Optimization of Technological Parameters for Preparation of Geopolymers Fabricated with Pulverized Fly Ash

Geopolymer is widely considered as an important direction for the comprehensive utilization of fly ash with its production increasing sharply year by year. The effect of mixing proportion including SiO2/Al2O3 molar ratio, Na2O/SiO2 molar ratio and water-solid ratio on the performances of geopolymer fabricated with pulverized fly ash with a median particle size of 3.3 μm was investigated by an orthogonal test in this work, and the optimum preparation technics were also obtained. Results indicated that the compressive strength of geopolymer reached the maximum of 61.0 MPa when SiO2/Al2O3 molar ratio was 3.3, Na2O/SiO2 molar ratio was 0.11 and the W/S ratio was 0.30 under the optimum preparation technics of aging time of 3h, mixing time of 3min and curing at 80℃ for 24h. Overall, Na2O/SiO2 molar ratio played the most important role on the compressive strength of geopolymer, but SiO2/Al2O3 molar ratio had a minimal impact. FTIR spectrum demonstrated that the sample with the optimum proportion exhibited a more complex asymmetric stretching vibration peak, which indicated that there were more activated silicon/aluminum monomers and dimers in fly ash depolumerized and repolymerized and tetrahedral phase transitions, and then geopolymer paste with denser microstructure was formed

An Investigation Into Students\u27 Experiences On E-Learning

E-learning refers to the way people communicate and learn electronically which has only recently emerged as a key source of competitive advantage in the information society. With the development of the Information and Communication Technologies, E-Learning is argued to become a new, effective learning method and environment besides class-room learning. Although still an emerging field, many researchers suggest that it offers many benefits that are radically different from a conventional classroom-based learning environment and can still generate result for students. It could be providing independent learning programme for internal students, external students, distant students, and training purpose. However, it is also revealed in literature that E-Learning has been used more indirectly as a tool for organising study courses and educational programmes. The questions such as “can E-Learning be made as a learning strategy” and “can E-Learning replace classroom-based modes of learning and teaching” remain unanswered. This research intends to explore various aspects with regards to how and to what extent E-Learning have been used to improve teaching and learning activities in the University of Bolton as a case study. The study also intends to verify the main findings from the literature review via employing a case study approach and hence make comparisons between the national trends of E-Learning usage and the chosen case. Here presents the outcome from the first step of this study

Development Of E-Supply Chain Collaboration Strategy In The Chinese Automotive Industry: A Theoretical Collaboration Framework

The research intends to investigate into the e-supply chain practices of the Chinese automotive industry. The analysis of the theoretical review has been carried out by using one of the qualitative research techniques, grounded theory, to understand and evaluate all of the relevant influencing factors of the collaboration strategy development. It will begin by looking at how e-business and information technology have influenced supply chain management in the automotive industry in China; what factors have affected the organisations through integrating with the e-supply chain strategy; and what requirements that organisations have to improve the efficiency of the supply chain strategies in order to gain global market advantage. Therefore, the main purpose of this research is to develop a theoretical collaboration framework for helping the Chinese automotive manufacturers to effectively manage their global collaboration supply network. This will further facilitate the integration of information technologies in the supply networks whilst keeping it flexible enough to develop a collaboration strategies framework to formulate the supply chain activities by helping the Chinese auto manufacturers to effectively manage their global supply chain and thus add value to both business and customer

Bibliometric Mapping of Big Data (BD) in Higher Education (HE): Towards a comprehensive framework

Although big data (BD) has emerged rapidly over the last decade, its importance within higher education (HE) has remained scarce in academic literature. This research aims to develop a comprehensive framework for using big data in HE. We achieved our research objective by conducting a bibliometric analysis of the available literature on BD in HE published in the English language between 2013 -2021. A total of 4312 articles were considered for analysis. Our results showed that most studies focused on the technical specifications of BD, such as data mining and Hadoop. There was a slight reference to the operationality and management functions. However, it is pertinent to note that data privacy, advanced analytics, and machine learning were highlighted as emerging topics. It, therefore, suggests the importance of advanced data analytics and data privacy in establishing a comprehensive framework for managing BD in HE

Role of neuromedin B and its receptor in the innate immune responses against influenza A virus infection in vitro and in vivo

International audienceAbstractThe peptide neuromedin B (NMB) and its receptor (NMBR) represent a system (NMB/NMBR) of neuromodulation. Here, it was demonstrated that the expression of NMBR in cells or murine lung tissues was clearly upregulated in response to H1N1/PR8 influenza A virus infection. Furthermore, the in vitro and in vivo activities of NMB/NMBR during PR8 infection were investigated. It was observed that A549 cells lacking endogenous NMBR were more susceptible to virus infection than control cells, as evidenced by the increased virus production in the cells. Interestingly, a significant decrease in IFN-α and increased IL-6 expression were observed in these cells. The role of this system in innate immunity against PR8 infection was probed by treating mice with NMB. The NMB-treated mice were less susceptible to virus challenge, as evidenced by increased survival, increased body weight, and decreased viral NP expression compared with the control animals. Additionally, the results showed that exogenous NMB not only enhanced IFN-α expression but also appeared to inhibit the expression of NP and IL-6 in PR8-infected cells and animals. As expected, opposing effects were observed in the NMBR antagonist-treated cells and mice, which further confirmed the effects of NMB. Together, these data suggest that NMB/NMBR may be an important component of the host defence against influenza A virus infection. Thus, these proteins may serve as promising candidates for the development of novel antiviral drugs

Modulation of Mitochondrial Dynamics in Neurodegenerative Diseases: An Insight Into Prion Diseases

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a common and prominent feature of prion diseases and other neurodegenerative disorders. Mitochondria are dynamic organelles that constantly fuse with one another and subsequently break apart. Defective or superfluous mitochondria are usually eliminated by a form of autophagy, referred to as mitophagy, to maintain mitochondrial homeostasis. Mitochondrial dynamics are tightly regulated by processes including fusion and fission. Dysfunction of mitochondrial dynamics can lead to the accumulation of abnormal mitochondria and contribute to cellular damage. Neurons are among the cell types that consume the most energy, have a highly complex morphology, and are particularly dependent on mitochondrial functions and dynamics. In this review article, we summarize the molecular mechanisms underlying the mitochondrial dynamics and the regulation of mitophagy and discuss the dysfunction of these processes in the progression of prion diseases and other neurodegenerative disorders. We have also provided an overview of mitochondrial dynamics as a therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases

NRAV, a Long Noncoding RNA, Modulates Antiviral Responses through Suppression of Interferon-Stimulated Gene Transcription

SummaryLong noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) modulate various biological processes, but their role in host antiviral responses is largely unknown. Here we identify a lncRNA as a key regulator of antiviral innate immunity. Following from the observation that a lncRNA that we call negative regulator of antiviral response (NRAV) was dramatically downregulated during infection with several viruses, we ectopically expressed NRAV in human cells or transgenic mice and found that it significantly promotes influenza A virus (IAV) replication and virulence. Conversely, silencing NRAV suppressed IAV replication and virus production, suggesting that reduction of NRAV is part of the host antiviral innate immune response to virus infection. NRAV negatively regulates the initial transcription of multiple critical interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs), including IFITM3 and MxA, by affecting histone modification of these genes. Our results provide evidence for a lncRNA in modulating the antiviral interferon response

An investigation into the impact of enterprise systems adoption and implementation after the Higher Education Institutions After the Introduction of Funding Cuts

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the behaviour of Higher Education Institutions in relation to the adoption of Enterprise Systems after the changes in the funding regime. It can be argued that funding cuts is the significant change the industry has witnessed in recent past. Since Enterprise Systems is becoming the lifeblood of an organisation, we would like to investigate how Higher Education Institutions have embraced the usage and adoption of Enterprise Systems after the funding cuts. In order to accomplish this objective, we begin our research on how industries in general are responding to external changes. The discussion will then move towards the changes in Higher Education and its impact. By undertaking systematic review of literature, we will investigate the changes introduced by Higher Education Institutions in relation to the adoption of EnterpriseSystems

Conversations in search of audiences: Prospects and challenges of marketing UK’s postgraduate higher education using social media

It is no surprise that there are serious disparities between the rhetoric of education and the realities of education. Marketing of university curricula is a challenge that is increasingly becoming a difficult proposition as advances in social media (SM) are enabling prospective students to form opinions and inform their decisions like never before. Whilst the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) plays a central role in matching undergraduate students to courses in universities yet the same does not apply to postgraduate admissions which are sought after by a large number of applicants from overseas as well. As connectivity through the online world has rendered geography irrelevant at the same time access to course information and influence on the use of that information for deciding to register on it has become ubiquitous. This paper looks at some of the areas where SM has been successfully used. The papers then goes onto develop taxonomy of popular SM tools that are being widely used. Using this taxonomy it explores barriers and promoters that exist in the interface between universities and their audiences

Investigating determinants of brain drain of health care professionals in developing countries: A review

Developing countries continue to lose a significant number of health care professionals to developed countries. Malawi is not an exception. Without health workers, health care cannot be delivered. The study assesses the determinants of brain drain of health care professionals in developing countries, the case of Malawi health sector. Health care professionals in developing countries suffer from low wages, unbearable working and living conditions in their country of origin and seek elsewhere for better salaries, safer working conditions, better living conditions and a better life. This has for several years created a brain drain of skilled labour from where it is most needed, leaving already fragile health systems even more vulnerable. However, the study finds that so far, too little attention has been paid to organizational factors that influence brain drain. This study presents insights on determinants of brain drain among health care professionals from developing countries to developed countries. The paper contributes to the understanding of main factors that influence brain drain in a developing context environment. To this end, the study informs public sector managers and policy makers the need to address these factors if they are to curb brain drain in developing countries