Seasonal and event-based changes in the flowing stream network of temporary rivers in the Reppisch catchment: Comparison of manual mapping and data from sensors

Temporary streams are streams and rivers that lack surface flow during certain periods of the year. They are present all over the world and their occurrence is predicted to increase in the future. However, their importance for hydrological and ecosystem functions has only recently been investigated. As temporary streams start to flow, the flowing stream network expands and as they dry up the stream network contracts. This thesis aims to understand flowing stream network expansion and contraction for two neighbouring catchments, the Diebis and Bleiki in the Reppischtal in the Canton of Zurich, Switzerland. The study used two methods: field mapping in both catchments, during which the sections of the stream network were classified according to flow type, and automatic data collection with a monitoring system in the streams of the Diebis. These methods were applied for two timescales, seasonally, with regular mapping and measurements over an 11-week period, and after single-events to determine the suitability of these methods for the study of temporary streams. The behaviour of the flowing stream density and the patterns of expansion of the two catchments differed on a seasonal scale. This difference can be explained by the topographic characteristics and by the difference in the levels of human disturbance of the two catchments. The analyses for single-events could not be performed as planned because of problems due to the malfunctioning of the flow sensors and the reduced functioning of the electrical resistance sensors from the monitoring system. However, the study highlights the large differences in stream network expansion and contraction for neighbouring catchments. Thus, it is necessary to conduct studies in multiple catchments to come to a robust understanding of the hydrologic behaviour of temporary streams in a region. The methods used are complementary and suitable if they work as planned. The field mapping has a good spatial resolution which helps in particular for the seasonal analysis but is not suitable for the analysis of single-events. For this, the high temporal resolution of the monitoring system is very useful. However, the uncertainties of these two methods have to be considered as well. In particular, the subjectivity of the determination of the flow type and the variability of the conditions during the field mapping sessions have to be considered. Regarding the sensors, the largest uncertainties are due to the need for spatial interpolation because the data are recorded only at specific locations and due to external disturbances of the registration of data because of sediments or other changes in the stream conditions

Thermoelectric power of the systems AgI-Ag 2XO 4 (X=Mo, W)

Determination of the initial thermoelectric power were carried out at 1000K in the whole composition range of the molten systems AgI-Ag 2XO 4 (X=Mo, W). For the composition XAgI=0.8 the investigation was extended to the variation of the thermal e.m.f. at the `melting point' of the electrochemically noteworthy glass-like phases, obtained through rapid quenching of the melt. The hypothesis that these glass-like materials could keep the melt configuration at room temperature is contradicted by the results on the molten systems; more complex interpretations, based on the behaviour of the thermal e.m.f. at the `m.p.' are proposed

Thermoelectric power of the molten systems (Cu, Ag)X (X=Cl, Br, I)

Initial thermoelectric power determinations were carried out on the molten systems (Cu, Ag)X, (X=Cl, Br, I) at 1000K. As for the employing of either copper or silver electrode thermocells, the choice was based on literature thermodynamic data. Comparison between ideal and actual behaviour allowed the authors to discover negative excess partial ionic entropies

Thermoelectric power of the molten systems PbCl 2-MeCl (Me=Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs)

Initial thermoelectric power determinations where carried out by means of Pb electrodes and Cl 2 electrode thermocells on the molten systems PbCl 2-MeCl (Me=Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs). Combinations of the results coming from the two kinds of thermocells allowed to verify Reinhold's relation (1933) and to estimate the partial molar formation and excess entropies of PbCl 2

Thermoelectric power of the molten systems (Ag+Me)I and (Cu+Me)I (Me=Na, K, Rb, Cs)

The systems (Ag+Me)I and (Cu+Me)I were investigated by measuring their initial thermoelectric power; mixtures containing AgI show a behaviour much closer to the ideality than mixtures containing CuI. Interesting conclusions are suggested about the heats of transport of silver and copper ions in the pure molten iodides

