bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Height-diameter Relationships in Longleaf Pine and Four Swamp Tree Species
Authors: Chen Xiongwen , Brockway Dale G.
Published: August 2017

The scaling relationship between height and diameter is important for understanding the dynamic patterns of tree growth and estimating the accrual of tree biomass. Metabolic ecology predicts that tree growth follows a universal scaling invariant relative to the height-diameter relationship (i.e., no variation based on taxonomy or resource availability). Comparing field data for different tree species across a range of site conditions should be an informative test of that prediction. Our results indicate that the scaling exponents of height and diameter for longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) vary at the four locations across its natural range. As for swamp trees, the scaling exponents for red maple (Acer rubrum L.) and river birch (Betula nigra L.) were consistent with that predicted by metabolic ecology; however, those for water tupelo (Nyssa aquatica L.) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum (L.) Rich) were not. Our study confirms that high plasticity and variation in allometric scaling of the tree height and diameter relationship may very well be the rule, rather than the exception.
Motivating to work in the view of small and medium enterprises’ employees
Authors: Grabiec Olimpia , Jędraszczyk-Kałwak Joanna
Published: August 2017

This article presents a discussion of issues connected with motivating employees to work. In this publications, authors presented theoretical view of the issues related to
motivating to work as well as results of own research on motivational system in small and medium enterprises of Silesia. The main goal of the article is to define, if the motivational system in enterprises, according the opinions of employees, increases their work effects. Conclusions provide a basis for making decisions related to the motivational system in small and medium enterprises, as well as for establishing specific regulations.
Participation of the manager in the management of the company in the gastronomic market
Authors: Górka-Chowaniec Agnieszka
Published: August 2017

The purpose of this paper is to present the role of modern managers in the process of effective management of the gastronomy business. The study is a theoretical and empirical one. The starting point in the author’s reflections is to present the meaning of the manager’s character in the light of the theoretical divergence that is perceived as the manager of the organization by selecting the appropriate directions, ways and objects of the company. The challenges faced by modern managers in the catering industry in the management process, in the face of dynamic changes both in the external environment and in the internal structures of modern entities, have also been underlined. With regard to the conducted own research, a significant area of consideration by the author in this article has become the scope of participation and set requirements for the hospitality managers in the hospitality industry in efficient and effective management. Conclusions from the study may contribute to further discussion on the role of management in creating a competitive advantage for companies.
Crowdfunding scheme in journalism
Authors: Kopeć Katarzyna Dorota
Published: August 2017

The media environment has evolved significantly in recent years. Technological as well as sociological impact of the Internet is one of the most influential factors putting into question old media management practices. In this changing scenario, the quest for new funding models of media including crowdfunded journalism is a priority both for journalists and for media managers. The purpose of the article is therefore to look at the mechanism of crowdfunded journalism. The paper introduces the logic of recent practices in funding journalism. Then it looks at the diverse landscape of crowdfunding projects.
Financial reporting in non-governmental organizations - legislation versus business practice
Authors: Jegorow Dorota
Published: August 2017

The analysis presented in the pages of this paper is focused on identifying new dimension of quality of financial reporting entities NGOs. The research process is based on the literature studies, analysis of existing legal acts and opinions of specialists practitioners - representatives of the third sector. Contrary to the expectations and assumptions of the architects of new solutions entered in the amended in 2015. Accounting Act in practice translate into significant decrease in the reporting obligations of NGOs. The scope of financial reporting, although formally been reduced, in practice, the solutions adopted have not been adapted to the specific NGOs, especially those based on the volunteer work and aimed at realization of socially useful.
Impacts of creation of safety stock on human resources management in manufacturing companies
Authors: Čemerková Šárka , Malátek Vojtěch
Published: August 2017

The aim of this article is to map the impact on the area of human resources caused by failures in stock deliveries. Against these failures the businesses is protected by creating a safety stock. However in this way, large amounts of capital are bound. In response to minimize production costs, enterprises introduce JIT technology. When applying JIT enterprises reduce safety stock to a minimum. Outside the focus investment in human resources cannot remain, especially in a context where the necessity of reserves for ensuring of production continuity can arise. In this text attention will be paid to ensure an adequate amount of personnel to support production out of regular working hours in the case, when due to insufficient safety stocks the production in regular working hours has not been realized. The first part includes a literature search on the topic. In the next section an alternative model will be created, through which enterprises can proceed to deal potentially with arising situations, i.e. whether to create material safety stock, or arrange workers for overtime-work.
Selected problems of professional career development of employees
Authors: Wolniak Radosław
Published: August 2017

The aim of this publication is to present the results of empirical research in the field of management development and career employees in enterprises. Conducted research concern’s on the effects of career management of staff and the effectiveness of training.
Controlling in employees’ opinionsin small and medium enterprises
Authors: Grabiec Olimpia , Jędraszczyk-Kałwak Joanna
Published: August 2017

