bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implications of Islamic Mahr (dower) and African Lobolo (bride-price) on Religious and Customary Marriages and the Rights of Muslim Women to Inherit in South Africa
Authors: Moosa Najma
Published: October 2024

The monogamous and polygynous customary marriages of indigenous Black Africans have been fully legally recognised in South Africa since 1998. The outcome of a June 2022 apex Constitutional Court judgment will finally result in monogamous and polygynous Muslim marriages (nikāḥ) being fully legally recognized and regulated by the State by 2024. Since this recognition does not include the Islamic law of succession (which will not pass constitutional muster because of half-share to women), when Muslims die intestate, the secular law is expected to apply. The payment of mahr (dower) by the groom to the bride (an important ingredient of a nikāḥ contract) is therefore an important alternative tool for augmenting the inheritance of Muslim women during their lifetime. A novel fatwā issued by local Black African ulama in August 2022 brought to light several challenges faced by African Muslims regarding the relation of nikāḥ marriages to distinctive African traditional marriage practices like the lobolo (“bride price”) paid by the groom to the bride’s father. This paper examines the implications of mahr and lobolo on religious and customary marriages and the rights of local Black African Muslim women to inherit in terms of religion and custom.
The Visual Culture of the Revolutionary Processes of Latin America in the Islamic Revolution of Iran: The Street and the Studio
Authors: Mauriello Raffaele
Published: October 2024

This article delves into the artistic production of a group of Iranian painters whose work is considered revolutionary art. It shows how the murals and canvases painted during the early revolution of 1978–1979 in Iran were influenced by the visual culture of the revolutionary movements in Latin America. The study brings to light an overlooked aspect of the Global South revolutions during the Long Global Sixties. It supports the idea that the 1978–1979 “Islamic” revolution was chiefly a revolution against a dictatorship also driven by groups inspired by leftist ideology and iconography. These groups, consisting mainly of younger revolutionaries, were motivated by ideals like solidarity, anti-imperialism, anti-capitalism, internationalism, and Third World relations.
Unravelling the Environmental Challenges: a State-of-the-Art Review of the Legal Framework of Solid Waste Management in Metropolitan Cities of India
Authors: Mishra Pallavi
Published: October 2024

This article provides insights into the challenges and current state of solid waste management in metropolitan cities of India. It emphasizes the importance of legal regulations in ensuring effective waste management to address environmental concerns. This research highlights the need for coordinated efforts among public authorities, adopting technologically advanced best practices globally, and incorporating Waste Hierarchy and Circular Economy concepts for efficient waste management. By addressing challenges like poor community engagement, understaffing, and political interference, the article underscores the significance of robust legal frameworks and strategic policies to mitigate environmental impacts and improve waste management practices in metropolitan cities. Recommendations include enhancing transparency in environmental information, establishing sustainable waste management systems, improving legislation, and promoting stakeholder engagement.
Entanglement in an Endangered Situation: Paiwan Society and the Conservation of the Mountain Hawk-Eagle
Authors: Lemaitre Agathe
Published: October 2024

The mountain hawk-eagle has a special status among the indigenous Paiwan people of Taiwan. This article examines the historical evolution of the use of this eagle’s feathers amid social transformations within Paiwan culture. It also addresses the bird’s endangered status and proposed conservation strategies to protect it. Wildlife management collaborations between indigenous communities and conservationists have sparked conflicts in values and worldviews that are challenging to reconcile. While the Paiwan wish to continue using the eagle’s feathers in important cultural rituals, this increased demand exacerbates hunting pressures on the species. This article seeks to find a better balance between preserving cultural practices and ensuring species survival. Drawing on four years of fieldwork among the Paiwan, it demonstrates the complexities of navigating entangled human–animal relationships in the context of species endangerment.
Christopher Watkin on Diagonalization
Authors: Gousmett Chris
Published: October 2024

Christopher Watkin’s book Biblical Critical Theory offers a new technique for assessing issues and conflicts arising in both academic and wider cultural contexts. He offers diagonalization as a way of identifying alternatives to the harmful polarities (dichotomies) in which issues are presented. I argue that diagonalization fails as a technique as it is not presented in a way that others can readily adopt, it fails to explain why or how the diagonalizations resolve dichotomies, and treats complex issues as if they can be rendered into dichotomies and then resolved in a simplistic manner.
‘A Band of Men Whose Hearts God Had Touched’
Authors: Haykin Michael A. G. Azad
Published: October 2024

The charge of schism has been one in the history of Western Christianity that carries with it deep emotive tones of horror. Through the examination of a tract making this charge about eighteenth-century English Dissent by the evangelical Anglican clergyman Thomas Robinson and of its rebuttal by the Particular Baptist theologian Andrew Fuller, this essay explores such perennial questions as: what is the nature of a true church and what is its relationship to the state? There is a poignancy to this particular debate between Robinson and Fuller as both men were evangelicals and each had a profound respect for the other.
Jesus, Guns, and Luke 22:36
Authors: Hsiao Timothy
Published: October 2024

