National Question Research Articles

Schrödinger's Cat and Mouse: an adapted Thought Experiment for the context of Consciousness.

Consciousness, at its simplest, represents awareness of self in relation to the outside world. This can be divided further into the reasoning and rationality of Access consciousness (A-C) versus the experiential and 'what it's like' of Phenomenal consciousness (P-C). A-C is directly measurable, using standard tests of cognition and memory. However, owing to the subjective nature of P-C, its direct testability remains problematic. We have previously derived indirect measures of P-C that incorporates a combination of subjective questions that are informed by objective dimensions of A-C. This battery of questions have shown sound proof of principle but have not yet been fully tested in the clinical space. As a bridge to clinical validation and in the challenge of a quantification gap, a thought experiment (TE) provides supporting evidence from the philosophy of science. We propose testing the foundational principles upon which operationalization of P-C questions has been designed through the prism of such a TE. We identified that a late-stage theory confirmation type of TE was appropriate for context. In the absence of suitable candidate TEs from cognitive science, we explored adaptation of a classical thought experiment from quantum physics. The 'Schrödinger's cat' TE was refined for purpose into a novel 'Schrödinger's cat and mouse' TE. Using this novel TE, our stated theories on consciousness, specifically P-C, and means of testing resonate with disorders of consciousness, not least delirium.

Nationality Questions and War: How Ethnic Configurations Affect Conflict Within and Between States

It is generally accepted that violations of state-nation congruence can cause conflict, but it remains unclear which configurations cause civil and interstate conflict, and how these conflict types interact. Inspired by Myron Weiner’s classical model of the “Macedonian Syndrome,” we propose an integrated theoretical framework that links specific nationality questions to both conflict types. Using spatial data on state borders and ethnic settlements in Europe since 1816, we show that excluded and divided groups are more likely to rebel and, where they govern on only one side of the border, to initiate territorial claims and militarized disputes. To make things worse, rebellion and interstate conflict reinforce each other where ethnic division coincides with partial home rule. We obtain similar findings for civil wars and territorial claims in a global sample post-1945. Yet governments shy away from engaging in interstate disputes to address nationality questions and instead support ethnic rebels abroad.

Unending dialectical politics of identity in Ethiopia

Background Identity politics is one of political terminology which is subjected to continuous and increasingly contested conceptualization and use. Moreover, identity exists in all social level starting for individual to international level, which makes identity a multi-layer concept. There has been a great deal of identity-based terminological distortion and misconception in Ethiopian political discourses and practice since its formation in the modern form. One of the primary challenges in Ethiopian present political discourse is misconception, complexity, and contradiction between ethnic identity (የብሄር ማንነት) and civic identity or citizenship (የዜግነት ማንነት), which must be addressed in Ethiopian political discourse. Methods In this paper, critical post-modernism research philosophy and Dialectical Method is used to analyze the rotation of contradiction between Pan-Ethiopianism and Pan-ethnic nationalism. The narrative analysis is used to make a critical investigation of the vicious cycle unending dialectics of identity politics in Ethiopia. Discussion The current political situation is an indication of unending dialectics of Ethiopian politics. The existing politics of ethnic identity and citizenship indicate unending dialectic of political friction with the rotation of thesis and anti-thesis which left the state building projection of country incomplete and weak dialectical process. Wrong policy and political responses of successive regime to the nationality questions (quests for power sharing and autonomous self-government) resulted in the sustained and vicious circle of conflict. Conclusion Generally, it is argued that prescription of one side of nationalism at the expense of the other will never resolve the political crisis of the country. Therefore, it is recommended that both integrationist and accommodationist institutional design and multinational democratic federalism should be implemented effectively to cope with the salience of identity politics in the country.

Imperial uses of non‐territorial autonomy: The projects of André Mandelstam and Boris Nolde

AbstractThe article explores imperial uses of non‐territorial autonomy in the works of international lawyers André Mandelstam and Boris Nolde, which they wrote before the collapse of the Russian Empire. Although written in different contexts, their projects for non‐territorial autonomy departed from other similar plans proposed in the Russian Empire. Rather than an attempt to secure the status and the interests of ethno‐national groups within the framework of a multinational state, they pursued the goal of imperial domination and regarded the rights of minorities as a pretext for imposing limitations on other states (or states in the making). The project of André Mandelstam was a part of Russia's Plan of Reforms for the Ottoman Empire produced in 1913/1914, which aimed to protect its Armenian population, yet severely restricted the sovereignty of the Sultan. Written in July 1917, Boris Nolde's project developed the programme of the Constitutional Democratic Party on the national question. He was particularly concerned with the recognition of Ukrainian national‐territorial autonomy by the Provisional Government. For him, non‐territorial autonomy was an instrument of undermining the claims of the Ukrainian national movement and retaining control over Ukraine.

