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With the proliferation of mobile computing technology, mobile learning (m-learning) will play a vital role in the rapidly growing electronic learning market. M-learning is the delivery of learning to students anytime and anywhere through the use of wireless Internet and mobile devices. However, acceptance of m-learning by individuals is critical to the successful implementation of m-learning systems. Thus, there is a need to research the factors that affect user intention to use m-learning. Based on the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), which integrates elements across eight models of information technology use, this study was to investigate the determinants of m-learning acceptance and to discover if there exist either age or gender differences in the acceptance of m-learning, or both. Data collected from 330 respondents in Taiwan were tested against the research model using the structural equation modelling approach. The results indicate that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, perceived playfulness, and self-management of learning were all significant determinants of behavioural intention to use m-learning. We also found that age differences moderate the effects of effort expectancy and social influence on m-learning use intention, and that gender differences moderate the effects of social influence and self-management of learning on m-learning use intention. These findings provide several important implications for m-learning acceptance, in terms of both research and practice.

This paper compares 20% biodiesel (B20-choice white grease) fuel with baseline ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel on the emissions and performance of a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) and diesel particulate filter (DPF) coupled to a light duty four-cylinder 2.8-l common-rail DI diesel engine. The present paper focuses on the comparison of the fuel effects on loading and active regeneration of the DPF between B20 and ULSD. B20, in general, produces less soot and has lower regeneration temperature, compared with soot loaded with ULSD. N[O.sub.2] concentrations before the DPF were found to be 6% higher with B20, indicating more availability of N[O.sub.2] to oxidize the soot. Exhaust speciation of the NO2 availability indicates that the slight increase in N[O.sub.x] from B20 is not the dominant cause for the lower temperature regeneration and faster regeneration rate, but the reactivity of the soot that is in the DPF. Formaldehyde concentrations are found to be higher with B20 during regeneration, due to increased oxygen concentrations in the exhaust stream. Finally, the oil dilution effect due to post injection to actively regenerate the DPF is also investigated using a prototype oil sensor and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) instrumentation. Utilizing an active regeneration strategy accentuates the possibility of fuel oil dilution of the engine oil. The onboard viscosity oil sensor used was in good agreement with the viscosity bench test and FTIR analysis, and provided oil viscosity measurement over the course of the project. The operation with B20 shows significant fuel dilution and needs to be monitored to prevent engine deterioration. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4001068]

The methane reaction with single-crystal ruthenium catalysts is studied using high-resolution electron energy-loss spectroscopy, elevated-pressure microreactor and temperature-programmed desorption, revealing that methane dissociation leads to hydrocarbon intermediate formation. Methylidene, vinylidene and ethylidyne are formed on Ru(1120) surfaces. The Ru(0001) surface yields only methylidyne and vinylidene species.

Byline: Chun-Yao Tseng, Ming-Cheng Wu Many academics and managers have confirmed the ability of real-option models to capture the value of flexibility in relation to R&D projects. However, few studies have focused on constructing empirical methods and testing their application to real circumstances. This study not only presents a sensitivity analysis of the R&D evaluation model, but also establishes an empirical analysis to examine these relationships using panel data on 101 Taiwanese electronics firms from 1991 to 2002. Based on the sensitivity analyses and empirical results, we conclude that the R&D value increases with increasing R&D capital, patent lifetime and risk-free rate.

The formation of F centers (oxygen vacancies bearing two electrons) in near-surface MgO films, not the presence of (Li+O-) centers, is directly responsible for the catalytic oxidative coupling of methane into ethane. A high-temperature kinetics study reveals that the (Li+O-) centers instead promote the formation of the F centers, which are sites of low coordination, that directly lead to methane activation. Thus, even at constant lithium concentration but higher temperatures (1000-1300 K) at which F centers form abundantly, ethane production increases tenfold.