bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Semiconductor Quantum Dots for Bioanalysis
Authors: Gill Ron , Zayats Maya , Willner Itamar
Published: September 2008

Semiconductor nanoparticles, or quantum dots (QDs), have unique photophysical properties, such as size‐controlled fluorescence, have high fluorescence quantum yields, and stability against photobleaching. These properties enable the use of QDs as optical labels for the multiplexed analysis of immunocomplexes or DNA hybridization processes. Semiconductor QDs are also used to probe biocatalytic transformations. The time‐dependent replication or telomerization of nucleic acids, the oxidation of phenol derivatives by tyrosinase, or the hydrolytic cleavage of peptides by proteases are probed by using fluorescence resonance energy transfer or photoinduced electron transfer. The photoexcitation of QD–biomolecule hybrids associated with electrodes enables the photoelectrochemical transduction of biorecognition events or biocatalytic transformations. Examples are the generation of photocurrents by duplex DNA assemblies bridging CdS NPs to electrodes, and by the formation of photocurrents as a result of biocatalyzed transformations. Semiconductor nanoparticles are also used as labels for the electrochemical detection of DNA or proteins: Semiconductor NPs functionalized with nucleic acids or proteins bind to biorecognition complexes, and the subsequent dissolution of the NPs allows the voltammetric detection of the related ions, and the tracing of the recognition events.
It All Began with an Error: The Nomofungin/Communesin Story
Authors: Siengalewicz Peter , Gaich Tanja , Mulzer Johann
Published: September 2008

The communesin/nomofungin/perophoramidine story is an impressive example of how biogenetic considerations can lead to the correction of structural misassignments and inspire synthetic chemists with new, fruitful ideas. Intensive studies by a number of research groups culminated in the total synthesis of perophoramidine by the Funk research group in 2004. In 2007, Qin and co‐workers completed the first total synthesis of a communesin.
Postsynthetic DNA Modification through the Copper‐Catalyzed Azide–Alkyne Cycloaddition Reaction
Authors: Gramlich Philipp M. E. , Wirges Christian T. , Manetto Antonio , Carell Thomas
Published: September 2008

The attachment of labels onto DNA is of utmost importance in many areas of biomedical research and is valuable in the construction of DNA‐based functional nanomaterials. The copper(I)‐catalyzed Huisgen cycloaddition of azides and alkynes (CuAAC) has recently been added to the repertoire of DNA labeling methods, thus allowing the virtually unlimited functionalization of both small synthetic oligonucleotides and large gene fragments with unprecedented efficiency. The CuAAC reaction yields the labeled polynucleotides in very high purity after a simple precipitation step. The reviewed technology is currently changing the way in which functionalized DNA strands are generated cost‐efficiently in high quality for their application in molecular diagnostics systems and nanotechnological research.
AACVD of WO3 thin films from W(O)(OPri)3[O(CH2)nNMe2] (n = 2, 3)
Authors: Molloy K. C. , Williams P. A.
Published: September 2008

Monomeric tungsten oxo‐aminoalkoxides W(O)(OPri)3(L) [L = O(CH2)nNMe2; n = 2 (dmae, 1) and 3 (dmap, 2)] were synthesized by alcohol exchange with [W(O)(OPri)4]2 and characterized spectroscopically. 1, 2 and [W(O)(OPri)4]2 were used as precursors for the aerosol‐assisted chemical vapour deposition of WO3 thin films, which were characterized by glancing angle X‐ray diffraction, SEM and transmission‐reflectance measurements. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enhancement of PEMFC performance by using carbon nanotubes supported PtCo alloy catalysts
Authors: Saha Madhu Sudan , Chen Yougui , Li Ruying , Sun Xueliang
Published: September 2008

Carbon nanotube‐based PtCo (PtCo/CNT) alloy electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction were prepared by the silane‐assisted deposition method. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) reveals that the prepared PtCo alloy nanoparticles are uniformly dispersed on the surface of the CNTs support with narrow particle size distribution. As compared to Pt/CNTs catalyst, the bimetallic PtCo/CNTs catalyst exhibits an improved performance as cathode material in a H2/O2fuel cell. Copyright © 2008 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Manufacture of solvent‐free polylactic‐glycolic acid (PLGA) scaffolds for tissue engineering
Authors: Liu Shih‐Jung , Hsueh Chun‐Lien , Wen‐Neng Ueng Steve , Lin Song‐Su , Chen Jan‐Kan
Published: September 2008

