Field-Induced Slow Magnetic Relaxation In the First Dy(III)-centered 12-Metallacrown-4 Double-Decker

The reaction of Dy(O2CMe)3•xH2O and Ga(NO3)3•xH2O led to the isolation of (nBu4N)[GaIII8DyIII(OH)4(shi)8] (1). The compound possesses a unique chemical structure enclosing the central magnetic DyIII ion between diamagnetic GaIII-based metallacrown 12-MC-4 ligands. The double-decker complex exhibits field-induced single-molecule magnet (SMM) behaviour with an effective energy barrier (Ueff) of 39 K (27.1 cm-1). Consistent with the observed slow relaxation of magnetization, theoretical calculations suggest a ground state mainly determined by |±11/2> in the easy axis direction

How Companies Restrain Means–Ends Decoupling: A Comparative Case Study of CSR Implementation

We use the concept of means–ends decoupling to examine why companies continue to be major contributors to environmental and social problems despite committing increasingly to corporate social responsibility (CSR). Specifically, we ask: How do companies restrain (versus fail to restrain) means–ends decoupling? We answer this question through a comparative case study of four multinational companies with different levels of means–ends decoupling. Based on interviews and secondary data, we inductively identify two distinct approaches to CSR implementation: experimental vs. consistency-oriented CSR implementation. Experimental CSR implementation means that companies (1) produce CSR knowledge about what is happening in specific CSR contexts and use this knowledge to (2) adapt CSR practices to local circumstances – an interplay that restrains means–ends decoupling. Consistency-oriented CSR implementation lacks this interplay between knowledge production and practice adaptation, which fosters means–ends decoupling. Our model of experimental versus consistency-oriented CSR implementation advances two streams of research. First, we advance research on means–ends decoupling by highlighting the importance of experimentation for restraining means–ends decoupling. Second, we advance research on the impact of CSR activities by questioning the widespread assumption that consistency should be at the heart of CSR implementation

Delays in construction projects using traditional contract forms: Causes and effects

The construction industry has a consistently poor record with respect to the completion of projects in time, especially for traditional contracts. Delays are the most common and costly problem encountered in construction projects. Completing projects on time is an indicator of efficiency, but the construction process is subject to many controllable and uncontrollable variables. Slipping over the planned schedule, affects both client and contractor. This study is aiming at providing a clear identification and classification of the main causes of delays involved in Greek construction projects, analyzing their effects based on the type of contractual agreement and provide pointers towards mitigating these types of delays. More specifically, this thesis will explain how the design construction coordination and the supply of specialized materials and components can cause time extensions in projects procured through traditional contracting. The thesis is based on qualitative research, which is carried out by use of literature review, interviews and a case study approach of Alexandroupoli's airport in Greece. From the knowledge derived from the existing literature and the particular case study, it has been corifirmed that Significant amount of time should be devoted in planning the project and estimating its time duration. Good design quality will only be assured if Design Construction Coordination is encouraged and implemented. This will help overcome various design-related constraints that would, otherwise, lead in reworks and loss of valuable time and revenue. The principles of Supply Chain Management should be carefully followed, so as to ensure reliable, long-lasting working relationships with competent professionals, which result in on time delivery and trustworthy arrangements. Finally, the choice of procurementaffects the smoothness of a project's flow, but not because of the characteristics of each procurement system. It is the context of the project, the client's expectations and the size and complexity of the construction to be built that determine which procurement method is more suitable. Keywords: Construction delays, Design Construction Coordination, Supply Chain Management, Procurement

Use of baked milk challenges and milk ladders in clinical practice: a worldwide survey of healthcare professionals

In previous years, the cornerstone of the management of Cow's Milk Allergy (CMA) was solely based on the strict avoidance of all cow's milk (CM) and foods containing CM from the patient's diet [1]. More recently, the importance of baked milk (BM) introduction into the diet of children with CMA has become well-recognised as a part of CMA management. Current research suggests that 75% of children become tolerant to baked/heated forms of CM such as muffin and waffles before they become tolerant to pure/uncooked forms of CM [2]

