Evidence-based Kernels: Fundamental Units of Behavioral Influence

This paper describes evidence-based kernels, fundamental units of behavioral influence that appear to underlie effective prevention and treatment for children, adults, and families. A kernel is a behavior–influence procedure shown through experimental analysis to affect a specific behavior and that is indivisible in the sense that removing any of its components would render it inert. Existing evidence shows that a variety of kernels can influence behavior in context, and some evidence suggests that frequent use or sufficient use of some kernels may produce longer lasting behavioral shifts. The analysis of kernels could contribute to an empirically based theory of behavioral influence, augment existing prevention or treatment efforts, facilitate the dissemination of effective prevention and treatment practices, clarify the active ingredients in existing interventions, and contribute to efficiently developing interventions that are more effective. Kernels involve one or more of the following mechanisms of behavior influence: reinforcement, altering antecedents, changing verbal relational responding, or changing physiological states directly. The paper describes 52 of these kernels, and details practical, theoretical, and research implications, including calling for a national database of kernels that influence human behavior

Elaboration of Porous NiO/8YSZ Layers by Several SPS and SPPS Routes

International audienceSolution Precursor Plasma Spraying (SPPS) is a thermal spray process where a feedstock solution is heated and pyrolized to form fine (i.e., 1000 nm) molten particles that deposit onto a substrate to form a layer. The benefits of implementing the SPPS process include, among others: (i) the possibility to create unique microstructures at nanometer scale without the injection feeding problems usually associated to powder feeders and delivery cables and (ii) rapid exploration of novel precursor compositions. In this study, preparation and characterization of porous anode layers with homogeneous Nickel distribution and nanometer sized microstructure are considered for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) application. Once the solution is injected, the droplets go through several chemical and physical changes and impact the substrate in different states, from fully molten one to unpyrolized one. The effects of some spray parameters, such as the spray distance and the plasma flow mass enthalpy, on the layer architecture and composition were investigated. The results show that dense or porous layers can be manufactured depending on the operating parameters

Novel Al2O3–SiO2 aerogel/porous zirconia composite with ultra-low thermal conductivity

Highly porous zirconia fibers networks with a quasi-layered microstructure were successfully fabricated using vacuum squeeze moulding. The effects of inorganic binder content on the microstructure, room-temperature thermal and mechanical properties of fibrous porous zirconia ceramics were systematically investigated. Al2O3-SiO2 aerogel was impregnated into fibrous porous ceramics, and the microstructures, thermal and mechanical properties of Al2O3-SiO2 aerogel/porous zirconia composites were also studied. Results show that the Al2O3-SiO2 aerogel/porous zirconia composites exhibited higher compressive strength (i.e., 1.22 MPa in the z direction) and lower thermal conductivity [i.e., 0.049 W/(m/K)]. This method provides an efficient way to prepare high-temperature thermal insulation materials