Do mobile learning devices enhance learning in higher education anatomy classrooms?

Recently there has been an increased volume of research and practice of mobile Learning (mLearning) and in particular of the tablet device. The question of how, when and where to best incorporate the tablet device into the learning environment in Higher Education remains largely unanswered. The article presents the findings of an empirical study that examined the effect of integrating mobile learning tablet devices into first year University anatomy seminars in a group of Sport and Exercise students. Data on student achievement, attendance and feedback was collected over two academic years and two cohorts, comparing seminar groups taught with tablet devices (iPads) integrated with traditionally taught anatomy seminars. The results indicate that the iPads had a positive effect on attendance, achievement and progression, highlighting the need for a framework as to how the tablet should be incorporated to maximise the learner experience. This article offers insight into the implications of successful mLearning using tablets and into how we, as educators might use the tablet device as a tool to provide a more engaging, successful learning environment which positively impacts on student achievement and independent truly mobile learning outside of the classroom

Beyond access and skills: from Moodle evaluation to digital literacies in situated practices

The paper considers the ‘frame of reference’ for the discussion and evaluation of technologies for learning and teaching in Higher Education. As gaining access to existing and emerging technologies become easier to achieve, there is a need to upskill staff and consider ‘digital literacies’ as inherently interdisciplinary and situated practices

Digital literacies in situated practices

As gaining access to existing and emerging technologies become easier to achieve, there is a need to upskill staff and consider ‘digital literacies’ as inherently interdisciplinary and situated practices. This poster outlines the digital literacy project at Middlesex University

Automation of Image Analysis Software for Real-Time Oxygenation Imaging of Wounds

Preliminary work has shown that measuring tissue oxygenation in diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) using Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) using a Near Infrared Optical Scanner (NIROS) has promise in providing clinicians with subclinical physiological information on wound healing. This physiological information includes hemoglobin-based (oxy-hemoglobin, deoxy-hemoglobin, total hemoglobin, and oxygen saturation) concentration maps that undergo contrast analysis, image segmentation, image coregistration, measurements of wound areas, and statistical analysis. Currently, these methods have been implemented separately in MATLAB, requiring a time-consuming image analysis process. Herein, the objective of this project is to consolidate the various steps of image analysis into a single automated, user-friendly, graphical interface for efficient, real-time data analysis in the clinic. Consolidation and automation of the image analysis process can allow real-time assessment of wound healing status, apart from real-time imaging capabilities of the NIROS system. NIROS has the potential to complement the gold-standard clinical visual assessment of DFUs by providing supplementary physiological information on wound healing, and thus guiding treatment, with the possibility of improving patient outcomes

The Effectiveness Of Repairing Fatigue Damaged 7050 Aluminium Alloy Using Shot Peening

Shot peening is an effective life extension surface treatment process. In this study, experiments were performed to investigate whether shot peening could be used to recover the fatigue resistance of aluminium alloy 7050 that has experienced prior fatigue damage. The results showed that shot peening may be used for restoring the original fatigue life of the material, but the effectiveness strongly depends on the amount of prior damage (e.g. the crack depth of any cracks that have already formed) in the material. A numerical model was established and the effect of residual stress was incorporated into the model. The prediction by the model agreed well with the experimental results in terms of trend

Trajectories of Exposure to Neighborhood Deprivation and the Odds of Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence Among Women: Are There Sensitive Periods for Exposure?

Neighborhood disadvantage is commonly hypothesized to be positively associated with intimate partner violence (IPV) against women. However, longitudinal investigation of this association has been limited, with no studies on whether the timing of exposure matters. We used data from 2,115 women in the UK-based Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. Exposure to neighborhood-level deprivation was measured at 10-time points from baseline (gestation) until age 18. Family-level socioeconomic characteristics were measured at baseline. At age 21, participants self-reported whether they had experienced any IPV since age 18. We used a three-step bias-adjusted longitudinal latent class analysis to investigate how different patterns of neighborhood deprivation exposure were associated with the odds of experiencing IPV. A total of 32% of women experienced any IPV between ages 18 and 21. Women who consistently lived in deprived neighborhoods (chronic high deprivation) or spent their early childhoods in more deprived neighborhoods and later moved to less deprived neighborhoods (decreasing deprivation) had higher odds of experiencing IPV compared to those who consistently lived in non-deprived neighborhoods. The odds of experiencing IPV did not consistently differ between women who lived in non-deprived neighborhoods during early childhood and later moved to deprived neighborhoods (increasing deprivation) and those stably in non-deprived neighborhoods. Living in more deprived neighborhoods during early childhood, regardless of later exposure, was associated with higher odds of experiencing later IPV. This is congruent with prior research demonstrating the persistent effects of early neighborhood disadvantage on health and well-being. Replication, and underlying mechanisms, should be assessed across contexts

