bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Politics of Adoption
Authors: Perreau Bruno
Published: January 2015

An argument that French adoption policies reflect and enforce the state's notions of gender, parenthood, and citizenship.

In May 2013, after months of controversy, France legalized same-sex marriage and adoption by homosexual couples. Obstacles to adoption and parenting equality remain, however—many of them in the form of cultural and political norms reflected and expressed in French adoption policies. In The Politics of Adoption, Bruno Perreau describes the evolution of these policies. In the past thirty years, Perreau explains, political and intellectual life in France have been dominated by debates over how to preserve “Frenchness,” and these debates have driven policy making. Adoption policies, he argues, link adoption to citizenship, reflecting and enforcing the postcolonial state's notions of parenthood, gender, and Frenchness.

After reviewing the complex history of adoption, Perreau examines French political debates over adoption, noting, among other things, that intercountry adoptions stirred far less controversy than the difference between the sexes in an adopting couple. He also discusses judicial action on adoption; child welfare agencies as gatekeepers to parenthood (as defined by experts); the approval process from the viewpoints of social workers and applicants; and adoption's link to citizenship, and its use as a metaphor for belonging.

Adopting a Foucaultian perspective, Perreau calls the biopolitics of adoption “pastoral”: it manages the individual for the good of the collective “flock”; it considers itself outside politics; and it considers not so much the real behavior of individuals as an allegorical representation of them. His argument sheds new light on American debates on bioethics, identity, and citizenship.
Rationing Is Not a Four-Letter Word
Authors: Rosoff Philip M.
Published: January 2015

A provocative argument that the best way to deliver high-quality healthcare to Americans is to institute a comprehensive and fair system of rationing.

Most people would agree that the healthcare system in the United States is a mess. Healthcare accounts for a larger percentage of gross domestic product in the United States than in any other industrialized nation, but health outcomes do not reflect this enormous investment. In this book, Philip Rosoff offers a provocative proposal for providing quality healthcare to all Americans and controlling the out-of-control costs that threaten the economy. He argues that rationing—often associated in the public's mind with such negatives as unplugging ventilators, death panels, and socialized medicine—is not a dirty word. A comprehensive, centralized, and fair system of rationing is the best way to distribute the benefits of modern medicine equitably while achieving significant cost savings.

Rosoff points out that certain forms of rationing already exist when resources are scarce and demand high: the organ transplant system, for example, and the distribution of drugs during a shortage. He argues that if we incorporate certain key features from these systems, healthcare rationing would be fair—and acceptable politically. Rosoff considers such topics as fairness, decisions about which benefits should be subject to rationing, and whether to compensate those who are denied scarce resources. Finally, he offers a detailed discussion of what an effective and equitable healthcare rationing system would look like.
Sonographic Markers of Fetal α‐Thalassemia Major
Authors: Li Xinyan , Zhou Qichang , Zhang Ming , Tian Xiaoxian , Zhao Yili
Published: January 2015

α‐Thalassemia prevails in Southeast Asia, where α‐thalassemia major is a lethal type. Sonography is a helpful and cost‐effective screening tool for detecting α‐thalassemia major fetuses. The cardiothoracic ratio, placental thickness, and middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity are most used in clinical practice. These sensitive markers are helpful for evaluation of the hemodynamic status and cardiovascular function of the affected fetuses. They can predict fetal α‐thalassemia major and assess the efficacy of treatment noninvasively; therefore, the medical costs as well as the possibility of fetal loss caused by invasive procedures can be reduced. Other potentially useful sonographic markers need further studies, although previous preliminary research suggests their usefulness. This article will review those sonographic markers.
Usefulness of Diagnostic Indices Comprising Clinical, Sonographic, and Biomarker Data for Discriminating Benign From Malignant Ovarian Masses
Authors: Stukan Maciej , Dudziak Miroslaw , Ratajczak Karol , Grabowski Jacek P.
Published: January 2015

The objective of this study was to review the accuracy of indices combining several diagnostic variables, in comparison to other models, sonography alone, and biomarker assays, for predicting benign or malignant ovarian lesions. Different single modalities were reviewed. The most useful complex models were International Ovarian Tumor Analysis (IOTA) sonographic logistic regression model 2 (area under the curve, 0.949), risk of malignancy index–cancer antigen 125–human epididymis protein 4 (0.950), risk of malignancy algorithm (0.953), pelvic mass score (0.960), non‐IOTA logistic regression model (0.970), and histoscanning score logistic regression model (0.970). None of the indices was superior to an expert subjective sonographic assessment (0.968). For women with adnexal tumors, indices with high accuracy are available that are applicable in clinical practice and comparable to an expert subjective sonographic assessment for discriminating benign from malignant masses.
A novel tracer technique to quantify the atmospheric flux of trace elements to remote ocean regions
Authors: Kadko David , Landing William M. , Shelley Rachel U.
Published: January 2015

