265 research outputs found
Application of IoT and BEMS to Visualise the Environmental Performance of an Educational Building
This paper presents the application of Internet of Things (IoT) Technology and Building Energy Management System (BEMS) within the Marylebone Campus of the University of Westminster, located in central London, to improve the environmental performance of the existing building as well as enhance the learning experience on energy and sustainability. Sixty IoT sensors connected to minicomputers were planned to be deployed within three floors of the building to continuously measure the real-time environmental parameters, such as dry-bulb temperature, relative humidity, illuminance level, carbon dioxide, and sound levels. Experimental workshops were also arranged with undergraduate and post-graduate students at their classrooms using IoT sensors, portable Bluetooth sensors and online questionnaires to increase awareness of the effect of environmental and behavioural changes on energy saving through real-time visualisation. Usersâ subjective feedback on their workplace was also collected through Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE) questionnaire surveys. The results show the effectiveness of IoT systems and BEMS in supplying the building users and management with high-resolution, low-cost data acquisition systems highlighting the existing challenges and future scopes. The study also documents the process and the improvement in studentsâ awareness of environmental and energy performance of their building through IoT data visualizations and POE
Exploring the effects of pulsed electric field processing parameters on polyacetylene extraction from carrot slices
peer-reviewedThe effects of various pulsed electric field (PEF) parameters on the extraction of polyacetylenes from carrot slices were investigated. Optimised conditions with regard to electric field strength (1â4 kV/cm), number of pulses (100â1500), pulse frequency (10â200 Hz) and pulse width (10â30 ÎŒs) were identified using response surface methodology (RSM) to maximise the extraction of falcarinol (FaOH), falcarindiol (FaDOH) and falcarindiol-3-acetate (FaDOAc) from carrot slices. Data obtained from RSM and experiments fitted significantly (p < 0.0001) the proposed second-order response functions with high regression coefficients (R2) ranging from 0.82 to 0.75. Maximal FaOH (188%), FaDOH (164.9%) and FaDOAc (166.8%) levels relative to untreated samples were obtained from carrot slices after applying PEF treatments at 4 kV/cm with 100 number of pulses of 10 ÎŒs at 10 Hz. The predicted values from the developed quadratic polynomial equation were in close agreement with the actual experimental values with low average mean deviations (E%) ranging from 0.68% to 3.58%
Interpretations of, and orientations to, âunderstanding mathematics in depthâ: students in MEC programmes across institutions
In this paper we present initial findings from our study of interpretations and orientations
to âunderstanding mathematics in depthâ among students in selected Mathematics
Enhancement Courses (MEC) in the UK. The MEC is a 26-week pre-Initial Teacher
Education (ITE) âmathematics subject knowledge for teachingâ course designed for, and
undertaken by, graduates wishing to teach mathematics at secondary level, but do not
have a Mathematics degree. It is completed before commencing with a PGCE. A
common theme running through the MEC documentation is the importance of
âunderstanding mathematics in depthâ. We are interested in what and how MEC students
interpret and orient themselves towards âunderstanding mathematics in depthâ. In
designing and conducting our empirical work we have drawn upon a related project in
South Africa, which is exploring âmathematics for teachingâ, specifically what and how
mathematics and teaching are co-constituted in mathematics teacher education
programmes. The MEC is an interesting empirical context for such study, as it is a
mathematics course, or set of courses, specifically designed for future teachers. We have
collected data through guided, semi-structured interviews with 18 students and 4
lecturing staff at three different institutions. The interpretations and orientations of MEC
students towards mathematics and the notion of âunderstanding mathematics in depthâ,
we contend, provide additional insight into the developing notion of mathematical
knowledge in and for teaching
Extraction and characterization of cellulosic nanowhisker obtained from discarded cotton fibers
This study aimed to characterize cellulose nanowhiskers extracted from discarded cotton fibers. The nanocellulose was characterized by dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM), Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). The nanocrystals are characterized by a rod-like morphology with sizes between 100 nm and 300 nm. The acidic hydrolyses applied to the extract nanocrystals increased the crystallinity index from 72 to 86%. The average length and diameter obtained were 98.1±4.7 and 8.0±3.4 nm, respectively. The aspect ratio of the fibers, around 12.3, was lower than the values usually reported in the literature. The dynamic light scattering results were in accordance with the nano crystal dimensions showing an average size of 235 nm. Cellulose nanowhiskers obtained from cotton rejected by textile industry due to their abundance, low cost, high crystallinity, strength, low weight and biodegradability, are the ideal candidates for the processing of polymer nanocomposites.(undefined
Social media and young peopleâs involvement in social work education
While service-user involvement in social work education generally is increasing, young peopleâs involvement has, to date, been limited, and as such their voice is missing. Social media potentially offers mechanisms for addressing this, widening young peopleâs participation. This article presents the findings of research, conducted in partnership with young people, exploring different types of social media currently available that may have the potential to be used in social work education to provide young people with a voice.
Using methods developed from systematic review processes, the research set out to find, synthesise and collate these different resources.
