High Level Of Participation Research Articles

Developing of Construction Permit Application System by Adopting Agile Methodology

Agile methodology is one of the most widely used methodologies in software development in many agencies and organizations thanks to its quick response to user’s needs and feedback and high level of user participation in the development process. This research aimed to develop a construction permit application system to enhance local governmental organizations’ efficiency in providing services to residents by applying Agile methodology and assessing user satisfaction with the system efficiency. The system was developed in the form of a responsive web application. The research was carried out in 2 parts: 1) System development by applying Agile methodology, and 2) Measuring user satisfaction in the efficiency of construction permit application system using black-box testing with a 5-point scale rating and applying descriptive statistics, namely average and standard deviation. The results from the research indicated that user satisfaction with the efficiency of the construction permit application system by adopting Agile methodology was at a very high level, scoring an average of 4.55 and a standard deviation of 0.57. The developed system using Agile led to the practical construction permit application system, which effectively met user’s needs. The system also met the standard criteria, which include the ability to operate according to functionalities designed, user-friendliness, system performance, and satisfaction with security features. Moreover, the system development using Agile also provided quick responses to user needs and thorough, continuous engagements from all users in operations management. This would aid in developing a system that met the users needs and truly addressed current challenges.

Cabrio Teams, Primary Care for Homeless People In Belgium- Limburg

Cabrio aims to prevent homelessness with a cross-sector, multidisciplinary and autonomous team that establishes contact with homeless people in their living environment in an outreach manner, offers customized support and connects to social facilities. The team aims to help homeless people in finding sustainable housing. In the Belgian province of Limburg there are 3 Cabrio teams that serve 5 local authorities. The welfare organisation CAW Limburg coordinates the 3 Cabrio teams.
 Cabrio is active within the framework that is offered by the Flemish Action Plan to combat homelessness 2020-2024.
 https://www.departementwvg.be/welzijn-en-samenleving/welzijnswerk/dak-en-thuisloosheid 
 Objectives: 
 •Making contact in the social environment of homeless people and building a close relationship with homeless people.
 •Offer support in various life domains and realize a connection with services (network). Guarantee continuity in care.
 •Strengthening the personal network of clients.
 •Working on sustainable housing with social and other housing services.
 •Working on connection through small-scale projects with a high level of participation of the target group. This is part of the socialization of care.
 •Signalling structural barriers to local policy makers. 
 Methodical framework: Cabrio works in an outreaching and multidisciplinary way and uses methods from addiction care, counselling for people with psychological vulnerability and welfare work. Cabrio works from a shared vision of homelessness.
 Outreach work: Counsellors contact clients in the public space, at their home or in the semi-public space (e.g. institution, facility) with a participative basic attitude. They focus on making a connection with 'distrustful' clients
 Multidisciplinary work: To aim for care continuity the Cabrio team brings together different disciplines: general social work (CAW Limburg), addiction care (ZorGGroepZin), psychiatric home care (Beschut Wonen, Mobiel Herstelteam Psychiatrie), special youth care (CANO Pieter Simenon), outreach work (straathoekwerk).
 •Expertise of supervisors is shared in the Cabrio team.
 •Different perspectives and different expertise provides customized guidance.
 •The collaboration and sharing of expertise strengthens the communication and trust between the client and the team and improves the follow-up of specific cases.
 •Supervisors acquire new insights and methods in guiding homeless people to their own work setting.
 Special methods: Harm reduction (or harm-limiting work), motivational interviewing, circle of behaviour change Prochaska and Diclemente, making quarters, guideline for dealing with ethical dilemmas, Housing First.
 1.4.Registration by the Local Homeless Consultation
 The local authorities organize a Local Homeless Consultation (LDO) in which various welfare organizations participate that have contacts with homeless people through their daily practice. The LDO has 3 tasks: 
 •Making an inventory of homeless people in the work area.
 •Coordinating which service/counsellor takes care of the specific client.
 •Tackling signals or structural barriers.
 The LDO refers to the Cabrio team if the client:
 •Does not have stable housing (see Ethos).
 •Scores bad on several life domains and struggles with special problems (e.g. addiction, psychological vulnerability, medical problems, ...)
 •Has a disrupted personal network or does not have or has a few contacts with care services (also called care avoiders).

