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The relationship of family support and peer acceptance in children aged 4–6 : the mediating role of emotion regulation strategies
No full textTo understand the relationship between family support, peer acceptance, and emotional regulation strategies, this study surveyed 595 four to six years old children and their parents from Henan Province, central China, using the Family Support Questionnaire, Emotional Regulation Strategy Questionnaire, and Preschool Children Test. The results showed that (1) Family support, peer acceptance, and emotion regulation strategies were significantly correlated; (2) Family support could significantly positively predict children's peer acceptance; (3) Emotion regulation strategies play partial mediating roles between family support and children's peer acceptance. The findings highlight that it is crucial to consider the family's impact on children's peer interactions and emotional regulation strategies. It enhances family systems theory by clarifying the mechanisms linking family support to children’s peer acceptance. Additionally, it argues that parents should assist children in acquiring positive emotion regulation strategies while simultaneously enhancing the level of family support, thereby enhancing children’s peer acceptance. © 2024 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group
A survey on evaluation of blockchain-based agricultural traceability
Get PDFThe integration of blockchain technology in agricultural traceability has shown immense potential, yet its widespread adoption faces significant roadblocks. Using bulk product traceability as a foundational reference, this paper presents a comprehensive evaluation framework for Blockchain-based Agricultural Traceability. The framework accentuates product identification and data traceability across the supply chain, addressing traceability disconnections caused by bulk product blending. It dives into depth levels from adoption decision-making to system design, development, and deployment, emphasizing the critical aspects of traceability compliance and standardization. As a result, we identified the obstacles to adopting agricultural digital traceability and pave the pathway to traceability system deployment. We examined the barriers to implementing digital traceability of agricultural products, taking the Australian grain supply chain as an example. Our findings reveal that lack of standardization and participation barriers are the primary challenges in implementing digital traceability for agricultural products. Our paper offers insights and recommendations for researchers, industry practitioners, and business owners to overcome these challenges and enable digital traceability of agricultural products in global supply chains. © 2024 The Author
Advanced predictive modelling of electrical resistivity for geotechnical and geo-environmental applications using machine learning techniques
Get PDFElectrical Resistivity (ER) is one of the best geophysical methods for subsurface investigation, especially for geotechnical and geo-environmental studies. Being non-invasive, economical and rapid, this method is highly preferable to geotechnical engineers for continuous evaluation of soil properties along the resistivity profile. Numerous studies have been conducted to correlate the subsurface properties with the ER. However, most of the studies consider a single input variable, which is correlated with the resistivity values using some conventional regression analyses. Very few studies have been conducted to obtain the resistivity value with multiple input parameters, like unit weight, temperature, porosity, moisture content, etc. Since, the soil parameters have a combined effect on resistivity, hence, correlations between the resistivity and the multiple input parameters are urgently required for a better and more reliable result. Moreover, the non-linear properties of soil make the task more complicated. To fill up this research gap, in the present study, 2772 ER tests were conducted using seven different types of soil with different combinations of temperature, density, and water content. Using this database, a Support Vector Regression (SVR), Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB) were developed for prediction of ER. It has been understood that all the models are acknowledged as trustworthy data modelling tools. However, the XGB model performs better with an R2 of 0.99 during the training and testing phase. Further, a parametric study was also done to determine, how each input parameter affects the ER. An error analysis was also performed to see the consistent discrepancy between the experimental and projected values of ER. The outcomes validate the robustness of the XGB model, indicating that it can serve as a substitute method for ER prediction. © 202
The changing nature of how and where Australians play sport
