bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metabolomic Profiling of Bile Acids in Clinical and Experimental Samples of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Pan Xiaobei , Elliott Christopher T. , McGuinness Bernadette , Passmore Peter , Kehoe Patrick G. , Hölscher Christian , McClean Paula L. , Graham Stewart F. , Green Brian D.
Published: June 2017

Certain endogenous bile acids have been proposed as potential therapies for ameliorating Alzheimer’s disease (AD) but their role, if any, in the pathophysiology of this disease is not currently known. Given recent evidence of bile acids having protective and anti-inflammatory effects on the brain, it is important to establish how AD affects levels of endogenous bile acids. Using LC-MS/MS, this study profiled 22 bile acids in brain extracts and blood plasma from AD patients (n = 10) and age-matched control subjects (n = 10). In addition, we also profiled brain/plasma samples from APP/PS1 and WT mice (aged 6 and 12 months). In human plasma, we detected significantly lower cholic acid (CA, p = 0.03) in AD patients than age-matched control subjects. In APP/PS1 mouse plasma we detected higher CA (p = 0.05, 6 months) and lower hyodeoxycholic acid (p = 0.04, 12 months) than WT. In human brain with AD pathology (Braak stages V-VI) taurocholic acid (TCA) were significantly lower (p = 0.01) than age-matched control subjects. In APP/PS1 mice we detected higher brain lithocholic acid (p = 0.05) and lower tauromuricholic acid (TMCA; p = 0.05, 6 months). TMCA was also decreased (p = 0.002) in 12-month-old APP/PS1 mice along with 5 other acids: CA (p = 0.02), β-muricholic acid (p = 0.02), Ω-muricholic acid (p = 0.05), TCA (p = 0.04), and tauroursodeoxycholic acid (p = 0.02). The levels of bile acids are clearly disturbed during the development of AD pathology and, since some bile acids are being proposed as potential AD therapeutics, we demonstrate a method that can be used to support work to advance bile acid therapeutics.
Sensory Characteristics and Volatile Components of Dry Dog Foods Manufactured with Sorghum Fractions
Authors: Donfrancesco Brizio Di , Koppel Kadri
Published: June 2017

Descriptive sensory analysis and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) with a modified headspace solid-phase microextraction (SPME) method was performed on three extruded dry dog food diets manufactured with different fractions of red sorghum and a control diet containing corn, brewer’s rice, and wheat as a grain source in order to determine the effect of sorghum fractions on dry dog food sensory properties. The aroma compounds and flavor profiles of samples were similar with small differences, such as higher toasted aroma notes, and musty and dusty flavor in the mill-feed sample. A total of 37 compounds were tentatively identified and semi-quantified. Aldehydes were the major group present in the samples. The total volatile concentration was low, reflecting the mild aroma of the samples. Partial least squares regression was performed to identify correlations between sensory characteristics and detected aroma compounds. Possible relationships, such as hexanal and oxidized oil, and broth aromatics were identified. Volatile compounds were also associated with earthy, musty, and meaty aromas and flavor notes. This study showed that extruded dry dog foods manufactured with different red sorghum fractions had similar aroma, flavor, and volatile profiles.
Long-Term Dexamethasone Exposure Down-Regulates Hepatic TFR1 and Reduces Liver Iron Concentration in Rats
Authors: Li Huifang , Jiang Shuxia , Yang Chun , Yang Shu , He Bin , Ma Wenqiang , Zhao Ruqian
Published: June 2017

Exposure to stress is known to cause hepatic iron dysregulation, but the relationship between prolonged stress and liver iron metabolism is not yet fully understood. Thirty 13-week-old female Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups, as follows: the control group (saline-injection) and the dexamethasone group (Dexamethasone (Dex)-injection 0.1 mg/kg/day). After the 21-day stress trial, the results showed that chronic Dex administration not only impaired serum corticosterone (p = 0.00) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) (p = 0.01) levels, but also decreased white blood cell counts (p = 0.00), and reduced blood lymphocyte counts (p = 0.00). The daily Dex-injection also significantly reduced body weight (p < 0.01) by inhibiting food intake. Consecutive Dex administration resulted in decreased iron intake (p = 0.00), enhanced serum iron levels (p = 0.01), and increased the serum souble transferrin receptor (sTfR) content (p = 0.00) in rats. Meanwhile, long-term Dex exposure down-regulated duodenal cytochrome b (DCYTB) (p = 0.00) and the divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) (p = 0.04) protein expression, but up-regulated ferroportin (FPN) protein expression (p = 0.04). Chronic Dex administration reduced liver iron concentration (p = 0.02) in rats. Hepatic transferrin receptor 1 (TFR1) expression was lowered at the protein level (p = 0.03), yet with uncoupled mRNA abundance in Dex-treated rats. Enhanced iron-regulatory protein (IRP)/iron-responsive element (IRE) binding activity was observed, but did not line up with lowered hepatic TFR1 protein expression. This study indicates that long-term Dex exposure reduces liver iron content, which is closely associated with down-regulated hepatic TFR1 protein expression.
IgG Avidity Test in Congenital Toxoplasmosis Diagnoses in Newborns
Authors: Fonseca Zulmirene Cardoso , Rodrigues Isolina Maria Xavier , Melo Natália Cruz e , Avelar Juliana Boaventura , Castro Ana Maria , Avelino Mariza Martins
Published: June 2017

The goal of this study was to investigate the importance of IgG avidity testing in newborns (NBs) diagnosed with early congenital toxoplasmosis. We collected samples from 88 puerperae infected by Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) and their NBs (48 acutely-infected puerperae (AIP) and 40 chronically-infected puerperae (CIP)), from two public maternity hospitals in Goiania city, Goias, Brazil, from 2010 to 2015. Specific anti-T. gondii IgM and IgG serum levels and IgG avidity tests were evaluated using chemiluminescence. Congenital toxoplasmosis was observed in 66.66% (n = 32) of NBs with AIP, 94.1% presenting low avidity (LA) and 51.61% presenting high avidity (HA) test results. The IgG and IgM levels of NBs with LA and their puerperae were higher in comparison with HA NBs and puerperae (p = 0.0001). The avidity tests showed 100% specificity and 50% sensitivity (p = 0.0001). NBs with LA had a 15-fold increased risk of developing congenital toxoplasmosis in comparison with HA NBs. The IgG avidity test could be used to assist in early congenital toxoplasmosis diagnoses in NBs and LA, identifying a greater probability of vertical transmission.
Intercomparison of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and Ground-Based Narrow Band Spectrometers Applied to Crop Trait Monitoring in Organic Potato Production
Authors: Domingues Franceschini Marston , Bartholomeus Harm , Van Apeldoorn Dirk , Suomalainen Juha , Kooistra Lammert
Published: June 2017

Vegetation properties can be estimated using optical sensors, acquiring data on board of different platforms. For instance, ground-based and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)-borne spectrometers can measure reflectance in narrow spectral bands, while different modelling approaches, like regressions fitted to vegetation indices, can relate spectra with crop traits. Although monitoring frameworks using multiple sensors can be more flexible, they may result in higher inaccuracy due to differences related to the sensors characteristics, which can affect information sampling. Also organic production systems can benefit from continuous monitoring focusing on crop management and stress detection, but few studies have evaluated applications with this objective. In this study, ground-based and UAV spectrometers were compared in the context of organic potato cultivation. Relatively accurate estimates were obtained for leaf chlorophyll (RMSE = 6.07 µg·cm−2), leaf area index (RMSE = 0.67 m2·m−2), canopy chlorophyll (RMSE = 0.24 g·m−2) and ground cover (RMSE = 5.5%) using five UAV-based data acquisitions, from 43 to 99 days after planting. These retrievals are slightly better than those derived from ground-based measurements (RMSE = 7.25 µg·cm−2, 0.85 m2·m−2, 0.28 g·m−2 and 6.8%, respectively), for the same period. Excluding observations corresponding to the first acquisition increased retrieval accuracy and made outputs more comparable between sensors, due to relatively low vegetation cover on this date. Intercomparison of vegetation indices indicated that indices based on the contrast between spectral bands in the visible and near-infrared, like OSAVI, MCARI2 and CIg provided, at certain extent, robust outputs that could be transferred between sensors. Information sampling at plot level by both sensing solutions resulted in comparable discriminative potential concerning advanced stages of late blight incidence. These results indicate that optical sensors, and their integration, have great potential for monitoring this specific organic cropping system.
Life Satisfaction of Downtown High-Rise vs. Suburban Low-Rise Living: A Chicago Case Study
Authors: Du Peng , Wood Antony , Ditchman Nicole , Stephens Brent
Published: June 2017

