bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nonlife Insurance Markets
Authors: Holtan Jon 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThe article describes market characteristics and operational business strategies in nonlife insurance from a risk assessment point of view. The first part highlights general market characteristics like regulations and legislations; profitability and underwriting cycles; market rivalry and entry dynamics; as well as other more specific characteristics like moral hazard, adverse risk selection, and uninsurable risks. The second part describes pricing and underwriting; distribution and sales; and risk and capital management as three main competitive market levers of nonlife insurance suppliers. Market outlook and trends are finally commented.
Longevity Risk and Life Annuities
Authors: Milevsky Moshe A. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractLongevity risk is faced by individuals, corporations, as well as society and their governments. This brief article reviews the various dimensions and aspects of longevity risk as they relate to the market for life annuities and mortality‐contingent claims. The main argument used is that regardless of one's perspective on longevity risk, this field will continue to provide fertile ground for advanced research for many, albeit uncertain, years to come.
Life Insurance Markets
Authors: Driver Rebecca 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
This section reviews the life insurance market, looking at both protection and investment policies. It discusses the role of life insurance products in helping households smooth their consumption and the impact of the bequest motive. It considers whether households are under‐ or overinsured, for example, in the context of mandatory annuitization. It discusses the extent to which individuals can commit to life insurance policies and the impact of this on policy design. It looks at longevity risk and investigates the extent to which adverse selection exists in annuity markets. Finally, it discusses distribution and the impact of the Internet in reducing search costs.
Lévy Processes
Authors: Kella Offer 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
This entry contains an overview of Lévy processes and their multidimensional extensions, which are processes having stationary, independent increments that are continuous in probability thereby having versions with almost surely right continuous sample paths. Special cases are Poisson processes, Brownian motions and compound Poisson processes. Infinite divisibility, which is closely related to Lévy processes, is defined and discussed as well as the reflected version of these processes and associated martingales, both in the one‐ and multidimensional cases. Markov additive processes, which are extensions of Lévy process, as well as their reflected versions and associated martingales are introduced as well.
Eye‐Search: A web‐based therapy that improves visual search in hemianopia
Authors: Ong Yean‐Hoon , Jacquin‐Courtois Sophie , Gorgoraptis Nikos , Bays Paul M. , Husain Masud , Leff Alexander P. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractPersisting hemianopia frequently complicates lesions of the posterior cerebral hemispheres, leaving patients impaired on a range of key activities of daily living. Practice‐based therapies designed to induce compensatory eye movements can improve hemianopic patients' visual function, but are not readily available. We used a web‐based therapy (Eye‐Search) that retrains visual search saccades into patients' blind hemifield. A group of 78 suitable hemianopic patients took part. After therapy (800 trials over 11 days), search times into their impaired hemifield improved by an average of 24%. Patients also reported improvements in a subset of visually guided everyday activities, suggesting that Eye‐Search therapy affects real‐world outcomes.
Diastereoselective Synthesis of Tetrahydrofurano‐ and Tetrahydropyrano‐dihydropyrroles Containing N,O‐Acetal Moieties via Rhodium‐Catalyzed Transannulation of N‐Sulfonyl‐1,2,3‐triazoles with Oxacycloalkenes
Authors: Kim Cheol‐Eui , Park Youngchul , Park Sangjune , Lee Phil Ho 
Published: November 2014

AbstractDiastereoselective synthesis of tetrahydro‐furanodihydropyrroles and tetrahydropyranodihydropyrroles containing N,O‐acetal moieties is reported via rhodium‐catalyzed denitrogenative transannulation of N‐sulfonyl‐1,2,3‐triazoles with oxacycloalkenes. A multitude of functionalized pyrroles possessing hydroxyalkyl group at C3‐position could be prepared via Rh‐catalyzed denitrogenative transannulation/acid‐catalyzed ring‐opening reaction. A three component, one‐pot method is also achieved starting from terminal alkynes, tosyl azides, and dihydrofurans.magnified image
Alkynylboranes: A Practical Approach by Zinc‐Catalyzed Dehydrogenative Coupling of Terminal Alkynes with 1,8‐Naphthalenediaminatoborane
Authors: Tsuchimoto Teruhisa , Utsugi Hirokazu , Sugiura Tetsuya , Horio Shin 
Published: November 2014

