bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Keeping It Real!: Constructing and Maintaining Traditional Authenticity in a Tibetan Buddhist Organisation in Scotland
Authors: McKenzie John S.
Published: August 2011

Many studies on the westward transplantation of Buddhism focus on the retention of traditional authenticity. The sociological perspective provided here moves the emphasis to the social construction of such claims. The social construction of traditional authenticity will be explored through a study of the Tibetan Buddhist organisation, Rokpa Scotland (RS) and it will be demonstrated that RS constructs claims to traditional authenticity by adapting to the local culture whilst demonstrating links with an ancient practice. These claims are then reified by limiting adaptations and retaining core features associated with Buddhism. None the less adapting to the West can be seen as detraditionalization and can present a threat to claims to traditional authenticity. However, RS can claim to control the detraditionalization process by responding to the effects of reflexive modernization and controlling the flow of information. In controlling detraditionalization RS provides the plausibility structures to maintain claims to traditional authenticity.
Vertical structure of MJO-related subtropical ozone variations from MLS, TES, and SHADOZ data
Authors: Li K.-F. , Tian B. , Waliser D. E. , Schwartz M. J. , Neu J. L. , Worden J. R. , Yung Y. L.
Published: August 2011

Abstract. Tian et al. (2007) found that the MJO-related total column ozone (O3) anomalies of 10 DU (peak-to-trough) are mainly evident over the subtropics and dynamically driven by the vertical movement of the subtropical tropopause layer. It was then hypothesized that the subtropical total column O3 anomalies are primarily associated with the O3 variability in the stratosphere rather the troposphere. In this paper, we investigate the vertical structure of MJO-related subtropical O3 variations using the vertical O3 profiles from the Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) and Tropospheric Emission Spectrometer (TES), as well as in situ measurements by the Southern Hemisphere Additional Ozonesondes (SHADOZ) project. Our analysis indicates that the subtropical O3 anomalies maximize approximately in the lower stratosphere (60–100 hPa). Furthermore, the spatial-temporal patterns of the subtropical O3 anomalies in the lower stratosphere are very similar to that of the total column. In particular, they are both dynamically driven by the vertical movement of subtropical tropopause. The subtropical partial O3 column anomalies between 30–200 hPa accounts for more than 50 % of the total O3 column anomalies. TES measurements show that at most 30 % of the total O3 column anomalies are contributed by the tropospheric components. This indicates that the subtropical total column O3 anomalies are mostly from the O3 anomalies in the lower stratosphere, which supports the hypothesis of Tian et al. (2007). The strong connection between the intraseasonal subtropical stratospheric O3 variations and the MJO implies that the stratospheric O3 variations may be predictable with similar lead times over the subtropics. Future work could involve a similar study or an O3 budget analysis using a sophisticated chemical transport model in the near-equatorial regions where the observed MJO signals of total column O3 are weak.
Estudio de usabilidad del Portal de Periódicos de CAPES
Authors: Ferreira da Costa Luciana , Arruda Ramalho Francisca
Published: August 2011

Objetivo. El estudio analiza la usabilidad del Portal de Periódicos de la Coordinación de Perfeccionamiento de Personal de Nivel Superior (CAPES) en base a los parámetros de usabilidad desarrollados por el estudioso Jakob Nielsen y bajo la perspectiva de un estudio de usuario, haciendo una vinculación inevitable de la información con los ámbitos de la tecnología y la Ciencia de la Información. Método. Este es un estudio de naturaleza descriptiva, usa un abordaje cualitativo con aporte cuantitativo. Tiene como sujetos de investigación los docentes permanentes vinculados a los Programas de Postgrado del Centro de Ciencias de la Salud de la Universidad Federal de Paraíba. Los datos fueron recolectados por medio de investigación bibliográfica y documental, además de un cuestionario y entrevista. Para el análisis de datos, se utilizó el análisis descriptivo por categorías. Como resultados se evidenció la calidad de uso del Portal. Resultados. Corrobora que la mayoría de los atributos de usabilidad del Portal está calificada en niveles por encima de la media, con excepción del atributo Baja tasa de errores, que presentó media regular.Conclusiones. El presente estudio de usabilidad del Portal ha constituido un importante instrumento de evaluación institucional de uso de este sistema de información.
Tareas que realizan los bibliotecarios universitarios en Argentina
Authors: Agazzi Werner , Tchouldjian Natalia
Published: August 2011

El presente estudio es una investigación descriptiva que pretende conocer las tareas que realizan los bibliotecarios en las bibliotecas universitarias argentinas, abordando el tema desde la perspectiva de las competencias laborales y el actual perfil del bibliotecario universitario. Mediante la utilización de un cuestionario enviado a las direcciones de e-mail de bibliotecas universitarias argentinas se compilaron datos sobre las tareas que realizan los bibliotecarios en esas instituciones. A través de este proceso también se compilaron datos relacionados con las tareas de comunicación vía e-mail por parte de las bibliotecas universitarias argentinas.
O Sistema Pergamum no processo de tomada de decisão
Authors: Assis Pinho Fabio , De Siqueira Melo Lílian Lima
Published: August 2011

