Linking Experiential Learning and Real Life: A Design Case Featuring Immersive Learning

This paper defines the value and best practices of immersive learning and how a Midwest University initiative implements immersive learning practices to enhance students’ educational experience. Literature reveals that immersive, or experiential, learning experiences are critical because “experiential learning provides the necessary link between formal education and adult life; it is a mechanism for integrating education and work, for recognizing the validity of all learning that is relevant to a college degree and for actively fostering recurrent education” (Kolb, 2014, pg. 3). Immersive learning is an essential component to ensure that students are fully equipped with the skills and knowledge needed in their future careers. Using a design case, the concept of an immersive learning is explored. Findings reveal that this immersive program is well-implemented and well-executed, allowing community partners to support the University, students to obtain real-world design experience, and allows educators to stay connected to design while teaching; it is a winning partnership for all three stakeholders.

On polarization of vector light beams: origin of Berry phase

When generalized from plane waves to general vector beams, the notion of polarization described by the Stokes parameters turns out to be defined in a momentum-associated system that is fixed by the so-called Stratton vector. As the true intrinsic degree of freedom in the language of quantum mechanics, the polarization of light beams in any fixed momentum-associated system is able to characterize their vectorial feature in the laboratory reference system. The Stratton vector is therefore the degree of freedom to distinguish the vectorial feature of light beams that have the same "polarization". Such an observable effect of the Stratton vector helps to understand why plane waves of the same helicity and the same momentum can be different by a Berry phase. This might be the first time to reveal the physical origin of the Berry phase.Comment: 13 pages and 1 figure. A discussion about the relation between the Poincar\'e vectors in different MAS's is adde

Interior Materials and Applications: A Hands-On Project with First Presbyterian Church

Experiential learning is the philosophical term behind the idea of immersing oneself in a subject in order to learn. Aristotle wrote, "for the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them". Being hands-on is especially important in the classroom because it allows students to engage in kinesthetic learning. 'Doing' helps them to gain a better understanding of the material. It allows students to experiment with trial and error, learn from their mistakes, and understand the potential gaps between theory and practice. It also provides educators with a unique opportunity to enrich the minds of their students in new and engaging ways. This project seeks to afford freshman design students the hands-on training, knowledge, skills and competencies needed in the workplace as they pursue their degree. In the spring 2022 approximately 50 freshman students from the IDES 115 Interior Materials and Applications, Sections 1 and 2 (a required course in the Interior Design major), taught by PI Alfaro and Co-PI Son, will align with a community partner, First Presbyterian Church of Muncie, to specify appropriate materials for a future youth room in their church, learn from qualified consultant’s appropriate application techniques, and then apply what they learn to actually refinish the space for the community partner. Students, using hands-on techniques, will gain an understanding of current materials and construction practices, and explore innovation in material application with guidance from guest consultants. The project addresses the production of specifications and schedules, cost analysis, project management, and applicable building codes

Marine mammal conservation: over the horizon

Artículo escrito por más de 35 autores.Marine mammals can play important ecological roles in aquatic ecosystems, and their presence can be key to community structure and function. Consequently, marine mammals are often considered indicators of ecosystem health and flagship species. Yet, historical population declines caused by exploitation, and additional current threats, such as climate change, fisheries bycatch, pollution and maritime development, continue to impact many marine mammal species, and at least 25% are classified as threatened (Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable) on the IUCN Red List. Conversely, some species have experienced population increases/recoveries in recent decades, reflecting management interventions, and are heralded as conservation successes. To continue these successes and reverse the downward trajectories of at-risk species, it is necessary to evaluate the threats faced by marine mammals and the conservation mechanisms available to address them. Additionally, there is a need to identify evidence-based priorities of both research and conservation needs across a range of settings and taxa. To that effect we: (1) outline the key threats to marine mammals and their impacts, identify the associated knowledge gaps and recommend actions needed; (2) discuss the merits and downfalls of established and emerging conservation mechanisms; (3) outline the application of research and monitoring techniques; and (4) highlight particular taxa/populations that are in urgent need of focus

Generalized Forward-Backward Splitting with Penalization for Monotone Inclusion Problems