Building cases for faculty development in e-learning: a design-based approach

This paper presents an integrated program of faculty development on e-learning, promoted by the University of Florence since 2016. It focuses on a specific pedagogical component of the program, i.e. case studies, and on the three-phase process of design, development and testing adopted to implement them. In the first phase exemplary cases were identified to develop a design format. The second phase aimed at checking this format against the best-performers’ narratives of practice, and at designing the digital resource presenting the case. The third phase included user tests and an analysis of how professional learning was shaped in novices of e-learning. Through this process, the main elements influencing effective design and implementation of case studies for professional development on e-learning in the higher education were discovered. Costruire casi per lo sviluppo professionale degli accademici sull’e-learning: un approccio basato sul progetto Questo articolo presenta un programma integrato di sviluppo professionale sull’e-learning, promosso dall’Università di Firenze dal 2016. Si focalizza su una specifica componente pedagogica, vale a dire sui casi di studio, e sul processo di progettazione, sviluppo e test delle tre fasi adottate per realizzarli. Nella prima fase sono stati identificati casi esemplari per sviluppare un formato di progettazione. La seconda fase mirava a verificare questo formato rispetto alle narrazioni dei best-performers e a progettare le risorse digitali che presentano il caso. La terza fase comprendeva i test dell’utente e l’analisi di come l’apprendimento professionale fosse modellato nei novizi dell’e-learning. Attraverso questo processo, sono stati scoperti i principali elementi di efficacia per la progettazione e implementazione di case study per lo sviluppo professionale sull’e-learning in ambito universitario

Transport processes in TlI and in the AgI-TlI-system

The transport properties of TlI and the system AgI-TlI were investigated by measuring the electrical conductivity, sigma, and the electronic and ionic transport numbers. A particularly high electronic conductivity was detected in beta-TlI, while the alpha phase showed a predominant anionic contribution, as in TlCl and TlBr. The intermediate compounds, AgTl 2I 3 and AgTlI 2 , are silver ion conductors, but they exhibit low sigma values. A comparison with other polyiodides, with a high silver ion conductivity, is suggested on the basis of the crystal bond ionicity

Digital resources for faculty development in e-learning: a self-paced approach for professional learning

Dato il numero crescente di università che hanno adottato soluzioni e-learning o blended, lo sviluppo professionale degli accademici viene considerato sempre più come una strategia fondamentale per innovare le pratiche didattiche dei docenti. Tuttavia, numerose barriere, tra cui i vincoli spaziotemporali, impediscono ai docenti di frequentare programmi di formazione. Un formato online flessibile dovrebbe adattarsi meglio alle esigenze degli utenti. A questo proposito, sebbene esista una letteratura sugli interventi in presenza, gli studi sui corsi online self-paced sono ancora limitati. Questo articolo presenta un corso online self-paced per lo sviluppo professionale dei docenti sull’e-learning e ne esplora la corrispondenza con i bisogni degli utenti. Si apre con un esame della letteratura e una spiegazione delle strategie progettuali adottate. Illustra poi i metodi utilizzati e l’analisi dei dati raccolti. I risultati mostrano che, a seconda dei livelli di esperienza e di motivazione, gli utenti manifestano modelli diversi di uso dei contenuti e delle attività selezionate. In tal senso essi confermano l’importanza di adottare approcci progettuali basati su principi self-paced

Optical coherence tomography- a non-invasive technique applied to conservation of paintings

It is current practice to take tiny samples from a painting to mount and examine in cross-section under a microscope. However, since conservation practice and ethics limit sampling to a minimum and to areas along cracks and edges of paintings, which are often unrepresentative of the whole painting, results from such analyses cannot be taken as representative of a painting as a whole. Recently in a preliminary study, we have demonstrated that near-infrared Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) can be used directly on paintings to examine the cross-section of paint and varnish layers without contact and the need to take samples. OCT is an optical interferometric technique developed for in vivo imaging of the eye and biological tissues; it is essentially a scanning Michelson’s interferometer with a ‘broadband’ source that has the spatial coherence of a laser. The low temporal coherence and high spatial concentration of the source are the keys to high depth resolution and high sensitivity 3D imaging. The technique is non-invasive and noncontact with a typical working distance of 2 cm. This non-invasive technique enables cross-sections to be examined anywhere on a painting. In this paper, we will report new results on applying near-infrared en-face OCT to paintings conservation and extend the application to the examination of underdrawings, drying processes, and quantitative measurements of optical properties of paint and varnish layers

Perfusion machines and hepatocellular carcinoma: a good match between a marginal organ and an advanced disease?

Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for 90% of primary liver cancers, is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths and the leading cause of death in patients with cirrhosis. Liver transplantation (LT) represents the ideal treatment for selected patients as it removes both the tumor and the underlying cirrhotic liver with 5-year survival rates higher than 70%. Unfortunately, due to tumor characteristics, patient co-morbidities or shortage of organs available for transplant, only 20% of patients can undergo curative treatment. Ex situ machine perfusion (MP) is a technology recently introduced that might potentially improve organ preservation, allow graft assessment and increase the pool of available organs. The purpose of this review is to provide an update on the current role of ex situ liver MP in liver transplantation for HCC patients