bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aza‐BODIPY Derivatives: Enhanced Quantum Yields of Triplet Excited States and the Generation of Singlet Oxygen and their Role as Facile Sustainable Photooxygenation Catalysts
Authors: Adarsh Nagappanpillai , Shanmugasundaram Madhesh , Avirah Rekha R. , Ramaiah Danaboyina
Published: September 2012

A new series of aza‐BODIPY derivatives (4 a–4 c, 5 a,c, and 6 b,c) were synthesized and their excited‐state properties, such as their triplet excited state and the yield of singlet‐oxygen generation, were tuned by substituting with heavy atoms, such as bromine and iodine. The effect of substitution has been studied in detail by varying the position of halogenation. The core‐substituted dyes showed high yields of the triplet excited state and high efficiencies of singlet‐oxygen generation when compared to the peripheral‐substituted systems. The dye 6 c, which was substituted with six iodine atoms on the core and peripheral phenyl ring, showed the highest quantum yields of the triplet excited state (ΦT=0.86) and of the efficiency of singlet‐oxygen generation (ΦΔ=0.80). Interestingly, these dyes were highly efficient as photooxygenation catalysts under artificial light, as well as under normal sunlight conditions. The uniqueness of these aza‐BODIPY systems is that they are stable under irradiation conditions, possess strong red‐light absorption (620–680 nm), exhibit high yields of singlet‐oxygen generation, and act as efficient and sustainable catalysts for photooxygenation reactions.
Revealing the Absolute Configuration of the CO and CN− Ligands at the Active Site of a [NiFe] Hydrogenase
Authors: Rippers Yvonne , Horch Marius , Hildebrandt Peter , Zebger Ingo , Mroginski Maria Andrea
Published: September 2012

Combined molecular dynamics (MD) and quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) calculations were performed on the crystal structure of the reduced membrane‐bound [NiFe] hydrogenase (MBH) from Ralstonia eutropha to determine the absolute configuration of the CO and the two CN− ligands bound to the active‐site iron of the enzyme. For three models that include the CO ligand at different positions, often indistinguishable on the basis of the crystallographic data, we optimized the structures and calculated the ligand stretching frequencies. Comparison with the experimental IR data reveals that the CO ligand is in trans position to the substrate‐binding site of the bimetallic [NiFe] cluster.
Scientific Communication in Clinical Psychology: Examining Patterns of Citations and References
Authors: Kiselica Andrew M. , Ruscio John
Published: September 2012

Previous studies of scientific communication used citation mapping, establishing psychology as a ‘hub science’ from which many other fields draw information. Within psychology, the clinical and counselling discipline is a major ‘knowledge broker’. This study analyzed scientific communication among three major subdisciplines of clinical psychology—the cognitive–behavioural, psychodynamic and humanistic schools of thought—by examining patterns of references within and citations to 305 target articles published in leading journals of these subdisciplines. The results suggest that clinical researchers of each theoretical orientation engage in more insular scientific communication than an integrationist would find desirable and that cognitive–behavioural articles are more closely connected to mainstream psychology and related fields. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Key Practitioners Message

Eclectic practitioners draw on several different theoretical orientations to inform their practice; as such, they should be interested in understanding the patterns of scientific communication within and across theoretical orientations.

Practitioners work in a variety of different mental health settings, with a variety of other professionals in psychology‐related fields, and should be interested in how much influence their particular theoretical orientation has on the work of colleagues.

Many practitioners rely on new, evidence‐based research to inform their work. The results of this study provide these individuals with an objective measure of the influence of empirical work in different areas of clinical psychology.
Room Temperature Solid‐State Synthesis of a Conductive Polymer for Applications in Stable I2‐Free Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Kim Byeonggwan , Koh Jong Kwan , Kim Jeonghun , Chi Won Seok , Kim Jong Hak , Kim Eunkyoung
Published: September 2012

A solid‐state polymerizable monomer, 2,5‐dibromo‐3,4‐propylenedioxythiophene (DBProDOT), was synthesized at 25 °C to produce a conducting polymer, poly(3,4‐propylenedioxythiophene) (PProDOT). Crystallographic studies revealed a short interplane distance between DBProDOT molecules, which was responsible for polymerization at low temperature with a lower activation energy and higher exothermic reaction than 2,5‐dibromo‐3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene (DBEDOT) or its derivatives. Upon solid‐state polymerization (SSP) of DBProDOT at 25 °C, PProDOT was obtained in a self‐doped state with tribromide ions and an electrical conductivity of 0.05 S cm−1, which is considerably higher than that of chemically‐polymerized PProDOT (2×10−6 S cm−1). Solid‐state 13C NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations revealed polarons in PProDOT and a strong perturbation of carbon nuclei in thiophenes as a result of paramagnetic broadening. DBProDOT molecules deeply penetrated and polymerized to fill nanocrystalline TiO2 pores with PProDOT, which functioned as a hole‐transporting material (HTM) for I2‐free solid‐state dye‐sensitized solar cells (ssDSSCs). With the introduction of an organized mesoporous TiO2 (OM‐TiO2) layer, the energy conversion efficiency reached 3.5 % at 100 mW cm−2, which was quite stable up to at least 1500 h. The cell performance and stability was attributed to the high stability of PProDOT, with the high conductivity and improved interfacial contact of the electrode/HTM resulting in reduced interfacial resistance and enhanced electron lifetime.
The Effect of Switchable Water Additives on Clay Settling
Authors: Chen Chien‐Shun , Lau Ying Yin , Mercer Sean M. , Robert Tobias , Horton J. Hugh , Jessop Philip G.
Published: September 2012

