Moderate Effort Research Articles

Randomized trial testing the integration of the Good Behavior Game and MyTeachingPartner™: The moderating role of distress among new teachers on student outcomes

A growing body of research documents the effectiveness of classroom management programs on a range of student outcomes, yet few early-career teachers receive training on these practices prior to entering the classroom. Moreover, few studies have attended to how variations in teacher distress or level of classroom misbehavior affects training benefits. This study reports findings from a randomized trial of a teacher training program that combined two evidence-based programs (Good Behavior Game [GBG] and MyTeachingPartner™ [MTP]) to determine their impact on novice teachers and their students. In addition, the current study reports findings on moderated impacts by initial teacher distress as well as the overall classroom level of misbehavior. The sample included 188 early-career teachers (grades K-3) in their first three years of teaching from three large, urban school districts. Analyses indicated that intervention had no main effects, but yielded moderated impact depending on the combination of the baseline levels of classroom disruptive behavior and teacher distress; it appears that the program impacts were greatest in the highest risk circumstance (i.e., high teacher stress and elevated challenging student behaviors). For those classrooms, those assigned to intervention evidence improved behavior and student achievement compared to control counterparts by the spring of the training year, relative to the fall baseline (d = 0.18–0.70 depending on outcome). This study is significant in that it highlights effects during a critical window of training and coaching for early career teachers and the need to consider teacher and classroom contextual factors that may moderate professional development efforts.

Age-specific differences in the time-frequency representation of surface electromyographic data recorded during a submaximal cyclic back extension exercise: a promising biomarker to detect early signs of sarcopenia

PurposeMotivated by the goal of developing new methods to detect early signs of sarcopenia, we investigated if surface electromyographic (SEMG) data recorded during the performance of cyclic, submaximal back extensions are marked by age-specific differences in their time and frequency characteristics. Furthermore, day-to-day retest reliability of the EMG measures was examined.MethodsA total of 86 healthy volunteers used a back dynamometer to perform a series of three maximal voluntary contractions (MVC) consisting of isometric back extensions, followed by an isometric back extension at 80% MVC, and finally 25 slow cyclic back extensions at 50% MVC. SEMG data was recorded bilaterally at L1, L2, and L5 from the iliocostalis lumborum, longissimus, and multifidus muscles, respectively. Tests were repeated two days and six weeks later. A linear mixed-effects model with fixed effects “age, sex, test number” and the random effect “person” was performed to investigate age-specific differences in both the initial value and the time-course (as defined by the slope of the regression line) of the root mean square (RMS-SEMG) values and instantaneous median frequency (IMDF-SEMG) values calculated separately for the shortening and lengthening phases of the exercise cycles. Generalizability Theory was used to examine reliability of the EMG measures.ResultsBack extensor strength was comparable in younger and older adults. The initial value of RMS-SEMG and IMDF-SEMG as well as the RMS-SEMG time-course did not significantly differ between the two age groups. Conversely, the IMDF-SEMG time-course showed more rapid changes in younger than in older individuals. Absolute and relative reliability of the SEMG time-frequency representations were comparable in older and younger individuals with good to excellent relative reliability but variable absolute reliability levels.ConclusionsThe IMDF-SEMG time-course derived from submaximal, cyclic back extension exercises performed at moderate effort showed significant differences in younger vs. older adults even though back extension strength was found to be comparable in the two age groups. We conclude that the SEMG method proposed in this study has great potential to be used as a biomarker to detect early signs of sarcopenic back muscle function.

Machine learning design of a trapped-ion quantum spin simulator

Trapped ions have emerged as one of the highest quality platforms for the quantum simulation of interacting spin models of interest to various fields of physics. In such simulators, two effective spins can be made to interact with arbitrary strengths by coupling to the collective vibrational or phonon states of ions, controlled by precisely tuned laser beams. However, the task of determining laser control parameters required for a given spin–spin interaction graph is a type of inverse problem, which can be highly mathematically complex. In this paper, we adapt a modern machine learning technique developed for similar inverse problems to the task of finding the laser control parameters for a number of interaction graphs. We demonstrate that typical graphs, forming regular lattices of interest to physicists, can easily be produced for up to 50 ions using a single GPU workstation. The scaling of the machine learning method suggests that this can be expanded to hundreds of ions with moderate additional computational effort.

P1453 Unfortunate association between obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and infective endocarditis

Abstract Bacterial endocarditis is an uncommon, but potentially severe complication of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (prevalence < 1%). We report the case of a 27-year-old woman, with low socioeconomic status, with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, presenting with chest pain, dyspnoea at moderate effort, fever and chills. The transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography showed obstructive septal hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (interventricular septum of 38 mm, systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve, maximum gradient in the left ventricular outflow tract of 80 mmHg), vegetations of 10 mm, on the atrial and ventricular mitral leaflets sides, mitral valvular abcess, severe mitral regurgitation, flail of the noncoronarian aortic cusp (with a 10 mm vegetation), severe aortic regurgitation, basal SIV vegetation, pericardial effusion. The blood cultures were positive for Streptococcus mitis. The thoracic, abdominal, pelvin CT scan confirmed the diagnosis of mitral-aortic infective endocarditis , revealing also an abcess of the aortic root and multiple embolisations (spleen and right external iliac artery). The cranial CT scan was normal. At the evaluation of the foci sites, multiple dental foci were discovered and treated by multiple extractions. The endocarditis team recommended antibiotic treatment (with ampicillin), urgent bivalvular replacement (aortic and mitral valve) and septal myectomy. The surgical procedure was denied by the patient, which was after that voluntarily discharged from the hospital. The patient died from cardiac arrest (asystole) 11 days after the initial diagnosis. A severe association between obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and infective endocarditis with multiple complications can have an initial paucisymptomatic clinical presentation. The low socioeconomic status of the patient was correlated with inadequate oral hygiene, that was a negative prognostic factor in the outcome of the patient. It is possible that the integration of oral health in our national general health programs for people with low socioeconomic status, will decrease morbidity and improve the quality of life. Abstract P1453 Figure. picture clinical case

Simultaneous state and fuel property estimation in biomass boilers - theory and practice

A key factor for the further distribution of biomass boilers in modern energy systems is the capability of changing the applied feedstock during normal plant operation. This is only possible with the application of advanced control strategies that utilize knowledge about the state variables and varying fuel properties. However, neither the state variables nor the fuel properties are measurable during plant operation and, thus, need to be estimated. This contribution presents a method for the simultaneous real-time estimation of the state variables and the fuel properties in fixed-bed biomass boilers which is a novel approach in the field of biomass boilers. The method bases on an Extended Kalman Filter using a nonlinear dynamic model and measurement data from the combustion process. The estimated variables are the masses of dry fuel and water in the fuel bed as well as the fuel’s bulk density, water content, chemical composition and lower heating value. The proposed method is easy to implement and requires moderate computational effort which increases the potential of its application at actual biomass boilers. The proposed method is verified with simulation studies and by test runs performed at a representative small-scale fixed-bed biomass boiler. The estimation results show a good agreement with the actual values, demonstrating that the proposed method is capable of accurately estimating the biomass boiler’s state variables and simultaneously its fuel properties. For this reason, the presented method is a key technology to ensure the further distribution of biomass boilers in modern energy systems.

АНАЛИЗ РОССИЙСКОГО РЫНКА ПОДМОСТЕЙ КАМЕНЩИКА

The article analyses the Russian market of bricklayer's platforms in terms of using them during frame-monolithic construction due to the fact that it is widely spread. Based on the working condi-tions arising from this technology, as well as ensuring bricklayers’ safe operation, high performance efficiency, moderate labour effort, the general parameters of the existing platforms were identified. To assess the significance of a particular parameter, each of them was assigned significance coeffi-cients, determined by an expert method. As a result of the platform analysis for the compliance with the parameters, it was found that none of the platforms have a maximum relative significance coef-ficient, and therefore, do not have all the necessary useful parameters. Subsequently, the relationship of the price to such useful parameters as load capacity, lift height and the area of the working surface of the platforms was analysed. The significance of vari-ous parameters of the platforms for the construction of frame-monolithic buildings was assessed. As a result, the issue of the lack of supply that would meet all the parameters in the modern Russian market was identified. To find a solution, a morphological table was designed to describe all the possible platform options.

User-Generated Content, Strategic Moderation, and Advertising

On social media platforms, unsafe and unlawful materials might hurt advertisers creating ``brand safety issues''. We study the incentive for an ad-funded platform to moderate unsafe content and its impact on market outcomes. We find that both the optimal ad price and content moderation effort are non-monotonic in the cost of moderating content and in the advertiser gains from moderation. When platforms compete for user attention, content moderation decreases as competition intensifies, so hurting further advertisers. Finally, taxation of digital revenues induces a lax moderation policy, whereas taxation of user activity on the platform induces more stringent moderation

Ballistic impact on fired clay masonry bricks

We perform an experimental and numerical study of ballistic impact on the German fired clay brick material VMz28. Parameters for the concrete material model applied in hydrocode simulations stem from material characterization experiments, especially planar plate impact experiments, engineering assumptions, and parameter studies. The performance of the numerical model is illustrated by a comparison of its results to ballistic data on penetration and perforation of spherical steel projectiles. Agreement is found between experiment and simulation for residual velocities and penetration depths. The experimental damage patterns are reproduced in the simulation with sufficient agreement. The application of the model to the impact of another differently shaped generic projectile reveals good predictive capabilities in a part of the impact velocity range. For the deviation found in the other part, limitations of the model concerning the full reproduction of the observed spall failure are discussed as a possible explanation. Overall, with moderate experimental effort, a numerical model with reasonably good predictive capabilities is obtained for engineering purposes.

Sleep Deprivation: Cytokine and Neuroendocrine Effects on Perception of Effort.

An increased perception of effort and subjective fatigue are thought to be central to decreased exercise performance observed after disrupted sleep. However, there is limited understanding of mechanisms that underpin these phenomena. We investigated the role of interleukin-6 (IL-6), the soluble IL-6 receptor, and neuroendocrine factors (cortisol, adrenaline, noradrenaline, and brain-derived neurotropic factor) in mediating these responses at rest and during exercise. In a randomized order, 10 healthy active men completed three experimental trials following different sleep conditions: a single night of sleep deprivation, partial sleep deprivation equivalent to 4 h of sleep, and normal sleep. The experimental sessions consisted of physiological and perceptual measurements of exercise intensity throughout 45-min moderate intensity and 15-min maximal effort cycling. Cytokine and neuroendocrine factors were assessed at rest and in response to exercise. Sleep deprivation resulted in increased resting IL-6, lower blood glucose, increased perceived fatigue and perception of effort, lower free-living energy expenditure, and reduced maximal exercise performance. In contrast, sleep deprivation did not alter physiological, cytokine, or neuroendocrine responses to exercise. Variations in the resting concentration of IL-6 were associated with lowered blood glucose, an increased perception of effort, and impaired exercise performance. Resting concentrations of cortisol, adrenaline, noradrenaline, and BNDF showed subtle interactions with specific aspects of mood status and performance but were not affected by sleep deprivation. There were minimal effects of partial sleep deprivation. These findings demonstrate that cytokine and neuroendocrine responses to exercise are not altered by sleep deprivation but that changes in the resting concentration of IL-6 may play a role in altered perception of effort in this context.

SLA-Printed 3-D Waveguide Paths for E-Band Using Electroless Silver Plating

This paper proposes a fabrication approach for 3-D printed waveguide paths based on a combination of an optimized electroless silver plating process with a waveguide-specific design rule for general metal plating by introducing large-scale non-radiating slots into the broad and narrow waveguide walls with a periodicity shorter than a quarter of the guided wavelength. Experimental fabrication of straight sections of the proposed slotted waveguide with various gap dimensions yields an optimum gap size as a result of a tradeoff between silver plating quality and leakage losses through the sidewall gaps. Moreover, a successful practical application of the proposed approach is presented in terms of a 3-D printed multiple bend waveguide interconnect in three different space dimensions, which imposes a complex task for conventional manufacturing techniques due to the need of multiple cutting planes for split block assembly. The proposed approach has the benefits of low cost, moderate handling effort, and independence of the concrete geometry to manufacture, making it, therefore, especially interesting for distribution and feeding networks in the context of rapid prototyping, automotive, and space-related applications.

Development of a Low-cost Smartphone-connected Digital Microscope.

Introduction:Modern light microscopes are available with built-in illuminator and facility of photomicrography. This enables the microscopy to be ready for telemedicine. However, resource-limited settings still find difficulty in procuring those microscopes.Aim:The aim of this study was to upgrade a light microscope to a smartphone-connected digital microscope with minimal cost to make it ready for telemedicine.Materials and Methods:A commercially available (price: ₹389) Universal Serial Bus (USB) web camera was set on the eyepiece and fixed with the help of an aluminum sheet. Light emitting diodes (LEDs), covered with an optical diffuser, were set below the condenser. The camera was connected to an Android smartphone with an application for capturing image and video. Sixteen faculty members provided their opinion about the new device.Results:The smartphone-connected microscope was successfully used to focus and capture image and video of various slides. The images and videos were stored in the smartphone and shared via E-mail and other channels (e.g., WhatsApp and Telegram). This camera was also successfully connected to a laptop for projecting the real-time microscopic field on a screen. According to faculty members, focusing an object and capturing the image are the best features of the device; however, development of the device received lowest score.Conclusion:A light microscope was upgraded to telemedicine ready microscope with nominal cost and moderate effort. It can also be used in medical teachings as it can project real-time images of a slide under the microscope. As it is equipped with LEDs, powered by the same smartphone, it can be operated without daylight or during a power outage.

Unexpected molecular and morphological diversity of hemichordate larvae from the Neotropics

AbstractThe diversity of tropical marine invertebrates is poorly documented, especially those groups for which collecting adults is difficult. We collected the planktonic tornaria larvae of hemichordates (acorn worms) to assess their hidden diversity in the Neotropics. Larvae were retrieved in plankton tows from waters of the Pacific and Caribbean coasts of Panama, followed by DNA barcoding of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and 16S ribosomal DNA to estimate their diversity in the region. With moderate sampling efforts, we discovered six operational taxonomic units (OTUs) in the Bay of Panama on the Pacific coast, in contrast to the single species previously recorded for the entire Tropical Eastern Pacific. We found eight OTUs in Bocas del Toro province on the Caribbean coast, compared to seven species documented from adults in the entire Caribbean. All OTUs differed from each other and from named acorn worm sequences in GenBank by >10% pairwise distance in COI and >2% in 16S. Two of our OTUs matched 16S hemichordate sequences in GenBank: one was an unidentified or unnamed Balanoglossus from the Caribbean of Panama, and the other was an unidentified ptychoderid larva from the Bahamas. The species accumulation curves suggest that nearly all the species have been collected and only one more species might still remain undetected in the Pacific. In contrast, the Caribbean species accumulation curve suggests that further sampling could yield more than 10 additional OTUs. Tornaria from the 14 OTUs exhibited typical planktotrophic morphologies, and, in some cases, may be distinguished by differences in pigmentation and by the number of telotrochal ciliary bands, but in general, few diagnostic differences were detected.

