bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dendralenes Branch Out: Cross‐Conjugated Oligoenes Allow the Rapid Generation of Molecular Complexity
Authors: Hopf Henning , Sherburn Michael S.
Published: February 2012

Twenty‐seven years ago, H. Hopf published the only previous comprehensive review on branched oligoenes that had the title “Dendralenes: A Neglected Family of Hydrocarbons”. The dendralenes are no longer neglected. Research into the synthesis, properties, and applications of dendralenes is rapidly gaining momentum and this Review summarizes important recent findings. From significant fundamental properties (the first demonstration of alternating behavior since the annulenes) through to unparalleled complexity‐generating synthetic transformations, this fundamental oligoene family is coming of age. Effective synthetic approaches to cyclic and acyclic dendralene systems are analyzed and classified. The most powerful synthetic transformations of the dendralenes, diene‐transmissive Diels–Alder reactions, are surveyed in detail.
Soft sensing and optimization of pesticide waste incinerator
Authors: Yan Zhengbing , Liu Xinggao
Published: February 2012

Three soft sensor models [radial basis function (RBF), support vector machine (SVM), and independent component analysis–support vector machine (ICA–SVM)] are developed to infer the Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) of the quench water produced from the pesticide waste incinerator, respectively. An optimization model of COD is further proposed based on the aforementioned soft sensor models. Furthermore, chaos genetic algorithm is introduced to solve the optimization model. The procedure is demonstrated and discussed with the practical industrial cases, where the mean relative error of the proposed ICA–SVM model for COD prediction is 0.16%, and the mean COD of the practical factory is decreased from original 1140 mg/L to current 393 mg/L, decreasing 65.53%, with the proposed optimal soft sensing approach. © 2012 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intercalative polymerization of L‐lactide with organically modified clay by a reactive extrusion method and instrumental analyses of the poly(lactic acid)/clay nanocomposites
Authors: Nishida Masakazu , Tanaka Toshiyuki , Yamaguchi Tomohiro , Suzuki Kenzi , Kanematsu Wataru
Published: February 2012

Using a reactive extrusion‐molding process, we produced poly(lactic acid) (PLA) nanocomposites from L‐lactide monomer in the presence of organic montmorillonites. On the basis of X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy analyses, we determined that the intercalation of the PLA between the clay layers in the mixing process, followed by disappearance of agglomeration, proceeded in the extrusion process. Although only a slight change in the chemical shifts in cross‐polarization/magic angle spinning 13C‐NMR was observed with the addition of the organic clay, the presence of the additive and the organic content of the nanocomposites affected the nuclear magnetic relaxation times [the 1H spin‐lattice relaxation time (T1H) and the 13C spin‐lattice relaxation time (T1C)] for different temperatures. The nanoclay suppressed increases in T1H at elevated temperatures and extended T1C values of C=O and CH around room temperature. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Rapid synthesis of poly(p‐dioxanone)/montmorillonite nanocomposites under microwave irradiation
Authors: Wang Xiu‐Li , Li Ying , Li Bo , Wang Yu‐Zhong
Published: February 2012

A rapid and “green” synthesis of poly(p‐dioxanone) (PPDO)/montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposites was carried out smoothly and effectively nder constant microwave powers of 30, 60, 90, and 120 W in a microwave oven at a frequency of 2.45 GHz. The temperature of polymerization was in the range 103–224°C. PPDO, with a viscosity‐average molecular weight of 111,000 g/mol and a conversion of 85%, was obtained at 60 W for 10 min, in which the ratio of p‐dioxanone to AlEt3 was 300/1 (mol/mol). The intercalated structure of PPDO/MMT nanocomposites was confirmed by X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Thermogravimetry data showed that the thermal stability of the nanocomposites prepared under microwave irradiation was improved with respect to those prepared via conventional heating. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Effects of processing sequence on clay dispersion, phase morphology, and thermal and rheological behaviors of PA6‐HDPE‐clay nanocomposites
Authors: Zhang Mingqian , Lin Bin , Sundararaj Uttandaraman
Published: February 2012

Effects of processing sequence on the clay dispersion, phase morphology, and thermal and rheological properties of PA6‐HDPE‐clay nanocomposites are investigated in this study. It has been found that the processing sequence plays a key role in the clay dispersion and phase morphology of the PA6‐HDPE‐clay nanocomposites. When PA6 is extruded with clay first, either in the absence or presence of HDPE, a continuous PA6 phase domain forms with exfoliated clay platelets that seem to have strong interaction with the dispersed HDPE droplets, leading to a favorable phase morphology. When HDPE is extruded with clay in the first extrusion, nonpolar HDPE molecules are sheared into the clay interlayers and form HDPE intercalated clay, and the HDPE‐clay aggregates do not have strong interactions with PA6 in the second extrusion, resulting in a phase morphology of large HDPE particles of hundreds of microns in size dispersed in PA6 phase. The DSC results indicate strong interaction between the polymers and clay; in particular, it is shown there is stabilization of γ‐form crystals by the compatibilizer (PEMA). Rheological characterization indicates that the PA6‐HDPE‐clay nanocomposites exhibit significantly high storage and complex viscosity in the entire frequency range, and the loss modulus of the nanocomposites that have an exfoliated clay dispersion is lower than that of PA6 at high frequency. The results of this study suggest two types of microstructures of the PA6‐HDPE‐clay nanocomposites are possible using different processing sequences. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Effect of amine‐terminated butadiene‐acrylonitrile/clay combinations on the structure and properties of epoxy nanocomposites
Authors: Kelnar Ivan , Rotrekl Jakub , Kaprálková Ludmila , Hromádková Jiřina , Strachota Adam
Published: February 2012

