bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Creating inclusive spaces for partnership: Responses from local leaders engaged in a community-university partnership centre
Authors: Mileski Kara , Mohamed Abdulkhaliq , Hunter Rosemarie
Published: February 2015

Communities around the world are faced with challenges as they seek to address inequality in spite of larger systems designed to create dependence. In response to this, local residents have begun to develop their own solutions to address the needs of their communities. Creating spaces for capacity building and empowerment engages community members as leaders to identify and address concerns as they emerge. The Hartland Partnership Center is an example of a community-university partnership designed to meet the needs of individuals and families living on the westside of Salt Lake City. The Hartland Resident Committee (HRC) was formed to lead this endeavour by identifying what the needs of community members were and developing programs within a community learning centre located in a gateway neighbourhood for new arriving populations of immigrant and refugee background. With this pilot study, we sought not only to understand why individuals became engaged in leadership, but also why HRC members remained engaged. More specifically, we wanted to identify what it was about the HRC that helped individuals feel comfortable to share their ideas for change and growth. We identified five key methods to engage the HRC members to be leaders in their community: (1) provide opportunities for leadership development; (2) create an inclusive environment; (3) identify the common goal of the group while respecting diversity; (4) care about the lives of RC members; and (5) implement the decisions of the group. The findings of this study provide additional insights into why community members become engaged in community-university partnerships and the foundation for further research on engagement of community members as leaders. Keywords: community engagement, empowerment, capacity building, resident committee, community social work
Using simulation to educate police about mental illness: A collaborative initiative
Authors: Stanyon Wendy , Goodman Bill , Whitehouse Marjory
Published: February 2015

Mental illness is a major public health concern in Canada and also globally. According to the World Health Organization, five of the top ten disabilities worldwide are mental health disorders. Within Canada, one in five individuals is living with mental illness each year. Currently, there are 6.7 million Canadians living with mental illness and over 1 million Canadian youth living with mental illness. Police are frequently the first responders to situations in the community involving people with mental illness, and police services are increasingly aware of the need to provide officers with additional training and strategies for effectively interacting with these citizens.This study examined the effectiveness of four online, interactive video-based simulations designed to educate police officers about mental illness and strategies for interacting with people with mental illness. The simulations were created through the efforts of a unique partnership involving a police service, a mental health facility and two postsecondary institutions. Frontline police officers from Ontario were divided into one of three groups (simulation, face to face, control). Using a pre- and post-test questionnaire, the groups were compared on their level of knowledge and understanding of mental illness. In addition, focus groups explored the impact of the simulations on officers’ level of confidence in engaging with individuals with mental illness and officers’ perceptions of the simulations’ ease of use and level of realism. The study’s findings determined that the simulations were just as effective as face-to-face learning, and the officers reported the simulations were easy to use and reflected real-life scenarios they had encountered on the job. As mental health continues to be a major public concern, not only in Canada but also globally, interactive simulations may provide an effective and affordable education resource not only for police officers but for other professionals seeking increased knowledge and skills in interacting with citizens with mental illness.Keywords: policing, mental illness, education, computer-based simulation
Vertical variation of optical properties of mixed Asian dust/pollution plumes according to pathway of airmass transport over East Asia
Authors: Shin S.-K. , Müller D. , Lee K. H. , Shin D. , Kim Y. J. , Noh Y. M.
Published: February 2015

Abstract. We use five years (2009–2013) of multiwavelength Raman lidar measurements at Gwangju, Korea (35.10° N, 126.53° E) for the identification of changes of optical properties of East Asian dust in dependence of its transport path over China. Profiles of backscatter and extinction coefficients, lidar ratios, and backscatter-related Ångström exponents (wavelength pair 355/532 nm) were measured at Gwangju. Linear particle depolarization ratios were used to identify East Asian dust layers. We used backward trajectory modelling to identify the pathway and the vertical position of dust-laden air masses over China during long-range transport. Most cases of Asian dust events can be described by the emission of dust in desert areas and subsequent transport over highly polluted regions of China. The Asian dust plumes could be categorized into two classes according to the height above ground in which these plumes were transported: (I) the dust layers passed over China at high altitude levels until arrival over Gwangju, and (II) the Asian dust layers were transported near the surface and the lower troposphere over industrialized areas before they arrived over Gwangju. We find that the optical characteristics of these mixed Asian dust layers over Gwangju differ in dependence of their vertical position above ground over China and the change of height above ground during transport. The mean linear particle depolarization ratio was 0.21 ± 0.06 (at 532 nm), the mean lidar ratios were 52 ± 7 sr at 355 nm and 53 ± 8 sr at 532 nm, and the mean Ångström exponent was 0.74 ± 0.31 in case I. In contrast, plumes transported at lower altitudes (case II) showed low depolarization ratios, and higher lidar ratio and Ångström exponents. The mean linear particle depolarization ratio was 0.13 ± 0.04, the mean lidar ratios were 63 ± 9 sr at 355 nm and 62 ± 8 sr at 532 nm, respectively, and the mean Ångström exponent was 0.98 ± 0.51. These numbers show that the optical characteristics of mixed Asian plumes are more similar to optical characteristics of urban pollution. We find a decrease of the linear depolarization ratio of the mixed dust/pollution plume in dependence of transport time if the pollution layer travelled over China at low heights, i.e., below approximately 3 km above ground. In contrast we do not find such a trend if the dust plumes travelled at heights above 4 km over China. We need a longer time series of lidar measurements in order to determine the change of optical properties of dust with transport time in a quantitative way.
Predicting the mineral composition of dust aerosols – Part 2: Model evaluation and identification of key processes with observations
Authors: Perlwitz J. P. , Pérez García-Pando C. , Miller R. L.
Published: February 2015

