Student induction experiences: Through the lens of gamification

Student induction serves as the first step of the learning journey, helping students understand the resources, facilities, and supporting infrastructures in the learning environment. A positive induction experience helps improve better learning efficacy and boost performance later on. However, students nowadays complain induction as boring, time-wasting and useless. Given the importance of induction, scholars have called for new research, finding a new way to deliver better-quality and more engaging induction. To respond to this call, the current research aims to investigate whether gamification offers better induction experiences to the students. Gamification is the use of game design techniques, game thinking, and game mechanics in a non-game context. Drawing on the student-centred learning theory, we propose that, through the game-play process, students shall feel less stressed but more confident in learning, leading to a more positive learning experience and outcome. Following the same logic, we hypothesise that gamification is positively correlated with the experiences of induction. That is, gamification-empowered induction brings better experiences to the new students. To examine the research hypothesis, we plan to recruit 200 students (research participants) through flyers and noticeboards during the university induction period in September 2023 (Ethics Approval Ref: ETH2223-0198). The recruitment is operated on a voluntary basis and participants can drop out at any time. Participant Information Letter, Consent Form, and other participant protection measures are arranged in line with the guidance of institutional ethics committee. The participants will be randomly assigned into two conditions. In Condition A, participants will receive a conventional induction through a regular teaching classroom. All documents and instructions are communicated through paper-based handouts. Participants will receive a campus map, explaining the location of buildings and respective services. The induction will be completed inside the classroom. In Condition B, participants will receive gamification-empowered induction. All documents and instructions are communicated through a gamification APP (to be installed in participants’ mobiles). To complete the induction, participants must visit the designated locations in the campus, exploring the services in person. To further understand participants' views and experiences of the induction, we plan to collect data through anonymous questionnaires surveys at the end of induction. Condition A will receive questions through web-based surveys, where Condition B will receive questions through APP-based surveys. Both conditions will receive the same survey questions, and Condition B will receive additional questions of APP-user experiences (A copy of the survey questions is enclosed in appendix). The data collected will be analysed and compared through SPSS and Excel software. Research findings will first and foremost examine whether gamification-empowered induction offers better induction experiences to the students. The answers will bring new insights to the gamification-induction literatures. Research findings will be important to the teaching practitioners and policy makers, particularly for those who wish to create better induction programmes through innovative strategies. Implications on induction design and delivery will be clarified. Research limitation and suggestions for future research will also be discussed

The rare-earth centers in CsCdBr3

CsCdBr3 crystallizes in the quasi-linear CsNiCl3 structure. It possesses linear chains of [CdBr6]4- octahedra separated by parallel chains of Cs+. Trivalent rare-earth (RE) ions substitute for the divalent Cd ions. The need for charge compensation leads to a number of RE centers, the most prominent of which is the symmetric pair center RE3+-(Cd vacancy)-RE3+. Madelung calculations were performed for a number of different centers giving a ranking for their chance of realization. Experimental evidence from optical spectroscopy and submillimeter ESR is given for the most likely centers. The symmetric pair center is of special interest for cooperative phenomena of RE3+ ions. This includes direct ion-ion interactions and interactions with or via the electronic excitations of the host lattice. Some experiments are discussed. © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved

Clinical characteristics and molecular genetic analysis of 22 patients with neonatal diabetes from the South-Eastern region of Turkey: predominance of non-KATP channel mutations.

