithm. The proposed Glioma Brain tumor classification methodology achieves 97.28% sensitivity, 98.16% specificity and 99.14% accuracy. The proposed retrieval system achieves 97.29% precision and 98.16% recall rate with respect to ground truth images.
Brightness preserving bi‐level fuzzy histogram equalization for MRI brain image contrast enhancement
Authors: Magudeeswaran V. , Ravichandran C. G. , Thirumurugan P. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractIn this article, brightness preserving bi‐level fuzzy histogram equalization (BPFHE) is proposed for the contrast enhancement of MRI brain images. Histogram equalization (HE) is widely used for improving the contrast in digital images. As a result, such image creates side‐effects such as washed‐out appearance and false contouring due to the significant change in brightness. In order to overcome these problems, mean brightness preserving HE based techniques have been proposed. Generally, these methods partition the histogram of the original image into sub histograms and then independently equalize each sub‐histogram. The BPFHE consists of two stages. First, fuzzy histogram is computed based on fuzzy set theory to handle the inexactness of gray level values in a better way compared to classical crisp histograms. In the second stage, the fuzzy histogram is divided into two sub‐histograms based on the mean intensities of the multi‐peaks in the original image and then equalizes them independently to preserve image brightness. The quantitative and subjective enhancement of proposed BPBFHE algorithm is evaluated using two well known parameters like entropy or average information contents (AIC) and Feature Similarity Index Matrix (FSIM) for different gray scale images. The proposed method have been tested using several images and gives better visual quality as compared to the conventional methods. The simulation results show that the proposed method has better performance than the existing methods, and preserve the original brightness quite well, so that it is possible to be utilized in medical image diagnosis.
Intrinsic fluorescence and mechanical testing of articular cartilage in human patients with osteoarthritis
Authors: Padilla‐Martinez Juan Pablo , Lewis William , Ortega‐Martinez Antonio , Franco Walfre 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe degeneration of articular cartilage is the main cause of osteoarthritis (OA), a common cause of disability among elderly patients. The aim of this study is to understand the correlation between intrinsic fluorescence of articular cartilage and its biomechanical properties in patients with osteoarthritis. Cylindrical samples of articular cartilage 6 mm in diameter were extracted via biopsy punch from the femoral condyles of 6 patients with advanced OA undergoing knee replacement surgery. The mechanical stiffness and fluorescence of each cartilage plug were measured by indentation test and spectrofluorometry. Maps of fluorescence intensity, at excitation/emission wavelengths of 240–520/290‐530 nm, were used to identify wavelengths of interest. The mechanical stiffness and fluorescence intensity were correlated using a Spearman analysis. The excitation/emission maps demonstrated three fluorescence peaks at excitation/emission wavelength pairs 330/390, 350/430 and 370/460 nm. The best correlation between the fluorescence intensity and stiffness of cartilage was obtained for the 330 nm excitation band [R=0.82, p=0.04]. The intrinsic fluorescence of articular cartilage may have application in optically assessing the state of cartilage in patients with osteoarthritis.magnified image
Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor Type‐1 as a Regulator of Fibrosis
Authors: Rabieian Reyhaneh , Boshtam Maryam , Zareei Mahshid , Kouhpayeh Shirin , Masoudifar Aria , Mirzaei Hamed 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACTFibrosis is known as a frequent and irreversible pathological condition which is associated with organ failure. Tissue fibrosis is a central process in a variety of chronic progressive diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and persistent inflammation. This state could contribute to chronic injury and the initiation of tissue repair. Fibrotic disorders represent abnormal wound healing with defective matrix turnover and clearance that lead to excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix components. A variety of identified growth factors, cytokines, and persistently activated