Mobile mentoring conversations and the role of participant teachers

Abstract. The aim of this thesis is to explore the practices in Finn Church Aid’s Mobile Mentoring project by analyzing the teachers’ online conversations. This study seeks to improve the North-South engagements, especially in the context of teacher professional development. The research questions address the development of the online conversations, the positions of participants, mentor-mentee, and the effect on teachers’ professional development. From a theoretical perspective this research is located under the postcolonial paradigm, which is discussed together with the pedagogical postcolonial framework, Learning Through Other Eyes, and Bhabha’s Third Space. Topics regarding mobile learning, teacher’s professional development and mobile mentoring are also discussed. Participating teachers were originally from Uganda, the mentees, and from Finland, the mentor. The twelve weeks conversation was analyzed following a dialogical methodology. The findings of this analysis were divided into two parts: firstly, the four modules showed the development of the conversations and were used a reorientation for the summary of the findings. Secondly, the research questions were directly addressed based on the most representative segments of conversation. The research found that the development of the conversations followed multilateral interactions, however there was a slight change towards multilateral interactions as weeks past. Moreover, the mentees positioned themselves as respondents and the mentor as a guide of the conversations. Nonetheless, there were times when some mentees took the leading role. Finally, the mobile mentoring conversations followed an inquiry based mentoring model which allowed mentees to contextualize their reflections to their own setting. Some alternatives for mobile mentoring in similar contexts are suggested. Further research needs to analyze other elements of mobile mentoring project such as the curriculum or the participant’s perceptions

Simultaneous analysis of elastic scattering and transfer/breakup channels for the 6He+208Pb reaction at energies near the Coulomb barrier

The elastic and alpha-production channels for the 6He+208Pb reaction are investigated at energies around the Coulomb barrier (E_{lab}=14, 16, 18, 22, and 27 MeV). The effect of the two-neutron transfer channels on the elastic scattering has been studied within the Coupled-Reaction-Channels (CRC) method. We find that the explicit inclusion of these channels allows a simultaneous description of the elastic data and the inclusive alpha cross sections at backward angles. Three-body Continuum-Discretized Coupled-Channels (CDCC) calculations are found to reproduce the elastic data, but not the transfer/breakup data. The trivially-equivalent local polarization potential (TELP) derived from the CRC and CDCC calculations are found to explain the features found in previous phenomenological optical model calculations for this system.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figures (replaced with updated version

On the security of a new image encryption scheme based on chaotic map lattices

This paper reports a detailed cryptanalysis of a recently proposed encryption scheme based on the logistic map. Some problems are emphasized concerning the key space definition and the implementation of the cryptosystem using floating-point operations. It is also shown how it is possible to reduce considerably the key space through a ciphertext-only attack. Moreover, a timing attack allows the estimation of part of the key due to the existent relationship between this part of the key and the encryption/decryption time. As a result, the main features of the cryptosystem do not satisfy the demands of secure communications. Some hints are offered to improve the cryptosystem under study according to those requirements.Comment: 8 pages, 8 Figure

Dually sensitive dextran-based micelles for methotrexate delivery

Temperature-sensitive polymeric micelles were prepared from dextran grafted with poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) or polyethylene glycol methyl ether (PEGMA) via controlled radical polymerization and evaluated as delivery systems of the anticancer drug methotrexate (MTX). Polymer-grafting was carried out after introduction of initiating groups onto the polysaccharide backbone, without the need for protection of hydroxyl groups and avoiding the use of toxic solvents. Temperature-responsive dextran-based copolymers were designed to exhibit self-aggregation behaviour, affinity for MTX and high cellular internalization. In addition, some grafted polymers incorporated 2-aminoethyl methacrylate to reinforce MTX encapsulation in the micelles by means of ionic interactions. Dextran-based micelles were cytocompatible and had an appropriate size to be used as drug carriers. MTX release was dependent on the pH and temperature. The combination of poly(2-aminoethylmethacrylate) and PNIPAAm with the dextran backbone permitted the complete release of MTX at normal physiological temperature. Co-polymer micelles were highly internalized by tumour cells (CHO-K1) and, when loaded with MTX, led to enhanced cytotoxicity compared to the free drug

Tuning Pore Dimensions of Mesoporous Inorganic Films by Homopolymer Swelling

The functionality and applications of mesoporous inorganic films are closely linked to their mesopore dimensions. For material architectures derived from a block copolymer (BCP) micelle coassembly, the pore size is typically manipulated by changing the molecular weight corresponding to the pore-forming block. However, bespoke BCP synthesis is often a costly and time-consuming process. An alternative method for pore size tuning involves the use of swelling agents, such as homopolymers (HPs), which selectively interact with the core-forming block to increase the micelle size in solution. In this work, poly(isobutylene)-block-poly(ethylene oxide) micelles were swollen with poly(isobutylene) HP in solution and coassembled with aluminosilicate sol with the aim of increasing the resulting pore dimensions. An analytical approach implementing spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) and ellipsometric porosimetry (EP) alongside atomic force microscopy (AFM) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) in transmission and grazing-incidence (GISAXS) modes enabled us to study the material evolution from solution processing through the manifestation of the mesoporous inorganic film after BCP removal. The in-depth SE/EP analysis evidenced an increase of more than 45% in mesopore diameter with HP swelling and a consistent scaling of the overall void volume and number of pores. Importantly, our analytical toolbox enabled us to study the effect of swelling on the connecting necks between adjacent pores, with observed increases as high as ≈35%, offering novel pathways to sensing, electrochemical, and other mass-transfer-dependent applications