AbstractUnder zinc Lewis acid catalysis, terminal alkynes coupled dehydrogenatively with 1,8‐naphthalenediaminatoborane [HB(dan)]. It is important to note that the resulting alkynylboranes with an C(sp)B(dan) bond are isolable by column chromatography on silica gel (SiO2) and are usable as coupling partners for palladium‐ and copper‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions with (hetero)aryl halides.magnified image
Totalsynthese des geschützten Aglycons von Fidaxomicin (Tiacumicin B, Lipiarmycin A3)
Authors: Miyatake‐Ondozabal Hideki , Kaufmann Elias , Gademann Karl 
Published: November 2014

AbstractFidaxomicin, auch Tiacumicin B oder Lipiarmycin A3 genannt, ist ein neuartiges makrocyclisches Antibiotikum, das klinisch gegen Clostridium‐difficile‐Infektionen eingesetzt wird. Dieser Naturstoff zeigt zudem eine exzellente Aktivität gegen multiresistente Stämme von Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Trotz dieses attraktiven biologischen Profils gab es bisher noch keine Berichte über eine Totalsynthese. Hier berichten wir über die enantioselektive Synthese des zentralen 18‐gliedrigen Makrolactons von Fidaxomicin. Die Schlüsselschritte der Synthese sind eine Ringschlussmetathese zwischen einem terminalen Olefin und einem Dienoat, eine vinyloge Mukaiyama‐Aldolreaktion und eine Stille‐Kupplung zweier sterisch anspruchsvoller Substrate. Der Ansatz beruht auf drei mittelgroßen Fragmenten, was eine flexible und gleichzeitig konvergente Syntheseroute ermöglicht.
Ein alternativer Mechanismus für die Cobalt‐katalysierte Isomerisierung von terminalen Alkenen zu (Z)‐2‐Alkenen
Authors: Schmidt Anastasia , Nödling Alexander R. , Hilt Gerhard 
Published: November 2014

AbstractDie Cobalt‐katalysierte selektive Isomerisierung von terminalen Alkenen hin zum thermodynamisch weniger stabilen (Z)‐2‐Alken bei Raumtemperatur läuft über einen neuartigen Mechanismus ab, der die Übertragung eines Wasserstoffs von einem Ph2PH‐Liganden zur Ausgangsverbindung und die Bildung eines Phospheniumkomplexes, aus dem durch eine 1,2‐H‐Wanderung der Ph2PH‐Komplex regeneriert wird, einschließt.
Biomimetic Synthesis: Discovery of Xanthanolide Dimers
Authors: Shang Hai , Liu Junhua , Bao Ruiyang , Cao Yu , Zhao Kun , Xiao Chengqian , Zhou Bing , Hu Lihong , Tang Yefeng 
Published: November 2014

