bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Varón y mujer los creó: hacia una lectura "a contracorriente" de la historia, el género y la religión
Authors: Núñez Bargueño Natalia
Published: June 2024

El interés suscitado por la perspectiva de género en el ámbito de los estudios religiosos ha sido una de las orientaciones que ha marcado la reciente renovación que ha tenido lugar en el seno de la historiografía sobre el fenómeno religioso. Este ensayo desea contribuir al debate crítico existente respecto a la particular relación que une el género y la religión, y sus posibilidades para la historiografía y las humanidades. Para ello pretende ahondar e insistir sobre ciertos aspectos de la complejidad inherente al estudio de ambos fenómenos desde una perspectiva cruzada. Tras considerar el potencial crítico y hermenéutico de estas dos categorías y perspectivas, citaremos algunos de los trabajos más relevantes realizados en los últimos años. En la última sección del trabajo plantearemos la transcendencia de efectuar una lectura benjamiana, es decir, “a contracorriente” –reflexiva– de los archivos. Terminaremos sugiriendo nuevos campos de estudio gracias a los cuales asentar el actual proceso de renovación de la historiografía española, en general, y del estudio de los hechos religiosos, del género y del catolicismo español, en particular.
La prensa rememora y homenajea a José Zorrilla en 1917
Authors: Delgado Idarreta José Miguel
Published: June 2024

En 2017 se conmemoró el bicentenario del nacimiento de José Zorrilla, poeta y dramaturgo. En el presente artículo hemos tratado de aproximarnos al recuerdo del poeta no solo desde la actualidad, sino prestando atención, fundamentalmente, a la forma de ser honrado en la prensa en 1917, fecha del primer centenario de su nacimiento. Con este fin se estudiarán diferentes periódicos: desde los que publicaron una pequeña columna o artículo en su memoria (La Acción o ABC) o un reportaje (el semanario España) hasta el que le dedicó un número completo como La Alhambra de Granada.
THE LEGAL SYSTEM OF THE STATE BAGHDAD IN THE OTTOMAN SALNAMES
Authors: ABDULSATTAR  ALSULAIMAN KHADEEJA
Published: June 2024

In the first half of the XIX. century, annual books under the name of Salname began to be published in 1263/1847. These yearbooks had an important place in the administrative, economic, social and legal life of the Ottoman Empire. There are geographical structures of the provinces and historical events in these yearbooks. Those contain detailed information about the names of governors, civil servants, judges and officers, the official administrative system attached to the state, the demographic structure and the customs, life and livelihoods of the people. Therefore, we examined the Ottoman legal system in the Province of Baghdad according to yearbooks, the types of the yearbooks and their emergence. The Ottoman administration initiated the renewal of the judicial system according to the western judicial system. Thus, the judicial system in the province of Baghdad became twofold, religious and civil. In this context, information has been given about the religious and civil jurisdictions in Baghdad, their institutions, the qadi, and other officials working there.
Contriving a novel multi-epitope subunit vaccine from Plasmodium falciparum vaccine candidates against malaria
Authors: Mamudu Collins Ojonugwa , Iheagwam Franklyn Nonso , Dokunmu Titilope Modupe , Okafor Esther Ogechi , Ogunlana Olubanke Olujoke
Published: June 2024

In this study, immunoinformatics strategies were used to design a subunit vaccine against malaria from immunogenic regions of three Plasmodium falciparum surface antigens; liver stage antigen 3-C (V750-K1433), merozoite surface antigen 180 truncate-4 (A805-P1093), and merozoite surface protein 10 region 1 (D29-N188). A multi-epitope subunit vaccine construct (VC) was designed from immunodominant B- and T-cell epitopes followed by structure prediction, evaluation, and validation. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) 2 and 4 were docked with the VC. Their complexes’ molecular dynamics, immune stimulation, codon optimization, and in silico cloning of the VC were simulated. The VC is a 49.2 kDa antigenic and nonallergenic protein, comprised of 26% α-helix, 7% β-strand, 66% coil. The immune simulation test showed that the vaccine could provoke adaptive immune responses, and molecular docking tests showed that it interacts strongly with TLR-2 (−945.1 kcal/mol) and TLR-4 (−919.8 kcal/mol) to form complexes of high stability that hardly deform. The guanine-cytosine content and codon adaptation index of the VC were 42.94 and 0.99 after codon optimization. Escherichia coli pET-28a(+) was identified as the best vector for optimal gene expression. In conclusion, the study reveals that the VC shows promising results in neutralizing falciparum malaria.
Vibrational thermal pool multi-level theoretical model and design simulation of HBr-filled hollow-core fiber gas laser
Authors: Wei Chao , Yu Xuan , Lei Cheng , Wang Zi-Yu , Liu Sheng , Wang Du ,   Institute of Technological Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430000, China
Published: June 2024

