用MindManager辅助教学的设想

鉴于Powerpoint翻页式内容呈现方式缺乏对人的思维过程的有效模拟,需要必要的教学内容呈现补充手段,提出一种基于全脑图的教学内容呈现思路——基于MindManager的辅助教学模式,并给出了具体的教学课件设计实例.利用MindManager软件开发工具,设计全脑图模拟人的思维过程,突破了传统教学手段模式的限制,有效提高了教学内容的表现力,对教学实践具有一定的指导意义.     

溶胶-凝胶过程影响堇青石结晶行为的因素

为了研究影响堇青石结晶行为的因素,以Mg(NO3)2.6H2O、Al(NO3)3.9H2O、正硅酸乙酯为原料,根据堇青石的化学式2MgO.Al2O3.5SiO2,按照配比制成溶胶,利用溶胶-凝胶法制备堇青石粉末,并利用X射线衍射、差示扫描热量法等测试手段对堇青石粉末进行表征.测试结果表明,煅烧温度和凝胶预处理温度对堇青石的结晶行为有直接的影响,当干凝胶的预处理为500℃,煅烧温度为1 200℃时,出现明显的α-堇青石晶相.     

插入式钢次梁节点试验与有限元分析

近年火力发电厂引入了1种新的钢一混凝土组合结构,即型钢直接插入混凝土主梁作为次梁承担荷载。根据某实际工程,采取1：2缩尺模型,设计2组4个节点,对600mm和900mm不同混凝土梁高,有无锚筋情况进行试验研究。研究表明：该节点形式下钢梁端部的最大约束弯矩约为60kN·m;锚筋对结构无明显影响;当梁高较小时混凝土主梁发生剪切破坏,当梁高较高时,钢次梁发生受弯破坏。对该结构进行有限元参数分析,结果表明：混凝土主梁高700mm为2种破坏临界值;抗剪键刚度、楼板厚度对结构承载力有明显影响;锚筋尺寸对结构影响不大;插入端部翼缘宽度对结构有一定影响,但规律不明显。     

Predicting dam failure risk for sustainable flood retention basins: A generic case study for the wider Greater Manchester area

This study aims to provide a rapid screening tool for assessment of sustainable flood retention basins (SFRBs) to predict corresponding dam failure risks. A rapid expert-based assessment method for dam failure of SFRB supported by an artificial neural network (ANN) model has been presented. Flood storage was assessed for 110 SFRB and the corresponding Dam Failure Risk was evaluated for all dams across the wider Greater Manchester study area. The results show that Dam Failure Risk can be estimated by using the variables Dam Height, Dam Length, Maximum Flood Water Volume, Flood Water Surface Area, Mean Annual Rainfall (based on Met Office data), Altitude, Catchment Size, Urban Catchment Proportion, Forest Catchment Proportion and Managed Maximum Flood Water Volume. A cross-validation R² value of 0.70 for the ANN model signifies that the tool is likely to predict variables well for new data sets. Traditionally, dams are considered safe because they have been built according to high technical standards. However, many dams that were constructed decades ago do not meet the current state-of-the-art dam design guidelines. Spatial distribution maps show that dam failure risks of SFRB located near cities are higher than those situated in rural locations. The proposed tool could be used as an early warning system in times of heavy rainfall.     

Evaluation of a workplace technology for mental health assessment: A meaning-making process

This paper describes the results of a summative evaluation conducted to explore the usability and acceptability of an automated telephone-based technology, designed and developed as a screening tool for mental health disorders in the workplace. The system screens employees for symptoms and subsequently provides educational information and referrals to improve mental health and enhance productivity. The qualitative evaluation was a sub-study of a larger randomized controlled trial (RCT). We conducted in-depth interviews with 15 individuals who participated in the RCT and had used the system. A phenomenological theoretical framework was utilized to analyze the narrative data. Results indicated that participants had mostly positive experience with the system and perceived it as a confidential program that allowed them to reflect on their symptoms without inhibition, fear of judgment or embarrassment. We also learned that asking mere questions about mental health symptoms can be a positive, instructive and possibly a restorative experience. There is a likelihood that for many participants, exposure to questions about their emotional and mental distress validated their feelings about their symptoms and was sufficiently compelling to promote help-seeking behavior. This evaluation study demonstrates that computers can be utilized in the workplace as effective screening and educational tools to improve employees’ mental health.     

The effect of banner animation on fixation behavior and recall performance in search tasks

Previous findings suggested that banner ads have little or no impact on perceptual behavior and memory performance in search tasks, but only in browsing paradigms. This assumption is not supported by the present eye-tracking study. It investigates whether task-related selective attention is disrupted depending on the animation intensity of banner ads when users are in a search mode as well as the impact of banner animation on perceptual and memory performance.     

An empirical analysis of the determinants of 3G adoption in China

The main aim of this study is to examine the factors that affect Chinese consumers’ intention to adopt 3G. This study has extended the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) by incorporating the determinants of perceived usefulness, cost, trust, and demographic profiles of Chinese consumers. Data is collected from Chinese consumers via self-administered questionnaire. Structural equation modeling was applied to examine the research model proposed. Our result showed that social influence, service quality and perceived ease of use have a direct and significant relationship with perceived usefulness of 3G, and this in turn affects the consumers’ decision to adopt 3G. Contrary to existing TAM research, perceived ease of use was not found to have a direct and significant influence with Chinese consumers’ intention to adopt 3G. Our study also revealed that those with higher educational level are more likely to adopt 3G. Based on the findings, this research is able to propose several practical recommendations to 3G providers in China, such as enhancing the variety of services provided through collaborations with mobile software and content developers. Furthermore, 3G providers can focus on promoting 3G through services such as “Friends and Family” packages as Chinese consumers’ 3G adoption decisions is influenced by their social network. In terms of theoretical contributions, this study has answered many calls from past researchers to investigate the determinants of perceived usefulness. This research was also conducted in China, which is one of the largest telecommunication markets in the world.     

Internet pornography exposure and risky sexual behavior among adult males in the United States

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to pose a threat to the public health in the United States. Many sexual behaviors increase an individual’s risk of STI contraction. Chief among these are having unprotected sex, having sex with multiple partners, and either paying for sex or having sex for pay. The present study used General Social Survey (GSS) data from 2000, 2002, and 2004 to explore the association between exposure to internet pornography and these STI risk behaviors among adult US males. After controlling for demographic and individual difference covariates, internet pornography consumption was positively associated with having sex with multiple partners, engaging in paid sex, and having had extramarital sex. Internet pornography consumption was unrelated to having unprotected sex. Subsequent GSSs have not asked participants about exposure to internet pornography. As the GSS is the only ongoing, full-probability, national survey assessing social beliefs and behaviors, the present report provides unique insight into the risky sexual behavior patterns of adult male internet pornography consumers in the United States.     

A note on a problem on ω-limit sets of N–dimensional skew-product maps

In 2003, Balibrea et al. stated the problem of finding a skew-product map G on 𝕀³ holding ω _G ={0}×𝕀²=ω _G (x, y, z) for any (x, y, z)∈𝕀³, x≠0. We present a method for constructing skew-product maps F on 𝕀 ⁿ⁺¹ holding ω _F ={0}×𝕀 ⁿ =ω _F (x ₁, x ₂, …, x _n+1), (x ₁, x ₂, …, x _n+1)∈𝕀 ⁿ⁺¹, x ₁≠0.