Academic Studies Research Articles

Evaluation of Pediatric Dentistry Postgraduate Education in Turkey by Specialty and PhD Students

Aim: Aim of our study is to evaluate pediatric dentistry education in Turkey by directing survey questions prepared considering the educational curriculum to specialization and doctoral students receiving education in different faculties. Material and Metod: Questions prepared in accordance with the core curriculum of pediatric dentistry education published in 2021 were sent to specialization and doctoral students studying at different universities in Turkey via Google Forms. A total of 100 surveys were collected and the responses were statistically analyzed. Result: Mostly "sufficient" responses were obtained to the questions related to the content of pediatric dentistry education. It was determined that the vast majority of the participants did not participate in scientific research. When asked about their proficiency in theoretical topics within the pediatric dentistry curriculum, they received the least responses for sedation in dental treatments, odontogenic infections and surgical treatment approaches, and minor orthodontic treatment applications, respectively. When asked about the clinical treatment practices they perform, they received the least responses for sedation in dental treatments, zirconium crown applications, and permanent tooth extractions, respectively. Conclusion: Overall, when the responses are evaluated, it can be concluded that the pediatric dentistry education process and content in Turkey are conducted in accordance with the curriculum, but it is necessary to encourage the participation of specialization and doctoral students in academic studies. The content of pediatric dentistry education and clinical practices in Turkey should be evaluated in detail with new studies, and efforts should be made to improve the pediatric dentistry education content focusing on areas perceived as lacking. Keyword: Survey, Pedodontics, Curriculum for Pedodontic Education.

Exploring Innovative Use Cases for Enhancing Digital Wallet Adoption and User Engagement: A Strategic Study for Future Implementation

The advancement of digital payment methods especially the use of the digital wallets has greatly impacted the financial industry as it provides safe means of payment. Nonetheless, while these platforms have become popular, user participation is still low, and current platforms do not offer new functionalities that could improve consumer interaction and address the variety of consumer segments. This research, titled "Exploring Innovative Use Cases for Enhancing Digital Wallet Adoption and User Engagement: The research titled “Digital Wallets: A Strategic Study for Future Implementation,” looks at possible new use cases where digital wallets can be applied to enhance their current roles of facilitating payments. The research aims at establishing how new technologies like; Artificial Intelligence (AI), Blockchain, Augmented Reality (AR) and gamification can improve engagement, the user experience and thus create more adoption. Some of the key areas include Peer-to-Peer (P2P) lending, Cryptocurrency, Voice identity, and transactions that can serve the unbanked population as well as regions that are still to embrace digital wallets. Technological factors, consumer behaviors, and socio- economic conditions that affect the uptake of digital wallets are discussed in this research to guide Fintech firms, banks, and regulators. The study used a systematic literature review which involved using articles from the last four years from academic journals, industry reports, and case studies. This particular secondary research helped to determine the tendencies, problems, and potential of digital wallet usage, including such aspects as simple and intuitive interface for non-technical users, the application of gamified approaches in financial literacy, and the opportunities for the implementation of blockchain technology to provide financial services to unbanked customers. Therefore, the research shows that gamification, P2P lending, and cryptocurrency-enabled wallets will greatly increase user engagement and financial inclusion. In addition, AI-enabled personalization in the context of digital wallets, and AR-based shopping represent a vision of how the future of cross-border payments, sustainability incentives, and UI advancements will shape the user experience. Finally, the research provides a set of tactical recommendations for digital wallet providers on how to bring such innovative use cases into practice to enhance user engagement and to expand market coverage in the developed and developing countries.

