Enumeration of super-strong Wilf equivalence classes of permutations in the generalized factor order

Super-strong Wilf equivalence classes of the symmetric group ${\mathcal S}_n$ on $n$ letters, with respect to the generalized factor order, were shown by Hadjiloucas, Michos and Savvidou (2018) to be in bijection with pyramidal sequences of consecutive differences. In this article we enumerate the latter by giving recursive formulae in terms of a two-dimensional analogue of non-interval permutations. As a by-product, we obtain a recursively defined set of representatives of super-strong Wilf equivalence classes in ${\mathcal S}_n$. We also provide a connection between super-strong Wilf equivalence and the geometric notion of shift equivalence---originally defined by Fidler, Glasscock, Miceli, Pantone, and Xu (2018) for words---by showing that an alternate way to characterize super-strong Wilf equivalence for permutations is by keeping only rigid shifts in the definition of shift equivalence. This allows us to fully describe shift equivalence classes for permutations of size $n$ and enumerate them, answering the corresponding problem posed by Fidler, Glasscock, Miceli, Pantone, and Xu (2018).Comment: 18 pages, 5 table

INTERTWINED AND INCOMPATIBLE IDENTITIES IN THE ARGUMENTATION AGAINST THE INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF SAME SEX COUPLES’ COHABITATION AGREEMENT: "GREEK-ORTHODOXY" AND HOMOSEXUALITY

This research focuses on the ways in which "Greek-Orthodox" social identity is constructed and used as an argumentative resource against the institutionalization of same-sex couples’ cohabitation agreement. The analytic material consisted of comments put forward in the context of a public online deliberation on this issue held in Greece in 2015. Analysis, which used the principles of critical discursive psychology and rhetoric, highlights the construction of a solid "Greek-Orthodox" identity in which the concepts of "nation" and "religion" presuppose each other while at the same time they establish heteronormativity. Moreover, homosexuality is constructed as a “sin” that is incompatible with the "Greek-Orthodox" identity while the legal protection of same-sex relationships is represented as a threat to the Greek nation. These constructions are orientated to manage social accountability concerns of the commentators, while at the same time they potentially contribute to the preservation of hierarchical structures and power relations aiming to undermine LGBTQI+ claims.     Key words: Cohabitation agreement, Identities, Same-sex couple

Reflection using mobile portfolios during teaching internships: tracing the influence of mentors and peers on teacher self-efficacy

Digital portfolios offer opportunities for reflection and collaboration in teacher education. However, the affordances of mobile devices have scarcely been explored in this context. A mixed-methods study was conducted wherein 44 student teachers collaboratively used a mobile portfolio app for reflection with peer students and mentors during teaching internships. The analysis focused on the collaborative content of mobile portfolios and its relationship with self-reported outcomes after the internship. The results showed that portfolios often included multimedia records (i.e. pictures, video and audio) of student activity in the classroom and written reflections on teaching strategies. Mentors recorded more videos in portfolios, while peer records varied and correlated with student teachers’ self-efficacy gains. Cluster analysis showed higher teacher self-efficacy gains when all collaborators actively contributed to the portfolios.These findings highlight the importance of mentors and peers when using mobile devices for reflection during teacher education internships

Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty in Valgus Deformity

Proper limb and component alignments as well as soft tissue balance are vital for the longevity and optimal long-term outcomes of total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The majority of orthopedic surgeons agree that the total arthroplasty procedure in valgus knees with a deformity of more than 10° is technically demanding and may prove challenging. At the time of operation, the bone and soft tissue abnormalities that should be corrected make accurate axis restoration, correct component positioning and joint stability attaining a difficult task. Specific pathologic anatomic changes associated with valgus knee should be understood preoperatively and estimated so as to select the proper surgical method, to enhance component position and to restore soft-tissue balancing. The purpose of this chapter is to consider all the valgus knee anatomical variations, to analyze the best preoperative planning and to evaluate the type of implant, constrained or not. Lastly, it will also be underlying the current main approaches and techniques to be proposed in the literature for both bone cuts and soft tissue management of valgus knees and if minimally invasive techniques can be performed in severe deformed knees

An online tool on sustainable water management

Water demand strains supply capacity in the Mediterranean coastal areas, affecting negatively the maintenance of natural and cultural heritage. Tackling this subject, the "Coastal areas sustainable tourism water management in the Mediterranean - CASTWATER" project aims to support sustainable tourism water management in Mediterranean (MED) coastal areas, by improving the monitoring and assessment of the water sustainability performance of tourism. To this end, the elaboration of an online tool to monitor and assess sustainable tourism water management was envisaged and developed, primarily addressed to tourism sector small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The CASTWATER online tool was designed to so as to provide two different functionalities. On the one hand, SMEs can self-evaluate their performance in sustainable water management and efficiently acknowledge possible actions that promote water efficiency in their tourism establishments. On the other hand, the tool measures, at both regional and local level, the levels of good governance and the effectiveness of water-tourism policies in order to improve sustainable water management. The approach presented in this work is heavily based on the initial technical specifications and end-user feedback, aiding SMEs in understanding, comparing, assessing and rating their performance regarding water efficiency and sustainable water management

Teachers’ data literacy for learning analytics: a central predictor for digital data use in upper secondary schools

Since schools increasingly use digital platforms that provide educational data in digital formats, teacher data use, and data literacy have become a focus of educational research. One main challenge is whether teachers use digital data for pedagogical purposes, such as informing their teaching. We conducted a survey study with N = 1059 teachers in upper secondary schools in Switzerland to investigate teacher digital data use and related factors such as the available technologies in schools. Descriptive analysis of the survey responses indicated that although more than half of Swiss upper-secondary teachers agreed with having data technologies at their disposal, only one-third showed a clear tendency to use these technologies, and only one-quarter felt positively confident in improving teaching in this way. An in-depth multilevel modeling showed that teachers’ use of digital data could be predicted by differences between schools, teachers’ positive beliefs towards digital technologies (will), self-assessed data literacy (skill), and access to data technologies (tool) as well as by general factors such as frequency of using digital devices in lessons by students. Teacher characteristics, such as age and teaching experience, were minor predictors. These results show that the provision of data technologies needs to be supplemented with efforts to strengthen teacher data literacy and use in schools