Shift In Attitudes Research Articles

Is Your Syllabus Trauma Informed?

Recognizing the limitations of existing trauma-informed education approaches, this research emphasized the need to address systemic issues and societal inequalities. The study documents a transformative process undertaken by the author in the Spring semester of 2023, involving a meticulous reevaluation and rewriting of course policies using Shevrin Venet's (2021) four proactive priority questions. The article explores student perceptions of the equity-centered trauma-informed education through surveys conducted at the beginning and end of the semester, revealing positive shifts in student attitudes towards the implementation of the four priorities. The findings suggest that a thoughtfully crafted and trauma-informed syllabus can contribute to a positive learning environment, emphasizing predictability, flexibility, empowerment, and connection. Through this inquiry, the article contributes to the ongoing discourse on bridging the gap between theoretical frameworks and practical application in trauma-informed pedagogy within teacher education.

Undergraduate health science students’ knowledge, attitudes, practices, and perceived barriers towards research at Kuwait university: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Introduction Research is the most reliable strategy to advance scientific understanding and enhance multiple healthcare services1. Integrating undergraduate health science students into research at an early stage is an important step towards improving critical thinking and problem-based solving, which in return enhances patient health outcomes2. Aim The aim of this study was to assess undergraduate health science students’ knowledge, attitudes, practices and perceived barriers towards research at Kuwait University. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate health science students from the Colleges of Pharmacy, Medicine, Allied Health, Dentistry, and Public Health at Kuwait University. A self-administered online questionnaire consisting of five sections was used. The first section included questions to assess the demographic characteristics. The second section aimed to assess the knowledge of undergraduate students regarding basic research (score = low ≤3, moderate 4-5, high >5). The third section assessed attitude toward research by a five-point Likert scale (score = negative 31-75, neutral 76-110, positive 111-155). The fourth section of the questionnaire aimed to assess the perception of the barriers toward research practice (score = low 0-50, moderate 51-75, high 76-100). Finally, a section with eight questions on research practices. The questionnaire was distributed through online educational and social media platforms, such as WhatsApp and Microsoft Teams. Students from any academic year and who were enrolled as health science students at the time of the study were eligible to participate. The questionnaire was pilot tested prior to distribution. The recommended sample size was calculated using Raosoft (344 students)3. Ethical approval was received from The Health Sciences Ethical Committee, Kuwait University (reference: VDR/EC-393). Results A total of 364 undergraduate medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, allied health and public health students participated in the study. The participants were from different academic stages, ranging from first-year to seventh-year. The results showed that the students possessed moderate knowledge levels, with a median of 3 out of 8 according to the scoring system of the study. Most students had neutral attitudes (N=253; 69.5%) and moderate levels of perceived barriers (N=200; 54.9%). Medical and pharmacy students had significantly higher knowledge levels compared to the others (p<0.001; Kruskal-Wallis). The majority of students agreed that the lack of time is a barrier towards conducting research (N=237; 65.1%). Almost one half of the study participants took part in research projects (N=175; 48.1%) and a promising number of students had publications or poster presentations (N=67; 18.4%). Discussion/Conclusion The results suggest that undergraduate health science students at Kuwait University possess moderate research knowledge and have neutral attitudes towards research. Time constraints were the most frequently reported barrier to participation. While nearly half of the students participated in research projects, implementing mandatory research projects and providing research methodology workshops could significantly enhance student knowledge, attitudes, and future research engagement. A key limitation in this study is that observed relationships may not reflect long-term shifts in knowledge, attitudes, or practices. The study was also conducted in one university (Kuwait University), therefore the findings and results cannot be generalized to other undergraduate students.

