Strong Support Research Articles

Pengaruh Perencanaan Program Kesiswaan Terhadap Pengembangan Karakter Siswa di Sekolah Menengah Pertama

The student program, which includes extracurricular activities, student organizations, and social activities, plays an important role in supporting the character development of students. This research aims to analyze the influence of student participation in extracurricular programs on character development at SMPN Sijunjung. This study employs a quantitative method with a survey approach and cross-sectional design. The research sample consists of 200 students randomly selected from several middle schools in Sijunjung. Data were collected using a Likert scale questionnaire to measure students' perceptions of their participation in student programs and character development. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive and inferential statistical tests, specifically Pearson correlation, using SPSS software. The research results indicate that students' participation in student programs is positively and significantly related to their character development, with a Pearson correlation value of r = 0.65. Sports extracurricular programs have the strongest influence on character development, followed by student organizations. More frequent participation in student activities is also associated with a higher level of character development. This research suggests the need for an improvement in the quality of student programs and stronger support from teachers, parents, and school authorities to maximize the positive impact on students' character

Investigating the evolution of green algae with a large transcriptomic data set.

The colonization of land by plants approximately 450-500 million years ago (Mya) is one of the most important events in the history of life on Earth. Land plants, hereafter referred to as "embryophytes," comprise the foundation of every terrestrial biome, making them an essential lineage for the origin and maintenance of biodiversity. The embryophytes form a monophyletic clade within one of the two major phyla of the green algae (Viridiplantae), the Streptophyta. Estimates from fossil data and molecular clock analyses suggest the Streptophyte algae (Charophytes) diverged from the other main phylum of green algae, the Chlorophyta, as much as 1500 Mya. Here we present a phylogenetic analysis using transcriptomic and genomic data of 62 green algae and embryophyte operational taxonomic units, 31 of which were assembled de novo for this project. We have focused on identifying the charophyte lineage that is sister to embryophytes, and show that the Zygnematophyceae have the strongest support, followed by the Charophyceae. Furthermore, we have examined amino acid and codon usage across the tree and determined these data broadly follow the phylogenetic tree. We concluded by searching the data set for protein domains and gene families known to be important in embryophytes. Many of these domains and genes have homologous sequences in the charophyte lineages, giving insight into the processes that underlay the colonization of the land by plants. This provides new insights into green algal diversification, identifies previously unknown attributes of genome evolution within the group, and shows how functional mechanisms have evolved over time.

Retraining professionals as STEM teachers: the potential and the challenges

ABSTRACT Israel suffers from a severe STEM teacher shortage. To mitigate it, two retraining projects were developed: one recruiting academic high-tech professionals and the other – practical engineers. This study evaluated both projects by exploring stakeholders’ perspectives and examining graduates’ retention. Applying a mixed-methods case study design, interviews were conducted with 35 graduates, 21 programme leaders and 6 school principals. Short demographic surveys were answered by 584 academic professionals and 356 practical engineers, and another 57 practical engineers answered a longer evaluation survey. The study found retention rates of 78% for academic professionals and 62% for practical engineers. To improve retention, both cohorts need better preparation in pedagogy, stronger support at school, higher wages and efficient administrative care. To realise their potential contribution, professional autonomy and principal’s support are necessary.

Peptides and primate personality: Central and peripheral oxytocin and vasopressin levels and social behavior in two baboon species (Papio hamadryas and Papio anubis)

The neurohormones oxytocin (OT) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) are involved in social behaviors and psychiatric conditions. However, more research on nonhuman primates with complex social behaviors is needed. We studied two closely-related primate species with divergent social and mating systems; hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas, n=38 individuals) and anubis baboons (Papio anubis, n=46). We measured OT in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF, n=75), plasma (n=81) and urine (n=77), and AVP in CSF (n=45), and we collected over 250 hours of focal behavioral observations. Using Bayesian multivariate models, we found no clear species difference in hormone levels; the strongest support was for hamadryas having higher CSF OT levels than anubis (posterior probability [PP] for females = 0.75, males = 0.84). Looking at nine specific behaviors, OT was associated with affiliative behaviors (approach, proximity, grooming, PP ∼ 0.85 – 1.00), albeit inconsistently across sources of measurement (CSF, plasma, and urine, which were uncorrelated with each other). Most behaviors had low repeatability (R ∼ 0 – 0.2), i.e. they did not exhibit stable between-individual differences (or “personality”), and different behaviors did not neatly coalesce into higher-order factors (or “behavioral syndromes”), which cautions against the use of aggregate behavioral measures and highlights the need to establish stable behavioral profiles when testing associations with baseline hormone levels. In sum, we found some associations between peptides and social behavior, but also many null results, OT levels from different sources were uncorrelated, and our behavioral measures did not indicate clear individual differences in sociability.

