Changing Circumstances Research Articles

Urbanized Rural Women: A Study in Rural Areas of Gilan, Isfahan, and Semnan Provinces

: Considering the changing circumstances of Iranian rural women’s lives, do they still fulfill traditional roles? Have their lifestyles and expectations of themselves changed? To answer these questions, this long-term anthropological research was conducted in seven villages in three different and diverse provinces: Gilan, Isfahan, and Semnan. Our findings showed that some female roles in the villages have been eliminated or shifted to men due to developmental interventions. Women do not consider themselves in charge of the family’s economic activities. Instead, they tend to share the values of middle-class urban homemakers. They have pushed to abandon some of their traditional economic production roles, and consequently, they have lost access to financial resources and the public arena of the village. In a sense, they might have lost their bargaining power after some developmental interventions.

Regulation and Limitation Between the Constant and the Changing in the Islamic Law

The extrapolation of the sources of the Sharī’ah law and its actions, in its totality and parts and in all comprehensive and detailed principles in all conditions have shown that among the intents and wisdoms regarded by the Sharī’ah during law-making is regulation and limitation, and if the strength of emphasizing that something is an objective of the Sharī’ah is gauged with the volume of proofs and their quality, then the copious proofs available on the objective of regulation and limitation qualify it to be a definite one in terms of authenticity. Perhaps, I subdivided, my research into an introduction, two sections, and a conclusion. In the first section, we discussed control and definition in terms of concept, means and approaches. In the second section, we addressed the characteristic of the peculiarity of consistency and change in the Islamic legislation? In this research, we concluded a number of findings, including: 1. That the considerations for the objective of consistency and limitation in the Islamic legislation generally could be traced to two issues: the first: Basing rulings on a description, of nature, and secondly: that the Sharī’ah rulings are realities not assumptions. 2. That the total considerations for the purpose of change in Islamic legislation could be traced to two issues: The first: The rulings are based on the principle of facilitation, removal of embarrassment, and consideration of objectives and reasons, the second, verdict changes and differs according to the change in times, places, circumstances, intentions, and customs.

Zootherapy in social rehabilitation of children with special needs

Children with special needs experience significant difficulties in organizing their educational and communicative activities and behavior due to their developmental characteristics, as well as somatic diseases. Such children have problems in socialization and psycho-emotional sphere (they are anxious, vulnerable, painfully react to changes in life circumstances, and prone to frequent mood changes). They also have limited ideas about the world around and underdeveloped higher mental functions. The purpose of social rehabilitation is to restore skills, lost or not acquired during socialization, and abilities to perform social functions, relationships, and roles. One of the means of social rehabilitation is zootherapy, which is based on the interaction of a person with an animal. Zootherapy includes various areas: hippotherapy, canis therapy, dolphin therapy, feline therapy, etc. Therapy with animals has a positive effect on children with special needs: it stabilizes the emotional state, reduces the level of anxiety and stress, and promotes the development of communication skills, as well as the development of moral qualities.

Crop Price Prediction Using Machine Learning Approaches: Reference to the Sri Lankan Vegetable Market

Every sector of this digital world is experiencing a noticeable change due to the development of information and communication technology, and the agriculture sector can be introduced as one sector that has undergone a remarkable revolution. Sri Lanka is a developing country in a tropical region and agriculture is the backbone of the nation, and plays a major role in the country's economy. The price that farmers receive for their harvest is critical to farmer satisfaction as well as the future survival of agriculture and primarily it depends on several factors such as demand, seasonal trends, and price offers from multiple suppliers. In recent years, crop prices in Sri Lanka have fluctuated drastically due to unpredictable climate change, natural calamities and many other circumstances. As the farmers were unaware of these uncertainties, they suffered huge losses in their harvest and became disillusioned and most of them intended to give up farming. Therefore, crop price forecasting seems to be a crucial factor in considering the future of agricultural production. Since the properties of crop prices are highly non-linear and combined with significant noise, forecasting crop prices is not an easy problem. Recently, many researchers have proposed various approaches for crop price predicting, among which data mining can be identified as an emerging approach that plays an important role in decision-making related to agricultural product price forecasting. However, in the context of Sri Lanka, there is no evidence of extensive studies on the use of data mining approaches for predicting crop prices, particularly for vegetables. The main objective of this research is to fill the gaps in the literature by assessing the predictability of vegetable prices in the context of Sri Lanka using data mining techniques. The variation in crop price was analyzed based on four factors namely rainfall, temperature, fuel price and crop production and experiments were conducted on four systematically selected vegetables covering up-country and low-country. Analysis was performed using five widely-used machine learning algorithms on similar phenomena and performance was evaluated using common evaluation metrics such as mean absolute error and root-mean-square error. Experimental results revealed that tree-based models are superior among the classifiers considered in forecasting vegetable prices in Sri Lanka.

Principles of cognitive control over task focus and task switching.

Adaptive behaviour requires the ability to focus on a task and protect it from distraction (cognitive stability) and to rapidly switch tasks when circumstances change (cognitive flexibility). Burgeoning research literatures have aimed to understand how people achieve task focus and task switch readiness. In this Perspective, I integrate these literatures to derive a cognitive architecture and functional rules underlying the regulation of cognitive stability and flexibility. I propose that task focus and task switch readiness are supported by independent mechanisms. However, I also suggest that the strategic regulation of both mechanisms is governed by shared learning principles: an incremental, online learner that nudges control up or down based on the recent history of task demands (a recency heuristic) and episodic reinstatement when the current context matches a past experience (a recognition heuristic). Finally, I discuss algorithmic and neural implementations of these processes, as well as clinical implications.

Change of factual circumstances in the context of the issuance of judicial acts in civil cases

The subject of the study within the framework of this article are the norms of civil procedural law and arbitration procedural law concerning the issuance of judicial acts in connection with a change in factual circumstances relevant to the case. The purpose of the study is to identify and classify cases in which the current legislation and law enforcement practice allow the issuance of a new judicial act in connection with a change in the actual circumstances of the case. At the same time, the purpose of the study is related to the confirmation of the hypothesis about the diversity of the bases of such a classification.Within the framework of this study, the functional method, the system-structural method, the formal-legal method and the hermeneutic method were used. The use of these methods is due to the need to analyze a large volume of legal norms and judicial practice on the subject of the study. The article analyzes the legal mechanisms, the application of which is associated with the issuance of judicial acts in the framework of civil and arbitration proceedings based on changes in the factual circumstances of the case. The following mechanisms are identified as these mechanisms: the possibility of filing a claim with a new basis, revision of judicial acts under new circumstances, changing the method and procedure for the execution of a court decision, postponement and installment of the execution of a court decision, indexation of the amounts awarded.Cases of application of these mechanisms are classified according to the procedural order of consideration by the court of changes in circumstances and its consolidation in judicial acts, while the following types are distinguished: cases related to the consolidation of circumstances by making a new court decision on a claim with a new basis; cases related to the consolidation of circumstances by making a court ruling in connection with the emergence of new circumstances; cases related to the consolidation of circumstances by issuing a court ruling in connection with a change in the method and procedure for the execution of a court decision, postponement and installment of the execution of a court decision, indexation of the amounts awarded. Cases of the use of these mechanisms are also classified by the type of judicial act fixing such changes, while the following types are distinguished: cases related to the consolidation of circumstances by issuing a court decision; cases related to the consolidation of circumstances by issuing a court ruling.The author concludes that the use of the term "new circumstances" is incorrect in relation to certain grounds for reviewing judicial acts, in connection with which it is proposed to amend the norms of procedural legislation. In relation to these cases, it is proposed to use not the term "new circumstances", but the term "change in the content of legal norms or their interpretation that is relevant to the case".Based on the above, the purpose of the study has been fully achieved.

Cooling and insulation design of power electronic transformers

In the case that the usage of power electronic transformers (PETs) has become a trend, research on minimizing the energy loss of PETs is imperative. Meanwhile, the miniaturization of PETs was considered a meaningful way to relief the problem to the maximum extent. And in the problems of miniaturization, the insulation design and the cooling-down design was considered the head of the problems because these two problems could result in an increase of energy loss, which is conflict with the goal of miniaturization. The basic requirement for insulation design is to keep the circuit from the damage of incidents like arc, which brought this job a status of the key to the miniaturization. But what made this trickier is that the design should also satisfy the demand of miniaturization. For the cooling-down design, a design could undertake the task but with smaller volume and lower cost would be favorable for users, but the change of circumstance could lead to different optimum design. Therefore, a study on these two fields is critical, in this essay, the insulation design would be firstly introduced and then the cooling-down design. Due to the status of the two problems mentioned above, the study showed in this paper would have a great value for the research and application of miniaturization of PETs.

Challenges and Prospect of Women Business Start Up in North Western Nigeria

This study aimed to explore the personality and environmental challenges and prospects faced by women in business start-ups in North Western Nigeria. A total of 273 female entrepreneurs were surveyed using a structured questionnaire. The data collected were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The study found that lack of access to funding sources, legal and regulatory barriers, societal and cultural biases, lack of access to relevant information and technology and limited access to professional networks and mentors were the major environmental challenges faced by women in business start-ups. The study further revealed that women possess the confidence to take risks and pursue opportunities, handle stress and uncertainty, possess the ability to adapt to changing circumstances, communicate and negotiate with stakeholders, and possess the persistence and resilience necessary to overcome challenges in their business start-ups. The study recommends that the government, private organizations, and other stakeholders should work together to address the environmental challenges faced by women in business start-ups in North Western Nigeria by providing access to funding sources, mentorship, networking opportunities, and creating an enabling business environment.

Climate change and the problem of social cost

This paper assesses the prospects for climate stabilization from both positive and normative economic perspectives, and with an eye to the conditions necessary for collective action across the three domains: domestic, international, and intergenerational. While it is well-established that international freeriding and transaction costs pose major impediments to successful environmental agreements, this analysis identifies the intergenerational domain as the source of intractability due to long delays between bearing the mitigation costs and enjoying their eventual climate benefits. This lag causes the net benefits for median-aged voters’ to be negative over their expected remaining lifespans. Drawing from several Integrated Assessment Models of the benefits and costs of climate stabilization actions, the analysis concludes that programs of domestic and international climate actions will be hopelessly stymied by the failure of the actions to pass individual and collective rationality tests. However, these dire findings leave the door open to the possibility that some other change in circumstances might undercut this conclusion. In particular, the assignment of rights has that potential. Indeed, these circumstances echo the canonical insights from Ron Coase’s observation in The Problem of Social Cost (1960) that the arrangement of rights can have large effects on welfare when transaction costs for an externality are high. Current climate rights amount to ade factoopen access right to pollute the atmosphere. Were a right to a stable climate for both for current and future generations recognized, added weight or leverage would add potency to support for climate stabilization policies and international agreements. These legal changes could represent a counterweight to offset the inadequacy of support from the current self-interested generation. Indeed, some recent climate litigation argues that many nations’ constitutions already encompass an affirmative right to a stable climate, a proposition that could represent a powerful means to break the climate impasse.

"Taking from Peter to pay Paul": The experience of people in receipt of fuel and food vouchers from a UK foodbank.

For people on very low incomes, household fuel and food environments are increasingly uncertain. Many live in precarious situations with little control over their lives. In addition to food parcels, many foodbanks also supply emergency fuel payments. There has been a surge in demand due to the cost of living crisis in the United Kingdom. This qualitative study, using semi-structured interviews, explored the lived experience of people who received a fuel voucher via a foodbank to gain insights into food preparation, eating practices and heating and appliance use in their homes. All participants (n = 6) described a change in life circumstances leaving them at crisis point with overwhelming uncertainty. Using Thematic Analysis, we identified four themes: (1) Bewilderment in using foodbank services; (2) The need to make trade-offs between food and fuel; (3) Feeling shame at using the services and (4) Missing out on pleasurable eating practices. Three case studies give fuller insights and context. All interviewees had acute and complex needs and described being 'at rock bottom', with fuel vouchers viewed as a 'lifeline' to address essential cooking, heating and electrical appliance needs. We, therefore, suggest the need for extra support and follow-up for first-time users who are in a state of denial and shock when seeking help. Further research is needed on how to best help organisations develop strategies to address and ameliorate a sense of powerlessness and shame felt by their clients which likely limits them from seeking help, despite being in acute, complex and dire need.

The peculiarities of exemption from punishment for individuals who have made public calls to commit a terrorist act

The article is a study of the peculiarities of exemption from punishment for individuals who have made public calls to commit a terrorist act. Specifically, it was established that a terrorist act involves violent activities or violence carried out with the intention to instill fear, panic, threaten lives, health, and safety of people, or to intimidate by using civilians as human shields or armed means. Terrorist acts are usually aimed at achieving political, religious, ideological, or social goals and can be perpetrated by individuals, groups, or organizations. The criminal responsibility for committing a terrorist act is governed by Article 258 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.Furthermore, the article specifies that the crime defined in Article 258–2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, «Public Calls to Commit a Terrorist Act,» is characterized by the special intent of disseminating materials inciting terrorist acts. According to Article 258–2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, those who make public calls to commit a terrorist act may face not only imprisonment but also corrective labor or arrest.The study concludes that a systemic analysis of general types of exemption from criminal liability, as provided in Articles 45–49 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, allows for their application to individuals who have committed terrorist offenses. Thus, the provisions for exemption from criminal liability based on personal surety (Article 47 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine) and exemption due to a change in circumstances (Article 48 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine) can be applied to individuals who have been involved in committing a terrorist act (Part 1 of Article 258–1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine) and those who have made public calls to commit a terrorist act (Article 258–2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).Consequently, legislative compromise regarding terrorist offenses represents a special form of criminal law impact. Within the realm of criminal law regulation of specific forms of exemption from criminal liability for committing terrorist offenses, there are ongoing scientific discussions, which discern the rational basis of scientific assertions, enabling a more rational implementation of legislative compromise concerning these crimes.

The goal of social protection for judges in Ukraine

It is indicated that in a social, legal and democratic state, any activity regulated by legislation, consistent with the principles of law, must be characterized by a certain goal. This goal should be characterized, firstly, by clarity and unambiguity (in order to comply with the requirements of the principle of the rule of law in terms of the principle of legal certainty); secondly, by scientificity (strategic orientations of activity that contradict the requirements of the principle of scientificity, and therefore do not agree with legal science, economic, psychological, sociological and other sciences, may harm the provision of human rights, law and order, pose risks for social and other types of security) , which ensures the relevance, adequacy, effectiveness and rationality of such a goal. Compliance with these requirements contributes to the fact that the subject who carries out the relevant activity, taking into account its purpose, clearly understands the motives, grounds, conditions, procedure, legal consequences of actions and inaction within the limits of this activity, and is also able to predict the consequences of such activity, correct their actions in a timely manner in connection with changes in normative or factual circumstances of reality, etc. Therefore, without clarifying the purpose of the activity, it is impossible to clearly understand the content of the activity, which reduces its social and legal significanceThe article defines the goal of social protection for judges in Ukraine. In a broader context, the purpose of social protection is to create appropriate conditions for the socially safe existence of individuals, for whom social protection measures are directed. To refine this definition, the author conducts a comprehensive analysis of general approaches (positive, negative, and combined) to understand the concept of “the goal of social protection” and evaluates their advantages and disadvantages. Within the framework of a combined approach, it is argued that the goal of social protection of judges in Ukraine is twofold: firstly, to mitigate or minimize the negative effects of various social risks associated with the work of judges; and secondly, to establish a comprehensive set of socially safe conditions for judges’ (including retired judges) existence that meet standards aligned with their human dignity and are appropriate to the specific nature of their work. The article emphasizes that social protection for judges highlights the primary practical principle that judges (including retired judges and their family members) should feel secure. Consequently, social protection measures that do not aim to restore or maintain an adequate level of social security for these individuals cannot be considered genuine social protection measures. This jeopardizes judges’ independence and autonomy. Moreover, if social protection measures aimed at ensuring social security for judges fail to yield positive outcomes, it suggests the ineffectiveness or inadequacy of such measures. This necessitates a reevaluation and analysis of factors that impede social protection for judges.

Roman history

The figure of the Roman emperor – ubiquitous yet ever-elusive – remains the flame to which Roman historians are ever drawn. And Fergus Millar's The Emperor in the Roman World remains the yardstick against which all subsequent efforts are judged, and with which they are all inevitably in dialogue. That is true too of Caesar Rules, the major new offering from Olivier Hekster, a one-time doctoral student of Millar's, and now one of the leading contenders for his crown. Hekster's core interest is what the emperor was; in particular, how this institution could survive and adapt to changing circumstances despite the fact that formally it did not exist, certainly was not defined, and practically existed in a society antithetical on principle to both monarchy and change. Hekster finds the key for this long-worried lock in ‘the presentation and perception of power’ (10), and in particular the expectations – from all sides, and at all times – that both consolidated and constrained emperors’ authority. To demonstrate this he conceives a largely unprecedented ambition in this context: to consider source material in all media from the late Republic to the reign of Justinian.

Religious Dynamics and Traditional Beliefs in the Ruwat Laut Ritual Amidst the Pandemic Crisis

This article delves into the profound meanings of religious practices and traditional beliefs within the context of the coastal community of Waymuli Village amidst the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Focusing on the Ruwat Laut ritual, this study analyzes how the interaction between traditional beliefs and the official religion, Islam, influences religious practices and the attitudes of the community in confronting global challenges. Through in-depth interviews with customary leaders, village heads, religious educators, farmers, and fishermen, the article reveals shifts in religious practices and the pandemic's impact on ritual implementation. The analysis results demonstrate transformations in traditional belief practices and community adaptations to changing circumstances, including social restrictions and ritual limitations. This article also discusses the factors influencing religious attitudes and practices during a crisis situation. The article's conclusion underscores the importance of gaining a deeper understanding of how communities uphold their beliefs and religious practices when facing modern challenges, while maintaining a balance between tradition and adaptation. This research contributes valuable insights to the study of religious diversity and community adaptation in the face of global crises.

Orthodontic Patients’ Perception of Orthodontic Office Changes during COVID-19 Pandemic in Brazil: A National Cross-Sectional Survey

There is still limited information regarding patients’ perception of the dental approach changes in the pandemic circumstance. Therefore, the aims of this study were, firstly, to evaluate patient perception regarding the COVID-19 infection risk in the orthodontic office in Brazil, and to assess the influence of age in infection risk perception. Orthodontic patients from five states answered an online questionnaire, anonymously, about quarantine behavior, perception of the infection risk in the orthodontic office, as well as the apparent need for the new biosafety approach. Descriptive analyses were performed for each question. Correlations between age and concern of getting infected were calculated with Spearman correlation tests. There were 406 responses. Most patients respected the quarantine, and 93.10% of those who were scheduled for appointments realized that their appointment would be safe enough. From the total, 83.99%, 84.98%, 89.90%, and 95.81% of patients judged, respectively, health status checks by phone, temperature checking, disposable coat, and face shield, as necessary. Only 6.40% reported an increase in the concern of returning to appointments. The younger the patient, the greater the concern of getting infected in future appointments (p = 0.042). Most patients were confident in the professional care before the appointment. The new biosafety approach was well accepted by the majority, with less agreement with temperature checking and the use of disposable coats. The younger the patient, the greater the concern of getting infected in future appointments. The rate of patients with risk factors for COVID-19 was 14.77%.

