Relative Body Research Articles

Will Employees and Technology Continue to Coexist Despite Historic Tensions?

In developed economies, the integration of technology into the labour force has largely led to massive job losses, and workers have met this with stiff resistance. This has changed the dynamics of industrial relations in this era of digital age. The purpose of this study was to investigate the ways in which digitalisation has been affecting human labour in workplaces in South Africa and what can be done to enable employees–technology coexistence. In the study, I used qualitative data-collection methods—interviews, observation and document collection. I used purposive and convenience sampling to select the participants. Analysis of the collected data yielded six major findings. The major tenets of these findings were that digitalisation leads to job losses in South Africa and that the country was not sufficiently preparing students and workers for human–machine collaboration. Although the study was intended to focus on various sectors of the South African economy, I was more biased towards the local banking sector. This could be viewed as a limitation of this study. The study made practical and methodological contributions. It also made an essential contribution to digital transformation theory and employee relations body of knowledge. A major recommendation is that policymakers should mitigate against technology shocks and uneven geographical phenomenon by connecting major commercial hubs with major labour market hubs. Future studies should focus on the impact of technology on employees in each economic sector in South Africa.

Comparatively poorer body condition of south-east Indian Ocean pygmy blue whales on their southern migration

The south-east Indian Ocean population of pygmy blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda) forages in habitats between temperate foraging grounds off southern Australia and breeding grounds in Indonesian waters. With the opportunity to forage during migration, limited seasonal variation in body condition would be expected. However, increasing numbers of individuals in poor body condition with prominent spinal columns and other features of emaciation have been sighted during their southern migration. This study aimed to measure the morphology and body condition (relative body volume to body length) of pygmy blue whales during their northbound and southbound migration. Unmanned aerial vehicles were used to obtain images of 42 pygmy blue whales (one calf, five juveniles and 36 adults, including one lactating female) in 2021 and 2022. The body lengths ranged from 15.32 to 24.32 m, and the mean relative head length, length to blowhole, width of eyes, fluke width and length of peduncle were 21.8, 18.1, 12.8, 22.9 and 21.3% respectively. There was a significant decrease in body condition of 15.3% between north and southern migrating adult whales. Given the importance of body condition for reproductive success, understanding if this loss is due to natural seasonal variation, or habitat or prey disturbance from environmental environmental or anthropogenic sources, has implications for the future management of the species.

Disentangling physiological and physical explanations for body size-dependent thermal tolerance.

The effects of climate change are often body size dependent. One contributing factor could be size-dependent thermal tolerance (SDTT), the propensity for heat and cold tolerance to vary with body size among species and among individuals within species. SDTT is hypothesized to be caused by size differences in the temperature dependence of underlying physiological processes that operate at the cellular and organ/system level (physiological SDTT). However, temperature-dependent physiology need not change with body size for SDTT to be observed. SDTT can also arise because of physical differences that affect the relative body temperature dynamics of large and small organisms (physical SDTT). In this Commentary, I outline how physical SDTT occurs, its mechanistic differences from physiological SDTT, and how physical and physiological SDTT make different predictions about organismal responses to thermal variation. I then describe how physical SDTT can influence the outcome of thermal tolerance experiments, present an experimental framework for disentangling physical and physiological SDTT, and provide examples of tests for physiological SDTT that control for physical effects using data from Anolis lizards. Finally, I discuss how physical SDTT can affect organisms in natural environments and influence their vulnerability to anthropogenic warming. Differentiating between physiological and physical SDTT is important because it has implications for how we design and interpret thermal tolerance experiments and our fundamental understanding of thermal ecology and thermal adaptation.

Relative Body Mass Index Improves the BMI Percentile Performance for Detection and Monitoring of Excess Adiposity in Adolescents.