Every active organisation tries to achieve its goals smoothly and effectively. To be able to asses if the objectives pursued have been achieved, organisations shall carry out a regular control. Controlling is not only the final function of management but it is also depended on every other management functions. It is the final step and a kind of test that shows if all the intermediary functions met the objectives, tasks and duties, which have been defined at the stage of planning. This article concerns the controlling process in small and medium enterprises. Authors discuss theoretical issues connected with controlling in an enterprise. Moreover, the article presents results of a self-study carried out among employees in small and medium enterprises, which run their activity in Silesian Voivodship. The aim of this article is to assess controlling in the view of employees in small and medium enterprises.
A New Turn-On Fluorometric Detection Method for the Determination of Ag(I) in Some Food and Water Samples
Authors: Saçmaci Şerİfe , Saçmaci Mustafa , Ülgen Ahmet
Published: August 2017

A new sensitive and selective turn-on fluorometry procedure for the determination of silver using a laboratory-built fluorometry system is described herein. After synthesis and characterization, a [2-((E)-{[3′,6′-bis(ethylamino)-2′,7′-dimethyl-3-oxospiro[isoindole-1,9′-xanthen]-2(3H)-yl]imino}methyl)cyclopenta-2,4-dien-1-yl] (cyclopenta-2,4-dien-1-yl)iron (DKMS) fluorescent reagent was used for the first time. Ag(I) was complexed with the new fluorescent reagent, and direct measurements were made using fluorometry without any separation/preconcentration. The fluorescence intensity of the Ag(I)–DKMS complex remained unchanged for over 18 h at room temperature and was a linear function of the concentration of Ag(I) in the 0–2.5 mg/L range. The optimum determination conditions were established by testing different reagent quantities, the acidity and pH of the sample, and the effect of temperature and interfering ions. The LOD of the method was 1.00 μg/L whereas the RSD was 0.1% for 0.1 mg/L Ag(I) concentration. “The developed method was applied successfully for the Ag(I) determination of silver in burn cream, anode slime, some food and water samples”. Results of the analysis of Certified Reference Materials (NCS DC73349 Bush Branches and Leaves – Trace Elements, and CWW-TM-D Certified Wastewater and Trace Metals) are in good agreement with the certified values.
Foraminifera from the Tepetate Formation (Heim) at Las Pocitas, Baja California Sur, Mexico
Authors: Miranda-Martínez AY , Carreño AL
Published: August 2017

In order to constrain the age and depositional paleoenvironment of the Tepetate Formation, benthic and planktonic foraminifera were analyzed in samples recovered from an exploration well located at Las Pocitas, Baja California Sur, Mexico. The planktonic taxa identified allowed recognition of Zone P9 (Planorotalites palmerae-Acarinina pentacamerata), equivalent to a late early Eocene age of 50.4–49 Ma. The benthic foraminiferal association suggests that the sediments were deposited in a continental slope environment at an upper bathyal water depth of ca. 500 m. Composition and diversity of planktonic foraminifera indicate the presence of warm-temperate surface water masses. Micropaleontological evidence presented here and from previous reports indicates that the samples studied represent only a portion of the Tepetate Formation.
Metal contamination in Portman Bay (Murcia, SE Spain) 15 years after the cessation of mining activities
Authors: Benedicto J , Martínez-Gómez C , Guerrero J , Jornet A , Rodríguez C
Published: August 2017

To evaluate the state and temporal trends of the residual metal contamination caused by the dumping of mine tailings into Portman Bay (SE Spain) during the 20th century, concentrations of Hg, Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, and As in wild mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) were studied over the period 1991–2005. The results show significant downward trends (P < 0.05) in the concentrations of Hg, Cu, Pb, and Zn. Nevertheless, trace metal concentrations in mussels from Portman in 2005 were higher than the reference concentrations established for the coast of Murcia and the Spanish Mediterranean littoral, the only exceptions being Cu and As. Red mullets (Mullus barbatus) caught at Portman in 1990 and 2004 presented higher levels of Hg, Cd, and Pb, in comparison with other areas of the south and southeastern coast of Spain. The results indicate that Portman Bay is still one of the areas most heavily contaminated by Pb and Cd along the Mediterranean coast of Spain 15 years after the cessation of mining activities.
Effect of darkness on the early postlarval development of Haliotis corrugata abalone fed different diatom densities
Authors: Gorrostieta-Hurtado E , Searcy-Bernal R , Anguiano-Beltrán C , García-Esquivel Z , Valenzuela-Espinoza E
Published: August 2017

Four-day-old postlarvae of the abalone Haliotis corrugata were exposed to different diatom densities (Navicula incerta, 0 to 8000 cells mm–2) under two illumination conditions: constant light (19–21 µmol quanta m–2 s–1) and darkness. The effect of these two factors on postlarval grazing rate, survival, and growth was evaluated. The experiment was conducted for 14 days in 10-mL sterile wells following a split-plot experimental design with three replicates per treatment. The highest grazing rate was observed in the 2000 cells mm–2 density treatment and it was higher in darkness (196 ± 67 cells pl–1 h–1) than in constant light (139 ± 36 cells pl–1 h–1). Mean survival was also higher in darkness (59%) than under constant light (44%), as was mean growth rate (20 and 14 µm d–1, respectively). Growth rate at the end of the experimental period tended to decrease with the increase in diatom density. Higher grazing and growth rates in darkness reinforce the hypothesis that the nocturnal habits of abalone develop soon after metamorphosis and not at juvenile stages as usually considered.
Shark breeding grounds and seasons in the Gulf of California: Fishery management and conservation strategy
Authors: Salomón-Aguilar CA , Villavicencio-Garayzar CJ , Reyes -Bonilla H
Published: August 2017

Sharks show high biological fragility and, given the intense fishing regimes to which they are exposed in the Gulf of California, it is necessary to establish a conservation and management strategy providing for the protection of their nursery areas. We reviewed the literature concerning shark reproductive biology to determine priority management areas in the Gulf of California by complementarity analysis and different selection criteria. Four levels of management and conservation priority were determined for six quadrants: level 1 corresponded to the area off Mazatlán (Sinaloa) and the area of El Sargento, La Ventana, and Punta Arenas (Baja California Sur); level 2 to the areas of Teacapán (Sinaloa) and Seri (Sonora); level 3 to the areas of San Francisquito-El Barril (Baja California) and Kino Bay (Sonora); and level 4 to the area of La Manga (Sonora). Analysis of space-time variables in a geographic information system indicated that 71% of the commercially important shark species concentrate in coastal zones, mainly in bays, coastal lagoons, estuaries, and wetlands (central and southern Gulf of California) during spring and summer (May–August), except for Prionace glauca, Isurus oxyrinchus, Alopias pelagicus, and Squatina californica that reproduce in winter and spring. The protection of recruitment areas (critical habitats) during peak breeding periods should be an essential part of any resource management plan.
Clearance rate of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. I. Response to extreme chlorophyll ranges
Authors: Filgueira R , Fernández-Reiriz MJ , Labarta U
Published: August 2017

Clearance rate (CR) measurements in Mytilus galloprovincialis were determined over 16 experiments in which the mussels were exposed to diets characterized by variable chlorophyll content (0.28–104.88 µg Chla L–1) in order to: (1) establish the lower trigger level and the saturation reduction, (2) elucidate whether these thresholds were controlled by an on/off switch or by a progressive response, and (3) determine whether the experimental time exerted an effect on the CR measurement under extreme conditions, quantified in terms of chlorophyll content. The results demonstrated that time exerted a significant effect on CR, which varied throughout the experiment in different diets. The CR response differed fundamentally in the significant reduction of CR after prolonged exposure to low and high chlorophyll-content diets compared with the medium ones. Taking into account the data from the sixth hour onwards, a sharp lower trigger level threshold was established at 2.08 µg Chla L–1, showing an on/off CR response. The threshold for saturation reduction was about 26.91 µg Chla L–1 and showed a progressive response to chlorophyll concentration.
Spatial and temporal variability of sea level rise hot spots over the eastern United States
Authors: Valle‐Levinson Arnoldo , Dutton Andrea , Martin Jonathan B.
Published: August 2017

Regional sea level rise (SLR) acceleration during the past few decades north of Cape Hatteras has commonly been attributed to weakening Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, although this causal link remains debated. In contrast to this pattern, we demonstrate that SLR decelerated north of Cape Hatteras and accelerated south of the Cape to >20 mm/yr, > 3 times the global mean values from 2011 to 2015. Tide gauge records reveal comparable short‐lived, rapid SLR accelerations (hot spots) that have occurred repeatedly over ~1500 km stretches of the coastline during the past 95 years, with variable latitudinal position. Our analysis indicates that the cumulative (time‐integrated) effects of the North Atlantic Oscillation determine the latitudinal position of these SLR hot spots, while a cumulative El Niño index is associated with their timing. The superposition of these two ocean‐atmospheric processes accounts for 87% of the variance in the spatiotemporal pattern of intradecadal sea level oscillations.
Latitude and lake size are important predictors of over‐lake atmospheric stability
Authors: Woolway R. Iestyn , Verburg Piet , Merchant Christopher J. , Lenters John D. , Hamilton David P. , Brookes Justin , Kelly Sean , Hook Simon , Laas Alo , Pierson Don , Rimmer Alon , Rusak James A. , Jones Ian D.
Published: August 2017

Turbulent fluxes across the air‐water interface are integral to determining lake heat budgets, evaporation, and carbon emissions from lakes. The stability of the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) influences the exchange of turbulent energy. We explore the differences in over‐lake ABL stability using data from 39 globally distributed lakes. The frequency of unstable ABL conditions varied between lakes from 71 to 100% of the time, with average air temperatures typically several degrees below the average lake surface temperature. This difference increased with decreasing latitude, resulting in a more frequently unstable ABL and a more efficient energy transfer to and from the atmosphere, toward the tropics. In addition, during summer the frequency of unstable ABL conditions decreased with increasing lake surface area. The dependency of ABL stability on latitude and lake size has implications for heat loss and carbon fluxes from lakes, the hydrologic cycle, and climate change effects.
Layered Double Hydroxides: Structure–Property Relationships
Authors: He Shan , Han Jingbin , Shao Mingfei , Liang Ruizheng , Wei Min , Evans David G. , Duan Xue
Published: August 2017

