Common Themes Research Articles

Solving Saint Venant torsion problems for rectangular beams using single finite Fourier sine transform method

This research presents the single Fourier sine transform method (SFSTM) for solving the Saint Venant torsion problem of rectangular prismatic bars. The problem is a common theme in the theory of elasticity of unrestrained torsion which was previously expressed by Prandtl using Prandtl stress functions ϕ(x,y) as a Poisson type nonhomogeneous partial differential equation (PDE) called the stress compatibility equation. In this work the SFSTM was applied to the stress compatibility equation, converting the PDE to an easier to solve ordinary differential equation (ODE) in the transformed domain. The boundary conditions were used to find the integration constant and inversion was used to find the solution in the physical domain. The non vanishing stresses and torsional moments were thus found as a single series of infinite terms with rapid convergence. The maximum stresses and moments were found in standard form in terms of torsional parameters which were tabulated for various ratios of the cross-sectional dimensions. A comparison of the torsional parameters with previous results show that the present results are identical with previous results illustrating the accuracy of the SFSTM used. The sine kernel of the SFSTM satisfies the boundary conditions of the problem and contributed to the exact solution obtained. The SFSTM simplified the PDE to an ODE which is simpler to solve.

Prototypes of Hate and Expectations of the Model Victim.

This research explored the content of hate crime prototypes in a North American context, with particular attention to how such prototypes might influence blame attributions. In Study 1a, participants were recruited from a blended sample of universities (n = 110) and community members (n = 102) and asked to report their thoughts about typical hate crime offenses, victims, and offenders. These open-ended responses were coded, and common themes were identified. In Study 1b, a new group of participants (n = 290) were presented with these themes and asked to rate each for their characteristics of hate crimes. Studies 1a and 1b confirmed the presence of a clear prototype of hate crimes, such that (a) perpetrators were believed to be lower status White men with clear expressions of bias, (b) hate crime offenses were believed to be acts of interpersonal violence accompanied by slurs or verbal abuse, and (c) hate crime victims were thought to be members of a marginalized group who remain passive during the offense. Study 2 explored the consequences of victim prototypes on assessments of victim blame. Participants (n = 296) were recruited from York University and presented with a case vignette that varied the prototypicality of a victim of hate, depicting him as either Black or White and either passive, verbally responsive, or physically confrontational in the context of an assault. Participants showed greatest sympathy for the Black victim who passively ignored verbal harassment but increasingly assigned blame when the Black victim spoke or reacted physically. When the victim was White, participants showed little variation in their assessment of blame as a function of the victim's behavior. These results suggest that Black victims are subjected to greater behavioral scrutiny than White victims and that sympathy for victims of hate may be contingent on their passivity in the face of harassment.

Socio-sexual norms and young people's sexual health in urban Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan: A qualitative scoping review.

In South Asia, young people face myriad challenges and opportunities regarding their sexual lives relating to varied experiences of norms and restrictions; gender norms and socio-sexual taboos limit communication around sexual health which in turn can affect sexual health outcomes. In this article we focus on norms affecting young people's sexual health experiences in urban settings in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan. We conducted a scoping review of peer reviewed empirical studies based on qualitative data pertaining to young people's experiences of sexuality and sexual health in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan. We searched four electronic databases for articles published (2010-2022), using terms relating to sexual health, young people, and South Asia. Sixteen articles met the inclusion criteria with sample size ranging from 9 to 180. The authors followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines for the design and analysis of this study. We synthesised the included articles using thematic analysis. The studies covered topics such as sexual health services and contraceptive use; sexuality education and communication; and gender and sexual violence. Recurring findings included: parental and societal expectations around premarital 'sexual purity' through abstinence; limited communication around sexuality between young people and parents/adults; gender norms limiting young women's sexual and reproductive decision making; and an absence of research on experiences of sexual and gender minorities. We identified common themes as well as prominent gaps which must be addressed if we are to capture diverse experiences and build a better evidence base to improve sexual health services for young people in the region. The body of research fails to include experiences of young people with diverse gender, sexual orientation, and sex characteristics.