AbstractStarting from xanthatin, the biomimetic synthesis of 4β,5β‐epoxyxanthatin‐1α,4α‐endoperoxide, a novel monomeric xanthanolide, has been achieved. Moreover, four unprecedented xanthanolide dimers were synthesized by three different dimerizations of xanthatin, either in a head‐to‐head or head‐to‐tail fashion. Notably, these dimeric compounds were firstly identified as artifacts in the laboratory, and two of them, mogolides A and B, proved to be natural products present in the Xanthium mogolium Kitag plant.
Paraformaldehyde and Methanol as C1 Feedstocks in Metal‐Catalyzed CC Couplings of π‐Unsaturated Reactants: Beyond Hydroformylation
Authors: Sam Brannon , Breit Bernhard , Krische Michael J. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractRuthenium‐catalyzed reductive couplings of paraformaldehyde with dienes, alkynes, and allenes provide access to products of hydrohydroxymethylation that cannot be formed selectively under the conditions of hydroformylation. In certain cases, the regioselectivity of the CC coupling can be inverted by using nickel catalysts. With iridium catalysts, methanol engages in redox‐neutral regioselective hydrohydroxymethylations.
Switching of Bacterial Adhesion to a Glycosylated Surface by Reversible Reorientation of the Carbohydrate Ligand
Authors: Weber Theresa , Chandrasekaran Vijayanand , Stamer Insa , Thygesen Mikkel B. , Terfort Andreas , Lindhorst Thisbe K. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThe surface recognition in many biological systems is guided by the interaction of carbohydrate‐specific proteins (lectins) with carbohydrate epitopes (ligands) located within the unordered glycoconjugate layer (glycocalyx) of cells. Thus, for recognition, the respective ligand has to reorient for a successful matching event. Herein, we present for the first time a model system, in which only the orientation of the ligand is altered in a controlled manner without changing the recognition quality of the ligand itself. The key for this orientational control is the embedding into an interfacial system and the use of a photoswitchable mechanical joint, such as azobenzene.
Robust Sliding Mode Control Design for Mismatched Uncertain Systems with a Performance
Authors: Valilou Shirin , Khosrowjerdi Mohammad J. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThis paper presents an optimal design of sliding mode controller with a
constraint for a general class of uncertain systems. The method proposed here takes into account nonmatching disturbance signals and nonmatching system model uncertainties. Without requiring any transformation or restriction on the input matrix, our approach leads to a straightforward design which can be easily solved by using linear matrix inequality (LMI) technique. By solving the problem of optimal sliding motion design with some quadratic constraints based on LMIs, a mixed
approach is presented to reduce the effect of uncertainties and disturbances on the sliding motion. Finally, we give simulation results for controlling a chemical reactor to illustrate the applicability of the proposed scheme for uncertain time‐delay systems or mismatched uncertain systems.
An Intelligent Design for a PID Controller for Nonlinear Systems
Authors: Huang Chung‐Neng , Chung Aaron 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThe proportional integral derivative (PID) controller is the most frequently used controller design for industrial applications because of its favorable response and simplicity of adjustment. However, PID manual tuning is traditionally based on engineering experience, and adjusting nonlinear or unknown systems is extremely difficult. In promoting an intelligent controller design theory that can be applied to the control of various systems, this paper proposes a nonlinear control design method that involves determining the optimal solution and obtaining the transfer function of an unknown system by using sequential quadratic programming. In addition, this paper presents a case study of an induction motor V/F speed control to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method based on MATLAB simulation. The results prove that the design of the proposed intelligent PID controller is more robust than traditional controller designs.
Change in pharmacokinetic behavior of intravenously administered midazolam due to increased CYP3A2 expression in rats treated with menthol
Authors: Nagai Katsuhito , Suzuki Sho , Yamamura Ayumi , Konishi Hiroki 
Published: November 2014

AbstractMenthol is used widely as a constituent of functional foods and chemical drugs. The present study investigated changes in the pharmacokinetic behavior of intravenously administered midazolam (MDZ), a probe for CYP3A, when rats were treated with menthol. The study also examined which isoforms of CYP3A1 and 3A2 were menthol‐inducible and contributed to the altered disposition of midazolam. Menthol was administered intraperitoneally to rats once daily for 3 days at a dose of 10 mg/kg, while the control rats received vehicle alone. The pharmacokinetic examination of i.v. administered midazolam revealed that serum midazolam concentrations at each sampling point were lower in the menthol‐treated rats than in the control rats. Regarding the pharmacokinetic parameters of the menthol‐treated group, the area under the curve (AUC) was decreased significantly and, correspondingly, the elimination rate constant at terminal phase (ke) was increased significantly without significant changes in the volume of distribution at steady state (Vdss). The metabolic production of the 1′‐hydroxylated and 4′‐hydroxylated forms of MDZ by hepatic microsomes was significantly greater in the menthol‐treated rats than in the control rats. The expression levels of mRNA and protein for hepatic CYP3A2 were more than 2.5‐fold higher than the control levels when the rats were treated with menthol, whereas no changes were observed in the expression levels of CYP3A1. These results indicate that menthol enhanced the elimination clearance of midazolam by inducing hepatic CYP3A2 and that careful attention should be paid when menthol is ingested in combination with drugs that act as substrates for CYP3A. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
DNA mechatronic devices switched by K+ and by Sr2+ are structurally, topologically, and electronically distinct
Authors: Huang Yu Chuan , Yu Hua‐Zhong , Sen Dipankar 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACTDNAs and RNAs that fold via the formation of guanine quartets form G‐quadruplexes that are often highly diverse in terms of architecture and topology. G‐quadruplexes are specifically stabilized by metal cations such as K+ and Sr2+, but not Li+. DNA duplexes that incorporate two separated clusters of G•G mismatches (“P‐duplexes”) can function as electronic switches, capable of toggling reversibly from a poorly conductive conformer (E) with only Li+ in the solution to a G‐quadruplex incorporating conformer of higher conductivity (C) in the presence of K+. Herein, we report results from fluorescence energy transfer, circular dichroism, charge conduction, and chemical footprinting experiments, which cumulatively demonstrate that P‐duplex E↔C transitions are genuinely mechatronic, with causally coupled mechanical and electronic states. We show, further, that the K+‐ and the Sr2+‐fuelled E↔C switching of a given P‐duplex are structurally, topologically, and electronically distinct from each other. A single DNA P‐duplex can thus exist in at least three distinguishable mechatronic states in aqueous solution. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 103: 460–468, 2015.
Effect of T3 hormone on neural differentiation of human adipose derived stem cells
Authors: Razavi Shahnaz , Mostafavi Fatemeh Sadat , Mardani Mohammad , Zarkesh Esfahani Hamid , Kazemi Mohammad , Esfandiari Ebrahim 
Published: November 2014

