bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Injection Molded Solid and Microcellular Polylactide Compounded with Recycled Paper Shopping Bag Fibers
Authors: Kramschuster A. , Pilla S. , Gong S. , Chandra A. , Turng L.-S.
Published: November 2007

Recycled paper shopping bag fibers were melt-compounded using a batch mixer with biobased/biodegradable polylactide (PLA) at 10 and 30 wt.% using silane as a coupling agent. These PLA/fiber composites were then injection molded to produce both solid and microcellular tensile bars. The mechanical properties (specific modulus, specific tensile strength, specific toughness, and strain at break) of the neat PLA and PLA composites were tested and the cell morphology of the microcellular samples was examined using scanning electron microscopy. It was observed that the addition of the recycled paper shopping bag fibers resulted in an increase in cell density and decrease in average cell size for the microcellular components when compared with the neat PLA. The addition of the fibers increased the specific modulus of both solid and microcellular components, and high fiber contents (30 wt.%) resulted in an increase in specific tensile strength, yet yielded a decrease in the strain at break and specific toughness. The storage modulus was also improved with the addition of 10 and 30 wt.% fibers for both solid and microcellular components.
Reduced‐order robust adaptive control design of uncertain SISO linear systems
Authors: Zhao Qingrong , Pan Zigang , Fernandez Emmanuel
Published: November 2007

In this paper, a stability and robustness preserving adaptive controller order‐reduction method is developed for a class of uncertain linear systems affected by system and measurement noises. In this method, we immediately start the integrator backstepping procedure of the controller design without first stabilizing a filtered dynamics of the output. This relieves us from generating the reference trajectory for the filtered dynamics of the output and thus reducing the controller order byn, nbeing the dimension of the system state. The stability of the filtered dynamics is indirectly provedviaan existing state signal. The trade‐off for this order reduction is that the worst‐case estimate for the expanded state vector has to be chosen as a suboptimal choice rather than the optimal choice. It is shown that the resulting reduced‐order adaptive controller preserves the stability and robustness properties of the full‐order adaptive controller in disturbance attenuation, boundedness of closed‐loop signals, and output tracking. The proposed order‐reduction scheme is also applied to a class of single‐input single‐output linear systems with partly measured disturbances. Two examples are presented to illustrate the performance of the reduced‐order controller in this paper. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Performance study of heptane reforming in the dense ceramic membrane reactors
Authors: Zhu Wenliang , Han Wei , Xiong Guoxing , Yang Weishen
Published: November 2007

Heptane reforming was investigated in three dense ceramic membrane reactors, where the membranes were modified differently with reforming catalyst. Each reactor displayed distinctive catalytic behavior. The reactor with a bare membrane showed low catalytic activity and low oxygen permeation flux (JO2), but gave stable performance. The left two membranes reactors modified with catalyst both displayed shift processes at the preliminary stage of membrane reaction, not only in JO2 but also in the selectivity of all products. Moreover, the membrane reactor with more catalyst gave higher performance in the case of JO2 and CO selectivity. The observed shift phenomena are due to the activation of catalyst on the membrane surface, and the different amounts of catalyst produce different impaction on the membrane reactions. On the basis of the results in three membrane reactors, a reaction pathway of hydrocarbon reforming in dense ceramic membrane reactor is proposed. Being some different from combustion and reforming mechanism (CRR), hydrocarbon reforming in dense ceramic membrane reactor has its own characteristics. © 2007 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2007
Hydrogen storage in metal‐organic and covalent‐organic frameworks by spillover
Authors: Li Yingwei , Yang Ralph T.
Published: November 2007

Covalent‐organic framework COF‐1 and metal‐organic frameworks HKUST‐1 and MIL‐101 were synthesized and studied for hydrogen storage at 77 and 298 K. Although MIL‐101 had the largest surface area and pore volume among the three materials, HKUST‐1 had the highest uptake (2.28 wt %) at 77 K. However, the H2 storage capacity at 298 K and high pressure correlated with the surface area and pore volume. The H2 storage in the COF and MOF materials assisted by hydrogen spillover, measured at 298 K up to a pressure of 10 MPa, have been examined for correlations with their structural and surface features for the first time. By using our simple technique to build carbon bridges, the hydrogen uptakes at 298 K were enhanced significantly by a factor of 2.6–3.2. The net uptake by spillover was correlated to the heat of adsorption through the Langmuir constant. Results on water vapor adsorption at 298 K indicated that COF‐1 was unstable in moist air, while HKUST‐1 and MIL‐101 were stable. The results suggested that MIL‐101 could be a promising material for hydrogen storage because of its high heat of adsorption for spiltover hydrogen, large surface area and pore volume, and stability upon H2O adsorption. © 2007 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
Does single umbilical artery (SUA) predict any type of congenital defect? Clinical–epidemiological analysis of a large consecutive series of malformed infants
Authors: Martínez‐Frías María Luisa , Bermejo Eva , Rodríguez‐Pinilla Elvira , Prieto David ,   ECEMC Working Group
Published: November 2007

Most studies associating different types of malformations with the presence of a single umbilical artery (SUA) are based on small and selected series. Here, we present the results of a study aimed at identifying the most frequent, and the most specific anomalies related to SUA. We analyzed 19,909 consecutive newborn infants with congenital malformations, from the Spanish Collaborative Study of Congenital Malformations (ECEMC). To estimate the specificity of the relationship of different congenital defects with SUA, we calculated their relative frequencies (RF) by dividing their frequency in infants with SUA by the corresponding frequency in newborn infants without SUA. Using the different levels of the ECEMC coding system, we calculated the RFs in three steps: (a) a group of individual congenital defects, (b) different groups of malformed infants, and (c) each individual malformation by its clinical presentation in some of the studied groups of malformed infants. The defects most specifically associated with SUA were bilateral renal agenesis and imperforate anus, followed by unilateral renal agenesis, and vertebral defects, the RF of which indicated that they were between 7.99 and 9.93 times more frequent among malformed infants with SUA than among malformed infants without SUA. However, these defects were not as frequent in the group of infants with SUA, as cardiovascular anomalies. Regarding the association of SUA in the groups of malformed infants, the most specific groups were body stalk defects and sirenomelia. Finally, we analyzed the association of the individual defects by different groups of malformed infants in order to identify if the individual defects are associated with SUA in any type of clinical presentation, and in relation to some groups of infants with genetic disorders. The results, together with the embryonic development of the umbilical cord, strongly suggest that not all cases of SUA have the same cause, and that all previously suggested mechanisms may be possible but with different frequencies. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Zum Verständnis ionischer Flüssigkeiten auf molekularer Ebene: Fakten, Probleme und Kontroversen
Authors: Weingärtner Hermann
Published: November 2007

Ionische Flüssigkeiten sind organische Salze, die Schmelzpunkte in der Nähe der Raumtemperatur (oder gemäß Konvention unter 100 °C) aufweisen. Ihre einzigartigen Material‐ und Lösungsmitteleigenschaften sowie das Ziel einer nachhaltigen, “grünen” Chemie haben in den letzten Jahren zu einer erstaunlichen Zunahme des Interesses an diesen Salzen geführt. Eine riesige Anzahl von Kationen‐ und Anionenfamilien und unterschiedliche Substitutionen ermöglichen die gezielte Einstellung von Eigenschaften für spezifische Anwendungen. Da es unmöglich ist, auch nur einen geringen Bruchteil der möglichen Kation‐Anion‐Kombinationen experimentell zu untersuchen, ist ein Verständnis ihrer Eigenschaften auf molekularer Ebene unabdingbar. Allerdings wird dies durch die Komplexität ihrer zwischenmolekularen Wechselwirkungen erschwert, weshalb in der Literatur zahlreiche Kontroversen, Spekulationen und Mythen über angebliche Eigenschaften ionischer Flüssigkeiten zu finden sind. In diesem Aufsatz wird das gegenwärtige Wissen über die molekularen Grundlagen des Verhaltens ionischer Flüssigkeiten diskutiert.
Multiplexmethoden zur Profilierung der MikroRNA‐Expression in biologischen Proben
Authors: Wark Alastair W. , Lee Hye Jin , Corn Robert M.
Published: November 2007

Die Entdeckung kleiner nichtcodierender RNA‐Moleküle (MikroRNAs; miRNAs), die in der Lage sind, die Genexpression zu steuern, hat eine neue Komplexitätsebene bei der Regulation der Zellfunktionen aufgezeigt. Seit einigen Jahren wird nun versucht, die regulatorische Funktion von hunderten bis tausenden von miRNAs zu verstehen, die in pflanzlichen und tierischen Zellen exprimiert werden. Um hier entscheidend weiterzukommen, ist die Entwicklung quantitativer bioanalytischer Verfahren erforderlich, mit denen ein schneller, paralleler Nachweis aller miRNAs in einer bestimmten Zelle oder Gewebeprobe möglich ist. In diesem Kurzaufsatz beschreiben wir einige der neuesten Verfahren zur Hochdurchsatzprofilierung von miRNAs und schildern die besonderen technischen Herausforderungen, die dabei gemeistert werden müssen.
Understanding Ionic Liquids at the Molecular Level: Facts, Problems, and Controversies
Authors: Weingärtner Hermann
Published: November 2007

Ionic liquids (ILs) are organic salts with melting points near room temperature (or by convention below 100 °C). Recently, their unique materials and solvent properties and the growing interest in a sustainable, “green” chemistry has led to an amazing increase in interest in such salts. A huge number of potential cation and anion families and their many substitution patterns allows the desired properties for specific applications to be selected. Because it is impossible to experimentally investigate even a small fraction of the potential cation–anion combinations, a molecular‐based understanding of their properties is crucial. However, the unusual complexity of their intermolecular interactions renders molecular‐based interpretations difficult, and gives rise to many controversies, speculations, and even myths about the properties that ILs allegedly possess. Herein the current knowledge about the molecular foundations of IL behavior is discussed.
An assessment of the use of remote sensing to map habitat features important to sustaining lamprey populations
Authors: Gilvear D.J. , Sutherland P. , Higgins T.
Published: November 2007

This study describes the use of colour aerial photography and Airborne Thematic Mapper (ATM) multispectral imagery (420–1050 nm) to map gravel‐bed river habitats important to sustaining river lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis) — an aquatic species with high conservation interest in Europe. The accuracy of the remote sensing approach was assessed by comparing the output from automated mapping of physical habitat features using image analysis and GIS and habitat maps derived from field survey.

Unsupervised classification of the aerial photography and ATM imagery mapped hydraulic habitat such as pools and riffles with overall accuracies of 57% and 65.5% respectively. Submerged sand and silt deposits, which are important to river lamprey ammocoetes could not be identified on the imagery by simple unsupervised or supervised classification. They could be mapped indirectly, however, by association between their presence and morphological attributes such as backwaters and embayments in the bank profile detectable on the imagery. Remotely determining the likely presence and location of lamprey ammocoete habitat can be useful in planning detailed electrofishing campaigns to estimate lamprey densities, to assess conservation status and any change over time, and to determine the need for restoration strategies.

