Ultrashort Bradycardic Effect of Newly Synthesized Compounds

Changes in the heart rate induced by four different doses of two newly synthesized potential ultrashort-action antagonists of beta adrenergic receptors were tested in 90 male laboratory Wistar rats. The isoprenaline-induced tachycardia model was used. Their effects were compared with those of esmolol. In the second part of the study, approximate electro-physiological measurements were made in vitro to assess the influence of the compounds tested on ion membrane currents in isolated ventricular cardiomyocytes. Both compounds demonstrated significant bradycardic effects in all concentrations tested compared with the control group, but they differed in the time of the onset of their action. Both newly synthesized compounds induced blockade of the fast sodium current (INa) and potassium currents (Ito, IK1, IK,end)

Slavic *mokrъ, Irish ainmech ‘wet, rain’

Avtor prikazuje etimološke povezave med baltščino, slovanščino, albanščino in keltščino za pojem ‘moker, dež’, ki se kažejo v rekonstrukciji praindoevropskega korena *mek- (~ *mok-). The author demonstrates the etymological connections among Baltic, Slavic, Albanian, and Celtic for the term ‘wet’, reflected in PIE *mek- (~ *mok-)

Can ISO 9001 certification of water utilities in developing countries be used to evaluate institutional sustainability?

Provision of reliable water services is critical for sustainable development. Next year (2015), the United Nations will review achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Based on previous trends, The WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme estimates that about 700 million people will not have access to safe drinking water in 2015. During the post-2015 era, urban water utilities in less developed regions of the world will face greater challenges in extending and sustainably providing water services, where, it is projected, the urban population will increase from 2.57 billion in 2010, to 3.95 billion in 2030 (UN-Habitat, 2010). Consistent with various scholars, we argue in this paper that there can be no sustainable development in any sector without the support of effective and sustainable institutions. [Continues.

Can ISO 9001 certification of water utilities in developing countries be used to evaluate institutional sustainability?

Provision of reliable water services is critical for sustainable development. Next year (2015), the United Nations will review achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Based on previous trends, The WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme estimates that about 700 million people will not have access to safe drinking water in 2015. During the post- 2015 era, urban water utilities in less developed regions of the world will face greater challenges in extending and sustainably providing water services, where, it is projected, the urban population will increase from 2.57 billion in 2010, to 3.95 billion in 2030 (UN-Habitat, 2010). Consistent with various scholars, we argue in this paper that there can be no sustainable development in any sector without the support of effective and sustainable institutions. Whereas indicators for measuring improved quality of service are established in policy and practice, there has been no agreement between policy makers, practitioners and academicians on how best to measure institutional sustainability for improved organisational performance. An increasing number of urban water utilities in developing countries are adopting quality management systems (QMS) based on ISO 9000 series of standards in order to improve their performance. This paper reports on the results of a study commissioned by the World Bank to assess whether ISO 9001 QMS offer a sound framework for evaluating institutional sustainability of urban water utilities. The study was conducted in 2011/12 through a comprehensive literature review and primary data collection from two case study urban water utilities in sub-Saharan Africa. Primary data were collected through semi-structured interviews and questionnaires with senior and middle-level managers; Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with lower cadre staff of the utilities; and analysis of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) before and after ISO certification. Evidence from the literature showed that there is a plausible link between ISO 9000 QMS standards and institutional sustainability. Field data from the two African water utilities corroborated the findings from the literature. However, findings from the case studies indicate that there is no causal link between ISO 9001 certification and institutional sustainability. The study shows that the purpose and motivation for implementing ISO 9001 QMS are important moderating factors. Furthermore, ISO 9001 framework does not adequately cater for many factors in the external environment of the service providers, which are critical for institutional sustainability. There is need, therefore, to develop a more effective assessment tool for tracking a water utility’s progress towards institutional sustainability

Hydro-ionothermal synthesis of lanthanide-organic frameworks with 1,4-phenylenebis(methylene)diphosphonate

A synthetic approach combining hydrothermal and ionothermal (eutectic mixture of choline chloride and malonic acid) procedures is proposed that allowed the isolation of the first lanthanide-organic frameworks with residues of 1,4-phenylenebis(methylene)- diphosphonic acid (H4pmd), [Ln(Hpmd)(H2O)] (where Ln3+ ) Ce3+ and Pr3+), exhibiting an unprecedented trinodal topology with 3- and 8-connected nodes. The structural details were unveiled from single-crystal X-ray diffraction and the materials were characterized using standard techniques.FCT - POCI-PPCDT/QUI/58377/2004FEDER - POCIGrant - SFRH/BPD/9309/200

Optimized Synthesis of Tetrafluoroterephthalic Acid: A Versatile Linking Ligand for the Construction of New Coordination Polymers and Metal-Organic Frameworks

Pure 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoroterephthalic acid (H(2)tfBDC) is obtained in high yields (95%) by reacting 1,2,4,5-tetrafluorobenzene with a surplus (>2 equiv) of n-butyllithium in tetrahydrofuran (THF) and subsequent carbonation with CO2 without any extensive purification procedure. A single crystal X-ray structure analysis of H2tfBDC (1) confirms former data obtained for a deuterated sample (P (1) over bar, Z = 1). Recrystallization from water/acetone leads to single crystals of H(2)tfBDC center dot 2H(2)O (2, P2(1)/c, Z. 2), where an extensive hydrogen bonding network is found. By reacting H2tfBDC with an aqueous ammonia solution, single crystals of (NH4)(2)tfBDC (3, C2/m, Z. 2) are obtained. 3 is thermally stable up to 250 degrees C and shows an enhanced solubility in water compared to H(2)tfBDC. Monosubstituted 2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzoic acid (H(2)tfBC, 4) is obtained by reacting 1,2,4,5-tetrafluorobenzene with stoichiometric amounts (1 equiv) of n-butyllithium in THF. Its crystal structure (Fdd2, Z = 16) shows dimeric units as characteristic structural feature