Atmospheric input into the global ocean constitutes an important budgetary component of numerous chemical species and plays a key role in controlling biogeochemical processes in the ocean. Assessment of this input is difficult, however, because measurements of deposition rates to the ocean, particularly in remote areas, are rare and susceptible to problems of temporal and spatial variability. While the collection and analysis of aerosol samples is somewhat routine, the chemical concentration data collected from ship board or land‐based aerosol samplers in and of themselves cannot yield the deposition flux of trace elements; a method is required to transform concentration measurements into flux. The ability to derive the atmospheric flux of 7Be from its ocean inventory provides a key linkage between the atmospheric concentration of chemical species and their deposition to the ocean. We have demonstrated that estimates of the atmospheric flux of trace elements (TEs) can be made by multiplying the ocean inventory of 7Be x [TE/7Be] ratio in bulk aerosols. Flux estimates for trace elements made by the 7Be ocean inventory method were comparable to fluxes derived from rain samples collected on the island of Bermuda. The situation at Bermuda allows such testing to be made, where ocean‐based methods can be calibrated by convenient land locations. Our results suggest that this method would be useful for remote areas where fixed sampling stations do not exist; that is, the majority of the global ocean.
Modeling the impact of glacial runoff on fjord circulation and submarine melt rate using a new subgrid‐scale parameterization for glacial plumes
Authors: Cowton Tom , Slater Donald , Sole Andrew , Goldberg Dan , Nienow Peter
Published: January 2015

The injection at depth of ice sheet runoff into fjords may be an important control on the frontal melt rate of tidewater glaciers. Here we develop a new parameterization for ice marginal plumes within the Massachusetts Institute of Technology General Circulation Model (MITgcm), allowing three‐dimensional simulation of large (500 km2) glacial fjords on annual (or longer) time scales. We find that for an idealized fjord (without shelf‐driven circulation), subglacial runoff produces a thin, strong, and warm down‐fjord current in the upper part of the water column, balanced by a thick and slow up‐fjord current at greater depth. Although submarine melt rates increase with runoff due to higher melt rates where the plume is in contact with the ice front, we find that annual submarine melt rate across the ice front is relatively insensitive to variability in annual runoff. Better knowledge of the spatial distribution of runoff, controls on melt rate in those areas not directly in contact with plumes, and feedback mechanisms linking submarine melting and iceberg calving are necessary to more fully understand the sensitivity of glacier mass balance to runoff‐driven fjord circulation.
Analysis of ageostrophy in strong surface eddies in the Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Douglass E. M. , Richman J. G.
Published: January 2015

Strongly nonlinear surface eddies are identified and analyzed in a general circulation model. Agulhas rings and Gulf Stream cold‐core eddies are examples of eddies that cannot be properly characterized using linear geostrophic dynamics. These eddies are compact, highly circular, persistent in time, and travel long distances while maintaining their characteristics. The nonlinear eddies can be identified by a large Rossby number and high circularity. The majority of the anomalous eddies are anticyclones. Calculation of the balance of forces on these eddies demonstrates that the centrifugal force associated with strong curvature is significant, and the force balance shifts from geostrophy toward a gradient wind balance. Using geostrophy instead of the gradient wind balance produces large errors in estimates of rotational velocity of these eddies. The gradient wind velocity can be calculated from geostrophic velocity and eddy radius. Comparison between the results demonstrates that even when only sea surface height and associated geostrophic velocities are available, strongly nonlinear eddies can be identified and properly characterized. This analysis is then applied to altimetric maps of sea surface height. Nonlinear eddies are present in the altimetric maps, but are less common and not as strongly nonlinear. This analysis demonstrates that by properly accounting for the dynamics of the eddy field, a more complete statistical description including nonlinear terms can be obtained from readily available observations.
Preferential α‐Hydrosilylation of Terminal Alkynes by Bis‐N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Rhodium(III) Catalysts
Authors: Iglesias Manuel , Aliaga‐Lavrijsen Mélanie , Miguel Pablo J. Sanz , Fernández‐Alvarez Francisco J. , Pérez‐Torrente Jesús J. , Oro Luis A.
Published: January 2015

We describe a bis‐N‐heterocyclic carbene rhodium(III) complex, featuring two trifluoroacetato ligands, that affords a variety of α‐vinylsilanes in good yields by hydrosilylation of terminal alkynes. Selectivities around 7:1 α/β‐(E) were reached, while the β‐(Z) product was only marginally obtained. This example sharply contrasts with the β‐(Z)‐selectivity observed for its parent diiodido complex

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Asymmetric Synthesis of Cyclohexane‐Fused Drug‐Like Spirocyclic Scaffolds Containing Six Contiguous Stereogenic Centers via Organocatalytic Cascade Reactions
Authors: Han Bo , Huang Wei , Ren Wen , He Gu , Wang Jin‐hui , Peng Cheng
Published: January 2015

Drug‐like spirocyclic scaffolds have been prepared asymmetrically by fusing fully functionalized cyclohexanes with medicinally important pyrazolone, rhodanine, barbituric acid or indandione moieties. This approach utilizes an organocatalytic tandem Michael–Michael–aldol reaction that yields diverse chiral spirocyclic backbones containing six contiguous stereogenic centers and multiple functional groups. The target compounds are generated in good yield and with high stereoselectivity (up to 99 % ee and 95:5 dr). Intriguingly, diastereocontrol of the spiro‐products changes depending on the substrate.

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Arylthiolation of Arylamine Derivatives with (Arylthio)‐ pyrrolidine‐2,5‐diones
Authors: Tian Hua , Yang Haijun , Zhu Changjin , Fu Hua
Published: January 2015

A simple and efficient method for arylthiolation of arylamines has been developed. The protocol uses (arylthio)pyrrolidine‐2,5‐diones as the arylthiolating reagents, acetonitrile as the solvent, and no catalyst and additive are required, which avoids contamination from the transition metal catalysts in the target products. Therefore, the present method should provide a convenient, efficient and practical strategy for the synthesis of other aryl sulfides.

