Ex vivo and in vivo Evaluation of [18F]PR04.MZ in Rodents: A Selective Dopamine Transporter Imaging Agent

N‐4‐Fluorobut‐2‐yn‐1‐yl‐2β‐carbomethoxy‐3β‐phenyltropane (PR04.MZ) has been developed as dopamine transporter (DAT) ligand for molecular imaging. It contains a terminally fluorinated, conformationally constrained nitrogen substituent that is well suited for the introduction of fluorine‐18. The present report describes the pharmacological characterisation of [¹⁸F]PR04.MZ. The ligand shows an IC₅₀ value of 2 nM against human DAT, whereas the IC₅₀ value against human serotonin transporter and human noradrenalin transporter are lower (110 nM and 22 nM , respectively). Furthermore, its ex vivo organ distribution, its binding profile in the rat brain and reversibility of binding were examined. A μPET study illuminates a fast kinetic profile and specific binding to rat DAT.     

Electronic structure and chemical bond in stoichiometric hydrides of the group Vb metals

The electronic structure of stoichiometric hydrides of the group Vb metals (V, Nb, Ta) has been investigated by means of the self-consistent full potential scalar-relativistic augmented plane wave method (FP-APW).

The theoretical study of the heat of solution of the ordered monohydrides VH, NbH, and TaH leads to good agreement with experimental values and allows the prediction of the preferred coordination of the hydrogen atoms in these phases, i.e. the octahedral coordination for the VH-system and the tetrahedral coordination for NbH and TaH. Analysis of the charge distribution according to the irreducible representations of the point groups yields a simple orbital picture of the bonding mechanism in the stoichiometric hydride phase. The use of an angular-dependent rather than a spherical-symmetric potential results in a distinct increase in the calculated covalent contribution to the chemical bond.     

Knowledge work support by semantic task management

This paper describes the particular requirements of knowledge work in an industrial setting and its support by semantic technologies. This setting is characterized by specific demands with respect to information handling, communication and work coordination. It is shown how semantic technologies can meet these demands. Specifically, the Social Semantic Desktop (SSD) is discussed that covers requirements for individual structuring and proceeding as well as organizational needs. It is discussed which aspects come to the fore in an industrial setting and require particular consideration. Here we find a focus on communication and on work coordination. The latter is addressed by semantic task management and allows for new approaches towards experience management in industry. In this respect the SSD opens up completely new opportunities. It is shown how such a framework has been realized in the European Integrated Project Nepomuk.     

Variations in heavy metal concentrations in the moss species Abietinella abietina (Hedw.) Fleisch. according to sampling time,within site variability and increase in biomass

Concentrations of Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mo, Ni, Pb, V and Zn were analysed in the moss Abietinella abietina (Hedw.) Fleisch. to estimate atmospheric heavy metal depositions. Samples were taken at five comparable sites within a radius of 25 m four times during the year 2000 (July 3rd, August 3rd, September 7th, October 3rd). The samples were taken by means of a PVC-tube (r=10 cm) and could therefore be related to aboveground growth and aerial deposition. The investigation showed significant differences between the various sampling times for concentrations of all heavy metals in total but not between concentrations of a single metal. For Cu, Hg, Mo, Pb and Zn temporal variation (=variation between the four times of sampling) was larger than spatial variation (=variation of concentrations between sub-samples at a single sampling time). Growth rates of the mosses differed significantly between sampling times, which reflects the low precipitation at the beginning of the season. Biomass increase, dust and precipitation influenced the metal concentrations. The calculation of deposition rates, which takes growth rates into account, showed significant differences between the various sampling times for Al, Cd, Cr, Cu and Ni, which is controversial to the results obtained from concentrations of these elements. Additionally, the calculation of atmospheric deposition rates showed a constant increase of metal depositions throughout the investigated period, which can not be seen by considering the concentrations only.     

City Channel Chironomids—Benthic Diversity in Urban Conditions

The study focuses on the diversity of urban channel chironomids (the Aa River, the City of Münster, North‐western Germany), initially intended as a proxy of habitat structure. Three ecological key points marked the study:

• The channel is the discharge effluent of a eutrophic lake.
• It includes lotic and lentic sections.
• Runoff variability is high (0.02 to 4 m³ s^?2).

Chironomid pupal exuviae were sampled from the surface drift. Simultaneously, variable abiotic parameters (runoff, suspensoid contents and weather) were recorded. Samples were taken from September 2011 to April 2012. Communities' diversity (>64 spp.) was relatively high. Data analyses revealed that the most significant drivers of species diversity and abundance were water temperature, suspension, flow velocity, nature nearness, water depth and weather. In addition, the increase of diversity ranged significantly with the quality of suspensoids along the channel course. Considering the great complexity of ecological interrelations found on a limited physical scale, the potential of chironomids as sentinel organisms shall be discussed critically. Ongoing analyses focus on the specification of fine particulate organic matter, microhabitat structure and microhydraulics for the development of chironomid communities.     

Offset reduction in Hall effect measurements using a nonswitching van der Pauw technique

A nonswitching van der Pauw technique, which uses two electrically isolated alternating current sources operating at two different frequencies and two lock-in amplifiers, is suggested for Hall effect measurements. Parasitic offset voltage, typical for this type of measurements, is reduced by averaging two sets of data accumulated simultaneously. Application of the technique is particularly useful when the offset changes on a time scale comparable to the measurement cycle.     

Value of echography for diagnosis and follow-up of perforating eye injuries

The introduction of vitreous surgery with its multiple capabilities of intraocular manipulations makes it possible to operate on cases which had been considered as hopeless up to now. With these techniques the importance of ultrasonic examination increased especially in cases with severe perforating injuries and their follow-up, to detect the onset of intravitreal fibrosis and early traction detachment, when no fundus view is possible. An other indication for ultrasonic examination is the exact localization of foreign bodies. Out of 484 perforating injuries which were examined and treated in our clinic during the last 10 years, ultrasonographic diagnosis was helpful in 18% and had further therapeutic consequences: In 24% a detachment operation or vitreous surgery was necessary, in 30% ultrasonography showed severe damage and surgery was considered to be ineffective. 42% were follow-up examinations of the posterior segment.