bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing the effect of scale on the ability of landscape structure metrics to discriminate landscape types in Mediterranean forest districts
Authors: García-Feced C. , Saura S. , Elena-Rosselló R.
Published: July 2014

Scale is a key concept in landscape ecology. Although several studies have analyzed the effect of scale on landscape structure metrics, there is still a need to focus on the ability of these metrics to discriminate between landscape types at different scales, particularly in Mediterranean forest landscapes. In this paper we assess the scaling behavior and correlation patterns of eight commonly-used landscape metrics in two Spanish forest districts (Pinares in Burgos and Soria, and Alto Tajo in Guadalajara) in order to detect at which grain sizes the landscape type differences are emphasized. This occurred in both districts at fine spatial resolutions for the metrics related to shape complexity and the amount of boundaries in the landscape, while a coarser spatial resolution was required for the landscape diversity and mixture metrics, suggesting that the differences in the spatial and compositional diversity of these landscape types are not so large locally (alpha diversity) but amplified at broader scales (gamma diversity) as a result of the high turnover rates characteristic of Mediterranean landscapes. The maximum variability for the fragmentation-related metrics did not appear at the same scale in both districts, because forest fragmentation in the Pinares district is mainly driven by harvesting treatments that operate at considerably different scales from those related to the topographic and climatic patterns that predominantly control the forest distribution in the more environmentally heterogeneous and less intensively managed district of Alto Tajo. Our methodology and results allow extracting the maximum information content from these metrics and adequately identifying and separately assessing those complex land cover mosaics that result from a similar set of biological and social forces and constraints. This should be valuable for an improved forest landscape planning and monitoring with a quantitative ecological basis in the Mediterranean and other temperate areas.
Genetic structure of Spanish wild populations of Castanea sativa as measured by isozyme analysis
Authors: Fernández-López J. , Monteagudo A. B.
Published: July 2014

The genetic variability within and among 17 wild Spanish chestnut stands was examined by isozyme analysis, with the goals of describing their geographic structure and designing conservation and management strategies. Measures of genetic diversity such as allelic richness, heterozygosity, polymorphism, F-statistics, D-statistics, gene flow, clustering using Nei’s genetic distances and a method based on an Monte Carlo Markov Chain algorithm and the contributions of each stand to diversity and allelic richness were all used. Wild Spanish chestnut populations displayed heterogeneity of allele frequencies between them, high levels of genetic diversity and high differentiation (Fst = 0.15) compared with populations from other western European countries such as France and Italy. The two clustering methods allowed the identification of three clusters: a Mediterranean cluster, a northern Spanish cluster and the southern Galician cluster. The highest heterozygosity and allelic richness were found in the North, especially in the southern Galician cluster. Several areas can be recommended for inclusion in the network of Conservation Units: Fraga de Catasós, representing the southern Galician cluster; Fragas do Eume, representing the northern Spanish cluster; and Hervás or El Tiemblo, representing the Mediterranean cluster.
The influence of the moisture content on the electrical resistance of two types of cork stoppers
Authors: Fernandez-Golfin J. , Conde García M. , González Hernández F. , Conde García M. , Fernadez-Golfin J. J. , Baonza Merino M. V. , García Esteban L. , González Adrados J. R.
Published: July 2014

The relationship between the log of the electrical resistance (ER; measured using pin electrodes) and the moisture content (MC) have not been reported in any form of cork. That is important for the cork stoppers industry because it should help in the design and verification of more precise devices for measuring cork moisture content. In this study, using linear regression techniques, different regression models of the type log(Log(R) + 1) = axh+b were derived to describe the relationship ERMC, that was measured using pin electrodes on two types of cork stoppers [natural (N) and agglomerate(AG)]. The results obtained show that in the models proposed, the moisture content of AG cork stoppers can be estimated with an error of ± 0.3%, while that of N stoppers can be estimated with an error of 0.5%. Neither the geographical origin of the N corks nor the surface treatment to which the AG corks were subjected significantly affected the proposed models.Therefore, the moisture content of cork stoppers could be measured at the industrial scale using electrical resistancetype moisture meters.
Phytoclimatic characterization and cartography of subantarctic native forests in Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego (Patagonia, Argentina)
Authors: Allué C. , Arranz J. A. , Bava J. O. , Beneitez J. M. , Collado L. , García-López J. M.
Published: July 2014

Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego is especially peculiar in phytoclimatic terms, situated as it is at an extreme southerly latitude, surrounded by large water masses and close to the great mass of Antarctic ice. Its main peculiarities in this sense are the coolness of its summers and a very narrow temperature range. As a result, the woodland landscapes in the parts with forest cover are dominated by microphyllous broadleaf physiognomies, both evergreen and deciduous, of the Nothofagus genus. This paper reports a more in-depth investigation of the hitherto little-known phytoclimatic conditions in that territory which included calibration and validation of a model of phytoclimatic suitability that addresses the principal plant physiognomic units and phytoclimatic mapping. It discusses the causes behind the presence of broadleaf formations in thermal conditions which in the northern hemisphere would allow only coniferous formations or no tree formations at all, and also the edaphic peculiarities that may explain the presence of a evergreen species like Nothofagus betuloides in subantarctic mixed forests.
Diagnosis of safety in forest harvesting operations from company records, official databases and land surveys. Improvement action plan
Authors: Albizu Urionabarrenetxea P. M. , Tolosana Esteban E. , Ulecia Zaldívar J. , Fernández Carretero M.
Published: July 2014

From 1995, Spanish safety legislation has been adapted to the International framework. However, operationally the situation is not so good, at least in the wood harvesting activity. Some forest workers are still found not wearing the compulsory safety equipment, working without respecting safety rules and references to high accidents rates are frequent. To assess those aspects, firstly some comparisons have been made between the accident records in a reference company and the accident indexes at national and regional level for building and farming activities. Secondly, using a purpose-designed questionnaire applied to 35 logging worksites in Castilla y Leon Region, deficiencies in prevention have been identified. The relation between the accident reduction and the prevention methods used by the reference studied company has been confirmed. Also the main causes of the accidents have been analysed. Finally, some recommendations to reduce the risk of accidents in harvesting operations are provided. The main conclusion confirms that the possibility of reducing the accident risk is conditioned to the commitment of all the staff of the timber harvesting company, at every level of responsibility, to search for excellence in safety as one more entrepreneurial goal. This fact should be accompanied by the staff early training and the adequate motivation means.
Delignification of Pinus radiata kraft pulp by treatment with a yeast genetically modified to produce laccases
Authors: Arana-Cuenca A. , Téllez-Jurado A. , Yagüe S. , Fermiñan E. , Carbajo J. M. , Domínguez A. , Gónzalez T. , Villar J. C. , González A. E.
Published: July 2014

Cellulose pulp bleaching is one of the main biotechnological applications of fungal laccases due to their capacity to degrade lignin from the unbleached pulp. For this application, not only a low cost enzyme production, but also higher enzyme concentrations than those obtained by its natural producers are needed. Heterologous expression of laccase in yeasts is an option for producing these enzymes at industrial scale. In this work the heterologous expression of the cglcc1 gene, responsible for laccase production in the basidiomicetous fungus Coriolopsis gallica, in the yeast Kluyveromyces lactis has been tested. In order to know if the transformed yeast obtains delignificant capability, a Pinus radiata kraft pulp has been incubated with it. After the treatment, an important decrease in kappa number (13%) and in lignin content (22%) has been observed. These results showed the delignificant capacity of this transformed yeast. It can be concluded that the employment of genetically modified microorganisms, without cellulolitic activity, to produce high laccase levels could be a feasible option to delignify cellulose pulps with a potential application in cellulose pulp bleaching.
Ceftaroline Fosamil for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Pulmonary Exacerbation in a Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis Patient
Authors: Molloy Leah , Snyder Ashley Hall , Srivastava Ruma , Rybak Michael J. , McGrath Eric
Published: July 2014

Ceftaroline, an advanced generation cephalosporin with activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), may present a new therapeutic alternative for treating lung infections among patients with cystic fibrosis. We report a case of ceftaroline therapy in a pediatric patient with cystic fibrosis, whose dose was increased from 9.7 mg/kg/dose every 12 hours to 10.8 mg/kg/dose every 8 hours by using pharmacokinetic analyses.
Safety of Alternative Antiviral Agents for Neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus Encephalitis and Disseminated Infection
Authors: Wang Yu , Smith Katherine P.
Published: July 2014

OBJECTIVE: To review the evidence describing the safety of ganciclovir and foscarnet in neonates in order to guide treatment for central nervous system or disseminated herpes simplex infections in cases of acyclovir shortage or resistance.

METHODS: PubMed, Ovid Medline, and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts were searched using the thesaurus and text-word terms “ganciclovir” and “foscarnet,” with birth to 1 month age limits. Thirty-two eligible publications describing safety in neonates were identified.

RESULTS: In 340 neonates treated for cytomegalovirus (CMV), life-threatening neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count <0.5 × 109/L) was reported in 8.8% of patients following up to 12 months of ganciclovir administered intravenously. Neutropenia and thrombocytopenia occurred in 25.6% and 6.2% of neonates, respectively. Changes in serum creatinine concentration of >0.2 mg/dL occurred in <1% of neonates. Hepatic transaminase increases or unspecified changes in liver function tests were reported in 6.2% of neonates with hyperbilirubinemia being observed in 3.5% of total neonates. Three out of four neonates receiving foscarnet for acyclovir-resistant herpes infection or CMV survived with minimal sequelae. Neither nephrotoxicity nor electrolyte or mineral imbalances were reported.

CONCLUSIONS: Similar to what is seen in adolescents and adults, ganciclovir use in neonates is commonly associated with neutropenia, and the frequency of occurrence is comparable. The link between hepatotoxicity and ganciclovir should be interpreted with caution because of overlapping clinical manifestations of CMV. Only case reports are available describing foscarnet use in neonates, but adverse drug reactions were not observed. More research on these two agents is needed to draw conclusions about adverse drug reaction rates in the neonatal population.
Use of Intravenous Magnesium Sulfate for the Treatment of an Acute Asthma Exacerbation in Pediatric Patients
Authors: Kokotajlo Suzannah , Degnan Lisa , Meyers Rachel , Siu Anita , Robinson Christine
Published: July 2014

OBJECTIVES: The standard of care for treatment of an asthma exacerbation includes oxygen, inhaled short-acting bronchodilators, and systemic corticosteroids; adjunctive therapies, such as intravenous magnesium sulfate, can be used for patients who are having life-threatening exacerbations. The purpose of this study was to analyze the prescribing patterns as well as the safety of intravenous magnesium sulfate for the treatment of acute asthma exacerbations in pediatric patients across multiple hospitals in New Jersey.

