bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Delayed Diagnosis of Volvulus without Complications in Pediatric Patient : A Case Report
Authors: Hartanto Deny Dwi , Maulidan Yasser
Published: October 2024

Introduction: Volvulus in children is rare occurrence, it’s only about 3-5% cases in worldwide. Without abdominal radiological examination, it is difficult to make diagnosis of volvulus based on history and physical examination alone. The management procedures are also controversial, as some recommend a non-operative approach, while others recommend an operative approach in the form of Ladd's Procedure or laparoscopy. Sigmoidoscopy or a barium enema can be attempted as an initial treatment for sigmoid volvulus. Objective: The purpose of this case report is  to discuss why there was a delay in diagnosis of volvulus in this case and how to deal it. It also discusses the approach to diagnosis and management of volvulus in pediatric patients, both at the primary health center and the hospital, and why in this case. Case presentation: In this case, volvulus occurred in a pediatric patient who had sought treatment at a primary health center with a complaint of abdominal pain for nine days without improvement. The complaint was accompanied with constipation and fever. Due to limited facilities in primary health center, the patient was referred to the hospital. Result: At the hospital, after taking the history, performing physical examination, and conducting radiological examination and laboratory tests, the patient was diagnosed with ileus obstruction due to volvulus. Conclusion: Although volvulus is a rare case, volvulus should still be included as a differential diagnosis of abdominal pain in pediatric patients to avoid delayed diagnosis. Delay in diagnosis and management of volvulus can lead to serious complications and even life-threatening conditions
Terror Death of Election Officials: What Are the Effects of Stress and Hypoxia?: A Literature Review
Authors: Nurdianto Arif Rahman , Himawan Achmad Nurdin , Rini Anis Dwi Anita , Devi Anita , Hisnindarsyah Hisnindarsyah , Setiawan Fery , Nurdianto Rizal Fauzi
Published: October 2024

Background: This essay examines the most recent news, namely the passing of a voting committee member (PPS) in the general election (Pemilu), which included candidates for president, vice president, and legislature (Caleg). PPS saw 35 fatalities and 3.909 illnesses. Given that the counting and recapitulation process is still in progress, the likelihood of deaths and illnesses will only rise. Objective: The aim of this research is to find the relationship between hypoxia and stress in PPS officers who died due to physical exhaustion during election activities in Indonesia Methods: Articles containing information on hypoxia, comorbidity, stress, physical exhaustion, and its connection to death were included as inclusion criteria. There was a total of 25 papers that met the inclusion criteria after the literature analysis procedure was completed. Result: Along with the comorbid status, physical exhaustion, and stress play a significant part (comorbidities). This connection arises from the fact that physical exhaustion and stress induce hypoxia, which in turn affects immunity. The drop in blood oxygen levels, or hypoxia, disrupts and dysregulates the innate and adaptive immune systems. The chance of dying can rise when hypoxia and ongoing stress are present. Writing this paper proposes more investigation into the role that hypoxia and stress play as death risk factors. Conclusion: Hypoxia results from stress. what makes HIF the primary transcription factor active. When PPS officers activate their HIF in order to fulfill their mandate and fulfill their obligations under Law Number 7 of 2017 concerning General Elections, there is an elevated risk of death and morbidity.
Importance of Self-Efficacy in Overcoming Quarter-Life Crisis among Fresh Graduates
Authors: Laurenza Hana , Rahayu Maria Nugraheni Mardi
Published: October 2024

Individuals who have just completed their studies at the university, commonly referred to as fresh graduates, will inevitably undergo a transition period from adolescence to adulthood known as the quarter life crisis. To face this crisis, there is a need for confidence to be able to confront every problem that arises, this confidence is referred to as self-efficacy. This study aims to examine whether there is a relationship between self-efficacy and the quarter-life crisis. The research was conducted using a quantitative approach with correlation analysis. The research subjects were fresh graduates who had graduated from college 2 years and were aged 21-25 years. The sampling technique used was accidental sampling. The self-efficacy scale used the General Self-Efficacy Scale 12 (GSES-12) (α = 0.858), while the quarter-life crisis scale used was the Developmental Crisis Questionnaire (DCQ-12) (α = 0.832). Data collection was done using questionnaires distributed online through social media. The results of this study indicate that self-efficacy has a significant relationship with the quarter-life crisis at 0.000 (p<0.05), with a correlation coefficient of -0.635, indicating that self-efficacy is negatively correlated with the quarter-life crisis. In other words, the higher the level of self-efficacy, the lower the level of quarter life crisis.Individu yang baru saja menyelesaikan studi di perguruan tinggi, atau sering disebut sebagai fresh graduate, tentunya akan melewati masa transisi dari remaja menuju dewasa yang dikenal dengan quarter life crisis. Untuk menghadapi krisis tersebut perlunya keyakinan agar mampu menghadapi tiap masalah yang datang, keyakinan itu disebut dengan efikasi diri. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk melihat apakah terdapat hubungan antara efikasi diri dengan quarter life crisis. Penelitian dilakukan dengan pendekatan kuantitatif dengan analisis korelasi. Subjek penelitian merupakan fresh graduate yang telah lulus kuliah terhitung 2 tahun setelah kelulusan, serta berusia 21-25 tahun. Teknik pengambilan sampel menggunakan accidental sampling. Skala efikasi diri menggunakan General Self-Efficacy Scale 12 (GSES-12) (α = 0,858), sedangkan skala quarter life crisis yang digunakan adalah Developmental Crisis Questionnaire (DCQ-12) (α = 0,832). Pengumpulan data menggunakan kuesioner yang dibagikan secara online melalui media sosial. Hasil dari penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa efikasi diri memiliki hubungan yang signifikan terhadap quarter life crisis sebesar 0,000 (p<0,05), dengan koefisien korelasi sebesar -0,635 hal ini menunjukkan efikasi diri berhubungan negatif dengan quarter life crisis. Artinya semakin tinggi tingkat efikasi diri maka semakin rendah tingkat quarter life crisis.
Revealing the Relationship between Self-Esteem and Self-Concept: Revealing a Correlation Study on Catcalling Victim Women
Authors: Putri Anggie Faradiba , Rifayanti Rina , Ramadhani Ayunda
Published: October 2024

