bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Personal Knowledge Management by the Knowledge Citizen
Authors: Sánchez América Martínez
Published: May 2010

The discipline of Personal Knowledge Management (PKM) is depicted in this chapter as a dimension that has been implicitly present within the scope and evolution of the Knowledge Management (KM) movement. Moreover, it is recognized as the dimension that brought forth Knowledge-based Development (KBD) schemes at organizational and societal levels. Hence, this piece of research work aims to develop parallel paths between Knowledge Management moments and generations and the PKM movement. KM will be depicted as a reference framework for a state-of-the-art review of PKM. A number of PKM authors and models are identified and categorized within the KM key moments and generations according to their characteristics and core statements. Moreover, this chapter shows a glimpse of the knowledge citizen’s PKM as an aspect with strong impact on his/her competencies profile; which in turn drives his/her influence and value-adding capacity within knowledge-based schemes at organizational and societal levels. In this sense, the competencies profile of the knowledge citizen is of essence. Competencies are understood as the individual performance of the knowledge citizen interacting with others in a given value context. The chapter concludes with some considerations on the individual development that enables PKM to become a key element in the knowledge citizen’s profile, such as the building block or living cell that triggers Knowledge-based Development at organizational and societal levels.
Deep Knowledge as the Core of Sustainable Societies
Authors: Bennet Alex , Bennet David
Published: May 2010

Knowledge-based social communities are critical to sustain economic levels and quality environments for community members. The pace of change, rising uncertainty, exponentially increasing complexity and the resulting anxiety (CUCA) have made competition among nations, cities and communities greater and more fierce. As economies look from industry to knowledge for their prime income generator, the role of knowledge and its supporting infrastructure become critical to economic and social health. In this chapter the authors focus on what deep knowledge is and the environment needed to maximize its contribution to the health and growth of societies. They also introduce knowledge attractor network teams as sources of power for community sustainability.
Knowledge Worker Profile
Authors: Kayakutlu Gulgun
Published: May 2010

One of the major reasons for economic crisis of 2008-2009 is determined as value delivery. Major resource of value creation is the knowledge worker who works at different levels of an organisation. This study analyses knowledge worker studies in diverse disciplines, in order to determine the requests. The goal of the study is to propose a framework to clarify the skill requirements by integrating the requests at operational, team, organisational and inter-organisational levels with drivers provided by educating, attracting, motivating and retaining strategies. The framework facilitates employing the right employee for the right post while balancing the requests and the performance measures. This new vision will be beneficial for managers, human resource experts, and educators.
Humanizing Vox Artificialis
Authors: Higginbotham D. Jeffery
Published: May 2010

In this chapter, the authors will discuss the use of speech synthesis as a human communication tool in what is now referred to as Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). The authors will describe the history and use of speech synthesis in AAC, relevant stakeholders, a framework for evaluating speech synthesis in AAC and relevant research and development with respect to intelligibility, comprehension, social interaction, emotional expressivity and personal identity potential of current implementations of speech synthesis into SGD technologies. Throughout the chapter recommendations will be made for making SGDs more effective and appropriate for social interaction and emotional expression. This chapter will also provide 1st person accounts of relating to SGD use in order to provide a stakeholder perspective.
Educational Games
Authors: de Castell Suzanne , Jenson Jennifer , Taylor Nicholas
Published: May 2010

This chapter describes and analyzes the design and development of an educational game, Contagion. In this account, we examine how knowledge is constructed through character selection, art, narrative, goals, and activity structures within the game, and attempt to show how those inter-related elements are mobilized to create an educational experience.
Designing a Simulator for Teaching Ethical Decision-making
Authors: Power Michael , Langlois Lyse
Published: May 2010

This chapter deals with a simulation-based learning environment called Ethical Advisor (EA). This case-based tool is aimed at immersing learners in a computer-generated, open learning environment in which they are challenged to identify relevant information using embedded clues and to analyze them in light of several theoretical models provided. Users resolve ethical dilemmas and moral problems related to everyday events as they learn how to manage information flow and select relevant items. The simulated environment reflects everyday situations drawn from a databank of over 200 case studies in educational administration. In our view, this learning environment is enabling development of a high level of competency in ethical decision-making and, as such, represents an excellent means of linking learning theory to technological advancement.
Introduction to the Experimental Design in the Data Mining Tool KEEL
Authors: Alcalá-Fdez J. , Herrera F. , García S. , del Jesus M.J. , Sánchez L. , Bernadó-Mansilla E. , Peregrín A. , Ventura S.
Published: May 2010

KEEL is a Data Mining software tool to assess the behaviour of evolutionary learning algorithms in particular and soft computing algorithms in general for different kinds of Data Mining problems including as regression, classification, clustering, pattern mining and so on. It allows us to perform a complete analysis of some learning model in comparison to existing ones, including a statistical test module for comparison. In this chapter the authors will provide a complete description of KEEL, the kind of problems and algorithms implemented, and they will present a case of study for showing the experimental design and statistical analysis that they can do with KEEL.
Neuro-Fuzzy System Modeling
Authors: Ouyang Chen-Sen
Published: May 2010

Neuro-fuzzy modeling is a computing paradigm of soft computing and very efficient for system modeling problems. It integrates two well-known modeling approaches of neural networks and fuzzy systems, and therefore possesses advantages of them, i.e., learning capability, robustness, human-like reasoning, and high understandability. Up to now, many approaches have been proposed for neuro-fuzzy modeling. However, it still exists many problems need to be solved. In this chapter, the authors firstly give an introduction to neuro-fuzzy system modeling. Secondly, some basic concepts of neural networks, fuzzy systems, and neuro-fuzzy systems are introduced. Also, they review and discuss some important literatures about neuro-fuzzy modeling. Thirdly, the issue for solving two most important problems of neuro-fuzzy modeling is considered, i.e., structure identification and parameter identification. Therefore, the authors present two approaches to solve these two problems, respectively. Fourthly, the future and emerging trends of neuro-fuzzy modeling is discussed. Besides, the possible research issues about neuro-fuzzy modeling are suggested. Finally, the authors give a conclusion.
The Hopfield-Tank Neural Network for the Mobile Agent Planning Problem
Authors: Lin Cha-Hwa , Wang Jin-Fu
Published: May 2010

Mobile agent planning (MAP) is one of the most important techniques in the mobile computing paradigm to complete a given task in the most efficient manner. To tackle this challenging NP-hard problem, Hopfield-Tank neural network is modified to provide a dynamic approach which not only optimizes the cost of mobile agents in a spatio-temporal computing environment, but also satisfies the location-based constraints such as the starting and ending nodes of the routing sequence which must be the home site of the traveling mobile agent. Meanwhile, the energy function is reformulated into a Lyapunov function to guarantee the convergence to a stable state and the existence of valid solutions. Moreover, the objective function is designed to estimate the completion time of a valid solution and to predict the optimal routing path. This method can produce solutions rapidly that are very close to the minimum cost of the location-based and time-constrained distributed MAP problem.
Predicting Similarity of Web Services Using WordNet
Authors: Konduri Aparna , Chan Chien-Chung
Published: May 2010

As vast numbers of web services have been developed over a broad range of functionalities, it becomes a challenging task to find relevant or similar web services using web services registry such as UDDI. Current UDDI search uses keywords from web service and company information in its registry to retrieve web services. This method cannot fully capture user’s needs and may miss out on potential matches. Underlying functionality and semantics of web services need to be considered. This chapter introduces a methodology for predicting similarity of web services by integrating hierarchical clustering, nearest neighbor classification, and algorithms for natural language processing using WordNet. It can be used to facilitate the development of intelligent applications for retrieving web services with imprecise or vague requests. The authors explore semantics of web services using WSDL operation names and parameter names along with WordNet. They compute semantic interface similarity of web services and use this data to generate clusters. Then, they represent each cluster by a set of characteristic operations to predict similarity of new web services using nearest neighbor approach. The empirical result is promising.
Mobile Video Streaming
Authors: Lee Chung-wei , Smith Joshua L.
Published: May 2010

Mobile video streaming is a natural augmentation to today’s thriving Internet video streaming service. With the rapid growth of the capability of mobile handheld devices and abundant bandwidth from high-speed wireless networks, it is expected that mobile video streaming service will soon become a lucrative business section and a thrust for technological advancement on computer and telecommunication industries. In this chapter, essential technical components for constructing mobile video streaming systems are introduced. They include the latest development on broadband wireless technology and video-capable mobile handheld devices. As many modern technologies are often driven by consumer demand, user experience and expectation are discussed from the perspective of mobile video streaming. At the end, several cutting-edge research and development breakthroughs are presented as they may change the future of mobile video streaming systems.
Pervasive Networks and Ubiquitous Monitoring for Wellness Monitoring in Residential Aged Care
Authors: Chan Leroy Lai Yu , Celler Branko George , Zhang James Zhaonan , Lovell Nigel Hamilton
Published: May 2010

It is becoming more critical for developed countries to deliver long-term and financially sustainable healthcare services to an expanding ageing population, especially in the area of residential aged care. There is a general consensus that innovations in the area of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) are key enabling technologies for reaching this goal. The major focus of this chapter is on WSN design considerations for ubiquitous wellness monitoring systems in residential aged care facilities. The major enabling technologies for building a pervasive WSN will be explored, including details on sensor design, wireless communication protocols and network topologies. Also examined are various data processing methods and knowledge management tools to support the collection of sensor data and their subsequent analysis for health assessment. Future systems that incorporate the two aspects of wellness monitoring, vital signs and activities of daily living (ADL) monitoring, will also be introduced.
Designing Pervasive Healthcare Applications in the Home
Authors: Tamura Toshiyo , Mizukura Isao , Kimura Yutaka , Tatsumi Haruyuki
Published: May 2010

The authors propose a new home health care system for the acquisition and transmission of data from ordinary home health care appliances, such as blood pressure monitors and weight balances. In this chapter, they briefly explain a standard protocol for data collection and a simple interface to accommodate different monitoring systems that make use of different data protocols. The system provides for one-way data transmission, thus saving power and extending to CCITT. Their standardized protocol was verified during a 1-year field test involving 20 households in Japan. Data transmission errors between home health care devices and the home gateway were 4.21/day with their newly developed standard protocol. Over a 1-year period, they collected and analyzed data from 241,000 separate sources associated with both healthy, home-based patients and chronically ill, clinic-based patients, the latter with physician intervention. They evaluated some possible applications for collecting daily health care data and introduce some of their findings, relating primarily to body weight and blood pressure monitoring for elderly subjects in their own homes.
Archiving Nature's Heartbeat Using Smartphones
Authors: Zhang Jinglan , Roe Paul , Pham Binh , Mason Richard , Towsey Michael , Sumitomo Jiro
Published: May 2010

The impact of urban development and climate change has created the impetus to monitor changes in the environment, particularly, the behaviour, habitat and movement of fauna species. The aim of this chapter is to present the design and development of a sensor network based on Smartphones to automatically collect and analyse acoustic and visual data for environmental monitoring purposes. Due to the communication and sophisticated programming facilities offered by Smartphones, software tools can be developed to allow data to be collected, partially processed and sent to a remote server over the network for storage and further processing. This sensor network which employs a client-server architecture has been deployed in three applications: monitoring a rare bird species near Brisbane Airport, study of koalas behaviour at St Bees Island, and detection of fruit flies. The users of this system include scientists (e.g. ecologists, ornithologists, computer scientists) and community groups participating in data collection or reporting on the environment (e.g. students, bird watchers). The chapter focuses on the following aspects of our research: issues involved in using Smartphones as sensors; the overall framework for data acquisition, data quality control, data management and analysis; current and future applications of the Smartphone-based sensor network, and our future research directions.
First Person Pronouns in Online Diary Writing
Authors: Newman John , Teddiman Laura
Published: May 2010

It is well-known that first person pronouns have a particularly important role to play in conversation. “Online diary” style of writing is less well understood and the role of first person pronouns in that style invites further study. In this chapter the authors explore these pronouns in UK and US online diaries, paying particular attention to frequency and collocational relations. In previous corpus-based studies of English genres, first person pronouns have tended to be considered as one larger set without differentiation. The authors find, on the contrary, that the differences between these forms can be very revealing in the way they distinguish online diary style of writing from other genres such as conversation and fiction writing. The findings underline the need to respect inflectional variants of lemmas as objects of study in their own right.
Hyperjournalism for the Hyperreader
Authors: Dumittan Arlette Huguenin
Published: May 2010

The internet has created numerous new text types. This development has not left the field of journalistic publications unaffected. The following chapter takes a close look at the so-called webzine. Other than online presences of established magazines, webzines have no counterpart. Characteristically, they are situated between being a purely journalistic publication and offering their users opportunities for online communication. The chapter analyzes this position by using representative webzines concerned with the non-mainstream music style of heavy metal. The findings, however, are also relevant to webzines dedicated to other topics. In the course of this chapter the influence of digital hypertext structures will be illustrated as well as the alternative text producer and recipient roles which are directly affected by the inherent interactivity of webzines. The chapter closes with an outlook on future journalistic publications on the WWW.
Users' Relevance on the Web
Authors: Yus Francisco
Published: May 2010

In this chapter the author analyzes, from a cognitive pragmatics point of view and, more specifically, from a relevance-theoretic approach, the way Internet users assess the qualities of web pages in their search for optimally relevant interpretive outcomes. The relevance of a web page is measured as a balance between the interest that information provides (the so-called “positive cognitive effects” in relevance theory terminology) and the mental effort involved in their extraction. On paper, optimal relevance is achieved when the interest is high and the effort involved is low. However, as the relevance grid in this chapter shows, there are many possible combinations when measuring the relevance of content on web pages. The author also addresses how the quality and design of web pages may influence the way balances of interest (cognitive effects) and mental effort are assessed by users when processing the information contained on the web page. The analysis yields interesting implications on how web pages should be designed and on web usability in general.
Inferences in Discourse Comprehension of E-Mails
Authors: Olateju Moji , Adeleke Oluwabunmi
Published: May 2010

This chapter attempts to examine the inferences in the discourse comprehension of electronic mail which has become one of the fastest means of communication around the world. The data corpus was got from one hundred e-mails from eight different faculties in the academic community of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. From the analysis, the authors noted that, inferencing enables the reader to interact with the text and its contextual elements thereby supplying the missing link between the text and the context. The analysis also revealed that the interpretation of implicit information requires inferencing while that of explicit information does not. It was also noted that code-switching aids inferencing in e-mail. The chapter also noted the implications of this growing medium of communication on students, researchers, curriculum planners and reading specialists.
The Semantics of Human Interaction in Chinese E-Communication
Authors: Tien Adrian
Published: May 2010

The current study investigated typical, everyday Chinese interaction online and examined what linguistic meanings arise from this form of communication – not only semantic but also, importantly, pragmatic, discursive, contextual and lexical meanings etc. In particular, it set out to ascertain whether at least some of the cultural values and norms etc. known to exist in Chinese culture, as reflected in the Chinese language, are maintained or preserved in modern Chinese e-communication. To do all this, the author collected a sample set of data from Chinese online resources found in Singapore, including a range of blog sites and MSN chat rooms where interactants have kept their identities anonymous. A radically semantic approach was adopted – namely, the Natural Semantic Metalanguage (NSM) model – to analyze meanings that arose from the data. The analyses were presented and compiled in the way of “cultural cyberscripts” – based on an NSM analytical method called “cultural scripts”. Through these cyberscripts, findings indicated that, while this form of e-communication does exhibit some departure from conventional socio-cultural values and norms, something remains linguistically and culturally Chinese that is unique to Chinese interaction online.
When the Online Conversation is Prompted
Authors: Davis Boyd H. , Smith Mary K. , Tsai Shu-Chiao
Published: May 2010

This discussion reviews discourse in three sets of data drawn from online forums for nursing, applied linguistics and nursing assistant courses. Findings are presented from the application of two measurement tools to postings attracting peer responses: SOLO, or Structure of Observed Learning Outcomes (Biggs & Collis, 1982; Schrire, 2006; Rourke & Kanaka 2009) and the Practical Inquiry Model of Cognitive Presence (Garrison et al, 2000). Since assessment of online writing is an issue that often concerns teachers using asynchronous conferencing in blended classes, the authors also examine changes in propositional density using CPIDR (Covington, 2007) and analyze vocabulary levels with a Vocabulary Profiler to see how students integrate the appropriate technical and professional or academic lexicon that presumably has formed part of their learning.
Second Language Writing Instruction through Blended Learning
Authors: Nagel Alison , Woodfin Kai
Published: May 2010

This chapter presents the results of a blended learning course in writing instruction piloted at the University of Freiburg for undergraduate students of English. It provides a brief overview of recent research into online learning with discussion of the trend from e-learning to blended learning and discusses a selection of web-based technologies. This is followed by an outline of the syllabus with a focus on the technologies used. It concludes with a discussion of student feedback and evaluation of the course and the implications of these for the future integration of blended learning within the current teaching programme.
Virtual Research Communities
Authors: Tuzlukova Victoria , Rozina Irina
Published: May 2010

This chapter considers virtual research community as a socio-cultural phenomenon and a new type of social computer-mediated interactions that originates as a consequence of individual choices and research needs. It argues that the virtual research communities bring together perspectives from macro and micro-socio-cultural influences, traditional culture-based characters of communication of academics and researchers and experiences that are historically rooted in local history or way of development. Furthermore the authors hope that the history of Russian Communication Association institutionalization and development will not only help to explore controversies and problems of local virtual research communities, but will also assist in better understanding of how international patterns of virtual communities could be successfully implemented in local socio-cultural contexts.
Politeness as a Theoretical and Empirical Framework for Studying Relational Communication in Computer-mediated Contexts
Authors: Morand David A.
Published: May 2010

This conceptual chapter draws on the sociolinguistic theory of politeness, showing how politeness provides a robust theoretical and empirical framework that can be usefully applied to the study of relational ties in computer-medicated-communication. The chapter first reviews politeness theory, and shows how politeness is operationalized relative to a definable set of linguistic indices that are used throughout everyday discourse to communicate respect and esteem for others’ face. The chapter then discusses how recognition of the central role of face-work in social interchange can enhance our understanding of why and where emotion-work might occur in CMC, how such emotion-work (in the form of politeness) can be reliably observed and quantitatively measured at a linguistic level of analysis, and how the distribution of politeness phenomena is systematically related to relational variables that are mainstays of CMC research – variables such as socioemotional versus task orientation, status, cohesion, impersonality, friendship, and communicative efficiency.
Knowledge Infrastructure
Authors: Setunge Sujeeva , Kumar Arun
Published: May 2010

