Children’s discourses of natural spaces: considerations for children’s subjective well-being

Based on the evidence provided in the literature, it is manifest that increased time spent in nature increases various aspects of children’s well-being. Using discourse analysis on focus group interviews with 28 children between the ages of 12 and 14 years old from three socio-economically diverse communities in the Western Cape of South Africa, the study aimed to explore how children construct and assign meaning to natural spaces. More specifically the study explored how children use specific discursive resources and repertoires to construct and assign meaning to their engagement with natural spaces, and the extent to which this influences their subjective well-being. Several pertinent discourses emerged from the participants’ accounts within four themes of: Safety and natural spaces, Appreciation for natural spaces, Degradation of Nature: Thinking environmentally, acting pro-environmentally, and Natural spaces and children’s subjective well-being. The study highlights the critical role that children’s engagement in natural spaces has on their subjective well-being, and how these benefits can be harnessed to better children’s overall quality of life.IS

Spanish Validation of the Flourishing Scale in the General Population

Well-being research and its measurement have grown in the last two decades. The objective of this study was to adapt and validate the Flourishing Scale in a sample of Spanish adults. This was a cross-sectional study using a non-probabilistic sample of 999 Spanish general adult population participants. The psychometric properties of the scale were analysed from an exploratory and confirmatory perspective. Exploratory factor analysis showed a one-factor solution explaining 42.3% of the variance; an internal consistency of .846; temporal reliability correlation of .749; convergent validity with the Satisfaction with Life Scale of .521 and criterion validity with positive and negative affect (PANAS), pessimism and optimism (LOT-R) ranging from .270 to .488. Confirmatory factor analysis testing the one-factor solution showed a χ2 of 65.57 df = 20; CFI of .982, RMSEA of .06, average variance extracted index of .518 and composite reliability index of .841. Results showed that the Spanish version of the FS is a reliable and valid method for measuring high levels of well-bein

The emergent rhizosphere: imaging the development of the porous architecture at the root-soil interface

The rhizosphere is the zone of soil infuenced by a plant root and is critical for plant health and nutrient acquisition. All below ground resources must pass through this dynamic zone prior to their capture by plant roots. However, researching the undisturbed rhizosphere has proved very challenging. Here we compare the temporal changes to the intact rhizosphere pore structure during the emergence of a developing root system in diferent soils. High resolution X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) was used to quantify the impact of root development on soil structural change, at scales relevant to individual micro-pores and aggregates (µm). A comparison of micro-scale structural evolution in homogenously packed soils highlighted the impacts of a penetrating root system in changing the surrounding porous architecture and morphology. Results indicate the structural zone of infuence of a root can be more localised than previously reported (µm scale rather than mm scale). With time, growing roots signifcantly alter the soil physical environment in their immediate vicinity through reducing root-soil contact and crucially increasing porosity at the root-soil interface and not the converse as has often been postulated. This ‘rhizosphere pore structure’ and its impact on associated dynamics are discussed

Complexity Theory for a New Managerial Paradigm: A Research Framework

In this work, we supply a theoretical framework of how organizations can embed complexity management and sustainable development into their policies and actions. The proposed framework may lead to a new management paradigm, attempting to link the main concepts of complexity theory, change management, knowledge management, sustainable development, and cybernetics. We highlight how the processes of organizational change have occurred as a result of the move to adapt to the changes in the various global and international business environments and how this transformation has led to the shift toward the present innovation economy. We also point how organizational change needs to deal with sustainability, so that the change may be consistent with present needs, without compromising the future

Performance of missing transverse momentum reconstruction with the ATLAS detector using proton–proton collisions at √s = 13 TeV

The performance of the missing transverse momentum (EmissT) reconstruction with the ATLAS detector is evaluated using data collected in proton–proton collisions at the LHC at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV in 2015. To reconstruct EmissT, fully calibrated electrons, muons, photons, hadronically decaying τ -leptons, and jets reconstructed from calorimeter energy deposits and charged-particle tracks are used. These are combined with the soft hadronic activity measured by reconstructed charged-particle tracks not associated with the hard objects. Possible double counting of contributions from reconstructed charged-particle tracks from the inner detector, energy deposits in the calorimeter, and reconstructed muons from the muon spectrometer is avoided by applying a signal ambiguity resolution procedure which rejects already used signals when combining the various EmissT contributions. The individual terms as well as the overall reconstructed EmissT are evaluated with various performance metrics for scale (linearity), resolution, and sensitivity to the data-taking conditions. The method developed to determine the systematic uncertainties of the EmissT scale and resolution is discussed. Results are shown based on the full 2015 data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.2 fb−1

Measurement of the t¯tZ and t¯tW cross sections in proton-proton collisions at √s=13 TeV with the ATLAS detector

A measurement of the associated production of a top-quark pair (t¯t) with a vector boson (W, Z) in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV is presented, using 36.1  fb−1 of integrated luminosity collected by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. Events are selected in channels with two same- or opposite-sign leptons (electrons or muons), three leptons or four leptons, and each channel is further divided into multiple regions to maximize the sensitivity of the measurement. The t¯tZ and t¯tW production cross sections are simultaneously measured using a combined fit to all regions. The best-fit values of the production cross sections are σt¯tZ=0.95±0.08stat±0.10syst pb and σt¯tW=0.87±0.13stat±0.14syst pb in agreement with the Standard Model predictions. The measurement of the t¯tZ cross section is used to set constraints on effective field theory operators which modify the t¯tZ vertex

Combined measurement of differential and total cross sections in the H → γγ and the H → ZZ* → 4ℓ decay channels at s=13 TeV with the ATLAS detector

A combined measurement of differential and inclusive total cross sections of Higgs boson production is performed using 36.1 fb−1 of 13 TeV proton–proton collision data produced by the LHC and recorded by the ATLAS detector in 2015 and 2016. Cross sections are obtained from measured H→γγ and H→ZZ*(→4ℓ event yields, which are combined taking into account detector efficiencies, resolution, acceptances and branching fractions. The total Higgs boson production cross section is measured to be 57.0−5.9 +6.0 (stat.) −3.3 +4.0 (syst.) pb, in agreement with the Standard Model prediction. Differential cross-section measurements are presented for the Higgs boson transverse momentum distribution, Higgs boson rapidity, number of jets produced together with the Higgs boson, and the transverse momentum of the leading jet. The results from the two decay channels are found to be compatible, and their combination agrees with the Standard Model predictions

A transdiagnostic neuroanatomical signature of psychiatric illness

Despite an increasing focus on transdiagnostic approaches to mental health, it remains unclear whether different diagnostic categories share a common neuronatomical basis. The current investigation sought to investigate whether a transdiagnostic set of structural alterations characterized schizophrenia, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, and determine whether any such alterations reflected markers of psychiatric illness or pre-existing familial vulnerability. A total of 404 patients with a psychiatric diagnosis were recruited (psychosis, n = 129; unipolar depression, n = 92; post-traumatic stress disorder, n = 91; obsessive-compulsive disorder, n = 92) alongside n = 201 healthy controls and n = 20 unaffected first-degree relatives. We collected structural magnetic resonance imaging scans from each participant, and tested for transdiagnostic alterations using Voxel-based morphometry. Inferences were made at p < 0.05 after family-wise error correction for multiple comparisons. The four psychiatric groups relative to healthy controls were all characterized by significantly greater gray matter volume in the putamen (right: z-score: 5.97, p-value < 0.001; left: z-score: 4.97, p-value = 0.001); the volume of this region was positively correlated with severity of symptoms across groups (r = 0.313; p < 0.001). Putamen enlargement was also evident in unaffected relatives compared to healthy controls (right: z-score: 8.13, p-value < 0.001; left: z-score: 9.38, p-value < 0.001). Taken collectively, these findings indicate that increased putamen volume may reflect a transdiagnostic marker of familial vulnerability to psychopathology. This is consistent with emerging conceptualizations of psychiatric illness, in which each disorder is understood as a combination of diagnosis-specific features and a transdiagnostic factor reflecting general psychopathology

Prevalence and prognostic impact of subclinical cardiovascular disease in individuals with the metabolic syndrome and diabetes

Dostępne dane dotyczące występowania i znaczenia prognostycznego subklinicznej postaci choroby sercowo-naczyniowej (CVD), u pacjentów z zespołem metabolicznym są ograniczone. W prezentowanej pracy zbadano częstość występowania subklinicznej choroby sercowo-naczyniowej u 1945 uczestników próby Framingham Offspring Study (śr. wieku 58 lat, 59% uczestników stanowiły kobiety) z wykorzystaniem elektrokardiografii, echokardiografii, ultra ultrasonografii tętnic szyjnych, wskaźnika ciśnienia tętniczego kostka&#8211;ramię oraz wydalania albumin z moczem. W pracy oceniono w sposób prospektywny częstość występowania subklinicznej choroby sercowo-naczyniowej związanej z zespołem metabolicznym i cukrzycą, w zależności od obecności subklinicznej postaci tego schorzenia lub jej braku. Przekrojowo u 51% z 581 uczestników z zespołem metabolicznym zdiagnozowano subkliniczną formę choroby sercowo-naczyniowej w przynajmniej jednym z badań dodatkowych, co było częstsze niż u chorych bez zespołu metabolicznego [iloraz szans skorygowany pod względem wielu zmiennych 2,06 (95% CI: 1,67&#8211;2,55); p < 0,0001]. W trakcie dalszej obserwacji klinicznej (śr. 7,2 lat) jawna klinicznie choroba sercowo-naczyniowa rozwinęła się u 139 pacjentów, 59% tej liczby stanowiły osoby z zespołem metabolicznym (10,2%). Uogólniając, występowanie zespołu metabolicznego było związane ze zwiększonym ryzykiem występowania CVD [iloraz ryzyka skorygowany pod względem wielu zmiennych (HR, hazard ratio) 1,61 (95% CI: 1,12&#8211;2,33)]. U pacjentów z zespołem metabolicznym oraz subkliniczną postacią choroby sercowo-naczyniowej zaobserwowano zwiększone ryzyko wystąpienia jawnej klinicznie postaci choroby sercowo-naczyniowej [2,67 (1,62&#8211;4,41) w porównaniu z chorymi bez zdiagnozowanego zespołu metabolicznego, cukrzycy lub subklinicznej formy choroby sercowo-naczyniowej]. Zaobserwowano także mniejszy związek występowania zespołu metabolicznego z rozwinięciem się choroby sercowo-naczyniowej u pacjentów bez subklinicznej postaci CVD [HR 1,59 (95% CI: 0,87&#8211;2,90)]. Podobne zmniejszenie ryzyka wystąpienia choroby sercowo-naczyniowej u pacjentów bez subklinicznej postaci CVD obserwowano u chorych na cukrzycę. Występowanie subklinicznej formy CVD stanowiło istotny predyktor rozwinięcia się jawnej klinicznie choroby sercowo-naczyniowej u pacjentów bez zespołu metabolicznego lub cukrzycy [1,93 (1,15&#8211;3,24)]. W niniejszym populacyjnym badaniu osób z zespołem metabolicznym zaobserwowano częstsze występowanie subklinicznej postaci miażdżycy, co prawdopodobnie przyczynia się do wyższego ryzyka wystąpienia jawnej klinicznie postaci CVD związanej z tym schorzeniem.Data are limited regarding prevalence and prognostic significance of subclinical cardiovascular disease (CVD) in individuals with metabolic syndrome. We investigated prevalence of subclinical CVD in 1,945 Framingham Offspring Study participants (mean age 58 years; 59% women) using electrocardiography, echocardiography, carotid ultrasound, ankle-brachial blood pressure, and urinary albumin excretion. We prospectively evaluated the incidence of CVD associated with metabolic syndrome and diabetes according to presence versus absence of subclinical disease. Cross-sectionally, 51% of 581 participants with metabolic syndrome had subclinical disease in at least one test, a frequency higher than individuals without metabolic syndrome [multivariable- adjusted odds ratio 2.06 (95% CI: 1.67- 2.55); p < 0.0001). On follow-up (mean 7.2 years), 139 individuals developed overt CVD, including 59 with metabolic syndrome (10.2%). Overall, metabolic syndrome was associated with increased CVD risk [multivariableadjusted hazards ratio (HR) 1.61 (95% CI: 1.12-2.33)]. Participants with metabolic syndrome and subclinical disease experienced increased risk of overt CVD [2.67 (1.62-4.41) compared with those without metabolic syndrome, diabetes, or subclinical disease], whereas the association of metabolic syndrome with CVD risk was attenuated in absence of subclinical disease [HR 1.59 (95% CI: 0.87&#8211;2.90)]. A similar attenuation of CVD risk in absence of subclinical disease was observed also for diabetes. Subclinical disease was a significant predictor of overt CVD in participants without metabolic syndrome or diabetes [1.93 (1.15-3.24)]. In our community-based sample, individuals with metabolic syndrome have a high prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis that likely contributes to the increased risk of overt CVD associated with the condition

A New Approach to Age-Period-Cohort Analysis Using Partial Least Squares Regression: The Trend in Blood Pressure in the Glasgow Alumni Cohort

Due to a problem of identification, how to estimate the distinct effects of age, time period and cohort has been a controversial issue in the analysis of trends in health outcomes in epidemiology. In this study, we propose a novel approach, partial least squares (PLS) analysis, to separate the effects of age, period, and cohort. Our example for illustration is taken from the Glasgow Alumni cohort. A total of 15,322 students (11,755 men and 3,567 women) received medical screening at the Glasgow University between 1948 and 1968. The aim is to investigate the secular trends in blood pressure over 1925 and 1950 while taking into account the year of examination and age at examination. We excluded students born before 1925 or aged over 25 years at examination and those with missing values in confounders from the analyses, resulting in 12,546 and 12,516 students for analysis of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respectively. PLS analysis shows that both systolic and diastolic blood pressure increased with students' age, and students born later had on average lower blood pressure (SBP: −0.17 mmHg/per year [95% confidence intervals: −0.19 to −0.15] for men and −0.25 [−0.28 to −0.22] for women; DBP: −0.14 [−0.15 to −0.13] for men; −0.09 [−0.11 to −0.07] for women). PLS also shows a decreasing trend in blood pressure over the examination period. As identification is not a problem for PLS, it provides a flexible modelling strategy for age-period-cohort analysis. More emphasis is then required to clarify the substantive and conceptual issues surrounding the definitions and interpretations of age, period and cohort effects