Characterization of InGaN and InAlN epilayers by microdiffraction X-Ray reciprocal space mapping

We report a study of InGaN and InAlN epilayers grown on GaN/Sapphire substrates by microfocused three-dimensional X-ray Reciprocal Space Mapping (RSM). The analysis of the full volume of reciprocal space, while probing samples on the microscale with a focused X-ray beam, allows us to gain uniquely valuable information about the microstructure of III-N alloy epilayers. It is found that “seed” InGaN mosaic nanocrystallites are twisted with respect to the ensemble average and strain free. This indicates that the growth of InGaN epilayers follows the Volmer-Weber mechanism with nucleation of “seeds” on strain fields generated by the a-type dislocations which are responsible for the twist of underlying GaN mosaic blocks. In the case of InAlN epilayer formation of composition gradient was observed at the beginning of the epitaxial growth

Quantitative assessment of geosites with national and international relevance in Portugal: methodological procedures

During the last years geoscientists of various institutions have developed a project aiming the establishment of a geoconservation strategy in Portugal. One of the main goals of this project was the inventory of the most important Portuguese the definition of the frameworks representing the most important geological features in Portugal and considering all geodiversity. With the participation of more than seventy geoscientists, twenty-seven geological frameworks were defined according to their scientific value at both national and international levels. The scientific value together with the vulnerability was numerically assessed in order to obtain a sorted list of all geosites with scientific value. The first step geosites. The Portuguese geosites inventory will be used in nature conservation policies and land-use strategies in different levels of country's administration

Torsion and Gravitation: A new view

According to the teleparallel equivalent of general relativity, curvature and torsion are two equivalent ways of describing the same gravitational field. Despite equivalent, however, they act differently: whereas curvature yields a geometric description, in which the concept of gravitational force is absent, torsion acts as a true gravitational force, quite similar to the Lorentz force of electrodynamics. As a consequence, the right-hand side of a spinless-particle equation of motion (which would represent a gravitational force) is always zero in the geometric description, but not in the teleparallel case. This means essentially that the gravitational coupling prescription can be minimal only in the geometric case. Relying on this property, a new gravitational coupling prescription in the presence of curvature and torsion is proposed. It is constructed in such a way to preserve the equivalence between curvature and torsion, and its basic property is to be equivalent with the usual coupling prescription of general relativity. According to this view, no new physics is connected with torsion, which appears as a mere alternative to curvature in the description of gravitation. An application of this formulation to the equations of motion of both a spinless and a spinning particle is madeComment: To appear on IJMP

Flight-to-quality and contagion in the European sovereign debt crisis: The cases of Portugal and Greece

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to analyze the co-movements between the Portuguese, Greek, Irish and German government bond markets after the subprime crisis (2007 to 2013), with a special focus on the European sovereign debt crisis. It aims to assess the existence of contagion between the Portuguese, Greece and Irish bond markets and to explore the phenomenon of flight-to-quality from the Portuguese and Greek bond markets to the German market. Design/methodology/approach: The analysis is undertaken using a DCC-GARCH model with daily data for 10-year yield government bonds. The change in correlation from the stable periods to the crisis periods is used to identify contagion or flight-to-quality. Findings: Results suggest that there was contagion between the Greek and Portuguese markets, and to a lesser extent between the Irish and Portuguese markets. During most of the identified crisis periods, there are evident flight-to-quality flows from the Portuguese and Greek bond markets to the German market. Originality/value: This paper contributes to the literature by applying the methodology DCC-GARCH to several crisis episodes for the analysis of contagion and flight-to-quality during the European sovereign debt crisis.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Pengaruh Service Quality terhadap Satisfaction dan Customer Loyalty Koperasi Dadirah di Dili Timor-Leste

Service quality is an attitude and behavior of people in providing services according to the needs, desires and expectations of consumers being served. A better service quality able to increase satisfaction and customer loyalty. This study aims to analyze the influence of service quality towards customer satisfaction and loyalty. This research was conducted in Cooperative of Dadirah, using 64 members of cooperative as a sample. Data were collected by conducting interviews and questionnaires. Subsequently collected data were analyzed using descriptive analysis and Partial Least Square. The results of this study shows that service quality which is given by cooperativa of Dadirah have positive and significant effect towards customer satisfaction and loyalty, but the satisfaction is found not significant positive effect on customer loyalty. The implications of this study indicate that the service quality plays an important role in creating customer satisfaction and customer loyalty

Effects of omega-3 fatty acids on arterial stiffness in patients with hypertension: a randomized pilot study.

