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Properties of Subwords of Binary Words under Dejean morphism
Full text linkA word w is a finite sequence of symbols belonging to a finite set, called an alphabet. A scattered subword of a word w is a subsequence of w. The Parikh matrix of a word w over an ordered alphabet with an ordering on its elements, is an upper triangular matrix with its entries giving the counts of different occurrences of certain scattered subwords in the word w. Based on the notions of scattered subword and Parikh matrix, several properties of images of words under morphisms have been established. Here we consider Dejean morphism on three letters and derive several
properties for images of binary words under this morphism in the context of Parikh matrices
The Twin Transition Strategy Framework: How Universities Can Effectively Leverage Their Capabilities In Research, Teaching, And Collaborations
Full text linkThe twin transition (digital and ecological transformations) is crucial for addressing sustainable growth within Higher Education (HE). This conceptual paper proposes a Twin Transition Strategy Framework for Higher Education institutions, focusing on how universities can leverage their research, teaching, and collaboration capabilities to address sustainable growth through digital and ecological transformations. The framework identifies four key entities: Research Culture, University Curricula, University-Industry Partnerships, and University-Government Partnerships. It highlights significant opportunities for universities, including pioneering interdisciplinary research and adapting curricula, while also acknowledging challenges like potential conflicts between digital and environmental goals. The paper advocates for a holistic, integrated approach, emphasizing innovative teaching, strong partnerships, and ambitious sustainability targets for university operations, ultimately offering recommendations for contributing to a sustainable and digital future.
La doppia transizione (trasformazioni digitali ed ecologiche) è fondamentale per affrontare la crescita sostenibile nell'istruzione superiore (IS). Questo documento concettuale propone un quadro strategico di doppia transizione per gli istituti di istruzione superiore, concentrandosi su come le università possono sfruttare le loro capacità di ricerca, insegnamento e collaborazione per affrontare la crescita sostenibile attraverso trasformazioni digitali ed ecologiche. Il quadro identifica quattro entità chiave: cultura della ricerca, programmi di studio universitari, partnership tra università e industria e partnership tra università e governo. Evidenzia opportunità significative per le università, tra cui la ricerca interdisciplinare pionieristica e l'adattamento dei programmi di studio, pur riconoscendo anche sfide come i potenziali conflitti tra obiettivi digitali e ambientali. Il documento sostiene un approccio olistico e integrato, sottolineando l'insegnamento innovativo, le partnership solide e gli obiettivi ambiziosi di sostenibilità per le operazioni universitarie, offrendo infine raccomandazioni per contribuire a un futuro sostenibile e digitale
Publicly mediated diplomacy through online subsidies and the promotion of peace
No full textThis chapter examines how various countries such as USA, Canada, Sweden and the UK and a range of international organisations aim to influence public perceptions about peacebuilding in targeted countries through public mediated diplomacy efforts. Specifically, it explores the role of online information subsidies (e.g., statements, press briefings, news stories and fact sheets) as a venue for perception management regarding the transition to post-conflict environments through spatial framing. Drawing on contemporary literature in the area, the author argues that online subsidies constitute a key mediated public diplomacy strategy for agenda and frame-building purposes, directed not only towards international news media but also publicly accessible to anyone with internet access. Framing through online subsidies in this fashion links traditional and contemporary diplomatic practice as well as news production and public relations transference of values. Underpinned by an understanding of mediated public diplomacy in a constructivist fashion, the author emphasises the role of international communicative engagement in fostering a public good such as peace, beyond national interests and image building
Utility of the Respiratory Compensation Point for Estimating Critical Power: Insights from Normoxia and Hypoxia
Full text linkWe examined the validity of the respiratory compensation point (RCP) in estimating critical power (CP), by determining the relative agreement between them following an acute intervention, hypoxia, which reduces RCP and CP. RCP and CP were determined in normoxia (N: FiO2 = 0.21) and hypoxia (H: FiO2 = 0.13) with RCP converted to a power output (W) via linear regression of the V̇O2 – time relationship with correction for the mean response time. RCP and CP were lower in hypoxia compared to normoxia (p<0.001), but there was no difference between CP and RCP in N or H (N: 174 ± 26 (CP) vs. 178 ± 30 (RCP) W; H: 133 ± 19 (CP) vs. 139 ± 22 (RCP) W, p=0.53. In both N (r=0.32, p=0.31) and H (r=0.00, p=0.99) RCP was not correlated with CP. Moreover, the 95% limits of agreement (LOA) were unacceptably wide (N: 3 ± 64 W; H: 7 ± 57 W). There was no correlation between the change in RCP and the change in CP caused by hypoxia (W: r = 0.32;), with similarly poor 95% LOA (W: -3 ± 62 W). The weak correlations and wide LOA within and between conditions suggest little practical value in using RCP to estimate CP
Characteristics of fascination: Using eye-tracking to explore the impact of spatial frequency on the allocation of attention to nature and urban scenes
Full text linkEvidence suggests that nature environments capture attention effortlessly and/or are easy to process, but the mechanisms responsible for attention restoration are not fully understood. This study manipulated low-level properties of nature and urban images to measure their impact on gaze behaviour. Stimuli comprised 20 grayscale images (10 nature, 10 urban) shown in their original form, and with low or mid-to-high spatial frequencies filtered out. Eye movements were recorded whilst participants viewed the scenes, rating each one for pleasantness and ease of identifying objects. Participants made fewer, longer fixations to nature scenes, unless mid-to-high spatial frequencies were removed, and explored urban scenes more, unless low spatial frequencies were removed. Nature scenes were rated as more pleasant, providing mid-to-high spatial frequencies were present, and identification of objects was easier in urban scenes, particularly when mid-to-high spatial frequencies were removed. Further analysis revealed important findings to guide future research; gaze behaviour was highly consistent within participants, and differences in eye movements to urban and nature scenes were most prominent in the first 5-6 seconds of viewing. This shows the potential for using eye movements, especially early in viewing, to study individual differences in the perception of, and attention to, nature and urban environments