Human adult stem cells, which are capable of self‐renewal and differentiation into other cell types, can be isolated from various tissues. There are no ethical and rejection problems as in the case of embryonic stem cells, so they are a promising source for cell therapy. The human body contains a great amount of adipose tissue that contains high numbers of mesenchymal stem cells. Human adipose‐derived stem cells (hADSCs) could be easily induced to form neuron‐like cells, and because of its availability and abundance, we can use it for clinical cell therapy. On the other hand, T3 hormone as a known neurotropic factor has important impressions on the nervous system. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of T3 treatment on neural differentiation of hADSCs.ADSCs were harvested from human adipose tissue, after neurosphere formation, and during final differentiation, treatment with T3 was performed. Immunocytochemistry, real‐time RT‐PCR, Western blotting techniques were used for detection of nestin, MAP2, and GFAP markers in order to confirm the effects of T3 on neural differentiation of hADSCs. Our results showed an increase in the number of glial cells but reduction in neuronal cells number fallowing T3 treatment. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tuning Surface Properties and Catalytic Performances of Pt–Ru Bimetallic Nanoparticles by Thermal Treatment
Authors: Zhang Hua , Zheng Zhijie , Ma Changjian , Zheng Jinbao , Zhang Nuowei , Li Yunhua , Chen Bing H. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThe surface structure and catalytic properties of Pt–Ru bimetallic catalysts with identical bulk composition can be continuously tuned by treatment at different temperatures. The activity of these catalysts in CO oxidation was positively related to the treatment temperature, but the opposite trend was observed for the solvent‐free oxidation of benzyl alcohol. It was found that migration of Pt to the surface occurred when the treatment temperature was increased. During this process, the surface of the Pt–Ru nanoparticles changed from a Ru‐rich surface to a Pt‐rich surface. The electronic interactions between Pt and Ru became stronger with increased treatment temperature, and the amount of oxidized Pt species on the surface was higher for the samples treated at higher temperatures. Therefore, oxidized Pt species are more active in CO oxidation than other metallic species, but are less active in the selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol.
Advanced TEMKIN Reactor: Testing of Industrial Eggshell Catalysts on the Laboratory Scale
Authors: Kuhn Martin , Lucas Martin , Claus Peter 
Published: November 2014

AbstractIn a variety of reactions in the chemical industry, eggshell catalysts with a thin active layer are applied; they are often crushed for laboratory testing. The destruction of the shell can be avoided by a special reactor design. The presented advanced TEMKIN reactor is a further development of the reactor system for testing eggshell catalysts on the laboratory scale published by Temkin and Kul'kova in 1969. It is suitable for kinetic studies and for the detailed investigation of deactivation processes, as shown on the example of selective hydrogenation of acetylene.
A Template‐Free Method for Preparation of Cobalt Nanoparticles Embedded in N‐Doped Carbon Nanofibers with a Hierarchical Pore Structure for Oxygen Reduction
Authors: Wang Shuguang , Cui Zhentao , Cao Minhua 
Published: November 2014

AbstractDesigning and preparing porous materials without using any templates is a challenge. Herein, single‐nozzle electrospinning technology coupled with post pyrolysis is applied to prepare cobalt nanoparticles embedded in N‐doped carbon nanofibers with a hierarchical pore structure (HP‐Co‐NCNFs). The resultant HP‐Co‐NCNFs have lengths up to several millimeters with an average diameter of 200 nm and possess abundant micro/meso/macropores on both the surface and within the fibers. Such a microstructure endows the surface area as high as 115 m2 g−1. When used as an electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), the HP‐Co‐NCNFs exhibit outstanding electrochemical performance in terms of activity, methanol tolerance, and durability. The hierarchically porous structure and high surface area can effectively decrease the mass transport resistance and increase the exposed ORR active sites. The sufficient amount of exposed ORR active sites along with accessible transport channel and enhanced electrical conductivity may be responsible for the good electrocatalytic performance.
Core–Shell LiFePO4/Carbon‐Coated Reduced Graphene Oxide Hybrids for High‐Power Lithium‐Ion Battery Cathodes
Authors: Ha Sung Hoon , Lee Yun Jung 
Published: November 2014

