bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maturing Machines: Technological Development and Situated Practices of Socialization Onboard Liquified Natural Gas (lng) Carriers
Authors: Betti Marianna
Published: December 2024

I analyze human-machine interactions onboard liquified natural gas (lng) carriers focusing on machines that are technologically advanced parts of automated systems. Such machines are initially designed and constructed by engineers on land where they are tested and where seafarers first interact with them through simulation training. These land-based interactions lead to challenges when the machines are first operated at sea. However, through situated practices of socialization carried out by the seafarers at sea supported by engineers on land, machines gradually mature and become integrated—socialized—into the ship’s context. This process is exemplified in the case of the Electronically Controlled Gas Injection Engine (me-gi) where safety and efficiency rely on different forms of testing, which must involve human sentiments like worry, care, and love. By focusing on these practices—aimed at maturing machines and involving staff both on land and at sea—the scope of institutional and corporate intentions aimed at problem-solving during design, production, and commissioning phases is broadened. The article emphasizes therefore the importance of human qualities—extracted from the making of machines—in ensuring safety and efficiency, rather than relying on design and legislation, as advanced automated machines, matured socio-technical systems, still conceal materiality and social interactions.
Deep-Sea Mining: the Shape-Shifting Imaginaries at the New Extractivist Frontier
Authors: Larsen Håkon
Published: December 2024

Narratives of extraction are, in essence, speculations about imagined futures. This article addresses the emerging global phenomenon of deep-sea mining by examining how industry actors engage in rituals of negation to construct, negotiate, and reproduce scenarios of autonomous mineral extraction to curtail concerns over environmental risk. Being hailed as a redeeming frontier of capitalist growth in a post-carbon world, the deep ocean is prefigured as a site for sustainable exploitation by ultimately being fabricated as a lifeless, and socio-ecological void. First, the article considers the discursive elements underlying virtual scenarios of deep-sea mining, ethnographically exploring how shape-shifting imaginaries of technology unfold within corporate conferences in Norway. Second, and drawing connections to the Pacific, the article discusses how “gentle mineral extractions” are not only asserted as a technical endeavor of accumulation, but as claims of emancipation by proponents arguing deep-sea mining may lead to broader social labor justice.
Automation and Extraction. Shifting (In)Visibilities at New Technological Frontiers: An Introduction
Authors: Ødegaard Cecilie Vindal , Betti Marianna
Published: December 2024

Coined as Industry 4.0, innovations in automation are portrayed as heralding a new era of change and possibility amid the climate crisis and resource depletion. As research fields, however, the domain of automation and that of extraction are often studied in isolation and within different research traditions. With this special issue, we bring these research fields into dialogue by exploring the mutual reinforcements of automation and extraction in altering work life, the environment, and ways of relating to the material world. By emphasizing how current technologies enable relocations of work functions and decision making, design and representation, our introduction provides a basis for understanding automation and extraction as interconnected and discusses the empirical rationale and conceptual possibilities of understanding these interconnections. We explore how automation and digitalization are facilitating an expansion of domains for value extraction, in a broad sense, by making visible otherwise inaccessible domains and areas of life, while simultaneously placing other aspects out of sight.
Exploring Oceanic Dimensions: Rethinking Materiality and Automation in Deep-Sea Mining
Authors: Gentilucci Marta
Published: December 2024

Mining companies are increasingly embracing oceanic mineral extraction, driving the development and adoption of automated technologies. Emphasizing the need for conceptual displacement and amphibious ethnography, this article takes an ocean-centric approach to deep-sea mining (dsm) to explore how mining operations “get wet.” It is organized into three sections that analyze the techno-scientific narratives surrounding dsm, focusing on the intricate connections between extraction processes and automation technologies. The ocean is examined as an object of study, as an active agent, and finally as an analytical lens for ethnographic inquiry. Proposing a relational, materialist, and volumetric approach to studying the unique assemblages of dsm, the aim of the paper is to blur rigid distinctions between wild and domestic, natural and cultural, robot and human, immersion and separation, moving beyond the alarmist or utopian views often associated with the shift towards automation.
Atheist Thanks to God
Authors: Mora Duro Carlos Nazario , Fitz Herbert Arturo
Published: December 2024

This paper explores the phenomenon of the non-religious (“nones”) in Latin America by examining the implications of the secular paradox within this population. The secular paradox refers to the tension that secular individuals experience when they engage with religious aspects. Our analysis shows that this tension is a prevalent occurrence in the experience of Latin Americans, nuanced by social representations such as the “atheist thanks to God.” These social imaginaries illustrate the inherent interplay and porosity between the religious and the secular in the region, characterised by its “baroque modernity:” a cultural configuration that both integrates and resists patterns promoted by capitalist and Western modernity. After analysing Latin American nations in terms of the prevalence of religious disaffiliation, the paper focuses on the intersections of the secular and the religious in specific cases such as Mexico and Argentina. The findings indicate that conceptions of religion among our interlocutors are linked to the historical Catholicism of the region, as well as to political secularism, which is both assertive and permeable to religious legitimation. Furthermore, the non-religious tend to purify certain elements of religion, prioritising social bonds while restricting secularism primarily to the intellectual level. By addressing the secular-religious tension among Latin American “nones,” this research contributes to a deeper understanding of secular identity beyond the modernity and secularisation of the Atlantic North.
Lived Atheism in Contemporary Greek Society
Authors: Sakellariou Alexandros
Published: December 2024

