71 research outputs found
CONFIRMATORY FACTOR ANALYSIS AND ESTIMATOR COMPARISON OF TWO SHORT FORMS OF AN IRRATIONAL AND RATIONAL BELIEFS SCALE Author(s): Joanne Raptis
No full textThe present study examined two abbreviated versions of the Attitudes and Beliefs Scale-2 (ABS-2) to compare their factor structure and ability to achieve model fit to the data. The original scale, a measure of irrational and rational beliefs as defined by REBT theory, was designed with 72 items reflecting irrational and rational beliefs and each involving one of four cognitive processes and one of three content areas. The ABS-2 had been criticized for its length and the inconsistency of findings regarding its factor structure. Two groups of researchers independently created short forms of the ABS-2 using 24 of the original items. One scale used the items with the highest factor loadings, while the other also prioritized maintaining balance across all dimensions. To also explore the effects of using different estimators, the authors ran Confirmatory Factor Analyses (CFAs) for each short form twice, once using the Maximum Likelihood Robust (MLR) estimator and once using Diagonally Weighted Least Squares (DWLS). The sample consisted of over 1500 participants that included university students, psychotherapy outpatients, and individuals in a drug rehabilitation program. Results showed that both scales yielded virtually equal and excellent fit indices when using the DWLS estimator but not when using MLR. The model with the best fit was an eight-factor bifactor model with factors for the irrational and rational cognitive processes and a general factor. Two other models also yielded especially excellent fit, including a two-factor bifactor model for irrationality and rationality as well as a second-order model with items loading on either one of the four irrational cognitive processes and then a second-order irrationality factor or on one of the four rational cognitive processes and a second-order rationality factor. Ultimately, the results suggest that the assessment can provide meaningful subscales for scores of the total, irrationality, rationality, cognitive processes, and content domains. Additionally, the findings highlight the importance of critically considering one’s data and selecting an appropriate estimator as opposed to relying on default settings. Implications for the assessment of irrational and rational beliefs, furthering REBT research, and targeting treatment to client presentation across the three dimensions are discussed
Finitary Čech-de Rham cohomology
No full textThe present paper continues (Mallios & Rapfis, International Journal of Theoretical Physics, 2001, 40, 1885) and studies the curved finitary spacetime sheaves of incidence algebras presented therein from a Čech cohomological perspective. In particular, we entertain the possibility of constructing a nontrivial de Rham complex on these finite dimensional algebra sheaves along the lines of the first author's axiomatic approach to differential geometry via the theory of vector and algebra sheaves (Mallios, Geometry of Vector Sheaves. An Axiomtic Approach to Differential Geometry, Vols. 1-2, Kluwer, Dordrecht, 1998a; Mathematica Japonica (International Plaza), 1998b, 48, 93). The upshot of this study is that important "classical" differential geometric constructions and results usually thought of as being intimately associated with C∞-smooth manifolds carry through, virtually unaltered, to the finitary-algebraic regime with the help of some quite universal, because abstract, ideas taken mainly from sheaf-cohomology as developed in Mallios (1998a,b). At the end of the paper, and due to the fact that the incidence algebras involved have been interpreted as quantum causal sets (Raptis, International Journal of Theoretical Physics, 2000, 39, 1233; Mallios & Rapfis, 2001), we discuss how these ideas may be used in certain aspects of current research on discrete Lorentzian quantum gravity
'Third' quantization of vacuum Einstein gravity and free Yang-Mills theories
No full textCertain pivotal results from various applications of Abstract Differential Geometry (ADG) to gravity and gauge theories are presently collected and used to argue that we already possess a geometrically (pre)quantized, second quantized and manifestly background spacetime manifold independent vacuum Einstein gravitational field dynamics. The arguments carry also mutatis mutandis to the case of free Yang-Mills theories, since from the ADG-theoretic perspective gravity is regarded as another gauge field theory. The powerful algebraico-categorical, sheaf cohomological conceptual and technical machinery of ADG is then employed, based on the fundamental ADG-theoretic conception of a field as a pair (ε D) consisting of a vector sheaf ε and an algebraic connection D acting categorically as a sheaf morphism on ε 's local sections, to introduce a 'universal', because expressly functorial, field quantization scenario coined third quantization. Although third quantization is fully covariant, on intuitive and heuristic grounds alone it formally appears to follow a canonical route; albeit, in a purely algebraic and, in contradistinction to geometric (pre)quantization and (canonical) second quantization, manifestly background geometrical spacetime manifold independent fashion, as befits ADG. All in all, from the ADG-theoretic vantage, vacuum Einstein gravity and free Yang-Mills theories are regarded as external spacetime manifold unconstrained, third quantized, pure gauge field theories. The paper abounds with philosophical smatterings and speculative remarks about the potential import and significance of our results to current and future Quantum Gravity research. A postscript gives a brief account of this author's personal encounters with Rafael Sorkin and his work. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2007
THE INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL EXPECTANCIES SCALE: DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION.