myofibroblasts have critical roles in the pathogenesis of fibrosis. Irrespective of etiology, the transforming growth factor‐β pathway is the major driver of fibrotic response. Plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 (PAI‐1) is a crucial downstream target of this pathway. Transforming growth factor‐β positively regulates PAI‐1 gene expression via two main pathways including Smad‐mediated canonical and non‐canonical pathways. Overexpression of PAI‐1 reduces extracellular matrix degradation via perturbing the plasminogen activation system. Indeed, elevated PAI‐1 levels inhibit proteolytic activity of tissue plasminogen activator and urokinase plasminogen activator which could contribute to a variety of inflammatory elements in the injury site and to excessive matrix deposition. This review summarizes the current knowledge of critical pathways that regulate PAI‐1 gene expression and suggests effective approaches for the treatment of fibrotic disease. J. Cell. Biochem. 119: 17–27, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Description of embryonic development and ultrastructure in miracidia of Cardiocephaloides longicollis (Digenea, Strigeidae) in relation to active host finding strategy in a marine environment
Authors: Born‐Torrijos Ana , Holzer Astrid S. , Raga Juan A. , van Beest Gabrielle S. , Yoneva Aneta 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe functional ultrastructure and embryonic development of miracidia in naturally released eggs of the trematode Cardiocephaloides longicollis were studied using light and transmission electron microscopy. This species has operculated eggs and embryogenesis occurs in the marine environment before an actively infecting ciliated miracidium hatches. Six different developmental stages were identified. The lack of pores in the eggshell indicates its impermeability and the miracidium's dependency on glycogen nutritive reserves, contained in numerous vitellocytes in early embryos. As the development advances, these merge into larger vitelline vacuoles that encircle the miracidium and may aid its hatching. Tissue and primary organ differentiation were observed in advanced stages, i.e., terebratorium, glands, cerebral ganglion, peripheral sensory endings, and eyespots. The anterior part of the body contains a single apical and paired lateral glands, as well as two types of sensory endings, which permit location, adhesion, and penetration of the host. No previous studies describe the embryonic development and ultrastructure of miracidia in strigeids, however, some of the structural features shared with other, well described species with unknown life cycles are emphasised. This study highlights that ultrastructural data have to be interpreted in relation to parasite biology to understand the structural requirements of specific parasite strategies.
The petrosal and bony labyrinth of Diplobune minor, an enigmatic Artiodactyla from the Oligocene of Western Europe
Authors: Orliac Maeva J. , Araújo Ricardo , Lihoreau Fabrice 
Published: May 2017

AbstractAnoplotheriinae are Paleogene European artiodactyls that present a unique postcranial morphology with a tridactyl autopodium and uncommon limb orientation. This peculiar morphology led to various hypotheses regarding anoplotheriine locomotion from semiaquatic to partly arboreal or partly bipedal. The petrosal bone, housing the organs of balance, and hearing, offers complementary information to postcranial morphology on the ecology of this uncommon artiodactyl. Here, we investigate the middle ear and bony labyrinth of the small anoplotheriine Diplobune minor based on four specimens from the Early Oligocene locality of Itardies (Quercy, France). A macroscopic study coupled with a μCT scan investigation of the petrosal anatomy provides novel information on the bony labyrinth, stapes, and innervation and vasculature of the inner ear of this enigmatic taxon. The petrosal of D. minor exhibits a mosaic of plesiomorphic characters and peculiar features that shed new light into the anatomy of this poorly studied taxon of an obscure taxonomic clade. We can confidently reject that D. minor was a semiaquatic species based on the petrosal morphology: presence of a large mastoid process and nonpachyostotic tegmen tympani do not support underwater hearing. On the other hand, the average semicircular canal radius points to a slow or medium slow agility for D. minor, and fully rejects it was a fast moving animal, which is congruent with its postcranial anatomy.
