Academic Concern Research Articles

The EU project VAXaction: tacking effectively vaccine hesitancy in Europe

Abstract The main objective of VAX-ACTION is to support EU Member States and relevant stakeholders to implement the results of tailored, evidence-based interventions aimed to reduce vaccine hesitancy. Based on the evaluation of effectiveness of these interventions, which will be conducted in selected target regions in EU member states, recommendations will be drawn through diverse dissemination strategies to allow scaling up good practices to other member States, but also to the USA and Canada, where gaps in implementation strategies also have prevented effective, evidence-based interventions aimed to better deal with vaccine hesitancy. The first phase of the research involved some relevant systematic reviews with the aim of: 1. to map public health evidence and research results on large-scale vaccination programs in Europe and north America; 2. to map interventions aimed to address vaccine hesitancy regarding new and well-stablished vaccines and vaccination programs (Covid-19, mpox, national immunizations programs for children) in Europe and north America; 3. to identify successful and unsuccessful interventions designs aimed to address vaccine hesitancy, including challenges in the implementation, evaluation designs, and the feasibility of scaling-up solutions that are context-sensitive; 4. to identify significant similarities or dissimilarities in the designs and outcomes of interventions aimed to address vaccine hesitancy in northern countries where political and academic concern towards this phenomenon is growing; 5. to identify the extent to which ‘grounding’ (bottom-up) experiences aimed to address vaccine hesitancy are evidence-based, build on current international knowledge and guidelines, and whether they are internationally reported; 6. to systematize the mapping of interventions aimed to address vaccine hesitancy in the northern hemisphere in a way that can be shared and used by third parties. This contribution will illustrate the results of the first phase of the project.

The Synergy Between CO2 and Air Pollution Emissions in Chinese Cities by 2060: An Assessment Based on the Emissions Inventory and Dynamic Projection Model

Synergizing air pollution control and climate change mitigation has been of significant academic and policy concern. The synergy between air pollution and carbon emissions is one of the measures to understand the characteristics and process of the air pollution–carbon synergistic control, which will also provide valuable information for collaboratively achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (such as SDGs 11 and 13). This study establishes a systematic framework integrating emissions inventory and projection models, correlation mining and typology analysis methods to predictively evaluate the synergy and comprehensive coordination between air pollution and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in Chinese cities by 2030, 2050, and 2060 under different policy scenarios for air pollution and CO2 emissions control. The results reveal the significant effects of synergistically implementing clean air and aggressive carbon-reducing policies on mitigating air pollution and CO2 emissions. Under the On-time Peak-Net Zero-Clean Air and Early Peak-Net Zero-Clean Air scenarios, the total reduction and synergy for air pollution and CO2 emissions will be more significant, particularly by 2050 and 2060. This study is the first to integrate scenario projection and synergy evaluation in air pollution and CO2 research, providing a novel supplement to the air pollution–climate change synergy methodology based on co-benefit estimation. The methods and findings will also contribute to measuring the achievement and analyzing the interaction of the SDGs.

Is science skepticism really about science?

Abstract Despite the recent rise in public and academic concern, science skepticism remains ill-defined. This paper sets out to further our understanding of science skepticism and to inform both academic research and policymaking. Departing from a review of the academic literature on conceptualizations of science skepticism, we employ Eurobarometer 2021 data to explore the characteristics of people holding skeptical attitudes concerning climate change and evolution. Replicating prior findings, we observe minor variations across sociodemographic characteristics. Moreover, science skepticism relates to general science attitudes in a nonuniform manner within and across issues, and interest in and engagement with science are nonuniformly related to skepticism. Furthermore, science skepticism is inconsistent in its relationship to both attitudes and relationships with science across contexts. Based on the heterogeneous nature of skepticism(s), we argue that research and policy should be careful in approaching science skepticism as a general negative predisposition toward science.

