Contemporary Framework Research Articles

The Logic of Non-State Armed Groups Survival in Syria: A Contemporary Framework of Analysis

A growing body of research stresses finding out why some non-state armed groups in Syria survive longer than others. Despite this encouraging uptick in scholarship, studies have focused on the individual methods these groups have adopted. The extant literature suffers from a lack of comprehensive and rigorous analytical explanation based on a model that reveals the logic behind these groups’ actions within the savagery, ferocity, and cruelty of other rival actors. By focusing on three significant cases in Syria, this study develops a new analytical perspective to unpack the strategic logic behind NSAGs’ survival in a competitive, anarchical conflict environment.

The Phenomenology of Evil in language

The existence and non-existence of evil, as an eternal and timeless problem, are linked to the existence of mankind. Many theories arose from the ancient times until the 20th century to explain evil, as it is complicated philosophical issues. A Secular and contemporary framework of evil was not formed until the eighties of the last century which viewed man as the doer of evil actions and also recognized language related evil actions that have harmful and negative impacts. By settling the defects of the ontological and moral treatments of wickedness, (Claudia Card) was able to formulate a phenomenological and moral theory of evil that defines it as a human act that has negative impacts, and is committed intentionally as a harmful mistake by a drive that bears responsibilities. In philosophical thoughts phenomenology is a relatively new scheme that was established by (Husserl) in the first half of the twentieth century, that focuses on objective research on mental phenomena of human actions that can be sensed through their effects.

Starting with us: Imagining relational, co-designed policy approaches to improve healthcare access for rural people with disability.

Access to healthcare for rural Australians is a wicked problem, particularly for rural people with disability. Contemporary healthcare access frameworks in Australia tend to overlook geography, use a 'one-size-fits-all approach', and disregard the valuable relationships between key rural healthcare stakeholders, including rural people with disability, rural health services and health professionals. The United Nation's Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities requires the Australian Government to engage people with disability in the design of policies that will shape their day-to-day lives, including their access to healthcare. However, the nature and extent to which rural people with disability, rural health professionals and other key rural stakeholders are involved in the design of Australian policies impacting the health of rural people with disability are unknown. This paper examines approaches taken to engage rural people with disability and health professionals in the design of Australian disability policy impacting healthcare access, and reimagines future processes which can improve healthcare access for rural people with disability. Co-design and ethics of care lenses are applied to policy design approaches in this paper. We approach this work as rural disability and health academics, rural health professionals, and as rural people with disability, neurodivergence and family members of people with disability. We argue future co-designed policy approaches could focus on driving change towards equity in healthcare access for rural people with disability by harnessing the relational nature of rural healthcare.

Measuring Positive Mental Health and Depression in Africa: A Variable-Based and Person-Centred Analysis of the Dual-Continua Model.

The dual-continua model of mental health provides a contemporary framework for conceptualising and operationalising mental health. According to this model, mental health is distinct from but related to mental illness, and not the opposite or merely the absence of psychopathology symptoms. To examine the validity of the dual-continua model, previous studies have either applied variable-based analysis such as confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), or used predetermined cut-off points for subgroup division. The present study extends this contribution by subjecting data from an African sample to both CFA and latent class analysis (LCA) to test the dual-continua model in Africa. We applied CFA separately for the Mental Health Continuum—Short Form (MHC-SF) and Patient Health Questionnaire—9 (PHQ-9); and LCA on combined item responses. College students (N = 892; average age = 22.74, SD = 4.92; female = 58%) from Ghana (n = 309), Kenya (n = 262), Mozambique (n = 232), and South Africa (n = 89) completed the MHC-SF and PHQ-9. With minor modifications to the measurement models, the CFA results of this study confirm the three-factor structure of the MHC-SF, and a unidimensional solution for the PHQ-9. LCA results show the presence of three distinct latent classes: languishing with moderate endorsement of depressive symptoms (25.9%), flourishing with low endorsement of depressive symptoms (63.7%), and moderate mental health with high endorsement of depressive symptoms (10.4%). These findings further contribute to affirming the evidence for the dual-continua model of mental health, with implications for the assessment of mental health, to inform policy, practise, and future research in community and clinical settings in Africa.

Different Patterns of Neural Activity Characterize Motor Skill Performance During Acquisition and Retention.

Motor performance and learning have distinct behavioral and neural signatures and can be uniquely modulated by various informational and motivational factors. Contemporary frameworks describe four different motor learning mechanisms mapped onto specific neural regions which are key for motor skill acquisition: error-based learning (cerebellum), reinforcement learning (basal ganglia), cognitive strategies (prefrontal cortex), and use-dependent learning (motor cortex). However, little is known about the neural circuits engaged during skill acquisition that are modulated specifically by practice-based performance improvement and those that predict recall performance. Based on previous work, we hypothesize that brain activity during practice in primary motor cortex and basal ganglia (1) is associated with trial-by-trial practice performance and (2) is predictive of immediate recall performance. Leveraging the contemporary framework, we use a well-known task paradigm that primarily relies upon cognitive strategy, reinforcement, and use-based learning mechanisms to test our hypotheses. Forty neurotypical young adults were asked to practice a pinch force tracking task. Participants received performance feedback after each trial during practice. We used whole brain analysis of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and behavioral performance measures (i.e., time-on-target and self-efficacy) during the practice phase to determine which brain activation patterns are (1) associated with trial-by-trial tracking performance and (2) predictive of immediate no-feedback retention performance. We observed brain activations in the frontal orbital cortex, putamen, amygdala, and insula correlated with tracking performance improvement during practice. In contrast, a different set of performance-related activated regions were observed that were associated with immediate retention performance that included the primary motor cortex, superior frontal gyrus, somatosensory cortex, angular gyrus, and parietal gyrus. Our findings demonstrate that improved practice performance and recall of a sensorimotor skill are correlated with distinct neural activity patterns during acquisition, drawing on different motor learning mechanisms during encoding. While motor performance improvements depend on both cortical and subcortical regions, motor skill recall depends primarily on prefrontal and motor cortices. We discuss possible interpretations for why our hypothesis regarding basal ganglia activity and retention performance was not supported. Understanding the different neural mechanisms engaged in motor performance and learning may inform novel interventions to enhance motor skill learning.

Daily food planning for families under Covid-19: combining Analytic Hierarchy Processes and Linear Optimisation

ABSTRACT In many households, preparation of food in normal times proves to be problematic, particularly when parents endeavour to keep their children on a balanced diet. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated this problem imposing the requirement of social distancing, which led to disruptions in the food supply chain and multiplication of responsibilities faced by families with children. The present study revisits the standard “Diet Problem” to address these challenges and to develop a participatory approach to provide a diversified weekly meal plan that is easy and fun but simultaneously complies with the unique requirements of each participant. This is done by providing a novel framework, which combines linear optimisation with the Parsimonious Analytic Hierarchy Process, a method for individual choices. This novel approach to participatory modelling is tested within two young family settings in Brazil. The model produced through this contemporary framework provides a weekly menu that best meets expectations of the members of a young family in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Utility of Anorectal Testing to Predict Outcomes With Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy in Chronic Constipation: Pragmatic Trial

