Private and public green spaces: meaningful but different settings

There is an increased demand for more dwelling space in Western countries. In the Netherlands, this is expressed as an overwhelming preference for a single-family dwelling with a garden. In contrast to these consumer preferences, governments pursue a compact-city agenda, which implies high-density and mixed-use cities. This gap between consumer preference and government policy has led many policy makers, planners and developers to design dwelling concepts for urban areas in which the private domestic garden is substituted by public green space. In this paper we investigate whether this substitution makes sense or not by comparing the meanings people attach to both concepts. Our results clearly show that unique combinations of functions and meanings are attached to the domestic garden and public green space. Key aspects of public green space are its contribution to the livability of the dwelling environment and to the experience of nature. A key feature of the domestic garden is that it is considered as an outdoor extension of the dwelling that affords casual leisure. So, public and private green spaces are not just simple substitutes for each other.     

The optimisation of solid–liquid extraction of antioxidants from apple pomace by response surface methodology

Response surface methodology using two food grade solvents, acetone and ethanol, was used to optimise antioxidant extraction from industrially generated apple pomace. Efficiency of extraction was optimised by measuring antioxidant activity, phenol content and three individual polyphenol groups. Conditions for optimal antioxidant activity as measured by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay were 56% ethanol, 80 °C and 31 min. Using these conditions an antioxidant value of 444 mg Trolox/100 g DW was obtained. For acetone extraction the optimal conditions were 65% acetone, 25 °C and 60 min, resulting in an antioxidant value of 436 mg Trolox/100 g DW. Both ethanol and acetone would be suitable to replace methanol for a food grade and more environmental friendly solid–liquid extraction of antioxidants.     

Contaminants in ospreys from the Pacific Northwest: I. Trends and patterns in polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and -dibenzofurans in eggs and plasma

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) eggs were collected from 1991 to 1997 at nests (n = 121) upstream and downstream of bleached kraft pulp mills and at reference sites in the Fraser and Columbia River drainage systems of British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon. Blood samples were collected from nestling ospreys during the 1992 breeding season on the Thompson River. Samples were analyzed for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and -dibenzofurans (PCDFs). Mean concentrations of 2,3,7,8-TCDD were significantly higher in eggs collected in 1991 at downstream compared to upstream nests near pulp mills at Kamloops and Castlegar, British Columbia. There were no significant temporal trends in 2,3,7,8-TCDD, -TCDF or other measured compounds at a sample of nests monitored between 1991 and 1994 downstream of the Castlegar pulp mill, despite changes in bleaching technology (CIO2 substitution). However, by 1997 concentrations of 2, 3,7,8-TCDD and -TCDF were significantly lower than previous years in nests sampled downstream at both Castlegar and Kamloops. An unusual pattern of higher chlorinated PCDDs and PCDFs was found in many of the osprey eggs collected in this study, and considerable individual variation in the pattern existed among eggs from the same site. For example, eggs from four different nests at one study area (Quesnel) on the Fraser River had concentrations of 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDD ranging from <1 to 1,100 ng/kg and OCDD from <1 to 7,000 ng/kg wet weight. Higher mean concentrations of HpCDD and OCDD were found in eggs from the Thompson River, a tributary of the Fraser, compared to the Columbia River, and concentrations were generally higher at nests upstream of pulp mills. In plasma samples, 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDD and OCDD were the main compounds detected, with no significant differences measured between samples upstream versus downstream or earlier versus later in the breeding season. Use of chlorophenolic wood preservatives by lumber processors was considered the main source of higher chlorinated PCDD/Fs throughout the systems, based on patterns of trace PCDFs in eggs and significant correlations between egg concentrations of pentachlorophenol and both HpCDD (r = 0.891, p < 0.01) and OCDD (r = 0.870, p < 0.01).     

Confirmation of residues of thyreostatic drugs in thyroid glands by multiple mass spectrometry after thin-layer chromatographic screening

A method is described for the confirmation of high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) suspect results of residues of thyreostatic drugs in thyroid tissue. The method is based on the infusion of the remainder of the extract used for HPTLC via the electrospray interface into a mass spectrometer operating in the multiple stage mass spectrometry (MSn) mode. The clean-up of the samples was performed with a selective extraction procedure, based on a specific complex formation of the drugs with mercury ions, bound in an affinity column. The thyreostatic drugs were derivatised with 7-chloro-4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole.     

