Substitution of the carboxyl-terminal domain of apo AI with apo AII sequences restores the potential of HDL to reduce the progression of atherosclerosis in apo E knockout mice

This paper presents the role of inhibitory protein C in the haemostatic processes, types of its deficiency and current opinions concerning the role of protein C deficiency in the pathogenesis of stroke. Deficiency of protein C (PC) or activated protein C resistance (both hereditary and acquired) play a role in pathogenesis of stroke, but not so great as it was thought until quite lately. Isolated protein C deficiency in old patients does not increase the risk of stroke. But in children hereditary deficiency of PC or activated PC resistance are of great importance in pathogenesis of ischaemic or venous stroke. In the presence of additional risk factors both in children and in adults deficiency of PC may be an important condition leading to stroke occurrence.     

Estimation of the energy needs in life cycle analysis of one‐way and returnable glass packaging

The current position on the environmental advantages offered by returnable versus one‐way glass packages is discussed. The energy needs of both options are considered as important parameters. A critical concept in the published LCA studies is the breakage rate, which serves to estimate the number (n) of returns that a functional unit of bottles can perform. Normally the energy of production of the glass (E) is divided by n. The authors consider this concept too theoretical and for long‐term situations demonstrate that, in all LCA calculations, an energy value equal to 2E/n should be used. This value is useful in calculating the break‐even point. The paper summarizes the effect of different breakage rates and distribution distances on the break‐even point. It is clear that, for breakage rates below 5%, returnable glass bottles remain competitive and advantageous, even for quite long distribution distances. The methology proposed should be applicable to other materials. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Investigations on precious metal/alumina interactions on three-way automotive emission control catalysts,BMA catalysts and model samples

Combined XPS and SIMS measurements, partly supplemented by XRD investigations, were utilized to detect precious metal/support interactions on catalysts containing various precious metals. The Klemm-Bronger reaction between Pt and α-Al₂O₃ on methane/ammonia catalysts was used as a standard reference. Evidence was found for different stages of Pt/Al interactions and changing electronic properties of Pt on the surfaces of these Pt/α-Al₂O₃ catalysts by means of XPS and SIMS, and in the bulk material by XRD. The SIMS investigations on Pt and Rh on γ-Al₂O₃ showed that, even at temperatures around 500 °C, Rh/Al interactions can appear to a small extent in the topmost atomic layers, whereas the Pt/γ-Al₂O₃ specimens did not show any measurable effects. After on-road operation, enhanced SIMS cluster-ion signals as well as anomalous XPS signal contributions were measured on the surfaces of used three-way automotive emission control catalysts. These signals did not appear for the fresh catalysts. By analogy with the related results reported on the methane/ammonia catalysts, the ion signals were used as qualitative surface probes indicating the presence of precious metal/support interactions, especially between Rh and Al.     

Impact of pulmonary rehabilitation on self-efficacy, quality of life, and exercise tolerance.

Objective: The objective of the present study was to investigate changes in psychological, physiological, and behavioral-performance variables as a function of pulmonary exercise rehabilitation. Study Design and Participants: Forty patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were recruited for participation in a 12-week outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation program. Measures: Measures included 6-min walking distance (exercise tolerance), 6-min walking distance self-efficacy, overall quality of life, dyspnea, fatigue, and emotional function. Results: Results revealed significant improvements over the course of the program in each of these measures, regardless of disease severity. In addition, improvements in exercise tolerance were significantly associated with increases in self-efficacy, which, in turn, were significantly related to improved quality of life. Conclusions: The results support the tenets of social-cognitive theory and suggest that participation in an outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation program can provide both physiological and psychological benefits for individuals with COPD. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Quality of food contacting materials with respect to migration: An advanced testing methodology applied during microwave heating

The UV methodology previously outlined has been applied to assess the influence of microwave heating on the migrational behaviour of plastics. Because the method indicates the way migration changes as a function of t when measured at constant temperature, its exponential relationship as a function of temperature (t) can be evaluated as well. Hence, the behaviour as a function of time while temperature changes are taking place can be calculated. In the current experiments the migrational effects of PET in water were studied as the temperature was raised by microwaves. No influence due the microwaves was found.     

Influence of Platinum Precursors on the Activity of Diesel Oxidation Catalysts. An EXAFS Study

The development of oxidation catalysts with low temperature activity for CO and HC oxidation has been the focus of recent developments in automotive emission control of diesel powered passenger cars. Using combined X-ray absorption–model gas activity experiments it could be shown that the platinum precursor is primarily responsible for the activity of diesel oxidation catalysts in the fresh state. The conditioning of catalysts is also very important and further improves the catalytic activity. This study demonstrated that the development of modern automotive emission control catalysts benefits from the progress of advanced analytical techniques like X-ray absorption. The knowledge of microscopic structure correlated to catalytic properties allows the efficient design of tailor-made catalysts for future applications.     

Influence of the V2O5 Loading on the Structure and Activity of V2O5/TiO2 SCR Catalysts for Vehicle Application

In this paper the effect of the vanadium oxide loading on the surface vanadia structure and the activity as well as selectivity in the catalytic reduction of NO with NH₃ was studied for a V₂O₅/TiO₂ model system. A series of TiO₂ (WO _x stabilized anatase) supported vanadia catalysts with varying loadings were characterized by laser Raman spectroscopy, ⁵¹V MAS-NMR, V K XANES. To determine the acidic properties, DRIFTS measurements were done with pyridine adsorbed on the samples. The measurements indicate that with increasing active phase loading square pyramidal coordinated surface vanadia species are replaced by an amorphous highly dispersed vanadium oxide phase with a coordination like V₂O₅. In addition, the ratio of Brønsted to Lewis acid sites is shifted from a comparatively low to an equal level at high loadings. This structural change is accompanied by a clearly improved catalytic activity and selectivity.