The hollow-core fiber gas laser (HCFGL) has developed into a significant mid-infrared laser source, but the development of theoretical model still lags behind experimental progress. In this work, we propose a multi-level vibrational thermal pool (VTP) model of HBr-filled HCFs, which comprehensively considers the rovibrational relaxation effects on laser gain in reasonable approximations of transition coefficients, and studies the laser characteristics on multi-line lasing, bottleneck effect, line competition, etc. The VTP model shows more precise results of laser slope efficiency, and threshold than previous models while fitting the experimental data very well, and successfully predicts an output bottleneck at 1 W pump. The P-branch laser is relatively advantageous over the R-branch laser for its larger Einstein \begin{document}$A$\end{document} coefficient and emission cross section, and the seed injection can intensify the line competition and reach the highest P4 power proportion of 80%. The VTP model reveals that the output of various pump lines has a pattern similar to the Boltzmann distribution, suggesting that the distribution of ground rotational levels limits the laser gain of pump lines. Moreover, we discuss the photon leakage in high-energy pulsed pumping conditions. With the introduction of the leaking coefficient, this model shows relaxation oscillations and laser slope efficiencies close to experimental values and greater than the results in the CW condition, and solves the overpump problem in pulsed pump simulation. Finally, we confirm that the photon leakage is intensified at high repetition rate and the leaking coefficient should relate to the pulse repetition rate. This work develops a comprehensive modeling method for MIR laser simulation and this model is also applicable to various gas-filled HCFGLs.
Hypertrophic effects of low-load blood flow restriction training with different repetition schemes: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: de Queiros Victor S. , Rolnick Nicholas , Schoenfeld Brad J. , Martins de França Ingrid , Vieira João Guilherme , Sardeli Amanda Veiga , Kamis Okan , Neto Gabriel Rodrigues , Cabral Breno Guilherme de Araújo Tinôco , Dantas Paulo Moreira Silva
Published: June 2024

Objective

This systematic review and meta-analysis analyzed the effect of low-load resistance training (LL-RT) with blood flow restriction (BFR) versus high-load resistance training (HL-RT) on muscle hypertrophy focusing on the repetition scheme adopted.

Methods

Four databases were searched to identify randomized controlled trials that compared the effect of LL-RT with BFR versus HL-RT on muscle hypertrophy. Standardized mean differences (SMD) were pooled in a random effects meta-analysis.

Results

The overall analysis did not demonstrate significant differences between conditions (SMD = 0.046; p = 0.14). A similar result was observed when we separately analyzed studies that used sets to momentary muscle failure (SMD = 0.033; p = 0.520), sets of 15 repetitions (SMD = 0.005; p = 0.937) and a fixed repetition scheme composed of 75 repetitions (SMD = 0.088; p = 0.177). The analysis considering body region indicates no difference in lower limb exercise between HL-RT and LL-RT with BFR (SMD = 0.00066; p = 0.795) while upper limb exercise favors HL-RT (SMD = 0.231; p = 0.005).

Conclusion

LL-RT with BFR elicits muscle hypertrophy similar to HL-RT regardless of the employed repetition scheme, although there appears to be a small beneficial effect in favor of HL-RT in upper limb exercise.
ПАРЛАМЕНТ И ПОЛИТИЧЕСКИЕ ЯЗЫКИ АНГЛИИ РАННЕГО НОВОГО ВРЕМЕНИ (РАЗМЫШЛЕНИЯ О КНИГЕ О.В. ДМИТРИЕВОЙ «ПАРЛАМЕНТ И ПОЛИТИЧЕСКАЯ КУЛЬТУРА АНГЛИИ ВТОРОЙ ПОЛОВИНЫ XVI ВЕКА - НАЧАЛА XVII ВЕКА»)
Authors: Серегина Анна Юрьевна
Published: June 2024

Монография посвящена английскому парламенту елизаветинского периода (1558-1603) и его места в политической культуре эпохи. В работе исследованы функционирование парламента, в особенности Палаты общин, парламентская риторика, практика и осмысление парламентских ритуалов и процессуальных норм. Больше внимание уделено роли парламентской риторики и идеологии на формирование языка английской политики в XVI-XVII столетиях. В полемике со сложившимся в англоязычной историографии представлении о парламенте автор доказывает, что к концу XVI в. английский парламент был сложившимся институтом. Анализ риторики парламентских речей показывает, что к концу елизаветинского периода проявилось расхождение между речами представителей Тайного Совета, в которых преобладали отсылки к божественному происхождению королевской власти, и традиционным для парламентариев образом смешанной монархии -короля-в-парламенте.
БЫСТРОДЕЙСТВУЮЩИЙ ПОЛУПАРАЛЛЕЛЬНЫЙ АНАЛОГО-ЦИФРОВОЙ ПРЕОБРАЗОВАТЕЛЬ С ЦИФРОВОЙ КОРРЕКЦИЕЙ
Authors: Белоусов Е.О. , Кочетков Д.В. , Моленкамп К.М. , Паташев П.А. , Эннс А.В.
Published: June 2024

В статье представлена схема двухступенчатого быстродействующего интегрального аналого-цифрового преобразователя, выполненного по полупараллельной архитектуре с временным перемежением. Предложенный АЦП состоит всего из 34 компараторов, что позволяет значительно уменьшить потребляемую мощность по сравнению с обычным параллельным АЦП. В ходе двухступенчатого преобразования применяется метод цифровой коррекции с избыточностью для устранения пропусков кода на границах диапазонов преобразований. Преобразователь спроектирован по технологии КНИ 180 нм, потребляемая мощность составляет 267,3 мВт при напряжении питания 3,3 В, эффективная разрядность составляет 7,7 бит при частоте выборок 250 МГц.
Effect of Chemical Preservative and Packaging Material during Storage
Authors: Gberikon Grace , Anhwange Benjamin , Bija Martha Doonan
Published: June 2024

