Supported palladium nanoparticles synthesized by living plants as a catalyst for Suzuki-Miyaura reactions

The metal accumulating ability of plants has previously been used to capture metal contaminants from the environment; however, the full potential of this process is yet to be realized. Herein, the first use of living plants to recover palladium and produce catalytically active palladium nanoparticles is reported. This process eliminates the necessity for nanoparticle extraction from the plant and reduces the number of production steps compared to traditional catalyst palladium on carbon. These heterogeneous plant catalysts have demonstrated high catalytic activity in Suzuki coupling reactions between phenylboronic acid and a range of aryl halides containing iodo-, bromo- and chloro- moieties.

Monolithic diamond optics for single photon detection

In this work, we experimentally demonstrate a novel and simple approach that uses off-the-shelf optical elements to enhance the collection efficiency from a single emitter. The key component is a solid immersion lens made of diamond, the host material for single color centers. We improve the excitation and detection of single emitters by one order of magnitude, as predicted by theory.

A sustainable freeze-drying route to porous polysaccharides with tailored hierarchical meso- and macroporosity

Bio-derived polysaccharide aerogels are of interest for a broad range of applications. To date, these aerogels have been obtained through the time- and solvent-intensive procedure of hydrogel fomation, solvent exchange, and scCO2 drying, which offers little control over meso/macropore distribution. A simpler and more versatile route is developed, using freeze drying to produce highly mesoporous polysaccharide aerogels with various degrees of macroporosity. The hierarchical pore distribution is controlled by addition of different quantities of t-butanol (TBA) to hydrogels before drying. Through a systematic study an interesting relationship between the mesoporosity and t-butanol/water phase diagram is found, linking mesoporosity maxima with eutectic points for all polysaccharides studied (pectin, starch, and alginic acid). Moreover, direct gelation of polysaccharides in aqueous TBA offers additional time savings and the potential for solvent reuse. This finding is a doorway to more accessible polysaccharide aerogels for research and industrial scale production, due to the widespread accessibility of the freeze drying technology and the simplicity of the method.

Pollen-based quantitative reconstructions of Holocene regional vegetation cover (plant-functional types and land-cover types) in Europe suitable for climate modelling

We present quantitative reconstructions of regional vegetation cover in north-western Europe, western Europe north of the Alps, and eastern Europe for five time windows in the Holocene [around 6k, 3k, 0.5k, 0.2k, and 0.05k calendar years before present (bp)] at a 1° × 1° spatial scale with the objective of producing vegetation descriptions suitable for climate modelling. The REVEALS model was applied on 636 pollen records from lakes and bogs to reconstruct the past cover of 25 plant taxa grouped into 10 plant-functional types and three land-cover types [evergreen trees, summer-green (deciduous) trees, and open land]. The model corrects for some of the biases in pollen percentages by using pollen productivity estimates and fall speeds of pollen, and by applying simple but robust models of pollen dispersal and deposition. The emerging patterns of tree migration and deforestation between 6k bp and modern time in the REVEALS estimates agree with our general understanding of the vegetation history of Europe based on pollen percentages. However, the degree of anthropogenic deforestation (i.e. cover of cultivated and grazing land) at 3k, 0.5k, and 0.2k bp is significantly higher than deduced from pollen percentages. This is also the case at 6k in some parts of Europe, in particular Britain and Ireland. Furthermore, the relationship between summer-green and evergreen trees, and between individual tree taxa, differs significantly when expressed as pollen percentages or as REVEALS estimates of tree cover. For instance, when Pinus is dominant over Picea as pollen percentages, Picea is dominant over Pinus as REVEALS estimates. These differences play a major role in the reconstruction of European landscapes and for the study of land cover-climate interactions, biodiversity and human resources.

Structure and provision of services in Black churches in New Haven, Connecticut

Historically, Black (or African American) churches have played a central role as a center of religious and political life and also as a provider of human services and a healing community. This article examined the extent to which African American churches in 1 Northeastern urban environment are involved in the delivery of health and human service programs to their communities. It also explored how comfortable Black clergy are in referring their parishioners to the formal mental health system and identified the actual level of referrals. In addition, the analyses considered the individual and organizational characteristics that predict variations in the levels of support services and the likelihood of referral. Analyses revealed that African American churches deliver a broad range of services to the community. More than two thirds of the clergy feel comfortable in making a referral to a mental health agency or professional, and more than half have actually made a referral. Both service delivery and referral levels varied by several clergy and congregational characteristics. The implications of these findings for research and health policy are considered.

Green acetylation of solketal and glycerol formal by heterogeneous acid catalysts to form a biodiesel fuel additive

A glut of glycerol has formed from the increased production of biodiesel, with the potential to integrate the supply chain by using glycerol additives to improve biodiesel properties. Acetylated acetals show interesting cold flow and viscosity effects. Herein, a solventless heterogeneously catalyzed process for the acetylation of both solketal and glycerol formal to new products is demonstrated. The process is optimized by studying the effect of acetylating reagent (acetic acid and acetic anhydride), reagent molar ratios, and a variety of commercial solid acid catalysts (Amberlyst-15, zeolite Beta, K-10 Montmorillonite, and niobium phosphate) on the conversion and selectivities. High conversions (72-95%) and selectivities (86-99%) to the desired products results from using acetic anhydride as the acetylation reagent and a 1:1 molar ratio with all catalysts. Overall, there is a complex interplay between the solid catalyst, reagent ratio, and acetylating agent on the conversion, selectivities, and byproducts formed. The variations are discussed and explained in terms of reactivity, thermodynamics, and reaction mechanisms. An alternative and efficient approach to the formation of 100% triacetin involves the ring-opening, acid-catalyzed acetylation from solketal or glycerol formal with excesses of acetic anhydride.

