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Understanding and harnessing intergroup contact in educational contexts
Get PDFPrejudice is a pervasive problem that affects each and every one of us. Understanding how to reduce prejudice and promote better outcomes for both individuals and societies at large is an ambitious but essential task. For decades, social psychologists have theorized about and evaluated approaches to achieve just that, and there is one that stands out from the rest: facilitating intergroup contact, that is, (positive) interactions between members of different groups. Questions remain, however, about how and where good quality (meaningful and cooperative) interactions can be promoted in the face of societal division, and whether such interactions can foster social equality. In this paper, we argue for the importance of educational contexts as sites where future generations encounter the opportunity to interact with, or at the very least learn about, people who are different from them. We first outline social psychological research on the nature and effects of having frequent and good quality contact with people who are different from us, demonstrating evidence from education settings globally. We then provide a series of recommendations for schools and teachers on how to reduce prejudice in the classroom in both the presence and absence of difference
Visualizing the three-dimensional arrangement of hydrogen atoms in organic molecules by coulomb explosion imaging
Get PDFStructure-sensitive methods based on femtosecond light or electron pulses are now making it possible to measure how molecular structures change during light-induced processes. Despite significant progress, high-fidelity imaging of nuclear positions remains a challenge even for relatively small molecular systems and, notably, regarding the positions of hydrogen atoms. As demonstrated in recent work, X-ray-induced Coulomb explosion imaging (CEI) may overcome this obstacle, as its sensitivity does not depend on the mass of the imaged atoms. The photoinduced ring opening of the heterocyclic molecule 2(5H)-thiophenone has attracted recent interest. Here, we show that CEI offers a powerful route to imaging the peripheral H atoms in this molecule and thus, more generally, to tracking detailed nuclear motions (e.g., isomerizations) in organic molecules on ultrafast time scales. Specifically, we record momentum-space Coulomb explosion images that report on the three-dimensional positioning of all nuclei within the molecule, for instance, distinguishing H atoms in C-H bonds that lie within or are directed out of the plane defined by the heavy atoms. The prospect of imaging peripheral H atoms to probe photochemical dynamics is explored by coupling ab initio molecular dynamics with classical Coulomb explosion simulations, thereby differentiating potential photoproduct isomers, including those whose structures primarily differ in the position of the hydrogens
Good intentions, limited action: when do farmers’ intentions to adopt sustainable farming practices turn into actual behaviour?
Get PDFA vast body of literature has developed to predict farmers' pro-environmental attitudes, intentions, and behaviour to develop effective policy for supporting farmers' adoption of sustainable practices. This literature relies heavily on measures of intentions, self-reported behaviours, and cross-sectional approaches. Yet evidence from across the social and psychological sciences demonstrate a prevalent gap between intentions and actions, which is also observed among farmers, and that intentions do not necessarily predict actions. We examine the nature and prevalence of farmers' intention-action gap, whether predictors of intentions also predict actions, and which predictors can explain whether intentions turn into behaviour. To do so we use survey and objective behavioural data from Norwegian horticultural farmers to examine their intentions to adopt and actual adoption of cover crops, a sustainable farming practice that can offer both mitigation and adaptation benefits. We survey farmers before the 2023 growing season to measure their farming preferences, environmental attitudes and concerns, and their intentions to apply for a cover crops subsidy (i.e. their intention to adopt). We subsequently access records of farmers’ application for the cover crops subsidy at the end of the farming season, six months later, to measure their actual adoption of cover crops. In line with the intention-action gap we found that whereas 49% intended to apply for the cover crops subsidy, only 16% of our sample applied for the subsidy in 2023. Past use and knowledge of cover crops, perceived need for adaptation, being risk seeking in farming, and using advisory services predicted intentions, whereas only past use of cover crops predicted both intention and actual adoption. Moreover, only the strongest level of reported intentions had some value in predicting actual behaviour. Our results offer timely evidence of the intention-action gap in agricultural decision-making, the urgent need to address a widespread reliance on intentions as predictors of behaviour, and the importance of behavioural measures and longitudinal approaches to understand the intention-action gap
Effects of mobile-assisted language learning on proficiency and motivation for Chinese ESL students’ learning French on Duolingo
Get PDFWith the rapid evolution of technologies, mobile devices have become ubiquitous in daily life, offering unprecedented flexibility in language teaching and learning. A variety of language learning apps claim to boost learning outcomes, enhance learners’ motivation and make the experiences enjoyable. This research aims to investigate the effectiveness of mobile-assisted language learning (MALL) platforms, focusing on Duolingo as a representative example. This study adopts a mixed-method quasi-experimental design involving 18 Chinese college students in the UK. Data were obtained from a pretest and a posttest of French proficiency, a motivation survey guided by Self-Determination Theory (SDT), and semi-structured interviews with 5 participants. The students learned French through English instruction exclusively using Duolingo for 4 weeks in uncontrolled conditions. The results showed that the learners’ scores significantly increased after the 4-week learning session, but their progress was not correlated with the time spent on Duolingo. Furthermore, novice learners made more progress than intermediate learners with similar learning time. Participants reported positive attitudes on both extrinsic and intrinsic motivation scales, though neither scale correlated with the progress they made. According to the interview data, Duolingo enhanced learners’ motivation, perseverance and learning experiences, but it may not be as effective as traditional instruction due to its unsystematic knowledge, mechanical exercises and slow progress, particularly for more advanced learners. Limitations and implications are also discussed, highlighting the need for further research with robust designs to enhance the understanding of the impacts of MALL platforms