The recycling of process water from strip mining extractions is a very relevant task both industrially and environmentally. The sedimentation of fine tailings during such processes, however, can often require long periods of time and/or the addition of flocculants which make later water recycling difficult. We propose the use of switchable water additives as reversible flocculants for clay/water suspensions. Switchable water additives are compounds such as diamines that make it possible to reversibly control the ionic strength of an aqueous solution. Addition of CO2 to such an aqueous solution causes the ionic strength to rise dramatically, and the change is reversed upon removal of the CO2. These additives, while in the presence of CO2, promote the aggregation of clay tailings, reduce settling times, and greatly increase the clarity of the liberated water. The removal of CO2 from the liberated water regenerates a low ionic strength solution that does not promote clay aggregation and settling until CO2 is added again. Such reversible behavior would be useful in applications such as oil sands separations in which the recycled water must not promote aggregation. When added to kaolinite and montmorillonite clay suspensions, switchable water provided process waters of lower turbidity than those additives from inorganic salts or by CO2‐treatment alone. When recollected, the switchable water supernatant was shown to be recyclable over three cycles for enhanced settling of kaolinite.
Towards Alternatives to Anodic Water Oxidation: Basket‐Handle Thiolate FeIII Porphyrins for Electrocatalytic Hydrocarbon Oxidation
Authors: Li Peiyi , Alenezi Khalaf , Ibrahim Saad K. , Wright Joseph A. , Hughes David L. , Pickett Christopher J.
Published: September 2012

Selective electrocatalytic oxidation of hydrocarbons to alcohols, epoxides or other (higher value) oxygenates should in principal present a useful complementary anodic half‐cell reaction to cathodic generation of fuels from water or CO2 viz. an alternative to oxygen evolution. A series of new basket‐handle thiolate FeIII porphyrins have been synthesised and shown to mediate anodic oxidation of hydrocarbons, specifically adamantane hydroxylation and cyclooctene epoxidation. We compare yields obtained by electrochemical and chemical oxidation of the thiolate porphyrins and benchmark their behaviour against that of FeIII tetraphenyl porphyrin chloride and its tetrapentafluorophenyl analogue.
Privacy‐preserving registration protocol for mobile network
Authors: Liu He , Liang Mangui
Published: September 2012

In this paper, we propose a novel privacy‐preserving registration protocol that combines the verifier local revocation group signature with mobile IP. The protocol could achieve strong security guarantee, such as user anonymity via a robust temporary identity, local user revocation with untraceability support, and secure key establishment against home server and eavesdroppers. Various kinds of adversary attacks can be prevented by the proposed protocol, especially that deposit‐case attack does not work here. Meanwhile, a concurrent mechanism and a dynamical revocation method are designed to minimize the handover authentication delay and the home registration signals. The theoretical analysis and simulation results show that the proposed scheme could provide high security level besides lightweight computational cost and efficient communication performance. For instance, compared with Yang's scheme, the proposed protocol could decrease the falling speed of handover authentication delay up to about 40% with privacy being preserved. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cryptanalysis of a dynamic ID‐based remote user authentication with key agreement scheme
Authors: Tang Hong‐bin , Liu Xin‐song
Published: September 2012

A dynamic user authentication scheme allows a user and a remote server to authenticate each other without leaking the user's identity. In 2011, Wen and Li proposed an improved dynamic ID‐based remote user authentication with key agreement scheme for mobile and home networks. They claimed that their scheme was more secure than the scheme of Wang et al. However, we demonstrate that their scheme is vulnerable to the privileged insider, off‐line password guessing, impersonation, and server spoofing attacks. At the same time, it does not provide any user anonymity and forward secrecy property. Thus, it is not feasible for real‐life implementation.Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
MMSE‐based transceiver design for distributed MIMO amplify‐and‐forward cooperative networks in correlated channels
Authors: Hu Chia‐Chang , Liang Wei‐Yu , Li Guan‐Yi
Published: September 2012

In this paper, the source‐precoder, multiple‐relay amplifying matrices, and destination‐equalizer joint optimization is investigated in distributed MIMO amplify‐and‐forward multiple‐relay networks with direct source–destination transmission in correlated fading channels. With the use of taking both the direct link and spatial correlation between antenna elements into account, the cooperative transceiver joint design is developed based on the minimum mean‐squared error criterion under individual power constraints at the source and multiple‐relay nodes. Simulation results demonstrate that the cooperative transceiver joint design architecture for an amplify‐and‐forward MIMO multiple‐relay system outperforms substantially the noncooperative transceiver design techniques on the BER performance under the spatial‐correlation channels.Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Could 1,3 dimethylamylamine (DMAA) in food supplements have a natural origin?
Authors: Di Lorenzo Chiara , Moro Enzo , Dos Santos Ariana , Uberti Francesca , Restani Patrizia
Published: September 2012

1,3 dimethylamylamine or methylexaneamine (DMAA) is a synthetic pharmaceutical patented in the 1940s as a nasal decongestant which can be used as a recreational stimulant. Alleged to occur in nature, DMAA has become a widely used ingredient in sports food supplements, despite its status as a doping agent and concerns over its safety. There is now some doubt as to whether it can be sourced naturally or whether it actually occurs naturally at all. The presence of DMAA was investigated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in extracts of the leaves and stems of four geranium species and of three well‐known cultivars. The amounts of DMAA in commercial geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) oil and the leading sports supplement which uses the ingredient were also measured. DMAA was not found in any of the leaves or stems or in the commercial geranium oil included in this study. Approximately 30 mg per daily dose was found in the food supplement. Therefore, the amount of DMAA found in the supplement is most unlikely to have been sourced in nature, and it must be concluded that synthetic DMAA, known to be capable of causing severe adverse physiological effects, has been added. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High resolution accurate mass screening of prohibited substances in equine plasma using liquid chromatography – Orbitrap mass spectrometry
Authors: Ho Emmie N. M. , Kwok W. H. , Wong April S. Y. , Wan Terence S. M.
Published: September 2012

