Two-layer Space-oriented Partitioning for Non-point Data

Non-point spatial objects (e.g., polygons, linestrings, etc.) are ubiquitous. We study the problem of indexing non-point objects in memory for range queries and spatial intersection joins. We propose a secondary partitioning technique for space-oriented partitioning indices (e.g., grids), which improves their performance significantly, by avoiding the generation and elimination of duplicate results. Our approach is easy to implement and can be used by any space-partitioning index to significantly reduce the cost of range queries and intersection joins. In addition, the secondary partitions can be processed independently, which makes our method appropriate for distributed and parallel indexing. Experiments on real datasets confirm the advantage of our approach against alternative duplicate elimination techniques and data-oriented state-of-the-art spatial indices. We also show that our partitioning technique, paired with optimized partition-to-partition join algorithms, typically reduces the cost of spatial joins by around 50%.Comment: To appear in the IEEE Transactions on Knowledge and Data Engineerin

Review of macroeconomic approaches to modelling Wellbeing, Inclusion, and Sustainability

In response to the urgent global challenges of climate change and rising inequality, the need to re-evaluate our traditional economic models and adopt new approaches focused on sustainability, wellbeing, and inclusion has become evident. The current economic paradigms, based on equilibrium thinking and GDP-centric measurements, have proven inadequate in addressing the intricate interplay between economic, social, and environmental dimensions. As we embark on a transformative journey towards a sustainable and equitable future, it is crucial to adopt diverse modelling approaches to provide policymakers and stakeholders with informed decision-making tools. This report delves into the analysis of five different macroeconomic model types (general equilibrium models, macro-econometric & input-output models, stockflow-consistent models, integrated assessment models, and system dynamics models), evaluating their respective strengths and weaknesses to propose an integrated framework that encompasses the multifaceted nature of our world. A key recommendation is to improve existing models by enhancing their dynamics and feedback loops between dimensions and systems, thus better reflecting the interactions and effects of different social and economic policies. Striking a balance between complexity and transparency is essential, ensuring that models remain flexible and capable of linking with models with greater detail but narrower focus. The report emphasizes the incorporation of WISE accounts (detailed data on Wellbeing, Inclusion, Sustainability, and Economy that will be collected and harmonized during the project) into macroeconomic models as an opportunity to overcome the challenge of data availability, which poses a significant obstacle in modelling endeavours. Robust and reliable data sources are crucial to the success of any model and require continual improvement in data collection processes. To broaden our understanding of the dynamics of WISE dimensions and the potential impacts of policies, integrating alternative perspectives, such as heterodox economics, can offer valuable insights. Co-creating quantitative analysis with stakeholders enhances ownership and uptake of the models and may help with bridging the gap between research and policy implementation. Furthermore, an integrated modelling framework that accounts for the non-linear interactions between human and earth systems is necessary to properly assess policies tackling 21st century challenges in the context of WISE dimensions. This integrated model should draw upon the data of WISE accounts and synergize elements of Input-Output models, System-Dynamics, and Stock-Flow consistent models to provide a structured tool for policymakers and researchers in shaping a sustainable and inclusive future

Legitimacy of Authority and Protest Actions in Response to Collective Disadvantages

Abstract A wealth of evidence has demonstrated that individuals’ participation in collective actions largely derives from perceived group disadvantages. In the present research, we hypothesized that engagement in protest activities can be attenuated if the disadvantages originate from legitimate figures of authority. Across three experiments based on vignettes describing a hypothetical work setting (total N  = 670), we found consistent support for this prediction. In Study 1, we showed that intention to participate in a protest movement in reaction to an unfavourable distribution of outcomes was lower when legitimacy of the group’s authority was high (vs. low). In addition, a reduction in anger was found to play a mediating role. Studies 2 and 3 further demonstrated that these effects only occurred when participants were confronted with a relatively low disadvantage (as opposed to a high disadvantage). In an attempt to identify underlying mechanisms, Study 3 emphasized the moral implications that lie behind responses to high (vs. low) disadvantageous decisions and that shape resistance processes. Taken together, these findings call for more consideration for the role of group authorities in the comprehension of collective action tendencies and give insights to better understand how and when authority legitimacy can serve to perpetuate social disparities and hinders the fight against injustices. </p

A review of policy strategies around the world through the lens of Wellbeing, Inclusion, and Sustainability

