How Can Strength-Based Interventions Be Useful for Educational Psychologists Working With Children and Young People?

This paper reviews educational psychology practice and strengths-based interventions in the UK. An historical and contextual overview of the development of positive psychology and strengths-based interventions is outlined. The interventions used with children and young people are introduced. In order to evaluate their effectiveness, a presentation of the evidence base includes a review of the recent literature and a critical evaluation of the findings. Based on the conclusions, recommendations for professionals are drawn and future directions are proposed to inform professional practice with children and young people

On coproducts of operator A\mathcal{A}-systems

Given a unital $\boldsymbol{C}^{*}$-algebra $\mathcal{A}$, we prove the existence of the coproduct of two faithful operator $\mathcal{A}$-systems. We show that we can either consider it as a subsystem of an amalgamated free product of $\boldsymbol{C}^{*}$-algebras, or as a quotient by an operator system kernel. We introduce a universal $\boldsymbol{C}^{*}$-algebra for operator $\mathcal{A}$-systems and prove that in the case of the coproduct of two operator $\mathcal{A}$-systems, it is isomorphic to the amalgamated over $\mathcal{A}$, free product of their respective universal $\boldsymbol{C}^{*}$-algebras. Also, under the assumptions of hyperrigidity for operator systems, we can identify the $\boldsymbol{C}^{*}$-envelope of the coproduct with the amalgamated free product of the $\boldsymbol{C}^{*}$-envelopes. We consider graph operator systems as examples of operator $\mathcal{A}$-systems and prove that there exist graph operator systems whose coproduct is not a graph operator system, it is however a dual operator $\mathcal{A}$-system. More generally, the coproduct of dual operator $\mathcal{A}$-systems is always a dual operator $\mathcal{A}$-system. We show that the coproducts behave well with respect to inductive limits of operator systems.Comment: 29 page

Could Grexit follow Brexit?

In the summer of 2015, the EU saw one of the most turbulent times in its 60-year history

Use and limitations of ecological models

1 - Modelling of ecological processes is not a recent area of scientific research but it is currently evolving fast due to the technological advances in computing power.2 - Mathematical models can be readily used as tools for the efficient assessment of environmental quality, for studying the ecosystem functioning properties and for monitoring biodiversity.3 - Conclusions based on ecological models are often used to reinforce policy design and environmental planning and management. A variety of different ecological models exists at the moment, each one with its advantages and disadvantages.4 - The question that needs to be answered and the type of data available in each case, define the most suitable type of model. The limitations and malpractices occasionally observed during the use of ecological models are described

Chalkidice. The religious topography of the region during antiquity

Χαλκιδική. Η θρησκευτική τοπογραφία της περιοχής κατά την αρχαιότηταΣτόχος αυτού του άρθρου είναι η συλλογή και ερμηνεία μαρτυριών για τα ιερά της Χαλκιδικής, περιοχής με πολυσυλλεκτικό πληθυσμό. Η μελέτη βασίστηκε σε αρχαίες πηγές και στα πορίσματα της παλαιότερης και νεότερης αρχαιολογικής έρευνας, χωρίς χρονολογικό περιορισμό, όπως ισχύει για τη μελέτη των λατρειών κάθε περιοχής. Σημαντικά ιερά, όπως του Ποσειδώνα στο Ποσείδι, του Διονύσου και των Νυμφών και αργότερα του Άμμωνα Δία στην Άφυτι, ο ναός αυτοκρατορικής λατρείας στα Καλίνδοια της Βοττικής, το ιερό της Άρτεμης στη Σάνη της Παλλήνης και του Απόλλωνος-Ηλίου στην Ουρανούπολη αποκαλύφθηκαν κατά τη διάρκεια ανασκαφικής έρευνας, ενώ άλλα ιχνηλατούνται με βάση τις πληροφορίες της αρχαίας ελληνικής γραμματείας και επιγραφών. Παρουσιάζονται και σχολιάζονται επίσης κινητά ευρήματα, ως επί το πλείστον επιγραφές και γλυπτά, από θέσεις ιερών ή που μπορεί να συσχετιστούν με αυτές. Στο πλαίσιο αυτό συνδυάζονται κυρίως επιγραφικές μαρτυρίες που παρέχουν θρησκευτικού χαρακτήρα πληροφορίες με τους σύγχρονους χώρους εύρεσής τους. Σκοπός είναι να δοθεί μία όσο το δυνατό πληρέστερη εικόνα της θρησκευτικής ταυτότητας της περιοχής.The collection and interpretation of information about the sanctuaries of Chalkidice during antiquity, which comprise the aims of this study, are based on the sources as well as the results of previous and recent archaeological research, without hard-and-fast chronological limits. The most important sites-cities of Chalkidice, where different populations lived, are discussed in light of historical course and development wherever this is possible. A number of important sanctuaries including those of Poseidon at Poseidi and Potidaea, of Dionysus and the Nymphs and later, Zeus Ammon at Aphytis, the imperial cult building complex at Kalindoia in Bottike, the sanctuary of Artemis at Sane in Pallene, and that of Apollo-Helios at Ouranopolis, were discovered during excavations, while others are attested in the ancient sources and inscriptions. We offer a presentation and commentary on portable finds, most of which are inscriptions and sculpture from sanctuary sites or which can be associated with such sites. We also endeavour to correlate ancient sites/cities with (primarily) epigraphic evidence coming from modern settlements/locations and providing religious information. We thus attempt to offer a comprehensive and diachronic assessment of the religious identity of Chalkidice

Sexual images depicting children : the EU legal framework and online platforms’ policies

Sexual(ised) images of children may often be posted or shared on social network sites or content sharing platforms. While such material may be the result of abuse or coercion, evidence shows that it may often be linked to contemporary forms of sexual exploration or intimate communication among underage peers. The aim of this paper is to explore the boundaries of the EU legal and policy framework regulating online platforms' liability for hosting or not removing such imagery. Discussing popular online platforms' policies against their imposed responsibility to contribute to the fight against illegal child sexual abuse material (CSAM) revealed a tendency of online intermediaries to restrict more than legally required from them. However justifiable the adoption of this 'better safe than sorry' approach might be, it sparks additional controversy in relation to children's agency. Navigating between the protection and freedom of children, when the issue at stake associates with elements such as gender, morality, and culture, inherently perplexes the performed balancing and cannot guarantee easy public policy or private industry solutions. However, in the absence of clear and sufficient policy guidelines,online platforms have no other choice but to shape their policies based on popular cultural norms, their business plan, and their understanding of how sensitive content should be dealt with

Is the BRICS Bank an alternative for Greece?

This article concerns Greece’s potential accession to the New Development Bank established by the BRICS and examines whether BRICS Bank provides an alternative for Greece to rescue its economy in such a crucial moment of negotiations among Greece, the EU and the IMF

Report: 3rd International Press Freedom Seminar : off/online intimidation of journalists

The annual International Press Freedom was, for the third time, organised by the Faculty of Law and Criminology and the Faculty of Political and Social Sciences of Ghent University, Belgium. The seminar gathered speakers from different backgrounds: journalists, academics, and civil society organisations supporting and monitoring the protection of journalists, who shared their insights into practices of intimidation of journalists and mechanisms that offer (legal) protection against such practices