bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tannin-caprolactam and Tannin-PEG formulations as outdoor wood preservatives: weathering properties
Authors: Tondi Gianluca , Hu Jinbo , Rizzo Filippo , Buh Janez , Medved Sergej , Petutschnigg Alexander , Thevenon Marie-France 
Published: February 2017

AbstractKey messageThis article presents the leaching, fire and weathering resistance improvements of samples treated with tannin-based wood preservatives added of caprolactam. PEG-added formulations show limited applicability. The FT-IR and13C-NMR analyses of the caprolactam-added formulations show some evidences of copolymerization.ContextTannin-boron wood preservatives are known for their high resistance against leaching, biological attacks, fire as well as for the good mechanical properties that they impart to wood. These properties promoted these formulations for being a candidate for the protection of green buildings. However, the low elasticity of these polymers and their dark colour implied limited weathering resistances.AimsThe aim of the study is to find suitable additives for tannin-based formulations to overcome their limited weathering resistances, without compromising the other properties.MethodsTreatment, leaching and fire tests, dimensional stability as well as artificial and natural weathering of the timber treated with caprolactam-added and PEG-added formulations were performed. FT-IR and13C-NMR of the formulations were presented.ResultsThe presence of caprolactam improved the properties of the formulation with particularly significant results in terms of resistance against leaching and dimensional stability. These enhancements were imparted also to the weathering resistance of the tannin-caprolactam formulations. Indeed, the colour changes during the artificial and natural exposures were stable for longer periods. FT-IR and13C-NMR investigations of the advanced formulations were led, and covalent copolymerization of the caprolactam with the tannin-hexamine polymer was observed.ConclusionThe tannin formulations with caprolactam improved the durability of the wood specimens, while the PEG-tannin presented strong application drawbacks.
Equipping future doctors: incorporating management and leadership into medical curriculums in the United Kingdom
Authors: Sonsale Aniket , Bharamgoudar Reshma 
Published: February 2017

Throughout their careers, doctors are likely to come across complex management and leadership scenarios that many would not have had prior training in. Expectations of doctors are rising and it is becoming increasingly necessary to be able to astutely handle a variety of situations. Medical curricula must reflect this change and adapt to include the teaching of key management and leadership skills. Despite budgeting pressures, the National Health Service continues to spend vast sums of money on external management consultants. The 2013 Francis Report stressed the need for better management skills and leadership, especially in doctors who were identified as the spearheads of change. This view is backed up by senior professionals who stress that by incorporating it into undergraduate curricula, doctors will be equipped with the skills to flourish in the future. The challenges of doing so must be highlighted, since the teaching of managerial and leadership concepts must effectively combine theoretical approaches with practical applications. Empowering students of today will enable them as tomorrow’s doctors to tackle the challenges of modern medicine
The link between operational leanness and credit ratings
Authors: Bendig David , Strese Steffen , Brettel Malte 
Published: February 2017

AbstractAlthough there is rich literature documenting the positive relationship between operational leanness and financial performance, recent research indicates that the effects of leanness may be more complex than is typically assumed. We explore the impact of two kinds of leanness, relative inventory leanness and relative PPE leanness, on credit ratings. We thus use an alternative lens to explore the financial implications of leanness. We analyze secondary U.S. data from 1985 to 2012, with 11,197 firm‐year observations of manufacturing firms. Using panel data analysis, we show that inventory leanness is positively associated with credit ratings in a concave relationship. This is consistent with previous research that has looked at the impact of relative inventory leanness on equity performance. Conversely, we find that PPE leanness is negatively related with credit ratings in a concave relationship—in contrast to prior studies addressing the impact of PPE leanness on equity performance.
Laboratory modeling of hydrate formation in rock specimens (a review)
Authors: Manakov A. Yu. , Duchkov A.D. 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
We present a review of the literature on the methods of modeling of sedimentary rocks containing gas hydrates with the aim of a subsequent study of their physical and mechanical properties. The attention is focused mainly on the non-Russian researches carried out in the last 15 years. The review includes description of corresponding setups and modeling techniques. The dependence of the morphology of hydrate present in the specimen on the specimen preparation technique is reviewed in detail. In addition, the structure and texture of synthetic and natural hydrate-containing rock specimens are briefly reported, as well as the regularities of formation and dissociation of gas hydrates in the Earth’s crust.
Physical and mathematical modeling of transient electromagnetic soundings over salt-dome structures
Authors: Bobrov N.Yu. , Krylov S.S. , Antonov E.Yu. , Shein A.N. , Smilevets N.P. 
Published: February 2017

Abstract
This paper presents the results of physical and mathematical modeling performed to evaluate the potential of transient electromagnetic sounding in areas of salt-dome tectonics. Two geoelectric arrays are considered: an array with an inductive source (a horizontal loop) and an array with a mixed-type source (a horizontal current line). It is shown that the transient electromagnetic method provides important information on the relief of the top of salt deposits.
Beyond Bunker and Vaccine: The DNC Hack as a Conflict of Laws
Issue
Authors: Johns Fleur , Riles Annelise 
Published: February 2017

Who was responsible for the cyberincursions upon the Democratic National Committee
(DNC) that took place during the U.S. presidential campaign? Russia's “senior most officials”? A “a tattooed 26-year-old” running a server rental company
in western Siberia? U.S. political party leaders and other insiders disinclined to
implement “best in class” cybersecurity measures? Or does
responsibility lie elsewhere?
Ritual Observance: Colonial Representations of Afro-Caribbean Spiritual Practices in the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century French Caribbean
Authors: Leonard Ray 
Published: February 2017

AbstractOver the eighteenth century and into the nineteenth century, colonial observers repeatedly recorded Afro-Caribbean spiritual practices in the French Caribbean. “Ritual Observances” charts four such records; the 1698 journal of Jean Baptiste Labat, trial records from 1784, Moreau de-Saint Merie’s 1794Description Topographique, and Drouin De Bercy’sDe Saint Domingue. Although these records span distinct historical periods and textual mediums, they all employ a set of recognizable forms to express the convergence of disgust and desire that have historically attended colonial observations of Afro-Caribbean agency. I argue, however, that the significance of this ambivalence is constitutive of the historical moment in which it appears and that these observations are connected by more than a “shared” ambivalence. Instead, we might categorize these records asthemselvesritualistic. The termritual observancegestures to the act of observing a ritual, but also the way in which the observation is itself ritualistic. The repeated and sequential forms, or “actions” as I term them, of the ritual observance work to inscribe a legible history over the turbulence of eighteenth- and nineteenth-century French colonialism.
Validation of the Calakmul–Laguna de Terminos corridor for jaguarsPanthera oncain south-eastern Mexico
Authors: Hidalgo-Mihart Mircea G. , Contreras-Moreno Fernando M. , Jesús de la Cruz Alejandro , Juárez-López Rugieri 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe fragmentation of jaguarPanthera oncapopulations as a result of habitat loss is considered to be one of the main challenges for the conservation of the species. Corridors have been proposed as a means of maintaining connectivity and the long-term viability of jaguar populations. The corridor that connects the jaguar conservation units of Calakmul and Laguna de Terminos in Mexico has been considered to be a link for the movement of individuals between these units but its functionality had yet to be verified. During 2012–2014 we divided the corridor into four sections, where we used camera traps to verify the corridor's functionality. We obtained 106 photographs of jaguars, proving the presence of jaguars (including resident jaguars and females) in three of the corridor sections. We did not record any individuals in more than one section of the corridor. The presence of several resident jaguars and females throughout the corridor suggests that portions of the corridor should be incorporated into the Calakmul and Laguna de Terminos jaguar conservation units. Nevertheless, to confirm that the corridor is fully functional it is necessary to obtain evidence of movement of jaguars among the various sections of the corridor. Our results suggest that the area should be included in regional conservation strategies.
Why Study History? On Its Epistemic Benefits and Its Relation to the Sciences
Authors: Grimm Stephen R. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractI try to return the focus of the philosophy of history to the nature of understanding, with a particular emphasis on Louis Mink's project of exploring how historical understanding compares to the understanding we find in the natural sciences. On the whole, I come to a conclusion that Mink almost certainly would not have liked: that the understanding offered by history has a very similar epistemic profile to the understanding offered by the sciences, a similarity that stems from the fact that both are concerned with grasping how the objects of their study are structured, or how the various elements of the things they study depend upon and relate to one another. At the same time, however, I claim that historical inquiry naturally puts us in a position to acquire further epistemic goods, including the old-fashioned epistemic good of wisdom, which is plausibly constituted by knowledge of how to live well. This is something the natural sciences cannot offer, and it is part of the reason why history is such an important form of inquiry.