‘A random assembly of geometric forms’: Thing Theory in J. G. Ballard's and Ray Bradbury's short stories

AbstractThing Theory is a relatively new field of research, developed largely by Bill Brown on the basis of an already existing new materialist movement with roots reaching back to Martin Heidegger's interrogation of the ontology of things in ‘Das Ding’. Focusing on the interconnectedness of objects, their modes of being and irreducible ‘thingness’, as well as the agency objects are shown to exert when freed from the constraints of a subject‐centred perspective, this article presents a reading of three short stories by J. G. Ballard and Ray Bradbury which showcase how such issues are navigated in narrative form. Of particular interest for this article is the subject–object relationship, and the notion of ‘thingness’ as developed in Thing Theory in relation to the unique role accorded to the environment and inanimate objects in J. G. Ballard's and Ray Bradbury's selected works of fiction. It will be shown that a common theme connecting these works is the presence of a confrontation with the external world as it exists outside the definitions imposed on it by human subjects.

Evaluating Barriers to Opioid Use Disorder Treatment From Patients' Perspectives.

Utilizing medications to treat opioid use disorder (MOUD) is both highly effective and unfortunately underutilized in the US health care system. Stigma surrounding substance use disorders, insufficient provider knowledge about substance use disorders and MOUD, and historical lack of physicians with X-waivers to prescribe buprenorphine contribute to this underutilization. Our study aimed to elucidate barriers to accessing MOUD in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. We conducted semistructured interviews with patients receiving MOUD at a family medicine residency program in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using the qualitative analysis Framework Method. Researchers in our team reviewed transcripts, coding for specific topics of discussion. Coded transcript data were then sorted into a matrix to identify common themes. Interviews with 30 participants showed that motivations to seek treatment appeared self-driven and/or for loved ones. Eighteen patients noted concerns with treatment including treatment denial and efficacy of treatment. Housing instability, experiences with incarceration, insurance, and transportation were common structural barriers to treatment. Primary drivers to seek treatment were patients themselves and/or loved ones. Barriers to care include lack of effective transportation, previous experience with the carceral system, and relative scarcity of clinicians offering MOUD. Future studies may further explore effects of structural inadequacies and biases on MOUD access and quality.

An analysis of keloid patient questions on Reddit.

Reddit is one of the world's leading social media platforms, fostering active community discussions on a variety of topics including keloids. The prevalence and reach of conversations on Reddit underscore the need to investigate and understand patient perspectives and gaps in knowledge. Herein, we present an in-depth analysis of questions and concerns of Reddit users on keloids, offering valuable insights into patient experiences, knowledge gaps and treatment preferences. The study presents a distinct approach by harnessing the power of social media data to understand patient perspectives, which may not be readily apparent in clinical settings. All posts on the 'Hot' page of the subreddit r/Keloids were analyzed. Questions were categorized and subcategorized to reveal common themes. A total of 644 questions from 513 posts between 26 March 2017 and 28 August 2023 were identified and analyzed. Reddit users most frequently asked questions regarding keloid management (57.5%). Other common categories included uncertainty regarding diagnosis or symptoms (15.1%), living with keloids (7.5%) and causes or triggers (6.2%). This analysis highlights critical areas of patient knowledge gaps and potential misconceptions regarding keloids. For dermatologists, understanding these patient questions is crucial. Such insights allow for patient-centric education and treatments, ensuring more effective and comprehensive care.

Disparities Among Pediatric Firearm Suicides in the United States: An Analysis of the National Violent Death Reporting System, 2014 to 2018.

Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States (U.S.), with firearms being the predominant method. This study examines the racial disparity and disproportionality of pediatric firearm suicide from 2014 to 2018 in 17 U.S. states. We used the National Violent Death Reporting System to quantify the burden of pediatric firearm suicide by race/ethnicity and gender and assessed themes among decedents aged 10 to 17 years. Racial disparity and disproportionality were measured using the Disparity Index and Disproportionality Representation Index, respectively. Decedents were primarily non-Hispanic White (NHW, 77.5%) and male (84.0%). NHW children died at a rate that was 1.3 times greater than expected based on their proportion in the general population and were 2.6 times more likely to die by firearm suicide than non-Hispanic Black (NHB) children. NHB children were less likely to disclose suicide intention, suggesting that this group may require more active screening intervention. Qualitative analysis revealed unsafe firearm storage as a common theme among these deaths. Differences in age with respect to social media use and precipitating factors such as bullying and arguments with parents were also identified as contributing factors. Results of this study support the expansion of interventions such as lethal means restriction counseling and implementation of safer firearm storage laws.

Emerging mechanistic understanding of cilia function in cellular signalling.

