Practice characteristics that lead to 21st century learning outcomes

Abstract The key research question for this study was to ask whether or not innovative teaching practices would lead to the development of learning outcomes essential for preparing the younger generation for the challenges of life in the knowledge society of the 21st century, and if so, how are the pedagogical features related to the different learning outcomes. Preliminary analyses of the case study data collected from the SITES M2 Study in Hong Kong reveal that where the development of more significant learning gains were observed, the cases possess characteristics additional to the criteria defined in the Study for selection of innovation. More importantly, it was found that the impact of the pedagogical practices was not determined simply by the aggregation of characteristics of the practices per se , nor on the technologies used, but on whether 'empowerment' permeates the curriculum goal and process. Further, this paper claims that these affective and socio-cognitive learning outcomes are more important as preparation for lifelong learning in the 21st century than 'knowledge management competencies'.     

Analogue implementation of a neural network controller for UPSinverter applications

An analogue neural-network controller for UPS inverter applications is presented. The proposed neural-network controller is trained off-line using patterns obtained from a simulated controller, which had an idealized load-current-reference. Simulation results show that the proposed neural-network controller can achieve low total harmonic distortion under nonlinear loading condition and good dynamic responses under transient loading condition. To verify the performance of the proposed NN controller, a hardware inverter with an analogue neural network (NN) controller (using mainly operational amplifiers and resistors) is built. Additionally, for comparison purposes, a PI controller with optimized parameters is built. Experimental results confirm the simulation results and show the superior performance of the NN controller especially under rectifier-type loading condition. Implementing the analogue neural-network controller using programmable integrated circuits is also discussed     

Electromagnetic interference mitigation by using a spread-spectrumapproach

We investigate a new technique, referred to as spread-spectrum clock generation (SSCG), for reducing the level of radiated emission from devices with digital clock signals. To calculate the radiated emissions from such devices, we model the radiating geometry and compute the radiated field at a multitude of frequencies by using NEC-4, which is an electromagnetic field solver based on the method of moments (MoM). We consider a variety of modulating profiles for the spread spectrum clock and demonstrate that by using a frequency deviation of only 1%, we can achieve from 10 to 30 dB reduction in the radiated emission levels     

A novel methanol-tolerant Ir-Se chalcogenide electrocatalyst for oyxgen reduction

A novel methanol-tolerant oxygen-reduction catalyst, Iridium-selenium (Ir-Se) chalcogenide, was synthesized by chemical precipitation in an organic solvent. Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) analysis confirmed that the synthesized Ir-Se chalcogenide had a chemical formula of Ir₄Se. This chalcogenide showed strong catalytic activity towards the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and a high methanol tolerance. It was found that most of the oxygen could be directly reduced to water through a four-electron pathway with less than 10% hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) being produced during the ORR. The improvement in catalytic activity of the Ir-Se chalcogenide in comparison with that of pure Ir might be attributed to the effect of a bimetallic interaction.     

Dewpoints of flue gases for energy-recovery system design and operation

Low temperature corrosion from flue gases is a common problem in energy recovery systems. We present a simple computation procedure to estimate the dewpoint of combustion gases, which is the limiting design temperature to prevent corrosion. If the composition of fuel oil and the percentage of CO₂ or O₂ in the flue gases are known, the air ratio, percentage of H₂O, p.p.m. of SO₃ in the flue gas, and the dewpoint can be estimated with an error of 1.9%. The results indicate that the dewpoint is high because the combustion conditions are not appropriately adjusted, even if low sulfur fuel oil is used. We conclude that both the fuel quality and the combustion conditions are controlling variables in the design and operation of energy recovery systems.     