The effect of the clay content and the method of its combination with amine‐terminated butadiene‐acrylonitrile (ATBN) on the structure and behavior of epoxy was studied. In the case of the simultaneous addition of both components, the increasing clay content had a very small effect on the size of the reaction‐induced phase separation‐formed particles at 5% rubber content due to predominant elimination of two major clay effects, i.e., the nucleation due to phase separation and the kinetics. As a result, both the time window between the onset of phase separation and vitrification and the viscosity at the cloud point did not change significantly. The minor change in the particle size/clay content dependences with different curing temperatures indicates that the balance between the two clay effects shifted. The corresponding study of the mechanical behavior indicated that the best balanced mechanical properties were obtained at certain clay/ATBN ratios, and thus, there was synergy between the components. Similar mechanical parameters were obtained for the application of both components in the form of ATBN/montmorillonite intercalate. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Inexpensive and safe DNA gel electrophoresis using household materials
Authors: Ens S. , Olson A. B. , Dudley C. , Ross N. D. , Siddiqi A. A. , Umoh K. M. , Schneegurt M. A.
Published: February 2012

Gel electrophoresis is the single most important molecular biology technique and it is central to life sciences research, but it is often too expensive for the secondary science classroom or homeschoolers. A simple safe low‐cost procedure is described here that uses household materials to construct and run DNA gel electrophoresis. Plastic containers are fitted with aluminum foil electrodes and 9‐V batteries to run food‐grade agar‐agar gels using aquarium pH buffers and then stained with gentian violet. This activity was tested in a high school biology classroom with significantly positive responses on postactivity reflective surveys. The electrophoresis activity addresses several Life Science Content Standard C criteria, including aspects of cell biology, genetics, and evolution. It also can be used to teach aspects of motion and force in the physical science classroom.
A modified LC‐MS/MS method for determination of tetramethylpyrazine in microdialysis samples and calibration of home‐made linear probes
Authors: Han Jin‐Zhao , Sun Jun , Zhu Quan‐Gang , Liu Ji‐Yong , Hu Jin‐Hong , Chen Fang
Published: February 2012

Tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) is one of the most important active ingredients of a Chinese herb Ligusticum wallichii Franchat, which is widely used for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Several factors may affect TMP exposure after topical administration, resulting in large variability and demanding further elucidation of drug distribution. This paper describes a new efficient reliable LC‐MS/MS assay for the determination of TMP in dermal microdialysate, where TMP was separated on an Agilent C18 column (3.5 µm, 100 mm × 2.1 mm i.d.) using a mixture of methanol, water and acetic acid (50:50:0.6, v/v/v) at a flow‐rate of 0.3 mL/min. The retention time was 1.89 min for TMP and 1.17 min for the internal standard (caffeine). Histological analysis confirmed an inflammatory response to the microdialysis probes and the presence of a collagen capsule. The membrane extraction efficiency (percentage delivered to the tissue space) for TMP was not altered through the implant lifetime. The validation and sample analysis results showed that the method is precise, accurate and well suited to support dermal microdialysis experiments. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development and validation of liquid chromatography–mass spectrometric method for simultaneous determination of moxifloxacin and ketorolac in rat plasma: application to pharmacokinetic study
Authors: Raju B. , Ramesh M. , Borkar Roshan M. , Padiya Raju , Banerjee Sanjay K. , Srinivas R.
Published: February 2012

A highly sensitive, selective and rapid liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC‐MS) method has been developed and validated for simultaneous determination of moxifloxacin (MFX) and ketorolac (KTC) in rat plasma. Gemifloxacin (GFX) was used as an internal standard (IS). A simple protein precipitation method was used for the extraction of analytes from rat plasma. Effective chromatographic separation of MFX, KTC and GFX was achieved on a Kromasil C18 column (100 × 4.6 mm, 5 µm) using a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile–10 mm ammonium acetate (pH 2.5)–0.1% formic acid (50:25:25) in an isocratic elution, followed by detection with positive ion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry using target ions of [M + H]+ at m/z 402 for MFX, m/z 256 for KTC and m/z 390 for GFX in selective ion recording mode. The method was validated over the calibration range of 5–100 ng/mL for MFX and 10–6000 ng/mL for KTC. The method demonstrated good performances in terms of intra‐ and inter‐day precision (0.97–5.33%) and accuracy (93.91–101.58%) for both MFX and KTC, including lower and upper limits of quantification. The recoveries from spiked control samples were >75% for MFX and >79% for KTC. The matrix effect was found to be negligible and the stability data were within acceptable limits. Further, the method was also successfully applied to a single‐dose pharmacokinetic study in rats. This method can be extended to measure plasma concentrations of both drugs in human to understand drug interaction and adverse effects. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Environmentalism at home: The process of ecological resocialization by teenagers
Authors: Gentina Elodie , Muratore Isabelle
Published: February 2012

Both family decision making and consumer socialization studies have been focused largely on the influence of parents on children. However, because family communication is not unidirectional, studying teenagers' influence on their parents can provide a fuller understanding of consumers' resocialization processes. This study reports on 26 depth interviews conducted with teenagers and their mothers, designed to investigate how parental styles and frequency of communication between a teenager and parent affect parental ecological resocialization. Parental styles and the frequency of communication both have notable impacts on teenagers' influence on their mothers' pro‐environmental behaviors. Moreover, whereas bilateral strategies (bargaining and reasoning) are the most effective strategies used with warmer mothers, unilateral strategies (persuasion and nagging) are the least effective strategies used with cooler mothers.

Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dimeric Calixarenes: A New Family of Major‐Groove Binders
Authors: Hu Wenbin , Blecking Caroline , Kralj Marijeta , Šuman Lidija , Piantanida Ivo , Schrader Thomas
Published: February 2012

A new class of potent DNA binding agents is presented. Dimeric calix[4]arenes with cationic groups at their upper rims and flexible alkyl bridges can be synthesized from triply acyl‐protected calix[4]arene tetramines in relatively short synthetic sequences (3–5 steps). The compounds attach themselves to double‐stranded nucleic acids in a noncovalent fashion, with micro‐ to nanomolar affinities. Guanidinium headgroups with their extended hydrogen‐bonding “fingers” are more powerful than ammonium groups, and the benzylamine series is superior to the anilinium series (see below). The new ligands easily distinguish between RNA and various DNA types, and produce characteristic changes in UV/Vis, fluorescence, CD, as well as NMR spectra. Especially extended oligonucleotides of more than 100 base pairs are bound with affinities increasing from RNA (10 μMKd)<AT‐rich (1 μM)<GC‐rich DNA double strands (100–10 nM). Ethidium bromide displacement studies confirm this order. CE50values are remarkably low (1–4 μM), and are more than 300 times lower than that of spermine, which is a typical backbone binder. Stoichiometries are rather high (one calixarene dimer per two BP), suggesting a potential aggregation of bound ligands inside the major groove. Most UV/Vis melting curves display an inverted shape, and start from drastically enhanced absorption intensities for the DNA complexes. DAPI displacement studies prove that up to one equivalent of calixarene dimer can be accommodated in the dye‐loaded DNA. RNA complexation by calixarene dimers is accompanied by a drastic CD spectral transition from the typical A‐form to a perfect B‐signature, providing further experimental evidence for major‐groove binding. The orientation of the ligands can be deduced from NMR titrations and is reproduced in Monte‐Carlo simulations on 1:1 complexes in water.
Unraveling Complex Small‐Molecule Binding Mechanisms by Using Simple NMR Spectroscopy
Authors: Quinternet Marc , Starck Jean‐Philippe , Delsuc Marc‐André , Kieffer Bruno
Published: February 2012

Heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy provides a unique way to obtain site‐specific information about protein–ligand interactions. Usually, such studies rely on the availability of isotopically labeled proteins, thereby allowing both editing of the spectra and ligand signals to be filtered out. Herein, we report that the use of the methyl SOFAST correlation experiment enables the determination of site‐specific equilibrium binding constants by using unlabeled proteins. By using the binding of L‐ and D‐tryptophan to serum albumin as a test case, we determined very accurate dissociation constants for both the high‐ and low‐affinity sites present at the protein surface. The values of site‐specific dissociation constants were closer to those obtained by isothermal titration calorimetry than those obtained from ligand‐observed methods, such as saturation transfer difference. The possibility of measuring ligand binding to serum albumin at physiological concentrations with unlabeled proteins may open up new perspectives in the field of drug discovery.
Alternative Reaction Pathways in Domino Reactions of Hydrazinediidozirconium Complexes with Alkynes
Authors: Gehrmann Thorsten , Scholl Solveig A. , Fillol Julio Lloret , Wadepohl Hubert , Gade Lutz H.
Published: February 2012

Reaction of [Zr{(NAr)2Npy}(NMe2)2] (Ar=3,5‐xylyl: 2 a, mesityl: 2 b) with one or two molar equivalents of 1,1‐diphenylhydrazine gave the mixed amido/hydrazido(1−) complex [Zr{(NMes)2Npy}(HNNPh2)(NMe2)] (3), the bis‐hydrazido complex [Zr{(NMes)2Npy}(HNNPh2)2] (4), and, in the presence of excess 4‐dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP), hexacoordinate hydrazinediidozirconium complexes [Zr{(NXyl)2Npy}(NN(Me)Ph)(dmap)2] (5) and [Zr{(NXyl)2Npy}(NNPh2)(dmap)2] (6). The reaction of one equivalent of the zirconium–hydrazinediide [Zr{(NTBS)2Npy}(NNPh2)(py)] (1) with disubstituted alkynes at RT for 16 h led to the formation of seven‐membered diazazirconacycles 7 a–7 e in high yields. Similar reactivity was observed by reacting bis‐amido complex 2 b with one molar equivalent of the corresponding alkyne and diphenylhydrazine. The formation of the seven‐membered zirconacycles implied a key coupling step that involved the alkyne and one of the aryl rings of the diphenylhydrazinediido ligand. In some cases, such as the reaction with 2‐butyne, the corresponding metallacycle was only obtained in modest yields (45 % for the reaction with 2‐butyne) and a second major product, vinylimido complex 9, was formed in almost equal amounts (42 %) by 1,2‐amination (formal insertion of the alkyne). The formation of compounds 7 a and 9 followed in part the same sequence of reaction steps and a key intermediate, an azirinido complex, represented a “bifurcation point” in the reaction network. Reaction of 1.2 equivalents of several diarylhydrazines and various substituted alkynes (1 equiv) at ambient temperature (or at 80 °C) in the presence of 10 mol % [Zr{(NXyl)2Npy}(NMe2)2] (2 a) gave the corresponding indole derivatives. On the other hand, the replacement of 1,1‐diarylhydrazines by 1‐methyl‐1‐phenyl hydrazine led to head‐to‐head cis‐1,3‐enynes in good yields.
Enantioselective disposition of omeprazole, pantoprazole, and lansoprazole in a same Brazilian subjects group
Authors: Cassiano Neila M. , Oliveira Regina V. , Bernasconi Gilberto C.R. , Cass Quezia B.
Published: February 2012