A comparative dosimetric study comparing dose to the carotid artery using 3D conformal radiotherapy and intensity-modulated radiotherapy for T1-T2 glottic cancer at Gharbia Cancer Society, Egypt
Authors: Mahmoud Mohamed , Elfaramawy Safa , Mokhtar Maha H. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractPurposeThis is a dosimetric study to compare the feasibility of carotid artery sparing as a primary objective, as well as planning target volume coverage and dose to spinal cord as a secondary objective, by using 3D conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for patients with early glottis cancer.Patients and methodsSix patients who had been treated for early stage glottic carcinoma (stage T1-2 N0M0) were included in this study. All patients were immobilised in the supine position with a thermoplastic mask and treatment planning computed tomography scans were obtained from the top of the skull to the top of aortic arch with a 3-mm slice thickness. Two plans were created for every patient, one using 3DCRT and the second using IMRT. Comparison between the two plans was undertaken and analysis was made regarding the dose to the carotids arteries, target coverage and doses to the organs at risk.ResultsFor target coverage, theV95%for both plans was the same with no significant difference, hot spots were the highest in 3DCRT withp=0·002, the homogeneity index for IMRT plan was better than 3DCRT (p=0·0001). Regarding the dose to the carotids, it was significantly lower in the IMRT plan compared with the 3DCRT plan (p=0·01). The spinal cord dose was significantly higher in the IMRT plan.ConclusionIMRT significantly reduces the radiation dose to the carotid arteries compared with 3DCRT while maintaining clinical target volume coverage. Such a results assists in decreasing the incidence of radiation-induced carotid stenosis, thus improving the quality of life for patients.
State intervention in the lives of people with disabilities: the case for a disability-neutral framework
Authors: Flynn Eilionóir , Arstein-Kerslake Anna 
Published: February 2017

AbstractPeople with disabilities continue to experience a disproportionately high level of state intervention in their private lives. Many disabled people's organisations have long sought to challenge this discriminatory approach and, in recent times, have relied upon the provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in support of their claims. In this paper, we argue for the abolition of disability-specific legal bases for state intervention in the private lives of adults. We also argue for the introduction of a narrower disability-neutral legislative framework for state intervention in the lives of all adults – based on risk of imminent and serious harm to the individual's life, health or safety, while providing greater respect for the person's legal capacity as expressed through her will and preferences.
Tempering Hard Times: Integrating Well-Being Metrics Into Utility Analysis
Authors: Tziner Aharon , Fein Erich C. , Birati Assa 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThis article highlights the virtue of integrating well-being metrics (e.g., psychological well-being, perceived meaning) into aspects of utility analysis for the purpose of enhancing human resource management strategies and worker performance. We present the reader with a review of conceptual and practical developments in this field and examples of utility analysis calculations, while we advocate for the necessity of including well-being metrics in utility analysis for the 21st century. The basic thrust of this effort is to encourage the greater employment by managers of quantitative models that allow decision makers to generate all the factors needed to estimate long-term financial gains and/or losses before any intervention strategy is implemented in the workplace. As indicated, the use of quantitative models to estimate the net financial gains of using particular intervention strategies, accompanied with the value estimation of certain types of employee states (e.g., psychological well-being) and worker behaviors (e.g., employee turnover), can ultimately save companies from making gross tactical errors and, more positively, can assist management in promoting the organization's long-term economic goals in conjunction with the enhanced well-being of employees.
Hyperspectral infrared nanoimaging of organic samples based on Fourier transform infrared nanospectroscopy
Authors: Amenabar Iban , Poly Simon , Goikoetxea Monika , Nuansing Wiwat , Lasch Peter , Hillenbrand Rainer 
Published: February 2017

