High Degree Of Fragmentation Research Articles

Nonpoint Pollution Source-Sink Landscape Pattern Change Analysis in a Coastal River Basin in Southeast China.

Analyzing the spatiotemporal characteristics of source-sink landscape pattern change in river basins is crucial for managing and controlling nonpoint source pollution. This study investigated the landscape pattern changes in Jiulong River basin from 1990 to 2015. A random forest classifier combined with texture and spectral information was applied to interpret the multi-temporal Landsat images. Landscape metrics were calculated to quantify the landscape at the patch level. Transition matrixes were derived for analyzing the conversion among different landscape types. It is notable that the largest values of the number of patches and patch density of residential land appeared in 2005, indicating the highest degree of fragmentation over this time period. The percentage of landscape for forestland was always higher than 71%, and the percentage of residential land increased from 7.42% to 14.55% during the last three decades, while unused land decreased from 5.3% to 2.8%. The downward trend of DO and the upward trend of NH3-N and TP indicate the deterioration of water quality during 2005–2015. The quantitative monitoring data of water quality indicators in Hua’an and Xiamen sites in Jiulong River basin are shown. The percentage of landscape of cultivated land increased during 2005–2010, which was consistent with the change tendency of NH3-N. Transition matrixes showed that the main changes occurred when forestland and unused land were transformed to residential land and cultivated land over the last three decades. Analysis results demonstrated a higher extent of landscape fragmentation and an unsustainable transition among source-sink landscapes.

Implementing open government: a qualitative comparative analysis of digital platforms in France, Italy and United Kingdom

Open government is spreading throughout the world as a policy agenda oriented to foster transparency, participation and collaboration. Despite its increasing relevance in policy documents, there has been a scarce interest in deepening the analysis of how such agenda has been implemented in different national contexts. By adopting a multidimensional and multilevel perspective, we propose a qualitative comparative analysis of institutional digital platforms able to gather the evolution of open government in three European countries. We retrieved 979 open government platforms in France, Italy, and United Kingdom and analyzed them with an original set of indicators grouped in the three macro-areas of e-government, open data and transparency, participation and collaboration. Our study has methodological and policy implications: from the one hand, we provide the widest and deepest survey of open government platforms so far, contributing to the standardization of research methods on this field. From the other hand, we can observe that open government implementation is characterized by some typical traits, suggesting a trans-national convergence; this evidence is particularly prominent in the e-government and open data areas, whereas Participatory platforms are characterised by higher degrees of fragmentation both at the trans-national and at the intra-national levels. The analysis of open government platforms also reveals that, at the intra-national level, public administrations’ approaches to digital government are not homogeneous, although at different degrees among the three countries involved in our study, suggesting the need of a better integration and coordination by central authorities.

Binning enables efficient host genome reconstruction in cnidarian holobionts.

BackgroundMany cnidarians, including stony corals, engage in complex symbiotic associations, comprising the eukaryotic host, photosynthetic algae, and highly diverse microbial communities—together referred to as holobiont. This taxonomic complexity makes sequencing and assembling coral host genomes extremely challenging. Therefore, previous cnidarian genomic projects were based on symbiont-free tissue samples. However, this approach may not be applicable to the majority of cnidarian species for ecological reasons. We therefore evaluated the performance of an alternative method based on sequence binning for reconstructing the genome of the stony coral Porites rus from a hologenomic sample and compared it to traditional approaches.ResultsOur results demonstrate that binning performs well for hologenomic data, producing sufficient reads for assembling the draft genome of P. rus. An assembly evaluation based on operational criteria showed results that were comparable to symbiont-free approaches in terms of completeness and usefulness, despite a high degree of fragmentation in our assembly. In addition, we found that binning provides sufficient data for exploratory k-mer estimation of genomic features, such as genome size and heterozygosity.ConclusionsBinning constitutes a powerful approach for disentangling taxonomically complex coral hologenomes. Considering the recent decline of coral reefs on the one hand and previous limitations to coral genome sequencing on the other hand, binning may facilitate rapid and reliable genome assembly. This study also provides an important milestone in advancing binning from the metagenomic to the hologenomic and from the prokaryotic to the eukaryotic level.

