Micropillar compression of LiF [111] single crystals: effect of size, ion irradiation and misorientation

The mechanical response under compression of LiF single crystal micropillars oriented in the [111] direction was studied. Micropillars of different diameter (in the range 1–5 lm) were obtained by etching the matrix in directionally-solidified NaCl–LiF and KCl–LiF eutectic compounds. Selected micropillars were exposed to high-energy Ga+ ions to ascertain the effect of ion irradiation on the mechanical response. Ion irradiation led to an increase of approximately 30% in the yield strength and the maximum compressive strength but no effect of the micropillar diameter on flow stress was found in either the as-grown or the ion irradiated pillars. The dominant deformation micromechanisms were analyzed by means of crystal plasticity finite element simulations of the compression test, which explained the strong effect of micropillar misorientation on the mechanical response. Finally, the lack of size effect on the flow stress was discussed to the light of previous studies in LiF and other materials which show high lattice resistance to dislocation motion

Repositório Iscte: Um sistema em melhoria contínua

O Repositório do Iscte, o segundo repositório institucional a nível nacional, emergiu de uma dinâmica de inovação e mudança, com o intuito de se manter e desenvolver numa lógica de melhoria contínua, comum a todos os processos da Biblioteca. Este short paper relata o processo de trabalho realizado nos últimos dois anos no sentido de dotar o Repositório do Iscte de substanciais melhorias ao nível da sua apresentação estética, conteúdo e funcionalidades de que o utilizador poderá usufruir e, simultaneamente, facilitar as operações de BackOffice por parte dos técnicos da Biblioteca. Espera-se que o impacto – ainda não avaliado, por ser demasiado recente – resulte em benefícios consideráveis para este recurso, quer ao nível da qualidade dos metadados, quer de economia de tempo de trabalho necessário à execução das tarefas de curadoria e depósito dos documentos científicos. Estas alterações contribuirão, em última instância e de uma forma significativa, para aumentar quer a qualidade da informação quer a disseminação da produção científica do Iscte.publicad

Population census and nesting habitat selection of thin-billed prion Pachyptila belcheri on New Island, Falkland Islands

Seabirds have the potential to be used as indicators for monitoring changes in the southern oceans. However, many species and populations are still poorly known. The thin-billed prion (Pachyptila belcheri) is the most abundant seabird species around the Falkland Islands, but this far, no detailed censuses of its populations had been carried out. In this study, we developed a methodology, based on standard field methods combined with a Geographical Information System, to census the biggest known colony (New Island) of this species. Data were also collected on nesting habitat preferences. Results indicate that there are 1,081,000 (95% confidence limits: 815,000–1,346,000) apparently active nest-burrow entrances on New Island South which, given the very high occupancy rates by known breeders, should correspond to a similar number of nesting couples. We present quantitative evidence that this result can be extrapolated for the entire island, giving an overall estimate of 2 million pairs. Prions have an almost ubiquitous distribution on New Island, but they are more frequent in areas with steeper slopes (excluding cliffs). Habitats dominated by introduced grass species generally hold higher densities of nests in comparison to most native formations

La participación de alumnos en Comunidades de Aprendizaje

Nuestro objetivo es dar a conocer la actividad “Prácticas de Intervención Psicoeducativa en Comunidades de Aprendizaje” que ha sido ofrecida en el curso 2013-14 de manera interdepartamental, con la participación de profesores de los Departamentos de Psicología Evolutiva y de la Educación y de Didáctica y Organización Educativa, de la Universidad de Sevilla. Se propuso para todos los alumnos de la Universidad como actividad de libre configuración, de reconocimiento de créditos o de voluntariado para los que no optasen por ninguna de las dos posibilidades primeras. La participación en Grupos Interactivos, Tertulias Dialógicas o en otras actividades llevadas a cabo por los estudiantes en los centros que forman parte de la Red de Comunidades de Aprendizaje de Sevilla está siendo gratificante personalmente para ellos y muy productiva desde un punto de vista académico para implicar a los estudiantes en actuaciones educativas de éxito y de superación del fracaso escolar.Our aim is to publicize the internships “Intervention in Educational Learning Communities” that has been offered in the academic year 2013-2014 with the participation of professors from the Departments of Psychology and Education and Teaching and Educational Organization, University of Seville. It has been offered to all university students and they will earn free-elected credits, recognition of credits or, at least, volunteerism for those who do not select the previous two options. The collaboration in Interactive Groups, Discussion Groups or other activities developed by the students in schools that are taken part in the Learning Community Network of Seville has being personally rewarded for them and really productive from the academic perspective. With this programme, students have been involved in successful practical experiences, overcoming school failure

Bringing everyone on board: what role can medical students play in the COVID-19 pandemic?

The fast spread of the COVID-19 epidemic has imposed unprecedented challenges to contemporary society, impacting several aspects of human life globally. Strict social distancing protocols had to be implemented in affected countries to contribute to reduce viral dissemination, and consequently, limit acquisition of new infections. Health systems were compelled to put emergency plans in place to cope with the overburden of potentially severe cases needing hospitalization, with the ultimate aim to preserve as many lives as possible. Academic health systems worldwide were required to propose novel strategies to maximize healthcare outcomes while mitigating negative impact on medical education.[...

Secular trends in reported portion size of food and beverages consumed by Irish adults

The present analysis aimed to investigate the changes in the reported portion sizes (PS) of foods and beverages commonly consumed by Irish adults (18–64 years) from the North South Ireland Food Consumption Survey (NSIFCS) (1997–2001) and the National Adult Nutrition Survey (NANS) (2008–10). Food PS, which are defined as the weight of food (g) consumed per eating occasion, were calculated for comparable foods and beverages in two nationally representative cross-sectional Irish food consumption surveys and were published in NSIFCS and NANS. Repeated measure mixed model analysis compared reported food PS at the total population level as well as subdivided by sex, age, BMI and social class. A total of thirteen commonly consumed foods were examined. The analysis demonstrated that PS significantly increased for five foods (‘white sliced bread’, ‘brown/wholemeal breads’, ‘all meat, cooked’, ‘poultry, roasted’ and ‘milk’), significantly decreased for three (‘potatoes’, ‘chips/wedges’ and ‘ham, sliced’) and did not significantly change for five foods (‘processed potato products’, ‘bacon/ham’, ‘cheese’, ‘yogurt’ and ‘butter/spreads’) between the NSIFCS and the NANS. The present study demonstrates that there was considerable variation in the trends in reported food PS over this period