bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development and application of a learning enjoyment scale for pedagogical activities
Authors: Merghani Tarig , Babiker Rasha , O. Alawad Azza
Published: July 2024

The impact of learning enjoyment on motivation, enthusiasm, and overall learning experiences is significant. Previous studies, lacking an unbiased tool for measuring enjoyment and confronting various influencing factors, produced conflicting results regarding enjoyment levels in different instructional methods. Hence, we developed a learning enjoyment scale for evaluating both active and passive educational activities. We applied the developed scale to 112 first-year medical and dental students to assess their enjoyment during didactic physiology lectures and explored possible associated factors. Within this data note, we present students’ responses to the developed LES. The LES encompasses six dimensions: knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, concentration, and enjoyment. Students provided ratings for each dimension on a five-point Likert scale, spanning from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). The cumulative scores across the six dimensions range from a minimum of 6 to a maximum of 30. These total scores can be categorized as excellent (> 24), acceptable (18-24), or low (< 18). The second section of the dataset examines specific factors influencing overall enjoyment, such as teacher proficiency, topic difficulty, active student participation, objectives fulfillment, low stress levels, and self-perceived acquisition of skills. In addition to objective measurement of students’ enjoyment level, the LES can be utilized for quantitative cross-comparisons between different teaching activities. By employing this dataset, we will undertake an analysis to determine the internal consistency of the Learning Enjoyment Scale (LES), with the anticipation that the outcomes will be published in another venue.
Investigating the 8th-grade Afghan students’ mathematics status and skills using the cognitive diagnostic model
Authors: Wafa Mohammad Nasim
Published: July 2024

Cognitive diagnostic models (CDMs) are multidimensional multivariate verification flow models with complex structure. In this research, these models were used to investigate the status of eighth grade high school students in mathematics using the TIMMS questionnaire. The cognitive diagnostic test based on 13 attributes including 32 questions was conducted on a sample of 274 students who were selected based on the multi-stage cluster sampling method among the students of Firuzkoh city. IRT and RESMA models were used to determine the psychometric properties of the questions. Data analysis using DINA and DINO models in cognitive diagnostic modeling of mathematics showed that 13 attributes explain the mathematical performance of eighth-grade students. The result shows that Afghan students have a weak mastery level in most attributes compared to 45 other countries (the countries that were included in the TIMMS questionnaire) also general results show that the examinees perform better in the field of numbers (0.49), while they perform worse in data and chance (0.12). Moreover, there exists some difference in estimating item parameters under the DINA and DINO models, such as Item 3 and Item 27. One possible explanation is that the DINA model is completely compensatory while the DINO model is fully non-compensatory. Similar to the results under the DINA model, the SEs of guessing parameters are lower than those of slipping parameters under the DINO model.
Study of Tracker Software-assisted Spring Coupled Pendulum Oscillation
Authors: Aprilia Ananda , Dwandaru Wipsar Sunu Brams
Published: July 2024

Oscillatory motions are an essential part of our physical world. These motions need to be studied and learned by students. However, complicated oscillatory motions, e.g.: spring coupled pendulum, are rarely taught to students because their analytical solutions (if they exist) are complicated Here, we use the Tracker software to bridge between the actual coupled pendulum oscillation and its analytical solution. This study aimed to determine the period and frequency of Tracker software-assisted spring coupled pendulum oscillations. The displacement of the pendulum is divided into in-phase and out-of-phase motions. Data collection was carried out by recording the oscillatory motions up to 10 oscillations. The data were obtained from the pendulum position with respect to time. The data analysis techniques in this study used two methods, namely: i) Tracker software and ii) analytical calculations. The results showed that the period and frequency obtained via the Tracker software were in accordance with the analytical calculations. The periods of the in-phase motion and analytical calculation were 1.42 s and 1.54 s, respectively. The periods of the out-of-phase motions and analytical calculation were 0.7 s and 0.55 s, respectively. The frequencies of the in-phase motion and analytical calculation were 0.70 Hz and 0.65 Hz, respectively. The frequencies of the out-of-phase motions and analytical calculation were 1.50 Hz and 1.83 Hz, respectively. The uncertainty values of the results were 7% to 22%. Hence, the spring coupled pendulum oscillations became tractable and can be compared to the analytical solution.
Crafting a Brand from Tradition: An Innovative Public Diplomacy Strategy for the Organization of Turkic States
Authors: Akıllı Erman , Kim Yunhee
Published: July 2024