Get inspired - A pilot qualitative study of global health volunteering with commonwealth partnerships for antimicrobial stewardship

Abstract Introduction The Commonwealth Partnerships for Antimicrobial Stewardship (CwPAMS), funded by the UK Department of Health and Social Care's Fleming Fund, managed by the Commonwealth Pharmacists Association and Tropical Health and Education Trust, aim to build antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) capacity in low/middle-income countries (LMICs) through health-partnerships with the UK.1 CwPAMS-Phase-2 (CwPAMS2) was launched in March 2023, and supports 24 UK-LMIC partnerships delivering AMS interventions in 73 health facilities across eight African countries: Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. Since CwPAMS1 inception (2019), UK NHS volunteers have actively provided support for capacity building in LMIC-partner organisations.2,3 Aim To explore the impact of CwPAMS volunteering, in particular, to understand potential benefits and how it could be better integrated into NHS systems. Methods UK volunteers were identified through CwPAMS2 participation and leadership roles. Non-probabilistic, purposive sampling was used; a small number of volunteers were approached via email to pilot the qualitative, semi-structured interview. Data were collected between April/May-2024 with 5 UK volunteers, as well as their line managers; all agreed to scheduled, recorded discussions indicating consent. Interviews focused on the impact of volunteering experiences on UK NHS institutions, and how these could be more formally integrated into continuous professional development (CPD) pathways. Qualitative data was thematically analysed. No ethical approval was required for this study (programme evaluation). Results Volunteers had just begun their direct work in CwPAMS2, with >1000 combined days contributed, and <1000 more needed to reach anticipated outcomes. Interviewees reported benefits to the NHS through shifts in health workforce attitude, perspective and behaviours, consequently influencing wider teams (horizontally and vertically). Changes were regarded as extremely relevant and impactful to the NHS and staff CPD goals. A prominent theme from interviews was the significant impact of global health volunteering on recruitment and retention. Individuals spoke about an injection of motivation, passion and enthusiasm into work - a reminder of the importance of their roles and the reason for staying in their jobs longer: ‘it is a reason to come and join the team and a reason to stay’. A ‘can do’, problem-solving attitude also evolved, in stark contrast with non-volunteering staff e.g. volunteers identified/solved problems rather than reporting them to senior staff, as described by one manager. There was widespread appreciation for the NHS and the resources available in the UK, compared to LMICs. Shared examples of new systems, processes and clinical skills gained and transferred from LMICs into the NHS included: the ability to make alcohol hand gel in-house; dealing with malaria cases; improving stock management systems. Discussion/Conclusion Staff retention is a considerable challenge for the NHS. Volunteering is a great opportunity for personal/professional growth, fostering leadership and motivation, whilst simultaneously improving healthcare practices. Global health volunteering could be integrated into formal CPD pathways in the NHS to capitalise on the relatively small investment in staff time in return for knowledge and skills development. Full implementation of the questionnaire to assess the impact of CwPAMS volunteering on individuals and institutions is planned for delivery at the end of the programme.

Inclusive practice: a study exploring community pharmacists' perspectives, knowledge, and training of Neurodiversity (ND) and the effects on their practice

Abstract Introduction An estimated 1 in 7 people in the UK are neurodivergent, a term encompassing conditions such as autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and other learning differences.1 Neurodivergent individuals have poorer health outcomes, increased risk of premature mortality and reduced access to healthcare.2 The Oliver McGowan case highlighted the need for raising awareness of neurodiversity and mandatory training.2 CPs are uniquely positioned to implement simple adjustments, e.g., adapting communication methods and inclusive pharmacy spaces, consequently reducing health inequalities. CPs’ knowledge, cultural perspectives and current accommodations in their practice for neurodiverse patients must be determined. Aim To explore community pharmacists' perspectives, knowledge and training of neurodiversity and the effects on their practice. Methods A mixed-methods approach was used following ethical approval from Kingston University Ethics Committee. After a pilot study, using random sampling, paper questionnaires comprising 26 mixed-style questions were distributed and collected in person to community pharmacists in East London boroughs within a two-month period. Survey participants were invited for an optional in-person or remote semi-structured interview, conducted using a validated interview guide. The minimum sample size was 129 pharmacists (Raosoft online calculator; 95% confidence interval). Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, using Microsoft Excel alongside thematic analysis for interview responses. Results Response rate was 80% (n=103/129) and 6 pharmacists participated in interviews. 53% (n=55) were Asian, 21% (n=22) Black, and 19% (n=20) White ethnicity. 52% (n=54) identified as male and 47% (n=48) as female. There was a statistically significant correlation between ethnicity and perception of neurodiversity, with conditions taken less seriously in Asian and Black cultures compared to White culture (p<0.001). White participants were statistically more likely to rate their knowledge as good or above in comparison to Asian or Black participants (p=0.01), with 70% (n=14/20) White participants rating their knowledge as good in comparison to 18% (n=4/22) Black and 29% (n=16/55) Asian participants. 100% (n=103/103) and 94% (n=97/103) participants were able to identify autism and ADHD respectively as neurodiverse conditions but only 20% (n=21/103) and 21% (n=22/103) respectively identified dyspraxia and dyscalculia. 94% (n=97/103) stated no changes were made to accommodate neurodiverse patients with only 3% (n=3/103) offering large-print labels or poster formats and 2% (n=2/103) offering quiet areas. Thematic analysis demonstrated the absence of interventions and awareness was commonly due to systemic barriers and lack of specific training. Participants described diverse cultural attitudes and attached stigma to neurodiversity. Discussion/Conclusion There are significant gaps in knowledge about neurodiversity, possibly linked to a lack of formal training opportunities for CPs. Consequently, minimal adjustments are made to accommodate neurodiverse patients. Changes to pharmacy education and training are needed to develop general understanding, with tools that can be incorporated in pharmacies to aid neurodiverse patients and improve health literacy.2 Simple measures such as ‘quiet hours’ or large-text labels can greatly impact a person’s healthcare experience. However, improvements are required in infrastructure and resources within pharmacies, as well as shifts in cultural attitudes to encourage patients to share their status.3 Study limitations included time constraints and a small but diverse geographical area.

