bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Some causes of formation of colour during storage of hydrogen-peroxide bleached Norway spruce mechanical pulp
Authors: Enberg Sofia , Rundlöf Mats , Paulsson Magnus , Axelsson Patrik , Eriksen Øyvind , Engstrand Per
Published: June 2014

The discolouration of hydrogen-peroxide bleached Norway spruce mechanical pulp during storage in mill systems was studied and the contributions of process water, iron and dyes were evaluated over the visible spectrum. Washing of the pulp made it less sensitive to storage, possibly due to the removal of extractives, lignin-like substances, iron and pulp fines. Storage in white water gave extensive discolouration with a shoulder in the absorption spectrum at around 550- 650 nm. Most of the colour was associated with pulp fines or filler but some colour was also found in smaller fractions and in the water phase. The addition of ferric ions increased the light absorption coefficient during storage, initially at short wavelengths and then over the whole spectrum, but could not explain the increased absorption at 550-650 nm and could not be the only cause of the darkening in the mill system. A cationic basic violet dye gave a shoulder in the absorption spectrum similar to that in the mill system, but the absorption in this area did not increase during storage. Model calculations indicate that ferric ions together with violet and red dyes could explain a major part, but not all, of the colour observed in the mill system after storage. The darkening not accounted for at longer wavelengths and around 550-650 nm is suggested to be related to fines and fillers including dissolved and colloidal substances associated with these particles.
Cronobacter: An Emergent Pathogen Causing Meningitis to Neonates through their Feeds
Authors: Tall Ben D. , Chen Yi , Yan Qiongqiong , Gopinath Gopal R. , Grim Christopher J. , Jarvis Karen G. , Fanning Séamus , Lampel Keith A.
Published: June 2014

The recognition of Cronobacter as a public health concern was raised when powdered infant formula (PIF) was linked to several neonatal meningitis outbreaks. It is an opportunistic pathogen that causes necrotising enterocolitis, infantile septicaemia, and meningitis which carries a high mortality rate among neonates. It has been also linked with cases of infection in adults and elderly. Over the past decade, much focus has been made on developing sensitive and specific characterisation, detection, and isolation methods to ascertain the quality of foods, notably contamination of PIF with Cronobacter and to understand its ability to cause disease. Whole genome sequencing has unveiled several putative virulence factors, yet the full capacity of the pathogenesis of Cronobacter has not yet been elucidated.
Molecular Mechanism of Gastric Carcinogenesis in Helicobacter pylori-Infected Rodent Models
Authors: Toyoda Takeshi , Yamamoto Masami , Takasu Shinji , Ogawa Kumiko , Tatematsu Masae , Tsukamoto Tetsuya
Published: June 2014

Since the discovery of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), many efforts have been made to establish animal models for the investigation of the pathological features and molecular mechanisms of gastric carcinogenesis. Among the animal models, Mongolian gerbils and mice are particularly useful for the analysis of H. pylori-associated inflammatory reactions and gastric cancer development. Inhibitors of oxidative stress, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and nuclear factor-κB, exert preventive effects on chronic gastritis and the development of adenocarcinomas in H. pylori-infected gerbils. Genetically-modified mouse models, including transgenic and knockout mice, have also revealed the importance of p53, COX-2/prostaglandin, Wnt/β-catenin, proinflammatory cytokines, gastrin and type III mucin in the molecular mechanisms of gastric carcinogenesis. Microarray technology is available for comprehensive gene analysis in the gastric mucosa of mouse models, and epigenetics, such as DNA methylation, could be an alternative approach to correlate the observations in animal models with the etiology in humans.
Density Reconstructions with Errors in the Data
Authors: Gomes-Gonçalves Erika , Gzyl Henryk , Mayoral Silvia
Published: June 2014

The maximum entropy method was originally proposed as a variational technique to determine probability densities from the knowledge of a few expected values. The applications of the method beyond its original role in statistical physics are manifold. An interesting feature of the method is its potential to incorporate errors in the data. Here, we examine two possible ways of doing that. The two approaches have different intuitive interpretations, and one of them allows for error estimation. Our motivating example comes from the field of risk analysis, but the statement of the problem might as well come from any branch of applied sciences. We apply the methodology to a problem consisting of the determination of a probability density from a few values of its numerically-determined Laplace transform. This problem can be mapped onto a problem consisting of the determination of a probability density on [0, 1] from the knowledge of a few of its fractional moments up to some measurement errors stemming from insufficient data.
Innovation Insights from North American Forest Sector Research: A Literature Review
Authors: Hansen Eric , Nybakk Erlend , Panwar Rajat
Published: June 2014

