bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
(DE)-Constructing Continuity of Care: The Deinstitutionalization of Support Services for People with Mental Health Problems
Authors: White Deena
Published: October 2014

The objective of this paper is to raise questions about appropriateness of the concept of continuity of care for guiding the development of helping strategies for people with mental health problems in the era of non-institutionalization. Research on continuity of care is reviewed to show the strong legacy of institutional thinking. A leading problem addressed in this literature is that of client drop-out from programs designed to ensure continuity. The research results clearly suggest that this “problem” lies with the agency of clients: the fact that, in the natural milieu, they make decisions according to their own definitions of the situation and in a social context of their own. This perspective, however, seemingly cannot be incorporated into the continuity of care paradigm, which remains firmly grounded in the world of service providers. We argue, therefore, that the era of the non-institutionalization calls for a recasting of the meaning of “continuity” for people with mental health problems, a reorientation of the type of research conducted in this domaine, and ultimately, a reformulation of the nature and role of support services in the community.
The Importance of the Work Role for Aged Kibbutz Members
Authors: Cohen-Mansfield Jiska , Leviatan Uriel
Published: October 2014

This paper investigates the importance of the work role for elderly people and how it contributes to life satisfaction. Data from the kibbutz population, where gradual retirement is practiced, show that elderly people in the kibbutz clearly wish to continue work as long as possible. Results also indicate that the wish to continue working is coupled with the work domain having a primary importance in their lives. The societal arrangements of the kibbutzim with regard to the work of the elderly seem to facilitate utilization of the work role for the elderly population.
Determinants of Work Motivation and Work Satisfaction among Kibbutz Aged Workers
Authors: Leviatan Uriel
Published: October 2014

The paper first explains why industrial societies will shortly need to increase their labour force by including persons of post current retirement age. It then presents two contrasted hypotheses to explain older workers' satisfaction with, and motivation in their work roles: Hypothesis (a), a “focus on compensation” which suggests that older workers seek compensation for deterioration in their sensory-motor potentials; Hypothesis (b), a “focus on relative advantage” which suggests that older workers seek to exploit their relative advantages, namely, their cognitive-emotional abilities and potentials. Reactions would be affected more by opportunities for satisfaction of psychological, higher order needs rather than opportunities for satisfying bodily needs. Validity of Hypothesis (b) is tested by a study of kibbutz workers (235) distributed about equally between the two genders and among three age groups (45-57; 58-67; 68 and over). Results of the analyses support Hypothesis (b) and its derivations. Older workers desire job characteristics that offer opportunities for satisfaction of higher order psychological needs more than they desire characteristics that offer better physical conditions and convenience at work. The former characteristics explain more than the latter characteristics, variance in “satisfaction with work” and variance in “motivation to contribute to job.” The discussion ends with suggestions for further study to answer questions such as: how and when to train workers to prepare them for jobs appropriate at very advanced ages beyond the currently normative retirement age; what should be the structure of jobs fit for older workers; how should they be integrated in work organizations with younger workers; where should the locus of decision regarding these questions be?
The First Decade of the Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health: A Critical Review
Authors: Peirson Leslea , Walsh-Bowers Richard
Published: October 2014

The purpose of our study is to describe the major features of the articles published in the first decade of the Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health (CJCMH). We examined all 194 articles published in 1982 through 1991 with respect to seven dimensions: authors' gender, authors' affiliation, collaboration, article categories, levels of analysis, populations of interest, and the research relationship. Our findings suggest that: (a) CJCMH has provided increasingly more opportunities for female authors over the years; (b) authors have typically been affiliated with academic settings; (c) the majority of articles were written collaboratively; (d) a minority of articles pertain to empirical research; (e) most empirically based articles employed an individual level of analysis methodologically, while overall authors' interpretations primarily reflect multiple levels of analysis; (f) consumers/survivors represent the population most often investigated; and (g) CJCMH authors are not providing much useful information regarding the research relationship. We conclude that CJCMH authors, reviewers, and editors must continue to consider and incorporate the key values and concepts of community mental health when preparing and soliciting articles for publication.
Out to Pasture: A Case for the Retirement of Canadian Mental Health Legislation
Authors: Gordon Robert M.
Published: October 2014

The emergence of new adult guardianship and related legislation and systems in British Columbia, Ontario, and other jurisdictions has generated questions about the utility of separate mental health legislation. Mental health statutes are the descendents of legislation that once created and regulated separate institutions and systems for the insane (later known as the mentally diseased and, more recently, the mentally ill). Such legislation is no longer consistent with the dominant community care and treatment strategies in the mental health field and the growing trend to recognize and respect consumer involvement in care and treatment decision making. Emerging legislation in the guardianship field makes provision for a range of options and mechanisms that can replace separate mental health statutes (e.g., general consent to health care legislation, and provision for enduring powers of attorney of the person and Ulysses agreements) and produce a new and more effective legal framework for the provision of mental health care and treatment.
Compulsory Community Treatment? I. Ontario Stakeholders' Responses to “Helping those Who Won't Help Themselves”
Authors: Boudreau Françoise , Lambert Philip
Published: October 2014

This paper explores the highly controversial issue of compulsory treatment of allegedly mentally disordered persons within the community. In light of American literature on the subject, we examine and contrast the positions and arguments of a variety of Ontario stakeholders. This is done through content analysis of 224 submissions to the Ontario Ministry of Health in response to its “Discussion Paper Towards Community Mental Health Services Legislation of January 1990” which addresses the specific question: “Should the legislation include provisions for out-patient commitment/compulsory community treatment?” Our purpose in this paper is not to determine the desirability or undesirability of compulsory community treatment (CCT) as such, but to examine Ontario positions as a first and necessary step in the process of acquiring perspective on the issue.
L'Usage D'Alcool et de Drogues Chez un Groupe de Patients Psychotiques: Ampleur de la Consommation Selon Différentes Pratiques D'enquête
Authors: Brunet Alain , Cyr Mireille , Toupin Jean , Lesage Alain
Published: October 2014

La consommation d'alcool et de drogues de 162 patients présentant une symptomatologie psychotique et n'ayant pas de diagnostic primaire d'abus ou de dépendance à une substance psycho-active, fut mesurée à l'aide d'une entrevue structurée. Dans ce groupe, la consommation régulière au cours de la vie atteignait 54,3% (intervalle de confiance, IC, 95%; 46,3% à 62,3%), tandis que 29,0% (1C 95% : 21,7% à 36,3%) se seraient mérités un diagnostic second d'abus de substance psycho-active à un moment ou à un autre de leur vie. Les informations provenant de l'entrevue structurée furent ensuite comparées à celles inscrites au dossier médical par le personnel soignant pour trois échantillons de 21 patients (grands consommateurs, consommateurs modérés, et abstinents), produisant un accord très faible (Kappa = ,128) entre ces deux sources d'information. Quoique, le personnel soignant interroge les patients sur leur consommation de substances psychoactives, il omet de rapporter la fréquence, la quantité, et la durée de celle-ci dans plus de la moitié des cas. Plusieurs cas connus d'abus de substance psycho-actives ne sont pas officiellement diagnostiqués, ni traités. La discussion fait ressortir différents facteurs possiblement responsables de cette situation.
Volunteer Work and Settlement: A Study of Chinese Immigrant Women
Authors: Ng Kelly K. Y.
Published: October 2014

Limited by cultural and language barriers, many Chinese immigrant women from Hong Kong experience great difficulties in integrating with the Canadian culture. Through the implementation of a pilot project and a qualitative study, the author explored whether volunteer work in Canadian organizations could be a means of fostering positive settlement experience. Analysis with the grounded theory approach showed that participants had new observations of Canadian culture, language, and community resources and they were able to apply these in their daily life. The volunteer experience also helped to generate positive feelings of being recognized which became sources of growing confidence for further interaction with the mainstream society.
Importance et Réalisation des Attentes de Primiparres Relativement à L'Expérience de la Naissance
Authors: Gévry Hélène , Goulet Céline
Published: October 2014

Cette étude avait pour but de mesurer, auprès d'un groupe de futres mères, l'importance accordée aux attentes relatives à l'expérience de la naissance et d'en évaluer la rélisation, en période postnatale, auprès des mèmes répondantes. Les 125 participantes ont complété les deux questionnaires élaborés et validés opérationnalisant six dimensions. Les résultats indiquent que l'ensemble des futures mères accordait beaucoup d'importance aux variables de contrôle, de soutien du conjoint, de soutien de l'infirmiérc, de premier contact avec le bébé, et moins au soulagement pharmacologique de la douleur et aux interventions obstétricales. Bien que globalement, la réalisation de bon nombre d'attentes ait été observée, les analyses de comparaison entre l'importance et la rélisation indiquent que pour plusieurs mères, la rélisation des attentes ne semble pas avoir été associée à l'importance accordée antéricurement.
Preventive Interventions for Children and Adolescents: Where are we Now and How Far Have we Come?
Authors: Rae Grant Naomi I.
Published: October 2014

This paper outlines the longstanding discrepancy between needs and resources for child disorders and discusses the concepts of risk and protective factors in developing a case for the primary prevention of emotional and behaviour disorders in children and adolescents. Promising preventive interventions reported in the literature are reviewed using a developmental framework.
Discours Et Parcours De La Prévention De La Violence: Une Réflexion Sur Les Valeurs En Jeu
Authors: Bouchard Camil
Published: October 2014

L'économic nord-américaine est soumise è des changements structurels irréversibles qui se manifestent par une incapacité de plus en plus évidente è eréer des emplois stables et adéquatement rémunérés. En měme temps, les gouvernements sont hantés par la lutte au déficit et font de la dette nationale un enjeu tel que la survie měme des programmes de soutien économique aux familles et aux plus démunis est menacée. Les familles et les enfants canadiens sont de plus en plus nombreux è connaitre la pauvreté et è en subir les effets. Dans ce contexte, la seule utilisation de programmes de prévention psychosociaux destinés è contrer les effets de la pauvreté, sans une stratégie tout aussi importante de réduction des inégalités économiques et de la pauvreté elleměme, apparait comme une approche incompléte, inefficiente, et a la limite, cynique. Il y a un danger de bâtir une industrie de la prévention sur le dos de celles et de ceux accablés par les conditions de vie inappropriées. On peut se prémunir contre un tel glissement dans nos stratégies de prévention si l'on accepte de reconnaitre et d'inclure dans nos modèles d'intervention des valeurs comme l'équité, les droits è la reconnaissance, è la dignité, au partage des res sources et des pouvoirs, et ultimement, le droit au plaisir et au développement.
Resident Participation in the Better Beginnings, Better Futures Prevention Project: Part I—The Impacts of Involvement
Authors: Pancer S. Mark , Cameron Gary
Published: October 2014

