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[Display omitted] • Heel accumulation in beaded activated carbon during VOC abatement is evaluated. • Carbon surface functionalization using acidic and alkaline solutions is delineated. • Surface functional groups weakened the physisorption of VOCs. • Acidic functionalization minimized heel formation after several operational cycles. This study elucidates the factors responsible for the deterioration of beaded activated carbon (BAC), used in the abatement of volatile organic compounds that stem from painting processes in industries. In practice, continuous use of adsorbents during periodic adsorption–desorption results in the formation of heel (non-desorbable polymeric complex) in its pore structures, rendering the adsorbent eventually unusable. Here, the adsorption–desorption characteristics of VOCs from porous BAC are investigated, and an effective surface modification strategy is developed to impede heel formation and extend the operational life of the BAC. This modification protocol increases porosity by up-to 55 % and modifies the functional groups on the BAC surface without altering its structural integrity. Consequently, the adsorption capacity of the BAC increased by nearly 38% while decreasing the peak desorption temperature by as much as 50 °C due to lowered adsorption strength. Additionally, to provide mechanistic insights, the resultant changes in porosity, surface morphology, and adsorption–desorption characteristics of the BAC are investigated by N 2 physisorption, SEM, TGA, and DRIFTS. Finally, cyclic adsorption–desorption studies conducted under conditions mirroring the industrial setup proved that the percentage heel accumulation in surface modified BAC is significantly lower (≤ 3%) compared to unmodified BAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Future emission standards are becoming increasingly stringent. Around 50% of targeted tailpipe emissions are emitted during the cold-start period, mainly due to the ineffectiveness of catalytic converters in the after-treatment system at low temperatures (<200 °C). Passive NOxadsorbers (PNA) have been proposed to help address cold start NOxemissions problems. Among various PNAs, the distinctive properties of Pd/zeolites match perfectly with the required characteristics of PNA catalysts for vehicle emission control. This review summarizes significant advances in Pd/zeolite applied to PNAs, including NO storage sites, NOxadsorption and release chemistry, synthesis methodology, and deactivation mechanisms. Future outlooks and challenges ahead for Pd/zeolite catalyst development and fundamental research are also proposed. Collectively, this review provides a theoretical and experimental foundation for the rational fabrication and application of PNA catalysts toward NOxemission control.

China's healthcare is improving together with rapid economic growth. Yet, mental healthcare is lagging behind. Prevalence of perinatal depression is high among women of the one-child generation, but access to qualified care is limited. Chinese healthcare professionals, policy makers and patients alike express concerns about insufficient knowledge among the public as well as healthcare providers regarding mental disorders. There appears to be a general lack of help-seeking behaviour for mental disorders owing to perceived risk of social stigmatisation. Social support through family and friends, use of online resources and community healthcare services are preferred, rather than seeking help from mental health specialists.

AbstractSixteen women in Shanghai participated in semistructured interviews, and thematic analysis was used to interpret their responses. An overarching theme, three main themes, and 13 subthemes were identified. The overarching theme (the old ways and the new—transition into motherhood) in new China, had these main themes: (1) urban Chinese women’s transition into motherhood; (2) family’s support and struggle with tradition; and (3) modern society in the shade of the past. The transition from tradition and modernity can be a source of conflict between the generations and can negatively impact new mothers’ mental health. Loneliness, feeling misunderstood, illiteracy, parental generation’s beliefs, and health-care providers’ attitudes are all barriers to access to care.

•This study provides in-depth knowledge about the key informants in health care's perceptions on mental health problems Shanghai, China.•The informants described the need for more health care professionals in treating women with more common mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.•Lack of professional training and resources available to provide adequate care for patients with mental health problems.•Key informants emphasized the indistinct understanding of severe mental health disorders and more moderate mental health problems in China.

Vanishing white matter (VWM) is a fatal leukodystrophy caused by recessive mutations in subunits of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2B. Currently, there are no effective therapies for VWM. Here, we assessed the potential of adenine base editing to correct human pathogenic VWM variants in mouse models. Using adeno-associated viral vectors, we delivered intein-split adenine base editors into the cerebral ventricles of newborn VWM mice, resulting in 45.9% ± 5.9% correction of the Eif2b5R191Hvariant in the cortex. Treatment slightly increased mature astrocyte populations and partially recovered the integrated stress response (ISR) in female VWM animals. This led to notable improvements in bodyweight and grip strength in females; however, locomotor disabilities were not rescued. Further molecular analyses suggest that more precise editing (i.e., lower rates of bystander editing) as well as more efficient delivery of the base editors to deep brain regions and oligodendrocytes would have been required for a broader phenotypic rescue. Our study emphasizes the potential, but also identifies limitations, of current in vivobase-editing approaches for the treatment of VWM or other leukodystrophies.

