bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cardiac catheterization and complications: initial experience
Authors: Dubey L , Sharma SK
Published: September 2012

Cardiac catheterization for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes has been routinely used since last one year in College of Medical Sciences and Teaching Hospital, Bharatpur, Nepal. Because all cardiac catheterizations involve the insertion of cardiac catheters into the circulatory system, it should not be surprising that a variety of complications can ensue. These complications range from minor problems with no long-term sequelae to major problem even death. A total of 357 consecutive diagnostic and therapeutic cardiac catheterization performed in College of Medical Sciences and Teaching Hospital, Bharatpur between April 2011 to April 2012 were evaluated for their complications. Among them 220 (61.6%) were coronary angiogram, 65 (18.2 %) percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and stenting, 7 ( 1.9 %) permanent pacemaker insertion, 65 (18.2%) were others including temporary pacemaker insertion, peripheral angiography and carotid angiography. There were 3 deaths (0.84%). Two deaths occurred following coronary angiogram and 1 death following PTCA stenting. Vascular complications occurred in 5 (1.4% patients) with groin haematoma in all. Contrast allergy occurred in 9 (2.5 %), vasovagal reaction in 2 (0.56%), pyrogen reaction in 6 (1.6%), and contrast induced nephropathy occurred in 3 (0.84%) patients. Cardiac catheterization procedure in CMS-TH, Bharatpur has acceptable low complications including death. Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal,2012,Vol-8,No-2, 1-6 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmsn.v8i2.6830
Evaluation of Cerebrospinal fluid adenosine deaminase activity as a complimentary tool in the early diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis in children
Authors: Pan A , Biswas A , Chaterjee A , Kumar R
Published: September 2012

The diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis cannot be made or excluded on the basis of clinical findings. Definite laboratory diagnosis is cumbersome and time consuming. Delay in diagnosis and institution of proper treatment is directly related to poor outcome and sequalae. Adenosine deaminase activity (ADA) was estimated in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in addition to routine CSF analysis of 32 patients of tuberculous meningitis (TBM) and 7 patients of partially treated pyomeningitis (PTM), 10 patients aseptic meningitis (AM) and 13 patients pyogenic meningitis (PM). Mean ADA levels in CSF of TBM patients were higher (15.42 U/L) as compared to 7.21 U/L, 6.41 U/L and 7.50 U/L in PTM, AM and PM respectively. This difference of ADA values in CSF between TBM and other types of meningitis was statistically significant (p<0.01). ADA values were also compared with other biochemical and cytological parameters of CSF & a positive correlation was found with CSF protein level. Sensitivity and specificity of ADA levels in CSF of children to diagnose tuberculous meningitis was 75% and 90% respectively at 10 U/L cut off of ADA levels in CSF. Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal,2012,Vol-8,No-2, 17-23 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmsn.v8i2.6833
Chronic osteomyelitis on an old compound fracture
Authors: Shrestha A , Sah S Kumar
Published: September 2012

Osteomyelitis is a common complication of compound fracture of long bones which is difficult to treat. We present a similar case of chronic osteomyelitis on an old malunited compound fracture of distal third left femur in a nine years old child. Management of such cases requires surgery with immobilization, long term appropriate antibiotics and intensive follow up. Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal,2012,Vol-8,No-2, 54-57 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmsn.v8i2.6840
Large Mesopore Generation in an Amorphous Silica-Alumina by Controlling the Pore Size with the Gel Skeletal Reinforcement and Its Application to Catalytic Cracking
Authors: Ishihara Atsushi , Hashimoto Tadanori , Nasu Hiroyuki
Published: September 2012

Tetraethoxy orthosilicate (TEOS) was used not only as a precursor of silica, but also as an agent which reinforces the skeleton of silica-gel to prepare an aerogel and resultant silica and silica-alumina with large pore size and pore volume. In this gel skeletal reinforcement, the strength of silica aerogel skeleton was enhanced by aging with TEOS/2-propanol mixed solution to prevent the shrink of the pores. When silica aerogel was reinforced by TEOS solution, the pore diameter and pore volume of calcined silica could be controlled by the amount of TEOS solution and reached 30 nm and 3.1 cm3/g. The results from N2 adsorption measurement indicated that most of pores for this silica consisted of mesopores. Silica-alumina was prepared by the impregnation of an aluminum tri-sec-butoxide/2-butanol solution with obtained silica. Mixed catalysts were prepared by the combination of β-zeolite (26 wt%) and prepared silica-aluminas with large mesopore (58 wt%) and subsequently the effects of their pore sizes on the catalytic activity and the product selectivity were investigated in catalytic cracking of n-dodecane at 500 °C. The mixed catalysts exhibited not only comparable activity to that for single zeolite, but also unique selectivity where larger amounts of branched products were formed.
5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) Production from Hexoses: Limits of Heterogeneous Catalysis in Hydrothermal Conditions and Potential of Concentrated Aqueous Organic Acids as Reactive Solvent System
Authors: De Souza Rodrigo Lopes , Yu Hao , Rataboul Franck , Essayem Nadine
Published: September 2012

5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) is an important bio-sourced intermediate, formed from carbohydrates such as glucose or fructose. The treatment at 150–250 °C of glucose or fructose in pure water and batch conditions, with catalytic amounts of most of the usual acid-basic solid catalysts, gave limited yields in 5-HMF, due mainly to the fast formation of soluble oligomers. Niobic acid, which possesses both Lewis and Brønsted acid sites, gave the highest 5-HMF yield, 28%, when high catalyst/glucose ratio is used. By contrast, we disclose in this work that the reaction of fructose in concentrated aqueous solutions of carboxylic acids, formic, acetic or lactic acids, used as reactive solvent media, leads to the selective dehydration of fructose in 5-HMF with yields up to 64% after 2 hours at 150 °C. This shows the potential of such solvent systems for the clean and easy production of 5-HMF from carbohydrates. The influence of adding solid catalysts to the carboxylic acid media was also reported, starting from glucose.
Energy Management in Industrial Plants
Authors: Bruneo Dario , Cucinotta Angelo , Minnolo Antonino Longo , Puliafito Antonio , Scarpa Marco
Published: September 2012

The Smart Grid vision imposes a new approach towards energy supply that is more affordable, reliable and sustainable. The core of this new vision is the use of advanced technology to monitor power system dynamics in real time and identify system in stability. In order to implement strategic vision for energy management, it is possible to identify three main areas of investigation such as smart generation, smart grid and smart customer. Focusing on the latter topic, in this paper we present an application specifically designed to monitor an industrial site with particular attention to power consumption. This solution is a real time analysis tool, able to produce useful results to have a strategic approach in the energy market and to provide statistic analysis useful for the future choices of the industrial company. The application is based on a three layers architecture. The technological layer uses a Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) to acquire data from the electrical substations. The middleware layer faces the integration problems by processing the raw data. The application layer manages the data acquired from the sensors. This WSN based architecture represents an interesting example of a low cost and non-invasive monitoring application to keep the energy consumption of an industrial site under control. Some of the added value features of the proposed solution are the routing network protocol, selected in order to have an high availability of the WSN, and the use of the WhereX middleware, able to easily implement integration among the different architectural parts.
A Method for Balancing a Single-Phase Loaded Three-Phase Induction Generator
Authors: Wang Yaw-Juen , Lee Ming-Hsueh
Published: September 2012

When a three-phase induction generator (IG) supplies unbalanced loads, its terminal voltages and line currents are also unbalanced, which may cause the IG to overheat and need to be derated. A single-phase loaded self-excited induction generator (SEIG) works under most unfavorable load unbalance conditions. This paper proposes a three-capacitor circuit scheme and a method to find the values of the self-excitation capacitors that allow the SEIG to be balanced. The SEIG is modeled by a two-port network equivalent circuit that resolves the SEIG into its positive- and negative-sequence circuits associated with the self-excitation capacitors and the load. The network can then be analyzed by common AC circuit analysis techniques. Successful results for balancing the SEIG supplying a single-phase load have been achieved by properly choosing the values of the excitation capacitors. The proposed method has also been validated by experiments on a 0.37 kW SEIG.
Personalized Targeted Therapy for Lung Cancer
Authors: Wu Kehua , House Larry , Liu Wanqing , Cho William C.S.
Published: September 2012

Lung cancer has long been recognized as an extremely heterogeneous disease, since its development is unique in every patient in terms of clinical characterizations, prognosis, response and tolerance to treatment. Personalized medicine refers to the use of markers to predict which patient will most likely benefit from a treatment. In lung cancer, the well-developed epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the newly emerging EML4-anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) are important therapeutic targets. This review covers the basic mechanism of EGFR and EML4-ALK activation, the predictive biomarkers, the mechanism of resistance, and the current targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors. The efficacy of EGFR and ALK targeted therapies will be discussed in this review by summarizing the prospective clinical trials, which were performed in biomarker-based selected patients. In addition, the revolutionary sequencing and systems strategies will also be included in this review since these technologies will provide a comprehensive understanding in the molecular characterization of cancer, allow better stratification of patients for the most appropriate targeted therapies, eventually resulting in a more promising personalized treatment. The relatively low incidence of EGFR and ALK in non-Asian patients and the lack of response in mutant patients limit the application of the therapies targeting EGFR or ALK. Nevertheless, it is foreseeable that the sequencing and systems strategies may offer a solution for those patients.
Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of the Essential Oils from Duguetia lanceolata St. Hil. Barks
Authors: Sousa Orlando V. , Del-Vechio-Vieira Glauciemar , Alves Maria S. , Araújo Aílson A. L. , Pinto Míriam A. O. , Amaral Maria P. H. , Rodarte Mírian P. , Kaplan Maria A. C.
Published: September 2012

