440 research outputs found
Outnumb3r3d : intrinsically motivating mathematics for the PlayStation 4
This paper and accompanying poster describes the design of an intrinsically integrated educational game to improve children’s competencies in mental mathematics. A number of researchers have suggested that educational games are more effective when they are closely integrated with their learning content. Specifically work by the lead author has showed that a closer integration between an educational game's core-mechanics and its learning content can be both more appealing (in terms of time spent on-task) and more educationally effective (in terms of learning outcomes) than a less integrated "edutainment" approach. However, cursory approaches to integrating learning content remain common in contemporary educational software, and the literature lacks an exemplar of what can be achieved using an integrated approach. The Outnumb3r3d game was conceived to provide a commercial and theoretical exemplar of intrinsic integration for the Nintendo Wii, but was never completed. This project is now porting the original Wii prototype onto the PlayStation 4 in order to revive Outnumb3r3d as a research project.
This paper details the design of Outnumb3r3d with reference to the key theoretical constructs that underlie its pedagogical design. In doing so it provides an example of a game design created to integrate mathematical learning content seamlessly into the game's core mechanics, ensuring that the mathematics is what makes the game intrinsically motivating to play rather than trying to hide or "sugar coat" its learning content. At the time of writing the game’s implementation is still a “work in progress”, but is expected to be the subject of future empirical evaluations into its effectiveness as a teaching tool
Optimizing Bus Routes in Nicosia
In this report the conclusions by the team of experts that took the ”Trans- portation Organization of the Nicosia District (OSEL)” challenge are provided. The challenge was to identify ways to improve efficiency of the bus network and increase the utilization of the network by the public. A thorough analysis of the various factors that affect bus route planning is provided. Moreover, a demonstration of a simplified route planning problem is described in order to motivate further work on this topic. Recommendations are provided to the company on the way to move forward towards solving the problem of creating a bus network with increased efficiency and grater appeal to the public. Specific recommendations include the collection of a larger amounts of data that can be used to generate models used in simulation analysis. Data include demographic data on bus usage and bus usage preferences by the public. In addition, data is required on bus travel times, walking distance to the nearest bus stop by the commuter, and traffic data
Titanium abundances in late-type stars I. 1D non-LTE modelling in benchmark dwarfs and giants
The titanium abundances of late-type stars are important tracers of Galactic
formation history. However, abundances inferred from Ti I and Ti II lines can
be in stark disagreement in very metal-poor giants. Departures from local
thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) have a large impact on the minority neutral
species and thus influences the ionisation imbalance, but satisfactory non-LTE
modelling for both dwarfs and giants has not been achieved in previous
literature. The reliability of titanium abundances is reassessed in benchmark
dwarfs and giants using a new non-LTE model and one-dimensional (1D) model
atmospheres. A comprehensive model atom was compiled with a more extended level
structure and newly published data for inelastic collisions between Ti I and
neutral hydrogen. In 1D LTE, the Ti I and Ti II lines agree to within
dex for the Sun, Arcturus, and the very metal-poor stars HD84937 and HD140283.
For the very metal-poor giant HD122563, the Ti I lines give an abundance that
is dex lower than that from Ti II. The 1D non-LTE corrections can reach
dex for individual Ti I lines and dex for individual Ti II lines,
and reduce the overall ionisation imbalance to dex for HD122563.
However, it also increases the imbalance for the very metal-poor dwarf and
sub-giant to around dex. Using 1D non-LTE reduces the ionisation
imbalance in very metal-poor giants but breaks the balance of other very
metal-poor stars, consistent with the conclusions in earlier literature. To
make further progress, consistent 3D non-LTE models are needed.Comment: 9 pages plus appendix, 6 figures; accepted for publication in
Astronomy & Astrophysic
Perfectionism worksheets
A series of worksheets on perfectionism
Ba3Ga3N5 - A Novel Host Lattice for Eu2+ - Doped Luminescent Materials with Unexpected Nitridogallate Substructure
The alkaline earth nitridogallate Ba3Ga3N5 was synthesized from the elements in a sodium flux at 760°C utilizing weld shut tantalum ampules. The crystal structure was solved and refined on the basis of single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. Ba3Ga3N5 (space group C2/c (No. 15), a = 16.801(3), b = 8.3301(2), c = 11.623(2) Å, β = 109.92 (3)°, Z = 8) contains a hitherto unknown structural motif in nitridogallates, namely, infinite strands made up of GaN4 tetrahedra, each sharing two edges and at least one corner with neighboring GaN4 units. There are three Ba2+ sites with coordination numbers six or eight, respectively, and one Ba2+ position exhibiting a low coordination number 4 corresponding to a distorted tetrahedron. Eu2+ - doped samples show red luminescence when excited by UV irradiation at room temperature. Luminescence investigations revealed a maximum emission intensity at 638 nm (FWHM =2123 cm−1). Ba3Ga3N5 is the first nitridogallate for which parity allowed broadband emission due to Eu2+ - doping has been found. The electronic structure of both Ba3Ga3N5 as well as isoelectronic but not isostructural Sr3Ga3N5 was investigated by DFT methods. The calculations revealed a band gap of 1.53 eV for Sr3Ga3N5 and 1.46 eV for Ba3Ga3N5
Prevalence of disease related prion protein in anonymous tonsil specimens in Britain: cross sectional opportunistic survey
Objective To establish with improved accuracy the prevalence of disease related prion protein (PrPCJD) in the population of Britain and thereby guide a proportionate public health response to limit the threat of healthcare associated transmission of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD)
Standing balance in persistent whiplash: A comparison between subjects with and without dizziness
Objective: Dizziness and unsteadiness, associated with altered balance, are frequent complaints in subjects suffering persistent whiplash associated disorders. Research has been inconclusive with respect to possible aetiology. This study assessed balance responses in subjects with whiplash associated disorders, taking into account several possible causes
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