Question Of Debate Research Articles

What guides the judgment of learning: Memory or heuristics? An event-related potential study

Memory monitoring ability is essential for the effectiveness of learning processes. Judgment of Learning (JOL), a metacognitive judgment, is commonly used to measure this ability. An ongoing debate questions whether JOL is an outcome of an inferential or recollective experience, as suggested by different hypotheses regarding the underlying cognitive mechanisms of this judgment. To address this question through a neuroscientific perspective, we aimed to investigate the temporal dynamic of JOL adopting event-related potential (ERP) methodology. Seventy-two young adults participated in an episodic memory task involving word-pairs as stimuli. Their JOLs were obtained through categorical choices in a delayed condition. Additionally, their memory performance was tested in the recognition phase. ERP components were compared for different JOL levels, as well as for the hit responses in the recognition test according to their JOL levels. The analyses showed that JOL processes are observable within an early time window after stimulus presentation, as evidenced by elicitation of the P100, N100, P200, N200, and P300 components across all JOL levels. However, only the amplitude of the N100 varied among these levels. A negative ERP component with 330–500 ms latency was also evident for all JOL levels in the central and parietal electrodes, which did not differ in amplitude. The analyses of the recognition phase ERPs showed that the hit responses did not exhibit a significant difference in the familiarity-related mid-frontal old/new effect (FN400) amplitude; however, those with high level of JOL elicited recollection-related parietal old-new effect with a smaller amplitude. These findings support both hypotheses suggesting that JOL is influenced by heuristics and the retrievability of information.

Polarization from a Radially Stratified GRB Outflow

While the dominant radiation mechanism of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) remains a question of debate, synchrotron emission is one of the foremost candidates to describe the multi-wavelength afterglow observations. As such, it is expected that GRBs should present some degree of polarization across their evolution—presenting a feasible means of probing these bursts’ energetic and angular properties. Although obtaining polarization data is difficult due to the inherent complexities regarding GRB observations, advances are being made, and theoretical modeling of synchrotron polarization is now more relevant than ever. In this manuscript, we present the polarization for a fiduciary model, where the synchrotron FS emission evolving in the radiative–adiabatic regime is described by a radially stratified off-axis outflow. This is parameterized with a power-law velocity distribution and decelerated in a constant-density and wind-like external environment. We apply this theoretical polarization model for two select GRBs, presenting upper limits in their polarization—GRB 170817A, a known off-axis GRB with radio polarization upper limits, and GRB 190014C, an on-axis case, where the burst was seen from within the half-opening angle of the jet, with observed optical polarization—in an attempt to constrain their magnetic field geometry in the emitting region.

On the question concerning the concept of a special corpus delicti

The article considers the question of the concept and essence of a special corpus delicti. The author analyzes the available definitions of special elements of the crime and provides his own version of the definition. There is explored a debatable question of the ratio of special and qualified elements of crime and substantiated the opinion that the nature of these categories is different, since the criteria for their distinguishing and the rules for their construction differ. Sometimes a qualified corpus delicti simultaneously acts as a special one, but even in this case, the crime remains qualified in relation to the main crime, and it is seen as a special corpus delicti to the general crime, where the main crime and the general crime do not coincide. The author expresses an opinion about the necessity to eliminate technical and legal flaws in special crimes by developing rules of their structing.

Persistence and Culturability of Escherichia coli under Induced Toxin Expression.

Bacteria are well known to enter dormancy under stress conditions. However, the mechanisms of different dormancy-related phenotypes are still under debate and many questions remain unanswered. This study aims to better understand the effects of toxin gene expression on the dormancy of Escherichia coli. The effects of toxin gene expression on growth, persistence, and culturability were characterized. Specifically, we detailed dose- and time-dependent dormancy of E. coli and its susceptibility to ofloxacin via arabinose-induced hipA toxin gene expression under the PBAD promoter. A new plot was developed to better describe the dynamic changes in culturability and persistence. The expression level of hipA was determined using qPCR and cellular activities were monitored using fluorescence imaging and flow cytometry. High-level persister formation and strong tolerance to ofloxacin were observed after high-level hipA induction. The new plot reveals more information than the changes in persistence alone, e.g., reduced culturability of E. coli and thus deeper dormancy under high-level hipA induction. Consistently, controlled hipA induction led to decreased cellular activities at promoter PrrnBP1 and an increase in the non-culturable subpopulation. Overall, this study provides new insights into dormancy induced by toxin gene expression and a more comprehensive view of persistence and culturability. The findings may help develop better control agents against dormant bacterial cells.

Untapped Potential of Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase Inhibitors: Lessons Learned From the Real-World Clinical Homologous Recombination Repair Mutation Testing.

Testing for homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) mutations is pivotal to assess individual risk, to proact preventive measures in healthy carriers and to tailor treatments for cancer patients. Increasing prominence of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors with remarkable impact on molecular-selected patient survival across diverse nosologies, ingrains testing for BRCA genes and beyond in clinical practice. Nevertheless, testing strategies remain a question of debate. While several pathogenic BRCA1/2 gene variants have been described as founder pathogenic mutations frequently found in patients from Russia, other homologous recombination repair (HRR) genes have not been sufficiently explored. In this study, we present real-world data of routine HRR gene testing in Russia. We evaluated clinical and sequencing data from cancer patients who had germline/somatic next-generation sequencing (NGS) HRR gene testing in Russia (BRCA1/2/ATM/CHEK2, or 15 HRR genes). The primary objectives of this study were to evaluate the frequency of BRCA1/2 and non-BRCA gene mutations in real-world unselected patients from Russia, and to determine whether testing beyond BRCA1/2 is feasible. Data of 2,032 patients were collected from February 2021 to February 2023. Most had breast (n = 715, 35.2%), ovarian (n = 259, 12.7%), pancreatic (n = 85, 4.2%), or prostate cancer (n = 58, 2.9%). We observed 586 variants of uncertain significance (VUS) and 372 deleterious variants (DVs) across 487 patients, with 17.6% HRR-mutation positivity. HRR testing identified 120 (11.8%) BRCA1/2-positive, and 172 (16.9%) HRR-positive patients. With 51 DVs identified in 242 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE), testing for variant origin clarification was required in one case (0.4%). Most BRCA1/2 germline variants were DV (121 DVs, 26 VUS); in non-BRCA1/2 genes, VUS were ubiquitous (53 DVs, 132 VUS). In silico prediction identified additional 4.9% HRR and 1.2% BRCA1/2/ATM/CHEK2 mutation patients. Our study represents one of the first reports about the incidence of DV and VUS in HRR genes, including genes beyond BRCA1/2, identified in cancer patients from Russia, assessed by NGS. In silico predictions of the observed HRR gene variants suggest that non-BRCA gene testing is likely to result in higher frequency of patients who are candidates for PARP inhibitor therapy. Continuing sequencing efforts should clarify interpretation of frequently observed non-BRCA VUS.

Global egalitarianism and climate change: against integrationism

ABSTRACT A central question in debates about climate justice concerns how the global emissions sink should be shared among the global population over time. This paper considers how global egalitarians should answer that question. In particular, it defends emissions egalitarianism from a view known as ‘integrationism’, according to which shares of the emissions sink should follow from a more general egalitarian theory of distributive justice. First, I show that emissions egalitarianism can draw on a source of functional support not adequately acknowledged in the integrationist critique: it can express an underlying account of the structure of historical responsibility for climate change I call the Fair Share View. Second, I claim that integrationism is also in tension with other principles of responsibility for climate change, and that its scepticism about historical responsibility has not been appreciated. Finally, I provide an alternative to integrationism. My central claim is that integrationism posits too direct a relation between a theory of equality of wellbeing and practical questions about claims to the emissions sink. Egalitarians should appeal to a species of derivative principle I call ‘applied principles of global justice’, and emissions egalitarianism could plausibly be endorsed on these grounds.

Unconditional cash transfers and maternal employment: Evidence from the Baby’s First Years study

How the labor force participation of mothers of young children responds to unconditioned cash support remains an open question in policy debates. Using data from Baby’s First Years, a large-scale randomized controlled study, we generate new estimates of the impact of an unconditional monthly cash transfer on maternal employment behavior through a child’s first four years of life. We find no overall statistically detectable differences in whether mothers participated in the paid workforce or on total household earnings. Receipt of the cash transfer appears to have reduced hours of maternal work during the height of the pandemic in 2020–21.

EARLY MEDIEVAL MYKILSKE HOARD: PRELIMINARY REPORT

This paper presents the findings from the Mykilske hoard, which belongs to the assemblages of the Martynivka circle. Jewelry from the hoard dates to the se­cond half of 6th — late 7th century, and its deposition occurs in the middle — third quarter of 7th century. This assemblage was discovered outside the archaeological sites. Therefore it is possible that this hoard confirms the «household» version of the deposition of hoards proposed by one of the authors. Mykilske hoard consisted of 4 whole (two couples) and head-plat of fifth radiate-headed fibulae, 2 lunar pendants with 3 trapezoidal pendants, fragmentary bracelet, 2 rings and bronze tubular beads: 5 spiral and 7 simple smooth ones. The study of the chemical composition of the metal and its analysis make it possible to trace the techno­logy of objects manufacturing, to single out the individual operations and methods used by craftsmen. The production of items took place according to a single technological scheme — casting in two-piece clay cas­ting molds in combination with separate jewelry techniques, such as the use of stiffening ribs — longitudinal ribs in the manufacture of radiate-headed fibulae. Such a constructive detail, which is uncharacteristic for Crimean and Western European jewelers, is considered a local jewelry technique of the artisans of the Middle Dnieper region and the Dnieper forest-steppe Left Bank. Further morphological and trassological study of the objects from hoard make it possible to more fully trace the technique, operations and methods used by jewelers, to reconstruct the process of making jewelry and to highlight the characteristic features of jewelry of this region. Who and how many people could be the owners of this assemblage is also a debatable question. However, the four radiate-headed fibulae may indicate at least two sets for clothing. The Mykilske hoard was discovered in the area of the Kolochin culture. Downstream of the river Psel the Bezdryk barrow cemetery is located. A more precise definition of the ethno-cultural context is possible only after archaeological explorations in the microregion. However, this is currently impossible, because since the end of February 2022, after the full-scale invasion of russian troops, this territory has become an arena of hostilities and remains potentially dangerous. It is also located within a 20-kilometer zone from the state border of Ukraine, where scientific activities are currently prohibited. Although the hoard is quite typical for this circle of antiquities, nevertheless, it adds information about the ethno-cultural situation in the region in the period of the 5th—7th centuries and the features of the spread of such assemblages among Slavs.

Role of Functional Groups in Tuning Luminescence Signature of Solution-Processed Graphene Quantum Dots: Experimental and Theoretical Insights.

Zero-dimensional graphene quantum dots (GQDs) present unique optoelectronic properties in the large-spectrum range from UV to visible. However, the origin of luminescence in GQDs is still a debatable question. Therefore, the present work investigates the features of trap-mediated and edge-state-functionalized group-associated luminescence enhancement of GQDs. The attached functional groups' involvement in the upsurge of photoluminescence has been discussed theoretically as well as experimentally. In addition, the role of the aromatic ring, the functional group attached, and their positions of attachment to the aromatic ring to tune the emission wavelength and Raman modes have been elucidated theoretically as well as experimentally. We found that in the case of the -OH group attached outside of the aromatic ring, the long-range π hybridization dominates, which suggests that the emission from this model can be dictated by long-range π hybridization. In particular, we found that oxygen-containing functional groups attached outside of the aromatic ring are the main source of the luminescence signature in GQDs. Furthermore, density functional theory (DFT) indicates that the -OH functional group attached outside of the aromatic ring perfectly matched with our experimental results, as the experimental bandgap (2.407 eV) is comparable with the theoretical simulated bandgap (2.399 eV) of the -OH group attached outside of the aromatic ring.

Practice and Implications of Emerging Technology on Sport Management

Sport has always been under pressure to change. Fortunately, we can see the pressures coming as emerging technologies are published online. This situation offers an advantage as sport management students can be taught to ponder such technological advancements. No one has the complete right answer(s) today - but we can speculate and begin to prepare sport for the emerging technologies. This paper outlines five (5) advancing technologies and proposes questions for debate on their potential impact on sport. The technologies include: sporting equipment and 4D printing; deep brain stimulation and competition anxiety; block chain management; human driven drones and long distance races; and preparing for races that are higher, faster, and further …. around the moon and back. It is important to begin to prepare so we ‘get it right’ as an example of potentially not getting it right is offered to start the discussion. Insights and debate can aid to devise strategies concerning the way forward in emerging times. This means we have an opportunity to contribute to leading edge education and advance management skills for the future of sport. Significant change is happening – and sport management educators can aid in getting ahead of the issues. Keywords: sport management education, emerging technologies and sport, management of sport challenges, sport policy

Prosthodontic Management Of Post Covid Mucormycosis

Background: Post covid mucormycosis although very uncommon, came to the limelight after the covid pandemic owing to the decrease in immunity of affected individuals. Post treatment, most of the patients were subjected to physical and mental trauma owing to the aggressive resection of the affected tissues. Patients faced difficulty in swallowing, speech and it affected the esthetics which had a negative impact on the quality of life of patients. Prosthetic management of such patients involves fabrication of maxillofacial prosthesis which replaces the resected tissue thereby restoring normal oral functions. Aim: To manage patients affected by post covid mucormycosis prosthetically thereby improving the oral health of the individual. Case description: In this article three cases are described which were prosthetically managed with help of obturator, cast partial denture, and hollow denture. Conclusion: Prosthetic rehabilitation of patients affected by mucormycosis is quiet complex considering the fact that surgery cannot be planned as per prosthetic requirements. Most of the time prosthodontists are left with minimal structure which would aid in retention, stability and support of denture. Rehabilitation of such patients with implants is a question of debate as more research is required to have clarity regarding the success of implants in mucormycosis affected patients. Conventional treatment with obturator, partial and complete denture is proven to be successful.

Genoeconomics: Decoding the genetic basis of entrepreneurial success

This paper explores the emerging intersection of genomics, neuroscience, and entrepreneurship. Specifically, it examines if and how genetic factors and neurobiological processes influence entrepreneurial behaviors and success. The key questions addressed are: 1) Is there a genetic basis for the entrepreneurial mindset? 2) Can genetic markers and neuroimaging data predict entrepreneurial outcomes? 3) What challenges arise when combining genetic, neuroscientific, and business data? 4) How can entrepreneurs utilize insights from genomics and neuroscience? The paper argues that synchronizing molecular genetics with behavioral data can offer new causal explanations for entrepreneurial cognition under the umbrella of "genoeconomics." However, there are methodological difficulties in analyzing genetically informative data. It cautions against genetic determinism while highlighting opportunities from mapping genetic entrepreneurial proclivities. Entrepreneurship is an intricate phenotype. Are entrepreneurs born or made or developed or adopted? What makes an entrepreneur think outside the box and pursuing avant-garde paths to attain entrepreneurial goals? Alvin Toffler mentioned of various ‘Waves’ viz. Agrarian, Industrial and so on. Economics and Business Management, today, is experiencing inestimable waves viz. Heterodox Wave, Genetic Wave, Molecular Wave, Cellular Wave, Hereditary Wave, [‘Infoplosion’ or ‘Info-Tectonics’ Wave, Capability Approach Wave, Institutional Wave, Behavioral / Experimental Wave [Cognitive and Emotional dimensions / Develops and uses experiments typically with human subjects], Evolutionary Wave, Cognitive Wave, Information Wave , Artificial [Synthetic and / or Fabricated] Intelligence Wave and Neuro Wave, to list a few, from a rational perspective. Of central interest in this paper is Managerial Business - Economics Wave. It deals with, with complex, deep-rooted problems, gears and technique to dissect market demand, assess expenses, establish pricing strategies, assess risks, and appreciate competitive dynamics. Is entrepreneurship a genetic trait? Of recent origin is emergence of incorporating genetic and biological markers into entrepreneurship. Issue that confronts is, is there a need to sync molecular genetics and entrepreneurial business data to genomic entrepreneurship; under umbrella of ‘Genoeconomics’? Does this mean that entrepreneurship is in genes? Do genes determine entrepreneurial success? Can genetics or molecular genetics and entrepreneurial data predict response to multifarious behavioral intercession? Can genetics calculate retort to intricate behavioral interference? Are genetic markers of interest for entrepreneurship research? What challenges occur when analyzing genetically informative facts? How, if at all, should entrepreneurs use and combine molecular genetics and business data? What challenges arise when analyzing genetically informative data? The moot issue is, can entrepreneurship be genetic? Can an entrepreneur be ‘genetically-inclined’? One debatable question is why do entrepreneurial parents have entrepreneurial children? What kinds of opportunities will genetic mapping of entrepreneur offer business entities? Do the big Five Personality Traits [Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agree-Ableness and Neuroticism] play a role? Do genetic factors influence tendency to acquire skills and develop attributes relevant to entrepreneurship? Is it crucial to emphasize that a genetic predisposition to entrepreneurship should definitely, unequivocally, not be confounded with genetic determinism? This paper aims to seek a conceptualistic conformation to the above issues

On some confirmations in genomic entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship is an intricate phenotype. Are entrepreneurs born or made or developed or adopted? What makes an entrepreneur think outside the box and pursuing avant-garde paths to attain entrepreneurial goals? Alvin Toffler mentioned of various ‘Waves’ viz. Agrarian, Industrial and so on. Economics and Business Management, today, is experiencing inestimable waves viz. Heterodox Wave, Genetic Wave, Molecular Wave, Cellular Wave, Hereditary Wave, [‘Infoplosion’ or ‘Info-Tectonics’ Wave, Capability Approach Wave, Institutional Wave, Behavioral / Experimental Wave [Cognitive and Emotional dimensions / Develops and uses experiments typically with human subjects], Evolutionary Wave, Cognitive Wave, Information Wave , Artificial [Synthetic and / or Fabricated] Intelligence Wave and Neuro Wave, to list a few, from a rational perspective. Of central interest in this paper is Managerial Business - Economics Wave. It deals with, with complex, deep-rooted problems, gears and technique to dissect market demand, assess expenses, establish pricing strategies, assess risks, and appreciate competitive dynamics. Is entrepreneurship a genetic trait? Of recent origin is emergence of incorporating genetic and biological markers into entrepreneurship. Issue that confronts is; is there a need to sync molecular genetics and entrepreneurial business data to genomic entrepreneurship; under umbrella of ‘Genoeconomics’? Does this mean that entrepreneurship is in genes? Do genes determine entrepreneurial success? Can genetics or molecular genetics and entrepreneurial data predict response to multifarious behavioral intercession? Can genetics calculate retort to intricate behavioral interference? Are genetic markers of interest for entrepreneurship research? What challenges occur when analyzing genetically informative facts? How, if at all, should entrepreneurs use and combine molecular genetics and business data? What challenges arise when analyzing genetically informative data? The moot issue is; can entrepreneurship be genetic? Can an entrepreneur be ‘genetically-inclined’? One debatable question is; why do entrepreneurial parents have entrepreneurial children? What kinds of opportunities will genetic mapping of entrepreneur offer business entities? Do the big Five Personality Traits [Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agree-Ableness and Neuroticism] play a role? Do genetic factors influence tendency to acquire skills and develop attributes relevant to entrepreneurship? Is it crucial to emphasize that a genetic predisposition to entrepreneurship should definitely, unequivocally, not be confounded with genetic determinism? This paper aims to seek a conceptualistic conformation to the above issues

Heathfield Down: An Alternative Location for the Battlefield of Hastings, 1066

Abstract The exact location of the Battle of Hastings remains a question of debate. We identify previously unknown 18th and 19th-century sources that locate the battle near Old Heathfield in East Sussex, ten miles north-west of Battle Abbey, on land once known as Heathfield Down and ‘Slaughter Common’. We analyse the relevance of the haran apuldran (‘Hoar Apple Tree’) in the ‘D’ text of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle as an original name for the battlefield and discuss the survival of this name in medieval deeds concerning a nearby place ‘Horeapeltre’. We consider the military and cultural reasons why the battle might have taken place near here and show that the haran apuldran was probably a military assembly point. Heathfield Down was a likely conflict area due to its communication links, topography and strategic location, and Harold being stationed here could explain why he was taken by surprise, according to English sources.

Artificial Intelligence and Theology: Can Different Doctrines Have Different Outcomes?

This article focuses on how different theological perspectives may influence AI acceptance in diverse faith communities. It highlights differences between Western and Eastern Christian traditions, suggesting that the historical emphasis on intellect in Western Christianity might make it more open to AI, though challenges in church integration are acknowledged. Global examples of AI assimilation in religious practices, from a robotic Buddhist preacher to a blessing-delivering robot in a German church, are discussed. The article argues that theological doctrines shape AI perspectives, influencing ethics and raising profound questions about human identity. The ongoing debate questions whether AI threatens theology or fosters enriching dialogue. The article suggests, through historical parallels and the dynamic interplay of theological doctrines and technology, that the relationship between AI and theology could evolve into constructive engagement rather than inherent conflict.

Telling mutualistic and antagonistic ecological networks apart by learning their multiscale structure

Abstract Characterizing and understanding the processes that shape the structure of ecological networks, which represent who interacts with whom in a community, has many implications in ecology, evolutionary biology and conservation. A highly debated question is whether and how the structure of a bipartite ecological network differs between antagonistic (e.g. herbivory) and mutualistic (e.g. pollination) interaction types. Here, we tackle this question by using a multiscale characterization of network structure, machine learning tools, and a large database of empirical and simulated bipartite networks. Contrary to previous studies focusing on global structural metrics, such as nestedness and modularity, which concluded that antagonistic and mutualistic networks cannot be told apart from only their structure, we find that they can be told apart by combining a meso‐scale characterization of their structure and supervised machine learning. Motif frequencies appear particularly informative, with an over‐representation of densely connected motifs in antagonistic networks and of motifs with asymmetrical specialization in mutualistic networks. These structural properties can be used to predict the type of interaction with relatively good confidence. Beyond this classical mutualism/antagonism dichotomy, we also find significant structural uniqueness linked to specific ecologies (e.g. pollination, parasitism). Our results clarify structural differences between antagonistic and mutualistic networks and suggest the investigation of the structural uniqueness of specific ecologies as a promising approach for characterizing interactions beyond the coarse antagonistic/mutualistic dichotomy.

Future Perspectives for Gamma-ray Burst Detection from Space

Since their first discovery in the late 1960s, gamma-ray bursts have attracted an exponentially growing interest from the international community due to their central role in the most highly debated open questions of the modern research of astronomy, astrophysics, cosmology, and fundamental physics. These range from the intimate nuclear composition of high-density material within the core of ultra-dense neuron stars, to stellar evolution via the collapse of massive stars, the production and propagation of gravitational waves, as well as the exploration of the early universe by unveiling the first stars and galaxies (assessing also their evolution and cosmic re-ionization). GRBs in the past ∼50 years have stimulated the development of cutting-edge technological instruments for observations of high-energy celestial sources from space, leading to the launch and successful operations of many different scientific missions (several of them still in data-taking mode currently). In this review, we provide a brief description of the GRB-dedicated missions from space being designed and developed for the future. The list of these projects, not meant to be exhaustive, shall serve as a reference to interested readers to understand what is likely to come next to lead the further development of GRB research and the associated phenomenology.

When rhetorical questions receive answers: On different types of answers to rhetorical questions in US presidential debatesEE. UU.

The paper examines different types of answers to rhetorical questions and their communicative functions in two sets of US presidential debates: those held in 2016 and 2020 –which, due to the blunt and unconventional language of Donald Trump were much more heated and aggressive than the previous ones– and those held from 1996 to 2012. The results indicate that around one third of rhetorical questions in the examined corpora do receive answers, with addressors’ answers –those that explicitly confirm the implied answer, those that answer rhetorical questions as if they were not rhetorical, and, a less frequent type, sarcastic/ironic answers– being much more common than those provided by addressees –those that reject, and those that acknowledge the implied answer–. The results indicate that the main communicative functions of answers to rhetorical questions in US presidential debates are related to blaming, criticizing, or ridiculing the opponent or their actions, as well as making assertions or expressing disagreement. Statistically significant differences between the findings from the two corpora have been noted in regard to different types of answers to rhetorical questions, as well as their communicative functions.

Local Government Internship: Opportunity or Exploitation?

Despite the evident increasing unemployment rates, particularly youth unemployment, the South Africa’s graduate labour force continues to grow. Recent studies show the devastating figures of graduate unemployment which grow alongside the overall unemployment rates in South Africa. Undoubtedly, unemployment mostly affects young graduates who recently graduated from higher learning institutions. Thus, internships are increasingly recognised as a bridge through which graduates can transition from higher learning institutions to the labour market. However, whether internships are good or bad for young graduates remains a debatable question. Therefore, this paper is drawn from the perspectives of young graduate interns to determine whether internship presents real opportunities for career development of young graduates or it is merely used as an exploitative tool by employers. This study adopted a qualitative approach where a total of thirty graduate interns from eThekwini Municipality participated in the semi-structured face-to-face interviews. The results indicate that most graduate interns viewed the local government internship programme as exploitative. Further results show that graduate interns are generally underpaid yet overworked in the local government internship. Workplace abuse and the lack of access to resources were reported as major challenges faced by graduate interns. These results symbolise the exploitative nature of internship programmes at the local government level. Therefore, this paper recommends appropriate systems, policies, and workplace rules to improve local government internships. 
 
 Received: 23 May 2023 / Accepted: 19 January 2024 / Published: 5 March 2024

Yuji Ijiri’s Fairness Question in Accounting: A Deontological Game Theoretic Approach

Abstract We revisit the question initially raised by Yuji Ijiri about the notion of fairness in accounting. We argue that the fairness question was important then and remains relevant today. First we situate Ijiri’s question in relevant debates in the history of accounting thoughts and in contemporary debates. Then we develop a framework of fair flow of information for accounting practices. To do so, we draw upon deontological ethical theory and the generalization principle, in particular. We invite a counter-example from the game-theoretic phenomenon of signal jamming to challenge the generalization principle. By addressing the challenge, we further clarify the appropriate uses of the generalization principle.