bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Classification of Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging Abnormalities and Spectrum of Neurological Findings in a Cohort with Copy Number Variation-Related Disorders
Authors: Türkyılmaz Ayberk , Sağer Safiye Güneş , Caliskan Emine , Akçay Merve , Demir Oğuzhan , Baytar Baran , Akın Yasemin
Published: August 2024

Introduction: Copy number variation (CNV) is the difference in the sequence of genomic segments, which can vary from one kilobase to several megabases. Certain CNVs have been linked to various human disorders, such as intellectual disability, multiple congenital anomalies, autism spectrum disorders, neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric conditions, and cancer. The present study aims to classify brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, describe neurological manifestations, and discuss the findings within the context of genotype–phenotype correlations in a cohort of patients with recurrent and nonrecurrent CNVs. Methods: A total of 21 patients with pathogenic CNV detected using microarray analysis were included in the study. Results: Analysis of the clinical findings of the patient cohort showed that 16 (76%) had microcephaly, 14 had epilepsy (66%), 20 had facial dysmorphism (95%), and all had developmental delay (100%). Novel brain MRI findings were detected in six (6/13, 46%) patients with recurrent CNV and five (5/8, 63%) patients with nonrecurrent CNV. Conclusion: CNV-related disorders should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with brain MRI findings suspicious for metabolic disorders. Brain MRI differences in patients with the same chromosomal deletion can be explained by the second-hit hypothesis. Additional single nucleotide variations and epigenetic factors in these cases may have led to the involvement of different regions of the brain. Revealing the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of cases in rare disorders will contribute to the widespread use of precision medicine and genetic treatment approaches in the near future.
Cash Waqfs and Commercial Capital: Evidence from Ottoman-Venetian Trade (16th Century)
Authors: Stefini Tommaso
Published: August 2024

This article offers new evidence on commercial financing in the early modern Ottoman Empire. It examines the little-known role of cash waqfs (nukud-ı mevkufe), Islamic trusts, in supporting Ottoman trade with Europe in the sixteenth century. Most of scholarship on cash waqfs considers this institution exclusively as a provider of micro-credit to consumers because the Islamic legal framework allegedly hindered capital accumulation from this institution. By focusing on the cash waqfs of Sarajevo in Ottoman-Venetian trade in the Adriatic Sea in the 1580s, I demonstrate that this institution could also operate as a source of commercial capital supporting large-scale business ventures. I argue that this was the case in Sarajevo because of the absence of other major capital providers in that city and of the specific role played by local artisanal associations (esnaf) in the foundation and administration of these endowments as well as in the conduct of international trade. These findings for Sarajevo are another demonstration of the operational diversity and flexibility of Islamic credit institutions in the pre-modern period.
A Most Dangerous Tale: the Universality, Evolution, and Function of Blood Libels
Authors: Szegőfi Ákos
Published: August 2024

Blood libels are narratives about Jews and Christians, featuring an accusation that a child or a woman had been kidnapped and assaulted due to religious or economic goals. Blood libel-like narratives, however, are not only found in Judeo-Christian history; they appear in many cultures. Using the framework of Cultural Attraction Theory, the paper considers their evolution, and identifies testable factors of attraction. The paper makes two claims regarding the morphology and the function of these ancient tales. Firstly, narratives about outgroups tend to evolve towards the shape of a blood libel, as it taps into an optimum number of universal cognitive preferences. The correspondence with the evolved features of the mind contributes to the success of the narrative in different cultures and time periods. Secondly, these narratives function as coalition signals. Upon calling ingroup members into action against an outgroup, the blood libel unifies audiences before engaging in exclusionary action.
Tribal Politics: Political Orientation Predicts Authoritarian Traits, Cross-Cultural Interactions, and Adherence to Common Identity Factors
Authors: Cuevas Joshua A. , Dawson Bryan L. , Grant Ashley C.
Published: August 2024

Cultural interactions have been at the forefront of political strife in recent years as authoritarian regimes have come to power across the globe. This warrants investigation by social science researchers in the fields of social psychology, political psychology, and cognitive psychology. This study drew upon those three fields to explore the relationships between political orientation and (1) authoritarian traits, (2) attitudes towards intergroup relations and cross-cultural interactions (CCI), and (3) identity factors, largely through the lens of Social Identity Theory. Participants comprised 2,582 undergraduates at a public university in the U.S. The Diverse Learning Environments survey assessed views on social identity, intergroup relations, political and religious ideology, and social and political issues. Correlational analysis and ANOVA were conducted to determine relationships between variables and differences between groups. Results indicated that the more strongly respondents rated their political orientation as conservative, the more authoritarian traits they tended to report, the less likely they were to engage in CCI, and the more likely they were to hold negative views of those from different backgrounds than themselves. The more respondents rated their political orientation as liberal, the more open they were to diversity and more likely they were to engage in CCI. Identity factors appeared to be more important to conservatives than to liberals in that strength of political ideology was related to common identity characteristics for conservatives but not for liberals.
Protection of Factually Innocent as a New Narrative to Abolish the Death Penalty in Malaysia
Authors: Muhamad Mohd Munzil , Siong Wong Hua , Kumar Baraneetharan Kishur
Published: August 2024