Get PDFBackground: Understanding participation in sport is important for sport policy, strategy and management. Most research regarding participation in sport report general trends in participation rates. However, as societies trends in leisure-time activities are changing, we need to also understand the settings of sport participation. The aim of this study was to investigate the settings of sport participation of children and adults across 13 major sports in Victoria, Australia. Methods: This study utilised data about sport participation collected in the AusPlay survey from a representative sample of adults and children in Victoria, Australia. For each of the 13 sports, the settings of participation were identified for 2020, 2021 and 2022. Respondents can report participation in a particular activity in more than one setting. Therefore, we use the term “instance of participation” to refer to a person playing a particular sport in a particular setting. We calculated the weighted frequencies and prevalences pertaining to sport participation instances in each setting. Results: In 2022 compared to 2020, overall participation was 1.1% higher for children and 1.2% higher for adults. For children and adults, the most popular sport for each year was swimming. In 2022, the next most popular sports for children were Australian football, basketball, gymnastics and soccer, and for adults’ tennis, basketball, golf and Australian football. For children, approximately half of participation took place within a sports club or association setting (56-60%). For adults, approximately one third of participation took place within a sports club or association setting (36%). Much of the adult participation took place in non-organised settings. The largest increases in participation in clubs and associations in 2022 compared to 2020 for children was for, hockey, soccer, gymnastics, and Australian football. The adult participation in sports clubs or associations did not fair as well, with 8 sports decreasing the proportion of participation in this setting. Conclusion: As a society, we continue to evolve in how we consume participation in sport, and sport policy, infrastructure and opportunities to play need to be directed towards those particular settings and modes of delivery of sport where and how individuals want to play. © The Author(s) 2024
‘I left the teaching profession … and this is what I am doing now’: a national study of teacher attrition
Get PDFCurrent teacher attrition in Australia and globally has created an untenable situation for many schools, teachers and the profession. This paper reports on research that examined the critical issue of teacher attrition from the perspective of former classroom teachers and school leaders. Although there is extensive national and global research related to teacher shortages and intentions to leave the teaching profession, minimal research has sought insights from those who have left the profession in Australia, including ascertaining what they are doing now. Using an online survey, data were collected from 256 former teachers from all states and territories, sectors and career stages who had left the profession between 2016 and 2022. Using descriptive statistical and thematic analysis, this study highlights the potential loss to teaching and the education profession more broadly due to teacher attrition. For these participants, the reasons for leaving were often multifaceted and the process of leaving was often protracted. Many of these former teachers have maintained links to the education profession occupying various associated roles and positions. We call for a reconsideration of the ways that strategies to ameliorate teacher attrition are conceptualised and implemented. © The Author(s) 2024
Investigation of excellence in Nd-YAG laser cutting of Al6061-T6 thin sheet using GRA coupled with PCA
No full textCutting flying materials with minimum deviations and metallurgical damages is always preferred for airframe work in aircraft industries. In the present scenario, the laser cutting process has become the preferred choice for fine cutting of sheet materials with close tolerances. This paper reports the investigation of excellence in pulsed laser cutting of Al-alloy (Al6061-T6) sheet. Five quality characteristics for quantifying the dimensional accuracy (i.e., kerf width and deviation at the top and bottom side) and metallurgical damage (i.e., heat-affected zone) have been considered for the proposed work. These characteristics depend on the lamp current, laser parameters (pulse width and frequency), and relative motion between the sheetmetal and laser source. The experiments were performed using the design of the experiments technique. Further, the results of laser cutting have been optimized by using grey relational analysis (GRA) coupled with principal component analysis (PCA). The application of GRA-PCA is found capable of optimizing all five process responses at a time. The unevenness within the kerf is reduced by 22% and 32% at the top and bottom sides, respectively. © 2024 IOP Publishing Ltd. All rights, including for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies, are reserved
Betamethasone improved near-term neonatal lamb lung maturation in experimental maternal asthma
