bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Learning computer ethics and social responsibility with tabletop role-playing games
Authors: Zdravkova Katerina 
Published: February 2014

Purpose
– Tabletop online role-playing games enable active learning appropriate for different ages and learner capabilities. They have also been implemented in computer and engineering ethics courses. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach
– This paper presents the experience of implementing role-playing in several courses embedded in Web 2.0 environment, with an intention to confront complex and sometimes mutually conflicting concepts, and integrate them into a whole.

Findings
– Typical examples introducing two basic scenarios representing individual and collaborative learning scripts are presented together with the detailed analysis how the games were performed, the effort to participate in, and to maintain them. Particular attention is paid to student feedback.

Originality/value
– The paper concludes with the basic findings of the effects of role-playing in current learning computer ethics and social responsibilities courses, and recommendations for future implementation of similar asynchronous learning online activities in order to increase their academic value and prepare students for their forthcoming professional integration.
What and whose values in design?
Authors: Gerdes Anne 
Published: February 2014

Purpose
– The paper aims to represent a response to the invited paper by Ellen Christiansen: “From ethics of the eye to ethics of the hand in participatory design and development of digital technologies”.

Design/methodology/approach
– The response takes departure in Christiansen's view points regarding dialogue-oriented collaborative prototyping as a mean to address values in design.

Findings
– The response points to the limitations of Christiansen's approach in claiming that dialogue cannot by itself ensure integration of ethics into the practice of design.

Originality/value
– The response addresses methodological issues related to ethical design and stresses the importance of a pro-active design approach in order to implement values in design.
Reliability analysis of underground mining equipment using genetic algorithms
Authors: Vayenas Nick , Peng Sihong 
Published: February 2014

Purpose– While increased mechanization and automation make considerable contributions to mine productivity, unexpected equipment failures and imperfect planned or routine maintenance prohibit the maximum possible utilization of sophisticated mining equipment and require significant amount of extra capital investment. Traditional preventive/planned maintenance is usually scheduled at a fixed interval based on maintenance personnel's experience and it can result in decreasing reliability. This paper deals with reliability analysis and prediction for mining machinery. A software tool called GenRel is discussed with its theoretical background, applied algorithms and its current improvements. In GenRel, it is assumed that failures of mining equipment caused by an array of factors (e.g. age of equipment, operating environment) follow the biological evolution theory. GenRel then simulates the failure occurrences during a time period of interest based on Genetic Algorithms (GAs) combined with a number of statistical procedures. The paper also discusses a case study of two mine hoists. The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether or not GenRel can be applied for reliability analysis of mine hoists in real life.Design/methodology/approach– Statistical testing methods are applied to examine the similarity between the predicted data set with the real-life data set in the same time period. The data employed in this case study is compiled from two mine hoists from the Sudbury area in Ontario, Canada. Potential applications of the reliability assessment results yielded from GenRel include reliability-centered maintenance planning and production simulation.Findings– The case studies shown in this paper demonstrate successful applications of a GAs-based software, GenRel, to analyze and predict dynamic reliability characteristics of two hoist systems. Two separate case studies in Mine A and Mine B at a time interval of three months both present acceptable prediction results at a given level of confidence, 5 percent.Practical implications– Potential applications of the reliability assessment results yielded from GenRel include reliability-centered maintenance planning and production simulation.Originality/value– Compared to conventional mathematical models, GAs offer several key advantages. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there has not been a wide application of GAs in hoist reliability assessment and prediction. In addition, the authors bring discrete distribution functions to the software tool (GenRel) for the first time and significantly improve computing efficiency. The results of the case studies demonstrate successful application of GenRel in assessing and predicting hoist reliability, and this may lead to better preventative maintenance management in the industry.
Exploring the intention to use mobile learning: the moderating role of personal innovativeness
Authors: Cheng Yung-Ming 
Published: February 2014

Purpose
– The main purpose of this study was to combine the extended technology acceptance model (TAM) with the innovation diffusion theory (IDT) to examine how learners' beliefs affected their usage intention of mobile learning (m-learning) and explore whether the relationships between learners' beliefs and their usage intention of m-learning changed under different levels of personal innovativeness regarding the new information technology (IT).

