Distinct Forms Research Articles

A mixed‐method exploratory study of weight‐based mistreatment at work

AbstractAcross two studies, this exploratory research examines stigma faced by larger‐bodied people by exploring the phenomenon of weight‐based mistreatment (WBM), defined as interpersonal disrespect levied on a person explicitly due to their larger body size, at work. Through qualitative research we first describe distinct forms of WBM experienced by 175 self‐defined overweight US employees, as well as consequences of WBM for bullied targets and their organizations. Next, through a quantitative survey distributed to a separate sample of larger‐bodied workers, our exploratory evaluation of WBM found that it is all‐too common in many forms, including overt and covert aggression, microaggression, incivility, and benevolent, yet disrespectful comments oriented around a person's weight. One or more forms of these behaviours were experienced by 75% of our 1008‐person sample, with overt and covert aggression being most common, and coworkers most often perpetrating WBM. Drawing on objectification theory, we observe a host of harmful consequences ranging from diminished engagement, worsened professional interactions, and a lack of self‐care. Altogether, results reveal WBM is a substantial problem, and thus they serve as a call to action for HR professionals, managers, and inclusion advocates to better understand the experiences of this vulnerable population.

Integrating second home owners into conservative rural communities in a developing country

The integration of second home owners into rural communities poses a complex challenge that remains little addressed in conservative developing countries’ context. Guided by integration theory, this qualitative study explores the integration of second home owners in Iran. The findings demonstrate that second home owners’ integration processes are manifested in three distinct forms: environmental-physical, socio-cultural, and mental-psychological. These types of integration significantly influence the dynamics of tourism development and community cohesion in the studied rural communities. Overall, this research contributes to integration theory by exploring second home owner adaption to rural environmental, sociocultural norms and deepens understanding of the social implications of second home ownership within conservative rural communities. The study also expands knowledge of place attachment and identity formation by investigating how the presence of second home owners influences the identity and sense of place for both tourists and local residents. By recognizing the complex nature of integration, the findings offer practical implications for improving the integrating second home owners into rural destinations.

A comprehensive analysis of cosmic evolution in f(Q,T) theory

This paper examines the bouncing cosmology in f(Q,T) theory, where Q represents non-metricity and T denotes the trace of energy-momentum tensor. The aim of this research is to study the phenomenon of a cosmic bounce, where contraction, bounce point and expansion occur at t < 0, t = 0 and t > 0, respectively. In this perspective, we consider Bianchi Type-I spacetime with perfect matter configuration to study the mysterious universe. Further, we analyze the behavior of cosmological parameters such as scale factor, Hubble parameter, deceleration parameter and equation of state parameter using three distinct functional forms of f(Q,T) theory. A comprehensive examination of energy conditions is analyzed to study the matter bounce in this modified framework. Our findings indicate that the acceleration takes place in the vicinity of the bouncing point and ensures the presence of a nonsingular bounce in this theory.

Beyond markets. On field competition in higher education

ABSTRACT Competition today has become a central policy imperative in higher education. Connected to resource efficiency and scarcity, it remains closely attached to the idea of the market but reaches beyond when related to positional or status orders. In the higher education literature such varieties of competition – as distinct social processes – are still under-investigated. In drawing on common references to competition in the literature and empirical examples the paper identifies and outlines two separable forms: market and field competition. The distinction shows that there are fundamental differences in the way competition in higher education plays out which should not be viewed merely as variations of market settings. To outline the differences among the two forms the paper follows a two-step iterative process. The paper first highlights a time-bound analytical problem in common market-references. Drawing on empirical work by Michel Callon it specifies market competition as the construction, singularisation and detachment of a good. As empirical examples from the German higher education case show, such singularisation and detachment are rarely complete, competition rather operates through the attachment of universities to status-consecrating intermediaries, as analysed in the status competition literature. In a second step, the paper outlines the main premises of status competition but also its lack of a comprehensive frame that could qualify it as a distinct form of competition. The ‘field’ fills this void by providing a selective relational space on which universities can act and observe themselves competing, reinforced by multiple intermediaries.

