When Grades Are High but Self-Efficacy Is Low : Unpacking the Confidence Gap Between Girls and Boys in Mathematics

Girls have much lower mathematics self-efficacy than boys, a likely contributor to the under-representation of women in STEM. To help explain this gender confidence gap, we examined predictors of mathematics self-efficacy in a sample of 1,007 9th graders aged 13–18 years (54.2% girls). Participants completed a standardized math test, after which they rated three indices of mastery: an affective component (state self-esteem), a meta-cognitive component (self-enhancement), and their prior math grade. Despite having similar grades, girls reported lower mathematics self-efficacy and state self-esteem, and were less likely than boys to self-enhance in terms of performance. Multilevel multiple-group regression analyses showed that the affective mastery component explained girls’ self-efficacy while cognitive self-enhancement explained boys’. Yet, a chi-square test showed that both constructs were equally relevant in the prediction of girls’ and boys’ self-efficacy. Measures of interpersonal sources of self-efficacy were not predictive of self-efficacy after taking the other dimensions into account. Results suggest that boys are advantaged in their development of mathematics self-efficacy beliefs, partly due to more positive feelings and more cognitive self-enhancement following test situations. © Copyright © 2020 Zander, Höhne, Harms, Pfost and Hornsey

No selection on immunological markers in response to a highly virulent pathogen in an Arctic breeding bird

In natural populations, epidemics provide opportunities to look for intense natural selection on genes coding for life history and immune or other physiological traits. If the populations being considered are of management or conservation concern, then identifying the traits under selection (or ‘markers’) might provide insights into possible intervention strategies during epidemics. We assessed potential for selection on multiple immune and life history traits of Arctic breeding common eiders (Somateria mollissima) during annual avian cholera outbreaks (summers of 2006, 2007 & 2008). We measured prelaying body condition, immune traits, and subsequent reproductive investment (i.e., clutch size) and survival of female common eiders and whether they were infected with Pasteurella multocida, the causative agent of avian cholera. We found no clear and consistent evidence of directional selection on immune traits; however, infected birds had higher levels of haptoglobin than uninfected birds. Also, females that laid larger clutches had slightly lower immune responses during the prelaying period reflecting possible downregulation of the immune system to support higher costs of reproduction. This supports a recent study indicating that birds investing in larger clutches were more likely to die from avian cholera and points to a possible management option to maximize female survival during outbreaks

Data harmonization and federated learning for multi-cohort dementia research using the OMOP common data model:A Netherlands consortium of dementia cohorts case study

Background: Establishing collaborations between cohort studies has been fundamental for progress in health research. However, such collaborations are hampered by heterogeneous data representations across cohorts and legal constraints to data sharing. The first arises from a lack of consensus in standards of data collection and representation across cohort studies and is usually tackled by applying data harmonization processes. The second is increasingly important due to raised awareness for privacy protection and stricter regulations, such as the GDPR. Federated learning has emerged as a privacy-preserving alternative to transferring data between institutions through analyzing data in a decentralized manner. Methods: In this study, we set up a federated learning infrastructure for a consortium of nine Dutch cohorts with appropriate data available to the etiology of dementia, including an extract, transform, and load (ETL) pipeline for data harmonization. Additionally, we assessed the challenges of transforming and standardizing cohort data using the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership (OMOP) common data model (CDM) and evaluated our tool in one of the cohorts employing federated algorithms. Results: We successfully applied our ETL tool and observed a complete coverage of the cohorts’ data by the OMOP CDM. The OMOP CDM facilitated the data representation and standardization, but we identified limitations for cohort-specific data fields and in the scope of the vocabularies available. Specific challenges arise in a multi-cohort federated collaboration due to technical constraints in local environments, data heterogeneity, and lack of direct access to the data. Conclusion: In this article, we describe the solutions to these challenges and limitations encountered in our study. Our study shows the potential of federated learning as a privacy-preserving solution for multi-cohort studies that enhance reproducibility and reuse of both data and analyses.</p