Antinutritional properties of yam flour treated with chemical preservatives during six months of storage were carried out. Yam samples were purchased from the wurukum market, processed to obtain yam flour treated with chemical preservatives and packaged in plastic and low-density polyethene. About 100 grams of each of the different samples were separated into five portions. The first portion (sample A) was treated in a water bath with 250 ml of water with 0.5% of sodium metabisulphite for 15 minutes, drained and dried in an automated drier at about 70oC until dried to brittleness, Second portion (Sample B)  was immersed in a solution of 0.5%  Ascorbic acid for 15 minutes respectively, Third portion(Sample C) was immersed in a solution of 0.5% of Citric acid for 15 minutes, Fourth portion ( Sample D) was immersed in a solution of 0.5% of Ascorbic and Citric Acid, Fifth portion was blanched at 70oC for 5 minutes respectively.  The yam slices were dried to brittleness and milled separately with a laboratory hammer mill and sieved using a 250-um mesh to obtain yam flour referred to as high–quality yam flour. The flour samples were analyzed for antinutritional using standard laboratory procedures. The anti-nutritional factors in the high‐quality yam flour were significantly different (p ≤ 0.05)  from each other in terms of pretreatment but there was no significant difference in packaging material across storage. Antinutritional factors of yam flour samples decreased as storage progressed. The alkaloid contents of the different yam flour samples ranged from 0.17mg/100 g  before storage to 0.39mg/100 g  two months after storage, The Tannin contents of the different yam flour samples ranged from 0.32–0.68 mg/100 g (month 0), 0.04–0.64 mg/100 g (month 2), 0.31–0.58 mg/100 g (month 4), and 0.28–0.52mg/100 g (month 6) and The saponnin contents of the different yam flour samples ranged from 0.21–0.39 mg/100 g (month 0), 0.20–0.34 mg/100 g (month 2), 0.19–0.35 mg/100 g (month 4), and 0.21–0.32 mg/100 g (month 6). The anti-nutritional factors in the treated and untreated yam flour samples were significantly (p < .05) affected by pretreatment, storage and packaging materials.  Chemical preservatives used in yam processing makes treated yam flour safe for consumption after six months of storage.
Renal and Hemorrhagic Complications Following Bee Sting Envenomation: A Case Report from the Hospital of Zinder
Authors: Mahamadou Doutchi , Moustapha Lamine Mahaman , Hamsatou Bagnou , Fils Souleymane Adoum , Abdoul-Aziz Adamou Bara , Abdoul Aziz Garba , Eric Adehossi
Published: June 2024

Renal and hemorrhagic complications following envenomation by bee stings are rare, posing significant problems for early diagnosis and treatment in the clinical setting. Bee venom is generally well tolerated. A 44-year-old patient was admitted to the infectious and tropical diseases department of the Zinder National Hospital with cervicofacial edema following bee stings. Initially, the patient lost consciousness. Respiratory symptoms included dyspnea and 91% desaturation on room air. The patient was put on oxygen to alleviate hypoxia, doxycycline to prevent secondary bacterial infections, and prednisone to reduce inflammation. The clinical picture was complicated by a worsening of the patient's condition due to a deterioration in renal function, and the subsequent appearance of hematemesis.  A renal biopsy revealed acute tubulointerstitial nephropathy, due to direct venom toxicity on the tubules. He was discharged after 35 days. We report a rare case of bee sting complicated by hemorrhagic syndrome and renal involvement.
Overview of T-Cell Therapy: An Enormous Breakthrough in the Fight against Cancer
Authors: Sah Saroj Kumar , Jha Deepak Kumar
Published: June 2024

Background: Cancer cells are cells which have relinquished their capacity to adhere to typical regulatory controls. As cancer progresses, it can spread to adjacent tissues, posing   significant risk to one's survival. Current approach towards cancer management involves; Surgery, Radiotherapy, Chemotherapy and Cyber-knife. These produce immunosuppression, which could last from 6 weeks to several years. Current dogma of cancer progression is linked to the immune status of the patient; important to balance the immune markers for cancer patients. Efforts to reset the body's immune system clock can lead to improved disease outcomes and prognosis. Key Facts: T cells serve as the defenders of the immune system and defend the body from cancer. Non-specific activation of T-cells leads to increased T-cell numbers, discharge of pro-inflammatory and anti-tumor cytokines. Cells that are not specific to antigens can identify tumor cells by recognizing stress signals, causing them to destroy the tumor cells and release hidden tumor antigens. Cytokines produced by different cells attract immune cells, such as antigen-presenting cells (APCs) that ingest tumor antigens, triggering the activation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells specific to those antigens.  Cells, whether specific to antigens or not, demonstrate the ability to fight against tumor cells by selectively attacking tumor antigens and stress signals. The secretion of cytokines by antigen-specific cells serves to sustain and perpetually attract cells that are not specific to antigens within the tumor microenvironment. Conclusion: Non-specific T-cells could help reset the immunological deficiencies in body, which could translate to reduced incidence of tumor load.
Nutritional Composition of “Ose Oku”: A Traditional Food of Abatete in Anambra State, Nigeria
Authors: Ugochukwu Ezieke, Charles , Benjamin A. Amadi, , Francis C. Anacletus, , Barile Nwikiri
Published: June 2024

