Practical Problems Research Articles

Disorder or distress? The hermeneutical injustices of overdiagnosis within psychiatry

Epistemic injustices within diagnostic practices in health care have increasingly been the object of research in recent years. However, most accounts focus on either under- or misdiagnosis resulting from epistemic injustices and have largely neglected the issue of overdiagnosis. This paper explicates what overdiagnosis entails in psychiatry and outline several structural problems within diagnostic practices that enable overdiagnosis. Afterwards, it is argued that overdiagnosis constitutes an instance of hermeneutical injustice. The overdiagnosed are wronged by being classified, perceived, and treated as sick by themselves, healthcare, and society due to problematic diagnostic practices within psychiatry, though their distress might be non-pathological, or they do not stand to benefit from medical treatment. Consequently, the overdiagnosed experience difficulties in being understood, making themselves understood, and understanding themselves, which leads to cognitive disablement and hermeneutical marginalization. Such epistemic injustices indicate the need for less diagnose-centric healthcare systems where help and recognition does not hinge on the ascription of labels.

Behavioural Systems Mapping of Solid Waste Management in Kisumu, Kenya, to Understand the Role of Behaviour in a Health and Sustainability Problem

Poor solid waste management in Kisumu, Kenya, contributes to adverse health, social, and environmental outcomes as a result of open burning, illegal dumping, and reliance on landfills. Taking Kisumu as a case study, we use behavioural systems mapping (BSM) for the purpose of understanding the role of behaviour in this complex problem. We qualitatively analysed transcripts from focus groups and interviews with 45 stakeholders in Kisumu to construct a BSM of the perceived actors, behaviours, and behavioural influences affecting waste management, as well as causal links. Influences were analysed using the capability, opportunity, and motivation model of behaviour (COM-B). The resulting BSM connects 24 behaviours by 12 different actors and 49 unique influences (30 related to opportunity, 16 to motivation, and 3 to capability). It reflects three sub-systems: policy-making, public waste management, and the policy–public interface. Six key feedback loops are described, which suggest that cycles of underfunding are interlinked with problematic practices around the build-up, handling, and segregation of waste and conflicting public and political views around responsibility. We demonstrate how the BSM method can be used with transcript data and provide steps that others can follow to inform the design of systemic behaviour change interventions. Further research to validate and adapt this approach may extend the learnings to other countries and health and sustainability challenges.

Historical bias in palaeontological collections: Stylophora (Echinodermata) as a case study

Scientific colonialism (sensu Galtung, 1967) has grown in interest for the last decades in all scientific disciplines, including Palaeontology. In particular, Raja et al. (2022) showed that the Paleobiology Database (PBDB) was mostly based on research investigations from and/or in higher-income countries (i.e., the Global North). This scientific practice, better known as “parachute science”, often implies a transfer of material from their country of origin (in the Global South) to another country of collection (in the Global North). We show that this global pattern can also be observed at a lower taxonomic scale by focusing on Stylophora, an extinct class of echinoderms. Based on a database gathering the 129 stylophoran holotypes including information of their year of description, country of origin, country of collection and author affiliation, we show comparable results to those of Raja et al. (2022). Indeed, 85% of stylophoran species originated from the Global North. Transferred material represents 17% of the holotypes and none of the corresponding publications included local collaboration. We detail the most highlighting example of parachute science, the duo Morocco-France, to understand the consequences of the colonial history between these two countries in the scientific practice of French researchers in Morocco, as well as the solution brought by Moroccan researchers and government. These results, while not surprising, mean that scientific colonialism is indeed observed not only in global databases, but also in our daily work. Researchers from the Global North then can act to decolonize their problematic practice to rebalance knowledge producing to build a true Global Research Community.