From Globalization to Isolation: Exposure to the 2008 Financial Crisis and Three Dimensions of Liberal Attitudes in a Swedish Twin Design

Abstract This study investigates the link between non-liberal attitudes and adverse exposure to market disturbances during the 2008 global financial crisis, drawing from the premise that anti-liberal sentiments among Western voters stem from economic distress. We delve into three facets of liberal ideology in a Swedish sample: economic liberalism, liberal multiculturalism and liberal internationalism. Using variation in crisis exposure within identical twin pairs, comprehensive longitudinal economic data and detailed survey responses, we find no significant shift in economic or multicultural liberal attitudes with different crisis exposures. However, exposure to increased unemployment risk significantly lowered support for liberal internationalism, increasing scepticism towards global governance and multilateral cooperation.

Influencing the attitude towards hand hygiene and face masks by pathogen visualisation during the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT Pupils need to develop habits of using self-protective and non-pharmaceutical measures in the face of health-threatening conditions. This study set out to investigate pupils’ attitudes towards health-protective measures, such as handwashing and face masks, during the COVID-19 pandemic and compared their connotative meanings after experiencing GloGermTM activities, which visualise the micro world and the way microorganisms spread. The study involved 241 students aged 11–15 who completed a semantic differential before and after participating in practical activities. Factor analysis and non-parametric tests were used to characterise and identify shifts in the pupils’ attitudes. The findings show a noticeable shift in attitude, particularly among girls, towards wearing face masks. The factors identified include connotative meanings such as giving credit to potency, achieving quick results, acknowledging purpose, experiencing uncertainty before the intervention, and evaluating the purpose after the intervention. Personal comfort was also identified as a factor that persisted before and after the intervention. Infectious diseases and pandemic awareness are crucial in today’s world and will remain so in the future. We believe that modelling safe experiences with potential pathogens, particularly in promoting healthy behaviours, can reduce health threats. The results indicate that such an approach has the potential to influence attitudes.

Representation and Its Historical Antecedents in New Media: The Queer-ious Case of Assassin's Creed

Videogames, like other new media, reflect and shape culture and are influenced by societal attitude shifts. We conducted a qualitative close-reading analysis of queer representation in the AAA historical-fiction series Assassin's Creed and the historical antecedents thereof to explore (a) the traditional marginalization of queer-identifying folks in (b) the context of growing societal acceptance within the (inter)national zeitgeist. In our examination of the developer's reaction operationalized as observable shifts in developers’ design choices, we observed an increase in representation that aligns with the shift in social attitudes toward queer folks over the last 15 years. With respect to the historical antecedents, we discovered a misalignment between the in-game portrayal of queer folks and acceptance thereof vis a vis the available historical record.

