scholarly journals Potential downside of high initial visual acuity

2018 ◽  
Vol 115 (44) ◽  
pp. 11333-11338 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lukas Vogelsang ◽  
Sharon Gilad-Gutnick ◽  
Evan Ehrenberg ◽  
Albert Yonas ◽  
Sidney Diamond ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Face Recognition ◽  
Initial Period ◽  
Receptive Fields ◽  
Visual Development ◽  
Adaptive Function ◽  
Late Treatment ◽  
Improved Performance ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Configural Analysis ◽  
Blurred Images

Children who are treated for congenital cataracts later exhibit impairments in configural face analysis. This has been explained in terms of a critical period for the acquisition of normal face processing. Here, we consider a more parsimonious account according to which deficits in configural analysis result from the abnormally high initial retinal acuity that children treated for cataracts experience, relative to typical newborns. According to this proposal, the initial period of low retinal acuity characteristic of normal visual development induces extended spatial processing in the cortex that is important for configural face judgments. As a computational test of this hypothesis, we examined the effects of training with high-resolution or blurred images, and staged combinations, on the receptive fields and performance of a convolutional neural network. The results show that commencing training with blurred images creates receptive fields that integrate information across larger image areas and leads to improved performance and better generalization across a range of resolutions. These findings offer an explanation for the observed face recognition impairments after late treatment of congenital blindness, suggest an adaptive function for the acuity trajectory in normal development, and provide a scheme for improving the performance of computational face recognition systems.

scholarly journals The Influence of Video Format on Engagement and Performance in Online Learning

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 128
Author(s):  
Sergej Lackmann ◽  
Pierre-Majorique Léger ◽  
Patrick Charland ◽  
Caroline Aubé ◽  
Jean Talbot
Keyword(s):  
Student Performance ◽  
Cognitive Engagement ◽  
Emotional Engagement ◽  
Emotional States ◽  
Lecture Capture ◽  
Improved Performance ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Subject Experiment ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Video Format

Millions of students follow online classes which are delivered in video format. Several studies examine the impact of these video formats on engagement and learning using explicit measures and outline the need to also investigate the implicit cognitive and emotional states of online learners. Our study compared two video formats in terms of engagement (over time) and learning in a between-subject experiment. Engagement was operationalized using explicit and implicit neurophysiological measures. Twenty-six (26) subjects participated in the study and were randomly assigned to one of two conditions based on the video shown: infographic video or lecture capture. The infographic video showed animated graphics, images, and text. The lecture capture showed a professor, providing a lecture, filmed in a classroom setting. Results suggest that lecture capture triggers greater emotional engagement over a shorter period, whereas the infographic video maintains higher emotional and cognitive engagement over longer periods of time. Regarding student learning, the infographic video contributes to significantly improved performance in matters of difficult questions. Additionally, our results suggest a significant relationship between engagement and student performance. In general, the higher the engagement, the better the student performance, although, in the case of cognitive engagement, the link is quadratic (inverted U shaped).

scholarly journals Firm Level Strategy, Organization Culture and Performance of Food and Beverage Manufacturing Firms in Kenya

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zachary B. Awino ◽  
Dominic C. Muteshi ◽  
Reginah K. Kitiabi ◽  
Ganesh P. Pokhariyal
Keyword(s):  
Policy Formulation ◽  
Manufacturing Firms ◽  
Organization Culture ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Food And Beverage ◽  
Improved Performance ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

The study tested the impact of organization culture on the on the relationship between firm-level strategy and performance of food and beverage manufacturing firms in Kenya. The opinion of the CEO/MDs from 125 firms in this sector was sought by application of a structured questionnaire; the collected data was analysed using hierarchical regression analysis. The paper stated hypothesis that organizational culture has a significant effect on the relationship between firm-level strategy and performance. The results supported the hypothesis. Therefore, firm development of strong organization culture to support firm-level strategy for higher performance is paramount. These findings will contribute to government policy formulation for sector’s expansion and competitiveness and management drives in building a positive organization culture to support firm-level strategy for improved performance.

