Voluntary Participation Research Articles

The Effect of Physical Activity on Quality of Life in Refugee Children

The aim of this study was to show the relationship between the quality of life and physical activity of refugee children who came to Turkey as a result of forced migration from their home countries. The study was conducted with the voluntary participation of 100 children between the ages of 14 and 17 living in the center of Çorum province in Turkey who were admitted as refugees. The data was collected by means of a questionnaire. The "Personal Information Form" created by the researchers was used in the first part and the "High School Quality of Life Scale (HSQOLS)" was used in the second part. For the selection of statistical tests, two independent group comparisons were made using the Mann Whitney U-test, as the data were not normally distributed. Comparisons between three independent groups were carried out using the Kruskal-Wallis test, as the data were not normally distributed. To determine the different groups after the Kruskal-Wallis test, the Mann Whitney U post hoc pairwise comparison test with Bonferroni correction was used. The statistical significance level was assumed to be p0.005. Statistically significant differences were found between participants' athletic status in Turkey, athletic branch in Turkey, athletic branch in their country of origin, athletic branch in their country of origin, and athletic age and the total scale and all sub-dimensions of the LISCEC (p0.05). It is therefore hypothesized that physical activity and sport positively influence the quality of life of refugee children from different cultures in the countries where they settle and that this interaction is due to the integrative function of sport.

The Relationship Between Voluntary Participation Status and Health Promotion Lifestyle Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in the Community.

The purpose of this study was to understand the relationship between the characteristics, health status, and health-promoting lifestyles of volunteer workers who participate in the community among middle-aged and older adults. A cross-sectional study was conducted to collect data from 173 middle-aged and older adults volunteers from 2 communities in North Taiwan. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that included Demographic Characteristics Form, Self-Rated Health Status Scale, and Health Promotion Lifestyle Scale. Most of the volunteers were female, with an average age of 60.41 (±9.30)years. The average item score for the health promotion lifestyle was 74.07 (SD=19.27). Participants scored highest on the social support subscales and lowest on the exercise subscales, followed by health responsibility subscales. Multiple regression analysis revealed that an average of 6 to 8hours of volunteer services per week, diversity of volunteer services, and self-rated health status were each significantly associated with a greater health promotion lifestyle. Community health care workers should strengthen community volunteer support networks and motivate volunteers to attend health-related classes. Various community activities can remind each volunteer of their health responsibilities and awareness of a healthy promotion lifestyle.

Violence during transition: accounts of gender-affirming care in South Africa’s public health system

Despite constitutional protections afforded to the LGBTQ+ community, South Africa remains a society violent towards gender minorities. With public healthcare over-burdened, this system of care remains particularly unresponsive to the needs of transgender people who seek to affirm their gender medically. With a narrative design, this research explored the experiences of transgender people of violence through their access to gender-affirming care. This study troubled the notion of violence from a social determinant of health to situate it as an unexplored mechanism of meaning-making in the South African context. Using gatekeepers aligned with LGBTQ+ support groups, 15 volunteer participants recollected their accounts through semi-structured interviews. Using this undirected talk, the narrative analysis found that gaps in care become a key point in the narrative trajectory of participants shaping their decision-making around experiences of interpersonal violence and for personal advocacy with healthcare professionals. Similarly, the clinic was narrated as a site of violence both symbolically through invasive bodily examinations and structurally as a place for perpetrators of anti-transgender violence to target transgender patients. Transition in this context can be seen as a mode to understand several competing violence/s where the body is treated as a site for physical, psychological and structural harm.

Utilization of the Drug-Polymer Solid Dispersion Obtained by Ball Milling as a Taste Masking Method in the Development of Orodispersible Minitablets with Hydrocortisone in Pediatric Doses.

