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Industry 4.0 digital technologies are becoming indispensable for firms striving to enhance their supply chain capabilities and financial performance, but how these relationships play out in practice remains unclear. To address this issue, this study assesses the relationship between supply chain integration, supply chain agility, and financial performance from a dynamic capability perspective. Further analyses are conducted to establish whether Industry 4.0 digital technologies moderate the association between (a) supply chain integration and supply chain agility and (b) supply chain agility and financial performance. Findings based on the data pertaining to a sample of 274 Swedish manufacturing firms indicate that supply chain agility fully mediates the link between supply chain integration and financial performance. However, while Industry 4.0 digital technologies strengthen the effect of supply chain agility on financial performance, they do not moderate the relationship between supply chain integration and supply chain agility. These findings contribute to the ongoing debate regarding how digital technologies play a role in achieving competitive advantage in interplay with dynamic capabilities related to the supply chain. These findings are relevant for decision-makers, as they address the need for organisational adjustments beyond the mere introduction of Industry 4.0 technologies to fully reap their benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the primary sequences of human proteins have been cataloged for over a decade, determining how these are organized into a dynamic collection of multiprotein assemblies, with structures and functions spanning biological scales, is an ongoing venture. Systematic and data-driven analyses of these higher-order structures are emerging, facilitating the discovery and understanding of cellular phenotypes. At present, knowledge of protein localization and function has been primarily derived from manual annotation and curation in resources such as the Gene Ontology, which are biased toward richly annotated genes in the literature. Here, we envision a future powered by data-driven mapping of protein assemblies. These maps can capture and decode cellular functions through the integration of protein expression, localization, and interaction data across length scales and timescales. In this review, we focus on progress toward constructing integrated cell maps that accelerate the life sciences and translational research.

Brown v. Board of Education was a turning point in American law and race relations. In a country where segregated education was the law in seventeen states with completely separate and unequal schools, Brown found that segregation was “inherently unequal” and violated the Constitution. This report discusses the present realities of school segregation and the patterns of change over 70 years.

Background: Incurable cancer is a major contributor to societal suffering and disability, and palliative rehabilitation is recommended to be integrated within and between cancer services at all healthcare levels. However, little knowledge exists on how integration of palliative rehabilitation in cancer is understood and achieved in clinical practice. INSPIRE (Integrated short-term palliative rehabilitation to improve quality of life and equitable care access in incurable cancer) is a large European-funded project that aims to promote quality of life through a novel rehabilitation model for people disabled by advanced cancer. Aim: To compare the existing integration of palliative rehabilitation in cancer within official documents and in clinical practice across five European countries including United Kingdom, France, Denmark, Norway, and Italy. Methods: Mixed methods study with a concurrent research design, comprising a document analysis (N = 23), stakeholder interviews (N = 22), and an online survey (N = 225). Data from each sub-study were analysed separately before results were merged. Results: There was limited integration of palliative rehabilitation in cancer in official documents and in clinical practice, though some indicators of integration, including participation in multidisciplinary teams and adherence to standardised pathways, were identified in the survey. Notably, integration of palliative rehabilitation in cancer in clinical practice was observed within limited organisations in secondary healthcare systems, without widespread adoption. Although palliative rehabilitation in cancer as a concept was sparingly used by stakeholders, they recognised the need for a comprehensive approach including multidisciplinary teams that aligns with the individual patient's needs and goals. Moreover, the ambiguous distinction between the terms 'palliative rehabilitation' and 'palliative care', insufficient funding, lack of well-defined care pathways and competence gaps among healthcare professionals represented barriers to integration of palliative rehabilitation in cancer into clinical practice. Conclusion: Integration of palliative rehabilitation in cancer was limited in the five EU partnership countries investigated. Clarifying the concept of palliative rehabilitation, including adoption of the concept into official documents and delineating it from palliative care, is essential for more successful integration. This can possibly be achieved by addressing the barriers identified and fostering close collaboration across disciplines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Clinical guidelines are widely used to support clinical decision making, so they could also provide economic information about medical interventions to promote cost-conscious health care. We developed a new way to integrate economic information into the Finnish Current Care Guidelines. Methods: Our development team consisted of clinical guideline specialists and health economists. We first looked at integration of economic information in clinical guidelines of other countries. Our key principle was that economic information should be integrated only to mutually exclusive medical interventions where the extensive choice of one the options will yield a significant cost differences on the national level. For the comparative effectiveness information of the interventions, we primarily looked for network