Diverse Contexts Research Articles

Cell scientist to watch – Dan Dickinson

ABSTRACT Dan Dickinson is an Assistant Professor in Molecular Biosciences at the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin), USA. He completed his doctoral studies at Stanford University in California, co-mentored by Prof. Bill Weis and Prof. James Nelson, where he became fascinated with cell polarity in the amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum. He next moved to Prof. Bob Goldstein's lab at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for his postdoctoral research, where he developed a single-cell method to probe protein interactions in Caenorhabditis elegans zygotes. In 2017, he started his own lab at UT Austin. Intrigued by capacity of proteins to generate complex patterns across scales, his group aims to close the gap between biochemistry and cell biology using single-cell methods to investigate cell polarity in diverse contexts. For our Special Issue on Cell and Tissue Polarity, we spoke with Dan over Zoom about his goals as a researcher and educator and his dedication to teaching students the joy of scientific inquiry.

Trust, institutional quality, and the protection of property rights: A cross‐regional study of East Asia and Western countries

AbstractObjectiveThis article explores the conditions under which social trust enhances institutional performance, specifically the protection of property rights in Western versus East Asian countries over time.MethodsWe estimate fixed‐effects panel regression models to test how the relationship between trust and property rights protection is moderated by the quality of political institutions, including state capacity, the legal system, and democracy.ResultsWe find that the relationship between social trust and property rights protection is contingent on the quality of political institutions across regions. The quality of the legal system exerts the most pronounced and contrasting effect on the link between social trust and property rights protection in Western and East Asian countries, while the conditional effects of state capacity and democracy are comparatively less pronounced in both regions.ConclusionThis study contributes valuable insights into the complex interplay between social trust and institutional outcomes in diverse societal contexts.

Harmonising traditions and modernity: Exploring the characteristics of healthy working environments in Mekong delta higher education institutions in Vietnam

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the characteristics defining a healthy working environment within higher education institutions in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam, emphasizing the interplay of regional cultural, historical, and natural elements. The study employed a Social Constructivist Framework, Symbolic Interactionism, and the Phenomenological Approach to interpret findings from semi-structured interviews with five leaders from two institutions. These methodologies facilitated a comprehensive understanding of the institutional leaders’ perspectives on the elements integral to a thriving academic setting. The findings revealed several key themes: the significance of interpersonal relationships and mutual respect; the importance of continuous professional development; the role of institutional transparency and open communication; an emphasis on cultural and historical reverence; and a unique relationship between the institution and the natural environment of the Mekong Delta. These insights contribute to the global discourse on academic environments, highlighting the universality of certain educational values while underscoring the importance of context-specific factors. The study’s practical implications suggest the need for future research to further investigate these themes, aiming to enhance our understanding of healthy academic settings in diverse cultural and geographical contexts.

Psychometric evaluation of the Persian version of Emergency Medical Services- Safety Attitudes Questionnaire (EMS-SAQ)

AimThis study aimed to conduct a psychometric evaluation of the Persian adaptation of the Emergency Medical Services Safety Attitudes Questionnaire (EMS-SAQ).MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, the validity and reliability of the EMS-SAQ were assessed among 484 Iranian pre-hospital emergency department employees between February and June 2023.ResultsFive factors were extracted namely safety climate, teamwork, job satisfaction, stress management, and working conditions with explained 38.75% of the total variance. The goodness of fit indexes confirmed the model (χ2 = 409.031, DF = 196, χ2 /df = 2.087, CFI = 0.900, IFI = 0.901, PCFI = 0.763 and PNFI = 0.701, and RMSEA = 0.069 [CI90% 0.059–0.078]).ConclusionThe Persian version of the SAQ-EMS, comprising 22 items across five factors, demonstrated good validity and reliability. It is recommended to undertake qualitative studies focusing on the concept of patient safety in pre-hospital settings, considering diverse contexts and cultural nuances to develop more robust assessment tools.

