Search

To obtain novel boron liquid crystals, we successfully combined MIDA boronates with chromophoric fluorene and fluorenone mesogenic units and studied the influence of alkoxy versus alkyl side chains by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarising optical microscopy (POM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The fluorenes showed broader temperature ranges of the SmA phase compared to their fluorenone counterparts. By replacing the alkoxy side chains with alkyl side chains, the mesophase ranges could be significantly enlarged and the thermal stability increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Communities of the East African coast have had a long history of international interaction. Swahili maritime networks linked African port towns across the Indian Ocean seaboard, thus enabling merchandise to reach the hinterlands of the continent. One of these Swahili towns is the ancient city of Gedi, located on the central Kenyan coast near the medieval town of Malindi. Located inshore, 6 km from the main ocean to the southeast and 3 km from Mida Creek to the southwest, Gedi's lack of seaward connectivity has perplexed scholars. To effectively function within the vibrant Indian Ocean maritime trade networks of the 10th to 16th centuries CE, Gedi needed access to the sea. Inevitably goods had to be transported overland from a port or landing place. The 'MUCH to Discover in Mida Creek' project carried out an archaeological survey around the Creek to form a broader understanding of the region's maritime past. The study identified a range of sites that evidence past coastal activity. In particular, a concentration of contemporary house sites at Chafisi near the closest point on the Creek to Gedi would suggest it may have acted as an outport for the stone town. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Communities of the East African coast have had a long history of international interaction. Swahili maritime networks linked African port towns across the Indian Ocean seaboard, thus enabling merchandise to reach the hinterlands of the continent. One of these Swahili towns is the ancient city of Gedi, located on the central Kenyan coast near the medieval town of Malindi. Located inshore, 6 km from the main ocean to the southeast and 3 km from Mida Creek to the southwest, Gedi’s lack of seaward connectivity has perplexed scholars. To effectively function within the vibrant Indian Ocean maritime trade networks of the 10th to 16th centuries CE, Gedi needed access to the sea. Inevitably goods had to be transported overland from a port or landing place. The ‘MUCH to Discover in Mida Creek’ project carried out an archaeological survey around the Creek to form a broader understanding of the region’s maritime past. The study identified a range of sites that evidence past coastal activity. In particular, a concentration of contemporary house sites at Chafisi near the closest point on the Creek to Gedi would suggest it may have acted as an outport for the stone town.

Abstract Two series of N-methyliminodiacetic acid (MIDA) boronates were prepared and their mesomorphic properties were investigated. MIDA-substituted benzoic acid esters were synthesized via the Mitsunobu reaction. The second series of MIDA benzyl ether derivatives was prepared via Williamson etherification and subsequent borylation. Both series exhibit smectic A (SmA) phases. In the case of MIDA boronate esters, a substitution with perfluorinated side chains led to increased transition temperatures and broadening of the SmA phases. The phase geometries of the mesophases were determined by X-ray diffraction. Quantum-chemical calculations provided further insight into the packing model.

The study investigated performance of loan repayment among rice farmers under the MiDA agricultural credit programme in the Hohoe Municipality. Primary data was collected from 120 farmers from four beneficiary towns while secondary data was gathered from literatures and various actors. Multistage random sampling technique was used to select the respondents. Obtained data were analyzed using t-test, Tobit regression model.Results from t-test showed statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) between the amount of loan applied for and the amount received by farmers.Out of the ten explanatory variables included in the Tobit regression model, five were significant. Significant factors (p < 0.001) include: sex, household size, group size, value of output and timeliness of loan disbursement.

