Pervasive Phenomenon Research Articles

What do we know about femicide in Italy? Data and insights from a repeated cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Gender-based violence represents a huge public health issue, affecting mental, physical health and productivity. It is a significant obstacle to achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women. While the overall homicide rate is decreasing in Italy, femicide, the intentional killing of women due to gender-related motivations, remains stable over time. This is the first study in Italy to evaluate potential risk factors of femicide, exploring the sociodemographic characteristics of victims and perpetrators of femicides, as well as the geographic distribution across Italy, with insights into differences between the size of municipalities and between geographic areas. Methods A repeated cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate femicides in Italy from 2020 to 2023 using data sources from Non Una Di Meno, an Italian NGO, and the Italian National Institute of Statistics. Results Our preliminary findings show that the majority (83%) of homicides of women were femicides. On a final sample of 403 femicides, in most cases (94,3%) the victims were more likely to be hit by their current or former partner or by a family member. In 97% of cases perpetrator was a man. In more than 50% of cases, both the victims and the perpetrators were under 55 years old (respectively, 51,8% and 57,9%). Femicide rates was 0.33 per 100,000 women. There appear to be no significant differences between the rates of femicide as the size of the municipality and the geographic macro-area vary, highlighting the extensive spread of the phenomenon throughout the territory. Conclusions Our findings show that femicide is a systematic and widespread phenomenon that occurs mostly within the home and needs interventions at the European level to prevent systemic violence against women. Moreover, this study provides methodological considerations to define femicide, suggests improvements to data collection methods and offer insights for future research in this field. Key messages • It is important to gather robust data on gender-based homicide, as it represents a public health issue. • Femicide is a pervasive and systematic phenomenon that predominantly occurs within the home and requires intervention at the European level.

The position of diplomacy in Iranian sports

Sports diplomacy is a pervasive phenomenon that at the diplomatic level is one of the most important components of communication between countries and nations, and therefore it is important to know what is the position of Iran, as a powerful country in the field of diplomacy in this area. The purpose of this study was to investigate the position of diplomacy in Iranian sports. The research method was descriptive-analytical and applied in terms of purpose. The statistical population of the study was all political-sports managers and experts in the field of sports diplomacy who were selected by purposive and accessible sampling. The data collection method included library studies, semi-structured interviews with experts and finally the Delphi method in three stages. In order to identify the strategic position, the Internal Factor Evaluation Matrix (IFE) and the External Factor Evaluation Matrix (EFE) were used. The results showed that the position of Iranian sports diplomacy is in the position of WO (conservative strategy). In this regard, it is concluded that high-level officials and policymakers in the Ministry of Sports, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant institutions should focus their plans on addressing weaknesses and taking advantage of existing opportunities.

Analytical Figures of Merit in Univariate, Multivariate, and Multiway Calibration: What Have We Learned? What Do We Still Need to Learn?

ABSTRACTAn overview of the status of the research in analytical figures of merit is provided, including all calibration scenarios from univariate to multivariate and multiway analytical protocols. Both linear and nonlinear multivariate models are considered. Starting with the simplest multivariate model, inverse least‐squares regression, the basic concepts of sensitivity, sample leverage, and limit of detection are introduced. The extension to other multivariate models is discussed, as well as to nonlinear models based on radial basis functions, kernel partial least‐squares, and multilayer feed‐forward artificial neural networks. Finally, multiway calibration models are discussed, including multilinear decomposition models such as parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) and multivariate curve resolution–alternating least‐squares (MCR‐ALS). In the latter case, recent developments concerning the pervasive phenomenon of rotational ambiguity are discussed. Unfinished works and areas where further research efforts are needed to develop closed‐form expressions and to fully understand their meaning are included.

