Abstract: The novel cascade reaction of benzyl-substituted allenoates affords tricyclic indenofuranone-type products.

Abstract: How surface deformation within mountain ranges relates to tectonic processes at depth is not well understood. The upper crust of the Tibetan Plateau is generally thought to be poorly coupled to the underthrusting Indian crust because of an intervening low-viscosity channel. Here, however, we show that the contrast in tectonic regime between primarily strike-slip faulting in northern Tibet and dominantly normal faulting in southern Tibet requires mechanical coupling between the upper crust of southern Tibet and the underthrusting Indian crust. Such coupling is inconsistent with the presence of active ‘channel flow’ beneath southern Tibet, and suggests that the Indian crust retains its strength as it underthrusts the plateau. These results shed new light on the debates regarding the mechanical properties of the continental lithosphere, and the deformation of Tibet.

Abstract: The FLake model parameterizes the local-scale energy exchanges between lake surfaces and the atmosphere. FLake simulates the temperature profile as well as the budgets of heat and turbulent kinetic energy in water. Its implementation into the Surfex system, the externalized surface scheme devoted to research and operational forecasts, is presented here. The paper describes a validation of the coupled system Surfex-FLake based on measurements carried out on the Alqueva reservoir in southern Portugal. This paper shows how the use of FLake in the Surfex system improves surface temperature and turbulent fluxes at the water– atmosphere interface and explains the minor changes made in the computation of the shape function in order to adapt the FLake model to warm lakes, like the one used for this study.

Abstract: We examined the effect of light adaptation on the gap junctional coupling of α-ganglion cells (α-GCs) in rabbit and mouse retinas. We assayed changes in coupling by measuring parameters of tracer coupling following injection of α-GCs with Neurobiotin and the concerted spike activity of α-GC neighbours under dark- and light-adapted conditions. We found that light adaptation using mesopic or photopic background lights resulted in a dramatic increase in the labelling intensity, number, and spatial extent of ganglion and amacrine cells coupled to OFF α-GCs when compared to levels seen under dark adaptation. While this augmentation of coupling by light did not produce an increase in the concerted spontaneous activity of OFF α-GC neighbours, it did significantly increase correlated light-evoked spiking. This was seen as an increase in the number of correlated spikes for α-GC neighbours and an extension of correlations to second-tier neighbours that was not seen under dark-adapted conditions. Pharmacological studies in the rabbit retina indicated that dopamine mediates the observed changes in coupling by differentially activating D1 and D2 receptors under different adaptation states. In this scheme, activation of dopamine D1 receptors following light exposure triggers cAMP-mediated intracellular pathways resulting in an increase in gap junctional conductance. Overall, our results indicate that as we move from night to day there is an enhanced electrical coupling between α-GCs, thereby increasing the concerted activity believed to strengthen the capacity and efficiency of information flow across the optic nerve.

Abstract: The Sonogashira-type coupling of arenediazonium salts (I) is reported for the first time using a Pd-Au dual catalytic system.

Abstract: With the placement of a floating mass transducer (FMT) at the round window, a new approach of coupling an implantable hearing system to the cochlea has been introduced. The aim of the present experimental study is to examine the influence of different ways of FMT placement at the round window on the vibration energy transfer to the cochlea.

Abstract: The role of reduced dimensionality and of the surface on electron-phonon (e-ph) coupling in silicon nanowires is determined from first principles. Surface termination and chemistry is found to have a relatively small influence, whereas reduced dimensionality fundamentally alters the behavior of deformation potentials. As a consequence, electron coupling to "breathing modes" emerges that cannot be described by conventional treatments of e-ph coupling. The consequences for physical properties such as scattering lengths and mobilities are significant: the mobilities for [110] grown wires are 6 times larger than those for [100] wires, an effect that cannot be predicted without the form we find for Si nanowire deformation potentials.

Abstract: In voltage-gated sodium channels, a voltage-sensor domain communicates with the pore gate regions, but the details of this process remain unclear. Now the electromechanical coupling in a Na+ channel is probed by tryptophane scanning mutagenesis, together with structural modeling, with the results indicating a crucial role for the hinge regions.