The phenomenon of catcalling is something that can be experienced by almost most individuals in their lives, with women being most victims. This study aims to determine the relationship between self-esteem and self-concept in female victims of catcalling, a case study of late adolescence in Samarinda City. This study uses a quantitative approach. The sample in this study was 102 late adolescents who had experienced catcalling and were selected based on purposive sampling techniques. The data collection method used a scale of self-concept and self-esteem with reliability values of 0.852 and 0.863. The data analysis technique used was Pearson product moment correlation analysis. The results showed that there was a positive and significant relationship between self-esteem and self-concept in female victims of catcalling with a calculated r value = 0.540> r table 0.192 and a p value = 0.000 (p <0.050). This means that the more positive the self-concept of female victims of catcalling, the better the self-esteem they will develop towards themselves. The implications of this research are the basis for developing public policies that support education and awareness regarding the negative impacts of catcalling.Fenomena catcalling merupakan suatu yang dapat dialami oleh hampir sebagian besar individu di dalam kehidupannya, dengan wanita adalah sebagian besar dari korbannya. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui hubungan harga diri dengan konsep diri pada wanita korban catcalling studi kasus pada remaja akhir di Kota Samarinda. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kuantitatif. Sampel dalam penelitian ini adalah 102 remaja akhir yang pernah mengalami catcalling dan dipilih berdasarkan teknik purposive sampling. Metode pengumpulan data menggunakan skala konsep diri dan harga diri dengan nilai reliabilitas sebesar 0.852 dan 0.863. Teknik analisis data yang digunakan adalah analisis korelasi pearson product moment. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa ada hubungan yang positif dan signifikan antara harga diri dengan konsep diri pada wanita korban catcalling dengan nilai r hitung = 0.540 > r tabel 0.192 dan nilai p = 0.000 (p < 0.050). Artinya semakin positif konsep diri yang ada pada wanita korban catcalling maka semakin baik harga diri yang akan mereka kembangkan terhadap dirinya sendiri. Implikasi dari penelitian ini adalah landasan bagi pengembangan kebijakan publik yang mendukung edukasi dan kesadaran mengenai dampak negatif catcalling.
Teacher Engagement: Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) in Measuring Preschool Teacher Engagement Behaviorally, Emotionally and Cognitively
Authors: Rusydi Indriani , Radikun Tulus Budi Sulistyo
Published: October 2024