The promise of increased industry competitiveness through innovation has driven interest in innovation by industry managers, policy makers and academicians. Forest sector researchers have produced a strong body of work in recent years. This article provides a review of work originating in North America during the period 2000–2013. The review includes 28 journal articles focused on the forest sector in the U.S. and Canada. Seven important themes from the literature are identified and discussed: defining innovation and innovativeness; measuring innovativeness; factors influencing innovativeness; new product development; climate/culture; innovation systems; and innovativeness and firm performance. The positive culture and climate within a company has a clear connection to improved innovativeness and firm performance. Generally, findings describing the culture of the forest sector show a conservative group that fails to sufficiently invest in innovativeness and innovation. Culture change presents a significant opportunity within the industry to strive toward the improved development of new products, processes and business systems to reap the rewards of improved performance. The implications for managers and researchers are outlined.
Dietary Phthalate Exposure in Pregnant Women and the Impact of Consumer Practices
Authors: Serrano Samantha , Karr Catherine , Seixas Noah , Nguyen Ruby , Barrett Emily , Janssen Sarah , Redmon Bruce , Swan Shanna , Sathyanarayana Sheela
Published: June 2014

Phthalates are ubiquitous endocrine-disrupting chemicals that are contaminants in food and contribute to significant dietary exposures. We examined associations between reported consumption of specific foods and beverages and first trimester urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations in 656 pregnant women within a multicenter cohort study, The Infant Development and Environment Study (TIDES), using multivariate regression analysis. We also examined whether reported use of ecofriendly and chemical-free products was associated with lower phthalate biomarker levels in comparison to not following such practices. Consumption of one additional serving of dairy per week was associated with decreases of 1% in the sum of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) metabolite levels (95% CI: −2.0, −0.2). Further, participants who reported sometimes eating homegrown food had monoisobutyl phthalate (MiBP) levels that were 16.6% lower (95% CI: −29.5, −1.3) in comparison to participants in the rarely/never category. In contrast to rarely/never eating frozen fruits and vegetables, participants who reported sometimes following this practice had monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP) levels that were 21% higher (95% CI: 3.3, 41.7) than rarely/ever respondents. Future study on prenatal dietary phthalate exposure and the role of consumer product choices in reducing such exposure is needed.
Patients’ Perspective of the Design of Provider-Patients Electronic Communication Services
Authors: Silhavy Petr , Silhavy Radek , Prokopova Zdenka
Published: June 2014

Information Delivery is one the most important tasks in healthcare practice. This article discusses patient’s tasks and perspectives, which are then used to design a new Effective Electronic Methodology. The system design methods applicable to electronic communication in the healthcare sector are also described. The architecture and the methodology for the healthcare service portal are set out in the proposed system design.
Mitigating the Effects of Xuebijing Injection on Hematopoietic Cell Injury Induced by Total Body Irradiation with γ rays by Decreasing Reactive Oxygen Species Levels
Authors: Li Deguan , Lu Lu , Zhang Junling , Wang Xiaochun , Xing Yonghua , Wu Hongying , Yang Xiangdong , Shi Zhexin , Zhao Mingfeng , Fan Saijun , Meng Aimin
Published: June 2014

Hematopoietic injury is the most common side effect of radiotherapy. However, the methods available for the mitigating of radiation injury remain limited. Xuebijing injection (XBJ) is a traditional Chinese medicine used to treat sepsis in the clinic. In this study, we investigated the effects of XBJ on the survival rate in mice with hematopoietic injury induced by γ ray ionizing radiation (IR). Mice were intraperitoneally injected with XBJ daily for seven days after total body irradiation (TBI). Our results showed that XBJ (0.4 mL/kg) significantly increased 30-day survival rates in mice exposed to 7.5 Gy TBI. This effect may be attributable to improved preservation of white blood cells (WBCs) and hematopoietic cells, given that bone marrow (BM) cells from XBJ-treated mice produced more granulocyte-macrophage colony forming units (CFU-GM) than that in the 2 Gy/TBI group. XBJ also decreased the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by increasing glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels in serum and attenuated the increased BM cell apoptosis caused by 2 Gy/TBI. In conclusion, these findings suggest that XBJ enhances the survival rate of irradiated mice and attenuates the effects of radiation on hematopoietic injury by decreasing ROS production in BM cells, indicating that XBJ may be a promising therapeutic candidate for reducing hematopoietic radiation injury.
Molecular Mechanism and Treatment of Viral Hepatitis-Related Liver Fibrosis
Authors: Su Tung-Hung , Kao Jia-Horng , Liu Chun-Jen
Published: June 2014

