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Using recognition testing to support semantic learning in developmental amnesia
Get PDFPatients with developmental amnesia (DA) have suffered hippocampal damage in infancy and subsequently shown poor episodic memory, but good semantic memory. It is not clear how patients with DA learn semantic information in the presence of episodic amnesia. However, patients with DA show good recognition memory and it is possible that semantic learning may be supported by recognition. Building on previous work, we compared two methods for supporting semantic learning in DA; recognition-learning and recall-learning. In each condition, a patient with DA (aged 8 years) was presented with semantic information in animated videos. After each presentation of a video, learning was supported by an immediate memory test. Two videos were paired with a cued recall test. Another two videos were paired with a multiple-choice test to enable recognition-based learning. The outcome measure was semantic recall performance after a short delay of 30 min and a long delay of one week. Results showed a benefit of recognition-learning compared to recall-learning on cued recall in the patient with DA (76% vs. 35%). This finding indicates that young people with severe hippocampal damage can utilize recognition to support semantic learning. This has implications for the support of school-aged children with episodic memory difficulties
Climate Crisis and Youth: Vocal Representatives of the Climate Discourse
Get PDFClimate change and environmental questions have dominated the media agenda for almost forty years now. Besides the academic circles, these issues appear in political discourses and in the public sphere. From a social perspective, it is the now young generation mostly discussed in connection with the possible effects of climate change. It is often highlighted that Generation Z will be the cohort who will have to face the consequences of environmental destruction. There are several youth-led movements that appeared during the past five years: these are strikingly similar, go viral within a very short time and besides that they are professional both in their rhetoric and marketing. However, the majority of scientific research features only the positive effects these movements, there is often no information provided about who is behind them. The rapidly growing body of research is disproportionate in terms of geographical location, ethnicity, sex and social class of the participants, which raises important questions
Unleashing Enhanced Compressive Strength: 3D Printed Octopus-Inspired Suction Cups Using Topological Engineering
Get PDFNature’s intricate designs and efficient functionality have evolved over millions of years to thrive in challenging environments while minimizing energy consumption and ecological impact. Inspired by nature’s strategies, the manufacturing industry and academic research strive to develop materials and designs that exhibit high strength. The octopus, a remarkable marine creature, exemplifies a complex and adaptive design. It has eight arms aligned with numerous tactile suction cups having a specialized geometry and cavity. This study employed fused deposition modeling (FDM) printers to model and fabricate octopus-inspired suction cups. We examined different aspect ratios and shapes of cavities, such as cuboids, cylinders, and octopus suction cup cavities, while maintaining similar outer geometry. The compressive test proved that the inside cavity plays a significant role in enhancing strength due to stress distribution and is represented as a robust biomimetic design. The finite element analysis (FEA) is also developed to corroborate the experimental findings. The statistical validation of the experimental results is achieved through a multilinear regression equation. Our findings demonstrate that the naturally evolved octopus structure exhibits superior compressive strength, enhanced energy absorption, and the ability to generate negative pressure, rendering it highly suitable for gripping, suction, and shock-absorption applications
Entrepreneurial Marketing Intentions and Behaviours among Students: Investigating the Roles of Entrepreneurial Skills, Entrepreneurial Self-efficacy, and Family Business Exposure
Get PDFThis study investigates the relationships between entrepreneurial skills (ES), entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE), entrepreneurial marketing intentions (EMI), and entrepreneurial marketing behaviours (EMB) of university students while considering the influence of family business exposure as a moderating factor. A sample of 149 Malaysian university students was analysed using partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) to assess the roles of ES, ESE, and EMI in predicting EMB. Our findings reveal that EMI partially mediates the effects of ES and ESE on EMB. In addition, having a family-owned business background did not affect the relationships in our model. However, students with friends involved in family businesses exhibited significantly higher levels of EMB due to acquired entrepreneurial skills than those without such connections
A-Z of prescribing for children: A – Absorption
Get PDFThis series focuses on aspects of prescribing for neonates, children and young people, from A–Z. Aspects of pharmacokinetics will be considered, alongside legal considerations, consent and medications in schools