Essential oils of Duguetia lanceolata barks, obtained at 2 (T2) and 4 h (T4), were identified by gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. β-Elemene (12.7 and 14.9%), caryophyllene oxide (12.4 and 10.7%) and β-selinene (8.4 and 10.4%) were the most abundant components in T2 and T4, respectively. The essential oils inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. The essential oils were cytotoxic against brine shrimp. The extraction time influenced the chemical composition and biological activities of essential oils obtained from the barks of D. lanceolata.
Swarm Optimization-Based Magnetometer Calibration for Personal Handheld Devices
Authors: Ali Abdelrahman , Siddharth Siddharth , Syed Zainab , El-Sheimy Naser
Published: September 2012

Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) consist of accelerometers, gyroscopes and a processor that generates position and orientation solutions by integrating the specific forces and rotation rates. In addition to the accelerometers and gyroscopes, magnetometers can be used to derive the user heading based on Earth’s magnetic field. Unfortunately, the measurements of the magnetic field obtained with low cost sensors are usually corrupted by several errors, including manufacturing defects and external electro-magnetic fields. Consequently, proper calibration of the magnetometer is required to achieve high accuracy heading measurements. In this paper, a Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO)-based calibration algorithm is presented to estimate the values of the bias and scale factor of low cost magnetometers. The main advantage of this technique is the use of the artificial intelligence which does not need any error modeling or awareness of the nonlinearity. Furthermore, the proposed algorithm can help in the development of Pedestrian Navigation Devices (PNDs) when combined with inertial sensors and GPS/Wi-Fi for indoor navigation and Location Based Services (LBS) applications.
Unobstructive Body Area Networks (BAN) for Efficient Movement Monitoring
Authors: Felisberto Filipe , Costa Nuno , Fdez-Riverola Florentino , Pereira António
Published: September 2012

The technological advances in medical sensors, low-power microelectronics and miniaturization, wireless communications and networks have enabled the appearance of a new generation of wireless sensor networks: the so-called wireless body area networks (WBAN). These networks can be used for continuous monitoring of vital parameters, movement, and the surrounding environment. The data gathered by these networks contributes to improve users’ quality of life and allows the creation of a knowledge database by using learning techniques, useful to infer abnormal behaviour. In this paper we present a wireless body area network architecture to recognize human movement, identify human postures and detect harmful activities in order to prevent risk situations. The WBAN was created using tiny, cheap and low-power nodes with inertial and physiological sensors, strategically placed on the human body. Doing so, in an as ubiquitous as possible way, ensures that its impact on the users’ daily actions is minimum. The information collected by these sensors is transmitted to a central server capable of analysing and processing their data. The proposed system creates movement profiles based on the data sent by the WBAN’s nodes, and is able to detect in real time any abnormal movement and allows for a monitored rehabilitation of the user.
Sunglint Detection for Unmanned and Automated Platforms
Authors: Garaba Shungudzemwoyo Pascal , Schulz Jan , Wernand Marcel Robert , Zielinski Oliver
Published: September 2012

We present an empirical quality control protocol for above-water radiometric sampling focussing on identifying sunglint situations. Using hyperspectral radiometers, measurements were taken on an automated and unmanned seaborne platform in northwest European shelf seas. In parallel, a camera system was used to capture sea surface and sky images of the investigated points. The quality control consists of meteorological flags, to mask dusk, dawn, precipitation and low light conditions, utilizing incoming solar irradiance (ES) spectra. Using 629 from a total of 3,121 spectral measurements that passed the test conditions of the meteorological flagging, a new sunglint flag was developed. To predict sunglint conspicuous in the simultaneously available sea surface images a sunglint image detection algorithm was developed and implemented. Applying this algorithm, two sets of data, one with (having too much or detectable white pixels or sunglint) and one without sunglint (having least visible/detectable white pixel or sunglint), were derived. To identify the most effective sunglint flagging criteria we evaluated the spectral characteristics of these two data sets using water leaving radiance (LW) and remote sensing reflectance (RRS). Spectral conditions satisfying ‘mean LW (700–950 nm) < 2 mW∙m−2∙nm−1∙Sr−1’ or alternatively ‘minimum RRS (700–950 nm) < 0.010 Sr−1’, mask most measurements affected by sunglint, providing an efficient empirical flagging of sunglint in automated quality control.
Modular Architecture of a Non-Contact Pinch Actuation Micropump
Authors: Chee Pei Song , Arsat Rashidah , Adam Tijjani , Hashim Uda , Rahim Ruzairi Abdul , Leow Pei Ling
Published: September 2012

