A Study on the Usage of the Board Race Game; as a Grammar Retention Strategy for English as a Second Language (ESL) Learners

Language games are often recognized as one of the important components when teaching and learning English, in a Second Language classroom. Conversely, in the traditional classroom setting, playing games is believed to be highly unproductive. Given that, this study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of language games as a grammar retention strategy for ESL learners. The study was conducted at All Saints’ College, Sri Lanka using a mixed methods research approach where the sample groups were experimented and observed in two settings: the traditional classroom and the game-based approach. For data collection, all three classes of grade six, with 30 students in each, were classified randomly as the experimental group and the two control groups. While the experimental group was exposed to the game, “The Board Race” when teaching irregular past tense, the control groups were taught the same without the game. According to the results which were achieved from the t-test, through a comparison of the mean scores of the pre-test and two post-tests, the experimental group exceeded the two control groups with higher mean values, during the immediate retention stage and the delayed retention stages, proving that the two teaching methods have different influences on grammar retention. The above results were further confirmed by the positive responses of the experimental group in terms of behavioral, cognitive, and emotional engagement. Thus, this study suggests the need to incorporate games with text-based instructions in the ESL classroom, which is helpful for the students to retain grammar, in the long term.     DOI: http://doi.org/10.31357/fhss/vjhss.v08i01.0

Changes in Medicago truncatula seed proteome along the rehydration-dehydration cycle highlight new players in the genotoxic stress response

Introduction: Several molecular aspects underlying the seed response to priming and the resulting vigor profile are still poorly understood. Mechanisms involved in genome maintenance deserve attention since the balance between stimulation of germination and DNA damage accumulation versus active repair is a key determinant for designing successful seed priming protocols. Methods: Changes in the Medicago truncatula seed proteome were investigated in this study, using discovery mass spectrometry and label-free quantification, along the rehydration-dehydration cycle of a standard vigorization treatment (hydropriming plus dry-back), and during post-priming imbibition. Resuts and discussion: From 2056 to 2190 proteins were detected in each pairwise comparison, among which six were differentially accumulated and were detected only in one condition. The following proteins were selected for further investigation: MtDRP2B (DYNAMIN-RELATED PROTEIN), MtTRXm4 (THIOREDOXIN m4), and MtASPG1 (ASPARTIC PROTEASE IN GUARD CELL 1) showing changes in seeds under dehydration stress; MtITPA (INOSINE TRIPHOSPHATE PYROPHOSPHORYLASE), MtABA2 (ABSCISIC ACID DEFICIENT 2), MtRS2Z32 (SERINE/ARGININE-RICH SPLICING FACTOR RS2Z32), and MtAQR (RNA HELICASE AQUARIUS) that were differentially regulated during postpriming imbibition. Changes in the corresponding transcript levels were assessed by qRT-PCR. In animal cells, ITPA hydrolyses 2’-deoxyinosine triphosphate and other inosine nucleotides, preventing genotoxic damage. A proof of concept was performed by imbibing primed and control M. truncatula seeds in presence/absence of 20 mM 2’-deoxyinosine (dI). Results from comet assay highlighted the ability of primed seeds to cope with dI-induced genotoxic damage. The seed repair response was assessed by monitoring the expression profiles of MtAAG (ALKYL-ADENINE DNA GLYCOSILASE) and MtEndoV (ENDONUCLEASE V) genes that participate in the repair of the mismatched I:T pair in BER (base excision repair) and AER (alternative excision repair) pathways, respectively

Abstracts of National Conference on Research and Developments in Material Processing, Modelling and Characterization 2020

This book presents the abstracts of the papers presented to the Online National Conference on Research and Developments in Material Processing, Modelling and Characterization 2020 (RDMPMC-2020) held on 26th and 27th August 2020 organized by the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Science in Association with the Department of Production and Industrial Engineering, National Institute of Technology Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, India. Conference Title: National Conference on Research and Developments in Material Processing, Modelling and Characterization 2020Conference Acronym: RDMPMC-2020Conference Date: 26–27 August 2020Conference Location: Online (Virtual Mode)Conference Organizer: Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, National Institute of Technology JamshedpurCo-organizer: Department of Production and Industrial Engineering, National Institute of Technology Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, IndiaConference Sponsor: TEQIP-