A simulation program for electronics skill knowledge instruction at a selected community college in Taiwan

Since computers came into existence, simulations have been associated with it as the two inseparable media, simulations and computers, have had a mutually beneficial effect. With the advent of the flexible microcomputer, simulation has been widely used. In recent years, computer technology has infiltrated every sector in society, especially the educational system and industrial operations where simulations are essential for satisfying both instructional and industrial needs. Simulation effectiveness research has been mixed in both the educational system and industries. Therefore, it is still necessary to evaluate how effective computer simulation is as an instructional method or strategy. This study was designed to compare and evaluate the effectiveness of computer simulated laboratory instruction versus traditional laboratory instruction for educating community college students\u27 requisition skills and knowledge for understanding combination logic circuitry. In order to compare the achievement between the two groups, the researcher utilized classroom examination scores. The students were given four exams in the course, one as a pretest, one on each of two contents and a comprehensive final. A pretest was given in order to ascertain whether the groups matched at the start of the study. The topics in the laboratory were taught in one of two ways: by lecture and simulation, or by lecture and traditional laboratory. Post-tests were administered as dependent variable measures. The data were analyzed statistically by ANCOVA. Conclusions will be drawn and recommendations will be made on the basis of the findings of the study. It was founded that both instructional methods were effective and there were no significant differences between them

Exact snapping loads of a buckled beam under a midpoint force

AbstractA buckled beam possesses two stable equilibrium configurations and is a natural bistable device. This paper first derives the exact critical load QcrS for a hinged buckled beam when it is subject to a concentrated force Q at the midpoint quasi-statically. In the case when the midpoint force is applied suddenly, the exact expression of a conservative dynamic critical load QcrD is derived, which guarantees that snapping will not occur as long as Q is smaller than this value

The Investigation of Laparoscopic Instrument Movement Control and Learning Effect

Laparoscopic surgery avoids large incisions for intra-abdominal operations as required in conventional open surgery. Whereas the patient benefits from laparoscopic techniques, the surgeon encounters new difficulties that were not present during open surgery procedures. However, limited literature has been published in the essential movement characteristics such as magnification, amplitude, and angle. For this reason, the present study aims to investigate the essential movement characteristics of instrument manipulation via Fitts' task and to develop an instrument movement time predicting model. Ten right-handed subjects made discrete Fitts' pointing tasks using a laparoscopic trainer. The experimental results showed that there were significant differences between the three factors in movement time and in throughput. However, no significant differences were observed in the improvement rate for movement time and throughput between these three factors. As expected, the movement time was rather variable and affected markedly by direction to target. The conventional Fitts' law model was extended by incorporating a directional parameter into the model. The extended model was shown to better fit the data than the conventional model. These findings pointed to a design direction for the laparoscopic surgery training program, and the predictive model can be used to establish standards in the training procedure

Dermoscopic characterization and image study of a Sister Mary Joseph nodule in a patient with esophageal cancer

AbstractA Sister Mary Joseph nodule (SMJN) is rare cutaneous metastasis spreading to the umbilicus. It originates mostly from an intra-abdominal or pelvic malignancy and is an ominous sign. In this paper, we report a case of a SMJN in a 64-year-old man with esophageal cancer. We recorded his clinical progression, radiologic and nuclear scintigraphic images, and histopathologic and dermoscopic findings. The image study provided information on the localization of the SMJN and dermoscopy showed a polymorphous vascular pattern. The patient received palliative therapy because of terminal disease

Scanning Probe Nanolithography of Conducting Metal Oxides

The scanning tunneling microscope (STM) was used to form nanometer-size holes in thin conducting films of thallium (III) oxide. Hole formation was only observed when the process was performed in humid ambient conditions. The hole formation was attributed to localized electrochemical etching reactions beneath the STM tip. etching reactions consistent with the observed hole formation are a direct electrochemical reduction of thallium (III) oxide to soluble T1 (I) at negative sample bias, and local reduction of pH at positive sample bias. The fastest etching was observed at negative sample bias. Holes as small as 10 nm or as large as 1 μm in diameter could be etched in the films

Architectural Scene Reconstruction from Single or Multiple Uncalibrated Images

In this paper we present a system for the reconstruction of 3D models of architectural scenes from single or multiple uncalibrated images. The partial 3D model of a building is recovered from a single image using geometric constraints such as parallelism and orthogonality, which are likely to be found in most architectural scenes. The approximate corner positions of a building are selected interactively by a user and then further refined automatically using Hough transform. The relative depths of the corner points are calculated according to the perspective projection model. Partial 3D models recovered from different viewpoints are registered to a common coordinate system for integration. The 3D model registration process is carried out using modified ICP (iterative closest point) algorithm with the initial parameters provided by geometric constraints of the building. The integrated 3D model is then fitted with piecewise planar surfaces to generate a more geometrically consistent model. The acquired images are finally mapped onto the surface of the reconstructed 3D model to create a photo-realistic model. A working system which allows a user to interactively build a 3D model of an architectural scene from single or multiple images has been proposed and implemented

Gratitude and Athletes’ Life Satisfaction: The Moderating Role of Mindfulness

Life satisfaction is a critical index of well-being and is well documented in the literature as a means of protecting athletes from stress. However, minimal research has focused on the factors that contribute to life satisfaction in sports. Accordingly, we adopted the positive psychology perspective and proposed that gratitude would relate to athletes’ life satisfaction. Additionally, we further suggested that mindfulness would strengthen the relationship between gratitude and athletes’ life satisfaction. Athletes completed measurements, and the results, which indicated that athletes with higher levels of gratitude exhibited increased life satisfaction when they had higher levels of mindfulness, supported our expectations. The implications and applications are discussed in terms of mindfulness

Spermatic Cord Metastasis of Primary Hepatocellular Carcinoma Presenting as an Inguinal Mass: A Case Report

Most spermatic cord masses are benign, and malignant spermatic cord tumors are uncommon. Spermatic cord metastases originating from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have not been previously reported in the English language literature as determined by a PubMed search. We report a male patient who presented with a painful palpable mass in the right inguinal area. The patient was diagnosed with HCC in 2004 and undertook a nonsurgical approach to control the cancer. A radical orchiectomy was performed, and the pathological report showed metastatic HCC in the spermatic cord. The patient received palliative radiation therapy because of a positive surgical margin. No recurrence was noted after 6 months of followup