Ce and La doped Co3O4nanorod catalysts were prepared and their catalytic activity for CO and C3H6oxidation reactions was examined. XRD, TEM, XPS, TPR, TGA and in situDRIFTS have been used to characterize structural properties, reducibility, mobility of adsorbed oxygen and lattice oxygen, and surface intermediates for both CO and C3H6oxidation. When doping with either Ce or La, the cations occupy the Co2+sites in Co3O4. XPS, TPR, and TGA characterization showed that the Ce dopant decreased the ratio of surface adsorbed oxygen to lattice oxygen, and facilitated the extraction of adsorbed oxygen and lattice oxygen with hydrogen from CeO2–Co3O4in comparison to Co3O4, while the La dopant caused the opposite effect. The light-off performance for both CO and C3H6oxidations has been improved due to Ce doping on Co3O4, while the doping of La actually inhibited the oxidation activity of the Co3O4catalyst. Similar catalytic activity facilitation and inhibition of Ce and La dopants were also observed for the simultaneous oxidation of CO, C3H6, and NO under the conditions of simulated diesel exhaust. The results of in situDRIFTS suggested that bidentate carbonate species could be the key intermediates of CO oxidation, which would further react with CO to form CO2. The results of DRIFTS showed that the mobility of lattice oxygen plays an important role in the C3H6oxidation. A mechanism was proposed where the formate and acetate species could be the reaction intermediates of C3H6oxidation, and these intermediates are more stable on La2O3–Co3O4than on Co3O4and CeO2–Co3O4catalysts.

CRISPR–Cas-based genome editing holds great promise for targeting genetic disorders, including inborn errors of hepatocyte metabolism. Precise correction of disease-causing mutations in adult tissues in vivo, however, is challenging. It requires repair of Cas9-induced double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) breaks by homology-directed mechanisms, which are highly inefficient in nondividing cells. Here we corrected the disease phenotype of adult phenylalanine hydroxylase (Pah)enu2mice, a model for the human autosomal recessive liver disease phenylketonuria (PKU)1, using recently developed CRISPR–Cas-associated base editors2–4. These systems enable conversion of C·G to T·A base pairs and vice versa, independent of dsDNA break formation and homology-directed repair (HDR). We engineered and validated an intein-split base editor, which allows splitting of the fusion protein into two parts, thereby circumventing the limited cargo capacity of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors. Intravenous injection of AAV-base editor systems resulted in Pahenu2gene correction rates that restored physiological blood phenylalanine (l-Phe) levels below 120 µmol/l [5]. We observed mRNA correction rates up to 63%, restoration of phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) enzyme activity, and reversion of the light fur phenotype in Pahenu2mice. Our findings suggest that targeting genetic diseases in vivo using AAV-mediated delivery of base-editing agents is feasible, demonstrating potential for therapeutic application.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer and the second most frequent cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. The multikinase inhibitor sorafenib is the only treatment option for advanced HCC. Due to tumor heterogeneity, its efficacy greatly varies between patients and is limited due to adverse effects and drug resistance. Current in vitromodels fail to recapitulate key features of HCCs. We report the generation of long-term organoid cultures from tumor needle biopsies of HCC patients with various etiologies and tumor stages. HCC organoids retain the morphology as well as the expression pattern of HCC tumor markers and preserve the genetic heterogeneity of the originating tumors. In a proof-of-principle study, we show that liver cancer organoids can be used to test sensitivity to sorafenib. In conclusion, organoid models can be derived from needle biopsies of liver cancers and provide a tool for developing tailored therapies.

A core–shell structured Fe2O3@SiTi catalyst with a SiTi shell and Fe2O3core was prepared and used for the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NOxwith NH3. The thickness of the shell could be well controlled by the amount of TEOS added during the preparation procedure. The catalyst was characterized by techniques including STEM, XRD, BET, NH3-TPD, XPS, and H2-TPR. In comparison with Fe2O3, the Fe2O3@SiTi catalyst presented higher SCR activity, N2selectivity, better SO2resistance and HCl tolerance. The characterization results showed that the addition of the SiTi shell onto the Fe2O3core enlarged the BET specific surface area, increased the number of surface acidic sites, led to the generation of more Fe2+species and chemisorbed oxygen species, and influenced the reducibility of Fe2O3. The improvement of HCl tolerance of the Fe2O3@SiTi catalyst can be attributed to the fact that the SiTi shell prevents the Fe2O3core from reacting with HCl to form FeCl3.