AbstractCore‐shell carbon‐coated LiFePO4 nanoparticles were hybridized with reduced graphene (rGO) for high‐power lithium‐ion battery cathodes. Spontaneous aggregation of hydrophobic graphene in aqueous solutions during the formation of composite materials was precluded by employing hydrophilic graphene oxide (GO) as starting templates. The fabrication of true nanoscale carbon‐coated LiFePO4‐rGO (LFP/C‐rGO) hybrids were ascribed to three factors: 1) In‐situ polymerization of polypyrrole for constrained nanoparticle synthesis of LiFePO4, 2) enhanced dispersion of conducting 2D networks endowed by colloidal stability of GO, and 3) intimate contact between active materials and rGO. The importance of conducting template dispersion was demonstrated by contrasting LFP/C‐rGO hybrids with LFP/C‐rGO composites in which agglomerated rGO solution was used as the starting templates. The fabricated hybrid cathodes showed superior rate capability and cyclability with rates from 0.1 to 60 C. This study demonstrated the synergistic combination of nanosizing with efficient conducting templates to afford facile Li+ ion and electron transport for high power applications.
Tris‐Heteroleptic Ruthenium–Dipyrrinate Chromophores in a Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cell
Authors: Li Guocan , Hu Ke , Robson Kiyoshi C. D. , Gorelsky Serge I. , Meyer Gerald J. , Berlinguette Curtis P. , Shatruk Michael 
Published: November 2014

AbstractTwo novel tris‐heteroleptic Ru–dipyrrinates were prepared and tested as sensitizers in the dye‐sensitized solar cell (DSSC). Under AM 1.5 sunlight, DSSCs employing these dyes achieved power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 3.4 and 2.2 %, substantially exceeding the value achieved previously with a bis‐heteroleptic dye (0.75 %). As shown by electrochemical measurements and DFT calculations, the improved PCEs stem from the synthetically tuned electronic structure, which affords more negative excited state redox potentials and favorable electron injection into the TiO2 conduction band. Electron injection was quantified by nanosecond transient absorption spectroscopy, which revealed that the highest injection yield is achieved with the dye that acts as the strongest photoreductant.
{Sn10[Si(SiMe3)3]4}2−: A Highly Reactive Metalloid Tin Cluster with an Open Ligand Shell
Authors: Schrenk Claudio , Winter Florian , Pöttgen Rainer , Schnepf Andreas 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThe reaction of a SnICl solution with LiSi(SiMe3)3 gave the anionic metalloid tin cluster {Sn10[Si(SiMe3)3]4}2− (7) in good yield. The arrangement of the ten tin atoms in the cluster core can be described as a distorted centaur polyhedron. Quantum chemical calculations suggest that there are 26 bonding electrons in the cluster core, which may be described as an arachno cluster in agreement with Wade’s rules. NMR and mass spectrometric investigations showed that 7 is highly reactive, which may be due to the open ligand shell. The easily available tin atoms in 7 thereby open the door to further subsequent reactions, in which 7 may act as a building block to larger cluster aggregates.
Palladium(0)‐Catalyzed Single and Double Isonitrile Insertion: A Facile Synthesis of Benzofurans, Indoles, and Isatins
Authors: Senadi Gopal Chandru , Hu Wan‐Ping , Boominathan Siva Senthil Kumar , Wang Jeh‐Jeng 
Published: November 2014

AbstractA palladium(0)‐catalyzed cascade process consisting of isonitrile insertion and α‐Csp3H cross‐coupling can be achieved for the synthesis of benzofurans and indoles. The construction of isatins by a Pd‐catalyzed cascade reaction incorporating double isonitrile insertion, amination, and hydrolysis has also been achieved. The key features of this work include diverse heterocycle synthesis, phosphine‐ligand‐free reaction conditions, a one‐pot procedure, simple and commercially available starting materials, broad functional‐group compatibility, and moderate to good reaction yields.