Analysis of size and shape differences between ancient and present-day Italian crania using metrics and geometric morphometrics based on multislice computed tomography

The Museum of Human Anatomy in Naples houses a collection of ancient Graeco-Roman crania. The aim of this study was to use multislice computed tomography (MSCT) to evaluate and objectively quantify potential differences in cranial dimensions and shapes between ancient Graeco-Roman crania (n = 36) and modern-day southern Italian crania (n = 35) and then to characterize the cranial changes occurring over more than 2000 years, known as secular change. The authors used traditional metric criteria and morphometric geometry to compare shape differences between the sets of crania. Statistically significant differences in size between the ancient and modern crania included shorter facial length, narrower external palate, smaller minimum cranial breadth, shorter right and left mastoid processes, and wider maximum occipital and nasal breadth. The shape changes from the ancient to modern crania included a global coronal enlargement of the face and cranial diameters, with more anterior projection of the face at the anterior nasal spine, but also posterior projection at the glabella and the nasion. It is not possible to determine whether these differences result exclusively from secular changes in the cranium or from other factors, including a mix of secular change and other unknown factors. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first MSCT-based study to compare ancient Graeco-Roman and modern-day southern Italian crania and to characterize shape and size differences

New localities and distribution models inform the conservation status of the endangered lizard Anolis guamuhaya (Squamata: Dactyloidae) in central Cuba

New localities and distribution models inform the conservation status of the endangered lizard Anolis guamuhaya (Squamata: Dactyloidae) from central Cuba. Anolis guamuhaya is known from seven localities restricted to the Guamuhaya Massif in central Cuba and is always associated with mountane ecosystems above 300 m a.s.l. Previous evaluations of the conservation status of the species based on the estimated number of mature individuals have categorized the anole as Endangered. Eight new records of A. guamuhaya are provided here. These double the number of known localities, and two represent the first records of the species in lowland areas, apart from the Guamuhaya Massif. The new records extend the elevational range of the species from 15 m to above 1000 m. We used ecological niche modeling based on all of the locality records, along with what we considered the most appropriate IUCN criteria according to the available information (Criterion B) to reevaluate the conservation status of the species. These new records of A. guamuhaya increase its area of occupancy up to a total of 60 km2 , and its extent of occurrence up to 648 km2 . Despite this increase in geographic range, the species meets the IUCN criteria in the category of Endangered. We used ecological niche modeling to predict possible trends for the species under differing scenarios of global climate change, all of which portend a drastic reduction in area climatically suitable for A. guamuhaya.Nuevas localidades y modelos de distribución informan sobre el estatus de conservación del lagarto amenazado Anolis guamuhaya (Squamata: Dactyloidae) de Cuba central. Anolis guamuhaya se conoce de siete localidades restringidas al Macizo de Guamuhaya, en Cuba central, siempre asociado a ecosistemas de montaña por encima de los 300 m s.n.m. Evaluaciones anteriores de su estatus de conservación basadas en el número estimado de individuos maduros categorizaron a la especie En Peligro. En este trabajo damos a conocer ocho nuevos registros de A. guamuhaya. Con estos se duplica el número de localidades conocidas y dos de ellas constituyen los primeros registros de esta especie en zonas llanas, fuera del Maci zo de Guamuhaya. Estos nuevos registros expanden el rango altitudinal de la especie desde 15 m hasta por encima de los 1000 m. Teniendo en cuenta los registros previos y los nuevos, hacemos una reevaluación del estatus de conservación de la especie empleando la modelación de nicho ecológico y los criterios de la UICN que consideramos más apropiados de acuerdo a la información disponible (criterio B). Estos nuevos registros de A. guamuhaya aumentan su área de ocupación hasta un total de 60 km2 y su extensión de presencia hasta 648 km2 . A pesar de este incremento en su área de distribución, la especie se ajusta a los criterios de la UICN para la categoría de En Peligro. Usamos la modelación de nicho ecológico para predecir posibles tendenci as de la especie bajo diferentes escenarios de cambio climático, donde todos los modelos auguran una reducción drástica del área climáticamente idónea para la especie.Novas localidades e modelos de distribuição informam sobre o estado de conservação do lagarto Anolis guamuhaya (Squamata: Dactyloidae) de Cuba central. Anolis guamuhaya é conhecida de sete localidades restritas ao Maciço de Guamuhaya, no centro de Cuba, sempre associada a ecossistemas montanhosos acima de 300 m de altitude. Avaliações anteriores de seu estado de conservação baseadas no número estimado de indivíduos maduros categorizaram a espécie como Em Perigo. Neste trabalho, fornecemos oito novos registros de A. guamuhaya. Com esses registros, duplica-se o número de localidades conhecidas, e duas delas constituem os primeiros registros da espécie em zonas baixas fora do Maciço de Guamuhaya. Os novos registros expandem a amplitude altitudinal da espécie desde 15 m até acima dos 1000 m. Levando em conta os registros prévios e os novos, reavaliamos o estado de conservação da espécie empregando modelagem de nicho ecológico e os critérios da IUCN que consideramos mais apropriados de acordo com a informação disponível (Critério B). Os novos registros de A. guamuhaya aumentam sua área de ocupação para um total de 60 km2 e sua extensão de presença para 648 km2 . Apesar desse incremento em sua área de distribuição, a espécie ajusta-se aos critérios da IUCN para a categoria Em Perigo. Utilizamos modelagem de nicho ecológico para prever possíveis tendências para a espécie em diferentes cenários de mudanças climáticas globais, todas pressagiando uma redução drástica em sua área climática adequada

