Visual perception specifics of children with ASD as a determinant for educational environment outlinetimes

The idea of inclusive education raises the question of security of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). It is the imperative of the time to create teaching materials that promote the effective implementation of educational curriculum. However, we have to stress the fact that most of the evaluable nowadays teaching materials have been created spontaneously, without any reliable criteria. Our primary hypothesis is that children with ASD have specific features of visual perception that do not depend on the state of their intelligence, which is confirmed by empirical data obtained by the authors. Our secondary hypothesis, specified in the process of research, stipulates that children with ASD will differently perceive different graphic images executed in different styles. These findings are further confirmed by empirical data collected by the authors in the study of perception and understanding of different graphic images by children with ASD and mental retardation. On the basis of theoretical and empirical data we specified the criteria for graphic design products which play a pivotal role in the formation of school educational environment. In this respect we focus on the criteria for design materials (including design criteria provisions, formulated by Norman, which he addressed to practicing designers). © 2017 IJCRSEE. All Right Reserved

Modified group projectors: tight binding method

Modified group projector technique for induced representations is a powerful tool for calculation and symmetry quantum numbers assignation of a tight binding Hamiltonian energy bands of crystals. Namely, the induced type structure of such a Hamiltonian enables efficient application of the procedure: only the interior representations of the orbit stabilizers are to be considered. Then the generalized Bloch eigen functions are obtained naturally by the expansion to the whole state space. The method is applied to the electronic pi-bands of the single wall carbon nanotubes: together with dispersion relations, their complete symmetry assignation by the full symmetry (line) groups and the corresponding symmetry-adapted eigen function are found.Comment: 10 pages 1 figur

Structural effects on the luminescence properties of CsPbI3 nanocrystals

Metal halide perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) are promising for photovoltaic and light-emitting applications. Due to the softness of their crystal lattice, structural modifications have a critical impact on their optoelectronic properties. Here we investigate the size-dependent optoelectronic properties of CsPbI3 NCs ranging from 7 to 17 nm, employing temperature and pressure as thermodynamic variables to modulate the energetics of the system and selectively tune the interatomic distances. By temperature-dependent photoluminescence spectroscopy, we have found that luminescence quenching channels exhibit increased non-radiative losses and weaker exciton-phonon coupling in bigger particles, in turn affecting the luminescence efficiency. Through pressure-dependent measurements up to 2.5 GPa, supported by XRD characterization, we revealed a NC-size dependent solid-solid phase transition from the γ-phase to the δ-phase. Importantly, the optical response to these structural changes strongly depends on the size of the NC. Our findings provide an interesting guideline to correlate the size and structural and optoelectronic properties of CsPbI3 NCs, important for engineering the functionalities of this class of soft semiconductors

Engaging domestic users on demand response for heating cost reduction with a recommendation tool: Case study in Belgrade

The European Union has established a legislative framework that aims to enable consumers and businesses to take information-based decisions to save energy and money. Additionally, the increase of Distributed Energy Resources (both on generation and consumption) requires additional efforts to maintain the reliability and stability of the electric grid and the need of flexibility from residential buildings. The present study introduces a domestic decision support tool for reducing heating costs. This app provides detailed recommendations to end-users based on the day-ahead hourly weather forecast, electric and district heating tariffs predictions, heating demand, and heating systems dynamic performance. The tool was tested in 6 dwellings of a neighborhood of Belgrade during the last months of 2021 heating season (March–May). Energetic results suggest that 40% of participants followed the given recommendations and changed their heating pattern. Additionally, survey results show that end-users found the lack of information and knowledge as the main barrier to actively participate in the energy market, also preferring to have automatic control in their heating system. Authors conclude that recommendation tools are key elements in user-engagement, but they should be supported by additional information and training.Research leading to these results has been supported by HOLISDER project, Spain. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No. 768614

Immature doublecortin-positive hippocampal neurons are important for learning but not for remembering

It is now widely accepted that hippocampal neurogenesis underpins critical cognitive functions, such as learning and memory. To assess the behavioral importance of adult-born neurons, we developed a novel knock-in mouse model that allowed us to specifically and reversibly ablate hippocampal neurons at an immature stage. In these mice, the diphtheria toxin receptor (DTR) is expressed under control of the doublecortin (DCX) promoter, which allows for specific ablation of immature DCX-expressing neurons after administration of diphtheria toxin while leaving the neural precursor pool intact. Using a spatially challenging behavioral test (a modified version of the active place avoidance test), we present direct evidence that immature DCX-expressing neurons are required for successful acquisition of spatial learning, as well as reversal learning, but are not necessary for the retrieval of stored long-term memories. Importantly, the observed learning deficits were rescued as newly generated immature neurons repopulated the granule cell layer upon termination of the toxin treatment. Repeat (or cyclic) depletion of immature neurons reinstated behavioral deficits if the mice were challenged with a novel task. Together, these findings highlight the potential of stimulating neurogenesis as a means to enhance learning