The structure and forms of physical activity in the City of Zagreb 2O14/2015

Abstract Background Physical inactivity is one of the biggest public health problems of the 21st century. It is carried through walking, cycling, job, sports, recreation. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the physical activity of the citizens of Zagreb according to sex, age and the type of physcal activity. Health-Enhancing Physical Activity recommendations are at least 150 of moderate or 75 vigorous minutes activity per week. Methods The research has been conducted by analyzing the data gained from the European Health Interview Survey (EHIS 2) from the World Health Organization that was carried out in Croatia during 2014. and 2015. There were collected the data on the frequency, duration and type of physical activity in the City of Zagreb. The target population was aged over 15 and included 446 inhabitants (188 men and 258 women) of the City of Zagreb. Results 24,5% of the total number of physically active persons exercise between 150 and 300 minutes per week. 45, 0 % respondents walk 10 to 29 minutes daily, 27, 1% walk 30-59 minutes daily, 14, 9% walk 1 or more hours a day. 1,2% respodents spend less then hour, 13, 6% spend 1 hour and 59 minutes, 18, 3% spend 2.00-2.59 hours and 8, 3% spend 3-3.59 hours on sport and recreation per week. 13, 8% of citizens spend 10-29 minutes a day cycling, 30.1% cycling 30-59 minutes a day, 12, 2% cycling 1 hour to 1 hour and 59 minutes and 2.4% spending more than 2 hours a day on a bicycle. When doing a professional job or work at home 43, 7% of respondents mostly sit or stand, 32,3% use moderate physical effort and 1, 5% of people perform hard work. 14.4% of respondents are engaged in sports, 11.9% cycling and 71, 9 % respondents walk 3-7 days a week. Conclusions Zagreb’s citizens are not sufficiently engaged in physical activity and carry out physical activity mainly while doing the job and walking. But those who are active meet weekly recommendations for duration of activity. Key messages Physical activity is one of the key health factors and one of the most effective ways of preventing chronic non-communicable diseases. There is a need of more public health interventions in order to promote recommended frequency, duration and different types of physical activity.

Success and failure of ecological management is highly variable in an experimental test

When managing natural systems, the importance of recognizing the role of uncertainty has been formalized as the precautionary approach. However, it is difficult to determine the role of stochasticity in the success or failure of management because there is almost always no replication; typically, only a single observation exists for a particular site or management strategy. Yet, assessing the role of stochasticity is important for providing a strong foundation for the precautionary approach, and learning from past outcomes is critical for implementing adaptive management of species or ecosystems. In addition, adaptive management relies on being able to implement a variety of strategies in order to learn-an often difficult task in natural systems. Here, we show that there is large, stochastically driven variability in success for management treatments to control an invasive species, particularly for moderate, and more feasible, management strategies. This is exactly where the precautionary approach should be important. Even when combining management strategies, we show that moderate effort in management either fails or is highly variable in its success. This variability allows some management treatments to, on average, meet their target, even when failure is probable. Our study is an important quantitative replicated experimental test of the precautionary approach and can serve as a way to understand the variability in management outcomes in natural systems which have the potential to be more variable than our tightly controlled system.

Spin- 12 XXZ Heisenberg chain in a longitudinal magnetic field

We study the XXZ Heisenberg model in a longitudinal magnetic field using a tensor renormalization method. Built into the tensor representation of the XXZ model is the U(1) symmetry, which is systematically maintained at each renormalization step. This enables rather large tensor representations. We extract ground state properties as well as the low lying spectrum from the fixed point tensors. With rather moderate numerical effort we achieve a very good accuracy as demonstrated by comparison with Bethe Ansatz calculations. The phase structure of the model can be accurately reproduced just from the largest fixed point tensor elements.

Qual o Diagnóstico?

Paciente do sexo feminino, 82 anos, branca, com história de fibrilação atrial paroxística (FA) há vários anos, com crises de palpitação com duração variável entre poucos minutos e várias horas, sem controle clínico, com uso de betabloqueadores e diltiazem. Apresentava queixas de cansaço aos esforços moderados, sem dor precordial ou síncope, com progressiva astenia e indisposição. Informou três internações prévias para cardioversão química de FA. Apresentava antecedente de hipertensão arterial sistêmica, hipotireoidismo e doença aterosclerótica do coração, tendo sido submetida a angioplastia coronariana em 2014 com colocação de stent não farmacológico, sem infarto prévio. Vinha em uso regular de irbesartana 300 mg, clopidogrel 75 mg e levotiroxina 75 mcg. Ao longo dos últimos oito meses, houve piora das crises de FA, passando a fazer uso de propafenona em doses crescentes, inicialmente 150 mg BID, sem melhora dos sintomas, passando para 300 mg BID e atualmente 750 mg/dia (300 – 150 – 300 mg, distribuídos de 8/8 horas), sem controle das palpitações e com sensação de mal-estar e fraqueza.

