Scientific Rigor Research Articles

The Fundamental Underpinning of Biological Theory of Spontaneous Generation in Biology

The concept of spontaneous generation, originating from ancient philosophical and theological debates, has persisted through scientific inquiry and paradigm shifts. This article explores the historical trajectory of spontaneous generation theory from its roots in Aristotelian philosophy to its refutation by pivotal experiments in the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries. Through an examination of key figures such as Louis Pasteur and Francesco Redi, the evolution of scientific understanding regarding the origin of life is elucidated. Pasteur's contributions to germ theory and experimental microbiology, including his famous swan-neck flask experiment, played a decisive role in discrediting the notion of spontaneous generation. Moreover, Redi's controlled experiments with meat and flies provided empirical evidence against the spontaneous generation of maggots. The article also delves into the broader socio-political context surrounding these scientific debates, highlighting the influence of societal authorities and shifting scientific paradigms on the acceptance of new ideas. Additionally, it discusses the role of advancements in microbiology and biochemistry in shaping contemporary perspectives on the origin of life, emphasizing the interdisciplinary nature of scientific inquiry in this field. Ultimately, the narrative underscores the pivotal role of empirical evidence and scientific rigor in overturning long-standing beliefs, illuminating the complex interplay between social context, scientific progress, and the quest for understanding life's fundamental processes. Investigations into the spontaneous production of hydrogen peroxide from pure water micro droplets highlight the complexity of spontaneous chemical reactions. Historical perspectives on spontaneous generation, offer valuable insights into the evolution of scientific thought. Synthesizing recent findings with historical context provides a comprehensive understanding of spontaneous generation's implications across diverse research fields.

Aircraft noise contours—From everything for everyone to nothing for anyone

Aircraft noise exposure contours were originally intended as a tool to facilitate compatible land use in the vicinity of airports. The simple concept was for authorities to use historic data and reasonable predictions for near future demands to create a map that identified areas of high aircraft noise impacts. Municipalities and planners would refer to this map to determine appropriate zoning around the airport, restricting noise sensitive development in high noise exposure areas. With time, different demands and applications of the noise contours emerged. Some stakeholders demanded longer term forecasts to allow for planning farther into the future. Some co-opted contours as a PR tool to suggest reduced impacts on communities. Some began using noise contours as a tool to protect against encroachment. Others began to look to noise contours as a representation of daily acoustic conditions in areas surrounding the airport. In Canada, a lack of oversight and guidance for the selection of inputs parameters for noise models, make it such that noise contours have become a product illustrating whatever their creator intends, lacking objectivity and scientific rigour. This research demonstrates how noise contours can be designed to achieve desired results by modulating different input parameters.

Sex matters in preclinical research.

International Women's Day 2024 has a theme of inclusion. As publishers of preclinical research, we aim to show how inclusion of females in research advances scientific rigor and improves treatment reliability. Sexual reproduction is key to all life across the plant and animal kingdoms. Biological sex takes many forms that are morphologically differentiated during development: stamens versus pistils in plants; color and plumage in birds; fallopian tubes versus vas deferens in mammals; and differences in size, for instance, males are smaller in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. Physical differences may be obvious, but many traits may be more obscure, including hormonal, physiological and metabolic factors. These traits have a big influence on disease and responses to treatment. Thus, we call for improved inclusion, analysis and reporting of sex as a biological variable in preclinical animal modeling research.

Evaluation of the Development Vitality of New Quality Productive Forces in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region Based on Game Theory-TOPSIS Method

This paper employs a Game Theory-based Weighting and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method to comprehensively evaluate the development vitality of new quality productive forces in Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei. By integrating the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Entropy Method to determine weights, a scientific evaluation index system is constructed, incorporating both expert opinions and objective data. The evaluation results indicate that Beijing excels in technological innovation and efficiency, Tianjin performs well in green development, while Hebei requires enhancement in industrial transformation and upgrading. Encompassing multiple dimensions such as technological innovation, intellectual resources, green development, production efficiency, and industrial transformation and upgrading, the assessment further validates the effectiveness of the evaluation methodology through case study analysis. The Game Theory-based Weighting approach effectively combines subjective and objective weights, enhancing the scientific rigor and accuracy of the evaluation. The results provide a decision-making basis for optimizing industrial structures, promoting regional collaboration, advancing green and low-carbon development, and improving social well-being in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. In conclusion, the proposed Game Theory-based Weighting and TOPSIS evaluation model serves as a powerful tool for assessing the development vitality of new quality productive forces in Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei. It holds significant implications for driving regional high-quality development, achieving economic growth with high quality, and fostering sustainable social development.