Hepatic fibrosis is a wound-healing response to various chronic stimuli, including viral hepatitis B or C infection. Activated myofibroblasts, predominantly derived from the hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), regulate the balance between matrix metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitors to maintain extracellular matrix homeostasis. Transforming growth factor-β and platelet-derived growth factor are classic profibrogenic signals that activate HSC proliferation. In addition, proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines coordinate macrophages, T cells, NK/NKT cells, and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells in complex fibrogenic and regression processes. In addition, fibrogenesis involves angiogenesis, metabolic reprogramming, autophagy, microRNA, and epigenetic regulations. Hepatic inflammation is the driving force behind liver fibrosis; however, host single nucleotide polymorphisms and viral factors, including the genotype, viral load, viral mutation, and viral proteins, have been associated with fibrosis progression. Eliminating the underlying etiology is the most crucial antifibrotic therapy. Growing evidence has indicated that persistent viral suppression with antiviral therapy can result in fibrosis regression, reduced liver disease progression, decreased hepatocellular carcinoma, and improved chances of survival. Preclinical studies and clinical trials are currently examining several investigational agents that target key fibrogenic pathways; the results are promising and shed light on this debilitating illness.
Microwave Plasma Production of Metal Nanopowders
Authors: Chau Joseph , Yang Chih-Chao , Shih Hsi-Hsin
Published: June 2014

Metal and metal alloy nanopowders were prepared by using the microwave plasma synthesis method. The microwave plasma was operated in atmospheric pressure at a frequency of 2.45 GHz. The precursor decomposed thermally in the plasma reaction region and the products were then condensed in the heat exchanger, were separated from the gas by the powder filter, and then finally collected in the powder collector. The effect of various processing parameters such as plasma gas, carrier gas, cooling gas, precursor raw materials and feeding rate were studied in this work. Cu, Mo, W, Mo-Ni and Fe-Co nanopowders were successfully prepared by using the microwave plasma synthesis method. The processing conditions can be tuned to manipulate the particle size of the nanopowders.
Sex Differences in Fluid Reasoning: Manifest and Latent Estimates from the Cognitive Abilities Test
Authors: Lakin Joni , Gambrell James
Published: June 2014

The size and nature of sex differences in cognitive ability continues to be a source of controversy. Conflicting findings result from the selection of measures, samples, and methods used to estimate sex differences. Existing sex differences work on the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) has analyzed manifest variables, leaving open questions about sex differences in latent narrow cognitive abilities and the underlying broad ability of fluid reasoning (Gf). This study attempted to address these questions. A confirmatory bifactor model was used to estimate Gf and three residual narrow ability factors (verbal, quantitative, and figural). We found that latent mean differences were larger than manifest estimates for all three narrow abilities. However, mean differences in Gf were trivial, consistent with previous research. In estimating group variances, the Gf factor showed substantially greater male variability (around 20% greater). The narrow abilities varied: verbal reasoning showed small variability differences while quantitative and figural showed substantial differences in variance (up to 60% greater). These results add precision and nuance to the study of the variability and masking hypothesis.
Quinone and Hydroquinone Metabolites from the Ascidians of the Genus Aplidium
Authors: Bertanha Camila , Januário Ana , Alvarenga Tavane , Pimenta Letícia , Silva Márcio , Cunha Wilson , Pauletti Patrícia
Published: June 2014

Ascidians of the genus Aplidium are recognized as an important source of chemical diversity and bioactive natural products. Among the compounds produced by this genus are non-nitrogenous metabolites, mainly prenylated quinones and hydroquinones. This review discusses the isolation, structural elucidation, and biological activities of quinones, hydroquinones, rossinones, longithorones, longithorols, floresolides, scabellones, conicaquinones, aplidinones, thiaplidiaquinones, and conithiaquinones. A compilation of the 13C-NMR spectral data of these compounds is also presented.
Mechanisms Underlying Cytotoxicity Induced by Engineered Nanomaterials: A Review of In Vitro Studies
Authors: Nogueira Daniele , Mitjans Montserrat , Rolim Clarice , Vinardell M.
Published: June 2014

Engineered nanomaterials are emerging functional materials with technologically interesting properties and a wide range of promising applications, such as drug delivery devices, medical imaging and diagnostics, and various other industrial products. However, concerns have been expressed about the risks of such materials and whether they can cause adverse effects. Studies of the potential hazards of nanomaterials have been widely performed using cell models and a range of in vitro approaches. In the present review, we provide a comprehensive and critical literature overview on current in vitro toxicity test methods that have been applied to determine the mechanisms underlying the cytotoxic effects induced by the nanostructures. The small size, surface charge, hydrophobicity and high adsorption capacity of nanomaterial allow for specific interactions within cell membrane and subcellular organelles, which in turn could lead to cytotoxicity through a range of different mechanisms. Finally, aggregating the given information on the relationships of nanomaterial cytotoxic responses with an understanding of its structure and physicochemical properties may promote the design of biologically safe nanostructures.
Are the Dietary Guidelines for Meat, Fat, Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Appropriate for Environmental Sustainability? A Review of the Literature
Authors: Reynolds Christian , Buckley Jonathan , Weinstein Philip , Boland John
Published: June 2014

This paper reviews the current literature around the environmental impacts of dietary recommendations. The focus of the review is on collating evidence relating to environmental impacts of the dietary advice found in the World Health Organisation guidelines, and environmental impact literature: reducing the consumption of fat, reducing the consumption of meat-based protein and animal-based foods, and increasing the consumption of fruit and vegetables. The environmental impact of reducing dietary fat intake is unclear, although reducing consumption of the food category of edible fats and oils appears to have little impact. However most, but not all, studies support environmental benefits of a reduced consumption of animal-based foods and increased consumption of fruit and vegetables. In general, it appears that adhering to dietary guidelines reduces impact on the environment, but further study is required to examine the environmental impacts of animal-based foods, and fruit and vegetable intake in depth.
Post-9/11: Making Islam an American Religion
Authors: Haddad Yvonne , Harb Nazir
Published: June 2014

This article explores several key events in the last 12 years that led to periods of heightened suspicion about Islam and Muslims in the United States. It provides a brief overview of the rise of anti-Muslim and anti-Islam sentiment known as “Islamophobia”, and it investigates claims that American Muslims cannot be trusted to be loyal to the United States because of their religion. This research examines American Muslim perspectives on national security discourse regarding terrorism and radicalization, both domestic and foreign, after 9/11. The article argues that it is important to highlight developments, both progressive and conservative, in Muslim communities in the United States over the last 12 years that belie suspicions of widespread anti-American sentiment among Muslims or questions about the loyalty of American Muslims. The article concludes with a discussion of important shifts from a Muslim identity politics that disassociated from American identity and ‘American exceptionalism’ to a position of integration and cultural assimilation.
An Object-Based Approach for Fire History Reconstruction by Using Three Generations of Landsat Sensors
Authors: Katagis Thomas , Gitas Ioannis , Mitri George
Published: June 2014

In this study, the capability of geographic object-based image analysis (GEOBIA) in the reconstruction of the recent fire history of a typical Mediterranean area was investigated. More specifically, a semi-automated GEOBIA procedure was developed and tested on archived and newly acquired Landsat Multispectral Scanner (MSS), Thematic Mapper (TM), and Operational Land Imager (OLI) images in order to accurately map burned areas in the Mediterranean island of Thasos. The developed GEOBIA ruleset was built with the use of the TM image and then applied to the other two images. This process of transferring the ruleset did not require substantial adjustments or any replacement of the initially selected features used for the classification, thus, displaying reduced complexity in processing the images. As a result, burned area maps of very high accuracy (over 94% overall) were produced. In addition to the standard error matrix, the employment of additional measures of agreement between the produced maps and the reference data revealed that “spatial misplacement” was the main source of classification error. It can be concluded that the proposed approach can be potentially used for reconstructing the recent (40-year) fire history in the Mediterranean, based on extended time series of Landsat or similar data.
Respiratory Monitoring by a Field Ionization Sensor Based on Trichel Pulses
Authors: Deng Fucheng , Ye Lingyun , Song Kaichen
Published: June 2014

In this paper, a novel method for respiratory monitoring is presented. The method is based on Trichel pulses (TPs) using a simple field ionization sensor which consists of a needle electrode and a plate electrode. Experiments have been conducted to demonstrate that different respiratory patterns, including normal, ultra-fast, deep breaths, and apnea could be easily monitored in real time by detecting the changes in the TP frequency. The vital capacity could also be assessed by calculating the variation of TP frequency. It is found that the operation principle of the proposed sensor is based on the effects of breath airflow and the atomized water in exhaled air on the TP frequency by changing the ionization process and the dynamics of charged particles in the short gap. The influences of applied voltage and ambient parameters have also been investigated.
Exploring the Gap between Ecosystem Service Research and Management in Development Planning
Authors: Sitas Nadia , Prozesky Heidi , Esler Karen , Reyers Belinda
Published: June 2014

The gap between science and practice has been highlighted in a number of scientific disciplines, including the newly developing domain of ecosystem service science, posing a challenge for the sustainable management of ecosystem services for human wellbeing. While methods to explore science-practice gaps are developing, testing and revisions of these methods are still needed so as to identify opportunities for mainstreaming ecosystem service science into development policies and practice. We designed and tested an approach to explore the presence and nature of a research-management gap in order to identify ways to close the gap, using a South African case study. Our combining of traditional review processes with stakeholder interviews highlighted that ecosystem services are not explicitly referred to by the majority of ecosystem management-related documents, processes or individuals. Nevertheless, at the local level, our approach unearthed strategic opportunities for bridging the gap in the tourism, disaster management and conservation sectors. We also highlighted the current trend towards transdisciplinary learning networks seen in the region. While we found a gap between the research and management of ecosystem services, a rigorous study thereof, which transcends its mere identification, proved useful in identifying key opportunities and challenges for bridging the gap.
Radiation exposure of patients undergoing whole-body FDG-PET/CT examinations
Authors: Noßke D. , Leche U. , Brix G.
Published: June 2014

Aim: Reinvestigation of the radiation exposure of patients undergoing whole-body [18F]FDG-PET/CT examinations pursuant to the revised recommendations of the ICRP. Methods: Conversion coefficients for equivalent organ doses were determined for realistic anthropomorphic phantoms of reference persons. Based on these data, conversion coefficients for the effective dose were calculated using the revised tissue-weighting factors that account for the different radiation susceptibilities of organs and tissues, and the redefinition of the group ‘remainder tissues’. Results: Despite the markedly changed values of the equivalent organ doses estimated for FDG and of the tissue-weighting factors, the conversion coefficient for the effective dose resulting from FDG administration decreases only slightly by 10 %. For whole-body CT scans it remains even unchanged. Conclusion: The updated dose coefficients provide a valuable tool to easily assess the generic radiation risk of patients undergoing whole- body PET/CT (or PET/MRI) examinations and can be used, amongst others, for protocol optimization.
Seed source, seed traits, and frugivore habits: Implications for dispersal quality of two sympatric primates
Authors: Benítez‐Malvido Julieta , González‐Di Pierro Ana Ma. , Lombera Rafael , Guillén Susana , Estrada Alejandro
Published: June 2014

•Premise of the study:Frugivore selection of fruits and treatment of seeds together with seed deposition site are crucial for the population dynamics of vertebrate‐dispersed plants. However, frugivore species may influence dispersal quality differently even when feeding on the same fruit species and, while animals disperse some seeds, others simply fall beneath the parent plant.

•Methods:In southern Mexico, we investigated to see if within‐species seed traits (i.e., length, width, weight, and volume) and germination success differed according to seed source. For five tropical tree species we obtained ingested seeds from two sources, howler monkey (Alouatta pigra) and spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi) feces; and noningested seeds from two sources, the ground and tree crowns (with predispersed seeds used as control).

•Key results:A principal components’ analysis showed that traits of seeds ingested by howler monkeys differed from other sources while seeds ingested by spider monkeys were similar to noningested seeds. Howlers consumed on average the larger seeds inAmpelocera hottlei,Brosimum lactescens, andDialium guianense. Both primate species consumed the smaller seeds inSpondias mombin, while no seed trait differences among seed sources were found inSpondias radlkoferi. For all five tree species, germination rate was greatest for seeds ingested by howler monkeys.

•Conclusions:For the studied plant species, seed ingestion by howler monkeys confers higher dispersal quality than ingestion by spider monkeys or nondispersal. Dispersal services of both primate species, however, are not redundant and may contribute to germination heterogeneity within plant populations in tropical forests.
Glycosystems in nanotechnology: Gold glyconanoparticles as carrier for anti-HIV prodrugs
Authors: Chiodo Fabrizio , Marradi Marco , Calvo Javier , Yuste Eloisa , Penadés Soledad
Published: June 2014

The therapeutic approach for the treatment of HIV infection is based on the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), a cocktail of antiretroviral drugs. Notwithstanding HAART has shown different drawbacks like toxic side effects and the emergence of viral multidrug resistance. Nanotechnology offers new tools to improve HIV drug treatment and prevention. In this scenario, gold nanoparticles are an interesting chemical tool to design and prepare smart and efficient drug-delivery systems. Here we describe the preparation and antiviral activity of carbohydrate-coated gold nanoparticles loaded with anti-HIV prodrug candidates. The nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors abacavir and lamivudine have been converted to the corresponding thiol-ending ester derivatives and then conjugated to ~3 nm glucose-coated gold nanoparticles by means of “thiol-for-thiol” ligand place exchange reactions. The drugs-containing glyconanoparticles were characterized and the pH-mediated release of the drug from the nanoparticle has been determined. The antiviral activity was tested by evaluating the replication of NL4-3 HIV in TZM-bl infected cells. The proof-of-principle presented in this work aims to introduce gold glyconanoparticles as a new multifunctional drug-delivery system in the therapy against HIV.
Preliminary evaluation of landings and discards of the Turkish bottom trawl fishery in the northeastern Aegean Sea (eastern Mediterranean)
Authors: Keskin Çetin , Ordines Francesc , Ates Celal , Moranta Joan , Massutí Enric
Published: June 2014