Holocene Shell Accumulations from the Cabo Frio Coastal Plain, Southeastern Brazil: Taxonomy, Taphonomy, Geochronology and Paleoenvironmental Implications

The bioclastic accumulations produced during the Holocene transgression are recorded in the entire coastal zone of South America, and allow the correlation of different areas. In order to place information from taxonomy, taphonomic process and paleoecology in this context, the analyses of mollusk fauna from six different sites located in the coastal plain of Cabo Frio area, southeastern Brazil, were integrated with sea level and paleoenvironmental changes. The taxonomic analysis identified 42 species of mollusks, being 25 of Bivalvia Class, 15 of Gastropoda Class and 2 of Scaphoda Class. The taphonomic analysis demonstrated two types of assemblages, an autocthonous, formed in anoxic and hypersaline conditions, and an allochthonous, characterized by shallow marine environment. Radiocarbon dating revealed the ages between 6260 and 5819 cal. yr BP. Cluster analysis revealed four fauna associations: Anomalocardia brasiliana, Tivela mactroides, Neritina virginea / Olivella and Pitar fulminatus. The integration of mollusk associations and taphonomic signatures allowed distinguished two paleoenvironments: a marine restricted (6200—5950 cal. yrs BP) dominated by Anomalocardia brasiliana Association with low degree of abrasion and fragmentation, evidence of low-energy environment; and 2) nearshore nearshore (5950—5800 cal. yrs BP) dominated by Tivela mactroides, Neritina virginea / Olivella and Pitar fulminatus Associations with a high degree of fragmentation and disarticulation, denoting a high wave energy environment and marine currents.

Real-time detection of BRAF V600E mutation from archival hairy cell leukemia FFPE tissue by nanopore sequencing.

The MinION is a miniaturized high-throughput next generation sequencing platform of novel conception. The use of nucleic acids derived from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples is highly desirable, but their adoption for molecular assays is hurdled by the high degree of fragmentation and by the chemical-induced mutations stemming from the fixation protocols. In order to investigate the suitability of MinION sequencing on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples, the presence and frequency of BRAF c.1799T > A mutation was investigated in two archival tissue specimens of Hairy cell leukemia and Hairy cell leukemia Variant. Despite the poor quality of the starting DNA, BRAF mutation was successfully detected in the Hairy cell leukemia sample with around 50% of the reads obtained within 2h of the sequencing start. Notably, the mutational burden of the Hairy cell leukemia sample as derived from nanopore sequencing proved to be comparable to a sensitive method for the detection of point mutations, namely the Digital PCR, using a validated assay. Nanopore sequencing can be adopted for targeted sequencing of genetic lesions on critical DNA samples such as those extracted from archival routine formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples. This result let speculating about the possibility that the nanopore sequencing could be trustably adopted for the real-time targeted sequencing of genetic lesions. Our report opens the window for the adoption of nanopore sequencing in molecular pathology for research and diagnostics.

Heart Rate Fragmentation: A Symbolic Dynamical Approach.