This paper demonstrates a modular architecture of a non-contact actuation micropump setup. Rapid hot embossing prototyping was employed in micropump fabrication by using printed circuit board (PCB) as a mold material in polymer casting. Actuator-membrane gap separation was studied, with experimental investigation of three separation distances: 2.0 mm, 2.5 mm and 3.5 mm. To enhance the micropump performance, interaction surface area between plunger and membrane was modeled via finite element analysis (FEA). The micropump was evaluated against two frequency ranges, which comprised a low driving frequency range (0–5 Hz, with 0.5 Hz step increments) and a nominal frequency range (0–80 Hz, with 10 Hz per step increments). The low range frequency features a linear relationship of flow rate with the operating frequency function, while two magnitude peaks were captured in the flow rate and back pressure characteristic in the nominal frequency range. Repeatability and reliability tests conducted suggest the pump performed at a maximum flow rate of 5.78 mL/min at 65 Hz and a backpressure of 1.35 kPa at 60 Hz.
Correction: Identification and Induction of Human, Social, and Cultural Capitals through an Experimental Approach to Stormwater Management, Sustainability 2012, 4, 1669-1682
Authors: Green Olivia Odom , Shuster William D. , Rhea Lee K. , Garmestani Ahjond S. , Thurston Hale W.
Published: September 2012

The authors wish to insert this additional sentence in the Acknowledgments section: “The views expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views or policies of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.” [...]
Genomic Sequences of Two Novel Levivirus Single-Stranded RNA Coliphages (Family Leviviridae): Evidence for Recombination in Environmental Strains
Authors: Friedman Stephanie D. , Snellgrove Wyatt C. , Genthner Fred J.
Published: September 2012

Bacteriophages are likely the most abundant entities in the aquatic environment, yet knowledge of their ecology is limited. During a fecal source-tracking study, two genetically novel Leviviridae strains were discovered. Although the novel strains were isolated from coastal waters 1130 km apart (North Carolina and Rhode Island, USA), these strains shared 97% nucleotide similarity and 97–100% amino acid similarity. When the novel strains were compared to nine Levivirus genogroup I strains, they shared 95–100% similarity among the maturation, capsid and lysis proteins, but only 84–85% in the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase gene. Further bioinformatic analyses suggested a recombination event occurred. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first description of viral recombinants in environmental Leviviridae ssRNA bacteriophages.
Host Cell Factors as Antiviral Targets in Arenavirus Infection
Authors: Linero Florencia N. , Sepúlveda Claudia S. , Giovannoni Federico , Castilla Viviana , García Cybele C. , Scolaro Luis A. , Damonte Elsa B.
Published: September 2012

Among the members of the Arenaviridae family, Lassa virus and Junin virus generate periodic annual outbreaks of severe human hemorrhagic fever (HF) in endemic areas of West Africa and Argentina, respectively. Given the human health threat that arenaviruses represent and the lack of a specific and safe chemotherapy, the search for effective antiviral compounds is a continuous demanding effort. Since diverse host cell pathways and enzymes are used by RNA viruses to fulfill their replicative cycle, the targeting of a host process has turned an attractive antiviral approach in the last years for many unrelated virus types. This strategy has the additional benefit to reduce the serious challenge for therapy of RNA viruses to escape from drug effects through selection of resistant variants triggered by their high mutation rate. This article focuses on novel strategies to identify inhibitors for arenavirus therapy, analyzing the potential for antiviral developments of diverse host factors essential for virus infection.
Ordered arrays of nanoporous gold nanoparticles
Authors: Wang Dong , Ji Ran , Albrecht Arne , Schaaf Peter
Published: September 2012

A combination of a “top-down” approach (substrate-conformal imprint lithography) and two “bottom-up” approaches (dewetting and dealloying) enables fabrication of perfectly ordered 2-dimensional arrays of nanoporous gold nanoparticles. The dewetting of Au/Ag bilayers on the periodically prepatterned substrates leads to the interdiffusion of Au and Ag and the formation of an array of Au–Ag alloy nanoparticles. The array of alloy nanoparticles is transformed into an array of nanoporous gold nanoparticles by a following dealloying step. Large areas of this new type of material arrangement can be realized with this technique. In addition, this technique allows for the control of particle size, particle spacing, and ligament size (or pore size) by varying the period of the structure, total metal layer thickness, and the thickness ratio of the as-deposited bilayers.
Influence of cyclodextrin on the solubility of a classically prepared 2-vinylcyclopropane macromonomer in aqueous solution
Authors: Ritter Helmut , Cheng Jia , Tabatabai Monir
Published: September 2012

