Enhancing higher-order thinking skills among pre-service teachers in China: a framework of constructivist smart learning environments integrating cognitive and motivational factors

Teaching Higher-Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) in Constructivist Smart Learning Environments (CSLE) has been treated as an essential goal of higher education in many countries. With new roles and functions in smart classrooms, learners' factors influencing teaching HOTS are very different from traditional classrooms. Although some cognitive and motivational factors always play an important role in teaching HOTS in CSLE, the lack of useful information and knowledge has caused many teachers to fail to teach HOTS effectively in smart classrooms in China. Based on previous research and related theories,this study aims to propose a framework of constructivist smart learning environments integrating cognitive and motivational factors for teaching higher-order thinking skills The results of this study were expected to contribute some effective guidance for teaching HOTS in constructivist smart learning environments among pre-service teachers in China

Integrated approach to the assessment of CO2e-mitigation measures for the road passenger transport sector in Bahrain

The transport sector is one of the fastest-growing energy-consuming sectors in the world and it contributes greatly to emissions of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e). In Bahrain, CO2e emissions from the transport sector grew by an average of 8% annually between 1994 and 2006. The aim of this research was to develop an integrated approach to assess the measures adopted to reduce CO2e emissions by the transport sector within the context of climate change mitigation. This approach used the multi-criteria analysis methodology of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to embed conventional assessment methods and a participatory approach. Three extensions to the original AHP methodology were developed: multi-AHP models, scenario packaging, and the examination of the plausibility of the results. The AHP results showed that certain fuel economy standards achieved the highest scores against five qualitative and quantitative criteria. Using socially and politically acceptable options, an integrated approach to CO2e mitigation could achieve a reduction in emissions of around 22% by 2030 (compared with 2010), at a cost of USD 112 per metric tonne of avoided CO2e emissions. Results from surveys of policymakers, experts, and the general public indicated that the outcomes of scenario packaging were plausible. The contributions of this research are two-fold. First, for the first time in Bahrain, the preferences of the general public have been considered and integrated with both the preferences of policymakers and experts and the results obtained from conventional assessment methods. Second, a structured approach for the integration of different assessment methods, transferable to other contexts, was developed and examined. Furthermore, multi-AHP models were introduced that can reflect the preferences of different concerned groups. Applications of this approach include assessment of the implementation of mitigation measures that could affect a number of concerned groups, decision making in energy-consuming sectors, and development of mitigation policy packages

Experimental Investigation on Start-up and Isothermal Performance of Thermosyphon with Noncondensable Gas

Steel-water gravity heat pipe has been widely used in industry because of its low cost and wide applicable temperature range. Steel-water incompatibility can produce hydrogen as a non-condensable gas, seriously weakening the heat transfer capacity. In this paper, the start-up and isothermal performance of thermosyphon with noncondensable gas were studied by experimental methods, and the effect of gas ratio on the start-up and isothermal performance was quantitatively analysed. The results show that the larger gas ratio will increase the start-up time and the working temperature. The wall temperature of evaporation section is higher than that of adiabatic and condensation section. The distributions of wall temperature in the evaporator and adiabatic sections are uniform. The non-isothermal phenomenon only occurs in the condenser section

Study on Testing Methods for the Heat Transfer Performance of Plate Heat Exchangers

Plate heat exchangers are new-type compact heat exchangers with high heat transfer efficiency widely used in heating, food, medicine, shipbuilding and petrochemical industries. However, only the laboratory testing can accurately obtain the real heat transfer and flow resistance performance of plate heat exchanger. In this paper, the basic principles of modified Wilson plot method and equal velocity method are firstly introduced. Then the testing system including flow chart and testing instruments are discussed. Finally, contrast experiments using the different two methods are conducted. The results showed that for plate heat exchangers with equal channel, the equal velocity method and modified Wilson plot method can both be used to test the convective heat transfer performance of plate heat exchanger. The equal velocity method is recommended because the deformation of plate is relatively smaller

The chimeric monoclonal antibody MHCSZ-123 against human von Willebrand factor A3 domain inhibits high-shear arterial thrombosis in a Rhesus monkey model

Abstract Background SZ-123, a murine monoclonal antibody that targets the human von Willebrand factor (VWF) A3 domain and blocks the binding of collagen, is a powerful antithrombotic. In a Rhesus monkey model of thrombosis, SZ-123 had no side effects, such as bleeding or thrombocytopenia. Methods The mouse/human chimeric version of SZ-123, MHCSZ-123, was developed and maintained inhibitory capacities in vitro and ex vivo after injection into monkeys. CHO-S cells were selected for stable expression of MHCSZ-123. Cell clones with high levels of MHCSZ-123 expression were screened with G418 then adapted to serum-free suspension culture. The antithrombotic effect of MHCSZ-123 on acute platelet-mediated thrombosis was studied in monkeys where thrombus formation was induced by injury and stenosis of the femoral artery, which allowed for cyclic flow reductions (CFRs). CFRs were measured in the femoral artery of anesthetized Rhesus monkeys before and after intravenous administration of MHCSZ-123. Ex vivo VWF binding to collagen, platelet aggregation, platelet counts, and template bleeding time were used as measurements of antithrombotic activity. In addition, plasma VWF and VWF occupancy were measured by ELISA. Results Injection of 0.1, 0.3, and 0.6 mg/kg MHCSZ-123 significantly reduced CFRs by 29.4%, 57.9%, and 73.1%, respectively. When 0.3 and 0.6 mg/kg MHCSZ-123 were administered, 46.6%–65.8% inhibition of ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation was observed between 15 and 30 min after injection. We observed minimal effects on bleeding time, minimal blood loss, and no spontaneous bleeding or thrombocytopenia. Conclusions The VWF-A3 inhibitor MHCSZ-123 significantly reduced thrombosis in Rhesus monkeys and appeared to be safe and well tolerated

Recurrent ischemic stroke from reversible extracranial internal carotid artery and middle cerebral artery vasospasm: A case report

Idiopathic internal carotid artery (ICA) vasospasm is a rare cause of ischemic stroke. Its pathophysiology remains unclear and diagnostic and treatment protocols are yet to be defined. A 45-year-old male, presenting with recurrent transient dizziness, blurred vision, and speech disturbances, was diagnosed with recurrent ischemic stroke caused by bilateral ICA and middle cerebral artery (MCA) vasospasm, and the vascular ultrasound and imaging techniques have grabbed the reversible changes in a short time. This case underscores the importance of considering idiopathic ICA vasospasm as a potential cause of recurrent ischemic stroke, even in the absence of common diagnostic markers. The case also indicates the possible, albeit rare, involvement of the MCA in this condition. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain a high index of suspicion for idiopathic ICA vasospasm in similar clinical presentations and to explore more inclusive diagnostic criteria