Design/methodology/approach
– Sample data for this study were collected from Taiwanese mobile phone users, a total of 750 questionnaires were distributed, and 486 usable questionnaires were analyzed in this study, with a usable response rate of 64.80 per cent. Collected data were analyzed using structural equation modeling, multiple group analysis, and hierarchical moderated regression analysis.

Findings
– Perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEOU), perceived enjoyment (PE), and compatibility can play essential roles in affecting learners' intention to use m-learning. Personal innovativeness can moderate the effects of PU, PEOU, and compatibility on intention to use m-learning except the effect of PE on intention to use m-learning.

Originality/value
– Based on the views of the extended TAM with the IDT, this study incorporates intrinsic motivator (i.e. PE) along with conventional extrinsic motivators (i.e. PU and PEOU) into its analysis of m-learning acceptance for a more robust analysis and exhibits explicit results indicating that the effects of learners' beliefs on their usage intention of m-learning depend largely on their innovative predisposition regarding the new IT.
Ambient noise from off-grid diesel engines electric power generators in an urban environment
Authors: Ademola Sonibare Jacob , Adetayo Adeniran Jamiu , Sunday Fakinle Bamidele , O. Latinwo Ismaila , Adekilekun Jimoda Lukuman , Abel Olu-Arotiowa Olusesan 
Published: February 2014

Purpose
– The aim of this paper is to investigate the impacts of the noise from the diesel engine power generators used for production activities in an urban environment.

Design/methodology/approach
– This study has used the Enterprise Edition of NoiseMap 2000 Version 2.7.1 to investigate the impacts of the noise from the diesel engines electric power generators used in a factory in Ikorodu, an urban environment in Lagos, Nigeria. Five sections of the factory with diesel engines electric power generators were considered. The immediate and distant environments covering about 10 km of the factory host environment were considered as receptors to the noise for this study.

Findings
– It was found out that when all the generators operate simultaneously in the factory, the ambient noise was 30.0-152.5 dB(A) with the minimum contribution within the factory being 70.0-84.4 dB(A) and the maximum contribution of 57.2-70.8 dB(A) outside the factory fence line. Though the maximum noise is 152.5 dB(A), the maximum noise of 70.8 dB(A) beyond the fence line shows a compliance with 70 dB(A) industrial and commercial area limit but breaches the 45 dB(A) and 55 dB(A) residential area limit of the World Bank.

Research limitations/implications
– As much as it would be desirable ambient noise level could not be measured in all the receptors’ locations covered by the modeling. However, the capability of the modeling software adopted makes this to have no negative impact on the quality of the findings of this study.

Practical implications
– The study will assist the public to determine the noise level safe region around diesel engine electric power generators.

Originality/value
– The paper highlights the challenges in which ambient noise from the use of off-grid generators used for industrial purposes could pose to the neighboring receptor environments.
Effect of ashing method on some micronutrients in black sesame seeds (Sesamum indicum)
Authors: Qadeer Aneela , Anwer Humera , Mahmood Talat , Abbas Bhutto Muhammad 
Published: February 2014

Purpose
– Nutritional and medicinal properties of black sesame seeds (Sesamum indicum) make it very valuable in traditional system of food. Minerals in Sesamum indicum play an important role to enhance its nutritional value. The present research comprises on proximate and chemical analysis of Sesamum indicum. This study is also based on the development of ashing methods for extraction of metals in black sesame seeds. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach
– Black sesame seeds were taken from local market at Karachi-Pakistan. Proximate analysis of seeds comprises of moisture content, ash content and total metal content by EDTA titration. Digestion of this herb was done in different medium, i.e. HNO3, HCl, H2SO4 and simple ash (ash was prepared without using any acid). Atomic absorption spectroscopy was used for the analysis of metals, i.e. Fe, Zn, Cu and Mg in all these ashes.

