bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ozone Exposure During thE Early Postnatal Period Alters the Timing and Pattern of Alveolar Growth and Development in Nonhuman Primates
Authors: Avdalovic Mark V. , Tyler Nancy K. , Putney Lei , Nishio Susie J. , Quesenberry Sherri , Singh Parmjit J , Miller Lisa A. , Schelegle Edward S. , Plopper Charles G. , Vu Thiennu , Hyde Dallas M.
Published: August 2012

Exposure to oxidant air pollutants in early childhood, with ozone as the key oxidant, has been linked to significant decrements in pulmonary function in young adults and exacerbation of airway remodeling in asthma. Development of lung parenchyma in rhesus monkeys is rapid during the first 2 years of life (comparable to the first 6 years in humans). Our hypothesis is that ozone inhalation during infancy alters alveolar morphogenesis. We exposed infant rhesus monkeys biweekly to 5, 8hr/day, cycles of 0.5 ppm ozone with or without house dust mite allergen from 1 to 3 or 1 to 6 months of age. Monkeys were necropsied at 3 and 6 months of age. A morphometric approach was used to quantify changes in alveolar volume and number, the distribution of alveolar size, and capillary surface density per alveolar septa. Quantitative real time PCR was used to measure the relative difference in gene expression over time. Monkeys exposed to ozone alone or ozone combined with allergen had statistically larger alveoli that were less in number at 3 months of age. Alveolar capillary surface density was also decreased in the ozone exposed groups at 3 months of age. At 6 months of age, the alveolar number was similar between treatment groups and was associated with a significant rise in alveolar number from 3 to 6 months of age in the ozone exposed groups. This increase in alveolar number was not associated with any significant increase in microvascular growth as measured by morphometry or changes in angiogenic gene expression. Inhalation of ozone during infancy alters the appearance and timing of alveolar growth and maturation. Understanding the mechanism involved with this altered alveolar growth may provide insight into the parenchymal injury and repair process that is involved with chronic lung diseases such as severe asthma and COPD. Anat Rec, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Photoanode Based on Chain‐Shaped Anatase TiO2 Nanorods for High‐Efficiency Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Rui Yichuan , Li Yaogang , Wang Hongzhi , Zhang Qinghong
Published: August 2012

Anatase TiO2 nanorods with large specific surface areas and high crystallinity have been synthesized by surfactant‐free hydrothermal treatment of water‐soluble peroxotitanium acid (PTA). X‐ray diffraction and TEM analysis showed that all TiO2 nanorods derived from PTA in different hydrothermal processes were in the anatase phase, and high aspect ratio TiO2 nanorods with chain‐shaped structures were formed at 150 °C for 24 h by oriented growth. The nanorods were fabricated as photoanodes for high‐efficiency dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). DSSCs fabricated from the chain‐shaped TiO2 nanorods gave a highest short‐circuit current density of 14.8 mA cm−2 and a maximum energy conversion efficiency of 7.28 %, as a result of the presence of far fewer surface defects and grain boundaries than are present in commercial P25 TiO2 nanoparticles. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy also confirmed that DSSCs based on the TiO2 nanorods have enhanced electron transport properties and a long electron lifetime.
Optimizing maintenance service contracts under imperfect maintenance and a finite time horizon
Authors: Pascual R. , Godoy D. , Figueroa H.
Published: August 2012

When a company decides to outsource a service, the most important reasons for doing so usually are to focus on core business, to be able to access high‐quality services at lower costs, or to benefit from risk sharing. However, service contracts typically follow a structure whereby both owner and contractor attempt to maximize expected profits in a noncoordinated way. Previous research has considered supply chain coordination by means of contracts but is based on unrealistic assumptions such as perfect maintenance and infinite time‐span contracts. In this work, these limitations are overcome by defining the supply chain through a preventive maintenance strategy that maximizes the total expected profit for both parties in a finite time‐span contract. This paper presents a model to establish such conditions when maintenance is imperfect, and the contract duration is fixed through a number of preventive maintenance actions along a significant part of the asset life cycle under consideration. This formulation leads to a win–win coordination under a set of restrictions that can be evaluated a priori. The proposed contract conditions motivate stakeholders to continually improve their maintenance services to reach channel coordination in which both parties obtain higher rewards. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An Evaluation of Reproductive and Developmental Toxicity of Sitaxentan (Thelin) in Rats
Authors: Cross David M. , Horsley Elizabeth , Derzi Mazin , Owen Keith , Stavros Fiona L.
Published: August 2012

Sitaxentan sodium (Thelin) is a once daily, orally bioavailable, highly selective endothelin A receptor antagonist. Initially approved for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension, sitaxentan was withdrawn in 2010 following the recognition of a pattern of idiosyncratic liver injury. During development of this drug, a series of nonclinical studies investigated the effects of orally administered sitaxentan on fertility, embryofetal development, and pre‐ and postnatal development in the rat; results of these studies are reported here. In the fertility study, sitaxentan did not affect mating behavior, fertility, sperm morphology, or estrous cycle. Sitaxentan was teratogenic in the embyrofetal development study, which was expected based on its pharmacologic mechanism of action. Teratogenic effects included malformations of the head, mouth, face, and large blood vessels. In the pre‐ and postnatal study, sitaxentan administration was associated with reduced pup survival, large or abnormally shaped livers, and delays in markers of auditory and sexual development. Sitaxentan was detected in plasma of suckling pups receiving milk from females dosed with sitaxentan. These nonclinical study findings were reflected in the sitaxentan product label warnings. Birth Defects Res (Part B) 00:1‐10, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Antioxidant responses in Phanerochaete chrysosporium exposed to Astrazone Red FBL textile dye
Authors: Demirci Ozlem , Hamamcı Dilek Asma
Published: August 2012

Interest in environmental‐pollutant‐induced oxidative stress and knowledge of the interactions between reactive oxygen species and cellular systems have increased in toxicology and microbial ecology considerably in recent decades. These reactive oxidants are produced by a variety of environmental sources: ionizing radiations, ultraviolet light, redox cycling drugs, hyperoxia, ischemia and redox‐active xenobiotics or during metabolism of environmental pollutants, such as heavy metals in mining industries, dyes in wastewater of textile industries, pesticides and polycyclic hydrocarbons, i.e. foreign materials.

In this study, the effect of dye on the antioxidative defence system of Phanerochaete chrysosporium was investigated, and we showed the ability of Phanerochaete chrysosporium to antioxidative response and defence system exposed to Astrazone Red FBL. Catalase, glutathione reductase, glutathione s‐transferase activities and level of glutathione decreased, depending on the period of growth in each exposure to low and high concentration group (20 and 50 ppm) compared with the control group. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Carbon Dioxide Fixation by Cycloaddition with Epoxides, Catalyzed by Biomimetic Metalloporphyrins
Authors: Bai Dongsheng , Duan Shuhui , Hai Long , Jing Huanwang
Published: August 2012

Several biomimetic metalloporphyrin complexes (M(TPP)XY; in which TPP=meso‐porphyrin; M=MgII, AlIII, SnII, or SnIV; X=OAc, F, Cl, Br, I, OTf, or none; and Y=Cl, Br, I, OTf, or none) were prepared, characterized, and used effectively in the “green” synthesis of cyclic carbonates from epoxides and CO2. The catalytic systems of Mg(TPP)/tetrabutylammonium iodide and Al(TPP)Cl/phenyltrimethyl ammonium tribromide can initiate the cycloaddition of epoxides and CO2 at room temperature to generating cyclic carbonates in excellent yield. Chlorophyll A is shown to induce enantioselectivity of racemic propylene oxide. All reactions displayed excellent selectivity to cyclic carbonate without polycarbonate and other by‐products. Chloropropylene carbonate is shown to be obtained under CO2 bubbling conditions catalyzed by Al(TPP)Cl/phenyltrimethylammonium tribromide. The catalytic order of activity for biomimetic metalloporphyrins is AlIII>MgII>SnIV>SnII. These phenomena are explained with respect to the Lewis acidity of metal center in metalloporphyrins.
Perovskite NaCeTi2O6‐Supported Ni Catalysts for CH4 Steam Reforming
Authors: Zhang Shenghong , Muratsugu Satoshi , Ishiguro Nozomu , Ohkoshi Shin‐ichi , Tada Mizuki
Published: August 2012

Perovskite NaCeTi2O6 (NCT)‐supported Ni catalysts were prepared and examined for the steam reforming of methane (SRM) with a low H2O/CH4 ratio (1:1), and their structures were characterized by means of powder XRD, energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy high resolution TEM, temperature‐programmed desorption of CO2, temperature‐programmed reduction with H2, Ni K‐edge/Ce LIII‐edge X‐ray absorption near edge structure spectroscopy and extended X‐ray absorption fine structure . A 4 wt % Ni/NCT catalyst exhibited higher activity than 4 wt % Ni/TiO2, Ni/(CeO2+TiO2), and Ni/Ce2O3 catalysts for SRM reactions at 973 K, and better resistance to carbon deposition was observed on 4 wt % Ni/NCT compared to 4 wt % Ni/CeO2. It is suggested that the characteristic performance of the Ni/NCT catalysts for the SRM reactions are related to the basic character and oxygen conducting behavior of NCT to control the balance of CH4 decomposition and carbon gasification with steam on the surfaces of the Ni/NCT catalysts.
High‐Performance Dipolar Organic Dyes with an Electron‐Deficient Diphenylquinoxaline Moiety in the π‐Conjugation Framework for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Li Sie‐Rong , Lee Chuan‐Pei , Kuo Hui‐Tung , Ho Kuo‐Chuan , Sun Shih‐Sheng
Published: August 2012

We report here the synthesis and electrochemical and photophysical properties of a series of easily prepared dipolar organic dyes and their application in dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). For the six organic dyes, the molecular structures comprised a triphenylamine group as an electron donor, a cyanoacrylic acid as an electron acceptor, and an electron‐deficient diphenylquinoxaline moiety integrated in the π‐conjugated spacer between the electron donor and acceptor moieties. The incorporation of the electron‐deficient diphenylquinoxaline moiety effectively reduces the energy gap of the dyes and broadly extends the spectral coverage. DSSCs based on dye 6 produced the best overall cell performance of 7.35 %, which translates to approximately 79 % of the intrinsic efficiency of the DSSCs based on the standard N719 dye under identical experimental conditions. The high performance of DSSCs based on dye 6 among the six dyes explored is attributed to the combined effects of high dye loading on a TiO2 surface, rapid dye regeneration, and effective retardation of charge recombination.
Discovering the Active Sites for C3 Separation in MIL‐100(Fe) by Using Operando IR Spectroscopy
Authors: Wuttke Stefan , Bazin Philippe , Vimont Alexandre , Serre Christian , Seo You‐Kyong , Hwang Young Kyu , Chang Jong‐San , Férey Gérard , Daturi Marco
Published: August 2012

