bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Forest Resource Management and Utilisation through a Gendered Lens in Namibia
Authors: Mogotsi Immaculate , Lendelvo Selma , Angula Margaret , Nakanyala Jesaya
Published: November 2016

The shift in forestry policy towards resource management and access rights from state control to local community control has been a welcome step towards sustainable forest management in Namibia. The policy acknowledges the direct dependence on natural environmental resources by the proportional majority of the population that live in the rural areas of Namibia. This study was aimed at performing gender analysis by identifying relationships of various groups to natural resources. The study further assessed the influence these relationships have on control, access and use of forest resources, as well as on natural resource management and the implications thereof on various forest management efforts in the country. Data were collected from seven community forest institutions in Namibia and analysed using the Harvard Gender Analytical Framework. The findings show a gendered differentiated knowledge, control and access to forest resources and unequal participation in leadership and governance. Furthermore, the results suggest that unequal power relations among minority and vulnerable groups affect access to and control of forest resources. This study proposes participation of both men and women in the management, protection, access and utilisation of forest resources, as this will contribute to sustainable forest management and economic development of all members of society.
Comparative Analysis of the Traditional Models for Capital Budgeting
Authors: Alhabeeb M. J.
Published: November 2016

Financial decision making for investing firms requires metric tools for comparison and analysis. The managerial choice among many investment alternatives with complex possibilities has made it easier to rely on the now more advanced computer programs of simulation that considers the uncertainty and stochastic changes in the cash flow and risk levels. The major drawback here, especially in the academic world, is the increasing dependency on software and departing from the underlying mathematical reasoning that is most practically fathomed by the manual problem solving. This paper goes back to the tradition on analyzing and comparing the major models of capital budgeting.
Analyzing E-Commerce Websites: A Quali-Quantitive Approach for the User Perceived Web Quality (UPWQ)
Authors: Di Fatta Davide , Musotto Roberto , Vesperi Walter
Published: November 2016

The electronic commerce (e-commerce) is an increasingly important phenomenon and this research deals with perceived quality from the users-customers point of view. The aim of this paper is to shed light on the critical factors determining the User Perceived Web Quality (UPWQ) for e-commerce.

We use the Pareto Chart as qualitative methodology able to identify the UPWQ considering not only technical features (ease of use, design, smart phone and tablet responsivity, information), but also emotional features such as trust, empathy, free shipping and discount. The Pareto chart main has the advantage to classify the selected features by their relevance.

We found that emotional features are more relevant than technical ones. Among the features we took into account, three alone (discount, free shipping and ease of use) determine about 70% of the user perceived web quality for e-commerce.

Our results have significant practical implication for managers involved in online business in order to better allocate resources to the most critical factors.
Exploring Demand toward Celebrity Memorabilia: Do Celebrities Never Really Die?
Authors: Ergin Elif Akagun , Ozdemir Handan
Published: November 2016

Celebrities always seem larger than life; it is when they die that we remember they are only human. With the emergence of the Internet and social networking sites, consumers are able to follow the daily activities of their favorite celebrities. After a celebrity’s death, consumers exhibit a stronger interest in the lives of these celebrities and demand for celebrity-related products increases sharply. The aim of the present study is to examine young consumers’ responses to celebrity deaths and explore the major factors that lead to increased demand for celebrity memorabilia and merchandise. Specifically, this research will attempt to present why young consumers exhibit such a sudden and strong interest in celebrity-related products after their death and why these products are cherished so greatly. Factor analysis is applied and the results indicate that a celebrity’s death increases young consumers’ demand for memorabilia due to five major factors. These factors include immortality of the celebrity, keepsake value & deep-felt love as well as uniqueness of the celebrity, prestige and financial value attached with the product and wide availability & increased media promotion. Based on these factors, it can be argued that consumption of celebrity merchandise is motivated by the attachment and significance of the celebrity to the young consumer before death. These results are important for marketers to grasp the effect of death on the consumption of celebrity merchandise. Online and traditional retailers need to understand the major factors attracting consumers to celebrity memorabilia and merchandise so that they can respond quickly and efficiently to sudden demand fluctuations.
The Role and Importance of Brand in the Marketing of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Kosovo
Authors: Ukaj Fatos
Published: November 2016

Nowadays, every branch of economic activities is a subject of the various influences in which they cannot have an impact. The capabilities of an enterprise to have a significant impact on business environments can be done through the creation of their own brand. Hence, this has become a tool for the identification of its products and enterprises. Enterprises have exploited brand as a means by which businesses have improved their own turnover, competitive position in the market, and winning the loyalty of their consumers. In Kosovo, there is an increasing trend of enterprises in creating a brand for their own products. Thus, this gives them a higher possibility for identification by the consumers, fosters the development of marketing policies, and provides them the opportunity to break through new markets. The scope of this paper is to determine the importance and rationale for the creation of certain brands. It was able to achieve this through a research of perception for the brands by consumers, as well as finding out grounds and influential factors during their selection of certain brands. The data acquired have proved that there are some advantages of enterprises that have a well-known brand. Also, the various factors which influence customer’s decision include physical product handling features, good experiences, packaging, warranty, etc. The data presented will help in the future for an increase in awareness on the importance of branding in the practice of enterprises. Therefore, this is with the aim of creating a good image for the products as well as enterprises.
Epilepsy and the Sensory Systems
Authors: Wolf Peter
Published: November 2016

