UNITE 3D Rover Summer Workshop: An Overview and Assessment

The article offers information about UNITE, a program sponsored by the U.S. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP, 2015). It mentions that the STEM Enrichment Activities of AEOP are designed to spark student interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) especially among the underserved and those in earlier grades and educators by providing exciting, engaging, interactive, hands-on STEM experiences (USAEOP)

Energy From The Skies: Empowering Future Generations

The article discusses the development of photovoltaic technology. The first account of the use of solar power during war in western civilization was in the second century B.C. during the battle of Syracuse with Archimedes\u27 famed Death Ray. In the late 1800s and early 1900s many advances occurred including the invention of solar-powered engines, the discovery of the photoconductivity of selenium and its ability to produce electricity when exposed to light, and the construction of the first solar cells from selenium wafers. Photovoltaic technology was born in the U.S. in 1954 when Daryl Chapin, Calvin Fuller, and Gerald Pearson developed the silicon photovoltaic cell at Bell Labs. The different types of photovoltaic manufacturing processes are discussed

Design and Implement a Cost-Effective Wireless Communication Project on a PIC Training System

Wireless communication becomes popular and widely used in almost every electronic product in our daily life. The RF communication is one of the major wireless applications in consumer products. Usually, it is integrated with an embedded system (microcontroller) to control various applications such as temperature sensing, data logging, data exchange, actuator activation, and user interaction wirelessly. A project based model can be used as an effective instructional strategy to enhance learning about complex RF concepts and technologies. The project method can lead to improved understanding and create interest by actively engaging the student with hands-on and problem solving and critical thinking activities. This project is based on a previously developed low cost PIC microcontroller training system that is coupled with RF communication that can be used in a variety of hands-on applications in designing senior capstone projects. A 2.4 GHz RF transceiver package (RF24J40MA) that was developed by Microchip, Inc. provides the benefits of a compact, low-cost, and easy to use product with a few or small additional parts count that includes all components less the power supply. Integrating this RF module with the PIC trainer basically requires no extra hardware, the learning of the RF concept and software development becomes the focus of the design work. The IEEE 802.15.4TM-2003 rules, standards, and software protocols designs with SPI interfacing are the center of the project. The student assessment process includes a live demonstration of the student-designed functions using a pair of the RF modules with PIC trainers. Engineering technology focuses on both hands-on and mind-on design work and the practice is to integrate existing technology products into real world applications. Teaching the RF concepts can be complex, tedious, and sometimes confusing. However, if it is implemented in a real-world project approach to learning by using an existing RF modules that lead to developing clear understanding and meaningful experiences in successfully applying the concepts that makes these subjects interesting as well as challenging to learn. Using the existing RF transceiver module reduces many unmanageable interferences and integrating it with microcontroller via software controls make the designs flexible to fit various needs. By integrating the RF transceiver module with a pre-developed PIC training system eliminates many uncontrollable variables. This project provides useful tools that make teaching of complex RF subjects appealing and it can easily be adopted in many potential applications. Through the implementation of this project has provided the opportunities for students to learn about current technological concepts and to prepare and qualify for high-tech jobs for today and in the future

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Using Artificial Intelligence Techniques to Assist Faculty Advisors in Accurate Student Advising at The University Level

This study addressed the design and development of a personal computer-based knowledge system to assist inexperienced faculty with the academic advising process for students in the Department of vocational Education at Old Dominion University. The goals of this project included: Improving the timeliness and accuracy of student advising Examine the possibility of using a personal computer-based knowledge system to improve access to complex advising information, and Developing an advising knowledge system model that could be easily modified for other program areas in the Department of vocational and Technical Education. The software product that was developed as a result of this dissertation was called EASE or Easy Advising Expert Software. EASE was developed through a knowledge acquisition process that involved a series of interviews with an advising expert in the Department of Vocational and Technical Education. Knowledge acquisition techniques included audio tape recorded interviews and video tape recorded advising sessions. The knowledge acquisition process proved to be a critical element in defining information-based problems associated with the advising process. Later, a fact list was prepared that addressed information and questions that were typically and atypically encountered during advising sessions with a student. An expert system knowledge base was prepared using a Production Rule Language (PRL), unique to the Level5 Expert system software that was used in developing an implementation version of EASE. The operation of EASE is a user-friendly backward chaining knowledge base system that provides the user with a goal selection option of choosing an area of advising information where help is needed. Alternately, the knowledge system can be used for a complete advising session that addresses all requirements for a degree program in Technology Education. This includes recommendations for semester course selections, an advising session report, and a graduation review check. Thus, EASE provides the user with access to information about course offerings, prerequisites for courses, program requirements, and degree requirements that is characteristically associated with the experiences of an expert advisor. The knowledge acquisition processes and advising expert system that has resulted from this project can serve as a model for developing advising knowledge systems for other organizations that have experienced information-based problems in the academic advising process

Use of Rotational Stocking in Combination With Cultural Practices for Smutgrass Control—A Florida Case Study

On the Ground • Smutgrass (Sporobolus indicus) is an invasive plant in Florida sandy soils, prevalent in central and south Florida where temperatures seldom drop below freezing and hard frost events are infrequent. • Smutgrass becomes nonpalatable to cattle as it matures and cattle avoid grazing it after the emergence of seed stalks and when leaves become tough. However, young smutgrass growth is palatable to cattle. • High stocking densities in combination with severe defoliation have proven deleterious for this grass. This study evaluated the use of increased stock density and rotational grazing management for 3 years following a one-time defoliation by mowing or burning smutgrass infested pastures.The Rangelands archives are made available by the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact [email protected] for further information.Migrated from OJS platform March 202