Forestry for a low carbon future. Integrating forests and wood products in climate change strategies

Following the introduction, Chapter 2 provides an overview of mitigation in the forest sector, addressing the handling of forests under UNFCCC. Chapters 3 to 5 focus on forest-based mitigation options – afforestation, reforestation, REDD+ and forest management – and Chapters 6 and 7 focus on wood-product based options – wood energy and green building and furnishing. The publication describes these activities in the context of UNFCCC rules, assessing their mitigation potential and economic attrac tiveness as well as opportunities and challenges for implementation. Chapter 8 discusses the different considerations involved in choosing the right mix of options as well as some of the instruments and means for implementation. Chapter 8 also highlights the co-benefits generated by forest-based mitigation and emphasizes that economic assessment of mitigation options needs to take these benefits into account. The concluding chapter assesses national commitments under UNFCCC involving forest miti gation and summarizes the challenges and opportunities

A crossed-beam experiment on intramultiplet mixing collisions with short-lived Ne** {(2p)5(3p)} atoms

We describe the design, operation, and calibration of a crossed-beam experiment for the study of intramultiplet mixing collisions of short-lived electronically excited Ne{(2p)5(3p)}≡{α} atoms with ground-state atoms/molecules. The excellent performance of almost 1 kHz/Å2 (number of counts per unit of inelastic cross section) enables us to measure, with good accuracy, absolute total Ne**-X cross sections Q‖Mk‖l←k, for the {α}k→{α}l transition. Here Mk is the magnetic quantum number of the electronic angular momentum J of the initial {α}k state with respect to the asymptotic relative velocity. The polarized {α}k state is produced with a polarized laser. Narrow-band interference filters are used to detect the fluorescence radiation from the short-lived {α}k and {α}l states. An extensive series of measurements has been undertaken to calibrate the experiment. These are related to, e.g., beam properties, the optical-pumping process, and the optical detection system. The basic principles of the collision experiment itself have been thoroughly examined as well. We discuss the kinds of experiments it is possible to perform. These have yielded absolute (within 30%) cross sections between 0.05 and 50 Å2. Very strong polarization effects have been observed, with 0.1≲Q‖0‖l←k/Q‖1‖l←k ≲10. The average collision energy has been varied between 50 and 250 meV (depending to some extent on the collision partner), by using a seeded primary beam and by manipulating the Newton diagram of primary- and secondary-beam velocity vectors. Time-of-flight measurements with a laser chopper have been performed as well. The wide range of Ne**-collision partners offers the option of studying intramultiplet mixing pure (He, Ne), and in conjunction with Penning ionization (noble gas atoms Ar, Kr, Xe) or even angular-momentum coupling and anisotropy effects (molecules, from H2 to CO2, N2O)

Degradation, intra-articular retention and biocompatibility of monospheres composed of [PDLLA-PEG-PDLLA]-b-PLLA multi-block copolymers

In this study, we investigated the use of microspheres with a narrow particle size distribution (‘monospheres’) composed of biodegradable poly(DL-lactide)-PEG-poly(DL-lactide)-b-poly(L-lactide) multiblock copolymers that are potentially suitable for local sustained drug release in articular joints. Monospheres with sizes of 5, 15 and 30 μm and a narrow particle size distribution were prepared by a micro-sieve membrane emulsification process. During in vitro degradation, less crystallinity, higher swelling and accelerated mass loss during was observed with increasing the PEG content of the polymer. The monospheres were tested in both a small (mice/rat) and large animal model (horse). In vivo imaging after injection with fluorescent dye loaded microspheres in mice knees showed that monospheres of all sizes retained within the joint for at least 90 days, while the same dose of free dye redistributed to the whole body within the first day after intra-articular injection. Administration of monospheres in equine carpal joints caused a mild transient inflammatory response without any clinical signs and without degradation of the cartilage, as evidenced by the absence of degradation products of sulfated glycosaminoglycans or collagen type 2 in the synovial fluid. The excellent intra-articular biocompatibility was confirmed in rat knees, where μCT-imaging and histology showed neither changes in cartilage quality nor quantity. Given the good intra-articular retention and the excellent biocompatibility, these novel poly(DL-lactide)-PEG-poly(DL-lactide)-b-poly(L-lactide)-based monospheres can be considered a suitable platform for intra-articular drug delivery. Statement of Significance This paper demonstrates the great potential in intra-articular drug delivery of monodisperse biodegradable microspheres which were prepared using a new class of biodegradable multi-block copolymers and a unique membrane emulsification process allowing the preparation of microspheres with a narrow particle size distribution (monospheres) leading to multiple advantages like better injectability, enhanced reproducibility and predictability of the in vivo release kinetics. We report not only on the synthesis and preparation, but also in vitro characterization, followed by in vivo testing of intra-articular biocompatibility of the monospheres in both a small and a large animal model. The favourable intra-articular biocompatibility combined with the prolonged intra-articular retention (>90 days) makes these monospheres an interesting drug delivery platform. What should also be highlighted is the use of horses; a very accurate translational model for the human situation, making the results not only relevant for equine healthcare, but also for the development of novel human OA therapies