Clasper morphology of skates of the tribe Riorajini (Chondrichthyes: Rajiformes: Arhynchobatidae) and its systematic significance
Authors: Moreira Renan A. , Gomes Ulisses L. , de Carvalho Marcelo R. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractClaspers of adult specimens of the skate tribe Riorajini, family Arhynchobatidae, comprising Atlantoraja and Rioraja, are described, compared, and systematically reinterpreted based on material collected off southeastern and southern Brazil. For the first time the external components and musculature of the clasper of members of this tribe are described and related to internal (skeletal) structures. The component pecten is present in all species of Atlantoraja but absent in Rioraja. The new external component grip, an autapomorphy of A. cyclophora fully developed in adults, is described. Rioraja presents dorsal terminals 1 and 2, ventral marginal distally extended and ventral terminal cartilages. Dorsal terminals 1 and 2, ventral marginal distally extended, accessory terminals 2 and 3, and ventral terminal cartilages occur in Atlantoraja. A new interpretation of the ventral marginal distally extended is discussed. The dorsal terminal 1 of Atlantoraja has an inverted U shape but is triangular in Rioraja. The accessory terminal 2 cartilage is reported for the first time in Atlantoraja cyclophora. The accessory terminal 3 is present only in A. platana and A. cyclophora, and absent in Rioraja and A. castelnaui. Many of our findings concerning the clasper skeleton do not agree with previous interpretations. The arrangement, distribution and systematic significance of many of the terminal clasper components are discussed among rajoids.
Connections between north‐central United States summer hydroclimatology and Arctic sea ice variability
Authors: Budikova Dagmar , Ford Trent W. , Ballinger Thomas J. 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACTArctic sea ice has been shrinking at unprecedented rates over the past three decades. These cryospheric changes have coincided with greater incidence of global extreme weather conditions, including increased severity and frequency of summer heatwaves and extreme rainfall events. Recent studies identify potential physical mechanisms related to Rossby wave and resonance theories that may attribute the observed changes in extreme summer weather patterns to Arctic sea ice decline. This study explores the linkages between summer Arctic sea ice variability and hydroclimate of the north‐central United States (US) during the 1979 to 2013 period. Since 1979, summers with low sea ice conditions have coincided with significant increases in mean, minimum, maximum, and dew point air temperatures. Also apparent are increases in seasonal precipitation, the number of wet days, heavy (>95th percentile) precipitation days, and accumulated precipitation over the region. These moisture changes coincide with atmospheric patterns typically observed during anomalously wet summers, known to prompt flooding across the Upper Mississippi River Valley (UMRV) region. Low sea ice summers have coincided with (1) enhanced southerly air flow and increased activity of the Great Plains Low Level Jet (GPLLJ) over the study area, (2) increased occurrence of moist tropical air masses over the UMRV region, and (3) amplified 500 hPa flow over the Pacific‐North American region with a ridge situated over the central‐eastern portions of the North American continent emanating from Greenland and the central Arctic basin. The results suggest summer Arctic sea ice variability has been associated with recent hydroclimate anomalies of the north‐central United States and the UMRV region and add to our growing knowledge of the connections between a changing Arctic environment and concurrent mid‐latitude climate variability.
Practical Chain‐End Reduction of Polymers Obtained with ATRP
Authors: Gutekunst Will R. , Anastasaki Athina , Lunn David J. , Truong Nghia P. , Whitfield Richard , Jones Glen R. , Treat Nicolas J. , Abdilla Allison , Barton Bryan E. , Clark Paul G. , Haddleton David M. , Davis Thomas P. , Hawker Craig J. 
Published: May 2017

A practical and user‐friendly strategy for the chain‐end reduction of halogen terminated polymers that employs hydrogen gas and heterogeneous catalysis (palladium on carbon) is reported. Quantitative dehalogenation of a wide variety of monomer families (polystyrenes, polyacrylates, and polymethacrylates) with either chlorine or bromine chain‐ends is observed. The utility of this chain‐end reduction is further highlighted by mild reaction conditions, simple purification, and compatibility with a wide range of solvents.