In the wake of the ‘New Atheism’ movement, Greek atheists began to gain visibility in the 2010s through various media channels, social media platforms, legal activism, and the establishment of the Atheist Union of Greece. This article presents findings from qualitative research conducted through semi-structured interviews and participant observation, exploring atheism within Greek society. A key focus of this research was to examine the religious or religious-like beliefs and practices adopted by Greek atheists as they reconstruct their identity. Drawing on concepts such as lived atheism, secular paradox, and religion-relatedness, the article delves into the beliefs and practices of self-identified Greek atheists. The goal is to map and analyze these specific beliefs and practices within the context of the Greek Orthodox religious and cultural environment, aiming to understand and elucidate their formation and evolution.
New Age Spirituality, Secular Paradox, and Neoliberalism
Authors: Ozbarlas Zeynep
Published: December 2024

Family Constellation Therapy (FCT) is a popular therapeutic model in New Age spirituality, characterized by the collective embodiment of ancestral spirits linked to historical traumas, and challenges perspectives on selfhood and history within the conventions of secular discourse. This ethnographic study of FCT in Turkey, in which the author engages as a participant-observer, examines how its modern, secular and educated practitioners cultivate spirituality while reproducing secular values that condemn Islam and other metaphysical traditions they consider superstitious. New Age circles in Turkey have become a novel venue to reinforce hierarchies established at the beginning of the Turkish Republic, such as East vs West. This study adds to analyses of the secular paradox and neoliberal subjectivities, as its practitioners tend to prioritize personal healing rather than addressing broader societal issues.
Biographical Reflections on Academic Freedom—Part Two
Authors: _ _
Published: December 2024

This paper continues our collective reflections on academic freedom in the context of Israel’s war on Palestine, and now Lebanon. As academic suppression has flourished within Europe and beyond, a broad constellation of actors has been drawn into the conversation. In this article, we renew our effort to let complexities and transversality emerge from research concerning what we have called the ‘social suffering of various homo academicus(es)’ in the context of their lived experiences of the profound deterioration of academic freedom. The first intervention looks to the USA, examining the use of diffuse surveillance, and ‘free speech’ groups to chill academic discussion in the classroom. The second reflection examines the instrumentalization of the fight against antisemitism in order to silence criticisms of Israel in Germany, and the broad cultural and institutional context which underpins this trend. Lastly, the final intervention highlights the varied recompositions in French academia in wartime, arguing these occur less because of polarization within academia itself, than because of the attitude of external actors which puts pressure on academics.
Knowledge, Beliefs, Agency Trust, and Perceived Risks Associated With Chronic Wasting Disease Among Kansas, North Dakota, and Illinois Deer Hunters
Authors: Vaske Jerry J. , Miller Craig A.
Published: December 2024

We examined the relationships among knowledge about CWD, normative beliefs about CWD management, perceived trust in the managing agency, and perceived risks to deer and humans. We obtained data from resident deer hunters in Kansas ( n = 1,170), North Dakota ( n = 3,242), and Illinois ( n = 1,237). We tested both differences among states and relationship similarities among concepts. The states differed in terms of knowledge, normative beliefs, trust, and risks (H1). Analyses supported the predicted conceptual relationships. For example, there were positive relationships between knowledge and beliefs about CWD management (H2), agency trust (H3), and risk to deer (H4). There was a negative relationship between knowledge and risk to humans (H5). Beliefs about CWD management were positively related to trust (H6), risk to deer (H7), and humans (H8). Trust was negatively related to risk to deer (H9) and humans (H10). Results highlighted the complexities of managing a disease with no known health consequences for humans.
Seasonal Influence of Sakura Trees on Human Health: Evidence From Physiological and Psychological Responses
Authors: Elsadek Mohamed , Yinan Li , Makvandi Mehdi , Deshun Zhang
Published: December 2024

Despite extensive research on the impact of landscape perception on well-being, the influence of urban trees across different seasons remains largely unexplored. This study employed a between-subjects design to assess psychophysiological responses through electrophysiological measurements and surveys. A total of 75 participants observed Sakura trees in three distinct seasonal stages—bare, foliage, and floral—for 3 min. The results showed that viewing Sakura trees with flowers or foliage elicited significantly higher alpha wave activity and parasympathetic nervous system responses compared to bare trees. Additionally, participants in the floral and foliage conditions reported higher levels of well-being compared to those exposed to bare trees. These findings emphasize the importance of incorporating flowering trees into urban planning initiatives to enhance public well-being and highlight the critical role that tree species play in promoting mental and emotional health in urban landscapes.
Two optimization problems for the auxeticity properties of anisotropic composite laminates
Authors: Vannucci Paolo
Published: December 2024

Anisotropic laminates with a negative Poisson’s ratio for at least some directions are called auxetic. In this paper, the conditions for optimizing the auxeticity of an orthotropic laminate are studied, namely: for a laminate composed by a given material, (i) how to obtain the lowest, i.e. the highest negative, Poisson’s ratio and (ii) how to maximize the auxetic zone, i.e. the set of directions where the Poisson’s ratio is negative. It is shown that in both the cases the optimal solution is found on the boundary of the feasible domain and in particular that it can be obtained using angle-ply sequences of identical layers. The polar method with dimensionless moduli is employed for representing the anisotropic behavior of the laminate, which allows, on the one hand, to reduce the dimensionality of the problem and, on the other hand, to have an effective mathematical representation of anisotropy by dimensionless invariants.
The Life of a Free Will Skeptic Is Still Meaningful and Satisfactory
Authors: St Quinton Tom
Published: December 2024

Belief in free will has been shown to positively associate with socially desirable behaviors and outcomes, such as meaning and satisfaction. However, studies have not focused exclusively on the beliefs of incompatibilist free will skeptics. Such skeptics may have different interpretations about what it means to disbelieve in free will than participants typically classified as free will disbelievers. Across three studies including a manipulation (total N = 620), the research examined the relationship between belief in free will and meaning and satisfaction in incompatibilist free will skeptics. Studies 1 and 2 found no differences in meaning and satisfaction between incompatibilist free will skeptics and participants believing more strongly in free will. Study 3 found that participants manipulated to disbelieve in free will perceived life to be significantly less meaningful and satisfactory than incompatibilist free will skeptics. Moreover, incompatibilist free will skeptics did not perceive life to be less meaningful and satisfactory than a control condition possessing significantly stronger belief in free will. Therefore, the negative outcomes associated with weaker belief in free will may not be applicable to all free will disbelievers. Although a life full of meaning and satisfaction is important for well-being, believing in free will is not, at least not for some, an important contributor.
Why Do Parenting Styles Matter? The Relation Between Parenting Styles, Cyberbullying, and Problematic Internet Use Among Children With and Without SLD/ADHD
Authors: Eden Sigal , Tal Hila
Published: December 2024

This study focuses on the pervasive issues of cyberbullying and problematic internet use (PIU) among youth, particularly in children with disabilities. To elucidate the role of parents in mitigating these challenges, the study examines the prevalence of three parenting styles (permissive/authoritarian/authoritative), and their correlation with cyberbullying and PIU among children with or without specific learning disorder (SLD) or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders (ADHD). The study comprised of 300 participants: 150 children—9 to 12 years old, matched with their 150 parents, divided into two groups—SLD/ADHD and those with typical-development. Comparative analysis revealed that the SLD/ADHD group scored higher in the authoritarian style compared with the typical-development group. Furthermore, authoritative parenting style correlated with lower incidences of cyberbullying and PIU, and foster a more positive parent–child relationship, which in turn contributed to reduced cyberbullying and PIU. These findings underscore the importance of adopting an authoritative parenting style among parents, particularly among parents of children with SLD/ADHD.
Social and Vocational Activities of Autistic High School Students and Relationships With Educational Programming
Authors: Steinbrenner Jessica R. , DaWalt Leann , Hume Kara A. , Kraemer Bonnie , Odom Samuel L. , Hall Laura J. , Brum Chris , Szidon Kate , Bolt Dan
Published: December 2024

Understanding the experiences of autistic high school students, including participation in social and vocational activities, has important implications for high school programming and links to postsecondary outcomes. The primary aims of this study are to describe these experiences and examine relationships with two aspects of educational programming: diploma status (standard and modified) and autism program quality. Researchers collected data from 547 autistic high schoolers across three states at pretest as part of a large-scale intervention study. Results demonstrate a wide range in frequency of participation in social and vocational experiences. Diploma status was related to several types of participation while, in contrast, overall program quality was linked to only one outcome. Implications for high school planning and educational placement decisions are discussed.
‘Why aren’t you using Bluetooth?!’ Officer understanding of the dangers of handheld and handsfree mobile phone-use by drivers
Authors: Briggs Gemma , Savigar-Shaw Leanne , Wells Helen
Published: December 2024

Phone-use by drivers contributes to increasing numbers of collisions and deaths worldwide. Despite clear evidence for the equal dangers of handsfree phone-use, most jurisdictions only prohibit handheld use. This mixed-methods study provides an in-depth analysis of police officer attitudes and experiences in dealing with phone-using drivers. 411 officers completed a survey and interviews on their interactions with mobile phone offenders and their understanding of the dangers of handsfree phone-use. Three key themes emerged: (1) officers focused on handheld phone-use predominantly, associating the dangers with visual and manual distraction, while advising handsfree as a legal alternative; (2) officers use discretion in their considerations for prosecution, dependent on the context of phone-use and attributes of the offender; (3) officers wish to appear fair, and are keen for a positive relationship with the public, which impacts how they negotiate encounters with offenders. Results highlight the need for targeted education for officers on the dangers of handsfree phone-use, specific guidance on negotiating officer-offender interactions, and a change in practice to ensure handsfree phone use is not routinely recommended to offenders as an alternative to handheld use.
Understanding Color Interaction Effects in Accommodation Listing Images
Authors: Barnes Stuart J.
Published: December 2024

Listing images are part of a property’s “shop window” to the world, impacting performance. Recent neuroscience and psychology research suggests that when combined in an interaction, color and scene in an image may not have a significant effect except for achromatic colors, which require fewer processing resources. As a first test of the achromatic feature integration theory of attention in tourism research, we use generalized linear mixed modeling on 0.26 million properties in 30 US locations with extensive control variables. The results find significantly stronger color interaction effects on demand for different scenes only for achromatic colors (white, gray, and black). Images that emphasize achromatic colors in scenes provide the most positive effect on consumers since they minimize processing resources. The research suggests that accommodation providers should take a more analytical approach to creating and selecting listing images, considering the potential interaction effects of image features on overall visitor behavior.
Collision avoidance control of an automated guided vehicle based on hierarchical trajectory planning and fixed-time prescribed adaptive sliding mode
Authors: Liu Tiankuo , Kong Huifang , Yan Jiapeng , Zhang Xiaoxue , Zhang Qian
Published: December 2024

In this paper, a hybrid collision avoidance control (CAC) approach including trajectory planner and controller is proposed for an automated guided vehicle (AGV). Firstly, by combing the improved A* and timed-elastic-band method, a hierarchical trajectory planner is developed to realize the flexible collision avoidance trajectory planning of AGV. Subsequently, the trajectory controller is constructed to achieve the accurate tracking of the planned trajectory. Since the controller is developed based on a faster fixed-time stable system and a prescribed performance function, both the fixed-time and prescribed bounded convergences of the trajectory tracking system can be realized. In addition, a newly designed sliding mode filter-based nested adaptive law is adopted in the controller to update the control gain, thereby releasing the prior bound information of AGV unknown disturbance and minimizing control chattering. The global stability and prescribed convergence of the system are proved by Lyapunov theory. Finally, the effectiveness and merits of the presented CAC approach in flexible trajectory planning and accurate tracking are demonstrated by experimental validations on an AGV.
The moral economy of the rich
Authors: Outram Quentin
Published: December 2024

This article applies the concept of a ‘moral economy’ to the actions of the rich and powerful. The author focuses attention on business owners and provides a case study of a late nineteenth-century provincial businessman and his dismissal of two long-serving employees, an act which caused outrage in his community. The author questions how the morality of employment, job rights and dismissal developed subsequently and sketches developments up to the 1960s. The article then provides a more speculative discussion of the effects of changes in corporate law on corporate behaviour and suggests they have had a tendency to produce a moral irresponsibility in the behaviour of corporate officers.
The moral economy of solidarity: A study of the 2017 hunger strike in Mauritius
Authors: Sambajee Pratima
Published: December 2024

This article engages a moral economy (ME) approach with mobilisation theory (MT), using Sayer’s concept of lay morality to examine how solidarity was articulated and developed during a hunger strike. It argues that subjective moral evaluations and the historical context influenced solidarity and the outcomes of the strike. To explore this, a theoretical engagement between ME and MT found that solidarity was based on strong moral evaluations by workers and union leaders within a historically informed moral economy. The article confirms the analytical value of theoretically engaging ME and MT to provide a more fertile ground for understanding solidarity.
Using the Glottic Angle and Area in Cases of Bilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis
Authors: Chen Tzu-Ying , Wang Hsing-Won
Published: December 2024

Objective: Establish, through the determination of the glottic angle and area, a decision regarding safe and necessary interventions in bilateral vocal fold paralysis to maintain airway. Methods: From January 2008 to December 2023, we looked back at laryngoscopic photographs of subjects with bilateral vocal fold paralysis. The average vocal fold length for each gender was used to calculate the glottic areas and measure the corresponding glottic angles in a total of 26 cases. In order to determine the angles between the anterior commissure and each vocal process, 2 clinicians separately measured the lines and took their average measurement. The average vocal cord length by gender in the Taiwanese data was used to compute the glottic area. Results: The results showed the average glottic angle was 10.3° ± 7.3°. The intervention group (N = 17) had an average glottic angle of 7.1° ± 3.7°. The nonintervention group (N = 9) had an average glottic angle of 16.3° ± 8.9°. The average glottic area was 18.7 ± 10.2 mm2, with 14.2 ± 7.5 mm2 in the intervention group and 27.2 ± 9. 4 mm2 in the nonintervention group. Conclusion: We concluded that emergent airway intervention including intubation or tracheostomy was suggested when the glottic angle <12.2° or glottic area <25.2 mm2.
Therapeutic Potential of Intranasal Corticosteroids for Chronic Cough
Authors: Bandargal Saruchi , Lee Daniel J. , Chen Tanya , Katsnelson Olivia , Kishibe Teruko , Song Christine , Lin R. Jun , Chan Yvonne
Published: December 2024

Background: Chronic cough, a condition defined as a cough persisting for more than 8 weeks, remains a significant clinical challenge with a considerable impact on quality of life. Intranasal corticosteroids (INCS) are widely recommended in clinical guidelines for managing chronic cough, particularly in patients with associated upper airway conditions. However, the evidence base directly supporting this practice is surprisingly sparse, leaving clinicians to navigate a disconnect between guidelines and real-world applicability. Objective: This article offers a critical perspective on the role of INCS in chronic cough management, drawing attention to the paucity of direct evidence and proposing a roadmap for future research. Discussion: A recent systematic review aiming to evaluate the efficacy and safety of INCS for chronic cough yielded no eligible studies, despite extensive database searches. This unexpected outcome highlights a major gap in the literature and raises important questions about the foundation of current guideline recommendations. While INCS are biologically plausible and have demonstrated efficacy in related conditions, such as allergic rhinitis and chronic rhinosinusitis, their specific role in chronic cough remains unverified. The lack of robust clinical trials underscores the need for targeted research to determine whether INCS provide meaningful benefit in this population. Conclusion: The disconnect between recommendations and evidence in chronic cough management underscores a critical need for well-designed randomized controlled trials. Until such data are available, clinicians must balance existing guidelines with clinical judgment, individualizing treatment to address the unique needs of their patients. Bridging this evidence gap will not only enhance patient care but also refine guideline development, ensuring recommendations are firmly grounded in high-quality research.
The Association Between Obesity and the Unified Airway in Children
Authors: McArdle Erica , Cummins Melissa , Shetty Sameer , Chaiban Rafka , Ramadan Hassan H. , Makary Chadi A.
Published: December 2024

Introduction: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and asthma frequently coexhist in children leading to the unified airway theory. Although obesity has been associated with CRS and asthma in adults, studies exploring that association in children are limited. The goal of this study was to evaluate the association between obesity and the unified airway in children. Methods: A retrospective case-control study was performed in children aged 2 to 18 years presenting to our clinic between July 2020 and February 2024. Patient’s demographics and comorbidities were reviewed. Children’s obesity was classified based on their percentile body mass index of 95% and more. Asthma and CRS diagnoses were determined based on published guidelines. Results: A total of 406 pediatric patients met criteria, with 130 children (32%) with obesity. Children with CRS had a mean computed tomography (CT) Lund-Mackay score of 7.2 (SD of 6.3) and a mean endoscopy modified Lund-Kennedy score of 2.7 (SD of 2.9). Children with obesity were older (11.3 years vs 10.2 years, P = .039) and more likely to have asthma (28.5% vs 15.2%, P = .002) and obstructive sleep apnea (26.2% vs 13%, P = .001). Multivariate logistic regression showed an association between obesity and asthma (OR = 1.84, P = .029), but not with CRS (OR = 1.08, P = .856) or allergic rhinitis (OR = 1.05, P = .856). Conclusion: This study suggests an association between obesity and asthma but not with CRS in children. Further studies should explore whether there is any role for obesity in the treatment of CRS.
Exploring the Potential and Challenges of Digital and AI-Driven Psychotherapy for ADHD, OCD, Schizophrenia, and Substance Use Disorders: A Comprehensive Narrative Review
Authors: Beg Mirza Jahanzeb , Verma Manish Kumar
Published: December 2024

Purpose of the Review:

Psychotherapy remains a fundamental component of mental health treatment, yet it encounters significant barriers to accessibility and efficacy. The integration of digital therapies, encompassing e-Health, m-Health, and artificial intelligence (AI) offers the transformative potential to enhance therapeutic processes through automated systems that improve access and personalize treatment. This integration, however, involves complex considerations, including health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and the dynamics of the therapeutic alliance. This narrative review synthesizes current literature on the application of digital therapies in psychotherapy, with a focus on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), schizophrenia, and substance use disorders (SUDs). The review evaluates the effectiveness of these interventions, their impact on HRQoL, therapeutic relationships, and the associated ethical considerations.

