The logic of data-sense: Thinking through Learning Personalisation

Big Data and Learning Analytics’ promise to revolutionise educational institutions, endeavours, and actions through more and better data is now compelling. Multiple, and continually updating, data sets produce a new sense of ‘personalised learning’. A crucial attribute of the datafication, and subsequent profiling, of learner behaviour and engagement is the continual modification of the learning environment to induce greater levels of investment on the parts of each learner. The assumption is that more and better data, gathered faster and fed into ever-updating algorithms, provide more complete tools to understand, and therefore improve, learning experiences through adaptive personalisation. The argument in this paper is that Learning Personalisation names a new logistics of investment as the common ‘sense’ of the school, in which disciplinary education is ‘both disappearing and giving way to frightful continual training, to continual monitoring'.

Time reversal technique for health monitoring of metallic structure using Lamb waves

Time reversal active sensing using Lamb waves is investigated for health monitoring of a metallic structure. Experiments were conducted on an aluminum plate to study the time reversal behavior of A(0) and S-0 Lamb wave modes under narrow band and broad band pulse excitation. Damage in the form of a notch was introduced in the plate to study the changes in the characteristics of the time reversed Lamb wave modes experimentally. Time-frequency analysis of the time reversed signal was carried out to extract the damage information. A measure of damage based on wavelet transform was derived to quantify the hidden damage information in the time reversed signal. It has been shown that time reversal can be used to achieve temporal recompression of Lamb waves under broadband signal excitation. Further, the broad band excitation can also improve the resolution of the technique in detecting closely located defects. This is demonstrated by picking up the reflection of waves from the edge of the plate, from a defect close to the edge of the plate and from defects located near to each other. This study shows the effectiveness of Lamb wave time reversal for temporal recompression of dispersive Lamb waves for damage detection in health monitoring applications. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Selective growth of ZnO nanoneedles by thermal oxidation of Zn microstructures

Zinc film containing hexagonal plate stack and tower-like micro structures were grown on Si substrates at high temperature by thermal evaporation. Thermal oxidation studies on these micro structures have shown that ZnO nanoneedles selectively grow from the facets of the zinc microstructure at temperature above 300 degrees C in atmosphere TEM analysis showed that single crystalline and bicrystalline nanoneedles were formed in this oxidation process and the growth direction of these nanoneedles was identified along the [1 1 (2) overbar 0]. Based on the structural studies and morphological observation, we have proposed a possible mechanism for the selective growth of ZnO nanoneedles during thermal oxidation.

CFD analysis of high frequency miniature pulse tube refrigerators for space applications with thermal non-equilibrium model

High frequency, miniature, pulse tube cryocoolers are extensively used in space applications because of their simplicity. Parametric studies of inertance type pulse tube cooler are performed with different length-to-diameter ratios of the pulse tube with the help of the FLUENT (R) package. The local thermal non-equilibrium of the gas and the matrix is taken into account for the modeling of porous zones, in addition to the wall thickness of the components. Dynamic characteristics and the actual mechanism of energy transfer in pulse are examined with the help of the pulse tube wall time constant. The heat interaction between pulse tube wall and the oscillating gas, leading to surface heat pumping, is quantified. The axial heat conduction is found to reduce the performance of the pulse tube refrigerator. The thermal non-equilibrium predicts a higher cold heat exchanger temperature compared to thermal equilibrium. The pressure drop through the porous medium has a strong non-linear effect due to the dominating influence of Forchheimer term over that of the linear Darcy term at high operating frequencies. The phase angle relationships among the pressure, temperature and the mass flow rate in the porous zones are also important in determining the performance of pulse tuberefrigerator.

Automata and logics over finitely varying functions

We extend some of the classical connections between automata and logic due to Büchi (1960) [5] and McNaughton and Papert (1971) [12] to languages of finitely varying functions or “signals”. In particular, we introduce a natural class of automata for generating finitely varying functions called View the MathML source’s, and show that it coincides in terms of language definability with a natural monadic second-order logic interpreted over finitely varying functions Rabinovich (2002) [15]. We also identify a “counter-free” subclass of View the MathML source’s which characterise the first-order definable languages of finitely varying functions. Our proofs mainly factor through the classical results for word languages. These results have applications in automata characterisations for continuously interpreted real-time logics like Metric Temporal Logic (MTL) Chevalier et al. (2006, 2007) [6] and [7].

Posters versus lurkers. Improving participation in enterprise social networks through management interventions

This thesis investigated the phenomenon of underutilised Enterprise social networks (ESNs). Guided by established theories, we identified key reasons that drive ESN members to either post (i.e., create content) or lurk (i.e., read others' content) and examined the influence of three management interventions - aim to boost participation - on lurkers' and posters' beliefs and participation. We test our model with data collected from 366 members in Google⁺ communities in a large Australian retail organization. We find that posters and lurkers are motivated and hindered by different factors. Moreover, management interventions do not – always – yield the hoped-for results among lurkers.

Processing of SeMV polyproteins revisited

Processing of Sesbania mosaic virus (SeMV) polyprotein 2a and 2ab was reanalyzed in the view of the new genome organization of sobemoviruses. Polyprotein 2a when expressed in E coli, from the new cDNA clone, got cleaved at the earlier identified sites E325-T326, E402-T403 and E498-S499 to release protease, VPg, P10 and P8, respectively. Additionally, a novel cleavage was identified within the protease domain at position E132-S133, which was found to be essential for efficient polyprotein processing. Products, corresponding to cleavages identified in E. coli, were also detected in infected Sesbania leaves. Interestingly, though the sites are exactly the same in polyprotein 2ab, it got cleaved between Protease-VPg but not between VPg-RdRp. This indicates to a differential cleavage preference, governed probably by the conformation of 2ab. Also, the studies revealed that, in SeMV, processing is regulated by mode of cleavage and context of the cleavage site.

Low temperature molten-salt synthesis of nanocrystalline cubic Sr2SbMnO6

Sr2SbMnO6 (SSM) powders were successfully synthesized at reasonably low temperatures via molten-salt synthesis (MSS) method using eutectic composition of 0.635 Li2SO4-0.365 Na2SO4 (flux). High-temperature cubic phase SSM was stabilized at room temperature by calcining the as-synthesized powders at 900 degrees C/10 h. The phase formation and morphology of these powders were characterized via X-ray powder diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The SSM phase formation associated with similar to 60 nm sized crystallites was also confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. The activation energy associated with the particle growth was found to be 95 +/- 5 kJ mol(-1). The dielectric constant of the tetragonal phase of the ceramic (fabricated using this cubic phase powder) with and without the flux (sulphates) has been monitored as a function of frequency (100 Hz-1 MHz) at room temperature. Internal barrier layer capacitance (IBLC) model was invoked to rationalize the dielectric properties.

A constraint Jacobian based approach for static analysis of pantograph masts

This paper presents a constraint Jacobian matrix based approach to obtain the stiffness matrix of widely used deployable pantograph masts with scissor-like elements (SLE). The stiffness matrix is obtained in symbolic form and the results obtained agree with those obtained with the force and displacement methods available in literature. Additional advantages of this approach are that the mobility of a mast can be evaluated, redundant links and joints in the mast can be identified and practical masts with revolute joints can be analysed. Simulations for a hexagonal mast and an assembly with four hexagonal masts is presented as illustrations.

Laboratory analyses for evaluation of platelet disorders and platelet concentrates

High quality of platelet analytics requires specialized knowledge and skills. It was applied to analyze platelet activation and aggregation responses in a prospective controlled study of patients with Finnish type of amyloidosis. The 20 patients with AGel amyloidosis displayed a delayed and more profound platelet shape change than healthy siblings and healthy volunteers, which may be related to altered fragmentation of mutated gelsolin during platelet activation. Alterations in platelet shape change have not been reported in association with platelet disorders. In the rare Bernard-Soulier syndrome with Asn45Ser mutation of glycoprotein (GP) IX, the diagnostic defect in the expression of GPIb-IX-V complex was characterized in seven Finnish patients, also an internationally exceptionally large patient series. When measuring thrombopoietin in serial samples of amniotic fluid and cord blood of 15 pregnant women with confirmed or suspected fetal alloimmune thrombocytopenia, the lower limit of detection could be extended. The results approved that thrombopoietin is present already in amniotic fluid. The application of various non-invasive means for diagnosing thrombocytopenia (TP) revealed that techniques for estimating the proportion of young, i.e. large platelets, such as direct measurement of reticulated platelets and the mean platelet size, would be useful for evaluating platelet kinetics in a given patient. Due to different kinetics between thrombopoietin and increase of young platelets in circulation, these measurements may have most predictive value when measured from simultaneous samples. Platelet autoantibodies were present not only in isolated autoimmune TP but also in patients without TP where disappearance of platelets might be compensated by increased production. The autoantibodies may also persist after TP has been cured. Simultaneous demonstration of increased young platelets (or increased mean platelet volume) in peripheral blood and the presence of platelet associated IgG specificities to major glycoproteins (GPIb-IX and GPIIb-IIIa) may be considered diagnostic for autoimmune TP. Measurement of a soluble marker as a sign of thrombin activation and proceeding deterioration of platelet components was applied to analyze the alterations under several stress factors (storage, transportation and lack of continuous shaking under controlled conditions) of platelet products. The GPV measured as a soluble factor in platelet storage medium showed good correlation with an array of other measurements commonly applied in characterization of stored platelets. The benefits of measuring soluble analyte in a quantitative assay were evident.

