113 resultados para Microwave assisted
Resumo:
This thesis maps the author's journey from a music composition practice to a composition and performance practice. The work involves the development of a software library for the purpose of encapsulating compositional ideas in software, and realising these ideas in performance through a live coding computer music practice. The thesis examines what artistic practice emerges through live coding and software development, and does this permit a blurring between the activities of music composition and performance. The role that software design plays in affecting musical outcomes is considered to gain an insight into how software development contributes to artistic development. The relationship between music composition and performance is also examined to identify the means by which engaging in live coding and software development can bring these activities together. The thesis, situated within the discourse of practice led research, documents a journey which uses the experience of software development and performance as a means to guide the direction of the research. The journey serves as an experiment for the author in engaging an hitherto unfamiliar musical practice, and as a roadmap for others seeking to modify or broaden their artistic practice.
Resumo:
Introduction. Ideally after selective thoracic fusion for Lenke Class IC (i.e. major thoracic / secondary lumbar) curves, the lumbar spine will spontaneously accommodate to the corrected position of the thoracic curve, thereby achieving a balanced spine, avoiding the need for fusion of lumbar spinal segments1. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the behaviour of the lumbar curve in Lenke IC class adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) following video-assisted thoracoscopic spinal fusion and instrumentation (VATS) of the major thoracic curve. Methods. A retrospective review of 22 consecutive patients with AIS who underwent VATS by a single surgeon was conducted. The results were compared to published literature examining the behaviour of the secondary lumbar curve where other surgical approaches were employed. Results. Twenty-two patients (all female) with AIS underwent VATS. All major thoracic curves were right convex. The average age at surgery was 14 years (range 10 to 22 years). On average 6.7 levels (6 to 8) were instrumented. The mean follow-up was 25.1 months (6 to 36). The pre-operative major thoracic Cobb angle mean was 53.8° (40° to 75°). The pre-operative secondary lumbar Cobb angle mean was 43.9° (34° to 55°). On bending radiographs, the secondary curve corrected to 11.3° (0° to 35°). The rib hump mean measurement was 15.0° (7° to 21°). At latest follow-up the major thoracic Cobb angle measured on average 27.2° (20° to 41°) (p<0.001 – univariate ANOVA) and the mean secondary lumbar curve was 27.3° (15° to 42°) (p<0.001). This represented an uninstrumented secondary curve correction factor of 37.8%. The mean rib hump measured was 6.5° (2° to 15°) (p<0.001). The results above were comparable to published series when open surgery was performed. Discussion. VATS is an effective method of correcting major thoracic curves with secondary lumbar curves. The behaviour of the secondary lumbar curve is consistent with published series when open surgery, both anterior and posterior, is performed.
Resumo:
One of the primary treatment goals of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) surgery is to achieve maximum coronal plane correction while maintaining coronal balance. However maintaining or restoring sagittal plane spinal curvature has become increasingly important in maintaining the long-term health of the spine. Patients with AIS are characterised by pre-operative thoracic hypokyphosis, and it is generally agreed that operative treatment of thoracic idiopathic scoliosis should aim to restore thoracic kyphosis to normal values while maintaining lumbar lordosis and good overall sagittal balance. The aim of this study was to evaluate CT sagittal plane parameters, with particular emphasis on thoracolumbar junctional alignment, in patients with AIS who underwent Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Spinal Fusion and Instrumentation (VATS). This study concluded that video-assisted thoracoscopic spinal fusion and instrumentation reliably increases thoracic kyphosis while preserving junctional alignment and lumbar lordosis in thoracic AIS.
Resumo:
My journey with Peer Assisted Study Sessions, or Supplemental Instruction (SI), began in 1993 when I took over a 1st year, 1st semester unit in QUT's Bachelor of Engineering program. The unit had 500 enrolments with students from all 10 engineering majors at QUT. The 500 students received a 2 hour lecture and a 1 hour tutorial per week, usually run by academic staff or postgraduate students. The unit covered basic mechanics, which comprises a challenging set of topics on how forces interact with various bodies. One normally expects 1st year students to find it difficult to come to grips with the material. However, when I ran that unit in 1993, the failure rate had been usually around 50%.
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In this paper we discuss how a network of sensors and robots can cooperate to solve important robotics problems such as localization and navigation. We use a robot to localize sensor nodes, and we then use these localized nodes to navigate robots and humans through the sensorized space. We explore these novel ideas with results from two large-scale sensor network and robot experiments involving 50 motes, two types of flying robot: an autonomous helicopter and a large indoor cable array robot, and a human-network interface. We present the distributed algorithms for localization, geographic routing, path definition and incremental navigation. We also describe how a human can be guided using a simple hand-held device that interfaces to this same environmental infrastructure.
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Experiments were undertaken to study drying kinetics of different shaped moist food particulates during heat pump assisted fluidised bed drying. Three particular geometrical shapes of parallelepiped, cylindrical and spheres were selected from potatoes (aspect ratio = 1:1, 2:1, 3:1), cut beans (length: diameter = 1:1, 2:1, 3:1) and peas respectively. A batch fluidised bed dryer connected to a heat pump system was used for the experimentation. A Heat pump and fluid bed combination was used to increase overall energy efficiency and achieve higher drying rates. Drying kinetics, were evaluated with non-dimensional moisture at three different drying temperatures of 30, 40 and 50o C. Due to complex hydrodynamics of the fluidised beds, drying kinetics are dryer or material specific. Numerous mathematical models can be used to calculate drying kinetics ranging from analytical models with simplified assumptions to empirical models built by regression using experimental data. Empirical models are commonly used for various food materials due to their simpler approach. However problems in accuracy, limits the applications of empirical models. Some limitations of empirical models could be reduced by using semi-empirical models based on heat and mass transfer of the drying operation. One such method is the quasi-stationary approach. In this study, a modified quasi-stationary approach was used to model drying kinetics of the cylindrical food particles at three drying temperatures.
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The numerical modelling of electromagnetic waves has been the focus of many research areas in the past. Some specific applications of electromagnetic wave scattering are in the fields of Microwave Heating and Radar Communication Systems. The equations that govern the fundamental behaviour of electromagnetic wave propagation in waveguides and cavities are the Maxwell's equations. In the literature, a number of methods have been employed to solve these equations. Of these methods, the classical Finite-Difference Time-Domain scheme, which uses a staggered time and space discretisation, is the most well known and widely used. However, it is complicated to implement this method on an irregular computational domain using an unstructured mesh. In this work, a coupled method is introduced for the solution of Maxwell's equations. It is proposed that the free-space component of the solution is computed in the time domain, whilst the load is resolved using the frequency dependent electric field Helmholtz equation. This methodology results in a timefrequency domain hybrid scheme. For the Helmholtz equation, boundary conditions are generated from the time dependent free-space solutions. The boundary information is mapped into the frequency domain using the Discrete Fourier Transform. The solution for the electric field components is obtained by solving a sparse-complex system of linear equations. The hybrid method has been tested for both waveguide and cavity configurations. Numerical tests performed on waveguides and cavities for inhomogeneous lossy materials highlight the accuracy and computational efficiency of the newly proposed hybrid computational electromagnetic strategy.
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This paper study examines Australian smokers’ perceptions of a potential SMS-assisted smoking cessation program. Using TAM we tested perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness and subjective norms on intentions to use this cessation program if it was available. Findings show that perceived usefulness and subjective norms were the significant predictors of intentions to use. Perceived ease of use did not directly influence this outcome instead it has an indirect influence through perceived usefulness. These preliminary findings can be built upon through introducing additional variables to help practitioners better understand consumer acceptance when marketing e-health programs such as this.
Resumo:
Potentially harmful substance use is common, but many affected people do not receive treatment. Brief face-to-face treatments show impact, as do strategies to assist self-help remotely, by using bibliotherapies, computers or mobile phones. Remotely delivered treatments offer more sustained and multifaceted support than brief interventions, and they show a substantial cost advantage as users increase in number. They may also build skills, confidence and treatment fidelity in providers who use them in sessions. Engagement and retention remain challenges, but electronic treatments show promise in engaging younger populations. Recruitment may be assisted by integration with community campaigns or brief opportunistic interventions. However, routine use of assisted self-help by standard services faces significant challenges. Strategies to optimize adoption are discussed. ----- ----- Research Highlights: ► Many people with risky or problematic drinking do not currently receive treatment. ► Assisted self-help has a significant impact and can be delivered at low cost. ► Maximal effects from assisted self-help require engagement of potential users. ► Marketing campaigns and integration into existing service models may assist.
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Creativity is an important graduate capability which needs to be cultivated in engineering students. The evidence suggests that to develop creativity and innovation in students it is necessary to give them significant practice is divergent thinking. This kind of practice is particularly important in disciplines such as the physical sciences and engineering which have traditionally had a heavy emphasis on convergent (rather than divergent) thinking. Accordingly, this paper presents a novel strategy for engendering divergent thinking in engineering students. It is an unconventional approach in which students compose and perform contemporary raps which help them to summarise and reflect on material covered in lectures.
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Objective: This study investigated: (i) the prevalence of ureaplasmas in semen and washed semen and (ii) the effect of ureaplasmas on semen andrology parameters. Design: Prospective study. Setting: IVF unit -private hospital, Brisbane, Australia. Patient(s): Three hundred and forty three men participating in an assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment cycle. Intervention(s): Semen and washed semen tested by culture, PCR assays and indirect immunofluorescent antibody assays. Statistical differences were determined by a t-test, Wilcoxon or Pearson’s Chi- square test where appropriate. Main Outcome Measure(s): The prevalence of ureaplasmas in semen and washed semen and the effect of these microorganisms on semen andrology parameters. Result(s): Ureaplasmas were detected in 73/343 (22%) semen samples and 29/343 (8.5%) washed semen samples. Ureaplasmas adherent to the surface of spermatozoa were demonstrated by indirect immunofluorescent antibody testing. U. parvum serovar 6 (36.6%) and U. urealyticum (30%) were the most prevalent isolates in washed semen. A comparison of the semen andrology parameters of washed semen ureaplasma positive and negative groups demonstrated a lower proportion of non-motile sperm in the washed semen ureaplasma positive group. Conclusion(s): Ureaplasmas are not always removed from semen by a standard ART washing procedure and can remain adherent to the surface of spermatozoa.