title: Identification of threshold concepts involved in early electronics: Some new methods and results

authors: Scott, Jonathan B.

subjects: threshold concepts

abstract: This manuscript reports the threshold concepts identified over a two-year study in early circuits and electronics courses. Some novel methods have been used to improve confidence in the identification process. We also identify some concepts, potentially threshold, that ought to have been mastered in high-school physics courses but that are often absent from student repertoires. Weak understanding of these underlying concepts may be a confusing factor for researchers in their search for threshold concepts as well as an additional source of trouble for students of electronics.

text: Identification of threshold concepts involved in early electronics: Some new methods and results This manuscript reports the threshold concepts identified over a two-year study in early circuits and electronics courses. Some novel methods have been used to improve confidence in the identification process. We also identify some concepts, potentially threshold, that ought to have been mastered in high-school physics courses but that are often absent from student repertoires. Weak understanding of these underlying concepts may be a confusing factor for researchers in their search for threshold concepts as well as an additional source of trouble for students of electronics.

year: 2012

title: Variable stiffness of metamaterial composite structure

authors: Yang, Fan

abstract: In recent years, numerous researchers have studied metamaterials because of their extraordinary mechanical properties that other materials do not possess. The concept of metamaterials has been widely introduced into the field of earthquake engineering. [1]
This thesis presents the results of research aimed at finding a metamaterial structure with adaptive stiffness that could be used in the design of isolators and protective barriers. Such a material would reduce impact force transmission experienced by a vehicle in the event of an accident, and could also protect people in buildings during an earthquake. The goal is to develop the concept of a metamaterial that would have non-linear stiffness, and offer higher resistance against small displacements (high stiffness) but lower resistance (low stiffness) in the event of sudden impacts experienced during large dynamic excitations, While deformation in the plastic zone also results in non-linearity, the metamaterial will have the advantage of being fully elastic, and it can be used repeatedly which is environmentally friendly and reduces maintenance costs. The reversible nonlinearity is obtained by using stiffness changes associated with change in geometry.
Theoretical analysis and numerical results show that it may be possible to develop such a metamaterial from cells which contain adaptive mechanisms embedded in a flexible matrix. Metamaterial can provide variable stiffness and enable significant reductions in the transmission of dynamic forces.

text: Variable stiffness of metamaterial composite structure In recent years, numerous researchers have studied metamaterials because of their extraordinary mechanical properties that other materials do not possess. The concept of metamaterials has been widely introduced into the field of earthquake engineering. [1]
This thesis presents the results of research aimed at finding a metamaterial structure with adaptive stiffness that could be used in the design of isolators and protective barriers. Such a material would reduce impact force transmission experienced by a vehicle in the event of an accident, and could also protect people in buildings during an earthquake. The goal is to develop the concept of a metamaterial that would have non-linear stiffness, and offer higher resistance against small displacements (high stiffness) but lower resistance (low stiffness) in the event of sudden impacts experienced during large dynamic excitations, While deformation in the plastic zone also results in non-linearity, the metamaterial will have the advantage of being fully elastic, and it can be used repeatedly which is environmentally friendly and reduces maintenance costs. The reversible nonlinearity is obtained by using stiffness changes associated with change in geometry.
Theoretical analysis and numerical results show that it may be possible to develop such a metamaterial from cells which contain adaptive mechanisms embedded in a flexible matrix. Metamaterial can provide variable stiffness and enable significant reductions in the transmission of dynamic forces.

year: 2022

title: Indigenous languages shaping multi-lingual interfaces

authors: Keegan, Te Taka Adrian Gregory

subjects: computer science

abstract: This paper reports on an investigation into the indigenous language usage of two bilingual/multilingual digital libraries. Results show that the indigenous language was significantly used by clients and indicate why clients chose to use the indigenous language. Feedback from clients has suggested how the interface should be improved to assist both indigenous and non-indigenous language usage. These results serve as an example of how indigenous languages are shaping multilingual interfaces.

text: Indigenous languages shaping multi-lingual interfaces This paper reports on an investigation into the indigenous language usage of two bilingual/multilingual digital libraries. Results show that the indigenous language was significantly used by clients and indicate why clients chose to use the indigenous language. Feedback from clients has suggested how the interface should be improved to assist both indigenous and non-indigenous language usage. These results serve as an example of how indigenous languages are shaping multilingual interfaces.

year: 2008