Cultural Settings Research Articles

Potential Hepatitis a Analysis: Research on Healthy and Safe Lifestyles in Indonesian Education in Taiwan

Purpose: This research aims to develop a predictive model using the Health Belief Model behavioral theory approach to understand changes in eating habits and physical activity among Indonesian students in Taiwan. Given the historical context of hepatitis A outbreaks in Taiwan and the importance of preventive health behaviors, the study seeks to lay the foundation for further intervention research focused on promoting healthy lifestyles among Indonesian students. Methods: The research employs a basic research approach to develop a predictive model, drawing on the Health Belief Model framework. Data collection involves administering questionnaires to Indonesian students in Taiwan to assess their eating habits, physical activity, knowledge about hepatitis A prevention, and adherence to Clean and Healthy Living Behavior (PHBS) practices. Statistical analysis is conducted to identify factors influencing knowledge and behavior related to hepatitis A prevention. Results and Discussion: Analysis of questionnaire data from 112 Indonesian students reveals that many behaviors do not reflect PHBS practices aimed at preventing hepatitis A transmission. The results indicate that factors such as age, gender, and level of education significantly influence knowledge about hepatitis prevention and healthy hygiene behavior. Specifically, higher levels of knowledge correlate with better preventive behaviors, suggesting the importance of educational interventions in promoting health awareness among students. Implications of the Research: The findings have implications for public health interventions targeting Indonesian students in Taiwan to prevent hepatitis A transmission and promote healthy lifestyles. By identifying factors influencing knowledge and behavior related to hepatitis prevention, the research provides insights for developing targeted interventions and educational campaigns aimed at improving health outcomes among this population. Originality/Value: This research contributes to the literature by applying the Health Belief Model framework to understand and predict changes in eating habits and physical activity among Indonesian students in Taiwan. The study addresses the need for preventive health measures in response to hepatitis outbreaks and underscores the importance of cultural and contextual factors in shaping health behaviors among international student populations. The findings provide a basis for future intervention research and highlight the significance of promoting health awareness and preventive practices in diverse cultural settings.

Water Market Development in the Yellow River Basin: Challenges and Opportunities

Water market development in the Yellow River Basin (YRB) unfolds new opportunities for alleviating water scarcity and improving water productivity. However, the further development of an effective water market in the basin faces challenges such as unclear water rights, regulatory deficiencies, market deficiencies, and insufficient compensation to third-parties, among others. Studying water market development in Western countries provides useful insights for addressing similar challenges, thus providing useful case studies despite the different cultural, economic, institutional, and political settings. This paper investigates water markets in the Murray–Darling Basin in Australia, the western United States, and Chile to synthesize cases of water market development that could potentially contribute to overcoming the challenges encountered in the YRB. After analyzing these cases, recommendations are made for enhancing the YRB’s water market development from the perspectives of water rights systems, as well as the roles of the government and market, legal system, and third-party effects.

A Two-Stage Transferred Cold Atmospheric Plasma as a Unique Therapeutic Strategy for Targeting Colon Cancer Stem Cells.

The study examines the induction of apoptosis in colon cancer stem cells (CCSCs) within a 3D culture setting, employing an innovative cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) transmission method known as two-stage transferred cold atmospheric plasma (TS-TCAP). TS-TCAP is a partially or fully ionized non-thermal gaseous mixture that comprises photons, charged and neutral particles, and free radicals, which has gained traction in biomedical applications such as cancer therapy. TS-TCAP impacts CCSCs via a continuous, two-step transport process, facilitating the efficient delivery of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS). The key cellular factors of CCSCs impacted by TS-TCAP treatment, encompassing the secretion and expression levels of IL-6 and IL-8, apoptotic cell count, and expression of BAX, BCL-2, and KI-67 proteins, were evaluated using qrt-ELISA, Annexin V, and qrt-PCR procedures, respectively. The outcomes of CCSCs treatment with TS-TCAP reveal a notable rise in the number of apoptotic cells (P<0.0001), diminished secretion, and gene expression of IL-6 and IL-8 (P<0.0001), accompanied by favorable alterations in BCL-2 and BAX gene expression (P<0.0001). Additionally, a notable decrease in KI-67 expression was observed, correlating with a reduction in CCSCs proliferation (P<0.0001). As well, this study underscores the anti-cancer potential of TS-TCAP, showcasing its efficacy in reducing CCSCs survival rates. However, further pre-clinical and clinical trials are necessary to evaluate CAP's efficacy, safety, and potential synergistic effects with other therapies thoroughly. Overall, TS-TCAP presents a promising alternative for CCSCs treatment, pending further investigation and refinement.

