Shift In Focus Research Articles

From Breaches to Breachers

This article offers a development of Garfinkel’s (1984) breaching experiments. The discussed breaches are not artificially staged to provoke a reaction, instead they occur naturally in the context, in this case the design field. Also, the focus shifts from the breaches to the people enacting them, the breachers. Three examples of breachers are compared, enabling a deepened understanding of what they have in common, what sets them apart, and what they reveal about the prevalent conditions of the context in which they occur. From a position of in-betweenness/ “mellanförskap”, breachers illuminate blindspots and push the boundaries of what questions are possible to ask in their respective fields. Not only breaches, but also breachers offer valuable friction, building norm awareness that is a premise for norm criticism and ultimately norm creativity.

Decolonizing Methodologies Through Dialogue: A Relational Literature Review on Urban Indigenous Health

This article responds to Tynan and Bishop’s call for relational engagement in literature reviews, employing Indigenous epistemologies and a relational, conversational approach to examine trends in urban Indigenous health research. Reflecting on a comprehensive literature review, we highlight shifts in research focus, authorship, and methodologies. The analysis, guided by Indigenous scholars with diverse disciplinary backgrounds, centers on current and emerging trends, while addressing the impact of funding priorities and sociopolitical contexts on research. Despite growing recognition of Indigenous scholarship and community engagement, our discussions reveal challenges in maintaining authenticity in community-driven methodologies. We emphasize the need to further decolonize research approaches, highlighting the role of relational methodologies that honor Indigenous epistemologies. By integrating oral traditions, community-based sources, and relational citation practices, this article advocates for a paradigm shift in literature reviews, urging scholars to prioritize Indigenous ways of knowing and strengthen the relational dynamics within research processes to better address urban Indigenous health and well-being.

What works for whom in which circumstances in successful HRM implementation? A realist synthesis

High-quality HR practices do not always yield positive outcomes due to implementation shortcomings, which has led to the shift in focus from the content of HR practices to their process of implementation. Despite this shift, there remains a lack of systematic understanding of how and why implementation of HR practices succeeds or fails. To address this gap, a comprehensive review of effective implementation mechanisms, influencing contextual factors, and resulting outcomes is needed. Consequently, this study adopts a realist synthesis approach following the RAMESES publication standards to identify and synthesise existing evidence from empirical studies of HRM implementation. Reviewing 62 articles, we extracted and proposed four realist programme theories based on the process mechanisms attributed to actors of line managers, employees, senior managers, and HR departments. These realist programme theories explain how the process mechanisms bring about different outcomes in different contexts, hence, they enhance the understanding of ‘what works for whom in which circumstances?’ regarding HRM implementation.

Wounds and Vulnerabilities. The Participation of Special Operations Forces in Experimental Brain-Computer Interface Research.

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) exemplify a dual-use neurotechnology with significant potential in both civilian and military contexts. While BCIs hold promise for treating neurological conditions such as spinal cord injuries and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in the future, military decisionmakers in countries such as the United States and China also see their potential to enhance combat capabilities. Some predict that U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) will be early adopters of BCI enhancements. This article argues for a shift in focus: the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) should pursue translational research of medical BCIs for treating severely injured or ill SOF personnel. After two decades of continuous military engagement and on-going high-risk operations, SOF personnel face unique injury patterns, both physical and psychological, which BCI technology could help address. The article identifies six key medical applications of BCIs that could benefit wounded SOF members and discusses the ethical implications of involving SOF personnel in translational research related to these applications. Ultimately, the article challenges the traditional civilian-military divide in neurotechnology, arguing that by collaborating more closely with military stakeholders, scientists can not only help individuals with medical needs, including servicemembers, but also play a role in shaping the future military applications of BCI technology.

Insights into Uromodulin and Blood Pressure.

