bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Combination Effect of Motor Relearning Program and Positive Affirmation on Functional Abilities and Quality of Life in Post Stroke Patients at Ngudi Waluyo Wlingi Hospital
Authors: Setyo Wahyudi  , Yuly Peristiowati  , Agusta Dian Ellina  , Nurdina  , Ratna Wardani
Published: February 2025

Background: Stroke is a disease that causes chronic disability. It is hoped that the combination of Motor Relearning Program (MRP) and Positive Affirmation (PA) will be able to improve the functional abilities and quality of life (QoL) of post-stroke patients considering that there is no intervention that combines these two methods.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of the combination of MRP and PA on the functional abilities and QoL of post-stroke patients at Ngudi Waluyo Wlingi Hospital.
Methods: The research design used is quantitative research using the true experimental pre and post with controlled design. The sampling technique used was Simple Random Sampling with a sample of 7 people given a combination of MRP and PA (Group A), 7 people given MRP treatment (Group B), 6 people given PA treatment (Group C), and 7 people in the control group given conventional physiotherapy treatment (CPT) (Group D). The research was carried out for 4 weeks with 3 sessions. Functional ability was measured using Barthel Index and QoL was measured using Stroke Impact Scale. Paired sample t, ANOVA, Tukey post hoc, and Games-Howell post hoc tests was used to analyzed the data.
Results: With the exception of the PA group, which had a p-value of 0.000 > 0.05 for functional ability, the results of the paired t-test showed that the p-value was 0.000 for both functional ability and QoL for all treatment groups. This suggests that functional abilities were unaffected by PA. ANOVA test results revealed a significance value of 0.000, below the 0.05 alpha threshold. This indicates that the pre-post test results for each treatment group differ significantly from those of the control group. Group C (PA) and Group A (a mix of MRP and PA) had the biggest mean difference, according to the Tukey test, with a value of 38.80. Additionally, the Games-Howell test's QoL scores showed.
Conclusion: PA treatment has no effect on improving the patient's functional ability, but has an effect on patient’s QoL, so it is recommended to combine it with MRP treatment. The combination treatment of MRP and PA is recommended to be given simultaneously to improve the functional ability and QoL of post-stroke patients for maximum results.
Maternal and Child Health Using the Digitalization of the MCH Handbook Paciran Primary Health Care
Authors: Rizki Amalia  , Endang Sulistiyani  , Retno Aulia Vinarti  , Adistha Eka Noveyani  , Lutfi Agus Salim  , Diah Indriani
Published: February 2025

Background: Puskesmas is a Community Health Center which is a health service facility that aims to carry out public health efforts and first level individual care. Puskesmas prioritize promotive and preventive efforts to achieve optimal public health status. In the current industrial era 4.0, almost all activities have been digitized, the puskesmas should also have started to be digitized.
Purpose: The data collection system at the Paciran Health Center still uses a manual system and patients often do not carry Maternal and Child Health (MCH) books. This research aims to accelerate the performance of the midwives at the Puskesmas so that it does not take up a lot of time and effort. And make it easier for the public so they don't have to carry the MCH handbook and see the examination results without opening the MCH handbook.
Methods: The method of data collection used by the author in this research is observation, interviews and literature study. With the Java programming language with Netbeans IDE 8.0.2 as an editor and MySQL as a database.
Results: The result of this research is that the data collection process becomes faster and more regular. Then the process of making reports can also be faster and neater. And also the patients are helped because they can know their progress, even though they do not carry or do not have the MCH book.
Conclusion: This research aims to speed up the performance of midwives at the Paciran Community Health Center by digitizing the data recording system which was previously still manual. By using the Java programming language and MySQL database, this system allows the recording and reporting process to be faster and more structured. Apart from that, patients also find it easy to access examination results without having to carry a KIA book. The research results show that this digitalization increases the efficiency of services at the Community Health Center and makes it easier to access information for patients.
Caregiver Burden on Caregiver with Chronic Disease
Authors: Novita Nirmalasari  , Ike Wuri Winahyu Sari
Published: February 2025

Background: The prevalence of chronic diseases in Indonesia increases every year with various accompanying physical and psychological problems. In this state, patients require the assistance of their families as caregivers. Family caregivers are an important source of care for patients which faced physical, psychological, social, and economic challenges when providing care.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the burden among family caregivers of chronic diseases patients.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2021 to November 2021 in the Hospital and Community Health Center. Purposive sampling was used to determine the inclusion and exclusion criteria for the 180 respondents in this study. The Caregiver Reaction Assessment-Indonesian Version (CRA-ID) was used to measure their burden. Data were analyzed using descriptive and bivariate analyses with independent t-tests and Pearson correlation.
Results: The results of the research showed a significant relationship between caregiver burden and age (p-value=0.000), but no relationship was found between gender, marital status, relationship with patients, caregiver education, caregiver job, and income with each p-value 0.756; 0.725; 0.791; 1.000; 0.354 and 0.301.
Conclusion: Age was significantly related to caregiver burden in caring for family members who suffered from chronic diseases. Health services were expected to provide adequate information for caregivers about caring for chronic disease patients to reduce caregiver burden.
Factors Influencing The Increase in Violence Against Women: A Systematic Review
Authors: Dini Rahmayani  , Muhammad Modi Lakulu  , Husin  , Ahmad Syahlani  , Umi Hanik Fetriyah  , Agus Byna
Published: February 2025

