Changing Role Research Articles

Examining the need for organisational learning and entrepreneurialism to meet the changing roles and expectations of rural and agricultural shows in the UK

Rural and Agricultural Shows are rich in tradition but their role in the rural economy is evolving. The effective closure of the sector in the UK in 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic led us to examine how rural Shows would re-emerge, as well as how subsequent economic challenges are influencing the future of Shows. The research draws on interviews with Show organisers and conversations with exhibitors while attending live events. Collectively, this has revealed the Shows have accelerated their digitalisation but also that the physical meeting space is critical to their social function. The research identified new expectations from exhibitors who have discovered alternative routes to market, including online, that are competing with the traditional Show space. Forward-thinking Show organisers are identifying methods to tap into these new online markets and offer complementary value to their exhibitors but those who closed for the duration of the pandemic are finding that they are now having to adapt more quickly to the changes that have occurred.

The changing role of Gulf-based non-state actors in foreign aid

This article examines how non-state actors in Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have engaged in foreign aid historically and against the backdrop of tightening national regulations in each of the four countries. While scholarship has focused on state-linked development funds and aid modalities, the analysis explores the spaces within which Gulf-based non-state actors have operated. The September 11 attacks in 2001 and the Arab Spring upheaval in 2011 altered the parameters of these spaces in country-distinct ways. An opening section differentiates among the types of non-state actors, including charities, humanitarian and other forms of foundations, and private fundraising at individual and communal levels. A second section explores the degree to which non-state actors have the capability to act autonomously from state interests and objectives or whether they have been instrumentalised as tools to increase the legitimacy and effectiveness of state policies. Such an approach can bring pushback, and a third section examines pushback and the ways in which both states and the various non-state groups have evolved over the past two decades. The article ends by asking how generalisable the experience of Gulf-based non-state actors is, given the distinctive political economy within which they have operated.

Temporal elevation of blood pressure is associated with increased risk of sudden cardiac arrest

Hypertension is a known risk factor for sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). However, the role of temporal changes in blood pressure on the risk of SCA is not fully understood. This study was conducted to determine whether a temporal increase or decrease in blood pressure is associated with the risk of SCA. This study was based on nationwide healthcare insurance data. Individuals who underwent nationwide health check-ups in 2009 and 2011 were analyzed. A total of 2,801,153 individuals were evaluated for 8100 SCA events during the 17, 740, 420 person-years of follow-up. In a multivariate analysis, there were linear association between the degree of temporal elevation of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and the risk of SCA: (i) adjusted-hazard ratio (HR) 1.11 (p = 0.001) in 10 ≤ ΔSBP < 20 (mmHg) group; (ii) adjusted-HR 1.40 (p < 0.001) in 20 ≤ ΔSBP < 40 group; and (iii) adjusted-HR 1.88 (p < 0.001) in 40 ≤ ΔSBP group as compared with the reference group (− 10 ≤ ΔSBP < 10). Temporal increase in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) also a showed significant association with SCA risk with the highest risk observed in ∆DBP ≥ 25 group (adjusted-HR 1.61; p < 0.001) as compared with the reference group (− 5 ≤ ΔDBP < 5). The association between SBP and SCA was not affected by age, sex, presence of diabetes mellitus, or baseline SBP. In conclusion, a temporal increase in blood pressure was significantly associated with the occurrence of SCA, and this association was consistent across all subgroups. However, a temporary decrease in blood pressure does not reduce the risk of SCA. Prevention of elevated blood pressure may play an important role in preventing SCA.

Nurse Managers' Professional Quality of Life During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Health systems cannot effectively support nurse managers without understanding psychosocial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of this study was to describe the professional quality of life of frontline nursing management during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional online survey of 54 nurses in management positions at a large Midwest academic medical center during 2022 was conducted. Participants completed an electronic survey including demographics, Professional Quality of Life Measure Version 5, and items assessing past consideration of and future intent to leave their position, organization, or profession. Most participants had previously considered changing roles (80%) or leaving the organization during the pandemic (76%). Fewer respondents reported that changing role (24%) or organization (20%) was likely during the upcoming 6-12 months. Most participants scored in moderate ranges of Compassion Satisfaction, Burnout, and Secondary Traumatic Stress scales (85%, 89%, and 74%, respectively). Higher Compassion Satisfaction was associated with extreme unlikelihood of leaving for an internal non-management role. Higher Burnout scores were associated with more time working and past consideration or future likelihood of leaving for an external non-nursing position. Secondary Traumatic Stress scores were higher for nurse managers and house operation managers than assistant nurse managers and associated with past consideration of moving to an internal non-management role or external non-nursing position and future likelihood of moving to an external non-nursing position. Nurse management occupies a demanding position between frontline staff needs and administrative requirements, profoundly impacted by COVID-19. Health care researchers, administration, and policymakers must learn how to support, retain, and sustain nursing management in a post-pandemic world.

