bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recent Advances in Cyclonucleosides: C-Cyclonucleosides and Spore Photoproducts in Damaged DNA
Authors: Yoshimura Yuichi , Takahata Hiroki
Published: October 2012

Cyclonucleosides which are fixed in a specific conformation around the glycosyl bond by a carbon and heteroatom chain constitute a unique category of nucleoside derivatives. Because they are structural analogs, cyclonucleosides and oligodeoxynucleotides containing them would be useful tools for investigating the biological functions and conformations of DNA, RNA as well as their steric interactions with proteins. C-Cyclonucleosides bridged by a carbon chain between the base and sugar moieties are the most attractive from the synthetic points of view as well as for use as biological tools. In this review, recent progress of the synthesis of C-cyclonucleosides is surveyed. Among the C-cyclonucleosides, 5′,8-C-cyclodeoxyadenosine is one of the well-known derivatives of which the first practical synthesis was reported over 30 years ago. Recently, 5′,8-C-cyclodeoxyadenosine has attracted considerable interest as a biomarker, since its formation in oxidatively-damaged DNA is considered to be related to various diseases and aging. Another important analogue of cyclonucleosides is a unique thymidine phosphate dimer, a so-called spore photoproduct, which has been found in photo-damaged DNA. Recent advances in the synthesis, mechanism-studies, and stereochemical preference of repairing enzymes related to 5′,8-C-cyclodeoxyadenosine and spore photoproducts are also reviewed.
Short seed longevity, variable germination conditions, and infrequent establishment events provide a narrow window for Yucca brevifolia (Agavaceae) recruitment
Authors: Reynolds M. Bryant J. , DeFalco Lesley A. , Esque Todd C.
Published: October 2012

• Premise of the Study: The future of long‐lived stand‐forming desert plants such as Yucca brevifolia (Joshua tree) has come into question in light of climate variation and landscape‐scale disturbances such as wildfire. Understanding plant establishment dynamics is important for mitigating the impacts of disturbances and promoting revegetation.

• Methods: We placed Y. brevifolia seeds in shallow caches and manipulated granivore access, nurse shrub effects, and the season of cache placement to determine conditions for seed germination and seedling establishment.

• Key Results: Greatest seedling emergence occurred during spring and summer, when increased soil moisture was accompanied by warm soil temperatures. Late winter–spring emergence for cached seeds was enhanced beneath shrub canopies, but seedling survival declined beneath shrubs as temperatures increased in spring. Germinability of seed remaining in the soil was reduced from 50–68% after 12 mo residence time in soil and declined to <3% after 40 mo. Following dispersal from parent plants, seeds are either removed by granivores or lose germinability, imposing substantial losses of potential germinants.

• Conclusions: Specific germination and establishment requirements impose stringent limits on recruitment rates for Y. brevifolia. Coupled with infrequent seed availability, the return rates to prefire densities and demographic structure may require decades to centuries, especially in light of potential changes to regional desert climate in combination with the potential for fire recurrence. Demographic patterns are predicted to vary spatially in response to environmental variability that limits recruitment and may already be apparent among extant populations.
Reparación de revocos de morteros. Nuevos documentos normativos de AENOR
Authors: Corroto M. , Sabador E. , Medina C. , Frías M. , Sánchez-de Rojas M. I.
Published: October 2012

Los procedimientos de actuación en las fachadas de edificios muchas veces pasan por la conservación y restauración de revocos de mortero, que actualmente han sido objeto de nuevos documentos normativos de AENOR, que es la entidad responsable del desarrollo de la Normalización en España. En este escrito, que forma parte del Informe PNE 41807 IN que saldrá publicado a finales del 2012, se describen las técnicas de reparación, teniendo en cuenta que cada caso concreto deberá ir acompañado de un estudio específico del problema a abordar con objeto de lograr una adecuada reparación, de forma que se logren los mejores resultados en la conservación de las edificaciones, sean éstas de interés histórico o no.
Mycale (Aegogropila) magellanica (Porifera: Demospongiae) in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean: endobiotic fauna and new distributional information
Authors: Schejter Laura , Chiesa Ignacio L. , Doti Brenda L. , Bremec Claudia
Published: October 2012

