Holistic Theory Research Articles

Methodology of information support of studies and works on different-scale forecasting oil and gas fields

The generalized statement of theoretical principles of information support of R&D on forecasting and development of oil and gas fields of various geological and genetic types corresponding to modern challenges of objective factors of growth of technical complexity and geological prospecting, exploration and operational works cost is presented.
 The main working tool is a targeted multi-scale information modeling of promising geological objects, based on the general theoretical scheme of forecast-paleoreconstructive retrospective-static model with the introduction of the concept of formation-material system of oil and gas accumulation, which includes three cognitive-functional components: initial source, transportation and objects of hydrocarbons localization.
 This methodological apparatus provides solutions to the main forecasting and diagnostic tasks: development of localization criteria, forecasting of traps and assessment of the potential of their hydrocarbons realization. The proposed apparatus is multi-scale, i.e. one that provides forecasting at the zonal (group of deposits), local (deposits) and sublocal (productive beds) levels.
 Prospects for further development of the direction are to develop a modern holistic theory of geoinformatic modeling and its subject methodological and methodological section – frame organization of the geological environment of oil and gas specialization in order to innovatively increase the efficiency of hydrocarbon field development. The examples of updated target information modeling of promising geological objects, basing upon methodological approach of infogeology with introducing of geological environment frame organization principles are demonstrated. As an object of modeling the regional formational complex of Tournaisian-Visean oil-gas horizon of the Dniprovsko-Donetska depression is considered. The solution of tasks, connected with this problem, comprises: the revision of initial data for innovative presenting of geoinformation modeling; defining of selected geological objects frame organization (structure); development of different scale promising geological objects frames and their transformation into geoinformatic format; preparing of recommendations for promising geological objects of different scales (zonal, local, sublocal) basing upon pertinent geoinformatic models. The expected result of this methodology introducing is to obtain innovative technology of information supervision for R&D aimed at efficient development of oil and gas fields.

Patterns of achievement-motivated behavior and performance as predictors for future success in rowing: A person-oriented study

Talent selection in rowing is often solely based on anthropometric and performance variables, even though psychological characteristics are considered to be important contributors to successful talent development. Because multidimensional talent models and holistic theories represent the state-of-the-art in talent research, we aimed to find patterns connecting psychological and performance variables to future success in rowing. Therefore, 22 coaches rated the achievement-motivated behavior represented by the variables proactivity, ambition and commitment of 65 competitive to high-level athletes ( Mage = 17.2 ± 1.55 years) for the past year (t1). Additionally, the athletes performed several 2,000 m ergometer tests during that same period. At t2 (30 months later), each rower’s performance was evaluated based on the success at different competitions. To examine the results, we used the person-oriented Linking of Clusters after removal of a Residue (LICUR) method to identify the relationships between the achievement-motivated behavior and ergometer results at t1 and the success at t2. The rowers could be assigned to five clusters. Although the highly motivated rowers were not the fastest on the ergometer at t1, they were more likely to be in highest performance level at t2 compared to the other clusters (OR = 3.5, p < .05). By contrast, all the ambitionless rowers and unmotivated rowers were either racing at national level or had dropped out. In conclusion, certain patterns of achievement-motivated behavior and current performance are associated with future success (30 months later). The consideration of achievement-motivated behavior in the selection of rowers seems promising in this context.

Elucidation of the active ingredients of Lamiophlomis herba against hemorrhage based on network pharmacology and tail snipping model in mice.

This study aimed to elucidate the active ingredients of Lamiophlomis herba (LH), the overground part of Lamiophlomis rotata (Benth.) Kudo, against hemorrhage based on network pharmacology and tail snipping model in mice. A total of 118 hemorrhage-related target genes were identified by retrieving public databases, and 39 genes were identified as the hub genes of hemorrhage based on protein-protein interaction and module analyses. The interactions between 67 potentially active ingredients in LH and 7 genes in the 39 hub genes were established and analyzed through molecular docking and Cytoscape. A total of 21 ingredients were involved in the interactions, and were divided into three categories: iridoid (15 ingredients), flavonoid (2 ingredients) and other category (4 ingredients). Based on the "multi-ingredient, multi-target" characteristic of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), the results of network pharmacology indicated that iridoid might be the key active ingredient group of LH against hemorrhage. The contribution of iridoid to the hemostatic effect of LH was investigated by the tail snipping model in mice. The results showed that iridoid was the key active ingredient group of LH against hemorrhage, which confirmed the prediction in network pharmacology. Additionally, the previous reports also supported this prediction. In conclusion, the finding of the present study indicates that iridoid is the key hemostatic ingredient group of LH. This work provides valuable references for investigation of the hemostatic ingredients of LH based on the holistic theory of TCMs. Meanwhile, this work also provides further insight into the development of hemostatic drugs based on LH.

