bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating the Occurrence of Fungi and Bacteria in Fruits Spoilage in Selected Markets in Bwari Area Council Abuja, Nigeria
Authors: Ozoude Theresa Obiageli , Onaburekhan Florence O. , Amachree Evangeline Ukachi , Echeta Maryrose Ogechi
Published: July 2024

Aim: This study evaluated the microorganisms that cause spoilage of four different fruits sold in selected markets in Bwari Area Council, Abuja.
Study Design:  Factorial experimental design was employed for this study.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Microbiology, Veritas University Abuja between July to September, 2020.
Methodology: Twenty-four samples (6 samples each) of four different fruits were obtained from Zuma, Kubwa and Bwari market, in Bwari Area Council. Standard microbiological method was used for the isolation, enumeration and identification of the bacteria and fungi species. Percentages were used to determine the distribution of the isolates in the different locations. Data collected were also subjected to Chi square test at P=0.05 level of probability to check significance difference between the fruit’s location, abundance and occurrence of the isolates
Results: After microbiological analysis of the twenty-four samples, it was observed that the bacterial isolates include; Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp while the fungal spp were of the genus Aspergillus, Fusarium and Mucor. The bacterial count ranged from 1.2 x 106 to 6.1 x106 Cfu/ml and that of fungi ranged from 3.1 x106 to 5.4 x 106 Cfu/ml while the most occurring bacterial species was Staphylococcus aureus and Aspergillus spp occurred most for the fungi isolates. The Statistical analysis showed that there was no significance difference between the occurrence and abundance of fungi and location.
Conclusion: Bacteria and fungi are associated with the spoilage of the selected fruits in Bwari Area Council and contamination rates are relatively high. The most common fungi associated with pawpaw, mango, banana and watermelon spoilage were mainly Aspergillus flavus, Mucor species, Fusarium species and Aspergillus niger while bacteria associated with these fruits were Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella species, and Escherichia coli. However, the most abundant species of bacteria and fungi associated with spoilage of fruits in Bwari Area Council were Aspergillus species and Staphylococcus aureus respectively.
Overview of Approaches to Preventing and Avoiding Proteolysis During Expression and Purification of Proteins
Authors: Ryan Barry J. , Henehan Gary T.
Published: February 2013

Proteases are enzymes that cleave proteins. They occur widely in nature and play a fundamental role in cellular homeostasis; however, their presence can result in unwanted protein degradation during recombinant protein expression and purification. This unit introduces proteases, specifically focusing on the types commonly encountered during production of recombinant proteins. The strategies used to avoid and to prevent proteolysis are also described, with extensive consideration of the molecular, technical, and logistic methodologies involved. Curr. Protoc. Protein Sci. 71:5.25.1‐5.25.7. © 2013 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Money, Greco‐Roman
Authors: B. Hollander David
Published: February 2013

While there continues to be much debate over the definition of “money” (see, e.g., Harris 2008), few economic historians would now subscribe to M. I. Finley's declaration (1985: 196) that, in the Greco‐Roman world, it was “essentially coined metal and nothing else.”
Monopoly
Authors: Gibbs Matt
Published: February 2013

Monopolies, in terms of the exclusive control of the supply of a product or service, were known in antiquity, but were largely restricted in scope.
Negotium
Authors: Newsome David J.
Published: February 2013

As Isidore remarked, “
negotium
signifies many things” (
Etym
. 18.15.3:
Negotium multa significat
).
Oikonomika
(treatise)
Authors: Schaps David M.
Published: February 2013

The
Oikonomika
attributed to Aristotle is three unrelated short works, none of them, apparently, written by him, but all probably deriving from his philosophic school. The first book is a brief treatise on household management, the second a longer discussion of governmental finance, and the third, which exists only in two medieval Latin translations, a short manual for marital happiness.
Oikonomikos(treatise)
Authors: Howe Timothy
Published: February 2013

Xenophon'sOikonomikosis a dialogue between Socrates and Kritoboulos, the son of Krito, about how to manage an Oikos. In the discussion that follows, socrates, who claims to be too poor to have personal experience in running a large household and its lands, reports a conversation he once had with the prosperous Athenian landowner, Ischomachos. As reported by socrates, Ischomachus describes the methods he used to train his new wife in managing the house, their practices in directing and training slaves, and the techniques involved in farming.
Archisynagogos
Authors: Noy David
Published: February 2013

Archisynagogos
was a Greek (occasionally Latinized) title used by Jewish synagogue leaders in most of the Roman Empire.
Aristeas, Letter of
Authors: Honigman Sylvie
Published: February 2013

The best‐known Judeo‐Hellenistic literary work, part of the Pseudepigrapha, written by an anonymous Alexandrian Jew, theLetter of Aristeasrelates the circumstances of the translation of the Pentateuch into Greek and, together with Aristobulus, constitutes the earliest evidence of the legend of the origins of the Septuagint.
Artapanos
Authors: Barbu Daniel
Published: February 2013

Three fragments of the works of Artapanos have come down to us, chiefly through Eusebius of Caesarea (Praep.
Palladium‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling Reaction of Thioglycosides with (Hetero)aryl Halides
Authors: Brachet Etienne , Brion Jean‐Daniel , Messaoudi Samir , Alami Mouad
Published: February 2013