A recent trend in the use of high resolution accurate mass screening (HRAMS) for doping control testing in both human and animal sports has emerged due to significant improvement in high resolution mass spectrometry in terms of sensitivity, mass accuracy, mass resolution, and mass stability. A number of HRAMS methods have been reported for the detection of multi‐drug residues in human or equine urine. As blood has become a common matrix for doping control analysis, especially in equine sports, a sensitive, fast and wide coverage screening method for detecting a large number of drugs in equine blood samples would be desirable. This paper presents the development of a liquid chromatography‐high resolution mass spectrometry (LC‐HRMS) screening method for equine plasma samples to cover over 320 prohibited substances in a single analytical run.

Plasma samples were diluted and processed by solid‐phase extraction. The extracts were then analyzed with LC‐HRMS in full‐scan positive electrospray ionization mode. A mass resolution of 60 000 was employed. Benzyldimethylphenylammonium was used as an internal lock mass. Drug targets were identified by retention time and accurate mass, with a mass tolerance window of ±3 ppm. Over 320 drug targets could be detected in a 13‐min run. Validation data including sensitivity, specificity, extraction recovery and precision are presented. As the method employs full‐scan mass spectrometry, an unlimited number of drug targets can theoretically be incorporated. Moreover, the HRAMS data acquired can be re‐processed retrospectively to search for drugs which have not been targeted at the time of analysis. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Isoreticular Lanthanide Metal‐Organic Frameworks: Syntheses, Structures and Photoluminescence of a Family of 3D Phenylcarboxylates
Authors: Min Zeyar , Singh‐Wilmot Marvadeen A. , Cahill Christopher L. , Andrews Michael , Taylor Richard
Published: September 2012

Five isoreticular lanthanide (Ln) metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) – Er(bdc)(HCOO) (1a), Dy(bdc)(HCOO) (1b), Tb(bpdc)(HCOO) (2a), Gd(bpdc)(HCOO) (2b) and Tb(bpydc)(HCOO) (3) (bdc = 1,4‐benzenedicarboxylate, bpdc = 4,4′‐biphenyldicarboxylate and bpydc = 2,2′‐bipyridine‐5,5′‐dicarboxylate) – were synthesized under solvothermal conditions. The complexes were characterized by powder X‐ray diffraction, elemental analyses, infrared spectroscopy and single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography. Each LnIII ion is eight‐coordinated and forms a binuclear pseudo‐paddlewheel secondary building unit (SBU), [Ln2(CO2)2(CO2)2]. The SBUs are interconnected into 2D Ln–carboxylate nets, which act as tertiary building units (TBUs) that are linked by the rigid organic linkers to form 3D pillared frameworks. Preliminary luminescence studies reveal that energy transfer from Tb3+ to Eu3+ trace impurities is active in crystals of 2a and 3 and contributes to interesting temperature‐dependent photoluminescence. At 298 K, under UV excitation, 2a is lilac and 3 glows bright red, whereas at 77 K both 2a and 3 emit green light. Together with the previously published Tb(bdc)(HCOO), Eu(bdc)(HCOO), Gd(bdc)(HCOO) and Ln(bpedc)(HCOO) (bpedc = biphenylethene‐4,4′‐dicarboxylate), these complexes form the first examples of isoreticular LnMOFs.
Zein–Fibrous Clays Biohybrid Materials
Authors: Alcântara Ana C. S. , Darder Margarita , Aranda Pilar , Ruiz‐Hitzky Eduardo
Published: September 2012

The present work introduces a new type of biohybrid materials that is based on the combination of fibrous clays (sepiolite or palygorskite) with zein, a highly hydrophobic protein extracted from corn. C, H, N, and S chemical analyses, FTIR spectroscopy, 13C solid‐state NMR spectroscopy, field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), thermal analysis, as well as dynamic vapor sorption were employed in the characterization of the resulting biohybrids to discern the type of interaction between the protein and the clay fibers and to evaluate the reduced hydrophilic character of the novel biohybrids in comparison to the pristine clays. With the aim of profiting from such a property, zein–fibrous clay biohybrids were tested as additives in the preparation of nanocomposites. For this purpose, alginate was chosen as a model polymer matrix, as it forms suitable self‐supporting films and is a biocompatible and biodegradable material; but one of its main drawbacks for applications is its high hydrophilic character. In a similar way to conventional organoclays that are based on alkylammonium compounds, the zein–clay biohybrids reported here were effective in improving several features of the biopolymer matrix, mainly those related to mechanical and barrier properties. In addition, the nontoxic character of zein‐based bioorganoclays is an advantageous feature that would allow the application of these new eco‐friendly materials in the food‐packaging sector.
The effects of adding water and polyglycerol polyricinoleate on the texture, appearance, and sensory qualities of compound milk chocolate
Authors: Raoufi Nassim , Tehrani Mostafa Mazaheri , Farhoosh Reza , Golmohammadzadeh Shiva
Published: September 2012

Water and polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR) contents were varied to investigate the effects of these parameters on the textural properties, surface color, and sensory qualities of compound chocolates. The content levels of water and PGPR were manipulated between 3–10 and 0.3–3.3%, respectively (content expressed as % by weight of finished product). Simultaneous variations in water and PGPR levels, especially in high ratios, resulted in a drastic reduction in the hardness values (p<0.001), darker color (p<0.01), and an unusual taste (p<0.05) but the effect of water addition was more pronounced than PGPR. It was observed that compound chocolates with 3% water content were not dissimilar from the control with respect to all properties. In the samples of the same water content, the effect of PGPR addition was nearly insignificant. For these confectionaries, the best proportion of ingredients for producing water‐containing compound chocolate was considered the one which has the least negative effects on bloom surface area and the texture.