Objetivo. Esta pesquisa, que versa sobre o sistema Pergamum como ferramenta de apoio ao processo decisório na Biblioteca Central da UFPE, objetivou avaliar como dito sistema atua no âmbito da tomada de decisão nas divisões de aquisição, processo técnico, administração e apoio ao usuário. Trata-se de um estudo de caso, de cunho exploratório, com um universo de 20 bibliotecários. Método. O método utilizado foi baseado em uma abordagem exploratória, que utilizou o questionário como instrumento de coleta de dados, tratados mediante análises qualitativa e quantitativa. Resultados. Os resultados demonstraram que a maioria dos pesquisados aplica as informações do Pergamum no apoio à tomada de decisão e considera que o sistema apóia todas as fases do processo decisório, desde a identificação de problemas até a possível solução. Dentre os módulos do Pergamum utilizados para apoio às decisões, destacaram-se: a consulta, os relatórios e Internet. Os profissionais consideram a interface do software amigável, sentem-se satisfeitos, mas indicam pontos onde o sistema deve melhorar para subsidiar as atividades. Conclusões. Foi concluído que o trabalho contribui com a literatura da área, pois os sistemas de informação, enquanto suporte aos processos decisórios de uma unidade de informação, melhoram a execução das atividades, apóiam as soluções administrativas e aumentam a qualidade dos serviços prestados.
Local ICA for multivariate statistical fault diagnosis in systems with unknown signal and error distributions
Authors: Ge Zhiqiang , Xie Lei , Kruger Uwe , Song Zhihuan
Published: August 2011

Based on a noncausal data structure, this article develops a statistical‐based monitoring scheme for diagnosing abnormal situations in complex systems. The recorded variables are assumed to exhibit Gaussian and non‐Gaussian signal components, which are monitored using the statistical local approach. For diagnosing abnormal conditions, the paper introduces a regression‐based technique that allows estimating the fault contribution from abnormal operating conditions. Application studies involving a simulation example and the analysis of recorded data from an industrial melter process demonstrate that the proposed diagnosis scheme is more sensitive in analyzing incipient fault conditions than existing approaches discussed in the literature. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 58: 2357–2372, 2012
Preparation and characterization of carbon fibers from polyacrylonitrile precursors
Authors: Hanna S. B. , Yehia A. A. , Ismail M. N. , Khalaf A. I.
Published: August 2011

The present work deals with the preparation of carbon fibers from polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers. The chemical composition and physical properties of the starting fibers were determined. The PAN fibers were stabilized in air at the temperatures (230, 270, and 300°C) with the heating time from 40 to 420 min. The effects of both final stabilization temperature and heating rate on the chemical and physical properties of the prepared stabilized fibers were studied. The chosen stabilized fibers samples were carbonized in argon atmosphere at the temperatures (1000, 1200, and 1400°C) with different heating rates 5, 10, 15, and 20°C min−1. The effects of both carbonizing temperature and heating rate on the weight loss, density, elemental composition, and IR absorption spectra of carbonized fibers were also studied. The fiber sample, which was carbonized at 1400°C, contains 97.55% carbon, 1.75% nitrogen, and 1.4% hydrogen. This means that carbonizing the stabilized fibers at 1400°C in argon atmosphere is suitable to get oxygen‐free carbon fibers. Therefore, the used carbonizing temperature in the present work (1400°C) is suitable to produce moderate heat‐treated carbon fibers with the heating rate of 15°C min−1. The modulus of the prepared carbon fibers was compared to that of industrially produced fibers using the results of X‐ray analysis. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Low‐frequency electromagnetic fields do not alter responses of inflammatory genes and proteins in human monocytes and immune cell lines
Authors: Bouwens Mark , de Kleijn Stan , Ferwerda Gerben , Cuppen Jan J. , Savelkoul Huub F.J. , Kemenade B.M. Lidy Verburg‐van
Published: August 2011

The effects of low frequency electromagnetic fields (LF EMF) on human health are the subject of on‐going research and serious public concern. These fields potentially elicit small effects that have been proposed to have consequences, either positive or negative, for biological systems. To reveal potentially weak but biologically relevant effects, we chose to extensively examine exposure of immune cells to two different signals, namely a complex multiple waveform field, and a 50 Hz sine wave. These immune cells are highly responsive and, in vivo, modulation of cytokine expression responses can result in systemic health effects. Using time course experiments, we determined kinetics of cytokine and other inflammation‐related genes in a human monocytic leukemia cell line, THP‐1, and primary monocytes and macrophages. Moreover, cytokine protein levels in THP‐1 monocytes were determined. Exposure to either of the two signals did not result in a significant effect on gene and protein expression in the studied immune cells. Also, additional experiments using non‐immune cells showed no effects of the signals on cytokine gene expression. We therefore conclude that these LF EMF exposure conditions are not expected to significantly modulate innate immune signaling. Bioelectromagnetics 33:226–237, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Dissecting the PCP pathway: One or more pathways?
Authors: Lapébie Pascal , Borchiellini Carole , Houliston Evelyn
Published: August 2011

Planar cell polarity (PCP), the alignment of cells within 2D tissue planes, involves a set of core molecular regulators highly conserved between animals and cell types. These include the transmembrane proteins Frizzled (Fz) and VanGogh and the cytoplasmic regulators Dishevelled (Dsh) and Prickle. It is widely accepted that this core forms part of a ‘PCP pathway’ for signal transduction, which can affect cell morphology through activation of an evolutionary ancient regulatory module involving Rho family GTPases and Myosin II, and/or the JNK kinase cascade. We have re‐examined the evidence for interactions between the proposed PCP pathway components, and question the placing of the cell morphology regulators in the same pathway as the PCP core. While Fz and Dsh are clearly involved in both PCP and Rho‐based cell morphology regulation, available evidence cannot currently discriminate whether these processes are linked mechanistically by a shared Fz/Dsh population, or pass by two distinct pathways.
Growth and productivity impacts of periplasmic nuclease expression in an Escherichia coli Fab' fragment production strain
Authors: Nesbeth Darren N. , Perez‐Pardo Miguel‐Angel , Ali Shaukat , Ward John , Keshavarz‐Moore Eli
Published: August 2011