From Historical Narratives to Circular Economy: De-Complexifying the "Desertification" Debate.

Assuming the importance of a “socioeconomic mosaic” influencing soil and land degradation at the landscape scale, spatial contexts should be considered in the analysis of desertification risk as a base for the design of appropriate counteracting strategies. A holistic approach grounded on a multi-scale qualitative and quantitative assessment is required to identify optimal development strategies regulating the socioeconomic dimensions of land degradation. In the last few decades, the operational thinking at the base of a comprehensive, holistic theory of land degradation evolved toward many different conceptual steps. Moving from empirical, qualitative and unstructured frameworks to a more structured, rational and articulated thinking, such theoretical approaches have been usually oriented toward complex and non-linear dynamics benefiting from progressive and refined approximations. Based on these premises, eleven disciplinary approaches were identified and commented extensively on in the present study, and were classified along a gradient of increasing complexity, from more qualitative and de-structured frameworks to more articulated, non-linear thinking aimed at interpreting the intrinsic fragmentation and heterogeneity of environmental and socioeconomic processes underlying land degradation. Identifying, reviewing and classifying such approaches demonstrated that the evolution of global thinking in land degradation was intimately non-linear, developing narrative and deductive approaches together with inferential, experimentally oriented visions. Focusing specifically on advanced economies in the world, our review contributes to systematize multiple—sometimes entropic—interpretations of desertification processes into a more organized framework, giving value to methodological interplays and specific interpretations of the latent processes underlying land degradation.

To the Problem of Constructing Analytical Indexes of Market Demand: A Variative Approach

The article develops methods for constructing economic (analytical) indexes in the framework of the holistic theory of market demand, built in recent years. By this, the economic indexes presented in the world literature within the framework of the theory of individual demand and, accordingly, related to households, acquire practical value.The introduction provides a brief overview of the main problems of modern indexology and the implementation of an economic approach dating back to the classical work of 1924 by the Soviet statistician A.A. Konüs. The properties of the most well-known «formula» indexes of Laspeyres, Paasche, and Fischer with respect to the fulfillment of the Fisher test criteria are described. These indexes play an important role in the methods proposed by the authors for constructing analytical indexes, which are determined through the function of consumer expenditures. The latter is determined by a utility function that rationalizes trade statistics. The rationalizing utility function is constructed ambiguously, and the corresponding task should be specified. Methods for its solution are proposed, developed within a non-parametric demand analysis of Afriat-Varian. The core of this analysis is the system of linear Afriat’s inequalities that determine the values of the utility function and marginal utility corresponding to statistical demand. This system can be inconsistent and unstable with respect to variations of non-exact demand statistics. In the case of compatibility, inequalities have many solutions, and the choice of different solutions of inequalities gives different values of analytical indexes. The authors suggest three types of tasks for the stable solution of Afriat’s inequalities, which define indexes with characteristics of optimism (low price indexes and high quantity indexes), pessimism (vice versa) and objectivity.Therefore, the problem of increasing the objectivity of consumer demand indexes receives a theoretically justified toolbox methods for calculating analytical market demand indexes that take into account, in contrast to formula indices, consumer preferences.

'Everything takes too long and nobody is listening': Developing theory to understand the impact of advice on stress and the ability to cope.

Shrinking state spending in the UK has been accompanied by a profound restructuring of the welfare system, leading to financial insecurity for many people, culminating in extreme stress and serious deterioration of physical and mental health. Theory surrounding the impact of welfare advice on stress is lacking; this paper undertakes an in depth exploration of the experiences of stress among welfare advice seekers, considering these in light of existing substantive theories of stress and coping to generate new insight. A thematic analysis explored the experiences of stress in welfare advice seekers. Four overarching themes and twelve subthemes emerged. They are further understood utilising traditional theories of stress (Transactional Model of Stress and Coping and the Conservation of Resources theory), which then underpin the development of a ‘Stress Support Matrix’ and a holistic theory related specifically to welfare, stress and coping.

Re-understanding Vygotsky’s Psycholinguistics

Abstract The origins and nature of consciousness have preoccupied mankind since human beings became aware of themselves as thinking beings. Seeking answers to these questions was the focus of the life-long research project of the former Soviet scholar, Lev Semyonovich Vygotsky (1896–1934), who was intent on developing a holistic theory of psycholinguistics to explore consciousness through psyche. In this quest, he concentrated on rechevóye myshlénie, a key element of consciousness created through the unification of thinking processes and languaging processes (the processes involved in the acquisition and use of language). However, the fact Vygotsky used this concept to imply a psychological process/ formation/system is lost when understanding it as “verbal thinking.” Despite its centrality in his whole theory of psycholinguistics, Vygotsky’s analysis of rechevóye myshlénie as the cornerstone of the creation of znachenie slova (meaning through language) has not received the same attention as his analyses of other concepts. Therefore, in this article we attempt to make a detailed investigation of rechevóye myshlénie upon Vygotsky’s methodology of psychological materialism and a number of related concepts compared with some prevalent translations and interpretations.

Does the “Holism theory” Explain the Increase in Antimicrobial Efficacy and the Lack of Acquired or Innate Resistance to 5th Generation Silane Quaternary Compounds?

The “Holism theory” is credited to Aristotle, who said “the whole is greater than the sum of the parts”. From a purist point of view, it is unlikely that he actually said those exact words.

Критика «Китайской комнаты» Дж. Сёрла с позиции гибридной модели построения искусственных когнитивных агентов

The article presents a review of the phenomenon of understanding the meaning of the natural language and, more broadly, the meaning of the situation in which the cognitive agent is located, considering the context. A specific definition of understanding is given, which is at the intersection of neurophysiology, information theory and cybernetics. The scheme of an abstract architecture of the cognitive agent (of arbitrary nature) is offered, which states that an agent with such architecture can understand in the sense described in the paper. It also provides a critique of J. Searle’s mental experiment “The Chinese Room” from the point of view of the construction of artificial cognitive agents within a hybrid paradigm of artificial intelligence. The novelty of the presented work is based on the application of the author’s methodological approach to the construction of artificial cognitive agents. It not only considers the perception of external stimuli from the environment, but also the philosophical problem of “understanding” by the artificial cognitive agent of its sensory inputs. The relevance of the work follows from the renewed interest of the scientific community in the theme of Strong Artificial Intelligence (or AGI). The author's contribution consists in comprehensive treatment from different points of view of the theme of understanding perceived by artificial cognitive agents. It involves the formation of prerequisites for the development of new models and the theory of understanding within the framework of artificial intelligence, which in the future will help to build a holistic theory of the nature of human mind. The article will be interesting for specialists working in the field of artificial intellectual systems and cognitive agents construction, as well as for scientists from other scientific fields – first of all, philosophy, neurophysiology and psychology.

ТЕОРЕТИЧЕСКИЕ ОСНОВЫ ДИАГРАММНОГО МЕТОДА РАСЧЁТА СТЕРЖНЕВЫХ ЭЛЕМЕНТОВ ИЗ АРМИРОВАННОГО БЕТОНА

At the present stage of development, the diagram method for calculating rod elements made of reinforced concrete has a number of disadvantages, which is due to the lack of a single holistic theory. The paper attempts to lay its foundations. For this purpose, the most General structure of the theory is developed, and a three-level computational model is proposed, hierarchically built on the principle of discretization of the computational scheme: level 1 - "element" - design model of the rod, built according to the well-known rules of construction mechanics; level 2 – "cross" – enhanced non-linear (discrete) deformation model, adopted by SP 63.13330 with some significant clarification of the author; level 3 – material – analysis model of standard samples of concrete and rebar subject to action of the axial compressive or tensile static short-term load or under static short-time load, pure shear (to describe proposed Jenny more deformation curve of concrete). A detailed algorithm for the relationship of models at all three levels is described.

Tractographic description of major subcortical projection pathways passing the anterior limb of the internal capsule. Corticopetal organization of networks relevant for psychiatric disorders.