Practical applications: Manufacturing water‐containing imitation chocolates represent a general approach for adding all water‐base materials to chocolate such as cream, yogurt, milk, etc. or water‐soluble substances like trace elements and vitamins. Conventional chocolates become soft at above 28°C, and lose shape retention at above 32°C. Water addition provides a heat‐resistance compound chocolate with shape retention at a temperature above 40°C, being not sticky to the direct touch. However, there has been very limited information about water addition's effects on the chocolate structure. In order to be able to predict the structural variations, it is important to study how water affects the physical properties of the chocolates.
Association of total cholesterol/apoB100 with lipid and protein oxidation products in stable angina patients treated with statins
Authors: Burchardt Pawel , Tabaczewski Piotr , Synowiec Tomasz , Murawa Dawid , Żurawski Jakub , Szczepanik Adam , Banaszak Agnieszka , Pałasz Anna , Wysocki Henryk
Published: September 2012

Oxidative modification of lipids contained in lipoproteins may contribute to initiation of local inflammation in the vascular endothelium and ultimately to the atherosclerotic plaque formation. Therefore, in patients with high cardiovascular risk in primary as well as in secondary prevention, it is recommended that the serum low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol be reduced. However, the management of patients with LDL level at goal is still a matter of debate. Various parameters have been proposed for predicting increased cardiovascular risk. It was found that among known indicators of lipid metabolism deregulation the ratio of total cholesterol/apoB100 associates with the severity of coronary arteriosclerosis in population of individuals with LDL levels < 100 mg/dL. There are several possible hypotheses for this phenomenon (impaired reduction of apoB100 expression by statins or increased triglyceride content of apoB100 containing lipoproteins compatible with oxidized LDL phenotype in subjects with high cardiovascular burden). In this paper, we discuss the increased susceptibility of plasma lipoproteins to oxidation. To verify this hypothesis, we undertook to determine, in the susceptible population described previously, whether there is a relation of total cholesterol (TC) ratio to apoB100 with known oxidative stress exponents such as protein and lipid oxidation products (LPP). TC/apoB100 was found to have a significant association with the level of LPPs in most examined subgroups (except subjects on statins with LDL > 100 mg/dL).

See commentary by Grabowski http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ejlt.201200295
Cross‐metathesis versus palladium‐catalyzed CH activation: Acetoxy ester functionalization of unsaturated fatty acid methyl esters
Authors: von Czapiewski Marc , Kreye Oliver , Mutlu Hatice , Meier Michael A. R.
Published: September 2012

Two synthetic approaches to functionalize plant oil derived platform chemicals were investigated. For this purpose, methyl 10‐undecenoate, which can be obtained by pyrolysis of castor oil, was used in olefin cross‐metathesis under neat conditions forming an unsaturated α,ω‐acetoxy ester. A catalyst screening with 11 different ruthenium‐based metathesis catalysts was performed, revealing that well‐suited catalysts allow for full conversion and very good cross‐metathesis selectivity at a loading of only 0.5 mol%. An alternative possibility to the aforementioned synthetic method is a palladium‐catalyzed reaction of methyl 10‐undecenoate with acetic acid in the presence of dimethyl sulfoxide. Here, the formation of linear and branched unsaturated acetoxy esters as well as a ketone was observed. The conversion as well as the selectivity of this procedure was studied under different reaction conditions and compared to the cross‐metathesis results. Based on the successful functionalization of methyl 10‐undecenoate, methyl oleate was investigated in this palladium‐catalyzed CH activation reaction. Due to the lower reactivity of the internal double bond the desired acetoxy ester was only obtained in moderate conversion in this case. In summary, this study clearly shows that palladium‐catalyzed functionalization of unsaturated fatty compounds via CH activation is an attractive alternative to the well‐established olefin cross‐metathesis procedure.
Synthesis of new polyester polyols from epoxidized vegetable oils and biobased acids
Authors: Caillol Sylvain , Desroches Myriam , Boutevin Gilles , Loubat Cédric , Auvergne Rémi , Boutevin Bernard
Published: September 2012

Biobased polyols were synthesized from reaction between epoxidized soybean oil and lactic, glycolic, or acetic acids. Polyols were characterized by NMR, alcohol and acid titration, and SEC. These analyses allowed to determine an average hydroxyl functionality between 4 and 5, with an oligomer content close to 50 wt%. Synthesized polyols were formulated with isocyanate to yield polyurethanes (PUs). Thermal and mechanical properties of obtained materials showed that synthesized polyols lead to rigid and brittle material with Young moduli higher than 900 N/mm2 at RT and with Tg values around 50°C.