Abstract. A global compilation from nearly sixty measurement studies is used to evaluate two methods of simulating the mineral composition of dust aerosols in an Earth system model. Both methods are based upon a Mean Mineralogical Table (MMT) that relates the soil mineral fractions to a global atlas of arid soil type. The Soil Mineral Fraction (SMF) method assumes that the aerosol mineral fractions match those of the soil. The MMT is based upon soil measurements after wet sieving, where soil aggregates are broken into smaller particles. The second method approximately reconstructs the aggregates and size distribution of the original soil that is subject to wind erosion. This model is referred to as the Aerosol Mineral Fraction (AMF) method because the mineral fractions of the aerosols differ from those of the wet-sieved parent soil, partly due to reaggregation. The AMF method remedies some of the deficiencies of the SMF method in comparison to observation. Only the AMF method restores phyllosilicate mass to silt sizes, where they are abundant according to observations. In addition, the AMF quartz fraction of silt particles is in closer agreement with measured values, in contrast to the overestimated SMF fraction. Measurements at separate clay and silt particle sizes are shown to be more useful for evaluation of the models, compared to the sum over all particles sizes that is susceptible to compensating errors in the SMF experiment. Model errors suggest that apportionment of the emitted silt fraction of each mineral into the corresponding transported size categories is an important remaining uncertainty. Substantial uncertainty remains in evaluating both models and the MMT due to the limited number of size-resolved measurements of mineral content that sparsely sample aerosols from the major dust sources. The importance of climate processes dependent upon aerosol mineral composition shows the need for global and routine mineral measurements.
A novel approach for absolute radar calibration
Authors: Merker C. , Peters G. , Clemens M. , Lengfeld K. , Ament F.
Published: February 2015

Abstract. The theoretical framework of a novel approach for absolute radar calibration is presented and its potential analysed by means of synthetic data to lay out a solid basis for future practical application. The method presents the advantage of an absolute calibration with respect to the directly measured reflectivity, without needing a previously calibrated reference device. It requires a setup comprising three radars: two devices oriented towards each other, measuring reflectivity along the same horizontal beam and operating within a strongly attenuated frequency range (e.g. K or X band) and one vertical reflectivity and drop size distribution (DSD) profiler below this connecting line, which is to be calibrated. The absolute determination of the calibration factor is based on attenuation estimates. Using synthetic, smooth and geometrically idealised data calibration is found to perform best using homogeneous precipitation events with rain rates high enough to ensure a distinct attenuation signal (approx. 30 dBZ). Furthermore, the choice of the interval width (in measuring range gates) around the vertically pointing radar, needed for attenuation estimation, is found to have an impact on the calibration results. Further analysis is done by means of synthetic data with realistic, inhomogeneous precipitation fields taken from measurements. A calibration factor is calculated for each considered case using the presented method. Based on the distribution of the calculated calibration factors, the most probable value is determined by estimating the mode of a fitted shifted logarithmic normal distribution function. After filtering the data set with respect to rain rate and inhomogeneity and choosing an appropriate length of the considered attenuation path, the estimated uncertainty of the calibration factor is in the order of 1%. Considering stability and accuracy of the method, an interval of 8 range gates on both sides of the vertically pointing radar is most appropriate for calibration.
Trends in rainfall and temperature extremes in Morocco
Authors: Khomsi K. , Mahe G. , Tramblay Y. , Sinan M. , Snoussi M.
Published: February 2015

Abstract. In Morocco, socioeconomic fields are vulnerable to weather extreme events. This work aims to analyze the frequency and the trends of temperature and rainfall extreme events in two contrasted Moroccan regions (the Tensift in the semi-arid South, and the Bouregreg in the sub-humid North), during the second half of the 20th century. This study considers long time series of daily extreme temperatures and rainfall, recorded in the stations of Marrakech and Safi for the Tensift region, and Kasba-Tadla and Rabat-Sale for the Bouregreg region, data from four other stations (Tanger, Fes, Agadir and Ouarzazate) from outside the regions were added. Extremes are defined by using as thresholds the 1st, 5th, 90th, 95th, and 99th percentiles. Results show upward trends in maximum and minimum temperatures of both regions and no generalized trends in rainfall amounts. Changes in cold events are larger than those for warm events, and the number of very cold events decrease significantly in the whole studied area. The southern region is the most affected with the changes of the temperature regime. Most of the trends found in rainfall heavy events are positive with weak magnitudes even though no statistically significant generalized trends could be identified during both seasons.
Fetal Nerve Cell Transplantation in Early Post-Resuscitation Period in Rats
Authors: Tazhibayeva Damira , Olzhayev Farkhad , Kadbudalieva Natalya , Aitbayeva Zhaina , Zaripova Lina
Published: February 2015