This paper explores the potential of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in leveraging Public Diplomacy to bolster its international stature, proposing the development of a unique brand, “Yurt Yeli.” Drawing parallels with South Korea’s successful Hallyu (Korean Wave) initiative, the paper suggests that the OTS can similarly utilize Yurt Yeli to harness the power of Public Diplomacy. The analysis begins with an in-depth look at Hallyu, providing a framework for understanding its effectiveness in public diplomacy. It then delves into the conceptualization and potential implementation of Yurt Yeli, tailored to resonate with the Turkic World’s unique cultural heritage and values. Given the OTS’s role as a representative of the Turkic World on the global stage, the paper underscores its vast potential in employing Public Diplomacy strategies to enhance its international visibility and influence. The comparison between Hallyu and the proposed Yurt Yeli offers insights into how cultural elements can be transformed into powerful tools for diplomatic engagement and global presence enhancement.
The Power of Case Reports
Authors: Moya Daniel ,   Department of Orthopaedics. Buenos Aires British Hospital, Argentina.
Published: July 2024

Medical education has currently a variety of tools as never before in the history of mankind. Options include everything from telepresence to virtual reality. However, interaction with patients remains, as in the past, an unsurpassed source of learning. Health-care practice provides learning about the way different pathologies manifest, their clinical course, and the response to different treatments. A simple way to share that experience is through case reporting. A case report consists of a detailed description of significant clinical information of a case or a small group of patients, presenting pathologies not previously described, new therapeutic methodologies, or cases with an unusual response to treatment. This type of study has often been underestimated because it is a category of publication with a low level of evidence [1-4] and does not have a high citation rate [1, 2, 4, 5]. These causes have led to case reports being a small segment of health publications [4]. However, these studies can provide important information [1-9]. Case reports can be the basis of future large-scale clinical studies [6], can reveal facts that often go unnoticed in large series of patients [3], and be the starting point for the development of new treatments [3]. They can demonstrate results in one or a few cases with therapeutic methods previously tested in animal experiments [4]. Case reports have made it possible to detect severe adverse effects [3, 4]. Nayak described that the teratogenic effect of thalidomide was identified through a case report of phocomelia [3]. We must also be aware that the publication of a case report is often the first step of a young colleague in the world of publications. That is why it should be encouraged. The publication of case reports allows even those who have less economic or institutional support for their academic activity to transmit their experience. It is a way to democratize scientific exchange and not depend only on supposed elites that end up transforming clinical research production groups into small aristocracies that generate only a one-way exchange. Writing a case report has been described not only as an academic procedure but also as an art [8]. There is useful information in the literature about how to write this type of manuscripts [3, 4, 6, 8, 10]. Cases must be original and transmit information that has an impact on clinical practice. They must be structured like the rest of the publications, provide a complete and correct description of the case, and have solid bibliographic support. Starting in this volume we will include case reports. On this occasion, they come from different colleagues from Ibero America. We also incorporated a new section that consists of critical reading of scientific publications related to regenerative medicine. Contributions, proposals, and criticisms will be welcome.
Design and fabrication of a Fresnel zone plate with an enhanced depth of focus
Authors: Trung Hieu Tran Doan , Nguyen Hai Linh Vu , Munnibee Atar , Kim Young-Jin , Ghim Young-Sik , Rhee Hyug Gyo
Published: July 2024

A Fresnel zone plate (EFZP) with an extended depth of focus can maintain focused monochromatic light at different distances compared to a general Fresnel zone plate (FZP). The focal distances are determined by dividing the zone plate into multiple areas based on the desired order. The EFZP has potential applications in various research fields such as microscopy, direct laser lithography, and optical coherence tomography. However, manufacturing an EFZP is challenging due to the high precision requirements and difficulties associated with the calculation and simulation processes. In this research, a complete process is presented to design, simulate, and fabricate an EFZP using a Fourier optics design, simulations, and a direct laser lithographic machine. The resulting EFZP has an increased depth of focus of about nine times compared to a general Fresnel zone plate with similar parameters, while maintaining the focal spot diameter. The performance of this EFZP is evaluated through optical verification and mathematical simulation methods.
Numerical modeling of an ASE suppression and power scalable approach in 1908 nm LMA-TDFO
Authors: Ren Junjie , Qi Yunfeng , Yu Ting , Tao Mengmeng , He Zhenxing , Ye Xisheng
Published: July 2024

High-power Tm-doped fiber lasers operating at short wavelengths (< 1940 nm) are widely used in biomedical engineering, remote sensing, and pumping Ho-doped solid-state lasers. However, it is challenging to increase their output power. Amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) is a major bottleneck in scaling the power of Tm-doped fiber lasers operating at short wavelengths. This paper presents what we believe to be a novel approach for suppressing ASE and increasing output power in large-mode-area Tm-doped fiber oscillators (LMA-TDFOs) operating at short wavelengths. By designing a core with some particular doping profiles in LMA fibers, most ASE can be concentrated in the LP11 mode and suppressed by bending the fiber to a suitable radius. At the same time, the signal laser can be wholly coupled to the LP01 mode in the oscillator. A model describing the transverse mode competition and ASE is developed. A novel nested-ring doping scheme for LMA fibers is designed, and the output characteristics of a 1908 nm oscillator based on this scheme are numerically investigated. Theoretical analysis confirmed that this sophisticated doping design can effectively achieve the intended ASE suppression effect. Further simulations show that this method is expected to increase the output power of the 1908 nm LMA-TDFO to the kW level and has also demonstrated good practicability across a broader signal spectrum range (1848–1940 nm).
Space- and frequency-division multiplexing in photonic second-order topological insulators
Authors: Su Guangxu , Huang Renwen , Jia Shiyin , He Jiangle , Song Zhixin , Hu Junzheng , Lu Minghui , Liu Fanxin , Zhan Peng
Published: July 2024

Higher-order topological insulators, originally proposed in quantum condensed matters, have provided a new avenue for localizing and transmitting light in photonic devices. Nontrivial band topology in crystals with certain symmetries can host robust topological edge states and lower dimensional topological corner states (TCS), making them a promising platform for photonics applications. Here, we have designed several types of TCS with only two specific C6v-symmetric photonic crystals with various seamless splicing boundaries, where all the supposed TCS with diverse electromagnetic characteristics are visualized via numerical simulations and experimental measurements. More interestingly, we have observed that those TCS overlapping in spectral and spatial space tend to interweaved, inducing spectrum division. Meanwhile, the equivalent corners appear to have TCS with a phase difference, which is critical for directional activation of pseudospin dependence. Our findings demonstrate that coupled TCS with phase difference at different nanocavities can be selectively excited by a chiral source, which indicates that the TCS at this time have pseudospin-dependent properties. We further design a specific splicing structure to prevent coupling between adjacent TCS. This work provides a flexible approach for space- and frequency-division multiplexing in photonic devices.
Uptake and cardiac events of COVID-19 vaccinations among Canadian youth and young adults
Authors: Zhang Kimball , Terebessy Emilie , Zhu Jingqin , Birken Catherine , Borkhoff Cornelia M. , Gershon Andrea , Moraes Theo J. , Kendzerska Tetyana , Pakhale Smita , To Teresa
Published: July 2024

Few studies have examined population-level data of the COVID-19 original and bivalent vaccine on its uptake and potential side effects. We used population-based health administrative data from Jan 2021–Feb 2023 to identify Ontario residents aged 12–35 years old to calculate their rates of COVID-19 vaccine uptake and vaccine-related cardiac events (myocarditis and pericarditis). Multivariable Cox, logistic, and negative binomial regression analyses were used to adjust for covariates. Hazard ratios (HR) were reported with 95% confidence intervals (CI). The study population included 5,012,721 individuals. Comparing to the general population, those with chronic diseases were associated with 13–37% higher rates of vaccine uptake and 1.39–2.27 times higher odds of receiving booster doses. Overall, post-vaccination cardiac event incidence rates ranged from 3–12 per 100,000 persons. Compared to the general population, the incidence rate of cardiac events among those with asthma and allergic diseases was significantly higher, 3.7 events per 100,000 persons. Compared to the general population, those with asthma and/or allergic diseases had significantly higher associated likelihoods of a cardiac event (HR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.08–1.57). Females, adults, and those with prior COVID-19 infections had decreased odds of cardiac events after 2nd vaccine doses. No significant differences in post-vaccine cardiac events were detected between original and bivalent doses. This Canadian population-based study reported substantially higher rates of vaccine uptake and a very rare incidence of temporally associated post-vaccination cardiac events. While substantially smaller than the benefits of vaccination, our results indicated a continued small risk of cardiac side effects from bivalent COVID-19 vaccines in individuals with comorbidities.
Head-to-head comparison of composite and individual biomarkers to predict clinical benefit to PD-1 blockade in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Hummelink Karlijn , van der Noort Vincent , Muller Mirte , Schouten Robert D. , van den Heuvel Michel M. , Thommen Daniela S. , Smit Egbert F. , Meijer Gerrit A. , Monkhorst Kim
Published: July 2024

Background

The efficacy of PD-1 blocking agents in advanced NSCLC has shown prolonged effectiveness, but only in a minority of patients. Multiple biomarkers have been explored to predict treatment benefit, yet their combined performance remains inadequately examined. In this study, we assessed the combined predictive performance of multiple biomarkers in NSCLC patients treated with nivolumab.

Methods

Pretreatment samples from 135 patients receiving nivolumab were used to evaluate the predictive performance of CD8 tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), intratumoral (IT) localization of CD8 TILs, PD-1 high expressing TILs (PD1T TILs), CD3 TILs, CD20 B-cells, tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS), PD-L1 tumor proportion score (TPS) and the Tumor Inflammation score (TIS). Patients were randomly assigned to a training (n = 55) and validation cohort (n = 80). The primary outcome measure was Disease Control at 6 months (DC 6m) and the secondary outcome measure was DC at 12 months (DC 12m).

