ALBERT

Notes: Purpose - A growing number of educators are turning to games for a model of next-generation learning environments. To date, there has been a lack of critical inquiry into what kind of learning occurs through game play, and how games get learned by their players. Aims to plug this gap Design/methodology/approach - This paper is a critical study of Viewtiful Joe, a cult-classic sidescrolling 2D fighting game for the Nintendo Gamecube. Noted for its difficulty, Viewtiful Joe is an interesting case because, as a fighting game, it embodies many of the principles fundamental to the medium, most of which are missed by educators illiterate regarding the medium. It shows the cognitive complexity that goes into a fighting game, as well as a cutting-edge example of how to manage that complexity. Far from button-mashing, success in Viewtiful Joe requires the player to learn to read the game symbol systems, understand Viewtiful Joe's capacities, and see potential interchanges between them. Findings - The paper analyzes how Viewtiful Joe is structured to balance flow and novelty, encourage players both to develop new skills and to master those they have. Finally, the paper examines how learning occurs through game play as an activity system, using player-generated FAQs to analyze how gamers represent their practice and suggest theories of expert game practice. Originality/value - Central to this paper is the argument that playing Viewtiful Joe is a performative act, where declarative knowledge, while clearly present for players, is secondary to players' ability to see and do in real-time.

Notes: Purpose - Laboratories typically consume 4-5 times more energy than similarly-sized commercial space. This paper adds to a growing dialogue about how to "green" a laboratory's design and operations. Design/methodology/approach - The paper is divided into three sections. The first section reviews the background and theoretical issues. A case is made for sustainable laboratories, introduce the Harvard Green Campus Initiative's (HGCIs) study of potential energy reduction in Harvard's research laboratories and examine other issues including: behavioral change, technical change, and the required codes and suggested standards that influence laboratory design and operations. Next, a survey conducted through a partnership between HGCI, Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH), and Laboratories for the twenty-first century (Labs21) to clarify issues surrounding use of codes and standards in high-performance laboratory design and maintenance is introduced. Findings - Survey findings highlight the confusion among survey participants surrounding the applications and interpretations of current lab guidelines, codes and standards, particularly addressing sustainable performance. The findings suggest that confusion has financial, environmental, and human health consequences, and that more research is needed to define the operational risks to laboratory workers. Findings indicate that many energy efficient technologies and strategies are not routinely specified in lab design, perhaps in part due to confusion concerning the guidelines, standards and codes. Research limitations/implications - Although the survey sample size is too small to be statistically significant, it does provide valuable insight into the general confusion surrounding the applications and interpretations of current codes and guidelines, especially those addressing sustainable performance. Practical implications - The practical implications of this research are many, including that there are many opportunities for technical and behavior improvements within modern university laboratories that yield great energy savings. This is critical as laboratories are one of the most energy-intense building types on a university campus. Originality/value - The critical originality of the paper is provided in the analysis of the obstacles to achieving the great potential energy savings that exist within the university laboratory context.

Notes: Purpose - To evaluate the efficiency of modifying epoxy resin using phenol-nonyl phenol based polymer (PNPF) for toughness improvement and optimise the results of such a modification. Design/methodology/approach - For effective toughening, various compositions were made by incorporating PNPF at different concentrations. The impact and adhesive strengths of the unmodified and modified epoxy networks were characterised. Findings - The modification of epoxy resin using PNPF showed significant enhancement of impact and adhesive strengths over the unmodified one. The modification caused the formation of a chemical linkage between PNPF and resin which led not only to a phase separation, but also to formation of intrinsically strong chemical bonds across the PNPF phase/resin matrix interphase, which was the main cause of the improved impact and adhesive strengths. The optimum results were obtained at 10?phr (parts per 100 parts of epoxy resin) of modifier. Research limitations/implications - The modifier, PNPF, used in the present context was synthesised from phenol, nonyl phenol and formalin using oxalic acid as catalyst. Practical implications - The developed method provided a simple and practical solution to improving the toughness of a cured epoxy. Originality/value - The method for enhancing toughness of a cured epoxy was novel and could find numerous applications in the surface coating and adhesive.

Notes: Purpose - Iron deficiency is the number one nutritional disorder in the world and is quite common in Pakistan. Iron deficiency anaemia may result from a low dietary intake, inadequate intestinal absorption, excessive blood loss, and/or increased needs. While iron overload is also responsible of number of diseases. The normal iron status of our body is usually maintained by controlling amount of iron absorbed from food. The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for adult male and female in the age from 19 to 50 years is 8 and 18mg, respectively. While RDA above 50 years is it for both genders i.e. 8mg (NIH, 2002). Nutritional status of dietary iron was estimated to combat the iron related diseases in Pakistani population. Design/methodology/approach - Food samples were collected from major cities/districts of the country using market basket method. Daily diets were prepared and analyzed for iron contents using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS). Findings - An average value of iron concentration was measured to be 52±15µg/g, which leads to an average daily dietary intake of 31±9.5mg/d, with a variation of 12 to 52mg/d. The estimated values of our daily iron intake are about 2 times higher than the recommended daily allowance set by international committee of radiological protection (ICRP) and US food and nutrition board (FNB). Apparently our diet seems enriched in iron contents. But its bioavailability may be low due to dietary composition. Major portion of our diet is based on plant food (71 per cent), followed by milk products (17 per cent) and other miscellaneous items, whereas consumption of animal food is only 5 per cent. This dietary composition and our food intake habits in the presence of iron inhibiters (i.e. phytate in plant food, tannin and polyphenols in tea and calcium) could be the leading cause of iron deficiency anemia among the Pakistani population. Originality/value - Iron deficiency anemia is quiet common and cause of concern in Pakistan. The findings of the study indicate that bioavailability of iron to Pakistani population can be enhanced/improved with slight alterations/adjustments in dietary habits.