Personal Nature Research Articles

A systematic review and meta-ethnography exploring personal perspectives of recovery among those with lived experience of non-suicidal self-injury.

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a significant public health concern. Research and treatment interventions largely focus on stopping self-injury. People who self-injure do not necessarily equate recovery to cessation. Qualitative accounts allow greater understanding of personal recovery narratives. This study aimed to synthesise personal conceptualisations of NSSI recovery. Participants had lived experience of NSSI and discussed their recovery. Papers not written in English or had a quantitative design were excluded. Four databases (PsycInfo, CINAHL, Medline and Web of Science) were systematically searched. The quality of each paper was assessed using the CASP quality assessment tool. Data were synthesised using a meta-ethnographic approach. Thirteen studies comprising 159 participants were included. Three overarching themes were developed. While ceasing NSSI was an important aspect of recovery for some, recovery was typically viewed more holistically, encompassing developments within the self and relationships. Recovery was regarded an ongoing non-linear journey. The personal and multifaceted nature of the recovery process emerged through a line of argument synthesis. This was the first qualitative synthesis of personal conceptualisations of NSSI recovery. The findings highlighted the personal and multifaceted nature of NSSI recovery and supported person-centred models of self-injury recovery. Clinical implications include the importance of expanding self-injury recovery beyond cessation within research and clinical practice, and for collaborative and person-centred approaches to be embraced when supporting those who self-injure.

Проблема бессознательного в европейском теизме и спиритуализме XIX в. и русская религиозная философия

European theism and spiritualism of the XIX century and Russian religious philosophy are examples of a non-psychoanalytic tradition of studying the unconscious, the study of which is of scientific interest. The issue of the influence of European philosophy on Russian philosophy has been considered in many aspects, but the influence on the doctrine of the unconscious has not been studied. The aim of this article is to study the influence of the views of European theists and spiritualists of the XIX century on the problem of the unconscious on Russian religious philosophy. The novelty lies in the fact that, firstly, an assessment is given of the nature of the influence of European theism and spiritualism of the XIX century on Russian religious philosophy on the issue of the unconscious; secondly, the difference in the interpretation of the unconscious in religious philosophy of the XIX – first half of the XX century and psychoanalytic philosophy is shown. It is shown that European theism and spiritualism of the XIX century had a significant influence on the interpretation of the unconscious in Russian religious philosophy, however, domestic thinkers also, when studying the unconscious, focused their attention on the moral and ethical aspect of personal existence and considered the unconscious in a broad historical and philosophical context. In addition, the fundamental elements in the interpretation of the unconscious in Russian religious philosophy and European theism and spiritualism are the psychological understanding of the unconscious and the personal nature of the interaction between man and God (in accordance with the views of theistic philosophy).

A systematic review on artificial intelligence approaches for smart health devices

In the context of smart health, the use of wearable Internet of Things (IoT) devices is becoming increasingly popular to monitor and manage patients’ health conditions in a more efficient and personalized way. However, choosing the most suitable artificial intelligence (AI) methodology to analyze the data collected by these devices is crucial to ensure the reliability and effectiveness of smart healthcare applications. Additionally, protecting the privacy and security of health data is an area of growing concern, given the sensitivity and personal nature of such information. In this context, machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) are emerging as successful technologies because they are suitable for application to advanced analysis and prediction of healthcare scenarios. Therefore, the objective of this work is to contribute to the current state of the literature by identifying challenges, best practices, and future opportunities in the field of smart health. We aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the AI methodologies used, the neural network architectures adopted, and the algorithms employed, as well as examine the privacy and security issues related to the management of health data collected by wearable IoT devices. Through this systematic review, we aim to offer practical guidelines for the design, development, and implementation of AI solutions in smart health, to improve the quality of care provided and promote patient well-being. To pursue our goal, several articles focusing on ML or DL network architectures were selected and reviewed. The final discussion highlights research gaps yet to be investigated, as well as the drawbacks and vulnerabilities of existing IoT applications in smart healthcare.

Commercial and industrial centers of the Samara region in the second half of the XIX – early XX century

The article considers the formation process of the commercial and industrial centers of the Samara region in the post-reform era. Despite there are scientific works that cover the topic of the formation and development of commercial and industrial entrepreneurship in the Samara province, the issue presented in the article can be considered as one of the unstudied. The scientific literature is not yet clearly defined the main factors that influenced this process. These factors include natural and climatic conditions, pace of establishment and development of agricultural production and other branches of farming industry, modernization of transport and financial infrastructure. The source base of the article is presented by administrative documentation, guidance and statistical materials, sources of personal nature, and fiction. The most significant sources include the documentary publications that contain a large amount of historical information, for example, «Lists of populated areas» for 1859, 1889, 1900, 1910. They contain valuable information about the geographical location of trade and industry facilities. On the basis of these and other materials, comparative-historical, analytical, methods of periodization and systematization, conclusions were formulated about the stages of the formation and development of shopping and industrial centers, their geographical placement, as well as that the modernization of transport and financial infrastructure gave a powerful impetus to the development of trading -Industrial activities of both the provincial capital and county centers, as well as a number of settlements, which at the end of the XIX-early XX centuries were shopping and industrial centers.

The Anthropocene, Self-Cultivation, and Courage: The Jesuit François Noël as a Witness of Inter-Religious Dialogue between Aristotelian and Confucian Ethics

This article explores the specific role of courage in the context of the Anthropocene’s moment; it first examines Aristotle’s conception of virtues, focusing on courage, before comparing it to Confucian thought and analyzing the historical dialogue between Western and Chinese traditions on ethics through the works of François Noël (1651–1729). Aristotle views moral cultivation as a social process wherein habits shape inner dispositions; in his view, courage is linked to other virtues, such as temperance and justice. For Aristotle, courage implies the appropriate balance between extremes and must be directed toward a worthy end, such as promoting positive change within a community. This Aristotelian perspective was later incorporated into a biblical framework by Aquinas and Suarez, emphasizing dichotomies between body and soul, as well as between humans and other living beings. These dichotomies must be challenged in the face of the Anthropocene’s emergencies. The second part of this contribution proceeds to a detour examining Confucian ethics, which rests on a different anthropology, emphasizing continuities rather than discontinuities. Like Aristotelian thought, Confucian thought also underscores moral education within a community; it prioritizes humanity, embodied through empathy and loyalty. In the Analects, courage is balanced by a sense of rituals and righteousness. Mencius further distinguishes several types of courage, stressing self-cultivation and the ruler’s responsibility to make empathetic, appropriate decisions for the community’s sake. From this perspective, courage is understood as the continuous perseverance in self-cultivation, coupled with a firm intention oriented toward the good of the community. Zhu Xi’s comments on Zilu’s courage in the Analects extend this Confucian tradition. Finally, this article highlights how a dialogue between Aristotelian and Confucian ethics began four centuries ago, particularly through Noël’s Philosophia Sinica, which combined these traditions. This inter-religious approach to ethics, enriched by figures such as Aquinas, Suarez, Zhu Xi, and neo-Confucian thinkers, requires re-evaluation because the understanding of personal ethics and nature has evolved. The modern naturalistic approach, with its emphasis on dichotomies, has contributed to a mechanistic view of nature, fostering its exploitation, and a devaluation of the body. This contrast highlights the urgent need for renewed dialogue between Western and Chinese ethical traditions to address contemporary challenges, with François Noël serving as a historical witness of these exchanges.

Letters of Historians of the 2nd Half of the 20th Century as a Channel of Scholarly and Business Communications (Based on Letters from Siberia to the Capital)

The article analyzes the letters of specialists in Russian history of the 17th – 19th centuries who sent correspondences to their colleagues in Moscow. The reason these letters are being analyzed is because, due to the distance and communication methods available at the time, correspondence was the main way for Siberian scholars to communicate with the representatives of the important scientific centers, to stay updated on the latest research trends and discoveries. During this era, authors were comparatively unrestricted in their statements, and their internal and external interactions were diverse and significant. Historians from Siberia and Moscow used to correspond on scientific and organizational matters through letters. The topics of discussions included participation in scientific conferences, invitations, opportunities for business trips, publications, cooperation, and reviews. The scholars shared their professional thoughts, ideas, and plans, characterized the sources they found and analyzed, expressed hypotheses and explained preliminary conclusions, reported the outcomes of research, and sometimes talked about the progress in their research projects and the development in their understanding of scientific problems. The letters often described events in the scientific careers of the authors. The content and emotional tone of the correspondence were significantly influenced by the author's character and relationship with the addressee. The letters often contained information of both scientific and personal nature. Sometimes, Siberian scientists requested assistance and help from their colleagues from the capital. The article concludes that letters were a reliable and effective communication channel among the professional community of historians. They were used to convey scientific, business, and occasionally personal information. The recipients of these letters were typically scholars from Moscow who were older in age and higher in status. As a reference group, they played a significant role in determining the specifics of the letters addressed to them.