Get PDFMaternal asthma is associated with increased rates of neonatal lung disease, and fetuses from asthmatic ewes have fewer surfactant-producing cells and lower surfactant-protein B gene (SFTPB) expression than controls. Antenatal betamethasone increases lung surfactant production in preterm babies, and we therefore tested this therapy in experimental maternal asthma. Ewes were sensitised to house dust mite allergen, and an asthmatic phenotype induced by fortnightly allergen lung challenges; controls received saline. Pregnant asthmatic ewes were randomised to receive antenatal saline (asthma) or 12 mg intramuscular betamethasone (asthma+beta) at 138 and 139 days of gestation (term = 150 days). Lambs were delivered by Caesarean section at 140 days of gestation and ventilated for 45 min before tissue collection. Lung function and structure were similar in control lambs (n = 16, 11 ewes) and lambs from asthma ewes (n = 14, 9 ewes). Dynamic lung compliance was higher in lambs from asthma+beta ewes (n = 12, 8 ewes) compared to those from controls (P = 0.003) or asthma ewes (P = 0.008). Lung expression of surfactant protein genes SFTPA (P = 0.048) and SFTPB (P < 0.001), but not SFTPC (P = 0.177) or SFTPD (P = 0.285), was higher in lambs from asthma+beta than those from asthma ewes. Female lambs had higher tidal volume (P = 0.007), dynamic lung compliance (P < 0.001), and SFTPA (P = 0.037) and SFTPB gene expression (P = 0.030) than males. These data suggest that betamethasone stimulates lung maturation and function of near-term neonates, even in the absence of impairment by maternal asthma. © 2024 The Author(s). Experimental Physiology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Physiological Society. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited
Defining the traditional mediterranean lifestyle : joint international consensus statement
Get PDFIntroduction: The term “Mediterranean lifestyle” has gained increasing prominence in recent years, yet a specific definition remains elusive. In response, the Mediterranean Lifestyle Medicine Institute Board of Directors convened a multidisciplinary panel comprising international experts and leaders in lifestyle medicine. Their goal was to review existing literature and formulate a consensus definition of the “traditional Mediterranean lifestyle (tMedL),” referring to the historical way of living of the people in the Mediterranean region. This paper presents the agreed consensus statement and a comprehensive holistic definition of the term “traditional Mediterranean lifestyle.”. Methods: Major medical and social sciences electronic databases from inception to February 2023 were searched, employing keywords relevant to the Mediterranean lifestyle and its constituent elements (diet, physical activity, sleep, stress, socialization). Subsequently, definitions for each pillar were created and synthesized to derive a comprehensive definition of the “traditional Mediterranean lifestyle.”. Results: This proposed definition received ratification from the Mediterranean Lifestyle Medicine Institute's expert working group during the First International Mediterranean Lifestyle Medicine Conference held in June 2023 on the island of Leros, Greece. “The traditional Mediterranean lifestyle is characterized by its diverse and adaptable nature. Key facets encompass conviviality, lifelong social connectedness, purposeful living, strong community and familial bonds, harmony with nature and the environment, profound spirituality, adherence to religious practices, preservation of local customs, resilience cultivated through adversity, and a commitment to moderation across all spheres of life.”. Conclusions: This definition comprehensively outlines the primary lifestyle factors ingrained in Mediterranean inhabitants across generations. Its holistic nature furnishes a crucial conceptual framework for directing lifestyle medicine practitioners in assisting patients to mitigate diseases, promote overall well-being, devise research initiatives to investigate the health ramifications of this lifestyle, and inform curriculum development. © 2024 The Author(s). Lifestyle Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Preceptor's experience in supervising undergraduate nursing students in mental health : a qualitative study
Get PDFPreceptorship is considered an essential component in undergraduate nursing student's clinical placement, especially those in speciality units such as mental health. During the preceptorship relationship students are granted the opportunity to work alongside experienced nurses in the ward observing their interactions with patients and other professionals. In addition, students are able to build clinical confidence and competence. There is currently a gap in the literature around the preceptorship experience in the mental health clinical environment which warrants further exploration. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of Registered Nurses precepting undergraduate nursing students during mental health clinical placements. A qualitative, exploratory approach was performed. A total of eight registered nurses working in an acute in-patient mental health unit in a large regional hospital, were recruited and interviewed using a semi-structured interview technique. Thematic analysis was utilised to analyse the data resulting in the development of four overarching themes; (1) Time consuming and additional workload, (2) creating a safe environment, (3) providing and receiving feedback and (4) precepting is not a choice, it is an expectation. The results highlighted that preceptoring students was considered to be an extra workload that required significant time and effort. Preceptors also expressed concerns about student safety, emphasised the importance of feedback and acknowledged preceptorship as an expectation of registered nurses working in mental health. These findings underscore the necessity for further research to delve deeper into the experience of preceptors in mental health settings. © 2024 The Authors. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd