Authors Question Research Articles

Forensic document examination: a global snapshot

Abstract We are delighted to have been invited to be guest editors for this special issue on forensic document examination, a forensic science discipline that has had a long history of use in both criminal and civil investigations. The work of the forensic document examiner (FDE) can encompass handwriting (including signature) comparisons, and examinations and evaluations of physical components of questioned documents such as paper, ink, toner and impressions (of writing and stamps) to answer questions of authenticity or source. A debate regarding the validity and reliability of forensic handwriting examination and other forensic comparison techniques that rely on human cognition and decisionmaking has been ongoing for several years. Furthermore, the risk of cognitive bias in forensic science generally and forensic handwriting examination specifically has been identified in the published literature. Despite a declining reliance on handwritten signatures for business transactions, and increased use of digital technologies for both formal and informal communication, handwriting and signature comparisons and examinations of the components of physical documents still play an important role in forensic casework. It has been only in relatively recent years that significant changes to the paradigm, particularly for handwriting examinations, have occurred, with a greater appreciation of the need to understand and define the scientific basis of the work. Technological developments have led to more objective approaches to handwriting examinations, and the ability to explore in greater detail the physical components of documents. Additionally, topics such as evidence interpretation, reporting and quality assurance are as relevant as ever for the FDE. This special issue showcases research and commentary across a range of forensic document examinations and topics, demonstrating the continued relevance and shifting focus of the field.

The Concept of Legal Egalitarianism in Heterogeneous and Culturally Homogeneous Societies

The article is devoted to the analysis of the concepts of legal egalitarianism and formal equality both in European legal orders and in legal orders of non-European cultural code in historical retrospect and modern times. The author traces the origin, emergence and development of the concept of formal equality and the accompanying philosophical and legal egalitarian doctrine that has gained dominant positions in the legal orders of European and other countries of the world after the French Revolution of 1789. The author examined historical material and scientific positions of various scientists — sociology, cultural science, social anthropology, political science, history and legal theory. The author reflects on the possibility and effectiveness of the uncontested existence and application of egalitarian legal doctrine in the context of complex heterogeneous multicultural societies. At the same time, the author questions the views on the essence of formal equality as a philosophical and legal concept and principle of law that exist in modern theoretical and legal studies.

The Contribution of Islamic Law to the Ethics of Deep Ecology in the View of Said Nursi

Human's wrong view of nature is the cause of the current ecological crisis. Nature is seen only as objects, facilities, wealth, and energy that must be utilized thoroughly if humans want to survive, so the author questions how humans should improve their perspective so that there is no ecological crisis that further damages nature which will indirectly damage humans as well without realizing it, the purpose of the research is to find out how the deep ecology ethics of Said Nursi's view which is one of the contributions of Islamic law. The type of research is library research, the research method used is descriptive analysis, which explains the phenomena that occur behind the destruction of nature due to the way humans view nature and then analyzes the solution using Said Nursi's opinion. From this explanation, the result of the discussion is that repairing the relationship between God and humans, which has been damaged by the modern worldview, is the key to a healthy solution to the problems that arise, especially the ecological crisis. In performing their duties in accordance with God's unavoidable commands, all of God's creatures are interrelated, dependent, and related to one another. Humans must not interfere with these relationships for no reason. Only a conscience close to God can dissuade humans from tampering with what God has created.

Проблема авторства в нефікційній літературі (на прикладі творчості Едіт Еґер і Марти Гіллерс)

Issues of authorship in nonfiction literature, in particular in works representing traumatic experiences, such as the Auschwitz concentration camp or the period of occupation of Berlin by Soviet troops after World War II, are considered. It is noted that this problem is complex and multifaceted, going beyond the usual understanding of authorship. In the example of the works of Edith Jaeger (“Choice”) and Martha Hillers (“A Woman in Berlin”), the author analyzes different approaches to authorship and their impact on the perception of texts and interaction with the reader. The relevance of the work is due to the lack of a precise terminological apparatus in Ukrainian literary studies for analyzing nonfiction. At the same time, the authorship of fiction is a well-researched aspect; authorship in nonfiction texts, which balances between facts and interpretation, opens up new discussions about the limits of truth and ethical responsibility. Edith Jaeger chooses an open approach, legitimizing her experience through her identity, which serves as a tool of therapy and authority. Instead, Gillers, remaining anonymous, uses this approach as a defense mechanism that allows her to share painful events while avoiding the risk of public attack. It is noted that their works not only transform individual memories into public memory but also question the boundaries between authorship, authenticity, and ethical aspects of representation. Both cases demonstrate that authorship in nonfiction is a key element that influences narrative formation, traumatic experience representation, and audience interaction. The conclusions emphasize that such works reveal a profound dynamic between the personal, historical, and literary dimensions, raising important questions of authenticity, responsibility, and representation.

On the Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence and Personality Traits with Attitudes Toward a Sensitive Topic (Using the Problem of Domestic Violence as an Example)

The article presents an overview of the results of an exploratory empirical study conducted by the author with the purpose of testing the relationship between subjective factors such as emotional intelligence and the Big Five traits with attitudes toward sensitive topics in sociological surveys (using the problem of domestic violence as an example). The topic of domestic violence was chosen because it is actively discussed in the media discourse, but at the same time, it still remains rather a taboo for Russian society. The sensitivity of the questions is determined not only by the topic, but also by the personal context, so emotional intelligence and personality traits were chosen as subjective factors for the study. To measure emotional intelligence, we used the N. Schutte test as a reliable, valid and at the same time not too voluminous tool for a psychological technique, and to identify the traits of the Big Five, we used the technique of M.S.Egorova and O.V.Parshchikova. Some of the questions on domestic violence were taken from surveys by VCIOM (2011, 2019) and FOM (2019), and the author's questions were also added, including a "sincerity scale", according to which the respondent could assess at the end of the questionnaire the degree of his sincerity in answering the questions asked. The subjects were students aged 18-24 (n= 125). There was carried out a comparison of the obtained results with the results of surveys on the topic of domestic violence by VCIOM and FOM for the age group of 18-24 years, as well as a correlation analysis, which revealed the presence of a weak relationship between the indicators of emotional intelligence, extroversion and attitude towards the topic of domestic violence. As a result, a very significant conclusion was obtained that a high level of emotional intelligence is associated with the sincerity of respondents when answering sensitive topics. The article will be of interest primarily to specialists interested in the methodology of sociological research and interdisciplinary research.

Политические эффекты социально-демографических трансформаций в США

The article examines the effects of the socio-demographic transformations of the United States in 2020—2024 in the context of political polarization. Drawing on the approaches of political demography, the authors focus their attention on ethno-racial, age, territorial-demographic and socioeconomic aspects of these transformations. According to their hypothesis, the processes taking place in these spheres contribute to the increasing fragmentation of American society, which is also reflected in political polarization. Based on an extensive body of statistical data, the authors question the thesis of harmonization of the American political landscape under the influence of the growth of “new” (Latin American / Hispanic, Asians, multiracial groups) and “old” (black) minorities in the total population. It is demonstrated that this circumstances, coupled with the main trend of the white population decline, create conditions for the growth of the influence of right-wing populism, one of the exponents of which is D.Trump. The authors conclude that the increasing fragmentation of American society and the growing contradictions even within relatively homogeneous groups are likely to lead, in addition to traditional (white — minority) conflicts, to the emergence of new conflicts, including within ethno-racial groups. This in turn will entail a serious impact on the reformatting of the social base of the Republican and Democratic Parties, which will be accompanied by an increase in polarization processes.

The moral economy of the rich

This article applies the concept of a ‘moral economy’ to the actions of the rich and powerful. The author focuses attention on business owners and provides a case study of a late nineteenth-century provincial businessman and his dismissal of two long-serving employees, an act which caused outrage in his community. The author questions how the morality of employment, job rights and dismissal developed subsequently and sketches developments up to the 1960s. The article then provides a more speculative discussion of the effects of changes in corporate law on corporate behaviour and suggests they have had a tendency to produce a moral irresponsibility in the behaviour of corporate officers.

Rewiring Trust: Digital Influencers, MIL, and the New Media Landscape

This article examines the paradoxical relationship between widespread institutional distrust and emerging forms of trust in digital spaces, particularly focusing on the phenomenon of social media influencers. Drawing from recent data, I analyze how declining trust in traditional institutions correlates with increased trust in stranger-to-stranger interactions and digital influence. I introduce the "4 C model" (Content, Creativity, Community, and Coherence) as a framework for understanding digital influencer dynamics, so I can argue that Media and Information Literacy (MIL) serves as a crucial philosophical and practical framework for navigating this evolving landscape. MIL can facilitate critical engagement with digital content, authentication processes, and expertise evaluation while addressing questions of authenticity, authority, and cultural impact in networked spaces. My analysis suggests that MIL's effectiveness depends on its conception as a dynamic framework extending beyond traditional educational boundaries, fostering individual empowerment and collective understanding in an increasingly complex digital environment.

Breast Ironing from the Perspective of Transcultural Nursing by Madeleine Leininger: A Narrative Review.

(1) Background: This article addresses the harmful traditional practice of breast ironing, which primarily affects girls and adolescents in several countries, particularly in Cameroon. The practice involves applying heat and pressure to developing breasts to delay their growth, with the goal of protecting girls from sexual abuse, early pregnancy, and forced marriages. While culturally accepted, breast ironing has severe physical, psychological, and social consequences, including damage to mammary glands, pain, infections, and potential long-term health complications. (2) Methods: A reflective analysis of the topic was conducted through a comprehensive search of various databases (PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and CINAHL) following narrative review methodology. (3) Results: The practice is also examined through the lens of human rights and Madeleine Leininger's transcultural nursing theory, which promotes respect for cultural traditions in healthcare. However, the authors question whether such a theory can justify practices that violate women's physical integrity. (4) Conclusions: This study concludes that while cultural beliefs must be considered in healthcare, human rights and the elimination of violent practices, such as breast ironing, must take precedence. Educational campaigns and a more punitive approach in countries where this practice occurs are proposed as essential steps forward.

Some critical thoughts on Infant Observation and suggestions for alternatives

ABSTRACT This article addresses critical points which may arise in the implementation of the classical method of Infant Observation. These touch on ethical issues concerning the child being observed, the parents and the training candidates in psychoanalytic training and, additionally, the author questions some of the theoretical maxims of Infant Observation. The author in her professional role as a parent-infant/toddler psychotherapist and as a lecturer at a German psychoanalytic institute, goes on to suggest alternative experiences for observation using video which would be discussed in infant observation seminar groups.

Agrippa’s First Letter in Context (Jos. Vita 365)

Abstract Josephus quotes a letter of Agrippa II at Vita 365 as proof of the superiority of his account of the Judean revolt as presented in the Bellum Judaicum to that of his rival, Justus of Tiberias. The article considers how Josephus has crafted the argument in preparation for this letter. Some have noted a similarity of language between Agrippa’s letter and Josephus’ preparatory text and raised the question of authenticity. There are, however, also dissimilarities, and this note argues that Josephus has crafted his argument leading to this letter in a way that might lead a reader to misread it as a criticism of Justus.

DEVELOPMENT OF THE PERINEUM STRUCTURES IN THE EMBRYONIC AND PREFETAL PERIODS

Traditionally, it is believed that the division of the cloaca into the ventral genitourinary pert and the dorsal - ureteric part occurs at the expense of the urorectal septum during the fourth week of intrauterine development. The separation of the cloaca finally ends during the sixth week of fetal development, with the fusion of the urorectal septum with the cloaca membrane. During the seventh week, both departments become separate entities. However, a significant cohort of authors question the traditional view of the mechanisms of cloacal separation.Purpose to establish and visualize the mechanism of cloaca division; to resolve the controversy regarding the role of the urorectal septum in the separation of the cloaca; to reveal the beginnings of future organ complexes of the male perineum.Material and method. Series of sections of 15 embryo preparations (4-7 weeks of gestational age; 4.5-13.5 mm. PCL) and 15 preparations of pre-fetus (7-9 weeks of gestational age; 14.0-35.0 mm. PCL) were studied by the methods of morphological research: microscopy, morphometry. In order to more accurately visualize and understand the processes of formation of the structures of the male perineum, the method of three-dimensional visualization was used.The results of own research. We found a significant number of mitotic divisions in the dorsal and lateral parts of the mesodermal tissue around the cranial part of the cloaca, but the absence of mitotic divisions was observed in the cells of the mesodermal tissue of the urogenital septum. The urorectal septum becomes visible after the cloacal folds separate the cloaca from the hindgut, distal to the junction between the mesonephric ducts and the cloaca. We established that from the 36th day of intrauterine development, an abdominal cavity is formed, which is located inside the urorectal septum and extends in the caudal direction distally from the point of entry of the mesonephric ducts to the middle of the distance between the entrance of the mesonephric ducts and the caudal top of the urorectal septum. On the 41st day of intrauterine development, parts of the mesonephric ducts, which are located between the cloaca and the ureteric buds, gradually disappear. Thus, both ureters and mesonephric ducts have a common entrance to the genitourinary sinus. Taking into account our observations, it should be noted that the division of the cloaca is a direct consequence of the growth and increase in the volume of the mesenchymal tissue that surrounds the cloaca and, especially in the later stages, its ventral part - the genitourinary sinus. During the 6-9th week of intrauterine development, the genitourinary sinus and urinary bladder are formed along with the demarcation of the mesonephric ducts and ureters.Conclusions. We identified three main structures that indirectly affect the division of the cloaca: after the formation of the urorectal septum, a decrease in the frequency of mitotic divisions of the latter is noted, which indicates its temporary and initial role in the division of the cloaca. Disproportionate growth and increase in the volume of mesenchymal tissue of the ventral part and dorsal part of the cloaca significantly affects the change in its shape and its division. The urorectal septum is not a single, separate structure and extends laterally. Finally, role of the abdominal cavity in the distribution of the cloaca is uncertain.

Per (as in, by Means of) Versions Are Us

ABSTRACT In his challenge to psychoanalysis to reach beyond its normative, binary, and homogeneous tilt, Rodríguez fruitfully employs the use of a both/neither lens. This inspired this author to begin by looking back at the conventional work of Chasseguet-Smirgel on perversion and creativity, and the long shadow it has caste on psychoanalysis and the culture. The author suggests that it is the very welcome widening scope of psychoanalytic practitioners, including Rodríguez, who are creatively rethinking, reworking, and enlarging our understanding of, not only perversion, but race, class, gender, sexuality, intersectionality, trauma, and mixing. The author questions whether we have inadvertently, or unconsciously, laid out a both/neither welcome mat, thereby discouraging potential future candidates with much to offer from applying for training.

Unrealised Projects of the Christ’s Resurrection Church Competition in Kaunas 1928–1930

Summary The object of this article is the monumental Christ’s Resurrection Church, one of the most famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kaunas. The competition for its architectural design was announced in 1928, on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Lithuania. Competition and projects have been publicly criticised. The awards were given, but the design after the competition was entrusted to the third prize-winning architect Karolis Reisonas. However, his new design was not implemented, and the present church was built according to another project by the same architect. As a monument to the nation, the church was completed in 1940. However, it was consecrated only on 26 December 2004, after the Kaunas Radio Factory, which had been in operation for almost the entire Soviet occupation, had moved out of the building. For a long time, architectural studies attributed the authorship of the church design to the architect Karolis Reisonas. However, the question of authorship is problematic. Recent studies have attributed the high artistic level of building architecture to collective creative work. The research was carried out using historical-analytical and stylistic methods. So far, competition projects for the Christ’s Resurrection Church have not been thoroughly analysed in Lithuanian art studies. The reasons for their non-implementation were not studied in detail, and the problem of the authorship of the final design is an unexplored topic. The article aims to supplement and clarify existing knowledge about the Christ’s Resurrection Church project competition. By reviewing the objectives, processes, and results of the competition, we assessed for the first time the unimplemented projects in a more coherent and detailed way, showing the different stylistic approaches of the architects and engineers to the task of designing the church, the criticisms that were made of the projects and the reasons why the standing building differs from the award-winning project and the implemented project of Reisonas that was prepared after the competition. The study showed how the idea of independence of the Republic of Lithuania in the monumental Christ’s Resurrection Church mobilised the public and actively involved them in the architectural design of the church. Criticism from the public and the architectural community of the prize-winning projects led to an unexpected artistic result in the final project, a modernist church created after the competition. Architects and other Lithuanian artists who were not awarded in the competition or did not participate also contributed to the final architectural design we see today.

How Insurance Prices Affect Consumers’ Purchase Decisions: Insurance Price as a Risk Signal

Retailers, service providers, and manufacturers have discovered that complementary optional insurance is an attractive source of profit and frequently charge substantial insurance prices compared with the price of the product to be insured. The implicit assumption behind this pricing strategy is that product purchase decisions are independent of the insurance offer. The authors question this assumption and propose that consumers interpret the price of insurance as a risk signal with respect to the underlying product. Perceived risk, in turn, negatively affects consumers’ decision to purchase the product in a given purchase situation. The results of a survey, three online experiments, and two studies using transactional data provide evidence for the proposed insurance price risk signal. The findings reveal that perceived risk mediates the link between the relative insurance price level and consumers’ decision to purchase the underlying product. Offering other optional add-ons and providing objective risk information weakens the insurance price risk signal.

Is it me or my delusion? Harnessing authenticity for an agential view of delusionality

In the revisionist part of the book, Bortolotti aims at defending a non-pathologising view of delusions, according to which they not only compromise but support our agency. By construing delusions as meaningful protective responses, the author attempts to decouple delusionality from pathology. Nevertheless, it is not clear how, according to her approach, delusions could foster agency. Even when seen as a “way of life” and not as psychiatric symptoms, the defensive nature of delusions undermines the person’s sense of agency, for the symptom or defence mechanism never stems from the person themselves. Notwithstanding the benefits delusions might bring along, they seem to display their own intentionality to the detriment of the agent. Here, I suggest that insights from the authenticity debate in psychiatry could support Bortolotti’s revisionist aim and benefit her discussion on identity beliefs. For this purpose, I introduce the concept of self-illness ambiguity (Sadler, 2007) and compare de Haan’s notion of existential stance (2020) and Stanghellini’s concept of position-taking (Stanghellini et al., 2023) to argue that the person’s agency resides in their ability to take a stance on their (psychiatric) condition, especially when struggling with questions of authenticity. Finally, I explore why one cannot just get rid of a delusion and why, when one attempts to, it feels urgent to replace it.

Expertise or talent: what is more important in a doctor?

The authors question whether having an innate talent or possessing acquired professional skills is more important for "living as a physician." The article emphasizes a combination of personal traits, such as compassion, emotional intelligence, and teamwork skills, which are highly significant and complement technical competencies. The authors highlight the importance of being able to make quick decisions and provide emotional support in critical situations, especially in emergency medicine. Furthermore, it is crucial that a group of professionals has a variety of talents, as this can be the basis for more inclusive care. Patience, cited by Roger Federer in a speech at Dartmouth University, is an essential quality for healthcare professionals during years when the healthcare system is experiencing a profound funding crisis. Finally, it is essential for a physician to be adaptable and committed to continuous cultural growth in an evolving healthcare environment.

Garth Brooks Soundalikes, YouTube Misinformation, and Authenticity Politics

Country musician Garth Brooks has long resisted digital distribution of his recordings, which remain unavailable on most streaming platforms. This artificial scarcity has led audiences to settle for virtually identical recordings performed by cover musicians. Known as soundalikes, these recordings garner hundreds of millions of streams across platforms. On YouTube, uploaders often post soundalikes with misleading titles, causing listeners to mistake soundalikes for original Brooks recordings. This widespread practice inspires users to debate the ethical, aesthetic, and economic implications of soundalikes using YouTube’s comments forum. This article uses text data mining to examine online reception for thirty-seven YouTube videos featuring Brooks and his soundalikes, comprising over 24,000 comments. Alienated from musical labor and absent authoritative paratexts and distribution networks, these listeners compensate by relying upon social media to fill in epistemological gaps and develop a new ethics of listening. Echoing historical discourses on artistic forgery, some listeners invest in exposing deception, posing as style experts whose sometimes erroneous attributions often spill over into negative aesthetic and ethical judgments. Yet others enjoy soundalikes as adequate alternatives, focusing on personal meaning or mimetic craft, thereby eroding the authority of the original recording as a uniquely expressive artifact. Broader user reflections on digital distribution reveal YouTube as a significant site of meaning-making, community formation, and epistemic danger. As deepfakes and other musical deceptions proliferate, this article demonstrates how deregulated social media distribution can destabilize previously straightforward questions of authorship and reshape attitudes toward artistic integrity and just listening habits.

Updates in Management of Differentiated Thyroid Cancer in Pediatric Patients; A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract Background Thyroid cancer is a rare pathology in childhood and adolescence being responsible for 1.5–3% of all carcinomas in this age group. Such as the adults, the differentiated thyroid carcinoma is the most commonly found, especially the papillary carcinoma. In this population, age, family history of thyroid disease and radiation exposure are very important factors as already shown in various series. The current treatment recommendation is the total thyroidectomy followed by radioiodine therapy, based on good response and high disease-free survival rate for this age group. However, many authors question the aggressiveness of this treatment given the long lifespan of these patients and long-term complications of high doses of radioiodine. This study aims to evaluate the initial therapeutic approach for children with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) regarding surgery, adjuvant therapy. Objectives to evaluate the updates of management of differentiated thyroid cancer regarding radioactive iodine administration after total thyroidectomy. Methods Meta-analysis study and a systematic review will be performed in accordance with the PRISMA and PICO guidelines. An initial search will be carried out using online databases: PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Egyptian Knowledge Bank and Science direct. Abstracts of articles identified using the search strategy above will be viewed, and articles that appear to fulfil the inclusion criteria will be retrieved in full. Each article identified will be reviewed and categorized into one of the following groups: included or excluded. When there will be a doubt, a second reviewer will assess the article and a consensus will be reached. Inclusion criteria will be: 1) Include pediatric participants (males < 14 years old and females < 16 years old) who had been diagnosed as differentiated thyroid cancer and treated. 2) Provide sufficient details on the above outcome measures to allow comparison across studies. 3) Report quantitative data. 4) Be written in English language. 5) Be published in full-text and in a peer-reviewed journal. Results Review Manager Version 5.4 software (Cochrane Collaboration) was used to analyze the data. To account for the differences between patients administered by radioactive iodine therapy (RAIT) and those with no RAIT, risk differences (RDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs were used to analyze and random-effects meta- analyses were conducted using crude data and data statistically adjusted for confounders with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). For all analyses, p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The initial search identified 1240 potentially eligible citations. Among these, 580 were identified as duplicates and thus removed, leaving 660 records. The reviewers after the evaluation of their titles and abstracts of these studies removed 654 citations. The remaining 6 articles included a total of 743 patients (656 treated with RAI and 693 not treated with RAI) and were the basis of the present meta-analysis. All the studies were retrospective. Two studies were performed in Italy, one in Korea, one in The Republic of Croatia, one in Turkey and one study in the USA. The mean age of the included studies was 14.105 ± 1.03 years. There were 204 males and 539 females with a mean follow-up duration of 83.09 months. Conclusion The administration of radioactive iodine aims to reduce the recurrence rate of differentiated thyroid cancer after total thyroidectomy. Also patient with radioactive iodine showed less incomplete structural response.

Features of first-year students adaptation to study at a higher education institution

Annotation. The article is devoted to an empirical study of the level of severity and prevalence of depressive disorders and the level of the resilience among first-year students at the higher education institution, using the Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI), the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale-10 and the author's questions about the state of mental health and social activity in a sample of 85 people were analyzed. An analysis of the dynamics of the indicated indicators was carried out: there is a tendency towards a pessimistic assessment of one’s own success and appearance by students during the first semester of study at the higher education institution, but at the beginning of the second semester demonstrates is a tendency towards a more realistic assessment and revitalization of social activity, which confirms the adaptation of students and orientation towards academic and social performance activities with increased resilience and reduced manifestations of depressive symptoms. In the future, it is worth focusing on the identification of factors and conditions that will influence the faster and better adaptation of first-year students, which will determine their success, the formation of skills to overcome life crises based on the value- motivational system, emotional and volitional qualities in the conditions of the eco-environment of higher education institutions.