bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sesquiterpenoids from the Fruits of Alpinia oxyphylla and Their Anti‐Acetylcholinesterase Activity
Authors: Chen Ping , Wang Pei‐Pei , Jiao Ze‐Zhao , Xiang Lan
Published: March 2014

Fourteen sesquiterpenoids were isolated from the fruits of Alpinia oxyphylla Miq. Their structures were elucidated based on NMR analyses (1H, 13C, DEPT, 1H,1H‐COSY, HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY) and identified as 12‐nornootkaton‐6‐en‐11‐one (3), (+)‐(3S,4aS,5R)‐2,3,4,4a,5,6‐hexahydro‐3‐isopropenyl‐4a,5‐dimethyl‐1,7‐naphthoquinone (5), nootkatene (6), 9β‐hydroxynootkatone (7), 2β‐hydroxy‐δ‐cadinol (8), 4‐isopropyl‐6‐methyl‐1‐tetralone (11), oxyphyllone E (12), oxyphyllone D (13), oxyphyllanene B (15), oxyphyllone A (16), oxyphyllol E (17), (9E)‐humulene‐2,3;6,7‐diepoxide (18), mustakone (20), and pubescone (21). Among them, 3 was a new norsesquiterpenoid, 8 was a new natural product, and 5, 6, 11, 20, 21 were isolated from A. oxyphylla for the first time. Twenty sesquiterpenoids, 1–5 and 7–21, were investigated for their in vitro acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activities, including previously isolated seven sesquiterpenoids from A. oxyphylla, (11S)‐12‐chloronootkaton‐11‐ol (1), (11R)‐12‐chloronootkaton‐11‐ol (2), nootkatone (4), oxyphyllenodiol A (9), oxyphyllenodiol B (10), 7‐epiteucrenone B (14), and alpinenone (19). TLC‐Bioautographic assay indicated that 1–4, 7, 14, 16, 18, 19, and 21 displayed anti‐AChE activities at 10 nmol. Microplate assay confirmed that 19, 18, 16, and 21 displayed moderate‐to‐weak anti‐AChE activities at the concentration of 100 μM, and 19 was the most potent inhibitor with an IC50 value of 81.6±3.5 μM. The presence of anti‐AChE sesquiterpenoids in A. oxyphylla may partially support the traditional use of this fruit for the treatment of dementia.
Iodine‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Spiro[1,3,4‐benzotriazepine‐2,3′‐indole]‐2′,5(1H,1′H)‐diones under Mild Conditions
Authors: Alizadeh Abdolali , Mokhtari Javad
Published: March 2014

The I2‐catalyzed preparation of spiro[1,3,4‐benzotriazepine‐2,3′‐indole]‐2′,5(1H,1′H)‐diones from 2‐aminobenzohydrazide and isatins in MeCN at room temperature in good‐to‐excellent yields is described. The structure of 3 was corroborated spectroscopically (IR, 1H‐ and 13C‐NMR, and EI‐MS data). A plausible mechanism for this type of reaction is proposed (Scheme 2).
Catalytic Performance of Polystyrene‐Bound ChibaG Derivatives as Guanidine Organobases in Asymmetric Michael Additions
Authors: Ishikawa Tsutomu , Heima Takashi , Yoshida Makoto , Kumamoto Takuya
Published: March 2014

The guanidine organocatalyst, ChibaG, was bound via an ether linkage to the phenyl group of the 2‐imino substituent to Merrifield resin. Polystyrene‐bound ChibaG acted as an effective catalyst in the Michael reaction of tert‐butyl N‐(diphenylmethylidene)glycinate with methyl vinyl ketone, and could be recovered and reused many times.
First Total Synthesis of N‐(3‐Guanidinopropyl)‐2‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐2‐oxoacetamide
Authors: More Satish S. , Raghunadh Akula , Shankar Ramanathan , Patel Navin B. , Bhalerao Dinesh S. , Syam Kumar Unniaran K.
Published: March 2014

The first total synthesis of the α‐oxo amide‐based natural product, N‐(3‐guanidinopropyl)‐2‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐2‐oxoacetamide (3), isolated from aqueous extracts of hydroid Campanularia sp., has been achieved. The α‐oxo amide 12, prepared via the oxidative amidation of 1‐[4‐(benzyloxy)phenyl]‐2,2‐dibromoethanone (9a) with 4‐{[(tert‐butyl)(dimethyl)silyl]oxy}butan‐1‐amine (10a), has been used as the key intermediate in the total synthesis of 3 as HBr salt. On the way, an expeditious total synthesis of polyandrocarpamide C (2c), isolated from marine ascidian Polyandrocarpa sp., was carried out in four steps.
New Isoprenylated Aurones from the Flowers of Rosa damascena
Authors: Li Yin‐Ke , Sun Ji‐Qing , Gao Xue‐Mei , Lei Chun
Published: March 2014

A phytochemical investigation of the flowers of Rosa damascena resulted in the isolation of three new isoprenylated aurones, damaurones C–E (1–3, resp.), together with six known compounds, 4–9. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including extensive 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR experiments.
Chemical Constituents of the Endophytic Fungus Phomopsis sp. A240 Isolated from Taxus chinensis var. mairei
Authors: Tao Mei‐Hua , Chen Yu‐Chan , Wei Xiao‐Yi , Tan Jian‐Wen , Zhang Wei‐Min
Published: March 2014

A new sesquiterpene, eremophil‐9‐ene‐11,12,13‐triol (1), a new oxazole, 4‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐5‐methyloxazole (2), and the two known lactones, 5′‐hydroxyalternariol (3) and alternariol (4), were isolated from the extract of Phomopsis sp. A240, an endophytic fungus isolated from the bark of Taxus chinensis var. mairei. The structures of the isolated compounds were determined by analyses of their spectroscopic data, as well as by comparison with literature reports. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic and antioxidant activities.
Direct Esterification of Aromatic Aldehydes with Tetraphenylphosphonium Bromide under Oxidative N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Catalysis
Authors: Ramanjaneyulu Bandaru T. , Pareek Manish , Reddy Virsinha , Vijaya Anand R.
Published: March 2014

An unconventional reagent, tetraphenylphosphonium bromide, was employed as a phenyl source in the direct transformation of aromatic aldehydes to the corresponding phenyl esters under oxidative N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalysis. The phenyl esters were obtained in moderate yields under mild and organocatalytic conditions.
An Approach to the Synthesis of 7‐Amino‐6‐imino‐9‐phenyl‐6H‐benzo[c]chromene‐8‐carbonitrile Derivatives via a Three‐Component Reaction under Ultrasonic Irradiation
Authors: Alizadeh Abdolali , Sedighian Hadi , Ghanbaripour Rashid
Published: March 2014

An efficient synthesis of 7‐amino‐6‐imino‐9‐phenyl‐6H‐benzo[c]chromene‐8‐carbonitrile derivatives 3 by a three‐component reaction of salicylaldehydes (=2‐hydroxybenzaldehydes) 1, malononitrile (=propanedinitrile), and 2‐(1‐arylethylidene)malononitrile 2 under ultrasonic irradiation in EtOH is reported. Good yields, short reaction times, and easy purification are the main advantages of the present method. The structures were confirmed spectroscopically (IR, 1H‐ and 13C‐NMR, and EI‐MS) and by elemental analyses. A plausible mechanism for this reaction is proposed (Scheme 2).
DISLOCATIONS IN THE WON‐DOLLAR SWAP MARKETS DURING THE CRISIS OF 2007–2009
Authors: Baba Naohiko , Shim Ilhyock
Published: March 2014

We analyse dislocations in the foreign exchange swap and cross‐currency swap markets between Korean won and US dollar from 2007 to 2009. A regime‐switching analysis of deviations from covered interest parity (CIP) identifies a crisis period starting in June 2007. Using an EGARCH model, we find that volatility index and the credit default swap spreads of Korean and US banks are the main factors explaining CIP deviations. We show that the Bank of Korea's US dollar loans of the proceeds of swaps with the US Federal Reserve were effective in reducing CIP deviations, whereas the provision of funds using its foreign reserves was not. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
LONG‐RUN DETERMINANTS OF THE BRAZILIAN REAL: A CLOSER LOOK AT COMMODITIES
Authors: Kohlscheen Emanuel
Published: March 2014

We use cointegration analysis to show that the long‐run behaviour of the Brazilian Real effective exchange rate between January 1999 and September 2012 can largely be explained by the price variation of a basket of five commodities—that accounted for 51% of Brazilian export revenues in 2011. We estimate that a 10% variation in the real price of these five commodities moves the fundamental long‐run real exchange rate by almost 5%. Changes in interest rate differentials do not explain short or long term movements in the exchange rate during this period. Furthermore, we find that deviations of the real effective exchange rate from the long run equilibrium level have an estimated half‐life of approximately 8 months. The growing exports of oil and fuel and of iron ores, as well as the important oil discoveries in the pre‐salt layer, suggest that commodity prices will continue to influence the value of the Real in the future. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ESTIMATING LIQUIDITY RISK USING THE EXPOSURE‐BASED CASH‐FLOW‐AT‐RISK APPROACH: AN APPLICATION TO THE UK BANKING SECTOR
Authors: Yan Meilan , Hall Maximilian J. B. , Turner Paul
Published: March 2014

This paper uses a relatively new quantitative model for estimating UK banks' liquidity risk. The model is called the exposure‐based cash‐flow‐at‐risk (CFaR) model, which not only measures a bank's liquidity risk tolerance but also helps to improve liquidity risk management through the provision of additional risk exposure information. Using data for the period 1997–2010, we provide evidence that there is variable funding pressure across the UK banking industry, which is forecasted to be slightly illiquid with a small amount of expected cash outflow (i.e. £0.06 billion) in 2011. In our sample of the six biggest UK banks, only the HSBC maintains positive CFaR with 95% confidence, which means that there is only a 5% chance that HSBC's cash flow will drop below £0.67 billion by the end of 2011. RBS is expected to face the largest liquidity risk with a 5% chance that the bank will face a cash outflow that year in excess of £40.29 billion. Our estimates also suggest Lloyds TSB's cash flow is the most volatile of the six biggest UK banks, because it has the biggest deviation between its downside cash flow (i.e. CFaR) and expected cash flow. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Introduction to the Special Section: The effectiveness of fear appeals in health promotion
Authors: Kok Gerjo
Published: March 2014

Video Abstract
1‐(5‐(R‐Amino)‐1,2,4‐thiadiazol‐3‐yl)propan‐2‐ones: Convenient Ketomethylenic Reagents for the Gewald and Dimroth Reactions
Authors: Pokhodylo Nazariy T. , Shyyka Olga Ya.
Published: March 2014

