Contextual Dimensions Research Articles

Brazil nut journey under future climate change in Amazon.

Climate change is among the principal threats to global terrestrial biodiversity, especially to megadiverse ecosystems such as the Amazon rainforest. In this study, we investigate how it could affect an iconic forest species-Bertholletia excelsa-(the Brazil nut) which has values in multiple dimensions in an Amazonian context. We used an ensemble from various distribution modeling methods designed for four different climate scenarios from CMIP6 by the end of the century. Then, we simulate how spatial dynamics under climate change, including explicitly dispersal events, can affect the persistence, colonization, and potential extinction of Bertholletia excelsa in the future. Our results show that by the end of the century there would be a generalized loss of suitability on the Amazon biome, regardless of the climate scenario evaluated, which could promote a significant loss (up to 94%) of the area available for the species via extinction. Our results also show that, in the future, the species would colonize higher altitudes in search of favorable conditions for its survival. Finally, we detected that areas that had previously become unsuitable because of climate change would have favorable conditions by the end of the century. Such an outcome could be useful in fostering an active restoration agenda that can mitigate the negative effects of climate change on species in this study.

Context-Aware Recommender Systems: Exploring the Role of Time, Location, and Social Influence in Personalized Recommendations

Recommender systems have become a cornerstone of personalized user experiences across various domains, from e-commerce to entertainment. While traditional models focus on user-item interactions, they often overlook critical contextual information that could significantly enhance prediction accuracy. In this paper, we explore the concept of context-aware recommender systems, which integrate temporal, geospatial, and social context to improve recommendation quality. Temporal context considers factors such as time of day, seasonality, or the user's activity history, while geospatial context leverages the user's location or proximity to items, enhancing the relevance of recommendations. Additionally, social context incorporates user interactions with social networks or communities, enriching the understanding of preferences through peer influence and shared interests. We examine various techniques for incorporating these contexts into recommendation algorithms, including hybrid models, deep learning approaches, and context-sensitive matrix factorization. Furthermore, we address the challenges in balancing the complexity of these models with the need for real-time recommendations and scalability. Finally, we present empirical evaluations on real-world datasets, demonstrating that context-aware models significantly outperform traditional recommender systems in terms of prediction accuracy, diversity, and user satisfaction. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive framework for developing context-aware recommender systems and outline key areas for future research, such as integrating emerging contextual dimensions like sentiment and emotional state.

AmbiBias Contrast: Enhancing debiasing networks via disentangled space from ambiguity-bias clusters

The goal of debiasing in classification tasks is to train models to be less sensitive to correlations between a sample’s target attribution and periodically occurring contextual attributes to achieve accurate classification. A prevalent method involves applying re-weighing techniques to lower the weight of bias-aligned samples that contribute to bias, thereby focusing the training on bias-conflicting samples that deviate from the bias patterns. Our empirical analysis indicates that this approach is effective in datasets where bias-conflicting samples constitute a minority compared to bias-aligned samples, yet its effectiveness diminishes in datasets with similar proportions of both. This ineffectiveness in varied dataset compositions suggests that the traditional method cannot be practical in diverse environments as it overlooks the dynamic nature of dataset-induced biases. To address this issue, we introduce a contrastive approach named “AmbiBias Contrast”, which is robust across various dataset compositions. This method accounts for “ambiguity bias”— the variable nature of bias elements across datasets, which cannot be clearly defined. Given the challenge of defining bias due to the fluctuating compositions of datasets, we designed a method of representation learning that accommodates this ambiguity. Our experiments across a range of and dataset configurations verify the robustness of our method, delivering state-of-the-art performance.

Leveraging social capital for digital transformation: The role of ambidexterity and familial orientation

In pursuing competitive advantage, businesses are diffusing new digital technologies across their value chains and, by doing so, catalyzing significant organizational changes in operational processes and strategic approaches. This widespread evolution of businesses has prompted significant questions regarding the drivers of digital change, the necessary resources, and the capabilities that need to be developed or reconfigured. Our paper focuses on the role of intangible resources, such as a firm's social capital, and its specific implications for the broader research on this phenomenon. Consistent with the resource-based view, we examine the role of different types of social capital as critical resources in the digital transformation process while also considering the mediating role of the balancing act of the capabilities around business alignment and adaptation encompassed in the concept of ambidexterity. Furthermore, we introduce a contextual dimension to our study by examining family involvement in a firm as a significant factor influencing how businesses shape their digital goals and allocate resources toward digital transformation. Our paper addresses this under-explored research field by drawing on a large, cross-sectional dataset from an online panel study with 582 management-level participants from UK firms. After testing our hypotheses, our study's results indicate that bridging and bonding social capital resources significantly promote digital transformation by indirectly developing an ambidextrous orientation. Moreover, familial orientation strengthens both relationships. This research is currently one of the few studies providing empirical evidence on the relationship between digital transformation, its antecedents, and, specifically, the role of intangible resources.

Unveiling the Dynamic Mechanisms of Generative AI in English Language Learning: A Hybrid Study Based on fsQCA and System Dynamics

The burgeoning development of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) has unleashed transformative potential in reshaping English language education. However, the complex interplay of learner, technology, pedagogy, and contextual factors that shape the effectiveness of GenAI-assisted language learning remains underexplored. This study employed a novel mixed-methods approach, integrating qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) and system dynamics (SD) modeling, to unravel the multi-dimensional, dynamic mechanisms underlying the impact of GenAI on English learning outcomes in higher education. Leveraging a sample of 33 English classes at the Harbin Institute of Technology, the QCA results revealed four distinct configurational paths to high and low learning effectiveness, highlighting the necessary and sufficient conditions for optimal GenAI integration. The SD simulation further captured the emergent, nonlinear feedback processes among learner attributes, human–computer interaction, pedagogical practices, and ethical considerations, shedding light on the temporal evolution of the GenAI-empowered language-learning ecosystem. The findings contribute to the theoretical advancement of intelligent language education by constructing an integrative framework encompassing learner, technology, pedagogy, and context dimensions. Practical implications are generated to guide the responsible design, implementation, and optimization of GenAI in English language education, paving the way for learner-centric, adaptive learning experiences in the intelligence era.

Exploring the key drivers of inter-organizational knowledge transfer in projects: evidence from international construction projects

PurposeDespite the knowledge transfer in project contexts which has been extensively studied by scholars, the study on inter-organizational knowledge transfer in international construction projects is still scattered and unsystematic. This research aims to explore the key factors influencing inter-organizational knowledge transfer of international construction projects and analyze how these factors interact to create a synthetic framework that enhances the effectiveness of knowledge transfer (EKT).Design/methodology/approachAt first, eight factors influencing inter-organizational knowledge transfer within international construction projects were identified, which were from the four dimensions of subject, relationship, channel and context, namely cultural distance, connection strength, organizational climate, intercultural competence, information technology capability, transmit willingness, receive willingness and richness of transfer channels. Then, a conceptual model was developed and 13 hypotheses were formulated, which were derived from a literature review and in-depth survey. After that, data from 353 respondents were collected and analyzed, and the hypotheses were tested by structural equation modeling analysis and bootstrapping test.FindingsThe results suggest that cultural distance hinders transfer willingness, which further affects EKT. Connection strength affects EKT by positively influencing transfer willingness and channel. Besides, organizational climate and intercultural competence positively influence transfer willingness and further affect EKT, while information technology capability affects the richness of transfer channels.Originality/valueThis research gives a thorough examination of the determinants influencing inter-organizational knowledge transfer of international construction projects, thus formulating available approaches that project managers and personnel can employ to effectively facilitate EKT.

Exploring Implementation of Reasonable Adjustments in Hospitals for People With Intellectual Disability: Using a Realist Lens.

To explore the factors influencing the implementation of reasonable adjustments in hospitals for people with intellectual disability: using a realist lens. A qualitative study using a realist lens. Data collection involved one focus group interview and three semi-structured interviews with healthcare professionals working in hospital or community settings in September 2023. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis and findings were mapped to the Context and Implementation of Complex Interventions (CICI) framework across the dimension's context, implementation and setting. Healthcare professionals support the provision of reasonable adjustments in acute hospitals as a person-centred approach to caring for people with intellectual disability. While reasonable adjustments are evident in practice, they are mostly individual-level cases with little evidence of strategic system-level implementation. The factors influencing the implementation of reasonable adjustments in practice were conceptualised using the CICI framework. Context factors spanned the domains of epidemiological (e.g., ageing population), socio-cultural (e.g., historical healthcare), political (e.g., lack of integrated care pathways) and ethical (e.g., provision of person-centred care). Implementation factors spanned the domains of strategies (e.g., leadership strategies), agents (e.g., liaison and advocacy roles) and outcomes (e.g., individual-level reasonable adjustments). The setting for the complex intervention was the acute hospital. System-level indicators for successful implementation include intellectual disability specific policies/procedures for integrated care pathways, education and awareness training for hospital staff, and leadership strategies such as the development of liaison nursing roles and the appropriate allocation of physical and human resources. A radical change is needed where implementation of reasonable adjustments in acute hospitals are broadened beyond isolated individual-level cases to system-level healthcare. This research highlights the importance of exploring the integrated dimensions of context, implementation and setting in complex interventions such as reasonable adjustments and sets foundation for further implementation research in this area. Reasonable adjustments at the system-level within acute hospitals would promote person-centred care and help address the inequities and health disparities experienced by people with intellectual disability. This research uses a realist lens to explore the factors influencing the implementation of reasonable adjustments in acute hospitals for people with intellectual disability. The factors influencing the implementation of reasonable adjustments in practice were conceptualised using the CICI framework across the dimensions of context (domains epidemiological, socio-cultural, political and ethical), implementation (domains strategies, agents and outcomes) and setting. System-level indicators for successful implementation include intellectual disability specific policies/procedures for integrated care pathways, education and awareness training for hospital staff, and leadership strategies such as the development of liaison nursing roles and the appropriate allocation of physical and human resources. This research highlights the importance of exploring the integrated dimensions of context, implementation and setting of complex interventions such as reasonable adjustments and sets a foundation for further implementation research in this area. This research adhered to the Equator research reporting guideline: standards for reporting qualitative research. A parent of a child with intellectual disability was involved in the conduct of this research, specifically in the design, data collection and preparation of the manuscript.

An Echo State Network-Based Light Framework for Online Anomaly Detection: An Approach to Using AI at the Edge

Production efficiency is used to determine the best conditions for manufacturing goods at the lowest possible unit cost. When achieved, production efficiency leads to increased revenues for the manufacturer, enhanced employee safety, and a satisfied customer base. Production efficiency not only measures the amount of resources that are needed for production but also considers the productivity levels and the state of the production lines. In this context, online anomaly detection (AD) is an important tool for maintaining the reliability of the production ecosystem. With advancements in artificial intelligence and the growing significance of identifying and mitigating anomalies across different fields, approaches based on artificial neural networks facilitate the recognition of intricate types of anomalies by taking into account both temporal and contextual attributes. In this paper, a lightweight framework based on the Echo State Network (ESN) model running at the edge is introduced for online AD. Compared to other AD methods, such as Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), it achieves superior precision, accuracy, and recall metrics while reducing training time, CO2 emissions, and the need for high computational resources. The preliminary evaluation of the proposed solution was conducted using a low-resource computing device at the edge of the real production machine through an Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) smart meter module. The machine used to test the proposed solution was provided by the Italian company SIFIM Srl, which manufactures filter mats for industrial kitchens. Experimental results demonstrate the feasibility of developing an AD method that achieves high accuracy, with the ESN-based framework reaching 85% compared to 80.88% for the LSTM-based model. Furthermore, this method requires minimal hardware resources, with a training time of 9.5 s compared to 2.100 s for the other model.

Aligning Greece’s Regulatory Governance With International Transformative Principles and Objectives: The Case of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Abstract The article highlights the importance that the international dimension of the regulatory context of draft legislation acquires for the drafting of effective regulation. It attempts to demonstrate the added value that the integrated incorporation of fundamental regulatory principles and objectives derived from influential global regulatory texts enjoying full acceptance, like the UN Resolution on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, brings to a country’s regulatory governance. From an empirical perspective, the article focuses on a thorough analysis of the degree to which Greece’s law-making process is interconnected and aligned with core regulatory principles of the 2030 Agenda, such as the principle of policy coherence, the evidence-based principle, and the principle of inclusion. It examines the key instruments, procedures, and ways in which these principles are appropriately mainstreamed into the Greek legislative process and the institutional and policy framework of the Government on which its legislative interventions are founded. As a case study, the alignment and coherence of the provisions of a specific law pertaining to tourism development with the overarching regulatory principles of the UN 2030 Agenda are examined. Τhe concluding part presents some proposals that could contribute to improving the way the SDGs are effectively mainstreamed into Greece’s legislative process.

Linking organizational cronyism, time theft and nurse's proactive behavior: an evidence from public sector hospitals of Pakistan.

The main objective of this study was to understand why employees engage in time theft behavior and what is the behavioral consequence of this deviant behavior. To do this, the conservation of resources theory helps to examine the role of organizational cronyism behind employee time theft behavior and decreased proactive behavior. A three-wave self-administered employee survey was used for data collection. The data were collected through an adopted questionnaire from nurses working in the public sector hospitals of Pakistan. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze data collected from 256 respondents. The results of this three-wave study supported the hypotheses which are: (1) Organizational cronyism positively predicts employee involvement in time theft behavior. (2) Employee time theft behavior negatively impacts their proactive behavior. (3) Organizational cronyism is detrimental to employee proactive behavior. (4) The relationship between organizational cronyism and proactive behavior is mediated by time theft. In the presence of organizational cronyism, employees use time theft as a dysfunctional coping strategy to conserve their valued resources rather than allowing the organization to consume them. Organizational leaders of public sector hospitals must promote merit-based HRM practices to discourage time theft behavior as well as to improve the proactive performances of the nurses. This study is one of the initial attempts to extend the scant literature on the antecedents and consequences of time theft behavior and its dimensions in the South Asian context.

Dimensions of community context that affect coalition effectiveness: development of an instrument

ABSTRACT This study investigates the role of multidimensional contextual factors on the perceived effectiveness of community coalitions engaged in the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) for addressing substance misuse. We introduced and validated an instrument for assessing a broad range of contextual factors for coalition development and program implementation. This research also scrutinizes how contextual factors impact coalition effectiveness, considering internal capacity indicators as mediators. Data were sourced from 295 and 297 coalition members across 2015 and 2016, respectively, involved in SPF initiatives within a northeastern state in the United States. Our analysis identifies three critical dimensions of contextual factors – collaboration and resources, politics, and demographics and norms – that significantly affect the perceived management and program effectiveness through different mechanisms. The findings underline the importance of prevention coalitions to comprehensively assess community contexts and strategically address contextual challenges to enhance their impact on substance misuse prevention.

Characteristics of Curious Minds: Evidence from Interviews with Renowned Experts in Five Curiosity-Dominant Fields

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 50 renowned experts from five curiosity-dominant professional fields (scientists, inventors (high-tech entrepreneurs), artists, explorers, and therapeutic professionals). The five-dimensional curiosity framework proposed by Kashdan and colleagues (comprising joyous discovery, deprivation sensitivity, social curiosity, stress (uncertainty) tolerance, and thrill-seeking) was adopted. The purpose was to explore nuances of curiosity manifestations expressed by the subjects in their own words and related personality and contextual attributes. A directed approach to content analysis was applied to code the interview data; qualitative methods were employed for data analysis, complemented by quantitative ones. Insights gained from the findings regarding the curiosity construct, focusing on differences among the groups in regard to aspects of social curiosity and effects of uncertainty tolerance and thrill-thinking, were discussed, followed by implications for cultivating curious minds.

Attribution of environmental outcomes to climate change: Perceptions of coastal communities in the Caribbean

Attribution of environmental outcomes to climate change is a live debate in scholarly and policy circles. Non-scientific attribution by the lay public has value for enriching the discourse, engagements, and decisions on loss and damage, adaptation and mitigation, communication strategies, and the science-policy interface from local to international levels. There is a need for context-specific studies on perceived climate attribution by the lay public. Unlike the few previous studies that focused on attribution of extreme events to climate change by the lay public, the current paper assessed the key compositional and contextual factors that influence the attribution of environmental outcomes with slow onset to climate change. This study surveyed 441 households in eight small coastal communities in three Caribbean countries and applied a generalized linear regression model with a complementary log-log link to assess the relationship between compositional and contextual factors that influence perceived linkage between climate change and environmental outcome. At the bivariate level, the results showed that ethnicity, marital status, household head highest education, household income, and community of living were significant predictors of the likelihood of the perceived linkage between climate change and worsening environmental outcome. At the multivariate level, when all factors have been accounted for, we found that respondents with higher education were 160% more likely to indicate that climate change has adverse effects on environmental outcomes. Respondents with 10 or more years of experience in their present occupation were 73% more likely to suggest a linkage between climate change and worse environmental outcomes. Other strong predictors included income, ethnicity and community of residence. The perceived relationship between climate change and environmental outcomes differed systematically based on the compositional and contextual attributes of respondents. Several significant relationships at the bivariate level persisted at the multivariate level, indicating that the perceived linkages are robust and entrenched. It is concluded that there are heterogeneities in the perceived relationship between climate change and environmental outcomes based on the compositional and contextual factors of the households. Higher education and longer experience in the same occupation contribute significantly to climate attribution by the lay public.

Rural transformation and sustainable livelihood approaches under regional environmental policies: Evidence from two villages in the Yangtze River Delta metropolitan region, China

AbstractHasty and often uncontrolled urbanization and industrialization in metropolitan regions have pressured fragile rural ecosystems and large‐scale rural livelihoods in China. Through in‐depth observation and face‐to‐face interviews with key insiders in the villages of China's largest metropolitan region, the Yangtze River Delta, findings show that environmental policies in this region have profoundly influenced the local institutional processes and rural transformation. Through the lens of a modified sustainable livelihoods approach (MSLA), two institutional processes in formulating livelihoods strategies have stood out from case villages—state sponsorship exemplified by Yu village and grassroots entrepreneurship exemplified by Daxi village—and achieved sustainable livelihood outcomes in both collective level and household level. In particular, state‐sponsored development in Yu village was strongly supported by local leadership and trust between local cadres and villagers. In contrast, grassroots entrepreneurial development in Daxi village emphasized rural entrepreneurs' self‐learning and self‐governance capacities. As such, we argue that making sustainable livelihood strategies is not a unidirectional process like top‐down or bottom‐up, albeit multifaceted alternatives intertwined with dynamic institutional processes for collectives and households in rural areas. Ultimately, we call for more vivid and in‐depth case studies to nuance regional geography and its contextual attributes in further sustainable livelihood research in rural areas.

Tactical analysis of direct attack from the English Premier League and Spanish La Liga.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of tactical and contextual dimensions on the offensive performance, in terms of degree of penetration or creation of goal scoring opportunities (GSO), of direct attacks in the English Premier League (EPL) and Spanish La Liga. In total, 10,078 team possessions from 40 random La Liga and EPL matches were initially selected. From that, 2,384 possessions categorized as open play direct attacks were selected for analysis, including a first univariate binary regression analysis and a further construction of adjusted binary multivariate logistic regression models. Four independent tactical dimensions ("Initial zone," "Initial opponent position," "Initial opponent pressure," and "Width of the possession") and four independent contextual dimensions ("Match location," "Match status," "Quality of opponent," and "Quality of the observed team") were initially analyzed to predict penetration performance on one hand and scoring opportunity performance on the other hand. The results showed that the distribution of the type of attacks was different in La Liga and EPL (χ 2 = 11.015, p = 0.001), but direct attacks were not different in La Liga and EPL in terms of performance. Three of the four tactical dimensions ("Initial zone," "Initial opponent position," and "Width of the possession") showed association with "Penetration performance" (p < 0.01), while only "Width of the possession" showed association with "Scoring opportunity performance" (p < 0.01). Two of the four contextual dimensions ("Match status" and "Quality of observed team") showed association with "Penetration performance" (p < 0.05), while none of them showed association with "Scoring opportunity performance." In conclusion, direct attacks are frequent in EPL and La Liga but very ineffective offensively in terms of creation of goal scoring opportunities. The tactical dimensions that explain a higher effectiveness in terms of getting penetrative performance are vertical progression through the field, attacking against a defensive low-block, as well as starting the team possessions from the defensive zones instead of middle zones, while the only tactical dimension that explains higher performance in creating GSOs is vertical progression. Contextual dimensions, such as "Match status" and "Team level," also influence the offensive penetration performance during direct attacks but not GSO performance.

Factors Influencing the Quality of Life in Rural Populations in Colombia: A Theoretical Review

The quality of life of rural populations in Colombia is affected by various problems, including poor living conditions related to limited access to basic services, education, health and economic opportunities. Thus, the purpose of this study is to identify the most impacted dimensions in these rural contexts and to formulate guidelines to address the difficulties faced by their inhabitants. Methodologically, the research is framed within the qualitative paradigm, with a descriptive scope and is based on a review of existing academic literature. The findings emerging from the literature review show that the most affected dimensions are access to public services, infrastructure, employment and education, which has a direct impact on the general welfare of rural communities. It is concluded that there is a need to implement public policies that promote the integral development of these areas, improving their infrastructure, strengthening access to basic services and promoting educational and economic strategies that favor a better standard of living in rural areas of Colombia.

EVALUATION OF PROBLEMS ARISING IN EMERGENCY SERVICES FROM THE PERSPECTIVES OF MEDICAL and CRIMINAL LAW: THE EXAMPLE OF “TÜRKİYE"

IntroductionIn recent years, the field of medical malpractice has attracted growing attention, and despite the long history of research in this area, there are still unexplored aspects of this phenomenon. In this article, we aimed to explore the realm of medical malpractice, focusing on cases involving healthcare professionals in emergency services in Türkiye. It examines the surge in medical malpractice lawsuits, the consequences of such cases, and the prevalence of criminal liability faced by healthcare professionals. Material and methodA comprehensive analysis of healthcare-related cases from 2017 to 2022 was carried out using the electronic decision database known as "LEGALBANK". We scrutinized these cases from both medical and criminal law perspectives, aiming to shed light on the complex dynamics of medical malpractice in emergency services. ResultsThe findings reveal that professionals in emergency services are confronted with a notable number of criminal cases. Among these cases, doctors are the most frequently implicated, followed by nurses, midwives, ambulance drivers, and other healthcare professionals. Crimes attributed to these professionals vary but primarily include involuntary manslaughter, misuse of public duty, forgery of documents, and reckless injury. DiscussionIn Türkiye, there is a notable prevalence of examinations conducted in emergency services and criminal cases involving healthcare professionals in this field. This dual prominence underscores the unique significance of examining medical malpractice from both criminal law and medical perspectives within the Turkish context. This study categorizes the multifaceted challenges of medical malpractice as personal, system-related, and legal, offering valuable insights into the intricate landscape of this phenomenon in Türkiye's emergency services. ConclusionThis research contributes to a deeper understanding of medical malpractice, particularly its criminal dimensions in the Turkish context, and calls for improved healthcare, enhanced patient safety, and error prevention in emergency settings.

Behavioral separation of liking and wanting in response to olfactory and visual food cues

In real-world settings, food rewards are processed in parallel across several sensory modalities, but paradigms that compare contributions of different modalities are lacking. While odor perception in particular is frequently implicated in appetite regulation, the mechanisms by which food odors differentially evoke experiences of wanting and liking remain poorly understood. This study addressed this gap by dissociating liking from wanting responses for olfactory stimuli, and establishing commonalities and differences relative to the visual modality. In two separate experiments, participants (n1=37, n2=43) rated content-matched batteries of odors and pictures, respectively, for their ability to elicit pleasure (liking) and the desire to eat (wanting). A third experiment (n3=39) utilized a combined olfactory-visual paradigm to test the separation of these dimensions in a multisensory context. Our results show that participants differentiated clearly and reliably between liking and wanting for both odors and pictures, as demonstrated by a high difference score between the two in non-food (high liking, low wanting), but not in food (both high) or disgusting stimuli (both low), and high within-session retest reliability. Higher variability for olfactory relative to visual assessments was observed and likely reflects well-established difficulties with odor object identification. Taken together, our study demonstrates that olfactory stimuli can be used in experimental settings to evoke separable experiences of liking and wanting for food and non-food stimuli. Manipulating these components independently across sensory modalities in experimental studies could generate novel insights into how olfactory and visual cues differentially contribute to anticipatory and consummatory food reward processing, in healthy and disordered eating.

Qualitative study on information, trust in and access to COVID-19 vaccines among adolescents at a healthcare center in Buenos Aires.

Introduction. During adolescence, individuals start to make autonomous decisions about their health. Vaccination involves contextual, group, and vaccine-specific dimensions. We sought to know the information, trust, and decision to receive the COVID-19 vaccine among adolescents who attended a healthcare center in Buenos Aires. Objectives. To identify settings and channels through which adolescents accessed information about the COVID-19 vaccine at a healthcare center in Buenos Aires. To describe their opinions about the different statements on vaccination. To describe their participation in COVID-19 vaccination. To identify barriers and facilitators to COVID-19 vaccination in this population. Population and methods. Qualitative study. Semi-structured interviews with adolescents who attended this healthcare facility. The sample was heterogeneous; the sample size was estimated by theoretical saturation. A thematic analysis of data was done. Results. A total of 14 interviews were conducted. Interviewees obtained information about the COVID-19 vaccine from their families, TV, and social media. All received information from both official campaigns and anti-vaccine communications. They analyzed the information they received and formed their own opinion. Their decision about the vaccine was not always respected. Hesitancy, a low perception of risk, fear of needles, administrative and geographic barriers were reasons for not receiving the vaccine. Conclusions. Communication strategies targeted at adolescents are required that encourage their involvement in access to vaccination.

Balenciaga's Statement on the Ads Campaign Controversy: Critical Discourse Analysis

This study aims to explore and analyze Balenciaga brand statements that are sought to assist in responding after controversy suspected regarding Balenciaga for their choice for adoption of pornography and child exploitation principles. This study applies the qualitative descriptive approach using the theory of critical discourse analysis by Teun A. van Dijk (1993) comprising the dimension of text, social cognition and social context accompanied by Balenciaga’s defensive strategies that emerged from Hood (2011) blame theory. Data were gathered from the social media narrative of Balenciaga official Instagram account. From the results, there were four strategies that Balenciaga employed in using blame-avoiding strategy of image repair which are accepting, downplaying, shifting, and denying.