Obesity is defined as excess adipose tissue; however, commonly used methods may under-detect adiposity in adolescents. This study compared the performance of body mass index percentile (BMI%) and relative body mass index (RBMI) in identifying excess body fat percentage (BF%) and estimated RBMI cut points to better stratify severity of adiposity. In 567 adolescents ages 11-19 year, BF% measured by DXA was used to compare BMI% and RBMI performance at different degrees of adiposity. RBMI cut points for adiposity detection were derived via ROC curve analysis. BF% was strongly correlated with BMI% (r = 0.889, p < 0.001) and RBMI (r = 0.901, p < 0.001). However, RBMI exhibited less dispersion and better discriminated the relationship with BF% independent of age, race, and gender. Both BMI% and RBMI performed similarly for detecting high BF% (≥25 BF% in males; ≥30 BF% in females). Nonetheless, the relationship of BMI% with BF% was diminished among leaner adolescents. RBMI detected overweight in 21.3% more females and 14.2% more males. RBMI improved the detection of excess adiposity in individuals otherwise classified as having normal weight or overweight by BMI%. RBMI is a valuable and accessible tool for earlier detection, intervention, and effective follow-up of excess adiposity in youth at higher risk for complications.

Antiurolithiatic effects of Cassia fistula Lin. fruit extracts on ethylene glycol-induced nephrolithiasis in rats.

Urinary stones are a growing disease that results from pathological biomineralization. Cassia fistula Lin. is traditionally used to treat urinary stones. However, no scientific evidence is available to prove its antilithiatic effect. This study evaluates the antilithiatic potential of aqueous and ethanolic extract of Cassia fistula Lin. fruit (Cff) against calcium oxalate kidney stones. Forty-two male Wistar rats were divided into seven groups (n = 6/group): Group I (control), Group II (rats treated with ethylene glycol and ammonium chloride developed nephrolithiasis after 28 days), Group III (lithiatic rats receiving distilled water for 30 days), Group IV and V (lithiatic rats receiving aqueous extract of Cff at doses of 1 and 100 mg/kg body weight for 30 days, respectively) and Group VI and VII (lithiatic rats receiving ethanolic extract of Cff at doses of 1 and 100 mg/kg body weight for 30 days, respectively). Some parameters of urine and serum, and also renal oxidative stress and histopathology were used to determine the antilithiatic effect of aqueous and ethanolic extract of Cff. Therefore, the types of extracts of Cff improved abnormal levels of urine, serum, and renal oxidative stress and histopathology parameters. This antilithiatic effect of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Cff, can be attributed to the anti-crystallization and antioxidant properties of the extracts and the ability to improve urine and serum biochemistry. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Ethylene glycol and ammonium chloride-induced urolithiasis, aggregation of calcium oxalate deposits, increase of some urinary and serum parameters, relative kidney weight, kidney size and MDA activity, decrease of some urinary parameters, relative body weight and SOD activity. Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Cassia fistula Lin. lead to the treatment of urolithic rats by decreasing levels of urinary oxalate, phosphate, urea, serum urea, uric acid, creatinine, calcium, phosphate, MDA, kidney weight and kidney size, increasing levels of urinary calcium, creatinine, magnesium, citrate, body weight and SOD activity in the kidney, eliminating CaOx deposition (esp. ethanolic extract).

Adapting the Donabedian model in undergraduate nursing education: a modified Delphi study

BackgroundDonabedian conceptual and multidimensional framework has been used in several studies in an educational context. In this study, we aimed to adapt the Donabedian three-component model (structure, process, and outcome) in undergraduate nursing education. This conceptual framework provides a comprehensive image of nursing education institutions and can help to evaluate institutions by measuring different aspects of their performance. A comprehensive understanding of the various elements of an educational institution helps to develop a complete, appropriate relevant set of performance indicators.MethodsThis was a modified Delphi study. It had three rounds. The expert panel consisted of nursing faculty members and nursing Ph.D. students. In the first round, a questionnaire was designed based on interviews, focus groups, and a literature review. Experts rated their agreement with each element on a 5-point Likert scale in rounds two and three. The consensus level was set as 75%. The stability between rounds was also determined by calculating kappa coefficients. One Sample T-Test was also calculated for new items in round three.ResultsAll 55 items of the questionnaire were confirmed in the second round based on the consensus percentage of 75. Five new items were added to the third round based on comments in round two. Eventually, all elements except one were confirmed according to the consensus level, kappa values, means, and One-Sample T-Test in round three. The structure's key elements include staff (academic and non-academic); equipment; guidelines; resources and facilities; and students’ demographics and characteristics. Process key elements include communication; education; evaluation; cooperation; and consultation. Outcome key elements include knowledge development; nursing image; alumni’s outcome; students’ outcome; related medical centers’ performance; accreditation and evaluation results; and satisfaction.ConclusionsDifferent elements of a nursing education institution at the bachelor's level were determined. The results of this study can help related bodies to develop and implement a comprehensive and systematic evaluation. These results can also be a basis for making this model useful in other nursing courses or education in other fields.