The results suggest that on rivers wider than 20 m without a continuous wooded riparian fringe, and where there is good quality imagery, it is possible to automate mapping of physical habitat features important to many river species with high nature conservation interest. As a result organizations charged with monitoring and conserving river species should consider investing in airborne imagery covering river systems of high conservation value.

Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Selection of taxa as indicators of river and freshwater wetland quality in the UK
Authors: Everard Mark
Published: November 2007

To assess the efficacy of environmental management policies and practices, there is a progressive transition from monitoring of activities towards assessment of their outcomes for the environment.

Population trends of key taxonomic groups can serve as useful indicators of broader environmental integrity and health. Several necessary and desirable criteria for selecting meaningful and suitable indicators are discussed. The attributes of a range of taxa and survey methods used for their assessment are discussed with reference to these criteria.

Survey methods, data holdings and analytical methods for populations of wild birds at present provide a good basis for developing indicators of the quality of fresh waters at a landscape scale. Other taxa are not necessarily any less appropriate; however, survey design and data representativeness are often limiting factors to the use of other taxa for assessing geographic and temporal trends.

Taxonomic science and ecological monitoring are necessary for determining society' progress with sustainable development and for informing appropriate enhancements to policy and management practice, particularly so for fresh waters.

Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Actual status of the sea urchin Diadema aff. antillarum populations and macroalgal cover in marine protected areas compared to a highly fished area (Canary Islands—eastern Atlantic Ocean)
Authors: Hernández José Carlos , Clemente Sabrina , Sangil Carlos , Brito Alberto
Published: November 2007

The aim was to determine the status of subtidal rocky benthic assemblages in three marine protected areas (MPAs) of the Canary Islands: (1) La Graciosa; (2) Mar de Las Calmas; (3) La Palma. Sea urchin (Diadema aff. antillarum) populations and non‐crustose macroalgal cover were surveyed, and used as an indicator of conservation status in the three MPAs as well as in a highly fished area (HFA‐Tenerife Island).

Comparing characteristics between each MPA and the HFA, and considering issues of management and design, it was concluded that the three MPAs each have a different conservation status. ‘Mar de Las Calmas’ marine reserve was found to have the most desirable conservation status, followed by ‘La Palma’ marine reserve based on sea urchin populations and non‐crustose macroalgae assemblages.

Conversely, ‘La Graciosa’ had the highest density of D. aff. antillarum and the lowest cover of non‐crustose macroalgae out of the three MPAs. Values were comparable to those at the HFA, which shows ‘La Graciosa’ to have the undesired conservation status.

Different spatial distribution patterns of non‐crustose macroalgal as well as different algal composition cover were observed between the three MPAs and the HFA. These differences were principally attributed to the intensity of grazing activity of the key herbivore D. aff. antillarum. It is suggested that the different study areas correspond to different phase shifts that imply differing resilience of systems that should be taken into a count in future conservation strategies.

Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Double Ester Prodrugs of FR900098 Display Enhanced In‐Vitro Antimalarial Activity
Authors: Wiesner Jochen , Ortmann Regina , Jomaa Hassan , Schlitzer Martin
Published: November 2007

Fosmidomycin and FR900098 are inhibitors of the 1‐deoxy‐D‐xylulose 5‐phosphate reductoisomerase (DXR; IspC), a key enzyme of the mevalonate‐independent isoprenoid biosynthesis pathway. We have determined the in‐vitro antimalarial activity of two double ester prodrugs 2, 3 in direct comparison with the unmodified FR900098 1 against intraerythrocytic forms of Plasmodium falciparum. Temporarily masking the polar properties of the phosphonate moiety of the DXR inhibitor FR900098 1 enhanced not only its oral bioavailability but also the intrinsic activity of this series against the parasites.
Synthesis and Antiproliferative In‐Vitro Activity of Natural Flavans and Related Compounds
Authors: Zhang Liang , Zhang Wei‐Ge , Ma En‐Long , Wu Lan , Bao Kai , Wang Xiao‐Long , Wang Yu‐Ling , Song Hong‐Rui
Published: November 2007

The total synthesis of natural flavan racemates (±) 1, (±) 2 and natural flavones 3, 4 had thus been achieved. A straightforward synthetic procedure of flavans via the Pd‐C catalyzed hydrogenation/hydrogenolysis of corresponding flavones was developed. Furthermore, the antiproliferative activities of racemic flavans (±) 1, (±) 2, flavones 3, 4, and five synthetic intermediates toward human SGC‐7901, BEL‐7402, HeLa, and HL‐60 cell lines in vitro were evaluated by MTT assay, and the racemic flavans (±) 1 were found to have significant antiproliferative activity against all four cell lines.
Synthesis and Antioxidant Capacities of Some New Benzimidazole Derivatives
Authors: Ayhan‐Kılcıgil Gülgün , Kus Canan , Özdamar Elçin D. , Can‐Eke Benay , Iscan Mümtaz
Published: November 2007

In this study, we prepared some new oxadiazolyl benzimidazole derivatives and investigated their antioxidant properties by determination of microsomal NADPH‐dependent inhibition of lipid peroxidation levels (LP assay) and microsomal ethoxyresorufin O‐deethylase activity (EROD assay). Some of these compounds 20, 23 had slightly inhibitory effects (28%) on the lipid peroxidation levels at 10–3 M concentration lower than standard BHT (65%). 5‐[2‐(Phenyl)‐benzimidazol‐1‐yl‐methyl]‐2‐mercapto‐[1,3,4]‐oxadiazole 16 was found to be more active than caffeine on the ethoxyresorufin O‐deethylase activity with an IC50 value of 2.0 6 10–4 M.
Synthesis, Antitubercular and Anticancer Activities of Substituted Furyl‐quinazolin‐3(4H)‐ones
Authors: Raghavendra Nulgulmnalli M. , Thampi Parameshwaran , Gurubasavarajaswamy Purvarga M. , Sriram Dharmarajan
Published: November 2007

Some novel substituted‐3‐{[(1E)‐(substituted‐2‐furyl)‐methylene]amino}quinazolin‐4(3H)‐one (5, 6, 7)a–fwere synthesized by a multi‐step process. These synthesized compounds are characterized by various spectroscopic techniques and evaluated for their antitubercular and anticancer activities. Biological activity indicated that some of the title compounds are potent antitubercular and anticancer agents.
γ‐Substituted Bis(pivaloyloxymethyl)ester Analogues of Fosmidomycin and FR900098
Authors: Kurz Thomas , Behrendt Christoph , Pein Miriam , Kaula Uwe , Bergmann Bärbel , Walter Rolf D.
Published: November 2007

The synthesis and in‐vitro antimalarial activity of γ‐substituted bis(pivaloyloxymethyl)ester analogues of the drug candidate fosmidomycin have been investigated. In contrast to the high antimalarial activity of α‐aryl substituted fosmidomycin analogues like α‐phenylfosmidomycin, γ‐substituted derivatives display only weak to moderate activity against the chloroquine‐sensitive strain 3D7 of Plasmodium falciparum.
Cytotoxic Activity of Gd(III)‐ and Dy(III)‐Complexes
Authors: Kostova Irena , Kiefer Wolfgang , Momekov Georgi
Published: November 2007

The complexes of gadolinium(III) and dysprosium(III) were synthesized by reaction of the respective inorganic salts with 3,5‐pyrazoledicarboxylic acid in amounts equal to metal to ligand molar ratio of 1 : 2. The structures of the final complexes were determined by means of spectral and elemental analyses. To help further the binding mode elucidation in the new Gd(III)‐ and Dy(III)‐complexes of H3pdc, detailed vibrational analysis was performed on the basis of comparison of experimental vibrational spectra of the ligand and its Ln(III)‐complexes using data theoretically predicted by us earlier, as well as data from the literature about related compounds. Significant differences in the IR and Raman spectra of the complexes were observed as compared to the spectra of the ligand. The ligand and the complexes were tested for their cytotoxic activities on the chronic myeloid leukemia‐derived K‐562, overexpressing the BCR‐ABL fusion protein and the non‐Hodgkin lymphoma‐derived DOHH‐2, characterized by a re‐expression of the anti‐apoptotic protein bcl‐2 cell lines. The results obtained indicate that the tested compounds exerted a considerable cytotoxic activity upon the evaluated cell lines in a concentration‐dependent manner, which enabled the construction of dose‐response curves and the calculation of the corresponding IC50 values. The inorganic salts exerted a very weak cytotoxic effect on these cells. This is in contrast to the lanthanide complexes, which exhibited potent cytotoxic activity, even more than the activity of cisplatin towards K‐562 and DOHH‐2 cell lines.
Studies on 1,2,4‐Triazole Derivatives as Potential Anti‐Inflammatory Agents
Authors: Turan‐Zitouni Gülhan , Kaplancikli Zafer Asim , Özdemir Ahmet , Chevallet Pierre , Kandilci Hilmi Burak , Gümüsel Bülent
Published: November 2007

The reaction of acetic or propionic acid hydrazides with various aryl/alkyl isothiocyanates gave thiosemicarbazides which furnished the 1,2,4‐triazoles by alkali cyclization. The 4‐aryl/alkyl‐5‐(1‐phenoxyethyl)‐3‐[N‐(substituted)acetamido]thio‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazole derivatives were synthesized by reacting the triazoles with 2‐chloro‐N‐(substituted)acetamide. The chemical structures of the compounds were elucidated by IR, 1H‐NMR, FAB+‐MS spectral data and elemental analysis. In the pharmacological studies, anti‐inflammatory activities of these compounds have been screened and significant activities were observed.
Synthesis, Antimicrobial and Antineoplastic Activities for Agelasine and Agelasimine Analogs with a β‐Cyclocitral Derived Substituent
Authors: Proszenyák Ágnes , Charnock Colin , Hedner Erik , Larsson Rolf , Bohlin Lars , Gundersen Lise‐Lotte
Published: November 2007

Agelasines and agelasimines are antimicrobial and cytotoxic purine derivatives isolated from marine sponges (Agelas sp.). We have synthesized structurally simplified analogs of these natural products starting from β‐cyclocitral. The novel compounds were found to be strong inhibitors of a wide variety of pathogenic microorganisms (incl. Mycobacterium tuberculosis) as well as cancer cell lines. The biological activities were generally in the same range as those previously found for the structurally more complex agelasines and agelasimines isolated in small amounts from natural sources. We also report for the first time that agelasine and agelasimine analogs inhibit growth of protozoa (Acanthamoeba castellanii and Acanthamoeba polyphaga). Acanthamoeba keratitis is an increasingly common and severe corneal infection, closely associated with contact lens wear.
The ‘win–win’ paradigm and stakeholder integration
Authors: Plaza‐Úbeda J. A. , Burgos‐Jiménez J. , Vazquez D. A. , Liston‐Heyes C.
Published: November 2007

Firms are under pressure to invest in environmental management systems (EMSs) to reduce the environmental impacts of their activities. Many advocates of EMS adoption promote the idea of ‘win–win’ gains, where improvements in environmental performance are accompanied by financial rewards. The empirical evidence on this is mixed and suggests that the' right' conditions must exist within the firm for genuine environmental performance gains to materialize. The paper uses a survey of 129 Spanish manufacturing firms to investigate managerial perceptions about what these right conditions might be. Results indicate that enhanced environmental performance following EMS adoption is linked to managers' belief in the win–win paradigm, and that managers who adhere to the win–win story also tend to integrate other stakeholder demands into their business strategies. Policy implications conclude the paper. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Beyond recycling: ‘commons‐friendly’ waste reduction at new consumption communities
Authors: Bekin Caroline , Carrigan Marylyn , Szmigin Isabelle
Published: November 2007

This paper broadens current knowledge on consumer waste and disposal behaviour by exploring the diverse and complementary waste‐reduction strategies and behaviours adopted by environmentally conscious consumer communities in the UK. Using a critical ethnography methodology and a multi‐locale approach to designing the field, six distinct ethical voluntary simplifier communities were studied. Findings suggest their alternative lifestyles and waste management choices offer society much in terms of environmental soundness, while also presenting several personal trade‐offs for community members that deserve critical consideration. Practical implications for marketers and policy makers are addressed.

Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A sociological perspective of consumption morality
Authors: Caruana Robert
Published: November 2007

This paper considers how a sociological perspective of morality can inform understandings of consumption. In light of recent research that identifies moral forms of consumption practice at a socio‐cultural level (e.g. ‘ethical consumers’ and ‘voluntary simplifiers’) it is apparent that an important relationship between consumption, society and morality continues to be of relevance and interest to consumer research. However, research into ethical consumption, fair trade, sustainability, green consumption and more recently consumer citizenship presuppose certain assumptions about the moral nature of the subject at the centre of their investigations whilst not evidencing an explicit or coherent understanding of the underlying sociological conception of morality itself. Accordingly, there is a need for consumer researchers framing their studies at a sociological level to be clearer about the conceptual nature of morality and, moreover, how it relates in a meaningful way to the theoretical claims made in their research. In response, this paper examines the dominant paradigmatic conceptualisations that constitute a sociological perspective of morality. Particularly, it considers (1) how a number of key sociological perspectives on morality can locate streams of consumer research better than is currently the case, (2) how these perspectives suggest that current research into fair trade and ethical consumption invoke a certain type of morality whereas a broader concept is available and finally (3) how a pluralist sociological conception of morality will allow consumer researchers to reframe the types of questions they can ask and so too the types of answers they may find.

Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Computer ethics and consumer ethics: the impact of the internet on consumers' ethical decision‐making process
Authors: Chatzidakis Andreas , Mitussis Darryn
Published: November 2007

Despite the maturity of the literatures that consider ethical consumer behaviour and the role of the internet, very little work seems to have been undertaken to bring these two themes together. This is unfortunate because the internet is increasingly pervasive and is used at some stage in a significant number of consumer activities. Our primary purpose is to bring together key insights and themes from research into both ethical consumer behaviour and the internet to highlight further research opportunities. In particular, we seek to demonstrate how the ethical consumerism and consumer ethics literatures together can provide a rich foundation to study ethical and moral dimensions of online consumer behaviour.

Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ethical consumption practices: co‐production of self‐expression and social recognition
Authors: Cherrier Hélène
Published: November 2007

Ethical considerations regularly demand references to the moral climate, which, as a form of grand narrative or regime of truth, provides direction for choices between right and wrong, good and bad, ethical and unethical. Yet from a postmodern perspective, the moral climate has scattered into countless narratives, such that what is good or ethical may no longer be certain everywhere and in every situation. In a postmodern world, no essential grand narrative, regime of truth, or foundational ethical direction exists, because the self has been rendered free and autonomous from traditional values. As an independent agent, the postmodern self confronts a plethora of possibilities. Although the confrontation of multiple narratives appears in radical postmodern theory as saturating and disorienting, this article posits that clear signs of ethical directions within postmodern pluralism remain.

Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
To boldly go…exploring ethical spaces to re‐politicise ethical consumption and fair trade
Authors: Low William , Davenport Eileen
Published: November 2007

This paper examines the modern iterations of ethical consumption which, we argue, are dominated by a highly individualised form, ‘shopping for a better world’, and marginalises the more overtly politicised and collective approach. This dissociative transformation of ethical consumption is illustrated through the case example of the fair‐trade movement. We explore two related literatures, geography and politics, to suggest that the (re‐)creation of ethical spaces hold great promise for expanding sales, shortening the distance between producer and consumer and reinvigorating the message of reforming and transforming international trade relations.

Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and Characterization of [Cu(NHC)2]X Complexes: Catalytic and Mechanistic Studies of Hydrosilylation Reactions
Authors: Díez‐González Silvia , Stevens Edwin D. , Scott Natalie M. , Petersen Jeffrey L. , Nolan Steven P.
Published: November 2007

The preparation of two series of [Cu(NHC)2]X complexes (NHC=N‐heterocyclic carbene, X=PF6 or BF4) in high yields from readily available materials is reported. These complexes have been spectroscopically and structurally characterized. The activity of these cationic bis‐NHC complexes in the hydrosilylation of ketones was examined, and both the ligand and the counterion showed a significant influence on the catalytic performance. Moreover, when compared with related [Cu(NHC)]‐based systems, these cationic complexes proved to be more efficient under similar reaction conditions. The activation step of [Cu(NHC)2]X precatalysts towards hydrosilylation was investigated by means of 1H NMR spectroscopy. Notably, it was shown that one of the N,N′‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)imidazol‐2‐ylidene (IPr) ligands in [Cu(IPr)2]BF4 is displaced by tBuO− in the presence of NaOtBu, producing the neutral [Cu(IPr)(OtBu)]. This copper alkoxide is known to be a direct precursor of an NHC–copper hydride, the actual active species in this transformation. Furthermore, reagent loading and counterion effects have been rationalized in light of the species formed during the reaction.
Investigation of Hydrogen Physisorption Active Sites on the Surface of Porous Carbonaceous Materials
Authors: Qu Deyang
Published: November 2007

Hydrogen physisorption in different carbonaceous materials was investigated in liquid nitrogen (77 K). The total hydrogen adsorption was found to have a linear relationship with the surface area of pores <30 Å. The surface area and porosity of the carbon materials were determined by dinitrogen adsorption at 77 K and density function theory (DFT). The active sites for hydrogen adsorption were investigated and found to be related to the edge orientation of defective graphene micro‐sheet domains.
Solid–Solid Phase Transitions: Interface Controlled Reactivity and Formation of Intermediate Structures
Authors: Leoni Stefano
Published: November 2007

Finding new pathways to novel materials is an open challenge in modern solid‐state chemistry. Among the reasons that still prevent a rational planning of synthetic routes is the lack of an atomistic understanding at the moment of phase formation. Metastable phases are, in this respect, powerful points of access to new materials. For the synthetic efforts to fully take advantage of such peculiar intermediates, a precise atomistic understanding of critical processes in the solid state in its many facets, that is, nucleation patterns, formation and propagation of interfaces, intermediate structures, and phase growth, is mandatory. Recently we have started a systematic theoretical study of phase transitions, especially of processes with first‐order thermodynamics, to reach a firm understanding of the atomistic mechanisms governing polymorphism in the solid state. A clear picture is emerging of the interplay between nucleation patterns, the evolution of domain interfaces and final material morphology. Therein intermediate metastable structural motifs with distinct atomic patterns are identified, which become exciting targets for chemical synthesis. Accordingly, a new way of implementing simulation strategies as a powerful support to the chemical intuition is emerging. Simulations of real materials under conditions corresponding to the experiments are shedding light onto yet elusive aspects of solid–solid transformations. Particularly, sharp insights into local nucleation and growth events allow the formulation of new concepts for rationalizing interfaces formed during phase nucleation and growth. Structurally different and confined in space, metastable interfaces occurring during polymorph transformations bring about distinct diffusion behavior of the chemical species involved. More generally, stable structures emerge as a result of the concurrence of the transformation mechanism and of chemical reactions within the phase‐growth fronts.
Complexation of the Vulcanization Accelerator Tetramethylthiuram Disulfide and Related Molecules with Zinc Compounds Including Zinc Oxide Clusters (Zn4O4)
Authors: Steudel Ralf , Steudel Yana , Wong Ming Wah
Published: November 2007

Zinc chemicals are used as activators in the vulcanization of organic polymers with sulfur to produce elastic rubbers. In this work, the reactions of Zn2+, ZnMe2, Zn(OMe)2, Zn(OOCMe)2, and the heterocubane cluster Zn4O4 with the vulcanization accelerator tetramethylthiuram disulfide (TMTD) and with the related radicals and anions Me2NCS2., Me2NCS3., Me2NCS2−, and Me2NCS3− have been studied by quantum chemical methods at the MP2/6‐31+G(2df,p)//B3LYP/6‐31+G* level of theory. More than 35 zinc complexes have been structurally characterized and the energies of formation from their components calculated for the first time. The binding energy of TMTD as a bidendate ligand increases in the order ZnMe2<Zn(OOCMe)2<Zn(OMe)2<Zn4O4<Zn2+. The last two zinc species also form very stable complexes with the radicals Me2NCS2. and Me2NCS3.. Dissociation of the TMTD molecule at the SS bond on reaction with the Zn4O4 cluster is predicted to be strongly exothermic, in sharp contrast to the endothermic SS bond dissociation of the free molecule. The same holds for tetramethylthiuram trisulfide (TMTT). Surprisingly, the resulting complexes contain ZnS as well as SO bonds. The Zn4O4 nanocluster serves here as a model for bulk zinc oxide used as an activator in rubber vulcanization by sulfur. The further uptake of sulfur atoms by the various complexes from S8 or TMTD with formation of species derived from the radical Me2NCS3. or the trithiocarbamate anion Me2NCS3− is endothermic for mono‐ and dinuclear zinc dithiocarbamate (dtc) complexes such as [Zn(dtc)2] and [Zn2(dtc)4], but exothermic in the case of polynuclear zinc oxide species containing bridging ligands as in [Zn4O4(μ‐S2CNMe2)] and [Zn4O4(μ‐dtc)]. Therefore, zinc oxide as a polynuclear species is predicted to promote the formation of trisulfido complexes, which are generally assumed to serve as catalysts for the transfer of sulfur atoms during rubber vulcanization. This prediction is in accord with the empirical knowledge that ZnO is a better activator in TMTD‐accelerated rubber vulcanization than zinc dithiocarbamate.
Self‐Assembled Amphotericin B Is Probably Surrounded by Ergosterol: Bimolecular Interactions as Evidenced by Solid‐State NMR and CD Spectra
Authors: Kasai Yusuke , Matsumori Nobuaki , Umegawa Yuichi , Matsuoka Shigeru , Ueno Hiroyuki , Ikeuchi Hiroki , Oishi Tohru , Murata Michio
Published: November 2007

Amphotericin B (AmB) is thought to exert its pharmacological effects by forming a barrel‐stave assembly with ergosterol in fungal membranes. To examine the interaction between AmB and ergosterol (Erg) or cholesterol (Cho), 13C‐ and 19F‐labelled covalent conjugates were prepared as reported previously (N. Matsumori et al. Chem. Biol. 2004, 11, 673–679). The CD spectra of the conjugates in a membrane‐bound form suggested that the distance between the heptaene moieties of the ergosterol conjugates AmB–C2–(6‐F)Erg 2 and AmB–C2–Erg 3 is similar to that of AmB in ergosterol‐containing membranes, but significantly larger than that of AmB in nonsterol or cholesterol‐containing membranes. These observations suggest that, as is the case with ergosterol‐containing membranes, the conjugated sterol moiety prevents the close contact between the heptaene moieties within the membrane that would reduce channel conductivity of the AmB assemblies. To further investigate this bimolecular interaction, we recorded the solid‐state NMR spectra of conjugates 2 and AmB–C2–(6‐F)Cho 4, which are composed of uniformly 13C‐labelled AmB and 6‐fluorinated ergosterol or cholesterol; the conjugates were expected to facilitate the estimation of distances between the fluorine and carbon atoms. By using rotor‐synchronous double resonance (rotational echo double resonance of X cluster; RDX) experiments, we deduced the distance between the fluorine atom and its nearest carbon atom in the heptaene moiety of 2 to be less than 8.6 Å. This indicates that the B ring of ergosterol comes close to the AmB polyene moiety. A conformational search of the AmB–ergosterol conjugate by using distance constraints derived from the RDX results suggested that ergosterol molecules possibly surround the AmB assembly, which is in contrast with the conventional image in which ergosterol is inserted into AmB molecules.
An Anthracene‐Based Photochromic Macrocycle as a Key Ring Component To Switch a Frequency of Threading Motion
Authors: Hirose Keiji , Shiba Yoshinobu , Ishibashi Kazuaki , Doi Yasuko , Tobe Yoshito
Published: November 2007

A concept and demonstration of a switching in frequencies of molecular motions are described using a pseudorotaxane system. The setup consists of dibenzylammonium hexafluorophosphate and a photochromic dianthrylethane‐based [24]crown‐8‐type macrocycle, which we designed as a key ring component for the pseudorotaxane system having photocontrollable threading functionality by changing the size of ring component due to the action of light.
One‐Dimensional Bromo‐Bridged NiIII Complexes [Ni(S,S‐bn)2Br]Br2 (S,S‐bn=2S,3S‐diaminobutane): Synthesis, Physical Properties, and Electrostatic Carrier Doping
Authors: Takaishi Shinya , Yamashita Masahiro , Matsuzaki Hiroyuki , Okamoto Hiroshi , Tanaka Hisaaki , Kuroda Shin‐ichi , Goto Atsushi , Shimizu Tadashi , Takenobu Taishi , Iwasa Yoshihiro
Published: November 2007

A new bromo‐bridged NiIII compound has been synthesized. This compound displayed a strong antiferromagnetic interaction between spins located on NiIII species (J=(2350±500) K) that result from the strong covalency of the NiBr bond and the spin‐Peierls transition below 150 K. This was shown by the results of magnetic susceptibility and 81Br nuclear quadrupole resonance spectroscopy analysis. We succeeded in the electrostatic carrier doping of a single crystalline sample by using a field‐effect transistor device. This compound also showed n‐type semiconductor behavior, which can be reasonably rationalized by the existence of a small amount of NiII impurities.
Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Polymer‐Encapsulated Magnetic Nanobead Catalysts
Authors: Arai Takayoshi , Sato Toru , Kanoh Hirofumi , Kaneko Katsumi , Oguma Koichi , Yanagisawa Akira
Published: November 2007

A new strategy for the encapsulation of magnetic nanobeads was developed by using the in situ self‐assembly of an organic–inorganic hybrid polymer. The hybrid polymer of {[Cu(bpy)(BF4)2(H2O)2](bpy)}n (bpy=4,4′‐bipyridine) was constructed on the surface of amino‐functionalized magnetic beads and the resulting hybrid‐polymer‐encapsulated beads were utilized as catalysts for the oxidation of silyl enolates to provide the corresponding α‐hydroxy carbonyl compounds in high yield. After the completion of the reaction, the catalyst was readily recovered by magnetic separation and the recovered catalyst could be reused several times. Because the current method did not require complicated procedures for incorporating the catalyst onto the magnetic beads, the preparation and the application of various other types of organic–inorganic hybrid‐polymer‐coated magnetic beads could be possible.
Bay‐Area Selective Thermal [4+2] and [4+4] Cycloaddition Reactions of Triply Linked ZnII Diporphyrin with o‐Xylylene
Authors: Tanaka Takayuki , Nakamura Yasuyuki , Osuka Atsuhiro
Published: November 2007

A triply linked ZnII diporphyrin underwent site‐selective cycloaddition reactions with thermally generated o‐xylylene to provide a triply linked porphyrin–chlorin hybrid and a triply linked chlorin dimer in moderate yields. The former product is a symmetry‐allowed [4+2] cycloadduct, while the latter is a symmetry‐forbidden [4+4] cycloadduct. Oxidation of the latter product with 2,3‐dichloro‐5,6‐dicyano‐1,4‐benzoquinone (DDQ) provided a triply linked diporphyrin fused with a benzocyclooctatriene segment. This oxidized product and above [4+2] cycloadduct were structurally characterized by single crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. The observed site‐selectivity is considered to arise from the large MO coefficients at the bay‐area in the LUMO of the triply linked diporphyrin. The anomalous thermal [4+4] cycloaddition may be ascribed to the highly conjugated and quite perturbed electronic properties of triply linked ZnII diporphyrin.
Multispecificity of Drug Transporters: Probing Inhibitor Selectivity for the Human Drug Efflux Transporters ABCB1 and ABCG2
Authors: Cramer Joerg , Kopp Stephan , Bates Susan E. , Chiba Peter , Ecker Gerhard F.
Published: November 2007

Multidrug resistance transporters P‐glycoprotein/ABCB1 and ABCG2 limit the effect of a large number of cytostatic and cytotoxic drugs by energy‐dependent efflux. In experimental models, pump inhibitors reestablish sensitivity towards these drugs. Both transporters demonstrate remarkably broad and partly overlapping substrate specificity. Propafenone analogues are inhibitors of a large number of drug efflux pumps including P‐glycoprotein and ABCG2 as well as the microbial pumps. Here the two human ABC transporters ABCB1 and ABCG2 have been studied with respect to interaction with this class of compounds. Data indicate that within the same chemical scaffold, selectivity indices span three orders of magnitude. Compounds with the highest selectivity indices contain a non‐ionizable nitrogen atom. Qualitative and quantitative pharmacophore models indicate that hydrophobicity, the number of rotatable bonds, and the number of H‐bond acceptors are key features for both activity and selectivity.
Metabolite Identification via LC‐SPE‐NMR‐MS of the In vitro Biooxidation Products of a Lead mGlu5 Allosteric Antagonist and Impact on the Improvement of Metabolic Stability in the Series
Authors: Ceccarelli Simona M. , Schlotterbeck Götz , Boissin Patrick , Binder Martin , Buettelmann Bernd , Hanlon Steven , Jaeschke Georg , Kolczewski Sabine , Kupfer Ernst , Peters Jens‐Uwe , Porter Richard H. P. , Prinssen Eric P. , Rueher Marianne , Ruf Iris , Spooren Will , Stämpfli Andreas , Vieira Eric
Published: November 2007

Detailed information on the metabolic fate of lead compounds can be a powerful tool for an informed approach to the stabilization of metabolically labile compounds in the lead optimization phase. The combination of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and mass spectrometry (MS) has been used to give comprehensive structural data on metabolites of novel drugs in development. Recently, increased automation and the embedding of on‐line solid‐phase extraction (SPE) into a integrated LC‐SPE‐NMR‐MS system have improved enormously the detection limits of this approach. The new technology platform allows the analysis of complex mixtures from microsome incubations, combining low material requirements with relatively high throughput. Such characteristics make it possible to thoroughly characterize metabolites of selected compounds at earlier phases along the path to lead identification and clinical candidate selection, thus providing outstanding guidance in the process of eliminating undesired metabolism and detecting active or potentially toxic metabolites. Such an approach was applied at the lead identification stage of a backup program on metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGlu5) allosteric inhibition. The major metabolites of a lead 5‐aminothiazole‐4‐carboxylic acid amide 1 were synthesized and screened, revealing significant in vitro activity and possible involvement in the overall pharmacodynamic behavior of 1. The information collected on the metabolism of the highly active compound 1 was pivotal to the synthesis of related compounds with improved microsomal stability.
Obesity and mortality in men with locally advanced prostate cancer
Authors: Efstathiou Jason A. , Bae Kyounghwa , Shipley William U. , Hanks Gerald E. , Pilepich Miljenko V. , Sandler Howard M. , Smith Matthew R.
Published: November 2007

BACKGROUND.

Greater body mass index (BMI) is associated with shorter time to prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) failure following radical prostatectomy and radiation therapy (RT). Whether BMI is associated with prostate cancer‐specific mortality (PCSM) was investigated in a large randomized trial of men treated with RT and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for locally advanced prostate cancer.

METHODS.

Between 1987 and 1992, 945 eligible men with locally advanced prostate cancer were enrolled in a phase 3 trial (RTOG 85‐31) and randomized to RT and immediate goserelin or RT alone followed by goserelin at recurrence. Height and weight data were available at baseline for 788 (83%) subjects. Cox regression analyses were performed to evaluate the relations between BMI and all‐cause mortality, PCSM, and nonprostate cancer mortality. Covariates included age, race, treatment arm, history of prostatectomy, nodal involvement, Gleason score, clinical stage, and BMI.

RESULTS.

The 5‐year PCSM rate for men with BMI <25 kg/m2was 6.5%, compared with 13.1% and 12.2% in men with BMI ≥25 to <30 and BMI ≥30, respectively (Gray'sP= .005). In multivariate analyses, greater BMI was significantly associated with higher PCSM (for BMI ≥25 to <30, hazard ratio [HR] 1.52, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02–2.27,P= .04; for BMI ≥30, HR 1.64, 95% CI, 1.01–2.66,P= .04). BMI was not associated with nonprostate cancer or all‐cause mortality.

CONCLUSIONS.

Greater baseline BMI is independently associated with higher PCSM in men with locally advanced prostate cancer. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the mechanism(s) for increased cancer‐specific mortality and to assess whether weight loss after prostate cancer diagnosis alters disease course. Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society.