The focus on addressing vegetation risks in China should shift from the western past to the eastern future

Actively addressing the negative effects of global climate change on vegetation has always been a hot topic of academic concern. How to accurately and comprehensively assess the vegetation risk due to climate change has been rarely reported. By comprehensively considering three dimensions—species structure (species richness), carbon sequestration function (Net Primary Production, NPP), and physiological processes (transpiration)—and based on the prediction of the future distribution characteristics of 3,370 plant species in China, this study quantified the vegetation risk and its driving mechanisms under different Shared Socioeconomic Pathways. The composite index of vegetation risk decreased to the west of the Hu Huanyong Line (NT and QTP regions) but increased to the east (NE and ST regions), with the magnitude of increase growing with the intensification of emission scenarios. In the 2070 s, the proportion of high risk and extremely high-risk areas in the east increased from 14.5 % under SSP126 to 50.0 % under SSP585. NPP and transpiration generally show an increasing trend, and species richness changes similarly to vegetation risk. In the 2070 s under SSP585, 39.2 % of QTP areas see a species richness increase over 50 %, while 33.0 % of ST areas experience a decrease over 30 %. The increase in vegetation risk in the NE region is driven by increased soil moisture, while in the ST region, it is mainly due to decreased runoff and SPEI. Therefore, China should actively respond to the risk of vegetation degradation in the east due to future climate change.

Abuses of the past by the Italian far right: a first assessment of the Meloni government

ABSTRACT Collective memory plays an important part in the ideational and cultural battlegrounds that characterise current European politics. The mobilisation and manipulation of the memory of Nazi-fascism, in particular, is a growing political and academic concern, related to the rise of far right parties throughout the continent and the mainstreaming of their ideas and positions. Focusing on the case of Italy, this article examines three recent examples of abuses of the country’s past committed by Fratelli d’Italia, a far right party with a direct lineage to fascism, and the pivot of the current Italian government. By analysing the three episodes in light of a conceptual triad of abuses of the dark past – historical reassessment; fake history; evocation-cum-denial of fascist connections – the article shows how post-fascist FdI has engaged in the whole gamut of memory abuses rapidly, and shortly after rising to power. This in turn raises concerns about the effects of such mnemonic manipulations on the cultural underpinning of Italian democracy, given the party’s current position of political, institutional, and cultural influence.

Reimagining the Relationship Between Hate Crime and Terrorism: A Case Study of New Zealand

ABSTRACT The relationship between hate crimes and terrorism remains a significant policy and academic concern. We provide the first empirical exploration of this relationship in New Zealand, drawing upon an original dataset of right-wing violent extremist (RWVE) incidents between 1997 and 2022. Employing analytical models of escalation and reaction we find evidence of connectivity between hate crime and terrorism, indicating that the links between them have significance for threat assessments of RWVE. We argue that the “either/or” implications of the “close cousins-distant relatives” dichotomy in existing literature on hate crime-terrorism linkages is misleading and identify new dynamics relevant for examining this relationship and monitoring the potential for violent hate crime acting as a barometer for more extreme activity, including terrorism.

Predictors of Success in a Graduate, Entry-Level Professional Program: From Admissions to Graduation.

Admission to health professional programs (HPPs) in Canada is competitive. The purpose of this study is to evaluate how factors identifiable by the admissions package may predict incidences of academic concerns in one physiotherapy program in Canada. Previous literature has identified many concepts that contribute to "academic success." Some HPPs have investigated if admissions criteria can predict students' academic performance. However, this has not been reported in physiotherapy programs in Canada. Study data included candidates' admissions' metrics and physiotherapy students' program data for 4 graduating cohorts, who were admitted from 2016 to 2019 inclusive (N = 256). A retrospective, nonconcurrent cohort study was used to estimate the relationship between applicant's admissions data and students' program data pertaining to academic success. Data were summarized as frequencies for categorical variables and means for continuous variables. We calculated odds ratios (ORs) and probabilities of an academic or professional concern for standard scores. Significance was set at P < .05. Cohorts participating in the multiple mini-interview (MMI) had an academic concern incidence of 14/131. The virtual MMI (VMMI) cohort had an incidence of 7/125. Students with higher MMI scores were less likely to have an academic concern (OR = 0.52 [95% CI: 0.30-0.89, P = .017]). Grade point average was not significantly associated with an academic concern when combined with either MMI or VMMI (Ps > 0.05). Admissions round offer was also significantly associated with an academic concern (OR = 2.48 [95% CI: 1.00-6.12, P = .049]), with those beyond the initial round of offers having increased risk of concerns. Results of the study reflect the generally low event rates for incidences of academic concerns and the relative homogeneity and range restriction of independent variables across the 4 cohorts of students. HPP's reflection on current admissions processes and ability to identify opportunities for change in admission processes helps ensure that programs are selecting candidates who are likely to succeed.