Practical application: The products of the chemistry described in this contribution, i.e.: polyol from vegetable oils and lactic, glycolic, or acetic acids, provide biobased building blocks for further PUs syntheses by reaction with diisocyanates. The obtained PUs are partially biobased and may be applied as binders and coatings.
Stabilization of meat suspensions by organogelation: A rheological approach
Authors: Lupi Francesca R. , Gabriele Domenico , Baldino Noemi , Seta Lucia , de Cindio Bruno , De Rose Carlo
Published: September 2012

The stabilization of suspensions is a relevant issue in several industrial applications and particularly in the food area. Water‐based systems are widely studied and they are commonly stabilized by the addition of hydrocolloids (such as polysaccharides or proteins) whereas for oil‐based products less information is available. In this paper, oil‐based meat suspensions are investigated, and the addition of organogelators is proposed as a potential solution to the stability problems currently observed in some practical applications. Investigated suspensions are obtained by grinding a meat phase with vegetable oil blends, thus yielding products typically used in the traditional southern Italian diet as spreadable spicy sauces or as oil‐based dressings for pizzas. The effects of proposed additives were investigated by destabilizing the modified suspensions (by centrifugation) and comparing their rheological characteristics and oil loss to those of the unmodified systems (i.e., without addition of stabilizers). It was observed that both additives exert a stabilizing action, even if one of them (monoglycerides of fatty acids) is more effective than the other, even at a very low concentration. The adopted rheological approach has proved very useful to determine the type and amount of the proper organogelator to be used as an oil suspension stabilizer.
Epoxidation with hydrogen peroxide of unsaturated fatty acid methyl esters over Nb(V)‐silica catalysts
Authors: Tiozzo Cristina , Bisio Chiara , Carniato Fabio , Marchese Leonardo , Gallo Alessandro , Ravasio Nicoletta , Psaro Rinaldo , Guidotti Matteo
Published: September 2012

Niobium(V)‐containing silica catalysts were prepared by deposition of niobocene dichloride onto the surface of high‐surface area silica supports following a dry impregnation or a liquid‐phase grafting approach. These materials were used as heterogeneous catalysts for the selective epoxidation, in the presence of aqueous hydrogen peroxide, of a representative set of unsaturated fatty acid methyl esters (FAME), namely methyl oleate, methyl linoleate, and methyl ricinoleate. They all proved to be water‐tolerant, recyclable, resistant to metal leaching, active and selective in the production of the related epoxidised FAME.
Zinc Oxide Modified Au Electrode as Sensor for an Efficient Detection of Hydrazine
Authors: Sultana Wajeeha , Ghosh Somnath , Eraiah B.
Published: September 2012

ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) prepared by microwave heating technique are used to modify a gold electrode (ZnO/Au) for the hydrazine detection study. The synthesized product is well characterized by various techniques. Detailed electrochemical investigation of the oxidation of hydrazine on the ZnO/Au electrode in 0.02 M phosphate buffer solution (PBS) of pH 7.4 was carried out. A very low detection limit of 66 nM (S/N=4) and a wide linearity in current for a concentration range from 66.0×10−3 to 415 µM was achieved by amperometry. The electrode was found to be stable for over a month when preserved in PBS.
Synthesis of membrane proteins in eukaryotic cell‐free systems
Authors: Sachse Rita , Wüstenhagen Doreen , Šamalíková Mária , Gerrits Michael , Bier Frank F. , Kubick Stefan
Published: September 2012

Cell‐free protein synthesis (CFPS) is a valuable method for the fast expression of difficult‐to‐express proteins as well as posttranslationally modified proteins. Since cell‐free systems circumvent possible cytotoxic effects caused by protein overexpression in living cells, they significantly enlarge the scale and variety of proteins that can be characterized. We demonstrate the high potential of eukaryotic CFPS to express various types of membrane proteins covering a broad range of structurally and functionally diverse proteins. Our eukaryotic cell‐free translation systems are capable to provide high molecular weight membrane proteins, fluorescent‐labeled membrane proteins, as well as posttranslationally modified proteins for further downstream analysis.
Modeling of a Tubular‐SOFC: The Effect of the Thermal Radiation of Fuel Components and CO Participating in the Electrochemical Process
Authors: Hajimolana S. A. , Hussain M. A. , Soroush M. , Wan Daud W. M. A. , Chakrabarti M. H.
Published: September 2012

A mathematical model based on first principles is developed to study the effect of heat and electrochemical phenomena on a tubul solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). The model accounts fordiffusion, inherent impedance, transport (momentum, heat and mass transfer) processes, internal reforming/shifting reaction, electrochemical processes, and potential losses (activation, concentration, and ohmic losses). Thermal radiation of fuel gaseous components is considered in detail in this work in contrast to other reported work in the literature. The effect of thermal radiation on SOFC performance is shown by comparing with a model without this factor. Simulation results indicate that at higher inlet fuel flow pressures and also larger SOFC lengths the effect of thermal radiation on SOFC temperature becomes more significant. In this study, the H2 and CO oxidation is also studied and the effect of CO oxidation on SOFC performance is reported. The results show that the model which accounts for the electrochemical reaction ofCO results in better SOFC performance than other reported models. This work also reveals that at low inlet fuel flow pressures the CO and H2 electrochemical reactions are competitive and significantly dependent on the CO/H2 ratio inside the triple phase boundary.
Charakterisierung der ingenieurgeologischen Vortriebsdokumentation von Hydroschildvortrieben am Beispiel der Baulose H3‐4 und H8 im Unterinntal
Authors: Wendl Katharina , Scholz Marcus , Thuro Kurosch
Published: September 2012

Die geologische Vortriebsdokumentation bei Hydroschildvortrieben ist aufgrund der im Regelbetrieb unzugänglichen Ortsbrust im Vergleich zu konventionellen Vortrieben erschwert und wurde daher in der Vergangenheit häufig vernachlässigt. Die Erfahrung aus zwei Vortrieben im Unterinntal/Tirol zeigt jedoch, dass trotz dieser erschwerten Bedingungen eine Vortriebsdokumentation möglich und zielführend ist. Der vorliegende Beitrag beschreibt die ingenieurgeologische Vortriebsdokumentation bei Hydroschildvortrieben, die sich aus einer indirekten und einer direkten Dokumentationsweise zusammensetzt. Als indirekte Dokumentation wird dabei die Erfassung der Eigenschaften des Ausbruchsmaterials im Regelvortrieb bezeichnet. Im Gegensatz dazu wird bei der direkten Dokumentation das Gestein während eines Drucklufteinstiegs an der Ortsbrust begutachtet. Aus der Kombination beider Dokumentationsweisen und der Einbeziehung weiterer Informationen aus dem Vortriebsgeschehen ergibt sich ein gutes Abbild der aufgefahrenen geologischen Verhältnisse. Des Weiteren ist die Kenntnis der geologischen Gegebenheiten eine Voraussetzung für die Analyse der Wechselwirkungen zwischen Baugrund und Maschine.

Characterisation of engineering geological documentation of slurry shield drives – practical experience from construction lots H3‐4 und H8 in the Lower Inn Valley. The engineering geological documentation of slurry shield drives is limited due to adverse accessibility of the tunnel face during a slurry shield drive. Due to this reason, an extensive geological documentation was rather an exception than default in the past. A detailed engineering geological documentation has been established during two slurry shield drives in Tyrol/Austria, which showed that geological documentation is possible and contributes well to supporting the site management. The documentation comprises two parts: the indirect documentation of the excavated material and the direct documentation of the tunnel face under hyperbaric air support during maintenance interruptions. Combining the results of indirect and direct documentation leads to a complete and detailed picture of the geological conditions. Therefore it will become possible to compare the prognosis to the encountered condition. Furthermore profound consideration of geological aspects leads to a better understanding of interactions between building ground and slurry shield drive.
Überwachung und Modellierung der geologischen CO2‐Speicherung – Erfahrungen vom Pilotstandort Ketzin, Brandenburg (Deutschland)
Authors: Liebscher Axel , Martens Sonja , Möller Fabian , Lüth Stefan , Schmidt‐Hattenberger Cornelia , Kempka Thomas , Szizybalski Alexandra , Kühn Michael
Published: September 2012

Der Pilotstandort Ketzin in Brandenburg ist das erste und bisher einzige aktive CO2‐Speicherprojekt in Deutschland. Seit Beginn der Einspeicherung von Kohlenstoffdioxid (CO2) im Juni 2008 wurden bis Dezember 2011 mehr als 56.000 t CO2 erfolgreich in Sandsteinhorizonte in einer Tiefe von 630 bis 650 m injiziert. Die Injektion von CO2 wird von einem der weltweit umfangreichsten wissenschaftlichen Forschungs‐ und Entwicklungsprogramme begleitet. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass (i) die geologische Speicherung von CO2 am Pilotstandort Ketzin sicher, verlässlich und ohne Gefährdung von Mensch und Umwelt verläuft, (ii) eine sinnvoll eingesetzte Kombination verschiedener geochemischer und geophysikalischer Überwachungsmethoden in der Lage ist, bereits geringe Mengen CO2 zu detektieren und ihre räumliche Ausdehnung abzubilden, (iii) die durch das injizierte CO2 induzierten Wechselwirkungen zwischen Fluid und Gestein am Standort Ketzin keine signifikanten Auswirkungen haben und die Integrität der Speicher‐ und Deckgesteine nicht beeinflussen, und (iv) numerische Simulationen das zeitliche und räumliche Verhalten des injizierten CO2 wiedergeben können.

Monitoring and modelling of geological storage of CO2 – Experiences gained at the Ketzin pilot site, Brandenburg (Germany). The Ketzin pilot site in Brandenburg was the first and is still the only active CO2 storage project in Germany. Since start of injection of carbon dioxide (CO2) in June 2008, more than 56,000 t CO2 have been successfully injected into sandstone horizons at depths of 630 to 650 m until December 2011. The injection of CO2 is accompanied by one of the most comprehensive scientific research and development programmes. The results show that i) the geological storage of CO2 at the Ketzin test site runs safely, reliably and without any risks for people and environment, ii) a meaningful combination of different geochemical and geophysical monitoring techniques is able to detect even small amounts of CO2 and to mirror its spatial distribution, iii) fluid‐rock interactions induced by the injected CO2 have no significant effects at the Ketzin test site and do not affect the reservoir and cap rocks' integrity, and iv) numerical simulations are able to quantify the timely and spatial behaviour of the injected CO2.
Neuregelung des Nachweises der vertikalen Tragfähigkeit von Spundwänden in der EAU
Authors: Schallück Christoph , Pichler Torben , Henke Sascha
Published: September 2012

Anhand einer statistischen Auswertung dynamischer Pfahlprobebelastungen und zugehöriger Drucksondierungen wird ein neues Nachweisverfahren der vertikalen Tragfähigkeit für Spundwände vorgestellt, das in die 11. Auflage der EAU eingehen wird. Es wird gezeigt, dass die mittels Pfahlprobebelastungen ermittelte Gesamttragfähigkeit in nahezu allen Fällen die rechnerische Tragfähigkeit übersteigt. Das Nachweisverfahren wird hiermit der Fachwelt vorgestellt und diese wird aufgefordert, den Autoren Daten aus dynamischen Pfahlprobebelastungen und zugehörigen Drucksondierungen zur weiteren Validierung des Nachweisverfahrens zur Verfügung zu stellen.

