Large Survey Research Articles

Stress profile of veterinarians in Switzerland: Young + female + employed = stressed?

The impairment of mental health among veterinary professionals has raised public awareness in recent years. The driving forces include a serious gap in veterinary services - with less available veterinary colleagues, especially in rural areas - and a general lack of veterinary graduates. This article presents the results of our first Swiss survey on psychological well-being in the veterinary profession. Our results are viewed both in the current context and in the context of developments that have already taken place in other medical disciplines. Results indicate higher levels of stress in veterinarians working as clinicians, in female colleagues, in veterinarians of younger age and veterinarians under employment. In the meantime, larger surveys such as the Vétos Entraide (https://vetos-entraide.com) were established in France and projects such as the Happy Vet project (https://happyvetproject.org) were launched in Switzerland for eg. the burnout prevention in the profession. However, the topic of «mental health» remains highly relevant in veterinary medicine and requires further research and measures, which should consider the identified predisposing factors, such as age and gender.

Exploratory perceptions of successful ageing and preferences for information and support amongst sexually and gender diverse people living with HIV in Australia

The current exploratory study investigates self-reported perceptions of successful ageing, and preferences for information access and support, amongst sexually and gender diverse people living with HIV in Australia. Cross-sectional data, derived from a larger survey, were extracted for 12 participants who self-reported as living with HIV and completed questions pertaining to successful ageing and information/support preferences. Qualitative responses regarding successful ageing were explored through thematic analysis while descriptive statistics were used to analyse information/support preferences. Themes of (1) social factors, agency, and autonomy; (2) physical and mental wellbeing; and (3) considerations of care needs and information were generated from qualitative data about successful ageing. General practitioners (83.3%) and HIV support services (75.0%) were the most preferred sources of information about ageing and care supports. Findings from this exploratory study identify opportunities for policy improvements, provision of funding, and coordinated community support to enable sexually and gender diverse people living with HIV to experience successful ageing in Australia.

Construction and Validation of a Survey on the Technological Difficulties in Italian Secondary Schools: The Mathematics Teacher Case

(1) Background: This study explores the technological difficulties of mathematics teachers in Italian secondary schools, focusing on the factors that influence their ability to integrate technology in teaching. (2) Methods: A questionnaire was developed and administered to a pilot group of 45 mathematics teachers from vocational secondary schools in Sicily and Veneto, followed by a larger survey with 557 mathematics teachers across Italy. The structural model was analysed using the maximum likelihood method via AMOS software (v.22 SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). (3) Results: The results highlight the importance of personal commitment in the school context and students’ problem-solving skills as key factors influencing the teachers’ technological challenges. The findings also indicate dissatisfaction with the school institution and families, as well as personal resistance to using information and communication technologies (ICT) in more advanced educational activities. (4) Conclusions: The study underscores the significant impact of these technological difficulties on teachers’ effectiveness in fostering students’ problem-solving abilities, calling attention to the need for better institutional support and strategies to reduce resistance to ICT use in education.

Navigating Cleanliness: A Comprehensive Examination of Swachh Bharat Mission Urban through Comparative Analysis between Indore M.P & Chandigarh

The largest survey in the world, the Swachh Survekshan Survey, the Indian government initiated a major cleaning campaign known as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBA) to advance health technology and hygiene knowledge. in order to chart the campaign's effectiveness. With the observation of 73 cities at the start of the Swachh Survekshan Campaign in 2016, the Indian government created the largest cleanliness survey in the world, with 4242 cities participating. Along with additional observations based on other factors, the survey covers the population of each area separately—rural and urban. The aim of this research is to conduct a comparative analysis between Gwalior, which was renowned for its cleanliness and beauty and significantly dropped in the Swachh Survekshan Ranking, and Indore City, which has regularly rated among the top cities in2017 to 2022 surveys. The research has analysed the differences in two cities' adherence to the Swachh Bharat Mission parameters using an exploratory research technique and secondary data from the Swachh Survekshan Survey 2022. Keywords—World’s largest cleanliness survey, swachh survekshan ranking, cleanliness movement,