A reducible MIL‐100(Fe) metal–organic framework (MOF) was investigated for the separation of a propane/propene mixture. An operando methodology was applied (for the first time in the case of a MOF) in order to shed light on the separation mechanism. Breakthrough curves were obtained as in traditional separation column experiments, but monitoring the material surface online, thus providing evidences on the adsorption sites. The qualitative and quantitative analyses of FeII and, to some extent, FeIII sites were possible, upon different activation protocols. Moreover, it was possible to identify the nature and the role of the active sites in the separation process by selective poisoning of one family of sites: it was clearly evidenced that the unsaturated FeII sites are mainly responsible for the separation effect of the propane/propene mixture, thanks to their affinity for the unsaturated bonds, such as the CC entities in propene. The activity of the highly concentrated FeIII sites was also highlighted.
A Self‐Assembly Phase Diagram from Amphiphilic Perylene Diimides
Authors: Zhang Zhigang , Zhan Chuanlang , Zhang Xin , Zhang Shanlin , Huang Jianhua , Li Alexander D. Q. , Yao Jiannian
Published: August 2012

Supramolecular forces govern self‐assembly and further determine the final morphologies of self‐assemblies. However, how they control the morphology remains hitherto largely unknown. In this paper, we have discovered that the self‐assembled nanostructures of rigid organic semiconductor chromophores can be finely controlled by the secondary forces by fine‐tuning the surrounding environments. In particular, we used water/methanol/hydrochloric acid to tune the environment and observed five different phases that resulted from versatile molecular self‐assemblies. The representative self‐assembled nanostructures were nanotapes, nanoparticles and their 1D assemblies, rigid microplates, soft nanoplates, and hollow nanospheres and their 1D assemblies, respectively. The specific nanostructure formation is governed by the water fraction, Rw, and the concentration of hydrochloric acid, [HCl]. For instance, nanotapes formed at low [HCl] and Rw values, whereas hollow nanospheres formed when either the HCl concentration is high, or the water fraction is low, or both. The significance of this paper is that it provides a useful phase diagram by using Rw and [HCl] as two variables. Such a self‐assembly phase diagram maps out the fine control that the secondary forces have on the self‐assembled morphology, and thus allows one to guide the formation toward a desired nanostructure self‐assembled from rigid organic semiconductor chromophores by simply adjusting the two key parameters of Rw and [HCl].
2‐Aminopyridine Derivatives as Potential σ2 Receptor Antagonists
Authors: Abate Carmen , Ferorelli Savina , Niso Mauro , Lovicario Cesarea , Infantino Vittoria , Convertini Paolo , Perrone Roberto , Berardi Francesco
Published: August 2012

σ2 Receptor research is receiving increasing interest with regard to the potential of σ2 proteins as targets for tumor therapy and diagnosis. Nevertheless, knowledge about the σ2 receptor is far from conclusive. The paucity and modest affinity of known σ2 antagonists represent one of the limitations to σ2 receptor research. Previous studies of the high‐affinity σ2 agonist 1‐cyclohexyl‐4‐[3‐(5‐methoxy‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydronaphthalen‐1‐yl)‐n‐propyl]piperazine 4 (PB28) suggested that a decrease in lipophilicity might lead to σ2 ligands devoid of antiproliferative activity (potential σ2 antagonists). With the aim of producing σ2 receptor antagonists, we replaced the tetralin nucleus of compound 4 with a 2‐aminopyridine moiety. A series of compounds with high affinity for both σ subtypes and with no antiproliferative activity in various cells (mouse HT‐22, human SK‐N‐SH, MCF‐7wt, and MCF‐7σ1) were obtained. The effect on Ca2+ mobilization was investigated for high‐affinity compounds 18 and 4, which showed opposite effects. All of the data support the new 2‐aminopyridines as high‐affinity σ ligands with σ2 antagonist and σ1 agonist activity, and, despite the lack of significant σ2 versus σ1 selectivity, these novel compounds may be better tools for σ receptor research than the known low‐affinity σ2 antagonists.
Effectiveness of radiation for prevention of mastectomy in older breast cancer patients treated with conservative surgery
Authors: Albert Jeffrey M. , Pan I‐Wen , Shih Ya‐Chen Tina , Jiang Jing , Buchholz Thomas A. , Giordano Sharon H. , Smith Benjamin D.
Published: August 2012

BACKGROUND:

A recent clinical trial concluded that radiation therapy (RT) does not lower the risk of mastectomy and, thus, may be omitted in older women with stage I, estrogen receptor (ER)‐positive breast cancer who undergo conservative surgery (CS). However, it is not known whether this finding applies to patients outside of clinical trials. Accordingly, we used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results‐Medicare observational cohort to determine the effect of RT on the risk of mastectomy among older women with stage I, ER‐positive breast cancer.

METHODS:

The authors identified 7403 women ages 70 to 79 years who underwent CS between 1992 and 2002. Claims were used to determine RT status and to identify women who underwent mastectomy subsequent to initial treatment. The Kaplan‐Meier method was used to estimate the risk of subsequent mastectomy, and Cox regression analysis was used to determine the effect of RT adjusted for clinical‐pathologic covariates.

RESULTS:

At a median follow‐up of 7.3 years, the risk of subsequent mastectomy within 10 years of diagnosis was 3.2% for patients who received RT versus 6.3% for patients who did not receive RT (P < .001). In adjusted analyses, RT was associated with a lower risk of mastectomy (hazard ratio, 0.33; 95% confidence interval, 0.22‐0.48; P < .001). RT provided no benefit for patients ages 75 to 79 years without high‐grade tumors who had a pathologic lymph node assessment (P = .80); however, for all other subgroups, RT was associated with an absolute reduction in risk of mastectomy that ranged from 4.3% to 9.8% at 10 years.

