Causal Chain Research Articles

Team Affective Climate Toward Disability as a Facilitator of Job Inclusion of Employees With Disabilities: Examining Mediational Paths

ABSTRACTThe integration of employees with disabilities in the workplace is a critical issue for organizations aiming to foster inclusivity and diversity. The purpose of this study was to examine how team affective climate toward disability influences the job inclusion of employees with disabilities. Three indicators of job inclusion were considered: job satisfaction, affective commitment, and the desire to stay in the organization. We examined three mediating mechanisms. First, the mediating role of team‐shared stigma. Second, the mediating role of the quality of within‐team relationships. Third, a mixed meditational path, where team affective climate→team‐shared stigma→relationships quality→job inclusion. The sample was composed of 258 employees from 66 teams included in 15 organizations. Each team included an employee with disabilities. We used PROCESS to test our mediation hypotheses. Our results indicated that the indirect effect of the teams' affective climate toward disability in job inclusion followed a causal chain through the teams' shared stigma and the quality of within‐team relationships. Implications for theory, research, and practice based on our findings are discussed.

A novel virulent core genome multilocus sequence type CT 11424 of Listeria monocytogenes isolate causing stillbirth in Bangladesh

BackgroundListeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen that can lead to severe pregnancy outcomes. This study reports the clinical and genomic characteristics of a Listeria-mediated stillbirth identified in January 2022 through the Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) project in Bangladesh. The Lm-BD-CHAMPS-01 isolate was recovered from the blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of a male stillborn. Maternal history, clinical, and demographic data were collected by the CHAMPS surveillance platform. An expert panel evaluated all reports to determine the role of L. monocytogenes infection in the causal chain of stillbirth. Genomic characterization included multilocus sequence typing (MLST), core genome MLST (cgMLST), serotyping, and the presence or absence of virulence genes. Genetic divergence and phylogenetic analyses were conducted to determine the relationship with other reported isolates globally.ResultsThe isolate Lm-BD-CHAMPS-01 was identified as a novel cgMLST CT11424. It belonged to ST 308, Serotype 4b, Clonal Complex 1, and Phylogenetic Lineage 1. Key L. monocytogenes virulence genes facilitating the crossing of the placental barrier, including full-length inlA, LIPI-1, and LIPI-3, were detected. The isolate was closely related to clinical L. monocytogenes isolates, as determined by GrapeTree based on cgMLST. SNP-based phylogenetic analysis found Lm-BD-CHAMPS-01 to be the most distant from other CC1 isolates in the database. Possible sources of infection included the consumption of contaminated raw vegetables or exposure to pigeons.ConclusionsThis is the first genome sequence of clinical L. monocytogenes from Bangladesh, which also caused stillbirth. Rural healthcare professionals should be aware of L. monocytogenes infection risks during pregnancy. Pregnant women should be counseled on the dangers of exposure to animals or birds and consumption of potentially contaminated raw food to prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes due to L. monocytogenes infection.

Understanding State Dysfunctionality: The Role of Political Elites in South Sudanese State-crafting and Failure

State crafting, dysfunctionality and failure is an interesting and an emerging area in political studies as well as international affairs. This area has been remotely examined by both African and Western scholars. The paper comprehensively examined state dysfunctionality in the context of state failure of South Sudan. The paper conceptualized state dysfunctionality as inability of the state to perform its functions of service delivery of public goods and particularly, security to its own citizens. While the paper surveyed the role of political elites in understanding state-crafting and failure of South Sudan, empirically, its argues that South Sudanese political elites, particularly, from Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement (SPLM) and Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) known today as South Sudanese People Defense Forces (SSPDF) have contributed to South Sudanese state failure than crafting. This is demonstrated through elites struggle over power, secretive ethnic politics and rewarding rebellions, corruption and resources usurp and protracted conflicts. The paper deployed primary and secondary sources in tapping the understanding of South Sudanese political elites in state-crafting and failure. It combines case study and process tracing methods to contextualize and validate causal chains and empirical casual processes. The study used a sample size of 200 respondents with persuasive and cluster sampling in understanding state dysfunctionality, the role political elites in South Sudanese state-crafting and failure. The findings indicated that political elites from Government of South Sudan and particularly, the party with majority seats in the government, SPLM and military wing, SPLA aka SSPDF have led to South Sudanese state failure. The tribal outfits such as the Jieng Council of Elders (JCE) have had a big hand in South Sudanese state failure. Finally, the paper draws conclusions that reversing South Sudanese state failure requires the political elites, the SPLM to eschew zero-sum power struggle, rent seeking rebellions, secretive ethnic politics, conflicts and corruption. This demands adherence to institutionalism and visionary leadership. The paper recommends further research to SPLM and SPLA elites to reverse state failure and rescue South Sudan from collapse.

Alterations in fecal bacteriome virome interplay and microbiota-derived dysfunction in patients with schizophrenia

Rising studies have consistently reported gut bacteriome alterations in schizophrenia (SCZ). However, little is known about the role of the gut virome on shaping the gut bacteriome in SCZ. Here in, we sequenced the fecal virome, bacteriome, and host peripheral metabolome in 49 SCZ patients and 49 health controls (HCs). We compared the gut bacterial community composition and specific abundant bacteria in SCZ patients and HCs. Specific gut viruses and host peripheral metabolites co-occurring with differential bacteria were identified using Multiple Co-inertia Analysis (MCIA). Additionally, we construct a latent serial mediation model (SMM) to investigate the effect of the gut virome on SCZ through the bacteriome and host metabolic profile. SCZ patients exhibited a decreased gut bacterial β-diversity compared to HCs, with seven differentially abundant bacteria, including Coprobacillaceae, Enterococcaceae etc. Gut viruses including Suoliviridae and Rountreeviridae, co-occur with these SCZ-related bacteria. We found that the viral-bacterial transkingdom correlations observed in HCs were dramatically lost in SCZ. The altered correlations profile observed in SCZ may impact microbiota-derived peripheral metabolites enriched in the bile acids pathway, eicosanoids pathway, and others, contributing to host immune dysfunction and inflammation. The SMM model suggested potential causal chains between gut viruses and SCZ, indicating that the effect of gut virome on SCZ is significantly mediated by bacteriome and metabolites. In conclusion, these findings provide a comprehensive perspective on the role of gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of SCZ. They reveal that patients with schizophrenia harbor an abnormal virome-bacteriome ecology, shedding light on the potential development of microbial therapeutics.

Research on the Accumulative Damage of Flywheels Due to In-Space Charging Effects

High-speed rotating flywheel bearings, designed for space applications, generate a high-resistance hydrodynamic lubrication film, which isolates the rotor, transforming it into a conductor. This phenomenon introduces a novel failure mode—flywheel bearing electrical damage caused by space charging effects. This paper first reviews the sources of common shaft voltages in flywheels and the mechanisms of electrical damage and improves the principle of deep charge causing shaft voltages in flywheel bearings, proposing that surface charge is another source of shaft voltages. The quantified analysis model of flywheel bearing electrical damage in relation to rotational speed and high-energy electron flux is derived, indicating that the damage caused by space charge–discharge to the bearing is of small magnitude and only becomes apparent after long-term accumulation, thus being easily overlooked. Based on the causal chain of electrical damage, a correlation analysis model consistent with physical principles is constructed, and the correlation between on-orbit anomalies of the flywheel and high-energy electron flux is confirmed through the use of big data. Preliminary experiments are conducted to validate all of the research results. Finally, suggestions are given for the reliable design, application, and testing of flywheels.

Goodbye to Meltzer-Richard: Testing major theories of redistribution

We re-analyse four major explanations of redistribution including the Meltzer-Richard model, power resources theory, Iversen-Soskice’s political institutions explanation, and Lupu and Ponstusson’s skewness theory. For each of these, we reconsider the causal chain and test their assumptions using a comprehensive, original dataset on working-age income-inequality consisting of 589 country-years for affluent democracies in the period 1963–2019. We find that partisan governments are directly related to redistribution and have a strong effect on the generosity of social policy. Lupu and Pontusson’s skew measure has no effect on redistribution in models with controls but does have a positive effect on generosity of social policy. Finally, we find that the mean-to-median income ratio has a consistent, negative, and highly significant effect on redistribution, directly refuting the very premise of the Meltzer-Richard model.

An exploration of the social creation of mental illness

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore the concept “the social creation of mental illness”, consider whether there is enough research evidence to support the thesis that mental illness can be socially caused, compare the social model to the medical model of the creation of mental illness and explore what may be necessary for the social causation model of mental health to be widely adopted and acted upon. Design/methodology/approach This study conducts a literature review seeking to identify the likely candidates for socially caused mental illness and explores whether there was research or other evidence for “the social creation of mental illness”. Findings Each area that was examined, from the literature, supported the notion of social factors being linked to, and predictive of, the social creation of mental illness; there appears to be a prima facie case for mental illness being predominantly socially created. Research limitations/implications It is one thing to identify risk factors, links with and predictors of mental ill health. It is quite another to prove the chain of causality between particular types of social trauma and the emergence specific mental dysfunctions. In the same way that tobacco was widely known to be dangerous to physical health, yet it took decades to collate enough evidence to persuade physicians and politicians to act, it is likely that it will be some time before the causal link between social factors and emerging mental dysfunction can be demonstrated with enough rigour to encourage politicians and mental health professionals to act. This paper seeks to make a contribution to that process. Practical implications If social factors are found to be the primary creators of mental illness, then more appropriate methods of helping those afflicted can be developed. Social implications Currently, the mental health system is based on the medical model. Vast and increasing resources are being allocated to mental health, yet the numbers of people disabled by mental health problems continues to increase. It appears that the medical model is false and failing. If the most common causes of mental ill health are social, then more appropriate help can be provided, and preventative measures can be developed. Originality/value By laying out some of the evidence that social factors are a primary predictor or cause of mental illness, it is hoped that future researchers can devise mechanisms to identify the causal route between various forms of social harm and the development of mental illness.

A processual framework for understanding the rise of the populist right: the case of Brazil (2013–2018)

Abstract How and in what sequence do social structures, contingent events, and agents’ decisions combine over time to bring about a new populist right? To answer this question, we propose a framework to analyze social processes spanning three levels of analysis: global political economy, national political articulation, and subnational political geography. We challenge static theories that focus solely on the “supply and demand” for populism, as well as purely contingent accounts of a “perfect storm.” Instead, we argue that processes across these three levels link together in causal chains to produce an “ecosystem” of right-wing populist support. To specify this framework, we analyze the ascendance of Jair Bolsonaro to the presidency of Brazil between 2013 and 2018, drawing upon quantitative macroeconomic and protest event data, qualitative interview and archival data collected from private sector actors and social movements, and geo-spatial electoral data. Finally, we probe the generalizability of this analytical framework through a discussion of secondary work on recent cases of right-wing populism in the Global South. By focusing on the dynamic connection of inter-scalar processes over time, we illustrate how our framework paves the way for further conjunctural analyses of the current right-wing populist upsurge.

Reconceptualizing effective professional development for teachers: shifting from causal chains and generativity to complexity and employee-centrism

ABSTRACT Focused on the epistemic development of the teacher professional development research field, this conceptual paper presents a European perspective that promotes a wider conceptualization of professional development than is evident in the mainstream scholarship spawned by the U.S.A’.s accountability era. The dominant theoretical perspective – what the author calls ‘employee-centrism’ - reflects a ‘positive organizational scholarship’ that is becoming recognized within organization studies, the sociology of work, and work psychology. Employee-centrism reflects a wide interpretation of employee well-being, manifested as the incorporation into organizational policy and practice of altruistic, rather than ulterior-motivated, care and compassion. In limiting effectiveness to what may be evidenced as generating student achievement, teacher professional development as conceived of in mainstream scholarship, it is argued, falls short in two respects: first, it reflects a simplistic conceptualization that disregards the complexity of professional development, and its capacity to occur implicitly and often imperceptibly; and, second, it reflects a perspective on teachers as conduits for reform implementation, rather than as primary developees in their own right. Within a new, post-COVID, era in which the importance of workplace well-being is increasingly highlighted, there is an imperative to reconceptualize what makes for effective teacher professional development.

Postneonatal Cerebral Palsy in Europe: Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics According to Contributory Events: An SCPE Study.

Postneonatal cerebral palsy (PNCP) is rare and requires large databases to be studied over time. To study the time trend of prevalence of PNCP overall and by cause, and to describe the clinical characteristics of children with PNCP according to cause and compared with children with pre/peri/neonatal CP (PPNCP). The Surveillance of Cerebral Palsy in Europe (SCPE) database was used. Primary events (the first known chronological event in the causal chain) were classified according to the SCPE classification (six main and 19 sub-categories). Prevalence trends for children born during 1976-2012 were modelled using multilevel generalised linear models. The clinical characteristics of PNCP and PPNCP cases born after 1998 were reported as proportions. The prevalence rates of PNCP were 1.76 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.37, 2.23) and 0.82 per 10,000 live births (95% CI 0.73, 0.92) in children born during 1976-1980 and 2006-2012, respectively. The models showed a 2% annual decline in overall prevalence (prevalence rate multiplied by 0.98 each year) and a 10% decline for infectious causes for every 5-year change. The prevalence rate in children born during 2006-2012 was 0.26 per 10,000 (95% CI 0.21, 0.32) for infectious causes, which remained the most frequent. No trend emerged for other causes. Unilateral spastic CP, associated impairments and severe gross motor dysfunction were more frequent in PNCP than in PPNCP, and PNCP showed predominantly grey matter injury (55.6%). Seventeen percent were born preterm. PNCP differed by cause, with cerebrovascular accidents presenting the least severe and hypoxic causes the most severe forms. Our study confirms the decrease in the prevalence of PNCP in children born up to 2012, particularly for CP, due to infectious causes, which remain the most frequent. Children with PNCP had more severe presentation overall than those with PPNCP, with severity depending on the cause.

