Cross-country comparisons of student achievement: the role of social values

This paper looks at country-average results in surveys of student-achievements like PISA, PIRLS or TIMSS. As other recent papers do (Fensham, 2007; Minkov, 2008), I advance the idea that the between-countries differences are determined by cultural factors. Focusing on the macro-level, I discuss social values as part of the contextual determinants for student achievement. Values are defining features of the unwritten, but powerful, hidden curriculum (Cornbleth, 2002), and are likely to have strong impact on learning. I combine macro-data computed from the values surveys (EVS/WVS 1990-2008), respectively PISA, TIMSS, and PIRLS (1999-2009). Cross-classified models assess the effect of dominant social values on student achievement. The findings show that a society that places high value on autonomy in child rearing creates an environment for higher student achievement. Conversely, promoting authoritarian values as a priority for younger generations has the opposite effect. The effect is even stronger for achievements in mathematics

Children born of War and Social Trust - Analyzing Consequences of Rejection

This article examines the question whether rejection experiences negatively relate to the social trust of Children Born of War (CBOW) and if this connection is mediated by sense of self-worth. CBOW is a group of people born out of relations during war- and post-war times, involving one parent being a foreign soldier, a para-military officer, rebel or other person directly participating in the hostilities, while the other parents is a member of the native population. Also children born to child soldiers and children fathered by members of a peacekeeping troop are included within this group. These children, due to their biological background, often grow up in a surrounding in which they are perceived as child of the enemy. The general hypothesis is that, due to their exposure to rejection experiences by their caregivers as well as by the society, CBOW are less likely to develop trust. It is further assumed that this relationship is mediated by the sense of self-worth. A structural equation model was applied to test the relation using a sample of Norwegian children born of war. Results indicate that CBOW who experience rejection share a lower sense of self-worth, which is further connected to lower trust, whereas no direct association between rejection experiences and trust was found

Social trust and children born of war

This paper considers two assumptions commonly used in analyzing the formation of social trust. They stress the importance of early socialization, on one hand, and of life events, on the other. We consider birth as a major life event for anyone and focus on the situation of Children Born of War. This group, even if lesser visible in some societies, has the peculiar characteristic to be born and socialized in very specific conditions. Typically, these people are the offspring of foreign soldiers, and local women. They may bear stigma, might be marginalized in family, school and society, and might develop a low level of generalized trust even if they may have lived all life in a culture rich in social trust. We explore at theoretical level their case, bring in a few statistics, and suggest a research direction that may be fruitful in learning about both such hidden populations and about social trust. In the end, we argue upon the importance of the topic for post-conflict societies. (author's abstract

PRINCIPLES OF INTEGRATION THE AGRI-DRONES IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION ENVIRONMENTS. NEW CONCEPTS TOWARDS AGRICULTURE-5.0

Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) have a crucial contribution to the development of precision agriculture (PA). Agricultural drones or agri-drones make the rapid transition from the military system (UAVs) to domestic applications in the PA, in order to provide the necessary support to farmers for the surveillance of large crops and / or in carrying out operations to protect or stimulate crops. This revolutionary leap contributes to the considerable savings of the farmer, as well as to the revolution of traditional agriculture towards intelligent agriculture or PA. Managerial decisions based on the three principles presented in the paper (EVI - Enhanced Vegetation Index, ZP - Zero Pollution and ROI - Return on Investment) are easier to make through the approach driven by digital technology. The information-based management cycle lays foundations for sustainable PA of the future (agriculture-5.0)

The Influence of the Mental State on the Emergency Colostomized Patients Postoperative Evolution

A colostomy creates a temporary or permanent opening for the colon through the abdominal wall, in order to eliminate fecal matter, which is collected in a closed or open bag, attached to the skin with the help of an adhesive. It is obvious that the patient with colostomy faces psycho-emotional problems, due to the alteration of the body image and the need to change the lifestyle.Under emergency conditions, when the informed consent of the critically ill patient, as well as the psychological preparation for the colostomized future, are difficult, incomplete or impossible to achieve, psychological assistance in the postoperative evolution of patients becomes a problem, on which the whole medical staff (doctors, nurses, psychologists, stomatotherapists) involved in their care must insist. In the immediate postoperative period, combating pain, ensuring biological comfort (hydric, caloric and nutritional), local care and prevention of so-called minor complications, are very important. The patient must also know the alternatives in choosing the type of colostomy bag and the prospects of social reintegration, over time. The measures of emotional support of these patients must be applied intensively, but with tact and professionalism, in parallel with the education and preparation for the new anatomical-physiological changes. In such situations, in addition to the surgical act and the postoperative physical care, the postoperative evolution and the therapeutic success depend, to a large extent, on the modelling of the patient’s mental state.The present paper focuses on the above-mentioned aspect, drawing on the data from the literature and the experience of the authors.</em

Carbamazepine-induced DRESS syndrome: a case report

Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome is a potentially life-threatening, idiosyncratic, acute adverse drug reaction. Fever, morbilliform cutaneous eruption, and eosinophilia are essential features for the diagnosis of this syndrome, along with significant multisystem involvement, hepatitis being the most common, followed by nephritis. The pathogenesis of DRESS syndrome is not yet fully understood. Several hypotheses have been proposed which support the involvement of an intricate interplay of multiple factors. We report a clinical case of DRESS syndrome with renal injury, induced by carbamazepine, in a patient with alcohol abstinence syndrome. In order to define the case, the RegiSCAR score and the Japanese Group score, used in the diagnosis of drug-induced hypersensitivity, were applied. DRESS syndrome is a potentially fatal disease, with a mortality that can reach up to 40% of cases. This condition endangers the patient\u27s life by affecting the internal organs, mainly the liver, kidneys, heart, and lungs. Our case attempts to increase awareness among physicians about this serious disease and the importance of early diagnosis, especially since carbamazepine is a commonly used anticonvulsant drug

The Endocannabinoid System a Turning Point in Optimizing Physiotherapy Procedures in Knee Osteoarthritis

Introduction: Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA) is characterized by wear, tear, and it's a slowly progressive loss of cartilage, that becomes finally disabling. KOA is one of the most analyzed diseases by many medical specialties such as rheumatology, orthopedics, rehabilitation medicine, and physiotherapy. Major symptoms of KOA such as pain, dysfunction, and chronic low-grade inflammation will decrease the quality of life and eventually lead to locomotor disability. Since there are no effective ways to limit KOA progression, involvement of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) may be a non-pharmacological therapeutic alternative in the management of this disease. This study debate aspects of ways to modulate the ECS in KOA, using physiotherapeutic (PT) means such as TENS electroanalgesia, LASER biostimulation, and physical exercises with analgesic effects.Materials and Methods: In the study, we included 82 sources, with the following keywords in the title: knee osteoarthritis, cannabidiol, endocannabinoid, inflammatory pain, analgesia, neuropathic pain, physiotherapy, electrotherapy, and LASER. To perform this review, we searched for the most relevant articles in the field of medicine and physiotherapy in 7 international databases applying inclusion and exclusion criteria.Results: The application of TENS currents in certain doses and frequencies together with LASER biostimulation stimulates the production of endocannabinoids thus controlling pain, and stimulating the ECS. Physical exercise has an antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory role and stimulates the release of endogenous opioids.Conclusions: The results obtained from this meta-analysis may contribute to paradigm shifts in clinical practice related to the treatment of pain by PT. TENS, LASER, and physical exercise are effective clinical tool that limits chronic inflammation and pain by involving the ECS. More studies are needed to understand endocannabinoid system involvements in KOA, and that will inspire medical doctors and physiotherapists to improve long-term treatment strategies.</p

The Crowdsourced Replication Initiative: Investigating Immigration and Social Policy Preferences. Executive Report.

In an era of mass migration, social scientists, populist parties and social movements raise concerns over the future of immigration-destination societies. What impacts does this have on policy and social solidarity? Comparative cross-national research, relying mostly on secondary data, has findings in different directions. There is a threat of selective model reporting and lack of replicability. The heterogeneity of countries obscures attempts to clearly define data-generating models. P-hacking and HARKing lurk among standard research practices in this area.This project employs crowdsourcing to address these issues. It draws on replication, deliberation, meta-analysis and harnessing the power of many minds at once. The Crowdsourced Replication Initiative carries two main goals, (a) to better investigate the linkage between immigration and social policy preferences across countries, and (b) to develop crowdsourcing as a social science method. The Executive Report provides short reviews of the area of social policy preferences and immigration, and the methods and impetus behind crowdsourcing plus a description of the entire project. Three main areas of findings will appear in three papers, that are registered as PAPs or in process