Analysis Of A Global Online Debate And The Development Of An Interaction Analysis Model For Examining Social Construction Of Knowledge In Computer Conferencing

This study attempts to find appropriate interaction analysis/content analysis techniques that assist in examining the negotiation of meaning and co-construction of knowledge in collaborative learning environments facilitated by computer conferencing. The authors review strengths and shortcomings of existing interaction analysis techniques and propose a new model based on grounded theory building for analyzing the quality of CMC interactions and learning experiences. This new Interaction Analysis Model for Examining Social Construction of Knowledge in Computer Conferencing was developed after proposing a new definition of "interaction" for the CMC context and after analyzing interactions that occurred in a Global Online Debate. The application of the new model for analysis of collaborative construction of knowledge in the online debate and in a subsequent computer conference are discussed and future research suggested

Effect of marker position and size on the registration accuracy of HoloLens in a non-clinical setting with implications for high-precision surgical tasks

Acknowledgments: We are grateful to Mike Whyment for the purchase of the holographic headset used in this study and to Rute Vieira and Fiona Saunders for their advice on statistics. We would also like to thank Denise Tosh and the Anatomy staff at the University of Aberdeen for their support. This research was funded by The Roland Sutton Academic Trust (RSAT 0053/R/17) and the University of Aberdeen (via an Elphinstone Scholarship, IKEC Award and Medical Sciences Honours project funding). Funding: This study was funded by The Roland Sutton Academic Trust (RSAT 0053/R/17) and the University of Aberdeen (via an Elphinstone Scholarship, IKEC Award and Medical Sciences Honours project funding).Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Need for Aeromedical Evacuation High-Level Containment Transport Guidelines

Circumstances exist that call for the aeromedical evacuation high-level containment transport (AE-HLCT) of patients with highly hazardous communicable diseases. A small number of organizations maintain AE-HLCT capabilities, and little is publicly available regarding the practices. The time is ripe for the development of standards and consensus guidelines involving AE-HLCT

A comparison of novel and conventional fabrication methods for auxetic foams for sports safety applications

This study compares fabrication methods for auxetic foam intended for use in sports safety equipment. Thermo-mechanical conversion methods were applied using: i) cubic moulds (150x150x150 mm), ii) cuboidal moulds (150x150x30 mm) & iii) cuboidal moulds (150x150x30 mm) with through-thickness pins. The cuboidal moulds having one reduced dimension relative to the cubic moulds enable faster heat transfer and more consistent through-thickness compression to the foam during conversion. The through-thickness pins allow greater control of in-plane compression throughout the bulk of the converted foam. Samples were compared using: i) density measurements and measurements of total surface folding (length multiplied by depth), ii) quasistatic compressive load/unload tests to obtain specific strain energy, stress/strain relationship and Poisson's ratio, iii) impact testing on a bespoke drop rig based on a standard for cricket pads (BS 6183-3: 2000, EN 2001) at 5, 10 and 15 J & iv) microscopic images of dissected samples to confirm their auxetic (re-entrant) structure. Samples fabricated in cuboidal moulds show less variation in final density, axial compressive stiffness and specific strain energy between samples than those cut from monoliths fabricated in cubic moulds. Samples created with through-thickness pins exhibited reduced surface folding. Greater control over final properties paves the way for further work designing auxetic foams for sport safety equipment

Context into text into context : marketing practice into theory ; marketing theory into practice

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to explore the dynamics of marketing practice and theory in arguing that much of the dislocation between strategy and practice is due to the inheritance and internalisation of often impractical but persistently dominant, tacit Cartesian assumptions. Design/methodology/approach - This paper uses case methodology to examine the marketing theory into practice/marketing practice into theory conundrum and explores: their separation (marketing theory and marketing practice); their flows (context to text to context: theory into practice/practice into theory); their symbiosis (the praxis of marketing); and the dynamic and static (in situ/in aspic) nature of their duality. This work is an exploratory empirical study undertaken in what is a very under-researched area. Findings - In this paper, marketing theory and marketing practice are recognised as occupying different epistemes. The lifeworld of marketing theorising appears as characterised by a relatively homogenous and mostly cognitive world dominated by rationality and empirical rigour. By contrast, the embodied practitioner inhabits a more highly segmented, fragmented, heterogeneous and frequently improvised landscape. Practical implications - The authors propose that the all-consuming clamour for reliance and relevance of theory to practice dictates that the form, function and philosophy of marketing must be co-created in the practical pragmatism of praxis. Praxis is practice informed by theory and theory informed by practice, a cyclical process of experiential, contextual learning. Originality/value - The paper appears to be the first to bring together Cartesian thought and the practice-theory divide in B2B marketing theory

Small and mighty: adaptation of superphylum Patescibacteria to groundwater environment drives their genome simplicity.

BackgroundThe newly defined superphylum Patescibacteria such as Parcubacteria (OD1) and Microgenomates (OP11) has been found to be prevalent in groundwater, sediment, lake, and other aquifer environments. Recently increasing attention has been paid to this diverse superphylum including > 20 candidate phyla (a large part of the candidate phylum radiation, CPR) because it refreshed our view of the tree of life. However, adaptive traits contributing to its prevalence are still not well known.ResultsHere, we investigated the genomic features and metabolic pathways of Patescibacteria in groundwater through genome-resolved metagenomics analysis of > 600 Gbp sequence data. We observed that, while the members of Patescibacteria have reduced genomes (~ 1 Mbp) exclusively, functions essential to growth and reproduction such as genetic information processing were retained. Surprisingly, they have sharply reduced redundant and nonessential functions, including specific metabolic activities and stress response systems. The Patescibacteria have ultra-small cells and simplified membrane structures, including flagellar assembly, transporters, and two-component systems. Despite the lack of CRISPR viral defense, the bacteria may evade predation through deletion of common membrane phage receptors and other alternative strategies, which may explain the low representation of prophage proteins in their genomes and lack of CRISPR. By establishing the linkages between bacterial features and the groundwater environmental conditions, our results provide important insights into the functions and evolution of this CPR group.ConclusionsWe found that Patescibacteria has streamlined many functions while acquiring advantages such as avoiding phage invasion, to adapt to the groundwater environment. The unique features of small genome size, ultra-small cell size, and lacking CRISPR of this large lineage are bringing new understandings on life of Bacteria. Our results provide important insights into the mechanisms for adaptation of the superphylum in the groundwater environments, and demonstrate a case where less is more, and small is mighty

Quasi-static characterisation and impact testing of auxetic foam for sports safety applications

This study compared low strain rate material properties and impact force attenuation of auxetic foam and the conventional open-cell polyurethane counterpart. This furthers our knowledge with regards to how best to apply these highly conformable and breathable auxetic foams to protective sports equipment. Cubes of auxetic foam measuring 150 x 150 x 150 mm were fabricated using a thermo-mechanical conversion process. Quasi-static compression confirmed the converted foam to be auxetic, prior to being sliced into 20 mm thick cuboid samples for further testing. Density, Poisson’s ratio and the stress-strain curve were all found to be dependent on the position of each cuboid from within the cube. Impact tests with a hemispherical drop hammer were performed for energies up to 6 J, on foams covered with a polypropylene sheet between 1 and 2 mm thick. Auxetic samples reduced peak force by ~10 times in comparison to the conventional foam. This work has shown further potential for auxetic foam to be applied to protective equipment, while identifying that improved fabrication methods are required

Augmented reality headsets for surgical guidance: the impact of holographic model positions on user localisation accuracy

Novel augmented reality headsets such as HoloLens can be used to overlay patient-specific virtual models of resection margins on the patient’s skin, providing surgeons with information not normally available in the operating room. For this to be useful, surgeons wearing the headset must be able to localise virtual models accurately. We measured the error with which users localise virtual models at different positions and distances from their eyes. Healthy volunteers aged 20-59 years (n = 54) performed 81 exercises involving the localisation of a virtual hexagon’s vertices overlaid on a monitor surface. Nine predefined positions and three distances between the virtual hexagon and the users’ eyes (65, 85 and 105 cm) were set. We found that some model positions and the shortest distance (65 cm) led to larger localisation errors than other positions and larger distances (85 and 105 cm). Positional errors of more than 5 mm and 1-5 mm margin errors were found in 29.8% and over 40% of cases, respectively. Strong outliers were also found (e.g., margin shrinkage of up to 17.4 mm in 4.3% of cases). The measured errors may result in poor outcomes of surgeries: e.g., incomplete tumour excision or inaccurate flap design, which can potentially lead to tumour recurrence and flap failure, respectively. Reducing localisation errors associated with arm-reach distances between the virtual models and users’ eyes is necessary for augmented reality headsets to be suitable for surgical purposes. In addition, training surgeons on the use of these headsets may help to minimise localisation errors

Discovery Of Isoxazole Analogues Of Sazetidine-A As Selective α4β2-Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Partial Agonists For The Treatment Of Depression

Depression, a common neurological condition, is one of the leading causes of disability and suicide worldwide. Standard treatment, targeting monoamine transporters selective for the neurotransmitters serotonin and noradrenaline, is not able to help many patients that are poor responders. This study advances the development of sazetidine-A analogues that interact with α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) as partial agonists and that possess favorable antidepressant profiles. The resulting compounds that are highly selective for the α4β2 subtype of nAChR over α3β4-nAChRs are partial agonists at the α4β2 subtype and have excellent antidepressant behavioral profiles as measured by the mouse forced swim test. Preliminary absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) studies for one promising ligand revealed an excellent plasma protein binding (PPB) profile, low CYP450-related metabolism, and low cardiovascular toxicity, suggesting it is a promising lead as well as a drug candidate to be advanced through the drug discovery pipeline. © 2011 American Chemical Society