Urban infrastructure along the hard forms such as roads, electricity, water and sewers also includes the soft forms such as research, training, innovation and technology. Knowledge and creativity are keys to soft infrastructure and socioeconomic development. Many city administrations around the world adjust their endogenous development strategies increasingly by investing in soft infrastructure and aiming for a knowledge-based development. At this point, the mapping and management of knowledge assets of cities has become a critical issue for promoting creative urban regions. The chapter scrutinizes the relations between knowledge assets and urban infrastructures and examines the management models to improve soft infrastructure provision.
Learning Patterns of Learner's Interaction in the Learning Management Systems
Authors: Bing Wu , Ping Teoh Ai , Ming Ye Chun
Published: May 2010

Following the rapid development of open distance education and the enrichment of online resources and Learning Management Systems in Asia, the quality of interactions amongst learners and online content, teacher and peers has become one of the imperative factors in determining the efficacy of web-based teaching-learning. Online learning is distinctive as compared to face-to-face interaction in terms of how the course material is presented, the nature of interactions, and overall learning experience. This case study explores the understanding, expectation and experience of learners from China and Malaysia based on vital aspects of learning in the web-based environment such as the concept of teaching and learning, the role of the teacher, communication patterns in the virtual classroom, relationships with the teacher and the classmates, and attitudes towards learning achievement. These are reflected in the learning patterns and behavior of online learners as observed in their interaction with the web-based content and participation in the online forum discussions within the online Learning Management Systems. In addition, this case highlights the influence of national culture towards learners’ interaction as displayed in their online learning activities.
Japanese Students' Digitally Enabled Futures Images
Authors: Vallance Michael , Wright David L.
Published: May 2010

This chapter illustrates how a Futures Studies approach encourages Japanese students to strategically analyze their futures by anticipating problems and stimulating collaborative solutions. Supported by creative digital media integration, students become active participants of a learning process that results in measurable outcomes of academic competencies. Two foresighting contexts are provided: local community and personal employment futures. Data from both are analyzed for the effectiveness of digitally enabled Futures Studies in promoting academic competencies of students in Japanese Higher Education. The article concludes with personal critiques from digitally enabled learning and Futures Studies perspectives.
Models of Politics and Society in Video Games
Authors: Bevc Tobias
Published: May 2010

This essay will deal with the question of which models of social policy and social structures can be found in video games. It will examine the relationship between these models, the stories (narrations) provided by the games, and the stories and models created by the players themselves. This examination will be followed by a discussion of two types of virtual models of social politics and social structures. In this discussion, light will be shed on the different models of social policy and social structures that appear in the context of video games. In analyzing these models within games, the question is not whether video games have an influence. Rather, the question is what may children and adolescents learn from “off-the-shelf” video games with respect to political education, political socialization and the forming of political identity?
Exploratory Digital Games for Advanced Skills
Authors: Sanchez-Lozano Juan Carlos
Published: May 2010

Based on Cognitive Flexibility Theory, this chapter presents a framework for the conception, design, and development of a knowledge network that can be used in exploratory instructional digital games. The instructional structure consists of a set of nodes, each associated with a specific level of conceptual restructuring and a set of resources, both perceptual and physical, that can help the learner/player achieve resolution. The resulting conflict field is used to determine the game structure. Distributed and embodied cognition research is used to link instructional objectives with available game resources at the task level. As a result a better alignment is obtained between the instructional objectives and the game core mechanics. The application of the framework is then illustrated by using it to outline the design process of a game to learn computer programming.
Gaming and Simulation
Authors: Seitz Dr. Sheila , Uram Courtney
Published: May 2010

The purpose of this chapter is to provide a brief summary of the military’s use of gaming and simulation to accomplish training. Historically, the military has been a forerunner in the exploration of training techniques that incorporate aspects of games and simulations. Training tools emerge in various gaming formats such as simulations, edutainment, commercial-off-the-shelf games (COTS), and serious games. To develop training in the form of games or simulations, elements of instructional design must be considered to include learning objectives, game play, and feedback. Emerging technologies provide possible solutions to training challenges such as achieving affective learning domain objectives and the portability of training. The military, as an early adapter of games and simulation, continues to forge the way by integrating gaming and simulation, instructional design, and emerging technologies to achieve the ever growing demands of training.
ExerLearning®
Authors: Shasek Judy
Published: May 2010

