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This paper examines ideologies of American study abroad in politically and culturally "non-Western" countries. Drawing from the theory of orientalism (Said, 1978), we analyze how American public discourse on study abroad for learners of Mandarin and Arabic manifests an orientalist thinking, and how such macro discourse both produces multilingual subjects (Kramsch, 2010) and considerable tensions with the micro discourses of these subjects. Our findings show that despite linguistic and cultural differences between China and the Arab world, the two contexts are imagined together as the political "East" in American public rhetoric. The two languages are also assumed to be crucial to the somewhat contradictory goals of "bridge-building" and "national defense." These imaginings provide students a mode of identity construction, but they are also contested in students' everyday experience. Using these findings, we argue that the discursive links between the two study abroad destinations result from a geopolitically situated American gaze, a view that obscures differences between the two destinations, the goals of individual language learners, and the locals they interact with when abroad.

Critical thinking is said to be a defining characteristic of a university graduate. In literature on critical thinking, conceptions range from a focus on generic skills to a notion of person as critical being. However, there is little research on university students' experiences of critical thinking. Experiences of undergraduate students, enrolled in a management course in which the main theme was critical analysis and communication, were explored through a modified phenomenographic approach and a problem-solving task using a 'think aloud' technique. Results include four experiences of critical thinking ranging from a prescribed process to an evaluation that looked beyond what is evident, and a number of dimensional attributes. Students' experiences of criticality and the language they used to describe the experiences were limited, pointing particularly to a need for changes in the academic structures that exist outside the immediate classroom environment.

In this integrative review we analyze research from multiple fields of study in regards to gender equality, gender equity, and sport participation over the past twenty years (2000–2020). Key findings highlight a) women and girls' socialization into sport and the performance of femininity and heteronormativity, b) the psychological benefits, negative effects, and participant retention, c) a lack of transformative critique of sport structures and barriers to access, and d) critique of sport policy that enhances equity and equality. Embedded throughout the presentation of these four interrelated areas of interest, we offer a critique about the state of research so that others might draw insight for future research directions. We conclude by outlining potential intersectional and transformational frameworks that connect research to social and political action. We also provide commentary on knowledge creation, databases, and the politicization of knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social media and sport research has produced a significant corpus of academic literature. This work has enhanced our understanding of the influence of social media in various areas of the sport industry. This work, however, has often glamorized social media and its benefits, leading to a normalization about social media that obscures its negative effects and impacts in sport. This commentary reflects on how social media and sport research has evolved over time and calls for more consideration to be given to critical approaches to social media research that look beyond analysis of social media content. The commentary specifically addresses areas of inquiry around athlete welfare and social media, social media and young athletes, and social media professionals and their work environment. The commentary aims to encourage more critical perspectives related to social media that will enhance the inclusivity of the social media and sport literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the impact of work overload on the well-being of lecturers at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Work overload is a common issue faced by academic professionals, and it can lead to negative consequences for their physical and mental health. To understand the impact of work overload on the well-being of lecturers, the article provides an insight into stress and work overload. The paper also explores potential strategies to manage and mitigate work overload among lecturers. The study uses a qualitative approach and collects its data from secondary sources such as newspapers, academic journals, textbooks, theses, and dissertations, among others. The findings indicate that the lecturers face high levels of work overload, which has a significant negative impact on their physical and mental health. The study highlights the need for intervention strategies to address work overload and improve the well-being of lecturers at Obafemi Awolowo University. This study concludes that work overload has a detrimental effect on the well-being of lecturers at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

Lattice distortion is considered to be one of the four core effects in a multicomponent high-entropy alloy. However, their effect is least understood from experiment and theoretical standpoints. The present investigation revealed a unique way to understand this effect by combining experiments with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. A small amount of Al and Si were carefully added to the whole-solute matrix of Cantor alloys. The different-sized atomic species introduces a huge lattice distortion in the matrix, leading to a simultaneous improvement in yield strength (YS), ultimate tensile strength (UTS), and percent elongation. An extensive DFT simulation indicates that a lattice distortion is prominent in an Al-containing alloy, whereas Si does not induce a lattice distortion. However, Si leads to severe interlayer lattice distortion, caused by the displacement of Si, during twinning. This leads to the improvement of YS, UTS, and ductility. Lattice distortion and its variants play significant effects on the mechanical properties of high-entropy alloys (HEAs) in terms of local lattice distortion, providing an uneven energy landscape for the movement of line defects or interlayer distortion. The inherent nature of local lattice distortion in HEAs leads to the wavy or tortuous dislocation, unlike a straight dislocation in conventional alloys. The movement of the wavy type of dislocation through a distorted or defective lattice requires large stress, resulting in a pronounced effect on solid solution strengthening. This local lattice distortion also dictates the degree of the interlayer distance distortion in the vicinity of atoms, leading to an increase or decrease in stable stacking fault energy that decides the deformation mode via slip or twinning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Life-span perspectives illustrate the critical features of development that clients experience; however, little evidence exists to illustrate how to integrate these approaches or use them in sport and exercise contexts. Attending to a clients' developmental stage is a critical component of ethical and effective professional practice. We present an account of how we considered, selected, or dismissed components of life-span perspectives throughout the stages of service delivery with James, a youth sport athlete presenting with "choking" difficulties. The life-span approach offered a context to understand James's presenting difficulty to determine the appropriateness and applicability of intervention, and acknowledged bias and experience of the psychologist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In multiphase particulate systems, the turbulence of the continuous phase (gas or liquid) is modulated due to interactions between the continuous phase and the suspended particles. Such phenomena are non-trivial in the essence that addition of a dispersed phase to a turbulent flow complicates the existing flow patterns depending on the physical properties of the particles leading to either augmentation or attenuation of continuous phase turbulence. In the present study, this aspect has been comprehensively analysed based on the available experimental data obtained from the well-studied turbulent flow systems such as channel and pipes, free jets and grids. Relevant non-dimensional parameters such as particle diameter to integral length scale ratio, Stokes number, particle volume fraction, particle momentum number, and particle Reynolds number have been utilised to characterise the reported turbulence modulation behavior. Some limitations of these commonly used dimensionless parameters to characterise turbulence modulation are discussed, and possible improvements are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyses the Kingdom of Morocco's relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran, focusing on Morocco's decision to sever ties with Iran in 2009. It sheds light on the dynamics that drive Morocco's foreign policy and highlights the importance of domestic political considerations in shaping foreign policy and the close connections in the view of the Moroccan regime between Islam and security. The assessment is driven by a critical and source-driven analysis of Moroccan policies and perspectives. It is based on evidence obtained during fieldwork conducted in Morocco, including in-person interviews with top Moroccan foreign-policy makers; on analysis of English, Arabic, and Persian primary sources, including news reports, official statements, and U.S. diplomatic cables; and on insights derived from the historical, empirical, and theoretical literature on subjects pertaining to foreign policy, Islam, and regime legitimacy. That examination reveals, and this study argues, that Morocco's decision to rupture relations with Iran in 2009 and its foreign policy regarding Iran more broadly were driven by two key concerns: (1) Morocco's position in relation to the prevailing strategic dynamics of the Middle East, particularly apprehension over Iran's growing role in the region, the mobilisation of Arab monarchies into a coalition to counter Iranian influence, and the implications of a close alliance with the United States; and (2) the paramount goal of Morocco's domestic policy, that of maintaining monarchical authority and legitimacy, and the king's reliance on a particular interpretation of Islam and his role as Commander of the Faithful in pursuit thereof. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myocardial infarction is one of the leading causes of death globally and in most cases, heart transplantation is required. As an alternative to heart transplantation, engineered cardiac patches have been recently developed as a potential solution for restoring cardiac function. Engineering a cardiac patch necessitates tailoring various design criteria mainly including materials, i.e., natural and/or synthetic, mechanical and physical properties, and fabrication method. Here, we review and examine the latest research on design of engineered cardiac patches and provide a critical analysis and direction for future works. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The High Average Utility Itemset Mining (HAUIM) technique, a variation of High Utility Itemset Mining (HUIM), uses the average utility of the itemsets. Historically, most HAUIM algorithms were designed for static databases. However, practical applications like market basket analysis and business decision-making necessitate regular updates of the database with new transactions. As a result, researchers have developed incremental HAUIM (iHAUIM) algorithms to identify HAUIs in a dynamically updated database. Contrary to conventional methods that begin from scratch, the iHAUIM algorithm facilitates incremental changes and outputs, thereby reducing the cost of discovery. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the state-of-the-art iHAUIM algorithms, analyzing their unique characteristics and advantages. First, we explain the concept of iHAUIM, providing formulas and real-world examples for a more in-depth understanding. Subsequently, we categorize and discuss the key technologies used by varying types of iHAUIM algorithms, encompassing Apriori-based, Tree-based, and Utility-list-based techniques. Moreover, we conduct a critical analysis of each mining method's advantages and disadvantages. In conclusion, we explore potential future directions, research opportunities, and various extensions of the iHAUIM algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This article aims to conduct a scoping review of what constitutes effective relational interactions between caregivers (CGs) and older persons (OPs) across formal residential care settings. Methods: A scoping review of publications between January 2000 and December 2021 yielded 10,929 articles, and after removing duplicates and applying exclusion criteria, 36 articles were analysed. Results: Articles were scrutinised for interactions involving both CGs and OPs, using a thematic framework analysis to identify effective relational constructs. Four themes emerged: 1) Diverse perspectives on the same context: for OPs it is home, and for CGs, workplace. 2) CGs move for a one-up position and OPs submit to a one-down, or as friends. 3) Relational qualities have been mostly associated with CGs, confirming care as a unidirectional action 4). Relationships between CGs and OPs result either in effective or ineffective care outcomes. Conclusion: The dual meanings attached to the same context limit the authentic interactions between CGs and OPs. We propose a relational caregiving approach by considering the interactions of both CGs and OPs, changing the relational definition, and demonstrating effective relational qualities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cultural accounting, a nuanced exploration of the interplay be-tween accounting practices and cultural dynamics, takes center stage in this empirical study. The research endeavors to present a thorough overview encompassing theoretical foundations, meth-odological approaches, and implications for accounting practices and policies. Delving into theoretical underpinnings, the study aligns cultural accounting with disciplines such as sociology, anthropology, and critical theory, unraveling intricate cultural dimensions across national, organizational, and individual realms that shape accounting practices. Methodologically, a spotlight is cast on qualitative techniques like ethnography, in-terviews, and case studies, underscoring their contribution to the depth and richness of cultural accounting research. Furthermore, the study probes the impact of cultural accounting on diverse aspects of accounting practices and policies, particularly explor-ing its manifestation in the context of almsgiving culture. Cul-minating in a critical analysis, the research not only identifies gaps in the existing literature but also sets the stage for future research trajectories. This succinct yet comprehensive explora-tion serves as a catalyst for advancing cultural accounting discourse, offering insights poised to influence and inform adaptive accounting practices in our dynamically evolving global milieu. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study analyses the newly established river basin management system in South Korea since the 2018 Framework Act on Water Management. Several river basin organizations have been introduced in Korea. Most of the responsibilities related to water policy have been transferred to the Ministry of Environment. There has been almost no transformation in water policy supporting river basin organizations despite the enshrinement of the principle in the 2018 Act due to the apparent lack of interest by the ministry. Good awareness and measures both local and nationwide are warranted to ensure that the system is operational and successful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional DC-DC boost converters have played a vital role in electric vehicle (EVs) powertrains by enabling the necessary voltage to increase to meet the needs of electric motors. However, recent developments in high-gain converters have introduced new possibilities with enhanced voltage amplification capabilities and efficiency. This study discusses and evaluates the state-of-the-art high-gain DC-DC converters for EV applications based on the Quadratic Boost Converter (QBC). Research into innovative topologies has increased in response to the increasing demand for efficient and high-performance power electronic converters in the rapidly expanding EV industry. Due to its ability to provide more significant voltage gains than conventional boost converters, the QBC has become a viable option for meeting the unique requirements of EV power systems. This survey focuses on the efficiency, power density, and overall performance parameters of QBC-based high-gain converters. The literature review provides a foundation for comprehending power electronics converters' trends, challenges, and opportunities. The acquired knowledge can enhance the design and optimization of high-gain converters based on the QBC, thereby fostering more sustainable and efficient power systems for the expanding electric mobility industry. In the future, the report suggests that investigating new high-gain converter design methodologies will reduce component stress and enhance the intact system efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proponents of the "teach the teachers" approach to information literacy, in which librarians concentrate on teaching the faculty to teach information literacy, have argued that it could potentially result in the increased integration of information literacy into the curriculum. However, more discussion of this model as a path forward for information literacy is needed. This essay explores the potential of the faculty-focused approach to information literacy through a critical analysis of the literature on librarians' experiences as teachers and faculty developers. Through this exploration, the essay provides valuable insight into the ongoing conversations about the future of information literacy instruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay addresses personal and professional values underlying (but not necessarily consciously articulated) how we practice and what we define as healthy outcomes for our efforts as transactional analysts. It is an invitation to consider the importance of a professional culture of curiosity and respect, one that can welcome and make use of difference and conflict, stressing the need for the elaboration of theories and values that actively attend to social and political forces that shape beliefs and behaviors. Central to this essay is a critique of the incorporation of "I'm OK, You're OK" as a central value of transactional analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clock attacks and power attacks are used as common means to inject faults in embedded devices. Critical analysis of the properties and the components engaged with these fault injection methods is of high importance to assess the related dangers and furthermore to enhance the process of designing suitable counter-measures. This paper provides critical analysis of induced faults on combinational and sequential circuits and study effects of various attacks (over-clock, under clock, power attack). While doing analysis, it was revealed that clock attacks i.e., under and over clock attacks have similarity index of (80–90%). Also it was found that power attacks have results similar (60–70%) to clock attacks but they cause propagation delay in circuits affecting the output. Cadence virtuoso 45 nm technology node, Keil and Multi-sim software's were used to generate various attacks. The comparative analysis reveals that the attack timing and frequency of the glitch is the key while inducing fault injection attacks. While performing this work, it is observed the sequential circuits get less impacted by attacks comparing to combinational circuits. This research is conducted from an attacker's perspective instead of mitigation perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we explore the critical praxis approach of an equity initiative with students who have left care. We contend that 'praxis' (International Studies in Widening Participation, 2018, 5: 10–20) – understood here as the close, dialogic and iterative relationship between research and practice, can be a powerful tool for approaching ordinarily rigid equity categorisations as a means for interrogating their conceptual efficacy while simultaneously creating more exploratory approaches to equity populations and initiatives. We examine how unproblematised notions of care leavers migrate between fields and institutions, arguing for a more robust and rigorous interrogation of the salience of the concept of a care leaver as it is integrated into the field of higher education. We contend that rigid definitions of care that narrowly define people only through their relationship to formalised state‐legitimated forms of welfare intervention risk making 'absent' (Epistemologies of the south: Justice against Epistemicide, 2014; Routledge) the substantial population of people nearby this experience of care. This includes people who have escaped official definitions as policies change, circumstances that are similar or identical to people placed in care that have not been included in the official definition of care, or the overlapping and intersecting conditions of marginality that often shape the conditions for being removed into state care. Critical praxis is offered here as providing the basis for allowing the category of 'care leaver' or 'care experienced' to become an in‐road for expanding practice initiatives and research understandings to further dimensions of marginalisation and social vulnerability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the exploration of race, race-thinking, and identity in the global Middle Ages, examining the intersection of these concepts with medieval studies and the challenges faced by scholars, particularly those of marginalized backgrounds. Topics discussed include the historical development of race-thinking discourses, the experiences of scholars of color navigating the field of medieval studies, and critical analyses of racial dynamics within medieval texts and societies.

Immunoglobulins, both full-length antibodies and smaller antibody fragments, have long been regarded as effective platforms for diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals. The construction of radiolabeled immunoglobulins (i.e., radioimmunoconjugates) requires the manipulation of the biomolecule through the attachment of a radiohalogen or the bioconjugation of a chelator that is subsequently used to coordinate a radiometal. Both synthetic approaches have historically relied upon the stochastic modification of amino acids within the immunoglobulin, a process which poses a risk to the structural and functional integrity of the biomolecule itself. Not surprisingly, radioimmunoconjugates with impaired antigen binding capacity will inevitably exhibit suboptimal in vivo performance. As a result, the biological characterization of any newly synthesized radioimmunoconjugate must include an assessment of whether it has retained its ability to bind its antigen. Herein, we provide straightforward and concise protocols for three assays that can be used to determine the immunoreactivity of a radioimmunoconjugate: (1) a cell-based linear extrapolation assay; (2) a cell-based antigen saturation assay; and (3) a resin- or bead-based assay. In addition, we will provide a critical analysis of the relative merits of each assay, an examination of the inherent limitations of immunoreactivity assays in general, and a discussion of other approaches that may be used to interrogate the biological behavior of radioimmunoconjugates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the neoliberal university, scholarship, education, students, academic staff, and practices are subordinated to managerial imperatives. University educators are denigrated and displaced by colonising neoliberal practices that systemically invalidate and invisibilise academic work. The present article provides an example of this by critically analysing the corrosive and Orwellian operations of neoliberal managerialism in higher education through the prism of my own experience of applying for 'recognition of leadership' in relation to teaching. I use a narrative ethnographic approach to generate new insights into the obliteration of academic practice in contemporary university contexts and to produce a counter-hegemonic discourse for understanding these processes. Following Habermas inter alia, it is argued that without radical reform, the uncoupling of the ethical and substantive dimensions of the (educational) lifeworld from systemic (neoliberal managerial) strategising will leave higher education in a state of paralysis. The analysis highlights the urgent need for resistance and provides a critical framework for academics to recognise and contest similar colonising processes occurring in their own experiences and contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents multimodal metaphors as (re)framing tools in the analysis of a 10-minute promotional video of Hubei Province produced by the Chinese government and circulated on new media platforms like YouTube, Douyin (Chinese Tik Tok) and WeChat Channels. The video introduces Hubei Province to the world in the pre-pandemic, pandemic and post-pandemic stage to erase the prejudiced "Wuhan virus" and "China virus" painted by Western media. Drawing upon MIPVU (the Metaphor Identification Procedure Vrije Universitei), multimodality of metaphors, and Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), this study analyzes how the Chinese government attempts to reframe Hubei as a place of courage, prosperity and humanity via metaphors like WAR, BRIDGE, HAND and BACK. The benefits and drawbacks of such metaphor usage are also discussed with appropriate contextual and socio-cultural relevancies. The study provides a hands-on practice of the CDA-based analysis of multimodal metaphors and justifies the feasibility of integrating translation, metaphor and semiotic studies through the sociological theory of framing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The critical properties data for R1336mzz(Z) + CO 2 binary system were measured based on the metal-bellows variable-volume method. • Experimental data were correlated by the Modified Wilson method and the Redlich-Kister method. • MECP method and a simplified MECP method were used to predict critical properties of R1336mzz(Z)+ CO 2 binary mixture. • The critical properties for R1336mzz(Z) + CO 2 mixture were compared with other CO 2 + HFO mixture. The transcritical CO 2 power cycle has been recognized as a highly promising technique for reducing carbon emissions in heat utilization. However, this technology is limited because of the critical parameters of pure CO 2 (including low critical temperature and high critical pressure). To overcome these limitations, one potential solution is to introduce a new working fluid consisting of a blend of hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) and CO 2. Precise knowledge of the critical parameters is essential for accurately evaluating the effectiveness and capacity of CO 2 +HFO mixtures. In this study, the critical properties of the CO 2 + R1336mzz(Z) (cis-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene) blend were determined using a metal-bellows variable volumeter. The critical point was identified by visually observing the critical opalescence and the reappearance of the vapor-liquid meniscus. The Modified Wilson method and the Redlich-Kister method were used to fit critical data. Our results reveal that the CO 2 + R1336mzz(Z) mixture can elevate the critical temperature in comparison to pure CO 2. The highest critical pressure is achieved when the mole fraction of CO 2 is approximately 0.82. For the critical temperature, critical pressure, critical density, and mole fraction, the expanded combined uncertainties were below 50 mK, 21 kPa, 0.6 %, and 0.004 (k = 2, 95 %), respectively. Meanwhile, the Modified Extended Chueh-Prausnitz (MECP) method and a simplified MECP method were used to predict critical properties of the CO 2 + R1336mzz(Z) binary mixture. Finally, the critical locus of the CO 2 + R1336mzz(Z) mixture was compared with other CO 2 + HFO mixtures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The capabilities approach is the theory according to which, in order to assess people's quality of life and reflect on the basic political entitlements, we should consider what people are capable of doing and being. Focusing mostly on Nussbaum's account, a number of scholars analysed the metaethical structure underlying the approach, showing her Aristotelian and Kantian sources. This article explores another aspect of Nussbaum's theory which has so far been somewhat overlooked: the role of emotions in the justification and motivational support of the approach. After showing the importance Nussbaum places on compassion (and other benevolent emotions) to warrant her moral theory, I argue that – assuming her own cognitive account of compassion – her argument begs the question. I will then contend that Nussbaum's case does not have the inner tools to overcome such a circularity, trying to suggest, in conclusion, a possible way out which is consistent with it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global reliability sensitivity index measures the effect of uncertainty of model input on model failure probability, which is critical for simplifying analysis model and the reliability-based design optimization model. For efficiently estimating the global reliability sensitivity index of each model input, this paper transforms it into estimating an unconditional failure probability and a two failure modes-based parallel system failure probability from the perspective of single-loop estimation method. Furthermore, the relationship of computational accuracy among the global reliability sensitivity index, the unconditional failure probability, and the two failure modes-based system failure probability is constructed, on which the error stopping criterion-based sequentially adaptive Kriging model approach is developed to significantly decrease the number of calls to the actual limit state functions and the corresponding computational time under the sufficient accuracy. Results of three case studies covering explicit and implicit limit state functions demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we have extracted transport critical current density ( J c ) of BaZrO3 (BZO) added YBa2Cu3O 7 − δ (YBCO) by using several low electric field (E)-based criteria. By varying E-based criteria in order of magnitude, we have extracted J c (T) and granular critical current density, J c G (T) by using JE (IV) characteristics. The temperature (T) dependence of J c and J c G is found to be affected strongly as a result of the choice of E as criterion. The sensitiveness of J c and J c G becomes prominent with the lowering of T. The Ambegaokar–Baratoff (AB) and the Ginzburg–Landau (GL) descriptions of J c (T) and J c G (T) have been studied to understand how varying criteria may change the extraction of several associated coefficients. Extrapolated J c (T = 0) and J c G (T = 0) is also highly sensitive to criteria used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In this paper, we perform a critical re-reading of selected animal-related folklore texts and, applying Hubert Zapf's concept of imaginative counter-discourse, consider the potential of imagination as a methodological tool in the transformative program of zoofolkloristics. Nonhuman animal protagonists of folklore texts in the European space have tended to be perceived primarily as performing a symbolic and metaphoric function. But behind the symbols and the metaphors hide real flesh-and-blood nonhuman animals, and flesh-and-blood humans interacting with them, mostly from a position of power. The emerging discipline of zoofolkloristics considers nonhuman animals in their own right. Through critical analysis of folklore material, zoofolkloristics examines the role of animals and power relations within the interspecies entanglement with the aim of deconstructing the oppressive system and establishing multispecies justice. We begin this paper with a brief reflection on the 'historical animal' as an embodied being and a human construct. We then perform a critical re-reading of three animal-related folklore texts from the Slovenian tradition and, applying Hubert Zapf's concept of imaginative counter-discourse, consider the potential of imagination as a methodological tool in the transformative program of zoofolkloristics. Implications for animal ethics, liberation, and conservation are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the small-scale regional engineering geological study of the Czech Republic was to evaluate the relationship between slope gradient and engineering geological zones. The research motivation was to determine the average slope gradient, 25%, 50% (median) and 75% quantiles related to the different engineering geological zones. This scientific information is critical from the perspectives of engineering geology, geotechnical engineering, and foundation engineering because an increasing slope gradient evokes the need to create a cut respectively foundation excavation or another excavation in the geological structure, which increases the probability of occurrence of the problem in terms of differential settlement and bearing capacity of the structures. The research was carried out in the territory of the Czech Republic in 8 Quaternary zones with soil foundation ground and 10 pre-Quaternary zones with rocks and semi-rocks and their eluvia. A significant difference in the statistical characteristics of slope gradients was found in the group of Quaternary engineering geological zones (evaluated group I) compared to the group of pre-Quaternary zones (evaluated group II). The value range of the average slope gradient was 1.65° (16.9%) to 5.89° (60.3%) for the Quaternary engineering geological zones (soil foundation ground), representing 43.4% difference. Whereas for the over-quaternary engineering geological zones (rocks, semi-rocks and their eluvia), the difference was much higher, 3.59° (36.8%) to 9.76° (100%—value determined as a referential because it was the maximum), which is also reflected in a more significant percentage difference of 63.2%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of manganese oxide (MnOx)-based catalysts has gained significant recognition as a promising solution for the sustainable synthesis of value-added chemicals. These catalysts possess notable qualities such as exceptional catalytic performance, cost-effectiveness, stability, and environmentally friendly properties. This review provides an overview of three typical processes for constructing novel MnOx-based catalysts through vacancy engineering, facet engineering, and crystal-phase engineering. It then discusses advancements made in the past five years in the sustainable synthesis of value-added chemicals using these MnOx-based heterogeneous catalysts. This includes the aerobic oxidation of alcohols and hydrocarbons, homo/cross-coupling of C–N/N＝N bonds, and biomass transformation. The review emphasizes the crucial role played by vacancy engineering, crystal-phase engineering, and facet engineering of MnOx-based heterogeneous catalysts in sustainable chemical synthesis. Lastly, it discusses the general challenges and future directions of this exciting area of research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In his works, Kant distinguished between natural and moral man, and he drew a deep gap between natural man and moral man. To fill this gap, he has resorted to cultural man, and he has also pointed out how culture and civilization have developed throughout history. For Kant, culture plays the role of a bridge that establishes a link between the natural state and the moral state. The cultural situation in which mankind is located, while it is the achievement of human agency throughout history, it is the result of conflict in nature. The conflict mechanically drives human beings forward. Therefore, according to Kant, the growth and development of culture and civilization is, on the one hand, an acquisitive and subjective matter, and on the other hand, it is a genetic and objective matter. Now the question is, how compatible are these two approaches and how much does each of them contribute to the development of culture and civilization? To answer this question, we show with a critical method that nature and man have a contradictory nature in creating culture. In addition, the contribution of man in the development of culture is small compared to the contribution of nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article offers a close reading of Laura Marcus's styles of close reading, taking as its point of departure a lockdown recording (in spring 2020) of her lyrical rendition of the 'Time Passes' section of Virginia Woolf's To the Lighthouse. The essay pays particular attention to the enduring place lyricality occupied in Marcus's critical imagination, both as an object of analysis and as a feature of her own prose. David James argues that Marcus often modelled a mode of critical practice oriented around affectively attentive, densely exemplified, and above all intimate explications of literary expression – a practice whose lyrical textures were themselves a performative affirmation of what that intimacy could creatively and analytically achieve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Wind energy is a source of collision fatalities for birds and bats. To evaluate the risk that wind power development projects might pose to the conservation of protected species, it is essential to quantify the impact of collisions on the dynamics of wild populations. To address this challenge, two approaches are primarily employed: potential biological removal (PBR) and population projection analysis (PPA). PBR is a decision rule designed to calculate a sustainable fatality limit for a given population, whereas PPA relies on simulation-based modelling to forecast a population's future trajectory under various scenarios. In the context of environmental impact assessments (EIAs), we argue that PPA offers a more suitable method than PBR for evaluating population-level impacts resulting from collisions with wind turbines. Unlike PBR, PPA can be focused on a single source of disturbance, aligning with the perspective of the EIA process. By contrast, PBR necessarily adopts a population-centred perspective and is therefore only relevant when considering all sources of mortality that jointly affect a population. Furthermore, robust utilization of the PBR approach requires the definition of quantitative conservation objectives and the implementation of a comprehensive management strategy evaluation, neither of which is ever undertaken within the context of an EIA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses Indigenous Evenki place names (hydronyms) on official topographic maps and handwritten sketches in a broader context of Soviet and Russian regimes of spatial inscription and toponymic policies and their legacies. The early Soviet policy of korenizatsia (indigenization) facilitated the incorporation of Indigenous place names into official nomenclature. As a result, a large number of Indigenous toponyms appeared on official maps. The aim of this article is to examine the evolving relationships between Indigenous place names and official place names of Indigenous origin across three historical periods (the 1920s, the 1950s, and the contemporary era) and in two politically distinct settings, the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) and the Amur region. The data sets for this research were extracted from official maps and Evenki archival sketch maps collected by Glafira Vasilevich in Siberia between the 1920s and the 1960s. Using Quantum GIS in conjunction with ethnographic fieldwork, statistical analysis, and qualitative linguistic assessment, this research further investigates the evolution of Indigenous names on maps, focusing on the most characteristic changes in their inscription over the past century. This article concludes by highlighting the power dynamics between different Indigenous place-naming traditions in Siberia, where various Indigenous communities have historically distinct opportunities to influence toponymic policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study signifies the rich pharmacological potential of Hibiscus sabdariffa, exploring its bioactive components and their therapeutic implications for health and wellness. Despite the promising insights, a comprehensive critical analysis is essential to ensure scientific rigour. To address this, the study establishes clear aims and objectives, aiming to scrutinise the study findings through a meticulous assessment. In conclusion, this study, upon addressing these key points, aspires to offer a robust contribution to scientific research, by advancing the understanding of H. sabdariffa's therapeutic attributes and promoting the adoption of sustainable methodologies in scientific research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are an important atmospheric aerosol constituent. However, there still needs to be a standard procedure for their sampling and size fractionation, which is an obstacle to the aggregation and critical analysis of results obtained by different research groups. This review focuses on the sampling and fractionation methodologies used for MNPs. Moreover, a streamlined, simplified methodology for sampling and fractionation is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2022–2023 Mpox multi-country outbreak, identified in over 110 WHO Member States, revealed a predominant impact on cisgender men, particularly those engaging in sex with men, while less frequently affecting women. This disparity prompted a focused investigation into the gender-specific characteristics of Mpox infections, particularly among women, to address a notable knowledge gap. This review systematically gathers and analyzes the scientific literature and case reports concerning Mpox infections in women, covering a broad geographical spectrum including regions such as Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Nigeria, Europe, Vietnam, and the United States. The analysis delves into various aspects of Mpox in women, including clinical features, epidemiology, psychological impacts, preparedness strategies, and case studies, with particular attention to pregnant women and those with underlying health conditions. Empirical data from multiple studies underscore the unique epidemiological and clinical patterns of Mpox in women. In the United States, a small percentage of Mpox cases were reported among cisgender women, with a notable portion involving non-Hispanic Black or African American, non-Hispanic White, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicities. The primary transmission route was identified as sexual or close intimate contact, with the virus predominantly manifesting on the legs, arms, and genital areas. Further, a study in Spain highlighted significant disparities in diagnosis delays, transmission modes, and clinical manifestations between genders, indicating a different risk profile and disease progression in women. Additionally, a case from Vietnam, linked to a new Mpox sub-lineage in women, emphasized the role of women in the transmission dynamics and the importance of genomic monitoring. This review emphasizes the necessity for inclusive surveillance and research to fully understand Mpox dynamics across diverse population groups, including women. Highlighting gender and sexual orientation in public health responses is crucial for an effective approach to managing the spread and impact of this disease. The findings advocate for a gender-diverse assessment in health services and further research to explore the nuances of Mpox transmission, behavior, and progression among different groups, thereby enhancing the global response to Mpox and similar public health challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On February 6, 2023, earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.7 and 7.6 struck southern and central Turkey. The disaster caused severe damage to buildings and resulted in the loss of thousands of lives, leaving many children injured, traumatized, and without basic needs. One of the most sensitive issues was the news stories about children rescued from the rubble. These news stories were highly emotional and sensational, frequently describing the children as miracles. However, they often disregarded the reasons and negligence that caused their victimization. The journalism ethics related to the representation of children, disaster coverage, and interviewing victims are also ignored. This study uses a multimodal critical discourse analysis method to explore the discursive strategies employed in the media coverage of this topic. Three salient common themes were included in the study: "Miracles and hope", "patriarchal state", and "sensational/dramatic elements. The analysis shows that media representations of earthquake victim children in Turkey aestheticize their pain and suffering, reducing them to objects of pity or spectacle. By examining these representations critically, the study aims to raise awareness about the importance of ethical and responsible media practices in reporting on natural disasters and other humanitarian crises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the challenges and perspectives surrounding less invasive surgery for early-stage cervical cancer, focusing on the SHAPE trial and its implications. The trial compared less invasive surgery to standard surgery for low-risk patients and found that less invasive surgery was not inferior. However, the article raises concerns about the quality assurance of the surgical procedures, the choice of the primary endpoint and non-inferiority margin, and the application of minimally invasive surgery in the trial. It also compares the SHAPE trial to the JCOG1101 trial, which evaluated the effectiveness of modified radical hysterectomy for stage IB1 cervical cancer. The article concludes that less invasive surgery should be considered as a new treatment option, but further investigations are needed to determine the ideal patient population and surgical approach. Additionally, the text provides citations for three studies related to the treatment of early squamous cervical cancer, which offer valuable information for researchers and medical professionals studying cervical cancer treatment options. [Extracted from the article]

In this experimental text that critically juxtaposes autoethnographic narration, reflection, and analysis with theoretical engagements, I suggest that the power dynamics that diminish and dispossess the lives of refugees and other displaced people also constrain and censor critical refugee epistemologies. Refugees are frequently impelled to speak, implored to speak, coached to speak, interrogated and ordered to speak, but on the condition that we consent to having our voices policed. Our narratives are welcomed if they affirm the humanitarian liberal order, but the knowledge we possess challenges it. Presented as benevolent and caring, the incessant demands for refugee stories and trauma erotics are also mechanisms of putting refugees in place: they assign the refugee a subject position of a conditionally accepted narrator who is refused authorship and self-possession. Our narratives fail to count as knowledge unless they are converted into writing by citizen ghost writers or coauthors. And when we refuse to recite trauma stories and instead disrupt the order of things by critically analyzing violent regimes of refuge and liberal complicity, we are censored. Refugees have things to say as ethnographers of their own lives, analysts of upside-down mobility, and critics of violent bureaucracies. This knowledge is needed and wanted. Rather than orienting our work to liberal publics, we are creating alternative, self-authorized structures that uphold displaced people as knowledgeable and world-building subjects, as people able to host others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article underscores the intimate connection between reading and writing as communication skills that share a common linguistic and orthographic foundation, and which combine in complex ways to support practical literacy tasks. Developing higher order literacy skills requires teachers to develop metacognitive skills and self‐regulation, both of which are fostered by writing‐for‐reading and reading‐for‐writing tasks. Writing for reading includes prereading tasks, such as analyzing form, topic, audience, and purpose; writing during reading includes tasks such as notetaking; and writing after reading includes tasks such as writing summaries. Reading for writing includes prewriting tasks, such as analysis of task requirements; reading during writing includes tasks such as correcting errors, monitoring for content quality, and searching source texts for needed information; and reading after writing includes tasks such as self‐evaluation and peer review. To illustrate these concepts in a pedagogical context, this article provides practical strategies for integrating reading and writing tasks in the classroom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teaching disciplinary literacy in the elementary classroom provides rich potential for bridging the literacy‐content divide, building background knowledge, extending learning, and deepening student thinking. This article explores how six elementary teachers tried and tested approaches to embedding literacy in three very different subjects: science, history, and visual arts. Drawing on data from a design‐based research project, we provide suggestions for how teachers can embed high‐quality literacy instruction in multiple disciplines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article offers a framework for more equitable classroom reading assessment known as a Critical Assessment Practices (CAPS) approach. CAPS includes a set of four principles that teachers can use to partner with, and to empower, students to support more equitable and informative classroom‐based reading assessment. Teachers can apply the CAPS approach to examine and adjust existing classroom reading assessment to make it more equitable and productive for students. The authors first describe a CAPS approach, then outline five stages teachers can use as they partner with students throughout assessment. Finally, the authors offer an example of how one first grade teacher applied a CAPS approach to adjust her existing assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The evaluation of historic timber roof structures is a complex subject holistically. • Assessment procedures can order a quick and easy to use tool, suitable for the preliminary analysis of the vulnerability of a historic timber roof structure. • Information about the importance and cultural value of the structure can be obtained using assessment procedures. Historic timber roof structures in Europe are examples of some of the continent's most intricate and ingenious structural solutions. They were built in close connection with their context and the heritage building to which they belonged. In addition, they were built according to the knowledge of the craftsmen. Considering the value of historical construction techniques, in recent years, many researchers have attempted to develop complex methods that could be used to accurately evaluate them and determine both their value and vulnerability to ultimately develop suitable intervention solutions. However, existing historic roof structure assessment methodologies mainly analyse their structural aspects and state of conservation. Considering this, in recent years, a new assessment procedure was developed based on desk and on-site surveys. It approaches historic timber roof structures in a multi-, inter-, and transdisciplinary manner, highlighting their complexity while bringing forward more information about their historical and cultural value. Therefore, to bring forward the originality of the procedure, a series of roof structures from Timisoara, Romania, were evaluated using the developed procedure and their value and vulnerability identified. The results were subsequently compared with those obtained using two other score-based procedures, which approach roof structures mainly based on their structural characteristics and state of conservation. The paper shows that despite the apparent differences between the considered procedures, from assessed features to the interpretation of the results, the outcomes are pretty similar and that each one of them can be used depending on the primary purpose of the assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides a long-term historical periodization of federal police agencies under Mexico's single-party regime (1930s–2000). Based on archival findings in Mexico and the United States, as well as interviews with former law-enforcement officials, the article documents and reflects, in particular, on the entanglements between federal policing agencies and organized crime (police protection rackets). Drawing from bandit studies and critical perspectives on policing, the article argues police protection rackets to be an integral but overlooked mechanism in Mexico's modern state-formation process. The article also hints at the important but largely overlooked role of police protection rackets in the making of capitalist modernity more generally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Chest wall neoplasms encompass primary, locally invasive, and metastatic tumours. Malignant chest wall tumours are typically uncommon, comprising roughly 5% of all thoracic neoplasms and 1 to 2% of all primary tumours. This systematic review addresses the imperative need for a comprehensive analysis of chest wall resection, focusing on indications, reconstruction techniques, and outcomes, to provide clinicians with evidence-based guidelines for optimal patient management. Aim: To comprehensively review indications for chest wall resection, explore reconstruction techniques, and analyse complications and outcomes associated with the procedure. Materials and Methods: A thorough electronic database search was performed on PUBMED Central, MeSH, NLM Catalog, Bookshelf, and PUBMED utilising the search terms "Chest wall," "Chest wall Resection," and "Chest wall Reconstruction." Fulltext articles published in English within a 20-year period (from 1999 to 2020) were selected based on pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria and subjected to analysis as per the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for systematic reviews. Results: In total, 24 full-text records met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and underwent critical analysis for this systematic review. Chest wall sarcomas emerged as the primary indication for chest wall resection in the present study, with recurrent or locally advanced breast carcinoma also noted as significant causes. Various artificial soft meshes, notably Marlex or Goretex, were commonly employed for reconstruction, while soft-tissue coverage was achieved through various myocutaneous flaps, both pedicled and free. Respiratory complications predominated among the observed complications, with wound-related issues also documented. Conclusion: Patient selection is paramount in chest wall reconstruction, with the ideal method still under debate. However, prioritising minimal patient morbidity during reconstruction is crucial. Adherence to these principles can lead to better outcomes in terms of complications, survival, and quality of life, especially in appropriately selected patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our critical analysis of Hutchinson's work, expressed in our recent article in the Annalen der Physik, which goes beyond mutual misunderstandings and misrepresentations, is also maintained in light of his Comment. The main reason for the limited yield in structural description is the author's adherence to the BGK method and the associated lack of a nonlinear dispersion relation (NDR). Even with an additional asymptotic constraint, as a supposed replacement for the NDR, the author's theory remains inferior to the pseudo‐potential method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]