The Impact of Junk Food on Children's Health and Development

The present study investigates the impact of junk food consumption on the health and development of school students in Dhankuta Municipality. Junk food, is the term used to describe food that has empty calories and provides little or no nutritional value to both children and adults, it is associating with the increasing trends among children globally as a result of urbanization, globalization and aggressive advertising during childhood (Vrushali, D. and Seema, S. 2021). This study is a cross-sectional and descriptive analytical study using semi-structured questionnaires, which are distributed to students, parents & educational experts. The aims of the research are to determine junk food habits in children and frequency, effect of junk food on physical health as well as behavioral patterns, and influences over children's food consumption like advertisement advertisements, peer pressure or convenience. The Outcome shows that 70 percent of kids eat junk meals minimum 2-three instances in a week, and speedy meals, sweet beverages are the maximum usual types of meals eaten. Some of the health effects reported include weight gain (40 %), low energy (25 %), and stomach problems (15 %). Besides, intake of junk food leads to changes in behavior such as increased excessed and decreased attention at school. Advertising (40%), peer pressure (30%) and convenience (25%) are the factors of influencing. Well-documented evidence of a causal chain between school feeding and child outcome stresses the importance of school-focused health education programming that encourages children to eat better while decreasing junk food intake. These prevention strategies are critical to reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease in children.

KELLM: Knowledge-Enhanced Label-Wise Large Language Model for Safe and Interpretable Drug Recommendation

The proliferation of electronic health records (EHRs) and advances in deep learning have enabled personalized drug combination recommendations. However, traditional deep learning models often lack the contextual understanding and medical knowledge integration necessary for accurate predictions. While large language model (LLM)-based approaches address some of these challenges, they still fall short in incorporating critical medical knowledge, addressing comprehensive safety constraints such as multi-disease drug contraindications (MDCs), and providing sufficient interpretability of the causal mechanisms behind their outputs. To overcome these limitations, we propose KELLM, a knowledge-enhanced LLM framework for drug recommendations. By linking medical entities in EHRs to an external medical knowledge graph, inputs are enriched with causal chains, enhancing both prediction accuracy and interpretability. Additionally, we introduce a fine-tuned label-wise LLaMA model designed for multi-label classification, which incorporates safety considerations such as drug-drug interactions (DDIs) and MDCs to ensure clinically accurate and safe recommendations. Experimental results show that KELLM achieves state-of-the-art performance in effectiveness and safety metrics, while also providing evidence-based insights through causal chains that clarify its reasoning process. This establishes a new benchmark for trustworthy, interpretable drug combination recommendations.

Healthy Cows, Happy Farmers? Exploring the Dynamics of Mastitis and Farmer Well-Being.

Clinical mastitis, a prevalent production disease in the dairy industry, causes significant pain and swelling in dairy cows' udders. While previous research highlights a symbiotic relationship between humans and animals, particularly in terms of health, this study investigates how animal health, specifically clinical mastitis, influences farmers' well-being. Acknowledging farmers' pivotal role in mitigating animal health problems, we examined the human-animal relationship by exploring how dairy cow health relates to the psychological well-being of dairy farmers. This was performed by investigating the connection between animal and farmer health and whether it is mediated by farmers' perceptions of mastitis as a production disease and their sense of control over the situation. For the current study, we combined and matched data from a large questionnaire study covering dairy farmer's well-being (n = 356) with data on dairy cow herd health. For statistical analyses we used the PROCESS macro for serial multiple mediator analysis, an analysis that allows for the estimation of the effect of multiple mediators in a causal chain. We found that farmers' well-being is indirectly related to animal health though their illness perception (P < 0.05) and perceived self-efficacy (P < 0.001), underscoring the importance of cultivating awareness and control over mastitis occurrences. For these estimations, we controlled for the effect of farm size, expected income from dairy production, marital status, and cohabitation status of the farmer, as well as age and gender. Our results indicate that maintaining healthy animals with minimal mastitis incidents, coupled with farmers' perceived self-efficacy, is positively related with farmer well-being.