Do Positive and Negative Intergroup Contact Create Shifts in Ingroup and Outgroup Attitudes Over Time: A Three‐Wave Longitudinal Study Testing Alternative Mediation Models

ABSTRACTThe current study investigated how contact experiences may be associated with attitudes towards the ingroup and the outgroup using a three‐wave longitudinal study. We assessed Turkish native children's contact with Syrian refugees (N = 487, Mage = 10.60, SDage = 0.90) and explored relationships between initial contact and later ingroup and outgroup attitudes testing alternative mediation models. We also examined whether negative contact with outgroup members may directly or indirectly predict more positive ingroup attitudes. Findings demonstrated that positive contact was associated with both reduced ingroup positivity and increased outgroup positivity over time. However, unlike the traditionally suggested mediational pathway in contact‐deprovincialization literature, initial positive contact (T1) was associated with less positive ingroup attitudes (T3) through more positive outgroup attitudes at T2. There was no evidence for the role of negative intergroup contact on ingroup or outgroup attitudes. Findings are discussed within the broader scope of contact theory and the recently growing deprovincialization literature. Please refer to the Supplementary Material section to find this article's Community and Social Impact Statement.

Exploring and narrating futures in undergraduate climate change education: an innovative teaching approach

PurposeThis study aims to focus on an innovative undergraduate teaching intervention designed to guide students in exploring and narrating the potential futures of climate change. The intervention aimed to reduce the psychological distance associated with climate change by systematically investigating futures in real-world contexts. The study had two objectives: to examine students’ learning outcomes by analysing their visions of a carbon-neutral future towards the end of the intervention and to measure the intervention’s impact on students’ understanding of climate change and their perceived ability to contribute effectively.Design/methodology/approachThe intervention was implemented over two consecutive semesters. Data for analysis included student narratives from the final assignment (N = 140), where they envisioned life in a carbon-neutral city, and pre-/post-instruction surveys (N = 37) assessing content knowledge and action competence.FindingsContent analysis of student narratives revealed 12 distinct themes, encompassing infrastructural and technological advancements, lifestyle adaptations and shifts in societal attitudes towards sustainability. Statistical analysis of the survey data demonstrated significant improvements in both variables. These findings suggest that the teaching intervention effectively enhanced students’ scientific understanding of climate change, increased their self-perceived ability to take action and fostered a realistic sense of life in a sustainable future.Originality/valueThis research introduces a novel teaching intervention exploring and narrating climate change futures. Analysing personal narratives provides fresh insights into how young individuals envision sustainable living within the context of climate change, thereby contributing a unique perspective to climate change education and future studies.

Shaping Attitudes Toward Sustainable Insect-Based Diets: The Role of Hope

Amid growing global food demands and environmental concerns, entomophagy (insect consumption) offers a sustainable protein alternative, though its acceptance is limited in regions where it is not traditionally practiced. This study explores the role of cognitive goal-oriented hope in shaping attitudes toward entomophagy. We surveyed 270 adults, measuring their attitudes before and after providing information about entomophagy. The results show that individuals with higher levels of cognitive goal-oriented hope experienced significantly more positive attitude shifts after receiving information on entomophagy. The findings highlight that hope not only correlates with positive attitude changes but also plays a direct role in moderating the impact of information on attitudes. This suggests that hope enhances openness to new ideas and can be cultivated through targeted policy, education, and communication strategies to promote sustainable dietary practices. These insights offer a foundation for designing effective interventions to encourage the acceptance of insect-based foods.

Field of study, political attitudes, and support for the radical right in Sweden and Europe

This study uses three different surveys to investigate the links between various educational fields, radical right support, and political opinions. Logit regressions and KHB mediation analysis of 41,770 observations from the Swedish SOM survey (2011–2019) reveal that graduates from technical and agricultural fields are approximately twice as likely to support the radical right as graduates from sociocultural fields. Fields such as natural sciences, business, and health demonstrate medium to medium-high support. These differences are partially mediated by horizontal, but not vertical, labor market allocation. Replication using the European Social Survey (ESS) indicates that these patterns are generalizable to Western, but not Eastern, Europe. Additional analyses show that radical right support and refugee intake skepticism decrease with years spent in sociocultural, but not technical, fields in upper-secondary school. Moreover, panel data from the Swedish Level of Living Survey (LNU) show that progressive attitude shifts occur predominantly following education in sociocultural fields.

