Room temperature metathesis of aryl isocyanates and aromatic aldehydes catalyzed by group(IV) metal alkoxides: An experimental and computational study

Aromatic aldehydes and aryl isocyanates do not react at room temperature. However, we have shown for the first time that in the presence of catalytic amounts of group(IV) n-butoxide, they undergo metathesis at room temperature to produce imines with the extrusion of carbon dioxide. The mechanism of action has been investigated by a study of stoichiometric reactions. The insertion of aryl isocyanates into the metal n-butoxide occurs very rapidly. Reaction of the insertion product with the aldehyde is responsible for the metathesis. Among the n-butoxides of group(IV) metals, Ti((OBu)-Bu-n)(4) (8aTi) was found to be more efficient than Zr((OBu)-Bu-n)(4) (8aZr) and Hf((OBu)-Bu-n)(4) (8aHf) in carrying out metathesis. The surprisingly large difference in the metathetic activity of these alkoxides has been probed computationally using model complexes Ti(OMe)(4) (8bTi), Zr(OMe)(4) (8bZr) and Hf(OMe)(4) (8bHf) at the B3LYP/LANL2DZ level of theory. These studies indicate that the insertion product formed by Zr and Hf are extremely stable compared to that formed by Ti. This makes subsequent reaction of Zr and Hf complexes unfavorable.

Directional dominance on stature and cognition in diverse human populations

Homozygosity has long been associated with rare, often devastating, Mendelian disorders1, and Darwin was one of the first to recognize that inbreeding reduces evolutionary fitness2. However, the effect of the more distant parental relatedness that is common in modern human populations is less well understood. Genomic data now allow us to investigate the effects of homozygosity on traits of public health importance by observing contiguous homozygous segments (runs of homozygosity), which are inferred to be homozygous along their complete length. Given the low levels of genome-wide homozygosity prevalent in most human populations, information is required on very large numbers of people to provide sufficient power3, 4. Here we use runs of homozygosity to study 16 health-related quantitative traits in 354,224 individuals from 102 cohorts, and find statistically significant associations between summed runs of homozygosity and four complex traits: height, forced expiratory lung volume in one second, general cognitive ability and educational attainment (P < 1 × 10−300, 2.1 × 10−6, 2.5 × 10−10 and 1.8 × 10−10, respectively). In each case, increased homozygosity was associated with decreased trait value, equivalent to the offspring of first cousins being 1.2 cm shorter and having 10 months’ less education. Similar effect sizes were found across four continental groups and populations with different degrees of genome-wide homozygosity, providing evidence that homozygosity, rather than confounding, directly contributes to phenotypic variance. Contrary to earlier reports in substantially smaller samples5, 6, no evidence was seen of an influence of genome-wide homozygosity on blood pressure and low density lipoprotein cholesterol, or ten other cardio-metabolic traits. Since directional dominance is predicted for traits under directional evolutionary selection7, this study provides evidence that increased stature and cognitive function have been positively selected in human evolution, whereas many important risk factors for late-onset complex diseases may not have been.

Modulating the preferred O-H center dot center dot center dot O hydrogen-bonding motif in a conformationally constrained environment through hydroxy-group derivatization

The crystal structures of three conformationally locked esters, namely the centrosymmetric tetrabenzoate of all-axial per-hydronaphthalene- 2,3,4a, 6,7,8a-hexaol, viz. trans-4a, 8a-dihydroxyperhydronaphthalene-2,3,6,7-tetrayl tetrabenzoate, C38H34O10, and the diacetate and dibenzoate of all-axial perhydronaphthalene-2,3,4a, 8a-tetraol, viz. (2R*,3R*,4aS*,8aS*)-4a, 8a-dihydroxyperhydronaphthalene-2,3-diyl diacetate, C-14-H22O6, and (2R*, 3R*, 4aS*, 8aS*)-4a, 8a-dihydroxyperhydronaphthalene- 2,3-diyl dibenzoate, C24H26O6, have been analyzed in order to examine the preference of their supramolecular assemblies towards competing inter-and intramolecular O-H center dot center dot center dot O hydrogen bonds. It was anticipated that the supramolecular assembly of the esters under study would adopt two principal hydrogen-bonding modes, namely one that employs intermolecular O-H center dot center dot center dot O hydrogen bonds (mode 1) and another that sacrifices those for intramolecular O-H center dot center dot center dot O hydrogen bonds and settles for a crystal packing dictated by weak intermolecular interactions alone (mode 2). Thus, while the molecular assembly of the two crystalline diacyl derivatives conformed to a combination of hydrogen-bonding modes 1 and 2, the crystal packing in the tetrabenzoate preferred to follow mode 2 exclusively.

A characterization of domains in C 2 with noncompact automorphism group

Let D be a bounded domain in C 2 with a non-compact group of holomorphic automorphisms. Model domains for D are obtained under the hypotheses that at least one orbit accumulates at a boundary point near which the boundary is smooth, real analytic and of finite type.

A dynamic renormalization group study of active nematics

We carry out a systematic construction of the coarse-grained dynamical equation of motion for the orientational order parameter for a two-dimensional active nematic, that is a nonequilibrium steady state with uniaxial, apolar orientational order. Using the dynamical renormalization group, we show that the leading nonlinearities in this equation are marginally irrelevant. We discover a special limit of parameters in which the equation of motion for the angle field bears a close relation to the 2d stochastic Burgers equation. We find nevertheless that, unlike for the Burgers problem, the nonlinearity is marginally irrelevant even in this special limit, as a result of a hidden fluctuation-dissipation relation. 2d active nematics therefore have quasi-long-range order, just like their equilibrium counterparts.

Disease burden due to Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp equisimilis (group G and C streptococcus) is higher than that due to Streptococcus pyogenes among Mumbai school children

Streptococcus pyogenes [group A streptococcus (GAS)], a human pathogen, and Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis [human group G and C streptococcus (GGS/GCS)] are evolutionarily related, share the same tissue niche in humans, exchange genetic material, share up to half of their virulence-associated genes and cause a similar spectrum of diseases. Yet, GGS/GCS is often considered as a commensal bacterium and its role in streptococcal disease burden is under-recognized. While reports of the recovery of GGS/GCS from normally sterile sites are increasing, studies describing GGS/GCS throat colonization rates relative to GAS in the same population are very few. This study was carried out in India where the burden of streptococcal diseases, including rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease, is high. As part of a surveillance study, throat swabs were taken from 1504 children attending 7 municipal schools in Mumbai, India, during 2006-2008. GAS and GGS/GCS were identified on the basis of beta-haemolytic activity, carbohydrate group and PYR test, and were subsequently typed. The GGS/GCS carriage rate (1166/1504, 11%) was eightfold higher than the GAS carriage (22/1504, 1.5%) rate in this population. The 166 GGS/GCS isolates collected represented 21 different emm types (molecular types), and the 22 GAS isolates represented 15 different emm types. Although the rate of pharyngitis associated with GGS/GCS is marginally lower than with GAS, high rates of throat colonization by GGS/GCS underscore its importance in the pathogenesis of pharyngitis.

Investigation of dye functional group on the photocatalytic degradation of dyes by nano-TiO2

The photocatalytic degradation of five anionic, eight cationic and three solvent dyes using combustion-synthesized nano-TiO2 (CSTiO2) and commercial Degussa P-25 TiO2 (DP-25) were evaluated to determine the effect of the functional group in the dye. The degradation of the dyes was quantified using the initial rate of decolorization and mineralization. The decolorization of the anionic dyes with CSTiO2 followed the order: indigo carmine > eosin Y > amido black 10B > alizarin cyanine green > orange G. The decolorization of the cationic dyes with DP-25 followed the order: malachite green > pyronin Y > rhodamine 6G > azure B > nile blue sulfate > auramine O approximate to acriflavine P approximate to safranin O. CSTiO2 showed higher rates of decolorization and mineralization for all the anionic dyes compared to DP-25, while DP-25 was better in terms of decolorization for most of the cationic dyes. The solvent dyes exhibited adsorption dependent decolorization. The order of decolorization and mineralization of the anionic and cationic dyes (a) with CS TiO2 and DP-25 was different and correlated with the surface properties of these catalysts (b) were rationalized with the molecular structure of the dye and the degradation pathway of the dye. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Truckies and health promotion: A “hard-to-reach” group without a “proper” workplace.

This literature review was undertaken to inform a settings based health promotion research project, conducted by a public health research team at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT). The aim of this project is to identify how transport workplaces can support their truck drivers to access healthy food options and increase physical activity. Truck drivers in Australia are at increased risk of numerous chronic diseases, in part due to the restrictions placed upon them by the environment in which they work. Barriers to good health through adequate nutrition and physical activity are the result of a complex interaction between government regulations, corporate policies, the built environment and individual factors. Few interventions target this population in a meaningful and sustainable way, though evidence exists for interventions which can be translated into truck drivers working environment.

Linear time algorithms for Abelian group isomorphism and related problems

We consider the problem of determining if two finite groups are isomorphic. The groups are assumed to be represented by their multiplication tables. We present an O(n) algorithm that determines if two Abelian groups with n elements each are isomorphic. This improves upon the previous upper bound of O(n log n) [Narayan Vikas, An O(n) algorithm for Abelian p-group isomorphism and an O(n log n) algorithm for Abelian group isomorphism, J. Comput. System Sci. 53 (1996) 1-9] known for this problem. We solve a more general problem of computing the orders of all the elements of any group (not necessarily Abelian) of size n in O(n) time. Our algorithm for isomorphism testing of Abelian groups follows from this result. We use the property that our order finding algorithm works for any group to design a simple O(n) algorithm for testing whether a group of size n, described by its multiplication table, is nilpotent. We also give an O(n) algorithm for determining if a group of size n, described by its multiplication table, is Abelian. (C) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Four group decodable differential scaled unitary linear space-time codes

Differential Unitary Space-Time Block codes (STBCs) offer a means to communicate on the Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) channel without the need for channel knowledge at both the transmitter and the receiver. Recently Yuen-Guan-Tjhung have proposed Single-Symbol-Decodable Differential Space-Time Modulation based on Quasi-Orthogonal Designs (QODs) by replacing the original unitary criterion by a scaled unitary criterion. These codes were also shown to perform better than differential unitary STBCs from Orthogonal Designs (ODs). However the rate (as measured in complex symbols per channel use) of the codes of Yuen-Guan-Tjhung decay as the number of transmit antennas increase. In this paper, a new class of differential scaled unitary STBCs for all even number of transmit antennas is proposed. These codes have a rate of 1 complex symbols per channel use, achieve full diversity and moreover they are four-group decodable, i.e., the set of real symbols can be partitioned into four groups and decoding can be done for the symbols in each group separately. Explicit construction of multidimensional signal sets that yield full diversity for this new class of codes is also given.

The quest for golden bananas: Investigating carotenoid regulation in a Fe’i group Musa cultivar

The regulation of carotenoid biosynthesis in a high-carotenoid-accumulating Fe’i group Musa cultivar, “Asupina”, has been examined and compared to that of a low-carotenoid-accumulating cultivar, “Cavendish”, to understand the molecular basis underlying carotenogenesis during banana fruit development. Comparisons in the accumulation of carotenoid species, expression of isoprenoid genes, and product sequestration are reported. Key differences between the cultivars include greater carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase 4 (CCD4) expression in “Cavendish” and the conversion of amyloplasts to chromoplasts during fruit ripening in “Asupina”. Chromoplast development coincided with a reduction in dry matter content and fruit firmness. Chromoplasts were not observed in “Cavendish” fruits. Such information should provide important insights for future developments in the biofortification and breeding of banana.

Propargyloxycarbonyl as a protecting group for the side chains of serine, threonine and tyrosine

Propargyloxycarbonyl group is used as a protecting group for the hydroxyl groups of serine, threonine and tyrosine. The propargyloxycarbonyl derivatives of these hydroxy amino acids are stable to acidic and basic reagents commonly employed in peptide synthesis. The deprotection of the O-Poc derivatives using tetrathiomolybdate does not affect commonly used protecting groups such as N-Boc, N-Cbz, N-Fmoc, methyl and benzyl esters. The di-and tripeptides synthesized using O-Poc derivatives of serine, threonine and tyrosine are stable, isolable compounds and give the hydroxy peptides in good yields when treated with tetrathiomolybdate.

A Historical Approach to Children s Physics Education : Modelling of DC-circuit Phenomena in a Small Group

