bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
VERTICAL AND SLOPED BANK EFFECTS ON DIFFERENT SHIP TYPES
Authors: Su Dong-Taur
Published: December 2021

This study employed computer design software to completely draft 3D ship models; then, computational fluid dynamics were used to establish numeric navigation channels and simulate fluid hydrodynamic analysis of ships navigating along shore banks. The parameters considered comprised bank type (vertical and sloped), ship model (two types), velocity, ship-to-bank distance, and navigation time. Figures and tables were used to present the distribution of ship stern eddy current, flow field pressure, and velocity, and the comparison of center of mass deviation, sway force, and yaw moment. Results showed that ships navigating along embankments and channels produced asymmetric flows, which draw the bow away from the shore. Larger ships are substantially more influenced by bank effects than smaller ships. Large sway forces and yaw moments are produced in large ships, drifting the bow away from the bank and the stern towards the bank, increasing the risk of collision with the embankment. From the study results, the characteristics of bank effects are understood and can be used for assisting the safe navigation of ships in restricted waters.
HUMAN FACTORS ON OFFSHORE SUPPLY VESSELS IN THE NORWEGIAN SEA – AN EXPLANATORY SURVEY
Authors: Rumawas V , Asbjørnslett B E
Published: December 2021

A survey of human factors on two state-of-the-art offshore supply vessels (OSVs) operating in the Norwegian Sea was performed by means of questionnaires. The purpose of the study was to examine whether human factors had been adequately addressed in ship design, how they were regarded by the crews, and whether design decisions were believed to have an effect on incidents on-board. The concept of human factors in ship design was operationalised into eight dimensions: habitability, workability, controllability, maintainability, manoeuvrability, survivability, occupational health and safety (OHS), and system safety. Inferential statistics were applied in order to draw conclusions, including means comparisons and multivariate regression analyses. The results show that human factors were given significant importance in the ship design. The level of accomplishment of human factors differs from one dimension to another. The highest satisfactory dimension was OHS and maintainability was the lowest, but still considered adequate. Design is revealed to have an impact on human factor ratings. Further, OSV design and human factor ratings are identified as having effects on particular incidents on board.
A cybersickness review: causes, strategies, and classification methods
Authors: Porcino Thiago , Trevisan Daniela , Clua Esteban
Published: December 2021

Virtual reality (VR) and head-­mounted displays are continually gaining popularity in various fields such as education, military, entertainment, and health. Although such technologies provide a high sense of immersion, they can also trigger symptoms of discomfort. This condition is called cybersickness (CS) and is quite popular in recent virtual reality research. In this work we first present a review of the literature on theories of discomfort manifestations usually attributed to virtual reality environments. Following, we reviewed existing strategies aimed at minimizing CS problems and discussed how the CS measurement has been conducted based on subjective, bio­signal (or objective), and users profile data. We also describe and discuss related works that are aiming to mitigate cybersickness problems using deep and symbolic machine learning approaches. Although some works used methods to make deep learning explainable, they are not strongly affirmed by literature. For this reason in this work we argue that symbolic classifiers can be a good way to identify CS causes, once they possibilities human-­readability which is crucial for analyze the machine learning decision paths. In summary, from a total of 157 observed studies, 24 were excluded. Moreover, we believe that this work facilitates researchers to identify the leading causes for most discomfort situations in virtual reality environments, associate the most recommended strategies to minimize such discomfort, and explore different ways to conduct experiments involving machine learning to overcome cybersickness.
Low Latency Based Convolutional Recurrent Neural Network Model for Speech Command Recognition
Authors: Kinkar Chhayarani Ram , Jain Yogendra Kumar
Published: December 2021

The presented paper proposes a new speech command recognition model for novel engineering applications with limited resources. We built the proposed model with the help of a Convolutional Recurrent Neural Network (CRNN). The use of CRNN instead of Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) helps us to reduce the model parameters and memory requirement as per resource constraints. Furthermore, we insert transmute and curtailment layer between the layers of CRNN. By doing this we further reduce model parameters and float number of operations to half of the CRNN requirement. The proposed model is tested on Google’s speech command dataset. The obtained result shows that the proposed CRNN model requires 1/3 parameters as compared to the CNN model. The number of parameters of the CRNN model is further reduced by 45% and the float numbers of operations between 2% to 12 % in different recognition tasks. The recognition accuracy of the proposed model is 96% on Google’s speech command dataset, and on laboratory recording, its recognition accuracy is 89%.
Cost-Effective Watermarking Scheme for Authentication of Digital Fundus Images in Healthcare Data Management
Authors: Klington George , Ramesh K , Kadry Seifedine
Published: December 2021

