Quality of Learning in Higher Education: Students’ Conceptions of Learning as a Critical Aspect

Subjects present different ways to conceptualize and experience learning (e.g., Saljo, 1979; Marton, Dall Álba & Beaty (1993). This has also been confirmed by portuguese researches (e.g., Grácio 2002, Rosário et al., 2007). It was found the conceptions of learning influence the way students approach learning and the quality of learning outcomes. It was also established a link between the student conception of learning, the level of processing used and the understanding reached (e.g., Marton et al. 1993, Entwistle, 2009). The different conceptions of learning are normally classified in two large groups. A first group concerning the superficial conceptions of learning (i.e., increase of knowledge, memorization and application). These three conceptions share the common fact that knowledge is viewed as something external, emphasizing the storage and reproduction of information, implying a low level of cognitive processing. A second group concerning the transformational or deep conceptions of learning (i.e., understanding, seeing something differently and changing as a person) emphasizes the assignment of meaning and the transformation of the information, indicating complex cognitive processing. The research findings and results in this field were obtained through the use of qualitative methodologies, mainly in a phenomenography perspective. However, in 2002 Purdie and Hattie presented a questionnaire built from qualitative data to assess student’s conceptions of learning (COLI – Conceptions of Learning Inventory). In this study we present its validation for the portuguese higher education population through its application to 563 students of first year from the University of Évora

Plastic instability in complex strain paths predicted by advanced constitutive equations

The present paper aims at predicting plastic instabilities under complex loading histories using an advanced sheet metal forming limit model. The onset of localized necking is computed using the Marciniak-Kuczinslcy (MK) analysis [I] with a physically-based hardening model and the phenomenological anisotropic yield criterion Yld2000-2d [2]. The hardening model accounts for anisotropic work-hardening induced by the microstructural evolution at large strains, which was proposed by Teodosiu and Hu [3]. Simulations are carried out for linear and complex strain paths. Experimentally, two deep-drawing quality sheet metals are selected: a bake-hardening steel (BH) and a DC06 steel sheet. The validity of the model is assessed by comparing the predicted and experimental forming limits. The remarkable accuracy of the developed software to predict the forming limits under linear and non-linear strain path is obviously due to the performance of the advanced constitutive equations to describe with great detail the material behavior. The effect of strain-induced anisotropy on formability evolution under strain path changes, as predicted by the microstructural hardening model, is particularly well captured by the model.open1134Nsciescopu

Discrete Dynamical Systems: A Brief Survey

Dynamical system is a mathematical formalization for any fixed rule that is described in time dependent fashion. The time can be measured by either of the number systems - integers, real numbers, complex numbers. A discrete dynamical system is a dynamical system whose state evolves over a state space in discrete time steps according to a fixed rule. This brief survey paper is concerned with the part of the work done by José Sousa Ramos [2] and some of his research students. We present the general theory of discrete dynamical systems and present results from applications to geometry, graph theory and synchronization

Material modelling and springback analysis for multi-stage rotary draw bending of thin-walled tube using homogeneous anisotropic hardening model

The aim of this paper is to compare several hardening models and to show their relevance for the prediction of springback and deformation of an asymmetric aluminium alloy tube in multi-stage rotary draw bending process. A three-dimensional finite-element model of the process is developed using the ABAQUS code. For material modelling, the newly developed homogeneous anisotropic hardening model is adopted to capture the Bauschinger effect and transient hardening behaviour of the aluminium alloy tube subjected to non-proportional loading. The material parameters of the hardening model are obtained from uniaxial tension and forward-reverse shear test results of tube specimens. This work shows that this approach reproduces the transient Bauschinger behaviour of the material reasonably well. However, a curve-crossing phenomenon observed for this material cannot be captured by the homogeneous anisotropic hardening model. For comparison purpose, the isotropic and combined isotropic-kinematic hardening models are also adopted for the analysis of the same problem. The predictions of springback and cross-section deformation based on these models are discussed. (C) 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.open1134Nsciescopu

Numerical simulation of the mechanical response during strain path change: application to Zn alloys.