PublishedJournal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tThis is an open access article available at http://www.eje-online.org/content/172/6/697.BACKGROUND: Neonatal diabetes mellitus (NDM) is a rare form of monogenic diabetes and usually presents in the first 6 months of life. We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics and molecular genetics of a large Turkish cohort of NDM patients from a single centre and estimate an annual incidence rate of NDM in South-Eastern Anatolian region of Turkey. DESIGN AND METHODS: NDM patients presenting to Diyarbakir Children State Hospital between 2010 and 2013, and patients under follow-up with presumed type 1 diabetes mellitus, with onset before 6 months of age were recruited. Molecular genetic analysis was performed. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients (59% males) were diagnosed with NDM (TNDM-5; PNDM-17). Molecular genetic analysis identified a mutation in 20 (95%) patients who had undergone a mutation analysis. In transient neonatal diabetes (TNDM) patients, the genetic cause included chromosome 6q24 abnormalities (n=3), ABCC8 (n=1) and homozygous INS (n=1). In permanent neonatal diabetes (PNDM) patients, homozygous GCK (n=6), EIF2AK3 (n=3), PTF1A (n=3), and INS (n=1) and heterozygous KCNJ11 (n=2) mutations were identified. Pancreatic exocrine dysfunction was observed in patients with mutations in the distal PTF1A enhancer. Both patients with a KCNJ11 mutation responded to oral sulphonylurea. A variable phenotype was associated with the homozygous c.-331C>A INS mutation, which was identified in both a PNDM and TNDM patient. The annual incidence of PNDM in South-East Anatolian region of Turkey was one in 48 000 live births. CONCLUSIONS: Homozygous mutations in GCK, EIF2AK3 and the distal enhancer region of PTF1A were the commonest causes of NDM in our cohort. The high rate of detection of a mutation likely reflects the contribution of new genetic techniques (targeted next-generation sequencing) and increased consanguinity within our cohort.The genetic testing was funded by the Wellcome Trust (Senior Investigator Award to Profs S Ellard and A T Hattersley), and by Diabetes UK (Project funding to Dr D J Mackay). H Demirbilek was funded by European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology (ESPE) and The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) for his 1 year clinical fellowship at University College London (UCL), Institute of Child Health, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, NHS Trust, Department of Paediatric Endocrinology

Intensive Care of a Weil's Disease With Multiorgan Failure

Leptospirosis is a commonly encountered type of zoonosis, especially in tropical regions. There is insufficient data regarding its frequency in non-tropical regions such as Turkey. Although leptospirosis presents with a mild icteric form in nearly 90% of cases, it can lead to Weils disease characterized by fever as well as fulminant hepatorenal and respiratory failure, in approximately 5 - 10% of cases. In this case report, we present a patient with Weil's disease, complicated with multiorgan failure

Solitary and cnoidal wave scattering by a submerged horizontal plate in shallow water

Solitary and cnoidal wave transformation over a submerged, fixed, horizontal rigid plate is studied by use of the nonlinear, shallow-water Level I Green-Naghdi (GN) equations. Reflection and transmission coefficients are defined for cnoidal and solitary waves to quantify the nonlinear wave scattering. Results of the GN equations are compared with the laboratory experiments and other theoretical solutions for linear and nonlinear waves in intermediate and deep waters. The GN equations are then used to study the nonlinear wave scattering by a plate in shallow water. It is shown that in deep and intermediate depths, the wave-scattering varies nonlinearly by both the wavelength over the plate length ratio, and the submergence depth. In shallow water, however, and for long-waves, only the submergence depth appear to play a significant role on wave scattering. It is possible to define the plate submergence depth and length such that certain wave conditions are optimized above, below, or downwave of the plate for different applications. A submerged plate in shallow water can be used as a means to attenuate energy, such as in wave breakers, or used for energy focusing, and in wave energy devices

Turner syndrome and associated problems in turkish children: A multicenter study

Objective: Turner syndrome (TS) is a chromosomal disorder caused by complete or partial X chromosome monosomy that manifests various clinical features depending on the karyotype and on the genetic background of affected girls. This study aimed to systematically investigate the key clinical features of TS in relationship to karyotype in a large pediatric Turkish patient population. Methods: Our retrospective study included 842 karyotype-proven TS patients aged 0-18 years who were evaluated in 35 different centers in Turkey in the years 2013-2014. Results: The most common karyotype was 45,X (50.7%), followed by 45,X/46,XX (10.8%), 46,X,i(Xq) (10.1%) and 45,X/46,X,i(Xq) (9.5%). Mean age at diagnosis was 10.2±4.4 years. The most common presenting complaints were short stature and delayed puberty. Among patients diagnosed before age one year, the ratio of karyotype 45,X was significantly higher than that of other karyotype groups. Cardiac defects (bicuspid aortic valve, coarctation of the aorta and aortic stenosi) were the most common congenital anomalies, occurring in 25% of the TS cases. This was followed by urinary system anomalies (horseshoe kidney, double collector duct system and renal rotation) detected in 16.3%. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis was found in 11.1% of patients, gastrointestinal abnormalities in 8.9%, ear nose and throat problems in 22.6%, dermatologic problems in 21.8% and osteoporosis in 15.3%. Learning difficulties and/or psychosocial problems were encountered in 39.1%. Insulin resistance and impaired fasting glucose were detected in 3.4% and 2.2%, respectively. Dyslipidemia prevalence was 11.4%. Conclusion: This comprehensive study systematically evaluated the largest group of karyotype-proven TS girls to date. The karyotype distribution, congenital anomaly and comorbidity profile closely parallel that from other countries and support the need for close medical surveillance of these complex patients throughout their lifespan. © Journal of Clinical Research in Pediatric Endocrinology

Mirror Mirror on the Wall, Which Is the Most Convincing of Them All? Exploring Anti-Domestic Violence Posters.

