Investigating the Feasibility of a 3D Virtual World Technology for People with Dementia

Three Dimensional Virtual Worlds (3DVWs) are computer-generated, simulated, graphical and multimedia environments, designed so that users can ‘live in’ and engage via their own digital and graphical self-representations known as ‘avatars’. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using 3DVWs to enhance engagement and quality of life in people with dementia. A mixed-methods research design, guided by a feasibility framework, was used, with data collected from semi-structured interviews, observations, and surveys. Eleven residents expressed interest in the 3DVWs intervention after reading an advertisement and attended an introductory session. After this, eight people expressed a desire to participate in the six-session intervention. Participants generally enjoyed the experience of using 3DVWs. Of those who completed all six sessions, two-thirds showed a positive change in their quality of life score. Moreover, those who participated in almost all sessions showed higher satisfaction with the use of the 3DVW than those who dropped out. Both residents and care staff perceived the 3DVW as engaging, fun and memory stimulating. The findings support the feasibility of using 3DVWs with people with dementia, and this justifies the need for further research

DATA REPLICATION IN DISTRIBUTED SYSTEMS USING OLYMPIAD OPTIMIZATION ALGORITHM

Achieving timely access to data objects is a major challenge in big distributed systems like the Internet of Things (IoT) platforms. Therefore, minimizing the data read and write operation time in distributed systems has elevated to a higher priority for system designers and mechanical engineers. Replication and the appropriate placement of the replicas on the most accessible data servers is a problem of NP-complete optimization. The key objectives of the current study are minimizing the data access time, reducing the quantity of replicas, and improving the data availability. The current paper employs the Olympiad Optimization Algorithm (OOA) as a novel population-based and discrete heuristic algorithm to solve the replica placement problem which is also applicable to other fields such as mechanical and computer engineering design problems. This discrete algorithm was inspired by the learning process of student groups who are preparing for the Olympiad exams. The proposed algorithm, which is divide-and-conquer-based with local and global search strategies, was used in solving the replica placement problem in a standard simulated distributed system. The 'European Union Database' (EUData) was employed to evaluate the proposed algorithm, which contains 28 nodes as servers and a network architecture in the format of a complete graph. It was revealed that the proposed technique reduces data access time by 39% with around six replicas, which is vastly superior to the earlier methods. Moreover, the standard deviation of the results of the algorithm's different executions is approximately 0.0062, which is lower than the other techniques' standard deviation within the same experiments

Antecedents and Consequences of User Acceptance of Three-Dimensional Virtual Worlds in Higher Education