We performed a clinical trial that aimed to inform the clinical utility of anorectal manometry (ARM) and balloon expulsion time (BET) as up-front tests to predict outcomes with community-based pelvic floor physical therapy as the next best step to address chronic constipation after failing an empiric trial of soluble fiber supplementation or osmotic laxatives. We enrolled 60 treatment-naïve patients with Rome IV functional constipation failing 2 weeks of soluble fiber supplementation or osmotic laxatives. All patients underwent ARM/BET (London protocol) followed by community-based pelvic floor physical therapy. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and 12 weeks. The primary end point was clinical response (Patient Assessment of Constipation-Symptoms instrument). Fifty-three patients completed pelvic rehabilitation and the post-treatment questionnaire. Contemporary frameworks define dyssynergia on balloon expulsion time and dyssynergic patterns (ARM), but these parameters did not inform clinical outcomes (area under the curve [AUC], <0.6). Squeeze pressure (>192.5 mm Hg on at least 1 of 3 attempts; sensitivity, 47.6%; specificity, 83.9%) and limited squeeze duration (inability to sustain 50% of squeeze pressure for >20 seconds; sensitivity, 71.4%; specificity, 58.1%) were the strongest predictors of clinical outcomes. Combining BET with squeeze duration (BET greater than 6.5 seconds and limited squeeze duration) improved predictive accuracy (AUC, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.59-0.90). BET poorly predicted outcomes as a single test (AUC, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.38-0.69). Using ARM to evaluate squeeze profiles, rather than dyssynergia, appears useful to screen patients with chronic constipation for up-front pelvic floor physical therapy based on likelihood of response. BET appears noninformative as a single screening test (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04159350).

Traffic Sign Detection and Recognition

Street traffic signs give directions, cautioning data, to control driver conduct. Also, these signs give a dependable assurance to protected and helpful driving. The Traffic Sign Detection and Recognition (TSDR) framework is one of the essential applications for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). TSDR has gotten a lot of consideration over the new year’s. Be that as it may, it is as yet a difficult field of picture handling. In this work, the area of visual article discovery, following and acknowledgment in the rush hour gridlock climate is investigated. The essential spotlight is placed on the issue of video-based traffic sign acknowledgment (TSR), which is one of the significant assignments in the contemporary visual driver help frameworks. Certain calculations thusly introduced are utilized for tackling related issues, for example, walker identification or grouping of vehicle models. At the recognition stage a few procedures are broke down and assessed utilizing restrained picture and video datasets. This framework additionally investigates the chance of custom preparation of YOLOv3 based calculation.

Preliminary evidence for a Tool to Observe the Construction of Knowledge in Interprofessional teams (TOCK–IP)

ABSTRACT Collaborative knowledge construction (KC) is an important process in interprofessional learning and a logical assessment target. A tool supporting the formative evaluation of KC behaviors ideally would be: 1) applicable to interprofessional teams of learners in clinical contexts; 2) informed by contemporary learning frameworks; 3) feasible and useful. No existing assessment tool meets these criteria. This paper describes the development and preliminary validity evidence for a Tool for Observing Construction of Knowledge in Interprofessional teams (TOCK-IP). Following literature review and needs assessment, the TOCK-IP was drafted based upon Gunawardena’s five-phase KC model. Educational expert review established content validity. Response process and internal structure validity, feasibility, and utility were assessed through step-wise evaluation. Faculty raters applied the tool to four videos of simulated interactions between health professions learners. Faculty ratings were compared to expert consensus ratings. Thematic analysis of post-rating survey and debrief allowed assessment of feasibility and utility. Across videos, faculty raters’ agreement was fair (n = 25; Fleiss’ kappa = 0.40, <0.001). Excellent agreement (95%) was found for raters’ scores compared to consensus rating. Faculty supported tool feasibility and utility. The TOCK-IP meets the three criteria for evaluating team-level KC and offers a progression roadmap to help learners move toward collaborative learning.

Schleswig and Non-Territorial Autonomy – The Territorial Trap?

AbstractNon-territorial autonomy (NTA) is a concept to ensure political and cultural participation of national minorities in society and thus a tool to manage diversity without challenging territorial integrity. This article relates to the experience of Schleswig, which is widely perceived as a model of successful border-delineation based on national self-determination and subsequent reconciliation and accommodation of national, linguistic, and cultural binarity in a majority-minority framework. Minority membership is based on subjective self-identification and not registered.The principle of subjective self-identification and its fluidity challenge attempts to implement a legitimate, democratic structure of minority self-government. The non-definition of “minority” based on objective, measurable criteria is due to the apparent social integration of the Schleswig society: today, it is socially more divided by the national border drawn 100 years ago than by respective majority-minority divisions. It has become apparent that the territorial restriction to the boundaries of the former Duchy of Schleswig does not cohere with social practices and mobility frameworks and thus questions the present NTA infrastructure, which is restricted to a historic territory no longer relevant in contemporary administrative frameworks or in patterns of social practices.