Major depression (MD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are psychiatric diseases with a huge impact on individual well-being. Despite optimal treatment regiments a subgroup of patients remains treatment resistant and stereotactic surgery (stereotactic lesion surgery, SLS or Deep Brain Stimulation, DBS) might be an option. Recent research has described four networks related to MD and OCD (affect, reward, cognitive control, default network) but only on a cortical and the adjacent sub-cortical level. Despite the enormous impact of comparative neuroanatomy, animal science and stereotactic approaches a holistic theory of subcortical and cortical network interactions is elusive. Because of the dominant hierarchical rank of the neocortex, corticofugal approaches have been used to identify connections in subcortical anatomy without anatomical priors and in part confusing results. We here propose a different corticopetal approach by identifying subcortical networks and search for neocortical convergences thereby following the principle of phylogenetic and ontogenetic network development. This work used a diffusion tensor imaging data from a normative cohort (Human Connectome Project, HCP; n=200) to describe eight subcortical fiber projection pathways (PPs) from subthalamic nucleus (STN), substantia nigra (SNR), red nucleus (RN), ventral tegmental area (VTA), ventrolateral thalamus (VLT) and mediodorsal thalamus (MDT) in a normative space (MNI). Subcortical and cortical convergences were described including an assignment of the specific pathways to MD/OCD-related networks. Volumes of activated tissue for different stereotactic stimulation sites and procedures were simulated to understand the role of the distinct networks, with respect to symptoms and treatment of OCD and MD. The detailed course of eight subcortical PPs (stnPP, snrPP, rnPP, vlATR, vlATRc, mdATR, mdATRc, vtaPP/slMFB) were described together with their subcortical and cortical convergences. The anterior limb of the internal capsule can be subdivided with respect to network occurrences in ventral-dorsal and medio-lateral gradients. Simulation of stereotactic procedures for OCD and MD showed dominant involvement of mdATR/mdATRc (affect network) and vtaPP/slMFB (reward network). Corticofugal search strategies for the evaluation of stereotactic approaches without anatomical priors often lead to confusing results which do not allow for a clear assignment of a procedure to an involved network. According to our simulation of stereotactic procedures in the treatment of OCD and MD, most of the target regions directly involve the reward (and affect) networks, while side-effects can in part be explained with a co-modulation of the control network. The here proposed corticopetal approach of a hierarchical description of 8 subcortical PPs with subcortical and cortical convergences represents a new systematics of networks found in all different evolutionary and distinct parts of the human brain.

Theoretical and practical aspects of social responsibility of food market participants

The authors consider theoretical and practical aspects of the formation and application of the principles of social responsibility of the main food marketparticipants: producers, retail and consumers to optimize the directions of its development. It is established that the main provisions Of the manual on social responsibility, an international reference document on social responsibility, form the essential theoretical basis for the development of this direction at the present time. Considering the practical aspects of applying social responsibility in the food industry and food retail, the authors highlight the topic of responsibility to consumers as a priority. Sincethese participants of the trophological chain are responsible for making decisions regarding the level of quality, authenticity, naturalness and safety of products within the requirements of regulatory documents and consumers. The article defines the principles of social responsibility of the consumer as afood market participant. The authors believe that the research results can serve to build a holistic theory of market development in the new economy, which is characterized by high - quality processes and can be useful for the business community as an idea of possible investments.

Theoretical and methodological approaches to the development of modern corporate management systems at an industrial enterprise

The paper explores different approaches to the concept of "corporate governance" and the operation of the organizational and communication platform as a tool for securing an enterprise’s efficient activity. Theoretical and methodological approaches to the development of modern corporate governance systems are also considered. The paper addresses the main problems of developing the management decision-making mechanisms, corporate governance issues, as well as the impact of corporate governance on investment attractiveness, which is a determining factor in ensuring the investment attractiveness of the company and its ability to adapt to rapid changes in the internal and external environment. Analysis of the peculiarities of the institutional environment of corporate interactions in the domestic engineering industry reveals that the new competitive market model increases the interest of private owners of machine-building assets as well as end users in the efficient operation of industrial enterprises that perform specific infrastructure functions. Today, the study of the functioning of both individual enterprises and industry complexes requires the use of a systematic approach that focuses not only on the enterprise itself but also on the factors of its environment. In this case, the object of study is not considered as an isolated and independent structure, but as an open socio-economic system. In economics, due to the short period of research, there is no holistic theory of corporate governance, therefore, the analysis of theoretical and methodological approaches to the development of corporate governance systems and the definition of institutional opportunities for their application is important and necessary in the domestic industrial complex, in particular at the machine-building enterprises.

Salutogenesis as a theoretical framework for psychosocial rehabilitation: the case of the Clubhouse model

ABSTRACT Purpose: This study explored whether the holistic theory of salutogenesis may be a suitable theoretical framework for the Clubhouse model of psychosocial rehabilitation, a pioneer among psychosocial rehabilitation programmes. Methods: A systematic examination of elements of the Clubhouse model, as prescribed by the Clubhouse standards, was performed within the context of the theory of salutogenesis including its basic salutogenic orientation and the main concepts of sense of coherence and resistance resources. Results: We found that several standards and practices within the Clubhouse model can be understood as applications of salutogenesis. We have hypothesized that the Clubhouse model promotes peoples’ sense of coherence and mental health. However, our investigation also showed that, to enhance the recovery of Clubhouse members, more explicitly incorporating some salutogenic principles, such as “appropriate challenges” and “active adaptation as the ideal in treatment”, may benefit Clubhouse practice. Conclusions: The Clubhouse model of psychosocial rehabilitation is very consistent with the salutogenic orientation and main salutogenic concepts. The present study suggests that salutogenesis may be a suitable theoretical framework for the Clubhouse model and possibly in the psychosocial rehabilitation field in general.

IDC theory: creation and the creation loop

The interest-driven creator (IDC) theory is being developed as a group endeavor by Asian researchers to articulate a holistic learning design theory for future education in Asia. The theory hypothesizes that students, driven by interest, can be engaged in the creation of knowledge (generating ideas and artifacts). By repeating this creation process in their daily learning routines, they will excel in learning performance, develop twenty-first-century competencies, and form creation habits. We hope that with such practices in education, our future generations will ultimately become lifelong interest-driven creators. In IDC Theory, there are three anchored concepts, namely, interest, creation, and habit. Each anchored concept comprises three component concepts which form a concept loop. For example, the creation loop consists of three component concepts—imitating, combining, and staging. Imitating is concerned with taking in (or inputting) an abundant amount of existing knowledge from the outside world to form one’s background knowledge. Combining refers to delivering (or outputting) new ideas or artifacts prolifically by synthesizing existing information encountered in the world and thoughts arising from the students’ background knowledge. Staging relates to frequently demonstrating the generated ideas or artifacts to the relevant communities and receiving feedback from these communities to improve the novelty and value of the demonstrated outcomes while gaining social recognition and nurturing positive social emotions. This paper focuses on describing the three components of the creation loop. We provide three case studies to illustrate the creation loop at work, as well as how it intertwines with both the interest and habit loops in supporting students to develop their creation capabilities. In presenting this iteration of the creation concept, an anchored concept in IDC theory, we acknowledge the roles played of imitation, combination, and staging in different learning and education contexts—indeed, there are multiple theories that inform and intersect with it.

Universalism and Ecology: An Anthropological Bridge between Radhakamal Mukerjee’s Key Concepts

The wider universe of discourse for this lecture is the interface between social sciences and the humanities. This was the dominant intellectual thrust of the so-called Lucknow School of sociology in the 1960s to which Radhakamal Mukerjee (RKM) belonged. Initially, by juxtaposing RKM’s universalism to the holistic evolutionary theory, I bring together the earlier and later versions of scientific universalism, and RKM’s universalistic stance leaning to the humanities. I next contrast the somewhat narrow paradigm of ecology in RKM, with trans-nationalist ecosystems postulated in the contemporary times. Further, the reverberations of RKM’s humanistic universalism are traced in the ‘text and context’ as well as in the polyglot anthropology movements in the new anthropology. Finally, taking a cue from RKM, I note the contribution of incipient and full-blown anthropo-sociological universalism to the debate about the indigenisation of social sciences.

Entrepreneurship

In this paper, we reconsider the various states of rest within Austrian market process theory. While this theory certainly embodies a superior representation of market processes to the neoclassical general equilibrium theory, it falls short of producing a holistic theory of human action. The analysis left out those human actions that produce changes to the so-called ‘final state of rest,’ which have so far been taken as exogenous to the market process. These exogenous shocks include knowledge generation and preference shifting. However, I argue that these can and ought to be understood as market phenomena, and so belong within the scope of praxeological analysis. To capture these types of human action, I propose that a new and truly ‘final’ state of rest be introduced, which we term the ‘nirvana state of rest.’ This new state represents a ‘true’ final state, in which human action ceases because all needs, and thus all motivation to act, are completely and perpetually assuaged. Introducing this state into the analysis, we can break free from myopic analyses of mere present states of knowledge and values to observe and explain general tendencies in market processes, prices, and entrepreneurship. I also show how quarrels within Austrian circles might be resolved through this expanded, macroscopic lens.