A flexible tool for integrated planning of active distribution networks

This paper presents a flexible and integrated planning tool for active distribution network to maximise the benefits of having high level s of renewables, customer engagement, and new technology implementations. The tool has two main processing parts: “optimisation” and “forecast”. The “optimization” part is an automated and integrated planning framework to optimize the net present value (NPV) of investment strategy for electric distribution network augmentation over large areas and long planning horizons (e.g. 5 to 20 years) based on a modified particle swarm optimization (MPSO). The “forecast” is a flexible agent-based framework to produce load duration curves (LDCs) of load forecasts for different levels of customer engagement, energy storage controls, and electric vehicles (EVs). In addition, “forecast” connects the existing databases of utility to the proposed tool as well as outputs the load profiles and network plan in Google Earth. This integrated tool enables different divisions within a utility to analyze their programs and options in a single platform using comprehensive information.

Racemization at proline residues during peptide bond formation : A study of diastereomeric mixtures of synthetic alamethicin fragments by 270 MHz 1H NMR

The stepwise synthesis of amino terminal pentapeptide of alamethicin, Z-Aib-Pro-Aib-Ala-Aib-OMe, by the dicyclohexylcarbodiimide mediated couplings leads to extensive racemization at the Ala and Pro residues. Racemization is largely suppressed by the use of additives like N-hydroxysuccinimide and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole. The presence of diastereomeric peptides may be detected by the observation of additional methyl ester and benzylic methylene signals in the 270 MHz 1H NMR spectra. Unambiguous spectral assignment of the signals to the diastereomers has been carried out by the synthesis and NMR studies of the D-Ala tetra and pentapeptides. The racemization at Pro is of particular relevance in view of the reported lack of inversion at C-terminal Pro on carboxyl activation.

Synthesis of liquid crystalline benzothiazole base derivatives: A study of their optical and electrical properties

Two new donor-acceptor type liquid crystalline semiconductors based on benzothiazole have been synthesized. Their structural, photophysical and electronic properties were investigated using X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, cyclic voltammetry, UV-Vis, photoluminescence, and Raman spectroscopy. The liquid crystalline behaviour of the molecules was thoroughly examined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and optical polarizing microscope. The DSC and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) show that these materials posses excellent thermal stability and have decomposition temperatures in excess of 300 degrees C. Beyond 160 degrees C both molecules show a smectic A liquid crystalline phase that exists till about 240 degrees C. Field-effect transistors were fabricated by vacuum evaporating the semiconductor layer using standard bottom gate/top contact geometry. The devices exhibit p-channel behaviour with hole mobilities of 10(-2) cm(2)/Vs. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Abatement of fluoride from water using manganese dioxide-coated activated alumina

Batch adsorption of fluoride onto manganese dioxide-coated activated alumina (MCAA) has been studied. Adsorption experiments were carried out at various pH (3–9), time interval (0–6 h), adsorbent dose (1–16 g/l), initial fluoride concentration (1–25 mg/l) and in the presence of different anions. Adsorption isotherms have been modeled using Freundlich, Langmuir and Dubinin–Raduskevich isotherms and adsorption followed Langmuir isotherm model. Kinetic studies revealed that the adsorption followed second-order rate kinetics. MCAA could remove fluoride effectively (up to 0.2 mg/l) at pH 7 in 3 h with 8 g/l adsorbent dose when 10 mg/l of fluoride was present in 50 ml of water. In the presence of other anions, the adsorption of fluoride was retared. The mechanism of fluoride uptake by MCAA is due to physical adsorption as well as through intraparticle diffusion which was confirmed by kinetics, Dubinin–Raduskevich isotherm, zeta-potential measurements and mapping studies of energy-dispersive analysis of X-ray.