Aims: This study assessed the nutritional composition of “Ose-Oku”, a traditional food of Abatete in Anambra State, Nigeria.
Study Design: The research involved the preparation of "Ose-Oku" as traditionally done, followed by comprehensive laboratory analyses to determine its nutritional composition. Proximate, mineral, vitamin, antinutrient, fatty acid, and amino acid analyses were conducted using established scientific methods.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in a laboratory setting with samples collected from Abatete in Anambra State. The duration of the study spanned several months, allowing for thorough analysis and validation of results.
Methodology: The food was prepared as it is done in the traditional setting. The methods of AOAC (1984) were used in the proximate analysis of the dried food sample. Mineral and vitamin analyses were carried out using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Antinutrient and fatty acid analyses were done using Gas chromatography. HPLC apparatus was used to determine the amino acid composition.
Results: Among the nutrients found in the studied food sample were carbohydrates (82.56 ± 0.009%), crude protein (7.67 ± 0.042%), crude fat (1.49 ± 0.004%), crude fibre (0.44 ± 0.011%), moisture (6.05 ± 0.005%), ash (1.78 ± 0.002%), and total amino acids (72.64%). Also total SFA (26.62%), total UFA (85.09%), and total PUFA (70.60%) were found. Vitamins A (0.71mg/100g), C (72.67mg/100g), D (0.73mg/100g), E (3.92mg/100g), K (7.83mg/100g), B1 (0.04mg/100g), B3 (0.58mg/100g), B6 (0.20mg/100g), B9 (3.48mg/100g), and B12 (0.25mg/100g) were also found. Minerals such as iron (0.02mg/100g), manganese (0.02mg/100g), zinc (0.16mg/100g), sodium (0.20mg/100g), potassium (3.00mg/100g), magnesium (2.08mg/100g), calcium (3.61mg/100g), and copper (0.47mg/100g) were present. Antinutrients such as Kaempferol, CyanogenicGlycosides, Narigenin, Ammodendrine, Tannins, Flavonones, Flavone, Proanthocyanidin, and Spartein were present in the food.
Conclusion: This study has shown that the proportionate combination of the food materials enhanced the nutrient quality of this traditional food sample. Besides the low content of moisture and fats with high carbohydrate, appreciable amount of protein, fibre and vitamins qualify its complimentary use to tackle food insecurity and malnutrition.
A Review on the Applications of Biochar in Agricultural Farms: A Low Carbon Emission Technology
Authors: Sharma Akshita , Chhabra Vandna
Published: June 2024

Improving the condition of the soil is essential for successful agriculture since it increases crop output and soil fertility. Applying biochar to the soil can boost crop yields and soil fertility. Biochar is a solid carbon-rich substance made by pyrolyzing biomass, which includes trash, wood, and agricultural crop leftovers under low oxygen conditions. Because biochar has potential uses in waste recycling, soil nutrient retention, and greenhouse gas emission reduction, it is significant for sequestering carbon. Over the last two decades, biochar has received substantial attention in agriculture and the environment. Agriculture soil productivity has long been increased by the application of synthetic fertilizers, some of which leached into the environment and released greenhouse gases (GHG). Improving soil microbiology and water retention, as well as increasing fertilizer efficiency, are some of the basic problems facing agricultural practices. Biochar is becoming more and more popular as a soil supplement to increase crop yields and sequester carbon. Biochar is one of the many conservation agricultural techniques that can be used to improve soil fertility, and crop productivity, and slow down global warming. It is also a readily available and important input for sustainable agriculture. Furthering global food security, biochar may improve soils' ability to produce crops under various biotic and abiotic stress. This review examines the numerous uses of biochar to guarantee the long-term, safe enhancement of soil fertility. An overview of the characteristics, manufacturing process, and applications of biochar in agriculture is given in this review. Researchers, farmers, and academics interested in using biochar might find this review to be a helpful resource.
Antimicrobial Activity of Oxygen Active Gel against Porphyromonas gingivalis Contamination at the Implant-abutment Interface
Authors: Han Wang Hsing , Ferrari Jr Sabino Haroldo , De Carvalho Rafaela D. Parolina , Nagai Rogério , Miyahira Alexandre , Cogo-Müller Karina , Tanaka Marcia Hiromi , Pallos Debora , Kim Yeon Jung
Published: June 2024

Background: Bacterial contamination at the dental implant abutment interface through microgap may lead to peri-implant tissue infections resulting to marginal bone loss and affecting the long term success of implants.
Aims: The purpose of this In vitro study in vitro was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of oxygen active gel (BlueM®) against Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) at the implant-abutment interface (IAI) in three different types of implant-prosthetic connections.
Methodology: A total of 45 dental implants with three different types of connections were divided into three groups (n=15/each) according to filling product at the interface: Control (C) - unfilled, BlueM (BM) - oxygen active gel, Chlorexidine (CX) - 2% chlorhexidine gel. They were incubated with a solution containing Pg for 5 days under an aerobic condition. Bacterial contamination at the interface were detected and quantificated by qPCR.
Results: All 45 implants showed contamination at the IAI by Pg after 5 days of incubation, independent of prosthetic connection type. EH type connections showed greater contamination by Pg compared to MT type connections (p=0.0098). No differences were observed among different types of connections in BM and CX groups. 
Conclusion: The application of active oxygen gel promoted a reduction in P. gingivalis contamination in EH type connections at the IAI in vitro, but did not eliminate it completely.
Dental Radiographic Alterations in Patients Undergoing Antineoplastic Therapy in Childhood: A Case Series
Authors: Longo Bruna C. , Rohling Isabel B. , Silva Pauline L. M. O. E. , Souza Maria D. B. de , Silva Cléverson O.
Published: June 2024

Introduction: Antineoplastic therapy (AT) can cause unwanted effects, including dental alterations. However, many of the studies are case control or cohort studies, use a big number of patients, and may make it difficult to discuss the individual sequels.
Objective: Therefore, this article aims to describe five cases of patients who had done AT in childhood or adolescence and discuss the radiography alterations. The side effects related were agenesis (five patients), root anomalies (two patients) and microdontia (two patients). This individual case analysis enabled to discuss chemotherapeutic agents and radiation parameters individually and the age of dental formation when the patient did the AT.
Conclusion: In these cases, only when the therapy was perform in the age of teeth formation it was consider a direct effect of AT, so the cases presents root malformations, microdontia and premolars agenesis and third molars agenesis. On the other hand, another cases of root malformations, microdontia and third molars agenesis may be an indirect effect of AT or caused by other external factors, because the AT was not performed at the age of formation of these teeth.
Evaluation of Different Drying Methods and Leaf Age on the Retention of Phytochemical and Nutritional Attributes of Moringa Leaf Powder
Authors: Singh Rajat , R.A. Kaushik , J Jyothsna , K.D. Ameta , Rajiv  , Singh Pramod Kumar , Kumar Pushpendra
Published: June 2024

Moringa (Moringa oleifera), indigenous to India and Africa, is esteemed for its dual utility as a minor timber source and, more importantly, as a vegetable crop. The leaves of the moringa tree are exceptionally nutrient-dense, containing essential elements such as iron, calcium, proteins, vitamins A, C, and E, dietary fiber, phosphorus, and potassium, all vital for human health. Furthermore, these leaves are rich in antioxidants, including flavonoids and phenolics, which endow them with significant medicinal properties. Despite its sporadic cultivation hindering global availability, the production of moringa leaf powder presents a viable strategy to bolster its international export potential. This study aims to assess the efficacy of various drying techniques in producing moringa leaf powder while preserving its nutritional integrity. Conducted at the Post-Harvest Technology Laboratory within the Department of Horticulture, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, and the Department of Processing and Food Engineering, College of Technology and Agricultural Engineering at Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India, this research evaluates the nutritional quality of moringa leaf powder produced via different drying methods and from leaves of varying ages. Our findings indicate that the fluidized bed dryer excels in preserving the nutritional quality of the powder compared to tray and heat pump dryers. Additionally, the study concludes that heat pump dryers are unsuitable for producing high-quality moringa leaf powder.
Ultrahigh Electrical Resistance of Poly(cyclohexyl methacrylate)/Carbon Nanotube Composites Prepared Using Surface‐Initiated Polymerization
Authors: Hayashida Kenichi , Tanaka Hiromitsu
Published: March 2012

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes on which poly(cyclohexyl methacrylate)s are densely grafted (PCHMA‐CNTs), are synthesized using a modified surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization technique. The electrical resistance of PCHMA‐CNT is systematically characterized under direct current (DC) and alternating current and compared to that of conventional nanocomposites prepared by blending PCHMA with the CNT (PCHMA/CNT). At a comparable volume fraction of CNT, DC volume resistivity of PCHMA‐CNT is 14 orders of magnitude higher than that of PCHMA/CNT. This is because the grafted polymer with a combination of the high molecular weight and the high grafting density isolates individual CNTs at a long distance in the PCHMA‐CNT system. In addition, impedance analysis reveals that the highly insulated PCHMA‐CNT has the same electrical nature as neat PCHMA, i.e., it is a dielectric. Furthermore, dynamic mechanical analysis shows PCHMA‐CNT has a good mechanical properties as well as ultrahigh electrical resistance.
Dinuclear Pd(II)–NHC complex derived from proline and its application toward Mizoroki–Heck reaction performed in water
Authors: Ma Ming‐Tao , Lu Jian‐Mei
Published: March 2012

A novel dinuclear Pd(II)–N‐heterocyclic carbene complex derived from proline was successfully synthesized and its structure was confirmed unambiguously by X‐ray single‐crystal diffraction. Furthermore, the complex was found to be a good catalyst in the Mizoroki–Heck reaction of aryl iodides and bromides with acrylic acid performed in pure water. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hybrid distillation‐biomass adsorption process for isopropanol–water azeotrope separation
Authors: Gong Chunmei , Gao Hong , Wu Peng , Sun Jinsheng , Li Jing
Published: March 2012

A new coupling scheme to dehydrate azeotropical isopropanol–water mixture is denoted in this work. The first distillation column in the scheme drives the crude mixture to its azeotropic point, then the fixed‐bed adsorber with a compound starch adsorbent ZSG‐1 helps its vapor distillate to surpass the azeotropic point and facilitate another distillation for pure product. Embedded with the mathematical ZSG‐1 adsorption module established under the experimentally screened optimum adsorption conditions, the novel flowsheet is electrically upbuilded by numerical simulation software. The calculated results validate that the new scheme, through integration of the two kinds of unit operations, halves energy requirement in comparison with the current industrial azeotropic distillation counterpart, with effectiveness and feasibility. © 2012 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Marine Archaeogeophysical Prospection of Roman Salapia Settlement (Puglia, Italy): Detecting Ancient Harbour Remains
Authors: Cocchi L. , Stefanelli P. , Carmisciano C. , Caratori Tontini F. , Taramaschi L. , Cipriani S.
Published: March 2012

The Gulf of Manfredonia and the Tavoliere Plain have experienced intense human colonization since the neolithic times. There is past evidence in the study area of a Roman‐age settlement historically known as Salapia, probably located close to the salt‐production ponds. In particular, several portions of a partly submerged ancient pier‐like structure were found close to Torre Pietra town. This structure has been interpreted as a portion of a dragged‐ship channel that connected the town of Salapia to the sea. In this article we discuss the results of a high‐resolution geophysical prospecting of the Margherita di Savoia offshore archaeological site (Puglia, Italy). We collected magnetic gradiometric and bathymetric data to map the submerged remains of Salapia harbour. We found evidence of an offshore projection of a Torre Pietra pier‐like structure, identifying the direction of the ship channel and possibly the location of the harbour's defensive post. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Superior Electrochemical Performance of Sulfur/Graphene Nanocomposite Material for High‐Capacity Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Wang Bei , Li Kefei , Su Dawei , Ahn Hyojun , Wang Guoxiu
Published: March 2012

Sulfur/graphene nanocomposite material has been prepared by incorporating sulfur into the graphene frameworks through a melting process. Field‐emission scanning electron microscope analysis shows a homogeneous distribution of sulfur in the graphene nanosheet matrix. The sulfur/graphene nanocomposite exhibits a super‐high lithium‐storage capacity of 1580 mAh g−1 and a satisfactory cycling performance in lithium–sulfur cells. The enhancement of the reversible capacity and cycle life could be attributed to the flexible graphene nanosheet matrix, which acts as a conducting medium and a physical buffer to cushion the volume change of sulfur during the lithiation and delithiation process. Graphene‐based nanocomposites can significantly improve the electrochemical performance of lithium–sulfur batteries.
Quadruple Click: A Facile Pathway leading to Tetrakis(4‐(1,2,3‐triazolyl)methyl)‐ethylenediamine Derivatives as a New Class of Extracting Agents for Soft Metal Ions
Authors: Watanabe Wataru , Maekawa Tetsuya , Miyazaki Yuji , Kida Tatsuya , Takeshita Kenji , Mori Atsunori
Published: March 2012

Tetrakis(triazolylmethyl)ethylenediamine, which is a class of tetrakis(2‐pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine (TPEN) analogue, is synthesized by a quadruple click reaction of tetrapropargylated ethylenediamine and four equivalents of alkyl azide. The obtained compound efficiently extracted the soft metal cadmium(II) ions by solvent extraction. It is also found that an N‐isopropylacryl amide (NIPA) gel using the triazole ethylenediamine as a cross‐linker exhibits a temperature‐dependent extraction performance.
A Joss–Waldvogel disdrometer derived rainfall estimation study by collocated tipping bucket and rapid response rain gauges
Authors: Islam Tanvir , Rico‐Ramirez Miguel A. , Han Dawei , Srivastava Prashant K.
Published: March 2012

This article studies the rainfall estimates derived from a Joss–Waldvogel disdrometer, using an extensive dataset of raindrop spectra for the period of 2003–2010. Four rain gauges (one tipping bucket and three rapid response drop counting devices) are employed for the appraisal with the disdrometer observations. The appraisal has been carried out in view of hourly rainfall accumulations, time series accumulative rainfall, and rain rate observations. From the yearly timescale statistics, the correlation between the disdrometer derived hourly rain accumulations to those measured by the rain gauges are in the range of 0.89–0.99 (mean absolute error, 0.10–0.45 mm, and normalized mean bias −1.03% to −50.28%). Especially, the estimated rainfall by the tipping bucket rain gauge is in sound agreement with the disdrometer observations, which is also reflected in time series accumulative rainfall comparisons, showing no more than 20% differences roughly. On the other hand, the results reveal that regardless of any influence of the integration period, the agreement between the disdrometer and the three rapid response rain gauges are quite consistent. Nevertheless, the association of the tipping bucket rain gauge is sensitive to the integration periods. In fact, increasing the integration period improves the rain rates agreement. Further to the appraisal for various rain classes, there is an underestimation to overestimation trend of disdrometer estimated rain rates with the increase of rain classes. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
Semantic Coherence and Inconsistency in Estimating Conditional Probabilities
Authors: Wolfe Christopher R. , Fisher Christopher R. , Reyna Valerie F.
Published: March 2012

Two studies examined semantic coherence and internal inconsistency fallacies in conditional probability estimation. Problems reflected five distinct relationships between two sets: identical sets, mutually exclusive sets, subsets, overlapping sets, and independent sets (a special case of overlapping sets). Participants estimated P(A), P(B), P(A|B), and P(B|A). Inconsistency occurs when this constellation of estimates does not conform to Bayes' theorem. Semantic coherence occurs when this constellation of estimates is consistent with the depicted relationship among sets. Fuzzy‐trace theory predicts that people have difficulty with overlapping sets and subsets because they require class‐inclusion reasoning. On these problems, people are vulnerable to denominator neglect, the tendency to ignore relevant denominators, making the gist more difficult to discern. Independent sets are simplified by the gist understanding that P(A) provides no information about P(B), and thus, P(A|B) = P(A). The gist for identical sets is that P(A|B) = 1.0, and the gist of mutually exclusive sets is that P(A|B) = 0. In Study 1, identical, mutually exclusive, and independent sets yielded superior performance (in internal inconsistency and semantic coherence) than subsets and overlapping sets. For subsets and overlapping sets, interventions clarifying appropriate denominators generally improved semantic coherence and inconsistency, including teaching people to use Euler diagrams, 2 × 2 tables, or relative frequencies. In Study 2, with problems about breast cancer and BRCA mutations, there was a strong correlation between inconsistency in conditional probability estimation and conjunction fallacies of joint probability estimation, suggesting that similar fallacious reasoning processes produce these errors. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Engineered Bacteriorhodopsin: A Molecular Scale Potential Switch
Authors: Patil Amol V. , Premaraban Thenuhan , Berthoumieu Olivia , Watts Anthony , Davis Jason J.
Published: March 2012

Bacteriorhodopsin, BR, is a natural, photoresponsive, biomolecule that has potential application in data storage, imaging and sensing. Being membrane‐bound, however, it is coupled with metallic electronic surfaces only with some difficulty. We report herein a facile method to generate uniformly orientated, anchored and active monolayers of BR on metallic electrodes. In the present study, the cytoplasmic side of the BR is equipped with an engineered cysteine to achieve largely lipid‐free, orientation‐specific, highly stable, covalent immobilization on gold surfaces. By using non‐invasive Kelvin probe force microscopy, it is possible to measure the light‐induced proton accumulation at the extracellular protein surface at truly molecular scales. The intimate probe–BR interaction possible on lipid removal facilitates the detection of photoinduced surface potential switching substantially larger ((20.4±7.5) mV) with functional single delipidated mutant BR trimers than for the wild‐type protein. The proton pumping detected is also notably highly unidirectional with the orientated protein.
Bifunctional Rhenium Complexes for the Catalytic Transfer‐Hydrogenation Reactions of Ketones and Imines
Authors: Landwehr Anne , Dudle Balz , Fox Thomas , Blacque Olivier , Berke Heinz
Published: March 2012

