bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Why Must Everything Be So Complicated? Demands and Challenges on Methods for Analyzing School Improvement Processes
Authors: Feldhoff Tobias , Radisch Falk 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIn the recent years, awareness has risen by an increasing number of researchers that we need studies that appropriately model the complexity of school improvement if we want to increase our knowledge about school improvement substantially and to close the identified research gaps within this field (Feldhoff T, Radisch F, Klieme E, J Educ Admin 52(5):565–736, 2014; Hallinger P, Heck RH, School Effect School Improv 22(2):149–173, 2011; Sammons P, Davis S, Day C, Gu Q, J Educ Admin 52(5):565–589, 2014). So far, respective quantitative studies, that appropriately consider those complexities, have hardly been realized because of the high efforts of current methods and costs involved (Feldhoff T, Radisch F, Bischof LM, J Educ Admin 2(54):209–240, 2016). It is, therefore, apparent to look for new, innovative methods that can adequately take into account the complexity of school improvement. For a reasonable search and selection of innovative methods, it is necessary to describe the systematic complexity of school improvement and the resulting requirements for the methods in more detail. This is a central goal in this chapter. For this reason, we present our framework of complexity. We then formulate questions that will prompt the reader to reflect critically upon the methods in general and especially in this volume.
School Improvement Capacity – A Review and a Reconceptualization from the Perspectives of Educational Effectiveness and Educational Policy
Authors: Reynolds David , Neeleman Annemarie 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIt is argued that the field of school improvement (SI) has developed rapidly over the last 30 years, but that it needs to develop further to help in the development of educational systems around the world. Specifically: (1) The early focus in the field which argued for ‘contextually variable’ interventions needs to be rediscovered in a world where solutions are increasingly regarded as universals (as in the PISA discourse); (2) The field needs to focus more on classrooms and teaching given that contemporary analyses show much greater explanatory variance there than at the (much studied) school ‘level’; (3) The field needs to move beyond using simplistic formulations about what makes ‘good’ schools to embrace formulations that concern how to make schools ‘good’; (4) The field needs to move beyond the simplistic early analyses of either the home determinants of learning or ‘school’ ones and acknowledge that both schools and communities/homes need to be synergistically the focus of our improvements efforts. There are therefore questions to ask about the current utility of SI for professionals in education who may be orientated to a different skill set than that of educational effectiveness and improvement currently.
Reframing Educational Leadership Research in the Twenty-First Century
Authors: NG David 
Published: June 2021

AbstractFor the last three decades, reviews on instructional leadership have pointed to studies that predominantly adopted conventional social science research methodologies, specifically analytical tools, such as descriptive, causal factor, correlational and advanced modelling. These methods have constraints and limitations, which include that variable-based linear models measures are treated as ‘rigorously real’ measures of social reality, that individuals use rational deduction (ignoring the value premise of decision-making), and that individuals are treated as independent and individualized. This paper proposes and illustrates how research approaches of complexity science can be applied within the social system to address complex instructional leadership questions. Consequently, reframing instructional leadership research through the lens of complexity science provides the most viable approach to understand the adaptive processes and the dynamic system of schools.
The Structure of Leadership Language: Rhetorical and Linguistic Methods for Studying School Improvement
Authors: Lowenhaupt Rebecca 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIn this chapter, I discuss the justification for a linguistic turn in the study of school improvement with an emphasis on the language of leadership, and in particular persuasion, in the implementation of reform. In addition to exploring the ways in which discourse analysis can be used more generally to understand the nature of school improvement, I also focus on the particular method of rhetorical analysis as it can be leveraged to understand how the structure of language can be in and of itself an improvement strategy for educational leaders. After discussing the methodological approach, I share examples of studies of principals’ talk in the context of reform and the findings that emerged. I then consider the methodological implications of this rhetorical and linguistic turn, before ending with implications for future research and practice about the role of language in improvement efforts.
Designing and Piloting a Leadership Daily Practice Log: Using Logs to Study the Practice of Leadership
Authors: Spillane James P. , Zuberi Anita 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThis article aims to validate the Leadership Daily Practice (LDP) log, an instrument for conducting research on leadership in schools. Using a combination of data sources—namely, a daily practice log, observations, and open-ended cognitive interviews—the authors evaluate the validity of the LDP log. Formal and informal leaders were asked to complete the LDP log for 2 weeks; observers shadowed a subsample of leaders in each school, 1 day per week. Using the three sources of data, the authors analyzed interview responses (specifically, the participants’ interpretations of the log); they matched log entries with observer recordings; and they compared (a) the characteristics of the social interactions that were entered into the log with (b) the overall sample of interactions that occurred while observers shadowed participants. The study shows that LDP log entries capture school leadership interactions as recorded by independent observers; it also demonstrates that study participants, with some exceptions, were not biased toward reporting certain types of interactions over others. Still, some log terminologies were problematic for participants, as was the limited sampling period of 2 weeks. The authors propose ways to (a) change the LDP log to reflect the concerns raised by participants in the cognitive interviews and (b) alter the sampling scheme to capture leadership around the school year. The LDP log is less costly and time-consuming than in-depth ethnographic studies, and it is an important tool for researchers who aim to collect data in schools, one that reaches beyond surveys.
Preferential Attachment with Location-Based Choice: Degree Distribution in the Noncondensation Phase
Authors: Grauer Arne , Lüchtrath Lukas , Yarrow Mark 
Published: June 2021