For many years, there have been many unsuccessful calls made by the local and international community for Malaysia to abolish the death penalty from its legal system. Efforts have been made to challenge the constitutionality of the death penalty in Malaysian courts on the grounds that it violates the right to life and equality before the law or equal protection of the law as enshrined in the Federal Constitution, but they remain unsuccessful. This article argues that a new narrative must be put forward in the quest to abolish the death penalty in Malaysia.
Revisiting State Sovereignty Interpretation in Managing Rohingya Refugee Arrivals Amid the covid-19 Pandemic in Indonesia
Authors: Puspita Natalia Yeti
Published: August 2024

There is a controversy between the application of the principle of state sovereignty and the principle of non-refoulement regarding the entry of Rohingya refugees into Indonesia during the covid-19 pandemic. The results show that the covid-19 pandemic is a global threat to human security, regardless of citizenship status. Thus, everyone needs protection and guarantees of human rights, including refugees. Even though Indonesia is not obliged to accept refugees because it has not ratified the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, and immigration is tightened to prevent the spread of the covid-19 pandemic, Indonesia continues to do so. Indonesia’s policy justification is based on its interpretation of state sovereignty as a humanitarian and non-discriminatory protection authority.
The Constitutional Right to Compensation for Violation of Fundamental Rights: An Analysis of Recent Developments in India
Authors: Sharma Aman Kumar , Bohra Saroj
Published: August 2024

This article examines the constitutional right to compensation for the violation of fundamental rights in the Indian context. It begins by exploring the historical development of this right, tracing its origins to the drafting of the Indian Constitution in 1950. The article then goes on to analyse the current state of the law in India with respect to this right, examining recent judicial decisions and legislative developments in this area. One key finding is the significant expansion of the right to compensation for violations of fundamental rights in India over the past decade. This expansion has been driven in part by the evolution of constitutional jurisprudence on this issue, as well as by the increasing recognition of the importance of this right among legal scholars, policymakers, and civil society organisations. This research also identifies several challenges that continue to limit the full realisation of this right in practice, including limited access to justice, institutional capacity constraints, and inadequate legislative frameworks. Overall, this article provides a comprehensive and nuanced analysis of the constitutional right to compensation for violation of fundamental rights in India, contributing to the ongoing discourse in this area and providing valuable insights for legal scholars, policymakers, and other stakeholders interested in promoting human rights and the rule of law in India.
The St. Ełiše (Elisaeus) Church and the Sanctuary of Kyomrad in Nij
Authors: Simonyan Lilit , Zhamkochyan Anushavan , Hovhannisyan Karen
Published: August 2024

The article presents traditions of the village Nij associated with the enlightener of Albania St. Ełiše (Elisaeus) and his disciple-martyrs. The festival occasions are provided in a diachronic reality indicating gradual but rapid changes in the religious life of the village and the significant role of the Saint’s figure and sanctuaries dedicated to him for the maintenance of the identity of Udis. In addition, some new archival materials are used.
Poems on Mār Qūryāqōs by ʿAḇdīšōʿ of Gāzartā
Authors: Pritula Anton
Published: August 2024

This article examines poems dedicated to the martyr Qūryāqōs by the eminent East Syriac poet and patriarch ʿAḇdīšōʿ of Gāzartā (d. 1570). For the first time the peculiarities of these works and their place in the development of Syriac poetry are examined. Additionally, a critical edition and translation of one of the poems, the turgāmā, is given, based on available manuscripts. A special place in the article is given to the correlation of the poetic texts under consideration with the prose versions of the hagiography of this martyr, which was used as a source by ʿAḇdīšōʿ of Gāzartā.
The Cult of Saint Elijah in Serbia and the System of the Royal Ideology under the Nemanjić Dynasty (12th–14th Centuries)
Authors: Aleksić Vladimir , Milić Dragana
Published: August 2024

