Using process-oriented, sequencing educational technologies: Some important pedagogical issues

In recent times, sequencing technologies are becoming increasingly used, both by the university and the industry sectors. In essence, these complex systems support sequencing of, and navigation through units of content. They come in two different types: SCORM-based and workflow-based systems. Current research efforts related to sequencing technologies concentrate mostly on technical issues, while the associated pedagogical issues remain unexplored.The main objective of this paper is to describe the most important pedagogical issues that need to be taken into account when implementing any type of sequencing educational technologies (either SCORM- or workflow-based). These issues were identified during an action-learning project related to the practical implementation of a workflow-based educational system. During the reflection phase of this project, these issues were then genarised, so they could be applied to any type of sequencing technology and in any application domain (teaching discipline). The paper describes how sequencing technology can be used to enable a more flexible learning experience (especially in terms of time and flexible learning pathways) and then proceeds with the detailed analysis of the associated pedagogical issues.     

Different measures of sensitivity of recipe colour to random and proportional dye concentration error. Part 2: An example of target-position dependence and span

A regularity of the predicted sensitivities to random and proportional dye concentration errors in regard to the position of target colour has been observed for the case of dyeing acrylic with basic dyes. The sensitivity of the recipe colour to random dye concentration errors is highest for light neutral target colours and is almost negligible for dark-shade recipes. Recipes for less saturated targets are slightly more sensitive than recipes for more saturated targets of equal lightness. The span of the sensitivities to weighing error of the recipes matching a given target varies with the position of the target in colour space. By contrast, the sensitivity of recipes to dye strength error is the highest at medium to low lightness for neutral and near neutral target shades. The span of sensitivities of the recipes for any such particular target is broad, with some having low sensitivity to strength errors. Recipes for the target colours at the 'lighter' part of the gamut border were the least sensitive to strength errors. Received: 10 June 2005; Accepted: 11 July 2005.     

Developing a model to assess the success of e-learning systems: evidence from a manufacturing company in transitional economy

This paper examines the success of an e-learning system in a company from the perspective of employees by using a multimethod approach. For this purpose Moodle learning management system was used. The success of e-learning as an information system was evaluated using four constructs of the updated DeLone and McLean IS success model—system quality, use, user satisfaction and net benefits, and adding one more construct—user performance. In this research a combination of observation and survey as two different research methods was used, which allowed the new measure to be incorporated into the model. Empirical assessment was carried out by exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling. The research model was found to be valid and reliable. The results provide an expanded understanding of the constructs that measure the success of an e-learning system, helping to more deeply understand the key success dimensions and their interrelationships. The implications of our work were discussed. The DeLone and McLean IS success model applied equally well. However, the use of observation as a method of data collection revealed the weaknesses of the original model.     

Regulation of S100As Expression by Inflammatory Cytokines in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

The calcium-binding proteins S100A4, S100A8, and S100A9 are upregulated in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), while the S100A9 promotes NF-κB activity during disease progression. The S100-protein family has been involved in several malignancies as mediators of inflammation and proliferation. The hypothesis of our study is that S100A proteins are mediators in signaling pathways associated with inflammation-induced proliferation, such as NF-κB, PI3K/AKT, and JAK/STAT. The mononuclear cells (MNCs) of CLL were treated with proinflammatory IL-6, anti-inflammatory IL-10 cytokines, inhibitors of JAK1/2, NF-κB, and PI3K signaling pathways, to evaluate S100A4, S100A8, S100A9, and S100A12 expression as well as NF-κB activation by qRT-PCR, immunocytochemistry, and immunoblotting. The quantity of S100A4, S100A8, and S100A9 positive cells (p < 0.05) and their protein expression (p < 0.01) were significantly decreased in MNCs of CLL patients compared to healthy controls. The S100A levels were generally increased in CD19⁺ cells compared to MNCs of CLL. The S100A4 gene expression was significantly stimulated (p < 0.05) by the inhibition of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in MNCs. IL-6 stimulated S100A4 and S100A8 protein expression, prevented by the NF-κB and JAK1/2 inhibitors. In contrast, IL-10 reduced S100A8, S100A9, and S100A12 protein expressions in MNCs of CLL. Moreover, IL-10 inhibited activation of NF-κB signaling (4-fold, p < 0.05). In conclusion, inflammation stimulated the S100A protein expression mediated via the proliferation-related signaling and balanced by the cytokines in CLL.     