The silyloxycyclopentadienyl hydride complexes [Re(H)(NO)(PR3)(C5H4OSiMe2tBu)] (R=iPr (3 a), Cy (3 b)) were obtained by the reaction of [Re(H)(Br)(NO)(PR3)2] (R=iPr, Cy) with Li[C5H4OSiMe2tBu]. The ligand–metal bifunctional rhenium catalysts [Re(H)(NO)(PR3)(C5H4OH)] (R=iPr (5 a), Cy (5 b)) were prepared from compounds 3 a and 3 b by silyl deprotection with TBAF and subsequent acidification of the intermediate salts [Re(H)(NO)(PR3)(C5H4O)][NBu4] (R=iPr (4 a), Cy (4 b)) with NH4Br. In nonpolar solvents, compounds 5 a and 5 b formed an equilibrium with the isomerized trans‐dihydride cyclopentadienone species [Re(H)2(NO)(PR3)(C5H4O)] (6 a,b). Deuterium‐labeling studies of compounds 5 a and 5 b with D2 and D2O showed H/D exchange at the HRe and HO positions. Compounds 5 a and 5 b were active catalysts in the transfer hydrogenation reactions of ketones and imines with 2‐propanol as both the solvent and H2 source. The mechanism of the transfer hydrogenation and isomerization reactions was supported by DFT calculations, which suggested a secondary‐coordination‐sphere mechanism for the transfer hydrogenation of ketones.
Extraordinary Radical Scavengers: 4‐Mercaptostilbenes
Authors: Cao Xiao‐Yan , Yang Jie , Dai Fang , Ding De‐Jun , Kang Yan‐Fei , Wang Fu , Li Xiu‐Zhuang , Liu Guo‐Yun , Yu Sha‐Sha , Jin Xiao‐Ling , Zhou Bo
Published: March 2012

In the past decade, there was a great deal of interest and excitement in developing more active antioxidants and cancer chemoprevention agents than resveratrol, a naturally occurring stilbene. In this work, eight resveratrol‐directed 4‐mercaptostilbenes were constructed based on the inspiration that thiophenol should be a stronger radical scavenger than phenol, and their reaction rates with galvinoxyl (GO.) and 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH.) radicals in methanol and ethyl acetate were measured by using stopped‐flow UV/Vis spectroscopy at 25 °C. Kinetic analysis demonstrates that 4‐mercaptostilbenes are extraordinary radical scavengers, and the substitution of the 4‐SH group for the 4‐OH group in the stilbene scaffold is an important strategy to improve the radical‐scavenging activity of resveratrol. Surprisingly, in methanol, some of the 4‐mercaptostilbenes are 104‐times more active than resveratrol, dozens of times to hundreds of times more effective than known antioxidants (α‐tocopherol, ascorbic acid, quercetin, and trolox). The detailed radical‐scavenging mechanisms were discussed based on acidified‐kinetic analysis. Addition of acetic acid remarkably reduced the GO. and DPPH. radical‐scavenging rates of the 4‐mercaptostilbenes in methanol, a solvent that supports ionization, suggesting that the reactions proceed mainly through a sequential proton loss electron transfer mechanism. In contrast, an interesting acid‐promoted kinetics was observed for the reactions of the 4‐mercaptostilbenes with DPPH. in ethyl acetate, a solvent that weakly supports ionization. The increased ratio in rates is closely correlated with the electron‐rich environment in the molecules, suggesting that the acceleration could benefit from the contribution of the electron transfer from the 4‐mercaptostilbenes and DPPH.. However, the addition of acetic acid had no influence on the GO.‐scavenging rates of the 4‐mercaptostilbenes in ethyl acetate, due to the occurrence of the direct hydrogen atom transfer. Our results show that the radical‐scavenging activity and mechanisms of 4‐mercaptostilbenes depends significantly on the molecular structure and acidity, the nature of the attacking radical, and the ionizing capacity of the solvent.
“Relaxometry” experiments and analysis of dispersion curves: An illustrative example of toluene in liquid and in organogel phases
Authors: Steiner Emilie , Bouguet‐Bonnet Sabine , Robert Anthony , Canet Daniel
Published: March 2012

At very low or low frequency, the so‐called dispersion curves (longitudinal relaxation rate as a function of the measurement frequency) are obtained with a “relaxometer,” which is generally run according to the “field‐cycling” technique. Because of the very poor field homogeneity, relaxation times of a single (broad) signal are measured. When going to higher fields, with standard nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometers (possibly with variable field capacities), different lines are resolved. We show how the relaxation rates pertaining to these lines can be connected to the results obtained via the relaxometer. Among other things, we demonstrate why the magnitude mode (generally used for processing the relaxometer data) must be used with caution when several lines are resolved. Actually, we could obtain accurate 1H dispersion curves in a very broad frequency range (5 kHz–400 MHz), and we show that a decomposition into several Lorentzian curves proves to be adequate, as far as paramagnetic relaxation due to dissolved oxygen is concerned. The method will be applied i) to nondegassed liquid toluene, ii) to the same solvent involved in the formation of an organogel. In that latter case, a low frequency contribution to the dispersion curve (possibly non‐Lorentzian) reveals the part of the solvent within the organogel structure. The algorithm used for analyzing these dispersion curves is described. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part A 40A: 80–89, 2012.
Synthesis of Molecular Gallium Hydrides by Means of Low‐Temperature Catalytic Dehydrogenation
Authors: Rudolf Daniel , Storch Golo , Kaifer Elisabeth , Himmel Hans‐Jörg
Published: March 2012

