Adult Attachment in Close Relationships and Trait Emotional Intelligence: The Moderating Role of Mindfulness

The moderating role of mindfulness on the relationships between trait emotional intelligence (TEI) and both attachment-related anxiety and avoidance among college students (N = 510) was explored in the present study. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlations aligned with the extant body of literature, suggesting strong relationships between attachment-related anxiety, avoidance, and TEI. As expected, results suggested a strong relationship between levels of mindfulness and TEI. In the interest of assessing the degree to which mindfulness explained variance in participants’ TEI levels (while accounting for attachment levels), a hierarchical multiple regression was conducted. Data analysis indicated that the variables college classification (e.g., freshman), attachment-related anxiety, mindfulness, and the moderator variable of attachmentrelated anxiety with mindfulness each made unique and significant contributions to the overall explained variance in global TEI levels. Mindfulness did not explain a significant amount of variance in TEI levels among participants who reported higher levels of attachment-related avoidance. Findings were interpreted and expanded upon through the lens of attachment theory as both a relational and emotion-regulation model. Practice implications were discussed as they may meet the unique needs of adults with higher levels of attachment-related anxiety. Mental health professionals may be better equipped to treat this population more effectively by integrating mindfulness-based interventions into the therapeutic process. Thus, clinicians may anticipate the individuals who demonstrate increased levels of mindfulness to also express increased levels of TEI

Mechanistic and Statistical Models to Understand CXCL12/CXCR4/CXCR7 in Breast Cancer.

Signaling via the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis is instrumental to the metastasis of more than 20 cancers, yet blocking the pathway alone has not been effective as cancer therapy. Since cancer progression results from a complex network of interdependent biological events, preventing metastasis cannot be understood by studying only one gene or protein at a time. In this thesis, we employed mathematical and statistical models to examine complexity in the CXCL12/CXCR4/CXCR7 signaling axis. First, we performed a comprehensive analysis of CXCL12 isoform expression in breast cancer. This is the first study to correlate the expression levels of all six CXCL12 isoforms to cancer survival outcomes. Second, to understand mechanisms of physiological gradient formation, we built a hybrid agent-based model of cancer cell chemotaxis that links molecular scale events to chemokine gradient shaping and sensing. Third, to understand how co-expression of CXCR7 may alter CXCR4 signaling, we constructed a mechanistic model of CXCR4/CXCR7 receptor dynamics and signaling with an emphasis on shared signaling components. Themes arising from this work include the importance of non-specific binding of ligand to surfaces, receptor desensitization, gradient sensing, and compensatory effects resulting from the competition of shared signaling components.PhDChemical EngineeringUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/111458/1/seiwon_1.pd

Assessing Child Development: A Critical Review and the Sustainable Child Development Index (SCDI)

Children are an important stakeholder group for sustainable development, as they represent the interface between current and future generations. A comprehensive assessment of child development (CD) in the context of sustainable development is still missing. In this paper, as a first step, a literature review is conducted to identify relevant aspects and gaps related to the assessment of CD. The main issues of CD are categorized into seven themes: health, education, safety, economic status, relationships, participation, and newly proposed environmental aspects. The corresponding subthemes and criteria are classified accordingly (e.g., nutrition, child mortality, immunization, etc., are assigned to the theme health). However, gaps in current studies, such as the heterogeneous classification of relevant aspects, regional and societal bias in addressing certain aspects, the limited number of subthemes, and criteria and the missing inclusion of environmental aspects impede the assessment of sustainable child development. To address the existing gaps, a comprehensive framework, the Sustainable Child Development Index (SCDI), is proposed. The SCDI is based on sustainable development as the core value, considers relevant aspects of CD with regard to newly-proposed environmental aspects and includes 26 aspects on an outcome and 37 indicators on a context level to tackle the heterogeneous classifications and interdependencies of relevant aspects. The proposed index intends to strengthen the stakeholder perspective of children in sustainability assessment.DFG, 148092160, Methodische Nachhaltigkeitsbewertung von Maschinenkomponenten im EntwicklungsprozessDFG, 199828953, SFB1026: Sustainable Manufacturing - Globale Wertschöpfung nachhaltig gestalte

Collaborating Design Risk

The “Safety Grand Challenge” is a collaborative research project between the Royal College of Art (RCA) School of Design, and the Lloyd's Register Foundation (LRF). The maritime industry is dominated by “grandfathering” leading to a slow-pace of adopting innovations that can reduce risk and save lives at sea. We describe how impact was achieved through collaboration and design innovations that bridged the risk gap between technologies and human behaviours. Starting from the project brief we designed a collaborative platform that supported a constructive dialogue between academia and partner organisations that aimed to foster innovative design approaches to risk and safety. The project generated an engaged community with diverse expertise that influenced the outcomes which included seven prototypes designed by a group of thirty postgraduates from across the RCA. Throughout the course of the project the network extended to other partners beyond the initial ones that included the RCA, LRF and Royal National Lifeboat Institution. The “Safety Grand Challenge” demonstrates how research can be an explorative platform that offers opportunities to analyse and design solutions to real life safety problems in mature industries through the prototypes that reflect the sophistication of the project’s collaborations. Our conclusions support how design research helped identify the value of design for safety in tackling complex issues that intertwine human, environmental and commercial views and can shape new forms of collaborative research between academia and industrial partners

One Size Doesn’t Fit All: Attitudes Towards Work Modify the Relation between Parental Leave Length and Postpartum Depression

The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between parental leave length and maternal depressive symptoms at six- and twelve-months postpartum and whether this relation was influenced by women’s attitudes towards leave, whether leave was paid or unpaid, and the reason they returned to work. The sample included 115 working women recruited during pregnancy as part of a larger longitudinal study. Analyses revealed that maternal attitudes toward leave influenced the association between leave length and depressive symptoms. Specifically, longer leaves were associated with increased depressive symptoms for women who missed their previous activities at work. Furthermore, women who missed work and had leave for 16 weeks or more, exhibited higher depressive symptoms at six- and twelve-months. Last, results also indicated that women who returned to work solely for monetary reasons exhibited more depressive symptoms at six-months postpartum than those who returned to work for other reasons. This study is among the first to show that women’s attitudes towards parental leave and their individual reasons for returning to work are important factors to consider that may have potential implications for parental leave policies

Consulting report – CICLO

El proyecto de Eco Adoquines de la empresa CICLO es una ambiciosa iniciativa que busca aumentar su capacidad y participación en el mercado a través de la inversión en activos fijos y capital de trabajo. Para respaldar esta estrategia, se han realizado exhaustivos estudios cualitativos y cuantitativos que revelan un Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) actual del 10.57%. El plan de negocios se enfoca en el análisis de mercado, la estrategia de negocios y el pronóstico financiero para impulsar las ventas y mejorar la posición de Ciclo en el mercado. Con el objetivo de aumentar su participación de mercado del 0.35% actual al 5% para finales de 2027, Ciclo planea la contratación de tres especialistas en finanzas, operaciones y marketing. Estos expertos serán clave para ordenar las finanzas, desarrollar estrategias de gestión de recursos y marketing, y mejorar la competitividad de la empresa en el mercado. Se proyecta que el proyecto de Eco Adoquines generará un Valor Neto Actual de S/ 412,250.88, una Tasa Interna de Retorno del 52%, y un retorno de inversión en 2 años, 3 meses y 4 días, lo que demuestra el atractivo potencial de inversión en esta iniciativa. En resumen, CICLO se embarca en un proyecto estratégico para expandir su presencia en el mercado a través de Eco Adoquines. Con un enfoque claro en el análisis, la estrategia y la inversión en recursos clave, la empresa busca un crecimiento sostenible y rentable, respaldado por sólidos indicadores financieros y un retorno de inversión atractivo.CICLO is a sustainable construction company founded in 2015, with operations commencing in 2020, focusing on the production of eco pavers made from recycled construction material. The company operates in two main lines of business: (1) collecting construction waste, and (2) converting the collected material into construction material. Despite the significant environmental benefits and market potential of its operations, CICLO faces a critical challenge of insufficient funding which hampers its growth and scalability. To address this, the company aims to develop a comprehensive business plan to present to potential investors to secure the necessary funding. The business plan is structured into three main categories: market analysis, financial information, and growth strategy. The financial information will include detailed financial statements, projections, and a break-even analysis to provide a clear picture of the company’s financial health and future prospects. The market analysis will provide an overview of the current market scenario, including the demand for sustainable construction materials, competitor analysis, and the potential market share that CICLO can capture. The growth strategy will outline the company's plan for scaling its operations, expanding its product line, and capturing a larger market share. Qualitative and quantitative data will be utilized to analyze the company thoroughly and present a compelling case for investment. The analysis will not only demonstrate the financial viability of CICLO but also highlight the environmental impact of its operations, aligning with the growing trend of impact investing. Implementing recommendations for the company moving forward will also be included, ensuring the long-term success and sustainability of the business. By securing the necessary funding, CICLO aims to scale its operations, contribute to a more sustainable construction industry, and provide a lucrative return on investment for its stakeholders. The business plan will serve as a roadmap for achieving these objectives and a tool for convincing potential investors of the compelling opportunity that CICLO represents

