Scale and Translation Invariant Collaborative Filtering Systems

Collaborative filtering systems are prediction algorithms over sparse data sets of user preferences. We modify a wide range of state-of-the-art collaborative filtering systems to make them scale and translation invariant and generally improve their accuracy without increasing their computational cost. Using the EachMovie and the Jester data sets, we show that learning-free constant time scale and translation invariant schemes outperforms other learning-free constant time schemes by at least 3% and perform as well as expensive memory-based schemes (within 4%). Over the Jester data set, we show that a scale and translation invariant Eigentaste algorithm outperforms Eigentaste 2.0 by 20%. These results suggest that scale and translation invariance is a desirable property.     

Mobiles for literacy in developing countries: An effectiveness framework

In recent years, the advent of low-cost digital and mobile devices has led to a strong expansion of social interventions, including those that try to improve student learning and literacy outcomes. Many of these are focused on improving reading in low-income countries, and particularly among the most disadvantaged. Some of these early efforts have been called successful, but little credible evidence exists for those claims. Drawing on a robust sample of projects in the domain of mobiles for literacy, this article introduces a design solution framework that combines intervention purposes with devices, end users, and local contexts. In combination with a suggested set of purpose-driven methods for monitoring and evaluation, this new framework provides useful parameters for measuring effectiveness in the domain of mobiles for literacy.     

Attentional capture by spoken language: effects on netballers’ visual task performance

Abstract

In two experiments, participants performed visual detection, visual discrimination and decision-making tasks, in which a binary (left/right) response was required. In all experimental conditions, a spoken word (“left”/“right”) was presented monaurally (left or right ear) at the onset of the visual stimulus. In Experiment 1, 26 non-athletes located a target amongst an array of distractors as quickly as possible, in both the presence and absence of spoken cues. Participants performed superiorly in the presence of valid cues, relative to invalid-cue and control conditions. In Experiment 2, 42 skilled netballers completed three tasks, in randomised order: a visual detection task, a visual discrimination task and a netball decision-making task – all in the presence of spoken cues. Our data showed that spoken auditory cues affected not only target detection, but also performance on more complex decision-making tasks: cues that were either spatially or semantically invalid slowed target detection time; spatially invalid cues impaired discrimination task accuracy; and cues that were either spatially or semantically valid improved accuracy and speeded decision-making time in the netball task. When studying visual perception and attention in sport, the impact of concomitant auditory information should be taken into account in order to achieve a more representative task design.     

Effects of a remote,YouTube-delivered exercise intervention on young adults’physical activity,sedentary behavior,and sleep during the COVID-19 pandemic:Randomized controlled trial

Background:Public health guidelines have called for innovative and flexible physical activity(PA)intervention strategies to promote PA and health amid the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic.Therefore,this study’s purpose was to examine the effects of a home-based,YouTube-delivered PA intervention grounded in self-determination theory on young adults’free-living PA,sedentary behavior,and sleep quality(NCT04499547).Methods:Sixty-four young adults(48 females;age=22.8±3.4 years,mean±SD;body mass index=23.1±2.6 kg/m²)were randomized(1:1)into the intervention group,which received weekly aerobic and muscle-strengthening PA videos,or control group,which received weekly general health education videos,for 12 weeks.Our primary outcome was free-living moderate-to-vigorous PA(MVPA)and our secondary outcomes were sedentary behavior,light PA,and sleep quality(measured using ActiGraph accelerometers)along with muscle-strengthening PA frequency,self-determination theory-related motivation(non-regulation,external regulation,introjected regulation,identified regulation,integrated regulation,and intrinsic regulation),and perceived PA barriers(assessed using validated questionnaires).Repeated measures analysis of variances(ANOVAs)examined between-group differences at an adjusted significance level of 0.004 and effect sizes as partial eta-squared(η;).Results:We observed statistically significant interaction effects for MVPA,sleep efficiency,muscle-strengthening PA frequency,non-regulation,integrated regulation,intrinsic regulation,and perceived PA barriers(F(1,62)=10.75-77.67,p<0.001-0.002,η_p²=0.15-0.56)with all outcomes favoring the intervention group.We observed no statistically significant differences in either group for sedentary behavior,light PA,sleep duration,or external,introjected,and identified regulations after 12 weeks(F(1,62)=1.11-3.64,p=0.06-0.61).Conclusion:With national COVID-19 restrictions still in place and uncertainty regarding post-pandemic PA environments and behaviors,a remote,YouTube-delivered PA intervention may help foster clinically meaningful improvements in young adults’free-living MVPA,musclestrengthening PA frequency,sleep efficiency,PA-related intrinsic motivation,and perceived PA barriers.     

The effects of mid-flight whole-body and trunk rotation on landing mechanics: implications for anterior cruciate ligament injuries

ABSTRACT

The purpose was to quantify the effects of mid-flight whole-body and trunk rotation on knee mechanics in a double-leg landing. Eighteen male and 20 female participants completed a jump-landing-jump task in five conditions: no rotation, testing leg ipsilateral or contralateral (WBRC) to the whole-body rotation direction, and testing leg ipsilateral (TRI) or contralateral to the trunk rotation direction. The WBRC and TRI conditions demonstrated decreased knee flexion and increased knee abduction angles at initial contact (2.6 > Cohen’s dz > 0.3) and increased peak vertical ground reaction forces and knee adduction moments during the 100 ms after landing (1.7 > Cohen’s dz > 0.3). The TRI condition also showed the greatest knee internal rotation angles at initial contact and peak knee abduction and internal rotation angles and peak knee extension moments during the 100 ms after landing (2.0 > Cohen’s dz > 0.5). Whole-body rotation increased contralateral knee loading because of its primary role in decelerating medial-lateral velocities. Trunk rotation resulted in the greatest knee loading for the ipsilateral knee due to weight shifting and mechanical coupling between the trunk and lower extremities. These findings may help understand altered trunk motion in anterior cruciate ligament injuries.     

Tailoring an information skills programme for Trainee Nursing Associates

This feature describes the tailored information skills programme which was delivered for the second cohort of Trainee Nursing Associates (TNAs) at Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and presents the results of the evaluation which was undertaken. Literature searching and critical appraisal were offered to the first cohort. Feedback was collated, and sessions were refined and tailored to better meet the information needs of the second cohort of TNAs. A comparison of confidence ratings before and after the programme ascertained whether the information skills programme had a positive benefit in confidence levels of attendees. D.I.     

Quantifying Qualitative Scholarship: A Fool’s Errand or a Methodological Necessity?

This paper describes our efforts to systematically generate knowledge from ethnographic and other qualitative scholarship as a way of bridging intellectual gaps found in quantitative research. We ground this scholarly endeavor in the study of gangs, which has a lengthy history in the field of criminology, yet lacks a coherent, coordinated, and comparative understanding of gang dynamics, behavior, and impacts. We discuss the importance of acknowledging the multiple and mixed methodologies used in gang scholarship and detail the inductive, deductive, and iterative process that helped us (1) develop a comprehensive coding instrument for coding a range of qualitative works, (2) establish the instrument’s inter-rater reliability, and (3) remain cognizant and reflexive about the strengths of both quantitative and qualitative research. Finally, we share the critical yet informative challenges we faced throughout the project and conclude with reflections on why the project was unsuccessful in the way we originally envisioned.     

Starting with a clean slate: An analysis of member identification with a new sports team

Soccer in Australia underwent a series of changes following a Federal Government inquiry into its future. A report into the Structure, Governance and Management of Soccer in Australia (2003) recommended a process of structural change, aimed at repositioning and re-branding soccer as association football. The restructure yielded the replacement of the National Soccer League with the A-League, five new Australian teams and a concerted attempt to separate soccer from its ethnic ties in the antipodes. This paper examines member identification in relation to a specific A-League club’s members. Using the Sports Spectator Identity Scale (Wann & Branscombe, 1993) to measure sport fan identity in a new team context, a survey of club members of Sydney FC (n = 510), was undertaken. Survey findings indicated that members of Sydney FC reported relatively strong team identification in the first year of the new competition, with some nuanced differences based on age and income. The SSIS demonstrated a good level of fit in relation to a new sports team, although it is evident that rivalries and identification with a new team need time to develop fully.