Currently, student engagement is still a hot topic of discussion.   Previous studies show that students who are involved in the learning process tend to achieve better results. Student engagement in learning cannot be separated from the teacher's involvement in teaching.   This study aims to test the construct validity of the preschool teacher engagement measuring tool in terms of behavior, emotions and cognition developed by Pedler et al. (2020) Participants in this research were early childhood teachers with at least 1 year of teaching experience and numbered around 230 people. The measurement method uses self-report with 4 Likert scales. The total number of question items in this questionnaire is 23.   The data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis techniques with STATA version 13 software. Through the confirmatory factor analysis procedure, a Teacher Involvement Scale was obtained that matched the model, namely the Teacher Involvement Scale is a tool for measuring teacher involvement which consists of 3 factors, namely behavioral, emotive and cognitive factors. Apart from that, a shorter number of items was obtained, namely 12 items which also had good internal reliability, overall and for each factor or dimension. Thus, the Teacher Involvement Scale can be used to measure teacher involvement in teaching students in the classroom.Saat ini keterlibatan siswa masih merupakan topik yang hangat diperbincangkan.  Penelitian-penelitian sebelumnya menunjukkan bahwa siswa yang terlibat dalam proses pembelajaran cenderung mencapai hasil yang lebih baik. Keterlibatan siswa dalam belajar tidak terlepas dari keterlibatan gurunya dalam mengajar.  Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menguji validitas konstruk alat ukur keterlibatan guru prasekolah dari segi perilaku, emosi, dan kognitif  yang dikembangkan oleh Pedler et al. (2020) Partisipan dari penelitian ini adalah guru anak usia dini dengan pengalaman mengajar minimal 1 tahun dan berjumlah sekitar 230 orang. Metode pengukuran menggunakan self-report dengan 4 skala Likert. Total aitem pertanyaan dalam kuisioner ini berjumlah 23 buah.  Data dianalisis menggunakan teknik analisis faktor konfirmatori dengan software STATA versi 13.  Melalui prosedur analisis faktor konfirmatori didapatkan Skala Keterlibatan Guru yang cocok dengan modelnya, yaitu Skala Keterlibatan Guru merupakan alat ukur keterlibatan guru yang terdiri dari 3 faktor, yaitu faktor perilaku, emotif dan kognitif. Selain itu, diperoleh jumlah aitem yang lebih singkat, yaitu berjumlah 12 item yang juga memiliki reliabilitas internal yang baik, secara keseluruhan maupun tiap faktor atau dimensinya. Dengan demikian Skala Keterlibatan Guru dapat digunakan untuk mengukur Keterlibatan Guru dalam mengajar siswa di kelas.
Ekspresi Estetik Bangsa Indonesia dalam Tutur Pantun
Authors: Andayani Ruli
Published: October 2024

Pantun is one of the Indonesian speech culture that contains noble thoughts. In the speech tradition, pantun is used as a recreative and educational tool. Pantun has aesthetic values, elements of art, beauty that reflect the expression of the Indonesia people in looking at life. This research aims to analyze the aesthetic value of pantun. The research method used is descriptive-qualitative. The research data is in the form of words in the pantun array. Data collection techniques through literature study. The data analysis is done by (1) identifying elements that contribute to building the aesthetic concept; (2) identifying elements that get emphasis; and (3) concluding the harmony between aesthetic elements in forming a unity of meaning. The results of the data analysis state that pantun holds cultural aesthetics, especially evident in the use of rhyme and philosophy. The results of the data analysis state that pantun has aesthetics, which can be seen in the cover, rhyme, and harmony. Sampiran images of nature as an introduction to the philosophical thoughts contained in the body. The aesthetics of pantun are closely related to ethical elements so that beauty appears in the form as well as the holiness and nobility of the ethics it contains.
The work of M. Olmezov in the light of the artistic quest of the turn of the century (XX–XXI)
Authors:   Institute for Humanitarian Studies – branch of the Kabardino-Balkarian Scien-tific Center of the RAS, Asiyat D. Atabieva
Published: October 2024

The article aims to review and at the same time holistically highlight the multidimensional, mul-ti–genre artistic work of Muradin Olmezov, one of the sought-after and authoritative authors of modern Balkar literature. The work outlines several issues related to the identification of leading stylistic trends, a wide range of mastered thematic areas and topical issues, a complex of figura-tive structures, constants, and dominant poetic formulas. In parallel, the main stages of the crea-tive evolution of the poet and playwright are determined. The study examines the value content of the significant works of M. Olmezov, reveals various interpretations of philosophical concepts in reflecting the national picture of the world. The fundamental features of the author’s manner are sincerity in revealing the emotionally sensitive component of the personal worldview, the authen-ticity of the depicted events, the historical orientation of lyric-epic texts, and the pronounced dra-ma of stage works. The diversity of creative interests allows us to conclude about the level of ar-tistic skill of the poet, who fully realized his talent. The leading direction in the work of the ana-lyzed author, of course, is children’s poetry. His experience in enriching the repertoire of the na-tional theatre and developing modern Balkar drama is seen as fruitful. Translation activities de-serve special attention. He has achieved significant results in expanding the possibilities of poet-ics, mastering new forms such as verlieb (free verse), introducing fresh ideas into the national versification. As a result, M. Olmezov’s poetry occupies a worthy place in the Balkar literature of recent decades. Guided by the above criteria, the article provides an objective and holistic assess-ment of the author’s individual creative findings and achievements in the light of artistic devel-opments at the turn of the XX–XXI centuries.
Typology of adjective linerialization (on the material of English and Kabardino-Circassian lan-guages)
Authors:   Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after H.M. Berbekov, Alberd T. Boziev , Vyacheslav Kh. Unatlokov ,   Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after H.M. Berbekov
Published: October 2024

The article discusses the linerialization of adjectives in a typological aspect. The approach to the arrangement of adjectives in multi-system languages is not accidental. The study tests the hypoth-esis that native speakers, regardless of linguistic orientation, trigger the same or similar thought processes at the cognitive level. Examples from English and Kabardino-Circassian languages are chosen as contrasting ones. The issues raised in the paper are of interest both from a practical and theoretical point of view. For example, it is known what difficulties linguists have to face inter-preting nouns used in the definition function, which affects the work of lexicographers and teach-ers engaged in educational activities. The researchers determined during the research that the Eng-lish language has a unified position regarding how the hierarchy of prepositive adjectives in syn-tagmatics is built. An analysis of examples from the Kabardino-Circassian language shows that their attribution influences the distribution of adjectives to different classes – relative or qualita-tive. Relative adjectives are located to the left of the vertex word (preposition), and qualitative adjectives are located to the right (postposition). In general, the idea is confirmed that the lineari-zation of adjectives is universal, while preserving a certain specificity for each language.
Innovative Strategies in Education Management: Adapting to 21st Century Challenges
Authors: Chatterjee Dr. Pankaj
Published: October 2024

In the face of rapidly evolving technological advancements, shifting societal expectations, and increasing demands for personalized learning, education management systems must adapt to remain effective and relevant. The 21st century has brought about rapid changes in technology, society, and the job market. These changes necessitate a reevaluation of traditional educational practices and the adoption of new strategies that can effectively address current challenges. This research article explores innovative strategies in education management that address the challenges of the 21st century. By examining the implementation and impact of technology integration, data-driven decision-making, personalized learning approaches, and collaborative leadership models, this study provides a comprehensive overview of how education management can evolve to meet contemporary demands and enhance educational outcomes. As the demands of the 21st century continue to evolve, it is essential to prepare students for success in a dynamic and complex world. Innovative strategies in education management play a crucial role in equipping students with the skills, knowledge, and competencies needed for future success.
The Relationship Between The Public Budget and Public Debt (An Analytical Study - Iraq As A Model)
Authors: Shamran Jabur Prof. Dr. Azhar
Published: October 2024

The Iraqi economy has gone through a lot of challenges, difficulties, problems, wars and the collapse of infrastructure and these conditions led to the occurrence of the fiscal deficit in Iraq, especially after 2003, as the financial deficit was financed by public debt and we will focus here in this research on the analysis and study of the public budget deficit and public debt in Iraq through the use of the analytical approach of data to analyze the data of the public budget deficit on the public debt in Iraq The research has found that the increase The fiscal deficit in the public budget increases dependence on public debt in order to finance that deficit and this means bearing large financial burdens because the public debt has burdens and financial problems added to the public budget as the research recommends the need to adopt a well-studied and appropriate economic policy in order to reduce the deficit in the public budget first and adopt a well-thought-out policy to manage the public debt in order to reduce its burdens and problems second, As well as avoiding financial crises that negatively affect the reality of the Iraqi economy.
Addressing the Issue of Supply Chain Disruptions Through Sustainable Managerial Accounting and Strategic Investment: An Economic Resilience Booster
Authors: Onwuzulu Chinelo , Deliperi Beatrice
Published: October 2024

This study addresses the increasing emphasis on sustainability in business, driven by concerns over climate change, resource depletion, and supply chain disruptions, particularly highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic underscored the vulnerability of supply chains, prompting a shift towards integrating sustainable practices. This research proposes a novel model that integrates Eco-Financial Integration Portfolios (EFIPs) and Sustainable Management Accounting (SMA) to embed sustainability metrics into investment portfolios. Building on Erhun et al. (2021), who advocate for "triple-A supply chains" that are adaptable, agile, and aligned, this model aims to enhance organizational competitiveness. The research also draws on Govindan et al. (2020), who established a link between sustainability and improved organizational performance. The study employs a meta-analysis approach to demonstrate how integrating SMA and EFIPs into supply chains can optimize cost management and environmental performance, providing a competitive edge. The findings suggest that this approach can strengthen the economy by fostering resilient and sustainable supply chains, addressing key global challenges.
Industrial Sector Performance and Labour Force Participation in Nigeria: A Gender Perspective
Authors: Clement Korgbeelo
Published: October 2024

The literature on the role of industrialization in labour force participation in Nigeria is quite scanty. Besides, there is significant disparity between male and female labour force participation rates in the country. To this end, this study investigated the impact of industrial sector performance on labour force participation in Nigeria. The total industrial sector output was disaggregated into the outputs of the various components of the Nigerian industrial sector namely; manufacturing, mining and quarrying, utility and construction sectors. Total labour force participation rate was equally disaggregated into male and female labour force participation rates. Annual time-series data for the period 1981 to 2022 were used for the study. The Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) unit root test, Johansen cointegration test, error correction model (ECM), and Granger causality test were the econometric techniques used in analysing the data. The findings from the study revealed that manufacturing sector, and mining and quarrying sector outputs have significant positive impact on male labour force participation rate; construction sector output has insignificant positive impact on male labour force participation rate while utility sector output has insignificant negative impact on male labour force participation rate. On the other hand, manufacturing sector, and mining and quarrying sector outputs have significant negative impact on female labour participation rate while utility and construction sectors’ outputs have insignificant positive impact on female labour force participation rate. The main conclusion from the study is that while the total industrial sector performance largely encourages male labour force participation, it largely discourages female labour force participation in Nigeria
The Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility on Tax Avoidance in the Listed Companies on the Iraqi Stock Exchange
Authors: Shani Murtadha Mohammed , Fakhari Hossein
Published: October 2024

This study explores the impact of corporate social responsibility on tax avoidance in the Iraqi listed companies on the Iraqi stock exchange. The sample of companies include companies which are listed on the Iraqi Stock Exchange, numbering (33). Data was taken for the years from 2016 to 2021, and the data was analyzed using multiple regression and panel data analysis.The results indicated (corporate social responsibility) that there is a negative relationship between corporate social responsibility and tax avoidness and Iraqi companies suffer from slight levels of tax avoidance through adopting social responsibility practices. We note from the study that there is a weakness in the application of social responsibility accounting. Commitment to corporate social responsibility leads to reduced tax avoidance. Among the conclusions is the clear weakness in the internal control systems of companies in terms of the extent of commitment to social responsibility and attempts to benefit from tax savings to achieve personal gains. The research came out with a set of recommendations, the most prominent of which is the need to strengthen the supervisory role to reduce tax evasion operations, as using social work as a means of tax evasion harms government revenues in the state’s general budget.
Revolutionizing the Banking Industry: The Impact of Blockchain Technology on Financial Services
Authors: Rajest S. Suman , Regin R.
Published: October 2024

Blockchain technology represents a significant innovation with far-reaching implications across multiple industries, having initially emerged as the backbone of Bitcoin to enable secure, decentralized digital transactions. Its decentralized structure, which replaces centralized databases with multiple shared copies across nodes, enhances security and reduces the risk of data breaches. Despite its growing use in banking, finance, supply chains, and other sectors, a gap exists in fully understanding its transformative potential in improving business processes. This research aims to analyze blockchain’s impact on the security, efficiency, and transparency of digital transactions. By employing a comparative analysis of blockchain applications across industries, we find that its decentralized, encrypted ledger system significantly reduces fraud risk and improves transactional efficiency. These results highlight blockchain’s role as a critical tool for future digital economies, with broader implications for enhancing trust and security in various sectors.
Psychological redaction around novelty seeking behavior in the Former Prophets
Authors: Pommerenck Jordan K
Published: October 2024

This work proposes a novel theoretical redaction source(s) (denoted by the siglum DtrΨ based on a psychological analysis of Old Testament literature. In particular, this work argues that literary coherence in the Former Prophets can be examined around the psychobiological dimension of temperament known as novelty seeking. This work suggests that Israel's migration from Egypt, followed by the conquest of Canaan, and a subsequent bloody, violent era, contributed to societal conditions that favorably biased population genetic drift towards novelty seeking behavior. Further, a redaction source(s) (DtrΨ) intentionally redacted Old Testament narratives throughout the Former Prophets, without regards for event resolution, which connect with the observable behavior of novelty seeking. Finally, the expression `a man after God's own heart' (I Samuel 13:14 RSV) reflects both a projection of the redaction source(s)' (DtrΨ) view of psychobiological temperament onto other novelty seekers and a recapitulation with Imago Dei (Genesis 1:27 RSV), that is, God seeking after humanity.
Authorship inequality and elite dominance in management and organizational research: A review of six decades
Authors: Orhan Mehmet A. , van Rossenberg Yvonne , Bal P. Matthijs
Published: October 2024

Ideally, the academic publication process should be meritocratic, fair, and open to diverse groups of researchers. Yet, many scholarly disciplines are far from this ideal. To investigate the extent and nature of overrepresentation in management and organizational research, we examined 60-year publication trends in three closely related subfields: Management (MNGT), Human Resource Management (HRM), and Industrial-Organizational Psychology (IOP). Analyzing over 60,000 publications from 42 top-tier journals, our study reveals an increasing trend in authorship inequalities and a growing dominance of the scientific elite. Individual-level analyses, along with journal and field-level comparisons, show that a select group of researchers has become more influential over time, leading to rising disparities in authorship. Field-level comparisons also show that the most productive IOP researchers publish significantly more articles than those in other fields. Besides rising numbers of publications, the super-elite of IOP are found to dominate more journals, as evidenced by a higher frequency of the same authors appearing on the top-10 most productive list in IOP than in the other two fields. Through network analyses, we revealed that IOP consistently shows a large giant component, indicating that a large portion of IOP authors is part of the “same connected network,” reflecting a highly collaborative field where even smaller groups are connected to the broader network. We recommend future advancements in theory, practice, and policy to address these inequalities and promote a more inclusive and equitable research environment.
Deterministic Structures in Bi-gravitational Fields: A Unified Model Bridging Black Hole Singularities and Quantum Topology
Authors: De Miguel Bueno Alfonso
Published: October 2024