Age-related changes in gastric mucosal repair and proliferative activities in rats exposed acutely to aspirin

OBJECTIVES: (1) To determine whether and how outcome measurements in the ECASS trial are influenced by a shorter time window (0-3 vs. 3-6 h) between onset of symptoms and start of thrombolytic therapy using recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) in acute ischemic stroke. (2) To discuss the results of the ECASS 0- to 3-hour cohort with the results of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Study (NINDSS). DESIGN AND ANALYSIS: Analysis of the 0- to 3-hour and the 3- to 6-hour cohort in accordance with the ECASS protocol. Comparative analysis of the ECASS and NINDSS results following the NINDSS protocol using dichotomized endpoints. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary endpoints: modified Rankin Scale, Barthel Index; secondary endpoints: combined Barthel/Rankin, long-term Scandinavian Stroke Scale, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, mortality at 30 and 90 days, occurrence of intracranial hemorrhage. NINDS trial endpoint: favorable outcome as defined in the NINDS trial. RESULTS: In ECASS, 87 patients were randomized within 3 h of stroke onset. Differences in favor of rt-PA treatment can be found for all primary and secondary outcome measures in the ECASS 0- to 3-hour cohort, except for mortality at day 30, which is somewhat higher in the rt-pA-treated group. However, due to the small sample size, the differences do not reach statistical significance. Early infarct signs (as defined by the ECASS protocol) are found as early as 2 h after stroke onset. Parenchymal hemorrhages are found significantly more often among rt-PA-treated patients. The results in the ECASS 0- to 3-hour cohort fit well with the results in NINDSS. CONCLUSION: Data from the 3-hour ECASS cohort support the efficacy of early thrombolytic therapy in acute hemispheric stroke patients. Comparing bleeding complications between the ECASS and NINDSS is difficult because of differences in the definition and occurrence of hemorrhagic events.     

Rapid calculation of the periodic steady state for electronicallyswitched, time varying power system loads

The periodic steady state of power distribution system loads is studied for electronically switched, time varying cases. Many loads of this type appear on contemporary power systems as energy saving and controllable demands. Several alternative methods of calculating the periodic steady state are discussed and a new method is proposed based on the frequency modulation property of the discrete Fourier transform. The new method is termed the gain-shift formula (GSF) because the format of the technique entails adding frequency shifted terms which represent the parameter to be calculated. An example of a triac-switched load on the distribution system is given. The main advantages of the GSF are: rapid calculation of the periodic steady state; and efficient calculation of the frequency spectrum of voltages and currents in the periodic steady state     

Adaptive synthesis of distance fields

We address the computational resource requirements of 3D example-based synthesis with an adaptive synthesis technique that uses a tree-based synthesis map. A signed-distance field (SDF) is determined for the 3D exemplars, and then new models can be synthesized as SDFs by neighborhood matching. Unlike voxel synthesis approach, our input is posed in the real domain to preserve maximum detail. In comparison to straightforward extensions to the existing volume texture synthesis approach, we made several improvements in terms of memory requirements, computation times, and synthesis quality. The inherent parallelism in this method makes it suitable for a multicore CPU. Results show that computation times and memory requirements are very much reduced, and large synthesized scenes exhibit fine details which mimic the exemplars.     

Laser glazing of an Fe-C-Sn alloy

Morphology and geometry of melted zones, cooling rates, microstructure and microhardness in the laser-glazed Fe-4%C-10%Sn alloy have been investigated. The computer simulation on the basis of the moving gaussian source model was used successfully to predict the maximum width and depth of the melted zone and the cooling rate. The microstructure from the surface to the bottom of the laser-melted zone is a non-crystalline phase, dendritic grains and a microcrystalline zone successively. Values of the averaged-spacing of the non-crystalline phase are 0.205⁶ and 0.121⁹nm, respectively; twinned martensites, having an axial ratioc/a of 1.128, existed in dendritic grains, and carbides of Fe₃ C at the interdendritic regions; the microcrystalline zone was composed of -Fe and a new bet (a=0.415 nm,c=0.955 nm) phase. The different microstructure in the melted zone can be explained by the results of the heat flow calculation. A fine eutectic structure (-Fe + Fe₃C) was observed in heat-affected zones. Microhardness of the eutectic structure can be predicted by the empirical relation of fracture stress to the interlamellar spacing of pearlite.