The objective of the conducted research was to design 2 mm orodispersible minitablets of pediatric doses of hydrocortisone (0.5 mg; 1.0 mg) with desirable pharmaceutical properties and eliminate the sensation of a bitter taste using preparation of solid dispersion by ball mill. Hydrocortisone was selected as the model substance, as it is widely utilized in the pediatric population. ODMTs were prepared by compression (preceded by granulation) in a traditional single-punch tablet machine and evaluated using pharmacopoeial tests, DSC, and FTIR analysis. The methods used to evaluate the effectiveness of the taste-masking effect included in vivo participation of healthy volunteers, in vitro drug dissolution and utilization of an analytical device-"electronic tongue". The research employed a preclinical animal model to preliminary investigate the bioequivalence of the designed drug dosage form in comparison to reference products. The study confirmed the possibility of manufacturing good-quality hydrocortisone ODMTs with a taste-masking effect owing to the incorporation of a solid dispersion in the tablet mass.

Hospital–Skilled Nursing Facility Integration and Participation in a Bundled Payment Initiative

Reduced institutional postacute care has been associated with savings in alternative payment models. However, organizations may avoid voluntary participation if participation could threaten their own revenues. To characterize the association between hospital-skilled nursing facility (SNF) integration and participation in Medicare's Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Advanced (BPCI-A) program. This is a cross-sectional analysis of hospital participation in BPCI-A beginning with its launch in 2018. Each SNF-integrated hospital was matched with 2 nonintegrated hospitals for each of 4 episode-specific analyses. Fifteen hospital-level variables were used for matching: beds, case mix index, days, area SNF beds, metropolitan location, ownership, region, system membership, and teaching status. Hospitals were also matched on episode-specific volume, target price, and the interaction of target price and case mix. Episode-specific logistic models were estimated regressing hospital participation on integration and the previously listed variables. The marginal effect of integration on participation was then calculated. Analysis took place from August 2022 to May 2024. Hospital-SNF integration, as defined by common ownership and referral patterns and identified using cost reports, Medicare claims, and Provider Enrollment, Chain, and Ownership System records. Additional sources included records of target prices and participation, the Area Health Resources File, and the Compendium of US Health Systems. Participation in BPCI-A. In total, 1524 hospitals met criteria for inclusion in the hip and femur (HFP) analysis, 1825 were included in the major joint replacement of the lower extremity (MJRLE) analysis, 2018 were included in the sepsis analysis, and 1564, were included in the stroke-specific analysis. Across episodes, 191 HFP-eligible hospitals (12.5% of HFP-eligible hospitals), 302 MJRLE-eligible hospitals (16.5%), 327 sepsis-eligible hospitals (16.2%), and 185 sepsis-eligible hospitals (11.8%) were SNF integrated. In total, 79 hospitals (5.2%) participated in the HFP episode, 128 (7.0%) participated in the MJRLE episode, 204 (10.1%) participated in the sepsis episode, and 141 (9.0%) participated in the stroke episode. Integration was associated with a 4.7-percentage point decrease (95% CI, 2.4 to 6.9 percentage points) in participation in the MJRLE episode. There was no association between integration and participation for HFP (0.5-percentage point increase in participation moving from nonintegrated to integrated; 95% CI, -2.9 to 3.8 percentage points), sepsis (1.0-percentage point increase; 95% CI, -2.2 to 4.2 percentage points), and stroke (0.3-percentage point decrease; 95% CI, -3.1 to 3.8 percentage points). In this cross-sectional study, there was an uneven association between hospital-SNF integration and participation in Medicare's BPCI-A program. Other factors may be more consistent determinants of selection into voluntary payment reform.

중등학교에서의 학생자치 경험에 대한 내러티브 연구

This study concentrates on students’ narratives regarding their autonomous experiences. Their voices will dynamically reveal the characteristics of student autonomy and its practical limitations. The objective of this study is to vividly share the viewpoints and opinions of students who had directly participated in autonomous activities. To achieve this objective, research participants with ample experience in autonomous activities were chosen. A semi-structured in-depth interview was conducted on two research participants with whom the researcher had formed a rapport, and the content was thoroughly described and interpreted. The results are shown below. First, students’ autonomous activities are led by a small number of the student council executives. Second, teachers’ ‘opportunism’ becomes the worst obstacle in autonomous activities of students. It is not teachers’ indifference but their non-cooperative and conservative attitudes that have a negative influence on autonomous activities. Third, students’ autonomous activities cannot extend to activities that ‘transform’ the school structure. Fourth, students voluntarily show efforts to expand their autonomous activities. To overcome practical limitations in schools, they seek solidarity forces who support their opinions. The representative body of such a solidarity force was the ‘parent association’. The results of this research deduced the following implications for future student autonomous activities. First, it is necessary to reduce the gap in students’ experiences in autonomous activities. Second, teachers in charge of student councils must enhance their understanding of educational autonomy and democracy. Third, these teachers must be provided with an environment where they can be fully immersed in autonomous learning activities of students. Fourth, voluntary participation of the student council executives must be ensured in the school council.

Investigation Of the Relationship Between Pre-Service Teachers' Psychological Capital Levels and Emotional Communication Skills

The aim of the study is to investigate the relationship between the psychological capital levels and emotional communication skills of prospective teachers in terms of sports activities and various variables. In line with this purpose, the study was conducted with the participation of students (312 teacher candidates) from Kazım Karabekir Faculty of Education at Atatürk University, based on ethical approval and voluntary participation principles. The data collection instruments included a personal information form prepared by the researchers, a psychological capital scale, and a communication skills scale, all gathered through a questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using the SPSS 25.0 program. As a result of the statistical analyses, it was found that there were differences in the participants' engagement in sports activities and types of sports activities in the sub-dimensions of the psychological capital scale. However, no significant relationship was found between the sub-dimensions of the psychological capital scale and the sub-dimension of the communication skills scale.

Unique advantages of dynamic l-[11C]methionine PET/CT for assessing the rate of skeletal muscle protein synthesis: A pilot trial in young men.

Although the standard method to evaluate skeletal muscle protein synthesis (MPS) is muscle biopsy, the method is invasive and problematic for multisite use. We conducted a small pilot study in volunteers to investigate changes in MPS according to skeletal muscle site using a noninvasive method in which 6 healthy young men were given yogurt (containing 20 g milk protein) or water, and 1 h later, l-[11C]methionine ([11C]Met) was administered intravenously. Dynamic PET/CT imaging of their thighs was performed for 60 min. The influx constant Ki of [11C]Met in skeletal muscle protein was calculated as an index of MPS using a Patlak plot, and found to be 0.6%-28% higher after ingesting yogurt than after water in 5 of the 6 volunteer participants, but it was 34% lower in the remaining participant. Overall, this indicated no significant increase in Ki after ingesting milk protein. However, when the quadriceps and hamstring muscles were analyzed separately, we found a significant difference in Ki. This demonstrates the potential of visualizing MPS by calculating the Ki for each voxel and reconstructing it as an image, which presents unique advantages of [11C]Met PET/CT for evaluating MPS, such as site-specificity and visualization.

Unveiling gender differences: a semantic differential approach to studying mindsets in language learning

ABSTRACT Studying language learning beliefs plays an important role in language learning research. The aim of our study was to reconstruct the system of meanings that underlie the gender differences in the beliefs about people involved in foreign language learning. In our study, we used the semantic differential to study beliefs about people involved in foreign language learning. The sample for the study consisted of 86 female and 76 male volunteer participants. Results show that the semantic spaces of beliefs about people involved in foreign language learning have the same dimension but significant differences in the content: the semantic space for males is based on the factors Trustworthiness, Openness to communication and new knowledge and Activity; for females – Evaluation, Diligence and Interpersonal communication. Significant shifts in beliefs about people involved in foreign language learning between females and males are in the factors Activity and Openness to communication and, to a much lesser extent, High emotionality – Emotional stability. According to the results of the study, we concluded that females had a more positive attitude towards people involved in foreign language learning. Additionally, it was concluded that females were more likely to have a growth language learning mindset.

