Independent Constructs Research Articles

Linking green supply chain management practices with perceived environmental performance: A mediated moderation model

AbstractThis empirical study intends to identify the relationships between three green supply chain management practices (GSCMPs) [green purchase (GP1), green production (GP2) and employee green orientation (EGO)]; and perceived environmental performance (PEP) based on stakeholder theory. The study also included one mediator, perceived social responsibility (PSR) to test its mediating effects in three direct relationships and one moderator, perceived regulatory pressure (PRP), to test the moderation in the relationship between PSR and PEP. The study used a deductive methodology based on a cross‐sectional survey design. IBM SPSS 29 was used for descriptive analysis and a variance‐based partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS‐SEM) (through PLS 4.0) was used for testing the hypothesised relationships. The study found that, first of all, all the three independent constructs have significant positive relationships with the dependent variable, PEP. Second, GP2 and EGO have significant positive relationships with the mediator, PSR while GP1 has an insignificant relationship with PSR. Third, the mediator (PSR) is positively related to PEP. Fourth, regarding the mediating effects, the study identified that PSR partially mediates the relationships between GP2 and PEP as well as between EGO and PEP while PSR does not mediate the relationship between GP1 and PEP. Finally, the study identified that PRP strengthens the positive relationship between PSR and PEP. It is strongly anticipated that this empirical study will spark further theoretical research and empirical experiments on GSCMP‐oriented environmental performance. The study incorporated two unique variables as mediator and moderator that can open a new avenue for the upcoming research initiatives. Furthermore, the study's findings can serve as a foundation for the policymakers and/or managers working on the formulation and implementation of green supply chain management‐related policies and strategies.

Developing an Analytic Rubric for Japanese EFL Learners’ Summary Writing

This study aimed to develop and revise an analytic rubric based on the results of a survey of the difficulties experienced by raters when assessing the English summaries of Japanese English learners, as reported in a previous study (Kato, in press). In this study, three raters repeatedly discussed and established four categories: “Integration,” “Language Use,” “Paraphrasing,” and “Content Accuracy.” They created descriptors for each category from 0 to 5. The three raters evaluated the summaries of 20 Japanese university students for two types of original English texts. The results showed that the inter-rater reliability of Texts A and B was sufficiently high in all categories. Moreover, the correlation between categories was confirmed to measure independent constructs. This indicated that the analytic rubric created, based on Kato’s (in press) survey report from the raters, is also useful in terms of reliability and validity. This study proposed an analytic rubric that can serve as a foundation for constructing a more user-friendly rubric for future raters.

Implementation of Knowledge Sharing in Learning to Write Essay Through Genre Based Approach

The aim of this research is to obtain an overview of improving essay-writing skills through implementing knowledge sharing in the genre pedagogy approach (Genre Based Approach) in The Indonesian Language and Literature Education Study Program at higher education. The research design uses quantitative methods (pretest posttest design) and qualitative data in the form of student responses to applied knowledge sharing. The research sample consisted of 20 students who took part in writing lessons. The data obtained is in the form of essay texts based on the stages of guided construction, independent construction in the form of average scores on the pretest and posttest. The results of the research are test scores with an average of 75.1 and at posttest 85.3. The results of the second research are the percentage of responses via Google Form (as a form of implementation of the socialization of 'tacit knowledge' to externalization' resulting in construction products, both joint and independent construction. Through the application of knowledge sharing and genre pedagogy, it appears that the student response is that knowledge sharing can stimulate critical thinking, sharing knowledge creates learning outcomes products, accommodating the implementation of joint construction as part of the genre-based approach stage, with a high response.

Confirmatory factor analysis of a rubric for assessing algorithmic thinking on undergraduate students

Algorithmic thinking is a key element for individuals to be aligned with the computer era. Its study is important not only in the context of computer science but also in mathematics education and all STEAM contexts. However, despite its importance, a lack of research treating it as an independent construct and validating its operational definitions or rubrics to assess its development in university students through confirmatory factor analysis has been discovered. The aim of this paper is to conduct a construct validation through confirmatory factor analysis of a rubric for the algorithmic thinking construct, specifically to measure its level of development in university students. Confirmatory factor analysis is performed on a series of models based on an operational definition and a rubric previously presented in the literature. The psychometric properties of these models are evaluated, with most of them being discarded. Further research is still needed to expand and consolidate a useful operational definition and the corresponding rubric to assess algorithmic thinking in university students. However, the confirmatory factor analysis confirms the construct validity of the rubric, as it exhibits very good psychometric properties and leads to an operational definition of algorithmic thinking composed of four components: Problem analysis, algorithm construction, input case identification, and algorithm representation.

Burnout among Nurses, Midwives, and Physicians in Maternity Care Exposed to Traumatic Childbirth Events

Abstract Purpose: To describe the relationship between experiencing traumatic childbirth events and burnout. Study Designs and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study used an anonymous online survey to assess traumatic childbirth event exposure and the three independent constructs of burnout: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment. Participants were a convenience sample of registered nurses, obstetric residents, family medicine residents, and attending obstetricians across five hospitals from December 2020 through June 2021. The traumatic childbirth event questionnaire measured the frequency of traumatic childbirth event exposure, perception of severity, and perceived influence on the participant's professional practice and personal life. Results: Data were analyzed from 150 participants. Registered nurses represented the largest percentage of participants (66%). Components of burnout varied according to race and occupation. Asian/Pacific Islanders had significantly higher mean depersonalization scores at 10.1 (SD = 6.0). Resident physicians had the highest emotional exhaustion scores (M = 34.6, SD = 8.8). Traumatic childbirth events perceived influence on practice correlates with personal accomplishments. Yet, no relationship was observed between traumatic childbirth events, emotional exhaustion, and depersonalization. Linear mixed analysis revealed that hospitals account for 7.5% of the variance in emotional exhaustion scores, 11.1% in depersonalization scores, and 1.3% in personal accomplishments scores. Clinical Implications: Maternity clinicians experience burnout at similar rates to those in other specialties. Although traumatic childbirth events are infrequent and not strongly correlated with emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, hospitals should implement effective strategies to support clinicians after such events. Educational interventions can enhance knowledge and resilience, whereas specialized training effectively alleviates burnout. Development of evidence-based strategies that prioritize the wellbeing of clinicians and patients is crucial.

Association of a composite trait for anthropometrics, adiposity and energy expenditure with cardiometabolic diseases: An age-stratified cohort and genetic risk score analysis.

Various anthropometric measures capture distinct as well as overlapping characteristics of an individual's body composition. To characterize independent body composition measures, we aimed to reduce easily-obtainable individual measures reflecting adiposity, anthropometrics and energy expenditure into fewer independent constructs, and to assess their potential sex- and age-specific relation with cardiometabolic diseases. Analyses were performed within European ancestry participants from UK Biobank (N = 418,963, mean age 58.0 years, 56% women). Principal components (PC) analyses were used for the dimension reduction of 11 measures of adiposity, anthropometrics and energy expenditure. PCs were studied in relation to incident type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) and coronary artery disease (CAD). Multivariable-adjusted Cox regression analyses, adjusted for confounding factors, were performed in all and stratified by age. Genome-wide association studies were performed in half of the cohort (N = 156,295) to identify genetic variants as instrumental variables. Genetic risk score analyses were performed in the other half of the cohort stratified by age of disease onset (N = 156,295). We identified two PCs, of which PC1 reflected lower overall adiposity (negatively correlated with all adiposity aspects) and PC2 reflected more central adiposity (mainly correlated with higher waist-hip ratio, but with lower total body fat) and increased height, collectively capturing 87.8% of the total variance. Similar to that observed in the multivariable-adjusted regression analyses, we found associations between the PC1 genetic risk score and lower risks of CAD and T2D [CAD cases <50 years, odds ratio: 0.91 (95% confidence interval 0.87, 0.94) per SD; T2D cases <50 years, odds ratio: 0.76 (0.72, 0.81)], which attenuated with higher age (p-values 8.13E-4 and 2.41E-6, respectively). No associations were found for PC2. The consistently observed weaker associations of the composite traits with cardiometabolic disease suggests the need for age-specific cardiometabolic disease prevention strategies.

The Role of Cost in Predicting Learning Outcomes in Physical Education: An Expectancy–Value–Cost Model

Purpose: While the expectancy–value theory recognizes the significance of cost as an essential component, it has garnered minimal attention in physical education. Utilizing two separate datasets, we explored the degree to which the inclusion of cost in an expectancy–value–cost model could augment its predictive capability. Method: Study 1 utilized a cross-sectional data set (N = 144) to investigate the predictive roles of expectancy belief, task value, and cost on behavioral and emotional engagement. Study 2 employed a longitudinal data set (N = 251) to assess how these variables influenced the hypothetical choice of attending physical education and cardiorespiratory fitness. Results: Cost played a significant role in explaining additional variance, surpassing what could be predicted through expectancy and value. Specifically, cost emerged as a crucial factor in predicting emotional engagement, hypothetical choice, and cardiorespiratory fitness. Conclusion: Incorporating cost as an independent construct can yield valuable supplementary insights into the determinants of students’ learning.

Exploring the interconnectedness of depression, anxiety, diabetes distress, and related psychosocial factors in adults with type 2 diabetes: A network analysis

Background and objectiveAnxiety, depression, and diabetes distress are three common psychological distresses among people with type 2 diabetes. Although previous research has explored factors associated with them, most studies have viewed these factors as independent constructs, overlooking the complex interactions between these factors, which can limit our understanding of psychological symptoms and associated factors from an integrated perspective. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between psychological distress outcomes and related psychological factors in people with diabetes from a network analysis perspective and further provide evidence for the selection of specific psychological intervention targets. Design and settingA cross-sectional study was conducted in person at diabetes centers of three tertiary hospitals in China. Participants481 adults with type 2 diabetes (62% male; mean age 51.91 ± 13.64 years; mean HbA1c 9.34 ± 2.23%) were recruited between December 2022 and April 2023. MethodsPsychological distress outcomes and related factors analyzed included depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7), diabetes distress (DDS), acceptance level (AADQ), cognitive fusion (CFQ), social support (PSSS), and self-efficacy (DMSES). Correlation analyses and network analyses were used to explore complex associations among these variables. ResultsThe network included ten nodes, diabetes-related interpersonal distress, anxiety, and regimen-related distress were the most influential in the network. Significant relationships emerged in networks with five nodes, with both acceptance level and cognitive fusion associated with the general psychological distress and diabetes distress; social support demonstrated stable associations with all three psychological outcomes in each network. ConclusionAfter controlling for other factors, psychological flexibility and social support could still be significantly associated with psychological distress outcomes, indicating the potential to integrate them as transdiagnostic processes into psychological interventions for this population. However, the results of this study are based on the group level, and the dynamic networks of individuals need to be further explored in order to meet the needs of individuals in different contexts.

Crafting an ultrashort workplace incivility scale and determining cutoffs for varied risk levels through item response theory

Workplace incivility (WI), characterized by disrespectful or rude behavior in the workplace, is linked to poor mental health and overall well-being. The Workplace Incivility Scale (WIS) is a popular 7-item measure for assessing WI. There is a current need for an ultrashort conceptually clear version of the WIS. In addition, the cutoffs for varied at-risks of WI, requiring intervention, remains unknown. Using data from 426 employees across diverse organizations, we employed item response theory (IRT) to create an ultrashort WIS and establish cutoffs for high, moderate, low, and at-not risk of WI. Confirmatory factor analyses were utilized to validate WIS construct validity. In supporting convergent validity, WIS was correlated with workplace bullying and poor health-related quality of life. All items demonstrated adequate severity threshold parameters with very high discrimination and good reliability parameters except for item WIS7. We successfully developed an ultrashort and valid 3-item WIS, specifically comprising items WIS2–4, and identified cutoffs for varying levels of WI risk. This streamlined measure aims to reduce response burden and foster a healthier organizational culture. In essence, cutoff points streamline the classification process, allowing for quicker and more standardized identification of at-risk employees. This concise, valid, and reliable ultrashort WIS holds potential for use in intervention studies conducted by organizational and occupational health psychologists, ultimately promoting employee well-being and cultivating a positive workplace environment. The current study further advances the existing theoretical framework rooted in the social interactionist perspective by delineating WI as a distinct and independent construct.

Prediction model for poor short-term prognosis in patients with chronic subdural hematoma after burr hole drainage: a retrospective cohort study.

Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a common condition in neurosurgery. With an aging population, there is increasing attention on the prognosis of patients following surgical intervention. We developed a postoperative short-term prognostic prediction model using preoperative clinical indicators, aiming to assist in perioperative medical decision-making and management. The dataset was randomly divided into training and validation cohorts. An mRS score greater than 2 one month after discharge was considered indicative of a poor prognosis. In the training cohort, the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis was used for multivariate analysis to identify independent risk factors and construct a prediction nomogram for poor prognosis one month after discharge. The performance of the nomogram was assessed using the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve and calibration curve. A Decision Curve Analysis (DCA) was also conducted to determine the net benefit threshold of the prediction model. Among the 505 participants, 18.8% (95/505) had a poor prognosis one month after discharge. The baseline characteristics did not significantly differ between the training cohort and the validation cohort. LASSO regression analysis in the training cohort reduced the predictors to four potential factors. Further multivariate logistic analyses in the training cohort identified four independent predictors: age, admission Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, hemiparesis, and hemoglobin count. These predictors were incorporated into the nomogram prediction model. Internal validation using ROC analysis, calibration curves, and other methods demonstrated a strong correlation between the observed and predicted likelihood of poor prognosis one month after discharge. The visualized nomogram prediction model we developed for short-term postoperative prognosis of chronic subdural hematoma after burr hole drainage aids in predicting short-term outcomes and guiding clinical treatment decisions. Further external validation is needed in the future to confirm its effectiveness.

B - 89 Evaluation of the Differential Effect of Cognitive and Somatic Anxiety Symptoms as Predictors of Verbal Learning and Memory Performance

Abstract Objective Anxiety is known to exacerbate cognitive difficulties associated with aging; however, little it is less clear how specific symptoms of anxiety, particularly cognitive and somatic symptoms, impact learning and memory performance among older adults. This study explored the relationship between moderate-to-severe symptoms of cognitive and somatic anxiety on auditory learning and memory performance. Method A sample of 95 outpatients referred for neuropsychological were administered the California Verbal Learning Test -3rd Edition-Brief Form (CVLT), Wechsler Memory Scales – 4th Edition Logical Memory (LM), and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) as part of a standardized battery. Results The sample was 45.3% female and 50.5% black (Age: M = 64.69, SD = 8.1; Education: M = 13.60, SD = 3.0). BAI items were dichotomized into somatic and cognitive symptoms. Items rated as moderate or severe were summed to create total somatic anxiety (S-Anx), and cognitive (C-Anx), and total moderate–severe (T-Anx) scores. Regression analyses indicated that T-Anx and S-Anx, significantly predicted CVLT Trial 1 (T1) learning (β = −0.24; β = −0.24, respectively) and total learning performance (β = −0.20; β = −0.23, respectively). C-Anx predicted T1 learning (β = −0.22,), but not total learning. None of the anxiety scales predicted CVLT delayed recall, nor LM learning or retrieval. Conclusion Multiple regression revealed that S-Anx remained a significant predictor of total learning when controlling for C-Anx. Findings indicate that both moderate-to-severe somatic and cognitive anxiety impact unstructured auditory one-trial learning, while somatic anxiety has a more broad impact on learning over trials, which was sustained after controlling for the effect of cognitive anxiety, suggesting potentially independent symptom construct clusters.