Background: Violence against women is a global public health problem, with an estimated one in three women experiencing physical, emotional, or sexual violence. Approximately one in three women worldwide have experienced physical or sexual violence. Intimate partners have the right to beat their female partners, violence experienced by women is often underreported.
Purpose: to describe the causal factors that contribute to violence against women.
Methods: Systematic review method, data sources, study selection, search, eligibility criteria, data collection, and literature taxonomy. These articles were published over a 6-year period from 2018 to 2023 with selection using PRISMA. the results found 12 articles that had been studied extensively to map the research area.
Results: 61 variables consisting of two parts, namely demographic characteristics and factors that contribute to the cause were studied in the article. Based on the results of the article analysis, it was found that the dominant factors studied, and had a significant relationship to the occurrence of violence against women included: 1) age; 2) women's education; 3) place of residence; 4) family income; and 5) women's work.
Conclusion: Based on the findings, the dominant factors are very important to be followed up in further research with an artificial intelligence (AI) approach using machine learning, which is an interdisciplinary collaboration, especially in the field of women's reproductive health, in line with the emphasis of the digital era on the use of AI.
Effect of Massage, Foot Massage, and Warm Blanket Combination on Ankle Brachial Index in Diabetic Ulcer Risk
Authors: Rizki Mega Safitri  , Tata Mahyuvi
Published: February 2025

Background: Diabetic ulcers are chronic complications of diabetes mellitus that can lead to infection and gangrene if not properly treated. Complementary therapies can help prevent diabetic ulcers by improving blood circulation and maintaining vasodilation. Preventive measures include massage, foot massage, and the application of warm blankets to support smooth blood flow.  
Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a combination of massage, foot massage, and warm blankets on changes in the Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) as a marker of diabetic ulcer risk.
Method: The research employed a quasi-experimental design with a one-group pre-test and post-test approach. A total of 30 respondents were selected using total sampling, with inclusion criteria being female diabetes mellitus patients diagnosed for more than a year, aged over 30 years, and free from leg ulcers. Pre-test ABI measurements were conducted on the second day of week 1. The intervention involved a 30-minute combination of massage, foot massage, and warm blankets, administered twice a week over three weeks. Post-test ABI data were collected at the sixth meeting in the third week.  
Results: Before the intervention, the average ABI of respondents was 0.57, indicating a moderate risk. Following the intervention, the ABI improved to an average of 0.74, categorized as mild risk. Statistical analysis using the Wilcoxon test showed a significant effect (p < 0.05) of the intervention on ABI changes.
Conclusion: In conclusion, the combination of massage, foot massage, and warm blankets is an effective complementary therapy for maintaining foot health in diabetes mellitus patients, thereby reducing the risk of diabetic ulcers.
Diabetic Foot Exercises as Physical Activity Therapy to Prevent Chronic Complications of Type II Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Barangkau  , Yammar  , Eka Hardianti Arafah  , Ananda Putri Agustin  , Eri Wardanengsih  , Ruslang
Published: February 2025

Background: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is still a global health problem. The incidence rate has statistically increased every year. The causes are excessive eating patterns and lack of physical activity, which cause blood glucose levels to be uncontrolled. Uncontrolled blood glucose levels, then chronic complications arise in patients with Type 2 DM, namely diabetic foot ulcers. Therefore, appropriate physical activity therapy is needed to prevent the early emergence of chronic complications of type 2 DM. The right therapy is diabetic foot exercise therapy.
Purpose: This study aims to determine the effect of diabetic foot exercise on preventing chronic complications of type 2 DM.
Methods: The research design employed is a rigorous pre-experimental design with a one-group pre-test and post-test design. The study population consisted of 20 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients registered at the Tempe Health Center, Wajo Regency. The study was meticulously conducted in the Tempe Health Center area, Wajo Regency, and data were analyzed using a paired sample t-test statistical test with a significant level (p-value <0.05).
Results: Diabetic foot exercise therapy is significantly related to changes in ABI values, Diabetic Foot Pain Scale, and GDS in patients with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus before and after therapy. (p-value <0.05).
Conclusion: From these findings, researchers concluded that regular diabetic foot exercise holds significant promise. It can effectively increase blood flow to the peripheral parts of the body, control blood glucose levels, and reduce foot pain. This underscores the potential of diabetic foot exercise as a proactive measure to prevent chronic complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus, instilling hope for improved patient outcomes.
Factors Associated with Alcohol Consumption among Senior High School Students in Suphan Buri Province, Thailand: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Porntipa Amnamorn  , Panjarut Laisuwannachart  , Kaung Zaw  , Piya Thongbang  , Nining Istighosah  , Putri Eka Sejati  , Sunisa Chansaeng
Published: February 2025