Revision of the verification procedure for vertically loaded sheet piles of the EAU. On the basis of statistical evaluations of dynamic pile tests and corresponding cone penetration tests, a new verification procedure for vertically loaded sheet piles is introduced. It is shown, that the real bearing capacity of nearly all tested sheet piles is higher than the calculated bearing capacity. By this paper, the new verification procedure is presented to the concerned professional's public. The authors encourage professionals to provide data of dynamic pile tests and corresponding cone penetration tests for further validation of this new approach.
Beta-Catenin–NF-κB Interactions in Murine Hepatocytes: A Complex to Die for
Authors: Nejak-Bowen Kari , Kikuchi Alexander , Monga Satdarshan P.S.
Published: September 2012

Wnt/β-catenin signaling plays an important role in hepatic homeostasis, especially in liver development, regeneration, and cancer, and loss of β-catenin signaling is often associated with increased apoptosis. To elucidate how β-catenin may be regulating hepatocyte survival, we investigated the susceptibility of β-catenin conditional knockout (KO) mice and their wild-type (WT) littermates to Fas and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), two common pathways of hepatocyte apoptosis. While comparable detrimental effects from Fas activation were observed in WT and KO, a paradoxical survival benefit was observed in KO mice challenged with D-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide. KO mice showed significantly lower morbidity and liver injury due to early, robust, and protracted activation of NF-κB in the absence of β-catenin. Enhanced NF-κB activation in KO mice was associated with increased basal inflammation and Toll-like receptor 4 expression and lack of the p65/β-catenin complex in hepatocytes. The p65/β-catenin complex in WT livers underwent temporal dissociation allowing for NF-κB activation to regulate hepatocyte survival following TNF-α-induced hepatic injury. Decrease of total β-catenin protein but not its inactivation induced p65 activity, whereas β-catenin stabilization either chemically or due to mutations repressed it in hepatomas in a dose-dependent manner, whereas β-catenin stabilization repressed it either chemically or due to mutations.

Conclusion:

The p65/β-catenin complex in hepatocytes undergoes dynamic changes during TNF-α–induced hepatic injury and plays a critical role in NF-κB activation and cell survival. Modulation of β-catenin levels is a unique mode of regulating NF-κB activity and thus may present novel opportunities in devising therapeutics in specific hepatic injuries.
Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor 1 Gain-of-Function Mutation Aggravates Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease but Does Not Cause Insulin Resistance in a Murine Model
Authors: Aparicio-Vergara Marcela , Hommelberg Pascal P.H. , Schreurs Marijke , Gruben Nanda , Stienstra Rinke , Shiri-Sverdlov Ronit , Kloosterhuis Niels J. , de Bruin Alain , van de Sluis Bart , Koonen Debby P.Y. , Hofker Marten H.
Published: September 2012

Ectodomain shedding of tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1) provides negative feedback to the inflammatory loop induced by TNFα. As the significance of this mechanism in obesity-associated pathologies is unclear, we aimed to unravel how much TNFR1 ectodomain shedding controls the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), as well as its role in the development of insulin resistance. We used knockin mice expressing a mutated TNFR1 ectodomain (p55Δns), incapable of shedding and dampen the inflammatory response. Our data show that persistent TNFα signaling through this inability of TNFR1 ectodomain shedding contributes to chronic low-grade inflammation, which is confined to the liver. In spite of this, hepatic lipid levels were not affected by the nonshedding mutation in mice fed a chow diet, nor were they worse off following 12 weeks of high-fat diet (HFD) than controls (p55+/+) fed an HFD. We detected inflammatory infiltrates, hepatocellular necrosis, and apoptosis in livers of p55Δns/Δns mice fed an HFD, suggesting advanced progression of NAFLD toward nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Indeed, fibrosis was present in p55Δns/Δns mice, but absent in wildtype mice, confirming that the p55Δns/Δns mice had a more severe NASH phenotype. Despite low-grade hepatic inflammation, insulin resistance was not observed in p55Δns/Δns mice fed a chow diet, and HFD-induced insulin resistance was no worse in p55Δns/Δns mice than p55+/+ mice.

Conclusion:

TNFR1 ectodomain shedding is not an essential feedback mechanism in preventing the development of hepatic steatosis or insulin resistance. It is, however, pivotal in attenuating the progression from “simple steatosis” towards a more serious phenotype with many NASH features. Targeting TNFR1 could therefore be beneficial in attenuating NASH.
Regulating the regulators: Serine/arginine‐rich proteins under scrutiny
Authors: Risso Guillermo , Pelisch Federico , Quaglino Ana , Pozzi Berta , Srebrow Anabella
Published: September 2012