α‐ and β‐thioglycosides serve as effective nucleophiles for Buchwald–Hartwig cross‐coupling reactions using functionalized (hetero)aryl halides. The functional group tolerance on the electrophilic partner is typically high, both benzyl and acetate protecting groups on the carbohydrate are tolerated, and anomer selectivities of thioglycosides are high in all cases studied. The efficiency of this general protocol was well demonstrated by the synthesis of 4‐methyl‐7‐thioumbelliferyl‐β‐D‐cellobioside (MUS‐CB).
Stereospecific Allyl–Aryl Coupling Catalyzed byin situGenerated Palladium Nanoparticles in Water under Ambient Conditions
Authors: Zhao Jingming , Ye Jiang , Zhang Yong Jian
Published: February 2013

A practical process for the stereospecific cross‐coupling of secondary allylic carbonates with arylboronic acids has been developed. The reaction is catalyzed byin situgenerated palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) without any ligands and additional stabilizers in water under ambient conditions and furnishes the allyl–aryl coupling products in high isolated yields with high stereospecificities as well as excellent chemo‐, regio‐ andE/Z‐selectivities. Thein situgenerated PdNPs showed extraordinary catalytic activity (S/C up to 5000) even for the allyl–aryl coupling reactions of easily eliminated allylic carbonates under aqueous ambient conditions. The mechanism of the process has also been investigated.
N‐Heterocyclic Carbene‐Catalyzed Annulations of Enals and Ynals with Indolin‐3‐ones: Synthesis of 3,4‐Dihydropyrano[3,2‐b]indol‐2‐ones
Authors: Lu Yingyan , Tang Weifang , Zhang Yu , Du Ding , Lu Tao
Published: February 2013

Enal and ynal‐derived α,β‐unsaturated acylazoliums under N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalysis have been applied for annulations with indolin‐3‐ones. The two reactions offer a direct and efficient access to functionalized 3,4‐dihydropyrano[3,2‐b]indol‐2‐ones in moderate to high yields, which may provide promising candidates for drug discovery.
Iron‐Catalyzed Direct Synthesis of Densely Substituted Benzofurans and Naphthopyrans from Phenolic Compounds and Propargylic Alcohols
Authors: Yuan Feng‐Quan , Han Fu‐She
Published: February 2013

A one‐pot cascade reaction for the synthesis of polysubstituted benzofurans and naphthopyrans from simple phenols and propargylic alcohols catalyzed by iron(III) is presented. The results demonstrate that the structural specificity for the formation of furan and pyran products is controlled by the structural nature of the propargylic alcohols. Namely, benzofurans could be synthesized efficiently from phenols and secondary propargylic alcohols in the presence of 5 mol% of iron(III) chloride hexahydrate (FeCl3⋅6 H2O) catalyst. On the other hand, pyran derivatives were obtained exclusively when tertiary propargylic alcohols were employed. Mechanistic studies revealed that presumably due to the discriminated steric effect of secondary and tertiary propargylic alcohols, the Fe‐catalyzed Friedel–Crafts (F–C) reaction of phenols with the two types of alcohols proceeds via different models. Most importantly, we have demonstrated for the first time that fully 2,3,4‐substituted naphthopyrans could be synthesized efficiently via the iron‐catalyzed one‐pot cascade reaction. Consequently, the results presented herein provide straightforward pathways for versatile syntheses of valuable benzofuran and pyran derivatives from simple phenolic compounds and propargylic alcohols.
Metal‐Free Rearrangement of Spirofurooxindoles into Spiropentenoneoxindoles and Indoles: Implications for the Mechanism and Stereochemistry of the Piancatelli Rearrangement
Authors: Yin Biaolin , Huang Li , Wang Xiujun , Liu Jianchao , Jiang Huanfeng
Published: February 2013

Spirofurooxindoles derived from α‐furylcarbinols were rearranged into spirocyclopentenoneoxindoles exclusively or as a mixture of spirocyclopentenoneoxindoles and indoles under different reaction conditions. Along with our previous studies, the stepwise C‐Piancatelli rearrangement has been presented for the first time.
Palladium‐Mediated [2+1] Cycloaddition of Norbornene Derivatives with Ynamides
Authors: Clavier Hervé , Lepronier Aymeric , Bengobesse‐Mintsa Nathalie , Gatineau David , Pellissier Hélène , Giordano Laurent , Tenaglia Alphonse , Buono Gérard
Published: February 2013

An efficient palladium‐catalyzed [2+1] cycloaddition between ynamides and norbornenes or norbornadienes is reported. Both phosphapalladacycles and palladium/secondary phosphine oxide catalytic systems were found to be competent for the transformation allowing the preparation of aminomethylenecyclopropanes. The reaction showed general applicability to various functionalized bicyclo[2.2.1]hept‐2‐enes and ynamides. A chiral phosphapalladacycle was tested to carry out this transformation in an enantioselective fashion.
Antimony/N‐Hydroxyphthalimide as a Catalyst System for Cross‐Dehydrogenative Coupling Reactions under Aerobic Conditions
Authors: Tanoue Arata , Yoo Woo‐Jin , Kobayashi Shū
Published: February 2013

In the course of our investigations to find a novel catalyst for the cross‐dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) reaction, it was discovered that antimony(V) serves as a co‐catalyst with N‐hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) under aerobic conditions. This is a rare example of a catalytic use of antimony for an oxidative coupling reaction.
Linear low‐density polyethylene colored with a nanoclay‐based pigment: Morphology and mechanical, thermal, and colorimetric properties
Authors: Marchante V. , Marcilla A. , Benavente V. , Martínez‐Verdú F. M. , Beltrán M. I.
Published: February 2013

In this study, a novel kind of hybrid pigment based on nanoclays and dyes was synthesized and characterized. These nanoclay‐based pigments (NCPs) were prepared at the laboratory with sodium montmorillonite nanoclay (NC) and methylene blue (MB). The cation‐exchange capacity of NC exchanged with MB was varied to obtain a wide color gamut. The synthesized nanopigments were thoroughly characterized. The NCPs were melt‐mixed with linear low‐density polyethylene (PE) with an internal mixer. Furthermore, samples with conventional colorants were prepared in the same way. Then, the properties (mechanical, thermal, and colorimetric) of the mixtures were assessed. The PE–NCP samples developed better color properties than those containing conventional colorants and used as references, and their other properties were maintained or improved, even at lower contents of dye compared to that with the conventional colorants. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Dual crosslinking of carboxylated nitrile butadiene rubber latex employing the thiol‐ene photoreaction
Authors: Lenko Dietmar , Schlögl Sandra , Temel Armin , Schaller Raimund , Holzner Armin , Kern Wolfgang
Published: February 2013

At present, the most common used crosslinking process for carboxylated nitrile butadiene rubber (XNBR) latex is an accelerated sulfur curing system with zinc oxide. To avoid allergenic reactions related to residual accelerator levels in dipped XNBR latex articles such as medical gloves, a dual curing process has been developed combining thermal and photochemical crosslinking reactions. The two‐step procedure involves the formation of covalent and ionic bonds to ensure good mechanical properties of the final products. The photochemical thiol‐ene reaction is used to generate covalent crosslinks between the remaining CC double bonds of the butadiene units whereas the carboxylic moieties are conventionally cured with divalent metal oxides (ZnO) under elevated temperature (formation of ionic crosslinks). The photochemical curing step is carried out both in the latex phase using a falling film photoreactor (prevulcanization) as well as in the solid phase by UV irradiation of dried XNBR films (postvulcanization). The mechanical properties and crosslink densities of the cured XNBR films are determined and the influence of selected curing parameters is assessed. The results give evidence that a combined approach of thermal prevulcanization and photochemical postvulcanization makes the production of latex articles (e.g., gloves) with tailored properties and good skin compatibility feasible. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Processable and Robust MoS2 Paper Chemically Cross‐Linked with Polymeric Ligands by the Coordination of Divalent Metal Ions
Authors: Liu Yi‐Tao , Tan Zhen , Xie Xu‐Ming , Wang Zhi‐Feng , Ye Xiong‐Ying
Published: February 2013

Inorganic graphene analogues (IGAs) are a huge and fascinating family of compounds that have extraordinary electronic, mechanical, and thermal properties. However, one of the largest problems that face the industrial application of IGAs is their poor processability, which has led to a “bottlenecking” in the development of freestanding, large‐area, IGA‐based thin‐film devices. Herein, we report a facile and cost‐efficient method to chemically modify IGAs by using their abundant coordination atoms (S, O, and N). Taking MoS2 as an example, we have prepared homogeneous “solution” systems, in which MoS2 nanosheets are chemically cross‐linked through a carboxylate‐containing polymeric ligand, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), by copper‐ion coordination. Bonding interactions between CO bonds and sulfur atoms through copper ions were confirmed by various characterization techniques, such as UV/Vis, FTIR, and Raman spectroscopy and XPS. By using our method, freestanding MoS2 paper with significantly improved mechanical properties was obtained, thus laying the basis for the mass production of large‐area MoS2‐based thin‐film devices. Furthermore, copper‐ion coordination was also applied to MoS2/PMMA nanocomposites. Direct and strong nanofiller/matrix bonding interactions facilitate efficient load transfer and endow the polymeric nanocomposites with an excellent reinforcement effect. This method may pave a new way to high‐strength polymeric nanocomposites with superior frictional properties, flame retardance, and oxidation resistance.
Selection of Decision Strategies After Conscious and Unconscious Thought
Authors: Pachur Thorsten , Forrer Eveline Aebi
Published: February 2013

It is commonly assumed that the use of simple, non‐compensatory strategies is especially pronounced in memory‐based decisions, where information costs are high. At the same time, there is evidence that in memory‐based decisions, a compensatory processing of attributes is facilitated when the processing occurs unconsciously rather than consciously. We applied a strategy classification approach—developed in research on non‐compensatory heuristics—to test two key tenets of unconscious thought theory: the capacity principle and the weighting principle. Participants memorized attribute information about cars and were subsequently either directed to or diverted from thinking consciously about their preferences between the cars (conscious versus unconscious thought). Then, participants indicated in pair‐wise choices which car they would prefer and were classified (based on their choices) as using either one of two compensatory strategies (equal weight or weighted additive) or a non‐compensatory strategy (lexicographic heuristic). In line with the capacity principle, the number of participants best described by a compensatory strategy (the equal‐weight strategy) tended to be higher after unconscious thought than after conscious thought, whereas the number of participants best described by the lexicographic heuristic tended to be lower. Inconsistent with the weighting principle, participants in the unconscious thought condition were better described by the equal‐weight strategy than by the weighted‐additive strategy. In Experiment 2, in which participants were not instructed to form an impression while learning the attribute information, the use of the equal‐weight strategy was not more prevalent after unconscious thought. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Classroom teacher effectiveness research: a conceptual critique
Authors: Skourdoumbis Andrew , Gale Trevor
Published: February 2013

