5,632 research outputs found
Understanding the fidelity effect when evaluating games with children
There have been a number of studies that have compared evaluation results from prototypes of different fidelities but very few of these are with children. This paper reports a comparative study of three prototypes ranging from low fidelity to high fidelity within the context of mobile games, using a between subject design with 37 participants aged 7 to 9. The children played a matching game on either an iPad, a paper prototype using screen shots of the actual game or a sketched version. Observational data was captured to establish the usability problems, and two tools from the Fun Toolkit were used to measure user experience. The results showed that there was little difference for user experience between the three prototypes and very few usability problems were unique to a specific prototype. The contribution of this paper is that children using low-fidelity prototypes can effectively evaluate games of this genre and style
Cartoons for e-health informatics
Not only is Hepatitis B serology often misunderstood because of its complex serological implications, but advances in medical science have revolutionised screening and treatment of hepatitis B. To maximise such evolution however, this new information must be relayed effectively and efficiently to current and future medical professionals. Cartoons have been well regarded as a teaching tool in a variety of different settings as is the use of web based technology. Therefore the delivery of a cartoon based learning tool, accessed via on-line learning modules was considered a novel and potentially effective way of disseminating new knowledge. To increase health professionals’ understanding of hepatitis B serology and skill in interpreting the tests that indicate the appropriate treatment, a cartoon series was developed. The cartoons are located on an online educational website and include characters that represent the different antibodies and antigens associated with hepatitis B. The cartoon characters are involved in a series of adventures that represent the various phases of hepatitis B infection, and the paper describes their development. Subsequent research demonstrated that exposure to the online cartoon based learning tool indicates that they are a fun and useful way to increase knowledge
Constraints on explosive silicon burning in core-collapse supernovae from measured Ni/Fe ratios
Measurements of explosive nucleosynthesis yields in core-collapse supernovae
provide tests for explosion models. We investigate constraints on explosive
conditions derivable from measured amounts of nickel and iron after radioactive
decays using nucleosynthesis networks with parameterized thermodynamic
trajectories. The Ni/Fe ratio is for most regimes dominated by the production
ratio of 58Ni/(54Fe + 56Ni), which tends to grow with higher neutron excess and
with higher entropy. For SN 2012ec, a supernova that produced a Ni/Fe ratio of
times solar, we find that burning of a fuel with neutron excess
is required. Unless the progenitor metallicity
is over 5 times solar, the only layer in the progenitor with such a neutron
excess is the silicon shell. Supernovae producing large amounts of stable
nickel thus suggest that this deep-lying layer can be, at least partially,
ejected in the explosion. We find that common spherically symmetric models of
Msun stars exploding with a delay time of less than
one second ( Msun) are able to achieve such silicon-shell
ejection. Supernovae that produce solar or sub-solar Ni/Fe ratios, such as SN
1987A, must instead have burnt and ejected only oxygen-shell material, which
allows a lower limit to the mass cut to be set. Finally, we find that the
extreme Ni/Fe value of 60-75 times solar derived for the Crab cannot be
reproduced by any realistic-entropy burning outside the iron core, and
neutrino-neutronization obtained in electron-capture models remains the only
viable explanation.Comment: 13 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in Ap
Using late-time optical and near-infrared spectra to constrain Type Ia supernova explosion properties
The late-time spectra of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) are powerful probes of
the underlying physics of their explosions. We investigate the late-time
optical and near-infrared spectra of seven SNe Ia obtained at the VLT with
XShooter at 200 d after explosion. At these epochs, the inner Fe-rich ejecta
can be studied. We use a line-fitting analysis to determine the relative line
fluxes, velocity shifts, and line widths of prominent features contributing to
the spectra ([Fe II], [Ni II], and [Co III]). By focussing on [Fe II] and [Ni
II] emission lines in the ~7000-7500 \AA\ region of the spectrum, we find that
the ratio of stable [Ni II] to mainly radioactively-produced [Fe II] for most
SNe Ia in the sample is consistent with Chandrasekhar-mass delayed-detonation
explosion models, as well as sub-Chandrasekhar mass explosions that have
metallicity values above solar. The mean measured Ni/Fe abundance of our sample
is consistent with the solar value. The more highly ionised [Co III] emission
lines are found to be more centrally located in the ejecta and have broader
lines than the [Fe II] and [Ni II] features. Our analysis also strengthens
previous results that SNe Ia with higher Si II velocities at maximum light
preferentially display blueshifted [Fe II] 7155 \AA\ lines at late times. Our
combined results lead us to speculate that the majority of normal SN Ia
explosions produce ejecta distributions that deviate significantly from
spherical symmetry.Comment: 17 pages, 12 figure, accepted for publication in MNRA
Conteúdos linguÃsticos como subsÃdio à formação de professores alfabetizadores: a experiência do Brasil e de Portugal
Objetiva identificar em dois programas de formação de professores
alfabetizadores – no Brasil, Pacto Nacional pela Alfabetização na Idade Certa (Pnaic) e, em Portugal, Programa Nacional do Ensino do Português (Pnep) – os conteúdos linguÃsticos relacionados ao ensino da leitura que fundamentaram a atualização dos professores com vistas a compreender como as descobertas cientÃficas penetram o campo pedagógico. Por meio de análise documental, são apresentadas, de forma resumida, a estrutura e a organização dos dois programas e os respectivos conteúdos de formação. Há muita similaridade entre os dois programas com relação à organização e à s estratégias metodológicas e há diferenças importantes quanto à atualidade dos conteúdos oferecidos aos professores alfabetizadores, assim como o tempo de formação aplicado a este conteúdo. A formação linguÃstica do professor é essencial para desenvolver competência para o ensino da lÃngua e, por conseguinte, melhorar as habilidades de ler e escrever dos alunos do ensino fundamental.This article aims to identify the linguistic contents related to the
teaching of reading in two training programs for literacy teachers: Brazil’s
National Pact for Literacy at the Right Age (Pacto Nacional pela Alfabetização
na Idade Certa – Pnaic) and the National Program for Portuguese Teaching
(Programa Nacional do Ensino do Português – Pnep) of Portugal. The focus
is on the linguistic contents that served as foundation for the updating
of teachers, in order to understand how scientific discoveries permeate
the teaching field. Through documentary analysis, the structure and the
organization of the two programs and their respective training contents are
briefly presented. There are many similarities between the two programs,
regarding the organization and the methodological strategies; but there are
also differences in relation to the timeliness of the content offered to the
literacy teachers, as well as to the duration of the training applied to the
content. The linguistic training of teachers is essential to developing the
competence for language teaching and, therefore; for the improvement of
reading and writing skills of elementary school students.CIEC - Centro de Investigação em Estudos da Criança, IE, UMinho (UI 317 da FCT), PortugalFundos Nacionais através da FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia) e cofinanciado pelo Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional (FEDER) através do COMPETE 2020 – Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização (POCI) com a referência POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007562info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
The peculiar Type Ia supernova iPTF14atg: Chandrasekhar-mass explosion or violent merger?
iPTF14atg, a subluminous peculiar Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) similar to SN
2002es, is the first SN Ia for which a strong UV flash was observed in the
early-time light curves. This has been interpreted as evidence for a
single-degenerate (SD) progenitor system where such a signal is expected from
interactions between the SN ejecta and the non-degenerate companion star. Here,
we compare synthetic observables of multi-dimensional state-of-the-art
explosion models for different progenitor scenarios to the light curves and
spectra of iPTF14atg. From our models, we have difficulties explaining the
spectral evolution of iPTF14atg within the SD progenitor channel. In contrast,
we find that a violent merger of two carbon-oxygen white dwarfs with 0.9 and
0.76 solar masses, respectively, provides an excellent match to the spectral
evolution of iPTF14atg from 10d before to several weeks after maximum light.
Our merger model does not naturally explain the initial UV flash of iPTF14atg.