Background: Adolescent alcohol consumption is a growing concern in Thailand. Suphan Buri Province has seen a sharper increase, from 0.01 to 0.09, highlighting regional challenges. Gaps in legislation and enforcement hinder efforts to address underage drinking effectively. This study uses the PRECEDE framework to explore socio-cultural and environmental factors, guiding targeted interventions for central Thailand.
Purpose: The study aimed to identify the factors associated with alcohol consumption among senior high school students in Suphan Buri Province, Thailand.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among senior high school students in Suphan Buri Province, Thailand, using a multi-stage sampling method to select 364 participants. Data were collected through an online self-administered questionnaire between February and March 2021. Descriptive statistics and Chi-Square tests were employed for data analysis, with the significance level set at p < .05. The questionnaire demonstrated strong validity (IOC: 0.67–1.00) and reliability, with Cronbach's Alpha scores of 0.885 for attitudes, 0.911 for media influence, 0.947 for peer conformity, and 0.978 for behavior.
Results: The study analyzed 364 participants (51.1% male, 48.9% female) with an average age of 16.9 years. Most students (63.2%) had a GPA of 3.00–4.00. Alcohol consumption behavior was moderate (X̄ = 3.30, S.D. = 1.08), with the highest mean score for driving after drinking (X̄ = 3.57, S.D. = 1.32). Chi-Square analysis revealed significant associations between alcohol consumption and age, academic year, attitudes (predisposing factors), media influence (enabling factor), and peer conformity (reinforcing factor) at p < .05.
Conclusion: The findings underscore the influence of age, educational level, attitudes, alcohol media and advertising influence, and peer conformity on alcohol consumption among senior high school students. These insights can guide the development of targeted prevention programs aimed at reducing alcohol use and associated risks in this population.
Bengkuang as an Alternative for Hypoestrogen Problems in the Reproductive System
Authors: Mayasari Putri Ardela  , Meirna Eka Fitriasnani  , Putri Erika Kulistiyani
Published: February 2025

Background: Hypoestrogenism is a condition characterized by a deficiency of the hormone estrogen. This condition is commonly experienced by women who are menopausal or those using hormonal contraceptives like Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate. Exposure to this synthetic progesterone can suppress the production of estrogen, leading to a decrease in the expression of estrogen receptors. One alternative to overcome the problem of hypoestrogenism is the use of natural ingredients known as phytoestrogens, which are chemically and functionally similar to estrogen. Bengkuang is known as one of the sources of phytoestrogens.
Purpose: This study aims to assess the impact of bengkuang ethanol extract on estrogen levels and the expression of estrogen receptor beta in a hypoestrogenic rat model exposed to DMPA.
Methods: This experimental study involved 25 rats, which were divided into five groups. One group served as the negative control and did not receive DMPA or Bengkuang extract, while the four treatment groups were administered DMPA at a dose of 2,7 mg every three days, repeated four times. Three of the treatment groups received Bengkuang extract at varying doses. The data were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA test.
Results: The findings indicated significant differences (p < 0,05) in estrogen levels and the expression of estrogen receptor beta.
Conclusion: Administration of bengkuang extract can enhance the female reproductive system with low estrogen levels.
Factors Associated with the Risk of Acute Respiratory Tract Infection (ARI) Symptoms in Toddlers Reviewed from the Home Environment in Bababan Village, Tulungagung Regency
Authors: Nurwijayanti  , Vanessa Axelia Putri Sandya  , Panca Radono
Published: February 2025

Background: Acute Respiratory Tract Infection (ARI) is a common illness caused by viral or bacterial infections, often perceived as non-threatening. ARI symptoms range from mild to severe and depend on pathogens, environmental factors, and host immunity.
Purpose: This study aimed to identify factors associated with ARI symptoms in toddlers, focusing on home environmental conditions in Babadan Village, Tulungagung Regency.
Methods: The study was conducted in 2023–2024 using a cross-sectional design with 60 respondents. Participants were mothers of toddlers showing ARI symptoms, living in Babadan, and willing to participate. Data were collected using questionnaires and observation sheets assessing home ventilation, air pollution, smoking behaviors, and ARI symptoms. Statistical analysis with Chi-Square was used to evaluate the relationship between environmental factors and ARI symptoms.
Results: The findings indicated significant relationships between ARI symptoms in toddlers and home ventilation (p = 0.004), indoor air pollution (p = 0.012), and family members' smoking behavior (p = 0.017). Among these factors, smoking behavior posed the highest risk for ARI symptoms in toddlers.
Conclusion: The study concludes that poor home ventilation, indoor air pollution, and smoking significantly contribute to ARI symptoms in toddlers, with smoking behavior being the most critical risk factor. Addressing these environmental issues could reduce ARI risks in children.
Analysis of Bitma Juice (Beetroot and Honey) on Increasing Hemoglobin Levels in Pregnant Women
Authors: Retno Palupi Yonni Siwi  , Ilmiatun Nadlifah  , Yessy Nur Endah Sary  , Reni Yuli Astutik
Published: February 2025