BackgroundOmega-3 fatty acids prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD) events in patients with myocardial infarction or heart failure. Benefits in patients without overt CVD have not been demonstrated, though most studies did not use treatment doses (3.36 g) of omega-3 fatty acids. Arterial stiffness measured by pulse wave velocity (PWV) predicts CVD events independent of standard risk factors. However, no therapy has been shown to reduce PWV in a blood pressure-independent manner. We assessed the effects of esterified omega-3 fatty acids on PWV and serum markers of inflammation among patients with hypertension.Design and methodsWe performed a prospective, randomized; double-blinded pilot study of omega-3 fatty acids among 62 patients in an urban, safety net hospital. Patients received 3.36 g of omega-3 fatty acids vs. matched placebo daily for 3-months. The principal outcome measure was change in brachial-ankle PWV. Serum inflammatory markers associated with CVD risk were also assessed.ResultsThe majority (71 %) were of Latino ethnicity. After 3-months, mean change in arterial PWV among omega-3 and placebo groups was -97 cm/s vs. -33 cm/s respectively (p = 0.36 for difference, after multivariate adjustment for baseline age, systolic blood pressure, and serum adiponectin). Non-significant reductions in lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (LpPLA2) mass and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) relative to placebo were also observed (p = 0.08, and 0.21, respectively).ConclusionHigh-dose omega-3 fatty acids did not reduce arterial PWV or markers of inflammation among patients within a Latino-predominant population with hypertension.Clinical trial registrationNCT00935766 , registered July 8 2009

Preface of the “Symposium on numerical optimization and applications”

[Excerpt] Numerical Optimization and Applications Symposium emphasizes modeling, theory and study of numerical algorithms for optimization. Optimization is an important tool in decision science and in the analysis of physical systems. Furthermore the Optimization plays central role in a tremendous variety of application in the natural sciences, in the sectors of economy, finance, and industry operational research and in the engineering. Because of the wide and growing use of optimization, it is important to develop an understanding of optimization algorithms. Knowledge of the capabilities and limitations of these algorithms leads to a better understanding of their impact on various applications, and points the way to future research on improving and extending optimization algorithms and software. [...](undefined

Viana do Castelo Littoral Geopark Geosites

[Excerto] O território do Geoparque Litoral de Viana do Castelo abrange a área do concelho de Viana do Castelo e está legalmente constituído como Associação Geoparque Litoral de Viana do Castelo. Esta entidade tem por missão contribuir para a proteção, valorização e dinamização do património natural e cultural, com especial ênfase no património geológico, numa perspetiva de aprofundamento e divulgação do conhecimento científico, promovendo o turismo e o desenvolvimento sustentável em torno de uma herança geológica que remonta ao Câmbrico Inferior...info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The relationship between kindergarten children’s vocal performance and recognition of songs with and without words

The ability to recognize songs has been of interest to researchers over the past decades (Racette & Peretz, 2007; Samson & Zatorre, 1991; Serafine, Davidson, Crowder, & Repp, 1986). Evidence on song perception has shown that melody and words are processed with different degrees of integration and separation (Nakada & Abe, 2009; Saito et al., 2012; Sammler et al., 2010). However, there are few studies investigating song recognition among children (Feierabend, Saunders, Holahan, & Getnick, 1998; Morrongiello & Roes, 1990; Rodrigues & Rodrigues, 2010). Furthermore, how songs are taught both with words and without words, i.e., with a neutral syllable, and how words influence perception of melody and words have not been addressed in depth. Also, results from studies regarding the influence of teaching both types of songs on children’s vocal performances were inconclusive and, in some cases, contradictory. For example, some researchers found that children sing better with words (Levinowitz, 1989; Phillips, 1989). In contrast, other investigations did not support these findings and showed no statistical differences between approaches (Jacobi-Karna, 1996; Lange, 2000; Smale, 1988). Within this context, it is unclear if vocal performance of songs with words and without words is related to the way children perceive melody and words.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio