bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
When familiarity not novelty motivates information-seeking behaviour
Authors: Brooks Gregory , Whitehead Hannah , Kohler Stefan
Published: August 2022

Research has established that novelty motivates information-seeking behaviour in many situations. While novelty preferences have been well-studied, an understanding of conditions under which familiarity trumps novelty remains limited. Recent work has revealed that when a metacognitive experience indicates that unsuccessfully recalled information may still be available, a subsequent tendency to seek out unrecalled familiar information can emerge. We conducted three experiments to identify critical factors that determine when familiarity preferences can be observed. Experiment 1 demonstrated the critical role of a recent unsuccessful recall attempt in inducing such a preference. Experiment 2 revealed that the impact of recall attempts is not limited to situations that follow unsuccessful recall, as a familiarity preference was observed even when information was successfully generated. Experiment 3 showed that the level of confidence in the accuracy of recalled information is a key factor, with moderate levels of confidence leading to the strongest subsequent familiarity preference. Together, our results suggest that novelty preferences in information-seeking are not ubiquitous, as specific task demands including attempted memory retrieval, as well as metacognitive retrieval experiences, can induce familiarity preferences. Our findings can be interpreted within theoretical frameworks that emphasise the role of knowledge gaps as driving factors of information-seeking.
Three Fish at One Hook? Future-oriented, Reconciliatory, and Defensive Claims for Historical Closure as Expressions of the Same Defensive Desire
Authors: Kazarovytska Fiona , Imhoff Roland
Published: August 2022

Historical perpetrator groups seek to shield themselves from image threat by advocating for closing the discussion of their crimes. However, from a broader theoretical perspective, such demand for historical closure (HC) may also reflect willingness to reconcile with the victim group or to focus on the future rather than the past. In nine studies across four different contexts (Germany, US, Italy, Australia; N = 3405), we analyzed whether these three facets of HC (defensive, reconciliatory and future-oriented) indeed substantially differ. Contrary to expectations, nomological network analyses suggested that all three facets reflect the same defensive desire (Studies 1a–2c) and are perceived as overall similar from a third-party perspective (Study 3). Finally, all three HC facets showed a positive trend toward costly avoidance of confrontation with the ingroup’s perpetrator past (Studies 4a–c). We discuss implications for (and against) a more nuanced understanding of the demand for HC.
Dark triad traits, health beliefs, and covid-19 behaviors
Authors: Costa Caio , Moraes Yago Luksevicius , Richardson George
Published: August 2022

The Dark Triad (DT) is comprised of a set of personality traits—Machiavellianism, psychopathy and narcissism—related to low agreeableness and antisocial behavior. While emerging evidence links these traits to COVID-19 related behaviors, limited research has sought to identify the beliefs and attitudes that translate the former into the latter. To address this gap in the literature, Nowak et al. (2020) recently surveyed a polish Western sample (n = 755), finding initial evidence that health beliefs help explain the connection between Dark Triad traits and COVID-19 related preventive and hoarding behaviors. Our objective in the present study was to examine whether the findings reported by Nowak et al. could be replicated using better-validated measures of DT traits and data from a non-WEIRD population. Using structural equation modeling and data from a Brazilian sample (n = 406), we replicated most of Nowak et al.’s (2020) findings. The results suggests that Dark Triad traits increase hoarding behavior and decrease preventive behavior regarding COVID, both directly and indirectly via Health Beliefs.
Self-Reported Trait Mindfulness and Couples’ Relationship Satisfaction: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Quinn-Nilas Christopher
Published: August 2022

Objectives: New theoretical perspectives have begun to shift the study of trait mindfulness beyond individual processes to interpersonal romantic relationships. Viability of these pursuits is perhaps contingent on the basic assumption that higher trait mindfulness is associated with beneficial outcomes like relationship satisfaction. Moreover, if this association is not consistent across sample characteristics or if the available knowledge appears tainted by publication bias, then the basic assumption of this emerging research may not be tenable. Methods: Twenty-eight samples of studies correlating trait mindfulness and relationship satisfaction were collected. Results: The average effect size was small (.24) and publication bias was not evident. The effect size was consistent across age, gender, marital status, meditation status, and mindfulness dimensionality. Conclusions: This study supports emerging theoretical perspectives linking trait mindfulness to romantic relationship outcomes. The association between trait mindfulness and relationship satisfaction does not appear sensitive to a publication bias mechanism.
From bust to boom? Birth and fertility responses to the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Sobotka Tomas , Jasilioniene Aiva , Zeman Kryštof , Winkler-Dworak Maria , Brzozowska Zuzanna , Galarza Ainhoa Alustiza , Nemeth Laszlo , Jdanov Dmitri
Published: August 2022