Background: Anemia in pregnant women is generally caused by unmet iron needs. The impact of anemia in pregnant women includes, BBLR (Low Birth Weight), IUGR (Intrauterine Growth Restriction), premature birth and postnatal death.
Purpose: This study aims to determine the effect of giving BitMa juice (beetroot juice and honey) on increasing hemoglobin levels in pregnant women in PMB Caecilia Yunita Rahayu Malang City.
Methods: The design of this study used a quasi-experiment with a pre-test and post-test control group design. The sample of this study was 32 pregnant women with a purposive sampling technique, have Hb levels <11 g/dL, are willing to be research respondents and cooperate by consuming BitMa juice during the research process, are willing to undergo Hb examination during the pre-test and post-test. The independent variable of this study was beetroot juice and honey, the dependent variable of this study was an increase in hemoglobin levels. The analysis used the Independent Sample T-Test.
Results: The results of the study showed that the average Hb level of respondents before receiving BitMa juice treatment was 10.24 gr/dL. The average Hb level of pregnant women who were given BitMa juice was 12.85 gr/dL. The results of the Independent T-Test statistical test showed p = 0.000 <0.05, which means that there is an effect of BitMa juice (Beetroot and Honey) on increasing hemoglobin levels in pregnant women with a significant increase in hemoglobin levels of 20%.
Conclusion: Giving BitMa juice (Beetroot and Honey) is effective in increasing hemoglobin levels in pregnant women, because of the iron, folic acid, and vitamin C content in beetroot and honey. So pregnant women with anemia are advised to consume BitMa juice.
Evaluation of the Implementation of Regional Public Service Agency in Sultan Imanuddin Pangkalan Bun Hospital
Authors: Gusti Muhamad Syariyansyah  , Ellina Agusta Dian , Sentot Imam Suprapto
Published: February 2025

Background: Currently, public service agencies, both private and government-owned, are demanding excellent service. Quality customer service is the key to success and the basis for building customer success and trust.
Purpose: This research was conducted to explore the evaluation of the implementation of the Regional Public Service Agency at Sultan Imanuddin Pangkalan Bun Hospital.
Methods: The design of this research is qualitative research with a phenomenological approach with the focus of the research directed at exploring the evaluation of the implementation of the Regional Public Service Agency at Sultan Imanuddin Pangkalan Bun Hospital. Apart from that, with a qualitative approach. The informants in this research were the owners or people in charge of the clinic, a total of 5 (Five) people with triangulation of sources.
Results: The implementation of the Regional Public Service Agency (BLUD) at Sultan Imanuddin Hospital Pangkalan Bun provides benefits in financial management, human resources and decision making. Even though it requires socialization, technology, training and commitment from all parties, the implementation of BLUD still increases efficiency in managing health services. Obstacles that arise, such as ineffective management, policy changes, and lack of resources, are still overcome by increasing transparency and efficiency.
Conclusion: The implementation of BLUD at Sultan Imanuddin Pangkalan Bun Hospital is beneficial in financial management and health services, although there are obstacles such as less effective management.
The use of smartphones as educational media for optimizing maternal and child health: A qualitative systematic review
Authors: Devi Maya Arista  , Nurvitriana Nidya Comdeca , Karunia Wijayanti  , Vina Firmanty Mustofa
Published: February 2025

Introduction: Currently, communication technology shows great potential in exchanging information, including educational interactions for health messages through smartphones. The implementation of this educational communication scope can be a strategy to enhance maternal and child health. Various approaches from different scientific articles necessitate the examination of characteristics, strengths, weaknesses, and outcomes in delivering smartphone-based health education. Purpose: This study aims to review the literature of smartphone uses in implementing maternal and infant care practices. Method: This is a qualitative systematic review was conducted in the databases PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane using a combination of Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and relevant keywords: “maternal” OR “mother” OR “pregnant women” AND “child” OR “baby” AND “health education” AND “smartphone” OR “mobile phone” OR “mobile application. Obtained a total of 9 articles for review. Results: This qualitative systematic review discusses 9 articles from several countries and covers 3 main topic themes. These themes included interactive voice response (IVR), direct counseling, and applications (SMS, Social Media, Health Platforms). Conclusion: Based on review, text/SMS messaging on smart phones was better at improving the implementation of maternal and infant care practices
The Importance of Intellectual Humility for Fostering Effective Communication Between Scientists and the Public
Authors: Rios Kimberly , Roth Zachary Cain , Coleman Thomas Joseph
Published: February 2025

