Informal Settings Research Articles

In naturalistic psychedelic use, group use is common and acceptable

AbstractBackground and aimsMost modern modalities of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) aim to minimize harm and maximize support by utilizing close, formalized supervision for a single participant per session. However, these substances are used naturalistically in a wide variety of settings. Our goal was to evaluate the perceived benefits and harms of naturalistic psychedelic use in diverse settings, with and without guidance/supervision.MethodsAn anonymous survey was distributed over Internet forums to solicit responses from English-speaking adults, with questions regarding the setting and perceived mental health-related outcomes of classic psychedelics. Data were analyzed to compare effects of group versus solo setting on perceived outcomes.ResultsFor the goal of improving mental health, use in a solo setting was more common than in a group setting (COR 0.37 (0.20–0.68), p = 0.03) and was associated with more subjective symptom improvement (COR 0.22 (0.11–0.42), p = 0.0002). However, there was no significant difference in perceived overall mental health benefit between use in group and solo settings (p = 1). Subjective negative outcomes on mental health were rare and not associated more so with psychedelic use in any particular setting. A majority of naturalistic psychedelic use took place in an informal setting, with no significant difference between solo or group users (95% vs 91%, p = 0.3).ConclusionsNaturalistic psychedelic users are as likely to report an overall positive outcome and no more likely to report adverse events in group settings than in solo settings. This supports further research into PAP in group settings.

Promoting peace: colectivas, art, and cultural injustice in Mexico

ABSTRACT This collaborative research delves into intercultural (in)justice, dignity, and the recognition of non-hegemonic knowledge. Its main objective is to investigate marginalised knowledge in immigration, gender violence, adultism, and minority groups, including indigenous communities. By diving into the significance of informal knowledge-sharing settings this research underscores how vulnerable individuals and collectives showcase their identity holistically. Lastly drawing attention to the importance of fostering safe spaces, interculturality and sharing cognitive practice to counter marginalisation, promoting reconstruction through tools such as hospitality, active listening, and assertive communication.

Exploration of Infant Food Microbial Composition from Formal and Informal Settings Using Viable Counts and 16S rRNA Gene Amplicon Sequencing in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Diarrhoea is a considerable agent of disease and loss of life in children below age five in South Africa. Soweto, South Africa is an urban township in Johannesburg, with most of its population living in informal settlements. Informal settlements in areas such as Soweto are often impoverished communities that do not get water easily, inadequate sanitation is pervasive, and poor hygiene common (risk factors for diarrhoeal diseases). Among the age groups, infants are most vulnerable to diarrhoeal infection, mainly through the ingestion of food and water. The presence of undesirable microbiota is a food safety and health challenge. This study investigated the microbiome of infant food samples collected from formal (n = 19) and informal (n = 11) households in Soweto. A non-culture-dependent technique was used to characterise the bacterial diversity and composition of the infant food samples. The results indicated that household type did not influence microbial diversity and composition in Soweto. South Africa. Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Cyanobacteria, and Tenericutes dominated the phyla rank in food samples from formal and informal households. Potential pathogens of public health significance, including diarrhoeal disease agents such as Salmonella spp., E. coli, and Campylobacter spp., were detected within the foods. We concluded that the infant food samples showed rich bacterial diversity, and the presence of potential pathogens of public health significance suggests a disease risk that infants may face upon consuming the foods.

Technological Approaches in Mathematics and Science Education: Microlearning

Microlearning is regarded as a novel approach to meeting many learning demands, including individual learning, lifelong learning, and work-based learning. A learning strategy called microlearning focuses on giving students enormous amounts of (macro) material in manageable chunks over a little period of time. These little segments, also known as micro-content, help students retain the knowledge quickly without subjecting them to voluminous material. It is believed that breaking up the knowledge into manageable chunks helps learners better adapt to the information-processing process and acquire new material. With all of this in mind, it may appear that activities that allow students to actively engage in math and scientific studies, make connections to the real world, work in groups, support both their internal and external goals, and get lucid and insightful feedback are crucial. This study aims to investigate the design and implementation of microlearning, one of the technological approaches to math and science instruction, in informal, formal, and non-formal settings. It also explores the characteristics of micro content and how it relates to mobile learning using examples.

Supporting learners self-management for self-directed language learning: a study within Duolingo

PurposeThis study aims to investigate a unique approach to learning languages through self-directed online learning. Specifically, it explores the self-management abilities and skills learners need while learning a language outside traditional classroom settings when using mobile-assisted learning technology.Design/methodology/approachA mixed-methods approach was used in this study, including an online survey of 84 people and 10 semi-structured interviews.FindingsFindings reveal the significant role of specific and well-defined learning goals in enhancing learners’ performance. These goals can be either self-initiated by the learners themselves or defined by the technological features of the learning platform. However, the presence of distractions in learners’ daily lives presents challenges to effective time management, affecting learners both physically and psychologically. A key aspect of self-directed language learning lies in the learners’ ability to seek out relevant human and material resources beyond the confines of a single mobile-assisted language learning (MALL) tool. The authenticity of these resources is crucial in ensuring meaningful and effective learning experiences.Research limitations/implicationsUnderstanding how learners navigate and discover valuable resources is a central focus of this study. This research offers valuable insights into the field of self-directed language learning, revealing the pivotal role of self-management skills with mobile-assisted learning technology. The findings contribute to the broader field of language education and offer practical implications for educators and developers seeking to optimize self-directed language learning experiences through innovative and technologically driven approaches.Originality/valueMALL is often ideal for individualized informal learning, but the existing literature focuses heavily on formal learning situations, underestimating the importance of MALL practices in various informal settings. Most research reports on MALL-based self-directed learning primarily sample traditional English-learning university students. Therefore, there is a need for research on how nontraditional older adult learners self-direct their language learning with mobile technology outside the classroom.

Innovations, informality, and the global south: A thematic analysis of past research and future directions

The informal sector of the global south has lately started to gain attention from innovation and development studies scholars. Studies highlighting the determinants, barriers, social processes, and institutions that influence innovations in the informal sector have enriched the discussion on the topic. This paper analyzes the existing body of knowledge at the intersection of the informal sector, innovations, and the global south. Seventy-seven academic articles from the Scopus and Web of Sciences databases have been thematically reviewed, and seven themes have been identified: 1) innovation potential of the informal sector, 2) knowledge and learning in the informal sector innovations, 3) technology adoption in the informal sector, 4) interaction and collaborations with formal sector entities, 5) innovation dynamics in the informal enterprises, 6) individual innovators in the informal settings, and 7) gender, innovation, and informality. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first attempt to synthesize the literature on informal sector innovations in the global south. Hence, the paper is a crucial contribution to the innovation studies literature. Finally, we provide future directions to guide further studies in this area.

Exploring Onboarding Processes for IT Professionals: The Role of Knowledge Management

A robust knowledge management (KM) strategy is essential for effective onboarding of new employees. Organizational knowledge plays a crucial role in helping new employees learn their work tasks and should be readily available for training purposes. This study examines how a public organization in Norway implements its onboarding process and facilitates knowledge sharing with new employees. We investigated various KM initiatives established in the organization and explored how knowledge is transferred to benefit new employees. Additionally, we examined how organizational culture influences knowledge sharing performance. The empirical data comprises 20 interviews conducted in the information technology department of the organization. The findings reveal that new employees should first receive training on specific work tasks related to their roles in the organization. Early productivity was considered significant during the onboarding process, while an overload of general knowledge about the organization was perceived as overwhelming. The public organization under study is known for its strong job security, which has fostered a collaborative environment among employees with low competitiveness. This openness encourages knowledge sharing and willingness to collaborate, as employees are not worried about losing their positions. This also results in a low threshold for seeking assistance from experienced colleagues during the onboarding process. The evidence suggests that much of the knowledge gained by employees during their employment period is acquired through informal settings, where experienced employees share knowledge with newcomers through direct communication.
 Based on the findings, this study proposes practical recommendations for improving the onboarding process. Effective practices such as mentorships, new employee gatherings, and the existing technical graduate program should be maintained. Suggestions for further enhancing the onboarding process include: (1) designing a networking initiative that integrates new employees outside the graduate program; (2) tailoring the competence plan to the role of each employee; (3) improving the content of the intranet with information about role descriptions and responsibilities, making it easier to identify "who knows what" in the organization; and (4) defining the reasons for using collaboration tools more extensively. Implications for KM in onboarding processes are outlined.

The Congenital Heart Surgeons' Society Presidents and Their Contributions.

