Key Concepts Research Articles

The Labor Process of Relational Labor: The Case of the K-Pop Fan Platform “Bubble”

ABSTRACT This study employs labor process theory to examine the influence of the fan platform Bubble on the commodification of music artists’ relational labor. We argue that the emergence of fan platforms has given rise to a novel form of commodified relational labor. Through an analysis of Bubble’s interface, artist contracts, and messaging system, we explore how the K-pop music industry capitalizes on idols’ relational labor. Our examination of Bubble focuses on key concepts from labor process theory such as (1) monopoly capital, (2) control, and (3) deskilling/reskilling to provide insight into the commodification of relational labor. While the impact of streaming and social media platforms on the Western music industry and musicians has been widely studied, there is still a notable lack of research on emerging fan platforms in Asia, which are positioned to exert an increasingly important—and global—influence.

Real-Life Experiences of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Genital Herpes in the United States: A Structured Literature Review and Qualitative Concept Elicitation Study.

Research on real-life experiences of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) genital herpes (GH) is scarce. This study primarily aimed to characterize the signs/symptoms and impacts of Ý (HRQoL) of people living with HSV-2 GH in the United States. The secondary aim was to map the identified signs/symptoms and impact concepts onto existing patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures to assess PRO coverage. A structured literature review and concept elicitation (CE) interviews were conducted based on predefined eligibility criteria. The literature search was conducted across three digital databases and publicly available online resources. The CE interviews were conducted among three participant groups with a confirmed HSV-2 GH diagnosis. A conceptual model was developed based on signs/symptoms and HRQoL impact concepts, identified from the literature review and CE interviews. Key concepts from the model were mapped onto three existing PRO instruments [Herpes Symptoms Checklist (HSC), Herpes Outbreak Impact Questionnaire (HOIQ), and Recurrent Genital Herpes Quality of Life questionnaire (RGHQoL)] to assess concept coverage. Overall, 26 records were included in the literature review and 30 participants were recruited for CE interviews. The final conceptual model included 35 signs/symptoms and 59 impact concepts categorized among 6 and 9 domains, respectively. Most frequently reported signs/symptoms were itching, sores/lesions/blisters, and body pain. Sores/lesions/blisters were reported as most bothersome. Most frequently reported impact concepts were anxiety and worry, concerns about disclosing diagnosis, and loss of self-esteem/confidence. Conceptual mapping revealed that, when used together, existing PRO instruments provided comprehensive coverage of most concepts (HSC 83%, HOIQ 56%, and RGHQoL 50% of domains covered, respectively). Participants experienced a range of signs/symptoms and HRQoL impacts. Existing PRO measures provided comprehensive coverage of recurrent HSV-2 GH specific concepts for the domains they measured.

Spirit Cave Resilience: How Do We Explain a 10,000-Year Continuity?

Abstract Paleoindians buried Spirit Cave Man in a Nevada cave, and archaeologists excavated these remains in 1940. Radiocarbon testing in 1996 dated the burial and associated grave goods as older than 10,700 years. Living just 10 miles from Spirit Cave, the Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe filed a NAGPRA claim in 1997 requesting the repatriation of the Spirit Cave ancestor they call “The Storyteller.” This claim ignited a 20-year legal dispute that led the Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe to make the gut-wrenching decision to permit DNA testing. This article documents a 10,000-year genetic continuity firmly linking Paleoindians at Spirit Cave to the Lovelock culture and that strongly suggests continuities to modern Paiutes living there today with no population replacement. We explore the associated radiocarbon record of these dynamics to understand the syncopated population movements that responded to shifting resource distributions. Resilience theory provides an operational way to understand this extraordinary continuity through key concepts, including tipping points, early warning signals, sunk-cost effects, and loss-of-resilience hypotheses. The Spirit Cave case also underscores the moribund concepts and assumptions underlying a century of Great Basin anthropological study that misread this long-term episode of Indigenous resilience and survivance.

Globalization as a factor of sovereignty transformation: opportunities, risks, and legal consequences

This article is dedicated to the study of the multifaceted process of globalization, analyzing key concepts that shape the understanding of this complex phenomenon. The relationship between globalization and sovereignty is a central issue. Various theoretical approaches are considered, ranging from liberal theories that emphasize economic integration and interdependence to critical perspectives that highlight increasing inequality and the erosion of national borders. The impact of globalization on political, economic, and cultural spheres is examined, along with its consequences for nation-states and their ability to control internal processes. The authors focus on how to balance engagement in global economic and political processes with the protection of national sovereignty. The interconnection between these two aspects is explored. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the main concepts of globalization and their impact on state sovereignty, identifying both opportunities and risks associated with this process and contributing to a deeper understanding of contemporary global politics.

