Utilitarian Research Articles

Prevalence and Factors Associated With Awareness of Precision Medicine Among Individuals With Depression and Anxiety.

This study investigates the prevalence and determinants of awareness of precision medicine among a nationally representative sample of individuals with self-reported depression and anxiety in the United States." Data were obtained from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) 5, Cycle 4, which is a study administered by the National Cancer Institute and is nationally representative. The survey, conducted between February and June 2020, targeted non-institutionalized, civilian US adults aged 18 years and older. Utilizing survey-weighted logistic regression, predictors of precision medicine awareness were assessed, encompassing sociodemographic, health-related, and technological factors. Among 890 individuals with self-reported depression and/or anxiety, approximately 15.3% reported awareness of precision medicine. Participants who had a higher level of education and those who had increased health-linked social media usage were three times more likely to be aware of precision medicine compared to those who did not. Old age was also positively associated with increased awareness. The present study's findings have disclosed an alarming lack of awareness of precision medicine, particularly among mentally ill persons with anxiety or depression, in which the targeted subgroups, including individuals with lower education levels and limited health-linked social media utilization, indicated lower levels of awareness. As such, it is recommended that such disparities be tackled using customized interventions along with educational initiatives, as this is likely to improve awareness levels while also ensuring equitable and increased access to precision medicine within the context of mental health.

Barriers to Healthcare and Social Service Utilization Among Rural Older Adults Who Use Drugs.

The objective of this study was to understand barriers to healthcare and social service utilization among older adults residing in rural areas who use drugs. A cross-sectional survey of persons who use opioids or inject drugs in rural counties with high overdose rates across ten states was conducted. For this analysis, participants were restricted to only the 375 individuals aged 50 and older. They were asked about barriers to utilizing healthcare and social services. Multivariate analyses were conducted. The most common barriers were a lack of transportation and a fear of stigma. The average number of barriers was 2.53. Those who were either uninsured or homeless endorsed 37% more barriers. For every five-year increase in age, the number of barriers reduced by 15%. Efforts to reduce these barriers may include expanding eligibility for transportation and housing services and leveraging trusted community members to broker linkages to providers to overcome stigma.

Unlocking Purchasing Decisions through Quality, Price, and the Role of Social Media in Indonesia

This study explores the combined influence of product quality, price, and social media utilization on purchasing decisions. Using a quantitative approach, data were collected from 97 consumers in Sidoarjo Regency who purchased nylon thread from CV. BUMI HIJAU PLAST through questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS16. The results demonstrate that all three factors significantly impact purchasing decisions. These findings suggest that consumers should consider these elements in their decision-making process, and businesses can enhance their marketing strategies by focusing on these key factors. Highlights: Product quality, price, social media significantly impact purchasing decisions. Data collected from 97 consumers, analyzed with SPSS16. Businesses should focus on these factors to improve marketing. Keywords: Product quality, price, social media, purchasing decisions, consumer behavior

Optimal Income Taxation

This article explores subjects in optimal income taxation characterized by recent research interest, practical importance in light of concerns about inequality, potential for misunderstanding, and prospects for advancement. Throughout the analysis, paths for further investigation are highlighted. Areas of focus include multidimensional abilities and endogenous wages; asymmetric information and the income of founders; production and consumption externalities from labor effort; market power and rents; behavioral phenomena relating to perceptions of the income tax schedule, myopic labor supply, and the interactions of savings, savings policies, and labor supply; optimal income transfers; the relationship between optimal income taxation and the use of other instruments; and issues relating to the social welfare function and utility functions, including non-welfarist objectives, welfare weights, heterogeneous preferences, and taxation of the family. (JEL D63, D82, D91, H21, H24, H53, J22)