Teacher effectiveness research now informs the rationale of much Australian education policy aimed at redressing student under‐achievement. The approach draws a ‘straight line’ between teacher practice and student outcomes, ‘controlling’ for and ultimately dismissive of other possible influences. The paper calls into question this conception of teaching–learning relations, particularly the extent to which teaching practice can be reasonably quantified and improvements in students' academic achievement can be solely attributed to and/or sole responsibility placed on the pedagogic strategies employed by teachers. Drawing on the theoretical resources of Foucault and Bourdieu, the paper argues further that teacher effectiveness research is flawed in both means and ends. It concludes that in its ranking of student and teacher performance, such research actually works against the purposes of education; specifically, authentic teaching and learning.
The Mutually Constitutive Relationship between Place and Identity: The Role of Place‐Identity in Discourse on Asylum Seekers and Refugees
Authors: Kirkwood Steve , McKinlay Andy , McVittie Chris
Published: February 2013

Recent discursive research has shown that constructions of place may function to regulate social relations and reinforce particular notions of belonging. However, extant discursive research on place‐identity has so far neglected the mutually constitutive relationships between constructions of place and identity in legitimising people's presence. To address this gap, this study, undertaken in Scotland, applies the notion of place‐identity to the discursive analysis of interviews with asylum seekers and refugees, people who work in organisations that support asylum seekers and refugees and locals who live in areas where asylum seekers and refugees tend to be housed. The analysis suggests that constructions of asylum seekers’ and refugees’ countries of origin as dangerous, and the host society as relatively problem‐free, function to constitute their identities as legitimate and to justify their presence in the host society. Moreover, constructions of place may work to portray refugees and asylum seekers as benefiting the local community and as belonging more than certain other locals. In contrast, constructing the host society as ‘full’ functions to oppose their presence through portraying them as not being able to belong. This demonstrates the mutually constitutive roles of place and identity in legitimising or resisting people's movement and belonging. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Resin Acid Conversion with CYP105A1: An Enzyme with Potential for the Production of Pharmaceutically Relevant Diterpenoids
Authors: Janocha Simon , Zapp Josef , Hutter Michael , Kleser Michael , Bohlmann Jörg , Bernhardt Rita
Published: February 2013

Cytochrome P450s are very versatile enzymes with great potential for biotechnological applications because of their ability to oxidize unactivated CH bonds. CYP105A1 from Streptomyces griseolus was first described as a herbicide‐inducible sulfonylurea hydroxylase, but it is also able to convert other substrates such as vitamin D3. To extend the substrate pool of this interesting enzyme further, we screened a small diterpenoid compound library and were able to show the conversion of several resin acids. Binding of abietic acid, dehydroabietic acid, and isopimaric acid to the active site was assayed, and Vmax and Km values were calculated. The products were analyzed by NMR spectroscopy and identified as 15‐hydroxyabietic acid, 15‐hydroxydehydroabietic acid, and 15,16‐epoxyisopimaric acid. As the observed products are difficult to obtain by chemical synthesis, CYP105A1 has proved to be a promising candidate for biotechnological applications that combine bioconversion and chemical synthesis to obtain functionalized resin acids.
Role of Emulsifiers in Emulsion Technology and Emulsion Crystallization
Authors: Petersen S. , Ulrich J.
Published: February 2013

High‐pressure homogenization as an emulsification technique and the production of solid lipid nanoparticles are strongly interlinked. The impact of an emulsifier as an important influencing parameter for both processes is described exemplarily for Polysorbate 20 and sodium caseinate. Regarding the emulsification process, Polysorbate 20 led to a higher improvement of the droplet breakup than the protein sodium caseinate. These results were compared with different published investigations on the crystallization behavior of fats with the same emulsifiers. Considering the crystallization behavior of the lipid phase, sodium caseinate was more advantageous in stabilization of the crystallized particles. The most important factors which have to be taken into account were determined and analyzed.
Detection of Potential TNA and RNA Nucleoside Precursors in a Prebiotic Mixture by Pure Shift Diffusion‐Ordered NMR Spectroscopy
Authors: Islam Saidul , Aguilar Juan A. , Powner Matthew W. , Nilsson Mathias , Morris Gareth A. , Sutherland John D.
Published: February 2013

In the context of prebiotic chemistry, one of the characteristics of mixed nitrogenous‐oxygenous chemistry is its propensity to give rise to highly complex reaction mixtures. There is therefore an urgent need to develop improved spectroscopic techniques if onerous chromatographic separations are to be avoided. One potential avenue is the combination of pure shift methodology, in which NMR spectra are measured with greatly improved resolution by suppressing multiplet structure, with diffusion‐ordered spectroscopy, in which NMR signals from different species are distinguished through their different rates of diffusion. Such a combination has the added advantage of working with intact mixtures, allowing analyses to be carried out without perturbing mixtures in which chemical entities are part of a network of reactions in equilibrium. As part of a systems chemistry approach towards investigating the self‐assembly of potentially prebiotic small molecules, we have analysed the complex mixture arising from mixing glycolaldehyde and cyanamide, in a first application of pure shift DOSY NMR to the characterisation of a partially unknown reaction composition. The work presented illustrates the potential of pure shift DOSY to be applied to chemistries that give rise to mixtures of compounds in which the NMR signal resolution is poor. The direct formation of potential RNA and TNA nucleoside precursors, amongst other adducts, was observed. These preliminary observations may have implications for the potentially prebiotic assembly chemistry of pyrimidine threonucleotides, and therefore of TNA, by using recently reported chemistries that yield the activated pyridimidine ribonucleotides.
Modification of a Small β‐Barrel Protein, To Give Pseudo‐Amyloid Structures, Inhibits Amyloid β‐Peptide Aggregation
Authors: Murakoshi Yuko , Takahashi Tsuyoshi , Mihara Hisakazu
Published: February 2013

