bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hormonal and Dietary Characteristics in Obese Human Subjects with and without Food Addiction
Authors: Pedram Pardis , Sun Guang
Published: December 2014

The concept of food addiction (FA) is a potentially important contributing factor to the development of obesity in the general population; however, little is known about the hormonal and dietary differences between obesity with and without FA. Therefore, the aim of our study was to explore potential biomarkers, including various hormones and neuropeptides, which regulate appetite and metabolism, and dietary components that could potentially differentiate obesity with and without FA. Of the 737 adults recruited from the general Newfoundland population, 58 food-addicted and non-food-addicted overweight/obese individuals (FAO, NFO) matched for age, sex, BMI and physical activity were selected. A total of 34 neuropeptides, gut hormones, pituitary polypeptide hormones and adipokines were measured in fasting serum. We found that the FAO group had lower levels of TSH, TNF-α and amylin, but higher levels of prolactin, as compared to NFO group. The total calorie intake (per kg body weight), the dietary intake of fat (per g/kg body weight, per BMI and per percentage of trunk fat) and the percent calorie intake from fat and carbohydrates (g/kg) was higher in the FAO group compared to the NFO group. The FAO subjects consumed more sugar, minerals (including sodium, potassium, calcium and selenium), fat and its components (such as saturated, monounsaturated and trans fat), omega 3 and 6, vitamin D and gamma-tocopherol compared to the NFO group. To our knowledge, this is the first study indicating possible differences in hormonal levels and micro-nutrient intakes between obese individuals classified with and without food addiction. The findings provide insights into the mechanisms by which FA could contribute to obesity.
Evaluation of Riboflavin Intakes and Status of 20–64-Year-Old Adults in South Korea
Authors: Choi Ji , Kim Young-Nam , Cho Youn-OK
Published: December 2014

A recent Korea National Health and Nutrition Survey indicated inadequate riboflavin intake in Koreans, but there is limited research regarding riboflavin status in South Korea. The purpose of this study was to determine riboflavin intake and status of Korean adults. Three consecutive 24-h food recalls were collected from 412 (145 men and 267 women) healthy adults, aged 20–64 years, living in South Korea and urine samples were collected from 149 subjects of all subjects. The dietary and total (dietary plus supplemental) riboflavin intake was 1.33 ± 0.34 and 2.87 ± 6.29 mg/day, respectively. Approximately 28% of the subjects consumed total riboflavin less than the Estimated Average Requirement. Urinary riboflavin excretion was 205.1 ± 190.1 μg/g creatinine. Total riboflavin intake was significantly positively correlated to the urinary riboflavin excretion. (r = 0.17171, p = 0.0363). About 11% of the Korean adults had urinary riboflavin <27 μg/g creatinine indicating a riboflavin deficiency and 21% had low status of riboflavin (27 μg/g creatinine ≤ urinary riboflavin < 80 μg/g creatinine). Thus, one-third of Korean adults in this study had inadequate riboflavin status. In some adults in Korea, consumption of riboflavin-rich food sources should be encouraged.
A Comparative Analysis of Nanoparticle Adsorption as Fire-Protection Approach for Fabrics
Authors: Alongi Jenny , Tata Jennifer , Carosio Federico , Rosace Giuseppe , Frache Alberto , Camino Giovanni
Published: December 2014

The present paper critically analyzes the potential for commercially available nanoparticles for enhancing the flame-retardant properties of synthetic and natural fabrics and their corresponding blends. Each nanoparticle has been applied to the fabric through a finishing-like process (namely impregnation/exhausting or, more simply, nanoparticle adsorption) in aqueous media and the resulting properties of these fabrics have been assessed in terms of combustion behavior by use of a cone calorimeter under a heat flux of 35 kW/m2. The influence of these nanoparticles on the main combustion parameters of polyester, cotton, and some of their blends has been thoroughly discussed. As a result of this discussion, a flame-retardant efficiency ranking of the nanoparticles under review has been established.
Long-Term Distribution Patterns of Chlorophyll-a Concentration in China’s Largest Freshwater Lake: MERIS Full-Resolution Observations with a Practical Approach
Authors: Feng Lian , Hu Chuanmin , Han Xingxing , Chen Xiaoling , Qi Lin
Published: December 2014