This paper presents a deterministic model that unifies gravitational, strong, weak, and electromagnetic interactions by examining the intersection of gravitational fields. Drawing a connection to bi-gravity theories, where two metric tensors describe gravitational behavior, the model highlights how expanding and contracting fields couple and influence curvature. These intersecting fields, characterized by complementary topological transformations, form a shared nucleus of subfields and reinterpret singularities as abrupt curvature discontinuities, linking phenomena across quantum and cosmic scales. The model offers insights into energy and density transfer and information preservation. It explores connections to dark matter, reflection positivity, the mass gap problem, and Hodge cycles, providing a pathway to understand the breakdown of General Relativity in both atomic and black hole structures.
Exploring Global Perspectives from the Development Engagement Lab's Database
Authors: Raposo Felipe Torres , Oh Soomin , Morini Paolo , vanHeerde-Hudson Jennifer , Hudson David
Published: October 2024

Public support is crucial for shaping effective development and foreign aid policies. The Development Engagement Lab (DEL) has conducted comprehensive surveys in France, Germany, Great Britain, and the U.S. to track and analyse public attitudes on foreign aid and engagement with sustainable development. This data descriptor presents multiple datasets curated by DEL, identifying shifts in public opinion and behaviour, alongside underlying mechanisms explaining these attitudes and actions. DEL's data comprises nationally representative panel data (2019 - 2023), repeated cross-sections (2019 - 2024), and several foreign aid subject-specific datasets. DEL has made available 87 datasets totalling 246,352 observations from 129,128 unique respondents. We have developed an R package, "DELdata", to facilitate the use and dissemination of these datasets. DEL data will enable scholars and policymakers to produce valuable insights that will generate a better understanding of how citizens think about, and engage with, global poverty and sustainable development.
Executive functioning and its role in high impact chronic pain. Building a causal model using Directed Acyclic Graphs.
Authors: De Paepe Annick , Gibby Anna , Oporto Lisboa Laura , Ehrhardt Beate , Nunes Matthew , Fisher Emma , Keogh Edmund , Eccleston Christopher , Woolley Charlotte Sarah Catherine , McBeth John , Crombez Geert
Published: October 2024

Pain states fluctuate over time, and across situations. Similarly, there is variation in risk and protective factors and how they impact on these pain-related transitions. We are interested in whether such variations are more than random, and whether they can be accounted for by observed variables. The availability of large longitudinal datasets, such as UK Biobank (https://www.ukbiobank.ac.uk/), offers a unique opportunity to study these variations at scale. However, such datasets bring a high risk of bias (e.g. confounding) and danger of over-interpretation. It is therefore important to be transparent about our causal thinking. Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAGs) are graphical representations of the hypothesized causal relationships between variables. They are used to identify the smallest set of variables that need to be adjusted for to remove confounding bias in estimating the causal effect of an exposure on an outcome. However, use of DAGs in pain research is not common, despite their potential to guide study design and data-analysis. In this paper we present a workflow for building a DAG using domain knowledge from three different sources: researchers, people with lived experience, and the literature. We created a DAG for the putative effect of executive function on the maintenance of chronic high impact pain. The resulting DAG provides a valuable framework for guiding future research on the role of executive functioning in pain and it underscores the broader potential of using DAGs to improve causal inference in pain research.
Exploring the Emergence of Organized Colouration in Paintings Through Cultural Transmission
Authors: Iriguchi Mayuko , Kikuchi Sota , Morita Takashi , Koda Hiroki
Published: October 2024

Painting and drawing are symbolic representations that visually transform natural scenes into line and colour expressions. These artworks undergo a series of modifications when transmitted between individuals/communities, known as cultural transmission. The dynamics of cultural transmissions has been investigated experimentally, revealing structured linguistic and musical expressions as their outcomes. Cultural transmissions have also been modelled mathematically, proving a strong influence from a prior knowledge of transmitters. Here, we investigate an emergence of structured colour expression in painting via cultural transmission. We experimentally transmitted colouring books, wherein the participants memorised and reproduced the colour patterns of the book they saw; then, their response was presented as the memorization target for other participants. We expected the outcome of these transmissions represents the prior knowledge about the colour perception of the objects of the colouring books. Our results revealed a certain type of structuring in the last generation of the transmissions, indicated by the consistent use of fewer colours for recognizable segments/objects, compared to the random patterns in the first generation. However, naturalistic colour patterns (e.g. green for leaves) were observed only in some of the transmission chains. These results suggest that, like language and music, colour representations become structured during cultural transmission.
Big Bang consciousness: IIT 4.0 and the origin of subjective experience
Authors: Cea Ignacio , Negro Niccolo , Signorelli Camilo Miguel
Published: October 2024