Descriptive and content analysis of breast cancer vlogs on YouTube.

258 Background: Vlogs, or “video blogs,” are personally-created experiential videos based on wide-ranging topics, usually posted to YouTube. Many women with breast cancer (BC) document their cancer experiences in YouTube vlogs. These may have the potential to serve as peer-to-peer support and provide community. This study provides a descriptive and content analysis of vlogs by women with BC. Methods: YouTube was searched in incognito mode in 11/2023 using the search terms “breast cancer vlog.” A maximum of 10 videos/creator were included based on viewership and date created.Video characteristics collected included: title, length, number of views, likes, comments, and playlist inclusion. Videos were assessed for sponsorship, presence of explanation and discussion on BC, type of content, and themes. Creator characteristics included age, location, and engagement approaches. Descriptive and content analysis were performed to assess and analyze video content and potential areas where peer-to-peer support may be provided. Results: 90 vlogs by 13 creators were included, all originating from personal accounts. Mean video length, number of views, and number of comments were 21.4 minutes (SD 9.1), 266,780 (SD 534,465), and 1485 (SD 3422), respectively. 38.9% included hashtags. 12.2% included paid sponsorships. Most common filming location was at home (96.7%), followed by the hospital (31.1%), or in the car (21.1%). Home vlogs were most often set in the living room (44.3%), bedroom (33.0%), or kitchen (20.6%). 56.7% included visuals of treatment as well as physical findings. Creators addressed motivation for vlogging in 48.9%; the two most common reasons were wanting to build a community and helping others in a similar situation. In 46.7%, creators explicitly expressed emotion. Most common themes were treatment (85.6%), mental health (81.1%), side effects (72.2%), appearance (63.3%), and family relationships (36.7%). Subthemes included young age, finances, and the importance of online community support. Patient-directed advice was offered in 60.0%, mostly on treatment-related issues. In 56.7%,creators provided explicit treatment definitions. Chemotherapy was discussed in 70.0%; surgery in 57.8%, primarily mastectomy; radiation in 30.0%; general side effects in 71.1%. 24.4% were about a new diagnosis. When mentioned (44.4%), most common creator location was the USA. When mentioned (30.0%), most common age demographic was 20-29 years old. Conclusions: Vlogs by women with BC receive significant levels of engagement. The dedication to building community demonstrated by vlog creators, and the personal nature of their storytelling, advice, and suggestions, may make these vlogs a potential resource for peer-to-peer support.

The Joy of Queer Science Fiction Reading, or: Will Queers Destroy Science Fiction?

The paper seeks to examine the connections between “queer reading” and “science fiction reading” from the perspective of readers’ recollections of their juvenile experiences of “looking for clues” in queer sf narratives. Using Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick’s concept of reparative reading, I discuss the idea of queer adolescent reading as a possibly transformative experience that offers exciting theoretical opportunities for academic scholarship on the fantastic. By turning attention to selected testaments of adolescent queer readerly experiences, written by both writers and fans, I hope to demonstrate both the personal (individual) and collective nature of queer self-recognition through these intense and affective engagements with sf texts. A closer examination of a collection of short essays in which authors reflect on the provocative idea of “queers destroying sf,”also based on individual recollections of engaging with sf as young readers, expands the discussion to incorporate fan activity and the question of queer canon-forming.