What impact does the involvement of community residents in developing prevention programs have on the residents themselves, the programs they help to create, and the communities in which they live? The research literature suggests that resident involvement in program decision making can enhance residents' sense of control or empowerment, improve programs and services, and provide a better match between the needs of the community and the kinds of services provided. Much of this literature, however, has focussed on relatively few of the benefits and costs that resident can experience as a result of their involvement. The investigation reported in this paper utilized a qualitative research methodology to discover the outcomes, both positive and negative, that residents derive from their involvement. Prevention programs operating in seven Ontario communities under the auspices of the Better Beginnings. Better Futures primary prevention initiative are featured in the discussion.
Community-Based Action Research in a Multi-Site Prevention Project: Challenges and Resolutions
Authors: Reitsma-Street Marge , Arnold Robert
Published: October 2014

This article examines the use of action research strategies over a four-year period in developing and evaluating a prevention program for children and their families. This research has taken place in a low-income multi-cultural neighbourhood in Sudbury. Strategies to foster participation and the practical relevance of findings are described, both for the initial proposal development stage, and for the period after a local program was funded as part of a multisite evaluation project. After reviewing the challenges inherent in doing action research within a multicultural neighbourhood, and within a multi-site design, we discuss which strategies have worked, and what remains to be resolved.
Visualization and Analysis Tools for Ultrascale Climate Data
Authors: Williams Dean N.
Published: October 2014

Increasingly large climate model simulations are enhancing our understanding of the processes and causes of anthropogenic climate change, thanks to very large public investments in high‐performance computing at national and international institutions. Various climate models implement mathematical approximations of nature in different ways, which are often based on differing computational grids. These complex, parallelized coupled system codes combine numerous complex submodels (ocean, atmosphere, land, biosphere, sea ice, land ice, etc.) that represent components of the larger complex climate system.
Nitrous oxide emissions from cultivated black soil: A case study in Northeast China and global estimates using empirical model
Authors: Chen Zengming , Ding Weixin , Luo Yiqi , Yu Hongyan , Xu Yehong , Müller Christoph , Xu Xia , Zhu Tongbin
Published: October 2014

Manure application is effective in promoting soil carbon sequestration, but its impact on N2O emission is not well understood. A field experiment was conducted in a maize‐cultivated black soil in Northeast China with six treatments: inorganic fertilizer (NPK), 75% inorganic fertilizer N plus 25% pig (PM1) or chicken (CM1) manure N, 50% inorganic fertilizer N plus 50% pig (PM2) or chicken (CM2) manure N, and no N fertilizer (CK). Annual N2O emission significantly increased from 0.34 kg N ha−1 for CK to 0.86 kg N ha−1 for NPK and further to 1.65, 1.02, 1.17, and 0.93 kg N ha−1 for PM1, CM1, PM2, and CM2, respectively. A 15N tracing study showed that 71–79% of total N2O was related to nitrification at 30–70% water‐filled pore space (WFPS), and heterotrophic nitrification contributed 49% and 25% to total N2O at 30% and 70% WFPS, respectively. In an incubation, N2O emission was only stimulated when nitrate and glucose were applied together at 60% WFPS, indicating that denitrification was carbon limited. PM had a stronger effect on denitrification than CM due to higher decomposability, and the lower N2O emission at higher manure application rate was associated with decreased mineral N supply. After compiling a worldwide database and establishing an empirical model that related N2O emissions (kg N ha−1) to precipitation (Pr, m) and fertilizer N application rate (Nr, kg N ha−1) (N2O = 1.533Pr + 0.0238PrNr), annual N2O emission from global‐cultivated black soil applied with inorganic fertilizer N was estimated as 347 Gg N. Our results suggested that N2O emission from cultivated black soils in China was low primarily due to low precipitation and labile organic carbon availability, and would be stimulated by manure application; thus, increased N2O emission should be taken into consideration as applying manure increases soil organic carbon sequestration.
Balancing multiple constraints in model‐data integration: Weights and the parameter block approach
Authors: Wutzler T. , Carvalhais N.
Published: October 2014

Model data integration (MDI) studies are key to parameterize ecosystem models that synthesize our knowledge about ecosystem function. The use of diverse data sets, however, results in strongly imbalanced contributions of data streams with model fits favoring the largest data stream. This imbalance poses new challenges in the identification of model deficiencies. A standard approach for balancing is to attribute weights to different data streams in the cost function. However, this may result in overestimation of posterior uncertainty. In this study, we propose an alternative: the parameter block approach. The proposed method enables joint optimization of different blocks, i.e., subsets of the parameters, against particular data streams. This method is applicable when specific parameter blocks are related to processes that are more strongly associated with specific observations, i.e., data streams. A comparison of different approaches using simple artificial examples and the DALEC ecosystem model is presented. The unweighted inversion of a DALEC model variant, where artificial structural errors in photosynthesis calculation had been introduced, failed to reveal the resulting biases in fast processes (e.g., turnover). The posterior bias emerged only in parameters related to slower processes (e.g., carbon allocation) constrained by fewer data sets. On the other hand, when weighted or blocked approaches were used, the introduced biases were revealed, as expected, in parameters of fast processes. Ultimately, with the parameter block approach, the transfer of model error was diminished and at the same time the overestimation of posterior uncertainty associated with weighting was prevented.
Temporal, probabilistic mapping of ash clouds using wind field stochastic variability and uncertain eruption source parameters: Example of the 14 April 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption
Authors: Stefanescu E. R. , Patra A. K. , Bursik M. I. , Madankan R. , Pouget S. , Jones M. , Singla P. , Singh T. , Pitman E. B. , Pavolonis M. , Morton D. , Webley P. , Dehn J.
Published: October 2014

Uncertainty in predictions from a model of volcanic ash transport in the atmosphere arises from uncertainty in both eruption source parameters and the model wind field. In a previous contribution, we analyzed the probability of ash cloud presence using weighted samples of volcanic ash transport and dispersal model runs and a reanalysis wind field to propagate uncertainty in eruption source parameters alone. In this contribution, the probabilistic modeling is extended by using ensemble forecast wind fields as well as uncertain source parameters. The impact on ash transport of variability in wind fields due to unresolved scales of motion as well as model physics uncertainty is also explored. We have therefore generated a weighted, probabilistic forecast of volcanic ash transport with only a priori information, exploring uncertainty in both the wind field and the volcanic source.
Analytical approximation for the recession of a sloping aquifer
Authors: Hogarth W. L. , Li L. , Lockington D. A. , Stagnitti F. , Parlange M. B. , Barry D. A. , Steenhuis T. S. , Parlange J.‐Y.
Published: October 2014

An approximation is obtained for the recession of a sloping aquifer. The analytical approximation can provide a useful tool to analyze data and obtain physical properties of the aquifer. In contrast to the case of a horizontal aquifer, when plotting the time derivative of the flux versus the flux on a log scale, the result shows that the flux derivative reaches a minimum value and that the curve can have a slope of unity as often observed. Illustration of the application of the analytical results to the Mahantango Creek data is also discussed.
A Complete Separation of Hexane Isomers by a Functionalized Flexible Metal Organic Framework
Authors: Mendes Patricia A. P. , Horcajada Patricia , Rives Sébastien , Ren Hong , Rodrigues Alírio E. , Devic Thomas , Magnier Emmanuel , Trens Philippe , Jobic Hervé , Ollivier Jacques , Maurin Guillaume , Serre Christian , Silva José A. C.
Published: October 2014

The separation ability of branched alkane isomers (nHEX, 3MP, 22DMB) of the flexible and functionalized microporous iron(III) dicarboxylate MIL‐53(Fe)‐(CF3)2 solid is evaluated through a combination of breakthrough experiments (binary or ternary mixtures), adsorption isotherms, X‐ray diffraction temperature analysis, quasi‐elastic neutron scattering measurements and molecular dynamics simulations. A kinetically controlled molecular sieve separation between the di‐branched isomer of hexane 22DMB from a mixture of paraffins is achieved. The reported total separation between mono‐ and di‐branched alkanes which was neither predicted nor observed so far in any class of porous solids is spectacular and paves the way towards a potential unprecedented upgrading of the RON of gasoline.
Natural Fiber Welded Electrode Yarns for Knittable Textile Supercapacitors
Authors: Jost Kristy , Durkin David P. , Haverhals Luke M. , Brown E. Kathryn , Langenstein Matthew , De Long Hugh C. , Trulove Paul C. , Gogotsi Yury , Dion Genevieve
Published: October 2014

Natural fiber welded (NFW) yarns embedded with porous carbon ­materials are described for applications as electrodes in textile electrochemical capacitors. With this fabrication technique, many kinds of carbons can be embedded into cellulose based yarns and subsequently knitted into full ­fabrics on industrial knitting machines. Yarns welded with carbon and ­stainless steel have device capacitances as high as 37 mF cm‐1, one of the highest reported values for carbon‐based yarns. The versatility of this ­technique to weld any commercially available cellulose yarn with any ­micro‐ or nanocarbon means properties can be tuned for specific applications. Most importantly, it is found that despite having full flexibility, increased strength, and good electrochemical performance, not all of the electrode yarns are ­suitable for knitting. Therefore, it is recommended that all works reporting on fiber/yarn capacitors for wearables attempt processing into full fabrics.
Transient dynamics of an adiabatic NEMS
Authors: Biggio Matteo , Cavaliere Fabio , Storace Marco , Sassetti Maura
Published: October 2014

This paper is focused on the transient dynamics of an adiabatic nano‐electromechanical system (NEMS), consisting of a nano‐mechanical oscillator coupled to a quantum dot. By numerically solving the nonlinear stochastic differential equation governing the oscillator, the time evolution of the oscillator position, of the dot occupation number and of the current are studied. Different parameter settings are studied where the system exhibits bi‐stable, tri‐stable or mono‐stable behavior on a finite‐time horizon. It is shown that, after a typically long transient, the system under investigation exhibits no hysteretic behavior and that a unique steady state is reached, independently of the initial conditions. The transient dynamics is marked out by one or two well separated characteristic times, depending on the considered case (i.e., mono‐ or multi‐stable). These times are evaluated for a dot on‐resonance or off‐resonance. It turns out that the characteristic time scales are long in comparison to the period of the uncoupled oscillator, particularly at low bias, suggesting that the predicted transient dynamics may be observed in state‐of‐the‐art experimental setups.

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Quantum uncertainties of the confined Harmonic Oscillator in position, momentum and phase‐space
Authors: Laguna Humberto G. , Sagar Robin P.
Published: October 2014

Quantum uncertainties in position, momentum and phase‐space are studied in the confined Harmonic Oscillator. Standard deviations and Shannon entropies are used to quantify these uncertainties and their behaviors are compared and contrasted. We observe a minimum in the momentum space Shannon entropy as the box length is increased, a feature that is not present in the momentum space standard deviation. The behaviors of the standard deviation product and the Shannon entropy sum, which form the basis of uncertainty relationships, are also analyzed. Maxima are observed in the product as the box length increases in sharp contrast to the entropy sum. The relationship between these behaviors and that of the Shannon entropy of the phase‐space Wigner function is analyzed and discussed. An analysis of the energetic components is also performed. The results reinforce the idea that the confined Harmonic Oscillator can be considered as an intermediate model which interpolates between the Particle in a Box Model and the Harmonic Oscillator and thus contains characteristics of both models.

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Polyoxometalate Ionic Liquids as Self‐Repairing Acid‐Resistant Corrosion Protection
Authors: Herrmann Sven , Kostrzewa Monika , Wierschem Andreas , Streb Carsten
Published: October 2014

Corrosion is a global problem for any metallic structure or material. Herein we show how metals can easily be protected against acid corrosion using hydrophobic polyoxometalate‐based ionic liquids (POM‐ILs). Copper metal disks were coated with room‐temperature POM‐ILs composed of transition‐metal functionalized Keggin anions [SiW11O39TM(H2O)]n− (TM=CuII, FeIII) and quaternary alkylammonium cations (CnH2 n+1)4N+ (n=7–8). The corrosion resistance against acetic acid vapors and simulated “acid rain” was significantly improved compared with commercial ionic liquids or solid polyoxometalate coatings. Mechanical damage to the POM‐IL coating is self‐repaired in less than one minute with full retention of the acid protection properties. The coating can easily be removed and recovered by rinsing with organic solvents.
Cross‐coupling reactions in water using ionic liquid‐based palladium(II)–phosphinite complexes as outstanding catalysts
Authors: Meriç Nermin , Aydemir Murat , Işik Uğur , Ocak Yusuf Selim , Rafikova Khadichakhan , Paşa Salih , Kayan Cezmi , Durap Feyyaz , Zazybin Alexey , Temel Hamdi
Published: October 2014

Two new phosphinite ligands based on ionic liquids [(Ph2PO)C7H14N2Cl]Cl (1) and [(Cy2PO)C7H14N2Cl]Cl (2) were synthesized by reaction of 1‐(3‐chloro‐2‐hydoxypropyl)‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride, [C7H15N2OCl]Cl, with one equivalent of chlorodiphenylphosphine or chlorodicyclohexylphosphine, respectively, in anhydrous CH2Cl2 and under argon atmosphere. The reactions of 1 and 2 with MCl2(cod) (M = Pd, Pt; cod = 1,5‐cyclooctadiene) yield complexes cis‐[M([(Ph2PO)C7H14N2Cl]Cl)2Cl2] and cis‐[M(Cy2PO)C7H14N2Cl]Cl)2Cl2], respectively. All complexes were isolated as analytically pure substances and characterized using multi‐nuclear NMR and infrared spectroscopies and elemental analysis. The catalytic activity of palladium complexes based on ionic liquid phosphinite ligands 1 and 2 was investigated in Suzuki cross‐coupling. They show outstanding catalytic activity in coupling of a series of aryl bromides or aryl iodides with phenylboronic acid under the optimized reaction conditions in water. The complexes provide turnover frequencies of 57 600 and 232 800 h−1 in Suzuki coupling reactions of phenylboronic acid with p‐bromoacetophenone or p‐iodoacetophenone, respectively, which are the highest values ever reported among similar complexes for Suzuki coupling reactions in water as sole solvent in homogeneous catalysis. Furthermore, the palladium complexes were also found to be highly active catalysts in the Heck reaction affording trans‐stilbenes. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of the transformation behaviors of a Chinese coal ash using in‐/ex‐situ XRD and SEM‐EXD
Authors: Lin Xiongchao , Wang Caihong , Miyawaki Jin , Wang Yonggang , Yoon Seongho , Mochida Isao
Published: October 2014

Crystal and phase transitions of a Chinese Datong coal ash were evaluated using room temperature X‐ray diffraction (RT‐XRD), in‐situ high temperature (HT)‐XRD, and scanning electron microscope combining energy dispersive X‐ray analysis (SEM‐EDX) as temperature varied from 300 °C to 1600 °C. The transforming behaviors of ash were related to its melting properties. Results revealed that the transforming behavior of minerals from in‐situ HT‐XRD was different with that from routine RT‐XRD. Low‐temperature Datong ash contained quartz and clays (such as kaolinite); the changes in minerals at low‐temperature region (300–1000 °C) were mainly due to the minerals decomposition and partial phase transition. Significant transition of quartz to cristobalite occurred at ca. 1100 °C; the continuous transition and reaction of silica and alumina at ca. 1200 °C accelerated the softening of the ash (ST ≈ 1290 °C). An X‐ray amorphous liquid phase was formed mainly by the eutectic solution of silica and mullite at ca. 1400 °C, which obviously affected the hemisphere temperature (HT ≈ 1490 °C) of ash; meanwhile, ultra fine alumina solid particles, which were probably derived from kaolinite, were found in the melted ash. Virtually, the fusing (FT > 1500 °C) of Datong ash was considered to be determined by the formation of solid particles and eutectic solution. Eventually, the semi‐quantitative evaluation of transformations of ash was successfully obtained through the combined methods. © 2014 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Processing oxidic waste of lead‐acid batteries in order to recover lead
Authors: Buzatu Traian , Petrescu Mircea Ionut , Ghica Valeriu Gabriel , Buzatu Mihai , Iacob Gheorghe
Published: October 2014

