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Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 2016. This proof-of-concept pilot study explored virtual simulation methodology to quantify blind-spot line-of-sight using avatars derived from an older driver database (n = 100). Siemens Jack software simulated the blind spots of eight older driver avatars (four female). The male and female avatars were scaled to be small (25th percentile) and large (75th percentile) based on the height distribution for the older driver database, and had either normal (65 degrees) or abnormal (50 degrees) neck range of motion (ROM). A virtual model of a Volkswagen Beetle was used to illustrate left and right blind-spot line-of-sight for each avatar. Average line-of-sight between blind spots was 22.3 per cent and 10.4 per cent in the normal and abnormal rotational neck ROM conditions, respectively. Older drivers with functional impairments affecting neck ROM are more likely to have problems with left blind-spot line-of-sight. Findings are discussed with regard to vehicle design considerations for older adults.

International audience; The effects of dispatch strategy on electrical performance of amorphous silicon-based solar photovoltaic-thermal systems, Renewable Energy 68, pp. 459-465 (2014). http://dx. Abstract: Previous work has shown that high-temperature short-term spike thermal annealing of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) photovoltaic thermal (PVT) systems results in higher electrical energy output. The relationship between temperature and performance of a-Si:H PVT is not simple as high temperatures during thermal annealing improves the immediate electrical performance following an anneal, but during the anneal it creates a marked drop in electrical performance. In addition, the power generation of a-Si:H PVT depends on both the environmental conditions and the Staebler-Wronski Effect kinetics. In order to improve the performance of a-Si:H PVT systems further, this paper reports on the effect of various dispatch strategies on system electrical performance. Utilizing experimental results from thermal annealing, an annealing model simulation for a-Si:H-based PVT was developed and applied to different cities in the U. S. to investigate potential geographic effects on the dispatch optimization of the overall electrical PVT systems performance and annual electrical yield. The results showed that spike thermal annealing once per day maximized the improved electrical energy generation.

University science educators are encouraged to adopt teaching methods that focus on moving beyond memorization as a form of learning into deeper learning strategies that require application, critical thinking and reflection (Wiemann, 2007). Active teaching methods, along with constructively aligned course designs (Biggs, 2007), aim to facilitate high levels of student engagement and deeper learning. A new fourth year Life Sciences course at McMaster University taught students about deeper learning while giving them the opportunity to experience deep learning itself. Students were encouraged to enhance their knowledge of science education research and issues, and reflect upon teaching and learning methods, effective for their own learning. As a culminating course project, students created a learning module about a scientific topic of their choice, which aimed to teach audiences from the elementary level to the university level to the general public level. By the end of the course, a diverse array of learning modules were created with topics ranging from the neuroscience of dance improvisation to astrophysics, each of which incorporated different techniques to encourage deeper learning amongst their intended audiences. Our presentation will showcase student presenters who will share their experiences in the course. They will discuss how the development of their learning modules promoted their own experience of deep learning and how it encouraged them to pursue deep learning techniques in other courses. Ideas that are significant to enhancing the educational experience of students, engaging students in deeper, active learning, and inspiring students to pursue long-term understanding will be presented. References: Biggs, J and Tang, C (2007). Teaching for Quality Learning at University (3rd edn) Buckingham: SRHE and Open University Press Wieman, C. (2007). Why not try a scientific approach to science education?.Change: The Magazine of Higher Learning, 39(5), 9-15.

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to examine the reasons for the creation of co‐links between pairs of business web sites. Specifically, to determine whether co‐linked business web sites are really related.Design/methodology/approachCo‐links to 32 telecommunications companies were retrieved using Yahoo! and a random sample of 495 co‐linking pages (the page that initiated the co‐link) were selected for a content analysis. The context of the co‐link and the content of the co‐linking page were manually examined to record the following data: type of web site and the reason for the creation of the co‐link.FindingsThe study found that 61.4 per cent of co‐links were created to connected pairs of highly related businesses (related companies, related products, and related services). Only 14.7 per cent of co‐links were created for non‐business reasons. The remaining 23.8 per cent of co‐linked sites showed a loose or marginal business relationship. The study also found that co‐links targeting home pages (as opposed to non‐homepages) were more likely to connect related businesses. Furthermore, co‐links coming from commercial sites (as opposed to other sites such as educational sites) are more likely to link related businesses.Originality/valueThe findings from this content analysis study confirm results from previous quantitative studies that showed that web co‐links measure relatedness of co‐linked sites and that co‐links can be objects of web data mining. The study contributes to our understanding of link motivations and the web linking phenomenon in general. The difference between links to homepages and that to non‐homepages found in the study can guide us in co‐link data collection.

© 2015 Elsevier Inc. The medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) has been identified as the main soft tissue restraint to lateral displacement of the patella. It is almost always injured with a patella dislocation, and as such, repair or reconstruction of the MPFL has become a common surgical procedure when treating recurrent patellofemoral instability. This article describes 3 techniques of MPFL reconstruction, with variations based on the method of fixation of the graft to the patella. Meticulous surgical techniques to try to avoid complications and an understanding of when to address some of the predisposing biomechanical factors causing patellofemoral instability should lead to good postoperative function and patient satisfaction.

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Zircon is a mineral that can commonly be found in many rocks in the Earth’s crust and other planetary bodies. Meteorite impact sites have also been shown to contain zircon and its high-pressure polymorph, Reidite.