Primary cilia are solitary, immotile sensory organelles present on most cells in the body that participate broadly in human health, physiology and disease. Cilia generate a unique environment for signal transduction with tight control of protein, lipid and second messenger concentrations within a relatively small compartment, enabling reception, transmission and integration of biological information. In this Review, we discuss how cilia function as signalling hubs in cell-cell communication using three signalling pathways as examples: ciliary G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), the Hedgehog (Hh) pathway and polycystin ion channels. We review how defects in these ciliary signalling pathways lead to a heterogeneous group of conditions known as 'ciliopathies', including metabolic syndromes, birth defects and polycystic kidney disease. Emerging understanding of these pathways' transduction mechanisms reveals common themes between these cilia-based signalling pathways that may apply to other pathways as well. These mechanistic insights reveal how cilia orchestrate normal and pathophysiological signalling outputsbroadly throughout human biology.

A Preliminary Checklist (METRICS) to Standardize the Design and Reporting of Studies on Generative Artificial Intelligence-Based Models in Health Care Education and Practice: Development Study Involving a Literature Review.

Adherence to evidence-based practice is indispensable in health care. Recently, the utility of generative artificial intelligence (AI) models in health care has been evaluated extensively. However, the lack of consensus guidelines on the design and reporting of findings of these studies poses a challenge for the interpretation and synthesis of evidence. This study aimed to develop a preliminary checklist to standardize the reporting of generative AI-based studies in health care education and practice. A literature review was conducted in Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar. Published records with "ChatGPT," "Bing," or "Bard" in the title were retrieved. Careful examination of the methodologies employed in the included records was conducted to identify the common pertinent themes and the possible gaps in reporting. A panel discussion was held to establish a unified and thorough checklist for the reporting of AI studies in health care. The finalized checklist was used to evaluate the included records by 2 independent raters. Cohen κ was used as the method to evaluate the interrater reliability. The final data set that formed the basis for pertinent theme identification and analysis comprised a total of 34 records. The finalized checklist included 9 pertinent themes collectively referred to as METRICS (Model, Evaluation, Timing, Range/Randomization, Individual factors, Count, and Specificity of prompts and language). Their details are as follows: (1) Model used and its exact settings; (2) Evaluation approach for the generated content; (3) Timing of testing the model; (4) Transparency of the data source; (5) Range of tested topics; (6) Randomization of selecting the queries; (7) Individual factors in selecting the queries and interrater reliability; (8) Count of queries executed to test the model; and (9) Specificity of the prompts and language used. The overall mean METRICS score was 3.0 (SD 0.58). The tested METRICS score was acceptable, with the range of Cohen κ of 0.558 to 0.962 (P<.001 for the 9 tested items). With classification per item, the highest average METRICS score was recorded for the "Model" item, followed by the "Specificity" item, while the lowest scores were recorded for the "Randomization" item (classified as suboptimal) and "Individual factors" item (classified as satisfactory). The METRICS checklist can facilitate the design of studies guiding researchers toward best practices in reporting results. The findings highlight the need for standardized reporting algorithms for generative AI-based studies in health care, considering the variability observed in methodologies and reporting. The proposed METRICS checklist could be a preliminary helpful base to establish a universally accepted approach to standardize the design and reporting of generative AI-based studies in health care, which is a swiftly evolving research topic.

A qualitative assessment of emergency physicians' experiences with robust emergency department buprenorphine bridge programs.

Emergency departments (EDs) are a critical point of entry into treatment for patients struggling with opioid use disorder (OUD). When initiated in the ED, buprenorphine is associated with increased addiction treatment engagement at 30 days when initiated. Despite this association, it has had slow adoption. The barriers to ED buprenorphine utilization are well documented; however, the benefits of prescribing buprenorphine for emergency physicians (EPs) have not been explored. This study utilized semistructured interviews to explore and understand how EPs perceive their experiences working in EDs that have successfully implemented ED bridge programs (EDBPs) for patients with OUD. Semistructured interviews were conducted with EPs from four geographically diverse academic hospitals with established EDBPs. Interviews were recorded and transcribed, and emergent themes were identified using codebook thematic analysis. Analysis credibility and transparency were confirmed with peer debriefing. Twenty-two interviews were conducted across the four sites. Three key themes were constructed during the analyses: (1) provided EPs agency; (2) transformed EPs' emotions, attitudes, and behaviors related to treating patients with OUD; and (3) improved EPs' professional quality of life. Participants in this study reported several common themes related to participation in their hospital's BP. Overall our results suggest that physicians who participate in EDBPs may feel a renewed sense of fulfillment and purpose in their personal and professional lives. These positive changes may lead to increased job satisfaction in hospitals that have successfully launched EDBP.

