A great number of complex electronic devices are now part of our everyday lives. While many of us learn to handle these products by trial and error; others, especially older users with little experience in using electronic devices, need support. In order to allow the user maximum flexibility in terms of learning time and location, a training programme is presented which is implemented as part of the software embedded in the product itself. Particular focus is placed on the effect of adaptive training on learning. In this study, the training versions differed in their ability to adjust their complexity to the user's experience (adaptive user interface complexity) and their capability to support the learner by prompting them during the learning process (adaptive training advice). The results show that the adjustment of complexity had a positive effect on users’ experience: elderly users who trained with an adaptive interface were more successful in learning to use a mobile phone. Adaptive training advice, however, was found to have no significant effects on learners’ success and reduced their self-efficacy. This work offers guidelines on how to design integrated training applications for electronic devices that successfully help elderly users with little prior experience. 相似文献
The present study was designed to examine the effects of EFA deficiency (EFAD) on biochemical, functional, and structural
aspects of the kidney in growing and adult rats fed a normal or EFAD diet for 9 wk after weaning. Food and fluid intake (FI),
urine volume, and Na+ and K+ excretions were measured weekly from weeks 4 to 8 by placing the rats in individual metabolic cages for 24 h. At week 9,
Li+ and a 5% water load, respectively, were administered at 14 and 1.5 h prior to glomerular and proximal tubular function studies,
as assessed by 3-h creatinine (CCr) and Li+ (CLi+) clearances. Hematocrit and urine volume; serum and urine [Cr], [Li+], [Na+], and [K+]; and renal FA distribution were also measured. Data [corrected to 100 g/body weight (bw) and presented as means ±SEM] were
significant, at P<-0.05. Despite a similar ingestion of solids from weeks 4 to 7 (weeks 7 to 10 of life), the rats on the EFAD diet showed
a decreased body weight from week 5. From weeks 4 to 8, Fl and urine volume were similar for both groups, but the Fl increased
at week 6 in the EFAD group; 24-h Na+ and K+ excretions were similar at all weeks, except for an increase in the EFAD group for both ions at week 7. In the EFAD group,
CCr and CLi+ decreased by 27 and 56.3%, respectively (385.7±33.4 vs. 280±21.1, and 21.0±2.1 vs. 9.2±1.1 μL/min/100 g; n=9 vs. 10), the latter result suggesting increased proximal reabsorption. The 3-h Na+ and K+ excretions were similar, but the Li+ decreased (0.78±0.06×10−2 vs. 0.32±0.03×10−2 μeq/min/100 g) in the EFAD group, giving additional support to the suggestion. Renal structure was normal and similar for
both groups, but the EFAD group showed a more prominent proximal tubule brush border, together with heavier periodic acid-Schiff
staining in all specimens from weeks 5 to 9. In the EFAD group, FA of the n−9 and n−7 series were higher, but most of the
n−6 series were lower as a percentage of total lipids in the medulla and cortex. Medullary levels of 20∶4n−6 were maintained,
22∶4n−6 declined twice, arachidonic acid was maintained, and 20∶5n−3 was lower. The EFAD diet affected glomerular function,
proximal tubular structure and function, and FA distribution in the rat kidney. 相似文献
An analytical method has been developed to evaluate the intensity of the bitter taste in virgin olive oil. Results from the
proposed method, based on extraction of the bitter constituents of virgin olive oil with methanol/water and measurement of
the absorbance at 225 nm, show a significant correlation with the intensity of bitterness that had been evaluated in a sensorial
manner by a panel. The developed method, therefore, offers a real alternative to the panel test for the evaluation of this
attribute. 相似文献