Spallation-Like Phenomenon Induced By Laser Shock Peening Surface Treatment On 7050 Aluminum Alloy

Laser shock peening (LSP) is a promising surface treatment for fatigue life extension of metallic materials. The benefits include deeper residual stresses (>1 mm) and a smoother surface finish than conventional glass bead peening. However, fatigue tests on 7050 aluminium alloy specimens have shown that LSP may cause a reduction in life due to internal cracking generated during the process. A series of tests were carried out to identify any technological risks such as internal cracking associated with the use of LSP. Numerical modelling was also carried out and the results of this numerical prediction agreed well with the experimental results

Achievement of combined goals of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol with three different statins: Results from VOYAGER

AbstractBackgroundGuidelines suggest that the combination of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) is the most clinically relevant goal for lipid-lowering treatments.MethodsData from VOYAGER, an individual patient data meta-analysis including 32,258 patients from 37 clinical trials, was used to determine the percentage of patients reaching combined goals of LDL-C and non-HDL-C following treatment with simvastatin, atorvastatin, or rosuvastatin. Paired comparisons were made between each dose of rosuvastatin and the same or higher doses of simvastatin and atorvastatin.ResultsEach dose of rosuvastatin brought significantly more patients to the combined goal of LDL-C < 100 mg/dL and non-HDL-C < 130 mg/dL than the same or double dose of atorvastatin; atorvastatin 80 mg was significantly superior to rosuvastatin 10 mg (all p < 0.001). Each dose of rosuvastatin helped significantly more patients reach the combined goal than any dose of simvastatin (all p < 0.001), except for rosuvastatin 10 mg versus simvastatin 80 mg (non-significant). Also, each dose of rosuvastatin helped significantly more patients to reach the combined goal of LDL-C < 70 mg/dL and non-HDL-C < 100 mg/dL than the same or double dose of atorvastatin (all p < 0.001). Every dose of rosuvastatin was significantly superior to all doses of simvastatin (all p ≤ 0.020), except for rosuvastatin 10 mg versus simvastatin 40 mg and 80 mg (non-significant).ConclusionsPhysicians' choice of statin and dose is important in helping patients achieve the combined LDL-C and non-HDL-C goals recommended in established guidelines

Building a synthetic mechanosensitive signaling pathway in compartmentalized artificial cells

To date reconstitution of one of the fundamental methods of cell communication, the signaling pathway, has been unaddressed in the bottom-up construction of artificial cells (ACs). Such developments are needed to increase the functionality and biomimicry of ACs, accelerating their translation and application in biotechnology. Here we report the construction of a de novo synthetic signaling pathway in microscale nested vesicles. Vesicle cell models respond to external calcium signals through activation of an intracellular interaction between phospholipase A2 and a mechanosensitive channel present in the internal membranes, triggering content mixing between compartments and controlling cell fluorescence. Emulsion-based approaches to AC construction are therefore shown to be ideal for the quick design and testing of new signaling networks and can readily include synthetic molecules difficult to introduce to biological cells. This work represents a foundation for the engineering of multi-compartment-spanning designer pathways that can be utilised to control downstream events inside an artificial cell, leading to the assembly of micromachines capable of sensing and responding to changes in their local environment

Effects of dalcetrapib in patients with a recent acute coronary syndrome

In observational analyses, higher levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol have been associated with a lower risk of coronary heart disease events. However, whether raising HDL cholesterol levels therapeutically reduces cardiovascular risk remains uncertain. Inhibition of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) raises HDL cholesterol levels and might therefore improve cardiovascular outcomes