A symptom-level perspective on irritability, PTSD, and depression in children and adults

BackgroundAlthough irritability is a prominent clinical manifestation among traumatized populations, its relationships with other psychopathologies are rarely studied. Adopting a symptom-level perspective, this study aimed to explore how symptoms of irritability, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depression are associated. MethodThe Brief Irritability Test, the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5, and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 were used to measure irritability, PTSD, and depression, respectively, in a large sample of trauma-exposed children and adolescents (n = 5454), trauma-exposed adults (n = 4718), and children and adolescents with probable PTSD (n = 556). Exploratory graph analysis (EGA) and network analysis were conducted to examine potential communities and significant relations. ResultsAlthough irritability, PTSD, and depression were highly correlated at the disorder level, EGA results indicated that, at the symptom level, they formed highly stable and dense communities, respectively. Relations across disorders mainly emerged at symptoms related to negative cognition, dysphoria, and suicidal thoughts. Especially, strong transdiagnostic relations across all samples were “negative beliefs” and “suicidal thoughts”, “numbing” and “suicidal thoughts”, “startle” and “moving slowly or restless”, “bothering” and “moving slowly or restless”. Furthermore, irritability symptoms seem more central than PTSD and depression symptoms, with “snap” being the most central node across all networks, especially in the child and adolescent sample. ConclusionIrritability, PTSD, and depression are relatively independent constructs when analyzed at the symptom level. Irritability symptoms emerged as core symptoms in trauma-exposed populations. Our findings highlight the importance of independent assessment of irritability in the diagnosis and treatment of PTSD.

Examining the overlap between tinnitus and depression questionnaires-protocol for an ICF based content analysis.

Tinnitus is a common phenomenon with an estimated prevalence of 14.4% in the adult population. The experienced severity of tinnitus varies significantly among this population. Psychological factors have been identified as major contributors to this perceived severity, and numerous studies have demonstrated a correlation between symptoms of depression and tinnitus severity. However, the assessment of tinnitus severity and depressive symptoms often relies on self-report questionnaires, which show content overlap. This can pose challenges in distinguishing both conditions and interpreting their relationship. To address these challenges, the proposed study aims to examine the overlap between tinnitus and depressive symptom questionnaires by analyzing their content based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework. Six validated, multi-item, self-report questionnaires measuring perceived tinnitus severity (THI, TQ, mTQ, THQ, TRQ, TFI) and seven validated, multi-item, self-report, depressive symptom questionnaires (BDI-II, HADS-D, SDS, PHQ-9, CES-D, SCL-90-R depression subscale, DASS-42 depression subscale) will be included in the content analysis. The content of all items of these questionnaires will be linked to ICF categories and item overlap between the tinnitus and depressive symptom questionnaires will be analyzed. By exploring the overlap between depression and tinnitus questionnaires, this study seeks to gain a better understanding of the relationship between tinnitus and depression, by distinguishing between shared content and independent constructs of symptom scores and shedding light on the factors influencing their measured severity. Ethical approval is not required for this study, due to the characteristics of the study design. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed open access publication and scientific conferences.

Tracking Existing Factors Directly Affecting the Reproduction of Bumblebees: Current Knowledge.

Bumblebees are primary social insects and a vital class of pollinating insects. Their distinctive reproductive mode is characterized by the independent initiation and construction of the nest by the queen and the subsequent production of sufficient workers, males, and gynes following colony development. After successful mating, the queen transitions to the first phase of its annual life cycle. The reproductive processes are directly influenced by environmental factors, including floral resources and pesticides. Moreover, the reproductive level is regulated by biological factors, particularly the role of workers, who participate in egg laying and pass on their genetic material to the next generation of queens. Successful reproduction can only be achieved by maintaining colony development under natural or artificial breeding conditions. Consequently, understanding the known factors that influence bumblebee reproduction is essential for developing conservation strategies for wild bumblebees and for successfully breeding diverse bumblebee species. Breeding various bumblebee species is crucial for in-depth research into known factors and for further exploration of other potential factors, which will also help to meet the demand for pollination in agricultural facilities globally.

I genuinely recognize you: how technological engagement and privacy increase the online purchase intent of consumers

Purpose The purpose of the study was to explore the purchase intention of online consumers by proposing and validating a model supported by exhaustive reviews from top-rated journals, where digital technology, consumer privacy, consumer engagement and online advertising were the extracted constructs influencing consumer learning on digital platforms and finally evaluating the purchase intention of online consumers. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire representing these constructs was then sent to the 470 respondents on LinkedIn, and then designations like business heads, managers and faculty from educational institutions were selected using a stratified sampling technique and, finally, PLS-SEM robust computation standards aided in research model assessment and validation. Findings Results predicted that the variance explained by individual independent constructs defines consumer privacy as a priority for companies, followed by online advertising, consumer engagement and digital technology while measuring the final purchase intent for online consumption. Also, with dynamism in consumer sentiments and a rapidly changing technological environment, the consumer’s digital behaviour may differ in the coming future in relation to their online purchase intent. Research limitations/implications Current research anticipates that the final online purchase intent of consumers has been vividly covered by our independent constructs, but an unexplained R2 of 31% still promotes prospects related to the existing research. Furthermore, India has a huge rural population that, with a lack of money, has a complex behavioural mindset due to religious issues. Practical implications It is important to note that in a real-time market, a better understanding of the duality of persuasive and smart technology and the evaluation of the performance of social media helps in deciding the final online consumer intent. Originality/value The need for digital transformation has become an essential necessity for companies while managing the expectations and needs of the fastest-growing online consumers.

Peculiarities of the alienation of the real estate object located on one’s own land plot

The article is devoted to the study of issues of legal regulation of relations related to the transfer of ownership of a plot of land in the event of acquisition of ownership of a real estate object located on it. It was established that the implementation of the principle of a single legal share of the land plot and the real estate object on it is carried out in accordance with the requirements of land and civil legislation. The need to determine the quality of priority land legal norms was noted. It was found that the legislative innovations contributed to the unification of the regulatory and legal regulation of the implementation and practical implementation of the automatic transfer of the right to a land plot when the right to a residential building, other building or structure on it is transferred. The mechanism of simultaneous transfer from the expropriator (previous owner) to the acquirer of the real estate object of ownership of the land plot on which such an object is located is analyzed. The grounds and conditions under which such a transition is possible have been clarified. In addition, the issue of legislative regulation of real estate objects, with the acquisition of ownership of which provides for the automatic transfer of ownership to the land plot on which they are located, is also disclosed. Approaches regarding the need to improve norms due to their uncertainty (contradiction) were supported. The special requirements for the contract providing for the transfer of ownership of the real estate object located on the land owned by the alienator were analyzed, the subject and essential terms of the contract were clarified, and the feasibility of improving the legal requirements on the specified issues was noted. Taking into account the analysis of the formed judicial practice, the relevant issues of the consideration of disputes related to the provision of the principle of a single legal destiny of the real estate object and the land plot on it were analyzed, the problems of independent construction, acquisition of ownership rights to it were considered. Attention is focused on the issues of further improvement of land legal norms in order to ensure the effective functioning of the procedure for transferring the right to a land plot in the event of acquiring the right to a real estate object located on it.