Rappresentazioni di ceppi su vasi corinzi ed attici. Si presentano tre rappresentazioni di ceppi su recipienti ceramici: sono un cratere mesocorinzio; una kylix attica a figure nere; un cratere attico a figure rosse. Si discute la tipologia dei ceppi raffigurati, concludendo che si tratta sempre di semplificazioni delle forme archeologicamente documentate. Nei casi dell’uomo in ceppi sul cratere corinzio e dello schiavo sulla kylix non si giunge ad un’interpretazione della relativa scena. Nel caso di Sileno davanti a Mida sul cratere attico si discute la connessa tradizione letteraria a confronto con la difforme iconografia. Representations of shackles on Corinthian and Attic vases. Three representations of shackles on ceramic containers are presented: a Mesocorinthian crater; an Attic black-figure kylix; an Attic red-figure crater. The type of the represented shackles is discussed, concluding that they are always simplifications of the archaeologically documented forms. In the cases of the shackled man on the Corinthian crater and of the slave on the kylix, we do not reach a certain interpretation of the related scene. In the case of Silenus in front of Midas on the Attic crater the connected literary tradition is discussed in comparison with the different iconography.

Neste texto, situado nas atuais “tendências francesas de análise do discurso”, estuda-se a enunciação aforizante em mídia do Centro-Oeste brasileiro, em publicações online veiculadas no jornal Campo Grande News, na sequência dos trabalhos de Dominique Maingueneau (2006; 2008 e 2010). Partindo da hipótese de que a forma como as mídias destacam enunciados contribui para a captação/“manipulação” dos leitores, busca-se verificar o funcionamento desse fenômeno na produção de efeitos de sentido a respeito de conflitos sobre posse de terras entre fazendeiros e indígenas.

The structure of the title compound, [(NH4)0.8K0.2][Cr(C5H7NO4)2] (C5H7NO4 is methyliminodiacetate; mida), has been determined from synchrotron data. The CrIII atom is located on a centre of symmetry and is coordinated by two N atoms and four O atoms of two facially arranged tridentate mida ligands, displaying a slightly distorted octahedral coordination environment. The Cr—N and mean Cr—O bond lengths are 2.0792 (14) and 1.958 (14) Å, respectively. The cation site is located on a twofold rotation axis and shows occupational disorder, being occupied by ammonium and potassium cations in a 0.8:0.2 ratio. In the crystal, intermolecular hydrogen bonds involving the N—H groups of the ammonium cation as donor and the two non-coordinating O atoms of the carboxylate group as acceptor groups consolidate the three-dimensional packing.

The complexation of molybdenum(VI) with methyliminodiacetic acid (MIDA) at pH = 6.00, T = 298 K , I = 0.1 mol.dm-3 of sodium chloride and different water + methanol solutions (0-45% v/v) was studied by using potentiometric and UV spectrophotometric measurements. The stability constants values were calculated and their trends have been interpreted by using the Kamlet-Abboud-Taft (KAT) model in order to investigate the role of different specific and non-specific interactions in the aqueous solutions of methanol. Hyperquad 2013 and Microsoft Excel 2010 softwares have been used for the calculations.

Copyright of Apunts: Educació Física i Esports is the property of Institut Nacional d'Educacio Fisica de Catalunya and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A series of MIDA ( N-methylimino diacetic acid) boronates carrying 4-alkoxy, 3,4-bisalkoxy, or 3,4,5-trisalkoxyphenyl substituents were synthesized and their mesomorphic properties characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarizing optical microscopy (POM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques such as small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS and WAXS, respectively). Most derivatives were liquid crystalline. In the case of mono- and bisalkoxy-substituted derivatives, C6 chains already induced smectic A (SmA) mesophases despite the bulky MIDA head group. With increasing chain length, columnar hexagonal (Colh) phases replaced SmA phases in the disubstituted series. Quantum chemical calculations on a series of MIDA boronates show that the B−N bond is a dative bond with a positive charge on the boron atom and negative charges on the nitrogen and oxygen atoms. In addition, no π-interaction between the aryl moiety and B−N bond was found, thus the mesogenic unit is electronically decoupled from the MIDA head group. These theoretical findings were supported by IR and Raman spectra as well as by asingle crystal structure analysis of 4-ethoxyphenyl MIDA boronate. Calculations of the electrostatic potential of the MIDA boronate reveal a special polarity pattern that can support the formation of a two-dimensional network and is likely to explain the liquid crystalline self-assembly. The absence of any electronic cross-talk between the MIDA head group and B-aryl or B-alkyl substituents allows the efficient tailoring of the mesophase type through variation of the substituents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stability constants for the complex formation of VO2+ cation with methyliminodiacetic acid (MIDA) have been determined in this research for various volume fractions of methanol (0-45% v/v) at T = 298 K, I = 0.1 mol dm-3 of sodium perchlorate. Potentiometric and UV spectrophotometric methods have been utilized for the collection of experimental data. Different species were investigated but the best model contains VO2HL and VO2L- for our data treatment. One, two and three parameters Kamlet-Abboud-Taft (KAT) equations have been applied for the determination and calculation of KAT model solvatochromic regression coefficients

[Display omitted] • Variation of Iminodiacetic acid (IDA) boronates and core structures to investigate the influence on molecular self-assembly. • Synthesis of four novel families of IDA boronates. • Structural modification of aryl or heteroaryl units and N -substituents of IDA boronates. • Characterization of liquid crystalline properties by POM, DSC and X-ray diffraction (SAXS & WAXS). • Broad mesophases of smectic and columnar geometries. The highly polar N -methyl iminodiacetic acid (MIDA) unit induces liquid crystalline self-assembly when the MIDA boronate is attached to conventional mono-, bis- or trisalkoxyphenyl mesogens. In order to understand the influence of the rigid mesogenic unit and the N -substituent on the mesomorphic properties six series of IDA boronates carrying N -ethyl in combination with classic mesogenic aryl units (Ph(n) k EIDA , n = 10 – 16, k = 1 – 3), or N -methyl in combination with bend meta -alkoxyphenyl (Ph(n) meta MIDA), linear alkoxy-pyridyl (Pyr(n) 1 MIDA) and -pyrimidinyl (Pym(n) 1 MIDA) respectively, were prepared. Analysis by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarizing optical microscopy (POM) and X-ray diffraction (WAXS, SAXS) revealed that N -ethyl and bend-shaped aryl units mostly lowered the clearing transition temperatures, decreasing the tendency for thermal decomposition and affected the preference of SmA phases, while heterocyclic units were beneficial for stable SmA phases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Apunts: Educació Física i Esports is the property of Institut Nacional d'Educacio Fisica de Catalunya and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is heralded as the next big global epidemic. Hepatic de novo lipogenesis (DNL), the synthesis of new fatty acids from non-lipid sources, is thought to play a pivotal role in the development of NAFLD. While there is currently no NAFLD-specific therapeutic agent available, pharmaceutical drugs aimed at reducing hepatic fat accretion may prove to be a powerful ally in the treatment and management of this disease. With a focus on NAFLD, the present review summarizes current techniques examining DNL from a clinical perspective, and describes the merits and limitations of three commonly used assays; stable-label isotope tracer studies, fatty acid indexes and indirect calorimetry as non-invasive measures of hepatic DNL. Finally, the application of DNL assessments in the pharmacological and nutraceutical treatment of NAFLD/NASH is summarized. In a clinical research setting, measures of DNL are an important marker in the development of anti-NAFLD treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structure of the title compound, [(NH4)0.8K0.2][Cr(C5H7NO4)2] (C5H7NO4 is methyliminodiacetate; mida), has been determined from synchrotron data. The CrIII atom is located on a centre of symmetry and is coordinated by two N atoms and four O atoms of two facially arranged tridentate mida ligands, displaying a slightly distorted octahedral coordination environment. The Cr-N and mean Cr-O bond lengths are 2.0792 (14) and 1.958 (14) Å, respectively. The