Towards Sustainable Postharvest Management of Mangoes in Sri Lanka; Evaluating Current Practices, Latest Research, and Future Interventions

Purpose: This research aims to examine the sustainable postharvest management of mangoes in Sri Lanka, identifying the gap between current practices and recommended practices, and exploring future perspectives through recent discoveries in the field of mango postharvest management in the country.Research Method: A Literature review was employed to gather information and insights.Findings: The study reveals a significant disparity between the recommended postharvest handling practices and the methods currently practiced in Sri Lanka. The identified gaps encompass inadequate preharvest strategies, inappropriate harvesting practices, insufficient disease prevention measures in field operations, limited use of treatments at packhouses, questionable ripening protocols, and problematic transportation practices. Although many innovative research studies have been conducted in Sri Lanka to control postharvest losses, many of them were halted at the primary level, without follow-up, application of findings on a commercial scale, or implementation of recommendations.Research Limitations: The main focus is only on the mango value chain in Sri Lanka and there is limited published information on mango postharvest management in Sri Lanka.Value: This research highlights the value of addressing postharvest losses in mangoes, providing insights into the gap between recommended and practiced methods in Sri Lanka. It serves as a case study for countries facing similar challenges, promoting the dissemination of knowledge and fostering sustainable mango value chains globally.

A novel dynamic machine learning-based explainable fusion monitoring: application to industrial and chemical processes

Abstract The complexity and fusion dynamism of the modern industrial and chemical sectors have been increasing with the rapid progress of IR 4.0–5.0. The transformative characteristics of Industry 4.0–5.0 have not been fully explored in terms of the fundamental importance of explainability. Traditional monitoring techniques for automatic anomaly detection, identifying the potential variables, and root cause analysis for fault information are not intelligent enough to tackle the intricate problems of real-time practices in the industrial and chemical sectors. This study presents a novel dynamic machine learning based explainable fusion approach to address the issues of process monitoring in industrial and chemical process systems. The methodology aims to detect faults, identify their key causes and feature variables, and analyze the root path of fault propagation with the time and magnitude of one cause variable to another impact. This study proposed using a time domain multivariate granger-entropy-aided dynamic independent component analysis (DICA)—distributed canonical correlation analysis approach, incorporating the dynamics time wrapping supported time delay-signed directed graph. The proposed methodology utilized the application to industrial and chemical processes and verified using the continuous stirred tank reactor and Tennessee Eastman process as practical application benchmarks. The framework’s validations and efficiency are evaluated using established techniques such as classic computed ICA and DICA as standard model scenarios. The outcomes and results showed that the newly developed strategy is preferable to previous approaches regarding explainability and robust detection and identification of the actual root causes with high FDRs and low FARs.

FAIRNESS IN THE WORK BEHIND THE AI INDUSTRY: HOW ACTION-RESEARCH APPROACHES CAN BUILD BETTER LABOUR CONDITIONS

The paper presents findings about the labor conditions on the work behind AI development, with two main goals. First, the aim is to investigate the current labor conditions in the AI industry and point out the lack of quality of outsourced jobs offered by digital labor platforms and Business Process Outsourcing companies, calling attention to the challenges faced by workers and the human costs of AI systems development. Second, it presents a global research project results on how not only to carry on international studies on the topic but also how to use an action-research approach to generate impact through public scoring companies and encourage the adoption of best practices by them. The paper’s methods are based on the project’s action-research approach and methodological framework. The project scores companhies based on principles that address the major issues that define labour relations, namely, pay, conditions, contracts, management, and representation. The paper presents the result of the assessment of cloudwork platforms conducted in 2023. In addition, it paper will examine labour relations in BPO companies in the AI supply chain using a case study of the company Sama, which is based in the United States and operates in many African countries. Among the findings are problems such as non-payment situations, lack of policies to ensure minimum wage, significant rates of unpaid labour, poor measures to promote health and safety, problems in management practices and weak collective bargaining practices.

Improving the Accuracy of Financial Reports with the Right Accounting System

This study aims to explore how the implementation of the right accounting system can improve the accuracy of financial reports at PT. Wirakarya Sakti. The research method used is a qualitative approach with an exploratory purpose, which focuses on understanding the context and dynamics that exist in the company and the perceptions of related parties in the accounting process. The main data sources come from in-depth interviews with financial managers, accountants, and accounting staff, as well as analysis of company documents such as financial reports, accounting policies, and systems implemented. Participatory observation was also conducted to identify potential problems in ongoing accounting practices. The results of the study indicate that the implementation of a software-based accounting system at PT. Wirakarya Sakti has succeeded in improving the accuracy of financial reports by reducing human error, accelerating the process of data verification and reconciliation, and producing more timely and reliable reports. This system helps in managing transactions in a more structured and efficient manner, and minimizing discrepancies between documents. Thus, this study provides recommendations to continue optimizing the implementation of a technology-based accounting system to support more accurate and efficient financial report management.

