Effective field theory and fundamental interactions

There are many possible gravitational applications of an effective approach to Quantum Field Theory (QFT) in curved space. We present a brief review of effective approach and discuss its impact for such relevant issues as the cosmological constant (CC) problem and inflation driven by vacuum quantum effects. Furthermore it is shown how one can impose significant theoretical constraints on a non-metric gravity using only theoretical effective field theory framework.Comment: LaTeX, 11 pages, 2 figures. Based o talks given at the following meetings: 1. CONFERENCE ON Fundamental Symmetries and Fundamental Constants, ICTP, Trieste, Italy. September 15-18, 2004; 2. Colloquium "Theory and Experiment in Cosmology and Gravitation", in honor of Prof. Jose Plinio Baptista on the occasion of his 70th birthday. (UFES, Vitoria, Brazil. September 22-24, 2004). To be published in the proceeding

Effectiveness of Team-Based Learning-Inquiry Learning Tools on Online Learning

The learning process carried out online today is still less effective, which makes it difficult for students to understand the material and concepts being taught. The purpose of this study was to find out how effective the use of team-based learning-inquiry devices is in online learning with WhatsApp assisted and zoom meetings. The research was conducted at SMAN 1 Telaga Biru, and class X MIPA3 was selected as the research sample using simple random sampling. The results showed that the average percentage of student activity for four meetings after being implemented in team-based learning-inquiry tools reached 86.60%, with high criteria. In addition, there was an increase in student learning outcomes in the cognitive domain individually at the first and second meetings with an N-gain score of 0.71 and for the third and fourth meetings with an N-gain score of 0.74. In the cognitive domain as a group, at the first and second meetings, they achieved an N-gain score of 0.95, and at the third and fourth meetings, they obtained an N-gain of 1. The average student learning outcomes for the affective and psychomotor domains during the four meetings reached 86.60% and 86.61%, with a high category. This study concludes that the physics learning device developed with the team-based learning model is effective in increasing students' activities and learning outcomes in physics

Channels of R&D Spillovers: An Empirical Investigation*

R&D spillovers are, potentially, a major source of endogenous growth in various recent "new growthJ theory" models. The purpose of this paper is to investigate empirically the effectiveness of various channels of R&D spillovers. The analysis is based on a survey conducted among 358 Swiss R&D executives representing 127 different lines of business, mainly in the manufacturing sector. The results can be summarized as follows: 1. Undertaking independent R&D was perceived by the R&D executives questioned as the most effective channel of R&D spillovers at the intra-industry level. This was followed by reverse engineering for product innovations and the utilization of publications and information from technical meetings for process innovations. 2. Learning methods that rely on interpersonal communication were judged as moderately effective in the following order of importance: 1. publications and technical meetings, 2. conversations with employees from innovating firms, and 3. hiring away employees from innovating firms. Especially the last method is not valued as effective in the Swiss context. 3. Learning methods related to the patent system - licensing technology and patent disclosures in the patent office were seen as moderately effective or not effective at all 4. The effectiveness of the various channels of R&D spillovers varies from one industry to another. 5. Finally results of the methods of multivariate statistical analysis (correlation, principal components and cluster analysis) suggested that the various channels of R&D spillovers could be reduced to subgroups, so that patterns of learning of competitive technology could be establishedKnowledge spillovers, technological opportunities, technical knowledge, firm learning, appropriability, Swiss firms

Short-term outcomes of laparoscopic gastric plication in morbidly obese patients: Importance of postoperative follow-up

Demand for feasible, safe, and preferably low-cost methods of weight reduction is rising every day. The present study reports findings from laparoscopic gastric plication (LGP), which is a new restrictive bariatric technique, combined with a postoperative follow-up program. A 2-year prospective study was performed following LGP in 53 female morbidly obese patients from Gorgan, Iran, with a mean age of 36.3 years and mean body mass index (BMI) of 42.6 kg/m2 (35.3-62.4). Through a four-port approach, the greater omentum and short gastric vessels were transected and the greater curvature was imbricated into the body of the stomach with two rows of nonabsorbable sutures. After surgery, all patients were scheduled to attend a weekly group meeting for behavioral modification and psychotherapy. The mean operative time and hospital stay was 95 min and 72 h, respectively. No intraoperative complications occurred. Mean percentages of excess weight loss (%EWL) were 25.6 %, 54.2 %, 70.2 %, and 74.4 % after 1, 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively. Six patients lost >84 % of their excess weight after 24 months. Patients who did not participate in the group meetings had a lower %EWL after 12 (79.5 % vs. 55.6 %) and 24 months (90 % vs. 43.4 %) compared with the patients who regularly participated in the group meetings (P < 0.005). LGP is a feasible, safe, and effective surgical method for weight loss for at least 24 months when performed on morbidly obese patients. Postoperative group meetings (POGM) for psychotherapy and behavioral modification helped patients to achieve better results. © 2012 Springer Science + Business Media, LLC

EVALUASI KAMPANYE PILKADA SERENTAK PADA MASA PANDEMI COVID-19

This article is an evaluation to campaign rules of regional election 2020 during Pandemic Covid-19 which are many violations of health protocol. Two question will be answered are: 1) how is the legal basis of campaign regional election 2020 during pandemic? 2) how the campaign can be more effective for candidates and save for people during Pandemic Covid-19? Results are: 1) design of campaign method as limited meetings, face to face, and dialog during Pandemic Covid-19 based on article 65 Law No.10 Years 2016 and adopted from “Pedoman Pencegahan dan Pengendalian Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19)” by Minister of health those forbid the crowd and limited social interactions. 2).campaign method as limited meetings, face to face and dialog during pandemic Covid-19 prioritize people save by implement health protocol, give chance to candidate and voters to direct interact, increase the number of campaign participants as limited meetings, face to face, and dialog also allow campaign advertising in mass media and social media

Building-Level Administrators and Collaborative Special Education IEP Meetings: Addressing Barriers to Active and Inclusive Participation

The purpose of this study was to identify the factors serving as barriers to effective building-level administrator participation in special education individualized education program (IEP) meetings. For the purposes of this study, research was conducted in the multidisciplinary areas of social cognitive theory and self-efficacy, along with an examination of school-building administrators as instructional leaders, the role(s) of building-level leadership in special education and building administrator knowledge and understanding of special education policies and practices. A qualitative research approach was used to examine local building-level administrator participation in the special education IEP process. Building Level Administrators, in the district were surveyed via Qualtrics and interviewed in a one-on-one format using Zoom. The research questions used were:1. What perceptions do building-level administrators’ have of their role(s) in IEP meetings? 2. What potential obstacles impact building-level administrators’ participation in special education IEP meetings? 3. What specific procedural and/or professional practices would improve building-level administrators’ active and inclusive involvement in IEP meetings? The data gathered from this research was used to discover common themes in barriers to building administrator participation in special education IEP meetings, so that recommendations could be made to help building administrators in this area

Development of Physics Learning Devices in High School Based on Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Assisted by Android in Dynamic Electricity Subject Matter

This research is a development research with a 4D development model. The study was conducted in class XII IPA 1 and IPA 2 in SMA Negeri 1 Moutong, each class consisted of 25 students. The instruments used were observation sheets, test questions and documentation. The data obtained consisted of experimental class data and control class data. For Cognitive tests in the experimental class, data were obtained that the percentage of graduation was 89%, while for the control class the percentage of graduation was 76%. For the attitude assessment, in the experimental class the total percentage of all meetings was 84,4%, while in the control class the total percentage of all meetings was 79%. For the Skills assessment, in the experimental class the total percentage of all meetings was 80%, while in the control class the total percentage of all meetings was 76%. For Percentage of Activity of Students, in the experimental class the total percentage of all meetings was 81,3%, while in the control class the total percentage of all meetings was 79,1%. Then from the process of analyzing Validity, Reliability, Difficulty Index, and Differences in the items it was found that, 24 items were received from a total of 25 items submitted. As well as in the interview results were found, namely a positive response from the teacher and students interviewed. The performance of the Android application is very good, able to calculate each score of the experimental class students in 0 (zero) seconds. So, it was concluded that the learning devices developed and assisted with Android were valid, practical and effective quality

IMPROVING SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS’ SPEAKING ABILITY IN THE PROCESS OF LEARNING ENGLISH DISCUSSION USING TALKING CHIPS TECHNIQUE

This research is a classroom action research. The objectives of this study were: (1) to find out whether there were significant differences in students' speaking abilities after being taught through Talking Chips techniques, and (2) to find out which techniques were better for improving students. 'Speaking ability. This research was conducted on second grade students at YAS Sindangkerta High School. The method used in this study is Class Action Research. The research was on two cycles with total meetings were seven; three meetings were for tests, and four meetings were for treatment. Each cycle covered the step of planning, acting, observing, and reflecting. The data were analyzed by using independent sample t-test in SPSS 16.0. There is a significant difference of the students’ speaking ability achievement between the students who were taught through the Talking Chips technique and taught without Talking Chips technique. In Cycle 1 the increase score 59.62 while in cycle 2 is 72.25. From the result of the data, teaching speaking through Talking Chips technique is more effective to increase students’ speaking ability because Talking Chips technique can give more enjoyable speaking atmosphere for students in the classroom. Keywords:  Talking Chips, Speaking ,Ca

