bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Catalytic Fate of Two Copper Complexes towards Phenoxazinone Synthase and Catechol Dioxygenase Activity
Authors: Garai Mamoni , Dey Dhananjay , Yadav Hare Ram , Choudhury Angshuman Roy , Maji Milan , Biswas Bhaskar
Published: December 2017

In this present work, we report the synthesis and structural characterization of two copper(II) complexes, [Cu(bpy)Cl2] (1) & [Cu(μ‐Cl)(phen)Cl]2 (2) [bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine; phen=1,10‐phenanthroline]. We have also studied their catalytic fate towards phenoxazinone synthase and catechol dioxygenase activity. X‐ray structural analyses revealed that 1 & 2 crystallize in triclinic & monoclinic system with P 1 and Cc space group respectively. The copper complexes catalyse the oxidative coupling of 2‐amino phenol (2‐AP) to aminophenoxazin‐3‐one with significant turn over number, kcat(h−1)=2.08×103 & 2.16×103 for 1 & 2 resectively. During investigation of catechol dioxygenase activity, stoichiometric addition of 1 & 2 to 3,5‐di‐tert‐butylcatechol (DTBC) in acetonitrile produce in situ catecholate‐to‐Cu(II) absorption bands at 812 and 821 nm respectively. The in situ Cu(II)‐catecholate species for both 1 & 2 react with molecular oxygen at the rate, kobs: 7.95×10−4 and 1.30×10−3 min−1 respectively and produce intradiol cleavage products in exclusive amount. Minor amount of benzoquinone is also found in solution. Intradiol products are found as major product in solution and accounts in favour of substrate activation mechanism.
Catalytic Conversion of Bamboo Meal to High‐Yield Furfural With Solid Acid Catalyst FePO4⋅2H2O
Authors: Ye Jun , Zhou Minghao , Wang Kui , Chen Shuigen , Xu Junming , Jiang Jianchun
Published: December 2017

Furfural has been identified as an attractive platform chemical for production of valuable bio‐based chemicals and bio‐fuels. Therefore, to exploit a new catalyst which directly synthesized furfural from biomass was meaningful. In this work, FePO4⋅2H2O was novelty applied in H2O/THF solvent system to produce furfural from bamboo meal. The influence of catalyst type, solvent type, catalyst dosage, reaction temperature and times on furfural production was comparatively evaluated. The results indicated that the FePO4 catalyst displayed an excellent catalytic activity over mineral acids, metal chlorate and solid acids, achieving the highest furfural yield of 90.5% (from d‐xylose) and 83.1 mol % (from bamboo meal) at 170 °C (60 min) and 180 °C (60 min), respectively. Moreover, characterization indicated that FePO4 can recrystallize after the reaction, which provided a convenience for the catalyst recovery. Considering the excellent catalytic activity and recovering characteristic of FePO4 catalyst, systematical research of this new technique was required before the process could be considered as an industrial scale.
Vanadium Cluster‐Based Inorganic‐Organic Covalent Hybrids: Synthesis, Structure and In Vitro Antioxidant Properties
Authors: Reddy Pulikanti Guruprasad , Angajala Gangadhara , Matharoo Navneet , Pradeep Chullikkattil P.
Published: December 2017

A new family of [V6O19]8− cluster based covalent hybrids containing Tris functionalized (Tris=tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane) organic motifs such as naphthalene, quinoline and carbazole have been synthesized and characterized. These new vanadium cluster hybrids exhibited remarkable in vitro antioxidant properties under standard experimental conditions. The covalent grafting of the organic units enhanced the antioxidant properties of the hybrids in comparison to the starting compound, [H3V10O28]3−. The antioxidant properties exhibited by these hybrids correlated well with their reducing powers.
Induction of Supramolecular Helical Handedness in a Chemical Reaction Directed Self‐Healable Soft Material
Authors: Reja Antara , Biswas Ankan , Yadav Jonu , Dev Dharm , Das Apurba K.
Published: December 2017

Thixotropic and self‐healable supramolecular gel with nanohelical morphological features of discotic C3 symmetric benzene‐1,3,5‐tricarboxylic acid coupled with (L)‐ and (D)‐phenylalanine were achieved by hydroxyl anion catalysed methyl ester hydrolysis in presence of lithium ions. The hydrolysis of methyl ester and subsequent formation of gel are highly dependent on metal ions. The arrangement of the molecular building blocks and increasing the structural complexity during the origin of the supramolecular structures from the monomeric units by a chemical reaction act as the executive parameters to determine the handedness of macroscopic chirality.
Green Synthesis of Triaryl Phosphates with POCl3 in Water
Authors: Huang Xiaodong , Zhao Xinye , Zhang Mengyu , Xu Yang , Zhi Huizhen , Yang Jinfei
Published: December 2017

The facile synthesis of triaryl phosphates by using POCl3 and phenols under mild conditions is a great challenge for both chemical industry and organic chemistry. Especially for the reaction of functionalized phosphorus oxychloride in water, which has long been considered impossible due to its quickly hydrolysis, the fact that makes phosphorus oxychloride serve as a type of popular starting material commonly appeared in organic solvents. Herein, a feed‐controlled substitution reaction with POCl3 in water was investigated and 97% isolated yield of triphenyl phosphate (TPP) was obtained on the kilogram scale. A broad scope of triaryl phosphates can be prepared in good yields under mild conditions without using any catalysts. The presence of appropriate amount of water could significantly promote the reaction efficiency.
Nitrogen‐Doped Porous Carbon as High‐Performance Cathode Material for Lithium‐Sulfur Battery
Authors: Liu Chang , Yin Zong‐Jie , Deng Heming , Liu Cui , Zhao Jinxing , Lan Qian , Tang Shun , Liang Jiyuan , Cheng Qi , Liu Jiyan , Cao Yuan‐Cheng , Liu Zhihong
Published: December 2017