Enhancing online learning: a systematic literature review exploring the impact of screencast feedback on student learning outcomes

Purpose This systematic literature review paper critically examines the effectiveness of screencast feedback compared with text feedback in promoting student learning outcomes in online higher education. This paper aims to contribute to the ongoing discussion surrounding feedback modalities and their impact on online learning environments.Design/methodology/approach This paper adopts a systematic review approach to synthesise and analyse existing studies investigating the use of screencast feedback in online higher education settings. A comprehensive search and selection process was employed to identify relevant literature. The selected studies were then analysed for their methodologies, findings and implications. This paper seeks to provide an overview of the current state of research, highlighting the benefits, challenges and potential impacts of screencast feedback on student learning outcomes.Findings The findings of this paper suggest that while there is a positive perception of screencast feedback among students and instructors, drawing definitive conclusions about its superiority over text feedback remains at the very beginning. Students generally appreciate the personalised, supportive and engaging nature of screencast feedback, particularly within the online learning context. However, challenges such as technical barriers and potential workload implications for instructors are also noted. Further empirical research is needed to comprehensively evaluate the comparative efficacy of screencast feedback, considering factors like online engagement, digital literacy and the impact on diverse student populations.Research limitations/implications This review underscores the acute necessity for expansive and meticulously designed studies that can provide conclusive insights into the authentic potential of screencast feedback and its resonance within the unique landscape of online learning. Through rigorous inquiry, educators can discern the optimal strategies for harnessing the advantages of screencast feedback to enhance student learning outcomes, aligning harmoniously with the dynamics of virtual classrooms.Practical implications Screencast feedback emerges as a promising avenue to foster meaningful connections between instructors and learners. The review highlights that screencast feedback engenders a more dialogic interaction between lecturers and students, resulting in personalised, supportive and engaging feedback experiences.Social implications The systematic review conducted underscores the positive reception of screencast feedback from both students and lecturers in this context. The findings are consistent with the principles of social constructivist theory, suggesting that the interactive and personalised nature of screencast feedback facilitates a richer educational experience for students, even within the confines of virtual classrooms (Vygotsky, 1978).Originality/value This innovative blend of methodologies contributes new insights that can inform educational practices and pedagogical strategies in online learning environments.

Assessment of the Relationship between Cultural Product Features and Tourist Perceptions

The historical product aspects affect consumer happiness and choice, it is important to consider they affect tourists' impressionslike their market worth, genuineness, and remembrance value which affect travelers' opinions and purchase choices. The essential elements that influence travelers' choices and draw attention to disparities differently men and women value these attributes. The results imply that cultural products might be made more appealing by adjusting them to suit the tastes of tourists. This offers insightful information that can be used to enhance the creation and promotion of products and plansfor the cultural tourism industry. To analyze the data, use the SPSS software. Due to any possible prejudices in expressed data and the personal nature of visitor views, the assessment has limitations. Furthermore, the range of elements affecting tourist choices is not fully captured by focusing on certain cultural characteristics of products. To surmount challenges in evaluating the correlation between indigenous products attributes and visitor opinions, guarantee a varied sample to apprehend differing inclinations and incorporate sophisticated analytics to more effectively comprehend and cater to particular customer requirements. Furthermore, collaborating with cultural specialists can improve product solutions' validity and credibility. By aware of these variables, marketing campaigns can be more focused and successful in raising visitor happiness and involvement.

Multidimensional Analysis of Physiological Entropy during Self-Paced Marathon Running.

The pacing of a marathon is arguably the most challenging aspect for runners, particularly in avoiding a sudden decline in speed, or what is colloquially termed a "wall", occurring at approximately the 30 km mark. To gain further insight into the potential for optimizing self-paced marathon performance through the coding of comprehensive physiological data, this study investigates the complex physiological responses and pacing strategies during a marathon, with a focus on the application of Shannon entropy and principal component analysis (PCA) to quantify the variability and unpredictability of key cardiorespiratory measures. Nine recreational marathon runners were monitored throughout the marathon race, with continuous measurements of oxygen uptake (V˙O2), carbon dioxide output (V˙CO2), tidal volume (Vt), heart rate, respiratory frequency (Rf), and running speed. The PCA revealed that the entropy variance of V˙O2, V˙CO2, and Vt were captured along the F1 axis, while cadence and heart rate variances were primarily captured along the F2 axis. Notably, when distance and physiological responses were projected simultaneously on the PCA correlation circle, the first 26 km of the race were positioned on the same side of the F1 axis as the metabolic responses, whereas the final kilometers were distributed on the opposite side, indicating a shift in physiological state as fatigue set in. The separation of heart rate and cadence entropy variances from the metabolic parameters suggests that these responses are independent of distance, contrasting with the linear increase in heart rate and decrease in cadence typically observed. Additionally, Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering further categorized runners' physiological responses, revealing distinct clusters of entropy profiles. The analysis identified two to four classes of responses, representing different phases of the marathon for individual runners, with some clusters clearly distinguishing the beginning, middle, and end of the race. This variability emphasizes the personalized nature of physiological responses and pacing strategies, reinforcing the need for individualized approaches. These findings offer practical applications for optimizing pacing strategies, suggesting that real-time monitoring of entropy could enhance marathon performance by providing insights into a runner's physiological state and helping to prevent the onset of hitting the wall.

Personalized Neuroimaging Reveals the Impact of Children's Interests on Language Processing in the Brain.

Cognition is shaped by individual experiences and interests. However, to study cognition in the brain, researchers typically use generic stimuli that are the same across all individuals. Language, in particular, is animated and motivated by several highly personal factors that are typically not accounted for in neuroimaging study designs, such as "interest" in a topic. Due to its inherently personal and idiosyncratic nature, it is unknown how interest in a topic modulates language processing in the brain. We conducted functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in 20 children (ages 6.98-12.01 years, mean(SD)=9.35(1.52), 5 female/15 male) as they listened to personalized narratives about a topic of specific interest, as well as to non-personalized generic narratives. We found that personalized narratives about a topic of interest increased activation in canonical language areas, as well as in reward and self-reference regions. Strikingly, we found that activation patterns elicited by topics of personal interest were more consistent across children, despite their idiosyncratic nature, than activation patterns elicited by narratives about an identical generic topic. These results reinforce the critical role that personal interests play in language processing in the human brain, and demonstrate the feasibility of using a personalized neuroimaging approach to study the effects of individually-varying factors such as interest in the brain.

Principles of criminal law of Ukraine and principles of criminal law protection of professional activity of law enforcement officers

The article analyzes the links between the basic principles of criminal law of Ukraine and the principles governing criminal law protection of professional activities of law enforcement agencies. Special attention is paid to the study of interaction and impact of these principles on law enforcement. The author refers to the contributions of national scholars who have studied the nature of certain principles of criminal law and offers a systematic analysis for further improvement of the regulatory framework. The author emphasizes that modern changes in criminal law should reflect not only historical experience, but also modern challenges that require a deeper understanding and application of the principles of justice, legality, humanism and democracy. The author also emphasizes the need to enshrine the principles in the new edition of the Criminal Code of Ukraine in order to comply with international standards and ensure legal certainty and objectivity of law enforcement. According to the author, there is a need for greater clarity and systematization of the principles of criminal law, and their inclusion in the Criminal Code will help ensure greater transparency and efficiency in their application. The author of the article emphasizes the importance of the principles of criminal law proposed by P. L. Fries, which form the basis for criminal law protection of professional activities of law enforcement agencies, but also emphasizes the possibility of their expansion. In particular, the author proposes new articles for the Criminal Code of Ukraine which include the principles of legality, equality before the law, guilt, justice, individualization of punishment, personal nature of responsibility, humanism, and inevitability of responsibility. The author comes to the conclusion that the principles of criminal law protection of the professional activities of law enforcement agencies are based on constitutional and criminal law principles. The basic principles such as the rule of law, justice, equality before the law, individualization of punishment, and inevitability of liability form the structure of protection of law enforcement officers’ rights. An analysis of the principles which are repeated in constitutional and special criminal provisions shows that it is inappropriate to allocate separate principles for law enforcement officers. The author proposes a two-tier system of principles for effective criminal law protection which avoids duplication of categories and ensures systematic and rational law application.

Being, seeing and recognizing oneself as a teacher who teaches Mathematics: (re)configuring Professional Identities from the perspective of Probabilistic Education

This article aims to understand how actions and practices based on studies on Probability Education contribute to the (re)configuration’s movement of the Professional Identity (PI) of Teachers who Teach Mathematics (TTM). The study is based on a qualitative and interpretative paradigm, relied on a Research-Training path developed in a study group with 11 TTM. To this end, we are based on a characterization of TTM’s PI, which points out a set of elements (macrodomains) that allow us to understand them in their ways of being, seeing and recognizing themselves as such. The results and discussion were based on the apprehension of four Meaning Cores, which indicate that the TTM’s PI were forged from the Learning Paths (re)constituted in the collective/collaborative context of the group and interwoven by elements of personal, emotional, moral and sociopolitical nature that emerged from the enterprise of teaching and learning Probability.

Descriptive and content analysis of breast cancer vlogs on YouTube.

18 Background: Vlogs, or “video blogs,” are personally-created experiential videos based on wide-ranging topics, usually posted to YouTube. Many women with breast cancer (BC) document their cancer experiences in YouTube vlogs. These may have the potential to serve as peer-to-peer support and provide community. This study provides a descriptive and content analysis of vlogs by women with BC. Methods: YouTube was searched in incognito mode in 11/2023 using the search terms “breast cancer vlog.” A maximum of 10 videos/creator were included based on viewership and date created. Video characteristics collected included: title, length, number of views, likes, comments, and playlist inclusion. Videos were assessed for sponsorship, presence of explanation and discussion on BC, type of content, and themes. Creator characteristics included age, location, and engagement approaches. Descriptive and content analysis were performed to assess and analyze video content and potential areas where peer-to-peer support may be provided. Results: 90 vlogs by 13 creators were included, all originating from personal accounts. Mean video length, number of views, and number of comments were 21.4 minutes (SD 9.1), 266,780 (SD 534,465), and 1485 (SD 3422), respectively. 38.9% included hashtags. 12.2% included paid sponsorships. Most common filming location was at home (96.7%), followed by the hospital (31.1%), or in the car (21.1%). Home vlogs were most often set in the living room (44.3%), bedroom (33.0%), or kitchen (20.6%). 56.7% included visuals of treatment as well as physical findings. Creators addressed motivation for vlogging in 48.9%; the two most common reasons were wanting to build a community and helping others in a similar situation. In 46.7%, creators explicitly expressed emotion. Most common themes were treatment (85.6%), mental health (81.1%), side effects (72.2%), appearance (63.3%), and family relationships (36.7%). Subthemes included young age, finances, and the importance of online community support. Patient-directed advice was offered in 60.0%, mostly on treatment-related issues. In 56.7%, creators provided explicit treatment definitions. Chemotherapy was discussed in 70.0%; surgery in 57.8%, primarily mastectomy; radiation in 30.0%; general side effects in 71.1%. 24.4% were about a new diagnosis. When mentioned (44.4%), most common creator location was the USA. When mentioned (30.0%), most common age demographic was 20-29 years old. Conclusions: Vlogs by women with BC receive significant levels of engagement. The dedication to building community demonstrated by vlog creators, and the personal nature of their storytelling, advice, and suggestions, may make these vlogs a potential resource for peer-to-peer support.

Understanding connection to nature in Turkish middle school children: Personal factors and Nature's restorative effect

A connection to nature can be healing and restorative for children, especially when they are coping with psychological symptoms. Better understanding the essence of this connection and investigating the associated variables can, therefore, prove useful. This research consisted of three studies measuring the connection to nature among youth in Turkey's unique, non-Western context. In Study-1 (n = 214), the 14-item Connection to Nature Index (CNI) was tested with confirmatory factor analysis. The results showed that the CNI was a valid and reliable instrument in the Turkish sample. Study-2 (n = 375) examined personal factors predicting children's connection to nature. Regression analysis showed that gender was a significant predictor of CNI. We also found that connection to nature increased as screen time decreased and the frequency of contact with nature increased. In Study 3 (n = 404), we found that hope and satisfaction with life acted as serial and complete mediators between CNI and psychological symptoms. Unlike the results of previous studies conducted in the West, this study highlights for the first time the importance of children's connection with the natural world in Turkey, an Eastern society.

Disentangled Cascaded Graph Convolution Networks for Multi-Behavior Recommendation

Multi-behavioral recommender systems have emerged as a solution to address data sparsity and cold-start issues by incorporating auxiliary behaviors alongside target behaviors. However, existing models struggle to accurately capture varying user preferences across different behaviors and fail to account for diverse item preferences within behaviors. Various user preference factors (such as price or quality) entangled in the behavior may lead to sub-optimization problems. Furthermore, these models overlook the personalized nature of user behavioral preferences by employing uniform transformation networks for all users and items. To tackle these challenges, we propose the Disentangled Cascaded Graph Convolutional Network (Disen-CGCN), a novel multi-behavior recommendation model. Disen-CGCN employs disentangled representation techniques to effectively separate factors within user and item representations, ensuring their independence. In addition, it incorporates a multi-behavioral meta-network, enabling personalized feature transformation across user and item behaviors. Furthermore, an attention mechanism captures user preferences for different item factors within each behavior. By leveraging attention weights, we aggregate user and item embeddings separately for each behavior, computing preference scores that predict overall user preferences for items. Our evaluation of benchmark datasets demonstrates the superiority of Disen-CGCN over state-of-the-art models, showcasing an average performance improvement of 7.07% and 9.00% on respective datasets. These results highlight Disen-CGCN’s ability to effectively leverage multi-behavioral data, leading to more accurate recommendations.