Signaling sustainability: impact that learning how to report has on enrollment, endowment and emissions of North American higher education institutions

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcel C. Minutolo ◽  
Albena Ivanova ◽  
Michelle Cong
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Main Hypothesis ◽  
Signaling Mechanism ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Improved Performance ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Reporting Mechanism ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop an integrated model assessing the frequency and timing between reports on the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS) reporting the framework by higher education institutions (HEIs) and the relationship between the STARS score and reputation (enrollment), finances (endowment) and performance (emissions). Design/methodology/approach The development of the theoretical model is based on learning, signaling and legitimacy theories. This study collects data from the AASHE STARS to indicate the rating level of 202 HEIs, control variables, enrollment, endowments and emissions. The hypotheses were tested using generalized linear models. Findings Findings suggest that as HEIs report on their sustainability activity, they learn to report better but that there is also an “un-learning” aspect if the HEI skips reporting in a period. The results support the main hypothesis that there is a relationship between reporting and engagement with the HEIs in the form of enrollment and endowments. Finally, the findings provide evidence that the HEIs’ reporting is associated with a reduction in emissions. Practical implications The findings suggest that HEIs should develop a reporting strategy on a standardized framework such as AASHE STARs and they ought to codify the approach to learn from prior reporting. Students and alumni are increasingly seeking to engage the HEI in the sustainability process and the report is a mechanism for signaling activities. Social implications The findings suggest that AASHE STARS scores may be used by HEIs as a signaling mechanism to stakeholders of their commitment to sustainability. The signal is a mechanism to reduce information asymmetry between the HEI and stakeholders who may want more information on the institution’s attempts toward sustainability but lack access to information. Further, HEI partners have a mechanism to assess the overall level of commitment of the HEI toward sustainability and can, therefore, engage accordingly. Originality/value There has been significant work on signaling theory and sustainability. However, the relationship between STARs reporting as a signal that legitimates the HEI, learning how to report well and HEI performance has received less attention. The current study demonstrates that the STARS framework as a reporting mechanism signals the HEIs’ level of commitment to sustainability thereby legitimating it resulting in improved performance.

Association between Participation in an Intensive Longitudinal Assessment Program and Performance on a Cognitive Examination in the Maintenance of Certification in Anesthesiology Program®

2016 ◽  
Vol 125 (5) ◽  
pp. 1046-1055 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huaping Sun ◽  
Yan Zhou ◽  
Deborah J. Culley ◽  
Cynthia A. Lien ◽  
Ann E. Harman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Learning Resources ◽  
Longitudinal Assessment ◽  
Immediate Feedback ◽  
High Stakes ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Maintenance Of Certification ◽  
Improved Performance ◽  
And Performance ◽  
First Time

Abstract Background As part of the Maintenance of Certification in Anesthesiology Program® (MOCA®), the American Board of Anesthesiology (Raleigh, North Carolina) developed the MOCA Minute program, a web-based intensive longitudinal assessment involving weekly questions with immediate feedback and links to learning resources. This observational study tested the hypothesis that individuals who participate in the MOCA Minute program perform better on the MOCA Cognitive Examination (CE) compared with those who do not participate. Methods Two separate cohorts of individuals eligible for July 2014 and January 2015 CEs were invited to participate in this pilot. The CE scores for each cohort were compared between those who did and did not participate, controlling for the factors known to affect performance. For the first cohort, examination performances for topics covered and not covered by the MOCA Minute were analyzed separately. Results Six hundred sixteen diplomates in July 2014 and 684 diplomates in January 2015 took the CE for the first time. In multiple regression analysis, those actively participating scored 9.9 points (95% CI, 0.8 to 18.9) and 9.3 points (95% CI, 2.3 to 16.3) higher when compared with those not enrolled, respectively. Compared to the group that did not enroll in MOCA Minute, those who enrolled but did not actively participate demonstrated no improvement in scores. MOCA Minute participation was associated with improvement in both questions covering topics included the MOCA Minute and questions not covering these topics. Conclusions This analysis provides evidence that voluntary active participation in a program featuring frequent knowledge assessments accompanied by targeted learning resources is associated with improved performance on a high-stakes CE.

scholarly journals Demand Side Simulaton: Architecture And Performance

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jahanzeb Yousaf
Keyword(s):  
Distribution Systems ◽  
Database Management System ◽  
Demand Side ◽  
Simulation Engine ◽  
Agent Simulation ◽  
Utility Companies ◽  
Simulation Paradigm ◽  
Improved Performance ◽  
Complex Solutions ◽  
And Performance

