Facet Analysis Research Articles

Sauropod dinosaur teeth from the lower Upper Cretaceous Winton Formation of Queensland, Australia and the global record of early titanosauriforms.

The Upper Cretaceous Winton Formation of Queensland, Australia, has produced several partial sauropod skeletons, but cranial remains—including teeth—remain rare. Herein, we present the first description of sauropod teeth from this formation, based on specimens from three separate sites. An isolated tooth and a dentary fragment from the Diamantinasaurus matildae type locality are considered to be referable to that titanosaurian taxon. A single tooth from the D. matildae referred specimen site is similarly regarded as being part of that individual. Seventeen teeth from a new site that are morphologically uniform, and similar to the teeth from the two Diamantinasaurus sites, are assigned to Diamantinasauria. All sauropod teeth recovered from the Winton Formation to date are compressed-cone-chisel-shaped, have low slenderness index values (2.00–2.88), are lingually curved at their apices, mesiodistally convex on their lingual surfaces, and lack prominent carinae and denticles. They are markedly different from the chisel-like teeth of derived titanosaurs, more closely resembling the teeth of early branching members of the titanosauriform radiation. This provides further support for a ‘basal’ titanosaurian position for Diamantinasauria. Scanning electron microscope microwear analysis of the wear facets of several teeth reveals more scratches than pits, implying that diamantinasaurians were mid-height (1–10 m) feeders. With a view to assessing the spatio-temporal distribution of sauropod tooth morphotypes before and after deposition of the Winton Formation, we provide a comprehensive continent-by-continent review of the early titanosauriform global record (Early to early Late Cretaceous). This indicates that throughout the Early–early Late Cretaceous, sauropod faunas transitioned from being quite diverse at higher phylogenetic levels and encompassing a range of tooth morphologies at the start of the Berriasian, to faunas comprising solely titanosaurs with limited dental variability by the end-Turonian. Furthermore, this review highlights the different ways in which this transition unfolded on each continent, including the earliest records of titanosaurs with narrow-crowned teeth on each continent.

Morphometric Analysis of Dry Human Patella and Patellar Facets.

BackgroundThe patella is also known as the kneecap. It lies in front of the knee joint and protects the joint from damage. It is the largest sesamoid bone in the body and is embedded within the quadriceps tendon. The morphometry of the patella is crucial in forensic analysis, designing of implants, and subsequent reconstruction procedures in the knee as it is a sesamoid bone, without periosteum, whereby the natural healing process becomes difficult. The dimensions of the implant are very crucial for a successful knee replacement procedure. This study aims to provide a comprehensive morphometric analysis of the patella and further compare the same between right and left-sided patella specimens.MethodologyIn total, 50 dry patella specimens, with 26 left-sided specimens and 24 right-sided specimens, were obtained for the study from the Department of Anatomy, Saveetha Medical College, Chennai. The parameters analyzed in the study included height, width, the thickness of the patella, length and width of the articular facets on medial and lateral aspects, and central ridge length.ResultsThe morphometric analysis showed the mean height, width, and thickness of patella specimens were 4.07 cm, 4.12 cm, and 2.03 cm, respectively. The dimensions of the articular facet on the lateral aspect were found to show statistical variation compared to the dimensions of the medial articular facet, where p-values of <0.05 were taken as statistically significant. Based on Koyunco’s Classification, 92% of patella specimens were of Type B.ConclusionsThe morphometric analysis of the patella in this study can be helpful in designing implants for reconstruction and for treating orthopedics in patellar reconstruction and fixation procedures.

Morphometric analysis and types of articular facets on human dry tali and calcanei of north Indian origin

Aim: The purpose of our study was to do a morphometric analysis of talus and calcaneum along with the pattern of articular facets on the surface to facilitate orthopedicians in planning surgeries for subtalar implants and foot prostheses. Materials and Methods: For the study, 60 dry adult human tali(24 left and 26 right) and 60 dry calcanei(30 left and 30 right) were obtained from the Department of Anatomy.The tali and calcanei were looked for number and type of articular facets on their surface. The morphometry of talus and calcaneus was done using a digital caliper accurate to 0.01 mm and data recorded. Results: The most common type of articular facet on tali and calcanei in the North Indian population studied was type B. The anteroposterior length and transverse width of the left tali were: 50.89 mm and 37.84 mm, respectively and of right tali were: 51.14 mm and 37.9 mm, respectively. The width, length and depth of left and right sulcus tali were: 6.75mm, 18.7 mm and 5.05 ± 0.33mm, and 7.13 mm, 18.21 mm and 5.44mm, respectively. For left and right calcanei, anteroposterior length and transverse width were: 70.61 mm and 40.1mm, and 71.02 mm and 41.48mm, respectively. The width, length and depth of left and right sulcus calcanei were: 6.08 mm, 46.52 mm and 3.78 mm and 5.34 mm, 45.91 mm and 3.81 mm. Conclusion: Our study will be helpful as a vital tool for reconstruction surgeries of hindfoot deformities and foot reconstruction procedures.

