Concern In Contemporary Society Research Articles

Technology-Facilitated Sexual Violence: Victimization and Risk Factors

Technology-Facilitated Sexual Violence (TFSV) has been a permanent concern in contemporary society. This study aims to provide a global understanding of the TFSV phenomenon in Portuguese context. Using quantitative analyses, the rate and prevalence of victimization, victim characteristics, and technology use were examined. An online questionnaire was completed by 500 people (75.8% female) aged 18–70, mostly cisgender (96.2%), and heterosexual (85.8%). The main results point to a high victimization global rate (72%) as well as in the last 12 months (70.8%). There were no significant differences between the sexes except in sexual aggression/coercion, with more females suffering the more severe type of TFSV. However, the gendering of TFSV emerges with specific behaviors. Females tend to be more sexually harassed, only females report non-consensual sexual experiences with someone they met online, and males tend to report receiving offensive content about their gender/sexuality. Younger people tend to report a higher rate of victimization. The regression model with only victim characteristics is more predictive of TFSV victimization, with younger and heterosexual victims as significant predictors. This study argues that the culture of harassment is deeply rooted and finds an easy way to be disseminated in the digital world.

Bibliometric Evaluation of Work-Life Balance Research Developments from A Global Perspective

Maintaining a healthy work-life balance has emerged as a pressing concern in contemporary society, given the relentless pace of the modern world and the relentless pursuit of career success. This paper employs a bibliometric approach to delve into the landscape of work-life balance research, delving into trends, pivotal themes, and collaboration dynamics among scholars. The methodology hinges on meticulous data collection from esteemed academic databases, followed by comprehensive analysis facilitated by bibliometric software. The findings underscore a burgeoning interest in work-life balance inquiry, underscored by a dual focus on the detrimental repercussions of work-family conflict and the advantageous outcomes of attaining equilibrium. The analysis sheds light on influential authors shaping the discourse, pivotal research themes driving the field forward, and prospective avenues for further exploration. These insights hold significance for academia, industry practitioners, and policymakers alike. By unpacking the implications of this research, organizations, individuals, and society stand to gain. It underscores the imperative of fostering work-life balance not only for individual well-being but also for optimizing organizational effectiveness. Moreover, the paper emphasizes the nuanced interplay between work and personal life, advocating for strategies that facilitate harmony between the two realms. Recognizing the multifaceted nature of work-life balance, it calls for tailored interventions and policies that acknowledge diverse needs and preferences. By fostering an environment conducive to balance, organizations can enhance employee satisfaction, productivity, and retention rates. Simultaneously, individuals can lead more fulfilling lives characterized by holistic well-being and fulfillment across various domains. In essence, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of work-life balance dynamics, offering actionable insights for stakeholders across different spheres.

OurSCARA: Awareness-Based Recommendation Services for Sustainable Tourism

Sustainable tourism has emerged as a critical concern in contemporary society due to its potential to mitigate negative environmental and socio-cultural impacts associated with traditional tourism practices. In this context, recommendation systems (RS) are crucial in shaping travelers’ choices toward sustainable options. This research article proposes an innovative approach to RS tailored for sustainable tourism, termed Sustainability and Cultural Awareness-based Recommendation Algorithm (OurSCARA). OurSCARA integrates awareness of environmental and socio-cultural factors (sustainability attributes) into the recommendation process to facilitate informed decision-making by travelers. The system leverages data analytics techniques, including sentiment analysis, user profiling, and collaborative filtering (CF), to personalize recommendations based on users’ preferences, sustainability preferences, and contextual factors. Furthermore, OurSCARA incorporates real-time data sources such as weather conditions, local events, and community initiatives to enhance the relevance and timeliness of recommendations. A prototype implementation of OurSCARA is presented, along with a comprehensive evaluation framework to assess its effectiveness in promoting sustainable tourism behaviors. Through empirical evaluation using datasets collected from TripAdivsor, we demonstrate the potential of OurSCARA to influence traveler behavior towards more sustainable choices while enhancing their overall tourism experience. The findings underscore the significance of integrating sustainability considerations into RS and pave the way for future research and development in this emerging area at the intersection of computer science and sustainable tourism.

Advancements in Fatigue Detection: Integrating fNIRS and Non-Voluntary Attention Brain Function Experiments.