BRAND PERFORMANCE AND IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

This research examines the correlation between users’ engagement with social media, their feedback mechanisms, and their overall satisfaction regarding the social media efficacy of three prominent brands: Myntra, Zomato, and BigBasket. A survey was administered to 44 participants, predominantly from urban locales, concentrating on their social media utilization patterns, brand interaction, and feedback mechanisms. The primary variables assessed encompassed the duration of social media usage, the platforms engaged, satisfaction with brand interaction, and the characteristics of feedback provided.The findings revealed that individuals categorized as moderate social media users (2-3 hours per day) demonstrated elevated levels of satisfaction with brand performance, with 61% indicating either satisfaction or neutral perspectives, whereas heavy users (4+ hours) tended to express neutrality or dissatisfaction more frequently. Zomato and Myntra emerged as the most engaged brands, with 64% of participants interacting with Zomato and 54% with Myntra, in stark contrast to a mere 2% engagement for BigBasket. Cross-tabulation analysis illustrated that positive feedback exhibited a robust correlation with increased satisfaction levels, as 58% of respondents providing feedback reported being either satisfied or very satisfied. Notably, neutral feedback or the absence of feedback was more prevalent among individuals with diminished satisfaction levels, thereby underscoring the significance of proactive consumer-brand interactions. This investigation concludes that moderate engagement with social media and constructive feedback play a crucial role in fostering a positive perception of brands, while excessive exposure does not necessarily enhance satisfaction. Hence, brands ought to prioritize responsiveness, tailor content to individual preferences, and capitalize on promotional strategies to sustain and elevate consumer satisfaction on social media platforms.

Is it possible to reconcile the economic and social objectives of companies? A critical perspective

Purpose This paper aims to examine whether reconciling profit maximization and social welfare as two possible aspirations of company is feasible. Design/methodology/approach The possible corporate goals are presented by drawing an arc from purely profit-maximizing organizations via a combination of profit and social objectives to organizations clearly serving social utility. In addition to this sorting principle, the order of the different positions presented also takes into account the number of goals and goal-setters. Findings The primary finding of the study is that none of the business concepts discussed here met the initial expectations as for economic and social objectives. The study points to the need to redefine the purpose of business within a broader social science framework. Research limitations/implications For a critical perspective, this paper considers only those standpoints that emphasize a certain form of social utility beyond profitability resulting from business activity directly or indirectly. Originality/value In addition to revealing the relationship between the two aspirations, the novelty of the paper lies in the attempt to explore through normative critique and empirical evidence the validity of the expectations regarding the goals.

Social media utilization level among South African smallholder farmers: a case study of Mopani District, Limpopo Province

Social media utilization level among South African smallholder farmers: a case study of Mopani District, Limpopo Province

Investigating the Relationship between Religion and Morality: Insight from Hume

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relation between religion and morality. David Hume, an influential figure in the Scottish Enlightenment, provides insightful contributions to this discourse through his philosophical works. This article explores Hume's nuanced views on the relationship between religion and morality, drawing from his key texts such as "Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion" and "An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals." Hume challenges the traditional notion that religion is a necessary foundation for morality. Unlike many of his contemporaries, he argues that moral principles do not derive from religious doctrine or divine commandments but instead from human sentiment and reason. Hume contends that moral judgments are based on a natural sense of empathy and utility rather than religious authority. Furthermore, Hume critiques the idea that religion is essential for maintaining moral order within society. He suggests that religious beliefs and institutions may, in fact, be detrimental to morality by promoting superstition, intolerance, and dogmatism. Hume advocates for a secular approach to morality, where ethical principles are grounded in rational reflection and social cooperation rather than religious doctrine. While Hume challenges the traditional link between the two, he acknowledges the historical influence of religion on moral development and societal norms. Hume recognizes the social utility of religion in fostering moral virtues and promoting social cohesion, albeit without attributing morality exclusively to religious sources.

Community engagement and utility collaboration for enhanced electricity access: A multi-strategy framework

Electricity shortage remains a critical challenge in developing countries striving to achieve the United Nations' universal electricity access goal by 2030. Limited fuel availability and limited funds for renewable energy investments, while demand flexibility is implemented to regulate electricity access, it faces limitations due to voluntary participation, rotating load-shedding schedules, and lack of electrification in certain communities. This research paper proposes a multi-strategy approach as an alternative solution by scheduling essential appliances and optimizing power flow in distribution grids. The article aims at community engagement and utility collaboration to improve electricity access. This paper proposes a multi-strategy framework for regulating social organization and utility operations, and attaining energy conservation, efficiency, and incentives. Optimization tool is developed to extend benefits of optimal scheduling of end user devices under power supply shortage, uncertainty of demand and grid operational codes, using multiple strategies regarding to consumers’ fairness of electricity access in a community, and maximum electricity access per customer and region. Such strategies are also compared with the case of customized appliance priority of preference. The results demonstrate that energy efficiency and economic sustainability indices can achieve 94 % and 29.5 % improvement, respectively, compared to conventional methods.

