Hydrogen Bonding Effect on the Oxygen Binding and Activation in Cobalt(III)-Peroxo Complexes.

Cobalt(III)peroxo complexes serve as model metal complexes mediating oxygen activation. We report a systematic study of the effect of hydrogen bonding on the O binding energy and the O-O bond activation within the cobalt(III)peroxo complexes. To this end, we prepared a series of tris(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amine-based cobalt(III)peroxo complexes having either none, one, two, or three amino groups in the secondary coordination sphere.

Enantioselective synthesis of chiral porphyrin macrocyclic hosts and kinetic enantiorecognition of viologen guests.

The construction of macromolecular hosts that are able to thread chiral guests in a stereoselective fashion is a big challenge. We herein describe the asymmetric synthesis of two enantiomeric -symmetric porphyrin macrocyclic hosts that thread and bind different viologen guests. Time-resolved fluorescence studies show that these hosts display a factor 3 kinetic preference (ΔΔ = 3 kJ mol) for threading onto the different enantiomers of a viologen guest appended with bulky chiral 1-phenylethoxy termini.

Towards the development of a biobased economy in Europe and India.

India has emerged as a key player with a high potential to develop a biomass and biobased economy due to its large geographic size and the massive amounts of agricultural and non agricultural biomass produced. India has joined hands with Europe to synchronize its efforts to create and facilitate the development of a biobased economy in this country. This paper aims to examine common research and development actions between the European Union (EU) and India to facilitate the development of these biobased economies.

Reliability and validity of an instrument for the assessment of bradykinesia.

Bradykinesia is associated with reduced quality of life and medication non-compliance, and it may be a prodrome for schizophrenia. Therefore, screening/monitoring for subtle bradykinesia is of clinical and scientific importance. This study investigated the validity and reliability of such an instrument.

Analysis of by-product formation and sugar monomerization in sugarcane bagasse pretreated at pilot plant scale: differences between autohydrolysis, alkaline and acid pretreatment.

Sugarcane bagasse is an interesting feedstock for the biobased economy since a large fraction is polymerized sugars. Autohydrolysis, alkaline and acid pretreatment conditions combined with enzyme hydrolysis were used on lignocellulose rich bagasse to acquire monomeric. By-products found after pretreatment included acetic, glycolic and coumaric acid in concentrations up to 40, 21 and 2.

Improved starch recovery from potatoes by enzymes and reduced water holding of the residual fibres.

During the industrial extraction of starch from potatoes (Seresta), some starch remains within undisrupted potato cells in the fibrous side-stream. The aim of this study was to investigate if enzymatic degradation of cell wall polysaccharides (CWPs) can enhance starch recovery and lower the water holding capacity (WHC) of the "fibre" fraction. The use of a pectinase-rich preparation recovered 58% of the starch present in the "fibre" fraction.

Effects of an educational video film in fatigued children and adolescents: a randomised controlled trial.

Background: In many cases standard management for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) in children and adolescents is ineffective.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of a video film intervention in preventing the development of persistent fatigue and significant school absence in fatigued children and adolescents.

Design: Randomised controlled trial.

Adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome: a follow-up study.

Objective: To describe the symptomatic and educational long-term outcomes, health care use, and risk factors of nonrecovery in adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

Design: Follow-up study.

Setting: Academic pediatric hospital.

Carcinoid heart disease: the role of urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid excretion and plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide, transforming growth factor-beta and fibroblast growth factor.

Background: Serotonin excretion plays a role in the development of carcinoid heart disease (CHD), but the exact pathogenesis is not known. In the current study, the authors evaluated 24-hour urinary 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) excretion, as well as plasma levels of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in patients with and without CHD determined by ultrasound examination.

Methods: Urine and plasma samples were obtained for 37 patients and cardiac ultrasound was performed during follow-up in 1999 and 2000.