Negative Conclusions Research Articles

The Existence of an Intra-Amniotic Microbiome: Assessing a Controversy

The existence of intra-amniotic and placental microbiomes during pregnancy has been the source of considerable debate, with research yielding conflicting evidence. This study evaluated investigations into the putative presence of these microbiomes in healthy pregnancies by identifying design and data interpretation issues, particularly concerning contamination in samples with low-density bacterial DNA. Positive findings from diverse populations suggest a consistent presence of microbiota in the intra-amniotic space. Negative conclusions regarding the existence of these prenatal microbiomes emphasise the impact of contamination in the analysis of samples with low-density bacterial DNA. This study concluded that there is no definitive evidence to refute the existence of intra-amniotic microbiomes in healthy pregnancies. Also, it provides suggestions for controlling potential contamination factors in future research on intra-amniotic and placental microbial populations.

Use of Telehealth in Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessment in Children: Evaluation of anOnline Diagnostic Protocol Includingthe Brief Observation of Symptoms of Autism.

The COVID-19 pandemic revealed the need to develop the field of remote assessment for autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The purpose of the study was to evaluate an online assessment protocol that includes the Brief Observation of Symptoms of Autism (BOSA). The online protocol consisting of BOSA and the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) was administered by experienced examiners to 29 children with suspected ASD. The participants were then evaluated by clinical psychologists in a standard clinical setting using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2 (ADOS-2) and other methods, and the ASD diagnosis was confirmed or ruled out. The results show substantial to moderate inter-rater agreement between the online and face-to-face raters with the value of Cohen's Kappa = 0.66 (P < 0.001); this corresponds with 79.8% agreement. The sensitivity of the protocol was approx. 94.7%, the specificity was 70%, the positive predictive value was 85.7%, and the negative predictive value was 87.5%. Further, direct false positive or false negative diagnostic conclusions based on the online protocol were absent when the possible conclusion of "I cannot decide" was included. The items B9 Showing, B10 Spontaneous Initiation of Joint Attention, B1 Unusual Eye Contact, B3 Facial Expressions Directed to Others, and C2 Imagination/Creativity were shown to be well observable in BOSA when related to ADOS-2 scoring. The results indicate that the protocol consisting of BOSA and ADI-R administered by an experienced examiner is a promising combination of tools for remote autism assessment.

Dynamic networks of complex posttraumatic stress disorder and depression among college students with childhood trauma: insights from cross-sectional and cross-lagged panel network analysis

ABSTRACT Background and Objective: There is a current research gap regarding the symptom structure and underlying causal relationships between complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) and depressive symptoms. This longitudinal study used a cross-sectional network and cross-lag panel network (CLPN) to examine how CPTSD and depression symptoms interact over time in Chinese college students with childhood trauma. Methods: From 18,933 college students who took part in 2 surveys 12 months apart, 4006 participants (mean age: 20.07 ± 2.04) who reported childhood trauma were screened. Within this sample, there were 2354 (58.8%) males and 1652 (41.2%) females. Results: In the one-year interval CLPN model, it was found that depressive symptoms may precede other symptoms. Specifically, negative emotions and negative self-evaluations are more likely to predict subsequent symptoms. Conversely, in CPTSD, symptoms related to fear and anxiety, such as avoidance, intrusion, and hyperarousal, are more frequently activated by other symptoms, including negative emotions Conclusions: This finding offers a novel perspective on the interplay between CPTSD and depression, extending the existing theory. From a clinical standpoint, the points of intervention for comorbidity between depression and CPTSD who have experienced childhood trauma differ across different stages.

Rapid Fatality Estimates after Earthquakes in Western Mediterranean Countries for First Response

ABSTRACT The quality and speed of the current earthquake fatality estimates in Italy, Greece, Spain, Morocco, and Algeria by Quake Loss Assessment for Response and Mitigation (QLARM) is analyzed. The positive conclusion is that all investigated major earthquake disasters have been recognized as red alerts. In all but one of the tests, the range of estimated fatalities bracketed the number of finally reported fatalities. In five out of nine test earthquakes, the range of likely fatalities was calculated in real time, that is, within minutes after the respective earthquakes. These earthquakes occurred during the last 20 yr and only the minimal information of point sources was available. Additional four tests were performed for fatal earthquakes that occurred in the twentieth century and for which magnitudes and extents of the ruptures are known. The negative conclusions are: (1) locations and properties of critical facilities, such as hospitals and schools are still not made available by some governments, although in the case of earthquake disasters, first responders should be informed about their conditions. (2) News media and governments still do not pay attention to the quantitative estimates of fatalities 26 min (median) after earthquakes by QLARM and instead disseminate underestimates by up to two orders of magnitude for days and weeks. (3) The directions and extents of ruptures remain unknown for days and weeks, leading to poor information on the spatial distribution of victims at first. (4) Source locations by different worldwide and local agencies differ by several to 20 km, which can lead to misestimates of fatalities up to 20,000. If rapid earthquake locations of quality were available in earthquake prone areas, such errors could be avoided, and the time to estimate numbers of fatalities could be reduced by an order of magnitude.

Problems of Studying the Urbanization Process for Students of the Educational Program "Geography" in Kazakhstan

The study of the urbanization process by students of the educational program "Geography" in Kazakhstan is topical in the context of rapid urban development and evolutions in the geographical space of the country. Various key problems were revealed in the process of the studies such as the need for in-depth research of the theoretical foundations of urbanization, limited access to current data and no work experience on modern methods of data processing and analysis. An online survey was conducted on the basis of the Google Forms and the survey questions were worked out to have the further study of urbanization processes and update knowledge in this field. The study applied a data analysis method using the SPSS Base software package. This method provided the opportunities to structure and process the survey results among 331 teachers and master’s students. The approach ensured an accurate analysis and interpretation of the data which enabled to identify key trends and consistent patterns in respondents’ answers. The results point to both positive and negative conclusions based on the data. The conclusions were made on having evaluated the results with the help of SWOT analysis.

What is the relationship between body mass index and reaction speed in PPLOP boxing athletes in Central Java?

Background and Study Aim. Boxing requires an optimal balance between body weight and reaction speed. Body Mass Index (BMI) is a common measure used to assess body composition. For boxers, maintaining weight within the optimal range is crucial for peak performance. Additionally, reaction speed is a key skill in boxing; the ability to quickly respond to an opponent’s moves can significantly impact match outcomes. Material and Methods. This cross-sectional study utilized quantitative data analysis. Primary data included body weight, height, and reaction speed from a sample of 12 PPLOP Central Java boxing athletes. Data normality was assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk test, while the linearity test evaluated whether the relationships between variables were linear. Bivariate correlation tests were conducted. The study used Body Mass Index and Hand Touch Reaction tests with validity levels of 0.98 and 0.323, respectively, for measuring body weight, height, and reaction speed. Results. There is a relationship between body weight and reaction speed with a sig value of .003 &lt;0.05 with a negative relationship direction. 2. there is no relationship between height and reaction speed with a sig value of (0.798&gt;0.05) with a negative relationship direction, 3. there is a relationship between body mass index and reaction speed with a sig value of .001 &lt;0.05 with a negative relationship direction Conclusion. Based on the results of the study it can be concluded that there is a linear relationship between body weight and reaction speed, there is no linear relationship between height and reaction speed and there is a linear relationship between body mass index and reaction speed.

Dynamic superiorities in Defeasible Logic

Abstract In many logical rule-based systems, it often happens that opposite statements can be concluded, hence superiorities (or priorities) among rules are needed to solve such conflicts. Since the specific circumstances describing the scenario at hand determine which rules may apply, we thus need a mechanism able to compute such superiorities dynamically, case-by-case. We formalise a non-monotonic logic able to dynamically compute superiorities over rules. Finally, we advance efficient algorithms to compute the (positive and negative) conclusions of such theories, and prove their computational properties.