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are a class of anion‐intercalated functional materials that are also known as hydrotalcite‐like compounds. This chapter focuses on the structural properties of LDH materials and recent advances in theoretical studies of the LDHs structure. To understand the structure of LDHs, it is necessary to start from the structure of brucite [Mg(OH)2], which is of the CdI2type, typically associated with small polarizing cations and polarizable anions. The unique structure of LDHs provides a confined microenvironment for the intercalated guest molecules and thus results in controllable structures and performances for LDHs‐based materials. Multiple quantum well (MQW) structure is an important insight to study the confinement and host‐guest interaction of LDHs. The outstanding properties of LDHs and LDH‐intercalated materials give them great potential in imaging, therapy, drug delivery, and multimodal applications.
Structural Diversity in Complex Layered Oxides
Authors: Uma S.
Published: August 2017

This chapter gives a review of complex layered oxides, comprising of their structures, inherent properties, and applications. It introduces the concepts related to layering along with their classifications. This is followed by a description of unique topochemical reactions that are characteristic of layered arrangement. In order to comprehend the subject of complex layered oxides, it is also beneficial to study them under the various structural families as has been the practice adopted in the literature. The chapter also details the various families of layered oxides and their characteristics. The significance associated with layered materials is their ability to undergo topochemical reactions at low temperatures (<500 °C). This particular approach commonly referred to as the chimie douce referring to the soft chemistry methods suggests a definite structural relationship between the reactants and the products.
Glass‐Forming Ability, Recent Trends, and Synthesis Methods of Metallic Glasses
Authors: Kato Hidemi , Wada Takeshi , Yamada Rui , Saida Junji
Published: August 2017

In this chapter, fundamentals of glass formation thermodynamics, glass‐forming ability of alloys, empirical rules for enhancing glass‐forming ability, and unique atomic clusters structure stabilizing supercooled liquid are presented. The heteroamorphous alloys, drawing much attention recently due to their unusual performance, are introduced. Some typical synthesis methods for producing metallic glass ribbon, bulk and powder, and important factors affecting metallic glass formation are described.
Templated Synthesis for Nanostructured Materials
Authors: Kuroda Yoshiyuki , Kuroda Kazuyuki
Published: August 2017

Nanostructured solids with controlled porosities and morphologies are important for catalysis, separation, optics, electronics, energy storage, drug delivery, and so on. In order to design nanostructured solids, templated synthesis, using various molecules, molecular assemblies, and porous materials as templates, has been developed. In this chapter, preparative methods for nanostructured solids by templating are reviewed. In typical cases, metal cations are used for the structural control of metal oxides with various frameworks. Organic molecules are used as templates of microporous materials such as zeolites. Assemblies of surfactants or block copolymers are used as templates of mesoporous materials. Colloidal crystals consisting of latex particles or colloidal silica are used as templates of three‐dimensionally ordered macroporous materials. Emulsions, solvent droplets, ice, and biominerals are also used as templates of macroporous materials. These processes are classified according to templates, framework components, solidification methods, and removal methods of templates. Morphologies are also controlled as particles, rods or nanowires, and films by the deposition of materials in shaped nanospace or by sol–gel methods. These methods are combined for the control of hierarchical structures containing pores with different scales and/or controlled morphologies. Nanostructured materials are applied as catalysts, catalyst supports, photocatalysts, separation media, optical materials, secondary batteries, fuel cells, supercapacitors, and so on. Templated synthesis is quite useful to control nanostructures, morphologies, and functions of solid‐state materials.
Nanolithography Based on Surface Plasmon
Authors: Ueno Kosei , Misawa Hiroaki
Published: August 2017

In this chapter, we describe the following three characteristic nanolithography techniques based on surface plasmon resonance: (i) the plasmon interference lithography technique, which can form periodic line and space patterns below the diffraction limit on a photoresist substrate utilizing interference of the propagating surface plasmon resonance; (ii) the nanogap‐assisted surface plasmon nanolithography technique, which uses ultimate near‐field lithography exposed by a local near field at a nanogap with a single nanometer‐width induced by localized surface plasmon resonance; and (iii) a unique plasmon lithography technique using a scattering light emitted when localized surface plasmon resonance couples with a radiation mode as an exposure source. All of these methodologies are nanolithography techniques based on surface plasmon resonance, which transfers the nanopatterns below the diffraction limit of light on a photoresist substrate.
Solid‐State
NMR
Spectroscopy: Introduction for Solid‐State Chemists
Authors: Zehe Christoph S. , Siegel Renée , Senker Jürgen
Published: August 2017

Solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (
ssNMR
) is a powerful and flexible tool for deriving structural and dynamical information for a broad variety of material classes ranging from metals, intermetallics, and ceramics over organic, inorganic, and metal–organic frameworks to molecular crystals and polymers. The combination of relaxation experiments, lineshape analyses, and 2
D
exchange techniques spans a dynamical window of about 14 decades with correlation times ranging from 10
−12
s for fast ion conduction and up to 100 s for the relaxation close to the glass transition.
ssNMR
is element selective and thus able to identify chemical building units and simultaneously probes their homo‐ and heteronuclear through‐bond and through‐space connectivities, orientation correlations, as well as distances up to a few nanometers. Thus,
ssNMR
is ideally suited and often used to complement diffraction studies and quantum chemical calculations. It does not suffer from a loss of long‐range order and may equally be applied to crystalline, disordered, and amorphous materials to make progress on the structure elucidation of complex compounds. This chapter provides an overview of fundamental aspects of
ssNMR
, including the most important nuclear spin interactions and their typical spectral lineshapes for both wideline and high‐resolution experiments. Based on this, we describe the development and application of various 1
D
and 2
D
NMR
techniques, for both structural and dynamical aspects, on selected examples taken from the recent literature. In particular, we focus on strengths, weaknesses, and the expressiveness of the individual methods.
Photoelectron Spectroscopy
Authors: Breuer Stephan , Wandelt Klaus
Published: August 2017

This chapter gives a basic introduction to photoelectron spectroscopy, including Auger electron spectroscopy and its applications to problems in solid‐state chemistry. The experimental setup is illustrated and typical chemistry‐related spectral features are presented before a more detailed discussion of the photoexcitation and electron emission process is given. A number of examples are then provided to demonstrate the power of photoemission and Auger electron spectroscopy, namely, for the qualitative and quantitative analyses of chemical compositions, the determination of oxidation states and bond ionicities, the measurement of valence electron states and bands, the investigation of the atomic structure at solid surfaces, and so on. A limitation of these electron‐based spectroscopies is their information depth being limited to surface‐near regions, but solutions to this problem are presented. Finally, the reader is made aware of possible misinterpretations of the measured spectra. The list of references deliberately refers to the early literature that actually laid the basis for this nowadays most powerful analytical techniques.
Vibrational Spectroscopy
Authors: Eckold Götz , Schober Helmut
Published: August 2017

This chapter concentrates on the study of structural excitations in fully relaxed crystalline materials where the atoms vibrate about well‐defined equilibrium positions. It illustrates the power of neutron spectroscopy using selected examples of crystalline materials. The chapter briefly introduces the concept of phonons in the harmonic approximation. It also shows how neutron powder spectroscopy can contribute important information on the dynamics of molecular crystals. The chapter covers a broad range of applications of vibrational spectroscopy using different techniques with special emphasis on neutron scattering. There are a variety of different experimental techniques that are frequently used for optical spectroscopy or inelastic neutron and X‐ray scattering. In most cases it is the competition between high intensity and high resolution that determines the most appropriate method. Infrared (IR) spectroscopy is a technique that is frequently used in chemistry since it allows the assignment of individual modes as fingerprints of specific bonds within molecular or functional groups.
Dielectric Properties
Authors: Waser Rainer , Hoffmann‐Eifert Susanne
Published: August 2017

In this chapter, we deal with the basic theory of linear dielectric response in solids, since the linear dielectric permittivity and losses are basic parameters that control the performance of many electronic devices. After a short introduction to some prominent applications, basic definitions are given and the behavior of a dielectric slab in an electric field is described. Then the various mechanisms causing polarization in solids are discussed from the macroscopic and the microscopic viewpoints, noting the concept of the local electric field. Polarization mechanisms are distinguished by their characteristic temperature and frequency dependencies leading to relaxation and resonance phenomena. Describing the interaction of phonons with the electric field finally gets us to the concept of polarization waves in ionic crystals.
Sol–Gel Processing of Porous Materials
Authors: Nakanishi Kazuki , Kanamori Kazuyoshi , Tokudome Yasuaki , Hasegawa George , Zhu Yang
Published: August 2017

The sol–gel processing of hierarchically porous materials has been reviewed. Especially, a focus was put on monolithic porous gels that can be prepared via sol–gel reaction accompanied by polymerization‐induced phase separation. After continuous development over 20 years, the formation of well‐defined macropores in sol–gel systems in a broad range of chemical compositions has been explored, and the versatility of the method was clearly demonstrated. Most metal oxide gels retain their inherent porosity within the gel framework comprising the continuously macroporous monoliths, so that additional aging treatments under basic and/or hydrothermal conditions worked efficiently to tailor the mesopores essentially independent of the preformed macroframeworks. Although this chapter focuses on demonstrating the formation of hierarchically porous structures, also included are some related topics such as low‐density aerogel‐like materials with unimodal well‐defined porosity. Introduced applications were limited to those proven to work and/or commercialized in separation sciences and biopurification. Further details on basic concepts are best found in one of the reviews. On the materials prepared from ionic precursors (metal salts) in aqueous media, mechanically stable aerogel‐like transparent low‐density hybrid materials, and those convertible to non‐oxide ceramics and carbons, there remain a lot to be explored in the near future from both basic and application viewpoints.
Quantum Mechanical/Molecular Mechanical (QM/MM) Approaches
Authors: Catlow C. Richard A. , Buckeridge John , Farrow Matthew R. , Logsdail Andrew J. , Sokol Alexey A.
Published: August 2017

