Students' beliefs about mobile devices Vs. desktop computers in South Korea and the United States

College students in the United States and in South Korea completed a 28-item multidimensional scaling (MDS) questionnaire in which they rated the similarity of 28 pairs of multimedia learning materials on a 10-point scale (e.g., narrated animation on a mobile device Vs. movie clip on a desktop computer) and a 56-item semantic differential questionnaire in which they rated their perceptions of mobile devices and desktop computers using 28 adjective pairs (e.g., active–passive) as anchors on a 7-point scale. On the MDS questionnaire students in both the USA and South Korea conceptualized multimedia learning materials in terms of a static–dynamic dimension, but they differed in terms of the second dimension in which USA students were more sensitive to whether an instructional lesson is presented on a mobile device or a desktop computer whereas South Korean students conceptualized both media as equivalent. On the semantic differential questionnaire, students in both nations viewed mobile devices as more accessible, more portable, and newer, and viewed desktop computers as more faithful, stable, concentrative, and essential. However, USA students also rated desktop computers higher than mobile devices on positive features such as being fast, sharp, meaningful, good, and realistic; whereas South Korean also rated mobile devices higher than desktop computers on positive features such as being open, attractive, changeful, stimulating, immediate, and exciting. Overall, there are cross-national differences in students' beliefs about mobile and desktop media, which may affect their learning.     

Characterization of porous textures in order to explain the influence of a surfactant on the end-use properties of detergent tablets

The functional characteristics (mechanical strength, disintegration and dissolution times) of effervescent detergent tablets containing chlorine provider were investigated according to the presence of a surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS). Tablets were compared for similar total porosity. The end-use property study highlighted that the presence of 2% of sodium dodecyl sulphate was not favorable to the tablet mechanical characteristics, inducing a lower “bonding ability”. The linear relationship between the disintegration and dissolution times showed that the disintegration time was relevant to express the behavior of the tablets in water. The disintegration data showed two zones: when porosity was higher than 20%, the disintegration time was always lower than 2 min g⁻¹ and similar for both formulas; for lower porosities, the disintegration time increased and was higher in the presence of the surfactant. In this second case, the released CO₂ due to the reaction between adipic acid and sodium bicarbonate in water was slowed down in the presence of the surfactant, confirming the disintegration data. However, this negative effect of SDS on the disintegration time could not be linked to a difference of pore size distribution between the two formulas. So, despite the creation of weak interparticle bonds with the other compounds of the formula, the presence of SDS increased the disintegration by limiting the water uptake, independently of the porous texture. Moreover, no preferential localization of the surfactant at the surface of the tablet might be involved to explain the effect of SDS on the tablet accessibility by water.     

An empirical analysis of tablet PC diffusion

Employing the Gompertz model, this study examines diverse macro-level adoption factors influencing tablet PC diffusion in 43 countries. The results suggest that tablet PC is a complement to smartphone in early diffusion of smart device; lower tablet PC price contributes to tablet PC diffusion; and high levels of social network penetration and income are drivers of initial tablet PC diffusion. The country-level study also demonstrates the substitution nature of PC-tablet and PC-smartphone in the initial diffusion period of tablet PC.     

Continuous high-shear granulation: Mechanistic understanding of the influence of process parameters on critical quality attributes via elucidating the internal physical and chemical microstructure

Over the past decade, continuous wet granulation has been emerging as a promising technology in drug product development. In this paper, the continuous high-shear mixer granulator, Lӧdige CoriMix® CM5, was investigated using a low-dose formulation with acetaminophen as the model drug. Design of experiments was deployed in conjunction with multivariate data analysis to explore the granulator design space and comprehensively understand the interrelation between process parameters and critical attributes of granules and tablets. Moreover, several complementary imaging techniques were implemented to unveil the underlying mechanisms of physical and chemical microstructure in affecting the tablet performance. The results indicated that L/S ratio and impeller speed outweighed materials feeding rate in modifying the granule and tablet properties. Increasing the degree of liquid saturation and mechanical shear input in the granulation system principally produced granules of larger size, smaller porosity, improved flowability and enhanced sphericity, which after compression generated tablets with slower disintegration process and drug release kinetics due to highly consolidated physical microstructure. Besides, in comparison to batch mixing, continuous mixing integrated with a conical mill enabled better powder de-agglomeration effect, thus accelerating the drug dissolution with increased surface area.     

运动仿真在造粒机开发中的应用

应用三维造型软件MDT对新产品造粒机进行了零件的三维造型、部件装配、整机装配、干涉检验模拟并形成了三维样机。同时应用运动分析软件“work modal motion”对造粒机模型进行了运动仿真模拟,获得了很好的效果。     

Ownership versus on-campus use of mobile IT devices by university students

This study investigated ownership and on-campus use of laptops, tablets, and smartphones, using survey information on Dutch university students. We show that 96% of students own at least one of these mobile IT devices (i.e., a laptop, tablet, or smartphone). Using econometric modelling, we also show that student income, parental income, gender, immigrant parents, and household type (e.g., living with parents) have a statistically significant but small effect on mobile IT device ownership. The demand for tablets is relatively income inelastic, and the demand for laptops and smartphones extremely so. Therefore ownership rates are high for all student groups, including lower income students. However, students leave their laptops (and tablets) at home most of the time, mainly because they find it cumbersome to carry a laptop, and the vast majority of students hold the opinion that abolishing computer labs while facilitating laptop use is a bad idea, despite the didactical advantages this may have during lectures. Thus, it appears that the current high ownership rates of mobile IT devices by no means imply students' preference or support for university Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) strategies.     

平板电脑在高校数字化教育中的应用与展望

分析了目前数字化教育中存在的主要问题,介绍了平板电脑在当今社会数字化教育中的应用现状,并探讨了高校数字化教育中利用平板电脑设计课程寻求教学改革之路,以及未来的发展。     

An evaluation of medical residents utilization of tablet computers

Today’s medical students are digital natives who, for their entire life, have been surrounded by digital technology. Our research focuses on a tablet computer’s usability in medical education, and the subsequent transfer from the classroom to the work environment. For a period of three years, all incoming pediatric residents at a large southeastern university were provided an iPad. At the end of the 3-year program, we surveyed the residents measuring perceptions of iPad use and satisfaction. Fifty-six (60%) of the residents responded to the survey. A statistically significant number reported an increased amount of time spent with the tablet throughout their medical education. Similarly, a significant difference exists between those who believe the device to be a necessary part of medical education versus those stating it would be nice but not necessary. We present figures detailing how three conceptual areas: receiving information, inputting information, and collaboration (consisting of ten different facets of the tablet’s use) impacted their medical education. Residents throughout their medical education use the tablet extensively. There is variance in the areas where the tablet is the preferred tool versus a smartphone or computer. A clear majority of students expect to transition the tablet into their workplace upon completing residency. We argue a tablet is a useful tool for graduate medical education and later medical practice.     

A New Method to Evaluate the Consolidation Behavior of Pharmaceutical Materials by Using the Fraser–Suzuki Function

A new method was developed to evaluate the consolidation behavior of different pharmaceutical materials. A method to evaluate the elastic deformation of the different parts of the tablet machine is described. The used model is based on the Fraser–Suzuki function, which was modified to fit the force-time course. This function has three parameters, which describe the consolidation behaviour of pharmaceutical materials. Parameter A (form of the increasing part of the force-time course) and tr parameter (time of force maximum) give qualitative evaluation of the irreversible deformation during the compression process. Parameter S (form of the decreasing part of the curve) describes the decompression phase and provides information about the elastic behaviour of the compressed material. In this article, the importance of the different parameters is presented. The applicability of this function to different kinds of ethylcellulose is also presented.     

Influence of Surfactants in Aqueous-Based Polymeric Dispersions on the Thermomechanical and Adhesive Properties of Acrylic Films

Good adhesion between a polymeric film and the surface of a solid substrate is critical to the performance of coated pharmaceutical products. Previous research has shown that tablet wettability by an organic-based cellulosic solution could predict the extent of film-tablet adhesion. Using an aqueous-based acrylic polymeric dispersion, the current study investigated the relationship between film adhesion and tablet wettability. Up to 10% (w/w based on dry polymer weight) polysorbate 80 or sorbitan monooleate was incorporated into the film-coating formulations. While the contact angle between the polymeric dispersion and the tablet surface was dependent on the type and concentration of surfactants added to the coating formulation, no correlation between tablet wettability and polymer adhesion could be established. The addition of surfactants to formulations containing the hydrophobic plasticizer tributyl citrate (TBC) caused lowering of the glass transition temperature of the polymer. Increased force of adhesion, elongation at adhesive failure, and adhesive toughness, however, were noted only in the TBC-plasticized films containing polysorbate 80. These findings demonstrate that our understanding of the mechanisms involved in film-tablet adhesion is still quite limited.