Effective patient–clinician interaction to improve treatment outcomes for patients with psychosis: a mixed-methods design

BACKGROUND:At least 100,000 patients with schizophrenia receive care from community mental health teams (CMHTs) in England. These patients have regular meetings with clinicians, who assess them, engage them in treatment and co-ordinate care. As these routine meetings are not commonly guided by research evidence, a new intervention, DIALOG, was previously designed to structure consultations. Using a hand-held computer, clinicians asked patients to rate their satisfaction with eight life domains and three treatment aspects, and to indicate whether or not additional help was needed in each area, with responses being graphically displayed and compared with previous ratings. In a European multicentre trial, the intervention improved patients’ quality of life over a 1-year period. The current programme builds on this research by further developing DIALOG in the UK. RESEARCH QUESTIONS:(1) How can the practical procedure of the intervention be improved, including the software used and the design of the user interface? (2) How can elements of resource-oriented interventions be incorporated into a clinician manual and training programme for a new, more extensive ‘DIALOG+’ intervention? (3) How effective and cost-effective is the new DIALOG+ intervention in improving treatment outcomes for patients with schizophrenia or a related disorder? (4) What are the views of patients and clinicians regarding the new DIALOG+ intervention? METHODS:We produced new software on a tablet computer for CMHTs in the NHS, informed by analysis of videos of DIALOG sessions from the original trial and six focus groups with 18 patients with psychosis. We developed the new ‘DIALOG+’ intervention in consultation with experts, incorporating principles of solution-focused therapy when responding to patients’ ratings and specifying the procedure in a manual and training programme for clinicians. We conducted an exploratory cluster randomised controlled trial with 49 clinicians and 179 patients with psychosis in East London NHS Foundation Trust, comparing DIALOG+ with an active control. Clinicians working as care co-ordinators in CMHTs (along with their patients) were cluster randomised 1 : 1 to either DIALOG+ or treatment as usual plus an active control, to prevent contamination. Intervention and control were to be administered monthly for 6 months, with data collected at baseline and at 3, 6 and 12 months following randomisation. The primary outcome was subjective quality of life as measured on the Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life; secondary outcomes were also measured. We also established the cost-effectiveness of the DIALOG intervention using data from the Client Service Receipt Inventory, which records patients’ retrospective reports of using health- and social-care services, including hospital services, outpatient services and medication, in the 3 months prior to each time point. Data were supplemented by the clinical notes in patients’ medical records to improve accuracy. We conducted an exploratory thematic analysis of 16 video-recorded DIALOG+ sessions and measured adherence in these videos using a specially developed adherence scale. We conducted focus groups with patients (n = 19) and clinicians (n = 19) about their experiences of the intervention, and conducted thematic analyses. We disseminated the findings and made the application (app), manual and training freely available, as well as producing a protocol for a definitive trial. RESULTS:Patients receiving the new intervention showed more favourable quality of life in the DIALOG+ group after 3 months (effect size: Cohen’s d = 0.34), after 6 months (Cohen’s d = 0.29) and after 12 months (Cohen’s d = 0.34). An analysis of video-recorded DIALOG+ sessions showed inconsistent implementation, with adherence to the intervention being a little over half of the possible score. Patients and clinicians from the DIALOG+ arm of the trial reported many positive experiences with the intervention, including better self-expression and improved efficiency of meetings. Difficulties reported with the intervention were addressed by further refining the DIALOG+ manual and training. Cost-effectiveness analyses found a 72% likelihood that the intervention both improved outcomes and saved costs. LIMITATIONS:The research was conducted solely in urban east London, meaning that the results may not be broadly generalisable to other settings. CONCLUSIONS:(1) Although services might consider adopting DIALOG+ based on the existing evidence, a definitive trial appears warranted; (2) applying DIALOG+ to patient groups with other mental disorders may be considered, and to groups with physical health problems; (3) a more flexible use with variable intervals might help to make the intervention even more acceptable and effective; (4) more process evaluation is required to identify what mechanisms precisely are involved in the improvements seen in the intervention group in the trial; and (5) what appears to make DIALOG+ effective is that it is not a separate treatment and not a technology that is administered by a specialist; rather, it changes and utilises the existing therapeutic relationship between patients and clinicians in CMHTs to initiate positive change, helping the patients to improve their quality of life. FUTURE RESEARCH:Future studies should include a definitive trial on DIALOG+ and test the effectiveness of the intervention with other populations, such as people with depression. TRIAL REGISTRATION:Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN34757603. FUNDING:The National Institute for Health Research Programme Grants for Applied Research programme