Effect of Starting Powder Particle Size on the Thermoelectric Properties of Hot-Pressed BiSbTe Alloys.

P-type BiSbTe polycrystalline pellets were fabricated using different methods: melting and mechanical alloying, followed by hot-press sintering. The effect of starting powder particle size on the thermoelectric properties was investigated in samples prepared using powders of different particle sizes (with micro- and/or nano-scale dimensions). A peak (350 K) of ~1.

Adaptation, Academic Performance and Support: Students with and without Disabilities and Future Considerations for Counselling Psychology.

The transition to university is a process that presents young adults with several challenges in adaptation, especially students with disabilities. The current study investigated the differences in adaptation and academic performance between students with and without disabilities and further examined these differences among students with disabilities. Additionally, we explored the role of academic support for students with disabilities' adaptation and academic performance, as well as their perceptions of a proposed specialised package of counselling psychology interventions.

Signatures of Co-Deregulated Genes and Their Transcriptional Regulators in Kidney Cancers.

There are several studies on the deregulated gene expression profiles in kidney cancer, with varying results depending on the tumor histology and other parameters. None of these, however, have identified the networks that the co-deregulated genes (co-DEGs), across different studies, create. Here, we reanalyzed 10 Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) studies to detect and annotate co-deregulated signatures across different subtypes of kidney cancer or in single-gene perturbation experiments in kidney cancer cells and/or tissue.

Simplified model for pre-code RC column exposed to fire followed by earthquake.

The behaviour of pre-code reinforced concrete (RC) columns in sequence of fire and earthquake is not well understood and can be critical in case of buildings which experienced fire and are either unrepaired or poorly repaired when exposed to an earthquake. This study proposes a framework on how to construct a simplified model to assess the post-fire cyclic behaviour of such columns. Emphasis is given to the development of simplified material models which can be used to describe the performance of the confined concrete, as its post-fire behaviour is not well studied.

Prioritization of hazards for risk and resilience management through elicitation of expert judgement.

Risk assessment in communities or regions typically relies on the determination of hazard scenarios and an evaluation of their impact on local systems and structures. One of the challenges of risk assessment for infrastructure operators is how to identify the most critical scenarios that are likely to represent unacceptable risks to such assets in a given time frame. This study develops a novel approach for prioritizing hazards for the risk assessment of infrastructure.

"Donor milk banking: Improving the future". A survey on the operation of the European donor human milk banks.

Background: Provision of donor human milk is handled by established human milk banks that implement all required measures to ensure its safety and quality. Detailed human milk banking guidelines on a European level are currently lacking, while the information available on the actual practices followed by the European human milk banks, remains limited. The aim of this study was to collect detailed data on the actual milk banking practices across Europe with particular emphasis on the practices affecting the safety and quality of donor human milk.

Thermoelectric Performance of Mechanically Mixed BiSbTe-ABS Composites.

In the current study, polymer-based composites, consisting of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) and Bismuth Antimony Telluride (BiSbTe), were produced using mechanical mixing and hot pressing. These composites were investigated regarding their electrical resistivity and Seebeck coefficient, with respect to Bi doping and BiSbTe loading into the composite. Experimental results showed that their thermoelectric performance is comparable-or even superior, in some cases-to reported thermoelectric polymer composites that have been produced using other complex techniques.

Surface and passive/active air mould sampling: A testing exercise in a North London housing estate.

Despite indoor mould being one of the most common problems in residential properties in the UK, there are not any widely accepted methodologies for its measurement. This paper focusses on this problem of measurement and reports on the findings from a rigorous testing scheme carried out to quantify air and surface mould concentrations and particle counts within 71 rooms from 64 properties in North London, some with and some without visible mould. The aim was to investigate the potential of passive and active air sampling strategies (sampling from still and actively mixed air, respectively) to explain visible mould, and understand how home/room characteristics correlate with the obtained readings.

Do experts practice what they profess?

We investigated the variation of drilled regions of expert and trainee surgeons performing virtual temporal bone surgery to identify their compliance with standard drilling procedures. To this end, we recruited seven expert and six trainee ENT surgeons, who were asked to perform the surgical preparations for cochlear implantation on a virtual temporal bone. The temporal bone was divided into six regions using a semi-automated approach.

