5,325 research outputs found

    A Computerized Constructionist Approach To Simulation And Modeling Pedagogy

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    A major limitation in traditional class lectures on simulation and modeling, that uses assignments, handouts, transparencies, and textbooks, is that students often are unable to appreciate the "experience" of simulating a real problem.  This limitation can be overcome by using an active real case study approach to allow students to simulate a real-time queuing problem through interactive visual simulation software (EXTEND®).  Actual raw data had been collected prior to the case assignment and students are taught to develop the simulation model, based on the actual raw data.  The intent is that by "doing" or "constructing" the simulation model from actual data, the students will understand better and remember

    Motives for adult participation in physical activity: type of activity, age, and gender

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    Background In recent years, there has been a decline in physical activity among adults. Motivation has been shown to be a crucial factor in maintaining physical activity. The purpose of this study was to examine whether motives for participation could accurately discriminate gender, age, and type of physical activity. Methods A quantitative, cross-sectional descriptive research design was employed. The Physical Activity and Leisure Motivation Scale (PALMS) was used to assess motives for physical activity in 1,360 adults (703 males, 657 females) who had been exercising regularly for at least six months. The PALMS consists of 40 items that constitute eight sub-scales (mastery, enjoyment, psychological condition, physical condition, appearance, others’ expectations, affiliation, competition/ego). Respondents were divided into two age groups (young adults aged 20 to 40 years and middle-aged adults 41 to 64 years) and five types of activity (individual racing sports plus bowls, team sports, racquet sports, martial arts, and exercise). Results The group discriminant function analyses revealed significant canonical functions correctly classifying the cases into gender (82%), age group (83%), team sport players 76%, individual racing sport plus bowls players 91%, racquet sport players 90%, exercisers 84%, and martial art players 91%. The competition/ego, appearance, physical condition, and mastery sub-scales contributed most to gender differences. Five sub-scales (mastery, psychological condition, others’ expectations, affiliation, and enjoyment) contributed most to the discriminant function for age. For type of activity, different sub-scales were the strongest contributors to the discriminant function for each type of PA. Conclusion The findings in this study suggest that strong and important motives for participation in physical activity are different across type of activity, age, and gender in adults. Understanding the motives that influence physical activity participation is critical for developing interventions to promote higher levels of involvement

    Validation of the English and Chinese versions of the Quick-FLIC quality of life questionnaire.

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    A useful measure of quality of life should be easy and quick to complete. Recently, we reported the development and validation of a shortened Chinese version of the Functional Living Index-Cancer (FLIC), which we called the Quick-FLIC. In the present study of 327 English-speaking and 221 Chinese-speaking cancer patients, we validated the English version of the Quick-FLIC and further assessed the Chinese version. The 11 Quick-FLIC items were administered alongside the 11 remaining items of the full FLIC, but there appeared to be little context effect. Validity of the English version of the Quick-FLIC was attested by its strong correlation with two other measures of quality of life, and its ability to detect differences between patients with different performance status and treatment status (each P<0.001). Its internal consistency (alpha=0.86) and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation=0.76) were also satisfactory. The measure was responsive to changes in performance status (P<0.001). The Chinese version showed similar characteristics. The Quick-FLIC behaved in ways that are highly comparable with the FLIC, even though the Quick-FLIC comprised only 11 items whereas the FLIC comprised 22. Further research is required to see whether the use of shorter instruments can improve data quality and response rates, but the fact that shorter instruments place less burden on the patients is itself inherently important

    DNA methylation of ESR-1 and N-33 in colorectal mucosa of patients with Ulcerative Colitis (UC)

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    Introduction: Epigenetic marking such as DNA methylation influence gene transcription and chromosomal stability and may also be affected by environmental exposures. Few studies exist on alteration in DNA methylation profiles (genomic and gene specific methylation) in patients with Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and none assessing its relationship with lifestyle exposures. Aims & Methods: To assess genomic methylation and promoter methylation of the ESR-1 (oestrogen receptor - 1) and N-33 (tumour suppressor candidate-3) genes in the macroscopically normal mucosa of UC patients as well as to investigate effects of anthropometric and lifestyle exposures on DNA methylation. Sixty eight subjects were recruited (24 UC and 44 age and sex matched controls). Colorectal mucosal biopsies were obtained and DNA was extracted. Genomic DNA methylation was quantified using the tritium-labelled cytosine extension assay (3[H] dCTP) whilst gene specific methylation was quantified using the COBRA method. Results: The methylation level of both ESR-1 and N-33 genes were significantly higher in UC subjects compared with controls (7.9% vs 5.9%; p = 0.015 and 66% vs 9.3%; p < 0.001 respectively). There was no detectable difference in global DNA methylation between patients with UC and age and sex matched controls. No associations between indices of DNA methylation and anthropometric measures or smoking patterns were detected. Conclusions: For the first time, we have shown increased methylation in the promoter regions of the putative tumour suppressor gene N-33 in macroscopically normal mucosa of patients with UC. In addition, we have confirmed that methylation of ESR-1 promoter is higher in UC patients compared with age and sex matched controls. These findings suggests that, inactivation through methylation of the putative tumour suppressor genes N-33 and ESR-1, may not be associated with colorectal carcinogenesis in UC

    Seasonal variation in breast cancer diagnosis in Singapore

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    This study investigates seasonality in the diagnosis of 3219 female breast carcinoma cases reported between 1995–8 in Singapore. There is little evidence of marked seasonal variation. Angular regression suggested that observed differences in peak diagnosis with respect to menopausal status, tumour size, ER and PR status may be chance. © 2001 Cancer Research Campaign http://www.bjcancer.co

    AFLP Fingerprinting reveals genetic variability in common carp stocks from Indonesia

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    Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) fingerprinting was used to detect genetic variability in two stocks of common carps (Majalaya carp and Sinyonya carp) and second generation gynogens derived from the Majalaya carp. Primer combinations, E-AAC/M-CAA, EAGG/ M-CAC and E-ACC/M-CTT yielded 299 selectively amplified loci of which 66.2% were polymorphic. Maximum polymorphism was evident in the Majalaya carp and minimum among the gynogens. Four types of AFLP bands which were useful to differentiate the stocks in question were identified. Band Sharing Index (BSI) matrix was generated from the band binary value sets. Maximum average BSI was exhibited by the gynogens and minimum by the Majalaya carp. Inter-stock comparisons showed the gynogens to be closest to the Majalaya and farthest from the Sinyonya stock

    Heated Motorized Stage for Nanoscale Thin Film Deposition

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    ME450 Capstone Design and Manufacturing Experience: Fall 2015Thin film deposition is a technology of applying a very thin film of material onto a substrate surface to be coated, or onto a previously deposited coating to form layers. As a modified Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) method, Spatial ALD greatly improves the efficiency of the process by separating the half-reactions spatially instead of through the use of purge steps in convectional ALD. This paper proposes the use of heated motorized stage as a research prototype to further study the effect of deposition conditions such as gap size, gap alignment and substrate temperature on the SALD coating results. This strategy utilized three stepper motors and high precision non-contact gap sensors to control gap alignment and gap size between the substrate and the depositor. The details of the involved methodology, engineering analysis, validation of the final design and the design critiques are discussed in this paper.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/117338/1/ME450-F15-Project19-FinalReport.pd

    A Comparison Of The Performances Of Various Single Variable Charts.

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    Control charts are used for process monitoring and improvement in industries. Two charts are usually used in the monitoring of both the mean and variance separately
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