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Development of tolerance as a function of within session reinforcement in a blackjack game
No full textThis study evaluated the effect of tolerance on an individual’s betting behavior after experiencing a history of a high probability of winning. Participants were randomly assigned into two groups and played a series of blackjack hands. The first group experienced an 80% probability of winning for phase 2 before experiencing a third phase with only a 20% probability of winning. The second group had a 20% probability of winning throughout the duration of the game, and data were collected to observe for tolerance in betting while experiencing these phases. It was hypothesized group 2 would have no change in betting behavior, while group 1 would continue to bet a larger amount due to the initial condition of 80% probability of winning, thus demonstrating tolerance. The results show that betting behavior decreased for participants in group 1 in phase 3 as the participants experienced an increase in losses; however, subjects in group 1 and group 2 did not differ significantly in betting during phase 3, suggesting that no within-session tolerance was displayed
ONE DISTRICT’S STAKEHOLDERS’ DESCRIPTIONS OF THE SUPPORTS AND BARRIERS IMPACTING THE USE OF A DIGITAL MATHEMATICS CURRICULUM
Get PDFDigital Curriculum Resources are a new, fast-growing educational technology for learning mathematics that can allow today’s classroom to be transformed instantaneously. More efficient technology, however, does not necessarily equate to increased student achievement. To ensure that these technologies benefit their learners, it will become critical for schools to identify potential barriers and develop plans for addressing these barriers during implementation. This qualitative case study sought to better understand the experiences of various stakeholder groups at a suburban middle school that has used a digital mathematics curriculum for the last two school years. Using an interview protocol, two administrators, five teachers, 10 students, and 15 parents were interviewed about their experience using a digital curriculum. Data were electronically transcribed, coded, and categorized for analysis. Overall, responses were more negative than positive regarding their experience using a digital curriculum. Administrators identified numerous barriers with teachers and students negatively impacting use of a digital curriculum. Teachers were more critical than supportive of the curriculum and suggested the curriculum may not fit the needs of the community. Students expressed mixed feelings regarding the curriculum identifying multiple benefits and barriers. Parents reported a lack of connection to the digital curriculum. Additionally, teachers and students identified the digital device as a significant distraction to the learning process and multiple groups identified significant training needs for staff, students, and parents
EVALUATING THE EFFECTS OF FASTING CONDITIONS IN COMBINATION WITH TEMOZOLOMIDE FOR THE TREATMENT OF GLIOBLASTOMA MULTIFORME
Get PDFGlioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive and lethal form of adult brain cancer. The standard of care for GBM is maximal surgical resection followed by adjuvant treatment with the chemotherapeutic agent temozolomide (TMZ) and radiotherapy. O-6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) is a DNA repair protein involved in TMZ resistance. Known as the Warburg effect, cancer cells will preferentially oxidize glucose to lactate in glycolysis. This less effective pathway of energy production means cancer cells must uptake significantly greater amounts of glucose to sustain physiological needs. One method that directly targets the bioavailability of glucose is fasting. Among other adaptations, fasting lowers systemic glucose levels and elevates ketone bodies like ß-hydroxybutyrate (ß-HB). This study sought to evaluate the effects of fasting in combination with TMZ on viability of GBM cell lines LN229 and T98G, and normal astroglial cell line SVG p12. Glucose restriction significantly enhanced the cytotoxic effects of TMZ in LN229 and T98G cells, while having no effect in SVG p12 cells. ß-HB in combination with TMZ potentiated the cytotoxicity of TMZ in LN229 and T98G cells, while reducing the cytotoxicity of TMZ in SVG p12 cells. Furthermore, both glucose restriction and ß-HB supplementation in combination with TMZ significantly decreased the expression of MGMT levels in T98G cells. Together, this initial evidence suggests fasting may be a useful method to selectively sensitize GBM cells to TMZ, while protecting normal cells. Future research is needed to further assess the efficacy of fasting as an adjuvant therapy in the treatment of GBM
EVALUATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PROBABILISTIC REINFORCEMENT, AS A GAMIFICATION ELEMENT, IN A COLLEGE CLASS SETTING
Get PDFGamification, or the use of game mechanics in non-game activities, has potential utility in enhancing course materials and help to motivate students. The present study sought to determine whether a gamified quiz application utilizing a probabilistic reinforcement schedule, a common game mechanic in which magnitude of reinforcement is randomized, would increase interaction with course material and subsequently increase exam scores when compared to a traditional fixed ratio point scoring system in a college class setting. An undergraduate class of 40 students were randomly split into two groups (green = 18, gold = 22). After baseline data was probed, the groups underwent a series of two phases, either A or B. During phase A the green group started the experiment in the gamification quiz condition while the gold group was in the control condition. In phase B the green group started in the control condition and the gold group started in the gamification condition. Each phase consisted of three quizzes, followed by an exam. After an exam, the groups switch conditions, conducting three full phases (A-B-A). After an adjustment taking into account Exam 1 scores it was determined that the participants did not show a statistically significant difference in increasing interaction in course material between the interventions, F(1,37)=.280, p=.600 (α \u3c 0.05) or an increase in exam scores F(1,37)=2.231, p=.144 (α \u3c 0.05)
Modelling isolated hydrogen impurity in Lu2O3 with muonium spectroscopy
No full textWe identified in this experiment two muon configurations in Lu2O3, the oxygen-bound (O−Mu+) ground state and a metastable (energy barrier 0.7(3) eV) atom-like excited state. These configurations are partially not formed immediately after implantation but somewhat delayed due to the requirement of a lattice rearrangement around the muon. These rearrangement processes occur on a timescale of ns to μs and are thus observable in μSR experiments. A special role plays a fairly long-lived (ns to μs) transition state as an intermediate step in the reaction process
FATIGUE LEADS TO ALTERED SPINAL KINEMATICS DURING HIGH PERFORMANCE ERGOMETER ROWING
Get PDFLow back injuries in rowing are attributed to intense, repetitive, loading through the spine. Good technique and postural control are essential to maximize performance and minimize injury risk. This motion capture study recorded 3D spinal kinematics of 14 athletes during rowing at varying speeds on an instrumented ergometer and correlated motion with power metrics and athlete demographics. Sagittal plane rotation decreases in the lumbar spine and increases in the thoracic spine as speed increases. Transverse and frontal planes have little influence on force output. Declining postural control can be seen within each trial and worsened with higher rate. Assessments of form differences across athletes using relative motion between spine segments at critical stroke points show greater lumbar flexion (compared to thoracic) at the catch and neutral alignment at max handle force
THE EFFECT OF STEP WIDTH CONTROL ON LOAD CARRIAGE ECONOMY
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to assess the influence of step width on load carriage economy. Fifteen healthy volunteers (age = 25 ± 3 years; stature = 1.78 ± 0.07 m; body mass = 73.6 ± 10.1 kg) completed three trials in a randomised order. Each trial differed by load carriage method and involved walking on a force-instrumented at 3km.h-1 with 0, 3, 12 and 20 kg. This protocol was then repeated with step width controlled to each participant’s preferred unloaded width. Relative load carriage economy was measured using the Extra Load Index (ELI). Load carriage economy was significantly worse in the head loading method compared to the other two method with step width uncontrolled (p = 0.02) and controlled (p = 0.02). For the trials where step width was uncontrolled, there was a significant difference in step width from unloaded walking between the different loading methods (p = 0.01) but no significant difference between load mass (p = 0.39). There was no difference in ELI between preferred and controlled step widths. Based on the data presented here, moderate alterations in step width caused by load carriage do not appear to influence load carriage economy
THE ACUTE EFFECTS OF KNEE ON DYNAMIC HAMSTRING STRETCH DURING SIDE-CUTTING IN FEMALE ATHLETES
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of dynamic hamstring stretch on knee joint biomechanical parameters during side-step cutting in female athletes. Methods: Ten participants performed 45-degree side-step cutting for the pre-test and post-test and then dynamic hamstring stretch included single-leg standing with straight leg raise and straight leg hip flexion intervened after pre-test, respectively. Data were collected synchronously by 8 VICON cameras (250 Hz), 1 Kistler force plate (1000 Hz), and 5 Delsys wireless EMG sensors (2000 Hz) during side-step cutting. Results: Participants showed significantly greater hamstrings activation and muscle co-contraction (H/Q ratio) on post-test during deceleration phase at the peak valgus moment. Vertical ground reaction force and knee varus moment decreased significantly on post-test during deceleration phase at the peak varus moment.. Conclusion: Dynamic stretch could increase the activation of the hamstring, and improved buffering impact of the knee joint
STATISTICAL COMPARISON OF THE KNEE CONTACT FORCES AND KNEE JOINT MOMENTS TO EVALUATE THE LOADING IN THE KNEE WITH FRONTAL PLANE MALALIGNMENT DURING WALKING
Get PDFIn children and adolescent with valgus malalignment the loading is shifted to the lateral compartment. The aim of this study was to investigate the numerical linear relationship between knee joint moments and medial and lateral knee contact forces in children and adolescents with frontal plane malalignment and typically developed controls. In the 2nd half of stance a significant medium linear relationship was found between the knee adduction moment and the medial and lateral knee contact forces. These results lead to the assumption that the loading in the knee joint in children and adolescent should be analyzed by calculating knee contact forces rather than knee joint moments
A COMPARISON OF TRUNK AND SHANK ANGLES BETWEEN ELITE AND SUB-ELITE SPRINTERS DURING SPRINT ACCELERATION
Get PDFAcceleration is a movement that requires skilful positioning of the body to apply force in the desired direction. The sagittal plane orientation of the trunk and shank are features that coaches use to visually assess sprint acceleration technique. This study examined differences in trunk and shank angles between elite and sub-elite sprinters during early acceleration using inertial sensors. Elite sprinters exhibited more vertical trunk positions throughout all four steps compared to sub-elite with moderate to very large differences at discrete events (d = 0.79 - 2.16). Shank angles were more vertical at touchdown in sub-elite compared to elite sprinters (d = -0.70 - -0.39), but similar at toe-off. These results suggest that less horizontal trunk lean during acceleration is a feature of higher level sprinters, coaches should be conscious of this when giving technical feedback