Neutron Diffraction Study of Heavy Water Intercalation in Superconducting Deuterated Sodium Cobaltate Na\u3csub\u3e0.35\u3c/sub\u3eCoO\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3e1.4D\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3eO

When Na-deficient NaxCoO2 is intercalated with water1 or heavy water2, it becomes a superconductor. The maximum critical temperature of 4.5 K is found for the composition NaxCoO2yD2O (x= 0.3 and y=1.4). In spite of its low transition temperature, several similarities with high temperature superconducting cuprates have raised interest in this compound. Nevertheless, up to now, a clear understanding of the role of water has not been achieved. Since superconductivity appears only when water is inserted in the parent compound, the goal of this research work was to understand what kind of effect water intercalation has in terms of electron conduction and superconductivity. Neutron scattering played a crucial role in this study because of its ability to determine the accurate positions of light elements such as hydrogen or deuterium. We have focused our attention on the intra-molecular range of D2O, studying the structural changes that take place within the (heavy) water molecules themselves. In order to do this the distance correlations D-D, D-O, and O-O have been studied. Powder neutron diffraction data of the deuterated sodium cobaltate have been analyzed using the Pair Density Function (PDF) technique, which gives information about the local structure of the water molecules. The peaks of the PDF of the neutron diffraction data, in fact, give directly in real space the distances between pair of atoms, in this case the distances D-D, D-O, and O-O. If a peak shifts to a lower (or higher) value of r (Å) it means that the bond between that particular pair of atoms has become shorter (or longer). In this way it was possible to determine any change in the geometry of the water molecules. The results obtained show that the D-D distance and the D-O-D angle in Na0.35CoO21.4D2O are significantly different from those of ordinary water (D2O). Two coexisting distributions of possible D-O-D bond angles are observed. We speculate that the altered geometry of the intercalated water molecules is due to a modification of the dynamics of the hydrogen bond. In this case, water may be embedded in an electronically active environment and indirectly participate in electronic conduction

Enhancing stakeholder networks in wine tourism – evidence from Italian small municipalities

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore validity and reliability of a possible collaboration model for wine tourism with a “public” basis, i.e. from the point of view of the municipality engaged in promoting the wine tourism industry insisting on the territory. Design/methodology/approach – The survey, proposing a theoretical/empirical framework, has investigated, through an electronic platform, the municipalities belonging to the National Association of “Wine Cities.” Findings – The research has demonstrated a substantial trustworthiness of the model, with further evidence about the underestimation of stakeholder networks on behalf of Italian small municipalities. A clear difference of perception between non-small municipalities and small municipalities has emerged with regard to the perceived relevance of the collaboration with the territorial wine tourism players/stakeholders. Practical implications – A recent legislation in Italy, just focused on small municipalities, might help overcome these gaps, between non-small municipalities and small municipalities, releasing in the territories new energies for the development of wine tourism, from both planning and financing points of view. Originality/value – Italy as country is the largest producer of wine in the world. Similarly, wine tourism, as additional wine business opportunity, is a successful phenomenon in Italy, even though with great margins of development (especially with comparison to the New World of Wine). One of the main limits of this delay is the lack of public-private collaboration, at widespread level, among the players/stakeholders of the sector. The model that has been proposed in this research contributes scientifically and practically to fill this gaps

The Impact of Genetic and Environmental Factors on Phytonutrient Concentrations within Leafy Specialty Crops in Controlled Environments

Specialty leafy greens are excellent sources of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Many of these metabolites are influenced by microclimate environmental conditions and genotype. The objective of this thesis was to measure the impacts of abiotic factors on plant growth and development along with nutritional content of specialty leafy greens in controlled environments. Chapter one looks at changes in biomass and nutritional content of different microgreen cultivars grown in a greenhouse over four growing seasons. Chapter two looks at the influence of light-emitting diode (LED) treatments on the growth and nutritional content of hydroponically grown kale. The morphology and nutritional content of hydroponically grown kale plants were significantly impacted by LED treatment. LED treatments with higher proportion of blue light had significantly shorter plants and greater fresh mass (FM) as compared to all other LED treatments. Environmental and genetic factors influenced the growth and development, as well as impacted the nutritional content of the different microgreen cultivars. Brassica microgreens had the highest FM and shortest production times throughout all seasons, as compared to the herb and lettuce microgreens. Whereas, the herb microgreens had the highest concentrations of shoot tissue carotenoids and minerals, as compared to brassica and lettuce microgreens. Results from this thesis provides valuable production data for producers who grow specialty leafy greens in controlled environments. Nutritional data among microgreen species may contribute to consumer knowledge for healthy eating choices