Embodied Cognition and Empathic Experiences in War Communication

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; Using the perspective of phenomenological-enactive embodied cognition, this paper examines the role of the body in constituting specific social interactions via specific media ecologies (war imagery) during the times of (refugee) crisis. Such media ecologies give affordances that can amplify social beliefs and turn subjective judgments into an intersubjective action. We consider the human body in relation to war media as playing an important role in sustaining social experiences and relations. To that end, the article explores the fundamental experience of empathy, combining the theoretical perspectives of phenomenology and enactivism with the examples from war imagery and refugee embodiment. It is shown that the classical phenomenological tradition offers different yet useful conceptualisations of empathy. We also argue that war images and/or messages should be viewed as means/tools for, rather than representations of, the enaction of certain important experiences. Hence, the article connects the analysis of the affection by war imagery with the subsequent social interactions in the context of refugee crisis.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

Quantum field theory, worldline theory, and spin magnitude change in orbital evolution

A previous paper [Z. Bern , Binary dynamics through the fifth power of spin at O(G2), ] identified a puzzle stemming from the amplitudes-based approach to spinning bodies in general relativity: additional Wilson coefficients appear compared to current worldline approaches to conservative dynamics of generic astrophysical objects, including neutron stars. In this paper we clarify the nature of analogous Wilson coefficients in the simpler theory of electrodynamics. We analyze the original field-theory construction, identifying definite-spin states some of which have negative norms, and relating the additional Wilson coefficients in the classical theory to transitions between different quantum spin states. We produce a new version of the theory which also has additional Wilson coefficients, but no negative-norm states. We match, through O(α2) and O(S2), the Compton amplitudes of these field theories with those of a modified worldline theory with extra degrees of freedom introduced by releasing the spin supplementary condition. We build an effective two-body Hamiltonian that matches the impulse and spin kick of the modified field theory and of the worldline theory, displaying additional Wilson coefficients compared to standard worldline approaches. The results are then compactly expressed in terms of an eikonal formula. Our key conclusion is that, contrary to standard approaches, while the magnitude of the spin tensor is still conserved, the magnitude of the spin vector can change under conserved Hamiltonian dynamics and this change is governed by the additional Wilson coefficients. For specific values of Wilson coefficients the results are equivalent to those from a definite spin obeying the spin supplementary condition, but for generic values they are physically inequivalent. These results warrant detailed studies of the corresponding issues in general relativity. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Unethical organ transplantation in China: preventing complicity in UK healthcare and related organisations

International criminal lawyer Eleanor Stephenson discusses forced organ harvesting in China and the risk of complicity in UK healthcare organisations and related bodies. Readers are signposted to guidance to help them reduce these risks and protect staff from being unknowingly involved in unethical transplantation practices.

Black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae meal improves quail growth performance.

The aim of the present study was to determine the nutritional value of black soldier fly (BSF) larvae meal for quail (experiment I) and the dose-response effects of BSF levels on growth performance, relative organ weight, and body composition of growing quails (experiment II). In experiment I, 100 35-day-old quail were distributed in a completely randomized design, with two treatments (reference and test diet) and 10 replicates. The experimental period consisted of 5days of adaptation, followed by 5days of total excreta collection. The experimental feed consisted of a reference diet and a test diet formulated with 850g/kg reference diet and 150g/kg BSF. In experiment II, 1000 1-day-old quail were distributed in a completely randomized design, with five dietary levels of BSF (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100g/kg). At 42days of age, birds were slaughtered, and the relative organ weight and body composition were determined. Apparent metabolizable energy values corrected for nitrogen retention of BSF meal were 13.8MJ/kg. Across the starter (1-14days) and overall period (1-42days), increasing BSF levels had a quadratic effect on body weight and body weight gain. Feed conversion ratio was quadratically affected during the starter phase and linearly reduced over the overall period. Additionally, the BSF levels linearly decreased the small intestine's relative weight at 42days and had a quadratic effect on the rate of protein deposition. We concluded that the inclusion of 100g/kg BSF meal improves feed conversion ratio for growing quail.