Mediating Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Associations between Physical Activity and Physical Fitness; Cross-Sectional Study among High School Adolescents.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the imposed social distancing measures caused negative changes in physical activity levels (PALs) and physical fitness (PF) among adolescents, but the potential mediating effect of the pandemic on the association between PAL and PF is unknown. This study aimed to evaluate gender-specific associations between objectively measured PAL and indices of PF among high school adolescents during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic. The participants were 150 adolescents (101 females) aged 14-18 years; their anthropometrics were evaluated, and they were tested on PF (cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF; beep test), power (broad jump), flexibility (sit-and-reach test), and abdominal strength (sit-ups)) and PAL (using a pedometer for 7 days) during the pandemic period. A T-test was calculated to determine differences between genders. Associations between variables were evaluated using Pearson correlations. Additionally, multivariate taxonomic classification was used to sort participants into homogenous groups (clusters) according to their PF, and then analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to differentiate them according to PAL. For the total sample, PAL was correlated with CRF only (R = 0.25, p < 0.05), while gender-stratified correlations showed that PAL was significantly associated with CRF among girls only (R = 0.29, p < 0.05), which was additionally confirmed with multivariate cluster analysis and subsequent ANOVA. No association between PAL and PF was found for boys. The relatively low association between PAL and PF is most likely related to the mediating effect of the change in life circumstances during the COVID-19 pandemic, and limited applicability of pedometers in evaluating high-intensity PAL. Further studies in other age groups and environments are warranted.

Exploring the intricacies of machine learning-based optimization of electric discharge machining on squeeze cast TiB2/AA6061 composites: Insights from morphological, and microstructural aspects in the surface structure analysis of recast layer formation and worn-out analysis

Aluminium (Al) Alloy-6061/TiB2 was developed with Squeeze casting while varying composite quantities with titanium diboride (TiB2). The metallographic structure of the composite was investigated using EDS and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The machining of developed composite is challenging with the conventional methods due to higher tool wear and surface roughness (Ra). This study analyses the output responses, and machinability of TiB2 of 15% volume reinforced AA6061 composites using Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM). The EDM operation variables such as current, pulse on time, and voltage gap were utilized to examine material removal rate (MRR), tool wear rate (TWR) and Ra employing Box–Behnken design of experiments. The MRR, TWR and Ra data acquired from various experiments were optimized considering single and multiple objectives by a hybrid approach. Machine learning (ML) was applied to predict responses using linear regression (LR), decision tree (DT) and random forest (RF). The samples' recast layer was examined using SEM, and the thickness of the recast layer was also documented. The Al6061 alloy's SEM micrographs reveal deep equiaxed dimples on its fracture surface, indicating a high level of plastic deformation before failure. TiB2 is evenly distributed as darker particles in the Al-matrix alloy with no directional-orientation. The Al6061-15 wt% TiB2 composites' fracture surfaces display deep dimples, ductile-fracture for Al6061 alloy due to higher plastic deformation, and cleavage facets in some areas. The aluminum alloy's wear pattern depicts long, extensive ploughing grooves with short cracks parallel to the sliding direction at the grooves' bottom. SEM micrographs in recast-layer formation have reported that molten metal ligaments break into droplets during flushing, exposing fresh surfaces. The aluminum alloy's groove width is larger compared to the composites. Thus, it can be observed that the wear tracks on the base Al6061 alloy are larger and deeper in comparison to the Al- 15 wt% TiB2 surface composites due to the presence of hard TiB2 particles. Also, the recast layer may be advantageous due to its wear-resistant properties. TiB2 has importance in an industry where components slide with each other it is used in disc brakes in automobiles. Compared to industry standards, single-objective optimization considerably enhanced the outcomes: MRR increased by 10.61%, TWR enriched by 25.91%, and Ra increased by 17.60%. According to an ANOVA, peak current contributed 87.88%, 98.18%, and 95.80% respectively to MRR, TWR, and Ra. It is requisite to investigate multi-objective optimization for EDM of Al6061-15 wt% TiB2 composites' owing to the diverse optimal factor combinations for responses. Ra was slightly increased by 1.14% due to simultaneous optimization utilizing hybrid techniques with Equal and Entropy weights, which diminished TWR by 11.74% and increased MRR by 11.66%. ML, particularly DT, improves machining performance by assisting productivity, durability, and cost-efficiency under changeable circumstances and raising forthcoming study possibilities.