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Crystallization of selective polymorph using relationship between supersaturation and solubility
Authors: Kim Kwang‐Joo , Doherty Michael F.
Published: January 2015

For polymorph screening, the plot of ΔCmet/Cc against C*/Cc in nucleation kinetics was investigated. The polymorph screening for forms I and II and amorphous form of clopidogrel hydrogen sulfate was carried out according to the nucleation kinetics expressed by this plot. The stability order of polymorphs for famotidin was also predicted successfully by this model. This model was used in the expectation of supersaturation level for polymorphic formation. Two types of polymorphic crystallization: transformation from metastable form to stable form and nucleation and growth of polymorphic form without transformation can be explained. Amorphous form was also expected by this model. Even though polymorphs depend on lots of crystallization parameters such as solvent, temperature, concentration, cooling rate, and so forth, plot of ΔCmet/Cc and the C*/Cc in various nucleation kinetics gives a guide line for screening of polymorph. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 61: 1372–1379, 2015
Influence of heat transfer across the wall of dividing wall columns on energy demand
Authors: Ehlers Christoph , Schröder Moritz , Fieg Georg
Published: January 2015

The implementation of a vertical dividing wall (DW) into a distillation column is a well‐known concept which can result in considerable energy savings for the separation of multicomponent mixtures. It is commonly known that heat streams across the DW, which are present due to temperature differences between both sides, may either increase or decrease the energy demand for a certain separation task. However, no work has been published so far which explains the maximum influence on energy demand. This article derives the maximum extent to which the minimum energy demand for a given column design can change due to heat transfer across the DW. Additionally, it is illustrated how energy‐efficient column operation can be assured even if the total amount of transferred heat is unknown. These results show that the phenomenon of heat transfer across the DW can be handled very well with a suitable control strategy. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 61: 1648–1662, 2015
Organocatalyzed Asymmetric Alkylation of Stable Aryl or Heteroaryl(3‐indolyl)methylium o‐Benzenedisulfonimides
Authors: Armenise Nicola , Dughera Stefano , Gualandi Andrea , Mengozzi Luca , Barbero Margherita , Cozzi Pier Giorgio
Published: January 2015

Stable diarylcarbenium salts, obtained by the direct coupling of indole or indole derivatives with aryl (or heteroaryl) aldehydes in the presence of a strong organic Brønsted acid, have been employed in the direct alkylation of aldehydes. Excellent enantiomeric excesses and good diastereomeric ratios were obtained with a number of aryl or heteroaryl(3‐indolyl)carbenium ions as the highly stable o‐benzenedisulfonimide (OBS) salts and with the reaction promoted by the Hayashi–Jørgensen catalyst. A one‐pot, three‐component, stereoselective alkylation of aldehydes affording the same compounds was also investigated with various aldehydes, indole derivatives, and organocatalysts. The results obtained with the isolated carbenium ions were superior in terms of yields and stereoselectivity.
Sulfur‐Annulated Hexa‐peri‐hexabenzocoronene Decorated with Phenylthio Groups at the Periphery
Authors: Tan Yuan‐Zhi , Osella Silvio , Liu Yi , Yang Bo , Beljonne David , Feng Xinliang , Müllen Klaus
Published: January 2015

The chemical nature of the edge periphery essentially determines the physical properties of graphene. As a molecular‐level model system, large polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, that is, so‐called nanographenes, can be chemically modified through either edge functionalization or doping with heteroatoms. Although the synthetic methods for edge substitution are well‐developed, incorporation with heteroatoms by the bay annulation of large PAHs remains an enormous challenge. In this study, we present a feasible peripheral sulfur annulation of hexa‐peri‐hexabenzocoronene (HBC) by thiolation of perchlorinated HBC. The tri‐sulfur‐annulated HBC and di‐sulfur‐annulated HBC decorated with phenylthio groups were obtained and characterized by X‐ray diffraction, revealing their distinct sulfur‐annulated peripheral structure. Associated with theoretical calculations, we propose that the regioselective sulfur annulation results from the minimization of strain in the aromatic backbone. We further demonstrate the structure‐correlated property modulation by sulfur annulation, manifested by a decrease in band gap and tunable redox activity.
Total Synthesis of (−)‐Caprazamycin A
Authors: Nakamura Hugh , Tsukano Chihiro , Yasui Motohiro , Yokouchi Shinsuke , Igarashi Masayuki , Takemoto Yoshiji
Published: January 2015

Caprazamycin A has significant antibacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB). The first total synthesis is herein reported and features a) the scalable preparation of the syn‐β‐hydroxy amino acid with a thiourea‐catalyzed diastereoselective aldol reaction, b) construction of a diazepanone with an unstable fatty‐acid side chain, and c) global deprotection with hydrogenation. This report provides a route for the synthesis of related liponucleoside antibiotics with fatty‐acid side chains.
Acceleration of Acetal Hydrolysis by Remote Alkoxy Groups: Evidence for Electrostatic Effects on the Formation of Oxocarbenium Ions
Authors: Garcia Angie , Otte Douglas A. L. , Salamant Walter A. , Sanzone Jillian R. , Woerpel K. A.
Published: January 2015

