Gradual Process Research Articles

Influencing factors and mechanisms of the primary and secondary school students’ science aspirations: evidence from 8501 students in China

ABSTRACT Background Students’ science aspirations has received much attention worldwide in recent years, and becoming an important goal of science education. Although many studies have pointed out several factors potentially influencing science aspirations, there is still a relative lack of research on the specific mechanisms at play. Purpose This study aims to collectively discuss the effects of science capital, learning experiences, attitudes, self-efficacy, and outcome expectations on science aspirations and the mechanisms of these five factors in predicting students’ science aspirations. Sample This study was conducted with 8,501 primary and secondary school students from 320 schools in China. Design and methods The validity of the instrument was verified through EFA and CFA. The strength of the relationships between different variables was measured through correlation analysis. Direct effect analysis was used to establish the effect of the variables on science aspirations. Mediation effect analysis was used to test a series of pathways for mechanisms of action. Results The developed instrument is valid. Science capital, learning experiences, self-efficacy, attitudes, and outcome expectations were able to influence science aspirations significantly and positively. The mediation between science capital and science aspirations was established, specifically as a chain mediation. Conclusion The development of students’ science aspirations is a gradual process that is facilitated by coordinating the combined effects of science capital, learning experiences, self-efficacy, attitudes and outcome expectations in education.

Adapting innovation capabilities in emerging economies: the role of learning and cultural and institutional distance in MNC subsidiaries in Korea

Purpose The rise of emerging economies in the innovation landscape has often been attributed to the positive spillovers of innovation capabilities from multinational corporations (MNCs). However, it is less certain that their innovative capabilities imported from the home country function effectively in the host country from the outset. This study examines the performance of the innovation capabilities of MNC subsidiaries in emerging economies over time by considering the gradual process of their learning about host countries.Design/methodology/approach We employed stochastic frontier analysis to measure innovation capabilities, our focal construct. For regression analysis, we applied the Mundlak estimator, a variant of the fixed-effects panel estimator, to a sample comprising subsidiaries of MNCs from technologically advanced nations operating in Korea between 2006 and 2016.Findings Our results indicate that the innovation capabilities of MNC subsidiaries initially underperform those of local firms but improve over time, eventually surpassing the capabilities of their local counterparts. Furthermore, our findings reveal that institutional distance amplifies the underperformance of the innovation capabilities of MNC subsidiaries.Originality/value This study contributes to the literature by extending both theoretical development and empirical measurement of innovation capabilities in cross-national settings. Additionally, it deepens our understanding of whether and how MNC subsidiaries adapt their innovation capabilities to the local market environment.

From a final exam to continuous assessment on a large Bachelor level engineering course

ABSTRACT A typical practice of assessment in engineering studies, especially on large Bachelor level courses, is a final exam at the end of the course. This practice is problematic both in terms of learning and teaching, as it does not provide feedback on learning experience or student progress before the course is completed. This study examines the gradual process of moving from a final exam towards continuous assessment that integrates the practices of summative and formative assessment. The aim is to understand how the changes affect student performance on the course over a period of four years. The changes were implemented on a large Bachelor level engineering course. The impact of adding practices of continuous assessment was analyzed in relation to the course pass rate, grade distribution, and student feedback. The results show that replacing the final exam with weekly homework improved student performance. Some of the identified differences are statistically significant. Student feedback implies that moving towards continuous assessment had a positive impact on the learning experience. The results support increased use of continuous assessment in the assessment of student learning on large Bachelor level engineering courses.

Ethical Expectations of Academic Research by College Undergraduate Students

The development of research skills is a gradual process that assumedly should start at the undergraduate level. This article aims to explore what research-related skills professional bachelor (undergraduate) students are expected to acquire in Lithuanian colleges. Using a conventional approach of content analysis, the authors analysed twenty-nine descriptors of study fields applied to colleges and sixteen codes of ethics of Lithuanian colleges to identify research-related learning outcomes (learning skills) and ethics norms. Their findings suggest that undergraduate students are not recognized as a contributing part of the research community, although they are expected to be involved in research. Some study fields are more research-oriented than others; however, compliance with research ethics is implied only in eight study fields. Student research activity is even less addressed in the codes of ethics than in the descriptors of study fields.

