Metallic slabs: Perturbative treatments based on jellium

We examine first-order perturbative results based on jellium for the surface energy of slabs of simple metals, using various local pseudopotentials (Ashcroft, Heine-Abarenkov and evanescent core). The difference between the pseudopotential and the jellium potential is averaged along the plane parallel to the surface. We compare these perturbative results with those of the stabilized jellium model (a modification of the regular jellium model in which the perturbation appears in the energy functional right from the outset) and with the output of other perturbative and non-perturbative calculations.Comment: 15 pages, 2 figures, to appear in Prog. Surf. Sc

New strategies to fight bacterial adhesion

Initial adhesion of bacteria to biomaterials' surface is assumed to be an important stage in their colonization which may to lead to severe infections and loss of medical devices. Thus, the knowledge of how these microorganisms adhere and which factors affect this phenomenon proves to be of great importance in order to avoid their colonization. Hydrophobicity, charge, roughness and chemical composition of surfaces can rule the adhesion process. A better understanding of all these features is crucial for an effective microorganism’s adhesion control. In this context, it is possible to modify the biomaterials’ surfaces through coatings doped with an antimicrobial agent, in order to prevent biofilm formation. So, this mini-review gives a brief account of aspects involved in bacterial attachment to a surface, highlighting the interactions involved and presenting mechanisms that are being used to fight pathogens adhesion. For this intent, hydrophobicity, morphology and topography of doped silver coatings will be exploited as a new approach for the development of antibacterial surfaces

Students Who Aren\u27t Prepared For College Find Less Value In Books And Lecture Than Students Who Are Prepared

Students in three sections of introductory psychology, N = 1051, were asked about the utility of traditional, e.g. instructor, lectures and textbook, and nontraditional, e.g., clickers, podcasts and online lecture slides, teaching tools. Students who felt unprepared for college (25.9%) differed from their peers in their perceived utility of these tools. Both groups of students reported that novel teaching tools were less helpful than traditional teaching tools and while there was no group difference in the perceived usefulness of the novel tools, underprepared students found traditional teaching tools to be less helpful than did prepared students. When the individual tools were used to predict the amount of self-reported learning gains in these students, it was the traditional teaching tools that accounted for the greater proportion of variability in overall learning. These results suggest that, rather than adding new approaches to their teaching, instructors could best assist their underprepared students by helping them learn to make better use of traditional teaching tools

New methodologies for the promotion of Geological Heritage using multimedia technology, 3D and augmented reality.

[Excerpt] The Internet and several hardware and software options that are currently available are very efficient ways for the promotion of geoparks, geoheritage and geosciences. The aim of this paper is to present a new and interactive way of gathering data into a website, based on several new web and photogrammetric technologies, applied to the Terras de Cavaleiros Global Geopark (Portugal). [...]info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The Territorial Agenda 2030: Towards a common language? A review of a conceptual framework

The Territorial Agenda 2030 aims to provide multi-level strategic orientation to increase cohesion and overcome the 21st century pressing challenges. In multilingual contexts, the ideas and concepts communicated in such agendas must be clear and well-defined. In our study, we conducted a content analysis of the concepts of environment, inequality, justice, sustainability, territory and transition in contrast with former versions of this agenda. We found that, since 1983, the Territorial Agenda conceptual framework changed significantly in its meaning and semantic universe of reference.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Being inclusive boosts impact of diversity practices on employee engagement

Purpose – This study aims to analyse the relationship between diversity practices and employee engagement in the specific context of a telecommunications company. Design/methodology/approach – Using simple and multiple linear regressions, the authors test the mediating effect of the perception of inclusion and the moderating role of inclusive leadership, as well as whether this style of leadership promotes the perception of inclusion among employees. Findings – The results are based on a sample of 238 responses and show that a positive correlation exists between the perception of diversity practices and engagement which is mediated by the perception of inclusion. However, inclusive leadership fails to moderate this relationship, although it does positively influence employees’ perception of inclusion. Practical implications – The study emphasises: the importance of employees’ perceptions of diversity and inclusion as a strategic priority of their organisations and the importance of its embeddedness in the organisational culture and daily practices and the role of inclusive leaders in shaping employees’ perceptions, as this leadership may have significant implications for their engagement and performance. Originality/value – This research offers a better understanding of what contributes to an inclusive workplace and the role of inclusive leaders in building up employees’ perception of inclusion that, thus, enhances their engagement. .Objetivo – Neste estudo analisamos a relação entre pr aticas de diversidade e engagement dos colaboradores no contexto específico de uma empresa de telecomunicações. Design/metodologia – Mediante regressões lineares simples e múltiplas, avaliamos o efeito mediador da perceção de inclusão e o papel moderador da liderança inclusiva, bem como se este estilo de liderança promove a perceção de inclusão dos colaboradores. Resultados – Os resultados têm por base uma amostra de 238 respostas e mostram que existe uma correlação positiva entre a perceção das pr aticas de diversidade e o engagement, mediada pela perceção de inclusão. A liderança inclusiva não modera, porém, aquela relação, embora influencie positivamente a perceção de inclusão dos colaboradores. Implicações – Este estudo enfatiza: (a) a importância da perceção de diversidade e inclusão dos colaboradores como prioridade estratégica nas suas organizações e a importância da sua incrustração na cultura organizacional e pr aticas quotidianas; e (b) o papel dos líderes inclusivos na modelação das perceções dos colaboradores, dado que este estilo de liderança tem implicações significativas ao nível dos seus níveis de engagement e desempenho. Originalidade – Esta pesquisa oferece uma melhor compreensão sobre o que contribui para um ambiente de trabalho inclusivo e o papel dos líderes inclusivos na construção da percepção de inclusão dos colaboradores, que, por seu turno, melhora o seu engagement.Objetivo – En este estudio analizamos la relaci on entre las pr acticas de diversidad y el engagement de los trabajadores en el contexto específico de una empresa de telecomunicaciones. Diseño/metodología/enfoque – Mediante regresiones lineales simples y múltiples, evaluamos el efecto mediador de la percepci on de inclusi on y el rol moderador del liderazgo inclusivo, así como si este estilo de liderazgo promueve la percepci on de inclusi on de los trabajadores. Resultados – Los resultados se basan en una muestra de 238 respuestas y muestran que existe una correlaci on positiva entre la percepci on de las pr acticas de diversidad y el engagement, mediada por la percepci on de inclusi on. El liderazgo inclusivo no modera, sin embargo, esa relaci on, aunque influye positivamente en la percepci on de inclusi on de los trabajadores. Implicaciones – Este estudio enfatiza: (a) la importancia de la percepci on de diversidad e inclusi on de los trabajadores como una prioridad estratégica en sus organizaciones y la importancia de su incrustaci on en la cultura organizacional y las pr acticas diarias; y (b) el papel de los líderes inclusivos en la configuraci on de las percepciones de los trabajadores, ya que este estilo de liderazgo tiene implicaciones significativas para su engagement y desempeño. Originalidad – Esta investigaci on ofrece una mejor comprensi on de lo que contribuye a un ambiente de trabajo inclusivo y el papel de los líderes inclusivos en la construcci on de la percepci on de inclusi on de los trabajadores, que, a su vez,mejora su engagement.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio