Effects of life design counselling on secondary students with career indecision in a resource-constrained community

This study examined the effects of life design counselling on secondary students with career indecision in a resource-constrained community. Non-probability, purposive sampling was utilized to select 91 secondary students from two schools (intervention group: N = 17, mean age: 18.00; SD = 1.06; comparison group: N = 74; mean age: 17.41; SD = 1.47). A mixed-methods intervention within a pre-test/post-test quasi-experimental design was employed. Data was generated using the Career Adapt-Abilities Scale and the Career Decision Difficulties Questionnaire. The Mann-Whitney U test and related-samples Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test were used to examine the outcomes. The participants did not exhibit a decrease in career indecision after the intervention but there was an increase in their curiosity. The intervention should be repeated in longitudinal research with larger samples of diverse participants and different designs and assessment measures.The University of Pretoria Doctoral Research Bursary.https://www.tandfonline.com/journals/rady20hj2024Educational PsychologyStatisticsSDG-04:Quality Educatio

The effects of the attributional style on the mathematics performance of senior secondary school students

The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of the attributional style on the mathematics performance of senior secondary school students. The study involved a sequential explanatory mixed-method approach (QUANTITATIVE + qualitative). The quantitative part of the study involved 300 students drawn from 2 schools chosen in 2 education districts in Lagos State, Nigeria. The major data generation instruments for the study were the Attributional Style Questionnaire (ASQ), the mathematics performance scores of students, and focus-group interviews. Focus-group interviews with 20 students (10 students per school) were used in the qualitative part of the study. Quantitative data were analysed by calculating correlation coefficients, conducting multiple regression analyses, and performing a one-way analysis of variance to compare the subscales across gender and socio-economic status. Conversation analysis was used to analyse the qualitative data generated. The findings reveal no significant relationships between the attributional style and mathematics performance. Gender-based differences were found in the stability and globality scales, students’ socio-economic status, and their attitudes towards mathematics. Future research on all the variables used in this study could be replicated on different samples. Researchers could consider exploring the use of an attributional style questionnaire on academic issues using a similar sample as in this study.http://www.sajournalofeducation.co.zahj2023Educational PsychologyStatistic

Quantum critical point and scaling in a layered array of ultrasmall Josephson junctions

We have studied a quantum Hamiltonian that models an array of ultrasmall Josephson junctions with short range Josephson couplings, $E_J$, and charging energies, $E_C$, due to the small capacitance of the junctions. We derive a new effective quantum spherical model for the array Hamiltonian. As an application we start by approximating the capacitance matrix by its self-capacitive limit and in the presence of an external uniform background of charges, $q_x$. In this limit we obtain the zero-temperature superconductor-insulator phase diagram, $E_J^{\rm crit}(E_C,q_x)$, that improves upon previous theoretical results that used a mean field theory approximation. Next we obtain a closed-form expression for the conductivity of a square array, and derive a universal scaling relation valid about the zero--temperature quantum critical point. In the latter regime the energy scale is determined by temperature and we establish universal scaling forms for the frequency dependence of the conductivity.Comment: 18 pages, four Postscript figures, REVTEX style, Physical Review B 1999. We have added one important reference to this version of the pape

Self-assembly of quantum dots: effect of neighbor islands on the wetting in coherent Stranski-Krastanov growth

The wetting of the homogeneously strained wetting layer by dislocation-free three-dimensional islands belonging to an array has been studied. The array has been simulated as a chain of islands in 1+1 dimensions. It is found that the wetting depends on the density of the array, the size distribution and the shape of the neighbor islands. Implications for the self-assembly of quantum dots grown in the coherent Stranski-Krastanov mode are discussed.Comment: 4 pages, 6 figures, accepted version, minor change

Superpotentials for M-theory on a G_2 holonomy manifold and Triality symmetry

For $M$-theory on the $G_2$ holonomy manifold given by the cone on {\bf S^3}\x {\bf S^3} we consider the superpotential generated by membrane instantons and study its transformations properties, especially under monodromy transformations and triality symmetry. We find that the latter symmetry is, essentially, even a symmetry of the superpotential. As in Seiberg/Witten theory, where a flat bundle given by the periods of an universal elliptic curve over the $u$-plane occurs, here a flat bundle related to the Heisenberg group appears and the relevant universal object over the moduli space is related to hyperbolic geometry.Comment: 58 pages, latex; references adde

RG flows from Spin(7), CY 4-fold and HK manifolds to AdS, Penrose limits and pp waves

