bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determination of the maximum allowable diameter of the well at a given depth of penetration by the method of static soil puncture
Authors: Suponev Vladimir , Ragulin Vitaliy , Kravets Svyatoslav
Published: October 2023

Problem. From the analysis of the technical literature, it was established that among the trenchless technologies for laying underground engineering communications, the most effective is the one that works with the formation of a horizontally oriented well in the soil using ground-piercing units that work according to the static piercing method. This method consists in creating a horizontal-but-directed well in the soil by its force radial compaction into a massif and pulling into it, as usual, a protective case in the form of a pipe made of steel, polyethylene, ceramics, etc. At the same time, earthworks are reduced to a minimum. One of the important disadvantages of the method of static soil puncture is the high stresses in the soil around the well, which can cause damage to nearby communications or road foundations. The conducted studies established that the spread of this zone is determined by the diameter of the well and the physical and mechanical properties of the soil. Goal. The main goal of the study is to establish the maximum permissible diameter of the well at a given depth from the road surface. Methodology. The size of the elastoplastic deformation zone around the borehole was determined experimentally when the soil was punctured under natural conditions. To conduct field experiments, an experimental model of a soil-piercing unit with a hydraulic drive for feeding the working body into the soil from two hydraulic cylinders was created. The maximum pressing force at a pressure from a hydrostation of 20 MPa was 250 kN. The diameters of the piercing head models were 65 mm and 108 mm. As a result of the experiments, regression equations were obtained for the most common types of soils: loam, sandy loam, and clay of II-III density category. The value of its porosity was taken as a criterion for assessing the possibility of soil compaction. Results. According to the research results, it was established that when piercing the soil at a depth of 2.5 m, the permissible diameter of the well created by the method of static piercing should not exceed: for soils with a porosity of 38% - 170 mm; for soils with a porosity of 45% - 240 mm; for soils with a porosity of 53% - 300 mm. Practical meaning. The calculation dependence for practical application at the stage of designing networks was obtained and an effective method for drilling a well under roads or other obstacles as chosen.
Cингуляризация романного дискурса в романе Ф.М. Достоевского «Идиот»
Authors: Хорват Геза
Published: October 2023

Der Artikel untersucht Dostojewskis Romandiskurs als singuläre Einheit in dem Roman “Der Idiot”. Es scheint uns, dass dieser Diskurs vom Prinzip der Unbestimmtheit beherrscht wird, wobei die Kategorie der Subjektivität eng mit dem Romanmodell der Singularität verbunden ist. Das Ziel des Artikels ist es, die Prinzipien der Organisation der diskursiven Einheit des Romans auf der Ebene seiner Grundmetaphern zu verstehen. Solche Grundmetaphern sind “Punkt” und “Linie”.
Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) among Women: A Cross-Sectional Study in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Bahkali Nedaa Mohammed , Eissa Ghaida Abdullah , Shaheen Abdulaziz Mohammed Bashar , Sanedi Abdullah Mohammed , Bahkali Duaa Mohammed
Published: October 2023

Background: The most prevalent type of inherited intellectual disability worldwide is Down syndrome. Prenatal testing can determine the possibility of a pregnant woman giving birth to an infant with Down’s. Many invasive interventions help with early diagnosis of Down’s. Although high-risk pregnancies should be offered invasive prenatal diagnosis, the International Society for Prenatal Diagnosis encourages non-invasive prenatal screening testing (NIPT) as a primary screening test for all pregnant women, regardless of risk. The present study aimed to determine the knowledge and attitude regarding NIPT among Saudi Arabian women. Methods: This cross-sectional study involving 1028 participants living in Saudi Arabia was conducted from February to March 2023, using a re-designed questionnaire shared among women with pregnancy history. The questionnaire assessed their knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding NIPT. Results: Only 14.8% of our respondents had undergone NIPT; the most common indication was a recommendation from their healthcare provider (41.7%). About 3.4% of the respondents had given birth to a child with Down syndrome, and 22% had relatives with chromosomal abnormalities or genetic diseases. Surprisingly, only 22.3% of the respondents had previously heard about NIPT. The mean knowledge score about NIPT was 2.82 ± 1.89. The mean knowledge score was found to be significantly higher among females who had undergone NIPT, were aged <30, and had high school education. Conclusions: Most Saudi Arabian women have poor knowledge about NIPT and a positive attitude toward it. Thus, the suggestion is to raise awareness about NIPT use, indications, prices, and possible complications.
Multifarious Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacterium Enterobacter sp. CM94-Mediated Systemic Tolerance and Growth Promotion of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under Salinity Stress
Authors: Sharma Anjney , Chakdar Hillol , Vaishnav Anukool , Srivastava Alok Kumar , Khan Naeem , Bansal Yogendra Kumar , Kaushik Rajeev
Published: October 2023

Background: Chickpea is one of the most important leguminous crops and its productivity is significantly affected by salinity stress. The use of ecofriendly, salt-tolerant, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) as a bioinoculant can be very effective in mitigating salinity stress in crop plants. In the present study, we explored, characterized, and evaluated a potential PGPR isolate for improving chickpea growth under salt stress. Methods: A potential PGPR was isolated from rhizospheric soils of chickpea plants grown in the salt-affected area of eastern Uttar Pradesh, India. The isolate was screened for salt tolerance and characterized for its metabolic potential and different plant growth-promoting attributes. Further, the potential of the isolate to promote chickpea growth under different salt concentrations was determined by a greenhouse experiment. Results: A rhizobacteria isolate, CM94, which could tolerate a NaCl concentration of up to 8% was selected for this study. Based on the BIOLOG carbon source utilization, isolate CM94 was metabolically versatile and able to produce multiple plant growth-promoting attributes, such as indole acetic acid, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase, siderophore, hydrogen cyanide (HCN), and ammonia as well as solubilized phosphate. A polyphasic approach involving the analysis of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) and 16S rRNA gene sequencing confirmed the identity of the isolate as Enterobacter sp. The results of greenhouse experiments revealed that isolate CM94 inoculation significantly enhanced the shoot length, root length, and fresh and dry weight of chickpea plants, under variable salinity stress. In addition, inoculation improved the chlorophyll, proline, sugar, and protein content in the tissues of the plant, while lowering lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, isolate CM94 reduced oxidative stress by enhancing the enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase compared to in the respective uninoculated plants. Conclusions: Overall, the results suggested that using Enterobacter sp. CM94 could significantly mitigate salinity stress and enhance chickpea growth under saline conditions. Such studies will be helpful in identifying efficient microorganisms to alleviate salinity stress, which in turn will help, to devise ecofriendly microbial technologies.
A Pharmaceutical Paradigm for Cardiovascular Composite Risk Assessment Using Novel Radiogenomics Risk Predictors in Precision Explainable Artificial Intelligence Framework: Clinical Trial Tool
Authors: Saba Luca , Maindarkar Mahesh , Khanna Narendra N. , Johri Amer M. , Mantella Laura , Laird John R. , Paraskevas Kosmas I. , Ruzsa Zoltan , Kalra Manudeep K. , Fernandes Jose Fernandes E. , Chaturvedi Seemant , Nicolaides Andrew , Rathore Vijay , Singh Narpinder , Fouda Mostafa M. , Isenovic Esma R. , Al-Maini Mustafa , Viswanathan Vijay , Suri Jasjit S.
Published: October 2023

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is challenging to diagnose and treat since symptoms appear late during the progression of atherosclerosis. Conventional risk factors alone are not always sufficient to properly categorize at-risk patients, and clinical risk scores are inadequate in predicting cardiac events. Integrating genomic-based biomarkers (GBBM) found in plasma/serum samples with novel non-invasive radiomics-based biomarkers (RBBM) such as plaque area, plaque burden, and maximum plaque height can improve composite CVD risk prediction in the pharmaceutical paradigm. These biomarkers consider several pathways involved in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis disease leading to CVD. Objective: This review proposes two hypotheses: (i) The composite biomarkers are strongly correlated and can be used to detect the severity of CVD/Stroke precisely, and (ii) an explainable artificial intelligence (XAI)-based composite risk CVD/Stroke model with survival analysis using deep learning (DL) can predict in preventive, precision, and personalized (aiP3) framework benefiting the pharmaceutical paradigm. Method: The PRISMA search technique resulted in 214 studies assessing composite biomarkers using radiogenomics for CVD/Stroke. The study presents a XAI model using AtheroEdgeTM 4.0 to determine the risk of CVD/Stroke in the pharmaceutical framework using the radiogenomics biomarkers. Conclusions: Our observations suggest that the composite CVD risk biomarkers using radiogenomics provide a new dimension to CVD/Stroke risk assessment. The proposed review suggests a unique, unbiased, and XAI model based on AtheroEdgeTM 4.0 that can predict the composite risk of CVD/Stroke using radiogenomics in the pharmaceutical paradigm.
Serum Metabolomic Profile in Hypoxia-Induced Pulmonary Hypertension Mice after C75 Treatment
Authors: Chen Shun , Lin Shujia , Liu Wei , Lin Qiuping , Yang Yi , Qiu Qingzhu , Zong Yanfang , Xiao Tingting , Hou Cuilan , Xie Lijian
Published: October 2023

Background: Inhibition of fatty acid synthase (FAS) plays a crucial protective role in pulmonary hypertension (PH). Our aim was to identify novel metabolites in mice with hypoxia-induced PH after treatment with C75 (FAS inhibitor) and to confirm the presence of these metabolites in paediatric patients with PH. Methods: The PH mouse model was built by chronic hypoxia and ovalbumin (OVA) assistance. Untargeted metabolomics was used to analyse mouse serum. Six children with PH and six relative controls (patients without lung and heart disease) were selected in Shanghai Children’s Hospital and they all performed blood tandem mass spectrometry during hospitalization. Results: First, a total of 29 differential metabolites, including lipid metabolites, polyamine, and glutamine were identified as differential metabolites in the hypoxia group compared with the control group. After C75 treatment, symptoms were partially relieved in the PH mouse, and 15 differential metabolites, including lipid metabolites, polyamine, and glutamine were identified in the hypoxia + C75 group compared with the hypoxia group. These differential metabolites were enriched in arginine and glycerolipid metabolism through metabolite set enrichment analyses and were involved in excessive cell proliferation, which was a characteristic of PH. Second, glutamine and caproyl carnitine levels were increased in paediatric patients with PH. Conclusions: FAS may be a potential PH therapeutic target. Lipid metabolites, polyamine, and glutamine, are closely related to PH. Putrescine and glutamine might be biomarkers for PH.
A collection of interesting thoughts to help spark... thinking
Authors: Napier Nancy K.
Published: October 2023

For me, it’s more of an inspiration to observe widely, think about what I’ve seen in a little deeper manner, and enjoy a laugh or two.
Pengaruh Informasi Melalui Whattshap (WA) Group Terhadap Sikap Anti Toleransi Di Kalangan Generasi Muda
Authors: Hasty Vina Nur
Published: October 2023

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis seberapa besar Pengaruh informasi yang diberikan oleh Tokoh agama melalui Wa Group terhadap sikap toleran generasi muda. Hal ini sangat penting untuk dikaji, mengingat hasil survey dan penelitian terdahulu menunjukkan bahwa media sosial dikalangan generasi muda memiliki 2 Pengaruh. Pengaruh positif dari perkembangan kemajuan ilmu pengetahuan dan teknologi adalah mempermudah jejaring dan Pengaruh negatif yang muncul salah satunya adalah lahirnya sikap anti toleran dan radikal terhadap kelompok lain. Sampel dalam penelitian ini adalah generasi muda yang berjumlah 30 Orang. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah metode kuantitatif dimana teknik pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan menyebarkan angket untuk mengetahui apakah ada Pengaruh informasi melalui Wa Group terhadap sikap toleran dikalangan generasi muda. Angket atau instrumen yang disusun oleh Peneliti berjumlah 11 item pertanyaan dengan EPIC model. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan persamaan regresi linier sedrhana Y= 3,097 + 0,483 (X), hal ini berarti jika X=0, maka Y tetap 3,097 dan positif artinya searah. Jika X meningkat maka Y juga meningkat begitu pula sebaliknya. Untuk koefisien korelasi, menunjukkan ada hubungan yang sangat tinggi antara informasi melalui WA Group dengan sikap toleran dengan nilai 0,932. Pada koefisien determinasi diperoleh nilai sebesar 0,869 yang artinya besarnya pengaruh variabel X terhadap Variabel Y adalah sebesar 86,9% dengan tingkat signifikansi 0,000.
Konsep Kepemilikan Dalam Islam
Authors: Anggita Nadia
Published: October 2023

Islammemiliki3pilar:1.Milkiyah(kepemilikan)2.Tasaruf(pengelolaan)3.TauziuTsarwahBaynannas(distri busihartaditengahtengahmanusia)
Harnessing the Power of Auxiliary Generators in Contrastive Learning for Advancing Few-Shot Learning in Remote Sensing Applications
Authors: Adedokun Daniel , Steve Mangrove , olaoyegodwin
Published: October 2023

Remote sensing technologies have revolutionized our ability to observe and analyze our planet from afar. From monitoring environmental changes to disaster management, agriculture, and urban planning, remote sensing applications are integral to modern data-driven decision-making. One of the fundamental challenges in remote sensing is the ability to learn from a limited set of labeled data, which is often referred to as few-shot learning. This challenge becomes even more critical when we consider the vast and dynamic landscapes that remote sensing covers, where traditional supervised learning approaches often fall short due to the scarcity of labeled training data.In recent years, the field of machine learning has made remarkable strides in addressing the challenges of few-shot learning, thanks to innovative techniques like contrastive learning. Contrastive learning leverages the power of similarity-based learning by comparing and contrasting data points, enabling the model to learn meaningful representations without relying heavily on large amounts of labeled data. It has proven to be a game-changer in various domains, including computer vision and natural language processing.
Public Attitudes on Performance for Algorithmic and Human Decision-Makers
Authors: Bansak Kirk , Paulson Elisabeth
Published: October 2023

This study explores public preferences between algorithmic and human decision-makers (DMs) in high-stakes contexts, how these preferences are impacted by performance metrics, and whether the public's evaluation of performance differs when considering algorithmic versus human DMs. Leveraging a conjoint experimental design, respondents (n ≈ 9,000) chose between pairs of DM profiles in two scenarios: pre-trial release decisions and bank loan decisions. DM profiles varied on the DM’s type (human vs. algorithm) and on three metrics—defendant crime rate/loan default rate, false positive rate (FPR) among white defendants/applicants, and FPR among minority defendants/applicants—as well as an implicit fairness metric defined by the absolute difference between the two FPRs. Controlling for performance, we observe a general tendency to favor human DMs, though this is driven by a subset of respondents who expect human DMs to perform better in the real world, and there is an analogous group with the opposite preference for algorithmic DMs. We also find that the relative importance of the four performance metrics remains consistent across DM type, suggesting that the public's preferences related to DM performance do not vary fundamentally between algorithmic and human DMs. Taken together, the results collectively suggest that people have very different beliefs about what type of DM (human or algorithmic) will deliver better performance and should be preferred, but they have similar desires in terms of what they want that performance to be regardless of DM type.
Meningkatkan Kesadaran dan Pemahaman Kekerasan Seksual di Kampus
Authors: KIRANI NANDA CHANTIKA
Published: October 2023

Isu kekerasan seksual di lingkungan kampus, khususnya diperguruan tinggi,merupakan masalah serius di Indonesia, dengan Undang Undang No 12 tahun 2022 tentangTindak Pidana Kekerasan Seksual yang mendefinisikan kekerasan seksual. Artikel inimencatat bahwa angka kekerasan seksual terus meningkat dan mengidentif ikasi kampussebagai tempat dengan tingkat kekerasan seksual yang tinggi. Kasus kasus kekerasan seksualdi beberapa perguruan tinggi juga menjadi sorotan. Artikel ini merumuskan tiga pertanyaanpenelitian terkait upaya untuk meningkatkan kesadaran dan pema haman tentang kekerasanseksual di kampus, dampaknya pada lingkungan kampus dan individu yang terlibat, sertahambatan yang perlu diatasi dalam upaya meningkatkan kesadaran dan pemahaman. Dalamartikel ini, diuraikan pengertian kekerasan seksual, berbagai bentuknya, dan dampaknya padalingkungan kampus dan individu. Selain itu, artikel membahas hambatan yang mungkinmenghalangi upaya peningkatan kesadaran. Artikel ini menyimpulkan bahwa meningkatkankesadaran dan pemahaman tentang kekerasan seksual di kampu s adalah upaya yang pentingdan harus melibatkan seluruh komunitas kampus. Upaya ini bertujuan untuk mencegahkekerasan seksual, memberikan dukungan bagi korban, dan menciptakan lingkungan yanglebih aman dan adil di kampus.
Strange things, statespace representation, and participatory realism - Comment on “Path Integrals, Particular Kinds, and Strange Things.” by Friston et al
Authors: GUÉNIN--CARLUT Avel
Published: October 2023

I discuss the latest formulation of the Free Energy Principle as described by Friston, Karl, Lancelot Da Costa, Dalton A. R. Sakthivadivel, Conor Heins, Grigorios A. Pavliotis, Maxwell Ramstead, and Thomas Parr. 2023. “Path Integrals, Particular Kinds, and Strange Things.”. In particular, I acknowledge the progress entailed by the explicit path integral formulation of the article. However, I argue that this feature still does not allow the representation of the creation of meaning or the construction of "adjacent possibles" by biological / cognitive agents due to the statespace embedding of the theory
Particulate nitrate photolysis as a possible driver of rising tropospheric ozone
Authors: Shah Viral , Keller Christoph , Knowland K. , Christiansen Amy , Hu Lu , Wang Haolin , Lu Xiao , Alexander Becky , Jacob Daniel
Published: October 2023

Tropospheric ozone is an air pollutant and a greenhouse gas whose anthropogenic production is limited principally by the supply of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from combustion. Tropospheric ozone in the northern hemisphere has been rising despite the flattening of NOx emissions in recent decades. Here we propose that this sustained increase could result from the photolysis of nitrate particles (pNO3-) to regenerate NOx. Including pNO3- photolysis in the GEOS-Chem atmospheric chemistry model improves the consistency with ozone observations. Our simulations show that pNO3- concentrations have increased since the 1960s because of rising ammonia and falling SO2 emissions, augmenting the increase in ozone in the northern extratropics by about 50% to better match the observed ozone trend. pNO3- will likely continue to increase through 2050, which would drive a continued increase in ozone even as NOx emissions decrease. More work is needed to better understand the mechanism and rates of pNO3- photolysis.
The influence of environmental crisis perception and trait anxiety on the level of eco-worry and climate anxiety
Authors: Parmentier Marie-Laure , Weiss Karine , AROUA Aya , BETRY Camille , RIVIERE Mathila , Navarro Oscar
Published: October 2023

Eco-anxiety, the anxiety experienced in response to worsening environmental conditions, is a growing worldwide phenomenon. Climate change anxiety is the most commonly recognized form of eco-anxiety, given the escalating impact of ongoing climate change. However, many uncertainties persist regarding the association of this reaction with pro-environmental behaviors as well as its relationship with trait anxiety and perception of the environmental crisis. In this study, we conducted an analysis with a sample size of 431 participants to understand the respective implications of these factors, while considering different levels of intensity in climate anxiety reactions. We measured eco-worry using a short 5-item scale and climate anxiety-related impairments using the Climate Change Anxiety Scale (CCAS). Our findings revealed that eco-worry mediates the relationship between the perception of the environmental crisis and the appearance of climate anxiety-related impairments. Also, eco-worry was found to be constructive in terms of commitment to pro-environmental behaviors, with no additional contribution of the climate anxiety reaction with impairments. Overall, our findings point out the existence of different constructs in the anxiety reaction to climate change and environmental issues, with different factors involved at each level.
Systematic optimization and evaluation of a Dutch sexual health intervention: Role model stories for chlamydia prevention, testing, and treatment
Authors: Metz Gido , Thielmann Rosa Ricarda Leni Charlotte , Roosjen Hanneke , Stutterheim Sarah E. , Crutzen Rik
Published: October 2023

Background. The rapidly evolving nature of eHealth necessitates regular optimization and subsequent evaluation. Within the Dutch sexual health intervention Sense.info, we utilized a mixed-methods cyclic evaluation process to assess and optimize the potential impact of the chlamydia page. This paper reports on the page’s optimization through development of role model stories for chlamydia prevention and the subsequent evaluation of these stories. Method. The experiences of ten young individuals served as the basis of role model stories using the behavior change principle modeling based on Social Cognitive Theory. These stories aimed to motivate young individuals to undergo STI testing, use condoms, and notify sexual partners. Once the stories were posted online, we tracked use data between July and September 2022 and investigated end-user perspectives through a think-aloud study combined with semi-structured interviews (N = 20, Mage = 19.7, SDage = 2.65). Template analyses was used for the analysis of the think-aloud study. Results. Use data revealed that all stories were accessed by website visitors, yet other page elements on the chlamydia page were interacted with more. The exploration of end-user perspectives indicated a positive impact of the personal stories on normalization, self-efficacy, and skills related to chlamydia preventive behaviors. Mixed results were found regarding some conditions for effectiveness of the behavior change principle modeling. Discussion and conclusion. This study provided valuable insights into the cyclic evaluation process for evaluating and optimizing web-based public health interventions, as well as the potential impact of role model stories on sexual health prevention. Also, aspects of the stories that could be optimized in future optimization rounds were identified. Overall, this research contributes to enhancing the impact of eHealth interventions through iterative evaluation and optimization processes.
Predicting the subjective intensity of imagined experiences from electrophysiological measures of oscillatory brain activity
Authors: Arnold Derek , Saurels Blake William , Anderson Natasha L. , Andresen Isabella , Schwarzkopf D. Samuel
Published: October 2023

Most people can conjure images and sounds that they experience in their minds. There are, however, marked individual differences. Some people report that they cannot generate imagined sensory experiences at all (aphantasics) and others report that they have unusually intense imagined experiences (hyper-phantasics). These individual differences have been linked to activity in sensory brain regions, driven by feedback. We would therefore expect imagined experiences to be associated with specific frequencies of oscillatory brain activity, as these can be a hallmark of neural interactions within and across regions of the brain. Replicating a number of other studies, relative to meditation we find that the act of engaging in auditory or in visual imagery is linked to reductions in the power of oscillatory brain activity across a broad range of frequencies, with prominent peaks in the alpha band (8-12 Hz). This oscillatory activity, however, did not predict individual differences in the subjective intensity of imagined experiences. For audio imagery, these were rather predicted by reductions within the theta (6 – 9 Hz) and gamma (33 – 38 Hz) bands, and by increases in beta (15 – 17Hz) band activity. For visual imagery these were predicted by reductions in lower (14 – 16Hz) and upper (29 – 32 Hz) beta band activity, and by an increase in mid-beta band (24 – 26 Hz) activity. Our data suggest that there is sufficient ground truth in the subjective reports that people use to describe the intensity of their imagined sensory experiences to allow these to be linked to the power of distinct rhythms of brain activity. In future, we hope that this approach can be combined with better measures of the subjective intensity of imagined sensory experiences to provide a clearer picture of individual differences in the subjective intensity of imagined experiences, and of why these eventuate.
Bruising in non-mobile infants: Challenging assumptions and reassessing the evidence
Authors: Bilson Andy , Flower Charlotte Image
Published: October 2023

This paper demonstrates that the assumption of accidental bruising in non-mobile infants being rare is not supported by research. It highlights weaknesses in the evidence-base and shows that between 0.6% and 5.3% of non-mobile children had a bruise on a single observation and 27% had a bruise over an average of 7.6 weekly observations in a longitudinal study. Thus between 1,960 and 17,300 infants had an accidental bruise on any one day compared to 410 child protection plans starting a year for infants because of physical abuse. Moreover, research shows the lack of an explanation from a parent, or changing explanations, does not necessarily indicate guilt. The paper reviews local authority procedures produced by safeguarding partnerships. These misinterpret research and sometimes contradict it, whilst exaggerating the likelihood that a bruise is non-accidental. Procedures differed in their interpretation of when a child is premobile and the actions that safeguarding staff should take; further, a quarter did not comply with legal requirements in “Working Together” mandating either a strategy discussion (28 procedures) or a Section 47 investigation (7 procedures) in all cases of bruises in children under 6-months-old. Finally, the paper considers the impact of this upon parents, and the implications for legal decision-making.
The Jersey Devil: Examining a Phenomenon Obscured by Myth
Authors: Thadani Ramesh
Published: October 2023

This descriptive study delves into the enigmatic nature of the “Jersey Devil,” an enduring legend of a cryptid from New Jersey (USA) while acknowledging its historical and folklore roots. The absence of tangible evidence regarding the alleged creature’s existence has often prompted explorations into metaphysical and supernatural explanations. Accordingly, three sets of theories about the creature’s origin are considered: terrestrial, interdimensional, and extraterrestrial. Events associated with the Jersey Devil compare well to, and might be linked with, documented flurries of accounts involving cryptids, UFOs, and high strangeness at alleged “paranormal” hotspots like Skinwalker Ranch in Utah and Point Pleasant in West Virginia. Caution is needed when considering esoteric theories, but the consistency of sightings over time might argue for the possibility of interdimensional or extraterrestrial entities. Finally, the paper discusses the notion of the Jersey Devil phenomenon serving as a control mechanism or a means of instilling fear of the unknown.
Assessing 36 Years of the Forced Choice Design in Extra Sensory Perception Research: A Meta-Analysis, 1987 to 2022
Authors: Storm Lance , Tressoldi Patrizio
Published: October 2023

This meta-analysis is an update of Storm, Tressoldi, and Di Risio (2012); a meta-analysis on forced-choice ESP studies (1987 to 2010), which use targets such as card symbols, pictures, and letters. We formed two datasets: New Studies #1 (studies that included actual hit rates) and New Studies #2 (Reaction Time [‘RT’] Studies; which are studies that measured only reaction time, not hits, as indicators of psi responses). New Studies #1: For the period 2011 to 2022, a homogeneous dataset of 38 studies yielded a mean effect size (ES) of 0.02 (Stouffer Z = 5.55, p = 1.43 × 10–8). New Studies #2 (‘RT’ Studies): For the same period, a homogeneous dataset of 23 studies yielded a weaker mean ES of 0.01 (Stouffer Z = 5.50, p = 1.90 × 10–8). The two databases were combined. In this dataset, telepathy, clairvoyance, and precognition studies were not significantly different from each other. Nor were target types. We updated the forced-choice database by combining our revised original database with the new studies to form a homogeneous database (N = 141): mean effect size (ES) of 0.02 (Stouffer Z = 8.52, p < 10-16). Effects did not vary between investigators or laboratories, and we found a near-significant incline in ES values over a 36-year period (i.e., no evidence of a decline). These results confirm that the forced-choice design adequately tests extra-sensory perception (ESP). We compare the overall results with those obtained in other domains, focusing on ‘selected’ participants (meditators, psychics, psi-test experienced) and ‘unselected’ (i.e., untrained, naïve) participants.
Forbidden Science 5: Pacific Heights, The Journals of Jacques Vallee 2000 - 2009
Authors: Kripal Jeffrey
Published: October 2023

Forbidden Science 5: Pacific Heights, The Journals of Jacques Vallee
Essentials Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Skills and Competencies for Library Professionals
Authors: Thakor Dinesh S.
Published: October 2023

The current era is referred to as the information and communication technology revolution. Today, no any sector is behind in the use of technology. Technology is inevitably used by humans from daily life to education, employment, business, culture, etc. at some point or another. The use of information and communication technology is increasing in various libraries to perform various functions and provide information services to their users easily and quickly. The purpose of this article is to provide information about the information and communication technology skills and competencies needed for library professionals to provide library and information services. Also, there is information provided on how to enhance skills or competencies in information and communication technology.

Abstract in Gujarati Language:

વર્તમાન યુગને માહિતી અને પ્રત્યાયન તકનીકીની ક્રાંતિ તરીકે ઓળખવામાં આવે છે. આજે તકનીકીના ઉપયોગથી કોઈ પણ ક્ષેત્ર પાછળ રહ્યું નથી. તકનીકીનો ઉપયોગ મનુષ્યો દ્વારા રોજિંદા જીવનથી લઈને શિક્ષણ, રોજગાર, વ્યવસાય, સંસ્કૃતિ વગેરેમાં કોઈને કોઈ તબક્કે અનિવાર્યપણે થાય છે. વિવિધ કાર્યો કરવા અને તેમના વપરાશકર્તાઓને સરળતાથી અને ઝડપથી માહિતી સેવાઓ પ્રદાન કરવા માટે વિવિધ પુસ્તકાલયોમાં માહિતી અને પ્રત્યાયન તકનીકીનો ઉપયોગ વધી રહ્યો છે. આ લેખનો હેતુ પુસ્તકાલય વ્યવસાયિકો માટે પુસ્તકાલય અને માહિતી સેવાઓ પ્રદાન કરવા માટે જરૂરી માહિતી અને પ્રત્યાયન તકનીકી કુશળતાઓ અને ક્ષમતાઓ વિશે માહિતી પ્રદાન કરવાનો છે. ઉપરાંત, માહિતી અને પ્રત્યાયન તકનીકીમાં કુશળતાઓ અથવા ક્ષમતાઓને કેવી રીતે વધારી શકાય તે અંગેની માહિતી આપવામાં આવેલ છે.

Keywords: પુસ્તકાલય, વ્યવસાયિકો, પુસ્તકાલય વ્યવસાયિકો, માહિતી અને પ્રત્યાયન તકનીકી (આઈ.સી.ટી.), કુશળતાઓ, ક્ષમતાઓ
Police Funding and Crime Rates in 20 of Canada's Largest Municipalities: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Seabrook Mélanie S.S. , Luscombe Alex , Balian Nicole , Lofters Aisha , Matheson Flora I. , O’Neill Braden G. , Owusu-Bempah Akwasi , Persaud Navindra , Pinto Andrew D.
Published: October 2023

Tandis que la littérature évaluant diverses pratiques et reformes policières continue de s’accroitre, il y a présentement peu de recherche qui examine le financement de la police au Canada. Pour décrire la situation présente du financement de la police au Canada, nous recueillissions et publions des données sur les dépenses municipales de services policiers de 2010 à 2021 de 20 des municipalités urbaines les plus peuplées au Canada. Notre analyse décrit le changement du financement de la police au cours du temps et la variation entre les différentes régions, et examine la corrélation entre le financement et les taux de crime. Les dépenses sur les services policiers sont extraits des budgets municipaux, et les données sur les populations et sur l’indice de gravité de la criminalité sont extraits des bases de données de Statistique Canada. En 2019, les services policiers étaient la plus grande dépense de fonctionnement dans une majorité des municipalités. Les montants des dépenses par habitant en dollars constants sur les services policiers augmentent dans 16/20 municipalités entre 2010 et 2020. Il y a des différences marquées entre les dépenses des municipalités : en 2019, en dollars 2020, Vancouver a dépensé $495.84 par habitant pendant que la Ville de Québec a dépensé $217.05 par habitant. Il n’y a pas de corrélations uniformes entre les dépenses policières et les taux de crime des municipalités. Cependant, des augmentations nettes de dépenses par habitant ne sont pas associées avec des réductions plus importantes de taux de crime. Ces résultats décrivent la grande variation locale des tendances de fonds policiers, et indiquent la complexité des interactions entre les taux de crime et les fonds policiers.
Hang On to Your Hat
Authors: Michalko Rod
Published: October 2023

It is a tremendous honour to be invited to contribute to this issue of Topia and to say something of MJ’s influence not only on me personally, but on my blindness as well. What follows is an excerpt from my unpublished novel Hang on to your Hat. I use this as a way to exemplify MJ’s influence.
Rethinking EAP Reading Courses: Insights from Student Feedback
Authors: BAYRAKTAR BALKIR Nalan
Published: October 2023

English for Academic Purposes (EAP) programs are crucial for developing language skills in academic settings, and course evaluation plays a key role in assessing their impact, meeting student needs and improving the curriculum and instruction. This study evaluates an EAP Reading Course implemented in an English Language Preparatory Program in a Turkish higher education institution, seeking to enhance curriculum and instruction through student feedback. Using a qualitative case study approach, a focus group interview gathered data from a student group at the end of the academic year. Inductive content analysis revealed noteworthy findings in course components like content, materials, technology integration, and duration. This research informs EAP reading course development, curricula, and materials in English Language preparatory programs in higher education, offering insights to enhance similar courses and ultimately improve students’ overall educational experiences.
Marksist Estetiğin Sosyalist Realizme Evrilmesi
Authors: EKEN Cengiz
Published: October 2023

1917 Ekim Devrimi’yle şekillenmeye başlayan ve temelde Marksizm’e dayanan Sosyalist realizmin beslendiği kaynaklar, belirleyicilerinin en azından bir kısmının Marksist olmayan sosyal demokratlardan oluşması, bir kısmının da edebiyatın toplum üzerindeki etkisinin bilinciyle 19. yüzyıl Rus edebiyatından gelen aydınlanmacı, yönlendirici söylemi rejimin tahkimi için gerekli görmesi gibi nedenlerle çeşitlenmiştir. Böylece akım, Marksizm’in yanında 19. yüzyıl Rus edebiyatından ve Bolşevik harekâtından da beslenmiştir.

Sosyalist realizm akımı ile Marksist estetik arasındaki temel ayrışma edebiyatın vazifesi konusunda olmuştur. Marksist öğreti, toplumsal değişim ve dönüşümde alt yapı olarak adlandırılan ekonomik ilişkilerin belirleyici olduğunu ve bu nedenle din, ahlak, hukuk, felsefe, edebiyat gibi üst yapı unsurlarının söz konusu ekonomik ilişkilerin mahiyetine göre şekillendiğini kabul etmiştir. Böylece üst yapı unsurlarından edebiyat da alt yapıyı şekillendiren ideolojinin ürünü haline gelerek alt yapının mevcut durumunu ya da değişimini, dönüşümünü yansıtan sosyolojik veri niteliği kazanmıştır. Sosyalist realizm akımı ise toplumsal alt ve üst yapı arasındaki geçirgenliğin bilinciyle edebiyatı toplumu değiştirmek, dönüştürmek için araçsallaştırmıştır. Söz konusu zihniyet ayrılığı, gerçeklik anlayışı, siyasi söyleme bakış hususlarında da kendisini göstermiştir.
ЗАСТОСУВАННЯ ІГРОВИХ ТЕХНОЛОГІЙ У ПРОЦЕСІ ПІДГОТОВКИ МАЙБУТНІХ УЧИТЕЛІВ ДО ПРОФЕСІЙНОЇ ДІЯЛЬНОСТІ
Authors: Кириленко Валерій , Кириленко Неля , Крижановський Андрій
Published: October 2023

У статті розглядаються методи вдосконалення підготовки майбутніх учителів до використання інформаційно-комунікаційних технологій у майбутній професійній діяльності за допомогою ігрових технологій. Описуються нововведення, що впроваджуються в навчальний процес закладів загальної середньої та вищої освіти, акцентується увага на професійному розвитку студентів, що значною мірою пов’язаний із розвитком їхнього творчого потенціалу. Стаття досліджує можливості використання ігрових технологій у навчанні майбутніх учителів. Автори аналізують особливості застосування ігрових технологій, що допомагають зробити навчальний процес цікавішим та ефективнішим. Проаналізовано основні підходи до застосування ігрових технологій у навчальному процесі та описано конкретні методи та приклади їх використання в підготовці майбутніх учителів. Автори розглядають роль ігрових технологій та висвітлюють їх позитивний вплив на мотивацію студентів до навчання. В результаті проведеного експерименту відмічається підвищення не тільки загального рівня комп’ютерної грамотності студентів, а й значне поліпшення їхнього творчого мислення, адже створені ними ігрові програми стають продуктом їхньої власної перетворюючої діяльності й містять виражений творчий компонент. Доведено, що саме комп’ютерні дидактичні ігри, ставши засобом фантазування і розвитку уяви, сприяють розвитку інтуїції, розвитку творчого мислення та знаходженню нестандартних підходів для виконання пізнавальних завдань, а впровадження ігрових технологій є одним із засобів успішного розв’язання творчих завдань майбутніми учителями. Загалом, стаття надає важливу інформацію для викладачів, які здійснюють підготовку майбутніх учителів та інших спеціалістів у галузі освіти, зацікавлених у використанні ігрових технологій. Автори доводять, що використання таких технологій може зробити навчання більш доступним і всебічним у підготовці майбутніх учителів до професійної діяльності.
ФОРМУВАННЯ ПРИРОДНИЧИХ УЯВЛЕНЬ МОЛОДШИХ ШКОЛЯРІВ
Authors: Грошовенко Ольга , Присяжнюк Лариса
Published: October 2023

У статті актуалізовано питання формування природничих уявлень молодших школярів та раціонального вибору активних методів навчання. Особливий акцент зроблено на ролі дидактичних засобів у формуванні реалістичних уявлень, зроблено екскурс в історичні аспекти проблеми формування природничих уявлень дітей молодшого шкільного віку. Формування природничих уявлень розглядається як необхідна умова розвитку розумових процесів, мислення і уяви здобувачів освіти. Одним із важливих аспектів у роботі вчителя над формуванням природничих уявлень молодших школярів визнано цілеспрямовану роботу над утворенням у свідомості дітей виразних, точних образів про предмети і явища природи. У статті особлива увага зосереджена на використанні активних методів навчання та тих технологій, які забезпечують раціональну організацію освітнього процесу, реалізацію принципів особистісно-орієнтованого, компетентнісного, інтегрованого підходів. Основою формування природничих уявлень, як форми відображення навколишнього світу, є нагромадження відчуттів, сприймання дитиною образів навколишнього світу, що має виключне значення у процесі засвоєння дитиною знань, оскільки у свідомості учнів повинна бути відтворена реальна картина світу. У процесі вивчення інтегрованого курсу “Я досліджую світ” основна увага спрямовується на формуються цілісних уявлень про навколишній світ. Уроки за інтегрованим курсом “Я досліджую світ” загалом мають практичне спрямування. Інтегрований курс “Я досліджую світ” базується на творчій співпраці між учнем та учителем, навчанні на ситуаціях, наближених до реального життя. Формування системи природничих уявлень передбачає: здійснення системно-структурного аналізу змісту природничого матеріалу, дотримання поетапності формування природничих уявлень, використання міжпредметних зв'язків у формуванні природничих уявлень, конструювання системи пізнавальних завдань та застосування інтерактивних технологій формування природничих уявлень.
СТРАТЕГІЇ ЕФЕКТИВНОЇ ВЗАЄМОДІЇ З БАТЬКАМИ ОСІБ З ОСОБЛИВИМИ ОСВІТНІМИ ПОТРЕБАМИ НА РІВНІ ЗАКЛАДУ ОСВІТИ
Authors: Денищук Інна
Published: October 2023

У статті розкрито питання взаємодії з батьками осіб з особливими освітніми потребами для успішної реалізації інклюзивного навчання в закладі освіти. Проаналізовано вимоги для ефективного партнерства. Визначено основні труднощі, що можуть перешкоджати продуктивності освітнього процесу дитини з особливими освітніми потребами та побудови ефективної співпраці з батьками. Як от: ставлення батьків до своїх дітей; неприйняття порушення, явного чи прихованого відкинення дитини; неадекватне оцінювання стану та перспектив розвитку дитини; відсутність бачення своєї ролі в реалізації освітнього процесу; недостатня компетентність щодо особливостей інклюзивної освіти; нехтування пропозиціями з боку фахівців закладу освіти. Висвітлено особливості психолого-педагогічного супроводу батьків. На основі аналізу наукових праць було визначено, що головною метою психолого-педагогічного супроводу батьків дітей з особливими освітніми потребами є створення сприятливого психологічного клімату для взаємодії батьків із членами команди супроводу, підвищення педагогічної компетентності батьків, надання консультацій, розширення знань батьків щодо специфіки розвитку дітей з порушеннями психофізичного розвитку. У статті представлено варіанти різних форм і методів співпраці педагогів з батьками для організації ефективної роботи з сім’ями на рівні закладу освіти. Серед ефективних форм співпраці з батьками запропоновано індивідуальні та групові. Доведено, що відповідна робота з батьками дозволить збільшити ступінь участі батьків в освітньому процесі, розширити вплив на сім’ю як один з найголовніших факторів сприятливої соціалізації дитини з особливими освітніми потребами, допомогти батькам усвідомити власну значущість для своєї дитини та їхню роль в освітньому процесі. Значну увагу приділено ролі батьків та їхньому активному залученню до освітнього процесу дитини з особливими освітніми потребами. Визначено, що обов’язковою умовою ефективності співпраці є участь батьків у команді психолого-педагогічного супроводу. Зазначено, що саме спільна праця батьків та вчителів призведе до гармонійного та успішного розвитку дитини. На основі аналізу наукових праць визначено, що основними стратегіями ефективної взаємодії з батьками осіб з особливими освітніми потребами для успішної реалізації інклюзивного навчання є створення сприятливої атмосфери в закладі освіти, підтримка, емпатія і розуміння батьків, побудова партнерських стосунків і міжособистісної взаємодії, постійне спілкування педагогів з дітьми та батьками.
ETHNOGRAPHIES OF POWER
Authors: Loloum Tristan , Abram Simone , Ortar Nathalie
Published: October 2023

Energy related infrastructures are crucial to political organization. They shape the contours of states and international bodies, as well as corporations and communities, framing their material existence and their fears and idealisations of the future. Ethnographies of Power brings together ethnographic studies of contemporary entanglements of energy and political power. Revisiting classic anthropological notions of power, it asks how changing energy related infrastructures are implicated in the consolidation, extension or subversion of contemporary political regimes and discovers what they tell us about politics today.
MUSIC AND POSTWAR TRANSITIONS IN THE 19TH AND 20TH CENTURIES
Authors: Fléchet Anaïs , Guerpin Martin , Gumplowicz Philippe , Kelly Barbara L.
Published: October 2023

From the Napoleonic Wars to the genocide of the Tutsis in Rwanda, via the great world conflicts of the 20th century, Music and Postwar Transitions in the 19th and 20th Centuries is the first book to highlight the significance of ‘postwar transitions’ in the field of music and to demonstrate the influence that musicians, composers, critics, institutions, and publics have had on the period that follows conflict. Leading historians, political scientists, psychologists and musicologists explore the roles of music and culture in demobilization, reconstruction, memory, reconciliation, revenge, and nationalist backlash. Moving beyond the popular conception of music as an agent of peace, this study reveals music’s more complex and ambivalent role in the process of transition from war to peace.
THEORIZING ENTREPRENEURSHIP FOR THE FUTURE
Authors: Beuving Joost
Published: October 2023

Presenting a new interpretation of entrepreneurial behaviour, this book focuses on how entrepreneurs consider the future, looking at their social practices, language and rituals through which they neutralize or smoothen future unknowns. The study theorizes entrepreneurial behaviour as ‘future-work’: the social practices, language and rituals through which entrepreneurs neutralize or smoothen future unknowns. The study is grounded in ethnographic case material from global frontiers: second-hand car dealers in West Africa; exporters of fresh fish from Lake Victoria, East Africa; farmed fish entrepreneurs in Greece; and investment bankers in Financial America. It targets students and scholars from the social sciences and economics, and it has theoretical and practical implications.
Indigenous Peoples and Criminal Justice
Authors: Faria Rodrigo Arthuso Arantes
Published: October 2023

In this article, I draw on the specific case studies of the Xakriabá people and the Judicial District of Manga, and the Maxakali people and the Judicial District of Águas Formosas, both located in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. I examine how criminal justice officials apply dominant concepts of indigeneity in these regional contexts, showing how they arbitrarily construct and deploy the category of Indigenous person based on essentialist assumptions of indigeneity that ignore Indigenous peoples’ self-identification as such. This adds to scholarship on how indigeneity is institutionally conceived and applied within the justice system in ways that contrast with Indigenous notions of it and aim to deny Indigenous persons recognition in legal processes. By providing specific accounts of how Indigenous defendants are treated in the justice system and experience loss of rights, I consider the professional practices of state officials within the broader framework of Brazilian indigenist policies.