Control of conditional pattern with polarization entanglement

Conditional interference patterns can be obtained with twin photons from spontaneous parametric down-conversion and the phase of the pattern can be controlled by the relative transverse position of the signal and idler detectors. Using a configuration that produces entangled photons in both polarization and transverse momentum we report on the control of the conditional patterns by acting on the polarization degree of freedom.Comment: Submitted for publication in Optics Communication

Temperature and comfort monitoring systems for humans

PhDThermoregulation system and human body responses, both physiological (i.e. skin and core temperature) and psychological (thermal sensation and thermal comfort), have been of considerable interest to researchers. However, while reactions to extreme conditions are well understood and explained, there is a considerable knowledge gap for mild temperature range adaptation. Previous research focused on the whole body response, while local analysis is more appropriate for a new generation of intelligent thermal control systems such as needed in planes. Furthermore majority of previous studies were carried out predominantly on mannequins or with subjects placed in highly controlled lab chambers, hence adaptations in normal shared spaces is not investigated in sufficient depth. In addition, no study investigated infants’ temperature adaptation. This thesis describes the comprehensive study of the human temperature distribution in selected areas, both for adults and infants under the age of 2. Furthermore, variation of core and local skin temperature, thermal sensation and level of comfort due to long periods of inactivity were also investigated in adults. These studies have set the basis for the development of temperature monitoring systems. The first monitoring system specific to children under 2 provides fever detection based on skin temperature measurement. It was developed for a Spanish textile company (AITEX), and it is a patent under consideration. The second system monitors level of comfort and thermal sensation of adults in indoor environments. The system is based on pre-existing statistical studies and Fanger’s steady-state model. It adapts to the individual while analysing real time skin temperature distribution, and identifie

Proposing a new construct to measure the effectiveness of brands operating in social networking sites

The current study was motivated by the increasing brand adoption of Social Networking Sites, like Facebook, in companies´ communication plans. Currently, the top 100 worldwide advertisers accumulate more than 1 billion users in their brand like pages. In view of this trend, it becomes important to propose a measure that captures the performance and effects of brands´ efforts in brand like pages. The present study addresses this research gap, proposing the construct of brand like page participation (BPP) and validating it. For that four phases were implemented and three studies were conducted. First, the construct domain was defined based on the literature review. Then, a qualitative study based on 10 interviews with Facebook users was implemented to further investigate the construct domain. Following that, an online survey with 203 respondents was used to assess the internal consistency and unidimensionality. Finally, the construct was validated for its ability to get reproduced with a new dataset including 575 valid responses. At this phase, collected data were submitted to confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), in order to check for reliability and convergence. Hence, a new construct is proposed and validated, targeted at offering managers and academics a clear tool to evaluate brands efforts in SNS and to estimate their business impact.info:eu-repo/semantics/submittedVersio

How corporate social responsibility can influence brand equity

The current chapter embraces a topic which is still underdeveloped in the literature: how Corporate Social Responsibility may or may not influence Brand Equity. Therefore, we conducted a literature review to analyse past studies on this topic. The results allow us to present the core studies and discuss them. In this context, we analyse four major aspects: types of CSR and brand-fit, effects on brand knowledge, effects on consumers’ responses: (purchase intentions) and brand-cause fit (polarized results).info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio