MMOG Game-Based Collaborative Learning: An Exploratory Study and its Research Potential

This study aims to theoretically explore whether Massively Multiplayer Online Game (MMOG) is an effective collaborative learning environment, empirically examine the occurrence of knowledge creation in MMOG game-play, and conceptually advocate the research potential of MMOG game-based collaborative learning. Although a growing number of researchers have started to use MMOG as a new generation of educational platform, the study of the theoretical justification for the occurrence of collaborative learning behavior in MMOG are still under-researched. To bridge this gap, this study integrates MMOG and technology-based collaborative learning streams of research to theoretically explore whether MMOG is an effective learning platform based on Alavi’s three attributes of effective technology-mediated collaborative learning environment. In order to examine the occurrence of knowledge creation in the MMOG game-based collaborative learning, we propose definitions of explicit and tacit knowledge in MMOG. Then we conduct an exploratory study using a semi-structural interview approach to collect qualitative data, in order to support our stipulation of the occurrence of four modes of knowledge conversion in MMOG game-play based on the Nonaka’s dynamic theory of organization creation. According to our research findings, this paper advocates research potential of MMOG game-based collaborative learning in future research

Service scenarios - A socio-technical approach to business service modeling

Massively Multiplayer Online Game (MMOG) is a unique categorization of electronic game which allows thousands of players to play simultaneously through the Internet in the same virtual environment. A number of researchers have started to introduce the use of MMOG as a new generation of educational platform, allowing players to interact and to learn together through collaborative game-play. However, the answers for the occurrence of collaborative learning behaviour and the motivational drivers for learning collaboratively in a MMOG are still underresearched. Motivated by such concerns, this study tests a theoretical model to explain individual’s intention to learn by peer motivations. The model employs motivational theories to propose two external motivational factors, namely peer intrinsic motivation and peer extrinsic motivation, and investigates effects of the two new constructs on MMOG players’ intention to learn individually and intention to learn collaboratively by building on the cognitive learning theory. Based on a study with 94 valid current MMOG player responses, PLS analysis shows that peer intrinsic motivation to play has a significant positive influence on the intention to learn collaboratively, while peer extrinsic motivation to play has a significant positive influence on the intention to learn individually. The results of our findings indicate potential implications to researchers, educators and game developers

Multicomponent bulk metallic glasses with elevated-temperature resistance

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A plasmonic nanosensor with inverse sensitivity for circulating cell-free DNA quantification

A plasmonic nanosensor (using gold nanorods) with inverse sensitivity is presented for circulating cell-free DNA quantification. The inverse sensitivity (i.e. the lower the analyte concentration, the higher the response intensity) is achieved by the unusual DNA concentration-dependent gold nanorod aggregation. This assay method can adjust the dynamic range by controlling the concentration of nanoparticles in solution. Graphical abstract: A plasmonic nanosensor with inverse sensitivity for circulating cell-free DNA quantificatio

Novel Heating-Induced Reversion during Crystallization of Al-based Glassy Alloys.

Thermal stability and crystallization of three multicomponent glassy alloys, Al86Y7Ni5Co1Fe0.5Pd0.5, Al85Y8Ni5Co1Fe0.5Pd0.5 and Al84Y9Ni4Co1.5Fe0.5Pd1, were examined to assess the ability to form the mixture of amorphous (am) and fcc-aluminum (α-Al) phases. On heating, the glass transition into the supercooled liquid is shown by the 85Al and 84Al glasses. The crystallization sequences are [am] → [am + α-Al] → [α-Al + compounds] for the 86Al and 85Al alloys, and [am] → [am + α-Al + cubic AlxMy (M = Y, Ni, Co, Fe, Pd)] → [am + α-Al] → [α-Al + Al3Y + Al9(Co, Ni)2 + unknown phase] for the 84Al alloy. The glass transition appears even for the 85Al alloy where the primary phase is α-Al. The heating-induced reversion from [am + α-Al + multicomponent AlxMy] to [am + α-Al] for the 84Al alloy is abnormal, not previously observed in crystallization of glassy alloys, and seems to originate from instability of the metastable AlxMy compound, in which significant inhomogeneous strain is caused by the mixture of solute elements. This novel reversion phenomenon is encouraging for obtaining the [am + α-Al] mixture over a wide range of high temperature effective for the formation of Al-based high-strength nanostructured bulk alloys by warm working

Novel deformation-induced polymorphic crystallization and softening of Al-based amorphous alloys

© 2018 Acta Materialia Inc. Melt-spun amorphous ribbons of Al 90 Y 10 (at.%) (90Al) and Al 84 Y 8.5 Ni 4 Co 2 Pd 1 Fe 0.5 (84Al) are cold-rolled at near to liquid-nitrogen temperature or at room temperature, inducing partial crystallization to nanoscale fcc-Al (α-Al). The crystallization is characterized and contrasted with the distinct sequences of reactions on annealing 90Al and 84Al amorphous alloys. Rolling-induced crystallization leads to softening, opposite to the effect of nanocrystallization induced by annealing. The origins of the hardness changes are analyzed. The rolling induces novel polymorphic crystallization to α-Al with extended solid solubility. This transformation, which occurs equally in 84Al and 90Al, despite the much greater thermal stability of the former, allows the ribbons to retain good bending ductility, and delays the onset of embrittlement on subsequent annealing. Partial crystallization induced by cold-rolling is useful in avoiding the formation of compound phases associated with brittleness, and is a promising process for high-solute Al-based amorphous alloys to be further developed as structural materials

Adverse prognostic and predictive significance of low DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) expression in early-stage breast cancers

Background: DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs), a serine threonine kinase belonging to the PIKK family (phosphoinositide 3-kinase-like-family of protein kinase), is a critical component of the non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) pathway required for the repair of DNA double strand breaks. DNA-PKcs may be involved in breast cancer pathogenesis. Methods: We evaluated clinicopathological significance of DNA-PKcs protein expression in 1161 tumours and DNA-PKcs mRNA expression in 1950 tumours. We correlated DNA-PKcs to other markers of aggressive phenotypes, DNA repair, apoptosis and cell cycle regulation. Results: Low DNA-PKcs protein expression was associated with higher tumour grade, higher mitotic index, tumour de-differentiation and tumour type (ps<0.05). Absence of BRCA1, low XRCC1/SMUG1/APE1/Polβ were also more likely in low DNA-PKcs expressing tumours (ps<0.05). Low DNA-PKcs protein expression was significantly associated with worse breast cancer specific survival (BCCS) in univariate and multivariate analysis (ps<0.01). At the mRNA level, low DNA-PKcs was associated with PAM50.Her2 and PAM50.LumA molecular phenotypes (ps<0.01) and poor BCSS. In patients with ER positive tumours who received endocrine therapy, low DNA-PKcs (protein and mRNA) was associated with poor survival. In ER negative patients, low DNA-PKcs mRNA remains significantly associated with adverse outcome. Conclusions: Our study suggests that low DNA-PKcs expression may have prognostic and predictive significance in breast cancers

Restricted Genetic Diversity of HIV-1 Subtype C Envelope Glycoprotein from Perinatally Infected Zambian Infants

Background: Mother-to-child transmission of HIV-1 remains a significant problem in the resource-constrained settings where anti-retroviral therapy is still not widely available. Understanding the earliest events during HIV-1 transmission and characterizing the newly transmitted or founder virus is central to intervention efforts. In this study, we analyzed the viral env quasispecies of six mother-infant transmission pairs (MIPs) and characterized the genetic features of envelope glycoprotein that could influence HIV-1 subtype C perinatal transmission. Methodology and Findings: The V1-V5 region of env was amplified from 6 MIPs baseline samples and 334 DNA sequences in total were analyzed. A comparison of the viral population derived from the mother and infant revealed a severe genetic bottleneck occurring during perinatal transmission, which was characterized by low sequence diversity in the infant. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that most likely in all our infant subjects a single founder virus was responsible for establishing infection. Furthermore, the newly transmitted viruses from the infant had significantly fewer potential N-linked glycosylation sites in Env V1-V5 region and showed a propensity to encode shorter variable loops compared to the nontransmitted viruses. In addition, a similar intensity of selection was seen between mothers and infants with a higher rate of synonymous (dS) compared to nonsynonymous (dN) substitutions evident (dN/dS\u3c1). Conclusions: Our results indicate that a strong genetic bottleneck occurs during perinatal transmission of HIV-1 subtype C. This is evident through population diversity and phylogenetic patterns where a single viral variant appears to be responsible for infection in the infants. As a result the newly transmitted viruses are less diverse and harbored significantly less glycosylated envelope. This suggests that viruses with the restricted glycosylation in envelope glycoprotein appeared to be preferentially transmitted during HIV-1 subtype C perinatal transmission. In addition, our findings also indicated that purifying selection appears to predominate in shaping the early intrahost evolution of HIV-1 subtype C envelope sequences