Computational modeling techniques are now standard tools in solid‐state science. They are used routinely to model and predict structures, to investigate defect, transport, and spectroscopic properties of solids, to simulate sorption and diffusion, to develop models for nucleation and growth of solids, and increasingly to model and predict reaction mechanisms. They are applied to bulk solids, surfaces, and nanostructures, and successful applications are reported for all major classes of solid: metals, semiconductors, inorganic and ceramic materials, and molecular crystals. Modeling methods are now indeed tools that are used to guide, interpret, and predict experiment.
Modeling Crystal Nucleation and Growth and Polymorphic Transitions
Authors: Zahn Dirk
Published: August 2017

Tremendous efforts in crystal syntheses, experimental characterization, and theoretical approaches have led to an increasing understanding of how crystals form and continuously pave the way to novel materials. Here, we review molecular simulation techniques and recent experimental studies that considerably expanded the mechanistic picture of precursor formation, primary and secondary nucleation, and solid‐state polymorphism. This is encompassed within a theoretical mainframe by expanding classical nucleation theory also to so‐called nonclassical nucleation processes.
Electronics and Bioelectronic Interfaces
Authors: Kim Seong‐Min , Park Sungjun , Lee Won‐June , Yoon Myung‐Han
Published: August 2017

Solution‐processed electronic materials have gained tremendous momentum in the application of electronics, photovoltaics, and catalysts for being vacuum‐free with rapid deposition on targeted substrates at an atmospheric pressure, large area with selective deposition via various printing techniques in addition to high electrical performances. However, despite their growing impact, the application in bioelectronics has been deterred for the development of future human‐friendly or implantable electronics. This is attributed to lack of underlying studies on their material properties and interfaces under the aqueous environments, which is a prerequisite condition to be tested before physiological application. In this chapter, we discuss two different types of emerging inorganic and organic electronic materials for potential application of bioelectronics, especially on sol–gel metal oxide semiconductors (
MOx
) and solution‐processed conducting polymers (
CP
), respectively.
Magnetically Responsive Photonic Nanostructures for Display Applications
Authors: Wang Mingsheng , Yin Yadong
Published: August 2017

In this chapter, we introduce magnetically responsive photonic nanostructures for various types of display applications. By controlling the strength and direction of external magnetic fields, one can achieve reversible optical modulation. The variations in field strength could induce dramatic changes in local particle concentration and particle interaction, therefore, enabling effective tuning of the collective optical property of particle assemblies and modulation of light intensity at the desired wavelengths. The field direction determines the orientation of the magnetic particles and their assemblies, which usually allows effective tuning of their scattering cross sections and the transmission or reflection intensity.
Heterogeneous Asymmetric Catalysis
Authors: Mastalir Ágnes , Bartók Mihály
Published: August 2017

This chapter summarizes the results on asymmetric reactions induced by supported or immobilized chiral organocatalysts, collected in reviews before 2008 and also in more recent papers published between 2009 and 2015. The most extensively studied asymmetric reactions are as follows: aldol addition, Michael reaction, Diels‐Alder reaction, diethylzinc addition, epoxidation, and hydrogenation. The most important support materials used for the fabrication of immobilized chiral organocatalysts are natural or synthetic polymers, amorphous and ordered silica, cross‐linked polymers, clays, inorganic materials, nanoparticles (NPs) and metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) with various structural features. The asymmetric aldol reaction is one of the most efficient synthetic methods for obtaining optically active β‐hydroxy carbonyl compounds, which may be applied in organic syntheses. The enantioselective Michael addition is one of the most frequently studied reactions in asymmetric organocatalysis, which is suitable for the construction of optically active compounds that are useful intermediates for a number of natural and synthetic products.
Functional Materials for Gas Storage. PartII: Hydrogen and Methane
Authors: Reguera L. , Reguera E.
Published: August 2017

The second part of this overview on functional materials for gases storage discusses hydrogen and methane storage in porous solids and clathrates. For hydrogen, the dissociative storage as hydrides and spillover is also considered. Methane is the most attractive energy vector in a context of energetic transition, from an extensive use of oil and its derivatives as fuel to an economy based on hydrogen as energy bearer. During the last decades, tens of thousands of porous solids have been prepared and evaluated as absorbents, including inorganic, metal‐organic, and organic solids, mainly for molecular hydrogen storage; many of them also considered for methane storage. To rationalize that huge volume of information, the available data are critically reviewed according to the nature of the guest–host interactions that determine the adsorption forces and the related adsorption heats. Clathrates of hydrogen and methane represent a promise route of reversible storage, particularly those clathrates where the cages are formed by water molecules (hydrates). The largest global reserves of methane are found as hydrates below the oceans floors.
Youth Homelessness and Vulnerability: How Does Couch Surfing Fit?
Authors: Curry Susanna R. , Morton Matthew , Matjasko Jennifer L. , Dworsky Amy , Samuels Gina M. , Schlueter David
Published: August 2017

Highlights

We report results regarding youth couch surfing and homelessness from a national survey.