In contrast to observations with carbohydrates, experiments with 4‐alkoxy‐substituted acetals indicate that an alkoxy group can accelerate acetal hydrolysis by up to 20‐fold compared to substrates without an alkoxy group. The acceleration of ionization in more flexible acetals can be up to 200‐fold when compensated for inductive effects.
Palladium(0)‐Catalyzed Iminohalogenation of Alkenes: Synthesis of 2‐Halomethyl Dihydropyrroles and Mechanistic Insights into the Alkyl Halide Bond Formation
Authors: Chen Chen , Hou Longlei , Cheng Mian , Su Jianhua , Tong Xiaofeng
Published: January 2015

Although the advances on carbon halide reductive elimination have been made, the alkyl bromide and chloride analogues remain a challenge. Here, a palladium(0)‐catalyzed iminohalogenation of γ,δ‐unsaturated oxime esters is described, and the use of electron‐poor phosphine ligands proved to be crucial to promoting alkyl bromide and chloride reductive elimination. Furthermore, SN2‐type alkyl bromide and chloride reductive elimination has also been established.
Micromixing enhancement in a novel passive mixer with symmetrical cylindrical grooves
Authors: Wang Lei , Ma Shenghua , Han Xiaojun
Published: January 2015

A passive micromixer with symmetrical cylindrical grooves along the channel was designed, fabricated and characterized. Systematic numerical simulations of mixing with Re ranging from 1.0 to 500 predict the optimized parameters and the mixing enhancement. The optimized depth of the cylindrical grooves is 100 µm. The experimental results have also confirmed the improvement of the mixing effect. Considering pressure drop and mixing enhancement, Re values of 10 and 100 are suitable for mixing of liquids with diffusion coefficients of 10−9 and 6 × 10−11 m2/s, respectively. The percentage of mixing of this micromixer is 2.22‐fold better than that of common Y‐mixer with Re of 10 at the distance of 19 mm from the meeting point of two fluids with the diffusion coefficient of 10−9 m2/s; similarly, the percentage of mixing of the new design is 2.18 times better than that of common Y‐mixer with Re of 100 at the distance of 19 mm from the meeting point of two fluids with the diffusion coefficient of 6 × 10−11 m2/s. This easy fabricated micromixer can be utilized for biological reactions and analytical assays. © 2015 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ultrafiltration of aquatic humic substances through magnetically responsive polysulfone membranes
Authors: Azmi Nur Atiah , Ng Qi Hwa , Low Siew Chun
Published: January 2015

Organic foulants, such as humic acid substances, contribute to the irreversible fouling and flux decline in membrane separation processes. To reduce the membrane fouling potential, in this study, we explored the end‐capping of functionalized nanostructured magnetite (Fe3O4) with poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) on the surface of the polysulfone (PSF) membrane. The binding stability of PAA‐functionalized Fe3O4 [functionalized magnetite‐responsive nanoparticles (F‐MNPs)], combined with field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometry, were studied to determine the deposited morphology and magnetic properties of F‐MNPs on the membrane surface. In addition, the fouling analysis of the modified (F‐MNPs‐PSF) and unmodified (PSF) membranes were also being investigated through the filtration study. The results show that the magnetically responsive F‐MNPs‐PSF membrane developed in this study achieved high efficiency for the removal of humic substances when they were exposed to an oscillating external magnetic field. During filtration, the external magnetic field indirectly generated a torque that twisted the deposited Fe3O4 on the membrane surface. The actuated iron oxides consecutively reduced the concentration polarization around the top surface of the membrane and sequentially reduced the fouling propensity. These results provide some insight into the membrane's antifouling stability, which could be useful for environmental remediation. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41874.
Cellulose‐based filter aids increase the capacity of depth filters during the downstream processing of plant‐derived biopharmaceutical proteins
Authors: Buyel Johannes Felix , Opdensteinen Patrick , Fischer Rainer
Published: January 2015

Downstream processing (DSP) is a major cost factor during the production of biopharmaceutical proteins. Clarification can account for ∼40% of these costs, especially when a large amount of dispersed particulate material is generated, such as during the extraction of intracellular proteins from plants. Filter capacity can be increased (and DSP costs reduced) by using flocculants. Here we show that cellulose‐based filter aids can enhance the positive effect of flocculants by improving depth filter capacity even further. A design‐of‐experiments (DoE) approach was used to identify the optimal size and concentration of filter aids, at different values of pH and conductivity, for the clarification of tobacco leaf extracts during the production of a monoclonal antibody and a fluorescent protein. Filter aids ∼28 or ∼100 μm in length at concentrations of ∼10 and ∼5 g L–1 respectively were most efficient in combination with a strong cationic flocculant, but were ineffective without the flocculant. The filter aids increased depth filter capacity by 35‐fold compared to an additive‐free extract reaching ∼1000 L m–2 without affecting the target proteins. Thus, filter aids can be used to reduce production costs of plant‐derived biopharmaceuticals while the DoE approach enabled the identification of robust process conditions.
New analytical method for the study of metabolism of swertiamarin in rats after oral administration by UPLC‐TOF‐MS following DNPH derivatization
Authors: Wu Xiuhong , Tang Shuhan , Jin Yan , Zhang Yan , Hattori Masao , Wang Xijun , Zhang Hailong , Wang Zhigang
Published: January 2015