The Congenital Heart Surgeons' Society (CHSS) was founded by 16 congenital heart surgeons in 1973, who endeavored to share their clinical advances in an informal setting that would stimulate honest and forthright discussions. As the Society grew, prospective studies were organized from a centralized data center that was established and based first in Birmingham, Alabama, thence to Toronto, and recently in a collaboration between Toronto and the Cleveland Clinic. These studies formed the basis for a myriad of outcomes reports that favorably impacted surgical results. The Kirklin-Ashburn Fellowship was created and endowed by the membership which has been successful in training many congenital heart surgeons. The CHSS was then incorporated into a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization with bylaws, officers, and committees in 2002. Increased membership followed. The CHSS has become the face of congenital heart surgery in North America by affiliating with the World Journal for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery, having one designated member on the American Board of Thoracic Surgery, and hosting joint meetings with the European Congenital Heart Surgeons Association. Since 2002, 11 presidents have been elected for two-year terms and have guided the advances that have been achieved by the CHSS. Their contributions and achievements are highlighted in chronological order.

Human Factors Extended Reality Showcase

This alternative format session provides a forum for human factors scholars and practitioners to showcase how state-of-the-art extended reality (XR) applications are being used in academia, defense, and industry to address human factors research. The session will begin with short introductions from each presenter to describe their XR application. Afterward, session attendees will engage with the presenters and their demonstrations, which will be set up around the demonstration floor room. This year’s showcase features XR applications in STEM education, medical and aviation training, agricultural data visualization, homeland security, training design, and visitor engagement in informal learning settings. Our goal is for attendees to experience how human factors professionals use XR to support human factors-oriented research and to learn about the exciting work being conducted with these emerging technologies.

Analyzing actors’ interaction behavior in land transactions in informal settlement settings: A case study of Burayu city, Ethiopia

Informality plays an imperative role in offering housing for households in developing countries when the formal market cannot provide enough to keep up with residents' demands. The actors' interaction, with one another, plays an imperative role in land transactions in informal settlement areas. As informal actors operate outside the formal land transactions their activities and methods of operation are rarely understood. Therefore, based on social network theory, this paper aims to identify and examine informal actors, their functions, interactions, and power relationships in informal settlement areas. To this end, this study employed key informant interviews, focus group discussions, structured questionnaires, and a review of published literature, as well as official documents. In the study area, most residents acquired land through informal mechanisms. Major actors include farmers, local land administrators, speculators, land brokers, residents, government officials, and religious leaders. The study also uncovers that the role of each actor varies from information provision to price fixing. Their roles and interactions are governed by dynamic networks and occasionally overlap functions. Among the network actors, land brokers are considered the most influential and powerful because they possess a high degree of centrality, closeness, betweenness, and eigenvector. They hold a pivotal position in the network and act as a liaison between the network's actors. Therefore, the roles of land brokers, who often actively influence the land transaction process, should be considered in urban land governance and incorporated in policy formulation and implementation.

Reading in Uncertain Times

Reading in Uncertain Times

Light-weights placed right: post-field constituents in heritage German.

This study focuses on the linearization of constituents at the right sentence periphery in German, specifically on non-clausal light-weight constituents (LWCs) in the post-field. Spoken and written productions of German heritage speakers (HSs) with English as their majority language (ML) and of monolingually-raised speakers (MSs) of German are analyzed in different registers. The right sentence periphery is an area comprising a lot of variation and it is therefore intriguing to see how the two speaker groups deal with the options available if faced with the same communicative tasks. The overall goal is to answer the question whether the production of post-field LWCs in German HSs and MSs can provide us with evidence for ongoing internal language change and for the role of language contact with English. The analyses show a similar variational spectrum of LWC types and frequencies across speaker groups but a different distributional variation. The results show effects of register-levelling in the HS group, as they do not differentiate between the formal and informal setting unlike the MS group. Therefore, rather than transfer from the ML, the source of differing distributional variation of LWCs lies in the diverging adherence to register norms due to different exposure conditions across speaker groups.

Community-level incidence and treatment seeking during febrile illness: Insights from health behaviour surveys in rural Thailand and Laos.