Lithium sulfur is considered as one of the most potential candidate cathode material using in high‐energy lithium ion batteries. In this work, the N‐doped porous carbon spheres with an appropriate N doping (4.33 wt%) were synthesized by Pyrrole through the sulfuric acid triggered polymerization and carbonized directly. The diameter of obtained N‐doped porous carbon spheres was in the range of 100–500 nm, with the pore size of 2–20 nm. Nitrogen‐doped carbon/Sulfur cathode with 61.8 wt% sulfur content exhibits excellent performance in high‐energy lithium sulfur battery. The specific capacity reached 1660 mAh g −1 at 0.05 C and about 500 mAh g−1 at 2 C.
Enantioselective Synthesis of Optically Active O‐Benzoyl‐Protected α‐Hydroxyl‐β,γ‐Unsaturated Acids with Chiral Induction of (S)‐Glyceraldehyde Acetonide
Authors: Liu Ruiquan , Wang Lei , Li Qibo , Liao Min , Yang Zhikun , Huang Yun , Zheng Bing , Bian Qinghua , Wang Min , Liu Shangzhong
Published: December 2017

α‐Hydroxyl‐β,γ‐unsaturated acids are usually present in biologically active natural products and medicines, and serve as valuable building blocks in synthetic organic chemistry. A new method for the synthesis of O‐benzoyl‐protected α‐hydroxyl‐β,γ‐unsaturated acids is presented. Chiral induction was achieved using (S)‐glyceraldehyde acetonide as chiral source together with ClTi(Oi‐Pr)3 as coordinating agent. The overall synthetic route included 6 simple steps, and six optically active O‐benzoyl‐protected α‐hydroxyl‐β,γ‐unsaturated acids 1 a‐1 f (99% ee) were prepared in up to 53% yield.
Green Route Biosynthesis of Shape‐Tunable ZnO Nanostructures and Their Photocatalytic Applications
Authors: Phukan Shreemoyee , Bomjen Peto , Shripathi Thoudinja , Rashid Md. Harunar
Published: December 2017

Herein, we report the synthesis of ZnO nanostructures of different morphologies via a facile and efficient wet chemical approach using flower extract as capping agent under ambient conditions. The purified samples were characterized via UV‐vis spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, X‐ray diffractometry, electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The diffractograms revealed that the products are pure and are well crystallized in a hexagonal wurtzite structure. The electron microscopic results confirmed that varying the concentration of flower extract, size and shape of ZnO nanostructures could be tuned. Microscopic results also clearly revealed that the flower like three dimensional morphologies of ZnO transforms gradually to spherical shape with increase in flower extract concentration. The ZnO nanostructures exhibit excellent photocatalytic activities towards the degradation of cationic dyes such as methylene blue and rhodamine B under UV light irradiation indicating that the flower extract derived ZnO architecture is a promising material for removal of pollutants from waste water. The effect of reaction parameters such as shape, size and amount of catalyst on the photocatalytic degradation of dyes were also studied. The results revealed that the maximum decolorization of dyes occur with ZnO photocatalyst at basic pH under UV light irradiation. The ZnO nanostructures are highly stable and are reusable for successive batches without losing any photocatalytic activity.
Stimuli‐Responsive Polymeric Hydrogel‐Copper Nanocomposite Material for Biomedical Application and Its Alternative Application to Catalytic Field
Authors: Sharma Swati , Deepak  , Kumar Ashok , Afgan Shere , Kumar Rajesh
Published: December 2017

Naturally occurring non‐toxic, biocompatible chitosan based hydrogel nanocomposite with copper nanoparticle was synthesized via in‐situ free radical polymerization using chitosan (CS) as substrate, acrylamide (Am) as monomer, copper nanoparticles (CuNPs), ammonium persulphate as an initiator and glutaraldehyde as a cross‐linking agent. The synthesized CS‐PAm‐CuNPs hydrogel nanocomposite was characterized by rheology studies, HRSEM & FT‐IR spectroscopy. It shows excellent swelling up to 300% in wide range of pH of 3–9 with good mechanical strength (exhibit 1380% stain value). Further, synthesized hydrogel nanocomposite was found to be a multi‐responsive due biomedical application and alternative application to catalytic field. The synthesized hydrogel‐nanocomposite showed 96% release of highly water soluble levofloxacin antibiotic drug in blood serum in controlled manner up to 30 h and its catalytic activity (90%). Successful reduction of 4‐nitrophenol into 4‐aminophenol in presence of hydrogel nanocomposite confirms its Catalytic property. This hydrogel nanocomposite catalyst was found to be ecofriendly and it can be reused after washing it with distilled water.
Slow Intermolecular Complexation–Decomplexation Exchanges of Cyclodextrins in Fullerene and Its Derivative Complexes
Authors: Ikeda Atsushi , Mae Tomoya , Sugikawa Kouta , Komaguchi Kenji , Konishi Toshifumi , Hirao Takehiro , Haino Takeharu
Published: December 2017