Challenges Associated with the Identification of Autism Spectrum Condition Symptomatology in Girls: A Grounded Theory Lite Approach

IntroductionFemale Autism Spectrum Conditions (FASC) often go without a proper diagnosis, receive misdiagnoses, or are diagnosed late in life compared to males.These circumstances can lead to negative consequences in their overall health, emotional well-being, educational attainment, job opportunities, and independence. There is a growing body of literature highlighting distinctions between females and males in the context of autism. Regrettably, these insights are not effectively making their way into practical applications. While shifting entrenched perspectives among practitioners is a gradual process, there is an immediate and pressing need for change in this regard. Numerous misconceptions persist regarding the presentation of FASC, hindering the recognition of its diverse effects based on an individual’s cis-gender identity or other factors.ObjectivesThe purpose of this study is to identify key challenges associated with the identification of ASC symptomatology in girls, with the goal of informing future research and clinical practice.MethodsUsing constant comparative analysis applicable to grounded theory lite with an inductive approach, this study employs an interpretative research methodology with a focus on generating theory from qualitative data, albeit with certain shortcuts or less resource-intensive steps. Data were collected through interviews providing insights into their experiences, behaviors, and developmental history, observations enabling to capture real-time behavioral and communicative patterns., and notes during first and initial developmental assessment, as well as using ADOS-II with some participants (according to referrals and parents’ decision), in the period of 3 years (2020-2023) from 25 girls age 18 months to 15 years and their mothers, and occasionally both parents.ResultsPreliminary findings indicate a complex interplay of behavioral, communicative, and social challenges in these girls, shedding light on potentially distinctive patterns of symptom expression in comparison to boys. Furthermore, barriers hindering parental involvement in the diagnostic process have also been identified. This study holds significant importance as it may inform future research efforts aimed at addressing these challenges that currently impede clinicians in the early identification of FASC, which manifests quite differently in girls compared to boys.ConclusionsTaking into account certain study limitations, the significance of this research lies in its capacity to influence future research initiatives. By illuminating the obstacles that hinder clinicians in the early detection of FASC, which manifest distinctively in girls compared to boys, it emphasizes the pressing need to address these challenges. This, in turn, enhances early detection and support systems for FASC, ultimately contributing to their well-being and quality of life.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

A primary care-led weight management intervention for adults with diabetes and obesity: qualitative results from a randomised controlled trial of total meal replacement (DiRECT)

The UK Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial (DiRECT) demonstrated that a weight loss strategy consisting of: (1) 12 weeks total diet replacement; (2) 4 to 6 weeks food reintroduction; and (3) a longer period of weight loss maintenance, is effective in reducing body weight, improving glycaemic control, and facilitating type 2 diabetes remission(1). The DiRECT protocol is now funded for type 2 diabetes management in the UK(2). Type 2 diabetes is a growing problem in Aotearoa New Zealand(3), but the acceptability and feasibility of the DiRECT intervention in our diverse sociocultural context remains unclear. We conducted a randomised controlled trial of DiRECT within a Māori primary healthcare provider in O¯tepoti Dunedin. Forty participants with diabetes and obesity who wanted to lose weight were randomised to receive the DiRECT intervention or usual care. Both groups received the same level of individualised support from an in-house dietitian. We conducted individual, semi-structured interviews with 26 participants after 3 months. Questions explored perspectives and experiences, barriers and facilitators, and future expectations regarding dietary habits and weight loss. Interview transcripts were analysed using inductive thematic analysis(4). Participants struggled with weight management prior to the study. Advice from doctors, friends and whānau, and the internet was prolific, yet often impractical or unclear. The DiRECT intervention was mentally and physically challenging, but rapid weight loss and an improved sense of health and wellbeing enhanced motivation. Participants identified strategies which supported adaptation and adherence. Food reintroduction beyond 3 months was an exciting milestone, but the risk of reverting to previous habits was daunting. Participants feared weight regain and felt ongoing guidance was required for a successful transition to a real-food diet. Conversely, usual care participants described a gradual and ongoing process of health-focused dietary modification. While this approach did support behaviour change, a perceived slow rate of weight loss was often frustrating. Across both interventions, self-motivation and whānau support contributed to perceived success, whereas busy lifestyles, social and cultural norms, and financial concerns presented additional challenges. The role of individualised and non-judgemental dietetic support was a central theme across both groups. In addition to nutrition education and practical guidance, the in-house dietitian offered encouragement and promoted self-acceptance among participants. At 3 months, positive shifts in perspectives surrounding food, health, and sense of self were identified, which participants largely attributed to the level of nutrition support received: a new experience for many. The DiRECT protocol appears an acceptable weight loss approach among New Zealanders with diabetes and obesity, but tailored dietetic and behavioural support must be prioritised in its implementation. Future research should examine the broader health benefits associated with providing greater dietetic support and the cost-effectiveness of employing nutrition-trained health professionals within the primary care workforce.

<새끼 서 발> 설화의 놀이적 성격

The folktale Six-yard [seo-bal] Straw Rope is unique. Its formal characteristic of cumulative repetition is prominent, and the story is well-developed, making it seem sufficiently open to interpretation. However, discussing the meaning is not as easy as anticipated. This is because the coherence of characters and the causality of events, often emphasized when understanding works centered on content, is lacking, and the structure of the ending is dispersed. This study addresses these issues by focusing on the formal characteristics of the work; it seeks to reinterpret these formal features from a playful perspective.
 The Six-yard Straw Rope follows a format similar to phrase-tail linking folk songs. The gradual exchange process from the six-yard straw rope to the maiden unfolds as a weaving play characterized by phrase-tail linking. The key in narrativizing lies in ‘creating a situation,’ which entails crafting a specific and appropriate situation where two objects can be exchanged. Ultimately, Six-yard Straw Rope is created by aptly weaving various situations where low- and high-value items can be exchanged into a narrative. This study names it the ‘Situation-Weaving Play.’ The lack of consistency in character portrayal and causality in event development and the dispersed structure of the resolution all stem from the playful nature of the work.
 The playful characteristic of the Six-yard Straw Rope is deeply related to the situational thinking encouraged in oral culture. Utilizing common objects found in everyday spaces to create appropriate situations in folktales is the ultimate play that enhances situational thinking in oral culture. Folktales with a situational play abound beyond Six-yard Straw Rope, with Mole’s Wedding being a prime example. The charm of situational play, based on situational thinking, lies in the fact that humble objects like a six-yard straw rope can become a maiden or silk when well combined with situations, and even a humble mole can become the finest groom in the world under various situations.

Peritoneal remodeling and changes in its lymphoid component in experimental modeling of adhesion disease in rats

Age changes, inflammatory processes, surgical interventions and heterogeneous pathological effects on the physiological processes of the peritoneum lead to certain changes in the structure of the components of the peritoneum, which leads to remodeling of the tissue structures of the abdominal cavity. According to the literature, the most frequent consequence of such remodeling of tissue structures of the peritoneum is the development of an adhesion process. To date, there are no data on the study of the lymphoid component of mesentery tissues, which is the goal of further research. The purpose of the work: to study the process of remodeling of peritoneal tissue during experimental adhesion formation and the specificity of changes in its lymphoid component in rats compared to the norm. Research materials and methods: preparation, macroscopic, microscopic, histological (production of film preparations), staining of preparations with hematoxylin and eosin, mathematical (morphometric grids - counting the number of immunocompetent cells per 1000 μm2 standard area), statistical processing according to Student. Results: experimental adhesion disease is characterized by a gradual process of remodeling of the mesenteric tissues of the small intestine and, as a result, the formation of connective tissue neoplasms. The mesentery of the small intestine loses its elasticity and mobility and thickens considerably. The process of experimental adhesion formation was accompanied by dynamic changes in the number of lymphocytes. Conclusions: these structures are thin and homogeneous on the 7th day; hard, dense and granular on the 14th day; contain solid conglomerates of heterogeneous structures on the 21st day after talc injection. The number of lymphocytes in this structure gradually increases: on day 7 - by 2 % in animals of group II, on day 14 - by 30 % in animals of group III, and on day 21 - by 36 % in animals of group IV, compared to animals of the intact group

Exploring the practice of integrating innovation and entrepreneurship teaching in visual communication design professional courses using hybrid optimization based ANFIS

The convergence of visual communication design with unique effects, graphic design, as well as virtual reality, which is becoming progressively more popular, has created a new paradigm for education in recent years. However, emerging evidence indicates that their integration into the world of learning is a somewhat gradual and intricate process. The present research proposes a novel algorithm and a functional model of artificial intelligence technology design to automatically arrange graphic language in visual communication design. In visual communication design, the goal orchestration function used to determine the display size of buffer images is the difference between the minimum and maximum values of the number of orchestration screens. An ant colony method is used in visual communication design to identify the optimal locations for visuals to be presented, and ASM semantics is used to characterize the visual languages. In order to accomplish the invention and development of a visual communication design style, the suggested algorithm has to be programmed and executed. It employs sequential decision marking to characterize the visual vocabulary and accomplishes automated organization. According to the trial results, visual saturation based on AI technology can reach up to 97%, and the average user satisfaction score is 7.65. It is evident that a creative visual thinking approach can maximize the visual communication design effect and communicate fresh design concepts.

Implementasi Budaya Ketaqwaan Bagi Mahasiswa Di STAI Al-Hidayah Bogor

This research aims to examine implementing a culture of devotion to increase the spiritual intelligence of students at the Al-Hidayah Bogor Islamic College (STAI). This research collects data through observation, interviews, and document study using a qualitative approach. The results of the research revealed 19 forms of devotional culture that were applied, such as tahfidz tahsin Al-Qur'an, infaq, smile-greeting-greeting, politeness, dhuha prayer, dhikr, pilgrimage rituals, and tolerance. Implementing a culture of devotion is carried out using an instructive sequential strategy based on structural aspects, including school policy, the commitment of the school community, creating an atmosphere of devotion, internalization of values, example, and habituation. The commitment of school leaders, the gradual process of internalizing values, an exemplary and persuasive approach, and habituation are the keys to successful implementation. The positive impact can be seen in the behavior of students who have good morals, high tolerance, a spirit of mutual help, self-confidence, honesty, discipline, a broad understanding of religion, and deep faith and devotion. The results of this research strengthen the theory regarding the importance of implementing the values ??of devotion to form spiritual intelligence and can be a reference for other educational institutions in designing similar strategies.

Mastering Context-to-Label Representation Transformation for Event Causality Identification with Diffusion Models

To understand event structures of documents, event causality identification (ECI) emerges as a crucial task, aiming to discern causal relationships among event mentions. The latest approach for ECI has introduced advanced deep learning models where transformer-based encoding models, complemented by enriching components, are typically leveraged to learn effective event context representations for causality prediction. As such, an important step for ECI models is to transform the event context representations into causal label representations to perform logits score computation for training and inference purposes. Within this framework, event context representations might encapsulate numerous complicated and noisy structures due to the potential long context between the input events while causal label representations are intended to capture pure information about the causal relations to facilitate score estimation. Nonetheless, a notable drawback of existing ECI models stems from their reliance on simple feed-forward networks to handle the complex context-to-label representation transformation process, which might require drastic changes in the representations to hinder the learning process. To overcome this issue, our work introduces a novel method for ECI where, instead abrupt transformations, event context representations are gradually updated to achieve effective label representations. This process will be done incrementally to allow filtering of irrelevant structures at varying levels of granularity for causal relations. To realize this, we present a diffusion model to learn gradual representation transition processes between context and causal labels. It operates through a forward pass for causal label representation noising and a reverse pass for reconstructing label representations from random noise. Our experiments on different datasets across multiple languages demonstrate the advantages of the diffusion model with state-of-the-art performance for ECI.

A Study from the Mitigation of the Depression to Upsurging of Well-being and Happiness with Reference to Vedic Psychology

Today the Psychology has become a profound way of self-improvement along with wide ranging benefits of enhancing wellbeing and happiness. It is evident that relationship of mind to matter has scientific experimental methodology. In order to understand the relationship or methodology we are referring here Vedic sciences or Vedic Psychology. For the cure and healing of mental health issues such as stress, anxiety and depression with the help of prodigious tools and techniques. Traditional Indian knowledge systems has enormous storehouse of scientific knowledge, such as vedas, Puranas, Yoga Sutras and spiritual Psychology. Vedic Psychology is an ancient knowledge of theoretical and practical transformation which transforms human awareness to higher states of consciousness. Vedic Psychology is a ‘consciousness’ based approach which has unique methods and techniques to mitigate depression and upsurging of well being and happiness. It shows us the path of evolution where gradual process of practicing glides the human towards integrity and peace. Several studies shows where Vedic Psychology exercises and demonstrated therapeutic effectiveness with the help of meditations to control anxiety and depression. Vedic knowledge plays vital role for a holistic development of human awareness. References from the vedas where The non – changing and ever changing aspect of vedas together form the totality of life called ‘Brahman’. This is the symbol of totality of cosmos. Which means each individual being is an expression of ultimate unity and is composed of all levels of nature. This paper takes a leap from the psychological to the metaphysical, epistemological and ethical plane to explain the validity and concepts of Vedic Psychology. The several techniques for monitoring internal consciousness leads to the concepts of identity and existence. Where Vedic Hymns or Mantras used to establish the power of truth seen and heard in the consciousness. It explains how the supreme creative hymns inherits the rhythmic vibration of energy in the light of the creative consciousness of the supreme. The concept of Brahman and Aatman in the Upanishads leads to the absolute truth. Upanishads which are called the ‘ends of the Vedas’ has given the most strongest and spiritual philosophy in the form of Vedanta. Which teaches the person to know the authenticity of oneself. Vedas guides us to live according to the natural cosmic law (Rta) and Upanishads guides to overcome the negative thoughts and powers. The individual core spirit is termed as Aatman which is different from the physical state of oneself. In the writings of vedas it has mentioned that Aatman transforms itself into the Cosmic soul or self. In the process of awakening of the self where experience and reason are common tools characterised by the separation of objects observed and the observer. Vedic Psychology emphasis on the deeper systematic first person approach. In mainstream modern science consciousness is defined as the ability to be aware of a separate object of experience. Vedic Psychology is indeed helpful for the whole community of humans to rise from the mental disorders such as grief, pain, stress, anxiety and depression to reach out of it towards serenity of well being, happiness and peace.

A worldwide study on language educators’ initial response to ChatGPT

This exploratory study investigated how 367 university language educators from 48 countries/regions responded to ChatGPT in the first 10 weeks after its release. It explored awareness, use, attitudes and perceived impact through a survey collecting both quantitative and qualitative data. Most participants demonstrated moderate awareness, but little teaching application. Around half had used ChatGPT in some way, but only 16% for educational purposes. Interest was high but many concerns were raised, particularly about misuse. Most agreed to a likely future use for creating materials, but were less open to use it as a writing feedback assistant or for automated assessment. Perceptions of the impact of ChatGPT were cautiously optimistic, with more positivity from hands-on users. Concerns focused on misuse, while benefits were noted in terms of efficiency. Qualitative data were analysed using an adapted version of the Concerns-Based Adoption Model (CBAM), which revealed that teachers were primarily in the early ‘awareness’ or ‘personal’ stages of concern, suggesting a gradual adoption process. Key implications are that educators need support in developing skills for pedagogical applications of ChatGPT, while critically evaluating appropriate use. More empirical evidence on effective practices is needed. This timely study provides baseline data on language teachers’ initial engagement with ChatGPT, highlighting promising directions but also remaining concerns. Further research can track how responses evolve.

Abstract 6872: A spatio-temporal approach to mapping the dynamics of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma progression and immunotherapy response: A journey through TiME

Abstract Background: Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), arising from proliferation of malignant epidermal keratinocytes, is the second most common non-melanoma skin cancer. cSCC accounts for 75% of all skin cancer related deaths excluding melanoma, and metastatic and immunotherapy-resistant cases pose an emerging global threat. Tumor development is a gradual process characterized by high mutational burden and an immunosuppressive tumor immune microenvironment (TiME); therefore, identifying the underlying changes across the spatial and temporal landscape of these tumors will be crucial to understanding the key cellular and molecular drivers of disease progression and response. Methods: In this longitudinal study, we used a single-cell, whole-slide approach to mapping key proteins of immune lineage, tissue architecture, cellular metabolism, and stress to study the spatial landscape of cSCC at baseline (pre-treatment) and multiple time points over the course of immunotherapy with the aim to develop a temporal atlas of the tumor. An ultra-high plex antibody panel encompassing over 50 major determinants in the tumor microenvironment was employed on the PhenoCycler®-Fusion spatial biology platform. Deep bioinformatic analyses was performed to identify cellular phenotypes, spatial neighborhoods, heterogenous functional states and cellular interactions by spatial proximity determinations. Results: Previous studies in our laboratory have identified unique phenotypes correlating with response and resistance to immunotherapies in pre-treatment cSCC biopsies. Our results expand on these findings with temporal data tracking the dynamic changes in the TiME over the course of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Apart from differences in immune cell composition and spatial localization patterns, we also saw differences in macrophage polarization and expression of metabolic markers in the responder and non-responder cohorts. Conclusions: Overall, ultrahigh-plex spatio-temporal monitoring of cSCC revealed distinct signatures of response and resistance and identified key features in the TiME that reveal deeper insights into the pathobiology of the tumor. Our discovery-based approach identifies novel biomarkers for patient stratification and therapeutic modulation. Citation Format: Niyati Jhaveri, Bassem Ben Cheikh, Dmytro Klymyshyn, Ning Ma, Aditya Pratapa, James Monkman, Nadine Nelson, Arutha Kulasinghe. A spatio-temporal approach to mapping the dynamics of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma progression and immunotherapy response: A journey through TiME [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 6872.

Feeding Ecology of Reintroduced Golden Parakeets (Guaruba guarouba, Psittacidae) in a Protected Area in the Amazon Forest

The Golden Parakeet is an endemic Brazilian flagship species that has suffered from poaching and habitat loss, leading to local extinctions in the urbanized parts of the Amazon. We reintroduced six groups of mostly captive-bred parakeets in a protected area. The birds were acclimatized for at least five months at the release site, where they were trained to recognize native foods and develop foraging skills. Subsequently, we conducted a soft release, followed by daily supplementation and monitoring. For three years following the release we recorded their diet, feeding behavior, and how they adapted to wild foraging. The reintroduced birds fed on 23 plant species, with 13 not being previously listed in past studies. The three most consumed species corresponded to 77% of their feeding records. Parakeets spent more time feeding in altered landscapes and secondary vegetation than in the preserved forest. Most of the feeding happened during the rainy season when most of their favorite plants are fruiting. The parakeets’ incorporation of new species in their diet and their transition from supplemental to natural feeding happened gradually, as we did not reduce food offerings. Parakeets that showed site fidelity were able to find native food rapidly following release, but individuals that dispersed immediately had more difficulty finding food. This study showed that captive-bred Golden Parakeets can transition to a wild diet following a gradual reintroduction process.

ПЕРСОНІФІКОВАНИЙ ПІДХІД ДО ВИВЧЕННЯ ПРОБЛЕМИ ОСВІТНЬО-ПЕДАГОГІЧНОГО ПРОГНОЗУВАННЯ В УКРАЇНСЬКІЙ СОЦІАЛІСТИЧНІЙ РАДЯНСЬКІЙ РЕСПУБЛІЦІ (1930 – 1940 рр.)

The article highlights a personalized approach to the study of the problem of educational and pedagogical prognostication in the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic of the period 1930 – 1940. The author emphasizes that the analysis of the theory and practice of education and upbringing in the conditions of various socio-economic formations from the point of view of a personalized approach contributes to the deepening and expansion of the worldview, provides full information about important concepts and education systems of the past. In the context of the research problem, the author singles out the experience of the following educators S. Kh. Chavdarov, S. A. Lytvynov, P. P. Blonskyi, Ya. A. Mamontov, O. S. Zaluzhnyi, S. A. Ananin. S. Kh. Chavdarov developed the general questions of the methodology of teaching the Ukrainian language, the methodology of teaching phonetics and grammar, the teaching of spelling, punctuation, and the methodology of students' speech development in Ukrainian language lessons. The study of the theoretical heritage of the scientist-educator S. A. Lytvynov allows us to understand the past experience from the standpoint of modernity, to reveal its place in the general gradual process of development of domestic pedagogical science. The basic pedagogical principles of mass incomplete secondary education on the basis of polytechnicism and the connection of education with labour as factors of social development of the individual were formulated by P. P. Blonskyi. The educator Ya. A. Mamontov gave special importance to the problems of aesthetic education, the goal of which he believed was the development of a person's aesthetic perception of the world. Ukrainian educator, reflexologist, pedologist O. S. Zaluzhnyi mainly researched children's teams, issues of children's interests, school success, labour training in children's groups. Ukrainian educator and psychologist S. A. Ananin gave the main place to labour education, considering it an important factor in the country's economic development and an effective means of forming a person.

Disaggregation quality, stock returns, and institutional demand

We find that financial statement disaggregation quality (DQ), a measure of the fineness of financial statements, is a strong predictor of future stock returns. Institutional investors prefer high-DQ stocks, and their trade gradually incorporates reporting quality into stock prices over a year following disclosures. The relationship between DQ and future stock returns and institutional investors’ preference are stronger for small firms, during higher market-wide uncertainty periods, and robust to replacing DQ with change in DQ. Our findings provide evidence that capital markets are not perfectly efficient, and the discovery of stock prices is a gradual process facilitated by institutional demand.

Can a gradual weaning and separation process reduce weaning distress in dam-reared dairy calves? A comparison with the 2-step method

The weaning and separation phase remains one of the biggest challenges for cow-calf-contact systems, but a gradual process that better mimics the naturally occurring reduction in milk intake has not yet been scientifically investigated. Therefore, the aim of our study was to compare behavioral and physiological indicators of distress in 3 mo-old dam-reared dairy calves (with previous full-time cow-calf contact) weaned and separated either via gradual reduction of contact time with the dam (GR, 1 week half day contact, 1 week morning contact, 1 week fence-line contact before complete separation, n = 18) or via 2-step weaning using a nose flap (NF, 2 weeks access to dam with a nose flap, 1 week fence-line contact before complete separation, n = 18). Behavior was recorded 1 week before (or for lying 3 weeks before) weaning start and during the 3 week weaning and separation period with direct observations on 4 d per week or via accelerometers (locomotor play, lying behavior). Blood and fecal samples were taken twice per week from weaning start until 3 weeks after weaning start. Calves were weighed weekly. Statistical analysis was conducted using (generalized) linear mixed models. Over the whole weaning and separation phase, NF calves showed a stronger decrease in the number of lying bouts, amount of locomotor play and average daily weight gains, as well as a higher increase in total mixed ration feeding time compared with GR calves, whereas GR calves vocalized more often and showed more searching behavior than NF calves. Also, the neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio of NF calves was elevated on d 3 after insertion of the nose flaps compared with baseline, but showed no change for GR calves on any sampling day. Overall, results point toward a favorable effect of a gradual weaning strategy on reduction of weaning and separation distress in dam-reared dairy calves, but the method requires further improvement from the protocol used in our study.

Numerical analyses for three-dimensional face stability of circular tunnels in purely cohesive soils with linearly increasing strength

The tunnel face stability in purely cohesive soils with linearly increasing strength was investigated using three-dimensional finite element limit analysis (FELA). Both the collapse (active failure) and blow-out (passive failure) of the tunnel face were considered in the analysis. The rigorous upper bound (UB) and lower bound (LB) solutions of the load factor were calculated with a wide range of ground conditions to cover a broad scope of practical application. The results showed that the whole surface of the face is at failure in the collapse case; while in the blow-out case, there exists a gradual evolution process from partial failure to global failure within the tunnel face with increasing buried depth. Later, based on 960 finite element limit analysis results, a series of practical equations were proposed for tunnel face stability analysis in purely cohesive soils. These equations can be employed to quickly calculate the UB and LB solutions of the limit support pressure and the stability number of a tunnel face in both the collapse and blow-out cases. Finally, the calculation results from these equations were compared with those from previous studies in detail. The comparisons showed that the proposed equations make an improvement over existing methods and can be used as an efficient tool in practical engineering.

Automated aerial assessment for seamless adaptive adhoc restoration in partially collapsed network

Disasters often result in widespread infrastructure failures, leading to network blackouts that impede critical information dissemination and hamper search-and-rescue operations. This paper presents a novel methodology for expedited assessment and restoration of network connectivity in disaster-affected regions. While existing approaches have made significant contributions, they still face either one or a combination of challenges such as time-consuming procedures, limited coverage, integration complexities, and inaccessibility in certain areas. To address these challenges, we propose two innovative contributions: (1) a novel automated aerial assessment technique for remote identification of network blackouts, offering enhanced accessibility, reduced response times, and heightened reliability; (2) a pioneering automated approach utilizing personal mobile devices (PMDs) to establish alternate multi-hop ad hoc routes from affected regions, enabling auxiliary network formation and seamless integration with surviving networks. The proposed route setup, activated upon detection of network blackouts, facilitates self-managed network maintenance, which adapts to gradual restoration processes, thereby optimizing efficiency, connectivity span, stability, and energy conservation. Both methodologies are rigorously evaluated through simulations and test-bed experiments, demonstrating substantial advancements over existing methodologies. This research contributes to the field by significantly enhancing disaster response capabilities through improved network resilience and rapid connectivity restoration strategies.