Community member attitudes and understanding of "serious mental illness": A mixed-method study.

"Serious mental illness" (SMI) is a priority population within mental health treatment and policy. However, there is no standard operational definition across research, clinical, and policy contexts. The use of the label has also not been evaluated regarding its association with stigma among the general public. This mixed-method study compared community members' stigma toward "SMI" with other psychiatric labels and examined community understanding and perceptions of the SMI label. Two hundred forty-six participants recruited via Prolific read randomly manipulated vignettes describing an individual diagnosed with depression, schizophrenia, or "SMI" and completed measures of stigma and qualitative questions regarding familiarity, understanding, and perceived utility of SMI. Quantitative analyses evaluated stigma across vignettes, and qualitative analyses identified common themes across responses. Stigma was relatively high across vignettes, with more negative views reported toward SMI and schizophrenia compared with depression. Quantitative differences in stigma by vignette were not significant after controlling for participants' age and gender. Qualitative responses were split regarding the perceived utility of the SMI term, with noted concerns including its broadness and potential for stigma. Most participants described functional impairment or disability as characteristic of "SMI," and approximately 70% associated schizophrenia and psychotic disorders with "SMI" compared with 45% for depression. Person-level factors were more strongly associated with stigma than psychiatric labels. However, our sample described concerns that the SMI term is vague and may exacerbate stigma. Community education and antistigma efforts should move beyond diagnostic labels in characterizing mental illness to facilitate change in attitudes. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

ETHICAL CHALLENGES IN ACCOUNTING: A REVIEW OF CASE STUDIES FROM THE USA AND AFRICA

The Review explores the intricate landscape of ethical challenges in accounting through a comprehensive review of case studies originating from both the United States and Africa. This analysis delves into the ethical dimensions of accounting practices, shedding light on common themes and divergences across these distinct regions. In the United States, the review scrutinizes case studies that exemplify ethical dilemmas encountered by accountants in a sophisticated regulatory environment. Issues such as earnings management, financial fraud, and conflicts of interest are explored within the context of intricate financial markets and stringent regulatory oversight. The examination of these cases provides insights into the complexities and ethical considerations faced by accounting professionals in the U.S. Turning to Africa, the Review investigates a diverse set of case studies that illuminate unique ethical challenges prevailing in the region. The African context introduces cultural, economic, and institutional factors that contribute to the intricacies of ethical decision-making in accounting. Issues such as corruption, inadequate regulatory frameworks, and the impact of socio-economic factors on financial reporting are dissected to uncover the nuances of ethical challenges faced by accountants in diverse African settings. Throughout the Review, common threads and distinctive ethical dilemmas emerge, highlighting the global relevance of ethical considerations in accounting practices. The review underscores the importance of context-specific understanding, acknowledging that ethical challenges are shaped by the interplay of cultural, economic, and institutional factors. The Review encourages a nuanced examination of ethical issues, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach that considers regional peculiarities while promoting universally applicable ethical standards in the field of accounting. As the global economy becomes increasingly interconnected, recognizing and addressing ethical challenges in accounting across diverse landscapes is crucial for fostering integrity, transparency, and accountability in financial reporting practices.&#x0D; Keywords: Ethical, Challenges, Accounting, Finance.

A bibliometric analysis of metaverse technologies in healthcare services

AbstractA bibliometric analysis was conducted to examine healthcare metaverse research using 3721 Web of Science publications covering the period 1994–2022. Using bibliometric and bibliographic link network analyses, this study aimed to uncover emerging trends, country and university contributions, author collaborations, and common metaverse themes. Contrary to expectations, inconsistent correlations between publication volume and citation impact emerged. This pioneering research evaluated empirical bibliometric laws, identified influential entities, and provided a structured thematic categorization for metaverse studies. Serving as the first comprehensive investigation of the healthcare metaverse, this study lays a solid foundation for subsequent research efforts and guides further scholarly research.

Use, reuse, and waste management of single-use products associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.

