717 research outputs found
Universal Processor Architecture for Biomedical Implants: The SiMS Project
No full textHEALTHCARE in the 21st century is changing rapidly. In advanced countries, in particular, healthcare is moving from a public to a more personalized nature. However, the costs of healthcare worldwide are increasing every year. Better use of technology can and should be used to get control of these costs. At the same time, implants have clearly benefitted from the astounding technology-miniaturization trends of late, boasting smaller sizes, lower power consumption and increased performance of the transistor devices. However, such advances do not come for free. Adverse effects in current implant designs are being witnessed, such as increasing power consumption, absence of design for reliability and highly application-specific nature. Operating under the assumption that implants will constitute an important means towards improved, personal healthcare and, in view of the aforementioned design phenomena, we believe that a new paradigm in implant design is required. This dissertation establishes the concept of Smart implantable Medical Systems (SiMS). SiMS is a systematic approach – a framework – for providing biomedical researchers and, hopefully, industry with a toolbox of ready-to-use, highly reliable implant sub-systems and models in order to construct optimal implants for various medical applications. The SiMS framework has to guarantee essential attributes, such as high dependability, modular design, ultra-low power consumption and miniature size. Having defined the SiMS framework, this dissertation is, then, concerned with exploring the optimal microarchitectural details of a crucial SiMS component: the SiMS processor. Contrary to the current state of the art, this processor aspires to be a new universal, low-power and low-cost processor and capable of efficiently serving a wide range of diverse implant applications.Computer Science and EngineeringElectrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Scienc
SI 7 d13 C SIMS table
No full textExcel file containing all SIMS analyses on samples and standards for δ13C. Column descriptions are included in the file as a footer
Synthesis of furanosesquiterpenoid natural products
No full textThe effect of addition of a catalytic quantity of a crown ether in the reaction of a phosphonate anion with a carbonyl compound (Wadsworth-Emmons reaction) has been studied and found to greatly facilitate this reaction. This modification of the Wadsworth-Emmons reaction, using a catalytic amount of 15-crown-5, has been employed in the synthesis of the naturally occurring furanosesquiterpene Pallescensin-E. The structure of this compound has been confirmed by comparison of its spectral data with that of the synthesised isomer, 4,l0-dihydro-7,8-dimethyl 10H-benzof4,5Jcycloheptafl,2-bJ furan.Homosesquirosefuran, an analogue of the naturally occurring furanosesquiterpene Sesquirosefuran, has been synthesised via the dianion of methylacetoacetate.An approach to the synthesis of Pinguisone (a component of the essential oil of the liverwort Aneura pinguis)has been attempted employing two Diels-Alder reactions to generate the four cis-methyl groups found in the natural product.In a study of the reaction of n-(2-methylallyl)nickel bromide complex with a range of epoxides, this complex was found not only to react with reactive epoxides (e.g. styrene epoxide) but also with less reactive propylene epoxide.Substrates for possible intramolecular n-allylnickel cyclisation to generate an a-methylene-6-valerolactone ring system have been prepared
Latest applications of 3D ToF-SIMS bio-imaging
No full textTime-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) is a rapidly developing technique for the characterization of a wide range of materials. Recently, advances in instrumentation and sample preparation approaches have provided the ability to perform 3D molecular imaging experiments. Polyatomic ion beams, such as C-60, and gas cluster ion beams, often Arn (n = 500-4000), substantially reduce the subsurface damage accumulation associated with continued bombardment of organic samples with atomic beams. In this review, the capabilities of the technique are discussed and examples of the 3D imaging approach for the analysis of model membrane systems, plant single cell, and tissue samples are presented. Ongoing challenges for 3D ToF-SIMS imaging are also discussed along with recent developments that might offer improved 3D imaging prospects in the near future. (C) 2015 Author(s)
Accurate SIMS Doping Profiling of Aluminum-Doped Solid-Phase Epitaxy Silicon Islands
No full textA procedure has been implemented for a quantitative aluminum-doping profiling of µm-scale aluminum-induced solid-phase-epitaxy (SPE) Si islands formed at 400°C. The aluminum concentration was measured to be 1–2×1019 cm?3, which is about 10 times higher than previously reported electrical activation levels. The elemental concentration was measured by secondary-ion-mass-spectroscopy (SIMS) on arrays of SPE Si islands grown by a recently developed process that allows control of the island geometry.MicroelectronicsElectrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Scienc
Losses of NG2 and NeuN immunoreactivity but not astrocytic markers during early reperfusion following severe focal cerebral ischemia
No full textDiane R. Lee, Stephen C. Helps, Ian L. Gibbins, Michael Nilsson, Neil R. Sim
Historical data reveal power-law dispersal patterns of invasive aquatic species