A macromonomer 5 consisting of a polymerizable vinylcyclopropane end group and a poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (poly(NiPAAm)) chain was obtained from amidation of 1-ethoxycarbonyl-2-vinylcyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (4) with an amino-terminated poly(NiPAAm) 3 as an example. This macromonomer 5 showed an LCST effect after complexation of the vinyl end group with ß-cyclodextrin in water. Via radical ring-opening copolymerization of 5 and NiPAAm a graft copolymer 8 with a clouding point of 32 °C was synthesized. The branched unsaturated polymer was treated with ozone to cleave the double bonds of the main chain.
Rapid and Sharp Decline in HCV upon Monotherapy with Ns3 Protease Inhibitor, Ach-1625
Authors: Agarwal Atul , Zhang Bao , Olek Elizabeth , Robison Heather , Robarge Lisa , Deshpande Milind
Published: September 2012

Background

ACH-1625 is a linear peptidomimetic inhibitor that non-covalently binds to HCV NS3 protease with high potency and specificity. Short-term monotherapy of HCV genotype-1 infection with ACH-1625 was found to be safe and resulted in ≥3.3 log10 IU/ml mean viral load reduction. These viral load decay data were analysed to compare HCV dynamics with prior reports and estimate the antiviral efficiency of ACH-1625.

Methods

Drug efficiency was estimated by analysing the viral decay following initiation of up to 5 days of monotherapy with ACH-1625 in 36 chronically infected HCV genotype-1 patients. During this monotherapy study, ACH-1625 was administered either twice-a-day for 4.5 days or once daily for 5 days at 5 different dose levels in 36 patients.

Results

A sharp viral decay during the first 48 h following the initiation of ACH-1625 treatment afforded high drug efficiency estimates (≥0.9934). In addition, an increase in the estimated drug efficiency was observed with increasing ACH-1625 dose. The observed anti-HCV response was fairly uniform in this proof-of-concept study across the population of 36 patients.

Conclusions

Estimates of the treatment-independent viral kinetics parameters were consistent with prior reports and the estimated drug efficiency of ACH-1625 monotherapy was very high (≥0.9934) in fasted and fed states.
Ensayo no destructivo de soldaduras en pernos conectores mediante inspección acústica
Authors: Aznar A. , Cervera J. , Ortiz J. , Hernando J. I.
Published: September 2012

Los pernos conectores aportan múltiples ventajas de uso, entre las que se encuentra el elevado margen de seguridad que ofrecen sus soldaduras ejecutadas mediante arco eléctrico. Estas soldaduras, aunque ampliamente fiables, son difícilmente comprobadas mediante ensayos no destructivos.
El presente estudio plantea la inspección de soldaduras de pernos conectores mediante su espectro acústico. Analíticamente, la investigación se ha centrado en el cálculo de los primeros modos propios de vibración. Experimentalmente se han medido las frecuencias propias de resonancia de 28 pernos, en los que posteriormente se han llevado a cabo ensayos tanto no destructivos como destructivos.
Se ha obtenido, tanto teórica como experimentalmente, una relación entre la frecuencia de vibración de los pernos conectores y la calidad de la soldadura. Por ello se verifica la posibilidad de inspección de estas soldaduras mediante un ensayo acústico con el que es posible detectar los defectos internos donde los métodos convencionales resultan inviables.
Virtual Communities as Contributors for Digital Objects Metadata Generation
Authors: Dantas Joana Sócrates , Silveira Regina Melo
Published: September 2012

Description of online digital content is currently extremely necessary to facilitate a diverse amount of resource sharing over the internet. Many times, content is shared and reused within a virtual community. Virtual communities tend to have their own specific needs of resources, and tend to use a specific vocabulary to describe content. Members of virtual communities also tend to have specific motivations for participating and sharing information and knowledge with other members. In this chapter, the authors discuss the benefits of community members generating content description by analyzing the current literature on the matter. Then, the authors present two studies they have held where they assess the metadata generated by users of an IPTV system and by members of two different virtual communities.
Redefining Participation in Online Community
Authors: Gonzalez Gibrán Rivera , Cox Andrew
Published: September 2012

To be sustainable, online communities must have the ability to attract and retain members, who in turn must be willing to participate by giving their time, knowledge, and effort to provide benefits to others and themselves. Yet, many studies look at participation from a static point of view and disregard different levels of participation. There is a need to redefine the concept of participation. Furthermore, many studies explaining participation in virtual communities have focused their attention on the internal characteristics of these communities neglecting the importance of the external environment such as the competition that exists between online communities and alternative media; the multiple memberships people simultaneously have in different communities/practices; the organizational and social context in which online communities exist; and the social practices online communities support. By looking at participation as an evolving process instead of as a one-time event; by giving voice to all participants of the community; and by studying the context within which communities emerge, understanding of participation can be improved. To illustrate how these topics reshape a research agenda, the authors offer examples from a current study they are undertaking shaped by these concerns. By presenting the example the authors show how awareness of the “neglected topics” identified - as sensitizing ideas - expands research method and deepens understanding of participation in online communities. A practice-based approach is suggested as a useful theoretical tool to deepen current understanding of online community participation.
The Psychology of Trolling and Lurking
Authors: Bishop Jonathan
Published: September 2012