Youth couch surfing is a common experience, although far more so for young adults than adolescents.

There are notable differences between youth reporting homelessness versus only couch surfing.

Couch surfing encompasses a range of experiences, some of which likely include need for services.

Broader assessments of youths’ housing situation beyond point‐in‐time snapshots should be used.
Improved prognosis of young patients with breast cancer undergoing breast-conserving surgery
Authors: Botteri E , Veronesi P , Vila J , Rotmensz N , Galimberti V , Thomazini M V , Viale G , Orecchia R , Goldhirsch A , Gentilini O
Published: August 2017

Background

The aim of the present study was to evaluate how breast cancer prognosis has evolved over time in young women treated with breast-conserving surgery (BCS).

Methods

Data from patients younger than 40 years who had BCS and whole-breast radiotherapy in a single cancer centre between 1997 and 2010 were analysed. The patients were followed until 2016. Endpoints were local recurrence, any breast cancer-related event and death from any cause.

Results

A total of 1331 patients were included in the study. After a median follow-up of 9·3 years, 114 local recurrences, 289 breast cancer-related events and 138 deaths had occurred. Women were divided into three groups of similar size based on tertiles of the date of diagnosis: 1997–2002 (524 patients), 2003–2005 (350) and 2006–2010 (457). The risk of local recurrence was 1·42 per 100 person-years in women diagnosed in the first interval, 0·85 per 100 person-years in the second and 0·48 per 100 person-years in the third (P for trend = 0·028). The respective values were 3·01, 2·52 and 2·07 per 100 person-years for any breast cancer-related event (P = 0·004), and 1·59, 1·22 and 0·64 per 100 person-years for death (P = 0·003). Each passing year was associated with a decreasing risk of local recurrence (hazard ratio (HR) 0·93, 95 per cent c.i. 0·87 to 1·00), any breast cancer-related event (HR 0·94, 0·91 to 0·98) and death (HR 0·89, 0·83 to 0·94). A major improvement in prognosis was observed after 2005, when the classification of breast cancer molecular subtypes and use of trastuzumab were implemented in routine clinical practice.

Conclusion

In the past two decades, both local control and overall prognosis have improved significantly in young women (aged less than 40 years) with breast cancer who undergo BCS.
ORBITAL PERTURBATION DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS WITH NON‐LINEAR CORRECTIONS FOR CHAMP‐LIKE SATELLITE
Authors: Jin‐Hai YU , Yong‐Chao ZHU , Xiang‐Chao MENG
Published: August 2017

Directly from the second order differential equations of satellite motion, the linearized orbital perturbation differential equations for CHAMP‐like satellites are derived after introducing the reference orbit, and then introducing the omitted terms into the linearized orbital perturbation differential equations, the orbital perturbation differential equations with nonlinear corrections are derived. The accuracies for the orbital perturbation differential equations are estimated and the following results are obtained: if the measurement errors of the satellite positions and the non‐gravitational accelerations are less than 3 cm and 3 × 10−10 m·s−2 respectively, the linearized orbital perturbation differential equations and the equations with nonlinear corrections can hold the accuracies 3 × 10−10 m·s−2 only when ρ ≤ 4.7 m and ρ ≤ 4.14 × 103 m respectively, where ρ is the distance between the satellite orbit and the reference one. Hence, compared with the linearized orbital perturbation differential equations, the equations with nonlinear corrections are suitable to establish normal system of equations of the gravity field's spherical harmonic coefficients in long time span. The solving method for the orbital perturbation differential equations is also given with the help of the superposition principle in the paper. At last, some imitation examples for CHAMP and GRACE missions are computed, and the results illustrate that the orbital perturbation differential equations with nonlinear corrections have higher accuracies than the linearized ones.
Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors and Male Reproductive Health
Authors: Ramstein Joris J. , Tsai Katy K. , Smith James F.
Published: August 2017

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are a targeted class of cancer therapies effective against a range of malignancies and their use is growing significantly each year. Many men taking TKIs desire children, yet very little is known about the potential for reproductive harm of these medications. The mechanism of action of TKIs suggest a possible route to impairment of sperm functional properties or spermatogenesis.
Monitoring Neutropenia for Cancer Patients at the Point of Care
Authors: Inan Hakan , Kingsley James L. , Ozen Mehmet O. , Tekin Huseyin Cumhur , Hoerner Christian R. , Imae Yoriko , Metzner Thomas J. , Preiss Jordan S. , Durmus Naside Gozde , Ozsoz Mehmet , Wakelee Heather , Fan Alice C. , Tüzel Erkan , Demirci Utkan
Published: August 2017

