The effects of the number of links and navigation support on cognitive load and learning with hypertext: The mediating role of reading order

Problems in learning with hypertext systems have been claimed to be caused by high levels of disorientation and cognitive load. This was recognized by DeStefano and LeFevre [DeStefano, D., & LeFevre, J. -A., (2007). Cognitive load in hypertext reading: A review. Computers in Human Behavior, 23(3), 1616–1641.] who predicted an increase of cognitive load and impairment of learning for hypertexts with a higher number of links per page. From a practical perspective, several navigation support techniques, such as providing link suggestions, have been proposed for guiding learners and reducing cognitive overload. In an experiment, we tested DeStefano and LeFevre’s predictions as well as the usefulness of link suggestions. Participants used different versions of a hypertext, either with 3-links or 8-links per page, presenting link suggestions or not. We tested their cognitive load and learning outcomes. Results showed that there was a benefit of using link suggestions for learning, but no effect of number of links on learning was found. Moreover, the effects of our manipulations on cognitive load were mediated by the reading order that participants selected. Implications for research and the design of navigation support systems are discussed.     

Noise in DMOS transistors in a BICMOS-technology

An experimental and theoretical study of the 1/f noise and the thermal noise in double-diffused MOS (DMOS) transistors in a BICMOS-technology has been carried out. By using an analytical model that consists of an enhancement MOS transistor in series with a depletion MOS transistor and a resistance, and by attributing noise sources to each device, the noise in DMOS devices is simulated accurately. Three distinct regions of operation are defined: enhancement transistor control, depletion transistor control and the linear region. In the first region, the noise is strictly determined by the enhancement transistor. It was found that the 1/f noise in this region is caused by mobility fluctuations and is very low. In the depletion transistor control region both transistors influence the total noise. Here the 1/f noise is dominated by the depletion transistor. The series resistance is only of importance in the linear region     

Graphite structural transformations during intercalation by HNO3 and exfoliation

Expandable graphite of two types was synthesized by (1) hydrolysis of graphite nitrate of II stage and (2) anodic polarization of graphite in 60% HNO₃. Exfoliated graphite samples were produced by thermal shock of expandable graphite samples in air at 900 °C. A comparative study of microstructural distinctions of both expandable and exfoliated graphite samples was carried out using X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy and high resolution transmission electron microscopy.     

Recent advances in the large-scale production of antibody fragments using lower eukaryotic microorganisms

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM) is a technique that is worthwhile for anesthesiologists because it allows spinal cord and plexus anatomy to be visualized three dimensionally and followed over time in the same animal. For example, the long-term effect of indwelling intrathecal or plexus catheters can be studied in situ, and convective and diffusive forces within intrathecal, epidural, or nerve sheath spaces can be investigated. Further, diffusion-weighted MRM, which measures an "apparent diffusion coefficient" (ADC), can be used to track the presence of ischemia, hypoperfusion, or cytotoxic edema. This study investigates problems associated with the use of in vivo MRM for spinal cord and peripheral nerve studies in the rat. METHODS: Twenty-one anesthetized female Fisher CDF rats were used. Group 1 (n=7) was used for anatomic three-dimensional studies. Groups 2 (n=4), 3 (n=4), and 4 (n=6) were used for measurements of the ADC. Group 2 served as controls, group 3 received lumbar intrathecal catheters, and group 4 received cervical intrathecal catheters. RESULTS: Cervical spine, lumbar spine, and spinal nerves and ganglia were accurately visualized with MRM. As a rule, spinal cord gray and white matter were better demonstrated using diffusion-weighted proton stains. By contrast, T2-weighted proton staining superiorly demonstrated structures surrounding the spinal cord. In groups 3 and 4, indwelling intrathecal catheters did not affect the spinal cord ADC, indicating normal blood flow and no cytotoxic edema. Contrast studies revealed nonhomogeneous distribution of contrast predominately in the lateral and ventral intrathecal space. CONCLUSION: Three-dimensional diffusion-weighted MRM displays cervical and lumbar spine anatomy accurately in vivo. Apparent diffusion coefficients measurements are feasible in rat cervical spinal cord with intrathecal catheters. Spinal cord ADCs are unaffected by intrathecal catheters, indicating normal spinal cord perfusion.     

NUMERICAL SOLUTION OF FORCED CONVECTION HEAT TRANSFER IN He II

A theoretical investigation of one-dimensional forced convection heat transfer in He II is conducted. The problem of interest involves a flow tube containing He II, which is heated at its midpoint along its length. Two modes of heating are analyzed: step function and square pulse. The one-dimensional He II energy equation is used to find the temperature distribution along the tube for both steady-state and transient situations. For the steady-state case, a numerical integration routine is used to obtain a solution, whereas for the solution of the transient case, a finite-difference scheme is developed. The numerical temperature profiles are then shown to compare well with the results of an experiment.     

Load‐carrying ability of polystyrene products with molded‐in holes

The combined influence of stress concentration, weld line, and local distribution of molecular orientation on injection molded polystyrene (PS) plates with a moldedin hole is described. Birefringence measurements were used to investigate the molecular orientation, and three‐point flexure was used to investigate the mechanical properties. Both blunt notch tests and transverse bending tests were carried out. Blunt notch tests showed a strong variation of the material resistance to fracture around the hole. The molecular orientation increased the material resistance not only at the hole equator, but also at the flow split area. In a large domain, wela line fracture was the dominant fracture mechanism. Transverse bending tests also showed a strong influence of the molecular orientation on the load‐carrying ability. The weld line was definitely the weakest region, but the reduction caused by the weld line itself appeared to be small.     

Markerless tracking of complex human motions from multiple views

We present a method for markerless tracking of complex human motions from multiple camera views. In the absence of markers, the task of recovering the pose of a person during such motions is challenging and requires strong image features and robust tracking. We propose a solution which integrates multiple image cues such as edges, color information and volumetric reconstruction. We show that a combination of multiple image cues helps the tracker to overcome ambiguous situations such as limbs touching or strong occlusions of body parts. Following a model-based approach, we match an articulated body model built from superellipsoids against these image cues. Stochastic Meta Descent (SMD) optimization is used to find the pose which best matches the images. Stochastic sampling makes SMD robust against local minima and lowers the computational costs as a small set of predicted image features is sufficient for optimization. The power of SMD is demonstrated by comparing it to the commonly used Levenberg–Marquardt method. Results are shown for several challenging sequences showing complex motions and full articulation, with tracking of 24 degrees of freedom in ≈1 frame per second.