1,1,1-Trichloro-2,2-bis(4-iodophenyl)ethane

In the structure of the title compound C14H9Cl3I2, which is the p-iodophenyl analogue of the insecticide DDT [1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane], isomorphism between the two compounds has been confirmed. In the molecule the dihedral angle between the planes of the two phenyl rings is 65.8(4)deg. which compares with 64.7(7)deg. in DDT.

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.

Hydrogen-bonding in the structures of the 1:1 salts of isonipecotamide with a set of four polyfunctional monocyclic heteroaromatic carboxylic acids

The crystal structures of the 1:1 proton-transfer compounds of isonipecotamide (piperidine-4-carboxamide) with the monocyclic heteroaromatic carboxylic acids, isonicotinic acid, picolinic acid, dipicolinic acid and pyrazine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid have been determined at 200 K and their hydrogen-bonding patterns examined. The compounds are respectively anhydrous 4-carbamoylpiperidinium pyridine-4-carboxylate (1), the partial hydrate 4-carbamoylpiperidinium pyridine-2-carboxylate 0.25 water (2), the solvate 4-carbamoylpiperidinium 6-carboxypyridine-2-carboxylate methanol monosolvate (3), and anhydrous 4-carbamoylpiperidinium 3-carboxypyrazine-2-carboxylate (4). In compounds 1 and 3, hydrogen-bonding interactions give two-dimensional sheet structures which feature enlarged cyclic ring systems, while in compounds 2 and 4, three-dimensional structures are found. The previously described cyclic R2/2(8) hydrogen-bonded amide-amide dimer is present in 2 and 3. The hydrogen-bonding in 2 involves the partial-occupancy water molecule while the structure of 4 is based on inter-linked homomolecular hydrogen-bonded cation-cation and anion-anion associated chains comprising head-to-tail interactions. This work further demonstrates the utility of the isonipecotamide cation in the generation of chemically stable hydrogen-bonded systems, particularly with aromatic carboxylate anions, providing crystalline solids.

Interpretations of formative assessment in the teaching of English at two Chinese universities : a sociocultural perspective

Formative assessment is increasingly being implemented through policy initiatives in Chinese educational contexts. As an approach to assessment, formative assessment derives many of its key principles from Western contexts, notably through the work of scholars in the UK, the USA and Australia. The question for this paper is the ways that formative assessment has been interpreted in the teaching of College English in Chinese Higher Education. The paper reports on a research study that utilised a sociocultural perspective on learning and assessment to analyse how two Chinese universities – an urban-based Key University and a regional-based Non-Key University – interpreted and enacted a China Ministry of Education policy on formative assessment in College English teaching. Of particular interest for the research were the ways in which the sociocultural conditions of the Chinese context mediated understanding of Western principles and led to their adaptation. The findings from the two universities identified some consistency in localised interpretations of formative assessment which included emphases on process and student participation. The differences related to the specific sociocultural conditions contextualising each university including geographical location, socioeconomic status, and teacher and student roles, expectations and beliefs about English. The findings illustrate the sociocultural tensions in interpreting, adapting and enacting formative assessment in Chinese College English classes and the consequent challenges to and questions about retaining the spirit of formative assessment as it was originally conceptualised.

Human Kallikrein 4 signal peptide induces cytotoxic T cell responses in healthy donors and prostate cancer patients.

Immunotherapy is a promising new treatment for patients with advanced prostate and ovarian cancer, but its application is limited by the lack of suitable target antigens that are recognized by CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). Human kallikrein 4 (KLK4) is a member of the kallikrein family of serine proteases that is significantly overexpressed in malignant versus healthy prostate and ovarian tissue, making it an attractive target for immunotherapy. We identified a naturally processed, HLA-A*0201-restricted peptide epitope within the signal sequence region of KLK4 that induced CTL responses in vitro in most healthy donors and prostate cancer patients tested. These CTL lysed HLA-A*0201+ KLK4 + cell lines and KLK4 mRNA-transfected monocyte-derived dendritic cells. CTL specific for the HLA-A*0201-restricted KLK4 peptide were more readily expanded to a higher frequency in vitro compared to the known HLA-A*0201-restricted epitopes from prostate cancer antigens; prostate-specific antigen (PSA), prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) and prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP). These data demonstrate that KLK4 is an immunogenic molecule capable of inducing CTL responses and identify it as an attractive target for prostate and ovarian cancer immunotherapy.