Neutrophils have a critical role in regulating the immune system. The immune system is compromised during chemotherapy, increasing infection risks and imposing a need for regular monitoring of neutrophil counts. Although commercial hematology analyzers are currently used in clinical practice for neutrophil counts, they are only available in clinics and hospitals, use large blood volumes, and are not available at the point of care (POC). Additionally, phlebotomy and blood processing require trained personnel, where patients are often admitted to hospitals when the infections are at late stage due to lack of frequent monitoring. Here, a reliable method is presented that selectively captures and quantifies white blood cells (WBCs) and neutrophils from a finger prick volume of whole blood by integrating microfluidics with high‐resolution imaging algorithms. The platform is compact, portable, and easy to use. It captures and quantifies WBCs and neutrophils with high efficiency (>95%) and specificity (>95%) with an overall 4.2% bias compared to standard testing. The results from a small cohort of patients (N = 11 healthy, N = 5 lung and kidney cancer) present a unique disposable cell counter, demonstrating the ability of this tool to monitor neutrophil and WBC counts within clinical or in resource‐constrained environments.
Effects of Pre‐operative Psychological Status on Post‐operative Recovery: A Prospective Study
Authors: Aspari Ajay Raghunath , Lakshman K.
Published: August 2017

Background

Often in clinical practice, a spectrum of outcomes from surgery may be observed ranging from a quick and comfortable recovery to a recovery punctuated by persistent pain and decreased quality of life. While there has been a fast pace of advances made in the field of operative surgery, surgeons seldom pay attention to factors such as the psychological profile of a patient that can affect recovery from surgery.

Objective

To study the effects of pre‐operative psychological profile on post‐operative recovery in terms of pain, return to work and quality of life.

Materials and methods

Consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic surgeries at Sagar Hospitals, Jayanagar, were recruited. All patients were assessed for psychological status using the screening for illness behaviour questionnaire (SIBQ) and pain catastrophizing scale (PCS). Following surgery, they were followed up for a period of 3 months—on post‐operative day 1, post‐operative day 7, 1 month and 3 months from the date of surgery. Post‐operative pain was measured using the visual analogue scale (Wong–Baker’s), return to work was documented in days and quality of life was measured using the Short Form‐36 version 2 (SF‐36v2) Health Survey. The Pearson’s correlation coefficients were used to compare variables with continuous data and Chi‐square and Fisher’s tests were used to test categorical data for significance.

Results

In a total of 98 patients recruited, 50 patients had a complete follow‐up of 3 months. Significant correlations existed between the pre‐operative markers and markers of recovery. The Chi‐square test and Fisher’s exact tests showed significant differences in the scores of pre‐operative markers between the groups of patients who developed chronic pain and those who did not. Difference in scores with regard to quality of life was also noted.

Conclusion

Psychological status does play a role in post‐operative recovery. This result opens up scope for counselling patients towards a healthy and comfortable recovery from surgery.
Structure and physical properties of natural sphalerites and galena from the Dal’negorsk deposit in the temperature range 4–300 K
Authors: Gulyaeva R.I. , Selivanov E.N. , Dorogina G.A. , Uporov S.A. , Pryanichnikov S.V.
Published: August 2017

The structure and physical properties of natural sphalerites and galena from the Dal’negorsk ore massif were investigated. A nonlinear temperature dependence of the unit-cell parameters of sphalerite in the range 80–300 K was established by X-ray diffraction. The microstructure and elemental composition of sphalerites with different iron contents were studied. The results show that an increase in iron content in sphalerite solid solution leads to an increase in the unit-cell parameters. It is found that sphalerites are insulators in the temperature range from 4 to 300 K, as their absolute electrical resistivity is greater than 1 MOhm⋅m. The temperature dependence of sphalerite magnetization has a peak corresponding to the mineral transition from antiferromagnetic to ferrimagnetic state with a Neel temperature of about 90 K in fields of 0, 0.15, and 1.00 T. The magnetic state of natural galena is due to a sphalerite impurity: The extrema in the temperature magnetization curve are typical of sphalerite.
Self-Blotting Nanowire Grids for Cryo-EM Sample Preparation
Authors: Wei Hui , Dandey Venkat , Zhang Zhening , Raczkowski Ashleigh , Carragher Bridget , Potter Clinton S.
Published: August 2017

Almost every aspect of cryo electron microscopy (CryoEM) has been automated over the last few decades. One of the challenges that remains to be addressed is the robust and reliable preparation of vitrified specimens of suitable ice thickness. The development of a new self-blotting nanowire (Zhang et al., 2013) grid in conjunction with a piezo electric dispensing robot called Spotiton (Jain et al., 2012) enables spreading a sample to a thin film without the use of externally applied filter paper. This new approach has the advantage of using small amounts of protein material, resulting in large areas of ice of a well- defined thickness containing evenly distributed particles (Razinkov et al., 2016).