In a recent article, Chris Barrigar has argued that my theological and philosophical case for gun ownership fails. This article critiques Barrigar’s response. I argue that Barrigar’s critique fails because it (a) incorrectly situates my arguments in a libertarian context, (b) inadequately engages with my exegetical arguments, (c) misunderstands and thus fails to engage with the relevant philosophical arguments, (d) ignores my existing work addressing some of his objections, and (e) misinterprets the relevant empirical evidence.
Natural Evil and Rebellious Angels
Authors: McLaughlin Ryan Patrick
Published: October 2024

Gregory Boyd explains the long history of evolution and all suffering that results from it—as well as suffering that results from other natural phenomena—by appealing to an angelic fall through which demonic meddling warps the original, divinely-intended lawlike regularity of the cosmos. With this position, Boyd aims to exonerate God in the face of all evil, which for Boyd includes all forms of suffering. While Boyd’s cosmic warfare theodicy is more thoroughly developed than any other to date and embraces certain scientific evidence about the world in a way that other fall-based theodicies do not, I argue that it nonetheless falls short of a viable theological worldview since it relies upon special pleading and ad hoc premises and ultimately presents an inconsistent system of belief.
Reply to Hsiao
Authors: Barrigar Chris
Published: October 2024

Barrigar addresses more directly the distinction between Hsiao’s individualist-level priority on self-protection and the author’s priority on the well-being (security) of society as a whole (and thereby of the individuals within society). The author argues that our starting point as Christians is not natural law and individual rights but rather God’s vision of shalom for societies. (On top of which the author argues that Hsiao’s natural law claims are disputable anyway). The author also addresses more substantially the issue of collateral harms to society within high gun-culture, a significant type of cost to society that is inadequately recognised in the literature. The author concludes by returning to his central argument, namely, that a central component of any theology of guns must include an account of agape-love, of self-sacrifice for the benefit of others, which Hsiao’s response insufficiently addresses.
التطابق المعكوس والقطبية في المركب العدديّ
Authors: تورابـي عبد الرزاق
Published: October 2024

ملخص

تُفرز المركبات العدديّة في اللغة العربيّة تطابقًا معكوسًا، أو قطبيّة صرفيّة، عبّر عنها النحاة بإدخال التاء في عدد المذكر وتركها في عدد المؤنث. وتوحي هذه الظاهرة بتأثير قاعدة مُبدِّلة تُحوّل قيمة جنس العدد من التذكير إلى التأنيث أو العكس. فتنميط الجنس يُظهر ورود أنماط غير متجانسة بين ما يُميِّز المذكّر من المؤنث أو العكس وخصوصًا في حالات الجمع. ولمقاربة هذه الخصائص المعقدة واللامتجانسة، دافعنا عن سيرورة إفقار تحذف سمة الجنس من العدد الرقمي في مستوى ما قبل التهجية أو التحقيق الصواتي، وبالتالي يُعطينا إدراج المفردات، وخاصة تاء التأنيث، هذه الأنماط التي تبدو على ما هي عليه في السطح. وقد تبنَّينا في مقاربتنا نظرية الصرف الموزع (هالي ومرنتز 1993)، وناقشنا تحاليل منافسة وخصوصًا تحليل هالي (1994) للمركبات العددية في العبرية والروسية، وتحليل القرني (2020) الذي يُدافع عن القطبية الصرفية الناجمة عن تعديل صواتي.
من آليّات تجويد المعالجة المعجميّة في مناهج تعليم العربيّة للنّاطقين بغيرها
Authors: البعزاوي محمّد الصّحبي
Published: October 2024

ملخّص

نروم من خلال هذا البحث إعادة النّظر في واقع تعليم العربية للناطقين بغيرها والتعمّق في الأسباب الكامنة وراء صعوبات تعلّمها. وقد بدا لنا من خلال الدّراسات التي اطلعنا عليها في علاقة بهذا التصوّر أنّ للمنهج أثرًا مباشرًا في اكتساب اللّسان المستهدف وتجويد مخرجات التعلّم. وهو ما دعانا إلى الاهتمام ببعض مكوّناته والبحث في سبل تجويدها أمام ما يشهده تعليم الألسنة من تطوّر متسارع في الطرائق وفي الموادّ التعليمية، بالإضافة إلى التطوّر اللّافت في وظيفة المدرّس وفي وظيفة الفصل الدراسي وفي عمليات التدخّل التعليمي عمومًا. وقد قادتنا في هذا المسعى جملة من الأسئلة أهمّها: كيف يمكن تطوير طرائق تدريس العربية للناطقين بغيرها بوصفها مستوى من مستويات المنهج، على نحوٍ يضمن تطوير مهارات متعلّميها ويمكّنهم من التواصل بها واستعمالها في المقامات التواصلية المختلفة؟ وما الذي يتعيّن أخذه بعين الاعتبار أثناء الانخراط في عملية تطويرها؟ وقد رأينا أمام تعدّد المواقف من عمليات تطوير المنهج بمختلف مستوياته، أن نبرز وجهة نظرنا في الموضوع بالعودة إلى “الوحدات المعجمية” المعتمدة في تعليم العربية ومقاييس اختيارها. وهي من المداخل الأساسية في تطوير طرائق تدريسه بمراجعة الرصيد اللّغوي وتعديله سواء باستبدال وحدات معجمية بوحدات أخرى أو بإضافة وحدات تأخذ بعين الاعتبار سنّ المتعلّم والغرض المطلوب من تعلّم اللّسان فضلًا عن المدّة المخصّصة للتعلّم وعن علاقتها بتسريع الاكتساب وتطوير مهارات التعلّم.
الاقتران اللفظيّ في معجم اللغة العربیّة المعاصرة
Authors: أبو السيدة عبد الفتّاح
Published: October 2024

ملخّص

تُمثّل ظاهرة الاقتران اللفظيّ واحدة مِن أبرز الظواهر اللغويّة التي شغلت علماء اللغة والمعجميّين خاصَّة خلال العقود الأخيرة (القاسمي 1979، بن مراد 1987، هليّل 1997، العاتي 2019). ونظرًا إلى أهميّة هذه الظاهرة في صناعة المعجم الحديث، يسعى البحث إلى استقصائها في معجم اللغة العربيّة المعاصرة (أحمد مختار عمر 2008) باستخدام المنهج الوصفيّ التحليليّ مِن خلال دراسة أربعة محاور رئيسة: المكانة التي تحظى بها المقترنات اللفظيّة ودورها في تحديد دلالة المداخل وسياقاتها، ومنهجيّة ترتيب المقترنات في المداخل، واستخدام درجة التكرار في مدوَّنة سكيتش (Sketch) كمعيار لاختيار المقترنات إضافةً إلى المقترنات اللفظيّة الخاصّة بالمعنى المجازيّ في المدخل. ومِن أبرز النتائج التي توصل إليها البحث غياب الشموليّة في تناول المقترنات وعدم اتّساق منهجيّة الترتيب والخلط بين المفاهيم النظريّة (المثال، المدخل في مثال، التعبير السياقيّ) وتجاهُل المنهج الإحصائيّ في اختيار المقترنات، والقصور الواضح في رصْد المعنى المجازيّ وما يوظّفه مِن مقترنات لفظيّة. ويوصي البحث بضبط المفاهيم النظريّة، والتركيز على الاقتران اللفظيّ في المداخل المُعْجميّة، واعتماد التكرار في المدوَّنة لاختيار أكثر المقترنات شيوعًا، وأخيرًا استكمال ما غاب مِن مقترنات للمعاني المجازيّة في المعجم.
The application and interpretation of laboratory biomarkers for the evaluation of vitamin B12 status
Authors: Harrington Dominic J , Stevenson Emma , Sobczyńska-Malefora Agata
Published: October 2024

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin; B12) is an essential micronutrient, but deficiency is common. The prompt diagnosis and treatment of B12 deficiency protects against megaloblastic anaemia, neuropathy and neuropsychiatric changes. Biomarkers of B12 status include the measurement of serum B12 (also known as total B12 or serum cobalamin), holotranscobalamin (holoTC or ‘active B12’), methylmalonic acid (MMA) and total plasma homocysteine (Hcy). There is no ‘gold standard’ test for deficiency and the sensitivity and specificity of each biomarker for the evaluation of B12 status is affected by analytical and biological factors that may confer a high degree of diagnostic uncertainty. Limited access to technical and clinical expertise can lead to an over-reliance on the serum B12 test, which is readily available and highly automated. In some cases, the sequential use of different B12 status biomarkers or the calculation of a composite B12 status score, derived from a panel of B12 biomarkers and adjusted for folate status and age, can be used to detect deficient states that may otherwise be overlooked when using a single biomarker approach. This review summarizes the utility of B12-related biomarkers and describes approaches to their application and interpretation.
Investigation into the linearity of the Roche c 702 carbamazepine assay
Authors: Stephenson Alice A , Robinson Chris G , Marrington Rachel , Hawley James M
Published: October 2024

Background

Carbamazepine is an anticonvulsant drug which is monitored in patients due to toxic side effects. At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), carbamazepine is measured using Roche’s Kinetic Interaction of Microparticles in Solution (KIMS) method on the c 702 platform. The assay has an upper limit of linearity of 20 mg/L. Samples with concentrations above this limit should be identified and manually diluted. However, a poor EQA return from UK NEQAS for Tox and TDM Distribution 456 has highlighted an issue with the Roche KIMS assay. Sample A of the distribution had a carbamazepine concentration of 36 mg/L but was underreported by several Roche users. This indicated that the assay was not consistently identifying high concentration samples which required a dilution.

Method

In this investigation, fresh frozen plasma was spiked with carbamazepine concentrations ranging from 15 to 40 mg/L. The spiked samples and EQA material were analysed at two clinical laboratories using the Roche KIMS assay.

Results

Samples spiked with concentrations 20–30 mg/L were not consistently identified for dilution by the analyser. This was observed at both hospital sites. Spike samples and EQA with concentrations >30 mg/L were correctly identified at both sites.