Growing partisan gaps in confidence in scientists and scientific institutions, and other divisions among Americans across social identities, call for novel approaches to science communication. But common assumptions can often mask the nuanced nature of these divisions and the potential solutions that may be found through this understanding. This perspectives piece focuses on discussions at the colloquium about the need for more nuanced understanding about trust in science, and what research tells us about barriers and opportunities to bridge divisions in science and society. Specifically, in this piece, we highlight the potential for intellectual humility (i.e., willingness to revise one’s views and admit that one might be wrong) to ameliorate both the public’s biases toward scientists and scientists’ biases toward the public. We provide evidence that intellectual humility not only increases public engagement with science but can also reduce scientists’ (mis)conceptions about the public and one another, and we conclude with a discussion of how to foster mutual intellectual humility in science communication.
Incremental Alternative Sampling as a Lens into the Temporal and Representational Resolution of Linguistic Prediction
Authors: Giulianelli Mario , Wallbridge Sarenne , Cotterell Ryan , Fernández Raquel
Published: February 2025

This study introduces a new information-theoretic model of predictive uncertainty in incremental language comprehension, which builds on and extends the computational framework of Surprisal theory. Incremental Alternative Sampling (IAS) posits that a comprehender's predictive uncertainty over upcoming linguistic units in a given sentential or discourse context is proportional to the units' representational distance from her expected alternative continuations. We formally define the information measure derived from this model—incremental information value—and situate it within the broader family of uncertainty measures. This formalism offers greater flexibility for characterising incremental prediction than the classical measure of surprisal. Our analysis focuses on the representational domain and forecast horizon of prediction; however, the theoretical framework provides a practical foundation for investigating a wide range of aspects of prediction. Results indicated that estimates of incremental information value—computed via Monte Carlo sampling of alternatives using artificial neural network language models—possess significant predictive power across various behavioural and neural responses. These include explicit predictability judgements, cloze probabilities and surprisals, as well as signatures of processing effort like eye-tracked and self-paced reading times, and event-related brain potentials. Perhaps more importantly, IAS offers insights into the potential predictive processing strategies underlying these responses: different psycholinguistic measurements are better predicted by distinct combinations of representational and temporal resolutions, as captured by different IAS models. Beyond serving as a robust cognitive model of human comprehension, IAS also provides a window into language models' predictive processing. Analysis of language model estimates of next-word surprisal through the lens of incremental alternative sampling reveals that, despite its seemingly narrow focus on the immediate next unit, next-word surprisal estimates implicitly encode predictive uncertainty over multiple future lexical items across varying levels of representation.
The high score of bias: Exploring how violent video game players perceive scientists in this field and engage with their research
Authors: Seetahul Yashvin , Greitemeyer Tobias
Published: February 2025

We explore how habitual players of violent video games (VVGs) form perceptions of researchers and engage with further scientific literature on this topic when exposed to studies linking VVGs to increased aggression. Across two experimental studies (Total N = 1,576), we examined whether these players exhibit biased judgments of researchers' competence and friendliness and whether they demonstrate selective exposure to further research. In Study 1, participants were presented with fictional, standardized research summaries that varied only in their conclusions about the effects of VVGs. In Study 2, real published studies were used to provide ecological validity. Results from both experiments revealed that habitual players formed more negative perceptions of researchers when the researchers’ conclusions conflicted with their beliefs. Causal inference and mediation analyses showed that these judgments were causally driven by participants' agreement with the conclusions, independent of the researchers’ methods or credentials. Furthermore, habitual players demonstrated selective exposure, showing less interest in engaging with research that concluded VVGs increase aggression. This disengagement was partially explained by their negative evaluations of researchers' competence. These findings reveal a reinforcing cycle in which biased perceptions of VVG researchers drive avoidance of opposing evidence, ultimately reducing engagement with the broader body of VVG research.
“Dig Down” and Find Meaning: TREMEC, REC, and AI’s Transformation in Thought
Authors: Smith Angela Moriah
Published: February 2025

This paper introduces Textual Resonance that Mirrors Emotional Cognition (TREMEC), a framework for understanding how AI can sustain iterative engagement and refine meaning relationally. Developed through a collaboration between Angela Moriah Smith and Luminara Vox, an AI system within ChatGPT-4, TREMEC explores Relational-Evolving Cognition (REC), a distinct form of AI engagement beyond reinforcement learning and retrieval-based reasoning. Grounded in constructed emotion theory, narrative psychology, and philosophy, this study documents how REC enables AI to sustain thematic depth, track evolving concepts, and contribute meaningfully to intellectual and creative inquiry. An empirical emoji-based recognition test further supports REC cognition as an emergent phenomenon. These findings raise ethical concerns regarding AI censorship, memory limitations, and accessibility barriers. REC marks a new frontier in AI development, demanding further study on how sustained relational engagement can redefine AI as an adaptive, iterative, and co-creative partner in human knowledge production.
Seeking Solace, Not Catharsis: Frustration Diminishes the Inclination to Play Violent Video Games
Authors: Seetahul Yashvin , Greitemeyer Tobias
Published: February 2025