Exploring the performance of large language models on hepatitis B infection-related questions: A comparative study.

Patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection require chronic and personalized care to improve outcomes. Large language models (LLMs) can potentially provide medical information for patients. To examine the performance of three LLMs, ChatGPT-3.5, ChatGPT-4.0, and Google Gemini, in answering HBV-related questions. LLMs' responses to HBV-related questions were independently graded by two medical professionals using a four-point accuracy scale, and disagreements were resolved by a third reviewer. Each question was run three times using three LLMs. Readability was assessed via the Gunning Fog index and Flesch-Kincaid grade level. Overall, all three LLM chatbots achieved high average accuracy scores for subjective questions (ChatGPT-3.5: 3.50; ChatGPT-4.0: 3.69; Google Gemini: 3.53, out of a maximum score of 4). With respect to objective questions, ChatGPT-4.0 achieved an 80.8% accuracy rate, compared with 62.9% for ChatGPT-3.5 and 73.1% for Google Gemini. Across the six domains, ChatGPT-4.0 performed better in terms of diagnosis, whereas Google Gemini demonstrated excellent clinical manifestations. Notably, in the readability analysis, the mean Gunning Fog index and Flesch-Kincaid grade level scores of the three LLM chatbots were significantly higher than the standard level eight, far exceeding the reading level of the normal population. Our results highlight the potential of LLMs, especially ChatGPT-4.0, for delivering responses to HBV-related questions. LLMs may be an adjunctive informational tool for patients and physicians to improve outcomes. Nevertheless, current LLMs should not replace personalized treatment recommendations from physicians in the management of HBV infection.

Operational and Financial Efficiency in Private Basic Education in The North and Northeast Regions of Brazil

Objective: The objective of this study is to understand the strategic drivers and commercial methodologies that Private Basic Education institutions located in the North and Northeast Regions of Brazil adopt to attract, retain and retain students, as well as investigate the applied guidelines that generate added value, contributing to operational and financial growth in an efficient and sustainable way. Theoretical Framework: The theme is based on different literary approaches, from the contextualization of Basic Education in Brazil, Educational Management Models, Strategic Directions and Commercial Methodologies for attracting, building loyalty and retaining students. Method: Research of a descriptive nature, with a qualitative and quantitative approach with objective and subjective questions. Data collection took place through an online questionnaire generated on the Survio platform, to which institutions received a link via email and WhatsApp. Results and Discussion: The results obtained revealed the different forms of educational management and it is clear that the same structural size and with the same pedagogical modalities, have a discrepancy in the number of active students. In this context, there are opportunities for growth with technological investments. Implications of the Research: The research makes it possible to understand different models of educational management that can improve the operational and financial performance of private educational institutions, even considering the complexity of the North and Northeast regions, as they are different realities, both structural and pedagogical. Originality/Value: Research contributes to the sustainable growth of an educational institution through applications of structured operational processes, policies and guidelines, in addition to participatory strategic planning.

Project Management As A Sustainability Strategy For the Third Sector in The Northern Region of Brazil

Objective: The objective of this study is to understand the reasons why Third Sector organizations use or not projects as a tool for financial support; what are the sources of funding, as well as to present the importance and feasibility of using Project Management as a Sustainability Strategy to transform challenges or conflicting situations into solutions for organizations active in the North of Brazil. Theoretical Framework: The theme was subdivided into: Organizational Management, Projects, Sustainability through Projects, Third Sector Organizations and Third Sector in the North of Brazil. Method: Research of a descriptive nature, with a quantitative qualitative approach; methodological procedures and field research were the pillars that guided the analysis of the collected data. The data collection tool was an electronic questionnaire with objective and subjective questions. Results and Discussion: The information presents a discrepancy in the Third Sector scenario relevant to the realization or not of projects for sustainability, considering the possibilities of fundraising in the national and international spheres; public and private. Health and Social Assistance raise funds through projects, while Education uses its own resources. Research Implications: The research provides discussion about raising funds through projects, considering the availability of resources and the gap in acquisition by the Third Sector. In this sense, project management is understood as a strategy for sustainability and transformation. Originality/Value: Contributes to the motivation for raising resources for sustainability through projects.