Energy security assessment of small Pacific Island Countries – Sustaining the call for renewable energy proliferation

Using a contemporary assessment framework, we assess the energy security status of small Pacific Island Countries (PICs) in line with its three broad perspectives. These perspectives – sovereignty, robustness, and resilience encapsulate vulnerabilities and threats to vital energy systems, including their respective political and economic strata. Based on a recently adopted regional energy security framework, we unpack these perspectives and generate a collective evaluative judgment of its impact across small PICs. The results resonate with the commonly held notion that energy security concerns are significant and likely to become more severe if expanding energy needs are not addressed through the proliferation of renewable and sustainable energy applications. Another emerging yet familiar concern is that the energy import bill will become more unsustainable for these cash-strapped islands. The findings demonstrate that PICs have severe constraints to overcome, especially with acquiring appropriate technologies and building institutional capacities to implement their respective energy policies and realise their critical energy targets.

Validity Evidence for Procedure-Specific Competency Assessment Tools in Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery: A Scoping Review

Surgical education has shifted from a time-based approach to the achievement and demonstration of procedural competency. High quality, objective assessment instruments are required to support this new approach. This study comprehensively reviewed the literature to identify and evaluate available procedure-specific assessment instruments in cardiothoracic and vascular surgery. A systematic search of 8 databases identified studies containing procedure-specific operative assessment instruments in cardiothoracic and vascular surgery. Generic global rating scales were excluded, unless modified to be procedure-specific. Two reviewers independently evaluated the validity evidence, methodological rigour and educational utility of each instrument using objective scoring criteria. Validity evidence was evaluated with a scoring tool aligned with the contemporary framework of validity. Methodological rigour was evaluated using the Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument. Educational utility was evaluated according to the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) framework. There were 2130 unique studies describing procedure-specific assessment in surgery. Of these, 9 studies evaluating 8 procedure-specific assessment instruments met inclusion criteria for cardiothoracic and vascular surgery. Four instruments were identified in thoracic surgery, 2 in cardiac surgery, and 2 in vascular surgery. Only 1 instrument was designed to evaluate surgeon performance, with the remainder designed to evaluate residents. No single instrument scored the maximum score of 15 for validity evidence. The highest score was 11, with 62.5% (n = 5) of instruments scoring greater than 10. All tools attained high scores in content validity, with minimal evidence generally presented regarding the consequences of assessment using a particular instrument. All but 1 instrument scored greater than 11 out of a maximum 16.5 points for methodological rigour. Very few studies reported on the ACGME domains of educational utility. In an era where surgical education is shifting towards the demonstration of procedural competency, objective procedure-specific assessment is critical. This review identified that few procedure-specific assessment instruments in cardiothoracic and vascular surgery exist, emphasizing the need for such instruments to ensure the success of competency-based education models.

Australian sonographer competency—A new framework

AbstractSonographers possess a unique and complex body of knowledge and skills, providing real health benefits to the community. The value of competency frameworks rests on their capacity to support and facilitate professional practice in the interests of public safety. The commitment to act in the service of others carries with it a professional and ethical obligation to practice within the boundaries of accepted competency standards. The well‐accepted Australasian Sonographers Association (ASA) competency standards for entry‐level Australian sonographers were introduced a decade ago. At this time, ultrasound technology, its application and the sonographer's role as a critical interface to this technology continue to evolve. The article provides an overview of research used to develop a contemporary competency framework for sonographers. It describes each framework component and how these components have a potential role in sonographer education and clinical practice at different levels of expertise. Sonographer competencies were developed via a national collaborative research project led by a multi‐institutional research team of academic and industry professionals. A Delphi study design elicited consensus on multiple competency characteristics from an expert panel of 55 sonographers. The expert panel contained representatives from all Australian states and territories and represented all domains of practice. The resulting project outcome consisted of a competency framework containing four significant components: sonographer competency standards, sonographer knowledge, sonographer attitudes and a holistic competency matrix.