We obtain explicit realizations of holographic renormalization group (RG) flows from M-theory, from E^{2,1} \times Spin(7) at UV to AdS_4 \times \tilde{S^7} (squashed S^7) at IR, from E^{2,1} \times CY4 at UV to AdS_4 \times Q^{1,1,1} at IR, and from E^{2,1} \times HK (hyperKahler) at UV to AdS_4 \times N^{0,1,0} at IR. The dual type IIA string theory configurations correspond to D2-D6 brane systems where D6 branes wrap supersymmetric four-cycles. We also study the Penrose limits and obtain the pp-wave backgrounds for the above configurations. Besides, we study some examples of non-supersymmetric and supersymmetric flows in five-dimensional gauge theories.Comment: 42 pages, 6 eps figures, typos and misprints correcte

Development of endotoxin tolerance does not influence the response to a challenge with the mucosal live-attenuated influenza vaccine in humans in vivo

Introduction: The effects of bacterial infections on the response to subsequent viral infections are largely unknown. This is important to elucidate to increase insight into the pathophysiology of bacterial and viral co-infections, and to assess whether bacterial infections may influence the course of viral infections. Methods: Healthy male subjects received either bacterial endotoxin [Escherichia coli-derived lipopolysaccharide (LPS), 2 ng/kg, n = 15] or placebo (n = 15) intravenously, followed by intranasal Fluenz (live-attenuated influenza vaccine) 1 week later. Results: LPS administration resulted in increased plasma cytokine levels and development of endotoxin tolerance in vivo and ex vivo, illustrated by attenuated cytokine production upon rechallenge with LPS. Following Fluenz administration, infectivity for the Fluenz A/B strains was similar between the LPS-Fluenz and placebo-Fluenz groups (13/15 subjects in both groups). Also, the Fluenz-induced increase in temperature and IL-6, G-CSF and IP-10 concentrations in nasal wash were similar between both groups. Conclusion: While endotoxemia profoundly attenuates the immune response upon a second LPS challenge, it does not influence the Fluenz-induced immune response. These results suggest immune suppression after bacterial infection does not alter the response to a subsequent viral infection

Quantum Griffiths effects and smeared phase transitions in metals: theory and experiment

In this paper, we review theoretical and experimental research on rare region effects at quantum phase transitions in disordered itinerant electron systems. After summarizing a few basic concepts about phase transitions in the presence of quenched randomness, we introduce the idea of rare regions and discuss their importance. We then analyze in detail the different phenomena that can arise at magnetic quantum phase transitions in disordered metals, including quantum Griffiths singularities, smeared phase transitions, and cluster-glass formation. For each scenario, we discuss the resulting phase diagram and summarize the behavior of various observables. We then review several recent experiments that provide examples of these rare region phenomena. We conclude by discussing limitations of current approaches and open questions.Comment: 31 pages, 7 eps figures included, v2: discussion of the dissipative Ising chain fixed, references added, v3: final version as publishe

A review of the fossil record of turtles of the clade Pan-Carettochelys

Turtles of the total clade Pan-Carettochelys have a relatively poor fossil record that extends from the Early Cretaceous. The clade is only found in Asia during the Cretaceous, but spreads to Europe and North America during the Eocene. Neogene finds are restricted to Europe, Africa and Australia, whereas the only surviving species, Carettochelys insculpta, lives in New Guinea and the Northern Territories of Australia. The ecology of fossil pan-carettochelyids appears similar to that of the extant C. insculpta, although more primitive representatives were likely less adapted to brackish water. Current phylogenies only recognize three internested clades: Pan- Carettochelys, Carettochelyidae and Carettochelyinae. A taxonomic review of the group concludes that of 25 named taxa, 13 are nomina valida, 7 are nomina invalida, 3 are nomina dubia, and 2 are nomina nuda

Multimorbidity risk assessment in adolescents and adults with cerebral palsy: a protocol for establishing a core outcome set for clinical research and practice

Background: Estimates of multimorbidity, defined as the presence of at least two chronic conditions, some of which attributable to modifiable behaviours, are high in adults with cerebral palsy (CP). An assessment protocol evaluating multimorbidity risk is needed in order to develop and evaluate effective interventions to optimize lifelong health in individuals with CP. The aim of this protocol paper is to describe the development of a core outcome set (COS) for assessing multimorbidity risk in adolescents and adults with CP, to be used in clinic and research. Methods: The expert consortium will first define the target population and outcomes to be measured. Through a process of literature review and an international Delphi survey with expert clinicians and researchers, we will then determine which outcome measurement instruments (OMIs) can best measure those outcomes. The resulting OMIs will be used in a feasibility study with adolescents and adults with CP from an international clinical research network. Finally, a face-to-face stakeholder meeting with adolescents and adults with CP, their families/caregivers and researchers and clinicians who are experts in CP, will be organized to reach final agreement on the COS. Discussion: This COS will guide clinicians and researchers in assessing multimorbidity risk in adolescents and adults with CP. The inclusion of experts and individuals with CP from international locations for establishing the COS lends strong support to its generalizability. Evidence of its feasibility and approval from all stakeholders will enable implementation in clinical practice, and guide future research using the COS in individuals with CP