Collection and Analysis of Data:

Following Green’s checklist for narrative reviews, a systematic literature review was conducted on studies published from January 2009 to May 2024. Inclusion criteria centered on digital therapies, including AI-based, Internet-based, and mobile-based interventions in psychotherapy. A total of 23 studies were analyzed.

Conclusions:

The findings indicate that digital therapies hold substantial promise for enhancing therapeutic interventions across various mental health disorders, particularly through chatbots and Internet-based psychotherapy. However, successful integration requires careful attention to the therapeutic alliance, HRQoL, and ethical implications. This review highlights the significant potential of digital therapies, including AI-driven psychotherapy, in managing diverse mental health disorders. A balanced approach to integration, prioritizing patient well-being and addressing ethical complexities, is essential for optimizing treatment outcomes.
Partition, Ownership of the Harappan Civilisation, Sibling Feud and National Identity Construction of India and Pakistan
Authors: Kumar Ashish
Published: December 2024

This article discusses the political roots of the ongoing complex historical debates about the Ghaggar-Saraswati (or Vedic-Harappan) theory in India and its impact on national identity construction in India and Pakistan. Following the partition of British India in 1947, then known ancient sites of Harappan civilisation were mainly located in Pakistan, which promptly claimed exclusive ownership of this civilisation to trouble India. Clearly upset, a section of Indian scholar-bureaucrats challenged Pakistan’s claims over the Harappan civilisation by rebranding it as the Ghaggar-Saraswati (Vedic-Harappan) civilisation. The ensuing debates and actions are usually explained as an ideological conflict of anxieties, juxtaposing Hindu communalists and left-liberal secularists in Indian academia. However, this article presents a novel argument, showing that the existing academic discourses miss important points. It identifies that the conflicting claims of India and Pakistan on ownership of the Harappan civilisation contain elements of a typical struggle between two estranged siblings fighting over their ancestral inheritance. While squabbling over the shared Harappan heritage, however, neither nation seems fully at ease with the geopolitical consequences of the partition, which divided not only their ancestral lands, but also affected their shared ancient cultural history. Both successor nations of British India, engaged in their respective anxious processes of national identity construction, have focused not only on ‘the other’, but also grapple with ambivalent elements of their cherished ancient heritage. The article also shows that, in India, anger over Pakistan’s claims has fed some nationalist excesses, which need to be critically re-examined.
Participant permanence: Exploring and enhancing experiences of research involvement in UK adults with vision impairment through an Online Participant Engagement Network (OPEN)
Authors: Roberts-Mills Wylde M C , Richardson Mike , Scheller Meike , Tavoulari Aikaterini , Proulx Michael J , de Sousa Alexandra A
Published: December 2024

For individuals with vision impairment (VI), there can be physical and technical barriers to participating in research and accessing research outputs. As a result, researchers often target smaller VI samples and individuals with VI are left under-involved and underrepresented in the VI research discourse. This study aimed to evaluate the accessibility and utility of the Online Participant Engagement Network for Vision Impairment Research (OPEN VI Research) and explore the broader experiences of research involvement in individuals with VI to develop guidelines for researchers studying this area. Qualitative data were collected through a semi-structured focus group with seven adults with VI, and analysed using a dual inductive reflexive thematic analysis approach. Three overarching meta-themes emerged through the analysis: ‘access’, ‘participant permanence’ and ‘motivation’. It was identified that preferences for being reached to take part in research and optimisation for accessible web-design differed based on individual needs associated with varying levels of VI. The importance of researchers recognising participants with VI as active contributors, before, during and after participation, was also outlined. In addition, despite some participants expressing negative experiences of researchers failing to follow-up post-participation, it was found that focus group members remained highly motivated to continue to take part in research. To address these findings, guidelines for researchers were developed based on participant suggestions and discussed in relation to relevant literature. This study fills the gap in the literature on individuals with VI’s views and experiences of research involvement and the suggested guidelines have the potential to improve the accessibility and effectiveness of the practice of researchers of VI.
Hollman-VisuoTactile Scale, a self-rating satisfaction scale for children with visual impairment easy to use in clinical practice: A pilot study
Authors: Battistin Tiziana , Trentin Silvia , Marchesin Elisa , Tono Giovanna , Zanatta Alessia , Bora Marco , Mercuriali Elena , Reffo Maria Eleonora
Published: December 2024

Children with visual impairment are often cared for many years by health services and their satisfaction has a key role in the adherence and participation to health and rehabilitation programmes, impacting on the quality and efficacy of their care. The purpose of this pilot study was to test the Hollman-VisuoTactile Scale (H-VTS), an adapted self-assessment satisfaction tool, on 22 children with visual impairment, aged 2–12 years, to assess their perceptions of the rehabilitative and educational activities followed. The System Usability Scale was administrated to their health professionals to also test its usability. Results showed that the H-VTS was easily understood by both children and professionals; the children showed interest to it and responded in a short time; the professionals highlighted its easiness to use in their clinical practice, supporting it as an easy-to-use tool for health professionals to detect satisfaction of received care in children with visual impairment.
How Inclusive Are Patient Decision Aids for People with Limited Health Literacy? An Analysis of Understandability Criteria and the Communication about Options and Probabilities
Authors: Richter Romy , Jansen Jesse , van der Kraan Josine , Abbaspoor Wais , Bongaerts Iris , Pouwels Fleur , Vilters Celine , Rademakers Jany , van der Weijden Trudy
Published: December 2024

Objective

Patient decision aids (PtDAs) can support shared decision making. We aimed to explore how inclusive PtDAs are for people with limited health literacy (LHL) by analyzing 1) the understandability of PtDAs using established criteria, 2) how options and probabilities of outcomes are communicated, and 3) the extent to which risk communication (RC) guidelines are followed.

Methods

In a descriptive document analysis, we analyzed Dutch PtDAs available in 2021 that met the International Patient Decision Aid Standards. We developed and pilot tested a data extraction form based on key RC and health literacy literature.

Results

Most PtDAs (151/198) met most of the understandability criteria on layout (7–8 out of 8 items) such as font size but not on content aspects (121/198 PtDAs scored 5–7 out of 12 items) such as defining medical terms. Only 31 of 198 PtDAs used a short and simple sentence structure. Most PtDAs presented 2 to 4 treatment options. Many followed RC recommendations such as the use of numerical RC strategies such as percentages or natural frequencies (160/198) and visual formats such as icon arrays (91/198). Only 10 used neutral framing (10/198). When presented, uncertainty was presented verbally (134/198) or in ranges (58/198). Four PtDAs were co-created together with patients with LHL and used only verbal RC or no RC.

Conclusion

Most PtDAs met most of the understandability criteria on layout, but content aspects and adherence to RC strategies can be improved. Many PtDAs used long sentences and mostly verbal RC and are therefore likely to be inappropriate for patients with LHL. Further research is needed on PtDA characteristics and RC strategies suitable for people with LHL.

Highlights

Despite meeting most criteria for understandability, many of the Dutch PtDAs use long sentences, which likely impede comprehension for patients with LHL. Most of the Dutch PtDAs follow established recommendations for risk communication, with room for improvement for some strategies such as framing and a clear reference to the time frame. Overall, more research is needed to tailor PtDAs to the needs of people with LHL.
Association of G12D mutation in the KRAS gene with HPV and EBV in gastrointestinal cancer tissues
Authors: Hamidi Sofiani Vahideh , Ebrahimian Shiadeh Arefeh , Tabarraei Alijan , Nikoo Hadi Razavi , Sadeghi Farzin , Kamrani Ghodsieh , Yahyapour Yousef , Moradi Abdolvahab
Published: December 2024

Objective

This study aimed to explore the potential relationship between viral infections and gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies, focusing on the presence of KRAS G12D mutations. Specifically, we investigated the association of viral agents, including human papillomavirus (HPV) and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), with KRAS G12D mutations in GI cancers to better understand their combined role in cancer development.

Methods

This cross-sectional study comprised 92 patients diagnosed with GI cancer and 100 healthy individuals in the control group. All samples were examined to detect the KRAS G12D gene mutation and the existence of HPV and EBV using real-time polymerase chain reaction assays.

Results

HPV and EBV DNA were detected in 5.4% and 51.4% of gastric cancer samples and in 7.3% and 49.1% of colorectal cancer samples, respectively. Analysis of KRAS G12D in plasma samples revealed heterozygous mutations in 54% of patients with gastric cancer and 35% of patients with colorectal tumors. Among EBV-positive colorectal cancer samples, 1.8% were wild-type, while 47.2% exhibited heterozygous mutations. Among HPV-positive colorectal cancer patients, 1.8% exhibited wild-type KRAS, 5.4% had heterozygous mutations, and 3.2% had homozygous mutations.

Conclusion

This study detected a significant correlation between the presence of viral agents and KRAS G12D mutations.
On integrative analysis of multi-level gene expression data in Kidney cancer subgrouping
Authors: Jeyananthan Pratheeba , W.P.N. Maduranga , S.M. Rodrigo
Published: December 2024