Conventional methods for fabricating polymeric scaffolds often use organic solvents which might be harmful to cells or tissues. The purpose of this report was to develop a solvent‐free method for the fabrication of three‐dimensional scaffolds for tissue engineering. To manufacture a scaffold, polylactide‐polyglycolide (PLGA) copolymers were premixed with sodium chloride particulates. The mixture was then compression molded and sintered to form a cylinder. After sintering, the cylinder was submerged in water for 48 h to leach out the particulates. The scaffold, with approximately 2 × 107 mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) of the New Zealand rabbit, was then cultured in an osteogenic culture medium for 14 days. The alkaline phosphatase activity, calcium level, and the mineral deposition of cultured cells in the PLGA scaffolds were determined. The results showed that an increase of alkaline phosphatase activity and calcium levels, as well as abundant mineral deposition, was observed in the cultured mesenchymal stem cells. In addition, scaffolds with pore sizes of 88–125 µm showed the most number of cells during the period of culture. Developing solvent‐free biodegradable scaffolds for bone cells may provide a potential method for the treatment of infected bone defects. Copyright © 2008 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Crystalline study of amorphous poly(ethylene terephthalate) sheets through annealing
Authors: Tsai Ruey‐Shi , Lee Da‐Kong , Fang Han‐Yu , Tsai Hong‐Bing
Published: September 2008

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) sheets of different crystallinity were obtained by annealing. The annealed PET sheets were characterized by the density measurement, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), ultraviolet (UV)‐visible spectrometry, X‐ray diffraction, and infrared (IR) spectrometry. The density data can be used as a basic measurement of the degree of crystallinity. The total transition heat data obtained from the first run DSC heating curves can correlate with the crystallinity, although it may underestimate the crystallinity for those samples with higher crystallinity. The visible light transmittance data can be related to the crystallinity, and are very sensitive to the change of the crystallinity for the PET sheets of low crystallinity. The X‐ray diffraction data and IR transmittance data do not show strong linear relationship to the crystallinity in a quantitative way. Copyright © 2008 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ethanol‐tolerant Pt‐alloy cathodes for direct ethanol fuel cell (DEFC) applications
Authors: Rodríguez Varela F. J. , Savadogo O.
Published: September 2008

The electroactivity of Pt1Co1(a/o)/C and Pt3Cr1(a/o)/C for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in ethanol‐containing medium was studied. It was found that these cathodes present a high tolerance to this alcohol. The onset potential of the ORR decreased at 14 and 12 mV in the presence of 0.5 M ethanol on Pt1Co1/C and Pt3Cr1/C, respectively. The tolerance of the Pt alloys is one order of magnitude higher than that shown by Pt‐alone catalysts in previous works. Exceptionally, the Pt1Co1/C alloy maintained a very important electrocatalytic activity, i.e. a very small variation in current density at 400 mV in electrochemical cell measurements and improved performances in a direct ethanol fuel cell (DEFC). The current densities obtained from the DEFC equipped with a 10% Pt1Co1/C cathode were similar to those obtained when 20% Pt3Cr1/C was used. However, a higher performance in terms of Pt content was shown by PtCo/C. These electrochemical characteristics indicate the advantage of using PtCo alloys as cathodes in DEFCs. Copyright © 2008 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of ethanol and methanol crossover through different MEA components and structures by cyclic voltammetry
Authors: Ling J. , Longtin G. , Savadogo O.
Published: September 2008

The crossover rate of ethanol or methanol through membrane electrode assembly (MEA) and MEA components was studied quantitatively at 25 and 60 °C by cyclic voltammetry method. The results obtained in this work show that cyclic voltammetry is a powerful technique to assess the crossover phenomenon through MEA components and structures. In all cases, the ethanol crossover rates are lower than those of methanol. The ethanol and methanol crossover rates depend upon time and temperature. For an initial concentration of 1 M of ethanol or methanol, the crossover rate increases to a maximum after the first hour of the cell operation and then decreases gradually to a certain concentration after the third hour. At 60 °C, the maximum concentration of ethanol crossover rate is lower than that obtained at 25 °C. The crossover rate of ethanol or methanol through MEA is lower than through the components alone (pressed or nonpressed membranes or gas diffusion electrode). Copyright © 2008 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On information transmission in linear feedback tracking systems
Authors: Zhang Hui , Sun Youxian
Published: September 2008

Information transmission in discrete time linear time‐invariant (LTI) feedback tracking systems was investigated by using measures of directed information and mutual information. It was proved that, for a pair of extraneous input and internal variable, directed information (rate) is always equal to mutual information (rate); for a pair of internal variables, the former is smaller than the latter. Furthermore, the feedback changes the information transmission between internal variables, while it has no influence on information transmission from extraneous variable to internal variable. Consideration on system design was discussed. Copyright © 2008 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A new fault detection method based on artificial immune systems
Authors: Wang Cunjie , Zhao Yuhong
Published: September 2008