Past economic, health and policy shocks were associated with a downturn in fertility. We use monthly birth data collected by the Human Fertility Database (Short-Term Fertility Fluctuations data series) to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on birth trends until April 2022 in 37 highly developed countries. We also present estimates of monthly total fertility rate adjusted for seasonality. Overall, the coronavirus pandemic did not bring a lasting “baby bust” in most of the analyzed countries. On balance, many countries experienced an improvement in their birth dynamics compared with the pre-pandemic period. This was especially the case in the Nordic countries, German-speaking countries and Western Europe, alongside New Zealand, Israel and Quebec. However, this summary picture hides distinct short-term shifts during the pandemic. The initial pandemic shock resulted in a fall in births in most countries, with the sharpest drop in January 2021. Next, birth rates showed a surprising short-term recovery in March 2021, linked with the conceptions after the end of the first wave of the pandemic. Most countries then reported stable or slightly increasing numbers of births in the subsequent months, especially in Autumn 2021. Yet another downturn in births and fertility rates occurred in January-April 2022.
Debunking strategies for misleading bar charts
Authors: Wijnker Winnifred , Smeets Ionica , Burger Peter , Willems Sanne
Published: August 2022

Graphs are useful to communicate concisely about complex issues. Although they facilitate intuitive reading of data, trends, and predictions, hasty readers may still come to the wrong conclusions, especially if graphs are misleading due to violated design conventions. To prevent misinformation from spreading by misleading graphs, this two-survey experimental study investigates the effectiveness of four correction methods as debunking strategies to correct bar charts with manipulated vertical axes. All four methods showed positive effects. The most effective one is aimed at correcting the initial image by presenting an accurate alternative graph. A reduced effect remained visible after one week.
Pharmacological Role of Heterocyclic Compounds in the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease: A Review
Authors: Palaniappan Saravana Priya
Published: August 2022

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a multifactorial neurological disease that mainly affects the old age people. Neuropathologically, AD is characterized by low level of acetylcholine, loss of synapses and neurons in certain brain regions, accumulation of extracellular amyloid beta peptide (Aβ) and phosphorylation of intracellular tau protein. Patients with AD are characterized by various symptoms such as memory deficits, depression, cognitive dysfunction and difficult to perform daily activities. Currently available drugs for the treatment of AD are used to treat symptomatic relief at an early stage, however the prolonged usage of the drugs may cause adverse side effects. To overcome this, development of drugs produced from natural products is considered as one of the promising alternatives for the treatment of AD. Among that heterocyclic compound play a major role in the development of therapeutic drugs against various disorders. An organic compound which is cyclic or non-cyclic consists of one or more atoms in their ring structure are known as heterocyclic compounds. These heterocyclic compounds occur both in natural and synthetic form and play a major role in the metabolism of all living cells. Most of the organic compounds used as drugs have a heterocyclic core in their skeleton. Nitrogenous bases such as purines and pyrimidines present in DNA, chlorophyll, vitamins contain heterocycle in their structure. Other compounds containing heterocycles are proline, morphine, furan, vinblastine, cephalosporin, penicillin etc. This review summarizes the nomenclature, classification, and the role of heterocyclic compounds in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
Effect of organic and inorganic seed treatments on seed health of French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)
Authors: DB Rathod , HJ Rajput , TD Katore , PY Shinde
Published: August 2022

A laboratory experiment was conducted on French beans (phaseolus vulgaris L.) to investigate the effect of organic and inorganic seed treatments on seed health. The seeds of French bean were subjected to different seed treatments viz., T0: Control (untreated), T1: Neem leaf powder @5g/kg of seed, T2: neem oil @5ml/kg of seed, T3: Castor oil @5ml/kg of seed, T4: karanj oil @5ml/kg of seed, T5: vekhand powder @10g/kg of seed, T6: Termuric powder @5g/kg of seed, T7: Citronella oil @5ml/kg of seed, T8: Ash @5g/kg of seeds, T9: Deltamethrin @0.04ml/kg of seed. Seed health was tested for different parameters viz., pulse beetle infestation, seed weight loss, egg-laying, adult emergence, percent mortality, dead insects and live insects. The bio-efficacy test was undertaken to find out the effect of chemicals and different botanicals against pulse beetle in French bean seed. Results revealed that seeds treated with Deltamethrin @0.04ml/kg of seed significantly recorded the lowest pulse beetle infestation (1.33%), lower number of egg-laying (11.00), lowest number of adult emergence (1.67), lowest seed weight loss (4.67%), highest mortality (87.8%), higher dead insect (15.00) and lower live insect (5.00) at the end of storage period. Among the botanicals, seed treated with neem oil @5 ml/kg of seed showed higher seed quality and health parameters. From the present investigation, the seed treated with organic and inorganic components protected the seed health while, the control seed deteriorated at the end of the storage period.
Online Learning during COVID-19 Pandemic Period: Secondary Schools’ Students Perception
Authors: Rai Chandra Badana
Published: August 2022

The COVID-19 has resulted in closure of educational institution across the world. Online learning had played a vital role in the process of teaching and learning during this pandemic. There was a shift of face to face teaching learning to online. The objective of this study was to explore the perception towards online learning of the students of secondary level students. It also identified student responses to online teaching, offered by their schools during the period of the COVID 19 pandemic. This study has utilized a survey research design with a quantitative approach. For this study, secondary level students of Kathmandhu were taken as population. A web-based cross-sectional survey was undertaken among 282 secondary level students from two schools of Kathmandu who had participated in the online classes during this COVID-19 pandemic. A structured questionnaire consisting of 21 items covering students' perception domain was distributed to the students using Google Form. The study found that the majority of the students 74% were satisfied with online learning. The finding of the study revealed that there was statistically significant in the association of students' satisfaction in software used in online class since the p value is less than 0.05 and the relationship between the software used in an online class and students' satisfaction is modest.
Motivational Factors for Choosing ICT as an Elective Subject in Mathematics Education
Authors: Adhikari Hom Kumari
Published: August 2022

This is an era of information and communication technology. Many students are highly interested in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) all over the world. Mathematics is often viewed as a critical enabling course that’s why ICT is necessary for higher level mathematics students. For this purpose, the curriculum of mathematics education of master’s levelhas adjusted ICT subject in mathematics course and most of the students choose ICT as an elective subject. Therefore, this study intended to explore the motivational factors for choosing ICT as an elective subject in mathematics along with gender perspective. This is descriptive survey research standing on post-positivist paradigm. The central department of education, mathematics education at Tribhuvan University was taken as the study area. Sixty- five students (53 boys, 12 girls)of master's degree 4thsemester who had chosen ICT as an elective subject in mathematics education were selected as samples by simple random sampling method. The major tool of data collection was questionnaire and collected data were analyzed using simple descriptive statistics mean, percentage and inferential statistics t-test. The study found that the most popular motivational factor for choosing ICT as an elective subject in mathematics was their personal interest and the least popular reason was social factors for both boys and girls. This indicates that students were highly motivated towards ICT due to intrinsic motivation then after extrinsic motivation. In addition, there was no significant differences exist between boys and girls motivation in choosing ICT as an elective subject. Therefore, we should equally treat and encourage both boys and girls to study ICT as an elective subject in mathematics on which ICT helps to concretize mathematical concepts from abstraction.
Factors Affecting Customer Satisfaction of E- Payments System
Authors: Shrestha Ranu
Published: August 2022

The main objective of the study was to identify the factors that affect consumer satisfaction towards e payment. Price, quality, information, and security are taken to measure the customer satisfaction towards e-payment. 
Survey questionnaire were used to collect the primary data. Convenient sampling was used for the sampling. Altogether, 150 samples were considered for the collection of the necessary data. Descriptive as well as inferential statistical tools were used to analyze the primary data. Mean and standard deviation were used as a descriptive statistic to describe the situation of collected data and correlation was used as inferential statistics has used to examine the relationship of independent variables with customer satisfaction.
From the result of correlation analysis, it is found that there is a significant positive high correlation of security and information with customer satisfaction. Moreover, it is found that there is moderate correlation between quality and customer satisfaction. Lastly, there is low correlation between price and customer satisfaction towards e-payments.
Multicultural Education: Components and Necessities
Authors: Ghimire Tulasi Ram
Published: August 2022

The educational systems of different countries have committed to addressing/respond to the existing racial, ethnic, linguistic, and cultural variations. Multicultural education is an approach adopted to respond to cultural diversity in society. This paper aims at analyzing the concept of multicultural education and identifies its components and necessities in so doing, the author employed qualitative and content analysis. To collect the required information, all available sources of multicultural education in print and electronic libraries (valid databases) were used and were analyzed using the inductive category. The findings of this research, along with specifying the concept of multicultural education, also showed that attention to multicultural curriculum, in the global and national situations is an inevitable necessity. At the end of the study, the components and needs of multicultural education were identified.  In short, acceptance of diversity and plurality, peaceful coexistence respect to educational justice, flexibility in educational programmes, variety in methods,  variety in using educational materials, using a variety of evaluation methods, training of human resources, who promote and strengthen the differences, the human tendency to create social trends rather than a specific, positive attitude to different cultures, helping to develop a positive self-concept, to protection of  minority languages, strengthening intercultural cross-cultural communication and so on can be ways to ensure multicultural education.
Morphometric Study on Types of Asterion in Dry Human Skull of Nepalese Origin
Authors: Khan Gulam Anwer
Published: August 2022

Introduction: The asterion is important bony landmark of skull important for surgical approach to the posterior cranial fossa. The variation is type of asterion is due to presence or absence of lambdoidal suture, parietomastoid suture and occipitomastoid suture. Asterion is starry or triangular depression located 2.5cm behind the upper part of root of ear. Asterion is meeting point of lambdoidal suture, parietomastoid suture and occipitomastoid suture.
Materials and Methods: Altogether 26 dry adult human skulls were collected from Department of Anatomy at School of Basic Sciences in Chitwan Medical College for research. Gender and ethnicity were undefined. All damaged skull and newborns are excluded. Both sides of skull were studied for location and type of asterion. The types of asterion were noted by observing the presence or absence of all three sutures. Photograph were taken and studied. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 17.
Results: Twenty-six human skulls of unknown gender were examined. Two types of asterion were observed. The type I asterion was 88.5 percent and type II asterion was 11.5 percent on both side of skull.
Conclusion: we believe that there are different types of asterion present in human skull. Asterion is the important surgical landmark. Thereby, the finding may be helpful in surgical approach and intervention.
Spectrum of Echocardiographic Findings in Patients with Severe and Critical COVID-19: A Single Center Experience
Authors: Gurung Puran , Hussain Asraf , Regmi Shyam Raj , Dhital Bishnu Mani , Thapa Shovit , Murtuza Shahid , Khan Amir , Thapa Sagar , Shrestha Ashok , Chaudhary Ramgobind , Murarka Rohit , Pokharel Anuradha
Published: August 2022

Introduction: Information on the cardiac manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is scarce. In this study we assessed the echocardiogram of consecutive patients with COVID-19 infection to assess the frequency of cardiac abnormalities.
Materials and Methods: This retrospective descriptive study examined the echocardiographic study of 43 patients with severe and critical COVID-19 infection admitted at the ICU of Chitwan Medical College from May 16, 2021 to June 05, 2021. The study focused on left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV) function. The results were then compared between severe and critical infections to examine if any differences exist between them.
Results: The mean age of the study population was 54 years and predominately males. One-third were classified as critical COVID-19 while the remaining were severe COVID-19. Majority(83.7%) had a normal echocardiogram. Among the patients with abnormal reports, the distribution of echocardiographic pattern were biventricular dilation with biventricular dysfunction in two patients (4.6%), LV dialtion with LV dysfunction in two patients (4.6%) and isolated LV dysfunction (diastolic and systolic) in three patients (6.9%). None of the echocardiographic parameters were significantly different between the severe and the critical infection.
Conclusion: COVID-19 in primarily a respiratory disease and the cardiac complications is largely attributed to the critical nature of the illness than the specific infection. Considering the risk of infection spread, routine echocardiography for all patients with COVID-19 infection is not advisable.
Functional and Radiological Outcomes with Intramedullary Interlocking Nailing of Tibial Shaft Fracture
Authors: Kushwaha Mukesh Prasad , Mourya Vandana
Published: August 2022

Introduction: Tibia is the most common long bone involved in fracture during Road Traffic Accident (RTA) because of its subcutaneous location. Intramedullary nail fixation remains the treatment of choice for unstable and displaced tibial shaft fractures in the adult. The goals of surgical treatment are to achieve osseous union and to restore length, alignment, and rotation of the fractured tibia. Intramedullary nailing carries the advantage of minimal surgical dissection with appropriate preservation of blood supply to the fracture site.
Materials and Methods: This is a prospective observational study conducted in the Department of Orthopedics, National Medical College and Teaching Hospital,Birgunj, Parsa, Nepal for the 1 year duration. Patients included in this study were above 16 years with Tibia shaft fracture with or without fibula fracture which includes Type I,II and IIIA of Gustilo-Anderson fracture. Patients with tibia shaft fracture were treated surgically by using intramedullary interlocking nail then follow up done in OPD at regular intervals during which radiographs was taken in appropriate views and diagnosis is established by functional and radiological means.
Result: Out of 53 patients, 45 patients with Tibia shaft fracture are treated by closed intramedullary interlocking nailing in the National Medical College, Birgunj. Eight patients are lost during follow-up. In our study tibia shaft Fracture was more common in male (77.8%) than female which mostly involved 18-30 years of age group (62.2%) and most common cause was Road Traffic Accident (82.2%). Thirty cases (66.7%) had excellent and 10 cases (22.2%) had good healing and complication were seen in eight patients (17.7%).
Conclusion: Closed interlocking tibia nailing allows earlier fracture union with less morbidity. Because of the high union rate and low infection rate, we consider closed interlocking nailing as the best mode of treatment for diaphyseal tibial fractures.
Assessment of Physical Activity and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Medical Students
Authors: Ghimire Dayaram , Aryal Vibina , Manna Sourav , Majumder Anirban
Published: August 2022

Introduction: Cardiorespiratory fitness is an indicator of cardiovascular health, usually expressed as VO2max. VO2max is the capacity of our body to transport and utilize oxygen during maximal exertion. The present study attempts to assess the level of physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness in medical students and compare VO2max between physically active and insufficiently active students.

Materials and Methods: An observational cross sectional study was conducted in 246 medical students (123 males and females each) of age between 18 to 23 years in National Medical College, Birgunj. After obtaining ethical clearance, screening was done with American College of Sports Medicine participants screening questionnaire. Students were classified as physically active and insufficiently active by using Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. VO2max was calculated from recovery heart rate counted from fifth to twentieth second of recovery after step test. Finally, subjects were categorized into different level of cardiorespiratory fitness based on their VO2max values.