This paper addresses a problem that arises from the ontological commitments of Integrated Information Theory (IIT) 4.0, particularly its stance that only conscious entities truly exist. This position leads to the "origin of consciousness problem": if non-conscious entities do not truly exist, how could consciousness have evolved from non-conscious ancestors? We explore several responses IIT might offer, such as the co-origin of life and consciousness, or the idea that non-conscious ancestors might have been constituted by "ontological dust"—minimally conscious, intrinsic micro-entities collectively aggregated to form bigger objects lacking unified consciousness. Our analysis shows that IIT’s ontological framework, along with scientific knowledge regarding biological evolution, prebiotic chemical structures, and physical cosmology, ultimately forces the theory into positing a form of "Big Bang consciousness", that is, a primordial ontological dust constituted by minimally conscious elementary particles created soon after the Big Bang. Although IIT may accept this striking implication, we think that it introduces tensions with both the received scientific view of the evolutionary origin of consciousness and the cosmological understanding of early universe components. We also present but ultimately reject an alternative option based on what we call the “formless stuff hypothesis”, which might avoid the implication that consciousness originates from nothing as well as the necessity of a "Big Bang consciousness”. We conclude by suggesting that IIT's metaphysical commitments, especially the equation true existence=phenomenal existence, require re-examination to reconcile its framework with standard scientific knowledge, and in particular, with the received view about the phylogenetic origin of consciousness.
Minimal phenomenal experience and the synthetic data hypothesis
Authors: Deane George , Demekas Daphne
Published: October 2024

Minimal Phenomenal Experience (MPE) refers to the simplest form of conscious experience, characterized by the absence of time, self, and sensory content, where only pure awareness or consciousness remains. In this paper, we present a com- putational neurophenomenological account of minimal phenomenal experience within the active inference framework. We propose a generative mechanism that allows active inference agents to leverage capacities akin to those in generative adversarial networks, which use a dual framework of data generation and discrim- ination to improve perceptual accuracy. Our hypothesis posits that the brain continuously generates synthetic data to fill perceptual and cognitive gaps, and we provide a computational mechanism within the active inference framework to support this. We explore how synthetic data generation, when amplified by meditation, psychedelics, or other altered states, can the brain to ‘defabricate’ entrenched conceptual structures and approach pure consciousness. We provide simulations of an active inference agent embedded in a virtual environment, we demonstrate that recursive loops of synthetic data generation can lead to a breakdown in conceptualization — ’seeing as’ — while enhancing the system’s ability to predict its own observation stream. We argue that this model can characterize the essential features of MPE, including contentlessness, epistemic openness, and the unique valence profile associated with minimal phenomenal experiences.
Validating the Iowa Test of Consonant Perception in a large cohort of cochlear implant users
Authors: Smith Francis Xavier , Berger Joel , Gander Phillip Evan , Schwalje Adam , Griffiths Timothy D , McMurray Bob , Choi Inyong
Published: October 2024

The Iowa Test of Consonant Perception (ITCP) was designed to test word-initial phoneme perception by uniformly sampling frequently used phonemes as well as balancing feature overlap of response competitors. However, the task has only been validated in normal hearing listeners. In this study, a large cohort of cochlear implant users completed the ITCP and two commonly used clinical measures of speech recognition (AzBio sentences and CNC words). At two different signal-to-noise ratios, the ITCP showed strong convergent validity with other speech recognition tasks and good test-retest reliability. The ITCP is a useful tool for both clinicians and experimental researchers.
Adopter’s Regret? An Autoethnographic Approach to the Post Animal Adoption Period
Authors: MacKay Jill R D
Published: October 2024

Autoethnography is a methodological approach which seeks to provide depth of experience and understanding of a phenomena through the researcher’s analysis of their own personal experience. As a veterinary researcher with a focus on different methodologies, I elected to apply the autoethnographic approach to my experiences adopting my cat, Athena, from a shelter in 2014. I knew I had experienced feelings of regret and considered relinquishing Athena in the immediate post-adoption period, and I was interested in using this as a case study into the formation of a successful human companion-animal relationship. Through my analysis of my own experiences, I have three main reflections which may be able to aid the veterinary and shelter industries in supporting successful adoptions. First, the highly individual nature of each individual companion animal relationship must be recognised and supported, with veterinary and shelter advice being tailored to the specific needs of the owner and animal. Second, the transition to pet owner requires more active and realistic management, without following a ‘recipe’ for a perfect owner and pet relationship. Finally, I reflect on how my own mental health impacted the process of adoption in light of research surrounding the beneficial impacts of companion animals on pets. Overall, I found the autoethnographic process to be a challenging, but useful lens onto the phenomenon of pet relinquishment, and highlight some considerations for its use in veterinary research.
Claimability in International Relations: Oil Discoveries, Territorial Claims, and Interstate Conflicts
Authors: Kikuta Kyosuke
Published: October 2024

War is rare not primarily because states settle disputes peacefully but because they have nothing to dispute. To address this simple but oft-neglected reality, I propose the concept of claimability, defined as the appropriateness of making a claim. Focusing on three international norms that emerged after the world wars (territorial integrity, self-determination, and maritime sovereignty), I construct a new dataset of states’ claimable areas from 1946 to 2024. I illustrate the usefulness of this concept by applying it to oil and conflict. By leveraging the records of over 600,000 wildcat drills, natural experiments, and difference-in-differences, I demonstrate that fuel resources increase interstate conflicts only when discovered in areas claimable to multiple states. The extensive analyses of validity, heterogeneity, and mechanisms, as well as the “most-similar” case study, provide further evidence. These findings reveal the crucial role of claimability; states claim and dispute only when international norms permit such actions.
Multiple giant pancreatic pseudocysts, a rare complication of acute pancreatitis – A case report
Authors: Albail Singh Yadav  , Anant Agarwal  , Ayush Maurya  , Gaurang Agarwal
Published: October 2024

