A Comparative Study of Grade 2 Students’ Motivation for Learning English as a Foreign Language Under Game-Based Learning Method and Teacher-Centered Learning Method at a Demonstration School, Bangkok, Thailand

The purpose of this study was to compare students’ motivation for learning English as a foreign language under game-based learning method and teacher-centered learning method of Grade 2 students at a Demonstration school, Bangkok, Thailand. This research study involved five objectives which included; Grade 2 students’ motivation level for learning English as a foreign language under game-based learning method and teacher-centered learning method in pre-test and post-test. The significant difference in Grade 2 students’ motivation level for learning English as a foreign language under teacher-centered and game-based learning method between pre-test and post-test individually and finally comparing the significant difference in Grade 2 students’ motivation level for learning English as a foreign language under game-based learning method and teacher-centered learning method between pre-test and post-test. The data were collected by using the pre-test and post-test. The scores were analyzed by means, paired samples t-test and independent samples t-test. The finding of the study showed that, students motivation level in game-based learning method was higher than the students in the teacher–centered learning method in Grade 2 of the Demonstration school, Bangkok, Thailand. The study demonstrated the effectiveness of learning English as a foreign language under game-based learning method. Recommendations have been suggested for the school, teachers and the future researchers

Community perspectives and caregivers’ healthcare practices and responses to the four major childhood killer diseases in Nigeria

Two-thirds of Nigeria‘s childhood deaths is attributable to four preventable/curable diseases—diarrhoea, malaria, meningitis and pneumonia (DMMP). Community perspectives and caregivers‘ practices about these child-killer diseases are poorly documented. Drawing on individual and group interviews (n=259), we explored community members‘ perspectives, and caregivers‘ practices/responses regarding DMMP among children across Nigeria‘s three major ethnic groups. Using deductive reasoning and data analysis in Atlas.ti, results from the narratives formed four thematic issues—respondents‘ perception and knowledge about the causes of the diseases; perception and knowledge about prevention; perception and knowledge of symptoms and fatality of the diseases; and caregivers‘ practices regarding the prevention and management of the diseases. Results demonstrate significant misconception about the aetiology of pneumonia and meningitis. We found ostensible disconnection between knowledge and practice. Interventions including health education programmes/sensitizations on the causes, prevention/management of DMMP are necessary to achieve reduction in the burden of childhood mortality in Nigeria. (Afr J Reprod Health 2021; 25[6]: 121-133)

Holdup counters for the Plutonium Fuel Production Facility--PFPF

A neutron coincidence counting system has been developed for assaying plutonium holdup in glove boxes at the automated mixed-oxide fuel fabrication facility, PFPF, in Japan. The time-correlated neutron emission rate arising from the spontaneous fission decay of plutonium isotopes is measured and converted to grams of plutonium contained in the glove box. Each detection system consists of a pair of polyethylene slabs containing {sup 3}He proportional counters and associated electronics. These slabs are placed on either side of the glove box that is to be measured for plutonium holdup. The detectors are moved by a portable lifter to map out the coincidence response from the entire glove box. Results of a design optimization study that considered detector efficiency, as well as overall size and weight and how these parameters interface with the procedure of mapping the glove box, are presented. The use of Los Alamos transport code, MCNP, in the detector design optimization and in aid of calibration is also discussed. 2 refs., 8 figs., 1 tab

Reduced Bone Mineral Density Is Associated with Breast Arterial Calcification

Background: Arterial calcification, a marker of atherosclerosis, results from a complex process of biomineralization resembling bone formation. Breast arterial calcification (BAC) has been associated with angiographic and clinical cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between reduced bone mineral density (BMD) and BAC, which may share a common pathophysiology