Changes in self-schema structure in cognitive therapy for major depressive disorder: A randomized clinical trial.

Negative cognitive structure (particularly for interpersonal content) has been shown in some research to persist past a current episode of depression and potentially to be a stable marker of vulnerability for depression (D. J. A. Dozois, 2007; D. J. A. Dozois & K. S. Dobson, 2001a). Given that cognitive therapy (CT) is highly effective for treating the acute phase of a depressive episode and that this treatment also reduces the risk of relapse and recurrence, it is possible that CT may alter these stable cognitive structures. In the current study, patients were randomly assigned to CT+ pharmacotherapy (n = 21) or to pharmacotherapy alone (n = 21). Both groups evidenced significant and similar reductions in level of depression (as measured with the Beck Depression Inventory–II and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression), as well as automatic thoughts and dysfunctional attitudes. However, group differences were found on cognitive organization in favor of individuals who received the combination of CT+ pharmacotherapy. The implications of these results for understanding mechanisms of change in therapy and the prophylactic nature of CT are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Oxygen diffusion in a network model of the myocardial microcirculation

Oxygen supply was studied in a three-dimensional capillary network model of the myocardial microcirculation. Capillary networks were generated using one common strategy to locate the capillary branchings and segments, arterioles and venules. Flow paths developed with different capillary flow velocities. All pressure-flow relationships were linear. The model includes free diffusion of oxygen within tissue slices that are perpendicular to the main capillary orientation. Oxygen pressure distributions were calculated and correlated to oxygen delivery by small capillary segments. It was shown that intercapillary diffusion is important for reducing PO2 heterogeneity. The absence of this feature leads to an oxygen distribution that has similar heterogeneity characteristics as the capillary flow heterogeneity. Such situations may also occur during simulated, elevated metabolic activity in a network model that allows intercapillary diffusion. On the basis of our simulations of metabolic vasoactivity we concluded that the venous PO2 is a misleading quantity to indicate tissue oxygenation. The venous PO2 in our model was not a good measure for the mean tissue or capillary PO2, and for the low oxygen pressures that exist at some locations in the network model. Moreover, the venous PO2 may remain constant despite considerable changes on the tissue PO2 distribution induced by metabolic activity.     

Determination of vitamin A in liver and liver-containing products using narrow-bore normal, phase HPLC

Vitamin A concentrations in livers of fattening animals and liver-containing products may reach much higher values than was assumed up to now. This effect may be caused by animal feed, which is usually supplemented with vitamins. To support this supposition, 57 liver samples of different species of animals, 97 liver sausages and 106 samples of liver-containing infant food were analysed. For isolation of retinol from the sample matrix the sample was saponified for 16 h under a nitrogen atmosphere at room temperature. Retinol was extracted from the saponification solution by using disposable cartridges. For Chromatographic determination a normalphase HPLC system using a narrow-bore analytical column and a photodiode array detector was used. It was possible to separate all-trans-retinol from other isomers. The identity of the peaks could be confirmed by recording the UV spectra. —The results of the retinol contents found in the analysed samples ranged from 11.6 to 160.7 mg/100 g in liver, from 1.4 to 31.1 mg/100 g in liver sausages and from 0.5 to 3.8 mg/100 g in infant food containing between 5 and 11% liver. By consuming liver-containing meals frequently a multiple amount of the recommended dietary intake ranging from 0.375 mg for infants to 0.8 mg for adults may be taken up. Also the recommended daily intakes of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ernährung can be exceeded. —The carry-over effect of daily vitamin A consumption of pigs and their liver vitamin A was investigated by parallel determination of the retinol content in the liver after slaughtering and the vitamin A content in the pig-feed during the fattening period. A clear correlation between their daily vitamin A intake and the resulting retinol content in the livers was found.