Data harmonization and federated learning for multi-cohort dementia research using the OMOP common data model:A Netherlands consortium of dementia cohorts case study

Background: Establishing collaborations between cohort studies has been fundamental for progress in health research. However, such collaborations are hampered by heterogeneous data representations across cohorts and legal constraints to data sharing. The first arises from a lack of consensus in standards of data collection and representation across cohort studies and is usually tackled by applying data harmonization processes. The second is increasingly important due to raised awareness for privacy protection and stricter regulations, such as the GDPR. Federated learning has emerged as a privacy-preserving alternative to transferring data between institutions through analyzing data in a decentralized manner. Methods: In this study, we set up a federated learning infrastructure for a consortium of nine Dutch cohorts with appropriate data available to the etiology of dementia, including an extract, transform, and load (ETL) pipeline for data harmonization. Additionally, we assessed the challenges of transforming and standardizing cohort data using the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership (OMOP) common data model (CDM) and evaluated our tool in one of the cohorts employing federated algorithms. Results: We successfully applied our ETL tool and observed a complete coverage of the cohorts’ data by the OMOP CDM. The OMOP CDM facilitated the data representation and standardization, but we identified limitations for cohort-specific data fields and in the scope of the vocabularies available. Specific challenges arise in a multi-cohort federated collaboration due to technical constraints in local environments, data heterogeneity, and lack of direct access to the data. Conclusion: In this article, we describe the solutions to these challenges and limitations encountered in our study. Our study shows the potential of federated learning as a privacy-preserving solution for multi-cohort studies that enhance reproducibility and reuse of both data and analyses.</p