Findings
– From the results it is concluded that best medium for ashing is H2SO4, by which maximum ash (5.39±0.0021 per cent) produced. Qualitative analysis (based on Ksp values) also confirmed the presence of maximum number of metals in H2SO4 medium. Complexometric titration also revealed that maximum metal content was found to be in HCl and H2SO4 ash. Results from atomic absorption spectroscopy revealed that H2SO4 is the best method for copper (0.399±0.0001 mg/g) and iron (0.3993±0.0015 mg/g), while simple ash can extract zinc and magnesium at their maximum level.

Originality/value
– This research demonstrates the best ashing method for the extraction of micronutrients, present in Sesamum indicum. These micronutrients are very beneficial for human health.
Nutritional quality evaluation of Whitemouth croaker (Micropogonias furnieri) protein isolate
Authors: Renzo Cortez-Vega William , Rodrigues Freitas Irene , Pizato Sandriane , Prentice Carlos 
Published: February 2014

Purpose– The purpose of this study was to isolate Whitemouth croaker protein by alkaline solubilization process and evaluate their nutritional quality to evaluate the bioavailability of essential amino acids.Design/methodology/approach– The proximate composition, essential amino acid composition,in vitrodigestibility, apparent bioavailability, chemical score of amino acids and SDS-PAGE were determined for the isolated croaker proteins.Findings– The isolated protein showed a high level of protein 92.21 percent and low amount of lipids 0.57 percent. The protein is rich in lysine and leucine, 108.73 and 96.75 mg/g protein, respectively. The protein isolate had high digestibility, 94.32 percent, which indicates proper utilization of this protein source, while the tryptophan had lower bioavailability (12.58 mg amino acid/mg protein). The high chemical scores were found for the amino acids lysine, methionine+cysteine (6.79 and 5.14). SDS-PAGE of proteins extracted showed appearance of the heavy chain of myosin (220 kDa), actin (50 kDa) and other fractions, with molecular weight between 20 and 50 kDa, such as troponin I, C and T.Originality/value– The products obtained from croaker muscle can be incorporated as a high value supplements in human diets. The isolated protein exhibited a high content of essential amino acids and digestibility, indicating that the protein has a high nutritional quality.
Early intervention and dementia care: innovation and impact
Authors: Seabrooke Viniti , Milne Alisoun 
Published: February 2014

Purpose– This study aims to systematically evaluate the impact and effectiveness of two early intervention services in NW Kent.Design/methodology/approach– Data were gathered via evaluation questionnaires for both projects; these included quantitative post-intervention data and qualitative comments. Data on referrals to secondary care and a specialist third sector organisation were also collected for the primary care project.Findings– Findings from the primary care project indicate that targeting a specific age cohort of patients can be effective in terms of: early identification of dementia-related concerns, the provision of support, appropriate referrals to secondary care, and increased referrals to a third sector dementia service. At the end of the project most practitioners felt they were better informed about dementia, more committed to facilitating early diagnosis, and had gained confidence in using a screening tool (the General Practitioner Assessment of Cognition Test). Evidence from evaluating the Carers Group suggests that attendance helped members manage emotional difficulties, increased understanding of dementia, and enhanced coping skills. They also felt less isolated and knew how to access support services.Practical implications– The projects offer two models of intervention: how a proactive third sector agency can work with primary care professionals to enhance commitment to dementia case finding and the provision of group support to relatives of those in receipt of a recent dementia diagnosis.Originality/value– The study provides insights into early intervention in dementia care how to evaluate impact of effectiveness.
The Pseudomonas viridiflava phylogroups in the P. syringae species complex are characterized by genetic variability and phenotypic plasticity of pathogenicity‐related traits
Authors: Bartoli Claudia , Berge Odile , Monteil Caroline L. , Guilbaud Caroline , Balestra Giorgio M. , Varvaro Leonardo , Jones Corbin , Dangl Jeffery L. , Baltrus David A. , Sands David C. , Morris Cindy E. 
Published: February 2014

SummaryAs a species complex, Pseudomonas syringae exists in both agriculture and natural aquatic habitats. P. viridiflava, a member of this complex, has been reported to be phenotypically largely homogenous. We characterized strains from different habitats, selected based on their genetic similarity to previously described P. viridiflava strains. We revealed two distinct phylogroups and two different kinds of variability in phenotypic traits and genomic content. The strains exhibited phase variation in phenotypes including pathogenicity and soft rot on potato. We showed that the presence of two configurations of the Type III Secretion System [single (S‐PAI) and tripartite (T‐PAI) pathogenicity islands] are not correlated with pathogenicity or with the capacity to induce soft rot in contrast to previous reports. The presence/absence of the avrE effector gene was the only trait we found to be correlated with pathogenicity of P. viridiflava. Other Type III secretion effector genes were not correlated with pathogenicity. A genomic region resembling an exchangeable effector locus (EEL) was found in S‐PAI strains, and a probable recombination between the two PAIs is described. The ensemble of the variability observed in these phylogroups of P. syringae likely contributes to their adaptability to alternating opportunities for pathogenicity or saprophytic survival.
Mechanical Strategies to Increase Nutritional and Sensory Quality of Virgin Olive Oil by Modulating the Endogenous Enzyme Activities
Authors: Clodoveo Maria Lisa , Hbaieb Rim Hachicha , Kotti Faten , Mugnozza Giacomo Scarascia , Gargouri Mohamed 
Published: February 2014

Abstract This monograph is a critical review of the biological activities that occur during virgin olive oil (VOO) extraction process. Strategic choices of plant engineering systems and of processing technologies should be made to condition the enzymatic activities, in order to modulate the nutritional and the sensory quality of the product toward the consumer expectations. “Modulation” of the product quality properties has the main aim to predetermine the quantity and the quality of 2 classes of substances: polyphenols and volatile compounds responsible of VOO nutritional and sensory characteristics. In the 1st section, a systematic analysis of the literature has been carried out to investigate the main olive enzymatic activities involved in the complex biotransformation that occurs during the mechanical extraction process. In the 2nd section, a critical and interpretative discussion of the influence of each step of the extraction process on the polyphenols and the volatile compounds has been performed. The effect of the different mechanical devices that are part of the extraction process is analyzed and recommendations, strategies, and possible avenues for future researches are suggested.
Compound eyes of insects and crustaceans: Some examples that show there is still a lot of work left to be done
Authors: Meyer‐Rochow Victor Benno 
Published: February 2014

AbstractSimilarities and differences between the 2 main kinds of compound eye (apposition and superposition) are briefly explained before several promising topics for research on compound eyes are being introduced. Research on the embryology and molecular control of the development of the insect clear‐zone eye with superposition optics is one of the suggestions, because almost all of the developmental work on insect eyes in the past has focused on eyes with apposition optics. Age‐ and habitat‐related ultrastructural studies of the retinal organization are another suggestion and the deer cadLipoptena cervi, which has an aerial phase during which it is winged followed by a several months long parasitic phase during which it is wingless, is mentioned as a candidate species. Sexual dimorphism expressing itself in many species as a difference in eye structure and function provides another promising field for compound eye researchers and so is a focus on compound eye miniaturization in very small insects, especially those that are aquatic and belong to species, in which clear‐zone eyes are diagnostic or are tiny insects that are not aquatic, but belong to taxa like the Diptera for instance, in which open rather than closed rhabdoms are the rule. Structures like interommatidial hairs and glands as well as corneal microridges are yet another field that could yield interesting results and in the past has received insufficient consideration. Finally, the dearth of information on distance vision and depth perception is mentioned and a plea is made to examine the photic environment inside the foam shelters of spittle bugs, chrysales of pupae and other structures shielding insects and crustaceans.
Lifelong treatment with atenolol decreases membrane fatty acid unsaturation and oxidative stress in heart and skeletal muscle mitochondria and improves immunity and behavior, without changing mice longevity
Authors: Gómez Alexia , Sánchez‐Roman Ines , Gomez Jose , Cruces Julia , Mate Ianire , Lopez‐Torres Mónica , Naudi Alba , Portero‐Otin Manuel , Pamplona Reinald , De la Fuente Monica , Barja Gustavo 
Published: February 2014