Up to this point, the function of St. Elijah’s cult in the royal ideological system in medieval Serbia during the Nemanjić dynasty (1166–1371) has not been adequately researched. This paper adopts the idea that descriptions of episodes from this Old Testament prophet’s life were masterfully adapted in the Serbian religious medieval literature for the purpose of constructing a few essential elements of the local ruling ideological norms. In addition to a brief overview of the church history of the central Balkans from the 7th to the early 13th century, which conditioned the late and partially finished Christianization of this area, the political and religious doctrines on which the rulers based their legitimacy during this period are explicated. The emphasis was on the concept of dynastic sanctity, which manifested itself not only through the systematic canonization of local rulers and church dignitaries of the Serbian church which was established in 1219 but also through the sacralization of the geographical space of the Serbian state and the long-lasting pursuit of total evangelization of its population. Numerous religious texts were written for this purpose, mostly hagiographies, which serve as the fundamental historical source for this research. By referencing St. Elijah’s God-pleasing monastic deeds and his puritan fight for “Christian” virtues when interacting with the secular leaders or pagans, the actions of his medieval counterparts are explained, justified, or even glorified, in a language understandable to numerous readers of the Bible and patristic literature across the Serbian realm.
Stories of Piety and Resistance: The Historiographical Excerpts of ms. DS 28A
Authors: Nicosia Giorgia
Published: August 2024

The present paper edits and translates into English the Syriac historiographical excerpts contained in ms. Deir al-Surian, Syr. 28A (6th–7th c.). The manuscript features a significant collection of excerpts taken from the Syriac translation of Theodoret’s Ecclesiastical History, as well as a few excerpts coming from Eusebius and Socrates’ Ecclesiastical Histories, and from Flavius Josephus’ Jewish War. With the exception of the latter, all these excerpts are so-far unedited and unstudied.

The present paper argues that these excerpts were carefully chosen and reshaped to fulfil a specific aim, i.e. showing through instructive examples how the Orthodox should resist and fight for their faith even at the cost of their lives, as well as how God always punished impious acts. Therefore, this collection contributes to the assessment of the originality of excerpting practices, and can help understand how such texts were used by the Miaphysite communities in their formative years.
The Vilification of the Hyksos: A Consideration of the Terminology
Authors: Peirce Laura
Published: August 2024

This paper investigates how the Hyksos’ notoriety was forged in seventeen ancient textual sources, considering the origins of the vilification of the Hyksos, the development of the vocabulary associated with these foreign rulers, and how the Thebans or Egyptians perceived themselves in direct contrast with the Hyksos. The study reveals that the negative terminology used in the textual sources to refer to the Hyksos is gradual and suggests that the growing hostility between Upper and Lower Egypt resulted in a shift in discourse to justify the conflict between the two kingdoms together with the establishment of a warrior ethos. Ultimately, this research highlights the pivotal role of the Theban (Egyptian) sources in shaping the legacy of the Hyksos that became a key “cultural memory” to articulate and affirm ancient Egyptian cultural identity in the New Kingdom.
Resurgent Coup d’États, Democratic Reversals, and Geopolitical Shifts in Africa
Authors: Aning Kwesi , Axelrod Ila
Published: August 2024

Transitions between “military” and “democratic” rule significantly impact the political stability of African states and challenge the legitimacy of “global governance” mechanisms promoted by regional and international organizations. Development and growth theories have long explored the durable implications of military coups d’état for social, political, and economic outcomes in Africa. An emerging body of critical scholarship has examined the resurgent coups d’état in Africa and their implications for the continent’s geopolitics. Concerned with the historical shortcomings of the imposition of global governance mechanisms onto African states, this article raises several questions about the tenets of global governance; the extent to which systems conceptually and empirically limited to particular temporal, spatial, and historical junctures “become global”; and how the strains and stresses that the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States continue to grapple with constitute a drive toward a new governance system that is reconfiguring geopolitical alliances.
Sources of Economic Growth in African and East Asian Countries: A Panel Causality Analysis
Authors: Zelalem Asmare Tigist , Nuru Seid , Emako Ezo
Published: August 2024

This paper examines the sources of growth in selected African and East Asian countries, using the growth accounting framework on data from 1960 to 2016. We demonstrate the causal association between labour quantity, total capital service (tks), total factor productivity (tfp) and economic growth. The lower growth in gdp during the 1980s and 1990s in Africa matches with the slower growth in tks. The tfp growth does not explain the economic growth difference among countries; it contributed negatively to gdp growth in the two regions until the 2000s. However, in African countries, its positive contribution during the 2000s returned to negative in the 2010s, while Asian countries continued driving a positive contribution up to 28.9% as a result of tfp growth. In all East Asian countries, tks contributed more than half of their growth in gdp, which makes their growth capital-driven, while African countries’ growth in gdp was more dependent on labour quantity growth. In Africa, we discovered bidirectional causality between labour quantity and gdp and between tks and gdp, as well as unidirectional causality running from gdp to tfp. In East Asia, we found only a one-way causality running from gdp to tks and to tfp. Policymakers in Africa should adopt policies aimed at increasing capital accumulation and efficient allocation of economic resources in order to sustain growth acceleration.
Rita Felski’s Uses of Literature Applied to the Old Testament
Authors: Gossage Cassidy Jay
Published: August 2024