Washing machine filters to mitigate microplastics release: Citizen science study to estimate microfibers capture potential and assess their social acceptability

The accumulation of microplastics in the environment, particularly due to the significant contribution of synthetic clothing washing water, leads to a need for developing source-based retention solutions. The project's objective is to assess the capability of washing machine filters to capture microfibers from domestic wastewater under real laundry conditions. This involves developing a protocol for quantifying microfibers tailored to washing machine lint samples, estimating the potential microfiber capture by washing machine filters, and evaluating the social acceptability of using such filters in households. Volunteers were recruited and they used their washing machines normally, collecting lint in the filter over a 6-month period and documenting information for each load. Various reagents were tested using plastic controls and lint samples to select the most efficient one for removing organic matter without affecting microplastics. Microscopic visual alterations, chemical signatures via FTIR, and the efficacy of the digestion protocol were assessed through mass balance and visual counting. After discarding digestion protocols affecting plastic integrity, those ensuring the most efficient mass loss of organic matter were identified as H2O2 30 % for 5 days at room temperature (RT), NaOCl 3 % for 24 h at RT, and H2O2 30 % at 40 °C for 24 h. Polyester, acrylic, and polyamide controls were tested with NaOCl 3 % for 24 h and H2O2 30 % for 5 days, showing no changes in SEM images. The FTIR successfully recognized the chemical signature. More significant alterations on positive samples (cotton and cellulose) were observed after NaOCl exposure. The mean mass of microfibers remaining after digestion was estimated at 4.62 mg per liter of washing water or 61 mg/kg of washed garment. The survey revealed that 67.8 % of volunteer participants found the filter installation challenging, and 21.4 % had to hire a plumber, highlighting potential challenges associated with implementing washing machine filters on a large scale.

Health, Performance Ratings and Approachability of 50-60-Year-Old Sedentary Adults (ActIv-Study): Key Insights for Health Economy and Exercise Promotion.

Despite significant prevention efforts, the numbers of physically inactive individuals, chronic illnesses, exhaustion syndromes and sick leaves are increasing. A still unresolved problem with exercise promotion is the low participation of sedentary persons. This collective term covers heterogeneous subgroups. Their engagement with movement campaigns and resistance to change are influenced by numerous factors. Our aim was to analyse survey data on health, performance, lifestyle habits and the approachability to physical activity campaigns obtained from the Germany-wide ActIv survey. From 2888 study participants aged 50-60 years, 668 persons were categorised into the subgroups "never-athletes", "sports-dropouts", "always-athletes" and "sports-beginners". Large and significant group differences were found for BMI, assessment of quality of life, health and fitness, risk factors and health problems. In total, 42.5% of "never-athletes" and 32.5% of "sports-dropouts" did not state any barriers to sport. There are substantial disparities between the non-athlete groups in terms of their motivation to exercise. In contrast, there are comparatively minor differences in motivation between "sports-dropouts" and "sports-beginners", whose health and fitness are the primary motivators for sport. Our analyses suggest that (i) negative health and performance trends cannot be compensated for by appeals for voluntary participation in exercise programmes and (ii) powerful incentive systems are required.

Do ethical views of end-of-life patients' family members impact organ donation decisions?

Background: The relatives of patients who decide to donate their loved one's organs experience dilemmas about organ donation and are affected by culture, religion, and individual views.Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the ethical position and personal characteristics of the family members of the patients receiving end-of-life care and their thoughts about organ donation in Turkey.Research design and participants: The study was completed with 158 family members. For data collection, a personal information form and the Ethics Position Questionnaire were used.Ethical considerations: This study was obtained from the ethics committee of the faculty of medicine in Turkey. It was based on voluntary participation, informed consent, confidentiality, and anonymity.Results: All participants in the study shared the same faith and were Muslims. The idealism and relativism tendencies of the participants tended to be high. The number of children, the participants have, participants' status of waiting for an organ transplant, the view that the clergy and health personnel will increase interest in organ donation were identified as factors associated with idealism tendencies. Participants' status of having children, the number of children participants have, participants' status of organ transplant waiting, the view that the health personnel will increase interest in organ donation were identified as factors associated with relativism tendencies (p < 0.0.5).Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrated a relationship between participants' idealism and relativism tendencies, among those with a large number of children, waiting for organ donation, advocating for clergy guidance to increase organ donations, and believing healthcare professionals need not guide to increase organ donations. In light of this finding, it may be recommended to establish a multidisciplinary team, including healthcare professionals and clergy, and to inform the society with accurate information to increase the number of organ donations.