Family First: An Integrative Conceptual Review of Nepotism in Organizations

ABSTRACTWorkplace nepotism, the preferential treatment based on kinship or familial ties, is a pervasive phenomenon that permeates every corner of our global workforce, transcending cultures, countries, industries, and organizations. Despite its ubiquitous presence, research on nepotism remains fragmented and scattered, with diverse disciplines seldom converging or cross‐referencing one another. In this integrative review, we synthesize, integrate, and critically assess the extant body of knowledge about workplace nepotism. Our aim is to provide HR scholars with a panoramic view of the known, the unknown, and the uncharted territories to move the field forward. To this end, we first provide a clear conceptualization of nepotism, setting it apart from closely related constructs. Second, we offer a comprehensive review of empirical evidence that summarizes the antecedents, consequences, and theoretical foundations of nepotism. Importantly, our review adopts an actor‐centric perspective, advocating that three main sets of actors are meaningfully involved in nepotism (i.e., instigators, beneficiaries, and third parties), thereby contributing to theory by showing that nepotism may differentially relate to outcomes depending on which actor's perspective is taken. Third, we identify the shortcomings related to theory, methods, and measures, while identifying best practices. In particular, we offer insights into how future scholarship may meaningfully extend this literature. Finally, we provide evidence‐based guidelines for how organizations and their leaders may develop and refine their policies regarding the hiring, promotion, evaluation, and compensation of family members and relatives.

Development and Validation of an AI Virtual Streamer Scale for Live-Streaming E-Commerce

In recent years, AI virtual streamers (i.e., digital characters with human-like appearances) have become a pervasive e-commerce phenomenon but remain almost unexplored in the literature on e-commerce marketing. The possible reasons for this deficiency are the vagueness of the AI virtual streamer concept and the lack of a measurement tool. Therefore, this study aimed to conceptualize AI virtual streamers and develop an AI virtual streamer characteristic scale through five stages based on social response theory. Following item generation, measurement refinement, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factory analysis and nomological validity, a third-dimensional (persona, anthropomorphism, and interactivity) scale with 10 items was established. Empirical results reveal sound measurement qualities in terms of reliability and validity, and demonstrate its unique position in respect to established marketing concepts. The developed scale has managerial implications for designing and applying virtual humans or avatars, such as virtual employees, virtual spokespersons, virtual idols, and virtual guided tours. This tool also enables future research on virtual live streaming, such as virtual destination live streaming, virtual education live streaming, or virtual live concerts.

Social inequalities in adult mortality across Europe (18th-21st centuries): A critical analysis of theories and evidence

This study examines the historical evolution of socioeconomic disparities in adult mortality, with a focus on European societies. Despite the widespread improvements in population health, social inequalities in mortality are a pervasive phenomenon nowadays. This paper employs a critical analysis of both theoretical and empirical literature to investigate major international studies and their findings on longevity differences associated with socioeconomic status from the nineteenth century to the early twenty-first century. Findings reveal that adult mortality trajectories have differed notably across social classes and regions, with some areas exhibiting disparities before the demographic transition and others showing inequalities emerging later. Understanding these long-term health inequality trends sheds light on the changing influence of medical advances and their interplay with economic growth, educational disparities, environmental factors, state roles, and production distribution, which have shaped mortality disparities through different development stages. These factors elucidate the international heterogeneity of results until the mid-twentieth century and offer explanatory insights into observed north-south patterns in Europe. Our findings contribute to a deeper understanding of how advancements in public health, economic development, and social policies have shaped health outcomes over centuries. The implications of this research inform ongoing debates and health policy, emphasizing a nuanced interpretation of historical data to craft effective strategies that address health inequalities today.

Interactions between soil and other environmental variables modulate forest expansion and ecotone dynamics in humid savannas of Central Africa.

