Negative Trajectories Research Articles

Social Integration in Higher Education and Development of Intrinsic Motivation: A Latent Transition Analysis.

This study, based on the self-determination theory, investigates the link between university students' social peer and teacher integration and intrinsic motivation development. Both integration contexts are expected to contribute to the student's development, either additive or compensatory. The analyses rely on a nationally representative sample of 7,619 German university students (NEPS data set) and cover the time between the 3rd and 5th semesters in a longitudinal design. Person-centered analytical tools were applied to tap interindividual differences in the motivational trajectories as well as in integration profiles. Latent transition analyses revealed distinct links between the motivational trajectories (Increase [n = 532], Moderate Decrease [n = 2580], Decrease [n = 4,507]) and the integration profiles (Highly Integrated [n = 2,492], Moderately Integrated [n = 3832], Isolated [n = 1,144], Peer Deprivated [n = 151]), pointing to additive effects of teacher and peer integration. Positive trajectories were more likely in the Highly than in Moderately Integrated profiles. The two profiles pointing to below-average integration levels (Isolated and Peer Deprivated) showed the same probabilities for rather negative trajectories. The results are discussed against the backdrop of self-determination theory and additive vs. compensatory effects of teacher and peer integration, proposing a threshold model.

Mendelian randomization analysis for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: studying a broad range of exposures and outcomes.

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a highly prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors and is often thought as an entry point into a negative life trajectory, including risk for comorbid disorders, poor educational achievement or low income. In the present study, we aimed to clarify the causal relationship between ADHD and a comprehensive range of related traits. We used genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics for ADHD (n = 53 293) and 124 traits related to anthropometry, cognitive function and intelligence, early life exposures, education and employment, lifestyle and environment, longevity, neurological, and psychiatric and mental health or personality and psychosocial factors available in the MR-Base database (16 067 ≤n ≤766 345). To investigate their causal relationship with ADHD, we used two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) with a range of sensitivity analyses, and validated MR findings using causal analysis using summary effect estimates (CAUSE), aiming to avoid potential false-positive results. Our findings strengthen previous evidence of a causal effect of ADHD liability on smoking and major depression, and are consistent with a causal effect on odds of decreased average total household income [odds ratio (OR) = 0.966, 95% credible interval (CrI) = (0.954, 0.979)] and increased lifetime number of sexual partners [OR = 1.023, 95% CrI = (1.013, 1.033)]. We also found evidence for a causal effect on ADHD for liability of arm predicted mass and weight [OR = 1.452, 95% CrI = (1.307, 1.614) and OR = 1.430, 95% CrI = (1.326, 1.539), respectively] and time spent watching television [OR = 1.862, 95% CrI = (1.545, 2.246)], and evidence for a bidirectional effect for age of first sexual intercourse [beta = -0.058, 95% CrI = (-0.072, -0.044) and OR = 0.413, 95% CrI = (0.372, 0.457), respectively], odds of decreased age completed full-time education [OR = 0.972, 95% CrI = (0.962, 0.981) and OR = 0.435, 95% CrI = (0.356, 0.533), respectively] and years of schooling [beta = -0.036, 95% CrI = (-0.048, -0.024) and OR = 0.458, 95% CrI = (0.411, 0.511), respectively]. Our results may contribute to explain part of the widespread co-occurring traits and comorbid disorders across the lifespan of individuals with ADHD and may open new opportunities for developing preventive strategies for ADHD and for negative ADHD trajectories.

Migrant informal caregiver perceptions and experiences of caring for a family member with dementia: A systematic review and thematic synthesis.

To describe migrant family caregivers' experiences and perceptions of caring for a family member with dementia. There are demographic trends of aging populations and increased migration between countries. Age-associated diseases, such as dementia, are expected to increase, with migrants being at significantly increased risk. Knowledge of how dementia care is provided within migrant families is scarce. Systematic review and thematic synthesis of qualitative research were performed to inform the development of interventions that can acknowledge and respond to the needs, concerns and preferences of migrant family caregivers. Searches were performed in PubMed, PsycINFO and CINAHL and reference lists in published articles were reviewed for the period 2000-October 2020. The CASP checklist for qualitative research was used to assess evidence quality, and the ENTREQ framework was used as a guide for study reporting. Twenty-six articles from 10 Western countries, including 360 informal migrant caregivers from more than 30 countries of origin, were eligible. Within four areas of construct-perceptions of dementia and initial help-seeking; barriers to accessing and using formal dementia care; caregiver burden and coping and resilience-12 descriptive themes were identified. Several concepts cut across the themes, such as language difficulties; the role of the family in relation to care and support; cultural perceptions of dementia and care; stigma, pride and shame; the importance of religion and the importance of trust. The review revealed commonalities among migrant family caregivers that resulted in reduced understanding of dementia and the importance of diagnosis and treatment. To prevent a negative trajectory in caregiving, with perceived demands causing high levels of stress and strain, several barriers to migrants accessing and using formal care need to be assessed and addressed.

Surgical inter‐hospital transfers: life saver or resource drainer?

As to diseases, make a habit of two things – to help, or at least to do no harm. The Hippocratic Corpus1 IHTs may be necessary for multiple reasons. These include lack of appropriate resources at the index hospital, higher acuity of care requirement, or need for complex multidisciplinary specialist care to ensure adequate patient management.4, 9 The process of IHT is complicated, requiring effective dialogue between the referring and receiving teams to ensure pertinent clinical information is communicated and patient-specific needs relayed.8, 10 Each transfer requires individualized shared decision making with patient safety and medical stability foremost in mind, taking into consideration the indication for transfer, capabilities of the health-care settings, distance and mode of transportation.10 The inherent intricate nature of the transfer process highlights the importance of having a robust, repeatable and dependable system to ensure optimal patient outcomes. This need has become increasingly apparent in recent years due to the trend of increasing preoperative IHT of surgical patients.11 This is likely due to increasing specialization of urban hospitals and the increased resource demands associated with sophisticated preoperative and intraoperative care.4, 12 However, there is limited evidence on the widespread benefits of surgical IHTs. Many groups of transferred surgical patients have poorer outcomes compared to their non-transferred counterparts, including increased hospital admission length, healthcare costs and in-hospital mortality.9, 13 Transferred patients have twice the associated health-care costs and three times the in-hospital mortality compared with their non-transferred counterparts.9, 13 These poorer outcomes have been demonstrated in a range of surgical pathologies and specialties.5-9 Proposed contributing factors relate to patients (e.g. older age, lower SES), disease (e.g. life-threatening illness) and transportation (e.g. mode of transport, distance travelled).9 Postponement of surgery due to delay in transfer or increased preoperative transfer time due to remoteness of the referring hospital is a major contributor to poorer surgical outcomes.5-7 There are several proposals to address and overcome the barriers associated with effective IHTs. Utilizing an appropriate mode of transportation concordant with the distance needing to be traversed, the geography of the region, the equipment and expertise of available transfer crew, and the medical stability of the patient have been shown to improve survival.10 Developing a systematic and rigorous health information exchange and handover system between facilities improve patient outcomes by ensuring accurate and up-to-date patient clinical data and diagnosis is available.10 The presence of specialized and experienced staff during transfer has also been shown to reduce transport morbidity.4 Patients with myocardial infarction or stroke experience improved outcomes following IHTs, likely due to standardized transfer protocols and expedited interventions.9 These success stories demonstrate the potential positive consequences of effective IHTs. Particularly in the dynamic climate of COVID-19, an evidence-based approach must be utilized to improve IHTs in Australia.14 There remains a need for further investigation into factors affecting the negative trajectory of surgical patients that undergo IHTs. It is imperative that factors resulting in futile transfers are identified to ensure best patient care and that scarce regional resources are not squandered. A national surgical audit database, such as the Australian and New Zealand Audit of Surgical Mortality, captures data from all surgical mortality in Australia and may play a key role in discovering relevant avoidable factors contributing to patient mortality during IHT.15 Recent reviews of this data identified that IHTs were involved in up to 30% of cases of surgical mortality11. IHTs to provide necessary patient care is inevitable due to the unique challenges of the Australian geography, population density and health-care system. Current evidence demonstrates that IHTs are an independent risk factor for mortality in surgical presentations. Avoidable transport-associated factors have been identified, however the current rate of mortality in IHT suggest further research into attributable factors should be performed to minimize patient harm and reduce surgical mortality. IHTs have the potential to be a lifeline for the unwell surgical patient, and careful planning is imperative to ensure it is not an unintended resource drainer. Open access publishing facilitated by The University of Adelaide, as part of the Wiley - The University of Adelaide agreement via the Council of Australian University Librarians. Ishraq Murshed: Conceptualization; investigation; writing – original draft; writing – review and editing. Aashray K. Gupta: Conceptualization; investigation; writing – review and editing. Joshua G. Kovoor: Conceptualization; investigation; writing – review and editing. Guy J. Maddern: Conceptualization; investigation; supervision; writing – review and editing.