There has been a long-standing debate about whether urban living is more or less sustainable than suburban living, and quality of life (QoL) is one of several key measures of the social sustainability of residential living. However, to our knowledge, no study to date has examined life satisfaction among residents of downtown high-rise living compared to residents living in suburban low-rise housing. Further, very few studies have utilized building or neighborhood-scale data sets to evaluate residents’ life satisfaction, and even fewer have controlled for both individual and household-level variables such as gender, age, household size, annual income, and length of residence, to evaluate residents’ life satisfaction across different living scenarios. Therefore, the goal of this study was to investigate residents’ satisfaction with their place of residence as well as overall life in general via surveys of individuals living in existing high-rise residential buildings in downtown Chicago, IL, and in existing low-rise residential buildings in suburban Oak Park, IL. Over 1500 individuals were contacted directly, resulting in over 500 responses. The number of fully completed responses for this study was 177, including 94 from residents of four downtown high-rise buildings and 83 from residents in suburban low-rise homes. Residents living in downtown high-rise buildings had significantly higher life satisfaction scores than residents living in suburban low-rise homes when controlling for demographic differences; however, the differences were small, as housing type explained less than 5% of the observed variance in life satisfaction outcomes. The research also evaluated five life satisfaction domains including travel, accessibility, social interaction, safety, and overall residential environment (ORE). In all cases, residents of the downtown high-rises reported higher satisfaction levels, although the scores on all these five satisfaction domains reported from both urban scenarios were very high. Moreover, all five satisfaction domains were highly associated with each other, and accessibility and safety were found as the strongest predictors of ORE for individuals.
Cooperative Localization Algorithm for Multiple Mobile Robot System in Indoor Environment Based on Variance Component Estimation
Authors: Sun Qian , Diao Ming , Zhang Ya , Li Yibing
Published: June 2017

The Multiple Mobile Robot (MMR) cooperative system is becoming a focus of study in various fields due to its advantages, such as high efficiency and good fault tolerance. However, the uncertainty and nonlinearity problems severely limit the cooperative localization accuracy of the MMR system. Thus, to solve the problems mentioned above, this manuscript presents a cooperative localization algorithm for MMR systems based on Cubature Kalman Filter (CKF) and adaptive Variance Component Estimation (VCE) methods. In this novel algorithm, a nonlinear filter named CKF is used to enhance the cooperative localization accuracy and reduce the computational load. On the other hand, the adaptive VCE method is introduced to eliminate the effects of unknown system noise. Furthermore, the performance of the proposed algorithm is compared with that of the cooperative localization algorithm based on normal CKF by utilizing the real experiment data. In addition, the results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm outperforms the CKF cooperative localization algorithm both in accuracy and consistency.
Charge transport in organic nanocrystal diodes based on rolled-up robust nanomembrane contacts
Authors: Bandari Vineeth Kumar , Varadharajan Lakshmi , Xu Longqian , Jalil Abdur Rehman , Devarajulu Mirunalini , Siles Pablo F , Zhu Feng , Schmidt Oliver G
Published: June 2017

The investigation of charge transport in organic nanocrystals is essential to understand nanoscale physical properties of organic systems and the development of novel organic nanodevices. In this work, we fabricate organic nanocrystal diodes contacted by rolled-up robust nanomembranes. The organic nanocrystals consist of vanadyl phthalocyanine and copper hexadecafluorophthalocyanine heterojunctions. The temperature dependent charge transport through organic nanocrystals was investigated to reveal the transport properties of ohmic and space-charge-limited current under different conditions, for instance, temperature and bias.
Virtual Patients in Clinician’s Education: Theory, Knowledge and Self-efficacy in Anxiety Diagnosis
Authors: Calinici Simona Mirela , Calinici Tudor , Miclea Mircea
Published: June 2017

The paper aims to investigate the extent to which the use of virtual patient (VP) improves the level of theoretical knowledge and students’ confidence (self-efficacy) of psychology and medicine students to perform clinical diagnostic. We created two classes on an e-learning Moodle platform, presenting, as virtual patient, the evaluation of the same panic disorder case. One class uses a linear VP , the other, a branched VP (a decisional tree type). The sample consisted of 159 volunteer participants, psychology and medicine students, randomly assigned to one of three conditions : control, linear virtual patient ( PVL) and branched virtual patient (PAD). Before and after the training with the virtual patient sequence, a questionnaire investigates the theoretical knowledge and the self-efficacy levels. For self-efficacy evaluation we used the Session Management sub-scale of �  Counsellor Activity Self-Efficacy Scales, by Robert W. and Clara E. Hill.Both types of VPs are associated with a statistically significant increase of knowledge about panic disorder diagnostic criteria,  reinforcing the fact that the virtual patient has an impact on the cognitive profile (declarative knowledge) and on self-efficacy (related to procedural knowledge). Still, the study does not  prove that one of the two types of virtual patient has a significant better outcome .
Design and Verification of a Blood Cell Separation Microfluidic Device
Authors: Gawanmeh Amjad , AlAzzam Anas , Mathew Bobby
Published: June 2017