ASSESSMENT OF LEARNING USING PROBLEM-SOLVING FOR BETTER HEALTH (PSBH) AS A TOOL TO TEACH RESEARCH METHODOLOGY TO UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL STUDENTS

Background: As research methodology is a theoretical subject and requires students less engagement, teaching it to undergraduate medical students is difficult. The Problem Solving for Better Health (PSBH) approach, that is the use of an interactive problem-based learning strategy, can help students to understand and apply research principles. Objective: A quantitative pre and post intervention design was conducted to ascertain if the PSBH model improved students’ understanding of research methodology. Methods: A total of 80 third-year undergraduate medical students of Rawalpindi Medical College (RMC) were selected for this study. The key research methodology concepts of problem identification, and hypothesis development in the context of study design were delivered through a consistently structured four-week PSBH module. A 25-item multiple-choice questionnaire based on a validated scale was applied before and after the intervention. Analysis of data was carried out using SPSS v25, and paired t-tests were used to assess differences in scores. Results: Mean pre-test and mean post-test scores were 52.6 ± 10.4 and 76.3 ± 8.9 respectively, p < 0.001. The results show an increase in knowledge and understanding of research methodology, when exposed to the PSBH model, is comparatively greater. Conclusion: As such, PSBH is an innovative and novel teaching approach to research methodology. It significantly improves learning outcomes through the stimulation of critical thinking, student engagement, and active learning. Given the importance of future healthcare professionals’ research competencies, it is ideal to integrate PSBH into the medical curriculum.

From worker investment to family investment: Shifting logics of child welfare in Denmark, 1920s–1970s

This article examines the historical evolution of social investment in Denmark, focusing on placed-out children from the 1920s to the 1970s. The study introduces two key concepts: Worker Investment and Family Investment . Worker Investment pertains to the period from the 1920s to the 1950s, where children were primarily valued for their future skills-based economic productivity. Family Investment characterizes the 1960s to the 1970s, marked by a new emphasis on parents and family intimacy, aimed at developing children's social skills to foster future democratic citizens. By tracing the evolution of these investment logics, the study uncovers the ideologies, motivations, and priorities shaping child welfare policies. This historical analysis highlights the welfare state's dual aim of safeguarding children in the present while preparing them for their future roles.

Are We All Post Traumatic Yet? A Critical Narrative Review of Trauma Among Arab Refugees.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the most studied, diagnosed, and treated mental health disorders in settings of war and displacement. A large body of literature has questioned the utility of the PTSD framework and its application to traumatic stress among populations experiencing wars, political violence, and displacement that is chronic and on a population level. No review has yet summarized the conceptual alternatives proposed by scholars for refugees in or from the Arab region. Our article reviews conceptual articles from the last three decades that propose alternative frameworks to understand trauma and traumatic stress among Arab refugees in the Arab region. We have identified nine articles that critiqued the applicability of PTSD framework for Arab refugees and/or provided alternative key concepts. Themes such as the individualistic nature of PTSD, the nature and longitude of traumatic stress, the "normalization of traumatic stress," and the medicalization of trauma have emerged. The articles also discuss social justice as recovery, diagnostic recommendations, and the flow of knowledge production from the Global North to the Global South. Our article expands a growing body of literature critiquing the applicability of Western psychiatric models in settings in the Global South, specifically the Arab region.

Spatial network analysis

The impact of current changes in technology, society, and the environment demand innovative research approaches that can accurately capture the increasing complexity of modern geographic data. To this end, this article provides an introduction to the use and implementation of spatial network analysis for the study of systems where geography matters. Presented as a computational notebook, the article offers practical, hands-on learning resources in R, assuming no prior knowledge from readers. Using a network of road links between African cities as case study, readers will be guided through key concepts and applications of spatial network analysis. The article highlights the relevance of network thinking in addressing contemporary geographic challenges.

Exploring early extraembryonic cells of epiblast origin: Questions on human amniotic ectoderm and extraembryonic mesoderm.

Exploring early extraembryonic cells of epiblast origin: Questions on human amniotic ectoderm and extraembryonic mesoderm.

Easy Audios: from Readability to Listenability

This article provides a foundational exploration of key concepts related to the development of “easy audios”, an emerging accessibility service based on Easy Language (EL). EL encompasses a set of guidelines for simplifying language to enhance accessibility for individuals with reading comprehension difficulties, applicable across various formats, including written, oral, and multimodal content. The article examines the transition from easy written texts to easy audios, focusing on readability and listenability, crucial concepts in both foreign language learning and audiovisual accessibility. The study highlights existing practices in easy subtitles and audio descriptions and discusses innovative hybrid services such as easy audios, which combine EL and audiovisual translation principles. Furthermore, the research explores how easy audios could be developed for improved comprehension, particularly for those who struggle with audiovisual content. Conclusions suggest that essential features for listenability in easy audios have been identified, highlighting the importance of clear linguistic structures, appropriate sound mixing, and careful prosody. However, the article emphasises the need for further research to fully understand and refine these features, particularly as they relate to the development of easy audio services in various contexts. Lay summary Easy Language aims to make texts easier to understand. There are recommendations and some research on written Easy Language, but not so much on spoken Easy Language. The WEL project aims to investigate spoken Easy Language, more specifically the so-called “easy audios”. At the beginning of the WEL project, we revised existing publications to better understand some key concepts. This is what we are presenting in this article.In this article, we define some key notions: when we refer to written texts, we talk about legibility and readability. When we refer to spoken words, we talk about intelligibility and listenability.In this article, we look at the concept of listenability in foreign language learning and audiovisual accessibility to see what other researchers have found. We also provide a summary of what current guidelines recommend.At the end of the article, we summarise some key features that improve listenability and focus on prosodic elements. These include: a) clear enunciation with a focus on pronunciation; b) appropriate prosody, in terms of: pitch, volume, voice quality, speech rate, and pauses.Conclusions indicate that important features for making audios easy to listen include clear language, proper sound mixing, and careful rhythm. However, the article stresses that more research is needed to better understand and improve these features, especially when creating easy audio services for different situations.

A Lightweight and Configurable Flash Filesystem for Low-Power Devices

Low-power embedded devices are widely used in sensor networks, monitoring systems, and industrial applications. These devices typically rely on internal flash memory, where storage is constrained by bootloaders, communication stacks, and other software. Adding external memory increases cost and energy consumption, making efficient memory utilization essential. This article presents key design concepts for developing an efficient, lightweight, and reliable embedded filesystem. It introduces an improved version of the configurable flash filesystem (CFFS), designed to maximize memory utilization, minimize flash wear, and support portability across hardware platforms and operating systems. Reliability mechanisms integrated into CFFS are also discussed. We compare CFFS with widely used low-power embedded filesystems—LittleFS, SPIFFS, and FDS—highlighting its advantages in memory efficiency and reduced flash memory wear. Experimental results demonstrate that CFFS achieves up to 99% memory utilization while significantly reducing erase operations.

AI-based single-cell analysis as a next-generation histological grading approach in colorectal cancer: prognostic role and tumor biology assessment.

AI-based single-cell analysis as a next-generation histological grading approach in colorectal cancer: prognostic role and tumor biology assessment.

CogSQL: A Cognitive Framework for Enhancing Large Language Models in Text-to-SQL Translation

Large language models (LLMs) have significantly advanced the performance of various natural language processing tasks, including text-to-SQL. Current LLM-based text-to-SQL schemes mainly focus on improving the understanding of natural language questions (NLQs) or refining the quality of generated SQLs. While these strategies are effective, they often address specific, nuanced aspects. In contrast, humans approach text-to-SQL with a holistic view, applying transitional logical reasoning across multiple steps to arrive at the final answer. We believe LLMs can leverage human cognitive processes to achieve greater accuracy in text-to-SQL. In this paper, we present COGSQL, a framework featuring a suite of tailored models and strategies aimed at replicating human cognitive processes for enhanced LLM-based text-to-SQL. COGSQL consists of three key modules: (1) SQL preparation: we employ a coarse-to-fine schema linking and syntax keyword prediction, akin to how human recall and align key concepts for better understanding. (2) SQL generation: we introduce a concept-enhanced chain-of-thought prompting, enhancing NLQ interpretation and SQL composition of LLMs, similar to humans drafting SQL query. (3) SQL correction: we develop NLQ consistency and result consistency techniques to correct various errors, mirroring how humans evaluate and refine reasoning. We conduct extensive experiments using diverse benchmarks and LLMs. The results and analysis verify the effectiveness and generalizability of COGSQL.

An Ontology-Aided Generative Computational Design Process for Ecological Building Envelopes: Development of a Conceptual Framework for the Early Design Stage

The context for this article is sustainable and ecological green city and building design; the intent is to advance architecture and ecology integration and multi-species design in architecture through the development of a conceptual framework for and computational approach to the early-stage design of ecological building envelopes, which are enclosures of buildings that make provisions for humans, plants, and animals. This entails two research questions: (1) how to integrate architectural and ecological domain knowledge into a conceptual and methodological framework and (2) how to develop a computational workflow and components for the early-stage design of ecological building envelopes. A mixed-method approach was used to develop an ontology-aided generative computational design process that combines computational ontologies, a voxel model, and rule-based processes that generate design variety. The process was developed to support two dominant design cases in architectural practice: masterplan design and building design. This article outlines the underlying key concepts, the computational workflow, and the developed key computational components and summarily indicates validation approaches during the development process. Finally, thoughts on the technical implementation of the computational workflow and components are indicated and further research questions are outlined.

Development and Validation of an Escape Game for Food Safety Education: Gamifying the Management of a Food-borne Health Alert.

Veterinary training programs in Europe must equip future professionals with essential knowledge and skills in food hygiene and technology to assess, promote, and monitor food safety, as outlined by the World Organization for Animal Health, Directive 2005/36/EC, and the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education standards. In France, veterinary education follows a competency-based framework that includes investigating food chain contamination and participating in multidisciplinary crisis management. To address the challenge of teaching practical public health skills, a food safety escape game was developed at the National Veterinary School of Toulouse. This teaching sequence simulates the management of a food-borne outbreak, using gamification to engage students in problem-solving through a realistic scenario. This study details the game's development, implementation, and efficacy evaluation. Student progress was assessed using a pretest and post-test survey, and perceptions were gathered through qualitative feedback. Results showed significant improvements in students' understanding of food-borne outbreak management and increased engagement with the subject. A debriefing session following the game further enhanced knowledge retention and reflection. The findings highlight the effectiveness of gamification and small-group problem-solving exercises, such as serious games, in veterinary public health education. In particular, the results of student questionnaires suggest that teaching health crisis management through an escape game linked to a real-life situation, along with the game's constraints (e.g., competition between groups, time limits), is highly valued and can improve the quality of teaching. This study provides valuable insights for educators aiming to enhance student satisfaction and learning outcomes. Furthermore, it demonstrates that escape games offer an innovative approach to teaching complex public health subjects, helping students grasp key concepts in an interactive way. Future efforts will focus on expanding the game's scope, adjusting difficulty levels, and refining mechanics to better meet the diverse needs of veterinary students and professionals.

Management of Postoperative Pain Following Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Level I Evidence-Based Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis

Background: Postoperative pain management after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is crucial for promoting early recovery. Advances in pain management techniques have significantly improved outcomes after TKA. Recently, multimodal analgesia has emerged as a key concept in pain management following TKA, using regional anaesthesia to reduce narcotic use and minimise narcotic-related side effects. This Bayesian network meta-analysis compared different treatment options for the management of postoperative pain following primary TKA. Methods: This study was conducted following the 2020 PRISMA statement. In January 2025, all randomised controlled trials (RCTs) related to postoperative pain management following TKA were accessed. Pain reported on postoperative days (PODs) 1–3 was evaluated. Results: Data from 7199 patients were retrieved. Of these, 63.2% (4232 of 6691) were women, and the mean age was 66.7 ± 3.1 years. The mean length of follow-up was 10.2 ± 18.3 weeks. At baseline, comparability was confirmed for age (p = 0.1), BMI (p = 0.8), and visual analogue scale (VAS, p = 0.1). On POD 1, single-shot SNB/three-in-one block was associated with a lower VAS, followed by continuous intra-articular analgesia/local infiltration analgesia (LIA)/posterior capsule infiltration (PCI) and continuous femoral nerve block (FNB)/intermittent SNB. On POD 2, continuous intra-articular analgesia/LIA/PCI was associated with a lower VAS, followed by continuous FNB/PCI and single-shot femoral triangle block (FTB)/single-shot infiltration between the popliteal artery and capsule of the knee (IPACK). On POD 3, continuous ACB was associated with a lower VAS, followed by continuous intra-articular analgesia/LIA/PCI and continuous FNB/PCI. Conclusions: Continuous intra-articular analgesia/LIA/PCI was associated with the best pain control following primary TKA. Multimodal analgesia, which incorporates peripheral nerve blockade and periarticular injections, has become a key concept in contemporary pain management following TKA.