In this thesis, we describe a simulator of residential power consumption, as the first step towards a comprehensive demand-side simulator in the context of smart grid. The si mulator uses a commercialRelational Database Management System (RDBMS) as its simulation engine, and is thus capable of supporting much larger simulated systems than other existing simulators which are mostly based on a multi-agent simulation paradigm. The RDBMS-based design also leads to much improved performance while requiring less resources than comparable MAS-based system. Moreover, simulator records all the events which exceed a certain threshold and in response controls demand and assures the stability of the system, based on the future and past events. furthermore, simulator can help utility companies to obtain initial data that can lead to the development of more complex solutions to monitor and control energy consumption, and thus identify target operating points for the generation and distribution systems, with the ultimate goal of balancing the demand and supply, and of improving energy efficiency at the utility level.

scholarly journals Self-Regulated Studying Behavior, and the Social Norms that Influence It

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Eyink ◽  
Benjamin Motz ◽  
Gordon Heltzel ◽  
Torrin Liddell
Keyword(s):  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Learning Goals ◽  
Social Approval ◽  
Injunctive Norms ◽  
Descriptive Norms ◽  
The Social ◽  
College Course ◽  
Improved Performance ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Influence Behavior

Teachers use injunctive norms when telling students what they should be doing. But researchers find that sometimes descriptive norms, information about what others are doing, more powerfully influence behavior. Currently, we examine which norm is more effective at increasing self-regulated studying and performance in an online college course. We found injunctive norms increased study behaviors aimed at fulfilling course requirements (completion of assigned activities), but did not improve learning outcomes. Descriptive norms increased behaviors aimed at improving knowledge (ungraded practice with activities after they were due), and improved performance. These results imply norms have a stronger influence over behavior when there is a match between the goal of the behavior (fulfilling course requirements vs. learning goals) and the pull of a stated norm (social approval vs. efficacy). Because the goal of education is learning, this suggests descriptive norms have a greater value for motivating self-regulated study in authentic learning environments.

The Gollin Incomplete Figures Test: A Flexible, Computerised Version

Perception ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 543-548 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nigel Foreman ◽  
Robert Hemmings
Keyword(s):  
Parietal Cortex ◽  
Visual Development ◽  
Long Term Memory ◽  
Clinical Test ◽  
Term Memory ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Age Range ◽  
Familiar Objects

The Gollin incomplete figures test has been used as a measure of visual development, as a clinical test for parietal cortex dysfunction, and to examine long-term memory in amnesic patients. It has traditionally been administered by using a series of three or five stimulus cards, successive cards containing progressively more information. A study is reported in which digitised outline drawings of familiar objects were presented via a computer, the percentage of the figure on the screen slowly increasing from 0 to 100. The original findings of Gollin were successfully replicated; children's performance on the task improved markedly over the age range 2–5 years, and performance improved dramatically over three tests in all subjects. Computerisation of the Gollin task provides a precise and versatile alternative to the original card version.

Working Model Design for Local Superior Commodities Development in Sukabumi Regency

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Reny Sukmawani ◽  
Sri Ayu Andayani
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Integrated Management ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Model Design ◽  
Working Model ◽  
Improved Performance ◽  
Resource Contribution ◽  
Extension Agencies ◽  
And Performance

Problems in agricultural development often encountered in almost all regions in Indonesia are the inadequate use of natural resource potentials, limited ability to manage resources, and lack of synergy between economic actors. These various problems require improved performance through integrated management and development of commodities from upstream to downstream. This research aims to design a working model for the development of local superior commodities in Sukabumi Regency through a survey method conducted in 33 subdistricts. The research resulted in a working model design for the development of local superior commodities in Sukabumi Regency which involved aspects of resource contribution (labor/human resources, natural resources, capital and infrastructure) as well as aspects of work and performance (farmer institutions, extension agencies, financial and marketing institutions, education, training, experiences, sales ability and product demand) to be able to generate advantages. Until now, agricultural development is still facing various obstacles and added value (profitability, market, productivity and learning). All components in the working model design for developing local superior commodities in Sukabumi Regency must be supported by government policies to maximize the increase in added value for both farmers and the community

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