A new fault detection method with a continuous learning feature for a complicated process is proposed based on the concept of artificial immune systems (AIS). Both the negative and the clonal selections are adopted in the method. The real‐valued negative selection algorithm (RNSA) is utilized to generate fault detectors. When the detector set is used to perform the fault detection, a clonal selection is employed to update the fault detector set. The proposed method is applied to the Tennessee Eastman (TE) process. The simulation results show that the performance of the proposed method is superior to those of both classical principal component analysis (PCA) and negative selection algorithm. Copyright © 2008 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Photophysical and Duplex‐DNA‐Binding Properties of Distamycin Dimers Based on 4,4′‐ and 2,2′‐Dialkoxyazobenzenes as the Core
Authors: Ghosh Sumana , Usharani Dandamudi , De Susmita , Jemmis Eluvathingal D. , Bhattacharya Santanu
Published: September 2008

Distamycin‐based tetrapeptide (1) was covalently tethered to both ends of the central dihydroxyazobenzene moiety at either the 2,2′ or 4,4′ positions. This afforded two isomeric, distamycin–azobenzene–distamycin systems, 2 (para) and 3 (ortho), both of them being photoisomerizable. Illumination of these conjugates in solution at approximately 360 nm induced photoisomerization and the time course of the process was followed by UV/Vis and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The kinetics of the thermal reversion at various temperatures of cis to trans isomers of the conjugates obtained after photoillumination were also examined. This afforded the respective thermal‐activation parameters. Both the molecular architecture and the location of the substituent around the core azobenzene determined the rate and activation‐energy barrier for the cis‐to‐trans back‐isomerization of these conjugates in solution. Duplex–DNA binding of the conjugates and the changes in DNA‐binding efficiency upon photoisomerization was also examined by CD spectroscopy, thermal denaturation studies, and a Hoechst displacement assay. The conjugate 2 showed higher DNA‐binding affinity and a greater change in the DNA‐binding efficiency upon photoisomerization compared with its 2,2′‐disubstituted counterpart. The experimental findings were substantiated by using molecular‐docking studies involving each conjugate with a model duplex d[(GC(AT)10CG)]2 DNA molecule.
Study on the interaction between nitroxide free radical and conjugated polyelectrolytes by fluorimetry
Authors: Dou Wenchao , Su Xingguang
Published: September 2008

In this work, we studied the fluorescence quenching of the anionic conjugated polyelectrolyte PPE–SO3 by the paramagnetic species 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine‐N‐oxide free radical (TEMPO) in aqueous solution. At low quencher concentration the Stern–Volmer constant is 94 mol/L; as the quencher concentration increases the Stern–Volmer plots become superlinear. Ascorbic acid is used to reduce TEMPO to the corresponding hydroxylamine and the PPE–SO3 fluorescence is fully recovered. Under a large excess of ascorbic acid over TEMPO, the rise of fluorescence followed pseudo‐first‐order kinetics. The second‐order rate constant calculated from this time course is 0.7 mol/L/s. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Selective separation and co‐culture of cells by photo‐induced enhancement of cell adhesion (PIECA)
Authors: Edahiro Jun‐ichi , Sumaru Kimio , Ooshima Yuki , Kanamori Toshiyuki
Published: September 2008

Taking advantage of the phenomenon that animal cells adhering to a culture substrate are temporarily immobilized by light irradiation, we established a technique to manipulate the cells adhering to a culture substrate under microscopic observation. Using this technique, we demonstrated a separation of cells adhering to a culture substrate and fabrication of an elaborately patterned co‐culture system. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;102: 1278–1282. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Protein A‐based antibody immobilization onto polymeric microdevices for enhanced sensitivity of enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay
Authors: Yuan Yuan , He Hongyan , Lee L. James
Published: September 2008

Highly efficient antibody immobilization is extremely crucial for the development of high‐performance polymeric microdevices for enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In this article, a site‐selective tyrosinase (TR)‐catalyzed protein A strategy for antibody immobilization was developed to enhance the sensitivity of ELISA in poly‐(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) microchannels for interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) assay. To effectively immobilize the target antibodies, oxygen plasma was first used to activate the inert PMMA. This is followed by poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI) coating, an amine‐containing functional polymer. For comparison, protein A was also immobilized through the commonly used amine‐glutaraldehyde (GA) chemistry. Oxygen plasma treatment effectively increased the amount of PEI attachment and subsequent binding efficiency of the primary antibody. The antibody immobilized via TR‐catalyzed protein A was able to provide much better specific antigen capture efficiency than GA chemistry due to the optimal spacing and orientation. Consequently, by using this new method, the detection signal and the signal‐to‐noise ratio of the ELISA immunoassay in microdevices were all significantly improved. In comparison to the standard assay carried out in the 96‐well microtiter plate, the treated microchannels exhibited a broader detection range and a shorter detection time. And the detection limit was also decreased to 20 pg/mL, much lower than that obtained in other microdevices. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009; 102: 891–901. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An injectable cellulose‐based hydrogel for the transfer of autologous nasal chondrocytes in articular cartilage defects
Authors: Vinatier C. , Gauthier O. , Fatimi A. , Merceron C. , Masson M. , Moreau A. , Moreau F. , Fellah B. , Weiss P. , Guicheux J.
Published: September 2008

