Gradient test for generalised linear models with random effects.

This work develops the gradient test for parameter selection in generalised linear models with random effects. Asymptotically, the test statistic has a chi-squared distribution and the statistic has a compelling feature: it does not require computation of the Fisher information matrix. Performance of the test is verified through Monte Carlo simulations of size and power, and also compared to the likelihood ratio, Wald and Rao tests. The gradient test provides the best results overall when compared to the traditional tests, especially for smaller sample sizes

Time-periodic feedback stabilization for an ensemble of half-spin systems

Feedback stabilization of an ensemble of non interacting half spins described by Bloch equations is considered. This system may be seen as a prototype for infinite dimensional systems with continuous spectrum. We propose an explicit feedback law that stabilizes asymptotically the system around a uniform state of spin +1/2 or -1/2. The closed-loop stability analysis is done locally around the equilibrium. The local convergence is shown to be a weak asymptotic convergence for the H1 topology. The proof relies on an adaptation of the LaSalle invariance principle to infinite dimensional systems. Numerical simulations illustrate the efficiency of these feedback laws, even for initial conditions far from the equilibrium

First exposure to Arduino through peer-coaching: Impact on students' attitudes towards programming

In this paper we report the work that jeKnowledge (Júnior Empresa da Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologias da Universidade de Coimbra), a student-led initiative, has done in the ‘jeKnowledge academy’ courses to actively engage Portuguese high-school students in STEM education through hands-on projects based on the low-cost Arduino platform. F2F activities, based on a peer-assisted learning strategy, were complemented with tutorials and more advanced project suggestions in a blog. Pre and post surveys on students'' attitudes towards programming and peer-coaching were administered to pre-university and first year college participants, finding an overall increase in the Likert scale for all the programming-related constructs under study (confidence, interest, gender, usefulness and professional) after the introductory course. As regards the peer-based learning approach, younger students seemed to be more eager to be taught in a less formal way than their older counterparts. The course resulted in high degrees of satisfaction for both the student tutors and their tutees

Gradient test for generalised linear models with random effects

This work develops the gradient test for parameter selection in generalised linear models with random effects. Asymptotically, the test statistic has a chi-squared distribution and the statistic has a compelling feature: it does not require computation of the Fisher information matrix. Performance of the test is verified through Monte Carlo simulations of size and power, and also compared to the likelihood ratio, Wald and Rao tests. The gradient test provides the best results overall when compared to the traditional tests, especially for smaller sample sizes

The role of serum levels of vitamin D in children’s muscle strength: A systematic review

This review aims to investigate the different levels of vitamin D and its role in muscle strength in healthy children and non-athletes. A search conducted in three databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Psycinfo) resulted in 655 articles, which were systematically analyzed and selected based on the following criteria: (a) original cross-sectional studies and clinical trials; (b) healthy children aged 5-11 years; (c) no language restriction or year of publication; and (d) studies that assessed the possible relationship between vitamin D levels and muscle strength. Six studies were included because they met all the inclusion criteria. According to the findings of this review, factors such as sex, skin color, and vitamin D supplementation early in life modulate the levels of vitamin D in the body, and there is a relationship between muscle strength and vitamin D levels. Interestingly, vitamin D supplementation is not always significantly associated with increased muscle grip strength. However, there is a scarcity of studies that aim to analyze the possible effects of different levels of vitamin D on muscle function and neuromuscular variables in physically inactive children and non-athletes without previously diagnosed disease. Further studies are warranted in the future to address the gap in the literature

An erbium(III)-based NIR emitter with a highly conjugated ß-diketonate for blue-region sensitization

The sensitization of lanthanide complexes in the visible region is of particular interest for practical applications such as labeling, biological analysis and optoelectronics. A visible-light sensitized Er3+complex based on the use of a highly conjugated ß-diketonate (1, 3-di(2-naphthyl)-1, 3-propanedione, Hdnm) and 5-nitro-1, 10-phenanthroline (5NO2phen) as an ancillary ligand, [Er(dnm)3(5NO2phen)], has been synthesized, fully characterized and its photophysical properties have been investigated. Suitably expanded p-conjugation in the complex molecule makes the excitation window red-shifted to the visible region (up to 550 nm). Efficient energy transfer by antenna effect results in 1.53 µm emission from the Er3+ion

Scale invariant scalar metric fluctuations during inflation: non-perturbative formalism from a 5D vacuum

We extend to 5D an approach of a 4D non-perturbative formalism to study scalar metric fluctuations of a 5D Riemann-flat de Sitter background metric. In contrast with the results obtained in 4D, the spectrum of cosmological scalar metric fluctuations during inflation can be scale invariant and the background inflaton field can take sub-Planckian values.Comment: final version to be published in Eur. Phys. J.

Compatibility of a model for the QCD-Pomeron and chiral-symmetry breaking phenomenologies

The phenomenology of a QCD-Pomeron model based on the exchange of a pair of non-perturbative gluons, i.e. gluon fields with a finite correlation length in the vacuum, is studied in comparison with the phenomenology of QCD chiral symmetry breaking, based on non-perturbative solutions of Schwinger-Dyson equations for the quark propagator including these non-perturbative gluon effects. We show that these models are incompatible, and point out some possibles origins of this problem.Comment: 21 pages, uuencoded latex file, 3 postscript figures, uses epsf.sty and epsf.tex. To be published in Phys. Lett.