The relations of epilepsy and the sensory systems are bidirectional. Epilepsy may act on sensory systems by producing sensory seizure symptoms, by altering sensory performance, and by epilepsy treatment causing sensory side effects. Sensory system activity may have an important role in both generation and inhibition of seizures.
How and Why Study Posttraumatic Epileptogenesis in Animal Models?
Authors: Smith Bret N.
Published: November 2016

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) greatly increases the risk of medically intractable epilepsy. Several models of TBI have been developed to investigate the relationship between TBI and posttraumatic epileptogenesis. Because the incident that precipitates development of epilepsy is known, studying mechanisms of epileptogenesis, identifying biomarkers to predict PTE, and developing treatments to prevent epilepsy after TBI are attainable research goals.
Becoming a Diplômé in Kinshasa. Education at the Intersection of Politics and Urban Livelihoods
Authors: Pype Katrien
Published: November 2016

Like other cities around the globe where the state organizes exams, Kinshasa’sexétatshows the degree to which social difference and urban livelihood are intimately connected. However, despite the assumption thatdiplômésmaster book knowledge, recent changes in the practice of theexétathave transformed the meaning of adiplômé, turning that figure into ayankee, i.e., someone who possesses street knowledge that comes from experience with the informal and the illegal. More abstractly, the identity of adiplôméhas become a signifier for the opposite of its taken-for-granted signified. Kinois society publicly acclaims the social and cultural capital attached to school degrees; however, most recentdiplôméshave obtained their degree through bribes and organized cheating.
Images de l’islam. Représentations de l’islam et des musulmans dans les journaux télévisés flamands
Authors: Ichau Elke , d’Haenens Leen
Published: November 2016

Cette étude s’intéresse à la manière dont les journaux télévisés flamands présentent l’islam et les musulmans au moyen d’une analyse de contenu quantitative et qualitative d’un échantillon de 100 sujets d’actualité diffusés par une chaîne publique et une chaîne commerciale en 2010. Nos résultats montrent que l’islam et les musulmans n’ont pas fait l’objet d’une grande attention médiatique en 2010. La majorité des sujets axés sur l’islam concernent des événements survenus à l’étranger, principalement en Europe et aux États-Unis. Les thèmes les plus récurrents sont le terrorisme et la religion. Les sujets consacrés spécifiquement à l’islam en tant que religion sont généralement assez complets, présentant une information de fond, différents points de vue et différentes sources. La plupart des sujets portent toutefois sur d’autres questions qui associent souvent, de manière plus ou moins explicite, l’islam et les musulmans à des thématiques négatives, telles que le terrorisme et la violence.
Les défis de l’intégration sociale des jeunes immigrants à l’extérieur de la métropole québécoise
Authors: Steinbach Marilyn
Published: November 2016

Cette étude longitudinale sur l’intégration linguistique, scolaire et sociale des élèves issus de l’immigration au secondaire dans une région du Québec présente quelques défis d’intégration sociale vécus par ces sujets pendant leurs deux premières années dans la société d’accueil. Les objectifs de l’étude sont de documenter les trajectoires scolaires de ces adolescents et de démystifier leur intégration dans les classes ordinaires ou spéciales. Le cadre théorique considère la nature réciproque du processus d’intégration, ainsi que les diverses stratégies d’acculturation utilisées par les élèves. Toutefois, le présent article sera consacré à présenter la perspective des jeunes immigrants. Les résultats révèlent des défis importants pour ces élèves dans les expériences qu’ils vivent, les obstacles individuels et systémiques et l’importance des facteurs socioaffectifs dans leur processus d’intégration.
Argon gas flow through glass nanopipette
Authors: Takami Tomohide , Nishimoto Kiwamu , Goto Tadahiko , Ogawa Shuichi , Iwata Futoshi , Takakuwa Yuji
Published: November 2016

We have observed the flow of argon gas through a glass nanopipette in vacuum. A glass nanopipette with an inner diameter of 100 nm and a shank length of 3 mm was set between vacuum chambers, and argon gas was introduced from the top of the nanopipette to the bottom. The exit pressure was monitored with an increase in entrance pressure in the range of 50–170 kPa. Knudsen flow was observed at an entrance pressure lower than 100 kPa, and Poiseuille flow was observed at an entrance pressure higher than 120 kPa. The proposed pressure-dependent gas flow method provides a means of evaluating the glass nanopipette before using it for various applications including nanodeposition to surfaces and femtoinjection to living cells.
Constraining the relative importance of raindrop‐ and flow‐driven sediment transport mechanisms in postwildfire environments and implications for recovery time scales
Authors: McGuire Luke A. , Kean Jason W. , Staley Dennis M. , Rengers Francis K. , Wasklewicz Thad A.
Published: November 2016