Short-term conservation education influences Ugandan adolescents' knowledge, attitudes and investment decisions.

Environmental education research methods often focus on measuring changes in people's attitudes toward conservation. While attitudes are an important indicator of change, it is critical to target incentivised behaviour because conservation efforts often involve behavioural changes that are costly to one's self (e.g., reducing water use, purchasing pricier alternatives). In the present study, we measured both attitudes and behaviours in a short-term conservation education program near the primate-rich Kibale National Forest in Western Uganda. Adolescents ( N = 59) participated in a three-hour curriculum over three weeks integrated into an after-school wildlife club. After almost 30 years of successful primate conservation education in this region, we chose a novel taxonomic group (bats) for this study. Our pre-registered study had two conditions: an experimental condition, in which students learned about bats as an important local pollinator species, and a control condition, in which students learned about the moon. Only the experimental condition emphasised conservation's delayed benefits. We compared attitudes, knowledge, and behaviours pre- and post- curriculum. To capture behaviour, we employed an investment task in which participants could invest their own resources in a 'fund' to support work relating to bats or the moon, depending on condition. Across both conditions, participants showed positive shifts in attitudes and knowledge from pre- to post-measures and showed increased investments in bat- and moon-related funds. These findings reveal that short-term conservation education influences adolescents' investment decisions as well as their attitudes and knowledge. Our method can easily be edited for conservation education of any species including endangered primates.

Attitude toward virginity and its determinants among girls in Tabriz: Iran

BackgroundWe aimed to assess the attitude of unmarried girls towards virginity, and its determinants, comparing three age cohorts (born in the 70s, 80s, and 90s) in the city of Tabriz in northwestern Iran.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional survey among 700 girls residing in Tabriz in 2021 employing a population-based cluster sampling based on health clinics and households. We collected data using a pilot-tested instrument, which comprised socio-demographic questions, and statements to assess attitudes towards virginity and its importance, the meaning of virginity, ways of losing virginity, and perception of the hymen. The data was analyzed using SPSS, version 21. Analysis of variance and independent t-test was used for bivariate analysis and linear regression was used to identify the determinants of the attitude. A p value under 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsOnly about one-third (35.2%) of unmarried girls considered preserving virginity as an important issue for girls before marriage in current days. About 27% were uncertain and about 38% believed it was unimportant. The importance of virginity (score range 7–35) was significantly greater for girls born in the 70s than for girls born in the 80s and 90s (p < 0.05). In the multivariate linear regression model, the determinants of the importance of virginity were older age, greater religious affiliation, living with both parents and lower consumption of the internet and social networks for sexual information.ConclusionsThis study indicates significant shifts in sexual attitudes among young females which may have important implications for marriage age and the culturally and age-appropriate sexual health interventions of young people.

Enhancing Clinicians' Use of Electronic Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Outpatient Care: Mixed Methods Study.

Despite the increasing use of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) for collecting self-reported data among hospital outpatients, clinicians' use of these data remains suboptimal. Insight into this issue and strategies to enhance the use of PROMs are critical but limited. This study aimed to examine clinicians' use of PROM data for value-based outpatient consultations and identify efforts to enhance their use of PROMs in a Dutch university hospital. First, we aimed to investigate clinicians' use of outpatients' PROM data in 2023, focusing on adoption, implementation, and maintenance. Second, we aimed to develop insights into the organizational-level strategies implemented to enhance clinicians' use of PROM data from 2020 to 2023. This included understanding the underlying rationales for these strategies and identifying strategies that appeared to be missing to address barriers or leverage facilitators. Third, we aimed to explore the key factors driving and constraining clinicians' use of PROMs in 2023. We integrated data from 4 sources: 1-year performance data on clinicians' use of PROMs (n=70 subdepartments), internal hospital documents from a central support team (n=56), a survey among clinicians (n=47), and interviews with individuals contributing to the organizational-level implementation of PROMs (n=20). The Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance framework was used to analyze clinicians' adoption, implementation, and maintenance of PROMs. Strategies were analyzed using the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change taxonomy, and results were structured around the constructs of capability, opportunity, and motivation. On average, around 2023, clinicians accessed PROM data for approximately 3 of 20 (14%) patients during their outpatient consultation, despite numerous strategies to improve this practice. We identified issues in adoption, implementation, and maintenance. The hospital's strategies, shaped organically and pragmatically, were related to 27 (37%) out of 73 Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change strategies. These strategies focused on enhancing clinicians' capability, opportunity, and motivation. We found shortcomings in the quality of execution and completeness of strategies in relation to addressing all barriers and leveraging facilitators. We identified variations in the factors influencing the use of PROMs among frequent PROM users, occasional users, and nonusers. Challenges to effective facilitation were apparent, with certain desired strategies being unfeasible or impeded. Enhancing clinicians' use of PROMs has remained challenging despite various strategies aimed at improving their capability, opportunity, and motivation. The use of PROMs may require more substantial changes than initially expected, necessitating a shift in clinicians' professional attitudes and practices. Hospitals can facilitate rather than manage clinicians' genuine use of PROMs. They must prioritize efforts to engage clinicians with PROMs for value-based outpatient care. Specific attention to their professionalization may be warranted. Tailored strategies, designed to address within-group differences in clinicians' needs and motivation, hold promise for future efforts.

