Assessment Of Different Platforms For Online Virtual Lab Demonstrations

As we move to a more sustainable world, expansion of education is key to the eradication of poverty (SDG1) and societal inequalities (SDG10). Global expansion of tertiary education offers opportunities to deliver Sustainable Development Goals by providing wide access to education in flexible learning environments. However, the quality of education (SDG4) must be maintained and enhanced as it is key to a partnership for the goals (SDG17). While increased learning online can facilitate achievement of these SDGs, there is also a move, within the education sector, to a constructivist approach and a more active learning environment. Interactive virtual learning environments (e.g. Virtual Reality) can offer considerable potential in the integration of active learning in an online environment With this background in mind, the objective of this study was to evaluate the hardware and software resources currently available for effective delivery of remote virtual laboratory learning against nine technical, social and design criteria. At the same time, it is also important to consider sustainability in this evaluation including carbon (SDG13) and ecological footprints (SDG14/15). Hardware options examined were the Computer, Google Cardboard, Meta Quest 2 and Microsoft HoloLens 2, while the software platforms examined were H5P Virtual Tours, 3D Vista Pro, Dynamics 365 Guides and a professionally created VR platform. The main findings were that there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ system and each system has its own advantages and disadvantages depending on the resources available at the institution and the type and level of knowledge and/or skill being delivered

The Effect of Calcination Rate on the Structure of Mesoporous Bioactive Glasses

Mesoporous bioactive glasses (MBGs) are designed to have high specific surface area. They are formulated by a sol–gel process to formulate the glass followed by calcination. This study evaluates how calcination heating rate influences the porous architecture, and thereby the specific surface area, of MBGs. MBGs of molar ratio 80:15:5 for SiO2 :CaO:P2 O 5 were calcined using both low (1 °C/min) and high (20 °C/min) heating rates, termed as L-MBG and H-MBG, respectively. The results obtained from small-angle X-ray diffraction (SAXRD) confirm that the MBGs possess 2D hexagonal (P6mm) spacing groups and wide-angle XRD confirms the amorphicity of both MBGs. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirm that both batches of MBGs have similar chemical composition. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy identifies the same functional groups present in both batches. However, transmission electron microscopy indicates that H-MBG samples exhibited discontinuities in their ordered channel structure, confirmed by the lower SAXRD peak intensity of H-MBG compared to L-MBG. These discontinuities led to a reduced surface area. L-MBG exhibits more than quadruple the surface area and double the pore volume (373.87 m2 /g and 0.27 cm3 /g) of H-MBG (85.91 m2 /g and 0.13 cm3 /g), measured through Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller nitrogen adsorption analysis. This higher surface area resulted in a significant (p \u3c 0.05) increase in the quantity of ion release from the L-MBGs compared to the H-MBGs. It is concluded that the application of a low heating rate during calcination, of the order of 1 °C/min, is more likely to result in ordered mesoporous bioactive glasses with high surface area and pore volume than MBG samples processed at a higher heating rate. [Figure not available: see fulltext.]

The Effect of Tantalum Incorporation on the Physical and Chemical Properties of Ternary Silicon–calcium–phosphorous Mesoporous Bioactive Glasses

Synthesis and characterization of the first mesoporous bioactive glasses (MBGs) containing tantalum are reported here, along with their potential application as hemostats. Silica MBGs were synthesized using with the molar composition of (80-x)% Si, 15% Ca, 5% P, and x% Ta. It was found that incorporation of \u3e1 mol % Ta into the MBGs changes their physical and chemical properties. Increasing Ta content from 0 to 10 mol % causes a decrease in the surface area and pore volume of ~20 and ~35%, respectively. This is due to the increase in nonbridging oxygens and mismatch of thermal expansion coefficient which created discontinuities in the ordered channel structure. However, the effect is not significant on the amount of ions (Si, Ca, P, and Ta) released, from the sample into deionized water, for short durations (\u3c60 \u3emin). In a mouse tail-cut model, a significant decrease in bleeding time (≥50% of average bleeding time) was found for Ta-MBGs compared to having no treatment, Arista, and MBG without Ta. Further studies are proposed to determine the mechanism of Ta involvement with the hemostatic process. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 2229–2237, 2019

A survey of recent results for the generalizations of ordinary differential equations

This is a review paper on recent results for different types of generalized ordinary differential equations. Its scope ranges from discontinuous equations to equations on time scales. We also discuss their relation with inclusion and highlight the use of generalized integration to unify many of them under one single formulation

Comprehensive assessment of spatter material generated during selective laser melting of stainless steel

Laser-powder interaction and meltpool dynamics govern the physics behind the selective laser melting process. Spattering is an unavoidable phenomenon taking place during the process which is known to influence the integrity of the interaction between the incident laser beam and change the powder bed characteristics. This can consequently have a negative effect on final part integrity and quality of recycled powder. Hence, it is crucial to assess the characteristics of spatter particles to avoid the printing of defective parts. This work reports a detailed characterisation of spatter matter generated during selective laser melting of stainless steel. To better assess the characteristics of the spatter, the spattered material was benchmarked against the virgin powder. The results show no microstructural differences. However, the spatter morphological, chemical, optical and physical properties assessed in this work differ from the virgin powder. The results presented in this work are of significant contribution to the powder bed fusion field of additive manufacturing as it provides a unique insight to the characteristics of spatter matter generated from the processing of 316L stainless steel powde

The Reciprocal Relationship between Bipolar Disorder and Social Interaction: A Qualitative Investigation

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Background: Evidence suggests that social support can influence relapse rates, functioning and various clinical outcomes in people with bipolar disorder. Yet ‘social support’ is a poorly defined construct, and the mechanisms by which it affects illness course in bipolar disorder remain largely unknown. Key aims of this study were to ascertain which facets of social interaction affect mood management in bipolar disorder, and how symptoms of bipolar disorder can influence the level of support received. Method: Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 20 individuals with bipolar disorder. Questions were designed to elicit: the effects of social interaction upon the management and course of bipolar disorder; and the impact of bipolar disorder upon social relationships. An inductive thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Results: Empathy and understanding from another person can make it easier to cope with bipolar disorder. Social interaction can also provide opportunities to challenge negative ruminative thoughts and prevent the onset of a major mood episode. The loss of social support, particularly through bereavement, creates a loss of control and can trigger mania or depression. Hypomanic symptoms can facilitate new social connections, whereas disinhibited and risky behaviour exhibited during mania can cause the breakdown of vital relationships. Conclusions: An in-depth clinical formulation of an individual's perceptions of how their illness affects and is affected by social interaction is crucial to understanding psychosocial factors which influence mood management. These results have clear application in interventions which aim to promote improved wellbeing and social functioning in bipolar disorder. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Key Practitioners Messages: The relationship between bipolar-related experiences and social interaction is complex and multi-faceted. Bipolar disorder can damage social relationships and create a loss of social control via extreme mood states, but it can also offer a social advantage through elevated self-confidence during hypomania and enhanced resilience post-recovery. Positive social experiences can facilitate better personal coping and enhanced mood management, whilst negative social experiences can trigger the onset of acute mood episodes. A comprehensive formulation of the reciprocal links between facets of bipolar disorder and characteristics of interpersonal relationships should be used to guide psychosocial interventions that aim to enhance emotion regulation and improve functioning

A disjunct population of American Hazelnut (Corylus americana): a new plant species for the Ottawa district

A previously unknown population of American Hazelnut (Corylus americana), a native shrub species, has been discovered in the Ottawa district. This location is disjunct from the species’ nearest known populations. Although American Hazelnut is not a particularly conspicuous species, it was found in a relatively well documented area. The location includes remnant vegetation from the Constance Bay Sandhills, a former savannah habitat, including other species whose occurrence in the region is disjunct. American Hazelnut is strongly affiliated with savannahs and related habitats across Ontario and the upper midwest of the United States

Extracting Invariant Features of the Human Face from 3D Range Data

NRC publication: Ye