Efficacy to avoid violence and parenting: A moderated mediation of violence exposure for African American urban-dwelling boys.

We took a risk and resilience approach to investigating how witnessing physical violence influences adolescent violent behaviors overtime. We proposed efficacy to avoid violence as a major path of influence in this negative trajectory of adolescent development. We also focus on the protective roles of parenting behaviors for African American boys living in disadvantaged contexts. Most of our sample of 310 African American adolescent males (M age = 13.50, SD = .620) had experienced significant amounts of violence, but they also reported continued efficacy to avoid violence. We tested a first stage dual moderated mediation model and found that higher levels of witnessing violence lead to more violent behavior and less efficacy to avoid violence, and that efficacy was the mediator in that link. Youth who witness more violence may feel that engagement in violence is inescapable and thus may themselves end up engaging in it. These problematic long-term trajectories were moderated by parent's communication about violence and monitoring revealing possible protections for youth, and an enhancement of youths' internal strengths. Our findings propose pathways that can inform interventions that may protect African American adolescent boys against the vicious cycle of exposure to, and acts of, violence.

Reverse trajectory analysis of the hydrogen negative ion beam in a prototype accelerator for ITER

Reverse calculation of negative ion trajectory based on the measured beam emittance has been performed for the first time in multi-stage accelerator in order to reconstruct negative ion profile near meniscus, which has been a long-term issue for negative ion sources. According to reverse calculation, negative ions are mainly extracted from the periphery of extraction area, and the particles extracted from the aperture edge is lost on acceleration grids. By taking into account the lost component with reconstructed negative ion profile, the negative ion trajectory became consistent with observed beam traces on the acceleration grids. This result can be applied directly to the design of ITER accelerator as well as the other Cs-seeded negative ion sources.

Study of negative ion beam emittance characteristic using 3D PIC-MCC simulation

It is reported from the measurement of a negative ion beamlet emittance that the characteristic three-Gaussian components are observed in the emittance diagram. The negative ion trajectories are calculated using 3D PIC-MCC simulation in order to clarify the origin of this complicated phase space structure and underlying physical mechanism. The characteristic three-Gaussian components can be reproduced in the emittance diagram from the simulation result. It is verified that the Gaussian components are caused by the negative ions extracted from the different plasma meniscus region, that is, the central region or the region near the edges of the meniscus.

Effect of menopausal hormone therapy on arterial wall echomorphology: Results from the Early versus Late Intervention Trial with Estradiol (ELITE)

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of hormone therapy (HT) on arterial wall composition by ultrasound. BackgroundThe effect of HT on the progression of subclinical atherosclerosis has been well-described using measurements of common carotid artery (CCA) wall thickness. However, it is unknown whether the change in arterial wall anatomic structure is accompanied by an effect of HT on arterial wall composition. MethodsA total of 643 healthy postmenopausal women divided into two strata according to the time since menopause (<6 years, the early-postmenopause group; or >10 years, the late-postmenopause group) were randomized to receive either active treatment or placebo. For hysterectomized women, the active treatment was oral micronized 17β-estradiol 1 mg/day; for women with a uterus, 4% vaginal micronized progesterone gel 45 mg/day for 10 days each month was added to the estradiol regimen. Gray-scale median of the CCA intima-media complex (IM-GSM), a (unitless) measurement of arterial wall composition based on echogenicity, was determined by high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography. Lower IM-GSM, or less echogenicity, indicates more atherosclerosis. IM-GSM and serum estradiol (E2) concentration were assessed every 6 months over a median 4.8-year trial period. Linear mixed effects regression models were used for all analyses. ResultsOverall, IM-GSM progression/year had a negative trajectory, reflecting reduction in echogenicity over time (worsening atherosclerosis). HT effects on IM-GSM progression/year differed by postmenopause strata (interaction p-value = 0.02). IM-GSM progression/year (95% CI) in the early postmenopause group randomized to HT was −0.50 (−0.82, −0.18)/year compared with −1.47 (−1.81, −1.13)/year among those randomized to placebo (p-value <0.0001). In the late postmenopause group, the annual IM-GSM progression rate did not significantly differ between HT and placebo (p = 0.28). Higher mean on-trial E2 (pg/ml) levels were associated with higher IM-GSM progression, indicating less atherosclerosis progression in all women (β (95% CI) = 0.006 (0.0003, 0.01), p = 0.04). For each pg/dl E2, IM-GSM progression/year was 0.007 ((−0.0002, 0.01), p = 0.056) in the early and 0.003 ((−0.006, 0.01), p = 0.50) in the late postmenopause group (interaction p-value = 0.51). CIMT progression rate (μm/year) was significantly inversely associated with the IM-GSM progression (β (95% CI) = −4.63 (−5.6, −3.7), p < 0.001). ConclusionsHT, primarily with oral estradiol, reduced atherogenic progression of arterial wall composition in healthy postmenopausal women who were within 6 years from menopause.Trial registration number: NCT01553084