Relational neurostrategy

PurposeNeurostrategy is an abductive decision-making process developed from the knowledge generated within the network of decision-makers. It links cognitive style with the team's decisional adaptability in relation to the organization's purpose. Neurostrategy differs from traditional methods, in which it addresses negative utility or decisional trauma, highlighting the variety of interests that are the main cause of team misalignment and allowing for the development of strategies to address them. Neurostrategy enables the classification of strategy deficiencies based on cohesion, coordination, communication and conduction (Co4).Design/methodology/approachThis paper introduces a novel approach called relational neurostrategy (RNS) to elucidate the knowledge processes influencing decision-making. RNS aims to “capture” the intricate processes guiding decisions, enabling the network's decisional plasticity in both forms and contents. This adaptability is crucial for effectively addressing posed challenges, while simultaneously mitigating the impact of diverse interests. The methodology also ensures transparency in the decision-making process and generates an effective solution strategy.FindingsThe RNS addresses two critical aspects of the decision-making process. Firstly, it reduces unnecessary variety stemming from multiple interpretations and secondly, it minimizes the adverse impact of diverse interests within the decision-making network. This approach results in strong and credible decisions that reflect the collective intelligence, cooperation and collaborative efforts of the network, rather than being imposed as absolute truths.Originality/valueThe RNS stands out as a distinctive decision-making method, setting itself apart from existing approaches. Its uniqueness becomes evident in its ability to address the question “what prevents the authors from … ?” from this inquiry, RNS successfully integrates unrequired variety and negative utility. By doing so, it strategically narrows down the search field to the universe of distinctions that truly constitute the problem. This innovative process not only enhances efficiency but also fosters a high level of participation in the strategic design of potential solutions. In essence, RNS brings unprecedented value by effectively navigating the intricacies of decision-making and maximizing the relevance of the identified problem space.

PARTICIPATION OF GENDER IN PADDY CULTIVATION PRACTICES

The present study was conducted in Assam focusing on gender roles and division of labor in different activities related to paddy cultivation. A total of 320 numbers of respondents were selected for the study. The data were collected through personal interview with the help of research schedule during 2022. The participation of respondents engaged in paddy cultivation were studied in seven domains: activities related to seed, raising of nursery and transplanting, preparation of field, fertilizer application, water management and intercultural practices, harvesting and Post- harvest and marketing of produce. The responses were collected in frequency and percentage in three-point continuum of “Active participation”, “Partial participation” and “No participation” having the score of 3, 2 and 1 respectively. The overall extent of participation of both men and women in paddy cultivation was calculated to gain an overall view of low, medium and high level of participation. A two sample Z- tests was performed to determine whether there existed any difference in paddy cultivation practices between men and women. Thus, frequency, percentage, Mean, Standard deviation and two sample Z test were used as statistical tools to conduct the present study. The results revealed that majority of the farm women (57.50%) had active participation in seed preservation, transplanting of seedlings into main field (83.75%), post- harvest activities (91.25%). Men were playing role in fertilization (66.25%), water table maintenance (89.38%), chemical applications (89.38%), marketing related activities (90.63%). It can be concluded that women contribute equally with men. They should empower with all necessities which will help to reduce gender gap in agriculture.

Risky moms, risky kids? fertility and crime after the fall of the wall

Following the collapse of the Berlin Wall, the birth rate halved in East Germany. Using detailed state-cohort-level arrest-data, and a difference in differences strategy, we show that individuals born during this period of socio-economic turmoil were markedly more likely to be arrested than those conceived a few years earlier. This is the case for most crime types and both for boys and girls. Since these children grew-up in the same re-unified German environment, the differences in criminal activity are consistent with negative parental selection. We use individual-level data to highlight risk attitude as a potential mechanism linking maternal fertility decisions and children’s criminal activities. We show that mothers who gave birth between 1991 and 1993 in East Germany have a significantly greater preference for risk, and so do their children. Finally, we provide novel evidence of the strong correlation between high levels of risk preference and criminal participation.

