Search results for "Sign"
showing 10 items of 14733 documents
Co-designing a pedagogical framework and principles for a hybrid STEM learning environment design
2022
AbstractThe importance of engaging and effective learning environments for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) has been internationally recognised. However, no comprehensive pedagogical frameworks exist that support STEM learning environment design. In this study, a pedagogical framework and principles for STEM learning environment design were created based on participatory focus groups involving 10–18-year-old students, teachers, school directors, parents, university students and STEM professionals. Representatives of key stakeholder groups in Belarus, Finland, Germany, Greece and Spain (total n = 132) were invited to focus group discussions in which their wishes relate…
Investigation of Coating Impact on OFDR Optical Remote Fiber-Based Sensors Performances for Their Integration in High Temperature and Radiation Envir…
2016
The response of optical frequency-domain reflectometry-based temperature sensors is here investigated in harsh environments (high temperature, high radiation dose) focusing the attention on the impact of the fiber coating on the sensor performances in such conditions. Our results demonstrate that the various coating types evolve differently under thermal treatment and/or radiations, resulting in a small (<5%) change in the temperature coefficient of the sensor. The identified procedure, consisting of a prethermal treatment of the fiber at its maximum coating operating temperature, is here verified up to 150 °C for higherature acrylate and up to 300 °C for polyamide coating. This method allo…
The relevance of point defects in studying silica-based materials from bulk to nanosystems
2019
The macroscopic properties of silica can be modified by the presence of local microscopic modifications at the scale of the basic molecular units (point defects). Such defects can be generated during the production of glass, devices, or by the environments where the latter have to operate, impacting on the devices’ performance. For these reasons, the identification of defects, their generation processes, and the knowledge of their electrical and optical features are relevant for microelectronics and optoelectronics. The aim of this manuscript is to report some examples of how defects can be generated, how they can impact device performance, and how a defect species or a physical phenomenon …
Katsaus muodon optimoinnin menetelmiin
2017
Tutkielma esittelee muodon optimoinnin menetelmiä sekä niiden historiaa luoden katsauksen menetelmien kehittymiseen sekä niiden keskinäisiin suhteisiin. Tällaisia ovat esimerkiksi menetelmän matemaattisen teorian “kehittyneisyys” ja ratkaisemisen tehokkuus tai soveltuvuus. Tarkoituksena on muodostaa yleiskuva siitä, mitä menetelmiä muodon optimointiin on jo kehitetty, selvittää, miten ajankohtaisia eri menetelmät ovat, miten menetelmät vertautuvat toisiinsa ja selvittää, mihin eri menetelmät soveltuvat. Lukijan odotetaan selvittävän tarvittavat taustatiedot, sillä tutkielma ei juurikaan esittele muodon optimoinnin matematiikkaa. This thesis presents shape optimization methods, their history…
Dynamic shakedown design of structures under repeated seismic loads
2013
The paper is devoted to the formulation of an optimal design (minimum volume) problem of elastic perfectly plastic structures subjected to suitable combinations of static (fixed) and dynamic (seismic) loads. The structure is constrained to simultaneously respect two different safety criteria; actually, it must exhibit an elastic shakedown behaviour for the combination of loads characterizing the serviceability conditions and it must prevent the instantaneous collapse for the highest expected load condition (combination of loads characterized by the presence of fixed loads and maximum expected intensity of seismic action). The shakedown limit behaviour for the optimal structure will be impos…
Comparison between unrestricted dynamic shakedown design and a new probabilistic approach for structures under seismic loadings
2014
The paper concerns a study related to the comparison between two different approaches utilized for the formulation of an optimal shakedown design problem for elastic plastic frame structures subjected to a combination of fixed and seismic loading. The first formulation utilizes the unrestricted dynamic shakedown theory, while the second one is based on a new probabilistic approach. The comparison is effected in terms of mathematical formulations, in terms of adopted loading models and in terms of numerical results. The performed applications are related to plane steel frames.
Water distribution network robust design based on energy surplus index maximization
2015
The aim of this paper is to show that energy surplus indices, such as resilience index, besides providing a very good indirect measure of water distribution network reliability to be adopted during the design phase, represent also a valuable and effective indicator of the robustness of the network in alternative network scenarios, and can thus be profitably used in condition of future demands uncertainty. The methodology adopted consisted of (I) multi-objective design optimization performed in order to minimize construction costs while maximizing the resilience index; (II) retrospective performance assessment of the alternative solutions of the Pareto front obtained, under demand conditions…
Models and algorithms for berth allocation problems in port terminals
2017
Seaports play a key role in maritime commerce and the global market economy. Goods of different kinds are carried in specialized vessels whose handling requires ad hoc port facilities. Port terminals comprise the quays, infrastructures, and services dedicated to handling the inbound and outbound cargo carried on vessels. Increasing seaborne trade and ever-greater competition between port terminals to attract more traffic have prompted new studies aimed at improving their quality of service while reducing costs. Most terminals implement operational planning to achieve more efficient usage of resources, and this poses new combinatorial optimization problems which have attracted increasing att…
Surrogate-assisted multicriteria optimization: Complexities, prospective solutions, and business case
2017
Complexity in solving real-world multicriteria optimization problems often stems from the fact that complex, expensive, and/or time-consuming simulation tools or physical experiments are used to evaluate solutions to a problem. In such settings, it is common to use efficient computational models, often known as surrogates or metamodels, to approximate the outcome (objective or constraint function value) of a simulation or physical experiment. The presence of multiple objective functions poses an additional layer of complexity for surrogate-assisted optimization. For example, complexities may relate to the appropriate selection of metamodels for the individual objective functions, extensive …
Design, Synthesis and Evaluation of Fluorescent Analogues of Abscisic Acid
2020
A fluorescent analogue of abscisic acid has been prepared by combining (S)‐abscisic acid (ABA) with nitrobenzoxadiazole (NBD) fluorophore using ethanol amine as a linker. Isomerization of the double bond at the side chain of abscisic acid happened during the synthesis. The resulting fluorophore analogues derived from both isomeric compounds entered cells suggesting a wide applicability of the ABA‐NBD conjugates as fluorescent probes to study ABA mechanism of action. The functional properties of the isomeric ABA‐NBD conjugates were tested in vitro, by measuring TNFα expression and nitrite concentration in LPS‐stimulated macrophages and compared with their non‐fluorescent ABA isomers. Rationa…