Introduction. Fetal cell transplantation is a promising biomedical approach for disease treatment; however, the use of fetal cell therapy is still experimental. This research was deemed a necessity to provide evidence-based research for the application of cell transplantation as a treatment method. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of fetal nerve cell transplantation in rat survivors (and non-survivors) after clinical death by mechanical asphyxia.Methods. 68 white laboratory rats were divided into two groups of identical age and sex: a control group of 12-month adult male rats (n = 26) and an experimental group (n = 42). Rats were fixed under ether anesthesia. We then blocked the oral and nasal regions with cotton wool soaked in saline solution. A four-minute clinical death though acute mechanical asphyxia was simulated by applying the method of N. Shim. After the 4-minute clinical death, we resuscitated the rats using external cardiac massage and artifical respiration. Suspension of the fetal nerve cells was injected intraperitoneally at 1mm3 per 25g at the time of cardiac activity restoration. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) levels were examined in the homogenate cerebral cortex of reanimated animals. We recorded the survival rate during the post-resuscitation period and analyzed the integrative brain functions using anxiety-phobic status and latent inhibition.Results. After fetal nerve cell transplantation, the enzymatic reactions in the experimental group became normal with a significant decrease in LDH and an increase in CPK levels compared to the control group. In the control group, 10 rats died and 16 lived (62% survival rate), while 7 rats died and 35 lived (83% survival rate) in the experimental group during the first 7 days. Rats that did not receive the treatment tended to die sooner than those in the experimental group. As a result of transplantation, the anxiety level in the experimental group was less than in the control group. Moreover, cell therapy improved the reflexes in the experimental animals. Conclusions. The study revealed the positive neuroprotective effect of the fetal nerve cells on the recovery in the early post-resuscitation period. This was confirmed by the normalization of enzymatic reactions, improvement reflective activity, and increase in the survival rate of the resuscitated animals in the group treated with fetal nerve cell transplantation. These findings warrant future research on the mechanisms associated with reflex improvement.
Laparoscopic Treatment of Testicular Torsion in a Puppy
Authors: Carr Jennifer G. , Heng Hock Gan , Ruth Jeffrey , Freeman Lynetta
Published: February 2015

A 6 mo old male puppy was presented as an emergency for an acute onset of lethargy, ptyalism, and vomiting. On physical examination, the dog was painful on abdominal palpation. A torsed intra-abdominal testis was diagnosed via abdominal ultrasonography and radiography. Laparoscopy was used to identify and remove the torsed testis. The dog recovered uneventfully and was described as doing well by the owners at the 6 mo follow-up telephone contact. This is the first report of an abdominal testicular torsion treated with laparoscopy.
Efeito anti-inflamatório do gengibre e possível via de sinalização
Authors: Vieira Nichelle Antunes , Tomiotto Fernanda Nogueira , Melo Gabriella Pasqual , Manchope Marília Fernandes , Lima Nicole Ribeiro de , Oliveira Gabriela Gonçalves de , Watanabe Maria Angélica Ehara
Published: February 2015

O gengibre (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) vem sendo utilizado tanto na medicina natural tradicional quanto contemporânea, sendo descritos mais de 115 componentes do gengibre fresco e seco. Dentre esses componentes, os compostos fenólicos, gingerol e o shoagol, têm sido amplamente estudados apresentando diferentes propriedades destas moléculas como efeito antipirético, analgésico, inibidor da angiogênese, atividades imunomoduladoras, entre outras. Esta revisão tem como objetivo apresentar os componentes do gengibre assim como o seu efeito antagônico sobre o lipopolissacarídeo (LPS), propriedade anti- inflamatória e possível via de sinalização envolvida. O efeito do gengibre sobre o LPS consiste na inibição da produção de Interleucina 12 (IL -12), resultando em menor ativação de macrófagos induzidos pelo LPS; diminuição na expressão de moléculas co-estimulatórias e expressão de MHC classe II e diminuição de Interleucina 2 (IL-2), suprimindo a ativação e proliferação de células T CD4+. A propriedade anti-inflamatória do composto está relacionada com a capacidade de modular o linfócito T, de forma a inibir a eosinofilia, reduzir a quantidade de mastócitos, inibir a liberação de IL-4 e reduzir a resposta Th2. Além disso, pode ocorrer inibição da translocação da subunidade p65 para o núcleo e inibição da fosforilação do complexo IkB-?, culminando com a diminuição dos níveis de COX- 2. Através deste estudo, podemos concluir que componentes do gengibre podem atuar antagonicamente sobre o efeito de ativação do LPS em macrófagos, conduzindo um efeito imunomodulador e anti-inflamatório, no qual a possível via de sinalização afetada seja do NFkB com envolvimento das MAPquinases.
Energetická vs. environmentálna bezpečnosť: Prípad ropovodu Bratislava–Schwechat
Authors: Lorenčíková Zuzana , Mišík Matúš
Published: February 2015

The paper analyses the development of the Bratislava–Schwechat Pipeline, which is supposed to connect the Slovak and Austrian oil pipeline networks. The research question asks why the project is being developed without taking into account arguments concerning environmental security even though rather significant environmental opposition to the pipeline has arisen. While the proponents of the project stress mainly its importance for the fostering of Slovak energy security, its opponents claim that the pipeline will endanger the current level of environmental security, since it presents a risk to Slovak fresh water reservoirs. In line with the theoretical approach, the paper argues that the conflict between these two types of security is positively skewed towards energy security, because its proponents are able to support their argumentation with concrete evidence. Moreover, advantages from improvements in energy security are visible in the short-term. On the other hand, the possible future negative environmental impacts of the pipeline are not so easy to assess (or quantify) and are of a long-term nature. The analysis also shows that due to the lack of activity of the Slovak Ministry of the Environment, a non-governmental organization Nie ropovodu (No to the pipeline) has become the main proponent of environmental security through the preparation phase of the project.
The action of Metaloproteinases in the Atherosclerotic Diseases
Authors: Fonseca Álvaro Luís Müller da , Lima Fernanda Washington de Mendonça , Couto Ricardo David
Published: February 2015

