Polymorphous heterogeneity and episodes of violence in school community: educational implications for building a democratic school

The present article is an attempt to shed light on a plethora of research studies concerning bullying and acts of violence within school settings. Furthermore, a basic aim of the chapter is to present different facets of school bullying. The presentation and interpretation of different theoretical approaches and the connection with the pro ile of different fragile community members aims to gain an understanding of bullying and victimization. Social and cultural heterogeneity seems to reinforce intimidating forms of aggression. Furthermore, the article emphasizes on suggestions that deal with the root causes of aggression, abuse and violence to help schools prevent and deal with this serious issue and become the nurturing learning environments and democratic school that they should be

Linguistic deficiencies in primary progressive multiple sclerosis

The aim of the present study is to investigate the linguistic profile of patients with Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS) in relation to linguistic deficits associated with specific brain areas. Ten adults with PPMS were tested for the needs of the study and compared with healthy participants. The Boston Aphasia Naming Test, namely the tasks of listening comprehension, repetition, and reading comprehension, were administered. Results showed that the group of participants with PPMS had significantly lower performance in the above-mentioned tasks of comprehension compared to the control group. The findings are discussed

Profile and genetic parameters of dairy cattle locomotion score and lameness across lactation

This study investigated the profile of locomotion score and lameness before the first calving and throughout the first (n=237) and second (n=66) lactation of 303 Holstein cows raised on a commercial farm. Weekly heritability estimates of locomotion score and lameness, and their genetic and phenotypic correlations with milk yield, body condition score, BW and reproduction traits were derived. Daughter future locomotion score and lameness predictions from their sires’ breeding values for conformation traits were also calculated. First-lactation cows were monitored weekly from 6 weeks before calving to the end of lactation. Second-lactation cows were monitored weekly throughout lactation. Cows were locomotion scored on a scale from one (sound) to five (severely lame); a score greater than or equal to two defined presence of lameness. Cows’ weekly body condition score and BW was also recorded. These records were matched to corresponding milk yield records, where the latter were 7-day averages on the week of inspection. The total number of repeated records amounted to 12 221. Data were also matched to the farm’s reproduction database, from which five traits were derived. Statistical analyses were based on uni- and bivariate random regression models. The profile analysis showed that locomotion and lameness problems in first lactation were fewer before and immediately after calving, and increased as lactation progressed. The profile of the two traits remained relatively constant across the second lactation. Highest heritability estimates were observed in the weeks before first calving (0.66 for locomotion score and 0.54 for lameness). Statistically significant genetic correlations were found for first lactation weekly locomotion score and lameness with body condition score, ranging from −0.31 to −0.65 and from −0.44 to −0.76, respectively, suggesting that cows genetically pre-disposed for high body condition score have fewer locomotion and lameness issues. Negative (favourable) phenotypic correlations between first lactation weekly locomotion score/lameness and milk yield averaged −0.27 and −0.17, respectively, and were attributed to management factors. Also a phenotypic correlation between lameness and conception rate of −0.19 indicated that lame cows were associated with lower success at conceiving. First-lactation daughter locomotion score and/or lameness predictions from sires’ estimated breeding values for conformation traits revealed a significant linear effect of rear leg side view, rear leg rear view, overall conformation, body condition score and locomotion, and a quadratic effect of foot angle

Physical Education as a tool for developing health and social skills: Results of a pilot study in South Africa and Sweden

