3D learning spaces and activities fostering users’ learning, acceptance, and creativity

© 2019, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature. As an instructional material, 3D instructions afford people to learn procedural-manipulative tasks. Observing and emulating motions presented in 3D animations is important in learning contexts. This study examined the effects of visual cueing in an effort to identify the optimal way to present information in a 3D virtual environment. While previous studies have found that animations are more effective than static images for learning procedural-manipulative tasks, the transient nature of dynamic visualizations might create an unnecessary cognitive load on learners. To compensate strategically for the lack of permanency, this study suggests combining dynamic and static visualizations into one medium by adding transparent static images (visual cueing) to an animation. A between-subjects experiment was conducted to examine the effects of visual cueing on cognitive load and learning outcomes. The study found that the hybrid of dynamic and static visualizations was beneficial for reducing cognitive load, although it did not improve learning outcomes. The results suggest a design strategy for improving the effectiveness of 3D instructional animations. The findings are broadly applicable to numerous learning contexts, such as virtual reality storytelling, augmented reality games, and diverse gamification services

Role of fairness, accountability, and transparency in algorithmic affordance

© 2019 Elsevier Ltd As algorithm-based services increase, social topics such as fairness, transparency, and accountability (FAT) must be addressed. This study conceptualizes such issues and examines how they influence the use and adoption of algorithm services. In particular, we investigate how trust is related to such issues and how trust influences the user experience of algorithm services. A multi-mixed method was used by integrating interpretive methods and surveys. The overall results show the heuristic role of fairness, accountability, and transparency, regarding their fundamental links to trust. Despite the importance of algorithms, no single testable definition has been observed. We reconstructed the understandings of algorithm and its affordance with user perception, invariant properties, and contextuality. The study concludes by arguing that algorithmic affordance offers a distinctive perspective on the conceptualization of algorithmic process. Individuals’ perceptions of FAT and how they actually perceive them are important topics for further study

Contextualizing privacy on health-related use of information technology

© 2019 Elsevier Ltd Privacy amid rapid digitalization of medical records is a critical ingredient to the success of electronic-based health service. This paper explores the potential roles of privacy attitudes concerning medical data, based on a large set of a national sample data (n = 2638) from the U.S. Health Information National Trend Survey. We examine the ways in which privacy concern and confidence are (a) mediated through one\u27s interest in sharing information with health professionals and (b) moderated by one\u27s medical condition and the reliance on Internet. Evidence from this study provides insights into the factors shaping health-related engagement in information technologies, helping us argue that privacy is a key predictor. Discussion offers interpretations of how people\u27s perceived need of medical data will mediate privacy concern, contextualizing the affordances of health technologies in future algorithmic applications

Fictional politainment: Exposure to international television drama and attitude toward female politicians

We examine the relationship between media use motivations and attitudes toward female politicians by proposing a conceptual model explaining the role of key mediating variables such as identification, narrative transportation, enjoyment, and political self-efficacy in influencing the attitude of the viewers of international TV drama towards female role models (politicians). We investigated the direct and indirect effects between media use motivations and attitudes toward female politicians by recruiting 359 students from two large public universities in the Southeastern United States. The hypothesized model supported the evidence presented in extant scholarship, suggesting that a meaningful entertainment experience could foster an appreciation of the fictional televisual entertainment and positively change attitudes toward female lead characters playing the role of a viable and competent politician. This study resonates with politicians, academics, and activists’ concerns that a positive media portrayal could promote the acceptability of female leaders in powerful positions. Our study clarifies the direct and indirect effects between media use motivations and attitudes toward female politicians and the role of crucial mediating variables such as identification, narrative transportation, enjoyment, and political self-efficacy in influencing the attitude of the viewers of international TV drama towards female politicians

Microstructural study of intergranular M23C6 precipitates in Alloy 709

The microstructural properties of M23C6 (M: mainly Cr), the predominant precipitate phase of Alloy 709, were studied with respect to the correlation with the austenite matrix, γ-Fe. Alloy 709 specimens, aged at 550, 650, and 750℃ for 1 - 3000 hours, were investigated using electron microscopy and synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD). Intergranular M23C6 precipitates were first formed on high angle grain boundaries, followed by the formation of lamella-shaped M23C6 precipitates on twin boundaries. The precipitation time threshold of M23C6 was different from the known behaviors of other Fe-20Cr-25Ni austenitic steels so that the Time-Temperature-Precipitation diagram of the M23C6 precipitate phase in Alloy 709 was newly suggested. The presence of the intergranular M23C6 caused compressive stress on the austenite matrix and tensile stress on the M23C6 precipitates. With increasing aging time, the stress became higher due to the volumetric expansion of the M23C6 precipitates. The crystallographic characteristics of the intergranular M23C6 were investigated analyzing diffraction patterns of the intergranular M23C6 precipitates and the neighboring austenite. The intergranular M23C6 were formed on the grain boundaries in a cube - cube relationship with the austenite, [001]γ-Fe ‖ [001]M23C6 and [110]γ-Fe ‖ [110]M23C6. The intergranular M23C6 on the high angle grain boundaries grew toward the opposite side of the parent austenite grain while maintaining a lattice correspondence, 3·aM23C6 ≈ aγ-Fe. The lamella-shaped M23C6 precipitates on the twin boundaries also exhibited the analogous growing behavior. In situ synchrotron XRD tensile tests were performed to reveal the mechanical response of the austenite and the precipitates in Alloy 709. The lattice strain evolution of the austenite was anisotropic for all aging conditions. The softest planes in the austenite, {2 0 0}γ-Fe, yielded first, inducing compressive microstress on {2 2 0}γ-Fe. Brittle {1 1 1}γ-Fe with the highest elastic modulus did not yield over the entire strain range. The M23C6 precipitates preferentially hardened {2 0 0}γ-Fe that determines the yield of the austenite matrix during lattice strain development. The material was substantially strengthened due to the load partitioning by the M23C6, which was proportional to its volume fraction. The further increase of the load partitioning by the precipitates was limited due to the mechanical failure of the precipitates, which was confirmed by microcrack formations near the precipitates

