Cut points of the Actigraph GT9X for moderate and vigorous intensity physical activity at four different wear locations

ABSTRACT

Accelerometer cut points are an important consideration for distinguishing the intensity of activity into categories such as moderate and vigorous. It is well-established in the literature that these cut points depend on a variety of factors, including age group, device, and wear location. The Actigraph GT9X is a newer model accelerometer that is used for physical activity research, but existing cut points for this device are limited since it is a newer device. Furthermore, there is not existing data on cut points for the GT9X at the ankle or foot locations, which offers some potential benefit for activities that do not involve arm and/or core motion. A total of N = 44 adults completed a four-stage treadmill protocol while wearing Actigraph GT9X sensors at four different locations: foot, ankle, wrist, and hip. Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET) levels assessed by indirect calorimetry along with Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves were used to establish cut points for moderate and vigorous intensity for each wear location of the GT9X. Area under the ROC curves indicated high discrimination accuracy for each case.     

Interindividual Differences in Neonatal Imitation and the Development of Action Chains in Rhesus Macaques

The capacity to imitate facial gestures is highly variable in rhesus macaques and this variability may be related to differences in specific neurobehavioral patterns of development. This study evaluated the differential neonatal imitative response of 41 macaques in relation to the development of sensory, motor, and cognitive skills throughout the 1st month of life. The results show that infants who imitate facial gestures display more developed skills in goal-directed movements (reaching–grasping and fine hand motor control) than nonimitators. These differences might reflect, at least in part, the differential maturation of motor chains in the parietal and motor cortices, which partly overlap with those of the mirror neuron system. Thus, neonatal imitation appears to be a predictor of future neurobehavioral development.     

Computer-aided Hypermedia for Learning and Self Studies

A complete coverage of the course content does not lead the student to explorative curiosity and to a scientific attitude to knowledge and learning. Interactive hypermedia use will lead to an epistemological quality raising since in that way students’ independence in planning, knowledge acquisition and problem solving might be facilitated and since at the same time tutorial supervision and guidance can be included. Hypermedia have possibilities to provide students with large quantities of information. With network interfacing learning can take place independent of time and place and individualized education will be possible. Combined with CMC (computer mediated communication) and educational software the student has a tool for life-long education within the classroom. At the Växjö University text, images and simulations have been integrated within a hypertext system: Hyperbook (for Macintosh). At the Royal Institute of Technology we develop this concept to use it with computer-based self-study material in mechanics, a project which started in autumn 1990 using HyperCard. At the University of Lund a development of hypertext material in the form of computer illustrated text for a thermodynamics textbook has just started. An example of limits of models will be demonstrated by a computer simulation of a linearized and a non-linearized pendulum.     

Representations of class and gender on primetime Spanish‐language television in the United States

This study examines the content of primetime Spanish‐language programming available in the United States. Four alternate nights of primetime, serial programming, which included 6 telenovelas and 1 drama, were analyzed on three Spanish TV networks—Telemundo, Univision and Azteca America. Content analysis included gender roles, class, sexual talk, and physical and verbal aggression. Women were represented comparably to men in overall numbers, but with more childcare responsibilities, less job status and a greater emphasis on attractiveness. Lighter skin characters were more likely to play major roles, were more fit and younger, and more likely to be upper class than their darker skin counterparts. Sexual talk followed a pattern similar to U.S. soaps but was more pronounced on Spanish‐language television. Verbal and physical aggression were less prevalent compared to U.S. programming. The potential impact of stereotypical class and gender roles on U.S. viewers is discussed.     

Hydrolates and Gellan: An Eco-innovative Synergy for Safe Cleaning of Paper Artworks

The gellan hydrogel is used as a cleaning agent for paper artworks. The purposes of this work were to give the gellan hydrogel both a microbial resistance and a cytocidal action against the biodeteriogens using hydrolates. Broth microdilution assays were performed to identify the fungicidal action of 16 hydrolates vs 3 fungal strains. The study concerned the Minimal Fungicidal Concentration and pH, colour, and ultra-structural variations on all paper samples, by placing them in contact with GELYD (GELlan?+?hYDrolat). The in vitro tests showed that eight out of 16 hydrolates strongly inhibited fungal growth, but only two of them (Monarda fistulosa, Citrus aurantium subsp amara) showed in situ fungicidal action. Data indicate a new and interesting eco-innovative use of hydrolates, since GELYD is able not only to clean paper artworks, but also to kill the fungal cells present on paper that are potentially harmful for paper and operators.     

Rejoinder

In a recent paper, Bifulco and Bretschneider [Econ. Edu. Rev. 20 (2001) 417] analyzed the performance of data envelopment analysis (DEA) and corrected ordinary least squares (COLS) using simulated data. The results were discouraging as both methods performed poorly even in cases when measurement error was assumed away. The authors concluded that current methods of evaluating school district performance are inadequate for performance-based school reform. As will be shown in this comment, the simulation performed was faulty due to inconsistency of the data generating process and the methods employed. After correcting for this inconsistency and re-estimating efficiency, the results are more consistent with the literature and more favorable to both approaches.     

The role of agricultural engineering teaching within the agricultural environment relationship in Italy

Abstract

The effects caused by the new act regulating the agronomists profession on the relation between Agriculture Engineering, Rural Construction and Territory have been analyzed. Thus, we have to characterize trends and aims that teaching and research in Italian University should pursue in order to satisfy the new professional requirements of Agronomists.     

Weight,gravity and air pressure: Mental representations by Italian middle school pupils

The research reports an investigation concerned with schemes of commonsense knowledge connecting the three elements weight, air and gravity to the phenomenon of free fall. Inferences about the mental representations of Italian middle school pupils (12‐13 years of age) have been gathered by interviewing a sample of 40 children, using a number of different questions and searching for the possible consistencies among the whole set of answers. Three schemes are suggested: in the first, the force of gravity operating on the weight of the objects causes their fall; in the second, the force of gravity and weight are two independent causes for the fall of objects; and in the third the force of gravity, weight and the phenomenon of fall are unrelated entities. Air is implicitly or explicitly invoked as a cause of either weight or gravity, or both.