Kidney cancer is one of the most dangerous cancer mainly targeting men. In 2020, around 430, 000 people were diagnosed with this disease worldwide. It can be divided into three prime subgroups such as kidney renal cell carcinoma (KIRC), kidney renal papilliary cell carcinoma (KIRP) and kidney chromophobe (KICH). Correct identification of these subgroups on time is crucial for the initiation and determination of proper treatment. On-time identification of this disease and its subgroup can help both the clinicians and patients to improve the situation. Hence, this study checks the possibility of using multi-omics data in the kidney cancer subgrouping, whether integrating multiple omics data will increase the subgrouping accuracy or not. Four different molecular data such as genomics, proteomics, epigenomics and miRNA from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) are used in this study. As the data is in a very high dimension world, this study starts with selecting the relevant features of the study using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Those selected features are used with three different classification algorithms such as k-nearest neighbor (KNN), supporting vector machines (SVMs) and random forest. Performances are compared to see whether the integration of multi-omics data can improve the accuracy of kidney cancer subgrouping. This study shows that integration of multi-omics data can improve the performance of the kidney cancer subgrouping. The highest performance (accuracy value of 0.98±0.03) is gained by top 400 features selected from integrated multi-omics data, with support vector machines.
A preliminary study on the depositional pattern of fungal spore in relation to the different vegetation types from Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary and its implications to the palaeoherbivory and palaeoecology analysis
Authors: Vaish Siddhant , Basumatary Sadhan Kumar , Arya Ajay Kumar , Kumar Arun
Published: December 2024

In total, 20 fungal spore types were identified which are commonly encountered in the studied surface soil samples. The presence and abundance of the recovered fungal spore were observed in relation to the different vegetation types namely Forestland, Grassland and Swamp in the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary (PWS). The studies reveal that both coprophilous and non-coprophilous fungal spores, such as Sporormiella, Ascodesmis, Saccobolus, Glomus, Nigrospora and Tetraploa, are regularly encountered in the studied samples and significant which could be a strong proxy and complementary to pollen for the palaeoherbivory and palaeoecology analysis in the PWS and to correlate the other parts of the region.
Interventions in STEM Education Through Speech Recognition-Based Learning Analysis
Authors: Lin Chia-Ju , Wang Wei-Sheng , Lee Hsin-Yu , Huang Yueh-Min , Wu Ting-Ting
Published: December 2024

This study uses a quasi-experimental design to explore the role of natural language processing (NLP) and speech recognition technologies in supporting teacher interventions during collaborative STEM activities. The Speech Recognition Keywords Analysis System (SRKAS) was developed to extract keywords from student discussions, enabling real-time monitoring and timely teacher support. The study compares proactive and passive interventions, focusing on their effects on student engagement, anxiety, and confidence. Results show that proactive interventions enhance engagement, reduce anxiety, and increase confidence by providing immediate assistance. These findings highlight the value of technology-enhanced teaching strategies in collaborative learning and offer insights for improving student outcomes in STEM education.
Development and characterization of electrospun curcumin-loaded PVA/gelatin based nanofibers scaffolds for skin tissue engineering
Authors: Sahani Kritika , Smita Soumya Shuvra , Dey Sovan , Biswas Amit
Published: December 2024

Chronic skin wounds have a profound impact on the global population, affecting over 40 million individuals and resulting in healthcare expenditures exceeding $20 billion annually by 2025. Researchers have developed wound dressings using biocompatible polymers that possess bioactive properties to combat this pressing issue. The present research focuses on fabricating a nanofiber-based composite structure made of Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and Gelatin, incorporating varying concentrations of curcumin (0.25, 0.5, and 0.75 mg/ml). The fabrication process employed electrospinning techniques to create nanofiber-based scaffolds that closely mimic the native structure of the extracellular matrix (ECM) found in the skin. The developed nanofiber mats underwent comprehensive characterization through a sequence of in-vitro experiments, encompassing SEM imaging, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), in-vitro release studies, and evaluation of tensile strength, swelling, and degradation. SEM images revealed a notable reduction in the mean fiber diameter, swelling potential and extent of degradation following the addition of curcumin. Regarding drug release, curcumin demonstrated a biphasic release profile in phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) and Tween 80 solutions. The PVA/gelatin (PG) mats containing curcumin displayed strong antimicrobial effects against Gram-negative E. coli and Gram-positive S. aureus. The biocompatibility of the membranes was further confirmed through cytocompatibility testing utilizing the L929 cell line. Overall, this research indicates that wound dressings made from nanofibers composed of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and gelatin, incorporating curcumin, exhibit considerable potential for treating cutaneous wounds. However, additional research is necessary to determine the effectiveness of these dressings in vivo.
Media Tropes and the Legacy of Settler Colonialism in Chile’s Constitutional Reform Process
Authors: Castillo Marco , Bank Muñoz Carolina
Published: December 2024

This article examines the legacies of racism and settler colonialism in contemporary Chile by examining political discourses in the context of the country’s failed Constitutional reform process. We analyze newspaper articles during the period of the first progressive and the second conservative constitutional projects, which were both rejected in popular referendums in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Through our analysis, we find how media narratives of the two main printed national outlets created a notion of dual enemies, portraying Mapuche indigenous people as internal enemies or ‘terrorists’ and immigrants, particularly Black immigrants, as external agitators during this period. We argue that settler colonial legacies and racial dynamics are central but understudied features in the analysis of Chilean social reality and show how the constitutional process provided an opportunity to see these dynamics enacted in the context of political transformation.