Conclusion

The manual dilution policy has been changed at MFT, so all samples with a carbamazepine level ≥15 mg/L will be manually diluted. The problem was reported to Roche who are investigating the issue further. We would suggest that other laboratories look at validating their dilution protocols.
Does Proportionality Increase Turnout? A Study of Adaptation to Oscillating Electoral Systems
Authors: Figueroa Valentin
Published: October 2024

Does proportionality increase turnout? This article studies a national electoral reform in early twentieth-century Argentina that was implemented asymmetrically across districts, creating a natural laboratory in which some districts oscillated between electoral systems across elections. Leveraging this unusual variation in a difference-in-differences design, this article shows that a shift from multi-member plurality rules towards a slightly more proportional system—which removed one-third of the contested seats from the grasp of the dominant party—led to a four percentage point increase in turnout. An investigation into causal mechanisms indicates that more proportional rules, by increasing the odds that smaller parties obtain seats, promoted strategic party entry and intensified electoral competition, both between and within parties. These findings complement existing quasi-experimental results that focus exclusively on elections in European democracies, confirm that parties are able to adapt immediately to changes in electoral rules, and refute the belief that proportionality does not affect turnout in Latin America.
The Distribution of Executive Power and Corruption: A Meta-Analytical Review
Authors: Dawson Stephen , Schwenk Jana , Xezonakis Georgios
Published: October 2024

While much research has been devoted to the institutional determinants of corruption in democracies, debates continue regarding the merits of distributing executive power horizontally (presidentialism vs. parliamentarism) and vertically (federalism vs. unitarism). Taking advantage of the rich empirical literature on the subject, we investigate the effects of institutional features on corruption applying a meta-analytical framework to over 1000 estimates across 71 studies conducted over three decades. Results show a consistent positive association between presidentialism and corruption and that much of the confusion around decentralization can be explained by the distinction between its fiscal and political forms; political decentralization has a marginal positive association, while fiscal decentralization has a negative effect. A series of moderator analyses reveal the sensitivity of many of these findings to research design choices made in conducting the studies, such as the temporal and spatial coverage of the sample and the selection of co-parameters in statistical tests.
Which Variables Better Predict Phonemic Awareness of First Grade Primary School Students?
Authors: Coskun Kerem
Published: October 2024

The purpose of the research was to discover which variables better predict phonemic awareness. Socioeconomic status (SES), quality of parent-child interaction (PCI), screen time (DST), visual-spatial ability (VSA), and mathematical reasoning (MR) were included as independent variables in the model, while phonemic awareness (PA) was the dependent (outcome) variable. The research was designed as correlational research. A total of 556 first grade primary school students were recruited into the research sample upon approval by their parents. In the analytic procedures, supervised machine learning was adopted and data were analyzed through classification and regression trees (CART) by using rprart, rpart.plot, tidyverse, dplyr, ggplot2, and corrplot packages in R. Results of data analysis indicate that MR, PCI, and VSA can predict PA, while SES and DST are not predictors. Findings of the research were discussed along with intelligence theories and practical implications were noted for teachers and researchers.
The Health Cost of College Expectations: Adolescent Educational Expectations and Obesity
Authors: Xie Yongxiang , He Jun
Published: October 2024

Although previous studies have identified the effect of social environment and individual behavior on adolescent obesity in the field of social science, much less is known about the association between adolescent educational expectations and obesity. This article draws on China Education Panel Survey (CEPS) 2013 to 2014 to examine the relationship between adolescent educational expectations and BMI/obesity. Results show that adolescents with college expectations have higher BMI and higher risk of obesity. Learning time partially mediates the relationship between adolescent college expectations and obesity. Additionally, the association between adolescent college expectations and BMI/obesity is stronger for males and urban students. The findings indicate that higher educational expectations may lead to health problems. School and family should perceive the health cost of high educational expectations to promote adolescent all-around development.
Racial Disparities in Chronic Conditions Outcomes in Primary Care Settings: Between- Versus Within-Practice Differences
Authors: Martsolf Grant , Kim Do Kyung , Fair Lynette , Liu Jianfang , Jia Haomiao , Cato Kenrick , Poghosyan Lusine
Published: October 2024

Racial disparities in chronic condition management lead to adverse outcomes such as increased emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations among minority patients. These disparities may arise from differences within or between primary care practices, but limited research has explored these disparities. To examine racial/ethnic disparities in chronic condition outcomes in primary care and determine if they are due to between- versus within-practice differences. We analyzed 2018 Medicare claims data for beneficiaries visiting primary care practices during 2018 to 2019. We used logistic regression models to assess racial and ethnic disparities in outcomes and the contribution of between- versus within- practice differences to the disparities. 1033 primary care practices in Arizona, California, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington. Medicare beneficiaries aged 65+ with one of the chronic conditions attributed to primary care practices. All-cause ED visits, ambulatory care sensitive (ACS) ED visits, and all-cause hospitalizations among older adults with specific chronic conditions (asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, congestive heart failure, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes). Black patients were more likely to experience ED visits (Predicted probability: .371, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.362-0.380), and ACS ED visits (Predicted probability: .248, CI: 0.241-0.256) but less likely to experience hospitalizations (Predicted probability: .124, CI: 0.116-0.133), compared to White patients. Hispanic patients showed similar trends in ED visits (Predicted probability: .357, CI: 0.350-0.365) and ACS ED visits (Predicted probability: .233, CI: 0.227-0.239). Minority patients were clustered within a small number of practices (Black: 50% in 6% of practices, Hispanic: 50% in 8% of practices). Disparities in ED visits and hospitalizations were largely explained by within-practice differences. As disparities primarily originate from within-practice differences, addressing racial and ethnic disparities requires improving care quality across all practices rather than targeting those with high proportions of minorities.
Media Literacy Interventions Improve Resilience to Misinformation: A Meta-Analytic Investigation of Overall Effect and Moderating Factors
Authors: Huang Guanxiong , Jia Wufan , Yu Wenting
Published: October 2024

The widespread dissemination of misinformation has become a global concern. A recommended solution is to improve people’s ability to discern true from false information through appropriate media literacy education programs. This meta-analysis quantitatively synthesized the results of 49 experimental studies ( N = 81,155) that examined the efficacy of media literacy interventions in mitigating misinformation. This study finds that media literacy interventions generally improve resilience to misinformation ( d = 0.60). Specifically, the interventions reduce belief in misinformation ( d = 0.27), improve misinformation discernment ( d = 0.76), and decrease misinformation sharing ( d = 1.04). Moreover, media literacy interventions have stronger effects (1) when multiple sessions rather than a single session are implemented, (2) in high (vs. low) uncertainty avoidance cultures, and (3) among college students than among adults recruited from online crowdsourcing platforms (e.g., Amazon Mechanical Turk). These findings enrich our understanding of inoculation theory and provide valuable guidance for the design of future media literacy intervention programs.
Complexities and Possibilities of Strengthening the Social Inclusion of Military Women in the Netherlands Armed Forces: Findings From an Action Research Project
Authors: Spijkers Amber S. , Snoek Anke , Molewijk Bert , van Baarle Eva
Published: October 2024

The social inclusion of military women is negatively affected by dominant masculine norms. Often, military organizations try to promote inclusion through top-down policies. However, little is known about solutions military personnel themselves propose, and what is needed to implement those. Drawing on an action research project in the Netherlands Armed Forces, we identify four systemic collaborative requirements to implement initiatives aimed at improving inclusion: (a) awareness and recognition of women’s (negative) experiences, (b) a safe environment for dialogue and joint ownership, (c) organizational trust, support and mandate, and (d) the implementation of interventions in the organizational structure. We discuss two paradoxes we identified (a) addressing inclusion in unsafe workplaces requires safety and (b) creating awareness about women’s social inclusion without putting women in the spotlight. Our results show that a dialogic and collaborative approach is promising, especially to address the complexities that arise when trying to strengthen inclusion.
Incidence of an Identifiable Organism in Children Who Underwent a Surgical Procedure for Granulomatous Cervical Lymphadenopathy
Authors: Osterbauer Beth , Sahyouni Grace , LePhong Christopher , Dien Bard Jennifer , Vu My H. , Koempel Jeffrey
Published: October 2024

Objectives: The incidence of cervical lymphadenopathy due to nontuberculous mycobacteria is rising in the pediatric population. Our goal with this study was to review the number of pediatric patients with granulomatous cervical adenitis and determine the incidence of identification of a specific organism as both healthcare providers and parents are interested in identifying the causative pathogen. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted of patients at a high-volume tertiary care children’s hospital between 2017 and 2023. Children were included if they underwent a surgical procedure for lymphadenopathy. Pathology, microbiology, and other laboratory reports were reviewed to document the presence of granulomatous cervical adenitis and the incidence of identification of a specific organism. Additional data collected included patient demographics and type of procedure. Results: Of the 1538 charts reviewed, 163 patients underwent an inclusionary procedure. Mean patient age was 10.7 years (range 2.4 months-20 years), 70 (43%) were female, 25 (15%) had granulomatous cervical adenitis, and a specific organism was identified in 9 of these. Conclusion: Despite the availability of a number of ancillary tests, our data demonstrate that the identification of a specific pathogen in cases of granulomatous cervical lymphadenitis is rare. As a result, physicians should be prepared to rely primarily on the history and physical exam findings to determine a working diagnosis as well as a medical and/or surgical treatment plan.
How to redeem a corrupted world: The aporia of negative theology in the thought of Theodor Adorno
Authors: Click Biv
Published: October 2024

In Minima Moralia, Adorno talks about a ‘messianic light’ which shines from beyond the corrupted world, offering the possibility of redemption from suffering. Theological statements like these have created significant controversy within the literature on Adorno, with interpreters like Hent de Vries and Peter Gordon arguing that the ‘messianic light’ depicts a transcendent negativity in line with negative theology. This is in opposition to the materialist interpretation, with interpreters like Jay Bernstein who oppose this reading, arguing that Adorno’s use of messianic language is only a metaphorical means to express a negative approach to finite, material experience. In this article, I argue that an ambiguity concerning the source of redemption in Adorno’s work prevents either interpretation from being conclusive. Adorno vacillates between locating hope in sensuous experience or in spiritual negativity. In response, I offer a reading of Adorno’s notion of the object’s preponderance that fulfils both the materialist concern with concrete mediation as well as the theological notion that the messianic light cannot arise from the existing world. The experience of the retreat of the object’s preponderance explains our consciousness of a negative notion of redemption that transcends our current cultural circumstance.
The impact of business intelligence on promoting decision-making in Jordanian business companies
Authors: Eyadat Ahmad Ali
Published: October 2024

This research aims to investigate the impact of business intelligence on promoting decision-making in Jordanian business companies. The research Methodology is quantitative. It adopts an analytical case study approach, employing the analytical descriptive method, which is deemed appropriate for investigating social phenomena. The construction of the scale for this study relies on two variables that align with its objectives. This scale includes ten items that cover the main research question. The study’s target population includes all Jordanian business companies, with a sample size of 30 managers randomly selected from these companies. Several guidelines are adhered to when selecting a research instrument. The findings show that there is a positive impact of using business intelligence on promoting decision-making in Jordanian business companies. The employees of the companies have sufficient skills in the field of enhancing business intelligence since they actually use it in their workplace.
Improvement of quality of life in women ≤ 25-years-old with chronic pelvic pain following stenting of nonthrombotic iliac vein compression
Authors: Spencer Elizabeth Brooke , Schuelke Ariana , Porter Kyra , Nelson Jacqueline , Horne Elisabeth S.
Published: October 2024

Objectives

Stenting of nonthrombotic iliac vein compression for chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is controversial, especially in young populations. The current study evaluated the effects of iliac vein stenting on CPP through the assessment of quality-of-life (QoL) and pain scores in female patients ≤25-year-old.

Methods

A retrospective single site cohort study was conducted for 30 female patients who were treated with left common iliac vein (LCIV) stenting for CPP. QoL was assessed before and after stenting using the following assessments: International Pelvic Pain Society (IPPS), Pelvic Congestion Syndrome (PCS), Pelvic Pain and Urinary Urgency Frequency (PUF), Rome III IBS, ancillary symptoms assessment, and pain scores. Secondary evaluation of the accuracy of radiologic interpretations of iliac vein compression on CT and MRI was also performed. Finally, commonly associated comorbidities within this population were assessed.

Results

Patient reported outcomes in 30 iliac vein stent patients demonstrated improvements in QoL post-stenting as demonstrated through significant reductions in IPPS, PCS, and pain scores ( p = .0103, .0156, and .0092, respectively). Many of the cross-sectional imaging studies that were read by the interpreting radiologist as normal or mild compression were later identified as moderate or severe by the interventional radiologist clinically evaluating the patient. These patients went on to show significant compression on venography and intravascular ultrasound with associated clinical improvement after stenting.

Conclusion

Significant improvements in QoL were identified in young women with CPP after LCIV stenting. Similarities in the clinical presentation of common comorbidities and misinterpretation of cross-sectional imaging studies may make the identification of pelvic venous disease more challenging. Our findings endorse the need for further research on stenting in young women with venous origin CPP through comparative outcomes studies and blinded randomized controlled trials.
Booksellers as placemakers: Innovative roles of independent booksellers in high street retailing
Authors: Sønderland Saga Regine , Ntounis Nikos , Warnaby Gary , Gregory Chris , Parker Cathy
Published: October 2024

High street vitality and viability has been a long-standing topic in UK research and policy debates. While the presence and role of the independent retailer is discussed in the associated academic literature, specific consideration of independent bookstores has been lacking, given their perceived position as a special type of retailer within the high street ecosystem. There is, to date, very limited knowledge regarding booksellers’ contributions to high street vitality and viability. We explore the role(s) of booksellers by demonstrating how they can help drive the vitality and viability of their high streets in the UK and Ireland – identifying booksellers as social entrepreneurs, value co-creators, multifunctional initiators and speciality anchors. As such, their placemaking activities extend far beyond retailing. We argue that by assuming such innovative roles, placemaking efforts undertaken by booksellers can catalyse town centre transformation and contribute to revitalisation.
What is wrong with gentrification-related displacement?
Authors: van Leeuwen Bart
Published: October 2024

Recently a number of theorists argue that physical displacement as a result of gentrification ought to be morally rejected on the basis of the principle of personal autonomy: displacement violates the option to exercise “place-based” or “located life-plans.” What is adversely violated is the neighborhood as a spatial background condition for the ability to realize embedded pursuits. I argue that this attempt to morally value social attachments to a particular place as means (or resources) to realize plans, is unconvincing and subject to moral risk because it instrumentalizes social attachments instead of recognizing their intrinsic significance for those concerned. The paper provides an alternative account of urban justice that is able to accommodate respect for social attachments as a separate moral category, distinct from respect for personal autonomy.
Geographies of race and ethnicity III: Black Geographies of creativity
Authors: Noxolo Pat
Published: October 2024

This is the last of three reports on Black Geographies. Through theories then practices of Black creativity, the report highlights the need for critical engagements with creativity, as necessary to Black life but not innocent in racial capitalism.
Enzyme ChE, cholinergic therapy and molecular docking: Significant considerations and future perspectives
Authors: Jovičić Snežana M
Published: October 2024