Merdeka Curriculum: Adaptation of Indonesian Education Policy in the Digital Era and Global Challenges

Objective: This paper examines the Merdeka Curriculum as a response to Indonesian education policy challenges in the digital era and globalization. The policy aims to enhance the flexibility and quality of education through a more adaptive approach to student needs and technological advancements. Theoretical Framework: The study is grounded in public policy adaptation theory and 21st-century education theory, which emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and digital literacy. This framework helps understand how the Merdeka Curriculum is implemented within the Indonesian education context. Method: A qualitative approach is used in this study, employing a case study method in several schools in Indonesia. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, classroom observations, and policy document analysis. Participants included teachers, students, and education policymakers. Results and Conclusions: The findings indicate that the Merdeka Curriculum provides greater flexibility for teachers in designing learning programs tailored to students' needs. However, implementation in the field faces various challenges, such as lack of technological infrastructure and teacher training. In conclusion, while the Merdeka Curriculum has the potential to improve educational quality, stronger support in technology and training is necessary for its success. Research Implications: This study has significant implications for the development of education policy in Indonesia, especially in the digital era. The findings encourage policymakers to consider greater investments in educational technology and teacher training to ensure the success of the Merdeka Curriculum. Originality/Value: This paper offers an original contribution by linking the Merdeka Curriculum policy to the challenges and opportunities of the digital era, providing practical insights into the implementation of education policy in Indonesia. It also adds to the literature on education policy adaptation in developing countries.

Hybridization in palms (Arecaceae).

Hybridization has significant evolutionary consequences across the Tree of Life. The process of hybridization has played a major role in plant evolution and has contributed to species richness and trait variation. Since morphological traits are partially a product of their environment, there may be a link between hybridization and ecology. Plant hybrid species richness is noted to be higher in harsh environments, and we explore this hypothesis with a keystone tropical plant lineage, palms (Arecaceae). Leveraging a recent literature review of naturally occurring palm hybrids, we developed a method to calculate hybrid frequency, and then tested if there is phylogenetic signal of hybrids using a phylogeny of all palms. Further, we used phylogenetic comparative methods to examine the interaction between hybrid frequency and presence in dry environments, on islands, and the species richness of genera. Phylogenetic generalized least squares models had stronger support than models of random association, indicating phylogenetic signal for the presence of hybrids in dry and island environments. However, all p-values were >.05 and therefore the correlation was poor between hybridization and the trait frequencies examined. Presence in particular environments are not strongly correlated to hybrid frequency, but phylogenetic signal suggests a role in its distribution in different habitats. Hybridization in palms is not evenly distributed across subfamilies, tribes, subtribes yet plays an important role in palm diversity, nonetheless. Increasing our understanding hybridization in this economically and culturally important plant family is essential, particularly since rates are projected to increase with climate change, reconfiguring the dynamics and distribution of biodiversity.

Factor structure of the Impact of Events Scale-Revised in Latin American young adults.

More than 550 million people speak Spanish and, yet, psychometric data on psychological instruments in Spanish lags. Given evidence of significant traumatic exposure and distress among Spanish speakers, the aim of the current study was to examine the factor structure of the Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R), in a large sample of Spanish-speaking adults. Participants (n = 725) were university students living in Latin America (M = 21.02; SD = 3.12). Most were born in Mexico (77.6%) and the next largest subgroup was from Ecuador (18.9%). Respondents completed the 22-item IES-R. The IES-R mean score was 20.08 (SD = 21.34) and 26.6% of the sample met the cutoff score for clinically significant symptoms. Regarding factor structure, eight different factor structures that have demonstrated a good fit in the extant literature were examined. The one-factor model demonstrated an acceptable fit, χ²(209) = 839.13, p < .0001; root-mean-square error (RMSEA) = 0.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.06, 0.07]; comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.91, Tucker-Lewis index (TLI) = 0.90. The two-factor model demonstrated good fit, χ²(208) = 746.70, p < .0001; RMSEA = 0.06, 95% CI [0.05, 0.06]; CFI = 0.92, TLI = 0.91, and nested model comparisons of the two-factor and one-factor models using the chi-square difference test supported the two-factor model. The most parsimonious of the multifactor models, a two-factor model with Avoidance symptoms as one factor and Intrusions and Hyperarousal combined into a second may be of greatest use for this particular version of the IES-R. The current research demonstrates strong psychometric support for Intrusion/Hyperarousal and Avoidance subscales when measuring traumatic stress in Spanish speakers and underscores the need for culturally and contextually sensitive assessment in this population, in which posttraumatic stress is prevalent. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Emotion regulation strategies and psychological health across cultures.