A new empirical Chl-a algorithm has been developed and validated for the largest freshwater lake of China (Poyang Lake) using a normalized green-red difference index (NGRDI), where the uncertainty was estimated to be <45% for Chl-a ranging between 1.3 and 10.5 mg·m−3. The combined approach of using the NGRDI algorithm and atmospherically-corrected Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) data showed an advantage over other popular approaches. The algorithm was then applied to 325 carefully-selected MERIS full-resolution (300-m) scenes between 2003 and 2012, with pixels of extreme turbidity (NGRDI < 0.06, corresponding to >~25 mg·L−1 total suspended sediments or TSS) masked. The long-term Chl-a distribution showed significant spatial gradient and temporal variability, with Chl-a ranging between 2.4 ± 0.2 mg·m−3 in April and 4.4 ± 1.0 mg·m−3 in July and no significant increasing or decreasing trend during the 10-year period. In waters where Chl-a was retrievable (i.e., where TSS is <25 mg·L−1), Chl-a concentration indicated a significant negative correlation with TSS concentration on a seasonal scale and a significant positive correlation with precipitation over the years. Potential eutrophic regions in the southern and eastern lake, thought to be results of limited water exchange with the main lake, were delineated based on the occurrence frequency of high Chl-a (>10 mg·m−3) in summer. The study not only provides, for the first time, synoptic baseline information on the lake’s Chl-a distributions and potential eutrophic regions, but also demonstrates a practical approach that might be extended to assess eutrophication conditions in other inland waters.
A Real-Time Pinch-to-Zoom Motion Detection by Means of a Surface EMG-Based Human-Computer Interface
Authors: Kim Jongin , Cho Dongrae , Lee Kwang , Lee Boreom
Published: December 2014

In this paper, we propose a system for inferring the pinch-to-zoom gesture using surface EMG (Electromyography) signals in real time. Pinch-to-zoom, which is a common gesture in smart devices such as an iPhone or an Android phone, is used to control the size of images or web pages according to the distance between the thumb and index finger. To infer the finger motion, we recorded EMG signals obtained from the first dorsal interosseous muscle, which is highly related to the pinch-to-zoom gesture, and used a support vector machine for classification between four finger motion distances. The powers which are estimated by Welch’s method were used as feature vectors. In order to solve the multiclass classification problem, we applied a one-versus-one strategy, since a support vector machine is basically a binary classifier. As a result, our system yields 93.38% classification accuracy averaged over six subjects. The classification accuracy was estimated using 10-fold cross validation. Through our system, we expect to not only develop practical prosthetic devices but to also construct a novel user experience (UX) for smart devices.
Citizens’ Views of Australia’s Future to 2050
Authors: Boschetti Fabio , Fulton Elizabeth , Grigg Nicola
Published: December 2014

In four focus group exercises involving both forecasting and backcasting approaches, we gave approximately 100 Australian citizens the opportunity to discuss likely, desirable and feared futures to 2050. The image they paint is both coherent and consistent. Education, governance, personal attitudes and societal trends, rather than specific events, are drivers of a future which is perceived as being largely shaped by human choices. Innovation is believed to be more necessary in novel social arrangements than in further technology. The most feared futures arise from an amplification of trends already at play in the present: economic growth at the expense of the environment and quality of life, lack of equity, poor government, corporate greed, commercialism and erosion of social values. Economic and material growth does not feature in the most desired futures which are local, inclusive, peaceful, equitable and in some cases frugal. The visions and scenarios developed find a place within established foresight frameworks and global political narratives, but seem to lie at the fringe of current media and short-term political discourse. These results should not be interpreted as representative of the overall Australian population, but suggest that extending the analysis to the broader community could provide significant insights and enrich the discussion of important societal choices.
Stakeholder Visions for Biodiversity Conservation in Developing Countries
Authors: Adenle Ademola , Stevens Casey , Bridgewater Peter
Published: December 2014

The 2014 Conference of the Parties (COP 12) for the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was another step on the road to achieving the Aichi Targets the CBD agreed in 2010. It was also a key step on the way to making progress towards the vision of a more balanced relationship between people and the rest of biodiversity by 2050. Many key issues were left for this COP by negotiators from COP 11 and earlier meetings; such as settling financial issues, articulating clearly the Aichi Targets for national implementation by 2020, or providing clear guidance on capacity-building for developing states. This paper utilizes 22 stakeholder interviews taken at the 2012 Hyderabad COP to develop discussion of ongoing issues in the CBD negotiations. These interviews yielded a number of tractable policy opportunities available for the 2014 Conference to create significant space for developing countries to contribute effectively to global achievement of the Aichi Targets. Breakthroughs and developments at the COP, despite the inevitability of some difficult discussions, will be provided by developing country perspectives. Despite that potential traction, Ministers at the high-level segment noted that progress towards the Aichi targets is insufficient and recognizing there was still much to do on resource mobilization, reaffirmed their commitment to mobilize financial resources from all sources for the effective implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020. As we enter the second half of the 2011–2020 decade, developing countries must be placed at the center of efforts to improve sustainable use, conservation and benefit sharing of biodiversity around the world.
The Composition of the Phonological Consonant System and its Functioning in Lithuanian and French Languages
Authors: MICKŪNAITYTĖ Daiva
Published: December 2014