Agility and Resilience in Information Systems Research

This research analyzes how the concepts of agility and resilience are treated in IS literature. While agility has been an object of study in IS research for many decades, resilience is a fairly new topic. Both are gaining strategic importance in a firm’s sustainability and growth, especially given the remarkable changes in the landscape that the firm operates in. It is thus important to understand what agility and resilience mean in IS research. Our paper is a first attempt to study IS literature and provide a thematic analysis of facets of each concept. In doing so, we identify aspects that are common to both agility and resilience and those that are unique to each. The results of this study can be used for an empirical examination of the two constructs and a validation of how they can be measured in firms. IS researchers and industrial practitioners can benefit from a deeper understanding of agility and resilience.

Critical Review of Technology-Enhanced Learning using Automatic Content Analysis

Technology-enhanced learning (TEL) continues to grow gradually while considering a multitude of factors, which underpins the need to develop a TEL maturity assessment as a guideline for this gradual improvement. This study investigates the potential application of TEL’s expert knowledge presented in various research articles as qualitative data for developing assessment questionnaires. A mixed-method approach is applied to analyze the qualitative data using systematic literature review (SLR) with automated content analysis (ACA) as quantitative data processing to strengthen the trustworthiness of the findings and reduce researcher bias. This process is carried out six steps: conducting SLR, data processing with ACA using Leximancer, organizing resulting concepts with facet analysis, contextualizing each TEL facet, constructing the assessment questionnaire for each context, and establishing TEL maturity dimensions. This study generates 64 questionnaire statements grouped according to the target respondents, namely students, teachers, or institutions. This set of questions is also grouped into dimensions representing aligned context: student performance, learning process, applied technology, contents, accessibility, teachers and teachings, strategy and regulation. Further research is required to distribute this questionnaire for pilot respondents to design the improvement roadmap and check data patterns to formulate maturity appraisals and scoring methods.

A possible crawling paracomatulid crinoid from the Lower Jurassic of central Italy

A new paracomatulid crinoid, Tiburtocrinus toarcensis gen. et sp. nov., is described from the Lower Jurassic of Tivoli (central Apennines, Italy). This type of stemless crinoids has never previously been recorded in Italy, and this report bridges a significant gap. Morphofunctional analysis of the radial facets suggests that Tiburtocrinus toarcensis gen. et sp. nov. may have been a crawling paracomatulid, very different from other paracomatulids that probably swam.

Washback or backwash? Revisiting the status quo of washback and test impact in EFL contexts

It has been argued in the literature on (language) testing that any act of testing/assessment can impact (a) educators’ curriculum design, (b) teachers’ teaching practices, and (c) students’ learning behaviors. This quality of any given testing situation or act of assessment has been called washback, or backwash if you will. Washback falls into the two categories of positive or negative—that is, beneficial or harmful. After an overview of the existing scholarly knowledge on washback, this paper argues that washback is not necessarily a test quality. Drawing on the notion of test method facets, the paper lends support to claims that see washback as a main function of teaching, learning, and policy-making situations or conditions rather than a quality of any given test. The paper also argues that the concepts of facet design and analysis including formal research designs, structural hypothesis testing, and measurement are inevitable and inescapable in any comprehensive model of washback. A possible borderline between backwash and washback is also proposed.