Kunskapsläget på kärnavfallsområdet 2018

Kärnavfallsrådet (rådet) ger årligen ut en kunskapslägesrapport. Åretsrapport är uppdelad i två delar: Del 1 handlar om beslut under osäkerhet. Regeringen ska framöver fatta beslut om ett slutförvar för använt kärnbränsle och det kommer att fattas under osäkerhet. Det i sig är inget ovanligt för regeringen utan görs hela tiden på olika områden, men det är däremot ett ovanligt komplicerat projekt. (Se kort översikt nedan). Rådet ger utifrån sin tvärvetenskapliga sammansättning några exempel på olika områden med osäkerheter och resonerar kring hur det går att hantera och förhålla sig till osäkerheter i beslutsfattande, såväl i allmänhet som när det gäller ett beslut om ett slutförvar för använt kärnbränsle i synnerhet. Del 2 innehåller en rapportering om rådets arbete och en kort beskrivning om vad som hänt på kärnavfallsområdet i Sverige under 2017. Mycket har hänt under året, exempelvis när det gäller tillståndsprocessen för använt kärnbränsle, tillståndsprocessen om utbyggnad för Slutförvaret för kortlivat avfall (SFR) och när det gäller finansieringsfrågor. Här finns även en kort beskrivning av vad som händer nu när regeringen den 23 januari 2018 har fått ärendet om ett slutförvar för använt kärnbränsle på sitt bord. Bakgrund till slutförvar, ansökningar och KBS-3-metoden När det gäller ett beslut om ett slutförvar för använt kärnbränsle är det av flera anledningar ett komplext projekt. Det är tekniskt komplicerat eftersom förvaret ska vara säkert i minst 100 000 år, s.k. långsiktigt säkert. Anläggningstiden för slutförvaret är ovanligt lång, det planeras vara klart först om ca 70–80 år. Vi vet inte vad som händer med tekniken, klimatet eller i samhället under de långa tidshorisonterna. Det finns inte heller något färdigbyggt förvar för använt kärnbränsle som vi kan dra lärdom av. En kärnkraftsreaktor drivs av kärnbränsle som efter ca 5 års användning blir s.k. använt kärnbränsle. Det högaktiva använda kärnbränslet betraktas inte som kärnavfall, enligt kärntekniklagen, innan det ligger placerat i ett slutförvar. Det är reaktorinnehavarnas ansvar att ta hand om sitt kärnavfall och använda kärnbränsle. För att ta sitt ansvar har reaktorinnehavarna tillsammans bildat bolaget Svensk Kärnbränslehantering AB (SKB) som planerar, driver och uppför mellanlager och slutförvar. SKB ansöker nu om att få uppföra och driva ett slutförvar för använt kärnbränsle enligt KBS-3-metoden. Ansökningarna gäller ett system som består av två anläggningar; en inkapslingsanläggning i Oskarshamns kommun och en slutförvarsanläggning i Forsmark, Östhammars kommun. KBS-3-metoden bygger på tre säkerhetsbarriärer: kopparkapslarna, bentonitleran och berget. Det använda kärnbränslet ska kapslas in i kopparkapslar som därefter placeras i ett tunnelsystem på ca 500 meters djup nere i berget. Kapslarna omges därefter med bentonitlera som ska svälla och skydda kapslarna. Planen är att deponera ca 6 000 kapslar med vardera ca 2 ton använt kärnbränsle, totalt ca 12 000 ton. I dag ligger det ca 7 000 ton under vatten i bassänger iOskarshamn (Clab). SKB lämnade in sina ansökningar om tillstånd att få uppföra, inneha och driva ett slutförvar för använt kärnbränsle i mars 2011. Det krävs tillstånd, och tillståndsprövningen sker i två separata processer. Mark- och miljödomstolen vid Nacka tingsrätt har berett ansökan enligt Miljöbalken (1998:808) och Strålsäkerhetsmyndigheten (SSM) har berett ansökningarna enligt Lagen (1984:3) om kärnteknisk verksamhet (kärntekniklagen). Den 23 januari 2018 lämnade mark- och miljödomstolen och SSM sina yttranden tillsammans med ansökningarna till regeringen. Det är regeringen som prövar ansökningarna och därefter fattar beslut om huruvida verksamheten kan tillåtas enligt miljöbalken (s.k. tillåtlighet) och om tillstånd enligt kärntekniklagen. En utmaning med att bedöma ansökningarna är att de bygger på referensutformningar som ska bli alltmer detaljerade, eftersom det tar lång tid att bygga och driva förvaret. Under driftstiden ska tunnlar grävas och byggas samtidigt som kapslarna med använt kärnbränsle ska placeras med bentonitlera runtom (deponeras). Yttrandena från mark- och miljödomstolen och SSM överlämnades till regeringen under absoluta slutskedet av arbetet med denna kunskapslägesrapport. Rådet har alltså inte haft dessa som bakgrund under skrivprocessen utan reflekterar endast kort kring dem

Hemispheric Asymmetries in Speech Perception: Sense, Nonsense and Modulations

Background: The well-established left hemisphere specialisation for language processing has long been claimed to be based on a low-level auditory specialization for specific acoustic features in speech, particularly regarding 'rapid temporal processing'.Methodology: A novel analysis/synthesis technique was used to construct a variety of sounds based on simple sentences which could be manipulated in spectro-temporal complexity, and whether they were intelligible or not. All sounds consisted of two noise-excited spectral prominences (based on the lower two formants in the original speech) which could be static or varying in frequency and/or amplitude independently. Dynamically varying both acoustic features based on the same sentence led to intelligible speech but when either or both acoustic features were static, the stimuli were not intelligible. Using the frequency dynamics from one sentence with the amplitude dynamics of another led to unintelligible sounds of comparable spectro-temporal complexity to the intelligible ones. Positron emission tomography (PET) was used to compare which brain regions were active when participants listened to the different sounds.Conclusions: Neural activity to spectral and amplitude modulations sufficient to support speech intelligibility (without actually being intelligible) was seen bilaterally, with a right temporal lobe dominance. A left dominant response was seen only to intelligible sounds. It thus appears that the left hemisphere specialisation for speech is based on the linguistic properties of utterances, not on particular acoustic features

Ethical Use and Impact of Participatory Approaches to Research in Post-Disaster Environments: An Australian Bushfire Case Study

Copyright © 2018 L. Gibbs et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.This paper presents a case study of Beyond Bushfires, a large, multisite, mixed method study of the psychosocial impacts of major bushfires in Victoria, Australia. A participatory approach was employed throughout the study which was led by a team of academic investigators in partnership with service providers and government representatives and used on-site visits and multiple methods of communication with communities across the state to inform decision-making throughout the study. The ethics and impacts of conducting and adapting the approach within a post-disaster context will be discussed in reference to theories and models of participatory health research. The challenges of balancing local interests with state-wide implications will also be explored in the description of the methods of engagement and the study processes and outcomes. Beyond Bushfires demonstrates the feasibility of incorporating participatory methods in large, post-disaster research studies and achieving rigorous findings and multilevel impacts, while recognising the potential for some of the empowering aspects of the participatory experience to be reduced by the scaled-up approach

No selection on immunological markers in response to a highly virulent pathogen in an Arctic breeding bird

In natural populations, epidemics provide opportunities to look for intense natural selection on genes coding for life history and immune or other physiological traits. If the populations being considered are of management or conservation concern, then identifying the traits under selection (or 'markers') might provide insights into possible intervention strategies during epidemics. We assessed potential for selection on multiple immune and life history traits of Arctic breeding common eiders (Somateria mollissima) during annual avian cholera outbreaks (summers of 2006, 2007 & 2008). We measured prelaying body condition, immune traits, and subsequent reproductive investment (i.e., clutch size) and survival of female common eiders and whether they were infected with Pasteurella multocida, the causative agent of avian cholera. We found no clear and consistent evidence of directional selection on immune traits; however, infected birds had higher levels of haptoglobin than uninfected birds. Also, females that laid larger clutches had slightly lower immune responses during the prelaying period reflecting possible downregulation of the immune system to support higher costs of reproduction. This supports a recent study indicating that birds investing in larger clutches were more likely to die from avian cholera and points to a possible management option to maximize female survival during outbreaks

Mutation analysis of 18 nephronophthisis associated ciliopathy disease genes using a DNA pooling and next generation sequencing strategy

Background Nephronophthisis associated ciliopathies (NPHP-AC) comprise a group of autosomal recessive cystic kidney diseases that includes nephronophthisis (NPHP), Senior-Loken syndrome (SLS), Joubert syndrome (JBTS), and Meckel-Gruber syndrome (MKS). To date, causative mutations in NPHP-AC have been described for 18 different genes, rendering mutation analysis tedious and expensive. To overcome the broad genetic locus heterogeneity, a strategy of DNA pooling with consecutive massively parallel resequencing (MPR) was devised.Methods In 120 patients with severe NPHP-AC phenotypes, five pools of genomic DNA with 24 patients each were prepared which were used as templates in order to PCR amplify all 376 exons of 18 NPHP-AC genes (NPHP1, INVS, NPHP3, NPHP4, IQCB1, CEP290, GLIS2, RPGRIP1L, NEK8, TMEM67, INPP5E, TMEM216, AHI1, ARL13B, CC2D2A, TTC21B, MKS1, and XPNPEP3). PCR products were then subjected to MPR on an Illumina Genome-Analyser and mutations were subsequently assigned to their respective mutation carrier via CEL I endonuclease based heteroduplex screening and confirmed by Sanger sequencing.Results For proof of principle, DNA from patients with known mutations was used and detection of 22 out of 24 different alleles (92% sensitivity) was demonstrated. MPR led to the molecular diagnosis in 30/120 patients (25%) and 54 pathogenic mutations (27 novel) were identified in seven different NPHP-AC genes. Additionally, in 24 patients only single heterozygous variants of unknown significance were found.Conclusions The combined approach of DNA pooling followed by MPR strongly facilitates mutation analysis in broadly heterogeneous single gene disorders. The lack of mutations in 75% of patients in this cohort indicates further extensive heterogeneity in NPHP-AC