Chiral ionic liquids based on L-cysteine derivatives for asymmetric aldol reaction

POCI-01-0145-FEDER–007265 PTDC/QUI-QOR/32406/2017 022161Structure, and consequently properties, of ionic liquids can be easily tailored by changing cation/anion combinations and/or attaching functional groups. By grafting enantiopure moieties to the framework of ionic liquid it is possible to prepare bioinspired chiral molecules that can serve as a reaction medium, additive or even asymmetric catalyst. In this context, new chiral ionic liquids (CILs), based on biomolecules, such as aminoacids (L-cysteine derivatives), have been synthesised and tested in asymmetric aldol condensation of aldehydes and ketones. The best results were obtained for CILs composed of S-methyl-L-cysteine cation and bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide anion, in the reaction of 2-or 4-nitrobenzaldehyde with acetone or cyclohexanone, giving the aldol product in moderate yields 70–76% and high ee values (up to 96%).publishersversionpublishe

The split between availability and selection. Business models for scientific information, and the scientific process?

The Berlin declaration on Open Access to Knowledge in the Sciences and Humanities has resulted in a strong impetus in the discussion on business models, and in particular the model of open access. A business model is defined as just the organisation of property. Consequently, business models for scientific information are discussed on the premise that any such business model should primarily produce added value for the scientific process next to commercial value for the research institution or intermediary acting as publisher. Furthermore, any business model should be sustainable. Scientific information is thus considered an integral part of the scientific process. It is not an end product but an intermediary product subject to scientific scrutiny. The final goal is to integrate the information into the scientific process. To this end, scientific information should be widely available for selection by the user as common property. Two basic business models emerge: one with the focus on added value as selection by the user known as the ‘subscription model’; and another one with the focus on wide availability known as the ‘open access’ model. Both in the subscription model as in the open access model it is the scientific community that invests. In the subscription model scientific information is more considered as external to the scientific process in a consumer type model, while in the open access model scientific information is more seen as internal, as necessary acquisition costs for the scientific process. In the subscription model there is less incentive for broad availability of information whereas in the open access model there is less incentive to develop and maintain added value services to facilitate the selection by the reader. The organisation of property is a condition sine qua non. Although common property, the information is owned by the author claiming this property by the act of publication. Core to this claim of property is peer review being therefore core to any business model. The author is interested in protecting his moral rights against plagiarism; the publisher is interested in protecting the added value against commercial abuse. It is suggested that open access repositories could boost if repository management would guarantee protection of the moral rights of the author. In this way, the protection to the two main infringements could be split over different stakeholders. This would also allow separating the responsibility for availability coupled with peer review as a basic service from added value services coupled to selection at an optional charge. In the end, any business model has to fulfill the basic idea that scientific information is not there just for the record as a commodity, but is there to be used in research and teaching: scientific information has no value in itself

Knowledge transfer activities of scientists in nanotechnology

In this paper, we present a theory of strategic positioning that explains scientists’ strategic behavior in knowledge transfer from university to industry. The theory is based on the drivers strategic interdependence and organizational autonomy and entails three modes of behavior of scientists: mode1, mode2, and mode3 (the research entrepreneur). The results of an empirical study conducted at a research institute for nanotechnology show that, to increase the likelihood of scientists engaging in knowledge transfer to industry, scientists need to have a high need for autonomy (expressed in decision-making on collaboration with industry and join research projects) and a high need for interdependence (expressed in the need for resources such as knowledge, skills, facilities, etc.). Scientists’ academic and industry orientations do not change the effect of the strategic positioning theory on the likelihood of engagement with industry, nor the likelihood of knowledge transfer. The strategic positioning theory explains 43 % of the variance, i.e. there is a firm foundation for managerial practices for different scientist modes of strategic behavior

Body dysmorphic disorder in patients with acne: treatment challenges

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is defined as a constant preoccupation with one or more non-existent or slight defects or flaws in the physical appearance, often resulting in repetitive behaviours like mirror checking and camouflaging. The prevalence is around 2% in the general population with up to 10% in dermatology patients. The prevalence of BDD in patients with acne ranges between 9% and 15%. BDD is associated with considerable psychosocial deterioration, poor quality of life, and development of comorbid mental health disorders, including obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, social anxiety and alcohol or illicit drug use. Such patients suffer tremendously and are at high risk of suicide. The rate of suicidal ideation reaches 79.5%. Of this number, nearly 27.6% make failed suicidal attempts each year and 0.3% of these attempts are successful..