Blood cell separation microdevices are designed in biomedical engineering for the separation of particular cells from blood, such as cancer cells. The movement of blood microparticles, specially these cancer cells, in a continuous flow microfluidic device is controlled by several forces, as a result, understanding and guiding the movement of these microparticles is a challenging problem. These cells are subject to different types of forces that result from natural or external effects. These forces include gravity, and virtual mass, buoyancy, dielectrophoresis and, inertia force. Therefore, all of these are to be accounted for in any design or implementation of a system. This paper we use formal analysis  of a separation microdevice in order to model and verify the  the microparticle movement and behavior at high level of abstraction while considering different types of forces. The the dynamic behavior of the particle can be modeled as a Markovian decision process in order to predict the trajectory of microparticles. This model can be used to provide probabilistic analysis for the particle movement in the  microdevice under the effect of different types of forces.
Evaluation of Multi-agent Architecture for Structural Damage Detection and Location
Authors: Quintero-Parra Andrés Felipe , Camacho-Navarro Jhonatan , Flórez Marco Fidel , Vásquez-González Jose Luis
Published: June 2017

In this paper the results of using a Multi-agent system (MAS) for Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) are detailed. A study between different MAS architectures reported in literature is presented in order to select and adapt the most adequate one for SHM tasks. Requirements are established according to recent solutions, where main parameters are type and number of sensors and communication protocols, among others. MAS technique uses several intelligent agents, that are algorithms able to act in a reactive or active way. Their action depends on surrounding environment or collected data. These agents can work in a decentralized way, searching the fulfillment of an individual goal or they can work with another system to achieve a common goal. Decision is based on their internal state (beliefs, goals and commitments). MAS’ effectiveness depends on the interconnection between the agents. Type of agents is defined according to its communication method and protocol, common and individual goals, among others. Decentralization and versatility are two important characteristics of MAS technique useful to solve SHM problem. This is one of the main motivations to consider this technique to be a good approach for the studied problem.  A benchmark numerical model, which consists of a metallic framework, was used to validate and demonstrate the feasibility of the selected architecture for SHM
Deconstructing the Social Network
Authors: Jarvis Pam
Published: June 2017

This chapter outlines the results of an original pilot which investigated young British people's usage and opinions of social networking. The underpinning literature outlines psychological and neurological evidence that suggests young people's personalities are both fledgling and fragile, and that consequently, the online environment may be an inappropriate environment in which to engage in social processes that input to identity development due to the persistence, visibility, and spreadability of information that users commit to their profiles. The data gathered largely supported this thesis and additionally indicated that there may be a gender difference in orientation to online activity in early adolescence.
A Framework for Promoting Complex Learning in a Blended Learning Environment
Authors: Stefaniak Jill E.
Published: June 2017

Different learning outcomes warrant different learning strategies. Instructional sequencing is dependent upon the various learning outcomes that are intended for a particular course or instructional unit. Complex learning integrates a learner's knowledge, skills, and attitudes, newly obtained skillsets, and the transference of learning in an applied environment. A challenge that many educators face when teaching complex tasks is the ability to assist students to draw from prior knowledge from various subjects in order to approach problem solving. The intent of this chapter is to provide educators with strategies to promote complex learning within a blended learning environment.
Complex Learning
Authors: Guglielman Eleonora , Guspini Marco , Vettraino Laura
Published: June 2017

This chapter presents Complex Learning, a pedagogical approach based on personalization, hybridization of learning environments, tools and codes, and participatory learning. In this approach, students are supported to become active users and co-producers of learning sources, within the paradigms of complexity, transactional theory, and ubiquitous learning. Its innovative connotation rises up from the pedagogic literature that defines it as a new pedagogical model and from the experiences realized by the authors during the recent years. Complex Learning is able to face the challenge of rethinking teaching and learning, empowering and renewing adult learners' and trainers' competences, attitudes, expectations, and effort. Here are described the theoretical foundations, the methodological issues, the practices, and the future perspectives of application of the Complex Learning approach. The practices carried out demonstrate that Complex Learning, with its characteristics of openness, dynamism, and flexibility, can be successfully applied to the fields of vocational training and adult education; they also indicate that, in order to have tangible results, it is necessary to work towards a change in the educational perspective and toward the acquisition and consolidation of specific competences of trainers and tutors.
Engaging Students in Large Classes Through the Use of Blended Learning Instructional Strategies (BLIS)
Authors: Francis Raymond W. , Davis Mary Jo , Humiston Jon
Published: June 2017

It is not enough to be great at sharing information in a large classroom setting. To be an effective teacher you must be able to meaningfully engage your students with their peers and with the content, and you must do this regardless of class size or content. The issues of teaching effectively in large classroom settings have presented ongoing problems with enormous implications for both student learning and faculty performance. Issues about student engagement with the content, peers, and faculty persistently are discussed with little change in practice. However, the effective infusion of technology targeted through strategies for large-class instruction and management have great potential for increasing student performance. In this chapter, Blended Learning Instructional Strategies (BLIS) are highlighted to effectively address common issues related to teaching and student engagement particularly in large classroom settings.
Developing a Framework for the Effective Use of Learning Analytics
Authors: Gavan Collette
Published: June 2017