Electrochemical synthesis of peroxomonophosphate using boron-doped diamond anodes

A new method for the synthesis of peroxomonophosphate, based on the use of boron-doped diamond electrodes, is described. The amount of oxidant electrogenerated depends on the characteristics of the supporting media (pH and solute concentration) and on the operating conditions (temperature and current density). Results show that the pH, between values of 1 and 5, does not influence either the electrosynthesis of peroxomonophosphate or the chemical stability of the oxidant generated. Conversely, low temperatures are required during the electrosynthesis process to minimize the thermal decomposition of peroxomonophosphate and to guarantee significant oxidant concentration. In addition, a marked influence of both the current density and the initial substrate is observed. This observation can be explained in terms of the contribution of hydroxyl radicals in the oxidation mechanisms that occur on diamond surfaces. In the assays carried out below the water oxidation potential, the generation of hydroxyl radicals did not take place. In these cases, peroxomonophosphate generation occurs through a direct electron transfer and, therefore, at these low current densities lower concentrations are obtained. On the other hand, at higher potentials both direct and hydroxyl radical-mediated mechanisms contribute to the oxidant generation and the process is more efficient. In the same way, the contribution of hydroxyl radicals may also help to explain the significant influence of the substrate concentration. Thus, the coexistence of both phosphate and hydroxyl radicals is required to ensure the generation of significant amounts of peroxomonophosphoric acid

Performance of Ti/Pt and Nb/BDD anodes for dechlorination of nitric acid and regeneration of silver(II) in a tubular reactor for the treatment of solid wastes in nuclear industry

One of the problems frequently encountered in the processing of nuclear fuels is the recovery of plutonium contained in various solid wastes. The difficulty is to make soluble the plutonium present as the refractory oxide PuO2. The dissolution of this oxide in nitric acid solutions is easily performed by means of silver(II) a strong oxidizing agent which is usually electrochemically generated on a platinum anode. However, certain solid residues that must be treated to separate actinides contain important quantities of chloride ions that require after dissolution in nitric acid a preliminary electrochemical step to be removed before introducing Ag(I) for Ag(II) electrogeneration. Research is conducted to find electrocatalytic materials being able to replace massive platinum in view to limit capital costs. In the present work a set-up including a two-compartment tubular reactor with recirculation of electrolytes was tested with anodes made of boron doped diamond coated niobium (Nb/BDD) and platinum coated titanium (Ti/Pt) grids for the removal of chlorides (up to 0.1 M) and for silver(II) regeneration. The study showed that these two anodes are effective for the removal of chlorides contained in 6 M HNO3 solution as gaseous chlorine, without producing the unwanted oxyanions of chlorine. Furthermore, the regeneration rate of silver(II) on Nb/BDD anode is approximately equal to that obtained on Ti/Pt anode for the same hydrodynamic conditions in the tubular reactor. Accordingly, dechlorination as well as silver(II) regeneration can be performed in the same reactor equipped either with a Nb/BDD or a Ti/Pt anode. Besides, the service life of Nb/BDD anodes estimated by accelerated life tests conducted in 6 M HNO3 can be considered as very satisfactory compared to that observed with Ti/Pt anodes

Récents développements des procédés d'électrosynthèse organique

Recent developments of some electro-organic processes of industrial interest studied in France are presented. They are illustrated by examples of syntheses conducted by classical oxidation or reduction of chemical functions. Special attention is payed to the use of cathodes activated in situ by a zinc layer and their application in the electrosyntheses of chlorotrifluoroethylene and amino-alcohols. New reactors with porous electrodes are particularly suitable for the syntheses of a certain number of nitroso-compounds. Electrochemical processes involving the use of sacrificial anodes of magnesium, or aluminum, which are interesting in functionalization of organic halides, were particularly developed in France these 10 last years. Examples concerning the build-up of new materials such as doped polymers, or some organosilanes used as ceramic precursors are also presented. Some of the above cases constitute favorable occasions to discuss innovations in electrochemical reactor technology

Electrochemical treatment of industrial organic wastewaters

A review, with 29 refs., on the anodic oxidn. of orgs. in industrial wastewaters treatment. Direct electrochem. processes catalyzed by the O transfer reaction are discussed for several anode materials. Ti/SnO2 is particularly efficient for cold combustion of arom. pollutants. Processes involving the electrochem. generation of oxidants (O3, H2O2), or the electrochem. regeneration of metallic redox couples (Fenton's reagent) are discussed. [on SciFinder (R)

Comparison of the chemical and electrochemical oxidation of phenol for wastewater

The electrochem. oxidn. of PhOH in wastewater was studied using Pt and DSA anodes. Anal. of reaction intermediates and measurements of current efficiency have shown that traditional anode materials (Pt, Ti/IrO2, Ti/RuO2, Ti/PbO2) give relatively low current efficiencies (EOI). Contrary to the Ti/SnO2 anode which not only gives high EOI values but allows quasi complete Total org. C elimination. The electrochem. oxidn. is compared with the chem. oxidn. and a mechanism for the electrochem. oxidn. is proposed. [on SciFinder (R)

Influence of deposition parameters on microstructure and contamination of electrodeposited nickel coatings from additive-free sulphamate bath

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