Discovery and timing of ten new millisecond pulsars in the globular cluster Terzan 5

We report the discovery of ten new pulsars in the globular cluster Terzan 5 as part of the Transients and Pulsars with MeerKAT (TRAPUM) Large Survey Project. We observed Terzan 5 atL-band (856–1712 MHz) with the MeerKAT radio telescope for four hours on two epochs, and performed acceleration searches of 45 out of 288 tied-array beams covering the core of the cluster. We obtained phase-connected timing solutions for all ten discoveries, covering nearly two decades of archival observations from the Green Bank Telescope for all but one. Highlights include PSR J1748−2446ao which is an eccentric (e = 0.32) wide-orbit (orbital periodPb = 57.55 d) system. We were able to measure the rate of advance of periastron (ω̇) for this system allowing us to determine a total mass of 3.17 ± 0.02 M⊙. With a minimum companion mass (Mc) of ∼0.8 M⊙, PSR J1748−2446ao is a candidate double neutron star (DNS) system. If confirmed to be a DNS, it would be the fastest spinning pulsar (P = 2.27 ms) and the longest orbital period measured for any known DNS system. PSR J1748−2446ap has the second highest eccentricity for any recycled pulsar (e ∼ 0.905) and for this system we can measure the total mass (1.997 ± 0.006 M⊙) and estimate the pulsar and companion masses, (1.700−0.045+0.015 M⊙and 0.294−0.014+0.046 M⊙, respectively). PSR J1748−2446ar is an eclipsing redback (minimumMc ∼ 0.34 M⊙) system whose properties confirm it to be the counterpart to a previously published source identified in radio and X-ray imaging. We were also able to detectω̇for PSR J1748−2446au leading to a total mass estimate of 1.82 ± 0.07 M⊙and indicating that the system is likely the result of Case A Roche lobe overflow. With these discoveries, the total number of confirmed pulsars in Terzan 5 is 49, the highest for any globular cluster so far. These discoveries further enhance the rich set of pulsars known in Terzan 5 and provide scope for a deeper understanding of binary stellar evolution, cluster dynamics and ensemble population studies.

Dark Energy Survey Deep Field photometric redshift performance and training incompleteness assessment

Context. The determination of accurate photometric redshifts (photo-zs) in large imaging galaxy surveys is key for cosmological studies. One of the most common approaches is machine learning techniques. These methods require a spectroscopic or reference sample to train the algorithms. Attention has to be paid to the quality and properties of these samples since they are key factors in the estimation of reliable photo-zs. Aims. The goal of this work is to calculate the photo-zs for the Year 3 (Y3) Dark Energy Survey (DES) Deep Fields catalogue using the Directional Neighborhood Fitting (DNF) machine learning algorithm. Moreover, we want to develop techniques to assess the incompleteness of the training sample and metrics to study how incompleteness affects the quality of photometric redshifts. Finally, we are interested in comparing the performance obtained by DNF on the Y3 DES Deep Fields catalogue with that of the EAzY template fitting approach. Methods. We emulated – at a brighter magnitude – the training incompleteness with a spectroscopic sample whose redshifts are known to have a measurable view of the problem. We used a principal component analysis to graphically assess the incompleteness and relate it with the performance parameters provided by DNF. Finally, we applied the results on the incompleteness to the photo-z computation on the Y3 DES Deep Fields with DNF and estimated its performance. Results. The photo-zs of the galaxies in the DES deep fields were computed with the DNF algorithm and added to the Y3 DES Deep Fields catalogue. We have developed some techniques to evaluate the performance in the absence of “true” redshift and to assess the completeness. We have studied the tradeoff in the training sample between the highest spectroscopic redshift quality versus completeness. We found some advantages in relaxing the highest-quality spectroscopic redshift requirements at fainter magnitudes in favour of completeness. The results achieved by DNF on the Y3 Deep Fields are competitive with the ones provided by EAzY, showing notable stability at high redshifts. It should be noted that the good results obtained by DNF in the estimation of photo-zs in deep field catalogues make DNF suitable for the future Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) and Euclid data, which will have similar depths to the Y3 DES Deep Fields.