Supporting Ageing Populations in Developing Countries: A Comparative Analysis of Pension Schemes and Policy Insights

The rapid growth of the elderly population is a major global demographic and social issue. Unfortunately, there is a shortage of pension plans and social security programmes for this population in developing countries, which has severe consequences for their quality of life and well-being. In this article, we aim to better understand the pension systems in developing country contexts such as Ghana, Pakistan, and Myanmar by reviewing official government materials (for example, pension reports) and the published literature to suggest relevant policy recommendations. We observed several policy implementation gaps and inequities in pension schemes for older people, specifically for informal and private sector workers. Considering the size of formal versus informal economies and the level of development index of each country, we suggest a wide variety of options for pension policies, financing, designing cash benefits, and pension payments to cover all older citizens. This article addresses the unmet needs of the elderly and their wider economic sustainability to ensure social justice and resource utilisation. Governments in developing countries should embrace and establish unique, inclusive, and friendly policies encompassing the informal sector to warrant older adults’ functional and social well-being with dignity and honour.

Measuring the effects of motivation messages on STEM undergraduates’ interest in teaching

The need for STEM teachers in the UK is acute. This intervention study investigated the effect of motivation messages on teaching interest, self-efficacy, person-vocation (PV) fit, and enjoyment of 423 UK-based STEM undergraduates. Vignettes depicted authentic teaching scenarios evoking social utility (SU), personal utility (PU) values, and PV fit. Interest in teaching increased after exposure to the intervention (p < 0.001). SU vignettes increased interest in teaching the most (p < 0.001, mean interest change: SU = 0.61, PU = 0.45, PV fit = −0.01). This study shows that interest in teaching can be increased by a motivation message intervention.

Effective Teacher Professional Development and Its Influencing Factors: A Cross-National Comparison of the United States, China, Finland, and Singapore

The promotion of effective teacher professional development (ETPD) is a critical issue in the field of teacher education. The present study investigated how ETPD is affected simultaneously by teacher- and school-level factors across the United States, China, Finland, and Singapore. The data were drawn from the Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS 2018) and analyzed using a hierarchical linear model. Findings showed that scores on social utility motivation to teach, self-efficacy in student engagement, and school participative climate were positively and significantly correlated with scores on ETPD across the four countries. It was concluded that gender, education background, teaching experience, personal utility motivation to teach, teacher self-efficacy in classroom management, and teacher–student relations made significant, yet inconsistent, differences in ETPD in the four countries. Motivating teachers to teach and creating a democratic, participatory, and caring school culture may be important measures to promote effective professional development of teachers globally.

Animal models for partial heart transplantation.

Partial heart transplantation delivers growing heart valve implants by transplanting the part of the heart containing the necessary heart valve only. In contrast to heart transplantation, partial heart transplantation spares the native ventricles. This has important implications for partial heart transplant biology, including the allowable ischemia time, optimal graft preservation, primary graft dysfunction, immune rejection, and optimal immunosuppression. Exploration of partial heart transplant biology will depend on suitable animal models. Here we review our experience with partial heart transplantation in rodents, piglets, and non-human primates. This review is based on our experience with partial heart transplantation using over 100 rodents, over 50 piglets and one baboon. Suitable animal models for partial heart transplantation include rodent heterotopic partial heart transplantation, piglet orthotopic partial heart transplantation, and non-human primate partial heart xenotransplantation. Rodent models are relatively cheap and offer extensive availability of research tools. However, rodent open-heart surgery is technically not feasible. This limits rodents to heterotopic partial heart transplant models. Piglets are comparable in size to children. This allows for open-heart surgery using clinical grade equipment for orthoptic partial heart transplantation. Piglets also grow rapidly, which is useful for studying partial heart transplant growth. Finally, nonhuman primates are immunologically most closely related to humans. Therefore, nonhuman primates are most suitable for studying partial heart transplant immunobiology and xenotransplantation. Animal research is a privilege that is contingent on utilitarian ethics and the 3R principles of replacement, reduction and refinement. This privilege allows the research community to seek fundamental knowledge about partial heart transplantation, and to apply this knowledge to enhance the health of children who require partial heart transplants.