Stroma regulates increased epithelial lateral cell adhesion in 3D culture : a role for actin/cadherin dynamics

BACKGROUND: Cell shape and tissue architecture are controlled by changes to junctional proteins and the cytoskeleton. How tissues control the dynamics of adhesion and cytoskeletal tension is unclear. We have studied epithelial tissue architecture using 3D culture models and found that adult primary prostate epithelial cells grow into hollow acinus-like spheroids. Importantly, when co-cultured with stroma the epithelia show increased lateral cell adhesions. To investigate this mechanism further we aimed to: identify a cell line model to allow repeatable and robust experiments; determine whether or not epithelial adhesion molecules were affected by stromal culture; and determine which stromal signalling molecules may influence cell adhesion in 3D epithelial cell cultures. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The prostate cell line, BPH-1, showed increased lateral cell adhesion in response to stroma, when grown as 3D spheroids. Electron microscopy showed that 9.4% of lateral membranes were within 20 nm of each other and that this increased to 54% in the presence of stroma, after 7 days in culture. Stromal signalling did not influence E-cadherin or desmosome RNA or protein expression, but increased E-cadherin/actin co-localisation on the basolateral membranes, and decreased paracellular permeability. Microarray analysis identified several growth factors and pathways that were differentially expressed in stroma in response to 3D epithelial culture. The upregulated growth factors TGFβ2, CXCL12 and FGF10 were selected for further analysis because of previous associations with morphology. Small molecule inhibition of TGFβ2 signalling but not of CXCL12 and FGF10 signalling led to a decrease in actin and E-cadherin co-localisation and increased paracellular permeability. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: In 3D culture models, paracrine stromal signals increase epithelial cell adhesion via adhesion/cytoskeleton interactions and TGFβ2-dependent mechanisms may play a key role. These findings indicate a role for stroma in maintaining adult epithelial tissue morphology and integrity.

Wrong way go back! Rediscovering the path for charity law reform

Problems with charity law jurisprudence persist. The difficulties arose in the 20th century and are fundamental to the way the doctrine is presently theorised. They grew out of the approach taken in Pemsel’s Case to the categorisation of the ‘spirit and intendment’ of the Preamble to the Statute of Charitable Uses. Recent statutory reforms, such as the Charities Act 2006 (Eng&W), have compounded the underlying problems rather than resolving them. This paper aims to stimulate thinking about a new foundation for charity jurisprudence – while the approach may seem radical, the paper argues that these new foundations can be discerned underlying the current jurisprudence. The difficulties can be overcome by rediscovering the underlying jurisprudence which is disregarded in the current approach to categorisation. Giving voice, in contemporary language, to that foundational jurisprudence, this paper provides a way out of the current problems. It also provides an alternative way of conceptualising the doctrine of charitable purpose to guide reform.

Volunteering, pro-environmental attitudes and norms

In the spirit of previous work in the compliance literature (e.g., tax, littering), we investigate whether environmental social norms affect volunteering in environmental organizations. Using two ‘environmental morale’ variables as indirect measures, we analyze the impact of social norms on the incidence of unpaid work in environmental organizations. In addition, we test whether violation of a specific environmental norm initiates a conditional cooperation response. We explore a large individual data set covering 32 countries from both Western and Eastern Europe, and extend the number of countries investigated to test the robustness of the relationship at the macro level. Our results indicate a strong positive relationship between the proxies for environmental social norms and volunteering in environmental organizations. The relationship persists despite our various robustness checks.

