Hydrogen-bonding in cyclic imides and amide carboxylic acid derivatives from the facile reaction of cis-cyclohexane-1,2-carboxylic anhydride with o- and p-anisidine and m- and p-aminobenzoic acids

The structures of the open chain amide carboxylic acid rac-cis-[2-(2-methoxyphenyl)carbamoyl]cyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid, C15H19NO4, (I) and the cyclic imides rac-cis-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3a,4,5,6,7,7-hexahydroisoindole-1,3-dione,C15H17NO3, (II), chiral cis-2-(3-carboxyphenyl)-3a,4,5,6,7,7a-hexahydroisoindole-1,3-dione, C15H15NO4,(III) and rac-cis-2-(4-carboxyphenyl)- 3a,4,5,6,7,7a-hexahydroisoindole-1,3-dione monohydrate, C15H15NO4. H2O) (IV), are reported. In the amide acid (I), the phenylcarbamoyl group is essentially planar [maximum deviation from the least-squares plane = 0.060(1)Ang. for the amide O atom], the molecules form discrete centrosymmetric dimers through intermolecular cyclic carboxy-carboxy O-H...O hydrogen-bonding interactions [graph set notation R2/2(8)]. The cyclic imides (II)--(IV) are conformationally similar, with comparable phenyl ring rotations about the imide N-C(aromatic) bond [dihedral angles between the benzene and isoindole rings = 51.55(7)deg. in (II), 59.22(12)deg. in (III) and 51.99(14)deg. in (IV). Unlike (II) in which only weak intermolecular C-H...O(imide) hydrogen bonding is present, the crystal packing of imides (III) and (IV) shows strong intermolecular carboxylic acid O-H...O hydrogen-bonding associations. With (III), these involve imide O-atom acceptors, giving one-dimensional zigzag chains [graph set C(9)], while with the monohydrate (IV), the hydrogen bond involves the partially disordered water molecule which also bridges molecules through both imide and carboxyl O-atom acceptors in a cyclic R4/4(12) association, giving a two-dimensional sheet structure. The structures reported here expand the structural data base for compounds of this series formed from the facile reaction of cis-cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylic anhydride with substituted anilines, in which there is a much larger incidence of cyclic imides compared to amide carboxylic acids.

Identification of long intergenic region sequences involved in maize streak virus replication

The main cis-acting control regions for replication of the single-stranded DNA genome of maize streak virus (MSV) are believed to reside within an approximately 310 nt long intergenic region (LIR). However, neither the minimum LIR sequence required nor the sequence determinants of replication specificity have been determined experimentally. There are iterated sequences, or iterons, both within the conserved inverted-repeat sequences with the potential to form a stem-loop structure at the origin of virion-strand replication, and upstream of the rep gene TATA box (the rep-proximal iteron or RPI). Based on experimental analyses of similar iterons in viruses from other geminivirus genera and their proximity to known Rep-binding sites in the distantly related mastrevirus wheat dwarf virus, it has been hypothesized that the iterons may be Rep-binding and/or -recognition sequences. Here, a series of LIR deletion mutants was used to define the upper bounds of the LIR sequence required for replication. After identifying MSV strains and distinct mastreviruses with incompatible replication-specificity determinants (RSDs), LIR chimaeras were used to map the primary MSV RSD to a 67 nt sequence containing the RPI. Although the results generally support the prevailing hypothesis that MSV iterons are functional analogues of those found in other geminivirus genera, it is demonstrated that neither the inverted-repeat nor RPI sequences are absolute determinants of replication specificity. Moreover, widely divergent mastreviruses can trans-replicate one another. These results also suggest that sequences in the 67 nt region surrounding the RPI interact in a sequence-specific manner with those of the inverted repeat.

Investigation of ternary zirconia ceramics

Transformation toughening ceramics (TTCs) are engineering materials which combine ceramic properties such as hardness, corrosion resistance and low thermal conductivity with good toughness and mechanical strength. At elevated temperatures their use is limited due to destabilisation of the transformation toughening microstructure (partially stabilised zirconia or PSZ) or creep and hydrothermal degradation (tetragonal zirconia polycrystals or TZPs). Despite these limitations, the use of TTCs, particularly zirconia based, has become widespread. To date, most commercial TTCs are based on combinations of zirconia and one stabilising oxide. This work investigates a zirconia ceramic containing two stabilisers, namely yttria and titania in roughly equal proportions.

Drugs, labels and (p)ill-fitting boxes : ADHD and children who are hard to teach

In offering a critical review of the problem we call “ADHD” this paper progresses in three stages. The first two parts juxtapose the dominant voices emanating from the literature in medicine and psychology, highlighting some interdependency between these otherwise competing interest groups. In part three, the nature of the relationship between these groups and the institution of the school is considered, as is the role that the school may play in the psycho-pathologisation of fidgety, distractible, active children who prove hard to teach. In so doing, the author provides an insight as to why the problem we call “ADHD” has achieved celebrity status in Australia and what the effects of that may be for children who come to be described in these ways.