An Empirical Investigation of the Impact of R&D Expenditures and Climate Change on Wheat Productivity: Evidence from China, India, and Pakistan
Full text linkThis study examines how research and development (R&D) expenditures, temperature fluctuations, and rainfall variability influenced wheat productivity in China, India, and Pakistan from 1996 to 2018. Drawing on data from FAOSTAT, the Pakistan Economic Survey, and World Development Indicators, we employ Pooled Mean Group (PMG) and Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) models to explore short- and long-run dynamics. Our findings indicate that R&D investments do not exert a significant short-run effect but play a pivotal role in boosting wheat yields over the long run. Specifically, a 1% increase in R&D expenditure correlates with a 10% rise in wheat productivity across the three countries, although the returns vary—6% in China, 17% in India, and 12% in Pakistan—due in part to differences in innovation adoption and infrastructure. Additionally, a 1% temperature rise is associated with a 4% decrease in long-run yield, while variability in rainfall disrupts sowing schedules and reduces water availability during critical growth stages, further constraining productivity. These findings underscore that while climate factors pose significant risks to wheat yields, sustained investments in agricultural R&D and improved resource management are essential for enhancing food security in South Asia
What’s the point of ministry amongst children, youth and families? Examination of aims and activities from different perspectives
Full text linkThis phenomenological exploration of the aims and activities of ministry amongst children, young people and families captured data from a range of stakeholders using an online survey. Responses from paid (n=325) and voluntary team members (n=312), parents (n=298), church leaders (n=216) and young people (n=33) were considered through a comparative analysis to establish the extent to which their perspectives aligned. Whilst there were some differences regarding the role and support of parents in their role of faith formation, there was marked unity and clarity of overall purpose across all stakeholders, revealing the significant opportunities which are apparent for greater communication and collaboration since all parties appear to desire this. Indeed, all saw the value and mutual benefit for including and collaborating with CYF. This will undoubtedly be challenging and require a revised vision and strategy, but intentional effort to evaluate and revise the agenda will enhance faith formation amongst children young people and families
Relations of Parental Play Beliefs with Children’s Executive Functions, Reading, and Mathematics
Full text linkThis study examined how parental play support and academic focus differentially predicted kindergarten children’s longitudinal development in executive functions, word reading, and mathematics skills. Participants were 150 Hong Kong kindergarten children (47.3% girls; mean age of 4.4 years at Time 1 and 5.4 years at Time 2) and their parents. At Time 1, parents reported demographic information and rated children’s executive functions through questionnaire. Children were administered behavioral tasks assessing their word reading and mathematics. One year later, at Time 2, the parents rated children’s executive functions, and children completed the same behavioral tasks again. Results from a path analytic model revealed the indirect relation between parental play support at Time 1 and word reading at Time 2, mediated through executive functions at Time 1, was positive and significant. However, parental academic focus was unrelated to children’s academic skills. The results suggest fostering parental play support might facilitate kindergarten children’s cognitive skills, academic learning, and holistic development
'I’d like to find out more about what we can actually do after this degree because I’m not 100% sure’: Exploring Emergent and Divergent Aspirations of Early Childhood Undergraduates
Full text linkThe Early Childhood (EC) sector in the UK is facing a recruitment and retention crisis and fewer people are opting to study this subject at university. Exploring the aspirations of EC university students and the factors shaping them is therefore important for understanding what attracts people to careers in this sector, enabling course tutors to cultivate these aspirations. Sixty-four EC students at an English university participated in this qualitative research. Data were generated using a pedagogical task to elicit participants’ aspirations followed by focus group discussions to explore them further. The analysis revealed that participants have academic, professional, and personal aspirations. Many of these aspirations were found to be either emergent or divergent. The former theme suggests that EC students’ aspirations are still developing and may lack specificity while the latter suggests they may be in conflict with the aspirations that family, society and the government ascribe to them
Temporal framing of external focus instructions enhances golf putting accuracy in novices
No full textA plethora of studies have investigated internal and external foci of attention effects on motor performance. However, few studies have considered the temporal aspects of these foci. Within the present study, 26 novice participants (22 males, 4 females; Aged 18–21 years) were instructed to focus their attention either on maintaining a square clubface at impact (i.e., swing-impact condition) or maintaining a square clubhead throughout the swing (i.e., throughout-swing condition). Although both conditions were external foci, it was hypothesised that the swing-impact would provide more task-relevant information and facilitate movement automaticity during the backswing and follow-through. Participants who focused on maintaining a square clubface at impact demonstrated significantly better putting accuracy than those who focused on maintaining a square clubface throughout the swing (p = .047). These findings highlight how subtle changes in instructional language, particularly those that affect temporal components, affect motor performance. Instructions may be optimal when they focus attention for a short temporal duration and only on the most task-relevant point of execution (e.g., impact). Future studies are encouraged to explore the interaction between temporal and task-relevance features of instruction