River corridors. A study of spatial configuration along two small rivers in London

Increasing urbanisation puts more pressure on urban river banks in terms of their use as recreational areas as well as their potential for development. Usually, interventions on rivers and riversides are focused on improving their ecological and hydrological aspects. However, to better define objectives for interventions and conservation of urban rivers we need a better understanding of how cities have shaped around rivers and the relationship between these elements and the whole city system. This paper argues that the current interaction between small rivers, urban form and socio-economic outcomes can be investigated through the analysis of the spatial network and land use patterns surrounding them. Using a statistical comparison of the spatial network, land use, demographic data and movement along with an assessment of historic maps, this study analysed the areas surrounding two small London rivers as well as four case studies. The study of the river corridors suggests that their urban form and function are strongly shaped by the connections with the city centre and historical land uses. At the same time, river areas are spatially segregated in comparison with their surrounding areas and they are crossed by routes that are important at city scale while local scale connections are more limited. In addition, the study found that spaces that were better utilised on riversides have a relationship with local centralities in their urban context providing more potential benefits for their communities. A better understanding of the characteristics of river areas and their relationship with the urban environment, particularly the level of accessibility of these natural areas, is relevant to improve policymaking and design interventions that can foster a better relationship between natural resources and the city

Thiol-Stabilized Gold Nanoparticles: New Ways To Displace Thiol Layers Using Yttrium or Lanthanide Chlorides

We use the aurophilic interactions shown by lanthanides to overcome the sulfur–gold interaction. UV–vis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirm that yttrium or lanthanide chlorides easily displace sulfur ligands from the surface of thiol-stabilized gold nanoparticles

Finite element models for brush-debris interaction in road sweeping

In this paper, 2-D and 3-D finite element (FE) models for particle removal mechanisms are constructed to study the interaction between brush tines and debris in road sweeping processes. A 2-D contact FE analysis is first performed to analyse the contact behaviour between a flicking brush tine and an object to sweep. Using this model, the removal mechanisms are studied and analysed. Furthermore, the effect of brush penetration on debris removal is investigated. The 2-D sweeping model is extended to an accurate 3-D contact model, which overcomes some geometric errors in the 2-D model. From the results, it is suggested that the major removal mechanisms are a horizontal dragging force and a rolling moment generated by the external forces. It is also found that penetration has a positive contribution when it is relatively small in a non-sticky environment. Furthermore, in this environment, it is found that sweeping loads have a small effect on the removal process as either flicking tines or cutting tines can produce adequate removal loads

Mathematical and physical techniques of modeling and simulation of pattern recognition in the stock market

The following article presents the analysis through mathematical and physical techniques of large databases, which are very common today, due to the large number of variables (especially in the information and physics industry) and the amount of information that results from a process, therefore an analysis is necessary that allows the Decision in a responsible manner, looking for scientific criteria that support said decisions, in our case a database of the forex system will be taken. Initially, a study and calculation of different measurements between the samples and their characteristics will be carried out to make a good prediction of the data and their behavior using different classification methods inspired by basic sciences. Below is an explanation of the techniques based on the analysis of data components and the correlations that exist between the variables, which is a technique widely used in physical processes to determine the correlations between variables

Spanish validation of the revised depression attitude questionnaire (R-daq)

Purpose: The aim of the study was to develop and validate a Spanish version of the Revised Depression Attitude Questionnaire (R-DAQ). Methods: The R-DAQ was used as a baseline for the study. It was translated and tested to ensure the instrument was appropriate for the target population. 537 Ecuadorian healthcare professionals completed the revised Spanish version of the R-DAQ (SR-DAQ). Statistical and exploratory factor analyses were performed to examine construct validity, internal consistency, readability and floor and ceiling effects. Results: Three factors were obtained: “Professional confidence in depression care”; “Therapeutic optimism about depression”; and “Generalist perspective about depression occurrence, recognition, and management”. The internal consistency of the SR-DAQ was determined by means of Cronbach’s α coefficient, with values ranging between 0.61–0.8. The correlations with the English version reflected adequate validity. The model explained 39% of the variance. Subsequent analysis with a sample restricted to those who had received training in depression produced a model that explained 42% of the variance. Conclusion: The SR-DAQ meets the psychometric requirements for measuring depression attitude in a Spanish-speaking population and shows adequate internal consistency and validity