Background: We recently introduced the concept of heart rate fragmentation along with a set of metrics for its quantification. The term was coined to refer to an increase in the percentage of changes in heart rate acceleration sign, a dynamical marker of a type of anomalous variability. The effort was motivated by the observation that fragmentation, which is consistent with the breakdown of the neuroautonomic-electrophysiologic control system of the sino-atrial node, could confound traditional short-term analysis of heart rate variability.Objective: The objectives of this study were to: (1) introduce a symbolic dynamical approach to the problem of quantifying heart rate fragmentation; (2) evaluate how the distribution of the different dynamical patterns (“words”) varied with the participants' age in a group of healthy subjects and patients with coronary artery disease (CAD); and (3) quantify the differences in the fragmentation patterns between the two sample populations.Methods: The symbolic dynamical method employed here was based on a ternary map of the increment NN interval time series and on the analysis of the relative frequency of symbolic sequences (words) with a pre-defined set of features. We analyzed annotated, open-access Holter databases of healthy subjects and patients with CAD, provided by the University of Rochester Telemetric and Holter ECG Warehouse (THEW).Results: The degree of fragmentation was significantly higher in older individuals than in their younger counterparts. However, the fragmentation patterns were different in the two sample populations. In healthy subjects, older age was significantly associated with a higher percentage of transitions from acceleration/deceleration to zero acceleration and vice versa (termed “soft” inflection points). In patients with CAD, older age was also significantly associated with higher percentages of frank reversals in heart rate acceleration (transitions from acceleration to deceleration and vice versa, termed “hard” inflection points). Compared to healthy subjects, patients with CAD had significantly higher percentages of soft and hard inflection points, an increased percentage of words with a high degree of fragmentation and a decreased percentage of words with a lower degree of fragmentation.Conclusion: The symbolic dynamical method employed here was useful to probe the newly recognized property of heart rate fragmentation. The findings from these cross-sectional studies confirm that CAD and older age are associated with higher levels of heart rate fragmentation. Furthermore, fragmentation with healthy aging appears to be phenotypically different from fragmentation in the context of CAD.

The global debt governance system for developing countries: deficiencies and reform proposals

ABSTRACTDebt crises in developing countries in previous decades have revealed the need for a reform of the current global debt governance (GDG) system that is characterised by a high degree of fragmentation, parallel structures, and ineffective instruments. The current GDG system has neither prevented nor fully resolved debt crises in developing countries. To establish an efficient and effective GDG framework it is necessary to reform the GDG system at two different levels. At the instrument level, it is time to reform existing instruments for both prevention and resolution of debt crises and to put in place new instruments such as an insolvency procedure for states. At the systemic level, establishing an adequate GDG system does not only mean choosing appropriate individual instruments but also using them in a complementary manner. Instruments belonging to one set of tools – crisis prevention or crisis resolution – should be linked to each other. In the same vein, the two sets of instruments for crisis prevention and crisis resolution should be combined.

Homogenization analysis of invasion dynamics in heterogeneous landscapes with differential bias and motility.

Animal movement behaviors vary spatially in response to environmental heterogeneity. An important problem in spatial ecology is to determine how large-scale population growth and dispersal patterns emerge within highly variable landscapes. We apply the method of homogenization to study the large-scale behavior of a reaction-diffusion-advection model of population growth and dispersal. Our model includes small-scale variation in the directed and random components of movement and growth rates, as well as large-scale drift. Using the homogenized model we derive simple approximate formulas for persistence conditions and asymptotic invasion speeds, which are interpreted in terms of residence index. The homogenization results show good agreement with numerical solutions for environments with a high degree of fragmentation, both with and without periodicity at the fast scale. The simplicity of the formulas, and their connection to residence index make them appealing for studying the large-scale effects of a variety of small-scale movement behaviors.

Trends in acquisitions of physician practices and subsequent clinical integration: A mixed methods study.

The US health care system is marked by a high degree of fragmentation in both delivery and financing. Some evidence suggests that attempts to reduce fragmentation have led to significant provider consolidation, including hospital acquisitions of physician groups, or "vertical integration." The objective was to use time-series data to quantify trends in and characteristics of hospital acquisitions of physician practices. A secondary objective was to use case studies to determine the motivations for these acquisitions and to identify what integration results from these transactions. Data on annual hospital acquisition of physician practices was used to quantify trends and characteristics of acquiring hospitals between 2006 and 2013. Four in-depth case studies, including structured interviews with hospital leadership, were then conducted of recent hospital acquisitions of primary care practices. Acquisitions of physician practices have been increasing over the last decade and peaked in 2011. Most acquisitions were of small primary care, multi-specialty, or cardiology practices. The case studies revealed that the primary motivation for hospital acquisitions was to increase referrals and negotiate higher payment rates. These transactions resulted in very limited clinical integration, while all acquiring hospitals sought to integrate health information systems. Among 4 case-studies of hospital acquisition of physician practices, the primary motivation was financial and competitive motivations. This suggests that policymakers should be mindful of the potential negative effects of these acquisitions on health care costs, as well as the uncertainty of clinical benefits. Policymakers may need supplementary strategies to deliver the goals of reduced costs and improved quality of care.