Coagulation Behavior of Antimony Oxyanions in Water: Influence of pH, Inorganic and Organic Matter on the Physicochemical Characteristics of Iron Precipitates.

The presence of inorganic and organic substances may alter the physicochemical properties of iron (Fe) salt precipitates, thereby stabilizing the antimony (Sb) oxyanions in potable water during the chemical treatment process. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the surface characteristics, size of Fe flocs and coagulation performance of Sb oxyanions under different aqueous matrices. The results showed that surface properties of Fe flocs significantly varies with pH in both Sb(III, V) suspensions, thereby increasing the mobility of Sb(V) ions in alkaline conditions. The negligible change in surface characteristics of Fe flocs was observed in pure water and Sb(III, V) suspension at pH 7. The key role of Van der Waals forces of attraction as well as hydration force in the aggregation of early formed flocs were found, with greater agglomeration capability at higher more ferric chloride dosage. The higher Sb(V) loading decreased the size of Fe flocs and reversed the surface charge of precipitates, resulting in a significant reduction in Sb(V) removal efficiency. The competitive inhibition effect on Sb(III, V) removal was noticed in the presence of phosphate anions, owing to lowering of ζ-potential values towards more negative trajectory. The presence of hydrophobic organic matter (humic acid) significantly altered the surface characteristics of Fe flocs, thereby affecting the coagulation behavior of Sb in water as compared to the hydrophilic (salicylic acid). Overall, the findings of this research may provide a new insight into the variation in physicochemical characteristics of Fe flocs and Sb removal behavior in the presence of inorganic and organic compounds during the drinking water treatment process.

Associations between developmental patterns of negative parenting and emotion regulation development across adolescence.

Research has documented changes in parenting practices and in emotion regulation (ER) during adolescence. However, developmental trajectories of these constructs and how they may be linked are not clearly known. The present study examined longitudinal associations between developmental trajectories of negative parenting and developmental trajectories of ER (e.g., abilities and strategy use, including cognitive reappraisal and suppression). The sample included 167 adolescents (53% males) who were first recruited at age 13 or 14 years and assessed annually four times. Adolescents self-reported on the perceived degree of their parent's negative parenting and ER. Growth mixture modeling revealed two distinct trajectories of negative parenting across adolescence: Class 1 contained the majority of adolescents (84%), with moderate initial levels of negative parenting that decreased across adolescence; Class 2 contained a smaller group of adolescents (16%), reporting moderate initial levels of negative parenting that increased across adolescence. Though growth curve modeling did not reveal significant growth in ER across time in the sample as a whole, results from a two-group model demonstrated that ER development significantly differs depending on adolescents' experiences of negative parenting trajectories. Adolescents experiencing decreases in negative parenting showed significant increases in ER abilities and no significant changes in suppression. Adolescents experiencing increases in negative parenting exhibited significant decreases in ER abilities. Adolescent's cognitive reappraisal was unaffected by negative parenting. The findings underscore the significant role of differential parenting environments in the development of ER abilities during adolescence. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Experiences of Discrimination and Depression Trajectories over Pregnancy.

Research on risk factors for prenatal depression is critical to improve the understanding, prevention, and treatment of women's psychopathology. The current study examines the relation between experiences of racial discrimination and trajectories of depression symptoms over the course of pregnancy. Participants completed standardized measures regarding symptoms of depression at four timepoints during pregnancy and reported on experiences of racial discrimination at one timepoint. Latent growth curve modeling was used to examine the relation between discrimination and initial levels (intercept) and trajectories (slope) of depression symptoms over pregnancy. Participants were 129 pregnant individuals recruited from obstetric clinics and oversampled for elevated depression symptoms. Thirty-six percent of the participants were living at or below 200% of the federal poverty line. Fifty-four percent of the sample identified as non-Latinx White, 26% as Latinx, and 13% as non-Latinx Black. An unconditional latent growth curve modeling revealed a negative quadratic trajectory of depression symptoms during pregnancy. When women's report of discrimination was added as a predictor of depression trajectories, discrimination predicted the initial value (intercept) of depression symptoms, but not change over the course of pregnancy (slope). Specifically, higher levels of experiences of discrimination were associated with higher levels of depression symptoms. When sociodemographic and contextual covariates were included in the model, a low family income-to-needs ratio was also related to higher levels of depression symptoms. These findings provide evidence that women's experiences of racial discrimination and family financial strain are risk factors for prenatal depression, with implications for screening, treatment, and policy.

Engaging society and building participatory governance in a rural landscape restoration context

Although the Anthropocene has heralded unprecedented recognition of, and concern about the consequences of landscape degradation to humans, pathways to effective long-term landscape restoration remain uncertain. Restoration is a human activity that resists negative trajectories of environmental change, whereas participatory governance involves relationality between those entrusted with formal governance of natural resources and those who directly use, benefit from, and impact on natural resources. This paper outlines the transdisciplinary approach of the Tsitsa Project in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa to restore a degraded rural landscape. The project aspires “To support sustainable livelihoods for local people through integrated landscape management that strives for resilient social-ecological systems, and which fosters equity in access to ecosystem services”. In the project, landscape management has included extensive restoration aimed to reduce erosion, increase grazing vegetation-cover, and reduce river silt loads. It has also involved engagement in a reflexive learning process with local residents, government officials and traditional leaders to derive a Capability Pathway for the development of participatory governance. A foundational step, Co-Knowing , initiates the pathway. The concept of epistemic justice guided the goal of fair inclusion among participants, the development of a shared vocabulary and the conceptual understanding required for local people to move towards real governance participation. Narratives from stakeholders provide evidence that the process is building participatory governance agency. These approaches provide credible evidence for the value of building participatory governance capabilities as a foundation for long-term restoration outcomes.

Early motor development in infants with moderate or severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Timely development of early motor skills is essential for later skill development in multiple domains. Infants with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) have significant risk for developmental delays. Early motor skill development in this population has not been described. The aim of the present study was to characterize motor skill acquisition at 3 and 6 months corrected age (CA) and assess trajectories of skill development over this time period in infants with severe BPD. We performed a single-center, retrospective descriptive study. Motor skills were categorized as present and normal, present but atypical, or absent at 3 and 6 months CA. Logistic regression was used to identify clinical characteristics associated with negative trajectories of skill acquisition. Data were available for 232 infants and 187 infants at 3 and 6 months CA, respectively. Ten motor skills were present and normal in 5-44%(range) of subjects at 3 months. Nineteen motor skills were present and normal in 1-63%(range) of subjects at 6 months. Significant postural asymmetry was noted throughout the study period. Loss of skills and worsening asymmetries over time were common. Exposure to sedating medications was significantly associated with poor development. We report delays in motor skill acquisition and postural asymmetries in infants with severe BPD at both 3 and 6 months CA. The association between sedating medications and poor development suggests that efforts to limit these exposures may lead to improved development. Targeted interventions to facilitate early motor development may improve outcomes of this high-risk population.

Trajectories of Self-compassion and Psychological Symptoms in Newly Diagnosed Cancer Patients

More self-compassion has been related to a better psychological functioning in cancer patients, but little is known about the course of self-compassion over time in the trajectory of illness and cancer treatment. This longitudinal study aimed to examine subgroups of cancer patients with differential trajectories of self-compassion and associations of these trajectories with the course of psychological symptoms. A total of 153 cancer patients participated in this longitudinal study. Self-reported questionnaires were used to measure self-compassion (i.e., overall self-compassion and, separately, positive self-compassion, and negative self-compassion), and depressive and anxiety symptoms. These assessments were taken directly after cancer diagnosis (T1), and at the start (T2) and the end (T3) of medical treatment. Latent class growth modelling and repeated measures ANOVA were applied to examine the research questions. We identified three trajectories of overall self-compassion (“stable low” 82.2%, “late increase” 11.8%, and “late decrease” 6.0%), four trajectories of positive self-compassion (“late decline” 57.2%, “early decline” 22.4%, “large increase” 15.1%, and “large decline” 5.3%), and four trajectories of negative self-compassion (“late decline” 42.1%, “stable negative self-compassion” 40.8%, “large fluctuation” 9.9%, and “large increase” 7.2%). Only the negative self-compassion trajectories were significantly related to the course of depressive and anxiety symptoms. Our findings suggest that subgroups of cancer patients exist that show distinct trajectories of self-compassion over time. We identified a small group of patients at a higher risk of losing self-compassion throughout the cancer trajectory and experiencing psychological symptoms.