A critical analysis of J.C. Smuts’ theory of holism

IntroductionDue to the lack of a clear definition, the word holism has become a vague and unexplicit concept open to uncertain interpretations. In view of the increasing interest in holistic medicine and healthcare solutions, as well as the frequent labelling of non-reductive research models as holistic, a more specific definition of holism is essential to provide a structured foundation of the concept. MethodsIn order to reach a more explicit definition of the word holism, an integrative literature review methodology was utilised to critically analyse J.C. Smuts original theory of holism as presented in his book ‘Holism and Evolution’. ResultsThe results point to a diverted theory with one part presenting an advanced view of the physicality of reality, while the second part lacks a logical foundation. ConclusionIn line with current biological systems theories and neurological research, a new definition of holism is suggested, taking into consideration the element of evolution through a mainly intrinsic process, with an emphasis on individual abilities of self-maintenance and resilience towards the impact of psychosocial stressors.

Provision and usage of open government data: strategic transformation paths

PurposeTo create the expected value and benefits through open data, appropriate provision and usage of data are required simultaneously. However, the level of provision and usage of open data differs from country to country. Moreover, previous research on open data has only focused on either open data provision or usage. To fill the research gap, the purpose of this paper is threefold: first, to understand the current status of the provision and usage of open data; second, to identify patterns in the provision and usage of open data; and third, to provide appropriate future directions and guidelines for the transformation paths of each pattern.Design/methodology/approachThe authors analyzed the data collected from open data portals of 13 countries that provide information on the provision and usage of open data together.FindingsThe authors identified four patterns of the provision and usage of open data, namely, availability-driven, government-driven, market-driven and interaction-driven patterns. Furthermore, three strategic paths of transformation reach a high level of open data provision and usage, namely, data provision-focused, data usage-focused and balanced transformation paths.Originality/valueThis study provides a foundation that enables researchers to build a holistic theory that can integrate fragmented and incomplete knowledge of open data and usage, particularly in the context of government.

Assessment of direct and indirect associations between children active school travel and environmental, household and child factors using structural equation modelling

BackgroundActive school travel (AST) is influenced by multiple factors including built and social environments, households and individual variables. A holistic theory such as Mitra’s Behavioural Model of School Transportation (BMST) is vital to comprehensively understand these complex interrelationships. This study aimed to assess direct and indirect associations between children’s AST and environmental, household and child factors based on the BMST using structural equation modelling (SEM).MethodsData were drawn from Neighbourhoods for Active Kids (NfAK), a cross-sectional study of 1102 children aged 8–13 years (school years 5–8) and their parents from nine intermediate and 10 primary schools in Auckland, New Zealand between February 2015 and December 2016. Data were collected using an online participatory mapping survey (softGIS) with children, a computer-assisted telephone interviewing survey (CATI) with parents, and ArcGIS for built environment attributes. Based on the BMST a conceptual model of children’s school travel behaviour was specified for SEM analyses (‘hypothesised SEM’), and model modification was made to improve the model (‘modified SEM’). SEM analyses using Mplus were performed to test the hypothesised/modified SEM and to assess direct and indirect relationships among variables.ResultsThe overall fit of the modified SEM was acceptable (N = 542; Root mean square error of approximation = 0.04, Comparative fit index = 0.94, Tucker-Lewis index = 0.92). AST was positively associated with child independent mobility, child-perceived neighbourhood safety, and parent-perceived importance of social interaction and neighbourhood social environment. Distance to school, and parental perceptions of convenience and concerns about traffic safety were negatively associated with AST. Parental fears of stranger danger were indirectly related to AST through those of traffic safety. Distance to school and child independent mobility mediated relationships between AST and child school year and sex.ConclusionsIncreasing children’s AST requires action on multiple fronts including communities that support independent mobility by providing child friendly social and built environments, safety from traffic, and policies that promote local schools and safe vehicle-free zones around school.