Causal Maps and Indirect Influences Analysis in the Diagnosis of Second-Home Tourism Impacts

This paper proposes a method for diagnosing the impacts of second-home tourism and illustrates it for a Mediterranean Spanish destination. This method proposes the application of network analysis software to the analysis of causal maps in order to create a causal network model based on stakeholder-identified impacts. The main innovation is the analysis of indirect relations in causal maps for the identification of the most influential nodes in the model. The results show that the most influential nodes are of a political nature, which contradicts previous diagnoses identifying technical planning as the ultimate cause of problems.

Determination of optimal parameters in drilling composite materials to minimize the machining temperature using the Taguchi method

Dental implant is used to replace the natural dental root. The process to fix the dental implant in the maxillary bone needs a previous drilling operation. This machining operation involves the increasing of temperature in the drilled region which can reach values higher than 47°C and for this temperature is possible to occur the osseous necrosis [I]. The main goal of this work is to implement an optimization method to define the optimal drilling parameters that could minimize the drilling temperature. The proposal optimization method is the Taguchi method. This method has been used with success in machining processes optimization of metallic materials [2]. However, the Taguchi method is also used in medical applications, namely in dental medicine [3].

Teaching College Writing in a High School Setting: The Impact of Concurrent Enrollment on Teacher Learning and Practice

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Washington, 2016-06

HPLC analyses of flavanols and phenolic acids in the fresh young shoots of tea (Camellia sinensis) grown in Australia

As part of a 4-year project to study phenolic compounds in tea shoots over the growing seasons and during black tea processing in Australia, an HPLC method was developed and optimised for the identification and quantification of phenolic compounds, mainly flavanols and phenolic acids, in fresh tea shoots. Methanol proved to be the most suitable solvent for extracting the phenolic compounds, compared with chloroform, ethyl acetate and water. Immediate analysis, by HPLC, of the methanol extract showed higher separation efficiency than analyses after being dried and redissolved. This method exhibited good repeatability (CV 3-9%) and recovery rate (88-116%). Epigallocatechin gallate alone constituted up to 115 mg/g, on a dry basis, in the single sample of Australian fresh tea shoots examined. Four catechins (catechin, gallocatechin, epicatechin and epigallocatechin) and six catechin gallates (epigallocatechin gallate, catechin gallate, epicatechin gallate, gallocatechin gallate, epicatechin digallate and epigallocatechin digallate) have been identified and quantified by this HPLC method. In addition, two major tea alkaloids, caffeine and theobromine, have been quantified, while five flavonol glycosides and six phenolic acids, including quinic acids and esters, were identified and quantified. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

New method to determine PSD using supercritical adsorption: Applied to methane adsorption in activated carbon

Adsorption of supercritical fluids is increasingly carried out to determine the micropore size distribution. This is largely motivated by the advances in the use of supercritical adsorption in high energy applications, such as hydrogen and methane storage in porous media. Experimental data are reported as mass excess versus pressure, and when these data are matched against the theoretical mass excess, significant errors could occur if the void volume used in the calculation of the experimental mass excess is incorrectly determined [Malbrunot, P.; Vidal, D.; Vermesse, J.; Chahine, R.; Bose, T. K. Langmuir 1997, 13, 539]. 1 The incorrect value for the void volume leads to a wrong description of the maximum in the plot of mass excess versus pressure as well as the part of the isotherm over the pressure region where the isotherm is decreasing. Because of this uncertainty in the maximum and the decreasing part of the isotherm, we propose a new method in which the problems associated with this are completely avoided. Our method involves only the relationship between the amount that is introduced into the adsorption cell and the equilibrium pressure. This information of direct experimental data has two distinct advantages. The first is that the data is the raw data without any manipulation (i.e., involving further calculations), and the second one is that this relationship always monotonically increases with pressure. We will illustrate this new method with the adsorption data of methane in a commercial sample of activated carbon.

Analysis of transient eddy currents in MRI using a cylindrical FDTD method

Most magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) spatial encoding techniques employ low-frequency pulsed magnetic field gradients that undesirably induce multiexponentially decaying eddy currents in nearby conducting structures of the MRI system. The eddy currents degrade the switching performance of the gradient system, distort the MRI image, and introduce thermal loads in the cryostat vessel and superconducting MRI components. Heating of superconducting magnets due to induced eddy currents is particularly problematic as it offsets the superconducting operating point, which can cause a system quench. A numerical characterization of transient eddy current effects is vital for their compensation/control and further advancement of the MRI technology as a whole. However, transient eddy current calculations are particularly computationally intensive. In large-scale problems, such as gradient switching in MRI, conventional finite-element method (FEM)-based routines impose very large computational loads during generation/solving of the system equations. Therefore, other computational alternatives need to be explored. This paper outlines a three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method in cylindrical coordinates for the modeling of low-frequency transient eddy currents in MRI, as an extension to the recently proposed time-harmonic scheme. The weakly coupled Maxwell's equations are adapted to the low-frequency regime by downscaling the speed of light constant, which permits the use of larger FDTD time steps while maintaining the validity of the Courant-Friedrich-Levy stability condition. The principal hypothesis of this work is that the modified FDTD routine can be employed to analyze pulsed-gradient-induced, transient eddy currents in superconducting MRI system models. The hypothesis is supported through a verification of the numerical scheme on a canonical problem and by analyzing undesired temporal eddy current effects such as the B-0-shift caused by actively shielded symmetric/asymmetric transverse x-gradient head and unshielded z-gradient whole-body coils operating in proximity to a superconducting MRI magnet.

Mental health literacy in rural Queensland: results of a community survey

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the awareness of, and attitudes to, mental health issues in rural dwelling Queensland residents. A secondary objective was to provide baseline data of mental health literacy prior to the implementation of Australian Integrated Mental Health Initiative - a health promotion strategy aimed at improving the health outcomes of people with chronic or recurring mental disorders. Method: In 2004 a random sample of 2% (2132) of the estimated adult population in each of eight towns in rural Queensland was sent a postal survey and invited to participate in the project. A series of questions were asked based on a vignette describing a person suffering major depression. In addition, questions assessed respondents' awareness and perceptions of community mental health agencies. Results: Approximately one-third (36%) of those surveyed completed and returned the questionnaire. While a higher proportion of respondents (81%) correctly identified and labelled the problem in the vignette as depression than previously reported in Australian community surveys, the majority of respondents (66%) underestimated the prevalence of mental health problems in the community. Furthermore, a substantial number of respondents (37%) were unaware of agencies in their community to assist people with mental health issues while a majority of respondents (57.6%) considered that the services offered by those agencies were poor. Conclusion: While mental health literacy in rural Queensland appears to be comparable to other Australian regions, several gaps in knowledge were identified. This is in spite of recent widespread coverage of depression in the media and thus, there is a continuing need for mental health education in rural Queensland.

It's all in the game: Teaching software process concepts

A major challenge in teaching software engineering to undergraduates is that most students have limited industry experience, so the problems addressed are unknown and hence unappreciated. Issues of scope prevent a realistic software engineering experience, and students often graduate with a simplistic view of software engineering’s challenges. Problems and Programmers (PnP) is a competitive, physical card game that simulates the software engineering process from requirements specification to product delivery. Deliverables are abstracted, allowing a focus on process issues and for lessons to be learned in a relatively short time. The rules are easy to understand and the game’s physical nature allows for face-to-face interaction between players. The game’s developers have described PnP in previous publications, but this paper reports the game’s use within a larger educational scheme. Students learn and play PnP, and then are required to create a software requirements specification based on the game. Finally, students reflect on the game’s strengths and weaknesses and their experiences in an individual essay. The paper discusses this approach, students’ experiences and overall outcomes, and offers an independent, critical look at the game, its use, and potential improvements.

A EDUCAÇÃO A DISTÂNCIA E A FORMAÇÃO DO SUJEITO: Estudo realizado sobre o professor tutor nos cursos de graduação, na modalidade a distância da Umesp, sob a ótica da multirreferencialidade

A educação a distância (EAD) é uma modalidade de ensino antiga que se renova com as novas tecnologias de informação e comunicação (NTIC). O momento presente é promissor para o desenvolvimento de pesquisas neste âmbito, visto o crescimento desta modalidade de ensino no Brasil. Universidades brasileiras (públicas, privadas, comunitárias e confessionais) têm investido em projetos de educação a distância; percebe-se que os modelos utilizados carecem precisão na configuração das funções exercidas pelos vários atores presentes na EAD. Por esta razão, o trabalho tutorial é pe squisado tendo como objetivo o desvelar das relações entre a formação do sujeito e o papel do professor tutor, considerando o Projeto Pedagógico Institucional e o projeto pedagógico dos cursos a distância, bem como suas proposituras sobre a concepção antropológica (homem), a concepção gnosiológica (conhecimento) e a concepção política (relações político-sociais). As hipóteses que sustentaram a pesquisa consideraram a tutoria como: mediadora no processo de construção do conhecimento e desenvolvimento do sujeito e como uma das responsáveis pela articulação da equipe de EAD, nas relações com o corpo discente, da Universidade Metodista de São Paulo. O texto, a seguir, é fruto do desejo de corroborar com o desenvolvimento desta modalidade de ensino no Brasil.(AU)

Addressing the project implementation challenges in the Saudi Arabian power supply industry: an investigative approach towards improving project delivery

For many decades, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been widely known for being a reliable oil exporter. This fact, however, has not exempted it from facing significant domestic energy challenges. One of the most pressing of these challenges involves bridging the widening electricity supply-demand gap where, currently, the demand is growing at a very fast rate. One crucial means to address this challenge is through delivering power supply projects with maximum efficiency. Project delivery delay, however, is not uncommon in this highly capital-intensive industry, indicating electricity supplies are not coping with the demand increases. To provide a deeper insight into the challenges of project implementation and efficient practice, this research adopts a pragmatic approach by triangulating literature, questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The research was conducted in the Saudi Arabian power supply industry – Western Operating Area. A total of 105 usable questionnaires were collected, and 28 recorded, semi-structured interviews were conducted, analysed and synthesised to produce a conceptual model of what constitutes the project implementation challenges in the investigated industry. This was achieved by conducting a comprehensive ranking analysis applied to all 58 identified and surveyed factors which, according to project practitioners in the investigated industry, contribute to project delay. 28 of these project delay factors were selected as the "most important" ones. Factor Analysis was employed to structure these 28 most important project delay factors into the following meaningful set of 7 project implementation challenges: Saudi Electricity Company's contractual commitments, Saudi Electricity Company's communication and coordination effectiveness, contractors' project planning and project control effectiveness, consultant-related aspects, manpower challenges and material uncertainties, Saudi Electricity Company's tendering system, and lack of project requirements clarity. The study has implications for industry policy in that it provides a coherent assessment of the key project stakeholders' central problems. From this analysis, pragmatic recommendations are proposed that, if enacted, will minimise the significance of the identified problems on future project outcomes, thus helping to ensure the electricity supply-demand gap is diminished.

Adverse drug reaction teaching in UK undergraduate medical and pharmacy programmes

Objectives: To assess the extent of teaching about the Committee on Safety of Medicine's Yellow Card scheme and adverse drug reactions within UK Schools of Medicine and Pharmacy. Methods: A self-completed questionnaire sent to all heads of undergraduate schools of medicine and pharmacy within the UK. Results: The majority of undergraduate syllabuses feature the Yellow Card Scheme. Knowledge of the Yellow Card Scheme was assessed in 79% of pharmacy programmes and 57% of medical schools. Specialist speakers on the Yellow Card Scheme were infrequently used. Fewer than half of respondents provided students with a guide to reporting ADRs (43% pharmacy and 43% medical). There is some disagreement about the value of supplying students with printed material about the Yellow Card Scheme. Half of medical Schools did not think that supplying 'Current Problems In Pharmacovigilance' would be useful. Conclusions: It was found that in both medicine and pharmacy, courses differed substantially in teaching about the Yellow Card Scheme and adverse drug reactions (ADRs). There is scope for increased involvement of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency in undergraduate education, in line with recommendations from the National Audit Office.

Action research in a collective organisation:Developing an education programme in a pressure group

The aim of this project was to develop the education work of an environmental pressure group. The research devised and implemented a project to produce multi-media teaching packs on the urban environment. Whilst this involved understanding environmental education it was necessary to research beyond this to include the various structural and dynamic constraints on change in the field. This presented a number of methodological difficulties; from the resolution of which a model of the research process involved in this project has been developed. It is argued that research oriented towards practical change requires the insights of an experienced practitioner to be combined with the rigours of controlled systematic enquiry. Together these function as a model-building process encompassing intuition, induction and deduction. Model testing is carried out through repeated intervention in the field; thus an interplay between researcher and client ensues such that the project develops in a mutually acceptable direction. In practice, this development will be both unpredictable and erratic. Although the conclusions reached here are based on a single case study they address general methodological issues likely to be encountered in different field settings concerned with different practical problems.

Cost and time control of construction project: inhibiting factors and mitigating measures in practice

Despite the availability of various control techniques and project control software many construction projects still do not achieve their cost and time objectives. Research in this area so far has mainly been devoted to identifying causes of cost and time overruns. There is limited research geared towards studying factors inhibiting the ability of practitioners to effectively control their projects. To fill this gap, a survey was conducted on 250 construction project organizations in the UK, which was followed by face-to-face interviews with experienced practitioners from 15 of these organizations. The common factors that inhibit both time and cost control during construction projects were first identified. Subsequently 90 mitigating measures have been developed for the top five leading inhibiting factors—design changes, risks/uncertainties, inaccurate evaluation of project time/duration, complexities and non-performance of subcontractors were recommended. These mitigating measures were classified as: preventive, predictive, corrective and organizational measures. They can be used as a checklist of good practice and help project managers to improve the effectiveness of control of their projects.

Crazy animals and other activities for teaching young learners

This is a book for primary school teachers of English written by primary school teachers of English. It brings together the experience and expertise of teachers from around the world to provide a range of stimulating and exciting classroom activities for the primary classroom. There are 50 tried and trusted activities which have been refined and improved over the years by teachers working in diverse contexts and environments. Children will enjoy practising their English through these stimulating and motivating activities. Over 1 000 teachers were contacted and asked to send their favourite activities for teaching English to young learners. The most original and creative activities received were selected for this book. This book grew out of an Aston University - British Council research project called ‘Investigating Global Practices in Teaching English to Young Learners’.