IT services offshoring from Japan: a multi-dimensional comparative analysis between India and China

PurposeThis paper aims to carry out a qualitative analysis to compare India and China as a choice of service-provider from the perspective of Japanese MNEs for information technology (IT)-IT enabled services (ITeS) offshoring destination, using the four dimensions of the cultural-administrative-geographic-economic (CAGE) distance framework by Ghemawat (2001).Design/methodology/approachThis exploratory study used a mix of primary and secondary evidence to carry out a comparative evaluation of the challenges and synergies existent between India and Japan relative to China and Japan, in the context of IT-ITeS offshoring industry. Fourteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with multiple stakeholders and the findings were classified using the CAGE framework.FindingsThe paper discusses that for IT-ITeS industry, owing to its characteristics and the changing global order in the post-pandemic world, the “distances” that matter the most for business engagement between countries are – cultural, administrative and economic. Based on the comparative analysis, it was seen that China fares better than India, from a Japanese perspective, for the case of cultural and geographic distances while India had an advantage in the case of administrative and economic distances. Thus, India and Japan seem to have higher synergies and potential mutual gains by expanding engagement in the IT-ITeS industry in future.Research limitations/implicationsOne of the limitations of this paper was the lack of comparable secondary data source concerning the size, growth rates, exports, employment figures for China that could have helped establish the contrast in the structure of IT-ITeS industry of India and China.Originality/valueThis study provides a framework for a comparative analysis of multiple facets of “distance” between competing service providing nations at bilateral, as well as unilateral level, in a holistic manner for the IT-ITeS offshoring industry. The results thus provide the gaps that shall be bridged by the policymakers for realizing mutual benefits.

Crystal and electronic facet analysis of ultrafine Ni2P particles by solid-state NMR nanocrystallography

Structural and morphological control of crystalline nanoparticles is crucial in the field of heterogeneous catalysis and the development of “reaction specific” catalysts. To achieve this, colloidal chemistry methods are combined with ab initio calculations in order to define the reaction parameters, which drive chemical reactions to the desired crystal nucleation and growth path. Key in this procedure is the experimental verification of the predicted crystal facets and their corresponding electronic structure, which in case of nanostructured materials becomes extremely difficult. Here, by employing 31P solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance aided by advanced density functional theory calculations to obtain and assign the Knight shifts, we succeed in determining the crystal and electronic structure of the terminating surfaces of ultrafine Ni2P nanoparticles at atomic scale resolution. Our work highlights the potential of ssNMR nanocrystallography as a unique tool in the emerging field of facet-engineered nanocatalysts.

From leaves to seeds? The dietary shift in late Miocene colobine monkeys of southeastern Europe

Extant colobine monkeys are specialized leaf eaters. But during the late Miocene, western Eurasia was home to colobines that were less efficient at chewing leaves than they were at breaking seed shells. To understand the link between folivory and granivory in this lineage, the dietary niche of Mesopithecus delsoni and Mesopithecus pentelicus was investigated in southeastern Europe, where a major environmental change occurred during the late Miocene. We combined dental topographic estimates of chewing efficiency with dental microwear texture analysis of enamel wear facets. Mesopithecus delsoni was more efficient at chewing leaves than M. pentelicus, the dental topography of which matches an opportunistic seed eater. Concurrently, microwear complexity increases in M. pentelicus, especially in the northernmost localities corresponding to present-day Bulgaria. This is interpreted as a dietary shift toward hard foods such as seeds or tubers, which is consistent with the savanna and open mixed forest biomes that covered Bulgaria during the Tortonian. The fact that M. delsoni was better adapted to folivory and consumed a lower amount of hard foods than M. pentelicus suggests that colobines either adapted to folivory before their dispersal to Europe or evolved adaptations to leaf consumption in multiple occurrences.

Revisiting research on attitudes toward organizational change: Bibliometric analysis and content facet analysis

For several decades there has been surging interest in understanding the antecedents and consequences of attitudes towards organizational change. This attention has resulted in a body of research that has become largely fragmented. Relying on bibliometric analysis and content facet analysis we identify clusters, patterns, and trends in research on attitudes toward organizational change for research published between 2008 and 2018 (N = 163). The review details that the way we conceptualize attitudes toward organizational change is far more complex and nuanced than is currently portrayed, and shows that the current research lacks a consistent conceptualization of attitudes toward change, enabling an imprecise and often circular debate. As an important contribution, these systematic approaches to synthesizing earlier research enables us to identify important areas that the field has been struggling with, and propose a platform to launch the conversation on a more integrative future research strategy.

DNA origami single crystals with Wulff shapes

DNA origami technology has proven to be an excellent tool for precisely manipulating molecules and colloidal elements in a three-dimensional manner. However, fabrication of single crystals with well-defined facets from highly programmable, complex DNA origami units is a great challenge. Here, we report the successful fabrication of DNA origami single crystals with Wulff shapes and high yield. By regulating the symmetries and binding modes of the DNA origami building blocks, the crystalline shapes can be designed and well-controlled. The single crystals are then used to induce precise growth of an ultrathin layer of silica on the edges, resulting in mechanically reinforced silica-DNA hybrid structures that preserve the details of the single crystals without distortion. The silica-infused microcrystals can be directly observed in the dry state, which allows meticulous analysis of the crystal facets and tomographic 3D reconstruction of the single crystals by high-resolution electron microscopy.

Personality functioning as a mediator of adult mental health following child maltreatment

BackgroundThe broad range of adverse health outcomes following child maltreatment (child maltreatment) underscores the need to investigate shared trajectories that contribute to associated physical and mental health problems. Previous research focused on different mechanisms, such as emotion regulation or attachment. In the present study, we propose personality functioning, comprising self- and interpersonal regulation and perception, to mediate between child maltreatment and mental and physical health. MethodsIn a German representative sample (N = 2,508), we assessed remembered child maltreatment, levels of personality functioning, and different health outcomes in adulthood, namely somatic symptoms, general mental distress, and body dysmorphic concern. We conducted path analyses to investigate mediation effects in the total sample as well as in female and male subsamples. ResultsChild maltreatment significantly predicted the assessed health outcomes and showed significant associations with lower levels of personality functioning. Personality functioning partially mediated all health outcomes assessed by significant indirect effects and lowered direct effects of child maltreatment on health outcomes. An exploratory analysis of different facets of personality functioning revealed a pronounced impact of identity perception and self-reflective capacities in mediating between child maltreatment and physical and mental health. Comparable results were found in female and male participants. LimitationsMajor limitations of the study are the reliance on cross-sectional data and the use of a screening measure to assess experienced child maltreatment. ConclusionPersonality functioning may represent a transdiagnostic link to different somatic and psychological symptoms in the aftermath of child maltreatment.

The European Union’s international climate leadership: towards a grand climate strategy?

ABSTRACT Advancing literature on EU international climate strategy, this article offers a fresh and comprehensive assessment of the EU's international leadership on climate change. Conceptually, it provides a framework for systematic analysis of different facets of exemplary and diplomatic leadership taking into account key framework conditions. Empirically, we trace the achievements and challenges of the EU's climate leadership since the early 1990s, with emphasis on contemporary developments. We find that the EU has successfully adapted its climate leadership to evolving challenges over time. However, intensified climate geopolitics has reinforced demand for the EU to enhance its capabilities for a proactive ‘grand climate strategy’. Grand strategizing would require coordination of EU institutions and EU member states at highest political levels. In addition to facilitating the maintenance of the achievements so far, it could provide for a stronger integration of domestic and international climate policy and across other policy fields and fora.

Shaping migration at the border: the entangled rationalities of border control practices

This article analyses how border guards as members of a state organisation shape the movement of non-nationals into the territory of a nation state. Based on ethnographic fieldwork on the Swiss Border Guard (SBG), it explores the rationalities—understood as stabilised ways of reasoning and acting—that characterise practices within this state organisation. Combining organisational and structuration theory with a street-level bureaucracy perspective allows for a differentiated analysis of the various facets of border guards’ everyday work. Four rationalities of border-control practices are identified and compared: security, humanitarian, cost-calculation, and pragmatic rationality. I argue that, by considering both the specific goals and imperatives of border control and the characteristics of street-level bureaucrats acting within a state organisation, these entangled logics explain the complex and incoherent social reality of border control. More generally, the results contribute to organisational theory by pointing to the importance of taking into account that multiple entangled rationalities structure the practices of an organisation’s members.

Causes and Consequences of Inequality in Egypt

AbstractThis study presents an analysis of various facets of inequality in Egypt using a political economy approach to understand how inequalities are reproduced in the Egyptian economy. It examines the drivers of income and wealth inequality, and the impact of uneven taxation. The paper highlights how the mismeasurement of top incomes can skew the measurement of inequality, and shows how Egypt has one of the biggest wealth gaps in the world. It investigates educational, gender, and healthcare inequalities and how they are reproduced across generations. The paper also highlights the disparity between urban and rural areas, which further contributes to inequality. It assesses why economic growth in Egypt has had limited success in reducing poverty and inequality, and analyzes how state and military interference in markets hampers the growth of the private sector. The paper concludes by examining how inequality, combined with a number of challenges that Egypt is facing, including increased authoritarianism, climate change, demographic pressures, and water security will likely exacerbate many of the country’s socioeconomic and political problems. Overall, the study argues that inequality remains a key concern that, if left unaddressed, may lead to social unrest and instability in the long term.

