Actions of cyclic esters, S-esters, and amides of phenyl- and phenylthiophosphonic acids on mammalian and insect GABA-gated chloride channels

We undertook a comprehensive phylogenetic study to establish the genetic relationship among the viruses of the genus Flavivirus and to compare the classification based on molecular phylogeny with the existing serologic method. By using a combination of quantitative definitions (bootstrap support level and the pairwise nucleotide sequence identity), the viruses could be classified into clusters, clades, and species. Our phylogenetic study revealed for the first time that from the putative ancestor two branches, non-vector and vector-borne virus clusters, evolved and from the latter cluster emerged tick-borne and mosquito-borne virus clusters. Provided that the theory of arthropod association being an acquired trait was correct, pairwise nucleotide sequence identity among these three clusters provided supporting data for a possibility that the non-vector cluster evolved first, followed by the separation of tick-borne and mosquito-borne virus clusters in that order. Clades established in our study correlated significantly with existing antigenic complexes. We also resolved many of the past taxonomic problems by establishing phylogenetic relationships of the antigenically unclassified viruses with the well-established viruses and by identifying synonymous viruses.     

Systematic Assessment of Maps as Source Information in Landscape-change Research

A methodology is proposed for systematic map assessment to contribute to landscape-change research. Two major topic areas are dealt with, namely: content, quality and usefulness of landscape information on different maps; and methods used in the spatial conversion of maps into digital systems (e.g. geographical information systems). The major focus is on information about physical landscape characteristics (e.g. land cover) and land uses. The approach was tested using a sequence of nine large- and medium-scale basic maps of the island of Ruissalo in SW Finland from between 1690 and 1998. Fundamental differences were found in the thematic consistency of landscape information, mainly related to the scale, purpose and generalization of landscape information on different maps. Spatial matching was tested for a set of three old maps using four image rectification functions. The results showed that spatial matching of old maps is difficult, and success in rectification is influenced by many factors. Evaluation and selective transformation of landscape information from maps and the use of supportive information from other sources can assist in landscape-change analysis based on map sequences.     

Seasonal variation in the occurrence of pharmaceuticals in effluents from a sewage treatment plant and in the recipient water

The occurrence of five pharmaceuticals (ibuprofen, naproxen, ketoprofen, diclofenac, and bezafibrate) in the influent and effluent water of a sewage treatment plant (STP) in the recipient river water and in a drinking water treatment plant (DWTP) located downstream from the STP was followed during three seasons: winter, spring, and summer. In the STP, the elimination of the pharmaceuticals decreased significantly (an average of 25% compared to spring and summer) in wintertime leading to increased concentrations of pharmaceuticals in the effluent water. The total concentration of all the studied pharmaceuticals in the effluent water was 3-5 times higher in wintertime (about 2500 ng L(-1)) than during the other seasons (about 500-900 ng L(-1)). Accordingly, the highest concentrations (up to 129 ng L(-1)) in the recipient river were measured in the wintertime. Pharmaceuticals were carried longer distances downstream from the STP when the river was covered by ice and snow. During a drastic increase in water flow rate (i.e., during snowmelting), a fast transportation of the pharmaceuticals was observed. The DWTP located downstream from the STP produced water that contained about 8 ng L(-1) of ibuprofen and ketoprofen in the winter sample, whereas in spring and summer the studied pharmaceuticals could not be detected in the drinking water. The results show that cold seasons in boreal areas can severely increase the environmental risk of pharmaceuticals and the risk for contamination of drinking water.     

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type-I (HTLV-I)-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis with acute type of adult T-cell leukemia

We report a 47-year-old Japanese woman with HTLV-I-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) combined with acute type adult T-cell leukemia (ATL). The susceptibility for HAM/TSP and acute type of ATL is hitherto explained by human leukocyte antigen (HLA) haplotype-linked immune responsiveness to HTLV-I. This patient's HLA (A24Cw1B54DR4DQ4/A24Cw3B51DR8DQ1) included a HAM-associated HLA haplotype. This suggests that HAM patients with HAM-associated HLA haplotype can also develop the acute type of ATL.     

Effects of counter cations on the water vapor sorption properties of alginic acid and alginates

In this study, the water vapor sorption of four types of alginate, namely, alginic acid (Alg), Na-Alg, Ca-Alg, and NH₄-Alg, were measured, and the effect of differences in counter cations on water vapor solubility and crystallization mechanism associated with the arrangement of hydrogen bonds generated during humidification was investigated. The sorption amounts in the high-humidity region can be arranged as follows: Na-Alg > NH₄-Alg > Ca-Alg > Alg. All samples formed a (C)-type double helix structure before and after the sorption based on the results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and wide-angle X-ray diffraction. The counter cation affects the arrangement of the hydrogen bonds in this structure. Only Ca-Alg possessed a pseudocrosslinking among the (C)-type double helix structures due to the divalent Ca²⁺ ions, which induced variations in the crystal arrangement behavior of the other three samples before and after sorption. Cases I–III show a case of how the orientation is aligned with a new hydrogen bond and classified for each sample.     