The Impact of Social Media Usage on Business Performance Makeup Artists Mediated by Competitive Advantage (Study on The Makeup Artist Services Business in Indonesia)

The objective of this inquiry is to investigate how social media use affects the performance of service-based companies. The research involved surveying 112 makeup artist business owners in Indonesia, using quantitative techniques, and examining the collected information with SmartPLS (Partial Least Square). The results reveal that social media utilization has a noteworthy and positive impact on business performance, with competitive advantage serving as a mediator in this connection (partial mediation). Additionally, the study indicates that social media is an effective tool for enhancing marketing efforts, customer service, and accessibility to information, which can lead to improved performance. As a result, companies that can achieve and maintain a competitive advantage can automatically achieve good business performance.

Human Aging and Entropy

In this paper I argue that the contemporary pathologizing of old age is directly tied to the notion of uselessness, understood entropically as that which cannot contribute energy for useful work. The elderly are configured as socially useless and thus threaten the health of the body politic. As a result, they are marginalized, ignored, and treated as waste to be jettisoned from the system. Because understanding bodies as machines able or unable to perform work accords with the second law of thermodynamics, the first half of this paper discusses entropy as both scientific law and philosophical concept. The second section explores the lived experience of aging and the pathologized position of social uselessness through Simone Beauvoir’s analysis of old age. As she herself ages, the place of senescence comes to play a more pronounced role in her philosophical inquiry. Writing about the lived experience of aging adds a vital dimension to the scientific and philosophical perspectives, insofar as it foregrounds the various ways that entropy is felt: slowing, dissipating, and ultimately dying. While these should be viewed as part of the normal life cycle, they become markers of abjection which are judged harshly against the standard of social utility.

Adaptacija postojećih ravnih krovova solitera u zelene krovove na području Općine Kakanj u cilju osnaživanja i promovisanja koncepta urbane poljoprivrede

The Municipality of Kakanj, an industrial municipality, emphasizes the crucial importance of environmental preservation, development encouragement, and the improvement of urban agriculture. In urban planning, a return to fundamental values aligned with population needs is essential. Urban spaces should encompass functions related to housing, livelihoods, social utility, and interaction. However, the issue arises with the reduction of green areas due to building construction, causing a disconnect between people and nature in their fast-paced urban daily lives. For this reason, green roofs on residential buildings are one way for residents to have daily contact with greenery, ultimately promoting a healthier and more active lifestyle. The creation of green roofs often provides the opportunity for urban beekeeping (depending on the location), which has been considered one of the solutions to the bee extinction problem and the increase in pollinators in recent years. The aim of this project is to develop a conceptual plan for adapting the existing flat roofs of three towers (S-1, S-2, S-3) built in the 1980s in the Municipality of Kakanj into green roofs. These green roofs will create the potential to strengthen and expand the importance of urban agriculture, bringing a range of ecological, social, and economic benefits. This project seeks to redefine the skyline by replacing conventional roofs with lush green roofs, nurturing a harmonious blend of nature and urban life.

Adverse Childhood Experiences, Women Who Are Sex Trafficked, and Social Service Utilization: Implications for Social Work.

The aim of this study was to examine the associations between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and the high levels of social service usage by women who are sex trafficked. Fifty (N = 50) women who were sex trafficked were surveyed using purposive and snowball sampling methods. The ACEs score for respondents ranged from 2 to 10 with an average score of 7.4 (SD = 2.3). Emotional and sexual abuse tied at 88 percent as the most frequently cited ACEs among the women in this sample. The prevalence of ACEs was significantly higher in this sample compared with known estimates in similar populations, ranging from 20 percent to 54 percent (p < .001). Considering the well-established link between ACEs and poor health outcomes, these findings point to the need for innovative and targeted social service provisions to women who were formerly sex trafficked that take into consideration the high level of ACEs of the women. Given the sociodemographic diversity of this sample, there is a need for services that are trauma-informed, innovative, and culturally sensitive in a variety of social service settings.

Association between social capital and utilization of essential public health services among elderly migrants: a multilevel logistic study based on the 2017 China migrant dynamic survey (CMDS)

