20518 research outputs found
Sort by
Investigating an Interactive Technological Self Study Conceptual Framework for On-board Maritime Education and Training
Get PDFMerchant marine officers have multiple specific duties and responsibilities to perform. Moreover, there is a need for a well-trained workforce to operate modern ships. In this era, the development of technological tools to assist in the delivery of the syllabus, and develop the marine cadets’ practical knowledge during training on-board is highly required. This study reviewed literature concerning Maritime Education and Training, in addition to personalised learning and online mobile learning. The research proposes the creation, assessment and validation of generic Interactive Maritime Education and Training (iMET) application, that is utilising Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, as a personalised interactive self-study mobile tool, with respect to cadets’ different learning preferences. The main aim of this research is to test the hypothesis that, the iMET tool has a direct positive impact on the Maritime Education and Training process on-board the training ship, and it is an accepted technology, hence will be actually used by the cadets on-board. In order to evaluate the research hypothesis, the researcher developed a generic prototype of iMET handheld application, as a proof of concept. Moreover, the researcher adapted a Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), from the existing TAM models, that had been used in previous research, in order to asses cadets’ acceptance to the proposed iMET application. Data collection in this research was based on triangulation, in order to measure the perception and expectations of the different maritime stakeholders affiliated with the iMET tool implementation. Accordingly, a questionnaire survey, a semi-structured interview and a quiz for cadets’ assessment was conducted. Data collection and surveys were conducted twice, in the pre iMET intervention development phase and post iMET intervention validation phase, in order to support justifying and validating the proposed technological tool in the current study. This research philosophy is a pragmatic research approach that applied a mixed methodology, to measure the cadets’ technology acceptance of iMET and their behavioural intention towards its actual usage. Finally, the research will discuss in detail the outcomes and finding
Continuous Dissolved Oxygen Measurements and Modelling Metabolism in Peatland Streams
Get PDFStream water dissolved oxygen was monitored in a 3.2km2 moorland headwater catchment in the Scottish Highlands. The stream consists of three 1st order headwaters and a 2nd order main stem. The stream network is fringed by peat soils with no riparian trees, though dwarf shrubs provide shading in the lower catchment. Dissolved oxygen (DO) is regulated by the balance between atmospheric re-aeration and the metabolic processes of photosynthesis and respiration. DO was continuously measured for >1 year and the data used to calibrate a mass balance model, to estimate primary production, respiration and re-aeration for a 1st order site and in the 2nd order main stem. Results showed that the stream was always heterotrophic at both sites. Sites were most heterotrophic in the summer reflecting higher levels of stream metabolism. The 1st order stream appeared more heterotrophic which was consistent with the evident greater biomass of macrophytes in the 2nd order stream, with resulting higher primary productivity. Comparison between respiration, primary production, re-aeration and potential physical controls revealed only weak relationships. However, the most basic model parameters (e.g. the parameter linking light and photosynthesis) controlling ecosystem processes resulted in significant differences between the sites which seem related to the stream channel geometry
Fine Particle Emissions From Tropical Peat Fires Decrease Rapidly With Time Since Ignition.
Get PDFSoutheast Asia experiences frequent fires in fuel-rich tropical peatlands, leading to extreme episodes of regional haze with high concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) impacting human health. In a study published recently, the first field measurements of PM2.5 emission factors for tropical peat fires showed larger emissions than from other fuel types. Here we report even higher PM2.5 emission factors, measured at newly ignited peat fires in Malaysia, suggesting that current estimates of fine particulate emissions from peat fires may be underestimated by a factor of 3 or more. In addition, we use both field and laboratory measurements of burning peat to provide the first mechanistic explanation for the high variability in PM2.5 emission factors, demonstrating that buildup of a surface ash layer causes the emissions of PM2.5 to decrease as the peat fire progresses. This finding implies that peat fires are more hazardous (in terms of aerosol emissions) when first ignited than when still burning many days later. Varying emission factors for PM2.5 also have implications for our ability to correctly model the climate and air quality impacts downwind of the peat fires. For modelers able to implement a time-varying emission factor, we recommend an emission factor for PM2.5 from newly ignited tropical peat fires of 58 g of PM2.5 per kilogram of dry fuel consumed (g/kg), reducing exponentially at a rate of 9%/day. If the age of the fire is unknown or only a single value may be used, we recommend an average value of 24 g/kg
Making Associativity Operational
Get PDFThe purpose of this paper is to propose an operational idea for developing algebraic thinking in the absence of alphanumeric symbols. The paper reports on a design experiment encouraging preschool children to use the associative property algebraically. We describe the theoretical basis of the design, the tasks used, and examples of algebraic thinking in 5–6-year-old children. Theoretically, the paper makes a critical distinction between operational and structural meanings of the notion of equality. We argue that mathematical thinking involving equality among young learners can comprise both an operational and a structural conception and that the operational conception has a side that is productively linked to the structural conception. Using carefully designed hands-on tasks, the crux of the paper is the realization of algebraic thinking (in verbal mathematics) as operationally experienced in the ability to transform one number structure, with a quantity that is subject to change, into another through equality-preserving transformations
HIC2 regulates isoform switching during maturation of the cardiovascular system.
Get PDFPhysiological changes during embryonic development are associated with changes in the isoform expression of both myocyte sarcomeric proteins and of erythrocyte haemoglobins. Cell type-specific isoform expression of these genes also occurs. Although these changes appear to be coordinated, it is unclear how changes in these disparate cell types may be linked. The transcription factor Hic2 is required for normal cardiac development and the mutant is embryonic lethal. Hic2 embryos exhibit precocious expression of the definitive-lineage haemoglobin Hbb-bt in circulating primitive erythrocytes and of foetal isoforms of cardiomyocyte genes (creatine kinase, Ckm, and eukaryotic elongation factor Eef1a2) as well as ectopic cardiac expression of fast-twitch skeletal muscle troponin isoforms. We propose that HIC2 regulates a switching event within both the contractile machinery of cardiomyocytes and the oxygen carrying systems during the developmental period where demands on cardiac loading change rapidly
Control-Value Appraisals, Enjoyment, and Boredom in Mathematics: A Longitudinal Latent Interaction Analysis
Get PDFBased on the control-value theory of achievement emotions, this longitudinal study examined students’ control-value appraisals as antecedents of their enjoyment and boredom in mathematics. Self-report data for appraisals and emotions were collected from 579 students in their final year of primary schooling over three waves. Data were analyzed using latent interaction structural equation modeling. Control-value appraisals predicted emotions interactively depending on which specific subjective value was paired with perceived control. Achievement value amplified the positive relation between perceived control and enjoyment, and intrinsic value reduced the negative relation between perceived control and boredom. These longitudinal findings demonstrate that control and value appraisals, and their interaction, are critically important for the development of students’ enjoyment and boredom over time
Do Postural Constraints Affect Eye, Head and Arm Coordination?
Get PDFIf a whole-body reaching task is produced when standing or adopting challenging postures, it is unclear whether changes in attentional demands or the sensorimotor integration necessary for balance control influence the interaction between visuomotor and postural components of the movement. Is gaze control prioritized by the CNS to produce coordinated eye movements with the head and whole-body regardless of movement context? Considering the coupled nature of visuomotor and whole-body postural control during action, this study aimed to understand how changing equilibrium constraints (in the form of different postural configurations) influenced the initiation of eye, head and arm movements. We quantified the eye-head metrics and segmental kinematics as participants executed either isolated gaze shifts or whole-body reaching movements to visual targets. In total, four postural configurations were compared: seated, natural stance, with the feet together (narrow stance), or while balancing on a wooden beam. Contrary to our initial predictions, the lack of distinct changes in: eye-head metrics, timing of eye, head and arm movement initiation, and gaze accuracy, in spite of kinematic differences, suggests that the CNS integrates postural constraints into the control necessary to initiate gaze shifts. This may be achieved by adopting a whole-body gaze strategy that allows for the successful completion of both gaze and reaching goals
As-grown-Generation (A-G) Model for Positive Bias Temperature Instability (PBTI)
Get PDFPositive Bias Temperature Instability (PBTI) is poised to cause significant degradation to nFETs with deep scaling into nanometers. It is commonly modelled by a power law fitted with measured threshold voltage shift. For the first time, this work shows that such models do not warrant PBTI prediction outside the stress conditions used for the fitting. The underlying cause for this failure is the errors in the extracted power exponent. Based on the understanding of different types of defects, we develop a robust As-grown-Generation (A-G) model and demonstrate its capability for accurate prediction of PBTI under both DC and AC conditions. The generation-induced degradation is found to play a key role. Analysis reveals that, although PBTI is usually smaller than NBTI within the typical test time window, it can exceed NBTI by the end of device lifetime
The Importance of Environmental Criteria for Kaunas City Pedestrian Zones
Get PDFPedestrian streets are public areas, where vehicle traffic is completely or partially restricted. In these parts of the city, people can take a walk, shop and ride bikes. Many scientific publications can be found on the social and economic significance of public areas; however, while seeking for the economic city growth and social advancement it is important not to waste natural resources and not to endanger ecological balance. It is noticed that environmental criteria are mentioned only as components of coherence and which have to interact with each other. Still, the pedestrian zones, as public areas intended for people, have to be safe (in the case of motor and non-motor vehicles) and protected from the vehicle emissions and noise. In addition, trees and green zones as well as the overall cleanliness are significant for the maintenance of ecological balance. Therefore, pedestrian zones not only have to meet economic and social needs but also should be a place that would be pleasant to come back to. The object of this article are the main pedestrian zones of Kaunas city. The research was conducted by applying the analysis and synthesis research methods
Maternal emotions during the first three postnatal months: Gaining an hermeneutic understanding.
Get PDFBACKGROUND: Maternal emotions in the first three postnatal months are rarely explored yet in the German context despite it is known that they play an important role in the complexity of maternal health and well-being. AIM: Gaining understanding of maternal emotions and how the developmental process of the infant circadian rhythm influences them during the first three months of the postnatal period. METHODS: A Gadamerian-based research method was used to explore the experiences of 15 mothers in Germany. FINDINGS: 'Being needed' and 'being in need' emerged as the first two themes and were further explored hermeneutically. This resulted in the findings of 'emotional balance and conflicting emotions' as underlying maternal emotions during the first three months following birth. DISCUSSION: Understanding maternal emotions during the first three months of the postnatal period has the potential of opening new pathways for improving maternal health and well-being. CONCLUSION: A spectrum of maternal emotions, maternal uncertainties and maternal needs exists in the first three months of the postnatal period
Data sources:
LJMU Research Online (Liverpool John Moo...PATT40 (LJMU)Biomolecular Research Reports (BRR) (LJM...Design and Technology Education (LJMU)BLResearchDay (LJMU)Journal of Living Labs (LJMU)Journal of Natural Products Discovery (L...Journal of Social Media for Learning (LJ...Student Law Journal (LJMU)PRISM (LJMU)Public Health Institute Journal (LJMU)SPARK (LJMU)Student Experience Proceedings (LJMU)Transformation in Education (LJMU)Innovations in Practice (LJMU)Links to Health and Social Care (LJMU)Access Repository Dashboard
Do you manage Liverpool John Moores University Research Archive? Access insider analytics, issue reports and manage access to outputs from your repository in the CORE Repository Dashboard!