The rise of social networking services have furthered the proliferation of online communities, transferring the power of controlling access to content from often one person who operates a system (sysop), which they would normally rely on, to them personally. With increased participation in social networking and services come new problems and issues, such as trolling, where unconstructive messages are posted to incite a reaction, and lurking, where persons refuse to participate. Methods of dealing with these abuses included defriending, which can include blocking strangers. The Gamified Flow of Persuasion model is proposed, building on work in ecological cognition and the participation continuum, the chapter shows how all of these models can collectively be used with gamification principles to increase participation in online communities through effective management of lurking, trolling, and defriending.
Scenario-Planning for Learning in Communities
Authors: Vat Kam Hou
Published: September 2012

The chapter investigates an actionable model of virtual participation for learning communities, in the context of holistic student development in college education. The framework of analysis is based on scenario-planning, accommodating the dynamics of strategic design, decision making, and prototyping of various organizational scenarios of learning in communities. This conceptualization is extensible in cyberspace in today’s World Wide Web, especially promising for today’s universities, under the mission of ensuring quality student learning. The premise in this exploration is situated in the design of living and learning programs in residential colleges that must integrate the genuine concerns of holistic development for both teachers and students. What is often argued in this mesh of organizational design is how exactly to connect members of the communities, albeit the very behavior of hoarding personal presence (or knowledge) is what makes people feel secured and successful. The virtual participation model responds to this need by emphasizing the presence of an appreciative form of community sharing that could be facilitated through some innovative electronic channels designed into the daily living and learning experiences. However, the task of identifying what to watch for in building an online community of learning (CoL) is not at all straightforward. The authors’ investigation provides a basis to think of the generative potential of appreciative processes for interaction among different CoLs. The emergent challenge is to de-marginalize the concept of appreciative sharing among CoL members, expositing on the effective meaning behind the creation of such an environment through which purposeful individual or organizational learning could be enabled with the elaboration of suitable information technologies.
Culture, Disorder, and Death in an Online World
Authors: Marshall Jonathan
Published: September 2012

Death strikes everywhere, even online. Death poses problems personally, existentially, and culturally, and is potentially destructive to person and group. Yet many social theories of death posit some kind of social integration as normal, downplaying the potential for disorder. This chapter explores how people on the internet mailing list, Cybermind, dealt with death on two occasions: firstly, just after the group’s founding, and secondly, when the group had been established for eight years, and was in crisis. On both occasions the group was rocked by the deaths, and struggled to make a meaningful and ongoing mailing list culture out of parts of offline culture, while transforming that culture within the constraints and ambiguities of List Life. This was a disorderly exploratory process, which verged on disintegration. Social disorder cannot be seen as simply pathological or an error; it is a vital part of cultural processes and must be taken seriously in itself.
Virtual Communities of Practice in Immersive Virtual Worlds
Authors: Majewski Grzegorz , Usoro Abel
Published: September 2012

Immersive virtual worlds such as Second Life have recently gained much attention from education and business because of their adaptability to address real world challenges such as: online presentations, meetings, collaboration, 3D data visualization, and online knowledge sharing. These features make immersive virtual worlds a convenient place for knowledge sharing activities that occur in Virtual Communities of Practice (VCoP). A great number of virtual communities exist in Second Life to serve various purposes ranging from business to entertainment. Knowledge sharing in this environment may thus serve diverse purposes. There is, however, little research into knowledge sharing in immersive virtual worlds. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to fill this gap in knowledge. This study investigates participants’ involvement, motives, and behaviour and attempts to construct and validate a conceptual model of factors influencing members of VCoP in immersive virtual world while they share their knowledge. In order to achieve these goals, quantitative and qualitative research were carried out with participants of a group in Second Life.
Changing the Curriculum to Problem-Based and Project-Based Learning
Authors: Kolmos Anette
Published: September 2012

Problem based and project based learning (PBL) models are implemented all over the world in various versions at curriculum or course level. Due to this development, the conceptual understanding of PBL has become more diverse and sometimes confusing. This chapter summarizes the conceptual work done by the UNESCO Chair in PBL in engineering education in order to define PBL as a set of core learning principles that can be applied in practice. The PBL learning principles are formulated within three aspects: learning, social, and content of study. Furthermore, the chapter contains a PBL curriculum model, which can be used for analysis and development of the curriculum or single courses. Seven elements are identified as important for the planning and implementation of PBL learning principles, and for each of the elements there are several choices to be made. Finally, the chapter presents concrete advice for utilization of PBL learning principles in the curriculum or in the single course.
E-Portfolios as a Quantitative and Qualitative Means of Demonstrating Learning Outcomes and Competencies in Engineering
Authors: Prpic Juliana Kaya , Moore Graham
Published: September 2012