A 34-year-old alcoholic male presented to our outpatient department with a complaint of persistent epigastric pain, radiating to the back with a swelling in the upper abdomen. He had 2 similar episodes in the past for which he was conservatively managed along the lines of acute pancreatitis. Now on physical examination, the patient had a massive lump in the upper abdomen reaching below the umbilicus. Examination findings were confirmed by computed tomography - abdomen (Plain and Contrast), two 13×10×09 cm and 9×8×7.8 cm, cystic lesions (Noncommunicating) were seen abutting the posterior wall of the stomach and into each other, suggestive of mature pseudocysts of the pancreas. The patient was admitted and after necessary investigations, surgical cystogastrostomy was done for the lower pseudocyst and cystocystostomy for the upper pseudocyst. The patient was discharged 5 days later with no complications. This case shows that multiple pseudocysts, a relatively rare complication of acute pancreatitis, are one of the differentials of acute abdomen. The treatment is a therapeutic challenge that depends on location, size, number as well as their relation to one another. Good drainage prevents resection procedures and further complications (exocrine and endocrine insufficiency).
Accidental ingestion of scarf/hijab pins in Muslim females of Kashmir Valley
Authors: Gani Mubashir
Published: October 2024

Background: Hijab pin ingestion is common in the Kashmiri population, especially among young females. This is attributed to the tradition of wearing hijab in adolescent girls and young women.
Aims and Objectives: The present study was conducted to identify the incidence of hijab pin ingestion in the Muslim females of Kashmir Valley.
Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in the Department of General Surgery SKIMS Medical College, Bemina, Srinagar, from February 2022 to December 2023. It was a prospective study comprising 60 female patients above the age of 12 years having a history of accidental ingestion of hijab pins. History and clinical examination were followed by chest and abdominal radiographs. Data were collected and inferences were drawn.
Results: The study included 60 patients presenting to the emergency with a history of accidental ingestion of pin. The majority of patients, that is, 30 (50%) were 25–35 years of age. Most patients 40 (67%) were asymptomatic at presentation with 20 (33.33%) patients presenting to the hospital within2–3 h of ingestion. Foreign body (FB) had reached the small intestine in 22 (36.67%) patients at the time of presentation. Moreover, 1 (1.67%) patient had extraluminal migration of the FB. In our study, 46 patients had a normal passage of FB through the gastrointestinal tract. Most of the patients, that is, 46 (76.67%) were managed conservatively. Only 2 (6.67%) patients needed surgical intervention.
Conclusion: FB ingestion is common among the young females of Kashmir Valley. Adequate follow-up is necessary to prevent long-term complications.
Comparison of oral pre-medication with clonidine and metoprolol on intraoperative hemodynamics and surgical conditions during functional endoscopic sinus surgery
Authors: Urmila Keshari  , Sonali Gupta  , Neelesh Nema  , Sherin Soni  , Richa Pandey
Published: October 2024

Background: Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is one of the most performed surgical procedures and requires minimal bleeding during the procedure. The success of surgeries is largely dependent on the surgical field, where the presence of significant bleeding is an important factor.
Aims and Objectives: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the clinical efficacy of oral clonidine and metoprolol following their pre-medication for induced hypotension during FESS and to assess hemodynamic stability, surgical field quality, and sedation score.
Materials and Methods: This is an observational hospital-based study conducted on 60 patients, aged 18–60 years old for FESS assigned by randomization method in two groups including clonidine or metoprolol. Heart rate (HR) and arterial blood pressure are measured after induction, during and end of the surgery. Assessment of bleeding was done by a surgeon who was blinded. Surgical field quality, satisfaction level of the surgeon, Aldrete score, and any side effects were observed.
Results: There was no significant difference seen in HR in patients of Group C and Group M in the pre-operative period, after loading the dose of the drug, at extubation (P>0.05). A significant difference was seen in HR with lower mean values in Group C compared to Group M after induction (77.23±12.23), 10 min after induction (69.47±11.99), 20 min after induction (65.63±8.66), 30 min after induction (64±8.32), 40 min after induction (63.77±7.61), and 60 min after induction (63.63±7.89). A significant difference was seen in blood pressure, after loading the dose of the drug, after induction, during surgery monitored every 10 min, at extubation, after extubation monitored every hour for 6 h. Quality of surgical field and surgeon’s satisfaction was better in patients who received clonidine than in those who received metoprolol.
Conclusion: Both clonidine and metoprolol can be effectively used for induced hypotension in FESS. Clonidine is better than metoprolol with respect to intraoperative hemodynamics, quality of the surgical field, and surgeon’s satisfaction with the added advantage of sedation, reduced analgesia requirement, and other anesthetic drugs.