Foreign trade, foreign direct investment, and urban inequality: The effects of China

ABSTRACT The concentration of population and socioeconomic activities in large cities in developing countries has sparked broad concerns regarding inequality in national urban systems (NUS). This paper examines how Chinese foreign trade and overseas foreign direct investment (OFDI) affected host countries’ NUS from 2000 to 2018. Chinese foreign trade reduced NUS inequality, particularly countries with more cultural distance from China, while OFDI increased NUS inequality only in mineral-rich countries. For Asian Belt and Road countries (BRCs), Chinese foreign trade reduced NUS inequality, especially those with greater institutional distance to China and more government intervention. Chinese OFDI plays the opposite effect, notably for high government intervention countries. Globally, roles of foreign trade and OFDI change with resource endowments and cultural distance, while for Asian BRCs, these roles change with institutional distance and government intervention. This paper bridges gaps in the effects of Chinese foreign trade and OFDI on NUS inequality.

The impact of mean sea level rise on the oceanic water exchange of a back-reef lagoon

The potential impact of the future mean sea level rise (SLR) on residence times in back-reef lagoons remains uncertain. This study employs a hydrodynamical model and a tracer model to investigate the repercussions of SLR on residence times. Two scenarios are considered: one with a growing fringing reef, maintaining a semi-closed lagoon, and the other where the fringing reef overflows due to SLR, facilitating direct cross-reef ocean water exchange. The results reveal a nuanced picture of how SLR-induced changes in fringing reef dynamics influence residence times. In the growing reef scenario, where the lagoon remains semi-closed, a decrease in residence time of less than 10% is projected under SLR scenarios. However, in the non-growing scenario with overflow, allowing direct cross-reef exchange, a substantial 20%–40% decrease in residence time compared to the present state is observed. The probability density distribution of residence times throughout the year exhibits significant differences between the two scenarios. Particularly, the non-growing reef case displays a higher probability of residence time less than 10 h. Seasonal variability in cross-reef exchange contributions is attributed to coastal monsoon winds. The onset of the summer monsoon introduces an inter-annual variability in the contribution of cross-reef exchange to lagoon-ocean water exchange. This finding has broader implications for similar coastal back-reef lagoon systems, offering insights into estimating future global changes in residence times. In summary, this study emphasises the pivotal role of SLR-induced reef changes in shaping the dynamics of lagoon-ocean water exchange. The intricate interplay between fringing reef growth and overflow under SLR scenarios significantly influences residence times, with potential implications for the broader understanding of coastal back-reef lagoon systems. The findings contribute valuable insights into the complex interactions between climate-induced sea level changes and coastal ecosystems, guiding future assessments of global residence time variations.

Climate change quadruples flood‐causing extreme monsoon rainfall events in Bangladesh and northeast India

Bangladesh and northeast India are the most densely populated regions in the world where severe floods as a result of extreme rainfall events kill hundreds of people and cause socio‐economic losses regularly. Owing to local high topography, the moisture‐carrying monsoon winds converge near southeast Bangladesh (SEB) and northeast Bangladesh and India (NEBI), which produces significant extreme rainfall events from May to October. Using observed data, we find an increasing trend of 1‐day extreme event (150 mmday) frequency during 1950–2021. The extreme rainfall events quadrupled over western Meghalaya (affecting NEBI) and coastal SEB during this period. Composite analysis indicates that warm Bay of Bengal sea‐surface temperature intensifies the lower tropospheric moisture transport and flux through the low‐level jet (LLJ) to inland, where mountain‐forced moisture converges and precipitates as rainfall during extreme events. To understand the role of climate change, we use high‐resolution downscaled models from Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 6 (CMIP6). We find that the monsoon extreme event increase is ongoing and the region of quadrupled events further extends over the NEBI and SEB in the future (2050–2079) compared with historical simulations (1950–1979). A quadrupling of the intense daily moisture transport episodes due to increased LLJ instability, a northward shift of LLJ, and increased moisture contribute to the increased future extreme events. This dynamic process causes moisture to be transported to the NEBI from the southern Bay of Bengal, and the local thermodynamic response to climate change contributes to the increased extreme rainfall events. The CMIP6 projection indicates that more devastating flood‐causing extreme rainfall events will become more frequent in the future.

Social and Intellectual History of Santri In Indonesia

This research explores the social and intellectual history of Santri in Indonesia as an integral part of the country’s religious and cultural life. This research seeks to reveal the role of Santri in shaping the social dynamics of society, as well as to understand their intellectual contributions to social change in Indonesia from pre-independence to the present day. The research method involves the analysis of historical documents and literature studies to compile a comprehensive narrative of the social and intellectual journey of santri. In this context, the role of the santri, the madrasah, and the pesantren as traditional centers of education that play a vital role in the spread of Islam and the formation of the santri character is analyzed. This research shows that Santri has a dual role as an agent of social and intellectual transformation. The findings of this study are expected to provide in-depth insights into the dynamics of santri in social and intellectual aspects, their role in social change, and the intellectual impact that has been generated. Along with the times, understanding the social and intellectual history of Santri is expected to contribute positively to Indonesian society’s understanding of cultural and religious diversity.

HIV programme sustainability inSouthern andEastern Africa andthe changing role ofexternal assistance forhealth.

High human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-prevalence countries in Southern and Eastern Africa continue to receive substantial external assistance (EA) for HIV programming, yet countries are at risk of transitioning out of HIV aid without achieving epidemic control. We sought to address two questions: (1) to what extent has HIV EA in the region been programmed and delivered in a way that supports long-term sustainability and (2) how should development agencies change operational approaches to support long-term, sustainable HIV control? We conducted 20 semi-structured key informant interviews with global and country-level respondents coupled with an analysis of Global Fund budget data for Malawi, Uganda, and Zambia (from 2017 until the present). We assessed EA practice along six dimensions of sustainability, namely financial, epidemiological, programmatic, rights-based, structural and political sustainability. Our respondents described HIV systems' vulnerability to donor departure, as well as how development partner priorities and practices have created challenges to promoting long-term HIV control. The challenges exacerbated by EA patterns include an emphasis on treatment over prevention, limiting effects on new infection rates; resistance to service integration driven in part by 'winners' under current EA patterns and challenges in ensuring coverage for marginalized populations; persistent structural barriers to effectively serving key populations and limited capacity among organizations best positioned to respond to community needs; and the need for advocacy given the erosion of political commitment by the long-term and substantive nature of HIV EA. Our recommendations include developing a robust investment case for primary prevention, providing operational support for integration processes, investing in local organizations and addressing issues of political will. While strategies must be locally crafted, our paper provides initial suggestions for how EA partners could change operational approaches to support long-term HIV control and the achievement of universal health coverage.

The Effect of Clinical Examination and Kennedy Classification on the Design of Removable Partial Dentures

The success of RPDS* depends greatly on it's design, (which means acrylic, ch-co**, and fixed).But unfortunately many dentists delegate their responsibility of RPDS design to the dental technician for one reason or another, this study was done to confirm the effect of kennedy classification and clinical examination on the RPD design, and to identify the changes between design of group (A) dental technician and group (B) the dentists, and to be solved in future.The result show 36% of the cases were modified and changed according to the cases related variables this high and significant number of modification reinforces the position that RPD design should be decided and guided by the dentists. The study conducted the effects of kennedy classification and clinical examination on the RPD design by comparing between designs group of Dental technician without clinical examination and designs marked by the dentists after providing the clinical examination, the change of design was clearly proved that the clinical examination played a very important role in changi ng the RPD designs.

Integrative analysis identifies gene signatures mediating the effect of DNA methylation on asthma severity and lung function