The psychological scaffolding of arithmetic.

Where does arithmetic come from, and why are addition and multiplication its fundamental operations? Although we know that arithmetic is true, no explanation that meets standards of scientific rigor is available from philosophy, mathematical logic, or the cognitive sciences. We propose a new approach based on the assumption that arithmetic has a biological origin: Many examples of adaptive behavior such as spatial navigation suggest that organisms can perform arithmetic-like operations on represented magnitudes. If so, these operations-nonsymbolic precursors of addition and multiplication-might be optimal due to evolution and thus identifiable according to an appropriate criterion. We frame this as a metamathematical question, and using an order-theoretic criterion, prove that four qualitative conditions-monotonicity, convexity, continuity, and isomorphism-are sufficient to identify addition and multiplication over the real numbers uniquely from the uncountably infinite class of possible operations. Our results show that numbers and algebraic structure emerge from purely qualitative conditions, and as a construction of arithmetic, provide a rigorous explanation for why addition and multiplication are its fundamental operations. We argue that these conditions are preverbal psychological intuitions or principles of perceptual organization that are biologically based and shape how humans and nonhumans alike perceive the world. This is a Kantian view and suggests that arithmetic need not be regarded as an immutable truth of the universe but rather as a natural consequence of our perception. Algebraic structure may be inherent in the representations of the world formed by our perceptual system. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Rigorous science demands support of transgender scientists

To build a just, equitable, and diverse academy, scientists and institutions must address systemic barriers that sex and gender minorities face. This Commentary summarizes (1) critical context informing the contemporary oppression of transgender people, (2) how this shapes extant research on sex and gender, and (3) actions to build an inclusive and rigorous academy for all.

Fundamental Components and Principles of Supervised Machine Learning Workflows with Numerical and Categorical Data

This paper offers a comprehensive examination of the process involved in developing and automating supervised end-to-end machine learning workflows for forecasting and classification purposes. It offers a complete overview of the components (i.e., feature engineering and model selection), principles (i.e., bias–variance decomposition, model complexity, overfitting, model sensitivity to feature assumptions and scaling, and output interpretability), models (i.e., neural networks and regression models), methods (i.e., cross-validation and data augmentation), metrics (i.e., Mean Squared Error and F1-score) and tools that rule most supervised learning applications with numerical and categorical data, as well as their integration, automation, and deployment. The end goal and contribution of this paper is the education and guidance of the non-AI expert academic community regarding complete and rigorous machine learning workflows and data science practices, from problem scoping to design and state-of-the-art automation tools, including basic principles and reasoning in the choice of methods. The paper delves into the critical stages of supervised machine learning workflow development, many of which are often omitted by researchers, and covers foundational concepts essential for understanding and optimizing a functional machine learning workflow, thereby offering a holistic view of task-specific application development for applied researchers who are non-AI experts. This paper may be of significant value to academic researchers developing and prototyping machine learning workflows for their own research or as customer-tailored solutions for government and industry partners.

Advancing Endocrine Disruptors via In Vitro Evaluation: Recognizing the Significance of the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development and United States Environmental Protection Agency Guidelines, Embracing New Assessment Methods, and the Urgent Need for a Comprehensive Battery of Tests.

Efforts are being made globally to improve the evaluation and understanding of endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Recognition of their impact on human health and the environment has stimulated attention and research in this field. Various stakeholders, including scientists, regulatory agencies, policymakers, and industry representatives, are collaborating to develop robust methodologies and guidelines for assessing these disruptors. A key aspect of these efforts is the development of standardized testing protocols and guidelines that aim to provide consistent and reliable methods for identifying and characterizing endocrine disruptors. When evaluating the potential endocrine-disrupting activity of chemicals, no single test is capable of detecting all relevant endocrine-disrupting agents. The test battery approach is designed to reduce the risk of false negative results for compounds with toxic potential. A weight-of-evidence approach is therefore necessary for endocrine disruptor evaluation. This approach considers various types of data from multiple sources, assessing the overall strength, consistency, and reliability of the evidence. OECD guidelines are highly regarded for their scientific rigor, transparency, and consensus-based development process. It is crucial to explore and develop new methodologies that can effectively evaluate the risks associated with potential endocrine disruptors. Integrating these methods into a comprehensive weight-of-evidence framework will enhance risk assessments and facilitate informed decisions regarding the regulation and management of these substances, ensuring the protection of human health and the environment from their adverse effects.

Factor Analysis and Validation of the Disturbing Dream and Nightmare Severity Index in an Inpatient Sample

ABSTRACT Study Objectives The Disturbing Dream and Nightmare Severity Index (DDNSI) has been used widely in research and clinical practice without psychometric evidence supporting its use in clinical samples. The present study aimed to explore and confirm the factor structure of the DDNSI in an inpatient sample. We also sought to test the measure’s construct validity. Methods Two samples of U.S. inpatients including adult (N = 937) and adolescent (N = 274) participants provided data on nightmares (i.e. DDNSI), sleep quality (i.e. the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) and related psychopathology symptoms (e.g. depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety). Results Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses found the six original items of the DDNSI to load onto a single latent factor. Conclusions The DDNSI was found to be a valid measure of nightmare frequency and distress, as it was significantly correlated with the items related to disturbing dreams, and the DDNSI was able to differentiate between nightmares and psychopathology symptoms. Though this research comes nearly two decades after the initial creation and use of the DDNSI, it provides a foundation for the scientific rigor of previous and future studies on nightmares using the DDNSI.

A study of subjective evaluation factors regarding visual effects of daylight in offices using machine learning

Daylight has a positive impact on the health, pleasure, and productivity of office workers. Analyzing how environmental parameters affect daylight's visual effects can help effectively evaluate daylight sensation and assist architects in creating more appropriate daylight environments. The study explores the impact of different daylight environments on occupants' perception via extensive controlled daylight experiments in Harbin, China. Based on the experimental results, we find two common factors in the visual effects of daylight through exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. Take the evaluation factors (daylight satisfaction and daylight complexity) with the highest factor loading coefficient in each common factor as an example, construct a predictive model based on the XGBoost algorithm and validate its performance. Then, the SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) method is used to analyze the influence mechanism of feature parameters and their interaction combinations on the visual effects of daylight in office spaces. The results indicate that the feature parameter Ltask/Lm significantly impacts daylight satisfaction and complexity. The interaction combination between feature parameters Ltask/Lm and Ltask significantly influences daylight satisfaction evaluation. In contrast, the combination of Lmed and Daylight Glare Probability (DGP) contributes the most to daylight complexity. The study addresses theoretical and technical gaps in the visual effects study of daylight through questionnaire assessment and explanatory analysis, enhancing the precision and scientific rigor of daylighting design.

Clinical care of childhood sexual abuse: a systematic review and critical appraisal of guidelines from European countries

The clinical management of Child sexual abuse (CSA) demands specialised skills from healthcare professionals due to its sensitivity, legal implications, and serious physical health and mental health effects. Standardised, comprehensive clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) may be pivotal. In this systematic review, we examined existing CSA national CPGs (NCPGs) from European countries to assess their quality and reporting. We systematically searched six international databases and multiple grey literature sources, reporting by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) standards. Eligible guidelines were CSA guidance from national health agencies or societies in 34 COST Action 19106 Network Countries (CANC), published between January 2012 and November 2022. Two independent researchers searched, screened, reviewed, and extracted data. NCPGs were compared for completeness with reference WHO 2017 and 2019 guidelines. We used the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) to appraise quality and reporting. PROSPERO: CRD42022320747. Of 2919 records identified by database searches, none met inclusion criteria. Of 4714 records identified by other methods, 24 NCPGs from 17 (50%) of CANC countries were included. In 17 (50%) of eligible countries, no NCPGs were found. Content varied significantly within and between countries. NCPGs lacked many components in state-of-the art clinical practice compared to WHO reference standards, particularly in safety and risk assessment, interactions with caregivers, and mental health interventions. Appraisal by AGREE II revealed shortcomings in NCPG development, regarding scientific rigour, stakeholder involvement, implementation and evaluation. A notable number of European countries lack an NCPG; existing NCPGs often fall short. The healthcare response to CSA in Europe requires a coordinated approach to develop and implement high-quality CPGs. We advocate for a multidisciplinary team to develop a pan-European CSA guideline to ensure quality care for survivors. Funding was provided by the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children.