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of five factors on the user acceptance of Three-Dimensional Virtual Worlds (3DVWs) in higher education. Another objective of the study was to investigate the effects of the application of 3DVWs on five variables relevant to positive outcomes for higher education students. Background Three-Dimensional Virtual Worlds (3DVW) are of considerable importance and potential for the creation of the next generation of teaching and learning environments. There has been a remarkable interest in the educational commu-nities in applying virtual environments for teaching and learning, and this tech-nology has been largely adopted to favour educational settings. With the in-creasing development of 3DVW technologies in the education sector, two un-certainties have emerged with respect to higher education that significantly in-fluence the applicability of the technology in the field: user acceptance of the technology and educational benefits of the technology for both individuals and and the user acceptance of 3DVWs in higher education as well as the relation-ship between the application of 3DVWs in higher education and positive educa-tional outcomes. Methodology By conducting a quantitative study, an extensive research model was developed by which 21 hypotheses were examined to assess the relationships between 12 variables. In order to evaluate the hypotheses, an online survey with 32 ques-tions was developed and distributed among the participants. The questionnaire was developed to analyse the relationship between independent and dependent constructs of the research model. By applying a purposive convenience sam-pling technique, 135 undergraduate students, who were enrolled in a first-year elective course, participated in the survey. The PLS-SEM method was used to analyse the relationships between variables based on the hypothesised hypothe-ses. Second Life was used as the primary 3DVW environment for the research experiment in this study. Contribution This study is among the first to conduct a quantitative method by developing an extensive research model to examine both antecedents and consequences of the application of 3DVWs in higher education. The research model examined sev-eral self-developed variables relevant to the antecedents and consequences of user acceptance of 3DVWs those had not been defined or examined previously in this field. The study takes 3DVW engagement into account, which is a varia-ble associated with not only use, but also with continuous use of the technol-ogy, and deeper involvement with the technology. This study contributes to the research and practitioner body of knowledge by introducing various factors sig-nificant in preparing a distance learning environment and activities that can be adapted in higher education. Findings The findings suggest the effectiveness of ease of use, usefulness, enjoyment, and visual attractiveness of a 3DVW-based learning environment on user ac-ceptance of the technology. Findings also suggest that application of 3DVWs has a significant impact on student satisfaction, learning outcome, retention, course engagement, and students’ graduate outcome. The study confirms that computer self-efficacy of higher education students does not have a positive im-pact on the acceptance of 3DVWs. Recommendations for Practitioners Curriculum designers and developers should consider designing easy-to-use and user-friendly virtual learning environments and should make aesthetic design decisions to create appealing learning environments to attract students’ atten-tion. A 3DVW-based learning environment needs to be realistic to make stu-dents experience a sense of presence within the environment. Increased enjoy-ment, pleasure, and playfulness of the virtual learning environment contribute to a higher level of adoption of 3DVWs among students. For the higher educa-tion institutions, the costs of developing and maintaining a virtual learning envi-ronment and implementing a teaching and learning programme are very low in comparison with a traditional face-to-face education system. This technology provides great capabilities for collaboration, teamwork, and networking on a worldwide scale. Recommendations for Researchers Further studies are required to investigate from different perspectives the vari-ous factors impacting on user acceptance and/or positive outcomes of user ac-ceptance of the technology. Using the technology for different courses, implementing different teaching and learning methods, and developing creative activ-ities in the virtual environment might contribute to new findings in the field. This study could be extended by applying the technology in educational settings other than higher education, such as K–12. New studies could also explore other aspects of 3DVWs which were not part of the case study, such as the im-plementation of the technology on virtual reality, augmented reality, and smartphones. Impact on Society The study would be beneficial for higher education institutions worldwide to regulate the key factors that affect students’ entrancement of 3DVWs as well as the positive outcomes of user acceptance of this cutting-edge technology for students. Future Research This study could be a starting point for future research focusing on various as-pects of the application of 3DVW technology in education. Future studies could identify and investigate other variables that are associated with user ac-ceptance of 3DVW in education as well as the positive outcomes of the applica-tion of the technology in this field. The four new variables presented in this study can also be examined in different contexts and/or with the application of various technologies. There have been some inconsistencies between the find-ings of the current study and some of the previous studies in the field. Future studies can investigate inconsistent relationships much more meticulously in a similar context. Future studies could also explore other aspects of 3DVWs which were not part of the case study

Thriving in management innovation: an institutional perspective

Purpose: Management innovation is one of the most vital practices underpinning economic growth and is considered to be one of the fundamental components of gaining a superior business position in market conditions that are continually fluctuating. Drawing upon neo-institutional theory as well as absorptive capacity, the current empirical study unpacks the relationships between external institutional forces (i.e. regulative, mimetic and normative pressures) and management innovation through investigating the role of absorptive capacity as a mediator. Design/methodology/approach: The research model is tested using survey data from Australian organisations. The study used Partial Least Squares (PLS), a component-based structural equation modelling (SEM) method, in order to perform the data analysis. Findings: The results confirm that the various dimensions of institutional forces have diverse influences on management innovation. The authors found mimetic and normative pressures have positive influences on realised and potential absorptive capacity of an organisation. In addition, realised absorptive capacity mediates the relations between institutional forces and management innovation. Originality/value: Dissimilar to preceding studies, this research shows that organisations not only innovate to pursue higher performance but sometimes strive for legitimacy. In addition, the significant associations between absorptive capacity and management innovation and the mediation role clearly signify that institutional forces and absorptive capacity play significant roles in the adoption of management innovation.</p