Cardiovascular diseases represent the main cause of morbidity and mortality in the world and are epidemic events involving the atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease in particular. There are a wide variety of factors and markers associated with the development and aggravation of these diseases, including atherosclerosis. Subclinical Atherosclerosis can be determined by serum inflammatory markers present in the atherogenic process. Such markers can take a direct or indirect indicator role on atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The extracellular matrix metalloproteinases are biomarkers closely related into modifying and remodeling of vascular wall and other tissues and can represent predictive value patterns to support diagnosis. This review discusses the function and types of matrix metalloproteinases and its use as an indicator of support for the diagnosis of atherosclerosis.
STORMing towards a clear picture of the cytoskeleton in neurons
Authors: Stewart Emerson , Shen Kang
Published: February 2015

Super-resolution microscopy has shed new light on the formation of the actin-spectrin network in neurons.
Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment for Self-Reported Fatigue, Stress, and Depression in First-Year Osteopathic Medical Students
Authors: Wiegand Sarah , Bianchi William , Quinn Thomas A. , Best Mark , Fotopoulos Thomas
Published: February 2015

Context: During medical education, many students experience psychological distress, including symptoms such as fatigue, stress, and depression.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) on self-perceived fatigue, stress, and depression in first-year osteopathic medical students.

Methods: This randomized controlled pilot study with repeated measures was conducted at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine-Bradenton in Florida during the fall 2012 semester. First-year osteopathic medical students voluntarily enrolled in the study and were randomly assigned to directed OMT (D-OMT), nondirected OMT (ND-OMT), or control groups. The D-OMT and ND-OMT groups received treatment by osteopathic physicians weekly for 4 weeks. The control group received no treatment. All groups completed the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), the Self-Perceived Stress Scale (SPSS), and the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) depression scale before treatment (pretest), after 2 treatments (midtest), and after 4 treatments (posttest).

Results: All participants self-reported as white and single, with both sexes equally represented, and had an mean age of 24 years. Analysis of ESS scores revealed a statistically significant decrease in the D-OMT group from pretest and posttest scores and a statistically significant increase in the ND-OMT group from pretest to midtest but not from pretest to posttest scores. No statistically significant differences were noted in the control group scores on this measure. No statistically significant differences were seen in the SPSS or PHQ-9 scores from pretest to midtest or pretest to posttest in any of the 3 groups.

Conclusion: The D-OMT regimen used in the current study produced a statistically significant decrease in self-perceived fatigue in first-year osteopathic medical students. Osteopathic manipulative treatment represents a potential modality to reduce self-perceived distress in medical students. Further research is warranted.
Stress drops for intermediate‐depth intraslab earthquakes beneath Hokkaido, northern Japan: Differences between the subducting oceanic crust and mantle events
Authors: Kita Saeko , Katsumata Kei
Published: February 2015

Spatial variations in the stress drop for 1726 intermediate‐depth intraslab earthquakes were examined in the subducting Pacific plate beneath Hokkaido, using precisely relocated hypocenters, the corner frequencies of events, and detailed determined geometry of the upper interface of the Pacific plate. The results show that median stress drop for intraslab earthquakes generally increases with an increase in depth from ∼10 to 157 Mpa at depths of 70–300 km. More specifically, median stress drops for events in the oceanic crust decrease (9.9–6.8 MPa) at depths of 70–120 km and increase (6.8–17 MPa) at depths of 120–170 km, whereas median stress drop for events in the oceanic mantle decrease (21.6–14.0 MPa) at depths of 70–170 km, where the geometry of the Pacific plate is well determined. The increase in stress drop with depth in the oceanic crust at depths of 120–170 km, for which several studies have shown an increase in velocity, can be explained by an increase in the velocity and a decrease in the water content due to the phase boundary with dehydration in the oceanic crust. Stress drops for events in the oceanic mantle were larger than those for events in the oceanic crust at depths of 70–120 km. Differences in both the rigidity of the rock types and in the rupture mechanisms for events between the oceanic crust and mantle could be causes for the stress drop differences within a slab.
Exploring storage and runoff generation processes for urban flooding through a physically based watershed model
Authors: Smith B. K. , Smith J. A. , Baeck M. L. , Miller A. J.
Published: February 2015

