bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bullying in higher education: an endemic problem?
Authors: Tight Malcolm
Published: June 2023

We may think that bullying is a childish behaviour that is left behind on finishing school, or that universities and colleges are too cultured and intellectual as institutions to have room for such behaviour, but these hopes are far from the truth. The research evidence shows that bullying of all kinds is rife in higher education. Indeed, it seems likely that the peculiar nature of higher education actively encourages particular kinds of bullying. This article provides a review of the research on bullying in higher education, considering what this shows about its meaning, extent and nature, and reviews the issues that have been identified and possible solutions to them. It concludes that, while there is much that higher education institutions need to do to respond effectively to bullying, revisiting their traditions and underlying purposes should support them in doing so.
Towards Characterization of Skin Melanoma in the Clinic by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) Spectroscopy and Imaging of Melanin
Authors: Wehbi Mohammad , Harkemanne Evelyne , Mignion Lionel , Joudiou Nicolas , Tromme Isabelle , Baurain Jean-François , Gallez Bernard
Published: June 2023

The incidence of melanoma is continuously increasing over time. Melanoma is the most aggressive skin cancer, significantly reducing quality of life and survival rates of patients at advanced stages. Therefore, early diagnosis remains the key to change the prognosis of patients with melanoma. In this context, advanced technologies are under evaluation to increase the accuracy of the diagnostic, to better characterize the lesions and visualize their possible invasiveness in the epidermis. Among the innovative methods, because melanin is paramagnetic, clinical low frequency electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) that characterizes the melanin content in the lesion has the potential to be an adjunct diagnostic method of melanoma. In this review, we first summarize the challenges faced by dermatologists and oncologists in melanoma diagnostic and management. We also provide a historical perspective on melanin detection with a focus on EPR spectroscopy/imaging of melanomas. We describe key elements that allow EPR to move from in vitro studies to in vivo and finally to patients for melanoma studies. Finally, we provide a critical view on challenges to meet to make EPR operational in the clinic to characterize pigmented lesions.
Removal of mercury from water by phytoremediation process with Salvinia natans(L.) All.
Authors: Sitarska Magdalena , Traczewska Teodora , Hołtra Anna , Zamorska-Wojdyła Dorota , Filarowska Wiktoria , Hanus-Lorenz Beata
Published: June 2023

Mercury contamination from human activities is a severe environmental problem. The low cost of rhizofiltration of heavy metal-contaminated environments is causing an increasing interest in these technologies. The present study demonstrates the effectiveness of mercury removal from water by phytoremediation using S. natans. Plants cultured and collected from the environment were used. The study used Hoagland’s liquid medium contaminated with mercury: 0.15, 0.20, and 0.30. The bioconcentration factor obtained was 275–780. The relative growth rate was up to 0.12 g/gd and was much better for cultured plants than those collected from the environment. The removal rate of toxic metal was up to 94%. Total protein increased for cultures plants by up to 84%, while it decreased by up to 30% for those taken from the environment. Total chlorophyll for cultured plants decreased by up to 54%, which could be due to the toxic effect of the metal.
Calorie restriction mimetic drugs could favorably influence gut microbiota leading to lifespan extension
Authors: Shintani Tomoya , Shintani Hideya , Sato Masashi , Ashida Hisashi
Published: June 2023

Calorie restriction (CR) can prolong human lifespan, but enforcing long-term CR is difficult. Thus, a drug that reproduces the effects of CR without CR is required. More than 10 drugs have been listed as CR mimetics (CRM), and some of which are conventionally categorized as upstream-type CRMs showing glycolytic inhibition, whereas the others are categorized as downstream-type CRMs that regulate or genetically modulate intracellular signaling proteins. Intriguingly, recent reports have revealed the beneficial effects of CRMs on the body such as improving the host body condition via intestinal bacteria and their metabolites. This beneficial effect of gut microbiota may lead to lifespan extension. Thus, CRMs may have a dual effect on longevity. However, no reports have collectively discussed them as CRMs; hence, our knowledge about CRM and its physiological effects on the host remains fragmentary. This study is the first to present and collectively discuss the accumulative evidence of CRMs improving the gut environments for healthy lifespan extension, after enumerating the latest scientific findings related to the gut microbiome and CR. The conclusion drawn from this discussion is that CRM may partially extend the lifespan through its effect on the gut microbiota. CRMs increase beneficial bacteria abundance by decreasing harmful bacteria rather than increasing the diversity of the microbiome. Thus, the effect of CRMs on the gut could be different from that of conventional prebiotics and seemed similar to that of next-generation prebiotics.
The role of emotions in human–nature connectedness within Mediterranean landscapes in Spain
Authors: Otamendi-Urroz Irene , Quintas-Soriano Cristina , Martín-López Berta , Expósito-Granados Mónica , Alba-Patiño Daniela , Rodríguez-Caballero Emilio , García-Llorente Marina , Castro Antonio J.
Published: June 2023

Landscapes can lead to different emotions towards nature that in turn shape people’s environmental behavior and decision processes. This study explores the role of emotions that Mediterranean landscapes foster in people and to what extent these emotions are associated with human–nature connectedness (HNC). We conducted 176 face-to-face surveys to explore HNC and the diversity of emotions associated with a suite of landscapes in Southeast Spain. Results revealed that Marine and Coastal Protected Areas received the highest number of positive emotions, whereas Greenhouses and Non-Protected Littoral were linked to negative emotions. We propose a framework for classifying emotional landscapes according to four groups: emotionally positive, negative, polarized or neutral. Results showed that emotions might play a key role in shaping HNC in Spanish Mediterranean landscapes and may be used as a common ground for understanding roots underpinning human decisions and actions that lead to sustainable management or landscape degradation.
Disparities in the impacts of co-management on fishers’ livelihoods
Authors: Ruano-Chamorro Cristina , Gurney Georgina G. , Barnes Michele L. , Gelcich Stefan , Cinner Joshua E.
Published: June 2023

Natural resources are widely managed through collaborative governance arrangements (e.g., co-management) which often result in the uneven distribution of costs and benefits among fishers. Discrepancies in how a fisher is impacted by co-management relative to other fishers or others in the community (i.e., disparity) can negatively affect fishers’ wellbeing, their support for management, and subsequently, ecological outcomes. Yet, disparities in the distribution of social impacts from co-management have rarely been assessed. We address this gap by examining disparities (losses and gains) in perceived livelihood impacts from co-management. Losses (or gains) occur when a fisher experiences a more negative (or positive) impact on their livelihood relative to other fishers or others in the community. We used data from interviews with 1191 fishers associated with 48 coral reef co-management arrangements across Kenya, Tanzania, Madagascar, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea to examine how socioeconomic and institutional characteristics were associated with losses and gains from co-management. Overall, we found that more fishers perceived equality than disparities in the distribution of co-management impacts. Of those that perceived disparities, more fishers perceived losses than gains. We also found that disparities could be predicted by a range of socioeconomic characteristics, including distance to markets and wealth, and institutional characteristics of the co-management regime, such as gear, access, and area restrictions. This study provides insights on potential entry points that could be used by managers and policy-makers to promote equitable co-management of small-scale fisheries, such as the reduction of losses by increasing participation in decision-making processes, fostering conflict resolution mechanisms, prioritizing gear restrictions over area restrictions, and reducing poverty.
Beyond global versus local: illuminating a cosmolocal framework for convivial technology development
Authors: Kostakis Vasilis , Niaros Vasilis , Giotitsas Chris
Published: June 2023

A reconceptualisation of technology, as a vital component of modern society cutting across all its other aspects, is required to achieve social and environmental sustainability. This paper presents a convivial technology development framework using the concept of “cosmolocal” production. The latter captures the dynamic of dispersed technology initiatives, which exhibit conceptualisations of living, working and making around the commons. It is a structural framework for organising production by prioritising socio-ecological well-being over corporate profits, over-production and excess consumption. From the vantage point of Tzoumakers, a cosmolocal initiative in which the authors participate, this paper offers an empirical account of its conception and evolution. We further examine its relation and cooperation with various similar interconnected places in urban and rural settings.
Pituitary function at presentation and following therapy in patients with non-functional pituitary macroadenomas: a single centre retrospective cohort study
Authors: Hussein Ziad , Marcus Hani J. , Grieve Joan , Dorward Neil , Kosmin Michael , Fersht Naomi , Bouloux Pierre Marc , Jaunmuktane Zane , Baldeweg Stephanie E.
Published: June 2023

Background

Non-functioning pituitary macroadenomas (NFPMs) may present with hypopituitarism. Pituitary surgery and radiotherapy pose an additional risk to pituitary function.

Objectives

To assess the incidence of hypopituitarism at presentation, the impact of treatment, and the likelihood of endocrine recovery during follow-up.

Methods

All patients treated surgically with and without radiotherapy for NFPMs between 1987 and 2018 who had longer than six months follow-up were identified. Demographics, presentation, investigation, treatment, and outcomes were collected.

Results

In total, 383 patients were identified. The median age was 57 years, with a median follow-up of 8 years. Preoperatively, 227 patients (227/375; 61%) had evidence of at least one pituitary deficiency. Anterior panhypopituitarism was more common in men (p = 0.001) and older patients (p = 0.005). Multiple hormone deficiencies were associated with large tumours (p = 0.03). Patients treated with surgery and radiotherapy had a higher incidence of all individual pituitary hormone deficiency, anterior panhypopituitarism, and significantly lower GH, ACTH, and TSH deficiencies free survival probability than those treated with surgery alone. Recovery of central hypogonadism, hypothyroidism, and anterior panhypopituitarism was also less likely to be reported in those treated with surgery and radiotherapy. Those with preoperative hypopituitarism had a higher risk of pituitary impairment at latest review than those presented with normal pituitary function (p = 0.001).