Articular cartilage has a low capacity for spontaneous repair. To promote the repair of this tissue, the transfer of autologous chondrocytes using a three‐dimensional matrix appears promising. In this context, the aim of the present work was to investigate the potential use of autologous rabbit nasal chondrocytes (RNC) associated with an injectable self‐setting cellulose‐based hydrogel (Si‐HPMC). Firstly, the influence of Si‐HPMC on chondrocytic phenotype was investigated by real‐time PCR for specific chondrocyte markers (type II collagen and aggrecan) and type I collagen. Thereafter, autologous RNC were amplified in vitro for 4 weeks before transplantation with Si‐HPMC into a rabbit articular cartilage defect followed by analysis 6 weeks later. Implants were histologically characterized for the presence of sulfated GAG and type II collagen. Transcripts analysis indicated that dedifferentiated RNC recovered expression of the main chondrocytic markers after in vitro three‐dimensional culture within Si‐HPMC. Histological analysis of autologous RNC transplanted in an articular cartilage defect revealed the formation of repair tissue with a histological organization similar to that of healthy articular cartilage. In addition, immunohistological analysis of type II collagen suggested that the repair tissue was a hyaline‐like cartilage. Si‐HPMC hydrogel associated with nasal chondrocytes therefore appears a promising injectable tissue engineering device for the repair of articular cartilage. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;102: 1259–1267. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Biocatalytic dechlorination of trichloroethylene with bio‐palladium in a pilot‐scale membrane reactor
Authors: Hennebel Tom , Simoen Henri , De Windt Wim , Verloo Marc , Boon Nico , Verstraete Willy
Published: September 2008

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a toxic and recalcitrant groundwater pollutant. An innovative technology using microbial produced Pd(0) nanoparticles for the remediation of TCE contaminated groundwater was developed. The nanoscale bio‐Pd particles were precipitated on the biomass of Shewanella oneidensis and hydrogen gas, formate, or formic acid were used as hydrogen donors. Ethane turned out to be the only organic degradation product and no intermediate chlorinated reaction products were detected. Subsequently bio‐Pd was implemented in a plate membrane reactor (MR) for the treatment of water containing TCE. In a continuous MR system, containing 50 mg L−1 bio‐Pd, removal rates up to 2,515 mg TCE day−1 g−1 Pd were achieved with H2 gas as hydrogen donor. The measured chloride mass balance confirmed the removal rates. This work shows that a complete, efficient and rapid removal of TCE was achieved with bio‐Pd and that a MR system containing bio‐Pd and supplied with hydrogen gas offers an alternative for the current remediation technologies of water contaminated with TCE. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;102: 995–1002. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A novel aryl acylamidase from Nocardia farcinica hydrolyses polyamide
Authors: Heumann Sonja , Eberl Anita , Fischer‐Colbrie Gudrun , Pobeheim Herbert , Kaufmann Franz , Ribitsch Doris , Cavaco‐Paulo Artur , Guebitz Georg M.
Published: September 2008

An alkali stable polyamidase was isolated from a new strain of Nocardia farcinica. The enzyme consists of four subunits with a total molecular weight of 190 kDa. The polyamidase cleaved amide and ester bonds of water insoluble model substrates like adipic acid bishexylamide and bis(benzoyloxyethyl)terephthalate and hydrolyzed different soluble amides to the corresponding acid. Treatment of polyamide 6 with this amidase led to an increased hydrophilicity based on rising height and tensiometry measurements and evidence of surface hydrolysis of polyamide 6 is shown. In addition to amidase activity, the enzyme showed activity on p‐nitrophenylbutyrate. On hexanoamide the amidase exhibited a Km value of 5.5 mM compared to 0.07 mM for p‐nitroacetanilide. The polyamidase belongs to the amidase signature family and is closely related to aryl acylamidases from different strains/species of Nocardia and to the 6‐aminohexanoate‐cyclic dimer hydrolase (EI) from Arthrobacter sp. KI72. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;102: 1003–1011. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The activity of human CYP2D6 in low water organic solvents
Authors: Zhao Jin , Auclair Karine
Published: September 2008