Forest expansion into savanna is a pervasive phenomenon in West and Central Africa, warranting comparative studies under diverse environmental conditions. We collected vegetation data from the woody and grassy components within 73 plots of 0.16 ha distributed along a successional gradient from humid savanna to forest in Central Africa. We associated spatially collocated edaphic parameters and fire frequency derived from remote sensing to investigate their combined influence on the vegetation. Soil texture was more influential in shaping savanna structure and species distribution than soil fertility, with clay-rich soils promoting higher grass productivity and fire frequency. Savanna featuring woody aboveground biomass surpassing 40 Mg ha-1 could escape the grass-fire feedback loop, by depressing grass biomass below 4 Mg ha-1. This thicker woody layer also favoured the establishment of fire-tolerant forest pioneers, which synergically contributed to the expansion of forests. Conversely, savannas below this fire suppression threshold sustained a balance between trees and grasses through the grass-fire feedback mechanism. This hysteresis loop, particularly pronounced on clayey soils, suggests that the contrast between grassy savanna and young forests might represent alternative ecosystem states, although savannas with low woody biomass remained vulnerable to forest edge encroachment.

Be Patient, Don’t Complain (Yet)

Ever been confused about how to react when someone says they are doing something for your own good but you know oh-so-clearly that there is nothing good in it for you? Do you call them out for their misplaced benevolence? Or do you just acquiesce and come across as condoning their behavior? Both these options come with consequences, and costs. What should one do? This is a common dilemma for those subjected to benevolent sexism—a seemingly positive form of sexism that nevertheless undermines gender equity and is often hard to recognize and deal with. This article delves into the depths of this dilemma and is based on an autoethnographical account of one of the author’s experiences with benevolent sexism. The core narrative, originally written in the immediate aftermath of a significant incident, offers a deep dive into the protagonist’s mind as she navigates the decision to seek support politely rather than express outrage at the sexist behavior she encountered. Her narrative serves as the foundation for an abductive investigation, where the protagonist, in collaboration with her co-authors, undertakes a review of extant literature to make sense of her response. Together, they employ introspection and reflexivity to alternate between data and literature, bridging the gap between personal experience and scholarly analysis, and transforming the evocative account into a comprehensive examination of the pervasive social phenomenon of sexism within organizational contexts. Using an abductive, iterative process to interweave theory with an autoethnographical narrative, the article tries to resolve the dichotomy between confronting and condoning, often seen as the only responses to sexism, by proposing an approach that balances the interpersonal and intrapersonal costs and benefits of confrontation.

A Sociological Review of Gender-based Violence across the Globe

Gender-based violence is considered as a pervasive and widespread phenomenon which transcends into geographical, cultural and socio-economic boundaries and it affects individuals and communities worldwide. This paper tries to explores the intricate and multi-faceted nature of gender-based violence by delving into its prevalence, underlying causes and its wide-ranging consequences across the globe. At the outset, it is crucial to acknowledge that gender-based violence is not limited to any specific region or demography. The global scope and magnitude of this issue are staggering with millions of women experiencing violence or living with its consequences. Intimate partner violence, sexual abuse by non-intimate partners, trafficking, forced prostitution and exploitation of labor are some of the most common and severe forms of violence against women that are prevalent worldwide. Moreover, gender-based violence is not only found in the workplace since personal violence is deeply rooted in the very structure and power dimensions of the global economy. Underlying the pervasiveness of gender-based violence is the persistent gender inequality and power imbalances that exist within societies.