Single-use product usage is not a new concern. However, during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, the use and disposal of single-use products, especially those related to managing the pandemic, rose to prominence. Reports of shortages-and at the same time litter formation arising from improper disposal of various pandemic-related materials such as gloves, masks, wipes, and food takeout containers-were frequently relayed. To address shortages, it was recommended that single-use products be reused in some instances. As these recommendations were widely adopted, it became essential to assess consumer preferences regarding single-use product usage. Aiming to fill that void, a survey was distributed to learn about single-use product usage, possible reuse of single-use products, and waste-management practices during the COVID-19 pandemic in the US. Respondents preferred reusable fabric masks followed by disposable surgical masks. A significant percentage of respondents answered that they would reuse a disposable mask and mostly selected rotating masks as the preferred "disinfection" method in between the reuse of single-use masks. Gloves were not used by most respondents whereas wipes and/or paper towels were used by more than half of respondents. Free-response answers were analyzed for common themes. Concerns related to pandemic-related product use and disposal, and food packaging or food preparation were observed in the free-response answers. This survey reveals that respondents perceived changes in their consumption and waste generation or perceived a change in the type of products consumed and discarded due to the pandemic. Overall, respondents expressed a preference for reuse and a concern over the increase in single-use products. Results of this study can be used to make projections on the consumption and reuse of single-use products in crisis scenarios. In addition, the data can be used to model the use and disposal phase in single-use product life-cycle assessments. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;00:1-11. © 2024 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).

Perspectives of suicide loss survivors: Qualitative analysis of data from a psychological autopsy study of U.S. Army soldiers.

Suicide loss survivors can provide information not otherwise available about the circumstances preceding a suicide. In this study, we analyzed interview data from suicide loss survivors collected as part of a psychological autopsy study of U.S. Army soldiers. Next-of-kin (NOK) (n = 61) and Army supervisors (SUP) (n = 107) of suicide decedents (n = 135) who had died in the last 2-3 months answered open-ended questions about suicide risk factors, ideas for improving suicide prevention, and the impact of the suicide. Responses were coded using conventional content analysis methods to identify common themes. Many NOK (30%) and SUP (50%) did not observe any signs of risk preceding the soldier's suicide. The most common idea regarding suicide prevention from SUP was that the suicide was inevitable, whereas NOK were more likely to emphasize the importance of increasing mental health treatment and reducing stigma. Both NOK and SUP reported negative effects of the suicide, but SUP reported some positive effects (e.g., increased unit connectedness). Results underscore the challenges of using informants to identify soldiers at high risk of suicide, given many respondents did not observe any warning signs. Findings also highlight attitudinal barriers present in the military that, if targeted, may increase soldiers' help-seeking and willingness to disclose their risk.

Achievement goal theory in STEM education: A systematic review

AbstractBackgroundAchievement goal theory is a popular motivational theory within education and psychology, with several review papers summarizing the extensive work done in these fields. Although reviews exist in these specific fields, none exists within science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. This is a considerable gap in our knowledge as STEM educators, especially engineering educators, where motivation is often ill‐defined.PurposeThis paper highlights the findings of a systematic review of how STEM educators have used achievement goal theory within undergraduate STEM education.Scope/MethodWe followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 checklist for our search. A total of 50 studies (43 journal articles and 7 conference proceedings) were included in our review.ResultsOur review revealed five common themes: quantitative methodologies, sex, emotions, academic achievement, and culture. A majority of the papers reviewed used quantitative methods. Although there was inconclusive evidence of differences in motivational orientations based on biological sex, the most studied emotion (anxiety) was found to be inversely correlated with mastery orientations. Among the many ways to measure academic achievement, exam scores was the most popular method reported. Lastly, ethnic, institutional, and department cultures were significant factors in shaping a student's motivational orientation.ConclusionsOur review suggests that a motivational difference between students based on biological sex is inconclusive. We also recommend more studies that use qualitative or mixed methodologies to gain further insight into students' motivational processes and consider how cultural contexts may impact students' motivational orientations.

Participants' Experiences With a Community Based Participatory Research Produce Prescription Program: Findings From a Qualitative Study.