Results: Present study found 33.6% of insufficiently physical active students. Females had higher prevalence of insufficient physical activity (40.6%) than males (26.8%). The VO2max of male and female was 46.79 ± 8.98 and 36.15 ± 4.66 ml/Kg/min respectively. Majority of female participants had ‘average’ VO2max whereas in male, distribution is almost equal in ‘excellent’, ‘good’ and ‘fair’ category.

Conclusion: Around one-third of medical students did not meet the level of physical activity recommended by WHO for health. Majority of them had ‘average’ level of VO2max and those physically active had better cardiorespiratory fitness.
Study of Perinatal Outcomes in Multifetal Gestation on the Basis of Chorionicity.
Authors: Ansari Sana , Shah Ravi , Mushtaq Rehana , Shah Pravin , Deep Jagat Prasad , Shrestha Ruby
Published: August 2022

Introduction: Multiple pregnancy is simultaneous development of more than one fetus in uterus. Multifetal gestations are found to be associated with significantly higher maternal morbidity and associated health care service costs. Women with multifetal gestation are nearly six times more likely to be hospitalized with complications, including preterm labor, preeclampsia, preterm premature rupture of membrane, placental abruption, hydramnios and postpartum haemorrhage. The term multifetal gestation includes twins, triplets and high order multiples.

Objectives: To evaluate maternal and neonatal complications and pregnancy outcomes of multifetal gestation on the basis of chorionicity.

Materials and Methods: This was a hospital based cross-sectional study conducted at tertiary care hospital for a period of one year from August 2020 to September 2021. A total of 58 twin pregnancies and 2 triplet pregnancies with meeting the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study after taking consent.

Results: The most common maternal complication among twin pregnancy was preterm delivery (41.37%). Other maternal complication was premature rupture of membrane (32.75%), primary postpartum haemorrhage (24.13%), anemia (8.62%), Pregnancy induced hypertension (8.62%), Preeclampsia (8.62%), Placental Abruption (5.10%). Most common neonatal complication was low birth weight (63.79%). Among the two-triplet pregnancy both were Trichorionic Triamniotic with preterm delivery via lower segment caesarean section at 32 weeks. Both of these triplet pregnancies had IUGR babies.

Conclusion: Multifetal gestation is a high-risk pregnancy associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Early diagnosis of chorionicity and proper follow up throughout the gestation improves the perinatal outcome.
Psychological Distress Symptoms Before the Onset of COVID-19 Outbreak: A Case Report
Authors: Saeed Mahir Sadullah , Abdulah Deldar Morad
Published: August 2022

We presented a person with psychological distress symptoms before the onset of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease) outbreak. In January 14, 2020, a 23-year-old female with a negative past medical history presented with complaint of difficulty in breathing and swallowing, feeling breathlessness, tightness, and pain in her chest. She was suffocating and needed to open windows or go out of the room to breathe. She felt that something is stuck in her throat or chest and always hurts herself too much. She felt nervous nearly every day and easily became irritable and restless most of the time and can't relax. The patient was panicky and restless, dizziness with a dry mouth and cold and sweaty extremities, mild tachypnoea and mild tachycardia on physical examination. The patient was generally oriented and cooperative with no suicidal ideation or thoughts. Mental status of the patient was improved after twice the consultation visit.
Ultrasonographic Measurement of Placental Thickness and its Correlation with Gestational Age and Fetal Weight
Authors: Akhtar Md. Kalim , Jha Akhilesh Kumar , Sah Dambar , Shah Shashi Sekhar Prasad , Mahato Rajan Kumar , Rimal Bikranta , Chaurasiya Chandan , Mushtaq Rehana
Published: August 2022

Introduction: Placental thickness (PT) plays vital role when the menstrual age is not known. The present study was undertaken to calculate the Placental thickness at level of insertion of umbilical cord and correlate it with gestational age and fetal weight, subsequently establishing a nomogram for Placental thickness at different age of gestations.
Materials and Methods: A total of 300 antenatal women from 12 to 40 weeks of gestation with singleton pregnancy and with no high-risk factor were included in the study from October 2021 to July 2022. Ethical approval was taken from institutional review committee (Ref. F-NMC/541/078-79). A detailed history was taken from all the patients. Basic antenatal investigations, clinical and ultrasonography examination were done.
 Results: In present study the mean age group of pregnant women was 23.92 ± 4.456 years with mean age of gestation to be 28.18 ± 7.450 weeks. Most common location of placenta is found to be Anterior (32%). There is very strong correlation between placental thickness with gestational age r=0.987 and estimated fetal weight r=0.873. P-value was 0.001 in both.
Conclusion: Ultrasonographic measurement of Placental thickness, gestational age and estimated fetal weight play a vital role in antenatal care. Thus, with advancing gestational age; placental thickness measurement can be an additional tool to determine gestational age and fetal weight. Any deviation from normal value can prompt to any developing abnormalities.
A Persistent Avian Formation on a South-Facing Slope, along the Northwest Rim of the Argyre Basin of Mars
Authors: Saunders William , Haas George , Miller James
Published: August 2022

This is an examination of an avian-shaped feature that rests below a network of cellular structures found on a mound within the Argyre Basin of Mars.  The area examined is located near 48.0° south and 55.1° west. A set of four supportive images provided by the Mars Global Surveyor and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft show the feature is persistent over a period of more than 20 years.  The images reveal defining aspects of this avian feature, including a head, beak, body, eye, legs, feet, toes, wing, and feathers. When taken together, these components induce the visual impression of an avian-shaped formation that exhibits a unique set of proportional features. The claim of artificial construction is offered and the geoscientist author will examine natural mechanisms that could contribute to the creation of this feature and the testimony of three veterinarians will provide a critical analysis of the avian features. A terrestrial comparison of aesthetic and iconographic motifs is investigated. The request for further study and additional images of these structural components are also encouraged.
Metarepresentations of Supernatural Belief and the Effect of Context on Cognition
Authors: Schofield Malcolm , Sheffield David , Baker Ian
Published: August 2022

This study aimed to see if context in the form of priming can alter a participants thinking style based on their level of implicit association with either a religious or paranormal belief. This was based on the theory of alief, when a person’s explicit belief and behaviour are mismatched. This was also linked to dual process theory, with alief being analogous to type one thinking styles (fast and automatic). One hundred and seventy-two participants were recruited from the University of Derby and social media. Implicit association was measured using a modified Brief Implicit Association Test that looked at paranormal and religious belief. Explicit supernatural belief, cognitive reflection, metacognition, and confidence were also measured. A hierarchical multiple regression revealed that a lower belief in the supernatural (apart from psychokinesis), a religious prime and high confidence predicted reflective thinking. Common paranormal perceptions, religious prime and confidence were significant predictors in the model. It was concluded that the prime worked on a moral level and influenced someone with an already open mind to different beliefs to be more analytical, positive, and confident. This study does not support the theory of alief, however, it indicates certain beliefs are susceptible to a certain prime, and that a person can be influenced to be more analytical.
'Fringe Science'—A Tautology, Not Pariah
Authors: Houran James , Bauer Henry
Published: August 2022

This joint Editorial is uncustomary but motivated by the authors’ shared concern about the problem of scientism, i.e., the excessive belief in the power of scientific knowledge or techniques (Bauer, 2014; Gasparatou, 2017; Pigliucci, 2018) or what some authors have described as the arrogance of scientific authority (Butler, 2015). On this issue, Frank (2021) noted that

The most important reason [scientism] is a mistake is because it is confused about what it’s defending. Without doubt, science is unique, powerful, and wonderful. It should be celebrated, and it needs to be protected. Scientism, on the other hand, is just metaphysics, and there are lots and lots of metaphysical beliefs. (para. 7)

We further anticipate that scientism involves rigidity about what research topics are branded ‘acceptable’ vs. ‘heretical.’ The implication here being that some issues are offensive to orthodox sensibilities because they presumably (a) have no value in generating new scientific knowledge, or (b) undermine confidence in the evidence for current scientific thought.

To clarify, orthodoxy is simply the majority view of present-day professional experts or what scientific institutions assert; it is not guaranteed to be faithful to Nature’s reality. In criticizing anything contrary to mainstream thinking, the belief is implicitly conveyed that the currently held majority view in science is always to be trusted and used as the basis for important actions. Explicitly, of course, even the most fervent science groupies will admit that scientific process is not infallible. But as everything unorthodox is denigrated and faulted, it is subliminally asserted that the reigning scientific views can always be trusted; thus, a conviction of certainty is expressed even when actual certainty is lacking (Bauer, 2014) and with apparently an overt deniability that this is being done deliberately.
How *Not* to Do Survival Research: Reflections on the Bigelow Institute Essay Competition
Authors: Augustine Keith
Published: August 2022

The recent Bigelow Institute contest rewarding the “best” evidence for life after death epitomizes much of what’s wrong with the current state of survival research, its participants constituting a who’s who list of contemporary survival researchers. Cases that are regularly hyped as among the best evidence for an afterlife are all too often easily susceptible to normal explanations—if only survival researchers would give them a chance. The consistently negative results of 121 years of experimental survival research ought to have spurred soul-searching questions for survival researchers by now. And if we treat discarnate personal survival as a scientific hypothesis, then researchers are rationally obliged to seriously consider biological facts that tell against it, too. Limiting one’s inquiry to attempts to only collect data that might confirm survival is one of the chief hallmarks of pseudoscience, and it’s sadly a feature, not a bug, of the survival literature. This systematic review reveals that survival researchers would better serve science by setting aside their feelings and heeding what the data are telling them, for the probabilities should drive our beliefs, not the other way around. Is discarnate personal survival likely to occur in light of the total available evidence? The overall evidence doesn’t even make personal survival more probable than not.
COVID: Orthodoxy or Conspiracy: Can the Center Hold?
Authors: Bauer Henry
Published: August 2022