Host cell engineering is becoming a realistic option in whole bioprocess strategies to maximize product manufacturability. High molecular weight (MW) genomic DNA currently hinders bioprocessing of Escherichia coli by causing viscosity in homogenate feedstocks. We previously showed that co‐expressing Staphylococcal nuclease and human Fab' fragment in the periplasm of E. coli enables auto‐hydrolysis of genomic DNA upon cell disruption, with a consequent reduction in feedstock viscosity and improvement in clarification performance. Here we report the impact of periplasmic nuclease expression on stability of DNA and Fab' fragment in homogenates, host‐strain growth kinetics, cell integrity at harvest and Fab' fragment productivity. Nuclease and Fab' plasmids were shown to exert comparable levels of growth burden on the host W3110 E. coli strain. Nuclease co‐expression did not compromise either the growth performance or volumetric yield of the production strain. 0.5 g/L Fab' fragment (75 L scale) and 0.7 g/L (20 L scale) was achieved for both unmodified and cell‐engineered production strains. Unexpectedly, nuclease‐modified cells achieved maximum Fab' levels 8–10 h earlier than the original, unmodified production strain. Scale‐down studies of homogenates showed that nuclease‐mediated hydrolysis of high MW DNA progressed to completion within minutes of homogenization, even when homogenates were chilled on ice, with no loss of Fab' product and no need for additional co‐factors or buffering. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012; 109:517–527. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mobile phase modifier effects in multimodal cation exchange chromatography
Authors: Holstein Melissa A. , Parimal Siddharth , McCallum Scott A. , Cramer Steven M.
Published: August 2011

This study examines protein adsorption behavior and the effects of mobile phase modifiers in multimodal chromatographic systems. Chromatography results with a diverse protein library indicate that multimodal and ion exchange resins have markedly different protein binding behavior and selectivity. NMR results corroborate the stronger binding observed for the multimodal system and provide insight into the structural basis for the observed binding behavior. Protein‐binding affinity and selectivity in multimodal and ion exchange systems are then examined using a variety of mobile phase modifiers. Arginine and guanidine are found to have dramatic effects on protein adsorption, yielding changes in selectivity in both chromatographic systems. While sodium caprylate leads to slightly weaker chromatographic retention for most proteins, certain proteins exhibit significant losses in retention in both systems. The presence of a competitive binding mechanism between the multimodal ligand and sodium caprylate for binding to ubiquitin is confirmed using STD NMR. Polyol mobile phase modifiers are shown to result in increased retention for weakly bound proteins and decreased retention for strongly bound proteins, indicating that the overall retention behavior is determined by a balance between changes in electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. This work provides an improved understanding of protein adsorption and mobile phase modifier effects in multimodal chromatographic systems and sets the stage for future work to develop more selective protein separation systems. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012;109: 176–186. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hydrolysis of Plutonium(VI) at Variable Temperatures (283–343 K)
Authors: Rao Linfeng , Tian Guoxin , Di Bernardo Plinio , Zanonato PierLuigi
Published: August 2011

The hydrolysis of PuVI was studied at variable temperatures (283–343 K) by potentiometry, microcalorimetry, and spectrophotometry. Three hydrolysis reactions, mPuO22++nH2O=(PuO2)m(OH)n+nH+), in which (n,m)=(1,1), (2,2), and (5,3), were invoked to describe the potentiometric and calorimetric data. The equilibrium constants (*βn,m) were determined by potentiometry at 283, 298, 313, 328, and 343 K. As the temperature was increased from 283 to 343 K, *β1,1, *β2,2, and *β5,3, increased by 1, 1.5, and 4 orders of magnitude, respectively. The enhancement of hydrolysis at elevated temperatures is mainly due to the significant increase of the degree of ionization of water as the temperature increases. Measurements by microcalorimetry indicate that the three hydrolysis reactions are all endothermic at 298.15 K, with enthalpies of (35.0±3.4) kJ mol−1, (65.4±1.0) kJ mol−1, and (127.7±1.7) kJ mol−1 for ΔH1,1, ΔH2,2, and ΔH5,3, respectively. The hydrolysis constants at infinite dilution have been obtained with the Specific Ion Interaction approach. The applicability of three approaches for estimating the equilibrium constants at different temperatures, including the constant enthalpy approach, the DQUANT equation, and the Ryzhenko–Bryzgalin model, were evaluated with the data from this work.
Factors That Regulate the Conformation of m‐Benziporphodimethene Complexes: Agostic Metal–Arene Interaction, Hydrogen Bonding, and η2,π Coordination
Authors: Chang Gao‐Fong , Wang Chun‐Hung , Lu Hung‐Chieh , Kan Lou‐Sing , Chao Ito , Chen Wei Hao , Kumar Anil , Lo Liyang , dela Rosa Mira Anne C. , Hung Chen‐Hsiung
Published: August 2011

Group 12 and silver(I) tetramethyl‐m‐benziporphodimethene (TMBPDM) complexes with phenyl, methylbenzoate, or nitrophenyl groups as meso substituents were synthesized and fully characterized. The dimeric silver(I) complex displays an unusual η2,π coordination from the β‐pyrrolic CC bond to the silver ion. All of the complexes displayed a close contact between the metal ion and the inner C(22)H(22) on the m‐phenylene ring. The downfield chemical shifts of H(22) and large coupling constants between CdII and H(22) strongly support the presence of an agostic interaction between the metal ion and inner C(22)–H(22). Crystal structures revealed that the syn form is the predominant conformation for TMBPDM complexes. This is distinctively different from the exclusive anti conformation observed in m‐benziporphyrin and tetraphenyl‐m‐benziporphodimethene (TPBPDM) complexes. Evidently, intramolecular hydrogen‐bonding interactions between axial chloride and methyl groups stabilize syn conformations. Unlike the merely syn conformation observed in the solid‐state structures of TMBPDM complexes that contain an axial chloride, in solution these complexes display highly solvent‐ and temperature‐dependent syn/anti ratio changes. The observation of dynamic 1H NMR spectroscopic scrambling between syn and anti conformations from the titration of chloride ion into the solution of the TMBPDM complex suggests that axial ligand exchange is a likely pathway for the conversion between syn and anti forms. Theoretical calculations revealed that intermolecular hydrogen‐bonding interactions between the axial chloride and CHCl3 stabilizes the anti conformation, which explains the increased ratio for the anti form when dichloromethane or chloroform was used as the solvent.
Kinetic Resolution of α‐Substituted Alkanoic Acids Promoted by Homobenzotetramisole
Authors: Yang Xing , Birman Vladimir B.
Published: August 2011

A new method for catalytic nonenzymatic kinetic resolution of α‐substituted alkanoic acids has been developed, which relies on their activation with DCC followed by enantioselective alcoholysis of the intermediate symm‐anhydrides in the presence of the amidine‐based catalyst homobenzotetramisole (HBTM). Moderate to excellent selectivity factors (s=5–96) have been obtained in the case of several classes of substrates, namely, α‐aryl‐, α‐aryloxy/alkoxy‐, α‐halo‐, α‐azido‐, and α‐phthalimido‐alkanoic acids. Under similar conditions, α‐(arylthio/alkylthio)‐alkanoic acids undergo dynamic kinetic resolution providing corresponding esters in up to 92 % ee and up to 93 % yield.
Material Flows as a Basis for an Innovative Control Concept for Municipal Solid Waste Incinerators
Authors: Richers Ulf
Published: August 2011

Durch die Gewinnung von Sekundärbrennstoffen für den Einsatz bei energieintensiven Prozessen entstehen Abfallfraktionen mit höheren Chlorgehalten. Die Entsorgung dieser Fraktionen in Abfallverbrennungsanlagen ist problematisch, denn Chlor ist maßgeblich an Korrosionsprozessen beteiligt. Zur Minderung der Korrosionsprozesse wird, ausgehend von der Stoffbilanz für Chlor in einer Abfallverbrennungsanlage, ein neues Verfahren zur besseren Regelung von Abfallverbrennungsanlagen vorgestellt. Im Mittelpunkt steht eine separate geregelte Zuführung von Abfällen mit höheren Chlorkonzentrationen.
Safety Investigations for Operation of Microreactors Inside the Explosion Region
Authors: Hieronymus Hartmut , Fischer Johannes , Heinrich Sebastian , Liebner Christian , Lange Thomas , Klemm Elias
Published: August 2011

Es wird eine Methode zur sicherheitstechnischen Untersuchung von Mikroreaktoren und mikrostrukturierten Komponenten, die im Explosionsbereich betrieben werden sollen, vorgestellt. Mikrostrukturierte Reaktoren sind nicht inhärent sicher, wenngleich der Bereich der sicheren Betriebsbedingungen gegenüber konventionellen Reaktoren erweitert ist. Der Explosionsbereich kann durch die Mikrostrukturen eingeengt werden. Am Beispiel von Ethylen/Sauerstoff‐Gemischen und Ethylen/N2O‐Gemischen wird hinsichtlich der Ausbreitung von Detonationen durch Kapillarrohre gezeigt, dass die sogenannte λ/3‐Regel angewandt werden kann. Darüber hinaus werden erste Ergebnisse der Untersuchung der Ausbreitung von Explosionen durch einen Mikroreaktor mit rechteckigem Strömungskanal vorgestellt.
Predicting group partitions in mobile ad hoc networks
Authors: Zhang Yan , Low Chor Ping , Ng Jim Mee , Wang Ting
Published: August 2011

Group mobility is prevalent in many mobile ad hoc network applications such as disaster recovery, military actions, etc., and group partitions are unavoidable in such kinds of dynamic networks. Group partition may occur when mobile nodes move in diverse mobility patterns and causes the network to be partitioned into disconnected components. It may result in severe link disconnections, which then interrupt intergroup communications. By examining the group mobility pattern, we can predict the possibility of network partitions, and thus minimize the amount of communication disruptions. In this paper, we introduce a system for predicting potential group partitions in mobile ad hoc networks. On the basis of historical group mobility information, a quadratic regression model is formulated to predict the direction and speed of a group's movement. A group's micromovement is ignored and is replaced by significant linear displacement to measure its mobility to improve the prediction accuracy. We also discuss the notion of safe distance between adjacent groups, based on which the time duration before the occurrence of group partitioning can be measured. Experimental results show that our proposed prediction method demonstrates its effectiveness and efficiency in group partition predictions such that remedial actions can be taken in advance to avoid network disconnection. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Should We Care About the Needs of Non‐humans? Needs Assessment: A Tool for Environmental Conflict Resolution and Sustainable Organization of Living Beings
Authors: Jolibert Catherine , Max‐Neef Manfred , Rauschmayer Felix , Paavola Jouni
Published: August 2011