Enzyme Che plays an essential role in cholinergic and non-cholinergic functions. It is present in the fertilized/unfertilized eggs and sperm of different species. Inclusion criteria for data collection from electronic databases NCBI and Google Scholar are enzyme AChE/BChE, cholinergic therapy, genomic organization and gene transcription, enzyme structure, biogenesis, transport, processing and localization, molecular signaling and biological function, polymorphism and influencing factors. Enzyme Che acts as a signaling receptor during hematopoiesis, protein adhesion, amyloid fiber formation, neurite outgrowth, bone development, and maturation, explaining the activity out of synaptic neurotransmission. Polymorphism in the Che genes correlates to various diseases and diverse drug responses. In particular, change accompanies cancer, neurodegenerative, and cardiovascular disease. Literature knowledge indicates the importance of Che inhibitors that influence biochemical and molecular pathways in disease treatment, genomic organization, gene transcription, structure, biogenesis, transport, processing, and localization of Che enzyme. Enzyme Che polymorphism changes indicate the possibility of efficient and new inhibitor drug target mechanisms in diverse research areas.
Tribological characteristics of graphene nanoplatelets-filled PTFE under dry sliding and sea water environmental conditions
Authors: Mir Ahmad Hafeeyi , Charoo M S
Published: October 2024

This study focuses on enhancing the tribological performance of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) composites by incorporating graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) through compression moulding technique. The main aim of the research was to investigate how varying weight percentages of GNP (1 wt %, 3 wt % and 5 wt %) influence the friction and wear properties of PTFE composites under both dry sliding and saline water environment. A significant reduction in the coefficient of friction (COF) and wear rate was observed with the addition of GNP, particularly in seawater. Specifically, the reduction of COF in sea water reached up to 58.765% with 3% of GNP compared to dry sliding. For wear reduction, a reduction of up to 90.247% was observed with 5% GNP in sea water condition. These findings reveal the potential of GNP-filled PTFE composites in applications requiring enhanced tribological properties in both dry and aqueous environments. The originality of this work lies in the comprehensive analysis of the environmental influence on GNP-filled PTFE composites, providing understandings of their applicability in marine environments.
Research on the impact mechanism and parameter optimization of RTP structure layer fusion process
Authors: Zhang Sipeng , Fang Haifeng , Cai Lihua , Zeng Junmin
Published: October 2024

Fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite pipes (RTP) possess a complex multilayer structure. Apart from the melting process of the reinforced layer, the melting process between the inner and outer layers and the reinforced layer is equally crucial. Factors such as heating time, heating temperature, and pipe diameter significantly influence the degree of tight bonding between these layers. The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence mechanism of the fusion process between the three main layers of RTP and to perform parameter optimization analysis. First, Box-Behnken response surface method and finite element analysis were used to obtain the softened layer thickness under different parameters and to couple the influence mechanism of process parameters on the softened layer thickness. Then, single parameter sensitivity analysis was used to reveal the influence mechanism of each parameter change on the softened layer thickness of the pipe, and then the coupling analysis of the process parameters was carried out. The analysis results show that the softened layer thickness is most sensitive to the change of heating temperature, followed by heating time and pipe diameter. Finally, the optimal parameter combination was obtained through the expected function method, and experiments were conducted on finished pipes.
Tribological and mechanical behaviors of Fe3O4NPs reinforced UHMWPE biocomposite
Authors: Khairallah Wafa , Autay Riadh , Bensalah Walid , Baouab Mohamed Hassen V
Published: October 2024

Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) filled with diverse contents of magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4NPs) were produced via hot compression molding. The effect of Fe3O4NPs on the tribological and mechanical properties of the UHMWPE matrix was studied. Wear and friction behaviors were studied using a reciprocating pin-on-disc tribometer under a sliding speed of 0.03 m.s−1 and an applied normal load of 20N. Mechanical behavior was investigated using tensile and hardness tests. SEM technique was used to explore the surface morphology and to investigate wear mechanisms. Results showed that reinforcement with Fe3O4NPs improved UHMWPE matrix hardness and wear resistance. A maximum hardness and wear resistance in addition to a good mechanical behavior in traction were obtained when adding 1 wt% of magnetite nanofiller. Reinforcement increased the coefficient of friction but there is no obvious correlation between nanofiller contents and friction. SEM analysis showed that the reinforcing rate of UHMWPE influences wear mechanisms.
Advancement of nanofiller reinforced fused filament fabrication polymers: A path to sustainable, weather-resistant 3D printing materials
Authors: Gawali Sagar Kailas , Jain Prashant Kumar
Published: October 2024

Recent studies have focused on developing new materials capable of withstanding diverse environmental or weathering conditions, including sunlight, temperature, moisture, and chemicals, for various outdoor applications. Nowadays, nanotechnological advancements have opened possibilities for the development of polymer nanocomposites, which exhibit superior mechanical and weathering properties over traditional materials. However, there is limited literature available that summarizes the improvements in the mechanical and weathering properties of nanocomposites specifically for FFF. This paper provides a concise review of composite material development through the incorporation of nanofillers (NFs) to enhance product strength and durability. The primary focus is on examining the effect of the inorganic nanofillers, especially metal oxides NFs (TiO2, ZnO, SiO2), on the mechanical and weathering properties of the polymers in different manufacturing processes. Paper also covered the challenges and opportunities along with the applications of metal oxide-based polymer nanocomposites for outdoor use.
Exploring the influence of contextual factors on social entrepreneurial intentions: A study of generation Z
Authors: Prakash Deepti , Arora Twinkle
Published: October 2024