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Capabilities and limitations of DGGE for the analysis of hydrocarbonoclastic prokaryotic communities directly in environmental samples
Authors: Al‐Mailem Dina M. , Kansour Mayada K. , Radwan Samir S. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractProkaryotic communities in pristine and oil‐contaminated desert soil, seawater, and hypersaline coastal soil were analyzed using culture‐dependent and culture‐independent approaches. The former technique was the dilution‐plating method. For the latter, total genomic DNA was extracted and the 16S rRNA genes were amplified using a universal bacterial primer pair and primer pairs specific for Actinobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, and Archaea. The amplicons were resolved using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and sequenced, and the sequences were compared to those in GenBank. The plating method offered the advantages of capturing the targeted hydrocarbonoclastic microorganisms, counting them and providing cultures for further study. However, this technique could not capture more than a total of 15 different prokaryotic taxa. Those taxa belonged predominantly to the genera Alcanivorax, Pseudoxanthomonas, Bosea, Halomonas, and Marinobacter. The individual isolates in culture consumed between 19 and 50% of the available crude oil in 10 days. Although the culture‐independent approach revealed much more microbial diversity, it was not problem‐free. The subdivision primers exhibited satisfactory specificity, but they failed to capture all the available taxa. The universal bacterial primer pair ignored Actinobacteria altogether, although the primer pair specific for Actinobacteria captured many of them, for example, the genera Geodermatophilus, Streptomyces, Mycobacterium, Pontimonas, Rhodococcus, Blastococcus, Kocuria, and many others. Because most researchers worldwide use universal primers for PCR, this finding should be considered critically to avoid misleading interpretations.
Early presentation of osteonecrosis in acute lymphoblastic leukemia: Two children from the Nordic and Baltic cohort
Authors: Mogensen Signe Sloth , Harila‐Saari Arja , Frandsen Thomas Leth , Lähteenmäki Päivi , Castor Anders , Kohonen Ia , Schmiegelow Kjeld , Mäkitie Outi 
Published: May 2017

AbstractOsteonecrosis (ON) is usually considered treatment related in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). We report two patients with presentation of ON at the time of ALL diagnosis. Both were females and diagnosed with ALL at age 8 and 14 years. In the latter, some symptoms and radiologically verified ON in both knees were still present after the end of ALL therapy. No pediatric patients have previously been reported with ON presenting before initiation of ALL therapy.
Synthesis of acidic vinylcyclopropanes for dental applications
Authors: Catel Yohann , Fässler Pascal , Fischer Urs , Pesch Carmen , Pruvost Chloé , Tauscher Sven , Moszner Norbert 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe multistep synthesis of four new acidic vinylcyclopropanes is described. These monomers were fully characterized using 1H NMR, 13C NMR and 31P NMR spectroscopy and high‐resolution mass spectrometry. The homopolymerization of the corresponding polymerizable di‐tert‐butyl phosphates as well as the copolymerization of each acidic monomer with 1,1‐diethoxycarbonyl‐2‐vinylcyclopropane were investigated using photo‐differential scanning calorimetry with bis(4‐methoxybenzoyl)diethylgermane as photoinitiator. Self‐etch adhesives based on the synthesized acidic vinylcyclopropanes are able to achieve a strong bond between a dental composite and both dentin and enamel. Flowable composites containing these acidic vinylcyclopropanes exhibit good mechanical properties. The replacement of methacrylates by vinylcyclopropanes leads to a significant reduction of the shrinkage stress of flowable composites. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Experimental investigation of the influence of joint connection details between existing buildings and added new frames on failure mode of retrofitted slabs for the vertical expansion of old buildings: Part II
Authors: Kim Jisoon , Hong Won‐Kee , Yun Yeo‐jin 
Published: May 2017

SummaryDismantling entire existing buildings can be circumvented by adding additional frames to provide more residence, thus avoiding the need to reconstruct buildings. The alternatives are to construct new frames on old apartment buildings in order to avoid entirely dismantling existing buildings. The conventional wall frames for super structures added onto existing buildings are replaced by frames consisting of composite beams and steel columns to minimize beam depth and weight of the load from the added frames. This paper studied joint connection types for the rehabilitation of old buildings to withstand lateral loads. Details of the joints between newly added steel columns and existing slabs are presented in this paper. The structural behaviors of anchored joints between the new 3‐story composite frames and an existing 15‐floor building were significantly investigated through extensive experiments. Complex failure modes were identified based on the test of the wall foundation types and the anchor types connecting the base plates to existing slabs. The authors previously reported that the flexural load‐bearing capacity of slabs was the dominant load‐resisting capacity. The column–slab joint connections introduced with experimental demonstrations in this study are expected to contribute to enhancing the lateral capacity of the extended buildings.