Harnessing single board computers for military data analytics

Executive summary: This chapter covers the use of Single Board Computers (SBCs) to expedite onsite data analytics for a variety of military applications. Onsite data summarization and analytics is increasingly critical for command, control, and intelligence (C2I) operations, as excessive power consumption and communication latency can restrict the efficacy of down-range operations. SBCs offer power-efficient, inexpensive data-processing capabilities while maintaining a small form factor. We discuss the use of SBCs in a variety of domains, including wireless sensor networks, unmanned vehicles, and cluster computing. We conclude with a discussion of existing challenges and opportunities for future use.https://digitalcommons.usmalibrary.org/books/1010/thumbnail.jp

Effect of the Specificity of Training Delivery on Skill Acquisition and Transfer

Past research (e.g., Brewer, 1998) has shown that when people learn to solve simple formulae where elements are repeated over and over again, the greater the degree of repetition, the less transferable the skill. The current study tested one explanation for this observation; that training conditions involving little stimulus variation encourage the development of specific skills with low transferability. These habit-encouraging conditions were compared with a habit-breaking manipulation that involved presentation of unfamiliar stimuli throughout training. Participants were randomly assigned to one of 2 groups, the habit-encouraging and habit-breaking groups. The groups had 22 and 20 participants respectively. Participants were presented with the formula (x2-y)/2 along with values for x and y, and were required to calculate a solution to the formula and to respond whether the answer was odd or even. The experiment consisted of a training phase of 320 trials, and a transfer phase of 8 trials. The data were analysed using 2 split plot analyses of variance. The hypothesis of partial positive transfer was supported, that is, while participants were slower at responding in the transfer phase of the experiment than they were at the conclusion of training, they were not as slow as at the commencement of training. This result indicates that participants acquired specific as well as general skills. However, results failed to support the hypothesis that transferability was a function of variation in training. The implications of these findings are discussed

The intergenerational transmission of relationship attributions

This study explores the possibility that attributions in close relationships are transmitted intergenerationally. Using structural equation modeling with 380 intact families, we found that the relationship between parent attributions regarding an adolescent child and the adolescent\u27s attributions regarding a sibling is mediated by the level of observed negative behavior the parents direct toward the adolescent. Parent attributions of intent for adolescent misbehavior are related to increasing negativity in parents\u27 behavior, even after controlling for the adolescent\u27s observed behavior. Parents\u27 negative behavior is related to increases in adolescent negative attributions regarding a sibling, even after controlling for the sibling\u27s observed behavior. Tests of causal direction reveal that parent attributions and parent behavior have an equal influence on each other. Implications for intervention are discussed

Measuring Productivity Change and Efficiency on Irish Farms.

End of Project ReportThis report investigates technical change and levels of technical efficiency on Irish farms using National Farm Survey (N.F.S.) data. It also examines whether levels of technical efficiency are influenced by contact with the extension service. The study utilises a stochastic production frontier approach to measure productivity growth and the technical efficiency of a panel of Irish farms over the period 1984 to 1998. This sample was used to calculate (a) technical change over time as measured by best practice farms and (b) technical efficiency levels of all farms over this period. It, therefore, provides disaggregated estimates of technical change by farming system as well as quantifying the average level of technical efficiency. The project also examines the factors associated with differences in technical efficiency between farms and the impact of extension service contact on farm-level technical efficiency. Mean technical change (i.e. changes in best practice) continued, albeit at a declining rate, throughout the period studied. Significant differences were revealed in the rate of technical change on farms of different types. For example technical change on dairy and crop farms averaged nearly 2 per cent per annum while technical regress occurred on beef and sheep farms. In addition to examining technical change, farm efficiency relative to best practice within each farming system was also measured. Results indicate that farms achieved, on average, approximately 65 per cent of the efficiency level of best practice farms. The average level of farm efficiency has been decreasing by 0.4 per cent per annum indicating that the gap between best practice farms and all farms has been increasing by this amount over time. Thirty one percent of the most efficient farms were dairy farms while 23 per cent were arable farms. Approximately 52 per cent of the least efficient farms were cattle farms while a further 31 per cent were sheep farms. Average efficiency over the period was 34.2 per cent in the least efficient quintile of farms. This compared to almost 90 per cent for the most efficient quintile of farms. A positive relationship between age and efficiency was found up to the age of 49 years after which the relationship between age and efficiency becomes negative. The farm debt to assets ratio was positively related to efficiency while farm size and location in the West of Ireland was negatively related to efficiency. Farms in contact with the extension service were found to be on average 6.5 per cent more efficient than farms without contact. Contact farms with a lower than average dependency on direct payments were a further 6.6 per cent than contact farms with an average dependency on direct payments. Contact farms with a higher than average dependence on direct payments were 1.9 per cent less efficient than the same group of contact farms. However, efficiency on these farms with a high dependence on direct payments was still, on average, higher than on farms with no extension contact.Teagasc Walsh Fellowshi

A repeat cross-sectional study examining the equitable impact of nutritional standards for school lunches in England in 2008 on the diets of 4-7y olds across the socio-economic spectrum

