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Dostoevsky in the Arts and Beyond: Contemporary Perspectives
No full textThe book is a substantial contribution to international Dostoevsky research, exploring Dostoevsky's contemporary relevance from a multicultural and multidisciplinary perspective. It offers some fresh readings of Dostoevsky's texts, presenting new complex studies on the writer and his works in the mirror of several arts of the last three decades. The book is divided into three Parts, featuring researchers from Bulgaria, Great Britain, Russia and Ukraine. Part One deals with conceptual issues, treating Dostoevsky above all as a prophet and philosopher, and thus determines the ideological system of coordinates for the studies presented in the rest of the book. Part Two examines Dostoevsky's legacy through the lenses of literary theory, music, and Illustration art, and Part Three, via world cinema and theatre. The volume has gathered together an array of original and innovative studies from world leading experts in Dostoevsky's creative universe, to make an authoritative input into the field
REACTIVE AGILITY OF U19 FEMALE BASKETBALL PLAYERS AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH SPEED AND POWER
Get PDFThis study aimed to rst division who participated in various tests aimed at evaluating di%erent aspects of their physical performance. These tests included assessments of power through the squat jump, countermovement jump, and drop jump, linear speed through 5, 10, and 20-meter sprints, change of direction speed through the 505 test, and reactive agility through the Y-shaped test. The correlation coeffcient showed a large association (r = 0.64, p = 0.02) between the Y-shaped test and the 20 m linear sprint. The Association of the Y-shaped test with other power and speed tests was small or moderate. These $ndings suggest that basketball coaches working with young female players can leverage the enhancement of reactive agility to concurrently develop linear speed
Frames and Inferences
No full textI argue that framing works via an inferential process, by ‘inviting’ a conclusion which an audience may accept or reject, from premises they may accept or reject (resulting in a successful or failed ‘framing effect’). I take framing to be, covertly, a directive speech act, with two main mechanisms: the audience is either being ‘invited’ to see a situation as X (not as Y) or is being ‘invited’ to take a reason Z as one that ought to outweigh all other reasons in deciding what to believe or do. I will draw on the Argumentum Model of Topics to represent a few arguments where framing occurs either in the minor or major premise, which may be either accepted or rejected; in the latter case, the ‘invited inference’ is replaced by an alternative counter-inference. The AMT seems very well placed to account both for how a framing source intends an argument to be reconstructed and accepted by an audience, and for how the audience may reject the invited inference and draw another conclusion
The human dimension of plastic pollution in the Caribbean SIDS of Trinidad and Tobago
No full textThe development of effective interventions tackling plastic pollution should consider the human dimension behind the issue. To ensure that solutions are tailored to the Global South, specifically the realities of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), we recommend assessing location-specific behavioural drivers. This study (i) assesses the current behaviours of Trinbagonians related to their use and disposal of plastics, (ii) explores the drivers of behaviour (plastic usage and disposal), policy support and behavioural intentions to reduce plastic consumption and, (iii) makes suggestions in order to foster evidence-based interventions. A co-created online questionnaire designed to collect information from Trinbagonians relating to plastics was conducted over 15 weeks (May to August 2022). We find that the frequency of single-use plastic use was driven by individual and systemic factors, with the latter limiting recycling behaviours. Participants were supportive of policies to reduce plastic pollution and somewhat intended to reduce their own consumption. A complex pattern of socio-psychological, systemic and perception-based factors predicted participants’ behaviour, behavioural intentions and policy support. The present study demonstrates that community perceptions can inform policy-making at two entry points: the consumption and the disposal of plastics. Based on our findings, we also point towards a suite of policy instruments that can be utilized in order foster more sustainable consumption patterns, reduce single-use plastics and promote recycling to reduce recyclables in landfills. Understanding the human dimension of environmental issues is crucial for designing targeted and effective interventions that resonate with specific local realities
Hyperhidrosis: Pathophysiology and Treatment
Get PDFHyperhidrosis is the process of dysregulated sweating beyond homeostatic regulation. It is often classified by aetiology (primary or secondary) and location (focal or generalised). Sweating is essential for thermoregulation but it is thought that failure within the negative-feedback loop, driven by acetylcholine, causes disproportionate sweating. Often this impacts patient’s emotional, mental, and physical wellbeing. Personalization of therapy and education is paramount to improving outcomes. Hyperhidrosis can be managed using topical or oral agents, iontophoresis, botulinum toxin injection and with local and
endoscopic surgical techniques
The acceptability of group B streptococcal bacteria (GBS) testing to women, including self-swabbing procedures: A qualitative study