Nowadays, mobile devices, such as smartphones, tablets or smartwatches, are essential items in our daily life. Further, more and more people use smart mobile devices in their everyday work for remote controlling, observing diagrams, performing web analytics, etc. However, the full potential of mobile devices is not tapped yet; built-in sensors such as accelerometers or gyroscopes offer a wide range of interaction capabilities, which are still often not fully used in nowadays mobile applications. On the other hand, desktops are still the dominating working device, but with significantly differing interaction means. With additional hand tracking devices capturing the user's gestures additional input possibilities are available but still often unused. In this paper, we investigate on a concept for orientation-based touch-less interaction. Depending on the type of device - traditional desktop or a mobile device - we use an interaction metaphor called "Waggle"; utilizing of tilting and turning of either the user's hand or the mobile device itself for additional input possibilities. Based on the results of two pilot studies for both environments, basic parameters for future design decisions are derived: on the one hand, the maximum angle for basic rotation axes are evaluated. On the other hand, different discretizations of tilt and turn angles are investigated. Based on the outcome of both studies the optimal configuration for the use of the Waggle interaction metaphor in future applications on both mobile and desktop environments are defined.

The gradual accumulation of genetic mutations in human adult stem cells (ASCs) during life is associated with various age-related diseases, including cancer. Extreme variation in cancer risk across tissues was recently proposed to depend on the lifetime number of ASC divisions, owing to unavoidable random mutations that arise during DNA replication. However, the rates and patterns of mutations in normal ASCs remain unknown. Here we determine genome-wide mutation patterns in ASCs of the small intestine, colon and liver of human donors with ages ranging from 3 to 87 years by sequencing clonal organoid cultures derived from primary multipotent cells. Our results show that mutations accumulate steadily over time in all of the assessed tissue types, at a rate of approximately 40 novel mutations per year, despite the large variation in cancer incidence among these tissues. Liver ASCs, however, have different mutation spectra compared to those of the colon and small intestine. Mutational signature analysis reveals that this difference can be attributed to spontaneous deamination of methylated cytosine residues in the colon and small intestine, probably reflecting their high ASC division rate. In liver, a signature with an as-yet-unknown underlying mechanism is predominant. Mutation spectra of driver genes in cancer show high similarity to the tissue-specific ASC mutation spectra, suggesting that intrinsic mutational processes in ASCs can initiate tumorigenesis. Notably, the inter-individual variation in mutation rate and spectra are low, suggesting tissue-specific activity of common mutational processes throughout life.

Mutations in the splicing factor SF3B1 are frequently occurring in various cancers and drive tumor progression through the activation of cryptic splice sites in multiple genes. Recent studies also demonstrate a positive correlation between the expression levels of wild-type SF3B1 and tumor malignancy. Here, we demonstrate that SF3B1 is a hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1 target gene that positively regulates HIF1 pathway activity. By physically interacting with HIF1α, SF3B1 facilitates binding of the HIF1 complex to hypoxia response elements (HREs) to activate target gene expression. To further validate the relevance of this mechanism for tumor progression, we show that a reduction in SF3B1 levels via monoallelic deletion of Sf3b1impedes tumor formation and progression via impaired HIF signaling in a mouse model for pancreatic cancer. Our work uncovers an essential role of SF3B1 in HIF1 signaling, thereby providing a potential explanation for the link between high SF3B1 expression and aggressiveness of solid tumors.

Paneth cells (PCs) are terminally differentiated, highly specialized secretory cells located at the base of the crypts of Lieberkühn in the small intestine. Besides their antimicrobial function, PCs serve as a component of the intestinal stem cell niche. By secreting granules containing bactericidal proteins like defensins/cryptdins and lysozyme, PCs regulate the microbiome of the gut. Here we study the control of PC degranulation in primary epithelial organoids in culture. We show that PC degranulation does not directly occur upon stimulation with microbial antigens or bacteria. In contrast, the pro-inflammatory cytokine Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) induces rapid and complete loss of granules. Using live cell imaging, we show that degranulation is coupled to luminal extrusion and death of PCs. Transfer of supernatants from in vitro stimulated iNKT cells recapitulates degranulation in an IFN-γ-dependent manner. Furthermore, endogenous IFN-γ secretion induced by anti-CD3 antibody injection causes Paneth loss and release of goblet cell mucus. The identification of IFN-γ as a trigger for degranulation and extrusion of PCs establishes a novel effector mechanism by which immune responses may regulate epithelial status and the gut microbiome.