The design space of visualization tools for data science education: literature review and framework for future designs

Data science education is a rapidly growing field, motivating the development of several tools aimed at engaging students in data-related activities across all educational levels. Within this landscape, new block-based programming (BBP) environments have been developed to integrate data visualization functionalities. However, the construction of visualizations entails distinct goals and forms of interaction from those typically used in conventional programming, which should be considered in designing those environments. Drawing inspiration from taxonomies within the field of Information Visualization, we derived a framework for the analysis of educational tools in this domain comprising four categories: supported goals, expressiveness, abstraction, and transparency. We situate six existing BBP environments within the design space of the framework and illustrate its application by describing the design of [anonymized tool], a BBP environment developed to address a gap in data visualization tools for young audiences. Our goal is to contribute to a more theoretically grounded discussion on the topic by bridging the gap between well-established research on professional tools for data visualization and the design of related educational environments targeted at middle and high school students.

Interdisciplinarity through internationality: Results from a US-Mexico graduate course bridging computational and plant science.

Interdisciplinarity is used to integrate and synthesize new research directions between scientific domains, but it is not the only means by which to generate novelty by bringing diverse perspectives together. Internationality draws upon cultural and linguistic diversity that can potentially impact interdisciplinarity as well. We created an interdisciplinary class originally intended to bridge computational and plant science that eventually became international in scope, including students from the United States and Mexico. We administered a survey over 4 years designed to evaluate student expertise. The first year of the survey included only US students and demonstrated that biology and computational student groups have distinct expertise but can learn the skills of the other group over the course of a semester. Modeling of survey responses shows that biological and computational science expertise is equally distributed between US and Mexico student groups, but that nonetheless, these groups can be predicted based on survey responses due to subspecialization within each domain. Unlike interdisciplinarity, differences arising from internationality are mostly static and do not change with educational intervention and include unique skills such as working across languages. We end by discussing a distinct form of interdisciplinarity that arises through internationality and the implications of globalizing research and education efforts.

Effects of tire wear particle on growth, extracellular polymeric substance production and oxidation stress of algae Chlorella vulgaris: Performance and mechanism

Tire wear particles (TWP) represent a distinctive form of microplastics (MPs) that are widely distributed in aquatic ecosystems. However, the toxicity of various types of TWP on phytoplankton remain to be further explored. Thus, three different TWPs originating from replaced bicycle, car, and electro-mobile tire (marked as BTWP, CTWP, and ETWP) were selected and their long-term biological influences on Chlorella vulgaris were investigated. Results demonstrated TWPs showed a concentration-dependent growth promotion of Chlorella vulgaris, with a maximum promotion rate reached to 40.51 % (10 mg/L, 10 d), 23.5 % (80 mg/L, 12 d), and 28.7 % (20 mg/L, 12 d) in the presence of BTWP, CTWP and ETWP, respectively. Meanwhile, TWPs could stimulate the secretion of EPS and induce oxidative stress. EPS analysis revealed the increase of polysaccharides could protect the cell from the direct contact with TWP particles. Moreover, the increased concentration of EPS also helps to induce the settlement of TWP and reduce the leachate release. The release of TWP into the environment could act as an accelerator for the growth of Chlorella vulgaris, which might further change the normal physicochemical behaviors of algae colony in aquatic system. Our findings provide new insights into the toxicity mechanism of TWPs on freshwater algae and valuable data on environmental risk assessment of TWPs.

The Trojan Horse Affair and the coloniality of ‘British values’

ABSTRACT British values were formally defined and institutionalised in the aftermath of the Trojan Horse Affair in 2014 and as part of the UK’s counterterrorism strategy. In this article, I analyse the idea of “British values” as an element of coloniality and ask why the UK’s counterterrorism rhetoric, of which Prevent is a part, is centred on the concept of “British values”. The article shows how the discourse, and the promotion of British values, serves as a securitising and categorising agent which essentialises specific groups of people. In the contemporary context, this affects Muslims in particular, who are constructed as “other” and naturally hostile to or incompatible with British values. It argues that the rhetoric of the concept of “British values” and its application has been used as a form of distinction, not just today but also historically; this distinction has been built on colonialism and is sustained through coloniality. Through “British values”, the civilising mission lives on within the UK’s counterterrorism strategy and within Prevent more specifically.

Slow Sound Phenomena Caused by Frame Shrinkage in Square Frame Acoustic Metafluid

The present study investigates the equivalent bulk modulus and density of square frame underwater acoustic metafluid (AMF) cells with four distinct frame forms. It is observed that, besides frame thickness, a certain degree of shrinkage at the center of the frame also influences the equivalent parameters of cells. Specifically, this shrinkage leads to a decrease in the equivalent volume modulus and an increase in the equivalent density, ultimately resulting in the slow sound velocity phenomenon of the cell. The frame shrinkage causes part of the air to be replaced, resulting in an increase in density. At the same time, it makes the cell more prone to ``shrink and expand'' type volume deformation, resulting in the reduction of volume modulus. Finally, an impedance-matched slow sound velocity (0.5 times) metafluid cell is designed by frame shrinkage and verified by analyzing the transmission effect of a waveguide containing 20 cells and the sound pressure distribution at different positions in the waveguide.

Late-Onset Asthma: A Review

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition with a growing global prevalence, affecting millions of individuals annually. While asthma can develop at any age, late-onset asthma is a specific phenotype that begins in adulthood, as recognized by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) in its 2024 guidelines. This form of asthma is often associated with several predisposing factors, including gender, obesity, occupational exposure, rhinitis, respiratory infections, smoking, stress, and diminished lung function. Unlike early-onset asthma, which frequently involves a history of allergies, late-onset asthma tends to lack allergic triggers, making it a distinct and challenging form of the disease. Managing late-onset asthma is often more complex, as it typically requires higher doses of corticosteroids and demonstrates a reduced responsiveness to standard steroid treatments. The exact mechanisms and pathophysiological processes contributing to the increased severity and poorer clinical outcomes in late-onset asthma remain largely unclear. This uncertainty often leads to underdiagnosis and inadequate management, further complicating patient care. Phenotypic analysis is recommended to improve treatment outcomes. This includes assessing clinical features and utilizing biomarkers, such as inflammatory markers and immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels, to guide targeted therapy when conventional steroid treatments are insufficient. However, there is a significant need for further research to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of late-onset asthma. This literature review is essential to develop more effective, personalized treatment strategies that can address the unique challenges posed by this asthma phenotype, ultimately leading to better management and improved patient outcomes.

A NOVEL FRAMEWORK FOR THE APPLICATION OF TOPOLOGY OPTIMIZATION IN LIGHTWEIGHT STRUCTURES

Introduction: Topology optimization has been widely used in the fields of mechanical and structural engineering. In the field of architecture, especially in the context of lightweight structures, a strong understanding of programming is essential for meaningful involvement. The purpose of the study was to establish a fundamental framework that facilitates the seamless implementation of topology optimization in the design of lightweight structures by architects. Methods: This work employed a deductive approach to analyze six case studies that involve the application of topology optimization in various lightweight constructions. The analysis was conducted based on a predefined set of criteria. Additionally, the deductive technique was used to establish a framework for implementing topology optimization in the design of lightweight structures. Finally, the framework was used to create an optimized lightweight structure (a pentagonal Roman vault). Findings: An analysis of all case studies was conducted using two distinct processes: the form-finding process and the fabrication process. This inquiry aimed to determine the procedural framework involved in the design and fabrication process of each case study. The underlying framework was derived through an analytical comparison of these six case studies. This framework enables the production of an optimized lightweight structure. Novelty: This study presents significant findings on topology optimization and its use in lightweight structures, offering essential insights for architects seeking to create aesthetically pleasing and distinctive architectural forms that prioritize high stiffness and low mass.

