The structure of teacher-specific intercultural competence: Empirical evidence on the 'Beliefs, Values, and Goals' dimension

The aim of this contribution is to identify the elements that are integral parts of a teacher-specific intercultural competence construct. In this paper, we focus on those facets of the construct that are considered to be rather value-laden and affectively tinged. Following the widely used theoretical model of teachers’ professional competencies developed by Baumert and Kunter (2013), we conceptually place these facets within the Beliefs, Values, & Goals dimension, and propose four core elements: (1) appreciation of cultural diversity; (2) ethno-relative worldview; (3) attitudes toward integration; and (4) identification with goals of intercultural education. In order to test the hypothesis that these four aspects represent one single overarching latent construct, we operationalized each with an appropriate scale and then scrutinized the instruments’ internal consistency, and convergent and factorial validity. The results suggest that our four scales have good internal consistencies (Cronbach’s alphas between .82 and .89), adhere to a one-factor structure (as demonstrated by Confirmatory Factor Analysis), and indicate one latent construct (RMSEA = 0.000; TLI = 1.004; CFI = 1.000; SRMR = .007). With these results, this paper presents a valid, contextually relevant new instrument to assess (pre-service) teachers’ beliefs, values and goals regarding intercultural education and contributes to resolving theoretical, methodological, and practical issues of research on intercultural competencies.+repphzhbib2018

The structure of teacher-specific intercultural competence: Empirical evidence on the 'Beliefs, Values, and Goals' dimension

The aim of this contribution is to identify the elements that are integral parts of a teacher-specific intercultural competence construct. In this paper, we focus on those facets of the construct that are considered to be rather value-laden and affectively tinged. Following the widely used theoretical model of teachers’ professional competencies developed by Baumert and Kunter (2013), we conceptually place these facets within the Beliefs, Values, & Goals dimension, and propose four core elements: (1) appreciation of cultural diversity; (2) ethno-relative worldview; (3) attitudes toward integration; and (4) identification with goals of intercultural education. In order to test the hypothesis that these four aspects represent one single overarching latent construct, we operationalized each with an appropriate scale and then scrutinized the instruments’ internal consistency, and convergent and factorial validity. The results suggest that our four scales have good internal consistencies (Cronbach’s alphas between .82 and .89), adhere to a one-factor structure (as demonstrated by Confirmatory Factor Analysis), and indicate one latent construct (RMSEA = 0.000; TLI = 1.004; CFI = 1.000; SRMR = .007). With these results, this paper presents a valid, contextually relevant new instrument to assess (pre-service) teachers’ beliefs, values and goals regarding intercultural education and contributes to resolving theoretical, methodological, and practical issues of research on intercultural competencies

Understanding the diffuse gamma ray emission of the milky way - from supernova remnants to dark matter

Diffuse gamma ray emission from the Galactic center at 2-3 GeV, as well as the 12 TeV gamma ray excess in the Galactic disk, remain open for debate and represent the missing puzzles in the complete picture of the high-energy Milky Way sky. Our papers emphasize the importance of understanding all of the populations that contribute to the diffuse gamma background in order to discriminate between the astrophysical sources such as supernova remnants and pulsars, and something that is expected to be seen in gamma rays and is much more exotic - dark matter. We analyze two separate data sets that have been measured in different energy ranges from the ?Fermi-LAT? and ?Milagro? telescopes, using these as a powerful tool to limit and test our analytical source population models. We model supernova remnants and pulsars, estimating the number of still undetected ones that contribute to the diffuse background, trying to explain both the Galactic center and the 12 TeV excess. Furthermore, we aim to predict the number of soon to be detected sources with new telescopes, such as the ?HAWC?