Application of sol gel spin coated yttria-stabilized zirconia layers for the improvement of solid oxide fuel cell electrolytes produced by atmospheric plasma spraying

Due to its high thermal stability and purely oxide ionic conductivity, yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) is the most commonly used electrolyte material for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). Standard electrolyte fabrication techniques for planar SOFCs involve wet ceramic techniques such as tape-casting or screen printing, requiring sintering steps at temperatures above 1300 °C. Plasma spraying (PS) may provide a more rapid and cost efficient method to produce SOFCs without sintering. High-temperature sintering requires long processing times and can lead to oxidation of metal alloys used as mechanical supports, or to detrimental interreactions between the electrolyte and adjacent electrode layers. This study investigates the use of spin coated sol gel derived YSZ precursor solutions to fill the pores present in plasma sprayed YSZ layers, and to enhance the surface area for reaction at the electrolyte-cathode interface, without the use of high-temperature firing steps. The effects of different plasma conditions and sol concentrations and solid loadings on the gas permeability and fuel cell performance have been investigated.     

Assessment and Feedback

Assessment and learning must not be considered as two separate processes. In fact, assessment is an integral part of the learning process; it can be learning experience in itself. Active assessment strategies help students better understand the content they learn and develop skills that will be useful to them throughout their lives. Some of those skills are the ability to prepare effective oral and written reports and the ability to cooperate successfully with peers. Action research represents the process of systematic inquiry and it helps teachers to assess learning from the perspective of what they do in the classroom. The purpose is to find out ＂why＂ or ＂how＂ something happened the way it did. Therefore, a situation or problem should be carefully examined by a teacher. Teachers should analyze their own beliefs, values, and assumptions about teaching and learning, knowledge and curriculum, and how these impact the way they interact with students. Feedback should be used as part of assessment activities. Learning experience of students facilitated by teachers can be assessed through feedback.     

Semantic Mediation for Standard-Based B2B Interoperability

The authors discuss a semantic-mediation architecture to advance traditional approaches for standards-based business-to-business (B2B) interoperability. The architecture is supported by the Athena Knowledge Representation and Semantics Mediation tool suite. Initial experimentations with the architecture and the toolset offer discussions of key architectural and functional aspects and suggest directions for future tools enhancements.     

Instrumental and sensory evaluation of cooked pasta during frozen storage

Food consumption patterns have changed significantly during the last years, showing an increase in the consumption of convenience foods. Frozen foods represent an important segment of this market. The aim of the present paper was to study the influence of frozen storage on the quality of cooked organic tagliatelle. Instrumental measurements of different quality parameters (moisture content, colour, textural and rheological characteristics of frozen cooked pasta) were performed during twelve months of storage. The sensory properties of pasta were also evaluated by means of an acceptability study. In general, both instrumental and sensory analysis found that frozen storage affects negatively the acceptability of cooked pasta. The advantages obtained through fast freezing procedures are not maintained along storage, being hardness (instrumental) and consistency (sensory) the most relevant quality indices. Finally, the shelf life of the product was calculated as 3.6 and 3.8 months in the cryogenic device and air‐blast tunnel, respectively, based on simple kinetic models.     

Composition and antibacterial activities of essential oils of seven Ocimum taxa

GC/MS was used to identify compounds of essential oils from seven Ocimum taxa (O. americanum L., O. basilicum L., O. campechianum Mill., O. x citriodorum Vis., O. kilimandscharicum Baker ex Gürke and three botanical varieties and cultivars of Ocimum basilicum L.: ‘Genovese’, var. difforme and var. purpurascens). Preliminary screening of their antibacterial activity was done against a number of common pathogens (Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococus faecium, Escherichia coli 0157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, Listeria ivanovii, Proteus vulgaris, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermis) using the filter paper disc agar diffusion technique, while further analyses were done by modification of the disc diffusion method. A broad variation in the antibacterial properties of investigated essential oils was observed. E. coli 0157:H7 was inhibited by O. basilicum ‘Genovese’ essential oil, while Ocimum americanum and Ocimum x citriodorum essential oils were the most effective against Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, P. vulgaris, S. aureus and S. epidermis.