cation site is located on a twofold rotation axis and shows occupational disorder, being occupied by ammonium and potassium cations in a 0.8:0.2 ratio. In the crystal, intermolecular hydrogen bonds involving the N-H groups of the ammonium cation as donor and the two non-coordinating O atoms of the carboxylate group as acceptor groups consolidate the three-dimensional packing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a novel technique for robust digital image watermarking is proposed using simple product codes (PC) and cubic product codes (CPC) respectively. Product codes are two dimentional matrix codes while CPC are three dimensional product codes where the constituent codes in each dimension are linear block codes. The structure of PC and CPC makes them suitable for the proposed scheme. The embedded watermark is vulnerable to various attacks on the image like compression, noise and geometric attacks namely translation rotation and scaling (TRS) etc. This could limit the performance of digital watermarking schemes. Our proposal is to encode the watermark with PC/CPC prior to embedding it into the image. This could easily be done because our watermark is also a three dimensional data (image/logo etc), so each dimension can easily be encoded with corresponding codes in PC/CPC. The modified iterative decoding algorithm (MIDA) is employed to decode the PC/CPC. Moreover, a Fuzzy Rule Based System (FRBS) is used to find the suitable regions in the host image where watermark can be embedded such that the imperceptibilityof the host image should not be affected. The FRBS makes used of Human Visual System (HVS) parameters to obtain those regions. The scheme is tested against various attacks and compared with the well-known schemes in the literature. Moreover, role of PC is also compared with CPCs and results are demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A two-step synthesis of structurally diverse pyrrole-containing bicyclic systems is reported. ortho-Nitro-haloarenes coupled with vinylic N-methyliminodiacetic acid (MIDA) boronates generate ortho-vinyl-nitroarenes, which undergo a 'metal-free' nitrene insertion, resulting in a new pyrrole ring. This novel synthetic approach has a wide substrate tolerance and it is applicable in the preparation of more complex 'drug-like' molecules. Interestingly, an ortho-nitro-allylarene derivative furnished a cyclic β-aminophosphonate motif. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We used [2-13C1]glycerol to characterize very low density lipoprotein (VLDL)-triglyceride kinetics and intrahepatic glycerol metabolism in normal men (n = 4) after alcohol (EtOH) ingestion. [2-13C1]glycerol was infused before and after the consumption of 48 g EtOH or a placebo. Three additional subjects also received [1-13C1]acetate in addition to the [2-13C1]glycerol with EtOH treatment. Incorporation of tracer into the glycerol or fatty acid moiety of VLDL-triglyceride was measured by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and used to calculate VLDL-triglyceride production rates. Intrahepatic triose-phosphate enrichments were also calculated based on mass isotopomer distribution analysis of plasma glucose. There was no difference in VLDL-triglyceride production rates after 48 g EtOH (11.9 ± 3.7 mg/kg/h) or placebo (14.7 ± 3.3 mg/kg/h). The VLDL-triglyceride rate constants calculated by kinetic modeling using the glycerol and acetate tracers in the combined isotope infusion subjects were very closely correlated (r2 = 0.94). The peak VLDL-glycerol enrichments after EtOH were 22.5 ± 3.3% versus 7.6 ± 0.8% after placebo (P < 0.001), while intrahepatic triose-phosphate enrichments were 19.8 ± 1.3% and 13.1 ± 1.2% (P < 0.001), respectively. Moreover, the calculated asymptotic VLDL-glycerol enrichments (representing the hepatic α-glycerol phosphate enrichment) were significantly higher after EtOH than placebo. The higher ratio of VLDL-glycerol to triose-phosphate labeling after EtOH suggests a metabolic block at glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase. We conclude that consumption of 48 g EtOH does not increase VLDL-triglyceride production in normal men but does cause accumulation of tracer in hepatic α-glycerol phosphate.—Siler, S. Q., R. A. Neese, E. J. Parks, and M. K. Hellerstein. VLDL-triglyceride production after alcohol ingestion studied using [2-13C1]glycerol. J. Lipid Res. 1998. 39: 2319–2328.

Highlights: [•] We design a vocal user interface (VUI) which learns keywords from user interactions. [•] We use weakly supervised NMF as a feasible approach for realistic VUI training. [•] Using discriminatory features such as phone posteriorgrams yields fast word learning. [•] Soft VQ with speaker-dependent trained Gaussians yields high accuracy. [•] Stacking both features in NMF leads to fast and accurate keyword learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Este artigo apresenta uma proposta de controlador para o Transformador de Frequência Variável, ou VFT (Variable Frequency Transformer), aplicado na interligação de sistemas elétricos de mesma frequência nominal, mas sem a necessidade de estarem conectados de forma síncrona por meio de uma interligação CA. Foram desenvolvidos modelos lineares do VFT e dos sistemas de potência, através dos quais o controlador proposto para o VFT foi ajustado. A adequação das proposições foi comprovada através de simulações digitais utilizando modelo detalhado do VFT e da rede elétrica.

The results of this research give ionic strength dependence patterns for the complexation of tungsten(VI) with methyliminodiacetic acid at T = 298 K. The formation data reported in this work were obtained at different ionic strengths (0.1 < I/mol·dm < 1.0) of sodium perchlorate on the basis of Job's continuous variation method, which show that a 1:1 complex forms at pH = 7.50. UV experimental data were collected for the calculation of the stability constants according to the extended Debye-Hückel theory, the specific ion interaction theory and the parabolic model. Finally, these three models have been compared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mitochondrial morphology is maintained by two distinct membrane events -fission and fusion. Altering these conserved processes can disrupt mitochondrial morphology and distribution, thereby disrupting the organelle's functionality and impeding cellular function. In higher eukaryotes, these processes are mediated by a family of dynamin-related proteins (DRP's). In the lower eukaryotes, for instance Dictyostelium discoideum, mitochondrial fission and fusion have been implicated but not yet established. To understand the overall mechanism of these dynamics across organisms, we developed an assay to identify fission and fusion events in Dictyostelium and to assess the involvement of the mitochondrial proteins, MidA, CluA, and two DRP's, DymA and DymB. Findings: Using laser scanning confocal microscopy we show, for the first time, that lower eukaryotes mediate mitochondrial fission and fusion. In Dictyostelium, these processes are balanced, occurring approximately 1 event/minute. Quantification of the rates in midA-, cluA-dymA-, or dymB- strains established that MidA appears to play an indirect role in the regulation of fission and fusion, while the DRP's are not essential for these processes. Rates of fission and fusion were significantly reduced in cluA-cells, indicating that CluA is necessary for maintaining both fission and fusion. Conclusions: We have successfully demonstrated that Dictyostelium mitochondria undergo the dynamic processes of fission and fusion. The classical mediators of membrane dynamics--the DRP's--are not necessary for these dynamics, whereas CluA is necessary for both processes. This work contributes to our overall understanding of mitochondrial dynamics and ultimately will provide additional insight into mitochondrial disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main aim of this research is to study the complexation of molybdenum(VI) with methyliminodiacetic acid in NaClO4 aqueous solutions at pH = 6.00 and ionic strengths (0.1< I/mol⋅dm−3<1.0) at 25 °C by using potentiometric and UV spectrophotometric measurements in order to obtain thermodynamic stability constants at I=0 mol⋅dm−3. A comparison with previous literature data was made for the stability constants, though few data were available. The stability constants data have been analyzed and interpreted by using extended Debye-Hückel theory, specific ion interaction theory and parabolic model. Finally it might be concluded that parabolic model applies better for this complexation reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many species of moths have a common control mechanism for synthesizing sex pheromone: the circadian release of pheromone biosynthesis-activation neuropeptide (PBAN) that switches pheromone synthesis on/off during the day. One apparent exception to this is the noctuid moth Trichoplusia ni (Hübner), in which pheromone synthesis appears continuous through the photoperiod, with circadian release of PBAN controlling emission rate of pheromone during calling. Sex pheromone biosynthesis was reinvestigated in T. ni using stable isotope tracer-tracee and gland sampling techniques to ascertain how pheromone quantities in gland cells and on the gland cuticular surface varied and were controlled. It was found that (i) carbohydrate from adult female feeding is used to synthesize sex pheromone, (ii) most of the stored acetate ester pheromone component(s) is contained in gland cells, (iii) a large pool of pheromone is synthesized and stored through the photoperiod with a slow turnover rate, (iv) although pheromone is synthesized throughout the photoperiod, its rate can vary, influenced by release of PBAN and possibly by an unidentified head factor, with both affecting carbohydrate uptake into the acetyl CoA pheromone precursor pool, and (v) as suggested previously, PBAN also influences translocation of pheromone out of the cell to the cuticular surface, possibly by causing breakdown of intracellular lipid droplets storing pheromone molecules. This work suggests that the quantitative synthesis and emission of pheromone in T. ni , and possibly other moths, is regulated by multiple complementary biochemical mechanisms. [Display omitted] • Trichoplusia ni females synthesize a large pool of pheromone throughout the photoperiod at a slow turnover rate. • Synthesis rate varies according to carbohydrate uptake into the pathway, mediated by factor(s) from the head. • PBAN may be multifunctional affecting carbohydrate uptake and pheromone translocation out of gland cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Hepatic de novo lipogenesis (DNL) is markedly stimulated in humans by low-fat diets enriched in simple sugars. However, the dietary responsiveness of the key enzyme controlling DNL in human adipose tissue, fatty acid synthase (FAS), is uncertain. Hypothesis: Adipose tissue mRNA for FAS is increased in lean and obese subjects when hepatic DNL is elevated by a eucaloric, low-fat, high-sugar diet. Design: Twelve lean and seven obese volunteers were given two eucaloric diets (10% vs. 30% fat; 75% vs. 55% carbohydrate; sugar/starch 60/40) each for 2 weeks by a random-order cross-over design. FAS mRNA in abdominal and gluteal adipose tissues was compared to hepatic DNL measured in serum by isotopic and nonisotopic methods. Adipose tissue mRNA for tumor necrosis factor-α and IL-6, which are inflammatory cytokines that modulate DNL, was also assayed. Results: The low-fat high-sugar diet induced a 4-fold increase in maximum hepatic DNL (P<.001) but only a 1.3-fold increase in adipose tissue FAS mRNA (P=.029) and no change in cytokine mRNA. There was a borderline significant positive correlation between changes in FAS mRNA and hepatic DNL (P=.039). Compared to lean subjects, obese subjects had lower levels of FAS mRNA and higher levels of cytokine mRNA (P<.001). Conclusions: The results suggest that key elements of human adipose tissue DNL are less responsive to dietary carbohydrate than is hepatic DNL and may be regulated by diet-independent factors. Irrespective of diet, there is reduced expression of the FAS gene and increased expression of cytokine genes in adipose tissues of obese subjects. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Alterations in intrahepatic carbohydrate fluxes in ob/ob mice and the effects of acute leptin administration were studied in vivo by use of a dual-isotope tracer infusion. Metabolic sources of plasma glucose (gluconeogenesis (GNG) and glycogenolysis) and hepatic glycogen (GNG, direct synthesis and pre-existing) were determined in 20-h-fasted mice infused with [2-13C1]glycerol and [U13C6]glucose for 3 h. Total glucose output (TGO) and the rate of appearance (Ra) of plasma glycerol were measured by isotope dilution. GNG, the direct pathway of hepatic glycogen synthesis and hepatic triose-phosphate flux were determined by mass isotopomer distribution analysis (MIDA). Serum glucose, insulin, leptin and liver glycogen concentrations were also measured. After a 24-h fast, ob/ob mice had 2-fold higher TGO, 2.5-fold elevated liver glycogen content and markedly higher glycogenolytic flux to glucose, absolute GNG and direct glycogen synthesis rates (10-fold increased) compared to the control group. Ob/ob mice also had elevated triose-phosphate flux compared to controls (40 vs. 22 mg/kg lean body mass/min). A model of intrahepatic flux distributions in control and ob/ob mice is presented. In summary, elevated fasting plasma glucose concentrations are due to increased TGO in ob/ob mice, which