1‐(5‐(R‐Amino)‐1,2,4‐thiadiazol‐3‐yl)propan‐2‐ones were used as activated ketomethylenic compounds for the Gewald and Dimroth reactions. It was found out that they exhibited high reactivity in such anion reactions for the construction of the 1,2,3‐triazole and thiophene frameworks. The target 1,2,3‐triazoles and thiophenes were obtained in high yields in minimum time.
Facile Synthesis and Structural Characterization by NMR, ESI–MS/MS and DFT Calculations of New (E)‐6‐[2‐Ferrocenylalkylidenehydrazino]nicotinic Hydrazides and Their (E)‐Ferrocenyl‐pyrazolyl‐pyridine Heterocyclic System
Authors: Porte Liliane M. F. , Paim Gisele R. , Schwanz Thiago G. , Meyer Alexandre R. , Bonacorso Helio G. , Martins Marcos A. P. , Zanatta Nilo
Published: March 2014

This paper reports a facile and convenient access by a conventional thermal procedure in ethanol as solvent to a new examples of (E)‐6‐[2‐ferrocenylalkylidenehydrazino]nicotinic hydrazides (3) (53–72%) from the quimioselective reactions of 6‐hydrazinonicotinc hydrazide (1) with acylferrocenes (2), where acyl = formyl and acetyl. Subsequently, cyclocondensation reactions of ferrocenylalkylidene hydrazones (3) with 4‐R1‐4‐alkoxy‐1,1,1‐trifluoroalk‐3‐en‐2‐ones (4), where R1 = Me, Ph, 2‐Furyl, to obtain new six heterocyclic derivatives as (E)‐pyrazolyl‐pyridinohydrazones (5) (58–63%), are also presented. The structures of these new heterocyclic compounds 5 containing an organometallic unit were characterized and studied by NMR, ESI–MS/MS techniques. DFT calculations were also employed to assign the E configuration for compounds 3 and 5.
Australian multi‐center experience outside of the Sydney Melanoma Unit of isolated limb infusion chemotherapy for melanoma
Authors: Coventry Brendon J. , Kroon Hidde M. , Giles Mitchell H. , Henderson Michael , Speakman David , Wall Mark , Barbour Andrew , Serpell Jonathan , Paddle Paul , Coventry Alexander G.J. , Sullivan Thomas , Smithers B. Mark
Published: March 2014

Introduction

Isolated limb infusion (ILI) is a minimally invasive alternative to isolated limb perfusion (ILP) for delivering high‐dose regional chemotherapy to treat locally advanced limb melanoma. The current study aimed to evaluate the applicability of ILI in four Australian tertiary referral centers outside of its originating institution, the Sydney Melanoma Unit (SMU; currently known as the Melanoma Institute Australia).

Methods

Data of 131 patients, treated between 1992 and 2008 were collectively analyzed. The ILI procedures were based on the Sydney Melanoma Unit protocol using melphalan. Response was determined using the WHO criteria and toxicity was assessed using the Wieberdink scale.

Results

The median patient age was 74 years (range 28–100). Fifty‐six percent were female. Overall response (OR) rate to ILI was 63% (CR 27%; PR 36%). Wieberdink toxicity grade III or higher was seen in 13%. No toxicity‐related amputations occurred. Median follow‐up was 24 months; median survival was 58 months. In patients with a complete response (CR), median survival was 101 months; in patients with a partial response (PR) this was 41 months (P = 0.026). On univariate analysis a younger age, lower‐limb procedures and a lower Breslow thickness of the primary melanoma were associated with a favorable response. On multivariate analysis Breslow thickness and lower‐limb ILI remained significant predictors for response.

Conclusion

In this, to date, largest multi‐center study of ILI for melanoma the results are comparable to other reports and demonstrate that ILI can be widely implemented and safely applied across tertiary referral centers.J. Surg. Oncol. 2014 109:780–785. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Supercoiled plasmid DNA purification by integrating membrane technology with a monolithic chromatography
Authors: Nunes Catherine , Sousa Ângela , Nunes José C. , Morão António M. , Sousa Fani , Queiroz João A.
Published: March 2014

The present study describes the integration of membrane technology with monolithic chromatography to obtain plasmid DNA with high quality. Isolation and clarification of plasmid DNA lysate were first conducted by a microfiltration step, by using a hydrophilic nylon microfiltration membrane, avoiding the need of centrifugation. For the total elimination of the remaining impurities, a suitable purification step is required. Monolithic stationary phases have been successfully applied as an alternative to conventional supports. Thus, the sample recovered from the membrane process was applied into a nongrafted CarbonylDiImidazole disk. Throughout the global procedure, a reduced level of impurities such as proteins and RNA was obtained, and no genomic DNA was detectable in the plasmid DNA sample. The chromatographic process demonstrated an efficient performance on supercoiled plasmid DNA purity and recovery (100 and 84.44%, respectively). Thereby, combining the membrane technology to eliminate some impurities from lysate sample with an efficient chromatographic strategy to purify the supercoiled plasmid DNA arises as a powerful approach for industrial‐scale systems aiming at plasmid DNA purification.
Stabilization of Nanoparticles Synthesized by Miniemulsion Polymerization Using “Green” Amino‐Acid Based Surfactants
Authors: Baier Grit , Baki Abdulkader , Tomcin Stephanie , Mailänder Volker , Alexandrino Evandro , Wurm Frederik , Landfester Katharina
Published: March 2014