A cooperation project on school physical education (PE) was established between the Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa and the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. The project was funded as part of the international cooperation agreement between South Africa and Sweden. The aim of the project was to investigate discrepancies between intended subscription and actual provision for PE/Life Orientation (LO) in Swedish and South African schools. Presented in this paper are results of the pilot study on the comparative research project which focused on PE as a tool for developing health and social skills among Swedish and South African school children. A major objective of the project was to investigate how provision for PE is defined in formal school settings in both countries. To answer the question we constructed a 23-item questionnaire measuring PE provision and children’s attitudes towards the subject in primary and lower secondary schools. A questionnaire was constructed utilizing a) participant observations of lessons in Sweden and South Africa, b) semi-structured interviews with school principals and PE teachers in both countries, and c) analyses of policy documents in each country. The pilot instrument consisted of four batteries of questions: a) Health promotion (8 items), b) Social development (8 items), c) Personal development (10 items), and d) Physical development and movement (6 items). The questionnaire was developed in two almost identical versions and was completed by primary school pupils in South Africa (n =105) and Sweden (n = 42). In order to improve the reliability and the construct validity of the questionnaire we modified the pilot versions of the questionnaire eliminating poorly fit items using various statistical techniques. Pupils’ answers to the questionnaire were analyzed mainly through structural equation modeling techniques (AMOS). This technique facilitates the simultaneous analysis of the robustness of the whole instrument and the test of each battery of questions. The statistical analyses were aimed at designing a questionnaire with very good fit indices for Swedish and South African contexts. Results yielded substantial Cronbach’s α: whole instrument (α=.84); Health promotion (α=60), Social development (α=60), Personal development (α=79), Physical development (α=76), which showed acceptable reliability estimates for the questionnaire subscales.Key words: Physical Education, health, social skills, quality issues, policy

Associations among post-partum rumen fill and motility, subclinical ketosis and fertility in Holstein dairy cows

This prospective observational study aimed to investigate the association of rumen fill and motility in post-partum Holstein cows with their future reproductive performance and subclinical ketosis (SCK). The study population consisted of two independent data sets: the first (DS1) included 237 cows from 6 herds and the second one (DS2) 709 cows from 9 herds. Rumen Fill Score (RFS) was transformed into a 3 level-trait, representing very low, low and adequate dry matter intake, respectively. A binary Rumen Contraction Score (RCS) was defined as: 0: &lt;2 contractions/2 min, impaired rumen motility and 1: ≥2 contractions/2 min, normal rumen motility. A combined binary trait based on RFS and RCS (RFCS) was also established, representing unsatisfactory and satisfactory rumen function. Three SCK traits were defined, based on 3 different thresholds, SCK_I: BHB≥1,000 mmol/L, SCK_II: BHB≥1,100 mmol/L and SCK_III: BHB≥1,200 mmol/L. Scores were assessed and blood samples collected on day 7 (DS1) or day 8 (DS2), postpartum. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, multivariable Cox proportional hazards models and Generalized Linear Mixed Models were performed to evaluate the association of rumen and SCK traits with reproduction. Herd, parity, calving season and several postparturient diseases were also included as potential explanatory variables. Mean days from calving to pregnancy after the 1st artificial insemination (AI) and from calving to pregnancy (all AIs) were shorter for levels of rumen traits representing adequate DMI and normal rumen motility; in most cases these differences were statistically significant in both datasets. Cows with adequate DMI and normal rumen motility (only in DS2) had greater hazard (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.84 and 1.61, for RFS and RFCS, respectively) and odds (odds ratio [OR] = 2.49 and 1.98, for RFS and RFCS, respectively) for pregnancy at 1st AI. Assessment of the association of examined rumen traits with hazard and odds for pregnancy at all AIs yielded statistically significant results in both datasets. For RFS, RCS and RFCS, HRs ranged from 1.57 to 3.31 and ORs from 1.95 to 4.83. No statistically significant associations with hazard and odds for pregnancy at 1st or all AIs were detected, for any of the 3 SCK traits, in either dataset. Overall, the combined RFCS trait constantly identified more than twice the number of cows with future reproductive problems than a positive SCK blood test.</p

Measuring impulsivity in greek adults: Psychometric properties of the barratt impulsiveness scale (BIS-11) and impulsive behavior scale (short version of UPPS-P)

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to validate the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11th version) scale as well as the short version of the Impulsive Behavior Scale (UPPS-P) in a population of Greek young adults. Secondly, we aimed at validating the BIS-11 in older adults. Methods: 167 (Group 1) university students completed the Greek version of the BIS-11 (BIS-11-G) and the UPPS (UPPS-P-G) scales. Additionally, BIS-11-G was also administered to 167 (Group 2) cognitively intact older adults, to identify whether it could be used to measure impulsivity in an older adult population. Results: Both scales had satisfactory internal reliability and test–retest reliability, as well as convergent validity in the young adult population. In regard to the factor structure, a principal component analysis (PCA) extracted two factors for the BIS-11-G in the young adult population and three factors in older adults, as well as three factors for the short UPPS-P-G in young adults. Conclusions: The BIS-11-G and the UPPS-P-G scales can be used to measure different aspects of impulsivity in the Greek population of different ages in research and clinical practice. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