meta-analyses. We then combined the effectiveness information presented as number needed to treat with prices or costs for the interventions and present the result as a cost per responder, which reflects both effectiveness and price or costs. Results: We introduce a process to integrate and present the economic information of the selected interventions in tables in the Current Care Guidelines. Conclusions: Our novel way to integrate economic information into the Current Care Guidelines is an effort to support cost-conscious clinical decision making to promote cost-effective health care in Finland. This process is general and could be used in clinical guidelines in other countries as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractEducation policies are legally and societally significant for framing how schools are expected to promote the integration of pupils with migration backgrounds into school communities. Approaches to integration in education are embedded in policies that reflect wider general understandings of diversity and specific arrangements that aim to accommodate the increasing cultural and linguistic diversity of school populations. This article explores how the integration, cultural diversity and multilingualism of pupils with migration backgrounds are conceptualised in education policy documents in Finland, Sweden and Scotland. Based on thematic analysis of 19 policy documents, this study provides comparative insights into how migrant integration is conceptualised in policy documents across three similar but different national contexts. In the policy documents, pupils with migration backgrounds are implicitly identified as migrants because of their language backgrounds. In the documents of each country, it seems that integration has been scantly addressed or is even a hidden construct. At the same time, the cultural diversity of pupils has been recognised and considered favourable across the countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The term 'integration' has received considerable academic attention, much of it critical. Yet it continues to be widely used in policy and practice to capture the processes of change that occur following migration from one country to another. In an environment of increasing hostility and anti-migrant sentiment, we outline the process of working with the UK Home Office and a wide range of stakeholders to revise the original Home Office Indicators of Integration framework [Ager and Strang (2008). "Understanding Integration: A Conceptual Framework." Journal of Refugee Studies 21: 166–191]. We directly engage with some of the key criticisms of integration by offering four core, co-developed principles: shared responsibility, context, multi-dimensionality and multi-directionality. We believe these principles cut through the institutional cultural bias of policymakers and offer a new framework for thinking about integration policy, practice and scholarship. Our work underlines the importance of scholars taking the opportunity to engage with policy and to present scientific evidence as a mechanism to confront hostile immigration practices and address the social injustices that usually accompany migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the case studies of Sweden and New Zealand, this article examines the ways in which self-sufficiency and individual responsibility are embedded in integration policy and enacted in daily practice. New Zealand was at the forefront of international neoliberal reforms in the 1980s. These reforms were entrenched and strengthened in the 1990s, with profound impacts on economic and social policy. Sweden, while internationally known for its protection of social rights, also emphasizes economic self-sufficiency and individual responsibility in its integration policies. In this article, we draw on S. J. Ball's conceptualization of policies as text, discourse, and enactment to conduct a critical analysis of refugee integration policies in these contexts. After outlining broad patterns in policy and practice, we draw on our respective research with highly skilled refugees (Sweden) and refugee-background young people (New Zealand) to trace the implications of refugee integration policy 'on the ground'. Thus, we contribute to an emerging literature that examines the ways in which national policy is translated into local integration practices. We conclude by considering the relevance of our analysis beyond our respective national borders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Malaria remains a significant public health burden, necessitating evidence-based strategies to reduce prevalence and associated morbidity. This study explores the potential of integrated healthcare, encompassing both modern and traditional herbal medicine (THM), for malaria control in Ghana. Methods: Employing a qualitative approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with medical doctors, pharmacists, and THM providers. Thematic analysis approach was utilized to inductively analyse interview data and integrate participants' lived experiences and suggestions. Results: Six themes emerged: Standardization of THM practice; Training on THM broadened; Research on THM expanded; Increasing awareness of THM integration hospitals and inclusion of THM in national health insurance scheme; Constant supply of certified herbal medications; and Tax relief provision. These recommendations form the 'STRICT' framework for developing functional health system for promoting an effective malaria control through integrated healthcare in Ghana. Conclusion: It was evident that the 'STRICT' framework can potentially transform healthcare delivery and improve service quality for malaria patients. Policymakers, healthcare providers, and managers can utilize these insights to advocate for and implement integrated healthcare strategies, ultimately enhancing service delivery for all Ghanaians, particularly those suffering from malaria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global surge in displacement, with nearly 110 million people uprooted due to violence, underscores the pressing need to comprehend the challenges faced by refugees. Population growth, environmental crises, and political instability contribute to this crisis, projecting an escalating trend in the decades ahead. While hosting countries strive to address concerns related to labour markets, state provisions, and cultural integration, understanding the well-being of refugees upon entry needs to be more adequately explored. This study focuses on refugee stability and integration, employing Austria as a case study. Stability is assessed through residential movement, where more frequent moves indicate instability. Utilising comprehensive administrative data spanning November 2022 to November 2023, we examine residence movements as a proxy for stability. Our findings reveal a stark contrast in the stability of refugees compared to other migrant groups. Analysing movement profiles, we establish that refugees exhibit significantly higher rates of residential mobility than their counterparts, especially among male refugees. This imbalance persists even when comparing refugees to migrants from top refugee-sending countries without official refugee status. This study contributes valuable insights into the intricate dynamics of refugee stability, shedding light on the enduring challenges faced by this population. By examining movement patterns as a key indicator, we provide a nuanced understanding of the residential experiences of refugees, that can inform targeted policies and interventions for enhanced refugee well-being and integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intriguing explorations at the intersection of the fields of neuroscience and psychology are driven by the quest to understand the neural underpinnings of "the self" and their psychotherapeutic implications. These translational efforts pertain to the unique Creative Arts Therapies (CATs) and the attributes and value of the self-related processes they offer. The self is considered as a multi-layered complex construct, comprising bodily and mental constituents, subjective–objective perspectives, spatial and temporal dimensions. Neuroscience research, mostly functional brain imaging, has proposed cogent models of the constitution, development and experience of the self, elucidating how the multiple dimensions of the self are supported by integrated hierarchical brain processes. The psychotherapeutic use of the art-forms, generating aesthetic experiences and creative processes, touch upon and connect the various layers of self-experience, nurturing the sense of self. The present conceptual analysis will describe and interweave the neural mechanisms and neural network configuration suggested to lie at the core of the ongoing self-experience, its deviations in psychopathology, and implications regarding the psychotherapeutic use of the arts. The well-established, parsimonious and neurobiologically plausible predictive processing account of brain-function will be discussed with regard to selfhood and consciousness. The epistemic affordance of the experiential CATs will further be portrayed, enabling and facilitating the creation of updated self-models of the body in the world. The neuropsychological impact of the relational therapeutic encounter will be delineated, acknowledging the intersubjective brain synchronization through communicative verbal and non-verbal means and aesthetic experiences. The recognition and assimilation of neuroscientific, phenomenological and clinical perspectives concerning the nested dimensionality of the self, ground the relational therapeutic process and the neuroplastic modulations that CATs have to offer on the premise of fostering, shaping and integrating selfhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When readers encounter information conflicting with the predictive inferences made earlier, they may update the outdated ones with new ones, a process known as predictive inference revision. The current study examined the revision of disconfirmed predictive inferences by the primarily weakly activated, thus low-competitive inference alternatives during Chinese narrative text reading among Chinese native speakers. We conducted an event-related brain potential (ERP) experiment to study the predictive inference revision with increasingly supportive information for the low-competitive predictive inference alternatives. It serves as the very first attempts to study the predictive inference revision mechanisms by combining a larger range of ERP components, including frontal-Post-N400-Positivity (f-PNP) as an index of revision to examine the influences of the alternative inferences at later stages of reading comprehension. Our results showed that readers could detect inconsistent information (P300), disconfirm the incorrect predictive inferences before successfully integrating the low-competitive alternative predictive inferences with their current situation model (N400), engaging themselves in a second-pass reanalysis process incurring processing costs (P600), and revising the disconfirmed predictive inferences (f-PNP) at a later stage of reading comprehension. Results of this study are supportive of relevant theories in assuming that predictive inference revision does not happen immediately upon encountering conflicting information but happens slowly and incrementally. Our results also unfold the post-revision mechanisms by suggesting the remaining activation and lingering influences of the disconfirmed inferences in the forthcoming reading process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The world is not on track to reach the majority of the UNAIDS 2025 targets, and people who inject drugs (PWID) continue to be left behind, hindered by counterproductive law enforcement practices, punitive laws, economic distress, and social stigma and discrimination. Poor access to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among PWID is nested within the limited access to broader harm reduction services, including needle and syringe programs, opioid overdose management, opioid agonist therapy (also known as medication-assisted treatment), and condoms. Among PWID, women who inject drugs are disproportionately affected and face additional gender-based barriers. Intersections between PWID and other key and priority population groups also exist. Although the prioritization of PWID for new PrEP products like the dapivirine vaginal ring and injectable cabotegravir has lagged in research, studies have shown that PWID find injectable and long-acting options acceptable and preferrable, including among women who inject drugs. While new PrEP products introduce new opportunities, equity in access must be assured for optimized impact toward achieving epidemic control. Programming for services must engage and empower PWID community leadership to address the structural barriers to services, implement community-led, differentiated, and integrated service modalities, and offer the choice of all harm reduction options to close the equity gaps in health outcomes. While waiting for necessary evidence and approvals, programs should work together with the PWID community to prioritize, expand, and facilitate efforts and investments toward increased access to and integration of PrEP and all recommended harm reduction services for PWID. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With advancements in freeform surface design and manufacturing, applying freeform surfaces to space cameras is an effective method to further enhance imaging quality. However, existing design methods for freeform space cameras rarely consider imaging quality, system size, and manufacturing constraints simultaneously during design. This study proposes an adaptive design method for long-focal-length freeform off-axis reflective space cameras with lightweight and primary/three mirror integration, which balances system size and ease of manufacturing while ensuring good imaging quality. First, a method for adaptive configuration of the structural parameter search spaces is proposed, so that the search spaces for structural parameters are dynamically generated based on different design requirements of long-focal-length off-axis space cameras with various structures. Then, a multiple-parameter objective function is constructed, and the structural parameters for the off-axis space camera are determined through a search process to balance imaging quality, lightweight requirements and manufacturing demands. Finally, the improved Wassermann–Wolf (W-W) method is employed to optimize the mirrors into freeform surfaces, further enhancing the imaging quality of the designed space camera. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method can adaptively generate reasonable structural parameter search spaces while maintaining high imaging quality, facilitating the acquisition of a lightweight and easily manufacturable freeform off-axis reflective space camera. This method exhibits strong dynamic adaptability and low reliance on prior experience, providing a new insight for the design of space cameras. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: High prevalence rates of mental disorders are reported in refugees due to experiencing substantial pre-, peri-, and post-migration stress. While long-term studies indicated that emotional distress of refugees either stagnates or ameliorates over time, long-term research on refugees' integration and its' interaction with emotional distress is limited. The examined long-term predictors for refugees' emotional distress and integration in this study were, amongst others, severe physical abuse in childhood, residence status and length of stay. Methods: The sample included 46 refugees, 91.3% male, mean age 20.8 years. Trained psychologists screened for emotional distress with the use of the Refugee Health Screener in a semi-structured interview. Integration progress was screened using the Integration Index with the subdimensions psychological, economic, political, social, linguistic and navigational integration. Longitudinal differences for emotional distress and integration sub-dimensions were evaluated by sign tests and t-tests. The longitudinal course of integration was evaluated with a Mixed ANOVA. Further, two hierarchical regression analyses were performed to analyze longitudinal predictors of emotional distress and integration. Results: Overall, emotional distress decreased, and integration increased over time. In particular, the sub-dimensions of social, economic, and linguistic integration increased significantly over time. Two regression analyses determined significant predictors of (a) emotional distresst1 (adjusted R2 = 0.46): psychotherapy (ß = 0.35, p = 0.020), emotional distresst0 (ß = 0.34, p = 0.031), and integrationt0 (ß = −0.29, p = 0.043), and one significant predictor of (b) integrationt1 (adjusted R2 = 0.70): integrationt0 (ß = 0.89, p < 0.001). Conclusion: This is the first study to longitudinally examine the Integration Index with all subdimensions. Over the course of 9 months refugees' overall integration, and the sub-dimensions of social, economic, and linguistic integration increased. Whilst the emotional distress of initially highly distressed refugees ameliorated over the course of nine months, their symptom severity remained clinically significant. Results emphasize the importance of early integration for the long-term development of mental health and integration in refugees. Refugees' emotional distress and integration are intertwined and need to be addressed promptly after refugees' entry into the host country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Like the coronavirus disease 2019, the hepatitis B virus is also wreaking havoc worldwide, which has infected over 2 billion people globally. Using an experimental animal model, our previous research observed that the hepatitis B virus genes integrated into human spermatozoa can replicate and express after being transmitted to embryos. However, as of now, this phenomenon has not been confirmed in clinical data from patients. Objectives: To explore the integration of the hepatitis B virus into patients' sperm genome and its potential clinical risks. Materials and methods: Forty‐eight patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection were categorized into two groups: Test Group‐1 comprised 23 patients without integration of hepatitis B virus DNA within the sperm genome. Test Group‐2 comprised 25 patients with integration of hepatitis B virus DNA within the sperm genome. Forty‐eight healthy male donors were included as control. The standard semen parameter analysis, real‐time polymerase chain reaction, quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction, sperm chromatin structure assay, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and immunofluorescence assays were utilized. Results: The difference in the median copy number of hepatitis B virus DNA per mL of sera between Test Group‐1 and Group‐2 was not statistically significant. In Test Group‐2, the integration rate of hepatitis B virus DNA was 0.109%, which showed a significant correlation with the median copy number of hepatitis B virus DNA in motile spermatozoa (1.18 × 103/mL). Abnormal semen parameters were found in almost all these 25 patients. The integrated hepatitis B virus S, C, X, and P genes were detected to be introduced into sperm‐derived embryos through fertilization and retained their function in replication, transcription, and translation. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that hepatitis B virus infection can lead to sperm quality deterioration and reduced fertilization capacity. Furthermore, viral integration causes instability in the sperm genome, increasing the potential risk of termination, miscarriage, and stillbirth. This study identified an unconventional mode of hepatitis B virus transmission through genes rather than virions. The presence of viral sequences in the embryonic genome poses a risk of liver inflammation and cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vigorous development of wearable and implantable electronics provides a series of new solutions for human health monitoring and disease diagnosis and treatment. Considering the particularity of the operating environment, this also puts forward higher requirements for energy storage devices (ESDs). Supercapacitors stand out from many ESDs due to their unique advantages, such as high power density, long life, and ease of fabrication. For different application requirements, supercapacitors are developing toward flexibility, multifunction, and integration. This review highlights the recent progress in developing supercapacitor‐integrated systems. Smart supercapacitors with unique properties, their applications, and integrations with various sensors and/or energy‐harvesting devices are discussed and summarized thoroughly. Furthermore, the all‐in‐one device enabled by compatible materials and ingenious structure design is also described. From practical perspectives, the key challenges facing the development of supercapacitor‐integrated systems are presented, and the suggestions for future research directions are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large-scale simulations require efficient computation across the entire computing hierarchy. A challenge of the Exascale Computing Project (ECP) was to reconcile highly heterogeneous hardware with the myriad of applications that were required to run on these supercomputers. Mathematical software forms the backbone of almost all scientific applications, providing efficient abstractions and operations that are crucial to harness the performance of computing systems. G inkgo is one such mathematical software library, nurtured by ECP, providing high-performance, user-friendly, and performance portable interfaces for applications in ECP and beyond. In this paper, we elaborate on G inkgo 's philosophy of high-performance software that is sustainable, reproducible, and easy to use. We showcase the wide feature set of solvers and preconditioners available in G inkgo and the central concepts involved in their design. We elaborate on four different ECP software integrations: MFEM, PeleLM + SUNDIALS, XGC, and ExaSGD that use G inkgo to accelerate their science runs. Performance studies of different problems from these applications highlight the effectiveness of G inkgo and the benefits incurred by these ECP applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines how white supremacy diluted the nationwide struggle to eliminate racial residential segregation known as the Fair Housing Movement. As the sole civil rights organization dedicated to fair housing, the National Committee Against Discrimination in Housing (NCDH) fought valiantly to help African Americans buy homes in white neighborhoods and generated the political momentum necessary for the passage of fair housing laws from 1950 through 1987. However, it also disseminated a moderate vision of fair housing that depended on white Americans' comfort. This vision left the NCDH vulnerable to criticism from Progressive and Black Power fair housing activists who believe in fair housing on African Americans' terms or advocate for reinvestment in African American neighborhoods. Although these factions remain ignored and underfunded, they challenge the notion of a unified national Fair Housing Movement and offer an alternative, more equitable vision of this often-overlooked portion of the Civil Rights Movement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing ethnic and cultural diversity of contemporary societies has raised the importance of integration policies for people with a migrant background. Tools like the Migrant Integration Policy Index have been developed to evaluate different countries' integration approaches. If, on the one hand, focusing on what governments are doing to promote integration is necessary, on the other hand, it is of utmost importance to consider individuals' attitudes toward these policies. Study 1: A pilot study with 356 adolescents (41.1% female, 58.9% male; Mage = 15.38) and 200 adults (69% female, 31% male; Mage = 47.43) was conducted to test the psychometric proprieties of the Attitudes Toward Migrant Integration Policies scale. Study 2: A total of 1,156 adolescents (51.6% female, 48.4% male; Mage = 15.69), 1,288 parents (56.9% mothers, 43.1% fathers; Mage = 49.39), and 284 teachers (68.3% female, 31.7% male; Mage = 45.55) were involved in a study to evaluate how attitudes toward integration policies differ within generations (e.g., ethnic majority and minority groups), within families (e.g., adolescents vs. their fathers), and across generational groups (i.e., adolescents, parents, and teachers). Latent mean comparisons indicated that attitudes toward integration policies varied significantly across sex (for adolescents and parents), ethnic background (parents only), and school track (adolescents) groups. Regarding differences within family dyads, adolescents reported more positive attitudes toward integration policies than their fathers and mothers. Finally, teachers showed more positive attitudes compared to adolescents and their parents. Overall, this study highlights nuanced intergenerational differences, with adolescents standing in between the different positions of their parents and teachers. Public Significance Statement: Integration of people with a migrant background is essential to foster cohesion and well-being in contemporary societies. This study demonstrated that the Attitudes Toward Migrant Integration Policies scale can be a reliable tool to evaluate to what extent individuals from different generations hold positive attitudes toward policies aimed at promoting the integration of people with a migrant background. Adolescents reported more positive attitudes toward integration policies compared to their parents but not to their teachers, who reported the highest level of inclusiveness. Understanding the attitudes toward integration policies of individuals from different generations and with different roles might be a starting point to develop possible interventions in different contexts and to unveil which agents (e.g., teachers) can play a crucial role in promoting social cohesion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on public opinion finds that most Americans support the racial integration of schools in theory. At the same time, however, they tend to oppose specific policies for achieving it. How is it that the American public comes to conceive of school integration as both an abstract idea and a set of concrete policies? Research has shown that one major source of the public's understanding of complex social issues like school integration are news media organizations and the choices they make in how they cover them—that is, how they frame social issues. This article examines how school integration was framed in the news between 1990 and 2020. It does so with a dataset of over 13,000 articles from 25 newspapers. The article also examines determinants of those frames, asking what contextual factors shape the production of the news. The results reveal three overarching trends in how school integration was covered in the media over time: depoliticization, historicization , and neoliberalization. These trends varied by the political slant of the newspaper, by location (whether it is in a former Jim Crow state), and by whether the newspaper has a national readership. The author discusses implications for research and policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An established literature demonstrates that formerly imprisoned people experience barriers to finding work. However, no research has analyzed how noncitizens experience socioeconomic reintegration following imprisonment. Additionally, while we know many immigrants find work in co-ethnic labor markets, we know little about how these networks respond to individuals with a criminal record. I analyze 321 longitudinal, semi-structured interviews collected between 2013–2016 from 121 noncitizens who were detained by U.S. immigration authorities for six months or longer and then released back into their communities on bond. Results reveal a complex set of socioeconomic reintegration experiences that are shaped by ethnic, legal, generational, and gender stratification in immigrant integration outcomes more broadly. These findings have important implications as immigration laws have become increasingly punitive and intertwined with criminal laws. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schools are chief among the social institutions impacted by migrant flows as key sites of integration and support for migrant children. This article focuses on micro-and meso-level interactions and their importance to experiences of belonging and socio-educational integration for migrant children. It explores outcomes from qualitative research in Ireland conducted as part of a European research project investigating the socio-educational integration of refugee and migrant children in schools. The research uses participatory and co-creation methodologies, including a Children and Young People's Research Advisory Group. Child-friendly and age-appropriate focus groups were conducted with migrant children. The content and focus of these were informed through discussion with and insights of the project's Children and Young People's Advisory Group. Findings of this study highlight a range of factors impacting on the students' experiences of belonging and unbelonging in schools including, host language support, school environment and centrality of children's relationships with teachers as well as concerns among children about experiences of bullying, racism and intolerance. The finding highlights the importance of allowing children to describe their lived experiences using participatory research methods as children can speak to their own realities which may not be as visible to adult observers of children's social worlds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates how teachers working with newly arrived adolescent refugee students reflect on these students, their situation within the educational system and in Norwegian society. We research the ways in which these reflections engage with the various understandings of the ubiquitous and 'fuzzy' notion of immigrant integration, a concept which we approach critically. The empirical data consists of interviews with teachers in three Adult Education establishments in Norway. Our aim was to identify the narratives of integration the teachers draw on and (re)produce, and to discuss these in relation to policies and perceptions of integration in Norwegian schools and society. Our analysis identified three narratives of integration, namely (1) Integration as having social relations with 'Norwegians', (2) Integration as acquiring knowledge and (3) Integration as endorsing 'Norwegian' values. These narratives exist alongside a corresponding image of the newly arrived migrant students as socially unintegrated and as educationally and culturally deficient. The article's main argument is that the teachers' narratives, despite their complex and multifaceted character, are embedded in an educational and societal context where the longstanding Norwegian ideal of cultural sameness leads to added pressure on immigrants to assimilate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The human brain's complex morphology is spatially constrained by numerous intrinsic and extrinsic physical interactions. Spatial constraints help to identify the source of morphological variability and can be investigated by employing anatomical network analysis. Here, a model of human craniocerebral topology is presented, based on the bony elements of the skull at birth and a previously designed model of the brain. The goal was to investigate the topological components fundamental to the craniocerebral geometric balance, to identify underlying phenotypic patterns of spatial arrangement, and to understand how these patterns might have influenced the evolution of human brain morphology. Analysis of the craniocerebral network model revealed that the combined structure of the body and lesser wings of the sphenoid bone, the parahippocampal gyrus, and the parietal and ethmoid bones are susceptible to sustain and apply major spatial constraints that are likely to limit or channel their morphological evolution. The results also showcase a high level of global integration and efficient diffusion of biomechanical forces across the craniocerebral system, a fundamental aspect of morphological variability in terms of plasticity. Finally, community detection in the craniocerebral system highlights the concurrence of a longitudinal and a vertical modular partition. The former reflects the distinct morphogenetic environments of the three endocranial fossae, while the latter corresponds to those of the basicranium and calvaria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the experiences of international college athletes (ICAs) at a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III (DIII) small private institution in the Southern part of the United States (U.S.). ICAs are an integral part of the athletic and academic community and have been part of the NCAA for over 50 years; however, there is limited research surrounding this population's experience of belonging at Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), especially at the NCAA DIII level. Drawing on Strayhorn and Merleau-Ponty, this study employs focus groups to examine the lived experience of ICAs (n = 18) and their sense of belonging. The findings reveal the challenges ICAs face, how they overcome these challenges by finding belonging, and feeling forced to assimilate to fit in. We conclude with suggestions for the NCAA and its member institutions, including the need for more research to be conducted on ICAs, particularly at the DIII level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines young people's involvement in regional sustainability transformation processes based on a real-world experiment in a community of 5700 inhabitants on the southern outskirts of city of Vienna, Austria. The eight-month experiment aimed to explore methods and tools for transdisciplinary co-creation with youth, the impact of structural conditions on their participation and the effects of their integration. Findings highlight the crucial roles of topics relevant to youth, a trusted intermediary like a youth worker, and structural conditions such as political support and resource allocation in enhancing youth engagement success. Collaborative decision making with policymakers and direct communication were also key to effective participation. The real-world experiment laid the groundwork for future participatory methods and had an impact on youth–community relations. It affirmed the role of youth in regional development, with effects that extended beyond the immediate scope of the experiment in terms of time, space, and topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The term "People of Determination" (PODs), coined by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government, refers to women and men with disabilities and is articulated and inspired by the country's history, culture, and traditions. This study aims to examine the constitutional and policyoriented framework of PODs in terms of rights, services, and their integration process in UAE society. In so doing, it explores the UAE's perspective on PODs in terms of conceptualization, services, framework of empowerment, institutions, rehabilitation efforts, employment, and societal integration. Although the UAE is a federal state composed of seven emirates with federal institutions, each emirate has established a set of governmental and nongovernmental institutions that provide an integrated system of care, rehabilitation, skills-building, employment, and inclusionary and societal integration for PODs. The country is a pioneer in this area such that prominent international institutions have recognized its accomplishments and organized major world events such as the 2019 Special Olympics in Abu Dhabi. The first section of this study examines issues surrounding conceptualization and some relevant theoretical contributions to PODs. The second investigates the constitutional and legal framework of the UAE's POD paradigm. The third explains the UAE's narrative about PODs as well as the policy-oriented instruments, institutions, and mechanisms that have translated such narrative, values, and laws into practical policies and institutions. Finally, the paper discusses accomplishments, outcomes, and recommendations. The article as a whole demonstrates how future researchers and policymakers can contribute to a deeper engagement with issues of gender and disability to achieve intersectional gender and disability justices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People with disabilities make up 16% of the world's population, an estimated 1.3 billion individuals. Because many people rely on the media to make sense of the world, a skewed perception of people with disabilities has become dominant in society today. People with disabilities are largely depicted in the media as deserving of pity and charity and always dependent on others for survival. The media provides us with narratives that we use to create interpretations of the world around us and, consequently, become bases of norms and attitudes about issues and persons around us. This paper studies Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries' news coverage of women with disabilities to gain insights into the kind of narratives the Gulf press constructs about them. Through a content analysis of national news agencies' news reports from Bahrain, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), this study reveals how Gulf media contributes to the consolidation of or liberation from established notions and perceptions about women with disabilities in Gulf society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of e & i Elektrotechnik und Informationstechnik is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The implementation of an ecosystem-based approach (EBA) is a core requirement of the EU Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) directive. Ecosystem-based management presents a fundamental challenge to established practices concerning the planning of marine space and the governance of human activities at sea. Experience to date indicates considerable variation in the application of EBA across Europe. This variation can be attributed in part to differences in underlying planning traditions and cultures. In this article, we examine the specific case of EBA implementation in the current maritime spatial plan for Germany's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Following an interpretive analysis approach, we critically analyse how the scope and function of planning are understood in German MSP policy and practice. A narrow understanding of planning as solely concerned with the spatial coordination of competing claims on marine space is traced to a legalistic terrestrial planning tradition with a long history in German public administration. This narrow interpretation of the role of planning is found to fundamentally restrict the strategic, performative capacity of German MSP and, in particular, the potential for German MSP to apply ecosystem-based management principles. In conclusion, we contend that the implementation of an EBA requires a fundamental shift in planning paradigms and modes of governance. This empirical case provides a basis for critical reflection on the capacity of EU member states to implement an EBA as understood under the MSP directive and the mode of planning this might entail. This article was published open access under a CC BY-ND licence: https://creativecommons.org/licences/by-nd/4.0/. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under Xi Jinping's leadership, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has undergone a significant shift in its approach toward Taiwan, moving from a strategy characterized by economic concessions to one focusing on integration. Xi's new strategic approach for the state's united front work vis-a-vis Taiwan is characterized as 'top-level design' which divides such work vertically. The central government is responsible for developing policies and appointing competent functional agencies to collaborate with the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office on implementing China's Taiwan policy while local governments are tasked with implementation. The CCP has designated Fujian Province an experimental site for policy trials towards realizing its Taiwan integration policy. Accordingly, this article examines the effectiveness of these united front operations in Fujian. Despite the provincial government's diverse initiatives and substantial resources, implementation outcomes have fallen short of expectations. This study's most salient finding indicates that, within the CCP's top-level design framework, provincial officials lack both the willingness and capacity to implement policies on Taiwan. The incentive structure designed for government officials fails to motivate them, while their newly delimited authorization constrains them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, we are witnessing firms engaging in acquisitions to explore new business models. However, despite operating within similar industry sectors, integrating these business models can be challenging. Beyond the mere integration of operational aspects, this paper argues that business model integration should encompass two crucial dimensions: the integration of market architectural strategies and the assimilation of mindsets that drive market operations. The paper constructs a typology for business model integration, grounded in the integration of market architectural strategies, and mindsets and illustrates the types through international acquisition examples. The paper contributes to existing research by exploring integration within the context of business model acquisitions. The division into market architectural strategies and mindset advances past understanding of business models. The conceptualization of "value‐creation culture" extends the boundaries of past acquisition research and underscores the significance of mindsets associated with new business models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Integrated care is the leading approach to developing health and social care services in Finland. After the national health and social care reform, the importance of assessing integration has been emphasized. The aim of this study was to pilot the SCIROCCO tool, which assesses integration maturity, in Finland. The SCIROCCO tool was translated and adapted to the Finnish health and social care context. The feasibility and utility of this tool for assessing the maturity for integration across health and social care in Finland were evaluated using empirical pilot data collected among employees of selected well-being service counties. The study also provided baseline information on the maturity of integration after the national health and social care reform. Design/methodology/approach: Employees (n = 111) of different personnel groups in health and social care services in four well-being service counties assessed the maturity of integration using a web-based survey. A pilot study design was used. Findings: The SCIROCCO tool was found to be useful for assessing the maturity of integration in health and social care within the well-being service counties. However, the tool requires further development to be fully adapted to the Finnish health and social care system and to assess integration across sectors. The results emphasize the need to understand the perspectives of different personnel groups on integration and to consider them in the development work. Originality/value: This was the first study conducted in Finland that provided valuable insights into the assessment of integration across the health and social care sectors. This study establishes the foundation for future research and development in the field of integration assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)