Serine/arginine‐rich (SR) proteins are among the most studied splicing regulators. They constitute a family of evolutionarily conserved proteins that, apart from their initially identified and deeply studied role in splicing regulation, have been implicated in genome stability, chromatin binding, transcription elongation, mRNA stability, mRNA export and mRNA translation. Remarkably, this list of SR protein activities seems far from complete, as unexpected functions keep being unraveled. An intriguing aspect that awaits further investigation is how the multiple tasks of SR proteins are concertedly regulated within mammalian cells. In this article, we first discuss recent findings regarding the regulation of SR protein expression, activity and accessibility. We dive into recent studies describing SR protein auto‐regulatory feedback loops involving different molecular mechanisms such asunproductive splicing, microRNA‐mediated regulation and translational repression. In addition, we take into account another step of regulation of SR proteins, presenting new findings about a variety of post‐translational modifications by proteomics approaches and how some of these modifications can regulate SR protein sub‐cellular localization or stability. Towards the end, we focus in two recently revealed functions of SR proteins beyond mRNA biogenesis and metabolism, the regulation of micro‐RNA processing and the regulation of small ubiquitin‐like modifier (SUMO) conjugation. © 2012 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 64(10): 809–816, 2012
Cleavage of the BRCT tandem domains of nibrin by the 657del5 mutation affects the DNA damage response less than the Arg215Trp mutation
Authors: Mendez Gina , Cilli Domenica , Berardinelli Francesco , Viganotti Mara , Ascenzi Paolo , Tanzarella Caterina , Antoccia Antonio , di Masi Alessandra
Published: September 2012

The Nijmegen breakage syndrome (NBS) is a genetic disorder caused by mutations in NBN gene and characterized by chromosomal instability and hypersensitivity to ionizing radiations (IR). The N‐terminus of nibrin (NBN) contains a tandem breast cancer 1 (BRCA1) carboxy‐terminal (BRCT) domain that represents one of the major mediators of phosphorylation‐dependent protein‐protein interactions in processes related to cell cycle checkpoint and DNA repair functions. Patients with NBS compound heterozygous for the 657del5 hypomorphic mutation and for the Arg215Trp missense mutation (corresponding to the 643C>T gene mutation) display a clinical phenotype more severe than that of patients homozygous for the 657del5 mutation. Here, we show that both the 657del5 and Arg215Trp mutations, occurring within the tandem BRCT domains of NBN, although not altering the assembly of the MRE11/RAD50/NBN (MRN) complex, affect the MRE11 IR‐induced nuclear foci (IRIF) formation and the DNA double‐strand break (DSB) signaling via the phosphorylation of both ataxia‐telangiectasia‐mutated (ATM) kinase and ATM downstream targets (e.g., SMC1 and p53). Remarkably, data obtained indicate that the cleavage of the BRCT tandem domains of NBN by the 657del5 mutation affects the DNA damage response less than the Arg215Trp mutation. Indeed, the 70‐kDa NBN fragment, arising from the 657del5 mutation, maintains the capability to interact with MRE11 and γ‐H2AX and to form IRIF. Altogether, the role of the tandem BRCT domains of NBN in the localization of the MRN complex at the DNA DSB and in the activation of the damage response is highlighted. © 2012 IUBMB, IUBMB Life, 64(10):853–861, 2012
TAK1, more than just innate immunity
Authors: Dai Liang , Aye Thu Chan , Liu Xin‐Yu , Xi Jiajia , Cheung Peter C. F.
Published: September 2012

Transforming growth factor β‐activated kinase 1 (TAK1) is a key regulator of the innate immunity and the proinflammatory signaling pathway. In response to interleukin‐1, tumor necrosis factor‐α, and toll‐like receptor agonists, it mediates the activation of the nuclear factor κB (NF‐κB), c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 pathways. In addition, TAK1 plays a central role in adaptive immunity, in which it mediates signaling from T‐ and B‐cell receptors. This review will focus on recent developments and also examine the regulation of TAK1 in response to a diverse range of other stimuli including DNA damage, transforming growth factor‐β, Wnt, osmotic stress, and hypoxia. © 2012 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 2012, 64(10):825–834, 2012
Enemy or partner: Relationship between intronic micrornas and their host genes
Authors: Gao Xu , Qiao Yu , Han Dong , Zhang Yanfen , Ma Ning
Published: September 2012

In the past several years, microRNAs have been identified as a class of important regulators of gene expression. One hot topic in the microRNA field is the location of microRNA genes. Most microRNAs are called intronic microRNAs, which are encoded in the introns of coding or non‐coding genes. Some research studies have shown that intronic miRNAs coexpress and act similarly to their host genes; however, other research studies have suggested that their level of expression and function are opposite to that of their host genes. Intronic microRNAs have been reported to play an antagonistic or synergetic role as an enemy or a partner of their host genes. Elucidation of the relationship between intronic microRNAs and their host genes will facilitate a deeper understanding of gene expression and the function of introns. This mini review will discuss recent research addressing intronic microRNAs and their host genes. © 2012 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 64(10): 835–840, 2012
Project 222 ‐ an alternative to institutionalization
Authors: Ashizawa Eiko Annette
Published: September 2012

This project was one of seven nationwide, government funded, day health care centers for the aged. The program was the result of a long delayed recognition of the need for alternatives to institutionalization of the American Aged.
The obscure link
Authors: Steele Renee
Published: September 2012

The field rehabilitation nurse specialist is a vital, though often little comprehended member of the rehabilitiation team. She provides the necessary follow up for the patient after discharge from an institution. She is the necessary, if sometimes obscure, link between the protective environment of the hospital and the reality of the home setting.
Self care: a conceptual framework for rehabilitation nursing
Authors: Smith Mary Colette
Published: September 2012

The burgeoning of knowledge has forced professionals to develop frameworks to systematize and utilize information in a humane manner. The self‐care concept is introduced as an inevitable framework for rehabilitation nurses. It is developed in such a way as to humanize the interaction between nurse and patient, so that each becomes more fully the person he might be.