CONCLUSIONS:

Outside of a clinical trial, the receipt of RT after CS was associated with a greater likelihood of ultimate breast preservation for most older women with early breast cancer. Cancer 2012. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Physical and Electrochemical Analysis of an Indoor–Outdoor Ageing Test of Large‐Area Dye Solar Cell Devices
Authors: Mastroianni Simone , Lanuti Alessandro , Penna Stefano , Reale Andrea , Brown Thomas M. , Di Carlo Aldo , Decker Franco
Published: August 2012

A long‐term life test (3200 h) on large‐area dye‐sensitized cells is performed both under outdoor conditions, in the sunny Mediterranean climate in Rome (Italy), and under continuous light soaking (1 Sun, 85 °C). Different degradation rates are investigated for the outdoor samples with horizontally and vertically oriented cells (azimuth South, tilt angle 25°). Thirty identical photocells (active area=3.6 cm2, conversion efficiencies=(4.8±0.2) %) are aged using a robust master‐plate configuration. After the first 1000 h of testing in open‐circuit conditions, some of the test samples are set near the maximum power point (MPP) and the life test continued further until 3200 h. A detailed analysis of the physical parameters obtained by electrochemical impedance is given together with electrolyte transmittance variation with time as a function of the ageing conditions. Faster degradation in devices working at the MPP is observed, due mainly to a progressive decrease of the triiodide concentration in the electrolyte and a likely alteration at the titania/electrolyte interface. Outdoor devices working with vertically oriented cells show clearly that the orientation of long‐striped cells can affect the lifetime. The aged cells suffer an increase of recombination rate, change in the chemical capacitance, and positive shift of the titania conduction band level. A strong correlation between the increase of the electrolyte diffusion resistance and degradation phenomena is found.
Epitaxial III–V Films and Surfaces for Photoelectrocatalysis
Authors: Döscher Henning , Supplie Oliver , May Matthias M. , Sippel Philipp , Heine Christian , Muñoz Andrés G. , Eichberger Rainer , Lewerenz Hans‐Joachim , Hannappel Thomas
Published: August 2012

Efficient photoelectrochemical devices for water splitting benefit from the highest material quality and dedicated surface preparation achieved by epitaxial growth. InP(100)‐based half‐cells show significant solar‐to‐hydrogen efficiencies, but require a bias due to insufficient voltage. Tandem absorber structures may provide both adequate potential and efficient utilization of the solar spectrum. We propose epitaxial dilute nitride GaPNAs photocathodes on Si(100) substrates to combine close‐to‐optimum limiting efficiency, lattice‐matched growth, and established surface preparation. Prior to a discussion of the challenging III–V/Si(100) heterojunction, we describe the closely related epitaxial preparation of InP(100) surfaces and its beneficial impact on photoelectrochemical water‐splitting performance. Analogies and specific differences to GaP(100) surfaces are discussed based on in situ reflectance anisotropy and on two‐photon photoemission results. Preliminary experiments regarding GaP/Si(100) photoelectrochemistry and dilute nitride GaPN heteroepitaxy on Si(100) confirm the potential of the GaPNAs/Si tandem absorber structure for future water‐splitting devices.
Functionalization of Reduced Graphite Oxide Sheets with a Zwitterionic Surfactant
Authors: Martín‐García Beatriz , Velázquez M. Mercedes , Rossella Francesco , Bellani Vittorio , Diez Enrique , García Fierro Jose Luis , Pérez‐Hernández Jose Antonio , Hernández‐Toro Juan , Claramunt Sergi , Cirera Albert
Published: August 2012

Films of a few layers in thickness of reduced graphite oxide (RGO) sheets functionalized by the zwitterionic surfactant N‐dodecyl‐N,N‐dimethyl‐3‐ammonio‐1‐propanesulfonate (DDPS) are obtained by using the Langmuir–Blodgett method. The quality of the RGO sheets is checked by analyzing the degrees of reduction and defect repair by means of X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), micro‐Raman spectroscopy, and electrical conductivity measurements. A modified Hummers method is used to obtain highly oxidized graphite oxide (GO) together with a centrifugation‐based method to improve the quality of GO. The GO samples are reduced by hydrazine or vitamin C. Functionalization of RGO with the zwitterionic surfactant improves the degrees of reduction and defect repair of the two reducing agents and significantly increases the electrical conductivity of paperlike films compared with those prepared from unfunctionalized RGO.
EN 1996‐1‐2 – Einstufung des Feuerwiderstands von Mauerwerk in den nationalen Anhängen verschiedener europäischer Länder
Authors: Meyer Udo
Published: August 2012

Die europäische Harmonisierung ist auf dem Gebiet des Brandschutzes mit Mauerwerk noch am Anfang des Weges. In den nationalen Anhängen in den verschiedenen Mitgliedsstaaten gibt es noch große Unterschiede in der Bewertung des Feuerwiderstands von Mauerwerkbauteilen. Die Einstufung im deutschen Nationalen Anhang basiert auf der umfangreichen Prüferfahrung mit Brandversuchen an Mauerwerkswänden nach DIN 4102, einer grundlegenden praktischen und theoretischen Untersuchung des Einflusses der geänderten Prüfverfahren in EN 1365‐1 auf das Prüfergebnis und einer Reihe von Bestätigungsversuchen nach DIN EN 1365‐1 für die Tabellenwerte in DIN EN 1996‐1‐2/NA. Der aktuelle Status wird dargestellt, mögliche zukünftige Entwicklungen werden diskutiert.

EN 1996‐1‐2 – Classification of the fire resistance of masonry structures in national annexes from various European countries. A real European harmonisation in the field of fire design of masonry structures is still to come. The national annexes to EN 1996‐1‐2 show significant differences in the evaluation of the fire resistance of masonry structures. The classification in the German NA is based on extensive experience with fire tests on walls according to DIN 4102, a basic practical and theoretical investigation into the influence of the changes in the test procedure according to EN 1365‐1 for the test results and some verification tests according to EN 1365‐1 on walls to confirm the values given in DIN EN 1996‐1‐2/NA. The current status is presented and possible future developments are discussed.
Bewertung von Wärmebrücken im Lichte der zukünftigen Energieeinsparverordnung und in Verbindung mit den allgemein anerkannten Regeln der Technik
Authors: Gierga Michael , Fischer Erik
Published: August 2012

Die energetische Bewertung zusätzlicher Wärmebrückenverluste der Gebäudehülle ist Gegenstand der Energieeinsparverordnung (EnEV) seit dem Jahr 2001. Die Berücksichtigung erfolgt durch pauschale Zuschläge auf den Transmissionswärmeverlust der wärmeübertragenden Außenbauteile oder alternativ durch die Berechnung der individuellen Wärmedurchgangskoeffizienten der wesentlichen Wärmebrückenanschlüsse. Dazu ist DIN 4108 Beiblatt 2 heranzuziehen, in dem seit 1998 entsprechende Planungsbeispiele dargestellt sind. Es muss die Frage geklärt werden, inwieweit dieses Regelwerk in seiner jetzigen Form, der Ausgabe 2006, den allgemein anerkannten Regeln der Technik entspricht und für die Planung und Nachweisführung hocheffizienter Gebäude angewendet werden kann. Neben dem Beiblatt 2 wurden in der Zwischenzeit hochwertige Wärmebrückenkataloge entwickelt, die dessen Inhalte quantitativ und qualitativ übertreffen. Es müssen daher Vorschläge gemacht werden, wie Wärmebrückendetails nach den Erfordernissen des effizienten Bauens auch in Zukunft sachgerecht bewertet werden können.

Estimation of thermal bridges concerning the prospective Energy Saving Order and concerning the common accepted technical rules. The estimation of additional energy consumption of thermal bridges in building skins is part of the Energy Saving Order (EnEV) since 2001. The consideration occurs with an overall supplement to the heat transmission losses of the entire heat transfer covering surface or alternative with calculation of individual heat transmission coefficients of the essential thermal bridges. For this calculation the DIN 4108 Supplementary Sheet 2, which illustrates planning examples since the year 1998, will be used. The question is, to what extend these latest regulations, released in 2006, are in accordance with the common accepted technical rules and can be used for planning and confirmation of highly efficient buildings. Meanwhile catalogues of thermal bridges that exceed the substance of the Supplementary Sheet 2 in quantity and quality have developed additionally. Suggestions how to evaluate examples of thermal bridges according energy efficient buildings in the future therefore become necessary.
Preclinical Toxicology, Pharmacology, and Efficacy of a Novel Orally Administered Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) Formulation
Authors: Reddy Joseph D. , Cobb Ronald R. , Dungan Nathanael W. , Matthews Laura L. , Aiello Kenneth V. , Ritter Gregg , Eppler Bärbel , Kirk James F. , Abernethy John A. , Tomisaka Dennis M. , Talton James D.
Published: August 2012

Strategy, Management and Health Policy

Enabling Technology, Genomics, Proteomics
Preclinical Research
Preclinical Development Toxicology, Formulation Drug Delivery, Pharmacokinetics
Clinical Development Phases I‐III Regulatory, Quality, Manufacturing
Postmarketing Phase IV

Accidental or deliberate release of plutonium (Pu) and americium (Am) into the environment could lead to internal contamination by dermal exposure, ingestion, or inhalation and result in severe health risks to the exposed human population. Therefore, it is extremely important to develop chelation or decorporation therapies to remove these actinides from the exposed human population and thereby mitigate the deleterious effects of these actinides. Of the several chelating agents available, administration of intravenous (IV) injection of calcium (Ca) or zinc (Zn) diethylenetriaminepentaacetic (DTPA) immediately after exposure is well known to enhance the excretion of incorporated actinides. However, in emergency situations that require treating a large population, oral administration of either Zn‐DTPA or Ca‐DTPA would be the simplest treatment. A novel oral formulation of DTPA, NanoDTPA™ capsules was investigated for its toxicological and pharmacological profiles in dogs. No toxicity was observed in the dogs and the no observable adverse effect level was determined to be 350–700 mg NanoDTPA™ per dog or approximately 36.5–72.9 mg/kg NanoDTPA™. In the pharmacokinetic study, DTPA concentration from all dogs that were administered enteric‐coated NanoDTPA capsules was observed in the 1.5 and 2 h samples of the 30 and 60 mg/kg dosing arms, respectively. The highest mean DTPA plasma concentration was 3.04 ± 1.10 μg/ml and 4.82 ± 1.76 μg/ml at 3.0 and 2.8 h for the 30 and 60 mg/kg dosing arms, respectively. Additionally, the preliminary decorporation studies in rats exposed to 241
Am at a single dose (1 μCi) demonstrated that the NanoDTPA capsules at 60 mg/kg NanoDTPA were substantially equivalent to IV Zn‐DTPA administrated at 15 mg/kg DTPA, which is the highest dose available for the currently licensed product. These results demonstrate that oral NanoDTPA™ capsules are safe and capable of decorporation of actinides. The data from additional GLP studies linked to pharmacokinetic data in humans will be used to establish efficacy for regulatory submissions.
Evaluation of a DTPA Prodrug, C2E5 as an Orally Bioavailable Radionuclide Decorporation Agent
Authors: Sadgrove Matthew P. , Leed Marina G. D. , Shapariya Shraddha , Madhura Dora Babu , Jay Michael
Published: August 2012