This short-term study on commercial discards was carried out in fishing grounds around Gökçeada Island in the northeastern Aegean Sea, a geographic area where fisheries information is rather limited. A total of 28 bottom trawls were performed between 70 and 410 m depth from December 2009 to February 2010. All the samples were collected on board a commercial trawler under commercial fishing conditions. A total of 3143 kg of biomass was caught in 28 valid hauls. Landings accounted for about 67% of the total catch while the remaining 33% was discarded. Fish species comprised 85% of the total catch and their composition could be divided into four main groups related to depth: shallow shelf (70 to 88 m), deep shelf (155 to 180 m), shelf break (196 to 276 m), and upper slope (307 to 410 m). Fish dominated the abundance and biomass of both landings and discards in all bathymetric strata. Echinoderms also accounted for a large proportion of the discards. Mean total catches varied between 78.4 kg/h on the shallow shelf and 38.1 kg/h on the shelf break with no differences in the landing biomass between groups, but with slightly higher discards over the shallow shelf. Taking into account the preliminary nature of the findings, based on a short-term analysis, the minimum mesh size and minimum landing size currently applied in the Turkish bottom trawl fishery are not sufficient to reduce discards and to protect juveniles of commercially important species in the northeastern Aegean Sea.
Yearly growth and metabolic changes in earthen pond-cultured meagre Argyrosomus regius
Authors: Vargas-Chacoff Luis , Ruiz-Jarabo Ignacio , Páscoa Inês , Gonçalves Odete , Mancera Juan Miguel
Published: June 2014

Metabolic modifications associated with natural environmental conditions were assessed in the meagre Argyrosomus regius cultured in earthen ponds under natural photoperiod and temperature. Juvenile specimens (90-100 g initial weight) were sampled (plasma, liver and muscle) every two months for 18 months (between December 2004 and May 2006). Specimens showed seasonal variations in growth rate, with the highest values in spring and summer. Plasmatic, hepatic and muscular metabolite levels and hepatic and muscular metabolic enzymes also showed significant variations throughout the year. Enzymatic activity related to carbohydrate metabolism in the liver (HK, FBPase and G6PDH) showed great modifications in summer, increasing glycogenogenic pathways, while amino acid metabolism (GDH and GOT activity) was enhanced in spring and summer. However lipid-related (G3PDH activity) metabolic enzymes did not show a clear seasonal pattern. In muscle, enzymatic activity related to amino acid, lipid and lactate metabolism (LDH-O activity), but not carbohydrate metabolism, showed seasonal changes in parallel with changes in growth rate. Thus A. regius specimens showed a trend to grow in summer months and mobilize their energy reserves in winter. Differences in the hepatic level were observed between the first and the second year of the study, suggesting the possible existence of metabolic changes related to specimen age or size. Our results indicate that growth and metabolic responses in A. regius are environmentally dependent and that this species is a very good candidate for diversification in aquaculture.
Factors Shaping Assessment Design in the Virtual Environment
Authors: Davis Deborah , Stewart Sarah
Published: June 2014

The Virtual Birth Centre was created to provide student midwives with an opportunity to develop their midwifery knowledge and skills through a variety of teaching and learning strategies including role-play with peers in a safe, flexible, immersive learning environment. Role-play in the virtual environment has been shown to create a sense of presence or “really being there,” which is associated with increased knowledge transfer from virtual to real world. Assessment in this project focused on formative “service user” (peer) feedback along with self-assessment against midwifery professional standards. The approach to assessment was shaped by a number of factors including the philosophical underpinnings and pedagogy of the programmes involved and the opportunities and limitations of the virtual world environment. Using the Virtual Birth Centre and midwifery as a case study, this chapter explores the factors influencing the development of assessments for the practice discipline of midwifery in a simulated, virtual environment.
Second Life for Assessing Postgraduate Learning
Authors: Huber Elaine , Blount Yvette
Published: June 2014

This case describes how an assessment task for a postgraduate unit (Information Systems in Business) was developed and delivered using the virtual world platform Second Life. Students investigated and reflected upon the appropriateness of particular technologies for organizations and in particular for an insurance company. The assessment task was undertaken twice during 2010 and reflections from the students on their learning in relation to this task are included. The lecturer also reflected on the students' learning and application of technology skills, and these two sets of reflections were triangulated with data collected in a survey of the two student cohorts. Emergent themes from the data included graphics and interface, ease of use, game versus virtual world, business context usefulness, and social network characteristics, and these are discussed. Implications for designing authentic learning and assessment tasks with virtual worlds in a higher education context are explored in this chapter. The authors conclude that virtual worlds are a suitable application to support students learning of content knowledge, providing the technology is constructively aligned with the curriculum.
Assessing Spatial Design in Virtual Environments
Authors: Cram Andrew , Lowe Russell , Lumkin Katy
Published: June 2014