DNA methylation (DNAm) changes play a key role in regulating gene expression in asthma. To investigate the role of epigenetics and transcriptomics change in asthma, we used publicly available DNAm (asthmatics, n = 96 and controls, n = 46) and gene expression (asthmatics, n = 79 and controls, n = 39) data derived from bronchial epithelial cells (BECs). We performed differential methylation/expression and weighted co-methylation/co-expression network analyses to identify co-methylated and co-expressed modules associated with asthma severity and lung function. For subjects with both DNAm and gene expression data (asthmatics, n = 79 and controls, n = 39), machine-learning technique was used to prioritize CpGs and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) for asthma risk prediction, and mediation analysis was used to uncover DEGs that mediate the effect of DNAm on asthma severity and lung function in BECs. Finally, we validated CpGs and their associated DEGs and the asthma risk prediction model in airway epithelial cells (AECs) dataset. The asthma risk prediction model based on 18 CpGs and 28 DEGs showed high accuracy in both the discovery BEC dataset with area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) = 0.99 and the validation AEC dataset (AUC = 0.82). Genes in the three co-methylated and six co-expressed modules were enriched in multiple pathways including WNT/beta-catenin signaling and notch signaling. Moreover, we identified 35 CpGs correlated with DEGs in BECs, of which 17 CpGs including cg01975495 (SERPINE1), cg10528482 (SLC9A3), cg25477769 (HNF1A) and cg26639146 (CD9), cg17945560 (TINAGL1) and cg10290200 (FLNC) were replicated in AECs. These DEGs mediate the association between DNAm and asthma severity and lung function. Overall, our study investigated the role of DNAm and gene expression change in asthma and provided an insight into the mechanisms underlying the effects of DNA methylation on asthma, asthma severity and lung function.

Roles of changes in land weathering intensity in the Nd cycle of the South China Sea during the past 30 kyr as inferred from neodymium isotopic composition in foraminifera

Neodymium isotopic compositions (εNd) in the marginal sea is influenced by the ocean circulations as well as the lithogenic input from continents, but their relative contributions and the impact of detrital sediments are not well constrained. In this study, Nd isotopic compositions of mixed planktonic foraminifera species and carbonate-free fraction of sediment from two cores collected at 1250–1350 m water depth in the southwestern (core MD01–2393) and northeastern (core MD18–3569) South China Sea (SCS) have been investigated in order to constrain the relative contributions of lithogenic Nd inputs from large Asian rivers and hydrological variations at intermediate depth in the SCS. The foraminiferal εNd values of both cores (−7.3 ± 0.2 to −5.8 ± 0.2 for core MD18–3569 and − 8.1 ± 0.2 to −7.2 ± 0.2 for core MD01–2393) indicate strong modifications of the initial εNd of the North Pacific Intermediate Water (NPIW) (εNd of −4) flowing into the SCS by unradiogenic sediments (−13 to −11) from large Asian rivers. The foraminiferal εNd record of core MD01–2393 displays significantly unradiogenic values from 18 to 8 cal kyr BP which are associated with intensification of monsoon rainfall and river input of detrital material characterized by strongly altered minerals (high illite chemical index and kaolinite/illite ratio) deriving from tropical plain soils of the Mekong River basin. We suggest here that pedogenetic minerals from tropical plain soils are more efficient in terms of Nd exchange with the seawater than primary minerals produced by intense physical erosion during the glacial period. In contrast, the foraminiferal εNd record for the northern core MD18–3569 is characterized by radiogenic εNd values from 18 to 12 cal kyr BP; these values have been linked to an increased intrusion of radiogenic glacial NPIW to the northern SCS and greater ventilation of water masses (deduced from Δ14C) in the northern deep basin of the SCS compared to the southern one. This time interval is associated with newly formed NPIW in the subarctic Pacific Ocean beginning at about 18 cal kyr BP. Overall, our results indicate that the state of chemical weathering of sediment delivered by rivers is the main factor controlling the detrital modification of past seawater εNd distributions in the marginal sea of the SCS.

Analysis of Factors That Contribute To The Effectiveness of The Program for Increasing The Role of Women Towards a Healthy and Prosperous Family

One of the efforts to strengthen the role of women in the family context to improve overall family health and welfare is the Increasing the Role of Women towards a Healthy and Prosperous Family program. After one year, an analysis was carried out to find out what factors affect the effectiveness of this program. Specifically examine the influence of participation factors in programs, education, training, access to resources, culture and norms on increasing the role of women in the family and further on family welfare. Also culture and norms as moderator variables for the influence between changes in roles in the family on family well-being. Respondents were program participants, and were immediately interviewed for filling out questionnaires, which were processed with PLS Smart4 Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) statistics. The findings of this study are that participation factors in programs, education, training, access to resources to change the role of women in the family play a role in the effectiveness of family welfare programs. Culture and norms proved to be moderator variables for the influence of changing roles in the family on family well-being. Meanwhile, culture and norms are not moderator variables for the influence of participant participation in programs and training education held on participants' access to resources. With this, it can be understood what factors need to be done to be fostered and improved, so as to accelerate the success process of the program to increase the role of women towards a healthy and prosperous family in Indonesia.