α-alumina (α-Al2O3, corundum) fibers exhibit high thermal and chemical stability, as well as good mechanical properties, even at high temperatures. Such characteristics make them good candidates for use in composites. Nevertheless, very few methods of producing α-Al2O3 fibers are available. In the present work, we describe a method that uses aluminum pieces deposited on SiO2 powder, in an argon atmosphere, at temperatures in the range 1300°–1600°C. The α-Al2O3 fibers are obtained via vapor-liquid-solid deposition. The novel addition of nickel and cobalt (or their oxides) allows the use of temperatures >1500°C, resulting in improved fiber production. We demonstrate that the metals do not contaminate the fibers produced in this way. Finally, we also estimate the tensile strength of the Al2O3 fibers produced through this method. 相似文献
The present study investigated the fabrication and characterization of bio-based sustainable films composed of a terrestrial plant raw material, namely Opuntia ficus-indica (OFI) cladodes powder (CP) and a marine seaweed derivative, namely agar (A). The effect of glycerol concentration on the properties of the casted films was evaluated at four different contents, namely 30, 40, 50 and 60 wt%. The films present UV-blocking properties, as well as moderate mechanical performance, thermal stability, and water vapor transmission rate (WVTR). The results point to an increase in thickness, elongation at break, moisture content, water solubility, and WVTR with increasing glycerol content. On the contrary, Young's modulus, tensile strength, and water contact angle decreased as glycerol concentration increased. The best combination is obtained for the film with 30% glycerol, based on an intermediate compromise between physical, mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties. All these outcomes express the potentiality of the powder obtained from grinding the OFI cladodes as raw material to produce low-cost films for the development of sustainable packaging materials. 相似文献
The “River Disease” (RD), a disorder impacting honeybee colonies located close to waterways with abundant riparian vegetation (including Sebastiania schottiana, Euphorbiaceae), kills newly hatched larvae. Forager bees from RD-affected colonies collect honeydew excretions from Epormenis cestri (Hemiptera: Flatidae), a planthopper feeding on trees of S. schottiana. First-instar honeybee larvae fed with this honeydew died. Thus, we postulated that the nectars of RD-affected colonies had a natural toxin coming from either E. cestri or S. schottiana. An untargeted metabolomics characterization of fresh nectars extracts from colonies with and without RD allowed to pinpoint xanthoxylin as one of the chemicals present in higher amounts in nectar from RD-affected colonies than in nectars from healthy colonies. Besides, xanthoxylin was also found in the aerial parts of S. schottiana and the honeydew excreted by E. cestri feeding on this tree. A larva feeding assay where xanthoxylin-enriched diets were offered to 1st instar larvae showed that larvae died in the same proportion as larvae did when offered enriched diets with nectars from RD-colonies. These findings demonstrate that a xenobiotic can mimic the RD syndrome in honeybee larvae and provide evidence of an interspecific flow of xanthoxylin among three trophic levels. Further, our results give information that can be considered when implementing measures to control this honeybee disease.
Controlling the outer surface of nanometric metal–organic frameworks (nanoMOFs) and further understanding the in vivo effect of the coated material are crucial for the convenient biomedical applications of MOFs. However, in most studies, the surface modification protocol is often associated with significant toxicity and/or lack of selectivity. As an alternative, how the highly selective and general grafting GraftFast method leads, through a green and simple process, to the successful attachment of multifunctional biopolymers (polyethylene glycol (PEG) and hyaluronic acid) on the external surface of nanoMOFs is reported. In particular, effectively PEGylated iron trimesate MIL‐100(Fe) nanoparticles (NPs) exhibit suitable grafting stability and superior chemical and colloidal stability in different biofluids, while conserving full porosity and allowing the adsorption of bioactive molecules (cosmetic and antitumor agents). Furthermore, the nature of the MOF–PEG interaction is deeply investigated using high‐resolution soft X‐ray spectroscopy. Finally, a cell penetration study using the radio‐labeled antitumor agent gemcitabine monophosphate (3H‐GMP)‐loaded MIL‐100(Fe)@PEG NPs shows reduced macrophage phagocytosis, confirming a significant in vitro PEG furtiveness. 相似文献