A Model of Time-dependent Biodistribution of 153Sm-Maltolate Complex and Free 153Sm Cation Using Compartmental Analysis

Introduction Compartmental analysis allows the mathematical separation of tissues and organs to determine activity concentration in each point of interest. Biodistribution studies on humans are costly and complicated, whereas such assessments can be easily performed on rodents. In this study, we aimed to develop a pharmacokinetic model of 153Sm-maltolate complex as a novel therapeutic agent and free 153Sm cation in normal rats using compartmental analysis to evaluate the behavior of this complex. Materials and Methods We developed a physiologically-based pharmacokinetic model for scaling up the activity concentration in each organ with respect to time. In the mathematical model, physiological parameters including organ volume, blood flow rate, and vascular permeability were used. The compartments (organs) were connected anatomically, which allowed the use of scale-up techniques to predict new complex distribution in each body organ. Results The concentration of 153Sm-maltolate complex and free 153Sm cation in various organs was measured at different time intervals. The time-dependent behavior of the biodistribution of these two radiotracers was modeled, using compartmental analysis; the detected behaviors were drawn as a function of time. Conclusion The variation in radiopharmaceutical concentration in organs of interest could be described by summing seven to nine exponential terms, which approximated the experimental data with a precision of > 1% in comparison with the original data from animal studies

Effect of silicon and nanosilicon on reduction of damage caused by salt stress in maize (Zea mays) seedlings

Salinity reduced the efficiency of agricultural production like maize as one of the most important cereals for food and oil for humans. Silicon is the second most abundant element in the soil and alleviates the biotic and abiotic stresses in plants. The aim of this study is evaluate the effect of silicon and nanosilicon on improvement of salt stress in maize (Zea mays). For this propose, the interaction between the effects of different levels of salinity (0 and 100 mM), silicon and nanosilicon (50, 100 and 150 mg /mL) was studied in completely randomized block design with factorial experiments and with three replications. The results showed that salinity significantly decreased root and shoot growth, amount of chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments, protein and potassium contents, compared to control. Treating plants with silicon and nanosilicon caused reduction of salinity effects and increase above indices. Salinity stress also caused a significant increase in proline, anthocyanin and soluble carbohydrate contents, lipid peroxidation, and catalase activity and treatment with silicon and nanosilicon alleviates effects of salt stress and reduced the amount of above indices. 150 mg/mL of nanosilicon showed the maximum effect on diminishing negative effects of salt stress on all examined parameters. So, the use of this element is proposed as alleviator of salt stress on maize

The effect of Macro and Nano-emulsions of cinnamon essential oil on the properties of edible active films

The effect of Nano-emulsion (NE) and Macro-emulsion (ME) of cinnamon essential oil (CEO) on the properties of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)-based films was investigated. MEs (diameters of 242–362 nm) and NEs (diameters of 59–80 nm) of CEO were produced through Ultra-Turrax and Ultrasonication, respectively. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) images showed different morphologies in the films containing ME and NE, also a denser and more uniform microstructure was observed in the NE films in comparison with the ME ones. The higher stability of NE in the CMC matrix, increased the thickness of the resulted films. The water vapor permeability (WVP) was increased from 2.59 × 10–9 g/ms Pa in the control film to 4.43 × 10–9 g/m s Pa in the ME film, and decreased to 1.80 × 10–9 g/ms Pa in the NE film. Adding CEO led to more flexible films with enhanced strain at break (SAB) from 53.56% in the control film to 80% and 94.77% in the ME and NE films, respectively. The antifungal indices against A. niger and M. racemous were 14.16% and 20.82% in the ME films, and were improved to 18.81% and 25% in the NE ones