This article extends the Human‐scale Development methodology to include non‐humans. We found this wider approach to be helpful in analysing the conflict of interest between fish farming and otter protection in the Natural Reserve of the Sado River estuary in Portugal. Our analysis of this environmental conflict goes beyond the anthropocentric view restricted to human needs to include all stakeholder needs, i.e. both human and non‐human ‘actants’. The needs‐based analysis aims to ensure that local development strategies are more sustainable, improving interactions between all living beings, not just humans. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Statins inhibit iNOS‐mediated microbicidal potential of activated monocyte‐derived dendritic cells by an IFN‐β‐dependent mechanism
Authors: Domínguez Pilar M. , López‐Bravo María , Kalinke Ulrich , Ardavín Carlos
Published: August 2011

Statins are prescribed to 25 million people worldwide for treating hypercholesterolemia and reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. However, the side effects of statins on immunity, and particularly on DC immunobiology, have not been analyzed in‐depth. Here, we have investigated the impact of lovastatin treatment during monocyte differentiation into DCs on the responsiveness of the resulting monocyte‐derived DCs (moDCs) to TLR‐mediated activation. Lovastatin positively regulated TLR4 signaling in LPS‐stimulated moDCs, leading to strong activation of p38 MAP‐kinase paralleled by increased proinflammatory cytokine and IFN‐β production. In contrast, lovastatin promoted negative regulation of IFN‐β‐mediated autocrine signaling through the IFN‐αβ receptor, paralleled by low expression of the transcription factor IRF‐1, leading to the inhibition of the enzymes iNOS and HO‐1. Defective activation of iNOS/HO‐1 resulted in limited cytoprotective capacity against ROS and reduced microbicidal potential. These data were validated using an in vivo model of Listeria monocytogenes infection, which revealed that iNOS activation by splenic inflammatory moDCs, specialized in NO and TNF‐α production, was strongly reduced in lovastatin‐treated, Listeria‐infected mice. Statin treatment could have severe implications in immunity against pathogens due to defective iNOS/HO‐1 metabolism activation in inflammatory moDCs that might lead to immune failure.
Selective Copper‐Mediated Halogenation of Aromatic Rings Under Mild Conditions
Authors: Gamba Ilaria , Gamez Patrick , Monzani Enrico , Casella Luigi , Mutikainen Ilpo , Reedijk Jan
Published: August 2011

A mild copper‐mediated halogenation reaction of phenolic rings is reported. The reaction of bis(2‐hydroxybenzyl)‐1,3‐diaminopropane (H2bhbd) with copper(II) chloride in acetonitrile generates linear trinuclear [Cu3(bhcbd)2Cl2](CH3CN), containing modified ligands, whose phenol moieties are selectively chlorinated at the 5‐position. Under comparable experimental conditions with copper(II) bromide, bromination of the ligand is observed, albeit at a slower reaction rate. In the presence of trialkylorthoformates, which are used as dehydrating agents, a ring closure of the ligand is observed after removal of copper to yield a product with a six‐membered ring. This product has been isolated and characterized by NMR spectroscopy and MS. Similarly, bromination of bis(2‐hydroxybenzyl)‐1,3‐diiminopropane (H2bhbdi) occurs in the presence of copper(II) bromide, with concomitant formation of a linear trinuclear complex. Surprisingly, an asymmetric dinuclear copper(II) coordination compound without chlorination of the ligand is obtained when the related ligand bis(2‐hydroxybenzyl)‐1,3‐diminopropane (H2bhbdi) reacts with copper(II) chloride.
Four Soft Donors and a Hard Centre: Rhodium Complexes of a Novel Tetrakis(NHC)‐Encapsulated Crown Ether Ligand
Authors: Shrestha Sumi , Gimbert‐Suriñach Carolina , Bhadbhade Mohan , Colbran Stephen B.
Published: August 2011

2,3,13,14‐Tetrakis(bromomethyl)dibenzo‐18‐crown‐6 (1) has been demonstrated to be a versatile synthetic intermediate for constructing multinucleating ligands with a hard‐donor, crown ether centre. By using this intermediate, novel salts of tetrakis(imidazoliomethyl)dibenzo‐18‐crown‐6, [H4L1]X4 (2: X– = Br–; 4: X– = PF6–), and tetrakis(benzimidazoliomethyl)dibenzo‐18‐crown‐6, [H4L2]X4 (3: X– = Br–; 5: X– = PF6–), were prepared. These salts are precursors to novel tetrakis(N‐heterocyclic carbene) complexes spanned by a crown ether bridge capable of binding various hard metal ions. Thetetrakis(imidazoliomethyl) salt 4 was used to prepare the bimetallic rhodium complexes [{(cod)Rh}2(μ‐L1)][PF6]2 (6) and [{(CO)2Rh}2(μ‐L1)][PF6]2 (7). These complexes selectively bind alkali metal ions.
Synthesis of pseudo‐telechelic diols by transesterification and thiol‐ene coupling
Authors: Desroches Myriam , Caillol Sylvain , Auvergne Rémi , Boutevin Bernard
Published: August 2011

Transesterification of methyl esters of rapeseed oil with ethylene glycol in excess led to a ω‐hydroxy fatty ester with a yield of 90%. 2‐Mercaptoethanol was grafted onto the double bonds of this ω‐hydroxy fatty ester by UV initiated thiol‐ene coupling under mild conditions. Double bond conversion was found to be quantitative and yielded a polyol with average of two primary hydroxyl functions. This pseudo‐diol was characterized by means of NMR spectroscopy, titration and mass spectroscopy (MS) and was used to synthesize polyurethane (PU) by step growth polyaddition with methylene diphenyl‐4,4′‐diisocyanate. The polymer, analyzed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and DSC, showed a glass transition temperature of −3°C, close to the one measured (8°C) on a PU based on a commercial polyol, Desmophen 1150.

