A Rebuttal to The “Reply”

At the outset a brief background from a pharmaceutics perspective is presented here. Pharmaceutical industry is one of the most tightly regulated industries. Statistics naturally plays an important role in the implementation of the compendial, regulatory and in-house requirements. The minimal requirement consists of a set of basic statistics, such as mean and standard deviation (SD), associated with each group of sample experimental data intended for submission. However, not only each statistic is individually subjected to a set of compendial, regulatory and in-house specifications, but also the individual observation is required to be within specific range for compliance (e.g. content uniformity). Hence these basic statistics are often referred to as the stand-alone sample (SAS) statistics, meaning that each statistic has to meet its own requirements. In this context, the geometric mean is indeed a SAS statistic. It is meaningful and interpretable directly from its face value. The geometric standard deviation (GSD) as derived in ref(B) is also a (SAS) statistic. It is meaningful and easily interpretable directly from its face value. It has the same sample information and the same interpretation as that of the regular SD. Sometimes, it shares essentially the same magnitude as the regular SD. Besides, it also has essentially the same magnitude as that of the jackknife GSD statistic, GSD(JK). For decades, these geometric statistics have been in practice, particulary, since the author of ref(B) was a member of the USP In-Vitro Bioavailability Testing Subcommittee (1970-1975). It has also been accepted fully and freely by the above-mentioned over-sight agencies.     

Use of “Studio” Methods in the Introductory Engineering Design Curriculum

A number of themes, including interest in first year design courses, commitment to active learning approaches, and desires for changes in course structures and costs have come together in a variety of teaching approaches. Some of these approaches have been referred to as using “studio” methods, although the particular pedagogy appears to vary greatly. In this paper, some of these experiments are briefly reviewed and placed in a larger context of studio education in other disciplines. The paper seeks to differentiate studio education from other active learning approaches. An introductory engineering design course was taught using an architecture studio model for two semesters. The experiment demonstrated that the studio method can be very effective in teaching design concepts, but because students are likely to be unfamiliar with this approach, care must be taken to reassure students regarding grades and expectations.     

Guides “bimorphes” d''ondes ultrasoniques “bimorph” ultrasonic wave guides”

An analysis of the dispersion of elastic waves is presented for two types of long ultrasonics wave-guides that we qualify of “bimorph”: (i) a “three-layer” guide made of two different materials and (ii) a “clad core” guide built up of a rectangular core surrounded by a cladding, the materials of the rod and cladding having different properties. An analytical model is proposed to describe the extensional, flexural and torsional motions in “bimorph” wave guides having two geometrical and material symmetry axes. The asymptotic behaviour of the model allows one to select the material properties which lead to modes guided essentially either in the central layer or in the core of the bimorph guide. Moreover, the dispersive properties of a “bimorph” can be controlled through the choice of geometrical and material parameters.     

Instructional Module in Fourier Spectral Analysis,Based on Principles of “How People Learn”

This paper describes the design and evaluation of an instructional module for teaching/learning Fourier spectral analysis, with emphasis on biomedical applications. The module is based on the principles of “How People Learn” (HPL) as embodied in the Legacy cycle. This cycle is a particular instantiation of problem‐based learning and includes components explicitly aimed at providing context and motivation, facilitating exploration, developing in‐depth understanding, and incorporating opportunities for self‐assessment. In the spectral analysis module, traditional teaching methods are augmented with small group discussions, peer‐to‐peer learning, a Web‐based tutorial, and an interactive demonstration. Assessment included the development of rubrics for scoring student understanding of key concepts, revealing that students who used the module demonstrated better understanding relative to students who studied the material using traditional methods. Survey results and comments indicate that students generally liked the interactive tutorial and demonstration, as well as the structure provided by the HPL framework.     

“Style” and technology

A rational approach to dealing with the problems created by developing technologies requires a new account of what is involved in proper management. A tripartite distinction is introduced between being reasonable, being rational, and having style. These notions are based on the commonsense principle of rationality (CPR), to be rational one must learn from experience. The proper management of technology requires more than learning from experience (being rational) and having the proper goals (being reasonable); it requires style, which entails being reasonable and acting in accordance with a given standard systematically over time.     

“Low-Tech” Innovations

This paper is about an industrial sector which, according to the usual socio-scientific indicators, is referred to as “low-tech”, respectively as non-research intensive and which mostly comprises “traditional” industries. The interest in this sector is motivated by the contradictory situation that, on the one hand, the debate about the perspectives of modern societies focuses on the rapidly growing importance of technological innovations, knowledge and research-intensive economic sectors while, on the other hand, traditional industries make up a considerable fraction of employment and production, especially also in developed economies. On the basis of the results of extensive empirical research, this contribution tries to find answers to the basic question, whether one can speak of an innovation mode typical of the low-tech sector. The institutional based innovation systems approach forms the categorical basis of the analysis. In order to elucidate the specific features of low-tech innovations, they are, in conclusion, compared to the general characteristics of high-tech-based innovation processes.     

Basic Engineering Software for Teaching (“BEST”) Dynamics

Engineering dynamics is the study of motion, but textbooks and chalkboards, the traditional classroom teaching tools, cannot show that motion. Mechanical models are helpful, but relatively inflexible; they are qualitative, not quantitative. Since July 1992, personnel from the University of Missouri-Rolla have been developing and classroom testing “BEST”* (Basic Engineering Software for Teaching) Dynamics with the goal of improving the teaching and learning of engineering dynamics. About forty-five different problem simulations, representing a selection of typical kinematics and kinetics problems for both particles and rigid bodies, have been completed. These problems enable the user to vary inputs to view a wide variety of configurations and behavior. Students using “BEST” Dynamics have reported improved ability to visualize motion, and somewhat improved problem solving ability. Recent work has focused on adding, to some of the problems, “Solutions” which give detailed support in writing and solving equations. This paper will introduce the reader to “BEST” Dynamics and its classroom use. It will also provide some philosophical commentary on the applicability of instructional software to the problem-solving-oriented engineering classroom.     

“Engineering Graduate Teaching Assistant Instructional Programs: Training Tomorrow's Faculty Members”

Although there has been increased interest in graduate teaching assistant (GTA) training programs recently, few examples of programs specifically for engineering GTA's are found in the technical literature. A survey of engineering schools in Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest region of the United States has been conducted to determine the extent of instructional programs. The results of this survey and the literature indicate that there are large differences in the amount of training that GTA's in different engineering schools receive. While some are involved in extensive training programs, many receive little or no instruction in teaching, and/or inadequate feedback to help improve their teaching skills. These findings are discussed, along with details of innovative instructional programs found in the literature, and suggestions for improving the state of engineering GTA instruction.     

Differentiation between the terms ”confined masonry“ and ”infill masonry“

This publication concerns the differentiation between the terms ”confined masonry“ and ”infill masonry“ using the example of the national technical approval Z‐17.1‐1145 – POROTON S9 MW –vertically perforated clay units with integrated thermal insulation using thin layer mortar [1].     

“Snowing” Graphene using Microwave Ovens

Developing a simple and industrially scalable method to produce graphene with high quality and low cost will determine graphene's future. The two conventional approaches, chemical vapor deposition and liquid‐phase exfoliation, require either costly substrates with limited production rate or complicated post treatment with limited quality, astricting their development. Herein, an extremely simple process is presented for synthesizing high quality graphene at low‐cost in the gas phase, similar to “snowing,” which is catalyst‐free, substrate‐free, and scalable. This is achieved by utilizing corona discharge of SiO₂/Si in an ordinary household microwave oven at ambient pressure. High quality graphene flakes can “snow” on any substrate, with thin‐flakes even down to the monolayer. In particular, a high yield of ≈6.28% or a rate of up to ≈0.11 g h^?1 can be achieved in a conventional microwave oven. It is demonstrated that the snowing process produces foam‐like, fluffy, 3D macroscopic architectures, which are further used in strain sensors for achieving high sensitivity (average gauge factor ≈ 171.06) and large workable strain range (0%–110%) simultaneously. It is foreseen that this facile and scalable strategy can be extended for “snowing” other functional 2D materials, benefiting their low‐cost production and wide applications.     

Changing patterns of communication among scientists in an era of “telescience”

In a work environment filled with computers, telephones, fax machines, and other telecommunications equipment, scientists can engage in a new way of conducting their research: telescience. Telescience, a term that originated at NASA, is defined as the existence of geographically dispersed, intensely communicative research groups and collaborators, electronic journals, and teleconferences. The concept seems to be a natural outgrowth of the development of “big science” in the postwar era—only now, instead of an increase in the number of journal articles or organized scientific meetings, there is an increase in the amount of interpersonal interaction facilitated by the new electronic infrastructure. It is not yet clear that telescience will become the mode in most scholarly disciplines, for a number of economic and cultural reasons. However, where it does appear, it may emerge at different rates in different disciplines as the nature and needs of those specialties encourage the differential adoption of the various telecommunications technologies. In this article, the communication processes and structures that are typical of scientific activity are summarized according to a three-stage communication cycle. In addition, the factors that affect scientists' choices of both conventional and newer telecommunication channels are discussed, as well as the barriers that may prevent them from adopting or using such channels. Finally, the potential behavioral, social, and policy implications of the growth of telescience are reviewed, especially in the social context of the contemporary research university.     

“Smart” Surface Capsules for Delivery Devices

This review describes emerging trends, basic principles, applications, and future challenges for designing next generation responsive “smart” surface capsules. Advances and importance of “surface” capsules which are not deposited onto the surface but are built into the surface are highlighted for selective applications with specific examples of surface sponge structures formed by high intensity ultrasonic surface treatment (HIUS). Surface capsules can be adapted for biomedical applications, membrane materials, lab‐on‐chip, organ‐on‐chip, and for template synthesis. They provide attractive self‐healing anticorrosion and antifouling prospects. Nowadays delivery systems are built from inorganic, organic, hybrid, biological materials to deliver various drugs from low molecular weight substances to large protein molecules and even live cells. It is important that capsules are designed to have time prolonged release features. Available stimuli to control capsule opening are physical, chemical and biological ones. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of capsule opening by different stimuli is essential for developing new methods of encapsulation, release, and targeting. Development of “smart” surface capsules is preferable to respond to multiple stimuli. More and more often a new generation of “smart” capsules is designed by a bio‐inspired approach.     

Observing ideal “self-similar” crack growth in experiments

We here report on a detailed experimental study whose goal is to investigate spontaneous crack propagation in bonded and intact materials subjected to quasi-static far-field tensile loading. The cracks nucleate from a tiny circular hole and are triggered by an exploding wire. They subsequently propagate under the action of a constant far-field load. Dynamic photoelasticity in conjunction with high speed photography is used to capture the real-time photoelastic fringe patterns (isochromatics) associated with crack propagation. Dynamic stress intensity factors of propagating cracks are determined and the results are successfully compared with Broberg’s classical model of self-similar mode-I crack growth.     

„Ideale“ Lötverbindung und „optimale“ Lötverbindung

If due to the market analysis a company makes the decision for the production of a new product by application of soldering and special the soldering with temporarily liquid solder, this one is then made specifically after that the company specific construction and production preparation. Either the decision for soldering is technically and/or economically well‐founded or she is even unavoidable by so‐called mixed material connections in the assemblies. This hybrid design finds application increasing today. In the contribution on hand the analysis and assessment of the soldering theory and practice is carried out under the point of view of the possible production of “ideal soldered connections” and “optimal soldered connections”.