Empowering Career Pathways for Asnaf Faqir (Poor People)

Every individual harbours a desire for a successful profession that aligns with their unique characteristics. Due to the diverse nature of human personalities, each person requires a distinct professional trajectory to discover a vocation that resonates with their individuality. The study focuses on identifying career pathways tailored for Asnaf Faqir individuals, who transition from being zakat receivers to zakat payers. Utilizing qualitative methods like the Delphi Technique through in-depth interviews, it explores factors facilitating successful professional transitions aligned with their unique characteristics. Thematic and Fuzzy Delphi analyses, along with input from career, spiritual, and local experts, validate seven career pathway indicators: career planning, information, decision-making, adaptability, support, spiritual alignment, and compromise. Twelve informants who successfully transitioned contributed to consensus-building through Focused Group Discussions. These indicators aim to empower Asnaf Faqir individuals towards socio-economic self-sufficiency, offering specialized paths to transform their roles in society. Future enhancements could leverage digital tools for online career counselling, virtual training, and mentoring, thereby broadening access to career resources crucial for their continued development and empowerment.

SHOULD A COMPANY’S DIGNITY BE PROTECTED UNDER SECTION 10 OF THE CONSTITUTION? THE QUESTION IN Reddell v Mineral Sands Resources (Pty) Limited [2022] ZACC 38

In Reddell v Mineral Sands Resources (Pty) Ltd ([2022] ZACC 38) (Reddell), the Constitutional Court considered whether section 10 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (the Constitution), as read with section 8(4), should be interpreted to protect the dignity of juristic persons (in this case, mining companies). The majority and minority judgments arrived at conflicting decisions on the point. Unterhalter AJ, for the minority, held that juristic persons should be protected under section 10, while Majiedt J, for the majority, held otherwise. The majority also developed the common law of defamation to limit the circumstances in which a juristic person may succeed in a claim for general damages for non-patrimonial loss.The authors make two claims. First, it is argued that the minority judgment correctly interpreted the nature and purpose of section 10 (the guarantee of human dignity) when read with section 8(4) of the Constitution, which provides that juristic persons are entitled to bear the rights in the Bill of Rights as required by the nature of the right and the nature of the juristic person in issue. It is asserted that the two sections can be interpreted to entitle companies to rely on section 10 of the Constitution to protect their right to dignity, encompassing their good name and reputation. Secondly, it is argued that the majority’s development of the common law of defamation – to create a special exception for cases where a juristic person sues for general damages – was unnecessary, and has created legal uncertainty.The case note proceeds as follows. First, the authors introduce the facts of the case, and then explore the ratione decidendi of both judgments. Secondly, the note addresses the ambit and scope of human dignity as a constitutional right, followed by the applicable principles governing constitutional interpretation, including the role of the heading of a statutory provision. This is followed by a discussion of the law of defamation concerning whether a juristic person can claim damages for an infringement to its reputation under the actio iniuriarum. The legal position prior to the judgment in Reddell is compared to that which now applies. Finally, the decision is evaluated with reference both to the reasoning used by the majority and minority respectively and the significance of the outcome of the case for our law.A detailed discussion of the constitutionality of awarding general damages to corporations for defamation on the basis that such claims unjustifiably limit section 16 of the Constitution (the right to freedom of expression) falls outside the scope of this case note.

Правосубъектность органов публичной власти в публичном праве

The article is devoted to the issues of the legal nature and specificity of the legal personality of public authorities in public law; correlations between different types of their legal personalities are examined in the article. Based on the analysis of the legal regulation of legal entity of public law and its legal personality, the conclusion is made that the legal personality does not reflect all specifics of the legal personality of public authorities.