Evaluating the Predictive Validity of the Implementation Beliefs Assessment on Classwide Management Components

Given the broad framework of the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports model, its barriers to adaptability and implementation in schools have affected an increased emphasis on exploration and measurement of treatment integrity. A tool directly linked with a model of treatment integrity is the Implementation Beliefs Assessment (IBA; Sanetti, Long, Neugebaur, & Kratochwill, 2012). The IBA has preliminary evidence indicating it is a psychometrically sound measure; however, since it is a measure related to behavior change, assessing its predictive validity of treatment integrity is a useful indicator of this tool’s value during the consultation process. The current study utilized multiple regression to expand the psychometric properties of the IBA and investigated its association with implementation of proactive classroom management strategies for 35 elementary school teachers in southeastern Louisiana. Results revealed that the IBA was not a significant predictor of behavior, and baseline behavior was the only factor significantly associated with post-training behavior. Secondary analyses also demonstrated the absence of a relationship between PBIS exposure and positive classroom practices. Implications from this study are discussed with the most significant factor indicating that the IBA is not an appropriate measure to use to determine allocation of consultative resources

Using a Dependent Group Contingency to Increase Homework Completion and Accuracy in a General Education Classroom

Current trends in homework research have sought to understand the importance behind homework assignment and completion as well as effective interventions to increase accurate homework productivity. Classroom contingencies have been shown to effectively increase a variety of academic behaviors in the classroom, but research remains limited on the efficacy of a dependent group contingency administered in a general education classroom to improve homework completion and accuracy. The study utilized a dependent group contingency in the general education classroom setting in southeastern Louisiana public schools to improve students’ homework performance. Teacher, individual student and classroom data were collected in order to analyze this novel approach and enhance the current research on the utilities of a dependent group contingency targeting homework performance. Although there were was some positive effects of the group contingency, the data was highly variable across phases and baseline logic was unable to be demonstrated. Therefore, a functional relationship could not be established between the contingency and homework performance. Despite these findings, the study demonstrates utility in future research. Limitations and future directions in research in schools are discussed

The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Forensic Accounting and Testimony--Congress Should Amend The Daubert Rule to Include a New Standard

This Essay attempts to address the current issues and legal implications surrounding the use of artificial intelligence by forensic accounting experts and its importance to forensic accounting research. It reviews existing law, proposes changes to the Federal Rules of Evidence for using artificial intelligence in the courtroom, and covers emerging technology a forensic accountant may encounter, such as blockchain, cryptocurrency, “smart contracts,” machine learning, and algorithmic entities. Finally, the Essay concludes that the changes to the rules should encompass standards to account for artificial intelligence reliability and argues forensic accounting experts and all forensic experts are needed even more in light of this new technology to assist the trier of fact in its deliberations

The Role Of Affective Commitment In ERP Adoption: An Empirical Study

This study investigates the process of acceptance and use of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems by its users, in order to understand the reasons behind their behavior. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) is used as a starting point for this work. In accordance with the TAM, two user’s beliefs, perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use, affect the behavioral intention to use a specific technology. Moreover, perceived ease of use also influences perceived usefulness. In literature, there are few prior research that focused on role of affective commitment in determining the process of acceptance and use of technology. These have shown that affective commitment positively affects the TAM constructs such as perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use. Unlike these prior research, we assume that affective commitment directly also affects both the behavioral intention to ERP system use and it moderates the relationships between perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and behavioral intention. A survey methodology was used to gather data from an Italian public transport firm. Findings show the importance of affective commitment in determining acceptance and use behavior by users. In particular, our results highlight that affective commitment does not moderate the relationships between perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and behavioral intention. Moreover, results shown that affective commitment affects behavioural intention to IT use trough user’s beliefs and, above all, it directly and positively affects behavioural intention. We discuss the implications of these results for theory and practice

Wine tourism as a non-core business strategy for small wineries

In recent years, wineries have been implementing increasingly more wine tourism activities as complementary or supplementary services to enhance their wine products. This paper adopts an inductive research paradigm based on grounded investigation; more specifically, this paper begins with a case study and expands to involve further similar evidence. The findings of this study show that, for wineries, wine tourism represents a fundamental opportunity for communication (institutional and commercial), distribution (as a form of direct channel), and growth (to include tasting, catering, hospitality, and so on). Most importantly, for both scholars and managers, the results of the research highlight that wine tourism can become the main source of the business value, especially in the case of small wineries (an example of which is examined in the case study under analysis). In these situations, however, wine production still characterizes the business because, otherwise, there can be no wine tourism, but wine production is not realistically critical to the business in terms of survival, competitiveness, and development