A physically based model of the 14 km2 Dead Run watershed in Baltimore County, MD was created to test the impacts of detention basin storage and soil storage on the hydrologic response of a small urban watershed during flood events. The Dead Run model was created using the Gridded Surface Subsurface Hydrologic Analysis (GSSHA) algorithms and validated using U.S. Geological Survey stream gaging observations for the Dead Run watershed and 5 subbasins over the largest 21 warm season flood events during 2008–2012. Removal of the model detention basins resulted in a median peak discharge increase of 11% and a detention efficiency of 0.5, which was defined as the percent decrease in peak discharge divided by percent detention controlled area. Detention efficiencies generally decreased with increasing basin size. We tested the efficiency of detention basin networks by focusing on the “drainage network order,” akin to the stream order but including storm drains, streams, and culverts. The detention efficiency increased dramatically between first‐order detention and second‐order detention but was similar for second and third‐order detention scenarios. Removal of the soil compacted layer, a common feature in urban soils, resulted in a 7% decrease in flood peak discharges. This decrease was statistically similar to the flood peak decrease caused by existing detention. Current soil storage within the Dead Run watershed decreased flood peak discharges by a median of 60%. Numerical experiment results suggested that detention basin storage and increased soil storage have the potential to substantially decrease flood peak discharges.
Cartilage Tissue Engineering: Recent Advances and Perspectives from Gene Regulation/Therapy
Authors: Li Kuei‐Chang , Hu Yu‐Chen
Published: February 2015

Diseases in articular cartilages affect millions of people. Despite the relatively simple biochemical and cellular composition of articular cartilages, the self‐repair ability of cartilage is limited. Successful cartilage tissue engineering requires intricately coordinated interactions between matrerials, cells, biological factors, and phycial/mechanical factors, and still faces a multitude of challenges. This article presents an overview of the cartilage biology, current treatments, recent advances in the materials, biological factors, and cells used in cartilage tissue engineering/regeneration, with strong emphasis on the perspectives of gene regulation (e.g., microRNA) and gene therapy.
The Effects of Te2− and I− Substitutions on the Electronic Structures, Thermoelectric Performance, and Hardness in Melt‐Quenched Highly Dense Cu2‐xSe
Authors: Zhao Lanling , Wang Xiaolin , Yun Frank F. , Wang Jiyang , Cheng Zhenxiang , Dou Shixue , Wang Jun , Snyder G. Jeffrey
Published: February 2015

A systematic study has been carried out on the electronic band structure and density of states, crystal structures, thermoelectric properties, and hardness of the Cu2‐xSe system with and without Te2− or I− substitutions for Se2−. Density functional theory calculations indicate that stoichiometric Cu2Se is a zero‐gap material, and copper‐deficient Cu1.875Se is a p‐type conductor. Te2– substitution increases the total density of states at the Fermi level, whereas, the I− substitution leads to the reduction of the total and partial density of states for both Se and Cu. Highly dense undoped, Te‐doped, and I‐doped Cu2‐xSe bulks have been fabricated by a melt‐quenching method which only takes a few minutes. Rietveld refinements of the X‐ray diffraction patterns reveal that the unit cells are expanded after doping. All the fabricated bulks are p‐type conductors in accordance with band structure calculations, and they all have figure of merit, zT, values over or close to 1.0 at T = 973 K, except for the Cu2‐xTe0.16Se0.84. Furthermore, the hardness is distinctly improved by the doping approach, with a maximum value of ca. 0.66 GPa for the Cu2‐xTe0.16Se0.84, which is higher than those of polycrystalline Bi2Te3 and PbTe bulks.
Alveoli‐Inspired Facile Transport Structure of N‐Doped Porous Carbon for Electrochemical Energy Applications
Authors: Chung Dong Young , Lee Kyung Jae , Yu Seung‐Ho , Kim Minhyoung , Lee Stanfield Youngwon , Kim Ok‐Hee , Park Hyun‐Jin , Sung Yung‐Eun
Published: February 2015

Heteroatom‐doped porous carbon materials have attracted much attention because of their extensive application in energy conversion and storage devices. Because the performance of fuel cells and the rate capability of supercapacitors depend significantly on multiple factors, such as electrical conductivity and transport rate of ions and reactants, designing these carbon‐based materials to optimize performance factors is vital. In order to address these issues, alveoli that possess a hollow cavity where oxygen exchange can occur are synthesized, inspired by N‐doped carbon materials with a high surface area and low transport resistance. By incorporating a dopamine coating on zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF), pore size is modified and electrical conducting pathways are constructed, resulting in changes to the reaction kinetics. These highly interconnected electron connection channels and proper pore sizes facilitate the diffusion of reactants and the conduction of electrons, leading to high activity of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), which is comparable to Pt, and high rate performance in supercapacitors.
A High Areal Capacity Flexible Lithium‐Ion Battery with a Strain‐Compliant Design
Authors: Gaikwad Abhinav M. , Khau Brian V. , Davies Greg , Hertzberg Benjamin , Steingart Daniel A. , Arias Ana Claudia
Published: February 2015

Early demonstrations of wearable devices have driven interest in flexible lithium‐ion batteries. Previous demonstrations of flexible lithium‐ion batteries trade off between low areal capacity, poor mechanical flexibility and/or high thickness of inactive components. Here, a reinforced electrode design is used to support the active layers of the battery and a freestanding carbon nanotube (CNT) layer is used as the current collector. The supported architecture helps to increase the areal capacity (mAh cm‐2) of the battery and improve the tensile strength and mechanical flexibility of the electrodes. Batteries based on lithium cobalt oxide and lithium titanate oxide shows excellent electrochemical and mechanical performance. The battery has an areal capacity of ≈1 mAh cm‐2 and a capacity retention of around 94% after cycling the battery for 450 cycles at a C/2 rate. The reinforced electrode has a tensile strength of ≈5.5–7.0 MPa and shows excellent capacity retention after repeatedly flexing to a bending radius ranging from 45 to 10 mm. The relationships between mechanical flexing, electrochemical performance, and mechanical integrity of the battery are studied using electrochemical cycling, electron microscopy, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS).
Ortsaufgelöste Festkörper‐NMR‐Studien am “Trigger‐Faktor” im Komplex mit der großen ribosomalen 50S‐Untereinheit
Authors: Barbet‐Massin Emeline , Huang Chih‐Ting , Daebel Venita , Hsu Shang‐Te Danny , Reif Bernd
Published: February 2015