The composition of endobionts in the sponge Mycale (Aegogropila) magellanica at the shelf-break, near 100 m depth, in the Argentine Sea was studied. We also provide new information on the distribution of M. (A.) magellanica, extending its northern limit to 38º36.02’S and 55º44.68’W, 91 m in the SW Atlantic Ocean. The main Patagonian scallop fishing grounds are located in the shelf-break frontal area of the Argentine Sea. In this area, M. (A.) magellanica plays an important role in providing habitat for at least 23 taxa of small invertebrates, mostly crustaceans (66% to 96% of the total number of individuals). On average, this sponge hosted 348 individuals per litre; Aristias cf. antarcticus (Amphipoda) was the most frequent and abundant species. Other organisms commonly found were the isopod Caecognathia sp., the amphipod Leucothoe cf. spinicarpa, the bivalve Hiatella meridionalis and the ophiuroid Ophiactis asperula. As previously demonstrated for other sponges, our study suggests that M. (A.) magellanica enhances benthic biodiversity, as it shelters a variety of invertebrate species. In areas of soft and flat substrate, erect and sessile epifauna usually acts as an ecosystem engineer, structuring the architecture of the habitat by increasing the sea-bottom complexity. Mass removal of this fauna due to intense trawling activities on Patagonian scallop beds could have devastating effects on local biodiversity.
Estimation of mercury emissions from forest fires, lakes, regional and local sources using measurements in Milwaukee and an inverse method
Authors: de Foy B. , Wiedinmyer C. , Schauer J. J.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. Gaseous elemental mercury is a global pollutant that can lead to serious health concerns via deposition to the biosphere and bio-accumulation in the food chain. Hourly measurements between June 2004 and May 2005 in an urban site (Milwaukee, WI) show elevated levels of mercury in the atmosphere with numerous short-lived peaks as well as longer-lived episodes. The measurements are analyzed with an inverse model to obtain information about mercury emissions. The model is based on high resolution meteorological simulations (WRF), hourly back-trajectories (WRF-FLEXPART) and a chemical transport model (CAMx). The hybrid formulation combining back-trajectories and Eulerian simulations is used to identify potential source regions as well as the impacts of forest fires and lake surface emissions. Uncertainty bounds are estimated using a bootstrap method on the inversions. Comparison with the US Environmental Protection Agency's National Emission Inventory (NEI) and Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) shows that emissions from coal-fired power plants are properly characterized, but emissions from local urban sources, waste incineration and metal processing could be significantly under-estimated. Emissions from the lake surface and from forest fires were found to have significant impacts on mercury levels in Milwaukee, and to be underestimated by a factor of two or more.
The diurnal evolution of the urban heat island of Paris: a model-based case study during Summer 2006
Authors: Wouters H. , De Ridder K. , van Lipzig N. P. M. , Demuzere M. , Lauwaet D.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. The urban heat island (UHI) over Paris during summer 2006 was simulated using the Advanced Regional Prediction System (ARPS) updated with a simple urban parametrization at a horizontal resolution of 1 km. Two integrations were performed, one with the urban land cover of Paris and another in which Paris was replaced by cropland. The focus is on a five-day clear-sky period, for which the UHI intensity reaches its maximum. The diurnal evolution of the UHI intensity was found to be adequately simulated for this five day period. The maximum difference at night in 2-m temperature between urban and rural areas stemming from the urban heating is reproduced with a relative error of less than 10%. The UHI has an ellipsoidal shape and stretches along the prevailing wind direction. The maximum UHI intensity of 6.1 K occurs at 23:00 UTC located 6 km downstream of the city centre and this largely remains during the whole night. An idealized one-column model study demonstrates that the nocturnal differential sensible heat flux, even though much smaller than its daytime value, is mainly responsible for the maximum UHI intensity. The reason for this nighttime maximum is that additional heat is only affecting a shallow layer of 150 m. At the same time, an idealized study shows that the orography around the city of Paris induces an uplift. This leads to a considerable nocturnal adiabatic cooling over cropland. In contrast, this uplift has little effect on the mixed-layer temperature over the city. About twenty percent of the total maximum UHI intensity is estimated to be caused by this uplift.
A Bayesian joint probability post-processor for reducing errors and quantifying uncertainty in monthly streamflow predictions
Authors: Pokhrel P. , Robertson D. E. , Wang Q. J.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. Hydrological post-processors refer here to statistical models that are applied to hydrological model predictions to further reduce prediction errors and to quantify remaining uncertainty. For streamflow predictions, post-processors are generally applied to daily or sub-daily time scales. For many applications such as seasonal streamflow forecasting and water resources assessment, monthly volumes of streamflows are of primary interest. While it is possible to aggregate post-processed daily or sub-daily predictions to monthly time scales, the monthly volumes so produced may not have the least errors achievable and may not be reliable in uncertainty distributions. Post-processing directly at the monthly time scale is likely to be more effective. In this study, we investigate the use of a Bayesian joint probability modelling approach to directly post-process model predictions of monthly streamflow volumes. We apply the BJP post-processor to 18 catchments located in eastern Australia and demonstrate its effectiveness in reducing prediction errors and quantifying prediction uncertainty.
Simulating dam-breach flood scenarios of the Tangjiashan landslide dam induced by the Wenchuan Earthquake
Authors: Fan X. , Tang C. X. , van Westen C. J. , Alkema D.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. Floods from failures of landslide dams can pose a hazard to people and property downstream, which have to be rapidly assessed and mitigated in order to reduce the potential risk. The Tangjiashan landslide dam induced by the Mw = 7.9 2008 Wenchuan earthquake had impounded the largest lake in the earthquake affected area with an estimated volume of 3 × 108 m3, and the potential catastrophic dam breach posed a serious threat to more than 2.5 million people in downstream towns and Mianyang city, located 85 km downstream. Chinese authorities had to evacuate parts of the city until the Tangjiashan landslide dam was artificially breached by a spillway, and the lake was drained. We propose an integrated approach to simulate the dam-breach floods for a number of possible scenarios, to evaluate the severity of the threat to Mianyang city. Firstly, the physically-based BREACH model was applied to predict the flood hydrographs at the dam location, which were calibrated with observational data of the flood resulting from the artificial breaching. The output hydrographs from this model were inputted into the 1-D–2-D SOBEK hydrodynamic model to simulate the spatial variations in flood parameters. The simulated flood hydrograph, peak discharge and peak arrival time at the downstream towns fit the observations. Thus this approach is capable of providing reliable predictions for the decision makers to determine the mitigation plans. The sensitivity analysis of the BREACH model input parameters reveals that the average grain size, the unit weight and porosity of the dam materials are the most sensitive parameters. The variability of the dam material properties causes a large uncertainty in the estimation of the peak flood discharge and peak arrival time, but has little influence on the flood inundation area and flood depth downstream. The effect of cascading breaches of smaller dams downstream of the Tangjiashan dam was insignificant, due to their rather small volumes, which were only 2% of the volume of the Tangjiashan lake. The construction of the spillway was proven to have played a crucial role in reducing the dam-breach flood, because all the other natural breach scenarios would have caused the flooding of the downstream towns and parts of Mianyang city. However, in retrospect improvements on the spillway design and the evacuation planning would have been possible. The dam-break flood risk will be better controlled by reducing the spillway channel gradient and the porosity of the coating of the channel bottom. The experience and lessons we learned from the Tangjiashan case will contribute to improving the hazard mitigation and risk management planning of similar events in future.
Representativeness and Civic Participation in Rural Development Programmes
Authors: Pérez-Fra M. Mar , López-Iglesias Edelmiro , García-Arias Ana I. , Sineiro Francisco , Lorenzana Roberto
Published: October 2012