Theory of communicative (dis)enfranchisement: introduction, explication, and application

Abstract In this essay, we set forth the theory of communicative (dis)enfranchisement (TCD). The TCD is useful for exploring the ramifications of the hegemonic ideologies which constrain and afford our everyday lives, and which are constructed and reflected in disenfranchising talk (DT). The TCD also asks what communication mechanisms work to reify and resist these hegemonic ideologies. We first introduce the warrant for this theorizing, then overview the assumptions of critical postmodernism and propositions of the TCD. We offer guidance for using the TCD via example research questions, suitable contexts, methodological tools, and conclusions researchers can potentially render. We offer criteria for evaluating the TCD regarding its consistency with critical postmodernism, utility as a heuristic framework, and capacity for claims-making. We respond to potential critiques of the TCD by distinguishing the TCD from six related bodies of communication theorizing, and by addressing the purported opaqueness of critical theorizing. Finally, we offer an example analysis to illustrate the TCD in research practice.

An evaluation of the relative size, body condition, and survival of triploid Walleye in the wild

AbstractObjectiveNatural dispersal or unauthorized introductions of nonnative predatory sport fish can undermine native species conservation and other fisheries management objectives. The use of reproductively sterile triploid fish may provide a lower risk stocking option (i.e., genetic and reproductive containment) for diversifying angling opportunities while possibly reducing angler motivation to illegally transplant fish. Management interest in triploid Walleye Sander vitreus is growing, and these fish are currently stocked by several fisheries agencies. However, little is known about the poststocking growth, body condition, and survival of triploid Walleye—information that is important for calibrating expectations and guiding policy regarding their use.MethodsWe compared the age‐specific size, body condition, and survival of subadult (i.e., ages 0–3) triploid Walleye to those of normal diploid conspecifics in two eastern Colorado reservoirs. Paired stockings of triploid and diploid Walleye occurred over 3 years. Both fry and fingerlings were stocked each year.ResultTriploids were generally smaller in length (6.6% smaller on average) and weight (20.6% smaller) compared to diploids across all age‐classes. Despite being smaller, triploids had similar body condition relative to diploids. On average, the survival of triploids from spring stocking to their first fall was 6.3× lower than that of diploids, but no differences in survival were observed beyond this early life stage. This pattern was consistent across cohorts and reservoirs.ConclusionThe present work provides a foundation for future studies that are designed to clarify patterns of survival from spring to the first fall by accounting for size at stocking and natural‐origin fish and studies that are planned to assess the poststocking performance of triploid Walleye independent of diploids.

The Impact of Advanced Melanoma on the Relational Sphere, Body and Quality of Life: A Phenomenological-Hermeneutic Study

Background: Cutaneous melanoma represents one of the most frequent cancers in the adult population and accounts for more than 80% of skin cancer deaths. Due to pharmacological innovations, there is an increased chronicization of the disease, so the concept of quality of life becomes increasingly important. The purpose of this study was to assess the psychological and social impact of advanced melanoma, thus the influence of the disease in the relationship with one's body, on the relational sphere, on ways of coping with the event, and on the perceived quality of life. Method: Four semi structured interviews were administered to a sample of 22 patients with advanced melanoma (stage III and IV) to explore in depth participants' subjective experiences regarding the impact of the disease. The interviews were transcribed and subjected to content analysis using the phenomenological-hermeneutic method. Results: From the analysis of the interviews, many patients experienced fear, anxiety and shock at the time of diagnosis, feelings of isolation and reduced social support during the oncology process. Medical and family support was found to be crucial for adjustment to the disease, while body image was negatively affected by the disease. However, some patients showed resilience and positive adaptation to cancer, trying to maintain their quality of life. Conclusion: This study highlighted the importance of considering the psychological and social impact of advanced melanoma in patients. Understanding their experiences is essential to provide appropriate support and develop interventions aimed at improving their quality of life.

Digital transformation and accounting information comparability

This article tests the impact of corporate digital transformation on the comparability of accounting information based on listed companies in China. The empirical results indicate that corporate digital transformation can significantly enhance the comparability of corporate accounting information. Further analysis of heterogeneity shows that the effect of digital transformation in promoting the comparability of corporate accounting information is more pronounced in non-state-owned enterprises and companies with poor corporate governance quality. Digitalization brings new opportunities for the improvement of the quality of corporate accounting information for related standard-setting bodies. The conclusions of this study have practical significance for relevant government departments.

3D Knee and Hip Angle Estimation With Reduced Wearable IMUs via Transfer Learning During Yoga, Golf, Swimming, Badminton, and Dance.

Wearable lower-limb joint angle estimation using a reduced inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor set could enable quick, economical sports injury risk assessment and motion capture; however the vast majority of existing research requires a full IMU set attached to every related body segment and is implemented in only a single movement, typically walking. We thus implemented 3-dimensional knee and hip angle estimation with a reduced IMU sensor set during yoga, golf, swimming (simulated lower body swimming in a seated posture), badminton, and dance movements. Additionally, current deep-learning models undergo an accuracy drop when tested with new and unseen activities, which necessitates collecting large amounts of data for the new activity. However, collecting large datasets for every new activity is time-consuming and expensive. Thus, a transfer learning (TL) approach with long short-term memory neural networks was proposed to enhance the model's generalization ability towards new activities while minimizing the need for a large new-activity dataset. This approach could transfer the generic knowledge acquired from training the model in the source-activity domain to the target-activity domain. The maximum improvement in estimation accuracy (RMSE) achieved by TL is 23.6 degrees for knee flexion/extension and 22.2 degrees for hip flexion/extension compared to without TL. These results extend the application of motion capture with reduced sensor configurations to a broader range of activities relevant to injury prevention and sports training. Moreover, they enhance the capacity of data-driven models in scenarios where acquiring a substantial amount of training data is challenging.

Morphology and Condition Factors of Mola Puti Pethia conchonius (Hamilton 1822) from the Atrai River, Bangladesh

The objectives of this study were to describe the length-weight relationships (LWRs), and condition factors of P. conchonius collected from the Atari River in Dinajpur, Bangladesh. A total of 1746 male and female individuals were captured where length as 4.2–8.1 cm and weight as 1.0–8.7 g was recorded. In LLRs (among TL, SL, HL and FL), strong relationships were found of TL vs. SL (r2 &gt; 0.003), TL vs. FL (r2 &gt; 0.006), FL vs. SL (r2 &gt; 0.001), HL vs. TL (r2 &gt; 0.016), HL vs. SL (r2 &gt; 0.005) and HL vs. FL (r2 &gt; 0.009) between sexes of this species. Condition factors were recorded such as Fulton’s condition factor (CFf) as 1.08-2.10 and 1.17-2.11, relative body weight (BWr) as 73.99-126.88 and 68.60 to 126.18, and foam factor ranged from 0.0001 to 0.089 and 0.0004 to 0.046 for female and male, respectively. Lastly, it may be concluded that the findings of this research on P. conchonius would be baseline information for future research and management of this species.

Morphological relationships, growth patterns and some aspects of reproductive biology of Sind Danio Devario devario (Hamilton 1822)

This study examined the morphological relationships, growth population factors and reproductive biology of Devario devario collected from the Atrai River of Dinajpur, Bangladesh, for sustainable management and conservation aspects. The length-weight relationships (LWRs) commonly indicated the isometric growth. The Fulton’s condition factor (CFf) and relative body weight (BWr) varied across sexes. A positive correlation was found in length-length relationships (LLRs); among total length (TL), standard length, head length and fork length. The asymptotic lengths were 7.5, 7.2 and 7.5 cm, with growth rates of 0.78‒1.8, 0.6‒3.4 and 1.8‒3.6 year–1 while total mortality was 1.22‒3.06, 0.97‒7.07 and 3.70‒6.09 year–1; fishing mortality was –0.87 to –1.04, –0.97 to 1.09 and –0.05 to –0.23 year–1; natural mortality was 2.26–3.93, 1.94–5.98 and 3.93–6.14 year–1 for female, male and combined sexes respectively. The highest probability of capture (L50) was 5.74‒6.15 cm. The gonado-somatic index ranged from 32.75±1.82 to 44.12±2.73, with a peak in April to May. Fecundity was recorded from 3253±289 to 4831±342, with a significant correlation among TL, BW, gonad length (GL) and gonad weight (GW). These initial findings on D. devario will serve as the basis for future research and management.