Research and experimentation is uncovering forms of best practice and possible factors on which to centre the analysis of students in an effective way, however learning analytics has yet to be comprehensively implemented country-wide in the United Kingdom. The chapter explores the current impact of learning analytics in higher education at mome discusses and observes the current vacancies with which a framework enabled to function with data visualisation could be utilised. The deliverable seeks to design an initial framework that has the potential to be utilised in a higher education setting for more effective and insightful decision making with regards to learner retention and engagement. This framework will combine the theory and scientific action of predictive analytics with a comparison of the most suitable data visualisation toolsets that are currently available in open-source software.
If You Build It Will They Come?
Authors: Ippoliti Cinthya
Published: June 2017

The notion of the learning commons has become the benchmark for service delivery in academic libraries. Current best practices inform the broadening of library services by building relationships with campus academic support units to create a synergistic combination that redefines the research experience of our students by meeting them where they are. This concept expands the boundaries of the traditional library and calls for a reconfiguration of spaces, resources and services focused on supporting the learning needs of the community. The commons becomes a catalyst for new learning and interaction opportunities for students. This chapter will detail the process the University of Maryland underwent to establish this culture of inclusion and innovation in the Terrapin Learning Commons (TLC) which began as an empty new floor of the McKeldin Library (the undergraduate library) in 2010 and has since expanded to become a hub of activity surrounding learning spaces, programming, and a host of cutting edge technological services and resources.
CRS
Authors: Taha Kamal
Published: June 2017

Most problems facing Distance Education (DE) academic advising can be overcome using a course recommender system. Such a system can overcome the problem of students who do not know their interest in courses from merely their titles or descriptions provided in course catalogues. The authors introduce in this chapter an XML user-based Collaborative Filtering (CF) system called CRS. The system aims at predicting a DE student's academic performance and interest on a course based on a collection of profiles of students who have similar interests and academic performance in prior courses. The system advises a student to take courses that were taken successfully by students who have the same interests and academic performance as the active student. The framework of CRS identifies a set of course features for every academic major. The authors experimentally evaluate CRS. Results show marked improvement.
Assessment Practices using Online Tools in Undergraduate Programs
Authors: Kootsookos Alexandra
Published: June 2017

This chapter provides an overview of the use of online and Web-based learning technologies as formative and summative assessment. Peer learning and assessment, provision of feedback to students, online tests and quizzes, plagiarism detection systems, and audience response systems are all examined with a view to highlighting best practice and demonstrating that online assessment must still follow sound pedagogy to be both valid and valued by instructors and students alike.
Humanizing the Online Experience Through Effective Use and Analysis of Discussion Forums
Authors: Jones Hazel
Published: June 2017

Discussion forums are one of the main avenues for communication, interaction and engagement in the online learning environment, yet are often under-utilized or do not have the desired effect of promoting a sense of belonging and deep learning and collaborative learning for students. Limited use of discussion forums and/or lack of guidelines in how to engage, can leave students feeling isolated. Conversely, extensive use can result in students feeling overwhelmed. This chapter considers some key theories and frameworks for using discussion forums, and presents strategies that an academic can implement to promote effective use of their forums. It is through this effective use that students become part of a Community of Inquiry and valued as a person. Through consideration of hypothetical case studies, this chapter also offers practical ways in which staff can sift through the available data to evaluate and improve their teaching practice and the learning experience of students.
Using the International Negotiation Modules Project (INMP) to Build a Learning Community
Authors: Raby Rosalind
Published: June 2017

This chapter profiles a program that uses online simulation to internationalize the community college curriculum. For the past two decades the International Negotiation Modules Project (INMP) has had a particular effect on the construction of knowledge for community college students who often need non-traditional approaches to learning for their success. Through active learning and collaborative work on cross-disciplinary concepts, the simulation enhances overall student comprehension. In the process, the INMP helps to build a cohesive learning community that begins with student teams, continues with classroom learning, and transcends to multi-college classroom dialogue. This chapter explores how unique interactions inherent in INMP reinforce student engagement that, in turn, enhances overall student success.
Acceptability of Social Media Use in Out-of-Class Faculty-Student Engagement
Authors: Njoroge Joyce W. , Reed Diana , Suh Inchul , Strader Troy J.
Published: June 2017

In this exploratory study, higher education faculty perceptions regarding acceptability of social media use for out-of-class student engagement are identified. Hypotheses are developed and tested using a survey to address the impact of factors such as awareness, faculty/student relationship status, gender, academic discipline, and rank on faculty attitudes toward out-of-class social media use for student engagement. Findings indicate that faculty members are aware of social media, but use varies. Overall, they do not view social media as an important part of out-of-class engagement, but it is viewed as more acceptable for engagement with former students. In addition, faculty from Marketing and Communications disciplines and Associate/Full Professors perceive social media use to be more acceptable for student engagement when compared with their colleagues from other disciplines and lower ranks. Implications and conclusions are discussed for development of university social media usage policies and directions for future research.
Utilization of Instructional Media and Academic Performance of Students in Basic Science
Authors: Adenle Stephen Oyeyemi , Ughelu Jennifer N. L.
Published: June 2017