Practical application: The products of the chemistry described in this contribution, i.e. polyol from vegetable oils derivatives, provide biobased building blocks for further PUs syntheses by reaction with diisocyanates. The obtained PUs are partially biobased and may be applied as binders and coatings.
Porphyrin Dimers and Arrays
Authors: Ryan Aoife , Gehrold Andreas , Perusitti Romain , Pintea Monica , Fazekas Marijana , Locos Oliver B. , Blaikie Frances , Senge Mathias O.
Published: August 2011

Current applications of porphyrins in medicine and optics, such as photodynamic therapy or nonlinear absorbers, increasingly require the use of far‐red absorbing dyes. Modifications of the porphyrin structure to accommodate these conditions can be achieved by extending the conjugation of the porphyrin π‐system, which causes a bathochromic shift in the absorption spectrum. Thus, conjugated porphyrin oligomers have found widespread use. However, past synthetic strategies have mainly targeted symmetric porphyrin dimers, trimers, and oligomers, which limit the practical use of such chromophores. Here, a series of symmetric and unsymmetric dimeric and trimeric porphyrin systems, which are connected by conjugated linkers, namely alkyne and phenylacetylene, were synthesized by palladium‐catalyzed C–C coupling reactions. Adopting two approaches, firstly, a series of new unsymmetric dimers was synthesized by the incorporation of all substituents on the monomeric components prior to coupling. The second was the synthesis of new symmetric dimers and trimers with free meso positions enabling further chemistry to be carried out. The majority of these conjugated arrays exhibited a bathochromic shift in their UV/Vis absorption, in particular the alkyne‐linked arrays showed absorption greater than 720 nm. The mass spectra of phenylacetylene‐ and diphenylbutadiene‐linked zinc arrays exhibited detachment of zinc from the porphyrin core. These unusual results are both linker and metal dependent, usually only seen for more labile metals.
A Chiral Pool Strategy for the Synthesis of Enantiopure Hydroxymethyl‐Substituted Pyridine Derivatives
Authors: Eidamshaus Christian , Reissig Hans‐Ulrich
Published: August 2011

A simple procedure for the synthesis of enantiopure hydroxymethyl‐substituted pyridine derivatives is presented. The developed method is based on TMSOTf‐promoted cyclocondensations of β‐ketoenamides, leading to differently substituted 4‐hydroxypyridine/4‐pyridone derivatives. The required β‐ketoenamides were prepared by acylation ofeasily available enamino ketones with suitably protected enantiopure carboxylic chlorides. Most of the experiments were performed withD‐mandelic acid as starting material. It has been shown that all steps occur essentially without racemisation. Several of the prepared 4‐pyridone derivatives were transformed into the corresponding pyrid‐4‐yl nonaflates and subjected to a series of palladium‐catalysed transformations, such as Suzuki, Heck or Sonogashira reactions. In addition, regioselective side‐chain functionalisation of unsymmetrically 2,6‐disubstituted pyridine derivatives was accomplished by application of Boekelheide rearrangements of the corresponding pyridineN‐oxides. The presented methods allow a flexible, rapid and scalable approach to highly substituted, enantiopure pyridine derivatives.
Asymmetric Copper(II)‐Catalysed Nitroaldol (Henry) Reactions Utilizing a Chiral C1‐Symmetric Dinitrogen Ligand
Authors: Zhou Yirong , Gong Yuefa
Published: August 2011

A series of stable chiral C1‐symmetric dinitrogen ligands were conveniently synthesized in high yields by condensation of chiral amines [(–)‐exo‐bornylamine or (+)‐(1S,2S,5R)‐menthylamine] with various substituted imidazolecarbaldehydes. With the assistance of base, the ligand L1 in combination with CuCl2·2H2O (2.5 mol‐% or 5.0 mol‐%) can efficiently promote nitroaldol (Henry) reactions between a variety of aldehydes and nitromethane. Both aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes were tolerated in our catalytic system, affording the expected nitroalcohol products in high yields (up to 97 %) and with good enantioselectivities (up to 96 %) under mild reaction conditions.
Experimental verification of seismic vibration control using a semi‐active friction tuned mass damper
Authors: Lin Ging‐Long , Lin Chi‐Chang , Lu Lyan‐Ywan , Ho Yu‐Bo
Published: August 2011

A tuned mass damper (TMD) system consists of an added mass with properly functioning spring and damping elements for providing frequency‐dependent damping in a primary structure. The advantage of a friction‐type TMD, that is, a nonlinear TMD, is its energy dissipation via a friction mechanism. In contrast, the disadvantages of a passive friction TMD (PF‐TMD) are its fixed and predetermined slip load and loss of tuning and energy dissipation capabilities when it is in a stick state. A semi‐active friction TMD (SAF‐TMD) is used to overcome these disadvantages. The SAF‐TMD can adjust its slip force in response to structure motion. To verify its feasibility, a prototype SAF‐TMD was fabricated and tested dynamically using a shaking table test. A nonsticking friction control law was used to keep the SAF‐TMD activated and in a slip state in earthquakes at varying intensities. The shaking table test results demonstrated that: (i) the experimental results are consistent with the theoretical results; (ii) the SAF‐TMD is more effective than the PF‐TMD given a similar peak TMD stroke; and (iii) the SAF‐TMD can also prevent a residual TMD stroke in a PF‐TMD system. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An algorithm for the simulation of thermally coupled low speed flow problems
Authors: Ryzhakov Pavel , Rossi Riccardo , Oñate Eugenio
Published: August 2011

In this paper, we propose a computational algorithm for the solution of thermally coupled flows in subsonic regime. The formulation is based upon the compressible Navier–Stokes equations, written in nonconservation form. An efficient modular implementation is obtained by solving the energy equation separately and then using the computed temperature as a known value in the momentum‐continuity system. If an explicit single‐step time integration scheme for the energy equation is used, the decoupling results to be natural.