This report explores policy strategies and initiatives from Africa, China, the EU, Latin America, the US, and the Wellbeing Economy Governments (WEGo), by employing a conceptual framework based on the Brundtland and Stiglitz-Sen-Fitoussi report. This “WISE” framework distinguishes the dimensions of wellbeing (wellbeing of current generations), inclusion (distribution of wellbeing), and sustainability (wellbeing of future generations). It also considers the economy, viewed as a means to achieve these dimensions rather than as a goal itself. The aim of this report is to gain understanding of how WISE aspects are being integrated within the policy debate worldwide and the underlying narratives within political priorities, goals, and policies. We also aim to provide insights for the development of the WISE theoretical framework and models that will be developed in the WISE Horizons project. We find that the WISE lens is useful for investigating policies through a broader, more holistic perspective, avoiding focusing only on economic concepts with their limited scope or those that might be specific to certain locations. This is in line with the need for context-sensitive policies and approaches. Our analysis reveals that while most reviewed policy strategies relate to aspects of wellbeing, inclusion, and sustainability, these dimensions are not fully integrated in a comprehensive and balanced manner. Overall, despite global and regional diversity, it is possible to find some common ground. In terms of sustainability, the environmental dimension takes primary emphasis in most policy strategies. The report argues that the concept of sustainability needs to be further expanded to cover a broader range of topics around future generations. Inclusion is frequently emphasised, particularly in terms of poverty, inequality, and protection of vulnerable groups. However, the spatial dimension of inclusion beyond borders, i.e. considering the distribution of global wellbeing, is rare. Wellbeing is relevant in many but not all policy strategies and it mostly lacks holistic integration. Wellbeing often refers to living conditions, health, education, housing, employment, and energy availability. Aside from material considerations, cultural aspects, and heritage (especially in Africa, China, and Latin America), life satisfaction (especially in the WEGo and Latin America), and quality of the environment are mentioned. The interlinkage between WISE dimensions is evident, with the potential to reinforce (win-win) or hamper (trade-oȨs) each other. For example, using mineral revenues to enhance wellbeing today may compromise future wellbeing, while prioritising sustainability could limit wellbeing current. Peace is another example of a factor cutting across both present and future wellbeing, and its distribution. The demographic dimension emerged as an important aspect in all regions as well, encompassing variations in rural-urban settings, age structure (aging or youthful population), population density, migration etc. We will delve deeper into these aspects while advancing the WISE framework. Finally, the governance dimension also emerges as an important aspect from our analysis. In short, while WISE dimensions mostly address the what, there should also be attention given to the how. This includes looking at policymaking processes, policy implementation, and institutional structures

Testing noninterference, quickly

Information-flow control mechanisms are difficult to design and labor intensive to prove correct. To reduce the time wasted on proof attempts doomed to fail due to broken definitions, we advocate modern random testing techniques for finding counterexamples during the design process. We show how to use QuickCheck, a property-based random-testing tool, to guide the design of a simple information-flow abstract machine. We find that both sophisticated strategies for generating well-distributed random programs and readily falsifiable formulations of noninterference properties are critically important. We propose several approaches and evaluate their effectiveness on a collection of injected bugs of varying subtlety. We also present an effective technique for shrinking large counterexamples to minimal, easily comprehensible ones. Taken together, our best methods enable us to quickly and automatically generate simple counterexamples for all these bugs

Contemporary role of cardiac magnetic resonance in the management of patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) is a useful non-invasive radiation-free imaging modality for the management of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). CMR cine imaging provides the “gold standard” assessment of ventricular function, late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) provides useful data for the diagnosis and extent of myocardial scar and viability, while stress imaging is an established technique for the detection of myocardial perfusion defects indicating ischemia. Beyond its role in the diagnosis of CAD, CMR allows accurate risk stratification of patients with established CAD. This review aims to summarize the data regarding the role of CMR in the contemporary management of patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease

Representations, power, dominance : a psychosocial approach of the stigma of people with schizophrenia

La stigmatisation de la schizophrénie a des conséquences néfastes sur la vie et les droits des personnes atteintes de ce trouble. Ce phénomène, pour lequel plusieurs modèles théoriques ont été proposés, et qui constitue un réel impératif de santé publique pour le Ministère de la Santé et l’Organisation Mondiale de la Santé, reste cependant bien peu étudié dans le contexte français. Dans le cadre de la présente thèse, nous avons étudié le phénomène de la stigmatisation des personnes atteintes de schizophrénie en adoptant une approche socio-représentationnelle. D’un côté, une série d’études théoriques et empiriques a été menée afin d’étudier la problématisation du rapport à la « maladie mentale » et à la schizophrénie, les formes de savoir et les enjeux de pouvoir qui s’y rapportent. D’un autre côté, nous avons effectué des travaux psychosociaux mobilisant la théorie des Représentations Sociales et la théorie de la Dominance Sociale. Cela nous a permis d’identifier des contenus et des processus psychosociaux en jeu dans la stigmatisation de la schizophrénie de façon contextualisée. De manière plus globale, cette thèse nous invite à considérer le rapport entretenu avec les personnes atteintes de schizophrénie comme étant profondément lié au rapport à l’ordre social, rapport traversé par des enjeux de pouvoir et de protection de l’ordre social. Cette thèse vient souligner l’intérêt d’envisager le phénomène de la stigmatisation dans son horizon sociologique, épistémologique et normatif. Des implications pratiques visant la déstigmatisation de la schizophrénie ainsi que de futures pistes de recherches sont discutées en fin de manuscrit.The stigma of schizophrenia has major consequences on the lives and the rights of people with the disorder. This phenomenon, for which several theoretical models have been proposed, has not been broadly studied in the French context, although the ministry of health and the WHO have underlined that it constitutes a true priority of public health. With the present doctoral thesis, we studied the stigma of schizophrenia following a socio-representational approach. On the one hand, we conducted an assemblage of theoretical and empirical studies aiming at studying the problematization of “mental illness” and schizophrenia, as well as the forms of knowledge and the power issues that are related to this problematization. This part allowed us to critically study the con-text in which stigma is problematized as a priority of public health. On the other hand, we have carried out psychosocial studies mobilizing the theory of Social Representations and the theory of Social Dominance, that allowed us to identify several contents and psychoso-cial processes at stake in the stigma of schizophrenia, in a contextualized fashion. On a general level, our results invite us to consider the relation to people with schizophrenia as pro-foundly associated with the broader relation to the social order, relation encompassed by issues of power and of protection of the social order. Moreover, the present thesis underlines the importance of studying the stigma phenomenon within its sociological, epistemological and normative horizon. Implications for anti-stigma practices, as well as some future re-search perspectives are discussed at the end of our work

Social Dominance Orientation and Discrimination against People with Schizophrenia: Evidence of Medicalization and Dangerousness Beliefs as Legitimizing Myths

International audienc