This paper presents a cost-effective watermarking scheme for the authentication of healthcare data management. The digital fundus images are one particular class of medical images and it is widely used for screening mass population, identifying early symptoms of various diseases in healthcare. The mass volume of such data and its management requires an effective authentication scheme, while it is exchanged on an open network. The proposed scheme uses a watermarking technique to authenticate the digital fundus images. The watermark is generated concerning the portions of the original image using Singular value decomposition (SVD) and the remaining portions are used for embedding. The embedding process uses interleaving concepts across the red and blue planes of the original images to make the number of embedding as constant. The constant number of embedding is fixed for the original size of the given image to make the scheme as computationally cost-effective. The experiment showed the maximum capacity of the proposed scheme is 329960 bits for an image of size 565x584x3. It modifies 43% of the total number of embedded pixels against jittering attacks at an average. Comparative analysis showed that the proposed scheme uses only 1/3 of the original image size for embedding by retaining good imperceptibility of 54 dB. The net performance of the proposed scheme is found to be constant and it makes a scheme as cost-effective.
COVID-19 Information Sharing with Blockchain
Authors: Aslan Bora , Ataşen Kerem
Published: December 2021

COVID-19 is a disease caused by a novel coronavirus originated in Wuhan, China. The virus rapidly spread over more than 200 countries around the world and caused deaths of more than 690.000 of people. To prevent rapid spreading of this disease, the information sharing related to the findings about the COVID-19 disease must be fast and secure between countries. Since the COVID-19 related health data such as the symptoms and private patient records are confidential, such information requires privacy protection. The blockchain and smart contracts are well-suited solutions for speed, privacy, and security needs of dissemination the COVID-19 related information. Blockchain based e-health solutions have been discussed for years. However, a pandemic is more important than the regular health problems. Thus, this study proposes how critical pandemic related information should be shared between the participating countries and can be accessed by health data actors such as researchers, doctors, laboratory staff, authorized institutions of different countries as well as the World Health Organization.
Genetics of Behçet’s Disease
Authors: Kocaaga Ayca
Published: December 2021

Behçet’s disease (BD; MIM 109650) is an autoinflammatory disease characterized by with recurrent oral aphthae, genital ulcers and vasculitis involving the skin, joints, eyes, veins, arteries, nervous and gastrointestinal systems. Although the pathogenesis remains uncertain, genome-wide and validation studies have demonstrated that genetic predisposition is a major factor in disease susceptibility. Several gene polymorphisms that are involved in the response to pathogens and modulate inflammation have been associated with the pathophysiology of BD. Understanding the genetic association with BD may ensure insight into the pathogenesis and for development of targeted therapies for this autoinflammatory disease. This chapter will deal the role of genetic and epigenetic factors as contributing factors in the pathogenesis of BD.
Perspective Chapter: Food System Resilience – Towards a Joint Understanding and Implications for Policy
Authors: de Steenhuijsen Piters Bart , Termeer Emma , Bakker Deborah , Fonteijn Hubert , Brouwer Herman
Published: December 2021

The COVID-19 crisis is just one in a series of shocks and stressors that exemplify the importance of building resilient food systems. To ensure that desired food system outcomes are less fluctuating, policy makers and other important stakeholders need a common narrative on food system resilience. The purpose of this paper is to work towards a joint understanding of food system resilience and its implications for policy making. The delivery of desired outcomes depends on the ability of food systems to anticipate, prevent, absorb, and adapt to the impacts of shocks and stressors. Based on our literature review we found four properties of food systems that enhance their resilience. We refer to these as the A B C D of resilience building: Agency, Buffering, Connectivity and Diversity. Over time, many food systems have lost levels of agency, buffering capacity, connectivity or diversity. One of the principal causes of this is attributed to the governance of food systems. Governance is inherently political: as a result of conflicting interests and power imbalances, food systems fail to deliver equitable and just access to food. Moreover, the impacts of shocks and stressors are not evenly distributed across actors in the food system. This paper has highlighted the importance of more inclusive governance to direct food system transformation towards such higher levels of resilience. We conclude that we cannot leave this to the market, but that democratic and before all independent, credible institutions are needed to create the necessary transparency between actors as to their interests, power and influence.
Effects of Rhodiola rosea on indomethacin-induced gastric injury
Authors: OKKAY Irmak Ferah , OKKAY Ufuk , KARATAS Ozhan
Published: December 2021

Objective: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of Rhodiola rosea in the indomethacin-induced ulcer model in rats and to clarify the underlying mechanisms of action.

Methods: Rats in treatment groups were treated with Rhodiola rosea (RR) 14 days. Peptic ulcer was induced by indomethacin (IND) injection (100 mg/kg, p.o.). The groups (n = 6) were designed as; Group I (control); Group II (IND): After 24h of food starvation, rats were given only 100 mg/kg IND by oral gavage to induce gastric mucosal injury. Group III (ESO): Rats were pretreated with 20 mg/kg of ESO for 14 consecutive days by oral gavage. Group IV (RR): Rats were pretreated with 500 mg/kg RR for 14 consecutive days with oral gavage.

Results: Rhodiola rosea effectively alleviated indomethacin-induced ulcer via reduction in oxidative stress (decreased MDA and increased SOD, and GSH). Moreover, Rhodiola rosea alleviated indomethacin-induced damage by regulating expressions of COX enzymes, prostaglandin E2, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), cell proliferation, apoptosis and regulated the NF-κB signaling pathway. Rhodiola rosea also attenuated inflammatory injury by suppressing TNF-𝛼𝛼, IL-1β, and NF-κB. The caspase-3 expression was also down-regulated in stomach tissues.

Conclusions: In conclusion, Rhodiola rosea protected the gastric mucosa from harmful effects of indomethacin and as a natural medicinal herb, Rhodiola rosea might be a potential therapeutic agent for preventing and treating indomethacin-induced gastric damage.
The Association Between Weight Loss and Platelet Markers in Morbidly Obese Patients
Authors: ÖZTÜRK Gamze , ASLANER AK Müzeyyen , ERTOP Sehmus
Published: December 2021

Objective: To examine the association of weight loss achieved through obesity treatment with platelet number and markers (mean platelet volume, MPV; plateletcrit, PCT; platelet/lymphocyte ratio, PLR; and platelet distribution width, PDW) in morbidly obese patients.

Methods: A total of 300 patients diagnosed with morbid obesity between 2017 and 2019 were included in this retrospective study. Weight at baseline and 6 months, body mass index (BMI), complete blood count (platelet, lymphocyte, plateletcrit, platelet/lymphocyte ratio, and platelet distribution width), and demographic data were evaluated.

Results: A total of 300 morbidly obese patients with a BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2 were included. A weight loss of ≥ 10% was considered “significant”, and a weight loss of < 10% was considered insignificant. A significant decrease in platelet number was found in association with weight loss (p < 0.05), as were the changes in PCT and PLR. These findings suggest that platelet markers PCT and PLR may be associated with the degree of weight loss.

Conclusion: Our results suggest that platelet markers simply obtained through a complete blood count may be utilized in the treatment and follow-up of obesity, which may lead to a number of different conditions such as coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular events, and myocardial infarction through predisposition to thrombosis.
Pragmatismus bez metafyziky?
Authors: Sobek Tomáš
Published: December 2021

Tento článek má dvě části, které spolu úzce souvisejí. Obě se týkají vztahu metafyziky a pragmatismu v morálním kontextu. První část reaguje na text Marka Káčera „Načo sa trápiť s otázkou existencie ľudských práv?“, který obhajuje pragmatismus v protikladu k ontologickému přístupu. Káčer, inspirován Rudolfem Carnapem, tvrdí, že ontologickou otázku, zda opravdu existuje X, bychom měli nahradit praktickou otázkou, zda je užitečné přijmout jazykový systém, který umožňuje mluvit o X. Ve své reakci se pokusím ukázat, že opozice mezi ontologickým a pragmatickým přístupem není tak ostrá, jak ji autor prezentuje. Už samotné myšlení o tom, co by mohlo a mělo být, vytváří ontologické závazky. Tuto skutečnost se pokusím ilustrovat na touze po férovosti ve vztahu k morálnímu pojmu potenciální osoby. Ontologické závazky jsou nedílnou součástí praktické orientace člověka ve světě a v tomto smyslu je ontologický přístup slučitelný s pragmatismem. Druhá část reaguje na jiný text stejného autora, který se také věnuje úloze metafyziky při zdůvodňování lidských práv. Káčer zde používá Humovu tezi, aby ukázal omezený význam metafyziky pro zdůvodnění lidských práv. Snažím se ukázat, že Humova teze, ve své netriviální verzi, je spíše metafyzickou tezí než logickým zákonem. Nicméně, navrhuji způsob, jak se s tímto problémem vyrovnat v pojmech Káčerova pragmatismu.
Mentoring jako prostředek podpory profesního učení studentů učitelství a učitelů
Authors: Spilková Vladimíra , Zavadilová Barbora
Published: December 2021

Úvodní část příspěvku je věnována fenoménu mentoringu v učitelství jako nástroje podpory profesního rozvoje učitelů a studentů učitelství. Jsou prezentována teoretická východiska a klíčové koncepty důležité pro hlubší porozumění mentorin­gu. Hlavním cílem studie je prezentovat výsledky kvalitativního výzkumu věnované­ho kontextu, podmínkám a možným bariérám spolupráce mentora a menteeho v uči­telské profesi v širším kontextu hledání prostředků k posílení profesionalizace učitelů a k podpoře jejich celoživotního profesního růstu. Výsledky výzkumu identifikují klí­čové aspekty mentoringu, mezi něž patří dovednost zpětné vazby ze strany mentora a otevřenost reflexi na straně menteeho, stejně jako sebejistota mentora a kultura spolupráce napříč školou. Studie rovněž poukazuje na hlavní přínosy mentoringu pro začínající učitele, studenty učitelství, pro učitele s delší praxí, pro rozvoj školy i pro školství obecně.
Two new species in the Russula (Russulaceae, Basidiomycota) crown clade from Indian Himalaya
Authors: Ghosh Aniket , Das Kanad , Buyck Bart
Published: December 2021

