Status Monitoring Of Inflatables By Accurate Shape Sensing

The use of inflatable structures in aerospace applications is becoming increasingly widespread. In order to monitor the inflation status and overall health of these inflatables, an accurate means of shape sensing is required. To this end, we investigated two existing methods for measuring simple curvature, or curvature in one-dimension. The first method utilizes a pair of strain sensing Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBGs) separated by a known distance; dividing the difference in strain by the separation distance yields an experimental value for the one-dimensional curvature at a point. The second method makes use of conductive ink-based flex sensors, which give a variable resistance based on curvature. We used the latter was in a design for a Curvature-Based Inflation Controller (CBIC). While the controller successfully inflated a test body, its overall utility is limited by the simplicity of its sensors. To improve the shape sensing capabilities of the controller, we investigated the use of FBGs in a multidimensional array. We fabricated a curvature-sensing FBG pair on an inflatable membrane and tested its accuracy as the membrane was shaped into a known radius of curvature. This work reports on the assembly of three such curvature-sensing FBG pairs into a two-dimensional Curvature-Sensing Rosette (CSR). The goal is to use this rosette to measure the curvature of a surface in multiple directions at a single point. A 3-D printed surface with saddle geometry was used to calibrate the curvature-sensing rosette. Presented will be methods of extracting values for the tensor of curvature for the surface at a point using the curvature-sensing rosette, along with experimental verification. This essentially defines the local geometry about the rosette, measured in real time. By employing an array of such rosettes across the surface of an inflatable structure, the local curvature of the inflatable could be known at every point. Combining these curvature measurements can yield an accurate depiction of the global geometry. Thus, the inflation status of the inflatable space structure could be monitored in real time

Motivational, volitional and multiple goal predictors of walking in people with type 2 diabetes

Acknowledgment MN’s PhD scholarship was provided by Ministry of Health and Medical Education (Islamic Republic of Iran). This study was funded by the University of Aberdeen reference number: GP007RGC1618. FFS is funded by Fuse, the UK Clinical Research Collaboration Centre of Excellence for Translational Research in Public Health (grant number: MR/K02325X/1). The researchers gratefully acknowledge all the Type 2 diabetic patients and their household members who participated in the study for their contribution to this study; without them there would be no data. The researchers gratefully acknowledge the SDRN for providing the list of Type 2 diabetes and helping for sampling.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Influence of Team Skills in Engineering Technology

Across various disciplines, self-efficacy, team-working skills and problem solving skills are recognized as important characteristics of workforce readiness. The purpose of this research is to examine the impact of multiple antecedents of perceived team-working skills and self-efficacy on change in team scores and higher-order cognitive skills when all students are provided the same treatment. The study involves the use of a multimedia instructional environment and problem-based learning in teams. Data were collected at multiple points during the semester using a combination of self-reported instruments and grades provided by instructors. We found that students’ institution, gender, and perceived relevance of engineering technology contribute to perceived team skills. Surprisingly, and in contrast to extant self-efficacy literature, self-efficacy is not related to perceived higher order cognitive skills or actual performance. However, perceived team skills were an accurate predictor of perceived higher order cognitive skills and actual team scores

Developing an Inclusive Education Game Using a Design Science Research Gestalt Method

As business firms seek a diverse talent pool to attain a competitive advantage, the need for inclusive education has become even more apparent across academic domains. An essential way to impart inclusive education today includes digital tools such as educational games. In this study, we apply the design science research (DSR) Gestalt methodology to develop an inclusive educational game that would advance learning for both male and female engineering students. We also assess the game’s efficacy in achieving performance improvements using a survey-based experimental design. Results demonstrate that the game resulted in greater student performance compared to traditional round-table discussions. Additionally, the game had a greater positive impact on female students’ performance compared to male students. The study shows that one can apply the DSR gestalt method to develop gender-inclusive educational games

Remote synchronous usability testing of public access defibrillators during social distancing in a pandemic

Public access automated external defibrillators (AEDs) represent emergency medical devices that may be used by untrained lay-persons in a life-critical event. As such their usability must be confirmed through simulation testing. In 2020 the novel coronavirus caused a global pandemic. In order to reduce the spread of the virus, many restrictions such as social distancing and travel bans were enforced. Usability testing of AEDs is typically conducted in-person, but due to these restrictions, other usability solutions must be investigated. Two studies were conducted, each with 18 participants: (1) an in-person usability study of an AED conducted in an office space, and (2) a synchronous remote usability study of the same AED conducted using video conferencing software. Key metrics associated with AED use, such as time to turn on, time to place pads and time to deliver a shock, were assessed in both studies. There was no difference in time taken to turn the AED on in the in-person study compared to the remote study, but the time to place electrode pads and to deliver a shock were significantly lower in the in-person study than in the remote study. Overall, the results of this study indicate that remote user testing of public access defibrillators may be appropriate in formative usability studies for determining understanding of the user interface

Liberal market economies, business, and political finance: Britain under New Labour

The extent and nature of business financing of parties is an important feature of political finance. Britain’s transparent and permissive regulatory system provides an excellent opportunity to study business financing of parties. Business donations have been very important to the Conservative party over the last decade, and of only marginal importance to Labour. Unlike other Conservative contributors, business donors are more likely to contribute when the party is popular. In contrast to the previous period of Conservative government, the biggest British businesses tended to abstain from political finance under New Labour. However, their bias towards the Conservatives is affected by the party’s popularity and the closeness of an election. Britain shares the political importance of business financing of parties and its mixture of ideological and pragmatic motivations with other liberal market economies. However, in Britain the bias towards the right is much stronger and the role of big business more marginal