New, emerging and re-emerging fungal diseases on medicinal and aromatic plants in European domain

Plant diseases cause agricultural and economic loss and impact negatively on human and animal health through mycotoxins and allergens produced by them. They also have consequences for biodiversity conservation. The pathogens could be classified in five categories: new - detected within the last five years; emerging - have always been present in an area but have grown in importance over the years; re-emerging - have been previously controlled but are once more a major problem associated with chemical resistance or changes in management or cultivars; threatening - not reported or limited in distribution in Europe and chronic-spreading – known for longer than 20 years and causing increased concern. Diseases emerge or re-emerge due to changes in farming practices, development of new strains of the pathogen, climate change, introduction of the pathogen to new geographical locations, or introduction of more efficient pathogen vectors. During the last years emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) are of special concern to researchers. Among all pathogens fungi are responsible for the greatest damage to plants in both agricultural and natural ecosystems. They represent over 70 % of all plant pathogens and over 30 % of plant EIDs. Surveys on fungal diseases of medicinal and aromatic plants have been carried out in the framework of several research projects between Germany, Bulgaria, Lithuania and Poland in the last two decades. EIDs have been reported, either as novel pathogens or as familiar pathogens affecting new host species. The importance of the problem could be illustrated by such examples as some phytopathogenic fungi on Apiaceae and Lamiaceae hosts discussed in the present work

Measurements of natural radioactivity in the salt cavern of the Polkowice-Sieroszowice copper mine

Due to their low radioactivity background, underground physics laboratories offer a unique possibility for investigating extremely rare phenomena like proton decay, dark matter signals or neutrino physics/astrophysics related issues. The knowledge of the natural radioactivity background is essential for the success of an underground physics experiment. The following measurements of the natural radioactivity background, in the foreseen location of an underground physics laboratory in the salt layer, in the Polkowice–Sieroszowice copper mine are presented: concentration of natural radio-isotopes from in situ obtained gamma-ray spectra and from alpha spectroscopy of rock samples, radon concentration in the air and the dose determination

Development of L-proline-based Chiral Ionic Liquids for asymmetric Michael Reaction

co-financed by the ERDF under the PT2020 Partnership agreement (POCI-01-0145-FEDER–007265) The NMR spectrometers are part of the National NMR Network (PTNMR) and are partially supported by the Infrastructure Project N◦ 022161 (co-financed by FEDER through COMPETE 2020, POCI and PORL and FCT through PIDDAC).Different Chiral Ionic Liquids (CIL) based on L-proline have been developed. Simple and efficient synthetic methodologies are used, allowing preparation in good yields for twelve novel CILs using L-proline as a cation or anion combined with suitable counter-ions. A detailed physical and chemical characterization of the CILs was performed to evaluate the influence of counter-ions on the final properties. The most promissory CILs were tested as efficient chiral catalysts in IL media for asymmetric Michael addition reactions of ketones and aldehydes to nitro-olefins. Similar or even better conversions and enantioselectivities (ee up to 95%) compared to the original L-proline were achieved. Additionally, a good product extraction performance using supercritical CO2 processes was obtained.publishersversionpublishe

Factors influencing use of community treatment orders and quality of care that people receive: results of a national survey in England and Wales.

Aims and method: We conducted a secondary analysis of data from the National Audit of Psychosis to identify factors associated with use of community treatment orders (CTOs) and assess the quality of care that people on CTOs receive. RESULTS: Between 1.1 and 20.2% of patients in each trust were being treated on a CTO. Male gender, younger age, greater use of in-patient services, coexisting substance misuse and problems with cognition predicted use of CTOs. Patients on CTOs were more likely to be screened for physical health, have a current care plan, be given contact details for crisis support, and be offered cognitive-behavioural therapy.Clinical implicationsCTOs appear to be used as a framework for delivering higher-quality care to people with more complex needs. High levels of variation in the use of CTOs indicate a need for better evidence about the effects of this approach to patient care. Declaration of interest: None