PRODER is a Spanish rural development programme based on the European Union's LEADER programme approach and financed by EU funds. In this paper, the authors analyse the level of involvement of the social participants and assess how such programmes can contribute to the development of new local dynamics and capabilities. The results highlight the difficulties in gaining effective involvement from people. Even in areas where significant social networks exist, the lack of a culture of participation among social and governmental organizations has hindered programme development and success. Recommendations to improve the LEADER approach are provided.
Metal‐Free, Visible Light‐Induced Borylation of Aryldiazonium Salts: A Simple and Green Synthetic Route to Arylboronates
Authors: Yu Jian , Zhang Ling , Yan Guobing
Published: October 2012

The eosin Y‐catalyzed borylation of aryldiazonium salts under irradiation with visible light has been developed. This novel protocol provides an attractive route for the preparation of arylboronates, due to its operational simplicity and practicability as well as the mild reaction conditions.
A sensitive LC‐MS/MS method for the simultaneous determination of amoxicillin and ambroxol in human plasma with segmental monitoring
Authors: Dong Xin , Ding Li , Cao Xiaomei , Jiang Liyuan , Zhong Shuisheng
Published: October 2012

Amoxicillin (AMO) degrades in plasma at room temperature and readily undergoes hydrolysis by the plasma amidase. In this paper, a novel, rapid and sensitive LC‐MS/MS method operated in segmental and multiple reaction monitoring has been developed for the simultaneous determination of amoxicillin and ambroxol in human plasma. The degradation of amoxicillin in plasma was well prevented by immediate addition of 20 μL glacial acetic acid to 200 μL aliquot of freshly collected plasma samples before storage at −80°C. The sensitivity of the method was improved with segmental monitoring of the analytes, and lower limits of quantitation of 0.5 ng/mL for ambroxol and 5 ng/mL for amoxicillin were obtained. The sensitivity of our method was five times better than those of the existing methods. Furthermore, the mass response saturation problem with amoxicillin was avoided by diluting the deproteinized plasma samples with water before injection into the LC‐MS/MS system. The method was successfully employed in a pharmacokinetic study of the compound amoxicillin and ambroxol hydrochloride tablets. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nisin, an apoptogenic bacteriocin and food preservative, attenuates HNSCC tumorigenesis via CHAC1
Authors: Joo Nam E. , Ritchie Kathryn , Kamarajan Pachiyappan , Miao Di , Kapila Yvonne L.
Published: October 2012

Nisin, a bacteriocin and commonly used food preservative, may serve as a novel potential therapeutic for treating head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), as it induces preferential apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and reduces cell proliferation in HNSCC cells, compared with primary keratinocytes. Nisin also reduces HNSCC tumorigenesis in vivo. Mechanistically, nisin exerts these effects on HNSCC, in part, through CHAC1, a proapoptotic cation transport regulator, and through a concomitant CHAC1‐independent influx of extracellular calcium. In addition, although CHAC1 is known as an apoptotic mediator, its effects on cancer cell apoptosis have not been examined. Our studies are the first to report CHAC1's new role in promoting cancer cell apoptosis under nisin treatment. These data support the concept that nisin decreases HNSCC tumorigenesis in vitro and in vivo by inducing increased cell apoptosis and decreased cell proliferation; effects that are mediated by activation of CHAC1, increased calcium influxes, and induction of cell cycle arrest. These findings support the use of nisin as a potentially novel therapeutic for HNSCC, and as nisin is safe for human consumption and currently used in food preservation, its translation into a clinical setting may be facilitated.
Crystal Structure Determination and Mutagenesis Analysis of the Ene Reductase NCR
Authors: Reich Sabrina , Hoeffken Hans Wolfgang , Rosche Bettina , Nestl Bettina M. , Hauer Bernhard
Published: October 2012

The crystal structure of the “ene” nicotinamide‐dependent cyclohexenone reductase (NCR) from Zymomonas mobilis (PDB ID: 4A3U) has been determined in complex with acetate ion, FMN, and nicotinamide, to a resolution of 1.95 Å. To study the activity and enantioselectivity of this enzyme in the bioreduction of activated α,β‐unsaturated alkenes, the rational design methods site‐ and loop‐directed mutagenesis were applied. Based on a multiple sequence alignment of various members of the Old Yellow Enzyme family, eight single‐residue variants were generated and investigated in asymmetric bioreduction. Furthermore, a structural alignment of various ene reductases predicted four surface loop regions that are located near the entrance of the active site. Four NCR loop variants, derived from loop‐swapping experiments with OYE1 from Saccharomyces pastorianus, were analysed for bioreduction. The three enzyme variants, P245Q, D337Y and F314Y, displayed increased activity compared to wild‐type NCR towards the set of substrates tested. The active‐site mutation Y177A demonstrated a clear influence on the enantioselectivity. The loop‐swapping variants retained reduction efficiency, but demonstrated decreased enzyme activity compared with the wild‐type NCR ene reductase enzyme.
Crystal Structures and Emitting Properties of Trifluoromethylaminoquinoline Derivatives: Thermal Single‐Crystal‐to‐Single‐Crystal Transformation of Polymorphic Crystals That Emit Different Colors
Authors: Abe Yuichiro , Karasawa Satoru , Koga Noboru
Published: October 2012