The main process parameters have been investigated with a relatively new method for lead recovery from oxidic paste. The method consisting in leaching with NaOH and is also useful for processing other secondary resources (volatile dusts resulted from metallurgical extraction of lead from primary resources). The chemical analysis and X‐ray diffraction have attested that the oxidic paste resulted from the dismantling of spent lead‐acid batteries has a content of 70–73% Pb, mainly as anglesite (around 38% PbSO4) and lanarkite (about 36% Pb2SO5). Experiments have been carried out through leaching with NaOH of the industrial paste out of spent car batteries as well as for the pure substances. The experiments were conducted at temperatures of 40, 60 and 80 °C, at various solid/liquid ratios (S : L = 1 : 10; 1 : 30 and 1 : 50) and different molarities for the NaOH solutions (2, 4, 6 and 8 M). The reaction time was 1 h for the leaching of the pure substances and 2 h for the leaching of the industrial pastes. An extraction efficiency of 92% Pb was obtained with a leaching solution of 6 M NaOH, at 60 °C, for 2 h and S/L ratios of 1 : 20–1 : 30. The efficiency may be increased up to 97% Pb only when the leaching process is carried out in two steps. © 2014 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of an ionic liquid as an additive on the thermal denaturation/degradation of lysozyme crystals
Authors: Wang Zhanzhong , Fang Wenzhi , Li Lijie , Li Yan , Yu Xiaoting , Gu Qing , Zhou Fengjuan
Published: October 2014

Ionic liquids (ILs) have biomaterial applications and are used for protein crystallization. The present study explores the thermal denaturation and degradation kinetics of the lysozyme crystals induced by IL [C4mim]Cl using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Lysozyme crystals were scanned from 10 to 250 °C at different heating rates varying from 5 to 20 °C min−1. Under the same heating rate, the addition of the IL makes lysozyme crystals confer more resistance to thermal denaturation and change values of conversion rate increase. The denaturation and degradation peak shifted towards higher temperature as heating rate increased and showed an activated denaturing kinetics of the lysozyme. It can be clearly noticed that the addition of the IL increases activation energy for denaturation and decreases it for degradation. The effect of the IL on thermal denaturation is attributed to the change of lysozyme–lysozyme molecular interaction. © 2014 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Micromechanical analysis of long fiber‐reinforced composites with nanoparticle incorporation into the interphase region
Authors: Wang Xiaoqiang , Zhao Weitao , Fang Bo , Lu Shaowei , Zhang Yewei
Published: October 2014

The influence of the distribution type, Young's modulus, and volume fraction of the nanoparticles within the interphase region on the mechanical behavior of long fiber‐reinforced composites with epoxy resin matrix under transverse tensile loading is investigated in this article. An infinite material containing unidirectional long fiber and periodic distribution of elastic, spherical nanoparticles was modeled using a unit cell approach. A stiffness degradation technique has been used to simulate the damage and crack progress of the matrix subjected to mechanical loading. A series of computational experiments performed to study the influence of the nanoparticle indicate that the mechanical properties, nanoparticle‐fiber distance, and volume fraction of nanoparticle have a significant effect on both the stiffness and strength properties of these composite materials. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41573.
Knockdown of EIF3D suppresses proliferation of human melanoma cells through G2/M phase arrest
Authors: Li Hui , Zhou Fusheng , Wang Hongyan , Lin Da , Chen Gang , Zuo Xianbo , Sun Liangdan , Zhang Xuejun , Yang Sen
Published: October 2014

Skin cancer is the most common malignancy with increasing incidence rates worldwide. The advanced form of skin cancer, melanoma, is resistant to conventional treatment methods, which motivated researchers to identify an alternative effective therapeutic approach. This study was designed to identify the effects of small interfering RNA (si‐RNA) mediated silencing of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3, subunit D (EIF3D) against melanoma cell survival. Briefly, a lentivirus‐mediated RNA interference system was employed to knock down EIF3D expression in A375 and A431 melanoma cells. The cell proliferation was analyzed by methylthiazoletetrazolium (MTT) and colony formation assays. The cell cycle progression was investigated using flow cytometry. Results revealed that si‐RNA–mediated knockdown of EIF3D significantly reduced the gene and protein expression levels of EIF3D in melanoma cells. Furthermore, knockdown of EIF3D led to a significant reduction in cell proliferation due to G2/M phase cell cycle arrest. Apparently, the study demonstrated the critical involvement of EIF3D in the survival and progression of melanoma cells and depletion of EIF3D could be developed as a possible therapeutic option in the gene‐targeted treatment of melanoma.
Adsorption characteristics of cellulase and β‐glucosidase on Avicel, pretreated sugarcane bagasse, and lignin
Authors: Machado Daniele Longo , Moreira Neto João , da Cruz Pradella José Geraldo , Bonomi Antonio , Rabelo Sarita Cândida , da Costa Aline Carvalho
Published: October 2014