Results

In the validation cohort, the two best performing composite biomarkers (i.e. CD8+IT-CD8 and CD3+IT-CD8) demonstrated similar or lower sensitivity (64% and 83%) and NPV (76% and 85%) compared to individual biomarkers PD-1T TILs and TIS (sensitivity: 72% and 83%, NPV: 86% and 84%) for DC 6m, respectively. Additionally, at 12 months, both selected composite biomarkers (CD8+IT-CD8 and CD8+TIS) demonstrated inferior predictive performance compared to PD-1T TILs and TIS alone. PD-1T TILs and TIS showed high sensitivity (86% and 100%) and NPV (95% and 100%) for DC 12m. PD-1T TILs could more accurately discriminate patients with no long-term benefit, as specificity was substantially higher compared to TIS (74% versus 39%).

Conclusion

Composite biomarkers did not show improved predictive performance compared to PD-1T TILs and TIS alone for both the 6- and 12-month endpoints. PD-1T TILs and TIS identified patients with DC 12m with high sensitivity. Patients with no long-term benefit to PD-1 blockade were most accurately identified by PD-1T TILs.
Zbtb11 interacts with Otx2 and patterns the anterior neuroectoderm in Xenopus
Authors: Satou-Kobayashi Yumeko , Takahashi Shuji , Haramoto Yoshikazu , Asashima Makoto , Taira Masanori
Published: July 2024

The zinc finger and BTB domain-containing 11 gene (zbtb11) is expressed in the Xenopus anterior neuroectoderm, but the molecular nature of the Zbtb11 protein during embryonic development remains to be elucidated. Here, we show the role of Zbtb11 in anterior patterning of the neuroectoderm and the cooperative action with the transcription factor Otx2. Both overexpression and knockdown of zbtb11 caused similar phenotypes: expanded expression of the posterior gene gbx2 in the neural plate, and later microcephaly with reduced eyes, suggesting that a proper level of zbtb11 expression is necessary for normal patterning of the neuroectoderm, including eye formation. Co-immunoprecipitation assays showed that Zbtb11 formed a complex with itself and with a phosphomimetic and repressive form of Otx2, suggesting that Zbtb11 forms a dimer or oligomer and interacts with Otx2 in a phosphorylation-dependent manner. Reporter analysis further showed that Zbtb11 enhanced the activity of the phosphomimetic Otx2 to repress a silencer element of the posterior gene meis3. These data suggest that Zbtb11 coordinates with phosphorylated Otx2 to specify the anterior neuroectoderm by repressing posterior genes.
Attachment as a mechanism influencing end-of-life communication: An analogue investigation
Authors: Evans Holly E. , Sansom-Daly Ursula M. , Bryant Richard A.
Published: July 2024

Talking about dying when faced with end-of-life may be important for achieving optimal outcomes for young people and their families. Given the lack of research on young people’s communication around end-of-life and death, this analogue study examined the role of attachment theory in conversations about dying. Experiment 1 assessed attachment security of 80 healthy young adults and randomised them to receive either an induction that raised awareness of one’s attachment figures or a neutral induction, and then primed them with an imagined scenario where they were diagnosed with an incurable illness. Participants then completed a self-report measure of their willingness to discuss end-of-life topics with family, friends, or a psychologist. The experimental attachment induction did not increase willingness to talk about end-of-life concepts. Experiment 2 extended this design and asked participants to describe these conversations and assessed the content of their imagined end-of-life conversations. Experiment 2 replicated the finding that enhancing individuals’ awareness of key attachment figures did not increase participants’ willingness to engage in end-of-life conversations. However, heightened attachment awareness led participants to talk more about their relationship with the person they were hypothetically talking with. Across both experiments, avoidant attachment tendencies reduced the likelihood that participants receiving the attachment prime would want to engage in end-of-life conversation. Overall, it seems there are important differences between individuals on willingness to talk about death, and this may be influenced by one’s attachment style. These results raise implications for the importance of attachment in the therapeutic relationship for healthcare professionals working with young people with life-limiting illnesses, such as cancer. Further research may shed light on how an individually tailored approach, taking into account attachment security, achieves the best outcomes for individuals who require end-of-life conversations.
Soil quality enhancement by multi-treatment in the abandoned land of dry-hot river valley hydropower station construction area under karst desertification environment
Authors: Wu Qinglin , Sun Rong , Chen Fan , Zhang Xichuan , Wu Panpan , Wang Lan , Li Rui
Published: July 2024

