Simulation of the hydrological impacts of climate change on a restored floodplain

Thirty UK Climate Projections 2009 (UKCP09) scenarios are simulated using a MIKE SHE/MIKE 11 model of a restored floodplain in eastern England. Annual precipitation exhibits uncertainty in direction of change. Extreme changes (10 and 90% probability) range between −27 and +30%. The central probability projects small declines ( < −4%). Wetter winters and drier summers predominate. Potential evapotranspiration increases for most scenarios (annual range of change: −41 to +2%). Declines in mean discharge predominate (range: −41 to +25%). Reductions of 11–17% are projected for the central probability. High and low flows, and the frequency of bankfull discharge exceedence reduce in most cases. Duration of winter high floodplain water tables declines. Summer water tables are on average at least 0.11 and 0.18 m lower for the 2050s and 2080s, respectively. Flood extent declines in most scenarios. Drier conditions will likely induce ecological responses including impacts on floodplain vegetation

Single-walled carbon nanotube buckypapers as electrocatalyst supports for methanol oxidation

This work studies the use of various single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) buckypapers as catalyst supports for methanol electro-oxidation in acid media. Buckypapers were obtained by vacuum filtration from pristine and oxidized SWCNT suspensions in different liquid media. Pt–Ru catalysts supported on the buckypapers were prepared by multiple potentiostatic pulses using a diluted solution of Pt and Ru salts (2 mM H2PtCl6 + 2 mM RuCl3) in acid media. The resulting materials were characterized via SEM, TEM, EDX and ICP-OES analysis. Well dispersed rounded nanoparticles between 2 and 15 nm were successfully electrodeposited on the SWCNT buckypapers. The ruthenium content in the bimetallic deposits was between 32 and 48 at. %, while the specific surface areas of the catalysts were in the range of 72–113 m2 g−1. It was found that the solvent used to prepare the SWCNT buckypaper films has a strong influence on the catalyst dispersion, particle size and metal loading. Cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry experiments point out that the most active electrodes for methanol electro-oxidation were prepared with the buckypaper supports that were obtained from SWCNT dispersions in N-methyl-pyrrolidone.J.M.S. thanks Ministerio de Educación (SB2010-132). Financial support from MINECO and FEDER (MAT2010-15273, TEC 2010-15736 and PRI-PIBAR-2011-1 projects) and GV (ACOMP/2012/133 project) is acknowledged

Can concept mapping support the quality of reflections made by undergraduate medical students? A mixed method study

BackgroundStudents perceive reflective writing as difficult. Concept mapping may be an alternative format for reflection, which provides support while allowing students to freely shape their thoughts. We examined (1) the quality of reflection in reflective concept maps created by first-year medical students and (2) students' perceptions about concept mapping as a tool for reflection.MethodsMixed-method study conducted within the medical curriculum of Maastricht University, The Netherlands, consisting of: (1) Analysis of the quality of reflection in 245 reflective concept maps created by 40 first-year students. Reflection quality was analysed by assessing focus of reflection (technical/practical/sensitising) and depth of reflection (description/justification/critique/discussion). (2) Semi-structured interviews with 22 students to explore perceived effectiveness of reflective concept mapping.ResultsDepth of reflection reached at least the level of critique in 82% of maps. Three factors appeared to affect the perceived effectiveness of concept mapping for reflection: (1) reflective concept map structure; (2) alertness to meaningful experiences in practice and (3) learning by doing.ConclusionThese results yielded supportive evidence for concept mapping as a useful technique to teach novice learners the basics of effective reflection. Meaningful implementation requires a delicate balance between providing a supportive structure and allowing flexibility for the student

Platinum particles electrodeposition on carbon substrates

Electrochemical deposition of platinum on different carbon substrates was applied to obtain supported submicroparticles to use as electrocatalysts for the oxidation of methanol in acid media. Particles with well-defined morphology and size can be obtained by this technique controlling electrodeposition potential and time. Glassy carbon and graphite fibers were used as substrates. Platinum particles were deposited from chloroplatinic acid solutions. Conventional electrochemical techniques were used to characterize supported platinum surface status. Particle size and catalyst mass were influenced by deposition potential and time. The application of double potential steps favored a more uniform dispersion of the particles and a general reduction in particle size. From specific surface area measurements particle diameters between 10 and 20 nm were estimated when glassy carbon was used as support. Differences in size and morphology were observed when Pt was deposited on graphite fibers. Notwithstanding using similar conditions, the particles on fibers were bigger and tending to coalesce. This behavior was ascribed to the highly hydrophobic surface of the fibers. The Pt deposits were tested as catalyst for electrochemical methanol oxidation. The Pt/GC electrocatalytic activity expressed as current per Pt mass was found to depend on the metal particle size, showing a decreasing activity when the catalyst diameter increase. Keywords: Methanol, Platinum, Glassy carbon, Graphite fiber, Electrodepositio

Influence of Fear-Avoidance Beliefs on Disability in Patients With Subacromial Shoulder Pain in Primary Care: A Secondary Analysis

BACKGROUND: Little information exists about the role of fear-avoidance beliefs and catastrophizing in subacromial pain syndrome. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the associations among pain, catastrophizing, fear, and disability and the contribution of fear-avoidance beliefs to disability at baseline and at 3-month follow-up. DESIGN: A cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis was conducted. METHODS: Baseline demographic and clinical data, including fear-avoidance beliefs and catastrophizing, of 90 patients were assessed for this analysis. Disability was measured with the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index at baseline and at 3-month follow-up. First, bivariate and partial correlations were calculated among pain, fear-avoidance beliefs, catastrophizing, and disability, based on the fear-avoidance model. Second, the contribution of fear-avoidance beliefs to disability at baseline and at 3-month follow-up was examined with hierarchical regression analyses. RESULTS: Correlations between clinical variables and disability were largely in line with the fear-avoidance model. Regression analyses identified a significant contribution of fear-avoidance beliefs to baseline disability but not to disability at 3 months. LIMITATIONS: Patients with subacromial pain syndrome were studied; therefore, the results should be transferred with caution to other diagnoses. A modified version of the Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire was used, which was not validated for this patient group. CONCLUSIONS: Fear-avoidance beliefs contribute significantly to baseline disability but not to disability change scores after 3-month follow-up. Duration of complaints and baseline disability were the main factors influencing disability change scores. Although the results help to improve understanding of the role of fear-avoidance beliefs, further studies are needed to fully understand the influence of psychological and clinical factors on the development of disability in patients with subacromial shoulder pain