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Background: Binary outcomes are likely the most common in randomized controlled trials, but ordinal outcomes can also be of interest. For example, rather than simply collecting data on diseased versus healthy study subjects, investigators may collect information on the severity of disease, with no disease, mild, moderate, and severe disease as possible levels of the outcome. While some investigators may be interested in all levels of the ordinal variable, others may combine levels that are not of particular interest. Therefore, when research synthesizers subsequently conduct a network meta-analysis on a network of trials for which an ordinal outcome was measured, they may encounter a network in which outcome categorization varies across trials. Methods: The standard method for network meta-analysis for an ordinal outcome based on a multinomial generalized linear model is not designed to accommodate the multiple outcome categorizations that might occur across trials. In this paper, we propose a network meta-analysis model for an ordinal outcome that allows for multiple categorizations. The proposed model incorporates the partial information provided by trials that combine levels through modification of the multinomial likelihoods of the affected arms, allowing for all available data to be considered in estimation of the comparative effect parameters. A Bayesian fixed effect model is used throughout, where the ordinality of the outcome is accounted for through the use of the adjacent-categories logit link. Results: We illustrate the method by analyzing a real network of trials on the use of antibiotics aimed at preventing liver abscesses in beef cattle and explore properties of the estimates of the comparative effect parameters through simulation. We find that even with the categorization of the levels varying across trials, the magnitudes of the biases are relatively small and that under a large sample size, the root mean square errors become small as well. Conclusions: Our proposed method to conduct a network meta-analysis for an ordinal outcome when the categorization of the outcome varies across trials, which utilizes the adjacent-categories logit link, performs well in estimation. Because the method considers all available data in a single estimation, it will be particularly useful to research synthesizers when the network of interest has only a limited number of trials for each categorization of the outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Creativity has fascinated scholars for generations, and its identification as one of the key 'twenty-first century skills' necessary for economic growth has led to renewed interest. This creates two challenges for the OECD: its flagship Programme of International Student Assessment (PISA) does not directly measure creativity. Secondly, the increased importance attached to creativity has highlighted claims that high performers on PISA are largely nations stereotyped as lacking creativity. This challenges PISA's self-proclaimed status as the premier global benchmark for evaluating and comparing the quality of school systems and weakens its capacity to deliver its core mission; to identify 'best practices' which ensure economic prosperity. We explore these challenges and examine both how the OECD has responded to them and is moving to include creativity in PISA 2022. We argue that, while a precise definition of creativity has defied scholars for centuries, the indications are that the OECD's metric will focus on a narrow, convergent and easily-measured conception associated with cognitive competencies and linked to enhancing human capital. In this way, the 'messiness' around the polysemic concept will be simultaneously both exploited and threatened, as new, measurable versions displace alternatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Raised bogs are wetland ecosystems which, under the right climatic conditions, feature patterns of pool hollows and hummock ridges. The relative cover and the spatial arrangement of pool and ridge microforms are thought to be influential on peatland atmosphere carbon gas fluxes and plant biodiversity. The mechanisms responsible for the formation and maintenance of pools, and the stability of these features in response to warming climates, remain topics of ongoing research. We employed historical aerial imagery, combined with a contemporary uncrewed aerial vehicle survey, to study 61 years of changes in pools at a patterned raised bog in central Sweden. We used a pool inheritance method to track individual pools between image acquisition dates throughout the time series. These data show a rapid loss of open-water pool area during the study period, primarily due to overgrowth of open-water pools by Sphagnum. We postulate that these changes are driven by ongoing climate warming that is accelerating Sphagnum colonisation. Open-water pool area declined by 26.8% during the study period, equivalent to a loss of 1001 m2 y−1 across the 150-hectare site. This is contradictory to an existing theory that states pools are highly stable, once formed, and can only convert to a terrestrial state through catastrophic drainage. The pool inheritance analysis shows that smaller pools are liable to become completely terrestrialised and expire. Our findings form part of a growing body of evidence for the loss of open-water habitats in peatlands across the boreal and elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Effective, sustainable regional surveillance for the early detection of notifiable swine pathogens has been difficult to achieve. Regional surveillance based on clinical signs (syndromic surveillance) is not diagnostically sensitive and specific. Surveillance based on farm-by-farm testing is burdensome and costly. Borrowing the strengths of each approach, we evaluated an active participatory surveillance design in which regional status was determined by targeted sampling of 10 poor-doing pigs in each participating farm followed by screening in credentialed laboratories. The analysis showed that at 0.1% prevalence (18 infected farms among 17,521 farms) and a farm-level detection probability of 30%, active participatory surveillance would detect ≥ 1 positive farms with 67%, 90%, and 97% probability when producer participation was 20%, 40%, and 60%, respectively. Depending on the specimen collected (serum or swab sample) and test format (nucleic acid or antibody detection), the cost per round of sampling ranged from EUR 0.016 to EUR 0.032 (USD 0.017 to USD 0.034 USD) per pig in the region. The techniques and technologies required for active participatory surveillance are widely available and in common use. Implementation would require coordination among producers, industry groups, and animal health authorities. We evaluated an active participatory design for the regional surveillance of notifiable swine pathogens based on testing 10 samples collected by farm personnel in each participating farm. To evaluate the performance of the design, public domain software was used to simulate the introduction and spread of a pathogen among 17,521 farms in a geographic region of 1,615,246 km2. Using the simulated pathogen spread data, the probability of detecting ≥ 1 positive farms in the region was estimated as a function of the percent of participating farms (20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, 100%), farm-level detection probability (10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%), and regional farm-level prevalence. At 0.1% prevalence (18 positive farms among 17,521 farms) and a farm-level detection probability of 30%, the participatory surveillance design achieved 67%, 90%, and 97% probability of detecting ≥ 1 positive farms in the region when producer participation was 20%, 40%, and 60%, respectively. The cost analysis assumed that 10 individual pig samples per farm would be pooled into 2 samples (5 pigs each) for testing. Depending on the specimen collected (serum or swab sample) and test format (nucleic acid or antibody detection), the cost per round of sampling ranged from EUR 0.017 to EUR 0.032 (USD 0.017 to USD 0.034) per pig in the region. Thus, the analysis suggested that an active regional participatory surveillance design could achieve detection at low prevalence and at a sustainable cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gastric diverticula (GD) are the rarest form of gastrointestinal tract diverticulum, with an estimated incidence of 0.013–2.6%. GD are poorly understood and there are no established management guidelines. Only sparse updates have been published since the mid‐20th century. This paper reviews the current literature and provides some suggested guidelines for the management of GD. Methods: A search of Medline via OvidSP and Google Scholar for 'gastric diverticulum' and associated synonyms from the year 1950 onwards was performed. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort and case–control studies, and case series. Full text, English language manuscripts on adult populations were included. Results: A total of 103 manuscripts were included in the final selection – 77 individual case studies, 23 case series and three reviews. No RCTs, cohort or case–control studies were found. The case studies represent 305 patients, 50.8% female with average age 49.2 years (range 18–80). The most common symptom was abdominal pain (48.2%). The average maximum diameter was 3.97 cm (range 0.5–9). One hundred and four patients were managed operatively. Despite persistent recommendations in the literature that GD > 4 cm should be considered for resection, there are no data supporting this approach. Conclusion: The evidence pertaining to the management of GD is sparse. The decision for operative management should be individualized and based primarily on the presence of symptoms or complications which may be directly attributable to the GD. Where surgery is indicated, a laparoscopic approach, potentially with intra‐operative gastroscopy, is appropriate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay reports on the findings of a study of Swedish teenagers who have a free-time interest of creative writing in English. The essay includes extracts from interviews in which the participants explain their motivations to start their writing activity and continue with it over a longer period. Having been inspired initially by a desire to imitate and adapt stories they had read, the teenagers' interest in writing became a vehicle to help them understand experiences and deal with emotions. The essay includes some consideration of these findings in the light of Vygotskian ideas about art and literature. I also discuss the young people's choice of English as a language for their creativity. As well as highlighting the teenagers' insights, I reflect over my own move from England to Sweden and what it has taught me about learning languages and teaching English. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is increasing interest in the association between nature, health and wellbeing. Gardening is a popular way in which interaction with nature occurs and numerous gardening projects aim to facilitate wellbeing among participants. More research is needed to determine their effectiveness. To systematically evaluate the effectiveness of group-based gardening interventions for increasing wellbeing and reducing symptoms of mental ill-health in adults. A systematic review of Randomised Controlled Trials was conducted following the protocol submitted to PROSPERO (CRD42020162187). Studies reporting quantitative validated health and wellbeing outcomes of the community residing, adult populations (18+) were eligible for inclusion. 24 studies met inclusion criteria: 20 completed and four ongoing trials. Meta-analyses suggest these interventions may increase wellbeing and may reduce symptoms of depression, however, there was uncertainty in the pooled effects due to heterogeneity and unclear risk of bias for many studies. There were mixed results for other outcomes. Heterogeneity and small sample sizes limited the results. Poor reporting precluded meta-analysis for some studies. Initial findings for wellbeing and depression are promising and should be corroborated in further studies. The research area is active, and the results of the ongoing trials identified will add to the evidence base. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing on insights from philosophy and theology, we explore the relationship between religion, data and global education policy through an analysis of the career of Sir Michael Barber, widely regarded as an authority on the reform of public services and an influential policy entrepreneur. The analysis provides a novel perspective which illuminates how secularised salvation narratives and apocalyptic symbolism have become more prominent in his work as he rose to become a global actor. The story is entwined with the turn towards New Public Management (NPM) in education, the rise of international large-scale assessments (ILSAs), and the transition from speculative faith to salvation through the 'science of delivery'. We follow Barber's role in formalising the faith as a secular political theology, and promoting it globally through Delivery Units and the management doctrine of Deliverology®. The analysis closes by reflecting on the practical implications of the movement, which is now woven into the institutional ideologies and reform strategies of major international organisations, agencies and corporations as part of a wider shift towards New Global Management (NGM) in global education governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been shown to decrease the thickness and increase the length of abdominal wall muscles.[23] The technique of BTA injection requires a sterile abdomen and ultrasound (US) guidance. 19 Petersson P, Petersson U. Dynamic fascial closure with vacuum-assisted wound closure and mesh-mediated fascial traction (VAWCM) treatment of the open abdomen - an updated systematic review. How to do mesh-mediated fascial traction for delayed primary closure of the open abdomen The open abdomen can be a life-saving resuscitative manoeuvre in patients with catastrophic abdominal pathologies, however, can lead to the need for delayed primary closure. [Extracted from the article]

Background: In network meta-analysis, estimation of a comparative effect can be performed for treatments that are connected either directly or indirectly. However, disconnected trial networks may arise, which poses a challenge to comparing all available treatments of interest. Several modeling approaches attempt to compare treatments from disconnected networks but not without strong assumptions and limitations. Conducting a new trial to connect a disconnected network can enable calculation of all treatment comparisons and help researchers maximize the value of the existing networks. Here, we develop an approach to finding the best connecting trial given a specific comparison of interest. Methods: We present formulas to quantify the variation in the estimation of a particular comparative effect of interest for any possible connecting two-arm trial. We propose a procedure to identify the optimal connecting trial that minimizes this variation in effect estimation. Results: We show that connecting two treatments indirectly might be preferred to direct connection through a new trial, by leveraging information from the existing disconnected networks. Using a real network of studies on the use of vaccines in the treatment of bovine respiratory disease (BRD), we illustrate a procedure to identify the best connecting trial and confirm our findings via simulation. Conclusion: Researchers wishing to conduct a connecting two-arm study can use the procedure provided here to identify the best connecting trial. The choice of trial that minimizes the variance of a comparison of interest is network dependent and it is possible that connecting treatments indirectly may be preferred to direct connection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Compassion‐focused imagery (CFI) is a technique used to facilitate self‐compassion by constructing and exploring imagery of a compassionate ideal. It is commonly used in Compassionate Mind Training, as part of a wider skills training intervention. This review aimed to explore the effectiveness of CFI on psychological outcomes when used as a brief standalone intervention across clinical and non‐clinical adult populations. Population‐specific effects were also explored. Methods: Following an extensive literature search, 20 studies were identified for inclusion in the review. Quality and risk of bias assessment were completed using the Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP) tool. Where available, effect sizes were calculated for outcome measures of self‐compassion, self‐criticism and shame. Study findings were qualitatively synthesized. Results: Most of the studies reported improvements in psychological outcomes, such as improvements in self‐compassion and positive affect, reduction in self‐criticism, shame and paranoia. Across measures of self‐compassion, self‐criticism and shame, the effect sizes ranged between 0.02 and 1.1 and estimated treatment effects range between 0.09 and 1.39. Preliminary evidence is promising, with most studies reporting improvements in psychological outcomes; however, the evidence is limited by the methodological challenges and heterogeneity within the literature. Studies that implemented CFI in severe head injury samples reported limited improvements. Improvements in paranoia measures were more consistently reported in non‐clinical samples, when compared to studies using clinical samples. High levels of self‐criticism emerged as an important potential barrier in individuals' ability to engage with CFI tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a growing interest in research examining the role of personal values in mental health. This study aims to investigate the relationship between value priorities and both depression and anxiety while exploring whether valued living is a better predictor of these variables compared to value priorities in a youth sample. A total of 335 young people aged 16–25 (M age = 17.92, SD = 2.59) from the United Kingdom completed measures assessing value priorities, valued living, depression, and anxiety, alongside demographic information. Values with both growth and personal focus orientations (i.e., Openness-to-Change) had stronger associations with depression and anxiety. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that valued living predicted depression and anxiety over value priorities, explaining more variance in depression compared to anxiety. Value priorities explained additional variance over valued living only for anxiety, but not for depression. The findings indicate the importance from a public health and clinical perspective of enabling people to identify their values and facilitating them to live in a manner that is consistent with those values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Framed by the mantra of 'Building back Better' (BBB) the Covid-19 Pandemic has inspired myriad proposals to transform education systems for the future. We interrogate the phrase 'building back better', focusing on its origins and application within crisis narratives. We analyse responses to the pandemic published by influential global agencies focusing on their agendas and visions for the future of education. We identify the common and divergent elements in their narratives, illustrating how the crisis was used to promote each organisation's specific interests, and how these narratives were sustained through strategic silences and the selective use of evidence. Whilst the pandemic was used to promote the different longstanding agendas of those agencies, we argue that overall it was used to constrain the future as a privatised techno-utopia, rather than build towards a new vision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whilst Hong Kong's return to Chinese sovereignty in 1997 has influenced education in various ways, major reforms perceived as promoting mainland control have been resisted. For two decades, Hong Kong's educational autonomy under the 'one country, two systems' formula was thus largely maintained. This changed radically with the response to the protests of 2019–2020, culminating in the introduction of a National Security Law. This has drastically constrained Hong Kong's civil society, enhanced central government control of education and accelerated efforts to reeducate Hongkongers as loyal PRC citizens. We trace how this transformation has been enacted and justified, and reflect on its consequences. We analyse the current situation through the lenses of 'internal colonialism' and securitisation, which have characterised governance of China's restive periphery under Xi Jinping. We argue that analytical perspectives in Comparative Education, relating to postcolonialism/decolonisation and globalisation, obstruct or distort understanding of Hong Kong's present predicament. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This Commentary reflects upon the articles in this Special Issue to provide an overview and discussion of their core arguments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traumatic events can be associated with positive change, termed "post-traumatic growth." Existing resesarch suggests some overlap between post-traumatic growth and value-directed living. This study sought to explore the relationship between post-traumatic growth and value-directed living after acquired brain injury. Self-report questionnaires including the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, Valued Living Questionnaire, Engaged Living Scale, Valuing Questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, World Health Organization Well-Being Index, Brief Resilience Scale, Trauma Screening Questionnaire and Glasgow Outcome Scale were posted to 317 individuals who had experienced a head injury, stroke or subarachnoid haemorrhage in the previous 3–13 years, with a hospital admission of minimum 7 days. Questionnaires were completed by 81 participants. Post-traumatic growth was significantly positively associated with two measures of value-directed living (VLQ, r =.269; VQ, r =.215). Higher levels of value-directed living were significantly associated with increased positive outcomes (wellbeing) and reduced negative outcomes (distress, post-traumatic stress symptoms). There was no significant association between post-traumatic growth and any of these outcomes. The association between post-traumatic growth and value-directed living indicates possible common underlying processes. Value-directed living appears to be a more useful concept, as it was associated with clinically relevant outcomes. It is recommended that value-directed living interventions are considered in brain injury rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Mangroves are among the world's most carbon‐dense ecosystems, but have suffered extensive deforestation, prompting reforestation projects. The effects of mangrove reforestation on belowground carbon dynamics are poorly understood. In particular, we do not know how fine root production develops following mangrove reforestation, despite fine root production being a major carbon sink and an important control of mangrove soil accretion.Using minirhizotrons, we investigated fine root production and its depth variation along a chronosequence of mature Vietnamese mangroves.Our results showed that fine root production decreases strongly with stand age in the uppermost 32 cm of our soil profiles. In younger mangrove stands, fine root production declines with depth, possibly due to a vertical gradient in soil nutrient availability; while root production in the oldest stand is low at all depths and exhibits no clear vertical pattern. A major fraction of fine root production occurs deeper than 30 cm, depths that are commonly omitted from calculations of mangrove carbon budgets.Younger mangroves may accrue shallow soil organic matter faster than older mangroves. Therefore, root productivity and forest stand age should be accounted for when forecasting mangrove carbon budgets and resistance to sea‐level rise. See also the Commentary on this article by Cormier, 232: 1525–1527. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two religious traditions have informed my personal and academic life – Judaism and Hinduism. This is a reflection on their intersection over a period of more than 40 years. This article chronicles an academic journey from a reified religious universalism towards identifying a deep structural affinity between Judaism and Hinduism defined in contrast to other major differentially constructed religious traditions, then to a position of radical alterity that is potentially just as productive of a very different discussion among those interested in cross-traditional and interreligious deliberations. The wider context is that of the relationships, conceptual and analytical, between discernible religious traditions, or dimensions thereof. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The field of robotic-assisted surgery is rapidly growing as many robotic surgical devices are in development and about to enter the market. Currently, there is no universally accepted language for labeling the different robotic systems. To facilitate this communication, we created what is, to our knowledge, the first classification of surgical robotic technologies that organizes and classifies surgical robots used for endoscopy, laparoscopy and thoracoscopy. Methods: We compiled a list of surgical robots intended to be used for endoscopy, laparoscopy, and/or thoracoscopy by searching United States, European, Hong Kong, Japan, and Korean databases for approved devices. Devices showcased at the 2023 Annual Meeting for the Society of Robotic Surgery were added. We also systematically reviewed the literature for any existing surgical robotic classifications or categorizations. We then created a multidisciplinary committee of 8 surgeons and 2 engineers to construct a proposed classification of the devices included in our search. Results: We identified 40 robotic surgery systems intended to be used for endoscopy, laparoscopy and/or thoracoscopy. The proposed classification organizes robotic devices with regard to architecture, port design, and configuration (modular carts, multi-arm integrated cart, table-attachable or arm-table integration). Conclusion: This 3-level classification of robotic surgical devices used for endoscopy, laparoscopy and/or thoracoscopy describes important characteristics of robotic devices systematically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Boerhaave syndrome is a rare and life‐threatening condition characterized by a spontaneous transmural tear of the oesophagus. There remains wide variation in the condition's management with non‐operative management (NOM) and surgery being the two main treatment strategies. The aim was to review the presentation, management and outcomes for patients treated for Boerhaave syndrome at our institution and to compare these data with that previously reported within the Australasian literature. Methods: A retrospective case series was performed for consecutive patients diagnosed with Boerhaave syndrome at our institution between January 2000 and January 2020. A systematic review of the Australasian literature was also performed. Results: In case series, 15 patients were included (n = 2 NOM, n = 13 operative). The most common operative technique was primary repair with intercostal drainage via thoracotomy. Major complications occurred in 11 (73%) patients. Median Comprehensive Complication Index was 53.4 (interquartile range: 50). There was a significantly lower Comprehensive Complication Index associated with primary repair when compared to oesophageal resection (P = 0.01). There was one death, in the operative management group. Median length of hospital stay was 33 days (interquartile range: 58). In systematic review, 11 articles were included; four case series and seven case reports. From these, 23 patients met inclusion criteria. The majority of patients (83%) were managed operatively, with only four undergoing NOM. Seven patients died, representing an overall mortality rate of 30%. Conclusions: We provide an updated overview of the management of Boerhaave syndrome within Australasia. Aggressive operative management is associated with reasonable outcomes. The primary aim of this study was to assess the management and outcomes for patients diagnosed with Boerhaave syndrome within Australasia. Both a retrospective case series and systematic review of the Australasian literature were performed. We provide an updated overview of the management of Boerhaave syndrome within Australasia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Ischaemic heart disease is the reduction of myocardial blood flow, caused by epicardial and/or microvascular disease. Both are common and prognostically important conditions, with distinct guideline-indicated management. Fractional flow reserve (FFR) is the current gold-standard assessment of epicardial coronary disease but is only a surrogate of flow and only predicts percentage flow changes. It cannot assess absolute (volumetric) flow or microvascular disease. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a novel method that predicts absolute coronary blood flow and microvascular resistance (MVR) in the catheter laboratory. Methods and results A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was used to predict absolute coronary flow (QCFD) and coronary MVR using data from routine invasive angiography and pressure-wire assessment. QCFD was validated in an in vitro flow circuit which incorporated patient-specific, three-dimensional printed coronary arteries; and then in vivo , in patients with coronary disease. In vitro , QCFD agreed closely with the experimental flow over all flow rates [bias +2.08 mL/min; 95% confidence interval (error range) −4.7 to +8.8 mL/min; R 2 = 0.999, P  < 0.001; variability coefficient <1%]. In vivo , QCFD and MVR were successfully computed in all 40 patients under baseline and hyperaemic conditions, from which coronary flow reserve (CFR) was also calculated. QCFD-derived CFR correlated closely with pressure-derived CFR (R 2 = 0.92, P  < 0.001). This novel method was significantly more accurate than Doppler-wire-derived flow both in vitro (±6.7 vs. ±34 mL/min) and in vivo (±0.9 vs. ±24.4 mmHg). Conclusions Absolute coronary flow and MVR can be determined alongside FFR, in absolute units, during routine catheter laboratory assessment, without the need for additional catheters, wires or drug infusions. Using this novel method, epicardial and microvascular disease can be discriminated and quantified. This comprehensive coronary physiological assessment may enable a new level of patient stratification and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physiological adaptations to external stressors can reveal socio‐cognitive health in infancy. With the use of thermal imaging and behavioural analyses, the current study examined the arousal markers accompanying infants' interactions with a familiar and an unfamiliar person. To address the current research question, the mother and a complete stranger interacted with 2 to 3 month‐old infants (N= 10, 2 boys)in three different conditions: Neutral, Play, and Compliment. Behavioral analyses showed that overall gaze was longer to the Stranger compared to the Mother independent of condition. Physiological findings showed that skin temperature was significantly higher with the stranger independent of condition. The regions of the face that passed the significance threshold included the maxillary area, the nose, and the forehead. Both behavioral and physiological findings emphasize the ability of the infant to distinguish between a familiar and an unfamiliar person. Most importantly, however thermal imaging has proven to be a promising tool in physiologically differentiating between variable social conditions in very young infants opening up a new experimental portal for identifying healthy physiological development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper applies insights from narrative theory to analyse the OECD's transition to providing humanitarian large-scale assessments under the SDGs, situating this within the evolving dynamics of a global development complex. The perspective is guided by the thematic interests of the special issue, with the goal of enriching understanding of both the OECD's changing positions and capacities in the global field, and the theories, ideas and styles of reasoning it has employed (as well as how they operate). The paper takes its starting point from recent scholarship in international relations (IR) that has applied narrative to the study of international organisations, highlighting the central role of strategic narratives in forging world order and in establishing organisational legitimacy. We describe the core narrative as akin to a Three Act Play (with five stages) which we use as a heuristic device to trace the entwined development stories of PISA and the advent of Humanitarian Assessment in international development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses the approach to systemic educational reform in the Arabian states of the Gulf and the central role within that of the Global Education Industry (GEI). Initially the authors identify the commonalities of their approach; subsequently they compare the approaches in Bahrain and Qatar. They demonstrate how the GEI is embedded in all stages of policy making, delivery and monitoring which revolves around the selling of 'best global practices'. They argue that the outcome is a commercial model of applied 'comparative education' designed for 'selling to the other' and it is both distinctive and of limited effectiveness; it also provides a vision of the future as educational policy making is increasingly outsourced to the private sector. They conclude with a discussion of the conditions which facilitated this approach and of what others might learn from the experience of the Gulf. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the coincident detection of a gamma-ray flare and a neutrino from the blazar TXS 0506+056, active galactic nuclei (AGNs) have been put into focus as possible sources of the diffuse neutrino flux. We present a space and time-resolved model of the high-energy particle emission of a plasmoid assumed to travel along the axis of an AGN jet at relativistic speed. This was achieved by modifying the publicly available crpropa (version 3.1+) propagation framework that in our work is capable of being applied to source physics on sub-kpc scales. The propagation of a population of primary protons is modelled in a purely turbulent magnetic field and we take into account interactions of these protons with photons scattered from the accretion disc, synchrotron radiation emitted by ambient relativistic electrons, as well with themselves and with other ambient matter. Our model produces a PeV-neutrino flare caused mainly by photohadronic interactions of primaries with the accretion disc field. Secondary high-energy gamma-rays partly attenuate with the ambient photon fields whose combined optical depths achieve their minimal opacity for photons of around 10 TeV. Thus, our model is well capable of producing neutrino flares with a significantly reduced emission of gamma-rays in jets with a hadronic jet component that in the future can be fit to specific AGN flare scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The development of a terminology system is essential to allow uniformity in reporting serous fluid specimens. An important topic to cover is the issue of specimen adequacy. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate whether there is a correlation between number of mesothelial cells and overall improved sensitivity and adequacy control of tests. Methods: Cases of negative pleural fluids with concomitant positive pleural biopsies were selected from two referral institutions, with observation of the number of mesothelial cells in 10 high‐power fields, comparing the results with a control group (cases with negative biopsies, ie, true negatives). Comparisons were conducted using the nonparametric Mann‐Whitney U test. Data were analysed for sensitivity and specificity derived from the receiver operating characteristics curve. For the choice of an optimal cut‐off of mesothelial cells, receiver operating curve analysis was constructed and the Youden index was calculated. Results: A total of 112 pleural effusions with paired pleural biopsies were studied. There was no difference in distributions of the number of mesothelial cells between cases with a positive biopsy (false negatives) and the control group (median = 39 vs median = 30, respectively, P‐value =.974). However, simple logistic regression found a cut‐off of 750 cells per 10 high‐power fields as an optimal number for improved sensitivity (72.7%), with fair discriminatory power. Conclusions: Enumeration of mesothelial cells may improve the sensitivity of the cytological diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion, serving as an internal quality control for the test's overall accuracy. This is the first study to address whether the number of mesothelial cells present in a sample correlate with the test's accuracy and if a minimal number of viable mesothelial cells should be used to determine ample adequacy. The authors found a cutoff of 750 cells per 10 HPF to be an optimal number for improved sensitivity with fair discriminatory power and conclude that enumeration of mesothelial cells may improve the sensitivity of the cytological diagnosis of malignant pleural effusions [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There have been frequent attempts in psychology to reduce the reliance on null hypothesis significance testing (NHST) as the criterion for establishing the importance of results. Many authorities now recommend the reporting of effect sizes (ESs) as a supplement or alternative to NHST. However, there is extensive specialist literature highlighting problems associated with the use and interpretation of ESs. A review of the coverage of ESs in over 100 textbooks on statistical analysis in behavioural science revealed widespread neglect of ESs and the relevant critical issues that have widespread coverage in the more specialist literature. For example, many textbooks claim that ESs should be interpreted as a simple measure of the practical real‐world importance of a result despite the fact that ESs are profoundly influenced by features of design and analysis strategy. We seek to highlight areas of misunderstanding about ESs found in the pedagogical literature in the light of the more specialist literature and make recommendations to researchers for the appropriate use and interpretation of ESs. This is critical as statistics textbooks have a crucial role in the education of researchers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To assess the postoperative complication rate and overall survival when bovine pericardium is used as graft material for inferior vena cava (IVC) reconstructions in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The ideal graft material is yet to be established, with synthetic grafts widely studied and used in the current literature.Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort analysis of consecutive patients who underwent IVC reconstructions as part of resection for RCC, using bovine pericardium as either a patch repair or tubular interposition graft.Results: A total of 15 patients underwent resection with IVC reconstruction between 2010 and 2018. Nine patients had tubular interposition grafts and 6 had patch repairs. Three patients had Clavien-Dindo grade 3 or higher short-term complications. There was no difference in Comprehensive Complications Index between those who had interposition grafts and patch repairs. Two patients had a long-term graft-associated thrombus requiring temporary anticoagulation. Overall survival was 46.5 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 36.9-56.1). There were no perioperative deaths. All long-term deaths were due to disease progression.Conclusion: Reconstruction of the IVC with a bovine pericardium graft is safe in experienced centers. Bovine pericardium could be considered as the material of choice, given its safety in the immediate postoperative period, ease of use, and patency without routine long-term anticoagulation. Advanced surgical management leads to good overall survival in this cohort with high tumor burden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Time-series analysis allows for the determination of the Power Spectral Density (PSD) and Probability Density Function (PDF) for astrophysical sources. The former of these illustrates the distribution of power at various time-scales, typically taking a power-law form, while the latter characterizes the distribution of the underlying stochastic physical processes, with Gaussian and lognormal functional forms both physically motivated. In this paper, we use artificial time series generated using the prescription of Timmer & Koenig to investigate connections between the PDF and PSD. PDFs calculated for these artificial light curves are less likely to be well described by a Gaussian functional form for steep (Γ⪆1) PSD indices due to weak non-stationarity. Using the Fermi LAT monthly light curve of the blazar PKS2155-304 as an example, we prescribe and calculate a false positive rate that indicates how likely the PDF is to be attributed an incorrect functional form. Here, we generate large numbers of artificial light curves with intrinsically normally distributed PDFs and with statistical properties consistent with observations. These are used to evaluate the probabilities that either Gaussian or lognormal functional forms better describe the PDF. We use this prescription to show that PKS2155-304 requires a high prior probability of having a normally distributed PDF, |$P(\rm {G})~$|  ≥ 0.82, for the calculated PDF to prefer a Gaussian functional form over a lognormal. We present possible choices of prior and evaluate the probability that PKS2155-304 has a lognormally distributed PDF for each. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Parkrun is a volunteer facilitated mass participation running event, taking place in open spaces around the world. Research has identified benefits to mental health of exercise, community activity, volunteering, and outdoor activity, all of which are incorporated into parkrun. This study explores the experiences at parkrun of individuals who identified as having had current or past mental health difficulties. Method: Twenty participants, who identified themselves as having experienced mental health difficulties participated in one to one semi-structured interviews. Seven were male, and 13 were female, with a mean age of 45.2. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Three themes were identified: 'sense of achievement' referring to feelings of accomplishment; 'connecting with others' referring to a sense of belonging and community, and 'it's for everyone', referring to an equitable, welcoming and non-threatening environment. Discussion: Participants felt that parkrun benefitted their mental health. The findings suggest that there is potential to support mental health outside of traditional settings. Other clinical implications and limitations of the study are discussed and suggestions for further research are made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on a special issue dedicated to Professor Robert Cowen, the initiator and guest editor, who sadly passed away before its completion, turning it into a tribute to his significant contributions to comparative education. Topics covered in the issue include Professor Cowen's role as a board member and book reviews editor, highlighting his pivotal role in the journal's rise to prominence in comparative education.

Order of magnitude variability has been observed in the blazar sub-class of active galactic nuclei on minute time-scales. These high-energy flares are often difficult to explain with shock acceleration models due to the small size of the inferred emitting region, with recent particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations, showing that magnetic reconnection is a promising alternative mechanism. Here, we present a macroscopic emission model physically motivated by PIC simulations, where the energy for particle acceleration originates from the reconnecting magnetic field. We track the radial growth and relative velocity of a reconnecting plasmoid, modelling particle acceleration and radiative losses from synchrotron and synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) emission. To test the viability of magnetic reconnection as the mechanism behind rapid blazar flares we simultaneously fit our model to the observed light curve and Spectral Energy Distribution (SED) from the 2016 TeV flare of BL Lacertae. We find generally that, without considering external photons, reconnecting plasmoids are unable to produce Compton-dominant TeV flares and so cannot reproduce the observations due to overproduction of synchrotron emission. Additionally, problematically large plasmoids, comparable in size to the entire jet radius, are required to emit sufficient SSC gamma-rays to be observable. However, our plasmoid model can reproduce the rapid TeV light curve of the flare, demonstrating that reconnection is able to produce rapid, powerful TeV flares on observed time-scales. We conclude that while reconnection can produce SSC flares on the correct time-scales, the primary source of TeV emission cannot be SSC and the size of plasmoids required may be implausibly large. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explore the role of neoliberalism within portrayals of internationalisation in higher education (HE). Through an analysis of four features of internationalisation, we suggest that they embody a complex entanglement of neoliberal categories and assumptions with other, primarily progressive humanitarian ideals. This framing of internationalisation has three affects. One, humanitarian ideals coupled with neoliberal categories normalise inequalities, turning internationalisation into a meritocratic global race, focusing on celebrating the possibility of the few who can achieve, instead of the embedded inequalities within the system, which disadvantage the many. Two, this allows neoliberal practices to be advanced through the discourse of internationalisation and its association with progressive humanitarian values. Three, this neoliberal framing does not explain the nature of internationalisation of HE in many nations; we demonstrate this by analysing internationalisation in China, Israel and Cuba. We suggest that internationalisation in HE cannot be adequately explained by analyses which rely on neoliberalism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • We investigate the rationales for and strategies of internationalisation in Israel's only university located in the occupied West Bank. • Our analysis shows a discrepancy between the political rationales of administrators and academic rationales of researchers. • Building on these rationales, we uncover four distinctive strategies used to achieve internationalisation. • We develop important insights into the powerful impact of politics on our understanding of internationalisation in higher education. Abstract Internationalisation in higher education is often portrayed as a value-neutral intervention driven predominantly by economic motives yet advocated and prescribed for humanitarian purposes. In this study we investigate how internationalisation takes shape in an institution which is characterised by political controversy that hinders and shapes its internationalisation efforts; we explore the rationales for and enactment of internationalisation at Ariel University (AU), Israel's only university located in the West Bank, part of the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt). We challenge the dominant framing of internationalisation in higher education and shed light on the nature, purposes and forms of internationalisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Union (EU) plays a dominant role in coordinating the responses to the massive inflow of refugee-migrants into Europe; consequently, the conceptions of citizenship and future integration which are embedded in its policies are significant. We explore and analyse the key EU education policy documents that refer to immigrants to identify the forms of citizenship attributed to various types of incomers by the EU. Our analysis demonstrates that the EU's conception of refugee-migrants is more closely affiliated with the notion of 'Global citizens' rather than with that of 'European citizens'. Furthermore, we suggest that the EU distinguishes and navigates between various migratory flows, namely internal-European, desired external-European and undesired external-European (refugee-migrants), each associated with a distinctive conception of citizenship as well as with related policy discourses. In the light of the migratory flows into Europe, the particularistic conceptions of citizenship shaping the EU's educational policy carry considerable implications for the future integration of refugee-migrants in Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and aims: Drug shortages and supply chain disruptions can affect healthcare provision. This study sought to determine the response actions after a supply chain disruption occurs, which previous research has largely ignored. Methods: The study used a three-phase, mixed-methods approach. This included an online survey of NHS trust and acute care hospitals in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland (n=125), semi-structured interviews with the individuals responsible for managing shortages within the hospitals that responded to the survey (n=18), and three targeted focus groups (n=21). The data were analysed and tested against three major constructs: supply chain disruption orientation, supply chain disruption performance and organisational response. Results: In total, 55.2% of responding acute hospitals based in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland did not have ≥76% of medicine lines (for a preselected list of medicines: lidocaine injection; aciclovir infusion solution and powder; glycopyrronium bromide injection; ketamine injection; lorazepam injection) fulfilled within eight weeks of a disruption in the supply chain. The patterns of strategic responses to supply chain disruptions varied depending on the length of time since the disruption, and this can impact performance. Discussion and conclusion: This study gives insights into the impact of supply chain disruption response behaviour and supply chain performance on shortage management. A unique supply chain disruption shortage management roadmap is proposed, which could help guide practice and drug delivery by providing strategic insights on a system-wide view of drug delivery performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Simultaneous bilateral primary spontaneous pneumothorax (SBPSP) is an extremely rare and potentially fatal condition. Patients usually have no relevant medical conditions. Some cases, however, may have certain risk factors such as smoking, being young, and male gender. We reported a case of a healthy young male who presented with BPSP. Case Presentation. A 21-year-old man with a past medical history of well-controlled intermittent asthma presented with acute worsening shortness of breath overnight. Chest X-ray performed showed bilateral large pneumothorax with significantly compressed mediastinum. Chest tubes were placed bilaterally with immediate clinical improvement. However, the chest tubes continued to have an air leak without full lungs expansion. Computed tomography scan without contrast of the chest revealed subpleural blebs in both upper lobes. The patient underwent bilateral video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) with apical bleb resection, bilateral pleurectomy, and bilateral doxycycline pleurodesis. Biopsy of the apical blebs and parietal pleura of both lungs were negative for any atypical cells suspicious for malignancy or Langerhans cell histiocytosis. The patient had been doing well six months following surgery with no recurrence of pneumothorax. Conclusion. SBPSP is a rare and urgent condition that requires prompt intervention. In a young patient without any underlying disease, surgical intervention, such as VATS, is relatively safe and can be considered early. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the past three decades, an influential network of contemporary providers of comparative education has emerged, formed by global agencies, consultants, multinational companies and think tanks. Its aim is to identify best practices in high-performance systems to recommend its adoption in other with one lesser. Its aim is to identify best practices in high-performing systems to recommend their adoption in poor performing systems. To do this, they analyse the crossnational tests of pupils' academic achievement to provide the 'evidence' used by policy makers to construct their policy stories. This network produces and promotes a policy narrative, a new form of orthodoxy, which determines the need for educational reforms, its aims and even how to develop them. In this article, we analyse the logic that underlies the activity of this network, the assumptions on which it builds its narrative which revolves around the «global race» between nations, and, finally, the strategies and tactics that they use to mask the problems that they encounter in establishing causality. To conclude, we warn of the risks of narrowing the aims of education to prepare students to perform well on those international tests. Most notably, it will result in a closed and self-fulfilling system, concerned only with training human capital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetation shifts in circum-Arctic permafrost peatlands drive feedbacks with important consequences for peatland carbon budgets and the extent of permafrost thaw under changing climate. Recent shrub expansion across Arctic tundra environments has led to an increase in above-ground biomass, but the long-term spatiotemporal dynamics of shrub and tree growth in circum-Arctic peatlands remain unquantified. We investigate changes in peatland vegetation composition during the Holocene using previously-published plant macrofossil records from 76 sites across the circum-Arctic permafrost zone. In particular, we assess evidence for peatland shrubification at the continental scale. We identify increasing abundance of woody vegetation in circum-Arctic peatlands from ∼8000 years BP to present, coinciding with declining herbaceous vegetation and widespread Sphagnum expansion. Ecosystem shifts varied between regions and present-day permafrost zones, with late-Holocene shrubification most pronounced where permafrost coverage is presently discontinuous and sporadic. After ∼600 years BP, we find a proliferation of non- Sphagnum mosses in Fennoscandia and across the present-day continuous permafrost zone; and rapid expansion of Sphagnum in regions of discontinuous and isolated permafrost as expected following widespread fen-bog succession, which coincided with declining woody vegetation in eastern and western Canada. Since ∼200 years BP, both shrub expansion and decline were identified at different sites across the pan-Arctic, highlighting the complex ecological responses of circum-Arctic peatlands to post-industrial climate warming and permafrost degradation. Our results suggest that shrubification of circum-Arctic peatlands has primarily occurred alongside surface drying, resulting from Holocene climate shifts, autogenic peat accumulation, and permafrost aggradation. Future shrubification of circum-Arctic peatlands under 21st century climate change will likely be spatially heterogeneous, and be most prevalent where dry microforms persist. • Woody vegetation expanded in circum-Arctic peatlands from 8000 years BP to present. • Peatland ecosystem shifts varied between regions and present-day permafrost zones. • Sphagnum and non- Sphagnum mosses expanded rapidly in peatlands after 600 years BP. • Both shrub expansion and decline evident in different peatlands after 200 years BP. • Holocene shrubification of circum-Arctic peatlands associated with surface drying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peatlands of the central Congo Basin have accumulated carbon over millennia. They currently store some 29 billion tonnes of carbon in peat. However, our understanding of the controls on peat carbon accumulation and loss and the vulnerability of this stored carbon to climate change is in its infancy. Here we present a new model of tropical peatland development, DigiBog_Congo, that we use to simulate peat carbon accumulation and loss in a rain‐fed interfluvial peatland that began forming ~20,000 calendar years Before Present (cal. yr BP, where 'present' is 1950 CE). Overall, the simulated age‐depth curve is in good agreement with palaeoenvironmental reconstructions derived from a peat core at the same location as our model simulation. We find two key controls on long‐term peat accumulation: water at the peat surface (surface wetness) and the very slow anoxic decay of recalcitrant material. Our main simulation shows that between the Late Glacial and early Holocene there were several multidecadal periods where net peat and carbon gain alternated with net loss. Later, a climatic dry phase beginning ~5200 cal. yr BP caused the peatland to become a long‐term carbon source from ~3975 to 900 cal. yr BP. Peat as old as ~7000 cal. yr BP was decomposed before the peatland's surface became wetter again, suggesting that changes in rainfall alone were sufficient to cause a catastrophic loss of peat carbon lasting thousands of years. During this time, 6.4 m of the column of peat was lost, resulting in 57% of the simulated carbon stock being released. Our study provides an approach to understanding the future impact of climate change and potential land‐use change on this vulnerable store of carbon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Asthma and anxiety are known to interact, leading to exacerbations for both conditions. This systematic review summarised evidence regarding the effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in reducing anxiety in individuals with asthma, with results presented separately for adults and children. Data sources: PRISMA and CRD guidance were followed to conduct and report the current review. Three major electronic databases (Ovid Medline, PsycINFO, and EMBASE) and manual searches were used to find relevant published and unpublished research. Study selections: Sixteen trials (12 adult- and four child-focused) met inclusion criteria, and were evaluated with adapted quality criteria. Both controlled trials and repeated-measures designs were eligible. All CBT intervention formats were eligible (group, individual, computerised, and self-help). Nine studies (eight adult and one child) focused upon participants with either an anxiety diagnosis or with above-threshold anxiety scores on a validated measure at baseline. Results: The review provides tentative preliminary support for the use of CBT for anxiety in adults with asthma, with the evidence base