METHODS: This retrospective chart review was conducted at 4 medical centers in New Jersey on patients who presented to the emergency department between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2010.

RESULTS: Fifty-three patients were included in the study. In the emergency department, 98% of patients received inhaled albuterol plus ipratropium and 85% received systemic corticosteroids before intravenous magnesium sulfate administration. The median dose of magnesium sulfate was 40 mg/kg with a median time of administration of 20 minutes. One patient experienced hypotension that was thought to be related to magnesium sulfate administration.

CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that weight-based dosage, as well as time of administration of magnesium sulfate for pediatric patients with an acute asthma exacerbation, varies across different institutions in New Jersey. Magnesium sulfate use was safe in this patient population.
Knot Direction in a Khipu/Alphabetic Text from the Central Andes
Authors: Hyland Sabine , Ware Gene A. , Clark Madison
Published: July 2014

Khipus are knotted-string devices that were used in the Inka Empire for communication and for recording information. We recently analyzed the names and associated khipu cords in a newly discovered hybrid khipul alphabetic text from the Central Andes. Results indicate a significant relationship in the text between knot direction and a form of social organization known as moieties, in which S-knots correspond to the upper (Hanan) moiety and Z-knots correspond to the lower (Urin) moiety. This relationship suggests that knot direction was used to indicate moiety in Andean khipus and, as such, may represent the first decipherment of a structural element in khipus since the decoding of the number system in the 1920s.
Un hôpital en forme de village
Authors: Bibeau Gilles
Published: July 2014

L’hôpital de Mbindo Lala implanté aux limites de la forêt équatoriale du Congo se présente comme un petit village composé d’une trentaine de cases généralement habitées par des malades et quelques membres de leur famille. L’article dépeint la vie quotidienne dans ce village-hôpital en s’attardant à mettre en évidence la philosophie qui anime la médecine des guérisseurs ngbandi et structure les pratiques de soins dans ce village-hôpital. De même, l’auteur montre comment la structure sociale et l’univers culturel des Angbandi sont incorporés dans ce village-hôpital dont les activités thérapeutiques s’organisent autour de trois autels (un pour les ancêtres, un autre pour les esprits de la forêt et de l’eau et un pour barrer l’action sorcière), autant de lieux où les malades se rassemblent à chaque jour pour recevoir leurs traitements. C’est sur l’horizon de la politique de l’authenticité mise de l’avant par le président Mobutu entre 1972 et 1977 qu’est discuté le statut de ce village-hôpital et plus largement de la médecine des guérisseurs ; les limites associées à la politique de valorisation de la tradition thérapeutique zaïroise sont mises en évidence.
L’hôpital comme microcosme de la société
Authors: Zaman Shahaduz , Kerbiriou Anne-Hélène
Published: July 2014

Cet article se base sur une étude ethnographique réalisée dans un hôpital du Bangladesh. Il existe très peu d’exemples d’ethnographies réalisées en contexte médical dans des pays non occidentaux, et aucun au Bangladesh. Cette recherche a démontré que, contrairement à l’universalisme supposé de la biomédecine, la pratique biomédicale est en fait le produit de conditions sociales particulières, et que l’hôpital dans laquelle elle se déroule reflète les caractéristiques de la société à laquelle il appartient. L’étude a mis en évidence qu’un hôpital du Bangladesh constitue un microcosme de ce pays, et illustre les dimensions humaines de la pratique médicale dans ce pays pauvre où la violence physique et structurelle est quotidienne. J’avance que, loin d’être une île coupée du reste de la société, l’hôpital devrait être considéré comme la capitale du continent.
Le conflit : un élément dynamique des situations cliniques interethniques
Authors: Cognet Marguerite
Published: July 2014

Ce texte est une discussion de l’article de S. Fortin dans ce même numéro. Nous y reprenons plus particulièrement deux points de débat. Le premier traite de la survenue d’un « autre culturel » dans le cours des relations cliniques hospitalières et des représentations que se font les cliniciens de cet autre – des représentations qui sont les vectrices de conflits potentiels entre soignants et soignés. Le deuxième consiste à revenir sur la question du conflit dans les situations cliniques et sur son articulation avec les processus de négociation et de reconnaissance. Nous conclurons sur ce qui nous apparaît, aujourd’hui, être des prérequis d’une pratique clinique métisse au sens que A. Nouss et F. Laplantine donnent à ce terme dans leurs travaux sur le métissage, ce que nous entendons comme une pratique qui procèderait de la production d’une nouvelle normativité. Il s’agit autrement dit d’une pratique clinique qui se renouvelle dans l’entre-deux, dans la circulation ininterrompue entre la conjonction et la disjonction, et qui peut naître du conflit et de la reconnaissance.
De Third Mesa à Bloomsbury
Authors: Bluebond-Langner Myra , Fortin Sylvie , Knot Misha
Published: July 2014

L’anthropologue Myra Bluebond-Langner est une chef de file et pionnière dans l’étude d’enfants qui vivent avec des maladies graves limitant l’espérance de vie. En retraçant son parcours intellectuel et de recherche, elle souligne combien l’ethnographie et les approches théoriques anthropologiques sont fécondes dans de nombreux champs d’enquête, dont le domaine émergeant des soins palliatifs pédiatriques. Voulant cerner les processus de socialisation et identitaires chez les enfants atteints de cancer, elle s’intéresse à leur compréhension de la maladie et de leur pronostic et les modes et contextes d’acquisition de ces savoirs au fil de l’expérience de la maladie. Elle s’intéresse également aux différents jeux de rôle (ou faux semblants) mis en scène au sein de la famille et à l’évolution de ces rôles tout au long de la trajectoire de la maladie. Par la suite, Bluebond-Langner enquête auprès d’enfants atteints de fibrose kystique en portant une attention particulière à la fratrie. Avec nuances, elle documente la recherche de « normalité » au sein de la famille et la perte progressive de celle-ci avec l’inévitable évolution de la maladie. La prise de décision parentale en contexte d’oncologie pédiatrique représente un troisième thème d’étude développé par l’anthropologue. Les choix documentés s’inscrivent dans une reconfiguration des rôles et responsabilités parentaux plutôt que dans une quête désespérée pour une guérison souvent impossible. L’auteur rappelle l’intérêt de la recherche multidisciplinaire et plus largement une approche de la clinique et des soins palliatifs pédiatriques qui fait place à un éventail de disciplines, toutes essentielles à la compréhension des enjeux sociaux, culturels, spirituels et biologiques de la maladie.
« La psychiatrie, c’est comme un village »
Authors: Bondaz Julien , Jeannet Marielle
Published: July 2014

La mise en place de séances de théâtre thérapeutique à l’hôpital psychiatrique du Point G à Bamako (Mali) soulève des problèmes tout à fait intéressants, à la fois psychologiques et ethnologiques. Il s’agit ici d’analyser, avec ce double regard, l’introduction d’une forme de théâtre traditionnel (lekoteba) sur une scène hospitalière. En présentant le dispositif mis en place et en prenant pour exemples plus précis certaines séances, on montre ainsi comment la référence récurrente au village, à la fois comme espace métaphorique et comme système relationnel, permet de mieux comprendre ce qui est en jeu dans cette forme de théâtre thérapeutique. La relation thérapeutique s’inscrit en effet dans une dimension collective et est susceptible de renvoyer à des relations de pouvoirs qui sont spécifiques au contexte malien. Entre prise en charge et mise en scène, entre ethnopsychiatrie et ethnoscénologie, la référence au village permet ainsi de mieux comprendre l’efficacité relationnelle potentielle d’un tel dispositif thérapeutique.
Les uns et les autres en Guyane
Authors: Carde Estelle
Published: July 2014

Cette note de recherche porte sur la différenciation des pratiques de professionnels de l’accès aux soins, en Guyane française, selon les identités ethniques que ces professionnels attribuent à leurs usagers. L’analyse est menée dans une perspective constructiviste, selon laquelle une identité ethnique n’est pas une entité au contenu culturel objectif et résulte plutôt de la sélection, par les acteurs sociaux, de quelques caractéristiques culturelles qui leur semblent pertinentes pour désigner le soi et les autres. Sont ainsi identifiés les symboles choisis par des professionnels créoles et métropolitains de l’accès aux soins pour caractériser leurs usagers noirs-marrons, ainsi que les rapports sociaux qui ont conduit ces acteurs à faire de tels choix. Est ensuite examinée la mobilisation de ces symboles par les professionnels pour justifier des pratiques discriminatoires envers leurs usagers noirs-marrons. La comparaison avec d’autres terrains d’étude révèle que ces discriminations résultent de processus (négation de la légitimité des individus, culturalisme, réification simplificatrice des identités) non spécifiques au contexte guyanais, mais que leur mise en oeuvre concrète prend des figures spécifiques, dessinées par l’ensemble des rapports sociaux inégalitaires dans lesquels sont prises leurs victimes.
« Dire » la maladie du malade : à propos d’un service de médecine interne au Cameroun (note de recherche)
Authors: Tantchou Josiane Carine
Published: July 2014

Cette note décrit le fonctionnement du service de médecine interne d’un hôpital de référence du Grand Nord du Cameroun. Nous nous intéressons spécifiquement aux rondes, ce rituel qu’on retrouve dans la plupart des hôpitaux et qui n’a cependant pas vraiment bénéficié de l’attention des anthropologues. Le but de cette note est de montrer comment la maladie (disease) y est faite (enact) à travers une façon particulière de « voir », d’« écrire », de « parler ». Ce faisant, nous rapportons des éléments d’observations qui rendent pertinente l’étude de la médecine en tant que pratique nécessairement « située ».
La critique herméneutique de l’épistémologie chez Charles Taylor
Authors: St-Laurent Guillaume
Published: July 2014

Le projet philosophique central de Charles Taylor se présente comme une critique de l’« image épistémologique » (epistemological picture) de la raison, critique qui se déploie au nom d’une compréhension de la rationalité humaine plus sensible à sa finitude transcendantale et historique. L’objectif du présent essai consiste à présenter une brève analyse comparative de cette image épistémologique (ou post-cartésienne) ainsi que de la perspective herméneutique que lui oppose notre auteur. En ce sens, nous comparerons tour à tour six aspects déterminants de ces deux conceptions : le caractère « apodictique », « médiationnel », « désengagé », « désignatif », « dépassionné » et « procédural » de la première et le caractère « ad hominem », « immergé », « situé », « expressif », « passionné » et « substantiel » de la seconde. Nous éclairerons en outre les enjeux complexes de cette critique par quelques remarques introductives et conclusives.
Sur le style philosophique d’André Charrak. Remarques autour de Rousseau. De
l’empirisme à l’expérience
Authors: Simonetta David
Published: July 2014

À l’occasion de la parution du dernier ouvrage d’André Charrak, Rousseau. De l’empirisme à l’expérience, nous
voudrions revenir sur l’itinéraire philosophique de cet auteur, et sur l’évolution
qu’a connue sa pensée ces dix dernières années, depuis la parution de son premier
livre consacré à l’empirisme continental des Lumières. Cette lecture rétrospective
permettra non seulement de mettre en évidence l’enjeu du dernier ouvrage, mais
également de tirer les enseignements d’une démarche qui a renouvelé les méthodes de
l’histoire de la philosophie et pose de manière originale le problème du rapport
entre la philosophie et la forme du système.
Comparison of effects of inset floodplains and hyporheic exchange induced by in‐stream structures on solute retention
Authors: Azinheira David L. , Scott Durelle T. , Hession W. , Hester Erich T.
Published: July 2014

The pollution of streams and rivers is a growing concern, and environmental guidance increasingly suggests stream restoration to improve water quality. Solute retention in off‐channel storage zones, such as hyporheic zones and floodplains, is typically necessary for significant reaction to occur. Yet, the effects of two common restoration techniques, in‐stream structures and inset floodplains, on solute retention have not been rigorously compared. We used MIKE SHE to model hydraulics and solute transport in the channel, on inset floodplains, and in structure‐induced hyporheic zones of a third‐order stream. We varied hydraulic conditions (winter base flow, summer base flow, and stormflow), geology (hydraulic conductivity), and stream restoration design parameters (inset floodplain length and presence of in‐stream structures). The in‐stream structures induced hyporheic exchange for approximately 20% of the year (during summer base flow) while inset floodplains were active for approximately 1% of the year (during stormflow). Flow onto inset floodplains and residence times in both the channel and on the floodplains increased nonlinearly with the fraction of bank with floodplains installed. The fraction of streamflow that flowed onto the inset floodplains was 1–3 orders of magnitude higher than that which flowed through the structure‐induced hyporheic zone. Yet, residence times and mass storage in the hyporheic zone were 1–5 orders of magnitude larger than that on individual inset floodplains. In our modeling, neither in‐stream structures nor inset floodplains had sufficient percent flow and residence times simultaneously to have a substantial impact on dissolved contaminants flowing downstream.
Tunable Flexible Pressure Sensors using Microstructured Elastomer Geometries for Intuitive Electronics
Authors: Tee Benjamin C.‐K. , Chortos Alex , Dunn Roger R. , Schwartz Gregory , Eason Eric , Bao Zhenan
Published: July 2014

Pressure and touch sensitivity is crucial for intuitive human‐machine interfaces. Here, we investigate the use of different microstructured elastomers for use as dielectric material in capacitive pressure sensors. We use finite element modeling to simulate how different microstructures can reduce the effective mechanical modulus. We found that pyramidal structures are optimal shapes that reduce the effective mechanical modulus of the elastomer by an order of magnitude. We also investigate the dependence of spacing of the pyramidal microstructures and how it impacts mechanical sensitivity. We further demonstrate the use of these elastomeric microstructures as the dielectric material on a variety of flexible and stretchable substrates to capture touch information in order to enable large area human‐computer interfaces for next generation input devices, as well as continuous health‐monitoring sensors.
Second‐order Nonlinear Optical Susceptibilities and Refractive Indices of Organic Crystals from a Multiscale Numerical Simulation Approach
Authors: Seidler Tomasz , Stadnicka Katarzyna , Champagne Benoît
Published: July 2014

The performance of a simple multiscale approach to rapidly screen the second‐order nonlinear optical (NLO) susceptibilities [χ(2)] as well as the refractive indices of organic crystals solely from the knowledge of their crystal structure is demonstrated. The method combines first principles calculations of the molecular properties with a classical electrostatic interactions scheme to account for the crystal environment effects. The calculated values reproduce closely the measured χ(2) response for 10 organic crystals, including ionic crystalline salts, covering a χ(2) range from 10 to 600 pm V–1. The agreement between calculations and measurements is also excellent in the case of the refractive indices. Moreover, the method allows to analyze the relationship between the macroscopic responses [χ(2)] and the molecular first hyperpolarizabilities, highlighting the effects of crystal packing and chromophore density as well as the role played by the crystal dressing field.
Ancient human footprints in Ciur‐Izbuc Cave, Romania
Authors: Webb David , Robu Marius , Moldovan Oana , Constantin Silviu , Tomus Bogdan , Neag Ionel
Published: July 2014

In 1965, Ciur‐Izbuc Cave in the Carpathian Mountains of Romania was discovered to contain about 400 ancient human footprints. At that time, researchers interpreted the footprints to be those of a man, woman and child who entered the cave by an opening which is now blocked but which was usable in antiquity. The age of the prints (≈10–15 ka BP) was based partly on their association with cave bear (Ursus spelaeus) footprints and bones, and the belief that cave bears became extinct near the end of the last ice age. Since their discovery, the human and bear evidence and the cave itself have attracted spelunkers and other tourists, with the result that the ancient footprints are in danger of destruction by modern humans. In an effort to conserve the footprints and information about them and to reanalyze them with modern techiques, Ciur‐Izbuc Cave was restudied in summer of 2012. Modern results are based on fewer than 25% of the originally described human footprints, the rest having been destroyed. It is impossible to confirm some of the original conclusions. The footprints do not cluster about three different sizes, and the number of individuals is estimated to be six or seven. Two cases of bears apparently overprinting humans help establish antiquity, and C‐14 dates suggest a much greater age than originally thought. Unfortunately, insufficient footprints remain to measure movement variables such as stride length. However, detailed three‐dimensional mapping of the footprints does allow a more precise description of human movements within the cave. Am J Phys Anthropol 155:128–135, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A LecA Ligand Identified from a Galactoside‐Conjugate Array Inhibits Host Cell Invasion by Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Novoa Alexandre , Eierhoff Thorsten , Topin Jérémie , Varrot Annabelle , Barluenga Sofia , Imberty Anne , Römer Winfried , Winssinger Nicolas
Published: July 2014

Lectin LecA is a virulence factor of Pseudomonas aeruginosa involved in lung injury, mortality, and cellular invasion. Ligands competing with human glycoconjugates for LecA binding are thus promising candidates to counteract P. aeruginosa infections. We have identified a novel divalent ligand from a focused galactoside(Gal)‐conjugate array which binds to LecA with very high affinity (Kd=82 nM). Crystal structures of LecA complexed with the ligand together with modeling studies confirmed its ability to chelate two binding sites of LecA. The ligand lowers cellular invasiveness of P. aeruginosa up to 90 % when applied in the range of 0.05–5 μM. Hence, this ligand might lead to the development of drugs against P. aeruginosa infection.
Praktische aerobe Oxidationen von Alkoholen und Aminen mit dem homogenen Kupfer/TEMPO‐ und verwandten Katalysatorsystemen
Authors: Ryland Bradford L. , Stahl Shannon S.
Published: July 2014

Oxidationen von Alkoholen und Aminen sind häufige Reaktionen in der Synthese organischer Moleküle im Labor und in der Industrie. Nach aeroben Oxidationsmethoden für diese Umwandlungen wurde lange geforscht, aber es existieren nur einige wenige praktische Verfahren, die Vorteile gegenüber klassischen Oxidationsmethoden bieten. Kürzlich entwickelte homogene Cu/TEMPO‐ und verwandte Katalysatorsysteme scheinen nun diese Lücke zu füllen. Die Reaktionen sind hoch chemoselektiv, tolerieren eine Bandbreite von funktionellen Gruppen und laufen oftmals schon bei Raumtemperatur mit der Umgebungsluft als Oxidationsmittel ab. Die Vorteile dieser aeroben Oxidationsmethoden werden in diesem Kurzaufsatz diskutiert, zusammen mit dem historischen Kontext und neueren Anwendungen.
Highly Efficient Photocatalytic H2 Evolution from Water using Visible Light and Structure‐Controlled Graphitic Carbon Nitride
Authors: Martin David James , Qiu Kaipei , Shevlin Stephen Andrew , Handoko Albertus Denny , Chen Xiaowei , Guo Zhengxiao , Tang Junwang
Published: July 2014

The major challenge of photocatalytic water splitting, the prototypical reaction for the direct production of hydrogen by using solar energy, is to develop low‐cost yet highly efficient and stable semiconductor photocatalysts. Herein, an effective strategy for synthesizing extremely active graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4) from a low‐cost precursor, urea, is reported. The g‐C3N4 exhibits an extraordinary hydrogen‐evolution rate (ca. 20 000 μmol h−1 g−1 under full arc), which leads to a high turnover number (TON) of over 641 after 6 h. The reaction proceeds for more than 30 h without activity loss and results in an internal quantum yield of 26.5 % under visible light, which is nearly an order of magnitude higher than that observed for any other existing g‐C3N4 photocatalysts. Furthermore, it was found by experimental analysis and DFT calculations that as the degree of polymerization increases and the proton concentration decreases, the hydrogen‐evolution rate is significantly enhanced.
Metal‐Size Influence in Iso‐Selective Lactide Polymerization
Authors: Bakewell Clare , White Andrew J. P. , Long Nicholas J. , Williams Charlotte K.
Published: July 2014

Iso‐selective initiators for the ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of rac‐lactide are rare outside of Group 13. We describe the first examples of highly iso‐selective lutetium initiators. The phosphasalen lutetium ethoxide complex shows excellent iso‐selectivity, with a Pi value of 0.81–0.84 at 298 K, excellent rates, and high degrees of polymerization control. Conversely, the corresponding La derivative exhibits moderate heteroselectivity (Ps=0.74, 298 K). Thus, the choice of metal center is shown to be crucial in determining the level and mode of stereocontrol. The relative order of rates for the series of complexes is inversely related to metallic covalent radius: that is, La>Y>Lu.
The Ketimide Ligand is Not Just an Inert Spectator: Heteroallene Insertion Reactivity of an Actinide–Ketimide Linkage in a Thorium Carbene Amide Ketimide Complex
Authors: Lu Erli , Lewis William , Blake Alexander J. , Liddle Stephen T.
Published: July 2014

The ketimide anion R2CN− is an important class of chemically robust ligand that binds strongly to metal ions and is considered ideal for supporting reactive metal fragments due to its inert spectator nature; this contrasts with R2N− amides that exhibit a wide range of reactivities. Here, we report the synthesis and characterization of a rare example of an actinide ketimide complex [Th(BIPMTMS){N(SiMe3)2}(NCPh2)] [2, BIPMTMS=C(PPh2NSiMe3)2]. Complex 2 contains ThCcarbene, ThNamide and ThNketimide linkages, thereby presenting the opportunity to probe the preferential reactivity of these linkages. Importantly, reactivity studies of 2 with unsaturated substrates shows that insertion reactions occur preferentially at the ThNketimide bond rather than at the ThCcarbene or ThNamide bonds. This overturns the established view that metal‐ketimide linkages are purely inert spectators.
Targetable Phosphorescent Oxygen Nanosensors for the Assessment of Tumor Mitochondrial Dysfunction By Monitoring the Respiratory Activity
Authors: Wang Xiao‐Hui , Peng Hong‐Shang , Yang Lin , You Fang‐Tian , Teng Feng , Hou Ling‐Ling , Wolfbeis Otto S.
Published: July 2014

Cellular respiration is a worthwhile criterion to evaluate mitochondrial dysfunction by measuring the dissolved oxygen. However, most of the existing sensing strategies merely report extracellular (ec‐) or intracellular (ic‐) O2 rather than intramitochondrial (im‐) O2. Herein we present a method to assess tumor mitochondrial dysfunction with three phosphorescent nanosensors, which respond to ec‐, ic‐, and im‐O2. Time‐resolved luminescence is applied to determine the respective oxygen consumption rates (OCRs) under varying respiratory conditions. Data obtained for the OCRs and on (intra)cellular O2 gradients demonstrate that mitochondria in tumor cells are distinctly less active than those of healthy cells, resulting from restrained glucose utilization of and physical injury to the mitochondria. We believe that such a site‐resolved sensing strategy can be applied to numerous other situations, for example to evaluate the adverse effects of drug candidates.
Cyclizing Radical Carboiodination, Carbotelluration, and Carboaminoxylation of Aryl Amines
Authors: Hartmann Marcel , Studer Armido
Published: July 2014

Radical carboiodination of various aryl amines is reported. Aryl diazonium salts, generated in situ from the corresponding aryl amines, are reacted with Bu4NI to provide the corresponding aryl radicals which undergo 5‐exo or 6‐exo cyclization. Iodine abstraction eventually affords the carboiodinated products in good to excellent yields. If TEMPO is added, the cascade provides the cyclized carboaminoxylation products. Running the reaction in the presence of PhTeTePh affords the phenyltellurated cyclized products.
Development of CN Coupling Using Mechanochemistry: Catalytic Coupling of Arylsulfonamides and Carbodiimides
Authors: Tan Davin , Mottillo Cristina , Katsenis Athanassios D. , Štrukil Vjekoslav , Friščić Tomislav
Published: July 2014

Reported herein is the mechanochemical synthesis of sulfonyl guanidines, a family of molecules which are relevant as pharmaceuticals and herbicides, by direct coupling of sulfonamides and aromatic or aliphatic carbodiimides. Attempts to conduct the coupling in solution have either failed or given very low conversions, thus demonstrating mechanochemistry as the necessary component for the discovery of this synthetic strategy.
“CLASSIC NMR”: An In‐Situ NMR Strategy for Mapping the Time‐Evolution of Crystallization Processes by Combined Liquid‐State and Solid‐State Measurements
Authors: Hughes Colan E. , Williams P. Andrew , Harris Kenneth D. M.
Published: July 2014

A new in‐situ NMR strategy (termed CLASSIC NMR) for mapping the evolution of crystallization processes is reported, involving simultaneous measurement of both liquid‐state and solid‐state NMR spectra as a function of time. This combined strategy allows complementary information to be obtained on the evolution of both the solid and liquid phases during the crystallization process. In particular, as crystallization proceeds (monitored by solid‐state NMR), the solution state becomes more dilute, leading to changes in solution‐state speciation and the modes of molecular aggregation in solution, which are monitored by liquid‐state NMR. The CLASSIC NMR experiment is applied here to yield new insights into the crystallization of m‐aminobenzoic acid.
Dicopper complexes catalyzed coupling/cyclization of 2‐bromobenzoic acids with amidines leading to quinazolinones
Authors: Hung Ming‐Uei , Liao Bei‐Sih , Liu Yi‐Hong , Peng Shie‐Ming , Liu Shiuh‐Tzung
Published: July 2014

Dicopper(I) complexes {Cu2(bpnp)(CH3CN)4}(PF6)2] (2), [{Cu2(bpnp)(CH3CN)4}(BAr4F)2] (3) and [Cu2(bpnp)Cl2] (4) were prepared from the complexation of [Cu(CH3CN)4](PF6) with 2,7‐bis(2‐pyridyl)‐1,8‐naphthyridine (bpnp) followed by anion metathesis and treatment of chloride sequentially. The X‐ray structural analysis of 4 indicates the molecule to have a twofold axis passing through the Cu2Cl2 core, which has the shape of a butterfly, and that the Cu atom is tetrahedrally coordinated with in a Cl2N2 donor set. In preliminary experiments 2 was found to be an effective catalyst in the coupling/cyclization of 2‐bromobenzoic acids with amidines, providing the corresponding quinazolinones in good yields. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Carboxyester hydrolysis promoted by novel nano‐sized macrocyclic Zn(II) complexes
Authors: Pandey Sarvesh Kumar , Pandey O. P. , Sengupta S. K.
Published: July 2014