Network Analysis of Mindfulness Facets, Affect, Compassion, and Distress

ObjectivesMindfulness, positive affect, and compassion may protect against psychological distress but there is lack of understanding about the ways in which these factors are linked to mental health. Network analysis is a statistical method used to investigate complex associations among constructs in a single network and is particularly suitable for this purpose. The aim of this study was to explore how mindfulness facets, affect, and compassion were linked to psychological distress using network analysis.MethodsThe sample (n = 400) included equal numbers from general and student populations who completed measures of five mindfulness facets, compassion, positive and negative affect, depression, anxiety, and stress. Network analysis was used to explore the direct associations between these variables.ResultsCompassion was directly related to positive affect, which in turn was strongly and inversely related to depression and positively related to the observing and describing facets of mindfulness. The non-judgment facet of mindfulness was strongly and inversely related to negative affect, anxiety, and depression, while non-reactivity and acting with awareness were inversely associated with stress and anxiety, respectively. Strong associations were found between all distress variables.ConclusionsThe present network analysis highlights the strong link between compassion and positive affect and suggests that observing and describing the world through the lens of compassion may enhance resilience to depression. Taking a non-judging and non-reacting stance toward internal experience while acting with awareness may protect against psychological distress. Applicability of these findings can be examined in experimental studies aiming to prevent distress and enhance psychological well-being.

A Organização do Conhecimento no RPG eletrônico por meio de ontologias

Investiga a Organização do Conhecimento e sua aplicação aos jogos eletrônicos, expondo os desafios e problemas desta atividade. Propõe a ontologia como uma forma de Organização do Conhecimento adequada para representar materiais nascidos no formato digital, de acordo com o paradigma da Web Semântica. Utiliza como recorte temático o estudo prático do gênero de jogos eletrônicos chamado RPG (Role-Playing Game), expondo suas características, elementos e hierarquias. Emprega como método a pesquisa exploratória, onde o conteúdo da Organização do Conhecimento é abordado, desde a definição do que é a Organização do Conhecimento, o que é o conceito, o que é um Sistema de Organização do Conhecimento e o que é uma ontologia, até a parte específica sobre os jogos eletrônicos e suas especificidades na representação. Oferece uma aplicação do conteúdo pesquisado, por meio de uma análise facetada dos jogos eletrônicos aplicada à construção de uma ontologia, sendo essa construção feita experimentalmente passo-a-passo. Aborda o potencial da ontologia ilustrando com o exemplo da aplicação da ontologia à organização dos jogos de RPG eletrônico.

El retablo de San Estanislao de Kostka en San Luis de los franceses de Sevilla

El templo de San Luis de los franceses de Sevilla, construido a lo largo de las primeras décadas del siglo XVIII, dispone de un complejo programa visual. El retablo de San Estanislao de Kostka ocupa una importante capilla, en paralelo a la de San Francisco de Borja. Como todo retablo, cumple dos funciones: la contemplativa, o conductora de la oración a través de su imagen conceptual, y la formativa por medio del discurso visual desplegado en las calles laterales y el ático. Se afronta el análisis de ambas facetas mediante una aproximación a sus fuentes literarias y emblemáticas.

Faceted classification in support of diversity: the role of concepts and terms in representing religion

The paper examines the development of facet analysis as a methodology and the role it plays in building classifications and other knowledge-organization tools. The use of categorical analysis in areas other than library and information science is also considered. The suitability of the faceted approach for humanities documentation is explored through a critical description of the FATKS (Facet Analytical Theory in Managing Knowledge Structure for Humanities) project carried out at University College London. This research focused on building a conceptual model for the subject of religion together with a relational database and search-and-browse interfaces that would support some degree of automatic classification. The paper concludes with a discussion of the differences between the conceptual model and the vocabulary used to populate it, and how, in the case of religion, the choice of terminology can create an apparent bias in the system.