Noted, but not decisive. A cross-disciplinary analysis of metrics usage in Polish evaluative cultures

Abstract Metrics-based reasoning patterns diffuse from core to periphery as peripheral and semi-peripheral countries adopt Western evaluation standards as formal categories or cultural scripts. While these scripts are applied across disciplines, each field maintains its own traditional criteria for scientific assessment. Consequently, scholars navigate between internalized and externally imposed evaluative frameworks when writing reviews. This study examines how metrics-based reasoning diffuses differently across disciplines through evaluative practices, with metrics being transformed and interpreted within the context of each field's unique evaluative culture. To compare diffusion patterns, this article analyzes 174 negative habilitation reviews across four Polish disciplines: art history, mathematics, materials engineering, and sociology. Despite uniform policy incentives, reviewers employed diverse criteria when assessing publication records. Materials engineering exhibited the most extensive use and emphasis on metrics, while art history relied minimally on indicators. Crucially, metrics were never the sole basis for negative conclusions but were consistently accompanied by additional forms of reasoning.

The Toxic Mix of Multiculturalism and Medicine: The Credentialing and Professional-Entry Experience for Persons of African Descent

This essay is based on a case study of international medical graduates (IMGs) in Canada who migrated from sub-Saharan Africa. The chapter examines how narratives of race are situated and deployed in the field of medicine and can produce some aversive social–psychological landscapes in the credentialing and the professional-entry process as it relates to persons of African descent. It will show that, often without predetermination or intent, professionals of African descent in Canada are highly susceptible to implicit racial associations and implicit racial stereotyping in relation to evaluations of character, credentials, and culture. The article exposes some of the critical intersections of common experience, such as: (a) cultural deficit bias—Whiteness as an institutionalized cultural capital attribute; (b) confirmation bias—reaching a negative conclusion and working backwards to find evidence to support it; (c) repurposed sub-Saharan Blackness stereotypes—binary forms of techno-scamming and fraud; and (d) biased deception judgement—where the accuracy of deception judgements deteriorates when made across cultures. These social psychological phenomena result in significantly disproportionate returns on their foreign education and labour market experience for Black medical professionals that require decisive efforts in changing the narratives.

Unreliability of the gas discharge visualization (GDV) device and the Bio-Well for biofield science: Kirlian photography revisited and investigated. Part I

This is the first part of a research work to study the reliability of the Gas Discharge Visualization (GDV) device and the Bio-Well, two biofield machines based on the Kirlian effect and electrophotonic imaging. Their working, accuracy, and usefulness were analyzed in a Pranic Healing experiment, which is reported in the second part of this study. Here the scientific literature concerning Pranic Healing and Kirlian photography, as well as the functioning of these biofield machines, are reviewed. Pranic Healing has been practiced in Ayurveda for millennia, in order to restore and promote health, by manipulating the flow of subtle energy Prana throughout the human organism. Kirlian photography has been used for decades to measure the human energy field, in order to assess its bioenergetic condition and potential, as well as validate a variety of therapeutic modalities. In the second part of this work, previous reliability studies on Kirlian photography devices will be reviewed, drawing negative conclusions about the utility of these machines in biofield science. An original experiment will also be presented, where the GDV device and the Bio-Well were utilized to evaluate the effect of Pranic Healing on human and water energy fields, with controls. Results were inconsistent, showing the limitations of these technologies, highlighting their incapacity to return meaningful bioenergetic information, and thus suggesting that their use in biofield science should be revisited.

Prognostic value of biohybrid screening results for assessing cancer risk using the example of lung cancer

Introduction. One of the leading places in the structure of socially significant diseases in the Russian Federation is occupied by malignant neoplasms, among which cancer of the trachea, bronchi and lung occupies the first place in terms of prevalence. Screening for lung cancer is not carried out at the federal level in Russia; recommended screening measures include questionnaires to identify risk factors for the development of the disease (including occupational) and the formation of dispensary observation groups. The study aims to assess the prognostic value of a new method of biohybrid screening of lung cancer by exhaled air. Materials and methods. Scientists conducted a study at the National Medical Research Center of Oncology of the Ministry of Health, Russian Federation, with the participation of 24 conditionally healthy volunteers and 5 patients diagnosed with lung cancer in the early stages of the disease. The design of the study is simultaneous (on-line) with blinding; experts estimated the risk of systematic errors at 10 points on the QUADAS scale. The authors examined exhaled air samples on a gas analyzer (biohybrid detector) of the BGS-APK 02SZZ model, in which the sensor were animals — gray domesticated rats (Rattus norvegicus) with microelectrode matrices implanted into the olfactory bulb, and which were in the internal (ventilated) space of the analyzer in a state of drug anesthesia. The conclusion about the presence or absence of a risk of lung cancer was formed by an artificial neural network of the analyzer, at the input of which bioelectric signals from each microelectrode were received, which were preprocessed using a system for recording the focal activity of the olfactory analyzer. The specialists confirmed the presence or absence of a risk of lung cancer by a reference method, according to computed tomography of the chest in accordance with the Lung Imaging Reporting and Data System (LungRADS™). Results. During the study, experts determined the effectiveness indicators of the method of biohybrid lung cancer screening by exhaled air: sensitivity (64%), specificity (87%), prognosticality of negative and positive conclusions about the presence/absence of disease risk (82% and 72%, respectively). Conclusion. The safety, efficiency and throughput of the investigated method, together with the reproducibility of the analyzer's conclusions, meet the criteria of practicability to ensure the first (population-based) stage of lung cancer screening.

Safety and solidarity: Using collective documents to share sex workers’ insider knowledges

Western culture and Western health care systems have created places of sexual health care that are highly individualised, privatised and professionalised. For people engaged in sex work, this reduces the possibilities for sharing skills and knowledges and instead leaves people with internalised feelings of shame, guilt and isolation. This paper describes collective therapeutic work that elicited insider knowledges, skills and sparkling moments from sex workers. These accounts sidestepped negative identity conclusions and fostered mutual support among the workers, even though the participants never met each other. The work was guided by narrative practice concepts including externalising, double listening, re-authoring, privileging insider knowledges and developing collective documents.

Comparison of Discipleship Attitudes and Practices among Members of the Baptist Missionary Association of America between 2010 and 2023

This article reports the findings and analysis of data collected in a 2010 research study by comparing them with data collected in a replicated study conducted in 2023. Both surveys produced descriptive data from a membership sampling of churches affiliated with the Baptist Missionary Association of America (BMAA) regarding members’ attitudes and practices of discipleship. Leadership of the BMAA responded to findings of the 2010 study by introducing a formal discipleship strategy (DiscipleWay) in hopes that it would increase members’ practice of discipleship. The replicated study in 2023 was conducted to determine if members’ attitudes and practices changed between 2010 and 2023. Analysis of the 2023 data revealed two negative conclusions of the 2010 survey was less true based on the 2023 responses. Two other conclusions of the 2010 survey were not challenged. Implications for practitioners and educators are discussed in the article.

A Legal Notion of Adverse Inference in WTO Case Law

Gathering evidence is of utmost importance in any legal proceeding. However, sometimes, one of the parties may hide specific evidence, which complicates the adjudicators’ reaching of a fair conclusion. For such cases, judges or arbitrators can use several tools, one of which is adverse inference. An adverse inference is a negative conclusion that may be drawn from a party’s failure to provide some evidence without a valid excuse for non-production. By drawing it, adjudicators assume this evidence would harm the party’s interests. At the same time, adverse inference is quite a radical tool because it may strongly impact the final decision. Because of this, adjudicators are sometimes cautious about using it. This paper analyzes the notion of adverse inference in the context of the dispute resolution mechanism available in the WTO. In particular, three cases were summarized in which the Appellate Body made interesting findings regarding the application of adverse inference. As a result of the work, conclusions from these cases are made that can be used by lawyers in future WTO disputes, as well as in other international and national dispute resolution fora.

Connecting Philosophies

MIND—The complex organ in human beings that determines the way we think, live. It guides the entire course of our life. The mind is a complex structure. In today’s era we are constantly bombarded with information and the test of time is to take in the right amount of information and use it constructively. The mind can be easily diverted by distractions. In order to understand this flickering nature of mind there was an attempt to dive deep into the analysis of mind by renowned saint of Maharashtra Saint Samarth Ramdas during the sixteenth century. He in his monumental work, The Manache Shlok explored the way to train the mind to think systematically. Manache Shlok literally translates to (Dialogue with the mind). In order to uplift the mind Samarth Ramdas curated an innovative, spiritual way of life and tried to enlighten the fragment of divinity that resides in every human being. He teaches us how our mind is our enemy, friend and a teacher at the same time. This paper primarily focuses on the work of Saint Samarth Ramadas, who centuries ago decoded how the mind (mana) works, how it gets diverted and has also suggested the ways in which flaws can be avoided.Logic based therapy is a modality of philosophical counseling developed by philosopher Dr. Elliot D. Cohen. The theory began with the idea that many emotional and behavioral problems may largely be the result of bad logic. Humans upset themselves because of their faulty thinking. Thinking being the significant activity of the mind, needs to be done in a structured manner. According to LBT, a fallacy is a mistake in reasoning that leads to destructive or negative conclusions. There are eleven such fallacies that LBT identifies. The basic premise in which LBT believes is to train the mind to think rationally and not jumping to make conclusions. In the same manner Manache Shlok are instructions to the mind to train the mind to think positively and thereby lead to elevation of the self. This paper thus is an attempt to link the fallacies proposed by LBT and how comprehension of Manache Shloka {verses} will help the mind stay away from such fallacies by drawing parallels and understanding the contrasts and yet how both the philosophies have a common approach to deal with the mind. The paper is an attempt to understand Manache Shloka and Logic based therapy, as philosophies that are a way to uplift the mind. Both the philosophical approaches have curated their own ways to tackle with the unstable nature of mind, but one common ground which helps them corresponding is their common goal of betterment of mankind.

Comments on “Slight carbon-isotope perturbation at the J/K boundary (base of the Calpionella Zone) – A proxy tool for correlation? A brief summary”

Košťák et al. (Cretaceous Research, Volume 151, November 2023, 105,617) reported a negative shift of δ13C values in several sections near the Tithonian/Berriasian boundary, and emphasized its correlation potential. Although there is no agreement on the biostratigraphic location of this stage boundary at Tré Maroua, i.e., at the dismissed candidate for the Berriasian GSSP, it does not really affect our negative conclusion on the authors' potential proxy. Besides the biostratigraphic context, not much consideration was given to the structural and sedimentologic contexts, which undermines their line of argument. In conclusion, on the basis of published information as well as new observations, it is shown that their coeval “perturbation” on the δ13C curve is uncertain and questionable.

Does the format of result presentation and type of conclusion in Cochrane plain language summaries matter? A randomised controlled trial

ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate whether the format and type of conclusion in Cochrane plain language summaries (PLSs) influence readers’ perception of treatment benefit and decision-making.DesignAn online parallel group, three-arm...

Exploring growth mindset experiences in university students

Students that classify as having growth mindsets rather than fixed mindsets enjoy greater academic success. This finding has been repeated in a variety of contexts and encourages teachers and researchers to develop growth mindsets in students. However, neutral and negative conclusions from some mindset intervention studies raise questions about the conditions in which growth mindsets develop. This study contributes evidence and suggestions to guide the development and assessment of growth mindsets in university students. The five-stage behaviour change model provides a framework to explain why mindset interventions may cause shifts that are not detected in the short term. Mindset assessment methods with original and adapted scales are presented and critiqued. I compare literature-sourced experiences used in growth mindset interventions with interview data from seven first-year engineering students at a South African university to help determine if growth mindset interventions for university students are worth implementing. I summarise implications for practice when assessing mindsets or using growth mindset interventions.

유일한의 미주 독립운동과 고려경제회

Compared to other representative indepedence movements, Ilhan New’s activity as a chairman of the Korea Economic Society has received less attention than it deserves.&#x0D; In order to create positive public opinion about Korea in the U.S Ilhan New insisted on the necessity to utilize Korean military power during the Pacific War and on Korean’s capability of building and running their nation post-war. It played a positive role in encouraging the U.S. policy toward Korea to be more beneficial to Korea. However, Ilhan New judged that working through Planning and Research Board and the United Korean Committee in America Mission, to which he belonged, to be limited.&#x0D; Therefore, he created the Korea Economic Society as a non-profit organization.&#x0D; The Korea Economic Society’s main activity was to publish it’s own journal called Korea Economic Digest. It supplemented the limitations of Ilhan New’s previous press strategy that used only Korean activists and KED’s writers consisted of many American experts on Korea. These writers supported Ilhan New’s independence movement and attempted to persuade the U.S.&#x0D; government-related ministries and public-private agencies by citing Korea’s strengths and potential values as seen by non-Koreans.&#x0D; In other words, the Korea Economic Society could be considered a valuable association in that sense that defended and promoted Korea through journalism in response to the U.S. government’s tendency to draw negative conclusions through public researches on Korea during the Pacific War period. In addition, it was unique because it was a private association that reflected New Ilhan’s special independence movement strategy which was to promote Korea through the journalism.

Outcomes Associated With Intracranial Aneurysm Treatments Reported as Safe, Effective, or Durable

Testing new medical devices or procedures in terms of safety, effectiveness, and durability should follow the strictest methodological rigor before implementation. To review and analyze studies investigating devices and procedures used in intracranial aneurysm (IA) treatment for methods and completeness of reporting and to compare the results of studies with positive, uncertain, and negative conclusions. Embase, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and The Cochrane Central Register of Clinical Trials were searched for studies on IA treatment published between January 1, 1995, and the October 1, 2022. Grey literature was retrieved from Google Scholar. All studies making any kind of claims of safety, effectiveness, or durability in the field of IA treatment were included. Using a predefined data dictionary and analysis plan, variables ranging from patient and aneurysm characteristics to the results of treatment were extracted, as were details pertaining to study methods and completeness of reporting. Extraction was performed by 10 independent reviewers. A blinded academic neuro-linguist without involvement in IA research evaluated the conclusion of each study as either positive, uncertain, or negative. The study followed Preferring Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The incidence of domain-specific outcomes between studies with positive, uncertain, or negative conclusions regarding safety, effectiveness, or durability were compared. The number of studies that provided a definition of safety, effectiveness, or durability and the incidence of incomplete reporting of domain-specific outcomes were evaluated. Overall, 12 954 studies were screened, and 1356 studies were included, comprising a total of 410 993 treated patients. There was no difference in the proportion of patients with poor outcome or in-hospital mortality between studies claiming a technique was safe, uncertain, or not safe. Similarly, there was no difference in the proportion of IAs completely occluded at last follow-up between studies claiming a technique was effective, uncertain, or noneffective. Less than 2% of studies provided any definition of safety, effectiveness, or durability, and only 1 of the 1356 studies provided a threshold under which the technique would be considered unsafe. Incomplete reporting was found in 546 reports (40%). In this systematic review and meta-analysis of IA treatment literature, studies claiming safety, effectiveness, or durability of IA treatment had methodological flaws and incomplete reporting of relevant outcomes supporting these claims.