This article converses with Rita Felski’s Uses of Literature as it applies to the Old Testament. First, I explore a loose correspondence between Felski’s “aestheticism” and “theory” and the most bankrupt versions of personal, devotional Bible reading and historical-critical interpretation of the Bible, respectively. Second, I apply Rita Felski’s four uses of literature—recognition, enchantment, knowledge, and shock—to the Bible. I suggest her reading strategies add to the hermeneutical toolkit of the modern Christian.
Juxtaposing indigenous evidence-based models in India with concept of Ubuntu: Implications for psychiatric social work practice
Authors: Jagannathan Aarti , Kurhade Chhaya
Published: August 2024

The philosophy and principles in ancient Indian scriptures and practices are similar to the Social Work concept of ‘Ubuntu’ that is, ‘Oneness’, ‘interconnectedness of all life’. Indian philosophy presents the interconnection between the mind and the body and states that a curative factor is creating a holistic balance within the individual. Several western models of social work have emerged for treating persons with mental disorders; however, they are considered ‘alien’ to the sociocultural milieu of India. This article discusses the feasibility and implications of indigenous socioculturally accepted evidence-based practice models of social work in India, compared to the concept of Ubuntu.
An analysis of risk factors for child suicide in three centres from 2008 to 2017
Authors: Olds Kelly L , Tse Rexson , Stables Simon , Baker Andrew M , Hird Kathryn , Langlois Neil E , Byard Roger W
Published: August 2024

As a part of a study of suicide in children aged 17 years and under in three centers—Hennepin County in the United States (US), Auckland in New Zealand (NZ), and South Australia in Australia (AUS) from 2008 to 2017 it was decided to characterize potential risk factors and to determine whether these differed by jurisdiction. Reviewed data included a history of psychiatric illness, symptoms prior to suicide, events preceding suicide, previous suicidal ideation or suicide attempts, and communication of suicidal intent. The most common events preceding suicide were arguments with family/friends and relationship issues; in addition depression with or without expressed suicidal ideation, self-harming behavior, sadness, distress, drug/substance abuse, and anorexia were documented. Suicidal intent was on occasion communicated via technological means. In 79.5% of cases in South Australia decedents had a previously diagnosed psychiatric illness, with 62% in Hennepin County. This compared to a much lower proportion of cases in Auckland (23.8%). Whether this reflects more limited access to psychiatric services or a reluctance to seek support and therapy in Auckland is unclear. It does, however, demonstrate that risk factors for child suicide are not uniform among communities and so extrapolation of data from one area to another may not be appropriate. Disturbingly parents/carers were not aware of the decedent's suicidal intent in 84–87.2% of cases.
Introduction to the special issue: Media transformation and the challenge of property
Authors: Theine Hendrik , Sevignani Sebastian
Published: August 2024

Despite property being a basic institution in capitalist societies it is rarely addressed directly and seldomly linked to media transformation outside of critical scholarship. This introduction gives an overview over the contributions in this special issue. The special issue is part of a revived interest in property in the social sciences and goes back to an intensive paper workshop hosted by this journal, which took place at the Vienna University of Economics and Business, Austria on 29 September 2023. The contributions are organised in three themes: property and the transformation of media in digital capitalism, public media in the twenty-first century and their limits, and media ownership beyond the legal form.
Relationships between physical activities performed under free-living conditions and non-motor symptoms in people with Parkinson's: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Still Amanda , Hale Leigh , Alam Sarfaraz , Morris Meg E. , Jayakaran Prasath
Published: August 2024

Background

Physical activities performed under free-living conditions that are unsupervised in the home or community have the potential to modulate non-motor symptoms in people with Parkinson's disease.

Objective

This systematic review investigates the relationships between physical activities performed in free-living conditions and non-motor symptoms in people with Parkinson's disease: cognition, anxiety, apathy, depression, sleep disturbances, fatigue, and pain.

Data sources

A database search was performed on Scopus, Web of Science, Ovid (PsycINFO), CINAHL, PubMed, and ProQuest (Health and Medicine).

Review methods

Observational studies published from 2000 to 2024 that examined the relationships between physical activity and non-motor symptoms were included. The methodological quality of reports was evaluated using critical appraisal checklists appropriate to the study design. Where appropriate, a meta-analysis was conducted to combine data from the included articles.

Results

A total of 14 articles met the criteria and used various tools to evaluate non-motor symptoms and physical activity. Meta-analyses showed that people with Parkinson's who are more physically active have better global cognition [ β ranged from 0.12 to 0.28; p = 0.00–0.02] and less affective disorders [ β -0.20, p = 0.00]. Increased physical activity levels were also associated with better sleep quality ( n = 1) and less chronic pain ( n = 1). The overall methodological quality of the included articles was considered high.

Conclusion

Engagement in increased levels of physical activities performed under free-living conditions is associated with better cognition and less anxiety, apathy, and depression in people with Parkinson's disease.
Earth’s spheres: Conceptual and definitional debates
Authors: Huggett Richard
Published: August 2024

Eduard Suess’s invention of the word ‘biosphere’ sparked a trend of coining sphere-words, which has since evolved into something of a craze. Some of these words, such as atmosphere and hydrosphere, are simply name tags for their respective Earth spheres. Others, such as geosphere, are also used mainly as names but they carry more than one meaning. However, many sphere-words, including pedosphere, biosphere, ecosphere, anthroposphere, sociosphere, and technosphere, are far more than just names, bearing as they do, weighty conceptual connotations that fuel considerable debate. At a time when Earth and life scientists are attempting to understand the workings of the planet as a whole by modelling the interaction of its component spheres, and when they are collaborating with sociologists, anthropologists, and members of other human sciences to tackle current environmental challenges, it seems an opportune moment to probe the origin and meaning of words for the Earth spheres they investigate. To be sure, Earth System modelling is helping understand changes resulting from the interaction of all the Earth’s spheres, including the anthroposphere, over various time and space scales, while multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, and transdisciplinary research is helping to address such global problems as sustainable development, climate change, water supply, and biodiversity loss. An awareness of the origin, development, and disputed meanings of many sphere-words that these approaches employ should prove salutary for their multifarious practitioners.
Vancomycin Soaking to Reduce Intraoperative Contamination by Cutibacterium acnes During the Latarjet Procedure
Authors: Barret Hugo , Grare Marion , Dalmas Yoann , Girard Mathieu , Mansat Pierre , Bonnevialle Nicolas
Published: August 2024

Background:

Postoperative infection after the Latarjet procedure, ranging from 1% to 6%, can compromise the functional outcome of young athletes. Cutibacterium acnes is a main pathogen as a consequence of an intraoperative contamination.

Purpose:

To evaluate intraoperative contamination with C. acnes and the effectiveness of the local application of vancomycin during the Latarjet procedure.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.

Methods:

This was a single-center study including 75 patients (mean age, 26 years; range, 15-55 years) operated on for anterior shoulder instability with the primary open Latarjet procedure; they underwent the same protocol of skin preparation and preoperative prophylactic antibiotics. Three groups of 25 patients were created and divided sequentially, without the results of each group being known before the end of the study: group A (5 mg/mL of vancomycin), group B (20 mg/mL of vancomycin), and group C (control group with no vancomycin). Swab samples of the coracoid were taken before sectioning the coracoid process (time 1) and after its preparation (time 2). The coracoid was then wrapped in gauze impregnated with different concentrations of vancomycin, except for group C. A final sample (time 3) was taken before screwing the bone block onto the glenoid. All samples were cultured for 21 days, and patients underwent clinical and radiological follow-up for 6 months.

Results:

The C. acnes contamination rates at times 1, 2, and 3 were 25%, 44%, and 45%, respectively, without significant difference. There was no significant difference between groups A and B with respect to the number of positive cultures at each time point. Of 9 positive cultures at time 1, all were still positive at time 3 in group A, whereas 3 of 5 were negative in group B ( P = .027). The rate of C. acnes at time 3 in the control group was higher than that in the 2 other groups (68% vs 44% for group A and 20% for group B; P = .003). Body mass index was the only prognostic factor for a C. acnes–positive culture (26.05 ± 3.39 vs 23.34 ± 2.33; P = .018). No clinical infection was reported at the 6-month postoperative follow-up.

Conclusion:

The rate of C. acnes contamination ranged from 25% to 68% during the open Latarjet procedure in young athletes. Vancomycin reduced the bacterial contamination when it was used at high concentrations in a gauze wrap on the coracoid. The type of C. acnes detected and its clinical implications remain to be studied.
The Inevitability of Death: Mental Simulation Moderates the Effect of Death Anxiety on Older Adults’ Vulnerability to Fraud
Authors: Chen Zhihu , Wen Jing , Li Yingcong , Zhang Xinyu , Lv Chenyu , Shao Jingjin
Published: August 2024

Death anxiety arousal is a common tactic in fraud targeting older adults; however, little is known about its impact on vulnerability to fraud and the moderating role of mental simulation. Two experiments were conducted using the mortality salience task. Experiment 1 employed a mortality salience manipulation to examine the causality of death anxiety arousal affecting older adults’ vulnerability to fraud using a behavioral experiment. Experiment 2 used the imaginary priming paradigm to manipulate different types of mental simulation to address whether mental simulation could moderate the relationship between death anxiety and vulnerability to fraud. The results showed that death anxiety significantly increased the vulnerability to fraud. Process and downward outcome simulation buffered this effect, while upward outcome simulation exacerbated it. Clinicians may focus on relieving death anxiety, decreasing upward outcome simulation, and enhancing process or downward outcome simulation as promising pathways to protect older adults against fraud.
Optimizing pressure drop in 90° bend horizontal pipelines for dense slurry flow: A response surface methodology approach
Authors: Krishna Ram , Gupta Pankaj Kumar
Published: August 2024