We introduce a generalized forward-backward splitting method with penalty term for solving monotone inclusion problems involving the sum of a finite number of maximally monotone operators and the normal cone to the nonempty set of zeros of another maximal monotone operator. We show weak ergodic convergence of the generated sequence of iterates to a solution of the considered monotone inclusion problem, provided the condition corresponded to the Fitzpatrick function of the operator describing the set of the normal cone is fulfilled. Under strong monotonicity of an operator, we show strong convergence of the iterates. Furthermore, we utilize the proposed method for minimizing a large-scale hierarchical minimization problem concerning the sum of differentiable and nondifferentiable convex functions subject to the set of minima of another differentiable convex function. We illustrate the functionality of the method through numerical experiments addressing constrained elastic net and generalized Heron location problems

Positrons from Primordial Black Hole Microquasars and Gamma-ray Bursts

We propose several novel scenarios how capture of small sublunar-mass primordial black holes (PBHs) by compact stars, white dwarfs or neutron stars, can lead to distinct short gamma-ray bursts (sGRBs) as well as microquasars (MQs). In addition to providing new signatures, relativistic jets from these systems will accelerate positrons to high energies. We find that if PBHs constitute a sizable fraction of DM, they can significantly contribute to the excess observed in the positron flux by the Pamela, the AMS-02 and the Fermi-LAT experiments. Our proposal combines the beneficial features of astrophysical sources and dark matter.Comment: 9 pages, 2 figures, v2: significant revisions, published version, Physics Letters B (2018

An augmented reality platform for interactive aerodynamic design and analysis

While modern CFD tools are able to provide the user with reliable and accurate simulations, there is a strong need for interactive design and analysis tools. State-of-the-art CFD software employs massive resources in terms of CPU time, user interaction, and also GPU time for rendering and analysis. In this work, we develop an innovative tool able to provide a seamless bridge between artistic design and engineering analysis. This platform has three main ingredients: computer vision to avoid long user interaction at the pre-processing stage, machine learning to avoid costly CFD simulations, and augmented reality for an agile and interactive post-processing of the results

An Analysis and Interpretation of Three Vocal Works for Soprano from Eighteenth, Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries

It was the purpose of this study to establish a musical and artistic interpretation of three vocal compositions by three composers: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Henri Duparc, and Anton Webern

Looking beyond the numbers: Quality assurance procedures in the global network for women\u27s and children\u27s health research maternal newborn health registry

Background: Quality assurance (QA) is a process that should be an integral part of research to protect the rights and safety of study participants and to reduce the likelihood that the results are affected by bias in data collection. Most QA plans include processes related to study preparation and regulatory compliance, data collection, data analysis and publication of study results. However, little detailed information is available on the specific procedures associated with QA processes to ensure high-quality data in multi-site studies.Methods: The Global Network for Women\u27s and Children\u27s Health Maternal Newborn Health Registy (MNHR) is a prospective population-based registry of pregnancies and deliveries that is carried out in 8 international sites. Since its inception, QA procedures have been utilized to ensure the quality of the data. More recently, a training and certification process was developed to ensure that standardized, scientifically accurate clinical definitions are used consistently across sites. Staff complete a web-based training module that reviews the MNHR study protocol, study forms and clinical definitions developed by MNHR investigators and are certified through a multiple choice examination prior to initiating study activities and every six months thereafter. A standardized procedure for supervision and evaluation of field staff is carried out to ensure that research activites are conducted according to the protocol across all the MNHR sites.Conclusions: We developed standardized QA processes for training, certification and supervision of the MNHR, a multisite research registry. It is expected that these activities, together with ongoing QA processes, will help to further optimize data quality for this protocol

Análisis del Estado e importancia estratégica de la Cooperación Financiera Internacional en el Desarrollo de Investigaciones en el Instituto Nacional de Salud (INSMINSAL) Período 2009-2016.

Cooperación Internacional y la Salud como punto en la Agenda Internacional – El INS y el financiamiento de la Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo Científico de El Salvador -- Las investigaciones del INS como base científica para la formulación de políticas públicas en salud