Laser beam properties and microfluidic confinement control thermocavitation

Thermocavitation, the creation of a vapor bubble by heating a liquid with a continuous-wave laser, has been studied for a wide range of applications. Examples include the development of an actuator for needle-free jet injectors, as the pumping mechanism in microfluidic channels and crystallization or nanoparticle synthesis. Optimal use in these applications require control over the dynamics of the laser-generated bubble through the laser power and beam radius. In contrast to pulsed lasers, for continuous-wave lasers the influence of the laser beam radius on the bubble characteristics is not fully understood. Here, we present a novel way to control the size of the beam from an optical fiber by changing the distance from the glass-liquid interface. We show that the increase in beam size results in a longer nucleation time. Numerical simulations of the experiment show that the maximum temperature at the moment of nucleation is 237$\pm$5{\deg}C and independent of laser parameters. Due to delayed nucleation for larger beam sizes, more energy is absorbed by the liquid at the nucleation instant. Consequently, a larger beam size results in a faster growing bubble, producing the same effect as reducing the laser power. We conclude that the total bubble energy only depends on the amount of absorbed optical energy and it is independent of the beam radius and laser power for any amount of absorbed energy. This effect contrasts with pulsed lasers, where an increase in beam radius results in a reduction of bubble energy. Our results are of relevance for the use of continuous-wave laser-actuated cavitation in needle-free jet injectors as well as other applications of thermocavitation in microfluidic confinement

Structural Characterization of Mesoporous Thin Film Architectures: A Tutorial Overview

Mesoporous thin film architectures are an important class of materials that exhibit unique properties, which include high surface area, versatile surface functionalization, and bicontinuous percolation paths through a broad library of pore arrangements on the 10 nm length scale. Although porosimetry of bulk materials via sorption techniques is common practice, the characterization of thin mesoporous films with small sample volumes remains a challenge. A range of techniques are geared toward providing information over pore morphology, pore size distribution, surface area and overall porosity, but none of them offers a holistic evaluation and results are at times inconsistent. In this work, we present a tutorial overview for the reliable structural characterization of mesoporous films. Three model samples with variable pore size and porosity prepared by block copolymer (BCP) coassembly serve for a rational comparison. Various techniques are assessed side-by-side, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), grazing incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS), and ellipsometric porosimetry (EP). We critically discuss advantages and limitations of each technique and provide guidelines for reliable implementation

Strategy for Enhancing Ultrahigh-Molecular-Weight Block Copolymer Chain Mobility to Access Large Period Sizes (>100 nm)

Assembling ultrahigh-molecular-weight (UHMW) block copolymers (BCPs) in rapid time scales is perceived as a grand challenge in polymer science due to slow kinetics. Through surface engineering and identifying a nonvolatile solvent (propylene glycol methyl ether acetate, PGMEA), we showcase the impressive ability of a series of lamellar poly(styrene)-block-poly(2-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P2VP) BCPs to self-assemble directly after spin-coating. In particular, we show the formation of large-period (≈111 nm) lamellar structures from a neat UHMW PS-b-P2VP BCP. The significant influence of solvent–polymer solubility parameters are explored to enhance the polymer chain mobility. After optimization using solvent vapor annealing, increased feature order of ultralarge-period PS-b-P2VP BCP patterns in 1 h is achieved. Isolated metallic and dielectric features are also demonstrated to exemplify the promise that large BCP periods offer for functional applications. The methods described in this article center on industry-compatible patterning schemes, solvents, and deposition techniques. Thus, our straightforward UHMW BCP strategy potentially paves a viable and practical path forward for large-scale integration in various sectors, e.g., photonic band gaps, polarizers, and membranes that demand ultralarge period sizes

Obtaining of repair lime renders with microencapsulated phase change materials: optimization of the composition, application, mechanical and microstructural studies

Different batches of repair lime rendering mortars were designed by mixing microencapsulated Phase Change Materials (PCMs) and other additives. The final aim of these renders is to improve the thermal efficiency of the envelope of the Built Heritage, while allowing the practitioners to apply a render with positive final performance. The combinations of the PCMs in different weight percentages, a superplasticiser (to increase the fluidity of the render keeping constant the mixing water), an adhesion improver and a pozzolanic additive were studied. The adhesion of these renders onto bricks and limestone specimens and the shrinkage and cracking of the mortars were studied in detail. X-ray diffraction technique was used to study the composition and evolution of the carbonation process. Compressive strength measurements were studied in hardened specimens. In addition, the porous structure of the rendering mortars was studied by mercury intrusion porosimetry to assess the effect of the PCMs' addition. Samples underwent accelerated climatic ageing to study their durability and the preservation of the thermal efficiency. Results have shown that these thermally enhanced mortars are feasible materia Is for real-life application in the context of architectural heritage restoration and conservation

Enhancement of latent heat storage capacity of lime rendering mortars

Microencapsulated Phase Change Materials (PCMs) were included in air lime rendering mortars in order to improve the thermal comfort of the inhabitants and the energy efficiency of buildings of the Architectural Heritage under the premises of mínimum intervention and maximum compatibility. Three different PCMs were tested and directly added during the mixing process to fresh air lime mortars in three different percentages: 5, 10 and 20 wt. %. Some chemical additives were also incorporated to improve the final performance of the renders: a starch derivative as an adhesion booster; metakaolin as pozzolanic addition to shorten the setting time and to increase the final strength; anda polycarboxylated ether as a superplasticizer to adjust the fluidity of the fresh renders avoiding an excess of mixing water. The specific heat Cp, the enthalpy ti.H ascribed to the phase change and the melting temperature of the PCMs were determined by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). The capacity of the renders to store/release heat was demonstrated at a laboratory scale. The favourable results proved the effect of these PCMs with respect to the thermal performance of these rendering mortars, offering a promising way of enhancement of the thermal efficiency of building materia Is of the Cultural Heritage