How early onset of COVID-19 changed vaccine-related attitudes: A longitudinal study

The paper investigates how the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic has influenced the attitudes and beliefs of a previously anti-vaccine and vaccine-undecided population: how it changed their anti-vaccine beliefs and related arguments, perceptions of scientists’ credibility, as well as what their beliefs about COVID-19 are and what protective action they undertake against it. We used preexisting data from a 2018 study, where we identified groups of anti-vaccine and vaccine-undecided individuals (N = 365) whom we reached out to again in April/May 2020 (during the first months of the pandemic, when no COVID-19 vaccine was available). An online survey was used to measure changes in attitudes toward vaccination, reasons for vaccine rejection, attitudes toward scientists, and (at Measure 2) to measure attitudes toward COVID-19 and protective action against it. Results indicated a general pro-vaccine shift in attitudes, as well as reduced support for all anti-vaccine arguments. Surprisingly, we also found a negative shift in the sample’s perceptions of scientists’ agency and communion. Anti-vaccine individuals were also much less likely to employ any protective measures and had the lowest levels of fear associated with COVID-19. These results show that the initial stages of the COVID-19 outbreak caused a positive change in vaccine attitudes, especially in the vaccine-undecided group. At the same time, strongly anti-vaccine individuals were likely to reject protection against COVID.

Markers of consciousness in infants: Towards a 'cluster-based' approach.

As recently as the 1980s, it was not uncommon for paediatric surgeons to operate on infants without anaesthesia. Today, the same omission would be considered criminal malpractice, and there is an increased concern with the possibility of consciousness in the earliest stage of human infancy. This concern reflects a more general trend that has characterised science since the early 1990s of taking consciousness seriously. While this attitude shift has opened minds towards the possibility that our earliest experiences predate our first memories, convincing demonstrations of infant consciousness remain challenging given that infants cannot report on their experiences. Furthermore, while many behavioural and neural markers of consciousness that do not rely on language have been validated in adults, no one specific marker can be confidently translated to infancy. For this reason, we have proposed the 'cluster-based' approach, in which a consensus of evidence across many markers, all pointing towards the same developmental period, could be used to argue convincingly for the presence of consciousness. CONCLUSION: We review the most promising markers for early consciousness, arguing that consciousness is likely to be in place by 5 months of age if not earlier.

Achieving net zero-emission production through hydrogen: Evidence from Scottish whisky industry

ABSTRACT Climate change poses a significant threat to economic development and necessitates immediate action to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. This study investigates the feasibility of hydrogen systems as a comprehensive solution for decarbonizing the distillery industry, a sector often deemed “hard-to-treat” from service perspective. Through a qualitative case study of a whiskey distillery in Scotland, insights from senior management at both the distillery and the hydrogen system provider reveal the potential of hydrogen to not only serve as an energy source but also to address broader sustainability challenges within the food and agriculture sector. While advantages are evident, the study also identifies challenges related to infrastructure, cost, and the need for shifts in government policy, user attitudes, and investor perspectives. This research serves as a precursor to broader sectoral studies aimed at developing pathways toward net-zero emissions, emphasizing the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to unlock the full potential of hydrogen as a transformative solution for achieving a sustainable future.