In this study biocompatible amino‐acid based surfactants were used for the stabilization of polystyrene (PS), poly(L‐lactide) (PLLA) and polyphosphate (PP) nanoparticles (NPs). The formation of the nanoparticles was achieved either by radical polymerization in miniemulsion for polystyrene nanoparticles or by using a combination of solvent evaporation and miniemulsion approach for poly(L‐lactide) or polyphosphate nanoparticles. The influence of the three different amino‐acid based surfactants, which were used with different amounts, on the NPs' stability, size, size distribution, zeta potential, morphology and surface tension is discussed. Cell experiments with HeLa cells were performed for the determination of the toxicity. For comparison, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) stabilized NPs were synthesized, and all results obtained from the amino‐acid based surfactant stabilized NPs were compared and discussed with the SDS stabilized NPs.
Synthesis of Different Mesoporous SiO2 Structures by Using PNIPAM‐co‐PS Particles as Templates
Authors: Frank Hendrik , Ziener Ulrich , Landfester Katharina
Published: March 2014

Different mesoporous SiO2 structures were synthesized by a novel process in which poly(N‐isopropyl acrylamide)‐co‐polystyrene (PNIPAM‐co‐PS) copolymer particles with 10 and 35 wt% styrene, respectively, acted as templates. The copolymer particles were prepared by direct miniemulsion polymerization and subsequently assembled by sedimentation‐aggregation with the silica precursor tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS). After a sol‐gel process the polymeric cores were removed by calcination at 650 °C. The influence of temperature of the sol‐gel process on the morphology of the mesoporous silica was investigated. Choosing the temperature below or above the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the copolymer allows fine‐tuning of the pore size and pore distribution.
Cytotoxicity and Antioxidant Activity of Beta vulgaris Extract Released from Grafted Carbon Nanotubes Based Nanocomposites
Authors: Haroun Ahmed A. , Taie Hanan A.A.
Published: March 2014

This work deals with preparation and characterization of novel grafted multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with dodecenyl succinic anhydride (DSA) in presence of plant extract (Beta vulgaris) and hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HA). Moreover, cytotoxicity and antioxidant activity of the prepared nanocomposites using Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells (EACC) were examined and evaluated. The prepared nanocomposites were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). In addition to the particle size and zeta potential were recorded. The grafting technique was significantly enhanced the nanotube dispersibility and long term stability in the aqueous solution. The results indicated that the conjugation between B. vulgaris extract, HA nanoparticles and functionalized MWCNTs exhibited great antioxidant activity through the scavenging of the free radicals using DPPH assay. Also, the encapsulated B. vulgaris extract within the grafted MWCNTs based nanocomposites exhibited acceptable effect on the viability of EACC in compared with the standard (Vincrestine®). In other words, these novel functionalized MWCNTs based nanocomposites could be used as antioxidant and antitumor agents in the future after further studies.
Single Polymer Dynamics in A Random Flow
Authors: Liu Yonggang , Steinberg Victor
Published: March 2014

The dynamics and conformations of a single fluorescently stained T4 DNA molecule are studied in a random flow of elastic turbulence created by the same unlabeled molecules. The explored polymer concentration covers the dilute and semi‐dilute unentangled regimes, according to the measurement of the longest relaxation time by extension relaxation of single polymer chains. The criterion of the coil‐stretch transition was found to be close to the theoretically predicted value. Using measured polymer stretching statistics and its known elastic properties, the elastic stress in elastic turbulence is obtained over a broad range of Weissenberg number and polymer concentration. The existing theory of elastic turbulence is disproved by the measurements of the elastic stress and the degree of polymer stretching. The role of increasing shear rate on polymer extension and angular statistics in a random flow is also studied and compared with theory and numerical simulations.
Fractionation and Characterization of Impact Poly(propylene) Copolymers by High Temperature Two‐Dimensional Liquid Chromatography
Authors: Cheruthazhekatt Sadiqali , Pasch Harald
Published: March 2014

Information regarding molar mass distribution (MMD) and chemical composition distribution (CCD) of complex polyolefins such as impact polypropylene copolymer (IPC) is important in order to fully understand their properties during processing and application. Precise analysis of such polymeric materials having multiple distributions in various molecular characteristics is a difficult task and single separation methods fail to provide enough information about their microstructure. Preparative fractionation and subsequent analysis of the separated fractions was found to be an effective method for their complete characterisation. In this work, a combination of preparative TREF with high temperature two‐dimensional liquid chromatography was used for the separation and analysis of the complex components in a commercial IPC sample. In addition to the ethylene‐propylene (block or segmented) copolymers and low molar mass isotactic polypropylene (iPP) homopolymer (as expected in the semicrystalline TREF fraction of an IPC), significant amounts of high molar mass iPP and polyethylene (PE) homopolymer were observed. The results showed that the TREF‐HT‐2D‐LC combination can be used as a powerful analytical tool for the complete microstructural analysis of such complex EP copolymers.
Design and Viscoelastic Properties of PDMA/Silica Assemblies in Aqueous Media
Authors: Petit Laurence , Carlsson Linn , Rose Séverine , Marcellan Alba , Narita Tetsuharu , Hourdet Dominique
Published: March 2014