"Cancer Perspectives And Recent Advances In Anti-Cancer Drug Research: A Review In The Lens Of Siddha Medicine"

Introduction: Cancer is a global health challenge, demanding innovative approaches for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Despite ongoing research efforts, finding a definitive cure for cancer remains a formidable challenge. In response to these challenges, the concept of integrative oncology has gained prominence, aiming to combine conventional treatments with evidence-based complementary therapies. Objective: This review explores the integration of Siddha medicine, an ancient South Indian system, with modern oncology to offer holistic cancer care. Siddha perspectives on cancer, its classifications, etiopathogenesis, diagnostic methodologies, and treatment modalities are thoroughly analysed in comparison with modern approach. Recent research on Siddha medicines demonstrating anti-cancer potential is also being reviewed through a systematic literature analysis. Methodology: Analyses of various Siddha texts is done to know the terminologies and categories of cancer. Siddha's etiopathogenesis, diagnostic methodologies and Siddha treatment modalities are discussed, emphasizing the balance of humours. Recent research on Siddha medicines for cancer treatment is compiled through a systematic literature review. Discussion: The manuscript decodes Siddha's conceptual framework underlying cancer hallmarks, aligning Vatham, Pitham, and Kabam with the eight hallmark capabilities. Siddha diagnostic methodologies, including pulse reading and urine examination, are compared with modern techniques. Siddha treatment modalities, rooted in herbal formulations, are presented. A comprehensive compilation of Siddha drugs with anti-cancer potential is provided, supported by in-vitro, in-vivo, and clinical studies. Conclusion: The multifaceted nature of cancer necessitates a comprehensive approach, and Siddha medicine provides unique insights. While Siddha may not directly align with modern diagnostics, its holistic principles contribute valuably to cancer discussions. Integrating Siddha into mainstream oncology requires scientific rigor, with further research and clinical trials to validate safety and efficacy. The fusion of Siddha wisdom with modern oncology holds promise for a more holistic and patient-centric cancer care approach.

Microbial Diseases of Laboratory Animals and its monitoring Tools

Microbial diseases pose significant challenges in experimental research, impacting both animal welfare and research outcomes. The review covers a wide range of microbial pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, that commonly affect laboratory animals. It explores the etiology, pathogenesis, and clinical manifestations associated with these pathogens, highlighting their influence on experimental results. Extensively discussed about the monitoring assays employed for microbial disease detection in experimental animals. Traditional and modern techniques are considered, including microbiological culturing, serological assays, molecular diagnostics, histopathology, and advanced imaging methods. Regular health monitoring programs for laboratory animals, emphasizing the significance of early detection and intervention to prevent disease outbreaks and maintain animal welfare. Emerging trends and technologies in microbial disease monitoring, such as next-generation sequencing, metagenomics, and high-throughput screening, are also explored. This review aims to provide researchers, laboratory animal professionals, and regulatory authorities with a comprehensive resource for understanding microbial diseases in experimental animals and selecting appropriate monitoring assay. For the Scientists and Veterinarians this overall review gives a glimpse for implementing effective monitoring strategies, identifying and managing microbial diseases, ensuring the well-being of laboratory animals. The synthesis of current knowledge and best practices will enhance the scientific rigor and reproducibility of experimental studies involving animals. In conclusion, this review emphasizes the critical importance of microbial disease monitoring in experimental animals. Robust and accurate monitoring assays enable researchers to effectively detect and manage microbial diseases, safeguarding animal health and ensuring reliable research outcomes.

Neurotopographical Transformations: Dissecting Cortical Reconfigurations in Auditory Deprivation.

Within the intricate matrices of cognitive neuroscience, auditory deprivation acts as a catalyst, propelling a cascade of neuroanatomical adjustments that have, until now, been suboptimally articulated in extant literature. Addressing this gap, our study harnesses high-resolution 3 T MRI modalities to unveil the multifaceted cortical transformations that emerge in tandem with congenital auditory deficits. We conducted a rigorous cortical surface analysis on a cohort of 90 congenitally deaf individuals, systematically compared with 90 normoacoustic controls. Our sample encompassed both male and female participants, ensuring a gender-inclusive perspective in our analysis. Expected alterations within prototypical auditory domains were evident, but our findings transcended these regions, spotlighting modifications dispersed across a gamut of cortical and subcortical structures, thereby epitomizing the cerebral adaptive dynamics to sensory voids. Crucially, the study's innovative methodology integrated two pivotal variables: the duration of auditory deprivation and the extent of sign language immersion. By intersecting these metrics with structural changes, our analysis unveiled nuanced layers of cortical reconfigurations, elucidating a more granulated understanding of neural plasticity. This intersectional approach bestows a unique advantage, allowing for a discerning exploration into how varying durations of sensory experience and alternative communication modalities modulate the brain's morphological terrain. In encapsulating the synergy of neuroimaging finesse and incisive scientific rigor, this research not only broadens the current understanding of adaptive neural mechanisms but also paves the way for tailored therapeutic strategies, finely attuned to individual auditory histories and communicative repertoires.