Conclusion

NFPMs are associated with a significant degree of hypopituitarism at time of diagnosis and post-therapy. The combination of surgery and radiotherapy is associated with a higher risk of pituitary dysfunction. Recovery of pituitary hormone deficit may occur after treatment. Patients should have regular ongoing endocrine evaluation post-treatment to assess changes in pituitary function and the need for long-term replacement therapy.
Lectotypification of names in Parkia R.Br. (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae, mimosoid clade) for Africa and Madagascar
Authors: Hopkins Helen C. F.
Published: June 2023

Ten specific names plus those of three varieties, which refer to the four currently recognised species of Parkia in Africa and Madagascar (P. bicolor A.Chev., P. biglobosa (Jacq.) R.Br. ex G.Don, P. filicoidea Welw. ex Oliv., P. madagascariensis R.Vig.), are listed. Their types are enumerated with lectotypes indicated where necessary and in a few cases, a second-step lectotypification is made. Two further names are invalid and illegitimate respectively. Two tables summarise the synonymy of these names according to major flora treatments and revisions of the genus. Connections between the botanist Robert Brown, who established the genus Parkia, and the explorer Mungo Park, after whom Brown named it, are described briefly.
TRAF inhibition drives cancer cell apoptosis and improves retinoic acid sensitivity in multiple cancers models
Authors: Zhong Kun , Liu Xiaojun , Ding Weihua , Peng Lizhong , Zeng Xuhui , Gu Yayun
Published: June 2023

TNF receptor-associated factors (TRAFs) are signaling adaptor proteins that play a crucial role in regulating cellular receptors’ signaling transduction to downstream pathways and exert multifaceted roles in regulating signaling pathways, cell survival, and carcinogenesis. The 13-cis-retinoic acid (RA), an active metabolite of vitamin A, exhibits anti-cancer properties, but the development of retinoic acid resistance poses a challenge in clinical application. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between TRAFs and retinoic acid sensitivity in various cancers. Here, we revealed that TRAFs’ expression varied significantly across The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cancer cohorts and human cancer cell lines. Additionally, inhibiting TRAF4, TRAF5, or TRAF6 improved retinoic acid sensitivity and reduced colony formation in ovarian cancer and melanoma cells. Mechanistically, knocking down TRAF4, TRAF5, or TRAF6 in retinoic acid-treated cancer cell lines increased the levels of procaspase 9 and induced cell apoptosis. Further in vivo studies using the SK-OV-3 and MeWo xenograft models confirmed the anti-tumor effects of TRAF knockdown combined with retinoic acid treatment. These findings support that combination therapy with retinoic acid and TRAF silencing may offer significant therapeutic advantages in treating melanoma and ovarian cancers.
Market system dynamics (MSD): A process-oriented review of the literature
Authors: Pedeliento Giuseppe , Mangiò Federico , Murtas Gabriele , Andreini Daniela
Published: June 2023

The renewed interest in the market as a unit of analysis has increased adoption of a market system dynamics (MSD) perspective. Since studies drawing on MSD have significant overlaps with other research traditions equally focused on market changes, we trace the theoretical boundaries of the literature on MSD, and unpack its evolution, in order to appreciate conceptual achievements and research directions. Building on change-process theorizing and on a reiterative processual multi-stage research strategy, we conduct a systematic review of the literature on MSD. We organize the findings into three stages of MSD’s maturation–infancy, adolescence, and adulthood–and show that MSD has grown into a market approach that is ever more multi-actor, theoretically-plural, and based on longitudinal methodologies. The existing literature has gradually shifted towards a balance in agency and structure in market change, and towards a more cautious view on the consumer’s role. Under-researched areas are pinpointed, along with research avenues that can further reinforce MSD.
Cognitive tuning in the STEM classroom: communication processes supporting children’s changing conceptions about data
Authors: Fry Kym , English Lyn , Makar Katie
Published: June 2023

The teaching and learning of statistical thinking begins at a young age in Australia, with a focus on data representation and interpretation from Foundation Year (age 5), and the collection, sorting and categorising of items from the natural environment starting even earlier. The intangible concept of data, as part of statistical literacy, can be complex for children to grasp, especially when applying the notion of data to the everyday world or when data are explored in isolation to an investigation process. Authentic data modelling experiences present meaningful opportunities to apply statistical thinking although expert STEM knowledge is not always accessible to primary classroom teachers, nor is it always obvious how to implement such authentic problems within a classroom context. In this exploratory case study, we present data from a Year 4 classroom (age 9) statistical investigation addressing, ‘How big is a leaf?’ linking data to the real-life STEM context they represented. The authors were interested in how the teacher’s communication processes supported her students’ emerging understandings about data. Wit’s (2018) cognitive tuning framework offered a way to capture how the communication processes in a group build to a commonly shared frame of reference. Findings revealed a pattern of communication between the teacher and students, supporting students’ changing conceptions of data and related statistical thinking processes, throughout the investigation.
Transcultural Aspects of Cannabis Use: a Descriptive Overview of Cannabis Use across Cultures
Authors: Rafei Parnian , Englund Amir , Lorenzetti Valentina , Elkholy Hussien , Potenza Marc N. , Baldacchino Alexander M.
Published: June 2023

Purpose of Review

This narrative review summarises cultural aspects of cannabis use across different (sub)cultures, nations, and gender, racial, and ethnic groups. Specifically, we aimed to overview historical and traditional contexts of cannabis use and physical and mental health-related correlates, as well as emerging cannabis-related policies and their impacts on medicinal and recreational use of cannabis. In addition, we discuss how cultural factors may affect cannabis use behaviours and sociocultural underpinnings of cannabis use disorder trajectories.