Abstract 744: ctDNA use in molecular diagnostics

Abstract The analysis of circulating cell-free tumor DNA (ctDNA), which can be obtained from plasma by non-invasive procedures, is expected to provide useful biomarkers in the management of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Indeed, several studies have assessed ctDNA prognostic and predictive value as source of key data for therapeutic targets and drug resistance in carcinoma patients. The expanding number of targeted therapeutics for NSCLC always expects a real-time wider tumor genotyping, and the use of ctDNA as either a complement or an alternative to tumor tissue DNA (ttDNA) could be a valid option for Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) of key cancer genes. However, isolation and enrichment of ctDNA is a big challenge because of its high degree of fragmentation and its low concentration against the normally occurring background of cell-free DNA derived from healthy cells. Therefore standardized methods for ctDNA extraction and analysis are crucial aspects in the setting-up of a molecular diagnostic approach. In this study we aimed to evaluate the ctDNA use for molecular profiling, also analyzing the impact of both pre-analytical and analytical variables on DNA yield and mutation detection. Matched ttDNA and ctDNA from 30 NSCLC patients were extracted, quantified and quality-controlled, and then investigated by different standard methods (real-time PCR, digital PCR, Mass Spectrometry genotyping) for EGFR, KRAS, BRAF, PIK3CA status. Mutational screening of ctDNA samples by IonTorrent NGS (Oncomine™ Lung cfDNA Assay, ThermoFisher) was also performed. Further, we extended ctDNA evaluation to additional 30 lung cancer patients with no available tumor sample. We found that cell free DNA concentration in plasma correlated with both stage and number of metastatic sites. Analyzing matched ttDNA and ctDNA by standard methods, we identified mutations in EGFR, KRAS, PIK3CA genes, with an overall concordance of 77%. Interestingly, Oncomine Lung cfDNA assay detected these same mutations with the same allelic frequency of standard methods; mutations in TP53 and ALK genes were also found. In the 30 patients with no available tumor sample, we found EGFR (10%) and KRAS (7%) mutations on ctDNA by standard methods; NGS analysis is under evaluation. This study evaluated the use of multiple different methods to detect mutations in NSCLC and showed that ctDNA can be a feasible option for clinical monitoring of lung cancers, including for those patients who cannot undergo invasive diagnostic procedures, due to either comorbidities or absence of biopsable tumor lesions. Citation Format: Gilda Magliacane, Greta Grassini, Ilaria Francaviglia, Elena DalCin, Chiara Lazzari, Alessandra Bulotta, Monika Ducceschi, Vanesa Gregorc, Lorenza Pecciarini, Claudio Doglioni, Maria Giulia Cangi. ctDNA use in molecular diagnostics [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 744. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-744

An estimation model for the fragmentation properties of brittle rock block due to the impacts against an obstruction

Mountain hazards with large masses of rock blocks in motion–such as rock falls, avalanches and landslides–threaten human lives and structures. Dynamic fragmentation is a common phenomenon during the movement process of rock blocks in rock avalanche, due to the high velocity and impacts against obstructions. In view of the energy consumption theory for brittle rock fragmentation proposed by Bond, which relates energy to size reduction, a theoretical model is proposed to estimate the average fragment size for a moving rock block when it impacts against an obstruction. Then, different forms of motion are studied, with various drop heights and slope angles for the moving rock block. The calculated results reveal that the average fragment size decreases as the drop height increases, whether for free-fall or for a sliding or rolling rock block, and the decline in size is rapid for low heights and slow for increasing heights in the corresponding curves. Moreover, the average fragment size also decreases as the slope angle increases for a sliding rock block. In addition, a rolling rock block has a higher degree of fragmentation than a sliding rock block, even for the same slope angle and block volume. Finally, to compare with others’ results, the approximate number of fragments is estimated for each calculated example, and the results show that the proposed model is applicable to a relatively isotropic moving rock block.

Network position, export patterns and competitiveness: Evidence from the European automotive industry

The organizational characteristics of production in the European automotive industry have favoured a high degree of fragmentation and productive mobility. This article analyses the differing national positions of automotive producing countries and their export patterns – particularly their export reorientation to extra-European Union markets following the collapse of regional demand in the European automotive industry. Based on the methodologies of Mahutga and Piana, our position analysis arrives at two main conclusions: (i) the countries best positioned in the European regional automotive production network are precisely those that have experienced a greater increase in extra-European Union exports, thus reducing their dependence on regional European demand; (ii) the increase in extra-European Union exports (mainly of final goods) is linked to increased regional fragmentation of production in the automotive industry. We conclude that the governance of this fragmentation process is a key determinant of extra-European Union export competitiveness.

Evaluating Financial and Operational Performance in the Retail Apparel Industry, 2016

This case is suitable for management students who have already been exposed to the basics of accounting and operations-management decision making. It builds business intuition that integrates concepts from the courses of operations, accounting, and finance. As such, it is appropriate in an operations course, or in an introductory finance/accounting course. Students examine the financial statements of four competitors in the global retail apparel industry and calculate the financial ratios that comprise the return on equity for each. Then, they critically evaluate the links between each company's financial ratios and its unique operations strategy and financial situation. As a result, students gain insight into the effects that strategic operations management and financial decisions can have on financial statements and important financial ratios, as well as the insights one can gain by examining the equivalent ratios of close competitors.This case begins with an overview of the market forces that have the greatest effect on the global retail apparel industry. A brief overview of the history of the industry and how it has developed since the 1980s is provided as a backdrop to illustrate the financial and operations-management decisions that have been made by the four companies profiled. Then, a high-level introduction is provided for each of four major competitors: The Gap, Inc.; HM Urban Outfitters, Inc.; and Industria de Diseno Textil, S.A. The short company profiles include a description of each company's portfolio of brands, overall positioning and operations strategy, outsourcing decisions, history, and financial situation. Finally, a series of exhibits provides income statement and balance sheet information for each company. Excerpt UVA-OM-1557 Rev. Jun. 15, 2017 Evaluating Financial and Operational Performance in the Retail Apparel Industry, 2016 Industry Background In 2016, 150 billion new clothing items were produced annually by companies in the global retail apparel industry. The estimated global value of the apparel industry was $ 1.8trillion. The industry was characterized by low switching costs, low barriers to entry, and a high degree of fragmentation and rivalry. The category included both department stores, which featured other goods in addition to apparel, and specialty retail stores that catered to specific customer segments. Both usually sold through multiple channels, including web-based and mobile platforms as well as brick-and-mortar stores, and sometimes also through outlet stores. The term “retail apparel” referred to clothing worn by women, men, girls, boys, toddlers, and infants; categories included activewear, career wear, formal occasion wear, and intimates. Most purchases were made by the individual consumer, who might be driven by convenience, value, quality, and/or a desire to display a certain social or economic standing. Sales were often seasonal, and varied by country. For example, in the United States, retail sales volumes often increased close to observed holidays, sporting events, and back-to-school time. . . .

Evaluating landscape connectivity in fragmented habitats: Cantabrian capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus cantabricus) in northern Spain

Cantabrian capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus cantabricus) is listed as endangered according to IUCN criteria. The high degree of fragmentation and anthropogenic disturbances in capercaillie habitat suggests that habitat patterns may be related to decline of capercaillie populations in northern Spain. The objectives of this study are: (1) determining critical territories for the maintenance of capercaillie connectivity; and (2) evaluating the importance of public forests and their appropriate management to maintain the habitat connectivity for this species. This study is focused on northern Spain, where forest areas are critical for the maintenance of capercaillie. We applied connectivity methodologies based on morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA) and the probability of connectivity (PC). The results of the MSPA were incorporated into a standard GIS and compared with the spatial distribution of the public forest. Most of the valuable areas for connectivity were inside the public forests. Moreover, these public forests mainly form continuous features. Therefore, forest planning and management, mainly in public forest, should approach this problem including connectivity considerations and, more specifically, identifying the most critical forest sites for the maintenance of capercaillie habitat.