We review the role of uromodulin, a protein exclusively expressed in the kidney, in blood pressure regulation and hypertension. The last few years have seen a shift of focus from genetic association to mendelian randomisation and uromodulin-salt interaction studies, thus confirming the causal role of uromodulin in blood pressure regulation and hypertension. This work has been complemented by phenome-wide association studies in a wider range of ethnicities. Important recent molecular work elucidated uromodulin trafficking and secretion and provided more insights into the pathophysiological roles of circulating and urinary uromodulin. Uromodulin has a causal role in blood pressure regulation and hypertensin. Recent studies show utility of the uromodulin as a biomarker and a possible precision medicine application based on genetically determined differential responses to loop diuretics.

EFFECTIVENESS OF THE ROLE OF THE HOSPITAL BLU SUPERVISORY BOARD DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

<p>The Covid-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the performance of Public Service Agencies (BLU), particularly hospital BLUs, contributing to the global economic crisis. This study examines the effectiveness of Hospital BLU Supervisory Board roles during the Covid-19 pandemic and their impact on hospital performance. Using a mixed-method approach, this research analyzed data from 208 respondents (134 supervisory board members and 74 BLU managers) through Likert-scale questionnaires and conducted in-depth interviews with 8 supervisory board members. Results indicate that the role of the Supervisory Board during the Covid-19 pandemic experienced increased intensity and a shift in focus. However, uneven understanding of existing governance necessitates routine activities for improving the Supervisory Board's role, including redesigning the appointment process. The study found that board effectiveness was influenced by member competency, governance understanding, communication quality, and collaborative leadership development.</p>

Shifting focus from ideality to reality: a qualitative study on how quality of life is defined by premanifest and manifest Huntington’s disease gene expansion carriers

BackgroundUnderstanding quality of life (QoL) is important in diseases for which there is no cure to date, such as Huntington’s disease (HD). A deeper level of understanding is, however, compromised by the lack of studies examining QoL from the perspectives of HD gene expansion carriers (HDGECs). Only a few qualitative studies on QoL in HD have been performed, yet none investigated how QoL is defined by HDGECs themselves.ObjectiveThis qualitative study explores how premanifest and manifest HDGECs define their QoL.MethodsOnline semi-structured interviews were conducted with 6 premanifest and 6 manifest HDGECs in the Netherlands. Qualitative content analysis was used to explore participants’ QoL definitions via inductive coding and the subsequent formulation of (sub)categories and (sub)themes.ResultsPremanifest and manifest HDGECs had a different focus when defining QoL. Two subthemes were identified for premanifest HDGECs: Thoughts about a meaningful life regardless of HD and Concerns about the future progression and impact of HD. For manifest HDGECs, two other subthemes were identified: Coming to terms with HD and Shifting perspectives due to the impact of HD. One overall theme was generated, reflecting the difference and adaptive shift in focus between premanifest and manifest HDGECs: Shifting focus from ideality to reality.ConclusionsIn providing optimal care, HDGECs should be considered as part of a complex, continuously changing environment, thereby taking into account their individual QoL experiences and tailoring care accordingly. HDGECs might benefit from forming helpful beliefs about future adaptability and resilience and developing adaptive coping strategies.

Alcohol-Associated Hepatitis: Short- and Long-Term Management.

Alcohol-associated hepatitis, considered a severe form of alcohol-associated liver disease, carries with it multiple negative health outcomes ranging not only to increased hospitalizations but also increased rates of mortality. While the inpatient management remains critical in optimizing clinical outcomes, a shift in focus to the outpatient management of alcohol-associated hepatitis is warranted as a long-term solution to this emerging health pandemic. Here, we review the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and current prognostication scoring systems for alcohol-associated hepatitis. We then offer a multimodal approach to the continued management of alcohol-associated hepatitis in the outpatient setting encompassing not only nutritional optimization, alcohol use disorder treatment, and the medical management of chronic liver disease, but also briefly review the current trend of the use of liver transplantation.