Medical humanities, bioethics, and the (im)possibility of interdisciplinarity. Introduction to the special issue on the medical humanities in the 21st century
Get PDFMapping and Handling Conflicts of Interest in Deceased Organ Donation: How to Handle Ethical Issues and Build Trust in the Healthcare Team
Get PDFIt has been suggested that there is a significant conflict of interest between providing best care for the dying patient and a subsidiary role in facilitating the donation process. Should healthcare professionals who are involved in a patient’s care and determination of death also be involved in discussing donation with families? If they are involved, should they disclose this potential conflict of interest? In this paper we address the issue of conflicts of interest in organ donation by examining current best practice in four European countries (Sweden, Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Spain) and discuss whether having clear separation of roles in order to avoid conflicts is preferable to having the same physician (or team) handle both the dying process and donation. We also analyse the benefits and burdens of disclosing such potential conflicts
Not Just a Dot: The Complex UV Morphology and Underlying Properties of Little Red Dots
Get PDFWe analyze 99 photometrically selected Little Red Dots (LRDs) at z ≈ 4–8 in the GOODS fields, leveraging ultradeep JADES NIRCam short-wavelength (SW) data. Among the 99 selected LRDs, we examine the morphology of 30. The remaining 69 appear predominantly compact, with sizes ≲400 pc and no extended components even in stacked SW images. However, their unresolved nature may partly reflect current depth limitations, which could prevent the detection of faint diffuse components. Among the 30 morphologically analyzed LRDs, 50% show multiple associated components, while the rest exhibit highly asymmetric structures, despite appearing as single sources. This diversity in rest-frame UV morphologies may point to interactions or strong internal feedback. We find median stellar masses of log10(M⋆/M⊙)=9.07−0.08+0.11 for pure stellar models with AV≈1.16−0.21+0.11 mag, and log10(M⋆/M⊙)=9.67−0.27+0.17 for models including active galactic nuclei (AGNs) with AV≈2.74−0.71+0.55 mag, in line with recent studies suggesting higher masses and dust content for AGN-fitted LRDs. NIRSpec spectra are available for 15 sources, six of which are also in the morphological sample. Broad Hα is detected in 40% (FWHM = 1200–2900 km s−1), and one source shows broad Hβ emission. Emission line ratios indicate a composite nature, consistent with both AGN and stellar processes. Altogether, these results suggest that LRDs are a mixed population, and their rest-frame UV morphology reflects this complexity. Morphological studies of larger samples could provide a new way to understand what drives their properties and evolution
Radio emission from a nearby M dwarf binary
Get PDFWe present the detection of the binary system 2MASS J02132062+3648506 AB using the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array archive data observed at 4–8 GHz. The system is a triple consisting of a tight binary () of two M dwarfs of spectral types M4.5 and M6.5 and a wide T3 brown dwarf companion (16.4 arcsec). The binary displays coronal and chromospheric activity as traced by previously measured X-ray flux and H emission. We detect the unresolved binary at a peak flux density of at a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of and determine a radio luminosity of . The radio emission is quiescent, polarized at a mean circular polarization fraction % and exhibits a spectral index . We probe the binary using the Enhanced Multi-Element Remotely Linked Interferometer Network (e-MERLIN) with an angular resolution of mas at 5 GHz and detect a component at a peak flux density of Jy at a SNR . We propose a gyrosynchrotron origin for the radio emission and estimate a magnetic field strength G, an emitting region of size times the radius of the M4.5 primary and a plasma number density . The brown dwarf companion is not detected. Additionally, we have analysed observations of 2MASS J04183483+213127, a chromospherically active L5 brown dwarf which is also not detected and can only place flux density upper limits at Jy and Jy for Stokes I and V, respectively
The effect of denosumab on pain and radiological improvement in giant cell tumours of the spine in the acute setting
Get PDFStudy Design Retrospective Cohort Study. Objectives The current recommended treatment for Giant Cell Tumour (GCT) of the spine is en bloc excision. Denosumab is a monoclonal antibody reducing osteoclast activity that shows promising results when used as a neo – adjuvant treatment. However, the current literature remains limited. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of denosumab on tumour characteristics and symptom relief in the acute phase of treatment of spinal GCT. Methods We performed a retrospective review of 16 patients treated with denosumab as neo-adjuvant and stand - alone treatment. MRI and PET tumour characteristics were taken before and after treatment and patients were interviewed for subjective pain responses. Results Following treatment, all patients showed improvement of pain, of which 68.7% of patients were pain free with 43.75% noting improvement within 48 hours. Mean relative volumetric reduction in tumour volume was 37.3% (P < .001). Eight patients showed high grade of Bilsky classification (Epidural spinal cord compression scale - ESCC) with seven of them showing significant improvement to low grade of ESCC (P = .016). Median baseline PET Standardised Uptake Value (SUV)max was 14.57 and post treatment was 4.8 (P < .001). Conclusions This study provides necessary insight to the limited literature on the use of denosumab for spinal GCT in the acute phase. The clinical and radiographic responses observed demonstrate the critical role that neo-adjuvant denosumab has by reducing the tumour burden around critical adjacent neurovascular structures before eventual resection, significant pain improvement even with presence of fractured vertebra
A faster way to build scenarios that yield strategic insight
No full textScenario planning is an invaluable tool for helping managers navigate uncertain business contexts. But the ways in which large organizations typically develop sets of scenarios are expensive and time-consuming and don’t deliver insights quickly enough. A streamlined planning process that frames scenarios around the people who will use them, surfaces unexamined strategic assumptions, and uses generative AI to assess and iteratively create new scenarios can yield useful insights more rapidly