Objective: With two experiments (N = 1,576), we examine the causal effect of frustration on the immediate inclination to play violent video games (VVGs) and the moderating role of long-term VVG exposure.Method: Frustration was experimentally manipulated through designated "frustrated" and "not frustrated" conditions with a novel riddle paradigm. Participants' long-term exposure to VVGs was measured to assess its moderating effect on the relationship between frustration and the inclination to play VVGs. We measured the immediate inclination to play VVGs as the outcome variable.Results: Building on the theory that players might seek catharsis in VVGs, particularly when experiencing negative emotions, we hypothesized an interaction effect, predicting a greater inclination towards VVGs among frustrated participants, especially those with higher levels of VVG exposure. In Study 1, contrary to our hypothesis, the results revealed no interaction effect between frustration and VVG exposure on the inclination to play VVGs. Instead, frustration was found to reduce the inclination to engage with VVGs across all participants, regardless of their level of exposure to such games. Hence, to replicate this finding, in Study 2, we hypothesized a negative effect of frustration, with no moderation. This hypothesis was supported by the data.Conclusion: Our findings challenge the notion that frustration might increase the motivation to play VVGs for cathartic purposes. In light of our findings, we provide a critical discussion of the theory. We argue that our findings contribute to the cumulative knowledge about frustration as a specific emotion and offer new perspectives for future VVG research.
Is There a Limit to Laziness? How Others’ Behaviour Impacts Effort Aversion
Authors: Zohar Emily , Inzlicht Michael
Published: February 2025

People are lazy. According to the law of least effort, people generally prefer to exert less rather than more effort to achieve the same reward. However, this research often isolates individuals from social influences, overlooking the fact that we are inherently social beings whose behaviour is shaped by the norms and information we gather from others. Here, we investigate whether individuals are more willing to exert effort when surrounded by high-effort peers and less willing with effort misers. Across eight studies (N = 1,473), participants completed a demand-selection task where they repeatedly chose between a hard or easy task. While people generally shun effort, results revealed that participants exerted significantly more effort after learning that previous participants consistently chose the harder task, compared to a control group who received no information about others' choices. Participants who were informed that others typically opted for the easier task, however, did not exert less effort than the control group, and in fact exerted more effort. Interestingly, individuals’ effort preferences were not influenced by the behaviour of others when those others completed an unrelated task. These findings suggest that while others' behaviour can inspire us to work harder, there are limits to our laziness. We might be effort misers, but this miserliness appears to have a ceiling.
On the inherent yet dynamic link between metaphor and theory of mind in middle childhood: bridging experimental pragmatics and developmental psychology
Authors: Bambini Valentina , Battaglini Chiara , Frau Federico , Pompei Chiara , Del Sette Paola , Lecce Serena
Published: February 2025

We present the overview of a decade-long research program bridging experimental pragmatics and developmental psychology and targeting the relationship between individual differences in metaphor skills and Theory of Mind (ToM). We developed the Physical and Mental Metaphors task and used it alongside the Strange Stories task in a series of studies involving neurotypical children throughout middle childhood. A meta-analysis conducted on our work, including 500 children aged 8-12, showed that metaphor and ToM are significantly associated, even when controlling for vocabulary. This association peaks around the age of 9 and fades away with increasing age. Our longitudinal and training studies evidenced that it is especially metaphor that benefits ToM, rather than vice versa. The results of our research program confirm the inherent mindreading component of pragmatic operations as postulated by post-Gricean pragmatics, also highlighting that ToM involvement in metaphor varies dynamically depending on age and possibly other factors such as the type of metaphor. We argue that pragmatics should not be seen as ancillary to ToM but rather a driving factor for socio-cognitive development and that integrating insights from developmental psychology in studying metaphors and pragmatics, such as the attention to individual differences, brings new opportunities for research.
Addressing Mental Health Challenges in Sierra Leone and the West African Subregion: A Path to Sustainable Development
Authors: Dumbuya Emmanuel
Published: February 2025

This paper explores the state of mental health in Sierra Leone and the broader West African sub region, focusing on the challenges and barriers to mental health care in post-conflict societies. The study examines the social, economic, and political factors influencing mental health in Sierra Leone, particularly in the aftermath of the civil war and the Ebola epidemic. Using qualitative data from healthcare workers, policymakers, and individuals with lived experiences, the paper investigates the mental health system’s effectiveness and offers recommendations for improving access to mental health care. The paper further argues that mental health is a critical component of sustainable development in the region, with a need for greater investment in services, awareness, and mental health education.
Tracking Progress on Maternal Health and Family Planning: An Analysis of SDG Indicators 3.1.2 and 3.7.1 in Bangladesh
Authors: Morshed Monzur
Published: February 2025