Thumb movement and touch-based interaction heuristics in smart devices: Advances in human and smart device interaction

Copyright © 2020, IGI Global. The goal of this study was to examine the effects of interaction techniques (e.g., swiping and tapping) and the range of thumb movements on interactivity, engagement, attitude, and behavioral intention in single-handed interaction by focusing on interactions with mobile devices such as smartphones. This study adopted the perspective of the hybrid definition of interactivity, which includes the interactivity effect outcomes mediated by perceived interactivity. A 2 (technological features: swiping and tapping) × 2 (range of thumb movement: wide and narrow) between-participant experiment was conducted. The results showed the ranges of thumb movement to have significant effects on perceived interactivity, engagement, attitude, and behavioral intention, whereas no effects were observed for interaction techniques. A narrow range of thumb movement had more influence on the interactivity outcomes, rather than a wide range of thumb movement. The implications of the finding were discussed

Growth responses of Escherichia coli and Myxococcus xanthus on agar gel substrates with different levels of stiffness

Bacteria colonize surfaces responding to the physicochemical properties of substrates. A systematic study was carried out with growing single bacterial colonies on the surface of agar media to decipher the interaction between bacterial growth and substrate stiffness. We investigated the growth kinetics of wild-type Escherichia coli, non-motile E. coli, and Myxococcus xanthus, cultured on semi-solid agar substrates containing different amounts of nutrient and agar. We found that substrate stiffness, which was controlled by agar concentration, modulates the growth of motile bacteria, such as wild-type E. coli and M. xanthus, independently of the nutrient level, but does not affect the growth response of non-motile E. coli. Interestingly, growth of M. xanthus moving with type IV pili correlates negatively with the substrate stiffness in contrast to wild-type E. coli propelled by flagella. The present study demonstrates that the type of surface motility is a key  determinant of the growth response of bacteria to substrate stiffness, and has potential application to the design of surfaces that prevent or promote biofilm formation.Key words: Bacterial colonization, substrate stiffness, surface motility, swarming, Escherichia coli, Myxococcus xanthus

How does the blockchain find its way in the UAE? The blockchain as a sociotechnical system

Blockchain is emerging as a powerful technological force that promises to change society\u27s status quo. The UAE has taken a proactive approach to blockchain innovation and development. With the framing of blockchain as a sociotechnical system, blockchain initiatives in the UAE are critically examined in terms of prospects, challenges, and implications for future digital societies. Blockchain developmental trajectories are analysed from a sociotechnical lens, i.e., societal, technological, industrial, and economic trends that characterise the interfaces and interaction among people, organisations, technology, and society, eliciting underlying potential influences of cultural, ethical, and legal rhetoric. Despite strong initiatives, a series of challenges, such as trust, privacy, and transparency, has emerged as blockchain begins to develop its full potential. With these issues, sociotechnical concerns have increased regarding how to respond to the possible consequences that such a policy choice would entail, how to govern blockchains, and how to create a sustainable blockchain ecosystem. The socio-political ramifications of UAE blockchains are critically assessed to establish key features and conceptualise issues to unlock opportunities to guarantee a sociotechnical approach to blockchains

A Framework for Context Sensitive Risk-Based Access Control in Medical Information Systems

Since the access control environment has changed and the threat of insider information leakage has come to the fore, studies on risk-based access control models that decide access permissions dynamically have been conducted vigorously. Medical information systems should protect sensitive data such as medical information from insider threat and enable dynamic access control depending on the context such as life-threatening emergencies. In this paper, we suggest an approach and framework for context sensitive risk-based access control suitable for medical information systems. This approach categorizes context information, estimating and applying risk through context- and treatment-based permission profiling and specifications by expanding the eXtensible Access Control Markup Language (XACML) to apply risk. The proposed framework supports quick responses to medical situations and prevents unnecessary insider data access through dynamic access authorization decisions in accordance with the severity of the context and treatment