We discuss several possibilities like interactions of the SN ejecta with the
circum-stellar medium and surface radioactivity from a He ignited merger that
may be able to account for the early UV emission in violent merger models.Comment: 12 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA
Wind Tunnel Results of the B-52B with the X-43A Stack
A low-speed wind-tunnel test was performed with a three-percent-scale model of a booster rocket mated to an X-43A research vehicle, a combination referred to as the Hyper-X launch vehicle. The test was conducted both in free-stream air and in the presence of a partial model of the B-52B airplane. The objectives of the test were to obtain force and moment data to generate structural loads affecting the pylon of the B-52B airplane and to determine the aerodynamic influence of the B-52B airplane on the Hyper-X launch vehicle to evaluate launch separation characteristics. The wind-tunnel test was conducted at a low-speed wind tunnel in Hampton, Virginia. All moments and forces reported are based either on the aerodynamic influence of the B-52B airplane or are for the Hyper-X launch vehicle in free-stream air. Overall, the test showed that the B-52B airplane imparts a strong downwash onto the Hyper-X launch vehicle, reducing the net lift of the Hyper-X launch vehicle. Also, pitching and rolling moments are imparted onto the booster and are a strong function of the launch-drop angle of attack
Improving health professional\u27s knowledge of hepatitis B using cartoon based learning tools: a retrospective analysis of pre and post tests
Background: Hepatitis B serology is complex and a lack of knowledge in interpretation contributes to the inadequate levels of screening and referral for highly effective hepatitis antiviral treatments. This knowledge gap needs to be addressed so that current and future healthcare professionals are more confident in the detection and assessment of hepatitis B to improve the uptake of treatment and reduce long-term complications from the disease. Cartoons have been used effectively as a teaching tool in other settings and were considered as a potentially useful teaching aid in explaining hepatitis B serology. This study examines the impact of cartoons in improving healthcare professionals’ knowledge.
Methods: A cartoon based learning tool designed to simplify the complexities of hepatitis B serology was developed as part of an online learning program for medical practitioners, nurses and students in these professions. A retrospective analysis was carried out of pre and post online test results.
Results: An average improvement of 96% of correct answers to case study questions in hepatitis B serology was found across all ten questions following the use of an online cartoon based learning tool.
Conclusion: The data indicates a significant improvement of participants’ knowledge of hepatitis B serology from pre-test to post-test immediately following an online cartoon based learning tool. However, further research is required to measure its long term impact
Adrenal lesions found incidentally: how to improve clinical and cost-effectiveness
Introduction Adrenal incidentalomas are lesions that are incidentally identified while scanning for other conditions. While most are benign and hormonally non-functional, around 20% are malignant and/or hormonally active, requiring prompt intervention. Malignant lesions can be aggressive and life-threatening, while hormonally active tumours cause various endocrine disorders, with significant morbidity and mortality. Despite this, management of patients with adrenal incidentalomas is variable, with no robust evidence base. This project aimed to establish more effective and timely management of these patients. Methods We developed a web-based, electronic Adrenal Incidentaloma Management System (eAIMS), which incorporated the evidence-based and National Health Service–aligned 2016 European guidelines. The system captures key clinical, biochemical and radiological information necessary for adrenal incidentaloma patient management and generates a pre-populated outcome letter, saving clinical and administrative time while ensuring timely management plans with enhanced safety. Furthermore, we developed a prioritisation strategy, with members of the multidisciplinary team, which prioritised high-risk individuals for detailed discussion and management. Patient focus groups informed process-mapping and multidisciplinary team process re-design and patient information leaflet development. The project was partnered by University Hospital of South Manchester to maximise generalisability. Results Implementation of eAIMS, along with improvements in the prioritisation strategy, resulted in a 49% reduction in staff hands-on time, as well as a 78% reduction in the time from adrenal incidentaloma identification to multidisciplinary team decision. A health economic analysis identified a 28% reduction in costs. Conclusions The system’s in-built data validation and the automatic generation of the multidisciplinary team outcome letter improved patient safety through a reduction in transcription errors. We are currently developing the next stage of the programme to proactively identify all new adrenal incidentaloma cases
CMS endcap RPC gas gap production for upgrade
The CMS experiment will install a RE4 layer of 144 new Resistive Plate Chambers (RPCs) on the existing york YE3 at both endcap regions to trigger high momentum muons from the proton-proton interaction. In this paper, we present the detailed procedures used in the production of new RPC gas gaps adopted in the CMS upgrade. Quality assurance is enforced as ways to maintain the same quality of RPC gas gaps as the existing 432 endcap RPC chambers that have been operational since the beginning of the LHC operation
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