Urban Renewal and Transformation of Residents’ Pro-Environmental Behaviors: Evidence from the Renovation of Old Residential Areas in Chengdu, China

Based on research data from the renovation of old residential areas in Chengdu, China, this study provides empirical evidence regarding the causal relationship between urban renewal and the transformation of residents’ pro-environmental behaviors. The research results show a significant enhancement in residents’ engagement in pro-environmental behaviors due to the renovation of old residential areas. Robustness tests based on replacement samples and two-stage difference–difference model also confirm the reliability of the conclusions. The preliminary mechanism test indicates that the mechanism of the impact of renovation of old residential areas on the transformation of residents’ pro-environmental behaviors can be attributed to two main factors. Firstly, improving environmental infrastructure, such as upgrading waste segregation facilities and installing intelligent resource recycling devices, provides residents with better conditions for engaging in pro-environmental behaviors. Secondly, an increase in residents’ environmental awareness has led to more voluntary participation in pro-environmental behaviors. This study proposes that decision makers acknowledge that urban renewal serves as both a means of improving urban infrastructure and as a hands-on environmental education for the entire population. Taking urban renewal as an opportunity to enhance citizens’ awareness of environmental protection will effectively promote the transformation of pro-environmental behaviors and support sustainable social development.

Frequency of Leptospira in the Blood of Patients with Fever of Unknown Origin in Sinaloa, Mexico.

Background: Leptospira is a genus of bacteria that causes the zoonotic disease known as leptospirosis, which mainly affects countries with tropical and subtropical climates. Its prevalence may be underestimated because the initial stage of the infection is characterized by presenting a febrile condition that is easily confused with other diseases, such as dengue. This work reports the frequency of leptospirosis in the blood of patients with febrile symptoms of unknown origin. Materials and Methods: A total of 218 peripheral blood samples were analyzed from volunteer participants from Culiacan Sinaloa in June 2019, one half corresponded to patients with undiagnosed febrile symptoms and the other half to asymptomatic volunteers. Data collected included the age and sex of the participants. Leptospira was detected by qPCR using a fragment of the lipL32 gene from the bacteria's genome as a target. Fisher's exact test was used as a statistical method to estimate the relationship between the infection and the data collected. Results: The study group comprised 134 female and 84 male patients ranging from ages 1 to 92 years, averaging 41 years. In this study, Leptospira infection was identified in the blood of 22/218 participating volunteers (10.09%), of which 20/109 (18.34%) presented febrile symptoms, whereas 2/109 (1.83%) were asymptomatic. The most affected participants were women with ages between 27 and 59 years. However, the analysis of the relationship between infection and the variables studied did not show statistical significance. Conclusions: Leptospirosis was detected in blood samples from patients with undiagnosed febrile illness and asymptomatic symptoms in Sinaloa. The lipL32 gene is useful as a target in identifying Leptospira in human blood in the acute phase of the disease.

Cognitive Assessment in Grappling Athletes Following Choke versus Nonchoke Submissions.

Participation in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and mixed martial arts has increased over the last three decades. These sports feature submission attacks, including strangles. These strangles, termed "chokes" in this context, primarily limit blood flow to the brain via compression of neck vasculature. There has been discussion in literature of the possibility of measurable cognitive effects following transient choking episodes. The present study used the King-Devick test (KDT) platform, a tablet-based reaction time and accuracy task designed to measure participants' number recognition, cognition, and verbal expression. This task requires functional vision, saccadic eye movements, comprehension, and expression. Volunteer participants were screened for exclusion (prior brain injury) criteria and survey information before testing. Athletes were tested with the KDT immediately before a Brazilian jiu-jitsu training session, again immediately after succumbing to either a choke ("Choke" arm) or nonchoke ("Non-Choke" arm) submission while sparring, and again after a 10-min rest period following the postsubmission test. Analysis was done on test failures, total test times, and individual difference scores between baseline and subsequent testing. Sixty-two (32 Choke, 30 Non-Choke) participants were analyzed. There was no significant difference between Choke and Non-Choke in test failures ( χ2 (1,62) = 1.25, P = 0.263), total times ( t (60) = 0.62, P = 0.540; 95% CI, -3.44 to 6.51), and individual difference scores ( t (60) = 0.29, P = 0.776; 95% CI, -2.41 to 3.21). There were no significant differences between study arms in any of the three analyzed measures. This suggests that cognitive functioning, as measured by the KDT, is not affected by transient choking episodes.

Some Peculiarities of Establishing the Legal Status of Military Volunteers in the EAEU and BRICS Member States

The article deals with the peculiarities of legal regulation in the EAEU and BRICS member countries, enshrining the status of volunteers who joined the armed forces of the state, the procedure and conditions of such participation and participation in armed (military) conflicts on behalf of the state. Aim. The purpose of the article is to study the legal regulation in the EAEU and BRICS member countries defining the status of volunteers who joined the armed forces of the state.Tasks. To characterize and identify the peculiarities of the legal status of persons participating in volunteer formations of the armed forces of the EAEU and BRICS member countries. To consider the new for modern Russia legal regulation that established the status of volunteers participating in a special military operation.Method. In the process of the research the set tasks were solved by the author with the use of general scientific (historical, dialectical, systematic, logical, method of analysis) and legal (comparative-legal, sociological, axiological) methods of research.Results. In most countries, the establishment of the legal status of a volunteer, including social guarantees, depends directly on the country’s involvement in a particular armed conflict or external threats that result in the need for the state to strengthen its military power and, consequently, for persons to volunteer for military service. Armenia and Russia are prime examples of such countries. Over the past two years, Russian legislation has gone a long way towards defining the legal status of volunteers.Conclusions. Analyzing the legal regulation enshrining the legal status of volunteers of the armed forces of the countries under study, it is necessary to note several directions. Thus, in fact, in all BRICS and EAEU member countries considered in the study, the participation of volunteers in the armed forces is regulated by legislation. The only country whose legislation does not provide for the participation of volunteers in the country’s armed forces is the BRICS member country South Africa. In analyzing the legal regulation of the EAEU member countries, it should be noted that the legislation of these countries has similar features. At the same time, the level of provision by the state of this category of citizens varies from its absence, as in India, to the provision by the state to volunteers of all social guarantees and equalization of their status with military personnel, as in China and Russia.

Assessment of communicative competence in adult patients with minimum response in intensive care units: A scoping review.

Few formal instruments exist to assess the communicative competence of patients hospitalized in intensive care units (ICUs). This can limit interventions by health professionals. To map the categories and instruments for assessing the communicative competence of adult patients with minimal response in ICUs. A scoping review was carried out following the Joanna Briggs Institute protocol between February and March 2022 and using the MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus, Scielo, Business Source Complete (via EBSCOhost), Academic Search Complete (via EBSCOhost) and Web of Science databases, in Portuguese, English and Spanish. Eight studies met the inclusion criteria. The different communication and pain assessment protocols covered awareness, cognition, sensory capacity, motor capacity, language, speech and literacy. The present review offers a starting point for the construction of a formal assessment instrument to enable clinicians to implement an augmentative or alternative communication system (AACS) for the voluntary, independent and active participation of patients. What is already known on the subject Patients in ICUs are subject to various forms of treatment and continuous and intensive monitoring, compromising their capacity to communicate and actively participate (e.g., sharing symptoms and making decisions). Although there is some awareness of their disadvantage in such a regard, few protocols of assessment of communicative competence have been adapted to patients with a minimum response. What this paper adds to the existing knowledge The present review highlights different protocols for the assessment of communication and pain. They include the following categories: awareness, sensory capacity, auditory and visual acuity, positioning and motor capacity, language, speech, and literacy. The review offers a starting point for the construction of a formal assessment instrument encompassing the aforementioned categories, along with duly validated guidelines for its application. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? Our formal assessment instrument takes into account the need to adapt to different patient profiles. It is hoped that it will provide speech therapists and other health professionals with the information required to implement an AACS in which patients participate actively.

Trustful double auction design for Peer-to-Peer energy trading between interconnected micro-grids with supply–demand imbalance

Peer-to-Peer (P2P) energy trading between Interconnected Micro-Grids (IMGs) presents a promising approach for enhancing the economic advantages for prosumers while mitigating supply–demand imbalances within individual Micro-Grids (MGs). This paper proposes a trustful double auction mechanism for P2P energy trading among prosumers in IMGs, structured into two distinct stages. Initially, concurrent auctions are conducted within each MG to facilitate intra-grid trading, followed by subsequent auctions facilitating inter-grid trading across IMGs. We figure out the allocation and pricing rules that satisfy the required properties in mechanism design even when the auction consists of two stages. Given that energy transactions across IMGs entail non-negligible power losses, equitable allocation of these losses among prosumers is paramount. To address this, we integrate a fair cost distribution methodology into our auction mechanism, implemented by an iterative algorithm. Rigorous analysis substantiates our proposed auction mechanism’s incentive compatibility, individual rationality, and budget balance, thereby fostering truthful and voluntary prosumer participation while averting potential market deficits. Numerical analysis underscores the efficacy of our approach, showcasing a significant improvement in P2P transactions and supply–demand balance enhancement compared to trading solely within individual MGs.

Development of Indonesian Association of People with Disabilities (PPDI) Volunteers Based on Digital Applications to Increase Deaf Interaction

Background: Effective communication is essential for everyone, but it can be especially difficult for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. This can lead to isolation and hinder their ability to express themselves. Unfortunately, many people, including volunteers from PPDI North Sumatra, lack sign language skills, creating a communication barrier with the deaf community. Contribution: This activity aims to develop and assist Regional Representative Council PPDI North Sumatra volunteers to increase interaction with the deaf at Regional Representative Council PPDI North Sumatra Method: PPDI volunteers participated in program socialization, learned PIKU application features, and received training on its use. Results: The PIKU program yielded positive outcomes. Volunteer participation was enthusiastic, and interaction with the deaf community increased. The app's free accessibility, user-friendly interface, and clear visuals facilitated communication. Conclusion: The PIKU program, with its communication-assistive technology, effectively improved interaction between PPDI volunteers and the deaf community in North Sumatra. This highlights the potential of technology to break down communication barriers and foster inclusivity

Bee monitoring by community scientists: comparing a collections-based program with iNaturalist.

Bee monitoring, or widespread efforts to document bee community biodiversity, can involve data collection using lethal (specimen collections) or non-lethal methods (observations, photographs). Additionally, data can be collected by professional scientists or by volunteer participants from the general public. Collection-based methods presumably produce more reliable data with fewer biases against certain taxa, while photography-based approaches, such as data collected from public natural history platforms like iNaturalist, can involve more people and cover a broader geographic area. Few efforts have been made to quantify the pros and cons of these different approaches. We established a community science monitoring program to assess bee biodiversity across the state of Pennsylvania (USA) using specimen collections with nets, blue vane traps, and bowl traps. We recruited 26 participants, mostly Master Gardeners, from across the state to sample bees after receiving extensive training on bee monitoring topics and methods. The specimens they collected were identified to species, stored in museum collections, and the data added to public databases. Then, we compared the results from our collections to research-grade observations from iNaturalist during the same time period (2021 and 2022). At state and county levels, we found collections data documented over twice as much biodiversity and novel baseline natural history data (state and county records) than data from iNaturalist. iNaturalist data showed strong biases toward large-bodied and non-native species. This study demonstrates the value of highly trained community scientists for collections-based research that aims to document patterns of bee biodiversity over space and time.