Reconsidering the Role of Weight Loss in Treatment for Chronic Pain: Knee Osteoarthritis as an Exemplar

Chronic pain is prevalent among individuals with higher body weight and associated with greater impairment. As a result, weight loss is a common recommendation for pain management among those with higher body weight. Body weight is an appealing target because it is modifiable and evidence-based treatments to produce weight loss are well-established. In the last 2 decades, there has been a growing line of scientific work investigating the application of weight loss to individuals with chronic pain. This represents an important step to integrate the conceptualization of pain and body weight and there is preliminary work suggesting treatment effects are enhanced when weight loss treatment is combined with pain coping skills. However, weight loss outcomes are variable and difficult to sustain, and access to evidence-based treatment is limited. These concerns are set against the backdrop of growing public and academic concern about the weight-centric approach to health care that dominates western medicine. This is a timely moment to reconsider the conceptualization of weight and pain, and the role of weight loss in chronic pain treatment. Using osteoarthritis as an exemplar, we review the evidence for and clinical uptake of weight loss as a chronic pain management strategy and conclude with key areas for consideration to advance the scientific understanding of these comorbid conditions and how to optimize pain management for individuals of higher body weight. PerspectiveThis focus article critically considers the role of weight loss in management of chronic pain among individuals of higher body. Using knee osteoarthritis as an exemplar, the evidence and clinical uptake of weight loss for pain management is reviewed. Limitations are considered to guide future research and clinical care.

Activismos digitales. Nuevas formas de lucha mediadas por plataformas en la era del capitalismo de la vigilancia

The academic concern for the role that activisms assume in the face of social problems in a troubled world maintains a pre-eminent relevance. Revolutionary waves are being registered as phenomena that express social demands. Understanding transmedia activism implies observing the reality beyond the struggles and polarizations of hashtags. In this context, what is understood by digital activism? How does the power dispute unfold in the digital territory? What is understood by performances? How is digital activism projected in the era of heightened Surveillance Capitalism? This paper aims to analyze academic productions that conceptualize, problematize and study digital activism. In addition, to characterize and understand their main features and identify trends and challenges that they present in the framework of Surveillance Capitalism. The methodological strategy was elaborated on the state of the art regarding digital activism. In order to analyze the current state of digital activism and its future evolution, search, selection, and bibliographic organization were included. Among the main findings, are the identification of studies that analyze the digital territory as a field of power dispute and the characterization of digital activism from social movements and collective political action and other forms of online participation, such as slacktivism.

Online Shop Business Owners’ Perception Toward Zakat in Langsa City

In the perspective of Islamic law, ideally, every income that has reached the threshold should be subject to a certain amount of zakat. In reality, many online entrepreneurs in Kota Langsa are indifferent to this matter, causing academic concern behind the lack of awareness in paying zakat. This article falls under field research with a qualitative approach. The methodology used is descriptive analysis study. Primary data sources include in-depth interviews with online business operators in Kota Langsa. Secondary data sources comprise scholarly articles published within the last five years. The research concludes that the lack of awareness stems from confusion among the public regarding the amount and procedures of zakat in online trade that must be fulfilled. Therefore, governmental socialization efforts are needed to stimulate public interest in its distribution.

A shift from contractarianism to ‘characterisation’: Assessing the ideal Australian approach for determining fiduciary duties in a commercial context

In the wake of excessive judicial reliance on a contractarian approach to the assessment of fiduciary duties in commercial contexts, both judicial and academic concern has been voiced as to whether such an approach is the most appropriate to ensure fair dealing. What's more, the emergence of novel commercial relationships facilitated by changing values in business and exponential leaps in the capabilities and use of technology warrant a reassessment of whether contractarianism is fit for the purpose of ushering in appropriate legal analysis so that such new developments can be appropriately facilitated. This article argues that contractarianism is not fit for that purpose and that the ‘characterisation’ of the relationship between parties is a superior and more equitable approach to determining the extent of fiduciary duties in commercial contexts.