The use of instructional media is of vital importance for the teaching and learning of the basic sciences in primary and secondary schools, as it drives home the lesson point of the subject being taught and reduces stress for both teacher and student. The imaginative use of well-planned visual aids during classroom lessons does boost academic performances of students learning physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics. This chapter investigates the impact of instructional media or design usage on the learning outcomes of students in the basic sciences in Lagos, Nigeria. The research design is Quasi-Experimental. The sample population consists of an experimental and a control group. The experimental group is taught with instructional media for a fortnight. The findings show that the use of instructional media positively impacted the learning outcomes of the students, thus highlighting the vital essence of using instructional media during lessons for enhancement of students' learning.
Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy and Hip-Hop Based Education
Authors: Covington Azure C. , Allen Ayana , Lewis Chance W.
Published: June 2017

Culturally sustaining pedagogy (CSP) (Paris & Alim, 2014) presents a new lens by which culturally relevant pedagogy can evolve with the ever-evolving youth culture of today. The evolution of hip-hop culture serves as an example of CSP that can be used to increase student engagement and academic achievement through the use of hip-hop based education (HHBE). However, current HHBE research fails to address the professional development needs of those who do not identify with hip-hop culture but want to implement hip-hop pedagogy into their instructional practice. This chapter presents a professional development design for hip-hop based education that is to serve as the beginning of teacher knowledge construction in frameworks of CSP for increased student engagement and academic achievement.
An Investigation of the Relationship of Motivation, Attitudes and Environment
Authors: Yeh Wai Man Helen,
Published: June 2017

This chapter will study a Philippine and a Chinese leaner's approaches to learn and achieve English language proficiency over 15 years in Hong Kong using biographical approaches. It focuses on the experience of individual motivation and social learning environments, and examines the interactions between the learner's motivation, self-confidence, and competition in the global economy. The effect of the interaction on shaping English learning and the learning experiences in three aspects including formal, self-directed and natural learning environments will also be discussed through Gardner's model of socio-educational model in second language acquisition and Weiner's attribution theory in social psychology. The chapter will suggest some practical implications for students and language teachers, discusses the ways to enhance second language learning in a cosmopolitan city, and presents some possible ways to increase learners' motivation and competitiveness in the global economy.
Practices and Attitudes of Students and Teachers Using iPads in High School Mathematics Classes
Authors: Ozdemir Murtaza
Published: June 2017

This chapter reports on a study that examined the practices and attitudes of students and teachers in using iPads in high school mathematics classes. Participants in the study were 5 teachers and 80 students in a charter school in New Jersey. The study examined the students' classroom behavior and their perceptions along with the teachers' perceptions of the new class environment throughout a six-week period. The results show that the replacement of class materials with a single device helped students to become more organized and better prepared. The study also reveals that the use of iPads enabled students to interact with the materials through enriched multimedia content, which increased their interest and engagement. Utilizing iPads created a dynamic and collaborative learning environment that enhanced student-centered active learning. However, findings also show that iPads could become a source of potential distraction if used inappropriately, which creates new challenges for teachers in classroom management and instruction.
Is This Your Best Work?
Authors: Benton Cynthia J.
Published: June 2017

This chapter summarizes both psychological and achievement considerations for student participation in online learning environments. Using journaling, student responses, and interviews, this study yielded consistent conclusions regarding the need for supported and interactive opportunities for students to interact with both peers and the instructor of the online course. Online classroom practices are described, and a number of issues contributing to student success and satisfaction are summarized. Future concerns for practices in online instruction and student learning are described.
Gaze-Based Assistive Technologies
Authors: Pfeiffer Thies
Published: June 2017

The eyes play an important role both in perception and communication. Technical interfaces that make use of their versatility can bring significant improvements to those who are unable to speak or to handle selection tasks elsewise such as with their hands, feet, noses or tools handled with the mouth. Using the eyes to enter texts into a computer system, which is called gaze-typing, is the most prominent gaze-based assistive technology. The article reviews the principles of eye movements, presents an overview of current eye-tracking systems, and discusses several approaches to gaze-typing. With the recent advent of mobile eye-tracking systems, gaze-based assistive technology is no longer restricted to interactions with desktop-computers. Gaze-based assistive technology is ready to expand its application into other areas of everyday life. The second part of the article thus discusses the use of gaze-based assistive technology in the household, or “the wild,” outside one's own four walls.
ZatLab Gesture Recognition Framework
Authors: Baltazar André
Published: June 2017