Poly[(mu6-4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropyridine-2-carboxylato)aquacaesium

In the structure of the title complex, [Cs(C6H2Cl3N2O2)(H2O)]n, the caesium salt of the commercial herbicide picloram, the Cs+ cation lies on a crystallographic mirror plane, which also contains the coordinating water molecule and all non-H atoms of the 4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinate anion except the carboxylate O-atom donors. The irregular CsCl4O5 coordination polyhedron comprises chlorine donors from the ortho-related ring substituents of the picloramate ligand in a bidentate chelate mode, with a third chlorine bridging [Cs-Cl range 3.6052 (11)-3.7151 (11) Å] as well as a bidentate chelate carboxylate group giving sheets extending parallel to (010). A three-dimensional coordination polymer structure is generated through the carboxylate group, which also bridges the sheets down [010]. Within the structure, there are intra-unit water O-HOcarboxylate and amine N-HNpyridine hydrogen-bonding interactions.

4-Amino-N-(4,6-dimethylpyrimidin-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide--2-nitrobenzoic acid (1/1)

In the asymmetric unit of the title co-crystal, C12H14N4O2S·C7H5NO4, the sulfamethazine and 2-nitrobenzoic acid molecules form a heterodimer through intermolecular amide-carboxylic acid N-HO and carboxylic acid-pyrimidine O-HN hydrogen-bond pairs, giving a cyclic motif [graph set R22(8)]. The dihedral angle between the two aromatic ring systems in the sulfamethazine molecule is 88.96 (18)° and the nitro group of the acid is 50% rotationally disordered. Secondary aniline N-HOsulfone hydrogen-bonding associations give a two-dimensional structure lying parallel to the ab plane.

Hybrid light-emitting diodes based on ZnO nanowires

ZnO is a wide band-gap semiconductor that has several desirable properties for optoelectronic devices. With its large exciton binding energy of ~60 meV, ZnO is a promising candidate for high stability, room-temperature luminescent and lasing devices [1]. Ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (LEDs) based on ZnO homojunctions had been reported [2,3], while preparing stable p-type ZnO is still a challenge. An alternative way is to use other p-type semiconductors, ether inorganic or organic, to form heterojunctions with the naturally n-type ZnO. The crystal structure of wurtzite ZnO can be described as Zn and O atomic layers alternately stacked along the [0001] direction. Because of the fastest growth rate over the polar (0001) facet, ZnO crystals tend to grow into one-dimensional structures, such as nanowires and nanobelts. Since the first report of ZnO nanobelts in 2001 [4], ZnO nanostructures have been particularly studied for their potential applications in nano-sized devices. Various growth methods have been developed for growing ZnO nanostructures, such as chemical vapor deposition (CVD), Metal-organic CVD (MOCVD), aqueous growth and electrodeposition [5]. Based on the successful synthesis of ZnO nanowires/nanorods, various types of hybrid light-emitting diodes (LEDs) were made. Inorganic p-type semiconductors, such as GaN, Si and SiC, have been used as substrates to grown ZnO nanorods/nanowires for making LEDs. GaN is an ideal material that matches ZnO not only in the crystal structure but also in the energy band levels. However, to prepare Mg-doped p-GaN films via epitaxial growth is still costly. In comparison, the organic semiconductors are inexpensive and have many options to select, for a large variety of p-type polymer or small-molecule semiconductors are now commercially available. The organic semiconductor has the limitation of durability and environmental stability. Many polymer semiconductors are susceptible to damage by humidity or mere exposure to oxygen in the air. Also the carrier mobilities of polymer semiconductors are generally lower than the inorganic semiconductors. However, the combination of polymer semiconductors and ZnO nanostructures opens the way for making flexible LEDs. There are few reports on the hybrid LEDs based on ZnO/polymer heterojunctions, some of them showed the characteristic UV electroluminescence (EL) of ZnO. This chapter reports recent progress of the hybrid LEDs based on ZnO nanowires and other inorganic/organic semiconductors. We provide an overview of the ZnO-nanowire-based hybrid LEDs from the perspectives of the device configuration, growth methods of ZnO nanowires and the selection of p-type semiconductors. Also the device performances and remaining issues are presented.

Back to the future : prohibiting surrogacy for singles, same-sex and shorter-term heterosexual couples in Queensland

This article considers the regulatory position concerning altruistic surrogacy in Queensland, focusing on the intended changes to the current legal framework announced by the government in June 2012. The previous government had made significant progress by reforming surrogacy laws in 2010. However, that progress is at risk of being reversed. The proposed changes to the law would make it a criminal offence to enter into an altruistic surrogacy arrangement for certain individuals or couples. If enacted, the offence would only apply in altruistic surrogacy cases where the intended parent or parents are either single, in a same-sex relationship, or are in a heterosexual relationship of less than two years. Moreover, if enacted, the offence would apply extra-territorially. The authors argue that these changes represent a retrograde step for the law and urge the government to reconsider. This is based on the fact that they are out of step with current social attitudes, are contrary to the spirit of anti-discrimination laws, and that they are unjustified in terms of child welfare concerns.

