Search

Good performance of optical coatings depends on the appropriate combination of optical and mechanical properties. Therefore, successful applications require good understanding of the relationship between optical microstructural and mechanical characteristics and film stability. In addition, there is a lack of standard mechanical tests that allow one to compare film properties measured in different laboratories. We give an overview of the methodology of mechanical measurements suitable for optical coatings; this includes depth-sensing indentation, scratch resistance, friction, abrasion and wear testing, and stress and adhesion evaluation. We used the techniques mentioned above in the same laboratory to systematically compare the mechanical behavior of frequently used high- and low-index materials, namely, Ti[O.sub.2], [Ta.sub.2][O.sub.5], and Si[O.sub.2], prepared by different complementary techniques. They include ion-beam-assisted deposition by electron-beam evaporation, magnetron sputtering, dual-ion-beam sputtering, plasma-enhanced chemical-vapor deposition, and filtered cathodic are deposition. The mechanical properties are correlated with the film microstructure that is inherently related to energetic conditions during film growth. OCIS codes: 160.4670, 310.6870, 310.0310.

Résumé : Cet article porte sur la forme de l'interrogative indirecte in situ, une structure vernaculaire qui est partagée dans de multiples zones de la francophonie (Ledegen 2007, 2016), dont la Suisse romande comme il sera montré ici, à partir du corpus OFROM (Avanzi, Béguelin & Diémoz 2012-2019). Nous approfondirons tout particulièrement la comparaison entre l'étude réunionnaise (Ledegen 2007) avec le corpus OFROM, par l'étude des structures indirectes non-standard (verbe introducteur, morphème interrogatif, prédicat), les caractéristiques des locuteurs suisses les employant, et enfin, la prosodie typique de la structure in situ, grâce aux riches données mises à disposition au sein du corpus OFROM. Abstract: This article deals with the form of indirect in situ interrogation, a vernacular structure that is shared in many areas of the French-speaking world (Ledegen 2007, 2016), including, as will be shown, French-speaking Switzerland. The contribution compares the Reunionese study (Ledegen 2007) and the rich data made available within the OFROM corpus (Avanzi, Béguelin & Diémoz 2012-2019), focusing on non-standard indirect structures (introductory verb, interrogative morpheme, predicate), the characteristics of the Swiss speakers using them, and finally, the typical prosody of the structure in situ.

BackgroundParticipatory education, in the form of peer education, may be an effective way to promote youth sexual health. With the advent of the internet, web-based interventions have potential as an attractive new tool for sexual health promotion by peers. ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate professional experts’ opinions on the perspectives for web-based participatory interventions to promote sexual health by peers and among young people. MethodsSemistructured interviews were carried out with 20 experts (stakeholders in direct contact with young people, researchers, and institutional actors) specializing in sexual health, health promotion, peer education, youth, internet, and social media. After coding with N’Vivo, data were subjected to qualitative thematic analysis. ResultsThe majority of experts (18/20, 90%) found this kind of intervention to be attractive, but highlighted the necessary conditions, risks, and limitations attached to developing an acceptable peer intervention on the internet for sexual health promotion among young people. Five main themes were identified: (1) an internet intervention; (2) sexual health; (3) internet skills, and uses and the need for moderation; (4) multifaceted peers; and (5) minority peers. In the absence of youth interest for institutional messages, the experts highlighted the attractive participatory features of web-based interventions and the need for geolocalized resources. However, they also warned of the limitations associated with the possibility of integrating peers into education: peers should not be mere messengers, and should remain peers so as not to be outsiders to the target group. Experts highlighted concrete proposals to design an online participatory peer intervention, including the process of peer implication, online features in the intervention, and key points for conception and evaluation. ConclusionsThe experts agreed that web-based participatory interventions for youth sexual health promotion must be tailored to needs, uses, and preferences. This type of action requires youth involvement framed in an inclusive and holistic sexual health approach. Peer education can be implemented via the internet, but the design of the intervention also requires not being overly institutional in nature. Involving young people in their own education in an interactive, safe online space has the potential to develop their empowerment and to foster long-term positive behaviors, especially in the area of sexual health.

BackgroundThe World Health Organization recommends the development of participatory sexuality education. In health promotion, web-based participatory interventions have great potential in view of the internet’s popularity among young people. ObjectiveThe aim of this review is to describe existing published studies on online participatory intervention methods used to promote the sexual health of adolescents and young adults. MethodsWe conducted a systematic review based on international scientific and grey literature. We used the PubMed search engine and Aurore database for the search. Articles were included if they reported studies on participatory intervention, included the theme of sexual health, were conducted on the internet (website, social media, online gaming system), targeted populations aged between 10 and 24 years, and had design, implementation, and evaluation methods available. We analyzed the intervention content, study implementation, and evaluation methods for all selected articles. ResultsA total of 60 articles were included, which described 37 interventions; several articles were published about the same intervention. Process results were published in many articles (n=40), in contrast to effectiveness results (n=23). Many of the 37 interventions were developed on websites (n=20). The second most used medium is online social networks (n=13), with Facebook dominating this group (n=8). Online peer interaction is the most common participatory component promoted by interventions (n=23), followed by interaction with a professional (n=16). Another participatory component is game-type activity (n=10). Videos were broadcast for more than half of the interventions (n=20). In total, 43% (n=16) of the interventions were based on a theoretical model, with many using the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills model (n=7). Less than half of the interventions have been evaluated for effectiveness (n=17), while one-third (n=12) reported plans to do so and one-fifth (n=8) did not indicate any plan for effectiveness evaluation. The randomized controlled trial is the most widely used study design (n=16). Among the outcomes (evaluated or planned for evaluation), sexual behaviors are the most evaluated (n=14), followed by condom use (n=11), and sexual health knowledge (n=8). ConclusionsParticipatory online interventions for young people’s sexual health have shown their feasibility, practical interest, and attractiveness, but their effectiveness has not yet been sufficiently evaluated. Online peer interaction, the major participatory component, is not sufficiently conceptualized and defined as a determinant of change or theoretical model component. One potential development would be to build a conceptual model integrating online peer interaction and support as a component.

Abstract: We report on the synthesis of thin composites of diamond-like carbon (DLC) and nanocrystalline ZrO2 deposited using pulsed direct current plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition at low temperatures (<120°C). Films containing up to 21at.% Zr were prepared (hydrogen was not included in the calculation) and their structural and surface properties were determined using a number of spectroscopic methods and contact angle measurements. Bone cell adhesion to the films was studied using a 3day cell culture with osteoblasts. These nanocomposites (DLC–ZrO2) consist of tetragonal ZrO2 nanocrystals with an average size of 2–5nm embedded in an amorphous matrix consisting predominantly of DLC. The surface water contact angle of the films increased from ∼60° to 80° as the Zr content increased from 0 to 21at.%. The cell culture study revealed that although the cell counts were not significantly different, the morphology of the osteoblasts growing on the DLC–ZrO2 nanocomposites was markedly different from that of cells growing on DLC alone. Cells growing on the DLC–ZrO2 surfaces were less spread out and had a smaller cell area in comparison with those growing on DLC surfaces. In some areas on the DLC–ZrO2 surfaces, large numbers of cells appeared to coalesce. It is postulated that the difference in cell morphology between osteoblasts on DLC–ZrO2 surfaces and DLC surfaces is related to the presence of very small tetragonal nanocrystals of ZrO2 in the composite film. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RuO2 thin films were prepared using magnetron sputtering under different deposition conditions, including direct current (DC) and radio frequency (RF) discharges, metallic/oxide cathodes, different substrate temperatures, pressures, and deposition times. The surface morphology, residual stress, composition, crystal structure, mechanical properties, and pH performances of these RuO2 thin films were investigated. The RuO2 thin films RF sputtered from a metallic cathode at 250 °C exhibited good pH sensitivity of 56.35 mV/pH. However, these films were rougher, less dense, and relatively softer. However, the DC sputtered RuO2 thin film prepared from an oxide cathode at 250 °C exhibited a pH sensitivity of 57.37 mV/pH with a smoother surface, denser microstructure and higher hardness. The thin film RF sputtered from the metallic cathode exhibited better pH response than those RF sputtered from the oxide cathode due to the higher percentage of the RuO3 phase present in this film. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, demand response and load control automation has gained increased attention from regulators, system operators, utilities, market aggregators, and product vendors. It has become a cost-effective demand-side alternative to traditional supply-side generation technologies to balance the power grid, enable grid integration of renewable energy, and meet growing demands for electricity. There are several factors that have played a role in the development of demand response programs. Existing research are however limited on reviewing in a systematic approach how these factors work together to drive this development. This paper makes an attempt to fill this gap. It provides a comprehensive overview on how policy and regulations, electricity market reform, and technological advancement in the US and other countries have worked for demand response to become a viable demand-side resource to address the energy and environmental challenges. The paper also offers specific recommendations on actions needed to capture untapped demand response potentials in countries that have developed active demand response programs as well as countries that plan to pursue demand response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]