Fullerenes (C60 and C70) and several functionalized C60 derivatives can be encapsulated in two γ‐cyclodextrins (γ‐CDxs). Although intermolecular complexation–decomplexation exchange of γ‐CDx is known to be very slow, the exchange rates have yet to be quantitatively measured. Herein, we determined that the pseudo‐first‐order association and dissociation rate constants for the γ‐CDx2•C70 complex were 4.3 and 0.6 s−1 at 23 °C, respectively. In contrast, the intermolecular exchange rates for the γ‐CDx2•C60 and C60 derivative complexes were slower than the time scale of exchange spectroscopy NMR experiments and the exchange rate constants were in the order of 10−4 s−1. Furthermore, a γ‐CDx2•C60 derivative complex was shown to have different intermolecular exchange rates for the two γ‐CDxs depending on steric hindrance from the substituent on the C60 derivative.
Fabrication of TiO2/β‐Cyclodextrin Double‐Ring Composite and Its Photodegradation Performance
Authors: Jia Di , Wang Yu Lei , Yang Hua Gui
Published: December 2017

Organic‐inorganic TiO2/β‐cyclodextrin composite was synthesized through orienting hydrolysis of tetrabutyl titanate on the hydrophilic faces of β‐cyclodextrin vesicles with the assistance of trace water. The composite has a double‐ring structure, in which β‐cyclodextrin comprises the inner ring and TiO2 makes up the outer ring. The TiO2/β‐cyclodextrin composite with an “empty” inner ring was observed for the first time and it showed photodegradation performance of BPA under visible light irradiation.
Low Melting Tetracyanidoborate Salts with Alkyl‐, Arylammonium, and Pyridinium Cations: Syntheses, Structures, Properties.
Authors: Siegesmund Antje , Topp Anke , Nitschke Christian , Köckerling Martin
Published: December 2017

The syntheses and single crystal structures of five new tetracyanidoborate salts with N‐based cations are described. Three of these compounds contain cations with acidic H atoms. The H‐bond strength, expressed by D‐A distances is correlated with a shift of the CN stretching mode frequency in the IR spectra. Melting points are found between 59 °C and 214 °C, i. e. at the borderline between ionic liquids and molten salts. Isothermal annealing indicates slow decomposition. Solubility tests in polar solvents show a strong dependence on the cation.
Bronsted Basic Ionic Liquid as Catalytic and Reusable Media for Conjugate Cyanation of CF3‐Substituted Alkylidenemalonates Using Acetone Cyanohydrin
Authors: Jakhar Ajay , Ansari Amamudin , Nandi Sekhar , Gupta Naveen , Khan Noor‐ul H. , Kureshy Rukhsana I.
Published: December 2017

A new class of CF3 substituted alkylidenemalonates were synthesized and used as a substrate for conjugate cyanation reaction. Ionic liquid has been used as an organocatalyst under solvent‐free and mild reaction conditions. The present protocol exhibited remarkable catalytic activity using a favourable cyanide source i. e. acetone cyanohydrin. Excellent yields were obtained for a wide range of substrates and the high reactivity is presumptively attributed to the basicity of an ionic liquid used. Mechanistic insights were studied using NMR spectroscopy and a probable catalytic cycle was proposed.
An Eco‐Sustainable Synthetic Approach for 4,5‐Dihydro‐1H‐pyrazoles via DBU Catalysis in Micellar Medium
Authors: Mishra Anu , Rai Pratibha , Pandey Yogesh K. , Singh Jaya , Singh Jagdamba
Published: December 2017

An efficient and straightforward synthetic strategy for pharmaceutically pertinent scaffold 4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrazole has been reported initiating from highly substituted chalcones (1) and thiosemicarbazide (2) as reactants in an aqueous micellar medium by the use of DBU (1,8‐Diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene) as an organobase. The use of CTAB (Cetyl Trimethyl Ammonium Bromide) as a surfactant, which forms a colloidal dispersion with organic substrates with the enhancement of the reactivity of substrates is the key feature of this technique. Organic synthesis in aqueous micellar medium, use of organocatalyst DBU, mild reaction conditions, sustainable synthesis, experimental feasibility, broad substrate scope, short reaction time and high yields are some other attributes of this protocol.
Preparation and Evaluation of Edge Selective Sulfonated Graphene by Chlorosulfuric Acid as an Active Metal‐ Free Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Alkaline Media
Authors: Abdolmaleki Amir , Mallakpour Shadpour , Mahmoudian Manzar
Published: December 2017

In this work, development of efficient metal‐free electrocatalyst for the application in the cathode of fuel cell was investigated by a modified graphene (edge‐selective sulfonated graphene), which was synthesized via a facile chemical procedure. Below, the delamination of three‐dimensional architectures graphite into two‐dimensional graphene nanoplates and the presence of sulfonic acid groups in sulfonated graphene (SG) are revealed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) techniques. Finally, the resulting edge SG is evaluated as the catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in the alkaline media. It shows not only remarkable selectivity for ORR via a four‐electron pathway, but also a stable behavior as well as tolerance to the methanol crossover compared to platinum.
Design of Air and Moisture Stable Ruthenophane and Ruthenium(II)‐π Complexes and Study of Their Applications in Catalysis
Authors: Viji Mambattakkara , Tyagi Nidhi , Ramaiah Danaboyina
Published: December 2017

Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of two ruthenophane (1) and ruthenium(II)‐π (2) complexes, and the results of their catalytic applications under different conditions. These complexes exhibited excellent air and moisture stability due to the existence of effective cation‐π interactions between the metal ion and the aromatic surface of the ligand. These complexes were tested and compared in the transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone in 2‐propanol. The ruthenophane complex 1 exhibited highest efficiency in the catalytic transfer hydrogenation reaction when compared to the complex 2.