for interventions with children appearing promising, but under-developed. Studies were more likely to indicate beneficial effects where anxiety-focused (rather than illness-focused) intervention protocols were utilised, asthma-related education was provided and where the trials focused on individuals with likely clinical levels of anxiety at baseline. Conclusion: Whilst further high-quality research is needed, available evidence is supportive of anxiety-focused CBT interventions tailored to target the particular mechanisms thought to maintain this comorbidity in asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Widespread establishment of peatlands since the Last Glacial Maximum represents the activation of a globally important carbon sink, but the drivers of peat initiation are unclear. The role of climate in peat initiation is particularly poorly understood. We used a general circulation model to simulate local changes in climate during the initiation of 1,097 peatlands around the world. We find that peat initiation in deglaciated landscapes in both hemispheres was driven primarily by warming growing seasons, likely through enhanced plant productivity, rather than by any increase in effective precipitation. In Western Siberia, which remained ice-free throughout the last glacial period, the initiation of the world's largest peatland complex was globally unique in that it was triggered by an increase in effective precipitation that inhibited soil respiration and allowed wetland plant communities to establish. Peat initiation in the tropics was only weakly related to climate change, and appears to have been driven primarily by nonclimatic mechanisms such as waterlogging due to tectonic subsidence. Our findings shed light on the genesis and Holocene climate space of one of the world's most carbon-dense ecosystem types, with implications for understanding trajectories of ecological change under changing future climates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The OECD’s PISA programme has been portrayed as central to the emergence of a regime of global educational governance and the subsequent convergence of policies towards a standardised model. Whilst there is an extensive literature describing PISA’s impact on education policies, there is a paucity of analysis of how PISA data is presented to the public within nations by three main actors which interpret the results; namely the OECD itself, politicians, and the media. This study analyses how England’s 2012 PISA results were interpreted by those actors, focusing particularly on the role of the media. We demonstrate that the OECD’s original messages were significantly distorted by the UK Government and show how the media, driven by its own logic, framed the results in terms of a narrative of decline, crisis and the need for urgent reform, while, significantly, giving little coverage to either the recommended policy actions or the contrasting interpretations of the PISA results by politicians and the OECD. We argue that a form of ‘mediatised governance’ shaped and limited the overall frame within which the results were debated and had a powerful influence on how local politicians represented the PISA results and advocated their own policy actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The most carbon (C)‐dense ecosystems of Amazonia are areas characterized by the presence of peatlands. However, Amazonian peatland ecosystems are poorly understood and are threatened by human activities. Here, we present an investigation into long‐term ecohydrological controls on C accumulation in an Amazonian peat dome. This site is the oldest peatland yet discovered in Amazonia (peat initiation ca. 8.9 ka BP), and developed in three stages: (i) peat initiated in an abandoned river channel with open water and aquatic plants; (ii) inundated forest swamp; and (iii) raised peat dome (since ca. 3.9 ka BP). Local burning occurred at least three times in the past 4,500 years. Two phases of particularly rapid C accumulation (ca. 6.6–6.1 and ca. 4.9–3.9 ka BP), potentially resulting from increased net primary productivity, were seemingly driven by drier conditions associated with widespread drought events. The association of drought phases with major ecosystem state shifts (open water wetland–forest swamp–peat dome) suggests a potential climatic control on the developmental trajectory of this tropical peatland. A third drought phase centred on ca. 1.8–1.1 ka BP led to markedly reduced C accumulation and potentially a hiatus during the peat dome stage. Our results suggest that future droughts may lead to phases of rapid C accumulation in some inundated tropical peat swamps, although this can lead ultimately to a shift to ombrotrophy and a subsequent return to slower C accumulation. Conversely, in ombrotrophic peat domes, droughts may lead to reduced C accumulation or even net loss of peat. Increased surface wetness at our site in recent decades may reflect a shift towards a wetter climate in western Amazonia. Amazonian peatlands represent important carbon stores and habitats, and are important archives of past climatic and ecological information. They should form key foci for conservation efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peatlands play important ecological, economic and cultural roles in human well-being. Although considered sensitive to climate change and anthropogenic pressures, the spatial extent of peatlands is poorly constrained. We report the development of an improved global peatland map, PEATMAP, based on a meta-analysis of geospatial information collated from a variety of sources at global, regional and national levels. We estimate total global peatland area to be 4.23 million km 2 , approximately 2.84% of the world land area. Our results suggest that previous global peatland inventories are likely to underestimate peat extent in the tropics, and to overestimate it in parts of mid- and high-latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere. Global wetland and soil datasets are poorly suited to estimating peatland distribution. For instance, tropical peatland extents are overestimated by Global Lakes and Wetlands Database – Level 3 (GLWD-3) due to the lack of ground-truthing data; and underestimated by the use of histosols to represent peatlands in the Harmonized World Soil Database (HWSD) v1.2, as large areas of swamp forest peat in the humid tropics are omitted. PEATMAP and its underlying data are freely available as a potentially useful tool for scientists and policy makers with interests in peatlands or wetlands. PEATMAP's data format and file structure are intended to allow it to be readily updated when previously undocumented peatlands are found and mapped, and when regional or national land cover maps are updated and refined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eysenck suggested that extraverts are chronically cortically under aroused in comparison to introverts. However, many psychophysiological studies do not show the predicted differences. Gale's (1969) explanation is that extraverts engage in compensatory behaviour in the laboratory to increase their level of arousal which would reduce differences between extraverts and introverts. We tested this hypothesis by comparing the amount of movement exhibited by introverts and extraverts in the laboratory. Stelmack has suggested that movement is fundamental to differences between introverts and extraverts. We measured movement using a pressure mat system located in the seat of the chair but unknown to the participant. There were two conditions: a no activity condition; and an activity condition where the participant could self-stimulate by pressing a keyboard to hear various sounds. We found that more extraverted and more neurotic individuals moved more but this difference was confined to the no activity condition. We conclude that in the laboratory, as in ‘real’ life, people may use behaviour to manipulate their levels of arousal even if they are unaware that they are doing so. Furthermore, this finding may partially explain failures to find predicted differences in ‘resting’ levels of cortical arousal associated with extraversion in the laboratory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the study which provides evidence that some gait measures can related to Big Five and aggressive personalities. Topics discussed include the statistical analysis of gait using motion capture systems, sex differences in personality and gait, and the range of motion measurements used in the study.