Advances in Catalyst Systems for the Asymmetric Hydrogenation and Transfer Hydrogenation of Ketones

Hydrogenation of prochiral ketones using chiral transition-metal catalysts represents the cleanest way to access enantiomerically enriched secondary alcohols, which are important building blocks in fine chemicals synthesis. Despite excellent activity, selectivity and compatibility of metal complexes with variety of functional groups, no universal catalysts exist. In this article we summarize the advances in catalyst systems for the asymmetric homogenous and heterogenous hydrogenation of ketones that have been made in past decade. The development of catalysts is oriented in reaching as high as activity with low catalyst loadings, using “greener’’ conditions, and ensuring good recyclability of catalysts. Even though ruthenium complexes represent the largest part of the catalysts, other metals rapidly penetrate this field.     

Functional polysiloxanes

Summary Carboxyester- and carboxyamido-terminated polydimethylsiloxanes were obtained through the reaction of cyclic anhydrides (succinic, maleic and phthalic anhydride) with hydroxypropyl- and aminoalkyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxanes, respectively. The reactivity of the starting compounds and the influence of the reaction conditions on the characteristics of the final products are discussed.Part 1: Eur. Polym. J., in press     

Losses and forces due to eddy currents in a magnetically non-linear conductive half space

A simple soft magnetically non-linear moving conductor model (“iron”) as “half-space” is presented under the inducing effect of a sinusoidal distributed current loading at different current amplitudes, covering the low to very high saturation level of 1–4 T. Eddy current losses, penetration depth of field and tangential braking and normal attractive forces are compared with the results for a linear conductor with constant saturation (relative permeability 100) for a velocity range, described by magnetic Reynolds numbers 1–300. Eddy current losses and the braking force are bigger for the non-linear case (typically 160–200%) and the penetration depth is bigger by 200–400%. The attractive force is smaller, first due to field compression at higher velocity, second due to the increased saturation level, which gives lower relative permeability values than the assumed constant value of 100 in the linear case. For a rough estimate of either eddy current effects in eddy current brakes and linear induction motors with massive secondary or of eddy current losses in electrical machines and apparatus often a constant saturation is assumed. The here presented results allow a preliminary correction due to the non-linear conductor effect, before a detailed non-linear numerical analysis of the investigated geometry is done.     

ArcFVS:An integration of a Geographic Information System and Forest Vegetation Simulator

This paper presents the design and implementation of an integrated application program called ArcFVS that links the Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS) and a Geographic Information System (GIS) to realize spatial selection of input files and graphic display of modeling output. Data for testing and running the model came from the U.S. Forest Service's Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Database and were also collected in field surveys in north-central Indiana. ArcFVS 1.0 is designed using the ArcGIS software from the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) and the Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) programming environment to manipulate ESRI's ArcObjects. The resulting product offers custom functions as commands in a new menu or as tools on a new toolbar. They are used to: select spatially or by attribute the forest plots to be projected by FVS, create the FVS input files for the selected plots and display in a geospatial environment different types of FVS output (text output files, tables with variables of interest and visualization image files). Advantages of ArcFVS 1.0 include the new GIS capabilities, enhanced format translation functions and the standardized programming environment.     

Advances in Lupus Nephritis Pathogenesis: From Bench to Bedside

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is the prototype of autoimmune disorders caused by a loss of tolerance to endogenous nuclear antigens triggering an aberrant autoimmune response targeting various tissues. Lupus nephritis (LN), a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with SLE, affects up to 60% of patients. The recent insights into the genetic and molecular basis of SLE and LN paved the way for newer therapies to be developed for these patients. Apart from the traditional B-cell-centered view of this disease pathogenesis, acknowledging that multiple extrarenal and intrarenal pathways contribute to kidney-specific autoimmunity and injury may help refine the individual therapeutic and prognostic characterization of such patients. Accordingly, the formerly induction-maintenance treatment strategy was recently challenged with the exciting results obtained from the trials that evaluated add-on therapy with voclosporin, belimumab, or Obinutuzumab. The scope of this review is to provide an insight into the current knowledge of LN pathogenesis and future therapeutic strategies.     

Analysis of methanol–ethanol mixtures from falsified beverages using a dual biosensors amperometric system based on alcohol dehydrogenase and alcohol oxidase

A portable bienzymatic analytical system was developed for the chronoamperometric analysis of methanol–ethanol mixtures. The system consists of two biosensors, one based on alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) that responds only to the ethanol and the second one based on alcohol oxidase (AOX) that responds to both methanol and ethanol. The transducers were screen-printed electrodes (SPEs) modified with mediators: Meldola blue for ADH and Co-phthalocyanine for AOX. The calibration graph of the ADH biosensor is linear between 0.3 and 8 mmol/L ethanol. The AOX biosensor is able to quantify both analytes in mixtures that contain methanol between 3 and 70 mmol/L and ethanol ranging from 15 to 110 mmol/L. Interferences due to non-specific oxidations from common oxidizable compounds like gallic acid and ascorbic acid were smaller in the case of transducer based on Meldola blue. The analytical system was successfully tested on real samples: non-alcoholised beer (NAB) spiked with ethanol or methanol and a falsified rose wine (FRW).     

Residential electricity consumption in New Member States and Candidate Countries

The European Commission-DG JRC has an ongoing research activity on assessing the electricity end uses and energy saving potential, with particular attention to the residential sector. Better equipment efficiency is one of the fastest and most cost-effective responses to limiting growing demand for electricity and at the same time to reduce CO₂ emissions [1].