A feasibility study on a novel well-being intervention for university students

Objectives: Challenging transitions, increased stress and mental ill health can affect students’ academic performance and their capacity to remain in higher education. Prevention and early treatment of mental health problems in college students is therefore a key public health priority, nationally and internationally. Developing a range of evidence-based interventions targeting the mental health of students is critical. We examined the feasibility and acceptability of a new universal time use and well-being intervention, the ‘Everyday Matters: Healthy Habits for University Life’ digital badge (EMDB), a co-curricular micro-credential for first-year college students. Methods: This study used a single-arm, pre–post design for first-year undergraduate students. The EMDB comprised eight 1-hour lunchtime sessions on brain development and time-use habits across the 24 hours of the day including sleep, self-care, leisure, study and work. Validated measures of occupational competence and value, mental well-being, sleep health, mindset, self-compassion and gratitude were completed, along with an evaluation questionnaire. Results: Eight first-year undergraduate students completed the demographic questionnaire and pre- and post- measures, with one additional student completing only the evaluation questionnaire. There was significantly improved levels of well-being, self-compassion and growth mindset following the intervention. Many of the challenges reported by participants related to occupational issues such as managing finances and having a satisfying routine. Participants appreciated the practical relevance and scientific underpinnings of the programme content. The sense of belonging within the group and having insightful conversations with other group members were particularly valued by participants. Conclusions: This study offers preliminary evidence that an occupational therapy based universal time-use and well-being intervention was feasible to deliver and acceptable to first-year undergraduate students. The results of this study and the participant acceptability support further development and evaluation of the EMDB intervention.

The Spoofing Detection of Dynamic Underwater Positioning Systems (DUPS) Based on Vehicles Retrofitted with Acoustic Speakers

The need of precision for underwater positioning and navigation should be considered as strict as those present at the sea surface. GNSS provides 4D positioning (XYZT). Each satellite contains two rubidium and two cesium atomic clocks. They are monitored by an atomic clock on the ground, and the entire system is constantly calibrated to a universal time standard, Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). GNSS receivers determine the time T to within 100 billionths of a second without the cost of owning, operating and maintaining an atomic clock. Of particular importance is the measurement of XYZT underwater. We assume that some surface vehicles are additionally equipped with an Acoustic Speaker, which transmits the XY coordinates of the vessel with an indication of accuracy and the time T of the vessel. Submarine vehicles determine their position by help of acoustic signals from several surface acoustic sources using the Time of Arrival (ToA) algorithm. Detection of Spoofing for the Dynamic Underwater Positioning Systems (DUPS) based on vehicles retrofitted with acoustic speakers is very actual problem. Underwater spoofing works as follows: N acoustic speaker on N ships transmit the coordinates . GNSS signals are susceptible to interference due to their very low power (−130 dBm) and can be easily jammed by other sources, which may be accidental or intentional. The spoofer, like an underwater vehicle, receives these signals from N vessels, distorts them and transmits with increased acoustic power. All receivers into the spoofed area will calculate the same coordinates, so the indication of the coincidence of coordinates from a pair of diversity receivers is an indication of spoofing detection.

Extensive cosmic showers detection: the importance of timing and the role of GPS in the EEE experiment

Extreme Energy Events (EEE) is an extended Cosmic Rays (CRs) Observatory, composed of about 60 tracking telescopes spread over more than 10 degrees in Latitude and Longitude. We present the metrological characterization of a representative set of actually installed EEE GPS receivers, their calibration and their comparison with respect to dual-frequency receivers for timing applications, as well as plans for a transportable measurement system to calibrate the currently deployed GPS receivers. Finally, the realization of an INRIM Laboratory dedicated to EEE, aimed at hosting reference telescopes and allowing timing studies for Particle Physics/Astrophysics experiments, is presented, as well as the possibility of synchronizing already deployed telescopes utilizing White Rabbit Technique, over optical fiber links, directly with the Universal Time Coordinated time scale, as realized by INRIM (UTC(IT)).

Optimal VLBI baseline geometry for UT1-UTC Intensive observations

One of the main tasks of Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) is the rapid determination of the highly variable Earth’s rotation expressed through the difference between Universal Time UT1 and Coordinated Universal Time UTC (dUT1). For this reason, dedicated one hour, single baseline sessions, called “Intensives”, are observed on a daily basis. Thus far, the optimal geometry of Intensive sessions was understood to include a long east–west extension of the baseline to ensure a dUT1 estimation with highest accuracy. In this publication, we prove that long east–west baselines are the best choice only for certain lengths and orientations. In this respect, optimal orientations may even require significant inclination of the baseline with respect to the equatorial plane. The basis of these findings is a simulation study with subsequent investigations in the partial derivatives of the observed group delays $$\tau $$ τ with respect to dUT1 $$\partial \tau /\partial dUT1$$ ∂ τ / ∂ d U T 1 . Almost 3000 baselines between artificial stations located on a regular $$10 \times 10$$ 10 × 10 degree grid are investigated to derive a global and generally valid picture about the best length and orientation of Intensive baselines. Our results reveal that especially equatorial baselines or baselines with a center close to the equatorial plane are not suited for Intensives although they provide a good east–west extension. This is explained by the narrow right ascension band of visible sources and the resulting lack of variety in the partial derivatives. Moreover, it is shown that north–south baselines are also capable of determining dUT1 with reasonable accuracy, given that the baseline orientation is significantly different from the Earth rotation axis. However, great care must be taken to provide accurate polar motion a priori information for these baselines. Finally, we provide a better metric to assess the suitability of Intensive baselines based on the effective spread of $$\partial \tau /\partial dUT1$$ ∂ τ / ∂ d U T 1 .