Post-Vasectomy Semen Analysis: What's All the Fuss about?

Vasectomy is a reliable male contraceptive method with a success rate exceeding 98%. Despite its efficacy, vasectomy is not foolproof, with potential early and late failures requiring careful postoperative monitoring via post-vasectomy semen analysis (PVSA). Published guidelines emphasize the necessity of conducting PVSA to ensure clinical sterility. Despite these clear guidelines, discrepancies in adherence and interpretation persist, with significant mismatches between guidelines and actual practice. Recent shifts in societal attitudes toward reproductive autonomy, spurred by significant political events and socioeconomic factors, have increased vasectomy rates, particularly among younger, childless men. This demographic change calls for enhanced PVSA compliance and clear communication about the non-immediate contraceptive effect of vasectomy. Home test kits have emerged as a convenient, though not always reliable, method for conducting PVSAs, which may require reevaluation in clinical practice. Given the variations across clinical guidelines and the challenges in achieving consistent PVSA outcomes, further research is needed to harmonize PVSA protocols across different health systems. PVSA is typically conducted between 8 and 16 weeks post-vasectomy, depending on the surgeon's preference. Success is confirmed when a fresh, uncentrifuged sample exhibits either azoospermia, rare non-motile sperm (RNMS), or fewer than 100,000 non-motile sperm per milliliter. This effort will ensure that both patients and practitioners can rely on vasectomy as a safe and effective form of contraception. Effective patient counseling and strategic follow-up are crucial when it comes to managing expectations and ensuring compliance with post-vasectomy protocols, thereby minimizing the risk of unintended pregnancies post-procedure.

Residential water choices: Assessing the willingness to adopt alternative water sources by examining risk perceptions and personal norms in Belgium

With escalating freshwater scarcity, transformative shifts in infrastructure, technology, and societal attitudes are essential. This study applies Protection Motivation Theory to explore how perceived water scarcity impacts individuals' willingness to reduce tap water consumption and increase the use of alternative sources in households. An online survey (n = 2623) in Belgium assessed acceptance of tap water, rainwater, and recycled greywater for various household activities. Sequential regression analysis examined the influence of threat appraisal, coping appraisal, personal norms, and socio-demographics on this willingness. The results indicate that willingness to conserve tap water is strongly driven by self-efficacy rather than risk appraisal. Conversely, willingness to use rainwater and recycled greywater depends on perceived future water scarcity, perceived self-efficacy, and personal norms. Perceptions of present water scarcity negatively influenced the willingness to use rainwater and recycled greywater, suggesting a boomerang effect. However, future water scarcity perceptions encourage the use of alternative water sources, providing a nuanced perspective. These findings provide valuable insights into the acceptance of alternative water sources and underline the importance of context-specific approaches, enhancing self-efficacy and personal norms to encourage the adoption of alternative water sources for household activities, ensuring effective freshwater conservation.

Challenges and strategies for implementing the Ramsar Convention. Balancing Economic Development and Wetland Conservation

Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, particularly focusing on waterfowl habitats, signifies a pivotal shift in global attitudes towards wetland conservation. Historically viewed as hindrances to development, wetlands have suffered from drainage and reclamation efforts, resulting in significant biodiversity loss. However, a growing recognition of their ecological significance has spurred international action. The Convention, established in 1971, serves as a landmark agreement to safeguard wetland ecosystems. It mandates member states to designate and conserve wetlands within their territories, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation due to the transboundary nature of wetland ecosystems. The Convention’s objectives encompass sustainable development goals, including water quality, biodiversity, and climate change mitigation. Implementation relies on national policies and collaboration among stakeholders. Furthermore, the Convention aligns with other environmental agreements, fostering synergies to enhance wetland protection globally. Despite these positive developments, there are significant challenges in ensuring the effective implementation of the Convention, particularly when economic interests conflict with environmental conservation. As highlighted in the case of the Bystroe Canal project in the Danube Delta, balancing development with wetland protection remains a critical issue. This article addresses the question of whether the Ramsar Convention can effectively apply its provisions in such cases, arguing that while it provides a strong framework, its effectiveness is often undermined by competing economic priorities. Without stronger enforcement mechanisms and increased international cooperation, the objectives of the Convention risk being compromised.