Efficacy of venlafaxine and placebo during long-term treatment of depression: a pooled analysis of relapse rates

An assay was developed for the specific detection of Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis, using a novel application of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This PCR assay is based on the mismatch amplification mutation assay, an allele-specific reaction, and can discriminate Enteritidis from all other salmonella. PCR primers were selected to amplify a 351-base pair (bp) DNA fragment from the salmonella plasmid virulence A (spv A) gene of Enteritidis. A single base difference at position 272 is present between the nucleotide sequence of the spvA gene of Enteritidis and other salmonellae. The downstream PCR primer, that encompasses position 272 of the Enteritidis spvA gene, was designed to contain a single base mismatch at the penultimate position, resulting in a 1-base mismatch with Enteritidis and a 2-base mismatch with other salmonellae that harbour the virulence plasmid. The upstream primer was completely homologous with the region immediately 5' to the spvA gene. When these primers were used and the annealing and extension reactions were performed at the same temperature, the PCR assay was specific for Enteritidis; no PCR product was detected for 40 other serotypes and 28 different genera examined. In pure culture, 120 colony forming units (c.f.u.) could be detected; a PCR product was observed from template derived from a 5 h enrichment broth culture of chicken seeded with 1 c.f.u. per gram of Enteritidis. This PCR assay is specific, reproducible, and less time consuming than the standard bacteriological methods used to detect Enteritidis.     

Current status of the Cincinnati GCL test plots

This paper describes the design, layout, construction and current status on the performance of fourteen full scale test plots targeted at assessing the internal shear strength of GCLs in landfill cover applications. Five different commercially available GCLs from four manufacturers were used in the study. Each test plot is two geosynthetic clay line roll widths wide, with lengths of 29m (95 ft) on the 3(H)-to-1(V) (horizontal-to-vertical) slopes and 20m (67 ft) on the 2(H)-to-1(V) (horizontal-to-vertical) slopes. The plots are being monitored with numerous deformation ‘telltales’ as well as subgrade and GCL moisture gages.

Two slides occurred shortly after construction. Both involved the upper surfaces of the GCLs against the overlying textured geomembranes. The slides were clearly the result of bentonite lubricated interfaces and (although of interest) did not relate to the internal shear strength focus and goals of the project.

Upon inducing internal shear stress in the GCLs by cutting all of the overlying geosynthetics, the deformations have been small except for one plot. This plot involved a unreinforced bentonite GCL, sandwiched between two geomembranes. It was sampled and found to have a large region of unexpected and excessively high moisture content. Subsequently, the test plot slid, the interface being the upper geomembrane against the bentonite of the GCL. The test plot was constructed a second time and the current response is more in keeping with the anticipated behaviour. Other than these slides, however, all of the other GCL plots appear to be stable.

If the internal stability of the GCLs continue, it can be assumed that the 2(H)-to-1(V) slopes have a factor-of-safety of 1.0 or greater. This being the case, the 3(H)-to-1(V) slopes have a factor-of-safety of 1.5 or greater. While this hypothesis is still being substantiated, it speaks well for the internal shear strength of the GCLs used in the study when properly installed. The project is ongoing as of, the writing of this paper.     

Characterization of the interfacial bond in paper-polypropylene laminates and the effects of aging under service conditions

This study focused on the behavior of the paper-polypropylene-paper (PPP) laminate while aging in hot oil in the absence of voltage stress. The results provide an understanding of both the quality of the interfacial bond and the performance of this bond during service. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy performed on two different peeled laminates suggest that the bond failed primarily adhesively. Weibull statistical analysis of the peel strength data obtained on unaged laminates and those aged in polybutene oil at 90°C for 120 hours showed that the strength loss is consistent with one failure mechanism and the failure rate increases with applied stress. For the aged sample, Weibull analysis results are consistent with the prior loss of peel strength due to the aging. Experiments on the solubility of the oil show that lamination reduces the amount of absorption in comparison to the unlaminated composite. Swelling experiments on the individual components show differential swelling between the paper and polypropylene to be the source of the strength loss. The polypropylene swells, and the paper shrinks. Measurements on the laminate show that both paper and polypropylene shrink, indicating that the paper governs the laminate swelling process. During aging, the differential swelling generates internal stresses on the interface. In addition to yielding the magnitudes of these stresses, finite element analysis also predicts plastic deformation and creeping of the polypropylene as well as tensile stresses between the paper and polypropylene at a free edge. Very likely these processes damage the bond and contribute to the loss of bond strength.     

