Search results for "21"

Multiple Theories of Change for innovation governance

2023

The Theory of Change approach aims to clarify the underlying logic of an intervention by first identifying the problem addressed and the desired outcome, and then backwards mapping the actions taken and the expected results and outcomes. In so doing, it aims to simplify the expression of intermediate goals and indicators and provide a common reference for the participants and stakeholders of the intervention itself. As such, it is similar to corporate ‘mission statements’ in that it aims to provide a single, unifying description of the what, why and how of an intervention. By framing the approach in terms of the ‘change’ required as a means of addressing a problem, Theory of Change is essen…

Drivers’ experiences during floods: Investigating the psychological influences underpinning decisions to avoid driving through floodwater

2018

Abstract A major risk factor for many flood-related drownings is driving through floodwater. We aimed to understand Australian drivers’ experiences and beliefs with respect to avoid driving through floodwater using the theory of planned behaviour as a framework. Study 1 (N = 23) used a qualitative design to gain an in-depth understanding of individuals’ experiences with driving through floodwater. Study 2 (N = 157) used a survey-based design to identify the factors related to this behaviour including knowledge, beliefs, and social-cognitive factors. In Study 1, drivers identified a range of advantages (e.g., didn’t damage car), disadvantages (e.g., inconvenient, but not so terrible), barrie…

Formation of Si/SiO2 Luminescent Quantum Dots From Mesoporous Silicon by Sodium Tetraborate/Citric Acid Oxidation Treatment

2019

We propose a rapid, one-pot method to generate photoluminescent (PL) mesoporous silicon nanoparticles (PSiNPs). Typically, mesoporous silicon (meso-PSi) films, obtained by electrochemical etching of monocrystalline silicon substrates, do not display strong PL because the silicon nanocrystals (nc-Si) in the skeleton are generally too large to display quantum confinement effects. Here we describe an improved approach to form photoluminescent PSiNPs from meso-PSi by partial oxidation in aqueous sodium borate (borax) solutions. The borax solution acts to simultaneously oxidize the nc-Si surface and to partially dissolve the oxide product. This results in reduction of the size of the nc-Si core …

Pressure-Dependent Tuning of Photoluminescence and Size Distribution of Carbon Nanodots for Theranostic Anticancer Applications

2020

Carbon nanodots (CDs) have recently attracted attention in the field of nanomedicine because of the biocompatibility, cost-effective nature, high specific surface, good near infrared (NIR) photothermal conversion into heat and tunable fluorescence properties, which have paved the way toward incorporating use of CDs into innovative anticancer theranostic platforms. However, a reliable synthesis of CDs with established and controlled physiochemical proprieties is precluded owing to the lack of full manipulation of thermodynamic parameters during the synthesis, thus limiting their use in real world medical applications. Herein, we developed a robust solvothermal protocol which allow fine contr…

Biodegradable Ultrasmall-in-Nano Gold Architectures: Mid-Period In Vivo Distribution and Excretion Assessment

2018

Relationship Between Cannabis Use and Erectile Dysfunction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2019

Globally, there is increasing usage and legalization of cannabis. In addition to its reported therapeutic effects, cannabis has several health risks which are not clearly defined. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the most common male sexual disorder and there are plausible mechanisms linking cannabis use to ED. No attempt has been made to collate the literature on this topic. The aim of this review was to summarize the prevalence and risk of ED in cannabis users compared to controls. A systematic review of major databases from inception to January 1, 2019, without language restriction, was undertaken to identify studies investigating cannabis use and presence of ED. The analysis compared the p…

El edificio gremial de los abaixadors o tundidores, en Valencia

2020

In the ?barri del mercat?, in the city of Valencia and very close to its Lonja, there is a building complex which is the object of this study. The research, carried out from the simple field of toponymy, to the constructive analysis, lead us to suppose that it is the building of the Valencian trade union of cloth-shearers. It can be seen how the building now camouflaged by other subsequent interventions, corresponds to a type that cannot be related to those usually built in the city of Valencia. Its origins clearly from the Valencian self-governing period splendor, its dimensions and the finishes used in its construction seem to refer to a medieval workshop. A structure of great importance …

Effect of thermal annealing on the luminescence of defective ZnO nanoparticles synthesized by pulsed laser ablation in water

2016

This work concerns ZnO nanoparticles (NPs), with sizes of tens of nm, produced by ablation with a pulsed Nd:YAG laser of a Zn plate in H2O. TEM images evidence the formation of nanoparticles with sizes of tens of nm. Moreover, HRTEM images and Raman spectra show that the distance between the crystalline planes and the vibrational modes are consistent with ZnO nanocrystal in wurtzite structure. Their optical properties are characterized by two emission bands both excited above the energy gap (3.4 eV): the first at 3.3 eV is associated with excitons recombination, the second at 2.2 eV is proposed to originate from a singly ionized oxygen vacancy. The green emission is independent of water pH,…

The thermal performances of historic masonry: In-situ measurements of thermal conductance on calcarenite stone walls in Palermo

2018

Abstract Rich literature explores materials and construction techniques of historic buildings, but limited information is available about the thermal and hygrometric features of their envelope. Nevertheless, accurate hygrothermal data are essential for identifying effective energy upgrade measures, which must be compatible with the conservation of the architectural heritage. In order to fill this gap, it is necessary to refer to local contexts, where the variety of historic buildings is limited and their material and construction features are comparable. This paper focuses on historic masonry walls and discusses the results of twenty in-situ measurements of thermal conductance, performed al…

Laser fluence, repetition rate and pulse duration effects on paint ablation

2006

Abstract The efficiency (mm3/(J pulse)) of laser ablation of paint was investigated with nanosecond pulsed Nd:YAG lasers (λ = 532 nm) as a function of the following laser beam parameters: pulse repetition rate (1–10,000 Hz), laser fluence (0.1–5 J/cm2) and pulse duration (5 ns and 100 ns). In our study, the best ablation efficiency (η ≅ 0.3 mm3/J) was obtained with the highest repetition rate (10 kHz) at the fluence F = 1.5 J/cm2. This ablation efficiency can be associated with heat accumulation at high repetition rate, which leads to the ablation threshold decrease. Despite the low thermal diffusivity and the low optical absorption of the paint (thermal confinement regime), the ablation th…