bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tree water uptake in a tropical plantation varying in tree diversity: interspecific differences, seasonal shifts and complementarity
Authors: Schwendenmann Luitgard , Pendall Elise , Sanchez‐Bragado Rut , Kunert Norbert , Hölscher Dirk 
Published: February 2014

AbstractWe studied tree water uptake patterns, tested for complementary water use among species and analysed controlling factors in a tropical tree diversity experiment. The water uptake depth of five species was investigated across seasons and diversity levels using the natural abundance of water isotopes (δ2H, δ18O) and modelling. Three distinct water acquisition strategies were found for trees growing in monocultures during the dry season: strong reliance (>70%) on soil water from the upper layer (0–30 cm) (Cedrela odorata), uptake from the upper and deeper layers (>30 cm) in equal proportions (Hura crepitans, Anacardium excelsum and Luehea seemannii) and water uptake predominately from deeper layers (Tabebuia rosea). Seasonal shifts in water uptake were most pronounced for T. rosea. The water uptake pattern of a given species was independent of the diversity level underlining the importance of species identity and species characteristics in spatial and temporal tree water use. Statistics did not show a significant effect of diversity on source water fractions, but we did see some evidence for complementary water resource utilization in mixed species plots, especially in the dry season. Our results also demonstrated that the depth of soil water uptake was related to leaf phenology and tree transpiration rates. A higher proportion of water obtained from deeper soil layers was associated with a high percentage foliage cover in the dry season, which explained the higher transpiration rates. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Proteomic biomarkers of recovered heart function
Authors: Hollander Zsuzsanna , Lazárová Marie , Lam Karen K.Y. , Ignaszewski Andrew , Oudit Gavin Y. , Dyck Jason R. B. , Schreiner George , Pauwels Julie , Chen Virginia , Cohen Freue Gabriela V. , Ng Raymond T. , Wilson‐McManus Janet E. , Balshaw Robert , Tebbutt Scott J. , McMaster Robert W. , Keown Paul A. , McManus Bruce M. ,   for the NCE CECR PROOF Prevention of Organ Failure (PROOF) Centre of Excellence
Published: February 2014

AimsChronic heart failure is a costly epidemic that affects up to 2% of people in developed countries. The purpose of this study was to discover novel blood proteomic biomarker signatures of recovered heart function that could lead to more effective heart failure patient management by both primary care and specialty physicians.Methods and resultsThe discovery cohort included 41 heart transplant patients and 20 healthy individuals. Plasma levels of 138 proteins were detected in at least 75% of these subjects by iTRAQ mass spectrometry. Eighteen proteins were identified that had (i) differential levels between pre‐transplant patients with end‐stage heart failure and healthy individuals; and (ii) levels that returned to normal by 1 month post‐transplant in patients with stable heart function after transplantation. Seventeen of the 18 markers were validated by multiple reaction monitoring mass spectrometry in a cohort of 39 heart failure patients treated with drug therapy, of which 30 had recovered heart function and 9 had not. This 17‐protein biomarker panel had 93% sensitivity and 89% specificity, while the RAMP® NT‐proBNP assay had the same specificity but 80% sensitivity. Performance further improved when the panel was combined with NT‐proBNP, yielding a net reclassification index relative to NT‐proBNP of 0.28.ConclusionsWe have identified potential blood biomarkers of recovered heart function by harnessing data from transplant patients. These biomarkers can lead to the development of an inexpensive protein‐based blood test that could be used by physicians to monitor response to therapy in heart failure, resulting in more personalized, front‐line heart failure patient management.
Upconversion‐Luminescent Core/Mesoporous‐Silica‐Shell‐Structured β‐NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+@SiO2@mSiO2 Composite Nanospheres: Fabrication and Drug‐Storage/Release Properties
Authors: Liu Bei , Li Chunxia , Yang Dongmei , Hou Zhiyao , Ma Ping'an , Cheng Ziyong , Lian Hongzhou , Huang Shanshan , Lin Jun 
Published: February 2014

AbstractWe present the fabrication, upconversion‐luminescence cell imaging, and drug‐storage/release properties of upconversion‐luminescent core/mesoporous‐silica‐shell‐structured β‐NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+@SiO2@mSiO2 composite nanospheres with a size of 80 nm. The biocompatibility test on L929 fibroblast cells using a 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay reveals the low cytotoxicity of the system. The drug‐storage and in vitro release tests indicate that these multifunctional nanomaterials have controlled drug‐loading and ‐release properties for ibuprofen (IBU). Moreover, the upconversion (UC) emission intensity of IBU‐β‐NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+@SiO2@mSiO2 composite nanospheres increases gradually along with the released amount of IBU. Additionally, upconversion luminescence images of β‐NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+@SiO2@mSiO2 uptaken by cells show clear green emission under 980 nm infrared laser excitation. These findings make these material promising for applications in the bioimaging, drug delivery, and disease therapy fields on the basis of its upconversion‐luminescent and mesoporous properties.
Two Tetranuclear Copper(II) Complexes with Open Cubane‐Like Cu4O4 Core Framework and Ferromagnetic Exchange Interactions between Copper(II) Ions: Structure, Magnetic Properties, and Density Functional Study
Authors: Gungor Elif , Kara Hulya , Colacio Enrique , Mota Antonio J. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractTwo alkoxo‐bridged copper(II) tridentate Schiff base complexes [{Cu(H2L1)}4] (1) [H2L1 = N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐3,5‐di‐tert‐butylsalicylaldimine] and {Cu(H2L2)}4 (2) [H2L2 = N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐4‐methoxysalicylaldimine] have been synthesized and structurally and magnetically characterized. X‐ray diffraction studies show that 1 and 2 are tetranuclear alkoxo‐bridged copper(II) complexes that contain a rather distorted Cu4O4 cubane core of 4+2 type (four short and two long Cu···Cu distances). The coordination of each copper ion can be described as a distorted square pyramid with one nitrogen and four oxygen atoms from three ligands. Variable‐temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements on the two tetranuclear complexes 1 and 2 in the range 2–300 K indicate ferromagnetic exchange coupling between copper(II) centers. The magnetic susceptibility data were analyzed by using a simple two‐J model with J′ and J″ representing the magnetic exchange couplings through the short and long Cu···Cu exchange pathways, respectively. The J values were as follows: J′ = +28.7 cm–1 and J″ = +7.8 cm–1 for 1, and J′ = +39.8 cm–1 and J″ = +10.2 cm–1 for 2. The sign and magnitude of the exchange coupling constants were justified on the basis of the structural geometric factors of the bridging Cu(O)2Cu fragments, the overlap of the magnetic orbitals, and DFT calculations.
C‐3β‐Tethered Functional Cholesterol Conjugates by Nitrile Oxide Alkyne Cycloaddition (NOAC)
Authors: Algay Virginie , O'Sullivan Justine , Heaney Frances 
Published: February 2014

AbstractCovalent cholesterol conjugates have been prepared by isoxazole‐generating [3+2] nitrile oxide alkyne cycloaddition (NOAC) chemistry. Steroidal building blocks functionalised with either an alkyne or a nitrile oxide precursor were evaluated. The reaction has been demonstrated for the tethering to cholesterol of groups capable of bioreporting, and for the formation of cholesterol–biomolecule conjugates.
Syntheses of a Flobufen Metabolite and Dapoxetine Based on Enantioselective Allylation of Aromatic Aldehydes
Authors: Hessler Filip , Korotvička Aleš , Nečas David , Valterová Irena , Kotora Martin 
Published: February 2014

AbstractThe enantioselective allylation of an aromatic aldehyde to give a chiral homoallylic alcohol was employed as the key step in the syntheses of a flobufen metabolite and dapoxetine. In the former case, the homoallylic alcohol moiety (99 % ee) was converted into a five‐membered lactone ring with good preservation of the optical purity, and the target compound, a flobufen metabolite, was obtained in 95 % ee. In the latter case, the homoallylic alcohol moiety (97 % ee) was transformed over several steps into a 3‐aminopropanol moiety. During the course of the synthesis, the gradual loss of optical purity was observed, and the target compound, dapoxetine, was obtained in 85 % ee.
Confabulating reasons for behaving bad: The psychological consequences of unconsciously activated behaviour that violates one's standards
Authors: Adriaanse Marieke A. , Weijers Jonas , De Ridder Denise T. D. , De Witt Huberts Jessie , Evers Catharine 
Published: February 2014

AbstractNumerous studies have been conducted to demonstrate that behaviours are frequently activated unconsciously. The present studies investigate the downstream psychological consequences of such unconscious behaviour activation, building on work on the explanatory vacuum and post‐priming misattribution. It was hypothesized that unconsciously activated behaviours trigger a negative affective response if the behaviour violates a personal standard and that this negative affect subsequently motivates people to confabulate a reason for the behaviour. Results provided evidence for this mediated moderation model. Study 1 showed that participants who were primed to act less prosocially indeed reported increased levels of negative affect and, as a result, were inclined to confabulate a reason for their behaviour. Study 2 replicated these findings in the domain of eating and provided evidence for the moderating role of personal standards as well as the entire mediated moderation model. These findings have relevant theoretical implications as they add to the modest number of studies that demonstrate that the effect of unconscious priming may extend well beyond performing the primed behaviour itself to influence subsequent affect and attribution processes. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Metabolic crosstalk between the heart and liver impacts familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Magida Jason A , Leinwand Leslie A 
Published: February 2014

AbstractFamilial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is largely caused by dominant mutations in genes encoding cardiac sarcomeric proteins, and it is etiologically distinct from secondary cardiomyopathies resulting from pressure/volume overload and neurohormonal or inflammatory stimuli. Here, we demonstrate that decreased left ventricular contractile function in male, but not female, HCM mice is associated with reduced fatty acid translocase (CD36) and AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity. As a result, the levels of myocardial ATP and triglyceride (TG) content are reduced, while the levels of oleic acid and TG in circulating very low density lipoproteins (VLDLs) and liver are increased. With time, these metabolic changes culminate in enhanced glucose production in male HCM mice. Remarkably, restoration of ventricular TG and ATP deficits via AMPK agonism as well as inhibition of gluconeogenesis improves ventricular architecture and function. These data underscore the importance of the systemic effects of a primary genetic heart disease to other organs and provide insight into potentially novel therapeutic interventions for HCM.
Genetic and Environmental Factors Underlying Comorbid Bulimic Behaviours and Alcohol Use Disorders: A Moderating Role for the Dysregulated Personality Cluster?
Authors: Slane Jennifer D. , Klump Kelly L. , McGue Matthew , Iacono G. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractWomen with bulimia nervosa (BN) frequently have co‐occurring alcohol use disorders (AUDs). Studies of shared genetic transmission of these disorders have been mixed. Personality heterogeneity among individuals with BN may explain discrepant findings. Cluster analysis has characterized women with BN in groups on the basis of personality profiles. One group, the Dysregulated cluster, characterized largely by behavioural disinhibition and emotional dysregulation may be more closely linked etiologically to AUDs. This study examined whether genetic associations between BN and AUDs are the strongest among the Dysregulated cluster. Symptoms of BN and AUDs were assessed in female twins at ages 17 and 25 years from the Minnesota Twin Family Study. Personality clusters were defined using the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire. Twin moderation models suggested small‐to‐moderate common genetic transmission between BN and AUDs. However, shared genetic effects did not differ by personality cluster. Findings suggest that personality clusters are unlikely to account for inconsistent findings regarding their shared aetiology. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
The use of mycorrhiza for eco‐engineering measures in steep alpine environments: effects on soil aggregate formation and fine‐root development
Authors: Bast Alexander , Wilcke Wolfgang , Graf Frank , Lüscher Peter , Gärtner Holger 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACTSteep erosion‐prone and vegetation‐free slopes are widespread in alpine areas and are often discussed since they have a high socio‐economic damage potential. We present an eco‐engineering approach to test whether a mycorrhizal inoculum improves the establishment of hedge brush layers and in turn soil structural stability on a steep, coarse‐grained vegetation‐free slope in the eastern Swiss Alps. We established (i) mycorrhizal and (ii) non‐mycorrhizal treated eco‐engineered research plots on a field experimental scale, covering a total area of approximately 1000 m2 on an east‐northeast (ENE) exposed slope, where many environmental parameters can be regarded as homogeneous. After a full vegetation