The medium-intensity karst desertification environment is typically characterized by more rocks and less soil. The abandoned land in the construction areas of the dry-hot river valley hydropower station has more infertile soil, severe land degradation, and very low land productivity. Therefore, it is urgent to improve the soil quality to curb the increasingly degrading land and reuse the construction site. Few studies have focused on the effect of soil restoration and comprehensive evaluation of soil quality with multi-treatment in abandoned land in the dry-hot valley hydropower station construction area. Here, 9 soil restoration measures and 1 control group were installed at the Guangzhao Hydropower Station construction in Guizhou Province, China, for physical and chemical property analysis. In total, 180 physical and 90 chemical soil samples were collected on three occasions in May, August, and December 2022. Soil fertility and quality were evaluated under various measures using membership functions and principal component analysis (PCA). This study showed that almost all measures could enhance soil water storage capacity (The average total soil porosity of 9 soil treatments was 57.56%, while that of the control group was 56.37%). With the increase in soil porosity, soil evaporation became stronger, and soil water content decreased. Nevertheless, no decrease in soil water content was observed in the presence of vegetation cover (soil water content: 16.46% of hairy vetch, 13.99% of clover, 13.77% of the control). They also proved that manure, synthetic fertilizer, and straw could promote total and available nutrients (Soil total nutrient content, or the total content of TN、TP、TK,was presented as: synthetic fertilizer (11.039g kg-2)>fowl manure (10.953g kg-2)>maize straw (10.560g kg-2)>control (9.580g kg-2);Total available nutrient content in soil, or the total content of AN,AP,A,was shown as:fowl manure (1287.670 mg kg-1)>synthetic fertilizer (925.889 mg kg-1)>sheep manure (825.979 mg kg-1)>control (445.486 mg kg-1). They could also promote soil fertility, among which the first two reached the higher comprehensive soil quality. Fertilizer was conducive to improve soil quality and fertility, yet long-term application could cause land degradation like soil non-point source pollution, compaction, and land productivity decline. Ultimately, combining fertilizer with biochar or manure is recommended to improve soil fertility. Biochar and green manure could play an apparent role in soil improvement only when there is abundant soil water. The above views provide theoretical support for curbing soil degradation, improving soil fertility and quality, enhancing land productivity, and promoting the virtuous cycle of the soil ecosystem.
Capture of circulating metastatic cancer cell clusters from lung cancer patients can reveal unique genomic profiles and potential anti-metastatic molecular targets: A proof-of-concept study
Authors: Kouhmareh Kourosh , Martin Erika , Finlay Darren , Bhadada Anukriti , Hernandez-Vargas Hector , Downey Francisco , Allen Jeffrey K. , Teriete Peter
Published: July 2024

Metastasis remains the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide and lung cancer, known for its highly metastatic progression, remains among the most lethal of malignancies. Lung cancer metastasis can selectively spread to multiple different organs, however the genetic and molecular drivers for this process are still poorly understood. Understanding the heterogeneous genomic profile of lung cancer metastases is considered key in identifying therapeutic targets that prevent its spread. Research has identified the key source for metastasis being clusters of cells rather than individual cancer cells. These clusters, known as metastatic cancer cell clusters (MCCCs) have been shown to be 100-fold more tumorigenic than individual cancer cells. Unfortunately, access to these primary drivers of metastases remains difficult and has limited our understanding of their molecular and genomic profiles. Strong evidence in the literature suggests that differentially regulated biological pathways in MCCCs can provide new therapeutic drug targets to help combat cancer metastases. In order to expand research into MCCCs and their role in metastasis, we demonstrate a novel, proof of principle technology, to capture MCCCs directly from patients’ whole blood. Our platform can be readily tuned for different solid tumor types by combining a biomimicry-based margination effect coupled with immunoaffinity to isolate MCCCs. Adopting a selective capture approach based on overexpressed CD44 in MCCCs provides a methodology that preferentially isolates them from whole blood. Furthermore, we demonstrate a high capture efficiency of more than 90% when spiking MCCC-like model cell clusters into whole blood. Characterization of the captured MCCCs from lung cancer patients by immunofluorescence staining and genomic analyses, suggests highly differential morphologies and genomic profiles. This study lays the foundation to identify potential drug targets thus unlocking a new area of anti-metastatic therapeutics.
A deep learning framework for predicting endometrial cancer from cytopathologic images with different staining styles
Authors: Wang Ruijie , Li Qing , Shi Guizhi , Li Qiling , Zhong Dexing
Published: July 2024

Endometrial cancer screening is crucial for clinical treatment. Currently, cytopathologists analyze cytopathology images is considered a popular screening method, but manual diagnosis is time-consuming and laborious. Deep learning can provide objective guidance efficiency. But endometrial cytopathology images often come from different medical centers with different staining styles. It decreases the generalization ability of deep learning models in cytopathology images analysis, leading to poor performance. This study presents a robust automated screening framework for endometrial cancer that can be applied to cytopathology images with different staining styles, and provide an objective diagnostic reference for cytopathologists, thus contributing to clinical treatment. We collected and built the XJTU-EC dataset, the first cytopathology dataset that includes segmentation and classification labels. And we propose an efficient two-stage framework for adapting different staining style images, and screening endometrial cancer at the cellular level. Specifically, in the first stage, a novel CM-UNet is utilized to segment cell clumps, with a channel attention (CA) module and a multi-level semantic supervision (MSS) module. It can ignore staining variance and focus on extracting semantic information for segmentation. In the second stage, we propose a robust and effective classification algorithm based on contrastive learning, ECRNet. By momentum-based updating and adding labeled memory banks, it can reduce most of the false negative results. On the XJTU-EC dataset, CM-UNet achieves an excellent segmentation performance, and ECRNet obtains an accuracy of 98.50%, a precision of 99.32% and a sensitivity of 97.67% on the test set, which outperforms other competitive classical models. Our method robustly predicts endometrial cancer on cytopathologic images with different staining styles, which will further advance research in endometrial cancer screening and provide early diagnosis for patients. The code will be available on GitHub.
“Trying to remain calm…but I do reach my limit sometimes”: An exploration of the meaning of gentle parenting
Authors: Pezalla Anne E. , Davidson Alice J.
Published: July 2024

