Influence of the intrinsic layer characteristics on a-Si:H p–i–n solar cell performance analysed by means of a computer simulation

In this paper a set of one-dimensional simulations of a-Si:H p–i–n junctions under different illumination conditions and with different intrinsic layer are presented. The simulation program ASCA permits the analysis of the internal electrical behaviour of the cell allowing a comparison among the different internal configurations determined by a change in the input set. Results about the internal electric configuration will be presented and discussed outlining their influence on the current tension characteristic curve. Considerations about the drift–diffusion and the generation–recombination balance distributions, outlined by the simulation, can be used to explain the correlation between the basic device output, the i-layer characteristics (thickness and DOS), the incident radiation intensity and photon energy.     

Development and evaluation of antimicrobial natamycin‐incorporated film in gorgonzola cheese conservation

Conservation of food products depends on product quality and packaging suitability. The objective of this work was to develop and evaluate the antimicrobial efficiency of natamycin‐incorporated film in the production process of Gorgonzola cheese. It aims to optimize the production process and increase shelf‐life and food safety for the consumer. Films with different concentrations of natamycin were produced and tested in Gorgonzola cheeses to evaluate its efficiency against Penicillium roqueforti on the cheese surface. Films with 2 and 4% natamycin presented satisfactory results for fungus inhibition and the amount of natamycin released to the cheese was below that allowed by the legislation. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Occurrence patterns of alien freshwater turtles in a large urban pond ‘Archipelago’ (Rome,Italy): Suggesting hypotheses on root causes

The patterns of the occurrence and distribution of alien freshwater turtle species in an urban pond archipelago (Rome, Italy) were analysed, with the aim of exploring the role of a set of factors (type of ponds, landscape context, size area, distance from the nearest road) with a generalized linear model approach. A total of 311 ponds subdivided in three types (fountains, small basins, lakes) embedded in different landscape contexts (public parks, private parks, urban areas) at differing distances from the nearest road were sampled. Six non‐native freshwater turtle species in 31 sites were recorded (9.97%). Lakes exhibited the highest occurrence rates of alien freshwater turtles, compared to small basins and fountains. Freshwater turtle species in urbanized areas were only observed in parks (both public and private). In both the public and private parks, the lakes exhibited the highest percentage of occupied sites, with fountains being the lowest. A direct and significant relationship was observed between pond size and species richness. The distance from the nearest road did not appear to affect species richness. A first interpretation of the data from this study facilitated the postulation of two a posteriori hypotheses that should be tested, as follows: (i) the causal process of turtle release is random, and the rate of extinction (and recapture) is higher in smaller ponds, thus producing the observed pattern; and (ii) the turtle release is not random, and people actively select the ponds they consider more suitable for their pet animals. In this study, it appears the lakes were perceived by those who abandon their pets as the most ecologically suitable habitats among other pond types to accommodate the different species of turtles. Knowledge of people's attitudes in regard to releasing pet animals also might assist managers of public green spaces to develop strategies aimed to preserve local biodiversity, and to educate the public about the conservation issue represented by the alien species.     

Characterization of poly(diethoxyphosphazene) by size exclusion chromatography and viscometry

Two samples of poly(diethoxyphosphazene) (PDEP) having very different molecular weights have been studied by viscometry and size exclusion chromatography in THF solution. The results obtained, together with light scattering data of these samples, allow the calculation of the Mark-Houwink constants a=0.65 and K=2.5 10^-4 in THF at 25°C. The method of calculation employed takes into account the great polydispersity of the samples. The characteristic ratio of the unperturbed dimensions was also calculated giving C_n = r²_o/n² 18, a value slightly higher than those previously reported for poly(dihexoxyphosphazene), C_n13 and poly (dichlorophosphazene), C_n13.5.     

The Bromine Electrode. Part I: Adsorption Phenomena at Polycrystalline Platinum Electrodes

A cyclic voltammetric study of the behaviour of Br^– and Br^– ₃ at Pt electrodes, in the potential range between hydrogen and oxygen evolution, is described. Different experiments were carried out, in the presence of Br^– and Br^– ₃, in which the ratio between the species has been kept constant and equal to 1. The halide concentration was varied between 4 × 10^–6 and 1 × 10^–3 and mol dm^–3, at constant ionic strength, in 1 M HclO₄ as well as in 1 M NaClO₄ adjusted to a pH of 2. Underpotential deposition of Br is observed at potentials as low as –0.125 V vs SCE. The adsorption parameters of Br species were determined from the adsorption/desorption peak pair in the hydrogen adsorption/desorption region, and from the oxide reduction peak data. In the absence of oxygen adsorption, a relatively high coverage of the electrode surface is attained. A Langmuir-type adsorption is observed under the different experimental conditions.     

Controlling the phase stability of polymer blends through the introduction of impenetrable interfaces

In this work, the effect of the introduction of modified solid surfaces into polymer blends on the phase‐separation process was investigated. Glass fibers with surfaces having different chemistries were introduced into polystyrene–poly(methyl methacrylate) blends. The glass fibers used either had fully hydrated surfaces or had surfaces covered with a random copolymer, poly(styrene‐co‐methyl methacrylate). The copolymer was synthesized by free‐radical polymerization of styrene and methyl methacrylate in the presence of previously vinyl silane‐treated glass fibers. The copolymerization and grafting procedures were investigated by FTIR and thermal analysis. Blends containing the fibers were studied using FTIR microscopy and optical microscopy. FTIR microscopy results showed that the composition of the phases in the blends was shifted by using fibers with different surface chemistries. Fibers with grafted copolymers were capable of narrowing the immiscibility region in the phase diagram, while fully hydrated fibers were able to expand the gap. It was proposed that interfacial interactions regulated by a hydrophilic–hydrophobic type of forces were responsible for guiding the described phase‐separation process. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 87: 1619–1627, 2003     

Sourcing the Arab Spring: A Case Study of Andy Carvin's Sources on Twitter During the Tunisian and Egyptian Revolutions

News sourcing practices are critical as they shape from whom journalists get their information and what information they obtain, mostly from elite sources. This study evaluates whether social media platforms expand the range of actors involved in the news through a quantitative content analysis of the sources cited by NPR's Andy Carvin on Twitter during the Arab Spring. Results show that, on balance, nonelite sources had a greater representation in the content than elite sources. Alternative actors accounted for nearly half of the messages. The study points to the innovative forms of production that can emerge with new communication technologies, with the journalist as a central node trusted to authenticate and interpret news flows on social awareness streams.     

Addressing universal access in social networks: an inclusive search mechanism

Social network services (SNSs) have brought new possibilities and challenges to the design of software environments that respect people’s cultural differences. These systems may represent an opportunity for social and digital inclusion. However, search mechanisms in these systems impose serious barriers for people in the process of acquiring digital literacy. One of the barriers is the difficulty of using the adequate terms/keywords to perform content searches. This paper presents an approach to allow ordinary, non-technology proficient people to access the content of a network through the use of search parameters that make sense to them. The proposal is grounded on Semantic Web technologies (Web ontology) combined with Organizational Semiotics concepts and methods to identify the users’ profile and language. A case study was conducted with the search mechanism integrated into a SNS, and a preliminary evaluation reveals the advantages and drawbacks of the approach.     

Handling causality and schedulability when designing and prototyping cyber-physical systems

Software and Systems Modeling - Cyber physical systems are built upon digital and analog circuits, making it necessary to handle different models of computation during their design and verification...