There is growing interest in adopting three-dimensional virtual environments within spatial design courses to use digital modelling techniques to support students' learning. One pedagogical issue that has received little attention so far is the question of how 3D virtual environments can be used to implement assessment techniques that support students' learning of spatial design expertise. This chapter seeks to assist spatial design educators who are considering digital modelling by presenting two case studies that highlight assessment practices within spatial design courses using virtual environments. Rubrics and student work samples are included. These courses both involve students creating architectural designs within virtual environments, yet contrast in several ways: learning outcomes, 3D modelling technologies, and student cohorts. The cases examine how the affordances of virtual environments for iterative, immersive, and collaborative design can enable formative and summative assessment, with both design process and the final artefact playing important roles.
Methods for Assessing 3D Virtual Worlds in Design Education
Authors: Gül Leman Figen , Gu Ning , Kim Mi Jeong , Wang Xiangyu
Published: June 2014

With the advancement and increasing adoption of information and communication technologies, 3D virtual worlds, being a part of these revolutionary forces, have the potential to make a major contribution to design education as a new teaching and learning environment. Considering this changing trend, we have been employing 3D virtual worlds in the design curriculum over the past decade. To critically understand the impact of the technologies on design education, this chapter explores and demonstrates three different assessment methods of 3D virtual worlds in design education, through three case studies. The chapter also concludes with insights into the applications of virtual environments in collaborative design teaching.
Identifying Group Processes and Affect in Learners
Authors: Thompson Kate , Markauskaite Lina
Published: June 2014

In the last five years, the analytical techniques for identifying the processes of online learning have developed to the point where applications for the assessment of learning can be discussed. This would be most appropriate for twenty-first century skills—such as collaboration, decision-making, and teamwork skills—which are the core learning outcomes in immersive learning environments. The state of the art in this field is still at the stage of discovering patterns of the processes of learning, identifying stages, and suggesting their meaning. However, already it is important to consider what technologies can offer and what information teachers need in order to evaluate students' situated performance and to provide useful feedback. This chapter describes an imagined virtual world, one that affords the range of twenty-first century skills, in order to illustrate types of analyes that could be conducted on learning process data. Such analytical methods could provide both descriptive information about the performance of learners and depict structures and patterns of their learning processes. The future assessment of learning in immersive virtual worlds may draw on data about deep embodied processes and multiple senses that usually underpin professional skills, such as affect, visual perception, and movement. This type of assessment could also provide deeper insights into many psychological processes in collaborative learning, decision-making, and problem-solving in virtual worlds, such as motivation, self-efficacy, and engagement. Overall, the view of the assessment presented in this chapter extends beyond the formal learning outcomes that are usually required by tertiary education quality and standards agencies and assessed in traditional courses in higher education to include a range of new capacities that may not be required but are essential for successful performance in contemporary workplaces.
Analysis of Security and Cryptographic Approaches to Provide Secret and Verifiable Electronic Voting
Authors: Neumann Stephan , Budurushi Jurlind , Volkamer Melanie
Published: June 2014

Electronic voting systems are inextricably bound to security and cryptographic techniques. Over the last decades, countless techniques have been proposed to face the dangers of electronic voting systems with mathematical precision. Certainly, the majority of these works address secrecy and verifiability. In this chapter, security and cryptographic techniques are analyzed with respect to those security properties that can be evaluated on the basis of these techniques: secrecy, fairness, integrity, and verifiability. Furthermore, the chapter discusses their adequacy to ensure further relevant properties like eligibility and uniqueness, and evaluates security and cryptographic techniques with respect to the costs that come along with their real-world application. The authors conclude the chapter with a summary of the evaluation results, which can serve as guideline for decision-makers.
Electronic Voting in the French Legislative Elections of 2012
Authors: Collard Susan , Fabre Elodie
Published: June 2014

This chapter presents an analysis of the unprecedented use of electronic voting by expatriates during the French 2012 legislative elections, when they elected their own representatives (referred to here as ‘deputies'), to the National Assembly in Paris for the first time, in 11 newly created overseas constituencies. The study is presented within the broader perspective of electronic voting in France more generally, and in the historical context of extra-territorial voting by French expatriates. The authors discuss the main issues and controversies that arose during the 2012 elections, and in a final section analyse the results. The authors conclude by drawing attention to recent developments in electronic voting in France since the 2012 elections, which suggest that although there was much criticism expressed by experts of electronic voting as to the security and transparency of the system used, the official discourse that acclaimed the experience as a success, appears to have convinced its target audience.
Students' Out-of-School Writing Practices in an Educational Facebook Application
Authors: Gibbins Thor , Greenhow Christine
Published: June 2014

In this chapter, the authors seek to help educators understand trends in students' writing outside of the classroom, with a particular emphasis on illuminating students' purposes and practices in writing within social media spaces. The authors synthesize current research on students' Internet and social media practices and offer a case study from their own research on students' writing within an educational Facebook application called Hot Dish. This chapter seeks to elucidate the reciprocal relationship between students out of school writing using popular social media and their in-school practices. Ultimately, the authors seek to help readers make connections between what students are doing with new media in their leisure time and the improvement of students' writing performance in K-12 settings, believing there may be important but under-explored synergies.
Reading-to-Learn from Subject Matter Texts
Authors: Tobin Maryann Tatum , Blanton William E.
Published: June 2014