No full textHealthy lifestyle habits are widely known to improve physical and psychological wellbeing, but many struggle to regularly practice these behaviors. As an overarching solution has yet to emerge, it may prove more fruitful to instead personalize behavior change recommendations and interventions. The present study examined whether individual responsiveness to internal and external expectations can be measured, as it could be a useful behavioral factor to target with tailored treatment recommendations. This construct was first postulated by popular author Gretchen Rubin (2015) but has yet to be studied empirically. For the current project, the Internal and External Expectancies Scale (IEES) was developed to be more comprehensive and addresses structural limitations of the currently available Four Tendencies Quiz (FTQ). The scale’s psychometric properties and validity were assessed. Participants were 407 adults (85% female; 64% White) ages 18 - 77 (M = 27.3; SD = 13.6) who were recruited from online groups and a university participant pool. They completed a series of measures that included the IEES, a shortened version of the FTQ (FTQ-SF), a measure of the Big Five personality factors (20-IPIP-B5), and one of overall wellbeing (PROMIS-GH). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) examined the best simple structures emerging from the data, and confirmatory factor analysis compared null, theorized, and EFA-informed models. The internal consistency of the best-fitting model’s factors was assessed. Correlations were run between the resulting IEES subscales, 20-IPIP-B5, PROMIS-GH, and FTQ-SF for further examination of scale validity, relevance, and to compare the two measures of expectation responsiveness. A bifactor model where items loaded on either an internal or external expectation factor and one of three contexts emerged as the strongest. This indicates that expectation sensitivity and resistance are poles of a single continuum and that individuals’ responses are more consistent within contexts than across, as a general personality trait may have implied. The IEES had several significant moderate correlations with established measures of personality and wellbeing, and these were stronger than the results of correlations of the FTQ-SF. However, the EFA and internal consistency scores suggest the need for further refinement to fully account for the importance of assessing context
Applications of the Erbium: YAG Laser in Ophthalmology - Cataracta-, Glaukoma-, Eyelid-Surgery and pars plana Vitrectomy
No full textRecent developments in lasers have provided us the possibility of laser ocular surgery. The xenon, argon, neodymium:YAG and dye lasers have been successfully used in out-patient clinics. The excimer laser has been attracting researchers' interest in the new application of laser to cornea and lens. The erbium:YAG laser emits a 2.94-microns beam that can ablate the transparent ocular tissues such as lenses and corneas. The author has applied this laser to the cornea, lens, vitreous and other ocular tissues. The erbium:YAG laser beam was directed through a 1.5-meter-long, 200-microns-diameter fiberoptic guide. The radiant energy measured about 50 mJ at the end of the probe. The laser was emitted as a 400-microsecond pulse. Freshly enucleated rabbit eyes were used in this study. Laser burns were applied to the tissue surface at various energy settings. At minimal power, the tissues were coagulated by the erbium:YAG laser application. At a power of more than 636-954 mJ/mm2, tissue began to evaporate; the tissue loss was observed under a surgical light microscope. Corneal photoablation, lens ablation, iridotomy, trabeculotomy, cutting of the vitreous and retinal ablation were easily performed. Like the excimer laser, the erbium:YAG laser is a potential tool for ocular surgery
Are Library and Information Science Journals Becoming More Internationalized? A Longitudinal Study of Authors' Geographical Affiliations in 20 LIS Journals from 1981 to 2003
No full textThis paper examines journal publications in the field of library and information science (LIS) to assess the level of
internationalization in their publications authorship pattern. The international production and communication of
