Nano-building block based-hybrid organic–inorganic copolymers with self-healing properties

New dynamic materials, that can repair themselves after strong damage, have been designed by hybridization of polymers with structurally well-defined nanobuilding units. The controlled design of cross-linked poly(n-butyl acrylate) (pBuA) has been performed by introducing a very low amount of a specific tin oxo-cluster. Sacrificial domains with non-covalent interactions (i.e. ionic bonds) developed at the hybrid interface play a double role. Such interactions are strong enough to cross-link the polymer, which consequently exhibits rubber-like elasticity behavior and labile enough to enable, after severe mechanical damage, dynamic bond recombination leading to an efficient healing process at room temperature. In agreement with the nature of the reversible links at the hybrid interface, the healing process can speed up considerably with temperature. 1H and 119Sn PFG NMR has been used to evidence the dynamic nature of these peculiar cross-linking nodes

Motivational theories applied to assess EI programs: the EMOCARE’s Systematic Evaluation Model

Financial resources invested in treatment programs in Hospitals are limited; programs that work with the mental illness caregivers are not an exception. To prioritize those who will be included in programs is by establishing factors criteria: cognitive level, urgency, motivation to participate, intention to change and commitment to change. This chapter explores the adequacy of the EMOCARE’s Systematic Evaluation Model as a protocol to ensure that EMOCARE improves caregivers’ well-being as part of their education in Emotional Intelligence. The methodology follows a quasi-experimental pre-post design with two groups, one of them is a quasi-control group carried out during April to May of 2014. Sample size is 15 patients from the Sant Joan de Déu Hospital (Barcelona, Spain)-, 10 of them part of the experimental group (EG) -they attended the EMOCARE program for two months-. Results are discussed along with the theoretical framework, remarking EMOCARE’s Systematic Evaluation Model is adequate to assess the efficacy and effectiveness of the program; as well as EMOCARE improves caregivers’ well-being in terms of their satisfaction with life (Diener, Emmons, Larsen, & Griffin, 1985)

Etude et réalisation d'un système à base de connaissances d'aide à la décision en cas d'intervention sur des accidents majeurs

National audienceL'accident majeur se caractérise par une forte dynamique, l'urgence et une part d'inconnue élevée. La complexité de ce type d'accident rend particulièrement délicate la gestion de l'intervention des services de secours. En particulier, le responsable de l'intervention éprouve des difficultés à dégager une vue d'ensemble de l'accident et de son contexte, et donc à prendre une décision. Le projet présenté a pour but d'étudier et réaliser un système à base de connaissances d'aide à la décision en intervention, non spécifique à un type d'accident particulier. On a pour cela modélisé l'expertise des sapeurs-pompiers sur la Méthode de Raisonnement Tactique (MRT). Le modèle formel d'expertise obtenu permet de définir une ontologie de l'intervention. Il sera utilisé pour mettre en oeuvre une base de connaissances sur l'intervention. L'architecture proposée pour le système informatique est articulée autour d'un Système de Gestion de Base de Connaissances (SGBC) qui permet à différents outils d'exploiter et de gérer les connaissances de la base. Dans un premier temps, un outil d'Enseignement Assisté par Ordinateur de la MRT permettra de valider le modèle en le testant sur un grand nombre de personnes. Le retour d'expérience permettra alors de spécifier ce que sera l'outil final d'aide à la décision sur le terrain

“Chimie douce”: A land of opportunities for the designed construction of functional inorganic and hybrid organic-inorganic nanomaterials

Abstract“Chimie douce” based strategies allow, through the deep knowledge of materials chemistry and processing, the birth of the molecular engineering of nanomaterials. This feature article will highlight some of the main research accomplishments we have performed during the last years. We describe successively the design and properties of: sol–gel derived hybrids, Nano Building Blocks (NBBs) based hybrid materials, nanostructured porous materials proceeds as thin films and ultra-thin films, aerosol processed mesoporous powders and finally hierarchically structured materials. The importance of the control of the hybrid interfaces via the use of modern tools as DOSY NMR, SAXS, WAXS, Ellipsometry that are very useful to evaluate in situ the hybrid interfaces and the self-assembly processes is emphasized. Some examples of the optical, photocatalytic, electrochemical and mechanical properties of the resulting inorganic or hybrid nanomaterials are also presented

Molecular Subtyping of Bacillus anthracis and the 2001 Bioterrorism-Associated Anthrax Outbreak, United States

Molecular subtyping of Bacillus anthracis played an important role in differentiating and identifying anthrax strains during the 2001 bioterrorism-associated outbreak. Because B. anthracis has a low level of genetic variability, only a few subtyping methods, with varying reliability, exist. We initially used multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) to subtype 135 B. anthracis isolates associated with the outbreak. All isolates were determined to be of genotype 62, the same as the Ames strain used in laboratories. We sequenced the protective antigen gene (pagA) from 42 representative outbreak isolates and determined they all had a pagA sequence indistinguishable from the Ames strain (PA genotype I). MLVA and pagA sequencing were also used on DNA from clinical specimens, making subtyping B. anthracis possible without an isolate. Use of high-resolution molecular subtyping determined that all outbreak isolates were indistinguishable by the methods used and probably originated from a single source. In addition, subtyping rapidly identified laboratory contaminants and non-outbreak–related isolates