bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Homogeneous Water Oxidation by Half‐Sandwich Iridium(III) N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes with Pendant Hydroxy and Amino Groups
Authors: Mahanti Bani , González Miera Greco , Martínez‐Castro Elisa , Bedin Michele , Martín‐Matute Belén , Ott Sascha , Thapper Anders 
Published: September 2017

AbstractHerein, we report three IrIIICp* complexes with hydroxy‐ or amino‐functionalized N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands that catalyze efficient water oxidation induced by addition of ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN). The pendant hydroxy or amino groups are very important for activity, and the complexes with heteroatom‐functionalized NHC ligands show up to 15 times higher rates of oxygen evolution in CAN‐induced water oxidation than a reference IrIIICp* complex without heteroatom functionalization. The formation of molecular high‐valent Ir intermediates that are presumably involved in the rate‐determining step for water oxidation is established by UV/Vis spectroscopy and ESI‐MS under turnover conditions. The hydroxy groups on the NHC ligands, as well as chloride ligands on the iridium center are proposed to structurally stabilize the high‐valent species, and thereby improve the catalytic activity. The IrIII complex with a hydroxy‐functionalized NHC shows the highest catalytic activity with a TON of 2500 obtained in 3 h and with >90 % yield relative to the amount of oxidant used.
Cognitive–behavioral therapy for eating disorders in primary care settings: Does it work, and does a greater dose make it more effective?
Authors: Rose Charlotte , Waller Glenn 
Published: September 2017

AbstractObjectiveThis study aimed to determine whether cognitive–behavioral therapy (CBT) for eating disorders can be effective in a routine, primary care clinical setting, and to assess dose response.MethodThe participants were 47 patients who commenced treatment with a publicly‐funded primary care eating disorder service. They attended 7–33 sessions of individual CBT (mean = 17), using an evidence‐based approach. Routine measures were collected pre‐ and post‐therapy.ResultsThree‐quarters of the patients completed treatment. Using intention to treat analysis (multiple imputation), the patients showed substantial improvements in eating attitudes, bulimic behaviors, and depression. However, there was no association between the level of improvement and the length of therapy past the 8th to 12th session.DiscussionThe level of effectiveness shown here is comparable to that previously demonstrated by more specialist services in secondary and tertiary care. The nonlinear association between number of sessions and recovery highlights the importance of early change, across the eating disorders.
Resiliency in masting systems: Do evolved seed escape strategies benefit an endangered pine?
Authors: Peters Vernon S. , Gelderman Matthew S. , Visscher Darcy R. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractSatiation of predispersal seed predators by mast years has been demonstrated in many intact ecosystems. When disease causes mortality of seed‐bearing trees in an ecosystem, the abundance of food sources may alter seed predator behavior and abundance, and the ecosystem services derived from mutualistic seed dispersers. We used the endangered limber pine (Pinus flexilis) to examine whether the benefits of interannual variation in cone production vary depending on the severity of white pine blister rust (Cronartium ribicola) infections, the abundance of seed predator populations, and stand characteristics. We compared infection level, cone production, cone predation, and abundance of red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) in 17 stands over two mast years and two nonmast years. Stands were selected from a southern and northern ecosystem within Alberta's montane ecoregion, with varying forest composition and history of blister rust infection. Considerable variability in interannual cone production, and proportionately greater cone escape (those remaining in stands) in the 2010 mast year led to 10 times greater cone escape overall in the mast year than in nonmast years. Model selection using Akaike's information criterion (AIC) suggests that both cone escape and proportion cone escape from seed predators depended primarily on temporal variability in cone production among mast vs. nonmast years, basal area of canopy trees within stands, squirrel abundance, and ecosystem differences. Several two‐way and three‐way interactions between masting, ecosystems, and predator abundance were selected by AIC for inclusion into the best model of the a priori candidate set for both the cone escape model and proportion cone escape model. Our study suggests that masting confers temporal resiliency in seed escape in declining limber pine ecosystems, even under varying disease and seed predator threats. These findings also suggest that evolved seed escape strategies may be resilient to a variety of ecological conditions, including low reproductive capacity. Nonetheless, proximate ecological conditions may determine the fate of declining species, as predator behavior differed between ecosystems, and greater net cone escape in favorable stands may be necessary to attract mutualistic seed dispersers.
Influence of neighboring plants on the dynamics of an ant–acacia protection mutualism
Authors: Palmer Todd M. , Riginos Corinna , Damiani Rachel E. , Morgan Natalya , Lemboi John S. , Lengingiro James , Ruiz‐Guajardo Juan C. , Pringle Robert M. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractAnt–plant protection symbioses, in which plants provide food and/or shelter for ants in exchange for protection from herbivory, are model systems for understanding the ecology of mutualism. While interactions between ants, host plants, and herbivores have been intensively studied, we know little about how plant–plant interactions influence the dynamics of these mutualisms, despite strong evidence that plants compete for resources, that hosting ants can be costly, and that host‐plant provisioning to ants can therefore be constrained by resource availability. We used field experiments in a semiarid Kenyan savanna to examine interactions between the ant‐plant Acacia drepanolobium, neighboring grasses, and two species of symbiotic acacia‐ants with divergent behaviors: Crematogaster mimosae, an aggressive symbiont that imposes high costs to host trees via consumption of extrafloral nectar, and Tetraponera penzigi, a less‐protective symbiont that imposes lower costs because it does not consume nectar. We hypothesized that by competing with acacias for resources, neighboring grasses (1) reduce hosts’ ability to support costly C. mimosae, while having little or no effect on the ability of hosts to support low‐cost T. penzigi, and (2) reduce sapling growth rates irrespective of ant occupant. We factorially manipulated the presence/absence of grasses and the identity of ant occupants on saplings and evaluated effects on colony survivorship and sapling growth rates over 40 weeks. Contrary to prediction, the high‐cost/high‐reward nectar‐dependent mutualist C. mimosae had higher colony‐survival rates on saplings with grass neighbors present. Grasses appear to have indirectly facilitated the survival of C. mimosae by reducing water stress on host plants; soils under saplings shaded by grasses had higher moisture content, and these saplings produced more active nectaries than grass‐removal saplings. Consistent with prediction, survival of low‐cost/low‐reward T. penzigi did not differ significantly between grass‐removal treatments. Saplings occupied by low‐cost/low‐reward T. penzigi grew 100% more on average than saplings occupied by high‐cost/high‐reward C. mimosae, demonstrating that mutualist‐partner identity strongly and differentially influences demographic rates of young plants. In contrast, contrary to prediction, grass neighbors had no significant net impact on sapling growth rates. Our results suggest that neighboring plants can exert strong and counterintuitive effects on ant–plant protection symbioses, highlighting the need to integrate plant–plant interactions into our understanding of these mutualisms.
The benefits of being understood: The role of ethnic identity confirmation in knowledge acquisition by expatriates
Authors: Fan Shea X. , Cregan Christina , Harzing Anne‐Wil , Köhler Tine 
Published: September 2017

In this article, we propose that the concept of ethnic identity confirmation (EIC), the level of agreement between how expatriates view the importance of their own ethnic identity and how local employees view the importance of expatriates' ethnic identity, can explain why expatriates who are ethnically similar to host‐country employees are sometimes less effective than expected when working overseas. Multinationals often choose ethnically similar expatriates for international assignments, assuming these expatriates can more effectively acquire knowledge from local employees. Thus, understanding the specific challenges that endanger the realization of this potential is crucial.Our survey, administered to a sample of 128 expatriate–local employee dyads working in China, reveals that both ethnically similar and ethnically different expatriates acquire more local knowledge when EIC is high. However, the association between ethnic (dis)similarity and knowledge acquisition is direct for ethnically different expatriates, whereas for ethnically similar expatriates it is indirect via their perception of local employees' trustworthiness. We discuss this study's important implications and provide recommendations for multinationals on how to provide tailored support to expatriates who face different identity challenges.
Patterned semiconductor structures modulate neuronal outgrowth: Implication for the development of a neurobionic interface
Authors: Völker Johannes , Kohm Fabian , Jürgens Lukas , Scherzad Agmal , Schendzielorz Philipp , Schraven Sebastian P. , Mlynski Robert , Radeloff Andreas , Hagen Rudolf , Rak Kristen 
Published: September 2017

AbstractAuditory implants stimulate the neurons by broad electrical fields, which leads to a low number of spectral channels. A reduction in the distance between the electrode and the neuronal structures might lead to better electrical transduction. The use of microstructured semiconductors offers a large number of contacts, which could attract neurons and stimulate them individually. To investigate the interaction between neurons and semiconductors, differentiated neuronal precursor cells were cultured on silicon wafers. Different structures were added on the wafers by electron beam lithography, and deep reactive ion etching in different depths (2 and 7 µm). Grooved surfaces guided the neurons and resulted in straight oriented axons, but neuronal outgrowth was impaired by the 7 µm grooves. Within the 7 µm structures, the neuronal cell body was totally encased and the nuclei were deformed from a round to an elliptical shape. On both square and cylindrical structures neuronal bridging could be detected in different forms, either between the tops of the structures or between the bottom and the top. Furthermore, neuronal bridges were established on the lateral part of the structures, and change in direction of neuronal growth was induced by the structure. Finally, it could be shown that neuronal growth cones were particularly attracted by the top of the cylinders, which might allow for the stimulation of neurons via this structure. In conclusion, study results indicate that structured semiconductors can modulate neuronal growth and its direction, offering a novel method for the development of new implants with improved neuronal stimulation. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 65–72, 2018.
Bone‐healing capacity of conditioned medium derived from three‐dimensionally cultivated human mesenchymal stem cells and electrical stimulation on collagen sponge
Authors: Hwang Soon Jung , Cho Tae Hyung , Lee Beomseok , Kim In Sook 
Published: September 2017

AbstractContinuing from our previous study, we hypothesized that combining electrical stimulation (ES) and three‐dimensional (3D) culture would be a useful strategy to obtain more bioactive factors in conditioned medium (CM) derived from human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC). Our aim in this study was to investigate the bone‐healing capacity of CM derived from hMSC after 4 days of culture on a collagen sponge‐exposed (CM‐ES) or unexposed (CM‐control; CM‐CON) to ES in comparison with that of hMSC implantation. A cytokine assay of both CMs revealed the presence of cytokines, growth factors, and trophic factors. In vitro evaluation of both CMs showed increased cell growth and alkaline phosphatase activity of the hMSC, with little difference between CMs. We investigated the bone‐healing effect using two bone disease models: bone defect and inflammatory bone loss. The calvaria defect was implanted with whole CM or 3D‐precultured hMSC unexposed to ES. Microcomputed tomography analysis after 4 weeks indicated a twofold greater bone volume in the CM‐CON and CM‐ES groups than in the hMSC and vehicle groups, though we found no difference between the CM groups. However, CM‐ES enhanced the bone healing of interleukin‐1‐induced bone loss to a level comparable with hMSC, whereas CM‐CON did not. These results show that 3D‐cultured CM had a greater or similar capacity for bone healing as treatment using hMSC transplantation, and CM‐ES was especially effective against inflammatory bone loss. Thus, 3D‐cultured CM with or without ES presents an encouraging alternative to MSC‐based bone healing. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 311–320, 2018.
Response of umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cells to varying titanium topographical signals
Authors: Lauria Ines , Höner Miriam , Kant Sebastian , Davtalab Roswitha , Weik Thomas , Sternberg Katrin , Fischer Horst 
Published: September 2017

AbstractA wide variety of titanium implant modifications have been developed to improve tissue– or cell–material interactions including bone bonding, implant failure, and contact osteogenesis. Osteogenesis can be stimulated by mechanobiological signals such as topography though translation of in vivo reactions to in vitro bioactivity and stem cell culture data, and vice versa, is challenging. We hypothesized that a systematic in vitro approach comparing clinically well‐accepted implant surface topographical modifications could shed light on potential cell biological mechanisms provoked by submicron‐, micron‐ or macrostructured surfaces. In this study, we investigated the response of umbilical cord derived mesenchymal stromal cells (UC‐MSCs) to anodized, particle blasted, and plasma sprayed highly porous Plasmapore surfaces, which is known to promote bony ingrowth in vivo. After 21 days, UC‐MSCs undergo a morphological shift from a 2D to 3D behavior on micro‐ or macrostructures visualized by actin–vinculin fluorescence and are able to fill the porous surfaces completely. Cell viability after 7 days was significantly decreased on the micro‐ and macrostructured surfaces particle blasted and Plasmapore, compared to polished controls. The analysis of osteogenic differentiation under noninduced conditions revealed a significantly elevated ALP activity on Plasmapore, indicating a beneficial effect of this macrostructured surface toward osteogenic differentiation supported by late elevated gene expression of osteopontin evaluated by qPCR. Mineralization as well as in vitro bioactivity was pronounced on anodized surfaces. Our findings point to synergistic implant modification strategies allowing early contact osteogenesis and bone ingrowth for future implant designs. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 180–191, 2018.
Association BetweenCYP2C19*17Alleles and pH Probe Testing Outcomes in Children With Symptomatic Gastroesophageal Reflux
Authors: Franciosi James P. , Mougey Edward B. , Williams Andre , Gomez‐Suarez Roberto A. , Thomas Cameron , Creech Christa L. , George Katherine , Corao Diana , Lima John J. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractEsophageal pH monitoring remains a primary diagnostic tool for detecting gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD that is refractory to proton pump inhibitor (PPI) medications may be related toCYP2C19variants. Current PPI dosing practices in children do not take into accountCYP2C19allelic variants, which may lead to underdosing and subsequently to a misperception of PPI therapy failure. We hypothesized that pH probe acid exposure outcomes associate withCYP2C19*17alleles among children with clinical concern for GERD. We identified a retrospective cohort of 74 children (age range 0.71‐17.1 years, mean 8.5, SD 4.6) with stored endoscopic tissue samples and who had also undergone esophageal pH testing while on PPI therapy. These individuals were genotyped for commonCYP2C19alleles and were dichotomized to eitherCYP2C19*17allelic carriers without corresponding loss of function alleles as cases vs controls. Associations between pH probe acid exposure outcomes andCYP2C19*17alleles were investigated. Compared to controls, children who carryCYP2C19*17alleles without corresponding loss‐of‐function alleles demonstrated statistically significant longer times with pH < 4 (76.46 vs 33.47 minutes,P= .03); and higher percent of time with pH < 4.0 (5.71 vs 2.67 minutes,P = .04). These findings remained statistically significant using multiple‐regression modeling with test duration, PPI dose, and race as confounding variables. PPI therapy in children with *17alleles may be better optimized withCYP2C19genotype‐guided dosing prior to pH probe testing.
Extensive study on physicochemical properties of polychlorinated biphenyls in a commercial ion trap mass spectrometer, relevance in analytical and environmental chemistry
Authors: Narizzano R. , Risso F. , Magherini A. , Cordone G. , Ottonelli M. , Smirnova E. , Nadotti S. , Rivara L. , La Rocca R. , Magi E. , Lottici S. , Maggiolo S. , Pepe C.E. , Garbarino M. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractPolychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) exist as 209 congeners, consisting of biphenyl molecules, where the number and substitution positions of halogen atoms are known to affect industrial uses, environmental transport mechanisms, distribution, fate, and toxicity. The complexity of the problem requires accurate physicochemical studies of an increasing number of congeners in order to understand the environmental and biological processes at play. This work presents a systematic study on the thermodynamic and kinetic properties of PCBs by quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry. A clear relationship between structure and behavior of PCBs in mass spectrometry experiments has been observed. Overall data demonstrate that di‐ortho congeners show lower thermodynamic stability and higher fragmentation rate than non/mono‐ortho. Congeners follow different fragmentation mechanisms according to the number of chlorine atoms in ortho position of the biphenyl system. Experimental kinetic curves of mono/non‐ortho and di‐ortho congeners show a strong similarity with classical first‐order kinetics curves; in particular, di‐ortho congeners follow a first‐order consecutive reaction, while mono/non‐ortho follow a first‐order parallel reaction. For each studied congener, the kinetic constant of reaction (fragmentation) has been determined. Data support environmental levels and biochemical transformations described in literature. The general picture of the PCB behavior inside a quadrupole ion trap provides the basis for the development of reliable and cost‐effective analytical methods to the determination of ultra‐low level trace of PCB congeners.
Impact of different types of ENSO conditions on seasonal precipitation and streamflow in the Southeastern United States
Authors: Wang Hui , Asefa Tirusew 
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACTRecent advancement in climate sciences has discovered two different types of El Niño events, namely the eastern Pacific El Niño (EP‐El Niño) and central Pacific El Niño (CP‐El Niño). Identifying how watershed responses to different El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events, including both El Niño and La Niña conditions, is critical in understanding how the oceanic teleconnections possibly affect local precipitation and streamflow. In this study, 70 watersheds with minimum human impact during the period 1950–2010 in the Southeastern United States (SEUS) were selected to examine whether streamflow exhibits different patterns in EP‐ and CP‐El Niño conditions, and La Niña events. Similar analyses were applied to 187 precipitation stations in SEUS. Analyses reveal that for the peak season of both EP‐El Niño and CP‐El Niño years, December–January–February (DJF), seasonal average streamflow and precipitation is higher than long‐term average. CP‐El Niño, however, weakens the wetting effect brought by traditional EP‐El Niño, leading to smaller percentage of increases in seasonal precipitation/streamflow for most stations in the SEUS. In the decaying season March–April–May (MAM) of ENSO signals, streamflow for both EP‐ and CP‐El Niño is higher than its corresponding climatology. The increased amplitude is even greater in MAM compared to that of the DJF season. During La Niña events, reduced precipitation and streamflow are observed for large portion of stations in SEUS, especially for the DJF and MAM season. The use of ENSO in water resources management is often limited to boreal winter season for the SEUS, as its signal is well reflected in hydrological responses. This study finds that for the June–July–August (JJA) season followed by the decay of ENSO signals in MAM, there is striking difference in the magnitude of precipitation and streamflow for EP‐El Niño and CP‐El Niño events.
Sclerostin antibody enhances bone formation in a rat model of distraction osteogenesis
Authors: McDonald Michelle M. , Morse Alyson , Birke Oliver , Yu Nicole Y. C. , Mikulec Kathy , Peacock Lauren , Schindeler Aaron , Liu Min , Ke Hua Z. , Little David G. 
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACTNeutralizing monoclonal sclerostin antibodies are effective in promoting bone formation at a systemic level and in orthopedic scenarios including closed fracture repair. In this study we examined the effects of sclerostin antibody (Scl‐Ab) treatment on regenerate volume, density, and strength in a rat model of distraction osteogenesis. Surgical osteotomy was performed on 179 Sprague Dawley rats. After 1 week, rats underwent distraction for 2 weeks, followed by 6 weeks for consolidation. Two treatment groups received biweekly subcutaneous Scl‐AbIII (a rodent form of Scl‐Ab; 25 mg/kg), either from the start of distraction onward or restricted to the consolidation phase. These groups were compared to controls receiving saline. Measurement modalities included longitudinal DXA, ex vivo QCT, and microCT, tissue histology, and biomechanical four‐point bending tests. Bone volume was increased in both Scl‐Ab treatments regimens by the end of consolidation (+26–38%, p < 0.05), as assessed by microCT. This was associated with increased mineral apposition. Importantly, Scl‐Ab led to increased strength in united bones, and this reached statistical significance in animals receiving Scl‐Ab during consolidation only (+177%, p < 0.01, maximum load to failure). These data demonstrate that Scl‐Ab treatment increases bone formation, leading to regenerates with higher bone volume and improved strength. Our data also suggest that the optimal effects of Scl‐Ab treatment are achieved in the latter stages of distraction osteogenesis. These findings support further investigation into the potential clinical application of sclerostin antibody to augment bone distraction, such as limb lengthening, particularly in the prevention of refracture. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:1106–1113, 2018.