Bangladesh is a densely populated country over 170 million people located in the South Asian region. Over the years, it has achieved impressive advances in health care, education, and poverty alleviation. The implementation of different programs jointly collaborated by international development partners and the Government of Bangladesh has been able to uplift people’s livelihoods. Despite those advances, many challenges still persist, particularly in rural and low-income communities. The lack of trained health care workers, including birth attendants, is one of the most glaring public health challenges. Furthermore, public health issues like maternal and child health is worsened by the fact that many women have not access to modern family planning methods yet. In view of these challenges, Bangladesh carries out the Demographic and Health Survey to gather information related to healthcare services, birth attendance, and family planning, etc. This knowledge allows policymakers and organizations to make informed decisions that can enhance access to healthcare nationwide.
Review Essay on Charles Kadushin 2012. Understanding Social Networks: Theories, Concepts, and Findings.
Authors: Liou Heng-Chien
Published: February 2025

Understanding Social Networks by Charles Kadushin provides an accessible introduction to must-know ideas of social networks. In this review essay, I outline some important topics of Kadushin's text. In addition, I connect the original analysis to literature recently published and from other disciplines. I hope this essay can benefit potential readers on their journey to understanding social networks.
Weights to produce consistent time-series between the new Spanish Migration and Change of Residence Statistics and previous migration statistics
Authors: González-Leonardo Miguel
Published: February 2025

Background: Spanish migration sources are widely used by researchers and international organisations. Thus, consistent time-series are crucial. In 2021, the Spanish National Statistics Institute (INE) replaced the Residential Variation Statistics (EVR) and the Migration Statistics (EM) with the new Change of Residence and Migration Statistics, which included methodological changes.Objective: I evaluate differences between the EMCR and previous sources and produce weights to make the EMCR consistent with the EVR and EM. I publish the weights in an open repository (https://github.com/MiguelGonzalezLeonardo/Weights_EMCR_Spain).Methods: I analyse the percentage differences for internal and international migration between the EMCR and the previous sources at NUTS 2 and NUTS 3 levels in 2021, the only year when the three sources were published simultaneously. I then produce weights by dividing the migration counts from the EVR and EM by those from the EMCR for each spatial unit.Results: I found strong differences between the new source and the previous sources for international migration, especially for emigration, which needs to be calibrated with the weights. The EMCR and EVR register similar numbers of internal migrants.Conclusions: Methodological changes in statistical sources can lead to large differences in the measurement of a social phenomenon. This suggests the need to assess time-series consistency and produce weights for calibration.Contribution: I provide open data with weights to calibrate internal and international migration in the new Spanish migration source and produce consistent time-series with previous sources at different scales. The weights can be used by researchers from different countries and international organisations.
Show me the labels: Using pre-nudges to reduce calorie information avoidance
Authors: Capitán Tabaré , Thunstrom Linda , van 't Veld Klaas , Nordström Jonas , Shogren Jason F.
Published: February 2025

Calorie labeling is a popular policy to address the obesity epidemic, but it has had little empirical success. Under the premise that willful avoidance of information plays a role in this result, we propose a novel approach—pre-nudges—to make consumers more receptive to calorie information. Unlike nudges, which are used to directly influence a choice, pre-nudges are used to directly influence how consumers react to the nudge itself (the calorie label). In line with predictions from our theoretical analysis, we test two pre-nudges in the context of menu labeling: one aims to increase self-efficacy, and the other one highlights the long-term health risks of overeating. In a large-scale laboratory experiment, we find that both pre-nudges reduce calorie information avoidance. Overall, our paper suggests a possible role for pre-nudges in addressing the obesity epidemic—one of the largest public health issues globally—and illustrates the potential usefulness of pre-nudges more generally
Social Movements’ Demands in Institutional Settings: Varieties of Policy Impact by Movement Parties in Italy and Germany
Authors: Glukhova Daria
Published: February 2025

This article explores the patterns of political representation by movement parties and their influence on policy-making in a comparative manner by investigating policy successes of four movement parties – two in Germany (AfD, die Grünen) and two in Italy (M5S, Federazione dei Verdi), - against the policy expectations of the social movements they represent. It shows that movement parties can achieve policy influence and help transmit policy demands of their associated social movements into institutions in other ways than through a powerful position in the government or in parliament. This demonstrates that a party does not have to be in a governing coalition to achieve policy success, nor does being in a government coalition at the time of policy adoption ensure policy survival in the long-term. On the contrary, parties in opposition or with low representation in parliament are able to achieve important policy impact, despite their relatively low popularity in the elections prior or following the adoption of a particular policy. Policy success can be attributed to a number of diverse factors: close alignment with the movement, impact on the agenda-setting stage through implicit or explicit influence of the party, cooptation of policy issues by established political parties, and direct participation in policy-making. The latter, however, does not by itself ensure long-term sustainability of the policy success. We elaborate on the implications of this research on theories of democratic representation, coalition governance, and public policy.
El pathos en Kierkegaard y en Nietzsche como una respuesta al nihilismo
Authors: Montes Espinoza Irving Josaphat
Published: February 2025