P450 enzymes are of high interest for synthetic applications due to their ability to catalyze hydroxylation reactions at inactivated C–H bonds. The low solubility of many substrates in buffer, however, is limiting the applications of P450s. Our recent demonstration that the P450 enzymes CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 can function very well in biphasic solvent systems is one step towards overcoming this drawback, but is not practical when substrates or products are unstable in water, or with water‐soluble products. An alternative strategy, which also facilitates enzyme recycling, is to directly resuspend lyophilized enzyme into nearly anhydrous organic solvents. Interestingly, we report here that CYP2D6 colyophilized with trehalose and suspended inn‐decane shows higher activity than in aqueous buffer. This study demonstrates the unexpected high tolerance of CYP2D6 to some low water organic solvents and provides an alternative strategy to facilitate the use of this enzyme in synthesis. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;102: 1268–1272. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Evaluation of the effect of chronic hydrodynamical stresses on cultures of suspensed CHO‐6E6 cells
Authors: Godoy‐Silva Ruben , Mollet Mike , Chalmers Jeffrey J.
Published: September 2008

The effect of hydrodynamic forces on animal cell cultures, while extensively studied, still lacks significant, fundamental understanding. A previous manuscript reported on the acute exposure of CHO cells to hydrodynamic forces in a second generation convergent–divergent microfluidic device (Mollet et al., 2007). In this study, the use of this device is extended in a proof of concept system in which suspended animal cells, grown in a typical bioreactor, are subjected to chronic exposure of moderately high levels of hydrodynamic forces by way of a continuous recycle loop between the bioreactor and the microfluidic device. A strain of CHO cells (CHO‐6E6) was grown in a batch culture under controlled pH, temperature, and dissolved oxygen conditions. At mid exponential stage of growth in the bioreactor the recycle flow was initiated. The cells either stopped growing or started dying at EDR values that were significantly lower (one to two orders of magnitude) than those previously reported to kill cells from a single, acute exposure. These observations allow further refinement in the design of bioprocess equipment since it provides a more accurate threshold, above which one does not want to subject animal cells to continuous exposure to specific levels of hydrodynamic forces. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;102: 1119–1130. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Exploring the relationship between environmental orientation and brand value: is there fire or only smoke?
Authors: First Ivana , Khetriwal Deepali Sinha
Published: September 2008

This paper investigates whether a firm's environmental orientation influences corporate brand value. In the discussion on sustainable development, corporate participation is a given, and increasingly firms are adopting environmental policies and practices. This paper observes corporate environmentalism from two perspectives: environmental embeddedness – the level to which environmental values are incorporated in brand identity; and environmental performance – the level of a firm's accordance with environmental policies and good practices. Cross‐analysis of these two perspectives generates four types of corporate environmental orientation: leaders, performers, advocates and laggards. The results do not provide conclusive evidence for whether consumers reward environmental leaders and punish environmental laggards by converting their environmental opinions into brand perceptions and purchasing decisions. It is believed that the hypothesized relationships are moderated and mediated by other stimuli, so managers are advised not to negate corporate social responsibility, but rather to invest wisely in environmental activities and its communication. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
How to define an environmental policy to improve corporate sustainability in developing countries
Authors: Abreu Mônica Cavalcanti Sá de
Published: September 2008

Continual efforts to work with government and society are crucial to persuade businesses to become even better engaged in sustainability practices in developing countries. This study rebuilds the SCP (structure–conduct–performance) paradigm to incorporate environmental variables and to address the environmental strategy choices. Grounded theory was adopted in a systematic collection of data in petrochemical, textile and beverage companies established in different Brazilian states. In‐depth personal interview, site visit and documentary evidence were coded and analysed. The empirical results demonstrate that environmental regulation and enforcement, environmental risk and demands from stakeholders play a central role in increasing the corporate commitment to the natural environment. The study defines four strategic generic types of organization, termed variously as sleeper, reactor, defender and innovator, owing to their solutions to environmental issues. This typology contributes as a roadmap for business decision makers to choose the appropriate environmental strategy in a global economy. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Environmental strategy and low waste operations: exploring complementarities
Authors: Simpson Dayna , Samson Danny
Published: September 2008

Organizations require guidance on the most effective functional areas in which to invest in order to improve and sustain environmental performance. As managerial practices progress from concerns with compliance towards practices seeking competitive advantage, more theory is needed regarding the manner in which corporate strategy and operational practices influence environmental performance. This research considers the potential for previously under‐researched complementarities between strategy and operations and the bridging role of environmentally specific practices such as the use of environmental experts as determinants of environmental performance. Using a sample of manufacturing firms, this study explores the relative contribution to environmental performance of strategic intentions, core operational practices such as data and quality management and environmentally specific practices that link strategy to operations. The most significant influence on environmental performance was found to be environmental expertise – which creates a bridge between strategy and operations – and information‐intensive practices such as quality and data management. Strategic intentions or core operational practices in isolation were not considered sufficient support to successfully maintain or improve environmental performance. This research provides a contribution to our understanding of interactions between those functions that have the greatest influence on environmental performance management in manufacturing firms. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Sustainable tourism in Greek islands: the integration of activity‐based environmental management with a destination environmental scorecard based on the adaptive resource management paradigm
Authors: Karatzoglou Benjamin , Spilanis Ioannis
Published: September 2008