MAGA Trumps the Incumbency Advantage in a Dueling Incumbent Primary

Redistricting is the causal agent responsible for two incumbents facing off in U.S. House elections and hence, despite the rarity of these matchups, they occur periodically due to district boundary changes. In this article, we examine who wins a recent and highly competitive incumbent duel: the 2024 GOP primary in Alabama’s congressional district (CD) 1. Our assessment of this race marks the first academic study to marshal large-N survey data for the purpose of gauging voter preferences in a dueling incumbent primary. This approach gives us a clearer understanding of what accounts for the outcome of a highly contentious and extremely close election. Our findings suggest the incumbency advantage was overridden by voter alignment with the MAGA wing of the Republican Party, which produced a narrow victory for the more MAGA/Trump-positioned candidate in this race.

Witness Preparation at the International Criminal Court

Abstract The case law on witness preparation at the International Criminal Court (ICC) does not provide a coherent answer to whether it is admissible. Similarly, scholars have examined this practice from different perspectives, but they have not come to a consensus, and no academic study focuses on the link between witness preparation and witnesses’ well-being. This article analyses ICC case law on this issue and identifies three different approaches to witness preparation. It suggests that witness preparation corresponds to a legal obligation under Article 68 of the Rome Statute to protect witnesses’ well-being. Additionally, Article 68 imposes an obligation to ensure witnesses are adequately prepared upon the entire ICC and not only its judges. This article recommends that the ICC should hold a broad consultation on witness preparation with different actors. Finally, given that the practice has the potential to be abused, this article provides some suggestions on how to balance witness preparation with the right to a fair trial and witnesses’ rights.

Navigating the digital beat: a review of social media as a public engagement tool in policing

PurposeThis article explores the changing nature of social media use as a public engagement tool by police services.Design/methodology/approachA comprehensive review is conducted of academic studies from criminology and policing journals. Sources are identified from key academic databases and are analysed in relation to three decades (2000–2009, 2010–2019 and 2020 to present) to show how the use of social media has changed over time.FindingsThe way in which social media is used in policing has changed considerably over time. From initial enthusiasm, it is found that there is growing scepticism in the use of social media as a public engagement tool. After an initial proliferation in use, there is then increasing consolidation and control in response to concerns about reputational risk.Research limitations/implicationsThe research highlights underlying dynamics of engagement and retrenchment, which offer important insights for how we understand public engagement and value creation in policing and emergency services more generally. We draw on academic research from English-language academic journals, but we have endeavoured to include research from the broadest possible range of countries.Practical implicationsThis study demonstrates how the police and other public services must respond to the growing use of social media by the public to maximise value creation whilst minimising the threats that come from potential value destruction.Originality/valueThis study is the first to comprehensively review the policing and criminology literature related to social media and to apply a public engagement lens to this analysis.

Reasons for Potential Unreliability of DNA Evidence: A Critical Examination

DNA evidence is widely regarded as the "gold standard" in forensic science because of its capacity to accurately identify individuals and exonerate the innocent. However, several factors cast doubt on its reliability in criminal investigations. This study offers a comprehensive exploration of critical issues influencing the trustworthiness of DNA evidence, including errors in evidence collection, overlooking additional DNA samples at the crime scene, the absence of credible witnesses during searches, and the lack of video documentation throughout the processes of seizure, transportation, and lab analysis. Other concerns include human errors, inconsistent DNA analysis protocols among forensic laboratories, and potential contamination during sample collection. Furthermore, the research delves into laboratory errors, subjective interpretations, and existing biases. There is an increasing worry regarding the excessive reliance on DNA evidence without sufficient investigative corroboration, along with the potential misinterpretation of statistical probabilities by jurors. The article also examines ethical issues surrounding the expansion of DNA databases, privacy violations, and familial DNA searches. Citing pivotal academic studies and landmark legal cases like those of O.J. Simpson and Amanda Knox, this analysis highlights the pressing need for rigorous standards to govern the ethical use of DNA evidence in the criminal justice system.

Sustainable Tourism Post-Pandemic: Strategies for Reviving Local Economies Through Eco-Friendly Practices

This study explores sustainable tourism strategies for reviving local economies in the post-pandemic era, focusing on the integration of eco-friendly practices. Utilizing a qualitative research approach, the study conducts a comprehensive literature review based on existing academic sources and case studies. The research highlights how the COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted the global tourism industry, devastating local economies dependent on tourism revenues. As destinations reopen, the need for sustainable recovery has become a central focus, with emphasis on eco-tourism, responsible travel, and community-centered development. This study examines various strategies that tourism sectors worldwide are implementing to balance economic recovery with environmental sustainability, including promoting low-impact tourism, supporting local businesses, and encouraging tourists to adopt green travel behaviors. Furthermore, it analyzes the role of government policies, industry standards, and community involvement in fostering long-term sustainability in tourism. The findings suggest that sustainable tourism not only helps revitalize local economies but also contributes to environmental conservation and social equity. The study concludes by offering recommendations for policymakers and tourism operators on how to effectively incorporate eco-friendly practices in the recovery process, thus ensuring resilience against future crises.

Imagining Science

Disagreement about the trans-cultural applicability of the concept of religion has been a feature of the academic study of religion for decades. In a series of recent essays, Kevin Schilbrack has powerfully reframed these discussions as a debate between realist and antirealist philosophical orientations. Aligning himself with Critical Realism, Schilbrack argues that religion is a transcultural and transhistorical reality and that those who deny this are antirealists. As my own work is among his targets, this article engages Schilbrack's critique. The first part of the article challenges some of Schilbrack's readings of Before Religion. The second part queries Schilbrack's use of examples from the physical sciences as analogies for the relationship between concepts and the real things they are said to designate. The third part models an alternative use of examples from the natural sciences to think about historiography, concluding that the realist/antirealist dichotomy is not a useful tool. The physics of the last 150 years has shown that our most fundamental ideas about the universe – what we think the "real" character of the world might be – can change radically in short intervals of time. Historians should take heed and approach their own engagement with the traces of the past with due humility.

Rajabhat University Concept for Local Development: Strategies, Implementation, and Community Impact

Background and Aims: The Rajabhat University concept for local development is critical because it tailors educational and research efforts to meet specific regional needs, promoting targeted growth and innovation. These universities benefit local communities in both the short and long term by incorporating community engagement and sustainable practices. The purpose of this paper is to investigate Rajabhat University's contribution to community development. Methodology: This paper conducts a comprehensive literature review to assess Rajabhat University's role in regional development, focusing on academic research and case studies to highlight effective strategies and outcomes. This methodological approach yields a thorough understanding of universities' impact and best practices for promoting local development. Results: The finding found that Rajabhat Universities contribute to local development by providing tailored educational programs, conducting targeted research, and forming strong community partnerships. Their comprehensive approach not only addresses immediate regional needs, but also encourages long-term economic, social, and cultural growth. By incorporating sustainable practices and adapting to emerging trends, these universities ensure that their initiatives have a long-term and significant impact on the communities they serve. Conclusion: The findings show that Rajabhat Universities effectively promote local development through tailored education, targeted research, and strong community collaboration. Their strategies not only address current regional needs, but also promote long-term economic, social, and cultural development, ensuring a long-term impact on the communities they serve.

Literature and Mysticism in the Wake of Silvano Panunzio: From The Divine Comedy to the European Literature of the Twentieth Century

This article introduces one of the forgotten figures of religious and literary studies: the Italian scholar, philosopher, metaphysician, poet and writer Silvano Panunzio (1918–2010). His contribution has so far been relegated to the margins of academic debate, and, currently, there are no academic studies on his work, in which mysticism plays a pivotal role. Panunzio believed that the transcendental and mystical dimension is fundamental for fully understanding the social, cultural, historical and political events of humanity. Another relevant aspect of his work is the importance he gave to literature and its relationship with mysticism, as in the case of Dante’s Divine Comedy or other European and Eastern writers and poets, such as Goethe, Shakespeare, Ibn Arabi and Dostoevsky. Significantly, Panunzio saved from oblivion the work of a forgotten man of letters of the nineteenth century, Gabriele Rossetti (1783–1854), who proposed the first symbolic and esoteric interpretation of Dante’s literary production and of European medieval love literature. Raising awareness of the intellectual amnesia around the figure of Silvano Panunzio may be a useful contribution to future research, both in the field of religious and literary studies.

Challenges of Collaborative Government Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Study of Factors and Cases in the United States

This study examines challenges of collaborative government response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. The study provides a review of theoretical issues about collaboration in disaster management and public health to identify influential factors, such as governance structure, effective leadership, public communication, and political polarization, to the collaboration. Based on the document analysis method, the study examines practical cases, academic studies and public opinion data that are related to these challenging factors. The study concludes with discussions about lessons of the COVID pandemic challenge and suggestions for future studies of collaborative governance response to public crises.

How have U.S. restaurant tips changed over time?

This research note analyzes tipping percentages from academic studies of restaurant tipping and finds that tipping rates have increased over the past half century. This finding provides some evidence that tipping benefits tippers beyond helping them avoid social disapproval (Azar, 2004) and that tipping is used by consumers to compete for positional (zero-sum) benefits such as exceptional service and high status (Lynn, 2015). Since rising tipping rates increase the costs to consumers of dining out as well as pay-disparities between front-of-house and back-of-house staff, this is a trend the restaurant industry may want to try to end.

Integrating lean production and agile project management: a planning and control model for multi-project environments in construction

The Last Planner System (LPS) and Scrum are established planning and control methods that have produced positive results in managing complex projects. They are based on two different but overlapping theoretical frameworks: Lean Production and Agile Project Management. However, there is a lack of academic studies on how to combine those methods and whether their theoretical underpinnings are compatible. Furthermore, previous studies about those methods have not addressed the context of multiple projects developed simultaneously, and the connections between project management from the perspective of client organisations and production management from the perspective of suppliers. This research work proposes a planning and control model for this context. Using Design Science Research (DSR), an empirical study was carried out at a department store company in Brazil. The practical contributions of this study are related to adapting and combining LPS and Scrum elements to the context investigated. The model includes innovative practices, such as integrated look-ahead planning meetings between the project and the production management levels and using Scrum practices to remove certain constraints. This study also sheds light on the commonalities and differences between LPS and Scrum based on how they support the application of important production principles in construction.

Factors Shaping Academic Study Skills of University of Rwanda Undergraduate Students

This study examined factors that shape study skills of University of Rwanda undergraduate students, specifically at the National Police College. Using a qualitative cross-sectional design, the study involved 60 homogeneously sampled students from a total of 398 across three programs. Data was collected through focus group discussions and analyzed thematically. The findings identified both positive and negative influences on students' study skills under three key categories. Institutional factors include the living environment, rules and regulations, teaching methods and examination timetables. Student-related factors encompass individual personality traits, social media usage, demographic characteristics and challenges related to English language proficiency. Teacher-related factors involve practices, such as prohibiting note-taking in class, providing only soft copies of notes before sessions and not incorporating additional reading materials into assessments. There is a clear need for a holistic approach to enhance students' study skills, considering the diverse influences at play. A close collaboration between UR and NPC should be established to tackle challenges related to quality learning. Additionally, University of Rwanda should initiate a comprehensive campaign across all its colleges to raise awareness about the importance of study skills in higher education.

Academic Traces of Urban Furniture: A Bibliometric Perspective

Urban furniture, which increases the quality and aesthetics of urban life, has recently been the subject of academic studies. However, a bibliometric and visual analysis in this field has not been conducted in sufficient number. This paper presents a quantitative and descriptive study of 1,063 documents from the Web of Science database (1975-2022) using RStudio's 'Bibliometrix' package. Key bibliometric indicators include 887 documents, 619 references, 582 articles, 12.25 citations per document, 2,558 authors, 1,386 keywords, keywords of 2,968 authors, and a collaboration index of 16.8%. The study found higher scientific productivity in China and the USA. Research status, influential sources, countries, institutions, authors, keywords and data relationships were analysed. In particular, it was observed that academic interest increased after 2000 and focused on technology, environment and urban disciplines rather than architecture. The keywords (Author's Keywords and Keywords plus) vary, with a focus on the urban field of study and the health and environment field of study, but both keywords are increasing. The paper recommends increased interdisciplinary co-operation to broaden the scope of urban furniture research. This is one of the first comprehensive bibliometric and content analyses on urban furniture.

Decolonizing the Academic Study of Science and Religion? Engaging Wynter’s Epistemic Disobedience

With roots in the early 1960s, decoloniality as a sub-sect of postcolonial studies made successful attempts at redefining and unearthing essentially Western conceptualizations of knowledge and knowledge formation across different fields of endeavor. Many academic disciplines have benefited from decolonial studies’ self-reflective theories and deconstructive approaches, and religion and science should not be an exception. Within religion and science as an academic field, Western and European intellectual frames have been overwhelmingly presented as definitive of globalized perspectives and knowledge, especially the definition of “religion” and “science” within the academic field. The subtle but evident impact of adopting Western epistemology as ‘the’ definitive reference frame for all peoples and cultures is the transposition of colonial and overtly Eurocentric conceptualizations and definitions of what religion and science mean as perfunctory for what religion and science should mean within non-Western frames as well as a disregard for the latter. This has led to the presentation (or overrepresentation, according to Sylvia Wynter) of a single homogenized perspective for meaning-making and interpretation of topics and themes within the field, a decision which has not only significantly impacted the field, in terms of ongoing dialectics about the relationship between religion and science, but which has also seen the exclusion of other forms of beneficial epistemic reference frames, which have been viewed as subaltern. Drawing from Wynter’s epistemic disobedience, this paper highlights decolonial approaches for engaging in the academic study of science and religion, and which will advance the path towards delinking the field from Euro-Western conceptualizations. This will unravel the rich epistemic formation within non-Western knowledge frames and the inclusion of which will greatly enrich and redefine the academic study of religion and science in the days ahead.

Cerebral vasculitis as clinical manifestation of neuroborreliosis: Pattern of vascular pathology and prognostic factors of outcome.

Neuroborreliosis is a tick-borne condition that affects the central and/or peripheral nervous system. Cerebral infarction associated with neuroborreliosis-related vasculitis has been reported in only a handful of cases. Therefore, specific patterns of vascular pathology and prognostic outcome factors are still incompletely understood. To determine the pattern of vascular pathology and prognostic outcome factors in patients with neuroborreliosis-related vasculitis. We performed a longitudinal multicenter study between 1997 and 2022 in five academic study sites in Germany with a cumulative reference area of 1,620,000 inhabitants. All patients diagnosed with neuroborreliosis-associated cerebral vasculitis were included. The evaluation of clinical parameters, including NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS), disability ranking (modified Rankin Scale, mRS), and neuroimaging, was performed at admission as well as after 3 and 12 months. Linear regression analysis was used to identify the independent predictors of recurrent strokes, involvement of posterior circulation, or multiple vessels. Patients with neuroborreliosis-related vasculitis (n = 51) were relatively young (mean age: 62 years) and displayed a predominance of vascular events within the posterior circulation (60.8%). A history of smoking was linked to recurrent strokes/TIA (64.7% vs. 23.5%; p = 0.006), strokes in multiple territories (100% vs. 35.9%; p < 0.0001), and posterior circulation events (64.5% vs. 30.0%, p = 0.017), whereas other cardiovascular risk factors showed no significant differences. Linear regression analysis corroborated smoking's association with recurrent strokes/ transient ischemic attacks (B: 0.412; p = 0.002), multiple territory strokes/TIA (B: 0.467; p = 0.033), and posterior circulation events (B: 0.317; p = 0.033). A thorough CSF examination for neuroborreliosis is crucial, especially in younger stroke patients, particularly those experiencing posterior circulation ischemic events. Smoking cessation should be prompted in patients with neuroborreliosis-associated cerebral vasculitis.

