Social Sciences Research Articles

The Influence of Sleep Problems on Burnout and Academic Performance of Students in Community Development Training Institutes in Tanzania

This article examined the influence of sleep problems on academic burnout and academic performance of 640 students in Community Development Training Institutes (CDTIs). Burnout has been increasingly a psychological, health and educational concern. Mixed findings have been reported by past studies on this topic. While on one side negative relationships have been reported, on the other hand, results have been reporting no or positive relationship between sleep problems and both burnout and academic performance. This study was an attempt to contribute to the debate through three specific objectives namely; to identify academic burnout and its perceived sources among college students; identify sleep problems among college students; and explain academic performance from academic burnout and sleep problems among college students. Data were collected using one general questionnaire, composed of The Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey (MBSS) for measuring academic burnout, the Sleep Quality Scale (SQS) for measuring sleep problems, and a section inquiring demographic and personal information, such as sex, age, employment status, marital status and level or year of study. Data were descriptively analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). To explain academic performance from academic burnout and sleep problems, logistic Regression Analysis was performed. Results indicated that Academic Burnout was explained by the year of study, sleep problems; and perceived sources of academic burnout such as review time and examination/tests. Further, while academic burnout did not explain academic performance in terms of semester GPA, sleep problems did. It was concluded that both academic burnout and sleep problems are prevalent among college students in Tanzania. Further the perceived sources of academic burnout by students are not necessarily the real factors explaining academic burnout of the college students. It was further concluded that sleep problems and year of the study determine both academic burnout and academic performance. Practical implications are discussed with recommendations to both students and colleges administrations made.

Impact of Dental Anxiety on the Dental Health Status of Nepali Adult Patients.

Patients with high dental anxiety are found to visit dental offices less frequently and have a higher number of severely diseased teeth so they are at a greater need for intensive oral care and rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of dental anxiety and its impact on the dental status of Nepali adult patients. A semi-structured questionnaire of the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) in the Nepali version was used for data collection. The data analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS IBM, Chicago, IL, USA, version 24). Variables were calculated as frequency and percentage, while the comparisons of different factors were done using the ANOVA and t-test. A difference with p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The study population consisted of 446 subjects, among them 205 were male (45.96%), 241 were female (54.04%), 357 (80.04%) were married, and 222 (49.78%) were employed. The mean age of the patients was 41.24 years (ranging between 18 and 79 years). Only 41 subjects (9.19%) showed high dental anxiety (MDAS ≥ 19). The mean MDAS for the total study population was 10.81. The highest mean MDAS was seen in the age group 30-39 (11.78) and the lowest mean MDAS was seen in the age group 40-49 (9.64). While comparing dental anxiety among genders, dental anxiety was higher in females (mean MDAS = 11.78) compared to males (mean MDAS = 9.67). Patients having high dental anxiety had a significantly higher number of decayed teeth (p-value = 0.001, t-test). Oral health and dental status both are negatively affected by dental anxiety. It interferes with dental attendance, service delivery, prevention of dental diseases, and early diagnosis. Thus, dental practitioners have a major role to play in the management of dental anxiety.

The Trichotomy of Internationalization of Higher Education, Emigration and Social Policies: a National Level Research Case in Albania on University Youth as Potential Emigrants

Aim: The research aims to analyse the trichotomy of the main pillars (education, emigration, and policies) by measuring the opinions of youth, based on the tendency of new emigration flows, the education in university that prepares them as highly skilled workers for global trades (due to curricula, contemporary preparation with knowledge according to the labour market acquisitions, and internationalisation policies), and the identification of push factors of emigration of university youth as the new and current emigration tendencies in Albania. Methods: To guarantee a national-level measurement of the university youth emigration potential, due to the mentioned indicators, the empirical data gained from the quantitative online survey research on the measurement of opinions of (N=1010) Albanian university youth, at the national level of (N=7) (all) public universities in Albania, in (N=13) departments on social sciences profile, analysed by the Statistical program IMB SPSS 26, in different statistical approach analysis, such as descriptive, frequency, cross-tabs and Kurtosis. Results: Measuring the indicators, the results show that the internationalisation of universities prepares students for the international labour market, current social policies do not favour them in the labour market, and the current economic, political and social factors turned on the main push factors of potential emigration of university youth. Conclusion: The internationalisation of universities prepares students with skills for local and international labour markets. Still, the current economic, social, and cultural anomic situation and the lack of efficient employment policies are the main push factors for the emigration of university youth as high-skill workers.

Stay social, stay young: a bioanthropological outlook on the processes linking sociality and ageing.

In modern human societies, social interactions and pro-social behaviours are associated with better individual and collective health, reduced mortality, and increased longevity. Conversely, social isolation is a predictor of shorter lifespan. The biological processes through which sociality affects the ageing process, as well as healthspan and lifespan, are still poorly understood. Unveiling the physiological, neurological, genomic, epigenomic, and evolutionary mechanisms underlying the association between sociality and longevity may open new perspectives to understand how lifespan is determined in a broader socio/evolutionary outlook. Here we summarize evidence showing how social dynamics can shape the evolution of life history traits through physiological and genetic processes directly or indirectly related to ageing and lifespan. We start by reviewing theories of ageing that incorporate social interactions into their model. Then, we address the link between sociality and lifespan from two separate points of view: (i) considering evidences from comparative evolutionary biology and bioanthropology that demonstrates how sociality contributes to natural variation in lifespan over the course of human evolution and among different human groups in both pre-industrial and post-industrial society, and (ii) discussing the main physiological, neurological, genetic, and epigenetic molecular processes at the interface between sociality and ageing. We highlight that the exposure to chronic social stressors deregulates neurophysiological and immunological pathways and promotes accelerated ageing and thereby reducing lifespan. In conclusion, we describe how sociality and social dynamics are intimately embedded in human biology, influencing healthy ageing and lifespan, and we highlight the need to foster interdisciplinary approaches including social sciences, biological anthropology, human ecology, physiology, and genetics.

A Randomized Controlled Trial on the Effect of Zucchini Seed Oil on Nipple Pain Among Lactating Women

Objective:Nipple pain is one of the most common reasons for early termination of breastfeeding; thus, effective treatment of this condition is very important. Previous studies have proposed the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of theCucurbita pepoplant. The present study was conducted to determine the effects ofC. peposeed oil on the severity of nipple pain in lactating women.Methods:In this randomized clinical trial study, 60 lactating women with nipple pain were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (zucchini seed oil) or the control group (breast milk). In the intervention group, 0.5 mL of zucchini seed oil was applied to the nipples and areola three times a day after each breastfeeding session to ensure the absence of an allergy to zucchini compounds. In the control group, three to four drops of breast milk were applied to the nipples and areola after each breastfeeding session. Pain score was recorded using a visual analog scale before the intervention and on the third and eighth day after the intervention. Data analysis was done using the Statistical Software for Social Sciences software (version 24). Apvalue of less than .05 was considered statistically significant.Results:Before the intervention, there was no significant difference between the intervention and control groups with regard to mean pain severity (p= .330). On the third day, the mean pain intensity in the intervention group significantly decreased compared with the control group (p= .023). On the eighth day, the mean pain severity was significantly lower in the intervention group compared with the control group (p= .016).Conclusions:The findings of this study indicate that zucchini seed oil extract was effective in reducing the severity of nipple pain in lactating women. Therefore, use of this oil extract is suggested for treatment of nipple pain in lactating women.

Partisan belief in new misinformation is resistant to accuracy incentives

Abstract One explanation for why people accept ideologically welcome misinformation is that they are insincere. Consistent with the insincerity hypothesis, past experiments have demonstrated that bias in the veracity assessment of publicly reported statistics and debunked news headlines often diminishes considerably when accuracy is incentivized. Many statements encountered online, however, constitute previously unseen claims that are difficult to evaluate the veracity of. We hypothesize that when confronted with unfamiliar content, unsure partisans will form sincere beliefs that are ideologically aligned. Across three experimental studies, 1,344 conservative and liberal US participants assessed the veracity of 20 politically sensitive statements that either confirmed or contradicted social science evidence only known to experts. As hypothesized, analyses show that incentives failed to correct most ideological differences in the perceived veracity of statements. 66 to 78\% of partisan differences in accuracy assessment persisted even when monetary stakes were raised beyond levels in prior studies. Participants displayed a surprising degree of confidence in their erroneous beliefs, as bias was not reduced when participants could safely avoid rating statements they were unsure about, without monetary loss. These findings suggest limits to the ability of disciplining interventions to reduce the expression of false statements, because many of the targeted individuals sincerely believe them to be true.

Coupled infectious disease and behavior dynamics. A review of model assumptions.

To comprehend the dynamics of infectious disease transmission, it is imperative to incorporate human protective behavior into models of disease spreading. While models exist for both infectious disease and behavior dynamics independently, the integration of these aspects has yet to yield a cohesive body of literature. Such an integration is crucial for gaining insights into phenomena like the rise of infodemics, the polarization of opinions regarding vaccines, and the dissemination of conspiracy theories during a pandemic. &#xD;We make a threefold contribution. First, we introduce a framework to describe models coupling infectious disease and behavior dynamics, delineating four distinct update functions. Reviewing existing literature, we highlight a substantial diversity in the implementation of each update function. This variation, coupled with a dearth of model comparisons, renders the literature hardly informative for researchers seeking to develop models tailored to specific populations, infectious diseases, and forms of protection.&#xD;Second, we advocate an approach to comparing models' assumptions about human behavior, the model aspect characterized by the strongest disagreement. Rather than representing the psychological complexity of decision-making, we show that "influence-response functions'' allow one to identify which model differences generate different disease dynamics and which do not, guiding both model development and empirical research testing model assumptions. &#xD;Third, we propose recommendations for future modeling endeavors and empirical research aimed at selecting models of coupled infectious disease and behavior dynamics. We underscore the importance of incorporating empirical approaches from the social sciences to propel the literature forward.

Assessment of the Effects of TiwanTiwa Herbal Mixture Drink on Oxidative Stress Markers

Introduction: The use of herbal medicine and its effect on health has been established. Recently, there is much interest in therapeutic potential of herbal therapy use as antioxidant in reducing free radical-induced oxidative stress. Method: This study was aimed to determine the effect of herbal mixture on acetaminophen induced oxidative stress in male albino wistar rat. This is an experimental study comprising of total of forty-two (42) wistar rats divided into seven (7) groups of six (6) animals each. The seven groups were Group 1, control group fed with top feed and water only, Group 2 administered with 3000 mg acetaminophen and top feed, Group 3 with 3000 mg of acetaminophen and 140mg sylimarine, Group 4 with 3000 mg of acetaminophen and 50 mg tiwantiwa extract, Group 5 with 3000mg of acetaminophen and 100 mg tiwantiwa extract, Group 6 with 3000mg of acetaminophen and 200 mg tiwantiwa extract and Group 7 with 100 mg of tiwantiwa extract only. The treatment was given daily and lasted for 21 days, animals were sacrificed, and blood sample collected were assayed for oxidative stress; CAT, SOD, and MDA. Result obtained was analyzed with statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20. Results: The result obtained depicts significant increase in CAT and SOD of group 5 (100mg of the extract) when compared to group 2 which is the toxic group induced with 3000mg Acetaminophen. There was also a significant decrease in MDA of group 5 (100mg of extract) when compared to group 2 (p&lt;0.05). This implies that dose level (100 mg) of Tiwantiwa herbal mixture in group 5 exhibited the capacity to alleviate 3000 mg of acetaminophen toxicity at a minimal level. This is attributed to phytochemicals present in this extract such as phenolic compounds. Conclusion: 100 mg dose level of Tiwantiwa herbal mixture has a significant effect in alleviating 3000 mg of acetaminophen toxicity, acting as strong antioxidant as evidenced in the study with results shown in CAT, SOD and MDA bioassays. This is attributed to the presence compounds such as Phenols and Alkaloids which are potent phytochemical constituents in Tiwantiwa herbal mixture with antioxidant property.