Creating and expressing : information as-it-is-experienced

Music and dance are art forms that involve a full mind-body experience, integrating the cognitive, affective and kinesthetic domains. To engage in creating music and dance is to use information to express oneself and communicate. In this chapter I explore the information experience of two distinct groups: those who compose music for an audience, and those who dance socially with a partner. For the composer, information sources can be a stimulus for creation. Sounds, feelings, moods, images, ideas and life experiences can trigger a creative idea. These ideas are shaped by existing musical styles and structures, and by the composer’s personal aesthetic. The intention of the composer is to communicate their expressive ideas to an audience. For the social dancer, information sources are those used to communicate with a partner. There is no intention to perform for an audience. A social dancer aims to express the music and style of the dance while creating a strong connection with their partner. Information sources include the music, the partner’s body, the emotions generated by the dance, the position of other couples on the floor and the feeling of the floor. Use of information in the arts is an under-researched experience. Most information studies are based on the assumption that information is documentary and codified. Subjective and affective information is rarely recognised and legitimised. Information-as-it-is-experienced through creative practice such as music and dance is holistic in acknowledging mind, body and spirit as well as traditional documentary forms of information. This chapter draws on empirical research to illustrate experiencing information as creating and expressing.

Recent advances in catalytic/biocatalytic conversion of greenhouse methane and carbon dioxide to methanol and other oxygenates

Methane gas has been identified as the most destructive greenhouse gas (Liu et al., 2004). It was reported that the global warming potential of methane per molecule relative to CO2 is approximately 23 on a 100-year timescale or 62 over a 20-year period (IPCC, 2001). Methane has high C-H bond energy of about 439 kJ/mol and other higher alkanes (or saturated hydrocarbons) also have a very strong C-C and C-H bonds, thus making their molecules to have no empty orbitals of low energy or filled orbitals of high energy that could readily participate in chemical reactions as is the case with unsaturated hydrocarbons such as olefins and alkynes (Crabtree, 1994; Labinger & Bercaw, 2002)...

Synthesis of an erodible biomimetic hydrogel for drug delivery using native chemical ligation

Hydrogels are hydrophilic, three dimensional polymers that imbibe large quantities of water while remaining insoluble in aqueous solutions due to chemical or physical cross-linking. The polymers swell in water or biological fluids, immobilizing the bioactive agent, leading to drug release in a well-defined specific manner. Thus the hydrogels’ elastic properties, swellability and biocompatibility make them excellent formulations for drug delivery. Currently, many drug potencies and therapeutic effects are limited or otherwise reduced because of the partial degradation that occurs before the administered drug reaches the desired site of action. On the other hand, sustained release medications release drugs continually, rather than providing relief of symptoms and protection solely when necessary. In fact, it would be much better if drugs could be administered in a manner that precisely matches physiological needs at desired times and at the desired site (site specific targeting). There is therefore an unmet need to develop controlled drug delivery systems especially for delivery of peptide and protein bound drugs. The purpose of this project is to produce hydrogels for structural drug delivery and time-dependent sustained release of drugs (bioactive agents). We use an innovative polymerisation strategy based on native chemical ligation (NCL) to covalently cross-link polymers to form hydrogels. When mixed in aqueous solution, four armed (polyethylene glycol) amine (PEG-4A) end functionalised with thioester and four branched Nterminal cysteine peptide dendrimers spontaneously conjugated to produce biomimetic hydrogels. These hydrogels showed superior resistance to shear stress compared to an equivalent PEG macromonomer system and were shown to be proteolytically degradable with concomitant release of a model payload molecule. This is the first report of a peptide dendrimers/PEG macromonomer approach to hydrogel production and opens up the prospect of facile hydrogel synthesis together with tailored payload release.