Gamow factors and current densities in cold field emission theory: A comparative study

The factors that contribute to the accuracy of the cold field emission current within the contemporary frameworks are investigated. It is found that so long as the net current is evaluated using an expression for the local current density obtained by linearizing the Gamow factor, the primary source of error is the choice of the energy at which the Taylor expansion is done, but not as much on the choice of the method used to arrive at the approximate Gamow factor. A suitable choice of linearization energy and the implementation of the Kemble correction allow the restriction of errors to below 3% across a wide range of local fields.

Rethinking the classification of games and sports in physical education: a response to changes in sport and participation

ABSTRACT Background Through changing the way games are represented, classification systems have increased possibilities for teaching game forms beyond structured adult and singular official versions of popular sports. At the time of inception, the four-game form approach to classification (target, net/wall, striking/fielding, and invasion games) enabled modified, small sided conditioned games to be adapted to suit individual attributes, whilst reinforcing a core set of tactical and technical elements for transfer. With global shifts in patterns of sport participation, it is timely to review this dominant classification frame and the role it plays within physical education (PE). Purpose This paper proposes changes to classification boundaries around games and sports in PE to establish a classification system that is inclusive of a wider range of games and sports and growing forms of participation that we contend are important for PE. The paper also argues for a broader conceptualisation of tactics, with social, environmental and affective dimensions a focal point for a revised, contemporary classification framework. Methods The paper draws on Bernstein’s notions of classification and frame to explore the pedagogical utility of the dominant games and sport classification used in PE and ways in which it could be revised. Each author independently undertook a structured mapping exercise designed to facilitate exploration and potential classification of a wide range of contemporary activities potentially relevant for physical education. Results The paper proposes the addition of lap or circuit sports, route or journey sports, rush or action sports, stunts or tricking sports and rhythmic or aesthetic sports to broaden the learning and participation possibilities for young people and tune teachers into contemporary movement forms. The paper proposes sample questions that extend the tactical foci inherent in classification to encompass meaning, social, and ecological considerations for learning in PE.

The Doctrinal Development of Contemporary Islamic Law: Fiqh Academies as an Institutional Framework

Abstract The rise of modernity, with its tremendous changes and challenges, has had an impact on Islamic law. Among the most recent developments there is—at an institutional and doctrinal level—the emergence of fiqh bodies dealing with contemporary issues based on a collective decision-making process. In contrast to this modern approach of law making, the emphasis on individual legal decision-making was common in the pre-modern era. These fiqh academies have contributed to the substantive development of present Islamic law due to its immense output (qarārāt or resolutions). This essay aims to represent the research methodology and legal performance of fiqh academies as a contemporary framework for the formation of Islamic law and their role in the development of legal doctrine. Thereupon, this article intends, on the one hand, to contribute to the study of the developments of present Islamic law; on the other, it examines the relationship of the legal norms developed by contemporary fiqh academies and traditional schools of law and their methodology of law making.