Although domestic abuse of women by men has received significant media, police, and research attention, domestic violence directed toward men has been marginalized across the board and is still rarely treated seriously. The purpose of this research, then, is to examine and compare different anti-domestic violence messages in which the abuser's gender is not always clear. In Study 1, 200 U.K. participants (100 females and 100 males, aged 18-67, M = 28.98, SD = 9.613) evaluated posters that varied across three levels; in that the subject (male or female) was depicted as being silenced, bruised, or experiencing live abuse. The results showed that the posters featuring female victims were all rated as more effective than posters showing male victims. In Study 2, 140 different U.K. participants (95 females; 45 males) aged 18 to 59 (M = 27.27, SD = 10.662) evaluated the cartoon facial images of Disney characters who had been altered to look like victims of violence and real-life corresponding photos of human models. The results showed that the realistic posters were found to be more believable, emotional, and effective than the cartoons. The implications of such perceptions are discussed

Spectra and relaxation of electronic excitations in CsCdBr3:Yb3+ and CsCdBr3:Nd3+ monocrystals

Experimental and theoretical studies of the optical and EPR spectra, and the spin-lattice relaxation in CsCdBr3 crystals containing 0.1, 0.3 and 1.0 mol.% of impurity Yb3+ ions have been fulfilled. In the optical excitation spectrum, a broad charge transfer band has been detected in the wave-number range of 25000-35000 cm-1. The hybridization of the excited electron configuration corresponding to the charge transfer from the ligand (Br-) 4p closed shells on the ground 4f13 configuration of the ytterbium ion is considered to interpret the anomalously large crystal field splitting of the 2F5/2 multiplet. The EPR spectra with comparable intensities of the axial single-ion and symmetric dimer centres in the sample containing 0.3 mol.% of impurity Yb3+ ions were observed. Spin-lattice relaxation rates and linewidths in the EPR spectra of the single-ion and dimer centres were measured in the temperature range of 1.5 - 35 K at the frequency of 9.5 GHz at different directions of the applied magnetic field relative to the crystal symmetry axis. Experimental results are analyzed in the framework of the microscopic theory of the electron-phonon interaction with taking into account peculiarities of the phonon spectrum of the impurity CsCdBr3 lattice. High-frequency EPR spectra of dimer centres in CsCdBr3 crystals containing 0.2 and 0.5 mol.% of impurity Nd3+ ions were taken in the range of 205-250 GHz at 4.2 K in the magnetic fields up to 0.8 T parallel to the crystal symmetry axis. The crystal field splitting between the first excited and the ground Kramers doublets, and magnetic splitting factors of these doublets were determined. An estimate of the isotropic ferromagnetic exchange constant A = (2.3±0.3) 10-3 cm-1 in symmetric dimer centres formed by impurity Nd3+ ions was obtained from the zero-field splitting of the EPR signals

The psychosocial impact of home use medical devices on the lives of older people: a qualitative study

Background Increased life expectancy and the accompanying prevalence of chronic conditions have led to the focus and delivery of health care migrating from the hospital and into people’s homes. While previous studies have investigated the integration of particular types of medical devices into the home, it was our intention to describe how medical devices are integrated into the lives of older people. Methods Adopting a qualitative study design, 12 older people, who used medical devices in the home, took part in in-depth, semi structured interviews. In 7 of the interviews participants and their partners were interviewed together. These interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically. Results Two themes were constructed that describe how medical devices that are used in the home present certain challenges to older people and their partners in how the device is adopted and the personal adaptations that they are required to make. The first theme of 'self-esteem’ highlighted the psychological impact on users. The second theme of 'the social device' illustrated the social impact of these devices on the user and the people around them. Conclusions We found that these devices had both a positive and negative psychosocial impact on users’ lives. An improved understanding of these psychological and social issues may assist both designers of medical devices and the professionals who issue them to better facilitate the integration of medical devices into the homes and lives of older people