E-learning standards

E-learning standards refer to a system of common rules for content, authoring software and Learning Management Systems (LMSs) - rules that specify how courses can be created and delivered over multiple platforms so that they all operate seamlessly together. Accredited standards ensure that the investment in time and intellectual capital could move from one system to the next. Currently, e-learning standards are being developed by four main organizations: AICC, IEEE, IMS, and ADL. The article presents some aspects of these standards.E-learning, standards.

Transparent Exopolymer Particles (TEP): an overlooked factor in the process of biofilm formation in aquatic environments

We hypothesize that transparent exopolymer particles (TEP), present in high concentrations in most sea and freshwaters, are critical agents for biofilm initiation and development in many natural and anthropogenic aquatic environments. These gel-like particles appear in many forms; amorphous blobs, clouds, sheets, filaments or clumps ranging in size from ~2 to ~200 µm. TEP are mostly polysaccharide, negatively charged, very sticky and are frequently colonized by bacteria. TEP may be considered a "planktonic" subgroup of exopolymeric substances (EPS), widely studied in biofilm research. Recognition of TEP involvement in biofilm formation has important implications for a comprehensive understanding of the complexities of this process in aquatic environments and may also contribute to the considerable efforts being made in the global water industry to mitigate the harmful effects of biofouling in water treatment and desalination plants

The Einstein Relation on Metric Measure Spaces

This note is based on F. Burghart's master thesis at Stuttgart university from July 2018, supervised by Prof. Freiberg. We review the Einstein relation, which connects the Hausdorff, local walk and spectral dimensions on a space, in the abstract setting of a metric measure space equipped with a suitable operator. This requires some twists compared to the usual definitions from fractal geometry. The main result establishes the invariance of the three involved notions of fractal dimension under bi-Lipschitz continuous isomorphisms between mm-spaces and explains, more generally, how the transport of the analytic and stochastic structure behind the Einstein relation works. While any homeomorphism suffices for this transport of structure, non-Lipschitz maps distort the Hausdorff and the local walk dimension in different ways. To illustrate this, we take a look at H\"older regular transformations and how they influence the local walk dimension and prove some partial results concerning the Einstein relation on graphs of fractional Brownian motions. We conclude by giving a short list of further questions that may help building a general theory of the Einstein relation.Comment: 28 pages, 3 figure

The Bionic Radiologist: avoiding blurry pictures and providing greater insights

Radiology images and reports have long been digitalized. However, the potential of the more than 3.6 billion radiology examinations performed annually worldwide has largely gone unused in the effort to digitally transform health care. The Bionic Radiologist is a concept that combines humanity and digitalization for better health care integration of radiology. At a practical level, this concept will achieve critical goals: (1) testing decisions being made scientifically on the basis of disease probabilities and patient preferences; (2) image analysis done consistently at any time and at any site; and (3) treatment suggestions that are closely linked to imaging results and are seamlessly integrated with other information. The Bionic Radiologist will thus help avoiding missed care opportunities, will provide continuous learning in the work process, and will also allow more time for radiologists’ primary roles: interacting with patients and referring physicians. To achieve that potential, one has to cope with many implementation barriers at both the individual and institutional levels. These include: reluctance to delegate decision making, a possible decrease in image interpretation knowledge and the perception that patient safety and trust are at stake. To facilitate implementation of the Bionic Radiologist the following will be helpful: uncertainty quantifications for suggestions, shared decision making, changes in organizational culture and leadership style, maintained expertise through continuous learning systems for training, and role development of the involved experts. With the support of the Bionic Radiologist, disparities are reduced and the delivery of care is provided in a humane and personalized fashion