The role of sea-salt emissions and heterogeneous chemistry in the air quality of polluted coastal areas

International audienceOpen-ocean and surf-zone sea-salt aerosol (SSA) emissions algorithms are incorporated in the CAMx aerosol model and applied over an area with an extended Archipelago (Greece), with a fine grid nested over the highly populated Attica peninsula. The maximum indirect impact of SSA on PM10 mass (35%) is located over a marine area with moderate SSA production and elevated shipping emissions (central Aegean Sea) where SSA interacts with anthropogenic nitric acid forming sodium nitrate. SSA increases PM10 levels in the Athens city center up to 27% during stable onshore winds. Under such conditions both open-ocean and surf-zone mechanisms contribute to aerosol production over Attica. A hybrid scheme for gas-to-particle mass transfer is necessary for accurately simulating semi-volatile aerosol components when coarse SSA is included. Dynamically simulating mass transfer to the coarse particles leads to a quadrupling of predicted PM10 nitrate in the Athens city center and up to two orders of magnitude in its coarse mass in comparison to using a bulk equilibrium approach

Changes in domestic heating fuel use in Greece : Effects on atmospheric chemistry and radiation

For the past 8 years, Greece has been experiencing a major financial crisis which, among other side effects, has led to a shift in the fuel used for residential heating from fossil fuel towards biofuels, primarily wood. This study simulates the fate of the residential wood burning aerosol plume (RWB smog) and the implications on atmospheric chemistry and radiation, with the support of detailed aerosol characterization from measurements during the winter of 2013–2014 in Athens. The applied model system (TNO-MACC_II emissions and COSMO-ART model) and configuration used reproduces the measured frequent nighttime aerosol spikes (hourly PM₁₀  >  75 µg m⁻³) and their chemical profile (carbonaceous components and ratios). Updated temporal and chemical RWB emission profiles, derived from measurements, were used, while the level of the model performance was tested for different heating demand (HD) conditions, resulting in better agreement with measurements for T$_{min}$ < 9 °C. Half of the aerosol mass over the Athens basin is organic in the submicron range, of which 80 % corresponds to RWB (average values during the smog period). Although organic particles are important light scatterers, the direct radiative cooling of the aerosol plume during wintertime is found low (monthly average forcing of –0.4 W m⁻² at the surface), followed by a minor feedback to the concentration levels of aerosol species. The low radiative cooling of a period with such intense air pollution conditions is attributed to the timing of the smog plume appearance, both directly (longwave radiation increases during nighttime) and indirectly (the mild effect of the residual plume on solar radiation during the next day, due to removal and dispersion processes

Validation of the Youth Efficacy/Empowerment Scale – Mental Health Finnish version

Αdolescents face mental health problems and still their mental health needs are often neglected. Empowerment provides adolescents with the skills to impact their own lives and communities in general. The aim of the study is to examine the validity and reliability of the Finnish version of the Youth Efficacy/Empowerment Scale – Mental Health (YES-MH). Data was collected through an online questionnaire from pupils aged 12–17 years in Western Finland, comprised of the following instruments; the YES-MH, the Goodman’s the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), and the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale. Exploratory factor analysis was carried out to evaluate construct validity and disclose underlying structures which yielded the following subscales: Self, Services, System. The internal consistency of subscales was analyzed with Cronbach’s α. Construct validity was further investigated by computing the Pearson’s correlations coefficients between the subscales. Furthermore, correlations with SDQ and mental well-being dimensions were explored as measures of convergent validity. In the final model all items the Youth Efficacy/ Empowerment Scale – Mental Health were entered into the factor analysis. All factor loadings were more than 0.40, ranging from 0.63 to 0.89. All the scales exceeded the minimum reliability standard of 0.70 and all corrected item-total correlations were high. All the YES-MH subscales were significantly and positively correlated each other with correlations coefficients ranging from medium to high. Correlations of Mental Well-being score with Self and Services subscales were significant. Moreover, Self subscale was significantly correlated with all SDQ dimensions. Services subscale was significantly correlated with Emotional symptoms and total SDQ score, while System subscale was significantly correlated with Conduct problems. The exploratory factor analysis showed a clear factor structure and the results suggest that the YES-MH is a reliable scale for assessing empowerment among young people. The YES-MH can be useful for health professionals not only as an assessment tool but also when they need to evaluate mental health interventions and examine empowerment as an outcome. However, further research can provide insights for the use of the scale in specific adolescent target groups and among different ethnic groups as well.</p