Mountain watersheds recently burned by wildfire often experience greater amounts of runoff and increased rates of sediment transport relative to similar unburned areas. Given the sedimentation and debris flow threats caused by increases in erosion, more work is needed to better understand the physical mechanisms responsible for the observed increase in sediment transport in burned environments and the time scale over which a heightened geomorphic response can be expected. In this study, we quantified the relative importance of different hillslope erosion mechanisms during two postwildfire rainstorms at a drainage basin in Southern California by combining terrestrial laser scanner‐derived maps of topographic change, field measurements, and numerical modeling of overland flow and sediment transport. Numerous debris flows were initiated by runoff at our study area during a long‐duration storm of relatively modest intensity. Despite the presence of a well‐developed rill network, numerical model results suggest that the majority of eroded hillslope sediment during this long‐duration rainstorm was transported by raindrop‐induced sediment transport processes, highlighting the importance of raindrop‐driven processes in supplying channels with potential debris flow material. We also used the numerical model to explore relationships between postwildfire storm characteristics, vegetation cover, soil infiltration capacity, and the total volume of eroded sediment from a synthetic hillslope for different end‐member erosion regimes. This study adds to our understanding of sediment transport in steep, postwildfire landscapes and shows how data from field monitoring can be combined with numerical modeling of sediment transport to isolate the processes leading to increased erosion in burned areas.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging–Detected Myocardial Inflammation and Fibrosis in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Associations With Disease Characteristics and N‐Terminal Pro–Brain Natriuretic Peptide Levels
Authors: Kobayashi Hitomi , Kobayashi Yasuyuki , Yokoe Isamu , Akashi Yosikatsu , Takei Masami , Giles Jon T.
Published: November 2016

Objective

Myocardial dysfunction and heart failure (HF) are increased in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), yet there are few studies of the myocardium in RA.

Methods

RA patients with no known heart disease or risk factors underwent gadolinium‐enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Images were assessed for left‐ventricular (LV) structural and functional parameters and for myocardial late gadolinium enhancement (LGE; an indicator of myocardial fibrosis) and T2‐weighted imaging (an indicator of active inflammation). We modeled the associations between RA characteristics and N‐terminal pro–brain natriuretic protein (NT‐proBNP) levels with LGE and T2‐weighted imaging. We also assessed whether LGE and/or T2‐weighted imaging were associated with abnormal LV structure or dysfunction.

Results

A total of 60 RA patients were studied. LGE was present in 19 (32%) and T2‐weighted imaging in 7 (12%), 5 of whom also had LGE. After adjustment for relevant confounders, higher odds of LGE with each swollen joint (odds ratio [OR] 1.87, P = 0.008), each log unit higher C‐reactive protein level (OR 3.36, P = 0.047), and each log unit higher NT‐proBNP (OR 20.61, P = 0.009) were found. NT‐proBNP was also significantly higher (135%) among those with T2‐weighted imaging than in those without T2‐weighted imaging or LGE. Higher LV mass index and LV mass:end diastolic volume ratio were observed in those with T2‐weighted imaging than in those with no myocardial abnormalities and in those with LGE without T2‐weighted imaging; however, ejection fraction was not reduced in those with either LGE or T2‐weighted imaging.

Conclusion

These data suggest that cardiac MRI findings indicating myocardial inflammation/fibrosis are correlated with RA disease activity and alterations in myocardial structure known to precede clinical HF.
Illness Perceptions and Mortality in Patients With Gout: A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Serlachius Anna , Gamble Greg , House Meaghan , Vincent Zoe L. , Knight Julie , Horne Anne , Taylor William J. , Petrie Keith J. , Dalbeth Nicola
Published: November 2016

Objective

To examine whether illness perceptions independently predict mortality in early‐onset gout.

Methods

Between December 2006 and January 2014, a total of 295 participants with early‐onset gout (<10 years) were recruited in Auckland and Wellington, New Zealand. The participants were followed up until February 2015, and mortality information was collected. Participants with complete data were included in the current study (n = 242). Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the association between illness perceptions and mortality risk, after adjustment for covariates associated with disease severity and mortality in gout.

Results

In a Cox proportional hazards model adjusted for predictors of disease severity and mortality in gout (number of tophi, serum urate level, and frequency of flares), consequence beliefs, identity beliefs, concern beliefs, and emotional response to gout were associated with all‐cause mortality (hazard ratios [HRs] 1.29, 1.15, 1.18, and 1.19, respectively; P < 0.05 for all). In the fully saturated model, the association between consequence beliefs and mortality remained robust after additional adjustment for ethnicity, disease duration, diuretic use, serum creatinine, and pain score (HR 1.18 [95% confidence interval 1.02–1.37]; P = 0.029).

Conclusion

Negative beliefs about the impact of gout and severity of symptoms, as well as concerns about gout and the emotional response to gout, were independently associated with all‐cause mortality. Illness perceptions are important and potentially modifiable risk factors to target in future interventions.
A Catalyst‐Directed Remote Stereogenic Center Switch During the Site‐Selective Aldol Desymmetrization of Cyclohexanone‐Based Diketones
Authors: Nugent Thomas C. , Spiteller Peter , Hussain Ishtiaq , Hussein Hussein Ali El Damrany , Najafian Foad Tehrani
Published: November 2016

Site‐selectivity, differentiating members of the same functional group type on one substrate, is an emerging tactic for shortened advanced building block and biomolecule synthesis. Despite its potential, site‐selectivity remains less studied and especially so for ketone‐based substrates. During this work ketone site‐selectivity has been coupled with the chiral amine‐catalyzed aldol desymmetrization of 4‐keto‐substituted cyclohexanones, allowing three stereogenic centers to form in the aldol product while leaving the acyclic ketone unreacted. Unique here, compared to all previous 4‐substituted cyclohexanone desymmetrizations, is the first access to synthetically useful quantities of an epimeric (remote stereogenic center) aldol product. To demonstrate the value of these aldol products, we show their elaboration into eight keto‐acetonide and one keto‐lactone products. All compounds were isolated as single diastereomers and in high ee (≥96%). These efforts represent the first full characterization of aldol products with type III, Figure 2, relative stereochemistry, regardless of the enantiomer formed.