Single murine and human intestinal stem cells can be expanded in culture over long time periods as genetically and phenotypically stable epithelial organoids. Increased cAMP levels induce rapid swelling of such organoids by opening the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductor receptor (CFTR). This response is lost in organoids derived from cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Here we use the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing system to correct the CFTR locus by homologous recombination in cultured intestinal stem cells of CF patients. The corrected allele is expressed and fully functional as measured in clonally expanded organoids. This study provides proof of concept for gene correction by homologous recombination in primary adult stem cells derived from patients with a single-gene hereditary defect.

The present economic crisis and, in particular, the uncertainties within the Eurozone provide an opportunity to review the use of the Austrian Private Foundation, its exposure to national tax policies in view of its accumulated wealth and tax privileges, inherent risks emanating from structural and management shortcomings, threats from founders, creditors, spouses and heirs, as well as the opportunity provided by the foundation for wealth planning, asset protection, and additional tax benefits applicable from 2012 onwards.

Photocatalytic oxidation of ethylene was conducted in a novel two-dimensional packed bed reactor at higher temperatures (60 °C < T< 520 °C) than previously reported. Degussa P25 TiO2was used as a photocatalyst; samples of this TiO2were heat treated to different temperatures to obtain different phase compositions, surface areas, and surface hydroxyl concentrations. Maximum photocatalytic ethylene oxidation rates were observed between 100 and 200 °C. Further, oxidation rates greater than 75% of the maximum oxidation rate were observed over a large temperature range: 60 °C < T< 300 °C. At higher temperatures (T> 300 °C), decreasing oxidation rates were attributed to the nonradiative, multiphonon recombination of photogenerated charge carriers. Regression analysis of a nonlinear, multiphonon recombination model and a simplified chemical rate law were used to determine apparent reaction rate law parameters for the photocatalytic oxidation of ethylene and recombination parameters for the TiO2photocatalyst. Insights for the development and operation of novel high-temperature photocatalysts are also discussed.

A prudent and well advised founder will be aware that the private foundation they have set up may well come under attack and be challenged at some point in time. This article discusses from which directions a private foundation may come under fire, the impact of those possible threats and risks and what measures can be taken to protect the Austrian Private Foundation’s integrity and survival.

The Austrian Private Foundation is organized like a company, but operates like a trust. It is a preferred for-profit vehicle, suitable for wealth preservation and management, as well as an alternate holding structure for companies. The Austrian Private Foundation is discreet about its assets and income but transparent in respect to its management. The far reaching erosion of Austrian bank secrecy through international pressure on Austria and Switzerland has had little effect on the operation of the Austrian foundation. On the contrary, offshore funds are being increasingly relocated into Austrian foundations.

In 2009, the Austrian private foundation is more attractive than ever as a means of international wealth and succession planning. The Austrian low entry tax of 2.5 per cent of the endowment, no gift or inheritance tax, and treaty protection for distributions to non-resident beneficiaries, gives the Austrian private foundation a lead amongst other structures aiming at making a profit. Its legal qualification as a corporate structure enables the Austrian private foundation to act as an ultimate holding vehicle, claim tax treaty protection and benefit from the international participation exemption for foreign dividends and capital gains.

We have exposed MOS gate and field oxide transistors to moisture treatments with all pins grounded for up to three weeks. Irradiated field oxide structures showed a significant decrease in low frequency noise with moisture treatment, due to the passivation of Si dangling bonds at or near the Si/SiO2 interface. With moisture exposure, pMOS gate oxide transistors showed significant increases in pre-irradiation 1/f noise and post-irradiation oxide- and interface-trap charge densities. The 1/f noise of nMOS gate oxide transistors shows much less sensitivity to moisture exposure than pMOS transistors, before and after irradiation. We attribute these differences in sensitivities to moisture treatment to the enhancement of water diffusion in SiO2 by B atoms in the oxides that overlie the source/drain junctions of the pMOS transistors, in contrast to the retardation of moisture diffusion by P atoms in the corresponding regions of the nMOS devices.