This work reports the result of the enantioselective disposition of pantoprazole, omeprazole, and lansoprazole in a same group of Brazilian health subjects. Ten nongenotyped healthy subjects were used for this study. Each subject received a single oral dose of 80 mg of pantoprazole, 40 mg of omeprazole, and 30 mg of lansoprazole, and the plasma concentrations of the enantiomers were measured for 8 h postdose. For pantoprazole and omeprazole, among the 10 volunteers investigated, only one volunteer (Subject # 4) presented higher plasma concentrations of the (+)‐enantiomer than those of (−)‐enantiomer. Nevertheless, the area under the concentration–time curve of the (+)‐lansoprazole was higher than those the (−)‐lansoprazole for all subjects. The comparison of proton pump inhibitors' enantiomers disposition from a single group volunteer demonstrated that pantoprazole and omeprazole can be used to differentiate extensive from poor CYP2C19 metabolizer while lansoprazole cannot do it. Chirality, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Simultaneous determination of diastereoisomeric and enantiomeric impurities in (1R, 3R)‐1‐(1,3‐benzodioxol‐5‐yl)‐2‐(chloroacetyl)‐2,3,4,9‐tetrahydro‐1h‐pyrido[3,4‐b]indole‐3‐carboxylic acid methyl ester a key intermediate of tadalafil by chiral high‐performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Yu Lushan , Jin Yiping , Jianzhou  , Ye Chun , Wang Jinzhao , Hu Gongyun , Zeng Su
Published: February 2012

(1R, 3R)‐1‐(1, 3‐Benzodioxol‐5‐yl)‐2‐(chloroacetyl)‐2, 3, 4, 9‐tetrahydro‐1H‐pyrido[3, 4‐b]indole‐3‐carboxylic acid methyl ester ((1R, 3R)‐Cpe) is a key intermediate used in the synthesis of tadalafil, a highly selective phosphodiesterase type‐5 inhibitor. In the present study, a chiral high‐performance liquid chromatography method was developed for the simultaneous determination of diastereoisomeric and enantiomeric impurities in (1R, 3R)‐Cpe. Separation was performed on an Ultron ES‐OVM chiral column (150 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm,) with a guard column at a column temperature of 30°C. The gradient elution used was acetonitrile (solvent A) and water (solvent B), and the following elution program was used at a flow rate of 1 ml/min: 0–5 min (80% B), 5–10 min (80–60% B), 10–12 min (60% B). The detection wavelength was 220 nm. The four isomers of Cpe were baseline separated in 12 min. The results of method validation indicated that the method was specific and sensitive and was suitable for the quality control of diastereoisomeric and enantiomeric impurities in (1R, 3R)‐Cpe. Chirality, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Stereoselective intramolecular cyclization to 4‐(hydroxymethyl)‐3‐(1H‐indolyl)oxazolidin‐2‐ones
Authors: Chiummiento Lucia , Funicello Maria , Tramutola Francesco
Published: February 2012

A simple high‐yield three‐steps route to optically active 4‐hydroxymethyl‐3‐(1H‐indolyl)oxazolidin‐2‐ones from (S)‐glycidol is described. The key intermediates (R)‐oxiran‐2‐ylmethyl 1H‐indol‐4/‐5‐ylcarbamates are obtained in high yields from (S)‐glycidol. These are readily transformed to oxazolidin‐2‐ones, very interesting building blocks in drug synthesis. Chirality, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Spectral Characterization and Antimicrobial Activity of Some Schiff Bases Derived from 4‐Chloro‐2‐aminophenol and Various Salicylaldehyde Derivatives
Authors: Cinarli Adem , Gürbüz Demet , Tavman Aydin , Birteksöz A. Seher
Published: February 2012

A series of N‐(5‐chloro‐2‐hydroxyphenyl)‐(3/4/5‐substituted)‐salicylaldimines (I–XI) were synthesized using appropriate synthetic route. Their structures were characterized by FT‐IR, UV‐Visible, ESI‐MS, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopic techniques and analytical methods. The crystal structure of N‐(5‐chloro‐2‐hydroxyphenyl)‐5‐bromosalicylaldimine (V) was determined by X‐ray diffraction at room temperature. Relationship between the melting points and the structures of the compounds was examined. Antimicrobial activity of the compounds was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis. Antifungal activities were reported for Candida albicans. Schiff bases showed considerable antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, S. epidermidis and C. albicans. N‐(5‐Chloro‐2‐hydroxyphenyl)‐3‐hydroxy‐salicylaldimine (II) has the broadest and highest antimicrobial activity according to the others.
Hydrothermal Preparation, Crystal Structure and Properties of {[ZnTCPP(EtOH)][Zn(en)]2}n(EtOH)2n with a Novel Two‐Dimensional (2‐D) Motif
Authors: Chen Wentong
Published: February 2012

A novel zinc porphyrin, {[ZnTCPP(EtOH)][Zn(en)]2}n(EtOH)2n (1) (TCPP=meso‐tetra(4‐carboxyphenyl)‐porphyrin; EtOH=ethanol; en=ethylenediamine) was obtained via a hydrothermal reaction and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Complex 1 crystallizes in the space group C2/c of the monoclinic system with eight formula units in a cell: a=32.465(4) Å, b=10.527(3) Å, c=31.845(3) Å, β=95.524(6) °, V=10832(4) Å3, C58H57N8O11Zn3, Mr=1238.23, Dc=1.518 g/cm3, S=1.005, µ(Mo Kα) =1.388 mm−1, F(000) =5112, R=0.0650 and wR=0.1574. Complex 1 features a novel 2‐D layered motif. The spectral data of UV‐vis, FT‐IR and fluorescence are reported.
The Chameleon‐Like Nature of Zwitterionic Micelles: The Effect of Ionic Liquid Addition on the Properties of Aqueous Sulfobetaine Micelles
Authors: Rao Vishal Govind , Ghatak Chiranjib , Ghosh Surajit , Mandal Sarthak , Sarkar Nilmoni
Published: February 2012

We used fluorescence probing, ζ potentials, and dynamic light scattering measurements to study the interactions between the zwitterionic surfactant N‐hexadecyl‐N,N‐dimethylammonio‐1‐propanesulfonate (SB‐16) and three ionic liquids (ILs), 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium ethylsulfate ([C2mim][C2SO4]), 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium n‐butylsulfate ([C2mim][C4SO4]), and 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium n‐hexylsulfate ([C2mim][C6SO4]). The three ILs have the same cationic part and their anionic parts differ only in the length of the alkyl chain. The aim of our work is to offer a comparative study and establish the role of the alkyl chain length of the anion of ILs on 1) the incorporation of these anions in the zwitterionic micelles of SB‐16 (selectivity of anions) and 2) the physicochemical properties of aqueous solutions of SB‐16. Results show that, at lower concentrations (i.e. ≤20 mM), the different ILs modify the properties of the aqueous SB‐16 solution in similar manner. All of them bring about a decrease in the critical micelle concentration (CMC) and also in size, and increase the aggregation number of the SB‐16 micelles; these effects are more dramatic when [C2mim][C6SO4] is used as the additive rather than [C2mim][C4SO4] and [C2mim][C2SO4]. It is proposed that, in case of [C2mim][C6SO4], the presence of a hexyl chain on the hexylsulfate ion allows the ion to align itself with the tail part of SB‐16, whereas, in the case of [C2mim][C2SO4], the presence of ethyl chain in the ethylsulfate ion is not sufficient to bring about a similar alignment of the ethylsulfate anion with the tail part of SB‐16. This difference in the location of the anions of the ILs is responsible for the different behavior of the ILs.
Dual Emitting [Yb(5,7ClQ)2(H5,7ClQ)2Cl]: Chemical and Photophysical Properties
Authors: Artizzu Flavia , Quochi Francesco , Saba Michele , Marchiò Luciano , Espa Davide , Serpe Angela , Mura Andrea , Mercuri Maria Laura , Bongiovanni Giovanni , Deplano Paola
Published: February 2012

The anhydrous hepta‐coordinated [Yb(5,7ClQ)2(H5,7ClQ)2Cl] complex bearing two quinolinolato ligands in the lanthanide coordination sphere and two quinolinol ligands in the zwitterionic form as well as one chloride atom, has been synthesized and fully characterized. This compound exhibits dual luminescence in the near infrared (NIR; metal‐centered) and in the visible (ligand‐centered) spectral regions. Ligand emission is strongly influenced by π–π interactions in the crystal packing. Photophysical studies were applied to evaluate the quenching processes affecting the Yb3+ NIR luminescence as well as to highlight the ligand‐to‐metal sensitization mechanism. The ligand‐to‐metal sensitization efficiency parameter was determined to be close to unity, thus showing that the quinolinolato ligand acts as a very efficient antenna funneling energy absorbed from UV and visible light toward Yb3+. Time‐resolved photoluminescence studies and transient absorption experiments clearly demonstrate that the ligand‐to‐metal energy‐transfer process occurs on an ultrafast timescale and involves the triplet states of the ligand. Very similar Yb3+ emission lifetimes near 1 μm are observed for a solution in DMSO (7.85 μs) and for solid‐state crystals (7.10 μs). The unusually short radiative lifetime of 690 μs, which was determined from spectroscopic data from a solution in DMSO, shows that the Yb ion in this complex has a remarkably high radiative strength. A low quantum yield of the NIR luminescence, Φtot=1.4x10−2, was found. The deactivation rate of lanthanide ions through vibrational excitation of CH groups was assessed in the framework of the Förster theory of resonance energy transfer. According to this model, energy transfer to CH groups only partially explains the observed NIR luminescence quenching.
Implementing Multi‐level Governance? The Legal Basis and Implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive for Forestry in Sweden
Authors: Keskitalo E. Carina H. , Pettersson Maria
Published: February 2012

The European Commission Water Framework Directive (WFD) aims to achieve ‘good status’ for all waters by 2015. This study reviews implementation mechanisms with regard to forestry in Sweden, a country with a large proportion of forest land, where forest practices will be important for limiting nutrient and particle runoff that impact the water status. Taking a multi‐level governance perspective, this study reviews the legislative requirements at the EU level, legal and policy implementation at the Swedish level and, finally, local implementation in the forest industry. The study illustrates the national specific interpretation of the WFD as well as the way in which existing practices and measures influence WFD implementation. These include for example the Swedish practice to integrate environmental values in forestry via ‘considerations’, supported also by the use of forest certification measures (a voluntary private sector initiative through which environmental consideration is controlled by third‐party auditors). The study thereby exemplifies the large role of private and overlapping authorities and jurisdictions in Swedish forest‐water governance. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Facile Fabrication of Porous Pd‐Au Bimetallic Nanostructures for Electrocatalysis
Authors: Wang Hui , Ge Xingbo
Published: February 2012