The conversation1 between Walach and Bobrow about The Real Anthony Fauci. Bill Gates, Big Pharma, and the Global War on Democracy and Public Health by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., deserves to be continued. It raises quite general issues about the role of science in modern society and the influence of politics. The two questions posed by Walach are a useful framework for discussion: Is it true that we were faced with a “pandemic”? Can we really trust our institutions? A large factor in the contemporary dilemmas about COVID is that disagreeing groups offer their various dogmatic answers that are seemingly influenced more by guesswork and political attitudes than by facts of the matter. The reality is that currently available data are not sufficiently complete or reliable to answer the first question. As Walach points out, the magnitude of the infection fatality rate (IFR) is a critical issue, and currently available data are inadequate, in particular as to the variation of IFR with age and a detailed comparison of those numbers with the corresponding numbers for other respiratory infections. Another important needed comparison with other infections is the overall excess mortality, where reliable data are again not yet available; that latter comparison is quite crucial in order to avoid distracting arguing about the basis for reporting COVID deaths, which varies by geographic region within countries as well as between countries and over time.
Of Books and Beasts; A Cryptozoologist’s Library by Matt Bille
Authors: Champagne Bruce
Published: August 2022

Opportunities for the peer-reviewed presentation of specifically cryptozoological subjects are currently limited to the Relict Hominoid Inquiry and Journal of Scientific Exploration. As a result, books not only have an important role in providing historical information and more current data and theory but are also preferable over other sources as the reader can evaluate the value of a book by the author’s approach and sources. There are many cryptozoological titles but not they are not equal in contribution.
COVID-19—Conspiracy or Not? Some Thoughts on Bauer and Bobrow
Authors: Walach Harald
Published: August 2022

I am pleased about the discussion which my review of Kennedy’s book “The Real Anthony Fauci” has stimulated. It is a signature of the COVID-19 crisis that scientific discourse has broken down. There seem to be only two camps, those that “believe” in the mainstream narrative that COVID-19 is a deadly killer virus with far above average Case Fatality Rates that could only be halted by drastic non-pharmaceutical interventions such as complete lockdowns, stay-at-home orders, mask mandates; for which no treatment existed; which had to be spotted early by broad coverage of PCR-tests even of asymptomatic people; for which the emergency use admission of rapidly developed, badly tested vaccinations was the only and thus legally warranted action. And on the other side the “conspirationists”: those who think that the whole story was overblown, that the virus was manufactured, either by China or some other secret service, to trigger a crisis that either served the pharmaceutical industry in developing and marketing a completely new brand of preventive pharmaceuticals, m-RNA and vector vaccines; and/or to issue vaccine passports that serve the larger purpose of having complete control of the population in a China-style system of social compliance points that allow to access privileges such as travel, holidays, etc.; or even a coup d’états serving to abolish our democratic system. This thinking in camps is obvious in the public discourse in the large mainstream media, TV and print. It is obvious in the scientific discourse, where critical voices are sidelined into small outlets or penalized by retractions. It is obvious in the discussion between Bobrow, myself and Bauer, with Bauer holding a middle ground by admitting to human incompetency as the most likely factor of the crisis (which I sympathize with but won’t discuss further). I will by no means be able to address all these points in a short commentary. Especially, I will not get into the HIV/AIDS-debate, as this is probably even  more complicated than the COVID-19 debate. But let me pick out a few obvious points.
The 2021 Bigelow Institute for Consciousness Studies (BICS) Essay Contest
Authors: Kelleher Colm , Bigelow Robert
Published: August 2022

BICS was founded in 2020 to communicate, facilitate, educate, and organize scientific research and exploration into the survival of human consciousness (SOHC) after permanent bodily death. In early 2021 BICS announced an essay contest on the best evidence for survival of human consciousness with $950,000 in prizes. Essay contestants were tasked to present evidence for SOHC after death beyond a reasonable doubt. “Beyond a reasonable doubt” is the most demanding and rigorous burden of proof in the criminal justice legal system and BICS challenged essay contestants to achieve this very high bar in order to maximize the focus on presentation of evidence from as many directions and sources as possible. By December 2020, seven respected judges from the research and academic communities were recruited. BICS received 1300 applications from all continents and invited 264 authors and groups of authors to submit essays. 204 essays were received from 38 countries. Following an intensive five-month judging process, a large group of essays was down-selected. So high was the standard among the dozens of essays that the judges had difficulty in choosing three essays for the top prizes. After several more rounds, eventually 29 essays were chosen and the prize money was increased from $950,000 to $1,800,000. Prizes were awarded at a gala in Las Vegas on December 4, 2021. Following the conclusion of the BICS essay contest, the organization is preparing for another major program. On September 1, 2022, BICS will unveil “Challenge 2023,” which is a targeted grants program that is aimed at funding research proposals on SOHC with a particular focus on contact and communication with the afterlife.
Genç Erişkinlerde İskemik İnmenin Epidemiyoloji, Etiyoloji ve Klinik Özellikleri: Denizli ili Retrospektif Tek Merkez Verileri
Authors: BETAŞ Selin , ÜNLÜTÜRK Zeynep , ÖNCEL Çağatay
Published: August 2022

The incidence of cerebrovascular disease (CVD) in young adults is approximately 6-26 per 100,000 worldwide, and this numbers are increasing every year. Stroke aetiology among young adults are more diverse than those among older adults and require extensive diagnostic work-up. The aim of our study is to determine risk factors and stroke etiology in stroke pa-tients aged 45 years and younger, followed in our clinic for the last 10 years, and to compare them with literature.