Pyrolysis and beyond: Sustainable valorization of plastic waste

The recycling of plastics through pyrolysis has garnered significant attention as a waste management approach, particularly given upcoming regulations and the urgent need for absolute sustainability. This review paper evaluates pyrolysis's technological, environmental, and regulatory aspects, emphasizing the need to prioritize environmental impact over purely economic considerations. While it is recognized that financial challenges have constrained many past attempts at scaling pyrolysis systems, this paper argues that a shift in focus toward sustainability criteria is essential for the technology's long-term viability. Prioritizing environmental outcomes is critical given the pressing issues like plastic pollution, which presents significant threats to ecosystems and human health. A comprehensive assessment of environmental impacts is vital for technologies intended for large-scale deployment, ensuring that they align with global sustainability goals. This perspective is especially pertinent in light of the current United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) global plastic pollution treaty negotiations, where there is a contentious debate over the true circularity of chemical recycling. Environmentalists and several nations advocate for significant reductions in plastic production and bans on single-use plastics. At the same time, oil-producing countries and petrochemical companies push for circularity in the plastic economy. The paper explores the promise and limitations of pyrolysis technology for valorizing plastic wastes, comparing its efficacy with other waste management methods. Biomass pyrolysis is discussed due to its significant synergies with plastic pyrolysis and its potential for carbon sequestration through biochar. However, the discussion on biomass pyrolysis is limited in scope, with the paper's primary focus on waste plastic pyrolysis. The paper discusses the challenges and opportunities in utilizing pyrolysis for waste plastics, which are considered along with regulatory and geopolitical aspects. Environmental impacts, including life cycle analysis and planetary boundary considerations, are examined to understand why pyrolysis has yet to achieve widespread adoption. A case study on Plastic Energy, SABIC, and Unilever highlights current industry status, technological advancements, and information gaps. Finally, a comprehensive framework is proposed to achieve net-zero emissions, improve air quality, and ensure absolute environmental sustainability in plastic recycling. Recommendations are provided for the plastic industry and research institutions to support the transition towards sustainable waste management practices.

Developing a Curriculum for Practical Skills-Based Pedagogy in Engineering Education: A Skills-Driven Teaching and Learning Approach for Job Transition Pathways Applicable in Engineering Training and Development for a University of Technology

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated a shift in focus for graduate engineering students, demanding their swift integration into the workforce. The Engineering Council of South Africa now stipulates that institutions must cultivate specific graduate attributes, particularly in the face of rapid economic and social transformations. This mandate prompts universities to equip engineers with the skills needed to seamlessly adapt to scarce skill positions and emerging roles within diverse disciplines dictated by industry demands. The evolving landscape is shaped by emerging technologies impacting production, manufacturing, and service sectors. Consequently, engineering graduates must acquire skills that facilitate a smooth transition into roles that align with their expertise. The imperative for universities is to fulfill the core mission of engineering education: fostering professionals capable of developing future technology to address upcoming challenges and produce technologists adept at solving present issues using current technology. This study employs a qualitative research method to explain and explore the training of engineers, ensuring that graduates possess the requisite attributes for a successful transition into new occupational roles aligned with industry needs. The focus of the research centers on analyzing the teaching interventions implemented in Industrial Engineering undergraduate programs at a university of technology.

ABORDAGEM JURÍDICA DO ABORTO EM CASOS DE ESTUPRO BILATERAL DE VULNERÁVEIS: CONFLITOS DE VONTADE E SOLUÇÕES JURÍDICAS

The debate on cases of bilateral vulnerable rape sparks legal, ethical, and moral discussions in several countries, especially when resulting in pregnancy, complicating the scenario. In Brazil, this debate gains prominence, considering the Penal Code and its provisions on vulnerable rape. In this context, the present study aims to understand the legal approach to abortion in cases of bilateral vulnerable rape, evaluating possible conflicts and solutions. Data from the Brazilian Public Security Yearbook of 2023 reveal a alarming increase in reports of rape and vulnerable rape, indicating the urgency to broaden the legal debate on the topic. The article proposes a qualitative analysis, combining literature review with elements of Brazilian jurisprudence to achieve its objectives. Guiding questions include the legal approach to abortion, the responsibility of the involved adolescents, and the influence of guardians in the decision to abort. In the first section, legal and social issues related to the protection of individuals under 14 years old are analyzed, including the legal framework of bilateral vulnerable rape and considerations on the age of consent. Subsequent subsections thoroughly explore the legal framework of bilateral vulnerable rape, the vulnerability of these individuals from the perspective of legal order, and considerations on the age of consent. In the second section, the focus shifts to teenage pregnancy, providing brief notes on fundamental rights of the pregnant minor, specific cases, panoramas of pregnancy and abortion of vulnerable mothers in Brazil, and perspectives on solutions and reconciliations. Finally, the study aims to answer the proposed questions and achieve its objectives, contributing to a broader and more informed debate on the topic.