Abstract: Over the past years, transition-metal-catalyzed crosscoupling reactions have matured to an impressive level of generality and complexity. Coupling reactions between virtually all possible combinations of sp-, sp-, and sp-hybridized organometallic nucleophiles and electrophilic organohalides have been realized, and in some cases have entered into industrial practice. Among the various transition-metalcatalyzed cross-coupling reactions known today, the Suzuki– Miyaura coupling is characterized by mild reaction conditions, an exceptionally broad functional group tolerance, and the use of nontoxic organoboron nucleophiles. Most of the research has been directed at the nature of the nucleophile (e.g. boronic acids, boronates, and trifluoroborates), while most studies employed organohalides (I, Br, Cl) as electrophilic partners. On the other hand, arene compounds with oxygen-based leaving groups represent a conceptually different class of coupling partners. They are derivatives of widely available and cheap phenols and render the overall crosscoupling a more environmentally friendly, halide-free process. Mostly aryl sulfonates (triflates, tosylates) have been used, while only a few examples of Suzuki–Miyaura reactions with aryl methylethers and carboxylates have been reported. Now, the research groups of Garg, Snieckus, and Shi put forth effective protocols for nickel-catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reactions with aryl (and alkenyl) O-carbamates, which are otherwise rather stable under various reaction conditions. Garg et al. demonstrated the competence of aryl Ocarbamates, as well as carbonates, and sulfamates as electrophiles in the coupling with aryl boronic acids with 5–10 mol% of [NiCl2(PCy3)2], and 4.5–7.2 equivalents of K3PO4 as base in toluene at 110–130 8C (Scheme 1). Although the reactivity of aryl carbonates and carbamates were sensitive to the electronic properties, aryl sulfamates with electron-withdrawing, electron-donating, and ortho-substituents afforded very good yields. Snieckus et al. reported similar conditions to also bring about cross-coupling of various aryl O-carbamates with aryl boronic acids at 150 8C, but satisfactory yields were only afforded with aryl carbamates bearing electron-withdrawing substituents (Scheme 2). The nickel precatalyst used in both protocols is commercially available and exhibits high stability towards air and water. Interestingly, Snieckus et al. observed an inhibition of the catalytic performance in the presence of palladium chloride. The O-carbamate moiety is even stable toward palladiumcatalyzed Suzuki and Negishi cross-coupling reactions, thus providing the opportunity for chemoselective arene manipulations. In a related study, Shi et al. disclosed a practical method for the nickel-catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura coupling of unacScheme 1. Nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling of aryl O-sulfamates according to Garg et al. Cy = cyclohexyl.

Abstract: Palladium nanoparticles in an ionic liquid prepared readily by sputter deposition efficiently catalyze the Suzuki–Miyaura coupling of hydrophobic as well as hydrophilic aryl halides in water.

Abstract: In a multilayer bandpass filter, a first capacitor is defined between a first capacitor electrode and a ground electrode. A second capacitor is defined between a second capacitor electrode and the ground electrode. A first inductor is defined by first and second via electrodes and a first inductor electrode. A second inductor is defined by third and fourth via electrodes and a second inductor electrode. Two LC parallel resonators, one of which includes the first inductor and the first capacitor and the other one of which includes the second inductor and the second capacitor, are provided. The second via electrode included in one of the LC parallel resonators and the fourth via electrode included in the other one of the LC parallel resonators are electrically connected to each other by a via coupling electrode.

Abstract: Potassium azidoaryltrifluoroborates have been prepared from the corresponding haloaryltrifluoroborates in 73−98% yields. Also, we successfully cross-coupled the azido-functionalized organotrifluoroborates and carried out a one-pot sequential cross-coupling/1,3-dipolar cycloaddition and a one-pot cross-coupling/azide reduction process.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display and a driving method thereof are provided. A pixel of the liquid crystal display includes a first pixel capacitor, a second pixel capacitor, a first transistor, and a second transistor. A first terminal and a second terminal of the first pixel capacitor are respectively coupled to the first transistor and a common voltage. A first terminal and a second terminal of the second pixel capacitor are respectively coupled to the second transistor and the common voltage. A voltage between the first and the second terminals of the first capacitor is differentiated from a voltage between the first and the second terminals of the second capacitor by modulating the common voltage. A coupling voltage of the first pixel capacitor is differentiated from a coupling voltage of the second pixel capacitor by modulating the common voltage. Thereby, the phenomenon of color wash-out is reduced.

Abstract: Ultrasound-mediated coupling of indole derivatives (IV) and (VII) with salicylaldehydes allows an improved access to spiropyrans like (VI) and (VIII).

Abstract: The intramolecular oxidative Csp 2 -Csp 3 -Csp 3  couplingof N-substituted acetoacetanilides was achieved by using Ag 2 Oas the oxidant. The reaction constitutes a convenient approach toward3-acetyloxindoles from unfunctionalized acetoacetanilides.

Abstract: In one embodiment a control system for linking a plurality of electrically driven road vehicles together is disclosed, the control system having: a coupling input and a coupling output disposed on each of the plurality of vehicles, each coupling input of each vehicle being configured to releasably engage each coupling output of another vehicle to provide a mechanical and electrical coupling of the plurality of vehicles together; and a control system located on each of the plurality of vehicles, the control system communicating with the coupling input and the coupling output to detect when the coupling input or the coupling output is engaged with another vehicle via a respective coupling input or coupling output, the control system being further configured to operate in a lead vehicle mode or a trailing vehicle mode when the control system detects that the coupling input or the coupling output is engaged with another vehicle, wherein the lead vehicle mode causes the control system of the lead vehicle to control another vehicle coupled to the lead vehicle and the trailing vehicle mode causes the control system to be controlled by the lead vehicle coupled to the vehicle.

