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Cloud computing has lately been deployed in educational institutions for a range of services and applications by way of virtualization of computing resources such as processors, memory, storage and networking. This paper discusses the use of cloud computing in tutorial group discussions as a teaching pedagogy and its influence in learning. It explores the essentials in tutorial group discussions in class including the preparations, activities, processes, benefits and opportunities. The research utilized a mixed method approach including qualitative and quantitative for data collection, then both action research and agile software development to develop and test the cloud computing based tutorial management system (Tutmas). Results indicated that both students and lecturers appreciated the benefits and usefulness of regular tutorials. Further, both students and lecturers appreciated the role of the cloud based Tutmas platform in improving efficiency in the management of tutorials and enhancement of students’ learning experiences and academic skills.

This research aims to analyze the welding of 1 mm thick NiTinol sheets using an autogenous double pulse tungsten inert gas (DPTIG) welding process. The effect of heat input (HI) on bead geometry, microstructure, hardness, tensile strength, phase transformation temperature (PTT), and corrosion behavior was studied. The lower (111.25 J/mm), and higher (120.14 J/mm) HI produced an average grain size of 26 μm and 36 μm, respectively. The microstructure of the fusion zone (FZ) had coarser columnar grains with intermetallic phases such as Ni3Ti, and TiO2. The grain size in the FZ increased with the increase in HI. Sample P (111.25 J/mm) showed a higher hardness of 280.54 HV and tensile strength of 566 MPa due to a higher proportion of austenite phase (99.4%), the smaller grain size of 26 µm, a larger fraction of high angle grain boundary (HAGB) of 75.8%, and higher kernel average misorientation (KAM) value of 4.93. Compared to base metal (BM), sample P (111.25 J/mm), and sample S (120.14 J/mm) exhibited a reduction in tensile strength of 19.14% and 32.29%, respectively. The decline in hardness and tensile strength was attributed to the formation of intermetallic phases, a decrease in the Ti/Ni ratio, coarser grain formation, and a decrease in HAGB fraction and KAM values. The fractured tensile samples showed a mixed mode of fracture with dimples and cleavage facets. Compared to BM, Sample Q (118.05 J/mm) exhibited lesser variation in temperature hysteresis values for austenite and martensite temperatures, with a deviation of 0.4°C and 3.1°C, respectively. All the welded samples had better corrosion behavior than the BM due to a higher Ti/Ni ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the numeral zero is ubiquitous in physics, it takes pride of place there in certain environments. This is illustrated by focusing on conservation laws, symmetry and non-linear dynamics. In all of these subjects, the zero fulfills the role of an anchor point, the eye at the center of the hurricane, so to speak. We try to make these connections clear in a language that is accessible to non-experts. We hope to make clear that although many mathematical models are so complex that they defy even the most powerful computers, exact or approximate results deriving from conservation or equilibrium reveal many characteristics of these complex systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this chapter, the question is addressed what the world would be like if the number zero had never been invented. This anti-historical question is dodged by asking a slightly less difficult question, namely: what would the world have been like if the so-called complex numbers (ubiquitous in many fields of science and engineering) had never been invented? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]