Evaluating the implementation of the Nurse Practitioner role within Canada’s National Ballet School

Aim: To evaluate the implementation of a nurse practitioner role within Canada’s National Ballet School (NBS) and evaluate the comfort level of student access care. Background: NBS is an internationally recognized professional ballet and academic program, with approximately 60% of their students living in residence. Until Fall 2020 there was no onsite regular primary care services. A family physician visited weekly to see residence students only. NBS recognized the need to provide more comprehensive primary care services to the students, as elite dancers may experience additional healthcare issues such as dance related injuries, nutritional issues and body dissatisfaction. The role of a nurse practitioner was implemented in Fall 2020. Methods: Utilizing a descriptive quantitative, multiple group design, a survey was distributed to participants. Participants included full-time students, parents and student-facing staff at the school. The study took place between July and August 2022. Findings: Participants included students (n=27), parents (n=22) and staff (n=20). Participants noted the positive impacts of having a nurse practitioner at the school, however students also noted some barriers. Four themes emerged regarding the role of the NP and comfort of students accessing care, including (1) Access to care; (2) Confidentiality and trust; (3) Increased support; and (4) Primary care. Conclusion: The role of the nurse practitioner was successfully implemented within the NBS. The evaluation demonstrated the nurse practitioner provided improved access to services and increased support. While most staff and parents understood the scope of practice of the nurse practitioner, not all students did.

Međuzavisnost rodne zastupljenosti i postignutih rezultata u tijelima državne uprave u Republici Hrvatskoj

Each institution in the state administration in the Republic of Croatia organizes its operations through numerous administrative organizations (administrations) and organizational units (independent sectors, sectors, services, departments, sections and sub-sections) whose number and responsibilities differ with regard to their internal organization. In this paper, the emphasis is on state administration bodies, that is, on ministries and state administrative organizations. The paper tries to answer the research question of whether there is a difference in the efficiency of the operations of state administration bodies in the Republic of Croatia in relation to the representation of women and men among employed officials and state employees. The aim of the paper is to recognize the importance and analyze gender representation in state administration bodies in the Republic of Croatia and to determine whether there is a difference in the efficiency of work results in state administration bodies in relation to the representation of women and men. The research covers 16 ministries and 12 state administrative organizations in the Republic of Croatia, which employ a total of about 49,820 employees. According to the research results, there is no statistically significant difference between business efficiency and gender representation in state administration bodies in the Republic of Croatia.

Incidental visual processing of spatiotemporal cues in communicative interactions: An fMRI investigation

Abstract The interpretation of social interactions between people is important in many daily situations. The coordination of the relative body movements between them may provide visual cues that observers use without attention to discriminate such social interactions from the actions of people acting independently of each other. Previous studies highlighted brain regions involved in the visual processing of interacting versus independently acting people, including posterior superior temporal sulcus, and areas of lateral occipitotemporal and parietal cortices. Unlike these previous studies, we focused on the incidental visual processing of social interactions; that is, the processing of the body movements outside the observers’ focus of attention. In the current study, we used functional imaging to measure brain activation while participants were presented with point-light dyads portraying communicative interactions or individual actions. However, their task was to discriminate the brightness of two crosses also on the screen. To investigate brain regions that may process the spatial and temporal relationships between the point-light displays, we either reversed the facing direction of one agent or spatially scrambled the local motion of the points. Incidental processing of communicative interactions elicited activation in right anterior STS only when the two agents were facing each other. Controlling for differences in local motion by subtracting brain activation to scrambled versions of the point-light displays revealed significant activation in parietal cortex for communicative interactions, as well as left amygdala and brain stem/cerebellum. Our results complement previous studies and suggest that additional brain regions may be recruited to incidentally process the spatial and temporal contingencies that distinguish people acting together from people acting individually.