Features of cavitation wear of chrome electrolytic coatings

Cavitation wear is a pervasive phenomenon on water transport. The parts of ship propulsion system as well as the water-cooled surface of cylinder liners of high-speed ship diesels are subjected to cavitation attack. Bright chromium deposits are used to protect the water-cooled surface of liners. Nevertheless, the effect of cracks appearing in the electrolytic chrome coating upon depositing on the cavitation resistance of coating is still an open relevant problem. The goal of the study is to analyze the kinetics and mechanism of the destruction of the bright chrome electrolytic deposit under cavitation attack. The cavitation resistance of chrome electrolytic coatings after grinding and after polishing was studied. The chrome electrolytic coatings were obtained on the plates (90 × 30 × 7 mm in size) made of cast iron SCh21. The chrome was deposited on one side (90 × 30 mm) of the plate placed vertically by flow anodic jet chrome plating in standard electrolyte (kg/m3): chrome anhydride — 250; sulfuric acid — 2.5; trivalent chrome — no more than 5; trivalent iron ions — no more than 10. The electrolyte was prepared using distilled water of a single distillation. The parameters of depositing: electrolyte temperature is 50°C; the current density amounts to 60 A/dm2. Four samples cut from the same plate were used. The coatings on the first two samples were ground using the abrasive paper number 320. The coatings on the second pair of samples were first ground successively on the abrasive paper of different grit: 320, 500, 800, 1000, and 1200, and then polished on the cloth with GOI paste. The cavitation wear tests were carried out on a magnetostrictive vibratory rig in fresh water, the frequency and amplitude of the rig horn vibration was equal to 22 kHz and 28 μm, respectively. The spacing between the chrome-plated sample surface and the horn butt was 0.5 mm. The wear of the samples was evaluated by periodical weighing during testing. The wear of the ground samples turned to be significantly higher, than that of polished samples. The photographs of the surface after different duration of the cavitation attack show that the initial cracks formed on the coating during chrome plating are the centers of cavitation destruction. To reduce the negative impact of initial cracks on the cavitation resistance of the bright chrome electrolytic coatings deposited on the water-cooled surface of the cylinder liners of diesels it is shown expedient to include polishing in the technological process of depositing chrome coatings.

The impact of fiscal expenditure fluctuation on cost asymmetry: Evidence from China

AbstractThis study investigates the relationship between district government fiscal expenditure fluctuation and asymmetric cost behaviour in China. Using the unique manual data sets of Chinese A‐listed firms during the period 2003–2018, we find that cost stickiness is a pervasive phenomenon and that fiscal expenditure fluctuation positively affects cost stickiness. The results also demonstrate this effect is more pronounced when labour input is high and the size of the population is large. In addition, our further analysis indicates that higher social welfare incomes and the higher administrative level of a city can influence these results.

Forms of gender-based violence against Men in Tigania West, Meru County-Kenya: physical, sexual and emotional violence

ABSTRACT Gender-based violence (GBV) stands as a pervasive global phenomenon impacting individuals irrespective of their gender. Although traditionally, women have been predominantly recognised as primary victims, men also encounter diverse dimensions of GBV. This research focuses on discerning the prevalent forms of GBV against men within the context of Tigania West Sub County, Meru County. Employing an exploratory cross-sectional survey design, the study integrated focus group discussions and questionnaires for comprehensive data collection. A sample of 398 respondents was selected through a simple random sampling technique. Guided by Albert Bandura's Social Learning Theory and complemented by Gender theory, the research employed a mixed-method analytical approach, encompassing qualitative and quantitative methods with descriptive and inferential statistical analyses. The study delves into three crucial dimensions impacting men in the context of GBV in Tigania West, namely sociocultural factors, economic factors, and the repercussions on mental health and well-being. The study brought to light that men often endure GBV in silence, underscoring the importance of addressing underreporting. Ultimately, the findings of this research are poised to enhance policy and practical responses concerning GBV.

Internalized Misogyny: A Transnational Exploration of Select Literary Narratives

Patriarchy is a pervasive global phenomenon, that creates social, cultural and political disparities and perpetuates gender inequality, discrimination and bias. It is deeply embedded in various discourses of human civilization, operating through both identifiable and unidentifiable mechanisms. Internalized misogyny, many a time is a subtle apparatus that manifests and maintains patriarchy and gender inequality. Identifying internalized misogyny is a complex task owing to the fact that its practices are often legitimized and internalized by women, thus making it unrecognized. Periodically, when overt structures of patriarchal hegemonies are criticized, the covert means of hegemonic functioning, particularly internalized misogyny remains underrepresented and uncritiqued. Thus, addressing the problem of internalized misogyny is the need of the hour. This study adopts two literary narratives namely, The Bonesetter’s Daughter by Amy Tan and Idris: Keeper of the Light by Anita Nair for the ongoing discussion on internalized misogyny. The Bonesetter’s Daughter by Amy Tan inquire into multigenerational reverberations of internalized misogyny, through the traction of mothers and daughters impelling Chinese traditions and gender roles upon themselves and other women around them. Idris: Keeper of the Light by Anita Nair clasps the reader’s attention towards 17th Century India and how the female characters grapples with societal norms that incarcerate them into subservient roles. Hence, this proposed paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the select works to identify and examine the discourse of internalized misogyny, that perpetuates gender inequality. By scrutinizing both works, this paper divulges into the omnipresent nature of internalized misogyny irrespective of contrasting historical and cultural contexts.

