A comparison of theoretical MgVI emission line strengths with active-region observations from serts

R-matrix calculations of electron impact excitation rates in N-like Mg vi are used to derive theoretical electron-density-sensitive emission line ratios involving 2s(2)2p(3)-2s2p(4) transitions in the 269-403 Angstrom wavelength range. A comparison of these with observations of a solar active region, obtained during the 1989 flight of the Solar EUV Rocket Telescope and Spectrograph (SERTS), reveals good agreement between theory and observation for the 2s(2)2p(3) S-4-2s2p(4) P-4 transitions at 399.28, 400.67, and 403.30 Angstrom, and the 2s(2)2p(3) P-2-2s2p(4) D-2 lines at 387.77 and 387.97 Angstrom. However, intensities for the other lines attributed to Mg vi in this spectrum by various authors do not match the present theoretical predictions. We argue that these discrepancies are not due to errors in the adopted atomic data, as previously suggested, but rather to observational uncertainties or mis-identifications. Some of the features previously identified as Mg vi lines in the SERTS spectrum, such as 291.36 and 293.15 Angstrom, are judged to be noise, while others (including 349.16 Angstrom) appear to be blended.

S XI emission lines in active region spectra obtained with the Solar EUV Rocket Telescope and Spectrograph (SERTS)

Theoretical electron density sensitive emission line ratios involving a total of eleven 2s(2)2p(2)-2s2p(3) transitions in S XI between 187 and 292 Angstrom are presented. A comparison of these with solar active region observations obtained during rocket flights by the Solar EUV Rocket Telescope and Spectrograph (SERTS) reveals generally good agreement between theory and experiment. However, the 186.87 Angstrom line is masked by fairly strong Fe XII emission at the same wavelength, while 239.83 Angstrom is blended with an unknown feature, and 285.58 Angstrom is blended with possibly N IV 285.56 Angstrom. In addition, the 191.23 Angstrom line appears to be more seriously blended with an Fe XIII feature than previously believed. The presence of several new S XI lines is confirmed in the SERTS spectra, at wavelengths of 188.66, 247.14 and 291.59 Angstrom, in excellent agreement with laboratory measurements. In particular, the detection of the 2s(2)2p(2) P- 3(1) -2s2p(3) P-3(0,1) transitions at 242.91 Angstrom is the first time (to our knowledge) that this feature has been identified in the solar spectrum. The potential usefulness of the S XI line ratios as electron density diagnostics for the solar transition region and corona is briefly discussed.

Blogs as virtual environments for teaching and learning in Higher Education

The transformation of the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) into knowledge and learning technologies is increasingly becoming a matter of concern. Teaching settings associated with the use of blogs in Higher Education are presented in this paper, proceeding from an innovative learning experience of projects carried out by a group of professors between 2009 and 2013. Both, teachers and students who took part in the subjects that implemented the blog, considered it as helpful resource to create a virtual and learning-teaching environment due to the multiple potentialities it offers. Among some of these potentialities, some stand out: it makes easier the access to knowledge, promotes a more active and reflective learning, expands the social experience of learning, provides evidence about the students’ progress which helps to reorient the teaching-learning process, and encourages the critical judgment. Nevertheless, several problems related with the students’ participation and the teacher’s blog management have been identified.

Video games in the classrooms: implications of a disruptive innovation to develop the Multiple Intelligences

The present study aims to identify the framework of personal, organizational and technical variables that contribute to the viability and successful of innovative educational practices with video games within the school context to enhance the multiple intelligences. For this purpose, advantage was taken on the information previously collected through a questionnaire about the views, thoughts and experiences of a group of teachers of childhood and primary education (N=25) who voluntarily participated in a blended training activity from Center of Teachers (CEFIRE) of Valencia, around a community of practice aimed at promoting and advising projects for implementing educational video games in the classroom. The mixed methodology adopted has allowed the following: a) describe the relationship between their degree of development and daily use made of ICT in the classroom, their level of familiarity with video games,  their previous experience to integrate them for educational purposes..., and their participation in projects that focus on game-based learning; b) conduct content analysis of the opinions and thoughts expressed in a forum for teachers on innovation on and methodological strategies adopted reflected in a virtual board; and c) develop a SWOT analysis: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats inherent in the implementation of experience with video games in the classroom. Among the conclusions, it is highlighted that, even though most did not have specific training or enough technological resources and the planning and implementation of innovation required them a great investment of time, their personal interest, the support given by members of the online community of practice, helped to encourage their activity, along with receptivity, positive attitude and high motivation of students with the experience. These aspects have been crucial to promote successful innovative practices with video games.

On velocity-based local model networks for nonlinear identification

This paper exposes the strengths and weaknesses of the recently proposed velocity-based local model (LM) network. The global dynamics of the velocity-based blended representation are directly related to the dynamics of the underlying local models, an important property in the design of local controller networks. Furthermore, the sub-models are continuous-time and linear providing continuity with established linear theory and methods. This is not true for the conventional LM framework, where the global dynamics are only weakly related to the affine sub-models. In this paper, a velocity-based multiple model network is identified for a highly nonlinear dynamical system. The results show excellent dynamical modelling performances, highlighting the value of the velocity-based approach for the design and analysis of LM based control. Three important practical issues are also addressed. These relate to the blending of the velocity-based local models, the use of normalised Gaussian basis functions and the requirement of an input derivative.

Constructing networks of continuous-time velocity-based models

A conventional local model (LM) network consists of a set of affine local models blended together using appropriate weighting functions. Such networks have poor interpretability since the dynamics of the blended network are only weakly related to the underlying local models. In contrast, velocity-based LM networks employ strictly linear local models to provide a transparent framework for nonlinear modelling in which the global dynamics are a simple linear combination of the local model dynamics. A novel approach for constructing continuous-time velocity-based networks from plant data is presented. Key issues including continuous-time parameter estimation, correct realisation of the velocity-based local models and avoidance of the input derivative are all addressed. Application results are reported for the highly nonlinear simulated continuous stirred tank reactor process.

Ultraviolet and extreme-ultraviolet line ratio diagnostics for O IV.

Aims: We generate theoretical ultraviolet and extreme-ultraviolet emission line ratios for O IV and show their strong versatility as electron temperature and density diagnostics for astrophysical plasmas.
Methods: Recent fully relativistic calculations of radiative rates and electron impact excitation cross sections for O IV, supplemented with earlier data for A-values and proton excitation rates, are used to derive theoretical O IV line intensity ratios for a wide range of electron temperatures and densities.
Results: Diagnostic line ratios involving ultraviolet or extreme-ultraviolet transitions in O IV are presented, that are applicable to a wide variety of astrophysical plasmas ranging from low density gaseous nebulae to the densest solar and stellar flares. Comparisons with observational data, where available, show good agreement between theory and experiment, providing support for the accuracy of the diagnostics. However, diagnostics are also presented involving lines that are blended in existing astronomical spectra, in the hope this might encourage further observational studies at higher spectral resolution.

Patrimonio e Identidad en la Investigación Educativa Basada en las Artes desde un Enfoque Multimodal

Este artículo describe dos experiencias de investigación de nuestro grupo interconectadas, la primera desarrollada durante el año 2007 a través del proyecto internacional CALVINO del Programa Cultura 2000 de la Unión Europea, y la segunda implementada durante el año 2014 en el marco del Proyecto Investigación e Innovación en Secundaria en Andalucía (PIIISA). Ambos proyectos tienen en común el eje temático de la identidad a partir de una idea de patrimonio y el hecho de haber puesto en práctica metodologías de investigación basadas en las artes visuales con un enfoque multimodal. Desde estos dos puntos de anclaje relativos a la temática (qué) y a la metodología (cómo) analizamos lo acontecido para obtener conclusiones relevantes que, por una parte, pongan en valor estas prácticas significativas y, por otra, aporten nuestra experiencia para futuras propuestas de investigación en el ámbito temático y/o metodológico.

Nebular and auroral emission lines of [Cl III] in the optical spectra of planetary nebulae

Electron impact excitation rates in Cl III, recently determined with the R-matrix code, are used to calculate electron temperature (T-e) and density (N-e) emission line ratios involving both the nebular (5517.7, 5537.9 Angstrom) and auroral (8433.9, 8480.9, 8500.0 Angstrom) transitions. A comparison of these results with observational data for a sample of planetary nebulae, obtained with the Hamilton Echelle Spectrograph on the 3-m Shane Telescope, reveals that the R-1 = /(5518 Angstrom)/I(5538 Angstrom) intensity ratio provides estimates of N-e in excellent agreement with the values derived from other line ratios in the echelle spectra. This agreement indicates that R-1 is a reliable density diagnostic for planetary nebulae, and it also provides observational support for the accuracy of the atomic data adopted in the line ratio calculations. However the [Cl III] 8433.9 Angstrom line is found to be frequently blended with a weak telluric emission feature, although in those instances when the [Cl III] intensity may be reliably measured, it provides accurate determinations of T-e when ratioed against the sum of the 5518 and 5538 Angstrom line fluxes. Similarly, the 8500.0 Angstrom line, previously believed to be free of contamination by the Earth's atmosphere, is also shown to be generally blended with a weak telluric emission feature. The [CI III] transition at 8480.9 Angstrom is found to be blended with the He I 8480.7 Angstrom line, except in planetary nebulae that show a relatively weak He I spectrum, where it also provides reliable estimates of T-e when ratioed against the nebular lines. Finally, the diagnostic potential of the near-UV [Cl III] lines at 3344 and 3354 Angstrom is briefly discussed.

Accelerated degradation behaviour of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) via melt blending with poly(aspartic acid-co-lactide) (PAL)

Poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) has many favourable attributes for tissue engineering scaffold applications. A major drawback, however, is its slow degradation rate, typically greater than 3 years. In this study PCL was melt blended with a small percentage of poly(aspartic acid-co-lactide) (PAL) and the degradation behaviour was evaluated in phosphate buffer solution (PBS) at 37 degrees C. The addition of PAL was found to significantly enhance the degradation profile of PCL. Subsequent degradation behaviour was investigated in terms of the polymer's mechanical properties, Molecular weight (M-w), mass changes and thermal characteristics. The results indicate that the addition of PAL accelerates the degradation of PCL, with 20% mass loss recorded after just 7 months in vitro for samples containing 8 wt% PAL. The corresponding pure PCL samples exhibited no mass loss over the same time period. In vitro assessment of PCL and PCL/PAL composites in tissue Culture medium in the absence of cells revealed stable pH readings with time. SEM studies of cell/biomaterial interactions demonstrated biocompatibility of C3H10T1/2 cells with PCL and PCL/PAL composites at all concentrations of PAL additive. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Viscoelastic Material Models of Polypropylene for Thermoforming Applications

Polypropylene (PP), a semi-crystalline material, is typically solid phase thermoformed at temperatures associated with crystalline melting, generally in the 150° to 160°Celsius range. In this very narrow thermoforming window the mechanical properties of the material rapidly decline with increasing temperature and these large changes in properties make Polypropylene one of the more difficult materials to process by thermoforming. Measurement of the deformation behaviour of a material under processing conditions is particularly important for accurate numerical modelling of thermoforming processes. This paper presents the findings of a study into the physical behaviour of industrial thermoforming grades of Polypropylene. Practical tests were performed using custom built materials testing machines and thermoforming equipment at Queen′s University Belfast. Numerical simulations of these processes were constructed to replicate thermoforming conditions using industry standard Finite Element Analysis software, namely ABAQUS and custom built user material model subroutines. Several variant constitutive models were used to represent the behaviour of the Polypropylene materials during processing. This included a range of phenomenological, rheological and blended constitutive models. The paper discusses approaches to modelling industrial plug-assisted thermoforming operations using Finite Element Analysis techniques and the range of material models constructed and investigated. It directly compares practical results to numerical predictions. The paper culminates discussing the learning points from using Finite Element Methods to simulate the plug-assisted thermoforming of Polypropylene, which presents complex contact, thermal, friction and material modelling challenges. The paper makes recommendations as to the relative importance of these inputs in general terms with regard to correlating to experimentally gathered data. The paper also presents recommendations as to the approaches to be taken to secure simulation predictions of improved accuracy.

Teaching and learning technologies in Higher Education: Applied behaviour analysis and autism.

Professionals on both international and national levels who work with children with autism are expressing the need for graduate-level training in applied behaviour analysis. The implementation of effective instruction in higher education for professionals working with children with autism and their families is a complex undertaking: the learner needs to acquire an understanding of the principles and procedures of applied behaviour analysis and also adapt this knowledge to the learning prerequisites of individuals with autism. In this paper we outline some current thinking about adult education and blended learning technologies and then describe and illustrate with examples emerging possibilities of multimedia technology in the development of teaching materials. We conclude that synergies between graduate-level curriculum requirements, knowledge of adult learning, and communication technology are necessary to establish comprehensive learning environments for professionals who specialize in autism intervention.

The Oscillations of Tau Pegasi

We present extensive spectroscopic time series observations of the multiperiodic, rapidly rotating, delta Scuti star tau Pegasi. Information about the oscillations is contained within the patterns of line-profile variation of the star's blended absorption-line spectrum. We introduce the new technique of Doppler deconvolution with which to extract these patterns by modeling the intrinsic stellar spectrum and the broadening functions for each spectrum in the time series. Frequencies and modes of oscillation are identified from the variations using the technique of Fourier-Doppler imaging and a two-dimensional least-squares cleaning algorithm. We find a rich mode spectrum with degrees up to l = 20 and with frequencies below about 35 cycles day-1. Those modes with the largest amplitudes have frequencies that lie within a narrow band. We conclude that the observed spectrum can be explained if the modes of tau Peg propagate in the prograde direction with l ~= |m| and with frequencies that are about equal in the corotating frame of the star. We discuss the implications of these results for the prospect of delta Scuti seismology.

Emission lines of Fe XI in the 257-407 A wavelength region observed in solar spectra from EIS/Hinode and SERTS

Theoretical emission-line ratios involving Fe xi transitions in the 257-407 A wavelength range are derived using fully relativistic calculations of radiative rates and electron impact excitation cross-sections. These are subsequently compared with both long wavelength channel Extreme-Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrometer (EIS) spectra from the Hinode satellite (covering 245-291 A) and first-order observations (similar to 235-449 A) obtained by the Solar Extreme-ultraviolet Research Telescope and Spectrograph (SERTS). The 266.39, 266.60 and 276.36 A lines of Fe xi are detected in two EIS spectra, confirming earlier identifications of these features, and 276.36 A is found to provide an electron density (N-e) diagnostic when ratioed against the 257.55 A transition. Agreement between theory and observation is found to be generally good for the SERTS data sets, with discrepancies normally being due to known line blends, while the 257.55 A feature is detected for the first time in SERTS spectra. The most useful Fe xi electron density diagnostic is found to be the 308.54/352.67 intensity ratio, which varies by a factor of 8.4 between N-e = 108 and 1011 cm-3, while showing little temperature sensitivity. However, the 349.04/352.67 ratio potentially provides a superior diagnostic, as it involves lines which are closer in wavelength, and varies by a factor of 14.7 between N-e = 108 and 1011 cm-3. Unfortunately, the 349.04 A line is relatively weak, and also blended with the second-order Fe x 174.52 A feature, unless the first-order instrument response is enhanced.

Controlling the response characteristics of luminescent porphyrin plastic film sensors for oxygen

Two porphyrins, platinum(II) octaethylporphyrin (Pt-OEP) and palladium(II) octaethylporphyrin (Pd-OEP), are incorporated into a wide variety of different encapsulating matricies and tested as oxygen sensors, The excited state lifetimes of the two porphyrins are quite different, 0.091 ms for Pt-OEP and 0.99 ms for Pd-OEP, and Pt-OEP-based oxygen sensors are found to be much less sensitive than Pd-OEP-based ones to quenching by oxygen, Two major response characteristics of an oxygen sensor are (i) its sensitivity toward oxygen and (ii) its response and recovery times when exposed to an alternating atmosphere of nitrogen and air. The response characteristics of a rang of Pt-OEP, and Pd-OEP-based oxygen sensors were determined using cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), and PMMA/CAB polymer blends as the encapsulating media. Pt-OEP and Pd-OEP oxygen sensors have better response characteristics (i.e., more sensitive and lower response and recovery times) when CAB is used as the encapsulating medium rather than PMMA. For both Pt-OEP- and Pd-OEP-based oxygen sensors, in either polymer, increasing the level of tributyl phosphate plasticizer improves the response characteristics of the final oxygen-sensitive film. Pt-OEP in different unplasticized PMMA/CAB blended films produced a range of oxygen sensors in which the response characteristics improved with increasing level of CAB present.