Critical gaps remain in understanding community perceptions and treatment-seeking behaviours in case of fever. This is especially relevant considering global antimicrobial resistance, where fever is assumed to provoke non-judicious antibiotic use. Our study objective was therefore to document the community-level incidence of fever, the resulting treatment-seeking processes, and their underlying behavioural drivers. In a cross-sectional observational design, we used descriptive and inferential statistics and multivariable regression analysis to estimate the population-level incidence of fever and individual and socio-economic factors associated with treatment-seeking process characteristics. We utilised a detailed publicly available survey of community-level treatment-seeking behaviour (collected in 2017/2018), comprising a representative sample of 2130 rural adults in Thailand (Chiang Rai Province) and Lao PDR (Salavan Province). Fever was reported by 7.1% of the rural adult population in Chiang Rai (95% CI: 5.1%-9.0%) and 7.5% in Salavan (95% CI: 4.5%-10.5%) during a 2-month recall period. Treatment-seeking patterns varied by socio-economic characteristics like precarious employment. 69.3% (95% CI: 60.8%-77.7%) of fever episodes involved access to formal (public/private) healthcare providers, 11.0% (95% CI: 4.5%-17.5%) involved informal providers, and 24.3% (95% CI: 16.6%-32.1%) took place without either formal or informal healthcare access. Febrile patients had on average 0.39 antibiotic use episodes when accessing formal healthcare settings, compared to 0.05 otherwise (p < 0.01). Treatment-seeking behaviour during fever varies according to population characteristics. Clinical studies would benefit from contextualising quantitative outcomes. Treatment algorithms for non-malarial febrile illnesses should involve outreach to informal healthcare and community settings to support patients in precarious circumstances, and antibiotic resistance interventions should prioritise formal healthcare facilities.

“¿Cómo te sientes? – With my butt!”: code-choice-related humor in bilingual speakers living with dementia of the Alzheimer’s type

This study investigates data from three narrative interviews held with people living with early- and mid-stage dementia of the Alzheimer’s type (DAT) and their primary care partners speaking English and Spanish in informal settings; the analysis focuses on the humorous moves which are employed by the participants living with dementia in both languages. Drawing on the General Theory of Verbal Humor and the Cooperative Principle, this study sheds light on the conversational humor on a semantic (i.e. language-dependent) as well as pragmatic level (i.e. contextually situated) initiated by the people living with dementia in this dataset while investigating the interpersonal goals behind such moves. By analyzing the (intentional) humorous practices and their respective code choices, our aim is to gain a better understanding of the pragmatic abilities of speakers which are retained while experiencing communication challenges in the face of DAT. This study thus contributes with increased knowledge about people living with dementia as active conversational partners.

Adult STEM Education for Democratic Participation

Many key concerns require engagement with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) knowledge. Consider the complexity and nuance of climate change, energy policy, health and medicine, and data security. Informed voting or decision-making on such issues is no easy task; effective participation in our society requires considerable STEM capabilities. Education of all age groups is essential for a scientifically knowledgeable population involved in making democratic decisions about the future. Lindeman argued for adult education learning processes hand-in-hand with democratic processes, yet, once adults leave formal education, there are woefully few opportunities for the general public to learn or engage with STEM content. Adult education as a field has an important obligation to continue to support adults’ STEM learning. This obligation includes helping scientists and STEM educators better connect to adult learners in informal and nonformal settings. This paper explores adult STEM education for democratic participation. We begin with an overview of adult STEM education, followed by STEM knowledge and skills, with a focus on the utility and value of scientific processes and ways of thinking. We then continue with the function of STEM learning in democratic processes followed by frameworks of adult STEM, specifically scientific literacy and place-based education, and conclude with implications and recommendations for adult education practice.

The Concept of Forming Shaleh Children According to Islamic Education

Children, viewed as a divine trust from Allah SWT, are entrusted to parents from the moment they grace the world. This bequeathed responsibility mandates parents to meticulously nurture and educate their progeny, directing them towards the cultivation of utility and noble character. Born in a state of fitrah, children's trajectories, whether towards virtue or peril, hinge significantly upon the guidance provided by parents. This responsibility extends beyond mere guidance; parents are entrusted with the monumental task of instilling piety in their children—a duty often underestimated by a substantial number of parents, despite explicit guidance in the Al-Qur'an and Hadith regarding the pivotal role of righteous offspring. This research, titled Concept of Forming Pious (Shaleh) Children According to Education, delves into this critical matter with precision. The research objectives encompass a nuanced understanding of the principles underpinning the cultivation of piety in children through education, exploration of methodologies employed in educating pious children, and identification of strategic efforts to foster piety from an educational standpoint. Employing a descriptive research methodology, the study undertakes a comprehensive examination of current issues through a thorough library research approach. The findings of this research underscore the imperative of cultivating pious children with the aim of nurturing individuals of noble character, thereby contributing to peace and tranquility in both temporal and spiritual realms. The practice of educating children in piety is characterized by its enduring nature, persisting beyond the corporeal realm, as the prayers of pious children become a poignant means of salvation for parents from the fires of hell upon their demise. The conceptualization of forming a pious child according to education involves the developmental nurturing of their soul, even within the confines of the womb, with the overarching goal of achieving virtuous outcomes. Efforts to foster pious children, from an educational perspective, entail the deliberate incorporation of moral education in both formal and informal educational settings. The methodologies employed in shaping pious children through education encompass exemplariness, adherence to cultural norms, the provision of advice, focused attention, and judicious application of appropriate disciplinary measures. In consideration of these insights, this research anticipates active parental engagement in cultivating their children's moral compass, fostering the nuanced development of pious offspring. Encouraging community participation in shaping the moral character of children towards piety is deemed essential. Furthermore, the sustained and active involvement of educators in schools, dedicated to imparting moral values, is paramount for the realization of a society characterized by pious children.

“Bring Your A-game and Leave your Ego at the Door!”

The established industry practices of collaborative songwriting sessions and camps are vital sites for the acquisition and transferal of songwriting skills and knowledge. While there is a limited body of research into collaborative songwriting and writing camps as such, there is even less academic work done on their role as (informal) settings for training and education of songwriters. Based on fieldwork in an international songwriting camp, the article maps out and explores how aspiring songwriters are socialized into the creative practices of songwriting. Understanding collaborative songwriting as a form of social interaction, and thus inherently characterized by unequal distributions of and negotiations over (creative) power, it analyzes its frameworks of knowledge as an assemblage that is continuously (re-)produced through its ongoing interactional practices.

INCIDENTAL WRITING LEARNING ON INSTAGRAM IN INFORMAL SETTING

The purpose of this study was to describe the frequency of incidental writing learning that occurred while using Instagram in an informal setting. The respondents were the secondary vocational school’s students in Padang, Grade 11. The researchers employed a cluster random sampling technique to pick 52 students. The descriptive method was used to design this study. A questionnaire was used to obtain the data. The questionnaire was quite reliable, with a coefficient correlation of 0.87. Expert judgment was used to determine content validity. According to the findings of this study, 73% of respondents experienced incidental writing learning when using Instagram in informal contexts. Based on the findings, it was possible to figure out that the frequency of incidental learning writing in Instagram was classified as sometimes scale.&#x0D; Keywords: social media, incidental writing, informal context

ANALISIS KELELAHAN KERJA OPERATOR PRODUKSI MENGGUNAKAN METODE CARDIOVASCULAR LOAD (CVL) DAN INDUSTRIAL FATIQUE RESEARCH COMMITTEE (IFRC) (Studi kasus PT. Alis Jaya Cipta Tama)

Naturally, there are risks associated with every job, including work-related stress, burnout, and accidents. In both formal and informal work settings, fatigue is a problem that needs specific care. Workers who are fatigued at work may perform less well and make more mistakes. The Cardiovascular load (CVL) method is a method for determining the level of work fatigue in terms of the operator's pulse, while the IFRC (Industrial Fatigue Research Committee) method measures fatigue level subjectively by distributing questionnaires. This study aims to identify work fatigue and analyze the relationship between age, length of service, nutritional status, work attitude and workload with work fatigue at mill section 1 operator PT Alis Jaya Ciptatama located in Klaten, Central Java. The calculation results show that the %CVL ranges from 11.6% to 34.1%, placing it in the mild category and indicating no fatigue. The results of IFRC calculations show that operators experience work fatigue of 88% and high fatigue of 12%. Results of the study: Respondents who were at risk of work burnout (≥35 years) were (16%), tenure at work were at risk of work burnout (≥ 8 years) by (44%), under and over nutrition status by (52%), work attitude at risk (72%) and workload at risk (44%). Conclusion: There is no effect of work fatigue on work fatigue in terms of CVL calculations after testing the data through multiple linear regression. There is a relationship between work fatigue (sig age = 0.029 and length of service = 0.013) and work fatigue in terms of IFRC calculations after testing the data through multiple linear regression.

Ethnoracial Differences in Family Members'Early Contact with Formal and Informal Resources on the Pathway to Care during the Early Stages of Psychosis.

The present study examined whether there were ethnoracial differences in the use of formal and informal resources by family members of individuals in the early stages of psychosis. A sample of 154 family member respondents participated in an online cross-sectional survey. Ethnoracially minoritized family members disproportionately made early contact with informal resources (e.g., religious/spiritual leaders, friends, online support groups) on the pathway to care compared to non-Hispanic white family members who tended to contact formal resources (primary care doctors/nurses or school counselors). A description of early contact among Black and Hispanic family members are also described. Study findings highlight that ethnoracially minoritized families seek out support and/or resources from informal resources embedded within their community. Our findings suggest the need for targeted strategies that leverage the reach of informal settings to capture family members as well as general community members.