Get PDFGroup B streptococcus (GBS) is a bacterium carried by 20-25 % of pregnant women in the UK, which can be transmitted from pregnant women to their babies at the time of birth. Women can be tested for GBS in pregnancy using a vaginal-rectal swab, however, this testing is currently not routinely offered in the UK. A large clinical trial is underway to determine the clinical and cost-effectiveness of routine testing (ISRCTN reference number ISRCTN49639731). A crucial part of understanding whether this type of test should be implemented is women's views on the acceptability of being offered GBS tests, their preferences towards testing procedures and their willingness to receive these tests. To explore women's views on the acceptability of different methods of Group B streptococcal bacteria (GBS) testing in pregnancy, including self-swabbing procedures. A convenience sample of 19 women (5 pregnant and 14 postpartum) were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using systematic thematic analysis. Findings show that many of the women interviewed were not concerned about being offered a GBS test, were willing to provide a sample and felt positive towards samples being taken to detect GBS. Women varied in their preferences on the best time for sampling. Some thought being approached during pregnancy gave them time to understand the purpose of testing, prepare for what may happen next and ask questions about potential treatment if needed. Others thought labour was a good time to provide accurate results on GBS carriage at birth and reduce unnecessary worry during pregnancy. However, women were concerned that they may be unable to make an informed decision in labour due to time, pain and the prospect of birthing quickly. Women perceived clinician swabbing as more accurate than self-sampling; however, many thought clinician swabbing might be embarrassing so self-swabs should be available to increase uptake for some women. Overall, women thought both pregnancy and labour were acceptable times to test for GBS. The majority found both clinician and self-swabbing procedures acceptable; however, many had a preferred swabbing option and thought women should be given the choice of the swabbing procedure most acceptable to them. It is important that women are given information about GBS testing and its procedures in pregnancy regardless of when the GBS swabbing is performed. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
The Effectiveness of a Comprehensive threat Mitigation Framework in NETWORKING: A Multi-Layered Approach to Cyber Security
Get PDFThe rapidly evolving landscape of cyber threats necessitates robust and adaptable strategies to safeguard networking. This study explores the development and evaluation of a comprehensive framework for threat mitigation, integrating advanced methodologies from cybersecurity, risk management, and threat intelligence. Leveraging a mixed methods approach, including surveys and secondary data analysis, the research assesses current practices and identifies critical gaps in existing frameworks. The proposed multi-layered defense mechanism incorporates proactive and reactive measures, aligning real-time threat intelligence with sophisticated incident response strategies. Key components such as
anomaly detection systems, employee training, and continuous security audits are highlighted as essential elements of the framework. Through extensive validation, including empirical tests and case studies, the framework demonstrates its efficacy in enhancing organizational resilience against complex cyber threats. The findings provide valuable insights into the practical application of integrated cybersecurity measures, offering a scalable and flexible solution tailored to the dynamic nature of digital security challenges. This study addresses the critical need for an adaptable and holistic approach to threat mitigation, contributing to the field of cybersecurity with actionable strategies for managing and mitigating digital threats
Two aspects of earthworm bioturbation: Crop residue burial by foraging and surface casting in no-till management
No full textIn no-till agroecosystems, presence of the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris L. can be a key driver in the replenishment of soil organic matter stocks post-harvest, through surface residue foraging and incorporation. The impact on such systems under different climatic conditions is, however, still unquantified. A field experiment was designed to determine incorporation of cereal harvest residues at three no-till agricultural sites in boreal conditions (SW Finland) focusing on L. terrestris impacts over the period from autumn harvest to spring sowing. Either spring barley, wheat or oats were cultivated at the sites. Following the harvests, representative masses of residues were applied on small experimental plots (0.25 m2) with cleaned soil surfaces in areas of inherently high (LT+: 10.6 ± 2.1 ind. 0.25 m-2) and low (LT-: 1.8 ± 0.7 ind. 0.25 m-2) L. terrestris density within the fields. Residues were covered with metal mesh caging and left until spring sowing, when changes in residue mass were recorded and plots sampled for earthworms. The reduction of straw residue mass varied between sites, from no difference between the LT+ and LT- treatments to 19 % and 59 % higher mass reduction in LT+. Amount of earthworm castings on the residues was also quantified and findings indicated a positive correlation with earthworm (also endogeic) density. For L. terrestris, earthworm species abundance relationships indicated competitive interaction with epigeics and positive interaction with endogeics. Results showed that L. terrestris foraging can enhance the incorporation of cereal surface residues outside of the boreal growing season and that earthworm surface casting also has a role in residue burial. However, the increase of incorporation by L. terrestris activity, interrupted by winter conditions, was moderate and did not lead to marked exposition of the soil surface by experimental end, even at those plots with the highest L. terrestris foraging. The incorporation rate estimates may have been unrepresentative due to the exceptionally late harvest during the study period. Investigations covering the whole year from multiple growing seasons are needed for a comprehensive assessment of earthworm impacts on crop surface residue dynamics
Safety and contagion in acute psychiatric wards: How the milieu is implicated in the occurrence of clustered safety incidents
Get PDFIn psychiatry, clustered safety incidents are often attributed to behavioural contagion. Drawing on Kindermann and Skinner’s conceptual work in our analysis of staff accounts, we explored whether clustered safety incidents could be attributable to contagion and the role played by staff and the psychiatric milieu (as a physical, cultural, and therapeutic space). Our analysis suggests that whether the clustered incidents identified by staff are attributable to contagion depends on how broadly the “incident” is defined, with clear implications for the over or under identification of contagion. We also identified the role of staff and the milieu in what was often perceived as contagion. We argue that the pursuit of safety by creating a predictable milieu may paradoxically contribute to this clustering of safety incidents and staffs’ perception of them as contagious via the mechanisms of risk amplification, involuntary convergence (increased exposure to safety incidents), and depletion of the milieu’s therapeutic potential