Dust particle formation in argon-acetylene plasmas and interaction with (extreme) ultraviolet radiation

In extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography, ionic and particulate debris coming from the plasma source plays an important role. We started up a project looking more fundamentally at particulate formation in plasmas and the interaction with EUV radiation. To this end, we study a capacitively-coupled radio-frequency (13.56 MHz) argon-acetylene plasma. In low-pressure hydrocarbon plasmas dust particles spontaneously form under certain conditions. The whole process occurs in a matter of seconds to minutes after igniting the plasma and results in a cloud of particulates up to micrometer sizes levitating in the plasma. Our aluminum cylindrical discharge chamber also serves as a resonant cavity for low-power microwave (2 – 8 GHz) signals. The frequency at which resonance occurs is a measure for the free-electron density of the plasma. We present preliminary results on the temporal evolution of the electron density during dust particle formation up to several minutes after plasma ignition. Furthermore, we present an overview of approaches for future research predominantly aimed at the interactions in a more EUV-like environment

Does environmental education benefit environmental outcomes in children and adolescents? A meta-analysis

Young people can be agents of sustainable change. To this end, environmental education programs aim to promote their environmental knowledge, attitudes, intentions, and behaviors. We synthesized five decades of research into the effectiveness of environmental education for children and adolescents. We searched PsycINFO, ERIC, and Scopus and identified 169 studies (512 effect sizes; 176,007 participants) conducted in 43 countries, across 6 continents. Environmental education significantly improved environmental knowledge (g = 0.953), attitudes (g = 0.384), intentions (g = 0.256), and—mostly self-reported—behavior (g = 0.410). Heterogeneity in effect sizes was substantial; none of the tested moderators (including participant age, educational approach, and study design) accounted for this variance. Our findings demonstrate the potential for environmental education to improve students’ environmental knowledge, attitudes, intentions, and behavior. They also reveal methodo- logical challenges for the field. Future research priorities include identifying effective environmental education components and approaches

VE-cadherin and claudin-5: it takes two to tango

Endothelial barrier function requires the adhesive activity of VE-cadherin and claudin-5, which are key components of adherens and tight endothelial junctions, respectively. Emerging evidence suggests that VE-cadherin controls claudin-5 expression by preventing the nuclear accumulation of FoxO1 and -catenin, which repress the claudin-5 promoter. This indicates that a crosstalk mechanism operates between these junctional structures

A human colonic crypt culture system to study regulation of stem cell-driven tissue renewal and physiological function

The intestinal epithelium is one of the most rapidly renewing tissues in the human body and fulfils vital physiological roles such as barrier function and transport of nutrients and fluid. Investigation of gut epithelial physiology in health and disease has been hampered by the lack of ex vivo models of the native human intestinal epithelium. Recently, remarkable progress has been made in defining intestinal stem cells and in generating intestinal organoid cultures. In parallel, we have developed a 3D culture system of the native human colonic epithelium that recapitulates the topological hierarchy of stem cell-driven tissue renewal and permits the physiological study of native polarized epithelial cells. Here we describe methods to establish 3D cultures of intact human colonic crypts and conduct real-time imaging of intestinal tissue renewal, cellular signalling, and physiological function, in conjunction with manipulation of gene expression by lentiviral or adenoviral transduction. Visualization of mRNA- and protein-expression patterns in cultured human colonic crypts, and cross-validation with crypts derived from fixed mucosal biopsies, is also described. Alongside studies using intestinal organoids, the near-native human colonic crypt culture model will help to bridge the gap that exists between investigation of colon cancer cell lines and/or animal (tissue) studies, and progression to clinical trials. To this end, the near native human colonic crypt model provides a platform to aid the development of novel strategies for the prevention of inflammatory bowel disease and cancer

“Зізнання авантюриста Фелікса Крулля” Томаса Манна як пародія на велику автобіографію

Статтю присвячено розгляду рецепції та відображення “Поезії і правди” Й.-В. Гете в романі Т. Манна “Зізнання авантюриста Фелікса Крулля”. Представлена розвідка продовжує ряд наукових досліджень, присвячених вивченню особливостей рецепції автобіографії Й.-В. Гете, зокрема в німецькомовному літературному просторі. При дослідженні особливостей наявного в аналізованому нами романі пародійного наслідування Й.-В. Гете основна увага зосереджується автором на його стилістичному та тематичному рівнях.Статья посвящена рассмотрению рецепции и отражения “Поэзии и правды” Й.-В. Гете в романе Т. Манна “Признания авантюриста Феликса Крулля”. Представленная статья продолжает ряд научных исследований, посвященных изучению особенностей рецепции автобиографии Й.-В. Гете в частности в немецкоязычном литературном пространстве. При изучении особенностей имеющихся в анализированном нами романе пародийного подражания Й.-В. Гете основное внимание автор сосредотачивает на его стилистическом и тематическом уровнях.The article focuses on the reception of Goethe’s “Poetry and Truth” and its reflection in T. Mann’s novel “The Confession of adventurer Felix Crool”. The given article extends the series of scientific investigations that deal with the peculiarities of Goethe’s reception in German literature. Studying the parody imitation peculiarities of Goethe in the analysed novel, the main attention is paid to the stylistic and theme levels

UK commercial real estate valuation practice: does it now build in sustainability considerations?

Purpose This paper investigates the extent to which commercial property valuers in the UK refer to Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) professional standards and guidance on the inclusion of sustainability in valuation reports. Data collection, analysis and reporting related to sustainability attributes is examined, as well as the perceived importance of these attributes to clients and any value impacts that are associated with them. Design/methodology/approach An online survey of UK commercial property valuers was conducted from July to September 2019. The survey included both structured and open-ended questions. Findings Reference to RICS standards and guidance on sustainability has improved since earlier research. However, progress on data collection is still limited. At the time of the survey, UK valuers indicated that sustainability attributes were of more importance to owner-occupiers than investors and lenders. UK valuers also indicated that, out of a range of sustainability attributes, only certification was influencing market value (MV) and investment value (IV) to any great extent. Research limitations/implications The online survey had 53 responses and this limited the ability to draw definitive conclusions. Hence, whilst the results may be indicative of the perceptions of some valuers of the significance of sustainability-related matters in the UK, the sample is not large enough to be considered representative of the opinions of property valuers per se in the UK. Practical implications Explicit reflection of sustainability in market or investment values is still limited in the UK valuation practice, but there are challenges faced by valuers that need further investigation, including difficulties in pricing sustainability attributes. Originality/value This is the first empirical investigation of the perception of sustainability by valuers in the UK commercial property market since the 2012 survey reported by Michl et al. (2016)

Ni-les’tun tidal wetland restoration effectiveness monitoring: Baseline: 2010-2011

This report describes results of baseline monitoring at the Ni-les’tun tidal wetland restoration site, Bandon National Wildlife Refuge, Coquille River estuary of Oregon. Baseline monitoring provides a basis for comparison to post-restoration conditions, allowing future determination of project effectiveness. The report focuses on 2010-2011 baseline data, but it also includes information from our team’s earlier monitoring efforts during 2003-2005. These earlier monitoring data leverage the 2010-2011 effort, providing a longer-term perspective and better understanding of site dynamics. We also provide some early glimpses of likely post-restoration conditions, based on data from the reference site and some preliminary post-restoration monitoring in fall 2011.Keywords: Wetland restoration, Coquille River estuary, Ni-les’tun tidal wetland restoration, Bandon National Wildlife Refug