Strategy, Management and Health Policy

Enabling Technology, Genomics, Proteomics
Preclinical Research
Preclinical Development Toxicology, Formulation Drug Delivery, Pharmacokinetics
Clinical Development Phases I‐III Regulatory, Quality, Manufacturing
Postmarketing Phase IV

The efficacy of the prodrug C2E5, the pentaethyl ester of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), as an orally administered chelator of americium was evaluated in rats. C2E5 enhanced 241Am decorporation over vehicle‐only controls (187 μmol/kg, 14.8 ± 4.2% vs control, 7.1 ± 1.4% injected 241Am, P < 0.05) when administered 1 h after 241Am nitrate contamination by intramuscular (i.m.) injection. Reduction in liver burden was also achieved (375 μmol/kg, 13.1 ± 2.0% vs control, 17.3 ± 2.4% 241Am). Under these conditions, a single C2E5 dose did not match the efficacy of intravenous (i.v.) Ca‐DTPA (26.8 μmol/kg; decorporation 24.5 ± 3.5% and liver burden 10.2 ± 2.7% 241Am). Dividing the 375 μmol/kg C2E5 dose enhanced efficacy (4 × 94.5 μmol/kg C2E5; decorporation 19.7 ± 4.5% and liver burden 11.5 ± 2.8% 241
Am; P < 0.001, P < 0.05 vs control), approaching parity with i.v. Ca‐DTPA. When the contamination model was changed to i.v. or i.m. 241Am citrate injection, C2E5 (75 μmol/kg) enhanced decorporation and reduced liver burden. Higher doses of C2E5 (375 μmol/kg) were comparable with i.v. Ca‐DTPA (26.8 μmol/kg), with liver burdens at 3.2 ± 1.4% and 7.4 ± 2.7%, and decorporation of 43.5 ± 8.9% and 37.4 ± 3.9% i.m. 241Am citrate, respectively. The differences observed in oral C2E5 efficacy relative to i.v. Ca‐DTPA between contamination models may be related to the kinetics of the injected americium complex. C2E5 proved to be an effective decorporation agent for 241Am when orally administered and may be improved by optimized treatment strategies.
Y‐chromosome evidence supports widespread signatures of three‐species Canis hybridization in eastern North America
Authors: Wilson Paul J. , Rutledge Linda Y. , Wheeldon Tyler J. , Patterson Brent R. , White Bradley N.
Published: August 2012

There has been considerable discussion on the origin of the red wolf and eastern wolf and their evolution independent of the gray wolf. We analyzed mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and a Y‐chromosome intron sequence in combination with Y‐chromosome microsatellites from wolves and coyotes within the range of extensive wolf–coyote hybridization, that is, eastern North America. The detection of divergent Y‐chromosome haplotypes in the historic range of the eastern wolf is concordant with earlier mtDNA findings, and the absence of these haplotypes in western coyotes supports the existence of the North American evolved eastern wolf (Canis lycaon). Having haplotypes observed exclusively in eastern North America as a result of insufficient sampling in the historic range of the coyote or that these lineages subsequently went extinct in western geographies is unlikely given that eastern‐specific mtDNA and Y‐chromosome haplotypes represent lineages divergent from those observed in extant western coyotes. By combining Y‐chromosome and mtDNA distributional patterns, we identified hybrid genomes of eastern wolf, coyote, gray wolf, and potentially dog origin in Canis populations of central and eastern North America. The natural contemporary eastern Canis populations represent an important example of widespread introgression resulting in hybrid genomes across the original C. lycaon range that appears to be facilitated by the eastern wolf acting as a conduit for hybridization. Applying conventional taxonomic nomenclature and species‐based conservation initiatives, particularly in human‐modified landscapes, may be counterproductive to the effective management of these hybrids and fails to consider their evolutionary potential.
Unique haplotypes in ant‐attended aphids and widespread haplotypes in non‐attended aphids
Authors: Yao Izumi , Kanbe Takashi
Published: August 2012

Aphid species within the genus Tuberculatus Mordvilko (Hemiptera: Aphididae) exhibit a variety of interactions with ants, ranging from close associations to non‐attendance. A previous study indicated that despite wing possession, ant‐attended Tuberculatus species exhibited low dispersal rates compared with non‐attended species. This study examined if presence or absence of mutualistic interactions and habitat continuity of host plants affected intraspecific genetic diversity and genetic differentiation in mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase I (COI) sequences. Sympatric ant‐attended Tuberculatus quercicola (Matsumura) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and non‐attended Tuberculatus paiki Hille Ris Lambers (Hemiptera: Aphididae) were collected from the daimyo oak Quercus dentata Thunberg (Fagales: Fagaceae) in Japan and examined for haplotype variability. Seventeen haplotypes were identified in 568 T. quercicola individuals representing 23 populations and seven haplotypes in 425 T. paiki representing 19 populations. Haplotype diversity, which indicates the mean number of differences between all pairs of haplotypes in the sample, and nucleotide diversity were higher in T. quercicola than T. paiki. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed higher genetic differentiation among populations within groups of T. quercicola (39.8%) than T. paiki (22.6%). The effects of attendant ant species on genetic differentiation in T. quercicola were not distinguishable from geographic factors. Despite low dispersal rates, host plant habitat continuity might facilitate widespread dispersal of a T. quercicola haplotype in Hokkaido. These results suggested that following T. quercicola colonization, gene flow among populations was limited, resulting in genetic drift within populations. However, frequent T. paiki dispersal is clearly evident by low genetic differentiation among populations within groups, resulting in lower haplotype diversity.
Non rainfall moisture interception by dwarf succulents and their relative abundance in an inland arid South African ecosystem
Authors: Matimati Ignatious , Musil Charles F. , Raitt Lincoln , February Edmund
Published: August 2012