Synthesis and Properties of Hydrazino Amino Acyclic Carbenes of Gold(I), Platinum(II), Palladium(II) and Rhodium(III)

The nucleophilic addition of protected and substituted hydrazine derivatives to isonitrile complexes of gold(I), platinum(II), palladium(II) and rhodium(III) provides the corresponding hydrazino amino acyclic carbene complexes. These are characterized by their spectroscopic data, four different X‐ray single crystal structure analyses and their catalytic activity in the gold(I)‐catalyzed cycloisomerization of N‐propargylcarboxamides to alkylideneoxazolines is investigated.

     

Scope and Limitations of Palladium‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling Reactions with Organogold Compounds

Five different alkenylgold(I) phosphane complexes were prepared and then investigated in [1,1′‐bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene]palladium(II) dichloride‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions with different aryl halides, heterocyclic halides, an alkenyl halide, an alkynyl halide, allylic substrates, benzyl bromide and an acid chloride. With regard to the halides, the iodides were highly reactive, bromides or chlorides gave significantly reduced yields or failed, allylic acetates failed, too. The cross‐coupling partners contained a number of different functional groups, while free carboxylic acids did not deliver cross‐coupling products and o,o‐disubstituted arenes failed as well, a broad range of other functional groups like nitro groups, nitrile groups, ester groups, α,β‐unsaturated ester groups and lactones, aldehydes, alkoxy groups, pyridyl groups, thienyl groups, unprotected phenols and anilines, even aryl azides were tolerated. The structures of one alkenylgold(I) species and of four of the cross‐coupling products were proved by crystal structure analyses.     

Nachträgliche Abdichtung von Betonbauwerken durch Gelinjektionen

Der Beitrag beschäftigt sich mit den Möglichkeiten, Betonbauwerke mit anderen als den in der Instandsetzungsrichtlinie des DAfStb aufgeführten Produkten abzudichten. Dafür kommen Injektionsgele in Frage, die eine Reihe vorteilhafter Eigenschaften besitzen, durch die eine erfolgreiche Abdichtung auch dann noch möglich ist, wenn die “klassischen” Verfahren zu scheitern drohen. Wesentliche Vertreter der Injektionsgele, für die eine Reihe von praktischen Erfahrungen und Forschungsergebnissen vorliegen, sind die Acrylatgele, deren Anwendung beschrieben werden. Ausgehend von beispielhaft genannten Randbedingungen und einer Darstellung der wesentlichen Materialeigenschaften werden die Arten der mit Gelinjektionen herstellbaren Abdichtungen (Gelschleierabdichtungen, Injektion in das Bauteil, in Bauteilzwischenräume und in Risse, sowie deren Mischformen) dargestellt. Der Schwerpunkt liegt auf der Schleierinjektion, da sie die größten Besonderheiten gegenüber den üblichen Injektionen zum Füllen von Rissen und Fehlstellen aufweist. Für die Schleierinjektionen werden Grenzen der Ausführbarkeit und Möglichkeiten zum Erkennen dieser Grenzen aufgezeigt. Eine solche Möglichkeit besteht in der Ausführung von Probeinjektionen mit Wasser an vorgesehenen Injektionsstellen in den am Bauwerk anstehenden Baugrund. Neben der Darstellung der technischen Grundlagen und Anwendungsgrenzen wird für die einzelnen Arten der Gelinjektionen aufgeführt, welche baurechtlichen Anforderungen zu beachten sind. Post‐Construction Sealing of Concrete Structures by Gel Grouting This article deals with possibilities to seal concrete structures by other products than those authorized by the DAfStb. Among those products are grout injection gels which have several favourable properties which allow the user to seal even those structures where conventional methods might fail. Particularly for acrylate gel there is already a wide range of experience. This article describes the main properties of the materials, standard boundary conditions and the resulting types of sealing: curtain grouting, injections into the structural components or joints between structural elements, in cracks and a mixture of the methods mentioned above. The focus is set on curtain grouting which differs significantly from common grouting to repair cracks and defects. The usage of curtain grouting is limited. A method is described to recognize those limitations. One possibility could be to perform test injections at the original site using water instead of the gel. Apart from technical basics and practical limitations the requirements made by the authorities are characterized.