Epileptic seizure detection: a nonlinear viewpoint

This study concerns the detection of epileptic seizures from electroencephalogram (EEG) data using computational methods. Using short sliding time windows, a set of features is computed from the data. The feature set includes time domain, frequency domain and nonlinear features. Discriminant analysis is used to determine the best seizure-detecting features among them. The findings suggest that the best results can be achieved by using a combination of features from the linear and nonlinear realms alike.     

Release of ibuprofen from poly(ε‐caprolactone‐co‐D,L‐lactide) and simulation of the release

A study was made of the effects of the initial ibuprofen load and of the specimen shape on the release of ibuprofen from poly(ε‐caprolactone‐co‐D,L ‐lactide). The mol ratio of the comonomers in the copolymer was 96/4 (caprolactone to lactide) and the experiments were conducted at 37°C in vitro. The results showed that release of ibuprofen is fast and that the rate and profile of the release vary with both the initial load of ibuprofen and the shape of the specimen. The rate of ibuprofen release increases with the initial load and with the surface area‐to‐volume ratio of the specimen, obeying Fickian diffusion. The experimental findings were compared with the results of a mathematical simulation model based on the finite‐difference method. Diffusion parameters needed for the simulation were determined from a separately conducted set of experiments using various methods. For the most part, the results of the simulations and the experiments were in good agreement. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 1279–1288, 2003     

TiO2(B) as a promising high potential negative electrode for large-size lithium-ion batteries

Needle-like TiO₂(B) powder was obtained from K₂Ti₄O₉ precursor by ion exchange to protons, followed by dehydration. The charge and discharge characteristics of the TiO₂(B) powder were investigated as a high potential negative electrode in lithium-ion batteries. It had a high discharge capacity of 200–250 mAh g⁻¹ at around 1.6 V vs. Li/Li⁺, which was comparable with that of TiO₂(B) nanowires and nanotubes prepared via a hydrothermal reaction in alkaline solution. It showed very good cycleability, and gave a discharge capacity of 170 mAh g⁻¹ even in the 650th cycle. It also had a high rate capability, and gave a discharge capacity of 106 mAh g⁻¹ even at 10 °C.     

Change trajectories and key biotopes—Assessing landscape dynamics and sustainability

This paper presents a methodological synthesis of two congruent approaches into a common landscape change trajectory analysis and the assessment of landscape dynamics and sustainability. The emphasis of the analysis is on the retrospective relationship between the past and the present-day landscape patterns and associated key biotopes. The example key biotopes, oak woodlands and grasslands, represent valuable habitats in the hemiboreal landscapes of Finland and Sweden. The paper presents a conceptual stepwise approach for change trajectory analysis utilising multiple spatio-temporal data and techniques available in image processing and geographical information systems (GIS) including the following steps: (I) specification of spatio-temporal data and their representation of target objects, (II) the choice of direct or indirect change trajectory analysis, (III) hierarchical structuring of landscape information, (IV) compilation of landscape information into a GIS database, and (V) identification of paths for landscape change trajectory analysis. In this case study, we have focused on three interlinked trajectory analysis approaches, and their role in the assessment of landscape sustainability from a potential biodiversity perspective. We conclude that proposed landscape change trajectory analysis can improve the assessment of the key biotopes as well as present-day landscape characteristics, in maintaining biodiversity and related ecological values by providing information on landscape stability, continuity, change processes and boundary dynamics. This approach can be useful in the assessment of natural capital, but requires data-specific and context sensitive data processing and analysis solutions. The results should be interpreted as an approximation and generalisation of the spatio-temporal complexity of landscape reality and therefore be used in conjunction with additional habitat function measures.     

Occurrence of acidic pharmaceuticals in raw and treated sewages and in receiving waters

The occurrence of five acidic pharmaceuticals, ibuprofen, naproxen, ketoprofen, diclofenac and bezafibrate, in seven different sewage treatment plants (STP) and three receiving waters were determined. The analytical procedure included solid phase extraction, liquid chromatographic separation and detection by a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer. The studied pharmaceuticals were found in all the STPs. The pattern of the occurrence of individual compounds was the same in every STP and matched the consumption figures reported in the literature. Ibuprofen is the most used pharmaceutical in Finland and was accordingly found to be the most abundant compound in the raw sewage. In the treatment processes, the highest removal rate was observed for ibuprofen and the lowest for diclofenac, 92%+/-8% and 26%+/-17%, respectively. Due to the incomplete removal in the STPs, the pharmaceuticals were found in rivers at the discharge points of the STP effluents. Downstream from the discharge points, the concentrations decreased significantly mainly due to dilution in the river water. The risk to the aquatic environment was estimated by a ratio of measured environmental concentration (MEC) and predicted no-effect concentration (PNEC). At the concentrations the compounds were found in the surface waters, they should not pose risk for the aquatic environment. However, at dry seasons and/or during malfunctions of STPs, ibuprofen could be associated with a risk in small river systems.