Based on specific interactions taking place between poly(N,N‐dimethylacrylamide) [PDMA] and silica nanoparticles, two strategies were used to improve the viscoelastic properties of aqueous formulations. First, PDMA oligomers were grafted onto a non‐adsorbing poly(acrylamide‐co‐sodium acrylate) backbone. With this architecture, the binding process of PDMA side‐chains with silica nanoparticles was shown to proceed very similarly to free PDMA chains and to promote the formation of hybrid physical networks. The viscoelastic properties of these systems are controlled by the concentration of inorganic cross‐links and the fraction of adsorbing grafts involved in the formation of bridges between particles. An optimum weight ratio between silica and grafts was found for the viscoelastic properties, in agreement with the saturation of silica beads by the PDMA precursor. While the homogeneous formation of such hybrid assemblies remains limited to mixtures involving low polymer concentrations (≤ 2 wt%), we show that homogeneous hybrid networks can be readily prepared by direct polymerization of DMA monomer (≥ 5 wt%), with or without chemical cross‐linker, in a suspension of silica nanoparticles. In this case, the specific interactions taking place between the silica filler and the whole polymer network give rise to a very unusual combination of properties where elasticity, dissipation, strength and strain at failure are enhanced simultaneously. While the intrinsic structure of the network can be controlled by the level of chemical cross‐linking, physical interactions dominate the dissipation process with a dramatic time dependence of the mechanical properties.
The Application of Ionic Nanoparticles in the Conservation of Archaelogical Wood
Authors: Chadwick Alan V. , Howland Kevin , Went Michael J. , Schofield Eleanor J. , Jones A. Mark
Published: March 2014

A potential method for the de‐acidification of water‐logged archaeological wood is through a treatment with alkaline nanoparticles. In previous studies, we have shown that strontium carbonate nanoparticles are especially effective in removing sulfuric acid from the Mary Rose timbers. In this contribution, we report the effect of these nanoparticles on other known sulfur compounds in the timbers. Overall, these effects are beneficial, yielding benign compounds and removing the possibility for the conversion to sulfuric acid.
Magnetorheological Fluids Based on Associating Polymers
Authors: Barabanova Anna , Molchanov Vyacheslav , Philippova Olga , Khokhlov Alexei
Published: March 2014

Magnetic fluids based on associating polymers were prepared by ultrasonic dispersing of magnetite microparticles in aqueous solutions of hydrophobically modified polyacrylamides. It was shown that the magnetic fluids containing 1–3 vol.% of Fe3O4 microparticles can be reversibly transformed to physical gels under the action of magnetic field.
Interfacial Interactions of Polyaniline Grafted Alumina Hybrid
Authors: Wheelwright Walt V. K. , Ray Sudip , Easteal Allan J. , Cooney Ralph P.
Published: March 2014

A new low solvent method of silylation followed by functionalization of oxide surfaces with polyaniline (PANI) was applied to alumina. The method comprises silylating alumina with 3‐(phenylaminopropyl)trimethoxysilane followed by grafting PANI onto the silylised surface by in situ polymerisation of aniline. A novel approach was developed for removal of PANI homopolymer formed as a by‐product was removed using 1(N)‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP)‐aliphatic amine binary solvent, which dedoped the emeraldine salt of PANI in a single, one‐pot procedure and made it soluble in NMP. After re‐doping with methanesulfonic acid the silylated alumina‐PANI hybrid became electrically conductive. The interfacial interactions within the hybrid material were investigated by several analytical techniques namely, elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, solid‐state 13C and 29Si nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy.
Selective Removal of Heavy Metals from Drinking Water Using Titanium Dioxide Nanowire
Authors: Youssef Ahmed M. , Malhat Farag M.
Published: March 2014

Heavy metal contamination in drinking water has become an ecotoxicological hazard of prime interest. Conventional treatment technologies, such as chemical precipitation, coagulation and ion‐exchange, are often restricted because of some technical or economic constraints. In view of this, the search for a more innovative and effective adsorbent for the removal of toxic metal ions has intensified in recent years. In this study a novel adsorbent, titanium dioxide nanowire (TiO2), is prepared by using hydrothermal methods and subsequently used for heavy metal removal. This study tests the potential of using the TiO2 nanowire to remove heavy metal (Pb2+, Cu2+, Fe3+, Cd2+ and Zn2+) residues from contaminated water. TiO2 nanowire is an exceptional adsorbent material due to its magnetic properties and a good adsorption capacity. The highest absorption efficiency was 97.06% obtained with Pb2+ and the lowest was obtained with Zn2+ at 35.18%. The application of these materials in water filters may be a promising and economically feasible technology for water purification.
Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Sericin/PVA/Bentonite Scaffold: Comparison between Uncrosslinked and Crosslinked
Authors: Likitamporn Saowanee , Magaraphan Rathanawan
Published: March 2014

Clay aerogel is a highly porous material produced from smectite clays using freeze‐drying techniques which produces a structure this is appropriated for 3D scaffolds. In this research, sericin and poly(vinyl alcohol) were blended with bentonite aerogels to develop the biomedical foam‐liked materials for tissue engineering. Sericin/PVA/bentonite scaffolds were prepared by varying sericin contents in 1, 2, and 3 wt%. Glutaraldehyde was used as a chemical cross‐linking agent in order to compare the properties of uncross‐linked and cross‐linked scaffolds. The morphology and crystal structure of sericin/PVA/bentonite scaffolds were identified by FE‐SEM and XRD, respectively. The mechanical properties were characterized by compression tests and thermal properties were investigated by TG‐DTA. The freeze‐drying technique produced scaffolds with modulate modulus, interconnected pores, and pore sizes greater than 100 µm. Chemical crosslinking increased the mechanical properties but slightly decreased thermal stability of the scaffolds. Furthermore, crosslinking improved the structure stability of scaffolds in an aqueous solution.
Confinement Induced First Order Crystallization Kinetics for the Poly(ethylene oxide) Block within A PEO‐b‐PB Diblock Copolymer Infiltrated within Alumina Nano‐Porous Template
Authors: Michell Rose Mary , Blaszczyk‐Lezak Iwona , Mijangos Carmen , Müller Alejandro J.
Published: March 2014

