Search results for "measures"

Kuntanäkökulmaa kansallisen kielivarannon kehittämiseen

2018

Physical activity and sedentary time in relation to academic achievement in children

2017

Objectives To investigate the independent and combined associations of objectively measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary time (ST) with reading and arithmetic skills. Design Cross-sectional/prospective. Methods Participants were 89 boys and 69 girls aged 6–8 years. MVPA and ST were measured using a combined heart rate and movement sensor and body fat percentage by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in Grade 1. Reading fluency, reading comprehension, and arithmetic skills were assessed using standardized tests in Grades 1–3. The data were analyzed using linear regression analyses and analyses of covariance with repeated measures. Results In boys, MVPA was directl…

Discretising Keyfitz' entropy for studies of actuarial senescence and comparative demography

2023

1. Keyfitz’ entropy is a widely used metric to quantify the shape of the survivorship curve of populations, from plants, to animals, and microbes. Keyfitz’ entropy values 1 correspond to species with a decreasing mortality rate with age (negative senescence), and a Keyfitz entropy of exactly 1 corresponds to a constant mortality rate with age. Keyfitz’ entropy was originally defined using a continuous-time model, and has since been discretised to facilitate its calculation from discrete-time demographic data. 2. Here, we show that the previously used discretisation of the continuous-time metric does not preserve the relationship with increasing, decreasing, or constant mortality rates. To r…

Interpreting the decomposition of gender earnings gap

2010

In this paper we discuss a decomposition of the gender monthly earnings differential into three components: the first is due to differences in individual characteristics, the second is due to discrimination and the last to the differential in hours worked. The Oaxaca-Blinder hourly wage decomposition is perfectly integrated into the decomposition of the monthly earnings gap. In order to evaluate the effects of this components on the monthly earnings gap, we calculate counterfactual earnings gaps, estimating what would happen if various aspects relating to the two genders were equal (for example, educational level), and then we compare these with the empirical earnings gap. The aim of the co…

Advanced radar-interpretation of InSAR time series for mapping and characterization of geological processes

2011

Abstract. We present a new post-processing methodology for the analysis of InSAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry) multi-temporal measures, based on the temporal under-sampling of displacement time series, the identification of potential changes occurring during the monitoring period and, eventually, the classification of different deformation behaviours. The potentials of this approach for the analysis of geological processes were tested on the case study of Naro (Italy), specifically selected due to its geological setting and related ground instability of unknown causes that occurred in February 2005. The time series analysis of past (ERS1/2 descending data; 1992–2000) and current…

Measuring self‐regulated learning in a junior high school mathematics classroom : Combining aptitude and event measures in digital learning materials

2023

Background Measurement of students' self-regulation skills is an active topic in education research, as effective assessment helps devising support interventions to foster academic achievement. Measures based on event tracing usually require large amounts of data (e.g., MOOCs and large courses), while aptitude measures are often qualitative and need careful interpretation. Precise and interpretable evaluation of self-regulation skills in a normal K-12 classroom thus poses a challenge. Objectives The present study proposes and explores a learning analytics method of combining aptitude and event measures to evaluate student's self-regulation skills. Methods An explorative learning analytics s…

Exploring the Shift from Output Measures to Outcome Measures of Service Delivery: Insights from Municipal Research

2021

Prior research shows that reporting on outcome measures increases the probability that local officials will use perform- ance data to inform their decisions. What has been over- looked in the literature is the question of why some local governments continue to focus more on outputs than on out- comes of service delivery, thereby limiting their ability to use performance data for decision-making. The purpose of this art- icle is to identify organizational, individual, and support factors that could increase the probability that local officials in the Apulia Region of Italy when measuring performance, will move beyond the basic measures of output to the more advanced measures of outcome. Base…

Spunti da un dialogo d’oltralpe sui diritti fondamentali alla prova del fuoco

2020

Short comment on the Jurgen Habermas and Klaus Günther debate "Kein Grundrecht gilt grenzenlos" ("No fundamenthal rights is valid without limit"). The dialogue, altough referring to the German situation and law system, take a more general relevance connected to the problem of balncing fundamental rights in the pandemic.

Actual provision as an alternative criterion to improve the efficiency of payments for ecosystem services for C sequestration in semiarid vineyards

2016

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the efficiency of the PES scheme actually used in the Sicilian rural development program, based on an egalitarian criterion, and proposing an alternative scheme in order to guarantee a greater equity and fairness of premium distribution in relation to soil carbon (C) sequestration potential. We, first, assessed the ecosystem services (ES) provided by agri-environmental measures (AEM) in terms of SOC stock increase in Sicilian vineyards. Based on these data we evaluated the efficiency of agro-environmental payments according to an egalitarian criterion and simulated the effects of the actual provision criterion adoption. Results showed that the adoption o…

Fluoride ingestion and thyroid function in children resident of naturally fluoridated areas - An observational study

2019

Background Literature shows association between systemic fluorides with water fluoride level above 3ppm and endocrine disorders especially related to thyroid. Aim & Objectives: To estimate serum T3, T4, TSH, Fluoride levels among children with normal nutritional status and optimal iodine intake, residing in three different ranges of drinking water fluoride levels below 3ppm. Material and methods Present double blinded observational trial comprised of 293 children aged between 9-13 years consuming naturally fluoridated water of 3 different ranges: Group I: 0.01 - 0.6ppm, Group II: 0.7-1.2ppm and Group III: 1.3-1.8ppm. For each child demographic data, BMI and Clinical Fluorosis Index were rec…