BackgroundAs the number of elderly migrants in China continues to grow, it is necessary to pay closer attention to their health and health services. Some studies have confirmed that social capital plays a significant role in the utilization of health services. Therefore, an in-depth exploration of the relationship between social capital and the utilization of essential public health services (EPHS) by elderly migrants will not only contribute to improving their overall health but also facilitate a more balanced development of public health service system in China.MethodsBased on the cross-sectional data from the 2017 China Migrants Dynamic Survey (CMDS), this study examined the impact of social capital on the utilization of EPHS among elderly migrants. We evaluated social capital at two distinct levels: the individual and the community, and considered two dimensions of social capital: structural social capital (SSC) and cognitive social capital (CSC). The study aimed to delve into the impact of these forms of social capital on the utilization of EPHS among elderly migrants, and whether the migration range moderates this impact by multilevel logistic regression analysis.ResultsA total of 5,728 migrant elderly individuals were selected. The health records establishment rate and health education acceptance rate were approximately 33.0% and 58.6%, respectively. Social capital influenceed the utilization of EPHS among elderly migrants. Specifically, individual-level SSC and CSC have impacts on both the establishment of health records (OR = 1.598, 95%CI 1.366–1.869; OR = 1.705, 95%CI 1.433–2.028) and the acceptance of health education (OR = 1.345, 95%CI 1.154–1.567; OR = 2.297, 95%CI 1.906–2.768) among elderly migrants, while community-level SSC only affected the acceptance of health education (OR = 3.838, 95%CI 1.328–11.097). There were significant differences in individual-level SSC, health records, and health education among different migration range subgroups among elderly migrants. Migration range moderated the effect of social capital on the utilization of EPHS, crossing provinces could weaken the relationship between SSC and health education.ConclusionsSocial capital is associated with a higher utilization rate of EPHS among elderly migrants. It is necessary to encourage them to actively participate in social activities, strengthen public services and infrastructure construction in the area, and improve their sense of belonging and identity.

Empowering engagement: unveiling motivational drivers for social media adoption: a Facebook case study

IntroductionSocial networking websites and applications are increasingly becoming significant cultural phenomena. However, the motivation driving individuals to utilize these platforms, particularly in the Middle East, remains unclear. While numerous studies have explored technology adoption, limited research has investigated social media usage in the UAE. Therefore, this study proposes and empirically analyzes a framework based on a modified version of the Technology Acceptance Model to understand the factors influencing users’ opinions, objectives, and actual usage of social media platforms, focusing on Facebook.MethodsTo investigate these factors, we employed structural equation modeling and smart PLS techniques on a sample of 540 participants. We aimed to identify predictors such as perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, as well as a hedonic dimension encompassing perceived enjoyment, curiosity, and perceived connectedness, in shaping users’ attitudes towards Facebook usage. Additionally, we examined the relationship between social presence and users’ intentions to use Facebook.ResultsOur analysis revealed that perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use are significant predictors of users’ attitudes towards utilizing Facebook. Furthermore, the hedonic dimension, comprising perceived enjoyment, curiosity, and perceived connectedness, also plays a crucial role in shaping users’ attitudes. Moreover, social presence was found to have a significant association with users’ intentions to use Facebook.DiscussionThese findings contribute to our understanding of the factors influencing the adoption and usage of social media platforms, particularly in the context of the UAE. By highlighting the importance of both utilitarian and hedonic aspects, this research provides insights into the complex motivations behind individuals’ acceptance of dynamic applications like Facebook. Furthermore, our empirical model lays the groundwork for exploring additional factors that may influence the uptake of information systems and social media utilities, thereby advancing attitude-behavior theories in this domain.

Model Of Adolescent Ethics In Mobile Diffusion On The Use Of Cellphones And Social Media In Semarang City

The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) notes that in 2022 as many as 67.88% of Indonesia's population aged over 5th years have a mobile phone. Meanwhile, in the same year, it was recorded that 65.15% of the people of Central Java Province owned cell phones. Some factors play an essential role in shaping adolescents' ethical views regarding mobile phones and social media use. This study aimed to analyze the factors that influence ethics by using mobile phones and social media in adolescents aged 13-15 years in Semarang. This study uses a quantitative method with Partial Least Squares (PLS) analysis. The theory used in this study is the theory of Uses and Gratification, Diffusion Innovation of Technology, and Ethical Systems. Primary data was obtained by distributing questionnaires to 100 respondents. The sampling technique used with the method of accidental sampling. The study results show a relationship between adolescents' mobile phone use and social media use by adolescents with the social interaction they receive. Active involvement in online interactions can have an impact on adolescent ethics, this is reflected in aspects of self-satisfaction. Besides that, emotional satisfaction factors such as feelings of pleasure and satisfaction in online interactions affect the formation of adolescent ethics. This study also reveals that the ethical model of adolescents is influenced by two main dimensions, namely fairness and utilitarian ethics. The implications of these findings can be used for the development of better educational approaches in teaching youth about ethics and responsibility in using technology and interacting in a digital environment.