Dwarf succulents persist in the arid Succulent Karoo despite the low‐water storage capacities of their contracted leaves and stems that are inadequate for enduring severe and prolonged drought. We examined the contribution of non‐rainfall moisture (fog, dew, water vapour) to the water budgets and relative abundance of two endemic dwarf succulents Agyroderma pearsonii and Cephalophyllum spissum. Non‐rainfall moisture was measured with automated lysimeters containing bare quartz‐gravel soils and introduced A. pearsonii and C. spissum individuals at hourly intervals spanning an 8‐month wet winter to dry summer period. Total non‐rainfall atmospheric moisture intercepted by the bare quartz‐gravel substrate of 137·6 mm, of which water vapour adsorption contributed 56·2 mm, fog 78·2 mm and dew 3·4 mm, was virtually equivalent to the rainfall amount of 142·7 mm. Agyroderma pearsonii intercepted 228·4 mm of non‐rainfall moisture of which water vapour adsorption contributed 117·1 mm, fog 104·4 mm and dew 6·9 mm. This was nearly three times the non‐rainfall amount of 88·7 mm y−1 intercepted by C. spissum, of which water vapour contributed 44·3 mm, fog 41·3 mm and dew 3·1 mm. The greater quantity of non‐rainfall moisture intercepted by A. pearsonii corresponded with its threefold greater leaf abundance and twofold greater canopy cover than that of C. spissum. We conclude that non‐rainfall moisture, especially the absorption of atmospheric water vapour by soils and its uptake by the extensive network of superficial roots of dwarf quartz‐field succulents are vital in sustaining their growth and survival and in determining their distributions and relative abundance. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Legitimacy Analysis of Multi‐Level Governance of Biodiversity: Evidence from 11 Case Studies across the EU
Authors: Suškevičs Monika
Published: August 2012

Legitimacy is one critical aspect of effective biodiversity governance. However, multi‐level governance contexts can pose several challenges to achieving legitimate governance solutions. This paper reviews some legitimacy challenges in multi‐level governance contexts, and analyzes eleven biodiversity governance case studies from different EU countries in the light of these challenges. Four legitimacy criteria – rule compatibility, accountability, inclusion, and transparency – serve as a framework for the theoretical review and for the empirical analysis. The results indicate that several legitimacy challenges can be observed in the cases: specifically the poor inclusion of relevant concerns in certain phases of decision‐making processes; difficulties in being simultaneously accountable to parties representing different governance levels; or the weak visibility of the decision‐making process either to the general public or to the immediate participants. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Synthesis and Characterization of fac‐Re(CO)3‐aspartic‐N‐monoacetic Acid: Structural Analogue of a Potential Renal Tracer, fac‐99mTc(CO)3(ASMA)
Authors: Klenc Jeffrey , Lipowska Malgorzata , Taylor Andrew T. , Marzilli Luigi G.
Published: August 2012

The reaction of an aminopolycarboxylate ligand, aspartic‐N‐monoacetic acid (ASMA), with [Re(CO)3(H2O)3]+ was examined. The tridentate coordination of ASMA to this ReI(CO)3 precursor yielded fac‐Re(CO)3(ASMA) as a mixture of diastereomers. The chemistry is analogous to that of the TcI(CO)3 complex, which yields fac‐99mTc(CO)3(ASMA) under similar conditions. The formation, structure, and isomerization of fac‐Re(CO)3(ASMA) products were characterized by HPLC, 1H NMR spectroscopy, and X‐ray crystallography. The two major fac‐Re(CO)3(ASMA) diastereomeric products each have a linear ONO coordination mode with two adjacent five‐membered chelate rings, but they differ in the endo or exo orientation of the uncoordinated acetate group, in agreement with expectations based on previous studies. Conditions have been identified for the expedient isomerization of fac‐Re(CO)3(ASMA) to a mixture consisting primarily of one major product. Because different isomeric species typically have different pharmacokinetic characteristics, these conditions may prove useful for the practical isolation of a single 99mTc(CO)3(ASMA) species, thus allowing the isolation of the isomer that has optimal imaging and pharmacokinetic characteristics. This information will aid in the design of future 99mTc radiopharmaceuticals.
Evolution of a Synthetic Strategy for the Variecolortides
Authors: Kuttruff Christian A. , Mayer Peter , Trauner Dirk
Published: August 2012

