An enhanced learning analytics plugin for Moodle: Student engagement and personalised intervention

© ASCILITE 2015 - Australasian Society for Computers in Learning and Tertiary Education, Conference Proceedings.All right reserved. Moodle, an open source Learning Management System (LMS), collects a large amount of data on student interactions within it, including content, assessments, and communication. Some of these data can be used as proxy indicators of student engagement, as well as predictors for performance. However, these data are difficult to interrogate and even more difficult to action from within Moodle. We therefore describe a design-based research narrative to develop an enhanced version of an open source Moodle Engagement Analytics Plugin (MEAP). Working with the needs of unit convenors and student support staff, we sought to improve the available information, the way it is represented, and create affordances for action based on this. The enhanced MEAP (MEAP+) allows analyses of gradebook data, assessment submissions, login metrics, and forum interactions, as well as direct action through personalised emails to students based on these analyses

Search for gravitational waves from Scorpius X-1 in the second Advanced LIGO observing run with an improved hidden Markov model

We present results from a semicoherent search for continuous gravitational waves from the low-mass x-ray binary Scorpius X-1, using a hidden Markov model (HMM) to track spin wandering. This search improves on previous HMM-based searches of LIGO data by using an improved frequency domain matched filter, the J-statistic, and by analyzing data from Advanced LIGO's second observing run. In the frequency range searched, from 60 to 650 Hz, we find no evidence of gravitational radiation. At 194.6 Hz, the most sensitive search frequency, we report an upper limit on gravitational wave strain (at 95% confidence) of h095%=3.47×10-25 when marginalizing over source inclination angle. This is the most sensitive search for Scorpius X-1, to date, that is specifically designed to be robust in the presence of spin wandering. © 2019 American Physical Society

Search for gravitational waves from Scorpius X-1 in the second Advanced LIGO observing run with an improved hidden Markov model

We present results from a semicoherent search for continuous gravitational waves from the low-mass x-ray binary Scorpius X-1, using a hidden Markov model (HMM) to track spin wandering. This search improves on previous HMM-based searches of LIGO data by using an improved frequency domain matched filter, the J-statistic, and by analyzing data from Advanced LIGO’s second observing run. In the frequency range searched, from 60 to 650 Hz, we find no evidence of gravitational radiation. At 194.6 Hz, the most sensitive search frequency, we report an upper limit on gravitational wave strain (at 95% confidence) of h95%0=3.47×10−25 when marginalizing over source inclination angle. This is the most sensitive search for Scorpius X-1, to date, that is specifically designed to be robust in the presence of spin wandering

First Measurement of the Hubble Constant from a Dark Standard Siren using the Dark Energy Survey Galaxies and the LIGO/Virgo Binary-Black-hole Merger GW170814

We present a multi-messenger measurement of the Hubble constant H 0 using the binary–black-hole merger GW170814 as a standard siren, combined with a photometric redshift catalog from the Dark Energy Survey (DES). The luminosity distance is obtained from the gravitational wave signal detected by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO)/Virgo Collaboration (LVC) on 2017 August 14, and the redshift information is provided by the DES Year 3 data. Black hole mergers such as GW170814 are expected to lack bright electromagnetic emission to uniquely identify their host galaxies and build an object-by-object Hubble diagram. However, they are suitable for a statistical measurement, provided that a galaxy catalog of adequate depth and redshift completion is available. Here we present the first Hubble parameter measurement using a black hole merger. Our analysis results in ${H}_{0}={75}_{-32}^{+40}\,\mathrm{km}\,{{\rm{s}}}^{-1}\,{\mathrm{Mpc}}^{-1}$, which is consistent with both SN Ia and cosmic microwave background measurements of the Hubble constant. The quoted 68% credible region comprises 60% of the uniform prior range [20, 140] km s−1 Mpc−1, and it depends on the assumed prior range. If we take a broader prior of [10, 220] km s−1 Mpc−1, we find {H}_{0 {78}_{-24}^{+96}\,\mathrm{km}\,{{\rm{s}}}^{-1}\,{\mathrm{Mpc}}^{-1} (57% of the prior range). Although a weak constraint on the Hubble constant from a single event is expected using the dark siren method, a multifold increase in the LVC event rate is anticipated in the coming years and combinations of many sirens will lead to improved constraints on H 0

Search for gravitational waves associated with gamma-ray bursts detected by Fermi and Swift during the LIGO–Virgo run O3b

We search for gravitational-wave signals associated with gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) detected by the Fermi and Swift satellites during the second half of the third observing run of Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo (2019 November 1 15:00 UTC–2020 March 27 17:00 UTC). We conduct two independent searches: a generic gravitational-wave transients search to analyze 86 GRBs and an analysis to target binary mergers with at least one neutron star as short GRB progenitors for 17 events. We find no significant evidence for gravitational-wave signals associated with any of these GRBs. A weighted binomial test of the combined results finds no evidence for subthreshold gravitational-wave signals associated with this GRB ensemble either. We use several source types and signal morphologies during the searches, resulting in lower bounds on the estimated distance to each GRB. Finally, we constrain the population of low-luminosity short GRBs using results from the first to the third observing runs of Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo. The resulting population is in accordance with the local binary neutron star merger rate

Evaluating the scaling of a LA tool through the lens of the SHEILA framework: A comparison of two cases from tinkerers to institutional adoption

The SHEILA framework provides a policy and strategy framework informing the strategic implementation and use of learning analytics. However, as evidenced in several ‘ground-up’ implementations of tools, the institutional preparedness and the governance around use often comes secondary to the policy. In this paper we depart from familiar approaches and evaluate one such example of a tool's development (SRES – Student Relationship Engagement System). SRES' adoption and scaling across two institutions are evaluated using an auto-ethnographic approach scaffolded through the dimensions of the SHEILA framework, focusing on the individual perspectives of the institutional champions who have been central to this journey. This practical approach and the emerging insights may enable other institutions to identify areas of potential improvement and inform senior academic managers about the strategic requirements to scale the approach, accounting for aspects not considered in the initial ‘organic growth’ of the implementation.</p

Evidence-based surveillance imaging schedule after liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence

Health Service, Policy and Research Wednesday Poster Discussions - paper no. HP228-SD-WEA3PURPOSE: here is presently no evidence-based recommendation for surveillance of recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after liver transplantation (LT). We aim to evaluate and develop evidence-based alternate surveillance imaging schedules for post LT HCC patients. METHOD AND MATERIALS: Imaging and pathologic reports for consecutive post-LT patients followed-up by regular surveillance imaging from a single institution's prospective database were evaluated with institutional review board approval. Outcome variable was time to diagnosis of first recurrence post-LT by surveillance imaging. Recurrence-free survival times (RFST) from alternative surveillance schedules were compared with the existing schedule (3-monthly) using a parametric frailty model. Expected delay (EpD) in diagnosis compared to the existing schedule was also computed for the alternate surveillance schedules. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered to indicate a significant difference. RESULTS: One hundred twenty five patients (108 men; 59.4 years ±16.6) underwent 1953 CT and 255 MRI scans. RFST was not significantly different in the first five years after LT when the imaging interval was extended from current 3-monthly to 6-monthly (p=0.786, EpD= 55 days). This alternative schedule incurred ten (50.0%) fewer surveillance scans than the 20 in the original schedule, and a corresponding reduction in radiation dose (if involved) and cost during the 5-year follow-up period. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, modeled alternative surveillance schedules have the potential to reduce the frequency of scans without compromising surveillance benefits. CLINICAL RELEVANCE/APPLICATION: Extending imaging surveillance schedules to 6-monthly from 3-monthly offers reduced frequency of scans without compromising surveillance benefits in post-transplant hepatocellular carcinoma patients