A toxicokinetic model for thiamethoxam in rats: implications for higher-tier risk assessment

Risk assessment for mammals is currently based on external exposure measurements, but effects of toxicants are better correlated with the systemically available dose than with the external administered dose. So for risk assessment of pesticides, toxicokinetics should be interpreted in the context of potential exposure in the field taking account of the timescale of exposure and individual patterns of feeding. Internal concentration is the net result of absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME). We present a case study for thiamethoxam to show how data from ADME study on rats can be used to parameterize a body burden model which predicts body residue levels after exposures to LD50 dose either as a bolus or eaten at different feeding rates. Kinetic parameters were determined in male and female rats after an intravenous and oral administration of 14C labelled by fitting one-compartment models to measured pesticide concentrations in blood for each individual separately. The concentration of thiamethoxam in blood over time correlated closely with concentrations in other tissues and so was considered representative of pesticide concentration in the whole body. Body burden model simulations showed that maximum body weight-normalized doses of thiamethoxam were lower if the same external dose was ingested normally than if it was force fed in a single bolus dose. This indicates lower risk to rats through dietary exposure than would be estimated from the bolus LD50. The importance of key questions that should be answered before using the body burden approach in risk assessment, data requirements and assumptions made in this study are discussed in detail

Controlled Decoration of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes with Pd Nanocubes

Although there have been many reports of nanoparticle-decorated single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), the morphology of the resulting nanoparticles has lacked consistency and control. The present work demonstrates a process for decorating SWCNTs with Pd nanoparticles that have a tendency toward a selective and distinct cubic shape. SWCNTs were synthesized from an embedded catalyst in a porous anodic alumina (PAA) template. A single galvanostatic electrodeposition created Pd nanowires that contacted the SWCNTs within the pores and Pd nanoparticles that decorated the SWCNTs above the surface of the PAA. A distinct change in potential was observed as nanoparticles nucleated on the SWCNTs. The effects of current density and deposition time on the morphology of the nanoparticles were studied. Optimal deposition parameters yielded Pd nanocubes with smooth and flat facets. The electrochemical response and resulting nanocubic deposits provide insights into the difference in electrochemistry between metallic and semiconducting SWCNTs that are consistent with a disparity in the electron-transfer kinetics. Obtaining Pd nanoparticles of consistent shape that are electrically addressed by SWCNTs provides an improved structure for a variety of nanoparticle applications

Competition and Challenge on Adopting Cloud ERP

[[abstract]]ERP provides businesses flow management and includes manufacturing, accounting, sales and customer relationship management. The new ICT technology, cloud computing, offers an alternative for businesses to conduct ERP. The traditional ERP implementation methodology involves various processes and procedures, which constitute the conditions or means for formulating the actual implementation of ERP projects. It is a time-consuming project. Cloud ERP is then a very good proposition for a start-up, and is simple to deploy, organization need not to bear additional server and other dependent costs. It is also easy and quick to implement an ERP to a business organization. However, on cloud ERP, the challenge of data security, business profit, Internet accessibility, and the total cost become initial issues for businesses to choose a fit one. This study provides a framework for businesses to adopt the cloud ERP