scholarly knowledge is crucial to the growth of a discipline. Recent advancement in communication technology and the rise of globalization have led to the hope of a more balanced flow of scientific knowledge. Nevertheless, scholars also cautioned the possibility of a global digital divide and a widening knowledge gap. This study analyzed the geographical affiliations of authors in 20 international LIS journals to track the longitudinal changes in LIS authorship pattern. Findings suggest an increase in the internationalization of LIS authorships over the years. However, the LIS authorship distribution was still highly uneven in 2003 (Gini coefficient = 0.95). Economic power is still found to be a moderate predictor of publication performance. The findings of this study suggest that, at the moment of the writing, there is still room for the LIS field to be more internationalized. Further research is needed to identify the barriers in international scholarly communication and to explore the implications of such a communication pattern on scientific development and global equality
Authorship Characteristics in Sekitar Perpustakaan 1994-2003: A Bibliometric Study
No full textThis bibliometric study attempts to explore the authorship characteristics in Sekitar Perpustakaan, one of the earliest library and information science (LIS) periodicals published by the National Library of Malaysia (PNM – Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia) since 1977. A total of 148 articles published in 20 issues of Sekitar Perpustakaan covering the period 1994-2003 were analyzed. Author characteristics such as name, gender, status, institutional affiliation, language preference of articles and authorship of articles were obtained, studied and analyzed. The findings reveals single-authored articles far outnumbered multi-authored articles at 79%; female contributors (65.74% or 71 authors) predominates male contributors (34.26% or 37 authors); middle-level professionals were the largest contributors of articles (59.3%); 83 (56%) of the articles published were in Bahasa Melayu, the national language, while 65 (44%) articles were in English; the top ranked contributor is Ding Choo Ming, Senior Research Fellow of Institute of the Malay World & Civilization, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia with nine contributions; and the most prolific institution is PNM with 41 contributing authors
Behavioral Factors Affecting the Acclimatization of Newly-Appointed Teachers in Primary Schools: An Empirical Investigation
No full textDespite findings in the literature on its significance, the acclimatization of teachers into school units is not well organized. Hence, many newly appointed teachers fell as a "foreign body"into school, they do not interact with the other members of staff and they are not actively engaged in school life. This study aims to explore the factors involved in social behavior (collegial relations) among members of the educational community. These factors may affect the acclimatization/reception of teachers who, regardless of their teaching experience, are called to teach for the first time in a new school environment. According to the findings, it is essential the attitudes of teaching staff, in matters of cooperation, to be transformed and a collegial climate in schools to be established. To this end, fostering empathy among teachers through educational activities and enhancing opportunities for cooperation and teamwork inside and outside the classroom would be of significant contribution. © 2022 The Author(s)
Pro-categories in homotopy theory
No full textInternational audienceThe goal of this paper is to prove an equivalence between the model categorical approach to pro-categories, as studied by Isaksen, Schlank and the first author, and the -categorical approach, as developed by Lurie. Three applications of our main result are described. In the first application we use (a dual version of) our main result to give sufficient conditions on an -combinatorial model category, which insure that its underlying -category is -presentable. In the second application we consider the pro-category of simplicial \'etale sheaves and use it to show that the topological realization of any Grothendieck topos coincides with the shape of the hyper-completion of the associated -topos. In the third application we show that several model categories arising in profinite homotopy theory are indeed models for the -category of profinite spaces. As a byproduct we obtain new Quillen equivalences between these models, and also obtain an example which settles negatively a question raised by Raptis
ASO Author Reflections: Vascular Pancreatic Surgery Worldwide: A Call to Strengthen Rescue and Standardize Care
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