Intersecting oppressions; intersecting struggles: Race, class and subalternity

This article offers intersectional theories of racism another way to think about Gramsci’s work; it will explore how Gramsci operationalizes the category of subaltern groups. It begins by briefly reviewing how Gramsci’s work is discussed in contemporary theoretical approaches to racism in the work of Kimberlé Crenshaw, Patricia Hill Collins, Michael Omi and Howard Winant and Stuart Hall. It will stress important similarities regarding the relationship between structural and social forces, political ideologies and consciousness. It will note how both ‘intersectionality’ and ‘articulation’ (one variant of this concept discussed by Hall) show how racism can be amplified through the overlapping or overdetermination of identities, representations and societal effects. It continues by exploring how racism was overdetermined in the Italian national context during the time that Gramsci had lived (and relates it to contemporary theoretical frameworks that organize our understandings of race, racialization and racism). The article then explores how subalternity has been theorized away from the context in which Gramsci employed the term and interpreted, instead, from the twin perspectives of absolute domination and radical autonomy. The article concludes by reading subalternity alongside of race, class and as a substantive cultural question and, in addition, a question of strategy and political organization.

Legal challenges of globalization of modern business

The focus of the research is on a number of international legal elements that emerge from new perspectives on technology advancement, finance, sustainable development, environment, and other fields, and which influence how businesses see using legal services. The book is predicated on the idea that businesses must prepare for potential legal issues due to the environment of new technology, intense global interconnection, and universalization of values. The objective of the work derives from the business function, which enhances social stability in addition to profit. As a result, it should comply with efficiency and sustainability standards to maintain competitiveness, which necessitates a review of the best model for using legal teams in businesses. The article examines how international legal issues have affected business, how to engage with legal advisers, and how to cope with contemporary normative frameworks in the workplace in this setting. The analysis's findings give rise to the conclusion that hiring legal counsel early on affects a company's productivity and long-term viability and that lawyers may function as an entrepreneur's strategic partner in defining the direction of the company's future.

Using an application to measure trainees' procedural knowledge before chest tube insertion.

To collect validity evidence for the chest tube insertion (CTI) test mode on the medical simulation application Touch Surgery. This was done by using Messick's contemporary framework. Novice, intermediate and experienced participants provided informed consent and demographic information. After familiarisation with the application, they completed the CTI test mode. Validity evidence was collected from four sources: content, response process, relation to other variables and consequences. A post-study questionnaire with 5-point Likert scales assessed the perceived realism, relevance and utility of the assessment. Mean scores of the three groups were compared. A total of 25 novices, 11 intermediates and 19 experienced participants were recruited. Content evidence was collected by an expert in CTI and was based on published literature and guidelines. All users were familiarised with the application, and received standardised instructions throughout the test. Most users rated the simulation as realistic and suitable to assess cognitive skills. Novices received significantly lower (55.9±7.5) test mode scores than intermediates (80.6±4.4) (p<0.001) and experienced participants (82.3±5.3) (p<0.001). There was no significant difference in score between intermediate and experienced participants (p=0.75). Consequences evidence was provided by establishing a pass/fail score of 71% using the contrasting groups method, which resulted in one observed false positive and no false negatives. A robust validity argument was constructed for the CTI test mode, which can be implemented in surgical curricula to assess learners' cognitive skills prior to hands-on simulation practice.

Big Data in Tourism Marketing and its Role in the Efficiency of Tourism and Travel Companies-an Applied Study in Travel and Tourism Companies

The topic of the research aims at big data as a practical and applied concept and the implications of the transformation to activate the efficiency of tourism marketing, which adds value to the business and to make big data related to interactive marketing, targeted conversations, and customer loyalty to brands. It lies in finding the means and ways that can overcome the problem of research in the face of tourist establishments' administrations, the continuous increase in the volume of circulated data in the face of the threat of digital disruption with many problems and variables in its marketing activity, and these problems are related to how to identify situations and events, determine the needs and desires of customers, and strive to Achieve them to gain their satisfaction and loyalty in a way that enhances marketing efficiency. The content of the research confirms its findings that the traditional approaches to managing electronic resources such as big data to achieve contemporary marketing efficiency in obtaining various data from solid sources to monitor the tourist markets and the consumer tastes of tourists and work to bridge the knowledge gap, as well as there is a need to link the vision of big data like tourism business on The level of regional tourism markets to dispatch the requirements of marketing efficiency in its contemporary framework.