Hermeneutical Injustice, Nonbinary Gender Identities and Category Invalidation

ABSTRACT This paper argues for category invalidation as a novel and distinct form of epistemic injustice that people who belong to a non-established social category face. This paper explores category invalidation in the context of nonbinary genders or people whose gender identity lies outside of the established gender binary, and who are placed in a marginalized position by virtue of their gender identity. Category invalidation is a form of hermeneutical injustice that consists of having one’s social experience obscured from collective understanding. Nonbinary people face category invalidation when their claims for their gender identity are met with a denial of the existence of the social category of nonbinary. While category invalidation stems from inaccurate and misinformed hermeneutical resources, it is also actively maintained by dominant knowers who refuse to adopt new and more accurate epistemic resources that marginalized knowers could provide. Category invalidation presents three harms to individuals, which are harms to self-conception, interpersonal harms and structural harms. This can result in diminished resources of self-understanding, not being treated as credible sources of information concerning their own gender and not being recognized as nonbinary on a legal or communal level.

A Rose by Any Other Name: The Long Intricate History of Localized Aggressive Periodontitis.

This review addresses the recent World Workshop Consensus Conference (WWCC) decision to eliminate Localized Aggressive Periodontitis (LAgP) in young adults as a distinct form of periodontitis. A "Consensus" implies widespread, if not unanimous, agreement among participants. However, a significant number of attendees were opposed to the elimination of the LAgP classification. The substantial evidence supporting a unique diagnosis for LAgP includes the (1) incisor/molar pattern of disease, (2) young age of onset, (3) rapid progression of attachment and bone loss, (4) familial aggregation across multiple generations, and (5) defined consortium of microbiological risk factors including Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. Distinctive clinical signs and symptoms of LAgP are presented, and the microbial subgingival consortia that precede the onset of signs and symptoms are described. Using Bradford-Hill guidelines to assess causation, well-defined longitudinal studies support the unique microbial consortia, including A. actinomycetemcomitans as causative for LAgP. To determine the effects of the WWCC elimination of LAgP on research, we searched three publication databases and discovered a clear decrease in the number of new publications addressing LAgP since the new WWCC classification. The negative effects of the WWCC guidelines on both diagnosis and treatment success are presented. For example, due to the localized nature of LAgP, the practice of averaging mean pocket depth reduction or attachment gain across all teeth masks major changes in disease recovery at high-risk tooth sites. Reinstating LAgP as a distinct disease entity is proposed, and an alternative or additional way of measuring treatment success is recommended based on an assessment of the extension of the time to relapse of subgingival re-infection. The consequences of the translocation of oral microbes to distant anatomical sites due to ignoring relapse frequency are also discussed. Additional questions and future directions are also presented.

Comparison of Brain Activity between Patients with Parkinson Disease Dementia and Patients Affected by Dementia with Lewy Body through EEG Analysis

Objective: Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD) and Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) are two syndromes categorized under synucleinopathy, sharing comparable symptoms. The identification of biomarkers would offer an accurate approach for improved diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of treatment efficacy for these distinct forms of dementia. Method: This study utilized spectral analysis and nonlinear dynamic analysis to compare electroencephalogram (EEG) characteristics between PDD and DLB patients. EEG data was collected from 30 PDD patients, 36 DLB patients, and 36 healthy subjects at rest. Following a conditioning phase to minimize noise and eliminate artifacts, we derived spectral and complexity features using Welch's method and sample entropy. Analysis of variance with repeated measures was performed to compare spectral features and nonlinear dynamics of brain activity between the groups. Results: Post hoc comparison showed that in the control group, the power of delta and theta bands was lower and the power of alpha and beta bands was higher than in patients with PDD and DLB. (P &lt; 0.05). In the theta and alpha bands, the PDD group showed greater power than the DLB group (P &lt; 0.05). Furthermore, there was a significant main effect of diagnosis (F = 4.67, P = 0.007), and also the diagnosis by region interaction for complexity values (F = 4.58, P = 0.009). Post hoc analysis showed that the EEG complexity of the control group was significantly higher than that of the PDD and DLB groups in the frontal, central, temporal and parietal regions (P &lt; 0.05). Moreover, the EEG complexity of the PDD group was significantly higher than that of the DLB group in the central, temporal and parietal regions (P &lt; 0.05). Conclusion: Although both PDD and DLB had almost similar patterns compared to the control group, they showed differences in the EEG power spectrum and its nonlinear dynamics. Our findings indicated marked diffuse slowing and lower cortical complexity or activity in DLB patients compared to PDD in all regions, especially in the central, temporal and parietal areas.