2,4‐Trifluoromethylquinoline (TFMAQ) derivatives that have amine (1), methylamine (2), phenylamine (3), and dimethylamine (4) substituents at the 7‐position of the quinoline ring were prepared and crystallized. Six crystals including the crystal polymorphs of 2 (crystal GB and YG) and 3 (crystal B and G) were obtained and characterized by X‐ray crystallography. In solution, TFMAQ derivatives emitted relatively strong fluorescence (${\lambda {{{\rm f}\hfill \atop {\rm max}\hfill}}}$=418–469 nm and Φf(s)=0.23–0.60) depending on the solvent polarity. From Lippert–Mataga plots, Δμ values in the range of 7.8–14 D were obtained. In the crystalline state, TFMAQ derivatives emitted at longer wavelengths (${\lambda {{{\rm f}\hfill \atop {\rm max}\hfill}}}$=464–530 nm) with lower intensity (Φf(c)=0.01–0.28) than those in n‐hexane solution. The polymorphous crystals of 2 and 3 emitted different colors: 2, ${\lambda {{{\rm f}\hfill \atop {\rm max}\hfill}}}$=470 and 530 nm with Φf(c)=0.04 and approximately 0.01 for crystal GB and YG, respectively; and 3, ${\lambda {{{\rm f}\hfill \atop {\rm max}\hfill}}}$=464 and 506 nm with Φf(c)=0.28 and approximately 0.28 for crystal B and G, respectively. In both crystal polymorphs of 2 and 3, crystals GB and G showed emission color changes by heating/melting/cooling cycles that were representative. By following the color changes in heating at the temperature below the melting point with X‐ray diffraction measurements and X‐ray crystallography, the single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal transformations from crystal GB to YG for 2 and from crystal B to G for 3 were revealed.
Suzuki Coupling Reactions in Neat Water as the Solvent: Where in the Biphasic Reaction Mixture Do the Catalytic Reaction Steps Occur?
Authors: Röhlich Christoph , Wirth Andreas S. , Köhler Klaus
Published: October 2012

Many reports on water‐compatible palladium catalysts have appeared in the recent literature. For hydrophobic substrates, mixtures with pure water are biphasic, and it is widely not regarded that the elusive locality of the catalytic process (in water, the organic layer, or at the phase boundary) has an important impact on the mechanism and efficiency of the reaction. In the present work, for the first time systematic variation of reaction parameters has been performed for Suzuki coupling experiments with chloro‐ and bromoarenes in pure water. The investigations are not only aimed at the factors influencing the catalytic activity, but also at the effects that may occur particularly in water/organic biphasic media, and on the question as to in which of the two liquid phases the reaction takes place. These investigations have revealed that dilution of the base (in the aqueous layer) and the Pd species (in the organic layer) are detrimental to the reaction, and that phase‐transfer processes play a major role in the overall mechanism. A series of experiments with variation of parameters like precatalyst hydrophilicity, organic and water phase volume, additives, stirring rate, base concentration, and so forth, indicate that for the systems under study the reaction occurs in the organic layer. The water phase needs to be present to dissolve and provide polar reactants, and re‐absorb side products. The results encourage to pay more regard to the question of phase locality of coupling reactions in water in general.
Chemie und Science Fiction
Authors: Gelius Rolf
Published: October 2012

Die moderne Science‐Fiction‐Literatur ist international zum Spiegel des wissenschaftlich‐technischen Fortschritts geworden. Sie deckt aber auch Fehlentwicklungen auf, z.B. in der Drogenszene, und gleitet nicht selten in andere literarische Bereiche ab, wie Fantasie oder Satire. Ist sie jetzt und in der Zukunft noch geeignet, junge Menschen für ein Chemiestudium zu begeistern?
Händigkeit – leben in einer chiralen Welt
Authors: Rüger Anne J. , Kramer Joshua , Seifermann Stefan , Busch Mark , Muller Thierry , Bräse Stefan
Published: October 2012

Wir leben in einer chiralen Welt, in der Bild und Spiegelbild oftmals nicht identisch sind. Da wir mit diesen Gegebenheiten aufwachsen, haben wir uns unbewusst an unsere chirale Umgebung angepasst. Tauscht man z.B. einen Korkenzieher gegen sein “Scherzartikel”‐Pendant mit entgegengesetzter Windung aus, brauchen wir etwas Zeit um uns an die ungewohnte Handhabung anzupassen. Die Chiralität oder Händigkeit spielt jedoch auch eine große Rolle in der Welt der Moleküle. Von Duft‐ und Süßstoffen, über Futtermittelzusätze bis hin zu Medikamenten, überall spielen Bild, Spiegelbild und folglich die Reinheit, mit der ein chirales Molekül hergestellt wird, eine entscheidende Rolle. Anhand sechs ausgewählter Experimente wird das faszinierende Thema der Chiralität erläutert.
Der Wittelsbacher und der Hope‐Diamant
Authors: Evers Jürgen , Möckl Leonhard , Nöth Heinrich
Published: October 2012