Recent Findings

Cannabis is the most widely cultivated, trafficked, and used illicit drug worldwide, although cannabis is being legalised in many jurisdictions. More than 4% of individuals globally have used cannabis in the last year. Being traditionally used for religious and ritualistic purposes, today cannabis use is interwoven with, and influenced by, social, legal, economic, and cultural environments which often differ across countries and cultures. Notably, empirical data on distinct aspects of cannabis use are lacking in selected underrepresented countries, geographical regions, and minority groups.

Emerging global policies and legislative frameworks related to cannabis use have impacted the prevalence and attitudes toward cannabis in different subcultures, but not all in the same way. Therefore, it remains to be elucidated how and why distinct cultures differ in terms of cannabis use. In order to understand complex and bidirectional relationships between cannabis use and cultures, we recommend the use of cross-cultural frameworks for the study of cannabis use and its consequences and to inform vulnerable people, clinical practitioners, and legislators from different world regions.
Concentration or distraction? A synergetic-based attention weights optimization method
Authors: Wang Zihao , Li Haifeng , Ma Lin , Jiang Feng
Published: June 2023

The attention mechanism empowers deep learning to a broader range of applications, but the contribution of the attention module is highly controversial. Research on modern Hopfield networks indicates that the attention mechanism can also be used in shallow networks. Its automatic sample filtering facilitates instance extraction in Multiple Instances Learning tasks. Since the attention mechanism has a clear contribution and intuitive performance in shallow networks, this paper further investigates its optimization method based on the recurrent neural network. Through comprehensive comparison, we find that the Synergetic Neural Network has the advantage of more accurate and controllable convergences and revertible converging steps. Therefore, we design the Syn layer based on the Synergetic Neural Network and propose the novel invertible activation function as the forward and backward update formula for attention weights concentration or distraction. Experimental results show that our method outperforms other methods in all Multiple Instances Learning benchmark datasets. Concentration improves the robustness of the results, while distraction expands the instance observing space and yields better results. Codes available at https://github.com/wzh134/Syn.
GIPC-GAN: an end-to-end gradient and intensity joint proportional constraint generative adversarial network for multi-focus image fusion
Authors: Li Junwu , Li Binhua , Jiang Yaoxi
Published: June 2023

As for the problems of boundary blurring and information loss in the multi-focus image fusion method based on the generative decision maps, this paper proposes a new gradient-intensity joint proportional constraint generative adversarial network for multi-focus image fusion, with the name of GIPC-GAN. First, a set of labeled multi-focus image datasets using the deep region competition algorithm on a public dataset is constructed. It can train the network and generate fused images in an end-to-end manner, while avoiding boundary errors caused by artificially constructed decision maps. Second, the most meaningful information in the multi-focus image fusion task is defined as the target intensity and detail gradient, and a jointly constrained loss function based on intensity and gradient proportional maintenance is proposed. Constrained by a specific loss function to force the generated image to retain the information of target intensity, global texture and local texture of the source image as much as possible and maintain the structural consistency between the fused image and the source image. Third, we introduce GAN into the network, and establish an adversarial game between the generator and the discriminator, so that the intensity structure and texture gradient retained by the fused image are kept in a balance, and the detailed information of the fused image is further enhanced. Last but not least, experiments are conducted on two multi-focus public datasets and a multi-source multi-focus image sequence dataset and compared with other 7 state-of-the-art algorithms. The experimental results show that the images fused by the GIPC-GAN model are superior to other comparison algorithms in both subjective performance and objective measurement, and basically meet the requirements of real-time image fusion in terms of running efficiency and mode parameters quantity.
Low-Intensity Mindfulness and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder: Pilot Study
Authors: Noda Shota , Honda Yumi , Komatsu Chika , Hasegawa Yosuke , Hasegawa Asuka , Minami Fusaka , Shirotsuki Kentaro , Nakao Mutsuhiro , Kaiya Hisanobu
Published: June 2023

A four-session program of mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy (M-CBT) is a low-intensity treatment module for individuals with high cost/probability bias and social anxiety symptoms. We tested its effectiveness with 23 patients with social anxiety disorder. The patients completed a set of questionnaires that evaluated social anxiety symptoms, cost/probability bias, fear of negative evaluation from others, self-focused attention, trait mindfulness, depressive symptoms, cognitive reappraisal, and suppression at pretreatment, the time before each session of treatment, post-treatment, and follow-up. Linear mixed-effects models showed that the M-CBT was effective for social anxiety symptoms, cost/probability bias, fear of negative evaluation from others, self-focused attention, trait mindfulness, depressive symptoms, and cognitive reappraisal. The M-CBT also produced significant pre-post-improvements in social anxiety symptoms and cost bias with high effect sizes (social anxiety symptoms: d = 1.04–1.06, cost bias: d = 0.82–1.02). These results suggest that M-CBT is effective for treating social anxiety symptoms and cost bias. This study demonstrates that M-CBT is feasible and acceptable for social anxiety disorder. It may comprise a treatment module for those who do not respond to traditional cognitive behavioral therapy. Trial registration number: University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN CTR) UMIN000043720, Registered 23 Mar 2021.
A causal loop diagram of older persons’ emergency department visits and interactions of its contributing factors: a group model building approach
Authors: Smeekes Oscar S. , Willems Hanna C. , Blomberg Ilse , Buurman Bianca M.
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Understanding the etiology of older persons’ emergency department (ED) visits is highly needed. Many contributing factors have been identified, however, the role their interactions play remains unclear. Causal loop diagrams (CLDs), as conceptual models, can visualize these interactions and therefore may elucidate their role. This study aimed to better understand why people older than 65 years of age visit the ED in Amsterdam by capturing the interactions of contributing factors as perceived by an expert group in a CLD through group model building (GMB).