The new prison God Pods: Religious neoliberalism and evangelical “Inmate Field Ministry”

Recent exponential growth in immersive God Pod units operating in US prisons has engendered many new but still unexamined practices. Loosely-modeled off a Christian seminary planted inside Louisiana State Penitentiary, newer programs deploy privately-funded religious educators for the credentialing and training of “inmate field ministers” assigned religious work duties in public prisons. Funded by private foundations and unregulated by government oversight, Christian educators operating inside public prisons today directly influence the material conditions of incarceration for thousands of inmates. While previous God Pod programs were declared unconstitutional for use of government funding in proselytizing Christianity, newer programs use private resources for conduct of Christian ministry inside public prisons. Drawing from on-site and archival research, this article documents a shift in focus within immersive God Pod units from providing religious education at one institution to credentialing prisoners for “Inmate Field Ministry” systemwide. The article traces the ad hoc beginnings of privately-funded religious education inside US prisons, to today's emphasis on establishing Christian ministry as correctional rehabilitation. The article argues newer God Pod units engender a novel form of religious neoliberalism, abandoning previous commitments to religious neutrality while highlighting “moral rehabilitation” and deemphasizing secular rehabilitation. Directions for future research are discussed.

Ex vivo validation of non-invasive phase correction for transspine focused ultrasound: model performance and target feasibility

Objective.To evaluate the feasibility of transspine focused ultrasound using simulation-based phase corrections from a CT-derived ray acoustics model.Approach.Bilateral transspine focusing was performed inex vivohuman vertebrae with a spine-specific ultrasound array. Ray acoustics-derived phase correction was compared to geometric focusing and a hydrophone-corrected gold standard. Planar hydrophone scans were recorded in the spinal canal and three metrics were calculated: target pressure, coronal and sagittal focal shift, and coronal and sagittal Sørensen-Dice similarity to the free-field.Post hocanalysis was performedin silicoto assess the impact of windows between vertebrae on focal shift.Main results.Hydrophone correction reduced mean sagittal plane shift from 1.74 ± 0.82 mm to 1.40 ± 0.82 mm and mean coronal plane shift from 1.07 ± 0.63 mm to 0.54 ± 0.49 mm. Ray acoustics correction reduced mean sagittal plane and coronal plane shift to 1.63 ± 0.83 mm and 0.83 ± 0.60 mm, respectively. Hydrophone correction increased mean sagittal similarity from 0.48 ± 0.22 to 0.68 ± 0.19 and mean coronal similarity from 0.48 ± 0.23 to 0.70 ± 0.19. Ray acoustics correction increased mean sagittal and coronal similarity to 0.53 ± 0.25 and 0.55 ± 0.26, respectively. Target pressure was relatively unchanged across beamforming methods.In silicoanalysis found that, for some targets, unoccluded paths may have increased focal shift.Significance. Gold standard phase correction significantly reduced coronal shift and significantly increased sagittal and coronal Sørensen-Dice similarity (p< 0.05). Ray acoustics-derived phase correction reduced sagittal and coronal shift and increased sagittal and coronal similarity but did not achieve statistical significance. Across beamforming methods, mean focal shift was comparable to MRI resolution, suggesting that transspine focusing is possible with minimal correction in favourable targets. Future work will explore the mitigation of acoustic windows with anti-focus control points.