A SCALABLE APPROACH FOR AUTOMATING SCAN-TO-BIM PROCESSES IN THE HERITAGE FIELD

Abstract. In recent years, the demand for flexible and sustainable strategies in digitization processes has represented a significant challenge for the heritage documentation research community. In particular, the tasks of parametric modelling and AI-based semantic enrichment operations, necessary but traditionally time-consuming, is extremely onerous from a user-oriented perspective. Many efforts of the research community have been dedicated to enhancing efficiency through automation, and one of the possible solutions is represented by the employment of machine learning strategies. This study introduces an innovative methodology that integrates Visual Programming Language platforms and 3D Python libraries, thereby implementing the Scan-to-BIM approach. Two case studies - characterized by varying scales, resolutions, and accuracies - have been analysed to validate the proposed pipeline, demonstrating its flexibility and scalability across architectural objects and archaeological assets belonging to museum collections. The workflow involves several steps, starting from classified 3D and 2D data segmented using machine learning techniques with the aim of managing semantically enriched reality-based data in BIM/HBIM environment without scarifying accuracy criteria. Results highlight the methodology's efficiency and adaptability in diverse contexts, offering a compelling alternative to labour-intensive Scan-to-BIM processes. Ultimately, this methodology contributes to the automation in cultural heritage digitisation, underlining the need for comprehensive standards and protocols in this dynamic domain.

A qualitative study of social accountability translation: from mission to living it

BackgroundMedical schools are increasingly adopting socially accountable mission and curricula, the realisation of which are dependent on engaging individuals to embody the mission’s principles in their everyday activities as doctors. However, little is known about how graduates perceive the efforts taken by their medical school to sensitise them to social accountability values, and how they translate this into their working lives. Our aim was to explore and understand graduate perceptions of how their medical school influenced them to embody a social accountability mission in their working lives.MethodsThis was a qualitative interview study carried out with graduates/alumni [n = 51] of Christian Medical College, Vellore [CMCV], India, a school with a long-established and explicit social-accountability mission. Data coding and analysis were initially inductive and thematic using Braun and Clarke’s six step framework. MacIntyre’s virtue ethics theory framed secondary analysis, allowing us to consider the relationships between individual and contextual factors.ResultsOur participants perceived that CMCV invested heavily in selecting personal qualities aligned with the CMCV mission. They saw that these qualities were reinforced through various practices: [e.g., placements in resource limited and/or remote and rural settings]; community engagement and expectations [e.g., student self-governance]; role modelling [staff and more senior students]. Much emphasis was placed on sustaining these traditions and practices over time, creating a strong sense of identity and belonging among participants, traditions which were fostered further by the alumni network and continued engagement with CMCV post-graduation.ConclusionsEnsuring social accountable medical education depends on alignment and interactions over time between context and structures, systems and human agents. Further studies are needed to extend understanding of how students from diverse contexts experience socially accountable medical education and translate their educational experience into their thinking and practice after graduation.

Just before pre-primary education: interplay between age and resources in the transition processes of diverse pre-primary education contexts

ABSTRACT This article describes the interplay between age and children’s resources during the transition from Finnish early childhood education and care (ECEC) to pre-primary education. We describe how age operates in the structures of ECEC during the time before the actual transition. We approach the transition to pre-primary education and the relation between age and resources with the concepts of capital and informal and formal practices. The data are drawn from ethnographic fieldwork and video records at two types of ECEC centres: one that provides pre-primary education and one that does not. The findings underscore transition practices and age as the main aspects providing diverse resources for the transferring children during the transition from ECEC to pre-primary education. Investigating the interplay between resources and age helps to understand how ECEC centres with different age-related group structures and locations of pre-primary education produce resources and distinctions between the children during the transition.

From Hypertension to Beyond: Unraveling the Diverse Mechanisms of Olmesartan in Disease Modulation.