Methods

Six qualitative online focus group like sessions, known as GMB, were conducted with a purposefully recruited interdisciplinary expert group of nine that resulted in a CLD that depicted their shared view.

Results

The CLD included four direct contributing factors, 29 underlying factors, 66 relations between factors and 18 feedback loops. The direct factors included, ‘acute event’, ‘frailty’, ‘functioning of the healthcare professional’ and ‘availability of alternatives for the ED’. All direct factors showed direct as well as indirect contribution to older persons’ ED visits in the CLD through interaction.

Conclusion

Functioning of the healthcare professional and availability of alternatives for the ED were considered pivotal factors, together with frailty and acute event. These factors, as well as many underlying factors, showed extensive interaction in the CLD, thereby contributing directly and indirectly to older persons’ ED visits. This study helps to better understand the etiology of older persons’ ED visits and in specific the way contributing factors interact. Furthermore, its CLD can help to find solutions for the increasing numbers of older adults in the ED.
Ethnic segregation and spatial patterns of attitudes: studying the link using register data and social simulation
Authors: Feliciani Thomas , Tolsma Jochem , Flache Andreas
Published: June 2023

We theorize the causal link between ethnic residential segregation and polarization of ethnic attitudes within and between ethnic groups (e.g. attitudes towards immigration policies, multiculturalism, tolerance or trust in certain ethnic groups). We propose that the complex relationship between segregation and polarization might be explained by three assumptions: (1) ethnic membership moderates social influence–residents influence each other’s attitudes and their ethnic background moderates this influence; (2) spatial proximity between residents increases opportunities for influence; (3) the degree of ethnic segregation varies across space–and therefore, the mix of intra- and inter-ethnic influence also varies across space. We borrow and extend an (agent-based) simulation model of social influence to systematically explore how these three assumptions affect the polarization of ethnic attitudes within and between ethnic groups under the assumptions made in the model. We simulate neighborly interactions and social influence dynamics in the districts of Rotterdam, using empirically observed segregation patterns as input of our simulations. According to our model, polarization in ethnic attitudes is stronger in districts and parts of districts where mixing of ethnic groups allows for many opportunities to interact with both the ethnic ingroup and the outgroup. Our study provides a new theoretical perspective on polarization of ethnic attitudes by demonstrating that the segregation-polarization link can emerge as an unintended outcome from repeated intra- and inter-ethnic interactions in segregated spaces.
Das Konstrukt der Verbundenheit und seine Bedeutung für das Handschreiben
Authors: Odersky Eva , Speck-Hamdan Angelika , Lenzgeiger Barbara , Stark Maximilian , Lohrmann Katrin
Published: June 2023

Ausgehend von einer unverbundenen Druckschrift und einer meist im 2. Schuljahr erlernten verbundenen Ausgangsschrift ist die Entwicklung einer persönlichen Handschrift ein Ziel des Grundschulunterrichts. Dabei stellt sich die Frage, welche Schriften – eher unverbunden oder eher verbunden – Schülerinnen und Schüler am Ende der 4. Jahrgangsstufe schreiben. Offen ist zudem, wie die Zugehörigkeit zu einer Klasse und die von den Schülerinnen und Schülern empfundene Freiheit der Schriftwahl mit der Verbundenheit der Schrift zusammenhängen. Auch Zusammenhänge zwischen der Verbundenheit der Schriften und ihrer Automatisierung sind bisher nicht geklärt. Zur Beantwortung dieser Fragen wurden im Rahmen einer querschnittlich-quantitativen Studie Schriftproben von 322 Schülerinnen und Schülern der 4. Jahrgangsstufe untersucht. Hier wurde deutlich, dass sich jenseits der erlernten unverbundenen bzw. verbundenen Ausgangsschriften individuelle Weiterentwicklungen hin zu teilverbundenen Schriften zeigen; insgesamt konnten sieben Kategorien identifiziert werden. Die Analyse der Chi-Quadrat-Tests, der multinomialen logistischen Regressionen sowie der linearen Regressionsmodelle weisen auf die Bedeutung der Klassenzugehörigkeit für die Handschriften der Kinder hin und deuten an, dass vor allem teilverbundene Schriften einen hohen Grad an Automatisierung aufweisen.
Development and Initial Validation of a School Self-assessment Tool to Measure the Extent to Which Schools are Prepared to Prevent and Respond to Cyberbullying and Other Challenges to the School Social Environment
Authors: Van Dyke Nina , MacDonald Fiona , Bajayo Rachael , Nguyen Chinh Duc , Leung Cynthia , Francis Sophie
Published: June 2023

Bullying, which includes cyberbullying and face-to-face bullying, is amongst the most pervasive threats to the wellbeing of children and young people. As social environments, schools are at the forefront of managing bullying behaviours. The rapidly changing and complex nature of bullying requires schools to put in place and maintain systems to prepare for and respond to such activities, and to continually test and refine these systems to ensure optimal performance. Despite this clear need, there is a lack of school level, self-assessment tools that enable schools to assess and measure their preparedness to deal with bullying and related disruptive activities. The aim of this paper was to describe the development, and reliability and validity testing, of such a tool—the School Self-Assessment Tool. The result is a 22-item, evidence-based, reliable, and validated instrument, situated within socio-ecological theory, and drawing on theories of behaviourism, social learning theory, prevention science, and systems change in the school climate literature. Schools may use the SSAT-22 in a number of ways depending on their needs, including to monitor progress, examine areas of strengths or challenges, and/or assist in collaborative efforts with other schools.
Pain Catastrophizing Related to Psychological Inflexibility, Self-Reported Injuries and Perfectionism in Soccer Referees
Authors: Arbinaga Félix
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This study aimed to analyze how psychological flexibility, perfectionism, and reported injuries are related to pain catastrophizing in soccer referees.

Methods

Design: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Setting: Data were collected online from 199 soccer referees. Pain catastrophizing was assessed with the Pain Catastrophizing Scale, psychological inflexibility with the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire, and perfectionism with the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale. Data were also gathered on other injury-related variables.

Results

Referees with medium–high scores on psychological inflexibility showed greater pain catastrophizing (t = 5.322, P < 0.001), rumination (t = 4.004, P < 0.001), helplessness (t = 5.023, P < 0.001) and magnification (t = 5.590, P < 0.001) than those with low scores. Psychological inflexibility emerged as a significant predictor of catastrophizing (β = 0.313, P = 0.006). A slight relationship was found between perfectionism and catastrophizing. For all subscales, the referees who reported mild–moderate injuries in the last three seasons showed greater pain catastrophizing, while those with severe injuries obtained higher scores on all dimensions of catastrophizing except magnification. Finally, those who reported severe injuries only obtained higher scores on rumination and helplessness.

Conclusion

These results provide a better understanding of the variables that influence pain perception. Possible interventions are suggested based on the observation that greater psychological flexibility was associated with lower pain catastrophizing, with the specific features of the latter depending on the presence and severity of the injury.
Knitting Circular Ties: Empowering Networks for the Social Enterprise-led Local Development of an Integrative Circular Economy
Authors: Pusz Małgorzata , Jonas Andrew E. G. , Deutz Pauline
Published: June 2023

Circular economy (CE) discourse primarily focuses on business-as-usual and resource-related economic processes whilst overlooking relational-spatial aspects, especially networking for local development. There are, however, many mission-driven social enterprises (SEs) engaging in short-loop activities at the neighbourhood and city scales (e.g., reuse, upcycling, refurbishing or repair). Such localised activities are often overlooked by mainstream policies, yet they could be vital to the local development of the CE into a more socio-environmentally integrated set of localised social structures and relations. This paper examines the role of SEs, their networks and structures in building a more socially integrated CE in the City of Hull (UK). Drawing upon the Social Network Analysis approach and semi-structured interviews with 31 case study SEs representing variegated sectors (e.g., food, wood/furniture, textiles, arts and crafts, hygiene, construction/housing, women, elderly, ethnic minorities, homeless, prisoners, mentally struggling), it maps SEs’ cross-sector relationships with private, public and social sector organizations. It then considers how these network constellations could be ‘woven’ into symbiotic relationships between SEs whilst fostering knowledge spillovers and resource flows for the local development of a more socially integrative CE. We contend that integrating considerations of SEs’ organizational attributes and their socio-spatial positioning within networks and social structures offers new insights into the underlying power-relations and variegated levels of trust within the emergent social-circular enterprise ecosystem. These aspects are presented in the form of a comprehensive heuristic framework, which reveals how respective organizational and network characteristics may impact SEs’ performance outcomes and, ultimately, a more integrated approach to local CE development.
ON EQUIVALENCE RELATIONS INDUCED BY LOCALLY COMPACT ABELIAN POLISH GROUPS
Authors: DING LONGYUN , ZHENG YANG
Published: June 2023

Given a Polish group G, let

$E(G)$

be the right coset equivalence relation

$G^{\omega }/c(G)$

, where

$c(G)$

is the group of all convergent sequences in G. The connected component of the identity of a Polish group G is denoted by

$G_0$

.

Let

$G,H$

be locally compact abelian Polish groups. If

$E(G)\leq _B E(H)$

, then there is a continuous homomorphism

$S:G_0\rightarrow H_0$

such that

$\ker (S)$

is non-archimedean. The converse is also true when G is connected and compact.