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Vitamin-A-Bestimmung in Leber und leberhaltigen Lebensmitteln unter Anwendung von Narrow-Bore-Normalphasen-HPLC

Zusammenfassung Die Vitamin-A-Gehalte in Lebern von Schlachttieren können höhere Werte annehmen als man bisher vermutete, u. a.,weil in der Tiermast verwendete Futtermittel mit Vitaminen supplementiert werden. Um den aktuellen Status aufzuzeigen, wurden 57 Leberproben unterschiedlicher Tierarten, 97 Leberwürste und 106 Gläschen vorgefertigter Kleinkindernahrung mit Lebergehalten zwischen 5 und 11% untersucht. Die Proben wurden kalt unter Stickstoffatmosphäre verseift und das Unverseifbare mit Hilfe von Kieselgurkartuschen extrahiert. Zur chromatographischen Bestimmung wurde ein Normalphasen-HPLC-System mit einer Narrow-Bore-Säule verwendet. Detektiert wurde mit einem Photodiodenarray-Detektor. Das all-trans-Retinol konnte von anderen Isomeren getrennt werden. Die gefundenen Retinolkonzentrationen bewegten sich in Bereichen zwischen 11,6 und 160,7 mg/100 g in Leber, zwischen 1,4 und 31,1 mg/100 g in Leberwurst und zwischen 0,5 und 3,8 mg/100 g in Kindernahrung. Bei häufigem Konsum von leberhaltigen Mahlzeiten kann ein Vielfaches des RDI (Recommended dietary intake), der zwischen 0,375 mg für Kleinkinder und 0,8 mg für Heranwachsende liegt, bzw. der von der DGE empfohlenen täglichen Zufuhr, die sich zwischen 0,5 und 1,1 mg bewegt, an Vitamin A zugeführt werden. —Der Zusammenhang zwischen dem täglich aufgenommenen Vitamin A von Mastschweinen und dem Retinol-Gehalt in ihren Lebern wurde untersucht. Hierzu wurde sowohl der Vitamin-A-Gehalt der Schweinelebern nach Schlachtung der Tiere als auch der Gehalt in den Futtermitteln, mit denen sie während der Mastperiode gefüttert wurden, untersucht. Eine deutliche Korrelation wurde festgestellt.

     

Touch‐typing for better spelling and narrative‐writing skills on the computer

This study investigated the effect of a touch‐typing course on the spelling and narrative‐writing skills on the computer of elementary school students. Data of 207 students in Grades 4, 5, and 6 were analysed using a pretest–posttest design. Students in the experimental group (n = 154) followed a touch‐typing course, and those in the control group (n = 53) did not. The experimental group showed more progress in typing, spelling, and narrative‐writing skills on the computer than the control group. It can be concluded that the touch‐typing course had a positive effect, not only on typing skills but also on spelling and narrative‐writing skills on the computer.     

Intercalating Electron Dyes for TEM Visualization of DNA at the Single-Molecule Level

Staining compounds containing heavy elements (electron dyes) can facilitate the visualization of DNA and related biomolecules by using TEM. However, research into the synthesis and utilization of alternative electron dyes has been limited. Here, we report the synthesis of a novel DNA intercalator molecule, bis-acridine uranyl (BAU). NMR spectroscopy and MS confirmed the validity of the synthetic strategy and gel electrophoresis verified the binding of BAU to DNA. For TEM imaging of DNA, two-dimensional DNA origami nanostructures were used as a robust microscopy test object. By using scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) imaging, which is favored over conventional wide-field TEM for improved contrast, and therefore, quantitative image analysis, it is found that the synthesized BAU intercalator can render DNA visible, even at the single-molecule scale. For comparison, other staining compounds with a purported affinity towards DNA, such as dichloroplatinum, cisplatin, osmium tetroxide, and uranyl acetate, have been evaluated. The STEM contrast is discussed in terms of the DNA–dye association constants, number of dye molecules bound per base pair, and the electron-scattering capacity of the metal-containing ligands. These findings pave the way for the future development of electron dyes with specific DNA-binding motifs for high-resolution TEM imaging.     

High-resolution microrheology in the pericellular matrix of prostate cancer cells

Many cells express a membrane-coupled external mechanical layer, the pericellular matrix (PCM), which often contains long-chain polymers. Its role and properties are not entirely known, but its functions are believed to include physical protection, mechanosensing, chemical signalling or lubrication. The viscoelastic response of the PCM, with polysaccharides as the main structural components, is therefore crucial for the understanding of its function. We have here applied microrheology, based on optically trapped micrometre-sized colloids, to the PCM of cultured PC3 prostate cancer cells. This technology allowed us to measure the extremely soft response of the PCM, with approximately 1 µm height resolution. Exogenously added aggrecan, a hyaluronan-binding proteoglycan, caused a remarkable increase in thickness of the viscoelastic layer and also triggered filopodia-like protrusions. The viscoelastic response of the PCM, however, did not change significantly.