Efficient transportation of minerals and solid materials through pipelines requires very complex parameters and conditions. This research investigates the correlations between different flow parameters and pipe design elements to predict bend pressure drop—a factor that indicates the possibility of erosion both in the straight pipeline sections and in the bends. Adopting a response surface methodology approach, this study identifies material conveyance conditions with best results while maintaining minimal bend pressure drop. The research shows the significant influence of slurry concentration, velocity, particle diameter, particle concentration, and pipe diameter on bend pressure drop. The speed of conveyance turns out to be the main variable that affects the bend section, whereas in the horizontal pipe portions, the pipe diameter becomes more important. This research paper gives critical consideration of the factors controlling material conveyance with the aim of reducing bend pressure drop by up to 15% for dense slurry flow inside horizontal pipelines. This study reports the outcomes, including the results of the right design values for the parameters as 1.787 m/s, 8.82, 450 μm, 466.442 mm, and 1.2 for inlet velocity of the mixture, solid volume concentration, particle size, pipe diameter, and bend ratio. The response parameter bend pressure drop was 49.7 Pa at such conditions. This study provides valuable insights into optimizing material conveyance by understanding and manipulating these key parameters to reduce bend pressure drop by up to 15% in dense slurry flow within horizontal pipelines.
Experimental evaluation of passive and active cooling methods for high-concentration photovoltaic systems using nanofluids
Authors: Dhairiyasamy Ratchagaraja , Rajendran Silambarasan
Published: August 2024

High-concentration photovoltaic (HCPV) systems require cooling methods to maintain cell efficiency. Passive fin heat sinks and active microchannel heat exchangers are potential cooling solutions. Nanofluids are an emerging coolant that could enhance heat transfer in microchannels. This work experimentally evaluated the performance of a fin heat sink and microchannel heat exchanger for cooling HCPV systems. The study also examined silver nanofluids at 0.0005–0.005 vol% concentrations in the microchannel heat exchanger. A small-scale HCPV system with the fin heat sink was built and tested outdoors under 500–1100 W/m2 solar irradiance. An experimental bench was constructed to evaluate the microchannel heat exchanger at 5–15 heat fluxes (W/cm2) and 25–35 °C inlet temperatures using water and a 50/50 water/ethylene glycol base fluid. Silver nanofluids increased heat transfer up to 20% but also increased pressure drop compared to base fluids. The fin heat sink achieved 2.5–3.0 °C/W thermal resistance, while the microchannel heat exchanger exhibited 0.5–1.5 °C/W, a 60–80% reduction. Microchannel cooling shows excellent potential for HCPV systems due to its low thermal resistance. Silver nanofluids increased heat transfer up to 20% but also increased pressure drop compared to base fluids. The pressure drop penalty ranged from 5–15% over the base fluid at the same flow rates. Silver nanofluids can enhance heat transfer but require optimization to balance thermal and hydraulic improvements.
COVID-19 guidelines and media influenced ethical care in nursing homes
Authors: Wachtler Caroline , Bergqvist Monica , Bastholm-Rahmner Pia , Gustafsson Lars L , Schmidt-Mende Katharina
Published: August 2024

Background

The early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic affected nursing homes and their residents heavily. Guidelines on how to mitigate the virus’s spread and ensuring safe healthcare delivery were continually evolving. Concurrently, nursing homes faced intense media scrutiny. This challenging environment severely impacted registered nurses and physicians employed within these facilities.

Aim

To understand the ethical challenges experienced by registered nurses and physicians working in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Research design

Qualitative descriptive research using thematic analysis.

Participants and research context

Individual online interviews with four registered nurses and eight physicians clinically active at nursing homes in Sweden.

Ethical considerations

The study was approved by the Swedish Ethical Review Authority. All participants provided written consent.

Results

Registered nurses and physicians working in nursing homes perceived ethical challenges stemming from early COVID-19 pandemic guidelines and media coverage. The main theme generated was ‘Struggling to maintain professional and ethical standards under pressure’ incorporating two subthemes: ‘Guidelines developed without the profession put pressure on staff’ and ‘Media’s biased reporting was perceived as unethical and undermined care’. Guidelines from the authorities were considered as developed without professional involvement. It made them difficult to adhere to without deviating from professional and ethical compasses. Media coverage adversely influenced relatives’ perceptions, resulting in mistrust towards physicians’ and registered nurses’ in delivering optimal care for the residents.

Conclusions

Resilient care in nursing homes necessitates the collaborative development of guidelines involving registered nurses and physicians, particularly amidst crises. Moreover, it is vital to provide support to registered nurses navigating ethical dilemmas, especially during pandemics. Guidelines and principles for care during a crisis should be development with professional involvement, be transparent, and be available to the public, to promote neutral media coverage. Future research is crucial to enhance ethical standards and tackle challenges in this context.
The Making of India’s Resilient Opposition in the 1970s
Authors: Kumar Rupak
Published: August 2024

This article seeks to focus on the changing nature of India’s parliamentary opposition in the 1970s. The article argues that, unlike the previous decades, the Opposition in India was resilient, even if not organised in the face of the authoritarian tendencies of Indira Gandhi pre- and during the Emergency. The analytical framework helps to understand the reasons for the growing opposition’s resilience. The manifestation of this resilience can be traced to the programmes and actions of the opposition parties undertaken in the 1970s inside and outside the parliament as the crisis of democratic governance deepened, as explained in this article. This article attempts to make sense of parliamentary opposition in the 1970s, unlike any other existing study that either focused on the Congress, party system, or emergency per se. This article brings the spotlight on the Opposition as a category that lacks constitutional safeguards, thereby missing the ‘equality of conditions’ in a democratic framework. An emphasis is given to analytically understanding the political processes that played a significant role in the government–opposition relationship. The study has been conducted with the help of primary archival materials, newspaper reportings, memoirs, commentaries and governmental records such as parliamentary debates, along with existing academic works (though scarcely) on the making and functioning of the Opposition in India. The analytical approach in studying this particular moment in the political history of India helps us to understand the primacy, effectiveness, limitations and failures of democratic governance from the Opposition’s standpoint.
Hospital Administration during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Administrators’ and Healthcare Workers’ Experiences
Authors: Torun Nazan
Published: August 2024

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global health problem that has put a tremendous amount of pressure on healthcare systems worldwide. This pressure has taken its toll on hospitals, administrators and healthcare workers. Prevention and management are the best ways of fighting against COVID-19. This article focused on healthcare workers’ and hospital administrators’ experiences with the pandemic. This study adopted a qualitative phenomenological design to draw on hospital administrators’ and healthcare workers’ first-hand experience of the pandemic. Most participants stated that the pandemic took a physical and psychosocial toll on them. They noted that although they experienced some challenges, the pandemic brought with it opportunities as well. They remarked that they needed psychosocial support. Five main themes and fourteen subthemes were developed based on the interviews: ‘access’, ‘appreciating things’, ‘fight against COVID-19’, ‘a physically and emotionally challenging time’ and ‘times of need’. The pandemic has taken its toll on all healthcare systems around the world. It has been a never-before-seen challenge for all departments of hospitals. Leaders, healthcare organisations and healthcare workers have worked relentlessly to keep the pandemic under control. However, tackling the pandemic is not only their responsibility. It is evident that the public should also have a certain awareness to support the state and healthcare workers in their struggle against the pandemic.
Health Care Still a Costly Affair: Covariates of Out-of-Pocket Expenditure on Health Care in India with Special Reference to Empowered Action Group States
Authors: Bhattacharjee Deepabali , Mohanty Pratap C.
Published: August 2024

This article investigates the covariates of out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) on health care, with a special focus on the Empowered Action Group (EAG) states of India. These states are economically weaker and vulnerable. For analysis, the study uses a nationally representative database—the India Human Development Survey (IHDS I, 2004–2005 and IHDS II, 2011–2012)—by applying the log-linear regression method. Four regression models have been specified in the article. The pooled regression method is applied to check the robustness of the models. Results identify that factors such as the location of the respondent, education, waiting time in hospitals, household expenditure per capita and the location of the hospital play a significant role in determining the OOPE on health care in India. Among other factors, waiting time in the hospital and the distant treatment location result in higher opportunity costs for better treatment facilities, hence increasing the burden on OOPE. The study concludes with suggestions based on these covariates, especially for the EAG states.
Factors Affecting the Quality of Nursing Care in an Oncology Setting—A Literature Review
Authors: Putty Devina , Gungaphul Mridula , Kassean Hemant
Published: August 2024

The provision of high-quality, holistic nursing care in oncology settings is influenced by numerous factors. This literature review explores the critical factors impacting the quality of nursing care in oncology, drawing from a wide range of scholarly sources. Key factors identified include the role of the nurse in an oncology setting, nurse education and training, emotional care, informational support and palliative care for those at the end stage of life, all of which affect the delivery of personalised care and patient safety. Additionally, ongoing education and training for nurses in the dynamic landscape of oncology treatments and symptom management emerge as crucial components. The review highlights the significance of nurse experience and expertise in oncology care, emphasising the pivotal role of specialisation in this field in order to achieve optimal patient outcomes.

Furthermore, this review scrutinises the impact of culture, leadership, job stress, support services for patients and families, effective interdisciplinary communication and the physical environment of the oncology unit on nursing care quality. The exploration also encompasses the utilisation of evidence-based practice in care provision. By synthesising these factors, this review provides a comprehensive understanding of the complex dynamics affecting nursing care quality in oncology settings, offering valuable insights for healthcare leaders, educators and practitioners to enhance care delivery and optimise patient experiences.
In Reflection: Media Messaging on Barack Obama and the Black Man’s Burden
Authors: Smith Debra C.
Published: August 2024

This article uses popular mass media to illustrate the Black man’s burden regarding the presidential candidacy and subsequent presidency of Barack Obama from 2009 to 2017. It draws on news accounts from November 2008 to January 2009, which vividly depict the burden Black people placed on Barack Obama’s presidency and the burden they endured due to his visibility in holding the highest office in the United States. The article’s inception resulted from the author’s revisiting articles from Newsweek magazine, USA Today, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, the Miami Herald and other sources saved for years. This process revealed an emerging theme that forms the basis of this article.
The Management of Bronchial Asthma (Tamak Shwasa) through Panchakarma Procedure with Ishvaku (Lagenariasiceraria) Vamana: A Case Report
Authors: Parwe Shweta , Nisargandha Milind , Wanjari Anita , Nakade Mamata
Published: August 2024

Background

Bronchial asthma, a hypersensitivity illness, is rising quickly in the modern world, particularly in wealthy nations. However, according to clinical features, bronchial asthma and Ayurvedic Tamaka Shwasa are similar diseases. Asthma is incurable, according to traditional medical knowledge. Both patients and doctors are looking at complementary and alternative systems of medicine as options because current prescriptions do not offer adequate treatment for terminal and long-term cures. Ayurvedic medicine has the potential to be a viable and efficient treatment option for bronchial asthma. Vaman karma is helpful for treatment globally so that people worldwide can keep faith in it based on scientific evidence. The first line of treatment for Tamakshwasa’s Utkleshita vastha is Vamana. To determine Vamana Karma’s involvement in Tamak shwas, a season it connected to Tamak shwasa has been searched for and attempted to be established in this case study.

Purpose

This study aimed to assess the efficacy of Ayurvedic management, including specific Ishwaku vaman karma, in Tamaka Shwasa.

Materials and Methods

A single case study of a 21-year-old man diagnosed with bronchial asthma. He was presented with frequent allergy due to dust, had an onset of sneezing due to cold weather, had a complaint of cold and cough on and off since childhood, and had a history of pneumonia in childhood.

Observation and Outcome

A 9-day symptomatic patient assessment was completed. The patient’s overall quality of life was greatly enhanced, and the outcome was satisfactory. In conclusion, the above-mentioned regimen significantly improved the management of bronchial asthma.
Reconceptualising informality in sport participation: Towards understanding (in)formalisation of sport governance
Authors: Miyashita Satoshi , O’Connor Justen , Jeanes Ruth
Published: August 2024

The ongoing change in sport participation patterns is discussed often in the context of ‘informal’ sport on the rise and ‘formal’ sport struggling to attract more participants. While studies have revealed both ‘self-organised’ and ‘regulated’ aspects of ‘informal’ sport and indicated complex power relations in its governing processes, the possibly incongruent terms of ‘informal’ and ‘formal’ as modifiers of sport participation have not been fully explored. Drawing on an approach to (in)formality developed in urban studies, we aim to develop an alternative view to (in)formality in sporting contexts with which to better understand the governing processes of sport participation. This aim is better achieved after highlighting the risk of the terms ‘informal’ and ‘formal’, and associated binaries – organised/unorganised (self-organised), regulated/unregulated, and institutionalised/non-institutionalised – that can substantialise in/formality in a particular domain of sporting activities. The alternative view repositions (in)formality as processes rather than categories of participation forms. This perspective can reveal power relations manifested in the negotiation practices that stabilise and destabilise sporting resources, institutions, and even the differentiation between ‘formal’ and ‘informal’ sport itself, which will lead to unequal opportunities for participation.
Beyond the Cone of Uncertainty: Exploring the Flexibility of Animated Risk Trajectories for Improving Hurricane Risk Communication
Authors: Warden Amelia C. , Witt Jessica K. , Clegg Benjamin A.
Published: August 2024

Tropical cyclone storms can put lives at risk and produce extensive damage. In the USA, forecast paths of hurricanes are most commonly communicated to the public through the cone of uncertainty (CoU). This visualization has several recognized flaws, including being susceptible to the psychological bias known as the containment effect. The present work tested the CoU against a dynamic set of ensembles, referred to as Animated Risk Trajectories (ARTs). In the current study, ARTs depicted the possible hurricane trajectory using instances moving at slow, medium, or fast speeds. Participants viewed either the CoU or ARTs visualization and made judgments of risk. Overall, the ARTs consistently mitigated the containment effect compared to the CoU. However, variations in the speed of the ARTs did not influence perceived levels of risk. Further examining which visual features of ARTs, like color or size, can be used to convey additional storm information is important for developing more effective and nuanced ways to enhance public safety and response to hurricane-prone regions.