Comparison of Experts and Residents Performing a Complex Procedure in a Temporal Bone Surgery Simulator.

Objective: To investigate the use of automated metrics from a virtual reality (VR) temporal bone surgery simulator to determine how the performance of experts and trainees differs when performing a complex otological procedure (mastoidectomy with posterior tympanotomy and cochleostomy).

Study Design: Cohort study.

Methods: Using the University of Melbourne VR temporal bone surgery simulator, seven ENT consultants and seven ENT residents performed two trials of the surgical approach to cochlear implantation on a virtual temporal bone.

Comparison of oral surgery task performance in a virtual reality surgical simulator and an animal model using objective measures.

The use of virtual reality (VR) simulation for surgical training has gathered much interest in recent years. Despite increasing popularity and usage, limited work has been carried out in the use of automated objective measures to quantify the extent to which performance in a simulator resembles performance in the operating theatre, and the effects of simulator training on real world performance. To this end, we present a study exploring the effects of VR training on the performance of dentistry students learning a novel oral surgery task.

Developing effective automated feedback in temporal bone surgery simulation.

Objective: We aim to test the effectiveness, accuracy, and usefulness of an automated feedback system in facilitating skill acquisition in virtual reality surgery.

Study Design: We evaluate the performance of the feedback system through a randomized controlled trial of 24 students allocated to feedback and nonfeedback groups.

Setting: The feedback system was based on the Melbourne University temporal bone surgery simulator.

The construct validity and reliability of an assessment tool for competency in cochlear implant surgery.

Introduction: We introduce a rating tool that objectively evaluates the skills of surgical trainees performing cochlear implant surgery.

Methods: Seven residents and seven experts performed cochlear implant surgery sessions from mastoidectomy to cochleostomy on a standardized virtual reality temporal bone. A total of twenty-eight assessment videos were recorded and two consultant otolaryngologists evaluated the performance of each participant using these videos.

A temporal bone surgery simulator with real-time feedback for surgical training.

Timely feedback on surgical technique is an important aspect of surgical skill training in any learning environment, be it virtual or otherwise. Feedback on technique should be provided in real-time to allow trainees to recognize and amend their errors as they occur. Expert surgeons have typically carried out this task, but they have limited time available to spend with trainees.

The effect of fidelity: how expert behavior changes in a virtual reality environment.

Objectives/hypothesis: We compare the behavior of expert surgeons operating on the "gold standard" of simulation-the cadaveric temporal bone-against a high-fidelity virtual reality (VR) simulation. We aim to determine whether expert behavior changes within the virtual environment and to understand how the fidelity of simulation affects users' behavior.

Study Design And Methods: Five expert otologists performed cortical mastoidectomy and cochleostomy on a human cadaveric temporal bone and a VR temporal bone simulator.

Constructive real time feedback for a temporal bone simulator.

As demands on surgical training efficiency increase, there is a stronger need for computer assisted surgical training systems. The ability to provide automated performance feedback and assessment is a critical aspect of such systems. The development of feedback and assessment models will allow the use of surgical simulators as self-guided training systems that act like expert trainers and guide trainees towards improved performance.

Towards defining dental drilling competence, part 2: a study of cues and factors in bone drilling.

The study of expertise in surgery aims to facilitate the development of improved training methods by understanding the characteristics of expert practitioners. In this article and its companion, we present our study of the characteristics of competence and expertise in the field of oral surgery. We observed participants of different skill levels as they performed an ex vivo drilling task designed to test the psychomotor skill of distinguishing the material boundaries between tooth and bone.

Towards defining dental drilling competence, part 1: a study of bone drilling technique.

Technical skills are critical for dentists. Computer-based simulation offers a range of potential benefits for surgical training, but to date the development of simulators has not been characterized by a structured investigation of specific mechanisms by which trainees attain competence. This two-part study contributes to the understanding of the manner in which surgical psychomotor skills are acquired so that this knowledge can be incorporated into the design of training simulations.