Grounding sustainable tourism in science—a geographic approach

This paper presents empirical research that supports territorial approaches to tourism product development that ground tourism in science, as a mechanism to support sustainable tourism heritage conservation goals. Scientific Tourism (ST), in this context, builds on the scientific heritage of a geography, matching researchers with local actors and tourists, through a five-stage iterative process that leads to new scientific knowledge, advancing theory and building relevance for communities through socio-cultural and economic development. This article focuses on the initial stage of the ST product development process, documenting empirical research conducted within the geographies surrounding the Palena River watershed in the Aysén Region of Chilean Patagonia. Both geo-structured literature review methods and results are presented and discussed to illustrate how the outcomes, including a series of maps, can inform and ground actors’ processes of heritage resource identification, justification, conservation, and exhibition, through the development of pilot ST initiatives within the territory. Similar research approaches may prove valuable for other low-density and peripheral geographies that share an interest in grounding tourism on the science taking place within their geography

Ab Initio Calculations of the Walls Shear Strength of Carbon Nanotubes

The dependence of the energy of interwall interaction in double-walled carbon nanotubes (DWNT) on the relative position of walls has been calculated using the density functional method. This dependence is used to evaluate forces that are necessary for the relative telescopic motion of walls and to calculate the shear strength of DWNT for the relative sliding of walls along the nanotube axis and for their relative rotation about this axis. The possibility of experimental verification of the obtained results is discussed.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figur

Nanomechanical Properties and Phase Transitions in a Double-Walled (5,5)@(10,10) Carbon Nanotube: ab initio Calculations

The structure and elastic properties of (5,5) and (10,10) nanotubes, as well as barriers for relative rotation of the walls and their relative sliding along the axis in a double-walled (5,5)@(10,10) carbon nanotube, are calculated using the density functional method. The results of these calculations are the basis for estimating the following physical quantities: shear strengths and diffusion coefficients for relative sliding along the axis and rotation of the walls, as well as frequencies of relative rotational and translational oscillations of the walls. The commensurability-incommensurability phase transition is analyzed. The length of the incommensurability defect is estimated on the basis of ab initio calculations. It is proposed that (5,5)@(10,10) double-walled carbon nanotube be used as a plain bearing. The possibility of experimental verification of the results is discussed.Comment: 14 page

Evaluation of drug administration errors in a teaching hospital

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Medication errors can occur at any of the three steps of the medication use process: prescribing, dispensing and administration. We aimed to determine the incidence, type and clinical importance of drug administration errors and to identify risk factors.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Prospective study based on disguised observation technique in four wards in a teaching hospital in Paris, France (800 beds). A pharmacist accompanied nurses and witnessed the preparation and administration of drugs to all patients during the three drug rounds on each of six days per ward. Main outcomes were number, type and clinical importance of errors and associated risk factors. Drug administration error rate was calculated with and without wrong time errors. Relationship between the occurrence of errors and potential risk factors were investigated using logistic regression models with random effects.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Twenty-eight nurses caring for 108 patients were observed. Among 1501 opportunities for error, 415 administrations (430 errors) with one or more errors were detected (27.6%). There were 312 wrong time errors, ten simultaneously with another type of error, resulting in an error rate without wrong time error of 7.5% (113/1501). The most frequently administered drugs were the cardiovascular drugs (425/1501, 28.3%). The highest risks of error in a drug administration were for dermatological drugs. No potentially life-threatening errors were witnessed and 6% of errors were classified as having a serious or significant impact on patients (mainly omission). In multivariate analysis, the occurrence of errors was associated with drug administration route, drug classification (ATC) and the number of patient under the nurse's care.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Medication administration errors are frequent. The identification of its determinants helps to undertake designed interventions.</p

Graphene Transistor as a Probe for Streaming Potential

We explore the dependence of electrical transport in a graphene field effect transistor (GraFET) on the flow of the liquid within the immediate vicinity of that transistor. We find large and reproducible shifts in the charge neutrality point of GraFETs that are dependent on the fluid velocity and the ionic concentration. We show that these shifts are consistent with the variation of the local electrochemical potential of the liquid next to graphene that are caused by the fluid flow (streaming potential). Furthermore, we utilize the sensitivity of electrical transport in GraFETs to the parameters of the fluid flow to demonstrate graphene-based mass flow and ionic concentration sensing. We successfully detect a flow as small as~70nL/min, and detect a change in the ionic concentration as small as ~40nM.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure

Mise au point d'une technique d'amplification commerciale de lots de semis de chêne sous forme de plants bouturés : rapport final

[Departement_IRSTEA]GT [TR1_IRSTEA]33 - CEMAFOR / SYLVAGENStudies on techniques for producing forest plants of Quercus petraea by cuttings were continued in 1999. Two factors were used to assess the results: shoot growth for rooted cuttings and rusticity of the rooting system. Shoot growth obtained during the rooting period using fertilizers in the medium or auxins spray may increase nutrient stocks and, as a result, winter survival. A polyethylene tunnel with confined atmosphere and sub-irrigation was tested for a second year. This more economical and technically simplified technique should give better-rooted and hardier plants. Production costs of the different systems were also studied.La mise au point de la technique de bouturage du chêne sessile s'est poursuivie en 1999 sur deux points particuliers : ramification des boutures enracinées et rusticité du système. Le développement de pousse dans la phase d'enracinement par l'utilisation d'engrais ou d'hormone doit favoriser la constitution de réserves et donc la survie à l'hiver. Un tunnel plastique à atmosphère confinée et subirrigation a été testé pour la seconde année. Cette technique plus simple et économique doit permettre d'obtenir des boutures mieux enracinées et plus robustes. A cette campagne s'est ajoutée une étude des coûts des systèmes employés

Multiplication végétative de l'épicéa commun (2ème tranche)

Research projects conducted on the vegetative propagation of the common spruce started in 1981. In 1990, an experiment was initiated in Barres and a pilot-production in Peyrat-le-Château. The experiment confirmed the interest of pure bark as cutting substrate and the uselessness of hormones. On the other hand, the elimination of basal needles did not improve rooting. Finally, the planting of cuttings in December or January instead of March gave better results. The pilot-production with maintenance of the clonal identity and floor heating has been compared to that of the previous two years. The results confirm the fact that rooting was highly dependent on the clones. Therefore, the INRA did not select certain clones which were vigorous and gave a good quality wood. / L'opération de recherches sur la multiplication végétative de l'Epicea commun a débuté en 1981. En 1990, ont été installées une expérimentation aux Barres et une production pilote à Peyrat-le-Château. L'expérimentation a confirmé l'intérêt de l'écorce pure utilisée comme substrat de bouturage, et l'inutilité de l'hormonage. D'autre part, la suppression des aiguilles basales des boutures, dit blessure, n'apporte pas de gain d'enracinement. Enfin, l'installation des boutures en décembre ou janvier donne de meilleurs résultats, qu'en mars. La production pilote, avec conservation de l'identité clonale et chauffage de fond, a été comparée à celle des 2 années précédentes. Elle confirme que les différences d'aptitude clonale à l'enracinement sont très fortes, ce qui condamnera certains clones sélectionnés par l'INRA qui donnaient par ailleurs satisfaction sur la qualité du bois et la vigueur