Reality-based interaction affecting mental workload in virtual reality mental arithmetic training

ABSTRACT

The concept of digital game-based learning (DGBL) evolves rapidly together with technological enhancements of virtual reality (VR) and smart phones. However, the mental workload (MWL) that VR-training applications demand and motivational qualities originating from user experience (UX) should be identified in order to create effective and enjoyable training/learning challenges that fit with individual users’ capabilities. This study examined the effects of reality-based interaction (RBI) and VR on measures of student motivation and MWL, in a mental arithmetic game for secondary school pupils. In a randomised controlled trial with sixty school children, a mental arithmetic game was tested with three different interaction and two different presentation methods – VR RBI, VR head-mounted-display tapping and tablet flick-gesture. Results found a significant effect of RBI on MWL but no differences in enjoyment of training were found between VR-experience and tablet training-experience. In fact, adding the gaming-context to the mental arithmetic task created an enjoyable, motivating experience regardless of presentation or interaction-style.     

The influence of processing conditions on the mechanical properties of poly(aryl-ether-ketone)/polybenzimidazole blends

Interest in developing high-performance blends for niche applications has grown significantly in efforts to meet ever-increasing harsh environment demands. In this work, four model poly(aryl-ether-ketone)/polybenzimidazole (PAEK/PBI) blends were chosen to study the influence of premixing methods, processing, and matrix polymers, on their mechanical properties. Among the model poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) and PBI blends, mechanical properties are greatly enhanced by melt premixing. The molding process mainly affects the matrix crystallinity, which in turn greatly influences fracture toughness of the blend. Poly(ether ketone ketone) (PEKK) and PBI blend exhibits a slightly lower tensile strength and fracture toughness than PEEK/PBI due to the differences in inherent properties of PEEK and PEKK matrices and their interfacial interaction with PBI. The processing−structure–property relationship of PAEK/PBI blends is established to help guide optimal design of high-performance polymer blends for structural applications. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 48966.     

Nutrient digestibility and endogenous protein losses in the foregut and small intestine of weaned dairy calves fed calf starters with conventional or enzyme-treated soybean meal

The aims of this experiment were (1) to compare the effects of a soybean meal with an enzymatic treatment (ESBM) to reduce the concentration of antinutritional factors versus a standard soybean meal (SBM) on foregut and small intestine digestion in weaned dairy calves and (2) to estimate the endogenous losses of crude protein (CP) in the small intestine. Our hypothesis was that a diet containing ESBM instead of SBM would improve ruminal and small intestine digestion and absorption of nutrients. A T-cannula was placed in the duodenum, and a second T-cannula was installed in the distal ileum of 12 Holstein calves at approximately 3 wk of age. Calves were weaned on d 42, and on d 50 they were assigned randomly to a quadruplicated 3 × 3 Latin square with 10-d periods. Digesta samples were collected on d 7 and 8 from the ileum and d 9 and 10 from the duodenum. The diets were fed for ad libitum intake and consisted of a calf starter (CS) of 20% CP with SBM as the main source of protein (CTRL), and an isonitrogenous CS with an ESBM instead of SBM (ENZT). A third diet with a low content of CP (10%) and no soy protein was fed to estimate endogenous N losses and digestibilities of test ingredients. Flows and digestibilities of nutrients were compared between CTRL and ENZT and their test ingredients (SBM vs. ESBM, respectively). Duodenal net flows of CP and total AA as well as ruminal microbial protein synthesis per kilogram of digested CP were greater, and flow of nonprotein N and CP true (corrected by endogenous and microbial flows) foregut digestibility were lower with ENZT than CTRL. The apparent small intestine digestibilities of CP and total AA were greater for ESBM than SBM, but there were no differences between the CTRL and ENZT diets. We observed no differences in digestibilities at the duodenum or ileum of starch or NDF, but true small intestine digestibilities of CP and all AA were greater with ENZT than CTRL. Total endogenous protein losses in the small intestine estimated from calves fed the low-CP with no soy protein diet were 37 ± 1.5 g of CP and 29 ± 1.4 g of AA/kg of DMI. These values may be considered the basal endogenous losses as they are similar to values obtained with the regression method, which estimates N losses when dietary N is null. Our results indicated that the inclusion of an ESBM improved the efficiency of ruminal microbial protein synthesis per digested kilogram of organic matter and CP, and increased CP and AA absorption in the small intestine despite a greater proportion of undigested dietary protein entering the duodenum.     

Properties of Carbopol Solutions as Models for Yield-Stress Fluids

ABSTRACT: The effect of pH on the non-Newtonian viscosity (η)of aqueous Carbopol 940 solutions is presented with high resolution (pH increments about 0.4) between pH = 2.8 and 12.7. Aqueous NaOH was used to adjust pH of 1.48 wt % Carbopol solutions. A Contraves viscometer was used to measure steady-flow shear stress at known shear rate (γ) over the range γ= 8 to 195 s⁻¹. Yield stresses and shear-thinning η(γ) were observed. Data were fitted with a Herschel-Bulkley model, whose parameters (including yield stress) were expressed as functions of pH. Comparisons were made of η(γ) to the dynamic viscometric properties η'(ω) and η*(ω) for comparable ranges of γ and frequency (ω): A fairly close match was found between η and η* but η«η'. pH dependence included previously unreported extrema of h(pH) in the range of pH = 6.2 to 6.6. Because of sensitive control of rheological properties with pH, Carbopol solutions can be used to mimic a great range of shear-thinning and yield-stress behavior that should make them useful for model studies directed toward process and equipment design and evaluation.     

Measurement of the Timoshenko Shear Stiffness. II: Effect of Transverse Compressibility

This is the second of two papers devoted to the issue of measuring the Timoshenko shear stiffness of thin-walled composite beams. In the first paper, the effect of warping on the effective Timoshenko shear stiffness, as measured through bending tests, was studied. The bending test was simulated using finite-element analysis, and the results indicated that the warping effect was minimal. On the other hand, the evidence suggests that transverse flexibility may have a significant influence on the effective Timoshenko shear stiffness, decreasing the effective shear stiffness at shorter test spans. The purpose of the present study is to further investigate this effect and to explore the use of a sandwich theory to predict the measurement error. A higher-order sandwich theory, which captures the transverse strain at concentrated loads and supports, is applied to a commercially available thin-walled composite beam. The results indicate that the sandwich model does capture the decrease in the effective shear stiffness at short spans, and the dependence of the shear stiffness on span-to-depth ratio is similar to that calculated in the first paper, using the finite-element method.     

Miscellaneous lesions of bone

There are several tumors and tumorlike entities of bone that do not easily fit into the specific classifications provided elsewhere in this issue. In this article, several seemingly unrelated entities are discussed, including cystic diseases of bone (simple bone cysts and aneurysmal bone cysts), Langerhans' cell histiocytosis, benign and malignant vascular tumors of bone, and adamantinoma of long bone and its relationship to osteofibrous dysplasia.     

School-Based Child-Centered Play Therapy with Hispanic Children: Outcomes and Cultural Consideration.

Hispanic children are the fastest growing segment of the population. Numerous factors place them at-risk for school success. This study examined the effects of Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) compared to a curriculum-based small group intervention with 29 Hispanic children referred for school counseling due to behavior problems. Children were assigned to treatment groups by random drawing within grade levels. Treatment was provided by Hispanic bilingual counselors. Statistical analysis revealed that, according to parent report, children receiving CCPT showed statistically significant decreases in externalizing behavior problems, compared to the curriculum-based treatment group. Effect size calculations revealed that CCPT demonstrated a large treatment effect on externalizing behavior problems and a moderate treatment effect on internalizing behavior problems. Cultural considerations and recommendations for practice and future research are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Hemodialysis in the United Kingdom

Hemodialysis was a neglected aspect of nephrology in the UK. At the request of the Renal Association, the first UK Haemodialysis Masterclass was organized in 2007. The articles in this supplement arose from that meeting. Here, an overview of UK hemodialysis services and nephrology training is presented as background. Government‐funded dialysis should be provided to all UK citizens who require it. In 2005, there were 17,645 patients receiving hemodialysis, 5057 on peritoneal dialysis and 19,074 with kidney transplants, looked after by 359 nephrologists working in 73 National Health Service renal units. Renal replacement therapy incidence and prevalence remain comparatively low, at 108 and 694 per million population, respectively. Whether this represents inadequate provision or genuinely lower need remains unclear. The Renal Association sets clinical practice guidelines for dialysis, and audits performance via the UK Renal Registry. Postgraduate medical education is undergoing radical change in the UK. This is driven by the reduction in trainee doctors' working hours to 48 hr/week (mandated by the European Working Time Directive), and the governments' wish to reduce the duration of training, but also by a desire to formalize training, Our challenge is to continue to produce talented clinical nephrologists educated in breadth and depth, despite the reduced emphasis on clinical experience and omission of period of scientific research. The future for hemodialysis services in the UK is, however, promising with an expansion in the number of specialists and dialysis centers, and a growing interest in dialysis practice and research.