We report homogeneous nucleation and first order crystallization kinetics for the PEO block within a PEO‐b‐PB diblock copolymer infiltrated within alumina nanopores. For the highly confined heterogeneity free PEO block nano‐domains, the overall crystallization kinetics is dominated by nucleation and therefore becomes first order. The nucleation mechanism changes from heterogeneous nucleation for the PEO block within the uninfiltrated copolymer (since it has a composition with 79% PEO that conforms a percolated matrix) to homogeneous nucleation for confined and isolated heterogeneity free nanodomains.
Thermoresponsive Polyphosphazene‐Based Molecular Brushes by Living Cationic Polymerization
Authors: Wilfert Sandra , Iturmendi Aitziber , Henke Helena , Brüggemann Oliver , Teasdale Ian
Published: March 2014

A series of polyphosphazenes with molecular brush type structures have been prepared with controlled molecular weights and narrow polydispersities. The polymers show lower critical solution temperatures (LCST) between 18 and 90 °C, which can be easily tailored by choice of side‐substituent to suit the required application. A temperature triggered self‐assembly is observed to give stable colloidal aggregates with dimensions in the region of 100–300 nm.
Natural Polymers and Additives in Commodity and Specialty Applications: A Challenge for the Chemistry of Future
Authors: Malinconico Mario , Cerruti Pierfrancesco , Santagata Gabriella , Immirzi Barbara
Published: March 2014

Polymers which are biodegradable in vivo and in the environment, especially those of natural origin, are perceived by the public as a valuable alternative to non biodegradable plastics. However, biodegradability, although important, cannot be the only driving force for the market acceptance of so called “green” plastics and chemicals. The applications of traditional oil‐based plastics and plastic additives span from commodities to specialties, due to their performances and sometimes affordable costs. Can naturally derived polymers and additives face the challenge of petro‐plastics and chemicals? Can we use the experience acquired in the so‐called “plastic age” to tailor the performances of natural polymers and polymer additives for a demanding technological world? Several experiences on the processing of natural biodegradable polymers and on their formulation with additives coming from natural sources to obtain modified plastics, blends or composites are reviewed.
Beam–solid contact formulation for finite element analysis of pile–soil interaction with arbitrary discretization
Authors: Ninić J. , Stascheit J. , Meschke G.
Published: March 2014

This paper presents an embedded beam formulation for discretization independent finite element (FE) analyses of interactions between pile foundations or rock anchors and the surrounding soil in geotechnical and tunneling engineering. Piles are represented by means of finite beam elements embedded within FEs for the soil represented by 3D solid elements. The proposed formulation allows consideration of piles and pile groups with arbitrary orientation independently from the FE discretization of the surrounding soil. The interface behavior between piles and the surrounding soil is represented numerically by means of a contact formulation considering skin friction as well as pile tip resistance. The pile–soil interaction along the pile skin is considered by means of a 3D frictional point‐to‐point contact formulation using the integration points of the beam elements and reference points arbitrarily located within the solid elements as control points. The ability of the proposed embedded pile model to represent groups of piles objected to combined axial and shear loading and their interactions with the surrounding soil is demonstrated by selected benchmark examples. The pile model is applied to the numerical simulation of shield driven tunnel construction in the vicinity of an existing building resting upon pile foundation to demonstrate the performance of the proposed model in complex simulation environments. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of balanced deep‐sea water on adipocyte hypertrophy and liver steatosis in high‐fat, diet‐induced obese mice
Authors: Ha Byung Geun , Park Jung‐Eun , Shin Eun Ji , Shon Yun Hee
Published: March 2014

Objective

To determine the effects of balanced deep‐sea water (BDSW) on adipocyte hypertrophy and liver steatosis in high‐fat diet (HFD)‐induced obese C57BL/6J mice.

Methods

BDSW was prepared by mixing deep‐sea water (DSW) mineral extracts and desalinated water. C57BL/6J mice were fed a normal diet or HFD with or without BDSW with different hardness (500, 1000, or 2000) for 20 weeks.

Results

BDSW suppressed body weight gain in HFD‐fed mice. Histopathologic assays of the fat and liver revealed that BDSW inhibited the increase in adipocyte size and improved severe liver steatosis in HFD‐fed mice. BDSW suppressed the expression of adipogenic, lipogenic, lipolytic, and pro‐inflammatory cytokine genes and increased the expression of adipokines and β‐oxidation genes in fat. In the liver, BDSW suppressed the expression of genes involved in lipogenesis and cholesterol synthesis, and increased the expression of genes related to β‐oxidation. Furthermore, BDSW improved the impaired phosphorylation of IRS‐1, LKB1, AMPK, and mTOR in fat and liver tissues of HFD‐fed mice.

Conclusions

These results suggest that BDSW has potential as an anti‐lipidemic agent, given its ability to suppress body weight gain and liver steatosis through the regulation of lipid metabolism by signal molecule activation.
Patterns of symptoms and functional impairments in children with cancer
Authors: Buckner Tyler W. , Wang Jichuan , DeWalt Darren A. , Jacobs Shana , Reeve Bryce B. , Hinds Pamela S.
Published: March 2014

Background

Children with cancer experience multiple symptoms due to their disease and as a result of treatment. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility and potential utility of using latent profile analysis (LPA), a type of cluster analysis, in children with cancer to identify groups of patients who experience similar levels of symptom severity and impairment of physical function.