Tourism is a major industry that can lead to economic gains as well as to degraded environment and social infrastructure. Tourism has the potential to destroy the available common environmental resources through overuse and poor management practices, as limited information disclosure and poor monitoring of actions encourage the perpetuation and extension of environmental problems. Based on the adaptive resource management paradigm for addressing problems related to the use of the commons, this paper suggests a methodology for the development of a management tool that can provide island hotels with a continuous flow of timely, relevant, accurate and objective information on the environmental impact of critical corporate activities. The tool, named the destination environmental scorecard (DES), draws on activity‐based management concepts and can help local hotel SMEs measure and compare their performance against certain standards and thus conduct operations in a responsible and measurable way to the benefit of both business financial performance and regional sustainability. The paper presents the DES operational characteristics and the potential benefits from its implementation. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Nacre Calcification in the Freshwater MusselUnio pictorum: Carbonic Anhydrase Activity and Purification of a 95 kDa Calcium‐Binding Glycoprotein
Authors: Marie Benjamin , Luquet Gilles , Bédouet Laurent , Milet Christian , Guichard Nathalie , Medakovic Davorin , Marin Frédéric
Published: September 2008

The formation of the molluscan shell is finely tuned by macromolecules of the shell organic matrix. Previous results have shown that the acid‐soluble fraction of the nacre matrix of the freshwater paleoheterodont bivalveUnio pictorumshell displays a number of remarkable properties, such as calcium‐binding activity, the presence of extensive glycosylations and the capacity to interfere at low concentration with in vitro calcium carbonate precipitation. Here we have found that the nacre‐soluble matrix exhibits a carbonic anhydrase activity, an important function in calcification processes. This matrix is composed of three main proteinaceous discrete fractions. The one with the highest apparent molecular weight is a 95 kDa glycoprotein that is specific to the nacreous layer. P95, as it is provisionally named, is enriched in Gly, Glx and Asx and exhibits an apparent pI value of ∼4, or ∼7 when chemically deglycosylated. Furthermore, its glycosyl moiety, consisting of sulfated polysaccharides, is involved in calcium binding. Purified fractions of the three main proteins were digested with trypsin, and the resulting peptides were analysed by mass spectrometry. Our results suggest that identical peptides are constitutive domains of the different proteins. Partial primary structures were obtained by de novo sequencing and compared with known sequences from other mollusc shell proteins. Our results are discussed from an evolutionary viewpoint.
Biosynthesis of the Vitamin E Compound δ‐Tocotrienol in Recombinant Escherichia coli Cells
Authors: Albermann Christoph , Ghanegaonkar Shashank , Lemuth Karin , Vallon Tobias , Reuss Matthias , Armbruster Wolfgang , Sprenger Georg A.
Published: September 2008

The biosynthesis of natural products in a fast growing and easy to manipulate heterologous host system, such as Escherichia coli, is of increasing interest in biotechnology. This procedure allows the investigation of complex natural product biosynthesis and facilitates the engineering of pathways. Here we describe the cloning and the heterologous expression of tocochromanol (vitamin E) biosynthesis genes in E. coli. Tocochromanols are synthesized solely in photosynthetic organisms (cyanobacteria, algae, and higher green plants). For recombinant tocochromanol biosynthesis, the genes encoding hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (hpd), geranylgeranylpyrophosphate synthase (crtE), geranylgeranylpyrophosphate reductase (ggh), homogentisate phytyltransferase (hpt), and tocopherol‐cyclase (cyc) were cloned in a stepwise fashion and expressed in E. coli. Recombinant E. coli cells were cultivated and analyzed for tocochromanol compounds and their biosynthesis precursors. The expression of only hpd from Pseudomonas putida or crtE from Pantoea ananatis resulted in the accumulation of 336 mgL−1 homogentisate and 84 μgL−1 geranylgeranylpyrophosphate in E. coli cultures. Simultaneous expression of hpd, crtE, and hpt from Synechocystis sp. under the control of single tac‐promoter resulted in the production of methyl‐6‐geranylgeranyl‐benzoquinol (67.9 μg g−1). Additional expression of the tocopherol cyclase gene vte1 from Arabidopsis thaliana resulted in the novel formation of a vitamin E compound—δ‐tocotrienol (15 μg g−1)—in E. coli.
Spontaneous Resolution of Chiral Polyoxometalate‐Based Compounds Consisting of 3D Chiral Inorganic Skeletons Assembled from Different Helical Units
Authors: Lan Ya‐Qian , Li Shun‐Li , Wang Xin‐Long , Shao Kui‐Zhan , Du Dong‐Ying , Su Zhong‐Min , Wang En‐Bo
Published: September 2008