THE INFLUENCE OF ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE ON THE LEADER AND TEAM FORMATION, MOTIVATING FACTORS FOR EMPLOYEES' WORK PERFORMANCE

The present article deals with the study of the issue of how the organizational culture affects the formation of the leader and the team, what factors are important for the motivation of employees. Whether the work to be performed is suitable for different means of motivation. Does the level of general satisfaction depend on pay? A good organizational culture is the main factor for the success of the organization. The organizational culture sets the framework for the participation and involvement of the employees, which leads to positive motivation in the organization. Organizational culture refers to the beliefs and principles of a particular organization. Organizational culture varies from one organization to another depending on leadership, motivation of employees and management. Organizational culture plays an important role in team building within a company. It affects how teams are structured, how team members interact and collaborate, and how they approach work. Unfortunately, there are still no clearly defined methods and standards for employee motivation in Georgia, professional training is also not regulated, there are no encouraging activities on the part of organizations that would contribute to the formation of a healthy corporate culture in Georgian companies. As important as it is to maintain a healthy organization, it is necessary to understand and study the importance of organizational culture. This topic becomes more relevant over time, so more leaders and supervisors understand that it is necessary to motivate employees and increase the level of their satisfaction. The formation of a strong organizational culture is very important for the successful functioning of the organization. Correctly selected culture helps the organization to form a strong company. It can be safely said that the organizational culture is the main aspect of the company, without it there will be complete chaos and great failure. It plays a significant role in the success of the company. Personally, I think this issue also adds relevance to the topic. Keywords: organizational culture, team, leader, employee, motivation, factors.

Precision Engineering of Chondrocyte Microenvironments: Investigating the Optimal Reaction Conditions for Type B Gelatin Methacrylate Hydrogel Matrix for TC28a2 Cells.

Gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) is a photocrosslinkable biomaterial that has gained widespread use in tissue engineering due to its favorable biological attributes and customizable physical and mechanical traits. While GelMA is compatible with various cell types, distinct cellular responses are observed within GelMA hydrogels. As such, tailoring hydrogels for specific applications has become imperative. Thus, our objective was to develop GelMA hydrogels tailored to enhance cell viability specifically for TC28a2 chondrocytes in a three-dimensional (3D) cell culture setting. We investigated GelMA synthesis using PBS and 0.25M CB buffer, analyzed the mechanical and physical traits of GelMA hydrogels, and evaluated how varying GelMA crosslinking conditions (GelMA concentration, photoinitiator concentration, and UV exposure time) affected the viability of TC28a2 chondrocytes. The results revealed that GelMA synthesis using 0.25M CB buffer led to a greater degree of methacrylation compared to PBS buffer, and the LAP photoinitiator demonstrated superior efficacy for GelMA gelation compared to Irgacure 2959. Additionally, the stiffness, porosity, and swelling degree of GelMA hydrogels were predominantly affected by GelMA concentration, while cell viability was impacted by all crosslinking conditions, decreasing notably with increasing GelMA concentration, photoinitiator concentration, and UV exposure time. This study facilitated the optimization of crosslinking conditions to enhance cell viability within GelMA hydrogels, a critical aspect for diverse biomedical applications.

Exploring the Experiences of Visiting Veterinary Service Providers in Indigenous Communities in Canada: Proposing Strategies to Support Pre-Clinical Preparation

Many Indigenous communities in Canada lack access to veterinary services due to geography, affordability, and acceptability. These barriers negatively affect the health of animals, communities, and human–animal relationships. Canadian veterinary colleges offer veterinary services to Indigenous communities through fourth-year veterinary student rotations. Ensuring that the students and other volunteer veterinary service providers (VSP) are adequately prepared to provide contextually and culturally appropriate care when working with Indigenous peoples has not been explicitly addressed in the literature. We explored the experiences of VSP delivering services in unfamiliar cultural and geographic settings and identified: what pre-clinic training was most helpful, common challenges experienced, and personal and professional impacts on participants. Fifty-two VSP (veterinarians, animal health technicians and veterinary students) who participated in clinical rotations offered by five Canadian veterinary colleges between 2014 and 2022 completed online surveys. Respondents shared their pre-clinic expectations, sense of preparedness to practice in a remote Indigenous community, their clinical and community experiences, and any personal and professional impacts from the experience. Data were analyzed using a directed content analysis approach. Respondents highlighted which pre-clinic training was most valuable and what they felt unprepared for. Community infrastructure and resources were concerns and many felt unprepared for the relational and communication barriers that arose. VSP were uncomfortable practicing along a spectrum of care with limited clinical resources. Many VSP identified positive personal and professional impacts. Our findings suggest that pre-clinic orientations focused on contextual care in limited resource settings could better prepare VSP to serve underserved Indigenous communities.

Factors influencing behavioural intention to avail omnichannel service among Gen Y consumers

PurposeThis paper aims to explore the factors influencing the behavioural intention of Gen Y consumers to avail omnichannel service and to identify the relative influence of predictors in explaining the behavioural intention of Gen Y consumers to use omnichannel service.Design/methodology/approachData collected through surveys from 287 Gen Y consumers has been analysed through structural equation modelling to examine direct and mediated relationships between the constructs influencing behavioural intention to use omnichannel service.FindingsFindings indicate that perceived ease of use, social influence, perceived trust, and personal innovativeness positively affect behavioural intention to use omnichannel service, with the result accounting for 48% of the variance. We also demonstrate that perceived value and perceived ease of use mediate the association between personal innovativeness and behavioural intention to use omnichannel service.Research limitations/implicationsThe study provides valuable insights into adopting technology-based offerings for Gen Y customers. The presented model can be extended for analysing consumers' behavioural intentions by considering additional variables, such as consumer personality traits and diverse cultural settings. The study may help managers and policymakers formulate a consumer-focussed strategy to win over modern retail consumers.Originality/valueThis study explores the behavioural intention of Gen Y consumers in availing omnichannel services. Further, the study contributes to the technology acceptance model (TAM), unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) or UTAUT2 theories that may need to be extended in the omnichannel shopping context.

An assessment tool for the international healthy eating report card for preschool-aged children: a cross-cultural validation across Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the United States.

This study aimed to develop and validate a globally applicable assessment tool of the 43-item International Healthy Eating Report Card Scale (IHERCS) which was designed to assess preschool-aged children's eating behaviours and family home food environments (FHFEs) across different cultural settings. In particular, we examined the factor structure, internal consistency and measurement invariance of the IHERCS across four cultural samples, including Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the US. Convergent and discriminant validity were then conducted. In this cross-cultural study, a total of 2059 parent-child dyads from these four regions were recruited, and the parents were asked to complete the IHERCS. An exploratory structural equational modelling approach was employed to examine two higher-order factor models of children's eating behaviours and FHFEs in the IHERCS and its cross-cultural measurement invariance. The findings demonstrated robust factor structures of the scales of children's eating behaviours and FHFEs in the IHERCS (i.e., CFI and TLI > 0.90; RMSEA and SRMR < 0.08) and an acceptable level of internal consistency (i.e., Cronbach's α = 0.55-0.84). Full configural invariance and metric invariance were established across the four cultural contexts, but full scalar invariance was not achieved. Partial scalar invariance was found only in the scale of FHFEs. The convergent validity and discriminant validity were supported. Overall, the current findings provided preliminary support for the construct validity and measurement invariance of the IHERCS. It provides a reliable, valid and comprehensive assessment of eating behaviours and FHFEs among children in different cultural settings.

Artificial-Intelligence-Based Clinical Decision Support Systems in Primary Care: A Scoping Review of Current Clinical Implementations.

Primary Care Physicians (PCPs) are the first point of contact in healthcare. Because PCPs face the challenge of managing diverse patient populations while maintaining up-to-date medical knowledge and updated health records, this study explores the current outcomes and effectiveness of implementing Artificial Intelligence-based Clinical Decision Support Systems (AI-CDSSs) in Primary Healthcare (PHC). Following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines, we systematically searched five databases, PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, IEEE, and Google Scholar, and manually searched related articles. Only CDSSs powered by AI targeted to physicians and tested in real clinical PHC settings were included. From a total of 421 articles, 6 met our criteria. We found AI-CDSSs from the US, Netherlands, Spain, and China whose primary tasks included diagnosis support, management and treatment recommendations, and complication prediction. Secondary objectives included lessening physician work burden and reducing healthcare costs. While promising, the outcomes were hindered by physicians' perceptions and cultural settings. This study underscores the potential of AI-CDSSs in improving clinical management, patient satisfaction, and safety while reducing physician workload. However, further work is needed to explore the broad spectrum of applications that the new AI-CDSSs have in several PHC real clinical settings and measure their clinical outcomes.

Utilization of native Chlorella strain in laboratory-scale raceway reactor for synthetic wastewater treatment: A study in batch and continuous modes with multi-substrate modeling

Despite of the possibility to include microalgae in civil wastewater treatment process, the practice is still not common due to the lack of available instruments to implement it. In this study, a straightforward comprehensive approach for dealing with microalgal wastewater treatment involving an original kinetic model is proposed. A first set of batch cultures of a native strain of Chlorella was firstly carried out to obtain the kinetic parameters: maximum growth factor (μmax) and half-saturation constant (Ks), for each limiting nutrient. Maximum growth factor values of 0.0279 for PO43−, 0.0319 h−1 for NH4+, 0.0352 h−1 for glucose, and 0.0263 h−1 for the overall medium were found. Regarding the Ks, values of 1.08 mg L−1, 27.70 mg L−1, 1.34 mg L−1, were found for PO43−, NH4+ and glucose respectively, and a value of 2.8 % of the total nutrients for the overall medium. These parameters were used to set a multi-substrate kinetic model able to predict the growth in batch and in continuous operation within a laboratory scale raceway reactor. The removal capabilities of the microalgae for each addressed pollutant were evaluated in a batch system and in a continuous system at dilution rates of 0.0025, 0.005, 0.01 and 0.015 h−1. This comprehensive approach represents a significant step towards addressing the continuous treatment of wastewater utilizing microalgae.

Crisis Management in Education: Strategies for Resilience and Adaptation in Diverse Cultural Contexts

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; Crisis management in education is a critical aspect of ensuring the resilience and adaptation of educational systems, particularly in diverse cultural contexts. This article explores various strategies employed to address crises in education and examines their effectiveness across different cultural settings. Through qualitative methods, literature reviews, and library research, this study investigates how educational institutions respond to and recover from crises while considering the cultural nuances that influence these processes. In conclusion, crisis management in education requires a multifaceted approach that integrates proactive planning, resilience-building efforts, cultural sensitivity, and effective communication strategies. By adopting these strategies, educational institutions can enhance their capacity to respond to crises and promote resilience and adaptation in diverse cultural contexts. This study contributes to the literature by highlighting the importance of cultural considerations in crisis management and providing insights into best practices for ensuring the safety and well-being of students and staff in times of crisis.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

Teach with purpose: The impact of life’s meaningfulness to educator’s motivation—A case study from Cendekia Harapan School, Bali

This mixed-methods study investigates the role of life meaning in teaching motivation among educators at Sekolah Cendekia Harapan, employing a concurrent design to integrate quantitative and qualitative data. The research encompasses a sample of 22 teachers, with a subset of 12 participating in detailed interviews. The quantitative analysis reveals a multifarious influence of life meaning on teaching motivation. While some aspects of life meaning significantly bolster motivation, others show negligible or even inverse effects. These findings illuminate the complexity of motivational factors, challenging the conventional wisdom of a uniform influence of life meaning as posited in Viktor Frankl’s theory. The qualitative insights enrich these findings, underscoring the nuanced interplay between educators’ life meaning and their professional drive. The study underscores the necessity of accounting for broader contextual factors—including working conditions, social support systems, and educational policies—to fully comprehend the motivational landscape of teachers. It concludes that while life meaning is a vital element, it is not the exclusive determinant of teaching motivation. Further inquiry is warranted to delineate the intricate dynamics of this relationship, with a particular focus on the reciprocal impact of teaching on life meaning within diverse cultural settings. Such understanding is pivotal for crafting targeted professional development initiatives.

