Looking out to look in: inspiration from social sciences for construction management research

In reaction to the recent call for critical debate in the field of construction management research, I argue that we should embrace the richness of adjacent fields of study in order to dynamically develop our own and face the plethora of contemporary societal challenges that exist in our industry. I introduce the concepts of other-than-rational thinking in decision-making and multiplicity in management responses as examples of inspirational sources from social sciences that would contribute to truly understanding the driving forces of construction management processes. I connect these concepts to contemporary studies in construction management and share my experiences with several positive collaborative approaches in conducting construction management research.     

Taking on a wider view: public value interests of construction clients in a changing construction industry

For financial and strategic reasons, public and semi-public construction clients increasingly depend on private parties to carry out public service delivery. They subcontract operational responsibilities to private parties while remaining socio-politically responsible for ensuring public values. Public administration literature mainly addresses the importance of procedural and performance values in safeguarding public values. However, safeguarding the quality of the built environment also requires a focus on product values. In this study, we aim to increase the understanding of the meaning and significance of public values in the daily practice of public construction clients and identify the challenges they face in commissioning these seemingly opposing values. A set of semi-structured interviews with the public administrators of a variety of public and semi-public construction client organizations in the Netherlands shows that both internal and external factors influence the collaborative practices between clients and contractors. This causes a value shift from an emphasis on procedural values to managing performance and product values, indicating that clients need to take on a wider view on public values. Six main public value dilemmas were found that complicate the task of developing an open, transparent and sustainable long-term client–contractor relationship. The current contractual system, however, lacks the flexibility to facilitate this product-based value view in construction.     

Model of a polymer chain twisted inside a statistical segment. Poly(3‐hexylthiophene) in chloroform solutions

A set of hydrodynamic methods in extremely dilute solutions (determination of intrinsic viscosity [η ], translational diffusion D and flotation in a centrifugal field s ) was used in the studies of conformational properties, dimensions and equilibrium rigidity of individual molecules of a series of samples of poly(3‐hexylthiophene). Absolute molecular masses M _sD were determined. The Mark–Kuhn–Houwink equations for the range of M _sD from 2240 to 15 300 g mol^?1 are given. For the first time, an analysis of conformational properties and equilibrium flexibility of poly(3‐hexylthiophene) molecules was carried out using the model of a statistical segment containing a twisted polymer chain. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry     

Sex Pheromones of the American Cockroach,Periplaneta americana

Two sex pheromones, periplanone A and periplanone B were isolated from the American cockroach Periplaneta americana. The technique is described for collecting periplanone B from the alimentary tracts of virgin females. Periplanone A was extracted from the excreta of the insects. Mass spectral analysis of the pheromones and related compounds were performed and the results are reported here. Evidence is presented suggesting that periplanone A is in fact a degradation product of periplanone B. A reaction scheme is considered for the pathway: periplanone B → periplanone A → (stable, but inactive) PA 22–VII.     

Study on novel second-order NLO azo-based chromophores containing strong electron-withdrawing groups and different conjugated bridges

Novel NLO azo-based chromophores containing strong electron-withdrawing groups and benzene or thiazole moiety as conjugated bridges were synthesized and characterized. values were measured by HRS method, they are in the range of 238–1459 × 10^–30 esu at the fundamental wavelength of 800 nm. For chromopheres 3 and 4, values at the fundamental wavelength of 1064 nm were also measured, they are 1575 × 10^–30 esu and 935 × 10^–30 esu, respectively. Thermal stabilities for these chromophores are reported. We also discuss the effects of different acceptors and conjugating moieties on .     

Partial Agonistic Actions of Sex Hormone Steroids on TRPM3 Function

Sex hormone steroidal drugs were reported to have modulating actions on the ion channel TRPM3. Pregnenolone sulphate (PS) presents the most potent known endogenous chemical agonist of TRPM3 and affects several gating modes of the channel. These includes a synergistic action of PS and high temperatures on channel opening and the PS-induced opening of a noncanonical pore in the presence of other TRPM3 modulators. Moreover, human TRPM3 variants associated with neurodevelopmental disease exhibit an increased sensitivity for PS. However, other steroidal sex hormones were reported to influence TRPM3 functions with activating or inhibiting capacity. Here, we aimed to answer how DHEAS, estradiol, progesterone and testosterone act on the various modes of TRPM3 function in the wild-type channel and two-channel variants associated with human disease. By means of calcium imaging and whole-cell patch clamp experiments, we revealed that all four drugs are weak TRPM3 agonists that share a common steroidal interaction site. Furthermore, they exhibit increased activity on TRPM3 at physiological temperatures and in channels that carry disease-associated mutations. Finally, all steroids are able to open the noncanonical pore in wild-type and DHEAS also in mutant TRPM3. Collectively, our data provide new valuable insights in TRPM3 gating, structure-function relationships and ligand sensitivity.     

Oxidation of solid gold in chloroform solutions of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide

Oxidation of solid gold was studied in chloroform solutions of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). We observed that, upon sonication, solid gold is oxidized and cetyltrimethylammonium tetrabromo aurate is formed. The Br⁻ ions act as a nucleophile that lowers the reduction potential of gold and molecular oxygen from the air acts as an oxidant. Addition of hydrazine to the sonicated solution leads to the formation of gold nanoparticles dispersed in chloroform.     

Synthesis and Anti‐herpetic Activity of Phosphoramidate ProTides

Among the many prodrug approaches aimed at delivering nucleoside monophosphates into cells, the phosphoramidate ProTide approach is one that has shown success, which has made it possible for some of the phosphoramidates to enter into clinical trials. Herein, we report the synthesis and antiviral activity of a series of phosphoramidate ProTides designed to bypass the thymidine kinase (TK) dependence of the parent nucleoside analogues. Phosphoramidate derivatives of (E)‐5‐(2‐bromovinyl)‐2′‐deoxyuridine (BVDU) that contain L ‐alanine or pivaloyloxymethyl iminodiacetate (IDA‐POM) exhibit anti‐HSV‐1 and anti‐VZV activity in cell cultures, but they largely lost antiviral potency against TK‐deficient virus strains. Among deazapurine nucleosides and their phosphoramidate derivatives, the 7‐deazaadenine containing nucleosides and their phosphoramidate triester derivatives showed weak antiviral activity against VZV. Apparently, intracellular nucleotide delivery with these phosphoramidates is partly successful. However, none of the compound prodrugs showed superior activity to their parent drugs.