Field Experience on Corrugated Metal Culverts

The behaviour of buried structures in earth embankments is related to the stiffness properties of the composite system comprising both the buried structure and the surrounding soil taken as a basic structural unit responding to loading imposed on the system. A field experience on corrugated metal culverts equipped with contractable seams has been carried out in order to verify the transfer of load to or away from the buried structure as a result of the difference in stiffness properties of the structure, with its adjacent encompassing material, and the surrounding expanse of soil

Extended-spectrum β-lactamase Enterobacteriaceae (ESBLE) in intensive care units: strong correlation with the ESBLE colonization pressure in patients but not same species

Sink drains of six intensive care units (ICUs) were sampled for screening contamination with extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBLE). A high prevalence (59.4%) of sink drain contamination was observed. Analysing the data by ICU, the ratio \u27number of ESBLE species isolated in sink drains/total number of sink drains sampled\u27 was highly correlated (Spearman coefficient: 0.87; P = 0.02) with the ratio \u27number of hospitalization days for patients with ESBLE carriage identified within the preceding year/total number of hospitalization days within the preceding year\u27. Concurrently, the distribution of ESBLE species differed significantly between patients and sink drains

Combining two-directional synthesis and tandem reactions. Part 21: Exploitation of a dimeric macrocycle for chain terminus differentiation and synthesis of an sp3-rich library

The application of a tandem condensation/cyclisation/[3+2]-cycloaddition/elimination reaction gives an sp3-rich tricyclic pyrazoline scaffold with two ethyl esters in a single step from a simple linear starting material. The successive hydrolysis and cyclisation (with Boc anhydride) of these 3-dimensional architectures, generates unprecedented 16-membered macrocyclic bisanhydrides (characterised by XRD). Selective amidations could then be achieved by ring opening with a primary amine followed by HATU-promoted amide coupling to yield an sp3-rich natural product-like library

A two-directional approach to pyrrolizidines: total syntheses and biological evaluation of alkaloid cis-223B and (+/-)-xenovenine

Total syntheses of alkaloid cis-223B and xenovenine are reported in 3 and 4 steps respectively using a two-directional synthesis/triple reductive amination strategy, and their neurotoxic properties assessed

Facile access to a heterocyclic, sp3-rich chemical scaffold via a tandem condensation/intramolecular nitrone–alkene [3+2] cycloaddition strategy

A heterocyclic, sp3-rich chemical scaffold was synthesised in just 6 steps via a highly regio- and diastereo-selective tandem nitrone formation/intramolecular nitrone–alkene [3+2] cycloaddition reaction. A library of 543 lead-like compounds based on the scaffold core has been produced

Captive breeding of European freshwater mussels as aconservation tool: A review

1. Freshwater mussels are declining throughout their range. Their importantecological functions along with insufficient levels of natural recruitment haveprompted captive breeding for population augmentation and questions about the usefulness and applicability of such measures. 2. This article reviews the current state of captive breeding and rearing programmes for freshwater mussels in Europe. It considers the various species, strategies, andtechniques of propagation, as well as the different levels of effort requiredaccording to rearing method, highlighting the key factors of success. 3. Within the last 30 years, 46 breeding activities in 16 European countries have been reported, mainly of Margaritifera margaritifera and Unio crassus. Some facilities propagate species that are in a very critical situation, such as Pseudunio auricularius, Unio mancus, and Unio ravoisieri, or multiple species concurrently. Insome streams, the number of released captive-bred mussels already exceeds the size of the remaining natural population. 4. Rearing efforts range from highly intensive laboratory incubation to lowerintensity methods using in-river mussel cages or silos. Most breeding efforts are funded by national and EU LIFE(+) grants, are well documented, and consider the genetic integrity of the propagated mussels. Limited long-term funding perspectives, the availability of experienced staff, water quality, and feeding/survival during early life stages are seen as the most important challenges. 5. Successful captive breeding programmes need to be combined with restoration ofthe habitats into which the mussels are released. This work will benefit from anevidence-based approach, knowledge exchange among facilities, and an overall breeding strategy comprising multiple countries and conservation units. aquaculture, captive breeding, conservation translocation, freshwater mussel culturing, Margaritifera margaritifera, propagation, reintroduction, Unio crassusCaptive breeding of European freshwater mussels as aconservation tool: A reviewpublishedVersio