Unmasking the Nexus between Maladaptive Alcohol use and Dark Triad Personality Traits

As young adults enter college, many seem to increase their alcohol consumption. Whether this behavior change is solely due to environmental factors, such as peer pressure or lack of supervision, has not been fully separated from developing or emerging intrapersonal traits that might facilitate the behavior. This trend underscores the importance of investigating the relationship between excessive drinking habits and deviant personality traits. This study, aimed at investigating the relationship between "dark triad" personality traits and harmful alcohol behaviors, may provide valuable insights into the social cultures on college campuses that promote maladaptive drinking habits. Based on the trait theory of personality, we hypothesized that dark triad traits would be associated with negative alcohol behaviors. To test our hypothesis, we administered the Young Adult Alcohol Consequences Questionnaire (YAACQ) and Short Dark Triad scale (SD3) to 800 participants. After cleaning the data, we analyzed 799 responses to study measures and demographic items. Our findings revealed that, of the dark personality traits, Machiavellianism and psychopathy had small positive associations with harmful alcohol consumption. Moreover, we found that both personality and Greek life participation were significant predictors of alcohol misuse. This study may serve as a stepping-stone for future research into the interplay between the behavioral tendencies and cultural settings in which alcohol abuse occurs among college students. Thus, provides additional insight into a complex problem plaguing college communities.

A Theoretical Review: Globalization and Preventing Premarital Sex

Background: Globalization is a double-edged sword since it improves human efficiency and effectiveness along with the development of technology. However, the negative impacts of globalization hit developing countries hard, such as the fading of traditional culture and people's tendency to be dependent on developed countries, or people imitate the negative behavior of those living in developed countries. Aims: This paper conceptualizes premarital sex behavior, which is a problem in the social environment that occurs in Indonesian society and generally in Islamic countries. The author will reveal sexual problems experienced by adolescents in terms of social phenomena in modern times. In addition, the impact of adolescent sexual behavior before marriage will also be discussed in this article, both in social, cultural, and religious settings. The author also offers alternative solutions to prevent premarital sex behavior in adolescents by looking at the role of the family, social environment, and educational institutions. Method: We use the Theory of Planned Behavior and Social Learning Theory approaches to explore the direction of adolescent behavior in making decisions. Results: As a result, our model can contribute to future research to research adolescent premarital sex behavior, especially in countries affected by globalization. In addition, we also offer a research model by formulating several propositions that will be a guide for further research. Conclusion: Globalization is very influential and we feel it in everyday life. Conditions such as promiscuity, negative internet, premarital sex, etc. can be found in social life. This condition cannot be avoided, which is something that should happen and needs to be addressed wisely by the whole community, especially parents who have teenage children. Several alternatives are offered to overcome this problem, among others, through educational institutions, the role of the family, and the social environment. These three factors are an alternative to preventing adolescent associations that lead to premarital sex.

Unveiling 8 years of duodenoscope contamination: insights from a retrospective analysis in a large tertiary care hospital

ObjectiveContaminated duodenoscopes caused several hospital outbreaks. Despite efforts to reduce contamination rates, 15% of patient-ready duodenoscopes are still contaminated with gastrointestinal microorganisms. This study aimed to provide an overview of...

Assessing nature exposure: a study on the reliability and validity of a Portuguese version of the nature exposure scale.

Engaging with nature has been widely acknowledged for its positive impact on well-being. Traditionally, assessments of nature exposure focus on estimating green space exposure and outdoor time. However, the Nature Exposure Scale (NES) offers a unique approach by evaluating the quality of nature experiences, encompassing both deliberate and spontaneous encounters. This study aimed to assess the validity and reliability of the NES in the context of Portugal. Exploratory Factor Analysis (PCA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were employed to examine the underlying structure of the scale. Additionally, reliability assessments, along with tests of convergent and divergent validity, were conducted. Data were collected from a sample of 558 adults and 241 adolescents between 2016 and 2018. The findings revealed strong internal consistency of the NES, supported by acceptable correlation values and robust factor loadings within a unidimensional model. The scale effectively predicted variations in nature exposure across diverse professional activities. In summary, the 4-item NES emerged as a reliable tool for assessing nature exposure in various settings, effectively bridging a gap in the Portuguese context. The scale demonstrated potential for cross-cultural research and was particularly adept at predicting nature exposure in different professional contexts. The results suggest that the NES can enhance our understanding of the impact of nature on well-being in diverse cultural settings. The study underscores the reliability of the NES in assessing nature exposure in Portugal, paving the way for further exploration in Portuguese-speaking regions. The scale holds promise for advancing research on the relationship between nature and well-being, contributing valuable insights across different cultural contexts.