For

$n\in {\mathbb {N}}^+$

, the partially ordered set

$P(\omega )/\mbox {Fin}$

can be embedded into Borel equivalence relations between

$E({\mathbb {R}}^n)$

and

$E({\mathbb {T}}^n)$

.
Hidden Sources of Anti-Muslim Attitudes: Joint Effects of Interactions and Exposure to Out-Groups
Authors: Tanaka Seiki
Published: June 2023

Interactions between social identity groups can reduce perceptions of threatening out-groups and improve inter-group attitudes. But these interactions have an inevitable side effect: while an interaction may improve attitudes among its participants, the same interaction can increase exposure to out-groups in the proximity of the interaction, leading to increased perceptions of threat among those not participating in the interaction. With such negative externalities in mind, this paper argues that the presence of a large number of out-group members both improves and aggravates native attitudes toward out-groups in the same area, which may, in the aggregate, conceal a hot spot of anti-immigration attitudes. This study examines the effects of interaction and exposure through a series of surveys of native attitudes toward Muslim immigrants in the Netherlands. While the exposure effect was not observed, empirical analyses suggest that brief interactions tend to worsen negative attitudes toward Muslims, possibly due to their physical and religious appearances. This highlights the importance of visual cues in shaping inter-group relations, as these visual cues may prompt natives to sort out interactions based on appearance, hindering efforts to promote inter-group contact between Muslims and non-Muslims.
The benefits of nurturant-involved parenting for children’s internalizing symptoms and cardiometabolic health in high-risk contexts
Authors: Wiggins Elizabeth R. , Brisson Julie M. , Lavner Justin A. , Ehrlich Katherine B.
Published: June 2023

Despite evidence that nurturant-involved parenting is linked with children’s social, psychological, and physiological development, less is known about the specific contexts in which nurturant-involved parenting is most beneficial for children’s mental and physical health. The present study examined how associations between nurturant-involved parenting and children’s internalizing symptoms and cardiometabolic risk varied as a function of children’s stress and discrimination. Participants included 165 Black and Latinx children (Mage= 11.5 years) and their guardians. Children reported on their ongoing stress, experiences of discrimination, and internalizing symptoms (depression and anxiety). Guardians provided information about their nurturant-involved parenting practices. Children’s cardiometabolic risk was assessed as a composite reflecting a high level of systolic or diastolic blood pressure, waist circumference, HbA1c, triglycerides, and low HDL cholesterol. Regression analyses indicated that among youth who reported high levels of stress and discrimination, nurturant-involved parenting was negatively associated with cardiometabolic risk. Although children’s stress and discrimination were significantly associated with their internalizing symptoms, neither stress nor discrimination moderated the relation between nurturant-involved parenting and internalizing symptoms. Results highlight the significant role that parents play in shaping children’s health, particularly among youth experiencing high levels of stress and discrimination.
Debris:Machine learning, archive archaeology, digital audio waste
Authors: Alonso Trillo Roberto , Poliks Marek
Published: June 2023

This article fragments and processesDebris, a project developed to formalise the creative recycling of digital audio byproducts.Debrisbegan as an open call for electronic compositions that take as their point of departure gigabytes of audio material generated through training and calibratingDemiurge, an audio synthesis platform driven by machine learning. TheDebrisproject led us down rabbitholes of structural analysis: what does it mean to work with digital waste, how is it qualified, and what new relationships and methodologies do this foment? To chart the fluid boundaries ofDebrisand pin down its underlying conceptualisation of sound, this article introduces a framework ranging from archaeomusicology to intertextuality, from actor-network theory to Deleuzian assemblage, from Adornian constellation to swarm intelligence to platform and network topology. This diversity of approaches traces connective frictions that may allow us to understand, from the perspective ofDebris, what working with soundmeansunder the regime of machine intelligence. How has machine intelligence fundamentally altered the already shaky diagram connecting humans, creativity and history? We advise the reader to approach the text as a multisensory experience, listening toDebriswhile navigating the circuitous theoretical alleys below.
Development and psychometric evaluation of the Symptom Self-Management Behaviors Tool for adolescents/young adults with cancer
Authors: Stegenga Kristin , Erickson Jeanne M. , Linder Lauri , Macpherson Catherine Fiona , Elswick R.K. , Ameringer Suzanne
Published: June 2023

Objectives

Adolescents and Young Adults (AYAs) with cancer experience symptoms related to disease and treatment. To manage these symptoms, they need to develop self-management behaviors, yet no tool exists to assess these behaviors. The Symptom Self-Management Behaviors Tool (SSMBT) was developed to meet this need.

Methods

The study consisted of 2 phases. Phase 1 evaluated content validity, and Phase 2 evaluated reliability and validity. The SSMBT initially contained 14 items with 2 dimensions: (1) behaviors used to Manage Symptoms and (2) behaviors used to communicate with providers regarding symptoms. Four oncology professionals and 5 AYAs with cancer assessed the content validity. Evaluation of reliability and validity involved 61 AYAs with cancer. Reliability was evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha. Construct validity was assessed with factor analysis. Discriminant validity was assessed using associations with symptom severity and distress.