Livelihoods and Perceptions of Climate Change among Dairy Farmers in the Andes: Implications for Climate Education

Climate change mainly affects the production and consumption systems associated with food, livelihoods, production (e.g., reduced milk production), water, and land use. The role of local knowledge is recognized as important for decision-making under changing circumstances. This study was conducted in the northern part of the Ecuadorian Andes using a sample of 170 dairy-cattle-farming households. The objectives were to: (i) characterize the rural livelihoods of dairy cattle farmers; (ii) evaluate access to climate information and perceptions of climate change; and (iii) determine the relationship between livelihoods and perceptions of climate change. Significant differences were identified between the groups evaluated in relation to the dairy farmers’ livelihoods. In addition, 85.29% of the respondents indicated that climate information is important, but 67.83% did not trust the sources of information. It was found that there is a significant relationship between the level of education and age with the variables of climate change perceptions. This combined knowledge will allow people to promote agri-environmental and educational policies to achieve climate literacy at a rural level.

Seeking Love and Justice Amid Hong Kong’s Contentious Politics

Hong Kong women activists’ understanding of love and justice has shaped, and been shaped, by their political engagement under changing circumstances through two phases of mass protest: in 2014 and 2019. This article is focused on the sentiments of love and justice and how they evolved over time, from the peaceful protest of the Umbrella Movement in 2014 to the violent confrontations of 2019 in the context of the rise of ethno-nationalism. This shift reflects a changed understanding of justice – revenge against China – and a specific version of passionate love for Hong Kong and protective love for their comrades. Women activists’ experiences offer insights into how a social movement has engaged women’s emotional energies in particular gendered ways, while persistently marginalising gender issues. In the aftermath of the movement, when protest was effectively banned by both COVID-19 restrictions and the 2020 National Security Law, these women’s emotions have found a new object of their fierce love for Hong Kong: the boy band Mirror&lt;i&gt;,&lt;/i&gt; which has come to symbolise Hongkonger pride, belonging and resistance.

Crisis management for Patient Safety Officers: lessons learned from the Covid-19 pandemic

BackgroundThere is no consensus for the role definition for Patient Safety Officers (PSOs) in healthcare during pandemics or other crises as opposed to their routine activities. This study aimed to examine the contribution of personality traits and systemic factors on the performance of PSOs during the pandemic, and to compare these variables during the first and third waves of the Covid-19 pandemic in Israel.MethodsThis cross-sectional study invited 117 PSOs to complete a questionnaire addressing their role during the Covid-19 pandemic. The questionnaire included items concerning: Personal and socio-demographic characteristics; Uncertainty; Personal initiative; Burnout; Professional functioning; Patient Safety and Risk Management policies and practices; Organizational functioning; and Personal Involvement in risk management activities. Qualitative data was collected by two open-ended questions.ResultsA total of 78 PSOs (67%) completed the questionnaire. The results revealed that many PSOs reduced their involvement in risk management processes or even left their position temporarily in order to return to their primary specialization as clinicians. Only 51.3% and 57.7% reported practicing risk management in the first and third waves, respectively. The three main factors that kept PSOs functioning were managerial support, mobilization of their team, and the belief in the importance of their position.ConclusionsA crisis generates uncertainty, a plethora of frequent and urgent tasks, and the need to adapt policy to changing circumstances and to the increased risks. The risk manager must be a member of the crisis management team and participate in every important discussion in order to represent essential staff and patient safety issues and ensure that these are fully addressed already in the early stages of planning.