AbstractInfrared nanospectroscopy enables novel possibilities for chemical and structural analysis of nanocomposites, biomaterials or optoelectronic devices. Here we introduce hyperspectral infrared nanoimaging based on Fourier transform infrared nanospectroscopy with a tunable bandwidth-limited laser continuum. We describe the technical implementations and present hyperspectral infrared near-field images of about 5,000 pixel, each one covering the spectral range from 1,000 to 1,900 cm−1. To verify the technique and to demonstrate its application potential, we imaged a three-component polymer blend and a melanin granule in a human hair cross-section, and demonstrate that multivariate data analysis can be applied for extracting spatially resolved chemical information. Particularly, we demonstrate that distribution and chemical interaction between the polymer components can be mapped with a spatial resolution of about 30 nm. We foresee wide application potential of hyperspectral infrared nanoimaging for valuable chemical materials characterization and quality control in various fields ranging from materials sciences to biomedicine.
No saturation in the accumulation of alien species worldwide
Authors: Seebens Hanno , Blackburn Tim M. , Dyer Ellie E. , Genovesi Piero , Hulme Philip E. , Jeschke Jonathan M. , Pagad Shyama , Pyšek Petr , Winter Marten , Arianoutsou Margarita , Bacher Sven , Blasius Bernd , Brundu Giuseppe , Capinha César , Celesti-Grapow Laura , Dawson Wayne , Dullinger Stefan , Fuentes Nicol , Jäger Heinke , Kartesz John , Kenis Marc , Kreft Holger , Kühn Ingolf , Lenzner Bernd , Liebhold Andrew , Mosena Alexander , Moser Dietmar , Nishino Misako , Pearman David , Pergl Jan , Rabitsch Wolfgang , Rojas-Sandoval Julissa , Roques Alain , Rorke Stephanie , Rossinelli Silvia , Roy Helen E. , Scalera Riccardo , Schindler Stefan , Štajerová Kateřina , Tokarska-Guzik Barbara , van Kleunen Mark , Walker Kevin , Weigelt Patrick , Yamanaka Takehiko , Essl Franz 
Published: February 2017

AbstractAlthough research on human-mediated exchanges of species has substantially intensified during the last centuries, we know surprisingly little about temporal dynamics of alien species accumulations across regions and taxa. Using a novel database of 45,813 first records of 16,926 established alien species, we show that the annual rate of first records worldwide has increased during the last 200 years, with 37% of all first records reported most recently (1970–2014). Inter-continental and inter-taxonomic variation can be largely attributed to the diaspora of European settlers in the nineteenth century and to the acceleration in trade in the twentieth century. For all taxonomic groups, the increase in numbers of alien species does not show any sign of saturation and most taxa even show increases in the rate of first records over time. This highlights that past efforts to mitigate invasions have not been effective enough to keep up with increasing globalization.
Selective sulfur dioxide adsorption on crystal defect sites on an isoreticular metal organic framework series
Authors: Rodríguez-Albelo L. Marleny , López-Maya Elena , Hamad Said , Ruiz-Salvador A. Rabdel , Calero Sofia , Navarro Jorge A.R. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe widespread emissions of toxic gases from fossil fuel combustion represent major welfare risks. Here we report the improvement of the selective sulfur dioxide capture from flue gas emissions of isoreticular nickel pyrazolate metal organic frameworks through the sequential introduction of missing-linker defects and extra-framework barium cations. The results and feasibility of the defect pore engineering carried out are quantified through a combination of dynamic adsorption experiments, X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy and density functional theory calculations. The increased sulfur dioxide adsorption capacities and energies as well as the sulfur dioxide/carbon dioxide partition coefficients values of defective materials compared to original non-defective ones are related to the missing linkers enhanced pore accessibility and to the specificity of sulfur dioxide interactions with crystal defect sites. The selective sulfur dioxide adsorption on defects indicates the potential of fine-tuning the functional properties of metal organic frameworks through the deliberate creation of defects.
Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and survival in pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Kopeć Grzegorz , Waligóra Marcin , Tyrka Anna , Jonas Kamil , Pencina Michael J. , Zdrojewski Tomasz , Moertl Deddo , Stokwiszewski Jakub , Zagożdżon Paweł , Podolec Piotr 
Published: February 2017

AbstractLow-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C) is a well established metabolic marker of cardiovascular risk, however, its role in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) has not been determined. Therefore we assessed whether LDL-C levels are altered in PAH patients, if they are associated with survival in this group and whether pulmonary hypertension (PH) reversal can influence LDL-C levels. Consecutive 46 PAH males and 94 females were age matched with a representative sample of 1168 males and 1245 females, respectively. Cox regression models were used to assess the association between LDL-C and mortality. The effect of PH reversal on LDL-C levels was assessed in 34 patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) undergoing invasive treatment. LDL-C was lower in both PAH (2.6 ± 0.8 mmol/l) and CTEPH (2.7 ± 0.7 mmol/l) patients when compared to controls (3.2 ± 1.1 mmol/l, p < 0.001). In PAH patients lower LDL-C significantly predicted death (HR:0.44/1 mmol/l, 95%CI:0.26–0.74, p = 0.002) after a median follow-up time of 33(21–36) months. In the CTEPH group, LDL-C increased (from 2.6[2.1–3.2] to 4.0[2.8–4.9]mmol/l, p = 0.01) in patients with PH reversal but remained unchanged in other patients (2.4[2.2–2.7] vs 2.3[2.1–2.5]mmol/l, p = 0.51). We concluded that LDL-C level is low in patients with PAH and is associated with an increased risk of death. Reversal of PH increases LDL-C levels.
Eu3+-doped Bi4Si3O12 red phosphor for solid state lighting: microwave synthesis, characterization, photoluminescence properties and thermal quenching mechanisms
Authors: Zhang Yan , Xu Jiayue , Cui Qingzhi , Yang Bobo 
Published: February 2017

AbstractEuropium-doped bismuth silicate (Bi4Si3O12) phosphor has been prepared by microwave irradiation method and its crystal structure is determined using Rietveld method. As-prepared phosphor consists of spherical, monodispersed particles with few agglomeration, high crystallinity, and narrow grain size distribution. The phosphor can be efficiently excited in the wavelength range of 260–400 nm, which matched well with the emission wavelengths of NUV LED chips. The photoluminescence spectra exhibit the highest emission peak at 703 nm originating from 5D0 → 7F4 transition of Eu3+ under NUV excitation. The luminescence lifetime for Bi4Si3O12: 2 at% Eu3+ phosphor decreases from 2.11 to 1.86 ms with increasing temperature from 10 to 498 K. This behavior of decays is discussed in terms of radiative and nonradiative decays dependence on temperature. The thermal quenching mechanism of 5D0 emission of Eu3+ in Bi4Si3O12 phosphor is a crossover process from the 5D0 level of Eu3+ to a ligand-to-europium (O2− → Eu3+) charge transfer state. The quantum efficiency of the phosphor under 393 nm excitation is found to be 14.5%, which is higher than that of the commercial red phosphors Y2O3: Eu3+, Y2O2S: Eu3+. The temperature effect on CIE coordinate was discussed in order to further investigate the potential applications.