The Conundrum of Similarity: Tsubouchi Shōyō and H. M. Posnett on the Meaning of Cross-Textual Resemblance

ABSTRACT How can a critic account for a perceived resemblance between texts that are not related by influence? The present article examines how this question was answered by Tsubouchi Shōyō, a key figure in the early history of the academic discipline of comparative literature in Japan. In 1890 or 1891, Shōyō lectured on a then-new field of inquiry: hishō (or hikaku) bungaku. His lectures were avowedly a free adaptation of Hutcheson Macaulay Posnett’s Comparative Literature (1886). Shōyō was among the first generation of Japanese to receive an education in European literatures and undertook pioneering work in what might be called “east-west” criticism, uncovering many similarities between works in Japanese and English. But since there had been almost no exchange between Japanese literature and European literatures for centuries, accounting for those similarities posed a challenge. This might explain why Shōyō found Posnett’s methodology valuable: Posnett applied social science to the study of literature as a way to supersede criticism based on identifiable literary influence. Shōyō’s own comparative criticism, however, differed from Posnett’s: while Posnett maintained that resemblances, even between notionally unrelated texts, must be referable to some commonality of context, Shōyō maintained that cross-textual similarity could arise purely by accident.

Development of Puzzle Learning Media based on Local Wisdom of Maluku Culture in Teaching Social Science Learning in 4th Grade Students of SD Negeri Leahari

This study aims to design learning media in the form of puzzles based on the local wisdom of Maluku culture and test its feasibility. The research was done using R&amp;D method by adapting the ADDIE model—namely Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation. The results of the validator’s assessment of the puzzle obtained an average percentage of 92.5% by media experts in the category “Very Feasible” to use in learning activities. The results of the response from the teacher obtained an average percentage of 97.2% with the category “Very Feasible to Use”, while the responses from students showed the category “Very Feasible” to use with an average percentage of 91.5%. The box-shaped puzzle consists of pieces of arrangeable images that display the cultural diversity of Maluku and is made from natural materials, namely sago tree fronds or ’gaba-gaba’. The cultural diversity material contained in this puzzle includes traditional houses, clothing, and dances from Maluku Province. The puzzle was designed using Canva and Adobe Illustration. In conclusion, puzzle learning media with Maluku’s local wisdom-based is very feasible to use in learning to help teachers teach about “Cultural Diversity”. Keywords: Learning Media, Puzzle, Local Wisdom, Maluku Culture

Constructing General Human Agency Indicators (GHAIs) and a General Personal Agency Scale (GPAS)

AbstractDespite its importance for the social sciences, human agency remains an ambiguous and underoperationalized construct. After engaging prior research to articulate clear criteria for defining agency and synthesize a multidimensional conceptual framework for human agency, this study develops and validates preliminary General Human Agency Indicators (GHAIs) to measure subconstructs within that framework. Utilizing the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) dataset, we aggregated a list of 30 survey items previously used in agency research and conducted an iterative process of exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and item elimination to reduce that list to a set of 9–13 items with a strong, consistent factorial structure. Using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), we identified two bifactor models that demonstrated good fit: a nine-item General Personal Agency scale (GPAS) and a nine-item GHAIs tool combining six items from the GPAS with three measuring agency achievement. Initial evidence for the construct validity of the tools was produced through tests of internal consistency and correlational analysis, indicating that the proposed GPAS and GHAIs effectively measure personal agency, intrinsic agency, instrumental agency, and agency achievement.