Aggregation of amyloid β‐peptide (Aβ) is closely related to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Although much effort has been devoted to the construction of molecules that inhibit the aggregation of Aβ1‐42, high doses are needed for the inhibition of Aβ aggregation in many cases. Previously, we reported that designed green fluorescent protein (GFP) analogues that gives pseudo‐Aβ β‐sheet structures can work as an aggregation inhibitor against Aβ. To further test this design strategy, we constructed protein analogues that mimic Aβ β‐sheet structures of amyloids by using insulin‐like growth factor 2 receptor domain 11 (IGF2R‐d11) as a scaffold. A designed protein, named IG11KK, which has a parallel configuration of Aβ‐like β sheets, can bind more preferentially to oligomeric Aβ1‐42 than the monomer. Moreover, IG11KK suppressed the aggregation of Aβ1‐42 efficiently, even though lower concentrations of IG11KK than Aβ were used. The aggregation kinetics of Aβ in the presence of the designed proteins revealed that IG11KK can work as an inhibitor not only for the early to middle stages, but also in the latter stage of Aβ aggregation owing to its favorable binding to oligomeric structures of Aβ. The design strategy using β‐barrel proteins such as IGF2R‐d11 and GFP is useful in generating excellent inhibitors of protein misfolding and amyloid formation.
Solid‐State Thermolysis of a fac‐Rhenium(I) Carbonyl Complex with a Redox Non‐Innocent Pincer Ligand
Authors: Jurca Titel , Chen Wen‐Ching , Michel Sheila , Korobkov Ilia , Ong Tiow‐Gan , Richeson Darrin S.
Published: February 2013

The development of rhenium(I) chemistry has been restricted by the limited structural and electronic variability of the common pseudo‐octahedral products fac‐[ReX(CO)3L2] (L2=α‐diimine). We address this constraint by first preparing the bidentate bis(imino)pyridine complexes [(2,6‐{2,6‐Me2C6H3NCPh}2C5H3N)Re(CO)3X] (X=Cl 2, Br 3), which were characterized by spectroscopic and X‐ray crystallographic means, and then converting these species into tridentate pincer ligand compounds, [(2,6‐{2,6‐Me2C6H3NCPh}2C5H3N)Re(CO)2X] (X=Cl 4, Br 5). This transformation was performed in the solid‐state by controlled heating of 2 or 3 above 200 °C in a tube furnace under a flow of nitrogen gas, giving excellent yields (≥95 %). Compounds 4 and 5 define a new coordination environment for rhenium(I) carbonyl chemistry where the metal center is supported by a planar, tridentate pincer‐coordinated bis(imino)pyridine ligand. The basic photophysical features of these compounds show significant elaboration in both number and intensity of the d–π* transitions observed in the UV/Vis spec tra relative to the bidentate starting materials, and these spectra were analyzed using time‐dependent DFT computations. The redox nature of the bis(imino)pyridine ligand in compounds 2 and 4 was examined by electrochemical analysis, which showed two ligand reduction events and demonstrated that the ligand reduction shifts to a more positive potential when going from bidentate 2 to tridentate 4 (+160 mV for the first reduction step and +90 mV for the second). These observations indicate an increase in electrostatic stabilization of the reduced ligand in the tridentate conformation. Elaboration on this synthetic methodology documented its generality through the preparation of the pseudo‐octahedral rhenium(I) triflate complex [(2,6‐{2,6‐Me2C6H3NCPh}2C5H3N)Re(CO)2OTf] (7, 93 % yield).
Cleanability of Surfaces from Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Surrogate Riboflavin by Falling Film
Authors: Lerch Katja , Hinrichs Jörg , Dittmer Patrizia , Rauschnabel Johannes
Published: February 2013

Falling films in wash down process are of major interest for pharmaceutical isolators, which are used for processing of highly potent pharmaceutical products. In this study multiple process parameters were examined with common materials of isolator systems. The importance of material and surface finish in respect of cleanability and complete wetting as well as a combination of process parameters are presented and discussed. For cleaning validation an effect of high interest was discovered: swab sampling areas changed their properties over many repeated cycles and showed decreased cleanability.
POM‐Catalyzed In Situ Ligand Synthesis for the Construction of Metal Complexes and Their Use in the Formation of Coordination Polymers
Authors: Dey Chandan , Banerjee Rahul
Published: February 2013

Six organic–inorganic hybrid materials were synthesized by the in situ oxidation of neocuproine by using MoO3/Na2MoO4 as the catalyst in the presence of Cu(NO3)2. The crystal structures of Mo8‐Cu4‐PHEN and Mo8‐Cu2‐5(2PIC) are composed of [Mo8O26]4− polyoxometalate (POM) units, whereas the crystal structure of Mo6‐Cu‐COPHEN is composed of a [Mo6O19]2− POM unit; both POM units could be considered as the active form of the catalyst. Reaction of the hybrid materials with 1,3,5‐benzenetricarboxylic acid (BTC) resulted in the formation of two different coordination polymers (CPs) under different reaction conditions. These CPs, depending on their structural attributes, exhibit distinct differences in the adsorption of H2, CO2, and water. The use of 2‐methylpyridine instead of neocuproine does not give any oxidation products under the same reaction conditions due to the incorrect positioning of the methyl group with respect to the CuII center.
On the Photoabsorption by Permanganate Ions in Vacuo and the Role of a Single Water Molecule. New Experimental Benchmarks for Electronic Structure Theory
Authors: Houmøller Jørgen , Kaufman Sydney H. , Støchkel Kristian , Tribedi Lokesh C. , Brøndsted Nielsen Steen , Weber J. Mathias
Published: February 2013

We report electronic spectra of mass‐selected MnO4− and MnO4−⋅H2O using electronic photodissociation spectroscopy. Bare MnO4− fragments by formation of MnO3− and MnO2−, while the hydrated complex predominantly decays by loss of the water molecule. The band in the visible spectral region shows a well‐resolved vibrational progression consistent with the excitation of a MnO stretching mode. The presence of a single water molecule does not significantly perturb the spectrum of MnO4−. Comparison with the UV/Vis absorption spectrum of permanganate in aqueous solution shows that complete hydration causes a small blueshift, while theoretical models including a dielectric medium have predicted a redshift. The experimental data can be used as benchmarks for electronic structure theory methods, which usually predict electronic spectra in the absence of a chemical environment.
Effect of oxygen partial pressure on the marangoni flow of molten metals
Authors: Hibiya Taketoshi , Ozawa Shumpei
Published: February 2013

Measurements of surface tension of molten silver and iron are reviewed. Surface tension of molten silver and iron show boomerang‐shaped behavior; the maximum surface tension appears at a certain temperature, below which temperature coefficient of surface tension is positive. Due to change of temperature coefficient, Marangoni flow direction shows variation in a liquid bridge configuration.
Unraveling the Interfacial Electron Transfer Dynamics of Electroactive Microbial Biofilms Using Surface‐Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: Ly Hoang K. , Harnisch Falk , Hong Siang‐Fu , Schröder Uwe , Hildebrandt Peter , Millo Diego
Published: February 2013

The electron transfer (ET) processes of electroactive microbial biofilms have been investigated by combining electrochemistry and time‐resolved surface‐enhanced resonance Raman (TR‐SERR) spectroscopy. This experimental approach provides selective information on the ET process across the biofilm–electrode interface by monitoring the redox‐state changes of heme cofactors in outer membrane cytochromes (OMCs) that are in close vicinity (i.e., within 7 nm) to the Ag working electrode. The rate constant for heterogeneous ET of the surface‐confined OMCs (sc‐OMCs) of a mixed culture derived electroactive microbial biofilm has been determined to be 0.03 s−1. In contrast, according to kinetic simulations the ET between sc‐OMCs and their redox partners, embedded within the biofilm, is a much faster process with an estimated rate constant greater than 1.2 s−1. The slow rate of heterogeneous ET and the lack of high‐spin species in the SERR spectra rule out the direct attachment of the sc‐OMCs to the electrode surface.
Secure multicast routing protocols in mobile ad‐hoc networks
Authors: Moamen Ahmed Abdel , Hamza Haitham S. , Saroit Iman A.
Published: February 2013

A mobile ad‐hoc network (MANET) is a collection of autonomous nodes that communicate with each other by forming a multi‐hop radio network. Routing protocols in MANETs define how routes between source and destination nodes are established and maintained. Multicast routing provides a bandwidth‐efficient means for supporting group‐oriented applications. The increasing demand for such applications coupled with the inherent characteristics of MANETs (e.g., lack of infrastructure and node mobility) have made secure multicast routing a crucial yet challenging issue. Recently, several multicast routing protocols (MRP) have been proposed in MANETs. Depending on whether security is built‐in or added, MRP can be classified into two types: secure and security‐enhanced routing protocols, respectively. This paper presents a survey on secure and security‐enhanced MRP along with their security techniques and the types of attacks they can confront. A detailed comparison for the capability of the various routing protocols against some known attacks is also presented and analyzed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Generalized Synthesis of Mesoporous Rare Earth Oxide Thin Films through Amphiphilic Ionic Block Copolymer Templating
Authors: Xiao Ying , You Shusen , Yao Yuan , Zheng Tao , Lin Chen , Roth Stephan V. , Müller‐Buschbaum Peter , Steffen Werner , Sun Ling‐Dong , Yan Chun‐Hua , Gutmann Jochen S. , Yin Meizhen , Fu Jun , Cheng Ya‐Jun
Published: February 2013

A new concept to achieve the generalized synthesis of crystalline mesoporous rare earth (RE) oxide thin films templated with an ionic amphiphilic block copolymer is developed. Mesoporous La2O3, Eu2O3, Tb2O3, and Yb2O3 thin films as representatives of the light and heavy RE groups are synthesized by using polystyrene‐block‐poly(acrylic acid) (PS‐b‐PAA) as a templating agent. The impact of the concentration of PS‐b‐PAA on the morphologies of the mesopores is investigated. The local and long‐range lateral structures, vertical structures, and crystallinities of the mesoporous thin films are probed by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, grazing‐incidence small‐angle X‐ray scattering, X‐ray reflectivity, and transmission electron microscopy. The mechanism of formation of the mesoporous RE oxide thin films is discussed.
Oxidative Trimerization of Catechol to Hexahydroxytriphenylene
Authors: Morimoto Koji , Dohi Toshifumi , Kita Yasuyuki
Published: February 2013

Direct oxidative coupling is an attractive tool for environmentally benign green chemistry. We report the novel oxidative synthesis of hexahydroxytriphenylene by using a hypervalent iodine reagent. The reaction proceeds under very mild conditions for reducing acid waste and in a very short time at room temperature.
Shaking table test on the seismic failure characteristics of a subway station structure on liquefiable ground
Authors: Chen Guoxing , Wang Zhihua , Zuo Xi , Du Xiuli , Gao Hongmei
Published: February 2013