Raising young children has always been hard, but evidence suggests that it may be getting harder. The isolation of the pandemic, the pressures to fulfill exacting parenting standards, and the explosion of “expert” parenting advice on social media have fueled the rise of “gentle parenting,” an approach that pivots away from older, discipline-heavy parenting typologies and which promises the development of happier, healthier children. Despite the popularity of gentle parenting, it has received no empirical scrutiny. The current study represents the first systematic investigation of what gentle parenting entails. Data were gathered from a sample (N = 100) of parents of at least one child between the ages of 2 and 7 from the Midwest, Southeast, and Southwest. Approximately half (n = 49) of the sample identified as “gentle parents.” Inductive analyses identified this approach as one that emphasizes high levels of parental affection and parents’ and children’s emotion regulation. Gentle parenting appears to be distinct from other established measures of parenting approaches in its emphasis on boundaries, yet the enactment of those boundaries is not uniform. Overall, gentle parents reported high levels of parenting satisfaction and efficacy, but a subset of gentle parents who were highly critical of themselves reported significantly lower levels of efficacy than the rest of the sample. Statements of parenting uncertainty and burnout were present in over one-third of the gentle parent sample. Implications are discussed for future research and increased support for those who identify as gentle parents.
Waste management 2.0 leveraging internet of things for an efficient and eco-friendly smart city solution
Authors: Addas Abdullah , Khan Muhammad Nasir , Naseer Fawad
Published: July 2024

Waste management poses a major challenge for cities worldwide, with significant environmental, economic, and social impacts. This paper proposes a novel waste management system leveraging recent advances in the Internet of Things (IoT), algorithms, and cloud analytics to enable more efficient, sustainable, and eco-friendly waste collection and processing in smart cities. An ultrasonic sensor prototype is tailored for reliable fill-level monitoring. A LoRaWAN and cellular network architecture provides city-wide connectivity. A cloud platform handles sensor data storage, processing, and analytics. Dynamic route optimization algorithms minimize time, distance, and fuel use based on real-time bin data. Extensive pilot studies in 10 different locations across Lahore, Pakistan, validated the system, processing over 200 million data points. The results showed a 32% improvement in route efficiency, a 29% decrease in fuel consumption and emissions, a 33% increase in waste processing throughput, and 18% vehicle maintenance savings versus conventional practices. This demonstrates quantifiable benefits across operational, economic, and sustainability dimensions. The proposed IoT-enabled waste management system represents a significant advancement towards sustainable and ecologically responsible waste practices in smart cities worldwide. This research provides a replicable model for holistic smart city solutions integrating sensing, algorithms, and analytics to transition civic operations towards data-driven, efficient paradigms. It represents a significant advancement in sustainable waste practices for smart cities worldwide. Further work could apply emerging technologies like automation and artificial intelligence to create waste management 3.0.
That time I was reincarnated as a problematic trope: Viewer preferences and cultural trends in reincarnation isekai anime
Authors: Guinibert Matt , Page Jo
Published: July 2024

The genre of reincarnation isekai anime, wherein a protagonist dies in their original world only to be reborn in a fantastical one, has grown significantly in global appeal. Yet, this genre’s expansion also normalizes controversial themes such as mental health issues, sexual and violent content, and the sexualisation of virtual minors. This article employs a data-driven approach, analysing user-generated coding of themes and properties from English-speaking fan sites, to critically examine three emergent and interconnected dimensions: the success of series deemed ‘trashy’, the complexities surrounding sexual themes, and the rising appeal of the ‘zero-to-hero’ motif in a post-pandemic world. The findings reveal a paradoxical allure of ‘trashy’ but popular content, complex ethical dilemmas surrounding sexual themes, and an increased resonance of empowerment motifs resulting from the pandemic. These discoveries provoke renewed discussions on anime’s role in shaping and reflecting societal values and raise questions about regulatory challenges in a globalized media setting. The study confirms the need for more nuanced understandings of the genre’s growing global influence, particularly outside of Japan, and calls for continued research to delve deeper into its complexities.
Actor as expert: Developing an improvisational actor training approach for social work simulations
Authors: Dennis Rea , O’Neil Miles , Berger Karen
Published: July 2024

The increased reliance on online platforms such as Zoom and Teams for skills training for allied health specialists has presented new challenges for the actor and the actor trainer. The research reported in this article grew out of a project set up to investigate these challenges. Since 2021, members of the Deakin University Theatre Department have been collaborating with the charity Anglicare Victoria to deliver online training for Rapid Response social workers who work with families in danger of having their children removed. This has involved recruiting and training actors to act as family members in relevant scenarios in ‘real play’ online simulations so the Anglicare Rapid Response trainee can develop essential skills. Within a practice-led research approach, we ask what might be required when this live embodied skillset is moved online. The article utilizes observations of the video recordings of the training sessions, recordings of debrief sessions and reflections from the author-actors to report on an emerging approach for preparing actors for this type of engagement. We reflect on the ways improvisation is impacted using the ‘online performance’ space, especially how status, eye gaze, body positioning and mise en scène can be utilized in the online environment. We also consider the importance of actor self-care. The article offers a basis of training for a field of endeavour that is becoming more prevalent in the post-COVID world: online simulation scenarios for care workers.
Editorial
Authors: Iversen Gunnar
Published: July 2024

The editorial introduces this issue of Journal of Scandinavian Cinema (JSCA) that in particular explores the representation of children and films for young audiences in the Nordic countries. The issue includes an article on the child figure in Ingmar Bergman’s Autumn Sonata and an In Focus section with four short subjects about youth films in Nordic cinema, followed by an article on the representation of women in a Finnish silent film and a conference report from China. The editorial summarizes the main arguments and contributions of each article and highlights the relevance and importance of studying cinematic representation in the Nordic countries.
Surfacing the occulted Islam in Imtiaz Ali’s Jab Harry Met Sejal: Or, some small joys of data hunting in big AI today
Authors: Bhaumik Kaushik
Published: July 2024

This is a methodological article consisting of two parts – the first part, demonstrates the methodologies of online research done towards annotating the multiple European locations in the Bollywood film Jab Harry Met Sejal (JHMS) made in 2017, followed by a second part that provides a commentary on the ideological subtext of the film gleaned from the online research work done. The presentation of online work consists of matching material available on the web – film location websites, imdb.com, images, maps and texts in the main with the imagery presented in the film. This seeks to emphasize the remarkable possibilities of using basic online research to analyse film content to a degree of considerable density and complexity, a development that improves day by day. Indeed, the ‘surface’ reading of locations as imagery when matched with other online resources such as Wikipedia entries on various aspects of film imagery allow for a very rich interpretation of the underlying ideational and ideological intention of films.
Do autor ao leitor: O como e o porquê da mediação editorial
Authors: Beja Rui
Published: July 2024

The present work aims to study the origin, scope, methodology and relevance of editorial mediation in the context of the emergence and evolution of writing and reading, fundamental pillars for the sociocultural development of populations and societies.
Having this objective in mind, we analyze the development of materials and processes used to convey the written message to the interested parties, and we deepen the study of the emergence, from the end of the 13th century and during de 14th century, of professions related with book publishing and trade, and describe how these professions gained prominence from the 15th century onwards with the introduction of the printed book and the arrival of the Gutenberg Galaxy.
Subsequently, the autonomy of the editorial mediation is discussed and multiple components are characterized, going from the evaluation of thematic contents to the knowledge of supply and demand trends. All these elements guarantee its consistency, and endorse the privileged role of disseminating authors and engaging readers.
Em torno de um enigma bibliográfico: a edição portuguesa da novela História dos trabalhos da sem ventura Isea… de Alonso Núñez de Reinoso
Authors: Costa Júlio , Andrade António Manuel Lopes
Published: July 2024

There is only one extant copy of the Portuguese version of Alonso Núñez de Reinoso’s 16th-century novella História dos trabalhos da sem ventura Isea… Notwithstanding, the book doesn’t bear any specific indication as to the name of its author, translator, printer/editor or date and place of print, thereby stirring long and heated controversy and giving rise to one the most challenging mysteries surrounding Portuguese 16th century typography. In this article, we carry out a thorough examination of the book, seeking to discover what it can reveal us about itself. We will add some complementary contributions pertaining to the bibliographic history and previous owners of the publication, and, in addition, will carry out a detailed typobibiographic study, hoping to bring to light brand new data concerning the plausible imprint of this relic.
Unnoticed Women Architects in the Spanish (South)Eastern Mediterranean Region
Authors: Gilsanz-Díaz Ana , Blanco Lage Manuel
Published: July 2024