ExerLearning® provides parents, educators and others with a solid background of the direct connection between regular, rhythmic aerobic activity, balance, eye-foot coordination and academic success. We can increase students’ fitness while simultaneously increasing their academic success. Activity breaks have been shown to improve cognitive performance and promote on-task classroom behavior. Today’s exergame and related computer technology can seamlessly deliver activity without over-burdening busy teachers in grades K-12. Activity isn’t optional for humans, and our brain, along with its ability to learn and function at its best, isn’t a separate “thing” perched in our heads. The wiring, the circulation, the connection between mind and body is very real. The brain is made up of one hundred billion neurons that chat with one another by way of hundreds of different chemicals. Physical activity can enhance the availability and delivery of those chemicals. Harnessing technology to that activity is the ExerLearning solution.
The Paradox of Computer-Mediated Communication and Identity
Authors: Leonard Lynnette G. , Withers Lesley A. , Sherblom John C.
Published: May 2010

Past research on the effects of computer-mediated communication (CMC) on identity has focused either on the inherent risks or opportunities it provides. The authors argue that the paradox within the nature of CMC has led to paradoxical predictions about the effects of CMC on identity. Rather than adopting a naïve perspective focusing on only one side of the paradox, the authors take a view of technological realism in which the paradox is embraced. Guided by these views, the authors analyze 59 students’ papers reflecting on their identity choices in the creation and development of a Second Life avatar. Second Life is a three-dimensional (3D) multi-user virtual environment (MUVE) in which users create avatars (called “residents”) to explore, interact with other residents, learn, recreate, and shop with the local currency (i.e., Linden Dollars; http://secondlife.com/whatis/). Using the constant comparative method for thematic content, themes supporting a paradox of CMC effects on identity are identified from the student papers. The implications of a view of technological realism are offered.
In a Virtual Classroom, Who has a "Voice"? A Discourse Analysis of Student-Instructor Interactions in Two Second Life-based Courses
Authors: Stoerger Sharon
Published: May 2010

Much of the literature argues that educational initiatives that take place in three-dimensional virtual worlds such as Second Life (SL) enable students to construct their knowledge and take ownership for their learning. The notion of a more student-centered learning environment is not new; in fact, similar claims were made about text-based MUD environments and to some extent, educational chat spaces. This study is an attempt to more rigorously examine some of the claims made about the democratic nature of communication in virtual worlds such as SL and the potential for these electronic spaces beyond social exchanges. The findings support the notion that deep learning is possible in virtual worlds using synchronous text chat. However, evidence to suggest that the structure of the educational activities is student-centered is lacking. Contrary to the claims, instructional activities used in the SL courses under investigation relied heavily on a teacher-centered model.
Mediated Group Development
Authors: McArthur John A.
Published: May 2010

This chapter focuses on an interpersonal approach to understanding small group development in mediated environments. Whereas much of the literature in this area has emerged in the study of workplace and organizational development, this chapter is grounded in small group development theory and folds in relevant studies of virtual communication in groups. This approach is designed to complement a larger work based in interpersonal communication by providing students of interpersonal communication with a basic introduction to small groups and the impact of communication technology on small group development.
A Cross-cultural Comparison of American and Overseas Chinese Prenatal and Postnatal Women's Online Social Support Behavior in Two Online Message Boards
Authors: Mao Yuping , Qian Yuxia , Starosta William
Published: May 2010

Taking a culture-centered approach within the uses and gratifications theoretical framework, a quantitative content analysis was conducted to analyze the support messages of two online message boards: the Dear Baby message board created and moderated mainly by overseas Chinese prenatal and postnatal women, and the BabyCenter message board created and moderated mainly by USAmerican prenatal and postnatal women. Both similarities and differences of the two message boards were identified in message type (seek or give support), content, support type and support behavior. Constructed narratives were produced to qualitatively analyze the voices within the context of both USAmerican and overseas Chinese online communities. The results can help researchers and practitioners to better understand how cultural characteristics of Chinese and USAmerican groups influence the patterns of women’s online social support seeking/giving behaviors, enabling them to customize specific communication programs and services to meet the needs of members of those two cultural groups.
Culturally Unique Social Patterns in Computer-Mediated Social Networking
Authors: Rosen Devan , Stefanone Michael A. , Lackaff Derek
Published: May 2010

People from distinct cultural backgrounds communicate and manage their interpersonal relations in systematically different ways. The current chapter utilizes a survey of young adults to examine the social patterns of culturally influenced differences in online behavior. Results show that individuals that identify with individualistic cultural backgrounds have larger networks of friends on social network sites (SNSs), have a larger proportion of these friends that they have not actually met face-to-face, and share more photos online, opposed to individuals that identify with less individualistic cultural backgrounds. The size of an individuals’ offline social support network size was a significant predictor of satisfaction with life, while SNS network size was not. Findings suggest that individuals who identify with more individualistic cultural backgrounds tend to be better connected, self-promote, and are more satisfied with their social lives.
Virtual Ethics
Authors: Nordlinger John
Published: May 2010

Many of the opportunities in the virtual world are not available in the physical world, others open our eyes to real world opportunities we couldn’t imagine and teach us vocabulary and skills applicable to the real world. This chapter explores some of the connections between virtual decisions and real consequences, as envisioned in thought experiments of early philosophers from both eastern and western traditions.
Intratumoral Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy Using IL-12 and Dendritic Cells Is an Effective Strategy To Control Recurrence of Murine Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Immunosuppressed Mice
Authors: Kayashima Hiroto , Toshima Takeo , Okano Shinji , Taketomi Akinobu , Harada Noboru , Yamashita Yo-ichi , Tomita Yukihiro , Shirabe Ken , Maehara Yoshihiko
Published: May 2010

Liver transplantation is accepted as an effective therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, recurrence is one of the most fatal complications. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of intratumoral immunotherapy using IL-12 gene therapy and dendritic cell injection for the purpose of effective treatment for HCC under conditions of immunosuppression. We found that the combined immunotherapy significantly induced sustained and high amounts of intratumoral IL-12 and IFN-γ proteins and that it induced high HCC-specific CTL activity under immunosuppression as compared with each monotherapy or control. The combined immunotherapy also exerted effective antitumor effects on the immunosuppressed host, resulting in significant suppression of growth of the s.c. established tumor and complete suppression of lung and liver metastasis, without rejection of a fully allogeneic skin graft. These antitumor effects were dependent on both T cells and NK cells. Noteworthily, the combined intratumoral immunotherapy and tumor resection (that is, neoadjuvant immunotherapy) resulted in achievement of tumor-free and long-term survival of the some immunosuppressed mice, even when the mice were challenged with i.v. injection of HCC at the time of tumor resection. In contrast, all of the mice treated with neoadjuvant immunotherapy using monotherapy or control therapy suffered from lung and liver metastasis. These results suggest that intratumoral neoadjuvant immunotherapy using IL-12 gene therapy and dendritic cell therapy is a potent effective strategy to control recurrence of HCC in patients after liver transplantation for HCC and may be applicable to general cancer treatment.
Phenotypic Alterations of Dendritic Cells Are Involved in Suppressive Activity of Trichosanthin-Induced CD8+CD28− Regulatory T Cells
Authors: Wang Baolong , Jiao Zhijun , Shao Xiaoyi , Lu Liming , Yang Neng , Zhou Xiaorong , Xin Lijun , Zhou Yun , Chou Kuang-Yen
Published: May 2010

The nature and differentiation of regulatory CD8+CD28− T cells are poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that native Ag trichosanthin (Tk), a highly purified linear peptide isolated from a Chinese medicinal herb, is able to induce strong suppression of OVA-specific lymphoproliferation at low concentrations via activation of IL-4/IL-10–secreting CD8+CD28− regulatory T cells (Tregs). To elucidate the underlying mechanisms, we firstly identified two types of mouse inbred strains, high susceptible (HS) and low susceptible, for the Tk-related suppression. They are H-2d (or H-2b) and H-2k, respectively. The suppression is evoked only if bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BDCs) instead of purified T cells are treated with Tk in an OVA-specific T-BDC interaction. Moreover, a special pattern of cytokine/transcription factors (IL-4+IL-10+IFN-γ−Gata3+T-bet−) during suppressed OVA-specific T cell proliferation was observed in HS C57BL/6 but not in low-susceptible C3H/He mice. Consistently, the percentage of CD8+CD28− Tregs preferentially expanded from 5.5 to 26.1% in the presence of Tk, an occurrence that was also detected only in HS C57BL/6 mice. These expanded Tregs were able to induce a strong inhibition of one-way MLCs, which indicated that the Tk-induced hyporeaction and the activation of CD8+CD28− Tregs might be under the influence of different genetic backgrounds. Additionally, obvious alterations of phenotypic parameters of BDCs after Tk stimulation were also identified, including enhanced production of IL-10, decreased secretion of IL-12, and detection of Jagged1, a Notch ligand on BDCs. Collectively, our data suggest that the changed APC-related factors are essential, at least in part, for the activation and differentiation of Tk-induced CD8+CD28− Tregs.
Constitutive CD40L Expression on B Cells Prematurely Terminates Germinal Center Response and Leads to Augmented Plasma Cell Production in T Cell Areas
Authors: Bolduc Anna , Long Eugene , Stapler Dale , Cascalho Marilia , Tsubata Takeshi , Koni Pandelakis A. , Shimoda Michiko
Published: May 2010