Diamanten entstehen aus Kohlenstoff bei hohen Drücken und hohen Temperaturen im Erdinneren. Dotierung mit geringen Mengen Bor erzeugt ihre blaue Farbe. Zwei der berühmtesten blauen historischen Diamanten, der Wittelsbacher und der Hope‐Diamant, stammen aus der indischen Kollur‐Mine. Letzteren brachte der französische Diamantenhändler Tavernier im 17. Jahrhundert nach Europa. Heute ist er im Smithsonian Institute in Washington ausgestellt. Der Wittelsbacher Diamant befand sich lange Zeit im Besitz des Hauses Wittelsbach, bis er 1951 heimlich in Antwerpen verkauft wurde. 2008 ersteigerte ihn der Juwelier Graff und ließ ihn umschleifen. 2011 wurde er an einen unbekannten Besitzer weiterverkauft. Aufgrund der gemeinsamen Herkunft und Farbe der Diamanten wurde lange Zeit vermutet, die beiden Edelsteine könnten Bruchstücke eines gemeinsamen größeren Kristalles sein. Durch optische Untersuchungen konnte nun eindeutig geklärt werden, dass beide Diamanten zwar ähnliche optische Eigenschaften besitzen, in bestimmten Merkmalen jedoch so stark voneinander abweichen, dass sie nicht einem gemeinsamen größeren Kristall entstammen können.
Arsenat‐Stoffwechsel widerlegt
Authors: Groß Michael
Published: October 2012

Vor zwei Jahren erregten Forscher großes Aufsehen mit der Behauptung, ein auffallend arsenresistenter Bakterienstamm aus einem Salzsee in Kalifornien könne in seinem Stoffwechsel und womöglich gar in seiner DNA Phosphat durch Arsenat ersetzen. Zwei eingehendere Studien haben dies jetzt widerlegt.
Regioslektive meta‐Substitution von Aromaten
Authors: Jaenicke Lothar
Published: October 2012

Die elektronenreichen aromatischen Systeme sind bekanntlich schwierig elektronegativ in meta zu substituieren. Ein vielversprechender Ansatz mag die Gaunt‐Methode sein. Diese benötigt allerdings als Erstschritt Spezialreagenzien wie übervalente Iod‐Verbindungen. Deshalb ist ein Eintopfverfahren gesucht.
Carbon Dioxide Insertion into Diamines: A Computational Study of Solvent Effects
Authors: Eger Wilhelm A. , Genest Alexander , Rieger Bernhard , Rösch Notker
Published: October 2012

We studied computationally, on the model compound ethylenediamine, the insertion of carbon dioxide into diamines, yielding cyclic urea compounds. Two mechanisms were elaborated, depending on the value of the dielectric constant (DC) of the solvent. Accordingly, reaction mixtures with a high DC lead to carbamates, whereas lower DC values result in the preferred product cyclic urea. Additives behaving as “proton shuttles” act as catalysts, significantly reducing the activation barriers of insertion and ring closure to surmountable values. CO2 insertion into diamines may also occur by autocatalysis, even without further additives, but under less favorable conditions, for example, lower yields. Amine reagents are most efficient at proton shuttling, followed by alcohols. The activation barrier of the rate‐limiting step is lowered in a reaction mixture with higher values of DC, up to a critical value εcr≈18. Hence, in a suitably optimized reaction mixture, ring closure is suggested to occur under milder conditions than those previously applied experimentally. The two roles of the additive, that is, acting as proton shuttling agent and adjusting the effective DC of the reaction mixture, do not have to be assigned to a single compound, possibly affording a handle on process optimization.
Amperometric Biosensor Based on Galactose Oxidase Immobilized in Clay Matrix
Authors: Charmantray Franck , Touisni Nadia , Hecquet Laurence , Mousty Christine
Published: October 2012

An amperometric galactose biosensor was developed by immobilizing galactose oxidase (GAOx) within a laponite clay film coated on a Pt electrode surface. The electrochemical assays were performed by potentiostating the GAOx/laponite bioelectrodes at +0.6 V vs. Ag/AgCl in order to oxidize the enzymatically generated hydrogen peroxide. The bioelectrochemical responses of the biosensors were optimized with regard to the buffer nature, the pH, and the GAOx/laponite ratios. Laponite provides a favorable environment to GAOx activity, since the optimized biosensor GAOx/laponite (50:25; µg:µg) shows a great sensitivity and maximum current (85 mA M−1 cm−2 and 232 µA cm−2, respectively) over a linear galactose concentration range of 1.0×10−6–1.6×10−3 M. It is also stable at least for four weeks at 4 °C.
A comparative evaluation of NB30, NB54 and PTC124 in translational read‐through efficacy for treatment of an USH1C nonsense mutation
Authors: Goldmann Tobias , Overlack Nora , Möller Fabian , Belakhov Valery , van Wyk Michiel , Baasov Timor , Wolfrum Uwe , Nagel‐Wolfrum Kerstin
Published: October 2012

Translational read‐through‐inducing drugs (TRIDs) promote read‐through of nonsense mutations, placing them in the spotlight of current gene‐based therapeutic research. Here, we compare for the first time the relative efficacies of new‐generation aminoglycosides NB30, NB54 and the chemical compound PTC124 on retinal toxicity and read‐through efficacy of a nonsense mutation in the USH1C gene, which encodes the scaffold protein harmonin. This mutation causes the human Usher syndrome, the most common form of inherited deaf‐blindness. We quantify read‐through efficacy of the TRIDs in cell culture and show the restoration of harmonin function. We do not observe significant differences in the read‐through efficacy of the TRIDs in retinal cultures; however, we show an excellent biocompatibility in retinal cultures with read‐through versus toxicity evidently superior for NB54 and PTC124. In addition, in vivo administration of NB54 and PTC124 induced recovery of the full‐length harmonin a1 with the same efficacy. The high biocompatibilities combined with the sustained read‐through efficacies of these drugs emphasize the potential of NB54 and PTC124 in treating nonsense mutation‐based retinal disorders.
A Novel Method for GDC Recovery During Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Manufacturing
Authors: Demir I. , Aydin F.
Published: October 2012