Significance of storage conditions on the flow properties of wheat flours
Get PDFFlow properties of wheat flours are influenced by their intrinsic properties and environmental conditions during handling. This study evaluated the effects of environmental conditions (temperature and relative humidity- %RH) and flour properties (particle size and wheat class) on the flow properties of wheat flours. Size fractions from hard red winter (HRW) and soft red winter (SRW) wheat were produced through sieving. Flour fractions were then exposed to various temperature (25 and 35 degree Celsius) and relative humidity (50, 60, and 70%RH) combinations (t=3 h) to evaluate the effects of environmental conditions. Flow indicators (Hausner ratio – HR and compressibility index - CI) and flow (bulk, dynamic, and shear) properties were measured for the wheat flours after treatment. Shape analysis showed that all flour fractions were spherical based on their aspect ratio (>0.7) and elongation (4.0) which indicates poorer flowability. Higher humidity levels (60 and 70%) also caused poorer flowability for the wheat flours after exposure. The results from this study show that both environmental factors and flour characteristics have significant effects on flour flow properties. Handling wheat flours at lower humidity levels and higher temperatures improve flowability. Hard wheat flours were more flowable than soft wheat flours; coarser fractions from both wheat types flow better than finer fractions
The Importance of Heat Pump COP in the Economics of 5th Generation District Heating and Cooling Networks
Get PDFThis paper describes the investigation of heat pumps for GreenSCIES, a 5th Generation heat network in Islington, London. The paper describes the GreenSCIES concept integrating Mobility, Power and Heat into a local energy system. At the heart of the system is a 5th generation heat network, which utilises an ambient heat network to capture secondary heat and share heat between different applications. The GreenSCIES network, technology utilised and buildings connected are described. Heat pumps are used to amplify the temperature of the ambient loop to deliver heat at the required temperature in connected buildings. A number of different heat pumps using different refrigerants and configurations were appraised in this study. This considered the performance, safety, environmental impact, operational and capital expenditure point of view. The study shows the importance of heat pump COP on the economics of operating the system and suggests innovative series arrangements in order to improve performance and economics
Women working in Refrigeration, Air-Conditioning and Heat Pumps: a Worldwide Survey
Get PDFThe International Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) OzonAction undertook a worldwide survey on women in cooling. The aim was to better understand the background, motivation, challenges, and opportunities faced by women working in the in Refrigeration, Air-Conditioning and Heat Pumps (RACHP) sector. In total 810 women replied to the survey. The results indicated a high industry retention rate, with 47% of the women working in the RACHP sector for more than 10 years. The three main challenges identified were: difficulties in managing a healthy work-life balance, lack of career advancement opportunities and stereotypes or prejudice about women from clients or customers. Conversely, the most proud career achievements were earning the respect and confidence of colleagues, developing a new product/service and training/teaching people.
The survey identified the challenges and opportunities faced by women working in the RACHP sector providing valuable insight to the development of new policies and initiatives to support women
Enhancing physicochemical properties of coconut oil for the application of engine lubrication
Get PDFEngine lubricants require specific physical and chemical properties to function effectively and extend the lifespan of engines. Coconut oil (CCO) is an abundant, renewable, and environmentally friendly bio-based stock that has the potential to be a viable alternative to conventional mineral oil-based lubricants. In this study, we investigated the potential of CCO as a lubricant and formulated different blends with additives to enhance its physicochemical characteristics. Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), styrenated phenol (SP) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) were used as additives in varying concentrations. We evaluated the formulations for low pour point (PP), high viscosity index (VI) and total base number (TBN) using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), viscometry, and titration methods (following ASTM D2270 and ASTM D2896–21 respectively). The formulated CCO was also tested for thermal, oxidative, and shear stability using thermogravimetric analysis and rheometry. The optimal formulation exhibited a PP reduction from 21 °C to 6 °C, improved VI from 169 to 206, and a TBN adjustment from 0 to 4.14 mg KOH g-1. The formulated CCO also exhibited superior thermal, oxidative, and shear stability compared to unformulated CCO and reference oil (15W40). Our results suggest that blending CCO with additives can effectively enhance its suitability for engine lubrication, opening up new possibilities for environmentally sustainable and renewable lubricants