The microstructure-based hardening model (Beyerlein and Tome, 2007), that accounts for the dislocation reversal-related mechanisms and the cut-through effect, is extended to HCP metals. This model, which is embedded in the visco-plastic self-consistent framework, is applied in this work to predict the mechanical response of Zn alloy during strain path change. The predicted mechanical behavior and texture evolution during pre-loading and reloading is in good agreement with experimental observations. The change in hardening behavior after reloading is well reproduced by this model. The contributions of the different mechanisms are also analyzed. (C) 2014 Published by Elsevier Ltd.open1111Nsciescopu

Learning with the Amerindians: the evaluation of pelvic floor disorders among indigenous women who live in the Xingu Indian Park,Brazil

Objective: to evaluate the pelvic floor muscles and the incidence of pelvic organ prolapse among indigenous women who live in Xingu Indian Park, Mato Grosso, Brazil. 
Methods: observational study with 377 indigenous women, mean age 31+/-15 years, mean gravity 5+/-4, mean parity 4+/-3 and mean body mass index 23,3+/-4 Kg/m2. The Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q) was the system used to quantification the staging of pelvic support and the pelvic floor muscle strength was assessed by a perineometer. Logistic regression was used to determine odds ratios and 95% CI for factors that were associated with prolapse. 
Results: The overall distribution of POP-Q stage system was the following: 15,6% stage 0, 19,4% stage I, 63,9% stage II and 0,8% stage III. Parity (OR=9.40, 95% CI 2.81-31,42) and age (OR=1,03, 95% IC 1,01-1,05) were the most important risk factors for pelvic organ prolapse. The high resting pressure was considered as a protecting factor (OR=0,96, 95% IC 0,94-0,98). 
Conclusions: Like non indigenous community, age and the parity were the most important risk factors to the genital prolapse; however the pelvic floor muscles strength were intact, maybe due to the indigenous lifestyle

Analysis of the Behavior of a Chaotic Dynamic System under Different Types of Couplings and Several free Dynamics

n this paper, we analyze how the behavior of a chaotic dynamical system changes when we couple it with another. We focus our attention on two aspects: the possibility of chaos suppression and the possibility of synchronization. We consider a Symmetric Linear Coupling and several free dynamics. For each of them we study the evolution of the coupling behavior with the coupling strength constant, defining windows of behavior. We extend the analysis to some other couplings. This is a survey paper

Twist Springback of Asymmetric Thin-walled Tube in Mandrel Rotary Draw Bending Process

AbstractThis paper aims to develop an effective numerical model and analyse the twist springback behaviour of asymmetric thin-walled tube in mandrel rotary draw bending. Yld2000-2d anisotropic yield criterion integrated with mixed isotropic and kinematic hardening model was used to describe the material properties including anisotropy and Bauschinger effect. The corresponding mechanical experiments such as uniaxial tension, monotonic and forward-reverse shear tests were performed to obtain the material parameters. A three-dimensional elastic-plastic finite element model was developed, and its validity was assessed by comparing the predicted twist springback with experiment one. Based on the present FE model, the tangential stress distribution during different bending steps were analysed to explore the source of twist springback. The results indicate that the torsion moment of cross sections caused by the non-homogenous stress states play a considerable role in twist springback prediction

Computer-aided simulation of a rotary sputtering magnetron

In the past, computer-aided simulation of sputtering magnetron has been applied mainly to planar cathodes with flat target surfaces. In this work, we have simulated the target erosion profile of a cylindrical rotary magnetron by tracing electron trajectories and predicting ionization distribution. The electric potential is prescribed as a radial function. A fourth-order Runge–Kutta method is used to solve the electron movement equations, and a Monte Carlo method is employed to predict electron/Ar collision. It is shown that the simulation can predict the target erosion with reasonable accuracy. © 2004 American Institute of Physics.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/71287/2/JAPIAU-95-11-6017-1.pd