A study to identify selected factors affecting the implementation of computer-aided design and drafting in industrial technology baccalaureate programs

The purpose of the study was to identify and analyze selected factors affecting the present status of Computer Aided Drafting and Design (CADD) and those factors which were needed to reach a desired level of CADD implementation in Industrial Technology Baccalaureate Programs (ITBPs) in the United States. The intent of this study was to identify and analyze selected factors which facilitate the implementation of CADD in ITBPs within the United States. One hundred and sixty-four ITBPs institutions from the 1992 National Association of Industrial Technology (NAIT) Directory were used for participation in this study. A questionnaire identifying both current and ideal status was constructed and validated through the pilot-test. The instruments were distributed, collected, and the data analyzed. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. A frequency distribution was used for all variables. A mean rank was computed for the selected factors which inhibited the implementation or continuation of CADD in ITBPs. Selected Findings and Conclusions were: (1) A majority of respondents (91%) reported that they offered one or more CADD courses in their departments; (2) The majority of respondents (52%) indicated that for the current status, CADD was required of all majors in their departments. At the perceived ideal level, an overwhelming majority of respondents (92%) believe that CADD should be required for all majors in their departments; (3) a combination of separate CADD courses and CADD integrated into all design and drafting courses was recommended regarding CADD instruction by a majority of the respondents (67%); (4) Funding was the most inhibiting factor in the implementation or continuation of CADD in ITBPs, receiving the highest mean (4.34 on a 5-point scale). Based on the information collected in the survey, selected Recommendations were: (1) Industrial Technology Programs should hire more faculty who have expertise in the area of CADD in order to facilitate the implementation of CADD in their departments. (2) Vendor workshops and in-house training programs should be provided to faculty who need assistance to enhance their CADD knowledge so as to facilitate the implementation of CADD in their departments. (3) All industrial technology instructors should be encouraged to integrate CADD into their design and drafting programs. (4) Industrial technology instructors should be encouraged to develop their own instructional materials to suit their particular curriculum needs

Providing competecy: based education for industry and its effect on classroom education

This paper is set upon the scenario of a synergy from two leading technical education institutions in their joining exercise of providing an industry-oriented curriculum for a university level degree course. A course model of Pro-Trainer One is devised to foster this initiative at the first evaluation year in which the result was demanded to be effective. The strategy of developing material toward this exercise is demonstrated and the evaluation of this synergy is also examined. The newly established Taishan Training University was meant to become a model in which prospective collaboration among many institutions can follow

The Influences of H2Plasma Pretreatment on the Growth of Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanotubes by Microwave Plasma Chemical Vapor Deposition

The effects of H2flow rate during plasma pretreatment on synthesizing the multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by using the microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition are investigated in this study. A H2and CH4gas mixture with a 9:1 ratio was used as a precursor for the synthesis of MWCNT on Ni-coated TaN/Si(100) substrates. The structure and composition of Ni catalyst nanoparticles were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The present findings showed that denser Ni catalyst nanoparticles and more vertically aligned MWCNTs could be effectively achieved at higher flow rates. From Raman results, we found that the intensity ratio of G and D bands (ID/IG) decreases with an increasing flow rate. In addition, TEM results suggest that H2plasma pretreatment can effectively reduce the amorphous carbon and carbonaceous particles. As a result, the pretreatment plays a crucial role in modifying the obtained MWCNTs structures

Alopecia Totalis Treated with 1064 nm Picosecond Nd:YAG Laser: A Case Report

Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disorder causing nonscarring hair loss. Alopecia totalis (AT), the severe form of AA, is usually refractory to many first-line treatments including topical and intralesional corticosteroids and topical immunotherapy. Systemic corticosteroids, ultraviolet light phototherapy, and immunosuppressants may be effective but can cause side effects and high recurrence rates after discontinuing treatment. Janus kinase inhibitors and numerous types of lasers, such as 308 nm excimer laser or light, low-level laser therapy, and fractional lasers have been explored for alternative treatment of AA over the past few years with beneficial effects. Herein, we presented a case of AT treated with the novel 1064 nm picosecond Nd:YAG laser (ps-Nd:YAG) (Cutera, Brisbane, CA, USA) under a split-scalp study. A 25-year-old woman presenting with AT for two years was treated with topical and intralesional steroid and the 1064 nm Nd-YAG picosecond laser on the right half of the scalp. The laser treatment interval was once a month. The left half of the scalp was treated with topical and intralesional steroids alone. After treatment for six times, the right half of the scalp had greater improvement than the left half of the scalp. 1064 nm picosecond Nd:YAG laser therapy may be an effective alternative adjuvant treatment for AT

Clinical Beneficial Effects of Using Crystalloid only in Recipients of Living Donor Liver Transplantation

Objective: Liver transplantation (LT) is a major surgery associated with intraoperative massive fluid shift, which is usually replaced by crystalloid, 5% albumin (colloid) and blood products. We studied 15 patients from 477 consecutive recipients of adult living donor liver transplantation. Each patient received crystalloid only during LT. Whether LT provides any clinical benefit is not clear and must be determined. Methods and Patients: The anesthesia records of 477 adult LDLT were reviewed retrospectively. The patients were divided into three groups according to the fluids received. Group I (GI) had received blood products, 5% albumin and crystalloid, group II (GII) received 5% albumin and crystalloid, and group III (GIII) received crystalloid only. The characteristic intraoperative variable and postoperative acute rejection and survival rate were compared amongst groups by using One Way ANOVA post hoc with Bonferroni and by Ficher’s Exact test and Chi-square χ2 test. Results and Conclusions: GIII had less intraoperative ascites and blood loss; they also had more stable hemodynamics. Furthermore, they could be extubated significantly earlier than GI, and the one- and three-year survival rates were excellent, with 100% in GIII, while that of GI and GII were 94.1%, 90.5% and 98.6%, 94.5%, respectively