The Relationship between the Integration of CSR and Sustainable Business Performance: Perceptions of SMEs in the South African Construction Industry

Although studies relative to redirecting the unsustainable trajectory of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the South African construction industry (SACI) have been extensively conducted, current statistics show that 70–80% of construction SMEs in the SACI fail within their first five years of existence, raising concerns regarding their sustainability. This paper attempts to address the negative trajectory by exploring the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR), investigating the organisational perceptions of SMEs in the SACI relative to the relationship between the integration of CSR and sustainable business performance (SBP). Existing literature was used to provide an overview of this relationship taking into consideration the views of SMEs in both developed and developing countries. The empirical study was conducted utilising a quantitative research approach in the form of an online questionnaire survey. The research data was analysed using both descriptive (mean, standard deviation, etc.) and inferential (Analysis of Variance ANOVA) statistics. Based on the research approach and data analysis, the findings revealed that SMEs in the SACI similarly perceive the relationship between the integration of CSR and SBP to be a positive one, implying that the practice of CSR within construction businesses should lead to SBP, and serve as a meaningful guide in addressing the unsustainable trajectory of SMEs in the SACI. The findings could guide government agencies such as the construction industry development board (cidb) to embed CSR education within contractor development programs, linking the adoption of CSR to the contractor grading system.

Does recruitment trigger negative density-dependent feedback loops in stream-dwelling salmonids?

I explored the hypothesis that recruitment may stabilize the numerical dynamics of stream-dwelling salmonids by triggering density-dependent feedback loops through the operation of recruitment dependence on individual growth, mortality, life span and maximum size and their effects on fecundity. I examined 98 cohorts of two Salmo trutta populations of northern Spain and a population of Jutland (Denmark) located 2400 km apart. Recruitment, growth, mortality, life span and maximum size were inter-related, were recruitment-dependent and described negative power trajectories. In the Spanish populations, faster-growing individuals of weakly recruited cohorts with lower mortality attain longer life span and larger size. Hence, larger females spawning more abundant, larger eggs that, in turn, induce stronger cohorts of higher spawners’ abundance, recruitment and mortality. The mortality patterns match the self-thinning patterns, an ultimate expression of competition. Significant relationships among self-thinning slopes and mortalities rates with increasing recruitment demonstrate that the rate at which density-driven mortality is higher, the stronger the intensity of intraspecific competition. Space-limited habitat and size-dependent resource availability underpinning site-specific carrying capacities suggest that interference competition is the primary mechanism underpinning population regulation.

The role of China's aluminum recycling on sustainable resource and emission pathways

Aluminum is an indispensable metal because of its tremendous industrial demand, which inevitably places pressure on natural reservoirs, and its continuous production intensifies greenhouse gas emission and energy consumption issues. China is the top producer and consumer of aluminum, resulting in substantially negative trajectories in both the global and national anthroposphere compared with other aluminum-producing countries. The rising stock of end-of-life scrap suggests improving more recycling opportunities to acquire sustainable resource use. Here, we use two modelling approaches in accordance with the life cycle thinking to forecast cumulative demand, GHG emission, and energy performance with six different recycling rates. We show that a recycling rate between 40% and 50% can significantly contribute to sustaining resource consumption while convincingly higher rates readily support increasing sustainable use. However, if the recycling increment is subsidized to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and energy use in production processes, then the authorized reduction up to 50% by 2050 (compared to China's 2000 emission level) cannot be reached by only practicing recycling optimization. The required target is still a challenge, but solutions can be obtained mainly through the serious commitment towards emission reduction paths such as the integration of innovative modern technologies with scrap recycling and product substitution.

