Gamification in Teaching Historical Disciplines: from the Experience of the Timiryazev Academy

The authors give a periodization of the introduction of gamification in the teaching of historical disciplines, highlighting three stages, dating the final stage to 2020. They associate the onset of it with the self-isolation of students and teachers during the Covid-19 pandemic. The experience of the Department of History of the Timiryazev Academy in the gamification of the educational process is presented, a brief overview of the business game - Quiz "Guess" is given. The main programs that were used at the university in the framework of gamification are considered: Kahoot, Quizizz, Triventy, Mentimeter. The article provides data on mobile applications for smartphones that can be used in the history disciplines learning process. The purpose of the research is to share the experience of the teachers of the Department of History of the Russian State Agrarian University-Moscow K.A. Timiryazev Agricultural Academy (Timiryazev Academy) on the introduction of gamification into the teaching of history disciplines. The object of the research is gamification. The subject of the research is the introduction of gamification by the teachers of the Department of History of the Timiryazev Academy. Research methods: participant observation, sociological survey, expert assessment. The main scientific result: it is proved that gamification in teaching of historical disciplines is closely related to the process of digitalization of the educational process, which puts on the agenda the development of a complex of special mobile applications containing educational content in the discipline "History (history of Russia, general history)". © 2022 American Institute of Physics Inc.. All rights reserved.

RBC-Enhance: A Randomized Pilot Feasibility Trial of Red Cell Transfusion Thresholds in Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Background Red blood cell (RBC) transfusion dependence (TD) and anemia are associated with inferior quality of life (QOL) and survival in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). As part of a research programme to identify the optimal transfusion hemoglobin (Hb) threshold that translates into significantly improved QOL, we conducted a pilot randomized study of two transfusion algorithms (liberal versus restrictive) to determine the feasibility of a larger study. This trial was aligned with the REDDS study (ISRCTN26088319, Stanworth et al., BJH 2019) and followed the same pre-defined statistical analysis plan. Methods The study was undertaken at 3 cancer centers (NCT02099669). We included patients with MDS, CMML, low blast AML (20-30%) or myeloproliferative neoplasms who were TD (> 1 RBC/8 weeks x 16 weeks). Patients on disease modifying therapy for > 6 months were permitted only if they had remained stably RBC-TD with a life expectancy of > 3 months. Central randomization was to one of two RBC transfusion strategies over a 12-week period: 1. Restrictive strategy to maintain Hb between 85 and 105g/L. To achieve this, 2 RBC units were transfused when Hb < 85 g/L 2. Liberal strategy to maintain Hb between 110 and 120 g/L. To achieve this, 2 RBC units were transfused when Hb < 105 g/L and 1 unit for Hb 105-110 g/L. The first 4 weeks were considered a run-in period to achieve the target Hb. The primary outcomes of this feasibility study were 1. The percentage compliance of Hb being within or above the target range of the assigned transfusion threshold (after the 4 week run-in). Feasibility was set at 70%. 2. Achievement of at least a 15 g/L difference between the mean pre-transfusion Hb of the liberal and restrictive strategy groups. Secondary outcomes included changes and differences in QOL scores, rates of transfusion reactions and alloimmunizations, overall blood utilization and visit numbers and impact on serum ferritin. The primary analysis was intention to treat. The study was closed early due to COVID-19, with 28 patients randomized of planned 30. Results 30 patients were enrolled over 5 years and 28 patients randomized (n=15, liberal;n=13 restrictive). Median age was 74 (range 58-84), 26/28 had MDS or CMML and there were no significant imbalances in baseline disease and patient characteristics although patients in the restrictive group tended to have lower risk disease (IPSS-R very low + low 69% versus 53% liberal). Compared with the restrictive arm, liberal arm patients had more complete blood counts, were transfused more RBC units (only during the 4-week run-in) and were transfused at shorter intervals (Table 1). There were no differences in adverse events. Over the 12 weeks, the mean Hb value was 90 ± 4 g/L (restrictive) versus 101 ± 4 g/L (liberal), (p <0.0001, Figure 1). The pretransfusion difference was 11.8 g/L (95% CI 9.4-14.3) with mean pre-transfusion Hb values of 98.6 (± 10.6) g/L and 86.7 (± 8.6) in the liberal and restrictive arms respectively. Percentage compliance of pre-transfusion Hb falling within or above the target Hb range was 48% for restrictive patients but only 14% for liberal patients. Adherence with QOL completion (minimum of 4 serial) was 93%. While sample sizes are small and comparisons exploratory, the area under the curve for several serial quality of life scores was numerically higher and the curve more stable for the liberal arm (EQ5D (figure 2), EORTC cognitive and emotional functioning). Similarly, a higher % of patients in the liberal arm achieved pre-defined clinically meaningful increases in several symptom and function domains (emotional, social, fatigue, dyspnea, financial problems). Discussion Whilst our study results did not meet our feasibility endpoints, this small randomized trial in MDS patients demonstrated clinically important differences in mean Hb achievable with different transfusion thresholds. Poor rates of compliance with Hb targets were clearly identified for patients in the liberal arm, suggesting a need to understand the barriers to protocol adherence in this rm prior to embarking on larger trials. Compared with the REDDS trial, we did not document a significant excess of RBC transfusions needed (post run-in period) to maintain the higher Hb threshold. Similar to REDDS, we did observe some signals of improved QOL with a liberal transfusion strategy. A formal analysis of pooled results with REDDS study patients is planned. (Funding, CCSRI grant QOLL-14 and MOSPI Fund 2014). [Formula presented] Disclosures: Buckstein: Novartis: Honoraria;Astex: Honoraria;Celgene: Honoraria;Celgene: Research Funding;Takeda: Research Funding. Prica: seattle genetics: Honoraria;Gilead: Honoraria;astra zeneca: Honoraria. Leber: Amgen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau;BMS/Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau;Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau;Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau;Otsuka Pharmaceutical: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Janssen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Lundbeck: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau;Alexion: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau;Takeda/Palladin: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees;Treadwell: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Chodirker: Hoffman Laroche: Honoraria. Lin: Novartis: Research Funding;Pfizer: Honoraria. Callum: Octapharma: Research Funding;Canadian Blood Services: Research Funding.

Digital education: VKontakte social network as a means of organizing the educational process

The article reveals the topic of the place and role of the Vkontakte social network in the organization of the educational process, the relevance of which was confirmed during the Covid-19 pandemic. The object of the research is digital education at Russian universities. The subject of the research is the VKontakte social network as a means of organizing the educational process. The authors share the experience of using social networks, accumulated in the process of teaching social disciplines at the Timiryazev Academy. The data proving the popularity of this network among students in Russia are presented. The main scientific result: Not only the high efficiency of using the VKontakte social network for organizing the educational process has been proven, but also a proposal is formulated to consider digital literacy and knowledge of modern digital technologies as one of the qualification requirements for higher school teachers. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.