Aerosol optical and radiative characteristics under contrasting pollution conditions in a typical urban valley in Northwestern China

Aerosol optical and radiative properties play a key role in climate change. Precisely pinpointing the optical and radiative properties of various types of aerosols during diverse pollution events in urban settings remains a challenge. In this study, aerosol optical and radiative properties under contrasting pollution conditions were investigated, including dusty, haze, fireworks, and clean days, in a typical urban valley in Northwestern China, based on observations from the Sun-Sky photometers and simulations from libRadtran. The results show that on dusty days aerosols have high absorption and low backscattering, while on haze days they are characterized by fine, absorptive organic aerosol particles with pronounced forward scattering in the ultraviolet and visible spectra. On fireworks days during Chinese New Year (CNY), fine-mode aerosols from fireworks dominate, with the highest scattering and the lowest absorption under the four pollution conditions, and the particle peak radius growth responds rapidly to changes in relative humidity. Aerosols generally cause Earth's surface cooling and atmospheric warming across various pollution conditions. Notably, dusty days, clean days, and haze days all exhibit a lower positive aerosol radiative forcing (ARF) in the ultraviolet (UV) spectrum at the top of the atmosphere (TOA) due to lower single-scattering albedo (SSA). In contrast, CNY uniquely displays negative UV_ARF at TOA, attributed to high-SSA non-absorptive particles. Aerosols on dusty days have higher positive radiative forcing than on haze days, emphasizing the absorptive impact of mixed dust aerosols. These findings provide valuable insights into the behavior of aerosols under various pollution conditions in a typical urban valley, contributing to a better understanding of the environmental effects of various aerosols in arid urban regions.

Unveiling the microfoundations of philanthropic foundations: A call for comprehensive research of people and practices

AbstractFocusing on the governance and leadership of philanthropic foundations has never been more important. In today's world, where societal changes are happening rapidly, and there is greater scrutiny of people and practices, it is crucial to go beyond viewing foundations solely as organizational entities. This response to the original paper highlights the unique independence of foundations and identifies the significant research gap in understanding their internal dynamics. To comprehend individual‐level decisions' impact on organizations, this response suggests adopting a microfoundations view. As part of this view, research should consider the variety of roles that influence foundations far beyond governance and internal leadership and how practices need to be both aspirational and implementable. Future research is urged to adopt an interest in the depth of foundations and their breadth across contexts and jurisdictions to generate a more nuanced and holistic understanding of these unique organizations and their roles in social change.

Changes in Intestinal Flora and Serum Metabolites Pre- and Post-Antitumor Drug Therapy in Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

this study aimed to identify the relationships between gut microbiota, metabolism, and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment outcomes, which are presently unclear. in this single-center prospective cohort study, we investigated changes in the gut microbiota and serum metabolite profile in 60 patients with NSCLC after four cycles of anticancer therapy. The microbial landscape of the gut exhibited a surge in Proteobacteria and Verrucomicrobiota populations, alongside a decline in Firmicutes, Actinobacteriota, and Bacteroidota. Furthermore, a significant shift in the prevalence of certain bacterial genera was noted, with an increase in Escherichia/Shigella and Klebsiella, contrasted by a reduction in Bifidobacterium. Metabolomic analysis uncovered significant changes in lipid abundances, with certain metabolic pathways markedly altered post-treatment. Correlation assessments identified strong links between certain gut microbial genera and serum metabolite concentrations. Despite these findings, a subgroup analysis delineating patient responses to therapy revealed no significant shifts in the gut microbiome's composition after four cycles of treatment. This study emphasizes the critical role of gut microbiota changes in NSCLC patients during anticancer treatment. These insights pave the way for managing treatment complications and inform future research to improve patient care by understanding and addressing these microbiota changes.

Job polarisation in Italy: routinisation and structural change?

ABSTRACT Notwithstanding evidence on job polarisation in Italy, to date, studies have not investigated the role of structural change in explaining shrinking routine employment. Over the period 2004–2019, despite the structural change pattern of employment featured by the pronounced contraction of the most routine-intensive sector – i.e., manufacturing – declining routine employment emerges as a more generalised phenomenon involving all sectors, regardless of specialisation in routine-cognitive or routine-manual jobs. Province-level routine-tasks specialisation increases employment in low-skill occupations in six out of eight broad industries, while only 20 percent of the total contraction in routine employment is attributable to between-industry shifts.