Navigating Critical Moments: The Importance of Spiritual and Psychosocial Collaboration in Addressing Coping in the Pediatric ICU

Objective: To explore, by way of intentional, case-based reflection, the ways in which hospital-based chaplains and pediatric psychologists collaborate as key members of a patient/family’s interdisciplinary care team to provide synergistic spiritual and psychosocial care. Methods: Intentional reflection and dialogue amongst co-authors with backgrounds in chaplaincy/spiritual care, pediatric intensive care medicine, pediatric palliative care medicine, and pediatric psychology. Co-authors took notes on the content of conversations they observed at a midwestern hospital. They then reviewed the content of these conversations for themes which might be applicable to interdisciplinary psychosocial and spiritual care. Results: While each case represents one specific situation, key concepts were identified and explored. These include: differences in timing of care and expertise among psychosocial team members can be leveraged to enhance the collective ability to support a family; spiritual and psychological distress can mirror one another, and even co-occur; a family’s religious or cultural identity does not inherently predict the degree to which their distress has spiritual underpinnings; the collaborative nature of interdisciplinary team members can strengthen support to patients and families if they demonstrate partnership and consistent communication. Conclusions: Interdisciplinary teamwork involving collaboration between hospital chaplains and pediatric psychologists, both serving critical roles within the care team, can lead to unique and effective partnerships which enhance psychosocial and spiritual care for patients and families. While these reflections represent collaboration at a single hospital, further work should be done to better understand the current state of such teamwork more broadly, and to identify best practices to maximize the impact of these collaborations across institutions. Implications for Impact Statement: Through narrative case-based reflection, the present study attempts to identify ways in which chaplains and pediatric psychologists collaborate as members of the interdisciplinary care team to provide synergistic spiritual and psychosocial care. Further attention is devoted to outlining considerations for future research and practice that may guide the development of interdisciplinary models for collaboration across institutions.

Science communication in Indian languages: A case study of scientific reporting through translation

Science is an integral part of our society, and modern technology has made the discovery of scientific phenomena commonplace. In India, most people learn about these discoveries through media reporting and translation into various languages. This makes scientific reporting in newspapers a daunting task, as it requires both subject knowledge and linguistic creativity to ensure accuracy in language translation. Whether discussing the frightening pandemic or celebrating the launch of the Chandrayaan, effective scientific reporting is crucial. The genre of popular science is primarily disseminated through newspapers, which are often filled with debates and discussions about science and technology that require equivalence and accuracy to educate the Indian population about the latest scientific breakthroughs. Translation plays a pivotal role in scientific reporting, as translating scientific registers, jargon, and technical terminologies is essential due to the distinct nature of scientific writing compared to creative writing or general communication. Media reporters are crucial in disseminating scientific awareness, but the mistranslation of technical jargon and scientific concepts can distort the content, leading to misinformation and disrupting the knowledge dissemination process. With new scientific discoveries frequently emerging, especially from the West, reporters face the dual challenge of ensuring linguistic and conceptual accuracy while meeting the urgency of news reporting. Demonstrable gaps exist in scientific reporting in translation, particularly in reporting key concepts, theories, policies and practices. This paper explores the extant theories and examines the policies that influence the reporting and translation of scientific literature in Indian languages. It discusses the practical challenges faced by translators. By addressing these issues, the paper aims to propose language and translation strategies to enhance the quality of translation in scientific communication.

Irrationality-Aware Human Machine Collaboration: Mitigating Alterfactual Irrationality in Copy Trading

Artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms are trained on human-generated data, but what if that data reflects irrational human decision making? To tackle this challenge, Shen et al. developed a new irrationality-aware human-machine collaboration (IA-HMC) framework, designed to help AI recognize and adapt to human irrationality. A key concept introduced in this framework is “alterfactual irrationality”—a term used to describe human decisions influenced by irrelevant alternatives. The researchers applied this idea to copy trading, a popular investment strategy where everyday investors (followers) mimic the trades of expert traders. They identified two major irrational behaviors affecting followers: herding behavior—blindly following others without independent analysis; and identity bias—making investment choices based on who made the trade rather than its actual merit. By developing irrationality-aware machine learning methods, the study showed that AI can help followers make better trading decisions. Their approach led to a 49% improvement in success rates compared to human decisions alone and a 10.2% improvement over previous AI-driven methods. This research presents an innovative approach in human-AI collaboration, showing that for AI to truly align with human needs, it must first learn to account for and correct human irrationality.

Invariant-Based Inverse Engineering for Balanced Displacement of a Cartpole System

Adiabaticity is a key concept in physics, but its applications in mechanical and control engineering remain underexplored. Adiabatic invariants ensure robust dynamics under slow changes, but they impose impractical time limitations. Shortcuts to Adiabaticity (STA) overcome these limitations by enabling fast operations with minimal final excitations. In this work, we set a STA strategy based on dynamical invariants and inverse engineering to design the trajectory of a cartpole, a system characterized by its instability and repulsive potential. The trajectories found guarantee a balanced transport of the cartpole within the small oscillations regime. The results are compared to numerical simulations with the exact non-linear model to set the working domain of the designed protocol.