Real time simulation of quarkonium in a thermal medium using a 3D Lindblad equation

Using a new finite difference operator RN-SBP that has recently been developed and used for 1D simulations of the Lindblad equation, we extend it to the 3D case. We have not quite been able to implement the RN-SBP properly for 3D, but we have proved that it will preserve the trace if implemented correctly. We have also showed that the coherent dynamics of the Lindblad equation in 3D, and the recoiless limit in 3D works as intended

The Human Opportunity Index and Income Inequality in Brazil

This study calculates the Human Opportunity Index (HOI) proposed by de Barros et al. (2009) and a Gini Index of household income using nationally representative data from Brazil for the years 2001 to 2008. Macroregional HOIs and Gini Indexes were also calculated for the years 2001, 2005, and 2008. No statistically significant, linear trends were found over the eight year period for national HOIs. A statistically significant, linear, downward trend was found for the Gini Index of household incomes. Also, there was a statistically significant decrease in the macroregional variance of HOI scores, indicating a convergence of opportunity equity among macroregions. No such convergence was found for the macroregional Gini Indexes

Relationships are the Alpha and Omega. An exploration of the descriptions of nurturing and healthy learning environments given by teachers at adult education centres’youth departments

Masteroppgave i tilpassa opplæring - 201

Speech-to-Text Technology as an Inclusive Approach: Lower Secondary Teachers’ Experiences

Speech-to-text (STT) technology enables pupils to write using their voice. This qualitative study explores six teachers’ experiences with introducing STT technology in a whole-class environment at a Norwegian lower secondary school. The aim was to explore the benefits and challenges of using STT as an inclusive approach for writing instruction in lower secondary education. The teachers in the study stated that most of their pupils found STT useful when beginning longer writing assignments (for example, as an aid for brainstorming and drafting) and producing texts in foreign languages. Reported challenges were pupils distracting each other, inaccuracy of the technology, improper use, and pupils whispering because they were too embarrassed to speak out loud. The teachers’ views were initially consistent with a broad definition of inclusion, as they saw the educational opportunities of introducing STT to the whole class. However, after implementation they were concerned with structural challenges, including formal assessment of writing and individual adaptation of the curricula, which suggests a narrow interpretation of inclusion.Speech-to-Text Technology as an Inclusive Approach: Lower Secondary Teachers’ ExperiencespublishedVersio

Fauna and Stratigraphy of the Meagher Formation at Three Localities in Southwestern Montana

In the past 75 years, the scenic area about the head­waters of the great Missouri River has attracted the atten­tion of many leading stratigraphers and paleontologists; for in this area bountiful outcrops of Paleozoic fossil horizons are available for study and correlation

A social ecological analysis of physical activity promotion for overweight and normal weight youth

Introduction. The psychosocial correlates of youth physical activity have not been well scrutinized in the context of the relatively new phenomenon of an increased prevalence of overweight among youth. The purpose of the examination of unique subpopulations (rural vs. urban; overweight vs. normal overweight) within a psychosocial and social ecological framework, was to enhance the theoretical basis for designing improved physical activity interventions for youth. Methods. Data were from a large cohort of Iowa youth, ages 9--11 and 14--18 years (N = 2,862). Physical fitness, body composition, height and weight were assessed. Students completed a physical activity questionnaire, the Childrens\u27 Physical Activity Correlates Survey and the Children and Youth Physical Self-Perception Profile (CY-PSPP). The Youth Physical Activity Promotion model (Welk, 1999) was used as a framework to examine physical, social ecological, enabling, predisposing, and reinforcing influences on youth physical activity. Results. Prevalence of overweight was higher among rural children (25%; p \u3c .001) than children from more urban areas (18%). Among girls, being overweight was associated with reduced global self-esteem, attraction to physical activity, and parental influence. Perceived physical activity competence did not vary appreciably by weight status, except for among adolescent girls. The largest differences between overweight and normal weight youth were lower physical self-perceptions of adolescent girls and boys (Cohens\u27 d = 0.74--1.16). The Youth Physical Activity Promotion model showed good fit to the data and provided parsimony in the evaluation of physical activity while still accounting for a significant amount of variance in physical activity (R2 = .33). Within the model, BMI showed a very small direct effect on physical activity, but did not show effects on the correlates of physical activity. Conclusions . The largest differences in psychosocial correlates of physical activity associated with weight category were in physical self-perceptions, yet BMI showed minimal influence on a model of youth physical activity promotion. The results suggest that parental reinforcement, perceived competence, and attraction to physical activity should be promoted for both overweight and normal weight youth

Demographic and Behavioural Factors in Tanzanian and Norwegian Patients with Sexually Transmitted Infections.

To evaluate whether differences in demographic or behavioural factors might explain differences in reported or diagnosed sexually transmitted infections (STI), we have compared data from 1097 Tanzanian and Norwegian STI patients. Most demographic data were similar, whereas some behavioural data differed. Norwegian patients reported significantly higher numbers of sexual partners than Tanzanian. Thirty-three percent of Tanzanian patients tested positive for HIV antibodies, females more often (43%) than males (26%). Approximately one-third and two-thirds of the female HIV-positive Tanzanian STI patients had already seroconverted at the age of 25 and 30 years, respectively. The national differences encountered probably reflect cultural differences, different panoramas of STI and a lower accessibility to optimal health services in Tanzania. Lack of expected statistical associations between some of the data in the Tanzanian STI group might question the validity of the retrospectively collected data in this group, or indicate that questions not included in the questionnaire might be of importance

A left ventricular phantom for 3D echocardiographic twist measurements

Under embargo until: 2020-09-18Traditional two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) studies have shown a wide range of twist values, also for normal hearts, which is due to the limitations of short-axis 2D ultrasound. The same limitations do not apply to three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound, and several studies have shown 3D ultrasound to be superior to 2D ultrasound, which is unreliable for measuring twist. The aim of this study was to develop a left ventricular twisting phantom and to evaluate the accuracy of 3D STE twist measurements using different acquisition methods and volume rates (VR). This phantom was not intended to simulate a heart, but to function as a medium for ultrasound deformation measurement. The phantom was made of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and casted using 3D printed molds. Twist was obtained by making the phantom consist of two PVA layers with different elastic properties in a spiral pattern. This gave increased apical rotation with increased stroke volume in a mock circulation. To test the accuracy of 3D STE twist, both single-beat, as well as two, four and six multi-beat acquisitions, were recorded and compared against twist from implanted sonomicrometry crystals. A custom-made software was developed to calculate twist from sonomicrometry. The phantom gave sonomicrometer twist values from 2.0° to 13.8° depending on the stroke volume. STE software tracked the phantom wall well at several combinations of temporal and spatial resolution. Agreement between the two twist methods was best for multi-beat acquisitions in the range of 14.4–30.4 volumes per second (VPS), while poorer for single-beat and higher multi-beat VRs. Smallest offset was obtained at six-beat multi-beat at 17.1 VPS and 30.4 VPS. The phantom proved to be a useful tool for simulating cardiac twist and gave different twist at different stroke volumes. Best agreement with the sonomicrometer reference method was obtained at good spatial resolution (high beam density) and a relatively low VR. 3D STE twist values showed better agreement with sonomicrometry for most multi-beat recordings compared with single-beat recordings.publishedVersio

A scoping review on the use of speech-to-text technology for adolescents with learning difficulties in secondary education

Conclusion The scoping review shows that very little research has been conducted on the use of STT for adolescents with learning difficulties in secondary education. Findings from the studies identified five areas of interest: writing related skills, text assessment, writing processes, accuracy of the technology, and participants’ experiences. Findings indicate that writing performance among students with learning difficulties improves when using STT. Parents, teachers, and pupils report positive experiences with the technology, particularly for students with severe reading and writing difficulties. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION There is a great need for more robust research on the use of speech-to-text technology (STT) in educational settings, especially on its effect on writing skills Studies describe STT as either an assistive (a compensatory aid for poor writing performance) or instructional technology (aiming to improve learning in general). It is important that practitioners are aware of the different aims and possible consequences of introducing STT to learners with writing difficulties. STT provides both opportunities and challenges for writers with learning difficulties in secondary education. Findings indicate that writing performance among students with learning difficulties improves when using STT, yet inaccuracy of the technology was presented as one of the main challenges. Parents, teachers, and pupils report positive experiences with the technology, particularly for students with severe reading and writing difficulties.publishedVersionPaid open acces