The metabolism of swertiamarin in vivo was studied by LC‐MS following 2,4‐dinitrophenylhydrazine derivatization. The ionization efficiency of the main metabolite erythrocentaurin was greatly enhanced by the new analytical method developed, and erythrocentaurin was successfully detected for the first time in rat plasma after oral administration of swertiamarin. Methyl 4‐formylbenzoate was used as the internal standard to quantify erythrocentaurin in rat plasma in negative mode by UPLC‐TOF‐MS, and it was found that erythrocentaurin reached the maximum mean plasma concentration of 425.8 ± 127.6 ng/mL at about 2 h after oral administration of swertiamarin at a dose of 200 mg/kg. A metabolic pathway of swertiamarin to erythrocentaurin was proposed. Swertiamarin is first hydrolyzed by bacterial β‐glucusidase to give the aglycone, which is readily converted to erythrocentaurin. The monoterpene compound swertiamarin was found to be metabolized to dihydroisocoumarin and alkaloid compounds in vivo, which may be responsible for the pharmacological effect of swertiamarin. The results may shed light on the clinical efficacy of swertiamarin and the new analytical method may assist in studies for the metabolism of other natural iridoids and secoiridoids in vivo. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fournier gangrene
Authors: Parry Nadiah
Published: January 2015

Key Clinical Message

Fournier gangrene is a rapidly progressive necrotizing infection of the perineal and genital fascia, often polymicrobial. Severity is increased in older patients, diabetics and the immunocompromised. As in this case, the disease can have an indolent onset. Early recognition and aggressive treatment is important.
Organocatalytic Enantioselective Decarboxylative Reaction of Malonic Acid Half Thioesters with Cyclic N‐Sulfonyl Ketimines by Using N‐Heteroarenesulfonyl Cinchona Alkaloid Amides
Authors: Nakamura Shuichi , Sano Masahide , Toda Ayaka , Nakane Daisuke , Masuda Hideki
Published: January 2015

The organocatalytic enantioselective decarboxylative Mannich reaction of malonic acid half thioesters (MAHTs) with cyclic N‐sulfonyl ketimines by using N‐heteroarenesulfonyl cinchona alkaloid amides afforded products with high enantioselectivity. Both enantiomers of the products could be obtained by using pseudoenantiomeric chiral catalysts. The reaction proceeds through a nucleophilic addition of the MAHTs to the ketimines prior to decarboxylation.
Equilibrium conversion and reaction analysis in sulfur‐iodine thermochemical hydrogen production cycle
Authors: Dehghani Saeed , Sayyaadi Hoseyn , Pourali Omid
Published: January 2015

Equilibrium conditions of the main reactions of the SI cycle were studied in this paper. The extent of reaction for two main reactions of this cycle including sulfuric acid decomposition and hydrogen iodide decomposition was evaluated as a function of temperature, pressure, and initial mole number of reactants. In the reaction modelling of sulfuric acid and sulfur trioxide decompositions, two models including simple and multiple reaction models were considered. In the simple model, it was assumed that two decomposition reactions proceeded independently. However, in the multiple reaction model, both reactions were considered simultamneously. It was shown that the Bunsen reaction completely proceeded in the range of operating conditions of the Bunsen reactor. Also, sulfuric acid was demonstrated to be decomposed at a higher rate when the reaction temperature and initial concentration of the sulfuric acid and sulfur trioxide increased. Furthermore, the operating pressure had to be maintained at lower values and the generated sulfur dioxide had to be withdrawn from the reactor in order to have a higher yield of product in this reactor. Finally, in the hydrogen iodide decomposition, the operating pressure, temperature, and concentration of hydrogen iodide had to be maintained at higher values to have a complete reaction. Moreover, the generated hydrogen was shown to be withdrawn from the hydrogen iodide reactor to prevent from backward reaction.
Characterization of a unique cell population marked by transgene expression in the adult cochlea of nestin‐CreERT2/tdTomato‐reporter mice
Authors: Chow Cynthia L. , Guo Weixiang , Trivedi Parul , Zhao Xinyu , Gubbels Samuel P.
Published: January 2015

Hair cells in the adult mammalian cochlea cannot spontaneously regenerate after damage, resulting in the permanency of hearing loss. Stem cells have been found to be present in the cochlea of young rodents; however, there has been little evidence for their existence into adulthood. We used nestin‐CreERT2/tdTomato‐reporter mice to trace the lineage of putative nestin‐expressing cells and their progeny in the cochleae of adult mice. Nestin, an intermediate filament found in neural progenitor cells during early development and adulthood, is regarded as a multipotent and neural stem cell marker. Other investigators have reported its presence in postnatal and young adult rodents; however, there are discrepancies among these reports. Using lineage tracing, we documented a robust population of tdTomato‐expressing cells and evaluated these cells at a series of adult time points. Upon activation of the nestin promoter, tdTomato was observed just below and medial to the inner hair cell layer. All cells colocalized with the stem cell and cochlear‐supporting‐cell marker Sox2 as well as the supporting cell and Schwann cell marker Sox10; however, they did not colocalize with the Schwann cell marker Krox20, spiral ganglion marker NF200, nor glial fibrillary acidic acid (GFAP)‐expressing supporting cell marker. The cellular identity of this unique population of tdTomato‐expressing cells in the adult cochlea of nestin‐CreERT2/tdTomato mice remains unclear; however, these cells may represent a type of supporting cell on the neural aspect of the inner hair cell layer. J. Comp. Neurol. 523:1474–1487, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Controlling Porosity in Lignin‐Derived Nanoporous Carbon for Supercapacitor Applications
Authors: Jeon Ju‐Won , Zhang Libing , Lutkenhaus Jodie L. , Laskar Dhrubojyoti D. , Lemmon John P. , Choi Daiwon , Nandasiri Manjula I. , Hashmi Ali , Xu Jie , Motkuri Radha K. , Fernandez Carlos A. , Liu Jian , Tucker Melvin P. , McGrail Peter B. , Yang Bin , Nune Satish K.
Published: January 2015