The better efficiency of the complex 1 can be ascribed to the steric and cation‐π interactions of the cyclophane ligands with the metal centre under reaction conditions. Using catalyst loading of ca. 2 mol%, the transfer hydrogenation of the aromatic ketones having different substituents was achieved. Notably, these complexes exhibited high selectivity for the aromatic ketones having electronegative substituents and showed highest efficiency of ca. 100% under moderate reaction conditions when compared to the literature known ruthenium catalysts.
Synthesis, Aggregation, Antioxidant and DNA‐Binding Properties of Metallophthalocyanines Bearing 5‐Tert‐butyl‐2‐hydroxyphenoxy Groups
Authors: Ağırtaş Mehmet Salih , Cabir Beyza , Özdemir Sadin , Okumus Veysi , Arslantas Ali
Published: December 2017

In this study, the synthesis and characterization of new substituted metallophthalocyanines are described. A new phthalonitrile, 4‐(5‐tert‐butyl‐2‐hydroxyphenoxy)‐5‐chlorophthalonitrile (3) was prepared. New compounds were characterized by UV–Vis, IR, 1H NMR, and elemental analysis. The aggregation behavior of the cobalt (II), magnesium (II) and copper (II) phthalocyanines were studied in tetrahydrofuran and in known concentration ranges. The antioxidant activities of compounds were evaluated. Their radical‐scavenging capacity, metal chelating activity and reducing power was fully studied. The compound 3 showed 100% chelating activity as EDTA at concentration 50 mg/L. The DNA interaction of copper (II) phthalocyanine compound (6) was studied using UV/Vis titration, gel electrophoresis, cyclic voltammetry. The results indicated that compound 6 interacts with CT‐DNA via intercalation binding mode.
Bis‐Imine Boronic Esters Obtained by One‐Step Multicomponent Reactions. Synthesis and X‐Ray Diffraction Structural Analysis
Authors: Sánchez‐Portillo Paola , Barba Victor
Published: December 2017

One‐step multicomponent reactions were used for the synthesis of bis‐imine boronic esters (1 a–1 c and 2 a–2 c). Condensation reaction between benzene‐1,4‐diboronic acid, 2‐amino‐1,3‐diols (2‐amino‐1,3‐propanediol or 2‐amino‐2‐methyl‐1,3‐propanediol) and carboxyl‐ pyridines (2‐, 3‐ or 4‐pyridinecarboxaldehyde) offers stable boronic esters in good yields. X‐ray crystal analysis was done for all six compounds showing at supramolecular level the presence of numerous secondary interactions such as, C−H⋅⋅⋅O, C−H⋅⋅⋅N, C−H⋅⋅⋅ π hydrogen bonds and π⋅⋅⋅π stacking. The existence of these interactions gives place to 1D and 2D polymeric frameworks in solid state. It is noteworthy to remark the absence of the N→B coordination bond in either solution or solid state. All 2‐amino‐1,3‐propanediol derivatives (1 a–1 c) showed to be in a linear conformation while the 2‐amino‐2‐methyl‐1,3‐propanediol derivatives (2 a–2 c) were twisted to form a zig‐zag conformation. Additionally, 1 b was co‐crystallized with benzene‐1,4‐diboronic acid (1 b–Ac) and 2 a also was crystallized as solvate with toluene included at the unit cell (2 a–Tol). The X‐ray analysis reveals that the additional molecule (diboronic acid or toluene) not alter the whole conformation.
Preparation of Hierarchical MnCo2S4 Nanotubes for High‐Performance Supercapacitors and Non‐Enzymatic Glucose Sensors
Authors: Wie Chengzhen , Sun Yuting , Zhan Niannian , Liu Mengyao , Zhao Liyang , Cheng Cheng , Zhang Daojun
Published: December 2017

Hierarchical MnCo2S4 nanotubes have been successfully prepared via a facile self‐template approach. The as‐prepared hierarchical MnCo2S4 nanotubes are evaluated as electrode materials for supercapacitors, which exhibits a specific capacitance of 705.2 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 and a remarkable cycling performance. Moreover, the hierarchical MnCo2S4 nanotubes are also applied in non‐enzymatic glucose sensors, which possesses good electrocatalytic performances with a low determination limit (0.1 μM) and good selectivity. In addition, yolk‐shelled MnCo2O4 prisms were also prepared via the self‐template method. The electrochemical performance of the yolk‐shelled MnCo2O4 prisms were also studied. It is found that the as‐prepared hierarchical MnCo2S4 nanotubes show better electrochemical performances than yolk‐shelled MnCo2O4 in this work.
Porous Gold Nanotubes for Enhanced Methanol Oxidation Catalysis
Authors: Yin Xiuxiu , Teradal Nagappa L. , Jelinek Raz
Published: December 2017