Dust impact on surface solar irradiance assessed with model simulations, satellite observations and ground-based measurements

This study assesses the impact of dust on surface solar radiation focussing on an extreme dust event. For this purpose, we exploited the synergy of AERONET measurements and passive and active satellite remote sensing (MODIS and CALIPSO) observations, in conjunction with radiative transfer model (RTM) and chemical transport model (CTM) simulations and the 1-day forecasts from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS). The area of interest is the eastern Mediterranean where anomalously high aerosol loads were recorded between 30 January and 3 February 2015. The intensity of the event was extremely high, with aerosol optical depth (AOD) reaching 3.5, and optical/microphysical properties suggesting aged dust. RTM and CTM simulations were able to quantify the extent of dust impact on surface irradiances and reveal substantial reduction in solar energy exploitation capacity of PV and CSP installations under this high aerosol load. We found that such an extreme dust event can result in Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) attenuation by as much as 40–50 % and a much stronger Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) decrease (80–90 %), while spectrally this attenuation is distributed to 37 % in the UV region, 33 % in the visible and around 30 % in the infrared. CAMS forecasts provided a reliable available energy assessment (accuracy within 10 % of that obtained from MODIS). Spatially, the dust plume resulted in a zonally averaged reduction of GHI and DNI of the order of 150 W/m^2 in southern Greece, and a mean increase of 20 W/m^2 in the northern Greece as a result of lower AOD values combined with local atmospheric processes. This analysis of a real-world scenario contributes to the understanding and quantification of the impact range of high aerosol loads on solar energy and the potential for forecasting power generation failures at sunshine-privileged locations where solar power plants exist, are under construction or are being planned

Changes in domestic heating fuel use in Greece: effects on atmospheric chemistry and radiation

For the past 8 years, Greece has been experiencing a major financial crisis which, among other side effects, has led to a shift in the fuel used for residential heating from fossil fuel towards biofuels, primarily wood. This study simulates the fate of the residential wood burning aerosol plume (RWB smog) and the implications on atmospheric chemistry and radiation, with the support of detailed aerosol characterization from measurements during the winter of 2013–2014 in Athens. The applied model system (TNO-MACC_II emissions and COSMO-ART model) and configuration used reproduces the measured frequent nighttime aerosol spikes (hourly PM10  &gt;  75 µg m−3) and their chemical profile (carbonaceous components and ratios). Updated temporal and chemical RWB emission profiles, derived from measurements, were used, while the level of the model performance was tested for different heating demand (HD) conditions, resulting in better agreement with measurements for Tmin &lt; 9 °C. Half of the aerosol mass over the Athens basin is organic in the submicron range, of which 80 % corresponds to RWB (average values during the smog period). Although organic particles are important light scatterers, the direct radiative cooling of the aerosol plume during wintertime is found low (monthly average forcing of –0.4 W m−2 at the surface), followed by a minor feedback to the concentration levels of aerosol species. The low radiative cooling of a period with such intense air pollution conditions is attributed to the timing of the smog plume appearance, both directly (longwave radiation increases during nighttime) and indirectly (the mild effect of the residual plume on solar radiation during the next day, due to removal and dispersion processes)