1,721,087 research outputs found
Entropy-driven expansion of the thermodynamic stability of compositionally complex spinel oxides
Full text linkHigh-entropy ceramics have sparked renewed interest in compositionally complex ceramics since the first introduction in 2015. The kaleidoscopic array of compositions and structures harnessed by this idea has unlocked an unprecedented opportunity to tailor materials for specific applications, including catalysis, thermal barriers, and electrochemical energy storage. Within the family of oxides, a competition exists between rock-salt and spinel structures. The rock-salt structure is highly symmetrical, consisting of a single cation sublattice, while the spinel structure offers more flexibility to accommodate various cations in two distinct sublattices. Herein, we aimed at stabilizing and expanding the thermal stability range of the spinel-structured oxide, successfully synthesizing novel, single-phase, compositionally complex materials by capitalizing on entropy stabilization, all while avoiding the ubiquitous use of nickel and chrome, notorious for their negative environmental impact. The right combination of cations resulted in the synthesis of a seven-metal oxide that is thermally stable up to the remarkable temperature of 1473 K
Innovating social work practices to better address homelessness: Participatory action research with community services in Italy
No full textPassive adaptation or active engagement? The challenges of Housing First internationally and in the Italian case
No full textIn recent years, a peculiar homelessness policy that goes under the name of ‘Housing First’ has become increasingly popular all over the world. Epitomising a quintessential case of policy-mobility, Housing First can today be considered an heterogeneous assemblage of experiences and approaches that sometimes have little in common with each other. Introducing and commenting upon this heterogeneity, the paper critically analyses why and how Housing First has become a planetary success and what are the issues at stake with its widespread implementation. If recent scholarship published in this journal has granted us a fine understanding of Housing First’s functioning in the US, this paper offers something currently absent from the debate: a nuanced and critical understanding of the ambiguities related to the international success of this policy, with specific references to the challenges associated to its translation in the Italian case
Beyond behaviour: rethinking integration for people experiencing homelessness
No full textIntegration is one of the main goals of homeless services. Despite the growing research on integration and homelessness, few studies start with the perspective of people experiencing homelessness. Integration is often measured as participation in a list of standard behaviours. This process assesses behaviour in accordance with social norms but ignores people's own feelings and understanding of integration. The main aim of this study is to explore the meaning of integration from the perspective of people experiencing homelessness. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews involving 26 people in homeless service programmes. Five main themes regarding the meanings of integration were generated: work, housing, respectful relationships, family and personal dignity. Moreover, two themes of obstacles and facilitators affecting integration were identified. A new conceptualisation of integration is generated that captures the participants’ sense of personal dignity, respect and recognition from others and a sense of utility within their living environments (work, house and family). Implications of the results are discussed with respect to homeless services and research on homelessness
Role of the thermal treatment on the microstructure of YAGG nanopowders prepared by urea glass route
Full text linkYttrium aluminium gallium garnet (YAGG, Y3Al2Ga3O12) doped with rare-earth ions has drawn large attention
owing to its optical properties with applications ranging from persistent luminescent phosphors to nanothermometers.
Herein, three different YAGG materials were synthesized via the urea glass route followed by
thermal treatment, relatively undoped; doped with Ce3+, Cr3+, and Nd3+; and doped with Ce3+, Cr3+, and Yb3+.
The garnet formation was studied in situ upon thermal treatment from 300 to 1000 ◦C using synchrotron powder
diffraction. Our results show that with this method, the onset of formation of the garnet is about 860 ◦C, with
comparable cell parameters for both undoped and doped YAGG. A possible growth mechanism of YAGG is
therefore discussed on the basis of observed microstructural parameters such as occupancy, microstrain, and
crystallite size
Compositional pathways and anisotropic thermal expansion of high-entropy transition metal diborides
No full textThe recent discovery of high entropy transition metal diborides (HEBs) has sparked renewed interest in ultra-high temperature ceramics (UHTCs). Presently, transition metal (Me) oxides based boro-carbo/thermal reduction (BCTR) syntheses show great promise as relatively cheap production methods, but also may present limits to attain single phase pure HEBs. Herein, by selectively tuning the concentration of boron and carbon, the reducing agents of Me oxide mixture (Me = Ti, Ta, Nb, Zr and Hf), and exploiting high-resolution synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction, we first identified and quantified the formation of intermediate phases during the BCTR synthesis, with the ultimate intent to achieve a full dense (Ti,Ta,Nb,Zr,Hf)B2 solid solution (SS). Additional insight was obtained by temperature dependent diffraction, which highlighted, for the first time in this class of materials, anisotropic thermal expansion, most likely at the origin of the SS micro-cracking, as was also observed by electron microscopy
Working with homelessness. A multisite European photovoice project
No full textThe pictures shown in this report are the result of scientific research carried out in eight European countries. I would like underline the term scientific research to provide the readers the key to interpreting this series of images.
For a couple of years now,visual lan guage has been one of the tools of psychosocial research.
In particular, the methodology used in this case, photovoice, has its roots in the work of documentary photography and in the theories of Paolo Freire. According to Wang, the use of photographic language allows the emergence of comon problems through group discussion
Services for LGBTQ+ Individuals Experiencing Homelessness: A Systematic Review
Full text linkLGBTQ+ individuals are overrepresented within the homeless population. While literature on dedicated services is increasing, research on their effectiveness remains limited. This review aims to systematise studies that describe programs, evaluate interventions, or outline operational models and strategies for LGBTQ+ people experiencing homelessness (PEH). Key features for effectiveness across individual, organisational, and institutional dimensions are highlighted, with emphasis on positive well-being measures. The systematic review, based on PRISMA standards, included: (a) peer-reviewed journals; (b) articles in English; (c) targeting the LGBTQ+ homeless population; (d) describing programmes, reporting on the assessment or outlining recommendations tailored for LGBTQ+ PEH. Fifty-three articles were included. Recommendations on the individual level focused on psychological resources, such as increased self-reported visibility, positive LGBTQ+ self-identity, and sense of belonging. Interpersonal and community-level factors, such as LGBTQ+ community participation, activism, and chosen families, were also found to be fundamental for promoting well-being. Organisational-level characteristics fostering self-affirmation, comprising competent staff and providing access to transgender-related support, led to overall effectiveness. This paper outlines the potential of intersectionality-competent services in promoting the wellbeing of LGBTQ+ PEH, providing affirming emotional support and fostering community connection. Incorporating user-led recommendations in planning is essential to develop LGBTQ+ tailored services valuing empowerment and resources. Please refer to the Supporting Information section to find this article's
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
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