There have been a tremendous research affects in recent years for alternative routes of electricity generation using some maximum yield technologies, increased reliability, and minimum pollution. From this point of view, the solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are considered as the cleanest technologies for obtaining electrical energy generation. However, an important fraction of production is wasted during the manufacturing steps. From both economical and environmental point of view, recovery of waste GDC (Gd0.1Ce0.9O3) materials is deemed important. Hence, it is the main purpose of the present study to develop a novel method to recover waste GDC materials and afterwards to produce a new SOFC (solid oxide fuel cell) from the recovered materials. The results showed that recovered GDC cell worked as efficient as the fresh materials, revealing the success of the recovery process proposed.
Carbon Oxidation With Electrically Insulated Carbon Fuel in A Coin Type Direct Carbon Fuel Cell
Authors: Lee C.‐G. , Song M.‐B.
Published: October 2012

Electrically insulated carbon fuel, called cartridge fuel here, was employed in a coin type direct carbon fuel cell, which was assembled using molten carbonate fuel cell technology. The cartridge fuel was comprised of solid carbon and carbonate mixtures filling an alumina tube. Both ends of the tube were sealed with Ni mesh through which gas was able to penetrate. However, the meshes were installed inside the tube, forming an electrically insulated fuel cartridge. The cartridge fuel showed very similar performance to normal powder fuel, indicating that carbon oxidation took place through the intermediate gas species of carbon monoxide. Also, solid carbons were manufactured from oak at 400, 800, and 1,200 °C. The carbon that was carbonized at lower temperature showed higher open circuit voltage and performance. The difference between the carbon species results in a performance variation due to varying generation of CO.
Korean practice of conventional tunnelling, NATM / Koreanische Praxis beim konventionellen Tunnelbau/NÖT
Authors: Lee In‐Mo , Park Kwang‐Joon
Published: October 2012

Since the conventional tunnelling method or NATM was introduced in 1982, it has always remained more popular in Korea than the mechanized tunnelling method. More than 90 % of the total length of tunnels in the Korean peninsula have been designed and constructed according to the NATM. The Korean practice of utilization of the NATM will be discussed in this paper, focusing on the main characteristics of Korean practice and technical issues.

Seit die konventionelle Tunnelbaumethode bzw. NÖT 1982 in Korea eingeführt wurde, ist sie immer noch beliebter als der maschinelle Tunnelbau. Mehr als 90 % der gesamten Tunnellänge auf der koreanischen Halbinsel wurden nach der NÖT geplant und ausgeführt. In diesem Beitrag wird die Anwendung der NÖT in Korea vorgestellt und auf die wesentlichen lokalen Anwendungsmerkmale und auf technische Fragen eingegangen.
The base area of Zillergründl Dam / Der Aufstandsbereich der Sperre Zillergründl
Authors: Obernhuber Pius
Published: October 2012

In high arch dams situated in wide valleys, the water load has the effect that the vertical forces from the self‐weight are redistributed from the centre of the dam toward its flanks. As a consequence, the normal force in the foundation area of the central dam blocks is reduced and a gap may open in the base joint, which widens even further due to uplift pressure.

Taking the Zillergründl Dam as an example, such behaviour can be demonstrated both by static calculations and measurements. The base joint gap, as it has been calculated and measured, would lead to sealing problems if no upstream apron is provided. Due to the upstream apron, however, the uplift pressures will be limited and correct behaviour is ensured. In the left‐hand flank, directly on the downstream side, there is a fault zone. To bridge this zone, a concrete support element was constructed there. Due to loosening down to a considerable depth in the zone of the right‐hand flank, the dam was provided with exceptionally deep foundations in that area. Measuring and monitoring results have shown that both measures have proved worthwhile and ensure high bearing capacity.

Bei hohen Gewölbemauern in weiten Tälern kommt es zufolge Wasserlast zu einer Umlagerung der Vertikalkräfte aus dem Eigengewicht von der Sperrenmitte zu den Flanken. Dadurch kommt es im Aufstandsbereich der mittleren Sperrenblöcke zu einer Verringerung der Normalkraft und damit verbunden allenfalls auch zu einer Klaffung der Bodenfuge, die durch den Sohlwasserdruck noch verstärkt wird.

Dieses Verhalten kann am Beispiel der Sperre Zillergründl sowohl durch statische Berechnungen als auch durch Messungen veranschaulicht werden. Die errechnete und auch gemessene Klaffung der Bodenfuge würde ohne Vorboden vermutlich zu Problemen bei der Abdichtung führen. Durch den Vorboden werden jedoch die Sohlwasserdrücke begrenzt und ein einwandfreies Verhalten gewährleistet. Im Bereich der linken Flanke befindet sich unmittelbar an der Sperrenluftseite eine Störungszone. Zur Überbrückung dieser Zone wurde dort ein Stützkörper angeordnet. Im Bereich der rechten Flanke wurde die Sperre aufgrund einer tiefreichenden Auflockerung außergewöhnlich tief eingebunden. Beide Maßnahmen haben sich, wie die Mess‐ und Beobachtungsergebnisse zeigen, bewährt und gewährleisten eine hohe Tragsicherheit.
Cost‐effectiveness of measures as a basis for safety decisions / Kosten‐Wirksamkeit von Maßnahmen als Basis für Sicherheitsentscheidungen
Authors: Fermaud Charles , Malioka Vasiliki
Published: October 2012

In absolute terms safety describes a state which is free of any hazard. Indeed, such a state is not achievable – independent of the available technology and the financial resources. To achieve a safe system can only be a conditional objective. Thus the question arises “How safe is safe enough?” The question has been systematically treated for years using quantitative risk analysis and evaluation. Nowadays risk acceptance criteria are often clearly defined. However there is still a large area of discretion, where costs and benefits of additional safety must carefully be weighed. Such balancing is particularly difficult, if the technology to improve safety is available but it is expensive and their effect on safety is potentially small. The presented paper addresses a practicable methodology to evaluate the appropriateness of additional safety measures using cost‐effectiveness‐criteria. It has been applied in numerous projects related to safety in tunnels.

Der Ausdruck Sicherheit beschreibt einen Zustand, der frei von jeder Gefahr ist. In der Realität ist ein solcher Zustand nicht erreichbar – unabhängig von der verfügbaren Technologie und den finanziellen Ressourcen. So stellt sich die Frage “Wie sicher ist sicher genug?” Die Frage wurde seit Jahren mit quantitativer Risikoanalyse und‐bewertung systematisch behandelt. Heute sind Risikoakzeptanzkriterien oft klar definiert. Allerdings gibt es noch einen Ermessensspielraum, wo Kosten und Nutzen der zusätzlichen Sicherheit sorgfältig abgewogen werden. Dieses Abwägen ist besonders schwierig, wenn die Technologie zur Verbesserung der Sicherheit verfügbar, aber teuer und ihre Auswirkungen auf die Sicherheit potenziell gering ist. Die vorgestellte Arbeit befasst sich mit einer praxisnahen Methodik, die Angemessenheit zusätzlicher Sicherheitsmaßnahmen mit Kosten‐Wirksamkeits‐Kriterien zu bewerten. Sie kam in zahlreichen Projekten im Zusammenhang mit der Tunnelsicherheit zur Anwendung.
Health and safety, prevention and accident costs in construction industry in international comparison / Arbeitsschutz, Prävention und Unfallfolgekosten im Bauwesen im internationalen Vergleich
Authors: Falkner Leo , Schneider Johann , Arnold Josef
Published: October 2012

If it's not safe, don't do it! Accidents at work and lost days cost a lot of money. A calculation of the consequential cost of accidents by the Allgemeine Unfallversicherungsanstalt (AUVA) estimates this at 19, 128 Euro per accident in 2010. In the construction industry in Great Britain and the USA, employers and employees generally seem to attach more importance to occupational safety and communicate this more effectively than in Austria and Germany. What are the possible explanations for this difference? This article investigates basic cultural differences in general, in the safety culture and different legal traditions. The factors mentioned are not only decisive for the usual contract and cooperation models between employer and employee in these countries but also have an effect on the sickness statistics and the cost of accidents.

Wenn es nicht sicher ist, mach es nicht! Arbeitsunfälle und Ausfallstage kosten viel Geld. Eine Unfallfolgekostenberechnung der Allgemeinen Unfallversicherungsanstalt (AUVA) schätzt diese im Bauwesen pro Unfall im Jahr 2010 auf 19.128 Euro. In der Bauindustrie in Großbritannien und den USA scheinen Auftraggeber und Auftragnehmer generell mehr Wert auf Arbeitssicherheit zu legen und dies auch besser als in Österreich und Deutschland zu kommunizieren. Was sind mögliche Gründe für diese Unterschiede? Dieser Beitrag geht auf grundlegende kulturelle Unterschiede im Allgemeinen, in der Sicherheitskultur und auf unterschiedliche Rechtskreise ein. Die genannten Faktoren sind nicht nur ausschlaggebend für die in diesen Ländern zwischen Auftraggeber und Auftragnehmer gebräuchlichen Vertrags‐ und Kooperationsmodelle, sondern wirken sich auch auf die Krankenstandsstatistiken und Unfallkosten im Bauwesen aus.
The safety equipment of the new line in the Lower Inn Valley / Die sicherheitstechnische Ausrüstung der Neubaustrecke im Unterinntal
Authors: Saischek Michael
Published: October 2012

100 % safety is never achievable, even with unlimited resources. The basic principles of risk optimisation pose different efficiency. Therefore the risk and the extent of damage can be over‐proportionately reduced through very effective implementation of the basic principles. The article describes some measures for the minimisation of risk and their implementation on the Lower Inn Valley project as examples.

Eine 100‐prozentige Sicherheit ist auch unter Einsatz unbegrenzter finanzieller Mittel nie erreichbar. Die Grundprinzipien der Risikominimierung sind unterschiedlich wirksam. Daher lassen sich durch Maßnahmen in den Grundprinzipien mit hoher Wirksamkeit das Risiko und das Schadensausmaß überproportional reduzieren. Der Beitrag beschreibt anhand von einigen Beispielen exemplarische Maßnahmen der Risikominimierung und deren Umsetzung im Unterinntalprojekt.
Risk factors for impaired gonadal function in female Hodgkin lymphoma survivors: final analysis of a retrospective multicenter joint study from Italian and Brazilian Institutions
Authors: Falorio Simona , Biasoli Irene , Luminari Stefano , Quintana Giovanni , Musso Maurizio , Dell'Olio Matteo , Specchia Maria Rosaria , di Renzo Nicola , Cesaretti Marina , Buda Gabriele , Vallisa Daniele , Mannina Donato , Andriani Alessandro , Chiattone Carlos Sérgio , Delamain Márcia Torresan , de Souza Cármino A , Spector Nelson , Angrilli Francesco , Federico Massimo
Published: October 2012

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is one of the most common types of cancer in the young and one of the most curable forms of cancer. Therefore, there has been an increasing interest in the study of long‐term morbidities. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors for impaired gonadal function in a retrospective cohort of 238 HL female survivors from Italy and Brazil and to analyse the role of oral contraceptives (OC) and GnRH‐analogues. Besides data collection from HL databases, a specific questionnaire was administered to collect data on gonadal function. The median age at diagnosis was 25 years and the median follow‐up was 7 years. Overall, 25% of the patients developed impaired gonadal function. Older age at diagnosis, front‐line therapies containing alkylating agents and more than one treatment were independent risk factors, whereas the use of OC or GnRH‐a reduced independently the risk of impaired gonadal function. The fertility rate among fertile survivors was low when compared with the general population. We confirmed that older age, type of front‐line chemotherapy and a higher number of therapies are associated with gonadal function impairment in terms of infertility and premature menopause in female HL survivors. Also, the use of GnRH‐a or OC was independently identified as a protective factor. Further prospective studies are needed to better understand the barriers to parenthood in HL survivors. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prescribing patterns of antidepressants, antipsychotics and mood stabilizers in bipolar patients misdiagnosed with major depressive disorder in China
Authors: Xiang Yu‐Tao , Hu Chen , Wang Gang , Zheng Qi‐Wen , Fang Yi‐Ru , Ungvari Gabor S. , Kilbourne Amy M. , Lai Kelly Y. C. , Si Tian‐Mei , Chen Da‐Fang , Lu Zheng , Yang Hai‐Chen , Hu Jian , Chen Zhi‐Yu , Huang Yi , Sun Jing , Wang Xiao‐Ping , Li Hui‐Chun , Zhang Jin‐Bei , Chiu Helen F. K.
Published: October 2012

Objective

Bipolar disorder (BD) is frequently misdiagnosed as major depressive disorder (MDD), which may lead to inappropriate treatment and poor outcomes. This study aimed to examine prescribing patterns of antidepressants, antipsychotics and mood stabilizers in BD patients misdiagnosed with MDD in China.

Methods

A total of 1487 patients originally diagnosed with MDD were consecutively screened for diagnostic revision in 13 psychiatric hospitals or psychiatric units of general hospitals in China nationwide. The patients' sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were recorded using a standardized protocol and data collection procedure. The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) was used to establish DSM‐IV diagnoses. Data on psychotropic prescriptions were collected by a review of medical records.

Results

Three hundred and nine of the 1487 patients (20.8%) fulfilled DSM‐IV criteria for BD; 118 (7.9%) for BD‐I and 191 (12.8%) for BD‐II on the MINI. Of the BD patients (n = 309), 227 (73.5%) received any use of antidepressants, 73 (23.6%) antipsychotics and 33 (10.7%) mood stabilizers. In multiple logistic regression analyses, compared with those with MDD, patients with BD‐I were more likely to receive antidepressants (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1–2.8, p = 0.02), antipsychotics (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.04–2.5, p = 0.04) and mood stabilizers (OR 3.9, 95% CI 2.1–7.2, p < 0.001), whereas patients with BD‐II were more likely to receive mood stabilizers (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.3–4.4, p = 0.003). There was no difference in the use of antidepressants (OR 1.1, 95% CI 0.8–1.5, p = 0.7) and antipsychotics (OR 1.3, 95% CI 0.9–1.9, p = 0.2) between BD‐II and MDD. In addition, there was no difference between BD‐I and BD‐II in any use of antidepressants, antipsychotics and mood stabilizers.

Conclusions

The prescription of antidepressants for BD patients misdiagnosed with MDD is very common, and only a very small proportion of patients received guideline‐concordant treatment. Considering the potentially hazardous effects of inappropriate pharmacotherapy in this population, continuing education and training addressing the correct diagnosis of BD and rational use of psychotropic medications are needed in China. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Drug‐Drug Interactions Between Warfarin and Psychotropics: Updated Review of the Literature
Authors: Nadkarni Ashwini , Oldham Mark A. , Howard Mark , Berenbaum Isidore
Published: October 2012

As the number of psychotropics on the market expands, the likelihood increases that a patient requiring anticoagulation with warfarin will receive concurrent treatment with a psychotropic drug. Because warfarin undergoes hepatic metabolism and is highly protein bound, it is particularly prone to drug interactions; in addition, its relatively narrow therapeutic window places patients at risk of either hemorrhagic or thrombotic complications. Although warfarin's interactions with other drugs have long been studied, the most recent review of the literature of warfarin's interactions with psychotropics was over a decade ago. Thus, we conducted a systematic review of the literature documenting the interaction between warfarin and psychotropics, with a focus on interactions mediated through the cytochrome P450 system and protein binding. A search of the MEDLINE database was performed, and reports of warfarin interactions with psychotropics were identified. The results suggest that interactions between warfarin and psychotropic drugs are important and likely underrecognized. They also have notable implications for both safety and drug compliance. When certain psychotropics are started or discontinued in patients receiving warfarin therapy, or when warfarin is introduced to a patient receiving a stable dose of a psychotropic, clinicians should monitor a patient's international normalized ratio (INR) closely to ensure it remains within therapeutic range. Psychotropics that pose a particular risk of increasing the INR when used with warfarin include fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, quetiapine, and valproic acid. Psychotropics that may significantly decrease the INR when used with warfarin include trazodone, St. John's wort, carbamazepine, and the polycyclic aromatic carbons in tobacco cigarettes; however, nicotine itself, as in nicotine replacement strategies, is not known to alter warfarin's anticoagulant effect. In certain cases, the need for anticoagulation may also necessitate switching to a different psychotropic.