Although adsorption is an essential step in the enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulosic materials, literature reports controversial results in relation to the adsorption of the cellulolitic enzymes on different biomasses/pretreatments, which makes difficult the description of this phenomenon in hydrolysis mathematical models. In this work, the adsorption of these enzymes on Avicel and sugarcane bagasse pretreated by the hydrothermal bagasse (HB) and organosolv bagasse (OB) methods was evaluated. The results have shown no significant adsorption of β‐glucosidase on Avicel or HB. Increasing solids concentration from 5% (w/v) to 10% (w/v) had no impact on the adsorption of cellulase on the different biomasses if stirring rates were high enough (>100 rpm for Avicel and >150 rpm for HB and OB). Adsorption equilibrium time was low for Avicel (10 Min) when compared with the lignocellulosic materials (120 Min). Adsorption isotherms determined at 4 and 50 °C have shown that for Avicel there was a decrease in the maximum adsorption capacity (Emax) with the temperature increase, whereas for HB increasing temperature increased Emax. Also, Emax increased with the content of lignin in the material. Adsorption studies of cellulase on lignin left after enzymatic digestion of HB show lower but significant adsorption capacity (Emax = 11.92 ± 0.76 mg/g).
Production and characterization of thermostable alkaline protease of Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6633) from optimized solid‐state fermentation
Authors: Chatterjee Joyee , Giri Sudipta , Maity Sujan , Sinha Ankan , Ranjan Ashish , Rajshekhar   , Gupta Suvroma
Published: October 2014

Proteases are the most important group of enzymes utilized commercially in various arenas of industries, such as food, detergent, leather, dairy, pharmaceutical, diagnostics, and waste management, accounting for nearly 20% of the world enzyme market. Microorganisms of specially Bacillus genera serve as a vast repository of diverse set of industrially important enzymes and utilized for the large‐scale enzyme production using a fermentation technology. Approximately 30%–40% of the cost of industrial enzymes originates from the cost of the growth medium. This study is attempted to produce protease from Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6633) after optimization of various process parameters with the aid of solid‐state fermentation using a cheap nutrient source such as wheat bran. B. subtilis (ATCC 6633) produces proteases of molecular weight 36 and 20 kDa, respectively, in the fermented medium as evident from SDS zymogram. Alkaline protease activity has been detected with optimum temperature at 50 °C and is insensitive to ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. This thermostable alkaline protease exhibits dual pH optimum at 7 and 10 with moderate pH stability at alkaline pH range. It preserves its activity in the presence of detergent such as SDS, Tween 20, and Triton X‐100 and may be considered as an effective additive to detergent formulation with some industrial importance.
Adjusted p‐values for SGoF multiple test procedure
Authors: Castro‐Conde Irene , de Uña‐Álvarez Jacobo
Published: October 2014

In the field of multiple comparison procedures, adjusted p‐values are an important tool to evaluate the significance of a test statistic while taking the multiplicity into account. In this paper, we introduce adjusted p‐values for the recently proposed Sequential Goodness‐of‐Fit (SGoF) multiple test procedure by letting the level of the test vary on the unit interval. This extends previous research on the SGoF method, which is a method of high interest when one aims to increase the statistical power in a multiple testing scenario. The adjusted p‐value is the smallest level at which the SGoF procedure would still reject the given null hypothesis, while controlling for the multiplicity of tests. The main properties of the adjusted p‐values are investigated. In particular, we show that they are a subset of the original p‐values, being equal to 1 for p‐values above a certain threshold. These are very useful properties from a numerical viewpoint, since they allow for a simplified method to compute the adjusted p‐values. We introduce a modification of the SGoF method, termed majorant version, which rejects the null hypotheses with adjusted p‐values below the level. This modification rejects more null hypotheses as the level increases, something which is not in general the case for the original SGoF. Adjusted p‐values for the conservative version of the SGoF procedure, which estimates the variance without assuming that all the null hypotheses are true, are also included. The situation with ties among the p‐values is discussed too. Several real data applications are investigated to illustrate the practical usage of adjusted p‐values, ranging from a small to a large number of tests.
Determination of SUMO1 and ATP affinity for the SUMO E1by quantitative FRET technology
Authors: Wiryawan Hilda , Dan Kevin , Etuale Myra , Shen Yali , Liao Jiayu
Published: October 2014