Epidemiological survey of two morphotypes of Demodex folliculorum (Prostigmata: Demodicidade) in young people from southern Spain

Different morphotypes of Demodex from humans have been described. Among them, molecular studies have made it possible to discern between the Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis. Further studies showed two morphotypes of D. folliculorum harboured two different habits (human skin and human eyelashes), both of them with finger-shaped terminal opisthosoma difficult to differentiate and that can be assigned to D. folliculorum,Thus, a complete morphometric study of the species, which in this study are referred to as Demodex folliculorum species complex, was carried out. From this morphometric and meristic study two distinct morphological forms (short and long) could be identified within the Demodex folliculorum species complex. These forms differ significantly in four out of the six biometric parameters we analysed: gnathosomal length and width, podosomal width, and opisthosomal length. Moreover, a comprehensive survey of the two morphotypes from different habitats (skin and eyelashes), was carried out in young people of Southern Spain. Therefore, an analysis of 104 asymptomatic students, which were contact lens wearers, and the presence of D. folliculorum was carried out. A statistical analysis based on Bayesian zero inflated Poisson GLM has been applied to our sample data. For the age group considered (18–24 years old), the overall D. folliculorum prevalence for skin face or eye infections (at least one of them) was 19.31 % (51 people), with a statistically significant higher prevalence in males men. Furthermore, there is a slight statistical correlation between the presence of Demodex in silicone hydrogel soft contact lens wearers. This study confirms: i) the existence of two morphotypes of D. folliculorum that appear segregated due to the parasitization microhabitats,ii) a higher prevalence of mites in men than in women, iii) the existence of a high number of statistically supported double infections (skin-eyelashes). It also provides epidemiological data on the prevalence of long and short forms of D. folliculorum in a healthy young population.

Novel soliton solutions and phase plane analysis in nonlinear Schrödinger equations with logarithmic nonlinearities

This paper investigates a generalized form of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation characterized by a logarithmic nonlinearity. The nonlinear Schrödinger equation, a fundamental equation in nonlinear wave theory, is applied across various physical systems including nonlinear optics, Bose–Einstein condensates, and fluid dynamics. We specifically explore a logarithmic variant of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation to model complex wave phenomena that conventional polynomial nonlinearities fail to capture. We derive four distinct forms of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation with logarithmic nonlinearity and provide exact solutions for each, encompassing bright, dark, and kink-type solitons, as well as a range of periodic solitary waves. Analytical techniques are employed to construct bounded and unbounded traveling wave solutions, and the dynamics of these solutions are analyzed through phase portraits of the associated dynamical systems. These findings extend the scope of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation to more accurately describe wave behaviors in complex media and open avenues for future research into non-standard nonlinear wave equations.

Development of a novel elastomer with unique properties as fire and radiation resistance

This study aims to create a novel, distinct form of elastomer with superior ability to resist fire, high resistance to radiation, and resistance to environmental conditions such as temperature and solvents. This type of natural-based elastomer was prepared using carboxymethyl cellulose CMC, polyacrylic acid PAA, crosslinked with tannic acid TA. Most techniques in elastomer manufacture technologies are unfriendly and participate in increasing carbon emissions. Gamma radiation was used as a clean tool for copolymerization and crosslinking the elastomer. The irradiation dose of 5 kGy with a rate of 3.32 kGy/h was enough to produce CMC/PAA/TA elastomer. The properties of the produced elastomer were investigated by Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and limiting oxygen index (LOI). CMC/PAA/TA has high resistance to solvents such as acetone, benzene, HCl, and HNO3. The tensile strength is 3.376 MPa, the elongation percent is 501.689%, and the LOI value is 30%. The produced elastomer possessed excellent gamma radiation resistance. The elastomer was exposed later to 1864 kGy of gamma radiation without showing degradation and retained its properties, as confirmed by FTIR, TGA, and mechanical properties. After investigation, it can be inferred that the produced CMC/PAA/TA elastomer exhibited outstanding properties.

Dual-color Correlative Light and Electron Microscopy for the Visualization of Interactions between Mitochondria and Lysosomes.

Cellular organelles, such as mitochondria and lysosomes, display dynamic structures. Despite the higher resolution of transmission electron microscopy for structural analysis, light microscopy is essential for the visualization of dynamic organelles by target-specific labeling. The following protocol describes a method that combines dual-color correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM) to observe the interactions between mitochondria and lysosomes. In this study, mitochondria were labeled with mEosEM (Mito-mEosEM) and lysosomes with TMEM192-V5-APEX2. The results obtained from CLEM images enable us to observe the changes in the interactions between mitochondria and lysosomes under external stress conditions. Treatment with bafilomycin (BFA), which inhibits lysosomal function, resulted in an increase in contact between mitochondria and lysosomes, leading to the formation of fragmented mitochondria trapped inside lysosomes. Conversely, treatment with U18666A, which inhibits cholesterol export from lysosomes, caused lysosomes to be surrounded by mitochondria, indicating a distinct form of interaction. This study presents an effective method for observing the interactions between mitochondria and lysosomes in fixed cells. Furthermore, CLEM imaging with dual-color probes offers a powerful tool for future investigations of organelle dynamics and their implications for cell function and pathology.

Photo-thermal effects initiate multi-level energy conversion in “solid-solid” phase-changing fibers

The current textiles primarily employ passive heat barriers to minimize heat loss and achieve effective thermal insulation for human beings. Accordingly, intelligent fibers with energy storage and temperature control capabilities have garnered significant attention due to their potential to revolutionize textile technology. The study integrates the photo-thermal effect and phase change energy storage materials onto a fiber, thereby fabricating a fully intelligent energy storage fiber. This innovation enables the multi-level conversion of sunlight: “Optical energy - Thermal energy - Phase transition energy - Thermal energy”. The intelligent fiber efficiently converts solar energy into heat energy through the photo-thermal coupling of CuNPs, subsequently inducing a spatial conformational change in the solid-solid phase change material within the fiber for effective heat storage. The hybrid fiber possesses enhanced mechanical properties but also exhibits a significantly high phase transition enthalpy value of 49.75 J g−1 and a phase transition temperature suitable for human body temperature (20.19–30.21 °C), especially the fiber is more durable. The photo-thermal conversion test vividly demonstrates the systematic transformation of four distinct forms of energy within the composite fiber. This approach holds significant potential for advancing the field of smart fiber technology.

Patterns of Parental and Peer Assistance in the Formation of Anti Bullying Behavior in Students at SMPK Citra Bangsa Mandiri Kupang

The objective of this study is to identify and explain the patterns of parental and peer support in shaping anti-bullying behaviour among students at SMPK Citra Bangsa Mandiri Kupang. Bullying is a persistent and repetitive form of aggressive behaviour characterised by an unequal power dynamic between the offender and the victim, with the intention of causing harm and exerting pressure on the victims. This study employs descriptive methodologies with a qualitative approach, utilising interview techniques. This buy is mostly aimed for the eighth grade children. The study involved a total of four participants, comprising two parents and two students. Interviews are systematically done to examine the influence of school programmes on the development of anti-bullying behaviour through observation. The study findings indicate the existence of three distinct forms of parental support in shaping children' anti-bullying behaviour. The concept of Conscious Parenting is the deliberate and mindful approach of raising children, with a strong emphasis on attentive care and effective communication. Authoritative Parenting, the second style, is distinguished by parents who make fair requests and have high levels of responsiveness towards their children. Parents who have been given official permission not only have elevated standards for their children, but also provide them with the necessary resources and assistance to achieve success.