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The Effects of Assisted Housing on Child Well‐Being
Authors: Newman Sandra , Holupka C. Scott
Published: November 2016

The most rigorous research on the causal effects of assisted housing on children's outcomes finds no such effects. The present study uses rich longitudinal data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, augmented with Census, American Community Survey and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development administrative data, to unpack these nil effects. Analyses include 194 children ( age = 6.2 years) living in assisted housing in 1995 or later who were 13–17 years old in 2002 or 2007, and an unassisted comparison group of 215 children who were income‐eligible for, but never received, housing assistance. Results suggested no mean effects of living in assisted housing during childhood on adolescent cognitive, behavior, and health outcomes, addressing selection through propensity score matching and instrumental variables. However, quantile regressions suggest assisted housing provides an added boost for children with the best cognitive performance and fewest behavior problems but has opposite effects on children with the lowest cognitive scores and most behavior problems. Further tests indicate that these differences are not explained either by neighborhood effects or housing quality. A potentially fruitful avenue for future research investigates differences in how parents take advantage of the housing affordability provided by assisted housing to benefit their children.
Successful non‐operative management of traumatic extrahepatic portal venous injury without intraperitoneal hemorrhage: a case report
Authors: Hamanaka Kunio , Hirokawa Yuusuke , Itoh Tsuyoshi , Fujino Mitsuhiro , Kano Kenichi , Beppu Satoru , Sasahashi Nozomu , Nishiyama Kei
Published: November 2016

Case

A 52‐year‐old woman was admitted to our hospital with hypotension after falling from the fifth floor of an apartment building. Contrast‐enhanced computed tomography showed liver injury with extravasation of contrast material from the hepatic artery, and extrahepatic portal venous injury with extravasation and pseudoaneurysm. Intra‐abdominal hemorrhage was not observed, and bleeding was confined to the retroperitoneal space. Hepatic arteriography showed extravasation, while portal venography showed pseudoaneurysm but no extravasation. After transarterial embolization, the patient's vital signs improved. Non‐operative management was selected for the portal venous injury.

Outcome

Computed tomography on the 58th hospital day revealed disappearance of the portal venous pseudoaneurysm. The patient was discharged on the 90th hospital day without any complications.

Conclusion

This case shows that non‐operative management can be selected for portal venous injury when there is no retroperitoneal injury and bleeding is confined to the retroperitoneal space.
A Self‐Binding, Melt‐Castable, Crystalline Organic Electrolyte for Sodium Ion Conduction
Authors: Chinnam Parameswara Rao , Fall Birane , Dikin Dmitriy A. , Jalil AbdelAziz , Hamilton Clifton R. , Wunder Stephanie L. , Zdilla Michael J.
Published: November 2016

The preparation and characterization of the cocrystalline solid–organic sodium ion electrolyte NaClO4(DMF)3 (DMF=dimethylformamide) is described. The crystal structure of NaClO4(DMF)3 reveals parallel channels of Na+ and ClO4− ions. Pressed pellets of microcrystalline NaClO4(DMF)3 exhibit a conductivity of 3×10−4 S cm−1 at room temperature with a low activation barrier to conduction of 25 kJ mol−1. SEM revealed thin liquid interfacial contacts between crystalline grains, which promote conductivity. The material melts gradually between 55–65 °C, but does not decompose, and upon cooling, it resolidifies as solid NaClO4(DMF)3, permitting melt casting of the electrolyte into thin films and the fabrication of cells in the liquid state and ensuring penetration of the electrolyte between the electrode active particles.
Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of 3‐Indolyl Methanamines Using Unprotected Indoles and N‐Boc Imines under Basic Conditions
Authors: Arai Takayoshi , Kakino Junki
Published: November 2016

A chiral imidazolidine‐containing NCN/Pd‐OTf catalyst (C4) promoted the nucleophilic addition of unprotected indoles to N‐Boc imines. Using sulfinyl amines as the N‐Boc imine precursors, the combined use of C4 with K2CO3 activated the NH indoles to give chiral 3‐indolyl methanamines with up to 98 % ee. Compared with conventional acid‐catalyzed Friedel–Crafts reactions, this reaction proceeds under mildly basic conditions and is advantageous for the use of acid‐sensitive substrates.
Cytocompatible Polymer Grafting from Individual Living Cells by Atom‐Transfer Radical Polymerization
Authors: Kim Ji Yup , Lee Bong Soo , Choi Jinsu , Kim Beom Jin , Choi Ji Yu , Kang Sung Min , Yang Sung Ho , Choi Insung S.
Published: November 2016

A cytocompatible method of surface‐initiated, activator regenerated by electron transfer, atom transfer radical polymerization (SI‐ARGET ATRP) is developed for engineering cell surfaces with synthetic polymers. Dopamine‐based ATRP initiators are used for both introducing the ATRP initiator onto chemically complex cell surfaces uniformly (by the material‐independent coating property of polydopamine) and protecting the cells from radical attack during polymerization (by the radical‐scavenging property of polydopamine). Synthetic polymers are grafted onto the surface of individual yeast cells without significant loss of cell viability, and the uniform and dense grafting is confirmed by various characterization methods including agglutination assay and cell‐division studies. This work will provide a strategic approach to the generation of living cell–polymer hybrid structures and open the door to their application in multitude of areas, such as sensor technology, catalysis, theranostics, and cell therapy.
Terpencyclasen aus sozialen Amöben
Authors: Rabe Patrick , Rinkel Jan , Nubbemeyer Britta , Köllner Tobias G. , Chen Feng , Dickschat Jeroen S.
Published: November 2016

Genomsequenzierung von sozialen Amöben zeigte die Präsenz von Terpencyclasen (TCs) in diesen Organismen. Zwei TCs aus Dictyostelium discoideum konvertierten Farnesyldiphosphat in (2S,3R,6S,9S)‐(−)‐Protoillud‐7‐en und (3S)‐(+)‐Asterisca‐2(9),6‐dien. Die Enzymmechanismen und EI‐MS‐Fragmentierungen der Produkte wurden durch Markierungsexperimente studiert.
Peculiar All‐Metal σ‐Aromaticity of the [Au2Sb16]4− Anion in the Solid State
Authors: Popov Ivan A. , Pan Fu‐Xing , You Xue‐Rui , Li Lei‐Jiao , Matito Eduard , Liu Chao , Zhai Hua‐Jin , Sun Zhong‐Ming , Boldyrev Alexander I.
Published: November 2016

Gas‐phase clusters are deemed to be σ‐aromatic when they satisfy the 4n+2 rule of aromaticity for delocalized σ electrons and fulfill other requirements known for aromatic systems. While the range of n values was shown to be quite broad when applied to short‐lived clusters found in molecular‐beam experiments, stability of all‐metal cluster‐like fragments isolated in condensed phase was previously shown to be mainly ascribed to two electrons (n=0). In this work, the applicability of this concept is extended towards solid‐state compounds by demonstrating a unique example of a storable compound, which was isolated as a stable [K([2.2.2]crypt)]+ salt, featuring a [Au2Sb16]4− cluster core possessing two all‐metal aromatic AuSb4 fragments with six delocalized σ electrons each (n=1). This discovery pushes the boundaries of the original idea of Kekulé and firmly establishes the usefulness of the σ‐aromaticity concept as a general idea for both small clusters and solid‐state compounds.
Pentafluoroethylsilicic Acids
Authors: Schwarze Nico , Steinhauer Simon , Neumann Beate , Stammler Hans‐Georg , Hoge Berthold
Published: November 2016

Pure anhydrous hexafluorosilicic acid (H2[SiF6]) is a still elusive species, although its existence in aqueous solutions is well documented. Desiccation inevitably leads to decomposition to form tetrafluorosilane and hydrogen fluoride. An oxonium hexafluorosilicate turned out to not be stable at room temperature. Partial substitution of the fluorine atoms with strong electron‐withdrawing perfluoroalkyl groups results in substantial stabilization of the corresponding fluorosilicic acids. Mono‐ and bis(pentafluoroethyl)‐substituted fluorosilicic acids were prepared through conversion of the respective halosilanes (Si(C2F5)nX4−n, with X=Cl, Br) with aqueous HF, and were obtained as colorless solids. They can be stored at room temperature for several months without decomposition, and thus are the first examples of stable fluorosilicic acids.
Safer Pyrotechnic Obscurants Based on Phosphorus(V) Nitride
Authors: Koch Ernst‐Christian , Cudziło Stanisław
Published: November 2016

The potential of phosphorus(V) nitride, P3N5 , as a replacement for red phosphorus, PR, in pyrotechnic obscurants has been theoretically and experimentally investigated. P3N5 can be safely mixed with KNO3 and even KClO3 and KClO4 . The corresponding formulations are surprisingly insensitive to friction and only mildly impact‐sensitive. P3N5 /KNO3 pyrolants with ξ=20–80 wt % P3N5 burn 200 times faster than the corresponding mixtures based on PR and generate a dense smoke. Hence obscurants based on P3N5 /KNO3 have a figure of merit that by far exceeds that of current state‐of‐the‐art PR‐based obscurants. Furthermore, unlike PR, which slowly degrades in moist air to phosphoric acids and phosphine (PH3), P3N5 is stable under these conditions and does not produce any acids or PH3 . P3N5 is hence a safe, stable, and powerful replacement for PR for use in insensitive munitions.
Mechanical properties and drug release of microcapsules containing quaternized‐chitosan‐modified reduced graphene oxide in the capsular wall
Authors: Xue Wuzi , Chen Yanjun , Chen Hao , Xia Yuanling
Published: November 2016

Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) sheets were first modified with 2‐hydroxypropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan (HACC), and these modified rGO sheets (named HACC–rGO) were used as reinforcement materials and introduced to the walls of chitosan (CS) microcapsules. All of the monodisperse microcapsules were conveniently generated by a gas–liquid microfluidic technique. The results of scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis all demonstrate that the HACC–rGO sheets existed and were dispersed in the capsular shell. The HACC–rGO‐reinforced CS microcapsules showed better mechanical strength and better chemical stability with an α‐cyclodextrin solution than the CS microcapsules without HACC–rGO. Importantly, the HACC–rGO‐reinforced CS microcapsules exhibited a slower drug‐release behavior and provide a method for the control of the release rate of drug‐loaded microcapsules. In an in vitro cytotoxicity evaluation by a 3‐(4,5‐dimethyl‐2‐thiazolyl)‐2,5‐diphenyl‐2‐H‐tetrazolium bromide assay, the Schwann cells still showed good cell viability after they were treated by extracts of the CS/HACC–rGO microcapsules with concentrations ranging from 0.02 to 2000 μg/mL. Therefore, the HACC–rGO‐reinforced CS microcapsules are promising for applications in the fields of drug delivery and controlled release. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44549.
Enzymatic degradation of polyacrylamide in aqueous solution with peroxidase and H2O2
Authors: Gilbert William J. R. , Johnson Stephen J. , Tsau Jyun‐Syung , Liang Jenn‐Tai , Scurto Aaron M.
Published: November 2016

Polyacrylamides are often used in water‐based hydraulic fracturing for natural gas and oil production. However, residual polymer remaining in the fractured rock can limit production. A novel approach for degrading partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM) was investigated using hydrogen peroxide and horseradish peroxidase (HRP). This sustainable HRP/H2O2 system degraded the polymer in solution, reducing its viscosity in both pure water and brine solutions. Molecular weight measurements confirmed that the viscosity reduction was due to a significant degradation of the polymer backbone and not primarily by other mechanisms such as amide hydrolysis or rearrangement, and so forth. The reduction in viscosity and molecular weight was first order with respect to H2O2 concentration. The kinetics of viscosity reduction and molecular weight are closely correlated which would allow the quicker and simpler viscosity method to help engineer future processes. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44560.
Retracted: Controlled synthesis of magnetic block copolymers for anti‐microbial purpose
Authors: Zhao Hongjian
Published: November 2016

The above article from the Journal of Applied Polymer Science [Volume 134 (2017), Issue 11, 44598; version of record online: November 9, 2016] has been retracted by agreement between the author Hongjian Zhao, the Editor‐in‐Chief, Stefan Spiegel, and Wiley Periodicals, Inc. The retraction has been agreed following an investigation indicating that the majority of the paper is based on results not created by the author and used without permission from the original authors/scientists and the group of Prof. Xiaoyan Yuan, where the work was done.

REFERENCES

Zhao, H. 2016, . J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 134, 44598. https://doi.org/10.1002/app.44598
Brachial Plexus in the Pampas Fox (Lycalopex gymnocercus): a Descriptive and Comparative Analysis
Authors: de Souza Junior Paulo , da Cruz de Carvalho Natan , de Mattos Karine , Abidu Figueiredo Marcelo , Luiz Quagliatto Santos André
Published: November 2016

Twenty thoracic limbs of ten Lycalopex gymnocercus were dissected to describe origin and distribution of the nerves forming brachial plexuses. The brachial plexus resulted from the connections between the ventral branches of the last three cervical nerves (C6, C7, and C8) and first thoracic nerve (T1). These branches connected the suprascapular, subscapular, axillary, musculocutaneous, radial, median and ulnar nerves to the intrinsic musculature and connected the brachiocephalic, thoracodorsal, lateral thoracic, long thoracic, cranial pectoral and caudal pectoral nerves to the extrinsic musculature. The C7 ventral branches contribute most to the formation of the nerves (62.7%), followed by C8 (58.8%), T1 (40.0%) and C6 (24.6%). Of the 260 nerves dissected, 69.2% resulted from a combination of two or three branches, while only 30.8% originated from a single branch. The origin and innervation area of the pampas fox brachial plexus, in comparison with other domestic and wild species, were most similar to the domestic dog and wild canids from the neotropics. The results of this study can serve as a base for comparative morphofunctional analysis involving this species and development of nerve block techniques. Anat Rec, 300:537–548, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Novel Indomethacin Derivatives as Potential Anti‐Colon Cancer Agents
Authors: Farrag Amel Mostafa
Published: November 2016

The molecular structure of indomethacin was used as a starting scaffold for the synthesis of 20 novel analogs and to study their effects on the proliferation of three human colon cancer cell lines, HCT‐116, HT‐29, and Caco‐2, by MTT assay. The synthesized indomethacin analogs were characterized on the basis of IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, mass spectral data, and elemental analysis results. Cytotoxicity assay results showed that the indomethacin amide analog 2 was the most potent anticancer agent (IC50 = 0.78, 0.09, and 0.0127 μg/mL) against the three colon cancer cell lines, respectively, being more potent than the standard 5‐fluorouracil (IC50 = 1.8, 0.75, and 5.45 μg/mL). Interestingly, the indomethacin oxazin analog 3 and the indomethacin amide analog 8 displayed very potent anticancer activity against the HCT‐116 cell line with IC50 = 0.421 and 0.27 μg/mL, respectively, much better than the reference (IC50 = 1.8 μg/mL). Additionally, analogs 3, 4b, 11, 12c, and 13a exhibited excellent antitumor activity against Caco‐2 cells, with IC50 ranging from 1.5 to 4.5 μg/mL. Furthermore, analogs 2 and 8 were additionally examined for their effect on the cell cycle of HCT‐116 and HT‐29 cells, respectively, using flow cytometric analysis. Analog 2 arrested the cell cycle of HT‐29 cells at the S phase, while 8 was found to arrest the cell cycle of HCT‐116 cells at the G0/G1 phase.
Monodisperse TiO2 Spheres with High Charge Density and Their Self‐Assembly
Authors: Xia Hongbo , Wu Suli , Su Xin , Zhang Shufen
Published: November 2016

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) spheres are potential candidates to fabricate three‐dimensional (3D) photonic crystals owing to their high refractive index and low absorption in the visible and near‐infrared regions. Here, TiO2 spheres with both high surface charge density and uniform size, which are necessary for the self‐assembly of TiO2 spheres, have been prepared by means of sol–gel methods in ethanol in the presence of thioglycolic acid as ligand. Thioglycolic acid, which contains two functional groups, not only acts as coordinating ligand for stabilizing and controlling the growth of TiO2 spheres but also endows the resulting TiO2 spheres with high charge density as based on ζ‐potential analysis when the pH of the TiO2 aqueous dispersion was 6.5 or higher. The SEM images illustrate that the diameter of the prepared TiO2 spheres can be tuned from 100 to 300 nm by simply controlling the concentration of H2O. FTIR spectra confirm that thioglycolic acid bonded to the surface of TiO2 spheres through carboxylic groups. As anticipated, the obtained TiO2 spheres could self‐assemble to form a 3D opal photonic crystal structure by means of a simple gravity sedimentation method. Then the TiO2 spheres in the 3D opal photonic crystal structure were able to transform into a pure anatase phase by annealing at different temperatures.
Zinc Complexes of Cyclodextrin‐bearing 8‐Hydroxyquinoline Ligands: A Comparative Study
Authors: Oliveri Valentina , Pietropaolo Adriana , Sgarlata Carmelo , Vecchio Graziella
Published: November 2016

The mounting evidence supporting the role of metal ions in several diseases has turned metal‐ion chelation therapy into a promising treatment strategy. The design of efficient metal‐binding ligands requires in‐depth knowledge of molecular structure and stability constants of the complexes formed. This paper presents an extensive overview on the stability of zinc(II) and copper(II) complexes of a series of cyclodextrin‐8‐hydroxyquinoline conjugates. In order to explain the differences observed in the stability constants between the metal complexes of the 6‐functionalized and 3‐functionalized cyclodextrin isomers, conformational analysis and DFT simulations were also performed. Molecular simulations allowed us to clarify the binding mode and to explain the differences in the stability constants of the metal complexes of these derivatives.
Design and characterization of symmetric nucleic acids via molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Pant Pradeep , Afshan Shaikh Saher , Jayaram B.
Published: November 2016

Asymmetry (5′→3′) associated with each strand of the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is inherent in the sugar‐phosphate backbone connectivity and is essential for replication and transcription. We note that this asymmetry is due to one single chemical bond (C3′ to C2′) in each nucleotide unit, and the absence of this bond results in directionally symmetric nucleic acids. We also discovered that creation of an extra chemical bond (C5′ to C2′) can lead to a symmetric backbone. Keeping their potential synthetic and therapeutic interest in mind, we designed a few novel symmetric nucleic acids. We investigated their conformational stability and flexibility via detailed all atom explicit solvent 100‐ns long molecular dynamics simulations and compared the resulting structures with that of regular B‐DNA. Quite interestingly, some of the symmetric nucleic acids retain the overall double helical structure indicating their potential for integration in physiological DNA without causing major structural perturbations.
Optimized Energetic Usage of Brewers' Spent Grains
Authors: Weger Andreas , Jung Rolf , Stenzel Fabian , Hornung Andreas
Published: November 2016

Brewers' spent grains (BSG) are a by‐product of beer production which are traditionally used as animal feed. Since this option is declining, the energetic usage becomes an interesting alternative. Although a lot of research projects have been carried out during the last 30 years there is still no mature strategy available. One possibility could be the mechanical pretreatment of BSG to reach an optimized energetic usage. Due to the transfer of digestible components into the press water, the press cake largely consists of combustible components. The press water can be digested to biogas, the press cake can be co‐incinerated with wood chips. Although BSG cannot cover the complete energy supply of breweries, it can be an incentive to realize 100 % renewable energy concepts at breweries.
Pristine Ta3N5 Nanotubes: Trap‐Driven High External Biasing Perspective in Semiconductor/Electrolyte Interfaces
Authors: Khan Sherdil , Santos Marcos J. L. , Malfatti Célia F. , Dupont Jairton , Teixeira Sérgio R.
Published: November 2016

Ta3N5 is a promising photoelectrode for solar hydrogen production; however, to date pristine Ta3N5 electrodes without loading co‐catalysts have presented limited photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance. In particular, large external biasing has been required to run water oxidation, the origin of which is investigated herein. Ta3N5 nanotubes (NTs) prepared by nitridation were characterized by a wide range of techniques. The bandgap was confirmed by a novel PEC technique. Nondestructive synchrotron‐excited XPS has shown the presence of reduced Ta species deeper in the Ta3N5 surface. Lower photocurrent and transient spikes that were intense at lower applied biasing were observed under water oxidation; however, spikes were inhibited in the presence of a sacrificial agent and photocurrent was improved even at low biasing. It was observed for the first time that the lower PEC performance under water oxidation can be attributed to the presence of interband trapping states associated with pristine Ta3N5 NTs/electrolyte junction. These states correspond to the structural defects in Ta3N5, devastate PEC performance, and present the necessity to apply higher biasing. The key to circumvent them is to use a sacrificial agent in the electrolyte or to load a suitable co‐catalyst to avoid hole accumulation under water oxidation, thereby improving the phootocurrent. The findings on the interband states could also provide guidance for the investigation of PEC properties of new types of semiconducting devices.
Slicing Diamond—A Guide to Deriving sp3‐Si Allotropes
Authors: Jantke Laura‐Alice , Stegmaier Saskia , Karttunen Antti J. , Fässler Thomas F.
Published: November 2016

Silicon is the most important material for solar cells. However, its low conversion rate/quantum efficiency requires a rather high material consumption. Thus, researchers undertake enormous experimental and theoretical efforts to find alternative Si allotropes with a better efficiency and in the ideal case a direct electronic band gap. In recent years and months many new allotropic Si structures have been reported; however, they are often described incoherently and without context to existing structures. Our approach allows a classification of many of these allotropes and a relation of their structures to substructures of, for example, known Zintl phases. For this so‐called “chemi‐inspired” search for promising Si structures we present a “construction kit” as a guide to introducing a large number of tetrahedral Si allotropes, all derived by a modification of the pristine cubic diamond structure. In addition, this approach allows us to realize structural (topological) relationships between experimentally accessible Zintl phases of different composition, such as open tetrahedral frameworks, to a yet unknown extent, including even known phase transitions of specific Zintl phases. In topological, structural, and computational analyses (on a DFT‐PBE0/SVP level of theory) we show the close relationship of ten low‐energy Si structures derived from the cubic diamond modification; five of them are new, and some show quasi‐direct band gaps. A simple deviation of this approach enables the construction of many more tetrahedral structures.
Catalytic Hydrogen Production by Ruthenium Complexes from the Conversion of Primary Amines to Nitriles: Potential Application as a Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier
Authors: Ventura‐Espinosa David , Marzá‐Beltrán Aida , Mata Jose A.
Published: November 2016

The potential application of the primary amine/nitrile pair as a liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC) has been evaluated. Ruthenium complexes of formula [(p‐cym)Ru(NHC)Cl2] (NHC=N‐heterocyclic carbene) catalyze the acceptorless dehydrogenation of primary amines to nitriles with the formation of molecular hydrogen. Notably, the reaction proceeds without any external additive, under air, and under mild reaction conditions. The catalytic properties of a ruthenium complex supported on the surface of graphene have been explored for reutilization purposes. The ruthenium‐supported catalyst is active for at least 10 runs without any apparent loss of activity. The results obtained in terms of catalytic activity, stability, and recyclability are encouraging for the potential application of the amine/nitrile pair as a LOHC. The main challenge in the dehydrogenation of benzylamines is the selectivity control, such as avoiding the formation of imine byproducts due to transamination reactions. Herein, selectivity has been achieved by using long‐chain primary amines such as dodecylamine. Mechanistic studies have been performed to rationalize the key factors involved in the activity and selectivity of the catalysts in the dehydrogenation of amines. The experimental results suggest that the catalyst resting state contains a coordinated amine.
Hydrated and Solvated Tin(II) Ions in Solution and the Solid State, and a Coordination Chemistry Overview of the d10s2 Metal Ions
Authors: Persson Ingmar , D'Angelo Paola , Lundberg Daniel
Published: November 2016

The coordination chemistry of d10s2 metal ions is strongly affected by an (at least partially) occupied d10s2 metal ion–ligand atom antibonding orbital, which may cause a void in the coordination sphere due to repulsion between the electrons in the antibonding orbital on the metal ion and those on the ligands. The character of the formed d10s2 metal ion–ligand atom bond plays an important role in the electron density in the antibonding orbital and thereby also in the coordination chemistry. The hydrated tin(II) ion, [Sn(H2O)3]2+, and the trihydroxidostannate ion, [Sn(OH)3]−, have very different mean Sn−O bond lengths (2.21 and 2.08 Å, respectively) and O‐Sn‐O angles (ca. 78 and 90°, respectively) both in the solid state and in solution. On increasing the covalency of the tin(II)–ligand bonds, the repulsion decreases and higher coordination numbers are obtained, as seen in the dimethylsulfoxide‐ and N,N‐dimethylthioformamide‐solvated tin(II) ions, both of which are five‐coordinate with square‐pyramidal structures.
Single‐Electron Transfer between CuX2 and Thiols Determined by Extended X‐Ray Absorption Fine Structure Analysis: Application in Markovnikov‐Type Hydrothiolation of Styrenes
Authors: Yi Hong , Song Chunlan , Li Yiying , Pao Chih‐Wen , Lee Jyh‐Fu , Lei Aiwen
Published: November 2016

Transition‐metal mediated C−S bond formation using thiol compounds has been widely used in recent years. However, there has been less focus on the interaction between the metal and thiol compounds. In this work, we have successfully evidenced the single‐electron transfer between CuX2 and thiophenol utilizing EXAFS. The fitting EXAFS results reveal that two halide anions are coordinated with the CuI center, whereas no sulfur atom is observed in the first coordination sphere. This CuI ate complex serves as the key intermediate for the proton transfer in the application of Markovnikov‐type hydrothiolation reactions.