Prime editing is a highly versatile CRISPR-based genome editing technology that works without DNA double-strand break formation. Despite rapid technological advances, in vivo application for the treatment of genetic diseases remains challenging. Here, we developed a size-reduced SpCas9 prime editor (PE) lacking the RNaseH domain (PE2ΔRnH) and an intein-split construct (PE2 p.1153) for adeno-associated virus–mediated delivery into the liver. Editing efficiencies reached 15% at the Dnmt1locus and were further elevated to 58% by delivering unsplit PE2ΔRnHvia human adenoviral vector 5 (AdV). To provide proof of concept for correcting a genetic liver disease, we used the AdV approach for repairing the disease-causing Pahenu2mutation in a mouse model of phenylketonuria (PKU) via prime editing. Average correction efficiencies of 11.1% (up to 17.4%) in neonates led to therapeutic reduction of blood phenylalanine, without inducing detectable off-target mutations or prolonged liver inflammation. Although the current in vivo prime editing approach for PKU has limitations for clinical application due to the requirement of high vector doses (7 × 1014vg/kg) and the induction of immune responses to the vector and the PE, further development of the technology may lead to curative therapies for PKU and other genetic liver diseases.

Copyright of Journal für Entwicklungspolitik is the property of Mattersburger Kreis fuer Entwicklungspolitik an den Oesterreichischen Universitaeten and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal für Entwicklungspolitik is the property of Mattersburger Kreis fuer Entwicklungspolitik an den Oesterreichischen Universitaeten and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article presents information on topics related to regionalism which are discussed in the 2006 issue of the journal "Desarrollo Economico - Revista de Ciencias Sociales." Writer Joachim Becker, in his article, compares different regional integration projects in Europe. Oliver Schwank's article focuses on the Southern African Development Community's integration project in South Africa.

The effects of dopant type, doping level, polyimide (PI) content and temperature on electrical conductivity response of polyaniline (PANI) and polyaniline/polyimide (PANI/PI) blends to CO–N2 gas mixtures were systematically investigated. At the same doping level, HNO3‐doped PANI has a greater electrical conductivity response and sensitivity towards CO than that of camphor sulfonic acid (CSA)‐doped PANI because the former has a more ordered structure. The interaction mechanism between CO and PANI is proposed to occur at the attack site, &bond;&Numl;H&bond; or the amine nitrogen where CO withdraws an electron. Addition of PI causes a small change in electrical conductivity under atmospheric conditions when PI content is below the percolation threshold value of 55 wt%. Addition of PI reduces brittleness and improves electrical conductivity sensitivity towards CO; the effect is more pronounced at higher temperatures. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry

A polyimide (PI)–clay nanocomposite was prepared from a solution of poly(amic acid), a precursor of 2,2-bis[4-(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)phenyl]propane dianhydride and p-phenylenediamine, and dodecylamine–montmorillonite. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, and atomic absorption spectroscopy were used to verify the incorporation of the modifying agents into the clay structure and the intercalation of the modified clay into the PI matrix. Both PI and PI–clay films were subsequently prepared by solution casting. The gas permeability, resistivity, and adhesion properties were determined. In the case of gas permeability, only a 3 wt % addition of clay reduced oxygen permeability to less than half that of unfilled PI. Furthermore, this hybrid showed an improvement in electrical resistivity because of the prevention of electrical tree growth by clay particles. More importantly, adhesion between the films and silicon increased with increasing clay content. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 2875–2881, 2003

AbstractDer Beitrag stellt einen Ansatz zur Modellierung der mittleren Phase der HIV-Infektion unter Medikation vor. Das erstellte Modell beschreibt dabei die Konzentrationen von Viren, gesunden und infizierten CD4+-T-Zellen und CD8+-T-Zellen im Blut. Berücksichtigt werden neben den Sterbe-, Geburts- und Infektionsprozessen auch die Infektionshemmung durch Medikamente sowie Regelungsprozesse für die Zellkonzentrationen des Immunsystems. Der grundlegende Unterschied zwischen einer HIV-Infektion und anderen Viruserkrankungen kann dadurch als Unterschied in der internen Kopplungstruktur interpretiert werden. Die Parameter des Modells wurden anhand klinischer Messdaten geschätzt. Eine Möglichkeit zur Vorhersage der Medikamentenwirkung aufgrund der Messung der initialen Zellkonzentrationen vor Therapiebeginn wird vorgestellt.