Invited for this month′s cover is a group of collaborators led by Satish Nune at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The image shows the path to renewable energy storage using high surface area carbons derived from low‐cost renewable lignin. The Communication itself is available at 10.1002/cssc.201402621.
Headspace oxygen measurements can be used as a fast and convenient method for shelf‐life assessment of potato snacks
Authors: Samotyja Urszula , Kozak Wojciech
Published: January 2015

The aim of this study was to explore the influence of different barrier and atmosphere conditions on the complex processes affecting storage stability of potato snacks, and the use of oxygen determination measurements within a packaging atmosphere as a quick quality and shelf‐life assessment method. The subject of investigation was potato snacks packed in transparent and metallised polymeric packaging laminates, filled with air or nitrogen. Samples were analysed for moisture, water activity, hydroperoxide and oxygen concentration in the headspace by two methods: a non‐invasive optical method based on fluorescence quenching and an electrochemical method. High barrier packaging provides better protection against moisture but not against oxidation. The shelf‐life of potato snacks is undermined by oxygen presence in the foam structure of the product. Neither barrier packaging nor modification of atmosphere applied alone bring satisfactory results, therefore a combined strategy is recommended. The study proved that the most optimal solution was the use of metallised packaging with nitrogen. The use of an optical sensor can be an appropriate and effective novel method for a non‐destructive oxidation progress evaluation of food that is stored in translucent packaging.

Practical applications: The high linear correlation between hydroperoxides and oxygen content is of great practical value in shelf‐life assessment and screening the correctness of a packaging process.

The shelf‐life of potato snacks is undermined by oxidative processes. As processes of fatty acids oxidation are related to oxygen uptake, the presence of a relationship between hydroperoxide content and oxygen concentration or consumption is of great practical value in quality and shelf‐life assessment.
Cooking and pressing is an effective and eco‐friendly technique for obtaining high quality oil from Sardinella longiceps
Authors: Chakraborty Kajal , Joseph Deepu
Published: January 2015

The conventional Bligh and Dyer method of extracting oil from the edible tissues of Sardinella longiceps was compared with different eco‐friendly methodologies using 40% ethanol, 95% ethanol, distilled water, and cooking followed by pressing, as well as cooking followed by the Bligh and Dyer method. Among the different methods studied, cooking followed by pressing showed a beneficial effect on the quality of the oil as evidenced by reduced saponification (209.8 mg KOH/g), peroxide (11.88 meqO­2/kg), para‐anisidine (16.2), total oxidation (39.96), and TBARS (6.18 MDAEQ/kg) values. A comparable lipid yield (8.3%) with that of the Bligh and Dyer method was attained through the cooking and pressing method. The greater induction time (0.13 h) indicated better oxidative stability of cooked and pressed oil as compared to the oil obtained using other methods. The fish oil obtained by cooking followed by pressing has been demonstrated to yield comparable amounts of eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and total polyunsaturated fatty acid contents when compared to the Bligh and Dyer method. These results demonstrated the effectiveness of the cooking and pressing technique for obtaining the best quality oil from Sardinella longiceps. The oil obtained by the cooking and pressing mode was characterized by FTIR and NMR experiments.

Practical applications: The advantages of the method involving cooking followed by pressing as compared to the traditional Bligh and Dyer method were the absence of toxic solvents along with reduced cost and labor requirements. In addition, no chemical wastes were generated in this technique. The cooking followed by pressing method has been demonstrated to improve the nutritive value and oxidative stability of the crude fish oil as compared to the new eco‐friendly methods studied and the traditional method. The utilities of FTIR and NMR analyses as new analytical tools for analyzing the chemistry of fish oil have been demonstrated in the present study. This study is significant for the extraction of greater quality marine fish oil for use in pharmaceutical industries.

Oil obtained by cooking followed by pressing (E6) of Sardinella longiceps showed greater induction time (0.13 h) compared to the conventional Bligh and Dyer method (E1, 0.05 h). No significant differences in EPA, DHA, total n‐3 PUFA, or n‐3/n‐6 PUFA contents were observed between E6 and E1. The signature peaks of different fatty acids of E6 were identified from the 1H‐NMR spectral features. These results demonstrated the effectiveness of cooking and pressing technique for obtaining the best quality oil from S. longiceps.
Variations in the Blaise Reaction: Conceptually New Synthesis of 3‐Amino Enones and 1,3‐Diketones
Authors: Rao H. Surya Prakash , Muthanna Nandurka
Published: January 2015