In order to investigate the seismic failure characteristics of a structure on the liquefiable ground, a series of shaking table tests were conducted based on a plaster model of a three‐story and three‐span subway station. The dynamic responses of the structure and ground soil under main shock and aftershock ground motions were studied. The sand boils and waterspouts phenomena, ground surface cracks, and earthquake‐induced ground surface settlements were observed in the testing. For the structure, the upward movement, local damage and member cracking were obtained. Under the main shock, there appeared longer liquefaction duration for the ground soil while the pore pressure dissipated slowly. The acceleration amplification effect of the liquefied soil was weakened, and the soil showed a remarkable shock absorption and concentration effect with low frequency component of ground motion. However, under the aftershock, the dissipation of pore pressure in the ground soil became obvious. The peak acceleration of the structure reduced with the buried depth. Dynamic soil pressure on the side wall was smaller in the middle and larger at both ends. The interior column of the model structure was the weakest member. The peak strain and damage degree for both sides of the interior column exhibited an ‘S’ type distribution along the height. Moreover, the seismic response of both ground soil and subway station structure exhibited a remarkable spatial effect. The seismic damage development process and failure mechanism of the structure illustrated in this study can provide references for the engineers and researcher. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
PERFLUORINATED COMPOUND CONCENTRATIONS IN GREAT BLUE HERON EGGS NEAR ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, USA, IN 1993 AND 2010–2011
Authors: Custer Thomas W. , Dummer Paul M. , Custer Christine M. , Wu Qian , Kannan Kurunthachalam , Trowbridge Annette
Published: February 2013

A great blue heron (Ardea herodias) colony on Pig's Eye Island on the Mississippi River near St. Paul, Minnesota, USA, is located near several potential perfluorinated compound (PFC) sources. The PFC concentrations in great blue heron eggs reported from a 1993 collection from the Pig's Eye colony were among the highest measured in bird eggs worldwide. The objective of this investigation was to determine whether PFC concentrations in great blue heron eggs at the Pig's Eye colony have changed since 1993. Total PFC concentrations in great blue heron eggs collected at the Pig's Eye colony in 2010 and 2011 (geometric mean = 340 and 492 ng/g wet wt) were 60% lower than the 1993 collection (1,015 ng/g wet wt). Among PFCs, perfluoroalkyl sulfonate concentrations were lower and perfluoroalkyl carboxylate concentrations were higher in the 2010 and 2011 collections. Two of 20 (10%) of the eggs analyzed from Pig's Eye in 2010 and 2011 were >1,000 ng PFCs/g wet weight and the maximum PFC value (2,506 ng PFCs/g wet wt) measured in 2010 and 2011 was among the highest PFC concentration reported in bird eggs. These high concentrations are at levels associated with physiological and neurological effects in birds. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2013;32:1077–1083. © 2013 SETAC
Use of Segmented Cell Operated in Hydrogen Recirculation Mode to Detect Water Accumulation in PEMFC
Authors: Pérez L. C. , Ihonen J. , Sousa J. M. , Mendes A.
Published: February 2013

Adequate water management is crucial to increase stability and durability of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells. In this paper, a test rig suitable for water balance and nitrogen crossover studies was built around a hydrogen‐air segmented cell and used to indirectly assess flooding or drying conditions in specific zones of the active cell area. In particular, the anode of the segmented cell was operated in recirculation mode with continuous water removal. Current density distribution (CDD) diagrams were obtained for different anode operating parameters, namely, the recirculated gas flow rate, anode pressure, and time between purges. Water accumulation at the electrodes was assessed from CDD diagrams and confirmed using water balance and flow‐patterns calculations. It was concluded that lower recirculation flow rates led to flooding due to decreased water removal capabilities at the anode. For higher recirculation flow rates, drying was observed in one zone of the cell but homogeneous CDD in the other. Finally, the use of partially segment bipolar plates was proposed to increase the in‐plane electrical resistance between adjacent segments. The partial segmentation increased the segment to segment in‐plane electrical resistance between 14 and 21% and decreased the through‐plane to in‐plane resistance ratio by 17%.
Preparation and Characterization of Perfluorosulfonate‐Free Phosphosilicate Glass‐Based Composite Proton‐Exchange Membrane
Authors: Di Z. , Li H. , Li M. , Mao D. , Chen X. , Xiao M.
Published: February 2013

Based on hydrothermally treated phosphosilicate (SiO2–P2O5) glass and sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) polymer, perfluorosulfonate‐free SiO2–P2O5/SPEEK composite membranes are prepared. The morphology, thermal and mechanical properties, pore structure, proton conductivity, water uptake, as well as the fuel cell performances of the SiO2–P2O5/SPEEK composite membranes are investigated. The SiO2–P2O5/SPEEK composite membranes with proton conductive SiO2–P2O5 glass powders of more than 50 wt.% were determined to be flexible due to the incorporation of the SPEEK polymer component, and it showed proton conductivities of above 10–2 S cm–1. A single H2/O2 fuel cell was assembled based on the SiO2–P2O5/SPEEK composite membrane, and was found to release a peak power density of 355.6 mW cm–2 at 68 °C.
Tropical precipitation and convection changes in the Max Planck Institute Earth system model (MPI‐ESM) in response to CO2 forcing
Authors: Crueger Traute , Hohenegger Cathy , May Wilhelm
Published: February 2013

Key Points

Convection scheme obeys climate change rules derived from CRM except over land

Link to land surface processes yields different precipitation sensitivity to CO2

Tropical deep convection gets less frequent (‐5.5%/K) and deeper (3.8 %/K)
Why is it so difficult to represent stably stratified conditions in numerical weather prediction (NWP) models?
Authors: Sandu Irina , Beljaars Anton , Bechtold Peter , Mauritsen Thorsten , Balsamo Gianpaolo
Published: February 2013

In the 1990s, scientists at European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) suggested that artificially enhancing turbulent diffusion in stable conditions improves the representation of two important aspects of weather forecasts, i.e., near‐surface temperatures and synoptic cyclones. Since then, this practice has often been used for tuning the large‐scale performance of operational numerical weather prediction (NWP) models, although it is widely recognized to be detrimental for an accurate representation of stable boundary layers. Here we investigate why, 20 years on, such a compromise is still needed in the ECMWF model. We find that reduced turbulent diffusion in stable conditions improves the representation of winds in stable boundary layers, but it deteriorates the large‐scale flow and the near‐surface temperatures. This suggests that enhanced diffusion is still needed to compensate for errors caused by other poorly represented processes. Among these, we identify the orographic drag, which influences the large‐scale flow in a similar way to the turbulence closure for stable conditions, and the strength of the land‐atmosphere coupling, which partially controls the near‐surface temperatures. We also take a closer look at the relationship between the turbulence closure in stable conditions and the large‐scale flow, which was not investigated in detail with a global NWP model. We demonstrate that the turbulent diffusion in stable conditions affects the large‐scale flow by modulating not only the strength of synoptic cyclones and anticyclones, but also the amplitude of the planetary‐scale standing waves.
Response of the middle atmosphere to anthropogenic and natural forcings in the CMIP5 simulations with the Max Planck Institute Earth system model
Authors: Schmidt H. , Rast S. , Bunzel F. , Esch M. , Giorgetta M. , Kinne S. , Krismer T. , Stenchikov G. , Timmreck C. , Tomassini L. , Walz M.
Published: February 2013

Key Points

Middle atmosphere features of the MPI‐ESM and external data are described

Middle atmosphere response to climate forcing in CMIP5 simulations is discussed

Future middle atmosphere evolution depends strongly on the emission scenario
Nanostructured scaffolds for bone tissue engineering
Authors: Li Xiaoming , Wang Lu , Fan Yubo , Feng Qingling , Cui Fu‐Zhai , Watari Fumio
Published: February 2013

It has been demonstrated that nanostructured materials, compared with conventional materials, may promote greater amounts of specific protein interactions, thereby more efficiently stimulating new bone formation. It has also been indicated that, when features or ingredients of scaffolds are nanoscaled, a variety of interactions can be stimulated at the cellular level. Some of those interactions induce favorable cellular functions while others may leads to toxicity. This review presents the mechanism of interactions between nanoscaled materials and cells and focuses on the current research status of nanostructured scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. Firstly, the main requirements for bone tissue engineering scaffolds were discussed. Then, the mechanism by which nanoscaled materials promote new bone formation was explained, following which the current research status of main types of nanostructured scaffolds for bone tissue engineering was reviewed and discussed. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2013.
A Reusable Palladium(II)/Cationic 2,2′‐Bipyridyl Catalytic System for Hydroxycarbonylation of Aryl Iodides in Water
Authors: Tsai Sheng‐Wen , Huang Shao‐Hsien , Lee Han‐Sheng , Tsai Fu‐Yu
Published: February 2013

A water‐soluble palladium(II)/cationic 2,2′‐bipyridyl system was utilized to catalyze hydroxycarbonylation of aryl iodides in the presence of a pressurized CO atmosphere under a basic aqueous solution at 100 °C. The residual aqueous solution could be reused in several times with only a slight decrease in catalytic activity. Thus, it reduced wastage of the precious metal in the reaction. A variety of aromatic carboxylic acids could still be obtained in high yields with the catalytic amount to 0.01 mol%.
Evaluation of the QMS® Teicoplanin Immunoassay (ThermoFisher Scientific) on Cobas® 8000 System (Roche Diagnostics) and Comparison to Fluorescence Polarization Immunoassay for the Determination of Teicoplanin Concentrations in Human Plasma
Authors: Dailly Eric , Fraissinet François , Deslandes Guillaume , Bouquié Régis , Jolliet Pascale
Published: February 2013

Background

The performances of the QMS® Teicoplanin immunoassay recently developed on Cobas® 6000/8000 systems were evaluated and compared to a fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA) [Teicoplanin Innofluor® Assay (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Indianapolis, IN)] on FLX analyzer (Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL)].

Methods

The validation was performed according to the Cofrac (French Accreditation Committee) document SH GTA 04. For the comparison, 48 plasma samples were analyzed by FPIA and QMS assays.

Results

The QMS assay is accurate (intra assay and inter assay inaccuracy ≤ 2.4%) and precise (intra assay and inter assay imprecision ≤ 10.2%). A linear relationship [QMS = 1.0319 × FPIA – 2.8518, r2 = 0.9246 (P < 0.001)] between FPIA and QMS was found. In the Bland—Altman plots, no systematic bias was found even if QMS results trends to be lower (mean of the ratio QMS concentration/FPIA concentration = 0.91).

Conclusion

These results between QMS and FPIA are consistent, which indicates that QMS® Teicoplanin immunoassay on Cobas® 8000 System is an alternative to FPIA. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 27:96–98, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.