Glycerol acetals with antioxidant properties

Glycerol acetals were prepared from glycerol and aromatic aldehydes (benzaldehyde, anisaldehyde, or furfural) using a solid acid (Amberlyst-15) catalyst. The acetals show promising antioxidant activity using the DPPH test with the glycerol/anisaldehyde acetal showing the best antioxidant properties, attributed to the additional radical stabilization by the electron-releasing methoxy group. The acetals formed have a wide range of potential industrial applications particularly enabling integration of the biodiesel manufacturing chain.

Polysaccharide-derived mesoporous materials (Starbon®) for sustainable separation of complex mixtures

The recovery and separation of high value and low volume extractives are a considerable challenge for the commercial realisation of zero-waste biorefineries. Using solid-phase extractions (SPE) based on sustainable sorbents is a promising method to enable efficient, green and selective separation of these complex extractive mixtures. Mesoporous carbonaceous solids derived from renewable polysaccharides are ideal stationary phases due to their tuneable functionality and surface structure. In this study, the structure-separation relationships of thirteen polysaccharide-derived mesoporous materials and two modified types as sorbents for ten naturally-occurring bioactive phenolic compounds were investigated. For the first time, a comprehensive statistical analysis of the key molecular and surface properties influencing the recovery of these species was carried out. The obtained results show the possibility of developing tailored materials for purification, separation or extraction, depending on the molecular composition of the analyte. The wide versatility and application span of these polysaccharide-derived mesoporous materials offer new sustainable and inexpensive alternatives to traditional silica-based stationary phases.

Strategic repositioning through the customer connection

With the breakup of AT&T, US WEST had to structure its long‐term plans to reflect changing customer needs.

The occupational therapist as an expert analyst on the cost of future health care in legal cases

The purpose of this paper is to explain the legal criteria the court follows when awarding monies to an injured individual for Cost of Future Care. It also describes the role of, and procedures used by, the occupational therapist in analyzing future care costs for the court's consideration. It describes the benefits to the client, the legal system and society arising from the occupational therapist's expertise, and the role the therapist plays in obtaining information related to the client's case from other professionals.

The Influence of Integration on the Expenditures and Costs of Mental Health and Substance Use Care: Results from the randomized PRISM-E Study

We compared the healthcare costs associated with an integrated care model to an enhanced referral model for the treatment of depression, anxiety, and at-risk drinking from the randomized Primary Care Research in Substance Abuse and Mental Health for the Elderly study. We examined total healthcare costs and cost components, separately for Veteran's Affairs and non-VA participants. No differences in total health expenditures were detected between study arms. No differences in behavioral health expenditures were detected for non-VA sites, but the VA integrated arm had slightly higher ($38; p<0.05) behavioral health costs. Differences in other types of services use were detected.

Comparing Cystatin C- and Creatinine-Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rates in Patients With Thoracic Versus Sacral Motor Levels of Spina Bifida

OBJECTIVE

Patients with myelomeningocele-type spina bifida are at increased risk of developing kidney disease from neurogenic bladder. Differences between creatinine- and cystatin C-estimated glomerular filtration rates were examined in patients with thoracic versus sacral level myelomeningocele given presumed differences in muscle mass.

DESIGN

A retrospective chart review (2005-2018) was performed on 57 adults with myelomeningocele [thoracic n = 44 (77%); sacral n = 13 (23%)]. Concurrently obtained creatinine and cystatin C levels were extracted and calculated creatinine- and cystatin C-estimated glomerular filtration rates were compared.

RESULTS

Mean creatinine-estimated glomerular filtration rate was significantly higher for thoracic [140.8 ml/min (SD = 23.9)] versus sacral myelomeningocele [112.0 ml/min (SD = 22.6), P = 0.0003]. There was no difference in cystatin C-estimated glomerular filtration rate between sacral [116.6 ml/min (SD = 23.7)] and thoracic myelomeningocele [124.8 ml/min (SD = 17.9)]. The mean difference between creatinine- and cystatin C-estimated glomerular filtration rates in thoracic myelomeningocele [24.2 ml/min (SD = 16.3)] was significantly greater than in sacral myelomeningocele [-12.8 (SD = 15.7), P < 0.0001].

CONCLUSIONS

There was a significantly higher discrepancy between creatinine- and cystatin C-estimated glomerular filtration rates in thoracic versus sacral motor levels of myelomeningocele. These data suggest that creatinine-estimated glomerular filtration rate may overestimate kidney function in patients with thoracic myelomeningocele. Providers who manage patients with thoracic myelomeningocele should consider monitoring cystatin C to evaluate for underlying renal disease.