Role of Serial change in Serum Procalcitonin Levels as a Marker to Predict 28th Day Mortality in Patients with Sepsis and Septic Shock

Objectives Worldwide, the estimated incidence of sepsis is &gt;30 million cases every year with approximately 6 million deaths annually. Studies have shown that procalcitonin can be a reliable marker for diagnosis and predicting mortality in sepsis patients. In this study, we have tried to determine the role of serial changes in procalcitonin levels in predicting 28th day mortality in patients with sepsis and septic shock. Methods A prospective observational study was conducted at ABVIMS and Dr RML Hospital from 1st November 2017 to 31st March 2019. Adults who were diagnosed with sepsis or septic shock and admitted to ICU, emergency or ward of the hospital were included. Sample for procalcitonin was taken at admission (day-1), and on day-5. Patients were followed telephonically to record final outcome at 28 days. Results Fifty-seven patients were enrolled in the study. 35(61.4%) patients had sepsis and 22 (38.6%) were in septic shock. 10 (17.54%) patients died over a period of 28 days follow up. The level of serum procalcitonin on day-1 was significantly higher in non survivors as compared to survivors (7.66±2.07 vs. 5.78±2.48, p-value-0.029). Percentage change in procalcitonin (ΔPCT) from day 1 to day 5 was significantly low among non survivors as compared to survivors (29.94 ± 38.29 vs 70.33±34.56, p- value-0.006). Of 10 patient who died, 8(32%) had ≤80% decrease in (ΔPCT) and only 2 (6.25%) had &gt;80%decrease in (ΔPCT) (p= 0.016). SOFA, q-SOFA and serum lactate were significantly higher among non survivors and were also significant in predicting mortality on univariate analysis. But multivariate analysis showed that only (ΔPCT) had significant correlation with mortality (OR: 0.972, p=0.022) and hence can hence can be used as an independent marker of mortality in sepsis patient. Conclusion This study determined that more than baseline values of procalcitonin, the change in serial procalcitonin (ΔPCT) was significant in predicting mortality in patients with sepsis and septic shock.

The Neurovascular Unit as a Locus of Injury in Low-Level Blast-Induced Neurotrauma.

Blast-induced neurotrauma has received much attention over the past decade. Vascular injury occurs early following blast exposure. Indeed, in animal models that approximate human mild traumatic brain injury or subclinical blast exposure, vascular pathology can occur in the presence of a normal neuropil, suggesting that the vasculature is particularly vulnerable. Brain endothelial cells and their supporting glial and neuronal elements constitute a neurovascular unit (NVU). Blast injury disrupts gliovascular and neurovascular connections in addition to damaging endothelial cells, basal laminae, smooth muscle cells, and pericytes as well as causing extracellular matrix reorganization. Perivascular pathology becomes associated with phospho-tau accumulation and chronic perivascular inflammation. Disruption of the NVU should impact activity-dependent regulation of cerebral blood flow, blood-brain barrier permeability, and glymphatic flow. Here, we review work in an animal model of low-level blast injury that we have been studying for over a decade. We review work supporting the NVU as a locus of low-level blast injury. We integrate our findings with those from other laboratories studying similar models that collectively suggest that damage to astrocytes and other perivascular cells as well as chronic immune activation play a role in the persistent neurobehavioral changes that follow blast injury.

Student intentions to continue with distance learning post-COVID: An empirical analysis.

The aftermath of COVID changed how students learn, mainly moving to a distance learning model. The research reported in this paper investigated the organizational and individual factors that influence the preference for continuing with distance / online learning post-COVID. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was applied to a model developed for this research, based on data from 452 students from residential universities in South Africa. The key results reveal an overall reluctance to continue with distance learning. This is despite the technological and faculty support offered to university students and how distance learning fits their learning styles. This is likely due to student living conditions and their perception of low institutional concern. On the other hand, faculty support has a more substantial impact on continuance, compared with a generally negative perception of support from the universities. The research underscores the importance of addressing student reluctance to continue with distance learning by improving institutional support and tailoring learning styles. The research enhances our understanding of crucial factors influencing students' preference for distance/online learning post-COVID. It also underscores the pedagogical shifts brought about by the pandemic, particularly highlighting the changing roles of faculty support and the impact on students' living conditions.