Integration of the momentum‐continuity system is carried out using a semi‐explicit method, combining Runge–Kutta and Backward Euler schemes for the momentum and continuity equations, respectively. Implicit treatment of pressure leads to favorable time step estimates even in the low Mach number (Ma ≪ 1) regimes. The numerical dissipation introduced by the Backward Euler scheme ensures absence of the spurious high frequencies in the numerical solution.

The key point of the method is the assumption of linear variation of the temperature within a time step. Combined with a fractional splitting of the momentum‐continuity system, it allows to solve the continuity only once per time step. Omitting the necessity of solving for the pressure at every intermediate step of the Runge–Kutta scheme minimizes the computational cost associated to the implicit step and leads to an efficiency close to that of a purely explicit scheme.

The method is tested using two benchmark examples.Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Engineered nanostructural materials for application in cancer biology and medicine
Authors: Mahmood Meena , Casciano Dan , Xu Yang , Biris Alexandru S.
Published: August 2011

Nanotechnology covers a wide variety of fields of research, including chemistry, physics, biology and medicine, with extensive applications in cancer, ranging from accurate, early detection of malignant lesions to minimizing metastasis. Continued development of cancer‐targeted therapy has promising advantages: maximizing the effectiveness of anticancer drugs while decreasing the harmful systemic effects; tumor destruction via heating that takes advantage of magnetic nanoparticles' size, magnetization and biocompatibility; novel drug‐delivery systems; and gene therapy functions to facilitate controlled drug loading and release inside the cytoplasm. These and other nanotechnology applications can contribute essential new knowledge in the fight against cancer. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Heterogeneity of fracture pathogenesis in urban South African children: The birth to twenty cohort
Authors: Thandrayen Kebashni , Norris Shane A , Micklesfield Lisa K , Pettifor John M
Published: August 2011

South African black children fracture less than white children. Differences in bone mass, body composition, and physical activity may be contributing risk factors. This study aimed to investigate the association between fracture prevalence, bone mass, and physical activity in South African children. Using the Bone Health cohort of the Birth to Twenty longitudinal study, we retrospectively obtained information of lifetime fractures until age 15 years in 533 subjects. Whole-body bone mineral content (BMC), bone area (BA), fat mass (FM), and lean mass (LM) (measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry [DXA]), anthropometric data, physical activity scores, and skeletal maturity were obtained at ages 10 and 15 years. Nonfracturing black females were used as the control group and comparisons were made between those who did and did not fracture within the same sex and ethnic groups. Of the 533 subjects, 130 (24%) reported a fracture (black, 15%; white, 41.5%; p < 0.001). White males who fractured were significantly taller (10 years, p < 0.01), more physically active (15 years, p < 0.05) and had higher LM (10 years, p = 0.01; 15 years, p < 0.001), whereas white females who fractured were fatter (10 and 15 years, p = 0.05 and p < 0.05, respectively), than their nonfracturing peers. White males who fractured had greater BA and BMC at all sites at 10 and 15 years compared to their nonfracturing peers after adjusting for differences in height and weight; BA and BMC were similar in each of the other sex and ethnic groups. No anthropometric or bone mass differences were found between black children with and without fractures. The factor associated with fractures in white males appears to be participation in sports activities, while in white females obesity appears to play a role. No contributing factors in black males and females were found, and needs further elucidation. © 2011 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Xanthohumol‐supplemented beer modulates angiogenesis and inflammation in a skin wound healing model. Involvement of local adipocytes
Authors: Negrão Rita , Costa Raquel , Duarte Delfim , Gomes Tiago Taveira , Coelho Pedro , Guimarães João T. , Guardão Luísa , Azevedo Isabel , Soares Raquel
Published: August 2011

Angiogenesis and inflammation are two intermingled processes that play a role in wound healing. Nevertheless, whenever exacerbated, these processes result in nonhealing wounds. Xanthohumol (XN), a beer‐derived polyphenol, inhibits these processes in many physiopathological situations. This study aimed at examining whether XN ingestion affects wound healing. Wistar rats drinking water, 5% ethanol, stout beer (SB) or stout beer supplemented with 10 mg/L XN (Suppl SB) for 4 weeks, were subjected to a 1.5 cm full skin‐thickness longitudinal incision, and further maintained under the same beverage conditions for another week. No differences in beverage consumption or body weight were found throughout the study but food intake decreased in every group relative to controls. Consumption of Suppl SB resulted in decreased serum VEGF levels (18.42%),N‐acetylglucosaminidase activity (27.77%), IL1β concentration (9.07%), and NO released (77.06%), accompanied by a reduced redox state as observed by increased GSH/GSSG ratio (to 198.80%). Also, the number of blood vessels within the wound granulation tissue seems to reduce in animals drinking Suppl SB (23.08%). Interestingly, SB and primarily Suppl SB showed a tendency to increase adipocyte number (to 194.26% and 156.68%, respectively) and reduce adipocyte size (4.60% and 24.64%, respectively) within the granuloma. Liver function and metabolism did not change among the animal groups as analyzed by plasma biochemical parameters, indicating no beverage toxicity. This study shows that XN intake in its natural beer context reduced inflammation, oxidative stress, and angiogenesis, ameliorating the wound healing process, suggesting that this polyphenol may exert beneficial effect as a nutritional supplement. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 100–109, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Broader utilization of origins of DNA replication in cancer cell lines along a 78 kb region of human chromosome 2q34
Authors: Valenzuela Manuel S. , Hu Lan , Lueders John , Walker Robert , Meltzer Paul S.
Published: August 2011

