Contemporary Literature Research Articles

Proposal to Replace the Terminology “Levator Claviculae Muscle” with “Cleidocervical Muscle” for Uniformity in the Anatomical Literature

Several terminologies exist for a vestigial muscle connecting the clavicle to the cervical vertebrae; however, “levator claviculae muscle” and “cleidocervical muscle” are commonly found in the contemporary literature. The term “levator claviculae” does not determine the location of the superior insertion point, but rather describes a single function of the muscle. However, similar to the sternocleidomastoid muscle, the bilateral presence of this muscle could result not only in increased strength for elevating the clavicle, but also in enhanced neck flexion and greater neck stability. To provide anatomical precision, the muscle could be more accurately termed the cleidocervical muscle. This literature review was performed using “PubMed” as the search engine. Mesh terms such as levator AND claviculae, cleidocervicalis, cleidocervical, cleidoatlanticus, and cleidotrachelian were used. Our proposal for a precise methodology in addressing the terminology would be as follows: [Position 1: cleidocervical muscle] [Position 2: vertebra levels]. In this opinion paper, we advocate for the anatomical community to discontinue the use of the term “levator claviculae” and instead adopt the more appropriate “cleidocervical muscle” in academic discourse.

Organization Design: Current Insights and Future Research Directions

We review the research on organization design from 2000 to 2023, inclusive. We identify four major approaches to organization design in the contemporary literature: configuration, control, channelization, and coordination. We discuss the key streams of research that characterize each of these approaches, as well as three emerging areas of research: AI and organizational decision-making, flat organizations, and multiple goals. Beyond the specific contributions of individual papers and streams of work, our review makes a number of high-level observations across approaches. We identify patterns that characterize this body of work, the methods used, open questions for future research, and a discussion of organization design as a theory. Collectively, these observations define the state of organization design research and may provide scholars with a foundation for future research.

Zhuangzi and ideological state apparatuses

Louis Althusser is perhaps most well-known for his concept of ‘Ideological State Apparatuses’ (ISAs). However, Althusser is not clear about what role, if any, ISAs play in a post-capitalist society. At times, Althusser talks about ISAs (and the state) withering; at other times, they are merely reformed. Sometimes, ISAs are described as having an inescapable repressive dimension; on other occasions, they are a perfectly acceptable tool for the reproduction of socialism. In this paper, I offer a way of thinking through this confusion that draws on the thought of the Daoist philosopher, Zhuangzi. I argue that Zhuangzian friendship represents a kind of radical equality that is reproducible without the traditional kind of ideological interpellation of ISAs, thereby allowing Althusser explain post-capitalist ideological reproduction. It is worth noting that in this paper, I am not engaging in a textual exegesis of the Zhuangzi. My primary interest is in using the contemporary literature on the Zhuangzi to think through a problem in Althusser’s philosophical system.

A Behavior-Based Model to Validate Electronic Systems Designed to Collect Patient-Reported Outcomes: Model Development and Application.

The merits of technology have been adopted in capturing patient-reported outcomes (PROs) by incorporating PROs into electronic systems. Following the development of an electronic system, evaluation of system performance is crucial to ensuring the collection of meaningful data. In contemporary PRO literature, electronic system validation is overlooked, and evidence on validation methods is lacking. This study aims to introduce a generalized concept to guide electronic patient-reported outcome (ePRO) providers in planning for system-specific validation methods. Since electronic systems are essentially products of software engineering endeavors, electronic systems used to collect PRO should be viewed from a computer science perspective with consideration to the health care environment. On this basis, a testing model was blueprinted and applied to a newly developed ePRO system designed for clinical use in pediatric dentistry (electronic Personal Assessment Questionnaire-Paediatric Dentistry) to investigate its thoroughness. A behavior-based model of ePRO system validation was developed based on the principles of user acceptance testing and patient-centered care. The model allows systematic inspection of system specifications and identification of technical errors through simulated positive and negative usage pathways in open and closed environments. The model was able to detect 15 positive errors with 1 unfavorable response when applied to electronic Personal Assessment Questionnaire-Paediatric Dentistry system testing. The application of the behavior-based model to a newly developed ePRO system showed a high ability for technical error detection in a systematic fashion. The proposed model will increase confidence in the validity of ePRO systems as data collection tools in future research and clinical practice.

Hyaluronan in lung, in plasma as pathogenic and prediction factor of acute respiratory distress syndrome: A systematic review

This investigation aims to study contemporary literature pertaining to the involvement of hyaluronate in the pathogenesis of diverse medical conditions, encompassing coronavirus-induced pulmonary injury, while also exploring its potential utility as a prognostic indicator for assessing the severity of COVID-19. This study conducted a comprehensive examination of hyaluronic acid’s multifaceted role in physiological processes and disease, with a specific focus on its implications in COVID-induced lung damage. The research provided an in-depth analysis of the intricate mechanisms and fundamental patterns governing these biological phenomena, elucidating essential interactions and pathways. Of particular significance in this investigation was the potential diagnostic utility of hyaluronic acid in assessing the severity of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), including COVID-19. Through a rigorous examination of hyaluronic acid concentration levels, researchers sought to assess its potential as an early prognostic indicator, thereby providing valuable insights for clinical diagnostics. Furthermore, the study explored the therapeutic prospects related to hyaluronic acid, emphasizing its involvement in various pathological processes. It suggested that targeting hyaluronic acid could represent a promising avenue for drug development, potentially leading to the creation of innovative pharmaceutical agents

Injection therapy in professional footballers.

Injection therapy offers a minimally invasive approach for symptomatic relief that allows concurrent training, limiting time loss and providing a faster recovery. However, there is a lack of scientific evidence to support it, and there are controversies about its use. The present narrative review aims to present the available scientific literature on injection therapies in professional footballers (PF), highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of its use in the most common injuries. The authors searched and reviewed contemporary literature on injection therapies in PF in electronic databases, summarizing them in a narrative review. Injection therapies such as hyaluronic acid and PRP have shown an adequate safety profile that allows their use. Current evidence suggests that hyaluronic acid injections are a valid option for managing symptomatic cartilage injuries. At the same time, PRP injections have failed to prove beneficial in treating muscle injuries and should be avoided until further evidence proves the opposite. Yet, PRP may have potential use in partial ACL injuries, anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament injuries (ankle syndesmosis), and fifth metatarsal fractures and needs further study. Due to the long-term health repercussions, other injection therapies should be preferred over corticosteroids in PF. There is a paucity of evidence on the use and benefits of injection therapies in PF despite its extensive use among physicians. Viscosupplementation may have a role in improving symptomatic cartilage injuries. In contrast, PRP injection therapy needs further high-quality clinical trials to assess its role in PF sports injuries.

Barriers and Enablers of Successful Workplace Integration of Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) in a Host Country: A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis.

The aim of this qualitative evidence synthesis (QES) is to critically appraise the contemporary literature to gain a comprehensive understanding of the barriers and enablers of workplace integration needs of internationally educated nurses (IENs). An electronic search was conducted across multiple databases, and eligibility criteria were applied to identify papers published between January 2013 and July 2023. Out of the 830 studies initially retrieved, six met the inclusion criteria. Study quality was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) tool. Thematic analysis of the included studies revealed various barriers and enablers for workplace integration experienced by IENs. Barriers were: (a) IEN-related factors (cultural differences, language barriers, and disparities in the scope of nursing practice), (b) organizational factors (poor leadership), and (c) contextual factors (racism and discrimination). Enablers emerged were: (a) IEN-related factors (commitment to learn and adapt) and (b) organizational factors (structured multifaceted program, supportive workplace environment, and mentorship). Dynamic interaction exists among these factors, therefore interventions should address multiple barriers simultaneously. The QES has illuminated essential factors which impact the integration of IENs, and emphasizes the necessity of a comprehensive approach that considers the diverse challenges and opportunities that arise.

SURSULAPITSCHI AND THE JOURNEY A CONTRIBUTION TO RESEARCH ON CHILDRENS LITERATURE IN HUNGARY

In the following brief reflection, I present some of the characteristics of current and recent Hungarian initiatives in childrens literature, based on the institutional framework and internal literary dynamics. The aim is to give the reader a realistic picture of the current state of research in contemporary Hungarian childrens literature. The paper focuses on the opportunities and challenges facing active and prospective researchers in childrens literature. The text describes the impact of the political and literary regime change on the institutional system and research practices in childrens literature; considers the reasons for counterproductive literary historical approaches, discusses the lack of methods of childrens book criticism and psychology, and proposes some modest methodological suggestion for textual analysis. Despite all the difficulties, for example the legacy of the literary history and the the poorer literary output of the nineties, childrens literature research in Hungary is moving in the right direction. So in this text particular attention is paid to the remarkable initiatives, projects and texts in childrens literature especially of the last 15 years.

Portrait of the transclasse as a White man: class and race in French contemporary literature

This article examines unacknowledged influence of “ beur literature” (literature produced by second-generation French writers from North African descent) on Hexagonal literature. Whereas at the time of their publication in the 1980s works by authors such as Azouz Begag or Abdellatif Chaouite were dismissed as ethnographic texts largely devoid of artistic value, their autofictional status being invoked as an argument against their literary worth, since the turn of the century, White writers such as Annie Ernaux and Édouard Louis have exemplified and championed the formal significance and political relevance of auto-ethnographies associated with the major new trend of “littérature de terrain” or “littérature d’intervention” in French literature. The article unpacks the changes in critical discourse attendant to the different types of reception afforded texts written by beur authors against those signed by their “French” peers. “Autosociobiographies” enjoy tremendous success when they are published by writers who identify as belonging to the ethnically White majority, thus subtending the dominant ideology of French Republicanism predicated on class matters and “la fracture sociale” to the detriment of the debate around racial and ethnic issues stemming from “la fracture coloniale.”

Balancing profit and planet: The effect of corporate tax rates on environmental quality and innovation in Asian Countries

In contemporary literature, extensive research has focused on the influence of environmental taxation on the environmental performance of industrial sectors. However, it is still uncommon in the existing literature how corporate statutory tax rate (CTR) affects environmental performance. Therefore, this study aims to empirically investigate the relationship between CTR and environmental quality (ENQ) as well as environmental innovation (EIN). To conduct this analysis, we utilized 19 years of financial data spanning from 2001 to 2019 across all 48 Asian economies. Our research employed both panel quantile regression (PQR) and system GMM models for the regression analysis. The empirical findings reveal that the corporate statutory tax rate has a positive impact on CO2 emissions, leading to deterioration of the environmental quality, while simultaneously exerting a negative influence on environmental innovation, inhibiting green innovation. These effects of the CTR on ENQ and EIN remained consistent even when controlling for factors such as economic growth, foreign capital, financial development, and environmental taxation. These findings have significant policy implications, suggesting the need for a reevaluation of current tax policies and the introduction of tax rebates for companies striving to enhance their environmental sustainability. This study contributes to the literature by shedding light on the adverse consequences of high taxation on the environmental performance of businesses.

Enhancing outcomes in IVF laboratories: navigating the human element through leadership and emotional intelligence.

We analyze the psychological and interpersonal aspects of in vitro fertilization (IVF)laboratory operations, highlighting how human factors such as leadership style, emotionalintelligence (EI), and team dynamics influence the effectiveness of IVF treatments. We alsoexamine the role of personality dynamics in team functioning and the adverse effects of toxicbehaviors on laboratory performance and morale. The manuscript comprehensively reviews contemporary literature about leadership styles, EI,and team dynamics. It also includes a detailed analysis of the ramifications of their operationswithin IVF laboratories. The primary emphasis resides in determining how these humanfactors contribute to the overall efficacy of IVF treatments and following patient outcomes. The findings suggest that staff well-being is not just a concern, but a critical factor inenhancing successful IVF outcomes. Leadership styles that promote emotional intelligenceand healthy team dynamics significantly improve laboratory performance. On the other hand,a toxic workplace negatively impacts staff well-being and patient outcomes. The studyhighlights the need for management development and EI training as vital components ofsuccessful IVF laboratory operations, reassuring the audience that these measures can lead toimproved outcomes. This manuscript presents the case for an equitable operational framework that recognizes thevalue of soft skills and technical expertise in IVF laboratories. It underscores the significanceof emphasizing the human element in reproductive medicine, proposing that by prioritizingempathy and delineating the contributions of the human factor, the field can achieve itsmaximum potential and enhance outcomes for staff members and patients. The pivotal role offuture research in empirically substantiating the influence of these human factors in realizingsuccessful IVF laboratories cannot be overstated, and we urge the academic community toparticipate actively in this crucial area of research.

Teachers’ challenges encountered in the marketisation of education systems at primary schools in the Mbare-Hatfield district

Different forms of markertisation and privatisation have encircled the teaching profession. Internet sites that offer to produce academic work for a fee make academic work into a commodity that can be bought and sold. Most schools in Zimbabwe, the Southern African Development Community region, Africa, and beyond cannot easily afford internet services. This study explored the teachers’ challenges in understanding the educational systems due to the marketisation of education. This study utilized the mixed methods approach and the case study design because of its strength in discovering more about unexplored problems. Two school head participants and forty teachers were selected from schools in the district. Semi-structured interviews and questionnaires were used to get data from the research participants. The results unearthed that the education system is one such tool for perpetuating class divisions and social inequality. Contemporary literature has provided evidence in the exploration of teachers’ challenges encountered in the marketisation of education. To the extent that I have reviewed the literature, I found a substantial gap in knowledge about the impact of the challenges encountered in the marketisation of education. The study's objective was to determine the challenges teachers face in giving equal opportunities to poor and minority students due to the marketisation of education. There are some gaps caused by digital divides and government withdrawal from funding for public schools since the early 1990s when ESAP was embraced as an economic blueprint. The marketisation of education has negatively affected teacher integrity, sometimes leading to teacher misconduct. In recent years, the professional status of teachers seems to have been compromised. This is probably due to the changing nature of teacher professional work. Modern-day teaching practices are embroiled in an increasing struggle for private gain. Teachers must learn to cross social boundaries to make learning meaningful and relevant for all students.

Aorto caval fistulas.

The purpose of this paper is to examine and assess the outcomes following open repair in 39 patients who experienced aorto-caval fistula (ACF) resulting from the spontaneous rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). We reviewed the clinical records of all patients surgically treated with open repair for ACF at the Clinic for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery of the Serbian Clinical Center in Belgrade, Serbia, from January 2012 to February 2023. All of the patients in this series were consecutive and had aorto-caval fistula from AAA. No patients were excluded from the procedure due to the life-threatening nature of the state. A follow-up assessment was performed during the follow-up examination or by telephone interview with the patient or a family member. All patients were male, with mean age 67.4±8.3 years (range: 52-83 years). The 30-day mortality rate in our cohort was 35.9%, with three (7.7%) intraoperative deaths, and 11 deaths in the postoperative period (28.2%). A total of 25 patients out of 39 (64.1%) in the original cohort have survived the surgery and the postoperative period and were followed-up for a total of 67.1 person-years. The mean follow-up was 3.7±2.2 years (range 0.25-8.4 years). Two patients (8.0%) died during the follow-up, 16 patients (64.0%) survived, and seven (28.0%) were lost to follow-up. The long-term mortality rate in the cohort that survived the postoperative period was 3.0/100 person-years. ACF caused by spontaneous AAA rupture into the inferior caval vein or iliac veins is a relatively rare, life-threatening condition which requires prompt treatment. An exact preoperative diagnosis is essential for perioperative strategy. As the comparison of our results with the results from contemporary literature indicates, wherever possible endovascular repair should be considered since it results might be superior to open repair.

Uncle Jimmy

Abstract: The Fall 2024 Issue. Ploughshares is an award-winning journal of new writing. Since 1971, Ploughshares has discovered and cultivated the most innovative voices in contemporary American literature, and now provides readers with thoughtful and entertaining literature in a variety of formats. Find out why the New York Times named Ploughshares "the Triton among minnows." The Fall 2024 Issue, edited by Ladette Randolph, features prose by Andre Dubus III, Gretchen Ernster Henderson, Benjamin Hoffmann, Aiysha Jahan, Joy Notoma, Shuchi Saraswat, Jen Silverman, Richard Stock, and Daniel Taylor.

Sink & Mirror

Abstract: The Fall 2024 Issue. Ploughshares is an award-winning journal of new writing. Since 1971, Ploughshares has discovered and cultivated the most innovative voices in contemporary American literature, and now provides readers with thoughtful and entertaining literature in a variety of formats. Find out why the New York Times named Ploughshares "the Triton among minnows." The Fall 2024 Issue, edited by Ladette Randolph, features prose by Andre Dubus III, Gretchen Ernster Henderson, Benjamin Hoffmann, Aiysha Jahan, Joy Notoma, Shuchi Saraswat, Jen Silverman, Richard Stock, and Daniel Taylor.

In the Next World, Maybe

Abstract: The Fall 2024 Issue. Ploughshares is an award-winning journal of new writing. Since 1971, Ploughshares has discovered and cultivated the most innovative voices in contemporary American literature, and now provides readers with thoughtful and entertaining literature in a variety of formats. Find out why the New York Times named Ploughshares "the Triton among minnows." The Fall 2024 Issue, edited by Ladette Randolph, features prose by Andre Dubus III, Gretchen Ernster Henderson, Benjamin Hoffmann, Aiysha Jahan, Joy Notoma, Shuchi Saraswat, Jen Silverman, Richard Stock, and Daniel Taylor.

Murakame

Abstract: The Fall 2024 Issue. Ploughshares is an award-winning journal of new writing. Since 1971, Ploughshares has discovered and cultivated the most innovative voices in contemporary American literature, and now provides readers with thoughtful and entertaining literature in a variety of formats. Find out why the New York Times named Ploughshares "the Triton among minnows." The Fall 2024 Issue, edited by Ladette Randolph, features prose by Andre Dubus III, Gretchen Ernster Henderson, Benjamin Hoffmann, Aiysha Jahan, Joy Notoma, Shuchi Saraswat, Jen Silverman, Richard Stock, and Daniel Taylor.

The Guilt Collector

Abstract: The Fall 2024 Issue. Ploughshares is an award-winning journal of new writing. Since 1971, Ploughshares has discovered and cultivated the most innovative voices in contemporary American literature, and now provides readers with thoughtful and entertaining literature in a variety of formats. Find out why the New York Times named Ploughshares "the Triton among minnows." The Fall 2024 Issue, edited by Ladette Randolph, features prose by Andre Dubus III, Gretchen Ernster Henderson, Benjamin Hoffmann, Aiysha Jahan, Joy Notoma, Shuchi Saraswat, Jen Silverman, Richard Stock, and Daniel Taylor.

Night Riding on the N29

Abstract: The Fall 2024 Issue. Ploughshares is an award-winning journal of new writing. Since 1971, Ploughshares has discovered and cultivated the most innovative voices in contemporary American literature, and now provides readers with thoughtful and entertaining literature in a variety of formats. Find out why the New York Times named Ploughshares "the Triton among minnows." The Fall 2024 Issue, edited by Ladette Randolph, features prose by Andre Dubus III, Gretchen Ernster Henderson, Benjamin Hoffmann, Aiysha Jahan, Joy Notoma, Shuchi Saraswat, Jen Silverman, Richard Stock, and Daniel Taylor.

The Collector

Abstract: The Fall 2024 Issue. Ploughshares is an award-winning journal of new writing. Since 1971, Ploughshares has discovered and cultivated the most innovative voices in contemporary American literature, and now provides readers with thoughtful and entertaining literature in a variety of formats. Find out why the New York Times named Ploughshares "the Triton among minnows." The Fall 2024 Issue, edited by Ladette Randolph, features prose by Andre Dubus III, Gretchen Ernster Henderson, Benjamin Hoffmann, Aiysha Jahan, Joy Notoma, Shuchi Saraswat, Jen Silverman, Richard Stock, and Daniel Taylor.