Diurnal.plant.tools in 2024: expanding to Marchantia polymorpha and four angiosperms.

Diurnal gene expression is a pervasive phenomenon occurring across all kingdoms of life, orchestrating adaptive responses to daily environmental fluctuations and thus enhancing organismal fitness. Our understanding of the plant circadian clock is primarily derived from studies in Arabidopsis and direct comparisons are difficult due to differences in gene family sizes. To this end, the identification of functional orthologs based on diurnal and tissue expression is necessary. The diurnal.plant.tools database constitutes a repository of gene expression profiles from 17 members of the Archaeplastida lineage, with built-in tools facilitating cross-species comparisons. In this database update, we expand the dataset with diurnal gene expression from 4 agriculturally significant crop species and Marchantia, a plant of evolutionary significance. Notably, the inclusion of diurnal gene expression data for Marchantia enables researchers to glean insights into the evolutionary trajectories of the circadian clock and other biological processes spanning from algae to angiosperms. Moreover, integrating diurnal gene expression data with datasets from related gene co-expression databases, such as CoNekt-Plants and CoNekt-Stress, which contain gene expression data for tissue and perturbation experiments, provides a comprehensive overview of gene functions across diverse biological contexts. This expanded database serves as a valuable resource for elucidating the intricacies of diurnal gene regulation and its evolutionary underpinnings in plant biology.

Who is at risk of bias? Examining dispositional differences in motivated science reception.

The motivated reception of science in line with one's preexisting convictions is a well-documented, pervasive phenomenon. In two studies (N = 743), we investigated whether this bias might be stronger in some people than others due to dispositional differences. Building on the assumptions that motivated science reception is driven by perceived threat and suspicion and higher under perceived ambiguity and uncertainty, we focused on traits associated with such perceptions. In particular, we tested the impact of conspiracy mentality and victim sensitivity on motivated science reception (as indicated by ascriptions of researchers' trustworthiness and evidence credibility). In addition, we explored the role of broader personality traits (generalized mistrust and ambiguity intolerance) in this context. None of the investigated dispositions modulated the motivated science reception effect. This demonstrates once again, that motivated science reception is a ubiquitous challenge for the effective dissemination of science and everyone seems to be at risk of it.

A descriptive study of poisoners and users of other indiscriminate means to illegally control wildlife in Spain

AbstractPoison and other indiscriminate means are used illegally for wildlife control worldwide. This pervasive phenomenon can significantly damage ecosystems overall and be particularly harmful to certain species (endangered or otherwise) that are susceptible to poisoned baits. Poisoning (and co‐occurring poaching) jeopardizes public administration efforts to reintroduce or support the populations of certain species, while the favored toxic substances used pose a major threat not only to the biodiversity of habitats but also to human health. Both alleged and actual harm to crops and hunting resources are the main driver of illegal vermin and predator control. Previous studies on poisons and other nonselective methods of wildlife elimination have focused on the means used and the species affected. We have instead taken a global empirical approach, also analyzing contextual aspects, what motivates perpetrators and, eventually, the characteristics of the poisoners and users of various indiscriminate means for illegal wildlife control in Spain. This analysis is derived from a thorough examination of incidents based on the investigation of perpetrator by police and judicial records. Furthermore, this work provides a methodological framework that serves as first approach to this issue, gaining insight into the formulation of preventive policies and improving decision taking by law enforcement agencies.

Machine-learning-coined noise induces energy-saving synchrony.