The study is included in the patients between the age of 18-45 years and are followed by Ischemic CVD in Pamukkale University Neurology clinic between January 2010 and Novem-ber 2020.The clinical and demographic data of the patients were retrospectively analyzed.

The most common risk factor was smoking (31.4%); hypertension (20.2%), diabetes mellitus (14.4%), hyperlipidemia (14.4%) and coronary arterial disease (11.6%) were following it. According to Trial of Org in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) classification there were, large vessel disease in 13.4%, small vascular disease in 19.8%, cardioembolism in 16.7%, other determined aetiology in 11.5% and the most frequently stroke of undetermined etiology in 38.6%. The most common reason in other determined aetiology was Antiphospholipid An-tibody Syndrome.

The incidence of young stroke is increasing every year and it is necessary to determine the underlying reasons to prevent and to give treatment for aetiology. Thus this will contribute to head off major health care costs, loss of workforce and to save young lives.
The Association of Education with Entrepreneurial Propensity and Entrepreneurial Income of Recent Canadian Graduates: A Tax Data Analysis
Authors: Salter Megan , Almehdawe Eman
Published: August 2022

This work examines the association of post-secondary credentials and fields of study on the earnings of recent university graduates and their propensity to become entrepreneurs. To this end, we analyze an administrative database that links post-secondary records from public educational institutions in Canada with income tax records from the Canadian Revenue Agency. The findings of this analysis showed that entrepreneurs who hold a PhD tend to earn significantly more than those who do not, and that certain fields of study tend to be associated with higher incomes. However, the results also showed that the odds of entering entrepreneurship decrease as higher credential levels are achieved. Thus, this research further demonstrates the potential relationship between education and entrepreneurial success.
Putting Passenger Rail Back on Track: A Multiple Streams Framework Analysis of High-Frequency Rail Policy in Canada
Authors: Boulden Matthew , Béland Daniel
Published: August 2022

After decades of policy stagnation, change is on the horizon for passenger rail in Canada, with the recent federal government’s approval of VIA Rail’s High-Frequency Rail (HFR) proposal within the Quebec-Windsor Corridor. This study applies the Multiple Streams Framework (MSF) to analyze how HFR arrived on the federal government’s agenda. Drawing on semi-directive interviews, three expectations based on the MSF are confirmed: evidence of (a) activity in the framework’s three streams (problem, policy, politics); (b) a policy window opening because of changes in the politics stream; and (c) a policy entrepreneur who coupled the three streams within that policy window.
Characteristics of polymerase chain reaction–positive syphilis cases in Manitoba, Canada, 2017 to 2020: Demographic analysis, specimen types, and Treponema pallidum gene targets
Authors: Tsang Raymond SW , Shuel Michelle , Hoang William , Hayden Kristy , Hink Rachel , Bullard Jared , Van Caeseele Paul , Alexander David C
Published: August 2022

BACKGROUND: A resurgence of syphilis infections has been described in a number of countries including Canada in the last decade. METHODS: This study identified polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positive syphilis cases based on detection of Treponema pallidum genes ( polA, tpp47, and bmp) in 3,350 clinical specimens obtained from patients in the province of Manitoba, Canada between 2017 and 2020. Patient demographics were obtained from specimen requisition forms. RESULTS: PCR identified 740 syphilis cases: 718 were adolescents and adults, while 22 were congenital syphilis cases. For non-congenital syphilis investigation, the clinical specimens with the highest yield of positive PCR results were genital (632), oral (73), and anal (55), while for congenital syphilis, they were nasal or nasopharyngeal secretions (20), followed by blood (5) and umbilical cord (4). Female syphilis cases appeared younger (61.7% between 14 and 29 years), while male syphilis cases appeared older (58.4% between 30 and 65 years). Although, overall more syphilis cases (62.7%) occurred in the urban cities; the proportion of urban cases showed a significant decline from 87.0% in 2017 to 55.6% in 2020, while in rural regions it increased from 13.0% in 2017 to 44.4% in 2020. Most (98.8%) PCR- positive specimens were found to contain all three T. pallidum genes and 99.8% also displayed the macrolide resistance genotype. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified the clinical specimen types and T. pallidum genes most suitable for PCR diagnosis of syphilis. Changing demographics of cases were noted over time.