This paper reveals the first results of the study carried out within the framework of the research project «A Situated View: Women’s Architecture in Spain from Peripheral Approaches, 1978-2008», in the context of the regions of Valencia and Murcia in Eastern and Southeastern Spain. It deals with the architectural production effectuated exclusively by women architects—alone or together with other women—in the period spanning from 1978 to 2008, i. e., between the democratic transition and the global financial and economic crisis beginning late in 2007. The research brings together bibliographical survey and fieldwork based on direct contact and conversations with women architects, many of whom were absent from the specialised media. Works of different type, use and scale are explored to reveal their increasing production in the last decade of the study, a record of diversity of uses in which residential buildings and works with an average surface area between 1,000 m2 and 10,000 m2 prevail, as well as new buildings as opposed to renovations or refurbishments. This research vindicates the names of women architects, such as Pilar Amorós, Lola Alonso, Lourdes García Sogo, Anna Bofill, and Rufina Campuzano, among other women architects from several generations, and architecture from the Spanish geographic periphery, with the aim of exposing and highlighting a plurality in the ways of making and understanding architecture that completes the historiography. This paper thus consists of a historiographical review open to new contributions and to fill the gaps detected to date.
Actos y actores del espacio público urbano de Alicante durante la Transición Democrática en España
Authors: García-Doménech Sergio , Gómez-Gil Antonio
Published: July 2024

El espacio público urbano es un lugar en el que históricamente se ha reflejado tanto el ejercicio del poder como la reivindicación ciudadana. En España, la dictadura franquista establecería mecanismos de control del espacio público. Durante el periodo de la Transición, la voluntad de participar en lo público y las reivindicaciones sociales urbanas serían canalizadas a través de las asociaciones de vecinos. Entre los principales objetivos de estos colectivos ciudadanos figuraba la creación, urbanización y mejora de los espacios públicos, especialmente las plazas urbanas. Los barrios más periféricos y de inmigración serían los ámbitos más activos de estas reivindicaciones urbanas. La recuperación cívica del espacio público sería una de las principales directrices sociales. En las corporaciones locales, la democratización plena no llegaría hasta abril de 1979, con las primeras elecciones municipales. En poco tiempo, el protagonismo representativo de los actores sociales de la escena urbana sería relevado por el de los actores políticos. Todos estos actos y actores son estudiados en la ciudad de Alicante como laboratorio histórico urbano. Los resultados evidencian la evolución de los actores implicados y sus actitudes, la desigual fortuna de las soluciones urbanas y los principales motivos de todo ello, destacando las limitaciones del diseño participativo, la retracción de la conciencia ciudadana y la política urbana de pequeña escala.
An Approach to the Rhetoric of Boebert and Díaz-Ayuso’s Political Tweets on X: A Corpus-Assisted Analysis
Authors: Del Saz Rubio María Milagros
Published: July 2024

This article presents a corpus-assisted analysis of the rhetoric employed in the political tweets of Lauren Boebert and Isabel Díaz-Ayuso on the micro-blogging site X (formerly Twitter). This study adopts the analytical framework Appraisal Theory (Martin & White, 2005), to explore how these politicians utilize negativity as a strategic tool to discredit and weaken their adversaries. The research identifies key motifs and evaluative strategies within their tweets, illustrating the role of negativity in political discourse. Findings reveal that both politicians direct their negativity toward their political rivals, viz., presidents Joe Biden and Pedro Sánchez, while channeling it towards immigrants and independentist parties. Amongst the evaluative resources most commonly deployed, Lauren Boebert and Isabel Díaz-Ayuso utilize inscribed negative judgments of propriety and veracity to accuse their rivals based on their lack of morality and truthfulness regarding various policy issues. The qualitative study has also revealed that politicians present their stances through monoglossic formulations that leave no room for argumentation and debate. This idea reinforces that even if their negativity is not intended as a polarizing agent, it may affect the potential electorate. This study contributes to understanding the dynamics of online political communication, highlighting the implications of negativity in shaping public opinion and political narratives.
Growing lettuce seedlings in different organic composts used as substrate
Authors: Sousa Edilara Leandro de , Silva Karolina Flôres da , Shipitoski Ricardo Moraes , Nardis Bárbara Olinda , Silva Jodean Alves da , Araújo Lourismar Martins , Lanssanova Luciano Rodrigo , Andrade Fabrício Ribeiro
Published: July 2024

Lettuce is the most important vegetable in the world and the most consumed in Brazil. Seedling production with a good quality substrate is very important in the lettuce crop production process. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of organic compost substrates in the production of lettuce seedlings. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, using polyethylene trays containing 128 trapezoidal cells in a completely randomized design with a 5 × 2 factorial scheme consisting of 5 substrates (commercial substrate; compost I; compost II; compost III; compost IV) and P2O5 supplementation (absent and 0.525 kg m−3 P2O5) and 4 replications. Substrates were produced by composting agro-industrial waste: sawdust, wood shavings and residues from a restaurant, pig litter, cattle manure, residues from the shoot and tubers of sweet potato, soybean residue, and drained bovine ruminal residue. The emergence, plant height, number of leaves, fresh root and shoot biomass, and clod stability of the substrate were evaluated. The substrate formulated from pig litter, cattle manure, and sweet potato (compost II) and pig litter and drained bovine ruminal residue (compost IV) formed seedlings with a greater clod stability of the substrate, plant height, number of leaves, and fresh root and shoot biomass. Substrates based on composting pig litter, cattle manure, and sweet potato (composts II) and pig litter and drained bovine ruminal residue (compost IV) were most suitable for producing lettuce seedlings.