Crystal Engineering of Supramolecular 1,4-Benzene Bisamides by Side-Chain Modification : Towards Tuneable Anisotropic Morphologies and Surfaces

Benzene bisamides are promising building blocks for supramolecular nano‐objects. Their functionality depends on morphology and surface properties. However, a direct link between surface properties and molecular structure itself is missing for this material class. Here, we investigate this interplay for two series of 1,4‐benzene bisamides with symmetric and asymmetric peripheral substitution. We elucidated the crystal structures, determined the nano‐object morphologies and derived the wetting behaviour of the preferentially exposed surfaces. The crystal structures were solved by combining single‐crystal and powder X‐ray diffraction, solid‐state NMR spectroscopy and computational modelling. Bulky side groups, here t‐butyl groups, serve as a structure‐directing motif into a packing pattern, which favours the formation of thin platelets. The use of slim peripheral groups on both sides, in our case linear perfluorinated, alkyl chains, self‐assemble the benzene bisamides into a second packing pattern which leads to ribbon‐like nano‐objects. For both packing types, the preferentially exposed surfaces consist of the ends of the peripheral groups. Asymmetric substitution with bulky and slim groups leads to an ordered alternating arrangement of the groups exposed to the surface. This allows the hydrophobicity of the surfaces to be gradually altered. We thus identified two leitmotifs for molecular packings of benzene bisamides providing the missing link between the molecular structure, the anisotropic morphologies and adjustable surface properties of the supramolecular nano‐objects

The use of ultrasonic cavitation for near-surface structuring of robust and low-cost AlNi catalysts for hydrogen production

Ultrasonically induced shock waves stimulate intensive interparticle collisions in suspensions and create large local temperature gradients in AlNi particles. These trigger phase transformations at the surface rather than in the particle interior. We show that ultrasonic processing is an effective approach for developing the desired compositional gradients in nm-thick interfacial regions of metal alloys and formation of effective catalysts toward the hydrogen evolution reaction

The governance of formal university–industry interactions: understanding the rationales for alternative models

This article develops a conceptual framework to explain the economic rationale underpinning the choice of different modes of governance of formal university–industry interactions: personal contractual interactions, where the contract regulating the collaboration involves a firm and an individual academic researcher, and institutional interactions, where the relationship between the firm and the academic is mediated by the university. Although institutional interactions, for numerous reasons, have become more important, both governance modes are currently being implemented. We would argue that they have some important specificities that need to be understood if university–industry knowledge transfer is to be managed effectively and efficiently

Intervenciones feministas en el cine documental: conocimientos situados y (auto)representaciones de género en películas de Alina Marazzi y Maricarmen de Lara

En esta tesis reviso películas de Alina Marazzi (1964, Italia) y Maricarmen de Lara (1957, México) dentro del debate sobre el realismo cinematográfico y la experimentación formal en el cine documental feminista. Mi hipótesis es que las intervenciones feministas en No les pedimos un viaje a la luna (1986) y ¿Más vale maña que fuerza? (2007) de Maricarmen de Lara, así como en Un’ora sola ti vorrei (2002) y Vogliamo anche le rose (2007) de Alina Marazzi, se manifiestan en cuatro paradigmas (forma, contenido, producción y recepción) a partir de la comprensión de la objetividad como conocimiento situado que permite a las cineastas rendir cuentas sobre su tratamiento creativo de la realidad y del planteamiento de un cine narrativo subversivo en el que las mujeres filmadas son representadas y/o se autorepresentan dentro y fuera del género. Con la elección de dos cineastas cuyos estilos son diferentes (documental realista observacional-participativo de inclinación política por un lado, documental reflexivoperformativo de inclinación experimental por el otro) busco poner en diálogo dos modos de representación que parte de la teoría feminista del cine de los setenta consideró opuestos. Adoptando la perspectiva de los conocimientos situados (Haraway) propongo una salida al juicio dicotómico que tiende a contraponer y jerarquizar las diferencias. Sustituyendo el desdoblamiento entre sujeto y objeto por el principio de que lo personal/privado es político/público, analizo el trabajo de Maricarmen de Lara y Alina Marazzi como inseparable de quiénes son/han sido ellas como sujetos generizados que, al acercarse al feminismo, trabajan en espacios dentro y fuera del género donde se revisan las contradicciones entre “la Mujer” y las mujeres (Lauretis). En su cine emplean estrategias del documental clásico y/o narrativo pero con una subversión feminista: desenmascarar las inequidades del androcentrismo y ser vehículo de voces disidentes, cuerpos rebeldes y sujetos femeninos autoconscientes. Abstract This thesis analyzes films by Alina Marazzi (1964, Italy) and Maricarmen de Lara (1957, Mexico) within the context of the debate on cinematic realism and formal experimentation in feminist documentary films. The hypothesis is that feminist aspects in No les pedimos un viaje a la luna (1986) and ¿Más vale maña que fuerza? (2007) by Maricarmen de Lara, as well as in Un'ora sola ti vorrei (2002) and Vogliamo anche le rose (2007) by Alina Marazzi, emerge at four paradigms (form, content, production and reception), which are characterised by an understanding of objectivity as situated knowledge that allows the filmmakers to be accountable for their creative treatments of reality and the development of a subversive narrative cinema, in which the filmed women are (auto)represented in-and-out of gender. The selection of two filmmakers whose styles are different (observationalparticipatory realistic documentary with a political inclination on the one hand, reflexiveperformative documentary with an experimental inclination on the other hand), aims to bring into dialogue two streams that most feminist film theorists in the Seventies considered incompatible with each other. By adopting the perspective of situated knowledges (Haraway), I propose an alternative to the dichotomous view that tends to contrast and rank different approaches. Replacing the split between subject and object with the principle that the personal/private is political/public, I analyze Maricarmen’s and Alina’s films as inseparable from who they are/have been as gendered subjects that, on approaching feminism, work in a space in-and-out of gender where the contradictions between “the Woman” and women become evident. Their feminist cinema exploits the strategies of classic and/or narrative documentary “with a vengeance” (Lauretis): it exposes the inequities caused by androcentrism and becomes a vehicle for the expressionThis thesis analyzes films by Alina Marazzi (1964, Italy) and Maricarmen de Lara (1957, Mexico) within the context of the debate on cinematic realism and formal experimentation in feminist documentary films. The hypothesis is that feminist aspects in No les pedimos un viaje a la luna (1986) and ¿Más vale maña que fuerza? (2007) by Maricarmen de Lara, as well as in Un'ora sola ti vorrei (2002) and Vogliamo anche le rose (2007) by Alina Marazzi, emerge at four paradigms (form, content, production and reception), which are characterised by an understanding of objectivity as situated knowledge that allows the filmmakers to be accountable for their creative treatments of reality and the development of a subversive narrative cinema, in which the filmed women are (auto)represented in-and-out of gender. The selection of two filmmakers whose styles are different (observationalparticipatory realistic documentary with a political inclination on the one hand, reflexiveperformative documentary with an experimental inclination on the other hand), aims to bring into dialogue two streams that most feminist film theorists in the Seventies considered incompatible with each other. By adopting the perspective of situated knowledges (Haraway), I propose an alternative to the dichotomous view that tends to contrast and rank different approaches. Replacing the split between subject and object with the principle that the personal/private is political/public, I analyze Maricarmen’s and Alina’s films as inseparable from who they are/have been as gendered subjects that, on approaching feminism, work in a space in-and-out of gender where the contradictions between “the Woman” and women become evident. Their feminist cinema exploits the strategies of classic and/or narrative documentary “with a vengeance” (Lauretis): it exposes the inequities caused by androcentrism and becomes a vehicle for the expression of dissenting voices, rebellious bodies and self-conscious female subjects.Questa tesi esamina i film di Alina Marazzi (1964, Italia) e Maricarmen de Lara (1957, Messico) all’interno del dibattito sul realismo cinematografico e la sperimentazione formale nel documentario femminista. L'ipotesi è che gli aspetti femministi sia in No les pedimos un viaje a la luna (1986) e ¿Más vale maña que fuerza? (2007) di Maricarmen de Lara, sia in Un’ora sola ti vorrei (2002) e Vogliamo anche le rose (2007) di Alina Marazzi, emergano a quattro paradigmi (forma, contenuto, produzione e ricezione). Tali paradigmi sono caratterizzati da una concezione dell’obiettività come “conoscenza situata” che gli permette di essere responsabile per il proprio trattamento creativo della realtà e dall’approccio di un film narrativo sovversivo, in cui le donne girate sono (auto)rappresentate dentro e fuori dal genere. La scelta di due registe con stili differenti (documentario realista osservazionalepartecipativo d’inclinazione politica da un lato, documentario riflessivo-performativo d’inclinazione sperimentale dall’altro), cerca di mettere in dialogo due correnti che parte della teoria femminista del cinema negli anni Settanta ha considerato opposti. Adottando la prospettiva della conoscenza situata (Haraway), propongo una soluzione alla dicotomia che tende a contrapporre e gerarchizzare i diversi approcci. Inoltre, sostituendo la scissione tra soggetto e oggetto con il principio che il personale/privato è politico/pubblico, analizzo come il lavoro di Maricarmen de Lara e Alina Marazzi sia inseparabile da chi sono/sono stati come soggetti di genere che, con il loro approccio al femminismo, lavorano in uno spazio dentro e fuori dal genere, in cui le contraddizioni tra “la Donna” e le donne emergono (Lauretis). Il loro cinema è capace di impiegare le strategie stilistiche del documentario classico e/o narrativo, ma con una sovversione femminista: esporre le disuguaglianze dell’androcentrismo ed essere un veicolo per voci di dissenso, corpi ribelli e soggetti femminili consapevoli.Máster Erasmus Mundus en Estudios de las Mujeres y de Género, GEMM

Locally Preferred Structure and Frustration in Glassforming Liquids: A Clue to Polyamorphism?

We propose that the concept of liquids characterized by a given locally preferred structure (LPS) could help in understanding the observed phenomenon of polyamorphism. ``True polyamorphism'' would involve the competition between two (or more) distinct LPS, one favored at low pressure because of its low energy and one favored at high pressure because of its small specific volume, as in tetrahedrally coordinated systems. ``Apparent polyamorphism'' could be associated with the existence of a poorly crystallized defect-ordered phase with a large unit cell and small crystallites, which may be illustrated by the metastable glacial phase of the fragile glassformer triphenylphosphite; the apparent polyamorphism might result from structural frustration, i. e., a competition between the tendency to extend the LPS and a global constraint that prevents tiling of the whole space by the LPS.Comment: 11, 6 figures, Proceedings of the Conference "Horizons in Complex Systems", Messina; in honor of the 60th birthday of H.E. Stanle

Low Temperature Precursor Route for Highly Efficient Spherically Shaped LED-Phosphors M2Si5N8:Eu2+ (M = Eu, Sr, Ba)

The highly efficient nitridosilicate phosphors M2Si5N8 (M = Sr, Ba, Eu) for phosphor-converted pc-LEDs were synthesized at low temperatures using a novel precursor route involving metal amides M(NH2)2. These precursors have been synthesized by dissolution of the respective metals in supercritical ammonia at 150°C and 300 bar. The thermal behavior and decomposition process of the amides were investigated with temperature programmed powder X-ray diffractometry and thermoanalytical measurements (DTA/TG). These investigations rendered the amides as suitable intermediates for reaction with silicon diimide (Si(NH)2). Thus, the desired nitridosilicate phosphors were obtained at relatively low temperatures around 1150−1400°C which is approximately 300°C lower compared to common synthetic approaches starting from metals or oxides. The influence of the thermal treatment on the phosphor morphology has been studied extensively. The accessibility of spherical phosphor particles represents another striking feature of this route since it improves light extraction from the crystallites due to decreasing light guiding and decreasing re-absorption inside the phosphor particle. The synthesized luminescent materials M2Si5N8:Eu2+ (M = Sr, Ba) exhibit quantum efficiencies and emission band widths (FWHM 70−90 nm) comparable to standard phosphor powders. Employment of Eu(NH2)2 as dopant reagent for synthesis of Ba2Si5N8:Eu2+ proved favorable for the formation of spherical crystallites compared to doping with Eu metal, halides, or oxide

Knowledge and innovation: The strings between global and local dimensions of sustainable growth

The modern growth literature pays much attention to innovation and knowledge as drivers of endogenous developments in a competitive open economic system. This paper reviews concisely the literature in this field and addresses in particular micro- and macro-economic interactions at local or regional levels, based on clustering and networking principles, in which sustainability conditions also play a core role. The paper then develops a so-called knowledge circuit model comprising the relevant stakeholders, which aims to offer a novel framework for applied policy research at the meso-economic level

Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) and hybrid ARMA/ANN model to predict global radiation

We propose in this paper an original technique to predict global radiation using a hybrid ARMA/ANN model and data issued from a numerical weather prediction model (ALADIN). We particularly look at the Multi-Layer Perceptron. After optimizing our architecture with ALADIN and endogenous data previously made stationary and using an innovative pre-input layer selection method, we combined it to an ARMA model from a rule based on the analysis of hourly data series. This model has been used to forecast the hourly global radiation for five places in Mediterranean area. Our technique outperforms classical models for all the places. The nRMSE for our hybrid model ANN/ARMA is 14.9% compared to 26.2% for the na\"ive persistence predictor. Note that in the stand alone ANN case the nRMSE is 18.4%. Finally, in order to discuss the reliability of the forecaster outputs, a complementary study concerning the confidence interval of each prediction is proposedComment: Energy (2012)