Answering the “National Question”: Marxist Theories and the Intellectual Origins of Soviet Nationality Policies

Answering the “National Question”: Marxist Theories and the Intellectual Origins of Soviet Nationality Policies

Three-dimensional printed models improve orthopedic residents’ understanding of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

BackgroundAdolescent idiopathic scoliosis, a complex three-dimensional spine deformity, presents a formidable challenge for orthopedic residents in understanding its anatomy and surgical strategies. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of three-dimensional printing (3DP) models in enhancing the comprehension of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis among orthopedic residents.MethodsForty orthopedic residents were randomly divided into two groups, the first group received lectures that were augmented with 3DP models illustrating five cases of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, along with corresponding X-ray and CT images. The second group received lectures accompanied only by X-ray and CT images. Lenke classification system, surgical strategies and confidence in understanding adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, time for evaluation, and subjective questions were conducted to assess the learning outcomes.ResultsThe group with 3DP models exhibited a higher accurate classification rate, a more adequate surgical plan rate, and greater confidence in understanding compared to those without 3DP models. Moreover, participants in the 3DP group assessed the cases more quickly than residents in the control group. The vast majority of residents agreed that 3DP model not only increased their interest in learning but also enhanced their understanding of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. They further expressed their willingness to utilize 3DP models in managing other diseases.ConclusionsThe utilization of 3DP models led to enhancing comprehension and recognition of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis among residents. Additionally, feedback from subjective surveys suggested a keen interest among residents in integrating 3DP models into other aspects of surgical course instruction.

Re-examining Lenin’s Writings on the National Question: An Early Marxist Critique from the Imperial Periphery

Re-examining Lenin’s Writings on the National Question: An Early Marxist Critique from the Imperial Periphery

Federalism of modern Russia: problems and prospects

This article considers the processes of development of federative relations of Russia in the 21stcentury. These fundamental changes have touched many aspects of political life of the country: legislation, political institutions, relations between the subjects and the federal center. Undoubtedly, this complex step-by-step process was inseparably connected with socio-economic and spiritual spheres of public life. The article considers the topic of federalism development as a model of social progress and development of statehood from a problematic point of view. The authors emphasize that the uniqueness of each federal system created in the history of mankind allow us to consider modern Russian federalism as developing, including in connection with the emergence of new subjects, new configuration, new composition. In political science it is accepted that federalism is built in different degrees of decentralization of relations in favor of the subjects. However, at the present stage, Russian political practice demonstrates a new experience of building a simultaneously federal and centralized state, in which political elites maintain consensus on the distribution of powers, the solution of the national question, etc. This unique political experience has been attempted to present in a new way. The authors of this article tried to present this unique political experience.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of GASMAN anesthesia simulation software combined with case-based learning versus traditional lecture-based learning in inhalation anesthesia education.

To evaluate the effectiveness of integrating GASMAN anesthesia simulation software with case-based learning (IGC) compared to traditional lecture-based learning (LBL) in teaching inhalation anesthesia to undergraduate anesthesiology students. Fourth-year students from two academic years (2022, n = 110; 2023, n = 131) enrolled in a five-year anesthesiology program were assigned to either traditional lecture-based learning (LBL) or IGC groups. The LBL group received traditional lectures using PowerPoint slides, while the IGC group engaged with GASMAN anesthesia simulation software (a tool designed for anesthesia simulation and gas monitoring) combined with case-based learning. The cases used in the IGC group were structured around realistic clinical scenarios, simulating real-world challenges in inhalation anesthesia. These scenarios were integrated with the GASMAN software to provide interactive simulations, enhancing students' understanding of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Teaching effectiveness was evaluated through expert assessments and student feedback, with learning outcomes compared via post-course assessments. The IGC group scored significantly higher in student evaluations in areas such as comprehending and mastering theoretical knowledge, resolving clinical challenges, nurturing clinical reasoning, increasing learning interest, enhancing learning efficiency, consolidating memory, improving analytical skills, and refining application proficiency (adjusted P < 0.001), however, there were no significant differences between the two groups in the improvement of practical skills. Post-course test scores were also higher in the IGC group for both total post-course test and subjective questions scores (adjusted P < 0.001), though no difference was found for objective question scores. After applying false discovery rate (FDR) correction, expert evaluation scores showed no significant differences between the two groups. The integration of GASMAN software with case-based learning significantly enhances the quality of inhalation anesthesia education by improving student engagement, critical thinking, and conceptual understanding. This approach demonstrates promise for advancing clinical education, although further research is needed to evaluate its long-term impact.

Performance of flipped classroom teaching method during hemodialysis training of nurses.