Procedure

We analyzed patient‐reported symptom and functional data previously collected using the Pediatric Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS). LPA was used to identify and characterize groups of patients who reported similar levels of symptom severity and functional impairment. We then used the multinomial logit model to examine demographic and disease characteristics associated with symptom/function profile membership.

Results

The analysis included 200 patients in treatment or in survivorship. We identified four symptom/function profiles; children currently receiving cancer treatment and those with at least one other medical problem were more likely to be members of the profile with the highest levels of symptom severity and functional impairment. Gender, age, race/ethnicity, and tumor type were not associated with profile membership.

Conclusions

LPA is a cluster research methodology that provides clinically useful results in pediatric oncology patients. Future studies of children with cancer using LPA could potentially lead to development of clinical scoring systems that predict patients' risk of developing more severe symptoms and functional impairments, allowing clinicians, patients, and parents to better anticipate and prevent the multiple symptoms that occur during and after treatment for childhood cancer. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014;61:1282–1288. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Extricating Membership as a PRP at Hazardous Waste Disposal Sites
Authors: Ram Neil M. , Kwan Wai , Gerbig Chase A. , Moore Catherine
Published: March 2014

Corporations often become potentially responsible parties (PRPs) at hazardous waste sites because of their past transportation or disposal of hazardous substances at such sites. Determining a PRP's potential liability for the assessment and cleanup of hazardous waste sites is a challenging effort and often results in disputes among other PRPs regarding appropriate allocation of response action costs to each party. Further, public companies have an obligation to report probable and reasonably estimable costs under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) for environmental liabilities at their current or prior hazardous waste sites. The first step in such an evaluation is to determine whether or not a PRP can extricate themselves from any association with the subject site or, alternatively, demonstrate de minimis status. This article describes the methods by which PRPs can extricate themselves from liability associated with response action costs at contaminated sites, including: evaluating a PRP's prior settlements or indemnifications with other PRPs; identifying insurance coverage or other financial assurance instruments for the disposal facility; and examining applicable statutes of limitations against when a PRP received notification from the regulatory agency. The article also presents a case study discussing how a PRP with a portfolio of 72 hazardous waste disposal sites was able to extricate itself from the majority of these sites, resulting in only four sites where the PRP was determined to be a PRP and where an associated allocable share was assigned. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Management Systems Approach to Building Vapor Intrusion: A Facility Manager's Guide
Authors: Bijak Geoffrey Robert
Published: March 2014

Vapor intrusion (VI) has the potential to affect over 100,000 developed and undeveloped sites in the United States. Vapor intrusion occurs when the migration of volatile chemicals from the subsurface enters overlying buildings. A myriad of adverse health effects have been documented based on the inhalation of volatile chemicals from VI. At a time when most state and federal agencies have yet to set firm standards, the burden of responsibility is often placed on the facility manager to decide how to protect building occupants from volatile organic compounds potentially seeping into buildings. This article outlines a detailed step‐by‐step process for facility managers on how to begin a VI assessment and, when warranted, establish a site‐specific vapor intrusion management system for building occupant protection. This document should be used concurrently with current federal and state guidelines as it pertains to VI. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A joint frailty model to estimate the recurrence process and the disease‐specific mortality process without needing the cause of death
Authors: Belot Aurélien , Rondeau Virginie , Remontet Laurent , Giorgi Roch ,   the CENSUR working survival group
Published: March 2014

In chronic diseases, such as cancer, recurrent events (such as relapses) are commonly observed; these could be interrupted by death. With such data, a joint analysis of recurrence and mortality processes is usually conducted with a frailty parameter shared by both processes. We examined a joint modeling of these processes considering death under two aspects: ‘death due to the disease under study' and ‘death due to other causes', which enables estimating the disease‐specific mortality hazard. The excess hazard model was used to overcome the difficulties in determining the causes of deaths (unavailability or unreliability); this model allows estimating the disease‐specific mortality hazard without needing the cause of death but using the mortality hazards observed in the general population. We propose an approach to model jointly recurrence and disease‐specific mortality processes within a parametric framework. A correlation between the two processes is taken into account through a shared frailty parameter. This approach allows estimating unbiased covariate effects on the hazards of recurrence and disease‐specific mortality. The performance of the approach was evaluated by simulations with different scenarios. The method is illustrated by an analysis of a population‐based dataset on colon cancer with observations of colon cancer recurrences and deaths. The benefits of the new approach are highlighted by comparison with the ‘classical' joint model of recurrence and overall mortality. Moreover, we assessed the goodness of fit of the proposed model. Comparisons between the conditional hazard and the marginal hazard of the disease‐specific mortality are shown, and differences in interpretation are discussed. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
SnO2 Anode Surface Passivation by Atomic Layer Deposited HfO2 Improves Li‐Ion Battery Performance
Authors: Yesibolati Nulati , Shahid Muhammad , Chen Wei , Hedhili M. N. , Reuter M. C. , Ross F. M. , Alshareef H. N.
Published: March 2014

