Robustness and disturbances in public transport.

Network-based systems are at the core of our everyday life. Whether it is electronic networking, electricity grids or transportation, users expect the networks to function properly and provide a feeling of safety and security. However, there may be disturbances. In this paper, we consider disturbances in the context of public transportation. The focus in this respect is on public transport planning and operations. To classify and cope with disturbances, one can find many ideas, including robustness, resilience, vulnerability, disruption mitigation or delay management. We survey related streams of literature and put them into perspective. As a major insight we show that different strands of literature exist that may benefit from becoming better connected and intertwined. Together with recent advances in information technology and solution methods, more integrated problem settings incorporating robustness and disturbances can play a major role in future planning and operations.

Do learners with special education needs really feel included? Evidence from the Perception of Inclusion Questionnaire and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: School inclusion is an important right of students in school systems around the world. However, many students with special education needs (SEN) have lower perceptions of inclusion despite attending inclusive schools. AIMS: This study examined perceived levels of inclusion, academic self-concept and developmental problems in inclusive schools. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and the Perception of Inclusion Questionnaire were administered at two measurement points (6th and 7th grade; n = 407, including 48 with SEN) at multiple inclusive schools. Responses were compared based on gender, grade level, and SEN. Factor structure and measurement invariance were evaluated. OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: Factor structures of both questionnaires were confirmed. Academic self-concept and emotional inclusion were lower for learners with SEN. However, these effects shrank in grade 7. Similarly, academic self-concept increased between grade 6 and 7. Lastly, learners with SEN had a higher level of conduct problems. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Both instruments remain suitable for use in comparisons in inclusive schools. Significant differences exist for learners with SEN in inclusive classrooms, although these differences may shrink over time. We recommend the continued use of the Perception of Inclusion Questionnaire for information about school inclusion and for learners with SEN.

Momentum spectrometer for electron-electron coincidence studies on superconductors.

We present a new experimental setup to study electron-electron coincidences from superconducting surfaces. In our approach, electrons emitted from a surface are projected onto a time- and position-sensitive microchannel plate detector with delayline position readout. Electrons that are emitted within 2 π solid angle with respect to the surface are detected in coincidence. The detector used is a hexagonal delayline detector with enhanced multiple hit capabilities. It is read out with a Flash analog-to-digital converter. The three-dimensional momentum vector is obtained for each electron. The intrinsic dead time of the detector has been greatly reduced by implementing a new algorithm for pulse analysis. The sample holder has been matched to fit the spectrometer while being capable of cooling down the sample to 4.5 K during the measurement and heating it up to 420 K for the cleaning procedure.