AbstractWe consider the preferential attachment model with location-based choice introduced by Haslegrave et al. (Random Struct Algorithms 56(3):775–795, 2020) as a model in which condensation phenomena can occur. In this model, each vertex carries an independent and uniformly distributed location. Starting from an initial tree, the model evolves in discrete time. At every time step, a new vertex is added to the tree by selectingrcandidate vertices from the graph with replacement according to a sampling probability proportional to these vertices’ degrees. The new vertex then connects to one of the candidates according to a given probability associated to the ranking of their locations. In this paper, we introduce a function that describes the phase transition when condensation can occur. Considering the noncondensation phase, we use stochastic approximation methods to investigate bounds for the (asymptotic) proportion of vertices inside a given interval of a given maximum degree. We use these bounds to observe a power law for the asymptotic degree distribution described by the aforementioned function. Hence, this function fully characterises the properties we are interested in. The power law exponent takes the critical value one at the phase transition between the condensation–noncondensation phase.
Introducing Identity
Authors: Griffiths Owen , Ahmed Arif 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe best-known syntactic account of the logical constants is inferentialism . Following Wittgenstein’s thought that meaning is use, inferentialists argue that meanings of expressions are given by introduction and elimination rules. This is especially plausible for the logical constants, where standard presentations divide inference rules in just this way. But not just any rules will do, as we’ve learnt from Prior’s famous example of tonk, and the usual extra constraint is harmony. Where does this leave identity? It’s usually taken as a logical constant but it doesn’t seem harmonious: standardly, the introduction rule (reflexivity) only concerns a subset of the formulas canvassed by the elimination rule (Leibniz’s law). In response, Read [5, 8] and Klev [3] amend the standard approach. We argue that both attempts fail, in part because of a misconception regarding inferentialism and identity that we aim to identify and clear up.
Inaction, under-reaction action and incapacity: communication breakdown in Italy’s vaccination governance
Authors: Attwell Katie , Harper Tauel , Rizzi Marco , Taylor Jeannette , Casigliani Virginia , Quattrone Filippo , Lopalco PierLuigi 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThis article explores why governments do not respond to public compliance problems in a timely manner with appropriate instruments, and the consequences of their failure to do so. Utilising a case study of Italian vaccination policy, the article considers counterfactuals and the challenges of governing health policy in an age of disinformation. It counterposes two methods of governing vaccination compliance: discipline, which uses public institutions to inculcate the population with favourable attitudes and practices, and modulation, which uses access to public institutions as a form of control. The Italian government ineffectively employed discipline for a number of years. Epistemological and organisational constraints stymied its efforts to tackle a significant childhood vaccination compliance problem. With a loss of control over the information environment, vaccinations were not served well by exogenous crises, the sensationalism of the news cycle and online misinformation. Hampered by austerity, lack of capacity and epistemic shortcomings, the Italian government did not protect the public legitimacy of the vaccination programme. Instead of employing communications to reassure a hesitant population, they focused on systemic and delivery issues, until it was too late to do anything except make vaccinations mandatory (using modulation). The apparent short-term success of this measure in generating population compliance does not foreclose the need for ongoing governance of vaccine confidence through effective discipline. This is evident for the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, with many Italians still indicating that they would not accept a vaccine despite the devastation that the disease has wrought throughout their country.
TIRADS, SRE and SWE in INDETERMINATE thyroid nodule characterization: Which has better diagnostic performance?
Authors: Celletti Ilaria , Fresilli Daniele , De Vito Corrado , Bononi Marco , Cardaccio Sara , Cozzolino Alessia , Durante Cosimo , Grani Giorgio , Grimaldi Gianmarco , Isidori Andrea M. , Catalano Carlo , Cantisani Vito 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Purpose
To assess Strain Ratio (SRE) and Shear Wave Elastography (SWE) accuracy alone and with TIRADS classification, for the risk stratification of indeterminate thyroid nodules.

Materials and methods
128 Patients with 128 indeterminate nodules candidates for thyroidectomy underwent preoperative staging neck ultrasound and were classified according to K-TIRADS score. After TIRADS evaluation, semi-quantitative (SRE) and quantitative (SWE expressed in kPa) elastosonography were performed and relative diagnostic performances, alone and in combination, were compared through ROC curves analysis. In order to maximize the SRE and SWE sensitivity and specificity, their cut-off values were calculated using the Liu test. Bonferroni test was used to evaluate statistically significant differences with a p value < 0.05.

Results
Sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV were, respectively, 71.4%, 82.4%, 62.5%, 87.5% for K-TIRADS baseline US, 85.7%, 94.1%, 85.7%, 94.1% for SRE and 57.1%, 79.4%, 53.3%, 81.8% for SWE (kPa expressed). SRE evaluation showed the best diagnostic accuracy compared to the SWE (kPa expressed) (p < 0.05) and to the K-TIRADS (p > 0.05). The association of SRE with conventional ultrasound with K-TIRADS score increased sensitivity (92.9% vs 71.4%) but decreased the specificity than conventional US alone (76.5% vs 82.4%).

Conclusion
Strain Elastosonography can be associated with K-TIRADS US examination in the thyroid nodule characterization with indeterminate cytology; in fact, adding the SRE to K-TIRADS assessment significantly increases its sensitivity and negative predictive value. However, further multicenter studies on larger population are warranted.
Tribological behavior comparisons of high chromium stainless and mild steels against high-speed steel and ceramics at high temperatures
Authors: Cui Shaogang , Liu Yangzhen , Wang Tong , Tieu Kiet , Wang Long , Zeng Dahai , Li Zhou , Li Wei 
Published: June 2021

AbstractHigh-temperature tribology, which is often involved during hot metal forming, is controlled via oxidation on a rubbing surface. However, for high chromium stainless steel (ST), where oxidation is strongly inhibited, the effect of counterface materials on tribological behavior is yet to be elucidated. In this study, the effects of counterfaces on the tribological behavior of 253MA ST and mild steel (MS) are investigated via a ball-on-disc test at 900 °C using a 20 N load. The results reveal that high-speed steel (HSS) experiences severe abrasive wear with MS and causes severe sticking problems with ST. Si3N4 and SiC present substantially stronger abrasive wear resistance than HSS with MS, and the friction coefficients are dependent on the type of ceramic. Both ceramics can facilitate the establishment of a thick tribo-oxide layer (> 3 µm) on ST to prevent sticking; however, this is accompanied by severe pull-out and fracture wear. The effects of the counterface on the mechanical properties of the tribo-oxide layer, near-surface transformation, and the responses of the tribo-oxide layer to friction and wear are discussed. This study contributes to the understanding of interfacial tribological behaviors when different types of tools are used on MS and ST.
Umsetzung des Arbeitsschutzes während der SARS-CoV-2-Pandemie in Friseursalons
Authors: Michaelis Martina , Stößel Ulrich , Stranzinger Johanna , Nienhaus Albert 
Published: June 2021

ZusammenfassungHintergrundZur Einhaltung (Adhärenz) von Arbeitsschutzvorgaben bestehen in Deutschland wenig empirische Erkenntnisse. Empfehlungen zur Prävention von SARS-CoV-2-Infektionen im Friseurhandwerk wurden im Frühjahr 2020 von der Berufsgenossenschaft für Gesundheitsdienst und Wohlfahrtspflege (BGW) in einem Arbeitsschutzstandard bereitgestellt.FragestellungInwieweit werden die Inhalte der Empfehlungen in dieser Branche aus Sicht von Friseurkund:innen umgesetzt und eingehalten?Material und MethodenDie Erhebung erfolgte als verdeckte teilnehmende Beobachtungsstudie zwischen Anfang Oktober und Mitte Dezember 2020 als nichtsystematische Gelegenheitsstichprobe in 3 Städten. Das standardisierte Erhebungsinstrument umfasste 3 Bereiche: a) Maßnahmen allgemeiner Art, vorwiegend technischer Art, b) im Kontakt mit der Kundin/dem Kunden und c) auf individueller Ebene zur Infektionsprävention. Die Ergebnisse auf Einzel- und Gesamtebene wurden in einem standardisierten Summenindex (0–1) zur SARS-CoV-2-Arbeitsschutzstandard-Adhärenz zusammengefasst. Mittels nonparametrischem Wilcoxon-Test wurden mögliche Unterschiede zwischen den 3 Subindizes geprüft.ErgebnisseDer Gesamtindex zur Adhärenz von 162 Beobachtungen beträgt 0,75 (SD: 0,14). Die Werte der beiden Subindizes zur Infektionsprävention im Kontakt mit dem/der Kund:in (z. B. Hinweis auf Verhaltensregeln) und auf individueller Schutzebene (Tragen einer Mund-Nasen-Bedeckung) sind signifikant besser als der zu allgemeinen Maßnahmen (z. B. Händereinigungsmöglichkeit für Kund:innen).DiskussionDie beobachtete Adhärenz zur Vermeidung von SARS-CoV-2-Infektionen in Friseurbetrieben ist höher, als dies subjektive Erfahrungen der BGW zur Arbeitsschutzadhärenz nahelegen. Dies könnte auch mit der in der Öffentlichkeit diskutierten Infektionsgefährdung erklärt werden. Die Ergebnisse weisen eine leicht niedrigere Adhärenz im Vergleich mit Erkenntnissen auf, die in rund 400 standardisierten Befragungen durch die BGW-Präventionsdienste gewonnen wurden.LimitationenAngesichts der nichtsystematischen Gelegenheitsstichprobe kann eine (positive) Verzerrung der Ergebnisse nicht ausgeschlossen werden.
Effects of vegetation management on the composition and diversity of the insect community at Tianjin Binhai International Airport, China
Authors: Zhao Shulan , Li Zhifei , Duo Lian 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe vegetation community affects the composition and diversity of the insect community in grasslands. To explore the effects of vegetation management on insect community abundance and diversity, regular mowing of the vegetation was conducted, and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) and ryegrass (Lolium perenne) were exclusively planted at Tianjin Binhai International Airport. A total of 1886 insects were collected, representing 8 orders, 23 families, and 29 species; Acrididae (Orthoptera), Coccinellidae (Coleoptera), and Chironomidae (Diptera) were the dominant taxa. The abundance and biomass of insects in the turf areas were significantly lower than those in the control area and were reduced by 45.8 and 48.5% in the ryegrass area, respectively. In all areas, insect abundance and biomass peaked in summer, and the abundance of individuals and taxa decreased as the temperature decreased. Greater diversity and richness were found in summer compared with the other two seasons, and the turf areas had lower diversity and richness indices than the control areas in spring and summer. Our results suggest that the abundance, biomass and diversity of insects can be effectively decreased by artificial regulation of grassland vegetation at the airport, the planting of a single turfgrass – specifically ryegrass had the greatest effect. The present study provides a theoretical basis for the ecological control of insects at the airport.
The association between history of prenatal loss and maternal psychological state in a subsequent pregnancy: an ecological momentary assessment (EMA) study
Authors: Lazarides Claudia , Moog Nora K. , Verner Glenn , Voelkle Manuel C. , Henrich Wolfgang , Heim Christine M. , Braun Thorsten , Wadhwa Pathik D. , Buss Claudia , Entringer Sonja 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundPrenatal loss which occurs in approximately 20% of pregnancies represents a well-established risk factor for anxiety and affective disorders. In the current study, we examined whether a history of prenatal loss is associated with a subsequent pregnancy with maternal psychological state using ecological momentary assessment (EMA)-based measures of pregnancy-specific distress and mood in everyday life.MethodThis study was conducted in a cohort of N = 155 healthy pregnant women, of which N = 40 had a history of prenatal loss. An EMA protocol was used in early and late pregnancy to collect repeated measures of maternal stress and mood, on average eight times per day over a consecutive 4-day period. The association between a history of prenatal loss and psychological state was estimated using linear mixed models.ResultsCompared to women who had not experienced a prior prenatal loss, women with a history of prenatal loss reported higher levels of pregnancy-specific distress in early as well as late pregnancy and also were more nervous and tired. Furthermore, in the comparison group pregnancy-specific distress decreased and mood improved from early to late pregnancy, whereas these changes across pregnancy were not evident in women in the prenatal loss group.ConclusionOur findings suggest that prenatal loss in a prior pregnancy is associated with a subsequent pregnancy with significantly higher stress and impaired mood levels in everyday life across gestation. These findings have important implications for designing EMA-based ambulatory, personalized interventions to reduce stress during pregnancy in this high-risk group.
Electric infrastructure poses a significant threat at congregation sites of the globally threatened Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis in Saudi Arabia
Authors: SHOBRAK MOHAMMED , ALASMARI SAHEEM , ALQTHAMI ABDULAZIZ , ALQTHAMI FAHAD , AL-OTAIBI ABDOULRAHMAN , AL ZOUBI MOHAMMAD , EL MOGHRABI LAITH , JBOUR SHARIF , GHAZAL ASSWAD NABEGH , OPPEL STEFFEN , ARKUMAREV VOLEN , NIKOLOV STOYAN C. 
Published: June 2021

SummarySaudi Arabia is the fastest growing electricity consumer in the Middle East, with a rapidly expanding network of powerlines. Bird mortality through electrocution and collision has been recorded in the country, but so far there is little information as to how much the electricity infrastructure affects globally threatened raptor populations that migrate to Saudi Arabia. In 2019, the world’s largest wintering congregation of Steppe Eagles Aquila nipalensis was discovered near a rubbish dump in central Saudi Arabia. We evaluated whether powerlines in the vicinity of this, and another congregation site, caused mortality of large birds. In November 2019, we surveyed powerlines within 6 km of two focal rubbish dumps at Al Qunfudhah (12.4 km) and Ushaiqer (2 km). We found 52 carcasses of five species, of which 85% were Steppe Eagles. Based on the age of these carcasses, we coarsely extrapolate that 14.4 km of powerlines near these two congregation sites may kill 94–240 Steppe Eagles per winter, representing up to 0.3% of their global population. We call for the urgent safeguarding of powerlines that cause mortality near known Steppe Eagle congregation sites, and the adoption and implementation of regulations that ensure that future infrastructure is constructed with designs that are safe for birds.
A Compass During the Storm: Offering Students Critical Rigor for Polarizing Times
Authors: Wender Andrew M. , D’Erman Valerie J. 
Published: June 2021

ABSTRACTTeaching and learning in higher education is occurring, unavoidably, within the broader civic context of today’s extraordinarily polarizing political times. We seek to help students situate themselves with respect to and, above all, thoughtfully assess others’ as well as their own perspectives on issues of profound contention, without contributing to exacerbated polarization ourselves. Specifically, we offer students in our first-year exploratory political science course a vital tool—critical rigor—for navigating but not being inundated by the storm. This article discusses our experiences in teaching the course titled, “The Worlds of Politics,” as we attempt to help students deeply engage in cognitive processes of critical thinking and analysis, without undue infringement from their own—and least of all our own—personal political biases. Our focal learning objective is the cultivation of critical-thinking skills that promote students’ drawing of distinctions between advocacy and analysis, as well as their discerning civic engagement.