Olmesartan, originally known for its antihypertensive properties, exhibits promising potential in addressing inflammation-mediated diseases. As an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), Olmesartan influences pivotal pathways, including reactive oxygen species, cytokines, NF-κB, TNF-α, and MAPK. This suggests a viable opportunity for repurposing the drug in conditions such as ulcerative colitis, neuropathy, nephropathy, and cancer, as supported by multiple preclinical studies. Ongoing clinical trials, particularly in cardiomyopathy and nephropathy, suggest a broader therapeutic scope for Olmesartan. Repurposing efforts would entail comprehensive investigations using disease-specific preclinical models and dedicated clinical studies. The drug's established safety profile, wide availability, and well-understood ARB mechanism of action offer distinct advantages that could facilitate a streamlined repurposing process. In summary, Olmesartan's versatile impact on inflammation-related pathways positions it as a promising candidate for repurposing across various diseases. Ongoing clinical trials and the drug's favorable attributes enhance its appeal for further exploration and potential application in diverse medical contexts.

INTEGRATION OF ENGINEERING AND POLITICS IN WATER MANAGEMENT: A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO ENHANCING PUBLIC

This article explores the evolving concept of water governance across various nations, serving as a reference for effective and sustainable water management. Aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 6, which focuses on Clean Water and Sanitation, Indonesia faces unique challenges due to its dual climate patterns of rainy and dry seasons. These climatic variations necessitate sound water resource management to address water shortages during droughts, prevent drought-related disasters and mitigate flood risks during the rainy season. Utilizing a literature review methodology, this research aims to comprehend the development of knowledge in the water governance concept, incorporating both technical and political dimensions in policy formulation. The findings underscore the significance of collaboration, cooperation, and participation among the government, community, and private sector in implementing effective water governance. Embracing the governance paradigm, the key takeaway is the need for collective efforts to establish robust water resource management, thereby ensuring the success of the clean water and sanitation program nationwide by 2030. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that not all variants of water governance models can be universally applied, considering the diverse institutional contexts and political cultures across different regions in Indonesia. Despite these challenges, this research underscores the importance of a holistic approach that integrates both technical and political aspects in water management policies, providing a foundation for achieving sustainable water access and sanitation goals.

Ukraine, language policies and liberalism: a mixed second act

AbstractThis article analyses Ukraine’s language policies from 2002 to 2022 within a framework of liberalism, while avoiding making normative judgements or recommendations, updating the discussion raised in Kymlicka and Opalski’s Can Liberal Pluralism be Exported? The analysis takes into consideration Ukraine’s present and historic position, including the challenge that postcolonial nation building can pose for achieving liberalism and linguistic justice. The paper focuses on three main areas of language policy: education, businesses and media, and assesses if they can be described as liberal orthodox, pluralist or illiberal. The article begins by defining liberalism and illiberalism, discussing the context of Ukraine’s linguistic diversity and postcolonial context, before outlining the language situation until EuroMaidan. Then, the main issue of language policy in the areas of education, business and media is analysed, before considering whether Ukrainian language laws might be considered liberal or illiberal. Finally, potential future trajectories are outlined.

A Conceptual Framework for Measuring Organizational Performance through Knowledge Management and Training

This paper proposes a comprehensive conceptual framework designed to evaluate organizational performance by integrating knowledge management (KM) strategies and training initiatives. In contemporary business environments, where knowledge serves as a primary asset, organizations increasingly recognize the critical role of effective knowledge management and training programs in enhancing performance. However, existing frameworks often lack holistic approaches that consider the interplay between these two vital components. Drawing upon theoretical insights from organizational theory, human resource management, and knowledge management literature, this framework synthesizes key dimensions and indicators essential for assessing organizational performance. The proposed framework incorporates elements such as knowledge creation, acquisition, dissemination, utilization, and retention, intertwined with tailored training interventions aimed at enhancing employee competencies and capabilities. By delineating these interconnected dimensions, the framework offers a systematic approach for organizations to evaluate the efficacy of their knowledge management and training initiatives in driving organizational performance. Furthermore, the framework provides a basis for future empirical research and practical applications in diverse organizational contexts, fostering a deeper understanding of the intricate dynamics between knowledge management, training, and organizational performance.

Impact of self-control and time perception on intertemporal choices in gain and loss situations.

Individuals frequently encounter dilemmas in which they must choose between smaller, immediate gains and larger, delayed rewards; this phenomenon is known as intertemporal choice. The present study analyzed the interplay of trait and state self-control and time perception tendencies (time overestimation vs. time underestimation) and how it influences the rates of selecting immediate options in both gain and loss situations by conducting an intertemporal choice task. Experiment 1 was used to explore the impact of trait self-control and time perception on intertemporal choices within gain and loss situations. In Experiment 2, the e-crossing task was used to induce self-control resource depletion in participants and to investigate the impact of self-control resources and time perception on intertemporal choices in gain and loss situations. The results indicate that (1) compared with the high-self-control group, the low-self-control group exhibited a greater tendency to choose immediate options. Additionally, the high time estimation group was more likely to opt for immediate choices than the low time estimation group was. Furthermore, participants were more likely to select immediate options in the loss situation than in the gain situation. (2) In the gain situation, the high time estimation group was more likely to choose immediate options than was the low time estimation group. However, in the loss situation, the difference between the two groups was nonsignificant. (3) Time perception and gain-loss situations exerted a moderating mediating effect on the impact of self-control resources on intertemporal choices. These findings shed light on the influence of both self-control abilities and self-control resources on intertemporal choices. They provide valuable insights into intertemporal decision behaviors across diverse contexts and indicate the need for rational analysis based on one's current state to mitigate cognitive biases to ensure individuals can maximize benefits in their daily lives.

ChatGPT as an educational support tool: an analysis of its potential in the teaching and learning process

The integration of new technologies in education has been strengthening in recent years, and Artificial Intelligence-based tools are becoming increasingly popular for enhancing the learning experience. This paper discusses the potential of ChatGPT, an Artificial Intelligence-based language model trained with millions of text examples from the internet, to improve learning and enhance teaching efficiency. This paper explores four main areas where we can use ChatGPT: computer-mediated teaching and content creation; online and distance learning environments; personalized feedback; and self-directed learning. The results suggest that ChatGPT has the potential to be a valuable tool for students and teachers, although further optimization and examination of its usage in diverse contexts is required.

MENTAL HEALTH POLICIES: A COMPARATIVE REVIEW BETWEEN THE USA AND AFRICAN NATIONS

This comparative review examines mental health policies in the United States and various African nations, shedding light on the divergent approaches taken to address the complex challenges posed by mental health disorders. The analysis underscores the contextual nuances that shape mental health policy formulation and implementation in these distinct regions. In the United States, a comprehensive mental health policy framework has evolved over the years, characterized by a combination of federal and state initiatives. The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, alongside the Affordable Care Act, has sought to integrate mental health services into mainstream healthcare, promoting accessibility and reducing stigma. Additionally, the National Institute of Mental Health plays a pivotal role in advancing research and evidence-based interventions. Contrastingly, African nations exhibit a wide spectrum of mental health policy landscapes, reflecting the diverse socioeconomic and cultural contexts across the continent. Some countries have made significant strides in policy development, emphasizing community-based approaches and integration with primary healthcare systems. However, challenges persist, including limited resources, mental health workforce shortages, and stigma associated with mental health conditions. The review explores the role of cultural factors in shaping mental health policies, emphasizing the need for culturally sensitive approaches in African nations. It also highlights the disparities in resource allocation and mental health infrastructure between the USA and African countries, contributing to variations in service accessibility and quality of care. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the importance of ongoing efforts to destigmatize mental health issues, improve public awareness, and strengthen community support systems. The review concludes by calling for increased international collaboration, knowledge exchange, and resource mobilization to address the mental health disparities between the USA and African nations, fostering a global commitment to holistic mental healthcare.
 Keywords: Health, Policies, Mental, Care, Stigmatize.

Deep Learning-based POS Tagger and Chunker for Odia Language Using Pre-trained Transformers

Developing effective natural language processing (NLP) tools for low-resourced languages poses significant challenges. This article centers its attention on the task of Part-of-speech (POS) tagging and chunking, which pertains to the identification and categorization of linguistic units within sentences. POS tagging and Chunking have already produced positive results in English and other European languages. However, in Indian languages, particularly in Odia language, it is not yet well explored because of the lack of supporting tools, resources, and its complex linguistic morphology. This study presents the building of a manually annotated dataset for Odia phrase chunking task and the development of a deep learning-based model specifically tailored to accommodate the distinctive properties of the language. The process of annotating the Odia chunking corpus involved the utilization of inside-outside-begin labels, which were tagged by using designed Odia chunking tagset. We utilize the constructed Odia chunking dataset to build Odia chunker based on deep learning techniques, employing state-of-the-art architectures. Various techniques, such as Recurrent Neural Networks, Convolutional Neural Networks, and transformer-based models, are investigated to determine the most effective approach for Odia POS tagging and chunking. In addition, we conduct experiments utilizing diverse input representations, including Odia word embeddings, character-level representations, and sub-word units, to effectively capture the complex linguistic characteristics of the Odia language. Numerous experiments are conducted that evaluate the performance of our Odia POS tagger and chunker, employing standard evaluation metrics and making comparisons with existing approaches. The results demonstrate that our transformer-based tagger and chunker achieves superior accuracy and robustness in identifying and categorizing linguistic POS tags and chunks within Odia sentences. It outperforms existing work and exhibits consistent performance across diverse linguistic contexts and sentence structures. The developed Odia POS tagger and chunker have enormous potential for a variety of NLP applications, including information extraction, syntactic parsing, and machine translation, all of which are tailored to the low-resource Odia language. This work contributes to developing NLP tools and technologies for low-resource languages, thereby facilitating enhanced language processing capabilities in various linguistic contexts.

From theory to practice: challenges and rewards of implementing ketogenic metabolic therapy in mental health.

This perspective article delves into the implementation of Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy (KMT) by a mental health counselor who attempts to bridge the gap between emerging research and real-world clinical application. Grounded in the author's clinical experiences, the article communicates the potential of KMT in mental health care, highlighting both its therapeutic promise and the insights gained from hands-on patient interactions. While the adoption of KMT necessitates adjustments in societal, emotional, and dietary domains, especially within diverse mental health contexts, these challenges are surmountable with appropriate guidance and support. The article encourages the capture of qualitative data alongside quantitative measures and advocates for an approach that considers the broader implications of improved mental well-being on families and communities. As the field advances, interdisciplinary collaborations between researchers and clinicians will be pivotal in refining and expanding the application of KMT, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes and elevating the standard of mental health care.

The role of artificial intelligence in corporate digital strategies: evidence from China

PurposeIn the rapidly evolving digital economy, businesses face formidable pressures to maintain their competitive standing, prompting a surge of interest in the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation (DT). This study aims to assess the impact of AI technologies on corporate DT by scrutinizing 3,602 firm-year observations listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges. The research delves into the extent to which investments in AI drive DT, while also investigating how this relationship varies based on firms' ownership structure.Design/methodology/approachTo explore the influence of AI technologies on corporate DT, the research employs robust quantitative methodologies. Notably, the study employs multiple validation techniques, including two-stage least squares (2SLS), propensity score matching and an instrumental variable approach, to ensure the credibility of its primary findings.FindingsThe investigation provides clear evidence that AI technologies can accelerate the pace of corporate DT. Firms strategically investing in AI technologies experience faster DT enabled by the automation of operational processes and enhanced data-driven decision-making abilities conferred by AI. Our findings confirm that AI integration has a significant positive impact in propelling DT across the firms studied. Interestingly, the study uncovers a significant divergence in the impact of AI on DT, contingent upon firms' ownership structure. State-owned enterprises (SOEs) exhibit a lesser degree of DT following AI integration compared to privately owned non-SOEs.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the burgeoning literature at the nexus of AI and DT by offering empirical evidence of the nexus between AI technologies and corporate DT. The investigation’s examination of the nuanced relationship between AI implementation, ownership structure and DT outcomes provides novel insights into the implications of AI in the diverse business contexts. Moreover, the research underscores the policy significance of supporting SOEs in their DT endeavors to prevent their potential lag in the digital economy. Overall, this study accentuates the imperative for businesses to strategically embrace AI technologies as a means to bolster their competitive edge in the contemporary digital landscape.

Formations of Feminist Strike: Connecting Diverse Practices, Contexts, and Geographies

This introduction to the special issue on Feminist Strike takes up the question of what remains marginalized and overlooked within dominant discourses on contemporary feminist protests. Drawing on experiences of and approaches to feminist refusal that involve questions of labour, we propose the ways in which conceptualizations of feminist strike can be employed as a lens to build a conversation between different practices, scales, and geographies, particularly across postcolonial and postsocialist contexts. Through a reading of Aliki Saragas’s film Strike a Rock (2017) about the women living around the Marikana miners’ settlement in the aftermath of a major strike, we explore how notions of feminist strike can be expanded by situating Black women’s struggles in South Africa within a long tradition of women’s resistance and showing how political resistance is bound to questions of reproductive work. To understand the intersection of postsocialist, post-conflict, and (pre-)Europeanization transformations, we consider the case of a large-scale strike and public demonstrations against the bankruptcy of the Croatian shipyard Uljanik that took place in 2018 and 2019. Our perspectives on the Marikana and the Uljanik strikes show how women in both places practise a politics of refusal and resistance against ruination, violence, and defeat. In the last section, we summarize the contents of the articles that comprise the special issue.

Cytonuclear interplay in auto- and allopolyploids: amultifaceted perspective from the Festuca-Lolium complex.

Restoring cytonuclear stoichiometry is necessary after whole-genome duplication (WGD) and interspecific/intergeneric hybridization in plants. We investigated this phenomenon in auto- and allopolyploids of the Festuca-Lolium complex providing insights into the mechanisms governing cytonuclear interactions in early polyploid and hybrid generations. Our study examined the main processes potentially involved in restoring the cytonuclear balance after WGD comparing diploids and new and well-established autopolyploids. We uncovered that both the number of chloroplasts and the number of chloroplast genome copies were significantly higher in the newly established autopolyploids and grew further in more established autopolyploids. The increase in the copy number of the chloroplast genome exceeded the rise in the number of chloroplasts and fully compensated for the doubling of the nuclear genome. In addition, changes in nuclear and organelle gene expression were insignificant. Allopolyploid Festuca × Lolium hybrids displayed potential structural conflicts in parental protein variants within the cytonuclear complexes. While biased maternal allele expression has been observed in numerous hybrids, our results suggest that its role in cytonuclear stabilization in the Festuca × Lolium hybrids is limited. This study provides insights into the restoration of the cytonuclear stoichiometry, yet it emphasizes the need for future research to explore post-transcriptional regulation and its impact on cytonuclear gene expression stoichiometry. Our findings may enhance the understanding of polyploid plant evolution, with broader implications for the study of cytonuclear interactions in diverse biological contexts.

Navigating tensions when life-sustaining treatment is withdrawn: A thematic synthesis of nurses' and physicians' experiences.

To synthesise nurses' and physicians' experiences with withdrawing life-sustaining treatment in an intensive care unit. The chosen methodology is thematic synthesis. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses and Enhancing Transparency are used in Reporting the Synthesis of Qualitative Research Statement. A systematic search is conducted in APA PsycINFO, CINAHL Plus, EMBASE, PubMed and Web of Science following the inclusion and exclusion criteria in April 2023. Two reviewers independently screened and extracted the qualitative data. Subsequently, data analysis was conducted using thematic analysis of qualitative research. This study was not registered with any review registry due to the irrelevance of the data to health-related outcomes. From the 16 articles, 267 quotes were extracted and analysed. The findings of the study revealed five analytical themes: (1) tensions between interdependent collaboration and hierarchical roles; (2) tensions between dignified dying or therapeutic perspectives; (3) family members' reflections of patient's wishes; (4) tensions in family members' positions; and (5) double-sidedness of distress. This study contributes to nursing knowledge by providing a more nuanced understanding of this complex phenomenon of withdrawing life-sustaining treatment. The findings of this study have revealed significant variations globally in the practices surrounding the withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment in intensive care units, emphasising the need for further research to inform clinical practices that cater to diverse contexts. Enhancing Transparency are used in Reporting the Synthesis of Qualitative Research Statement (ENTREQ statement). Since this study reported a potential collision between the patient's dignified dying and the family member's perceptions and interests, the family member's wishes should be carefully distinguished from the patient's quality of end of life in practice.