Four enantiomerically pure 3D chiral POM‐based compounds, [Ni2(bbi)2(H2O)4V4O12]⋅2 H2O (1 a and 1 b) and [Co(bbi)(H2O)V2O6] (2 a and 2 b) (bbi=1,1′‐(1,4‐butanediyl)bisimidazole) based on the achiral ligand, different vanadate chains, and different metal centers have been synthesized by hydrothermal methods. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses revealed that 1 a and 1 b, and 2 a and 2 b, respectively, are enantiomers. In 1 a and 1 b two kinds of vanadate chains with different screw axes link Ni cations to generate 3D chiral inorganic skeletons, which are connected by the achiral bbi ligands to form complicated 3D 3,4‐connected chiral self‐penetrating frameworks with (72⋅8)(72⋅82⋅92)(73⋅82⋅10) topology. They represent the first examples of chiral self‐penetrating frameworks known for polyoxometalate (POM) systems. Contrary to 1 a and 1 b, in 2 a and 2 b the vanadate chains link CoII cations to generate 3D chiral inorganic skeletons, which are assembled from two kinds of heterometallic helical units of opposite chirality along the c axes. The chiral inorganic skeletons are connected by bbi to form 3D 3,4‐connected chiral POM‐based frameworks with (62⋅8)2(62⋅82⋅102) topology. It is believed that the asymmetrical coordination modes of the metal cations in 1 a–2 b generate the initial chiral centers, and that the formation of the various helical units and the hydrogen bond interactions are responsible for preservation of the chirality and spontaneous resolution when the chirality is extended into the homochiral 3D‐networks. This is the first known report of chiral POM‐based compounds consisting of 3D chiral inorganic skeletons being obtained by spontaneous resolution upon crystallization in the absence of any chiral source, which may provide a rational strategy for synthesis of chiral POM‐based compounds by using achiral ligands and POM helical units.
Contributions from Atomic p(Se), d(Se), and f(Se) Orbitals to Absolute Paramagnetic Shielding Tensors in Neutral and Charged SeHn and Some Oxides Including the Effect of Methyl and Halogen Substitutions on σp(Se)
Authors: Nakanishi Waro , Hayashi Satoko , Narahara Kenji , Hada Masahiko
Published: September 2008