Implementacija direktive EU 495/2015 u praćenju kvaliteta vode Dunava

The Directive of the EU 495/2015 concerning the list of pesticides, the monitoring of which is necessary in the estimation of ecological water quality, includes neonicotinoids, as well. By the LC-MS/MS analysis of the samples from the Danube the residues of thiamethoxam, acetamiprid and imidacloprid were detected. The detection of insecticides from the neonicotinoid group points at the necessity of the implementation of the Directive in the water quality monitoring.Direktiva EU 495/2015 na listu pesticida čije praćnje je neophodno u proceni ekološkog kvalitata voda, uključuje i neonikotinoide. LC-MS/MS analizom uzoraka Dunava, detektovani su ostaci tiametoksama, acetamiprida i imidakloprida. Detektovanjem insekticida iz grupe neonikotinoida, ukazuje se na potrebu implementacije ove direktive pri praćenju kvaliteta vode

LC-MS/MS određivanje ostataka pesticida u višnjama

The MRM for the determination of acetamiprid, dimethoate, carbendazim, pyraclostrobin, propiconazole and tebuconazole in sour cherries was done by LC-MS/MS. Propiconazole was detected in two samples above the MRL while all the other pesticide derections were belowe the established values.LC-MS/MS je korišćen u MRM određivanja ostataka acetamiprida, dimetoata, karbendazima, piraklostrobina, propikonazola i tebukonazola u uzorcima višanja. Propikonazol je detektovan u dva uzorka iznad MDK, dok su sve ostale detekcije bile ispod propisanih vrednosti

Ostaci pesticida u uzorcima povrća iz organske i konvencionalne proizvodnje

The detections of pesticides in organic and conventional productions were compared with the MRLs. Six vegetable samples from organic production, 4 from conventional production and one from the conversion period were analysed. The white potato sample from the organic production contained imidacloprid, propiconazole and piperonyl butoxide residues. Imidacloprid was found to be above the MRL. In the carrot sample from conventional production the azoxystrobin, boscalid, pyraclostrobin and difenoconazole were detected in the regulated limits, while the mandipropamid concentration were above the MRL.Poređene su detekcije pesticida sa propisanim MDK organskih i konvencionalnih proizvoda. Analizirano je šest uzoraka povrća iz organske, četiri iz konvencionalne proizvodnje i jedan iz perioda konverzije. Uzorak belog krompira iz organske proizvodnje sadržavao je ostatke imidakloprida, propikonazola i piperonil butoksid. Imidakloprid je bio iznad propisanih MDK. U uzoraku mrkve iz konvencionalne proizvodnje detektovani su azoksistrobin, boskalid, piraklostrobin i difenokonazol u propisanim granicama, dok je koncentracija mandipropamida bila iznad MDK

SURFACE CHARACTERISATION USING IMAGE PROCESSING

The complexity of surfaces in the human environment and the fast flow and transfer of information necessitates the modification of existing approaches or the implementation of new ones for the development and maintenance of surfaces in contact. The complete understanding and management of tribological processes, which are dynamic processes with an uncertain number of parameters, require the application of modern information and intelligent technologies. Analysis of surface topography often necessitates the utilization of sophisticated equipment. However, the availability of such equipment is not always guaranteed or justified. Therefore, there is a need to establish an environment where control can be achieved at any time. Therefore, this paper presents a methodology for analysing surface topography based on generating spatial surfaces using image processing from an optical microscope. By applying an appropriate threshold and segmenting the wear track, a series of 2D and 3D roughness parameters can be determined in the userselected plane. This allows for faster determination of the defined parameters and provides an overview of the behaviour of surfaces in contact.Publishe

Predictors of unfavourable outcome in aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage

Background. Mortality rates following aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH) have decreased due to improvements in diagnoses and the management of complications, as well as early obliteration of the aneurysms. Neurogenic pulmonary oedema (NPO) is a clinical syndrome associated with an acute increase in intracranial pressure and a release of catecholamines into the circulation. This study investigated independent predictors of unfavourable outcomes (Glasgow Outcome Scores 1, 2 or 3) in patients with aSAH. Materials and methods. A total of 262 patients with aSAH (162 females) were included in this prospective study. Clinical characteristics were assessed, and electrocardiographic, serum cardiac and inflammatory biomarker measurements were recorded on admission. Outcomes were assessed three months after admission. Univariate and multivariate analyses of these data were used to predict unfavourable outcomes. Results. A total of 156 patients (59.54%) had unfavourable outcomes. Compared to those who had favourable outcomes, patients with unfavourable outcomes were significantly older (54.37 ± 10.56 vs. 49.13 ± 10.77 years; p < 0.001) and had more severe aSAHs (Hunt and Hess grades ≥ 3: 82.7% vs. 39.6%; p < 0.001). Patients with unfavourable outcomes were more likely to have NPO (10.3% vs. 2.8%; p = 0.023), hydrocephalus (34.0% vs. 20.8%; p = 0.02), and aneurysm reruptures (28.2% vs. 3.8%; p < 0.001).Independent predictors of an unfavourable outcome included Hunt and Hess grades ≥ 3 (odds ratio [OR], 4.291; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.168–8.491; p < 0.001), increased systolic blood pressure on admission (OR, 1.020; 95% CI, 1.002–1.038; p = 0.03), increased heart rate (HR) on admission (OR, 1.024; 95% CI, 1.001–1.048; p = 0.04), and aneurysm rerupture (OR, 4.961; 95% CI, 1.461–16.845; p = 0.01).Conclusions. These findings suggest that aneurysm reruptures, as well as increased blood pressure and HR, are associated with unfavourable outcomes in patients with aSAH

Replicated evidence that endophenotypic expression of schizophrenia polygenic risk is greater in healthy siblings of patients compared to controls, suggesting gene-environment interaction. The EUGEI study

Background First-degree relatives of patients with psychotic disorder have higher levels of polygenic risk (PRS) for schizophrenia and higher levels of intermediate phenotypes. Methods We conducted, using two different samples for discovery (n = 336 controls and 649 siblings of patients with psychotic disorder) and replication (n = 1208 controls and 1106 siblings), an analysis of association between PRS on the one hand and psychopathological and cognitive intermediate phenotypes of schizophrenia on the other in a sample at average genetic risk (healthy controls) and a sample at higher than average risk (healthy siblings of patients). Two subthreshold psychosis phenotypes, as well as a standardised measure of cognitive ability, based on a short version of the WAIS-III short form, were used. In addition, a measure of jumping to conclusion bias (replication sample only) was tested for association with PRS. Results In both discovery and replication sample, evidence for an association between PRS and subthreshold psychosis phenotypes was observed in the relatives of patients, whereas in the controls no association was observed. Jumping to conclusion bias was similarly only associated with PRS in the sibling group. Cognitive ability was weakly negatively and non-significantly associated with PRS in both the sibling and the control group. Conclusions The degree of endophenotypic expression of schizophrenia polygenic risk depends on having a sibling with psychotic disorder, suggestive of underlying gene–environment interaction. Cognitive biases may better index genetic risk of disorder than traditional measures of neurocognition, which instead may reflect the population distribution of cognitive ability impacting the prognosis of psychotic disorder

Examining the association between exposome score for schizophrenia and functioning in schizophrenia, siblings, and healthy controls: Results from the EUGEI study.

Background. A cumulative environmental exposure score for schizophrenia (exposome score for schizophrenia [ES-SCZ]) may provide potential utility for risk stratification and outcome prediction. Here, we investigated whether ES-SCZ was associated with functioning in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorder, unaffected siblings, and healthy controls. Methods. This cross-sectional sample consisted of 1,261 patients, 1,282 unaffected siblings, and 1,525 healthy controls. The Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale was used to assess functioning. ES-SCZ was calculated based on our previously validated method. The association between ES-SCZ and the GAF dimensions (symptom and disability) was analyzed by applying regression models in each group (patients, siblings, and controls). Additional models included polygenic risk score for schizophrenia (PRS-SCZ) as a covariate. Results. ES-SCZ was associated with the GAF dimensions in patients (symptom: B = 1.53, p-value = 0.001; disability: B = 1.44, p-value = 0.001), siblings (symptom: B = 3.07, p-value < 0.001; disability: B = 2.52, p-value < 0.001), and healthy controls (symptom: B = 1.50, p-value < 0.001; disability: B = 1.31, p-value < 0.001). The results remained the same after adjusting for PRS-SCZ. The degree of associations of ES-SCZ with both symptom and disability dimensions were higher in unaffected siblings than in patients and controls. By analyzing an independent dataset (the Genetic Risk and Outcome of Psychosis study), we replicated the results observed in the patient group. Conclusions. Our findings suggest that ES-SCZ shows promise for enhancing risk prediction and stratification in research practice. From a clinical perspective, ES-SCZ may aid in efforts of clinical characterization, operationalizing transdiagnostic clinical staging models, and personalizing clinical management