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.     

Proposed modification to the CIECAM02 colour appearance model to include the simultaneous contrast effects

A modified CIECAM02 colour appearance model, named CIECAM02‐m2, is proposed to enable CIECAM02 to predict the simultaneous contrast effect. The structure of the CIECAM02‐m2 is a development from CIECAM02, and contains two different procedures for modifying the reference white; one is for lightness and the other is for hue. The model was tested using a data set accumulated in this study and the LUTCHI data. The CV values for three colour attributes between predictions and experimental data were used to evaluate the accuracy of the model. The low CV values obtained show the performance of the CIECAM02‐m2 model to predict the simultaneous contrast effect satisfactorily. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 32, 121 – 129, 2007     

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.     

Synthesis ofE,E-diene hydroperoxides via photoisomerization of protected hydroperoxides

A general approach toE,E-diene hydroperoxides is described based upon photoisomerization of readily availableZ,E-diene monoperoxyketals. Protection of aZ,E-diene hydroperoxide as the 2-methoxypropyl peroxyketal is followed by iodine-mediated photoisomerization to produce a mixture enriched in theE,E isomer. After chromatographic purification, deprotection of the peroxyketal with mild acid furnishes theE,E-diene hydroperoxide.     

Synthesis and comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) of antitumor 3-arylisoquinoline derivatives

In this study a series of 3-arylisoquinoline derivatives were synthesized and cytotoxicity against human melanoma tumor cell evaluated, and a three dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship was investigated using the comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA). The results suggested that the electrostatic, steric and hydrophobic factors of 3-arylisoquinolines were strongly correlated with the antitumor activity. Considerable predictive ability (cross-validated r2 as high as 0.721) was obtained through CoMFA.