Gag-like proteins: Novel mediators of prenatal alcohol exposure in neural development.

Background: We previously showed that ethanol did not kill fetal neural stem cells (NSCs), but that their numbers nevertheless are decreased due to aberrant maturation and loss of self-renewal. To identify mechanisms that mediate this loss of NSCs, we focused on a family of Gag-like proteins (GLPs), derived from retroviral gene remnants within mammalian genomes. GLPs are important for fetal development, though their role in brain development is virtually unexplored.

Experiences of surviviors of commercial sexual explotation availing rehabilitation at R and P homes in India.

Background: Sex trafficking constitutes the primary form of human trafficking and involves predominantly young girls and women. Rehabilitation of victims rescued from commercial sexual exploitation is critical for efficient reintegration into society.

Aims: To explore the narratives of survivors of commercial sexual exploitation, analysing various factors associated with eventual rehabilitation in Rehabilitation and Protection (R and P) homes in India.

Environmental quality monitoring and impact assessment of solid waste dumpsites in high altitude sub-tropical regions.

Solid Waste Management (SWM) in high altitude regions is critically phased because of the non-availability of suitable facilities for the treatment and handling of large quantities of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW). Open burning practices at hill slopes were noticed which affect the surrounding environment. Hence, it became essential to measure the environmental components around the dumpsites to examine the impacts and suggest new technological solutions.

The Interplay between Stigma, Collective Efficacy, and Advocacy Communication among Men Who Have Sex with Men and Transgender Females.

Stigma and discrimination are primary drivers of health disparities among marginalized communities. Drawing on stigma management, minority stress model, and social cognitive theories, this article tests the interplay between dimensions of stigma, collective efficacy, and advocacy communication among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender females. Using data from a cross-sectional survey conducted in south India (N = 225), five distinct dimensions of stigma were identified using factor analysis: experienced stigma, self-stigma, felt normative stigma, and two new dimensions-HIV-related vicarious stigma and media stigma.

Nucleophile-Initiated Catalytic and Multicomponent Reactions.

A number of well-known reactions, proceed through the intermediacy of dipolar/zwitterionic species generated via the addition of a neutral nucleophile with an unsaturated electrophile. A mechanistic understanding of these reactions was made possible by seminal contributions of Huisgen. The design of novel reactions based on such dipolar species was, however, not pursued in detail for a long time.

Recent Advances in the Chemistry of Pentafulvenes.

Pentafulvenes are a unique class of compounds that originally attracted attention due to their propensity to display nonbenzenoid aromaticity. Subsequently, they were recognized as valuable synthons for the construction of a wide range of compounds by virtue of their ability to display multiple cycloaddition profiles. Naturally, this area of organic chemistry has experienced rapid growth over the last five decades, fueled by elegant work showcasing the unique reactivity of pentafulvenes in a plethora of cycloaddition reactions.

NHC-Mediated Synthesis of Pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolines and Their Photophysical Investigations.

An NHC-mediated synthesis of pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinoline and indolizine derivatives with potential biological activity is reported (NHC=N-heterocyclic carbene). The preliminary photophysical studies of such compounds reveal that they have potential application in the sensing of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Correction: Recent advances in N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-catalysed benzoin reactions.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3762/bjoc.12.

Recent advances in N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-catalysed benzoin reactions.

N-Heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) have emerged as a powerful class of organocatalysts that mediate a variety of organic transformations. The Benzoin reaction constitutes one of the earliest known carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions catalysed by NHCs. The rapid growth of NHC catalysis in general has resulted in the development of a variety of benzoin and benzoin-type reactions.

Artificial neural network based modeling to evaluate methane yield from biogas in a laboratory-scale anaerobic bioreactor.

The performance of a laboratory-scale anaerobic bioreactor was investigated in the present study to determine methane (CH4) content in biogas yield from digestion of organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW). OFMSW consists of food waste, vegetable waste and yard trimming. An organic loading between 40 and 120kgVS/m(3) was applied in different runs of the bioreactor.

Characterization of municipal solid waste in high-altitude sub-tropical regions.

Solid waste management (SWM) is one of the most challenging issues owing to lack of authentic data on different elements of SWM, namely, storage, collection, transportation, separation, processing and disposal. This study presents an assessment of existing status of SWM in conjunction with municipal solid waste (MSW) generation rates, physical and chemical characterization of MSW in high-altitude sub-tropical regions. Weighing of empty and fully loaded trucks per trip revealed total quantity of MSW collected.

Recent advances in employing homoenolates generated by N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalysis in carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions.