Digital storytelling circles (DSCs) are multimodal platforms aimed at improving students' comprehension of subject matter texts. In a small group, students in a DSC engage in reading, writing, speaking, listening, viewing, using digital tools, and manipulating texts and instructional strategies. Roles are assigned to each group member as they use the tools provided by the multimodal platform to create a digital story. Most of the literature supports the notion that the experience of creating digital stories can have a positive impact on students' acquisition of literacy skills and their motivation to engage with the text. This chapter presents a model for using DSCs in the post-reading phase of a Directed Reading Activity (DRA). Case study findings highlight two DSCs that exhibited qualities of developing the literacy strategies necessary in reading-to-learn with complex content area texts.
iLiterate
Authors: Willmett Georgina Kate , Curwood Jen Scott
Published: June 2014

Digital technologies significantly shape and mediate adolescents' writing practices. Consequently, this chapter investigates the relevance and use of emergent technology in Year 8 English classes in an Australian high school. The importance of this study stems from the introduction of the Australian Government's Digital Education Revolution and the growing prominence of technology in local schools. Building on sociocultural perspectives and new literacies scholarship, this case study critically considers how iPads influence student writing. Moreover, it examines what pedagogical strategies teachers use when implementing iPads in their classes to support student learning outcomes. Findings from this study contribute to our understanding of how digital tools influence students' collaborative learning, multimodal practices, and writing processes.
Padlet Walls, Weeblies, and Twitter
Authors: Blady Shannon , Henkin Roxanne
Published: June 2014

This chapter takes a close look at how digital tools were integrated into a professional development experience for writing teachers and the ways in which digital tools were then integrated into the literacy practices of a seventh-grade English class. The authors, Roxanne and Shannon, are director and co-director respectively, of the San Antonio Writing Project (SAWP), a chapter of the National Writing Project (NWP). Following NWP's teachers-teaching-teachers model, the site provides opportunities for teachers to share their expertise and teaching practices with other teachers in the area. Over a handful of years, Roxanne and Shannon observed a major shift in technology use by teachers during the summer institute. Among other affordances, digital tools became more collaborative and user-friendly. Not only were teacher participants using these tools for their daily learning experiences, but they also modeled effective instructional practices that integrated technology. Shannon and Roxanne set out to see how Shannon's middle school students could use these tools in her English class and later reflected on other SAWP teachers' experiences as they explored various digital tools with their students.
Preschoolers as Digital Designers
Authors: Rowe Deborah Wells , Miller Mary E. , Pacheco Mark B.
Published: June 2014

This chapter examines how 19 emergent bilingual, 4-year-old students used digital composing skills to create dual language eBooks using touchscreen computer tablets (iPads) and digital photography, drawing, and eBook composing apps. The analyses focus on children's composing processes and products, adult supports, and participants' embodied interactions with the digital tools. Children approached eBook composing through naming, narrating, dramatic play and exploratory play. eBook texts were multimodal and included images, print, and oral recordings. Adult verbal scaffolding and gesture supported children's skills as digital composers. Children became active designers of digital content, independently navigating and experimenting with the multimodal functions of the iPad. Analyses showed how children used their heritage languages and English to compose dual language eBooks and support their emergent writing. The authors argue that children benefit from early opportunities to explore ways of combining print, images, sound, and multiple languages to create digital texts that effectively communicate across modalities and contexts.
Supporting Young Writers through the Writing Process in a Paperless Classroom
Authors: Anderson Rebecca S. , Mitchell Jessica S. , Thompson Rachael F. , Trefz Kim D.
Published: June 2014

In this chapter, the authors describe fifth-grade students' perceptions of how digital tools support writing instruction in a paperless classroom. Extending a constructivist paradigm that embraces student-centered pedagogies, this study explores both the teacher's approach as well as the students' perceptions of the digital process approach to writing. An overview of each stage of the writing process is provided that includes research supporting digital writing tools for that stage. This is followed by the findings from each section which includes: 1) how the teacher implemented the digital writing tools, and 2) the students' perceptions of the digital tools. The chapter concludes by offering areas of future research as well as offering the limitations of the study.
Employing Digital Tools to Support Writing in Mathematics and the Implementation of the Common Core State Standards
Authors: Martin Christie , Polly Drew
Published: June 2014

The Common Core State Standards in Mathematics and English/Language Arts necessitate that teachers provide opportunities for their students to write about mathematical concepts in ways that extend beyond simply a summary of how students solve mathematical tasks. This chapter describes a series of vignettes about how digital tools can provide elementary school students with the opportunity to write about mathematics concepts that they are working with. Implications for providing these opportunities to elementary school students and supporting teachers are also provided.