Results

Content validity evaluation supported the importance of the items. Factor analysis supported a two-factor structure: Manage Symptoms (8 items) and Communicate with Healthcare Providers (4 items) subscales. Internal consistency reliability for the total SSMBT was acceptable with Cronbach’s alpha = 0.74. Cronbach’s alpha value for the Manage Symptoms subscale was α = 0.69 and for the Communicate with Healthcare Providers subscale was α = 0.78. The SSMBT total and the Manage Symptoms subscale scores were moderately correlated with symptom severity (r = 0.35, p = 0.014; r = 0.44, p = 0.002, respectively), partially supporting discriminant validity.

Significance of results

Systematic assessment of behaviors AYAs use is critical for clinical practice and evaluate interventions to improve self-management. The SSMBT demonstrates initial reliability and validity but requires further evaluation for clinical interpretation and future use.
Inconsistent Coral Bleaching Risk Indicators Between Temperature Data Sources
Authors: Neo V. H. F. , Zinke J. , Fung T. , Merchant C. J. , Zawada K. J. A. , Krawczyk H. , Maina J. M.
Published: June 2023

Coral reefs are facing severe threats and are at risk of accelerated decline due to climate change‐induced changes in their environment. Ongoing efforts to understand the mechanisms of coral response to warming rely on multiple sources of temperature data. Yet, it remains uncertain whether the Sea Surface Temperature (SST) data used for coral reef studies are consistent among different data products, despite potential implications for conservation. A better understanding of the consistency among the different SST data applied to coral reefs may facilitate the fusion of data into a standard product. This will improve monitoring and understanding of the impact of global warming on coral reefs. Four types of SST data across North‐Western and South‐Western Australia are compared to assess their differences and ability to observe high thermal stress during historical coral bleaching events. The four SST data sources included those derived from Global Circulation Models, NOAA CoralTemp SST product, ESA CCI SST product, and coral core derived SST. Coral bleaching risk indicators, Degree Heating Week (DHW), and Degree Heating Month (DHM) were calculated using these sources and compared for consistency. DHW and DHM were inconsistent among data sets and did not accurately reflect high thermal stress metrics during moderate and severe bleaching events. Some reefs did not experience bleaching in spite of high DHWs and DHMs, suggesting a mismatch in data scales, or perhaps other oceanographic factors and coral adaptation. By exploring the differences and similarities among these four data sources, this study highlights the need to compare existing indicators of thermal stress from different data sets.
Modeling the Atmospheric Ionization Rate During a Geomagnetic Reversal
Authors: Svensmark J.
Published: June 2023

The Matuyama‐Brunhes reversal of Earth's magnetic dipole field took place 0.78 Ma ago, and detailed temporally resolved paleomagnetic data are available for this period. A geomagnetic reversal is expected to impact the cosmic ray flux, which in turn affects atmospheric ionization rates. To assess the magnitude of this effect, three preexisting models are used in tandem to yield 3D time series of the atmospheric ionization rates for the entire globe during the reversal. Specifically the time variable paleomagnetic field data is input into a particle trajectory calculator to produce geomagnetic cutoff rigidity maps for the entire globe. This is combined with an empirical model of the local interstellar cosmic ray spectrum and ionization yield functions based on Monte Carlo atmospheric particle simulations to produce novel time variable 3D atmospheric ionization rates during the reversal. As the dipole field weakens, the atmospheric ionization increases at low latitudes. The increase is ca. 25% at the surface and up to a factor of 5 in the upper atmosphere. Globally, ionization rates increase around 13% at the surface and up to a factor of 2 in the upper atmosphere, whereas polar regions are largely unaffected. Finally, the change in ionization due to the solar 11‐year cycle is greatly affected by the reversal. The relative change in atmospheric ionization between solar‐minimum and solar‐maximum varies between 2 and two orders of magnitude.
Classifying Interplanetary Discontinuities Using Supervised Machine Learning
Authors: Dumitru Daniel , Munteanu Costel
Published: June 2023

Directional discontinuities (DDs) are defined as abrupt changes of the magnetic field orientation. We use observations from ESA's Cluster mission to compile a database of events: Four thousand two hundred and sixteen events are identified in January–April 2007, and 5,194 in January–April 2008. Localized time scale images depicting angular changes are created for each event, and a preliminary classification algorithm is designed to distinguish between: simple—isolated events, and complex—multiple overlapping events. In 2007, 1,806 events are preclassified as simple, and 2,410 as complex; in 2008, 1,997 events are simple, and 3,197 are complex. A supervised machine learning approach is used to recognize and predict these events. Two models are trained: one for 2007, which is used to predict the results in 2008, and vice versa for 2008. To validate our results, we investigate the discontinuity occurrence rate as a function of spacecraft location. When the spacecraft is in the solar wind, we find an occurrence rate of ∼2 DDs per hour and a 50/50% ratio of simple/complex events. When the spacecraft is in the Earth's magnetosheath, we find that the total occurrence rate remains around 2 DDs/hr, but the ratio of simple/complex events changes to ∼25/75%. This implies that about half of the simple events observed in the solar wind are classified as complex when observed in the magnetosheath. This demonstrates that our classification scheme can provide meaningful insights, and thus be relevant for future studies on interplanetary discontinuities.