S 2p photoabsorption of the SF5CF3 molecule: Experiment, theory and comparison with SF6

The S 2p core excitation spectrum of the SF5CF3 molecule has been measured in the total ion yield mode. It resembles a lot the analogous spectrum of SF6, also recorded in this study, displaying intense transitions to the empty molecular orbitals both below and above the S 2p ionization potential (IP) and weak transitions to the Rydberg orbitals. The S 2p photoabsorption spectra of SF6 and SF5CF3 have been calculated using time-dependent density functional theory, whereby the spin–orbit coupling was included for the transitions below the S 2p IP. The agreement between experiment and theory is good for both molecules, which allows us to assign the main S 2p absorption features in SF5CF3

CHARACTERIZING FORAGING PATTERNS AMONG CATTLE AND BONDED AND NON-BONDED SMALL RUMINANTS USING SPATIAL POINT PROCESS TECHNIQUES

This paper uses the technique of spatial point processes to describe the spatial patterns of freeranging cattle and small ruminants. Two mixed-species livestock groups were monitored while foraging on 410 ha of brush-infested Southern New Mexico rangeland during July and August 1988. The groups consisted of crossbred Bos taurus and Bos indicus beef cattle with white-faced sheep (Ovis aries) and mohair goats (Capra hircus). The bonded group consisted of small ruminants that had their behaviours modified through socialization with cattle to form a ‘flerd’ in which small ruminants consistently remained near cattle. Small ruminants in the non-bonded group had not been socialized with cattle. A subset of animal location data measured during the morning and afternoon over five days for both the bonded and non-bonded groups was analyzed for spatial patterns. Only data for five morning periods (7:00-8:00 a.m.) are reported because morning and afternoon spatial patterns were similar. Observed nearest neighbor distances, mean number of small ruminant near an arbitrary cow, and point-to-animal distances were compared to Monte Carlo simulations of independently and uniformly distributed animal locations. Bonded and non-bonded groups were also compared. Results suggested bonded and non-bonded groups were similar in spatial patterns of intra-specific distances for both cattle and small ruminants. However, bonding changed the repulsive relationship observed between cattle and non-bonded small ruminants stocked together to one of inter-specific attraction. Bonded small ruminants remained close to and formed inter-specific clusters with cattle. In addition, the mean number of bonded small ruminants near an arbitrary cow was consistently higher than for non-bonded small ruminants. Finally, the spatial pattern of cattle across the paddock did not differ between bonded and non-bonded groups, while bonded small ruminants tended to disperse slightly more uniformly across the paddock than did non-bonded small ruminants. These findings indicate the usefulness of spatial point processes techniques to analyze such animal location data, substantiate on a larger scale conclusions of previous, replicated studies about the effect of bonding small ruminants to cattle, and suggest utilization of paddock landscapes may be positively influenced using flerds compared to flocks and herds

Organizational climate assessment using the paraconsistent decision method

The present study aims to show a model of organisational climate assessment through the integration of success codes and the Paraconsistent Decision Method. In this way, contributing to a previous scenario analysis that can return a more precise feedback of the organisational culture conditions of the organisation.(3ortugal

N-(1,5-Dimethyl-3-oxo-2-phenyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)acetamide–naphthalene-2,3-diol (1/1)

In the reaction of naphthalene-2,3-diol and 4-amino­anti­pyrine in the presence of acetic acid, the amine function is acetyl­ated and the resulting acetamide co-crystallizes with the diol in the title compound, C13H15N3O2·C10H8O2, with 1:1 molar stoichiometry. The two components are linked by two O–H⋯O=C hydrogen bonds. One of the hy­droxy groups inter­acts with the pyrazolone carbonyl O atom and the other hy­droxy group inter­acts with the amide O atom of another component, generating a chain motif. Adjacent chains are linked into a layer motif via N—H⋯O inter­actions involving only the heterocyclic acetamide component

Advances in the use of biological stabilisers and hyper-compaction for sustainable earthen construction materials.

In the majority of cases, earthen construction materials for real buildings require amendment to deliver suitable material properties, which could be some additional strength or resilience to erosion. In modern earthen construction, in India, Australia and other parts of the world, cement and lime have been successfully used as stabilisers, providing both strength and durability benefits. However, the use of cement is detrimental to the green credentials of earthen construction materials, due to the large carbon footprint of that material’s manufacture and, for some time, researchers have been motivated to find more appropriate stabilisers and manufacturing methods. In this paper, we present recent findings from two projects that are linked by this motivation, and involve the study of bio-based stabilisers and alternative manufacturing methods for insitu and unit-based materials. Results are presented from laboratory testing of strength and durability of a range of materials, bio-stabilisers and manufacturing processes, indicating that there could be viable alternatives to cement and lime, certainly for many current uses of earthen construction materials

Fluctuation Study of the Specific Heat of MgB2

The specific heat of polycrystalline Mg$^{11}$B$_{2}$ has been measured with high resolution ac calorimetry from 5 to 45 K at constant magnetic fields. The excess specific heat above T$_{c}$ is discussed in terms of Gaussian fluctuations and suggests that Mg$^{11}$B$_{2}$ is a bulk superconductor with Ginzburg-Landau coherence length $\xi_{0}=26$ \AA . The transition-width broadening in field is treated in terms of lowest-Landau-level (LLL) fluctuations. That analysis requires that $\xi_{0}=20$ \AA . The underestimate of the coherence length in field, along with deviations from 3D LLL predictions, suggest that there is an influence from the anisotropy of B$_{c2}$ between the c-axis and the a-b plane.Comment: Phys. Rev. B 66, 134515 (2002

Supercritical phase inversion of starch-poly(e-caprolactone) for tissue engineering applications

In this work, a starch-based polymer, namely a blend of starch-poly(ε-caprolactone) was processed by supercritical assisted phase inversion process. This processing technique has been proposed for the development of 3D structures with potential applications in tissue engineering applications, as scaffolds. The use of carbon dioxide as non-solvent in the phase inversion process leads to the formation of a porous and interconnected structure, dry and free of any residual solvent. Different processing conditions such as pressure (from 80 up to 150 bar) and temperature (45 and 55°C) were studied and the effect on the morphological features of the scaffolds was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy and micro-computed tomography. The mechanical properties of the SPCL scaffolds prepared were also studied. Additionally, in this work, the in vitro biological performance of the scaffolds was studied. Cell adhesion and morphology, viability and proliferation was assessed and the results suggest that the materials prepared are allow cell attachment and promote cell proliferation having thus potential to be used in some for biomedical applications.Ana Rita C. Duarte is grateful for financial support from Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia through the grant SFRH/BPD/34994/2007

Mrp1 is involved in lipid presentation and iNKT cell activation by Streptococcus pneumoniae

The CD1d pathway present lipid antigens resulting in the activation of iNKT cells but the complete pathway remains to be fully elucidated. Here, Chandra et al. use an siRNA screen and identify Mrp1 as crucial for CD1d lipid presentation and activation of iNKT in the context of Streptococcus pneumoniae infection