Neutrino mixing with revamped A(4) flavor symmetry

We suggest a minimal extension of the simplest A(4) flavor model that can induce a nonzero theta(13) value, as required by recent neutrino oscillation data from reactors and accelerators. The predicted correlation between the atmospheric mixing angle theta(23) and the magnitude of theta(13) leads to an allowed region substantially smaller than indicated by neutrino-oscillation global fits. Moreover, the scheme correlates CP violation in neutrino oscillations with the octant of the atmospheric mixing parameter theta(23) in such a way that, for example, maximal mixing necessarily violates CP. We briefly comment on other phenomenological features of the model

Valuation of perceived difficulty to performance pro-environmental behaviours

Abstract Performing pro-environmental behaviors (PEB) has a behavioral cost, which can be propose as the difficulty that the action hold for people. The aim of this study was to evaluate perceived difficulty of various daily pro-environmental behaviors from two sources: hierarchy of behaviors and their execution report. Thirty pro-environmental behaviors were distributed in two formats, each of them was applied to a different sample (the first N1=168 and the second N2= 168), all of them are habitants of the Mexico Valley Metropolitan Area, with an age superior to 18 years old. Hierarchy was analyzed with the relative priority percentage method, and the performing of behaviors was analyzed the most difficult behaviors perceived and presented a high difficulty index, are linked to mobility and green shopping, meanwhile, the easiest behaviors were actions highly promoted in Mexico: not littering, waste separation behavior, or turn off lights. The implications of analysis methods used are discussed, as well as the contributions to the knowledge of the behavioral cost of PEB.ResumenRealizar conductas proambientales (CPA) conlleva un costo conductual, el cual se puede plantear en términos de la dificultad que tiene para la persona llevar a cabo la acción. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la dificultad percibida de diferentes acciones proambientales cotidianas a partir de dos fuentes: la jerarquización de conductas y el reporte de su ejecución. Se repartieron treinta conductas proambientales en dos formatos, cada uno se aplicó a una muestra diferente (N1=168 y N2= 168), todos habitantes de la Zona Metropolitana del Valle de México, con edad superior a 18 años. La jerarquización se analizó con el método de porcentaje relativo de prioridad, y la ejecución de las conductas con el modelo Rasch para estimar el nivel de dificultad. Los resultados mostraron que las conductas que se percibieron más difíciles y presentaron un índice de dificultad alto, se vinculan a la movilidad y las compras verdes; mientras que las más fáciles fueron acciones altamente promocionadas en México: no tirar basura en la calle, separar los residuos o apagar la luz que no se utiliza. Se reflexionan las implicaciones de los métodos de análisis utilizados, así como la aportación al conocimiento del costo conductual de la CPA

La investigación cualitativa: un importante abordaje del conocimiento para enfermería

El presente artículo pretende hacer una reflexión acerca de la importancia de la investigación cualitativa para enfermería y presentar algunos conceptos básicos de aproximación a este tipo de estudios, con el propósito de que puedan ser de utilidad para estudiantes o profesio - nales de enfermería que por primera vez incursionan en investigación cualitativa. Con las reflexiones y conceptos aquí presentados, se espera hacer un aporte que contribuya a un mayor y mejor acercamiento a este abordaje investigativo, como apoyo para el avance del conocimiento en enfermería, desde una visión integral del ser humano. En el artículo se considera la importancia de la investigación cualitativa para enfermería, concepto y características básicas, los sujetos de estudio, los tipos de investigación cualitativa, la metodología y algunas consideraciones ética

La inutilidad del etnocentrismo

El etnocentrismo como filosofía de poder en el mundo occidental. Ha evitado el exaltamiento de las mezclas culturales como opción de vida. Dándole a las minorías un lugar en los suburbios del conocimiento y de la ciencia. La exclusión de las fuentes de conocimiento primitivo por el hombre contemporáneo. Le permite la sensación de dominio sobre el mismo hombre y sobre la naturaleza. La industrialización le permitió al hombre. Como lo menciona David Dickson: « El supuesto dominio sobre la naturaleza y la aplicación de las fuerzas naturales a sus propios fines» 1, pero a su vez, ha perdido hectáreas de selvas húmedas en la Amazonía, ha producido agujeros en la atmósfera y ha precipitado la extinción de diversas especies de flora y fauna, causando un desequilibrio eco lógico que ha llevado al gasto de rubros públicos en la investigación para la recuperación del medio ambiente