No full textUnderstanding how invasive species spread is of particular concern in the current era of globalisation and rapid environmental change. The occurrence of super-diffusive movements within the context of Lévy flights has been discussed with respect to particle physics, human movements, microzooplankton, disease spread in global epidemiology and animal foraging behaviour. Super-diffusive movements provide a theoretical explanation for the rapid spread of organisms and disease, but their applicability to empirical data on the historic spread of organisms has rarely been tested. This study focuses on the role of long-distance dispersal in the invasion dynamics of aquatic invasive species across three contrasting areas and spatial scales: open ocean (north-east Atlantic), enclosed sea (Mediterranean) and an island environment (Ireland). Study species included five freshwater plant species, Azolla filiculoides, Elodea canadensis, Lagarosiphon major, Elodea nuttallii and Lemna minuta; and ten species of marine algae, Asparagopsis armata, Antithamnionella elegans, Antithamnionella ternifolia, Codium fragile, Colpomenia peregrina, Caulerpa taxifolia, Dasysiphonia sp., Sargassum muticum, Undaria pinnatifida and Womersleyella setacea. A simulation model is constructed to show the validity of using historical data to reconstruct dispersal kernels. Lévy movement patterns similar to those previously observed in humans and wild animals are evident in the re-constructed dispersal pattern of invasive aquatic species. Such patterns may be widespread among invasive species and could be exacerbated by further development of trade networks, human travel and environmental change. These findings have implications for our ability to predict and manage future invasions, and improve our understanding of the potential for spread of organisms including infectious diseases, plant pests and genetically modified organisms
Teaching pronunciation as a volunteer ESL tutor: Determining needs and designing support
No full textThe demand for English instruction surpasses the availability of trained professionals and affordable programs as increasing numbers of immigrants and other international visitors to the U.S. seek out opportunities to improve their English language skills (Henrichson, 2010). To help meet this need, many community programs—often staffed entirely by volunteers—offer classes in a variety of informal settings. In most programs, however, the key qualification for volunteer tutors is simply that they are native speakers of English and are willing to share their time to help others (Henrichsen, 2010; Pennycook & Coutand-Marin, 2003; Snow, 2006). In other words, most volunteers have no professional preparation in teaching ESL .
This ultimate aim of this study was to develop professional development resources—specifically in the area of pronunciation—designed for those who volunteer in adult ESL programs, but who have little/no professional training in ESL. Interviews were conducted with 20 volunteer tutors and 11 adult ESL students to assess their knowledge and attitudes about pronunciation teaching and learning. The interview findings were considered in conjunction with current research in pronunciation pedagogy to develop a program that would provide volunteers with a research-based foundation in pronunciation pedagogy that would ultimately help them provide more effective support for their students.
The resulting program has a flexible structure to accommodate the realities of a community program staffed by busy volunteers. The program is designed to span several months and includes resources for an introductory workshop, scripts for a series of short video tutorials about a variety of pronunciation topics, and accompanying print materials to use with students.Submission published under a 24 month embargo labeled 'Closed Access', the embargo will last until 2020-08-01The student, Linda Sims, accepted the attached license on 2018-07-10 at 17:23.The student, Linda Sims, submitted this Thesis for approval on 2018-07-10 at 17:41.This Thesis was approved for publication on 2018-07-12 at 15:34.DSpace SAF Submission Ingestion Package generated from Vireo submission #12811 on 2018-09-27 at 11:36:45Made available in DSpace on 2018-09-27T16:47:30Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 3
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Appendix H_LindaSims_Pronunciation Teaching Materials Designed for Volunteer ESL Tutors and Their Adult Students_submitted 7-10-18.pdf: 3332898 bytes, checksum: 3d6c9c52f91e20e7df6f24fa130c9042 (MD5)
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Previous issue date: 2018-07-12Embargo set by: Seth Robbins for item 107911
Lift date: 2020-09-27T16:47:41Z
Reason: Author requested closed access (OA after 2yrs) in Vireo ETD systemLimited Restriction Lifted for Item 107911 on 2020-09-28T09:15:30Z
Linking the basic sciences in teaching: suggestions for histology instruction
No full textPT: J; NR: 0; TC: 0; J9: ANAT HISTOL EMBRYOL; PG: 3; GA: FV613Source type: Electronic(1
Autonomous characters in virtual environments: The technologies involved in artificial life and their affects on perceived intelligence and playability of computer games
No full textComputer games are viewed by academics as un֊grounded hack and patch experiments. "The industry lacks the formalism and requirement for a "perfect" solution often necessary in the academic world " [Woob]. Academic Artifical Intelligence (AI) is often viewed as un-implementable and narrow minded by the majority of ทon-AI programmer. "Historically, AI tended to be focused, containing detailed problems and domain-specific techniques. This focus makes for easier study - or engineering - of particular solutions. " [СһаОЗ .By implementing several well known AI techniques into the same gaming environment and judging users reactions this project aims to make links between the academic nature of AI, as well as investigate the nature of practical implementation in a gaming environment. An online Java implemented version of the 1970'ร classic Space Invaders has been developed and tested, with the Aliens being controlled by 6 different approaches to modelling AI functions. In total information from 334 individuals games was recorded. Different types of games AI can create highly varied gaming experience as highlighted by the range of values and high standard deviation values seen in the results. The link between complex behaviour, complex control systems and perceived intelligence was not supported. A positive correlation identified between how fun the users found the game and how intelligent they perceived the Aliens to be, would seem to be logical. As games get visually more and more impressive, the need for intelligent characters cannot be denied because it is one of the few way in which games can set themselves apart from the competition. Conclusions identified that computer games must remain focussed on their end- goal, that of producing a fun game. Whilst complex and clever AI can help to achieve it, the AI itself can never overshadow the end result
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