4H-SiC Metalens: Mitigating Thermal Drift Effect in High-Power Laser Irradiation.

Enhancing energy density and efficiency in laser processing hinges on precise beam focusing, yet this often causes severe heat absorption and focus shifts in optical lenses. Traditional cooling methods increase cost and complexity, severely limiting versatility. Here, monolithic silicon carbide (SiC) metalens is introduced, which shows unparalleled thermal stability, integrated with a high-power laser. This metalens achieves diffraction-limited focusing with a numerical aperture (NA) of 0.5 and a focal length of 1cm. Under a 1030nm pulsed laser at 15W for 1 h, it shows a minimal temperature rise of 3.2°C and a tiny focal shift of 14µm (0.1% relative), only 6% of the shift in conventional lenses. When used to cut a 4H-SiC substrate with the same laser, the metalens exhibit only an 11.4% change in cutting depth after 1 h of operation, correlating with the focal shift results. The results unveil a groundbreaking class of compact SiC photonics devices nearly impervious to heat absorption, representing a monumental leap for high-power laser systems and opening new horizons for their applications and efficiency.

Spatial Expansion Characteristics and Nonlinear Relationships of Driving Factors in Urban Agglomerations: A Case Study of the Yangtze River Delta Urban Agglomeration in China

Urban agglomerations are increasingly becoming the primary regional units in global competition, characterized by the rapid expansion of impervious surface areas, which negatively impacts both society and the environment. This study quantifies the spatiotemporal expansion of these surfaces in the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration and explores its driving factors using a Geographically Weighted Random Forest model. The results demonstrate a transition from “point expansion” to “infill development”, while also revealing a gradual southward shift in the developmental focus of the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration. Although expansion intensity has decreased, spatial clustering has intensified. Based on the expansion patterns of impervious surface areas, we propose a novel regional classification method, dividing the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration into three zones: “A-Development Decline Zone”, “B-Development Core Zone”, and “C-Development Ascendance Zone”. Socio-economic factors are the primary drivers of this expansion, followed by science and education, and then the ecological environment, while physical geography factors have the least impact. The study reveals differentiated regional development characteristics and further refines the sub-regions within the urban agglomeration, providing a new perspective for future regional coordinated development policies.

Study on the co-occurrence of multiple health service needs throughout the lifecourse of rural residents in China based on association rules.

To understand the multiple health service needs of rural residents in China and explore the co-occurrence patterns of these needs throughout the entire life course, providing a basis for the formulation and optimization of health service packaging policies. This study utilized a stratified random sampling method, resulting in a final sample size of 15,125 individuals. The R statistical software was employed to apply the Apriori algorithm to mine the co-occurrence relationships among multiple health service needs across the life course and to explore the packaging model of these services. The health service needs rate among rural residents in China is 86.76%, with a multiple health service needs rate of 78.72%. The most needed services are health exercise guidance (17.10%), Traditional Chinese Medicine health care (15.53%), and internet health information services (14.40%). The highest combined health service need is for "exercise guidance need + internet health information need + Traditional Chinese Medicine health care need," followed by "exercise guidance need + internet information need." There are significant differences in the content and strength of associations in the co-occurrence structure of multiple health service needs across different age groups. During the life preparation stage, the need for multiple health services is high, with modern medical care and child management having the highest support. In the life protection stage, the focus shifts to preventive health needs, with strong associations among co-occurring needs (the highest support rule being Traditional Chinese Medicine health care + exercise guidance, support = 21.12%). The co-occurrence of medical and preventive health service needs among the older adult is diverse, with the strongest association being between chronic disease management services and rehabilitation services (support = 31.24%). The multiple health service needs rate among rural residents in China is high, with the greatest needs being for exercise guidance, Traditional Chinese Medicine health care, and internet health information services. There are significant differences in health service needs across different life stages. It is essential to enhance the integration and packaging of health service resources to promote diversity in health services and meet the multiple health service needs of residents throughout their life courses.

