Effectiveness of joyful game-based blended learning method in learning chemistry during COVID-19

The recent introduction of joyful learning in National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 created great interest among students and is predicted to be the most suitable learning method for 21st-century learners. Game-based learning enhances education making all educational games increasingly popular. Learning efficiency can be enhanced through educational games. This article purposes to examine the efficiency of the game-based joyful blended learning method in learning chemistry, periodic table elements (1 to 30) among tenth standard students. The main purpose of the current study was to assist secondary school students to learn science-related ideas via participating in educational card games and using digital media for learning concepts. The educational advantages of the game in terms of learning performance, as well as students’ views of its integration into scientific learning, were studied. A quasi-experimental technique was used to obtain the study’s goal. The sample comprises 240 students studying the tenth standard in 4 different private CBSE schools in Palakkad district, Kerala, India. The pretest, posttest, gain scores, and retention scores were compared. The study's results indicated that there is a substantial mean score variation in learning chemistry (elements) between pretest, posttest, and retention tests of students in the experimental and control group. The students developed positive attitudes towards the usage of educational cards in learning Chemistry. The developed game-based joyful blended learning method develops reflective thinking and self-regulated learning among students

Experimental Characterisation of GLass Aluminum REinforced (GLARE™) laminates

Fibre metal laminates such as GLARE™ have found promising application in the aerospace industry. These laminates were developed at the structures and materials laboratory of Delft University of Technology, Netherlands. GLARE™ is a material belonging to the family of Fibre Metal Laminates consisting of thin aluminum layers bonded with unidirectional S2-Glass fibres with an adhesive. Aluminum and S2-Glass when combined as a hybrid material can provide best features of the both metals and composites. These materials have excellent fatigue, impact and damage tolerance characteristics and a lower density compared to aluminum. GLARE™ has found major application in front and aft upper fuselage, leading edges of empennages of advanced civil aircrafts like A380. This document looks into the evaluation of two configuration of GLARE™ for its mechanical and impact characteristics. The mechanical characterisation was carried out for tensile, compression, Flexure, ILSS, Open Hole Tension, Open Hole Compression and Shear (Iosipescu). The impact behaviour were characterised based on a low velocity drop weight impact carried on these laminates. The study shows that the basic properties evaluated were more dictated by the property of the S2-Glass used. The studies show that GLARE™ laminates posses’ high impact damage resistance compared to other composite material. All the test datas generated for this study will be brought out in this document

Research Article Enhanced Optimized Link State Routing for Multimedia Traffic using Genetic Algorithm

Abstract: The aim of this research is to modify OLSR using GA to reduce the end to end delay and to improve the network throughput. Simulation was carried out for multimedia traffic and video streamed network traffic using OPNET Simulator. Routing is a primary MANET function where each node forms routes between nodes not directly in each others range for communication. Major challenges in MANET are routing protocol design while maintaining quality of service in the network. Optimized Link State Routing (OLSR) protocol is

Investigation of deformation of the cornea during tonometry using FEM

A three dimensional finite element model of the human eye is developed to evaluate the force which will be applied over the surface of cornea during tonometry and gonioscopy tests. The standard tonometers and gonioscopy experiences deformation from 0.5mm to 3mm of the cornea is adopted during both point contact and boundary contact on the surface of the cornea. The results demonstrate the maximum force experienced by the tonometer with point contact at the center of the cornea for the maximum possible deformation of the cornea during tonometry. The study also analyzes for the force experienced by the tonometer or goniolens with boundary layer contact for the defined deformation of the cornea along the direction from cornea towards the retina

(-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate reverses the expression of various tumor-suppressor genes by inhibiting DNA methyltransferases and histone deacetylases in human cervical cancer cells

