Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Electrode Material for Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries are becoming increasingly attractive as one of the most promising advanced secondary batteries with overwhelming advantages of high theoretical capacity (1675 mAh/g) and high energy density (2600 VS. 420 W h/kg of traditional Li-ion batteries). Sulfur is one of the most abundant elements on earth and is an underutilized byproduct from the oil and gas industries. Additionally, in comparison to Li-ion batteries, Li-S batteries have improved safety and lower cost. They are also more environmentally friendly. However, the predominant challenge with lithium-sulfur batteries is capacity drop and low cycle life during usage of the sulfur-based electrode. This project aims to solve this problem by careful design of carbon based nanomaterials to physically and/or chemically confine the sulfur component. Developing the sulfur/carbon nanocomposite will be conducted using well-studied synthesis processes. Characterization of the electrodes will be conducted through analytical techniques via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Electrochemical evaluation of assembled split cell will consist of cyclability and rate capability testing using the electrochemical testing station. The expected outcome is to achieve high performance of Li-S batteries with long cycle life and maintaining high specific capacity, a goal for emerging advanced energy storage technology, portable electronics, and grid-scale energy station

Resiliencia en el ámbito escolar: estudio preliminar de la percepción de los aspectos familiares y escolares en niños de contextos socialmente vulnerables

El propósito de este trabajo fue analizar variables vinculadas a la percepción de la familia en una muestra de 61 escolares (30 con historia de fracaso escolar y 31 sin esa característica) pertenecientes a contextos de vulnerabilidad social de Mendoza, Argentina. Se evaluó la percepción de las interrelaciones familiares y se examinó la percepción de los docentes con respecto a las fortalezas y la valoración del rendimiento académico de sus alumnos. Los resultados señalaron que no hubo diferencias significativas entre los grupos en relación con la percepción de la familia. Sin embargo, se observó que los niños con antecedentes de fracaso escolar presentaron menor identificación de emociones positivas, expresaron un concepto confuso de familia y se identificaron con más personajes desvalorizados que los niños no repetidores. En los docentes se halló asociación entre la percepción de fortalezas y la valoración del rendimiento académico en el grupo de niños sin fracaso escolarThe purpose of this work is to analyze variables associate with perception of the family among a 61-stu- dent sample (30 with a history of school failure and 31 without), from vulnerable neighborhoods of Mendoza, Argentina. We evaluated the families’ interrelationship perception, and the evaluation of tea- chers’ perceptions of their students’ academic strength and performance. The results showed no signifi- cant differences between the two groups in terms of the perception of families’ positive and negative as- pects. However, it was evident that children with a history of school failure had fewer positive emotions, expressed a vague concept of the family and were more inclined to identify with low value characters than those who had never been left back. Regarding teachers’ perception, the study found an association between the perception of strength and academic performance evaluation among children who had no history of school failure.Fil: Canto, Daniela Belén. Universidad del Aconcagua. Facultad de Psicologia; Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico - CONICET - Mendoza. Instituto de Ciencias Humanas, Sociales y Ambientales; Argentina;Fil: Morelato, Gabriela Susana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico - CONICET - Mendoza. Instituto de Ciencias Humanas, Sociales y Ambientales; Argentina;Fil: Greco, Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico - CONICET - Mendoza. Instituto de Ciencias Humanas, Sociales y Ambientales; Argentina

O TEATRO AMBIENTAL E A INVASÃO DO RECREIO

Neste artigo descreverei de forma detalhada as práticas e estratégias realizadas com as/os alunas/os do grupo de teatro nos momentos de recreio no pátio da E.M.E.F. Mário Quintana, uma escola da periferia de Porto Alegre. Os processos criativos teatrais ocorreram na tentativa de problematizar a tensão existente entre os elementos do real e da ficção, que perpassam a cena contemporânea atual. Discute-se os conceitos de teatro ambiental e teatro de invasão, a partir dos estudos dos autores Richard Schechner e André Carreira. Estes procedimentos fizeram parte de minha dissertação de mestrado no Programa de Mestrado Profissional em Artes da UDESC. As propostas de investigação foram realizadas por crianças e adolescentes em 2015 e concluídas no ano 2016. Este artigo traz como sujeitos as/os alunas/os do grupo mencionado, e a comunidade escolar que, por meio de entrevistas e depoimentos, ocupam um lugar de fala e apontam para a relevância do trabalho de investigação teatral realizado na escola pública

O teatro que afeta: o ambiente escolar como miniatura da cidade

Este artigo trata de uma reflexão sobre a experiência com alguns procedimentos de performance, como o depoimento pessoal, por exemplo, durante o processo de criação dos espetáculos que participei como atriz na Santa Estação Cia de Teatro, grupo de teatro de Porto Alegre que existe há 10 anos. A partir dessas experiências construo uma ponte com o trabalho de teatro que desenvolvo em sala de aula, articulando o teatro no ambiente escolar e a escola como uma miniatura da cidade.

Improving Executive Functions in Elementary Schoolchildren

Executive Functions (EFs) describe a set of cognitive control abilities that help children to develop self-regulated behavior and do well in their schooling. The promotion of EFs in children at social risk is an area of relevance for neurosciences and education. On this basis, the present study set out to analyze a school-based intervention targeted to strengthening EFs in Argentine children at social risk. Participants were 69 children from 8 to 10 years old, from an urban-marginalized federal school in Mendoza. A quasi-experimental pre-test post-test design was used, with a control group. The cognitive intervention was embedded in the school curriculum and was carried out for a month and a half. The schoolchildren were evaluated before and after the intervention with EFs? neuropsychological tests. The main results showed that the group cognitive intervention was associated with gains in the schoolchildren?s attention processes, although it did not favor other EFs, which could indicate moderate effectiveness. These data provide evidence in favor of ecological interventions as a way to promote attention development trajectories in children at social risk, and in turn, draw up guidelines to reflect on the design and the modalities of school-based interventions.Executive Functions (EFs) describe a set of cognitive control abilities that help children to develop self-regulated behavior and do well in their schooling. The promotion of EFs in children at social risk is an area of relevance for neurosciences and education. On this basis, the present study set out to analyze a school-based intervention targeted to strengthening EFs in Argentine children at social risk. Participants were 69 children from 8 to 10 years old, from an urban-marginalized federal school in Mendoza. A quasi-experimental pre-test post-test design was used, with a control group. The cognitive intervention was embedded in the school curriculum and was carried out for a month and a half. The schoolchildren were evaluated before and after the intervention with EFs’ neuropsychological tests. The main results showed that the group cognitive intervention was associated with gains in the schoolchildren’s attention processes, although it did not favor other EFs, which could indicate moderate effectiveness. These data provide evidence in favor of ecological interventions as a way to promote attention development trajectories in children at social risk, and in turn, draw up guidelines to reflect on the design and the modalities of school-based interventions.Fil: Korzeniowski, Celina Graciela. Universidad del Aconcagua; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Morelato, Gabriela Susana. Universidad del Aconcagua; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Greco, Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Ciencias Humanas, Sociales y Ambientales; ArgentinaFil: Monteoliva, Juan Manuel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Ambiente, Hábitat y Energía; Argentin

Positive emotions: A psychological tool for promoting resilience process in childhood

Se presenta un trabajo teórico cuyo objetivo es analizar la relación entre la capacidad de experimentar emociones positivas y el proceso de resiliencia en la infancia. El interés en este trabajo surge de dos proyectos de investigación que se están realizando en la provincia de Mendoza Argentina dirigidos por la Dra. Mirta Ison (INCIHUSA-CRICYT- CONICET). Uno de ellos denominado “Evaluación de la resiliencia en situaciones de maltrato infantil” y el otro “Las emociones positivas como herramientas psicológicas para la promoción de la salud mental infantil en contextos de vulnerabilidad social”. La resiliencia esta asociada siempre a situaciones de riesgo. Las emociones positivas son un recurso que favorece el desarrollo del proceso resiliente. Esta hipótesis de trabajo se sustenta en estudios previos que sostienen que experimentar emociones positivas favorece el pensamiento creativo para la solución de problemas interpersonales, promueve la flexibilidad cognitiva, posibilita la toma de decisiones asertivas, desarrolla respuestas de generosidad y altruismo, aumenta los recursos intelectuales y contrarresta las tendencias depresivas entre otras. Otros autores sostienen que las características que posee un niño resiliente se relacionan con la flexibilidad cognitiva, con la capacidad creativa, con la capacidad para resolver problemas interpersonales, con la autoestima y los vínculos de apego que haya forjado. Por eso, se sostiene que las emociones positivas podrían ser uno de los recursos y herramientas psicológicas necesarias para el desarrollo del proceso resiliente en la infancia. The aim of this theoretical work is to assess the relation between the capacity to experiment positive emotions and the process of resilience throughout childhood. Our interest arises from two research works being carried out in the province of Mendoza, in Argentina (INCIHUSA-CRICYT-CONICET), directed by Dr Mirta Ison. One the so called “Assessment of resilience in childhood maltreatment”, and the other “ Positive emotions as psycological tools for fostering mental health throughout childhood within vulnerable social contexts”. Resilience is always associated to risky or vulnerable social situations. Positive emotions constitute a resource favorable to the development of resilience. This working hypothesis is based on previous studies which hold that positive emotions favor creative thinking for the solution of interpersonal problems, promote cognitive flexibility, reduce risks at decision making, promote replies to generosity and altruism, increase intelectual resources and counteract depressive tendencies among others. Other authors support the fact that the features a resilient child holds are closely connected to cognitive flexibility, to creative capacity, to the capacity for solving interpersonal problems, to self esteem and attachment links among others. Thus, positive emotions are believed to be one of the psycological resources and tools needed for the development of resilience throughout childhood.

Resiliência no âmbito escolar: estudo preliminar da percepção dos aspectos familiares e escolares em crianças de contextos socialmente vulneráveis

The purpose of this work is to analyze variables associate with perception of the family among a 61-student sample (30 with a history of school failure and 31 without), from vulnerable neighborhoods of Mendoza, Argentina. We evaluated the families’ interrelationship perception, and the evaluation of teachers’ perceptions of their students’ academic strength and performance. The results showed no significant differences between the two groups in terms of the perception of families’ positive and negative aspects. However, it was evident that children with a history of school failure had fewer positive emotions, expressed a vague concept of the family and were more inclined to identify with low value characters than those who had never been left back. Regarding teachers’ perception, the study found an association between the perception of strength and academic performance evaluation among children who had no history of school failure.El propósito de este trabajo fue analizar variables vinculadas a la percepción de la familia en una muestra de 61 escolares (30 con historia de fracaso escolar y 31 sin esa característica) pertenecientes a contextos de vulnerabilidad social de Mendoza, Argentina. Se evaluó la percepción de las interrelaciones familiares y se examinó la percepción de los docentes con respecto a las fortalezas y la valoración del rendimiento académico de sus alumnos. Los resultados señalaron que no hubo diferencias significativas entre los grupos en relación con la percepción de la familia. Sin embargo, se observó que los niños con antecedentes de fracaso escolar presentaron menor identificación de emociones positivas, expresaron un concepto confuso de familia y se identificaron con más personajes desvalorizados que los niños no repetidores. En los docentes se halló asociación entre la percepción de fortalezas y la valoración del rendimiento académico en el grupo de niños sin fracaso escolar.O propósito deste trabalho foi analisar variáveis vinculadas à percepção da família em uma amostra de 61 escolares (30 com história de fracasso escolar e 31 sem essa característica) pertencentes a contextos de vulnerabilidade social de Mendoza, Argentina. Avaliou-se a percepção das inter-relações familiares e examinou-se a percepção dos docentes com respeito às fortalezas e à valorização do rendimento acadêmico de seus alunos. Os resultados indicam que não houve diferenças significativas entre os grupos em relação com a percepção da família. Contudo, observou-se que as crianças com antecedentes de fracasso escolar apresentaram menor identificação de emoções positivas, expressaram um conceito confuso de família e identificaram-se com mais personagens desvalorizados que as crianças não repetidoras. Nos docentes, constatou-se associação entre a percepção de fortalezas e a valorização do rendimento acadêmico no grupo de crianças sem fracasso escolar

Supporting Behavior Change After AECOPD – Development of a Hospital-Initiated Intervention Using the Behavior Change Wheel

After hospitalization due to acute COPD exacerbations, patient-manageable behaviors influence rehospitalization frequency. This study’s aim was to develop a hospital-ward-initiated Behaviour-Change-Wheel (BCW)-based intervention targeting patients’ key health behaviors, with the aim to increase quality of life and reduce rehospitalization frequency. Intervention development was performed by University Hospital Zurich working groups and followed the three BCW stages for each of the three key literature-identified problems: insufficient exacerbation management, lack of physical activity and ongoing smoking. In stage one, by analyzing published evidence – including but not limited to patients’ perspective – and health professionals’ perspectives regarding these problems, we identified six target behaviors. In stage two, we identified six corresponding intervention functions. As our policy category, we chose developing guidelines and service provision. For stage three, we defined eighteen basic intervention packages using 46 Behaviour Change Techniques in our basic intervention. The delivery modes will be face-to-face and telephone contact. In the inpatient setting, this behavioral intervention will be delivered by a multi-professional team. For at least 3 months following discharge, an advanced nursing practice team will continue and coordinate the necessary care package via telephone. The intervention is embedded in a broader self-management intervention complemented by integrated care components. The BCW is a promising foundation upon which to develop our COPD intervention. In future, the interaction between the therapeutic care team-patient relationships and the delivery of the behavioral intervention will also be evaluated. Keywords: AECOPD, complex intervention, behavior, behavior change, intervention developmen

Child resiliency: Intervention to promote resources in vulnerable contexts

Los objetivos de este trabajo fueron valorar la eficacia de un programa de intervención destinado a estimular recursos sociocognitivos vinculados a la resiliencia (atributos internos, solución de problemas y creatividad en el marco de su ambiente social) y comparar la efectividad de la intervención en función de dos modalidades de aplicación: en grupos completos (GC) y en grupos reducidos (GR). Diseño: cuasiexperimental, con pre - post evaluación, constituido por 95 escolares. Instrumentos: Cuestionario de Resiliencia (González-Arratia & Valdez-Medina, 2011), Solución de problemas en Situaciones de Vulnerabilidad Familiar (SPVF, Morelato, 2019), Test de Creatividad Gráfica (MarínIbañez, 1995) y Test de Usos Inusuales (Guilford, 1950). Resultados: En los niños y las niñas que recibieron intervención en pequeños grupos hubo un incremento de las habilidades para identificar las emociones, generar alternativas, anticipar consecuencias y en la creatividad verbal. Estos resultados brindan evidencia sobre la efectividad de los abordajes preventivos en el contexto escolar.Our objectives were to assess the efficacy of an intervention program aimed at stimulating social-cognitive resources connected to resilience (internal attributes, problem solving and creativity within the framework of their social environment) and to evaluate the efficacy of the intervention regarding two application modes: complete groups (GC) and reduced groups (GR). Design: quasi-experimental, with pre- and post-evaluation. Sample: 95 school children. Instruments: Resiliency Questionnaire (González-Arratia & Valdez-Medina, 2011), Problem Solving and Family Vulnerability (SPVF, Morelato, 2019), Graphic Creativity Test (Marín-Ibañez, 1995), and the Alternative Uses Test (Guilford, 1950). The children that were intervened with the reduced group mode showed an increase in identifying emotions, generating alternatives, anticipating consequences and verbal creativity. These results provide information about the effectiveness of preventive approaches used in the school context.Fil: Morelato, Gabriela Susana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Ciencias Humanas, Sociales y Ambientales; Argentina. Universidad del Aconcagua. Facultad de Psicologia. Instituto de Investigaciones de la Facultad de Psicologia.; ArgentinaFil: Korzeniowski, Celina Graciela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Ciencias Humanas, Sociales y Ambientales; Argentina. Universidad del Aconcagua. Facultad de Psicología; ArgentinaFil: Greco, Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Ciencias Humanas, Sociales y Ambientales; Argentina. Universidad del Aconcagua. Facultad de Psicología; ArgentinaFil: Ison, Mirta Susana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Ciencias Humanas, Sociales y Ambientales; Argentina. Universidad del Aconcagua. Facultad de Psicología; Argentin