Supporting primary students' learning of fraction conceptual knowledge through digital games

With the advent of mobile technologies, well-designed fraction apps can be used to help children gain fraction knowledge, a challenging topic for both teachers and students. The present pilot study adopted a quasi-experimental design to investigate whether children can learn fraction concepts equally well if half of the lesson time (20 min) is replaced with game-based learning. Keeping the total lesson time (40 min) identical, the control group (N = 33) received traditional instruction, and the experimental group (N = 32) was presented with a blended learning approach spending half of the class time (20 min) playing tablet-based fraction games, where each of the learners had their own tablet. The results suggested that in the posttest, the experimental group achieved similar learning gains to the control group and appear to have achieved better performance in the transfer test than the control group. This paper also discusses the efficiency of game-based learning, the mechanism of how fraction games might enhance learning, and the potential of integrating game-based learning in educational settings.     

The Bi-Rb (bismuth-rubidium) system

This work was supported by ASM International. Literature searched through 1988. Dr. Pelton is the Alloy Phase Diagram Program Co-Category Editor for binary alkali alloys.     

The ir-li (iridium-lithium) system

Permanent address: Sangster Research Laboratories, Suite 402, 3475 de la Montagne, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H3G 2A4.     

The H-Cs (hydrogen-cesium) system

Permanent address: Sangster Research Laboratories, Suite 402, 3475 rue de la Montagne, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H3G 2A4.     

Thermodynamic evaluation of phase equilibria in the CaCl2-MgCl2-CaF2-MgF2 system

The phase diagram of the CaCl₂-CaF₂-MgCl₂-MgF₂ reciprocal ternary system was calculated thermodynamically from available data on the common-ion binary subsystems and from available data on the CaCl₂-MgF₂ join. This join is very nearly quasibinary and divides the system into two quasiternary systems: the CaCl₂-MgF₂-CaF₂ system with a ternary eutectic calculated at 724 +-5 °C and the CaC₂-MgF₂-MgCl₂ system with a ternary eutectic calculated at 561 +-5 °C.     

Reduced brain serotonin transporter availability in major depression as measured by [123I]-2 beta-carbomethoxy-3 beta-(4-iodophenyl)tropane and single photon emission computed tomography

BACKGROUND: Prior research has suggested reductions in the density of serotonin transporter (SERT) binding sites in blood platelets and post-mortem brain tissue of depressed patients. We sought to determine whether patients with unipolar major depression have diminished SERT availability as assessed by both brainstem [123I] beta-CIT SPECT and platelet [3H]paroxetine binding. METHODS: Drug-free depressed and healthy subjects were injected with 211 +/- 22 MBq [123I] beta-CIT and imaged 24 +/- 2 h later under equilibrium conditions. A ratio of specific to nonspecific brain uptake (V3" = (brainstem-occipital)/occipital), a measure proportional to the binding potential (Bmax/Kd), was used for all comparisons. RESULTS: Results showed a statistically significant reduction in brainstem V3" values in depressed as compared to healthy subjects (3.1 +/- .9 vs. 3.8 +/- .8, p = .02). Platelet [3H]paroxetine binding was not altered (Bmax = 2389 +/- 484 vs. 2415 +/- 538 fmol/mg protein, p = .91) and was not significantly correlated with brainstem [123I] beta-CIT binding (r = -0.14, p = .48). CONCLUSIONS: These data are the first to suggest reductions in the density of brain SERT binding sites in living depressed patients. These findings provide further support for a preeminent role for alterations in serotonergic neurons in the pathophysiology of depression.