is maintained by both increased GNG and increased glycogenolysis. Furthermore, the ob/ob mice have major alterations in fasting hepatic carbohydrate fluxes into triose-phosphate pools and glycogen. We support the model that actions of leptin on hepatic glucose metabolism require insulin or other factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In vivo studies of hepatic carbohydrate metabolism in (genetically modified) conscious mice are hampered by limitations of blood and urine sample sizes. We developed and validated methods to quantify stable isotope dilution and incorporation in small blood and urine samples spotted onto filter paper. Blood glucose and urinary paracetamol–glucuronic acid were extracted from filter paper spots reproducibly and with high yield. Fractional isotopomer distributions of glucose and paracetamol–glucuronic acid when extracted from filter paper spots were almost identical to those isolated from the original body fluids. Rates of infusion of labeled compounds could be adjusted without perturbing hepatic glucose metabolism. This approach was used in mice to find the optimal metabolic condition for the study of hepatic carbohydrate metabolism. In fed mice, no isotopic steady state was observed during a 6-h label-infusion experiment. In 9-h-fasted mice, isotopic steady state was reached after 3 h of label infusion and important parameters in hepatic glucose metabolism could be calculated. The rate of de novo glucose-6-phosphate synthesis was 143 ± 17 μmol kg−1 min−1 and partitioning to plasma glucose was 79.0 ± 5.2%. In 24-h-fasted mice, abrupt changes were noticed in whole body and in hepatic glucose metabolism at the end of the experiment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Formation constants for yttrium and rare earth element (YREE) chloride complexation have been measured at 25°C by examining the influence of medium (NaClO4 and NaCl) on YREE complexation by fluoride ions and methyliminodiacetate (MIDA). YREE chloride complexation constants Clβ1( M) obtained in this work using dissimilar procedures are in good agreement and indicate that, at constant temperature and ionic strength, Clβ1( M) does not vary significantly across the fifteen-member series of elements. The ionic strength μ dependence of YREE chloride formation constants between 0 and 6 molar ionic strength can be written, for all YREE, as where Clβ1( M) = [MCl2+][M3+]−1[Cl−1]−1 and logClβ1 o( M) represents the MCl2+ formation constant for all YREE at zero ionic strength: logClβ1 o = 0.65 ± 0.05. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple, air-stable, inexpensive and easily prepared molecule, N-methyliminodiacetic acid (MIDA), is reported as a ligand for palladium-catalyzed of phenylboronic acid with aryl chlorides. The yield of the corresponding Suzuki is up to around 90% at both high temperature of 80°C and room temperature under ambient atmosphere. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because some of the potentially most useful boronic acids are inherently unstable in blood plasma and exhibit poor selective retention in tumours, 2-heterocyclic N-methyliminodiacetic acid (MIDA) boronates provide a stable, spacious and highly effective harbor for prodrug conjugates. Herein we report MIDA boronates in conjunction with naphthalene-based fluorophores as suitable compounds for tumour diagnosis by virtue of their remarkable specificity and uniform benchtop stability. The shielding group was found to be effective at imparting stability under physiological conditions (pH 7.4), with rapid release of the drug upon exposure to the acidic microenvironment of the tumor. This approach significantly enhanced the efficiency of drug release and was found to exhibit fewer side effects, thus indicating its great potential for precision therapeutics., (© 2021 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Abstract: We investigate dopant-dependence of low temperature dopant activation technique in α-Si featuring one-step metal-induced crystallization (MIC) to decrease resistivity of p+ and n+ Si films by forming NixSiy. Ni not only crystallizes p-type α-Si film but also facilitates activation of boron atoms in the α-Si during the crystallization at 500 °C. However, phosphorus atoms are poorly activated because of the suppressed Ni-MIC rate in n-type α-Si. Finally, p+/n and n+/p junction diodes are demonstrated on single crystalline Si substrates by the low temperature dopant activation technique promising for high performance TFTs as well as transistors with an elevated S/D. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]