Noise-induced synchronization is a pervasive phenomenon observed in a multitude of natural and engineering systems. Here, we devise a machine learning framework with the aim of devising noise controllers to achieve synchronization in diverse complex physical systems. We find the implicit energy regularization phenomenon of the formulated framework that engenders energy-saving artificial noise and we rigorously elucidate the underlying mechanism driving this phenomenon. We substantiate the practical feasibility and efficacy of this framework by testing it across various representative systems of physical and biological significance, each influenced by distinct constraints reflecting real-world scenarios.

Pink noise promotes sooner state transitions during bimanual coordination

The seemingly straightforward task of tying one's shoes requires a sophisticated interplay of joints, muscles, and neural pathways, posing a formidable challenge for researchers studying the intricacies of coordination. A widely accepted framework for measuring coordinated behavior is the Haken-Kelso-Bunz (HKB) model. However, a significant limitation of this model is its lack of accounting for the diverse variability structures inherent in the coordinated systems it frequently models. Variability is a pervasive phenomenon across various biological and physical systems, and it changes in healthy adults, older adults, and pathological populations. Here, we show, both empirically and with simulations, that manipulating the variability in coordinated movements significantly impacts the ability to change coordination patterns-a fundamental feature of the HKB model. Our results demonstrate that synchronized bimanual coordination, mirroring a state of healthy variability, instigates earlier transitions of coordinated movements compared to other variability conditions. This suggests a heightened adaptability when movements possess a healthy variability. We anticipate our study to show the necessity of adapting the HKB model to encompass variability, particularly in predictive applications such as neuroimaging, cognition, skill development, biomechanics, and beyond.

Ribosome heterogeneity in development and disease.

Traditionally viewed as a fixed and homogeneous machinery for protein synthesis, the ribosome is increasingly recognized for its heterogeneity, as indicated by emerging studies highlighting the functional relevance of specialized ribosomes. However, whether ribosome heterogeneity is merely an outcome limited to specific conditions or a pervasive cellular phenomenon remains unclear, and existing evidence on the extensive existence of ribosome heterogeneity is scant. Here, we leveraged existing proteomic data and employed ribosome ratio-omics (RibosomeR), which comprehensively analyzes ribosome protein stoichiometry across various biological samples exhibiting distinct functions, developmental stages, and pathological states. Using the 80S monosome proteomic data, RibosomeR analysis unveils significant ribosome heterogeneity across different tissues, including fat, spleen, liver, kidney, heart, and skeletal muscles. Furthermore, examination of testes at various stages of spermatogenesis reveals distinct RibosomeR signatures during tissue development. Analysis of the whole cell proteomic data finds that RibosomeR undergoes dynamic changes during in vitro neuronal maturation, indicating functional associations with specific molecular aspects of neurodevelopment. In pathological contexts, RibosomeR signatures in gastric tumors demonstrate functional links to pathways associated with tumorigenesis. Additionally, dynamic alterations in RibosomeR are observed in macrophages following immune challenges. Collectively, our investigation across a diverse array of biological samples underscores the presence of ribosome heterogeneity, while previous studies observed functional aspects of ribosome specialization, in cellular function, development, and disease. The RibosomeR barcode serves as a valuable tool for elucidating these complexities.

Primers on Adventurous Psychology and Risk Perception Bias among Cybercrime Helpers

In the context of the growing prevalence of the Internet, the incidence of cybercrime is increasing at a rapid pace. This has led to the emergence of cybercrime helpers, who have become a significant and pervasive phenomenon that cannot be overlooked. This paper addresses the psychological characteristics of those who engage in cybercrime. A combination of literature study and empirical research allows for a preliminary analysis of the risk-taking psychology and risk perception bias of cybercrime helpers. It also provides new ideas and directions for the study of curbing cybercrime and offers prevention and intervention strategies targeting the psychological level of low-age and social individuals. The study revealed that the risk-taking psychology and risk perception bias of cybercrime helpers are closely intertwined, influencing each other to prompt criminal behaviour. The findings offer implementation strategies with practical value for cybercrime governance.