This three-phase design research describes the modelling processes for DC-circuit phenomena. The first phase presents an analysis of the development of the DC-circuit historical models in the context of constructing Volta s pile at the turn of the 18th century. The second phase involves the designing of a teaching experiment for comprehensive school third graders. Among other considerations, the design work utilises the results of the first phase and research literature of pupils mental models for DC-circuit phenomena. The third phase of the research was concerned with the realisation of the planned teaching experiment. The aim of this phase was to study the development of the external representations of DC-circuit phenomena in a small group of third graders. The aim of the study has been to search for new ways to guide pupils to learn DC-circuit phenomena while emphasing understanding at the qualitative level. Thus, electricity, which has been perceived as a difficult and abstract subject, could be learnt more comprehensively. Especially, the research of younger pupils learning of electricity concepts has not been of great interest at the international level, although DC-circuit phenomena are also taught in the lower classes of comprehensive schools. The results of this study are important, because there has tended to be more teaching of natural sciences in the lower classes of comprehensive schools, and attempts are being made to develop this trend in Finland. In the theoretical part of the research an Experimental-centred representation approach, which emphasises the role of experimentalism in the development of pupil s representations, is created. According to this approach learning at the qualitative level consists of empirical operations like experimenting, observations, perception, and prequantification of nature phenomena, and modelling operations like explaining and reasoning. Besides planning teaching, the new approach can be used as an analysis tool in describing both historical modelling and the development of pupils representations. In the first phase of the study, the research question was: How did the historical models of DC-circuit phenomena develop in Volta s time? The analysis uncovered three qualitative historical models associated with the historical concept formation process. The models include conceptions of the electric circuit as a scene in the DC-circuit phenomena, the comparative electric-current phenomenon as a cause of different observable effect phenomena, and the strength of the battery as a cause of the electric-current phenomenon. These models describe the concept formation process and its phases in Volta s time. The models are portrayed in the analysis using fragments of the models, where observation-based fragments and theoretical fragements are distinguished from each other. The results emphasise the significance of the qualitative concept formation and the meaning of language in the historical modelling of DC-circuit phenomena. For this reason these viewpoints are stressed in planning the teaching experiment in the second phase of the research. In addition, the design process utilised the experimentation behind the historical models of DC-circuit phenomena In the third phase of the study the research question is as follows: How will the small group s external representations of DC-circuit phenomena develop during the teaching experiment? The main question is divided into the following two sub questions: What kind of talk exists in the small group s learning? What kinds of external representations for DC-circuit phenomena exist in the small group discourse during the teaching experiment? The analysis revealed that the teaching experiment of the small group succeeded in its aim to activate talk in the small group. The designed connection cards proved especially successful in activating talk. The connection cards are cards that represent the components of the electric circuit. In the teaching experiment the pupils constructed different connections with the connection cards and discussed, what kinds of DC-circuit phenomena would take place in the corresponding real connections. The talk of the small group was analysed by comparing two situations, firstly, when the small group discussed using connections made with the connection cards and secondly with the same connections using real components. According to the results the talk of the small group included more higher-order thinking when using the connection cards than with similar real components. In order to answer the second sub question concerning the small group s external representations that appeared in the talk during the teaching experiment; student talk was visualised by the fragment maps which incorporate the electric circuit, the electric current and the source voltage. The fragment maps represent the gradual development of the external representations of DC-circuit phenomena in the small group during the teaching experiment. The results of the study challenge the results of previous research into the abstractness and difficulty of electricity concepts. According to this research, the external representations of DC-circuit phenomena clearly developed in the small group of third graders. Furthermore, the fragment maps uncover that although the theoretical explanations of DC-circuit phenomena, which have been obtained as results of typical mental model studies, remain undeveloped, learning at the qualitative level of understanding does take place.

IMIA working group on health record banking - How complex systems can cooperate towards having individual's consolidated data

This workshop aims at discussing alternative approaches to resolving the problem of health information fragmentation, partially resulting from difficulties of health complex systems to semantically interact at the information level. In principle, we challenge the current paradigm of keeping medical records where they were created and discuss an alternative approach in which an individual's health data can be maintained by new entities whose sole responsibility is the sustainability of individual-centric health records. In particular, we will discuss the unique characteristics of the European health information landscape. This workshop is also a business meeting of the IMIA Working Group on Health Record Banking.

Modified density matrix renormalization group algorithm for the zigzag spin-1/2 chain with frustrated antiferromagnetic exchange: Comparison with field theory at large J(2)/J(1)

A modified density matrix renormalization group (DMRG) algorithm is applied to the zigzag spin-1/2 chain with frustrated antiferromagnetic exchange J(1) and J(2) between first and second neighbors. The modified algorithm yields accurate results up to J(2)/J(1) approximate to 4 for the magnetic gap Delta to the lowest triplet state, the amplitude B of the bond order wave phase, the wavelength lambda of the spiral phase, and the spin correlation length xi. The J(2)/J(1) dependences of Delta, B, lambda, and xi provide multiple comparisons to field theories of the zigzag chain. The twist angle of the spiral phase and the spin structure factor yield additional comparisons between DMRG and field theory. Attention is given to the numerical accuracy required to obtain exponentially small gaps or exponentially long correlations near a quantum phase transition.