Porous gold nanostructures have attracted significant interest as conduits for catalysis in fuel cell applications. We synthesized new porous gold nanotubes through a simple process combining galvanic displacement of silver by gold thiocyanate [Au(SCN)4−], which in parallel underwent spontaneous crystallization/reduction. The porous Au nanotube electrodes featured high electrochemically‐active surface area and displayed excellent catalytic properties for methanol oxidation. The porous Au nanotube architecture was stable, recyclable, and could be readily employed as a catalytic platform in methanol fuel cells.
Multicomponent Methanolysis Reaction for the Synthesis Pyrrole and Pyrolizine Derivatives via Intermolecular (3 + 2) Cycloaddition
Authors: Shirsat Prashishkumar K. , Khomane Navnath B. , Mali Prakash R. , Maddi Raghavender Reddy , Nanubolu Jagadeesh Babu , Meshram Harshadas M.
Published: December 2017

A transition‐metal‐free and a mild multicomponent methanolysis protocol has been developed to access pyrrole and pyrolizine derivatives from readily available substrates ninhydrin, alkyne and amine. The reaction works well with both primary and secondary amines with a simple variation in temperature. The reaction is proposed to go through a (3+2) cycloaddition reaction via azomethine ylide intermediate.
“I'm Not Your Stereotypical Mormon Girl”: Mormon Women's Gendered Resistance
Authors: Leamaster Reid J. , Einwohner Rachel L.
Published: December 2017

Research on women in gender-traditional religions has shown that women often exercise agency within the gendered confines of their religious institutions. This paper builds on the growing literature on women's agency in gender-traditional religions by exploring whether and why some active Mormon women resist the gendered expectations of their faith more strongly than others. Drawing on interviews with women members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS Church, Mormon), we find that eight of the 30 women interviewed strongly resisted traditional Mormon gender expectations. We then explore their patterns of resistance and provide possible explanations for why they resist gender traditionalism more than the other participants. We discuss the wider implications of our findings, including a call for further examinations of the ways in which women's religious experiences include both accommodation and resistance to traditional ideas about gender.
The Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer's Prevention: A review of findings and current directions
Authors: Johnson Sterling C. , Koscik Rebecca L. , Jonaitis Erin M. , Clark Lindsay R. , Mueller Kimberly D. , Berman Sara E. , Bendlin Barbara B. , Engelman Corinne D. , Okonkwo Ozioma C. , Hogan Kirk J. , Asthana Sanjay , Carlsson Cynthia M. , Hermann Bruce P. , Sager Mark A.
Published: December 2017

The Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer's Prevention is a longitudinal observational cohort study enriched with persons with a parental history (PH) of probable Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia. Since late 2001, Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer's Prevention has enrolled 1561 people at a mean baseline age of 54 years. Participants return for a second visit 4 years after baseline, and subsequent visits occur every 2 years. Eighty‐one percent (1270) of participants remain active in the study at a current mean age of 64 and 9 years of follow‐up. Serially assessed cognition, self‐reported medical and lifestyle histories (e.g., diet, physical and cognitive activity, sleep, and mood), laboratory tests, genetics, and linked studies comprising molecular imaging, structural imaging, and cerebrospinal fluid data have yielded many important findings. In this cohort, PH of probable AD is associated with 46% apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 positivity, more than twice the rate of 22% among persons without PH. Subclinical or worse cognitive decline relative to internal normative data has been observed in 17.6% of the cohort. Twenty‐eight percent exhibit amyloid and/or tau positivity. Biomarker elevations, but not APOE or PH status, are associated with cognitive decline. Salutary health and lifestyle factors are associated with better cognition and brain structure and lower AD pathophysiologic burden. Of paramount importance is establishing the amyloid and tau AD endophenotypes to which cognitive outcomes can be linked. Such data will provide new knowledge on the early temporal course of AD pathophysiology and inform the design of secondary prevention clinical trials.
Caprine neonatal spinal ultrasonography
Authors: Hassan Elham A. , Ali Khaled M. , Torad Faisal A.
Published: December 2017

Spinal ultrasonography is a safe, rapid, and non‐invasive diagnostic tool that allows visualization of the spinal cord and its surrounding meninges. The non‐ossified spinous processes were used as an acoustic window for imaging the spinal cord in human and canine neonates. No available literatures have been published describing the ultrasonographic appearance of caprine neonatal spinal cord. The present study was performed on 20 one day‐old goat kids. Sagittal and transverse ultrasound scans were obtained using 8 MHz linear transducer. The spinal cord appeared as a tubular anechoic to hypoechoic structure within the spinal canal. The cord was surrounded by hyperechoic dura and pia matter as well as the anechoic subarachnoid space in‐between. The mean sagittal diameter of the cord at the cervical region was (4.6 ± 0.3 mm), the thoracic region (3.9 ± 0.2 mm), and the lumbar region (4.3 ± 1.1 mm). The sagittal diameter of the cord at the cervical and lumbar regions was significantly wider than the diameter at the thoracic region. Identification of the normal ultrasonographic appearance of caprine neonatal spinal cord may represent the basis for diagnosing congenital spinal cord lesions.
Genders and Individual Treatment Progress in (Non-)Binary Trans Individuals
Authors: Koehler Andreas , Eyssel Jana , Nieder Timo O.
Published: December 2017

Background

Health care for transgender and transsexual (ie, trans) individuals has long been based on a binary understanding of gender (ie, feminine vs masculine). However, the existence of non-binary or genderqueer (NBGQ) genders is increasingly recognized by academic and/or health care professionals.

Aim

To gain insight into the individual health care experiences and needs of binary and NBGQ individuals to improve their health care outcomes and experience.

Methods

Data were collected using an online survey study on experiences with trans health care. The non-clinical sample consisted of 415 trans individuals. An individual treatment progress score was calculated to report and compare participants' individual progress toward treatment completion and consider the individual treatment needs and definitions of completed treatment (ie, amount and types of different treatments needed to complete one's medical transition).