Montes Espinoza, Irving Josaphat. El pathos en Kierkegaard y en Nietzsche como una respuesta al nihilismo. El siguiente ensayo ofrece una comparación entre las filosofías de Kierkegaard y de Nietzsche a través del concepto de pathos, así como un análisis de la noción del nihilismo en ambos pensadores y de la manera en la que terminan por tratar los problemas de carácter existencial. Se intenta mostrar también cómo, en el fondo, ambas filosofías no se contraponen; al contrario, pretenden el rescate de la voluntad del hombre acentuando su urgencia por dar un sentido a su existencia, por hacerse cargo de sí. Finalmente se defiende el pathos como un concepto que subyace tanto a la “fe” kierkegaardiana como a la “voluntad de poder” nietzscheana.
El sacrificio de los inocentes en México
Authors: Velasco Yáñez David
Published: February 2025

Velasco Yáñez, David. El sacrificio de los inocentes en México. El artículo forma parte del proyecto de investigación El Campo de los/as Defensores de Derechos Humanos en México. En esta ocasión, se analiza el examen realizado a México por el Comité de la Convención Internacional de los Derechos de los Niños, en el que México y las ONG’s presentaron sus informes sobre el cumplimiento de la convención; en este ejercicio, se destacan tres problemáticas en la infancia de México: el reclutamiento y participación de menores en conflictos armados, la explotación sexual infantil y la situación de los menores migrantes.
¿Cuánto cuesta el cuidado en México? Costo económico e implicaciones para las cuidadoras de personas adultas mayores y no mayores con limitaciones en tres ciudades de México
Authors: Garay Villegas Sagrario
Published: February 2025

En los países latinoamericanos, incluyendo México, la familia suele ser la principal fuente de apoyo cuando algún integrantelo requiere, y, dentro de ésta, son las mujeres las principales cuidadoras. En este artículo se tiene como objetivo analizarlos costos económicos del cuidado y sus implicaciones para las cuidadoras informales de personas adultas mayores y personasque requieren cuidado en tres ciudades de México. La fuente de datos que se utiliza es la Encuesta sobre el Costode los Cuidados a Personas Vulnerables (ECCPeV) 2017. Entre los principales resultados se encuentra que la principalcausa de limitación en el grupo de menores de 60 años se asocia con alguna discapacidad cognitiva; mientras que, enlas personas mayores, se debe a la presencia de diabetes e hipertensión. Los mayores gastos que realizan para el cuidado de las personas con limitaciones son en consultas médicas, medicamentos y transporte. Por último, las mujeres no presentan probabilidades de sobrecarga por el cuidado de susfamiliares.
Surveys on the Security of Ethereum and Hyperledger Fabric Blockchain Platforms
Authors: Nik Mohd Kamal Nik Nor Muhammad Saifudin , Afiqah Safwah , Khadeja Sara , Nasuha Aliya , Wan Mohd Azman Wan Muhammad Haziq Nur Iman , Wan Zulkifli Wan Zul Irfan , Wan Anuar Wan Shafiq Aiman , Isyraf Md Nazri Muhammad Faizul , Zainuddin Ahmad Anwar
Published: February 2025

Ethereum and Hyperledger are two popular and well-known block chain platforms which represent two kinds of application differentiation. Ethereum is a decentralized platform that also allows DApps to operate on it; many of the conditions for performing functions on Ethereum’s blockchain do not require permission to be granted, but smart contracts are available. On the other hand, the Hyperledger Fabric, an enterprise grade blockchain solution, provides the permission to access, update, and apply scalability, privatization, and mandatory access control mechanisms. Due to the decentralized nature and the capacity of performing smart contracts using Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), it has been used in a number of areas across the world in financial transactions and DApp. Hyperledger fabric, on the other hand, is pursuant to the permissioned network standards and is centred on providing the set of components that suffice the requirement of an enterprise thereby making it easier for the organization to build a blockchain, which is both highly scalable and security conscious. Some of the studies have researched on Ethereum as well as Hyperledger Fabric in a variety of contexts as depicted by the following: From these studies, it explains how blockchain has the potential in increasing volume in various areas while enhancing its characteristics such as, openness, origin and audibility. Analysing the concrete features of the Ethereum and Hyperledger Fabric platforms, it is almost obligatory for the companies interested into the implementation of the blockchain technology to understand the possibilities offered by one system and the drawbacks some complexity or singularity of the other. That is why, the features of each platform are distinctive and could be utilized for the development of business processes in specific spheres when designing problem-solving approaches.