Verschiedene Aspekte der Funktionsweise des Ribosomes sind trotz der Verfügbarkeit hochaufgelöster Röntgenstrukturen bislang nicht gut verstanden. Wir zeigen erste Festkörper‐NMR‐Daten, die an einem prokaryotischen Ribosomkomplex aufgenommen wurden. Wir beobachten definierte Veränderungen der chemischen Verschiebung und Linienverbreiterungen von Rückgratamid‐Resonanzen in den Bereichen von “Trigger‐Faktor”, die an der Bindung beteiligt sind. Die Kombination von Protondetektion und hohen MAS‐Frequenzen (60 kHz) macht die Untersuchung dieses großen asymmetrischen Proteinkomplexes (1.4 MDa) möglich. Die gezeigten Ergebnisse eröffnen neue Perspektiven für die Untersuchung des Funktionsmechanismus großer molekularer Maschinen.
Structure and Reactivity of an Isolable Seven‐Membered‐Ring trans‐Alkene
Authors: Hurlocker Brisa , Hu Chunhua , Woerpel K. A.
Published: February 2015

The isolation and characterization of a trans‐oxasilacycloheptene is reported. Single‐crystal X‐ray crystallographic studies indicate a high level of strain and deviation from ideal geometry. Reactions with several electrophiles demonstrated the nucleophilicity of the CC double bond, affording oxasilacycloheptane and tetrahydrofuran products as single diastereomers.
Guest‐Induced Transformation of a Porphyrin‐Edged FeII4L6 Capsule into a CuIFeII2L4 Fullerene Receptor
Authors: Wood Daniel M. , Meng Wenjing , Ronson Tanya K. , Stefankiewicz Artur R. , Sanders Jeremy K. M. , Nitschke Jonathan R.
Published: February 2015

The combination of a bent diamino(nickel(II) porphyrin) with 2‐formylpyridine and FeII yielded an FeII4L6 cage. Upon treatment with the fullerenes C60 or C70, this cage was found to transform into a new host–guest complex incorporating three FeII centers and four porphyrin ligands, in an arrangement that is hypothesized to maximize π interactions between the porphyrin units of the host and the fullerene guest bound within its central cavity. The new complex shows coordinative unsaturation at one of the FeII centers as the result of the incommensurate metal‐to‐ligand ratio, which enabled the preparation of a heterometallic cone‐shaped CuIFeII2L4 adduct of C60 or C70.
The Structure of the Aluminum Fumarate Metal–Organic Framework A520
Authors: Alvarez Elsa , Guillou Nathalie , Martineau Charlotte , Bueken Bart , Van de Voorde Ben , Le Guillouzer Clément , Fabry Paul , Nouar Farid , Taulelle Francis , de Vos Dirk , Chang Jong‐San , Cho Kyoung Ho , Ramsahye Naseem , Devic Thomas , Daturi Marco , Maurin Guillaume , Serre Christian
Published: February 2015

The synthesis of the commercially available aluminum fumarate sample A520 has been optimized and its structure analyzed through a combination of powder diffraction, solid‐state NMR spectroscopy, molecular simulation, IR spectroscopy, and thermal analysis. A520 is an analogue of the MIL‐53(Al)‐BDC solid, but with a more rigid behavior. The differences between the commercial and the optimized samples in terms of defects have been investigated by in situ IR spectroscopy and correlated to their catalytic activity for ethanol dehydration.
Dissecting Molecular Aspects of Cell Interactions Using Glycodendrimersomes with Programmable Glycan Presentation and Engineered Human Lectins
Authors: Zhang Shaodong , Moussodia Ralph‐Olivier , Murzeau Claire , Sun Hao‐Jan , Klein Michael L. , Vértesy Sabine , André Sabine , Roy René , Gabius Hans‐Joachim , Percec Virgil
Published: February 2015

Glycodendrimersomes with programmable surface display of glycan, together with artificially engineered galectins, were used to understand the physiological significance of human lectins with homodimeric and tandem‐repeat‐type displays. The mode of topological surface presentation and the density of glycan affected vesicle aggregation mediated by multivalent carbohydrate–protein interactions. The cross‐linking capacity of homodimeric lectins was enhanced by covalent connection of the two carbohydrate‐binding sites. These findings highlight the value of glycodendrimersomes as versatile cell membrane mimetics, and assays provide diagnostic tools for protein functionality. This work also provides guidelines for the design of cell separators, bioactive matrices, bioeffectors, and other biomedical applications.
Intercalation of Highly Dispersed Metal Nanoclusters into a Layered Metal Oxide for Photocatalytic Overall Water Splitting
Authors: Oshima Takayoshi , Lu Daling , Ishitani Osamu , Maeda Kazuhiko
Published: February 2015

Metal nanoclusters (involving metals such as platinum) with a diameter smaller than 1 nm were deposited on the interlayer nanospace of KCa2Nb3O10 using the electrostatic attraction between a cationic metal complex (e.g., [Pt(NH3)4]Cl2) and a negatively charged two‐dimensional Ca2Nb3O10− sheet, without the aid of any additional reagent. The material obtained possessed eight‐fold greater photocatalytic activity for water splitting into H2 and O2 under band‐gap irradiation than the previously reported analog using a RuO2 promoter. This study highlighted the superior functionality of Pt nanoclusters with diameters smaller than 1 nm for photocatalytic overall water splitting. This material shows the greatest efficiency among nanosheet‐based photocatalysts reported to date.
Generating and Trapping Metalla‐N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes
Authors: Ruiz Javier , García Lucía , Vivanco Marilín , Berros Ángela , Van der Maelen Juan Francisco
Published: February 2015

By means of a combined experimental and theoretical approach, the electronic features and chemical behavior of metalla‐N‐heterocyclic carbenes (MNHCs, N‐heterocyclic carbenes containing a metal atom within the heterocyclic skeleton) have been established and compared with those of classical NHCs. MNHCs are strongly basic (proton affinity and pKa values around 290 kcal mol−1 and 36, respectively) with a narrow singlet–triplet gap (around 23 kcal mol−1). MNHCs can be generated from the corresponding metalla‐imidazolium salts and trapped by addition of transition‐metal complexes affording the corresponding heterodimetallic dicarbene derivatives, which can serve as carbene transfer agents.
Light‐Gated Molecular Brakes Based on Pentiptycene‐Incorporated Azobenzenes
Authors: Tan Wei Shyang , Chuang Po‐Ya , Chen Chia‐Huei , Prabhakar Chetti , Huang Shing‐Jong , Huang Shou‐Ling , Liu Yi‐Hung , Lin Ying‐Chih , Peng Shie‐Ming , Yang Jye‐Shane
Published: February 2015

Three azobenzene derivatives (2 R, 2 OR, and 2 NR) that differed in their terminal substituent (alkyl, alkyloxy, and dialkylamino, respectively) have been synthesized and investigated as molecular brakes, in which the rigid H‐shaped pentiptycene group functioned as a rotor and the dinitrophenyl group as a “brake pad”. The E and Z isomers of these compounds corresponded to the “brake‐off” and “brake‐on” states, respectively. The rotation rate of the rotor was evaluated by VT NMR spectroscopy for the brake‐on state and by DFT calculations for the brake‐off state. The difference between the rotation rates for the rotor in the two states was as large as eight orders of magnitude at ambient temperature. Photochemical switching of the azobenzene moieties afforded efficiencies of 55–67 %. A combination of photochemical E→Z and thermal Z→E isomerization promoted the switching efficiency up to 78 %. The terminal substituent affected both the photochemical and thermal switching efficiencies. Solvent polarity also played an important role in the lifetimes of the Z isomers. These azobenzene systems displayed similar braking powers but superior switching efficiencies to the stilbene analogue (1O R; ca. 60 % vs 20 %).
Copper‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Conjugate Addition of Grignard Reagents to Methyl 4,4,4‐Trifluorocrotonate: Synthesis of Enantioenriched Trifluoromethylated Compounds
Authors: Zhang Li‐Ying , Zhou Jia‐Hui , Xu Yun‐He , Loh Teck‐Peng
Published: February 2015

Copper‐catalyzed enantioselective 1,4‐conjugate addition of methyl 4,4,4‐trifluorocrotonate with aliphatic Grignard reagents to access an asymmetric tertiary carbon center attached with a trifluoromethyl group was achieved under mild reaction conditions. The desired products could be obtained in reasonable yields and good enantioselectivities.
Laboruntersuchungen zum Materialverhalten von Tonbeton
Authors: Becker Andreas , Vrettos Christos
Published: February 2015

Betone werden in Dichtwänden aufgrund ihrer geringen Durchlässigkeit und ihrer Beständigkeit bei großen hydraulischen Gradienten oftmals in Staudämmen oder in deren Untergrund als Abdichtungsmaßnahme eingesetzt. Normalbeton weist im Vergleich zu anderen Materialien einen vergleichsweise hohen Elastizitätsmodul auf, sodass insbesondere bei einer dynamischen Beanspruchung wie Erdbebeneinwirkung Probleme hinsichtlich des spröden Materialverhaltens auftreten können. Diesem Problem kann man begegnen, indem der Betonmischung ein bestimmter Prozentsatz an Feinmaterial beigegeben wird. Der Elastizitätsmodul wird dadurch verringert und es kommt zu einer höheren Duktilität des Materials. Als Zugabematerial bieten sich Tone sowie Bentonite an. In dem vorliegenden Beitrag werden bodenmechanische Versuche an einer als Tonbeton bezeichneten Mischung vorgestellt. Für Proben mit unterschiedlichem Probenalter werden einaxiale Druckfestigkeiten, Biegezugfestigkeiten, Scherfestigkeitsparameter in Triaxialversuchen sowie Wasserdurchlässigkeitsbeiwerte ermittelt.