The aim of the article is to examine the composition of the phonological consonant system and its functioning in Lithuanian and French languages. We will describe the phonological consonant systems of both languages on two levels – syntagmatic and paradigmatic. On the syntagmatic level we will discuss the structure and regularities of explosive, implosive consonant distributions and inner consonant collocations. On the paradigmatic level we will focus on the paradigmatic consonant identification – peculiarities of consonant oppositions, their neutralization and the comparison of the inventory of differential features in the languages of our concern. In this work we will base ourselves only on the literary pronunciation of the French language. Colloquial French has its own peculiarities which determine the appearance of new structures of consonant collocations, therefore their description can be the object of another scholarly work. We will present French nouns without articles as to describe explosive consonant groups, it is most convenient to take a noun without an article. The structures and collocation regularities of consonant collocations are best reflected only in this form. Soft vowels and affricates which do not exist in the French language are not discussed in the article.
Applying the IAT to Assess Big Five Personality Traits
Authors: Dentale Francesco , Vecchione Michele , Barbaranelli Claudio
Published: December 2014

This chapter reviews the studies that applied the Implicit Association Test (IAT) to assess the Big Five personality traits, focusing on issues related to measurement and validity. After a brief introduction on the implicit self-concept of personality, the following five issues are critically reviewed: (1) the experimental procedure of both classical and questionnaire-based Big Five IATs, (2) the factorial structure and reliability of the implicit traits and the degree of dissociation between implicit and explicit measures, (3) the state and trait components of implicit scores, (4) the predictive validity of the Big-Five IATs with respect to relevant behavioural criteria, and (5) the robustness to faking of the Big Five IATs. Future research directions for the implicit measures of the Big Five were discussed.
Implicit Social Cognition and Language Attitudes Research
Authors: Pantos Andrew J.
Published: December 2014

This chapter argues for incorporation of concepts and methods from the domain of Implicit Social Cognition (ISC) into the field of language attitudes research. As support, this chapter reports on a quantitative study that employed both an audio Implicit Association Test and traditional self-report questionnaires to measure participants' implicit and explicit attitudes toward foreign and U.S. accented speech stimuli. The IAT revealed a pro-U.S. accent bias, while the explicit measure found a pro-foreign accent bias. These results support the argument that the distinction between implicit and explicit attitudes as separable attitude constructs resulting from distinct mental processes is an important one for language attitudes research and that both attitude constructs should be evaluated when studying language attitudes.
Hidden Curriculum Determinants in (Pre)School Institutions
Authors: Jančec Lucija , Vorkapić Sanja Tatalović , Vodopivec Jurka Lepičnik
Published: December 2014

The hidden curriculum is described in terms of values, attitudes, norms, rules, and rituals that are taught in school, but its main characteristic is its unplanned and officially unorganized form. It appears in every day kindergarten and school routine where children and pupils learn it as the official curriculum. From the psychological aspect, it comes close to implicit learning. In this chapter, the authors argue that the influence of the hidden curriculum and the implicit learning deserve far more attention and scientific research because of their significant contribution to the learning outcomes and for their constant presence in the education process: in a learning organization that means all the time and for all the participants.
Young Learners
Authors: Andersson Fia , Sundh Stellan
Published: December 2014

This chapter describes a project aiming at investigating Swedish and Russian 12-year-old learners' use of ICT. They communicate in English on three shared blogs. Their exchanges and contributions are analyzed with a focus on mediating tools, modes of communication, and motives for collaboration. Ongoing activities are studied through classroom observations, interviews, and a research circle. Results show that ICT plays a vital role as a mediating tool and a motive for collaboration. Results indicate that Russian and Swedish learners manage to interact in authentic communication in English with the help of digital tools. Opportunities toexplore a variety of digitaltoolsresultedinnewforms of representation. International collaboration through ICT indicates that conflicting issues and developmental opportunities may challenge the current education system.
Interventions for Learning at Global Workplaces
Authors: Toiviainen Hanna
Published: December 2014

This chapter discusses the need for rethinking cultural differences when designing and implementing learning interventions at global workplaces. Selected concepts of cultural-historical activity theory and anthropological and philosophical studies of globalization are included. Empirical data from a learning intervention directed towards a globally distributed design engineering project is analyzed. The purpose is to find intermediate concepts weaving together abstractions of culture and development with immediate observations of cultural differences. Conclusions drawn from intermediate notions imply that spontaneous presumptions about cultural differences and the developmental potential of an activity may distance the actors in global units from the object of collaborative production. Participants may become alienated from their true motive for working. In the design of future learning interventions in globalizing work, sociocultural embeddedness and universality of human activity make up the challenging starting points.
Constitution of Objects in DWR Activity
Authors: Eriksson Inger
Published: December 2014

A shared research object between teachers and researchers in Developmental Work Research (DWR) aims at development of teaching practices and forming of subject-specific knowledge. Currently, design experiments, action research, and formative interventions are used in educational research. A multitude of approaches show an overarching interest in developing teaching and learning practices. Action research and formative interventions include and empower teachers. However, in many DWR projects, teachers and researchers have different objects. In a tradition where teachers are regarded as learners, a shared research object is of interest. This chapter problematizes the relationship between teachers and researchers with the help of three DWR projects. It is challenging to establish a DWR project in which teachers and researchers aim at realising the same object. However, when this is a case, such projects may contribute to new knowledge that enhances student learning and educational, clinical, and subject-matter research.
Reflections on the Theory of Activity
Authors: Enerstvedt Regi Theodor
Published: December 2014

Activity theory is a “productive” resource for shedding light on the functioning of traditional and innovative activities. In discussing theoretical-methodological problems related to a valid theory of activity, the author puts forward the hypothesis that singular references to the Vygotskian school lead to an unproducive confinement of activity theory. First of all, there are problems concerning terminology and concepts. Second, there are issues related to the roots of the activity theory and the cultural-historical school. It is a common mistake in Western Europe and in the United States to regard cultural-historical psychology as the basis for critical psychology and to regard both schools as identical with activity theory. Embracing such a point of view is a mistake and a serious matter.
Software Licenses, Open Source Components, and Open Architectures
Authors: Alspaugh Thomas A. , Asuncion Hazeline U. , Scacchi Walt
Published: December 2014

A substantial number of enterprises and independent software vendors are adopting a strategy in which software-intensive systems are developed with an open architecture (OA) that may contain open source software (OSS) components or components with open APIs. The emerging challenge is to realize the benefits of openness when components are subject to different copyright or property licenses. In this chapter, the authors identify key properties of OSS licenses, present a license analysis scheme to identify license conflicts arising from composed software elements, and apply it to provide guidance for software architectural design choices whose goal is to enable specific licensed component configurations. The scheme has been implemented in an operational environment and demonstrates a practical, automated solution to the problem of determining overall rights and obligations for alternative OAs as a technique for aligning such architectures with enterprise strategies supporting open systems.
Where Do Mongolian Scholars Go?
Authors: Scheiding Thomas , Yadamsuren Borchuluun , Lkhagva Gantulga
Published: December 2014

In developing countries, one of the many challenges faced by researchers is increased pressure to conduct research, but inadequate resources provided to do their work. Perhaps nowhere is the inadequacy of research resources more apparent than in the area of access to scholarly research. In this chapter, using survey data, usage statistics, and interviews of researchers, librarians, and research administrators, we describe the information seeking behavior of scholars in Mongolia and how this behavior intersects with the resources made available by research administrators and librarians. Much of the existing research on scholarly communication in developing countries has focused on whether access to scholars should be donated or provided free of charge without restriction. In Mongolia, the issue isn't so much whether access to scholarly communication should be donated or not, but rather whether the scholarly communication system meets researcher needs, is adapted to constraints within the country, and reduces communication dependency. What we find is that the scholarly communication system in Mongolia fails to completely meet researcher needs and makes the country dependent on the scholarly communication products provided by outsiders.
Digital Repositories as Harbingers of Open Access in India
Authors: Wasan Shalini , Chakravarty Rupak
Published: December 2014

Open Access (OA) is a noble cause as it removes all hurdles from free access to scholarly works and promotes knowledge sharing. The OA movement is strengthened by Institutional Repositories (IRs). IRs are based on institute-specific requirements, workflow pattern, metadata, and other related standards for different kinds of digital documents, search and retrieval requirements, and user interfaces at various levels. In India, some elite educational and research institutes such as the Indian Statistical Institute, some CSIR Laboratories, IITs, and IIMs have taken significant initiatives in building IRs. In addition, a few Universities, such as the Central University of Hyderabad, are working on building IRs. According to various databases, the total number of Indian IRs exceeds 40, but out of these only 25 are functional, while the rest of them are either non-functional or inaccessible. The present chapter is an effort to cover the various aspects of functional IRs in India.
The Promise of Open Source Systems/Software in Developing Requisite E-Government Solutions for the Developing Countries
Authors: Tella Adeyinka , Tella Adetayo O.
Published: December 2014