Reliability and validity of the Estonian version of the Clinical Institute of Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol scale

Aims Our aim was to adapt the Clinical Institute of Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol scale (CIWA-Ar) into Estonian and test its reliability and validity. Methods A total of 72 patients with alcohol withdrawal syndrome participated in the study. In order to assess the interrater reliability, at first assessment the CIWA-Ar was simultaneously completed by two nurses. In order to assess the sensitivity of the CIWA-Ar to the changes in the severity of the withdrawal syndrome, as well as its correlations to several indices characterizing the subjects’ current condition, the CIWA-Ar, the Clinical Global Impression Severity subscale (CGI-S), the visual analogue scales for the assessment of the general feeling of malaise, anxiety and depression were filled in and the vital signs were measured at inclusion, in 4 h and after the withdrawal syndrome had been resolved. Results The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for the Estonian version of the CIWA-Ar total score, used as an indicator of interrater reliability, was excellent. The CIWA-Ar had significant correlations with the psychiatrists’ CGI-S ratings of the severity of the patient’s condition at all assessment points. Significant correlations were also found between CIWA-Ar and patients’ self-ratings, the highest correlations found with self-rated anxiety and general feeling of malaise. CIWA-Ar total score did not correlate with simultaneously measured heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure at the first assessment. At the second assessment, heart rate had a significant correlation with the CIWA-Ar total score. Conclusion Our study provides confirmation that the CIWA-Ar tool is well applicable in the Estonian language and culture setting.

Culture's Ethical Palette: Cultural Influences in the Moral Machine Era

Culture, an intricate tapestry of beliefs, values, and traditions, serves as both a mirror reflecting an individual's identity and a potent force shaping their very being. This cultural mosaic imparts a unique hue to each person's outlook and molds their moral compass. Indeed, the multifaceted influence of culture extends its reach into the realm of moral decision-making, where diverse cultural backgrounds yield a kaleidoscope of choices. As observed in the Moral Machine experiment, cultural nuances are pivotal in shaping preferences when confronted with ethical dilemmas. Varied cultural aspects, such as religion and collectivism, cast their distinct shadows on individuals' choices. These cultural imprints infuse complexity into the moral calculus, offering a window into the diverse ethical landscapes that emerge from different cultural backgrounds. In the context of emerging technologies like automated cars, the impact of culture on decision-making is particularly significant. It is plausible that vehicles equipped with artificial intelligence may make distinct choices when operating in diverse cultural settings. These differences, rooted in cultural backgrounds, are not arbitrary but arise from deeply ingrained cultural values and norms.

Ethnodoxological Reflection on the Choral Arrangement ‘Zamina Mina Yeako Aba’: The Arranger’s Perspective

Ethnodoxological Reflection on the Choral Arrangement ‘Zamina Mina Yeako Aba’: The Arranger’s Perspective

Unveiling Social Tapestry: Exploring Class Dynamics, Personal Independence, and Narrative Perspectives in Alka Joshi’s The Secret Keeper of Jaipur

This paper explores Alka Joshi’s novel The Secret Keeper of Jaipur, the sequel to her bestselling debut, The Henna Artist. Set in 1969, the narrative unfolds the complexities of Indian society via the lens of its brilliant characters, focusing on themes of affection, betrayal, social hierarchy, and the quest for personal independence. By delving into the novel’s wealthy thematic cloth, man or woman improvement, and portrayal of historic and cultural settings, this takes a look at pursuits to find how Joshi weaves a tale that is both a mirror to societal norms and a window to the person’s aspirations.