Revisiting Causes of Firm Exit for Divestiture Spin-Off in the Last Five Years: A Systematic Literature Review

This study revisits and analyzes the causes leading to firm exit in divestiture spin-offs over the past five years, aiming to consolidate findings from recent literature and uncover evolving trends. Using a systematic literature review of Scopus publications from 2019 to 2024 and employing the PRISMA methodology, this study analyzed a final sample of 97 journal articles to examine the key factors influencing divestiture spin-offs. The results identify four primary causes for divestiture spin-offs: market periphery and overlap, asset redeployment, unprofitable resource utilization, and the critical timing decision between redeployment and divestiture. These insights reveal a significant shift in research focus, offering valuable knowledge for executives and management to move beyond traditional views and understand the underlying causes in a more nuanced way. This study provides essential guidance for executives, firm management, and policymakers, supporting informed decision-making in business unit divestitures and contributing to a more sustainable economic cycle. The originality and value of this research lie in its comprehensive identification of the causes behind firm exit in divestiture spin-offs, laying a robust foundation for future research and practical applications.

Technology evaluation: a systematic review and implications for ethical technology management in tourism and hospitality

ABSTRACT The widespread adoption of disruptive technologies in tourism and hospitality significantly enhances service productivity while concurrently raising critical ethical considerations. However, a study that develops into such a focus shift in technology evaluation research is absent. This systematic review attempted to fill this research gap and reviewed 213 articles recently published in Social Science Citation Index – listed tourism and hospitality journals. This study critically examines the evolving role of technology evaluation. Moreover, this paper offers valuable implications for technology evaluation research that promotes ethical technology management in the new decades of digital revolution.

PH Dependence of Dihydroxyacetone Oxidation by Electrocatalytic Viologen Self-Assembled Monolayers on Gold Electrodes.

Carbohydrate fuel cells garner much research interest as the world's focus shifts from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Many catalyst options are available for carbohydrate fuel cell development, including enzymes and microbes, various metal-based catalysts, and natural or synthetic mediators. Research challenges include low power output, system fouling and poisoning, inefficient electron release, and complex mechanisms, with multiple pathways leading to low product selectivity. Here, we further investigate a novel approach to catalyze carbohydrate oxidation using Au electrodes with viologen self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). SAM-mediated fuel cells have the potential to address the challenges of other catalyst systems by protecting the electrode surface and controlling the local concentration and structure to increase current generation. The effects of increasing pH on dihydroxyacetone (DHA) oxidation by three viologen SAMs on Au electrodes are presented. Current and power generated during DHA oxidation at varying pH were measured and compared to those of bare Au performance. Two of the SAMs produced more current and power than bare Au at elevated pH. The SAM system produced more current and peak power per molecule than both dilute and concentrated homogeneous viologen systems in the same cell setup. These results demonstrate the benefits and limitations of electrodes modified with redox-active groups for the production of electricity from simple sugars and other carbohydrate sources. These results are encouraging for the development of new strategies for electrical power generation from renewable resources.

SCOUT: Skull-Corrected Optimization for Ultrasound Transducers.

Transcranial focused ultrasound has been studied for non-invasive and localized treatment of many brain diseases. The biggest challenge for focusing ultrasound onto the brain is the skull, which attenuates ultrasound and changes its propagation direction, leading to pressure drop, focus shift, and defocusing. We presented an optimization algorithm which automatically found the optimal location for placing a single-element focused transducer. At this optimal location, the focus shift was in an acceptable range and the ultrasound was tightly focused. The algorithm simulated the beam profiles of placing the transducer at different locations and compared the results. Locations with a normalized peak-negative pressure (PNP) above threshold were first found. Then, the optimal location was identified as the location with the smallest focal volume. The optimal location found in this study had a normalized PNP of 0.966 and a focal volume of 6.8% smaller than without the skull. A Zeta navigation system was used to automatically place the transducer and track the error caused by movement. These results demonstrated that the algorithm could find the optimal transducer location to avoid large focus shift and defocusing. With the Zeta navigation system, our algorithm can help to make transcranial focused ultrasound treatment safer and more successful.