Group Participation Research Articles

Bone health education in individuals with spinal cord injury or disease-the Bare Bones Podcast Series: plan it, produce it, post it!

The Consortium for Spinal Cord Medicine's inaugural Clinical Practice Guideline for Bone Health and Osteoporosis Management for Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury or Disease (CSCM-CPG) was published in 2022 for a clinician audience. The aim of this project was to develop a podcast series to ensure people with lived experience with Spinal Cord Injury or Disease (PLEX) understand the CSCM-CPG content and know how to act to reduce their fracture risk. The "Bare Bones Podcast Series" consists of nine episodes; one related to each CSCM-CPG chapter. The podcast content and the questions asked in each podcast were co-developed by PLEX partners (PLEX-P) and the project team. Two PLEX-P acted as co-hosts for the series. The invited speaker(s) were CSCM-CPG expert panel members who participated in an informal dialogue with the hosts. Each podcast closes with a specific action a listener can do to advance their bone health. The related Educational Action Planning Tool (EAT) handouts contain text and infographic information specific to each podcast episode and include key concepts and a specific actionable take-home message. Local PLEX reviewers (PLEX-R) were invited to review podcast episodes and EATs and provide their feedback through focus group participation or one-on-one (1:1) interviews. The project team revised the podcast episodes and the EATs based on feedback from the PLEX-R prior to releasing them online. Nine podcast episodes and related EATs were designed and created collaboratively with 3 PLEX-P, 22 PLEX-R, 11 CSCM-CPG expert panel members, and the project team. The episodes were titled: "Introduction to the Bare Bones of Bone Health"; "Fracture 101"; "Blood Tests-a Window into You"; "I See Your Skeleton"; "Vitamin D for all, Calcium for Some"; "Get Moving and Loading"; "Pills or Poisons & Atomic Habits"; "Snap and Crack"; and "Directions for Research". The Bare Bones Podcast Series was shared through the project website. The podcasts will aid PLEX and their family caregivers to advocate for ongoing bone health assessments and to promote an ongoing dialogue with care team members regarding how to prevent fractures and fracture-related morbidity and mortality.

ZOOGEOGRAPHICAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE FAUNA OF THE GEOMETRID MOTHS (LEPIDOPTERA: GEOMETRIDAE) OF AMURSKAYA OBLAST

The paper provides a zoogeographical characteristic of the fauna of geometrid moth fauna (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) of Amurskaya Oblast (Far East of Russia) in the aspects of regional zoogeographic connections with neighboring territories and connections of local moth faunas with the main types of landscapes within the region. It has been established that the moth fauna of Amurskaya Oblast shows a clear similarity with the faunas of the southeastern part of the Far Eastern Federal District in terms of species composition and the participation of longitudinal and altitudinal-latitudinal groups of areas. Differences of the fauna of Amurskaya Oblast from other regions are due to its middle location on the south of the District and direct contact with the regions of Eastern Siberia. The fauna of Amurskaya Oblast is closest to that of Khabarovskii Krai in the species composition, and differs in a smaller proportion of species included in the Far Eastern group of areas. There are two faunal complexes of moths in Amurskaya Oblast: boreal (taiga), with a predominance of wide-area northern mid-latitude species, and nemoral, with a predominance of Far Eastern southern midand low-latitude species. Fauna of geometrid moths of Amurskaya Oblast south of ~53° N and west of the river Bureya is a transitional between boreal and nemoral, relatively clinal changing in the composition of the groups of areas in the direction of southeast – northwest. There is no distinct northern border of the transitional zone due to the high patchiness of the distribution of boreal and nemoral biocenoses. Communities of geometrid moths of nemoral forests occupy the extreme southeast of Amurskaya Oblast east of the river Bureya, which can be considered an only distinct boundary of westward distribution for many Far Eastern southern mid- and low-latitude species of geometrid moths. In the transitional zone, a meadow-forest subzone is distinguished, containing species of moths associated with the steppe and forest-steppe faunas of Central Asia and Northern China. Based on the structure of local moth faunas, the Siberian – East Asian faunal boundary in the Amurskaya Oblast appears as a wide sublatitudinal “transitional” zone, running from approximately 53° N latitude in the north to the lower reaches of the river Bureya (~50° N latitude) in the south of the region.

Fluorescence Recognition of Hydrazine Driven by Neighboring Group Participation.

Hydrazine (N2H4) has toxic effects on the environment. Although a variety of reactive probes have been used to identify hydrazine, practical applications required continuous development of hydrazine fluorescent probes with improved performance. Here, we applied the neighboring group participation (NGP) to the design of a fluorescent probe for hydrazine. The probe exhibited a rapid response to N2H4 and strong anti-interference ability, with detection limited to 0.031μmol/L. Theoretical calculation showed that the energy barrier could be reduced by NGP. The cyclic intermediate formed by the indole ring and the α-ester carbonyl group significantly reduced the activation energy of the reaction. Practically, the probe could detect hydrazine in actual water samples.

Transforming teaching through cooperative inquiry: meaningful research for university teachers

ABSTRACT In this article, seven participants from nursing, social work, accounting, fine arts, bioscience, and learning support disciplines share insights gained through participation in a transdisciplinary cooperative inquiry research group aimed at developing excellence in teaching. This Cooperative Inquiry for Reflection and Collaboration on Learning Effectiveness (CIRCLE) group promoted transformation of individual participants’ teaching as well as development of interdepartmental collaboration and camaraderie within the context of contemporary, performance-based academic environments. Collaborative, pedagogical, action research was undertaken through cooperative inquiry (CI) to explore transformative learning activities that increased teachers’ and students’ engagement while covering prescribed learning outcomes using creative approaches. The results are presented in a reflexive, collaborative autoethnography through seven authentic teacher stories. Reflections on the process and the impact of being in the research group provide evidence of the potential transdisciplinary, CI research groups offer to enhance research and teaching outcomes in higher education. These findings are significant internationally in light of the necessity to meet the increasing expectations of all stakeholders in the global tertiary education sector.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CHILD IDENTITY CARD POLICY IN SERANG DISTRICT, BANTEN PROVINCE

The issuance of birth certificates for the child population in Banten Province has reached the specified target, where out of 2,923,089 child population who have birth certificates as many as 2,905,894 residents or equivalent to 99.41%. However, this is not matched by the issuance of Child Identity Cards, the percentage of coverage is still very low, which only reaches 29.78% of the entire child population who already has a birth certificate. The purpose of the research is to find out, analyze and explain the implementation of the child identity card, the determinant factors that determine and construct an effective Child Identity Card policy implementation model in Serang Regency, Banten Province. This research uses the theory of policy implementation put forward by Hamdi (2014) with the dimensions of productivity, linearity and efficiency. Determinant factors that influence policy implementation are policy substance, implementing officer behavior, network interaction, target group participation and resources. The research method used is qualitative research with a descriptive approach. Data collection techniques were carried out by interview, observation and documentation. The results showed that the implementation of the Child Identity Card policy in Serang Regency was not optimal.

Relations between different components of group identification and types of social media political participation in the context of the Fridays for Future movement

Social media revolutionized political participation possibilities, and movements like Fridays for Future (FFF) rely on them. Understanding the factors driving the novel online modes of political participation is crucial. Consequently, this project explores the relations between diverse group identification components and social media political participation types in the context of FFF, drawing on the Social Identity Model of Pro-Environmental Action and extending previous work by treating group identification as multidimensional construct.Two German quota samples (N = 619, 45 % men; N = 616, 44 % men) completed online surveys assessing group identification components and social media political participation types applied to the FFF context. Generalized linear models were used to investigate their relations.Centrality – the extent to which individuals perceive their membership in FFF as an important aspect of their self-concept – was the strongest and most consistent predictor of Counter, Follower, and Expressive Engagement via social media in both samples. Additionally, each social media political participation type exhibited distinct connections with different group identification components.These results underscore the relevance of group identification in emerging forms of social media political participation. The diverse connections between distinct group identification components and participation types underscore the need to examine both considering their diverse forms.

Citizen science for social physics: digital tools and participation

Social physics is an active and diverse field in which many scientists with formal training in physics study a broad class of complex social phenomena. Social physics investigates societal problems but most often does not count on the active and conscious participation of the citizens. We here want to support the idea that citizen science, and more particularly citizen social science, can contribute to the broad field of social physics. The current manuscript is not a review paper of citizen science projects from the context of social physics as there are still too few experiences in this context. We, in contrast, present a selection of our own experiences during the last decade to extract key learnings and further reflect on citizen science practices for social physics. We first describe several human mobility experiments in urban contexts with the participation of concerned young students, old women, or other different groups of neighbors. We second share how we have studied community mental healthcare provision in collaboration with a civil society organization and with the intense involvement of persons with lived experience in mental health. In both cases, we narrow down the discussion to digital tools being used and the involved participatory dynamics. In this way, we share key learnings to enhance a synergistic relationship between social physics and citizen science and with the aim of increasing the societal impact of the research on complex social phenomena.

Relationship between Social Participation, Children's Support, and Social Frailty with Falls among Older Adults in Colombia.

There is limited research on social factors related to falls among older adults. This study assessed the association between falls during the past year with social participation, children's support, relationship with children, and social frailty. Participants were 17,687 community-dwelling older adults from the 2015 Survey on Health, Well-being, and Aging (SABE) in Colombia. Covariates included sociodemographic characteristics, environmental barriers, psychotropic intake, vision problems, memory loss, multimorbidity, and fear of falling. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, being socially frail (vs. no-frail) was associated with higher odds of falls (odds ratio [OR]=1.20; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10-1.32). Participating in groups (OR=1.07; 95% CI 1.03-1.11), helping others (OR=1.04; 95% CI 1.02-1.06), or volunteering (OR=1.09; 95% CI 1.01-1.17) were also associated with higher odds of falls. These findings were partly explained because most group participants reside in cities where they are more exposed to environmental barriers. In contrast, receiving help, affection, and company from children (OR=0.95; 95% CI 0.93-0.97) was associated with lower fall odds than not receiving it. Moreover, having a good relationship with children was associated with lower odds of falls (OR=0.75; 95% CI, 0.66-0.85) compared to an unsatisfactory relationship. Support from children and having a good relationship with them were associated with fewer falls; however, social frailty and participation in social groups were associated with more falls.

Investigating the effects of speaking tasks in clubhouse on EFL learners’ speaking and foreign language speaking anxiety

This quasi-experimental study examined the effects of speaking tasks on EFL learners’ speaking skills and Foreign Language Speaking Anxiety (FLSA) using a mobile application conducted outside the classroom. A total of sixty Iranian upper-intermediate level EFL students were divided into experimental and control groups to compare the effectiveness of speaking tasks using the Clubhouse application. Data were collected using the FLSA scale and the speaking pre-and post-test scores of the participants. The speaking proficiency of the participants was assessed based on the IELTS band descriptor, which included fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation. Utilizing one-way ANCOVA and Mann-Whitney U test, it was concluded that participation of the experimental group in speaking tasks at the Clubhouse improved their speaking proficiency and reduced their anxiety when speaking in the target language compared to traditional classes. The findings of the study call for the integration of synchronous mobile-based apps such as Clubhouse for out-of-class speaking tasks to improve EFL learners’ speaking skills and reduce their FLSA levels.

Do sexual minorities participate more in politics?

Individuals who participate more in politics tend to be better represented politically. As a result, it is important to examine which groups are more and which groups are less likely to participate. In this paper, we study the institutional and non-institutional political participation of an important group that has only received scant attention in the literature: sexual minorities. To do so, we leverage recent datasets and conduct the first comprehensive study on the relationship between sexual orientation and non-electoral political participation in Canada. Consistent with our theoretical expectations, the analyses reveal that sexual minorities ( n = 2061) participate to a greater extent in politics compared to heterosexuals ( n = 23,652), even after controlling for numerous socioeconomic factors. We also find that the sexuality gap is similar across gender identities. We conclude by discussing the implications of our findings for the comparative literature on sexuality and politics.

The Role of Community Energy Schemes in Reducing Energy Poverty and Promoting Social Inclusion: A Systematic Literature Review

Sustainable energy projects can help societies reduce climate change’s negative impacts. In the present paper, published studies regarding European community energy schemes (CESs) were analysed to investigate CESs’ barriers and drivers towards including community members and, more specifically, vulnerable groups. This review followed the PRISMA guidelines to ensure transparency. Exclusion and inclusion criteria were defined to select the proper articles and books that were aligned with the scope of this review. A total of 143 publications from 2019 to February 2024 were considered and selected. Content analysis was used to outline the various definitions of energy poverty, vulnerable groups, and CESs as well as the different strategies and approaches followed by European countries to tackle energy poverty and increase public engagement in CESs. This research suggests that environmental citizenship is a concept that can bring individuals and society together to promote changes in energy-related behaviours. The outcome reveals factors that enhance community energy acceptance and social cohesion such as providing energy education or education for sustainability to community members, financial support, increased prosocial culture, and the participation of vulnerable groups in CESs. This can be achieved through various interventions to help community members, including vulnerable groups, understand sustainable energy behaviour and thus reduce energy poverty.

Девиантное онлайн-поведение: от классификации видов к анализу программ и технологий помощи

<p style="text-align: justify;">The article presents the classification of deviant online behavior, as well as an analysis of programmes and technologies to help minors on the Internet. Such types of deviant online behavior as cyber aggressive (trolling, cyberbullying, hitting, etc.), antisocial (Internet fraud, participation in destructive groups, etc.), auto-aggressive and self-harming, cyber addictive (Internet addiction, dumscrolling, phabbing, etc.), cyber risky (watching thrashing, trolling, phabbing, etc.), cyber risky (watching thrash content, taking dangerous selfies, etc.) as well as cybervictim behavior (grooming, sexting, etc.). For the analysis, 10 programmes from the last 5 years, in which the topic of deviant behavior of minors on the Internet and cyber security was stated, were taken from open sources. In the process of analysis, the evaluation criteria outlined in the Guidelines for the Verification of Educational and Social Programmes and Technologies in accordance with the evidence-based approach in psychology and education were applied. Conclusions were drawn about the focus of the analysed programmes, and prospects for further development of social and psycho-pedagogical work technologies in the context of online deviant behavior were proposed.</p>

Measles outbreak in 2019: a warning for the post-COVID-19 pandemic period.

Introduction. At the end of 2019 and the year before, there was a significant spread of measles in the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region.Gap statement. Among the countries that reported, a measles outbreak was Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).Aim. To describe the measles outbreak in BiH (an entity of the Federation of BiH, FBiH) in 2019.Methodology. Confirmatory IgM serology, measles nucleic acid detection by real-time RT-PCR and virus genotyping were done in the WHO-accredited laboratory for measles and rubella at the Clinical Center of the University of Sarajevo, Unit for Clinical Microbiology. Genotype was determined in all measles-RNA-positive cases by sequence analysis of the 450 nt fragment coding the C-terminal of measles virus nucleoprotein (N).Results. From 1 January to 31 December 2019, 1332 measles cases were reported, with the peak observed in April 2019 (413/1332, 31.01 %). Sarajevo Canton had the highest incidence, number of cases and percentage (206.4; 868/1332; 65.17 %) of measles cases. Around four-fifths of infected persons were unvaccinated (1086/1332, 81.53 %), while 4.58 % of the patients (61/1332) were immunized with one dose of measles-containing vaccine. The highest proportion of cases was found in children 0-6 years of age (738/1332, 55.41 %). Measles IgM positivity was determined in 75.88 % (346/456), while virus RNA was detected in 82.46 % (47/57) of the swab samples. All measles virus sequences belonged to genotype B3. SNP (position 216: C=>T) was detected in 1 of the 40 sequences obtained during this outbreak.Conclusion. Due to suboptimal immunization coverage, BiH belongs to countries at a high risk for measles outbreaks. Post-COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic, targeted and tailored strategies are required to ensure routine vaccination demand and acceptance and broad partner and stakeholder group participation.