Emotion regulation is important for psychological health and can be achieved by implementing various strategies. How one regulates emotions is critical for maximizing psychological health. Few studies, however, tested the psychological correlates of different emotion regulation strategies across multiple cultures. In a preregistered cross-cultural study (N = 3,960, 19 countries), conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, we assessed associations between the use of seven emotion regulation strategies (situation selection, distraction, rumination, cognitive reappraisal, acceptance, expressive suppression, and emotional support seeking) and four indices of psychological health (life satisfaction, depressive symptoms, perceived stress, and loneliness). Model comparisons based on Bayesian information criteria provided support for cultural differences in 36% of associations, with very strong support for differences in 18% of associations. Strategies that were linked to worse psychological health in individualist countries (e.g., rumination, expressive suppression) were unrelated or linked to better psychological health in collectivist countries. Cultural differences in associations with psychological health were most prominent for expressive suppression and rumination and also found for distraction and acceptance. In addition, we found evidence for cultural similarities in 46% of associations between strategies and psychological health, but none of this evidence was very strong. Cultural similarities were most prominent in associations of psychological health with emotional support seeking. These findings highlight the importance of considering the cultural context to understand how individuals from diverse backgrounds manage unpleasant emotions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Assessing prevalence, validity, and correlates of ICD-11 posttraumatic stress disorder and complex posttraumatic stress disorder in Ireland.

The most frequently used measure of the 11th edition of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) is the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ). While there is strong support for the psychometric properties of the ITQ, few studies have assessed its reliability and validity in nationally representative samples. Additionally, several correlates of ICD-11 CPTSD have been identified; however, few studies have assessed multiple correlates simultaneously. To assess the factorial validity and internal reliability of the ITQ in a nationally representative sample of adults living in Ireland (N = 1,100); determine the prevalence rates of ICD-11 posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and CPTSD; and identify correlates of CPTSD symptoms and how CPTSD symptoms relate to risk of suicide. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed to evaluate the factorial validity of the ITQ, and structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to determine the unique multivariate associations between 10 predictor variables (age, sex, urban dwelling, unemployment status, number of traumatic events, COVID-19 infection, knowing someone who died from COVID-19, loneliness, social support, and sleep problems) and symptoms of CPTSD, and the unique associations between CPTSD symptoms and suicide risk. The ITQ produces reliable and valid scores, 11.2% of people met requirements for ICD-11 PTSD (2.4%) or CPTSD (8.8%), exposure to a higher number of traumatic life events, higher levels of loneliness, and more sleep problems predicted CPTSD symptoms; and negative self-concept (NSC) symptoms were most strongly associated with suicidality. Where the risk of suicide is high, treating symptoms of NSC, loneliness, and sleep problems may be advisable. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Edukasi Anti-Bulyying Melalui Strategi Kolaboratif Aliansi Siswa-Guru Dalam Menciptakan Zona Bebas Perundungan di Sekolah Dasar

Bullying in elementary school is a serious problem that can negatively impact children's psychological and academic development. The main problem identified was the high rate of bullying in primary schools which negatively impacted students' emotional and academic well-being. The purpose of this educational seminar is to develop and implement anti-bullying strategies that involve the active participation of students and support from teachers, as well as to evaluate their effectiveness in creating a safe school environment. The method used involves designing a collaboration-based anti-bullying education program, training teachers and students, and implementing related activities. Data was collected through surveys, interviews, and observations to measure changes in bullying rates, student attitudes, and school climate. The results of the study showed that the implementation of collaborative strategies was effective in reducing the incidence of bullying and increasing students' awareness of positive behavior. In addition, there is an increase in student involvement in anti-bullying activities and stronger support from teachers. In conclusion, the collaborative strategy of the student-teacher alliance succeeded in creating a bullying-free zone at Sukaraja Elementary School. The program not only reduces bullying but also improves the overall school climate, demonstrating the importance of the involvement of all parties in bullying prevention efforts

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Fibromyalgia: Exploring the Necessity of Neuronavigation for Targeting New Brain Regions.

Fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis are among the most prevalent rheumatic conditions worldwide. Nonpharmacological interventions have gained scientific endorsements as the preferred initial treatments before resorting to pharmacological modalities. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is among the most widely researched neuromodulation techniques, though it has not yet been officially recommended for fibromyalgia. This review aims to summarize the current evidence supporting rTMS for treating various fibromyalgia symptoms. Recent findings: High-frequency rTMS directed at the primary motor cortex (M1) has the strongest support in the literature for reducing pain intensity, with new research examining its long-term effectiveness. Nonetheless, some individuals may not respond to M1-targeted rTMS, and symptoms beyond pain can be prominent. Ongoing research aims to improve the efficacy of rTMS by exploring new brain targets, using innovative stimulation parameters, incorporating neuronavigation, and better identifying patients likely to benefit from this treatment. Summary: Noninvasive brain stimulation with rTMS over M1 is a well-tolerated treatment that can improve chronic pain and overall quality of life in fibromyalgia patients. However, the data are highly heterogeneous, with a limited level of evidence, posing a significant challenge to the inclusion of rTMS in official treatment guidelines. Research is ongoing to enhance its effectiveness, with future perspectives exploring its impact by targeting additional areas of the brain such as the medial prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, and inferior parietal lobe, as well as selecting the right patients who could benefit from this treatment.

Phylogeny and species delimitation of ciliates in the genus Spirostomum (Class, Heterotrichea) using single-cell transcriptomes.

Ciliates are single-celled microbial eukaryotes that diverged from other eukaryotic lineages over a billion years ago. The extensive evolutionary timespan of ciliate has led to enormous genetic and phenotypic changes, contributing significantly to their high level of diversity. Recent analyses based on molecular data have revealed numerous cases of cryptic species complexes in different ciliate lineages, demonstrating the need for a robust approach to delimit species boundaries and elucidate phylogenetic relationships. Heterotrich ciliate species of the genus Spirostomum are abundant in freshwater and brackish environments and are commonly used as biological indicators for assessing water quality. However, some Spirostomum species are difficult to identify due to a lack of distinguishable morphological characteristics, and the existence of cryptic species in this genus remains largely unexplored. Previous phylogenetic studies have focused on only a few loci, namely the ribosomal RNA genes, alpha-tubulin, and mitochondrial CO1. In this study, we obtained single-cell transcriptome of 25 Spirostomum species populations (representing six morphospecies) sampled from South Korea and the USA, and used concatenation- and coalescent-based methods for species tree inference and delimitation. Phylogenomic analysis of 37 Spirostomum populations and 265 protein-coding genes provided a robustious insight into the evolutionary relationships among Spirostomum species and confirmed that species with moniliform and compact macronucleus each form a distinct monophyletic lineage. Furthermore, the multispecies coalescent (MSC) model suggests that there are at least nine cryptic species in the Spirostomum genus, three in S. minus , two in S. ambiguum, S. subtilis , and S. teres each. Overall, our fine sampling of closely related Spirostomum populations and wide scRNA-seq allowed us to demonstrate the hidden crypticity of species within the genus Spirostomum , and to resolve and provide much stronger support than hitherto to the phylogeny of this important ciliate genus.

Peran Kepala Desa dalam Mewujudkan Pembangunan Desa yang Berkelanjutan: Sebuah Studi Literatur Kasus-kasus di Indonesia

The purpose of this study is to analyze the important role of village heads in achieving sustainable village development in Indonesia. The study employs a qualitative research approach, utilizing a literature review method to explore and synthesize various studies, articles, journals, and reports related to the village heads' roles. The data collection was conducted through a systematic literature search using relevant keywords such as "village head role," "sustainable village development," "community participation," "local resource management," "village-owned enterprises (BUMDes)," and "SDGs in villages." The gathered data were then analyzed using thematic analysis to identify key themes related to the village heads' roles in managing development, encouraging community participation, and implementing sustainable development policies. The study concludes that village heads play a multifaceted role in planning and managing village development, facilitating community participation, and ensuring transparent and accountable management of village funds. However, challenges remain, particularly in terms of corruption risks and equitable community participation. The findings emphasize the need for improved capacity building for village heads and stronger support from the government to achieve sustainable development goals at the village level.

