Optimised thermally driven molecular stability of an SCO metal complex for TEC Seebeck generation enhancement

The thermoelectricity effect allows the generation of electrical potential in an electrolyte upon application of a thermal gradient. In the previous work, the spin crossover effect in metal complexes was shown to be beneficial for generating a high Seebeck coefficient due to the high entropy associated with the conformational change accompanying the spin state change. In this study, we examine the diamagnetic stability of a spin crossover material through optimisation of the ligand chain length. We show that the diamagnetic stability of the spin crossover material can enhance the thermoelectrochemical Seebeck effect through ligand optimisation of the octahedral structure. The increase of carbon chain length from C₁₄ to C₁₆ in the long alkyl chain of the N-donor ligand increased Seebeck generation in a Co(iii)L16 complex to 1.94-fold that of a previously studied paramagnetic Co complex, and in a Fe(iii)L16 complex to 3.43-fold that of a less diamagnetic Fe complex. We show with DSC studies of an Fe based octahedral complex that an endothermic absorption accompanies the spin crossover transition, which enhances the Seebeck coefficient of this metal complex. Thus, we can correlate the diamagnetic stabilisation with temperature. We therefore indicate a molecular design strategy for optimisation of a spin crossover metal complex.

Highly stable reversible spin crossover electrolyte transition of Fe²⁺ to Fe³⁺ for high Seebeck generation.     

Proteomics‐based analysis of invasion‐related proteins in malignant gliomas

One of the insidious biological features of gliomas is their potential to extensively invade normal brain tissue, yet molecular mechanisms that dictate this locally invasive behavior remain poorly understood. To investigate the molecular basis of invasion by malignant gliomas, proteomic analysis was performed using a pair of canine glioma subclones – J3T‐1 and J3T‐2 – that show different invasion phenotypes in rat brains but have similar genetic backgrounds. Two‐dimensional protein electrophoresis of whole‐cell lysates of J3T‐1 (angiogenesis‐dependent invasion phenotype) and J3T‐2 (angiogenesis‐independent invasion phenotype) was performed. Twenty‐two distinct spots were recognized when significant alteration was defined as more than 1.5‐fold change in spot intensity between J3T‐1 and J3T‐2. Four proteins that demonstrated increased expression in J3T‐1, and 14 proteins that demonstrated increased expression in J3T‐2 were identified using liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry analysis. One of the proteins identified was annexin A2, which was expressed at higher levels in J3T‐1 than in J3T‐2. The higher expression of annexin A2 in J3T‐1 was corroborated by quantitative RT‐PCR of the cultured cells and immunohistochemical staining of the rat brain tumors. Moreover, immunohistochemical analysis of human glioblastoma specimens showed that annexin A2 was expressed at high levels in the tumor cells that formed clusters around dilated vessels. These results reveal differences in the proteomic profiles between these two cell lines that might correlate with their different invasion profiles. Thus, annexin A2 may be related to angiogenesis‐dependent invasion.     

Understanding ‘Independence’: Perspectives of occupational therapists

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to understand how the term independence is used in rehabilitation. In particular, we asked occupational therapists in Canada and Japan to interpret the term independence in terms of people with disabilities. In rehabilitation, independence has long been a key concept. A review of the literature shows that the term's meaning has shifted throughout the past century. However, despite its significance, the word's meaning has never been deeply analysed, and it is left to the interpretation of the individual practitioner; consequently, there is a conceptual confusion surrounding the term. Furthermore, no studies have been conducted from an inter-cultural viewpoint that included non-Western societies.

Method. A qualitative interpretive study was conducted, based on semi-structured interviews with 18 occupational therapists. Nine Canadian and nine Japanese therapists were interviewed in depth and their perspectives analysed for themes and categories corresponding to their working definition of independence.

Results. Therapists' interpretation of the term independence consisted of three perspectives: “Independence as competence,”“Independence as autonomy,” and “Independence as psychological qualities”. These perspectives were typically combined into two patterns of dealing with independence in practice. Differences between Canadian and Japanese perspectives were explored.

Conclusions. The study's findings confirm some ideas about independence that have been pointed out in the professional literature, but they also add several important ideas – the idea of psychological characteristics as key to independence, and the notion of a cultural overlay on the definition and application of the concept independence. This study's findings should contribute to the ongoing discussion in the professional literature about the virtues and limitations of pursuing independence as the ultimate goal in rehabilitation.