Does use of touch screen computer technology improve classroom engagement in children?

Many studies have shown that the use of technology in the classroom may influence pupil engagement. Despite the recent widespread use of tablet technology, however, very little research has been carried out into their use in a primary school setting. We investigated the use of tablet computers, specifically Apple’s ‘iPad’, in an upper primary school setting with regard to children’s engagement. Cognitive, emotional and general engagement was higher in lessons based on iPads than those which were not. There was no difference in behavioral engagement. Of particular significance was the increase in engagement seen in boys, which resulted in their engagement levels increasing to levels comparable to those seen in girls. These findings suggest that tablet technology has potential as a tool in the classroom setting

Characteristics of Precession Electron Diffraction Intensities from Dynamical Simulations

Precession Electron Diffraction (PED) offers a number of advantages for crystal structure analysis and solving unknown structures using electron diffraction. The current article uses many-beam simulations of PED intensities, in combination with model structures, to arrive at a better understanding of how PED differs from standard unprecessed electron diffraction. It is shown that precession reduces the chaotic oscillatory behavior of electron diffraction intensities as a function of thickness. An additional characteristic of PED which is revealed by simulations is reduced sensitivity to structure factor phases. This is shown to be a general feature of dynami-cal intensities collected under conditions in which patterns with multiple incident beam orienta-tions are averaged together. A new and significantly faster method is demonstrated for dynami-cal calculations of PED intensities, based on using information contained in off-central columns of the scattering matrix.Comment: 20 pages, 7 Figure

Accidents, evocative objects and art: meanderings of the mind in the work of Christopher Bollas and Gabriel Orozco

This study offers an introduction to Christopher Bollas’s theoretical approach to thinking and the creative process, both within and outside of the psychoanalytic encounter. It also looks at selected works by the artist and sculptor Gabriel Orozco which help to illuminate Bollas’s thinking and underscore concepts related to self which are of interest not just to psychoanalysis and art, but to a much wider audienc

The Role of Medicaid in State Economies: A Look at the Research

Draws upon twenty-nine studies in twenty-three states to analyze the role of Medicaid spending in state and local economies -- the multiplier effect of jobs, tax revenues, and federal matching dollars and the impact of reduced spending in a downturn

A Theoretical Model for Optimization of SALD Parameters

This paper addresses the need to conduct theoretical work concerning an economical way of Solid Freeform Fabrication rendering by using selective Area Laser Deposition (SALD). The part in SALD rendering process is formed layer by layer that, in turn, is composed of stripes of material produced in the path of a laser. There are three situations in which such a stripe can be rendered: a) alone, b) with one neighbor on one side, and c) with neighbors on both sides. Residual thermal stresses in the part are expected to be affected by how a stripe is rendered. Furthermore, the residual thermal stress and the mechanical property of the part are also dictated by other processing variables such as laser scanning patters, laser input power, scanning speed, scanning spacing, deposition temperature, gas precursor pressure, intrinsic thermal conductivity and mechanical properties of the rendered material. A theoretical approach is proposed to address the minimization of residual thermal stresses and rendering times and the maximization of the strength of the part. It is proposed that such multiple optimizations that are dictated by many decision variables can be solved by minimizing and/or maximizing object functions dePending on the design criteria for each attribute of the rendered partMechanical Engineerin

Space station mobile transporter

The first quarter of the next century will see an operational space station that will provide a permanently manned base for satellite servicing, multiple strategic scientific and commercial payload deployment, and Orbital Maneuvering Vehicle/Orbital Transfer Vehicle (OMV/OTV) retrieval replenishment and deployment. The space station, as conceived, is constructed in orbit and will be maintained in orbit. The construction, servicing, maintenance and deployment tasks, when coupled with the size of the station, dictate that some form of transportation and manipulation device be conceived. The Transporter described will work in conjunction with the Orbiter and an Assembly Work Platform (AWP) to construct the Work Station. The Transporter will also work in conjunction with the Mobile Remote Servicer to service and install payloads, retrieve, service and deploy satellites, and service and maintain the station itself. The Transporter involved in station construction when mounted on the AWP and later supporting a maintenance or inspection task with the Mobile Remote Servicer and the Flight Telerobotic Servicer is shown

Interferometric differentiation between resonant Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering and nonresonant four-wave-mixing processes

A major impediment of using Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering to identify biological molecules is that the illumination levels required to produce a measurable signal often also produce significant nonresonant background from the medium, especially from water, that is not specific to the resonance being investigated. We present a method of using nonlinear interferometry to measure the temporal shape of the anti-Stokes signal to differentiate which components are resonant and nonresonant. This method is easily adaptable to most existing pulsed CARS illumination methods and should allow for distinguishing resonant CARS when using higher energy pulses. By examining the differences between signals produced by acetone and water, we show that the resonant and nonresonant signals can be clearly differentiated.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figure

Automated mixed traffic vehicle design AMTV 2

The design of an improved and enclosed Automated Mixed Traffic Transit (AMTT) vehicle is described. AMTT is an innovative concept for low-speed tram-type transit in which suitable vehicles are equipped with sensors and controls to permit them to operate in an automated mode on existing road or walkway surfaces. The vehicle chassis and body design are presented in terms of sketches and photographs. The functional design of the sensing and control system is presented, and modifications which could be made to the baseline design for improved performance, in particular to incorporate a 20-mph capability, are also discussed. The vehicle system is described at the block-diagram-level of detail. Specifications and parameter values are given where available