The effects of Baduanjin exercise on physical fitness and mental health of female college students

Background and Study Aim. In the context of increasing stress and declining health among female college students, there is an urgent need for effective methods to enhance their physical and mental well-being. The aim of this study is to analyze the impact of Baduanjin exercise on the physical fitness and mental health of female college students. Materials and methods. Sixty female college students at University were randomly selected from 150 volunteers to participate in this study. They were equally divided into an experimental group and a control group, with 30 students in each. All 60 participants completed the experiment. The study's protocol was conducted in accordance with ethical standards and was approved by the Institutional Review Board of University. Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants involved in the study. The experimental group received a 16-week intervention of traditional Baduanjin exercise, while the control group engaged in other unfixed sports activities synchronously. Results. After the experiment, the average weight of the experimental group decreased significantly from 52.41±6.35 kg to 50.06±5.46 kg (P<0.01). Body mass index, waist circumference, and other indicators also showed significant improvements. The step test index in the experimental group increased from 45.09±4.45 to 50.72±4.46, which was significantly different from the baseline (P<0.01). Improvements were noted in vital capacity, grip strength, and sit-up performance, all showing significant differences from baseline measures (P<0.01). The standing long jump and 800 m running performances in the experimental group showed significant improvement compared to pre-experiment measurements (P<0.05). Additionally, all mental health indicators in the experimental group demonstrated a downward trend, with significant differences in 10 indicators such as somatization, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, interpersonal sensitivity, and depression (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Moreover, there was a significant inter-group difference in motor skills and physical fitness between the experimental and control groups in the 800 m run (230.78±30.61 vs. 231.32±32.15) and standing long jump (1.81±0.33 vs. 1.78±0.42) after the intervention (P<0.05). Furthermore, significant differences were observed in mental excitement and participation in the experimental group before and after the Baduanjin exercise as assessed by Baduanjin’s Self-Perception Inventory (P<0.01). Conclusions. This study demonstrates that a 16-week program of traditional Baduanjin exercise significantly improves both physical and mental health parameters among female college students. These findings suggest that Baduanjin exercise can be an effective intervention for enhancing physical fitness and alleviating psychological distress in this population. The results underscore the potential of integrating traditional physical activities into health promotion strategies for young adults in educational settings.

Women Empowerment through Participation in Self Help Groups (SHGs): A Way towards Achieving Sustainable Development

Goal 5 of the SDGs targets achieving gender equality and promotes women empowerment. Since women constitute 50% of the population, issues related to their social, economic and political empowerment are integral to each of the 17 goals. Government of India, in its Ninth Five Year Plan (1997–2002) introduced the Self-Help Group (SHG) model as a core strategy for the empowerment of women and since then it has emerged as one of the largest and fastest-growing microfinance programs in the developing world. The present study aims to study the functioning of the SHGs, and the perception of SHG participants about their empowerment in terms of education, economic, social and political. The study is based on Surulia village, in Purulia District of West Bengal and includes 100 SHG members. Results revealed that SHG participation has benefitted the members significantly with 82% respondents agreeing to improvement in their reading and writing skills, 90% women agreeing to increased family income after joining the SHGs and 46% women have gained awareness about women’s rights over property. However, despite these achievements SHG participation has not led to any significant improvement in terms of political empowerment among these women.

The influence of the conditions of applying sealing polymer materials on the deformation resistance of the sealanter to sclofibro concrete