Research Topics and Trends in Gifted Education: A Structural Topic Model

Many articles have been published in gifted education in recent years. This study aims to provide a comprehensive review of the evolution of academic studies in gifted education. In this context, the structural topic modeling (STM) method was used to analyze the topics and trends in the field. STM is a machine learning technique that utilizes natural language processing techniques based on text mining. It is a valuable methodology for identifying a text corpus’s main topics and trends. The corpus used in this study is 5,127 articles from nine leading journals in giftedness without any year limitations. As a result of the analysis, five topics that prominently emerged in the literature were discovered. These are curriculum and instruction, social-emotional characteristics, thinking skills, identification and assessment tools, and equity and policies. The research topics and trends discovered due to the analysis are discussed within the literature framework, and recommendations are presented.

A INFLUÊNCIA DAS METODOLOGIAS ATIVAS NA FORMAÇÃO DOCENTE TENDO EM VISTA AS CONTRIBUIÇÕES DA APRENDIZAGEM BASEADA EM PROBLEMAS

This study investigates the influence of active methodologies in teacher training, focusing on Problem-Based Learning (PBL). The research aims to understand how PBL can empower early childhood educators by providing them with dynamic tools to address contemporary classroom challenges. The methodology includes a comprehensive literature review, examining a wide range of academic sources and case studies on the implementation of PBL in various educational contexts. Findings from this theoretical investigation indicate that PBL not only enhances teachers' ability to engage students more effectively but also fosters a more collaborative and critical learning environment. By exploring the theoretical foundations and practical outcomes of this approach, the study seeks to identify effective strategies for implementation and evaluation in specific educational contexts. The research emphasizes the importance of adequate teacher training in ensuring the quality of education, contributing to the holistic development of children. Additionally, the study provides valuable insights for educational managers and policymakers in developing more effective training policies and programs. It is believed that the knowledge gained from this research can offer a solid foundation for the continuous improvement of education provided to preschool-aged children.

Going Back to School: Reflecting on School Space as “Shared Space” to Shape Cities and Communities

There has been a growing interest in Australia for public schools to share their facilities (space) with local communities, driven by the understanding that these substantial public investments have the potential to yield additional social, environmental, and economic benefits to their immediate neighbourhoods. Yet, there is limited critical research on this topic, particularly from an urban planning perspective. This article reflects on schools within the broader spatial environment to understand how outdoor recreational and green spaces of schools can be enhanced to optimize their role within the city and to advance “schools beyond schools.” This study deviates from prior research by examining the conceptual progress in urban planning that envisions educational institutions not merely as pedagogical entities but as pivotal urban nodes capable of enhancing the socio-spatial dynamics of shared spaces. Through a systematic review, this article exposes the concept of “shared space” in reference to educational spaces (school grounds). It draws on the Share Our Space program of the New South Wales Department of Education to provide an in-depth understanding of the “shared space” framework, analysing both the inherent advantages and potential challenges in the future evolution of this model. The findings revealed a prevalence of academic studies on shared use or joint use agreements as the primary approach for granting community access to school facilities. In these agreements, the main challenges to sharing school spaces with communities or partner organizations were managerial and legal considerations. The research emphasized the need for a collective reimagining of school facilities and a comprehensive re-evaluation of shared school space within the broader urban context, which is particularly vital in the pursuit of resilient urban futures. This will require addressing gaps in collaboration between education and planning disciplines, the participation of the communities they serve, and developing a frame of reference to guide the dialogue. Local planning authorities are crucial in facilitating and implementing such a multi-disciplinary approach to reposition school spaces as the focal point of sustainable city and community development.