Two species, namely Russula adwanitekae A.Ghosh, K.Das & Buyck sp. nov. and Russula purpureozonata K.Das, A.Ghosh & Buyck sp. nov. are proposed herein as new mushroom taxa from the Indian Himalaya based on their morphological features and ITS-based phylogenetic inferences. Both species belong to the crown clade of Russula subgenus Russula but with affinities to different subsections, viz. subsect. Laricinae Romagn. and subsect. Decolorantes Maire, respectively. Russula adwanitekae sp. nov. was collected in mixed temperate forests where it is most likely associated with conifers. It is distinct from several similarly looking, small, mild species with dark spore print and reddish lilac, orchid purple or greyish to deep magenta colored pileus in subsect. Laricinae by its sequence data (nrITS) or geographic distribution. Russula purpureozonata sp. nov. associates with Abies densa Griff., and possesses all typical features of Decolorantes, viz. the amyloid suprahilar spot on the spores, presence of pileogloeocystidia, the reddening then blackening context, equal lamellae and colored spore print. It reminds of North American R. californiensis Burl. and R. magna Beardslee under the microscope but has distinctly smaller spores and differs further in the unique coloration and concentrically zonated pileus margin. Macro- and micromorphological features are illustrated for both species. Their habitats, distributions and relationships with allied species are discussed.
Alkaline phosphatase interference in immuno-enzymatic assays
Authors: Oğuz Osman , Serin Huriye , Hocaoglu Fatma
Published: December 2021

Background: Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzymes are widely used as signal amplifiers in immunoenzymatic methods. Conditions that cause ALP elevations, such as bone or liver diseases, can cause interference in immunoenzymatic methods. We aimed to examine ALP's effect on immunoenzymatic assay by adding isolated pure ALP to the prepared serum pool. Methods: We prepared a serum pool and divided it into 4 groups. By adding isolated pure ALP at different concentrations to each group, we obtained sample groups containing ALP enzyme at concentrations of 85 U/L, 340 U/L, 870 U/L, and 1570 U/L. 20-repetition of bhCG, ferritin, FT4, TSH, troponin I, and Vit B12 tests were performed in each group. The coefficient of variation, bias, and total error was calculated. All groups were compared by using the Friedman test for paired samples. Results: After ALP addition, the calculated total error values of FT4, bhCG and troponin I tests were above the acceptable error limits. There were statistically significant differences in bhCG, FT4, troponin I, and Vit B12 tests compared to the baseline ALP level (P<0.0125). Conclusions: Isolated ALP elevations can be a source of interference for immunoenzymatic methods.
Energy policy of Qatar at the present stage: external and internal dimensions (on the example of gas sector)
Authors: Markelova Ester Aleksandrovna
Published: December 2021

The object of this research is the energy policy of Qatar on the example of gas sector. The subject of this research is the key directions and trends in the development of energy policy, i.e. its external and internal dimensions. Detailed analysis is conducted on the energy diplomacy of Qatar being a small state. The author determines the key areas for further use of gas export revenues for sustainable development of Qatar's national economy and its diversification. The article explores the peculiarities of Qatar’s energy diplomacy; its interaction with the European and Asian countries, the United States, as well as multinational energy corporations for the purpose of development of the own fuel and energy infrastructure. The scientific novelty lies in the attempt to generalize the key vectors of energy policy of modern Qatar, aligning them with the goals of economic development set in the strategic plan “Vision 2030”. This article is first to introduce sources in foreign languages into the scientific discourse. Leaning on these sources, the author reveals the “success factors” of Qatar's energy policy and growth potential, including in the conditions of “green transition”. The conclusion is made that Qatar would continue to invest in the development of gas sector, which is the major resource for qualitative assessment of the economic model. Such development implies open interaction with various external actors and the use of the latest technologies.
Virtual Museum Experience for Critical Thinking Development: First Results from the National Gallery of Art (MOOC, US)
Authors: Poce Antonella
Published: December 2021

