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In the context of global change, the assessment of the past history and current dynamics of forest species is essential for improving our knowledge of the settlement and evolution of the present-day landscape. Several paleoecological approaches are well suited for reconstructing past landscapes and Holocene dynamics. Today, the subalpine forest of Queyras is composed primarily of larch, with lesser proportions of stone pine, mountain pine and fir. During the Holocene, the subalpine forest was subject to natural disturbances, particularly fires. By the end of the Atlantic period, human perturbations resulting from agro-sylvo-pastoral practices became an important factor, and this factor serves to explain the landscape dynamics and the dominance of certain woody species. In this study, a pedoanthracological approach was used to enhance existing knowledge of the history of forest species and to reach a good understanding of the processes that have shaped the current floristic assemblage. The results of the analyses of soil charcoal performed in this study provide the following new information: (i) a longer Holocene history for larch and stone pine, (ii) a lack of evidence for a natural presence of fir and (iii) a long-term history for Scots pine. The dates obtained reveal the early occurrence of recolonization by stone pine and larch following the last glaciation. The charcoals analyzed demonstrate the overall presence of stone pine, which is found throughout the studied history of the area. In terms of the changes presently occurring, among which both the abandonment of human land-use practices and climate change are especially important, the current conditions at mid-high altitudes might potentially allow the establishment of larch forests for a long period as preclimax ecosystems. The low frequency of fir in charcoal samples raises questions about the status and possible presence of fir in the past despite palynological evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Free-standing poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT)–LiFePO4 composite films were successfully prepared by dynamic three phase interline electropolymerization (D3PIE). These films were used without further modification as the positive electrode in standard lithium ion batteries. As such, this new process eliminates all electrochemically inactive materials (carbon, polymer binder and current collector) used in conventional composite cathodes. The PEDOT–LiFePO4 composite film offers a discharge capacity of 75 mAh g−1 at the C/10 rate and high capacity retention at the C/2 rate. When reporting this value to the relative amount of LiFePO4 in the PEDOT-LiFePO4 composite film, the discharge capacity reached 160 mAh g−1, close to the theoretical maximum value (170 mAh g−1). As such, this approach yield highly functional hybrid free-standing conductive polymer/active material composite cathode with controllable size and structure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The French Transplant Health Authority (Agence de la Biomédecine) has broadened its organ- and tissue-donation criteria to include pediatric patients whose death is defined by circulatory criteria and after the planned withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies (WLST) (Maastricht category III). A panel of pediatric experts convened to translate data in the international literature into recommendations for organ and tissue donation in this patient subgroup. The panel estimated that, among children aged 5 years or over with severe irreversible neurological injury (due to primary neurological injury or post-anoxic brain injury) and no progression to brain death, the number of potential donors, although small, deserves attention. The experts emphasized the importance of adhering strictly to the collegial procedure for deciding to withdraw life support. Once this decision is made, the available data should be used to evaluate whether the patient might be a potential donor, before suggesting organ donation to the parents. This suggestion should be reserved for parents who have unequivocally manifested their acceptance of WLST. The discussion with the parents should include both the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) team under the responsibility of a senior physician and the hospital organ- and tissue-procurement team. All recommendations about family care during the end of life of a child in the PICU must be followed. The course and potential challenges of organ donation in Maastricht-III pediatric patients must be anticipated. The panel of experts recommended strict compliance with French recommendations (by the Groupe Francophone de Réanimation et Urgences Pédiatriques) about WLST and providing deep and continuous sedation until circulatory arrest. The experts identified the PICU as the best place to implement life-support discontinuation and emphasized the importance of returning the body to the PICU after organ donation. French law prohibits the transfer of these patients from one hospital to another. A description of the expert-panel recommendations regarding the organization and techniques appropriate for children who die after controlled circulatory arrest (Maastricht III) is published simultaneously in the current issue of this journal.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A panel of pediatric experts met to develop recommendations on the technical requirements specific to pediatric controlled donation after planned withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies (Maastricht category III). The panel recommends following the withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies protocol usually applied in each unit, which may or may not include immediate extubation. The organ retrieval process should be halted if death does not occur within 3 h of life-support discontinuation. Circulatory arrest is defined as loss of pulsatile arterial pressure and should be followed by a 5-min no-touch observation period. Death is declared based on a list of clinical criteria assessed by two senior physicians. The no-flow time should be no longer than 30, 45, and 90 min for the liver, kidneys, and lungs, respectively. At present, the panel does not recommend pediatric heart donation after death by circulatory arrest. The mean arterial pressure cutoff that defines the start of the functional warm ischemia (FWI) phase is 45 mmHg in patients older than 5 years and/or weighing more than 20 kg. The panel recommends normothermic regional perfusion in these patients. The FWI phase should not exceed 30 and 45 min for retrieving the pancreas and liver, respectively. There is no time limit to the FWI phase for the lungs and kidneys. The panel recommends routine sharing of experience with Maastricht-III donation among all healthcare institutions involved in order to ensure optimal outcome assessment and continuous discussion on the potential difficulties, notably those related to the management of normothermic regional perfusion in small children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]