SUMOylation plays important roles in many key physiological and pathological processes. The SUMOylation cascade involves a heterodimer of activating enzyme, E1 (Aos1/Uba2); a conjugating enzyme, E2 (Ubc9); and many ligase enzymes, E3. Focusing on the activation step of the SUMOylation process, we examined the interaction of E1 with its substrates. Previous studies reported the Km of E1 enzymes in ubiquitin and other ubiquitin‐like pathways, but the Km of the SUMO paralogs (SUMO2 and SUMO3) is unknown. Here, by using quantitative FRET to measure the SUMO E1 enzyme kinetics of SUMO1, 2, and 3 and ATP under steady state conditions, we found that the enzyme kinetics from the quantitative FRET method are comparable to those from conventional radioactive assays. Additionally, the kinetic constants, Km, of SUMO2 (3.418 ± 0.9131 μM) and SUMO3 (2.764 ± 0.75 μM) [FW1] are approximately four to five times higher than that of SUMO1 Km (0.7458 ± 0.1105 μM). These results demonstrate the advantages of FRET technology for determining Km, including the ability to monitor reaction progress in real‐time with high‐throughput and high‐sensitivity in an environmentally friendly manner. The processes discussed here extend the utility of quantitative FRET in characterizing protein–protein interactions and enzyme kinetics. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2015;112: 652–658. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Optimization of a multi‐stage, multi‐subunit malaria vaccine candidate for the production in Pichia pastoris by the identification and removal of protease cleavage sites
Authors: Spiegel Holger , Schinkel Helga , Kastilan Robin , Dahm Pia , Boes Alexander , Scheuermayer Matthias , Chudobová Ivana , Maskus Dominika , Fendel Rolf , Schillberg Stefan , Reimann Andreas , Fischer Rainer
Published: October 2014

We demonstrated the successful optimization of a recombinant multi‐subunit malaria vaccine candidate protein for production in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris by the identification and subsequent removal of two protease cleavage sites. After observing protein degradation in the culture supernatant of a fed‐batch fermentation, the predominant proteolytic fragment of the secreted recombinant protein was analyzed by mass spectrometry. The MS data indicated the cleavage of an amino acid sequence matching the yeast KEX2‐protease consensus motif EKRE. The cleavage in this region was completely abolished by the deletion of the EKRE motif in a modified variant. This modified variant was produced, purified, and used for immunization of rabbits, inducing high antigen specific antibody titers (2 × 106). Total IgG from rabbit immune sera recognized different stages of Plasmodium falciparum parasites in immunofluorescence assays, indicating native folding of the vaccine candidate. However, the modified variant was still degraded, albeit into different fragments. Further analysis by mass spectrometry and N‐terminal sequencing revealed a second cleavage site downstream of the motif PEVK. We therefore removed a 17‐amino‐acid stretch including the PEVK motif, resulting in the subsequent production of the full‐length recombinant vaccine candidate protein without significant degradation, with a yield of 53 mg per liter culture volume. We clearly demonstrate that the proteolytic degradation of recombinant proteins by endogenous P. pastoris proteases can be prevented by the identification and removal of such cleavage sites. This strategy is particularly relevant for the production of recombinant subunit vaccines, where product yield and stability play a more important role than for the production of a stringently‐defined native sequence which is necessary for most therapeutic molecules. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2015;112: 659–667. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
On the Electronic Structure and Photochemistry of Coordinatively Unsaturated Complexes: The Case of Nickel Bis‐dinitrogen, Ni(N2)2
Authors: Hübner Olaf , Manceron Laurent , Himmel Hans‐Jörg
Published: October 2014

The electronic ground and excited states of the coordinatively unsaturated complex Ni(η1‐N2)2, isolated in an Ar matrix, are analyzed in detail by vibrational and electronic absorption and emission spectroscopies allied with quantum chemical calculations. The bond force constants are determined from a normal coordinate analysis and compared with those of the isoelectronic carbonyl complex. The consequences for the bond properties are discussed, and the trend in the force constants is compared with the standard formation enthalpies. The linear complex Ni(η1‐N2)2 with two terminal dinitrogen ligands can be photoisomerized to two isomeric, metastable forms Ni(η1‐N2)(η2‐N2) and Ni(η2‐N2)2, with one and two side‐on coordinated dinitrogen ligands, respectively.
Simultaneous Detection of Multiple DNA Targets by Integrating Dual‐Color Graphene Quantum Dot Nanoprobes and Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Qian Zhaosheng , Shan Xiaoyue , Chai Lujing , Chen Jianrong , Feng Hui
Published: October 2014

Simultaneous detection of multiple DNA targets was achieved based on a biocompatible graphene quantum dots (GQDs) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) platform through spontaneous assembly between dual‐color GQD‐based probes and CNTs and subsequently self‐recognition between DNA probes and targets.
Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution Reactions of meso‐Bromosubporphyrin: Synthesis of a Thiopyrane‐Fused Subporphyrin
Authors: Shimizu Daiki , Mori Hirotaka , Kitano Masaaki , Cha Won‐Young , Oh Juwon , Tanaka Takayuki , Kim Dongho , Osuka Atsuhiro
Published: October 2014

meso‐Bromosubporphyrin undergoes nucleophilic aromatic substitution (SNAr) reactions with arylamines, diarylamines, phenols, ethanol, thiophenols, and n‐butanethiol in the presence of suitable bases to provide the corresponding substitution products. The SNAr reactions also proceed well with pyrrole, indole, and carbazole to provide substitution products in moderate to good yields. Finally, the SNAr reaction with 2‐bromothiophenol and subsequent intramolecular peripheral arylation reaction affords a thiopyrane‐fused subporphyrin.
Studies Towards the Synthesis of Medermycin via Dötz Benzannulation
Authors: Qu Chunrong , Tang Erqing , Loeppky Richard , Deng Zixin , Pulley Shon R. , Hong Xuechuan
Published: October 2014

The C‐arylglycosides are available in enantiomerically pure form via the Dötz benzannulation reaction between Fischer alkenyl chromium carbene complexes and alkynes; it also could be converted to a precursor of medermycin by O‐carbamate directed ipso bromination and nitrile substitution in good overall yields. Chirality 27:18–22, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.