A novel series of nano‐sized Zn(II) macrocyclic complexes has been synthesized using the template method, i.e. by the in situ reaction of Schiff bases (derived from 1,4‐bis(4‐amino‐5‐mercapto‐1,2,4‐triazol‐3‐yl)alkanes/phenylene with salicylaldehyde/2‐hydroxyacetophenone) and 1,4‐dibromobutane in the presence of zinc(II) acetate dihydrate in ethanol. The complexes have been characterized using elemental analysis, infrared and NMR spectroscopies, scanning electron microscopy and thermal analysis. The catalytic properties of these complexes have been investigated kinetically for the hydrolysis of p‐nitrophenylacetate (PNPA) at 25°C in aqueous dimethylsulfoxide using phosphate buffer (pH = 7.0–8.5). During the reaction, absorbance of p‐nitrophenolate increases linearly with time (i.e. increase of p‐nitrophenolate concentration) which indicates that the rate of the reaction increases linearly with time. On the basis of these results, a plausible mechanism for the hydrolysis of PNPA is proposed. It is shown that coordinated water may serve as a good nucleophile that effectively catalyses PNPA hydrolysis. Therefore, these complexes may serve as model compounds for hydrolytic enzymes. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hybrid silica generated In situ in polyurethane‐based composites
Authors: Heck Cesar A. , Giacomolli Diego A. , Livotto Paolo R. , dos Santos João Henrique Z. , Wolf Carlos R.
Published: July 2014

A series of composites of commercial polyurethane (PU) and hybrid silica have been prepared by the sol‐gel process through the in situ synthesis of hybrid silica in a solution of dichloromethane. Mechanical properties, small angle x‐ray scattering (SAXS) and differential scanning calorimetry measurements were performed to evaluate the effects that hybrid silica has on the properties of the resulting PU composites. A series of 13 different organosilane differing in polarity and alkyl chain length has been employed. Compared with pristine PU, composites bearing hybrid silicas were more likely to exhibit reductions in the yield stress and increase in the elongation at break. Samples also showed a negligible variation in the glass transition temperature and a reduction in the ΔCp. The enthalpy of the crystallization process showed a trend towards reduction. Based on the SAXS measurements, the composites showed a small reduction in the interdomain spacing, an increase in the degree of phase separation and a tendency towards reduction in the size of the interphase thickness between domains. These results can be better explained as being caused by the volume of the organic group from the organosilane rather than by the chemical interaction of the organic group with the PU organic moieties. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 41157.
Mechanical properties and thermostability of polyimide/mesoporous silica nanocomposite via effectively using the pores
Authors: Ye Xiangyuan , Wang Jinqing , Xu Ye , Niu Lengyuan , Fan Zengjie , Gong Peiwei , Ma Limin , Wang Honggang , Yang Zhigang , Yang Shengrong
Published: July 2014

Series of polyimide (PI)/mesoporous silica nanospheres (MSNs) nanocomposite films with different contents of MSNs were successfully prepared via a simple wet impregnation method. The morphologies, microstructures, mechanical properties, transmittance, and thermal properties of the prepared PI and the PI/MSNs nanocomposite films were investigated in detail. As a result, the thermal stability and mechanical performances of PI were obviously improved by incorporating MSNs into PI. The tensile stress and Young's modulus of the nanocomposite film with 5 wt % MSNs were raised up to 97.65 MPa and 2220.06 MPa, which are greatly higher than the values of 82.51 MPa and 1440.86 MPa for the pure PI film. Experimental results confirmed that the designed polymerization tactic, which occurred in the pores of the MSNs, facilitated to enhance the mechanical and physical performances of the PI/MSNs nanocomposite films, and definitely induced better integration between organic matrix and inorganic nanofillers. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 41173.
A randomized test for the conditional odds ratio of matched pairs in an inverse binomial sampling design
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Uttam , Mukherjee Shirsendu , Dutta Dhiman
Published: July 2014

Matched case‐control paired data are commonly used to study the association between a disease and an exposure of interest. This work provides a consistent test for this association with respect to the conditional odds ratio (), which is a measure of association that is also valid in prospective studies. We formulate the test from the maximum likelihood (ML) estimate of by using data under inverse binomial sampling, in which individuals are selected sequentially to form matched pairs until for the first time one obtains either a prefixed number of index pairs with the case unexposed but the control exposed or with the case exposed but the control unexposed. We discuss the situation of possible early stopping. We compare numerically the performance of our procedure with a competitor proposed by Lui () in terms of type I error rate, power, average sample number (ASN) and the corresponding standard error. Our numerical study shows a gain in sample size without loss in power as compared to the competitor. Finally, we use the data taken from a case‐control study on the use of X‐rays and the risk of childhood acute myeloid leukemia for illustration.
Identifying factors that promote consumer behaviours causing expired domestic food waste
Authors: Farr‐Wharton Geremy , Foth Marcus , Choi Jaz Hee‐Jeong
Published: July 2014

Many commentators argue that domestic food waste is strongly influenced by consumer behaviours. This article reports on a study using mixed‐methods to identify key factors responsible for promoting consumer behaviours that lead to domestic food waste through the lens of the value–belief–norm theory. On the basis of the study's findings, three factors are proposed that cause behaviours that lead to food waste: supply knowledge – does a consumer know what food they have available; location knowledge – does a consumer know where to locate food items; and food literacy – to what degree do past experience and acquired knowledge impact on a consumer's food consumption and wastage practices. We analyse the study's findings in light of a review of literature about consumer food wastage behaviours and in turn, present new insights into consumer behaviour, food waste and the use of technology to reduce food waste. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.