Organic compounds with 3‐amino enone or 1,3‐diketone functional groups are extremely important, as they can be converted into a plethora of heterocyclic or carbocyclic compounds, or can be used as ligands in metal complexes. We have achieved a new, easy, straightforward and convenient synthesis of 3‐amino enones and 1,3‐diketones starting from aryl/heteroaryl/alkyl nitriles and 1‐aryl/alkyl 2‐bromoethanones. The reaction is a variation of the classical Blaise reaction, and it works with zinc and trimethylsilyl chloride as an activator. By running the hydrolysis of the reaction intermediate with HCl (3 n aq.) at 0–30 °C or at 100 °C, it is possible to form either 3‐amino enones or 1,3‐diketones, respectively. The newly developed method was used for the synthesis of avobenzone, an ingredient of sun‐screen lotions. Furthermore, an easy synthesis of (Z)‐3‐amino‐1‐[4‐(tert‐butyl)phenyl]‐3‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)prop‐2‐en‐1‐one, with UV/Vis absorption characteristics similar to those of avobenzone, was also achieved.
Synthesis of Substituted Dibenz[a,c]anthracenes and an Investigation of Their Liquid‐Crystalline Properties
Authors: Psutka Katie M. , Williams Joshua , Paquette Joseph A. , Calderon Oliver , Bozek Kevin J. A. , Williams Vance E. , Maly Kenneth E.
Published: January 2015

We report the synthesis of a series of 2,3,5,6‐tetraalkoxydibenz[a,c]anthracenes bearing substituents (H, OCH3, or CN) in the 11‐ and 12‐positions and an investigation of their liquid‐crystalline properties. The synthesis involved Suzuki coupling of the appropriate dibromonaphthalene and boronate ester, followed by an oxidative cyclization. Compounds 4 and 5, bearing OCH3 and H, respectively, do not exhibit any liquid‐crystalline properties. In contrast, compounds 6a–c, bearing cyano groups, assemble into columnar mesophases, suggesting that electron‐withdrawing groups are important for promoting columnar mesophase assembly. Analysis of the XRD revealed that compound 6b exhibits a columnar hexagonal phase, whereas compounds 6a and 6c exhibit columnar rectangular phases. The XRD data of 6a and 6b also show reflections that are consistent with antiparallel dimers within the columnar stacks, and intercolumnar spacings suggest that molecules are tilted within the columns.
Copper‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Oxidative Cross‐Coupling of 2‐Naphthols with Aryl Methyl Ketones
Authors: Deng Tao , Wang Hongjun , Cai Chun
Published: January 2015

A copper‐catalyzed asymmetric oxidative cross‐coupling reaction of 2‐naphthols with aryl methyl ketones has been developed. This transformation provides an efficient route to various functionalized naphtho[2,1‐b]furan‐1(2H)‐ones in an enantiomerically enriched manner with molecular oxygen in air as the oxidant (52–89 % yields, up to 87 % ee). The reaction leads to the formation of a new quaternary carbon center within 3(2H)‐furanones.
Efficient Microwave‐Assisted Synthesis of PCBM Methanofullerenes (C60 and C70)
Authors: Hadad Caroline , Syrgiannis Zois , Bonasera Aurelio , Prato Maurizio
Published: January 2015

PCBM is a fullerene derivative (phenyl‐C61‐butyric acid methyl ester) considered to be one of the best n‐type organic semiconductors and plays a relevant role in organic photovoltaic solar cells. Much effort has been devoted to the optimization of the synthesis of PCBM derivatives. In this paper, PC61BM and PC71BM fullerene mono‐adducts but also PCBM‐like derivatives are successfully prepared by a one‐step cyclopropanation reaction under microwave irradiation. The products are collected in good yields in short time, during which isomerization of the open [5,6] to the closed [6,6] form takes place in situ. In addition, with the use of two cycles of irradiation, a series of mixtures of bis‐adduct PCBM‐like derivatives were also obtained in good yields.
An Antibacterial Nonenzymatic Glucose Sensor Composed of Carbon Nanotubes Decorated with Silver Nanoparticles
Authors: Liu Yingzhu , Liu Shan , Chen Rongsheng , Zhan Weiting , Ni Hongwei , Liang Feng
Published: January 2015

A glucose sensor composed of silver nanoparticles decorated carbon nanotubes (Ag‐NPs/CNTs) prepared by ion implantation is described. Ag‐NPs with size of 2–4 nm are uniformly distributed in the CNTs after ion implantation. This process provides a strong combination between Ag‐NPs and CNTs and can effectively prevent the Ag‐NPs from aggregation. A linear range of 125 µM to 10 mM towards glucose determination was obtained. The Ag‐NPs/CNTs electrode shows minimal interferences from co‐existence species such as uric acid and ascorbic acid and an antibacterial rate of 94 % towards E. coli.
Nanohybrid Chemosensor for the Simultaneous Detection of Fluoride and Iodide in Aqueous System and Its Utility in Real Samples
Authors: Huerta‐Aguilar Carlos Alberto , Singh Jasminder , Kaur Harpreet , Pandiyan Thangarasu , Singh Narinder
Published: January 2015

A nanohybrid chemosensor for specific, selective and simultaneous recognition of iodide and fluoride was prepared through decoration of silver nanoparticles onto Schiff‐Base based organic nanoparticles. The developed chemosensor showed specific recognition ability for this analytes at low concentrations with detection limits at 690 nM for fluoride and 11 nM for iodide in two different regions of DPV profiles. Theoretical calculations based in Density Functional Theory were performed, which supports experimental results by demonstrating the binding selectivity of nanohybrids with I− and F−. The proposed sensor was also used for real sample analysis and results were verified using some standard literature method.
Reduced functional connectivity in the thalamo‐insular subnetwork in patients with acute anorexia nervosa
Authors: Ehrlich Stefan , Lord Anton R. , Geisler Daniel , Borchardt Viola , Boehm Ilka , Seidel Maria , Ritschel Franziska , Schulze Anne , King Joseph A. , Weidner Kerstin , Roessner Veit , Walter Martin
Published: January 2015

