280 research outputs found
Exploring Video Feedback in Philosophy
This paper explores the benefits of video feedback for teaching philosophy. Our analysis, based on results from a self-report student survey along with our own experience, indicates that video feedback possesses a number of advantages over traditional written comments. In particular we argue that video feedback is conducive to providing high-quality formative feedback, increases detail and clarity, and promotes student engagement. In addition, we argue that the advantages of video feedback make the method an especially apt tool for addressing challenges germane to teaching philosophy. Video feedback allows markers to more easily explain and illustrate philosophical goals and methods. It allows markers to model the doing of philosophy and thereby helps students to see philosophy’s value. Video feedback is a promising tool for addressing both cognitive and affective barriers to learning philosophy. Such advantages are especially valuable in the context of a student-centered, intentional learning framework. In light of these advantages, we find that video feedback is underappreciated and underutilized
Predicting the whispering gallery mode spectra of microresonators
The whispering gallery modes (WGMs) of optical resonators have prompted
intensive research efforts due to their usefulness in the field of biological
sensing, and their employment in nonlinear optics. While much information is
available in the literature on numerical modeling of WGMs in microspheres, it
remains a challenging task to be able to predict the emitted spectra of
spherical microresonators. Here, we establish a customizable Finite- Difference
Time-Domain (FDTD)-based approach to investigate the WGM spectrum of
microspheres. The simulations are carried out in the vicinity of a dipole
source rather than a typical plane-wave beam excitation, thus providing an
effective analogue of the fluorescent dye or nanoparticle coatings used in
experiment. The analysis of a single dipole source at different positions on
the surface or inside a microsphere, serves to assess the relative efficiency
of nearby radiating TE and TM modes, characterizing the profile of the
spectrum. By varying the number, positions and alignments of the dipole
sources, different excitation scenarios can be compared to analytic models, and
to experimental results. The energy flux is collected via a nearby disk-shaped
region. The resultant spectral profile shows a dependence on the configuration
of the dipole sources. The power outcoupling can then be optimized for specific
modes and wavelength regions. The development of such a computational tool can
aid the preparation of optical sensors prior to fabrication, by preselecting
desired the optical properties of the resonator.Comment: Approved version for SPIE Photonics West, LASE, Laser Resonators,
Microresonators and Beam Control XV
Method for predicting whispering gallery mode spectra of spherical microresonators
A full three-dimensional Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD)-based toolkit
is developed to simulate the whispering gallery modes of a microsphere in the
vicinity of a dipole source. This provides a guide for experiments that rely on
efficient coupling to the modes of microspheres. The resultant spectra are
compared to those of analytic models used in the field. In contrast to the
analytic models, the FDTD method is able to collect flux from a variety of
possible collection regions, such as a disk-shaped region. The customizability
of the technique allows one to consider a variety of mode excitation scenarios,
which are particularly useful for investigating novel properties of optical
resonators, and are valuable in assessing the viability of a resonator for
biosensing.Comment: Published 10 Apr 2015 in Opt. Express Vol. 23, Issue 8, pp.
9924-9937; The FDTD toolkit supercomputer scripts are hosted at:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/npps/files/FDTD_WGM_Simulator
Investigating the illicit market in veterinary medicines: An exploratory online study with pet owners in the United Kingdom
The illicit market in veterinary medicines is an overlooked issue despite threatening the health of non-human and human animals. It is thought to be increasing within the major markets of the global North due to the growth of e-commerce and social media sites. This paper examines the online market in illicit veterinary medicines through an exploratory study of the public’s online experiences as pet owners in the UK. To this end, we collected data through literature-based research and an online survey. Drawing on Passas’ criminogenic asymmetries framework, the research found that the confluence of legal, political, cultural, economic and knowledge asymmetries likely facilitate the market in illicit veterinary medicines in the UK. Our research concludes that, while previous reports suggest the illicit market is dominated by medicines to treat pets, it increasingly consists of medicines for farmed animals. This brings its own set of challenges and risks, and a pressing need for further research on the market’s dynamics
Development of a root caries prediction model in a population of dental attenders
Acknowledgement This study was conducted as part of the doctoral thesis of P.A.F. We would like to thank the participating dental practice teams and patients without whose valuable contribution this study could not have taken place. We would like to thank our colleagues in the INTERVAL Trial team Funding INTERVAL was funded by the NIHR HTA programme [project numbers 06/35/05 (Phase I) and 06/35/99 (Phase II)]. No additional funding was obtained to conduct the prediction study presented in this paper. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of NIHR, the NHS or the Department of Health and Social Care.Peer reviewedPublisher PD
Attitudes toward e-mental health services in a community sample of adults: online survey
Background: Despite evidence that e-mental health services are effective, consumer preferences still appear to be in favor of face-to-face services. However, the theory of planned behavior (TPB) suggests that cognitive intentions are more proximal to behavior and thus may have a more direct influence on service use. Investigating individual characteristics that influence both preferences and intentions to use e-mental health services is important for better understanding factors that might impede or facilitate the use of these services.
Objective: This study explores predictors of preferences and intentions to access e-mental health services relative to face-to-face services. Five domains were investigated (demographics, technology factors, personality, psychopathology, and beliefs), identified from previous studies and informed by the Internet interventions model. We expected that more participants would report intentions to use e-mental health services relative to reported preferences for this type of support and that these 5 domains would be significantly associated with both intentions and preferences toward online services.
Methods: A mixed sample of 308 community members and university students was recruited through social media and the host institution in Australia. Ages ranged between 17 and 68 years, and 82.5% (254/308) were female. Respondents completed an online survey. Chi-square analysis and t tests were used to explore group differences, and logistic regression models were employed to explore factors predicting preferences and intentions.
Results: Most respondents (85.7%, 264/308) preferred face-to-face services over e-mental health services. Relative to preferences, a larger proportion of respondents (39.6%, 122/308) endorsed intentions to use e-mental health services if experiencing mental health difficulties in the future. In terms of the 5 predictor domains, 95% CIs of odds ratios (OR) derived from bootstrapped standard errors suggested that prior experience with online services significantly predicted intentions to use self-help (95% CI 2.08-16.24) and therapist-assisted (95% CI 1.71-11.90) online services in future. Being older predicted increased intentions to use therapist-assisted online services in future (95% CI 1.01-1.06), as did more confidence using computers and the Internet (95% CI 1.06-2.69). Technology confidence was also found to predict greater preference for online services versus face-to-face options (95% CI 1.24-4.82), whereas higher doctor-related locus of control, or LOC (95% CI 0.76-0.95), and extraversion (95% CI 0.88-1.00) were predictive of lower likelihood of preferring online services relative to face-to-face services.
Conclusions: Despite generally low reported preferences toward e-mental health services, intentions to access these services are higher, raising the question of how to best encourage translation of intentions into behavior (ie, actual use of programs). Strategies designed to ease people into new Internet-based mental health programs (to enhance confidence and familiarity) may be important for increasing the likelihood that they will return to such programs later
Synthesis and Cytotoxicity of Cyanoborane Adducts of N 6 -Benzoyladenine and 6-Triphenylphosphonylpurine
N
6
-Benzoyladenine-cyanoborane (2), and 6-triphenylphosphonylpurine-cyanoborane (3) were selected for
investigation of cytotoxicity in murine and human tumor cell lines, effects on human HL-60 leukemic
metabolism and DNA strand scission to determine the feasibility of these compounds as clinical
antineoplastic agents. Compounds 2 and 3 both showed effective cytotoxicity based on ED50 values less than
4 μg/ml for L1210, P388, HL-60, Tmolt3, HUT-78, HeLa-S3 uterine, ileum HCT-8, and liver Hepe-2.
Compound 2 had activity against ovary 1-A9, while compound 3 was only active against prostate PL and
glioma UM. Neither compound was active against the growth of lung 549, breast MCF-7, osteosarcoma
HSO, melanoma SK2, KB nasopharynx, and THP-1 acute monocytic leukemia. In mode of action studies in
human leukemia HL-60 cells, both compounds demonstrated inhibition of DNA and protein syntheses after
60 min at 100 μM. These compounds inhibited RNA synthesis to a lesser extent. The utilization of the DNA
template was suppressed by the compounds as determined by inhibition of the activities of DNA polymerase
α, m-RNA polymerase, r-RNA polymerase and t-RNA polymerase, which would cause adequate inhibition
of the synthesis of both DNA and RNA. Both compounds markedly inhibited dihydrofolate reductase
activity, especially in compound 2. The compounds appeared to have caused cross-linking of the DNA
strands after 24 hr at 100 μM in HL-60 cells, which was consistent with the observed increased in ct-DNA
viscosity after 24 hr at 100 μM. The compounds had no inhibitory effects on DNA topoisomerase I and II
activities or DNA-protein linked breaks. Neither compound interacted with the DNA molecule itself through
alkylation of the nucleotide bases nor caused DNA interculation between base pairs. Overall, these antineoplastic
agents caused reduction of DNA and protein replication, which would lead to killing of cancer
cells
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