Constructing and validating the museum product creativity measurement (MPCM): dimensions for creativity assessment of souvenir products in Chinese urban historical museums

AbstractAs museums continue to play an increasingly significant role in the preservation, innovation, and dissemination of cultural heritages, the products sold in their souvenir shops have become a vital carrier of cultural and creative industries. The creativity of these products has drawn intensive attention from various industries. However, the evaluation of museum products’ creativity still lacks objectivity, scientific rigour, and systematisation. This study aims to construct a contextual and comprehensive measurement model to evaluate the creativity of products purchased in souvenir shops affiliated with urban historical museums in China. Based on the literature, ten related hypotheses were introduced, and a conceptual model was illustrated. Six relevant dimensions and 28 corresponding indicators were identified, and then a 7-point Likert-styled questionnaire was developed. An online survey was conducted, which invited 931 participants to take part. Among them, 708 responses are valid (rate 76.05%). The overall reliability of the survey is 0.96 (Cronbach’s α). Then, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and a structural equation modelling analysis using SPSS and SmartPLS were conducted. The results supported most hypotheses proposed by this study and confirmed the validity of the museum product creativity measurement (MPCM). The validated instrument comprises five dimensions: Affect, Usefulness, Aesthetics, Cultural Values and Novelty, with a total of 21 indicators. Additionally, the findings revealed that Aesthetics mediates Affect, and Cultural Values mediate Usefulness. Moreover, a negative moderating effect of Educational Level on the perception of Cultural Values was detected.

Palliative Care Interventions for Persons With Neurodegenerative Disease: A Scoping Review of Clinical Trial Study Design Features.

Background: Within palliative care research, best practice guidelines to conduct scientifically rigorous clinical trials for neurodegenerative diseases are underexplored. This patient population experiences unique challenges, including fluctuations in cognitive capacity, care partner (CP) and proxy involvement, and high adverse events (AEs), that necessitate special consideration when designing clinical trials. Objective: The objective of this study was to describe and identify clinical trial design features that have been documented in studies involving a neuropalliative intervention for persons with neurodegenerative diseases, highlighting features that have been adapted for this unique patient population. Design: We conducted a scoping review of clinical trials with a neuropalliative intervention for persons with neurodegenerative disease. We searched Cochrane, Web of Science, EMBASE, Scopus, and PubMed (MEDLINE) databases for articles published in English between 1950 and 2023. Two reviewers screened, extracted, and synthesized data from the included articles. A third reviewer adjudicated instances of conflict. The data were analyzed using a thematic framework approach. Results: Of 1025 texts, 44 articles were included. Seven study design features were analyzed: (1) consent, (2) proxies and CPs, (3) recruitment strategies, (4) retention strategies, (5) choice of comparator, (6) AEs, and (7) internal validity. This scoping review found disparities in study design features around structured consent, proxies and CPs, comparators, and AEs. Conclusions: To date, neuropalliative care clinical trials have had varied study designs and the majority of research has focused on dementia. Research guideline development for high-quality neuropalliative care clinical trials is greatly needed across the range of neurodegenerative diseases. To increase the scientific rigor of clinical trials and neuropalliative care, we recommend a standardized capacity assessment for consent, defining conditions for the CP, proxy, and AEs, systematizing appropriate comparators, and outlining preemptive recruitment and retention strategies to address the broader unpredictable challenges of palliative care research.