Laboratory investigations on the material behaviour of plastic concrete

Concrete cut‐off walls are often used as a water barrier in earth dams or their foundation due to the low permeability and resistance to large hydraulic gradients. Regular concrete has in comparison to other materials a relatively high modulus of elasticity. Due to the brittle material behavior this may cause problems in particular under dynamic loading during seismic action. This drawback can be handled by adding a certain percentage of fine‐grained material into the concrete mix, thus reducing the elastic modulus and increasing the ductility of the material. Suitable additives are clay powders or bentonites. In the present paper soil mechanical tests on a mixture known as plastic concrete are presented. Unconfined compressive strength, flexural strength, shear strength parameters under triaxial compression and water permeability coefficients are assessed in dependency on the specimen age.
Chemical synthesis of a polypeptide backbone derived from the primary sequence of the cancer protein NY‐ESO‐1 enabled by kinetically controlled ligation and pseudoprolines
Authors: Harris Paul W. R. , Brimble Margaret A.
Published: February 2015

The cancer protein NY‐ESO‐1 has been shown to be one of the most promising vaccine candidates although little is known about its cellular function. Using a chemical protein strategy, the 180 amino acid polypeptide, tagged with an arginine solubilizing tail, was assembled in a convergent manner from four unprotected peptide α‐thioester peptide building blocks and one cysteinyl polypeptide, which were in turn prepared by Boc and Fmoc solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) respectively. To facilitate the assembly by ligation chemistries, non‐native cysteines were introduced as chemical handles into the polypeptide fragments; pseudoproline dipeptides and microwave assisted Fmoc SPPS were crucial techniques to prepare the challenging hydrophobic C‐terminal fragment. Three sequential kinetically controlled ligations, which exploited the reactivity between peptide arylthioesters and peptide alkylthioesters, were then used in order to assemble the more tractable N‐terminal region of NY‐ESO‐1. The ensuing 147 residue polypeptide thioester then underwent successful final native chemical ligation with the very hydrophobic C‐terminal polypeptide bearing an N‐terminal cysteine affording the 186 residue polypeptide as an advanced intermediate en route to the native NY‐ESO‐1 protein. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 104: 116–127, 2015.
Ordered Hexagonal Mesoporous Aluminosilicates and their Application in Ligand‐Free Synthesis of Secondary Amines
Authors: Srinivasu Pavuluri , Venkanna Dupati , Kantam Mannepalli Lakshmi , Tang Jing , Bhargava Suresh K. , Aldalbahi Ali , Wu Kevin C.‐W. , Yamauchi Yusuke
Published: February 2015

A new facile synthesis of ordered mesoporous aluminosilicates has been developed and applied for the efficient catalytic synthesis of N‐benzyl secondary amines under ligand and base‐free conditions. The MAS(38) catalyst with a well‐ordered mesoporous structure and strong acidic sites was used for acid‐catalyzed organic transformations and its operational simplicity and ease of its isolation procedure make it an attractive alternative to current methodologies.
Modeling of Mass Transfer in an Internal Loop Airlift Reactor
Authors: Luo Lijia , Yuan Jingqi
Published: February 2015

A complete mass transfer model was established for an internal loop airlift reactor. All sections of the reactor, including bottom, riser, top, and downcomer, were taken into account. A numerical method was developed to solve the mass transfer model. The effectiveness of the model was validated by experimental measurements. Based on numerical results of the model, the dynamical mass transfer process in the reactor was analyzed in detail. Some mass transfer characteristics of the airlift reactor were revealed. The results indicated that the proposed model well predicted the mass transfer in the internal loop airlift reactor.
Assessment of Scale‐Up Parameters of Microwave‐Assisted Extraction via the Extraction of Flavonoids from Cocoa Leaves
Authors: Chan Chung‐Hung , Yusoff Rozita , Ngoh Gek‐Cheng
Published: February 2015

Microwave‐assisted extraction (MAE) is a promising technique for the extraction of flavonoid compounds from plants. However, it is difficult to scale up due to the complex mass transfer involved. This has prompted the study of parameters for scaling up the system by considering energy‐related parameters, i.e. the nominal power density and the absorbed power density (APD). Modeling of MAE of flavonoid compounds from cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) leaves using the film theory model was performed for this purpose. Operating parameters such as the sample particle size, the solvent‐to‐feed ratio, and the microwave irradiation power were also included in the kinetic study. The APD exhibited its aptitude as scaling‐up parameter as it can characterize both the extraction kinetics and the extraction yields of MAE. Furthermore, it can be used as a reference for predicting the optimum extraction time of MAE under various heating conditions.
Columnar Liquid‐Crystalline Dinaphthoperylenetetracarboxdiimides
Authors: Ferreira Marli , Girotto Edivandro , Bentaleb Ahmed , Hillard Elizabeth A. , Gallardo Hugo , Durola Fabien , Bock Harald
Published: February 2015

Although the double Friedel–Crafts acylation of arenes with ethyl chloroglyoxylate is hindered by the strongly deactivating effect of the first‐entering glyoxylic substituent, the double reaction is successful with the reactive arene perylene under long reaction times and with concomitant ester hydrolysis. The reaction is regiospecific, giving the 3,9‐regioisomer exclusively. This perylenylenediglyoxylic acid is condensed first with o‐bromophenylacetic acid and then with α‐branched alkylamines to yield the title compounds. Whilst the corresponding tetraalkyl esters only show monotropic mesophases, these diimides show enantiotropic columnar mesophases that can be maintained at room temperature if racemically branched alkyl chains of moderate size are used. A palladium‐induced CC bond migration during the build‐up of the arene system leads to an isomeric side product of reduced symmetry that can be isolated by aggregation‐controlled chromatographic separation. The HOMO and LUMO energies of the title compounds are considerably higher than those of established perylenetetracarboxdiimides.