Driving fatigue is a significant concern in contemporary society, contributing to a considerable number of traffic accidents annually. This study explores novel methods for fatigue detection, aiming to enhance driving safety. This study utilizes electroencephalography (EEG) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to monitor driver fatigue during simulated driving experiments lasting up to 7 h. Analysis reveals a significant correlation between behavioral data and hemodynamic changes in the prefrontal lobe, particularly around the 4 h mark, indicating a critical period for driver performance decline. Despite a small participant cohort, the study's outcomes align closely with established fatigue standards for drivers. By integrating fNIRS into non-voluntary attention brain function experiments, this research demonstrates promising efficacy in accurately detecting driving fatigue. These findings offer insights into fatigue dynamics and have implications for shaping effective safety measures and policies in various industrial settings.

Exploring Key Barriers of HACCP Certification Adoption in the Meat Industry: A Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory Approach.

Food safety management represents an important concern in contemporary society. The Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) system is a crucial tool for meat producers, preventing and controlling major food safety concerns in the process. This research investigates key barriers to HACCP implementation in the meat industry, employing the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) model to identify and categorize these obstacles. Using the insights of 18 experts, a cause-and-effect relationship diagram is generated through which twelve barriers are categorized in terms of their cause and effect and then analyzed. Threshold value is calculated as 0.299. The findings reveal poor management as the primary impediment, followed by challenges in training, knowledge, and dedication. Categorizing the barriers into four groups emphasizes the critical role of effective management and human resources. The study contributes valuable insights to food safety management literature, serving as a practical resource for industry practitioners. Despite limitations in relying on expert opinions and the industry-specific focus, the research lays a foundation for informed decision-making, stressing the importance of effective management in successful HACCP implementation. Future research directions include diversifying geographical representation, exploring practical solutions, and integrating emerging technologies for a better understanding of HACCP adoption challenges.

The Loneliness Epidemic: Exploring Its Impact on Mental Health and Social Well-Being in Modern Society

The Loneliness Epidemic has emerged as a pressing concern in contemporary society, profoundly influencing mental health and social well-being. Through an extensive examination of existing research and scholarly discourse, this review aims to deepen understanding of the psychological, emotional, and social dimensions of loneliness in modern society. By synthesizing findings from diverse sources, this review seeks to inform future research directions, intervention strategies, and policy initiatives aimed at addressing the loneliness epidemic and promoting mental well-being and social resilience in modern society.

Unveiling the Environmental Impact of Corporate Greenwashing

Corporate greenwashing, the deceptive practice of portraying a company's operations as environmentally friendly when they are not, has become a significant concern in contemporary society. This article delves into the ramifications of greenwashing on the environment. It examines how greenwashing tactics employed by corporations can mislead consumers and regulators, ultimately undermining genuine efforts to mitigate environmental degradation. Through a comprehensive analysis of case studies and scholarly research, this article sheds light on the detrimental effects of greenwashing on various aspects of the environment, including biodiversity, climate change, and resource depletion. Furthermore, it discusses the role of stakeholders, such as consumers, investors, and government bodies, in combating greenwashing and promoting corporate transparency and accountability. By understanding the true impact of greenwashing, stakeholders can make informed decisions to support genuinely sustainable practices and drive positive environmental change.

Long-range temporal correlations in resting state alpha oscillations in major depressive disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Mental disorders are a significant concern in contemporary society, with a pressing need to identify biological markers. Long-range temporal correlations (LRTC) of brain rhythms have been widespread in clinical cohort studies, especially in major depressive disorder (MDD). However, research on LRTC in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is severely limited. Given the high co-occurrence of OCD and MDD, we conducted a comparative LRTC investigation. We assumed that the LRTC patterns will allow us to compare measures of brain cortical balance of excitation and inhibition in OCD and MDD, which will be useful in the area of differential diagnosis. In this study, we used the 64-channel resting state EEG of 29 MDD participants, 26 OCD participants, and a control group of 37 volunteers. Detrended fluctuation analyzes was used to assess LRTC. Our results indicate that all scaling exponents of the three subject groups exhibited persistent LRTC of EEG oscillations. There was a tendency for LRTC to be higher in disorders than in controls, but statistically significant differences were found between the OCD and control groups in the entire frontal and left parietal occipital areas, and between the MDD and OCD groups in the middle and right frontal areas. We believe that these results indicate abnormalities in the inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitter systems, predominantly affecting areas related to executive functions.

Predicting stress levels using physiological data: Real-time stress prediction models utilizing wearable devices.

Stress has emerged as a prominent and multifaceted health concern in contemporary society, manifesting detrimental effects on individuals' physical and mental health and well-being. The ability to accurately predict stress levels in real time holds significant promise for facilitating timely interventions and personalized stress management strategies. The increasing incidence of stress-related physical and mental health issues highlights the importance of thoroughly understanding stress prediction mechanisms. Given that stress is a contributing factor to a wide array of mental and physical health problems, objectively assessing stress is crucial for behavioral and physiological studies. While numerous studies have assessed stress levels in controlled environments, the objective evaluation of stress in everyday settings still needs to be explored, primarily due to contextual factors and limitations in self-report adherence. This short review explored the emerging field of real-time stress prediction, focusing on utilizing physiological data collected by wearable devices. Stress was examined from a comprehensive standpoint, acknowledging its effects on both physical and mental well-being. The review synthesized existing research on the development and application of stress prediction models, underscoring advancements, challenges, and future directions in this rapidly evolving domain. Emphasis was placed on examining and critically evaluating the existing research and literature on stress prediction, physiological data analysis, and wearable devices for stress monitoring. The synthesis of findings aimed to contribute to a better understanding of the potential of wearable technology in objectively assessing and predicting stress levels in real time, thereby informing the design of effective interventions and personalized stress management approaches.

Novel Technological Approaches in Waste Management for Environmental Conservation and Resource Recovery

Efficient waste management has emerged as a critical concern in contemporary society due to its direct impact on environmental sustainability and resource availability. This research delves into innovative technological approaches aimed at revolutionizing waste management practices to mitigate environmental degradation while maximizing resource recovery. The study explores cutting-edge methodologies encompassing waste sorting, recycling, composting, and novel waste-to-energy conversion systems. Additionally, it investigates the integration of artificial intelligence, robotics, and sensor technologies to enhance waste processing efficiency and optimize resource utilization. The overarching goal is to outline a comprehensive framework for sustainable waste management, emphasizing environmental conservation and the circular economy principles. Through this exploration, this research aims to offer insights into the development and implementation of advanced engineering solutions for a greener and more sustainable future. KEYWORDS: Waste Management, Environmental Conservation, Resource Recovery, Recycling Technologies, Waste-to-Energy, Circular Economy, Sustainability

Social Media and Depression - A Review

The relationship between social media usage and depression has been a subject of increasing concern in contemporary society. While social media platforms offer a powerful means of connectivity and information sharing, studies have suggested a complex interplay between excessive social media use and mental health, particularly depression.

Early diagnosis and prognosis of MINOCA by CMR

Cardiovascular disease is a prevalent health concern in contemporary society. Numerous studies have indicated that certain individuals with myocardial infarction may not obtain symptoms of coronary obstruction in coronary angiography. As a result, there is a growing interest in exploring the evaluation of myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA). This article focuses on the application of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) in the diagnosis and prognosis of MINOCA. In conjunction with the pathological characteristics of MINOCA and the imaging principles underlying CMR technology, this article investigates the role of CMR in the clinical practice of MINOCA. CMR is a valuable technique employed for studying multiple aspects of the heart, including morphology, function, organization and perfusion. By applying diverse parameters and sequences, this non-invasive imaging method emerges as an essential tool for clinical diagnosis and prognosis of various cardiovascular diseases. MINOCA is characterized by insufficient blood supply to the coronary arteries or direct myocardium dysfunction with non-ST-segment elevation and normal or less than 50% stenosis in angiography. The aetiology of MINOCA encompasses a wide range of factors, while the application of CMR shows ability to enhance the diagnostic sensitivity of MINOCA, enabling better identification of the underlying cause of the symptoms and facilitating a personalized prognosis for patients.

The Effect of COVID-19 on Chinas Real Estate Market via Different Angles

The trend of the real estate industry has become a hot topic of concern in contemporary society, and some studies have shown that after the epidemic, real estate has been conducted. The profitability of enterprises has declined significantly since there are many different opinions. This article aims to find the reasons from the three different perspectives of home buyers, housing enterprises, and governments based on the feature analysis method. The trend analysis method investigates the sales and pending sales of real estate products in the country. According to the analysis, real estate has indeed been on a downward spiral in recent years. The buyer does not have sufficient funds to buy a house. The cash flow of housing enterprises is also extremely tight, and in the year of the outbreak of the new crown epidemic, the volume of sales almost fell exponentially. Governments also need to continue to issue policies in a changing economic environment spectator control. In summary, China's real estate is still full of difficulties. These results shed light on guiding further exploration of real estate market.

Teaching Biodiversity: Towards a Sustainable and Engaged Education

The preservation of biodiversity has become a major concern in contemporary society. It is essential to understand teachers’ representations of biodiversity to effectively guide educational efforts because of the significant role of education in raising awareness and promoting sustainable behavior. Through a survey of a sample of 118 teachers, we adopted a mixed-method approach combining both a closed questionnaire and interviews. We used these methods to explore teachers’ representations of the concept of biodiversity as an integral part of the school curriculum, as well as to gather their views on certain features of its teaching. The results state that the majority of teachers perceive biodiversity as a whole and in its most complex relationships. During their professional experience, they have developed a biocentric and anthropocentric conception of biodiversity. This study provides valuable information to guide future pedagogical practices and educational policies in sustainable education.

The impact of acute weight loss following bariatric surgery on Eustachian tube function.

Obesity has emerged as a pressing concern in contemporary society, prompting an increase in bariatric surgery (BS) procedures for severe obesity management. Post-bariatric weight loss might cause complications, such as a reduction in the soft tissue surrounding the Eustachian tube, potentially affecting its function. This cohort prospective study, conducted between May and December 2022, aimed to assess the impact of post-bariatric acute weight loss on Eustachian tube function. A total of 54 cases of bariatric surgery and 157 control subjects were included in the study. Data on socio-demographics, weight, and the type of bariatric surgery were collected for the study group. ET function was assessed using the Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire (ETDQ-7). Approximately 55% of the participants fell within the age range of 18-25 years, with the majority (91.4%) having not undergone bariatric surgery. Conversely, participants who underwent BS were significantly more prevalent in the older age groups, specifically those over 50, between 40-50, and 31-40 years (p<0.001). Our sample consisted of 82.5% females and 17.5% males, with BS being significantly more common among male subjects (45.9%) compared to females (21.3%) (p=0.002). The mean total ETDQ-7 in control subjects was significantly higher (11.29±5.49) compared to those who had BS (9.11±4.09). Moreover, when comparing the ETDQ-7 between subjects who had BS and the control group, no statistically significant differences were observed in the total ETDQ-7 score and across all seven items within the ETDQ-7. Based on these findings, bariatric surgery did not have a major effect on ET function.

The Role of Passion in the Attainment of Teachers’ Job Satisfaction in Public Secondary Schools in the South West and Littoral Regions of Cameroon

Teachers’ job satisfaction has continued to be a call for concern in contemporary society and lack of passion is allege to be responsible for this situation. This study investigated the role of passion in the attainment of teachers’ job satisfaction. One research question guided the study. The correlational research design was used to determine the relationship between the two variables. The targeted population of the composed of 22,133 teachers and 904 principals from 904 schools. The sample constituted 379 respondents derived through the purposive and convenient sampling techniques. The instruments for data collection composed of structured questionnaire and an interview guide. Quantitative data were analyzed using the frequencies percentages mean and standard deviation while qualitative data were analyzed using the thematic analysis approach. Findings revealed that there exist a correlation between teachers’ passion and job satisfaction. Based on the findings, the study recommended that the government should promote teachers’ passion by adequately addressing teachers’ financial concerns because inadequate remuneration accounted for teacher’s inability to sustain their passion in teaching leading to low job satisfaction.

A federated learning based approach for predicting landslide displacement considering data security

Homeland security is an important concern in contemporary society. National mega strategic engineering areas and other key regions, characterized by the presence of high mountains and valleys, are prone to various geological hazards, including landslides. Therefore, the timely geological hazard prediction and forecasting are required, and local data security protection is also crucial. To address the aforementioned problems, a landslide displacement prediction method based on federated learning which can protect data security is proposed in this paper and validated in the Three Gorges Project area. The essential idea is to employ the federated learning approach to enable the joint training of deep learning models for landslide displacement prediction without exchanging data. The proposed method (1) trains each landslide displacement prediction model locally without data exchange, ensuring geospatial data security, and (2) improves the accuracy of landslide displacement prediction in most cases, protecting people’s lives and properties. The proposed method has the potential to improve the prediction and forecasting of geological hazards in other key areas, thereby protecting people’s lives and properties while ensuring national homeland security.

Empowering Single Parents: Navigating Socio-Economic Challenges and Fostering Resilience in Family Well-being

Single-parent households represent a diverse and growing family structure in contemporary society, often facing unique socio-economic challenges. This research seeks to comprehensively examine the role of single parents in meeting the socio-economic needs of their families, with a particular focus on the well-being of both parents and children. Through a mixed-methods approach encompassing quantitative surveys, qualitative interviews, and an extensive review of existing literature, this study aims to provide a nuanced understanding of the complexities and resilience demonstrated by single-parent households. Our findings reveal that single parents employ a variety of coping strategies, including meticulous financial planning, seeking education and job opportunities, and building robust support networks. These strategies are essential in navigating the financial stress, time constraints, and emotional strain often associated with single parenthood. Moreover, children in single-parent households often exhibit resilience through adaptive thinking, effective emotion regulation, and seeking support from trusted adults. Quantitative analyses indicate that academic achievement and reported stress levels in single-parent households may differ slightly from those in two-parent households. However, it is essential to consider that these outcomes are influenced by numerous factors beyond household structure, including income levels and parental involvement. Furthermore, our research underscores the significance of accessible support systems, including government assistance programs, community organizations, and family networks, in alleviating these challenges. In light of these findings, this research proposes a series of policy changes and interventions aimed at improving the socio-economic well-being of single-parent households. These include strengthening child support enforcement, expanding access to affordable childcare, increasing investments in affordable housing, and enhancing education and job training programs tailored to single parents' unique needs. In conclusion, the socio-economic well-being of single-parent households is a multifaceted and vital concern in contemporary society. By recognizing the diverse strengths and challenges these families face and implementing inclusive policies and support systems, we can empower single parents and their children to thrive. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of single-parent dynamics and resilience while offering actionable recommendations to enhance their socio-economic prospects and foster a more inclusive future for all families.

A New AI-Based Semantic Cyber Intelligence Agent

The surge in cybercrime has emerged as a pressing concern in contemporary society due to its far-reaching financial, social, and psychological repercussions on individuals. Beyond inflicting monetary losses, cyber-attacks exert adverse effects on the social fabric and psychological well-being of the affected individuals. In order to mitigate the deleterious consequences of cyber threats, adoption of an intelligent agent-based solution to enhance the speed and comprehensiveness of cyber intelligence is advocated. In this paper, a novel cyber intelligence solution is proposed, employing four semantic agents that interact autonomously to acquire crucial cyber intelligence pertaining to any given country. The solution leverages a combination of techniques, including a convolutional neural network (CNN), sentiment analysis, exponential smoothing, latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA), term frequency-inverse document frequency (TF-IDF), Porter stemming, and others, to analyse data from both social media and web sources. The proposed method underwent evaluation from 13 October 2022 to 6 April 2023, utilizing a dataset comprising 37,386 tweets generated by 30,706 users across 54 languages. To address non-English content, a total of 8199 HTTP requests were made to facilitate translation. Additionally, the system processed 238,220 cyber threat data from the web. Within a remarkably brief duration of 6 s, the system autonomously generated a comprehensive cyber intelligence report encompassing 7 critical dimensions of cyber intelligence for countries such as Russia, Ukraine, China, Iran, India, and Australia.

Differentiating Scientific Inquiry and Politics

AbstractProtecting science from politicization is an ongoing concern in contemporary society. Yet some political influences on science (e.g., setting public funding amounts) are fully legitimate. We need to have a clear account of when a political influence is politicization (an illegitimate political influence) in order to properly detect and address the problem. I argue in this paper that understanding how the space of scientific inquiry is distinctive from democratic politics can be the basis for defining politicization. Similarities between inquiry and democratic politics have long been noted, but there are important differences as well. I describe four norms that are importantly distinct for inquiry when compared with democratic politics, even if they can be seen as roughly similar. Although there are parallels between democratic political norms and norms for scientific inquiry, there are crucial differences as well. Eliding these differences creates politicization of inquiry. Even as we understand scientific inquiry as pursued within society and responsible to society, we pursue it in a distinctive space, guided by distinctive norms and practices.