Reporting guidelines for traditional Chinese medicine could be improved: a cross-sectional study

ObjectivesThe aim of this study is to identify available reporting guidelines for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), delineate their fundamental characteristics, assess the scientific rigor of their development process, and evaluate their dissemination. Study Design and SettingA search was conducted in Medline (via PubMed), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), SinoMed, WANFANG DATA, and the EQUATOR Network to identify TCM reporting guidelines. A preprepared Excel database was used to extract information on the basic characteristics, development process, and dissemination information. The development process quality of TCM reporting guidelines was assessed by evaluating their compliance with the Guidance for Developers of Health Research Reporting Guidelines (GDHRRG). The extent of dissemination of these guidelines was analyzed by examining the number of citations received. ResultsA total of 26 reporting guidelines for TCM were obtained from 20 academic journals, with 61.5% of them published in English journals. Among the guidelines, 14 (53.8%) were registered in the EQUATOR Network. On average, the compliance rate of GDHRRG guidelines was reported to be 63.3% ranging from 22.2% to 94.4%. Three steps showed poor compliance, namely guideline endorsement (23.1%), translated guidelines (19.2%), and developing a publication strategy (19.2%). Furthermore, the compliance rate of GDHRRG guidelines published in English journals was higher than that in Chinese journals. In terms of the dissemination, 15.4% of the guidelines had been cited over 100 times, while 73.1% had been cited less than 50 times. ConclusionThe development of TCM reporting guidelines still has limitations in terms of regarding scientific rigor and follow-up dissemination. Therefore, it is important to ensure adherence to the scientific process in the development of TCM reporting guidelines and to strengthen their promotion, dissemination, and implementation.

Advancing Methodological Rigor for Psychosocial Aspects of Neuropalliative Care Interventions.

Background: Neurological disorders (NDs) have unique biopsychosocial-spiritual features that impact patients and their families. As a result, the subspeciality of neuropalliative care (NPC) emerged within the past decade and has grown exponentially in research and practice. Given the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral changes associated with NDs, psychosocial components (eg, coping skills) of NPC interventions are essential for improving the quality of life for patients and families. However, psychosocial components of NPC interventions warrant more rigorous testing to improve their evidence base and their likelihood of implementation and dissemination. Aim: In this commentary, we provide methodological recommendations with the goal of improving scientific knowledge and rigor for psychosocial components of multicomponent NPC interventions in clinical trials. Results: We emphasize the need for transparent reporting of psychosocial intervention components; using established models of intervention development to guide the development and testing of multicomponent NPC interventions; identifying mechanisms of action for psychosocial outcomes; and choosing psychometrically sound measures for mechanisms and outcomes. Conclusions: Given the importance of psychosocial care to the holistic NPC model, rigorous testing of psychosocial components of NPC interventions is a high priority for clinical investigators to advance the evidence base and practice of NPC.

An overview of the peer review process in biomedical sciences.

This paper aims to provide an introductory resource for beginner peer reviewers in psychiatry and the broader biomedical science field. It will provide a concise overview of the peer review process, alongside some reviewing tips and tricks. The peer review process is a fundamental aspect of biomedical science publishing. The model of peer review offered varies between journals and usually relies on a pool of volunteers with differing levels of expertise and scope. The aim of peer review is to collaboratively leverage reviewers' collective knowledge with the objective of increasing the quality and merit of published works. The limitations, methodology and need for transparency in the peer review process are often poorly understood. Although imperfect, the peer review process provides some degree of scientific rigour by emphasising the need for an ethical, comprehensive and systematic approach to reviewing articles. Contributions from junior reviewers can add significant value to manuscripts.

Walras and Tugan-Baranovsky on socialism: Reconciling economic science and social ideal

Nowadays, Leon Walras (1839—1910) is well-known first and foremost for his “Elements of pure political economy, or the theory of public wealth” (1874, 1877) and Mikhail Ivanovich Tugan-Baranovsky (1865—1919) gained a wide recognition due to his book “Industrial crises in contemporary England: Their causes and influences on the life of the people” (1894), which had a significant impact on the development of economics. At the same time, both economists were deeply concerned not only with theoretical problems, but also with those that are now considered beyond the scope of theory, the problem of social ideal and that of a more just social system being among them. Walras and Tugan-Baranovsky associated the embodiment of the social ideal with socialism and strived for an economic system that corresponded to that ideal, albeit their conceptions of socialism being different. The principal opportunity to achieve reconciliation between science and ideal was associated with a synthetic approach reconciling the scientific method and ideal, economics being considered “a bridge” between them, or a «testing ground», where the reconciliation was to take place. Although history has shown that Walras’s and Tugan-Baranovsky’s ideas of socialism were utopian, the very fact that two eminent economists were deeply concerned with the problem of social ideal and socialism at a time when the foundations of modern economics were being laid, shows that the striving of economists to create objective and rigorous science was, to a measure, driven by their aspiration to solve the social problem and to set up a social and economic system which is rational and more just than the existing one