School staffs’ experiences of supporting children with school attendance difficulties in primary school: a qualitative study

ABSTRACT Children’s absence from primary school is associated with lower attainment and social difficulties, and persistent absence at this age often continues or worsens as children progress into secondary education. It is therefore important to intervene early to interrupt this negative trajectory. This study used individual semi-structured interviews to explore the perspectives of eight members of primary school staff, who had experience supporting children with difficulty regularly attending school, from both mainstream and special primary schools in England. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Participants perceive school non-attendance to be a complex and challenging issue that can have a significant negative impact, and can be caused and maintained by multiple factors related to the child, family and school/education. Participants believe prevention is key and identify several different social/emotional and learning-focused interventions they have used to support children to attend school regularly, with varying degrees of success. Participants emphasise that success of any intervention relies strongly on collaboration between parents, school staff and other agencies involved. Findings from this study suggest that sufficient resource, early intervention, development of a school community, collaboration with families, liaison with other professionals and targeted evidence-based strategies are all important in improving attendance in this age range.

Learning and Assessing Optimal Dynamic Treatment Regimes Through Cooperative Imitation Learning

Dynamic Treatment Regimes (DTRs) are sets of sequential decision rules that can be adapted over time to treat patients with a specific pathology. DTR consists of alternative treatment paths and any of these treatments can be adapted depending on the patient&#x2019;s characteristics. Reinforcement Learning (RL) and Imitation Learning (IL) approaches have been deployed for obtaining optimal treatment for a patient but, these approaches rely only on positive trajectories (i.e., treatments that concluded with positive responses of the patient). In contrast, negative trajectories (i.e., samples of non-responding treatments) are discarded, although these have valuable information content. We propose a Cooperative Imitation Learning (CIL) method that exploits information from both negative and positive trajectories to learn the optimal DTR. The proposed method reduces the chance of selecting any treatment which results in a negative outcome (negative response of the patient) during the medical examination. To validate our approach, we have considered a well-known DTR which is defined for the treatment of patients with alcohol addiction. Results show that our approach outperforms those that rely only on positive trajectories.

ИЗМЕНЕНИЕ ОБРАЗА ЖИЗНИ НАСЕЛЕНИЯ И СНИЖЕНИЕ СМЕРТНОСТИ ОТ ХРОНИЧЕСКИХ НЕИНФЕКЦИОННЫХ ЗАБОЛЕВАНИЙ В КОНТЕКСТЕ ДОСТИЖЕНИЯ ТРЕТЬЕЙ ЦЕЛИ УСТОЙЧИВОГО РАЗВИТИЯ

The concept of sustainable development has defined a new paradigm for the development of human society in the face of global challenges. Population health is the center of the paradigm, being the most important condition as well as the result of achieving targets of sustainable development in the interests of present and future generations. The purpose of the study is to assess Russia's progress in reducing mortality from chronic non-communicable diseases (NCD) in the context of changing lifestyle of the population and to determine the possibility of achieving targets of the Sustainable Development Goal 3 by 2030. Material and methods: calculation of standardized mortality rates was based on Rosstat data on deaths from major chronic NCD in the Russian Federation among people aged 30-69 in 2000-2020; calculation of predicted mortality values until 2030, with and without taking into account the impact of the pandemic, was based on the approximation of the indicators dynamics; secondary analysis of data from scientific publications, as well as results of the selected Rosstat studies on prevalence of risk factors and its changes in the period after 2000 was undertaken. Results. Since 2015, Russia has been successfully moving towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 3: mortality from chronic non-communicable diseases among people aged 30-69 has decreased by 10.3% by 2019. Positive shifts in mortality developed against the background of the improved lifestyle of the population. Noticeable progress has been made over the past 10 years in reducing tobacco and alcohol consumption. As far as physical activity and a healthy diet are concerned, the number of adherents to these components of a healthy lifestyle is yet to increase. The coronavirus pandemic has led to increased mortality from three of the four monitored diseases, in addition to neoplasms, since they are associated with COVID-19. In a pandemic situation, commitment to a healthy lifestyle has decreased, and consumption of alcohol, tobacco and drugs has increased as a response to stress. Opportunities for a healthy lifestyle have been limited due to economic hardship. Conclusion. Setting goals to reduce mortality from chronic non-communicable diseases in the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals in Russia fell on the period of sustainable positive trends. Significant results have been achieved in terms of reducing alcohol consumption and smoking. However, it was not possible to achieve higher physical activity and improvement in nutrition. The pandemic has both eliminated progress in reducing mortality from chronic non-communicable diseases, and formed a trend of increasing loss from the monitored causes, as well as undermined the sources of exit from the negative trajectory, reversing the process of improving lifestyle of the population.