Software Engineering in Nigeria: Trends and Challenges

Bringing theory and practice together is aspiration of software engineering education, so that the learner may acquire a deep understanding on basic concepts and principles, along with skills and competences to solve real-world problems. Thus, it is not just an academic concern about teaching relevant topics, but also a task to shape skilled individuals equipped for the industry demand. Moreover, due to the rapid development the software industry is and transnational nature, several challenges are challenging the qualification of software engineers, capable to develop products according to the international standards into markets overseas. Agile software development methods are the generally used and prominent software development methods. Agile methods are simple, easy and deliver software faster than the traditional software development methods. Software development in Nigeria is at developing stage.

Highly stable MXene/g-PPy@sulfonated cellulose composite electrodes for flexible supercapacitors

Traditional two-dimensional transition metal carbides/nitrides (MXene) have gained much academic concern due to their excellent physicochemical properties, but their susceptibility to self-stacking leads to poor cyclic stability. In this paper, an MXene-based electrode active material was successfully prepared. The generated modified PPy (g-PPy) increases the active site, increases the accessibility of ions, and can give full play to the pseudocapacitance. By the combination of modified PPy (g-PPy) nanoparticles with pseudocapacitive behavior polymerized in situ on sulfonated cellulose (SC) and MXene, not only the electrochemical performance was improved by exploiting the synergy between different electrode materials and different energy storage mechanisms, but also the MXene as a skeleton limited the volume expansion and contraction of PPy during charge/discharge cycles and the g-PPy and SC composites (g-PPy@SC) as a spacer supported the MXene layer, resulting in much higher cycle stability. Cycle stability of 98.4 % even after 10,000 cycle tests. In addition, a symmetric supercapacitor assembled from this electrode material maintains a stability of 84.4 % under 10,000 cycles at a low temperature of −40 °C. Therefore, this study provides a feasible method for the preparation of MXene-based electrodes with high cycling stability.

The Role and Influence of Chinese Immigrants in Singapore in Diplomacy with China

The relationship between Southeast Asian countries and China has always been an academic concern. Some scholars define it as the rational choice and wisdom of small countries to survive in the cracks of the struggle between big powers. As a predominantly Chinese country, the relationship between Singapore and China has always been the focus of discussion and research. This paper focuses on the characteristics of Singapore's Chinese predominance and analyzes the role of Singaporean Chinese in the changing relations between the two countries. This includes the influence of clan organizations and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Singapore-China relations. This paper finds that Chinese organizations have played a key role in cultural and political exchanges between the two countries. CSCCs and chambers of commerce have played an active role in the attitude of Chinese Singaporeans towards China. However, the attitudes and perceptions of Chinese Singaporeans are also affected by the social environment and political situation.

Balancing Forest Tourism and Environmental Protection

In light of escalating global environmental issues, balancing forest tourism development with effective environmental protection has become a critical academic and practical concern. This study investigates the equilibrium mechanisms between forest tourism and environmental protection, focusing on policy regulation, community involvement, and ecological compensation under globalization. Employing a literature review and theoretical analysis, the study systematically reviews relevant research and introduces a new theoretical framework to elucidate the interaction between tourism development and environmental sustainability. The research identifies the negative impacts of forest tourism on the environment and the shortcomings of current development models. It then explores sustainable principles to optimize forest tourism planning and management, aiming to promote economic growth while protecting forest ecosystems. Results indicate that achieving this balance requires sound planning, policy support, and heightened public environmental awareness and participation. The study ultimately proposes a theoretical model for "eco-friendly" forest tourism, offering insights for future policy and management practices.

Climate Change-Related Drivers of Migration in East Africa: An Integrative Review of the Literature

Despite the growing academic concern and policy interest in climate change drivers of migration, scientific evidence on the topic remains contested, with divergent claims of positive and negative contributions of climate change on human migration and displacement. This review seeks to assess the climate change-related drivers of migration with a focus on three East African countries: Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda. They are among the most vulnerable countries in Africa, with one of the most mobile populations. The study used the available literature on climate change and migration as the data source. About 22 research articles on climate change and migration were sourced from the Web of Science and Scopus databases and critically reviewed. The review generally indicates that climate change effects such as frequent drought and flood disasters, livestock pests, and crop diseases influence migration and displacement in the region. On the other hand, rising sea levels pose imminent risks that can cause migration if adaptation measures are not taken. The review has also revealed that responses to drought or livestock and crop diseases, be it localized adjustment or out-migration, are determined by households' adaptive capacity. For rapid onset climate events such as floods, the most vulnerable are the less fortunate living in poorly constructed structures in flood-prone zones. This review proposes strengthening the climate policy framework by mainstreaming climate change migration in East African nations’ adaptation plans. It also calls for promoting alternative livelihood activities as an adaptation strategy in areas prone to climate change to lessen human-forced migration and displacement.

Effects of Financial Accounting Theories on Accounting Practice in Sierra Leone

The article acknowledges the current practice of accounting, standard-setting process, contributes significantly in developing accounting principles than academic research, and principles of accounting are not entirely the product of academic study. A crucial academic concern is therefore how theory of accounting and research contribute to developed accounting principles. The paper discusses normative and descriptive (contemporary positivistic). Data were mainly collected mainly from primary source through questionnaire were issue to participants of 70 Accountant staff of Ministry of Finance and other financial institutions in Sierra Leone and only 55 of the questionnaires were received and processed. The modifications are advantageous for accounting enable a range of research philosophies that will elevate the standing accounting theory and perhaps accounting research. As a method of tracking and remotely monitoring the progress of economic activity, accounting appears to be a historical relic, generating economic impacts. Since accounting ideas have roots, they are no longer neutral. In this regard, it would be more like a slowly emerging structure infused with cultural influences, social unrest, and political issues and decisions. Responses were analysed using descriptive statistics, utilizing the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS statistic 26) and values of the responses have to be analysed in all cases to facilitate further discussions.

PENINGKATAN EKONOMI MASYARAKAT MELALUI BUDIDAYA AYAM KAMPUNG UNGGUL BALITBANGTAN (KUB) DI DUSUN BONEN BAUMATA, KECAMATAN TAEBENU

Community service activities are a form of actualization of the academic community's social responsibility and concern for the problems faced by the wider community. One form of this activity includes community assistance to expand knowledge and improve skills in order to improve living standards. This community service activity in Bonen Hamlet, Baumata Village, Taebenu District aims to provide assistance to PKK women regarding intensive and modern management of KUB chicken farms. The methods used in this service activity include building cages, counseling, handing over KUB chicken seeds, feed and cage equipment, as well as community assistance and ongoing monitoring. The conclusion obtained is an increase in community knowledge and skills regarding the advantages of raising KUB chickens, business opportunities for cultivating KUB chickens, management of the care and health of KUB chickens, as well as partner groups having sustainable entrepreneurial capital.

Designing robust green sustainable supply chain network by bi-objective optimization method

Designing a green supply chain is becoming popular in the context of sustainable development. To address this academic concern, this paper designs a multi-product, multi-echelon green supply chain network (GSCN) from economic and environmental aspects. During the modeling process, the main challenge is to access the accurate probability distributions of uncertain parameters from limited historical data. To overcome this difficulty, this paper develops a distributionally robust design framework for bi-objective GSCN, where the distribution information of uncertain parameter is partially available and characterized by ambiguity sets. For the tractability, this paper discusses robust counterpart reformulation under Wasserstein-distance-based ambiguity sets. Finally, the obtained mixed integer programming model is resolved via commercial optimization software. To validate the proposed optimization framework, we design a meat supply chain network for a Chinese realistic food enterprise. The computational results demonstrate that the proposed distributionally robust model can provide reliable solutions compared with stochastic optimization method.

Relational Marginalisation: Comparing Scheduled Tribe Gaddi in Himachal Pradesh and Bhils in Maharashtra, India

The socio-economic condition of Scheduled Tribe (ST) groups of India has been a key academic concern since the administrative category was established by Constitutional Order in 1950. This article explores the integration of ST groups into the present-day Indian capitalist economy along with the social and political forces that have shaped this process of inclusion from the colonial period onwards. Specifically, it compares experiences of residual poverty and relational inequality among two groups administratively classified as ST—Gaddi in Himachal Pradesh and Bhils in Maharashtra. Recognising that Gaddi and Bhils remain rooted at the bottom of socio-economic hierarchies we ask why this remains the case despite affirmative action programmes aimed at ensuring ST inclusion in educational institutions, government jobs and elected bodies along with many welfare schemes. Against the backdrop of booming India, the article documents how Bhils and Gaddis struggle to negotiate the obstacles which block paths to economic and social mobility.