The findings suggest social media could provide an appropriate mechanism for enabling young people to share experiences relevant to social care. However, whilst some resources do exist, there are fewer than expected. A need is identified to develop new sustainable ways of enabling young people to have a voice. Current approaches were found to replicate barriers associated with service provision being compartmentalised, service led, and framed by eligibility criteria.
Recommendations are made for a united response from social work education institutions supporting approaches that give ownership to young people themselves whilst promoting sustainability and continuity
Warm Little Inflaton becomes Dark Energy
We present a model where the inflaton field behaves like quintessence at late
times, generating the present phase of accelerated expansion. This is achieved
within the framework of warm inflation, in particular the Warm Little Inflaton
scenario, where the underlying symmetries guarantee a successful inflationary
period in a warm regime sustained by dissipative effects without significant
backreaction on the scalar potential. This yields a smooth transition into a
radiation-dominated epoch, at which point dissipative effects naturally shut
down as the temperature drops below the mass of the fermions directly coupled
to the inflaton. The post-inflationary dynamics is then analogous to a thawing
quintessence scenario, with no kination phase at the end of inflation.
Observational signatures of this scenario include the modified consistency
relation between the tensor-to-scalar ratio and tensor spectral index typical
of warm inflation models, the variation of the dark energy equation of state at
low redshifts characteristic of thawing quintessence scenarios, and correlated
dark energy isocurvature perturbations.publishe
An overview of specialist services for Huntington's Disease in the United Kingdom
Background:
Huntingtonâs disease (HD) is a rare inherited neurodegenerative disorder characterized by complex evolving needs that change as the condition progresses. There is limited understanding about the organization of HD clinical services and their resourcing in the United Kingdom (UK).
Objective:
To understand the organization and resourcing of specialist HD services for people with HD (PwHD) in the UK
Methods:
This cross-sectional study collected quantitative data via on online survey, and qualitative data via telephone semi-structured interviews. Descriptive statistics were used to describe quantitative outcomes, and qualitative results were analyzed using content analysis.
Results:
A total of 31 specialist services for HD were identified. Of the 27 services that completed the online survey, 23 had an active multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals (HCPs) and were led primarily by a mental health trust (26%) or tertiary referral hospital (26%). Specialist services offered outpatient clinics (96%), outreach in the community (74%), telemedicine (70%), inpatient beds (26%) and satellite clinics (26%). Many services indicated that their capacity (ability to see patients as often as needed with current resources) was difficult, with some services reporting more difficulty at the early or later stages of HD. Key resourcing gaps were identified with access to facilities, HCPs and referral networks.
Conclusions:
This research highlights the variation in organization and capacity within individual HD services as well as current resourcing and gaps in access that influence this capacity. Further research should be done to understand the impact of service organization and current resourcing gaps in access on the quality of care provided for PwHD in the UK
Prevalence and Factors Associated with Tobacco Consumption Among Students of a Selected Private University in Bangladesh
INTRODUCTION: Tobacco consumption has a significant association with several health problems. Among the eight leading causes of morbidity and mortality, tobacco consumption is the major risk factor for six causes. This study aimed to find out the prevalence and the factors associated with tobacco consumption among the students at a private university.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Daffodil International University from January to May 2017, and data were collected using a structured questionnaire.
RESULTS: A total of 384 students participated in this study. The findings showed that 184 (48.4%) of the students of a private university were smoking any form of tobacco. Age, place of residence, knowledge of the consequences of tobacco consumption, health problems that the respondents were suffering, an affair of love, the frequency of library had a significant association with tobacco consumption.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Identifying associated risk factors is important to develop a prevention program and mitigate the epidemic situation of tobacco consumption among the students
Evasion of anti-growth signaling: a key step in tumorigenesis and potential target for treatment and prophylaxis by natural compounds
The evasion of anti-growth signaling is an important characteristic of cancer cells. In order to continue to proliferate, cancer cells must somehow uncouple themselves from the many signals that exist to slow down cell growth. Here, we define the anti-growth signaling process, and review several important pathways involved in growth signaling: p53, phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), retinoblastoma protein (Rb), Hippo, growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15), AT-rich interactive domain 1A (ARID1A), Notch, insulin-like growth factor (IGF), and KrĂŒppel-like factor 5 (KLF5) pathways. Aberrations in these processes in cancer cells involve mutations and thus the suppression of genes that prevent growth, as well as mutation and activation of genes involved in driving cell growth. Using these pathways as examples, we prioritize molecular targets that might be leveraged to promote anti-growth signaling in cancer cells. Interestingly, naturally-occurring phytochemicals found in human diets (either singly or as mixtures) may promote anti-growth signaling, and do so without the potentially adverse effects associated with synthetic chemicals. We review examples of naturally-occurring phytochemicals that may be applied to prevent cancer by antagonizing growth signaling, and propose one phytochemical for each pathway. These are: epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) for the Rb pathway, luteolin for p53, curcumin for PTEN, porphyrins for Hippo, genistein for GDF15, resveratrol for ARID1A, withaferin A for Notch and diguelin for the IGF1-receptor pathway. The coordination of anti-growth signaling and natural compound studies will provide insight into the future application of these compounds in the clinical setting
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