Human DNA replication depends on the activation of thousands of origins distributed within the genome. The actual distribution of origins is not known, nor whether this distribution is unique to a cell type, or if it changes with the proliferative state of the cell. In this study, we have employed a real‐time PCR‐based nascent strand DNA abundance assay, to determine the location of origins along a 78 kb region on Chr2q34. Preliminary studies using nascent DNA strands isolated from either HeLa and normal skin fibroblast cells showed that in both cell lines peaks of high origin activity mapped in similar locations. However, the overall origin profile in HeLa cells corresponded to broad origin activation zones, whereas in fibroblasts a more punctuated profile of origin activation was observed. To investigate the relevance of this differential origin profile, we compared the origin distribution profiles in breast cancer cell lines MDA‐MB‐231, BT‐474, and MCF‐7, to their normal counterpart MCF‐10A. In addition, the CRL7250 cell line was also used as a normal control. Our results validated our earlier observation and showed that the origin profile in normal cell lines exhibited a punctuated pattern, in contrast to broader zone profiles observed in the cancer cell lines. A quantitative analysis of origin peaks revealed that the number of activated origins in cancer cells is statistically larger than that obtained in normal cells, suggesting that the flexibility of origin usage is significantly increased in cancer cells compared to their normal counterparts. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 132–140, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Differential effect of CCL2 on constitutive neutrophil apoptosis between normal and asthmatic subjects
Authors: Yang Eun Ju , Choi Eugene , Ko Jesang , Kim Dong‐Hee , Lee Ji‐Sook , Kim In Sik
Published: August 2011

In this study, we investigated the effects of CCL2 on constitutive apoptosis of normal and asthmatic neutrophils. CCL2 blocked the constitutive apoptosis of normal neutrophils through CCR2. CCL2 also induced elevation of the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration but had no effect on normal neutrophil chemotaxis. Constitutive apoptosis, calcium influx, and cell migration of asthmatic neutrophils were not affected by CCL2 stimulation. Supernatant collected from CCL2‐treated normal neutrophils inhibited the constitutive apoptosis of normal neutrophils. Anti‐apoptotic signaling mediated by CCL2 was found to be associated with the PI3K/Akt/ERK/NF‐κB cascade in normal neutrophils. Both the cleavage of procaspase 3 and procaspase 9 and the decrease of in Mcl‐1 expression were delayed by CCL2 stimulation. Inhibition of NF‐κB blocked constitutive apoptosis of neutrophils from asthmatic patients via inhibition of the cleavage of procaspase 3 and procaspase 9, in contrast to normal neutrophils. NF‐κB was involved in CCL2‐induced anti‐apoptotic signaling in normal neutrophils, whereas NF‐κB functioned as a basal pro‐apoptotic factor in asthmatic neutrophils. A better understanding of the difference in the regulation of neutrophil apoptosis due to CCL2 between normal individuals and asthmatics will enable elucidation of the role of CC chemokine in neutrophils and a framework for understanding the pathogenesis of asthma. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 2567–2577, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mechanism of T‐oligo‐induced cell cycle arrest in Mia‐Paca pancreatic cancer cells
Authors: Rankin Andrew M. , Sarkar Sibaji , Faller Douglas V.
Published: August 2011

DNA oligonucleotides with sequence homology to human telomeric DNA (T‐oligo) induce cell cycle arrest, followed by apoptosis, senescence, or autophagy in a human cancer cell type‐specific manner. T‐oligo has potential as a new therapeutic strategy in oncology because of its ability to target certain types of tumor cells while sparing normal ones. In the present study, we demonstrate the T‐oligo‐induced S‐phase cell cycle arrest in four pancreatic cancer cell lines. To further contribute to the mechanistic understanding of T‐oligo, we also identify cyclin dependent kinase 2 (cdk2) as a functional mediator in the T‐oligo‐induced cell cycle arrest of pancreatic cancer cells. Ectopic expression of a constitutively active cdk2 mutant abrogates T‐oligo‐induced cell cycle arrest in these tumor cells while knockdown of cdk2 expression alone recapitulates the T‐oligo effect. Finally, we demonstrate the dispensability of T‐oligo‐induced ATM/ATR‐mediated DNA damage response‐signaling pathways, which have long been considered functional in the T‐oligo signaling mechanism. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 2586–2594, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ytterbium(III) triflate: An efficient and simple catalyst for isomerization of 2′‐hydroxychalcone and 2′‐aminochalcones in ionic liquid
Authors: Rao V. Kameswara , Rao M. Sudershan , Kumar Anil
Published: August 2011

Isomerization of 2′‐hydroxychalcone and 2′‐aminochalcone have been investigated using ytterbium(III) trifluromethanesulfonate {Yb(OTf)3} (30 mol %) as Lewis acid catalyst in [bmim][BF4] ionic liquid. The effect of different metal triflates as Lewis acid, catalyst loading and reaction media was studied for this isomerization reaction. Advantages of the methodology include short reaction time, excellent yields, catalytic use of Lewis acid, and recovery and reuse of the catalyst. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2011).