An outcomes-based approach to engineering education within the tertiary sector is now mandatory in Australia, with the government body responsible for the quality of tertiary education (TEQSA) and the professional body responsible both for accrediting engineering degrees and for registering professional engineers (Engineers Australia) couching their expectations and requirements in terms of outcomes expressed as competencies. In response, the institutions providing engineering qualifications have expressed the outcomes anticipated from successful completion of their courses in terms of graduate attributes. The net effect is that the outcomes attached to engineering education relate to a wide variety of domains, ranging from the spatial (what points on the engineering landscape must be covered) through the agentic (what actions an engineer should be able to undertake) to the temporal (when in an engineering career particular competencies should be evident), but how these translate to practical competencies at the level of the individual student or practicing engineer is not explicit.
Applying Learning Theories and Animation in OSiMM
Authors: Rias Riaza Mohd , Zaman Halimah Badioze
Published: September 2012

Learning and instruction in higher education may be primarily concerned in most cases with the content of their academic lessons, and not very much with their instructional delivery. However, effective instructional delivery with technology and based on sound learning theories has been known to have an impact on student performance. With the rapid development in the computer and multimedia technologies, it has become feasible to integrate multimedia technologies into the teaching and learning process. What has been the conventional teacher-centered teaching approach is now seeing a shift into one which emphasises on student-centered learning approach. There is a body of evidence that supports the benefit of using animations to assist learning. The domain knowledge applied in this study was on a Computer Science subject, for the topic of memory management. Memory management is one of the topics taught in the course on Operating Systems in Computer Science and Information Technology programmes. This chapter discusses the design and development of a courseware based on Mayer’s Cognitive theory of Multimedia learning, and the use of animation in the teaching and learning of a computer science subject. An instructional design model based on the theories discussed was then constructed and prototypes were developed in 3-D animation. A survey was then conducted on users’ instructional value and overall satisfaction and the results are reported.
Designing a Blended Learning Model to Support Mathematical Thinking in Multivariable Calculus
Authors: Kashefi Hamidreza , Ismail Zaleha , Yusof Yudariah Mohammad
Published: September 2012

Multivariable Calculus is one of the most difficult courses for undergraduate students. Researchers at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) endeavor to support students in the learning of Multivariable Calculus by promoting mathematical thinking in a face-to-face classroom. This study attempts to identify not only learning difficulties in Multivariable Calculus through mathematical thinking approach but also the ways and means of improving these difficulties based on students and lecturers recommendations. The main purpose of this study is to establish a model of teaching and learning based on these findings for designing a blended learning instruction of Multivariable Calculus course through mathematical thinking approach. It first attempts to identify the theoretical reasons for selecting blended learning to promote mathematical thinking in Multivariable Calculus. Then, it exemplifies a teaching and learning model to support students’ mathematical thinking in Multivariable Calculus through blended learning instruction.
Implementing Online Assessment for Summative Purpose in an Electronic Engineering Course
Authors: Sanudin Rahmat
Published: September 2012

A computer-based approach of academic online assessment has been implemented in electronic engineering course in Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM). The implementation of online assessment method is seen as an alternative to conventional assessment method used for years. Unlike the conventional approach, the online assessment does not require the students and lecturer to be in one place for the purpose of evaluation. The online assessment system enables the ease-of-use performance, functionality and flexibility in such a way that lecturers are able to ensure and maintain the objective of specified assessment. The purpose of this chapter is to present a first attempt in implementing the online assessment to first year students in electronic engineering course. This study was implemented to investigate the effectiveness of using e-learning platform as an assessment tool. The result obtained from online assessment is then compared with the paper-based assessment in term of students’ performance and the difficulty of questions. It is concluded that the implementation of this online assessment is an effective means to hold an assessment, and thus, could become an alternative to the conventional assessment approach.
An Overview of Accessibility and Usability of Educational Games
Authors: Hersh Marion A. , Leporini Barbara
Published: September 2012

This chapter presents an overview of accessibility and usability for educational computer-based games and the first survey of the accessibility and usability of digital educational games. The overview includes a discussion of accessibility and usability, both in general and in the specific context of educational games, as well as a brief presentation of issues relating to game design, including of mobile games. Since there are no previous studies of the accessibility and usability of educational computer-based games, studies of the accessibility and usability of the related areas of virtual learning environments, digital games for entertainment and PDF documents, are also presented. The overview of accessibility and usability and the results of the survey are used to draw up a structured list of 62 guidelines and recommendations, organised into three categories at the first level and ten at the second level. These guidelines and recommendations are illustrated by an example of their application to a fictitious new educational game.
Usability of Online Virtual Learning Environments
Authors: Cole Ian John
Published: September 2012