In recent years, the use of innovative learning strategies within museum education contexts has been considerably supported by the use of digital technologies, especially in terms of critical thinking enhancement. As underlined by several studies in the field, the aesthetic experience is particularly effective in terms of reflection skills promotion, critical interpretation and analysis, both at individual and group level, as well as personal and creative reinterpretation (Biasi, Patrizi, & Fagioli, 2020). The present paper describes a research conducted within the MOOC «Teaching Critical Thinking through Art», created by the National Gallery of Art in Washington (DC), under the scientific supervision of the Harvard Project Zero researchers, pioneers of Visual Thinking Strategies within the museum context. The paper is aimed at illustrating the results of a content analysis conducted on the forum section of the above-mentioned MOOC during the 2020 edition. In particular, 163 posts from the «See/think/wonder» activity were assessed by two human evaluators using two different Critical Thinking evaluation tools (Garrison, Anderson, & Archer, 2001; Poce, 2017). In addition, specific analyses were carried out selected users’ writing activities in order to identify possible positive correlations between the characteristics of forum posts and the critical thinking skills solicited.
Strategie e strumenti di valutazione formativa per promuovere l’apprendimento autoregolato: una rassegna ragionata delle ricerche empiriche
Authors: Scierri Irene
Published: December 2021

The area of research into the relationship between formative assessment and self-regulated learning is well established. Several studies have explored the connection between assessment and self-regulated learning, but the literature shows that there are still several lines of research to be explored, including examining which formative assessment practices actually help students improve their self-regulation skills and under which conditions. The paper presents a reasoned review of empirical studies, with experimental or quasi-experimental research design, that have examined the effect of formative assessment practices on self-regulated learning. The target population includes students from all levels of education. It was possible to classify two different ways of implementing formative assessment practices: a global approach and an analytical approach. Most of the reviewed studies recorded significant positive effects on self-regulation. The results and implications for future research are discussed.
Naïve individuals promote collective exploration in homing pigeons
Authors: Valentini Gabriele , Pavlic Theodore P , Walker Sara Imari , Pratt Stephen C , Biro Dora , Sasaki Takao
Published: December 2021

Group-living animals that rely on stable foraging or migratory routes can develop behavioural traditions to pass route information down to inexperienced individuals. Striking a balance between exploitation of social information and exploration for better alternatives is essential to prevent the spread of maladaptive traditions. We investigated this balance during cumulative route development in the homing pigeonColumba livia. We quantified information transfer within pairs of birds in a transmission-chain experiment and determined how birds with different levels of experience contributed to the exploration–exploitation trade-off. Newly introduced naïve individuals were initially more likely to initiate exploration than experienced birds, but the pair soon settled into a pattern of alternating leadership with both birds contributing equally. Experimental pairs showed an oscillating pattern of exploration over generations that might facilitate the discovery of more efficient routes. Our results introduce a new perspective on the roles of leadership and information pooling in the context of collective learning.
S-acylation by ZDHHC20 targets ORAI1 channels to lipid rafts for efficient Ca2+ signaling by Jurkat T cell receptors at the immune synapse
Authors: Carreras-Sureda Amado , Abrami Laurence , Ji-Hee Kim , Wang Wen-An , Henry Christopher , Frieden Maud , Didier Monica , van der Goot F Gisou , Demaurex Nicolas
Published: December 2021

Efficient immune responses require Ca2+ fluxes across ORAI1 channels during engagement of T cell receptors (TCR) at the immune synapse (IS) between T cells and antigen presenting cells. Here, we show that ZDHHC20-mediated S-acylation of the ORAI1 channel at residue Cys143 promotes TCR recruitment and signaling at the IS. Cys143 mutations reduced ORAI1 currents and store-operated Ca2+ entry in HEK-293 cells and nearly abrogated long-lasting Ca2+ elevations, NFATC1 translocation, and IL-2 secretion evoked by TCR engagement in Jurkat T cells. The acylation-deficient channel remained in cholesterol-poor domains upon enforced ZDHHC20 expression and was recruited less efficiently to the IS along with actin and TCR. Our results establish S-acylation as a critical regulator of ORAI1 channel trafficking and function at the IS and reveal that ORAI1 S-acylation enhances TCR recruitment to the synapse.
Neural correlates and determinants of approach–avoidance conflict in the prelimbic prefrontal cortex
Authors: Fernandez-Leon Jose A , Engelke Douglas S , Aquino-Miranda Guillermo , Goodson Alexandria , Rasheed Maria N , Do Monte Fabricio H
Published: December 2021

The recollection of environmental cues associated with threat or reward allows animals to select the most appropriate behavioral responses. Neurons in the prelimbic (PL) cortex respond to both threat- and reward-associated cues. However, it remains unknown whether PL regulates threat-avoidance vs. reward-approaching responses when an animals’ decision depends on previously associated memories. Using a conflict model in which male Long–Evans rats retrieve memories of shock- and food-paired cues, we observed two distinct phenotypes during conflict: (1) rats that continued to press a lever for food (Pressers) and (2) rats that exhibited a complete suppression in food seeking (Non-pressers). Single-unit recordings revealed that increased risk-taking behavior in Pressers is associated with persistent food-cue responses in PL, and reduced spontaneous activity in PL glutamatergic (PLGLUT) neurons during conflict. Activating PLGLUT neurons in Pressers attenuated food-seeking responses in a neutral context, whereas inhibiting PLGLUT neurons in Non-pressers reduced defensive responses and increased food approaching during conflict. Our results establish a causal role for PLGLUT neurons in mediating individual variability in memory-based risky decision-making by regulating threat-avoidance vs. reward-approach behaviors.
Older active users of ICTs make sense of their engagement
Authors: Kania-Lundholm Magdalena , Torres Sandra
Published: December 2021

Research on older people’s ICT usage tends to focus on either the ways in which they go about learning to use these technologies or the impact that ICTs have on their lives. This research seems, in other words, to take for granted that older people are ‘digital immigrants’ as the digital divide debate proposed. Research that specifically looks at the ways in which older ICT users make sense of their engagement with these technologies is still limited. This article explores therefore – through focus group interviews – how a group of older people who are active ICT users make sense of their ‘digital nativeness’. The analysis shows that the interviewees are well aware that their ICT proficiency differentiated them from their peers, which is why they make sense of their ICT usage by making reference to the issues that make them ‘exceptional’ older people. These include the fact that they have used computers for many years and therefore made ICT usage an everyday habit early on; the fact that most older people do not have the skills that they themselves have, which is why they feel the need to share them with others; and the fact that their lifelong experience means they can use these technologies in judicious ways. By bringing attention to how older active ICT users make sense of their engagement, this article contributes to the notion of the digital spectrum and the debate on the inequalities that ICT proficiency brings about.
Openness in Education: Claims, Concepts, and Perspectives for Higher Education
Authors: Hug Theo
Published: December 2021

Characteristics of openness can be found in many respects throughout the history of education. From Comenius’ call for pedagogical reform to postmodern educational theory, requirements of access, social justice, creativity, knowledge sharing, innovation, and capacity building have been emphasized in various ways. The chapter provides an outline of different understandings and notions of openness in educational contexts as well a discussion of their relevance for openness towards academic knowledge cultures and different forms of knowledge. Finally, the contribution highlights organizational, methodological, and critical perspectives as three aspects which appear to be undervalued in current debates about openness in higher education.
Students’ Expectations and Experiences of Meaningful Simulation-Based Medical Education
Authors: Keskitalo Tuulikki , Ruokamo Heli
Published: December 2021

This study aims to investigate students’ expectations and experiences of meaningful learning in simulation-based learning environments. We set the following research question: How do students’ experiences of meaningful simulation-based learning correspond to their expectations? The students’ (n = 87; male 51, female 36) pre- and post-questionnaires were analyzed using statistical methods. The results indicated that students’ expectations and experiences of meaningful learning were positive, and for most statements, there were statistically significant differences between the mean pre-questionnaire rating and the mean post-questionnaire rating, thereby indicating that students’ actual experiences of simulation-based learning were more positive than their expectations. Thus, students’ experiences exceeded their expectations.
SUPPORTING LEARNING THROUGH EPISTEMIC SCAFFOLDS EMBEDDED IN A HIGHLIGHTER TOOL
Authors: Dahl Jan Erik
Published: December 2021

This article explores the use of epistemic scaffolds embedded in a digital highlighter tool that was used to support students’ readings and discussions of research articles. The use of annotation technologies in education is increasing, and annotations can play a wide variety of epistemic roles; e.g., they can facilitate a deeper level of engagement, support critical thinking, develop cognitive and metacognitive skills and introduce practices that can support knowledge building and independent learning. However, research has shown that the actual tool use often deviates from the underlying knowledge model in the tools. Hence, the situated and mediated nature of these tools is still poorly understood. Research also tends to study the tools as a passed on resource rather than being co-constructed between students and teachers. The researcher argues that approaching these resources as co-constructed can be more productive and can create new spaces for teacher–student dialogues, students’ agency and self-scaffolding.
IMMIGRANT WOMEN'S REASONING AND USE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY IN LIFELONG LEARNING
Authors: Hallberg David , Hansson Henrik , Nilsson Anders G.
Published: December 2021

This paper explores the reasoning and use of information and communications technology (ICT) in lifelong learning by immigrant women. Data were collected from semi-structured and unstructured interviews. The study was carried out primarily in a school environment, which also makes it possible to draw conclusions about the connection between learning in and outside school environments. Most participants experienced major differences in the use of and access to ICT after moving to their new country. Most women use and access ICT, even if not of their own volition. Providing a summary of some of the benefits and barriers that emerged, our study has shown that it is important to distinguish the way someone reasons about ICT and their actual use of it. No account was taken of cultural differences between the participants’ countries of origin. This study made it possible for the immigrant women to voice their experiences, knowledge, and feelings about their situations in school and in everyday life.
Behind the concepts of multiliteracies and media literacy in the renewed Finnish core curriculum: A systematic literature review of peer-reviewed research
Authors: Palsa Lauri , Ruokamo Heli
Published: December 2021

Finnish basic education faces a significant change with the 2016 commissioning of the renewed core curriculum, which introduces a new transversal competence, termed multiliteracies—a concept closely related to media literacy. This systematic literature review examines the research literature on media literacy and multiliteracies, analysing and comparing the nature of knowledge constructed and the varying definitions of the two concepts. Previous review articles (Marten 2010; Potter 2010) found little consensus among scholars regarding the definition of media literacy. This review examines the research literature published in international peer-reviewed academic journals between 2010 and 2014 to investigate whether a mutual understanding of the concept has since been established. The article argues that significant differences exist between the concepts of media literacy and multiliteracies and, further, that Finnish core curriculum defines multiliteracies differently than the research literature defines the term. In line with previous research, this article finds no consensus on the definition of media literacy in the research literature. Based on the multifaceted nature of the concept, this article rejects attempts to establish a universal definition of media literacy and presents a theoretical framework for conceptualising media literacies based on their abstraction levels. The article aims to facilitate understanding of the concept and its operationalisation in research and practice and discusses future opportunities for research on media literacy and multiliteracies.
My Own Private Public Library
Authors: Rone Julia
Published: December 2021

The present paper analyzes the emergence of Bulgarian digital libraries with pirated literature as a form of compensation for the failure of both the state and the market to provide easy access to electronic books in Bulgarian. These grass-roots digital libraries can be understood best through an analysis of the dichotomies between formal and informal economy, law and ethics, commercial and non-commercial interest, bricolage and engineering. Sharing of books online in Bulgaria has its historical precedent in the sharing of cultural objects during socialism and is part of the larger logic of informal economy as a form of independence from/resistance to the state. While many of the books in these electronic libraries are uploaded in infringement of copyright, the creators and users of the sites defend them on the basis of what is ethically right and claim that they contribute to the spread of knowledge. The paper emphasizes the rhetorical force of the word ‘library’ which is being appropriated by both commercial and non-commercial actors. Without underestimating the value provided by many of the grass-roots digital libraries discussed, the analysis leads to the question whether the bottom-up collaborative strategy for digitizing books is the optimal one in terms of the variety of titles offered and the overall coherence of digital archives. In short, should sharing replace more traditional state policies in the field of culture?
Dinosaurs and fossils living without dangerous tools: Social representations of computers and the Internet by elderly Finnish and American non-users
Authors: Rasi Päivi , O’Neil Christine
Published: December 2021

This study compares the computer- and Internet-related conceptions of Finnish and American elderly people who deliberately refuse to use the Internet. It seeks to answer the following questions based on various social representations: Are there similarities and differences in the way the Finnish and American respondents classify the computer and the Internet? Are there similarities and differences in the images the Finnish and American respondents use to depict the computer and the Internet? How do the social representations of the computer and the Internet express the respondents’ distinct identities, history and culture? An analysis of written accounts provided by elderly Finnish and American people showed that both groups expressed an understanding of the computer and the Internet as a ‘Tool and Thing’ and ‘Danger’. However, differences existed between their understanding of the computer as a ‘Depriver of Freedom’ and ‘Marker of Differences’. The study concludes that their distinct identities, interests, history and culture may be some of the factors that limit their motivation and capacity to welcome and use the computer. To promote digital inclusion, the elderly should be provided with Internet-related information, training and support. At the same time, however, digital inclusion policies should also encompass a choice for Internet non-use.
Challenges with social software for collaboration: Two case studies from teacher training
Authors: Valtonen Teemu , Havu-Nuutinen Sari , Dillon Patrick , Kontkanen Sini , Vesisenaho Mikko , Pöntinen Susanna
Published: December 2021

This paper provides an insight into challenges with collaborative learning using social software. It reports two case studies conducted in a teacher training department in a Finnish university. Although the case studies were concerned with providing teacher students with inspiring and motivating experiences of using ICT in pedagogically meaningful ways, the research design was set up so that challenges could be identified and investigated. Results reveal several factors that are related to challenges of learning collaboratively with social software. The main challenge concerns students’ understanding of what it means to learn collaboratively. It would seem that the added value of interaction and collaboration is poorly recognised. Furthermore, implications for teacher training are discussed.
Interprofessional Participation and Reflection in a Digital Network
Authors: Nilsen Ragnhild , Nilsen Line Lundvoll
Published: December 2021

Interdisciplinary professional education (IPE) contributes to the formation of effective collaboration in the field of practice. Education needs to be organised so that health science students can learn with, from, and about each other. This article explores how web-based collaboration contributes to this, by describing how it promotes reflection and professional understanding among health science students. Our data analysis is based on focus group interviews and online student discussions. The findings show that the flexibility of digital network, which represents both collaboration triggered by videos and online communication, is important for the students: they develop their argumentation together in reflective tranquillity. It is important to practise reflection since a choice of actions is an integral part of healthcare work, work which depends upon judgement exercised by the individual healthcare worker. The digital network allows students from different health science programmes to draw on each other’s knowledge and expertise. The findings are relevant for the development of reflection and professional understanding among health science students, as they show how students discuss and seek solutions to complex challenges in the practice.
How students interact when working with mathematics in an ICT context
Authors: Samuelsson Joakim
Published: December 2021

There is a common assumption that computers will change the conditions for teaching mathematics. This paper discusses expectations regarding changes in working methods and, specifically, adolescents’ interaction in the computer-aided teaching of mathematics in middle school. The empirical material was collected through interviews with eighteen teachers in grades 7-9. The author also participated in all of the computer-aided lessons given by two teachers during one year, which means access to 700 lessons where teachers and students could use computers. During this year they used computers in only 18 lessons. This particular study reports from a closer analysis of seven observed lessons and 18 teacher interviews. In sum, using the computer when solving mathematical problems with peers is not always a successful learning method. The empirical data indicate that the linguistic interaction consists mostly of one student posing a question and another giving an answer. There was a lot of communication in the classroom but very little could be signified as dialogic. The different forms of interaction observed also tell us that students are not involved in communication about scientific concepts. Their communicative ability is therefore not developing to any large extent. When students collaborate in order to solve math problems they oscillate between disjunctive and complementary tasks. It means that different students practice different skills, some that are important for their mathematical ability and some that are not.
Interactive and face-to-face communication:a perspective from philosophy of mind and language
Authors: Nordby Halvor
Published: December 2021

The aim of this article is to derive fundamental communication conditions from central assumptions in recent philosophy of mind and language, and then use these conditions to clarify essential similarities and differences between face-to-face and interactive communication. The analyses are to a large extent made on the basis of participant observations and dialogues with students in a further education course for medical paramedics, but the conclusions should be of interest to anyone who has a pedagogical interest in understanding the nature of the two forms of communication. The arguments set out in the article have both a descriptive and a normative dimension. They are descriptive in the sense that they aim to give a philosophical analysis of successful communication; they are normative in the sense that they seek to understand how communication can be improved. The article concludes that the philosophical analysis presented constitutes a plausible conceptual framework for analyzing empirical phenomena related to face-to-face and interactive communication.
The Rhetoric of PowerPoint
Authors: Kjeldsen Jens E.
Published: December 2021

The presentation program PowerPoint is probably the most used tool in the schools, high schools and universities of today. The use of this program, however, comes at a cost, because it is not just a different and neutral way of teaching. Like the use of any technology, PowerPoint affects not only the way we present and teach, but also the way we think, learn and understand. The program carries an inherent tendency to crate fragmentation of thought and cognitive overload. In order to avoid this we should stop thinking in terms of technology and begin to think rhetorically. What we need is media rhetoracy: the ability to communicate persuasively and appropriately.
The Digital Culture and Communication: More than just Classroom Learning
Authors: Snyder Kristen
Published: December 2021

This paper presents a conceptual model of the digital culture that reflects the multi-dimensionality of ICT in education: pedagogy, communication, technology and organizational systems. The model grew out of a three-year study of an online professional development program for educators in seven countries. The focus of the paper is to explore the relationship between human dynamics and technological systems for advancing the school as an organization. Considering the digital culture of schools from an organizational communication culture perspective awakens us to the importance of looking at the subculture that emerges through human exchange reflecting core values and beliefs. When we consider the digital world in which students already live, and match it against the challenge of schools for human citizen development, we begin to see that a digital culture is more than technological. It is organizational, it is communicative, and it is cultural. Through the creation of cultural webs, motivated by humans, and assisted by technology, online communication has the possibility to shape a collective space for cross cultural connections that support a shared democracy.
Narrative Competence and the Enhancement of Literacy
Authors: Dobson Stephen
Published: December 2021

This essay argues for narrative competence as an underlying skill neglected in educational policy makers’ calls for enhanced literacy through improved reading, writing, numeracy and working with digital technology. This argument is presented in three parts. First, a genealogy of the narrative is presented by looking at understandings of narratives with respect to changes in technology and socio-cultural relations. Three technological forms of the narrative are examined: the oral, written and image based narrative. Second, revisiting Bernstein, narrative competency is connected to pedagogic practice. The focus is upon code recognition and the rhythm of narrative in a classroom context. Third, a proposal is made to develop narrative competence as a research programme capable of exploring literacy in an age of open learning. The core assertion of this essay is that when narrative is understood in a multi-directional, multi-voiced and multi-punctual sense, opportunities are created for a pedagogic practice that is in tune with the demands placed upon youth and their relationship to changing technologies. This makes the exploration of connections between narrative competence, pedagogic practice and technology the central focus of this essay.