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Towards a New Taxonomy of Pattern-Making in the Visuo-Spatial Domain in Early Childhood Based on Zygonic Theory and the Sounds of Intent Framework of Musical Development
Get PDFPattern identification is an important part of children's development in understanding both music and mathematics. However, a review of the literature indicates that no formal taxonomy of pattern-making in the visual domain exists, which potentially limits practitioners’ capacity to support children in improving their mathematical understanding. This paper seeks to redress this situation with a theoretical examination of whether visuo-spatial pattern-making in early childhood develops on the same trajectory as pattern-making in the auditory domain. The cognition of musical structure (which is based on repeating patterns) in childhood has been defined in zygonic theory and the subsequent Sounds of Intent framework. Prior observational studies of children with both neurotypical and non-typical development (i.e., Ockelford et al., 2011; Voyajolu, 2021) have confirmed this thinking. Drawing on the principles set out in zygonic theory and using the structure laid out in the Sounds of Intent framework, the researchers propose how to map the development of pattern understanding from the auditory domain onto the visuo-spatial domain. An algorithm is used to demonstrate the structural processing load for different pattern types, which allows the putative developmental stages of pattern-processing capacity to be plotted sequentially. As a future step, exploratory research with children is suggested to test these assumptions and further develop our understanding of the perception of patterns within and between the domains. It is anticipated that this work would support practitioners working with children to offer alternative strategies to support the development of pattern-making in mathematics
Biological sex minimally affects the free-weight back squat load-velocity profile when accounting for relative strength: An exploratory study
Get PDFResearch suggests that biological sex and strength level influence the load-velocity profile. However, existing research have not appropriately statistically accounted for the interdependencies between sex and relative strength. This exploratory study investigated load-velocity profiles of 24 resistance-trained participants (14 males, 10 females; back squat 1.69 × and 1.28 × body mass, respectively) using mixed-effects modelling to account for relative strength and individual variability. Participants completed 2–3 incremental back squat loading tests (20 kg to one-repetition maximum [1RM]). 1RM assessments showed excellent reliability, while mean concentric velocity (MCV) at 0–40% of 1RM demonstrated good-to-excellent reliability, with reliability systematically declining at higher relative loads. Small effects of biological sex on load-velocity profiles was found at 0–40% of 1RM (0.07–0.13 m/s, BF = 10.702–47.682, pd = 91–98%), while the effects of relative strength were more pronounced at 0–70% of 1RM (0.18–0.44 m/s, BF = 26.972–2399.000, pd = 96–100%), both with diminishing differences as relative load increased. These findings challenge assumptions about sex as a major load-velocity profile moderator when accounting for relative strength and individual variability. While exploratory and requiring replication, the study recommends future research employ more nuanced statistical methods, recruit homogeneously trained samples, and minimise measurement noise to avoid potential type-I errors
Mental health in Central and Eastern Europe: a comprehensive analysis
Get PDFThe post-communist WHO European region, often called Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), includes 28 countries with over 770 million people. Mental health systems remain shaped by the communist legacy of centralized institutions, a narrow biomedical focus, and neglect of social and psychological dimensions. Chronic underfunding persists, further strained by shrinking civic space in some countries and the war in Ukraine. Substantial progress has been made in the past decade, with modernization and rights-based approaches gaining
ground. Yet reforms face entrenched barriers: underinvestment disproportionate to the burden; pervasive stigma, weak advocacy, and limited involvement of people with lived experience; dominance of institutional care over prevention, promotion, and community services; reliance on donor-driven projects that falter once funding ends;
and human resource problems. Governance is often unstable, with low prioritization, clientelism, and personal biases undermining reforms. Research and data remain scarce, leaving systems unevaluated and vulnerable to reversal. Poor decision-making compounds these barriers: systemic missteps, driven by limited expertise, weak
evidence, and personal biases, prevent resources from achieving the best possible outcomes. To move forward, CEE must integrate health, social, and education systems, secure sustainable crisis services, strengthen professional skills, involve people with lived experience, expand public mental health expertise, and, above all, commit greater and more transparent investment, closer to western European levels, if resilient and effective systems are to be built
Rethinking Symbolic Violence on Social Media: Incels and Mentalisation
Get PDFThe aim of this article is to discuss the notion of symbolic violence and to foreground a psychoanalytic conceptualisation of the term. Having been popularised by Pierre Bourdieu and other thinkers, the term is routinely used to describe forms of violence that stop short of the physical. It remains under-theorised. Following a brief literature review, it is argued that psychoanalysis has much to add when it comes to conceptualising symbolic violence and how it plays out online. Peter Fonagy’s theory of mentalisation is brought in to conceptualise symbolic violence as a particular form of externalised, distorted mentalisation. I finally apply the term to contemporary discussions and user exchanges on social media that are so often characterised by intense forms of symbolic violence. The misogynist incel community is presented as a case study via exemplary quotes. Incels display forms of symbolic violence that are characterised by vivid fantasies about other men and women which reveal a distorted, yet highly coherent and organised, symbolic world
The Role of Burden of Disease Estimates in European Union Health Policymaking: A Systematic Analysis of EU Legislation
No full textBackground
The use of burden of disease (BoD) metrics in policymaking is crucial for evidence-based decision-making. However, there is currently no information available regarding their utilisation in policies at the European level.
Objective
This study aimed to analyse the use of BoD metrics within the European legislation.
Methods
Systematic searches on EUR-Lex were conducted for documents published between 2004 and 2023, to account for European Union-25 (EU-25). Network and qualitative analyses of documents were conducted to assess the legislation content.
Results
In total, 2615 documents were found, of which 191 included BoD metrics. Among the selected documents, 131 (69%) were published after 2018. Ten were legally binding documents. The most prevalent EuroVoc (EU’s multilingual and multidisciplinary thesaurus) domains were social questions and environment. The most frequent EuroVoc terms were climate change policy (n=45), EU environmental policy (n=32) and pollution control measures (n=32). The most common EU institution responsible for the retrieved documents was the European Commission (n=152). As for the purposes of usage, argument (n=93) and impact assessment (n=50) were most common. Most BoD metrics were localized in the main text (n=122).
Conclusion
Despite growing recognition of BoD metrics in supporting policymaking, their use remains focused on environmental health topics. Further efforts in training policymakers, knowledge dissemination and policy-oriented research could enhance the uptake of BoD studies in EU policies
Supporting international trainees and ECTs: being a culturally responsive mentor
No full textMentors play a significant role in supporting our trainees in school. In particular, when they:
Speak to the trainee about what would be helpful for them while on placement.
Offer more regular check-ins, if this would help the trainee feel confident in offering reminders to support the trainee.
Model expert practice through trainee observations of lessons, clubs, and duties.
Talk trainees through the policies and protocols (behaviour, safeguarding, code of conduct, and health and safety).
Build trusting relationships with trainees.
Direct trainees to expert colleagues who can support them with specific questions to develop understanding of the different roles in English schools.
Talk through curriculum specifics; its design and sequence and assessment requirements
Adaptive reference ranges: From A to Z
Get PDFClinical reference ranges are fundamental in medical diagnostics, offering critical benchmarks for interpreting laboratory test results. Adaptive reference ranges, in particular, are essential for personalised monitoring, as they enable the detection of abnormal values by accounting for individual variability over time. This paper compares two key approaches
for generating adaptive reference ranges: the Z-score method and the linear mixed effects modelling framework. Through simulation studies and real data applications, we provide practical insights into selecting the most appropriate methods for adaptive monitoring in personalised medicine and sport science. Our findings highlight the trade-offs between these approaches, with the Z-score method favouring specificity, while the linear mixed-effects model prioritises sensitivity and offers greater flexibility by incorporating population-level data, accommodating covariates, and effectively handling missing data
The Indian draft digital competition bill and report: a critical perspective
Get PDFThis legislative note critically examines India’s proposed Digital Competition Bill 2024 (“DCB”), a significant shift towards ex-ante regulation of digital markets. The note analyses the DCB’s key provisions, including the designation of Systemically Significant Digital Enterprises, their obligations, and enforcement mechanisms. It draws comparisons with similar legislation in the European Union, United Kingdom, and Germany, highlighting the DCB’s alignment with global trends while noting its unique aspects. The note identifies potential challenges in implementation, including regulatory overlap, extraterritorial application, and impact on innovation. It offers recommendations for refining the DCB, emphasizing the need for clearer obligations, enhanced institutional capacity, and a balanced approach that fosters competition without stifling innovation. This analysis provides valuable insights into India’s evolving approach to digital market regulation and its implications for the global digital economy
A scoping review of the research supporting coaching practice in women's football - as the game grows the research strives to keep up.
Get PDFThe aim of this study was to scope the available peer-reviewed literature on competitive women's football, identifying and mapping the current research on supporting coaching practice in women's football. The study reviewed all women's football-related studies scoped by Okholm Kryger et al. (2021) for their relevance to coaching in women's football. Additionally, an updated search was performed from PubMed (1966-2023), PsycINFO (1967-2023), Web of Science (1900-2023), Scopus (1788-2023), SPORTDiscus (1892-2023) on 7 December 2023. The author, journal, title, and abstract of all included studies were scoped. Information extracted during the scoping process included: the population, playing level, age group, environment, study type, and geographical location of the research. A total of 373 articles were scoped. The publication topic most frequently researched was Performance Analysis - Physical (20%), followed by Performance Analysis - Technical/Tactical (18%) and Maturation/Talent Identification (13%). Most studies were focused on coaching senior players ( = 207, 55%) and elite football ( = 189, 51%). Despite the volume of research growing each year, it is noticeable that there are gaps in the research. Five topics only had a single figure number of articles (Teaching and Learning Strategies, Coach Education/Development, Socio-Cultural Experience's of Coaching, Coaching Philosophy, and Responsibilities/Role in Football). At present given there is a particular emphasis on certain playing levels, playing populations, and research topics, there is a dearth of information in certain areas. As such, researchers should work to ensure there is greater thematic depth as well as an increased volume of research in women's football
‘Go and Make Disciples of All Nations’: Challenges to Catholic School Leaders in Promoting Christian Values in a Secular Society
Get PDFThere are many lessons to be learned from the findings of research that would be advantageous in realising the potential of Catholic schools to contribute to the common good of a secular society. In summary, it is possible to highlight the following inferences, which were drawn from research undertaken by the writer: (1) From the perspective of Catholic school leaders, Catholic education faces considerable challenges and, sometimes, antagonism, within a secular society, which can impose significant pressures on the conduct of their work. (2) There is a need to disseminate information to individuals and groups within and outside Catholic schools of the Christian values that are promoted by the Church. (3) Catholic schools make a significant contribution towards the common good of society, which is not always generally appreciated and should be more widely publicised. (4) Catholic communities and their leaders would benefit from ongoing opportunities to engage in continuing professional development and formation that would nourish and nurture the enhancement of spiritual capital in their schools