Resisting the Algorithmic Management of Science: Craft and Community After Generative AI

This essay in honor of ASQ's 70th volume surveys how technology-driven changes in scholarly publishing have introduced algorithmic management to organizational research. The internet greatly reduced the cost of publishing journals and prompted an orders-of-magnitude increase in the number of journals and articles while also foregrounding quantitative metrics for scholarship. Given the academic incentive system of publish or perish, the new online ecosystem has encouraged problematic practices by scholars and publishers that threaten the standards and values of organizational theory. The advent of generative artificial intelligence within this milieu is almost certain to worsen the publishing trends we have already experienced. Drawing on prior literature about the centrality of deep intellectual engagement through reading, writing, and interactions with colleagues, we propose a set of reforms to preserve the sacredness of craft and community at the core of our scholarly work.

Fostering Linguistic Justice in Digital Spaces: Using Indigenous Methods in the Study of NLP

Data and data modeling practices in natural language processing (NLP) privilege languages with the greatest levels of representation online, leaving behind speakers of the overwhelming majority of the world's languages from enjoying the full benefits of digital inclusion. These dynamics have been explored in the context of historic colonial relationships, with linguists and language activists noting the colonizing discourses around the adoption of language-related technologies, and highlighting problematic research practices among linguists and computational linguists working in the area of digital corpus development for minoritized and Indigenous languages. Such power differentials raise questions about the source(s) and nature of language technology development bias in Global South contexts. To that end, this paper is divided into three parts. The first addresses the identification and roots of bias in NLP as it is currently understood, emphasizing the particular ways it is expressed in Global South contexts, and Latin America in particular. The second briefly discusses the theoretical frameworks of data colonialism and Indigenous data sovereignty as mechanisms to clarify how bias in NLP operates in these contexts. In the third section, Indigenous methods are proposed to investigate how these frameworks can help illuminate a research ethics around NLP for minoritized languages. Although there is an abundance of literature addressing ethics in NLP, no work to date has utilized an Indigenous methods framework to examine bias in the field, even as it relates specifically to Indigenous language data and technologies. This work argues that Indigenous methods can ultimately yield deeper insights into the concepts of bias and fairness in NLP, as well as the motivations and decisions employed in the development of language technologies, thereby serving as a more effective generator of equitable solutions while advancing theory development.

Factors Influencing Farmer Adoption in Problematic Soil Reclamation Practices: A Comprehensive Review

Soil degradation, particularly in the form of salinity, alkalinity, and acidity, presents a critical challenge to agricultural productivity and food security in India, especially in the Bhal region of Gujarat. Despite the availability of various soil reclamation techniques, the adoption of these practices among farmers is inconsistent, hindered by socio-economic, technological and administrative barriers. This review synthesizes current literature to explore key factors influencing the adoption of soil reclamation practices and identifies effective strategies for enhancing farmer engagement in these vital interventions. Key factors such as access to irrigation, farmer knowledge and awareness, socio-economic status, risk orientation and extension participation play pivotal roles in adoption rates. Barriers include high economic costs, limited technological knowledge, inadequate administrative support and socio-cultural resistance to change. Addressing these challenges through coordinated efforts among policymakers, researchers and local communities is crucial for promoting sustainable agricultural practices and enhancing farmer livelihoods in degraded areas. Future research should focus on long-term impacts and the integrating of innovative technologies to ensure a resilient farming system.

FORMATION OF PEDAGOGICAL THINKING OF FUTURE SPECIALISTS BASED ON THE ACMEOLOGICAL APPROACH

Professional training of future teachers in higher educational institutions of the country is based on the system of acmeological training through the means of self-education, self-correction, self-management. In this regard, higher educational institutions set the task of training future specialists who have received high-quality education, can think creatively, and are focused on achieving heights in professional activities. Currently, in theoretical acmeological studies, the development of personal and professional development, strengthening of personal potential, self-expression of the personality in professional activity is based on and formulated by the intellectual shaft of acmeological laws.One of the most pressing problems of modern pedagogical science and best practices in the education system is the achievement of the highest level of performance in their professional activities, creativity, relationships, development,objective and subjective factors that contribute or hinder the progressive development of the future specialist. In the system of professional training of future teachers, their qualitative skills must correspond to social processes. In this sense, the place occupied by acmeology as an integrative-complex science is special.The purpose of acmeology is to improve the personality, help it reach the heights of its physical, spiritual, professional development, substantiate the theory and practice of personal growth and professional development, consider the conditions and methodological ways to reach the highest ladder of professionalism.In this regard, the article analyzes the specifics of acmeological approaches in scientific terms to the relevance and rationality of developing qualitative skills in the system of professional training of future teachers in pedagogical universities.

Retainer Bias: Ethical and Practical Considerations for the Forensic Neuropsychologist.

How is it that practicing forensic neuropsychologists occasionally see substandard work from other colleagues, or more fundamentally, have such disparate opinions on the same case? One answer might be that in every profession, competence varies. Another possibility has little to do with competence, but professional conduct. In this paper we discuss the process by which retainer bias may occur. Retainer bias is a form of confirmatory bias, i.e., in assessment, the tendency to seek, favor, and interpret data and make judgments and decisions that support a predetermined expectation or hypothesis, ignoring or dismissing data that challenge that hypothesis ( Nickerson, 1998). The tendency to interpret data in support of the retaining attorney's position of advocacy may be intentional - that is, within conscious awareness and explicit, or it may be unintentional, outside of one's awareness, representing implicit bias. While some practitioners accept referrals from both sides in litigation, numerous uncontrollable factors converge in such a manner that one's practice may nevertheless become associated with one side. Such imbalance is not a reliable index of bias. With brief hypothetical scenarios, in this paper we discuss contextual factors that increase risk for retainer bias and problematic practice approaches that may be used to support one side in litigation, violating ethical principles, codes of conduct and guidelines for engaging in forensic work. We also discuss debiasing techniques recommended within the empirical literature and call on the subspecialty field of forensic neuropsychology to conduct research into retainer bias and other sources of opinion variability.

“Other(ed)” Ocean Knowledges: Unlearning Integration in Ocean Governance for Recognitional Justice

There is an increasing call for the need to “integrate” Indigenous and local knowledge systems in ocean governance processes, on national and global scales. However, the knowledge systems, epistemes, and practices of different Indigenous and local coastal communities, whose stewardship of the planet sustains and protects marine ecosystems, pre‐date the institutionalised ocean sciences and governance with which they are meant to be integrated. The concept of integration often perpetuates othering and devaluation of various ocean knowledges that should not be subject to these problematic practices. Much of the current knowledge informing ocean governance is underpinned by colonial, military, and financial projects, in direct juxtaposition to epistemes and practices that are deeply interconnected with marine life. Writing from a marine social sciences perspective, we explore the inherent problems and limitations of integration approaches and propose reversing how we frame “knowledge” and its othering by suggesting that our scientific and governance practices are, in fact, “other” to longstanding ways of coexisting with the ocean. Without attempting to represent Indigenous knowledge systems or categorise these as unaware of scientific developments, we argue that researchers and scientists need to actively unlearn what is taught in prominent ocean sciences. By focusing on global governance through the International Seabed Authority and national ocean governance in South Africa, respectively, we explore knowledge othering and the process of unlearning what ocean governance teaches as knowledge integration to better critically consider how the ocean is, has been, and should be valued.

Data management practice of health extension workers and associated factors in Central Gondar Zone, northwest Ethiopia.

Generating quality data for decision-making at all levels of a health system is a global imperative. The assessment of the Ethiopian National Health Information System revealed that health information system resources, data management, dissemination, and their use were rated as "not adequate" among the six major components of the health system. Health extension workers are the frontline health workforce where baseline health data are generated in theEthiopian health system. However, the data collected, compiled, and reported by health extension workers are unreliable and of low quality. Despite huge problems in data management practices, there is a lack of sound evidence on how to overcome these health data management challenges, particularly among health extension workers. Thus, this study aimed to assess data management practices and their associated factors among health extension workers in theCentral Gondar Zone. An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 383 health extension workers. A simple random sampling method was used to select districts, all health extension workers were surveyed in the selected districts, and a structured self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. The data was entered using EpiData version 4.6 and analyzed using STATA, version 16. Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were executed. An odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval and a p-value of <0.05 was calculated to determine the strength of theassociation and to evaluate statistical significance, respectively. Of the 383 health extension workers enrolled, all responded to the questionnaire with a response rate of 100%. Furthermore, 54.7% ofthe respondents had good data management practices. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, being a married woman, having good data management knowledge, having agood attitude toward data management, having 1-5 years of working experience, and havingasalary ranging from 5,358 to 8,013 Ethiopian Birr were the factors significantly associated with good data management practices among health extension workers. The overall data management practice was poor with only five health extension workers out of ten having good data management practices.

What works in global health partnerships? Reflections on a Nigerian-German project collaboration

Abstract Background Global health partnerships for project implementation is a frequent way to address health challenges. Bringing stakeholders from different disciplines, professions, settings and countries together provides opportunity to look at health challenges from different perspectives, develop suitable ideas to tackle them and leverage diverse capacities. Problem In such diverse partnerships, cultural norms, practical realities and institutional practices create challenges for the development of good and equitable relationships. Methods In our project collaboration between the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control and Prevention and the German Robert Koch Institute on developing and implementing trainings in infection prevention and control, we demonstrated how a partnership can function. The collaboration followed a participatory approach and was informed by the following principles: - Plan, revise, adapt and implement all project activities as well as its contents participatorily; - A well-coordinated teamwork is key to facilitate operational performance; - Consider everyone as expert in its own domain of influence; - Constant and inclusive communication: maintaining transparency on all aspects and steps both in contents and organization and applying non-violent communication and active listening; - Provide space for reflection on roles and functions and for open discussion on needs and misunderstandings; - Appreciate team work as constantly evolving process of interaction and learning. Results We built a strong resilient team and could leverage team diversity to deliver on project objectives with exceptional quality, adaptability in a highly complex and frequently changing implementation setting. Lessons Working across cultures, disciplines, professions and countries means to develop a joint communication language and an understanding of the other. It is challenging and dynamic, requires additional space/time and attention, but offers personal growth and self-realization. Key messages • Using a participatory approach in teams can leverage team diversity to deliver on project objectives and bring about a high professional and personal self-realization. • There are concrete implementable ways of teamwork in international interdisciplinary global health collaborations that enhance quality of results in complex implementation settings.

Show and slow codes: A historical analysis of clinicians' adaptations to ethical overreach.

After briefly reviewing the historical development and ethical regulation of resuscitative technologies, this study probes why clinicians engage in the morally problematic practice of show and slow coding and why hospitals tolerate it? Studies conducted in 1995 and 2020 indicate that conscientious clinicians engage in these practices to protect their patients from abusive or futile resuscitation. And hospitals' clinical cultures tolerate these practices to protect conscientious clinicians from censure, dismissal, delicensing, or legal prosecution for withholding or withdrawing abusive or futile resuscitative technologies without prior patient or surrogate consent. Show and slow coding evolved in American clinical cultures in the second half of the 20th century when closed-chest cardiac massage, defibrillators, ventilators, and other resuscitative technologies raised seemingly novel ethical questions. To address these questions, bioethics commissions, healthcare societies, lawmakers, and a Roman Catholic Pope developed ethics standards requiring clinicians to obtain patient or surrogate consent before withholding or withdrawing resuscitative technologies. They thus conferred on patients an implicit right of resuscitation even if it was abusive and/or futile. Conscientious clinicians circumvented this implicit right by show and slow coding to protect patients from abusive resuscitation. Recognizing clinicians' benign intent, hospitals' clinical cultures tolerate show and slow coding as acts of conscience, akin to civil disobedience. Thus, rescinding ethics standards and laws requiring prior patient/surrogate consent for non-resuscitation or for cessation of resuscitative technologies decisions should end show/slow coding. Such a reform should also recognize clinicians' right of conscientious refusal to perform CPR.

What Do We Mean by ‘Representation’? Towards a Systematic Corpus-Assisted Critical Discourse Analysis of First Nations People(s) in Australian Print News

Given the enduring influence of news media on public awareness and opinion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people(s) and related issues, systematic analysis of how these communities are represented in news media remains socially significant. However, what analysts mean when they use the term ‘representation’ shows considerable variation across the literature, from the amount of coverage relevant stories are afforded, to the inclusion of First Nations sources, to the narratives that a given version of events constructs. Moreover, while language is central to the discursive construction of these matters, few linguistic studies of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander media representations exist. To begin to address these gaps, this study first maps the forms of representation identified in previous research, before analysing three of the four types (visibility, naming strategies and portrayal) via a corpus-assisted critical discourse analysis of news articles about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people(s) and issues. It finds that, by and large, how First Nations people(s) are represented is inconsistent—while in some areas, representation broadly aligns with expectations expressed by First Nations communities (i.e. for increased coverage, respectful terms of reference and strengths-based discourses), problematic practices persist. Importantly, however, the analysis also illuminates a range of journalistic practices that can be implemented to improve representation in areas currently lacking.

Composting modernity

We have reached the logical end of modernity as it lays waste to the natural world, discards people, and reveals its inherent and thus continual violence. Withdrawing our energy from and breaking down the constellation of modern beliefs, we can repattern ourselves and our communities for a life-giving future. In its structure and content, this article demonstrates a relationality approach to sustainability and climate education that undertakes practices to emplace humans back within the living world. Indigenous philosophies of place as well as posthumanism offer relational notions of time, space, place, and land to consider. Pedagogy-rich, the article provides practices for: restoring the history of modernity as a decolonial counternarrative; composting the most problematic beliefs and practices of modernity; providing tracings of and for possible futures; deriving pedagogical entry points of relevance to learners; and nurturing ways of being that can build a rooted, more life-giving way of being.

From Motivating to Manipulative: The Use of Deceptive Design in a Game's Free-to-Play Transition

Over the last decade, the free-to-play (F2P) game business model has gained popularity in the games industry. We examine the role of deceptive design during a game's transition to F2P and its impacts on players. Our analysis focuses on game mechanics and a Reddit analysis of the Overwatch (OW) series after it transitioned to an F2P model. Our study identifies nine game mechanics that use deceptive design patterns. We also identify factors contributing to a negative gameplay experience. Business model transitions in games present possibilities for problematic practices. Our findings identify the need for game developers and publishers to balance player investments and fairness of rewards. A game's successful transition depends on maintaining fundamental components of player motivation and ensuring transparent communication. Compared to existing taxonomies in other media, games need a comprehensive classification of deceptive design. We emphasize the importance of understanding player perceptions and the impact of deceptive practices in future research.

The Problem of Subjectivity in Algorithmic Creativity Organisation

The aim of the article is to study the issue of determining subjectivity, authorship and uniqueness of the results of producing the creative process, organised by the use of algorithmic calculations. Results. The article clarifies the possibility of organising the artistic and creative process using mathematical calculations, and automating the reproduction of certain manipulations, additionally, it reveals signs of the uniqueness of the corresponding generation results, and grounds the degree of automating the cultural process. The scientific novelty of the article is revealed in the process of highlighting technical assets of modern art, which, although slowly, nevertheless quite demonstratively show the potential of algorithmic computing as a stimulator of creative innovations. Among the methods used in the process of analysing the issues which are raised in the article, first of all, the analytical method has to be singled out, that is based on both historical and philosophical processes, as well as modern cultural activity. Conclusions. It is revealed that algorithmic creativity is actually a kind of mechanised production process, organised in accordance with the features of machine training, and the identified signs of stylistic imitation of traditional practices. Two types of practices for organising the corresponding creative process are established according to the degree of interaction of artists with robotic systems: practices where robotic mechanisms become “subjects of creativity”, that is they are able to produce content for organizing artistic processes; practices involving the equal interaction of robotic mechanisms and artists (for instance, in theatrical performances). The cultural process automation leads to the decrease in the artist’s participation, and weakening of his authorship, but he still has an absolute advantage in the thinking orientation. Interpretation of meaningful content is a critical problem in relevant practices. The usage of algorithms in creating art products challenges traditional methods of artistic cultural creation, as the artist’s meaning and intentions are not always clear. Evaluating further prospects for the artistic culture development requires taking into account these aspects, and recognising potential consequences of forming algorithmic creativity for the further cultural development of humanity.