Virtual Enhancement to Physical Spaces: A QR Code Based Orientation Game

University orientations are typically passive events for students, with activities that include sitting and listening to speakers and perhaps talking to others seated nearby. In this project, the authors sought to provide a more active and collaborative component to a university orientation via a team-based game that incorporated content included in a typical orientation and modeled appropriate instructional technology use. This mobile orientation game used QR codes and videos to augment the physical environment of an academic building. This paper describes the design and development process for this game, and presents the results of an evaluation conducted at the end. The game, which lasted an hour, both helped players learn more about the people and key locations within the new program they were joining and, most importantly, helped participants meet and interact with their new peers prior to the beginning of classes

The Effect of E-book Vocabulary Instruction on Spanish-English Speaking Children

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effect of an intensive vocabulary intervention embedded in e-books on the vocabulary skills of young Spanish-English speaking English learners (ELs) from low-socioeconomic status backgrounds. Method: Children (N = 288) in kindergarten and 1st grade were randomly assigned to treatment and read-only conditions. All children received e-book readings approximately 3 times a week for 10-20 weeks using the same books. Children in the treatment condition received e-books supplemented with vocabulary instruction that included scaffolding through explanations in Spanish, repetition in English, checks for understanding, and highlighted morphology. Results: There was a main effect of the intervention on expressive labeling (g = 0.38) and vocabulary on the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Fourth Edition (g = 0.14; Dunn & Dunn, 2007), with no significant moderation effect of initial Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test score. There was no significant difference between conditions on children\u27s expressive definitions. Conclusion: Findings substantiate the effectiveness of computer-implemented embedded vocabulary intervention for increasing ELs\u27 vocabulary knowledge. Implications: Computer-assisted vocabulary instruction with scaffolding through Spanish explanations, repetitions, and highlighted morphology is a promising approach to facilitate word learning for ELs in kindergarten and 1st grade

Recent Advance in Small Molecules Targeting RhlR of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) is an opportunistic gram-negative pathogen that can cause various infections, particularly in patients with compromised host defenses. P. aeruginosa forms biofilms and produces virulence factors through quorum sensing (QS) network, resulting in resistance to antibiotics. RhlI/RhlR, one of key QS systems in P. aeruginosa, is considered an attractive target for inhibiting biofilm formation and attenuating virulence factors. Several recent studies examined small molecules targeting the RhlI/RhlR system and their in vitro and in vivo biological activities. In this review, RhlR-targeted modulators, including agonists and antagonists, are discussed with particular focus on structure-activity relationship studies and outlook for next-generation anti-biofilm agents

Effects of Steel Type and Sandblasting Pretreatment on the Solid-liquid Compound Casting Characteristics of Zinc-coated Steel/aluminum Bimetals

Effects of zinc-coated steel type and steel surface sandblasting pretreatment in the solid-liquid compound casting of layered type steel/aluminum bimetals were investigated. The Zn coating behavior and its effects on interfacial microstructure evolution and fracture mechanism were also discussed. The aluminum fluidity in thin plate type flow channels formed by the steel insert and the mold wall primarily depended on the insert surface roughness and secondarily on the wettability. As-galvanized (GI) steel/aluminum bimetal joints showed the bonding strength of 20 MPa and more, while galvannealed (GA) steels showed poor bonding. The interfacial bonding zone consisted of most Al13Fe4, Al8Fe2Si, Al4.5FeSi intermetallic phases, as well as some Si phases. A low temperature and short time of the bonding reaction coupled with a high silicon content of the aluminum alloy suppressed the formation of Al5Fe2 phase. Oxide scales on the GA steel surface prevented the molten Zn coating from mixing with the aluminum melt. The Zn coating of GI steels was rapidly disappeared from the steel surface by the chemical affinity and surface energy-driven fluid flow as well as the diffusion, resulting in the formation of Zn-free intermetallic phases. The Zn coating of GI steels played a role in retarding the onset of bonding reaction. A long time sandblasting caused an excessive growth of intermetallic layers and the formation of Kirkendall voids on the steel side, resulting in the shift of main fracture sites and a slight decrease of the bonding strength

WithDorm: Dormitory solution for linking roommates

© 2019 Copyright held by the owner/author(s).Experiences in universities are important for emotional maturation and offer an opportunity to develop individual characteristics and skills needed for social life. There are diverse issues affecting the quality of dormitory life and roommate relationships, which can influence one's psychosocial development. In this paper, we propose WithDorm, a mobile application to help communication with roommates and tighten their connections, and thereby assisting the users' emotional health and psychosocial development. We analyzed dormitory roommate issues from a human-centered perspective and narrowed down to three design implications after dormitory life modeling. Furthermore, we implemented the design implications in a prototype and performed a usability test to evaluate and improve the design. The final design, WithDorm, is aware of dormitory-specific concerns, collects and adapts to users' lifestyles, and initiates humanhuman interaction among roommates.N

WithDorm: Dormitory Solution for Linking Roommates

Experiences in universities are important for emotional maturation and offer an opportunity to develop individual characteristics and skills needed for social life. There are diverse issues affecting the quality of dormitory life and roommate relationships, which can influence one's psychosocial development. In this paper, we propose With Dorm, a mobile application to help communication with roommates and tighten their connections, and thereby assisting the users' emotional health and psychosocial development. We analyzed dormitory roommate issues from a human-centered perspective and narrowed down to three design implications after dormitory life modeling. Furthermore, we implemented the design implications in a prototype and performed a usability test to evaluate and improve the design. The final design, WithDorm, is aware of dormitory-specific concerns, collects and adapts to users' lifestyles, and initiates human human interaction among roommates.N

Bridge Resistance Compensation for Noise Reduction in a Self-Balanced PHMR Sensor

Advanced microelectromechanical system (MEMS) magnetic field sensor applications demand ultra-high detectivity down to the low magnetic fields. To enhance the detection limit of the magnetic sensor, a resistance compensator integrated self-balanced bridge type sensor was devised for low-frequency noise reduction in the frequency range of 0.5 Hz to 200 Hz. The self-balanced bridge sensor was a NiFe (10 nm)/IrMn (10 nm) bilayer structure in the framework of planar Hall magnetoresistance (PHMR) technology. The proposed resistance compensator integrated with a self-bridge sensor architecture presented a compact and cheaper alternative to marketable MEMS MR sensors, adjusting the offset voltage compensation at the wafer level, and led to substantial improvement in the sensor noise level. Moreover, the sensor noise components of electronic and magnetic origin were identified by measuring the sensor noise spectral density as a function of temperature and operating power. The lowest achievable noise in this device architecture was estimated at ~3.34 nV/Hz at 100 Hz

Operational Parameters for Sub-Nano Tesla Field Resolution of PHMR Sensors in Harsh Environments

The resolution of planar-Hall magnetoresistive (PHMR) sensors was investigated in the frequency range from 0.5 Hz to 200 Hz in terms of its sensitivity, average noise level, and detectivity. Analysis of the sensor sensitivity and voltage noise response was performed by varying operational parameters such as sensor geometrical architectures, sensor configurations, sensing currents, and temperature. All the measurements of PHMR sensors were carried out under both constant current (CC) and constant voltage (CV) modes. In the present study, Barkhausen noise was revealed in 1/f noise component and found less significant in the PHMR sensor configuration. Under measured noise spectral density at optimized conditions, the best magnetic field detectivity was achieved better than 550 pT/√Hz at 100 Hz and close to 1.1 nT/√Hz at 10 Hz for a tri-layer multi-ring PHMR sensor in an unshielded environment. Furthermore, the promising feasibility and possible routes for further improvement of the sensor resolution are discussed