The neural underpinnings of anorexia nervosa (AN) are poorly understood. Results from existing functional brain imaging studies using disorder‐relevant food‐ or body‐stimuli have been heterogeneous and may be biased due to varying compliance or strategies of the participants. In this study, resting state functional connectivity imaging was used. To explore the distributed nature and complexity of brain function we characterized network patterns in patients with acute AN. Thirty‐five unmedicated female acute AN patients and 35 closely matched healthy female participants underwent resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging. We used a network‐based statistic (NBS) approach [Zalesky et al., 2010a] to identify differences between groups by isolating a network of interconnected nodes with a deviant connectivity pattern. Group comparison revealed a subnetwork of connections with decreased connectivity including the amygdala, thalamus, fusiform gyrus, putamen and the posterior insula as the central hub in the patient group. Results were not driven by changes in intranodal or global connectivity. No network could be identified where AN patients had increased coupling. Given the known involvement of the identified thalamo‐insular subnetwork in interoception, decreased connectivity in AN patients in these nodes might reflect changes in the propagation of sensations that alert the organism to urgent homeostatic imbalances and pain‐processes that are known to be severely disturbed in AN and might explain the striking discrepancy between patient's actual and perceived internal body state. Hum Brain Mapp 36:1772–1781, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Diffusion‐weighted imaging: Effects of intravascular contrast agents on apparent diffusion coefficient measures of breast malignancies at 3 tesla
Authors: Nguyen Vicky T , Rahbar Habib , Olson Matthew L. , Liu Cheng‐Liang , Lehman Constance D. , Partridge Savannah C.
Published: January 2015

Background

To determine whether apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measures of breast lesions at 3 Tesla (T) are affected by gadolinium administration.

Methods

The study included 19 patients who underwent 3T MRI. Diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) was acquired with b = 0, 100, and 800 s/mm2 before and after a dynamic contrast‐enhanced (DCE) sequence. ADC values were measured for each lesion and normal fibroglandular tissue. Pre‐ and postcontrast ADC measures were compared by Wilcoxon signed‐rank test, and differences between groups were compared by Mann‐Whitney U test; P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

There was no significant difference in pre‐ and postcontrast ADC measured at b = 0, 100, 800 s/mm2 for malignancies (median change: −0.4%, −0.01 × 10−3 mm2/s, P = 0.40), but there was a slight increase in postcontrast ADC in normal tissue (+1.6%, +0.04 × 10−3 mm2/s, P = 0.0006). Findings were similar for both lesions (−0.4%, −0.01 × 10−3 mm2/s, P = 0.54) and normal tissue (+1.5%, +0.03 × 10−3 mm2/s, P = 0.002) with ADC measured at b = 0,800 and also at b = 100, 800 s/mm2 (lesions: +0.9%, +0.01 × 10−3 mm2/s, P = 0.71; normal tissue: +1.8%, +0.03 × 10−3 mm2/s, P = 0.005). For lesions, results were not affected by lesion size, type (mass versus nonmass enhancement), mean initial enhancement, late enhancement, or delayed enhancement rate on DCE‐MRI (P > 0.05 for all). Normal tissue showed some trends with greater progressive enhancement rates and higher late enhancement levels correlating with greater increase in postcontrast ADC (P = 0.09 for both).

Conclusion

Our results show that breast lesion ADC measures using our approach were not significantly altered following DCE‐MRI at 3T, suggesting DWI and DCE‐MRI can be performed in any order without affecting diagnostic criteria. However, influences of contrast on ADC measures in normal breast tissue were observed and require further investigation. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;42:788–800.
Tunable Morphology and Hydrophobicity of Polyfluoroacrylate/Clay Nanocomposite Prepared by In Situ RAFT Polymerization in Miniemulsion
Authors: Chakrabarty Arindam , Singha Nikhil K
Published: January 2015

This investigation reports preparation of polyfluoroacrylate/clay nanocomposite with armored and encapsulated morphology via in situ reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization in miniemulsion. In this case, 2,2,3,3,4,4,4‐heptafluoro butyl acrylate (HFBA) is polymerized in miniemulsion in the presence of sodium montmorillonite (NaMMT) using 2‐cyanopropyl dodecyl trithiocarbonate (CPDTC) as a RAFT agent. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) analysis shows that the polymers have controlled molecular weights as well as narrow dispersity (Đ ≈ 1.1). The morphology of nanoclay can be tuned by varying the interaction with different functional comonomers. Nanoclay is encapsulated and intercalated in presence of poly (ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PEGMEMA) as comonomer. Addition of 2‐acryloxy ethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (AETAC) as functional comonomer leads to exfoliation of nanoclay resulting armored morphology, as evidenced by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) analyses. Poly(2,2,3,3,4,4,4‐heptafluoro butyl acrylate) (PHFBA) armored with nanoclay shows improved thermal stability and water resistance.

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Weighted estimates for integral operators on local type spaces
Authors: Ferreyra Elida V. , Flores Guillermo J.
Published: January 2015

We prove the weighted boundedness for a family of integral operators on Lebesgue spaces and local type spaces. To this end we show that can be controlled by the Calderón operator and a local maximal operator. This approach allows us to characterize the power weighted boundedness on Lebesgue spaces.