An in-vitro 3-D cell culture model for studying pathomechanisms in AMD

Purpose To develop a novel 3-D cell culture model with the view to studying the pathomechanisms underlying the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Our central hypothesis is that the silk structural protein fibroin used in conjunction with cultured human cells can be used to mimic the structural relationships between the RPE and choriocapillaris in health and disease. Methods Co-cultures of human RPE cells (ARPE-19 cells grown in Miller’s medium) and microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1 cells grown in endothelial culture medium) were established on opposing sides of a synthetic Bruch’s membrane (3 microns thick) constructed from B mori silk fibroin. Cell attachment was facilitated by pre-coating the fibroin membrane with vitronectin (for ARPE-19 cells) and gelatin (for HMEC-1 cells) respectively. The effects of tropoelastin on attachment of ARPE-19 cells was also examined. Barrier function was examined by measurement of trans-epithelial resistance (TER) using a voltohmmeter (EVOM-2). The phagocytic activity of the synthetic RPE was tested using vitronectin-coated microspheres (2 micron diameter FluoSpheres). In some cultures, membrane defects were created by puncturing within a 24 G needle. The architecture of the synthetic tissue before and after wounding was examined by confocal microscopy after staining for ZO-1 and F-actin. Results The RPE layer of the 3D model developed a cobblestoned morphology (validated by staining for ZO-1 and F-actin), displayed barrier function (validated by measurement of TER) and demonstrated cytoplasmic uptake of vitronectin-coated microspheres. Attachment of ARPE-19 cells to fibroin was unaffected by tropoelastin. Microvascular endothelial cells attached well to the gelatin-coated surface of the fibroin membrane and remained physically separated from the overlaying RPE layer. The fibroin membranes were amenable to puncturing without collapse thus providing the opportunity to study transmembrane migration of the endothelial cells. Conclusions Synthetic Bruch’s membranes constructed from silk fibroin, vitronectin and gelatin, support the co-cultivation of RPE cells and microvascular endothelial cells. The resulting RPE layer displays functions similar to that of native RPE and the entire tri-layered structure displays potential to be used as an in vitro model of choroidal neovascularization.

Adsorption of p-nitrophenol on organoclays

In this study, organoclays were prepared through ion exchange of a single cationic surfactant, hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide and characterised by a range of methods including X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis. Changes in the surface properties of montmorillonite and the organoclays were observed and the basal spacings of organoclays with and without p-nitrophenol were determined using XRD. The thermal stability of both organoclays were measured using thermogravimetry. As the surfactant loading increased, the expanded basal spacings were observed, and different molecular configurations of surfactant were identified. When the surfactant loading exceeded 1.0 CEC, surfactant molecules tend to adsorb strongly on the clay surface and this resulted in increased affinity to organic compounds. The adsorbed p-nitrophenol and the surfactant decomposed simultaneously. Hence, the surfactant molecules and adsorbed p-nitrophenol are important in determining the thermal stabilities of organoclays. This study enhances the understanding of the structure and adsorption properties of organoclays and has further implications for the application of organoclays as filter materials for the removal of organic pollutants in aqueous solutions.

Rogue flows : trans-Asian cultural traffic

"Rogue Flows brings together some of the best and most knowledgeable writers on consumption and cultural theory to chart the under-explored field of cultural flows and consumption across different regions in Asia, and the importance of these flows in creating contemporary Asian national identities. It offers innovative possibilities for envisioning how the transfer of popular and consumer culture (such as TV, music, film, advertising and commodities) across Asian countries has produced a new form of cross-cultural fertilisation within Asian societies, which does not merely copy Western counterparts." "Rogue Flows is unique in its investigation of how "Asianness" is being exploited by Asian transnational cultural industries and how it is involved in the new power relations of the region. It is an important contribution to the literature of Asian cultural studies."--BOOK JACKET.

Aspects of the kinetics and solubility of silica and calcium oxalate composites in sugar solutions

Fouling of industrial surfaces by silica and calcium oxalate can be detrimental to a number of process streams. Solution chemistry plays a large roll in the rate and type of scale formed on industrial surfaces. This study is on the kinetics and thermodynamics of SiO2 and calcium oxalate composite formation in solutions containing Mg2+ ions, trans-aconitic acid and sucrose, to mimic factory sugar cane juices. The induction time (ti) of silicic acid polymerization is found to be dependent on the sucrose concentration and SiO2 supersaturation ratio (SS). Generalized kinetic and solubility models are developed for SiO2 and calcium oxalate in binary systems using response surface methodology. The role of sucrose, Mg, trans-aconitic acid, a mixture of Mg and trans-aconitic acid, SiO2 SS ratio and Ca in the formation of com- posites is explained using the solution properties of these species including their ability to form complexes.

Who drives E&P innovation?

Few would argue that the upstream oil and gas industry has become more technology- intensive over the years. At the same time, the increasing costs and complexity of today’s exploration and production (E&P) technologies are making it increasingly difficult for any one company to support an aggressive research and development (R&D) agenda single handedly. The coming together of these two evolutionary forces gives rise to important questions. How does innovation happen in the E&P industry? Specifically, what ideas and inputs flow from which parts of the industry’s value network, and where do these inputs go? And how do firms and organizations from different countries contribute differently to this process? This survey was designed to shed light on these issues.

P.I.C.U., H.D.U., A.O.A. What treatment do we provide?: Current descriptions of the function of intensive care for inpatient Psychiatric Health Care.

Purpose – This paper adds to growing research of psychiatric intensive care units (PICU) by recounting descriptions of psychiatric intensive care settings and discusses the perceptions held by nurses of the organisational interfaces, arrangements and provisions of care in these settings. Design/methodology/approach – Data gathered from focus groups held with nurses from two PICUs was used to establish terminology, defining attributes, related concepts, antecedents, values, processes and concepts related to current practices. A literature search was conducted to permit a review of the conceptual arrangements and contemporary understanding of intensive care for people experiencing acute psychiatric illness based on the perspectives held by the nurses from the focus groups. Findings – Dissonance between service needs and the needs and management of individual patients overshadow strategies to implement comprehensive recovery-oriented approaches. Three factors are reported in this paper that influence standards and procedural practice in PICU; organisational structures; physical structures; and subtype nomenclature. Practical implications – Acute inpatient care is an important part of a comprehensive approach to mental health services. Commonly intensive acute care is delivered in specialised wards or units co-located with acute mental health inpatient units mostly known as PICU. Evidence of the most effective treatment and approaches in intensive care settings that support comprehensive recovery for improved outcomes is nascent. Originality/value – Current descriptions from nurses substantiate wide variations in the provisions, design and classifications of psychiatric intensive care. Idiosyncratic and localised conceptions of psychiatric intensive care are not adequately entailing effective treatment and methods in support of recovery principles for improved and comprehensive outcomes. The authors suggest that more concrete descriptions, guidelines, training and policies for provision of intensive psychiatric health care encompassing the perspective of nursing professionals, would reinforce conceptual construction and thus optimum treatments within a comprehensive, recovery-oriented approach to mental health services.

Insights into the mechanism of the reaction between ttrachloro-p-bnzoquinone and hydrogen peroxide and their implications in the catalytic role of water molecules in producing the hydroxyl radial

Detailed mechanisms for the formation of hydroxyl or alkoxyl radicals in the reactions between tetrachloro-p-benzoquinone (TCBQ) and organic hydroperoxides are crucial for better understanding the potential carcinogenicity of polyhalogenated quinones. Herein, the mechanism of the reaction between TCBQ and H2O2 has been systematically investigated at the B3LYP/6-311++G** level of theory in the presence of different numbers of water molecules. We report that the whole reaction can easily take place with the assistance of explicit water molecules. Namely, an initial intermediate is formed first. After that, a nucleophilic attack of H2O2 onto TCBQ occurs, which results in the formation of a second intermediate that contains an OOH group. Subsequently, this second intermediate decomposes homolytically through cleavage of the O-O bond to produce a hydroxyl radical. Energy analyses suggest that the nucleophilic attack is the rate-determining step in the whole reaction. The participation of explicit water molecules promotes the reaction significantly, which can be used to explain the experimental phenomena. In addition, the effects of F, Br, and CH3 substituents on this reaction have also been studied.

Trans-Bass Strait speciation and trans-Pacific dispersal in the Myoporum thrips (Thysanoptera, Phlaeothripinae)

Molecular and morphological data indicate that the pest thrips damaging Myoporum species in California and Hawai'i, Klambothrips myoporiMound and Morris, originated in Tasmania, Australia. This trans-Pacific dispersal presumably resulted from the international horticultural trade in Myoporum species. The data distinguish the pest from K. adelaideae sp.n. that induces leaf deformation on M. insulare along the coast of mainland Australia that is separated by ∼300km from Tasmania by the Bass Strait. K. myopori is more damaging to its non-native hosts in California and Hawai'i than to M. insulare in Tasmania, and further research is needed to determine if this is the result of release from its natural enemies. However, in certain areas of California, some Myoporum species are invasive weeds, and K. myopori may be considered an example of an accidental but beneficial introduction in this instance because of its detrimental impact on the plant species.