BACKGROUND: The 2008 nutritional standards for primary school lunch in England improved nutritional content. The impact on socio-economic inequalities is unknown. We examine the impact of the nutritional standards on children’s nutrient intake at lunchtime and in total diet by level of deprivation. METHODS: We conducted cross-sectional studies in 12 English primary schools before and after legislation. Dietary intake was recorded for 4-7y olds using a validated, prospective four-day food diary. Socio-economic status was estimated using the Index of Multiple Deprivation; three groups of approximately equal sizes were created. Linear, mixed-effect models explored the effect of year, lunch type (school or home-packed lunch), level of deprivation and the interaction(s) between these factors on children’s diets. RESULTS: 368 and 624 children participated in 2003–4 and 2008–9 respectively. At lunchtime, between 2003–4 and 2008–9, the increase in non-starch polysaccharide (NSP) intake was larger in the least compared to the most deprived group (difference in mean change 0.8 mg; 95% CI 0.4, 1.3). There were similar differences in mean changes for iron (0.3 mg; 0.2, 0.4) and zinc (0.3 mg; 0.1, 0.5). In total diet, differential effects were observed for NSP, iron and zinc; we found no evidence these changes were associated with lunch type. Lunch type was associated with changes in per cent energy from non-milk-extrinsic sugars (NMES) and vitamin C. Per cent energy from NMES was lower and vitamin C intake higher in school lunches in 2008–9 compared with 2003–4. The corresponding differences in home-packed lunches were not as marked and there were subtle but statistically significant effects of the level of deprivation. CONCLUSIONS: By 2008–9, NMES at lunchtime and in total diet was lower for children consuming a school lunch; this change was equitable across the deprivation groups. Vitamin C intake increased more for children in the most deprived group, narrowing the socio-economic inequality. A range of significant differential effects of the nutritional standards were observed and important socio-economic inequalities in dietary intake remain. Additional interventions to promote equitable nutrition in children are needed to support legislative measures and maximise their impact

Off Beat: Police as Protestors and use of Twitter as a Tactical Online Public Space

This research examines the use of social media by British police officers to protest, often anonymously, and challenge political influences on policing, which they otherwise could not, through tactical use of social media. It studies British police officers acting as online protestors using Twitter to challenge these influences and decisions, and eventually run online campaigns, during the years of austerity and major police reform under a Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government. More than 35,000 police officers marched on Parliament in 2012, during a period when Twitter and other social media platforms were emerging as tools in protest movements, from the Arab Spring to Occupy. This study, the first to examine these police officers and their action, proposes them as ‘constrained protestors’ operating in a tactical online public space. It identifies a typology of a niche form of protest, centred on their differing communication strategies and dynamics. It also develops a further typology of police Twitter use, which by including this overlooked group, places different emphasis on previously categorised aspects. Critical case studies, alongside contextual background, were conducted on hashtag campaigns such as #NoConfidenceInTheresaMay and #StopPoliceCutsMay10, and semi-structured interviews were carried out with 17 police protestors. A conceptual framework is derived from those used in previous analysis of protests, especially as applied to those using social media. There is a focus on collective versus connective action; communication dynamics, leadership and organisation; consideration of emotions; and protest spaces, along with elements of counterpublics and the public sphere. Police officers have only featured in protest movement studies as instruments of the state for law and order. Equally, studies on the use of social media by police focus on the organisation’s professional and corporate communications purposes. This research examines them as protestors, finding both commonalities and variances in the theoretical aspects, while also arguing for their relevance in studies on police use of social media. The thesis contributes to the body of knowledge and ongoing debates in the study of protest movements. It also contributes to the growing body of research on police use of social media

A brief report on the development of a theoretically-grounded intervention to promote patient autonomy and self-management of physiotherapy patients: Face validity and feasibility of implementation

Background Clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of low back pain suggest the inclusion of a biopsychosocial approach in which patient self-management is prioritized. While many physiotherapists recognise the importance of evidence-based practice, there is an evidence practice gap that may in part be due to the fact that promoting self-management necessitates change in clinical behaviours. Evidence suggests that a patient’s motivation and maintenance of self-management behaviours can be positively influenced by the clinician’s use of an autonomy supportive communication style. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop and pilot-test the feasibility of a theoretically derived implementation intervention to support physiotherapists in using an evidence-based autonomy supportive communication style in practice for promoting patient self-management in clinical practice. Methods A systematic process was used to develop the intervention and pilot-test its feasibility in primary care physiotherapy. The development steps included focus groups to identify barriers and enablers for implementation, the theoretical domains framework to classify determinants of change, a behaviour change technique taxonomy to select appropriate intervention components, and forming a testable theoretical model. Face validity and acceptability of the intervention was pilot-tested with two physiotherapists and monitoring their communication with patients over a three-month timeframe. Results Using the process described above, eight barriers and enablers for implementation were identified. To address these barriers and enablers, a number of intervention components were selected ranging from behaviour change techniques such as, goal-setting, self-monitoring and feedback to appropriate modes of intervention delivery (i.e. continued education meetings and audit and feedback focused coaching). Initial pilot-testing revealed the acceptability of the intervention to recipients and highlighted key areas for refinement prior to scaling up for a definitive trial. Conclusion The development process utilised in this study ensured the intervention was theory-informed and evidence-based, with recipients signalling its relevance and benefit to their clinical practice. Future research should consider additional intervention strategies to address barriers of social support and those beyond the clinician level

MOST Observations of the Flare Star AD Leo

We present continuous, high-precision photometric monitoring data with 1 minute cadence of the dM3e flare star AD Leo with the {\it MOST} satellite. We observed 19 flares in 5.8 days, and find a flare frequency distribution that is similar to previous studies. The light curve reveals a sinusoidal modulation with period of $2.23^{+0.36}_{-0.27}$ days that we attribute to the rotation of a stellar spot rotating into and out of view. We see no correlation between the occurrence of flares and rotational phase, indicating that there may be many spots distributed at different longitudes, or possibly that the modulation is caused by varying surface coverage of a large polar spot that is viewed nearly pole-on. The data show no correlation between flare energy and the time since the previous flare. We use these results to reject a simple model in which all magnetic energy is stored in one active region and released only during flares.Comment: 20 Pages, 8 Figures, PASP Accepte