Regionalismo, Política Externa e Relações Executivo/Legislativo: O Mercosul e a União Europeia em Perspectiva Comparada

Abstract In a globalized world, Legislative control over matters related to Mercosur and the European Union (EU) is important. However, its importance varies according to Regional Foreign Policy (RFP) decisions. This article investigates whether there are configurations, considering institutional design, political conditions, and economic factors, which explain the intensity of legislative participation in determining such matters. Specialists were consulted to select five decisions that represented significant changes for the regional dynamics of Mercosur and EU member countries. After defining the intentional sample of cases, necessary and sufficient conditions for the participation of the Legislature in RFP were identified through a Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA). The results indicate that institutional design and economic factors matter, but prior debates in Parliaments on the subject are also relevant to explaining legislative action. This was corroborated by a Coincidence Analysis (CNA) that demonstrated that this variable makes up the causal chain of participation.

Using Minimally Invasive Tissue Sampling and Determination of Cause of Death to Establish Etiologies of Community Respiratory Deaths Among Zambian Infants and Children.

In low-to-middle-income countries, acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) remains the leading infectious cause of death among infants and children under 5 years old. Case-control studies based on upper respiratory sampling have informed current understandings of ALRI etiologies; in contrast, minimally invasive tissue sampling (MITS) offers a method of directly interrogating lower respiratory tract pathogens to establish etiologic distributions. This study performed in the postmortem setting used MITS and a Determination of Cause of Death (DeCoDe) panel to elucidate the causes of fatal pneumonia in the community in Lusaka, Zambia. For deceased infants and children under age 5 years whose next-of-kin provided consent, a verbal autopsy was obtained and 6 lung tissue biopsies from each case were sent for histopathology and multiplex polymerase chain reaction testing. Subsequently, a multi-disciplinary DeCoDe panel met to review each case, determine if the child died of respiratory causes, construct a causal chain of diagnoses directly leading to the death, and determine if the death was preventable (i.e., if an identifiable intervention would have averted the death). Among 106 deaths, 49 were adjudicated as respiratory deaths, with etiologic causes including Klebsiella pneumoniae (13), Streptococcus pneumoniae (5), and Pneumocystis jirovecii (4), among others. Of note, for 21 respiratory deaths, a causative pathogen could not be identified despite clinical and histopathologic evidence of ALRI. A large majority of all deaths were considered preventable (90/106 or 85%). This study demonstrates the impact of certain respiratory pathogens through direct in situ tissue sampling with supportive pathologic data and presents a useful method of studying the etiologic distribution of fatal ALRIs in settings where many deaths occur in the community.

From Genetics to Psychosocial Functioning: Unraveling the Mediating Roles of Cognitive Reserve, Cognition, and Negative Symptoms in First-Episode Psychosis.

Studies have shown associations between polygenic risk scores for educational attainment (PRSEA), cognitive reserve (CR), cognition, negative symptoms (NS), and psychosocial functioning in first-episode psychosis (FEP). However, their specific interactions remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the mediating roles of CR, cognition, and NS in the relationship between PRSEA and psychosocial functioning one year after a FEP. Additionally, we sought to explore the impact of two NS subtypes on this relationship: diminished Expression (EXP-NS) and Motivation and Pleasure (MAP-NS). A total of 138 FEP participants, predominantly male (70%), with a mean age of 24.77 years (SD = 5.29), underwent genetic, clinical, and cognitive assessments two months after study enrollment. Functioning evaluation followed at one-year follow-up. To investigate the mediating role of CR, cognition, and NS in the relationship between PRSEA and functioning, a serial mediation model was employed. Two further mediation models were tested to explore the differential impact of EXP-NS and MAP-NS. Mediation analysis was performed using the PROCESS macro version 4.1 within SPSS version 26. The serial mediation model revealed a causal chain for PRSEA > CR > cognition > NS > Functioning (β = -3.08, 95%CI [-5.73, -0.43], p = 0.023). When differentiating by type of NS, only EXP-NS were significantly associated in the casual chain (β = -0.17, 95% CI [-0.39, -0.01], p < 0.05). CR, cognition and NS -specifically EXP-NS- mediate the association between PRSEA and psychosocial functioning at one-year follow-up in FEP patients. These results highlight the potential for personalized interventions based on genetic predisposition.

Constructing Safety Management Systems in Modern Industry and Trade Enterprises: A STAMP-Based Approach

With the burgeoning landscape of new enterprises and business paradigms, industrial and trade enterprises are facing escalating pressure to ensure operational safety. Conventional safety management mechanisms have proven to be inadequate for adapting to the dynamic market demands and intricacies of modern production environments. To improve safety management practices, this study integrates complex network theory to dissect the causal chains underlying accidents in industry and trade enterprises. A network model is established to elucidate the factors contributing to accidents and leverage datasets from safety inspections to construct a repository of latent safety risks. To address deficiencies in extant safety frameworks, a comprehensive safety management evaluation system is formulated, comprising ten primary evaluation indices and 30 secondary metrics. Based on the established frameworks, such as ISO 45001 for occupational health and safety management systems (OHSMS), standardized safety production protocols, and risk hierarchical management and control systems and hidden hazard identification and treatment systems (dual prevention systems), a holistic safety management system (SMS) is synthesized on the basis of system-theoretic accident model and process (STAMP) theory. This systematic approach culminates in a robust framework tailored to modern industrial and trade enterprises, fostering flexibility and efficacy in safety management capabilities. This case analysis underscores the model’s ability to enhance its safety management proficiency, thereby amplifying its relevance in fortifying enterprise operations and fostering sustainable growth. This study represents a pivotal step toward augmenting safety management capacities within the industrial and trade enterprises to safeguard enterprise vitality and advance sustainable business practices.

Understanding State Formation: The Role of Political Parties in South Sudanese State-crafting and Failure

State crafting, failure and, collapse is an interesting area of social science research, which has been remotely examined by comparative political scientists. The paper comprehensively examines the crafting and failure of South Sudanese state. It conceptualizes state, state-crafting, state failure and collapse. It surveys the role of political parties in understanding state-crafting and failure in South Sudan. Empirically, the paper argues that South Sudanese political parties particularly, Sudan People’ Liberation Movement (SPLM) have contributed in South Sudanese failure than crafting and prosperity. This is demonstrated through ethnicization of politics and politicization of ethnicity and through ethnic divisions. Using empirical literature, the paper discusses state crafting, failure and dissects the role of political parties in which SPLM has a big hand in the state failure of South Sudan. In its methodology, the paper deploys primary and secondary sources in tapping the understanding of the role of South Sudanese political parties in state-crafting and failure. Primary data include the use of questionnaires and interviews in comprehending state formation and in particular, the role played by South Sudanese political parties in nascent state-crafting and failure. Secondary sources include the use of literature review in understanding political parties and their role in South Sudanese state failure. The study uses a sample size of 200 respondents with sample types of persuasives and cluster sampling combined. The study also combines case study and process tracing methods to contextualize and validate causal chains and empirical casual processes of South Sudan state formation and role of political parties in state-crafting and failure. The results of the study indicate that SPLM as a main ruling party has a huge contribution in South Sudanese state failure. While other 28 registered political parties are ethnic-based given that because they don’t have national programmes across South Sudan, their contributed to South Sudanese state failure cannot be equated with SPLM. These 28 parties have their presence in the bomas, payams and counties only and have endeavored to promote ethnic divisions and violence in South Sudan. Finally, the paper draws conclusions on the need for civic role of political parties in state-crafting and democratization of South Sudan. The paper recommends future research on the role of SPLM party in reversing state failure and rescuing South Sudan from collapse.

Constructing responsibility: Infrastructural harm, citizen oversight and the politics of publics

While concepts such as infrastructure and assemblage can make it difficult for scholars to locate responsibility for social injustices, given the diffused nature of action and harm, this article starts from the continuous, competing and negotiated constructions of responsibility that can be explored ethnographically. The argument is based on fieldwork in Cuenca, Ecuador, where the flawed construction of a tram threatened local businesses and led to citizens’ organized attempt to attribute responsibility and be compensated. In the face of an apparently irresponsible state, these citizens thus tried to reconstruct responsibility through what I describe as the weaving of causal chains and the search for alliances of (self)responsibilization. In this analytic, the construction of responsibility proves a key component of how worlds are inhabited and made and, more specifically, how the state, the public good and citizens are configured.

Examining causal relationships between educational attainment and type 2 diabetes using genetic analysis: findings from the EPIC-InterAct study through Mendelian randomisation

IntroductionObservational studies have shown that more educated people are at lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, robust study designs are needed to investigate the likelihood that such...