To compare the effectiveness of flipped classroom (FC) model with traditional lecture-based learning (LBL) model in the education of hemodialysis nurses. Enrolled were 46 nurses who had received training from the hemodialysis center. These nurses were randomly assigned to FC or LBL groups, with 23 nurses in each group. FC group received the FC method, while LBL group was trained via the traditional LBL. After training, all nurses were examined for their theoretical knowledge, clinical practice skills and self-learning abilities. Furthermore, their satisfaction with the teaching mode was evaluated. FC group outperformed LBL group in the mastery of theoretical knowledge. In FC group, the scores in objective, subjective and overall questions were significantly higher than those in LBL group. FC group demonstrated a superior capability in clinical practices. FC group exhibited a superior performance over the LBL group in self-learning ability. Additionally, FC group showed a higher degree of satisfaction with the training method. FC method benefits nurses in mastering knowledge about hemodialysis. It enhances their clinical practice skills and self-learning capabilities, and brings them with a higher degree of satisfaction.

Nomogram for predicting nutritional risk of cognitive impairment

Background Cognitive impairment patients are prone to malnutrition, which further promotes cognitive decline. Cognitive impairment patients are unable to accurately answer subjective questions in the nutrition screening scale. Therefore, it is crucial to establish a nutritional risk prediction model using objective evaluation indicators to evaluate the nutritional status of cognitive impairment patients during hospitalization. Objective To develop a nomogram for prediction of the nutritional risk in cognitive impairment patients. Methods The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) was used for regression analysis, and predictive factors were selected based on 10-fold cross validation. Then, using the selected predictive factors, multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to obtain the final clinical prediction model. Moreover, the performance of the model was evaluated from receiver operating characteristic curve, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis. Further assessment was conducted through internal validation. Results Six predictive factors were selected from 20 variables through LASSO, including body mass index, age, triglyceride, taking cognitive-improving drugs, controlling nutritional status, and geriatric nutritional risk index. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the training cohort was 0.91, while the validation cohort was 0.88, indicating that the model constructed with 6 predictors had moderate predictive ability. The decision curve analysis showed that the threshold range for both groups was 0.00–0.80, with the highest net benefit 0.76 for training cohort, while 0.77 for validation cohort. Conclusions Introducing six predictive factors, the risk nomogram is useful for predicting nutritional risk of cognitive impairment.

Who misses the bare necessities? Material deprivation as an indicator for egotropic economic voting

There is strong empirical support for the theory of sociotropic economic voting, stating that voters decide which party to vote for based on their perception of the country’s economic situation. There is less evidence, however, for the occurrence of egotropic economic voting, where electoral preferences are determined by individual economic circumstances. We argue that this lack of support is partly caused by the way in which personal economic evaluations have been measured thus far. A subjective question on financial satisfaction is not necessarily related to real life circumstances, and therefore we rely on less biased indicators of material deprivation (MD). Using the 7th wave of the World Values Survey, we find that subjective perceptions of one’s financial situation are only weakly related to incumbent voting. Our new measure of MD, on the contrary, is significantly related to electoral support for the incumbent and therefore offers a better operationalization of egotropic economic voting.

The Story of “Ararat-73”: Football and National Identity in Late Soviet Armenia

Abstract The paper deals with “national revival” in late Soviet Armenia, seen through the lens of football, focusing on the success story of fc Yerevan Ararat in the Soviet football league. This research is based on two academic currents, one dealing with “the nationalities question” in the ussr, and, the other focusing on the relationship between nationalism and sport, particularly football. Supporting Ararat in the late Soviet decades became an experience that provided an expression for Armenian national identity that was going through a revival in the 1960–1970s. Ararat became the centre of consolidation of Armenian national sentiment in late Soviet years. The promotion of the club was part of a larger policy of the Republic’s government, which sought to strengthen the football club as a locus of loyalty and consolidation of the Armenian public. It was both a safety valve for channelling nationalist sentiment, and an instrument for strengthening Armenia’s distinct national identity. Thus, the story of Ararat-73 offers insight into the peculiar relationship between local nationalism and Soviet government policies. On the one hand, the Soviet government allowed and even in certain ways encouraged the national “revivals”. At same time, the government policies sought to contain and manage rising nationalisms.

Встановлення та юридичне оформлення кордонів Української РСР з сусідами – входження Криму до Української РСР

Abstract. This article is part of a series of 5 articles dedicated to the establishment of the borders of the Ukrainian SSR (and its legal continuation under the Union Constitution of 5 December 1936 of the Ukrainian SSR) with the neighbouring Soviet republics – the RSFSR, the Belorussian SSR (BSSR) and the Moldavian ASSR (Moldavian Autonomous Socialist Soviet Republic; since 1936 – the Moldavian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic) and the latter's legal successor – the Moldavian SSR. The author points out that the issue of transferring Crimea to the Ukrainian SSR was primarily driven by economic considerations – the war-torn and ruined by the deportation of the indigenous population, waterless Crimea was "hung around the neck" (budget) of the Ukrainian SSR. The event was tacitly timed to coincide with the celebration of the 300th anniversary of Ukraine's "reunification" with Russia. The transfer of the territory was not subject to any expression of popular will (referendum), and the decision was made behind the scenes by the Presidiums of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and the two "fraternal republics". The thesis of contemporary Russian propaganda that Crimea was "given to Ukraine by a drunken Khrushchev", who at the time was not yet a top figure in the Soviet leadership, is also questionable. In any case, the transfer of Crimea to the Ukrainian SSR had full legal force, which is being actively disputed by Russian politicians and scholars of the post-Soviet period. It was within the framework of Ukrainian statehood that the multinational peninsula received autonomous status (within the Russian Federation it is now part of the Southern Federal District). The consideration of the issue is brought to the 2010s, without touching on the events of the so-called "Russian Spring" of 2014, which began with the occupation of Crimea by the regular Russian army and its proxies – "polite people". Attention is paid not only to the legal but also to the political and economic aspects of the peninsula's being part of the Ukrainian SSR and independent Ukraine. Keywords: borders of the Ukrainian SSR; modern borders of Ukraine; national question in the internal policy of the USSR.

Forms of Government in Program Documents and Legal Doctrine of Russia at the Beginning of the 20th Century

Introduction. This paper analyzes the views of prominent Cadet figures regarding various forms of state structure in relation to the imperial political reality of the early 20th century. The main focus of the article is on comparing their views regarding the principle of unity and indivisibility of the Russian Empire, the process of decentralization, the essence of autonomy and federation. Theoretical Basis. Methods. The theoretical basis of the article is the program documents of the constitutional democratic party and the works of domestic pre-revolutionary lawyers devoted to the study of the territorial structure of imperial Russia. In preparing the work, both general scientific research methods (analysis, synthesis, deduction) and specific scientific methods (comparative-historical, hermeneutic, historical-systemic) were used. Results. Despite the common ideological foundation and unity of opinion on the need to decentralize Russia by forming local self-government and autonomies, as well as the harmfulness of introducing a federal structure, nevertheless, a difference was revealed in the views of the Cadet ideologists regarding the concept and types of autonomy, its differences from a federal subject. Discussion and Conclusion. The Cadets believed that decentralization of the state, manifested in the formation of a system of local self-government based on national laws and under the supervision of the central government, does not violate its unity. In their understanding, autonomy is the highest form of self-government, which, due to legislative decentralization, is characterized by the presence of local laws. By self-government itself, most Cadet ideologists understood directly administrative decentralization. In addition, they recognized the need to resolve the national question that had become urgent at the beginning of the 20th century by granting a certain ethnic group cultural, but not national, autonomy.

Large Language Model for Assignment Feedback on Open-ended Subjective Questions

Feedback is a key factor in motivating and consolidating learning, but in classroom teaching, a teacher needs to provide timely and effective feedback on the homework of dozens of students, which puts much pressure on the teacher. Meanwhile, existing automatic feedback systems are not suitable for open writing tasks. The emergence of ChatGPT has attracted the attention of researchers. We selected 28 open-ended subjective question assignments to input into ChatGPT, and compared and analyzed the scores and comments generated by ChatGPT with those of teachers, to explore the feasibility of using a Large Language Model to provide timely feedback for open-ended subjective questions. Our research indicates that ChatGPT can score and evaluate learners' open-ended subjective homework, and the rating of ChatGPT can be similar to that of teachers. Moreover, ChatGPT's comments can be similar in terms of focus and emotional bias to those of teachers, indicating that ChatGPT's ratings and comments have high credibility.

Religion, Language, Nation: William Barnes's Christianity

Abstract: This article argues that William Barnes looked back to the fourth-century Christianity of his local Dorset to explore questions of faith, language, and nation. In his poetry and still unpublished sermons, Barnes spoke directly to his community in an Old West Saxon Dorset dialect about the early Christianity of their ancient ancestors. I argue that this early Dorset Christianity offered Barnes a way out of nineteenth-century Christian schisms and was also congruous with his interests in the linguistic and religious practices, myths, folklore, and archaeology of Dorset. I also propose that in embracing this early Christianity, Barnes denounced a modern Protestant imperialism whose colonizing mission functioned to eliminate local as well as global linguistic and religious specificities.