For the first time, it is demonstrated that nanoscale HfO2 surface passivation layers formed by atomic layer deposition (ALD) significantly improve the performance of Li ion batteries with SnO2‐based anodes. Specifically, the measured battery capacity at a current density of 150 mAg−1 after 100 cycles is 548 and 853 mAhg−1 for the uncoated and HfO2‐coated anodes, respectively. Material analysis reveals that the HfO2 layers are amorphous in nature and conformably coat the SnO2‐based anodes. In addition, the analysis reveals that ALD HfO2 not only protects the SnO2‐based anodes from irreversible reactions with the electrolyte and buffers its volume change, but also chemically interacts with the SnO2 anodes to increase battery capacity, despite the fact that HfO2 is itself electrochemically inactive. The amorphous nature of HfO2 is an important factor in explaining its behavior, as it still allows sufficient Li diffusion for an efficient anode lithiation/delithiation process to occur, leading to higher battery capacity.
Assessment of uncertainty‐infused scientific argumentation
Authors: Lee Hee‐Sun , Liu Ou Lydia , Pallant Amy , Roohr Katrina Crotts , Pryputniewicz Sarah , Buck Zoë E.
Published: March 2014

Though addressing sources of uncertainty is an important part of doing science, it has largely been neglected in assessing students' scientific argumentation. In this study, we initially defined a scientific argumentation construct in four structural elements consisting of claim, justification, uncertainty qualifier, and uncertainty rationale. We consulted literature to characterize and score different levels of student performances on each of these four argumentation elements. We designed a test comprised of nine scientific argumentation tasks addressing climate change, the search for life in space, and fresh water availability and administered it to 473 students from 9 high schools in the United States. After testing the local dependence and unidimensionality assumptions, we found that the uncertainty qualifier element was not aligned with the other three. After removing items related to uncertainty qualifier, we applied a Rasch analysis based on a Partial Credit Model. Results indicate that (1) claim, justification, and uncertainty rationale items form a unidimensional scale, (2) justification and uncertainty rationale items contribute the most on the unidimensional scientific argumentation scale as they cover much wider ranges of the scale than claim items, (3) average item difficulties increase in the order of claim, justification, and uncertainty rationale, (4) students' elaboration of uncertainty exhibits dual characteristics: self‐assessment of their own knowledge and ability versus scientific assessment of conceptual and empirical errors embedded in investigations, and (5) students who can make warrants between theory and evidence are more likely to think about uncertainty from scientific sources than those who cannot. We identified limitations of this study in terms of science topic coverage and sample selection and made suggestions on how these limitations might have affected results and interpretations. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 51: 581–605, 2014
Travel beyond the home neighborhood for delinquent behaviors: Moderation of home neighborhood influences
Authors: Tompsett Carolyn J. , Amrhein Kelly E. , Hassan Sarah
Published: March 2014

Neighborhood research indicates that adolescents are at higher risk for delinquency when they reside in neighborhoods low in collective efficacy, low in perceived prosocial norms and values, and high in availability of substances and firearms. However, as adolescents develop, they are more likely to independently travel during their day‐to‐day activities, and the effects of their home neighborhood may be weakened as they spend time in other communities. The current study surveyed 179 adolescents involved in the juvenile justice system in a small Midwestern city on their perceptions of their home neighborhood and self‐reported delinquency. While perceptions of several home neighborhood characteristics significantly predicted severity of delinquency for all respondents, neighborhood effects were significantly weaker for those adolescents who tended to engage in illegal behaviors outside their home neighborhood. These findings suggest that future research and prevention efforts should include more attention to how adolescents may be influenced by multiple neighborhoods.
Brief report: How adolescent personality moderates the effect of love history on the young adulthood romantic relationship quality?
Authors: Yu Rongqin , Branje Susan , Keijsers Loes , Meeus Wim
Published: March 2014

This study examined the effect of previous romantic relationship involvement on later romantic relationship quality and tested whether adolescents' personality type (i.e., overcontrollers, undercontrollers, resilients) moderated this link. We answered our research questions in a sample of 320 Dutch participants (213 girls) who had a romantic relationship when they were 21 years old. At 12 years of age, their personality types were identified. At 21 years of age, participants reported their current romantic relationship quality (i.e., commitment, exploration, and reconsideration) and indicated the number of romantic relationships they had before. No main effects of the number of romantic relationships on current romantic relationship quality were found. There were significant interaction effects between personality types and the number of romantic relationships on romantic relationship quality. With more romantic relationship experiences, undercontrollers committed less to and explored less in their current romantic relationship. No such link was found for resilients and overcontrollers.
The appearance culture between friends and adolescent appearance‐based rejection sensitivity
Authors: Webb Haley J. , Zimmer‐Gembeck Melanie J. , Donovan Caroline L.
Published: March 2014

Appearance‐based rejection sensitivity (appearance‐RS) is the tendency to anxiously expect, readily perceive, and overreact to signs of rejection based on one's appearance, and is associated with a number of psychological and social problems (Park, 2007). This study of 380 adolescents (Mage = 13.84) examined a model linking the appearance culture between friends with appearance‐RS in adolescent boys and girls, via internalisation of appearance ideals, social comparison, and body dissatisfaction. Gender differences were also tested. Consistent with expectations, appearance‐focused characteristics of the friendship context were associated with heightened appearance‐RS via internalization of appearance ideals, social comparison, and body dissatisfaction. The appearance‐focused friend characteristics that were associated with appearance‐RS included exposure to friends' appearance conversations, appearance teasing that caused distress, and perceived pressure to be attractive. Notably, associations rarely differed for boys and girls, with one exception: the association between BMI and body dissatisfaction was stronger in girls than in boys.