With the increasing trend of social entrepreneurship intention research, the literature is majorly fragmented into examining the influence of individual personality level factors. Little attention has been given to the role of contextual factors which affect the social entrepreneurial intention process. The purpose of the study is to explore the inter-relationships between contextual factors i.e., perceived support and perceived barriers with social entrepreneurship intentions of Generation Z in the presence of theory of planned behaviour. Data was collected from 610 students in undergraduate and postgraduate courses. PLS-SEM 4.0 was used for the analysis. PLSpredict and IPMA were employed. Results of our study highlights the significant positive impact of perceived support and negative impact of perceived barriers on social entrepreneurial intentions. Theory of planned behaviour holds different significant as a mediator for both the contextual factors. Majority of the current body of literature on social entrepreneurship has focused on testing intentions of older generations. Therefore, empirically testing the impact of contextual factors (combined) from entrepreneurship support system framework on social entrepreneurial intentions among the Generation Z in a developing economy context provides valuable insights.
Modification of temperature jump condition for modified Navier-Stokes equations included molecular diffusivity in high-speed rarefied gas flows
Authors: Le Nam T. P. , Dang Le Quang , Nguyen Duc-Nam , Dinh Bang V.
Published: October 2024

The classical Navier-Stokes (NS) model is inappropriate for the high-speed rarefied gas flow simulations due to the linear NS constitutive relations. A modified NS model has been proposed by incorporating the molecular diffusivity terms in the NS constitutive relations and gave good agreement with the experimental data for simulating the one-dimensional shock wave structure. The current work comprehensively investigates enhancing this modified NS model for two-dimensional high-speed rarefied gas flows and determining its proper slip and jump boundary conditions. A new temperature jump condition is also proposed for this modified NS model. This modified NS model and the new temperature jump condition are implemented in OpenFOAM by modifying the solver rhoCentralFoam, which solves the classical NS equations. Two high-speed gas flow cases are selected to validate the modified NS model with the new temperature jump condition as the sharp leading-edge wedge and truncated leading-edge flat plate with argon as the working fluid. Combining the modified NS equations and the new temperature jump with the wall-function type to correct the viscosity in the Knudsen layer predicts the computational results approaching the DSMC data.
Optimization and performance analysis of a novel automatic planting-irrigating integrated robot
Authors: Liu Xunchen , Huang Hongxun , Chen Mingzhang , Fang Yuan , Shu Yuwen
Published: October 2024

Soil desertification is a severe environmental problem that seriously threatens the ecological environment and sustainable development. Traditional tree-planting methods face challenges such as insufficient labor force and low efficiency. Based on these problems, this study designed a novel automatic planting-irrigation integrated robot with automatic planting, irrigating, and monitoring functions. The robot obtains land information through laser triangle ranging technology, the camera, and other sensors. Machine vision and deep learning algorithms are applied for image processing and identification to identify the areas suitable for tree planting accurately. The drip irrigation module adopts the DHT11 digital temperature and humidity sensor control switch, which can realize efficient tree planting and watering operation, and ensure the growth of saplings and has a broad application prospect. Our design is meaningful in restraining soil desertification, maintaining the ecological environment, and realizing a sustainable economy.
Active vibration isolation support platform for double crystal monochromator
Authors: Xu Anpeng , He Shuai , Xu Zhenbang , Wang Lintao , Zhang Enyang , Sun Xiangyang
Published: October 2024

The quality of the beamline at a synchrotron light source is directly related to the performance of the double crystal monochromator. This paper presents a designed active vibration isolation support platform for the double-crystal monochromator to meet the higher stability demands of advancing synchrotron light sources. The platform has good decoupling characteristics through the redundant structure of eight actuators mixed with active and passive. A vibration isolation control scheme is designed based on distributed degrees of freedom and a feed-forward feedback composite control scheme to ensure high stiffness of the support platform while achieving full-band vibration isolation. Finally, constructed a verification platform for an active vibration isolation system and verified the effectiveness of the proposed control method through experiments. With the designed active vibration isolation algorithm, the system can achieve full-band vibration isolation within the 1–100 Hz bandwidth.
Geometry modeling method of a stator forming coil for permanent magnet traction motors in rail transit for manufacturing
Authors: Hu Ao , Hu Jian , Li Weiye , Xu Jun , Wu Yuhe , Qin Jie
Published: October 2024

Facing the comprehensive promotion of CR450, permanent magnet traction motors need to be applied in batches. In response to the swift trial production requirements of various stator forming coil models in manufacturing and considering the correlation between design and manufacturing parameters, we research the geometric model of stator forming coils for manufacturing. In this study, the geometry modeling technique of the stator forming coil is elucidated. The essential structures are precisely modeled via the analytical geometry method. A correlation model illustrating the relationship between the design parameters and the manufacturing parameters of these structures is established to consider the calculation error. We propose a 3D scanning structural feature modeling approach that extracts coil features and employs fitting methods to invert key structural model elements on point cloud datasets for experimental validation. Leveraging the point cloud model, the critical structural size computation method is deployed to calculate structural parameters. The results demonstrate that the comparative errors in the span width and height of the nose end between forward and reverse modeling are 0.45% and 2.6%, respectively. This addresses the issue of design parameters being challenging to accurately guide manufacturing and can offer effective support for the design and manufacturing assembly of stator forming coils with various model specifications.