Abstract: The discovery of fullerenes has given rise to appreciable interest in the field of synthesis of non-planar “aromatic” structures, especially in the context of the direct synthesis of fullerenes. The strategy generally followed starts with the synthesis of a planar polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) that already contains the carbon framework required for the formation of the target molecule. Such “unrolled” molecules can be “rolled up” to form fullerenes under flash vacuum pyrolysis (FVP) conditions. The high temperatures applied at FVP result in intramolecular condensation of the precursor and provide the energy necessary to build up the strained fullerene molecule. The presence of halogen atoms, such as chlorine or bromine, in the initial precursor has been found to be essential for effective radical generation, which is the driving force for further aryl–aryl coupling. Although this approach has proven to be quite prolific for the synthesis of many small non-planar PAHs, selective and high yielding direct synthesis of fullerenes still remains a challenge for organic chemistry. The principal possibility of selective fullerene cage formation through FVP has been demonstrated by the examples of C60, [1–5] C78 [6] and C84. [7] However, the rates of conversion to the target molecules have remained disappointingly low. C60 has been obtained with 0.1–1 % yield, whereas higher fullerenes were only detected by mass spectrometry. The low yields in converting precursors to the respective fullerene result from a lack of efficient promoters of intramolecular condensation. The frequently employed bromine or chlorine functionalisations reach their limits in the case of large molecules due to decomposition of such halogenated precursors during sublimation. The molar masses will generally be high, since the large number of new C C bonds that need to be formed in the fullerene precursor necessitates the introduction of a considerable number of promoter groups. Moreover, the radical nature of the condensation significantly affects the selectivity of the process. In the search for more efficient promoters of ring closure we have turned our attention to the possibility of using fluorine for this purpose. Recently, we reported on the efficient intramolecular ring closure in fluorinated benzo[c]phenanthrenes by HF elimination. Herein, we present experimental and computational evidence that HF elimination is a synchronous process leading directly to the target molecule without any intermediates, and therefore, producing no side products. We confirm that HF elimination is a homo-elimination process. The data obtained provide new prospects for rational fullerene synthesis by using fluorine as an activating group, which seems to possess all the required properties of an “ideal” promoter of ring closure. To systematically study the effect of fluorine functionalisation on the selectivity of thermally activated aryl–aryl coupling, we have synthesised 1-fluorobenzo[c]phenanthrene (1) and 2-fluorobenzo[c]phenanthrene (2), and have subjected them to FVP. The products obtained give clear evidence for selective 1,5 ring closure in the case of 1. Such fluorine activity in intramolecular condensation is unexpected, since the C F bond is considered to be one of the most stable bonds in organic chemistry. In contrast to other halogens, the high stability of the C F bond makes it impossible to produce a radical by homolytic bond cleavage. The mechanism of the fluorine activation observed in this study is obviously different and includes synchronous HF elimination. HF elimination is a well known decomposition process in the photolysis of fluoroethylenes. Although the photofragmentation would be expected to proceed from an excited electronic state, it has been shown that dissociation most likely occurs through the ground state. This is supported by the fact that thermal fragmentation of fluoroethylenes shows a similar result, and the main decomposition process is the unimolecular 1,2-HF elimination. Theoretical studies have revealed that 1,2-HF elimination is the main decomposition channel, which passes through a fouror three[a] Dr. K. Y. Amsharov, M. A. Kabdulov, Prof. M. Jansen Department Chemistry III, Institution Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research Heisenbergstrasse 1, 70569 Stuttgart (Germany) Fax: (+49) 7116891502 E-mail : [email protected] Supporting information for this article is available on the WWW under http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/chem.201000374.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a portion of a portable electronic device includes forming a glass fiber laminate sheet to provide a formed glass fiber laminate body, and overmolding a rim on the body. The rim includes a connector for coupling with a complementary part of the portable electronic device.

Abstract: Coupling of serine esters with trifluoroacetone or the hemiacetal (V) allows convenient access to the target compounds.

Abstract: The electrical properties of the cellular membrane are important for ion transport across cells and electrophysiology. Plasma membranes also resist bending and stretching, and mechanical properties of the membrane influence cell shape and forces in membrane tethers pulled from cells. There exists a coupling between the electrical and mechanical properties of the membrane. Previous work has shown that applied voltages can induce forces and movements in the lipid bilayer. We present a theory that computes membrane bending deformations and forces as the applied voltage is changed. We discover that electromechanical coupling in lipid bilayers depends on the voltage-dependent adsorption of ions into the region occupied by the phospholipid head groups. A simple model of counter-ion absorption is investigated. We show that electromechanical coupling can be measured using membrane tethers and we use our model to predict the membrane tether tension as a function of applied voltage. We also discuss how electromechanical coupling in membranes may influence transmembrane protein function.

Abstract: A coupling device for coupling optical fiber cables reduces contact with the internal parts when coupling a connector. The coupling device includes a projection of a connector device housing insertable into a groove of an adapter device groove of an adapter device housing. The coupling device which connects optical fiber cables compresses an elastic member, and connects an optical fiber connector of the connector device and the optical fiber end on the adapter device side.