Low‐temperature catalytic dehydrogenation of H3Ga·NMe3 and a bicyclic guanidine [1,3,4,6,7,8‐hexahydro‐2H‐pyrimido[1,2‐a]pyrimidine (hppH) or 1,5,7‐triazabicyclo[4.3.0]non‐6‐ene (Htbn)] led to temperature‐sensitive gallium hydrides H3Ga(tbn)·Htbn and [H2Ga(μ‐hpp)]2. Both hydrides, which are stable only at low temperatures, were structurally characterized. A possible pathway and the role of the catalyst are discussed on the basis of NMR spectroscopic experiments and quantum chemical calculations.
Development of a capillary electrophoresis‐mass spectrometry method for the determination of rivastigmine in human plasma – Optimization of the limits of detection and quantitation
Authors: Nicolaou Irene N. , Kapnissi‐Christodoulou Constantina P.
Published: March 2012

A capillary zone electrophoresis‐electrospray ionization‐mass spectrometry (CZE‐ESI‐MS) method was developed for the analysis of the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor rivastigmine. Several electrophoretic and ESI‐MS parameters were investigated in order to improve sensitivity. These parameters were categorized in three areas: (i) background electrolyte (BGE) parameters, (ii) sheath liquid parameters, and (iii) spray chamber parameters. The optimized results were obtained by using 40‐mM ammonium acetate at pH 9 as BGE, a sheath liquid of 1% acetic acid in water:MeOH (50:50 v/v) at a flow rate of 10 μL/min, and a drying gas flow rate that was set at 6 L/min and at a temperature of 200°C. These parameters provided limit of detection and limit of quantitation of 2.8 ng/mL and 8.4 ng/mL, respectively. The optimal CZE‐ESI‐MS conditions were applied to a plasma sample obtained from an Alzheimer's disease patient following rivastigmine patch administration, and the mean (±standard deviation) plasma concentration was estimated to be 14.6 (±1.7) ng/mL. Several sample preparation procedures were examined, and solid‐phase extraction using a C18 cartridge proved to be the most effective procedure, since higher sensitivity and recovery were obtained. In addition, precision was evaluated based on migration time and peak area in plasma, and the relative standard deviations were in the range of 0.10–0.16% and 0.62–9.0%, respectively.
A simple and robust LC‐MS/MS method for quantification of free 3‐nitrotyrosine in human plasma from patients receiving on‐pump CABG surgery
Authors: Hui Yu , Wong Michael , Zhao Shuai Sherry , Love Jennifer A. , Ansley David M. , Chen David D.Y.
Published: March 2012

We have developed a simple, sensitive, and robust liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) method to determine free 3‐nitrotyrosine concentrations in human plasma of patients receiving on‐pump coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. A one‐step solid‐phase extraction protocol was optimized to enrich the analyte at low nanomolar concentrations. The processed samples were analyzed by LC‐MS/MS with a 2.1 × 100 mm Kinetex PFP column and a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. The method was validated for 3‐nitrotyrosine concentrations close to real patient plasma levels. The relative standard deviations or relative errors of the intraday and interday determinations were all within 10%. Limit of detection and limit of quantitation were determined to be 0.034 nM and 0.112 nM, respectively, while lower limit of quantitation was below 0.625 nM. No deterioration of the column performance was noticed after running a large number of patient samples. The results showed that the 3‐nitrotyrosine concentrations in coronary sinus plasma samples were elevated after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) procedure. The pre‐CPB and post‐CPB concentrations of 3‐nitrotyrosine in patient plasmas were 1.494 ± 0.107 nM and 2.167 ± 0.177 nM (mean ± SEM), respectively. Application of this method to more patients in clinical studies may help validate 3‐nitrotyrosine as a meaningful biomarker for nitrosative stress and link patient characteristics, clinical outcomes, and cardioprotective treatments to endogenous nitrosative stress levels.
Implementation of a design of experiments to study the influence of the background electrolyte on separation and detection in non‐aqueous capillary electrophoresis–mass spectrometry
Authors: Posch Tjorben Nils , Müller Alexander , Schulz Wolfgang , Pütz Michael , Huhn Carolin
Published: March 2012

Non‐aqueous capillary electrophoresis (NACE) background electrolytes are most often composed of a mixture of methanol and acetonitrile (ACN) with soluble ammonium salts added as electrolyte. In this study on NACE‐MS, we used a mixture of glacial acetic acid and ACN giving rise to an acidic background electrolyte (BGE) with a very low dielectric constant. Impressive changes in selectivity and resolution were observed for structurally closely related indole alkaloids including diastereomers upon addition of ammonium formate as electrolyte and upon variation of the solvent ratio. In order to obtain best separation and MS detection conditions and to reveal the influence of the parameters of the BGE on separation and detection and vice versa of the MS parameters on separation, an optimization strategy was employed using a design of experiments in a central composite design with response surface methodology. It was proven that at high electroosmotic flow conditions capillary electrophoretic separations and thus optimization can be realized without interference from the coupling to an MS system. Several significantly interacting parameters were revealed, which are not accessible with classical univariate optimization approaches. With this optimization, alkaloid mixtures from a plant extract of Mitragyna speciosa, containing a large number of diastereomeric compounds were successfully separated.