Galaxies in the zone of avoidance: Misclassifications using machine learning tools

Context. Automated methods for classifying extragalactic objects in large surveys offer significant advantages compared to manual approaches in terms of efficiency and consistency. However, the existence of the Galactic disk raises additional concerns. These regions are known for high levels of interstellar extinction, star crowding, and limited data sets and studies. Aims. In this study, we explore the identification and classification of galaxies in the zone of avoidance (ZoA). In particular, we compare our results in the near-infrared (NIR) with X-ray data. Methods. We analyzed the appearance of objects in the Galactic disk classified as galaxies using a published machine-learning (ML) algorithm and make a comparison with the visually confirmed galaxies from the VVV NIRGC catalog. Results. Our analysis, which includes the visual inspection of all sources cataloged as galaxies throughout the Galactic disk using ML techniques reveals significant differences. Only four galaxies were found in both the NIR and X-ray data sets. Several specific regions of interest within the ZoA exhibit a high probability of being galaxies in X-ray data but closely resemble extended Galactic objects. Our results indicate the difficulty in using ML methods for galaxy classification in the ZoA, which is mainly due to the scarcity of information on galaxies behind the Galactic plane in the training set. They also highlight the importance of considering specific factors that are present to improve the reliability and accuracy of future studies in this challenging region.

« Avec autisme », « autiste », « sur le spectre », « avec un TSA » ? Étude des préférences de dénomination et des facteurs pouvant les influencer auprès de la population française

IntroductionAutism-related language preferences are increasingly studied. While there are some guidelines established in international journals and a relatively clear consensus when it comes to the English language, studies in other languages are still rare. When it comes to this conversation, the preferences are often split between person-first language and identity first language (i.e., person with autism or autistic person). Some languages, such as French, have a different grammatical construction: the adjective comes after the noun, which leads to “person” always coming first. However, the presence of the “with” still leads to the same conversation as happens in English when it comes to “separating” the person from their autism. Our study expands on previously published results regarding French-speaking adults’ language preferences when it comes to autism, as well as identifying some factors that could be related to these choices. MethodsWhile participating in a larger survey regarding autistic masking and mental health, participants were invited to select their language preference amongst four options (autistic person, person with autism, person on the autism spectrum and person with Autism Spectrum Disorder) so that the items would reflect their choice throughout the questionnaires. One thousand seven hundred and fifty-seven responses were collected, split in 4 groups: 689 formally diagnosed autistic persons, 265 persons on a waitlist for autism assessment, 353 persons self-identifying as autistic and 450 non-autistic persons. Chi-square independence tests were conducted to identify potential factors that could influence language preferences. ResultsIFL (autistic person) was favored by the formerly diagnosed autistic group (65%), the self-identified group (46.7%) and the waitlist group (49.1%). The non-autistic group was the only one to favor PFL (person with ASD) (39.1%). Age was significantly associated with language preference, with younger people endorsing IFL while people aged 56 and over favored PFL (but IFL was favored when the non-autistic group was excluded from the analysis). Gender was also significantly associated with language preference, with non-binary people overwhelmingly endorsing IFL (71.8% in the total sample, 76.5% when excluding the non-autistic group). Being cisgender was another factor that was significantly associated with language preference, with TGD people also showing a major preference for IFL. Self-stigma was not associated with language preference. Finally, internalized shame was also associated with language preference, with people showing a lower level of internalized shame showing more preference for IFL than those with a higher level of internalized shame. DiscussionOverall, our results confirm a strong preference for IFL in autistic French-speaking adults and highlight some factors such as age, gender, and internalized shame that could play a role in these preferences. This study was not a study on language preferences and we might not have covered the whole range of possible preferences. Other limits include a self-reported diagnosis status and the inability to reach people with higher support needs. We encourage researchers to include in their data collection forms the possibility for the participants to choose their preferred language.

Bariatric surgeons' views on pre-operative factors associated with improved health-related quality of life following surgery.

Bariatric surgery is an effective treatment for severe obesity, affording significant improvements in weight loss and health-related quality of life. However, bariatric surgeons' views on whether certain pre-operative factors predict improvements in post-operative health-related quality of life, and if so, which ones, are largely unknown. This cross-sectional survey study examined the views of 58 bariatric surgeons from Australia and New Zealand. A total of 18 factors were selected for exploration based on their mention in the literature. Participants rated the extent to which they thought these pre-operative factors would improve post-operative health-related quality of life. Responses showed that bariatric surgeons held diverse perspectives and revealed a lack of consensus regarding "predictive" factors. Generally, respondents agreed that better than average health literacy, higher socioeconomic status, good physical and psychological health, and positive social support were predictors of improved health-related quality of life following surgery. However, poor eating behaviours, smoking, and the use of alcohol or other substances were deemed negative predictors. Interestingly, aside from higher socioeconomic status, good psychological health, and positive social support, none of the aforementioned views aligned with existing literature. This study offers an initial insight into bariatric surgeons' views on the influence of different pre-operative factors on post-operative health-related quality of life. The array of views identified suggests that there may be an opportunity for medical education, but the findings warrant caution due to the sample size. Replication with a larger survey may be useful, especially as predicted health-related quality of life outcomes could guide decisions regarding surgical (non)progression.

Attenuation proxy hidden in surface brightness – colour diagrams

Aims. Large future sky surveys, such as the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST), will provide optical photometry for billions of objects. Reliable estimation of the physical properties of galaxies requires information about dust attenuation, which is usually derived from ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) data. This paper aims to construct a proxy for the far-UV (FUV) attenuation (AFUVp) from the optical data alone, enabling the rapid estimation of the star formation rate (SFR) for galaxies that lack UV or IR data. This will accelerate and improve the estimation of key physical properties of billions of LSST–like observed galaxies (observed in the optical bands only). Methods. To mimic LSST observations, we used the deep panchromatic optical coverage of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) Photometric Catalogue, Data Release 12, complemented by the estimated physical properties for the SDSS galaxies from the GALEX-SDSS-WISE Legacy Catalog (GSWLC) and inclination information obtained from the SDSS Data Release 7. We restricted our sample to the 0.025–0.1 spectroscopic redshift range and investigated relations among surface brightness, colours, and dust attenuation in the FUV range for star-forming galaxies obtained from the spectral energy distribution (SED). Results. Dust attenuation is best correlated with colour measured between u and r bands (u − r) and the surface brightness in the u band (μu). We provide a dust attenuation proxy for galaxies on the star-forming main sequence. This relation can be used for the LSST or any other type of broadband optical survey. The mean ratio between the catalogue values of SFRs and those estimated using optical-only SDSS data with the AFUVp prior calculated as ΔSFR = log(SFRthis work/SFRGSWLC) is found to be less than 0.1 dex, while runs without priors result in an SFR overestimation larger than 0.3 dex. The presence or absence of the AFUVp has a negligible influence on the stellar mass (Mstar) estimation (with ΔMstar in the range from 0 to −0.15 dex). Conclusions. We note that AFUVp is reliable for low-redshift main sequence galaxies. Forthcoming deep optical observations of the LSST Deep Drilling Fields, which also have multi-wavelength data, will enable one to calibrate the obtained relation for higher redshift galaxies and, possibly, extend the study towards other types of galaxies, such as early-type galaxies off the main sequence.

Lifestyle Factors Associated With Frequent Recurrent Headaches in Children and Adolescents: A Canadian Population-Based Study.

Lifestyle behaviors have been postulated to affect headache frequency in youth and are often the primary target of self-management recommendations. Our study aimed to assess the association between various lifestyle factors and frequent recurrent headaches in children and youth. Children and adolescents aged 5-17 years were enrolled in a large cross-sectional Canadian population-based health survey, completed on January 31, 2019. Headache frequency was dichotomized into "approximately once/week or less" or ">once/week" (defined as frequent recurrent headaches). The association between frequent headaches and meal schedules, screen exposure, physical activity, chronotype, and frequent substance use/exposure (alcohol, cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, and cannabis) was assessed using both unadjusted logistic regression models and models adjusted for age/sex. Fully adjusted models examined the odds of frequent headaches according to all exposures. Survey design effects were accounted for using bootstrap replicate weighting. There were an estimated nweighted = 4,978,370 eligible participants in the population. The mean age was 10.9 years (95% CI 10.9-11.0); 48.8% were female; 6.1% had frequent headaches. Frequent headaches were associated with older age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.31, 95% CI 1.28-1.34, p < 0.001) and female sex (OR = 2.39, 95% CI 2.08-2.75, p < 0.001). In models adjusted for age/sex, the odds of frequent headaches decreased with meal regularity (adjusted OR [aOR] = 0.90, 95% CI 0.89-0.92, p < 0.001) and increased with later chronotype (aOR = 1.10, 95% CI 1.05-1.15, p < 0.001) and excess screen exposure (≥21 hours vs none in past week: aOR = 2.97, 95% CI 1.53-5.77, p = 0.001); there was no significant association with reported physical activity (aOR = 0.95, 95% CI 0.67-1.34, p = 0.77). In 12- to 17-year-olds, frequent headaches were associated with frequent alcohol use (≥1/wk vs never: aOR = 3.50, 95% CI 2.18-5.62, p < 0.001), binge drinking (≥5 times in past month vs never: aOR = 5.52, 95% CI 2.95-10.32, p < 0.001), smoking cigarettes (daily vs never: aOR = 3.81, 95% CI 1.91-7.62, p < 0.001), using e-cigarettes (daily vs never: aOR = 3.10, 95% CI 2.29-4.20, p < 0.001), and cannabis use (daily vs never: aOR = 3.59, 95% CI 2.0-6.45, p < 0.001). In the entire sample, daily exposure to smoking inside the house was associated with frequent headaches (aOR = 2.00, 95% CI 1.23-3.27, p = 0.005). Several lifestyle behaviors were associated with frequent headaches in children and youth, such as meal irregularity, late chronotype, prolonged screen exposure, and frequent substance use/exposure, suggesting that these are potential modifiable risk factors to target in this population.

The heterogeneous impact of social distancing on household-level economic performances: evidence from a large survey in Vietnam

ABSTRACT This study utilizes a large dataset surveyed by Facebook and several academic institutions to examine the heterogeneous impact of social distancing on household-level economic performances, employing the generalized method of moments (GMM) estimator and controlling multi-channel fixed effects. In particular, in this case study, the Vietnamese government’s sudden social distancing policy, which is seen as a quasi-experiment, has created favourable conditions to evaluate the causality of this nexus. The results confirm that increased social distancing leads to a higher likelihood of unemployment, especially for women and lower education levels groups. Notably, the study also finds that people with less desirable economic status (i.e. higher rate of unemployment and food insecurity) are more heavily hurt by social distancing practices. Therefore, the findings suggest the need for welfare programmes for these disadvantaged groups post-pandemic.

A Self-consistent Data-driven Model for Determining Stellar Parameters from Optical and Near-infrared Spectra

Data-driven models, which apply machine learning to infer physical properties from large quantities of data, have become increasingly important for extracting stellar properties from spectra. In general, these methods have been applied to data in one wavelength regime or another. For example, APOGEE Net has been applied to near-IR spectra from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS)–V APOGEE survey to predict stellar parameters (T eff, log g, and [Fe/H]) for all stars with T eff from 3000 to 50,000 K, including pre-main-sequence stars, OB stars, main-sequence dwarfs, and red giants. The increasing number of large surveys across multiple wavelength regimes provides the opportunity to improve data-driven models through learning from multiple data sets at once. In SDSS-V, a number of spectra of stars will be observed not just with APOGEE in the near-IR, but also with BOSS in the optical regime. Here, we aim to develop a complementary model, BOSS Net, that will replicate the performance of APOGEE Net in these optical data through label transfer. We further improve the model by extending it to brown dwarfs, as well as white dwarfs, resulting in a comprehensive coverage between 1700 < T eff < 100,000 K and 0 < logg < 10, to ensure BOSS Net can reliably measure parameters of most of the commonly observed objects within this parameter space. We also update APOGEE Net to achieve a comparable performance in the near-IR regime. The resulting models provide a robust tool for measuring stellar evolutionary states, and, in turn, enable characterization of the star-forming history of the Galaxy.

Interaction effect of screen time and sugar-sweetened beverages with depressive symptoms in adolescents: evidence from a large sample-based survey in China.

Excessive screen time and the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages are found to be independent predictors of depressive symptoms. However, the potential interaction effect of screen time and sugar-sweetened beverages, that is, whether one exposure factor strengthens the association of another with depressive symptoms, remains unclear. A large-scale adolescent health surveillance survey was conducted in 27 schools in eight regions across China. A total of 22,868 students were recruited to complete an eligible questionnaire to provide details of their screen time and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Multiplicative and additive interaction models were performed to estimate the interaction effects of screen time and sugar-sweetened beverages on depressive symptoms, and whether the relationship varied by age group was also examined. The multivariate logistic regression model showed that even if the confounding factors were controlled, screen time and sugar-sweetened beverages were still risk factors for depressive symptoms in adolescents. Interaction models indicated that screen time and sugar-sweetened beverages in combination were related to greater odds of depressive symptoms. Compared with late adolescents, early adolescents had a higher probability of depressive symptoms when exposed to the joint effects. Our study may hopefully deepen the understanding of the association between screen time and sugar-sweetened beverages and depressive symptoms. Future research should further explore how and why screen time and sugar-sweetened beverages affect individuals more profoundly in early adolescence than in late adolescence and how to mitigate this.

Medicinal Use of Different Cannabis Strains: Results from a Large Prospective Survey in Germany.

Up to now, it is unclear whether different medicinal cannabis (MC) strains are differently efficacious across different medical conditions. In this study, the effectiveness of different MC strains was compared depending on the disease to be treated. This was an online survey conducted in Germany between June 2020 and August 2020. Patients were allowed to participate only if they received a cannabis-based treatment from pharmacies in the form of cannabis flowers prescribed by a physician. The survey was completed by n=1,028 participants. Most participants (58%) have used MC for more than 1 year, on average, 5.9 different strains. Bedrocan (pure tetrahydrocannabinol to pure cannabidiol [THC:CBD]=22:<1) was the most frequently prescribed strain, followed by Bakerstreet (THC:CBD=19:<1) and Pedanios 22/1 (THC:CBD=22:1). The most frequent conditions MC was prescribed for were different pain disorders, psychiatric and neurological diseases, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Overall, the mean patient-reported effectiveness was 80.1% (range, 0-100%). A regression model revealed no association between the patient-reported effectiveness and the variety. Furthermore, no influence of the disease on the choice of the MC strain was detected. On average, 2.1 side effects were reported (most commonly dry mouth (19.5%), increased appetite (17.1%), and tiredness (13.0%)). However, 29% of participants did not report any side effects. Only 398 participants (38.7%) indicated that costs for MC were covered by their health insurance. Patients self-reported very good efficacy and tolerability of MC. There was no evidence suggesting that specific MC strains are superior depending on the disease to be treated.

Perceived risk of harm and school commitment as protective factors of cannabis use in a school-based survey of adolescents

Cannabis is one of the most used substances by adolescents in the United States and is associated with adverse effects. In general, previous research has focused on risk rather than protective factors for adolescent cannabis use. A focus on protective factors can lead to improving strengths-based prevention programs. For the current study, we reviewed the literature and selected a set of protective factors that have relevance for preventing cannabis use in adolescents. We tested these factors with a large sample of adolescents within a single analytic model that allowed for making comparisons among protective factors as well as replicating findings from prior research. Adolescent data came from a large school-based survey study of students (n = 32,626) in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12 conducted in the state of Utah. Logistic regression analysis indicated that adolescents reporting higher endorsement of perceived risk of harm for using cannabis, school commitment, and family management had significantly greater odds of being in the non-using cannabis group for the past 30-days compared to youth with lower endorsement of these factors. In contrast, prosocial involvement and school opportunities were not associated with past 30-day cannabis use in the analytical model. Implications for the perceived risk of harm, school commitment, and family management in relation to strengths-based preventive strategies are discussed.

Inclusion or Isolation? Differential Student Experiences of Independent Learning and Wellbeing in Higher Education

Independent learning is frequently identified as instrumental to student success within higher education. Although there is a significant body of literature demonstrating the importance of independent learning for retention and progression, to date, the relationship between independent learning and student wellbeing within higher education has been under-explored. This article addresses the gap in the literature by interrogating this relationship, with a particular emphasis on the barriers and enablers to independent learning and the implications for the wellbeing of university students as part of a whole university approach. Drawing on data from a large national student survey and nine focus groups with university staff conducted during the formulation of the University Mental Health Charter, the findings demonstrate important intersectionalities between independent learning and student wellbeing. In particular, they highlight that facilitating independent learning has the potential to allow students to flourish in higher education but only when factors relating to accessibility, inclusivity, expectations, and goals are explicitly addressed. Going forward, it is imperative that these links are more widely acknowledged and addressed within higher education research, policy, and practice to ensure that students are supported to develop as learners during both their transition into university and their journey through and beyond their studies.

Abstract B052: Ovarian cancer risk prediction: a systematic assessment of the state of the art and development of a new model

Abstract B052: Ovarian cancer risk prediction: a systematic assessment of the state of the art and development of a new model

SOFIA/HAWC+ Far-Infrared Polarimetric Large Area CMZ Exploration Survey. I. General Results from the Pilot Program

We present the first data release of the Far-Infrared Polarimetric Large Area CMZ Exploration (FIREPLACE) survey. The survey was taken using the 214 μm band of the HAWC+ instrument with the SOFIA telescope (19.″6 resolution; 0.7 pc). In this first data release we present dust polarization observations covering a ∼0.°5 region of the Galactic center’s central molecular zone (CMZ), approximately centered on the Sgr B2 complex. We detect ∼25,000 Nyquist-sampled polarization pseudovectors, after applying the standard SOFIA cuts for minimum signal-to-noise ratios in fractional polarization and total intensity of three and 200, respectively. Analysis of the magnetic field orientation suggests a bimodal distribution in the field direction. This bimodal distribution shows enhancements in the distribution of field directions for orientations parallel and perpendicular to the Galactic plane, which are suggestive of a CMZ magnetic field configuration with polodial and torodial components. Furthermore, a detailed analysis of individual clouds included in our survey (i.e., Sgr B2, Sgr B2-NW, Sgr B2-Halo, Sgr B1, and Cloud E/F) shows they have fractional polarization values of 1%–10% at 214 μm, with most of the emission having values <5%. A few of these clouds (i.e., Sgr B2 and Cloud E/F) show relatively low fractional polarization values toward their cores and higher fractional polarization values toward their less dense peripheries. We also observe higher fractional polarization toward compact H ii regions, which could indicate an enhancement in the grain alignment in the dust surrounding these sources.

Stellar Cycle and Evolution of Polar Spots in an M+WD Binary

Stellar activity cycles reveal continuous relaxation and induction of magnetic fields. The activity cycle is typically traced through the observation of cyclic variations in total brightness or Ca H&K emission flux of stars, as well as cyclic variations in the orbital periods of binary systems. In this work, we report the identification of a semidetached binary system (TIC 16320250) consisting of a white dwarf (0.67 M ⊙) and an active M dwarf (0.56 M ⊙). The long-term multiband optical light curves spanning twenty years revealed three repeated patterns, suggestive of a possible activity cycle of about 10 years of the M dwarf. Light-curve fitting indicates the repeated variation is caused by the evolution, particularly the motion, of polar spots. The significant Ca H&K, Hα, ultra-violet, and X-ray emissions imply that the M dwarf is one of the most magnetically active stars. We propose that in the era of large time-domain photometric sky surveys (e.g., ASAS-SN, Zwicky Transient Facility, LSST, Sitian), long-term light-curve modeling can be a valuable tool for tracing and revealing stellar activity cycle, especially for stars in binary systems.