SummaryThe membrane fatty acid unsaturation hypothesis of aging and longevity is experimentally tested for the first time in mammals. Lifelong treatment of mice with the β1‐blocker atenolol increased the amount of the extracellular‐signal‐regulated kinase signaling protein and successfully decreased one of the two traits appropriately correlating with animal longevity, the membrane fatty acid unsaturation degree of cardiac and skeletal muscle mitochondria, changing their lipid profile toward that present in much more longer‐lived mammals. This was mainly due to decreases in 22:6n‐3 and increases in 18:1n‐9 fatty acids. The atenolol treatment also lowered visceral adiposity (by 24%), decreased mitochondrial protein oxidative, glycoxidative, and lipoxidative damage in both organs, and lowered oxidative damage in heart mitochondrial DNA. Atenolol also improved various immune (chemotaxis and natural killer activities) and behavioral functions (equilibrium, motor coordination, and muscular vigor). It also totally or partially prevented the aging‐related detrimental changes observed in mitochondrial membrane unsaturation, protein oxidative modifications, and immune and behavioral functions, without changing longevity. The controls reached 3.93 years of age, a substantially higher maximum longevity than the best previously described for this strain (3.0 years). Side effects of the drug could have masked a likely lowering of the endogenous aging rate induced by the decrease in membrane fatty acid unsaturation. We conclude that it is atenolol that failed to increase longevity, and likely not the decrease in membrane unsaturation induced by the drug.
Glutamate transporter GLT‐1 mediates N‐acetylcysteine inhibition of cocaine reinstatement
Authors: Reissner Kathryn J. , Gipson Cassandra D. , Tran Phuong K. , Knackstedt Lori A. , Scofield Michael D. , Kalivas Peter W. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractBoth pre‐clinical and clinical studies indicate that N‐acetylcysteine (NAC) may be useful in treating relapse to addictive drug use. Cocaine self‐administration in rats reduces both cystine‐glutamate exchange and glutamate transport via GLT‐1 in the nucleus accumbens, and NAC treatment normalizes these two glial processes critical for maintaining glutamate homeostasis. However, it is not known if one or both of these actions by NAC is needed to inhibit relapse to cocaine seeking. To determine whether the restoration of GLT‐1 and/or cystine‐glutamate exchange is required for NAC to inhibit cue‐induced reinstatement of cocaine seeking, we utilized the rat self‐administration/extinction/reinstatement model of cocaine relapse. Rats were pre‐treated in the nucleus accumbens with vivo‐morpholino antisense oligomers targeting either GLT‐1 or xCT (catalytic subunit of the cystine‐glutamate exchanger) overlapping with daily NAC administration during extinction (100 mg/kg, i.p. for the last 5 days). Rats then underwent cue‐induced reinstatement of active lever pressing in the absence of NAC, to determine if preventing NAC‐induced restoration of one or the other protein was sufficient to block the capacity of chronic NAC to inhibit reinstatement. The vivo‐morpholino suppression of xCT reduced cystine‐glutamate exchange but did not affect NAC‐induced reduction of reinstated cocaine seeking. In contrast, suppressing NAC‐induced restoration of GLT‐1 not only prevented NAC from inhibiting reinstatement, but augmented the capacity of cues to reinstate cocaine seeking. We hypothesized that the increased reinstatement after inhibiting NAC induction of GLT‐1 resulted from increased extracellular glutamate, and show that augmented reinstatement is prevented by blocking mGluR5. Restoring GLT‐1, not cystine‐glutamate exchange, is a key mechanism whereby daily NAC reduces cue‐induced cocaine reinstatement.