What is the Diagnosis?

A female 82-year-old Caucasian patient with a history of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) for several years, with palpitation crises of varying duration between a few minutes and several hours, without clinical control, using beta-blockers and diltiazem. The patient presented complaints of fatigue on moderate efforts, without precordial pain or syncope, with progressive asthenia and indisposition. She informed three previous hospitalizations for chemical cardioversion of AF.

Differentiable Programming Tensor Networks

Differentiable programming is a fresh programming paradigm which composes parameterized algorithmic components and trains them using automatic differentiation (AD). The concept emerges from deep learning but is not only limited to training neural networks. We present theory and practice of programming tensor network algorithms in a fully differentiable way. By formulating the tensor network algorithm as a computation graph, one can compute higher order derivatives of the program accurately and efficiently using AD. We present essential techniques to differentiate through the tensor networks contractions, including stable AD for tensor decomposition and efficient backpropagation through fixed point iterations. As a demonstration, we compute the specific heat of the Ising model directly by taking the second order derivative of the free energy obtained in the tensor renormalization group calculation. Next, we perform gradient based variational optimization of infinite projected entangled pair states for quantum antiferromagnetic Heisenberg model and obtain start-of-the-art variational energy and magnetization with moderate efforts. Differentiable programming removes laborious human efforts in deriving and implementing analytical gradients for tensor network programs, which opens the door to more innovations in tensor network algorithms and applications.

Pangolins in global camera trap data: Implications for ecological monitoring

Despite being heavily exploited, pangolins (Pholidota: Manidae) have been subject to limited research, resulting in a lack of reliable population estimates and standardised survey methods for the eight extant species. Camera trapping represents a unique opportunity for broad-scale collaborative species monitoring due to its largely non-discriminatory nature, which creates considerable volumes of data on a relatively wide range of species. This has the potential to shed light on the ecology of rare, cryptic and understudied taxa, with implications for conservation decision-making. We undertook a global analysis of available pangolin data from camera trapping studies across their range in Africa and Asia. Our aims were (1) to assess the utility of existing camera trapping efforts as a method for monitoring pangolin populations, and (2) to gain insights into the distribution and ecology of pangolins. We analysed data collated from 103 camera trap surveys undertaken across 22 countries that fell within the range of seven of the eight pangolin species, which yielded more than half a million trap nights and 888 pangolin encounters. We ran occupancy analyses on three species (Sunda pangolin Manis javanica, white-bellied pangolin Phataginus tricuspis and giant pangolin Smutsia gigantea). Detection probabilities varied with forest cover and levels of human influence for P. tricuspis, but were low (<0.05) for all species. Occupancy was associated with distance from rivers for M. javanica and S. gigantea, elevation for P. tricuspis and S. gigantea, forest cover for P. tricuspis and protected area status for M. javanica and P. tricuspis. We conclude that camera traps are suitable for the detection of pangolins and large-scale assessment of their distributions. However, the trapping effort required to monitor populations at any given study site using existing methods appears prohibitively high. This may change in the future should anticipated technological and methodological advances in camera trapping facilitate greater sampling efforts and/or higher probabilities of detection. In particular, targeted camera placement for pangolins is likely to make pangolin monitoring more feasible with moderate sampling efforts.

Conjectures about the ground-state energy of the Lieb-Liniger model at weak repulsion

We develop an alternative description to solve the problem of the ground-state energy of the Lieb-Liniger model that describes one-dimensional bosons with contact repulsion. For this integrable model we express the Lieb integral equation in the representation of Chebyshev polynomials. The latter form is convenient to efficiently obtain very precise numerical results in the singular limit of weak interaction. Such highly precise data enable us to use the integer relation algorithm to discover the analytical form of the coefficients in the expansion of the ground-state energy for small values of the interaction parameter. We obtained the first nine terms of the expansion using quite moderate numerical efforts. The detailed knowledge of behavior of the ground-state energy on the interaction immediately leads to exact perturbative results for the excitation spectrum.