Penerapan Pembelajaran Kolaboratif Dalam Mata Kuliah Bahasa Indonesia

This research describes the application of collaborative learning in Indonesian language courses at universities, identifies its benefits, and identifies the challenges faced in its implementation. This research also aims to formulate solutions that can overcome these challenges, thereby strengthening the effectiveness and success of collaborative learning in the context of teaching Indonesian in higher education. Based on the results and discussion, the conclusion that can be drawn is that collaborative learning has a strong theoretical basis from social constructivism, constructivism, social learning, and cooperative theory (Vygotsky, Piaget, Bandura, Johnson &amp; Johnson). The implementation of collaborative learning provides significant benefits for students and lecturers, including increased motivation, material knowledge, engagement, and better interpersonal relationships. Effective implementation strategies include clarifying learning objectives, forming effective groups, providing structured assignments, facilitating interaction, and providing fair assessments. Further training and provision is needed for students and lecturers in implementing collaborative learning effectively. The development of assessment instruments that are more detailed and sensitive to individual contributions in the group can increase the objectivity of the assessment. Further research is needed to identify more efficient strategies for overcoming challenges in collaborative learning. Stronger support from universities in providing the training and resources needed to optimize the implementation of collaborative learning models

Digital Interventions for Adolescents and Young Adults Experiencing Self-Injurious Thoughts and Behaviors.

To summarize literature on digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) for self-injurious thoughts and behaviors (SITBs) among adolescents and young adults. This includes studies evaluating DMHI efficacy in reducing SITBs, exploring the quality of these interventions, and describing the features, functionality, and psychological strategies of these interventions. Evidence for the efficacy of DMHIs for SITBs is limited but growing. The strongest support is for DMHIs with a cognitive-behavioral approach, those that target suicidality specifically, and those that target adults rather than adolescents. DMHIs vary in format and level of human support. Human support is commonly in the form of a clinician-peer support is infrequent. DMHIs facilitate safety planning, connect users with crisis support, teach users coping strategies, or encourage self-assessment. CBT-based approaches are the most frequent, but others include mindfulness and problem solving. While no DMHI for SITBs incorporate all evidence-based strategies for suicide prevention, many include several, with the most common being elements of safety planning. DMHIs have promise to address high rates of SITBs among young people. We summarize the existing literature and offer suggestions for future research to improve trial methodology, optimize design of DMHIs, and translate DMHIs into practice.

ATP-Independent Turnover of Dinitrogen Intermediates Captured on the Nitrogenase Cofactor.

Nitrogenase reduces N2 to NH3 at its active-site cofactor. Previous studies of an N2-bound Mo-nitrogenase from Azotobacter vinelandii suggest binding of three N2 species via asymmetric belt-sulfur displacements in the two cofactors of its catalytic component (designated Av1*), leading to the proposal of stepwise N2 reduction involving all cofactor belt-sulfur sites; yet, the evidence for the existence of multiple N2 species on Av1* remains elusive. Here we report a study of ATP-independent, EuII/SO3 2--driven turnover of Av1* using GC-MS and frequency-selective pulse NMR techniques. Our data demonstrate incorporation of D2-derived D by Av1* into the products of C2H2- and H+-reduction, and decreased formation of NH3 by Av1* concomitant with the release of N2 under H2; moreover, they reveal a strict dependence of these activities on SO3 2-. These observations point to the presence of distinct N2 species on Av1*, thereby providing strong support for our proposed mechanism of stepwise reduction of N2 via belt-sulfur mobilization.

Machine learning models reveal distinct disease subgroups and improve diagnostic and prognostic accuracy for individuals with pathogenic SCN8A gain-of-function variants.

Distinguishing clinical subgroups for patients suffering with diseases characterized by a wide phenotypic spectrum is essential for developing precision therapies. Patients with gain-of-function (GOF) variants in the SCN8A gene exhibit substantial clinical heterogeneity, viewed historically as a linear spectrum ranging from mild to severe. To test for hidden clinical subgroups, we applied two machine-learning algorithms to analyze a dataset of patient features collected by the International SCN8A Patient Registry. We used two research methodologies: a supervised approach that incorporated feature severity cutoffs based on clinical conventions, and an unsupervised approach employing an entirely data-driven strategy. Both approaches found statistical support for three distinct subgroups and were validated by correlation analyses using external variables. However, distinguishing features of the three subgroups within each approach were not concordant, suggesting a more complex phenotypic landscape. The unsupervised approach yielded strong support for a model involving three partially ordered subgroups rather than a linear spectrum. Application of these machine-learning approaches may lead to improved prognosis and clinical management of individuals with SCN8A GOF variants and provide insights into the underlying mechanisms of the disease.

Serologic Survey of Selected Arthropod-Borne Pathogens in Free-Ranging Snowshoe Hares (Lepus americanus) Captured in Northern Michigan, USA.

Snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus) in the Upper Peninsula (UP) of Michigan, USA, occupy the southern periphery of the species' range and are vulnerable to climate change. In the eastern UP, hares are isolated by the Great Lakes, potentially exacerbating exposure to climate-change-induced habitat alterations. Climate change is also measurably affecting distribution and prevalence of vector-borne pathogens in North America, and increases in disease occurrence and prevalence can be one signal of climate-stressed wildlife populations. We conducted a serosurvey for vector-borne pathogens in snowshoe hares that were captured in the Hiawatha National Forest in the eastern UP of Michigan, USA, 2016-2017. The most commonly detected antibody response was to the mosquito-borne California serogroup snowshoe hare virus (SSHV). Overall, 24 (51%) hares screened positive for SSHV antibodies and of these, 23 (96%) were confirmed positive by plaque reduction neutralization test. We found a positive association between seroprevalence of SSHV and live weight of snowshoe hares. Additionally, we detected a significant effect of ecological land type group on seroprevalence of SSHV, with strong positive support for a group representing areas that tend to support high numbers of hares (i.e., acidic mineral containing soils with cedar, mixed swamp conifers, tamarack and balsam fir as common overstory vegetation). We also detected and confirmed antibodies for Jamestown Canyon virus and Silverwater virus in a single hare each. We did not detect antibodies to other zoonotic vector-borne pathogens, including Lacrosse encephalitis virus, West Nile virus, Borrelia burgdorferi, Powassan virus, and Francisella tularensis. These results provide a baseline for future serological studies of vector-transmitted diseases that may increase climate vulnerability of snowshoe hares in the UP of Michigan, as well as pose a climate-related zoonotic risk.

The polarization of the boundary layer around weakly magnetized neutron stars in X-ray binaries

Context. X-ray binaries hosting a compact object have been among the main targets of the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) since its launch, due to their high brightness in the 2–8 keV energy band. The spectropolarimetric analysis performed so far has proved to be of great importance in providing constraints on the accretion geometry of these systems. However, the data statistics is not enough to unambiguously disentangle the contribution of the single components to the net observed polarimetric signal. Aims. In this work, we aim to present a model for computing the polarization degree and polarization angle of the boundary layer around weakly magnetized neutron stars in low-mass X-ray binaries in the soft state. The main motivation is to provide strong theoretical support to data interpretation of observations performed by IXPE or future satellites for X-ray polarimetry. Methods. The results were obtained by modeling the boundary layer as an equatorial belt around the compact object and locally approximating it as a plane-parallel scattering atmosphere, for which the associated radiative transfer equation for polarized radiation in the Thomson limit was solved. The polarimetric quantities were then transformed from the comoving frame to the observer frame using the numerical methods formerly developed for X-ray pulsars. Results. For typical values of the optical depth and electron temperature of the boundary layer of these systems in a soft state, the polarization degree was less then 0.5%, while the polarization angle was rotated by ≲5° with respect to the neutron star spin axis due to special and general relativistic effects for fast rotation, the amount progressively decreasing for lower spin frequencies. The derived quantities can be used to remove degeneracy when multicomponent spectropolarimetry is performed.

LiFoL: An Efficient Framework for Financial Distress Prediction in High-Dimensional Unbalanced Scenario

Corporate financial distress will significantly damage the company’s and its stakeholders’ interests and even lead to a global financial crisis. Therefore, finding an efficient method for financial distress prediction (FDP) to avoid greater losses is essential. Although there is a lot of research and progress in this field, the existing methods rarely consider the problems of high dimensionality and class imbalance, which will largely limit the models to achieve satisfactory performance. To alleviate these problems, this article first proposes a novel Lightspace-SMOTE upsampling method, which can reduce the feature dimensionality and increase the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the original data and then upsample it to increase the number of minor class samples. In addition, this article proposes an efficient ensemble framework (LiFoL) that combines Lightspace-SMOTE, focal loss (FL), and LightGBM, which can not only focus more on minor class and the hard-to-class samples but also obtain better performance. At the same time, the feature importance provided by the model can provide strong support for model interpretability. Experimental results show that the Lightspace-SMOTE upsampling method can help the model achieve higher scores in area under ROC curve (AUC) and recall, especially in the case of longer prediction periods. Compared with current methods, LiFoL can achieve more than 10% improvement in AUC and more than 20% in recall.