Basic Psychological Needs Predicting Physical Activity Participation among Young Adults

It is alarming that despite the numerous accrued benefits of physical activity participation, many young adults in tertiary institutions engage in inactive and sedentary lifestyles, which can be linked to many cases of morbidity and mortality. However, according to the self-determination theory (SDT), individuals have three basic psychological needs (BPNs) that are essential for healthy growth, development and well-being. The necessity to fulfill these BPN’s can stimulate and encourage young adults to engage in regular physical activity and enhance their well-being. Therefore, this study examined the role of BPN’s in predicting physical activity participation among young adults in Nigerian private university. A total of 735 students, comprising 408 males (55.5%) and 327 females (44.5%), with ages ranging from 16 to 35 years (mean = 22.8; SD = 5.42), were randomly selected from a private university in the South-west, of Nigeria. The Basic Psychological Needs in Exercise Scale (BPNES) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire–Short Form (IPAQ-SF) were used to collect data. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, correlation and multiple linear regression analysis. The results of the study showed that the BPN’s of autonomy (r =0.233, p<0.05); competence (r =0.188, p < 0.05), and relatedness (r = 0.477, p<0.05) positively correlated with physical activity participation. Additionally, the results found that 25% had low, 57.1% had moderate and 17.8% had high levels of physical activity participation among the participants. There was a significant gender difference between males and females’ in their levels of participation in physical activity (t =2.866, p < 0.05), with males reporting higher mean scores than their female counterpart. Regression analysis showed that BPN’s predicted physical activity participation among young adults (F (3,731) = 73.968, p < 0.05) with 23% of its variance accounted for by the independent variables. Furthermore, autonomy (ß = 0.071, t = 1.970, p < 0.05) and relatedness (ß = 0.478, t =12.589, p < 0.05) were predictors of physical activity participation with relatedness being reported as the most potent predictor. These findings provide an insight into focus the importance of satisfying the relatedness and autonomy aspects of BPN’s in young adults. Developing interventions that target these identified indices can promote continuous and regular participation in physical activity. Keywords: basic psychological needs, relatedness, autonomy, physical activity, young adults ‬

Social Participation and Perceived Quality of Environment of Adults with Disabilities

Background: Social participation is a fundamental right; however, restrictions often arise due to environmental barriers, both physical and social. The ‘Handicap Innovation Territoire’ (HIT) project aims to enhance social participation for individuals with disabilities living in Brittany, France. To gain insight into the desired areas of intervention and evaluate the HIT project, an initial experiment was conducted to assess the level of social participation and perceived environmental quality among people with disabilities. Methods: A cross-sectional investigation was performed, utilizing the Assessment of Life Habits (LIFE-H) and Measure of the Quality of the Environment (MQE). Results: Twenty-five individuals with disabilities, with an average age of 46.0 ± 23.6 years, were recruited. The results indicated an overall high level of social participation, while work, education, and leisure showed participation restrictions. The MQE scores revealed variations in the environmental perception across disability groups concerning work environment (p = 0.035), stores and services (p = 0.014), health care services (p = 0.006), education (p = 0.043), access to radio and television (p = 0.002), road accessibility (p = 0.003), and time allowed for tasks (p = 0.001). Conclusion: The study identified factors that influence social participation among individuals with disabilities living in Brittany, and highlighted the actions implemented within the HIT project to address the challenges related to social participation.

Improving Agri-environmental Schemes: Suggestions from Farmers and Nature Managers in a Central European Region

Agri-environmental schemes (AES) are important policy instruments within the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) of the European Union for environmental protection. Due to the voluntary nature of AES, their attractiveness to farmers and stakeholders involved in nature management and protection (nature managers) is essential for high participation levels. This study aims to assess farmers’ and nature managers’ ideas to improve agri-environmental schemes. We analyzed suggestions of 825 farmers and 118 nature managers for improvements of AES collected in a large-scale survey in Bavaria, Germany. A content analysis was applied to categorize and compare suggestions by farmers (differentiated into two groups through a cluster analysis) and nature managers. The results reveal that stakeholders were highly willing to share ideas and made detailed suggestions for improvements and individual measures. They were aware of the importance of protecting nature and promoting biodiversity in agricultural landscapes and acknowledged the necessity of (financial) support programs. Farmers placed more emphasis on the practicability and profitability of measures on arable land, while nature managers tended to propose policy-related ideas focusing on nature protection, biodiversity, and specific species. Among farmers, suggestions differed with farm characteristics such as the operation mode (full-time, part-time). These findings can support the design of future AES, accounting for different background situations and thereby increasing acceptability. This includes considering perspectives from different stakeholder groups and creating regionally adapted programs with varying levels of flexibility and practicability.

Sustainability evaluation of contrasting milpa systems in the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico

AbstractThe milpa agroecosystem is an intercropping of maize, beans, squash and other crops, developed in Mesoamerica, and its adoption is widely variable across climates and regions. An example of particular interest is the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, which holds highly diverse milpas, drawing on ancestral Mayan knowledge. Traditional milpas have been described as sustainable resource management models, based on long rotations within a slash-and-burn cycle in forest areas. Nevertheless, due to modernization and intensification processes, new variants of the approach have appeared. The objective of this study was to evaluate the sustainability of three milpa systems (traditional, continuous, and mechanized) in four case studies across the Peninsula, with emphasis on food self-sufficiency, social inclusion and adoption of innovations promoted by a development project. The Framework for the Evaluation of Agroecosystems using Indicators (MESMIS, for its Spanish acronym) was used for its flexible, participatory approach. A common group of indicators was developed despite regional differences between study cases, with a high level of farmer participation throughout the iterative process. The results show lower crop yields in traditional systems, but with lower inputs costs and pesticide use. In contrast, continuous milpas had higher value in terms of crop diversity, food security, social inclusion, and innovation adoption. Mechanized milpas had lower weed control costs. Profitability of cash crops and the proportion of forest were high in all systems. Highly adopted innovations across milpa types and study cases included spatial crop arrangement and the use of residues as mulches. However, most innovations are not adapted to local conditions, and do not address climate change. Further, women and youth participation is low, especially in traditional systems.

Comparison Link Function from Summer Rainfall Network in Amazon Basin

The Amazon Basin is the largest rainforest in the world, and studying the rainfall in this region is crucial for understanding the functioning of the entire rainforest ecosystem and its role in regulating the regional and global climate. This work is part of the application of complex networks, which refer to a network modeled by graphs and are characterized by their high versatility, as well as the extraction of key information from the system under study. The main objective of this article is to examine the precipitation system in the Amazon basin during the austral summer. The networks are defined by nodes and connections, where each node represents a precipitation time series, while the connections can be represented by different similarity functions. For this study, three rainfall networks were created, which differ based on the correlation function used (Pearson, Spearman, and Kendall). By comparing these networks, we can identify the most effective method for analyzing the data and gain a better understanding of rainfall’s spatial structure, thereby enhancing our knowledge of its impact on different Amazon basin regions. The results reveal the presence of three important regions in the Amazon basin. Two areas were identified in the northeast and northwest, showing incursions of warm and humid winds from the oceans and favoring the occurrence of large mesoscale systems, such as squall lines. Additionally, the eastern part of the central Andes may indicate an outflow region from the basin with winds directed toward subtropical latitudes. The networks showed a high level of activity and participation in the center of the Amazon basin and east of the Andes. Regarding information transmission, the betweenness centrality identified the main pathways within a basin, and some of these are directly related to certain rivers, such as the Amazon, Purus, and Madeira. Indicating the relationship between rainfall and the presence of water bodies. Finally, it suggests that the Spearman and Kendall correlation produced the most promising results. Although they showed similar spatial patterns, the major difference was found in the identification of communities, this is due to the meridional differences in the network’s response. Overall, these findings highlight the importance of carefully selecting appropriate techniques and methods when analyzing complex networks.

Penerapan Sistem E-Voting Dalam Pemilihan Kepala Desa Lito Kecamatan Paguyaman Pantai Kabupaten Boalemo Tahun 2019

<p>This research aims to discuss the application of the e-voting system in the election of the head of Lito village, Paguyaman Pantai District, Boalemo Regency in 2019. In this research the researcher used a qualitative method with a descriptive approach, where what was obtained was in accordance with the conditions that occurred in the field. or the data obtained is in accordance with what the community feels in selecting village heads using the e-voting system, data obtained through observation and direct interviews with informants for the sake of data accuracy in research. The object of this research is to measure the success of the e-voting system in the election of village heads, thus in the election of village heads through the e-voting system it has been running well, this can be seen from the high level of community participation in giving their voting rights. The factors that influence the implementation of the e-voting system are due to the lack of information from the implementing committee, so there are still many people who are not confident about the security of elections using the e-voting system. The conclusion in this research is that the implementation of the e-voting system in village head elections has gone well, while the influencing factor is a lack of information, so in the future socialization to the community must be intense so that the community believes in the level of security of the e-voting system.</p>

“Diving in the deep-end and swimming”: a mixed methods study using normalization process theory to evaluate a learning collaborative approach for the implementation of palliative care practices in hemodialysis centers

BackgroundNormalization Process Theory (NPT) is an implementation theory that can be used to explain how and why implementation strategies work or not in particular circumstances. We used it to understand the mechanisms that lead to the adoption and routinization of palliative care within hemodialysis centers.MethodsWe employed a longitudinal, mixed methods approach to comprehensively evaluate the implementation of palliative care practices among ten hemodialysis centers participating in an Institute for Healthcare Improvement Breakthrough- Series learning collaborative. Qualitative methods included longitudinal observations of collaborative activities, and interviews with implementers at the end of the study. We used an inductive and deductive approach to thematic analysis informed by NPT constructs (coherence, cognitive participation, collective action, reflexive monitoring) and implementation outcomes. The NoMAD survey, which measures NPT constructs, was completed by implementers at each hemodialysis center during early and late implementation.ResultsThe four mechanisms posited in NPT had a dynamic and layered relationship during the implementation process. Collaborative participants participated because they believed in the value and legitimacy of palliative care for patients receiving hemodialysis and thus had high levels of cognitive participation at the start. Didactic Learning Sessions were important for building practice coherence, and sense-making was solidified through testing new skills in practice and first-hand observation during coaching visits by an expert. Collective action was hampered by limited time among team members and practical issues such as arranging meetings with patients. Reflexive monitoring of the positive benefit to patient and family experiences was key in shifting mindsets from disease-centric towards a patient-centered model of care. NoMAD survey scores showed modest improvement over time, with collective action having the lowest scores.ConclusionsNPT was a useful framework for understanding the implementation of palliative care practices within hemodialysis centers. We found a nonlinear relationship among the mechanisms which is reflected in our model of implementation of palliative care practices through a learning collaborative. These findings suggest that the implementation of complex practices such as palliative care may be more successful through iterative learning and practice opportunities as the mechanisms for change are layered and mutually reinforcing.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04125537. Registered 14 October 2019 – Retrospectively registered.

Working hours, social engagement, and depressive symptoms: an extended work-life balance for older adults

BackgroundIn recent years, researchers have been examining the impact of work-life balance (WLB) on mental health, considering it as a potential risk factor. However, it remains unclear whether the traditional understanding of WLB applies to older adults who worked for fewer hours before full retirement and whose children are likely to be independent adults. Therefore, this study aims to propose a modified form of WLB specifically for older adults. Within this context, we hypothesize that an optimum balance between working hours and social engagement protects against depressive symptoms among older adults.MethodWe conducted an analysis using data on 5,751 Korean adults older than 55 years from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging 2016. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationships among working hours, social engagement, and depressive symptoms.ResultsOlder adults who worked fewer than 35 h per week were less likely to experience depressive symptoms than were non-working older adults and those working 35 h or more per week. Additionally, older adults with a high level of informal social participation, thus occurring almost every day or two to three times per week, were less likely to experience depressive symptoms than were those with a low level of such participation (once a month or less). Furthermore, depressive symptoms were less frequent among those who worked fewer than 35 h per week and engaged in a high level of informal social participation compared to non-working older individuals and those with a low level of informal social participation.ConclusionsMaintaining an optimal number of working hours and degree of social engagement are necessary to minimize the risk of depressive symptoms in older adults. Based on these findings, we suggest that fulfillment for work and life and their balance are important for older adults and propose work–life fulfillment balance.

Investigating the Relationship between Resilience and the Situation of Risk in the Face of Natural Disasters

Creating cities resilient in multiple dimensions could be appropriate and economic thanks to strengthening town structure to alter crises and natural and unnatural hazards. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the connection between the resilience in the city of Sari and the risk situation towards natural disasters. Data analysis with geographic information system (GIS), Decision making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL), and analytic network process (ANP) is carried out. The variables studied to explain the resilience of the city of Sari are the conditions of open spaces, incompatible land uses, land bed, building resistance, access, property, density, which are evaluated in the presented paradigm. After collecting the scores and multiplying the scores by the coefficients obtained from the statistical procedures of an urban resilience model, the final computation of urban resilience in Sari was performed. The results show that its value has been calculated as 5.44398, which shows that there is an urgent need to develop programs and reform structures to increase the level of resilience in this urban area. One of the effective factors in urban resilience is the high level of social participation in crisis, which is necessary in this area. It is suggested to create educational programs in the community, so that they can maximize the level of communication and participation of employees.

Tau PET: utility as a biomarker for chronic traumatic encephalopathy

AbstractBackgroundChronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by tau deposition in the depths of the sulci associated with exposure to repetitive head impacts (RHI). It is a post‐mortem diagnosis. We previously reported a frontotemporal predominant tau 18F‐MK6240 PET pattern resembling the distribution of CTE in a retired Australian Rules Football player in the context of a moderate amyloid‐beta plaque burden.1 This study aimed to investigate the utility of 18F‐MK6240 PET as a potential biomarker for CTE in contact sports players with exposure to RHI (sRHI).MethodsRHI (n = 33) and age‐matched healthy controls (HC) (n = 32) completed amyloid (18F‐NAV4694) and tau (18F‐MK6240) PET scans. Amyloid PET was quantified in Centiloids. 18F‐MK240 standardized uptake value ratios (SUVRs) were generated for the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and composite regions of interest (ROI) (frontal; mesial temporal; temporoparietal).ResultFor sRHI, the primary contact sport was Australian Rules Football (n = 17), boxing/kickboxing/martial arts (n = 11), rugby (n = 4) and soccer (n = 1), with 36.4% participating at a professional level. sRHI had a mean age of 54.2 (±9.2) (vs HC 53.0±9.5, p = 0.61), and 94% were male (vs HC 78%, p = 0.08). sRHI did not differ from HC in years of education (p = 0.46) but had more impaired MMSE (28.1±1.9 vs 29.3±0.8, p = 0.006, d = ‐0.80) and Clinical Dementia Rating scores (0.21±0.3 vs 0±0, p<0.001, d = 1.25). sRHI and HC did not differ in mean Centiloid values (2.9±8.4 vs 3.0±8.2). sRHI and HC did not differ in 18F‐MK6240 SUVR in the regions examined, and no differences were observed between professional and amateur sRHI.ConclusionContact sports players with exposure to repetitive head impacts did not differ from age‐matched healthy controls on 18F‐MK6240 SUVR in frontal, mesial temporal, and temporoparietal brain regions. Study limitations include the small sample size, heterogeneity in sports type and highest level of participation, and participants with relatively mild cognitive and functional impairments. Additionally, while 18F‐MK6240 has high affinity for 3R/4R tau in Alzheimer’s disease, its affinity in CTE, particularly important at early stages, remains unclear.

Tau PET: utility as a biomarker for chronic traumatic encephalopathy

AbstractBackgroundChronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by tau deposition in the depths of the sulci associated with exposure to repetitive head impacts (RHI). It is a post‐mortem diagnosis. We previously reported a frontotemporal predominant tau 18F‐MK6240 PET pattern resembling the distribution of CTE in a retired Australian Rules Football player in the context of a moderate amyloid‐beta plaque burden.1 This study aimed to investigate the utility of 18F‐MK6240 PET as a potential biomarker for CTE in contact sports players with exposure to RHI (sRHI).MethodsRHI (n = 33) and age‐matched healthy controls (HC) (n = 32) completed amyloid (18F‐NAV4694) and tau (18F‐MK6240) PET scans. Amyloid PET was quantified in Centiloids. 18F‐MK240 standardized uptake value ratios (SUVRs) were generated for the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and composite regions of interest (ROI) (frontal; mesial temporal; temporoparietal).ResultFor sRHI, the primary contact sport was Australian Rules Football (n = 17), boxing/kickboxing/martial arts (n = 11), rugby (n = 4) and soccer (n = 1), with 36.4% participating at a professional level. sRHI had a mean age of 54.2 (±9.2) (vs HC 53.0±9.5, p = 0.61), and 94% were male (vs HC 78%, p = 0.08). sRHI did not differ from HC in years of education (p = 0.46) but had more impaired MMSE (28.1±1.9 vs 29.3±0.8, p = 0.006, d = ‐0.80) and Clinical Dementia Rating scores (0.21±0.3 vs 0±0, p<0.001, d = 1.25). sRHI and HC did not differ in mean Centiloid values (2.9±8.4 vs 3.0±8.2). sRHI and HC did not differ in 18F‐MK6240 SUVR in the regions examined, and no differences were observed between professional and amateur sRHI.ConclusionContact sports players with exposure to repetitive head impacts did not differ from age‐matched healthy controls on 18F‐MK6240 SUVR in frontal, mesial temporal, and temporoparietal brain regions. Study limitations include the small sample size, heterogeneity in sports type and highest level of participation, and participants with relatively mild cognitive and functional impairments. Additionally, while 18F‐MK6240 has high affinity for 3R/4R tau in Alzheimer’s disease, its affinity in CTE, particularly important at early stages, remains unclear.

Survey and situation analysis of personal, employer-related, and environmental factors affecting participation in continuous professional development (CPD) programs of laboratory professionals in Africa.

To determine the level and evaluate factors affecting the participation of laboratory professionals in continuous professional development (CPD) programs in eastern and southern Africa. A survey was conducted among laboratory professionals from 14 countries. The CPD participation was defined as low if it was fewer than 2 CPD trainings in the past 2 years. Associations between categorical variables were tested for significance using Fisher exact test. Of the expected 400, 283 (70% response rate) individuals participated in the survey. Of these, 153 (54%) had low CPD participation and 199 (70%) were aware of CPD educational activities in their respective country. Those with diploma certificates attended more CPD programs (P < .001) than those with undergraduate and master's degrees. Awareness of CPD programs was associated with a higher level of CPD participation (P = .0001). Job satisfaction was significantly associated with high levels of CPD participation (P = .02). Other factors associated with high level of participation in CPD programs included affordability (P = .03), funding by employer (P = .0005), and awareness of legal CPD requirements (P = .002). The CPD programs are considered useful to an individual's professional development, although there was low participation. It is recommended that different formats and platforms be used to expand CPD programs.

KAJIAN KEBIJAKAN VAKSINASI TERHADAP ANGKA PENURUNAN CORONA VIRUS 19 BERBASIS BIG DATA TABLEAU ANALISIS DI INDONESIA 2023

This study analyzes Minister of Health Regulation Number 10 of 2021, which focuses on COVID-19 vaccination implementation in Indonesia. The research combines qualitative and quantitative data using Big Data Analysis techniques such as data mining and text mining. The study reveals that the graph comparison of fully vaccinated individuals in Indonesia demonstrates a reduction in new cases of the COVID-19 variant, indicating a high level of public participation in the vaccination policy. These findings highlight the effectiveness of the vaccination program in combating the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia

Digital vulnerability in young people: gender, age and online participation patterns

ABSTRACT While the Internet is an important social environment, it can also be a devastating place with negative consequences for young people’s psychological well-being. This study examined associations among sociodemographic factors with patterns of participation in online activities such as gambling, betting, online shopping, videogames and eGames. A chi-square-test, Mann-Whitney U-test and multivariate correspondence analysis of an online survey administered to 1500 young people (aged 18 to 35) found gender differences with regard to digital vulnerability. Young women’s digital habits and emotional experience (insecurity, social pressure, helplessness, feeling empty and anxiety) contribute to increased risk. Younger men participate in leisure activities perceived to be less risky (videogames and eGames), while older men have a higher level of participation in activities perceived to be riskier (betting and gambling), which are associated with negative emotions. Younger subjects also experience emotions of insecurity and shame through most of their daily time on social media.

Science Communication practices and Trust in information sources amongst Nigerian scientists and journalists

Relatively few studies have explored the communication practices of researchers and journalists working in African contexts. We set out to explore the communication activities undertaken by Nigerian health researchers and journalists, their motivations and the barriers they face in communicating about health topics with lay audiences, as well as their trust in a range of sources of scientific information. The study adopted a survey methodology, recruiting 69 participants at a communications training workshop for both health researchers and journalists. We found high levels of participation in research communication amongst health researchers compared with previous work. While many barriers are similar to those faced by researchers in other contexts, our respondents highlighted that lack of support from managers is a significant hurdle, which has not been highlighted in other studies. Both journalists and researchers primarily communicate science with the aim of educating, informing, entertaining or inspiring their audiences. Regarding trust, both researchers and journalists broadly trust sources linked to science, such as academic journals. However, trust in industry, NGOs and other media was higher amongst journalists than health researchers. Least trust was invested in social media sources, with the exception of material posted on accounts linked to universities.