Non-redundant rendering for efficient multi-view scene discretization

A powerful approach for managing scene complexity is to sample the scene with a set of images. However, conventional images from nearby viewpoints have a high level of redundancy, which reduces scene sampling efficiency. We present non-redundant rendering, which detects and avoids redundant samples as the image is computed. We show that non-redundant rendering leads to improved scene sampling quality according to several view-independent and view-dependent metrics, compared to conventional scene discretization using redundant images and compared to depth peeling. Non-redundant images have a higher degree of fragmentation and, therefore, conventional approaches for scene reconstruction from samples are ineffective. We present a novel reconstruction approach that is well suited to scene discretization by non-redundant rendering. Finally, we apply non-redundant rendering and scene reconstruction techniques to soft shadow rendering where we show that our approach has an accuracy advantage over conventional images and over depth peeling.

Exposure to diesel exhaust fumes in the context of exposure to ultrafine particles.

Diesel exhaust fumes emission is a significant source of ultrafine particles, the size of which is expressed in nanometers. People occupationally exposed to diesel exhaust particles include mainly workers servicing vehicles with engines of this type. This article presents the analysis of measurements of ultrafine particle concentrations occurring in the bus depot premises during the work connected with everyday technical servicing of buses. The measurements were carried out in the everyday servicing (ES) room of the bus depot before, during and after the work connected with bus servicing. Determinations included: particle concentrations in terms of particle number and particle surface area, and mass concentrations of aerosol. Mean value of number concentration of 10- to 1000-nm particles increased almost 20-fold, from 7600 particles/cm3 before starting bus servicing procedures to 130 000 particles/cm3 during the bus servicing procedures in the room. During the procedures, the mean surface area concentration of particles potentially deposited in the alveolar (A) region was almost 3 times higher than that of the particles depositing in the tracheo-bronchial (TB) region: 356.46 μm2/cm3 vs. 95.97 μm2/cm3, respectively. The mass concentration of the fraction of particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter 0.02-1 μm (PM1) increased 5-fold during the analyzed procedures and was 0.042 mg/m3 before, and 0.298 mg/m3 while the procedures continued. At the time when bus servicing procedures continued in the ES room, a very high increase in all parameters of the analyzed particles was observed. The diesel exhaust particles exhibit a very high degree of fragmentation and, while their number is very high and their surface area is very large, their mass concentration is relatively low. The above findings confirm that ultrafine particles found in diesel exhaust fumes may be harmful to the health of the exposed people, and to their respiratory tract in particular.

Pulverization characteristics of coal from a strong outburst-prone coal seam and their impact on gas desorption and diffusion properties

Coal seams that are prone to strong outbursts have low strength and cause heavy structural damage to the seam. Their outburst risk is highly related to the release of the adsorbed coalbed gas, which is controlled by the gas desorption and diffusion characteristics of coal. In the Haizi Coal Mine, China, an extremely high gas outburst risk was detected, and the coals from this area were found to have an unprecedented high degree of fragmentation and were present in the pulverized state. To explain the pulverization characteristics of the pulverized coal, the related physical parameters were investigated; the gas desorption and diffusion properties of the pulverized coal were analyzed and compared with those of the unpulverized coal. The results indicated that the pulverized coal could easily reach the required degree of fragmentation for a coal and gas outburst to occur. Furthermore, the pore volume and specific surface area of the pulverized coal differed according to the coal particle size. Compared with the unpulverized coal, the gas desorption and diffusion properties of the pulverized coal were largely varied, and the pore structure of the pulverized coal was much simpler. The formation of pulverized coal is believed to be closely related to complex geological conditions.

Translocation of 40 nm diameter nanowires through the intestinal epithelium of Daphnia magna

Nanowires (NWs) have unique electrical and optical properties of value for many applications including lighting, sensing, and energy harnessing. Consumer products containing NWs increase the risk of NWs being released in the environment, especially into aquatic ecosystems through sewage systems. Daphnia magna is a common, cosmopolitan freshwater organism sensitive to toxicity tests and represents a likely entry point for nanoparticles into food webs of aquatic ecosystems. Here we have evaluated the effect of NW diameter on the gut penetrance of NWs in Daphnia magna. The animals were exposed to NWs of two diameters (40 and 80 nm) and similar length (3.6 and 3.8 μm, respectively) suspended in water. In order to locate the NWs in Daphnia, the NWs were designed to comprise one inherently fluorescent segment of gallium indium phosphide (GaInP) flanked by a gallium phosphide (GaP) segment. Daphnia mortality was assessed directly after 24 h of exposure and 7 days after exposure. Translocation of NWs across the intestinal epithelium was investigated using confocal fluorescence microscopy directly after 24 h of exposure and was observed in 89% of Daphnia exposed to 40 nm NWs and in 11% of Daphnia exposed to 80 nm NWs. A high degree of fragmentation was observed for NWs of both diameters after ingestion by the Daphnia, although 40 nm NWs were fragmented to a greater extent, which could possibly facilitate translocation across the intestinal epithelium. Our results show that the feeding behavior of animals may enhance the ability of NWs to penetrate biological barriers and that penetrance is governed by the NW diameter.

Ultra‐Fast Dendritic Growth Based on the Grafting of Fullerene Hexa‐Adduct Macromonomers onto a Fullerene Core

A fullerene hexa‐adduct building block bearing an azide functionality was prepared in six steps, and grafted onto a central fullerene core under copper‐catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition conditions. The resulting tridecafullerene derivative is a first generation dendrimer with 132 peripheral ethyl ester groups. This compound was characterized by different spectroscopic techniques (1H and 13C NMR, IR, UV/Vis), and by MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry. Despite a high degree of fragmentation, the molecular‐ion peak was detected, and all the observed fragments originate from a fully clicked derivative. This shows that the construction of dendrimers in a single dendritic growth step from fullerene hexa‐adduct macromonomers is an efficient strategy to produce monodisperse compounds.

Neandertal subsistence strategies during the Quina Mousterian at Roc de Marsal (France)

Recent excavations at the cave site of Roc de Marsal (in the Dordogne region of SW France) have yielded several Mousterian assemblages rich in well-preserved faunal remains. The Layer 4 faunal assemblage, associated with a rich Quina Mousterian occupation, provides an opportunity to investigate Neandertal prey selection, transport decisions and reindeer carcass processing strategies. One of the most striking characteristics of the Roc de Marsal Layer 4 faunal assemblage is an apparent lack of spongy parts that cannot be explained by taphonomic processes or carnivore activities. Limb elements were selectively transported to the site, where they underwent considerable further processing, resulting in a notably high degree of fragmentation of almost all elements. Comparison of reindeer carcass processing strategies employed by Neandertals during the Quina Mousterian with those identified for the later periods of the Upper Palaeolithic gives rise to some unexpected interpretations of Neandertal consumption behaviours. We show that this kind of intensive fragmentation is associated with bone grease rendering in ethnographic and Upper Palaeolithic contexts, in most such cases with the aid of fire. However, evidence of fire is remarkably scarce in Roc de Marsal Layer 4. Layer 4 could reflect a systematic Neandertal practice of sucking and chewing on the spongy portions of bones in order to extract as much of the highly nutritious bone grease as possible. Additionally, Roc de Marsal Layer 4 shows examples of use of animal resources for non-alimentary purposes by Neandertals. The abundance of cutmarks on the anterior surfaces of reindeer metapodials seems to indicate the acquisition of tendons, and bones were frequently used as retouchers.