The article deals with the features of the treatment of solid surfaces with a primer before using sealing materials. The adhesive strength of the sealant to the area of adhesion is the basis for sealing the joints. Lack of adhesion leads to the ingress of water, dirt, precipitation and other climatic effects, which eventually lead to the destruction of the seams. Therefore, it is extremely important to observe the seam treatment technology before applying the sealant. Proper treatment of seams with a primer, observing the time of application to the base, before using sealing materials will increase the durability and service lifespan of the sealed joint. To improve the adhesive strength between the adhesive and the substrate, as a rule, the hard surface (substrate) is pre-treated with a primer based on polyurethane foam or epoxy resins. These primers are used because when exposed to a hard surface, a polymer matrix is formed, which, upon further contact with the sealant, increases the adhesion strength in the contact zone. In surface defect zones with moisture content, a new surface layer is also formed due to the participation of polymer groups in forming intramolecular hydrogen bonds. The formation of a polymer layer on a solid surface containing defective zones requires a certain time. Tests were carried out to determine the resistance to deformations of a combination of sealant/primer sealing materials in combination with glass fiber reinforced concrete samples and to establish the influence of the conditions for applying a primer/sealant to the surface of a glass fiber reinforced concrete composition on resistance to a series of character cycles of equal loads and temperature changes, with a deformation of the sealing material of 25% . It has been established that the time of treatment of a solid surface with a primer should be at least 5 minutes. If this condition is not observed when sealing materials are applied to glass fiber reinforced concrete, it may cause the sealant to separate from the base.

Stereoinvertive SN1 Through Neighboring Group Participation

AbstractNeighboring group participation, the assistance of non‐conjugated electrons to a reaction center, is a fundamental phenomenon in chemistry. In the framework of nucleophilic substitution reactions, neighboring group participation is known to cause rate acceleration, first order kinetics (SN1), and retention of configuration. The latter phenomenon is a result of double inversion: the first one when the neighboring group displaces the leaving group, and the second when a nucleophile substitutes the neighboring group. This powerful control of stereoretention has been widely used in organic synthesis for more than a century. However, neighboring group participation may also lead to inversion of configuration, a phenomenon which is often overlooked. Herein, we review this unique mode of stereoinversion, dividing the relevant reactions into three classes with the aim to introduce a fresh perspective on the different modes of stereoinversion via neighboring group participation as well as the factors that control this stereochemical outcome.

Breaking down barriers: encouraging participation of underserved groups in STEM for the future

Breaking down barriers: encouraging participation of underserved groups in STEM for the future

Stereoinvertive SN1 Through Neighboring Group Participation.

Neighboring group participation, the assistance of non-conjugated electrons to a reaction center, is a fundamental phenomenon in chemistry. In the framework of nucleophilic substitution reactions, neighboring group participation is known to cause rate acceleration, first order kinetics (SN1), and retention of configuration. The latter phenomenon is a result of double inversion: the first one when the neighboring group displaces the leaving group, and the second when a nucleophile substitutes the neighboring group. This powerful control of stereoretention has been widely used in organic synthesis for more than a century. However, neighboring group participation may also lead to inversion of configuration, a phenomenon which is often overlooked. Herein, we review this unique mode of stereoinversion, dividing the relevant reactions into three classes with the aim to introduce a fresh perspective on the different modes of stereoinversion via neighboring group participation as well as the factors that control this stereochemical outcome.

Determinants of climate change adaptation strategies and intensity of use; micro level evidence from crop farmers in Kenya

Climate change and its negative impacts pose a threat to crop production in Kenya. However, climate change adaptation strategies have the potential to address the challenges faced by crop farmers. Despite this, there is limited literature to inform policy on the best interventions to help farmers deal with climate issues. This study assessed the determinants of climate change adaptation strategies and the intensity of their use among 723 crop farmers in Busia County, Kenya, selected through a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA), multinomial logit regression, and the ordered probit model. The climate change adaptation strategies were categorized into crop diversity, cover crops, use of drought-resistant crops, and irrigation. According to the results, the factors contributing to the uptake of the different adaptation strategies were age, household size, access to credit, training access, off-farm income, group membership, frequency of receiving climate change information, and extension services. The major factors influencing the uptake of multiple climate change adaptation strategies were access to credit and off-farm income. The study shows that certain adaptation strategies, such as using cover crops, do not require credit and offer an important option in an environment with limited resources. On the other hand, adaptation measures such as irrigation demand financial resources for farmers to implement them, highlighting the importance of information and awareness in adopting adaptation strategies and the supportive role of financial resources, particularly for adopting multiple strategies. Therefore, this study suggests implementing policies and interventions that encompass knowledge-based strategies such as extension services, training, climate change education, group participation, and financial mechanisms like income generation activities and access to credit. These integrated strategies will enable farmers to adopt various climate change adaptation methods for sustainable crop production.