An Investigation of Working Memory Profile and Fluid Intelligence in Children With Neurodevelopmental Difficulties

The present study aims to evaluate the distinct patterns of working memory (WM) capacity of children with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), High-functioning children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and children with Down syndrome (DS). More specifically, the current study investigates the complex relationship of fluid intelligence and WM between 39 children with DLD, 20 H igh-functioning children with ASD, and 15 children with DS. All children were evaluated in different measures of Phonological Working Memory, Visual-spatial Working Memory whereas Fluid Intelligence was measured with Raven Progressive Matrices. The result analysis revealed a significant difference among the three groups, both among each function separately and the correlations among them, as well. The results revealed that the DLD groups and High-functioning ASD group exhibited a common picture or an overlap of performances in all Phonological and Visuo-spatial working memory measures, except Backward Digit Recall task. As for the DS group research findings revealed different and unique working memory patterns in comparison to DLD group and High-functioning ASD. Their differences have been studied and further conclusions have been drawn about the different patterns of working memory among the three clinical groups. The implications of these findings are discussed in light of support for learning. The common profile that characterize the two developmental conditions and the distinct pattern of working memory performance in DS group underlies the need for further research in the field. Copyright © 2022 Sofologi, Pliogou, Bonti, Efstratopoulou, Kougioumtzis, Papatzikis, Ntritsos, Moraitou and Papantoniou

Similarities and differences in the learning profiles of adolescents with SLD and SLI in mathematics—A preliminary analysis

SLI and SLD constitute two independent neurodevelopmental disorders, which frequently cause challenges in the diagnosis process, especially due to their nature. This has caused disagreement among clinicians regarding their recognition as separate or overlapping disorders. The objective of the study was to enlighten the path of valid diagnosis and intervention during adolescence when the two disorders change their manifestation and overlap. Two hundred Greek adolescents (140 boys and 60 girls), 124 already diagnosed with SLD and 76 diagnosed with SLI, 12–16 years old, participated in the study. All participants were assessed in reading, oral and written language and mathematics (mathematical operations and mathematical reasoning) along with IQ testing. In order to determine statistically significant differences, the chi-square test, independent samples t-test, odds ratios and their 95 per cent confidence intervals were implemented. The results revealed that the SLI group presented significantly greater difficulties than SLD in their overall cognitive-mental profile and in most language and mathematical measurements (number concept, executive-procedural part of solving operations and mathematical reasoning). The similarity of the two groups was mainly detected in their deficient metacognitive, metalinguistic and metamnemonic strategies. The research concludes that SLD adolescents managed to overcome their difficulties to a significant degree, while adolescents with SLI still struggle with many learning areas. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Development of an instrument to assess perception of Quality Physical Education (QPE) among European professionals

Developing quality physical education programmes (QPE) for school-age children is an important goal of teachers and health educators. This paper studies professionals’ perceptions of QPE in Europe. In the survey, 24 items related to status and roles, educational elements and supportive features in physical education, were presented to education professionals from six selected European cities. A sample of 342 professionals participated. After an exploratory factor analysis (EFA), using Maximum Likelihood extraction and direct oblimin rotation methods, 18 of the 24 items were retained. The items were clustered under four subscales, Development and Supportive Elements for QPE in Schools, Core Value of QPE, Curriculum Arrangement of Physical Activities and Core Content Knowledge of QPE. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient (α=0.85) indicated good internal consistency for the overall measure. The retained four factors from the EFA were assessed with confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The four-factor model demonstrated a good fit with the data. It was hypothesised that all 24 items could be retained after EFA, but six items were excluded due to low factor loading. The four-factor structure had internal consistency and acceptable inter-factor correlations. The structure seemed applicable to the diversified setting for the study of QPE.Keywords: Quality PE (QPE); Perception of QPE; European perspective of QP