Sustainable employability and work outcomes: a prospective study.

In recent years, sustainable employability, rooted in the capability approach, has received substantial attention due to its associations with work and health-related outcomes. While previous studies have indicated that being able and enabled to achieve important work values (i.e., work capabilities) is positively associated with desirable work outcomes, most of these studies have primarily employed a cross-sectional design to explore these associations. This study aimed to examine the long-term relationships between work capabilities and work and wellbeing-related outcomes, including work ability, work engagement, task and creative performance, organizational citizenship behavior, organizational commitment, job and life satisfaction, turnover intention, and burnout symptoms. Data were collected from 251 randomly selected Dutch employees through a two-wave survey conducted in 2021 and 2023 via the Longitudinal Internet Studies for the Social Sciences panel. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to assess these associations while controlling for potential covariates. The results revealed that participants valued a diverse range of work capabilities but encountered challenges in realizing these valued capabilities. The capability set positively predicted desirable outcomes and was associated with reduced burnout over a two-year period. Supporting and enabling employees to realize their capabilities is essential for improving favorable work outcomes and diminishing burnout in today's volatile work environment. These findings further emphasize the importance of organizations improving conversion factors to bridge the gap between valued capabilities and their actualization.

Application of Natural Science Methods in Social Science Research

The introduction of natural science methodologies into social science research aims to enhance the scientific rigor and validity of studies through precise techniques. By employing quantitative analysis, data mining, and model construction, researchers are able to delve deeper into the complexities of social phenomena, injecting new vitality into traditional qualitative research. Quantitative analysis methods render research outcomes more objective and reproducible, while data mining techniques can extract underlying patterns and trends from vast amounts of data. Model construction offers a systematic understanding of social dynamic processes, supporting the prediction and intervention of future social developments. Computer simulation technologies, particularly with the backing of big data and high-performance computing, enable hypothesis testing and virtual experiments on social systems, allowing for multi-level and multi-perspective observations of social phenomena. This interdisciplinary integration not only provides new research tools and methodologies for the social sciences but also effectively fosters the interchange of knowledge between different disciplines. However, continuous reflection and adjustment in practical applications are necessary to address the potential pitfalls and limitations that may arise from the complexity of these methods.

Dental Health Literacy among Highly Skilled Professionals in India: A Pilot Study

Purpose: Research in medical settings has consistently demonstrated that health literacy is essential for patient adherence and comprehension to medical/dental instructions including prescriptions and improving positive holistic health outcomes. Despite its recognized importance, the role of literacy in dentistry has received limited focus. This study aimed to assess the level of oral health literacy among professionals in a multinational company, using the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Dentistry-30 (REALD-30) as the measurement tool. Methods: A convenience sample of 111 adults was recruited from a dental camp held at two locations within an IT firm. Oral health literacy was measured and analysed using the REALD-30 scale. Participants also participated in interviews to collect sociodemographic information, dental visit history, dental needs, global oral health ratings, dental knowledge, practices, and comprehension. Additionally, clinical examinations were conducted to record the DMFT index (Decayed; D component, Missing; M component, and Filled; F component Teeth), as well as the presence of dental stains and calculus. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 13. Results: REALD-30 scores ranged from a low of 8 to a high of 25. Participants who had decayed, missing, or filled teeth, or a DMFT score higher than one, exhibited lower oral health literacy compared to the reference group. Similarly, lower oral health literacy was observed in participants with dental stains or calculus. Conclusions: Effective communication with patients is crucial for delivering high-quality dental care. The study concluded that a significant proportion of the highly educated professional group of people has less oral health literacy, which may obstruct their basic ability to understand and process the fundamental oral health information.

Satisfaction from a broad perspective: the joint contribution of factors to satisfaction with studies among undergraduate students

ABSTRACT There is extensive research-based evidence that academic satisfaction is a central factor in students’ degree of investment, ability to apply study material, probability of dropping out of studies, academic achievements, and more. Several models include factors that underly academic satisfaction and correlations have been found between numerous factors and such satisfaction. However, the joint contribution of these factors to student satisfaction has not been investigated. This article examined the joint contribution of self-efficacy, achievements, threshold grade for success, and evaluation of lecturers among 408 undergraduate studies of social sciences in Israel. At the beginning of the semester, students’ expectations regarding their grades, level of self-efficacy, conscientiousness, and evaluation of lecturers were examined; at the end of the semester, their grades and satisfaction were examined. In addition to the relationships between the variables, mediation was also found, indicating interactions among them.

Web Presence and Search Engine Optimization on Hotel Patronage in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

This study examined the effect of web presence and search engine optimization on hotel patronage in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Web presence, search engine optimization and hotel patronage formed the specific objectives of the study. 1122 employees that had access to information of customers who made hotel reservations from forty-one hotels registered with Akwa Ibom State Hotels Management and Tourism Board formed the population. The study employed a census sampling technique. Primary data were gathered through a structured questionnaire. Simple percentages and charts were employed for the demographic analyses, leveraging the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 to facilitate the data analyses. The univariate analyses were done using means and standard deviations to provide insights into the central tendencies and variability of the data. To test the study hypotheses, the researchers employed Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM), facilitated by the SmartPLS version 3.2.9 software. Findings of the study showed that web presence (β = 0.713, t- value = 10.156, p-value = 0.011 &lt; 0.05) had positive significant effect on hotel patronage in Akwa Ibom State and search engine optimization (β = 0.613, t-value = 8.046, p-value = 0.003 &lt; 0.05, a statistically significant and positive effect on hotel patronage. Based on the empirical findings, we recommended that management of hotels in Akwa Ibom State should ensure that they have a well- designed, user-friendly, and informative website that showcase their offerings and provides a seamless booking experience for customers. Regular updates and maintenance of the website should be a priority to keep it relevant and engaging. The hotel owners and operators should prioritize the implementation of effective search engine optimization strategies to improve their visibility on search engine results pages. This should include optimizing their website content, improving website structure and navigation, and leveraging relevant keywords to attract potential customers.

Security-Diplomacy Nexus: Nature of Bilateral Cooperation in Kenya - India Military Diplomatic Relations Since 1963

Bilateral and multilateral agreements have been one of the mechanisms through which growth and development have taken place. The newly created independent states of the Cold War period presented a major paradigm shift in international cooperation to include military diplomacy. Kenya and India being among these newly created states have had their cooperation where by the two countries have used their good diplomatic relations to bolster one another's military capabilities. The current study sought to put into perspective the conduct of bilateral relations between Kenya and India. The objective of this study was to examine the nature of bilateral cooperation in enhancing Kenya-India military-diplomatic relations since 1963. The study was anchored on power theory. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The study was carried out in Nairobi County, Kenya with a specific focus on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Defence Ministry, and Indian High Commission. The target population was 2500. The sample size for the study was determined using Yamane's (1967) formula to calculate the sample size, which was 250 Qualitative data obtained from interviews were analysed using narrative reports using thematic techniques. Quantitative data from the questionnaires was edited, coded, and entered into a computer spreadsheet in a standard format to allow descriptive statistics analysis. Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) edition 24 and Microsoft Office Excel 2013 were used for the quantitative data. The findings of the study revealed that the nature of Kenya-India military diplomatic relations manifested in various forms including through High-profile visits by Kenyan and Indian officials to both states as a way of strengthening bilateral relations. Technological transfer was another way through which these two nations shaped their diplomatic relationship, particularly in information and communication technology (ICT). Additionally, Defense trade and trade agreements, Security Partnerships, Counterterrorism activities, Maritime Safety, and Peacekeeping missions were common areas of cooperation between Kenya and India. The study concludes that bilateral cooperation between Kenya and India has been instrumental in enhancing their military-diplomatic relations since 1963. The study recommends that, to better understand the nature of bilateral cooperation, Kenya and India should establish a permanent joint military commission to oversee and coordinate defense initiatives.