Outcomes

Main outcome measures were (i) general and trans-related sociodemographic data and (ii) received and planned treatments.

Results

Participants reported binary (81.7%) and different NBGQ (18.3%) genders. The 2 groups differed significantly in basic demographic data (eg, mean age; P < .05). NBGQ participants reported significantly fewer received treatments compared with binary participants. For planned treatments, binary participants reported more treatments related to primary sex characteristics only. Binary participants required more treatments for a completed treatment than NBGQ participants (6.0 vs 4.0). There were no differences with regard to individual treatment progress score.

Clinical Translation

Because traditional binary-focused treatment practice could have hindered NBGQ individuals from accessing trans health care or sufficiently articulating their needs, health care professionals are encouraged to provide a holistic and individual treatment approach and acknowledge genders outside the gender binary to address their needs appropriately.

Strengths and Limitations

Because the study was made inclusive for non-patients and individuals who decided against trans health care, bias from a participant-patient double role was prevented, which is the reason the results are likely to have a higher level of validity than a clinical sample. However, because of the anonymity of an online survey, it remains unclear whether NBGQ individuals live according to their gender identity in their everyday life.

Conclusion

The study highlights the broad spectrum of genders in trans-individuals and associated health care needs and provides a novel approach to measure individual treatment progress in trans individuals.
Dental implant navigation system guide the surgery future
Authors: Sun Ting‐Mao , Lan Ting‐Hsun , Pan Chin‐Yun , Lee Huey‐Er
Published: December 2017

No study has investigated the effect of learning curves on the accuracy of dental implant navigation systems. This study evaluated the accuracy of the dental implant navigation system and established the learning curve according to operation site and operating time. Each dental model was used for drilling 3 missing tooth positions, and a patient tracking module was created. The same dentist performed the drilling test for 5 sets of dental models. CT back scanning was performed on the dental models. Customized implants based on the drilled holes were inserted. The relative error between the preoperative planning and actual implant was calculated. Using the dental navigation system could help dentists position implants more accurately. Increasing the frequency with which a dentist used the navigation system resulted in shorter operations. Longitudinal and angular deviation were significantly (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.0164). We found that the same level of accuracy could be obtained for the maxilla and mandible implants. The Student's t test demonstrated that the longitudinal error, but not the total or angular error, differed significantly (P = 0.0012). The learning curve for the dental implant navigation system exhibited a learning plateau after 5 tests. The current system exhibited similar accuracy for both maxillary and mandibular dental implants in different dental locations. The one‐way ANOVA revealed that the total, longitudinal, and angular errors differed significantly (P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001 and P = 0.0153). In addition, it possesses high potential for future use in dental implant surgery and its learning curve can serve as a reference for dentists.
Passion, engineering power and a deep industry understanding
Authors: Fischer Christian
Published: December 2017

Think of skiing. Old days, 2 m planks and the only glue involved seemed to be between the two feet of the skier who hoppety-hopped down the mountain (about the time when skiers wore bomber jackets, tights and waffled hair was a thing). Then the skis grew shorter, got a waist – the carving ski revolutionized the market and made skiing a whole heap less exhausting. Wide, swooping turns on skis seem to turn by themselves all the way down to the sunny après ski.
Lightweight construction: First composite gearbox housing with layer-optimized organo sheeting weighs 30% less than a comparable aluminum component
Authors: Schneider Thomas
Published: December 2017

When it comes to electric vehicles, keeping weight down is paramount in ensuring long range. In addition to the bodywork, drive components such as the housings typically used in double reduction gearboxes are of interest in terms of materials’ substitution. Thanks to their mechanical properties and the well-established production possibilities, carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastics have plenty to offer. The challenge, however, is maintaining the required rigidity levels at prevailing operating temperatures. Together with its sister companies, ARRK Engineering has taken up this highly promising challenge: in 2016, a fully functional thermoplastic composite gearbox housing for electric vehicles was developed as part of a self-financed development project, with the first half already implemented as a prototype.
Enabling FAIR Data Across the Earth and Space Sciences
Authors: Stall Shelley , Robinson Erin , Wyborn Lesley , Yarmey Lynn , Parsons Mark , Lehnert Kerstin , Cutcher-Gershenfeld Joel , Nosek Brian , Hanson Brooks
Published: December 2017

Data experts from publishers, repositories, and other organizations met last month to kick off a project to promote open and Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR) data principles.
Natural killer cells and T lymphocytes in pregnancy and pre-eclampsia
Authors: Taylor Erin B. , Sasser Jennifer M.
Published: December 2017

Although pre-eclampsia (PE), a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, has significant maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality worldwide, the mechanisms contributing to this disease have not been fully elucidated. Studies in patients and experimental models have shown that changes in the number or function of immune cells of both the adaptive and innate immune systems contribute to the development and pathogenesis of PE. This commentary summarizes our current understanding of the role of the immune system in the pathogenesis of PE, specifically focussing on dysfunction of natural killer (NK) cells and T lymphocyte populations.
Model-Driven Treatment of Childhood Apraxia of Speech: Positive Effects of the Speech Motor Learning Approach
Authors: van der Merwe Anita , Steyn Mollie
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The aim of the study was to propose the speech motor learning approach (Van der Merwe, 2011) as a treatment for childhood apraxia of speech and to determine if it will effect positive change in the ability of a 33-month-old child to produce untreated nonwords and words containing treated age-appropriate consonants (Set 1 sounds), untreated age-appropriate consonants (Set 2), and untreated age-inappropriate consonants (Set 3) and also to determine the nature and number of segmental speech errors before and after treatment.

Method

An A-B design with multiple target measures and follow-up was implemented to assess the effects of treatment of Set 1. Effect sizes for whole-word accuracy were determined, and two criterion lines were generated following the conservative dual criterion method. Speech errors were judged perceptually.

Results

Conservative dual criterion analyses indicated no reliable treatment effect due to rising baseline scores. Effect sizes showed significant improvement in whole-word accuracy of untreated nonwords and real words containing age-appropriate treated sounds and real words containing age-appropriate untreated sounds. The number of errors for all three sound sets declined. Sound distortion was the most frequent error type.

Conclusions

Preliminary evidence suggests potentially positive treatment effects. However, rising baseline scores limit causal inference. Replication with more children of different ages is necessary.

Supplemental Materials

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.5596708
Effects of Aging on Interference During Pronoun Resolution
Authors: Reifegerste Jana , Felser Claudia
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of healthy aging on the ability to suppress grammatically illicit antecedents during pronoun resolution.

Method

In 2 reading-based acceptability–judgment experiments, younger and older speakers of German read sentences containing an object pronoun and 2 potential antecedent noun phrases, only 1 of which was a grammatically licit antecedent. Using a gender-mismatch paradigm, we compared to what extent younger and older speakers were sensitive to feature (mis)matches between the pronoun and either of the 2 antecedents. All participants were fluent readers of German and had finished at least secondary education.

Results

Experiment 1 used a self-paced reading paradigm. Older speakers showed greater sensitivity than younger ones to mismatching licit antecedents, but no group showed any evidence of interference from an intervening competitor antecedent. In Experiment 2, we increased the processing demand by using paced word-by-word stimulus presentation and longer sentences. Here, older participants showed reduced sensitivity, in comparison with younger people, to mismatching licit antecedents. Unlike our younger participants, they showed signs of distraction by the presence of a linearly closer but grammatically inappropriate antecedent when no appropriate antecedent was available.

Conclusion

Together, our results show that older (but not younger) speakers' ability to compute intrasentential referential dependencies is vulnerable to increased task demands. We briefly discuss a potential role for executive functions, such as interference control.
Collinearity and Sample Coverage Issues in the Objective Measurement of Vocal Quality: The Case of Roughness and Breathiness
Authors: Ferrer Carlos A. , Haderlein Tino , Maryn Youri , de Bodt Marc S. , Nöth Elmar
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The aim of the study was to address the reported inconsistencies in the relationship between objective acoustic measures and perceptual ratings of vocal quality.

Method

This tutorial moves away from the more widely examined problems related to obtaining the perceptual ratings and the acoustic measures and centers in less scrutinized issues regarding the procedure to establish the correspondence. Expressions for the most common measure of association between perceptual and acoustic measures (Pearson's
r
) are derived using a multiple linear regression model. The particular case where the multiple linear regression involves only roughness and breathiness is discussed to illustrate the issues.

Results

Most problems reported regarding inconsistent findings in the relationship between given acoustic measures and particular perceptual ratings could be linked to sample properties not directly related to the actual relationship. The influential sample properties are the collinearity between the regressors in the multiple linear regression and their relative variances. Recommendations on how to rule out this possible cause of inconsistency are given, varying in scope from data collection, reporting, manipulation, and results interpretation.

Conclusions

The problems described can be extended to more general cases than the exemplified roughness and breathiness sample's coverage. Ruling out this possible cause of inconsistency would increase the validity of the results reported.
filter design for discrete time‐varying delay systems: three‐term approximation approach
Authors: Zoulagh Taha , El Aiss Hicham , Hmamed Abdelaziz , El Hajjaji Ahmed
Published: December 2017

In this study, the analysis and design problems of filtering for a class of discrete‐time‐varying delay systems are investigated. The authors' attention is focused on the filter design using scaled small gain (SSG) approach guaranteeing the robust asymptotic stability of the filtering error system with a prescribed performance. A novel transformation model of the filtering error system is obtained via three‐term approximation method and input–output approach based on SSG theorem. Then, the desired filter design is obtained through a convex optimisation problem resolution under a set of linear matrix inequality constraints. Finally, the use of many examples from the literature demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Energy storage and transmission expansion planning: substitutes or complements?
Authors: Bustos Carlos , Sauma Enzo , de la Torre Sebastián , Aguado José A. , Contreras Javier , Pozo David
Published: December 2017

The massive development of energy storage systems (ESSs) may significantly help in the supply–demand balance task, especially under the existence of uncertain and intermittent sources of energy, such as solar and wind power. Using ESSs as complements of renewable generation has technical and economic consequences in both the short‐term operation and the long‐term expansion planning of the grid. The authors propose a transmission expansion planning model that incorporates decisions about the expansion of generic ESS units in order to study the interaction between the penetration and location of ESSs and the transmission investment decisions. The problem is formulated as a mixed‐integer linear programming model and considers different demand blocks and their correlation with renewable generation, to account for the distinct features of the system over time. The authors' results show that ESSs are not only substitutes of transmission assets, but they may also be complemented with transmission assets depending on the power system characteristics. They use a 27‐bus representation of the main Chilean network to illustrate the model proposed and to highlight some interesting results about the potential complementarity of ESSs and transmission expansion.
Load flow analysis using generalised Hopfield neural network
Authors: Veerasamy Veerapandiyan , Ramachandran Rajeswari , Thirumeni Mariammal , Madasamy Balasubramonian
Published: December 2017