E-Government open source system is now becoming commonplace. The e-Government open system requires at each review stage the relevant official input, the date, and the time when each application is processed. Free access to the status of an application makes applicants realize that there is no need to contact officials or to provide a bribe to complete the process. No doubt, e-Government open system is a very useful system currently being used by a majority of governments in developing world countries. However, extant review of literature has shown that some developing countries governments are now also making frantic effort to implement the open system although the practice seems to have gone farther in developed nations. In light of this, this chapter discusses e-Government open source system in developing countries and compares this to what is happening in the developed countries, examines the role OSS/SF has played in developing e-Government solutions or applications in the developing world, identifies the benefits and challenges of OSS/SF in the developing countries' context, and discusses possible ways forward. The chapter posits that open source plays a significant role in designing e-Government applications.
Open Source Urban Governance
Authors: Silva Carlos Nunes
Published: December 2014

The chapter explores the emerging paradigm of Open Source Urban Governance, a new urban policy model associated with the extensive use of computer-mediated communication and with the use of different modes of citizen mass collaboration – Crowdsourcing, Neogeography, Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI), and Citizen Science. The chapter is organized into five main sections. The first section discusses the concept of e-participation. The next two sections address the objectives, context, determinants, and ethical issues in e-participation, and the different levels of e-participation in each policy stage and by stakeholder. The last two sections explore the e-tools available for citizen participation in urban governance and the impacts and benefits of e-participation. The chapter ends with a reference to future research directions in this field.
Institutional Repositories Initiatives in India
Authors: Singh Neeraj Kumar , Sharma Jyoti , Kaur Navneet
Published: December 2014

The purpose of this chapter is to present the development and current situation of Institutional Repositories (IRs) in India. This chapter explores the main concepts of open access, institutional repositories, and their needs and benefits. The chapter highlights the current status of Institutional Repositories (IR) in India by its collection type, subject coverage, and present working status of the repositories available to the academic community as open sources. This chapter examines the overall growth of IRs in Asia and enumerates the Institutional Repositories in India. The chapter analyzes the accessible institutional repositories based on the selected study criteria and studies various digital library software used in the development of IRs in India.
A Case of Redeemer's University Adoption of Institutional Repository Using the Principles of Electronic Information Management Systems
Authors: Utulu Samuel C. Avemaria , Akadri Adebayo A.
Published: December 2014

This case is about the influence of the Internet on scholarly communication and the emergence of various access-to-knowledge initiatives. Major emphasis was placed on Institutional Repositories (IRs) using a practical example of its evolution at the Redeemer's University (RUN), Nigeria. RUN was established in 2005 by the Redeemed Christian Church of God with the mission to develop into a global university that is able to contribute to the amelioration of the problems facing Nigeria, Africa, and the world. To achieve its mission, RUN created a development hexagon, which resulted in the need to deploy its RUN Institutional Repository (RUNIR). Consequently, RUNIR deployment, which began in 2008, formed the major theme of the case reported in this chapter. As a result of the advantages provided by the institutional repository, Redeemer's University is in a strong position to meet its mission goals and objectives.
ERMS Druthers
Authors: Snell Cynthia
Published: December 2014

In an effort to find an online-automated electronic resource management system that provides licensing, acquisitions, and statistical information easily, Columbia College of South Carolina journeyed into the world of open source and vender-based applications. During this journey, dead ends and roadblocks paved the way. To encompass all the identified requirements of the online-automated system, a new system needed to be designed.
Creating Open Source Lecture Materials
Authors: Hsu William H.
Published: December 2014

This chapter surveys recent and continuing trends in software tools for preparation of open courseware, in particular audiovisual lecture materials, documentaries and tutorials, and derivative materials. It begins by presenting a catalog of tools ranging from open source wikis and custom content management systems to desktop video production. Next, it reviews techniques for preparation of lecture materials consisting of five specific learning technologies: animation of concepts and problem solutions; explanation of code; video walkthroughs of system documentation; software demonstrations; and creation of materials for instructor preparation and technology transfer. Accompanying the description of each technology and the review of its state of practice is a discussion of the goals and assessment criteria for deployed courseware that uses those tools and techniques. Holistic uses of these technologies are then analyzed via case studies in three domains: artificial intelligence, computer graphics, and enterprise information systems. An exploration of technology transfer to college and university-level instructors in the information sciences then follows. Finally, effective practices for encouraging adoption and dissemination of lecture materials are then surveyed, starting with comprehensive, well-established open courseware projects that adapt pre-existing content and continuing through recent large-scale online courses aimed at audiences of tens to hundreds of thousands.
Teaching a YouTube™ Course Online
Authors: Snelson Chareen
Published: December 2014

This chapter presents a case study of the author's work developing and teaching an online course called YouTube for Educators, which is offered as an elective in an online graduate program in educational technology. The course was developed in response to the upsurge in online video production and the prominence of YouTube™ among video-sharing services. A number of challenges surfaced when designing and implementing the course. The necessity of frequent curriculum updates to keep content current with advancements in digital video technologies added to instructor workload. Course policies also had to be written for situations where unexpected changes on the YouTube website interfered with planned assignments. The experience of designing, teaching, redesigning, and re-teaching the course led to the discovery of best practice, which may apply to other courses featuring rapidly changing content or Web 2.0 tools.
Decentralized Expertise
Authors: Ovadia Steven
Published: December 2014

This chapter discusses the authority structures found within the community support forums of open and closed source operating systems (Linux, Windows, and OS X), demonstrating how, because of these forums, technical expertise is shifting away from the organizations responsible for creating these systems and into the community using them. One might expect this kind of migration within Linux communities, where in theory anyone can contribute to the code of the project, but it is also being seen in closed source projects, where only certain people, usually employees, have access to the underlying code that controls the operating system. In these situations, expertise is becoming decentralized despite the fact that members of the support community sometimes lack access to the code behind these operating systems.
Iff and Other Conditionals
Authors: Hai-Jew Shalin
Published: December 2014

For the past several years, a new form of online learning has emerged, which has captured the popular imagination, and with it, plenty of support from private universities, angel investors, and foundations. Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are a scaled-up version of online learning, albeit on open socio-technical platforms, which enable digital content organization, learner interactivity, computer-based assessments, and peer assessments, as well as back-end “big data” data mining of learner behaviors. MOOCs are being discussed as for-credit university courses, supplementary professional development trainings, and informal and nonformal learning opportunities. They are considered not only for adult learners but also for high schoolers and even potentially for younger age groups. For all the hopefulness that many masses around the world will have access to high-level and well designed college courses, the emergence of MOOCs has sparked a range of forecasts. Some predict that MOOCs will socialize learners around the world to a common academic culture and unleash human potential. Some predict that MOOCs are a threat to the existing higher education status quo. Others suggest that MOOCs have been overly hyped and are an unworkable passing fad. To gain a sense of the attitudes towards MOOCs and their feasibility, a modified electronic Delphi (e-Delphi) study was conducted using the Qualtrics™ survey platform (aka K-State Survey). This chapter describes the processes of setting up the modified e-Delphi study. It describes the extensive literature review undertaken for the development of the survey instrument. The writing describes the major findings from this qualitative and mixed-methods research based on both manual and NVivo-based data analysis. There is a focus on issues that may need to be addressed individually and collectively in order to rollout successful MOOCs.
Competition-Based Learning
Authors: Issa Ghassan , Hussain Shakir M. , Al-Bahadili Hussein
Published: December 2014

In an effort to enhance the learning process in higher education, a new model for Competition-Based Learning (CBL) is presented. The new model utilizes two well-known learning models, namely, the Project-Based Learning (PBL) and competitions. The new model is also applied in a networked environment with emphasis on collective learning as well as collective outcomes. The new model, which is referred to as CBL, provides educators with an alternative solution to overcome many of student's deficiencies associated with traditional learning practices; such as lack of motivation, lack of self esteem, insufficient practical and real-life experience, and inadequate team work practices. The new CBL model makes a clear distinction between PBL and competitions and CBL. It avoids the disadvantages of competitions, while at the same time gaining from the many benefits of PBL. Identification features of CBL, components of CBL, as well as advantages are presented. An open source Learning Management System (LMS), namely, Moodle is used for the implementation of a networked environment to support CBL.
Navigating Multimedia
Authors: DeCesare Julie A.
Published: December 2014

The Web has quickly become a resource for multimedia and video content. Search engines have tools to mine for visual content, but finding video content creates different challenges than searching for text. This chapter presents a detailed guide on searching for visual multimedia content and provides a showcase of innovative collections and resources. The reader will learn research strategies, gain specific skills in navigating multimedia, and receive a list of resources for finding subject-specific and interdisciplinary video content. Resources are reviewed based on content quality, partnerships, technical specifications, and overall usability.
An Innovative “Cybernetic” Organization Improvement Plan through Participatory Action Research in Persistent “Open Source” Virtual Worlds
Authors: Pellas Nikolaos
Published: December 2014

The research interest of this chapter focuses on redefining contemporary structures of organizational crossing boundaries, learning processes and diffusion of innovations based on the structure of persistent “open source” virtual worlds (VWs). In this notion, the present study decrypts valuable ways of organizational changes in a virtual learning community and managerial responsibilities of situational complexities that usually interdict on “open-source” VWs, and especially Open Simulator (OS grid). This assumption frequently recapitulated with a “cybernetic” improvement plan that addressed to the organizational structure of collaborative e-learning courses, encountering by the “Viable System Model” (VSM). The participatory action research empowerment appeared initially from the implementation of a multi-dimensional framework for enhancing the dynamic presence of users, according to the “cognitive apprenticeship” model. This establishment approves firstly the latest organizational and administrative practices of an adult learning program, and secondly instructor's progressing through the cybernetic management that the VSM governs.
Open Source Software Development Process Model
Authors: Siau Keng , Tian Yuhong
Published: December 2014

The global open source movement has provided software users with more choices, lower software acquisition cost, more flexible software customization, and possibly higher quality software product. Although the development of open source software is dynamic and it encourages innovations, the process can be chaotic and involve members around the globe. An Open Source Software Development (OSSD) process model to enhance the survivability of OSSD projects is needed. This research uses the grounded theory approach to derive a Phase-Role-Skill-Responsibility (PRSR) OSSD process model. The three OSSD process phases -- Launch Stage, Before the First Release, and Between Releases -- address the characteristics of the OSSD process as well as factors that influence the OSSD process. In the PRSR model, different roles/actors are required to have different skills and responsibilities corresponding to each of the three OSSD process phases. This qualitative research contributes to the software development literature as well as open source practice.
Success of Open Source in Developing Countries
Authors: Amrollahi Alireza , Khansari Mohammad , Manian Amir
Published: December 2014

Open Source approach has been recognized as one of the best methods for software development in developing countries. Previous research however underemphasized different aspects of Open Source Software (OSS) success in context of developing countries compared to western context. In this research the authors use exploratory mixed methodology to study measures of and factors affecting OSS success with emphasize on the social and cultural context of Iran. In the qualitative section of the research 13 interviews with experts of the field have been conducted and the result is reflected in the research model. In the quantitative section, five research hypotheses have been evaluated by using data of 109 Iranian projects from sourceforge.net repository. The results indicate that the license type and use of project management tools may affect the success of OSS. The authors finally conclude that OSS research especially in the field of OSS success may lead to different findings in different contexts.
Harnessing and Evaluating Open Sim for the Implementation of an Inquiry-Based Collaborative Learning (Ib[C]L) Script in Computer Science
Authors: Pellas Nikolaos
Published: December 2014

From 2007 and now on, it is a common premise for scholars and educators to use multi-user virtual worlds (VWs) in order to enhance students' technological literacy with contemporary learning strategies. The corollary of interactivity and social formalization of modeling processes in an open source, server-based (standalone) virtual environment is a unique dimension that allows all users (students and instructor) to design a plethora learning activities in conjunction with the most contemporary pedagogical approaches. Accordingly to these provisions, this study focused on the implementation of a collaborative project-based course in computer science by taking advantage of the open source virtual world Open Simulator (Open Sim). The current case study seeks to present preliminary findings from collaborative experiences of an effort that thirty-five (35) postgraduate and undergraduate students participated with the hybrid instructional format in order to investigate the value of this effort for learning introductory programming lessons. This effort tries to articulate initial perceptions of students' assessments based on an inquiry-based collaborative learning (IB[C]L) script that they involved, and secondarily to demonstrate the multisensory-multimodal potential perspectives or educational implications that are being emerged from the exploitation of three-dimensional (3D) technologically-advanced environments.
MOOCs
Authors: Camilleri Vanessa , Busuttil Leonard , Montebello Matthew
Published: December 2014

MOOCs have become a new trend in education, taking the world by storm in 2012. Is this just a fad or is it because of their nature in opening education to the masses? In this chapter, the authors explore how Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) use networks that connect people across the globe to foster education that cannot be replicated in any walled classroom. They illustrate case studies, emphasizing best practice strategies employed as well as lessons learned, in an attempt to understand what makes these courses the new cry in higher education. The authors ask whether the local, European, and international markets are ready to accept these massive, open learning environments and how the transfer and transformation of information occurs during exploits of massive collective intelligence. They address learning that is manifested inside social networks and this can be augmented through the sharing of knowledge within the global community. In this digital economy, the authors look at capturing and harvesting “open knowledge” using means that are accessible to all. Is academia ready for all of this? The authors propose an outline of a journey from the birth of MOOCs to their indicative future directions. The scope of this chapter is that of discussing the role of social networks and social applications in these massive courses, as the authors describe why they think this lies at the root of the courses' success.
The Ellis Model of Information Seeking Behavior and the Peripheral Scientific Community
Authors: Aristeguieta-Trillos Simon
Published: December 2014

This chapter explores the relationship between the Ellis Model of Information Seeking Behavior and the scientific community of Venezuela. The research employs a qualitative method to investigate the main information seeking activities of a scientific community in the periphery in the context of dependency theory. The following elements of the Ellis model are supported by the data gathered and analysis: starting, browsing, chaining, filtering, extracting, and information management.
Replacing Proprietary Software with Open Source Software
Authors: Akyeampong Albert
Published: December 2014

Most companies face high expenditures and numerous challenges in today's competitive industrial environment where cost of technology can be an extra burden. To address these challenges, businesses can use Open Source Software (OSS). Even though OSS provides many benefits, including high-quality software and substantial profit (Sohn & Mok, 2008), OSS also has a number of disadvantages. In several countries, governments have begun to recognize the importance of OSS and have started to adopt explicit policies on OSS (Cook & Horobin, 2006). Open Source Software holds several compelling benefits for businesses. Information on wide-ranging use and examples of OSS in organizations are scattered and sometimes skewed to a few OSS. The chapter identifies different OSS that are currently used or have the potential to substitute other proprietary software packages in business; how organizations share information and how OSS is used globally by organizations and governments and their implications thereof is reviewed.
The Agile Hour in a Virtual World
Authors: Parsons David , Stockdale Rosemary
Published: December 2014

Multi-User Virtual Environments (MUVEs) are the subject of increasing interest for educators and trainers. In the context of software development, they are beginning to see increasing use both as learning spaces and as a richer means of collaboration for virtual teams. This chapter reflects on a project that developed and evaluated a virtual agile software development workshop hosted in the Open Wonderland MUVE, designed to help learners to understand the basic principles of some core agile software development techniques. The work took a design-based research approach, following a reflective path of development through two major iterations. The authors trace the research process from a real world implementation of the “agile hour” workshop to its virtual incarnation, describing the design philosophy and the constructed virtual artifacts. They conclude by reflecting on the insights into learner perceptions and practical implementations gained from building and evaluating the Open Wonderland workshop.
Open Education Resources
Authors: Klein Lindy
Published: December 2014

This chapter explores the possibilities for Open Education Resources (OERs) to be developed in ways that allow independent, self-directed adult learners to engage with the resources with the use of their own learning contexts. Using examples of open education resources currently available from some of the better-known OER providers, the author seeks to demonstrate what is currently available. The chapter then explores ways in which open education and OERs can be further developed to support varying and changing learner contexts.
Digital Recording Platforms and Integrated Performance Assessments in Second/Foreign Language Learning
Authors: Swanson Peter B.
Published: December 2014

The teaching and learning of a new language can be daunting for both instructors and learners. Second/foreign language teachers must overcome a multitude of impediments in which to bring students to higher levels of language learning. Research using digital voice recording software indicates that by integrating such technology into the curriculum, there are multiple benefits for both instructors and students. In this chapter, the author discusses the challenges language teachers face and then outlines six free digital voice recorder options that are available to teachers. Afterward, the author advances a series of curricular and procedural considerations for the integration of digital voice recordings in the language-learning classroom before discussing findings from studies focused on the use of digital recordings for educational purposes. The chapter concludes with a discussion of best practices using digital voice recordings for integrated performance assessments and a discussion of new avenues for future research.
Web and Cloud Management for Building Energy Reduction
Authors: Lombardi Patrizia , Acquaviva Andrea , Macii Enrico , Osello Anna , Patti Edoardo , Sonetti Giulia
Published: December 2014

ICT is recognized as being a key player against climate change: pervasive sensors and actuators can efficiently control the whole energy chain. On the other side, advances on 3D modelling, visualization, and interaction technologies enable user profiling and real-time feedback to promote energy-efficient behaviours. The study presented in this chapter illustrates the development of a Web service-oriented, open platform with capabilities of real-time district level data processing and visualization. The platform will allow open access with personal devices and A/R visualization of energy-related information to client applications for energy and cost-analysis, tariff planning and evaluation, failure identification and maintenance, energy information sharing. The expected results are a consistent reduction in both energy consume and CO2 emissions by enabling more efficient energy distribution policies, according to the actual characteristics of district buildings and inhabitants as well as a more efficient utilization and maintenance of the energy distribution network, based on social behaviour, users lifestyles, and singular demands.