The variecolortides are a family of unusual natural products that combine motifs from a variety of biosynthetic streams. Herein, we present the gradual evolution of a convergent synthetic strategy that ultimately culminated in a reaction cascade featuring a hydrogen shift and a cycloaddition followed by a spontaneous air oxidation. Attempts to link an anthrone building block with an exo‐methylene diketopiperazine using radical chemistry were ultimately unsuccessful, but led to interesting observations that shaped our successful strategy. The total synthesis of variecolortide C is presented for the first time.
Developing a new stream metric for comparing stream function using a bank–floodplain sediment budget: a case study of three Piedmont streams
Authors: Schenk Edward R. , Hupp Cliff R. , Gellis Allen , Noe Greg
Published: August 2012

A bank and floodplain sediment budget was created for three Piedmont streams tributary to the Chesapeake Bay. The watersheds of each stream varied in land use from urban (Difficult Run) to urbanizing (Little Conestoga Creek) to agricultural (Linganore Creek). The purpose of the study was to determine the relation between geomorphic parameters and sediment dynamics and to develop a floodplain trapping metric for comparing streams with variable characteristics. Net site sediment budgets were best explained by gradient at Difficult Run, floodplain width at Little Conestoga Creek, and the relation of channel cross‐sectional area to floodplain width at Linganore Creek. A correlation for all streams indicated that net site sediment budget was best explained by relative floodplain width (ratio of channel width to floodplain width). A new geomorphic metric, the floodplain trapping factor, was used to compare sediment budgets between streams with differing suspended sediment yields. Site sediment budgets were normalized by floodplain area and divided by the stream's sediment yield to provide a unitless measure of floodplain sediment trapping. A floodplain trapping factor represents the amount of upland sediment that a particular floodplain site can trap (e.g. a factor of 5 would indicate that a particular floodplain site traps the equivalent of 5 times that area in upland erosional source area). Using this factor we determined that Linganore Creek had the highest gross and net (floodplain deposition minus bank erosion) floodplain trapping factor (107 and 46, respectively) that Difficult Run the lowest gross floodplain trapping factor (29) and Little Conestoga Creek had the lowest net floodplain trapping factor (–14, indicating that study sites were net contributors to the suspended sediment load). The trapping factor is a robust metric for comparing three streams of varied watershed and geomorphic character, it promises to be a useful tool for future stream assessments. Published 2012. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Using body sensor networks for motion detection: a cluster‐based approach for green radio
Authors: Lan Kun‐chan , Chou Chien‐Ming , Wang Tzu‐nung , Li Mei‐Wen
Published: August 2012

Body sensor networks (BSN) are an emerging application that places sensors on the human body. Given that a BSN is typically powered by a battery, one of the most critical challenges is how to prolong the lifetime of all sensor nodes. In addition, there is an increased interest in ‘green radio’ networks that aim to reduce the energy consumption for wireless communications to cut emissions of CO 2. Recently, using clusters to reduce the energy consumption of BSN has shown promising results. One of the important parameters in these cluster‐based algorithms is the selection of cluster heads. Most prior works selected cluster heads either probabilistically or on the basis of nodes’ residual energy. In this work, we first discuss the efficiency of cluster‐based approaches for saving energy. We then propose a novel cluster head selection algorithm to maximise the lifetime of a BSN for motion detection. Our results show that we can achieve above 90% accuracy for the motion detection, while keeping energy consumption as low as possible. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A comparison of soft‐coded and hard‐coded relaying
Authors: Molu Mehdi M. , Goertz Norbert
Published: August 2012

‘Amplify and forward’ and ‘decode and forward’ are two main relaying functions that have been proposed since the advent of cooperative communications. ‘Soft decode and forward’ is a recently introduced relaying principle that employs a soft‐input, soft‐output (SISO) Bahl–Cocke–Jelinek–Raviv (BCJR) encoder in the relay; the intention is to combine the benefits of the classical two relaying algorithms. To compare the performance of a SISO BCJR encoder with a conventional hard convolutional encoder, we establish a suitable framework of two cooperative scenarios employing soft and hard coding in the relay. A novel approach, the mutual information loss due to data processing, is proposed for analysis. We also introduce a new approach to estimate the bit error rate and the equivalent channel signal‐to‐noise ratio for the relaying techniques considered in the paper, involving both the hard and soft encoders. The results reveal new aspects of soft/hard encoding, and we discuss the usefulness of SISO BCJR encoding compared with conventional hard encoding. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dementia care costs and outcomes: a systematic review
Authors: Knapp Martin , Iemmi Valentina , Romeo Renee
Published: August 2012

Objective

We reviewed evidence on the cost‐effectiveness of prevention, care and treatment strategies in relation to dementia.

Methods

We performed a systematic review of available literature on economic evaluations of dementia care, searching key databases and websites in medicine, social care and economics. Literature reviews were privileged, and other study designs were included only to fill gaps in the evidence base. Narrative analysis was used to synthesise the results.

Results

We identified 56 literature reviews and 29 single studies offering economic evidence on dementia care. There is more cost‐effectiveness evidence on pharmacological therapies than other interventions. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors for mild‐to‐moderate disease and memantine for moderate‐to‐severe disease were found to be cost‐effective. Regarding non‐pharmacological treatments, cognitive stimulation therapy, tailored activity programme and occupational therapy were found to be more cost‐effective than usual care. There was some evidence to suggest that respite care in day settings and psychosocial interventions for carers could be cost‐effective. Coordinated care management and personal budgets held by carers have also demonstrated cost‐effectiveness in some studies.

Conclusion

Five barriers to achieving better value for money in dementia care were identified: the scarcity and low methodological quality of available studies, the difficulty of generalising from available evidence, the narrowness of cost measures, a reluctance to implement evidence and the poor coordination of health and social care provision and financing. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.