There has been increasing evidence that numerous bioactive dietary agents can hamper the process of carcinogenesis by targeting epigenetic alterations including DNA methylation. This therapeutic approach is considered as a significant goal for cancer therapy due to the reversible nature of epigenetic-mediated gene silencing and warrants further attention. One such dietary agent, green tea catechin, (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) has been shown to modulate many cancer-related pathways. Thus, the present study was designed to investigate the role of EGCG as an epigenetic modifier in HeLa cells. DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) and histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition assays were conducted, and the transcription levels of DNMT3β and HDAC1 were assessed by enzymatic activity assay and RT-PCR, respectively. Furthermore, we studied the binding interaction of EGCG with DNMT3β and HDAC1 by molecular modeling as well as promoter DNA methylation and expression of retinoic acid receptor-â (RARâ), cadherin 1 (CDH1) and death-associated protein kinase-1 (DAPK1) in EGCG-treated HeLa cells by RT-PCR and MS-PCR. In the present study, time-dependent EGCG-treated HeLa cells were found to have a significant reduction in the enzymatic activity of DNMT and HDAC. However, the expression of DNMT3β was significantly decreased in a time-dependent manner whereas there was no significant change in HDAC1 expression. Molecular modeling data also supported the EGCG-mediated DNMT3β and HDAC1 activity inhibition. Furthermore, time-dependent exposure to EGCG resulted in reactivation of known tumor-suppressor genes (TSGs) in HeLa cells due to marked changes in the methylation of the promoter regions of these genes. Overall, the present study suggests that EGCG may have a significant impact on the development of novel epigenetic-based therapy

Effect of chronic administration of 7α-methyl-19-nortestosterone on serum testosterone, number of spermatozoa and fertility in adult male bonnet monkeys (Macaca radiata)

Hormonal approaches to male contraception that are based on the suppression of LH secretion require androgen replacement treatment to maintain sexual behaviour and secondary sexual characteristics. Androgen supplementation not only involves large and frequent doses of testosterone esters but also results in undesirable effects on the prostate gland. In an attempt to avoid such problems, a synthetic androgen, 7α-methyl-19-nortestosterone (MENT), which is much more potent than testosterone, has been developed. In the present study, MENT was administered at different doses (25, 50, 100, 300 and 1000 μg day−1 either alone or in combination with oestradiol via Silastic implants for a specified period to adult male bonnet monkeys (Macaca radiata). Blood and semen samples were collected at specific intervals and analysed for serum testosterone and seminal parameters, respectively. The results of the present study clearly indicate that administration of MENT at all doses tested results in suppression of the nocturnal surge of testosterone (by day 3), as well as a decrease in the number of spermatozoa (by day 45). Co-administration of oestradiol resulted in a reduction in the dose of MENT required to suppress the nocturnal surge. None of the male bonnet monkeys treated with MENT were able to impregnate females, clearly demonstrating the efficacy of MENT in blocking fertility in male bonnet monkeys

Strain Sensor’s Network for Low-Velocity Impact Location Estimation on Carbon Reinforced Fiber Plastic Structures: Part-I

In this work, we have investigated the strain response (angular/spatial) from fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor & resistance strain gauge (RSG) sensors bonded to the composite structure due to the projectile low velocity impact (LVI). The number of sensor & its orientating has been optimized based on such experimental data and designed an optimum sensor network for faithful LVI detection. In order to study the efficacy of the sensor network, an impact localization algorithm based on peak strain amplitude from the sensor bonded to the structure was used in this study. Further the detection efficiency of the algorithm has been improved using weighted average value around the peak amplitude of strain experienced by the sensor. We found that for the high energy (~35 J) LVI the maximum distance error (Euclidian distance) was 50 mm for 80% of total trail case. Furthermore, we have developed and compared the relative performance of the algorithm cited in the literature, will be presented in PART-II of the same Journal

An MBSE Approach for Development of Resilient Automated Automotive Systems

Advanced driver assistance and automated driving systems must operate in complex environments and make safety-critical decisions. Resilient behavior of these systems in their targeted operation design domain is essential. In this paper, we describe developments in our Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) approach to develop resilient safety-critical automated systems. An MBSE approach provides the ability to provide guarantees about system behavior and potentially reduces dependence on in-vehicle testing through the use of rigorous models and extensive simulation. We are applying MBSE methods to two key aspects of developing resilient systems: (1) ensuring resilient behavior through the use of Resilience Contracts for system decision making; and (2) applying simulation-based testing methods to verify the system handles all known scenarios and to validate the system against potential unknown scenarios. Resilience Contracts make use of contract-based design methods and Partially Observable Markov Decision Processes (POMDP), which allow the system to model potential uncertainty in the sensed environment and thus make more resilient decisions. The simulation-based testing methodology provides a structured approach to evaluate the operation of the target system in a wide variety of operating conditions and thus confirm that the expected resilient behavior has indeed been achieved. This paper provides details on the development of a utility function to support Resilience Contracts and outlines the specific test methods used to evaluate known and unknown operating scenarios. Document type: Articl