The purpose of this study was to explore a food-insecure, low income, predominantly African American community's experiences with a produce prescription program (PPP). Researchers conducted 3 focus groups and 4 individual interviews with Maywood Veggie Rx (VRxM) participants asking questions about the logistics of the program while also exploring ideas around health, food, and community. This produce prescription program took place in Maywood, Illinois which is an urban underserved community with 23.5K people, most of whom are Black/African American (61%) and Hispanic (32%). The 24 participants interviewed through focus groups and individual interviews were enrolled in the 2021-2022 VRxM program. Participants were mainly female, with only three participants being males. Ages ranged between 34 and 74 years of age with a mean age of 56.3. Qualitative data from transcripts were then coded via a grounded theory approach to identify common themes. A research team of seven including the two Co-PIs, three medical students and two dietetic interns identified 278 codes which were then condensed into 117 codes and then placed into 9 categories. Researchers identified three recurrent themes among the experiences of VRxM participants: (1) trust building, (2) culturally relevant and adaptive nutrition education, and (3) bidirectional feedback. These three themes mirror many of the principles of Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR). The study findings identify common themes among the experiences of VRxM which are in line with the collaborative approach of CBPR principles. Produce Prescription Programs should utilize CBPR principles in the creation and implementation of programming to improve the participant experience. Future research should include additional focus groups on new iterations of VRxM and should also include those people who chose not to participate in VRxM to explore barriers to participation.

Türkiye'de Cerrahi Alanına Yönelik Hasta Şikayetleri: Dijital Platformdaki Yorumların Analizi

Aim: The purpose of the research is to examine patient complaints made on the internet site "sikayetvar" regarding the field of surgery in Turkey. The study also aims to identify common themes in patient complaints about the surgery department, better define the patient population making complaints, and systematically examine the reasons for complaints.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: In the research designed as a retrospective, the complaints made to the complaintvar.com website were examined using the content analysis method, which is one of the qualitative research methods. In the research, 359 posts on the internet about the general surgery department in Turkey, made on the complaintvar.com site, between January 1, 2023 and November 1, 2023, were examined. Complaints made; They are classified according to gender, whether they are public or private hospitals, whether they are inpatients, outpatients or emergency patients, type of surgical procedure, whether only surgical intervention is performed, whether they are related to other departments, the number of views of the complaint and the subject of the complaint.&#x0D; Results: In the study, 335 (93.3%) of the complaints were related to the procedures performed in general surgery. It was observed that they received a response to 74 (20.6%) of the complaints. It was observed that the complaints from all outpatient clinic patients were significantly higher than the complaints from ward, surgery and endoscopy patients (p

Winter-human-nature interactions: A scoping review for a neglected season

Nature interactions are associated with numerous positive physical, social, and mental health benefits. However, most human-nature interaction research is conducted in spring and summer, with little insight into autumn or winter-human-nature interactions. We therefore conducted a concise scoping review to explore the current state of winter-human-nature interaction research by examining common emergent themes and types of winter-human-nature interaction. Few studies (N = 28) met the inclusion criteria of our review (i.e., primary studies that examined explicit human-nature interactions in winter that reported outcomes for participants). Three main winter-human-nature interaction research topics emerged in the course of this review: winter recreation and tourism, winter and health, and winter and culture. Regarding typology, most studies considered more immediate, conscious, and intentional winter-human-nature interactions. Additionally, few studies considered the outcomes of interactions for both people and nature. More broadly, the general lack of studies involving winter-human-nature interactions is concerning given the depth of research in other seasons connecting humans and nature. Winter-nature interactions are even more important to understand given the ongoing changes in the characteristics of winter due to climate change that are likely to affect people’s relationships with nature in the winter and the potential nature-derived benefits of winter-human-nature interaction.

Poverty and Prejudice: Assembling a Picture of the Oral Health of Convicts Sent to Van Diemen’s Land

Abstract The correlation between poor oral health and social and economic disadvantage is a global concern that continues to afflict vulnerable populations. Poverty and its related stresses were also significant factors in the poor oral health experienced by British convicts in the nineteenth century. This article presents an analysis of incidental descriptions of teeth, observed in physical accounts of convicts transported to the penal colonies of Van Diemen’s Land, now known as Tasmania, between the years 1803 and 1853. Coding of these descriptions found a significant disparity in the recorded tooth loss of female convicts when compared to their male counterparts. To interpret these findings and build a better understanding of the oral health status of this cohort, the current study draws on modern medical knowledge, relevant bioarchaeological studies and documented archaeological findings, as well as history of the time. Nutritional deficiencies, smoking, unsanitary living conditions and increased susceptibility to disease are common themes, which we know today, impact on oral disease and tooth loss. A less-expected narrative to emerge from the data reviewed, suggests a gender bias involving the close scrutiny of female appearance. Possible evidence of an historically acknowledged racial bias against those of Irish descent is also suggested in our analysis.