How the European Union Is Embracing Cross-border Telemedicine and what the U.S. State Medical Boards Can Learn From It

Despite the fact that there have been many advances in the field of telemedicine, the United States (U.S.) state and federal laws have not kept pace with these technological advancements and may operate as a barrier to growth in the field of telemedicine. On the other hand, the European Union (EU) has developed a robust legal framework for the practice of telemedicine. The aim of this research project is to evaluate what elements of the EU legal experience could be used to support efforts to better align telemedicine law with the practice of telemedicine in the U.S. Based on the 2015 EU Guidelines, by 2020, a French physician may be able to see a German patient online and have instant access to the patient’s medical record, automatically translated into the French language.1 The EU has prioritized the creation of a legal framework that fully supports cross-border telemedicine.2 As early as 2000, the EU broadened medical licensure requirements for telemedicine so that physicians licensed in one nation could provide telemedicine services to patients who reside in other EU nations without needing to obtain medical licenses from these nations.3 Furthermore, linguistic experts from several nations of the EU have been working together to develop ways of automatically translating and instantly delivering patient records to physicians as appropriate.1 The state medical boards of the U.S, however, have struggled with efforts designed to achieve similar legislative changes. In most states, physicians are required to be licensed in both the state where they practice and the state where the patient resides.4 For example, a Texas physician is required to obtain a Georgia medical license in advance of providing telemedicine care to a patient in Georgia to ensure that their services are legal and reimbursable by insurance.4 While some states now provide a telemedicine license or expedite multistate licensing, these measures are insufficient to support the widespread practice of interstate telemedicine.4 With current regulations, obtaining medical licenses in all 50 states for telemedicine practice is impractical and prohibitively expensive for healthcare providers and organizations. U.S. medical licensure requirements for telemedicine practice are comparable to EU regulations before 2000. Furthermore, U.S. telemedicine reimbursement regulations arbitrarily differ across state borders, and electronic medical record systems from various companies do not communicate properly with each other. At this time, physicians in the U.S. cannot retrieve patient records for unscheduled patient encounters in real-time unless the patient was previously treated using the same medical health records system, causing inconvenience to patients, treatment delays and duplicative medical testing.5 Similar to the European approach, we recommend that the state medical boards allow physicians licensed in one state to provide telemedicine services to patients in other states. Furthermore, we recommend collaboration among the state medical boards, industry leaders, and state legislatures to come up with uniform telemedicine reimbursement regulations and to design a uniform electronic medical record inter-operability standard to allow the U.S. telemedicine industry to keep abreast of the global developments in telemedicine

Foreground Subtraction in Intensity Mapping with the SKA

21cm intensity mapping experiments aim to observe the diffuse neutral hydrogen (HI) distribution on large scales which traces the Cosmic structure. The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) will have the capacity to measure the 21cm signal over a large fraction of the sky. However, the redshifted 21cm signal in the respective frequencies is faint compared to the Galactic foregrounds produced by synchrotron and free-free electron emission. In this article, we review selected foreground subtraction methods suggested to effectively separate the 21cm signal from the foregrounds with intensity mapping simulations or data. We simulate an intensity mapping experiment feasible with SKA phase 1 including extragalactic and Galactic foregrounds. We give an example of the residuals of the foreground subtraction with a independent component analysis and show that the angular power spectrum is recovered within the statistical errors on most scales. Additionally, the scale of the Baryon Acoustic Oscillations is shown to be unaffected by foreground subtraction.Comment: This article is part of the 'SKA Cosmology Chapter, Advancing Astrophysics with the SKA (AASKA14), Conference, Giardini Naxos (Italy), June 9th-13th 2014