This study proposes a generalised Hopfield neural network (GHNN) for solving non‐linear load flow equations. The proposed method was formulated with appropriate energy function for performing load flow analysis of n ‐bus system. The intended method has the advantages of simple to use, more general application, faster convergence and better optimal solution over the conventional method of load flow using Newton–Raphson (NR) technique. The proposed method of GHNN has been used to solve the power flow equation by calculating the power mismatches and this constraint is used to formulate the energy function of Hopfield neural network (HNN). This energy function is used to derive the weights and bias values of the network. The optimal solution can be found, based on the minimisation of the energy function of continuous HNN. The suggested method was tested in a typical 3‐bus and 5‐bus power system. The mathematical equation of the proposed method was coded using Matlab/R2014a software. The simulation results obtained have shown that the proposed method is more efficient than NR method in terms of reduction in computational complexity and convergence time with minimum number of iterations.
Method for detecting abnormal behaviour of users based on selective clustering ensemble
Authors: Du Juan , Xie Ping , Zhu Junlong , Zheng Ruijuan , Wu Qingtao , Zhang Mingchuan
Published: December 2017

With the development of cloud computing in the mobile communications industry, the credibility between users and the cloud has become an important obstacle to the development of mobile cloud services. Therefore, the user's abnormal behaviour detection is particularly important. The authors propose a selective clustering ensemble algorithm based on fractal dimension. In their proposed algorithm, they firstly use the sliding window to dynamically obtain data to improve the accuracy of user behaviour acquisition. Secondly, they use the initial clustering stage and incremental clustering stage to produce clustered members. Thirdly, they also use the Duun_index to select the clustered members, then the selection of high‐quality clustered members with the voting algorithm to get the final result. Finally, they use the average difference of change to determine whether the current behaviour is abnormal based on the clustering results. The experimental results show that the proposed scheme has a better performance than the traditional clustering algorithm in clustering accuracy. Moreover, their algorithm can improve the detection rate and accuracy rate, respectively.
Real‐time gating signal generation and performance analysis for fully controlled five‐phase, ten‐pulse, line‐commutated rectifier
Authors: Masoud Mahmoud I. , Saleem Ashraf , Al‐Abri Rashid
Published: December 2017

Fossil fuel prices and air pollution impel many countries to concentrate on renewable energy sources, of which wind energy is considered to be a pillar. Owing to the numerous advantages when compared with its three‐phase counterpart, five‐phase direct‐drive permanent magnet (PM) generators are a key area of focus in power generation with renewable and wind energy systems. The generator output requires a converter, such as an AC–DC rectifier, to match load requirements. The objective of this work is to generate in real time the gating signals of a fully controlled five‐phase, line‐commutated rectifier, fed from a five‐phase PM generator. A mixed‐reality environment is used to implement the gating signal generation algorithm for the five‐phase rectifier, where the required gating signals are successfully generated, even with some distorted prototype generator voltage waveforms. The performance of the rectifier is investigated practically and validated by using the MATLAB/SIMULINK platform. Moreover, a comparison with a five‐phase pulse‐width modulated current source rectifier in terms of losses, size, weight, and cost is presented.
Simulation analysis of electromagnetic coupling law of one typical electronic circuit box body
Authors: Xie Penghao , Yuan Jiansheng
Published: December 2017

The electromagnetic simulation software FEKO was used to set up an electromagnetic simulation modelling platform in order to investigate the coupling law of a typical electronic equipment circuit box body. The results of this study revealed the existence of various electromagnetic coupling enhancement areas. In addition, it was observed that various resonance frequencies appeared in the electromagnetic distribution law within the body cavity. Moreover, the rule by which shielding efficiency varies with frequency was considered in this study. Although the result of the simulation experiment was not entirely consistent with the results of the on‐the‐spot experiment, the simulation experiment could provide guidance to the on‐the‐spot experiment; thereby, the superiority of the simulation experiment can remedy the deficiency of the on‐the‐spot experiment.
Synthesis of visible and near‐infrared light responsed Sn1−x Bix S2 for efficient degradation of high concentration rhodamine B
Authors: Li Hui , Wu Xiang‐Feng , Yu Mai‐Tuo , Wang Yi‐Jin , Zhang Chen‐Xu , Su Jun‐Zhang , Zhang Jia‐Rui , Zhang Ying , Pan Jun‐Cheng , Wang Chao , Feng Yan‐Mei
Published: December 2017

Visible and near‐infrared light responsed Sn1−x Bix S2 nanosheets was synthesised via a simple hydrothermal method. Rhodamine B was adopted to evaluate the degradation efficiency of the as‐prepared samples. Experimental results showed that the doping content of Bi3+ could obviously affect the degradation efficiency of SnS2. It was first increased and then decreased with increasing the Bi3+ content under the visible light irradiation. When the mole fraction of doping Bi3+ was 5%, the as‐prepared Sn0.95Bi0.05S2 with a bandgap of 0.38 eV had the highest degradation efficiency of 95.9% in 120 min. Moreover, the as‐prepared composites possessed more effective electron–hole pair separation than that of pure SnS2. In addition, a possible degradation mechanism of the as‐prepared Sn0.95Bi0.05S2 was proposed.