Contributions from atomic p(Se), d(Se), and f(Se) orbitals to σp(Se) are evaluated for neutral and charged Se*Hn (*=null, +, or −) and some oxides to build the image of the contributions. The effect of methyl and halogen substitutions is also examined employing RrSe*XxOo (*=null, +, or −) where R=H or Me; X=F, Cl, or Br. The p(Se) contributions are larger than 96 % for SeH− (C∞v), SeH2 (C2v), SeH3+ (C3v), SeH3+ (D3h), and SeH4 (Td). Therefore, σp(Se) of these compounds can be analyzed based on p(Se). The p(Se) contributions are 79–75 % for SeH4 (TBP), SeH5+ (TBP), SeH5+ (SP), and SeH5− (SP). Methyl and halogen substitutions increase the contributions by 1–2 % (per Me) and 4–7 % (per X), respectively. The contributions are 92–79 % for H2SeO (Cs), H2SeO2 (C2v), and H4SeO (C2v). The values are similarly increased by the substitutions. Consequently, σp(Se) of these compounds can be analyzed based on p(Se) with some corrections by d(Se). The p(Se) contribution of SeH6 (Oh) is 52 %: σp(Se: SeH6 (Oh)) must be analyzed based on both p(Se) and d(Se). The contributions for the Me and X derivatives of SeH6 amount to 86–77 %. Therefore, σp(Se) of the derivatives can also be analyzed mainly based on p(Se) with some corrections by d(Se). Contributions from f(Se) are negligible. Contributions from 4p(Se) in vacant orbitals are also considered. A utility program derived from the Gaussian 03 (NMRANAL‐NH03G) is applied to evaluate the contributions.
ChemInform Abstract: Stability of Singly Hydrated Silanone on Silicon Quantum Dot Surfaces: Density Functional Simulations.
Authors: Eyre R. J. , Gross J. P. , MacLeod R. M. , Briddon P. R.
Published: September 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Structure of Ca(BD4)2 β‐Phase from Combined Neutron and Synchrotron X‐Ray Powder Diffraction Data and Density Functional Calculations.
Authors: Buchter F. , et al. et al.
Published: September 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Crystal Structure of the Terbium Borocarbide Tb2B2C3.
Authors: Babizhetskyy Volodymyr , Mattausch Hansjuergen , Simon Arndt
Published: September 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: ZrCuSiAs‐Type Phosphide Oxides: TbRuPO, DyRuPO, the Series LnOsPO (Ln: La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm), and ThAgPO.
Authors: Jeitschko Wolfgang , Zimmer Barbara I. , Glaum Robert , Boonk Ludger , Rodewald Ute Ch.
Published: September 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Synthesis and Characterization of Environmentally Benign Calcium‐Doped Pr2Mo2O9 Pigments: Applications in Coloring of Plastics.
Authors: George Giable , Kumari L. Sandhya , Vishnu V. S. , Ananthakumar S. , Reddy M. L. P.
Published: September 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Crystal Structure, Stoichiometry, and Dielectric Relaxation in Bi3.32Nb7.09O22.7 and Structurally Related Ternary Phases.
Authors: Grey I. E. , Vanderah T. A. , Mumme W. G. , Roth R. S. , Guzman J. , Nino J. C. , Levin I.
Published: September 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Equilibrium Constants from Spectrophotometric Data: Dimer Formation in Gaseous Br2.
Authors: Tellinghuisen Joel
Published: September 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Designing and Tuning Properties of a Three‐Dimensional Porous Quaternary Chalcogenide Built on a Bimetallic Tetrahedral Cluster [M4Sn3S13]5‐ (M: Zn/Sn).
Authors: Wu Min , Emge Thomas J. , Huang Xiaoying , Li Jing , Zhang Yong
Published: September 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: The [Ti12Nb6O44]10‐ Ion — A New Type of Polyoxometalate Structure.
Authors: Ohlin C. Andre , Villa Eric M. , Fettinger James C. , Casey William H.
Published: September 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Hydrothermal Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Two 1‐D and 2‐D Dawson‐Based Phosphotungstates.
Authors: Zhao Jun‐Wei , Zheng Shou‐Tian , Liu Wei , Yang Guo‐Yu
Published: September 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Superacid‐Catalyzed Intramolecular Cyclization Reaction of Arylcyanopropionate: Geminal Substitution Effect on Superelectrophilicity.
Authors: Nakamura Satoshi , Sugimoto Hiromichi , Ohwada Tomohiko
Published: September 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Oxidative Rearrangement of Tertiary Allylic Alcohols Employing Oxoammonium Salts.
Authors: Shibuya Masatoshi , Tomizawa Masaki , Iwabuchi Yoshiharu
Published: September 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Propargylic Oxidations Catalyzed by Dirhodium Caprolactamate in Water: Efficient Access to α,β‐Acetylene Ketones.
Authors: McLaughlin Emily C. , Doyle Michael P.
Published: September 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Oxidation of Alcohols with Molecular Oxygen Promoted by Nafion Ionomer Anchored Pyrochlore Composite at Room Temperature.
Authors: Venkatesan S. , Kumar A. Senthil , Zen J.‐M.
Published: September 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Expedient Synthesis and Solvent‐Dependent Oxidation Behavior of a Water‐Soluble IBX Derivative.
Authors: Kommreddy Amitha , Bowsher Michael S. , Gunna Meena R. , Botha Kirankumar , Vinod Thottumkara K.
Published: September 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Assisted Ruthenium‐Catalyzed C—H Bond Activation: Carboxylic Acids as Cocatalysts for Generally Applicable Direct Arylations in Apolar Solvents.
Authors: Ackermann Lutz , Vicente Ruben , Althammer Andreas
Published: September 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Convenient Trimethylsilylation of Hydroxy Groups with Hexamethyldisilazane under Solvent‐Free Conditions.
Authors: Rostami Amin , Khazaei Ardeshir , Mahboubifar Marjan , Rahmati Sadegh
Published: September 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Metal‐Containing Ionic Liquids as Efficient Catalysts for Hydroxymethylation in Water.
Authors: Bica Katharina , Gaertner Peter
Published: September 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Electrochemically Induced Henry Reaction of Nitromethane and Carbonyl Compounds.
Authors: Elinson Michail N. , Ilovaisky Alexey I. , Merkulova Valentina M. , Barba Fructuoso , Batanero Belen
Published: September 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: A General Route for the Synthesis of β,β‐Difluorocarboxylic Acids.
Authors: Cohen Or , Rozen Shlomo
Published: September 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Uncatalyzed Strecker‐Type Reaction of N,N‐Dialkylhydrazones in Pure Water.
Authors: Marques‐Lopez Eugenia , Herrera Raquel P. , Fernandez Rosario , Lassaletta Jose M.
Published: September 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.
ChemInform Abstract: Aluminum Chloride Mediated Acylation of Methylenecyclobutanes. A Facile Synthetic Protocol for the Construction of Substituted Cyclopentenes.
Authors: Jiang Min , Shi Min
Published: September 2008

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.