Adoption, reach, and implementation of a novel smoking control program: analysis of a public utility-research organization partnership.

Interventions to reach and assist smokers and families of smokers have generally reached a plateau in terms of participation and success rates. This study reports on recruitment and implementation issues involved in a novel partnership with public utilities. The goal of the project is to use information on the synergistic risks of smoking and home radon exposure to motivate and assist smoking families to create smoke-free homes or to stop smoking. We report on recruitment, participation rates, and representativeness at both the utility and the individual or family level. This project recruited 55% of utilities approached and an estimated 11% of smoking families served by these utilities. Lessons learned for recruitment and implementation activities are discussed, and recommendations are made for the conduct and evaluation of future programs using innovative partnerships with public and population-based organizations to reach smokers and reduce exposure to environmental tobacco smoke.     

Live interactive group-specific normative feedback reduces misperceptions and drinking in college students: A randomized cluster trial.

This research evaluated the efficacy of a live and interactive group-specific normative feedback intervention designed to correct misperceptions of alcohol-related group norms and subsequently reduce drinking behavior. Campus organizations (N = 20) containing 1,162 college students were randomly assigned to intervention or assessment-only control conditions. Participants in the intervention condition attended an intervention during their organization's regular standing meeting. Data were gathered in vivo using computerized handheld keypads into which participants entered personal responses to a series of alcohol-related questions assessing perceptions of normative group behavior as well as actual individual behavior. These data were then immediately presented in graphical form to illustrate discrepancies between perceived and actual behavioral group norms. Results indicated that compared with the control group, the intervention group reduced drinking behavior and misperceptions of group norms at 1-month and 2-month follow-ups. Changes in perceived norms mediated the reductions in drinking. Results demonstrate the effectiveness of a novel, technologically advanced, group-based, brief alcohol intervention that can be implemented with entire groups at relatively low cost. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

北京首都国际机场新航站楼

北京首都国际机场3号航站楼仅用4年时间完成设计和施工,并于2008年2月29日正式投入使用。作为世界上最大最先进的机场航站楼．它将为旅客提供前所未有的旅行经历。其先进性不仅体现在技术方面,还体现在运行效率、舒适度、可持续性以及自然采光方面。它将作为北京的大门敞开胸怀欢迎来自各方的奥运选手。航站楼超流线型的屋顶采用金色,与紫禁城遥相呼应,     

Ultrafast exciton fine structure relaxation dynamics in lead chalcogenide nanocrystals

The rates of fine structure relaxation in PbS, PbSe, and PbTe nanocrystals were measured on a femtosecond time scale as a function of temperature with no applied magnetic field by cross-polarized transient grating spectroscopy (CPTG) and circularly polarized pump-probe spectroscopy. The relaxation rates among exciton fine structure states follow trends with nanocrystal composition and size that are consistent with the expected influence of material dependent spin-orbit coupling, confinement enhanced electron-hole exchange interaction, and splitting between L valleys that are degenerate in the bulk. The size dependence of the fine structure relaxation rate is considerably different from what is observed for small CdSe nanocrystals, which appears to result from the unique material properties of the highly confined lead chalcogenide quantum dots. Modeling and qualitative considerations lead to conclusions about the fine structure of the lowest exciton absorption band, which has a potentially significant bearing on photophysical processes that make these materials attractive for practical purposes.     

Highly Conductive Optical Quality Solution‐Processed Films of 2D Titanium Carbide

MXenes comprise a new class of solution‐dispersable, 2D nanomaterials formed from transition metal carbides and nitrides such as Ti₃C₂. Here, it is shown that 2D Ti₃C₂ can be assembled from aqueous solutions into optical quality, nanometer thin films that, at 6500 S cm^?1, surpass the conductivity of other solution‐processed 2D materials, while simultaneously transmitting >97% of visible light per‐nanometer thickness. It is shown that this high conductivity is due to a metal‐like free‐electron density as well as a high degree of coplanar alignment of individual nanosheets achieved through spincasting. Consequently, the spincast films exhibit conductivity over a macroscopic scale that is comparable to the intrinsic conductivity of the constituent 2D sheets. Additionally, optical characterization over the ultraviolet‐to‐near‐infrared range reveals the onset of free‐electron plasma oscillations above 1130 nm. Ti₃C₂ is therefore a potential building block for plasmonic applications at near‐infrared wavelengths and constitutes the first example of a new class of solution‐processed, carbide‐based 2D optoelectronic materials.     

Super Tall Timber: design research for the next generation of natural structure

This research project aspires to make truly tall timber buildings a reality. Through a combination of theoretical design and physical testing this research demonstrates the viability of timber buildings at much greater heights than has previously been possible. By pushing the limits of theoretical designs into the realms of the supertall, sometimes beyond that which is feasible using current materials and construction technologies, this research also sets out the requirements for the next generation of engineered plant-based materials.

The research is a collaboration between academics, practising architects and practising structural engineers. The approach is research through design, and design through research. Timber towers are designed well beyond existing heights, and analysed to understand how they stand up and which areas are most critical for further research. By bringing highly regarded architectural and structural designers together with the research capabilities of a leading university, this project creates a precedent-setting model for interdisciplinary engagement within and between the design and research communities. By coupling exemplary design in timber with a university’s research capacity, the project represents a real opportunity for transformational change in the design of tall timber buildings. Essential details and connections are determined and ‘unknowns’ with respect to material and structural performance are identified. A programme of testing to investigate these unknowns and validate the design approaches is carried out at the university. Outcomes of the test programme and new insights are fed back into the design process.

The results show that tall timber towers are feasible, with substantial but surmountable questions outstanding. By providing thought provoking yet credible solutions for the design of tall timber buildings and exceeding current limits, the project can inspire the design community to think beyond the status quo and embrace the possibilities offered by timber construction.