period, we quantified soil aggregate stability, the formation of water stable aggregates and the fine‐root development.Our results illustrate that the establishment of brush layers without mycorrhizal inoculum increased aggregate stability significantly. Against our expectation and glasshouse experiments, the addition of mycorrhizal inoculum did not have a statistically significant effect after one vegetation period although it tended to increase aggregate stability. Analogously, root length density (RLD) tended to be higher at the non‐mycorrhizal treated site. Aggregate stability was significantly correlated with RLD.Studies on a bigger field experimental scale are inevitable, complement glasshouse studies and lead to a better understanding for a successful application of sustainable eco‐engineering measures in alpine environments. Based on our results and considering the fact that the response time in natural ecosystems may be slower than in laboratory approaches, we conclude that long‐term field studies are necessary to validate results gained through laboratory experiments. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Organophosphate pesticides induce morphological abnormalities and decrease locomotor activity and heart rate in Danio rerio and Xenopus laevis
Authors: Watson Fiona L. , Schmidt Hayden , Turman Zackery K. , Hole Natalie , Garcia Hena , Gregg Jonathan , Tilghman Joseph , Fradinger Erica A. 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Organophosphate pesticides (OPs), a class of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, are used widely in agriculture to reduce insect populations. Because of the conservation of acetylcholinesterase between invertebrates and vertebrates, OPs also can adversely affect nontarget species, such as aquatic and terrestrial animals. This study used uniform conditions to analyze the morphological and physiological effects caused by developmental exposure to 3 commonly used OPs—chlorpyrifos, dichlorvos, and diazinon—on 2 aquatic vertebrate species, Danio rerio (zebrafish) and Xenopus laevis. Survival, locomotor activity, heart rate, and gross anatomical abnormalities, including kyphosis and edema, were observed over a 5-d period in response to OP concentrations ranging from 0 µM to 1000 µM. Both zebrafish and Xenopus showed decreased survival for all 3 OPs at higher concentrations. However, Xenopus showed higher mortality than zebrafish at lower chlorpyrifos and dichlorvos concentrations. Both models showed a dose-dependent decrease in heart rate and free-swimming larval activity in response to chlorpyrifos and dichlorvos. In addition, kyphosis and decreased spine length were prominent in Xenopus in response to 10 µM of chlorpyrifos and 0.1 µM dichlorvos. Although diazinon induced no effects on skeletal and cardiac motor activity in either species, it did induce cardiac edemas in zebrafish. Differences in the biological actions of OPs and their differential effects in these 2 vertebrate models demonstrate the importance of using common protocols and multiple models to evaluate the ecotoxicology of OPs. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:1337–1345. © 2014 SETAC
Effects of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles on caribbean reef-building coral (Montastraea faveolata)
Authors: Jovanović Boris , Guzmán Héctor M. 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Increased use of manufactured titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nano-TiO2) is causing a rise in their concentration in the aquatic environment, including coral reef ecosystems. Caribbean mountainous star coral (Montastraea faveolata) has frequently been used as a model species to study gene expression during stress and bleaching events. Specimens of M. faveolata were collected in Panama and exposed for 17 d to nano-TiO2 suspensions (0.1 mg L−1 and 10 mg L−1). Exposure to nano-TiO2 caused significant zooxanthellae expulsion in all the colonies, without mortality. Induction of the gene for heat-shock protein 70 (HSP70) was observed during an early stage of exposure (day 2), indicating acute stress. However, there was no statistical difference in HSP70 expression on day 7 or 17, indicating possible coral acclimation and recovery from stress. No other genes were significantly upregulated. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analysis revealed that nano-TiO2 was predominantly trapped and stored within the posterior layer of the coral fragment (burrowing sponges, bacterial and fungal mats). The bioconcentration factor in the posterior layer was close to 600 after exposure to 10 mg L−1 of nano-TiO2 for 17 d. The transient increase in HSP70, expulsion of zooxanthellae, and bioaccumulation of nano-TiO2 in the microflora of the coral colony indicate the potential of such exposure to induce stress and possibly contribute to an overall decrease in coral populations. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:1346–1353. © 2014 SETAC
Numerical modelling of bridges in 2D shallow water flow simulations
Authors: Ratia H. , Murillo J. , García‐Navarro P. 
Published: February 2014

SUMMARYTwo representations of bridges are presented to fit into simulations based on the 2D SWEs. They include a novel and simple empirical formulation for total head loss caused by bridges which covers all flow regimes: free water surface, partially submerged flow, and fully submerged flow. The performances of the different representations of bridges are assessed using experimental results of steady and unsteady flows, presented for the first time in this work. A case study of a real flood is presented giving insight into the application of the representation techniques to real engineering problems. The proposed solution of a head loss representation together with the novel formulation is shown to be accurate for both steady and unsteady flows, and to perform efficiently for solving the flood case. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fabrication of Aluminum Bipolar Plates by Semi‐solid Forging Process and Performance Test of TiN Coated Aluminum Bipolar Plates
Authors: Jin C. K. , Jung M. G. , Kang C. G. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractAluminum bipolar plates that can replace graphite bipolar plates for PEM fuel cells are made by applying a semi‐solid forging process. A semi‐solid slurry is made using electromagnetic stirring (EMS), and the resulting slurry is injected into a forging die attached to a 200 ton hydraulic press. The slurry is then compressed with a punch, flowed into a die cavity, and solidified into the bipolar plate form. A356 (cast Al alloy), A6061 (wrought Al alloy), and A1100 (pure Al) are used to make the plates. Titanium nitride (TiN) coating is deposited on the aluminum bipolar plates. An atomic force microscope (AFM) is used to measure the surface roughness of the plates. TiN coated A356 and A1100 plates have a surface roughness of Ra < 1.2 μm. The plate thickness is 1.2 mm. The active area of the channel is 70 mm × 70 mm, with a depth and width of 0.3 and 1.0 mm, respectively. The three TiN‐coated aluminum plates are combined with a unit cell for a performance test. Our results show that a current density value of 473 mA cm–2 (about 41% of the current density value of commercial graphite plates) can be obtained.
Impaired verbal memory is a significant predictor of early cerebral‐cardiovascular death, an 18‐year follow‐up of a national cohort
Authors: Lowry Joseph , Austin Anissa , Al‐Sayegh Hasan , Yan Fei , Liu Fengqi , Zhang Jian 
Published: February 2014

BackgroundThe mortality pattern of individuals with impaired verbal memory (IVM) has not yet been well described. We sought to describe the risk of all‐causes, as well as specific causes of death associated with IVM.MethodWe used the data of 4151 nationally representative adults ≥60 years old who participated in the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988–1994, and completed one non‐contextual (i.e., word list memory) and one contextual delayed‐recall tests (i.e., short story recall). The participants were passively followed up through 31 December 2006. We determined the hazard ratio of death from all‐causes and specific cause through Cox proportional hazard regression.ResultsSevere and moderate IVM were present in 268 (6.5%) and 495 (11.9%) participants at baseline survey, and 2550 deaths occurred by the end of 18‐year follow‐up (median = 12 years). The medians of survival time adjusted for all‐causes death were 6.17(95%CI: 5.50, 6.92), 9.50 (8.92, 10.25), and 13.17 (12.75, 13.58) years, respectively for the individuals with severe, moderate, and no IVM. Severe IVM was significantly associated with death from cardio‐cerebral vascular diseases [hazard ratio = 1.70, 95%CI = (1.36–2.12)], stroke [2.60 (1.69–3.99)], and Alzheimer's disease [3.50 (1.40–8.76)]. The shortened survival time of the participants with IVM was mainly driven by the deaths of cerebral‐cardiovascular diseases, which accounted for almost half of all deaths.ConclusionThe predictability of memory scores to early cerebral‐cardiovascular deaths demonstrated that central challenge among individuals with cognitive impairment was cardiovascular diseases management. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.