The 2002 Multisite Conference on the Future of School Psychology: Next Steps.

Eleven broad themes emerged from the 2002 multisite conference on the Future of School Psychology. After the conference, strategies developed by the participants were clustered into the following domains: (a) advocacy and public policy; (b) research and knowledge base; (c) collaboration and communication; (d) practice; (e) preservice training; and (f) in-service training. The eight sponsoring associations subsequently formed the School Psychology Leadership Roundtable in an effort to increase collaboration and to advance the agenda of school psychology to meet better the needs of children, families, and schools. Caveats and cautions are offered relative to strategic planning. The article concludes with a question of whether school psychology is at a tipping point. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Broccoli (<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Brasica oleracea</Emphasis>) treated under pressure-shift freezing process

The experiment was carried out on broccoli to study the freezing effects under pressure using the pressure shift freezing treatment (PSF). The treatment was applied to samples that were in polyethylene bags, sealed under a vacuum at 180 MPa, –16°C and 210 MPa, –20°C and in samples blanched for 2 and 3 min. Protein content, peroxidase (POD), polyphenoloxidase (PPO) activity and structure were analysed. The final results showed that the proteins decreased after the treatments. Five heat-cold-pressure shock proteins of 50, 43, 39, 36 and 20 KDa were found. The assayed conditions were not enough to inactivate the POD and PPO enzymes. Four POD-isozymes of 110, 80, 50 and 39 KDa were detected and the highest activity was for the 80 KDa isoform. The sensorial test revealed that after 30 days of frozen storage at –20 °C the flavour of broccoli was not acceptable to consumers, but the texture remained quite firm. Cryo-Sem revealed that the vacuole membrane was destroyed and an internal disorganised cell was observed after the PSF treatment.     

Diesel spray image segmentation with a likelihood ratio test

To characterize the macroscopic behavior of Diesel sprays and to validate and extend for current high-pressure injection systems the correlations existent in the literature, it is necessary to determine the spray geometry accurately, at least in terms of spray tip penetration and cone angle. These parameters are measured by analyzing Diesel spray images and are highly sensitive to the correct edge determination. An algorithm for segmentation of color images based on a likelihood ratio test is presented. This algorithm is compared with others available in the literature and has been validated, even for adverse experimental conditions. The experimental facilities, optical layouts, and image-processing algorithms are described.     

Multi-objective evolution of fuzzy systems

Fuzzy systems comprise one of the models best suited to function approximation problems, but due to the non linear dependencies between the parameters that define the system rules, the solution search space for this type of problems contains many local optima. Another important issue is the identification of the optimum structure for the fuzzy system. Depending on the complexity of the model, different solutions can be found with different compromises between their approximation error and their generalization properties. Thus, the problem becomes a multi-objective problem with two clearly competing objectives, the complexity of the model and its approximation error.The algorithms proposed in the literature to construct fuzzy systems from examples usually refine iteratively a unique model until a compromise between its complexity and its approximation error is found. This is not an adequate approach for this problem because there exists a set of Pareto-optimum solutions that can be considered equivalent. Thus, we propose the use of multi-objective evolutionary algorithms because, as they maintain a population of potential solutions for the problem, they are able to optimize both objectives simultaneously. We also incorporate some new expert evolutionary operators that try to avoid the generation of worse solutions in order to accelerate the convergence of the algorithm.The proposed algorithm is tested with some target functions widely used in the literature and the results obtained are compared to other approaches.     

On the effect of nanocrystallization and disorder on the magnetic properties of Cu-rich, FeMnCu alloys

We report on the temperature dependencies of the M?ssbauer spectra and the AC magnetic susceptibility measured in Cu-rich, FeMnCu samples prepared by mechanically alloying, using, on the one side, Cu and prealloyed FeMn powders and, on the other, pure element Cu, Mn, and Fe powders. From the correlation of the M?ssbauer and susceptibility data we conclude about the basic characteristics of the phase distributions present in the different studied samples. Those distributions are a consequence of both the nanostructure induced upon milling and of the different signs of the Mn/Cu (negative) and Fe/Cu (positive) enthalpies of mixing. The proposed phase distributions are significantly different in the samples prepared from different precursors and this fact is analyzed in terms of the disproportion of the precursor FeMn alloy and in those of the favoured Mn/Cu interdiffusion and the hindered Fe/Cu one.     

New freeze-drying method for LiFePO4 synthesis

The freeze-drying method is proposed as an effective synthesis process for the obtaining of LiFePO₄/C composites. The citric acid is used as a complexing agent and carbon source. After the low temperature annealing, the freeze-dried solution leads to a homogeneous carbon covered LiFePO₄ sample. The chemical characterization of the material included ICP and elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, magnetic measurements and thermal analysis. SEM and TEM microscopies indicate an aggregate morphology with tiny particles of lithium iron phosphate inside a carbon matrix. Impedance spectroscopy showed a 8.0 × 10⁻⁷ S cm⁻¹ conductivity value. Cyclic voltammetry graphics displayed the two peaks corresponding to the Fe(II)/Fe(III) reaction and demonstrated the good reversibility of the material. The specific capacity value obtained at C/40 rate was 164 mAh g⁻¹, with a slight decrease on greater C-rates reaching 146 mAh g⁻¹ at C/1. The capacity retention study has evidenced good properties, with retention over 97% of the maximum values in the first 50 cycles, which allows an effective performance of the freeze-dried sample as cathodic material in lithium-ion batteries.     

Structuring and Molding of Electrospun Nanofibers: Effect of Electrical and Topographical Local Properties of Micro‐Patterned Collectors

The controlled deposition of electrospun nanofibers at the micro‐scale is studied. Several collectors with microscopic patterns are prepared using photolithography. Nanofiber deposition is influenced by the geometry, the size, and the distance between micro‐patterns. Within certain conditions, membranes with multiple “micro spider‐webs” or perpendicularly interconnected microgrids are obtained. Dielectric micro‐holes having a conductive bottom can be filled by the nanofiber. This kind of micro‐molding is rationalized using simulations that show the influence of the collector relative permittivity on the electric field at the pattern vicinity. “Micro‐woven” membranes of PCL with good mechanical properties can be produced, allowing their use for biomedical applications in tissue engineering.

     

Application of Aqueous Two‐Phase Systems for the Potential Extractive Fermentation of Cyanobacterial Products

The potential use of aqueous two‐phase systems (ATPS) to establish a viable protocol for the in situ recovery of cyanobacterial products was evaluated. The evaluation of system parameters such as poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) molecular mass, concentration of PEG and salt was carried out to determine the conditions under which Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 cell and cyanobacterial products, i.e., β‐carotene and lutein, become concentrated in opposite phases. PEG‐phosphate ATPS proved to be unsuitable for the recovery of cyanobacterial products due to the negative effect of the salt upon the cell growth. The use of ATPS PEG‐dextran (6.6 % w/w PEG 3350, 8.4 % w/w dextran 66900, TLL 17.3 % w/w, V_R 1.0, pH 7) and (4.22 % w/w PEG 8000, 9.77 % w/w dextran 66900, TLL 18 % w/w, V_R 1.0, pH 7) resulted in the growth of cyanobacteria (Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803) and the concentration of lutein in opposite phases. However, β‐carotene was seen to concentrate in the top phase together with the biomass. The results reported here demonstrate the potential application of ATPS to establish the conditions for an extractive fermentation prototype process for the recovery of cyanobacterial products.