Queensland University of Technology

About: Queensland University of Technology is a education organization based out in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 14188 authors who have published 55022 publications receiving 1496237 citations. The organization is also known as: QUT.

Tuning Chemistry and Topography of Nanoengineered Surfaces to Manipulate Immune Response for Bone Regeneration Applications

Abstract: Osteoimmunomodulation has informed the importance of modulating a favorable osteoimmune environment for successful materials-mediated bone regeneration. Nanotopography is regarded as a valuable strategy for developing advanced bone materials, due to its positive effects on enhancing osteogenic differentiation. In addition to this direct effect on osteoblastic lineage cells, nanotopography also plays a vital role in regulating immune responses, which makes it possible to utilize its immunomodulatory properties to create a favorable osteoimmune environment. Therefore, the aim of this study was to advance the applications of nanotopography with respect to its osteoimmunomodulatory properties, aiming to shed further light on this field. We found that tuning the surface chemistry (amine or acrylic acid) and scale of the nanotopography (16, 38, and 68 nm) significantly modulated the osteoimmune environment, including changes in the expression of inflammatory cytokines, osteoclastic activities, and osteogenic, a...

Combining electrospun scaffolds with electrosprayed hydrogels leads to three-dimensional cellularization of hybrid constructs

Abstract: A common problem in the design of tissue engineered scaffolds using electrospun scaffolds is the poor cellular infiltration into the structure To tackle this issue, three approaches to scaffold design using electrospinning were investigated: selective leaching of a water-soluble fiber phase (poly ethylene oxide (PEO) or gelatin), the use of micron-sized fibers as the scaffold, and a combination of micron-sized fibers with codeposition of a hyaluronic acid-derivative hydrogel, Heprasil These designs were achieved by modifying a conventional electrospinning system with two charged capillaries and a rotating mandrel collector Three types of scaffolds were fabricated: medical grade poly(epsilon-caprolactone)/collagen (mPCL/Col) cospun with PEO or gelatin, mPCL/Col meshes with micron-sized fibers, and mPCL/Col microfibers cosprayed with Heprasil All three scaffold types supported attachment and proliferation of human fetal osteoblasts However, selective leaching only marginally improved cellular infiltration when compared to meshes obtained by conventional electrospinning Better cell penetration was seen in mPCL/Col microfibers, and this effect was more pronounced when Heprasil regions were present in the structure Thus, such techniques could be further exploited for the design of cell permeable fibrous meshes for tissue engineering applications

Critical thinking in nursing education: literature review

Abstract: The need for critical thinking in nursing has been accentuated in response to the rapidly changing health care environment. Nurses must think critically to provide effective care whilst coping with the expansion in role associated with the complexities of current health care systems. This literature review will present a history of inquiry into critical thinking and research to support the conclusion that critical thinking is necessary not only in the clinical practice setting, but also as an integral component of nursing education programs to promote the development of nurses’ critical thinking abilities. The aims of this paper are: (a) to review the literature on critical thinking; (b) to examine the dimensions of critical thinking; (c) to investigate the various critical thinking strategies for their appropriateness to enhance critical thinking in nurses, and; (d) to examine issues relating to evaluation of critical thinking skills in nursing.

Droop Control of Converter-Interfaced Microsources in Rural Distributed Generation

Abstract: This paper proposes new droop control methods for load sharing in a rural area with distributed generation. Highly resistive lines, typical of rural low voltage networks, always create a big challenge for conventional droop control. To overcome the conflict between higher feedback gain for better power sharing and system stability in angle droop, two control methods have been proposed. The first method considers no communication among the distributed generators (DGs) and regulates the converter output voltage and angle ensuring proper sharing of load in a system having strong coupling between real and reactive power due to high line resistance. The second method, based on a smattering of communication, modifies the reference output voltage angle of the DGs depending on the active and reactive power flow in the lines connected to point of common coupling (PCC). It is shown that with the second proposed control method, an economical and minimum communication system can achieve significant improvement in load sharing. The difference in error margin between proposed control schemes and a more costly high bandwidth communication system is small and the later may not be justified considering the increase in cost. The proposed control shows stable operation of the system for a range of operating conditions while ensuring satisfactory load sharing.

Context-oriented programming

Abstract: In an environment where computing power is ubiquitous, software engineers need to cater for many different variables beyond their control. They face what has been termed the pervasive problem. Their products need to be adaptable and portable, yet still retain a simple code base. Context-Oriented Programming (COP) is a new method of programming which aims to alleviate these problems by incorporating context as a first-class construct of a programming language, much in the same way that variables, classes, and functions form the first-class constructs of many modern languages. A context-oriented program is one with many ‘gaps’ or ‘open-terms’, and the context-filling operation completes such a program by dynamically selecting portions of code from a repository of candidates to fill these gaps. This selection process is based on the execution context of the program and a description of the open-term’s requisites. This paper describes the requirements for COP, focusing on this fundamental operation of context-filling. An implementation which meets many of these requirements is also presented.