Using rhetorical writing frames to enhance negotiated independent construction in second language writing

Using rhetorical writing frames to enhance negotiated independent construction in second language writing

Research on influence of wear ring clearance on energy loss of reactor coolant pump

Reactor coolant pump (RCP), the only rotating equipment in the nuclear island, directly determines the safety of the nuclear power system, has been likened to the “heart” of a nuclear power plant. The RCP needs to have very high reliability and stability. Its independent design and construction have always been the focus and difficulty of promoting the independent construction of nuclear power. To study the effect of the wear ring clearance on the energy loss characteristics of the RCP, the numerical simulation of the internal flow field of computation models with different wear ring clearance dimensions were conducted. The results indicate: As the wear ring clearance increases, the trend of performance reduction becomes more significant, especially under the large flow conditions; The increase of the wear ring clearance results in an increase of the pressure loss in the impeller and diffuser, and the variation in pressure distribution in different flow passages under different wear ring clearance dimensions is influenced by the position of the blade; The distribution of turbulent dissipation entropy production rate corresponds significantly to the distribution of direct dissipation entropy production rate, and the dissipation entropy production being more significantly affected by the wear ring clearance dimension closer to the shroud; The change of wear ring clearance dimension has limited impact on the wall shear stress entropy production of the impeller blade, while its effect on the diffuser blade is more pronounced; With the increase of the wear ring clearance, the scale of vortices near the impeller front shroud significantly increases, and the entropy production on the surface of vortex core at the impeller inlet gradually increases. This study is of great significance to ensure the secure and stable operation of the RCP, and provides an important reference for the hydraulic optimization design of the RCP.

Resource efficient stabilization for local tasks despite unknown capacity links

Self-stabilizing protocols enable distributed systems to recover correct behavior starting from any arbitrary configuration. In particular, when processors communicate by message passing and the communication links are unbounded, fake messages may be placed in communication links by an adversary. When the number of such fake messages is unknown, self-stabilization may require huge resources:•generic solutions (a.k.a. data link protocols) require unbounded resources, which makes them unrealistic to deploy,•specific solutions (e.g., census or tree construction) require O(nlog⁡n) or O(Δlog⁡n) bits of memory per node, where n denotes the network size and Δ its maximum degree, which may prevent scalability.We investigate the possibility of resource-efficient self-stabilizing protocols in this context.Specifically, we present self-stabilizing protocols for (Δ+1)-coloring and maximal independent set construction in any n-node graph, under the asynchronous message-passing model. The problems of (Δ+1)-coloring and maximal independent set construction are widely regarded as benchmark problems for evaluating local algorithms. Our protocols offer many desirable features. They are deterministic, converge in O(kΔn2log⁡n) message exchanges, where k is the (unknown) initial number of (possibly corrupted) messages in a communication link. They use messages of O(log⁡log⁡n+log⁡Δ) bits with a memory of O(Δlog⁡Δ+log⁡log⁡n) bits at each node. The resource consumption of our protocols is thus almost oblivious to the number of nodes, enabling scalability. Moreover, a striking property of our protocols is that the nodes do not need to know the number, or any bound on the number of messages initially present in each communication link of the initial (potentially corrupted) network configuration. This permits our protocols to handle any future network with unknown message capacity communication links.A key building block of our coloring and maximal independent set schemes is an algorithm to obtain an acyclic orientation of graph edges, that is of independent interest, and can serve as a useful tool for solving other tasks in this challenging setting.

Task potential in relation to teaching quality and teacher competence in secondary mathematics classrooms

The potential of tasks to foster mathematical learning and understanding is an important aspect of instruction and their implementation in teaching is thus often viewed to be positively related to the quality of instruction. Both the selection of tasks as well as their implementation in the classroom depend on many factors, with teachers’ knowledge and skills as one of the most important ones. The present study aims to analyze the relations between different aspects of task potential, the quality of instruction, and teachers’ competence in order to investigate whether task potential can be seen as an indicator for teaching quality, for teacher competence, or as an independent construct in models of educational effectiveness. To this end, we draw on data from the TEDS-Validate study, namely tests of mathematics teachers’ competence (n = 31) observations in their classrooms (n = 60), and an in-depth analysis of all tasks used in the respective lessons (n = 2490). Multiple regression analysis suggests that while some facets of task potential are related to either teaching quality or teacher competence, the potential of tasks emerges as an independent construct with some characteristics predicting the teaching quality of the respective lessons. Implications of these results for the role of tasks in educational effectiveness research are discussed.