CD40/CD40L engagement is essential to T cell-dependent B cell proliferation and differentiation. However, the precise role of CD40 signaling through cognate T–B interaction in the generation of germinal center and memory B cells is still incompletely understood. To address this issue, a B cell-specific CD40L transgene (CD40LBTg) was introduced into mice with B cell-restricted MHC class II deficiency. Using this mouse model, we show that constitutive CD40L expression on B cells alone could not induce germinal center differentiation of MHC class II-deficient B cells after immunization with T cell-dependent Ag. Thus, some other MHC class II-dependent T cell-derived signals are essential for the generation of germinal center B cells in response to T cell-dependent Ag. In fact, CD40LBTg mice generated a complex Ag-specific IgG1 response, which was greatly enhanced in early, but reduced in late, primary response compared with control mice. We also found that the frequency of Ag-specific germinal center B cells in CD40LBTg mice was abruptly reduced 1 wk after immunization. As a result, the numbers of Ag-specific IgG1 long-lived plasma cells and memory B cells were reduced. By histology, large numbers of Ag-specific plasma cells were found in T cell areas adjacent to Ag-specific germinal centers of CD40LBTg mice, temporarily during the second week of primary response. These results indicate that CD40L expression on B cells prematurely terminated their ongoing germinal center response and produced plasma cells. Our results support the notion that CD40 signaling is an active termination signal for germinal center reaction.
Substrate Fate in Activated Macrophages: A Comparison between Innate, Classic, and Alternative Activation
Authors: Rodríguez-Prados Juan-Carlos , Través Paqui G. , Cuenca Jimena , Rico Daniel , Aragonés Julián , Martín-Sanz Paloma , Cascante Marta , Boscá Lisardo
Published: May 2010

Macrophages play a relevant role in innate and adaptive immunity depending on the balance of the stimuli received. From an analytical and functional point of view, macrophage stimulation can be segregated into three main modes, as follows: innate, classic, and alternative pathways. These differential activations result in the expression of specific sets of genes involved in the release of pro- or anti-inflammatory stimuli. In the present work, we have analyzed whether specific metabolic patterns depend on the signaling pathway activated. A [1,2-13C2]glucose tracer-based metabolomics approach has been used to characterize the metabolic flux distributions in macrophages stimulated through the classic, innate, and alternative pathways. Using this methodology combined with mass isotopomer distribution analysis of the new formed metabolites, the data show that activated macrophages are essentially glycolytic cells, and a clear cutoff between the classic/innate activation and the alternative pathway exists. Interestingly, macrophage activation through LPS/IFN-γ or TLR-2, -3, -4, and -9 results in similar flux distribution patterns regardless of the pathway activated. However, stimulation through the alternative pathway has minor metabolic effects. The molecular basis of the differences between these two types of behavior involves a switch in the expression of 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase (PFK2) from the liver type-PFK2 to the more active ubiquitous PFK2 isoenzyme, which responds to Hif-1α activation and increases fructose-2,6-bisphosphate concentration and the glycolytic flux. However, using macrophages targeted for Hif-1α, the switch of PFK2 isoenzymes still occurs in LPS/IFN-γ–activated macrophages, suggesting that this pathway regulates ubiquitous PFK2 expression through Hif-1α-independent mechanisms.
Live Cell Imaging Reveals Continuous STAT6 Nuclear Trafficking
Authors: Chen Hui-Chen , Reich Nancy C.
Published: May 2010

The STAT6 transcription factor is essential for the development of protective immunity; however, the consequences of its activity can also contribute to the pathogenesis of autoimmune disease. Tyrosine phosphorylation is known to activate STAT6 in response to cytokine stimulation, but there is a gap in our understanding of the mechanisms by which it enters the nucleus. In this study, live cell imaging was used in conjunction with photobleaching techniques to demonstrate the continual nuclear import of STAT6, independent of tyrosine phosphorylation. The protein domain required for nuclear entry includes the coiled coil region of STAT6 and functions similarly before or after cytokine stimulation. The dynamic nuclear shuttling of STAT6 seems to be mediated by the classical importin-α–importin-β1 system. Although STAT6 is imported to the nucleus continually, it accumulates in the nucleus following tyrosine phosphorylation as a result of its ability to bind DNA. These findings will impact diagnostic approaches and strategies to block the deleterious effects of STAT6 in autoimmunity.