The main problem this work addresses is the real-time recognition of gestures, particularly in the complex domain of artistic performance. By recognizing the performer gestures, one is able to map them to diverse controls, from lightning control to the creation of visuals, sound control or even music creation, thus allowing performers real-time manipulation of creative events. The work presented here takes this challenge, using a multidisciplinary approach to the problem, based in some of the known principles of how humans recognize gesture, together with the computer science methods to successfully complete the task. This paper is a consequence of previous publications and presents in detail the Gesture Recognition Module of the ZatLab Framework and results obtained by its Machine Learning (ML) algorithms. One will provide a brief review the previous works done in the area, followed by the description of the framework design and the results of the recognition algorithms.
Interactive Boards in Schools
Authors: Daher Wajeeh , Alfahel Essa
Published: June 2017

This chapter examines middle school and high school teachers' use of interactive boards in the classroom, as well as the goals behind this use and the difficulties encountered throughout it. Ten middle school and high school science and mathematics teachers who use the interactive board for teaching science and mathematics were interviewed to elicit their practices, goals, and difficulties when using interactive boards in the classroom. The first two stages of the constant comparison method were utilized to analyze the collected data. The research findings show that science and mathematics teachers made different uses of the interactive board, which could be related to treating scientific relations, phenomena, and experiments, as well as practicing learned materials and engaging students in building activities in games and in discussions. Utilizing the different options of the interactive board, the participating teachers had various goals: giving students the ability to investigate, motivating them to learn, attracting them to the lesson, making them enjoy their learning, encouraging their collaboration, shortening the teaching time, and loading previously taught lessons. Using the interactive board in the classrooms, the teachers encountered some difficulties, such a: technical difficulties, owning the appropriate skills for using effectively the interactive board's different options, preparing appropriate activities, fulfilling students' expectations, and keeping class order.
Smart CCTV and the Management of Urban Space
Authors: Han Jung Hoon , Hawken Scott , Williams Angelique
Published: June 2017

This chapter briefly describes the proliferation of CCTV over the last few decades with particular reference to Australia and discusses the limits of the technology. It then focuses on new image interpretation and signal processing technologies, and how these advanced technologies are extending the reach, power, and capabilities of CCTV technology. The advent of “Smart” CCTV has the ability to recognize different human behaviours. This chapter proposes a typology to assist the application and study of Smart CCTV in urban spaces. The following four typologies describe different human behaviours in urban space: 1) Human-Space Interaction, 2) Human-Social Interactions, 3) Human-Object Interactions, and 4) Crowd Dynamics and Flows. The chapter concludes with a call for future research on the legal implications of such technology and the need for an evidence base of risk behaviours for different urban situations and cultures.
A Survey of Game Theory Applications in Turkey
Authors: Seçilmiş İ. Erdem
Published: June 2017

This chapter gives a brief review of game theory applications in Turkey. The intention is twofold: first, to provide the reader with an overview of game theory and its applications in Turkey; second, to explore the tractability of economic problems when formulating them as game theory models. The discussion starts with a general description of game theory models and follows with an investigation of game theory applications performed in Turkey.
A Game Theory Coopetitive Perspective for Sustainability of Global Feeding
Authors: Carfì David , Donato Alessia , Panuccio Dania
Published: June 2017

Throughout this study, the authors propose possible agreements among different food producers, in order to develop a new better conceived diet for the future generations, by using a coopetitive approach and game theory. Specifically, the authors shall consider food producers and sellers of vegan (respectively, vegetarian) and non-vegan (or non-vegetarian) food. The coopetitive approach used by the authors provides a mathematical game theory model, which could help producers of vegan food a simpler entry in the market and free significant publicity. Meanwhile, the model could allow producers of non-vegetarian food a smooth transaction to vegetarian and vegan production. In particular, authors propose an agreement setting among McDonald's and Muscle of Wheat, because they think that Muscle of Wheat cannot enter a global market without the help of a large food producer already in the market. The game theory model represents an asymmetric R&D alliance between McDonald's and Muscle of Wheat.
Game Theory-Based Coverage Optimization for Small Cell Networks
Authors: Zhou Yiqing , Huang Liang , Tian Lin , Shi Jinglin
Published: June 2017

Focusing on the coverage optimization of small cell networks (SCN), this chapter starts with a detailed analysis on various coverage problems, based on which the coverage optimization problem is formulated. Then centralized and distributed coverage optimization methods based on game theory are described. Firstly, considering the coverage optimization with a control center, a modified particle swarm optimization (MPSO) is presented for the self-optimization of SCN, which employs a heuristic power control scheme to search for the global optimum solution. Secondly, distributed optimization using game theory (DGT) without a control center is concerned. Considering both throughput and interference, a utility function is formulated. Then a power control scheme is proposed to find the Nash Equilibrium (NE). Simulation results show that MPSO and DGT significantly outperform conventional schemes. Moreover, compared with MPSO, DGT uses much less overhead. Finally, further research directions are discussed and conclusions are drawn.
Applying Game Theory in Securing Wireless Sensor Networks by Minimizing Battery Usage
Authors: Asadi Mehran , Agah Afrand , Zimmerman Christopher
Published: June 2017

In this chapter, the authors examine the impacts of applying game theory on the network throughput, network voltage loss, and accuracy of malicious node detection in wireless sensor networks. Nodes in a wireless sensor network use our proposed protocol when deciding whether or not to forward packets they receive from other sensors in order to conserve power. Wireless sensor network nodes achieve this by optimizing their decision-making based on a framework using game theory. Defining a suitable cost and profit for routing and forwarding incoming packets and keeping a history of past behaviors of non-cooperating nodes gradually forces malicious nodes out of the wireless sensor network.In this chapter, the authors examine the impacts of applying game theory on the network throughput, network voltage loss, and accuracy of malicious node detection in wireless sensor networks. Nodes in a wireless sensor network use our proposed protocol when deciding whether or not to forward packets they receive from other sensors in order to conserve power. Wireless sensor network nodes achieve this by optimizing their decision-making based on a framework using game theory. Defining a suitable cost and profit for routing and forwarding incoming packets and keeping a history of past behaviors of non-cooperating nodes gradually forces malicious nodes out of the wireless sensor network.
Game Theory for Wireless Network Resource Management
Authors: Kim Sungwook
Published: June 2017

Computer network bandwidth can be viewed as a limited resource. The users on the network compete for that resource. Their competition can be simulated using game theory models. No centralized regulation of network usage is possible because of the diverse ownership of network resources. Therefore, the problem is of ensuring the fair sharing of network resources. If a centralized system could be developed which would govern the use of the shared resources, each user would get an assigned network usage time or bandwidth, thereby limiting each person's usage of network resources to his or her fair share. As of yet, however, such a system remains an impossibility, making the situation of sharing network resources a competitive game between the users of the network and decreasing everyone's utility. This chapter explores this competitive game.
Game Theory for Cognitive Radio Networks
Authors: Kim Sungwook
Published: June 2017

A cognitive radio is an intelligent radio that can be programmed and configured dynamically. Its transceiver is designed to use the best wireless channels in its vicinity. Such a radio automatically detects available channels in the wireless spectrum, then accordingly changes its transmission or reception parameters to allow more concurrent wireless communications in a given spectrum band at one location. This process is a form of dynamic spectrum management. In recent years, the development of intelligent, adaptive wireless devices called cognitive radios, together with the introduction of secondary spectrum licensing, has led to a new paradigm in communications: cognitive networks. Cognitive networks are wireless networks that consist of several types of users: often a primary user and secondary users. These cognitive users employ their cognitive abilities to communicate without harming the primary users. The study of cognitive networks is relatively new and many questions are yet to be answered. This chapter furthers the study.
Drivers of Mobile Application Acceptance by Consumers
Authors: Molina-Castillo Francisco-Jose , Meroño-Cerdan Angel-Luis
Published: June 2017

During the last decades the economy has undergone a huge transformation in terms of telecommunication industry evolution. The use of mobile applications has been generally accepted in society but still little is known about how customers use these applications and how managers can obtain high levels of return on their investments in this domain. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) has been used for several years to predict the attitudes and behaviours of consumers of mobile services. However, several authors have recognized the limited applicability when it comes to explaining mobile service acceptance by customers. This paper uses a meta-analytic approach to review the acceptance of mobile services and analyse the relationships between TAM variables and consumer acceptance of mobile services. The authors searched all available academic computer databases to get a deeper understanding of this topic and uncover the most significant drivers of mobile application acceptance by consumers.
Fuzzy Multi-Criteria Decision Making Methods for E-Commerce Issues
Authors: Naili Mohamed , Boubetra Abdelhak , Tari Abdelkamel
Published: June 2017

Nowadays, internet technologies make of people's life easier by providing a huge number of websites and web-based support systems to help users in their daily surfing and transactions through online services such as buying, selling, booking…. This luxury of having multiple options and offers has generated the need for more sophisticated systems to deal with multiple criteria decision making problems especially in case of fuzzy evaluation. In this chapter, the authors give an overview of the E-commerce field where they focus on one of its crucial recent problems, it is the ranking problem. After discussing some issues of this field, some of well known mathematical and bio-inspired methods, which have been developed to solve the problems related to fuzzy multi-criteria decision making will be presented and explained. In order to show some recent applications of the discussed methods, the authors present some case studies already published in the literature.