The use of NHCs for generating homoenolate species has gained widespread popularity in recent years. A number of highly stereoselective processes of NHC-homoenolates have emerged. Homoenolate reactions have also been employed as key steps in the total synthesis of a number of natural products.

Phosphine-mediated reaction of 3-methyl allenoate and isatins: a protocol for the synthesis of spirofuran oxindoles.

A facile synthesis of spirofuran oxindoles via phosphine-mediated reaction of 3-alkyl allenoate with isatins is presented.

A novel intramolecular homoenolate annulation leading to the formation of cyclopentene-fused macrocycles.

A nucleophilic heterocyclic carbene-mediated intramolecular homoenolate reaction strategy for the efficient synthesis of cyclopentene-fused macrocycles is reported.

Exploring the "active ingredients" of an online smoking intervention: a randomized factorial trial.

Introduction: Research needs to systematically identify which components increase online intervention effectiveness (i.e., active ingredients).

Discovering functional neuronal connectivity from serial patterns in spike train data.

Repeating patterns of precisely timed activity across a group of neurons (called frequent episodes) are indicative of networks in the underlying neural tissue. This letter develops statistical methods to determine functional connectivity among neurons based on nonoverlapping occurrences of episodes. We study the distribution of episode counts and develop a two-phase strategy for identifying functional connections.

A phosphine-mediated reaction of cyclic 1,2-diones and 3-alkyl allenoates: an efficient protocol for benzannulation applicable to the synthesis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

A facile one-pot benzannulation strategy involving phosphine-3-alkyl allenoate zwitterions and cyclic 1,2-diones is described. The strategy is effectively utilized in the synthesis of fluoranthenes and benzo[a]aceanthrylenes with impressive photophysical properties. This is the first report on an intermolecular benzannulation using a 3-alkyl allenoate as a four carbon synthon.

A randomized trial of an avatar-hosted multiple behavior change intervention for young adult smokers.

Background: Young adulthood is a critical transition period for the development of health behaviors. We present here the results of a randomized controlled trial of an online avatar-hosted personal health makeover program designed for young adult smokers.

Methods: We conducted a three-group randomized trial comparing delivery of general lifestyle content (Tx1), personally tailored health information (Tx2), and personally tailored health information plus online video-based peer coaching (Tx3) as part of a 6-week online health program.

N-Heterocyclic carbene catalyzed reaction of cinnamils leading to the formation of 2,3,8-triaryl vinyl fulvenes: an uncommon transformation.

An unexpected transformation of 1,6-diarylhexa-1,5-diene-3,4-diones (cinnamils) to 2,3,8-triaryl vinyl fulvenes via N-Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC) catalysis is reported. Mechanistic as well as synthetic novelty is the hallmark of this reaction.

Phosphine-mediated reaction of 3-alkyl allenoates and diaryl 1,2-diones: efficient diastereoselective synthesis of fully substituted cyclopentenones.

An efficient phosphine-mediated diastereoselective synthesis of substituted cyclopentenones from 3-alkyl allenoates and diaryl 1,2-diones is described.

The effect of program design on engagement with an internet-based smoking intervention: randomized factorial trial.

Background: Participant engagement influences treatment effectiveness, but it is unknown which intervention design features increase treatment engagement for online smoking cessation programs.

Objective: We explored the effects of 4 design features (ie, factors) on early engagement with an Internet-based, motivational smoking cessation program.

Methods: Smokers (N=1865) were recruited from a large health care organization to participate in an online intervention study, regardless of their interest in quitting smoking.

A cascade reaction actuated by nucleophilic heterocyclic carbene catalyzed intramolecular addition of enals via homoenolate to α,β-unsaturated esters: efficient synthesis of coumarin derivatives.

A nucleophilic heterocyclic carbene mediated intramolecular homoenolate reaction strategy for the efficient synthesis of 4-alkyl substituted coumarins is described.

A facile four component protocol for the synthesis of dihydropyridine derivatives.

An efficient one pot synthesis of dihydropyridine derivatives employing the transient zwitterions generated from aniline and allenoates is described.

1,2-Benzoquinones in Diels-Alder reactions, dipolar cycloadditions, nucleophilic additions, multicomponent reactions and more.

A brief account of the recent developments in the chemistry of 1,2-benzoquinones is presented in this tutorial review. The title compounds exhibit commendable versatility in both Diels-Alder and dipolar cycloaddition reactions. They have also been employed as electrophilic reaction partners in nucleophile-triggered catalytic processes and related multicomponent reactions.