Fabrication of Pd‐Au bimetallic nanostructures is of special significance due to their unique physicochemical properties and broad industrial applications. Here we report a simple route to create a class of Pd‐Au bimetallic nanostructures via chemical plating an ultrathin Pd layer onto nanoporous gold (NPG). The structures and surface properties of the obtained products were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS), high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR‐TEM), UV‐vis spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and electrochemical techniques. Pd was found to grow epitaxially over the NPG surface, forming core‐shell‐type porous nanocomposites. These materials possess some interesting electrochemical behaviors and are highly active toward formic acid electrooxidation.
Bivariate generalized Pareto distribution in practice: models and estimation
Authors: Rakonczai Pál , Zempléni András
Published: February 2012

There is often interest in understanding how the extremely high/low values of different processes are related to each other. One possible way to tackle this problem is via an asymptotic approach, which involves fitting the multivariate generalized Pareto distribution (MGPD) to data that exceed a suitably high threshold. There are two possible definitions of the MGPD. The first, which has classically been used, consider values that jointly exceed the thresholds for all components. The second definition considers those values that exceed a threshold for at least one component. The first definition is widely investigated. So, here, we focus on the second type of definition (MGPD type II). One aim of this paper is to investigate the applicability of classical parametric dependence models within the MGPD type II. Because the set of applicable asymmetric dependence models is more restricted in this framework, a general transformation is proposed for creating asymmetric models from the well‐known symmetric ones. We apply the proposed approach to the exceedances of bivariate wind speed data and outline methods for calculating prediction regions, as well as evaluating goodness‐of‐fit. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A study on the reduction of [Fe(III)‐EDTA]− catalyzed with activated carbon in a fixed‐bed
Authors: Yang Xiao‐Juan , Zhu Hai‐Song , Yang Lin , Long Xiang‐Li , Yuan Wei‐Kang
Published: February 2012

The simultaneous control of SO2/NOX can be realized with the [Fe(II)‐EDTA]2− aqueous solution. However, the [Fe(II)‐EDTA]2− is easily oxidized to [Fe(III)‐EDTA] − by oxygen, which has no ability to bind NO. The reduction of [Fe(III)‐EDTA] − to [Fe(II)‐EDTA]2− is a key to the maintenance of the NO removal efficiency with the [Fe(II)‐EDTA]2− aqueous solution. The reduction of [Fe(III)‐EDTA]− can be accomplished by sulfite produced by SO2 dissolving in the aqueous solution under the catalysis of activated carbon. The experiments were performed in a fixed‐bed reactor to investigate the regeneration of [Fe(II)‐EDTA]2− catalyzed by activated carbon. The influences of [Fe(III)‐EDTA] − and sulfite concentrations, pH, liquid flow, temperature, on [Fe(III)‐EDTA] − catalytic reduction have been tested. The experimental results indicate that the [Fe(III)‐EDTA]− reduction increases with the [Fe(III)‐EDTA]− and sulfite concentrations. Raising the temperature can increase the [Fe(III)‐EDTA] − conversion. The optimal pH range for the reduction of [Fe(III)‐EDTA] − is 5.7–7.5. The apparent activation energy determined from the experimental results is 35.2 ± 0.5 kJ mol−1. The continuous experiment manifests that simultaneous removal of NO and SO2 with the [Fe(II)‐EDTA]2− solution coupled with the Fe(II) regeneration catalyzed by activated carbon can be maintained at a high NO removal efficiency for a long period of time. The kinetic equation of [Fe(III)‐EDTA]‐ reduction by sulfite catalyzed with activated carbon can be described as

urn:x-wiley:19447442:media:ep10636:ep10636-math-0001
© 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 32: 206‐212, 2013
Optimization of physical parameters for batch mode Zn (II) ion removal from liquid phase: A potential biosorption study
Authors: Mishra Vishal , Dalal Shailu , Balomajumder Chandrajit
Published: February 2012

The present investigation has been undertaken for the evaluation of biosorption capacity of zinc sequestering bacteria VMSDCM (Accession Number. HQ108109). The maximum biosorption capacity and percentage removal of Zn (II) ion from liquid phase in batch mode were 0.21 mol g−1 and 100%, respectively, obtained at optimized pH 7, 308 K, adsorbate dose 7 mol L−1, adsorbent dose 1 g L−1, and contact time 8 h. Fourier transformation infrared (FTIR) and scanning electron micrograph (SEM) analyses revealed the fact that the surface of bacterial mass was noncrystalline, amorphous, and enriched with negatively charged viz amino, carboxyl, amide, immidazolic, hydroxyl, and ketonic groups before the metal ion sorption. The bacterial surface became crystalline, smooth without protrusions after the sorption of Zn (II) ion onto surface of bacterium, and the reflectance of FTIR spectrum shifted from original location indicating the involvement of negatively charged surface groups in metal ion binding. The maximum inhibitory concentration (MIC) in the present work was 8 mol l−1 for this bacterium. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 32: 213‐222, 2013
Tailpipe emissions from passenger cars of different models: What are the main influencing factors?
Authors: Al‐Rifai N. , Elmi A. , Khan A.
Published: February 2012

Urban air pollution is considered to be a critical environmental and public health issue, with the transportation sector being a major contributor. This study focuses on tailpipe pollutant emissions from light‐duty vehicles in real driving conditions. Our principle objective was to identify primary factors that affect the emission rates under different driving styles, fuel grade, engine transmission, and checking/maintenance practices. We observed that emission rates were consistently lower with frequent acceleration and deceleration associated with aggressive driving (AD) compared to relaxed driving (RD) style. This indicates that vehicles driven in town (which are typically driven in a relaxed manner) may require more regular maintenance than vehicles driven on motorways (which are typically driven in an aggressive manner). All pollutant emissions were higher in manual transmission vehicles on both urban roads and motorways than in automatic transmission vehicles. The information generated from this research can help establish framework for pollution mitigation efforts, such as inspection and maintenance programs, and in developing traffic pollution management strategies for national use. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 32: 335‐343, 2013
Process and utility water requirements for cellulosic ethanol production processes via fermentation pathway
Authors: Lingaraju Bala P. , Lee Joo‐Youp , Yang Y. Jeffrey
Published: February 2012

In this study, the process and utility water requirements for cellulosic ethanol production via fermentation pathway were assessed on a volume‐to‐volume basis (i.e., gallons of water consumption per gallon of ethanol production) using the data reported in the literature. The water requirements were analyzed for a combination of three feedstocks (i.e., hardwood, corn stover, and switchgrass) and two pretreatment technologies (i.e., dilute acid and ammonia fiber expansion) under different water network configurations aiming for zero wastewater discharge. The results indicate that the process water requirement is significantly dependent on the selection of a pretreatment process and a feedstock, while the effective design and operation of a cooling tower offers an opportunity for saving utility water. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 32: 396‐405, 2013
An investigation of some of the parameters involved in inclined solar distillation systems
Authors: Deniz Emrah
Published: February 2012

There are two main problems of inclined solar water distillation systems. There is not a water film layer enough to facilitate the evaporation of water on the absorber plate, and high temperature of glass cover decreases the amount of condensed water. In this article, an inclined solar water distillation system was designed and tested under actual environmental conditions of Turkey in order to overcome these two main problems. Therefore, with this study, improving of inclined solar water distillation system performance was investigated. The system was tested with four variants: bare plate (BP), shaded bare plate (SBP), black‐cloth wick (BCW), and shaded black‐cloth wick (SBCW). Experimental studies showed that the use of bare cloth wick, shading plate, and both together increase the system efficiency by 3, 2, and 5% respectively. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 32: 350‐354, 2013
NERC matters: NERC enforcement needs improvements
Authors: Carpentier Deborah
Published: February 2012

When the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and its regional entities began enforcing mandatory reliability standards, every potential violation, regardless of the potential risk to the Bulk Power System (BPS), was generally prosecuted. Although many of these violations were assessed zero or nominal penalties, the resources expended in their prosecution were substantially the same as those used for the prosecution of higher‐risk violations, not only by the regional entity, but also by NERC and registered entities.
Fusion of the AHRR and NCOA2 genes through a recurrent translocation t(5;8)(p15;q13) in soft tissue angiofibroma results in upregulation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor target genes
Authors: Jin Yuesheng , Möller Emely , Nord Karolin H. , Mandahl Nils , Von Steyern Fredrik Vult , Domanski Henryk A. , Mariño‐Enríquez Adrian , Magnusson Linda , Nilsson Jenny , Sciot Raf , Fletcher Christopher D. M. , Debiec‐Rychter Maria , Mertens Fredrik
Published: February 2012

Soft tissue angiofibroma is a recently delineated tumor type of unknown cellular origin. Cytogenetic analysis of four cases showed that they shared a t(5;8)(p15;q13). In three of them it was the sole change, underlining its pathogenetic significance. FISH mapping suggested the involvement of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor repressor (AHRR) and nuclear receptor coactivator 2 (NCOA2) genes in 5p15 and 8q13, respectively. RT‐PCR revealed in‐frame AHRR/NCOA2 and NCOA2/AHHR transcripts in all four cases. Interphase FISH on paraffin‐embedded tissue from 10 further cases without cytogenetic data showed that three were positive for fusion of AHRR and NCOA2. While AHRR has never been implicated in gene fusions before, NCOA2 is the 3′‐partner in fusions with MYST3 and ETV6 in leukemias and with PAX3 and HEY1 in sarcomas. As in the previously described fusion proteins, NCOA2 contributes with its two activation domains to the AHRR/NCOA2 chimera, substituting for the repressor domain of AHRR. Because the amino terminal part of the transcription factor AHRR, responsible for the recognition of xenobiotic response elements in target genes and for heterodimerization, shows extensive homology with the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), the fusion is predicted to upregulate the AHR/ARNT signaling pathway. Indeed, global gene expression analysis showed upregulation of CYP1A1 as well as other typical target genes of this pathway, such as those encoding toll‐like receptors. Apart from providing a diagnostic marker for soft tissue angiofibroma, the results also suggest that this tumor constitutes an interesting model for evaluating the cellular effects of AHR signaling. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ventral striatal prediction error signaling is associated with dopamine synthesis capacity and fluid intelligence
Authors: Schlagenhauf Florian , Rapp Michael A. , Huys Quentin J. M. , Beck Anne , Wüstenberg Torsten , Deserno Lorenz , Buchholz Hans‐Georg , Kalbitzer Jan , Buchert Ralph , Bauer Michael , Kienast Thorsten , Cumming Paul , Plotkin Michail , Kumakura Yoshitaka , Grace Anthony A. , Dolan Raymond J. , Heinz Andreas
Published: February 2012

Fluid intelligence represents the capacity for flexible problem solving and rapid behavioral adaptation. Rewards drive flexible behavioral adaptation, in part via a teaching signal expressed as reward prediction errors in the ventral striatum, which has been associated with phasic dopamine release in animal studies. We examined a sample of 28 healthy male adults using multimodal imaging and biological parametric mapping with (1) functional magnetic resonance imaging during a reversal learning task and (2) in a subsample of 17 subjects also with positron emission tomography using 6‐[18F]fluoro‐L‐DOPA to assess dopamine synthesis capacity. Fluid intelligence was measured using a battery of nine standard neuropsychological tests. Ventral striatal BOLD correlates of reward prediction errors were positively correlated with fluid intelligence and, in the right ventral striatum, also inversely correlated with dopamine synthesis capacity (FDOPA K). When exploring aspects of fluid intelligence, we observed that prediction error signaling correlates with complex attention and reasoning. These findings indicate that individual differences in the capacity for flexible problem solving relate to ventral striatal activation during reward‐related learning, which in turn proved to be inversely associated with ventral striatal dopamine synthesis capacity. Hum Brain Mapp, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Specific immunization strategies against oxidized low-density lipoprotein: A novel way to reduce nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in mice
Authors: Bieghs Veerle , van Gorp Patrick J. , Walenbergh Sofie M.A. , Gijbels Marion J. , Verheyen Fons , Buurman Wim A. , Briles David E. , Hofker Marten H. , Binder Christoph J. , Shiri-Sverdlov Ronit
Published: February 2012

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is characterized by hepatic lipid accumulation combined with inflammation, which can ultimately progress into cirrhosis. Recently, we demonstrated that deletion of scavenger receptors (SRs) CD36 and SR-A in hematopoietic cells reduced hepatic inflammation. In addition to uptake of modified lipoproteins, CD36 and SR-A are also involved in other functions that can activate the inflammatory response. Therefore, the actual trigger for SR activation during NASH is unclear. Here, we hypothesized that hepatic inflammation is triggered by recognition of oxidized LDL (oxLDL) by Kupffer cells (KCs). To inhibit recognition of oxLDL by KCs, low-density lipoprotein receptor (
Ldlr

−/−) mice were immunized with heat-inactivated pneumococci, which were shown to induce the production of anti-oxLDL immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies, due to molecular mimicry with oxLDL. The mice received a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet during the last 3 weeks to induce NASH. Immunization with pneumococci increased anti-oxLDL IgM levels and led to a reduction in hepatic inflammation, as shown by reduced macrophage, neutrophil, and T cell infiltration, and reduced gene expression of tumor necrosis factor (
Tnf
), interleukin-6 (
Il-6
), interleukin-1β (
Il-1b
), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (
Mcp1
), and fibrosis-related genes. In immunized mice, KCs were smaller and showed fewer cholesterol crystals compared with nonimmunized mice.

Conclusion:

Antibodies to oxLDL play an important role in the pathogenesis of NASH. Therefore, the potential of phosphorylcholine-based vaccination strategies as a novel tool for the prevention and therapy of NASH should be tested in the future.
Oxidative stress, Nrf2 and keratin up-regulation associate with Mallory-Denk body formation in mouse erythropoietic protoporphyria
Authors: Singla Amika , Moons David S. , Snider Natasha T. , Wagenmaker Elizabeth R. , Jayasundera Bernadene V. , Omary Bishr M.
Published: February 2012

Mallory-Denk bodies (MDBs) are hepatocyte inclusions commonly seen in steatohepatitis. They are induced in mice by feeding 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine (DDC) for 12 weeks, which also causes porphyrin accumulation. Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) is caused by mutations in ferrochelatase (fch), and a fraction of EPP patients develop liver disease that is phenocopied in Fechm1Pas mutant (fch/fch) mice, which have an inactivating fch mutation. fch/fch mice develop spontaneous MDBs, but the molecular factors involved in their formation and whether they relate to DDC-induced MDBs are unknown. We tested the hypothesis that fch mutation creates a molecular milieu that mimics experimental drug-induced MDBs. In 13- and 20-week-old fch/fch mice, serum alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, and bile acids were increased. The 13-week-old fch/fch mice did not develop histologically evident MDBs but manifested biochemical alterations required for MDB formation, including increased transglutaminase-2 and keratin overexpression, with a greater keratin 8 (K8)-to-keratin 18 (K18) ratio, which are critical for drug-induced MDB formation. In 20-week-old fch/fch mice, spontaneous MDBs were readily detected histologically and biochemically. Short-term (3-week) DDC feeding markedly induced MDB formation in 20-week-old fch/fch mice. Under basal conditions, old fch/fch mice had significant alterations in mitochondrial oxidative-stress markers, including increased protein oxidation, decreased proteasomal activity, reduced adenosine triphosphate content, and Nrf2 (redox sensitive transcription factor) up-regulation. Nrf2 knockdown in HepG2 cells down-regulated K8, but not K18. Conclusion: Fch/fch mice develop age-associated spontaneous MDBs, with a marked propensity for rapid MDB formation upon exposure to DDC, and therefore provide a genetic model for MDB formation. Inclusion formation in the fch/fch mice involves oxidative stress which, together with Nrf2-mediated increase in K8, promotes MDB formation. (Hepatology 2012;56:322–331)