Mundane Technologies and Community Informatics

In this short paper, I explore how my academic journey through Social Informatics (SI) and Science and Technology Studies (STS) has guided me toward the field of Community Informatics (CI), emphasizing the critical distinctions among these disciplines. While SI and STS primarily address the theoretical dimensions of science and technology within various institutional and cultural contexts, CI centers on the practical applications of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) within specific communities. Bringing this interdisciplinary foundation and drawing on a decade of critical ethnographic research, I present the framework of "Mundane Technology," which investigates how marginalized individuals appropriate everyday technologies to navigate and resist systemic oppression. This framework, which was originally introduced in my book “Technology of the Oppressed” (2022, MIT Press), is grounded in a decolonial perspective and enhances our understanding of how ordinary artifacts, processes, and spaces contribute to the agency and aspirations of oppressed communities. This framework also critiques traditional utilitarian approaches in Information Systems and ICT for Development, advocating for a shift towards recognizing the intangible benefits of technology in marginalized contexts. Ultimately, it underscores the importance of incorporating these narratives into CI research, reinforcing democratic values and expanding the scope of technology studies to include the voices and experiences of those historically excluded from power and representation.

“I’ll Be Here:” Reflections on Representation and Research Communication Through Zine Work

This article explores the decision-making process that culminated in the creation of a zine as a responsive research communication tool. The zine “I’ll Be Here” emerged from research conducted with community organizations in three Ontario cities as an alternative format to return research findings to participants in a form more accessible than a conventional academic manuscript. This reflective piece not only draws attention to the limitations of academic writing for knowledge mobilization, but also amplifies the need for research communication strategies capable of encapsulating the richness of knowledge producers’ experiences. Exploring the intricacies of communicating social science research effectively and contemplating the extension of responsive reciprocal research values into writing, this article emphasizes the potential of creative research communication methods like zine work to be effective, accessible, and inclusive avenues for knowledge mobilization.

Surrogate immunohistochemistry markers in adult gliomas – Experience in a tertiary care hospital

Objectives: The recent World Health Organization classification has recommended the usage of surrogate immunohistochemical markers for molecular classification of gliomas. However, only a few studies have attempted to study the expression of the entire panel of markers. The current study was undertaken to study the association of recognized surrogate immunohistochemical markers (isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 [IDH-1], alpha-thalassemia mental retardation X-linked [ATRX] and p53) in different histological lineages and grades of adult gliomas. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 118 cases of adult gliomas diagnosed on histopathology over a 2-year duration in a tertiary care hospital. The expression of surrogate immunohistochemistry markers (IDH-1, ATRX, and p53) in these cases was studied. Statistical analysis: Descriptive statistical analysis with the Statistical Package for the Social Science system version 17.0. Results: The frequency of IDH-1 positivity was significantly higher in oligodendrogliomas (OG: 76.5%; oligoastrocytoma: 100%) versus astrocytoma (AS) (grades 2 and 3: 48.1%). It was also significantly higher in diffuse gliomas (grades 2 and 3) versus glioblastomas (64% vs. 16.9%). Among IDH-mutant diffuse gliomas, ATRX loss was significantly higher in AS versus OGs (84.6% vs. 7.7%). P53 overexpression correlated significantly with histological subtype (AS 2,3: 55.6% vs. OG: 5.9%). Conclusions: The surrogate immunohistochemical panel of IDH-1, ATRX, and p53 showed significant association with distinct histopathological subtypes and is helpful in molecular stratification. Cut-offs of ≥ 10% nuclear positivity for p53 and 50% loss of nuclear ATRX expression showed a good correlation.