31,748 research outputs found
Explaining contextual influences on the dynamics of public management reforms: reflections on some ways forward
No full textAs summed up by Christopher Pollitt in a co-authored paper based on a wide analysis of both academic and grey literature on the impact of (new public management [NPM]-type) public management reforms in Europe, the development of scholarly knowledge about the understanding of contextual influences on the dynamics of public management reforms has led to the recognition that certain ‘factors’, properly positioned along time and scale dimensions, exert an influence in a certain direction (facilitate vs. prevent) on certain contents of public management reform (Pollitt and Dan, 2011, pp. 35–47). This state of the art leaves the question ‘how can we then move forward and better qualify causal patterns?’ yet to be fully addressed, as it does for related questions such as ‘how can we bridge the stream of research on public management reform trajectories in different countries2 (which is by definition at a ‘macro’ level of analysis3) with strands of research in public management which aim at comprehending causes and effects in public management by uncovering what happens at more ‘micro’ a level (for example, the stream of research on Public Service Motivation [PSM] – see Perry and Hondeghem, 2008 and Vandenabeele and Hondeghem, 2008 – focused on the motivational structure of individuals working for the public sector)?’
Synthesis and functionalization of metal oxide nanostructures for photoelectrochemical energy conversion
No full textThis thesis has the aim to develop new nanomaterials based on ceramic metal oxide semiconductors for energy applications. The synthesized materials were used for the assembly of electrodes to be used in the photoelectrochemical water-splitting reaction. TiO2-anatase nanofibers were prepared by sol-gel reaction, employing nano-porous membranes as template. ZnO nanofibers, were instead prepared through electrochemical deposition on ITO transparent electrodes, or alternatively, on ensembles of gold nanowires. In the former substrate, linear nanofibers were obtained, in the latter, hierarchically branched fibers were obtained. Branched nanofibers have proven to be the most efficient among those summarized in this thesis, and have demonstrated efficiencies 7 times higher than that of conventional TiO2 nanoparticle electrodes. In the last part of the thesis, we studied the asymmetric functionalization of microfibers by bipolar electrochemistry. This technique has been used successfully in asymmetric deposition of metals and conducting polymers on conductors and semiconductors microfibers. In the latter case, has been demonstrated that the electrochemical deposition, can be modulated by UV irradiation.Questo lavoro di tesi ha l’obbiettivo di sviluppare nuovi nanomateriali, a base di ossidi metallici ceramici semiconduttori, per applicazioni in campo energetico. I materiali sintetizzati sono stai impiegati per l’assemblaggio di elettrodi da impiegarsi per il water-splitting fotoelettochimico. Nanofibre di TiO2-anatasio sono state preparate mediante reazione sol-gel, impiegando membrane nano porose come agente direzionale di struttura (template). Nanofibre di ZnO, sono state invece preparate attraverso deposizione elettrochimica su elettrodi ITO trasparenti o, in alternativa, su ensemble di nanofili d’oro. Nel primo caso sono state ottenute fibre lineari, nel secondo fibre ramificate gerarchicamente. Queste ultime strutture, si sono dimostrate le più efficienti tra quelle sintetizzate in questa tesi rispetto alla fotossidazione dell’acqua, fornendo valori di fotocorrente 7 volte superiore rispetto ad elettrodi “classici”, ricoperti di nano particelle di TiO2. Infine, nell’ultima parte della tesi, è stata studiata la funzionalizzazione asimmetrica di particelle mediante elettrochimica bipolare. Tale tecnica è stata impiegata con successo nella deposizione asimmetrica di metalli e polimeri conduttori su substrati conduttori prima e, successivamente, su microfibre di semiconduttori. In quest’ultimo caso si è dimostrato come il processo di deposizione elettrochimica possa essere modulato attraverso l’irraggiamento delle nanofibre con luce UV
Bioelectroanalysis with nanoelectrode ensembles and arrays
No full textThis review deals with recent advances in bioelectroanalytical applications of nanostructured electrodes, in particular nanoelectrode ensembles (NEEs) and arrays (NEAs). First, nanofabrication techniques, principles of function, and specific advantages and limits of NEEs and NEAs are critically discussed. In the second part, some recent examples of bioelectroanalytical applications are presented. These include use of nanoelectrode arrays and/or ensembles for direct electrochemical analysis of pharmacologically active organic compounds or redox proteins, and the development of functionalized nanoelectrode systems and their use as catalytic or affinity electrochemical biosensors
VOLTAMMETRIC NANOELECTRODE ENSEMBLES BASED ON TEMPLATED METAL NANOWIRES IN TRACK-ETCHED POLYMER MEMBRANES
No full textThis chapter reviews the recent advances taking place in the field of polymer based electrochemical sensors, in particular nanoelectrode ensembles (NEEs). In these sensors the polymer plays a crucial role in determining the specific characteristics and analytical performances. Synthetic approaches as well as principles of functioning and specific advantages and limits of NEEs are critically discussed. Useful examples of application to determinations of trace and ultratrace concentrations of inorganic and organic electroactive molecules of interest for environmental and biomedical analysis are given along with prospects in the future development of polymer based electrochemical sensors
Michael Rodriguez interviews fiction writer Michael Kimball
No full textAuthor Michael Kimball talks about moving away from Michigan to become a successful writer, his education, the fiction reading series he has started in Baltimore, the life-story-on-postcard project, and his book "Dear everybody." Kimball is interviewed by Michigan State University Librarian Michael Rodriguez for the Michigan State University Libraries' Michigan Writers Series
Janus-like deposits on TiO2 nanowires by the combined action of bipolar-electrochemistry and light
No full textMichael Rodriguez interviews author Paul Clemens
No full textAuthor Paul Clemens talks about his book "Made in Detroit," the genre of memoir, and writing about race. Clemens is interviewed by Michigan State University Librarian Michael Rodriguez for the MSU Libraries' Michigan Writers Series. Held in the MSU Main Library
Sensor arrays: arrays of micro- and nanoelectrodes
No full textThis chapter deals with the principles of functioning and electroanalytical usefulness of arrays of micrometer and nanometer-sized electrodes. We discuss arrays of microelectrodes both individually shaped and interdigitated. In the field of nanostructured electrodes, both nanoelectrode ensembles (random arrays) and ordered arrays are presented. A comparison between the fabrication methods, characteristics as well as advantages and limits of each kind of array are critically evaluated
Michael Rodriguez interviews author Tom Springer
No full textAuthor Tom Springer is interviewed about his writing career and his newest book "Looking for hickories". Springer talks about his career following after earning an Environmental Journalism degree from Michigan State University. He calls his genre "creative non-fiction" and explains how he weaves his memories into his books about life in rural and wild Michigan. Part of the Michigan State University Libraries' Michigan Writers Series. Springer is interviewed by Librarian Michael Rodriguez
Michael Rodriguez interviews author Gary Gildner
No full textAuthor Gary Gildner explains why he left his tenured teaching position to move to Idaho to became a full-time writer of poetry. Gildner talks about donating his personal papers to Michigan State University Libraries' Special Collections, his writing style and how he approaches writing. Gildner is interviewed by MSU Librarian Michael Rodriguez for the MSU Libraries' Michigan Writer Series. Held at the MSU Main Library
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