This chapter explores key issues in relation to the human computer interactions that are supported through Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs). It focuses particularly on the usability of online learning environments and highlights the impact usability can have on the learning experiences of users. The authors adopt a definition of usability that relates to the usability of virtual learning environments, specifically, and provides guidance on how to assess the usability of VLEs by offering the Multidimensional Usability Model (MUM). The MUM model is designed to identify the factors that can form technological barriers to effective Human Computer Interaction (HCI). This chapter also offers an evaluation of the theoretical frameworks, criteria, and methodologies currently available; these draw on research findings from a case study focused on the usability of an existing VLE and give practical examples of the MUM approach to usability.
Enriching the Experience in Video Games Based on Playability Development Techniques
Authors: Sánchez José Luis González , Iranzo Rosa Maria Gil , Vela Francisco L. Gutierrez
Published: September 2012

Video games are the most economically profitable entertainment industry. The nature of their design means that user experience is enriched by emotional, cultural, and other subjective factors that make design and / or evaluation difficult using traditional methods commonly used in interactive systems. It is therefore necessary to know how to apply Playability in order to design, analyze, optimize, and adapt it to a player’s preferences. In this chapter, the authors present a way to perform UX based on Playability techniques by adding hedonic factors that enrich the development of video games. The aim is to easily and cost-effectively analyze the different degrees of Playability within a game and determine how player experience is affected by different game elements. These results can be applied in the educational field where the experience of the pupils with educational video games is a crucial factor for the success of the learning process.
Playability Design Patterns
Authors: Ibrahim Amer , Vela Francisco L. Gutiérrez , Zea Natalia Padilla , Sánchez José Luis González
Published: September 2012

Learning through play is currently an effective and attractive educational strategy. Recently, many educational video games have failed because methods of analysis have not been used to discuss playability level in a structured way. Ensuring a good player experience characterized by playability requires cooperation and collaboration between game designers and educators. To this end, the authors have proposed a new set of patterns to support educational video game design and analysis. These patterns aim to facilitate the development of educational video games, summarize the essential information and requirements needed to understand a particular problem and the proposed solution, and present the interrelationships between educational video game components and playability attributes.
Beauty or the Beast
Authors: Bekebrede Geertje , Harteveld Casper , Warmelink Harald , Meijer Sebastiaan
Published: September 2012

Educational games are often less attractive than entertainment games in visuals, gameplay, and other aspects, but do we need entertainment-level beauties in our education or are beasts sufficient? To identify the importance of attraction for educational games, the authors offer the results of a comparative analysis of five educational games used and evaluated from 2005-2010 (N=754). They operationalized attraction through statements in which players were asked to rate the games’ visual, gameplay, and user interface attractiveness. While some scholars argue that for game-based education to become successful, educational games need to be visually more attractive, the results of the analysis show the opposite. For educational games, attraction is of relatively low importance. The authors further found that gameplay is the most important aspect of attraction and visuals the least. These results contribute to the debate amongst designers and educators on what priorities to set when considering game-based education.
Facilitation of Trust in Gaming Situations
Authors: Hromek Robyn
Published: September 2012

Games are inherently engaging and, when crafted to do so, provide an experiential, mediated learning space that is effective and fun. This chapter explores game-based learning and the role of the facilitator in optimizing learning. As referees, they make sure games proceed in a fair and orderly manner. As teachers, they look for teachable moments to ‘scaffold’ learning. As mentors, they debrief what happened to enhance learning and ensure psychological safety. The author reviews the literature and her practice as an educational psychologist to examine therapeutic board games and socio-emotional learning. The Life-Space Interview and Emotional First Aid are put forward as effective debriefing tools. An argument is made for the importance of face-to-face games and attention is drawn to concerns about excessive screen time.
Laboratory Experiments in CSCL Activities
Authors: Collazos César A. , Guerrero Luis A. , Pino Jose A. , Santoro Flavia M. , Borges Marcos , dos Santos Neide , Zapata Sergio , Sarmiento Wilson
Published: September 2012

Several groupware tools have been implemented within Computer Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) research groups in order to test ideas and concepts currently being studied. It is very important to perform pilot-evaluations with these systems. The CSCW Lab is an environment for evaluating groupware within research groups. Four dimensions in assessing groupware were identified: context, collaboration, usability, and cultural impacts. In this chapter, the authors present a proposal to detail the collaboration level, specifically for CSCL domain applications. Understanding and analyzing the collaborative learning process requires a fine-grained sequential analysis of the group interaction in the context of learning goals. Several researchers in the area of cooperative work take as success criterion the quality of the group outcome. Nevertheless, recent findings are giving more importance to the quality of the “cooperation process” itself. The proposed model includes a set of guidelines to evaluate the usage of CSCL tools within a collaboration process defined along with the learning objectives. The authors have defined an experiment with a software tool instrumented to gather information that allowed them to verify the presence of a set of cooperation indicators, which in turn helped to determine the quality of the work process.