Quasi One-Dimensional Photonic Crystals as Building Block for Compact Integrated Optical Refractometric Sensors

A quasi one-dimensional photonic crystal has been fabricated and the applicability of this strong grating for optical sensing has been investigated by measuring the transmission spectra as a function of the cladding refractive index. The cladding index was varied a small range. By monitoring the transmitted output power the transmission stop-band was found to shift by 1 nm wavelength for either a cladding refractive index change of 0.05 or a temperature change of 120 K

Quasi 1-dimensional photonic crystals as building block for compact integrated optical sensors

A quasi one-dimensional photonic crystal has been fabricated and the applicability of this kind of structure for optical sensing has been investigated by measuring the transmission spectra as a function of the cladding refractive index. The cladding index was varied using a liquid flow, of which the index was slowly varied over a small range. The shift with cladding index of the steep stop band edge provides a relatively sensitive detection mechanism in an extremely compact device

Проблеми та перспективи етнологічного дослідження меморіальних пам’ятників Білорусі XIX – початку ХХІ століття

The article reviews main directions and results of investigation of Byelorussian memorial monuments from XIXth to the beginning of the XXIth century. It observes problems and peculiarities of the methodology of research in the conditions of sick level of it’s elaboration. There were signed out three main segments of the research: rural cemeteries of the XXth – beginning of the XXIth century, town necropolis of the same period and cemeteries of the second third of the XXth – beginning of the XXIth century. Main transformations of the memorial monuments are explained throug the functionalist conceptions. Special attention is devoted to the semantical segment of the research as to the most favourable for realising that changes what took part in the XXth century. We also mark the problems of a family and individuality as to one of the midpoints of the memorial monumen’s forming.Артыкул прысвечаны агляду асноўных накірункаў і вынікаў даследавання мемарыяльных помнікаў Беларусі 19 – пач. 21 ст. Разглядяюцца праблемы і асаблівасці метадалогіі даследавання ва умовах слабай распрацаванасці цемы. Вылучаны тры асноўныя семгенты даследавання: вясковыя могілкі 19 – пач. 20 ст, гарадскія некропалі таго ж перыяду, і некропалі 2 трэцці 20 – 21 стагоддзяў. Асноўныя трансфармацыі мемарыяльных помнікаў трактуюца зходзячы з функцыяналістскіх канцэпцый, асаблівая увага удзяляецца семантычнай саставляючай даследавання, як наібольш, на думку аўтара, прадуктыўнай для разумення ўнутраных прычын тых трансфармацый, якія адбыліся у 20 стагоддзі. Асаблівая увага удзелена праблеме сям'і і індывідуальнасці як адным з ключавых фактараў у формавані мемарыяльных помнікаў

Impact of land use on urban mobility patterns, emissions and air quality in a Portuguese medium-sized city

The main objective of this work was to evaluate the impact of urban development trends in mobility patterns of a medium sized Portuguese city and air quality consequences, using a sequential modeling process, comprising i) land use and transportation, TRANUS model; ii) road traffic air pollutants emissions, TREM model and; iii) air quality, TAPM model. This integrated methodology was applied to a medium sized Portuguese city. In order to evaluate the implementation of the methodology, a preliminary study was performed, which consisted on the comparison of modeled mobility patterns and CO and PM(10) concentrations with measured data used in the definition of the current scenario. The comparison between modeled and monitored mobility patterns at the morning peak hour for a weekday showed an RMSE of 31%. Regarding CO concentrations, an underestimation of the modeled results was observed. Nevertheless, the modeled PM(10) concentrations were consistent with the monitored data. Overall, the results showed a reasonable consistency of the modeled data, which allowed the use of the integrated modeling system for the study scenarios. The future scenarios consisted on the definition of different mobility patterns and vehicle technology characteristics, according to two main developing trends: (1) "car pooling" scenario, which imposes a mean occupancy rate of 3 passengers by vehicle and (2) the "Euro 6" scenario, which establishes that all vehicles accomplish at least the Euro 6 standard technology. Reductions of 54% and 83% for CO, 44% and 95% for PM(10), 44% and 87% for VOC and 44% and 79% for NO(x) emissions were observed in scenarios 1 and 2, respectively. Concerning air quality, a reduction of about 100 mug m(-3) of CO annual average concentration was observed in both scenarios. The results of PM(10) annual concentrations showed a reduction of 1.35 mug m(-3) and 2.7 mug m(-3) for scenarios 1 and 2 respectively

Percentile reference values for anthropometric body composition indices in European children from the IDEFICS study

INTRODUCTION: To characterise the nutritional status in children with obesity or wasting conditions, European anthropometric reference values for body composition measures beyond the body mass index (BMI) are needed. Differentiated assessment of body composition in children has long been hampered by the lack of appropriate references. OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study is to provide percentiles for body composition indices in normal weight European children, based on the IDEFICS cohort (Identification and prevention of Dietary-and lifestyle-induced health Effects in Children and infantS). METHODS: Overall 18 745 2.0-10.9-year-old children from eight countries participated in the study. Children classified as overweight/obese or underweight according to IOTF (N = 5915) were excluded from the analysis. Anthropometric measurements (BMI (N = 12 830); triceps, subscapular, fat mass and fat mass index (N = 11 845-11 901); biceps, suprailiac skinfolds, sum of skinfolds calculated from skinfold thicknesses (N = 8129-8205), neck circumference (N = 12 241); waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio (N = 12 381)) were analysed stratified by sex and smoothed 1st, 3rd, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th, 97th and 99th percentile curves were calculated using GAMLSS. RESULTS: Percentile values of the most important anthropometric measures related to the degree of adiposity are depicted for European girls and boys. Age-and sex-specific differences were investigated for all measures. As an example, the 50th and 99th percentile values of waist circumference ranged from 50.7-59.2 cm and from 51.3-58.7 cm in 4.5-to < 5.0-year-old girls and boys, respectively, to 60.6-74.5 cm in girls and to 59.9-76.7 cm in boys at the age of 10.5-10.9 years. CONCLUSION: The presented percentile curves may aid a differentiated assessment of total and abdominal adiposity in European children

Combined Effect of Levels in Personal Self-Regulation and Regulatory Teaching on Meta-Cognitive, on Meta-Motivational, and on Academic Achievement Variables in Undergraduate Students

The Theory of Self- vs. Externally-Regulated Learning™ (SRL vs. ERL) proposed different types of relationships among levels of variables in Personal Self-Regulation (PSR) and Regulatory Teaching (RT) to predict the meta-cognitive, meta-motivational and -emotional variables of learning, and of Academic Achievement in Higher Education. The aim of this investigation was empirical in order to validate the model of the combined effect of low-medium-high levels in PSR and RT on the dependent variables. For the analysis of combinations, a selected sample of 544 undergraduate students from two Spanish universities was used. Data collection was obtained from validated instruments, in Spanish versions. Using an ex-post-facto design, different Univariate and Multivariate Analyses (3 × 1, 3 × 3, and 4 × 1) were conducted. Results provide evidence for a consistent effect of low-medium-high levels of PSR and of RT, thus giving significant partial confirmation of the proposed rational model. As predicted, (1) the levels of PSR and positively and significantly effected the levels of learning approaches, resilience, engagement, academic confidence, test anxiety, and procedural and attitudinal academic achievement; (2) the most favorable type of interaction was a high level of PSR with a high level RT process. The limitations and implications of these results in the design of effective teaching are analyzed, to improve university teaching-learning processes.This research was funded through an R & D Project, ref. EDU2011-24805 (2012–2015) of the Ministry of Science and Innovation (Spain), and with Federal Funds (European Union)

Reduction Chemistry of Neptunium cyclopentadienide complexes: from structure to understanding

Neptunium complexes in the formal oxidation states II, III, and IV supported by cyclopentadienyl ligands are explored, and significant differences between Np and U highlighted as a result. A series of neptunium(III) cyclopentadienyl (Cp) complexes [Np(Cp)3], its bis-acetonitrile adduct [Np(Cp)3(NCMe)2], plus its KCp adduct K[Np(Cp)4] and [Np(Cp')3] (Cp' = C5H4SiMe3) have been made and characterised providing the first single crystal x-ray analyses of NpIII Cp complexes. In all NpCp3 derivatives there are three Cp rings in eta5-coordination around the NpIII centre; additionally in [Np(Cp)3] and K[Np(Cp)4] one Cp ring establishes a mu-eta1-interaction to one C atom of a neighbouring NpCp3 unit. The solid state structure of K[NpCp4] is unique in containing two different types of metal-Cp coordination geometries in the same crystal. NpIIICp4 units are found exhibiting four units of eta5-coordinated Cp rings like in the known complex [NpIV(Cp)4], the structure of which is now reported. A detailed comparison of the structures gives evidence for the change of ionic radii of ca. -8 pm associated with change in oxidation state between NpIII and NpIV. The rich redox chemistry associated with the syntheses is augmented by the reduction of [Np(Cp')3] by KC8 in the presence of 2.2.2 cryptand to afford the putative neptunium(II) K(2.2.2 cryptand)[Np(Cp')3] that is thermally unstable above -10 °C like its U and Th congeners. Together, these spontaneous and controlled redox reactions of organo-neptunium complexes, along with information from structural characterisation, show the relevance of organometallic Np chemistry to understanding fundamental structure and bonding in the minor actinides.JRC.G.I.5-Advanced Nuclear Knowledg

Aprofitament de residus orgànics com a adob, esmena o substrat

Peer Reviewe

Validity evidence and reliability of a simulated patient feedback instrument

Contains fulltext : 110154.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)BACKGROUND: In the training of healthcare professionals, one of the advantages of communication training with simulated patients (SPs) is the SP's ability to provide direct feedback to students after a simulated clinical encounter. The quality of SP feedback must be monitored, especially because it is well known that feedback can have a profound effect on student performance. Due to the current lack of valid and reliable instruments to assess the quality of SP feedback, our study examined the validity and reliability of one potential instrument, the 'modified Quality of Simulated Patient Feedback Form' (mQSF). METHODS: Content validity of the mQSF was assessed by inviting experts in the area of simulated clinical encounters to rate the importance of the mQSF items. Moreover, generalizability theory was used to examine the reliability of the mQSF. Our data came from videotapes of clinical encounters between six simulated patients and six students and the ensuing feedback from the SPs to the students. Ten faculty members judged the SP feedback according to the items on the mQSF. Three weeks later, this procedure was repeated with the same faculty members and recordings. RESULTS: All but two items of the mQSF received importance ratings of > 2.5 on a four-point rating scale. A generalizability coefficient of 0.77 was established with two judges observing one encounter. CONCLUSIONS: The findings for content validity and reliability with two judges suggest that the mQSF is a valid and reliable instrument to assess the quality of feedback provided by simulated patients